Ticket-kun is upset Akira is making modifications to what is supposed to be a shiny, brand new Ressha. Conductor likes it, but Ticket wants to give Akira a piece of his mind.

The others wonder what they can do to have all of them get along better, so Wagon suggests they need to make Akira smile more. Maybe make him laugh.

Meanwhile at the Castle, Gritta has summoned Jack in the Box® Shadow and orders him to go wreak some dark havoc. He turns to leave, but snaps his finger first. A flower pops out of Schwarz’s mouth.

Gritta can’t help but be kilig by the sight and she giggles. But she suddenly goes flying thanks to a bouncy spring. This is Jack in the Box® Shadow’s power, inflicting the world with the hell that is laughter.

Schwarz helps Gritta up while Zett watches from around the corner. He laughs too, saying he will keep up with the farce for now. Especially since it appears Gritta is indeed growing shining, shimmering, splendid.

Wagon is welcoming Akira onto the Resshas. He walks into the main car and sees…

Akira is not impressed. Nor amused.

The ToQgers say they just wanted to make him smile, but Akira says he has no right to smile. He will only smile when he’s successfully protected the rainbow… and dies.

They suddenly get the warning of a Shadow Line station up ahead, Oowarai or Great Laughter.

They disembark, but don’t see anything particularly Shadowy.

Nearby, Jack in the Box® Shadow snaps his fingers again and the ToQgers are surprised when they see a man get his suit blown right off his body, leaving him only in underwear and a fedora.

The ToQgers, except Akira, laugh and they get sent flying into the air.

Jack in the Box® Shadow shows himself and Akira recognizes him. Akira explains how Jack in the Box® Shadow uses laughter to blow people away to keep them from being happy. But it’s okay since Jack in the Box® Shadow isn’t funny.

Jack in the Box® Shadow takes offense and summons Kuros.

The ToQgers all henshin and they charge toward the Kuros. But Jack in the Box® Shadow snaps his finger again.

Right grabs a Kuros’ hat off its head to reveal an afro. Right stops himself from laughing, but Jack in the Box® Shadow snaps his fingers again before charging toward the ToQgers.

Behind Jack in the Box® Shadow appear two sumo wrestlers, first walking about, then sitting down to eat.

Suddenly, the sumo wrestlers lock horns then start doing the cha-cha and body waves.

The ToQgers can’t help but laugh at the strange sight, so they get blown away again. Akira, still stone faced, goes after Jack in the Box® Shadow who decides to retreat.

Back at the Resshas, the ToQgers are trying to figure out how to keep from laughing so easily. Right is particularly frustrated and upset.

Conductor and Ticket, however, have a training plan that should give the ToQgers the best defense against Jack in the Box® Shadow.

Across town, Akira comes across a crying little girl with a box while he’s looking for something he’s dropped. He approaches her and looks into the box. It’s a…

Back on the Resshas, Wagon walks into the main car and is surprised to find…

The ToQgers are doing crunches for the first part of their Special Training, Core Strength.

Next is practicing their pratfalls. Ticket and Conductor want them to be serious about being silly.

Part 3 of their training is their Exclamations. They use punching bags to practice their interjections.

For part 4, it’s time for them to apply their training in the real world.

Hikari, Right and Kagura are acting out an elevator/Ressha skit much to the disinterest of the children.

Tokacchi and Mio, meanwhile, are acting out a comedy duo sketch that the grandpas and grandmas don’t really care for.

Conductor and Ticket watch the ToQgers back on the Resshas delivering their final killer joke.

Conductor and Ticket think they are absolutely ready.

Downtown, Jack in the Box® Shadow continues to send people flying when the ToQgers arrive. They tell him they won't be laughing anymore and that he will be the one that gets blown away by his own laughter.

Jack in the Box® Shadow snaps his fingers and a comedian pops in to deliver a Madagascar joke. The ToQgers stop themselves from laughing and the Shadow says, fine, it's their turn.

The ToQgers henshin, but instead of the usual pose, they try something else.

But Jack in the Box® Shadow says the original one was funnier. Hikari’s had enough of this foolishness, but they suddenly hear a familiar tune.

They turn to see Akira walking in playing the recorder. He finishes with the wrong note, then says his line: “This is the place where I die.”

Everyone, the ToQgers, Jack in the Box® Shadow and even the Kuros burst out in laughter and all of them go flying. The ToQgers are frustrated that it was Akira, of all people, that caused them to break.

Akira doesn’t really understand what’s wrong, but he does know it’s time for him to henshin. He charges towards the Kuros, including one with pigtails.

The others snap out of their comedic rut and decide to fight normally, but Right is still upset over the failure of their plan. He takes a seat on the steps and when Kagura goes to check on him, he hands her his Ressha.

Right is announced to have “depressed to White” and he sulks alone until the pigtailed Kuro, also depressed, takes a seat next to him.

Kagura transfers to Red, but then trips over a dead Kuro. The Ressha falls out of her ToQ Changer and Hikari picks it up to transfer. He tosses it to Mio who also transfers and finally Tokacchi gets it.

Tokacchi returns it to Right’s ToQ Changer and he regains his color and takes out the pigtailed Kuro next to him.

Akira finishes off Jack in the Box® Shadow’s first life and naturally, he embiggens. Akira jumps into Build Ressha and Right decides he feels like hopping into Gramps Ressha today.

Mio tells Right not to be so down about their gag not working, but Tokacchi adds that Right is not used to losing or being not-”right” all the time.

Right pilots Diesel-Oh while the other four hop into ToQ-Oh and Akira initiates Build Dai-Oh. But Akira suddenly starts cracking up.

The others try to snap him out of it, but they still manage to work together to finish off two Kuliners and eventually Jack in the Box® Shadow.

Akira reveals the reason he cannot stop laughing… a cat has been tickling him in the cockpit. He relates his meeting with the little girl earlier. Her mother told her she had to get rid of the cat, so Akira took it to care for.

The ToQgers watch Akira happily playing with the cat. But the little girl comes running up and says her mom has allowed her to keep it now. Akira’s smile quickly disappears as he hands the cat back to her.

The little girl thanks Akira for taking care of her cat and she also has something for him. She hands him his harmonica which she’s found.

The little girl leaves and Akira collapses on the floor, crying.

Then he stands and turns to the ToQgers, stoic and serious once again. He tells them he’ll head back to work and he walks away playing his harmonica.

Back at the Castle, Madame Noir is happily examining Gritta’s wedding dress and excited that it will finally happen. Baron Nero watches and wonders why Noir is so focused on the wedding.

Episode Thoughts
An insane episode. Cross dressing, nearly naked men, depressed Right. It was crazy!

But of course lots of fun. Especially Akira’s whiplash of emotions at the end there. Who would’ve thought he’d have a very soft spot for cats. It’ll be interesting too to see Akira recognizing his former Shadow Line comrades in the future. That’s a nice little fresh dynamic.

Another fresh dynamic happened this episode too. Right being all depressed that he was actually wrong for once. I definitely enjoyed that since it really was starting to get tiresome having Right basically be an all-knowing deus ex machina most of the time. Also, colorless Sentai!

I hope they go to the countryside soon. I thought we’d be seeing more of non-Tokyo locations. =(

This was the first time Conductor and Ticket left the Resshas! I want to see them and Wagon out in the battle in the future.

But maybe the biggest story development this episode was that little tease at the end. The wedding is fast approaching and looks like things get crazier, in a dramatic sense, next week. Can’t wait!

Wagon has happily prepared some treats for everyone to celebrate the arrival of Summer. They excitedly think about vacation, pools, barbeque, fireworks… festivals.

“Festivals” triggers a blurry memory for Mio. Kagura notices her in thought, but Mio doesn’t let on what she’s remembered.

Over at the Castle, Gritta has just told her mother that she does not want to marry the Emperor. But Madame Noire says it’s okay and not to worry. She takes her aside to tell her what this wedding is really about for them.

Gritta immediately goes to Schwarz-sama to tell him to leave the Shadow Line. She says thanks to him telling her to be patient and by giving her his handkerchief, she’s grown stronger. But she absolutely refuses to get married.

She says they need to hurry because the wedding her mother has planned is “truly terrifying.” She begs Schwarz to run away with her, but he asks for all the specific details first.

They leave to somewhere more private, but Baron Nero had just heard their conversation.

It’s nighttime. On the Resshas, Mio has been thinking about that blurry memory since this afternoon. She feels it is an important memory, one that includes her and Kagura running somewhere.

Kagura is getting ready for bed and sees Mio looking out the window. She asks if Mio’s having trouble sleeping. Mio stops herself from telling Kagura anything so as not to worry her.

Kagura asks if she’s okay and Mio says she’s fine. They head into the main car and Mio tries to lighten the mood even though Kagura definitely knows something is off.

Suddenly the lights flicker and Conductor announces a Kuliner is approaching in the opposite direction. But the Kuliner merely leaves something on the outside of the train.

The guys and Wagon meet Kagura and Mio in the main car as Conductor and Ticket come in to show them the invitation to the Emperor’s wedding addressed to the ToQgers.

Wagon collapses to the floor. The Emperor was a bachelor all this time! “Yeah, you missed your chance,” Conductor says.

Next morning, the ToQgers go to the area drawn in the invitation. The exact location isn’t given and it doesn’t even say who the Emperor is marrying.

Kagura notices Mio is tired and asks if she had trouble sleeping last night. Mio says she’s fine, but Kagura is not convinced.

Meanwhile, Gritta watches from the bushes with Shabon Shadow. The plan is to have him switch Gritta and one of the ToQgers.

Shabon Shadow slides out and the ToQgers henshin. But Shabon Shadow shoots some suds towards Right and Tokacchi and they switch bodies and dehenshin.

Before the ToQgers can comprehend what’s happening, Shabon Shadow shoots another round of suds. This time it’s Hikari and Tokacchi (out of Right’s body) who switch.

Kagura goes to get things straight:

Tokacchi is in Hikari’s body.

Right is in Tokacchi’s body.

And Hikari is in Right’s body.

But now Shabon Shadow makes the biggest swap. He shoots suds at Mio and then at Gritta. They switch. Gritta is ecstatic. She goes to happily look at her reflection in the water. Mio shoves her out of the way to see her own reflection as Gritta.

Mio drops the Schwarz handkerchief and Gritta picks it up before gleefully running away.

The others run toward Mio, but Madame Noire arrives with an army of Kuros. She shoots the ToQgers away and approaches MioasGritta, saying she will not have her daughter run away.

Mio tries to explain she is not who Noire thinks she is, but she ends up trying to run. Akira arrives and is confused about Shadow Line comrades fighting against each other. Madame Noire shoots at Akira, but he henshins and fights.

Kagura hurries over to MioasGritta and they finally run away. Madame Noire shoots at Akira again, allowing her and the Kuros to make their escape.

Kagura and Mio are still running while Kagura updates Right and others about where they are. Right tells Kagura to take care of Mio, especially since she can’t board the trains in this state.

Mio grows weak and tired. Kagura realizes she’s been out in the sun too long so she brings her to some shade.

Back at the Resshas, Wagon has drawn some cute pictures of the guys for them to wear on their heads so they can keep track of who’s who.

Akira says they’ll get switched back as long as they defeat Shabon Shadow. He tells them about Madame Noire’s daughter, Gritta, being the Emperor’s bride to be.

Gritta as Mio savors the great light she’s been able to enjoy in this non-Shadow body. She is excited to be able to go anywhere with Schwarz-sama in this body. Gritta hurries over to meet Schwarz at their meeting place.

Back at the Castle, someone is telling Zett they know where Gritta is. And that person is…

Kagura’s brought Mio into the park under some trees and tells her to wait a sec while she gets her some water. Mio sees her body running by and goes to follow.

Mio stops Gritta in her tracks and asks for her body back. Gritta says no, she needs “this thing.” That’s pretty selfish of you, Mio says. But Gritta says she can’t give it back, she doesn’t want to get married.

Mio says she should just say so, but Gritta says that won’t do any good, that’s why she’s running.

More running jogs Mio’s memory again. But suddenly both Mio and Gritta grow weak.

Across town, Shabon Shadow laughs that he didn’t mention to Gritta that staying swapped too long will force the body to reject the soul, causing them to die.

The guys arrive, hearing Shabon Shadow’s explanation of the consequences. Hikari as Right says they’ll have to defeat the Shadow at least, before they die. Akira tells the others to leave it to him since dying is his job.

“Akira-kun, mind not making everything about yourself?”

Right as Tokacchi says they’re used to switching lines, so fighting in another body will be a piece of cake. They henshin and take turns sending big blows toward Shabon Shadow.

Meanwhile, Mio and Gritta are starting to feel the bodies rejecting them when Baron Nero appears, demanding to know what she is scheming by marrying the Emperor.

Mio as Gritta tries to explain she is not Gritta, but Madame Noire arrives to stop Baron Nero from doing anything dumb. GrittaasMio tires to run, but Kagura arrives to stop her. Madame Noire hears Mio, Kagura and Gritta and finally realizes what’s happened.

Baron Nero says fine, he’ll just kill both Mio and Gritta. But Madame Noire says she will not allow it.

“ToQgers, I’ll help you this one time. Take Gritta and run!”

Mio, Kagura and Gritta run as Madame Noire and Baron Nero prepare to battle.

The guys outsmart Shabon Shadow and finish off his unbiggened life. And with that, the guys are back in their own bodies.

Meanwhile, Gritta and Mio switch back as well. Kagura and Mio are happy, but Gritta is disappointed. Still, she says she’s made it this far, she can’t turn back now.

Gritta grabs the handkerchief from Mio and runs. Mio tries to go after her, but she is too weak.

The guys hop into Diesel-Oh and Build-dai-Oh to try and fight off embiggened Shabon Shadow’s bubbles.

Right calls Kagura to ask if they can come help. Kagura asks Mio if she’s okay and Mio says yeah, she’s fine.

Kagura knocks Mio on the head. “All you do is say you’re fine,” Kagura says.

Kagura tells Mio that she’s noticed her acting strangely since yesterday. She wanted to help, but all Mio has said is “I’m fine.” That makes Kagura uncomfortable.

Mio realizes she only kept her problems to herself to keep Kagura from worrying, but she ended up worrying her even more. She did want to talk to her and maybe they can later, but right now her body is really weak. And she would like to ask Kagura for help.

Kagura turns and smiles. Sure, of course she’ll help.

She grabs Mio’s hand and they go running.

BUT THAT’S IT!!! Mio remembers!

Shabon Shadow has the guys covered in suds, but Kagura and Mio arrive in Police and Fire Ressha to help them out.

They attach Fire and Police Resshas to Diesel-Oh and they with Akira finish Shabon Shadow off.

Mio wonders what’s happened to Gritta.

Gritta is up on a rooftop, the place she’s supposed to meet Schwarz at. She is excited, but suddenly that excitement goes out the window when a Kuliner arrives and out pops Zett instead.

Episode Thoughts
OMG.

Okay, I think this may be ToQger’s best episode yet. It has everything that’s made the season so good, so far.

First of all, What has Mio remembered!? This might be their biggest clue yet and her saying that not all memories they might have are all happy is very interesting. I definitely want more of that.

The politicking and secret meetings and secret agendas really, finally came to a head and definitely set up the big wedding. I see big things happening with the Shadow Line.

But dude, we were so cheated out of what was likely an amazing battle between Madame Noire and Baron Nero.

ZOMG though at Schwarz absolutely using Gritta and probably ripping out her heart, stomping on it then putting it back before pulling it out and smashing it to little pieces. That was shocking.

And that fade to black ending with creepy creeper Zett. Chilling.

Riria was so good as both Mio and Gritta this episode. And just like how it was awesome seeing Suzuki Katsuhiro giving Nick a human face with human expressions on Go-Busters, it was great to put a human face on Gritta as well. And Riria really did a great job.

Body switching episodes are always fun. And this episode was no different.

And for the little things. I really like the detail of having Gritta always with an umbrella. I didn’t realize it was because, duh, they can’t stay out in the light too long. Zett too the other week when they were waiting for Akira.

I also loved seeing the Resshas running on the tracks at night. And it was great to see the reminder that yes, the ToQgers live on the Resshas. They eat and sleep on them.

Overall, this was maybe the best ToQger episode yet. Emotional, funny, dramatic, action-packed. I can’t wait for the next episodes. I know Kobayashi’s gearing up for that midseason punch.

Riria was great as both Mio and Gritta this episode. And just like HIROMUACTOR was great giving a face to Nick, it was great giving a human face to Gritta.

The Castle is buzzing with activity as preparations for the wedding ceremony are in full swing. Madame Noire is happy to not only have Gritta back, but that the Emperor himself had gone to fetch her. “This wedding will change everything.”

Gritta flashes back to that moment on the rooftop. Zett again marvels at Gritta’s sparkling glow. That’s why he wants her… bad. Gritta goes to run, but Zett says Schwarz is not coming, just so she knows.

Gritta merely thinks it’s because the Emperor has found out their eloping plan. She now fears what the Emperor may do to Schwarz if she ran away by herself.

That’s why she has decided to just go through with the wedding.

Meanwhile, Baron Nero is trying to convince the Emperor to stop the wedding as Madame Noire is planning something evil. “Is that why you targeted Gritta?” Yes, Nero says and Zett sends him flying across the room.

On the Resshas, Mio tells the guys about what she’s remembered. They might be able to figure out where their hometown is.

She reminds them about their talking about summer and how Hikari’s mention of festivals triggered her blurry memory of one, possibly their town’s festival. And yesterday, Kagura adds, she remembers them running somewhere that festival night.

Mio says she felt excited, but also anxious. Hikari thinks they were going to their secret base.

That’s when Right remembers. They were going to go to their secret base so they could watch the stars by themselves. It was an annual star festival, they all remember.

The ToQgers are excited and Wagon, Conductor and Ticket are happy they may finally have their biggest clue yet.

Meanwhile back at the Castle, the wedding ceremony is about to begin. “The moment has come,” Madame Noire thinks to herself. Baron Nero, on the other hand, puts his trust in the Emperor and is sure he can handle himself against whatever Noire and Gritta are planning.

Gritta and Zett walk to meet each other in the middle of the room. Gritta thinks to herself, she may become a different person after this, but as long as Schwarz-sama is safe, her heart will always be with him.

Schwarz walks to his Kuliner. He is sorry to have used Gritta, but while he is born of darkness, he is more attracted to power. His great ambition is to conquer the world under military control. That is his reason for being as a soldier.

Zett takes Gritta’s hand, but she suddenly grabs his wrist. He recoils, but his wedding cape suddenly traps him. Madame Noire laughs.

“Your time is up Your Majesty! My daughter has my power to devour the power of her betrothed.”

Baron Nero can’t believe it, but Gritta zaps him with her eyes.

She then starts shining, intensely bright. Zett marvels at the beautiful white light, but suddenly, Gritta sprouts huge wings which engulf Zett allowing her to SWALLOW HIM WHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And with that, Gritta has taken the Emperor’s power. She is now the Empress of Darkness and the Shadow Line belongs to them.

Gritta closes her eyes. “Schwarz-sama.”

General Schwarz sets off from Castle Terminal, now free to command his army without Emperor Zett. His target: The Rainbow Line.

Madame Noire tells Gritta her Majesty to rest so she can get acclimated to her new powers. They close the curtains to the throne and the Kuros start cleaning up. Baron Nero picks up Zett’s necklace and vows to avenge his death.

At the next station, Right and Tokacchi have collected a stack of pamphlets about festivals around the country. They divide the stack and each search through.

Hikari asks Mio if she remembers why she said she felt anxious that night. She only remembers that not everything that night was fun. But it’s okay. Right says there’s no point in worrying about it before they even remember.’

