Force Five: Danguard Ace

The myterious masked man, Mr. X, is an extraordinary pilot who has managed to escape the Doppler Corps. He is brought in by Dr. Oedo (Cmdr. Cross) to train 3 young pilots for the Danguard Ace after defeating Mecha-Satan "Robotras". He is now known as "Captain Dan." (a.k.a. Captain Mask)

The rigorous training by Captain Dan is enough to make the most promising pilot take up basket weaving. However, Takuma vows to someday pilot the Danguard Ace in spite of the brutal training. Especially after Captain Dan backs up what he preaches from his own flight training methods by single handedly taking out Mecha-Satan "Hell Sparrow" using conventional weapons considered obsolete by the cadets.

Captain Dan is needed again... This time, to fight off Mecha-Satan "Death Tanker." When the unthinkable happens and he gets in trouble, Takuma goes against grounding orders and saves his life. Captain Dan was pleased with the end result but not the means. Takuma feels that Captain Dan has a special grudge against him. Is Takuma right in his assumption?

Kanaya (Marcus) suffers a career-ending injury as he (already injured) stows away aboard Satelizer. There is a defect in the Satelizer and Sky Arrow's ability to do the "T" Formation. Kanetani finds a way to use the Mecha-Satan "Galagas'" weapon to correct the problem. Unfortunatly, this was his last Satelizer flight as this manuever further injured him... As Kanaya sets sail and leaves Jasdam along with his dreams of being a Danguard pilot, a teary-eyed Takuma flys Satelizer over the ferryboat droping off a bouquet of flowers bidding his friend Kanaya farewell... (hence the episode title name)

Captain Dan is given an ultimatum by the Doppler Corps. as they lure him to an island with his masked friends held hostage. The hostages turn out to be fakes and highly explosive ones at that! Captain Dan is believed to have perished in the explosion until he shows up at Dr. Oedo's office (at the end of the episode) with a full recollection of his past and identity. He is also able to remove his mask! Who is he?

Captain Dan has now been revealed as the long lost Dantetsu Ichimonji (Col. Blackstar)! Colonel Ichimonji swears Dr. Oedo to secrecy about his true identity as Takuma has enough trouble focusing on his pilot training and the fact that the press would have a field day with Ichimonji's sudden return. So, he continues to wear the mask (now safe of Doppler's control). Now that Col. Ichimonji knows Takuma is his son, this does not change the rigorous flight training. In fact, it becomes all the more intense! Col. Ichimonji will not reveal himself to his son until he becomes a man.