#some of my favourite things in beyblade are in this stretch of episodes

[beybladefanboy]

A brief review of every Beyblade Metal Masters episode

Gonna try and keep these briefer than the Fusion ones were though I can’t make any promises once we get into the meatier episodes.

Episode 1: Seeking the Legend 8/10

Gingka seeking out the new Pegasus is a fun little adventure and the scene where he actually contacts and claims Pegasus is honestly epic. It’s a really good way to start a season. Masamune’s stuff… well I don’t like Masamune but I admit his introduction is well done.

Episode 2: The Persistent Challenger 7/10

Masamune is a stalker in this episode. There are too many stalkers in this show. Also Gingka gains complete control over Galaxy Pegasus way too quickly. It takes one scene and suddenly all of Gingka’s struggles become working with a group rather than with a new bey. Him not being used to his new Pegasus is only brought up one other time after this. Kenta is great here at least.

Episode 3: A New Challenge 6/10

Masamune and Gingka honestly exhaust me. There’s a couple funny moments but we’re three episodes in and I’m already tired of their bickering. Mei Mei and Chi-Yun are good new characters though, even if I don’t like Chi-Yun.

Episode 4: Ticket to the World 7.5/10

Kenta not making it to the world tournament was bad writing. Besides that, this episode is actually very entertaining. Lotta fun little battles and funny moments.

Episode 5: Fierce Battle! Leone VS Eagle 9/10

Kyoya learned from his battle with Ryuga. He creates rubble to use in his tornado and make it stronger and use against the opponent. Also this battle is freaking epic. It starts the best plot in Masters and is just Kyoya and Tsubasa being total badasses.

Episode 6: Soar Into the World 7.5/10

Tsubasa vs Yu is a good battle and then Gingka has a mini depression episode which is… fine. Cute episode.

Episode 7: The Beylin Temple in the Sky 7.5/10

I don’t know why Daxiang was so entertaining on this rewatch but he was. He is genuinely introduced well but he also just makes me laugh. Also Masamune has a rare smart moment in this episode.

Episode 8: The Third Man 6.5/10

I don’t like Chao Xin or Masamune. So no thanks to this one. It’s not a bad episode, it sets up the first battle well, I’m just not into it.

Episode 9: The World Championships Begin! 7/10

Okay this was actually pretty cool. I feel like the sequence of Masamune’s arc feels out of order for some weird reason but the battle of this episode is still good.

Episode 10: Lacerta’s Will 7.5/10

I want to punt Chi Yun across the stadium. What is his problem?! I know Tsubasa had to be driven to the point where he goes dark mode but come on. That being said, the scene where he does snap gave me chills so this episode has that going for it.

Episode 11: The 4000 Year Old Secret 7/10

This battle’s fine. A little lukewarm honestly, especially after the last one but not boring.

Episode 12: The Bey with a Hero’s Name 5/10

Why establish an entire team just to have them defeated in one episode and completely forgotten? That’s… that’s boring. These guys are boring. Also while I do like Julian, god do I hate the whole, “yeah I can rotate both ways because I’m rich” nonsense. In one fell swoop, it makes reverse rotation, something that was previously a huge deal and was the mark of evil, into just some silly quirk. It’s one of the worst things the series has done overall.

Episode 13: The Wintry Land of Russia 6.5/10

This whole episode is the characters chilling on a train and… it’s honestly fine. Madoka falling for the first intelligent person she’s ever seen in her life is pretty amusing and Lera… would’ve been a great character if she’d actually been used properly.

Episode 14: How Grand! The Cage Match 6.5/10

Gingka has no arc this season but he has a bunch of tiny character moments scattered throughout the season, with this being one of them. It’s an okay battle, with an obvious conclusion (both Gingka winning and the way he wins).

Episode 15: Libra Departs for the Front 7/10

Okay seeing Yu battle is really nice and the way he wins is fun. I don’t really have any complaints about this one, I just like other episodes more.

