The price of desire: OOO 41 – 44
Sep. 13th, 2015 05:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
akinoameSiblings, Rescue, Eiji Leaves (Kobayashi/Kenzo Maihara): Lost Ankh has absorbed Ankh, but he hasn't fully revived—he's missing a Medal. And Hina's holding something close to her heart. Eiji realizes it at the same time that he does, but Lost Ankh blasts red fire toward her. Eiji pushes her out of the way, then grabs her hand and runs. They make their way down to a soaked basement, where Hina reveals that at the last second, Ankh had handed her one of his Medals, slipping it into her palm before he disappeared. She asks if it's the Taka Core containing his consciousness, but Eiji says no—Ankh is still in his imposter's hands. Lost Ankh tracks them down and demands the Medal. Eiji takes it and has her stand back, desperately using PuToTyra. With his Ptera powers, he's able to sense Ankh's presence, still within the right arm and trying not to disappear. But at Cous Coussier, Chiyoko wonders why they ran off so suddenly. She sees who she thinks is Ankh come downstairs, looking oddly normal and rubbing his right arm. Shingo Izumi corrects her misconception, however, and introduces himself.
There's a tense standoff as Eiji only breathes, struggling to control himself through his grief. And this is a good indication of what exactly that "control" is. Kobayashi is not very good at explaining just what "losing control" means—how aware is Eiji of his surroundings and actions? Clearly, he can't stop himself, but what does it mean for his mental state? This, and what we learn from Shingo in a little bit, give a sense that it's sort of like Aang and Korra from the Avatar universe. Both of them can achieve the Avatar State when in extreme danger or under extreme duress, but it's much harder to control than if they consciously tap into their power to reach it. Aang, in particular, had difficulty throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender and could hardly stop himself from hurting everyone around him—kind of like the Hulk in Marvel Comics. Korra in The Legend of Korra had a better time with it once she was able to use it, but during her poisoning at the end of Book 3, she had to fight not to lose control and use the Avatar State as a survival mechanism when she knew it would only kill her and end the Avatar reincarnation cycle. Eiji usually seems to have the same problem that Korra had in that episode—a last-ditch defense mechanism that can overwhelm your reason and make you attack everything. However, this time, his problem is Aang's—the inability to clear his mind and cope with his emotions. He attacks, screaming, and we have these great shots of Eiji—not PuToTyra, but Eiji—illuminated by purple light, superimposed over and even replacing PuToTyra as he fights with all of his heart against the smug, mocking, laughing Lost Ankh. And as she watches him, Hina realizes he's teetering on the edge, prone to losing control if he uses too much power. Either way, Lost Ankh is winning. But his right arm suddenly freezes, giving Eiji an opening. Realizing that Ankh isn't going quietly, Lost Ankh kicks Eiji into a wall and escapes. Eiji breaks his transformation and slams his fist into the ground as Hina comes to him, frustrated that even though he sensed Ankh, he lost him. Hina realizes this means Ankh isn't gone, and Eiji sends a Taka to track down Lost Ankh. Maki finds Lost Ankh and asks him about Ankh's resistance, but Los Ankh insists he's won out. However, Maki reminds him that Ankh was the original and strong-willed, so he's not going down without a fight. But with Eiji lacking Ankh, they can take the Cores, so Maki creates the Ankylosaurus Yummy from a thermos of ice.
They return to Cous Coussier, where Chiyoko's set up a Greek theme and hidden Hina's surprise guest behind a white curtain. To their shock, Shingo steps out, laughing and saying that Hina looks like a kid, staring at him like that. Fighting tears, he tells her he's back. Tearing up herself, Hina runs up and hugs him in front of the curtain, in a beautiful inversion of the opening with Ankh. Eiji too finds himself almost crying in relief. Everything's changed, but they finally have Shingo back.
They head up to the attic, where Eiji apparently changes clothes, for some reason...did he just do this in front of Hina and Shingo? Anyway, Shingo hands them the Medal case, revealing that Ankh managed to slide it under the desk when he was first attacked. When he mentions he remembers that it was a gift from Hina, she takes it and runs her hands over it. Eiji asks if this means he remembers everything from his time with Ankh. He says yes and thanks him for protecting Hina and trying to save him. Eiji admits it's weird for him, and Hina explains it's because with the voice and face Eiji associates with Ankh, Shingo saying something Ankh never would really throws Eiji off. Shingo asks to help Eiji fight, insisting he's tired of feeling helpless.
They practice out in the field, where Shingo tries to toss the Medals and throws them way off. He's slow at selecting them, but he remembers everything and analyzes thoroughly. They're practicing against fire, so Eiji needs water powers, but he runs out of energy quickly with combos, so he has to test out new combinations before using ShaUTa. Kougami and Team Birth monitor things, and while Goto has to admit he's disappointed that Ankh is gone, Satonaka's more pragmatic about it. She points out that Shingo's recovered and has his life back, and Hina has her brother—technically, it's a happy ending. But Kougami reminds them they have another problem: Eiji still has the purple Medals, and if he continues to use them, he may not remain human for long.
The Izumis invite Eiji over for dinner, but while Hina cooks, he stands out on the balcony, looking for his candroid. Even using his Medals' power isn't enough for him to find Ankh. When he hears Hina calling, he blinks and lets the purple fade from his eyes so she doesn't see. She realizes that he hasn't found Ankh, but he tries to remind her that she should be happy that her brother's back. He ushers her inside, where they find Shingo snacking on the food she just put out on the table. Shingo excuses himself by saying it's been too long since he had her cooking, and she's thrilled when he says it's delicious. Something inside Eiji starts to break—or continues, having started the moment Ankh disappeared, the cracks deepening when he saw Shingo back—and he realizes that Hina's finally happy. She has everything she wanted. And he doesn't want her to lose it. But she notices that he hasn't touched his dinner, and Shingo has to encourage him to eat. But when Eiji does, he pauses after a couple of bites, a strange expression on his face. Hina asks if everything's okay, but he says it's so good, he was surprised for a minute. Honey, what have I said about your cover stories? But Hina's relieved, admitting it's been a long time since she cooked for fun. Shingo asks why, since it was one of her hobbies, but she doesn't answer. Eiji decides that they don't need to be dragged into anything involving the Medals, Ankh, or him anymore. He says goodbye, looking at Hina like he's never going to see her again as he tells her he's glad she has her brother back. He does everything he can to behave like normal, but he knows that while Hina wants to save Ankh, Ankh might take Shingo away from her again. The only way to keep her from any more pain and heartache is for Eiji to leave her, Shingo, and everyone else. He leaves a note for Chiyoko, thanking her for everything, then bows and leaves Cous Coussier for the last time.
He walks along the bridge out of town, with the intent of saving Ankh—it's the first time Ankh had asked for his help, so he has to. Taka finally returns, at the same time his eyes start glowing. Goto finds him by morning as he goes to meet Lost Ankh. Goto had gotten the data too and knew Eiji would try to go it alone. He decides to go with him, only saying that Date would be mad if he let Eiji die. They reach the mountainside, and Eiji senses the Yummy. Knowing Lost Ankh is the next boss, they henshin and fight, but Ankylosaurus shoots spike missiles from its club fist. Goto powers through while Eiji fumbles through the Medals, trying to figure out which is best. But he takes too long, and they're blasted again. He scrambles to grab the Medals, but again, he's hit, breaking his henshin. But Goto runs down the Yummy, buying him time to find Ankh.
Eiji follows Ankh's presence through the forest, but it's Maki he finds. Maki's eyes glow, and Eiji's do the same as he drops to his knees in pain, clutching at the Medals inside him. Maki tells him to give up on Ankh, that the more important matter are the purple Medals, as he sends another flare of pain through Eiji...
