Episodes 41-43 introduce the two final DARK Destructoids (Red Mine Toad and Skeleton Flying Squirrel) and turn the remaining side stories on quick spin so that everything can run its course properly. That's not to say that anything is rushed out the door, it's just that so much happens near the end of this series that the previously confined episodic nature (of the majority) of the show is all but forgotten. These aren't short-dose story arcs with happy wrap-ups, they're the final countdown to what we've been waiting for the whole time: Jiro vs. DARK at their own base. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that the final expressions on all the characters are priceless, and Ando Mitsuo (Professor Gill) really outdoes himself in the end.

Since it's better to leave the details alone for anyone that hasn't seen the final act yet (and especially for those that haven't seen any of KIKAIDA yet), this space might be more appropriately used as a reflection on the series as a whole. Without a doubt, this is one of the finest henshin shows of all time. The amount of heart that was put into the series, coupled with its on-point sense of humor and ability to execute fun action sequences week after week, make for 43 episodes that you'll want to come back to time and time again. I couldn't imagine a finer cast for KIKAIDA, and the rogue's gallery of DARK Destructoids only got more and more ridiculous as the series went on. From the "Rocksteady" antics of Gray Rhino King to the absurd squawking of Skeleton Flying Squirrel, it never got old to see them all tumbling down a hill towards their fiery destruction.

And what about Hakaida? Professor Gill? Gold Wolf? There are too many memorable things about KIKAIDA to wax nostalgic over in this confined space. Maybe I'm not taking this as well as I thought! It's over and I am inconsolable (cue overdramatic, sweeping orchestra).

Aside from the last episodes, this disc also features the 3D Theatrical Featurette - SUPER ANDROID KIKAIDA: COMIN' AT YA!, which originally aired on March 17th, 1973, and fell between episodes 31 and 32. Despite its placement, it's seen as its own stand alone story that has nothing to do with the continuity of the regular series. Along with a new Destructoid, Mottled Sand Gecko, Jiro also fights 20 resurrected Destructoids in a slew of intermittent 3-D action sequences (before which you will be prompted to put on your handy 3-D glasses). I've never felt like more of a child than when I was watching the wonderfully campy 3-D scenes in my room with my glasses on (and I'll admit, I did get "walked in on"). Clocking in at a little over a half hour, the flick is short but sweet, and Prof. Gill's opening taunt is one of the funniest things I've seen in the series.

The bright light at the end of this tunnel comes in the form of KIKAIDA 01, in which the adventure will continue. Hopefully we'll see another series of smashing DVD releases from Generation Kikaida at some point during or after their release of KAMEN RIDER V3. This is the final bit of space that I have to implore that you all go out (or stay in) and buy the KIKAIDA DVDs. The quality of both the discs and the show blows me away, so make the commitment and "CHANGEEEEEEE!"