Akibaranger Season 2 Episode 2: Chinese Delusion [Review]

Finally back in familiar territory, the strange plot twists of Akibaranger Season 2 have just started.  This episode really shifts the show into gear and gets back to the “heart” of Akibaranger: twists and turns, obscure references, and a die hard appreciation for the art of Super Sentai.  Sit back and relax, the team is back. Click the jump for more! Here’s the official HJU Forums Akibaranger Season 2 thread! Now that the season is underway these reviews are going to get a tad more insightful (I hope), and that means a tad more spoilery.  I’ll do a little recap of the major plot points, leave out the climax, and try to make it interesting.  Be sure to get the show if you get excited about the stuff I write about, and share it with a friend! This week is dedicated to Akagi getting the gang back together, and it kicks off with the introduction of a new Sub-Section chief…Chief Blu-Ray!  His plot: release a “Dream-Ray” player that shows the customer their wildest desires, before forcefully dressing them in embarrassing costumes.  Pretty on par with Akibaranger villain’s level of mischief. Trivia time: Sato Keiichi is the guy who actually designed Z-Cune Aoi.  He’s also a mega famous anime director and designer (Tiger & Bunny, Big O, Giant Robo, Mazinkaiser, and Karas to name a few).  So it makes perfect sense that these pervs recognize his style immediately Akagi tries his hardest but the chief quickly kicks his butt. The unstoppable technique: a remote control that allows him to manipulate the delusion as he sees fit.  Unable to handle the onslaught, Akagi and Hakase hit the road to consider their options. And guess what, they run right into a solution to their problem.  Her name is Luna, and she’s actually a big fan of Akibaranger. Luna is probably the best thing about this episode.  She’s the replacement for Aoyagi from season 1, and her character dynamic with the rest of the team is really, really well thought out.  By making her a fan of the alternate universe Five-Star Sentai Akibaranger she knows things that Moegi and Akagi do not, and her love of the fandom shines in her every step.  She’s bubbly but not too bubbly.  Naive but not too naive.  She’s not a polar opposite of anyone on the show, and I think that’s why she works so well with the already diverse cast.  I can’t wait to see how she gets developed as season 2 plays on. The episode adds in an awesome twist to the idea introduced in the last episode, that Akibaranger has somehow “replaced” Dairanger as an official show in the canon.  Akagi runs into Chinaman (that’s right folks), a mascot for a restaurant instead of a hero team. More fuel for the discussion fire here, as the “What the hell is going on?!” factor just gets cranked up.  The integration of older sentai is always fun, and the segments with this new character are great.  We also get introduced to an awesomely dressed new bad guy (who loves obscure karaoke)… And some pretty overtly themed henchmen.  They have a scathing taunt: But nothing caps things off like the final twist…someone better tell Jason David Frank to tune in and get a load of his own recent exploits. Akibaranger season 2 episode 2 gets a 5/5 grade.  It took the baton from the first episode, which in turn took the baton from the first season, and has returned to that breakneck pace.  It’s the kind of show you need sparknotes for, so be sure to watch it with some friends who love their classic sentai. Why is Kibaranger here?  Why does he have an “Akibaranger” crest?  Where’s Malshina? What does Luna know that Moegi and Akagi don’t?!  Tune in next timefor more Akibaranger, and have a great week!