Friday 30 November 2012

Choudenshi Bioman 07 – Peebo's Youthful Days

Obvious disguise is obvious.

A mysterious saucer crashed landed on Earth and Peebo and Shiro decided to investigate. Turns out that saucer contains a Bio Inscription and Messer take a hold of it as it contains a message coming from Joy, Peebo's friend from the Planet Bio! What is this message and how is this relevant to Doctor Man and the New Gear Empire?


The first thing to note about this episode is Peebo's paper thin disguise, seriously, his disguise is so obvious that only an idiot will mistake him for some human being and not a robot! Before Peebo can encrypt the contents of the Bio Inscription, Messer got it and gave it to Mason, who later gave it to Doctor Man. The Bio Inscription turns out to be a compact disc created in Planet Bio and Doctor Man's computer can read it. What just a darn minute, did I read the line right? CDs exist during the 80's? Guess they were able to predict the possible evolution of the laserdisc in the show! It didn't help that Doctor Man's CD player reminded me of the car CD player!

The message is obviously in the Planet Bio language for the entire duration of the message; I don't know if Doctor Man understands what he is listening that I am just surprised that he referred Joy as a boy. I find it funny that the message gave Doctor Man an idea on how to beat the Biomen. Back to Peebo, he is searching for the disc that Messer got and while he is doing his search, the Biomen are also searching for Peebo!


While Peebo is busy with his search, he ended up remember the time he spent in Planet Bio with his friend, Joy. The use of the green screen to give us an impression that they are playing in a dying planet is not really well done. The use of transparency effect on Joy didn't make the flashback look natural; instead it only made the scene look a bit weird to me. Thankfully, when they made some close-up shots on the two, they stop using the transparency effect on the characters and it made the scene look more natural.

After Peebo rose from his quick flashback, he saw his friend Joy being bullied by kids! The first thing I notice in his appearance is Mason watching over them, like he is plotting something evil or he is watching his plan in action but whatever that plan is, it will be clearer as the episode progresses. The meeting between the two friends an emotional sight because finally, after 500 years, Peebo finally saw one of his friends. The first thing that they explained why he is still alive after 500 years is because he went on a process called Cold Sleep while his ship is travelling toward Earth so that he can meet Peebo.


It makes sense but if there is one thing I learned from Cold Sleep in other media, it would be their memories prior they had the Cold Sleep will remain intact. I started to get suspicious on Joy because he forgot a Planet Bio custom of greeting someone. Same goes with Shiro; he is now suspecting Joy due to his actions. Before Peebo can properly enjoy his reunion, Mason kidnapped Joy and for him to free Joy, Peebo must go to this mountain alone!

As for Peebo, we saw a new side of him that he is more than just a robot that helps the Biomen, he actually has emotions. We saw his childish side when he became upset with the Biomen. Because Peebo became a bit childish and he is reckless on falling in an obvious trap, the Biomen decided to chain him in the base to protect the secret of the Bio Base. Peebo's childish attitude makes sense since when he left Planet Bio when his mind is in the condition that he is a kid.


What made it a bit worse for Peebo is that for 500 years, he is waiting for the time Earth is in big trouble and that the descendants of the humans who were showered with Bio Particles to protect Earth. Learning that his friend might be alive gave Peebo hope that there might be survivors from the destroyed Planet Bio and that getting chained in the base just to protect the base is unfair for someone who is alone for 500 years! Thankfully, the Biomen understands Peebo's situation and that is why they will try to save Joy for Peebo's case.

While the Biomen are busy fighting Messer and the Mecha Clones, Peebo decides to escape! His method in trying to escape is quite dangerous because he electrocuted himself just for the electricity to flow on the chains that will hopefully cause its destruction! It's a reckless move for Peebo because it might destroy him but it worked. Back to the Biomen, as expected, they beat the Mecha Clones and much to my surprise, Messer can still stun the Biomen and not surprisingly, the Biomen once again, defeated Messer! To be honest, I am starting to get bored with the Beastnoids in the series, they are constantly getting beaten by the Biomen every episode!


The giant mecha fight in this episode continues to impress me as this time around, our heroes face Isogin Kans, a Mecha Giant with tentacles as his main weapon. Before the Biomen can finish Isogin Kans, they notice Peebo running on the snow and the New Gear Empire took this opportunity to kidnap Peebo! Now that Peebo is now in their clutches, the Bio Robo can't just finish the Mecha Giant! With Peebo captive along with his friend, Joy, can the Biomen save them? To make matters worse, like what Shiro suspected, Joy turns out to be a not Joy but a Mecha Human!