Episodes 31 - 32 Summaries

Soul Survivor

Awesome summary and comments written by LKK. Thank you!

The episode opens with Mushra, in a heightened normal form, defiantly facing Lanancuras while Sago and Kutal, injured and in normal form, watch from a distance. Mushra realizes that he needs to destroy Lanancuras but must find a way to do so without hurting Yakumo who is still within the Kadrian's body. Sago is concerned about Yakumo's fate, but Kutal is certain that Mushra has everything under control as he sees Mushra begin to glow with additional power. Lanancuras is confused by Mushra's newfound power. The Kadrian had thought the Guardian card was torn when the meteor crashed onto Enterra. Yet Mushra is more powerful than before.

Mushra is determined that unlike last time when he simply entombed Lanancuras he will make Lanancuras's defeat permanent. He calls upon the Guardian powers and leaps into the air in a streak of light. Watching, Kutal wonders what is going on. Sago realizes that Mushra is transforming, but the Enterran is unsure what his friend is becoming. In mid-air, Mushra calls upon the Astral Power. The Guardian card pieces reunite. Mushra emerges from the light, transformed again with a new more powerful jewel in his headband. Lanancuras reminds him that he still has Yakumo trapped within him. Mushra extends his feathery wings and flies up to face the giant Kadrian. Kutal suggests that Sago and he hyperform in order to provide a diversion for Mushra. However, Sago reminds him that they can't transform since Lanancuras has stolen their jewels. Their only hope is that Mushra knows what he's doing.

Mushra and Lanancuras meet in mid-air, battling each other. After they exchange several blows, Lanancuras launches a fusion ball of power at the Guardian who has been knocked to the ground. When the power bolt dissipates, a larger crater is left with no sign of Mushra. He had escaped skywards. Lanancuras yanks Mushra's javelin from his grasp. The Guardian is undeterred and dives in a flaming strafing run at the Kadrian.

Lanancuras calls upon the power of darkness to aid him. Storm clouds gather overhead. The combatants fly away from the battlefield in streaks of pink (Lanancuras) and yellow (Mushra) light. The fighters circle the globe, passing by several world-famous monuments -- pacing each other or coming together in bright explosive lights. They pass by the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the Cliffs of Truth where Mushra was hung at the beginning of the series. At the Cliffs of Truth, the kittens see the streaking combatants. They realized that one is Mushra and the other Lanancuras. They know that it will be difficult for Mushra to defeat the Kadrian. Estee hopes that Yakumo will survive the battle.

Left behind at the battlefield, Kutal wishes he had eaten before the battle started since it looks like the battle is going to last a while. Sago wonders how Kutal could think of food at a time like this. "Practice," the feline Enterran replies. Spotting the fighters returning from their battle around the globe, Binka interrupts their discussion with her exclamations. After the fighters break apart, Lanancuras is lying on the ground. Mushra is furious that Lanancuras -- once a Celestial Guardian -- wanted more power than a Guardian should have wanted. Lanancuras gets up to shoot another power bolt at Mushra who flies in to slash Lanancuras's chest. Lanancuras falls.

Believing that Mushra has finally beaten the Kadrian, Sago and Kutal approach Lanancuras while Mushra stands guard. They plan to rescue Yakumo. With no warning, Lanancuras's hand breaks up through the ground. A powerful blast throws the Enterrans several feet backwards, injuring them further. The hand reaches for Mushra, but he jumps away just in time.

