![Hints of “Connection” to Previous Work Spark Active Speculation! “The Fifth Man” Shion Ishida is a “Do-M Researcher”!? Ryuusei & Shion… Men’s Friendship Was Too Hot in “Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers” [Reaction Summary with Spoilers for Episode 4]](https://animeworld.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/835962.jpg)
Episode 4 Deepens Bonds and Hints at Classic Connections!
The official sequel to the 1988 series Yoroi Densetsu Samurai Toruupaa (known internationally as Samurai Troopers), Yoroi Shin Samurai Toruupaa, has already reached its fourth episode with the January 27th broadcast. The new generation of young “Samurai Toruupaa” fighting against invaders from the “Youshajikai” (Demon World) – Kai, Uesugi Kaito, Houjou Musashi, and Houjou Yamato – are now all assembled and diligently training to become full-fledged warriors.
And then, the cool guy “Ishida Shion” appears before them. A former Samurai Toruupaa himself, he is not pleased with the “Defense Special Incident Countermeasures Headquarters” (DST for short) that manages the Toruupaa and tries to face the Yousha alone. Just what is his reason…!?
While Episode 4 showed the four Toruupaa’s friendship growing steadily, giving viewers some “teetee” (precious) moments to grin at, it also depicted the past of the new character Ishida Shion and his complicated history with Oda Ryousei, the current member in charge of training the Toruupaa, showcasing another blazing-hot bromance.
So, in this article, we’ll introduce the highlights of Episode 4 and also explain the scenes related to the original Yoroi Densetsu Samurai Toruupaa that got long-time fans buzzing.
※ The following text, due to the nature of this topic, contains descriptions that could be considered “spoilers” for those who have not seen the work. Please proceed with caution.
◆ Are the First-Generation Toruupaa Still Captives in the Youshajikai!?
Episode 4 begins directly from the last scene of Episode 3, opening with Shion intervening in the battle against the Yousha that was underway. Right then, it’s revealed that Shion is a former Samurai Toruupaa and that he likely left the team due to opposing Ryousei. So just what happened between the two of them?
It turns out that until now, the human world had prevented invasion from the “Youshajikai” for over 30 years by maintaining a barrier. However, five years ago, it seems the seal was broken when the Yousha’s power became more active. The ones who stepped up to deal with it were the Samurai Toruupaa from the previous series.
But they never returned and were listed as missing. So, three years ago, Ryousei and Shion, who were active Toruupaa at the time, set foot into the Youshajikai. The result, however, was a failure. Three Toruupaa fell, and Ryousei, dragging Shion who pleaded to save their companions, returned to the human world with him. Shion, feeling that Ryousei had abandoned their friends, rebelled against him and left the team.
In this flashback, what excited viewers the most was undoubtedly the receding backs of the first-generation Samurai Toruupaa disappearing into the Youshajikai gate. While some voices worried, “So the first generation is considered missing?” and “Are they all still in the Youshajikai?”, there were also confused reactions like, “Is this the previous series?” and “So is Ryou (one of the first-gen Toruupaa) actually Ramaga (the Yousha Emperor of this series)?”
The “previous series” point is a bit tricky. After the TV series aired, the “previous work” released three OVA series: Yoroi Densetsu Samurai Toruupaa Gaiden, Yoroi Densetsu Samurai Toruupaa Kikoutei Densetsu, and Yoroi Densetsu Samurai Toruupaa MESSAGE. However, since Ryou and the others obtained new Yoroi Gia in MESSAGE, the familiar Yoroi Gia seen in the five-year-old scene shouldn’t be the same. So, while calling it the “previous series” isn’t wrong, we need to be careful about exactly where the story connects.
Other details that evoked the feel of the “previous series” and gathered attention were the accessory worn by the “Juuyuushi” (Ten Braves) in their civilian clothes and the Yousha “poison” that Ryousei was said to have suffered from during the battle three years ago.
Regarding the accessory, its design was similar to one worn by “Kayura,” a girl warrior from the Yousha side who appeared in the “previous series,” leading to a flood of reactions like, “That looks like Kayura’s plate,” and “I’m sure that ornament was…”. In the “previous series,” Kayura, who was originally supposed to be on the Toruupaa side, was brainwashed by the Yousha Emperor “Arago” and turned into his pawn. The fact that the brainwashing tool had the same design as the accessory seen this time led many to speculate that “the Juuyuushi might also be brainwashed.”
As for the poison, it was the specialty of one of the “Shimashou” (Four Demon Generals), the “Poison Demon General, Naaza.” This led to posts wistfully wondering, “I wonder how that guy is doing…” or wishing for a reappearance, “I hope the Poison Demon General shows up too.”
While the five boys are the popular face of Samurai Toruupaa, the Four Demon Generals – the Oni Demon General Shuten Douji, the Poison Demon General Naaza, the Yami Demon General Anubis, and the Genma Demon General Rajura – also had their fans. It would be great if they get a chance to reappear someday too.
Other focal points were, of course, the foursome of Kai and friends nurturing their friendship, and the complicated duo of Ryousei and Shion.
A characteristic feature of Yoroi Shin Samurai Toruupaa is its careful depiction of character relationships and the process of building them. While there was some backlash against Kai when he first appeared as a Yousha warrior in Episode 1, the heated developments and Kai’s “bad-at-lying” personality have steadily increased his popularity. Now, attention is gathering on all characters, including the Yousha-side warriors, the Juuyuushi.
