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05-09-2020, 05:43 PM | #15881 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,410
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Quote:
Glad you enjoyed the read, it was fun to go back through the show again, even if I did occasionally get sideline by work and/or Fire Emblem. |
05-10-2020, 11:19 PM | #15882 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 104
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Finished Blade.
That final arc was a proper banger! Easily the most invested I’d been in this show. Great culmination of themes and characters all around, and I got a kick out of the fact that the much hyped Joker’s Doomsday Scenario was… him summoning army of roaches. Genuine nightmare scenario, but also funny as hell. The only major blemish was Tachibana waltzing back with the Chief all of sudden; it cheapened the impact of that epic last stand at the end of Ep 47, and just the sort of weak punch-pulling move that I dislike (meanwhile, the Chief was just there for wildly unnecessary exposition and spoiler about Kenzaki’s plan). While I’m wrapping up the show, it dawned on me how similar Ryuki, Faiz, and Blade are in many ways. Sandwiched between the procedural-centric Kuuga-Agito and Hibiki (a completely different beast among the KRs), all three felt like they represent a distinct subset of Rider Phase I shows. Blade of course rehashed Ryuki’s Battle Royale scenario and the weaponized cards, but more importantly, it also experimented with the same set of bold narrative choices the other two did; the shades of grey, the constant clash of philosophy between people on the same side, and vulnerable Riders who are generally much more uncertain about the situation they’re in (“I don’t want to fight!”-the self-defining lines uttered by Shinji, Takumi, and Kenzaki at various parts of their respective shows). The thing I like the most about Blade is how it’s the one that leans the most heavily on the idea that, instead of a certain person or organization, the situation itself was the ultimate villain of the show. That’s a challenging one to write, and I feel the show did succeed at highlighting that theme for its climax. However, while Blade does have a more cogent world-building and overall narrative structure than Ryuki and Faiz, it’s still my least favorite among the three. It has the least interesting cast and just doesn’t have as many narrative highs as those two (although it must also be said that its lows are nowhere near Faiz’ lows). Personally, I also think it’s lacking in toyetic factor; Ryuki and Faiz are just brimming with stuff I’d love to own, while Blade felt very bland in comparison. The Rider suit and overall design themselves are also mostly uninspiring; if I have to choose a favorite, it’d be the staff-wielding Leangle with his signature Remote card, but he still wouldn’t even crack my top 10 favorite Rider design. I like the idea of the card mechanic (once I looked up an external source just to figure out how they work), but it pales in comparison to Ryuki’s much more striking and intuitive card-battling presentation. It’s been years since I last watched Ryuki and I can still recall most Strike/Shoot/Trick/Advent/Final Vents used by all 13 Riders; Blade only has 4 Riders and I just finished watching it, but I can barely recall who’s using what in this show! But yeah, overall it’s a solid show and I like it. Perhaps not one that I’m excited to rewatch someday, but it has its moments, not least in its unique and bittersweet ending. On to Hibiki finale now … |
05-11-2020, 12:32 AM | #15883 |
Stronger Than You
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: nyet
Posts: 25,326
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Kind of bummed to see Blade not be a personal fav of yours. I'm biased since I'm in love with Blade, but hey, that's fine
The doomsday scenario in Blade was one of my favorite climaxes in the franchise solely because it wasn't just about a villain you could punch to death. It was about the 1 vs many aspect, and finding a way around it, which I felt they did in a wonderful way, offering a bittersweet ending to a character that deserved a happier one. Still, even if it doesn't crack your top 10 list, I'm still glad to hear you got some enjoyment out of it! Blade is always a series that makes me smile~
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05-11-2020, 01:26 AM | #15884 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 104
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It's actually in my Top 5... out of the grand total of 10 shows I've finished But yeah, I'd say it's in the range of B or B+ to me, which is still pretty darn good.
Quote:
The doomsday scenario in Blade was one of my favorite climaxes in the franchise solely because it wasn't just about a villain you could punch to death. It was about the 1 vs many aspect, and finding a way around it, which I felt they did in a wonderful way, offering a bittersweet ending to a character that deserved a happier one.
Blade and Kenzaki deserve more fan love! I always feel it's one of the least talked about Kamen Rider/Main Character, althugh perhaps not to the extent of Kabuto or Agito. Now, those two, I often forgot they exist; I don't think I've ever seen anyone having a strong opinion (either good or bad) about them! I should really get to them sometime. |
05-11-2020, 02:03 AM | #15885 |
Stronger Than You
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: nyet
Posts: 25,326
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Fair enough. I didn't know how many series you've seen
Kenzaki was such a wonderful guy. He wasn't the epitome of hope like Kuuga, nor the amazing ace like Kabuto, but he was remarkably grounded, so him making such a sacrifice really did hit hard. I'm two ways on what Zi-O did, but it was still a nice gesture~ Also, considering Blade is my personal fav, I for one wouldn't mind more love going Blade's way Concerning Kabuto and Agito, there are some general opinions on the two. Kabuto is considered a pretty poor season with an obnoxious main character, while Agito is seen as an average season that doesn't do much bad, but doesn't excel in any aspect. Those are just the generalizations I hear from other fans around the webnet. I personally think Kabuto is decent once you know what you're getting into, mainly because Kagami is great. And having just finished Agito, I think it's a pretty solid show. Above average with a lovable cast.
