And the plot thickens.
The Baron alliance is becoming shaky thanks to Hase and Jounichi betraying Kaito, didn't help that Red Hot left the alliance later in the episode. As for Team Gaim, they are now tied in the first place but what's this, a new challenger appears?! Who is this new Armored Rider? What is his reason on joining this turf war?
This show is getting better and better each week, aside from Baron's alliance crumbling just days after it was first formed, Kurokage and Gridon's debut battle is really well done. It's so good that they manage to defeat Baron in their first attempt... which makes sense since Baron didn't see their betrayal coming. With a weakened Kaito, it's quite a surprise that Gaim decided to help Kaito in this crisis, I mean, they are rivals and all. But this scene showed us one thing, Gaim advocates fair play and he doesn't want someone who is defenseless to beaten by guys wearing nut-based armor.
To put it simply, he fights the Nut Riders and its one good fight scene. Anyway, the Nut Riders retreat and Team Gaim is now tied with Team Baron when it comes to the rankings. So what's next for Team Gaim? Obviously, Kouta starts looking for the job and he will occasionally drop by just in case Micchy needs some assistance. Speaking of which, Kouta's job hunting in this episode didn't end up nicely. Meet Pierre, the owner of a popular cake store and it seems that he doesn't like Kouta because he is an Aquarius. What's weird about this guy is that he is basically a walking French stereotype character in his first appearance and he is one fun French stereotype character. In short, I like this guy.
As for Sid, it seems that it is time to give the final Sengoku Driver and what do you know, that guy who left the Baron alliance now has it! I guess the battlefield is now more interesting since it feels like everyone is targeting on Team Baron. To make things more interesting, Micchy seems to have an idea about his brother's work because he caught a glimpse of his Sengoku Driver and his Lock Seeds, didn't help that he grab one from his briefcase. I am not sure why he decided to take that Lock Seed, but to be honest; it feels right in his character. I mean, he is kinda like the cute kid with a dark side, so I guess that works.
Another thing that I find interesting is Pierre's background, aside that he is a French citizen, it seems that he is a soldier and he is not amused with the Armored Rider battles. This then we learned that he has the belt acquired by that Red Hot guy earlier in the episode. With that in mind, I guess he managed to get a hold of that belt because that guy left it by accident, or he just beat the guy just to get it.
Before talking about how he acquired the belt, what happened to the Nut Riders? Much to my surprise, these two still need to train their teamwork. I mean, their teamwork is okay and it needs some polishing, but their method of training doesn't feel like it is about teamwork, but how to make Kurokage look awesome in battle while Gridon hear will be flailing around with his tiny hammer and gets all the shots for Kurokage. It's a sad sight and entertaining sight to see. And it didn't help that you will feel pity on Gridon because it feels like he is forced in this situation. Which makes me wonder, if he is part in the show's opening prologue, how the heck he managed to survive this?!
Anyway, it is time for Pierre's debut as an Armored Rider! His debut as the new Armored Rider based on the durian is really amazing. What's great about Pierre in battle aside that he easily defeated the Nut Riders is his attitude in battle, he fights for the audience's entertainment and I really like it. It makes this turf war more diverse because he is just there to fight and I really like it. Now I wonder how they will expand it in later episodes.
