Okay, just for clarification before we begin writing the episode review. Vice here doesn't mean habitual sins. Rather, it's all about a device that is alternatively spelled as "vice". So, pretty much it's a gripping or clamping tool as shown in the picture above. Now, we're getting a bit of Naruhisa Arakawa throwing a bit of Dekaranger reference here!
The episode starts with Shiguru the action star. Right now, I think Arakawa has made it rather INTENTIONAL to make him a serious character who may eventually tone down. I'd suggest trying to give Dekaranger a watch if you haven't. Both Hoji and Shiguru are pretty much in the trope of Jerk with a Heart of Gold and The Stoic in some way. Both blue rangers also have the flying mecha and the super-serious approach.
The new monster Vice Jamen shows up. When I heard the word "vice" - I almost thought he'd put people into self-destructive, lazy behavior like in past Tokusatsu where villains make people lazy so takeover will be easy. The objective here is to make people feel utmost pressure of daily life. Is this a bit of a call to Japanese not to be too serious?
This is where cartoon humor really works its charm in post-Timeranger Super Sentai and Carranger. Remember a lot of moments that would've killed anyone in real life? Well, they're trying to get that vise off Shiguru's head. Sayo does picture out that it's crushing his SKULL and I think the clamp in real life would be too heavy. I wonder what Toei used to make the props there? Sayo is later summoned back to the hospital. TBH, it's times like these I wonder how do superheroes ever make a living if they can't let anyone know they're rangers?!
Juru, Sena, and Tametomo show up on his set while Sayo goes to the hospital for duty. Shiguru is always trying to look pro and tough. It reminded how early in Dekaranger where Hoji was still brash and arrogant but got better as time went by.
Once again, I'm thinking about Dekaranger and how Hoji who started out arrogant became humbler. I love how Juru reminds Shiguru about the idea he had on set to finish the action flick. Kiramei Red tries to reenact Shiguru's latest film idea. It's almost like the time when Ban awakened Hoji from the latter's sulking.
Here's yet another cartoony scene. Wouldn't be rangers be DEAD with this one? Yet, for some reason, we do love having this kind of humor. They're trying to pull out Vice Jamen who's being helped by his giant partner Vise Gerga. TBH, wouldn't Kiramei Red get ripped into two for real? Let's just suspend our disbelief and enjoy it!
Shiguru gets the vise removed from his head and it's payback time. Although this scene is kind of short but it's still fun to watch.
Meanwhile, all five engines finally combine together into Kiramaizin. Though, I wonder whose idea was it to turn the jetplane into a sword? Funny if you ask me! Super Sentai mecha combinations do sometimes get weird like how certain parts disappear during the combination then they are later used as weapons.
This is probably where Shiguru still tries to remain as The Stoic when he isn't. At this point, I'm just wondering if Arakawa
Next week maybe the beginning of revealing some things about the Planet Crystal. Right now, I believe a trap has been sprung as the preview may suggest.
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