Mushra flies up to Lanancuras to attack. The giant Kadrian grabs him and begins to squeeze the small Guardian. Gloating, Lanancuras tells Mushra that his time on Enterran has weakened him. Even Mushrambo in his golden form was unable to overcome the taint of human sentiment and defeat Lanancuras. As scenes of Gold Mushrambo's battle with Lanancuras play, Lanancuras brags that he is the more powerful one because he has no soul. Enterra will be the first planet of his new kingdom. Lanancuras is the future king of the universe. Nothing can stop him. Even the Reversion Blade was powerless against him. Lanancuras believes that he is all powerful because he was a Guardian just like Mushra. However, while Mushra's powers diminished because of his time on Enterra, Lanancuras's powers have increased because he has ingested Yakumo. Five hundred years ago, the Celestial Guardians were able to entomb him because they fused their powers together. But the Celestial Guardians miscalculated when they sent power to Yakumo and to the three Enterrans. Inside of Lanancuras's body, a light pulses to the rhythm of Yakumo's heartbeat. Lanancuras announces that not only can he feel Yakumo's heartbeat, but he can control it as well along with her power. Why should Lanancuras be interested in being a Guardian who protects, he asks, when instead he can conquer?

Caught within Lanancuras's tightening grip, Mushra struggles to break free. He silently calls to Yakumo. He asks for her strength and her trust. Suddenly Mushra glows with the added power and breaks the Kadrian's grasp. Mushra's sudden escape surprises not only Binka and the Enterrans but the Kadrian as well. For a few moments, Mushra stands motionless before the Kadrian. Then he launches himself at the giant. Unexpectedly, a rotating fence of black power bars springs up between the two. The fence repels Mushra's attack. Mushra tries again but is unable to penetrate the fence. After the fourth attempt, Mushra is drained but refuses to surrender. He tries again. Lanancuras blasts him repeatedly until the Guardian plummets senselessly to the ground.

Kutal and Sago are horrified and beg for Mushra to get up and run away as Lanancuras prepares to deliver the finishing blow. Just before the Kadrian attacks, Binka runs to Mushra's body and stands before it, acting as shield. Lanancuras is unimpressed by her actions. He has no qualms about destroying her, he points out. However, if she will stand aside, Lanancuras will let her live and serve as his personal lackey.

"Never!" she answers. Binka chastises the Kadrian for his actions. Hasn't he ever heard of compassion? The thought amuses Lanancuras. Binka is undaunted. She wishes Lanancuras could see Enterra as she does, a place filled with dreams and hopes. When Binka's parents died two years ago, the girl thought that she would die of a broken heart. But Yakumo helper her through her grief by showing her how beautiful life is. How can Lanancuras destroy something so wonderful, she asks. As Binka speaks, the storm clouds overhead break apart. Sunshine begins to stream on to the battlefield. The darkness is lifting.

Binka heard Mushra say that Lanancuras was once a Celestial Guardian. What changed him, she wonders. Yakumo told her that the Celestial Guardians were brave and supposed to protect the peace in the universe. Doesn't Lanancuras remember what it meant to be brave and protect? In tears, Binka asks Lanancuras to explain. Yakumo is alive within him. Her compassion is inside him. Can't Lanancuras feel her courage and mercy? It's never too late to change, Binka pleads.

Lanancuras has heard enough. He blasts Binka and the unconscious Mushra three times. Yet when the dust settles, Binka and Mushra are unharmed. The ground surrounding them has been carved away, leaving them safely on a small plateau. Lanancuras is shocked. Binka realizes that love truly does have power and marches towards the Kadrian. He continuously blasts the girl but to no effect. Finally she comes close enough for the Kadrian to grab her. Immediately after he gets hold of Binka, pure white light streams from the Kadrian's abdomen. In pain, Lanancuras drops the girl. Yakumo's voice tells Binka that her love has awakened the eternal light of Shinzo. Let life embrace the light. Immobilized by the light, Lanancuras realizes that Yakumo is responsible. Within his body, Yakumo awakens from her long sleep.

Across the globe, sunlight streams on people praying for salvation peace. Buddhist monks pray. Scenes of joy begin to take place. A human woman and an Enterran male celebrate at their wedding. The kittens are happily marching to a chant praising Yakumo. Against an idyllic hillside, the image of Yakumo declares that by the power of Shinzo, love will be their light.

