#cobramaru

Last time on SD Gundam Force, Deathscythe gave Tallgeese the Evil Sword Epyon with which to fight with, but his true goal was to create the Berserker Epyon.

Episode 32: Epyon’s Assault!

Okay, on top of a major crack forming (Looks like the Gundam Force Triple Attack did it), Captain scans the Berserker Epyon and determines he has the combined strength of not just Tallgeese, but the Griffin and Mercurius & Vayeate. And Epyon is hungry for more!

On the lower deck, Zapper’s gang have mixed feelings about the current situation. And by mixed, I mean everyone else is worried about Epyon, while Zapper wants to get back to cleaning.

Epyon goes on the attack, beating Zero away easily and putting the others on the defensive. Captain compares his speed and mobility to GunEagle. As the battle goes on, Zapper’s gang get pretty excited at seeing the Gundams get beaten. That’s when Genkimaru shows up to see what’s the matter. But when Epyon spots the kid Musha he makes him his next target.

Cobramaru senses the dangerous presence, and instantly breaks free of his stick prison. Meanwhile, Genkimaru flees from Epyon’s lunges, but soon finds himself cornered. But Cobramaru shows up to fend off Epyon, noting that he needs Genkimaru alive for his mission.

Not to be outdone, Bakunetsumaru fires off his Kenpu Tenkyo-Ken at Epyon. Shute tells him off, and Bakunetsumaru realizes that his attack could cause another crack to form- and indeed it does. As the Gundamusai rockets away from the crack, Zero fights Epyon. However’s he’s soon outmatched and facing down the business end of Epyon’s sword. However, Zero doesn’t despair, thinking back to Princess Rele. He will not be beaten here!

Zero’s conviction causes Fenn’s feather to glow, sending out a beam of light from his chest stone. That beam becomes a beacon, bringing a familiar face to the battle.

Fenn, the Feather Dragon!

Zero and Fenn merge, transforing the Knight Gundam into Zero Custom, Knight of Silver Wings. But this is just what Deathscythe wanted. He sent out the Evil Sword Epyon to find the Feather Dragon, and endangering Zero did just that. “All according to keikaku.”

Zero summons his Twin Buster Swords and does battle with Epyon. He does much better with Fenn’s power, but Epyon isn’t beaten yet. In Gundam Wing, the Epyon Gundam could turn into a Mobile Armor mode, which resembled a two-headed dragon. Berserker Epyon can also turn into two-headed dragon, and this one breaths tornados and lightning from each mouth!

Also, I like how instead of a light show, Epyon’s transformation is done by shifting his parts. It’s like he’s a Transformer, robots in disguise.

Deathscythe commands the Wyvern Epyon to bring him the Feather Dragon, and shows a bit of his true form. As Epyon grabs Zero with his claws, the magic sigil grows into a giant portal, and the Wyvern starts to push Zero through it. Captain orders RAIMI to take the Gundamusai into the magic circle, and while the ship complies, RAIMI notes that this is putting a lot of stress on the engines.

The other side of the portal is none other than the desolate kingdom of Lacroa. As they fly through the skies of his old home, Zero sees that there’s now a giant black forcefield over Lacroa Castle. And on a balcony is the petrified princess, Rele! And by her side of Deathscythe, who continually proves to be both a creep and a jerk by calling Zero, “The Feather Dragon that merged with Zero”

Epyon flies Zero away from the castle. As the Gundamusai follows, its engines start to give and the ship goes down. Zero wants to go save his princess, but Epyon is really insistent on getting his mid-Knight snack. As they fight, the Gundamusai tilts and swerves to avoid hitting rock formations. This causes Zapper’s Gang to fall off, along with Genkimaru! Seeing this, both Cobramaru and Bakunetsumaru jump off the ship after him, and that’s the last we’ll see of them for a few episodes.

