Original subtitles

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[narrator] When this giant floating fortress

suddenly appeared in the sky,

it marked the dawn of a new era,

kindling the never-ending war between humans and monsters.

[all] Divine Rangers. Dragon Keepers!

[commentator] The Dragon Keepers versus the Nefarious Monster Army!

It's been 13 years since the battle began,

and the weekly Sunday Showdown continues to draw huge crowds.

What kind of epic battle are we in for today?

Well, I, for one, can't wait to find out!

[commentator] Now, don't let the crowd's excitement fool you,

the Rangers appear to be in a state of high alert.

And with good reason. Our monster experts tell us

the Monster Army allegedly has a top secret weapon on-hand

that they plan on unveiling at today's showdown!

-[Red Keeper laughs] -[commentator] Whoa, look who it is!

Red Keeper's here to greet his adoring fans.

You guys are the best.

Zoom in! Zoom in!

[fans murmuring]

[commentator] Ah, what a guy. So good to his fans.

-Sorry for the wait. -But then again,

would you expect anything less from the esteemed leader

-of the Ranger Force? -You'll all get a turn.

[commentator] Will we see him use his Dragon Slash technique today?

Stay tuned to find out how they defend humanity!

The fact that no one has spotted the Monster Army thus far

makes me wonder just what could they be up to

at the floating fortress up there?

What villainous schemes are they concocting for us now?

Hi, are you here to watch the fight?

This place will be a battlefield soon.

And we promise we'll do our very best to keep you out of danger!

But if you insist on spectating despite all the risks,

then head on in.

[groans, scoffs]

[grunts]

[sighs] Come on… That's a little dramatic.

There haven't been any civilian casualties in years.

We're legally required to tell you that.

Huh?

How noble of you.

So young and you've given your lives to the Rangers.

-And you can enlist too! -[passerby] Eh?

The Rangers are always looking out for new blood!

-So what are you waiting for? Join us! -Ah! Too close. And you're closer now.

[uncomfortable grunting]

Hmm…

You want me to join the Rangers?

[recruiter 1] It's not as hard as it might sound.

But whether you'll be like them one day, well, that's another story.

[soft grunt]

[gasps]

The rest is up to you, I guess. Isn't it?

[breathing shakily]

[determined grunt]

[recruiter 2] All right. This way, please.

[♪ grandiose music playing]

[popping]

I know, right? Don't you find that so funny?

[whooshing]

[♪ tense music playing]

[growls]

[roaring]

[spectator 1] Look, the monsters are here!

[spectator 2] You guys don't learn, do ya? Just keep coming back for more!

[spectator 3] Get lost! You suck!

[spectators chanting] Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!

-[announcer] Attention, all spectators. -[Fighters groaning]

For your safety, please refrain from throwing objects into the arena.

-[Red Keeper] There you are, monsters! -Huh?

[♪ epic music playing]

You're finally here…

You won't conquer Earth that easily

'cause this planet belongs to humans

and we won't let monsters win.

We are…

-The Dragon Keepers! -[Rangers] The Dragon Keepers!

[spectators cheering]

I was created by the resentment of every tiger in this world.

And I will avenge them. You earthlings shall pay!

Now where should I start?

How about by turning all animals tiger-striped?

Does that sound fun?

No, it doesn't! Leave them alone!

[worried murmurs]

The hell are y'all looking at? This ain't a zoo.

Didn't your mommy ever tell you it's rude to stare?

[shouts] Give 'em hell, Dusters!

-[grunting] -[spectator] No, please!

[shouting]

[both whimpering]

-[electric buzzing] -[grunts]

-I'll be the one to handle you. -[spectator gasps]

Sakurama, bring them to a safe spot to watch the show.

On it, Suzukiri.

-Here. Right this way. -Thank you so much!

[growling]

[both grunt, groan]

[grunting]

[worried murmurs]

[Ul-Tora] Aw, come on! What's wrong?

I'm disappointed! Is that all you guys got?

[Red Keeper grunts]

-He's the toughest opponent we've faced. -[Yellow Keeper grunts]

Let's up our game.

Yeah, he's super strong.

[grunts]

If it's a battle of strength you're looking for,

Green Keeper's up to the challenge!

[grunts]

H-hey, wait! Too big! Too big!

Ooh! I just rocked your world!

[rumbles]

Huh?

[♪ intense music playing]

[laughs]

Aw, no, I knew it would take more than that to kill him!

Use the Divine Artifact!