At the battlefield, Binka tries to awaken Mushra by telling him that there's still hope. Yakumo has made a miracle. Lanancuras overhears the girl and tells her that there are no miracles. Darkness will fall, and he will be the Dark's beacon. Binka refuses to believe him. Everywhere people are celebrating, even in their sorrow. They know that Yakumo will always be with them. Yakumo is filled with love. Yakumo was like a second mother to the girl. And even though Binka knows that neither one is there, they will always be with her in her heart.

Lanancuras is not dissuaded. He had spent centuries protecting the peace as a Celestial Guardian and received nothing in return while others gained power and wealth. Evil will always win. And now, Lanancuras will claim the ultimate power.

As if to defy his words, the light from Lanancuras's abdomen intensifies. The pod carrying Yakumo slips out from his body to the ground. The Kadrian is determined to end this battle once and for all. He steps on the pod and prepares to stomp it to pieces. Binka rushes to the pod. Left behind, Mushra slowly reacts to Yakumo's presence.

As does the world. Earthquakes rock the landscape. Storm clouds arise. Avalanches descend from the mountaintops. Whirlpools erupt in the oceans. The world itself glows with power. An explosion behind Lanancuras knocks him down. "What is this force?" the Kadrian cries. Mushra's voice echoes, "The force of goodness on the winds of change."

The clouds part. Sunshine lights the battleground, blinding Lanancuras. As Sago and Kutal struggle to rise, they see a hail and hearty Mushra standing before them. The Guardian thanks for Yakumo for hearing him. He thanks Binka as well and compliments her for her good work. Now it is time to show Lanancuras the true Guardian strength. Kutal realizes that without Yakumo inside the Kadrian empowering him, Mushra has a chance to defeat Lanancuras. Mushra vows to show Lanancuras no mercy as he has tarnished the Celestial Guardians' name.

Lanancuras is defiant. He defeated Mushra before and now he will obliterate him completely. He shoots power bolts at the Guardian. But a shield, powered by the lives of the planet protects Mushra. The whole world is crying out Lanancuras's defeat. Mushra warns his friends to take cover because he is going to smash Lanancuras into fragments. The episode ends as Mushra launches himself at Lanancuras with the battle cry "For Yakumo!"

1) Mushra's outfit for his third incarnation, as a true Guardian, looks very Grecian to me, much like a toga. This is in keeping with the Greek temple look to the Shinzo ruins where Yakumo was living.

2) The kittens?! Where did the kittens come from all of a sudden? And how do they know that Mushra is fighting Lanancuras? How do they even know who Lanancuras is? And how on Enterra could they possibly know that Yakumo is inside Lanancuras's body? Those are very knowledgeable kittens, if you ask me. Maybe they can offer me some suggestions for buying stocks.

3) With this episode, Yakumo takes on a truly global role. She becomes something akin to the Mother Goddess, protecting all life. It's a remarkable elevation in power and status for her. What's odder is that the show implies that everyone in the world suddenly knows about Yakumo, whereas before, she was a mystery figure to everyone on the planet except Binka. Apparently with along with becoming a goddess, Yakumo has also become a celebrity.

Awesome summary and comments written by LKK. Thank you!

The episode opens with Sago, Kutal, and Binka guarding Yakumo in her pod at the battle site and watching the battle rage in the valley below them. Mushra, in his Guardian form, speeds to the giant-sized Lanancuras. They exchange several blows, but each avoids serious damage. An earthquake interrupts the battle giving Mushra the opportunity for a successful hit to Lanancuras. Using a judo move, Mushra flips Lanancuras on to the ground. The onlookers are glad to see Mushra finally making headway against the Kadrian.

Lanancuras tries to get up, but Mushra is determined to win this battle. He pounds Lanancuras's face and abdomen, driving holes through the Kadrian and through the rocks behind him. Trying to escape, Lanancuras flees the battlefield. However, Mushra drives him back and smashes him to the ground, creating a large crater. The Guardian is not finished with his opponent though. He orders Lanancuras to get up and taunts him by calling him a coward.

