SATRIA GARUDA BIMA-X REVIEW (By Guyferd20)

          It has been a year since i watched the sequel of Bima Satria Garuda which is Satria Garuda Bima X. I am very much satisfied with watching the first season of the said program which is a collaboration of RCTI of Indonesia and Ishimori Productions of Japan which is also the company behind the Kamen Rider series. It's creator and executive producer Reino Barack really did a good job on his first series. Now let us go to the review of this show. 

I . Story

       The story of Satria Garuda BIMA-X starts after the first season, which tells the story ofDunia Paralel ("Parallel World") ruled by the Kingdom of VUDO, and the failed effort of its evil ruler, Rasputin, to take over the Earth's resources to feed his power ambitions and to prevent further planetary destruction of Parallel World. Rasputin was defeated by the combined power of two Satria Garuda ("Garuda Knight") brothers, BIMA and Azazel. After Rasputin's defeat, enter a mysterious godly figure as the new ruler of VUDO who holds the title of Black Lord. Ray Bramasakti must use all his strength as Satria Garuda BIMA with his brother, Reza, the Satria Garuda "Azazel" to protect Earth and mankind from the evil forces of the new VUDO.

The Seven Power Stones Saga

"Power Stones" are the source of power of the VUDO Empire. With unknown origins, Powerstones possess a latent force that can interact with their owners through a "Changer", giving their owner the power of a "Satria", the legendary hero who protects the Earth from time to time. The seven Power Stones have been contested by the rulers VUDO, either by Rasputin or the Black Lord in VUDO's invasion mission to Earth.

• Power Stone Merah ("Red"), owned by Ray Bramasakti, possessing the power of fire that transforms its owner into Satria "BIMA", the Satria Garuda armed with Heliossword. Powerstone Merah was destroyed during the battle with VUDO's new forces, but Ray's determination have awaken the hidden power of Powerstone Merah, giving the Powerstone a new power that can transform Ray into Satria Garuda "BIMA-X Flame".
• Power Stone Hitam ("Black"), formerly owned by Rasputin, the supreme commander of VUDO's forces. Possessing the power of darkness, it was embedded by Rasputin into Reza Bramasakti's body, giving him the power of Azazel, the Dark Knight armed with the dark Garuda sabre Taranis.
• Power Stone Biru ("Blue"), formerly owned by Topeng Besi, VUDO's warlord and the right-hand man of Rasputin, VUDO's supreme commander. Powerstone Biru possesses the power of the Wind.
• Powerstone Hijau ("Green"), possesses the power of Earth.
• Powerstone Oranye ("Orange", formerly known as "Kuning"), possesses the power of thunder that transforms its owner into Satria "Torga", the Harimau ("tiger") Satria accompanied by the golden tiger Atlas.
• Power Stone Ungu ("Purple"), possesses the power of Magnetic wave.
• Power Stone Putih ("White"), possesses the power of Ice.

Synthetic Power Stones

      In addition to the seven Power Stones, enters the Synthetic Power Stones, a product of duplication machine created by Rexor, VUDO's leading scientist and leader of the Death Phantoms trio. Synthetic Powerstones are implanted into Black Lord's monster subordinates, and though not as strong as the true Power Stones, has given Black Lord's monsters powerful strength which exceeds Rasputin's.

II Main Characters

Here are the main character of the Satria Garuda Bima X series:

• Ray Bramasakti / "BIMA-X" the red Satria Garuda, superhero and main protagonist in this series. Kind, quiet, humble, and noble, young Ray was chosen to possess the mysterious power stone Merah ("Red") from Parallel World. After driving away the forces from Rasputin helped by his younger brother Reza, Ray returns to defend Earth once more now transforming into the more powerful "BIMA X". Ray is portrayed by  Christian Loho.

• Reza Bramasakti / "Azazel", Ray's younger brother who had been kidnapped as a child by VUDO and separated away for 21 years from his brother. Reza grew up in the Parallel World by the name Mikhail, but his strong identity as a human pushed him to stole the Power Stone Merah and escape to Earth to find a person who can save the Earth from VUDO's ambitions. Reza was transformed into "Azazel", VUDO's championKsatria Kegelapan ("Dark Knight"), after being brainwashed and given the strength of the Power Stone Hitam by Rasputin, VUDO's evil ruler. After the defeat of Rasputin, Reza have reunited with Ray and his adoptive family, joining forces with Ray as theSatria Garuda duo, ready to protect Earth and mankind. Reza is portrayed by Adhitya Alkatiri.

• Randy Iskandar, Rena's brother, Ray's adoptive family, the bread-winner of the Iskandar and Bramasakti family who runs "Satria Motors" autoshop. Randy's temperament makes him a fatherly figure and protective older brother for Rena and Ray. He is also a childhood friend of Ray and knows about Ray's struggle as "BIMA". Randy also inherited considerable wealth from his missing parents. Randy is portrayed by Rayhan Febrian.