Suddenly, Ticket announces a Kuliner approaching. The ToQgers hurry outside where they run into Schwarz.

Akira joins them and they all henshin.

Back at the caste, Gritta awakens. Her eyes are now red.

The ToQgers fight off Kuros while Akira takes on Schwarz. But Schwarz looks up at the train station. The Resshas!

Conductor and Ticket watch the fighting. Conductor thinks it’s strange there’s no Shadow kaijin. Ticket says he has a bad feeling about it.

And sure enough, Kuros blast the turnstile away and force their way onto the trains, taking Conductor, Ticket and Wagon hostage. Conductor calls the ToQgers. Akira holds off Schwarz while they try to make their way back to the Resshas, but suddenly, a Shadow Line train approaches.

It’s Madame Noire and she introduces the new Empress of Darkness. She tells them Zett is gone.

Mio steps forward saying she thought Gritta had run away. The Empress also steps forward, but instead of the usual childlike voice, now speaks a confident matured voice.

“Why would I run away?”

Empress Gritta zaps the ToQgers away with her eyes, then turns to Schwarz. What’s he doing lollygagging about. Finish the ToQgers already!

No problem, Schwarz says. He tells the ToQgers they will battle with trains. And Schwarz will be using their trains. He boards the Resshas and orders Conductor to transfer control to him. He holds his sword to their necks and Conductor and Ticket have no choice.

Schwarz initiates ToQ-Oh as Akira summons Build Dai-Oh and the others summon Diesel Ressha-tachi.

Schwarz uses ToQ-Oh to absolutely pummel the ToQgers. But they continue to push forward even as Schwarz deflects all their attacks.

On the ground, Empress Gritta says she would like to go too. She asks for a train and the Emperor’s white Kuliner transforms into a robo.

Gritta tells Schwarz that she merely wants to fight. Right tells Akira for a full attack, but Gritta’s Kuliner suffers not even a scratch. She walks towards them and Right summons Police Ressha. But still nothing. Gritta presses forward and Akira tries attacking.

Gritta merely knocks Build Dai-Oh down. Right pushes Diesel-Oh toward Gritta’s Kuliner robo as she readies a huge attack. Schwarz has Akira and Build Dai-Oh at sword-point while Gritta can deliver a punishing point-black shot at the others.

Gritta delivers a Darkness Fall and Diesel-Oh goes flying. The ToQgers themselves also get thrown from their cockpits and into a cloud of darkness.

But in that moment, they flashback to that night of the festival. In front of their secret base. They remember everything; the moment darkness suddenly engulfs their town around them.

Diesel-Oh falls onto a building as Gritta preps another Darkness Fall. The ToQgers muster up power to get both Diesel-Oh and Build Dai-Oh to stand, but they only end up absorbing Gritta’s HUGE attack.

Episode Thoughts
OMG yes. Amazing episode.

Okay. First of all Gritta swallowing Zett whole. I guess we got foreshadowing of that when she ate up the headSchwarz in the episode a few weeks ago. But seeing her, in a wedding dress, with huge angel wings absolutely engulf Zett and eat him up was so uncomfortable and shocking and awesome. Damn. Really.

We all knew Madame Noire’s set her sights on the throne and that Gritta marrying the Emperor would be a way for her to get into power, but I definitely did not see this coming. Like Baron Nero said, it was a tragic and sudden end for the Emperor. And while Zett was all creepy fun, I hope we don’t ever see him alive again. It’s better, storywise to have Gritta really in charge and have everything (Noire vs Schwarz vs Nero vs Whoever) just build off of this big event. At least for me.

The hyped up wedding definitely delivered though.

Seeing the ToQgers finally get their biggest clue yet to not only their hometown, but what could have possibly happened to them was awesome. Again with all that emotional stuff that just gets me. Whenever those kids appear and run to each other and smile; I feel that. Kobayashi, you!!!

So the Darkness likely engulfed their town, but I definitely hope there’s more to it than that. And I definitely hope we are still building up to a big Kobayashi midseason climax.

The ToQgers wake up in their now badly damaged Diesel, Tank and Car Carrier Resshas. Akira tells them he’ll try to do some quick fixes to them as soon as he gets Diesel-Oh up and running.

Baron Nero is mourning his Emperor’s demise. Madame Noire calls him to pay his respects to the Empress who has just arrived. But Nero bravely approaches Gritta, saying he will never serve her. Gritta zaps him and Madame Noire laughs.

Gritta looks at herself in the mirror, questioning who she really is.

The ToQgers leave the Resshas and they hear music. It is coming from a nearby festival for Sakuma Shrine. The sights, sounds and smells trigger fresh memories for the ToQgers.

They remember preparing lanterns and showing them to their family members. This is the first time they’ve missed their families as this is the first time they’ve even remembered them.

Akira calls the ToQgers and says he’s almost done, but to be on the lookout for Schwarz nearby.

Right tells Akira they’ll buy him some time. They then remember how they would write their hopes and dreams onto the lanterns they had made, as was custom for their town’s festival. Zett’s words about them having been swallowed by darkness before now echo in their minds.

But no matter how scary or upsetting the memory of that night may be, Right says they should remember all of it, no matter what. It’ll be okay, Right says.

“No matter what happens, we won’t be alone.”

They turn their attention to stopping Schwarz and to keep this town’s festival safe. The quicker they can do that, the faster they can get to looking for their town.

The ToQgers run through the nearby forest, attracting the Kuros and eventually Schwarz. But something doesn’t seem right. Schwarz realizes it’s not the five ToQgers fighting his Kuros. It is actually only Right who has been transferring lines this whole time.

That allows the other four ToQgers to find the Resshas and they jump out of the bushes to take care of the Kuros guarding them.

While Right keeps Schwarz busy, the other four head into the Resshas to save Conductor, Ticket and Wagon. But…

Turns out, they actually have things under control.

Schwarz gets the upper hand against Right, but a white line appears to signal the approaching Resshas. Mio and Tokacchi reach out of the speeding train to grab Right.

Schwarz quickly summons his Kuliner and gets into robo mode.

Akira arrives with the other Resshas and they go Cho ToQ-Oh and Build Dai-Oh.

Schwarz charges against his two opponents and just then, Gritta’s drops his handkerchief.

Madame Noire picks it up and says this is definitely not find for an Emperor, so she hands it to a Kuro to toss into the trash. But Gritta stops them, not completely sure why. Then, she remembers just who gave her that handkerchief, and sensing the bad omen, rushes out of the Castle.

But Schwarz is having an easy time knocking the ToQgers around. He turns to Akira.

“We could have ruled the world together if you had stayed with the Shadow Line.”
“I care less about that than I do my own life!”
“Then just die then!”

Just then, Gritta arrives in her Kuliner and goes robo. She wastes no time in sending a huge Darkness Fall toward them and they again go flying, the Resshas separating and the ToQgers getting hurled out of them.

They suddenly stop and they are faced again with the memories of their town being engulfed by darkness. But now, they also remember something else.

Young Right tells his friends it’ll be okay.

“There’s nothing to fear when we’re together.”

Just as the ToQgers grab each other’s hands in unity, the Resshas begin to link-up.

They face the memory of their town head-on and this time, they see clearly what they’ve been trying to remember all this time, the name of their town:

Subarugahama.

The sight of their town’s name produces a rainbow of color to surround the ToQgers. Cho ToQ-Oh has just finished re-combining.

But Akira looks up and sees the rainbow surrounding the ToQgers. The ToQgers reach out and they grab Akira’s hands just as Cho ToQ-Oh combines with Diesel Ressha.

The resulting combination shines brightly and Gritta suddenly feels a surge of energy through her body. A vision of Zett reaching for the light. “What was that?”

“IMAGINATION!!!!!!” Conductor happily yells. He, Ticket and Wagon celebrate.

It’s Cho Cho ToQ-Oh! Ticket proclaims.
But Akira says no. It’s Cho Cho ToQ Dai-Oh!

Schwarz does not care and he charges toward the now more powerful opponent. The ToQgers block Schwarz’s attacks. Gritta revs up another Darkness Fall, but the ToQgers stop her too.

The ToQgers prepare an Imagination Express finisher toward Schwarz, but Gritta throws her robo and herself in front of the incoming attack.

Gritta’s pre-Zett soul returns to the surface as she absorbs the ToQger’s punishing finisher.

Both Gritta and Schwarz are thrown from their robos. He limps toward Gritta who he finds lying near the river.

She opens her eyes and expresses her relief that he is okay.

But why, Schwarz says. He only used her.
Gritta says she only cares about helping him. She was her mother’s puppet, but she was able to make her own decisions whenever it was about Schwarz-sama. Just being close to him and talking with him made her happy.

The ToQgers arrive and watch the scene.

“Even in the future…,” Gritta starts to say as she struggles to hand Schwarz his handkerchief.

Suddenly, a hand breaks out of Gritta’s body and attacks Schwarz. She pleads with Schwarz to get away as something starts breaking free of her body.

The ToQgers watch in horror as an intense, huge energy bursts out of Gritta’s body. She screams in agony as her body explodes and out of it pops…

ZETT!?!?!?!

“I finally got Gritta’s sparkle.”

Schwarz realizes this was Zett’s plan all along. Yes, Zett admits. He wants a shining darkness.

He pulls out a sword and slashes at Schwarz. “Hey General. Your eyes sparkled a little just now.” Zett sends Schwarz into the river.

Zett transforms back into his human form and tells the ToQgers that the first sparkling he ever saw was likely them. And it will be their shining shimmering splendid sparkle he will be taking next.

He summons his Kuliner and hops on, the train causing Gritta’ wedding dress and Schwarz’s handkerchief to go flying into the air.

Later that evening, the ToQgers return to the festival.

They’ve finally remembered, the star festival of Subarugahama.

They feel more contemplative than excited. Kagura is especially solemn,but Right pops up with some cotton candy and corn to lighten the mood.

“It’ll be okay as long as we’re together!”

Episode Thoughts
AMAZING. Absolutely loved this episode. The rush of different emotions through this episode was insane.

The emotional scenes of the ToQgers’ memories becoming more clear to that absolutely shocking and heartbreaking scene of Zett blowing up Gritta’s damn body. OMG. Like, seriously. What was that!? Poor Gritta.

That whole sequence, from the formation of Cho Cho ToQ Dai-Oh to Gritta throwing herself in the path of the new Imagination Express to Zett blowing her up was unbelievable. And again, all enhanced by the excellent soundtrack. The music is flawless this season. So perfect.

But sh*t, seriously. Zett bursting out of a screaming Gritta right as she is telling Schwarz how much he means to her with her dying breaths was one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking scenes I’ve ever seen. Damn.

This whole time, Gritta has been a very sympathetic character with the combination of her being her mother’s puppet, getting forced into a marriage with a strange guy addicted to light, having a childlike personality and experiencing unrequited love. I think we all knew she was going to sacrifice herself for her Schwarz-sama. But I don’t think anyone saw Zett breaking free of her body coming at all. That was probably one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking scenes I’ve ever seen. I hope she’s still alive somewhere, just as Schwarz is of course alive. Maybe she can break out of Zett’s body in the future.

And then of course the fun scenes with Wagon, Conductor and Ticket. And those rainbow scenes before Cho-Cho-ToQ-Dai-Oh’s first combination. So magical, right? Gritta’s Darkness Fall is truly terrifying though.

We’re definitely in the next arc of the season as the ToQgers have their biggest clue yet as to where their hometown is. But we still don’t know what actually happened to it and why the ToQgers found themselves on the Ressha.

I’ve loved the un-henshined fights lately. We haven’t really gotten a lot of big ones until these last two episodes. And they were definitely kick-ass awesome.
It’s also going to be interesting to see Madame Noire come face to face with Zett too. The Shadow Line dynamics has definitely been one of the season’s strong points.

But the ToQgers long journey home is still the main draw and this episode again reaffirmed just how affecting their story has been. Many people say Kobayashi is burned out, but she knows exactly what she’s doing. And she’s still telling great stories.

Wagon rolls her cart into the main car and asks the ToQgers if they’re interested in some bento or candy. But they are intensely focused on looking through books and maps for Subarugahama.

Hanging out with Akira as he inspects the Resshas, Conductor and Ticket know the ToQgers are in for a shock when they realize the reason they can’t find their town anywhere is because of its fate after being swallowed by darkness.

Conductor and Ticket confirm to the ToQgers that their town is as good as gone and the fact that they can’t find it on any map is proof of that. Mio says this never happened with the other towns they’ve passed through after being infiltrated by the Shadow Line.

Ticket says that’s only because the Shadow Kaijin were still creating darkness. Once the humans stop producing darkness, the town is completely swallowed by the darkness and becomes part of the Shadow Line with no means to reach it.

But they do, Akira says. He has a way to get them on the Shadow Line. Conductor and Ticket think it is too dangerous for them to go in just yet, but the ToQgers insist.

Akira says they must find a junction point, a switch the Shadow use to get to the surface or to trespass onto the Rainbow Line. They appear irregularly, so they need a Shadow Line train to find one.

Luckily, they have a Shadow Line train; Drill Ressha.

Meanwhile, Zett has returned to the Castle. Baron Nero happily welcomes him and wishes him good tidings of darkness and light. Zett is amused by Nero’s change of opinion. Nero says he realized how gobbling up all the sparkling shining brightness will actually help them flood the land with darkness.

Madame Noire agrees. She glides in.

Zett approaches her and says he compliments her having the cajones to even show her face to him. She admits she lost, but she at least wants to thank him.

Madame Noire bows, but quickly pulls out a knife and tries to stab Zett right in the gut. He blocks it and grabs her wrist.

“What a fancy way of showing thanks.”
“Indeed. It’s filled with the loss of my dreams and daughter.”

“You’re the one who gave me Gritta,” Zett says, stroking the white feathers on his shoulder pad. He transforms into his Shadow form and grabs the knife from Noire, shoving her to the ground.

“Her sparkle existed for my sake,” Zett adds. “Actually, it still does.”

Madame Noire is taken aback.

“Why don’t I make you my next queen? Maybe you might be able to eat me up?”

Baron Nero gloats. Looks like you’ll have to choose between bowing down or dying.

Madame Noire kneels and apologizes, “I will never defy you again.”
“I hope so,” Zett says as he tosses the knife to the floor and he and Nero walk away.

Akira’s found a junction. He pulls a lever and a Shadow Line track appears which should lead them to a Shadow town.

He warns them to look out for an overseer and the ToQgers go full speed ahead into the Shadow Line.

The arrival of a Rainbow Line train entering the Shadow Line is announced at the Castle. Baron Nero cannot believe this and he storms out to take care of them. Zett calmly lounges on his throne.

“He’s always so loud.”

He turns to the mirror, “I wonder how your general is doing?” Gritta appears over his reflection.

The ToQgers arrive in the Shadow Town, which seems normal at first until they find the people frozen in time.

That’s when they spot the overseer for this town, Keeper Rook.

The ToQgers henshin and do their roll call, but they suddenly de-henshin as they’re doing their final pose. Keeper Rook explains that with the town fully engulfed in the Shadow Line, Rainbow Line energy does not last long here.

Keeper Rook fires at them, but while Right, Tokacchi, Mio and Hikari jump out of the way, Kagura absorbs the brunt of the blast and gets thrown against a wall. Mio, Tokacchi and Hikari go whisk Kagura away while Right distracts Keeper Rook.

Keeper Rook orders the Kuros to find them.

Baron Nero finds Akira waiting at the junction. You’re too late, Akira says, the ToQgers are already in the Shadow Town. Nero says that’s okay since they can’t fight there anyway. What he really wants to take care of is Akira and his betrayal.

Akira henshins, promising to protect this spot until the ToQgers return.

The ToQgers hide under an overpass as Mio wraps up Kagura’s wound. Kagura apologizes for them having to fuss over her when they too are hurt, but they say it’s fine.

They are just sad that they didn’t know their limitations in coming to the Shadow Town. Hikari estimates they can only henshin for 30 seconds.

“Why did we waste our time posing!?”

Right says they must fight the overseer and defeat him for this town to return to normal. He tells Kagura to stay here, but she protests.

Kagura insists on coming with. Their own town is probably like this. Their family must be suffering as well, so she can’t just sit around and do nothing here. Okay, Right says. They’ll fight together and stay positive.

Hikari has a plan. The ToQgers rush the Kuros and fight their way through. Hikari proposes one of them uses all five of their Resshas to transfer so they can have five 30-second time allotments.

They run to find Keeper Rook. Hikari and Kagura stop and fight a group of Kuros after they toss Tokacchi and Mio their Resshas.

Right, Tokacchi and Mio continue on and Tokacchi and Mio stay with the next group of Kuros to be the badasses while Right parkours his way through a building.

Keeper Rook sees Right running towards him and sends a blast his way, but Right dodges it and henshins.

He henshins to Green then transfers to Pink, Yellow, Blue and finally Red after being able to get the upper hand on Keeper Rook. Right summons the Renketsu Bazooka and delivers a Shogi Rainbow Rush.

Keeper Rook’s first life is gone and the town is freed from the Shadow Line. Akira and Baron Nero see the city emerge from behind the shadows.

As Keeper Rook embiggens, the ToQgers reunite and pick Akira up.

Conductor is happy and relieved the ToQgers are back safe and they jump into Cho ToQ-Oh and Build Dai-Oh.

But Keeper Rook sticks his spear into the ground and Kuros come flying out of it, allowing him to embiggen even more.

The ToQgers decide to go Cho Cho ToQ-Dai-Oh and destroy the spear, forcing Keeper Rook to shrink back to regular embiggened size. The ToQgers deliver an Imagination Express and finish Keeper Rook off for good.

The townspeople are unfrozen and the town returns to normal. This gives the ToQgers hope that they can save their own town as well.

They resolve to continue traveling through more Shadow Towns to free them and hopefully find the junction that will lead to Subarugahama.

Episode Thoughts

It was a solid episode with a lot of details and groundwork being laid for the future.

First, it suggests that no matter how deep in the darkness a town may be in, especially Subarugahama, they will be able to fight and free it.

Also, having Shadow Towns be wiped off maps and basically the face of the Earth is a creative way to keep the ToQgers’ search for their town going, even if they know their town’s name. It was creative, but it still made sense in the story. Akira showing them the junctions and all that also helped with world building.

Over at Castle Terminal, even after the huge events of the last few episodes, it looks like not much has actually changed when it comes to the power struggle within the top ranks of the Shadow Line. Only now, it will be a little more quietly done and even more behind the curtain scheming. We know Schwarz will pop up sooner or later. But it was nice to see that there is still a chance for Gritta to return. That maybe she actually is inside of Zett or even literally just in the feathers on his shirt. I see Madame Noire’s next objective would be to find a way to revive her daughter while simultaneously trying to get rid of Zett again.

Wagon was awesome, as always. But I liked Conductor and Ticket being overly cautious with the ToQgers and their going onto the Shadow Line. It gives me hope that there’s still secrets left to be found out, especially with Conductor and Ticket. (I hope!)

It was great to see Kagura’s imagination get fired up again. And also great to see Right realize that not everything is going to go his way, no matter how much he sees it in his mind.

Again for me, the fact that the ToQgers were actually childhood friends and how we get to see bits and pieces of memories that reaffirm their friendship almost every episode instantly makes me connect with them. I think they’ve done a good job too of also reaffirming their roles in the group.

So, overall, a good solid episode and I think definitely a needed breather from the events of the last few.

While the ladies are cleaning the Resshas, the guys have been out training and have just returned, now exhausted. Mio sees Tokacchi has fallen asleep and Right explains that he was working extra hard for what turned out to be “secret” training. Hikari says they need the extra training since they had a lot of trouble in the Shadow Town.

