Hey there Hero-Club, it is ZeltraxMillennium again, and I am back with the next batch review for Kamen Rider Zeztz. Today, we are going to be discussing episodes 8 through 11, which features new forms and Nox making power moves. Interestingly, it appears that Kamen Rider Zeztz is following the old Heisei format, where episode plots are primarily two-parters. Essentially, they are just short featurettes that were split up to fill a 40+ episode series schedule. Now, when we left off from the first seven episodes, fans were just being introduced to Zeztz's world. For example, we met our main characters, learned how our hero transforms, and who the enemy is. Shockingly, that batch of episodes even confirmed viewers' theories that the female lead, Nem, is the source of the Nightmares. Although it is still a mystery as to how Nem is creating them, as she, like the viewers, is unaware. Anyway, we will find out more about that in due time, so let us see what Nox is planning.
We begin with Episodes 8 and 9, where Baku is positioned in a famous restaurant called Royale Shirogane. Here, Baku is a kitchen assistant learning from the establishment's owner, Sannoh about its specials. Specifically, Sannoh is stressing over how his student Ryoji makes the restaurant's "Royale Sauce," a thin green liquor-based gravy. Coincidentally, Ryoji is lacking something when preparing the sauce, and Sannoh keeps cracking down on him. Eventually, Sannoh collapses in pain due to health reasons, and we learn he requires some necessary surgery. However, Sannoh is also the dreamer creating the Nightmare that is source of these episodes' problems. Interestingly, the Nightmare is Poison, and it is turning itself into the "Royale Sauce" to assassinate some political dignitaries. Additionally, the Poison Nightmare's creation is seemingly based on Sannoh's insecurities regarding his pupils' cooking abilities. As we learn that Royale Shirogane is catering the associating political event, and Sannoh will be unavailable to oversee it. So, Sannoh most likely fears that his pupils will somehow ruin the food and the restaurant's reputation.
Now, Baku realizes Sannoh is projecting the Poison Nightmare to contaminate other's cooking when Paranormal Affairs get involved. Especially since they are the ones to confirm Sannoh is not overseeing the cooking for the political event. Coincidentally, during all this Baku begins bringing Nem into the Zeztz Room to get acquainted with Zero and the gear. Interestingly, Nem even pulls the rare Recovery Capsem from the Gashapon Machine for Baku to use. Thankfully, with the Recovery Capsem, Baku is able to fight off the Poison Nightmare's toxins. However, during Baku's first battle using Zeztz's Esprim Recovery Form, he was not able to fully defend against the posion. As a result, we get confirmation that morality run off Nightmare on Elm Street logic. Specifically, if someone dies in a dream that they will then die in real life too. So, I hope a future Nightmare is fixated on that goal, but it seems unlikely given Japanese television standard.
Anyway, that battle is necessary for Nox, as he seemingly knows more about the Capsems than viewers are to believe. Like Nox uses the first battle to confirm Baku has the Recovery Capsem before stealing it. Although Nox only manages to obtain it after Baku defeats the Poison Nightmare and saves everyone. Also, Nox is revealed to have his own Rider-like weapon that mimics elements of Baku's Breakam Zeztzer. Furthermore, it appears Nox requires the Recovery Capsem because it does not just heal people, but can restore almost anything. So, obviously Nox is looking to repair some type of Rider technology with the Recovery Capsem, given the production leaks. As a result, the bulk of these episodes establish a new Capsem and set up Nox becoming a Rider.
Honestly, I found this pairing of episodes to be rather unique since Sannoh's Nightmare infected reality. Like the plot did not require Sannoh to make the "Royale Sauce," but it could be anyone from the restaurant. So, I found that twist to be rather cool since it made viewers have to theorize/ interpret what was happening. Whereas, when watching the food be prepared throughout these episodes, it made me want to rewatch Food Wars or something. Like the various food scenes are impressive, and were made thanks to members of Japan's Hattori Nutrition College. Also, the action in this two-parter is fairly decent, and I really liked the mountain range featured in the background. Furthermore, I discovered that Episode 9 marked the 300th episode within Kamen Rider's Reiwa Era. Personally, I am surprised this era is just passing 300 episodes now, because it feels longer since Zero-One aired. Anyway, let us continue on with this review as we transition to Episodes 10 and 11.