I'll never die. I'm immortal!

[Red Keeper grunts]

[Ul-Tora] Transformation! Tiger Tiger Tiger Truck!

[Ul-Tora growling]

-Scrum now! -[Rangers] Got it!

[growling]

[all grunting]

[growling]

[all groaning]

-[grunting] -[♪ tense music playing]

[groaning]

[all grunt]

[roars]

What? No way!

Yeah way. That guy's hella strong.

[spectator 1] Do you think… Do you think we're done for this time?

[roars]

[spectator 2] It's too powerful…

[sniffles]

Don't give up, Dragon Keepers!

-[spectator 3] Get up! -[grunts]

[spectator 4] Blast those monsters away!

We won't lose today… or ever.

As long as there's someone left to protect,

we'll always get back up…

-[spectators cheering] -…and keep fighting!

[grunts]

[grunts, screams]

Holy crap! The Divine Artifact already?

All surviving Dusters in position!

[Fighters grunt]

[roars]

We're gonna go with the classic, all right?

Once they fire the Dragon Blaster, you got it?

Then we reconstruct ourselves at the fortress.

I know you'll crush the defeat speech, buddy.

Uh… Oh, no, I don't actually have one.

"I won't forget this."

That sounds cool. Super monstery and evil.

Yeah… No, that's way overdone, D.

Wait, Fighter D?

You weren't scheduled to work, this isn't your shift!

[Fighter D] Uh-huh. [grunts]

Yeah, what are you doing here, man?

[Fighter A] Huh?

[all] Dragon's Breath!

[Fighter A] No! Shit, shit, shit! Brace yourselves!

-I'm over this. -Huh?

I'm done putting on this act.

W-Wait, D! Get back here!

Come on. We're almost done!

[all] Fire!

[Fighter D] I'm so done with this playacting.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[spectators cheering]

That should do it. Ad break.

[♪ cheeky music playing]

[inhales sharply] We're so totally screwed!

[panicked whimper]

Guys, I got nothing.

Well, don't just give up! We need a Monster of the week now.

Keep brainstorming! It shouldn't be this--

-Ouch! Ouch! -[Fighter A] I mean, yeah, honestly,

it is really hard coming up with fresh ideas every single week.

-[Fighters] Huh? -I can't work under these conditions!

Screw this. Naptime.

[commentator] The Dragon Keepers versus the Nefarious Monster Army!

It's been 13 years since the battle began,

and the weekly Sunday Showdown continues to draw…

[Fighter C] The audience is already getting fired up.

[Fighter G] Maybe something he says will spark an idea.

[commentator] And with good reason. Our monster experts tell us

the Monster Army allegedly has a top secret weapon on-hand…

You, sir, are no help at all!

After a 13-year battle? Who'd buy that?

Why do we even still play this game?

I know, right? I still can't wrap my head around how this mess happened to us!

[Fighter C] Our mighty evil floating fortress

and our bosses fell in like… a year?

We're just Dusters.

How can pathetic henchmen like us stand a chance?

Also, do you ever wonder why they spared us

after they brutally murdered our bosses?

I don't know. Maybe they saw our numbers and chickened out?

[commentator] Look who it is!

Red Keeper's here to greet his adoring fans.

What are we doing? We don't have time to be standing around lollygagging!

All right, fine! I'll come up with something myself!

[Fighters] Fighter G!

[all exclaim]

You better hold onto your butts!

For super-strong, muscly-armed monster guy!

-[Fighter C] Wow! -[snickers]

-[Fighter H] So muscle-y… -[excited chatter]

-[Fighter A] Lame! -[grunts]

[Fighter G] Why's it lame?

How many times have I told you? Abstract ideas don't leave

-a lasting impression on the audience? -[Fighter G gasps]

It'll lose the moment it steps foot on the stage!

All stars need a motif. You know, a gimmick.

All right, let's ease up on him, Fighter A.

We don't really have time to be nitpicky anymore.

[loud groan] We wouldn't be in this mess

if our bosses hadn't been blown to smithereens!

Come on! No point crying over spilled milk.

We don't need our bosses. I believe in us!

[Fighters] Fighter L!

[Fighter L] How about this? A cute kitty cat creature!

The surface-dwellers will love it!

-So adorable. Right? -[Fighters] Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[shouts] We're not going for adorable!

We're supposed to create big bad monsters

that strike fear in the hearts of little children!

-[Fighter L whines] -[Fighter A] There's a sense of catharsis

that comes from defeating scary monsters! That's what they want!