Ice, Greeed Form, Broken Wings (Kobayashi/Maihara): Maki says he wants Eiji's Medals, and naturally, given that Maki is an omnicidal madman, Eiji says no. But every time he tries to stand and resist, Maki sets off another painful reaction. The only choice left is to run.
Goto throws the Yummy into an abandoned warehouse, but the Yummy has ice powers and freezes his legs solid. Goto shoots it, but he runs out of ammo. Still, he's not worried, since he's bought enough time for Satonaka to get there. This time wearing post-grunge, she shoots the Yummy before tossing Goto his refill, allowing him to use Cell Burst. But the Yummy escapes, so they decide to look for Eiji, who...apparently makes it to Helheim, what with all the random bright flowers. But he collapses again, finding the doll in his way...HOW DOES IT FUCKING DO THAT? Maki asks if Eiji's been pretending not to know he's becoming a Greeed, which leaves Eiji shaking in horror. But Maki lets him rest against a tree while he explains that Greeed are masses of desire, constantly wanting everything in the world around them. But they have dulled senses, making it harder for them to satisfy their desire to experience what's around them. Slowly, Eiji begins to understand, possibly even experiencing each one: color-blindness, with lower visual acuity; partial deafness, hearing a birdcall as a dull, deep growl; lack of smell; lack of taste; and lack of touch. Maki warns that Eiji will begin to experience them for himself, as Eiji tries to stave off a panic attack. The truth is that the Greeed desire so much because what they have is limited. So when they revive completely, they'll start by devouring humans to indulge in their senses. Losing control will make them devour the world, as Ankh warned. But it still won't fulfill them, and they'll just "end." Eiji suddenly has a vision of himself in a barren desert, with the implication that he lost control and destroyed the world, as he feels the Medals flare up inside him again. He wakes up and again refuses to give up the Medals, to prevent what he saw from coming true. But Maki warns him that giving them up will at least allow Eiji to continue enjoying his senses and humanity, rather than become a Greeed like Maki already is, two of his arms leathery and purple. The Medal reaction inside Eiji is worse than ever, but Maki fails to take the chance to kill him and grab the Medals. No, really. This is becoming a problem with Maki in these last eight episodes. Eiji is the one thing standing in his way, and he never eliminates him as a threat. There's no way for him to know that Goto and Satonaka have been watching the entire exchange, waiting for the opportune moment to mount a rescue, but he still gives them that opportune moment. Satonaka opens fire with both of the Birth Busters while Goto swings in and saves Eiji.
With Eiji rescued, Satonaka fills Kougami in on Maki's Greeedification. The progression is evidence how much Maki's embraced the Medals, whereas Eiji's been suppressing them and still appears human. Still, there's no precedent for a human becoming a Greeed, although Kougami wonders if King OOO might have been pretty damn close. As he pours his wine to overflow, he notes that Eiji is no longer suitable as a vessel, now filled as a Greeed.
Goto breaks the news to Hina and Shingo at Cous Coussier, and it's a sad sight to see how empty it looks. The bed's unmade, and everything looks neat. Eiji didn't own much, but he still made that room his, just as Ankh had. Now, there's nothing but a void. The Izumis are shocked at the news, and Goto warns that it sounds like Eiji should be showing symptoms by now. This triggers Shingo's memory of Eiji's strange behavior at dinner, how he reacted oddly at the taste of his shrimp and rice, and Goto realizes it means Eiji's lost his sense of taste. Hina's horrified to hear this, especially knowing that Eiji kept pretending he was okay, and she realizes they have to stop him from fighting before it's too late. Meanwhile, Eiji camps out along the river, noticing no flavor from his grilled fish. He remembers how Ankh talked about the ice pops when they first met, how he emphasized that they tasted sweet and cold, and he realizes that Shingo gave Ankh the ability to taste for the first time. This leads to him feeling regret for not letting Ankh indulge more, and he calls out to a vision of Ankh, telling him that he should have told him what was going on. But at the same time, he knows Ankh never would. So he forces himself to eat, taking comfort from the fact that even if he can't taste anything, he can still tell if it's too hot or not.
At the mansion, we get an answer to the question "But Gamel likes candy—what about him?" He's eating candy and sharing with Mezool, who feigns interest. But there are toys mixed in with the candy too, and he can't tell the difference between a kendama ball and a jawbreaker, and he just takes a bite out of the ball, saying it's yummy. Yep, folks. Another sad moment in retrospect, brought to you by OOO. Kazari asks Lost Ankh if he's going after his remaining Medal. His Yummy is luring out Eiji, but he wants more than just his last Taka Core—he wants Eiji's Medals too. Maki gives the plan to the Yummy, but his Medals start reacting, and for a moment, he assumes his full Greeed form.
The Yummy attacks a busy shopping plaza, encasing everyone in ice. Eiji starts running over, but Shingo and Hina catch up, trying to stop him. Shingo tells him to think about himself, but Eiji insists he's okay. Hina yells back that he's not, reminding him of his lack of taste and his Greeedification. In the plaza, the Yummy tells the people to cry out to OOO to save them, freezing over a man and shattering him when he's too confused to comply. It's times like these I actually feel Ryuki is a much lighter series—it at least undid most of its deaths. OOO might have a lighter tone, but it's full of darkness in a way Ryuki wasn't. More horrifying backstories, permanent deaths, questions of humanity—sure, our main character is in nothing but his flowered underwear in the first episode, but he's got PTSD and he's partnered with the equally PTSD-riddled monster possessing a comatose guy, and they also have to deal with the younger sister who can't figure out if she should be grieving or grateful. Hell, at least Shinji had normal functioning, and Yui was mostly okay until she learned the truth about her brother and herself, and Ren was the only one on the team with serious issues, but he at least had the rest of the trio stable enough to help him through it. You start wondering which series really has the fluffy marshmallow center.
The people all begin screaming to OOO, as if in prayer, as Goto arrives to fight and Kougami grimly watches the footage. Eiji hears their voices rising in the distance and tries to go, but Hina grabs him. He smiles, trying to tell her he'll be okay, but she asks how he can smile when he's the one suffering. As the cries continue, she begs them to stop, insisting that Eiji's not God and can't answer everyone's prayers. She screams at them to stop, but there's no stopping the voices, especially that of a little girl frozen in the crowd. Eiji thanks Hina and runs off as LaToraTah. His light and claws manage to free everyone. He finds the girl and reunites her with her mom while Goto fights the Yummy.
Lost Ankh appears, and Eiji realizes that Ankh's presence is gone. But Lost Ankh's picked up one thought from Ankh and asks if ice pops really are that good. Eiji honestly doesn't care, but he still believes Ankh can't be defeated that easily. Lost Ankh challenges him to prove it by beating him, demanding his Medal back. But Eiji argues that the Medals belong to the original Ankh and takes to battle as PuToTyra, ice versus flame. Shingo and Hina catch up, watching the battle from above, and Shingo notes that Eiji's doing just what they wanted him to all along. Hina argues she never wanted Eiji to fight, but Shingo points out that she wants him to save Ankh, which gives her pause. Shingo feels the same way, but it's naive to say that they want Eiji to do something, then say that they don't want him to fight. Not when they know it's the only way he can grant their wishes. They've all done it to him, including the people he just saved. They've filled him up with all their prayers, and no matter what he really wants, even if he doesn't want to fight, he's accepted every bit of other people's selfishness and suppressed his own, never once thinking of himself. Such a person, Shingo points out, can only be what is inferred to be God. But elsewhere, Kougami finishes the thought—such a person can only be OOO.