Episode 16: The Festival of Warriors 7.5/10

Gingka, Masamune, and Yu are so disrespectful in this episode, I don’t think they get into enough trouble for the stunt they pulled here. Sophie and Wales are awesome though.

Episode 17: We Meet Again! Wang Fu Zhong 5/10

This episode doesn’t do anything objectively wrong, unless you count wasting time on the teamwork theme that honestly goes nowhere this season and just annoying the crap out of me. I’m sure the bickering is supposed to be funny, and there’s some moments here and there but overall, this episode honestly feels like a waste of time.

Episode 18: The Scorching Hot Lion 9/10

This episode is such a breath of fresh air after the stretch of honestly overall boring episodes so far. This is a simple but fun story that introduces both Nile and Demure well and further cements Kyoya as the best person in the room at any given point… before Ryuga took his spot.

Episode 19: The Shocking Wild Fang 8/10

Kyoya you probably shouldn’t have revealed Reverse Wind Strike like that but I’ll forgive you because I love you. Also, Team Wild Fang slaying some fools is great.

Episode 20: Horuseus vs Striker 8/10

Masamune is so goddamn irritating on this episode. Nile kicking his ass is so unbelievably satisfying. The battle’s also just fun in general.

Episode 21: Eternal Rivals 10/10

This is Kyoya and Gingka’s best one on one battle and one of the best battles in the series if I’m being honest. There are so many back and forths and the conclusion that Kyoya and Gingka are on the same level powerwise is actually really cool. It’s a lot more interesting than Gingka winning, which was the only other option storywise at this point.

Episode 22: The Third Match: On the Edge 9/10

This episode is brutal. They really knock Tsubasa around and build up to his breakdown, which is a doozy. Every painful thing that could happen with this plot happens here: Tsubasa knocks away Yu, destroys the stadium, attacks his eagle, makes Hikaru panic so badly that Ryo takes a break from being a terrible person to shield her from the falling glass. That moment was the first one that made me cry when I first got back into Beyblade.

Episode 23: The End of a Fierce Struggle! 7.5/10

(Warning: I talk about abuse again in this section, specifically a parent abusing their child. Just know this anger is coming from a personal place but if it’s a triggering topic, I suggest you scroll past the majority of this part. I talk about the rest of the episode in the last paragraph.)

NOT FORCING INJURED CHILDREN INTO WHAT HAS BECOME A WAR ZONE IS NOT “SPECIAL TREATMENT”! IT SHOULD BE STANDARD PRACTICE THAT ANY TEAMMATE ON ANY TEAM SHOULDN’T HAVE TO BATTLE IF THEY’RE INJURED.

I really REALLY hate Ryo. I don’t care that Gingka and Kyoya wanted to battle, they shouldn’t have even been allowed to in the state that they were in. They couldn’t even launch their beys properly and were in physical pain the entire time. I’m sorry to bring this up AGAIN but this is yet another way Ryo abuses Gingka. He put him and his bey in physical danger and whether you consider this active harm or neglect, it’s still abusive. I don’t get how Gingka doesn’t linger on shit like this. Here’s how I’d fix it: Have Ryo refuse to force his injured son to fight and THEN someone (perhaps someone else in the WBBA, it can’t just be Ryo and a couple of teenagers) argues he’s showing favouritism and Ryo ends up feeling like his hands are tied and he has to make Gingka battle. That wouldn’t have completely excused it but it may not have made me completely hate him for two seasons in a row.

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Okay, I got really angry for an episode I honestly like. Besides the WBBA’s disgusting decision, this is a pretty fun battle. Masamune shows he learned his lesson from Nile and actually works with Gingka as a team to defeat him and Kyoya, which is nice to see. Masamune has some good moments here and there in this show and this is one of them. Also Kyoya really shows how much he’s grown this season, letting himself rely on a teammate and not blaming him when they lose. He actually accepts the loss very graciously, even encouraging Gingka to keep winning. It’s really sweet.

Episode 24: The Creeping Darkness 7/10

Yay the dark Tsubasa thing has been explained! That’s really interesting. Mei Mei and Chao Xin’s battle against Sophie and Wales is okay, nothing special though.

