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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

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Episode 7: "Delirious Runaway Itashar, Break Through the Limit!" (妄走イタッシャー限界突破せよ!)
Special Guest: None

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After entering the real world, ©Na makes her move by instigating a diversion tactic on the Akibarangers while abducting Hiroyo, who seems to know something about the villainess that no one else does.

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This show is getting more interesting on its own with ©Na-sama now becoming a threat outside the delusional world. Aside from that, we get to see Mitsuki-chan and Yumeria-chan cosplaying as Z-Cune Aoi characters.

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And finally, after a four-episode hiatus, we get to see Itashar Robo in action. Sure, it's all CG, but for a comedy series, this is rather intense.

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Next week, on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 8: "The Bonds of Painful Special Training Are the Authorization Road's Conspiracy Intersection" (痛き特訓の絆は公認ロードの陰謀交差点)
The first step to becoming an official Super Sentai begins.

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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Wow. Talk about an Otaku tax. Of course, that wouldn't sting so much if the yen dollar exchange was better. I don't even want to know what the Itashar will cost...

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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

ep08screen.jpg
Episode 8: "The Bonds of Painful Special Training Are the Authorization Road's Conspiracy Intersection" (痛き特訓の絆は公認ロードの陰謀交差点)
Special Guest: None

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Hiroyo takes a leave from the cafe to investigate on the origins of ©Na, who turns out to be one of her father's creations alongside the MMZ-01. Meanwhile, the Akibarangers encounter a weak Chief Clerk and train him to be a more worthy opponent.

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Following a very strong episode 7 is one that is random at most. We have the Akibarangers throwing this week's baddie, Tsukishima Alpaca, into several scenes from past Super Sentai shows. Yes, it's nostalgic, but this episode feels somewhat repetitive and not as funny. And Alpaca looks to be the second-coming of Jellacit from Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger. At least we get to see the Inordinate Powers formed together into the Akibarangers' super weapon. And I can't wait to see the Z-Cune Aoi anime in full.

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Next week, on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 9: "The Pain Sentai, Breaks Up." (痛戦隊、解散。)
All these delusions begin to take their toll on our heroes.

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

ep09screen.jpg
Episode 9: "The Pain Sentai, Breaks Up." (痛戦隊、解散。)
Introducing: Kazuki Yao (Ninjaman in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Drake in Mahou Sentai Magiranger) as Doctor Z

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After discovering that her father was the co-creator of the Z-Cune Aoi anime and the source of all this delusional mess, Hiroyo confiscates the MMZ-01 units from the Akibarangers and declares them disbanded. However, that doesn't stop the true mastermind of the Stema Otsu Corporation from using them for his objective to invade Akihabara.

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After a rather dull episode 8, the series makes an exciting comeback with some rather unusual twists in the end. Akagi actually proves himself to be a worthy Super Sentai hero when he uses his own rage to power up his MMZ-01 and henshin in the real world. And we finally see Doctor Z, the true leader of the Stema Otsu Corporation who is also Hiroyo-chan's father. In addition, Doctor Z and ©Na-sama reveal Hiroyo-chan's dirty little secret as well.

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Next week, on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 10: "Non-Pain Inducing Curse of Z - Into a New Chapter" (非痛なるZの呪い ― そして新章へ)
What brilliant scheme does Doctor Z have in store for our heroes?

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

ep10screen.jpg
Episode 10: "The Painlessly Inducing Curse of Z ― Into a New Chapter" (非痛なるZの呪い ― そして新章へ)
Introducing: Shinpei Takagi (Fake Retsu in Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger) as Takuma Tsuzuki, and Hiroaki Hirata (Kaburagi/Wild Tiger in Tiger & Bunny, Machalcon in Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger) as Executive Director Delu Knight

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Hiroyo reveals to the Akibarangers the origins of herself and her father, as well as the scientific discovery of the delusion world that led to the creation of the MMZ-01 units, plus her secret career as a voice actress in Z-Cune Aoi. As part of his plot to bring his delusion world into reality, Doctor Z sends out Delu Knight, his executive director. But when the Akibarangers transform in the real world, they unleash a deadly curse from within Hiroyo.