Goto manages to finish off the Yummy with a point-blank Breast Cannon. Eiji and Lost Ankh continue to battle, but they're at a stalemate. More and more desperate, more and more grief-stricken, Eiji taps into more of his power, and the Medals flare up, putting him dangerously close to losing control again. Goto tries to warn him off, and Hina turns away, dropping to her knees in despair. Shingo rushes to her side, telling her to hold herself together. Taking her hand, he reminds her that she's always held Eiji's, and he insists that they have to prevent anyone else from turning him into some kind of "convenient god." The battle takes to the sky, and PuToTyra is brutal, severing Lost Ankh's wings and making him plummet to the ground, then striking him with the axe, shattering three Medals.
Lost Ankh explodes, and Eiji collapses, choking on tears and grief as he struggles to regain control. But Hina takes his hand, calming him down. The power dissipates from him, and she takes him into her arms as he recovers from the pain. She promises him that it'll be okay, but he asks about Ankh, just as one Taka Core gathers Cell Medals, forming a right hand. The remaining four Medals gather, the Cells taking shape, and Ankh appears in human form, a mirror image of Shingo. For the first time, he thanks Eiji, but only for taking care of his imposter. Shingo's a little uncomfortable to see Ankh, but Ankh soon turns his attention to him and walks up to take care of some unfinished business...
Vulture, Antagonism, Ankh Returns (Kobayashi/Shibasaki): Ankh grabs Shingo by the throat, lifting him off his feet. Medals fall off of Ankh's body, proving that he's still not strong enough to maintain his form, thanks to Eiji destroying three Cores. He reverts to arm form and knocks Shingo out. Hina runs for them, but Ankh unleashes a storm of feathers as they bond. Shingo regains consciousness and control for just a moment, reaching for her with Ankh's hand, promising that he'll be okay and asking her to do what she can. But he loses consciousness once again, and Ankh asserts control, manifesting both of his wings. Even down to five Cores, he's back to his original strength and power from 800 years ago, which means he doesn't need Eiji anymore. Goto calls him out on trampling all over Hina's and Eiji's feelings, after all they went through trying to save him, but Ankh says he's not satisfied with just an arm, before he blasts them back with a flap of his wings. Eiji drops the Medal case, spilling out all of the Medals, and Ankh takes his last Taka Core. Eiji staggers to his feet and tells him to let Shingo go, his eyes glowing. Ankh's eyes glow red in response as he blasts him again, but Eiji withstands it, blasting back with a burst of purple energy, to everyone's horror, threatening to destroy all of Ankh's Cores if he doesn't give Shingo back. Ankh challenges him, but Eiji releases another terrifying burst of power, forcing him to fly away. With Eiji losing control even in human form, Goto grabs him until he comes back to his senses, dropping in pain. Hina also runs to him, all while a man with startling green eyes watches. Ankh realizes that he can no longer completely revive, but there's still more he can do. And as the man finds him, Ankh recognizes him and decides to try making a Yummy.
Hina returns home alone, depressed and abandoned. Her brother is gone again, and Ankh has betrayed them, and she can't understand why. The betrayal hurts all the more because she was starting to think of him as a friend, and she thought he felt the same way they did. But now, he and Eiji will fight, and for her brother. She doesn't want that to happen, but she remembers Shingo's words about them making Eiji fight, even if he himself doesn't want to, to fulfill their prayers as an empty god. She realizes that she's doing it again, thinking about what she wants instead of what Eiji needs; she's come to rely on him too much to do everything when things are bad. She remembers Shingo's last words and decides to figure out what it is she can do so Eiji doesn't become her convenient god once more.
As they walk away from the apartment, Goto expresses sympathy, even though she'd insisted she was okay. Eiji agrees and says that Ankh was unnecessarily cruel, although he admits that Ankh had always wanted a body, and now he can't ever have all nine of his Medals. Goto argues that it's unforgiveable, but Eiji insists that while he understands, it doesn't mean he forgives Ankh. But Ankh's Yummy attacks the park, targeting men in front of their girlfriends before evolving into a vulture. Eiji senses it, and they run in, recognizing just whose fault it is. Satonaka arrives before they're ready and starts shooting it, admitting that she just wanted to give her new dress a test run. Both Riders prepare to henshin, but Eiji remembers he's down a Taka, instead using Lion to replace it. The three battle the Yummy, but it blasts them back with a whirlwind. The winds almost send Satonaka flying off, even breaking her composure. Goto manages to anchor himself with Shovel Arm while Eiji leaps up for a Rider Kick, and he provides cover fire so Eiji can do so. But the Yummy gets away, hitching a ride on a recycling truck, revealing the parent as the mysterious, green-eyed driver, the truck as the nest.
Ankh finds Maki in the woods and notes that he's almost completely a Greeed now. He asks if Maki's after Eiji's Medals, and Maki explains that he needs the power of a complete revival so that when the out-of-control Greeed destroys the world, he can destroy the Greeed. He too has the vision of the desolate, destroyed world, but he enjoys the vision of himself as the last survivor, responsible for ending everything. And Ankh offers to become the Medal vessel.
Goto fills in Kougami on everything that's happened. Kougami's disappointed, but not entirely surprised that Ankh betrayed Eiji, since OOO's very nature makes him the Greeed's enemy. Goto says that Ankh still needs Shingo, but Satonaka reminds him that a fully revived Greeed will devour a human. Goto believes that this can be prevented, pointing out that Eiji's Medals can destroy other Cores, but Kougami objects to the plan, still needing the Cores. He tells Goto to find another way to save the world, but he absolutely wants the purple Medals destroyed, since a Greeed with the power to reduce everything, including desire, to nothing is the "worst Greeed of the Greeed" and the world's natural enemy.
Eiji camps along the river again that night, but as he cooks, he suddenly notices a weird feeling from his right arm, and he watches it momentarily shift into a Greeed arm like Maki's. Terrified, he drops his food into the fire, burning it. Hina finds him, and he hesitantly hides his arm, even though it's back to normal. She sits next to him, carrying a bento she made him for dinner. And it's this really sweet scene where she admits she added extra flavors—made the eggs too sweet, added a touch of spice to the mentaiko—and she takes the time to describe each flavor, so even if Eiji can't taste it, he knows what it is and can still enjoy the meal. She sets it down and explains that she's decided to do what she can, instead of looking for her brother or Ankh to solve her problems for her again. And what she can do is be there for Eiji and help him no matter what. It's everything he needs to hear...but the moment is ruined when the cloth she wrapped the bento in catches fire. And I'm not sure if this was scripted or adlibbed, because Eiji drops the rest of his fish into the fire trying to save the cloth. Well, you two are off to a great start.
The Yummy attacks again, just trying to build up Medals. Goto and Eiji charge in, Eiji using Shachi-Gorilla-Tako. Again, they take a pounding, but Tako's legs and Crane Arm anchor them for the wind gusts. Both fire off their finishers, but the truck collects the Medals. Ankh leaps on, and the driver takes off. Eiji chases after him on the Ride Vendor, trying to reason with him, but Ankh is intent on what he wants and throws fire all around Eiji, throwing him off his bike. Goto catches up, but has to let the truck go to help Eiji, who has scrapes all over his arms, clutching his torso from the fall. Hina finds him and asks if Ankh's the one responsible for all of these injuries, and Eiji reluctantly nods. Goto helps him up so they can take him for treatment, and Hina picks up his scratched helmet, wondering how far gone Ankh really is.
The truck stops some distance away, and Ankh praises the driver, Uva, for getting so far. Uva had likewise sealed his consciousness into a single Medal, then attached himself to the back of the guy's neck, possessing him and taking advantage of his bitterness toward other men in steady relationships. Uva uses the collected Cells to revive, and Ankh tells him that Uva owes him one, but Uva insists it was his strength that saved him, not Ankh's plan. They head to the mansion, to everyone's disbelief, and Ankh asks where their welcome is, manifesting his wings...