Kagura wants to grow stronger as well. The ToQgers’ determination excites Wagon. She says gaining more experience will help them take intense strides toward becoming adults.

Mio notices Tokacchi has a cut on his cheek, so she puts a bandage on it.

Conductor and Ticket come hurrying in to announce a Shadow kaijin is at the next station. Tokacchi falls off the seat and notices the bandage now on his face.

They hurry to the next station and disembark at Otogi (Fairy Tale) Station, which they notice is not a very Shadow-y name.

They head downtown and find interesting cosplayers dressed as Momotaro, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. But they seem very disinterested for having dressed up so elaborately. Turns out this is Zett’s doing. He and Baron Nero appear.

Zett says he’s just trying out the little bit of light he’s already acquired. He calls in Pin Spot Shadow and asks why none of these creations have a single spark of light. But that’s impossible, Pin Spot Shadow says, he’s brought the humans’ stories to life. They are the embodiment of human imagination.

Pin Spot Shadow sees a little boy with a picture book and aims his spotlight toward him. Tokacchi tries to knock the boy out of the way, but the beam hits him. And out of his book pops Richard Brown in new clothes the Naked Emperor.

What do you think? Pin Spot Shadow asks. “You’re fired!”
Zett blasts Pin Spot Shadow and Baron Nero apologizes. They should proceed with creating more darkness instead. Zett tells him to do whatever he wants.

He starts to leave, but Right calls out and asks; “What did you mean when you said we were the first sparkles you saw? When did you see us?”

“I said probably. It’s just a possibility, so don’t worry about it.”

Zett leaves and Baron Nero orders Pin Spot Shadow to destroy the fairy tale characters which in turn destroys the stories that fuel human imagination. That would create plenty of darkness.

The ToQgers henshin. They try to get the characters to run for it, but they are absolutely uninterested in escaping. The ToQgers have to drag them.

Akira arrives to take on Nero and Pin Spot Shadow, allowing the ToQgers to run with the characters. Right takes Momotaro, Mio and Kagura take Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood and Hikari takes Naked Emperor. Tokacchi looks for his own character to protect, but mistakenly grabs the hand of a Kuro.

The Kuro aims his gun right at Tokacchi’s head, but another dressed up character appears to save him.

The hero grabs Tokacchi’s hand and they run for it.

Baron Nero and Pin Spot Shadow leave Akira and chase after the others.

Momotaro is tired of walking, so he bribes Right into letting him hop on his back for a couple of dumplings.

Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, meanwhile, want to go shopping for cute clothes. Kagura and Mio then decide to dress up as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, respectively, to lure the Kuros away.

Akira finds a hiding place for Hikari stuff Naked Emperor into.

Meanwhile, Tokacchi: “Thanks for saving me. You’re Ryu Knight, aren’t you? You’re definitely Ryu Knight.”

Mio and Kagura find Tokacchi and they wonder what story is this hero from. Tokacchi tells them he is actually a hero he had drawn when he was a kid. He was strong, cool and reliable.

Ah, Mio says, those are also kinds of stories people come up with. Tokacchi thinks Pin Spot Shadow must have hit him too, so Ryu Knight must have come out of his memories.

Ryu Knight hears Nero and his men arriving. Nero and Pin Spot Shadow are shocked when Mio and Kagura remove their disguises.

“Our specialty is transferring, after all.”

Tokacchi, Mio and Kagura henshin and call the others. Ryu Knight joins in to fight off the Kuros while Mio and Kagura switch lines to take on Pin Spot.

Tokacchi fights Baron Nero, but is completely overpowered. Nero has Tokacchi at swordpoint, but Ryu Knight once again comes to his rescue.

He tells Tokacchi to calm down and not to panic and make unnecessary movements. Otherwise, he can’t access his true potential.

Baron Nero calls them trash. Tokacchi grabs Ryu Knight and they run, avoiding Nero’s attacks.

By true potential, do you mean things I should be able to do? Tokacchi asks.
Yes, Ryu Knight answers. But I haven’t had enough practice, Tokacchi says.

“Haven’t you practiced enough?”

Tokacchi remembers the cut on his face just as Right, Hikari and Akira arrive. Akira wants them to leave this place for him to die.

Tokacchi asks Right and Hikari if they can try to do what they had been practicing. They say it is too dangerous, especially since Tokacchi hasn’t gotten the hang of it yet.

But Tokacchi says they need it. And he can see it; the image of him succeeding.

Baron Nero waits. Tokacchi tells himself not to panic. He fires at Nero then Right and Hikari launch off his shoulders to attack. That gives Tokacchi an opening to go flying in between Right and Hikari who give him an extra boost straight toward Nero.

He did it! Nero can’t believe it. “Perhaps, I’ve underestimated you. Very well, I will retreat for now.”

Nero leaves. Ryu Knight nods his approval and the ToQgers come together to summon the Renketsu Bazooka to deliver a Fairy Tale Collection Rainbow Rush.

Momotaro, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and the Naked Emperor each take their turn deliver a blow to finish off Pin Spot Shadow’s first life.

All four fairy tale characters are back to their fairy tale personalities and back in their respective books.

Ryu Knight starts to disappear, but Tokacchi calls out to him.

“I won because you told me what I was doing wrong. Thank you Ryu Knight. I mean, Oniichan.”

Ryu Knight turns into a human, Tokacchi’s older brother. The memory returns to Tokacchi’s heart.

Pin Spot Shadow embiggens and they hop into ToQ-Oh and Build Dai-Oh. Pin Spot’s beams are stronger than either of Shield Ressha or Build Dai-Oh’s shoulders, so Hikari summons Tank Ressha.

But Akira steps in front of ToQ-Oh and Tank Ressha attaches to Build Dai-Oh instead to form Build Dai-Oh Tank.

Hey! The ToQgers then decide to attach Build Ressha armaments to form ToQ-Oh Build for themselves.

But Akira uses Tank Ressha well and knocks Pin Spot Shadow to the ground. He leaves the rest to them. Hey!!!

It’s okay though. They use a Bucket Break to finish off Pin Spot Shadow for good.

Back at the Castle, Baron Nero apologizes for this blunder. But Zett says it is no blunder. The ToQgers are merely shining brighter. And win or lose, it still benefits Zett. Eventually…

Madame Noire looks up from her sewing to see Gritta’s reflection appear on the mirror next to Zett.

Meanwhile, Schwarz emerges from the river and is emboldened when he finds his Kuliner still intact.

Later that night, Wagon has prepared some fireworks for them to enjoy.

Mio approaches Tokacchi who is standing by the river. “You modeled Ryu Knight after your brother, didn’t you?”

“Ryu-niichan. Unlike me, he was good as studying, sports and everything. I’ve always looked up to him.”

Tokacchi flashes back to his brother peeking into his room and noticing the drawing of Ryu Knight on the wall. “You’re going to have to grow out of that sooner or later.”

“Maybe I still haven’t,” Tokacchi laughs to Mio. Maybe, Mio says, but “wasn’t it you who figured out your shortcomings? That’s why the image of your brother told you. You won using your own power.”

They smile.

Tokacchi takes this opportunity to thank Mio for the bandage.

“Mio… How do I put this? You’re always so… kind and…”

But before Tokacchi can finish what he was saying, Akira fires a HUGE firework into the sky. Right and Wagon want more, but Kagura is freaked out. Mio and Hikari try to tell Akira it’s too dangerous.

Tokacchi smiles at what he was about to tell Mio. He adjusts his glasses just as Akira fires another HUGE firework causing him to knock his glasses off and onto the ground.

Episodes Thoughts

Oh, haaaay. The Tokacchi-Mio ship is still floating on! It was a nice and unexpected little tease at romance. I hope Kobayashi actually follows through with it since she’s not one to focus on romantic angles in the Sentais she has written (and I’ve watched).

So, we’ll see. But this was a great episode. Now that the ToQgers have remembered the name of their town and that it was swallowed in darkness, the next set of memories they will be regaining will be of their families, as signaled by this episode with Tokacchi remembering his brother, his hero.

We saw a little of each of the ToQgers’ families in their initial memories of the festival, but like we saw in this episode, we will get to learn more about each of the ToQgers’ most important people in their lives. I absolutely love that. I’ve expressed how much I love that nostalgic feel the season has, what with good ol’ trains, talk of hometowns and childhood memories. Now we’re getting into more emotional and deep looks into the ToQgers’ pasts. We get to see who are these people, whether they are parents, grandparents or siblings, who have helped shape who they are today.

Some people may say that is boring or will find petty things to criticize about the season, but Kobayashi’s story pulls everything together. From the designs to the structure to the layout of the season so far. (Whatever, Saban Brands, focus on your own “pre-schoolish” seasons before commenting on something that actually does everything you’re doing 10x better.),

Like many a ToQger episode, this one started out like a silly filler ep only to end on an emotional and important high. It reminds me of the very best Supernatural episodes, many of them the meta/spoof episodes that end up being crucial to the overall mythology.

Here, every single episode so far has contributed clues, big and small, as to who or what the ToQgers are, their hometown and the effects of the Shadow Line on them and said town.

So I definitely can’t wait to see the next couple of episodes focusing on the others just as nicely as this episode did for Tokacchi’s character.

As for the rest of the episode, Akira was hilarious. Never has a suicidal hero been so funny and amusing. (lol) And again, the music was used excellently all episode. I absolutely love the ToQger soundtrack.

The ToQgers think it is odd that they’ve encountered Kuros, but no Shadow Kaijin at a regular station. Conductor and Ticket call them back to the Resshas to tell them the trains are acting weird, as if they’re actually at a Shadow Line station.

The ToQgers decide to take a look around town, but Akira will not be joining them. He’s got somewhere to be.

Over at the Castle, Zett is listening to Baron Nero as he explains his plan with Coin Shadow.

As the ToQgers enjoy the nice town, they realize Kagura is not with them. She’s gotten herself lost, but stumbles upon Akira excitedly hurrying somewhere. Kagura follows and they end up in front of a bathhouse.

Kagura says Akira can use the showers on the Resshas, but Akira says he loves bathhouses.

Suddenly, they hear a loan shark hounding the owner of the bathhouse to pay off his debts by tomorrow or else. Kagura stops Akira from henshining to take care of the douchebag. The loan shark just laughs as he walks past them and tells them debts must be paid or there will be consequences.

Kagura approaches the owner of the bathhouse to ask what’s happening. The owner explains that fewer and fewer youths had been coming in, so when the guy appeared with some ideas to bring in customers, he jumped at the chance.

But both ideas ended up as disasters. First, a misunderstanding over an idea to have people compete to get in the bathhouse and not putting iris leaves and petals in the bath. Then, having the bathhouse turned into a supermarket instead of just a full service Super Bath.

The owner needing to put the bathhouse back to its original state just added more to his debt. And that’s why he’s in a pinch. As long as that contract exists, his hands are tied.

The others finally find Kagura and the owner offers they all take a bath on the house. Especially since this is the bathhouse’s last day.

Tokacchi and Hikari are not that excited for a dip in the baths. But Akira slaps their towels off their naked bodies and begins reciting the Rules of the Bathhouse.

Rule #1: Don’t be embarrassed!

Right is a little more excited and hurries to jump in, but Akira stops him. Rule #2: You must clean your body first before jumping in.

The guys are now in the bath. It’s a little too hot for Tokacchi, but Rule #17, no putting cold water in the hot water!

Suddenly, they hear Mio and Kagura enjoying the bath next door. They listen as the girls have fun together.

Fresh from their relaxing (or not) baths, Akira gives them Rule #219: Enjoy a coffee milk with their hands on their hips.

The girls come out of the changing rooms and Akira thanks the owner for a nice time. The owner says it’s nice to end it all with happy customers, but Akira says this bathhouse cannot close. He’s never been in such a nice bathhouse before. Kagura agrees.

Akira suggests they forcibly take the contract, but Kagura says they should properly pay back the loan. She has an idea!

The ToQgers henshin and go about the town promoting Hironoyu Bathhouse. Akira is the most enthusiastic.

The ToQgers even do a little show, complete with transfers to entertain the possible customers. That evening, the bathhouse is full of excited people.

But when they count up the day’s earnings, they only have a bucket full of 10 yen coins. Turns out, Akira had written on the fliers that baths would be 10 yen as a promotion.

The owner thanks them for all their effort anyway, but Kagura and Akira will not give up.

Next morning, they work together with Build Ressha to pull the bathhouse right off of its foundation to transfer it to a vacant lot nearby. The others try to calm Kagura down and explain how things are not that simple.

But suddenly, they see what Akira describes as a Mass of Darkness. This is a place where negative human thoughts naturally gather. You could call it a reverse power spot. (Places to get good energy.)

Akira now understands. It is this Mass of Darkness that has been keeping customers away. And likely what the Shadow Line is after.

Indeed, says the loan shark. He thanks them for removing the bathhouse for him and asks the ToQgers to leave.

Akira says the contract the owner signed is invalid. What good is a contract between a human and a non-human. Akira demands this person reveal his true identity.

Turns out it is Coin Shadow. This is not just for a station, but for a brand new Shadow terminal.

The ToQgers henshin. Kagura takes over Right’s “Shuppatsu shinkou!” and Akira speeds past them to take on Coin Shadow.

Coin Shadow knocks Akira around and the others hurry over to help only to get hit with a coin barrage. Akira charges toward Coin Shadow. Kagura shoots at the kaijin, then takes Right’s Ressha to allow her to transfer to Red.

Kagura knocks Coin Shadow to the ground and Akira uses Drill Ressha to finish off Coin Shadow’s first life by knocking him into the hole in the ground.

But Coin Shadow absorbs the entire Mass of Darkness as he embiggens. Akira looks at Build Ressha which still has the bathhouse dangling in the air. He asks Right if he can use Diesel-tachi.

The ToQgers form ToQ-Oh and Diesel-Oh. But Coin Shadow is too powerful for them.

They decide to combine to use Cho ToQ-Oh’s cannon. Coin Shadow feels dizzy and Akira explains like hot water, the Mass of Darkness has all gone to his head.

Kagura has an idea, she summons Fire Ressha and after telling a riddle, uses Fire Ressha’s water and fire to create a hot bath to defeat Coin Shadow once and for all.

Akira returns the bathhouse back to its place. The owner runs out and thanks them for all their help. But Kagura and Akira have a request. They would like another bath before everyone else.

Episode Thoughts

This was definitely a filler episode, but boy what an enjoyable filler episode it was!

It was absolute fun. The idea of Akira loving bathhouses is hilarious and kinda creepy at the same time. (lol) But Kagura teaming up with Akira made the whole fight to save it very sweet and again very much in line with ToQger’s overall sentimental and nostalgic vibe.

ToQger has done a great job of pairing the ToQgers off with each other and they did it again here with Akira and Kagura who were great.

Another excellently designed kaijin. And plenty of gratuitous skin. You will definitely not see that on Power Rangers. lol

Kagura mimicking The “Alright! Alright!!”s of Drill Ressha was adorable and Right feeling down whenever Kagura stole his thunder was hilarious.

Overall a great, fun episode of ToQger.

The ToQgers enter the main car to start their day, but Wagon hurries and says they’ve got a problem. Right looks intensely angry. And not only that, but he doesn’t want any breakfast!

The shocked ToQgers look over to a stoic Right sitting in the booth. But before they can find out what’s wrong, Akira calls to tell them he’s found another junction into a Shadow Town.

Before they go, Conductor would like to give them something. Ticket says it is a new item that might help them fight in a Shadow Town: Hyper Ressha.

It amplifies a ToQger’s power, but Conductor doesn’t know how. Ticket says it requires great power, so their usual Imagination won’t work.

Conductor leaves Hyper Ressha to Right since he has the greatest Imagination. Right takes it and they go meet Akira.

Still in a seemingly pissy mood, Right drive Drill Ressha and the ToQgers head into the Shadow Town.

Just as the ToQgers’ arrival on the Shadow Line is announced at Castle Terminal, Baron Nero and Madame Noir are shocked to also see the arrival of Marchioness Mork who walks into the room.

Nero and Noir explain that Mork is the eldest member of the Shadow Line and that they had left her in charge of the Shadow Towns.

Mork approaches the throne and calls out Zett. The curtain pulls back, they stare at each other for a little bit before Mork suddenly takes a swing at Zett.

Zett avoids all of Mork’s attacks before he grabs her sceptre and asks if she is satisfied with the results of her sudden test of his strength.

Marchioness Mork says it makes her very proud, as the one who raised him, to see his darkness is still as deep and exquisite as always. She hugs him so hard they fall to the floor. But Mork adds that she still disappointed by his weakness.

Over in the Shadow Town, the ToQgers find that the townspeople are again frozen. They walk through until they are spotted by the Overseer of the town, Keeper Bishop.

Bishop sends a spinning blade the ToQgers’ way before Right decides to henshin and fight back. The others remind Right that he can’t stay henshined too long without transferring. But Right remembers; he pulls out Hyper Ressha and inserts it into his ToQger changer, but nothing happens.

Instead, Right de-henshins and Bishop knocks Right back towards the others.

Hikari decides to henshin and fight off Bishop as the others tend to Right who Mio finds has a fever. Hikari’s ToQ Changer announces the impending de-henshin, but Tokacchi tosses his Ressha over so Hikari can transfer.

Back at the Junction, Akira has a bad feeling and decides to go after the ToQgers in the Shadow Town. Hikari has already transferred to Yellow and now Pink.

Bishop sends Hikari flying towards the others and he de-henshins. But before Bishop can deliver a final blow, Akira arrives and whisks them away.

Akira takes Right onto his back and they run.

Kagura trips and Tokacchi helps her up, but they look up to find the others are gone. Mio stops to look back and finds Kagura and Tokacchi are no longer there.

She tells Hikari who turns to Akira to wait up a moment, only to find Akira and Right are also gone. He turns back to see Mio is nowhere to be found.

Akira takes Right to a park and realizes what’s happening. This town plays with your sense of direction. Just now, he had been running in a straight line, but they’ve ended up here. That the townspeople were unable to reach their destinations or reunite with their loved ones may have been what generated the darkness.

The ToQgers are unable to call each other. And Right blames himself for not being able to use Hyper Ressha properly. Akira tells Right he will gather the others while he stays here to figure out how to use Hyper Ressha.

Akira starts to play his harmonica.

The others hear the familiar tune and realize they must use their ears to find each other again.

Bishop sees Akira and attacks. Bishop sends his blade spinning toward Akira who reverts to his Shadow form to stop it with his arm.

“You leave me no choice,” Akira says. He continues playing the harmonica as he and Bishop continue to fight.

Right is still trying to find the right image to help him use Hyper Ressha as the others have finally reunited.

Tokacchi goes to henshin and transfer this time, but suddenly, a Shadow Line train is announced as arriving. Akira gets Tokacchi away from the bath of the dropping black line as they see Zett and are introduced to Marchioness Mork for the first time.

Even Akira is shocked to see her appear in person. Mork tells Bishop to continue what he was doing. He charges and Tokacchi quickly henshins.

What did you want to show me? Akira asks.
“You weakness, your Majesty.”

Right walks the abandoned streets and stumbles upon a little girl and her younger brother who are also frozen. He sees them holding pieces of chalk and drawing on the wall of the building. The pictures are of the kids in a train going to see their Papa and Mama. Right realizes they were trying to reunite with their parents as well and sees the big sister have her little brother’s hand in hers as they draw.