So, the next pairing of episodes deal with government secrets hidden within rare paintings. Here, Baku is working for a cleaning service hired by an art collector to clean his home. However, this is obviously all a dream since Baku discovers Nem's "starring role" is being a mannequin. Eventually, a "specific" painting is stolen and our heroes realize the culprit is a Nightmare. Unfortunately, before they can intercept the Nightmare, Nox appears to knock Baku awake and back to reality. Coincidentally, Baku soon runs into Paranormal Affairs, where Tetsuya informs him about the paintings true purpose. Afterwards, Baku regroups with Zero where Zero begins to properly explain how the Capsems work. Also, this is when Zero learns that Baku lost the Recovery Capsem to Nox.
Interestingly, the Capsems mostly have four types, which most fans are already aware of. However, fans assume more types or variants will be appearing in the future as power-ups debut. Anyway, the current Capsem system of four types run off colors: red, blue, green, and purple. First, red Capsems are meant to provide a user with physical enhancements, like Zeztz's ability to fly. Whereas, blue Capsems give a user mastery over technology, and green ones amplify the user's willpower. Although, those are abilities that Baku has already used, and fans have seen. So, that leaves purple Capsems left unused, but we learn they let users control certain principals of reality. Thankfully, these episodes are meant to debut what the purple Capsems can do. Also, this color system is very familiar to Kamen Rider Kuuga and his forms, so I love these throwback references.
Later that night, Baku returns the art collector, Atsumi Taro's dreamscape to locate Nox and the Nightmare. Here, Baku learns his enemy is the Mold Nightmare, and it is able to uncover the secrets within the paintings. So, Baku transforms form to fight Nox and the Mold Nightmare in an attempt to stop them. Also, Baku uses a new Capsem called Barrier which gives him BuraKaWani-like forearm shields. During the battle, Baku refers to Nox as Odaka Kensei, his former name having learned it from Paranormal Affair's Nasuka. Especially, since it is revealed that Nox, Odaka Kensei, had these paintings forged by Atsumi Taro for unknown reasons. In addition, Nox is confirmed to be Tetsuya's missing partner who was investigating early Nightmare Black Cases. Although, Nox currently proclaims himself as "an agents who lives in the night and wanders though dreams."
Unfortunately, Atsumi Taro wakes up and Baku is sent back to reality where he confronts Zero on Nox. Sadly, Zero is being very secretive, and focuses on insisting that Baku should complete his mission. So, viewers are left wondering what the national secret is hidden in the paints and why Nox seemingly knows everything. Ultimately this is setting up a huge revelation that will make Baku question himself and CODE. Hopefully, this does not end with Zero being the main villain, but it is likely given past Kamen Rider villains. Anyway, Baku and Paranormal Affairs go to confront Atsumi, and they find him being consumed by his Nightmare. In additional, Atsumi further confirms that he made the paintings and Odaka (Nox) commissioned the counterfeits. However, it remains unknown as to what their purpose is, as Baku rushes into the dream world to save Atsumi. Surprisingly, Baku entering Atsumi’s dream in his current state is rather risky, but Baku insists doing so. Interestingly once inside, Baku debuts Zeztz’s Wonder Paradigm form for a microscopic battle with the Mold Nightmare. Overall, this fight is very Ant-Man inspired, and features Zeztz running on a Capsem like a treadmill to charge attacks. Although since the fight occurs in the daytime the CG and greenscreen effects used are more obvious than previous episodes.
Meanwhile, Nox destroys the paints to reveal a Mind's Door, which leads him into a room of national secrets. Once inside, Nox proceeds to remove a mysterious silver case, specifically the kind Rider Belts are usually stored in. Eventually, Baku and company come to the room sometime later, and are confused that it appears untouched. However, Zero is uneasy and assumes something was stolen or copied, but uncertain what Nox’s goal was. Whereas, the final scene transitions back to Nox opening the case to reveal a damaged Zeztz Driver-like belt and Capsem. Thankfully, having acquired the Recovery Capsem from Baku, Nox uses it to restore the item to their original form...
Overall, this batch of episodes really expand on how dreams affect Kamen Rider Zeztz’s reality. In addition, they show how people can use or exploit dreams/ nightmares to achieve certain goals. So, personally I love how this theme allows Toei to present new and creative methods to tell a Kamen Rider story. Especially, when Baku is shown to have ingenuity and a decent imagination to save people from the Nightmares. However, given how Zero reacts to Baku’s actions and his secrecy, I assume they may have an eventual falling out. Whereas, Nox continues to intrigue me because why does he use Nightmares and why is he opposed to CODE? Thankfully, the next set of episodes begin to reveal Nox’s true intentions, and we get to see him transform a lot. So, I hope everyone stays tuned for more Kamen Rider Zeztz and my future reviews, good night!