Episode 25: The Axe of Destruction 6/10

I don’t like Chi Yun, so this episode doesn’t do it for me. They spend way too long on his backstory for my liking. I think it would’ve been better if Chi Yun’s backstory with Da Xiang was explained in an earlier episode or something. Overall, this episode feels like filler despite being Klaus’s introduction.

Episode 26: The Dragon Emperor Returns 9.5/10

RYUGA! Gosh he never fails to make me smile. I was feeling kinda down when I rewatched this one and the moment Ryuga appeared in his flash of lightning, I was smiling ear to ear and melting at his story of overcoming the dark power. This character means so much to me, I’m a little in awe. And you know what else means a lot to me? The Dark Tsubasa arc. Getting a visual on what is going on in Tsubasa’s mind is really powerful and the animation and acting are honestly stellar. It’s also nice to see Excalibur. Just overall a great episode.

Episode 27: Exceed the Limit! 8.5/10

Okay, I like this battle. Masamune and Klaus are so respectful to each other it makes me respect them and the battle is so back and forth it’s kind of exhilarating. Also, Ryuga gets some cameos. Yay :)

Episode 28: Dark Eagle 9.5/10

“Everyone has darkness in their hearts, instead of trying to suppress it, we should accept it as part of ourselves and learn to control it.” That message alone boosts this episode so high in my mind, I freaking love it. I also just think the Dark Tsubasa arc was overall exciting and interesting and this was a great battle and conclusion.

Episode 29: Gravity Destroyer 8.5/10

Gingka kicks Julian’s butt because a hot homeless person with a crush on him gave him some tsundere pointers and honestly, that’s beautiful.

Episode 30: The Midday Street Battle 7.5/10

“Don’t wander through the slums of Brazil alone, kids. You’ll get beat up and left for dead on the streets.” This show is so brutal I swear to god.

Episode 31: The Brazilian Trap 7/10

“If you lose at Beyblade you can still live a normal life.” He says to a kid who once had the threat of death over his head if he lost to a sadistic snake boi.

“You who has never had to worry about not having a place to live.” He says to a kid who was at the very least implied to be homeless before the Dark Nebula took him in and again, kidnapped and tried to kill him

Why do the characters never once bring up these points? The Garcias are clearly intended to be hypocrites, why not call them out on it directly? Also, Masamune is really stupid but I find myself laughing at this incompetence.

Episode 32: The Explosive Cyclone Battle 7/10

Selen out here playing Punch Out while the rest of us are trying to do actual boxing. Is that reference lost on my Beyblade crowd? Ya dodge a lot in Punch Out. The Cyclone Battle stuff is fine I guess and Gingka losing to Argo, getting a major loss in the World Tournament is pretty cool.

Episode 33: Charge! Ray Gil! 8/10

“You think we’ve had an easy time?! My path so far definitely hasn’t been an easy one either!” You fucking tell them Tsubasa. The Garcias definitely could’ve and should’ve been called out more but this was a great battle despite that. I love that Tsubasa’s dark side comes back for just a moment but he’s able to overcome it with the support of his friends and faith in his abilities that have gotten him this far. Also that scene with Ryuga at the end is downright legendary.

Episode 34: The Friend’s Name is Zeo 7.5/10

Pretty chill episode, besides the backstory bit that made my heart ache. Also Coach Steel is great.

Episode 35: Our Slogan is Number 1! 8/10

An entire flashback episode devoted to Team Dungeon? You’re really setting me up to get my heart broken aren’t you?

Episode 36: The Plot Thickens 8/10

This is mostly exposition for the arrangement system and team Starbreaker but it’s interesting exposition and definitely important going forward. It also has the introduction of my beloved Jack and shows my beloved Ryuga kicking ass.

Episode 37: The Compass of Fate: Byxis 8.5/10

More Ryuga, and the introduction of Damian. And Zeo being an angsty sad boy. And Tsubasa and Yu getting attacked. A lot happens in this episode for a seemingly uneventful one.

