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05-02-2022, 05:42 AM | #11 |
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my only other hope (and expectation) was that Aguilera would at least get the honorable battle to the death she wanted. But nope! This isn't a show where side characters get what they want. Olteca doesn't get to be understood, Julio doesn't get the girl, Aguilera doesn't get a dignified exit, but Sakura gets a new trophy to show off to the other Weekenders.
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05-02-2022, 01:20 PM | #12 |
Standing By
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Location: USA
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Quote:
.... I gotta disagree, not sure you quite understood Aguliera's story at all, if you thought the right move was for her to receive the "noble death" treatment. We're talking about a girl raised in a cult all her life, and groomed to be a demon's bride. Once the cult collapses, and Giff straight-up rejects her, (when she believes her sole purpose of her life revolves around those two things) she believes there's nothing else to live for, so death seems like the best option.
But like, isn't that a load of bull for her story to end that way? Not denying her crimes or anything, but she's been the most victimized by the Deadmans' schemes, practically a whole chunk of life has been stolen from her by them! Doesn't she deserve a chance to have a life outside of that dreary existence? For me, the outcome still seems like a load of bull no matter how I look at it. I'm disappointed that the show has left me feeling so cynical about some of these characters. And you know, I get why this arc worked for you and other people. But it left me is feeling let down by what I think could've been a strong arc if only some different decisions were made. Quote:
Unfortunately, I'd given up on getting more out of her character, so I figured it was better for her to go out now before she became too pathetic. Like if you have a bottle of fresh milk (assuming you like milk), you want to drink it before it ferments, right? A glorious death in battle would've at least allowed her to die on her own terms, free from the shadow of Deadmans. A little happiness and closure for someone who had a tragic life. But she was denied even that. A cruel mercy.
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05-02-2022, 02:30 PM | #13 |
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Honestly, I was pretty concerned about them going this route with Aguilera's story arc myself because of the potential implications. But I felt like the execution of this particular plot thread did a good job of avoiding that issue.
This kinda stands in stark contrast to what happened between Daiji and Kagerou. There, it was made clear that one needed to fully eliminate the other in order to become the best version of himself. But Sakura and Aguilera have always had an unusual bond where one (in a very roundabout way) helped pushed the other past their own weakness. In the earlier episodes, Aguilera was this to Sakura. Now, it kinda feels like Sakura is repaying the favor. With the context of this two-parter, it felt less like Aguilera simply wanted to die a noble death, and moreso that she was going through a major existential crisis where the only way she knew how to solve it was to die by Sakura's hands. Knowing what we know about Aguilera's backstory and her history with the Deadmans, I feel like it almost would've felt too "empty" to have her die now when she hasn't even really been a major threat in the story for like 10 episodes. I like the idea of her finally being able to overcome her past and become her own person. Also, FWIW, the stuff with Aguilera and Sakura in this episode is some of the most genuinely heartwarming stuff I've seen in a Rider series and I'm excited to see how their bond develops now that they're firmly fighting on the same side together. I don't feel like she'll get Tamaki'd because even from the beginning, it was clear that Aguilera would be a focal character than Julio. But I like that this also opens up the possibility for Tamaki to grow past Aguilera while she's still around.
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05-02-2022, 06:11 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,518
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Can we call Aguilera be her real name "Hana" now?
I hope Hana will contribute more in Weekend and the Igarashi family. Her Vistamp will probably get purified. |
05-03-2022, 10:58 AM | #15 |
Henshin Heaven
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Inside a Hyper Battle Video, help.
Posts: 1,239
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I liked this as a conclusion to the two parter, even though I was guessing last week that Aguilera would have death as her only recourse. I think it helps that the implementation was very good. Sakura realizing that simply separating Hana from her demon would leave her with the exact same issues as before, so she goes out of her way to really *show* that there is a better life and a place for her to belong. It was heartwarming, and a nice conclusion to their well-paced arc, and I'm honestly looking forward to seeing more of them in the future. I also loved that Jeanne's new Vistamp was themed after a Shoebill! I was also amused this episode that we probably got an answer to "What does Vice look like under his face mask?" since Vail looks so similar to him.
Daiji gets some more attention next week. I'm kinda curious to see where they are going with him. Lately he's been trying harder and harder to be some kind of replacement for Hiromi, which I could see leading to some interesting character growth regardless of which direction they take it.