Zero and Epyon continue their duel, but Zero clearly can’t concentrate and is put on the defensive. The Gundamusai finally completes its emergency-landing, and Captain orders the main cannons to shoot at Epyon. The cannon-fire gives Zero the opening he needs for his super-mode’s new attack, which comes with new stock footage.

“Super Spirit-Magic…"

“Infinity Winds!”

The attack destroys Epyon, causing him to explode into countless Mmns. So does that mean all spirits in Lacroa are made of Mmns? Are Mmns basically spirit molecules? Zero explains that spirits in Lacroa are never truly gone. Both Epyon and the Griffin have become Mmns and returned to the earth and forest, to be the life force of Lacroa.

As Fenn separates from Zero, the Winged Knight muses that at long last, he’s returned to save Lacroa.

This meeting takes place underground, since the Zako Soldiers fell off the Gundamusai. Since they don’t have their screen, visuals have to be provided by Zako projection.

The talk about Epyon, and how the Evil Sword Epyon absorbed Tallgeese and became the Berserker Epyon. The other Zako Chef from episode 8 skips by, gushing at how Tallgeese became a Gundam. Zako 3 wonders if the Berserker Gundam is a Gundam, or a spirit.

A Pawn Leo shows up to explain, since the Zakos are too dumb about Lacroa stuff to answer anything. On top of ticking off the hosts, Pawn Leo states that Epyon is both a Gundam and a spirit combined. But Zako 2 wonders how a Gundam and a spirit can be combined? Pawn Leo guesses that the spirits might also be made of Gundanium. The Zakos assume that the Feather Dragon, Griffin, and even the Mmns are technically Gundams too. Even they realize how strange that sounds, so Pawn Leo tells them to skip it, as clearly they aren’t smart enough to figure out the answer. This gets him the boot.

The power’s been out for three days now, and last night I wasted time watching one of the last two episodes of SDGF and when I paused to laugh to myself about the idea of a full size gundam suit clocking Zeong in the face while he’s trying to summon his lazer, it stopped on this frame, and this was all I could think of.

Last time on SD Gundam Force, Kibaomaru learned the Dark Axis was preparing to come to Ark, and left Tenchijou to protest. While he was gone, the Gundam Force successfully rescued Shute and Rele. But while they were doing that, Genkimaru turned himself in to free the humans!

Episode 46: The Tears of Cobramaru

Like I said, Genkimaru has come to free the humans in exchange for his surrender. It just so happens that Kibaomaru has just returned from his business trip, pleased to see the brat doing what he wants. Genkimaru ain’t feelin’ it, and demands Shute and Rele released.

Just then, Cobramaru shows up, trying to act all cool. But Kibaomaru ain’t feelin’ it. As far as he’s concerned, Cobramaru has pulled one L after another. Ergo, it’s downsizin’ town.

Upside the head!

Genkimaru protests this act of workplace violence, but can’t do any more than a token objection. Bakuhamaru takes time to mock the ninja for fall from grace, and Moukinmaru demands the ninja get out. But Cobramaru ain’t feelin’ it, he’s gonna bounce back from this humiliation and show them all!

At the Buriten Army Camp, the Gundam Force learn that Genkimaru went to Tenchijou. While Buritenmaru’s generals are quick at assume the brat turned traitor, Rele knows otherwise. She voices the opinion that Genkimaru must have felt guilty at the humans being captured on his behalf, and turned himself in for their freedom.

Lore is exchanged, and Bakunetsumaru is horrified that Genkimaru is the key to freeing Daishinshou. Shute is also amazed to hear that Genkimaru is Kibaomaru’s son, and wonders what could drive a child to want to kill his father. Shute’s a bright kid, but he’s also kind of naive. He has good parents, so the idea of a child hating his father doesn’t even register to him.

Speaking of unhealthy family, Kibaomaru takes Genkimaru to Daishinshou’s chamber, wanting to be transported into the giant Gundam’s sphere. Genkimaru is more concerned why ‘Shute and Rele’ are still playing shogi, unaware that they are illusions cast by the princess. Nice job, Rele. You crafted illusions so good they won’t stop!