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05-12-2020, 10:30 PM | #15886 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 104
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Hibiki... what the hell was that last episode!? Was there more behind-the-scene/budget-related trouble? The narrative conclusion of Asumu pursuing his own path is okay (more than okay, actually; it fits well with his characterisation and the show's overarching theme), but the execution's all over the place. The early run of this Faux Hibiki show was actually tolerable in a vacuum (i.e. if you can look past how it meshes horribly with everything that's been established before), but the final stretch, especially the last ep, was disjointed, oddly paced, and reeks of general air of 'let's just this get over with'.
But yeah, enough with the negativity. I can't praise Prime/Actual Hibiki enough for how good it was as actual kid's show; and by that, I really didn't mean that it's less intelligent/thrilling than your usual KR show. It's just a show that I can imagine 8-year-old me sitting cozily on a Saturday morning, just soaking up the fantastic setting, super likable cast, gentle life lessons, well-measured moments of dramatic impact, and unique integration of musical/mechanical gadgetry elements. Great, great, show, and nothing from episode 30 onward can rid the good times of watching the Actual Show; in a weird way, they might actually made me appreciate the good part even more . I hope they someday try a Kamen Rider Slice of Life again, as unlikely as it is (was... Fourze that? It kinda seems it's like that, just more explicitly comedic?) Updating my watch list/ranking: 1. Ryuki A 2. Actual Hibiki A 3. Gaim A- 4. W A- 5. Kuuga B+ 6. Blade B 7. Faiz B- 8. Black C+ 9. Build C+ 10. Faux Hibiki C 11. Decade D (*props for being my gateway to Hibiki and featuring OniAkira, tho) The grades are largely malleable and very subjective measure of my feeling to each show in relation to each other, they'll probably change as I watch and rewatch more shows. I felt Black's was kinda harsh in particular; it's a major slog to to get through the extreme episodic nature of most its episodes in this day and age, but it truly was brimming with fantastic and extremely memorable individual moments. Not sure yet what I should watch next (besides rewatching Ryuki and reevaluate how I feel about it). I'm in the mood to check out Heisei Phase II show now, so probably one of... Drive, Wizard, or Fourze, just based on which ones with the concept that seem the most interesting to me. Quote:
Concerning Kabuto and Agito, there are some general opinions on the two. Kabuto is considered a pretty poor season with an obnoxious main character, while Agito is seen as an average season that doesn't do much bad, but doesn't excel in any aspect. Those are just the generalizations I hear from other fans around the webnet.
I personally think Kabuto is decent once you know what you're getting into, mainly because Kagami is great. And having just finished Agito, I think it's a pretty solid show. Above average with a lovable cast. |
05-12-2020, 11:17 PM | #15887 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,410
|
Quote:
Hibiki... what the hell was that last episode!? Was there more behind-the-scene/budget-related trouble? The narrative conclusion of Asumu pursuing his own path is okay (more than okay, actually; it fits well with his characterisation and the show's overarching theme), but the execution's all over the place. The early run of this Faux Hibiki show was actually tolerable in a vacuum (i.e. if you can look past how it meshes horribly with everything that's been established before), but the final stretch, especially the last ep, was disjointed, oddly paced, and reeks of general air of 'let's just this get over with'.
If there's one good thing I'll say about the apocryphal episodes, it's that I agree with the decision not to make Asumu an oni. I never felt that was his path and that his experience with Hibiki and the others was meant to be more about him finding confidence as he becomes an adult. |
05-12-2020, 11:40 PM | #15888 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 104
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Makes sense, everything just felt incredibly rushed and sloppy there. That ending does go very well with the first 30 episodes, and I guess we could only wish the original showrunners were allowed to continue with their original vision and cap it off with that same ending~
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05-15-2020, 06:56 AM | #15889 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 104
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Simultaneously rewatching Ryuki and watching Wizard for the first time. It really shouldn't be surprising, but it still takes me aback at how drastically different the approaches for their respective first episodes were. Not necessarily saying one is better than the other (tho I totally stan for Ryuki and Heisei Phase I in general); they're just very different.
But, Wizard has to have the most obnoxious-sounding belt ever. Not sure if I can stomach that thing for every single episode. |
05-15-2020, 10:57 AM | #15890 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,410
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They eventually start drowning it out with dialogue or background music. I think even the show’s creators realized how annoying it was and tried to minimize it once the toy sales quota had been met.
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