Anger fuels Lanancuras's recovery. The landscape rumbles; the skies darken. Binka, Kutal, and Sago are knocked off their feet as rock spires rise up from the ground. Mushra is unsure what is happening. Lanancuras is ecstatic. Mushra has caused his own demise, the Kadrian tells him. Lanancuras has tricked Mushra into altering Enterra's natural order. He has started a domino effect that will destroy the environment. Mushra is horrified as he senses people around the world running through destroyed cities. He sees volcanoes unleashed, as the forces of nature have been unbound. The kittens are drowning in a flash flood sweeping a city street. Lanancuras taunts Mushra, asking how it feels to know that the Guardian was responsible for such destruction. Mushra denies responsibility. This is just one of Lanancuras's mind games.

Not so, the Kadrian tells him. The hole in Lanancuras's abdomen opens to reveal a galaxy. Deep within each Guardian is a galaxy that he protects. Lanancuras's galactic responsibility is the Milky Way. Mushra's attacks have upset the galaxy within the Kadrian. As a result, part of Enterra's sun is breaking off. The solar missile is heading for Enterra and will destroy the planet. Mushra is not sure whether to believe his enemy or not. He challenges Lanancuras, pointing out that if Enterra is destroyed, the Kadrian will be destroyed as well. Lanancuras no longer cares; all he wants now is to see Mushra defeated.

Hearing of Enterra's coming doom, Kutal sorrowfully thinks of his young relatives. Sago chides him about losing hope; Mushra will figure something out. As if to defy Sago's optimism, the ground starts shaking again.

Down in the valley, Lanancuras, with his abdomen still showing the speeding solar missile, approaches Mushra who retreats. Lanancuras warns the Guardian that there is little time left. A power blast sends Mushra flying into the cliff behind him. Shaken, Mushra vows to never give up. Time is running out however. The solar missile has destroyed Mercury. Through the portal in Lanancuras's abdomen, Mushra watches the missile destroy Venus and continue its relentless path to Enterra.

Mushra leaps from the ground to attack Lanancuras directly. The Kadrian punches him before Mushra can reach him. The Guardian is driven to the ground where Lanancuras repeatedly blasts him. Galaxy upon galaxy will collapse, Lanancuras tells him. Not even the Celestial Guardians will be able to stop the Kadrian.

From their perch, Binka and the others yell encouraging words to their fallen friend. Don't worry about us! We're behind you! Do it for Yakumo!

Lanancuras changes tactics. He summons the celestial powers of darkness to aid him. He shoots a large bolt of power at Mushra who somehow finds the strength to defend himself with his own power bolt. The two bolts meet midway between the combatants. Lanancuras is shocked that Mushra has that much power left.

Mushra's power pushes Lanancuras back a step. The Guardian advances. Lanancuras repeatedly blasts Mushra, occasionally driving him to his knees. Yet each time, the Guardian rises to advance again.

Desperate, Lanancuras summons more dark power. With the extra power, Lanancuras grows beyond his already gigantic size. Mushra is stunned. The darkness has given Lanancuras a power beyond his imagination. For a moment, Mushra wonders which is worse -- the approaching solar missile fragment of the sun or the demon standing before him?

The dark powers do more than just enlarge Lanancuras's body. The darkness begins to solidify into a huge ball above his head. The Globe of Destruction is formed. Lanancuras throws the globe at Mushra who resists it for a moment but then is absorbed inside it. The globe explodes, scattering fragments across the battlefield. The explosion reaches Binka, Sago, and Kutal knocking them unconscious and blowing them several feet backward along with the pod containing Yakumo. Lanancuras can sense that Mushra's life force is flickering. Soon it will be completely extinguished.

