Go-Busters Christmas Episodes Re-Review - Overcoming A Christmas Trauma

After I decided to watch the Beast Morphers episode "Scrozzle's Revenge" (which rather turned out meh even for Hasbro's standards) - I decided to do a Go-Busters episode re-review. Now, it's time to focus on Go-Busters two-part Christmas special. It's not just a random Christmas special (like most of them) but it has something to do with the plot that happened 13 years ago leading to the present day.

A lot of events in the Go-Busters two-part Christmas special bring back the past and the present. The Go-Busters lost their parents during the Christmas Eve tragedy 13 years ago. I find it way too insulting to name the virus as Messiah virus due to its malevolent nature. The Go-Busters grew up in the orphanage. A flashback shows Commander Kuroki in a Santa Claus suit - celebrating Christmas with the Go-Busters. It's only natural to hate a certain event when something traumatic happens. Thanks to Kuroki - Youko, fortunately, doesn't hate Christmas thanks to that incident. Sometimes, I do end up hating December because of some bad events that happened many years ago or the intense traffic.

Part of the plot involves Nami Kawaii (acted by Mizuho Hata) who herself is a teacher. Ryuji finds her to be a familiar face. Later on, it's revealed that she grew up with the Go-Busters after they had lost their families. The Energy Management Center sets up Christmas parties in orphanages to help people who have had losses especially in a time of celebration. 

Is it me or do these black, dark Santa Claus outfits really become cliche? Exceedraft had evil Santas in the Christmas special. Both Escape and Enter have their agendas. Escape wants to get the Messiah virus cards to revive her "papa". Enter has his own plans which ultimately made him the final antagonist. Escape's devotion is however repaid with treachery later on. 

I do love how the Liveman plot from episode 8 was used. Do you remember Anger Brain from that episode? Well, I don't think everyone does if some of my readers happen to be the new school generation. I still think of the Liveman plot when the Liveman's rage was used against them. They do learn an important lesson that anger isn't the only thing that empowers - you also have your love for justice that replaces anger. Is it me or does Yasuko Kobayashi like to use plots from Hirohisa Soda too? Later, Hiromu gets injured and needs to take a rest. He later ends up joining at the second half risking himself. But he's told not to throw away his life so recklessly because he's better off living so others may live. Hmmm... I'm conflicted now TBH with superheroes who die in battle after hearing Nick talk like that!

I still think about how the Messiah Virus is probably a wasted potential. I didn't mind too much when Javious in Megaranger was finally wasted as Dr. Hinelar practically stole the show. In here, I felt that the Messiah Virus had potentially more development than the Venjix Virus from Power Rangers RPM. The Messiah Virus did have a similar pattern of appearing in a body, getting destroyed, and returning. The episode does go full circle with Messiah finally getting destroyed on the day he was conceived. I still felt like it was like, "I think Messiah is probably not too popular so let's give the finale to Enter, shall we?" kind of bailout. I felt like the Messiah Virus should've returned for the finale taking over Enter's body as revenge before he or it is finally destroyed for good. }

But would letting the Messiah Virus survive after the Christmas episodes actually mean it's all in vain? It's been some time since I thought about it. Ending what caused the trauma somehow gave the Go-Busters justice. Part of me still thinks it's an injustice for the show. However, one can also say that the relationship between the Go-Busters and Enter has been far too personal. Enter can be argued to be the "better villain" for some audiences. From another perspective, destroying the Messiah Virus before the finale arc did help the Go-Busters grow as adults. They managed to destroy the source of their trauma and finally focus on destroying their biggest nuisance namely Enter. That's another perspective I got after rewatching the Go-Busters Christmas episodes. 

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Meanwhile, I do still feel that Go-Busters should've been a doomsday Super Sentai. It's all because I love to say that Go-Busters has better execution than RPM. I still think the doomsday theme could've probably improved the Christmas battle with them helping children who lost their parents during Vaglass' takeover of the Earth. I would probably have the Dome City of Akihabara as the last safe haven. They are still helping others who are trapped out there in the Messiah Virus takeover. Still, I'd end up picking Go-Busters over RPM any day. I'm no longer that closet Go-Busters fan these days. Go-Busters isn't a perfect show. I still think the show had some mistakes (at least in MY OPINION only back five years ago) like forced humor or less interesting villains. Though, that has changed somewhat after a couple of years. I still think Go-Busters is still worth a rewatch.