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As we're two episodes near the end of the series, we're treated to a sudden turn of events and tons of revelations. It turns out that Doctor Z was a scientific genius who desired to become a successful animator before his obsession got him ostracized from the anime industry. Furthermore, he discovered what's basically his version of "The Grid" - a universe of particles that bring life to one's delusions. But when he discovered that his original sketches were toned down to become what we know today as Z-Cune Aoi, he put a career-threatening curse on his own daughter while supplying her with the weapons that would create the Akibarangers. The more often the MMZ-01 units are used in the real world, the closer the curse becomes complete, and Hiroyo-chan will no longer have a voice.

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But it doesn't end there. We're introduced to Delu Knight, the new second-in-command of the Stema Otsu Corporation. As with the traditional evil lieutenants, he's a badass at swordsmanship. Consequently, ©Na-sama and her Chief Clerk workforce become useless to Doctor Z. The episode also introduces Takuma Tsuzuki, and Interpol agent who also happens to be Hiroyo-chan's half-brother. The big twister is that The Pentagon now wants the services of Akagi, meaning he has to relinquish the title of Akiba Red to a new hero.

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Next week, on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 11: "The Second Generation Is a Fresh and Painless Warrior" (二代目はサワヤカ無痛戦士)
With the series finale coming close, what does the new Akiba Red have in store for us?

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

ep11screen.jpg
Episode 11: "The Second Generation Is a Fresh and Painless Warrior" (二代目はサワヤカ無痛戦士)
Special Guest: Mitsuomi Takahashi (Mitsuomi in the 2007 Hana-Kimi series) as Bouken Red (voice)

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With Akagi off to join The Pentagon, Takuma takes over as the new Akiba Red and the Akibarangers undergo a change of uniforms and roll calls. Meanwhile, Doctor Z restructures the Stema Otsu Corporation into the Delusion Empire, much to ©Na's dismay. But throughout this whole chain of events, Akagi discovers something not right about everything around him.

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Last week's episode was a major plot dump, with many sub-plots happening at the same time. But with this week's episode, almost every one of them get thrown out the window. The new Akibaranger lineup is stronger, faster and more battle-focused, but it just doesn't work without Akagi's wackiness. And then there's Hiroyo-chan's curse, which supposedly takes away her voice if the MMZ-01 units are used too often. Just like that, the scorpion tattoo on her chest is gone.

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So why the sudden change of plots? Akagi begins to realize that he is in a TV show. And just to prove it, he attempts to stop a promo banner scrolling on the bottom of the screen. This is fourth wall breakage taken to a whole new level.

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Next week on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 12: "Most Painful Times. Farewell, Delusional Sentai" (二最痛回 さらば妄想戦隊)
It all ends next week. Or does it?

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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On this week's episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

ep12screen.jpg
Episode 12: "Most Painful Times. Farewell, Delusional Sentai" (二最痛回 さらば妄想戦隊)

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The Akibarangers conclude that the mastermind behind the manipulation of their reality is none other than Saburo Hatte, the name that is synonymous with the entire Super Sentai Series. Now, they must do what it takes to prevent their reality from coming to an end.

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The series finale is exactly not what you've been expecting (but then again, so was Seinfeld when it ended). No final battles, no evil leader deaths. But unlike Seinfeld, Akibaranger "ends" (sort of) on a good note.

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So how do the Akibarangers confront an ending? By simply ignoring all plot points that raise flags to a final episode. This only frustrates Delu Knight to no end.

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We get to see Itashar Robo for the last time, making it one of the most underused giant robots in Super Sentai history.

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And while Hiroyo-chan finally comes to terms with her father, the show doesn't end there. Instead, we are treated to one last battle between the Akibarangers and ©Na-sama before the true villain finally appears.