All Members Together, Full Revival, Your Desire (Kobayashi/Shibasaki): Maki has a tea party with his doll in the forest, recalling his meeting with Ankh. He'd warned Ankh that he was likely to lose control as a vessel, with only six Cores left, but Ankh screamed back that the loss of three Cores is why he's willing to do this. More than anything, he wants to be complete. And Maki has to admit that Ankh may indeed be the perfect candidate.
Ankh tells the others to stop wasting their time staring at him, warning that Eiji's now strong enough to destroy Cores. So beyond worrying about being sealed, they now have to worry about being destroyed, and he tells them to come with him if they want to live. And Eiji will be their target. Mezool reasons that all five Greeed together should be able to take their cores back from him, but Kazari doesn't trust Ankh. She doesn't trust him either, but if they don't do this, they risk destruction. With a deal made, Ankh's and Uva's banners join the others'. But Kazari feels threatened, wondering why Ankh's really there. They take it outside and fight, because this is still Kamen Rider and nobody can just talk about feelings. Kazari refuses to follow him and won't risk his desires for Ankh's. Despite his human body, Ankh does well and keeps up with Kazari's attacks, and Uva's more than happy to back him up as revenge. He takes back his two Medals, but before either he or Ankh can attack again, Mezool douses them with water, telling them to stop now that they've gotten it out of their systems. And it's just now that I realize that they all seem to have a THING about getting the men wet. Various dramatic moments, such as the explosions that triggered Eiji's PTSD, to the deal between Eiji and Ankh to Ankh's first betrayal to what we'll see in the finale. For some reason, they really like seeing Shu Watanabe and Ryosuke Miura soaking wet. Kazari finally agrees to cooperate, but privately, he triggers Gamel, warning that something might happen to Mezool.
Hina and Goto bring Eiji to the lab to bandage his arms and ribs. He reveals he's not going home, even without worrying about interfering with Hina's happiness. He's not sure he can continue to suppress the Medals, and he's worried Chiyoko might notice his Greeedification. Goto asks if this means something else has happened to him, but Eiji says no, still scared by the brief transformation of his arm. He insists he's not that bad, but his weak smile fools no one, since they all remember the burst of power and loss of control when he faced Ankh. Hina asks Goto for more information on what's happening to him and how they can bring him back to normal, but Kougami appears on the computer. Since he has a vested interest in Eiji not becoming a Greeed, he invites them to the sublevel storage to learn more. They go down to the 27th level of the basement, reaching a weird vault, where Kougami tells them to enter. Inside the storage room, he's built a shrine to OOO, with more manuscripts and artifacts, and even a device seen in Wonderful—I'll get to the movie probably in a month or so, though. Cell Medals and even bones are scattered around, and TaToBa's emblem is on the back wall, in front of a red curtain. Kougami welcomes them to what is basically the King's throne room. He insists there's a great power to be found in desire, as proven by the Greeed. Again, he tells of the alchemists who created the Core Medals so the King could rule the world, using screenshots from the movie, teasing Gara and the BraKaWani Medals. He shows them a not exactly accurate representation of the evolution of humanity, from DNA in the seas to the land to human, with a parallel, inaccurate, but artistic depiction of a T. rex to a feathered dinosaur to a bird. He argues that desire is the engine of evolution and the power behind life, and the alchemists harnessed that energy to evolve humans as OOO, crossing into God's realm. But they couldn't find an adequate vessel for that power, which he illustrates by taking a chalice and filling it with Cell Medals. Their vessel—the King—had a great desire, but he was overwhelmed and he overflowed, losing control. But Eiji is in a unique position: as a rich child and the son of a politician, he was raised in an environment that built up a large desire within him, much like the King had. However, his trauma emptied him, like dumping the Medals out of the chalice. As an empty vessel, he can hold any desire, without interference from his own—i.e., that "empty god" I mentioned. But the problem is that the purple Cores entered him, and they cancel out everything and lose control—which is what's already happened to Maki. Hina asks how they can help him.
The next day, Chiyoko sets up a Hawaiian theme while Hina packs another lunch for Eiji. She asks if he and Ankh fought, and if that's why they suddenly left, although she insists she doesn't need to know the details. She knows Eiji isn't traveling again, since he lacks the energy she and other travelers have, and Hina connects that to his PTSD. But Chiyoko keeps hoping Eiji will go on a journey again, and Hina admits that so does she. As it turns out, Kougami's advice was for Eiji to find his own desire, so he wouldn't lose control again. So Hina and Goto take him out for the day, trying to do everything he likes. They take him shopping for clothes for travel, but he's embarrassed in a tourist-y outfit. He has a lot more fun going out on a paddleboat and playing at the batting cages. Because we should revisit locations from Ryuki and 555. The advice is just like Date's, Eiji reflects, and by night, they go to the stargazing spot from Den-O, where Hina asks if they helped him any. He admits he had fun, but he doesn't know what he wants. Hina suggests travel, but he still doesn't seem ready. Goto checks his wallet and asks Eiji if there's anything else. Eiji's got his underwear, so he can't think of anything, and Goto points out that this is exactly his entire problem. Eiji tries to explain that he had a privileged childhood, but they misunderstand and assume this means that they just couldn't give him enough to reach the levels he was used to as a child. But he explains that the material things don't matter as much to him as they did when he was younger. He feels more satisfied having Hina by his side and having Goto show his concern. They're what's important to him.
He sleeps in the back of the van the next morning as they drive back. Hina worries they haven't stopped him from fighting and that he will face Ankh. Goto points out that they both knew it was inevitable and forged their relationship on that promise. But he slams on the brakes as they reach the bridge, and he wakes Eiji up. The Greeed have cut them off. Ankh and Eiji decide not to waste time trying to break one another's unbreakable convictions. Ankh blows up the van, and they dive, Eiji shielding Hina. He tells her to run, and Goto advises they split up the Greeed and try to make them fight one-on-one. It's easier said than done, however, and two Greeed are on them at all times as they fall down a ravine and into the forest. Eiji tries to defeat Mezool and Gamel with the light of LaToraTah's powers, but Ankh blasts fire at him, making him lose the Medals. Hina takes them before Ankh can, and he threatens her with fire if she doesn't hand them over. He's a Greeed, and he won't let anything get in the way of what he wants. She asks what does he want? He won't say what, but they're not it. She finally accepts that he's no longer their friend and resolves to stand with her brother and Eiji, even against him. He manifests his wings and summons fire around his hand. She starts backing away, but Eiji runs up and slams into him. She tosses him the Medals, and he tells her to run.
Ankh admits he no longer knows if he was right or wrong to pick Eiji as OOO. Eiji says it was good for him, though. However, the moment Eiji had lost the Medals, Kazari abandoned his fight with Goto, so he could watch the whole thing and wait for the opportune moment to provoke Gamel into attacking Ankh, claiming that he's letting Mezool get hurt. Gamel's attack even breaks through Eiji's transformation barrier, allowing Kazari to steal his last three Medals. Again, light, wind, and claws surround him as he attacks everyone with his mane, finally revived completely. He takes the other Greeed's Medals and threatens to take Eiji's next, but Goto shields Eiji and charges, taking serious damage. Kazari suspends him in the air, and he activates Breast Cannon to maximum power. The attack buys time for Eiji to become PuToTyra. Despite their injuries and exhaustion, the Riders fight with all they have. Goto tries to hold Kazari in place so Eiji can attack, but Eiji's hesitation allows Kazari to beat Goto down. Enraged, Eiji gives in to his power and spears Kazari, rushing forward to slash him with his axe, cracking a Core. Kazari staggers away as Eiji collapses alongside Goto. Hina rushes over to help them, and Eiji sees Ankh watching them, injured and alone. But Eiji only feels anger toward him now, whereas Hina can still feel some pity for him.