Right knows they were trying to cheer themselves up by imagining that they would see their parents again. That’s it. Right remembers Ticket’s words and realizes maybe it’s not about imagining himself being stronger or winning. Maybe it’s more about a bigger, greater and wider imagination, one that is more free and more fun.

“You guys are going to make it home,” Right tells the kids. He takes Hyper Ressha and it glows.

Bishop has just forced Tokacchi to de-henshin, but Right has finally arrived. He apologizes to the others and says he’s fine now.

He takes Hyper Ressha and inserts it into his ToQ Changer. First henshining into ToQ-1, a gold Ressha appears and attaches to Right as he becomes:

Hyper ToQ-1.

An intense light shines from Right and his new power completely overwhelms Bishop. Zett approaches and asks how Right was able to acquire a new sparkle so easily.

Right says it’s thanks to the hard work of his friends and the people of this town. Zett says that is too easy and he wants that sparkle right now.

Zett tranforms to his Shadow body and emits a huge cloud of darkness. Right’s Hyper power, on the other hand, releases an intensely bright light. The light and the darkness push back against each other before Right and Zett go hand-to-hand combat, neither more powerful than the other.

Right vows not to be defeated by Zett and suddenly, the Daikaiten (railway turntable) Cannon appears. Right sets Hyper Ressha on the tracks and fires “the last train for the day.”

Seeing Zett’s impending demise, Marchioness Mork orders Bishop to step in front of the Emperor and absorb the finishing attack.

Zett reverts to his human form, giving Right an indignant stare. This is what I wanted you to see, Mork tells him. She and Zett hop on their train to leave.

Bishop embiggens as the town has emerged from the Shadow Line.

The ToQgers hop into ToQ-Oh and Build Dai-Oh. But Bishop is much too powerful. Right decides they should go Cho-Cho ToQ-Dai-Oh.

They are able to deliver an Imagination Express to finish Bishop off for good.

The townspeople are unfrozen and the two siblings who inspired Right have reunited with their parents.

Back on the Resshas, Tokacchi, Mio, Hikari and Kagura are now sick. Wagon tends to them and Right apologizes to them for having caught his cold.

Tokacchi asks Right for juice, Mio asks for a cushion, Hikari wants fresh porridge and Kagura wants candy. So many requests, Wagon says. But an also sick Conductor says the others worked hard today helping give Right time to master the Hyper Ressha.

A sick Ticket says it’s time for Right to take care of the others for a change.

Episode Thoughts

It was another great episode and a nice introduction to Hyper Ressha and Right’s power-up.

It was great to see them heading back into another Shadow Town. It was interesting to see the townspeople here were frozen as well. That adds to the possibility that the ToQgers’ own town is frozen in time too. Them running through the pretty much abandoned ghost town was very creepy and a nice emotion to have whenever they are in a Shadow Town.

Nothing like kids getting separated from their parents to get the tearducts to start leaking. But not only that, the kids were still positive and hopeful before they ended up frozen! MaGMCM right there, no question. It was great that it was the little kids too that helped Right realize what he was doing wrong with Hyper Ressha.

Speaking of Right, it was actually nice and refreshing to see seriousRight for a change instead of the perpetually hungry and know-it-all Right we’re used to seeing. Even if it was only fever-induced.

Right and Zett’s fight was amazing. It was our first look at them facing off too. Can’t wait to see the eventual big battle between Zett and the ToQgers. And knowing what they’ve established, that they will always have each other’s backs and everything, I fully expect it will not end up being a Right vs Zett only match and that the others will be full involved in any possible final battle. (I hope!)

Marchioness Mork is an interesting new character. It is not clear if she is of higher rank than Nero or Noir. At the same time, Nero and Noir were more surprised than intimidated by Mork. So it should be interesting to see their relationship and dynamics explored more in the next episodes.

I liked the black line hitting Akira when Mork and Zett’s train arrived. It reminded us that the black line works just like the white line in that you better not get in its way or you’re going to get a very painful zap from a falling line.

I definitely hope the others can use Hyper Ressha as well and that it isn’t only a Red power-up. I’d assume that Hyper Ressha will follow the transfer rules and that if a ToQger has mustered up the right amount of Imagination, they’d be able to use Hyper Ressha as well. Kind of like Shinkenger.

Overall, another great episode. I definitely enjoyed it.

Mio’s made everyone some of her special omelette sandwiches for lunch. Tokacchi is especially excited. But he sees Hikari pick at his, not wanting to eat any vegetables, even the ones Mio’s put in with the omelettes. Mio encourages him to at least eat those.

Appearing to be a little miffed by Hikari’s seeming unappreciation of Mio’s care, Tokacchi stands, turns and says.

“Hikari doesn’t like vegetables, yet 6-gou is green…”

The others pause. “That’s true,” Kagura and Right agree. Ticket and Mio don’t understand what Tokacchi’s getting at while Conductor says he hates cucumbers himself. Hikari just looks at Tokacchi who then realizes he might have hurt Hikari’s feelings.

Over at the Castle, Marchioness Mork announces that she will be moving in to fix the disorganization of the Shadow Line commanders as well as take care of the Emperor’s well being.

Mork approaches Madame Noire. “Do you know why you remain, despite you and your daughter’s treason?!”
“Because of His Majesty’s benevolence of course.”
“Then why don’t you go gather some darkness!”

Madame Noire leaves and Mork turns her attention to Baron Nero. She asks why he hasn’t taken care of Zalam and Schwarz yet. Nero admits Zalam has been very difficult, but Schwarz is no longer a threat. Still, Marchioness Mork orders him to take care of them, regardless.

Madame Noire overlooks a plaza by the water in new town. She can’t believe Marchioness Mork has inserted herself at the Castle and is now treating her like a mere monster of the week. But she subdues her frustration for now and gets to some darkness making.

She takes a feather from her hat and blows some darkness into it, causing it to replicate and attach themselves to various people’s heads in the plaza. The now-feathered humans start to get violent and proceed to attack everyone and every poor monobloc around them.

Madame Noire laughs as Akira arrives, playing his harmonica.

Akira henshins and Madame Noire summons a group of Kuros. Seeing the rampaging feathered people, Akira calls the others to hurry over.

As Akira faces off with Madame Noire, a crying little girl is about to get a monobloc chair smashed over her head, but Right arrives just in time to save her.

Right protects the little girl as Hikari and Tokacchi pull the feathered maniac off of them. Right tells the little girl to run and Akira tells the others to get the feathers out of the people’s head to break the hypnosis.

More Kuros arrive and Mio decides to go straight for Madame Noire. She asks Noire why she is still serving the Emperor after what he did to her daughter. Kagura joins Mio and Noire says that is none of their business.

Noire shoots at and easily sends the girls flying. Akira and Right take Noire on, but she leaps and sends a fresh round of feathers toward them. Right tries to get out of the way as Akira slashes at the feathers. But one feather instead attaches itself to the back of Right’s helmet.

Oops. Akira apologies, but Right starts to rampage. He charges straight toward the others and attacks each one of them, especially poor Kagura. Hikari gets up and goes to slash at Right’s back as he proceeds to beat Tokacchi. But Hikari hesitates and pauses.

Right kicks him out of the way and Madame Noire laughs at the ToQgers fighting one of their own.

Kagura says this is no use, they can’t possibly fight Right. But one person can. Akira charges toward Right and goes all out, feeling guilty for putting Right in this predicament. Akira doesn’t hold back and the others are worried Akira will go too far.

They break up the fight and whisk Akira away, leaving Right with Madame Noire.

Akira continues to blame himself and vows to make things right. This will be his place to die. He runs off.

They hear screaming and remember that there are still other feathered people running amok, so they decide to split up. Mio takes Kagura, leaving Tokacchi with Hikari instead. Tokacchi still wonders if Hikari is mad about this morning.

The ToQgers take care of all the feathered people while Akira runs across the city.

Back at the Castle, Zett asks Marchioness Mork what she meant about his weakness. She tells him it’s the shining and sparkling he’s so interested in. It would fine if he was really able to absorb it, but it’s no different than a fly being drawn to a flame. She warns him not to get sucked in by the light, especially the Rainbow Line.

While walking, Tokacchi apologizes about what happened earlier. But Hikari says it didn’t bother him since Tokacchi’s known about him not liking vegetables since forever.

Sure, Tokacchi says. But Mio sure is nice to Hikari, like trying to get him to eat his vegetables in a creative way. Hikari wishes she’d stop that though and Tokacchi again mentions how close they appear to be with each other.

They both stop. Hikari asks Tokacchi to get to the point, “If you have something to say, then say it.”

Tokacchi says it’s nothing, but Hikari appears to know what it is.
“Are you jealous?”

What?! No, Tokacchi says, but Hikari comes right out and asks, “You like Mio, don’t you?”

Tokacchi fuh-reaks out and goes Looney Tunes right off the side of the hill. He tries to compose himself and says he was just a little envious, but not jealous.

“You’re being annoying again,” Hikari says.
“I know.”

Back on the Resshas, Mio and Kagura are struggling over how to take on Right. Wagon says they’re being too serious and suggests they take things a little more lightly.

Akira flails his way to the park where Madame Noire and Right are, but he’s already exhausted and decides to call the others to take care of the situation instead.

“Let’s go,” Hikari says to Tokacchi who makes his way back up the hill. Tokacchi apologizes for being a dork and showing his embarrassing side again, not that he was ever cool though.

“I think your embarrassing side… is cool.”
Hikari says he could never loosen himself up like that. He always appears cold or harsh.

“Yeah, sometimes I have no idea what you’re thinking.”

Hikari turns, Tokacchi thinks he’s offended him again. But Hikari smiles, “I guess we’re both kind of a nuisance.”

They both laugh and hurry over to join the others.

Madame Noire alerts Right to the arrival of his friends.

The ToQgers think about Wagon’s advice: There’s always been things you wanted to say to Right’s face. Remember them and just do it!

They henshin and charge straight toward Right as Madame Noire happily laughs at the start of this show.

The ToQgers are resolved not to hold back against Right any longer.

Tokacchi remembers Right squirting milk into his face and then laughing at him.

Kick.

Hikari remembers Right ruining his favorite kendama.

Slash.

Kagura and Mio remember Right walking around in just his underwear.

Double attack.

The four of them then deliver a final kick simultaneously and Right is knocked to the ground, giving Tokacchi the opening he needs to grab the feather.

Madame Noire wants to pay them back for ruining her fun so she uses her umbrella to send a huge fireball their way. The four ToQgers are now at their limits after just having gone all out on Right.

Right decides to go Hyper to fight off Madame Noire himself. They go toe-to-toe until he knocks her towards a tree. She grabs onto a branch and sets herself back on the ground to summon her Kuliner and speed off.

Two Kuliner Robos arrive and an awake Akira immediately jumps into Build Dai-Oh.

The five ToQgers sit and watch, but Right has an idea. He summons the Daikaiten Canon and is about to fire it himself when Kagura stops him.

“At least in the end, let’s do this all together!”

Sure, Right says and each of the ToQgers insert their Resshas onto the cannon’s tracks, sending their energy into the Hyper Ressha. Their combined powers allow them to deliver a 5 Renketsu Shot Fire which takes out both Kuliner Robos.

The ToQgers are back on the Resshas with Mio serving some of her homemade pudding. Mio takes one and offers it to Hikari who says he’s okay and to give his share to Tokacchi.

Tokacchi jumps up and says he’s already got one. He quickly takes Hikari aside to ask him to give him some time and to not tell Mio.

Right excitedly comes over, wanting to know what the two guys are whispering about.

“Especially not to the other nuisance,” Tokacchi says.

Hikari turns and says he wants to treat the girls to a barbecue feast. Tokacchi thanks Hikari and Right excitedly tells the others about the barbecue. Conductor and Ticket come in and Hikari laughs, thinking about him always being the keeper of secrets.

Meanwhile, back at the Castle, Zett is sitting on his throne when Madame Noire sees Gritta’s reflection again in the mirror. There’s no doubt about it now, Noire says, “His Majesty hasn’t fully absored Gritta.

Zett thinks about Marchioness Mork’s words about his weakness while somewhere in the forest, Schwarz is getting ready to revive his Kuliner.

Episode Thoughts

This was a lot of fun. What the show has done very well is show and reinforce the ToQgers’ friendship and bond in many different ways. This episode was another one with Hikari and Tokacchi understanding each other and their own shortcomings. At the same time, they understand what they mean to each other, sort of like a “You complete me”-kind of way. And that’s applicable to all five of them. They each complement each other so well.

My romantic at heart-self loved seeing Tokacchi’s jealousy hilariously play out the entire episode. I’m glad they Kobayashi is developing Tokacchi’s feelings for Mio instead of just dropping it.

The addition of Marchioness Mork definitely adds more to the infighting and jockeying for position within the Shadow Line which is always great. But it was even more awesome seeing Madame Noire in extended fighting scenes. We were so cheated out of the Noire-Nero battle. But it was nice to see her in action in this episode. I loved seeing her grab on to the tree branch when Hyper Right sent her flying.

What to say of Right’s annoying antics toward his friends though? Spraying milk onto Tokacchi’s face, playing with Hikari’s ball and flashing the girls… Right definitely needs to cut it out. Though of course, he didn’t actually hear them expressing their grievances. (lol) Wagon giving some helpful piece of advice, while shaking her butt, was a nice change of pace as well.s

And of course Akira’s flailing about to his place of death. So random, yet so hilarious.

But this scene though:

That was a little disturbing. Like legit ZOMGWTF. That guy was about to smash that little girl’s head off and he proceeded to kick Right as he shielded her. Right was also brutal to Kagura too. He gutpunched her several times. Damn!

Anyway… lol

Overall, another great episode. And yay! Perfect day too because my Go-Busters Ressha arrived today as well. =D

Schwarz is driving along in his Kuliner, remembering Zett sending him into the river with such great power. Schwarz believes he needs something to help him get on equal footing. Drill Ressha perhaps?

At Castle Terminal, Nero is introducing his trusted right-hand, Bottle Shadow. Marchioness Mork says everyone in the Shadow Line knows of Bottle Shadow’s deeds. She is happy that Nero appears to be getting serious, especially in eliminating Zalam and Schwarz.

On the Resshas, Ticket and Conductor hurry into the main car to tell the ToQgers to quickly help Akira who is fighting Bottle Shadow.

Akira tells Bottle Shadow only he will decide where he dies. Bottle Shadow unleashes red and white beams from each of his bottle heads and knocks Akira down. But suddenly, Schwarz appears and fires at Bottle Shadow who is excited to see the two traitors together for him to get rid of.

Schwarz and Bottle Shadow face off as the ToQgers arrive, unsure of why they are fighting. They charge in, but Bottle Shadow retreats.

Schwarz tells Akira he wants to talk. He asks why Zalam left the Shadow Line, but Akira will not say. Schwarz says he had the perfect train army to fulfill his ambitions, but the Emperor has power greater than he imagined. He has and will go through the mud just to get revenge against the Emperor, which is why he is here, bowing his head, asking for their help.

Akira conferences with the ToQgers telling them Schwarz is asking for a ceasefire so they can fight their mutual enemy, Zett. The ToQgers are not ready to so quickly trust him. But Right says why not? They all saw Zett try to kill him.

The others still think it is not the best idea to trust the guy, so Right says he will check him out himself.

Right runs to Schwarz and invites him to lunch.

The Castle finds out about Schwarz teaming up with the Rainbow Line. Zett thinks this is very interesting, but Marchioness Mork orders Baron Nero to just finish the two traitors off at once.

Right digs into his fresh seafood lunch. Schwarz will not have any, thank you. The other sit at a nearby table, wondering what Right is up to.

Right asks Schwarz why he wants to defeat Zett so badly. Schwarz says he realized there is a limit to fighting alone. And now, he wants to defeat Zett for revenge, even if it means putting aside his pride and surrendering to the ToQgers.

The others think about what for and Mio remembers maybe he wants to get revenge for Zett killing Gritta.

Okay Right says, he doesn’t think Schwarz would lie about this part so he trusts him. Schwarz says he must answer to that trust and expects to do everything he can in the next fight.

Back by the water, Schwarz explains how to avoid the two beams from Bottle Shadow. They will split up into three teams and attack from multiple directions while getting close. Once they’ve worn him down, Right will come in to finish Bottle Shadow for good.

Akira says this information is correct and Schwarz’s plan makes sense, but… Schwarz gives them more info. The ToQgers must be ready to avoid the beams as soon as Bottle Shadow finishes saying his nonsense before firing.

Right and Schwarz shake hands. Akira reminds Schwarz to not do any funny business. He’ll be watching him.

Bottle Shadow arrives and promises they will all die. The ToQgers henshin,

Tokacchi and Mio run toward Bottle Shadow first, but they avoid the blue beam and manage to get a hit on the Creep. Hikari and Kagura are next and avoid the white beam to fire at Bottle Shadow. Now it’s Akira and Schwarz’s turn.

“How long has it been since we’ve fought side by side?”

Akira inserts Drill Ressha in his Yudou Breaker, but suddenly, Bottle Shadow unleashes a rose beam. Schwarz steps behind Akira and uses him as a shield as Bottle Shadow fires and the rose beams hits all the ToQgers, including Right who was waiting for his opening.

Schwarz does one swipe of his sword and sends Bottle Shadow flying.

He picks up Drill Ressha and Akira realizes it is what Schwarz wanted all along. Schwarz slashes at Akira’s chest and sends him flying toward the others.

Right won’t have any of this betrayal so he charges toward Schwarz. They battle as Akira and Marchioness Mork have arrived and watch from behind a boulder.

Right pulls out Hyper Ressha, but Schwarz knocks it away, right to Hikari’s feet.

Bottle Shadow arrives and Hikari decides to use Hyper Ressha to become Hyper ToQ-4. He summons Daikaiten Cannon and the others join him to deliver a Hyper Four Linkup Crash to finish Bottle Shadow’s first life for good.

The Shadow kaijin embiggens as Schwarz also jumps into his Kuliner Robo. But this time, he can attach Drill Ressha to his arm.

Right summons Diesel-tachi while the others tell Akira to rest as they hop into ToQ-Oh.

Right wants to face Schwarz and tells the others to deal with Bottle Shadow.

Schwarz uses Drill Ressha and is pleased with its power against Right in Diesel-Oh. Meanwhile, Tokacchi summons Shield Ressha to block Bottle Shadow’s beams and send their own beams his way. Mio and Tokacchi initiate a punch and a kick.

And finally, Kagura says since they haven’t used it in a while, they will deliver a Fumikiriken Ressha Slash to finish Bottle Shadow off for good.

Right meanwhile delivers a Diesel-Oh Spin Kick, but Schwarz uses Drill Ressha to counter it. He says since he now has Drill Kuliner, there is no point in dragging this out. Schwarz drills into the ground and leaves.

Zett is impressed by the sparkling of everyone involved.

On his Kuliner, Schwarz vows to bring Lady Gritta peace.

On the Resshas, Right bows to everyone, apologizing since it is his fault for trusting Schwarz in the first place. The others say it is okay, but now they cannot go into Shadow Towns without Drill Ressha.

Akira says that’s also fine, they will just take back what was taken from them.

Episode Thoughts

This was a great episode to officially welcome back Schwarz. It would’ve been even better if they had done some faux shock in Schwarz actually just using them for Drill Ressha. But still, it was a great way for Schwarz to get back in the picture as well as delay the ToQgers going into Shadow Towns for a while.

It was good to again see Right is not always right. Right? But see the ToQgers come together when they need to. They also did great in again using Akira’s connection as member of the villain faction to bring a fresh dynamic to how the heroes deal with their enemies.

We haven’t seen some scenic locations lately, so it was great to see them in a seaside town. I’ve been missing those countryside locations.

