Ronin Warriors - The Hardest Battle (Vol. 5)

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Summary: It was SUPPOSED to end here! (fortunately, it didn't!)
Review: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (AKA Ronin Warriors) was originally intended to end after one season, in a rather gloomy fashion, with the destruction of the Troopers. However, towards the end of the season the creators of the show were told "hey, this show's doing well, we'd like another season!".

In what turned out to be one of the most inspired improvisations ever animated, they redid the last two episodes in a matter of weeks, having only to rerun one episode for extra time, and in the process creating the main driving force for the next season: the "white armor" called Keikoutei.

These episodes are some of the best of the series, which I consider to be the best of the "God-Warrior" subgenre. Arago, the lord of his own part of Hell, gains back the power of his old armor, which had been split into the nine Yoroi (mystic armor) by the Shugendo mage/priest/warrior Kaos. Only Rekka no Ryo ("Ryo of the Wildfire") remains to oppose him, and even he finally falls to Arago, to be absorbed by the demonlord. But even in failure there is one last chance, and in taking that last chance Ryo, and the Troopers, are changed forever.