Maki finds Kazari, who begs to become the Medal vessel to survive. But Maki runs him through, transforming to his full Greeed form—a purple dinosaur motif with one violet eye. Because Kazari refuses to lose control, he's taking the Cores and leaving him. Kazari reverts to human form, wandering the city in a daze, not unlike Kamen Rider Tiger in his final appearance. His poor vision, compounded with his injury, keeps him from finding any help. He collapses on the sidewalk, lamenting everything he almost had, as he falls apart and his Core shatters.
There's a tense standoff as Eiji only breathes, struggling to control himself through his grief. And this is a good indication of what exactly that "control" is. Kobayashi is not very good at explaining just what "losing control" means—how aware is Eiji of his surroundings and actions? Clearly, he can't stop himself, but what does it mean for his mental state? This, and what we learn from Shingo in a little bit, give a sense that it's sort of like Aang and Korra from the Avatar universe. Both of them can achieve the Avatar State when in extreme danger or under extreme duress, but it's much harder to control than if they consciously tap into their power to reach it. Aang, in particular, had difficulty throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender and could hardly stop himself from hurting everyone around him—kind of like the Hulk in Marvel Comics. Korra in The Legend of Korra had a better time with it once she was able to use it, but during her poisoning at the end of Book 3, she had to fight not to lose control and use the Avatar State as a survival mechanism when she knew it would only kill her and end the Avatar reincarnation cycle. Eiji usually seems to have the same problem that Korra had in that episode—a last-ditch defense mechanism that can overwhelm your reason and make you attack everything. However, this time, his problem is Aang's—the inability to clear his mind and cope with his emotions. He attacks, screaming, and we have these great shots of Eiji—not PuToTyra, but Eiji—illuminated by purple light, superimposed over and even replacing PuToTyra as he fights with all of his heart against the smug, mocking, laughing Lost Ankh. And as she watches him, Hina realizes he's teetering on the edge, prone to losing control if he uses too much power. Either way, Lost Ankh is winning. But his right arm suddenly freezes, giving Eiji an opening. Realizing that Ankh isn't going quietly, Lost Ankh kicks Eiji into a wall and escapes. Eiji breaks his transformation and slams his fist into the ground as Hina comes to him, frustrated that even though he sensed Ankh, he lost him. Hina realizes this means Ankh isn't gone, and Eiji sends a Taka to track down Lost Ankh. Maki finds Lost Ankh and asks him about Ankh's resistance, but Los Ankh insists he's won out. However, Maki reminds him that Ankh was the original and strong-willed, so he's not going down without a fight. But with Eiji lacking Ankh, they can take the Cores, so Maki creates the Ankylosaurus Yummy from a thermos of ice.
They return to Cous Coussier, where Chiyoko's set up a Greek theme and hidden Hina's surprise guest behind a white curtain. To their shock, Shingo steps out, laughing and saying that Hina looks like a kid, staring at him like that. Fighting tears, he tells her he's back. Tearing up herself, Hina runs up and hugs him in front of the curtain, in a beautiful inversion of the opening with Ankh. Eiji too finds himself almost crying in relief. Everything's changed, but they finally have Shingo back.
They head up to the attic, where Eiji apparently changes clothes, for some reason...did he just do this in front of Hina and Shingo? Anyway, Shingo hands them the Medal case, revealing that Ankh managed to slide it under the desk when he was first attacked. When he mentions he remembers that it was a gift from Hina, she takes it and runs her hands over it. Eiji asks if this means he remembers everything from his time with Ankh. He says yes and thanks him for protecting Hina and trying to save him. Eiji admits it's weird for him, and Hina explains it's because with the voice and face Eiji associates with Ankh, Shingo saying something Ankh never would really throws Eiji off. Shingo asks to help Eiji fight, insisting he's tired of feeling helpless.
They practice out in the field, where Shingo tries to toss the Medals and throws them way off. He's slow at selecting them, but he remembers everything and analyzes thoroughly. They're practicing against fire, so Eiji needs water powers, but he runs out of energy quickly with combos, so he has to test out new combinations before using ShaUTa. Kougami and Team Birth monitor things, and while Goto has to admit he's disappointed that Ankh is gone, Satonaka's more pragmatic about it. She points out that Shingo's recovered and has his life back, and Hina has her brother—technically, it's a happy ending. But Kougami reminds them they have another problem: Eiji still has the purple Medals, and if he continues to use them, he may not remain human for long.
The Izumis invite Eiji over for dinner, but while Hina cooks, he stands out on the balcony, looking for his candroid. Even using his Medals' power isn't enough for him to find Ankh. When he hears Hina calling, he blinks and lets the purple fade from his eyes so she doesn't see. She realizes that he hasn't found Ankh, but he tries to remind her that she should be happy that her brother's back. He ushers her inside, where they find Shingo snacking on the food she just put out on the table. Shingo excuses himself by saying it's been too long since he had her cooking, and she's thrilled when he says it's delicious. Something inside Eiji starts to break—or continues, having started the moment Ankh disappeared, the cracks deepening when he saw Shingo back—and he realizes that Hina's finally happy. She has everything she wanted. And he doesn't want her to lose it. But she notices that he hasn't touched his dinner, and Shingo has to encourage him to eat. But when Eiji does, he pauses after a couple of bites, a strange expression on his face. Hina asks if everything's okay, but he says it's so good, he was surprised for a minute. Honey, what have I said about your cover stories? But Hina's relieved, admitting it's been a long time since she cooked for fun. Shingo asks why, since it was one of her hobbies, but she doesn't answer. Eiji decides that they don't need to be dragged into anything involving the Medals, Ankh, or him anymore. He says goodbye, looking at Hina like he's never going to see her again as he tells her he's glad she has her brother back. He does everything he can to behave like normal, but he knows that while Hina wants to save Ankh, Ankh might take Shingo away from her again. The only way to keep her from any more pain and heartache is for Eiji to leave her, Shingo, and everyone else. He leaves a note for Chiyoko, thanking her for everything, then bows and leaves Cous Coussier for the last time.
He walks along the bridge out of town, with the intent of saving Ankh—it's the first time Ankh had asked for his help, so he has to. Taka finally returns, at the same time his eyes start glowing. Goto finds him by morning as he goes to meet Lost Ankh. Goto had gotten the data too and knew Eiji would try to go it alone. He decides to go with him, only saying that Date would be mad if he let Eiji die. They reach the mountainside, and Eiji senses the Yummy. Knowing Lost Ankh is the next boss, they henshin and fight, but Ankylosaurus shoots spike missiles from its club fist. Goto powers through while Eiji fumbles through the Medals, trying to figure out which is best. But he takes too long, and they're blasted again. He scrambles to grab the Medals, but again, he's hit, breaking his henshin. But Goto runs down the Yummy, buying him time to find Ankh.
Eiji follows Ankh's presence through the forest, but it's Maki he finds. Maki's eyes glow, and Eiji's do the same as he drops to his knees in pain, clutching at the Medals inside him. Maki tells him to give up on Ankh, that the more important matter are the purple Medals, as he sends another flare of pain through Eiji...
Ice, Greeed Form, Broken Wings (Kobayashi/Maihara): Maki says he wants Eiji's Medals, and naturally, given that Maki is an omnicidal madman, Eiji says no. But every time he tries to stand and resist, Maki sets off another painful reaction. The only choice left is to run.
