Ninja Sentai Kakuranger 17 – A Centuries Old Revenge

One badass background for a not so badass character.

Saizou finally has his own car for like less than 30 minutes thanks to the appearance of a Yokai named Amikiri! Her reason why she attacked Saizou is her grudge against his ancestor, Kirigakure Saizou! Can Saizou defeat Amikiri and her Demon Blade?

Saizou is my least favorite Kakuranger, granted he has his moments in the previous episodes, but for a Saizou focused episode, it feels like it more focused on the kid of the week rather than him. About this kid, his dream is to become a photographer and the reason why he ended up being part of the plot is because he has a photo of Saizou in his underwear, and Saizou must buy it if he wants that photo! Because of the possibility of him taking a picture of Amikiri's sword style, a perfect opportunity for them to find her weakness, he was then kidnapped by Junior.

This is when the episode's focus felt like it is more focused on him rather than Saizou. Because he is kidnapped by Junior in which he transferred the responsibility to Amikiri after she thought of a plan to lure Saizou, obviously, Saizou must save him. Saizou's out of suit fight in this episode is amazing. I just love his proper use of ninja tactics that he was able to save the kid while at the same time; keep Amikiri distracted for a bit. Now that the kid is safe, Saizou encouraged him to take another picture so that they can find Amikiri's weakness. This is the part of the episode that I was disappointed with Saizou.

I mean seriously, his freakin' ancestor was able to cut her arm by studying her moves without any cameras and such, why can't you do the same?! Granted, he is the one who gave the kid the words of encouragement that a real photographer must willing to put himself to danger just to get photos kind of thing, but the job of finishing his ancestor's job of finishing Amikiri once and for all is his job, not partly the kid's job! That is why I was happy when I saw Saizou getting beat up he deserves from Amikiri. Hopefully, he can realize her weakness during those beat ups. While this is all happening, the kid is taking pictures.

Finally, the result of his pictures, the pictures he took are better than the previous photos of Amikiri that he took, giving the Kakurangers the perfect opportunity to analyze her moves. Before Saizou is defeated by Amikiri, the Kakurangers arrived just in time to give him the photo. Instead of refusing it, he takes the photo and immediately sees Amikiri's weakness, or should I say, weak spot. While the Kakurangers are busy fighting the foot soldiers, Saizou is having his one on one duel with Amikiri. Unlike the previous beat up he received coming from her, this duel is more like the classic quick draw sword duels that most Japanese swordsmen do back then. The backdrop for this scene is really fantastic and made the scene look cooler.

At the end, Saizou defeated Amikiri thanks to the kid's photo. Is it me, or Saizou is too slow when it comes to the pick-up of an enemy's weakness or weak points while in a fight? Guess he is still miles away in becoming like his ancestor. As for the giant battle, it is quick and I just love that Muteki Shogun's backdrop is the same cool sunset shot used in Saizou's duel with Amikiri. The next day, their crepe stand is filled with too many customers and Saizou thanked the kid for his help yesterday, but there is still one big problem. The kid made copies of Saizou's photo only wearing his undies! To make matters worse, most of their customers are females! Well, this is your problem Saizou, not mine!