Yoroi-Shinden (Samurai Troopers) Episode 6 Review

Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers episode 6, titled "RESTART," tries to recalibrate the series after a shocking loss and a cliffhanger that left the team fractured. This installment leans into legacy, grief, and rebuilding — delivering strong character moments and thematic payoffs while sometimes stumbling on pacing and cohesion. Below is an in-depth episode review that breaks down the plot beats, character work, animation, and what "RESTART" means for the Troopers going forward.

©SUNRISE

Quick recap: What happens in "RESTART" (Episode 6)

Episode 6 opens by flashing back to classic Samurai Troopers footage before shifting into the new animation style — a clear signal that the series is intentionally bridging past and present. The Troopers are reeling after the loss of Ryusei, and the episode’s central thrust is a soft reboot: Ramaga (the antagonist with body-possession abilities) spares the heroes and grants them seven extra days of preparation. With Ryusei gone, Shion steps into the vacuum as the team’s driving force, using Ryusei’s notes and spirit as guidance, while Gai pursues a rigorous training arc fueled by posthumous mentorship.

Character focus: Shion as the new catalyst

Shion’s elevation from outsider to de facto coach feels deliberate yet uneven. The episode positions him as the inspirational pivot who must whip the Troopers into shape, but much of his authority comes via Ryusei’s lingering influence rather than his own agency. That creates an interesting dynamic: Shion is both the team's present motivator and a vessel for Ryusei’s legacy.

Why Shion works (and where he falls short)

• Pros: Shion has distinct visual flair and a believable "Sixth Ranger" energy. The show smartly cues viewers to accept him by having him rely on Ryusei’s written guidance, which pays off emotionally for the grieving Troopers.
• Cons: The narrative puts Shion in a mentoring position too quickly. Because Ryusei’s shadow looms so large, Shion sometimes reads as a stand-in more than a fully realized leader who earns his place through growth.

Gai's training arc: The emotional heart of the episode

Gai’s subplot is the most resonant thread here. The revelation that Ryusei’s toughest guidance only surfaced after his death gives Gai a rare chance to confront his anti-human prejudices and violent impulses. The episode cleverly brings back the faux-Troopers from episode 1 as a measure of how much Gai has evolved — a small but powerful touch that reinforces his character growth.

The power of posthumous mentorship

Having Ryusei act as a spiritual coach is an effective device. It lets the series explore grief and the ways the deceased can continue to shape the living. Gai responding to Ryusei’s tough-love approach provides some of the episode’s strongest emotional beats, making his training sequences genuinely cathartic.

Plot structure & pacing: Disconnected but purposeful

One of the episode’s biggest issues is pacing. "RESTART" contains several compelling elements — legacy footage, Ren’s tactical guidance, political undercurrents, and interpersonal grief — but they sometimes feel stitched together rather than woven into a single cohesive narrative. The seven-day training contrivance from Ramaga is narratively convenient and somewhat at odds with the show’s otherwise grittier tone, yet the writing mostly sells it as a swerve rather than a cheat.

Political subtext and supporting character moments

Small political asides, such as comments about the government’s indifference to attack survivors, add welcome texture. Nasti’s exhausted close-ups and Mirei’s grief scenes are brief but meaningful, illustrating the broader toll the conflict takes beyond the frontline fighters. These moments hint at a larger world that’s still getting short, fragmented glimpses in favor of primary character arcs.

Animation, sound, and nostalgia

Starting the episode with clips from the original Samurai Troopers is a brilliant nostalgia hook that underscores the series’ generational themes. The episode transitions into the new animation style effectively, and the visual contrast helps sell the emotional legacy at play. A small gripe: the absence of a classic Japanese rock opening this week felt like a missed opportunity to hit a tonal high note.

New mysteries and the road ahead

The episode ends on an intriguing reveal: the overweight shut-in Jun, who appears poised to play a bigger role. That, paired with the Troopers’ uncertain future, sets up the next stretch of episodes with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. Will the series tighten its plotting? Can Shion establish himself as more than Ryusei’s echo? And how will Gai’s evolution reshape the team’s dynamics?

For viewers who want to catch up or rewatch, Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Watch on Crunchyroll.

Strengths and weaknesses — quick summary

• Strengths: Strong emotional beats for Gai and the Troopers, effective use of legacy footage, compelling visual nostalgia, and meaningful supporting moments (Nasti, Mirei).
• Weaknesses: Uneven pacing, underdeveloped positioning of Shion as a leader, and occasional tonal friction between gritty stakes and contrived plot devices.

Why "RESTART" matters for the series

Episode 6 is a pivot point. It acknowledges loss while actively building toward recovery, forcing characters to lean into the legacies they inherited. Even when the episode feels structurally scattered, the thematic throughline of inheritance — of armor, leadership, and responsibility — keeps the installment grounded. The best parts of "RESTART" show the series at its most emotionally honest: grappling with what it means to honor the dead while finding new strength.

Further reading

If you’re interested in production context or official studio info, Sunrise’s site provides background on their catalog and projects. Sunrise — official.

Final thoughts

"RESTART" is an uneven but earnest episode that prioritizes character recovery over tight plotting. Shion’s emergence as a guiding figure and Gai’s transformative training are the highlights, anchored by resonant callbacks to the Troopers’ past. Though the episode juggles too many threads at once, it succeeds in reminding viewers why these characters matter and sets the stage for intriguing developments — provided the series can sharpen its focus and let its new dynamics breathe. If you’re invested in legacy-driven stories and character evolution, episode 6 is a must-watch; if you prefer tightly structured action beats, expect a few bumps en route to the next chapter.

https://www.myanimeforlife.com/yoroi-shinden-samurai-troopers-episode-6-review/?feed_id=164753&_unique_id=698d4e8875848