 This article is about an episode in Kamen Rider Kuuga.
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Strengthening (強化, Kyōka) is the twenty-fourth episode of Kamen Rider Kuuga. It features the debut of Kuuga's Rising Titan, the first of the upgraded versions of Kuuga's four basic forms.
Synopsis[]
With his powers uncontrollable and Me·Garima·Ba unable to be defeated on his own, Yuusuke tries to figure out the means to master and control the growing power within Kuuga.
Plot[]
Yusuke’s sword glows gold for a brief moment and lengthens as he fights. Gouram then appears and attaches itself to the Try Chaser 2000. He then rams the motorcycle into Unidentified Lifeform 36, but she manages to heal the blow and escape as Gouram falls into pieces around the Try Chaser 2000. Due to the timing of the shocks, Yusuke thinks he understands how to use them to gain more power, and then wonders if Sakurako managed to decipher anything about it. Ichijo tells him that Sakurako was worried. Yusuke says he may need time to figure out how to get the power and may need Enokida’s help.
Johnan University Archaeology Department, 1:46 p.m.
Sakurako pores over the runes as a radio report of ULF 36 plays over the radio.
As Ichijo prepares to leave, Sugita tells him that they have no leads on where ULF 36 went, but Ichijo notices that she left witnesses instead of the previous Gurongi, who killed everybody nearby, leading him to believe that the version of the game that ULF 36 is playing has different rules. Sugita agrees and decides to run background checks on the victims. Ichijo then gets a call from Tsubaki, who finished the autopsies on ULF 36’s victims. The victims didn’t realize that they had been killed until later. Ichijo responds that it’s the first time they have used weapons, and Tsubaki asks him how Yusuke is doing. Ichijo tells him that he went over to Sakurako’s.
Johnan University Archaeology Lab, 2:06 p.m.
Yusuke arrives and offers to eat Sakurako’s lunch after he notices that she didn’t touch it. He eats it and tries to talk to her, causing his speech to be muffled, which makes her laugh. He comments a moment later that she’s finally smiling, and then asks her if she made progress in deciphering the runes. After she stays silent when he asks, he requests that she be honest with him, since they’re both friends. She then shows him the translation about the sacred fountain and the sun being buried in darkness. She isn’t sure what it means, but the translation worries her. Yusuke reassures her that it will be fine, and she decides to trust him.
Metro PD Joint Task Force Office, 2:41 p.m.
Ichijo goes over what each of the victims had on them when they died and notices that 16 of the 41 victims were carrying a particular lighter despite 12 of them not carrying cigarettes. A message on the side of it advertised an opening sale, and Ichijo and Sugita decide to go and investigate it.
Me·Garima·Ba clutches her side in pain as La·Doldo·Gu reminds her that the time to complete her Gegel is running out. Ra-Bariba-De then arrives and taunts that a Me player like her cannot kill Kuuga. She tells the duo to shut up and watch her finish the game.
Johnan University Archaeology Department, 3:08 p.m.
Sakurako, who is visibly cheered up, tells Jean that she will try her best, and heads out to do research.
In Chiyoda Ward, 3:14 p.m.
An employee tells Ichijo and Sugita that the lighter was given out near the entrance of Ochanomizu Station, from 7:00 A.M. until the afternoon. Ichijo remembers that 11 of the victims had passes for the Sobu Line and that the station was part of the line.
Chiba: National Research Institute of Police Science, 3:46 a.m. (as erroneously labeled)
Upon hearing Yusuke’s request, Enokida shows him to a room that she believes will be perfect for what he’s trying to do.
In Shibuya Ward, 3:53 p.m.
Unidentified Lifeform 36 bypasses a mother and her daughter in favor of striking down and killing a woman walking nearby.
Sakurako visits a library.
In Taito Ward, 4:18 p.m.
Ichijo and Sugita interview a relative of a victim, who tells them that his brother may have used the Sobu Line. They then get a call from another officer, who tells them that the new victim used the Sobu Line and before ULF 36 attacked, recognized her. Ichijo then deduces that all the victims took the 10:57 Sobu Line train bound for Chiba from Ochanomizu Station.
Chiba: National Research Institute of Police Science, 5:21 p.m.
Enokida watches Yusuke experiment with the handle of the Try Chaser 2000 and excitedly tells her that he believes that he’s figured something out.
Bunkyo Ward: Pole Pole, 5:32 p.m.
Minori arrives as Nana and Tamasaburo wash dishes. Tamasaburo switches on the TV, which is in the middle of an emergency broadcast warning everybody who was on the train with ULF 36. The police then get news of ULF 36, and Yusuke starts going to the location.
Kanto Medical University Hospital, 6:01 p.m.
Tsubaki hears the broadcast and realizes that Sakurako may have boarded the car with Unidentified Lifeform 36 when she visited him earlier. Unidentified Lifeform 36 then appears in front of Sakurako, who then flees. Unidentified Lifeform 36 manages to catch up to her, but Yusuke manages to arrive just before she attacks. Yusuke then transforms into Titan Form and battles her as Ichijo arrives. After a moment of fighting, Yusuke channels the power of the shocks and transforms Titan Form’s armor into a version with gold trim. He then impales Unidentified Lifeform 36 with his sword, which also changed into a golden version and kills her.
Cast[]
to be added
Form Changes[]
To Be Continued
(Rising Titan ver.)
- Kuuga - Titan Form, Rising Titan
Errors[]
- to be added
Notes[]
Yusuke feasting on a McDonald's burger.
- This episode aired alongside Mirai Sentai Timeranger
episode 22, Case File 22: Pink Temptation. - Viewership: 10.7%
- Unlike episodes 20, 21, 22 and 23, this episode shows a lightning and flash in the closing screen. This indicates Kuuga managed to control and gain his Rising forms and it's subsequently used in later episodes which focus on Kuuga's Rising forms.
- Yusuke can be seen eating a McDonald's meal in this episode.
- This episode aired on two days after the release of the 2000 live-action film adaptation of X-Men.
Digital Releases[]
- Kamen Rider Kuuga DVD Volume 6 features episodes 21-24.
- Kamen Rider Kuuga Blu-ray Volume 2 features episodes 17-33.[1]