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05-03-2022, 02:11 PM | #16 |
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The end of the previous villain trio and the start of a new trio.
Previously I talked about the speculation of who's going to be the new villain. If it's Vail, Akaishi, or Giff (like Ark). Turns out that.... all 3 of them are working together, lmao! Akaishi's the main human representation that interacts with others, and Vail is actually current partner of his (still working to get back at the Igarashis), and Giff is the one that provides them power, both for Akaishi's immortality and to give Vail a physical form similar looking to Vice's. So far Akaishi's history is him making a contract with Giff to gain his power and him taking up a role to oversee human's evolution, and he wants to evolve them due to it being proven to both Akemi with gun and Daiji trying to cave his head in and Akaishi wanted to 'share' his superiority with them. And though Akemi is still powerless against a superhuman, now here she can perform some action feats in normal human level with her breaking free of the zipties (like Sakura) and somersaulting off a sofa to arm herself with a gun. So what was Akemi thinking when Kagerou physically attacked her before? Or even when Giftarians slowly walked on her? Previously she acted as damsel-in-distress in those situations that imply she isn't an action type that time, but now turns out she is one, I mean she could've broken free from Kagerou's hold then? And for the main thing in this episode between the yuri couple of Sakura and Aguilera, I already expected that it'd end with Aguilera living and apparently redeemed here midway due to how Aguilera opened up and had fun living a human life with Sakura. That'd mean she's shown to find something worthwhile in human life and the series won't waste that anymore by having her die. For this part, I kinda appreciate about how this one's less repetitive to have more different approach done in the story between them. Other than that, as she's redeemed now, I'm afraid this can strengthen the "they're not villains just misunderstood" arguments to shift the blame from anyone but the villains, like not coddling them like this (and still giving excuses to them when they take advantage/backstab of this) using Aguilera as 'proof'. And for my place, likely increasing the misuse of the word 'heroine' to be slapped on any major female characters (instead of her actually becoming one much later here for Aguilera's case), even if they're anything but (for series that has no secondary heroines, like Zi-O, and sociopaths like Ora being refered as 'heroine' ). Wonder what'd happen to Deadman (and Akaishi's focused on Fenix for now..), or what Tamaki will do now as Aguilera is fully safe now, or how someone bratty and spoiled like Aguilera interact with others at Weekend (obviously, the other one given 'sexy' uniform with knee-high boots), but won't believe it can be handled well if it happened, or probably it'd annoy me more if she mistreats others at Weekend (like ofc, being commanded) and got free pass due to her 'good' status now. Though making her only background audience at Weekend like Tamaki is at Happy Spa isn't good either. Otherwise, as turning human would have her being refered by her human name Hana now, I'd still call her Aguilera because... well there's already a major character named Hana in this franchise previously. I guess despite previously that 'what Aguilera wants' vs 'what's the right thing' is finally addressed, turns out that the latter wins here, and I guess the difference of Sakura and Ikki before was that Sakura knows Aguilera more and can reach out to her better than even Tamaki? Then only by that time she decides to separate her instead (with George's help to make her a̶ ̶G̶r̶i̶m̶ ̶R̶e̶a̶p̶e̶r̶ a) and not instantly at the beginning? So even if the (initial) end solution is giving someone death if it's what they want, the right thing is still not exempt and should still be tried upon here. And her speech (to instruct Aguilera) before delivering the blow to save anyone regardless of which power would mean this treatment is not strictly for Aguilera (for the shippers though..). Previously there's more showings for Lovekov, so she's a fan of heavy metal music, and she's actually an abrasive demon too, instead of the docile and peaceful one shown before, with how she trashtalks Vice. Well the implication is already there with how she already called Vice a loser before.and her behavior at ep. 29. The one who ensures that the yuri couple had fun, the older brother Ikki and Vice himself, by fighting off Vail, I would say that Vail's showings aren't that impressive yet here, he's evenly matched with base Vice (I know there are series that has base form taking on the final threat but this one's still middle!) instead of same power but superior one. And by that Revice is expected to had upper hand on Vail shortly after. Though it may not be Vail's best capabilities with Revice's finisher not finishing off Vail. Other than that Ikki shows himself growing out of his busybodiness again by convincing Vice that they're right to stand back from the yuri couple's problem. So Vice telling Ikki to stay the way he is was a bad influence even if it's well-meaning before! Quote:
I prefer Isaac over Akaishi, desu. It's really hard to take him seriously and the way he just leaves Daiji (and even Akemi) alive was eh. I know that Daiji is a protagonist and shouldn't die, but I'd take Daiji getting out of there as opposed to Akaishi leaving him just 'cause.
