It has been 6 months when this show Bima Satria Garuda was broadcasted in RCTI. When i first saw it's trailer, i was amazed and i believe that this program would be awesome. Bima was not the first tokusatsu series made by the Indonesians. There were many tokusatsu online shows produced as independent shows. But it was Bima which became the first mainstream tokusatsu program made by the Indonesians. And when i learned that it was made with the collaboration of Ishimori Productions, from that moment on, i already knew that this show would be awesome. Now let us go with the review.
A.The Plot.
The story of Bima Satria Garuda begins in the Dunia Paralel ("Parallel World"), a world which is ruled by VUDO Empire and is on the verge of collapse. The Parallel World is a world that lives in perpetual darkness, where nature has no source of life because of VUDO's ambitions for power. Rasputin is the evil and cruel lord of VUDO. He wants to find another world, to seize its natural resources to revive the Parallel World and expand VUDO's powers. Two scientists (which happens to be the parents of the Bramasakti and Iskandar children) on Earth manages to create a portal that connects the Earth and other galaxies, which on VUDO's advantage finally reveal a target world that can be seized.
Ray Bramasakti is given the Power Stone Merah ("Red") from a mysterious young man named Mikhail to stop Rasputin and VUDO's evil attempts to take over Earth. By possessing the Power Stone Merah, Ray has the power to transform into Bima, the Garuda Knight. Randy Iskandar and his sister Rena are Ray's foster family who become involved in Ray's fight against malicious activities of Rasputin and VUDO.
B1.The Characters
Ray Bramasakti/Bima, the "Satria Garuda" ("Garuda Knight"), protagonist and super hero in this series. Kind, quiet, humble, and with noble principle, Ray is an orphan who lived with his two foster families, Randy and Rena. Ray works in the Satria Motors autoshop. He possess the Power Stone Merah ("Red") acquired from Mikhail and uses it to save Earth from VUDO's attacks. The Power Stone Merah can transform him into Bima, the Garuda Knight which has the power of the Garuda: agility, focus, and strength; wielding the red-blue garuda saber Helios (Sun) which can transform into Helios Blaster bow. But Ray is also struggling with his refusal to assume responsibility and power as Bima because he does not want to endanger his beloved foster family. Ray is portrayed by Christian Loho.
Randy Iskandar, Rena's brother, Ray's foster brother, and the owner of the Satria Motors autoshop. Randy acts as a friend and an unlikely father figure for Rena and Ray. He also is Ray's best friend since school and know of Ray's struggle as Bima; being Ray's sparring partner and occasional side-kick; always lifting Ray's spirit to defend Earth from VUDO's invasion. He inherited considerable wealth from his parents who disappeared in his childhood. Randy is portrayed by Rayhan Febrian.
Rena Iskandar, the younger sister of Randy, a student, and also Ray's foster sister. Rena behaves naïve and innocent, and always tends to be careless and unlucky, always wants to help Ray but instead always get into trouble because of VUDO. Rena has great respect for Ray and Randy, but actually has feelings for Ray. Rena is portrayed by Stella Cornelia of JKT48.
Mikhail, a mysterious young man from Parallel World. Mikhail fled a VUDO warship carrying the Power Stone Merah. He does not communicate much with humans and only communicates with Ray telepathically. Mikhail is then revealed to be Reza Bramasakti, Ray's long lost brother who thought to be dead 21 years prior the start of the saga. However Mikhail is unwillfully transformed into a Ksatria Kegelapan ("Dark Knight") named Azazel by Rasputin's Power Stone Hitam ("Black"), stripping his humanity away to serve VUDO and invade Earth. Mikhail is portrayed by Adhitya Alkatiri.
Paman Iwan ("Uncle" Iwan), a kind relative of Professor Andri Iskandar who took care of Ray, Randy and Rena after their parents disappeared. Uncle Iwan is a very patient person despite always appear bald with glasses and big eating appetite. Uncle Iwan is portrayed by Abio Abie.
B.2 VUDO Empire
Rasputin, evil lord of VUDO Empire, owner of the deadly Power Stone Hitam ("Black"). He comes from the Parallel World and wants to invade Earth to take over the oxygen, water, energy, and oil to give life back to the Parallel World. Rasputin appears from Episode 02 and is portrayed by Sutan Simatupang.
Topeng Besi ("Iron Mask"), right hand man of Rasputin and the Panglima ("Commander") of VUDO who possesses the Power Stone Biru ("Blue"). Topeng Besi is a mysterious figure who wears steel armor covering his entire body and is armed with destroyer claws on his gauntlet. Topeng Besi appears from Episode 01 onwards and is voiced by Heru Setiadi.[3]
Azazel, VUDO Empire's Champion Ksatria Kegelapan ("Dark Knight") who fights for Rasputin. Azazel wields the dark garuda saber Taranis (Thunder), which is similar to Bima's Helios saber and can transform into the Taranis Blaster bow.
VUDO Soldiers/Kombatan, Rasputin's foot soldiers derived from the bones of the dead, given life by Rasputin's magic power.
Grand Gator, VUDO Empire's ultimate weapon-machine to conquer Earth. Shrouded by mystery upon its mention by Rasputin himself, this ultimate weapon can only be awaken by combining all seven of VUDO's Power Stones, including "Shadow Crisis" elite officer's Power Stones, energized by their hatred after their deaths.