As Genkimaru tries to get the ‘humans’ to notice him, a Nobusshi covertly notifies Kibaomaru about the whole ‘hostages escaped’ thing. Kibaomaru is quick to stop Genkimaru from touching the shadows, and demands he do the thing. Genkimaru insists that he free the hostages first, but Kibaomaru bluffs that if he did, Genkimaru would escape. Genkimaru counters that if Kibaomaru gained control of Daishinshou, all of Ark would be his prisoner, so why does it matter? Kibaomaru refuses to budge, and Genkimaru capitulates- after a hundred riceballs Genkimaru claims that his portal power requires energy, and he’s all tapped out. It’s clearly a bid for time, of course…

And what has Cobramaru been doing? Well, remember how Cobramaru Red called him Cobramaru Black? Turns out that refers to this secret weapon- the fabled Black Armor. Cobramaru figures that the Black Armor is his ticket to regaining his honor, but Kijuumaru steps in to point out that stealing isn’t honorable. Cobramaru’s argues that the Black Armor is the Cobra Ninja’s, so what’s the problem? Kijuumaru refutes that Cobramaru was exiled from Kibaomaru’s service, and Moukinmaru points out that this is clearly an act of desperation. Kijuumaru points out that while Cobramaru might be a ninja, he’s still just a disposable pawn. Cobramaru responds with the Quote of the Day;

“Even a pawn has its pride- and I am determined to recover mine.”

Cobramaru flies out, figuring that killing Buritenmaru should convince Kibaomaru to re-hire him.

Kibaomaru is distracted from watching Genkimaru devour his rice ball supply when Bakuhamaru reports what Cobramaru is doing. The two samurai watch as the ninja goes Leeroyyyy Jennnnkins on the Buriten Army. Cobramaru does yet another stock intro sequence, boasting that he is Kibaomaru’s strongest warrior.

Kibaomaru is outraged that Cobramaru is still calling himself one of the Kibao Clan when he was exiled. When Bakuhamaru comments on how disgrace Cobramaru’s actions, the warlord reminds him that he also screwed up with the whole hostage-guarding thing. 

While the adults are distracted, Genkimaru portals an empty plate into Daishinshou’s room, exposing the Shute and Rele there as illusions. So he’s going to escape, right…?

Meanwhile, Cobramaru continues to plow his way through the Buriten Army defense lines. That a ninja is making a frontal assault is noted to be unusual, which is a good sign of how desperate Cobramaru is. When he arrives at Buritenmaru’s compound, Cobramaru sees the humans and figures out they are illusions. 

Nonetheless, the Gundam Force step out to fight Cobramaru. When the ninja taunts them for ganging up on him, Bakunetsumaru takes that personally and decides to duel Cobramaru himself.

Cobramaru uses the Black Armor’s special power; the Mirror Transformation, and turns into a double of Bakunetsumaru! And not only does he look like him, he can even use his techniques. Bakunetsumaru is caught off-guard and beaten by his own Tenkyo-Ken.

Zero is next, and Cobramaru has already turned into the Winged Knight. Not only that, but he can even use magic like Zero does! That’s how powerful the Black Armor is. Worse, when they both use the Super Magical Violet Tornado, Cobramaru has his version filled not with petals, but ninja stars.

So that’s two Gundams down. It shows just how messed up Cobramaru is by being fired. If he were in his right state of mind, he could use the Black Armor to infiltrate the enemy and quietly take them down. But here he’s using his power like a cudgel.

Captain tries to fight, but Cobramaru doesn’t even bother with a transformation and overwhelms him with his speed and flight. With Captain taken care of, Cobramaru lunges for Buritenmaru.

But that’s when the Zakurello Gate opens up, and some sort of hi-tech pick-up truck comes out. The truck blocks Cobramaru, and a familiar face comes out from the carrier-

Entengo! He’s finalyl back, after being left in Neotopia in episode 27.