Overall another good episode. But next episode… WIGS! Yes!

Kagura has a dream remembering celebrating Mio’s birthday on September 28 when they were young. Well, it just so happens today is September 28 and Kagura wants to plan a surprise party for her good friend.

While Mio is out running, Kagura talks to everyone else about it. Mio doesn’t even know today is her birthday. Conductor, Ticket and Wagon leave to take care of their part while the others decide what they should do. Kagura decides she will be baking the cake.

But Kagura’s first test cake, while beautiful, tastes horrible. She realizes not everything can be solved by playing pretend, like her Sweets Girl Imagination.

Kagura decides she’ll head into town and learn from a professional patissier. She convinces a nice patissier, Airi, to teach her.

Kagura gets started mixing a bowl of ingredients which she must stir for 15 minutes. But the others call when a Shadow kaijin appears in the city.

The other ToQgers meet Wig Shadow and they henshin. But after they take care of the Kuros, Wig Shadow fires and attaches wigs onto each of their heads. But not just any ol’ wigs, wigs with a chick’s nest on top.

Wig Shadow says they better take good care of those chicks, because if the chicks die, they die too. Their lives are connected by the wigs. Good luck, Wig Shadow says before he leaves.

Kagura finally arrives and apologizes for being late. But Right says it’s okay since she would’ve gotten wigged too if she had been there.

While Akira grows a little more comfortable with the chick on his head, Mio is very upset. The others try to comfort her and say they’ll find a way. She then thinks maybe the reason they’re peeping so much is because they are hungry.

Over at the Castle, Madame Noire tells Zett that this is the perfect and easiest plan to take care of the ToQgers. Baron Nero agrees. But Marchioness Mork questions Noire’s dark resolve.

“The result will speak for itself,” Noire says.
Wig Shadow promises the ToQgers will die whether or not they take care of the chicks. He’ll make sure of it.

The ToQgers head back to the Resshas and Right and Akira take turns feeding each other’s chick with feed. Akira has already named his chick Ichinojou.

Tokacchi and Hikari are reading books about caring for chicks. But Hikari tells a worried Kagura to go back to her baking. They’ll be fine here.

Kagura returns to the bakery and starts baking with the guidance of her new Sensei.

As Kagura puts the icing on the finished cake, Airi-sensei asks what Kagura thinks is the most important part of baking one. Unsure, Kagura answers that the flavor is most important. Airi-sensei asks her to think it over. Why did Kagura want to bake a cake in the first place? For Airi-sensei, she thinks there’s something more important than flavor.

Finished with her cake, Kagura hurries back to the Ressha, but she runs into Wig Shadow. She tries to keep her cake safe by running, but Wig Shadow shoots at hear and the cake box goes flying. Kagura hurries over and finds the cake is ruined. She is pissed.

Kagura faces Wig Shadow and prepares to henshin when the others arrive, careful not to let their chicks fall out of their nests.

The ToQgers henshin.

But Wig Shadow reminds them moving too fast may be harmful to the chicks. He sees an opening and fires at Mio, sending her the ground. Tokacchi makes sure his chick, Piyorina II is okay as Akira feeds Ichinojou some grass. This is another opening for Wig Shadow to shoot at them two.

After Right and Hikari get hurled back, Kagura charges toward Wig Shadow and does all she can to fight him off. Kagura a couple of punches, but she stands her ground.

Kagura uses her Imagination, but Wig Shadow manages to tie her up in hair and send her flying back toward the others. Wig Shadow sends a huge fireball at them and he readies a Final Strike.

But suddenly, the chicks glow and grow up to become full chickens. They fly out of the nests and attack Wig Shadow. No one has ever raised the chicks before, Wig Shadow exclaims as the chickens run past the ToQgers.

The nest wigs finally disappear.

Wig Shadow turns to leave, but Kagura stops him. Right pulls out Hyper Ressha, but Kagura takes it and uses it for herself. Mio steps forward toward Kagura, but she also steps right in the path of Hyper Ressha which ends up attaching to both Mio and Kagura by connecting them.

Wig Shadow laughs at them looking ridiculous, but Kagura says outside appearance is not what’s important. It’s the feeling. Same goes for baking a cake. The desire to create something delicious for someone dear to you and thinking about those feelings while baking it is the most important thing.

Cake? Mio does not understand. The others shush Kagura, but she says she wants to save people in trouble, just like she wants to protect the people dear to her.

Mio has no idea what Kagura is talking about, but she agrees with the sentiment. She and Kagura decide to use Hyper Ressha together as Wig Shadow charges toward them.

Kagura and Mio do a double kick as the boys watch, amazed. They call the others so they can use the Daikaiten Canon and they fire a Hyper Renketsu Crash to finish Wig Shadow.

Wig Shadow embiggens and the ToQgers decide to go straight to Cho-Cho ToQ Dai-Oh. They beat him down a little before using an Imagination Express to finish him off for good.

Back on the Resshas, the boys call Kagura and tell her it’s okay to bring Mio inside.

SURPRISE! Mio is touched the others would do all this for her birthday, especially Kagura who remembered it. They go to the booth to see the cake Kagura made for Mio. It’s all smushed and Kagura apologizes, but Mio says it’s fine and she’s happy. Hikari reminds Kagura that it is not the appearance that’s important, right?

Mio thanks Kagura and they all dig in to the cake. Which is delicious!

Right spots something out the window and they all go to look.

It’s their chickens, running alongside the trains.

Conductor, Ticket and Wagon come in with their special present for Mio’s birthday. The guys hurry over to see what they have: Wagon’s special… roasted chicken.

The ToQgers are not really in the mood for chicken right now, even Right. Conductor, Ticket and Wagon are confused why they wouldn’t want any.

Episode Thoughts

It was another fun, yet touching episode. We tend to forget just what the ToQgers themselves have forgotten; their names, their families. They’ve also forgotten their birthdays.

So it was great to see them happily celebrate their best friend’s birthday. And it was great to see them showing how strong Mio and Kagura’s friendship is as well.

The chick nest wigs is so absurd that it ends up being so awesome. But that the ToQgers were the first ones to actually take care and raise the chicks, according to Wig Shadow, shows their pure and kind-hearted nature. The chickens growing up and attacking Wig Shadow was hilarious, but the last scene with the chickens running alongside the trains was actually very sweet and touching.

Though I will assume this will definitely not be Hiromu’s favorite ToQger episode. (lol)

Conductor, Ticket and Wagon being completely oblivious to what the ToQgers just went through and then serving them chicken is a simple, yet effective little closing gag.

Kagura’s lesson from her patissier-sensei is definitely nothing new, but it helped with the overall purpose of the episode of course.

Also, Kagura was so badass taking on Wig Shadow on her own. That was awesome, as was Kagura and Mio’s double kicks.

One interesting little detail though. In Kagura’s dream about Mio’s birthday, the date on the calendar was SATURDAY, September 28th. The year the 28th of September fell on Saturday was LAST YEAR!

Hmm… What could that mean?! ;)

Ticket announces that the next station is Uragoeshi, but because of a change in plans, they will instead be stopping at Hyper Ressha Terminal. Wagon is intensely surprised. They don’t usually stop there… that is, they can’t stop there.

The ToQgers ask why, but Conductor says they’ll find out once they get there.

All the Resshas and Support Ressha pull into Hyper Ressha Terminal which Conductor says is the biggest and most important station on the Rainbow Line. That’s why they don’t usually pull in here. Hikari asks if there’s a reason for that, but Conductor and Ticket can’t (or don’t) answer before an announcement is made.

Conductor is being called to the main office.

Right asks who that was and Conductor says it was the President of the Rainbow Line.

The President comes back on and asks all passengers to take shelter on the platforms while the Ressha are being cleaned. The ToQgers think “taking shelter” is a bit extreme just for a train wash, but Conductor says they are going to scrub off the darkness that has stuck onto the trains from all their encounters with the Shadow. Ticket says the trains will rust if they don’t undergo a deep clean.

Wagon guides the ToQgers through the HUGE terminal and points them to its restaurants, library, theater and gym. They can also leave the terminal as well.

Hikari asks if there’s another reason why they stopped here, but Wagon thinks it’s really just for a cleaning. The Terminal itself rarely stops. She encourages them to go have a look around.

She wishes them a good time as they leave to explore. But as she turns to go to the beauty salon for a polish of her own, she does a double take when she thinks she sees the ToQgers as children.

They are their normal grown up selves when she looks back. She reasons that she’s just worn out.

Meanwhile at the Castle, Marchioness Mork reports that Hyper Ressha Terminal has appeared. Nero wonders why the Rainbow equivalent of the Castle was found so easily, but Mork takes offense, saying she found its location because she’s always on the alert.

With Hyper Ressha Terminal being the Rainbow Line’s most vital point, they cannot let this opportunity to strike slip by. Mork tells Nero to lure the ToQgers away from the Terminal.

Nero leaves. But Zett is very interested in the possibility of an overabundance of shining sparkles at this Terminal. Mork stops Zett by mounting him and reminds him he needs to stop his obsession with shiny things.

Zett insists, so Mork says they should use his new custom, private train.

As they leave, Madame Noire reaffirms her determination to save her daughter once the Emperor leaves an opening.

As they all leave the Castle, Schwarz, who has been hiding underground, sees this as the best opening for him.

Back at Hyper Ressha Terminal, Conductor and Ticket meet with the President. “Long time no see,” Conductor says. The President says it will take some time to clean off all the darkness gunk from the Resshas.

Pan up to reveal the President’s face. Or head. A rabbit head. And it’s crooked, Ticket notes.

The President straightens his head out, “What do you mean?”
Conductor covers Ticket’s mouth and the President says the cleaning is not the only reason he summoned them here.

There is a major problem with the five ToQgers, he says. They have had too much contact with the darkness and it has had an impact on them. But even without that, the ToQgers are “starting to change on their own.”

Conductor and Ticket are shocked.

Downtown, a pair of Shadows are flipping tables and chairs, literally, forcing people who were in those chairs to emit darkness.

Conductor and Ticket are at a loss as to how to even respond to the President’s revelation, but an alarm sounds.

A robed Wagon hurries into the restaurant to tell the ToQgers of the next town being taken over by the Shadow Line. With the Resshas still being cleaned, Wagon says they have an alternate mode of transportation.

The ToQgers hop on a bus driven by Akira.

Baron Nero watches Chair Shadow and Table Shadow now wreaking havoc in a residential neighborhood, flipping tables and chairs (with people in them) up through the roofs.

Nero wonders why the ToQgers are arriving in a bus.

But the ToQgers disembark and face the two Shadows who introduce themselves as the Dining Set Brothers.

And to welcome them, Table Shadow shows them his secret technique. But instead of flipping a table, he flips the replacement bus.

They can’t believe he was able to flip it like a chabudai (卓袱台). Kagura has no idea what a chabudai even is!

The ToQgers get up and fight the Dining Set Brothers. Akira picks up the wheel of the bus and reflects on this being its place to die. Nero attacks him, wanting to personally take care of him.

With Nero successful in drawing the ToQgers away from the Terminal, Mork and Zett set a course for the Terminal. But suddenly, they see Schwarz speed toward them. The trains battle and crash through the roof of a tall office building.

Schwarz, Zett and Mork disembark. What the hell are you doing now traitor? Mork asks. None of your business, Schwarz replies as he charges toward them.

Mork blocks Schwarz’s attack and decides to deal with Schwarz herself.

Tokacchi sees the smoke in the city from the crashed Kuliners and Right decides to go see what’s going on.

Madame Noire arrives at the office building and needing Schwarz to stand down and not harm Zett (with Gritta inside) joins Mork in fighting him.

“Can one geriatric really protect the Emperor?”

“How can you protect the Emperor after what he’s done to Gritta?!” Schwarz asks.
“What I do is none of your business!” Noire answers.

But Mork does not want nor need Noire’s help. Noire shoots at both Mork and Schwarz, but Mork dodges out of the way and sends Schwarz flying to the lower floor of the office garden.

The three of them are now fighting each other. Zett is annoyed. He sends a brainwave of darkness down to them, but there’s a cowering little girl too.

Right quickly covers her and absorbs the darkness wave which causes him to dehenshin.

Zett comments on Right sparkling again today as the same glittery silver balloons from the day they first met go flying up to the ceiling.

Right says because of Zett’s interest in shining shimmering things, he’s been hesitating to really defeat him. But not anymore. Not when Zett wants to take it from people by hurting them without remorse.

Zett jumps down and Right henshins as he charges toward the Emperor. Zett too morphs and they battle.

Mork wants Zett to stop with these silly games with the shining. Schwarz will not let Right take his prey. Noire can’t let Schwarz defeat Zett.

It is now an absolute battle royale.

Meanwhile, the other ToQgers are forced to take seats by Chair Shadow, setting up his bro Table Shadow’s secret technique. He flips the chabudai and the four TOQgers go flying up in the air before getting slammed down on the ground.

Hikari has a plan. They run off and the Dining Set Bros follow.

Akira and Nero are still fighting while Right-tachi have taken their battle royal outside.

Zett again sends darkness brain waves toward Mork, Noire and Schwarz. He is about to send one to Right, but Right goes Hyper and blocks it.

They both punch and send the other flying. Schwarz sees this as his opening and charges toward Zett, but suddenly Gritta appears. Schwarz freezes.

Gritta stops Schwarz and both he and Zett go flying away from each other. Zett does not know what just happened. Mork comes running over and summons the Kuliner to whisk them away.

Noire approaches Schwarz. Now you know why you shouldn’t lay a finger on him, she says.

Noire and Schwarz leave.

Back with the Dining Set Bros, they’ve lost the ToQgers. But Table Shadow sees a very nice kotatsu which he really wants to flip.

Despite Chair Shadow warning there’s something fishy about it, Table Shadow flips the kotatsu anyway. And under it are the ToQgers who shoot.

But Table Shadow grabs Chair Shadow to use as a shield. Chair Shadow embiggens after losing his first life.

Conductor calls the ToQgers to say the Resshas are ready, so they hop into ToQ-Oh.

But Chair Shadow has a secret technique of his own. He becomes a chair and compels the ToQ-Oh to sit on him. Right can’t help it and as soon as ToQ-Oh sits on Chair Shadow, he zaps its butt and sends ToQ-Oh flying.

Chair Shadow uses his secret technique one more time, but this time Right decides they should go Cho ToQ-Oh and put all their weight onto Chair Shadow. Cho ToQ-Oh is definitely too heavy and they flatten Chair Shadow like a pancake before delivering a Full Blash Finish.

Seeing Chair Shadow has been defeated, Nero retreats and leaves Akira for now.

Still in the cockpit, Right tells the others they should keep doing their best to defeat the Shadow Line. Well that goes without saying, the others agree.

But back on the Resshas, Conductor and Ticket have some huge news for them. From this moment forward, the ToQgers are… disbanded.

Episode Thoughts

OMG! Damn! That was an amazing episode. Probably my favorite ToQger episode yet.

It had everything! It was insane!

There were so many hilarious little bits throughout the episode; Right confusing “President” with “side dishes,” Kagura being perplexed by a “chabudai,” Akira being sad about Bus’s place to die, Noire’s quips to Mork, Cho ToQ-Oh sitting on Chair Shadow.

Then there were the ZOMG moments; Wagon (maybe) seeing the ToQgers as kids, the mystery of Hyper Terminal, Schwarz realizing Gritta is still alive, President Rabbit finally appearing and what is wrong with the ToQgers that President must disband them?!

And finally, there were the AMAZING moments; that battle royale between Right, Zett, Noire, Mork and Schwarz was incredible. The choreography was absolutely on point. It was exciting and utter chaos, in a good way. So much going on, but every single thing that was going on, you wanted to watch and were totally interested in.

Add to that the awesome scenes of Hyper Terminal itself. I mean, these are model trains on a small little set. Yet those scenes of the trains pulling into and out of Hyper Terminal were just awesome. Dare I say, stunning?! The location they used for the battle royale, that office building garden/plaza thing, was also a great location. And they used the entire area excellently for that battle.

Amazing designs for both the Dining Set Bros, as usual.

The President appears to have disbanded the ToQgers, all because they are changing on their own? Could it be related to the overall feel exemplified by Right, the most immature of the group, actually taking a huge step toward maturity in this episode? Hmm…

But that scene of Wagon thinking she sees the kid ToQgers was so eerie.

So many things happened this episode, for our pure enjoyment as well as to move the story along. And judging from the preview, we’ve got some big things coming up. I can’t wait!

Conductor repeats that the ToQgers have been disbanded. The ToQgers are shocked. But Wagon suggests maybe they’re getting split up just so they can have a reunion and become ToQger 2!

Ticket reiterates than No, that’s not what it means. The ToQgers are no longer ToQgers. Conductor says he and Ticket were also taken aback by the news from the Rainbow Line President. Right decides to go talk to the side dish himself. The others follow.

They run through the huge Terminal only to stop when they see something utterly shocking.

The ToQgers stop when they see their reflections on a glass wall. Only… it is their younger selves that are staring back at them!

Akira sees them, but is also shocked to see their young reflections.

The ToQgers head back the Resshas and try to wrap their heads around what they just saw.

Ticket says that’s why they should have let them finish explaining. Conductor tells them to please listen before they get any more surprises. Conductor and Ticket confirm that they really are only children. When Suburaugahama was swallowed by the darkness, the five of them were spit out because of their powerful Imaginations.

The President borrowed from their powerful Imaginations to give them adult bodies to help fight the Shadow Line since adults are more immune to the Darkness. In short, they have the powerful Imaginations of children as well as the defenses of adults.

That’s why their only memories are from their childhood.

But why are they being disbanded now? Conductor and Ticket say it is for their own good.

Over at Castle Terminal, Nero is just learning of Schwarz’s reappearance. But Madame Noire says she will do everything to keep Schwarz from laying a finger on the Emperor. Is it really the Emperor you want to protect? Marchioness Mork quips.

Anyway, it’s too bad they weren’t able to attack Hyper Ressha Terminal. But Nero says it’s okay since the Dining Set Brothers have more brothers to do the job.

In fact, Mork is sitting on one right now.

The ToQgers are off the Resshas and sitting somewhere in the Terminal thinking about what Conductor and Ticket have just told them.

Conductor and Ticket tell Wagon that everything they said is true. The President says the ToQgers’ have been greatly affected by the Darkness, but not only that, they are changing on their own. They are growing, becoming more mature. And if they continue like this, they will no longer be able to return to being children. Which is why they must quit being ToQgers for their own sake.

Ticket says they’ll just have to go with ToQger 2 now.

The ToQgers try to accept that they’ll just have to let the new ToQgers defeat the Shadow and restore their town for them. So we are just going to stay here in the Terminal and wait, Tokacchi says.

Are you sure about that, Right asks.

Kagura knows what Right wants to do. “Are you really going to continue even if it means not going back?! If you stay an adult, your mama won’t recognize you!”

“Even if we restore our town, you might not be able to live with them anymore!”

But Right says they’ve already changed since their times at the secret base.

Suddenly, the alarm sounds. The President announces that the Shadow is approaching the Terminal.

Wagon says they haven’t established ToQger 2 yet! But Akira says he will fight the Shadow himself. He’ll protect the Line back to their town. He promised.

The ToQgers see the warning and Right starts to run. But the others stop him. This is one time he shouldn’t just run off.

Right stops and says he’s decided he can’t wait and watch someone else defeat the Shadow Line. He’d rather die than do that. Yes, he can’t return to normal and he’ll cry when his mother won’t be able to recognize him, but he’s still going anyway.

Right can see himself defeating the Shadow and restoring their town. If he doesn’t do it, he can’t see the Shouri no Imagination. That’s why he will continue to be a ToQger.

