REVIEW: Zyuohger 11
As the follow-up to last week’s exciting but gloomy events, Episode 11 does not disappoint. While one big question finally gets answered, it opens a new chapter of Zyuohger, in which I am sure we will be seeing the Zyumans interact much more with the people and things of Earth.
In the past few weeks, the Zyumans have experienced a lot of disappointment and sadness. Yamato tried his best to be a good, supportive leader but his friends were too homesick and tired of his blinding optimism. It wasn’t until Ginis toyed with them and a giant destructive robot named G.I.F.T. defeated them before the gang truly formed a team bond. This bond is further solidified in this episode, during which the Zyumans make a huge decision (and a huge sacrifice) for their human friend.
Following his defeat by G.I.F.T., Yamato is saved by the same Bird Zyuman who gave him the Champion’s Symbol many years ago. The bird person takes Yamato home to Atelier Mori, leaving behind a single feather and the answer to the question plaguing the crew since the first episode: "Who has the missing Champion’s Symbol?" Smart scientist Yamato is able to connect the dots, and figures out that because the bird furry appeared to him in human form, he must be using the Champion’s Symbol.
This (eventually confirmed) hypothesis raises a couple questions – the simplest ones being, “Why did he steal the Champion’s Symbol?” and “Why is he on Earth, anyway?” But this also raises the more complicated question of ownership. Earlier in the series, it was shown that the Zyuman Larry could not use the Champion’s Symbol to create a human form. The logic given for this was that only the true owners of the cubes can use them. Similarly, this is how Yamato’s ability to use his Symbol and transform into Zyuoh Eagle and Gorilla is explained: he received the “essence” from two Zyumans and can thus use their power. If I'm right, then this information implies one thing: if the bird furry can use the Symbol, that means he didn’t technically steal it. It is his.
Yamato mentally struggles all night after the battle. He failed at defeating the Big Bad, who may reawaken at any moment, but he succeeded in finding his friends’ key to home. After a late night life chat with uncle, Yamato makes a decision: he is going to let the Zyumans go home and he is going to fight G.I.F.T. all by himself.
In the morning, Yamato gives the gang the good news, and tricks them into going alone to track the bird dude (I will take liberties with his name until I actually know what it is.) While they confront and fight the bird, Yamato runs to the city, ready for battle. We find out here that the bird guy is probably a bad guy (who really hates Zyuland and owns a sweet EagRiser whip of his own) and that Naria may have a thing for reckless humans who turn into eagles or gorillas.
This episode serves as an even more significant turning point than Episode 10: here, the Zyuman fighters make a life-altering decision. When given the option to return home (after kicking some bird butt) or to help Yamato save Earth, the gang chooses the latter.
With this upgraded level of teamwork, their Zord upgrades as well: suddenly they have slots for all six of the cubes, and two for their auxiliary cubes. This new combination, Wild Zyuoh King, is a bulky but intimidating force that crushes the robot that has supposedly crushed many planets. Ginis is intrigued: his ace was destroyed, so now he has to play the game more strategically.
After the battle, they Zyuohgers return home – the home that they have now chosen on Earth for the time being. It seems that they all are excited to take advantage of their time on this planet, which means that we should be expecting some miscommunication shenanigans in the episodes to come. That, and a stronger team bond than ever before.