Goto throws the Yummy into an abandoned warehouse, but the Yummy has ice powers and freezes his legs solid. Goto shoots it, but he runs out of ammo. Still, he's not worried, since he's bought enough time for Satonaka to get there. This time wearing post-grunge, she shoots the Yummy before tossing Goto his refill, allowing him to use Cell Burst. But the Yummy escapes, so they decide to look for Eiji, who...apparently makes it to Helheim, what with all the random bright flowers. But he collapses again, finding the doll in his way...HOW DOES IT FUCKING DO THAT? Maki asks if Eiji's been pretending not to know he's becoming a Greeed, which leaves Eiji shaking in horror. But Maki lets him rest against a tree while he explains that Greeed are masses of desire, constantly wanting everything in the world around them. But they have dulled senses, making it harder for them to satisfy their desire to experience what's around them. Slowly, Eiji begins to understand, possibly even experiencing each one: color-blindness, with lower visual acuity; partial deafness, hearing a birdcall as a dull, deep growl; lack of smell; lack of taste; and lack of touch. Maki warns that Eiji will begin to experience them for himself, as Eiji tries to stave off a panic attack. The truth is that the Greeed desire so much because what they have is limited. So when they revive completely, they'll start by devouring humans to indulge in their senses. Losing control will make them devour the world, as Ankh warned. But it still won't fulfill them, and they'll just "end." Eiji suddenly has a vision of himself in a barren desert, with the implication that he lost control and destroyed the world, as he feels the Medals flare up inside him again. He wakes up and again refuses to give up the Medals, to prevent what he saw from coming true. But Maki warns him that giving them up will at least allow Eiji to continue enjoying his senses and humanity, rather than become a Greeed like Maki already is, two of his arms leathery and purple. The Medal reaction inside Eiji is worse than ever, but Maki fails to take the chance to kill him and grab the Medals. No, really. This is becoming a problem with Maki in these last eight episodes. Eiji is the one thing standing in his way, and he never eliminates him as a threat. There's no way for him to know that Goto and Satonaka have been watching the entire exchange, waiting for the opportune moment to mount a rescue, but he still gives them that opportune moment. Satonaka opens fire with both of the Birth Busters while Goto swings in and saves Eiji.
With Eiji rescued, Satonaka fills Kougami in on Maki's Greeedification. The progression is evidence how much Maki's embraced the Medals, whereas Eiji's been suppressing them and still appears human. Still, there's no precedent for a human becoming a Greeed, although Kougami wonders if King OOO might have been pretty damn close. As he pours his wine to overflow, he notes that Eiji is no longer suitable as a vessel, now filled as a Greeed.
Goto breaks the news to Hina and Shingo at Cous Coussier, and it's a sad sight to see how empty it looks. The bed's unmade, and everything looks neat. Eiji didn't own much, but he still made that room his, just as Ankh had. Now, there's nothing but a void. The Izumis are shocked at the news, and Goto warns that it sounds like Eiji should be showing symptoms by now. This triggers Shingo's memory of Eiji's strange behavior at dinner, how he reacted oddly at the taste of his shrimp and rice, and Goto realizes it means Eiji's lost his sense of taste. Hina's horrified to hear this, especially knowing that Eiji kept pretending he was okay, and she realizes they have to stop him from fighting before it's too late. Meanwhile, Eiji camps out along the river, noticing no flavor from his grilled fish. He remembers how Ankh talked about the ice pops when they first met, how he emphasized that they tasted sweet and cold, and he realizes that Shingo gave Ankh the ability to taste for the first time. This leads to him feeling regret for not letting Ankh indulge more, and he calls out to a vision of Ankh, telling him that he should have told him what was going on. But at the same time, he knows Ankh never would. So he forces himself to eat, taking comfort from the fact that even if he can't taste anything, he can still tell if it's too hot or not.
At the mansion, we get an answer to the question "But Gamel likes candy—what about him?" He's eating candy and sharing with Mezool, who feigns interest. But there are toys mixed in with the candy too, and he can't tell the difference between a kendama ball and a jawbreaker, and he just takes a bite out of the ball, saying it's yummy. Yep, folks. Another sad moment in retrospect, brought to you by OOO. Kazari asks Lost Ankh if he's going after his remaining Medal. His Yummy is luring out Eiji, but he wants more than just his last Taka Core—he wants Eiji's Medals too. Maki gives the plan to the Yummy, but his Medals start reacting, and for a moment, he assumes his full Greeed form.
The Yummy attacks a busy shopping plaza, encasing everyone in ice. Eiji starts running over, but Shingo and Hina catch up, trying to stop him. Shingo tells him to think about himself, but Eiji insists he's okay. Hina yells back that he's not, reminding him of his lack of taste and his Greeedification. In the plaza, the Yummy tells the people to cry out to OOO to save them, freezing over a man and shattering him when he's too confused to comply. It's times like these I actually feel Ryuki is a much lighter series—it at least undid most of its deaths. OOO might have a lighter tone, but it's full of darkness in a way Ryuki wasn't. More horrifying backstories, permanent deaths, questions of humanity—sure, our main character is in nothing but his flowered underwear in the first episode, but he's got PTSD and he's partnered with the equally PTSD-riddled monster possessing a comatose guy, and they also have to deal with the younger sister who can't figure out if she should be grieving or grateful. Hell, at least Shinji had normal functioning, and Yui was mostly okay until she learned the truth about her brother and herself, and Ren was the only one on the team with serious issues, but he at least had the rest of the trio stable enough to help him through it. You start wondering which series really has the fluffy marshmallow center.
The people all begin screaming to OOO, as if in prayer, as Goto arrives to fight and Kougami grimly watches the footage. Eiji hears their voices rising in the distance and tries to go, but Hina grabs him. He smiles, trying to tell her he'll be okay, but she asks how he can smile when he's the one suffering. As the cries continue, she begs them to stop, insisting that Eiji's not God and can't answer everyone's prayers. She screams at them to stop, but there's no stopping the voices, especially that of a little girl frozen in the crowd. Eiji thanks Hina and runs off as LaToraTah. His light and claws manage to free everyone. He finds the girl and reunites her with her mom while Goto fights the Yummy.
Lost Ankh appears, and Eiji realizes that Ankh's presence is gone. But Lost Ankh's picked up one thought from Ankh and asks if ice pops really are that good. Eiji honestly doesn't care, but he still believes Ankh can't be defeated that easily. Lost Ankh challenges him to prove it by beating him, demanding his Medal back. But Eiji argues that the Medals belong to the original Ankh and takes to battle as PuToTyra, ice versus flame. Shingo and Hina catch up, watching the battle from above, and Shingo notes that Eiji's doing just what they wanted him to all along. Hina argues she never wanted Eiji to fight, but Shingo points out that she wants him to save Ankh, which gives her pause. Shingo feels the same way, but it's naive to say that they want Eiji to do something, then say that they don't want him to fight. Not when they know it's the only way he can grant their wishes. They've all done it to him, including the people he just saved. They've filled him up with all their prayers, and no matter what he really wants, even if he doesn't want to fight, he's accepted every bit of other people's selfishness and suppressed his own, never once thinking of himself. Such a person, Shingo points out, can only be what is inferred to be God. But elsewhere, Kougami finishes the thought—such a person can only be OOO.
Goto manages to finish off the Yummy with a point-blank Breast Cannon. Eiji and Lost Ankh continue to battle, but they're at a stalemate. More and more desperate, more and more grief-stricken, Eiji taps into more of his power, and the Medals flare up, putting him dangerously close to losing control again. Goto tries to warn him off, and Hina turns away, dropping to her knees in despair. Shingo rushes to her side, telling her to hold herself together. Taking her hand, he reminds her that she's always held Eiji's, and he insists that they have to prevent anyone else from turning him into some kind of "convenient god." The battle takes to the sky, and PuToTyra is brutal, severing Lost Ankh's wings and making him plummet to the ground, then striking him with the axe, shattering three Medals.