[Fighter L] Or we could make it a cute lion--

[Fighter A] We made a lion seven years ago!

[all sigh]

-[Fighter D] A tiger. -[all] Huh?

Pretty sure we haven't made a tiger monster yet.

I've heard on the surface,

they use the dragon and tiger to describe arch nemeses.

Hey! I'm talking. Do you mind?

Yeah, the Dragon Keepers obviously represent the dragon,

so it only makes sense that we'd be repping the tiger.

[Fighter C] You-you really give this stuff a lot of thought, don't you?

The dragon and the tiger, huh?

It's kinda flattering.

I hope they see us as arch nemeses. I mean, we always lose, but--

[shouts] Why are you assuming we'll lose?

-[all] Huh? -We're the big bad monsters.

We take down anyone in our way, even the Dragon Keepers! Ain't that right?

Look, we may not win now,

but we can't give up hoping that one day, we will!

We must never let the dream die! Never!

-[Fighter C] Shut up, D! -[grunts]

Can't hear the radio, dummy!

[Fighter D] Why are you listening to that surface-dweller propaganda!

That crap will rot your brains!

We shouldn't be spending all this time

coming up with a monster who's only gonna lose,

but coming up with a strategy that'll help us win!

At this rate, we'll never fulfill our purpose.

Our true mission.

What mission?

Wait, wait, wait, did you get… did you guys get one?

[Fighter D] World domination.

Our bosses may be gone, but the mission hasn't changed.

There's only one reason we're still fighting,

and that's to make this planet ours!

[shouts] All right, let's do it!

Turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn, turn…

[laughter]

[Fighter A] World domination! How adorable!

[Fighter C] Been a while since I heard that one.

-[angry grunt] -[Fighter G] Pulled that

right out of the Super Villain handbook, huh?

[Fighter A] That's one word for it!

-[grunting] -[Fighters exclaim]

[footsteps approaching]

[Fighter F sighs] There we are.

You should dial it back.

No point in infighting, you know?

I get what you're saying, F.

But doesn't this piss you off?

It is what it is.

The rest of us have just learned to make the most of it.

For 13 years, we've lost to the Rangers 1,000 times.

You should know better by now.

No. Just 998 times.

Don't harp on the details.

Listen to me.

[Fighter F] It's over. We lost the day our bosses were killed.

We continue to invade the planet every Sunday,

but can't let civilians know that this is all an act.

Those were the terms of the truce we signed that fateful day.

After all this time, they might no longer see us as monsters.

And it's time you accept it.

[Fighter C] All right.

Finally settled. Are we all… we all agree on tiger?

Okay, now, who's got the best tiger impression?

Hey, would you toss me that old animal encyclopedia

-the Rangers gave us? Oh. -I'll do it.

Uh, Fighter Z.

[Fighter C] You think you can do it?

Uh, not sure, but I'm gonna try.

[grunting]

[grunting, growling]

-Any time. -[Fighter Z] Just a little more…

Almost got it… [grunts]

Hey, get outta my way!

Well? What do you think?

I don't really know how a tiger works, so…

[Fighter G] No, no, yeah, you totally look like one.

-Aw, you mean it? -[Fighter G] Yeah.

[Fighter C] I think we need a little more oomph.

Oh, you think?

-[Fighter L] Tiger trucks… -I'm open to…

[Fighter D] I'm probably better than him at reconstruction.

[Fighter F] Then you do it, D.

I already have other plans. Besides, I'm not on shift today.

Jeez, again? Where is it that you've been running off to?

D?

I'd never step up to be a boss.

[Fighter D] Not if I'm meant to be defeated.

Like I said… it's how it is.

-[Fighter F] Hey, D. -[Fighter D] Huh?

[Fighter F] During the last Sunday Showdown,

I saw a small surface-dweller in front of me.

[groaning]

[Fighter F] Can you guess what he said to me, his supposed enemy?

-He said, "Come on, you can do it!" -[Fighter F] Huh?

Why did he say that to me?

It just didn't make any sense.

[♪ pensive music playing]

But whatever it was,

it honestly didn't feel half as bad, you know?

The general public out there doesn't know any better.

Let's do it for them.

[Fighter F] By letting the Rangers fight us,

we make them heroes and keep the public's dream alive.

So then losing means we still win.

[soft grunt]

[all] Fire!

[Fighter F] So I'll do my best to play the perfect monster.