The Dining Set Brothers are wreaking havoc in town and Akira goes to face them.

Right runs, but gets stopped by a railroad crossing.

Suddenly!

Right sees his younger self on the other side of the tracks and then remembers.

Right flashes back to that night. He’s just given his mother the lantern he made. But now, he also remembers his name.

On a lantern with his wish to go to space is his name: Suzuki Raito.

Right runs toward youngRight and they give each a high five as he crosses the train tracks.

When he arrives, Right henshins and helps Akira take on a group of Kuros.

Back at the Terminal, the others are coming to terms with the truth. Maybe they knew all along, but just didn’t want to believe it.

They remember their beautiful town. The town where they would sit together, looking at the stars and sing “Twinkle twinkle little star.”

They decide they will do everything they can to restore it, even if they change. They look behind and see their younger selves smiling back at them. They wave and then run off to help Right and Akira.

The Dining Set Brothers have forced Right and Akira to de-henshin and are about to finish them off, but the others arrive just in time.

Right can’t believe they are here.

“The five of us will always stick together.”

Akira is touched by their bond and he joins them as they all henshin together.

They slash at the Dining Set Bros before Right goes Hyper. He summons the Daikaiten Canon and they send a Renketsu Crash with Akira’s extra boost.

The Dining Set Bros embiggen. Ticket announces the departure of all the Resshas from the Terminal to form Cho ToQ-Oh. Akira hops into Build Dai-Oh and they both use all the Ressha armaments.

The Dining Set Bros appear to be too much for them, especially with an extra large Chabudai.

But the President makes an announcement. The ToQgers’ decision to continue has won his admiration and they now have permission to use Hyper Ressha Terminal.

Ticket pops into the cockpit and tells the ToQgers.

Right inserts Hyper Ressha and the Terminal turns into a huge train which manages to take care of one of the Chair Shadows by itself.

Ticket tells Right to pilot it and Right initiates its transformation to Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh.

Now it’s three against three. Even Table Shadow is impressed.

The others send a Full Burst Finish and Akira sends a Bucket Break to take care of the other Chair Shadow. Right uses a Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh Giant Flash to finish off Table Shadow.

Conductor, Ticket and Wagon cheer. The President wipes the sweat off his face… under the rabbit head.

Hyper Ressha Terminal departs for its next location.

Conductor thinks the President sent Hyper Ressha Terminal because he wanted Right-tachi to continue. Indeed, Ticket says they’ve already drifted further and further from being children. How so? Wagon asks. Conductor says they know who they are now. They’ve taken a step forward and won’t be able to take it back.

The ToQgers are on a hill looking up at the stars. The others have also remembered their names.

“I want to go to space!” – Suzuki Raito

“I hope we can always stay together.” – Tokashiki Haru

“I hope Daddy doesn’t get hurt.” – Natsume Mio

“I want to be stronger.” – Nonomura Hikari

“I hope to be happy with Papa and Mama.” – Izumi Kagura

The ToQgers are happy now. They feel like they’ve remembered everything.

They happily start singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

As does Zett.

Episode Thoughts

Beautiful episode. I knew Kobayashi was going to give us something big around Episode 31. And she delivered big time.

I think many fans have already accepted that the ToQgers are actually children, especially when they revealed that their town had been taken over by the Shadow Line when they were kids.

But what this confirmation does now is propel the ToQgers forward in a huge way. Like the Go-Busters did around this same point in their season, the ToQgers have now made a clear and tangible sacrifice. Any Sentai or Power Rangers team, sure they risk their lives to save the world.

But here, we see the ToQgers acknowledge what they may be losing and still move forward for the greater good of their town and the world. It gives them more weight as heroes to have them know their lives will be completely different even if they defeat the Shadow Line and restore their town.

With Go-Busters, they had to witness their families die just so they could defeat their enemy that was threatening the world.

It really gives their mission that much more important and weight. This is a superhero show after all, and now we see just how much the ToQgers fit that title.

I’ve always loved the scenes with the kids. I get all emotional and they’ve used the flashbacks and all those fade-ins and fade-outs to maximum effect. From the ToQgers seeing their reflections to them actually seeing their younger selves in front of them, they were some really effective and emotional scenes.

It again also helps to reinforce their bond. It is a different kind of bond from what you normally or even ever see on a show like this. Akira looking at them after the others’ “We’ll always stick together” was amazing and was pretty much the same exact reaction I had. Just awesome.

While it wasn’t as amazing as last week’s battle royale, I loved the fight they had with the Dining Set Bros. Just look at this:

And again, I love the shots of the terminal with the trains parked on the platforms and then them pulling out. You forget that it’s just a small model train set. Those scenes look so good. And the excitement really builds when those trains start moving.

And how about that final scene of the ToQgers singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?” Beautiful. Everything. All things. MaGMCMs everywhere.

Conductor thinks about the huge step the ToQgers have taken forward by now remembering their names. Wagon sees him and Ticket looking down from the Resshas at the ToQgers training.

They are reaffirming their three goals: 1. To continue preventing the Shadow Line from taking over stations. 2. Recover Drill Ressha from Schwarz. 3. Visit Shadow Towns and free them.

Akira says to leave Schwarz to him. That allows the others to concentrate on the other two goals. They start training.

Wagon points out how intensely serious they are now and Conductor says that with their memories back, it seems like they are becoming less childlike. Ticket says growing up is better than becoming an idiot. But Conductor is not so sure about that.

Akira notices Right and Hikari are doing something funny. Tokacchi explains that that they used to practice karate when they were kids. Right’s grandfather was their Sensei. Mio remembers they used to train, especially Hikari.

So who’s stronger, Akira asks. They’re not sure.

Hikari remembers when he and Right were preparing to face off against each other when they were kids and he asks Right if he wants to spar. Sure, Right says, but Conductor interrupts to tell them the next station has been taken over by the Shadow Line.

The ToQgers arrive at Chudoku (Poison Injection) Station. No one seems to be around until a group of people in karategis appear and attack. Each one of the karatekas take on one of the ToQgers who have no idea what is going on.

Maybe they’re hypnotized, Tokacchi says. Hikari does not hold back when fighting and Right says he should let up since these people might not be Shadow. Hikari says they can’t hold back now, Akira agrees.

Just as suddenly, a Sensei appears and attacks Right who is able to block it. Sensei sees that Right is well versed in karate and calls off the others who run off.

Sensei apologizes for the sudden attack, but there’s a good reason for it. To make up for the trouble, Sensei punches himself in the face.

They have Sensei take a seat and he explains the townspeople are in danger after a syringe monster attacked and attached syringe bracelets to their wrists yesterday. A poison will slowly be injected into the townspeople until they die at sunset today.

The only way of removing the bracelets is to break the syringe on the Shadow’s arm as he waits at the top of a building. The thriving martial arts community of the town tried storming the building, but there were too many of the monster’s minions and they failed.

The ToQgers head to the building, but Chushaki Shadow appears on a screen and says if they come any closer, he’ll inject the entire poison into the townspeople right now. He lets out another dose and the townspeople cry in pain.

The ToQgers de-henshin to avoid provoking Chushaki Shadow, but then they too get a syringe bracelet attached to their wrists in place of their ToQ Changers.

Chushaki Shadow disconnects and Sensei comes running out from around the corner, lamenting at the ToQgers getting syringed as well. He falls to the ground in despair, but Hikari walks over and grabs his hands. It’s not too late.

Hikari suggests they go back to the Resshas to think of a plan.

Over at the Castle, Mork and Nero are trying to throw Noire under the bus and ask why Zett doesn’t just off her now. He doesn’t want to hear any of that. But Mork is curious why. Zett looks in the mirror and again sees Gritta. Noire sees as well.

Back on the Resshas, Hikari suggests they just attack from the front. But if the Shadow is who he thinks he is, then his plan will work. Hikari asks Right to go with him.

Just them two? Hikari smiles.

At the entrance of the building, Chushaki Shadow again appears and tells Hikari and Right that he’ll be waiting.

Right wonders how many Kuros there will be. Hikari laughs and asks if he remembers their duel. Sure he does. Hikari tells the story.

Hikari actually asked Sensei to let them duel. He wanted to beat Right. Even though Right started karate long before him, Hikari was sure he’d win since he practiced more. But Hikari still lost.

He may have looked fine with the loss back then, but deep inside he was crying. Flashback to Hikari crying behind the dojo.

Sensei sees Hikari. Sensei knows it must be frustrating for a slacker like Right who always skips practice beat him. Maybe he was born with that strength.

Even if it must piss off Hikari, it does not mean Hikari’s hands that practiced so hard are weak. Just from touch, Sensei knows how much effort Hikari’s put into them. But he tried so hard that he was too forceful and serious. Sometimes having a little fun can help him move easier and fight better. Like Right does.

Sensei suggests Hikari play around a little next time and whip Right’s butt.

Right is devastated. His own grandpa wasn’t on his side?! Hikari smiles and asks if Right wants to play a game. Who can beat more Kuros?

Just like Sensei said, it’s important to be a bit more playful. Right likes that. And he thinks he will definitely win.

They fist bump when new Sensei arrives wanting to help. He’s not going to let them suffer alone.

Right and Hikari look at each other and smile.

The three of them charge into the building and face an army of Kuros. Right keeps score as the head up the stairs.

The other ToQgers are waiting in what looks to be their cars, worried that sunset is approaching.

Hikari, Right and Sensei arrive in Chushaki Shadow’s office. Chushaki Shadow welcomes them by attempting to shoot some poison from his syringe, but Hikari gives the others the go-signal and they storm into the office using the cars.

They jump onto Chushaki Shadow. Right and Hikari were just distracting Chushaki Shadow so he wouldn’t notice Car Carrier Ressha approaching.

But Chushaki Shadow’s got a secret plan of his own. He disappears from under the ToQgers and explains that it was a fake. He taunts them and says they and the townspeople are going to die.

Hikari is upset their plan failed. Right says this is Hikari’s fault. But Hikari says it is Right’s fault. They shove each other and are about to punch each other too.

But they actually turn to punch Sensei!

Sensei blocks their punch… with a syringe! Sensei is actually Chushaki Shadow!

How did they know? Hikari noticed the Sensei earlier had come from the same direction as the bracelets, not from the building. He didn’t want to believe it, but when he held his hands earlier, he knew they felt like hands of someone who’s never done karate before.

Hikari gives another kick and the syringe cracks to pieces. The bracelets are deactivated and fall off everyone’s wrist.

Akira finds the real Sensei and Chushaki Shadow reverts to his real Shadow form.

The ToQers henshin. Hikari lands a couple of hits onto Chushaki Shadow before he lets a Hyper Right finish him off as they go flying out the window of the high rise.

Chushaki Shadow embiggens and the ToQgers hop into Cho Cho ToQ Dai-Oh. But it is not enough. The Shadow drains Cho Cho Toq Dai-Oh’s imagination energy.

Ticket pops into the cockpit and tells them this is a good time to use Hyper Ressha. Right hops into Hyper Ressha to help initiate Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh.

Chushaki Shadow thinks Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh is so big. But Right uses a Giant Flash finisher to finish him off for good. The power is restored to the Resshas.

Back in the main car, Wagon sees a depressed Right and asks the others what’s wrong. They explain that he’s shocked his grandfather sided with Hikari. Hikari says Grandpa Sensei was just cheering him up.

Tokacchi asks who won the game earlier. Hikari says he doesn’t know, but Right does. He was counting the whole time. And Hikari won by one.

But Right also defeated the kaijin, so that should count for 5 Kuros.

Conductor and Ticket walk in. Conductor is happy and relieved the ToQgers still have some of their childlike childish qualities.

Hikari reminds Right that the game was most Kuros. So that means he wins. Right can’t believe it. He goes back to the booth to cry.

Episode Thoughts

Ahhh! Loved this episode. It was so good.

I’ve always enjoyed seeing the flashbacks to when the ToQgers were kids. (Which apparently was just a couple of months ago, hehe.) Again, we get to see just how close the ToQgers were… I mean, are as children. It was great to see a brand new dynamic between Right and Hikari. The flashbacks really serve as a perfect way to establish just how strong the ToQgers bond really is.

It’s just great seeing them continually reestablish and solidify that bond that transcends being a member of a Sentai team.

Not only was Hikari and Right’s karate emotionally touching, it was hilariously fun as well. It also continues one of Right’s character trait about always being right and the best, but in a playful way.

Conductor being worried about the ToQgers growing up and maturing was very interesting. Maybe he is worried they will become weaker if their Imagination power is less. But they’re definitely still kids at heart and he knows they’ll be just fine. I really love how much Conductor, Ticket, Wagon and even Akira are big parts of the ToQgers’ lives, even outside of battle.

The story of the episode itself was excellent. I honestly did not see Sensei being Chushaki Shadow. So that was an awesome surprise.

It’s about time they used Car Carrier Ressha! And zomg, that nighttime shot of the Resshas traveling through downtown was so good. More nighttime traveling please! (In addition to more countryside visits too!)

Right and Hikari storming the building and fighting off the Kuros was AMAZING. Hikari’s character song made that whole sequence even more awesome and badass. Love the song.

And Right finishing off Chushaki Shadow in mid-air was also amazing and awesome.

I definitely want a 6-gou watch!

And maybe the most fun part of this episode was that the karate people at the beginning of the episode were actually the ToQgers’ suit actors! So they were actually fighting themselves! They must have had a lot of fun doing that scene.

This was really just an amazing episode. Maybe one of my favorites.

But next week though! I’m really pleasantly surprised they (or Kobayashi) are really pushing through with developing Tokacchi’s crush on Mio. YES!!!!

And finally, congratulations to ToQger for winning a special award and recognition from the Japan Railway!

Mio joins Kagura who is reading a special romance issue of a women’s magazine. Tokatti listens as Kagura asks Mio what a “reliable man” is. Ewe! Mio doesn’t want to talk about such things.

But Wagon does! She thinks a man can be silent and let his back do the talking for him.

The Resshas suddenly screech to a halt and Conductor and Ticket come running in to tell them they are turning back as the last station has just been taken over by the Shadow Line.

Billiard Shadow is poking people in the butt and treating them like billiard balls by knocking them into random holes to create darkness of embarrassment. Billiard Shadow turns to a pink-suited man as his next target, but Mio arrives just in time to save him. She tells him to run and the others try to take care of the kaijin.

But Billiard Shadow has a pool table pop up and he breaks the rack to use the balls to attack the ToQgers.

Mio joins them again as the pink-suited man watches from behind the fence. Mio uses her Signal Hammer to block and send the pool ball back to Billiard Shadow who retreats.

The ToQgers de-henshin and the pink-suited man, who has fallen in love with Mio at first sight, approaches them. He introduces himself as Omotesandou Yoshio and complements Mio before he directly asks her to go out with him.

Mio…

He walks over to her and grabs her hands saying he is grateful she saved his life and must now repay her with his love. He tells her he loves her.

Mio yanks her hands away from his and Tokatti jumps in. Omotesandou insists Mio let him love her, but she runs away. He chases after her and Tokatti tells the others they must follow.

Mio runs right into Akira who comes strolling by. She gets an idea. She introduces Akira as her boyfriend.

Everyone is SHOCKED. Most especially Tokatti. And Kagura too.

Tokatti faints and Right, Kagura and Hikari try to help him.

Omotesandou is skeptical, but will regard Akira as his rival while Akira doesn’t really know what’s going on. Mio elbows his side twice and tells him to just play along.

While Hikari and Right carry Tokatti, Mio and Akira manage to sneak away while Omotesandou vows to win her.

The ToQgers are back on the Ressha. Mio begs Conductor and Ticket to get this train away from this station, FAST. Of course they can’t until Billiard Shadow is defeated.

Mio points to Omotesandou who is on the train platform and naturally cannot see the Resshas.

Tokatti wakes up and is relieved that Mio and Akira are not really dating. “Yeah,” Hikari says, “so don’t worry.”

Having been listening to them, curious Right wants to know what they’re talking about. But Tokatti says it’s nothing. Though he wonders why Mio had to choose Akira to be her pretend boyfie.

Mio doesn’t know what to do, but Wagon does. She’s got an intensely simple plan. All Mio and Akira have to do is go on a hot date.

Wagon and Kagura give Akira and Mio hot makeovers. Tokatti, Kagura, Right and Wagon are all dressed in suits. Wagon gives Akira and Mio listening devices so the ToQgers in Black can help give them instructions.

Right notices Hikari has not changed. Hikari says he’ll pass on this one, he doesn’t like to butt into other people’s love affairs. And Right shouldn’t go too. Hikari says they should leave this to Tokatti.

Before leaving the Ressha, Wagon gives Akira a ring box as a “last resort.”

Leaving the station, Wagon, Tokatti and Kagura are tailing Omotesandou who is trying to follow Mio and Akira.

The first stop on their hot date is a restaurant for some tea. Wagon tells them to relax as they look too stiff and suspicious. She suggests they chat or drink some tea.

Akira takes the cup of scalding tea and downs the whole thing. It burns.

Omotesandou liked that.

Now it’s time for a walk in the park. Wagon suggests Mio and Akira hold hands. Mio is not sure about that, but Akira takes her hand. He’s just doing as ordered.

Tokatti continues dying inside.

While Right and Hikari are facing off against Billiard Shadow, Mio and Akira have a seat on a park bench. Mio does not want to sit close to Akira. Everyone else is watching from behind trees.

Wagon suggests they flirt now. Akira doesn’t even know what “flirt” means. Wagon says they should embrace.

Akira moves closer to Mio, but Mio quickly stands. He says he’s just following orders and he tries to get her to sit back down. Omotesandou grows more suspicious.

Wagon tells Akira to intensely put his arm around Mio’s shoulder. He does and Mio’s instincts quickly tell her to grab his arm behind his back.

That’s it, Omotesandou says. Now he really knows they aren’t really dating.

Wagon tells Akira it’s time for the last resort. He takes the ring out and Wagon whispers the instructions for him to… PROPOSE! Marriage!

Everyone is surprised, especially Tokatti. Mio does not want that ring on her finger.

Quickly, Omotesandou and Tokatti come running out from behind their respective trees to stop the engagement. Mio is surprised Tokatti has come running out too.

Omotesandou tells Mio to stop lying. That’s absurd, Mio stutters. Omotesandou demands some proof then. They should kiss if everything is true.

Mio hesitates, but Akira says fine.

“Don’t worry. I know how to kiss.”

Akira stares at Mio and licks his lips. He takes his hands out, ready to grab. Tokatti can’t take it anymore, he starts running.

But Akira turns and grabs Omotesandou and puckers up! Tokatti trips and he pushes Omotesandou toward Akira and they kiss. Omotesandou tries holding Akira back at first, but he lets his body go to jelly as he enjoys the kiss.

No time to react to all of this as Right comes flying at them. Billiard Shadow wonders what’s going on here.

Akira tells Omotesandou (who appears to have a new love) to run. Wagon takes him to safety as the ToQgers intensely henshin.

Mio and Akira waste no time and they face Billiard Shadow head on. But Billiard Shadow knocks Tokatti, Akira and Mio down.

Right takes out Hyper Ressha, but Tokatti takes it instead. He’s definitely had enough of this. Tokatti charges at Billiard Shadow himself. Hikari knew this would happen.

Tokatti goes crazy on Billiard Shadow who has no idea why Tokatti would be so mad at him when he hasn’t even done anything to him yet.

Tokatti takes out the Daikaiten Cannon and sends a weeping Hyper Last Train Crash to finish off Billiard Shadow’s first life.

