Tiger & Bunny – 24

Call 1-800-TAIG for your very own super-powered butter knife! Slices both butter and steel!

Being a Tiger & Bunny fan is suffering, as episode 24 did everything it possibly could to make us as depressed as possible. The sight of fried rice makes me want to slither into a corner and sob quietly. Until I remember that fried rice is also slang for sex. Does that make everyone feel a little less inclined to break down at the sight of fried rice now?

Defeating a super powered android isn’t easy. If there’s anything I’ve learned from this episode, it’s that. That and to not push shiny red buttons. Kotetsu and Barnaby can’t even activate their powers again, so they have to stall for time until the cooldown period is over. This makes them sitting ducks for a dual-wielding gun and sword toting android. The first part of the battle is a hopeless game of tag.

The heroes have every right to be worried. Even Lunatic, who was made out to be quite the powerful NEXT, was unable to subdue the android when he saved Kotetsu. It’s all up to Taigs and Buns, because no one is going to save them. Maverick has everyone convinced that the heroes are all fighting “terrorists” and just plans to tell the world they died nobly. Lunatic bristles with anger at Maverick’s presence, but otherwise does nothing else.

Once the cooldown period ends, the two of them activate their powers and get down to business. They try attacking separately, but every blow is dodged and countered accordingly. Even a combined GOOD LUCK MODE assault fails to even put a dent in his suit. It’s a really one-sided fight until Kotetsu has a brilliant idea. He holds the android still while Barnaby takes the laser and shoots him. Kotetsu is SUPPOSED to dodge at the last second but…well…let’s talk about that later.

As soon as the android is defeated, the heroes stop sulking and threatening to push the button. The button would just kill them all anyways, according to the man with the clown nose, so that is definitely good! Before he can just blow them up (because no matter what, you know he was going to do that), Kaede busts out some icy goodness and freezes him in his tracks. Apparently breaking a computer with ice is equivalent to giving a command to turn off the collars. Everyone is home free!

It’s a glorious moment for everyone to reunite and get ready to face Maverick. That is, until Barnaby finds Kotetsu amongst the dust and destruction. If by “dodge” he meant “take a direct hit” then he did a superb job. Kotetsu has no choice but to confess that his powers have been declining, as that was the reason he couldn’t dodge properly. He smiles and thanks Barnaby for being his partner, even commenting on his luscious lashes before dying. He will never ever get to taste Barnaby’s fried rice, see Kaede graduate school or look at a picture of Tomoe again.

…With a Side Order of Fried Rice:

Ben did not appreciate the finer points of Saito’s Caramell Dansen rendition

A new meaning to “smokin’ hot abs”

The super-powered butter knife can be used for anything! Making sandwiches, cutting fruit, or attacking robots!

Is a criminal breaking into your house? BUTTER KNIFE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM

End Thoughts: Sunrise! *shakes fist in what is assumed to be their general direction* How could you do this?! I had seen some stray theories about a “bad” ending where Kotetsu dies, but didn’t expect it to really happen. Kotetsu is the life and blood of this show; the overwhelming favourite, the lovable underdog, the man who helped bring everyone in this show where they are today. It’s one thing to off the main character in the last episode, but doing so in the second last episode. Well, let’s just say 25 is going to be an extremely bumpy ride if that’s the case. Even if the heroes put Maverick in prison and maybe even shut down Hero TV, it won’t be a happy ending. Not with a dead Kotetsu.

Part of me is convinced he’ll come back in a cheesy, Tiger & Bunny-like fashion. Perhaps they’ll take him to a hospital or reveal he has the power to heal (and then Kaede copies it). It’s just hard to imagine Tiger & Bunny without, you know, TIGER. I’ll be looking forward to see what you nice comment-leaving people think of the matter: is he coming back, or has he kicked the bucket completely? Characters tend to come back after even the most convincing of deaths, so it’s impossible to tell.

I can’t even remember the rest of the episode aside from the pain of Kotetsu dying and finally admitting everything to Barnaby. They were just starting to get really close again too. The actual fighting was great, and I’m glad they showed off more Good Luck Mode teamwork (even if it IS just an aesthetic boost). However, I really didn’t need to see the poorly-scripted struggles of the heroes stuck in their superfluously spiked rooms. We get it, THE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP FIXES EVERYTHING. It was hard to take seriously, and seemed more like a method to stall for time.