Watching the battle from their realm in space, the Celestial Guardians decide that the time has come to aid Mushra in his fight. They cannot allow Lanancuras to triumph.

At the battle site, a bright pink beam descends from the sky. The light dims slightly to reveal Mushra walking towards Lanancuras. The field of light expands with every step. Mushra warns Lanancuras that this is the Guardian Lightning. Lanancuras is now out-numbered. The light continues to expand. In fear, Lanancuras recognizes the light as the same one used to entomb him centuries earlier. He is angry that the Celestial Guardians are breaking their own rules. They are sworn not to interfere when Lanancuras is on a planet. According to their oath, they can only challenge him when he is in the celestial heavens.

The expanding field of light reaches the onlookers, waking them. They rush to the cliff edge to hear Lanancuras complain that the battle is between Mushra and him. The Celestial Guardians' power will unfairly tip the scale. Mushra's friends yell their encouragement to him.

Down below, Mushra has finally reached Lanancuras's feet. He floats into the air until he is hovering at the Kadrian's face. The Celestial Guardians have called for your destruction, Mushra tells him. It's time to go. Lanancuras reminds him of Enterra's danger, hoping to dissuade him. Mushra is not swayed. At his cry of "Guardian card fusion!", golden electricity surrounds the Guardian, coming together in a ball of power before him.

Lanancuras is truly worried now. He offers to share Enterra's rule with Mushra. Mushra refuses the offer. In one last act of desperation, Lanancuras blasts the Guardian, but the blast has no effect. Mushra drives himself into Lanancuras's hand, up through the Kadrian's arm, ripping it off at the shoulder. Mushra dives into Lanancuras's chest creating a massive explosion that blinds the onlookers.

When Sago regains his sight, he realizes that Mushra has finally vanquished Lanancuras and is awed by his friend's power. Binka and the Enterrans watch as Mushra lifts the unconscious Lanancuras into the air. Holding Lanancuras up by his chest, Mushra flies over his friends. "Binka, Sago, Kutal, I'll miss you. I'll never forget any of you," he calls. Binka is confused. Why is Mushra heading up towards the clouds? Kutal realizes that Mushra is taking Lanancuras out of the atmosphere, but Sago guesses Mushra's full plan. He's going to try and save Enterra, and he just might succeed. As Mushra flies out of sight with Lanancuras in hand, Binka begs him not to leave. However, Kutal suspects the inevitable and tells Mushra that knowing him has been an honor.

After Mushra leaves Enterra's atmosphere, Lanancuras regains consciousness. Aware of his pending doom, Lanancuras begs for an alternative. He would even agree to another entombment, the bane of his existence for the last 500 years, in exchange for his life. Mushra rejects Lanancuras's offer; destiny cannot be changed. Just then, Mushra spots another comet-like light trail speeding to catch up with him. At the head of the light is Yakumo. She couldn't let him go alone. At last, they will be going to meet Shinzo although it took a little longer to get there than she had expected. Mushra laughs, happy to have her company again. He tells her that from the moment he first saw her, he knew they were destined to be together.

Watching the couple, the Celestial Guardians discuss the pair's long and arduous journey. With the Celestial Guardians help, they will finally reach Shinzo. The Guardians reflect on Yakumo, Mushra, Sago, and Kutal's experiences together. They think about the time the four plus the kittens landed on the airplane flying into Mechano City. One Guardians says that the seven had no idea what was in store for them.

Another Guardian thinks about Mushra fighting the firefly Enterrans on the oil tanker. When the Celestial Guardians realized that Lanancuras's meteor was headed for Enterra, they knew that they had to send help. He feels that they chose wisely when they picked these three Enterrans to split Mushrambo's power through the gems.

Remembrances of Mushra, Sago, and Kutal in hyperform fighting Gyasa flash through their minds. Another one remembers Mushra saving Yakumo from bounty hunters. Even though Mushrambo had been infected by Lanancuras's evil power, his balance between good and evil was conflicted just enough that the three Enterrans in hyper form could defeat his evil side.