For instance, in Episode 4, there was a scene where Kaito, who should have been at odds with Kai, silently offered him a hand. This moment, which hinted at the birth of a legendary pair with lines like, “Whoa, that’s kinda hot!” and “They’re communicating through eye contact!?”, had many viewers watching warmly, thinking, “Kai and Kaito make a good team.”
Regarding each character, comments ranged from appreciating their development – “Kaito-kun is quick-witted and calm. He doesn’t show it much, but he’s also a pretty passionate guy, which is great,” and “It’s nice how they all goof off together and all poke fun at each other. They’ve become good friends” – to gushing over the Juuyuushi and the “self-proclaimed heroine” Birei: “Kyaa! Sasuke-chi!!!” and “Whoa, Miree-chan’s school uniform look was way too cute, wasn’t it?”. Viewers were immersed in the appeal of each character, not just the Samurai Toruupaa.
In the latter part of the story, Shion finally learns about Ryousei’s poison and realizes that he was the only one being stubborn. Ryousei had kept quiet about the poison, considerate of those around him. That kindness was exactly the same as when Shion was a Toruupaa, and Shion had been the only one spinning his wheels. Memories of his active days, happily spent with Ryousei, flashed through his mind.
“You’ve got to be kidding me… what ‘true feelings’… You’re always like this. Your casual clothes are lame, you’re weaker than me, you have hopeless taste in food… And yet…!”
And then, he lends his strength to the “kouhai,” Kai and the others. The kind of heated story that was well-received in Episodes 2 and 3 unfolded here once more. But before them, the Yousha Emperor, Ramaga, finally appears…!? Just what kind of developments await in Episode 5!?
By the way, it seems Shion self-identifies as a “ドM” (do M, meaning a major masochist).
◆◆◆Yoroi Shin Samurai Toruupaa Broadcast Information ◆◆◆
【STAFF】
| Original Work: | Yadate Hajime |
| Director: | Fujita Youichi |
| Series Composition/Script: | Mutou Shougo |
| Main Character Design: | Murota Yuuhei |
| Villain Character Design: | Kotobuki Tsukasa |
| Yoroi Gia Design Concept: | Okamoto Hideaki |
| Animation Yoroi Gia Design: | Suzuki Takuya |
| Chief Animation Director: | Yamanaka Junko, Tanaka Tomoko |
| Main Animator: | Nishimura Hiroyuki |
| Layout Director/Episode Director: | Saitou Akira |
| Art Director: | Yamayama Osamu |
| Color Design: | Tanaka Miho |
| CG Director: | Suzuki Masaomi, Takahashi Keisuke |
| Director of Photography: | Ishiguro Rumi |
| Editing: | Sakamoto Kumiko |
| Sound Director: | Tanaka Ryou |
| Music: | Katayama Shuji (Team-MAX) |
| Animation Production: | Sunrise |
| Production: | “Yoroi Shin Samurai Toruupaa” Production Committee |
【CAST】
| Kai: | Ishibashi Aira |
| Uesugi Kaito: | Enoki Junya |
| Houjou Musashi: | Murase Ayumu |
| Houjou Yamato: | Takeuchi Shunsuke |
| Ishida Shion: | Kumagai Kentarou |
| Oda Ryousei: | Masuda Toshiki |
| Aragaki Birei: | Lynn |
| Ramaga: | Konishi Katsuyuki |
| Sasuke: | Satou Takuya |
| Saizou: | Toriumi Kousuke |
| Kamanosuke: | Terashima Takuma |
| Seika Nyuudou: | Sugita Tomokazu |
| Isa Nyuudou: | Amazaki Kouhei |
| Nezu: | Suzumura Kenichi |
| Anayama: | Sawashiro Chiharu |
| Unno: | Takeuchi Ryouta |
| Kakei: | Endou Daichi |
| Mochizuki: | Kumagai Toshiki |
【TV BROADCAST】
Currently Airing Since Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- TOKYO MX: Every Tuesday at 23:30~
- Kansai TV: Every Tuesday at 25:19~
- BS11: Every Wednesday at 24:00~
【STREAMING (SIMULCAST)】
Streaming Weekly from Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 24:00~
U-NEXT, Anime Houdai, d Anime Store
【ALL-YOU-CAN-WATCH STREAMING】
Streaming Weekly from Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 0:00~
ABEMA, FOD Premium, J:COM STREAM, TELASA, DMM TV, Bandai Channel, Prime Video, Ponta Pass, milplus Viewing Pack Prime, Lemino
【PER-EPISODE STREAMING】
Streaming Weekly from Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 0:00~
J:COM STREAM, TELASA, Bandai Channel, Video Market, Prime Video, music.jp, milplus
- HAPPY! Douga ※ From Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 12:00~
- Movie Full ※ From Monday, January 12, 2026 at 12:00~
- Niconico Channel ※ From Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1:00~
【FREE CATCH-UP STREAMING】
Streaming Weekly from Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 0:00~
TVer, Kantele Douga
Streaming Weekly from Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 0:30~
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Streaming Weekly from Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1:00~
ABEMA
※ Start dates/times, availability periods, pricing, and viewing times may differ by streaming service. Please check the respective services for details.
(C) SUNRISE
《Kigasawa Masashi》
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