The best parts that separated the fighting were Kaede’s big moment and Lunatic’s glaring. I knew Kaede would bust everyone out in a matter of time, but that didn’t make it any less triumphant of a moment. I hope Lunatic gets his time to shine too after all these shots of him giving dirty looks to Maverick. All that screentime better not be just to please the fans who like him while giving us the illusion that he is somehow doing something to help. At this point, Lunatic is still a villain who kills criminals. Shouldn’t he have, uh, reformed by now if the series is ending soon? I really wanted Kotetsu to imprint his morals on Lunatic so he could turn into a hero but that might not happen.

So with the robot beat, what’s left for episode 25? They have to take down Maverick somehow and get the Hero TV crew to regain their memories. The problem is, how do you face off against someone who can alter your memories just like that? He may not be able to drug them this time, but I don’t doubt the strength of his abilities. But is that wrinkly old mole going to be the final boss? Or will there be yet another Ouroboros member stepping in to provide yet another challenge? Now that the other heroes are free, maybe they’ll get a chance to shine. I’m looking at you, Origami Cyclone. You have a steel-cutting shuriken all this time and didn’t even use it, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Preview: The last episode is called Eternal Immortality, to make sure you know it’s the immortality of the eternal kind, not the one that expires after a few days. Wait, what.

*DEPRESSION*

About

A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
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26 Responses to “Tiger & Bunny – 24”

  1. Zabobinator says:

    Tiger can’t be dead. There’s no way! He’s the main character and the show sucks without him. He can’t die. That is all.

    *denial of the most severe sort*

    • Overcooled says:

      I really don’t know anymore. I’m on the fence. On one hand it’s Sunrise, on the other hand it’s the super corny Tiger & Bunny. Ahhh…*cries*

  2. Joojoobees says:

    Kicked the bucket. After they take down Maverick, they will end the series with a teary funeral. Lunatic will come around (at least to show how much he respected Tiger).

    • Overcooled says:

      I will cry at that funeral if it happens, my God. I’d better prepare myself now for an episode spent mourning his death.

  3. Elyon says:

    I KNEW IT! I knew fried rice was slang for sex!! Oh, Tiger and Bunny, you and your gay undertones~
    At first I thought there was no way they’d kill off Kotetsu, but then I remembered this is Sunrise. FFFFFFFF-

    • Overcooled says:

      Tumblr teaches me so many things. o_o

      Yeah, the fact that it’s Sunrise kind of terrifies me. They;re famous for this kind of stunt, but I…I don’t know what to believe…

  4. Junko says:

    ALL MY CREYS WHAT IS THIS?! Dear god I was having kittens while this all conspired.

    KAEDE, here’s an award for being no.1 kick ass kid of the season. You make a better hero than half the professionals.

    I am so ready for the next episode. Tissues equipped for potential tears of relief or utter agony.

    • Overcooled says:

      lol I know. I don’t think tissues will be enough for me, I’m just going to collapse T.T I need to form a support group in advance or something for when I’m done the episode XD

      Another vote cast for Kaede as a new Hero TV hero. KAEDE > EVERYONE.

  5. Kyokai says:

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! HE CAN’T DIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!! Do a hero miracle and come back, damn it!!! TT______TT

    The ending scenes were so bromance filled that I didn’t know to laugh or cry.

    TOO CLOSE, PAL! Your eyelashes are rather long….

    DUUUUUUUUUUDE! I just wish Lunatic kills Maverick and be done with it. Aaargh.

    • Overcooled says:

      I know *sniffles* I still want to believe that he might revive…! After all that precious BL material, HE CAN’T DIE

  6. Foshizzel says:

    Great episode! Well not so much Tiger and Bunny versus robo Tiger! That was a boring fight, but hey they had to recharge their powers…And Kaede! She was amazing as usual <3 I was cheering when she used those ice powers! GO KAEDE!

    Now for the sadness, I really don't want tiger to die in such a lame way! I mean it just made me think of DBZ when Goku does the same thing to save the world! Getting his chest blown out...

    Then again the other part of me doesn't want Tiger to just spring back to life like nothing happened, that just wouldn't feel "real" for me. Some character deaths in anime can make series great! Or it can cause them fail, I have seen so many shows in the past cop out and pull the everyone lives card.

    However I wouldn't hate this series if Tiger lives because it's just awesome with him! Without it would be boring.

    • Joojoobees says:

      Kaede would make a great team member, because she can double up the powers of any nearby hero. I think it would be tough for her to go solo, though. You never know when she might unwittingly run into one of those rejects from the first course (like the woman who sweats a lot).

    • Overcooled says:

      I thought the fight was kinda cool after they recharged their powers and started to finally work together. I got so many awesome screenshots from that part, it was impossible to choose!