The truck, called Gunpanzer, has Chobirello and a mini Re-Equip Ring which Captain uses to regain his Option F flight thrusters.

Undeterred, Cobramaru tries another attack on Buritenmaru, but is fended off by Bakunetsumaru on Entengo. When Captain appears for a re-match, Cobramaru turns into a Captain clone.

At first, the two seem equally powerful, with matching V-Attacks. But when they both use the Captain Punch (Which now has new stock footage), Cobramaru is beaten- the Black Armor, which can copy Lacroix magic, can’t duplicate the Soul Drive, it seems.

The force of the Hyper Captain Punch destroys the Black Armor, and sends Cobramaru flying all the way to Tenchijou’s front door. Kibaomaru calls him out and reams him over for his transgressions. Cobramaru offers to do anything to make up it.

In the English dub, they tried to hide it, but let’s be real. Cobramaru becomes so ashamed of his failures that he decides to commit seppuku- ritualistic suicide. That’s a pretty heavy thing to show on TV, but a few episodes later…eh, I’ll talk about it then.

But Genkimaru ain’t feelin’ it, and stops Cobramaru. He thinks Cobramaru’s energy is wasted on Kibaomaru, and declares him a member of the Genki Energy Force. Before being taken inside the castle, Genkimaru gives Cobramaru a rice ball, since Ark hasn’t discovered ice cream yet. Gotta munch on something after a break-up.

Back at Buritenmaru’s compound, Gunpanzer is razzing the Gundam Force in a very familiar voice; Turns out it’s Gunbike’s AI transferred into a new vehicle. Buritenmaru is a little unsettled by Gunpanzer’s brusque attitude and tendency to do wheelies (which are even more dangerous now that he’s a truck), the two old veterans quickly bond over mutual talk of honor and dedication. As Shute says, all they need to do now is rescue Genkimaru and the war should be as good as over!

As the sun sets, and Tenchijou advances, Cobramaru tearfully eats his rice ball…

This meeting is all about the Cobra Ninjas.

In fact, there’s a rumor about a place called Cobra Village, where their Gundams practice the techniques we’ve since Cobramaru and his kin do. Busshis 2 & 3 want to learn those moves, but Busshi 1 explains that the training is very arduous, such as remaining still, not eating, and staying awaken for weeks at a time. But if you complete the training, you’ll get a Cobra Armor of your own.

Talk turns to Cobramaru’s Black Armor. The Black Armor is supposedly made of nano-skin, so its size can change. Unfortunately, the Black Armor was destroyed…except for the tail, which starts scaring the hosts! 

But Cobramaru figures he can still redeem himself with just that much…

“Even a pawn has its pride, and I am determined to recover mine.”

Never give me extra toys. They usually end up as some kind of repaint/ kit bash project.

In this case, it was a set of two SDGF figures that had been online for a while. One of them was a loose Cobramaru and it was pretty cheap so I grabbed it. You can never have too many ninjas.

I’ll save you the long, convoluted headcannon behind the reason why I made this and say I wanted a fem ninja to represent Cobramaru’s mom.

One thing I like about the SDGF figures is that they are put together with screws and it makes it easier to separate parts for painting. What I didn’t know is that the Cobramaru figure also has a separate part for the eyes.

(sorry the pictures from my phone are bad)

Lot easier to not get paint all over the place.

Next I used some epoxy putty to reshape the body. I wanted to give her more of a bust and sort of a kimono look. The epoxy putty was more of the kind for quick household repairs so I didn’t have a lot of time to shape it before it got hard.

So now painting time. I looked around online for kimono designs and settled on this one.

So... um... yeah. It didn’t come out exactly like shown. Painting small details like that accurately is super hard even with trying small brushes and fine point pens.

Overall, I still think it turned out okay and it was a fun project to do. I decided to call her Yasuragi.

I was going to leave her helmet grey but thought it would be better repainted black.

Secret Santa gift for @blazeraptor