Lost Ankh explodes, and Eiji collapses, choking on tears and grief as he struggles to regain control. But Hina takes his hand, calming him down. The power dissipates from him, and she takes him into her arms as he recovers from the pain. She promises him that it'll be okay, but he asks about Ankh, just as one Taka Core gathers Cell Medals, forming a right hand. The remaining four Medals gather, the Cells taking shape, and Ankh appears in human form, a mirror image of Shingo. For the first time, he thanks Eiji, but only for taking care of his imposter. Shingo's a little uncomfortable to see Ankh, but Ankh soon turns his attention to him and walks up to take care of some unfinished business...
Vulture, Antagonism, Ankh Returns (Kobayashi/Shibasaki): Ankh grabs Shingo by the throat, lifting him off his feet. Medals fall off of Ankh's body, proving that he's still not strong enough to maintain his form, thanks to Eiji destroying three Cores. He reverts to arm form and knocks Shingo out. Hina runs for them, but Ankh unleashes a storm of feathers as they bond. Shingo regains consciousness and control for just a moment, reaching for her with Ankh's hand, promising that he'll be okay and asking her to do what she can. But he loses consciousness once again, and Ankh asserts control, manifesting both of his wings. Even down to five Cores, he's back to his original strength and power from 800 years ago, which means he doesn't need Eiji anymore. Goto calls him out on trampling all over Hina's and Eiji's feelings, after all they went through trying to save him, but Ankh says he's not satisfied with just an arm, before he blasts them back with a flap of his wings. Eiji drops the Medal case, spilling out all of the Medals, and Ankh takes his last Taka Core. Eiji staggers to his feet and tells him to let Shingo go, his eyes glowing. Ankh's eyes glow red in response as he blasts him again, but Eiji withstands it, blasting back with a burst of purple energy, to everyone's horror, threatening to destroy all of Ankh's Cores if he doesn't give Shingo back. Ankh challenges him, but Eiji releases another terrifying burst of power, forcing him to fly away. With Eiji losing control even in human form, Goto grabs him until he comes back to his senses, dropping in pain. Hina also runs to him, all while a man with startling green eyes watches. Ankh realizes that he can no longer completely revive, but there's still more he can do. And as the man finds him, Ankh recognizes him and decides to try making a Yummy.
Hina returns home alone, depressed and abandoned. Her brother is gone again, and Ankh has betrayed them, and she can't understand why. The betrayal hurts all the more because she was starting to think of him as a friend, and she thought he felt the same way they did. But now, he and Eiji will fight, and for her brother. She doesn't want that to happen, but she remembers Shingo's words about them making Eiji fight, even if he himself doesn't want to, to fulfill their prayers as an empty god. She realizes that she's doing it again, thinking about what she wants instead of what Eiji needs; she's come to rely on him too much to do everything when things are bad. She remembers Shingo's last words and decides to figure out what it is she can do so Eiji doesn't become her convenient god once more.
As they walk away from the apartment, Goto expresses sympathy, even though she'd insisted she was okay. Eiji agrees and says that Ankh was unnecessarily cruel, although he admits that Ankh had always wanted a body, and now he can't ever have all nine of his Medals. Goto argues that it's unforgiveable, but Eiji insists that while he understands, it doesn't mean he forgives Ankh. But Ankh's Yummy attacks the park, targeting men in front of their girlfriends before evolving into a vulture. Eiji senses it, and they run in, recognizing just whose fault it is. Satonaka arrives before they're ready and starts shooting it, admitting that she just wanted to give her new dress a test run. Both Riders prepare to henshin, but Eiji remembers he's down a Taka, instead using Lion to replace it. The three battle the Yummy, but it blasts them back with a whirlwind. The winds almost send Satonaka flying off, even breaking her composure. Goto manages to anchor himself with Shovel Arm while Eiji leaps up for a Rider Kick, and he provides cover fire so Eiji can do so. But the Yummy gets away, hitching a ride on a recycling truck, revealing the parent as the mysterious, green-eyed driver, the truck as the nest.
Ankh finds Maki in the woods and notes that he's almost completely a Greeed now. He asks if Maki's after Eiji's Medals, and Maki explains that he needs the power of a complete revival so that when the out-of-control Greeed destroys the world, he can destroy the Greeed. He too has the vision of the desolate, destroyed world, but he enjoys the vision of himself as the last survivor, responsible for ending everything. And Ankh offers to become the Medal vessel.
Goto fills in Kougami on everything that's happened. Kougami's disappointed, but not entirely surprised that Ankh betrayed Eiji, since OOO's very nature makes him the Greeed's enemy. Goto says that Ankh still needs Shingo, but Satonaka reminds him that a fully revived Greeed will devour a human. Goto believes that this can be prevented, pointing out that Eiji's Medals can destroy other Cores, but Kougami objects to the plan, still needing the Cores. He tells Goto to find another way to save the world, but he absolutely wants the purple Medals destroyed, since a Greeed with the power to reduce everything, including desire, to nothing is the "worst Greeed of the Greeed" and the world's natural enemy.
Eiji camps along the river again that night, but as he cooks, he suddenly notices a weird feeling from his right arm, and he watches it momentarily shift into a Greeed arm like Maki's. Terrified, he drops his food into the fire, burning it. Hina finds him, and he hesitantly hides his arm, even though it's back to normal. She sits next to him, carrying a bento she made him for dinner. And it's this really sweet scene where she admits she added extra flavors—made the eggs too sweet, added a touch of spice to the mentaiko—and she takes the time to describe each flavor, so even if Eiji can't taste it, he knows what it is and can still enjoy the meal. She sets it down and explains that she's decided to do what she can, instead of looking for her brother or Ankh to solve her problems for her again. And what she can do is be there for Eiji and help him no matter what. It's everything he needs to hear...but the moment is ruined when the cloth she wrapped the bento in catches fire. And I'm not sure if this was scripted or adlibbed, because Eiji drops the rest of his fish into the fire trying to save the cloth. Well, you two are off to a great start.
The Yummy attacks again, just trying to build up Medals. Goto and Eiji charge in, Eiji using Shachi-Gorilla-Tako. Again, they take a pounding, but Tako's legs and Crane Arm anchor them for the wind gusts. Both fire off their finishers, but the truck collects the Medals. Ankh leaps on, and the driver takes off. Eiji chases after him on the Ride Vendor, trying to reason with him, but Ankh is intent on what he wants and throws fire all around Eiji, throwing him off his bike. Goto catches up, but has to let the truck go to help Eiji, who has scrapes all over his arms, clutching his torso from the fall. Hina finds him and asks if Ankh's the one responsible for all of these injuries, and Eiji reluctantly nods. Goto helps him up so they can take him for treatment, and Hina picks up his scratched helmet, wondering how far gone Ankh really is.
The truck stops some distance away, and Ankh praises the driver, Uva, for getting so far. Uva had likewise sealed his consciousness into a single Medal, then attached himself to the back of the guy's neck, possessing him and taking advantage of his bitterness toward other men in steady relationships. Uva uses the collected Cells to revive, and Ankh tells him that Uva owes him one, but Uva insists it was his strength that saved him, not Ankh's plan. They head to the mansion, to everyone's disbelief, and Ankh asks where their welcome is, manifesting his wings...
All Members Together, Full Revival, Your Desire (Kobayashi/Shibasaki): Maki has a tea party with his doll in the forest, recalling his meeting with Ankh. He'd warned Ankh that he was likely to lose control as a vessel, with only six Cores left, but Ankh screamed back that the loss of three Cores is why he's willing to do this. More than anything, he wants to be complete. And Maki has to admit that Ankh may indeed be the perfect candidate.
