Yoroshinden Samurai Troopers Episode 6 Highlights and Fan Reactions: A New Generation Rises from the Ashes

The currently airing Yoroshinden Samurai Troopers is a direct sequel to the 1988 series Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, set 35 years later in the “present day.” It follows the growth of the next-generation Samurai Troopers, a government anti-Youja special forces unit, while also showing the “current” lives of the original warriors and previous characters. This approach has won over both new fans and long-time followers of the classic series.

Its standout trait is, without a doubt, its breakneck, no-holds-barred storytelling.

From revealing that the series’ ultimate villain, the Youja Emperor Rama Ga, is actually the original Samurai Trooper Sanada Ryou, to the heartbreaking death of the aniki-figure Oda Ryuusei, each episode leaves viewers reeling. The latest episode, Episode 6, which aired on February 10, dropped another bombshell: the surprise appearance of a legacy character, Yamano Jun, in the final scene!

Jun, suffering from severe PTSD and holed up in a corner of the fortress train, is a shadow of his former self—unrecognizable from his physique 35 years ago due to a lack of exercise and poor habits. Fans, especially on X (formerly Twitter), erupted with shock: “Ju…Jun!? Wait, Jun!?” and “The old-school Trooper otaku are screaming right now.” His completely changed appearance and personality left many veteran fans in a daze.

Beyond the visual shock, the pressing question is: what horrors did Jun experience? The fate of the other four original Samurai Troopers is also a major concern.

Their salvation may lie with the new generation of Samurai Troopers: Gai, Uesugi Kaito, Houjou Musashi, Houjou Yamato, and Ishida Shion. Reeling from the loss of their reliable companion Ryuusei, these five are at their lowest point. Yet, they are struggling to take their next painful steps forward.

Let’s dive into the highlights of Episode 6, alongside the passionate reactions from fans on X.

Ryuusei, Supporting His Companions Even in Death

Right from the start of Episode 6, viewers were stunned by the sudden footage that played. It was nothing other than clips from the 38-year-old TV series Yoroiden Samurai Troopers! This abrupt surprise threw X into chaos: “Eh!? This is from the old series!?” and “Showing the old footage is too much! My heart’s pounding!!”

The flashback showed a young Ryuusei and Shion training under Ryou, just before his disappearance into the Youja world. Back then, Ryou was in charge of training newcomers for the DST (Defense Special Incident Countermeasures Headquarters), gently but thoroughly drilling into Ryuusei and Shion what it meant to be a hero.

With Ryou’s past being fleshed out so clearly, fans immediately grew curious about the other original Troopers. “What happened to Touma-san and Seiji-san?” and “This makes you wonder what happened to the other Troopers, huh…” were common sentiments. As for “present-day Ryou,” reactions varied: “As a Ryou otaku, I fainted from the very start,” and “I’m relieved that even as an adult, Ryou is still Ryou.”

While the episode revealed how Ryou became possessed by Rama Ga, the real problems were just beginning. Having lost Ryuusei and been utterly crushed by Rama Ga’s subordinates, the Jyuushi, the Samurai Troopers were completely demoralized. Even after returning to their fortress train, they were cornered by a battle with no chance of victory. Musashi’s despair was particularly profound; trembling, he confessed to Kaito and Yamato:

“Wouldn’t it be okay… to run away?”

He reasoned that even if they quit being Samurai Troopers and were scorned, it was better than dying. This was the pure, agonizing conflict felt by kids caught between the dream of “becoming heroes” and the reality of “risking their lives.” They weren’t “chosen ones” like the first generation and had no obligation to fight. The reality presented to them was brutally harsh. Viewers sympathized, posting “Well, I can’t say I don’t understand,” while feeling complex emotions.

Meanwhile, Gai began to change following Ryuusei’s death. Having tasted the “agony of death” for the first time—something he never knew as a Youja—he now hesitated even against the human-turned-Youja “Kugutsu.” Anticipating this, Ryuusei had left behind a special training program just for Gai. Gai immediately tried it, but the training was far more brutal and “vicious” than imagined.

The training involved creating virtual enemies based on memories. This time, the “virtual enemies” were the people Gai had mercilessly killed in Episode 1. “How dare you kill me!”, “I had a family that mattered to me…”, “I was just there, minding my own business…”. They appeared one after another, stabbing Gai with blank eyes. Over and over and over again. Only Gai’s anguished screams echoed in the virtual void.