• Rena Iskandar, younger sister of Randy, Ray's foster sister, and a resourceful student who likes to cook. Rena has great respect for Ray and Randy, but actually has feelings for Ray. Rena had found out about Ray's secret alter-ego as BIMA after being rescued several times by BIMA from VUDO's attack. Although not proficient at martial arts, Rena is a brave girl who joins in fights against VUDO's evil missions with his beloved family. Rena is portrayed by Stella Cornella who is a former JKT48 member.

• Dimas Akhsara / "Master" / Satria Harimau Torga, the figure behind Aksara Corporation, the largest and most technologically advanced company in Indonesia. Dimas have been chosen by Orange Powerstone after VUDO's offensive. Dimas emerges from training under Glitter Torga and transformed into Satria Harimau Torga to fight alongside BIMA-X and Azazel against VUDO's forces. Dimas fights with an agile and powerful fighting style of Tiger. Although born in a rich family and became the only heir and leader of Akhsara dynasty, Dimas believes that his destiny is to use his wealth and power for the happiness of others. Dimas is portrayed by Fernando Surya.

• Ricca, Ricca, a mysterious girl who works as an assistant for the Akhsaras, a conglomerate family and owner of Aksara Corporation. Ricca is a girl with a very broad knowledge and insight. Ricca is portrayed by Thalia who is a member of JKT48.

II. Antagonists

Vudo

• Black Lord, a mysterious powerful figure who wants to rule the Earth. Previously holds the title of Black Priest, he is the new ruler of Parallel World who became theBlack Lord of VUDO. After the fall of Rasputin who betrayed him by stealing the seven true Powerstones in an internal power struggle, he now holds a stronger grip of power upon VUDO's forces.

• Neo Topeng Besi ("Neo Iron Mask"), former Commander of the kingdom of VUDO and a steel armor magically animated by Rasputin, VUDO's fallen ruler. Topeng Besi had served Rasputin as the Supreme Commander of VUDO's troops, and was destroyed after a decisive battle with BIMA, but was later given a new life by the mysterious Black Priest. Topeng Besi ended the life of the injured Rasputin, and declared the Black Priest as the new ruler of VUDO. Topeng Besi died again after betrayed by Draconer in another internal power intrigue, only to be mysteriously resurrected again in a new form, now possessing an ever growing dark power. It was later revealed that he was actually the original Satria Harimau Torga who was banished to the Parallel World because of his ambition to defeat Bima Legend. He later gained a transformation device similar to Torga and and a Synthetic Power Stone which enables him to transform into Evil Torga. He also has a mechanical tiger named Titan. 

• VUDO Soldiers / Kranion, combat troopers of VUDO and soldiers of Black Lord armed with stun rods.

Death Phantoms

        Death Phantoms trio are the true followers of Black Lord and serves as his enforcers. They are sent to Earth disguised as humans to carry out missions on behalf of the Black Lord.

• Rexor / Reza Alamsyah, leader of the Death Phantoms. Donning the tyrannosaur mask, Rexor is a monster disguised as a minister of Research and Conservation of Natural Resources.

• Lady Mossa / Amestina Seraphine, donning the mosasaurus mask and disguised as a gems entrepreneur woman. Amnestina accesses the information and discovery of new natural resources under the guise of her gems business.

• Draconer / Chris Ruslan, donning the pterodactyl mask, disguised as a young journalist to reach the Earth news network and the latest information on Earth.

Shadow Crisis

The proud officers of VUDO's former supreme leader Rasputin. Two elite officers of Shadow of Crisis have now been mysteriously revived and serves Topeng Besi who has come back to life.

• Zacros, the goat monster, skilled and crafty with his Zacros Lance horned spears and is a master of magic which can create teleportation doors and manipulate dreams.

• Karax, the arrogant crow monster armed with Crow Sword. Karax can shoot his enemies down with sharp explosive feathers.

Vudo Monsters

Black Lord's monsters are VUDO combat officers who are powered by Rexor's implanted Synthetic Powerstone.

• Proteus, the komodo dragon monster, can fire energy blasts as well as deadly poison and uses his extendable left arm as whip and spear.

• Bachyura, the crab monster, has a strange power that can create earthquakes and attacks with electric pincer on his right arm

• Azellot, the bee monster, master swordman of VUDO armed with fencing sword in his left arm, and the deadly bee stinger edge attack.

• Zoik, the isopod monster, always feel hungry and will eat anything visible, even assessing the delicacy of his eaten objects.

• Raflesian, the raflesia monster, armed with a whip and can clone herself whenever she wanted, rendering her to seem immortal.

• Guiro, the armadillo monster, always fought with hand-to-hand martial arts, he can furl his body into an iron ball to attack and has impenetrable armor skin.

• Magna, the rhinoceros monster, armed with the Magna Hammer and a powerful ram, the physically strongest monster with a super strong metal as its skin.

• Nermean, the lion monster, armed with sword and a master of flame sorcery, king's roar and blue poison flame, and the illusion spell mirrors crossing.