The Celestial Guardians' thoughts turn to Yakumo whom they picture quietly bathing in a river. They are pleased that the human they gave power to turned out to have amazing grace and unyielding goodness. Yakumo's mighty resolve and Mushra's bravery are a match made in the stars. They are responsible for changing Enterra's destiny. Once Enterra's destiny was bleak, but now it is filled with hope. No longer will Enterra or any other planet have to suffer the wrath of Lanancuras. As memories of Yakumo setting Mushrambo free from Ryuma's dark spell flicker in their minds, the Celestial Guardians welcome Yakumo and Mushra to Shinzo. Yakumo's destiny to reach Shinzo has finally been achieved.

Mushra's and Yakumo's light streams join together and meet the solar missile. The Celestial Guardians announce that the couple's stars will illuminate the skies for eons to come. As the pair -- with Lanancuras still in tow -- enters the solar missile, the missile explodes. Enterra is saved.

Down at the battle site, Binka, Sago, and Kutal watch as a massive explosion lights the sky and then fades away. Binka is devastated at losing Mushra. In space, the Guardian card drifts down to Enterra. The Celestial Guardians decree that Mushra deserves to witness the results of his sacrifice to save Enterra.

Binka, Sago, and Kutal have returned to Mushra's hometown, which is partly ruined from the global battle raged between Mushra and Lanancuras. They have collected the kittens. At sunset, they stand in a cemetery by a newly dug grave. The grave is Yakumo's. Binka tells her that they will miss her, but they wish her to rest easy. Sago says that they have decided to go on a quest in the hopes of finding Mushra. He knows that Yakumo will be with them in spirit. Yakumo was always their inspiration, Kutal adds. They will never forget her. The six leave to begin their quest. Where shall they start? Go to the West, Estee advises. That's where Yakumo always said to go. And so they head off, hoping that Yakumo will keep an eye on them. They promise to return one day.

In the far distance, at the base of a large mountain, a mist settles over a peaceful lake. The Guardian card lies nestled in the grass. A gloved hand picks it up. Mushra chuckles. The series ends as Mushra heads off into the mist, carrying the card.

1) I was amused to hear the announcer say that this was the final episode of Shinzo after the Last Time on Shinzo spiel. I guess they wanted everyone to be absolutely certain about this.

2) My immediate reaction to Binka telling Mushra not to worry about her in the early part of the episode was "I don't think Mushra's thinking about you right now, Binka. He's got other things on his mind, like Lanancuras beating him up."

3) I love Lanancuras's double standards. He can break every rule in the Guardians' handbook as he pleases. But should the Celestial Guardians break their rules -- by interfering while Lanancuras is on a planet rather than in space, for instance -- he becomes indignant and all play-by-the-rules-ish.

4) Reaching Shinzo was a long and convoluted journey for our pair. I'm not sure why the Celestial Guardians felt that Mushra deserved to see the results of his sacrifice while not offering the same opportunity to Yakumo. Sounds a bit unfair to me.

5) Some of the scenes in the Celestial Guardians flashbacks looked unfamiliar to me. There were more scenes from the missing oil tanker sequence, for example. There was also a scene of Yakumo running through a forest followed by grasshopper Enterran bounty hunters who were in turned chased by Mushra in hyper form.

6) I was disappointed with the scene at Yakumo's grave. I wanted it to be sadder, emotionally deeper. After all that they had been through, I wanted a stronger emotional response to having to bury Yakumo.

7) The final scene of Mushra and the Guardian card was obviously intended to set up season 3 which is now in legal Purgatory never to be seen again. It also served to put a happier twist on the thought that Yakumo and Mushra died in order to save Enterra. On the other hand, it adds a bittersweet tang if you think about it. Even in death, Mushra is not with his beloved Yakumo.