Billiard Shadow embiggens and Tokatti decides to hop into Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh himself. “What about us?” Right asks. Hikari says they should let Tokatti handle this himself.

None of Billiard Shadow’s techniques and attacks work on an impassioned Tokatti who first delivers a Tokatti Punch.

The others, minus Hikari, wonder what’s made Tokatti so upset. Tokatti finishes off Billiard Shadow with a Giant Flash.

Back at the station, Mio is relieved it is all over. Wagon tells them she’s got some yummy bento on the Resshas for them. Omotesandou is still following them, now in love with Akira.

Akira feels the eyes on him. By the time Omotesandou reaches the platform, he finds his “darling” has disappeared once again.

Episode Thoughts

What a great episode.
Everything about it was so much fun. From Tokatti’s jealousy to Mio being absolutely grossed out by lovey dovey things (she IS a kid after all) to Akira being Akira to Hikari being in on Tokatti’s secret and knowing that would help them defeat the monster this week to Right always being nosy and also getting upset whenever someone else steals his thunder to Wagon and Kagura’s intense antics… it was just all awesome.

What about seeing two men kissing… on a children’s show! I wonder if this episode will get adapted for Power Rangers. lol

Seeing Mio all awkward and flustered was great fun and interesting because we’ve seen her be the responsible “mother” of the group who goes out for runs every day. But when it comes to matters of the heart, watch out! Mio’s not having any of that!

Again, it is awesome that they are definitely not dropping Tokatti’s crush storyline. I just hope we get an awesome, or should I say intensely awesome pay off for their story. (They better get together!)

It was a great, fun episode after the big reveal and a nice breather before what looks to be another huge episode after next week’s break!

Zett is sitting is on his thrown, thinking about still not being able to absorb Gritta’s sparkle. He sees her reflection in the mirror.

Suddenly, a large amount of darkness emanates through the throne room, much to the shock of Madame Noire, Baron Nero and Marchioness Mork. Zett emerges from his throne in full Shadow form.

Mork remarks how rare it is for Zett to create such darkness since he hates it. She says they must take this opportunity to crush the ToQgers once and for all.

The alarm sounds at Hyper Ressha Terminal. The President orders the emergency departure of Hyper Ressha, but the approaching Kuliners speed onto Hyper Ressha Terminal’s tracks and prevent it from transforming and high tailing it outta there.

The President’s head falls off and he hastily puts it back on sideways before alerting the ToQgers.

The ToQgers meet Akira on the way to the Terminal. They charge toward the Terminal, but they cannot break through the Darkness. Akira tells the others to quickly back away from Darkness before it destroys their engines.

Marchioness Mork marvels at this beautiful darkness. Zett says he did not do this for her. But they can do whatever they want with it.

Baron Nero has six additional Kuliner robos guarding the Shadow-controlled Terminal. Marchioness Mork warns him not to mess this up. That ticks Nero off, he hates working for her.

Zett walks through the Terminal and stops in front of the magic mirror the ToQgers also stopped at. Gritta appears in the reflection. Zett warns that if he can’t obtain her sparkle, it’ll be erased. The “disgusting” amount of darkness in him would wipe her out instantly.

Meanwhile, Schwarz is by the river where Gritta “died.” He picks up a piece of her dress. “You saved my life… so of course, I must return the favor. I swear it.”

Back on the Resshas, the President makes a surprise appearance. Conductor stops Right from pointing out the President’s crooked head while the President corrects both Kagura and Conductor for saying he is a bunny and rabbit.

He’s just the President. He seemingly controls Conductor by shutting him up with an invisible string as he explains that they can take back the Terminal by using Hyper Ressha Terminal’s new power. But it only works with all 13 ToQ trains and Support Ressha.

Hikari speaks up. If they need 13 trains, they are missing one. Drill Ressha, Akira realizes. Conductor says Drill Ressha was originally a Shadow Train, but the President says it has great power. Plus he likes drills.

“Don’t make decisions based on your biases,” Ticket says.

Anyway, they need all 13. And now. Otherwise the Terminal will sink into a Shadow Town and the Rainbow Line’s loss will be assured.

Wagon asks how the President was able to escape. He explains that there are cracks between the Darkness covering the Terminal. They can pass through it as long as they’re not on a train. The ToQgers decide to go in using those cracks. But Akira says he will go look for Schwarz and retrieve Drill Ressha.

Zett and Marchioness Mork are in the President’s office. She feels something unpleasant here in the heart of the Rainbow Line. She asks Zett to use his power to eradicate it, as well as the unpleasant thing inside of him.

Suddenly, they see the ToQgers running toward the Terminal. Mork, Noire and Nero stop them before they can get close.

The ToQgers henshin.

Tokatti and Hikari take on Nero, Mio and Kagura take on Noire and Right faces Mork. Meanwhile, Akira meets with Schwarz and they immediately battle. Akira says he wants Drill Ressha.

The ToQgers are struggling. Zett appears and transforms into his Shadow form, sending blasts of darkness toward them.

Akira uses his shadow power to rain down on Schwarz to allow him to sneak around. But before Akira can take Schwarz by surprise, Conductor and Ticket calls to ask if he’s got Drill Ressha because the others need him right now.

Akira asks Schwarz to hold on a sec while he finishes this call.

Zett forces the ToQgers to dehenshin. Akira knows there is no time. Just as Schwarz is about to slash him across the head, Akira also dehenshns.

Schwarz pulls back. Akira has a request. He will accept any condition Schwarz sets, as long as he gets Drill Ressha back. Akira bows his head.

Zett takes Right by the collar. What would happen if Zett takes Right’s sparkle, he asks. “Would it accept me or disappear?”

Noire realizes all this darkness from Zett might be because something is happening with Gritta inside of him.

Right tells Zett that will never happen and instead, all he sees is that Zett is going down. Zett proposes they test that theory. Zett has his engulfing claws out, ready to absorb Right. But suddenly…

Gritta pops out of Zett’s chest and pushes Right away. Everyone is shocked.

Zett is back in his human form. “So that is your answer.”

Mork quickly summons a Kuliner to whisk Zett away.

Suddenly, the Resshas are arriving. Conductor and Ticket tell the ToQgers to hurry and board. Akira’s gotten Drill Ressha back!

Mork turns to see Drill Ressha is indeed riding on top of an arriving Build Ressha.

Akira sits quietly in his cockpit. He flashes back.

Schwarz is amazed to see Akira here before him, bowing his head.

“To have changed this much… is it because what you’re fighting for has changed?”
“For you to say that… means you’ve changed too. You’re talking about yourself as well, aren’t you.”

Akira asks Schwarz if he too has seen the sparkle. Schwarz presents his condition. Akira seems shocked, but he agrees.

Right thanks Akira, snapping him out of his flashback. Now that they have all 13 Resshas, it’s time. They charge toward the Terminal.

Mork, Noire and Nero watch. They order the Kuliner Robos to hold them off, but they are no match for the ToQgers. They are all destroyed with one shot.

Mork, Noire and Nero hop into the Kuliners that are pulled into the Terminal. They can’t give up the Terminal now. Accompanied by two other Kuro-piloted Kuliners, they transform into Robos and leave the Terminal.

The ToQgers take the opening and speed toward the Terminal’s platforms. Conductor, Ticket and Wagon are excited to see they’ve done it! President says they will now use Terminal’s special mode.

The Terminal stands and the transformation is complete. Mork, Noire and Nero are in awe and confused at the same time.

But the ToQgers have just formed ToQ Rainbow. President gives the ToQgers permission to drive.

But Mork, Noire and Nero also combine their Kuliners into one larger one.

But the ToQgers use their Rainbow Beam Cannon to take care of the two Kuro-piloted Kuliners. They then whip out a Rainbow Blade and then charge up a ToQ Rainbow Final Slash.

That finishes off the Kuliner robo and Mork, Noire and Nero eject.

The ToQgers are exhausted. Akira tries snapping them out of it.

Back at the Castle, Mork is scolding Zett for not getting rid of that horrible thing inside of him. They would’ve surely won if he did.

Zett just ponders to himself. Noire realizes she must hurry before Zett just eliminates her for good.

The ToQgers are back on the Resshas. They think about poor Gritta’s suffering. Right says it’s because of her sparkles. The Emperor wants it. Hiraki says Right better watch out then.

They hear Akira on the tracks playing his harmonica as the sun sets.

What was Schwarz’s condition?

Episode Thoughts

Yay! Great to have ToQger back. And WOW!!! What an episode that was, yes?

So much amazing stuff this episode, definitely one of my favorites.

First that opening scene of the Kuliners taking over the Terminal! Damn. The Kuliners physically stopping Hyper Ressha Terminal from folding up and hightailing it out of there AND President’s head popping off!

I loved seeing the ToQgers face off against Mork, Noire and Nero again. That whole sequence plus Akira and Schwarz’s fight was amazing. Even more excellent fight choreography that was just as epic as the battle royale between Right, Zett, Noire, Schwarz and Mork a few episodes ago.

I love how Gritta has actually become a huge part of the story. It goes all the way back to when the ToQgers first meet Gritta when she runs away. Seeing their “relationship” with her, especially Mio’s connection with her now leading to them really feeling for her is just great. Then we have Schwarz who has been greatly affected by her sacrifice. We don’t know if he loves her, but he definitely feels indebted to her and owes her his life.

Definitely can’t wait to see what Noire does next to save her daughter. But how Gritta is affecting Zett is very intriguing.

And how about that ToQ Rainbow. That initial toy catalog picture definitely made the thing look blockish as hell. But it looks so much better in motion on the show. You can’t help but just cheer when the Resshas dock at the platforms and Hyper Ressha Terminal literally stands up. The theme is amazing and it definitely helped set the mood. It was awesomely epic.

Then you have the Kuliner Robos actually looking up at the huge thing. It was fun and hilarious and badass at the same time.

Just another amazing episode of ToQger. Anxious to see what deal Akira and Schwarz made.

The ToQgers wonder what’s up with Akira lately. He’s been weird ever since he got Drill Ressha back. Ticket says he’s gone riding around on his own. The others think he’s off trying to find Subarugahama on his own.

The Resshas stop at the next station, Hakutendaigaku. Hikari remembers a visiting teacher-student who attended Hakutendaigaku. He rushes out and the others follow.

The ToQgers walk onto the university campus at this station.

Hikari explains that while Subarugahama may have been swallowed by the darkness, everyone who knows about the town may not have. He asks them if they remember a Sakura-sensei. They do. She was a teacher-in-training who visited their class for two weeks.

They hope they can learn more about their town if they can find Sakura-sensei.

The ToQgers split up to look for her. Tokatti and Kagura go together and they see something.

No, not pretty girls Tokatti.
A Shadow kaijin approaches the pretty girls and says he wants to grade them. He gives them a big 0 for their femininity. Their stylish looks are replaced by bad hair and plain tracksuits causing them to emit darkness.

The Station’s name changes to Rakudaigakumae.

The Shadow turns his attention to Tokatti and gives him a zero for the manliness of his glasses. Tokatti’s glasses break and that saddens him.

Right and Mio arrive and the four of them henshin.

But Tokatti is still sad. He takes the rails off his helmet, but Mio tells him to pull himself together.

They attack the Shadow, but the Shadow sprays black fountain pen ink all over them and leaves.

Over at the Castle, Madame Noire and Marchioness Mork are excited about Mannenhitsu/Fountain Pen Shadow gathering lots of nice darkness.

Hikari enters a classroom and sees a student who looks very much like Sakura-sensei. He approaches her and asks if she is Iwaga Sakura. Yes, she says. But she asks if they’ve met before.

Hikari introduces himself, but Sakura thinks he’s from a matchmaking party she recently attended. She apologizes for not remembering since she was drunk.

Hikari realizes she wouldn’t recognize him like this, so he asks if she remembers Subarugahama. Before she can answer, Fountain Pen Shadow enters the classroom to grade the students. He gives one guy a zero on his hair.

He then turns to Sakura and says she doesn’t have any hopes or dreams, so he wants to give her a zero on her future.

Hikari protects her and whisks her out of the classroom as the other ToQgers arrive. But Fountain Pen Shadow has run out of ink, so he cancels class for today and leaves.

The ToQgers reunite with Hikari. They see Sakura on her cell phone and wonder if she was always like this. They remember her as being more mature and kind.

Right also remembers Sakura-sensei giving him a perfect 100 on his presentation of his dream to go to space. Kagura also remembers when Sakura-sensei cheered her up and taught her that just having a dream, big or small, deserves a perfect score.

Hikari remembers Sakura-sensei approaching him to ask about his dream. But he asks her what her dream is first. She says she never had one until coming here to Subarugahama and meeting them.

Sakura speaks up and says while she doesn’t remember Subarugahama, she also finds it weird there’s nothing of it on the internet. The ToQgers realize that no one remembers cities that have been turned into Shadow towns.

Ticket calls and asks what in the world they’re doing! Conductor tells them to finish Fountain Pen Shadow and return to the Resshas.

Fountain Pen Shadow has just sucked up a Kuro for all his black darkness to turn into ink.

The ToQgers run off, but Mio sees Hikari deep in thought. She tells him that forcing Sakura-sensei to remember will only make her suffer. But that’s when Hikari’s got an idea.

The four find Fountain Pen Shadow who notices they are missing one. What a failure of a Sentai, he says. So he gives them each a zero.

Mio, Tokatti and Kagura all become sad for getting zeros and turning into ToQ 0-gou.

Mio says this is her first failing grade in her life.

Right tries to get them to snap out of it.

Meanwhile, Sakura asks Hikari why he keeps calling her “sensei.” She admits that while she’s an Education student, she only got in because she had the minimum requirements. She thought she had a dream or goal, but not anymore. That’s why the Fountain Pen monster was right.

Hikari says it doesn’t matter if she can’t remember Subarugahama. But she should not forget her dream.

Hikari flashes back. Sakura-sensei told him her dream was to become a teacher that would give them all A+s.

Hikari tells Sakura that a teacher once taught him having a dream is already worth 100 points. So she must find her dream again and he can give her a perfect 100.

Hikari turns to leave, but Sakura calls after him. She may have just had a memory flash herself.

Fountain Pen Shadow has just given Right a zero. But Right just laughs. This is definitely not the first time he’s gotten a zero. The others don’t really think that’s something to be proud of.

But Right, still full of energy, takes Hyper Ressha out to uphenshin to Hyper ToQ 0-gou. But Fountain Pen Shadow decides to give him a -100 instead.

Right turns into ToQ -100gou. And that is definitely something to be sad and embarrassed about.

But before Fountain Pen Shadow can finish them off, Hikari arrives. He apologizes to the others for being late before picking up Hyper Ressha and charging towards Fountain Pen Shadow.

Hikari is determined to stop the Shadow Line from taking people’s dreams away from them. Fountain Pen Shadow wants to give Hikari a zero for his bravado, but Hikari has already become Hyper ToQ 4-gou.

Hikari is able to knock Fountain Pen Shadow around. He summons the Daikaiten Cannon, but the others are still out of it. Hikari takes their Resshas and delivers the Hyper Five Renketsu Crash to finish off Fountain Pen Shadow’s first life.

The ToQgers are back to their regular numbers as Fountain Pen Shadow embiggens.

Akira quickly arrives in Build Ressha and asks the ToQgers to leave this to him. He initiates Build Dai-Oh Drill, but Fountain Pen Shadow decides to use the darkness he’s gathered to make himself embiggen some more.

The ToQgers decide to summon Hyper Ressha Terminal and they quickly form ToQ Rainbow.

With a ToQ Rainbow Final Slash, Fountain Pen Shadow gets a zero while he gives the ToQgers a perfect score and dies.

Sakura sees a rainbow in the sky and says she’s found it.

The two pretty girls from earlier see Sakura and wonder why she is dressed more conservatively today. She says she’s found it, or at least, remembered her dream. She wants to become a teacher that inspires dreams in children.

The ToQgers watch her excitedly going to class. Hikari gives her a 100. They hope Sakura-sensei will never forget her dream again. They are happy to have been able to help her. Akira has no idea what’s going on.

But Wagon makes an announcement. Ticket is very annoyed. They’ve wasted a lot of time already and it’s time to depart! The ToQgers hurry back to the Resshas, but Hikari takes one more look at a now happy Sakura-sensei.

Episode Thoughts

This was a nice, sweet little episode. I always enjoy the episodes where we flash back to the ToQgers as kids and fill in more of their memories, even if they don’t necessarily play a big part in the greater story.

Since these kinds of episodes give us more insight into the ToQgers, I always enjoy them. And this episode also reminded us that Akira is still sort of an outsider. Not that they don’t welcome him and he isn’t a part of the team. But that the ToQgers still have shared experiences and memories that he is not a part of. That is definitely a dynamic I’ve been interested to see since Akira arrived. So I was happy to see it here a little bit at the end when he didn’t know what was going on.

Akira’s deal with Schwarz though is very intriguing. Can’t wait to find out what it was.

Noire and Mork’s scene at the Castle was so odd though. I don’t even think we needed that scene.

It was fun seeing FOUR of the ToQgers all sad this time. The idea of ToQ 0-gou is very amusing, not to mention Right needing a -100 to get him down.

Tokatti’s glasses gag was taken to the next level this episode too with him actually removing the rails from his helmet. Very fun.

Fountain Pen Shadow had another amazing design. Love the designs this season. And it was awesome to see a fresh location too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that university campus before.

More fresh (and countryside!) locations please!

Overall a fun, sweet episode.

Wagon has prepared some intensely delicious bento for the ToQgers today. But Tokatti can’t decide which one he wants. Conductor and Ticket pop up and say if Tokatti can’t even decide on lunch, how is he going to be popular with the girls? Indeed, Mio says, Tokatti is too wishy-washy and indecisive.

Tokatti takes that criticism hard, but Akira calls and interrupts their lunch and sulking to say he’s found another Junction.

The ToQgers join Akira on the Drill Ressha as they enter the Shadow Line. Right notices Akira is accompanying them today when he normally doesn’t. Akira doesn’t explain as they arrive and disembark.

The ToQgers see this is unfortunately not Subarugahama. Akira says if not, then they should quickly go back. The others of course want to save this town first, but Akira says they can do that later. Subarugahama is most important. The ToQgers don’t understand.

“But there’s no time…” Before the ToQgers can question Akira’s odd behavior lately, the Overseer of the town arrives. He is Knight and is accompanied by his trusty horse Justaway.

Kagura thinks Justaway is cute. But Right quickly henshins. Hikari reminds Right about the time limit and asks the others for their Resshas. Mio and Kagura hand him theirs and he henshins to join Right in the fight.

Knight is very fast, too fast for Right and Hikari. Right de-henshins as his time expires and Hikari transfers to Pink to save him.

Tokatti is unsure whether to give his Ressha to Right or to henshin himself. His indecisiveness leaves him out in the open and Akira runs over to knock him out of the way of Knight’s attack.

Knight sends Tokatti and Akira flying off the cliff and hurls Right towards Kagura and Mio.

Hikari transfers to Yellow and uses the Signal Hammer to help them escape.

Over at the Castle, Nero thinks about Zett still not fully absorbing Gritta. Realizing Madame Noire must already know, he wonders what she is plotting. A Kuro comes to whisper that they’ve found Schwarz so Nero refocuses his attention to his original mission.

Right, Kagura, Hikari and Mio are hiding in a playground. Mio brings up how weird Akira has been acting. Hikari has noticed too.

They decide to go out and find Akira and Tokatti first.

Tokatti is by the river when he wakes up. Akira surprises him with his glasses.

Tokatti apologizes for being a bother and a loser for not being able to make quick decisions. Akira agrees that he is wishy washy. Tokatti is resigned to the fact that he is indecisive and can’t make decisions.