Quote:
.But like, isn't that a load of bull for her story to end that way? Not denying her crimes or anything, but she's been the most victimized by the Deadmans' schemes, practically a whole chunk of life has been stolen from her by them! Doesn't she deserve a chance to have a life outside of that dreary existence?
(Personally I am always :/ when victims of abuse simply are met with a horrific end after dangling a chance of happiness a little bit out their reach, im still bitter about Yuka from Faiz!)
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05-03-2022, 06:50 PM | #17 |
New Member
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 17
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Quote:
And though Akemi is still powerless against a superhuman, now here she can perform some action feats in normal human level with her breaking free of the zipties (like Sakura) and somersaulting off a sofa to arm herself with a gun. So what was Akemi thinking when Kagerou physically attacked her before? Or even when Giftarians slowly walked on her? Previously she acted as damsel-in-distress in those situations that imply she isn't an action type that time, but now turns out she is one, I mean she could've broken free from Kagerou's hold then?
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05-03-2022, 08:18 PM | #18 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,416
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I don't know if I'm reading too much into things here, but I feel like we're all going to remember Sakura and Hana as being really good friends.
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05-04-2022, 03:03 AM | #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Unfortunately, I'd given up on getting more out of her character, so I figured it was better for her to go out now before she became too pathetic. Like if you have a bottle of fresh milk (assuming you like milk), you want to drink it before it ferments, right? A glorious death in battle would've at least allowed her to die on her own terms, free from the shadow of Deadmans. A little happiness and closure for someone who had a tragic life. But she was denied even that. A cruel mercy.
What's so glorious about nagging a hero into killing her? If she wants to die in battle and escape Gif's shadow, she should try to kill Akaishi. What's the point in fighting someone that Gif wants dead anyway? The best thing for her is redemption through fighting Gif, not a needless suicide. Seeing Hana hang out with Sakura is way more satisfying than Sakura killing Aguilera. Even if Hana ends up not doing much, I'll still be happier about it than the alternative. Not to mention what it would do to Sakura. Does she really seem like the type of character who should become a murderer? Even if she has the resolve to do it now, this is definitely the type of thing she'd regret later on. I'm just really not into the idea that death, glorious or otherwise, is somehow better than redemption |
05-04-2022, 09:22 AM | #20 |
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Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 2,096
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Quote:
So even if the (initial) end solution is giving someone death if it's what they want, the right thing is still not exempt and should still be tried upon here. And her speech (to instruct Aguilera) before delivering the blow to save anyone regardless of which power would mean this treatment is not strictly for Aguilera (for the shippers though..).
Quote:
You and I have very different definitions of glorious.
What's so glorious about nagging a hero into killing her? If she wants to die in battle and escape Gif's shadow, she should try to kill Akaishi. What's the point in fighting someone that Gif wants dead anyway? The best thing for her is redemption through fighting Gif, not a needless suicide. Seeing Hana hang out with Sakura is way more satisfying than Sakura killing Aguilera. Even if Hana ends up not doing much, I'll still be happier about it than the alternative. Not to mention what it would do to Sakura. Does she really seem like the type of character who should become a murderer? Even if she has the resolve to do it now, this is definitely the type of thing she'd regret later on. I'm just really not into the idea that death, glorious or otherwise, is somehow better than redemption Furthermore, Sakura was cruel enough to break her promise even after she requested a condition in exchange for that promised death, just like Olteca and Ikki (albeit due to memory loss so he can be absolved) did, making this the second time Aguilera was given a false promise. Aguilera shouldn't affiliate with someone who consciously breaks a promise. A glorious death in battle is not the same as suicide, which doesn't have the feeling of bravery and strength of will attached to it. Even harakiri, which is similarly romanticized in Bushido culture, is generally performed in repentance as a way of regaining lost honor. Glory doesn't have to be heroic or serve a greater purpose, it can be selfish as well. Part of being a Kamen Rider is the willingness to do unpleasant things for the sake of justice and carry the burden of those sins. Ikki and Daiji have already killed three Giftex collectively, so Sakura killing one would be a bigger deal to them than it'd be to her.
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