      Him coming back to life now would be classic T&B cheese, but oh God, it would bring me so much relief. Yeah, it’d make the show less “real” but my fangirl attachment over a character simply rules over the part of my brain that wants a consistent, daring end to the anime. Because really, it WOULD be a better end if he ends up dead. Not many anime have the guts to kill the main character..like you said, it’s usually “LOL HAY GUYS, I WAS JUST ASLEEP~”

      As for Kaede as a new Hero. HELL YES. She could have practice sessions learning all of the hero’s skills so she has more control. Then it’s all double-teaming kickass from there on.

  7. Kencana says:

    “You have pretty eyelashes”
    O_o Is that a normal thing a guy said to another guy?

    I really like Kaede! she’s pretty badass and she’s even still 10!

  8. Snowley says:

    Title heroes don’t die. Right? Right?!

    There was one thing I didn’t like – Bunny’s armor in Tiger’s “dying” scene. It would look so much better if he removed that helmet. I’m just saing in estethical terms (or maybe due to CG hatered).

    Second time this season, I’m scared of how things gonna end *LikeInNo6* ekhem. Come on! T&B CANNOT end not cheesy.

    • Overcooled says:

      I don’t like how their heads look in the armour either. It makes Barnaby’s head look tiny next to Kotetsu, but that’s just because we only see part of it through the opening. :/ I’m just glad he flipped his visor up at all, otherwise that would have been REALLY lame.

      If every show I blog ends with a main character dying…Oh man…OH MAN…

  9. Kitty says:

    Omg, the lashes comment had be laughing so much I missed Kotetsu dying XDDDD I did not see that one coming, not even a hint.

    It was like Show ▼

    all over again!

    Kotetsu R.I.P <— hopefully not true!! Thou that next episode title is worrying me. Kaeda gurl you have kick ass, I really like that she was useless. But omg her bouncing up the stairs all happy going 'daddy daddy' ;_; stupid anime!!

    • Overcooled says:

      It was such a perfect last thing to say before fading out. OH THE IMPLICATIONS! Yes, it’s almost on par with the death of that great TTGL hero. If it’s true, it’s very depressing. D:

      I’m assuming you mean ‘useful’ so yes, yes she was. XD It was a pretty cruel trick to have everyone run in with high spirits, and then suddenly do a 180 when they saw Kotetsu lying in Barnaby’s arms. Kaede is traumatized for life now.

      • Kitty says:

        Omg yes I ment Useful. I’m sorry Kaeda, I realized afterwards there was no edit button XDDDD

        I think we know those implications are reality by now. Come on he was dying and talks about another guys lashes, this is why Kaeda is REALLY traumatized. lol.

  10. Anya says:

    LMAO I DIDN’T KNOW FRIED RICE WAS A SLANG FOR SEX!!!! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA XD

    To be honest I wasn’t that surprised when Tiger died, I mean, it’s Sunrise. The guys that made Gundam. You just KNOW they’re gonna kill off someone we like. Speaking of Gundams, YAY YAY YAY BEAM RIFLES AND GN SWORDO!

    Ouroboros is a large organization, killing mole-dude won’t stop them. Besides, he probably has an entire army of ugly androids to finish the heroes off (seriously, if you’re gonna make robots at least make them look cool). Who knows, maybe it’ll be a Code Geass Season 1 -ish troll ending XD

    • Overcooled says:

      The Tiger & Bunny fandom is teaching me SO MANY GLORIOUS THINGS!

      Yeah, Sunrise kills off favourite characters like no tomorrow. D: I’m still waiting until episode 25 to really believe it though. Cautious denial is the way to keep me sane for now.

      Yes, even if Maverick is silenced, he was only their partner in crime. Ouroboros will continue to commit crimes and go crazy. Maybe that will keep things opened for the rumoured season 2?

  11. Renn says:

    Count me in for those who votes Kotetsu is definitely not dead. As you said, what’s the point in killing him off in the penultimate episode? It would make a much bigger impact if it were the last one.

    Kaede was awesome! I don’t care if it’s corny for a 10-year-old to kick a thirty-something, big dude bodyguard; I love her as much as I love her dad. And I agree about Origami Cyclone. He has high-tech gear that we’ve never seen him use–terrible hero. Replace him with Kaede!

    Everything is a code word for sex nowadays. xD

    • Overcooled says:

      Revive him, then kill him again. THAT’LL DO THE TRICK. But seriously, if they’re gonna kill a main character, it has to be at the right time.

      I dunno, I think even I’d be pressed to defend myself against ANYONE with the ability to turn me into a mini iceberg. XD

      lol “hey baby, I wanna sekijitsu your metanorn ;D”

  12. Alynn says:

    Bawwing so much. KOTETSUUUUUU.

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