• Super Kranion, the kranion monster, a new breed of monster with a physical strength that exceeds other Kranion soldiers in general. Made after inserting a Synthetic Power Stone to a human being.

III. Supporting Characters

                          

Here are the supporting characters of Satria Garuda Bima X:

• Glitter BIMA, the patron spirit of Satria Garuda, Glitter BIMA's spirit appeared to guide the Satria Garuda brothers. Voiced by Nanang Kuswanto.

• Glitter Torga, the patron spirit of Satria Harimau, the spirit that guides "Master" / Dimas Akhsara to practice and become a Satria. Voiced by Julian Widjaja.

• Ati Carlotta, Rena's old friend who achieved her dream of becoming a famous television star with a mysterious power that permeates from her green bracelet. Fearing to losing her fame, Ati doesn't want to separate with the mysterious power. Ati Carlotta is portrayed by Abel Chantika.

• Bu Miranti ("Mrs. Miranti"), business owner of the most delicious dragon fruit orchard in Indonesia. Everything changed when monsters start attacking his plantation with an unknown reason. Mrs. Miranti is portrayed by Riana Puspasari.

• Tom Malkis, a reporter who fills the position of Chris Ruslan (Draconer) as a news anchor for TV news. To gain the recognition of his colleagues, Tom ignored danger, pursuing news coverage of a fallen meteorite, which is actually the terrible "Phantom Weapon". Tom Malkis is portrayed by James Leoreen Purba.

• Tsugi, the loyal butler of Dimas Akhsara. Tsugi's life was saved by Dimas in the great chaos that ensued during the battle with Rasputin's Grand Gator machine in Jakarta. Tsugi is also the personal bodyguard of Dimas and a master of martial arts. Tsugi is portrayed by Sugishima who is also a suit actor in the series.

• Professor Rudi Bramasakti, father of Ray and Reza, a scientists who invented an inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth and the Parallel World, showing VUDO a new world to conquer. It is said that Rudi and his wife, Risha, who was originally believed to have died, actually fled to the Parallel World to escape from VUDO's forces. Rudi and his wife communicates with Ray and Reza only through hologram messages they left in Parallel World machineries. Rudi is portrayed by Gito Nusantoro.

• 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.

• Risha Bramasakti, wife of Professor Rudy Bramasakti and the mother of Ray and Reza. Risha who was originally believed to have died, actually fled with her husband to Parallel World to escape from VUDO's forces without ever returning to Earth. Risha is portrayed by Siti Dewi Rahmawat 

• Fira Iskandar, Randy and Rena's mother who disappeared along with her Husband.  Fira Iskandar is portrayed by Febrie Key.

• 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. Professor Andri Iskandar is portrayed byEdi Rahmat.

• Rasputin, former supreme commander of VUDO Empire forces defeated by BIMA and Azazel. Since his defeat, his spirit is now lost between Parallel World and the real world, still holding a grudge on his enemies. Rasputin is portrayed by Sutan Simatupang.

IV. Guest Characters

- 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.

- Kou, a mysterious traveler on the Parallel World who later on helps Reza during his travel in the same world and grants additional power to Ray. He is capable of transforming into a dragon like creature called Satria Naga. Kou was portrayed by Tetsuo Kurata who is famous for his character role Kamen Rider Black and Black RX. 

V. Insights

Just like it's first season, this show met my expectations of a great tokusatsu show. The special effects, fight scenes and storyline is of superior quality. There are just a few differences on how it's sequel was executed. First, there were few monsters used for every two-parter episodes and there are times that the same monster is used. But despite the lack of monsters, the other episodes were used to explain key points of the story itself. Like for example, the true plan of Black Lord, the origin of Topeng Besi and other important key elements. For me, it made the audience understand better the flow of the story and it's important elements. Second, more Kamen Rider reference were used in the show itself. The Death Phantoms were a direct homage to the 3 Daishinkans/High Priests of Gorgom in Kamen Rider Black. The Death Phantoms also have monster forms aside from their attire as priests which they later on use to fight with the 3 Satrias. Topeng Besi was also modified in this series from his original role in Bima Satria Garuda. He became a Dark Satria which is a direct homage to Shadow Moon for being a evil rider and to Birugenia who is a rebel warrior of Gorgom. His transformation from Topeng Besi to Evil Torga also have some reference to Kamen Rider Kabuto whenever the characters do a "cast off". Even the guesting of Tetsuo Kurata was epic as well. During his transformation from Kou to Satria Naga, it was clearly seen that his transformation resembles that of Kamen Rider Black RX. About the Power Stones, they could be seen also as homage to Kamen Rider OOO's Core Medals. About the similarities, the final episode shows how the hopes of the people strengthen the heroes which led them to defeat Black Lord who is their final enemy. It was however dramatic when Reza died after his sacrifice to defeat Black Lord. But over all, the entire series was executed well. Reino Barack did a great job on doing the show. Just like it's first series, i would highly recommend Bima X to all toku fans out there.