X users reacted with, “The time has come to face his sins,” “That’s a harsh program,” and “Because he learned about humans, because he understood what precious people are…” While the series initially faced criticism for Gai’s cruelty, now that he’s growing and awakening to the “benevolence” needed to be a “Warrior of Flame,” a sense of rooting for him is budding. But even as fans thought this, Gai was being torn apart, forced to taste the torment of his own sins and the “human heart” he came to know through Ryuusei’s death.

The Samurai Troopers were pushed to their limits. While Gai hadn’t lost his will to fight, Kaito, Musashi, and Yamato, wanting to avoid more casualties among their companions, were even considering quitting.

It was then that Shion, the former Samurai Trooper who once left Ryuusei’s side, appeared before them.

Shion, having received detailed data analyzing Gai’s team’s battle styles and weaknesses compiled by Ryuusei, challenged them to a fight to honor Ryuusei’s wishes. He promptly provoked and beat down Yamato.

Ryuusei had seen all of his “kouhai’s” strengths and weaknesses. With his detailed data and Shion’s experienced maneuvering, Yamato, Musashi, and Kaito were no match. Yet, in Shion, they overlapped the image of Ryuusei, feeling as if they were training with him again. Despite his sharp tongue, Shion’s core is kind. Was this just “because Ryuusei entrusted him with the task”?

Viewers resonated with this, posting, “Shion, this guy’s actually a good dude, isn’t he?”, “He’s properly taking Ryuusei’s place, isn’t he?”, and “I loved all the first-gen members, but I love all the Reiwa ones too.”

Amidst this, Kaito couldn’t help but shout at Shion:

“Why… why did you leave us behind… What are we supposed to do now!?”

Kaito looked at Shion with pleading eyes even as they fought. Sensing the turmoil in those eyes, Shion also gritted his teeth and muttered, suppressing overflowing emotions:

“I feel the same…”

Shion, who seemed composed on the surface, was actually just as hurt. After all, he was the companion who trained under Ryou alongside Ryuusei, shared joys and hardships, and tasted the same setbacks. If only he had noticed the poison Ryuusei took, perhaps there could have been a different path. But Shion rebelled against Ryuusei and chose to leave his side. That’s precisely why he now reappeared before his “kouhai” to take up what Ryuusei left unfinished.

Even the moment it was decided he would rejoin the Samurai Troopers after his fight with Gai, Shion was enveloped in memories of training with Ryuusei as he lay on the ground.

From beside him, he heard Ryuusei’s “familiar voice”:

“This pain will become a step towards changing tomorrow.”

By the time Shion looked up in surprise, it was too late—Ryuusei’s phantom smile had already dissolved into the void. It was a treasured memory that lived on in Shion’s heart alone, those happy days that would never return. Yet, he narrowed his eyes happily and, “As if that’s how it works,” looked up at the sky just as he did in those bygone days.

Ryuusei, who remains in “everyone’s” hearts even in death, offering that gentle smile. These five are different from the poster-boy Samurai Troopers. They aren’t just a ragtag group; they are precious companions gathered under Ryuusei’s will. Doesn’t that feel somewhat similar to the first-generation Samurai Troopers, who were the “Chosen Five”?

Thus, Shion officially rejoined as a Samurai Trooper. Finally, the five warriors were united. Their next goal is to obtain the Haoutei armor, the trump card against Rama Ga. To do that, they decided to meet the key figure, Jun. But…

What exactly happened to Jun? What developments await in Episode 7, airing February 17? With its rapidly accelerating plot, Yoroshinden Samurai Troopers is becoming impossible to look away from!

Yoroshinden Samurai Troopers Broadcast Information

Staff

Cast

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)

Available from Tuesday, January 6, 2026, every Tuesday at 24:00

• U-NEXT, Anime Hodai, d Anime Store

Subscription Streaming

Available from Saturday, January 10, 2026, every Saturday at 0:00

• ABEMA, FOD Premium, J:COM STREAM, TELASA, DMM TV, Bandai Channel, Prime Video, Ponta Pass, milplus Viewing Pack Prime, Lemino

Pay-Per-View Streaming

Available from Saturday, January 10, 2026, every Saturday 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

Available from Saturday, January 10, 2026, every Saturday at 0:00

• TVer, Kantele Douga

Available from Saturday, January 10, 2026, every Saturday at 0:30

• Niconico Live Broadcast

Available from Saturday, January 10, 2026, every Saturday at 1:00

• ABEMA

※ Start dates, availability periods, prices, and viewing times may vary by service. Please check the respective streaming services for details.

(C) SUNRISE

Written by Kigasawa Masashi

_

Source