Decisions? Akira flashes back to his deal with Schwarz. The condition to retrieve Drill Ressha? Akira must join Schwarz’s army. When it is time, Akira must rush to his side and fight as his right hand man, like before. But if the ToQgers get in the way, there is no choice but to have them as enemies as well.

Akira struggles to agree with the conditions. Schwarz says he knows Zalam is a man who keeps his word.

Akira tells Tokatti they must leave here and find another Junction. But Tokatti says they cannot just leave this town’s people in trouble. Fine, Akira says. But in exchange, Tokatti must make a promise.

“One day, you guys will need to make a decision. No matter how hard the choice, when the time comes, you must make a decision. Promise me that.”

Tokatti doesn’t really understand, but if Akira insists, then sure. He holds out his pinky and teaches Akira how to pinky swear.

Meanwhile, back at the Junction, Schwarz is confronted by Nero. They battle.

Right, Mio, Hikari and Kagura are running on their way to find Tokatti and Akira when they find people who are frozen at a fork. They wonder why. That’s when they hear Knight’s voice.

If they choose the left fork, they’ll be bombarded with bombs. If they go right, they will be bombarded with bullets. Which one will they choose?

They can’t decide on either one and Knight says Time’s up. They get doused with water.

Hikari realizes the townspeople couldn’t decide, so they were trapped here resulting in the darkness.

Tokatti and Akira also come to a crossroads. If they go left, they’ll get eaten by a dinosaur. If they go right, they’ll get bitten by snakes.

Akira thinks, no matter how outrageous the choice is, you must still make a decision. Tokatti thinks about dying by dinosaur or by snake, but time’s up so they get doused with water.

It is important to make decisions, Akira says.

Knight arrives. Akira says he’ll handle this while Tokatti goes to look for Right-tachi. Tokatti wants to help Akira, but Akira tells Tokatti to go. Tokatti turns and runs, but he stops.

Schwarz and Nero are still fighting, but Schwarz says they will fight as much as Nero wants when the right time comes.

Knight is still too fast for Akira. His 30 seconds are up and he de-henshins but he transforms quickly to his Shadow form.

Tokatti is thinking. Making decisions. He turns and starts shooting at Knight who has got Akira on the ground. Tokatti faces off against Knight.

Knight says Tokatti can’t do anything when he can’t even hold a henshin for 30 seconds. That doesn’t matter, Tokatti says. He’s made the decision to stay and fight with Akira-kun.

That’s your decision? Akira asks.
“No,” Tokatti replies. “I just don’t want to sacrifice something for something else. My decision is not to make such a decision.”

Akira understands. Just then, the others come running to join them.

But how? Right says they forced their way through the explosions. They were very hot, Kagura adds.

But Knight scoffs, they still have a time limit. So what, Hikari says. That means they’ll just have to defeat him within 30 seconds.

The ToQgers henshin and attack Knight. But before Knight can speed off with Justaway, the ToQgers each block his path. He jumps down, but Tokatti is there to meet him with a Tokatti Slash.

Tokatti shoots at Knight and pushes him toward a waiting Akira who grabs at Justaway.

Akira yanks Justaway away from Knight and then sends him to the farm in the sky. Now Knight has lost his speed.

Right tosses Hyper Ressha to Tokatti and he becomes Hyper ToQ-2gou. The others de-henshn and toss Tokatti Diesel Ressha-tachi to use in the Daikaiten Cannon. Akira places Drill Ressha on and Tokatti delivers a Hyper Drill Ressha finisher towards Knight.

The town is freed from the Shadow Line and is restored. But Knight has embiggened.

The ToQgers hop into Cho-Cho ToQ Dai-Oh while Tokatti pilots Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh.

Despite Knight’s attepts to run, the ToQgers catch him and help set-up a Hyper Ressha Tei-Oh Giant Flash finisher.

The ToQgers walk back to the Resshas when Akira stops them. He bows and apologizes for not trying to save the town initially. Don’t worry about it, Right says. Mio and Kagura smile and are happy Akira seems like he’s back to normal.

Hikari asks Tokatti what he said to Akira to change his mind. “No, I didn’t really say anything,” Tokatti answers.

Akira says he’s off to find another Switch Point Junction. He stops next to Tokatti.

“It’s fine for now, but remember to keep your promise,” Akira says his in mind as we walks away.

Tokatti remembers their pinky swear as Akira walks away.

Meanwhile, Zett tells Gritta that he won’t erase her. Not yet.

Episode Thoughts

OMG. This episode. Will Akira’s place to die actually end up at the hands of the ToQgers!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! OMG. That is totally a Kobayashi thing to do. And I love it! And hate it! lol

I know it’ll be painful and sad and emotional, but damn if it won’t be epicly tragic and amazing.

I mean, I’ve seen OOO and Shinkenger and Go-Busters, so I have a rookie feeling at what Kobayashi might do here, based on this episode. And I will definitely look forward to it. ToQger‘s biggest appeal to me is the emotional connection these guys have with each other, which in turn gives me an emotional connection to them. Just the whole story of wanting to find home and their friendship is just awesome to me and very enjoyable for me to watch.

I see all these “ToQger meh” and “OMGEWEWEW TRAINS” comments about the season, but instead of trying to fiercely (over-)defend the season, I’ll sit here and enjoy what I’m sure will be an emotional train ride to the end. This is the kind of story I want and enjoy the most. It’s hilarious and fun, but there”s plenty of heart and exciting drama and action.

I don’t know if toku fans want just all-out ridiculousness or every year mindblowing Gaim-level torture or just a 1993 nostalgia orgy, but I think ToQger has hit the right targets when it comes to balancing all the elements I look for. And that’s what’s important to me, regardless. =)

How about Justaway?! Fun. And it was great to see them use Disel-tachi on the Daikaiten Cannon!

The ToQgers are discussing what types of movies they like. Wagon likes horror films where the couples are the first to get killed off. Right likes sci-fi, especially space movies. Hikari prefers mysteries. Tokatti likes love stories, but Mio prefers musicals. Ticket’s preference is for period dramas and Conductor enjoys action flicks.

What a coincidence when Conductor and Ticket announce that they will be stopping at Touto Film Studios at the next stop. The ToQgers decide to visit and maybe take a tour. But right at the gate, they see Film Shadow chasing after a man.

The ToQgers follow and henshin to fight the Shadow off. But Film Shadow has some tricky tricks up his sleeve. He wraps them up in film strips and sets them on fire. He then puts them in the middle of a big CGI-heavy action and explosion-filled extravaganza. (Sort of like a Kamen Rider Movie Wars. ;))

Right decides to take out Hyper Ressha, but Film Shadow says it’s too early for that. He should save it for the climax. Film Shadow escapes.

The ToQgers approach the man who introduces himself as producer Bubaigawara Waraziro. He says he’s filming a movie right now. Right, Tokatti, Mio and Kagura are very excited about it, but Hikari is a little more concerned about the Shadow.

Waraziro takes them on a tour of the studio and they end up on the set of his movie. But it’s empty. There’s no one there until his two actors arrive. They’re the stars of the movie and they say the crew has abandoned the production. The actors are threatening to leave as well, but Waraziro says he’ll quickly find a replacement crew.

Kagura volunteers them. Tokatti is the cameraman, Mio is the sound tech, Hikari takes care of lights, Right is the slate guy… and naturally, Kagura is the director. A role which she takes very seriously.

They begin the scene, but Kagura yells Cut! She wants to see them smile more, be more kawaii. Even though this is a gritty crime drama.

She decides to give them a new wardrobe. Now the tough cops are dressed in dresses and cat ears nyan.

Director Kagura loves it. Waraziro expresses his doubts, but Kagura insists this is good stuff for a movie. Right agrees. The others have no idea what’s happening.

Meanwhile over at the Castle, Zett is speaking to Madame Noire whom he says is up to her old tricks. No no, Noire says. Film Shadow will just be able to extract some high quality darkness which the Emperor will need a lot of soon.

Back at the Studio, Waraziro tells the ToQgers that the actors have now left as well. This is obviously Kagura’s fault.

While Kagura happily revises the script, Hikari notices some broken headbands and car keys nearby.

Kagura walks over to the others and says she’s got the perfect backup plan. She has replacements ready and on call.

Akira arrives and Kagura dresses him in a frilly number with lipstick and cat whiskers and a wig. He really does not understand what is happening.

Tokatti is the co-star. He’s in a dress, golden curls and big lacey ribbon on his head.

Tokatti says he and Akira are obviously different actors from the originals, but Kagura says they’ll just fix it with CG in post.

Meanwhile, Hikari is talking to the security guard at the gate.

Kagura calls Action as the movie restarts. Tokatti is Jacqueline and Akira is Catherine. Mio doesn’t know what she’s even watching, but she looks over and Kagura is welling up with emotion. She thinks this is beautiful!

Suddenly, taps. Out of the shadows and into the spotlight, the Kendama Detective appears!

Kagura likes it and tells Waraziro to keep filming. Hikari explains what he’s found. This movie isn’t cursed and the cast and crew didn’t abandon it. He relates the waiting room showing evidence of a struggle. And the security guard outside said none of the cast or crew ever left the studio. That means they must all be in the studio somewhere.

Hikari has Waraziro lead them to a screening room that has gone unused because of reports of it being haunted. And that’s where they find the missing cast and crew.

Film Shadow appears on the screen and explains that he is editing the nightmares of the movie staff together to create a dark film that will play around the world and engulf it in darkness.

Kagura takes great offense. Movies are for people to enjoy, to make people happy!

The ToQgers henshin and they fight Film Shadow. Waraziro asks What about the movie? Kagura says there’s no time for that now. But Waraziro decides to just film what’s going on.

They ToQgers take the fight with Film Shadow outside.

Hikari easily fights off Film Shadow’s Film Noire attack. And Kagura is fired up with a lot of passion and emotion. She chases after Film Shadow and shoots. They battle until they’ve got their weapons pointed right at each other’s faces.

But the others are also there and Film Shadow is now surrounded.

Waraziro and a still tied up in film Akira arrive. Instead of using Hyper Ressha, Right says all they need is Renketsu Bazooka.

Kagura takes over and decides to deliver a security guard Rainbow Rush to defeat Film Shadow’s unbiggened life.

Film Shadow embiggens and the ToQgers hop into ToQ Rainbow.

Film Shadow wraps them up in a movie screen and places the ToQgers in some kind of horror movie. But Hikari says it’s not scary at all. ToQ Rainbow’s lights come back on and they decide to deliver a Final Slash.

A little later on the Resshas, Conductor comes in with a film magazine with a review of Waraziro’s movie which was just completed.

And it’s actually got a great review! The others have no idea what’s happening. Kagura is very happy.

Episode Thoughts

Another crazy episode that was a lot of random fun.

I don’t know if it’s a Kobayashi thing, but both Go-Busters and ToQger do an amazing job of background humor and sight gags. It’s always little throw away lines or random happenings in the background that you notice and end up being so hilarious.

I loved that chase scene with Kagura and Film Shadow. Kagura was so badass there.

Great to see Kendama Detective pop up. And Catherine and Jacqueline has spin-off potential right there. lol

A fun episode that I think is needed since next episode looks to get back into the thick of things.

Wagon and the ToQgers are decorating the Resshas for Christmas. They’ve noticed the Shadow Line has been pretty quiet lately and they hope it’ll last until Christmas at least. Wagon says she can guarantee that. Conductor and Ticket come in and they and Wagon explain that this is the time of year the Shadow are least active because of the abundance of Imagination everywhere.

All the Christmas lights and decorations and warm and fuzzy feelings weaken the power of darkness, making the Shadow Line less active.

That is very exciting news for them. They are also excited about Akira’s reaction to the holiday since this will be his first Christmas. Tokatti calls Akira to see if he wants to come decorate with them, but Akira rejects the call.

Akira is at Build Ressha’s tunnel home when Schwarz appears saying it is time for Zaram to be by his side.

With darkness at its weakest, this is Schwarz’s best chance. Akira understands Schwarz was waiting for the Darkness Decline. Before he follows Schwarz, Akira turns to the Build Ressha and removes his hard hat.

“I guess this was not meant to be my place to die.”

Later, the ToQgers search on Build Ressha for a nowhere to be found Akira. Kagura finds Drill Ressha and a stack of papers on the console.

“Instructions for using Drill Ressha to find Shadow Towns”

But why would he leave such a note? To make sure everything will be okay even when he’s not around?! They hurry outside and call for Akira, but no answer. They see his hard hat.

Meanwhile at the Castle, Marchioness Mork and Baron Nero are feeling the effects of the disgusting annual Darkness Decline. They wonder how the Emperor is doing, but he just tells them to stay away. Nero notices the Emperor’s darkness is very weak. Mork says it’s because of that “thing” inside of him.

Down in the dungeons of the Castle, Madame Noire is enacting her plan to save Gritta.

Back at the throne, Gritta emerges.

On the Resshas the ToQgers tell Wagon, Conductor and Ticket what’s happened. Tokatti remembers his pinky swear with Akira in the last Shadow Town. Hikari thinks it might have something to do with how easy Akira was able to take back Drill Ressha.

Suddenly, the lights flicker. How can the Shadow be active at this time?!

The ToQgers hurry into town and they are shocked when they run into Bag Shadow all the way from Episode 1. The ToQgers quickly henshin.

On a nearby rooftop, another Shadow Creep is sucking up darkness and shaking. He opens his tombstone chest and the darkness appears in front of the ToQgers as Ring Shadow, the first Shadow Creep they fought with Akira.

Thinking about Akira again, the ToQgers are having trouble keeping up with the reincarnated Shadows.

Mork and Nero are watching as Boseki (Tombstone) Shadow is shaking up another round of darkness. Mork is surprised since he’s supposed to be locked up in the dungeon for using darkness too carelessly. That’s when Mork realizes who might be behind this.

They see Boseki Shadow is drawing darkness from the castle. Mork and Nero notice a white feather fly out from behind the throne curtain, but Zett tells them it’s nothing.

Mork tells Nero to keep any eye on the Emperor while she’ll go take care of Boseki Shadow.

The feathers continue falling off Zett’s outfit and Gritta realizes she is able to push back against him at this time of Darkness Decline. But he knew that. So why didn’t he erase her? He says he doesn’t know. But now that she does, what is she going to do about it?

Back to the walking dead, Bucket Shadow joins the fight. Hikari reminds the others that this isn’t their first time fighting these Shadow Creeps. They know they can defeat them.

Hikari, Mio, Tokatti and Kagura use Scope Ressha to finish off Ring and Bag Shadow while Right takes care of Bucket Shadow.

The Shadows don’t embiggen, so they are just ghosts. Boseki Shadow is satisfied with his little workout and decides to take a break for now.

The ToQgers are back to worrying about Akira. Kagura says this isn’t the first time Akira didn’t show up to fight with them since his first job is to protect the rails. He can’t always be with them. That’s true, Mio says, but there definitely seems to be a distance between them lately.

She’s noticed that Akira’s only ever referred to them as ToQgers. It never bothered her before, but she should’ve called him out on it. Tokatti wishes he could’ve talked it out with him too, but Hikari says that’s true for all of them. Right and Kagura feel bad because they didn’t even notice he was acting strangely.

That’s why they must find him and talk to him.

Boseki Shadow is done resting and he revs up again. Much to his surprise, Marchioness Mork appears. The real one. She knocks him on the head and asks why he would waste Darkness at a time like this.

Boseki Shadow spills the beans and says Madame Noire told him to do this so she would let him out.

Aha! Mork knew it was Noire. She tries knocking him off the roof, but he takes her with him. They both fall right next to the ToQgers.

But Boseki Shadow has already gathered enough Darkness for his next resurrection and this time it is Bakudan Shadow. Tokatti definitely remembers Bakudan Shadow.

The ToQgers henshin while Mork continues attacking Boseki Shadow.

Tokatti takes care of Bakudan Shadow, Hikari and Right face off against a sluggish Marchioness Mork and Mio and Kagura take on Boseki Shadow.

Right goes Hyper and the ToQgers prep the Daikaiten Cannon. Boseki Shadow says they should die in order of age, so he grabs Marchioness Mork and tries using her as a shield.

But she’s not going to die so easily. She breaks free of his grip as the shot hits him and sends Mork flying.

Boseki Shadow embiggens. Right suggests they hop into ToQ-Oh and Diesel-Oh.

Boseki Shadow resurrects embiggened monsters. And one of them is Jack-in-the-Box Shadow. They remember he is the one that made Akira laugh. While Akira may be weird at times, he was always with them. He fought with them and protected them.

The ToQgers leave themselves open and absorb a triple attack. Tokatti tells everyone they need to focus on this fight first. Right lends ToQ-Oh Car Carrier and Tank Ressha to form ToQ-Oh Car Carrier Tank. They use a Car Carrier Tank Shoot to take care of two of the embiggened Shadows. Right uses Diesel Ressha’s missiles to defeat Jack-in-the-Box Shadow.

Boseki Shadow gets ready to make some more zombified Shadows, but Hikari calls on Police Ressha. That allows them to form Cho ToQ-Oh Police and use a Cho ToQ-Oh Police Cannon Last Stop to finish off Boseki Shadow for good.

But Kagura notes this victory feels pretty hollow without Akira. The others sigh.

Wagon places Akira’s hard hat atop one of the Christmas trees. But the alarm sounds. Conductor and Ticket alert the ToQgers to the arrival of Schwarz’s Kuliner!

Over at the Castle, Nero is worried things are too quiet and Darkness is incredibly absent here. Noire peeks into the throne room and laughs that this is the weakest the Emperor will ever be. She swears to save her daughter so them two can take the Shadow Line once more.

Behind the curtain, feathers are now flying all over the place. Gritta can only think of her Schwarz-sama.

Schwarz-sama has a very strong resolve and is ready to make his dreams a reality. But the ToQgers arrive and Right tries asking Schwarz if they can talk. Schwarz will not, but the Kuliner and the Resshas hit each other causing Schwarz to derail.

The ToQgers hurry over to the Kuliner, but it surprisingly departs.

Even more surprisingly though, Akira appears.

Akira tells the ToQgers not to interfere. He explains that he is joining Schwarz once more and that he is leaving the Rainbow Line.

But why?! Akira does not answer. He says he will borrow the Applichanger for now as he needs it. He henshins.

Episode Thoughts

Ooooo! Very nice. This was an amazingly interesting episode. Not only was it basically prepping the final stretch of the season, it was also maybe the biggest toy commercial episode of the season.

How amazing for Kobayashi to write an episode that had a meaningful emotional punch to the characters and a big step forward for several of the season’s big stories, but also manage to include almost every toy introduced this season and present new combos as well.

All the Resshas being featured fit very well with the concept of the phantom Shadow Creeps. And it was awesome to see the ToQgers whip out Scope Resshas as well. (I love Scope Ressha… “PLEASE BE CAREFUL! PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!”)

Plus, I think we got the first use of “Go! Go! ToQger!” in-show. I absolutely love that song.

I really thought the emotional kick was done very well in this episode. I’ve always noted the interesting contrast between the ToQgers’ bond, being childhood friends and Akira being an outsider in more ways than one. The ToQgers reflected on that pretty directly this episode, but affirming how Akira has become like a friend to them and how they’ve very much welcomed him to their little circle.

And of course, the Shadow Line has been amazing. Seeing the jostling of position and the behind the curtain (literally!) sneaking around and secrecy has been a lot of fun and so enjoyable to watch.

This episode’s title was “The Beginning of the End.” ACK! I don’t want it to end! It’s just been such a great season, I honestly am not looking forward to seeing it wrap up just yet.