B.2.1 VUDO Monsters
VUDO's monsters are VUDO combatant officers that gains power from absorbing the soul of humans.
Lizarion, the lizard monster, can crawl on walls and elongate his arms to attack its prey.
Gremontis, the toad monster, armed with a magic staff, has the power to manipulate human mind to do its commands through hypnosis, ultimately to commit suicide.
Aracnofus, the spider monster, the agile monster armed with spears and spider web.
Octopoda, the octopus monster, sprays a blinding ink.
Valcus, the electric scorpion monster, armed with twin swords and sharp blades, can destroy human senses by powerful electric-shock from its tail-sting.
Gills, the cobra monster with venomous staff and fangs.
Megalodon, the shark monster, armed with a pair of cannon on his shoulder.
B.2.2 Shadow Crisis
The Shadow Crisis Ultimate Four quartet is a group of elite VUDO officers with the sole mission to kill Bima and retrieve the stolen Power Stones back to activate Grand Gator machine. They do not need to absorb human soul because of their innate strength from VUDO's Power Stones. Shadow Crisis appears from Episode 18.
Zacros, the goat monster, armed with a horned spear, has the magic power from Power Stone Ungu ("Purple") to create a world of illusion and manipulate dreams.
Karax, the raven monster, armed with a long sword, capable of flying and has the power from Power Stone Putih ("White") to shoot sharp feathers imbued with explosive ice magic.
Vargulf, the wolf monster, armed with a great sword and a destructive roar, has the power from Power Stone Hijau ("Green") which gave him enormous physical power on land.
Velifer, the bat monster, strongest officer among the Shadow Crisis, armed with double-sided spears and ability to summon VUDO monster ghouls. Velifer has the power from Power Stone Kuning ("Yellow") which gave him paralysing thunder shout power.
B.3 Supporting Characters
Professor Rudy Bramasakti, Ray's father. Together with Professor Andri Iskandar created a inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth and Parallel World, revealing Earth to VUDO as a target for conquest. Rudy, his wife Risha and his youngest son Reza died in the event of Topeng Besi's assault, 21 years prior the arrival of Mikhail, leaving Ray as the sole survivor. His phantom appeared to Mikhail as he is held captive in Rasputin's prison; appears in Episode 01 and 16. Professor Rudy Bramasakti is portrayed by Gito Gilas,
Professor Andri Iskandar, Randy and Rena's father who disappeared with his wife. Together with Professor Rudy Bramasakti created an inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth and Parallel World. Professor Andri and his wife adopted Ray after the death of his family. Andri mysteriously disappeared with his wife, leaving Randy, Rena, and Ray in the care of Paman Iwan. He appears with his wife in flashbacks. Professor Andri Iskandar is portrayed by Edi Rahmat.
Risha Bramasakti, Ray's mother. Risha died in the event of Topeng Besi's assault, 21 years prior the arrival of Mikhail. She appears in Episode 01 and 16 when her phantom appeared to Mikhail as he is held captive in Rasputin's prison; . Risha Bramasakti is portrayed by Cinta Dewi.
Fira Iskandar, Randy and Rena's mother who disappeared along with her Husband. She appears with her Husband in flashbacks. Fira Iskandar is portrayed by Febrie Key.
Noir, the "Bima Legend" Knight. A mysterious figure from Parallel World who dons a black cape and clutches three suzu bells. He possess the power of "Dark Zar" which can teleport him between worlds. Noir is portrayed by Japanese pop singer Gackt, who appears as a guest star in Episode 21 and 22, and guest voice in Episode 20.
C.My Personal Insight
Within the 26 episode run of this program, i have noticed a lot of things. The suit reminds me of Guyferd because of it's color. When Azazel made his debut, it reminds me of Deathferd. Those two are also comparable with Kamen Rider Ryuki and his evil counterpart Ryuga. The storyline is also parallel with that of Guyferd with the rivalry of Bima and Azazel.
Being a joint production with Ishimori Productions, there are a lot of Kamen Rider elements in the show. The choice of monsters, the mood of the story and the characters are parallel with characters in some Kamen Rider programs particularly with Bima and Azazel's rivalry which is very parallel with that of Shadowmoon and Kamen Rider Black. Shadow Crisis is also an obvious manifestation of Kamen Rider element which is a combination of Shadowmoon and Crisis Empire. The 2-part episode format of Bima is reminiscent of the old Showa-Kamen Rider series especially the first Kamen Rider.
About the effects, stunt choreography, script writing and storyline, Bima is topnotch. Despite it's short run, the show is not disappointing. But by watching the final episode, it looks like the show is far from over. Topeng Besi is revealed to be alive and is on his way to lead Vudo after killing Rasputin. Topeng Besi was revived by some sort of mysterious being which will play a big role in the probable second season of Bima.
After watching Bima, i just can't help but compare it with the Philippines' attempt of making a tokusatsu show named Zaido by GMA 7. The said program could have obtained the collaboration of Toei and may become a good show if only the script was good and the storyline met the standards of a genuine tokusatsu programs. The Philippines wasted the chance of making a good tokusatsu program because of bad writing. Despite this disaster, Bima Satria Garuda is still an inspiration. It proves that good programs could be done if only one shall do their best, unleash the creative spirit and have the courage to try new things.
Over all, Bima Satria Garuda is indeed a good program and i would highly recommend it to all tokusatsu fans out there.
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