Ankh tells the others to stop wasting their time staring at him, warning that Eiji's now strong enough to destroy Cores. So beyond worrying about being sealed, they now have to worry about being destroyed, and he tells them to come with him if they want to live. And Eiji will be their target. Mezool reasons that all five Greeed together should be able to take their cores back from him, but Kazari doesn't trust Ankh. She doesn't trust him either, but if they don't do this, they risk destruction. With a deal made, Ankh's and Uva's banners join the others'. But Kazari feels threatened, wondering why Ankh's really there. They take it outside and fight, because this is still Kamen Rider and nobody can just talk about feelings. Kazari refuses to follow him and won't risk his desires for Ankh's. Despite his human body, Ankh does well and keeps up with Kazari's attacks, and Uva's more than happy to back him up as revenge. He takes back his two Medals, but before either he or Ankh can attack again, Mezool douses them with water, telling them to stop now that they've gotten it out of their systems. And it's just now that I realize that they all seem to have a THING about getting the men wet. Various dramatic moments, such as the explosions that triggered Eiji's PTSD, to the deal between Eiji and Ankh to Ankh's first betrayal to what we'll see in the finale. For some reason, they really like seeing Shu Watanabe and Ryosuke Miura soaking wet. Kazari finally agrees to cooperate, but privately, he triggers Gamel, warning that something might happen to Mezool.
Hina and Goto bring Eiji to the lab to bandage his arms and ribs. He reveals he's not going home, even without worrying about interfering with Hina's happiness. He's not sure he can continue to suppress the Medals, and he's worried Chiyoko might notice his Greeedification. Goto asks if this means something else has happened to him, but Eiji says no, still scared by the brief transformation of his arm. He insists he's not that bad, but his weak smile fools no one, since they all remember the burst of power and loss of control when he faced Ankh. Hina asks Goto for more information on what's happening to him and how they can bring him back to normal, but Kougami appears on the computer. Since he has a vested interest in Eiji not becoming a Greeed, he invites them to the sublevel storage to learn more. They go down to the 27th level of the basement, reaching a weird vault, where Kougami tells them to enter. Inside the storage room, he's built a shrine to OOO, with more manuscripts and artifacts, and even a device seen in Wonderful—I'll get to the movie probably in a month or so, though. Cell Medals and even bones are scattered around, and TaToBa's emblem is on the back wall, in front of a red curtain. Kougami welcomes them to what is basically the King's throne room. He insists there's a great power to be found in desire, as proven by the Greeed. Again, he tells of the alchemists who created the Core Medals so the King could rule the world, using screenshots from the movie, teasing Gara and the BraKaWani Medals. He shows them a not exactly accurate representation of the evolution of humanity, from DNA in the seas to the land to human, with a parallel, inaccurate, but artistic depiction of a T. rex to a feathered dinosaur to a bird. He argues that desire is the engine of evolution and the power behind life, and the alchemists harnessed that energy to evolve humans as OOO, crossing into God's realm. But they couldn't find an adequate vessel for that power, which he illustrates by taking a chalice and filling it with Cell Medals. Their vessel—the King—had a great desire, but he was overwhelmed and he overflowed, losing control. But Eiji is in a unique position: as a rich child and the son of a politician, he was raised in an environment that built up a large desire within him, much like the King had. However, his trauma emptied him, like dumping the Medals out of the chalice. As an empty vessel, he can hold any desire, without interference from his own—i.e., that "empty god" I mentioned. But the problem is that the purple Cores entered him, and they cancel out everything and lose control—which is what's already happened to Maki. Hina asks how they can help him.
The next day, Chiyoko sets up a Hawaiian theme while Hina packs another lunch for Eiji. She asks if he and Ankh fought, and if that's why they suddenly left, although she insists she doesn't need to know the details. She knows Eiji isn't traveling again, since he lacks the energy she and other travelers have, and Hina connects that to his PTSD. But Chiyoko keeps hoping Eiji will go on a journey again, and Hina admits that so does she. As it turns out, Kougami's advice was for Eiji to find his own desire, so he wouldn't lose control again. So Hina and Goto take him out for the day, trying to do everything he likes. They take him shopping for clothes for travel, but he's embarrassed in a tourist-y outfit. He has a lot more fun going out on a paddleboat and playing at the batting cages. Because we should revisit locations from Ryuki and 555. The advice is just like Date's, Eiji reflects, and by night, they go to the stargazing spot from Den-O, where Hina asks if they helped him any. He admits he had fun, but he doesn't know what he wants. Hina suggests travel, but he still doesn't seem ready. Goto checks his wallet and asks Eiji if there's anything else. Eiji's got his underwear, so he can't think of anything, and Goto points out that this is exactly his entire problem. Eiji tries to explain that he had a privileged childhood, but they misunderstand and assume this means that they just couldn't give him enough to reach the levels he was used to as a child. But he explains that the material things don't matter as much to him as they did when he was younger. He feels more satisfied having Hina by his side and having Goto show his concern. They're what's important to him.
He sleeps in the back of the van the next morning as they drive back. Hina worries they haven't stopped him from fighting and that he will face Ankh. Goto points out that they both knew it was inevitable and forged their relationship on that promise. But he slams on the brakes as they reach the bridge, and he wakes Eiji up. The Greeed have cut them off. Ankh and Eiji decide not to waste time trying to break one another's unbreakable convictions. Ankh blows up the van, and they dive, Eiji shielding Hina. He tells her to run, and Goto advises they split up the Greeed and try to make them fight one-on-one. It's easier said than done, however, and two Greeed are on them at all times as they fall down a ravine and into the forest. Eiji tries to defeat Mezool and Gamel with the light of LaToraTah's powers, but Ankh blasts fire at him, making him lose the Medals. Hina takes them before Ankh can, and he threatens her with fire if she doesn't hand them over. He's a Greeed, and he won't let anything get in the way of what he wants. She asks what does he want? He won't say what, but they're not it. She finally accepts that he's no longer their friend and resolves to stand with her brother and Eiji, even against him. He manifests his wings and summons fire around his hand. She starts backing away, but Eiji runs up and slams into him. She tosses him the Medals, and he tells her to run.
Ankh admits he no longer knows if he was right or wrong to pick Eiji as OOO. Eiji says it was good for him, though. However, the moment Eiji had lost the Medals, Kazari abandoned his fight with Goto, so he could watch the whole thing and wait for the opportune moment to provoke Gamel into attacking Ankh, claiming that he's letting Mezool get hurt. Gamel's attack even breaks through Eiji's transformation barrier, allowing Kazari to steal his last three Medals. Again, light, wind, and claws surround him as he attacks everyone with his mane, finally revived completely. He takes the other Greeed's Medals and threatens to take Eiji's next, but Goto shields Eiji and charges, taking serious damage. Kazari suspends him in the air, and he activates Breast Cannon to maximum power. The attack buys time for Eiji to become PuToTyra. Despite their injuries and exhaustion, the Riders fight with all they have. Goto tries to hold Kazari in place so Eiji can attack, but Eiji's hesitation allows Kazari to beat Goto down. Enraged, Eiji gives in to his power and spears Kazari, rushing forward to slash him with his axe, cracking a Core. Kazari staggers away as Eiji collapses alongside Goto. Hina rushes over to help them, and Eiji sees Ankh watching them, injured and alone. But Eiji only feels anger toward him now, whereas Hina can still feel some pity for him.
Maki finds Kazari, who begs to become the Medal vessel to survive. But Maki runs him through, transforming to his full Greeed form—a purple dinosaur motif with one violet eye. Because Kazari refuses to lose control, he's taking the Cores and leaving him. Kazari reverts to human form, wandering the city in a daze, not unlike Kamen Rider Tiger in his final appearance. His poor vision, compounded with his injury, keeps him from finding any help. He collapses on the sidewalk, lamenting everything he almost had, as he falls apart and his Core shatters.