And boom! There it is! Dragon's Breath!

[commentator] Using their ultimate technique,

the day has once again been saved by the Dragon Keepers!

[Fighter D] Ow.

Just 'cause we can't die

doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to us.

We still feel pain, you know?

Monsters aren't here for you to just beat up.

The civilians may not know this is all an act…

but we know we're just doing the same thing week after week.

Aren't you getting bored with this game?

Don't you yearn for more?

So, what do you say? How about we flip the script a bit?

This week, the monsters win.

-Huh. Seems like we missed one. -[Blue Keeper grunts]

This isn't the agreement. Be a good villain and play your part.

[Green Keeper laughs] Is this guy serious?

Guys. This isn't a good sign.

[Pink Keeper] It's not too late to change course.

Hurry back to the fortress.

You're right, it's not too late…

to end these games.

-[♪ dramatic music playing] -I'm taking every one of you guys down.

[shouts] Here comes a real fight!

-[♪ music stops] -[panting]

[Yellow Keeper laughs] He's running over.

[Blue Keeper] I wouldn't call that running.

Let me deal with him.

[Green Keeper] Yeah! You got this, Red!

[exhales sharply, inhales sharply]

I'm quite impressed by your bravery, Fighter!

You are a formidable opponent!

[panting]

[spectator] All right! Finally, someone with guts!

-[child] You can do it! -[Fighter D] Huh?

[surprised grunt]

Hey, monster! Get 'em! Do your best, okay?

[Fighter D grunts]

[Fighter D] Oh, shut up, kid. I know what you're doing.

You just want to see a pathetic peon

get his butt handed to him for your entertainment.

Well, you know what? Screw that.

I'll wipe those smiles off your dumb faces.

You'll regret looking down on me.

Take a good look. 'Cause this "pathetic peon"

is a big bad monster and proud of it!

[Red Keeper in soft voice] Hey, good job, buddy.

-[shocked grunt] -Just don't get too ahead of yourself.

This isn't the stage for your kind to shine, pal.

So why don't you be a good little fighter?

Shut up, play your part, and lose.

[shouts] We are the keepers of justice!

[Fighter D groaning]

[crowd cheering]

[all] Fire!

[Fighter D] I'm over this.

I'm not even a bad guy now.

-[Fighter A] Did you see that? -[Fighter B] Geez!

[Fighter A] Fighter M blown away in the wind!

[Fighter C] Okay, good work, everyone.

That's 999 battles and 999 losses.

[Fighter N] Yeah, just try not to think about it.

[Fighter F] Where is D? Why isn't he back yet?

[Fighter N] Uh, it's not really surprising.

[Fighter N] I mean, he's not the first one to run off and quit.

I get it, living under their thumb sucks,

-but we have to if we wanna survive. -[Fighter D grunts, breathing heavily]

[groans, breathing heavily]

[Fighter D] Well, now I finally know.

No. I think I've always known.

They don't even see us as opponents.

We're just their slaves.

And I'm sick and tired of staying quiet and doing what I'm told.

-[door creaks open] -[Suzukiri] Huh?

-[gasps] -Oh, it's you. We met earlier.

What are you doing all the way up here?

Yeah, I, uh… figured I'd get a better view of the battlefield from higher up.

[Suzukiri] I know, isn't it great?

I like this spot too.

Well? How was it?

What was your opinion of this week's battle?

I mean… I guess it was cool to see The Dragon Keepers up close.

They're so strong.

Like, stupid strong.

[Fighter D] I wanna be like them too one day.

Oh? Do I hear you saying you wanna join the Rangers?

Yeah. I guess I am.

In fact, maybe I should take the recruitment exam!

Oh, wow, look at you, all fired up now.

Yeah, I am.

I'll take 'em down.

-I'll defeat every last enemy. -[radio static]

[commentator] Though locked in a desperate struggle to survive

against their strongest opponent to date,

the cheers from the audience sparked a surge of power within them

and lead to an epic win.

The victory of humanity is within reach! Fight on, Dragon Keepers!

Protect our planet!

[♪ upbeat music playing, Tatsuya Kitani "Preview of Me"]

"Go! Go! Fighter D!"

-That sounds cool. -"Go"? Where are you going?

I'm not going anywhere! Leave me alone.

I heard you say "go".

Shut up! I was brainstorming!

-What was it? -Shush! Next time, "Go! Fighter D!"

[Fighter D] Yeah, that sounded pretty cool.

Episode name!