Episode 38: The Wicked Peacock: Befall 8.5/10

Peacocks can’t fly you beautiful disaster. What the hell has Ziggurat been teaching you, Jack? This is a really good debut for Jack, I can’t help it. He’s so much fun.

Episode 39: The Guard Dog of Hades: Kerbecs 8.5/10

This episode is painful. I like Julian, even if he’s a bit annoying, so seeing him being humiliated and tortured like that was brutal.

Episode 40: The Furious DJ Battle?! 9.5/10

Kenta feeling overshadowed and ignored by the others is straight up set up in Masters. Not in this episode specifically, but it is a good example.

Putting that aside, this episode is really funny. It feels more and more like a parody as it goes on, even before the Blader DJs show up, but especially when they do. It’s like a crazy fanfiction or something. I love it.

Episode 41: The Final Countdown 9/10

This episode is literally just a shot of pure pain and depression. Why must these children be traumatised all the time? :(

Episode 42: The Dragon Emperor Descends 10/10

Yeah, I have no idea how I left this episode off my Top 5 Masters Episodes list. I adore this episode. It’s a great show of both Ryuga and Jack’s power and personalities, showing how unhinged yet passionate Jack is, and showing Ryuga being a total badass who can actually be quite clever and a bit sadistic even without the dark power. It’s obvious he was toying with Jack from the start, to me at least, but going as far as humiliating him like that was pretty brutal. I just love both of these characters so seeing them clash is just perfect, and a neat little surprise for first time watchers.

Episode 43: Spirits’ Last Battle 7.5/10

Lots of exposition in the first half, but it’s important and some of the revelations and characters’ reactions to it are pretty impactful. Gingka vs Damian is a pretty predictable setup but it’s a reasonably fun time.

Episode 44: Showdown! Gingka vs Damian 7.5/10

I actually didn’t remember Storm Bringer coming back at all, that’s really cool.

“You really are just a victim in all this.” Okay, Gingka acknowledging that about Damian is a really powerful moment and I do feel bad for Damian despite it all.

Would’ve been nice to get a moment like this with Reiji and Jack but I digress I guess :/

Episode 45: The Miraculous Spiral Force 8/10

Ziggurat discusses global warming, overpopulation, and the energy crisis, all of which are still issues to this day and weren’t even as well known a decade ago when this came out. That is the catalyst of Ziggurat’s plan. This show has some serious balls and it does not get nearly enough credit for it.

Episode 46: Charge! Hades City 8/10

Fun episode with a lot of little moments for even the less major characters to shine.

Episode 47: The Fallen Emperor 9/10

I talked about this fairly recently in my “great things about Masters” post but I love the way Julian and Da Xiang’s character arcs meet and contrast in this episode, Julian drowning in shame from his failure, feeling like he has nothing left to lose with his pride and family legacy seemingly destroyed while Da Xiang took his failure as an opportunity to improve and teaches Julian to do the same with their battle and his words. Beyblade’s consistent theme of getting back up after a loss and to keep moving forward is a really important one and it’s very prevalent here.

Episode 48: Befall’s Trap 8.5/10

Jack finally got off the drugs, that’s nice. He and Tsubasa’s battle was fun, two really great characters clashing is always nice to see. Also, Jack is very funny and cute.

Episode 49: The Wild Beast Unleashed 9/10

Kyoya is really really really hot and badass. No thoughts, only simping.

Okay if I have to provide a thought, I like the whole “you need actual experience to be good at something” message that Kyoya is preaching. Kyoya is cool.

Episode 50: Rampage! Tempo 7.5/10

Okay, some of this science is so wrong it has to be intentionally them going with magic over science, which they absolutely should not do when the plot is rooted in science.

Ryuga’s cameo was super hot though.

Episode 51: Galaxy Heart 8.5/10

Kind of a weird finale. There is a battle going on but the thing that saves the day is Gingka and Ryuga launching their beys at a machine and sending an explosion to space, which is fun in its own right. Also the team dungeon stuff is excellent as usual.