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Next week on Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

Episode 13: "Evaluation Meeting! If You Don't Hurt, That's Alright!" (反省会!痛くなければザッツオーライ!)
And here's the perfect way to end the series: a recap.

Good boys and girls shouldn't watch.

Edited by areaseven
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On the final episode of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:

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Final Episode: "Evaluation Meeting! If You Don't Hurt, That's Alright!" (反省会!痛くなければザッツオーライ!)

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The Akibarangers receive a letter from Saburo Hatte, telling them to watch the enclosed DVD and reflect on the past 12 episodes if they want a second season.

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Well, Akibaranger can't be a Super Sentai series without a recap episode, so here it is. Throughout this episode, the Akibarangers and Hiroyo-chan do commentary on the events that occurred in the series. Mitsuki-chan and Yumeria-chan discover the real difference between the two Shibuya Chief Clerks of the first two episodes, and Akagi realizes he was duped by a cosplayer parading as Deka Red in episode 2.

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Before and after the commercial "eyecatches", a narrator presents file segments on the Akibarangers' weapons and Inordinate Powers (because a Super Sentai show would be incomplete without a file segment).

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And Hiroyo-chan shows her talent by singing the Z-Cune Aoi theme song while the Akibarangers do a costume change. So it's a recap, but it's still enough to leave fans very happy, not to mention wanting a second season. Overall, Akibaranger has been more entertaining than both Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters and Kamen Rider Fourze this year.

In the meantime, those in Japan should tune in to Animate.tv on July 6 for the premiere of Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger Official Web Radio (Temporary), a bi-weekly web radio show featuring the Akibarangers and some guests.

Now to save up on those S.H. Figuarts Akibarangers and the DX MMZ-01 Moe Moe Z-Cune...

オワリ
The End

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...


DX MMZ-01 Moe Moe Z-Cune (MMZ-01 モエモエズキューン)
Bandai, 2012
Made in China
Requires two LR44 watch batteries (not included)

Contents
DX MMZ-01 Moe Moe Z-Cune
Display stands for figure and gun modes

At ¥12,600, the DX MMZ-01 Moe Moe Z-Cune not the most expensive Super Sentai toy, but it is the priciest henshin device available on a retail level. Unlike other henshin devices, the MMZ-01 is not something one wears around with them. Instead, it's a static figure of the anime character Aoi Ichikawa from the fictional anime Nijiyome Gakuen Z-Cune that transforms into a futuristic-looking handgun. When you hold the figure and yell, "Jumoso!" (重妄想 "Grand Delusion!"), nothing really happens. Unlike the one used in the TV series, the MMZ-01 does not transform automatically. Instead, you have to manually open/close panels to transform it from figure to gun and back. The trigger plays gunshot sound effects and Aoi's "Zuukyuun!" yell, while a button on top of her head emits the communicator signal tone.

Despite the lack of auto-transformation, the MMZ-01 makes up for its shortcomings with its outstanding paint job and true 1/1 scale. The toy is spot-on with the colors and patterns used in the TV version. Its rather hefty weight makes it a very solid toy as well.

Overall, the MMZ-01 is an excellent display piece on anyone's cabinet, whether they're into Super Sentai toys or anime girl figures.

Detail: A
Features: B+
Articulation: B- Edited by areaseven
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  • 1 month later...

This is the "youngest" thread I could find that's even slightly relevant, but I just had to post this:

Green Ranger=best ranger.

Yes indeed. Can we get some figuarts Zyuranger toys please. That would make my life.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Being a tokusatsu fan (although never seeing a Super Sentai anything outside of Super Hero Wars), I checked out Akibarangers a few months ago and while it was somewhat stupid, from a humor point of view especially since I don't get otaku humor, I thought it was pretty entertaining. I doubt there was going to be a second season, but since it was announced recently I'll definitely give it a lookse! B))

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