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06-08-2019, 07:42 PM | #15371 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,424
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Quote:
Oh, who am I kidding, these episodes are fantastic as always for this show. Speaking of GataKiriBa, now that I'm past both the first instance of OOO losing a Medal (which I forgot to mention last time) and the debut of the first Combo, I should really elaborate on how utterly insane it is how naturally all the merch fits into this show. I don't know if Kobayashi learned a lot from writing Shinkenger's onslaught of robots or what, but all the stuff in OOO doesn't only work, it frequently works on multiple levels.
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06-09-2019, 01:38 AM | #15372 |
Dai Shogun
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Germany
Posts: 7,529
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Quote:
Why do I know that? Because I have rewatched OOO recently, the first Rider show I ever watched a second time, and man, it was great. This show is so good. I was hooked instantly, didn’t stop and then it was over. OOO is really, really good. |
06-09-2019, 07:41 AM | #15373 |
Showa Girl
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 9,064
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Just finished Episode 29 of Hibiki. Given that I've been told this is where the previous writer's tenure ends and for the remaining 20 episodes the show is retooled and written by probably my least favourite writer for Rider and in general goes downhill, I figure this is a good place to take a break and evaluate how I feel about it before moving on.
I've adored this so far. It's a completely different feel from any other Rider series I've watched - which, I mean, it wasn't originally meant to be a Rider series, so that makes sense - and in the best ways possible. I like the 'secret protagonist' thing the series has going on, to start. A bit like how Kabuto was centred around Kagami's journey; the main character of this isn't Hibiki himself, who instead serves as a sort of mentor to Asumu. What perhaps make this potentially more interesting is that Asumu isn't out to save the world and in regards to wanting to be a Rider, is at best undecided and conflicted -- he's just a normal kid living his life, with amazing people walking into it to help and guide him along the way. The rest of the characters are so, so likeable. Hibiki and Ibuki are really similar in that they're wise, older mentors with a bit of a goofy side to them; but it works out Ibuki's student Akira is a counterpart to Asumu; so it's nice to see a similar dynamic showing what Hibiki and Asumu could be. Talking of Akira, my god; I like that for once we have a female side character who's actually involved in battles. I get a bit sick these days of just watching the likes of Misora and Tsukiyomi sort of, stand on the sidelines and not do much. But Akira's not even out of school and she's getting stuck in! She might not be an Oni just yet but I really like seeing her involve herself in battles in a different type of way as part of her training. Todoroki and Zanki feel slightly disconnected to the rest of the cast given how close-knit and personal most everyone else is to Asumu, but it works out and they're still very enjoyable characters. Todoroki's a big goofball, and given that the only other time I've seen him is when he's a complete badass in Zi-O, it's kinda funny and it makes me wonder where it's gonna go. I also like the little glimpses of Sabaki, Danki and Eiki we see -- in perhaps the weirdest comparison I can make, it feels similar to the Teen Titans cartoon where we saw cameos of other heroes around the world. It makes the world just feel that bit bigger and developed. Do kinda wish some of them had more unique weapons, though; there's more instruments than drums, trumpets and guitars. Something that strikes me about the series in particular though is that despite there of course being a big ongoing fight against demons and there clearly being some sort of overarching scheme developing in the background... Hibiki is a super chilled out series. Not quite in the same way as Den-O or anything, but there's still something very cosy and comfortable about it. Everyone gets on and helps each other with their problems and none of them are assholes about anything or presuming anything; they're just really calm and friendly with each other. It's not something I want for every Rider series or anything since at some point you do need some drama and conflict, but it's a very nice change of pace and just makes me like these characters even more. A minor touch I really like? Hibiki is a show centered around tradition and hard training; with the Oni drawing their powers from mystical sources and hunting down mythical creatures. Great emphasis is put on how much they need to build themselves up and learn multiple styles of music; ancient styles of it passed down through the centuries. ... and yet they not only don't look down on modern technology, they consistently rely on it. Phones, vehicles, even their disc animals and weapons; all of it is either everyday commonplace technology or specifically designed by scientists in their midst. And it's just very casually a standard part of these mystical Onis' equipment and fighting styles. Usually you'd get older characters rolling their eyes about how the new young 'uns are relying too much on cars instead of walking or animals or something; or you'd at least get a single early episode where these characters have to learn to accept tech. But the show doesn't bother with that rubbish and just has it be a thing, and it feels so naturally integrated and the lack of conflict towards it contributes to that super chilled-out atmosphere I love about the show. It's hardly the core of the best things about Hibiki, but it's something very rare that I enjoyed a lot and had to mention. It's pretty cool. Also can I give a shoutout to that opening and how almost every episode it seems to have a different instrument? Much like the show it's very chilled out and gives you something different to look forward to each time. It's nice. I keep saying "it's nice" but that really is the show in a nutshell so far. It's just so fucking nice. Now let's see if everyone was right and I hate what Inoue does with this set-up and how not-Zeronos comes in and apparently wrecks everything |
06-09-2019, 07:58 AM | #15374 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,934
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I agree with just about everything you say there, Hibiki is a solid, unique and just generally likeable and pleasant series.
And...just reading through, I must admit I was bearing a solid half-cringe thinking of the stuff you were praising and the directions the rest of the series takes them. Let's just say there is no doubt things are going to happen that you are not going to like. Godspeed. |
06-09-2019, 08:05 AM | #15375 |
Showa Girl
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 9,064
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Quote:
I agree with just about everything you say there, Hibiki is a solid, unique and just generally likeable and pleasant series.
And...just reading through, I must admit I was bearing a solid half-cringe thinking of the stuff you were praising and the directions the rest of the series takes them. Let's just say there is no doubt things are going to happen that you are not going to like. Godspeed. |
06-09-2019, 05:04 PM | #15376 |
The Immortal King Tasty
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Every diner you've ever been to.
Posts: 3,833
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So for today's fun coincidences, Ryuki and OOO both feature the hero finally moving into the designated cafe/restaurant/whatever of the series, while Den-O and OOO both feature stories about a dysfunctional couple. I'm pretty sure there's no deep meaning to any of that, but still, I might as well point it out.
Ryuki 7-8: These episodes ruin the point of rewatching all of Kobayashi's Rider shows since they're written by good ol' Toshiki Inoue. However, this is where the secret, secondary purpose I have for doing this becomes clear. I really went off on Rider Time: Ryuki to a level I honestly feel a bit bad about in retrospect, basically saying everything relating to Ryuki Inoue touches is crap, but that ignores the huge gray area that I can't actually remember off the top of my head which episodes of the show itself he wrote. So obviously, if nothing else, they blend in pretty decently, right? I also thought he had a notably solid grasp on Blade's style and characters when I was going back through that show, so maybe that's actually the case here, too? Eh, more or less. This is only two episodes by the guy, so as we see more I'll obviously update my opinion, but right now, I think everything I dislike about the way he writes Ryuki compared to Kobayashi is definitely there, but also inherently less irksome when it's in the context a few episodes of a much longer show compared to a big summer movie or a special where I feel like there's more expectations to be had. And to be fair, Inoue is far from the only person guilty of writing a subpar Rider movie and/or special. Still, his idea of Ryuki, I feel, loses some of the layers. Particularly when it comes to, well, Ryuki. Shinji, whenever written by Inoue, seems to drop a few IQ points and also probably drinks way too much coffee. Note how in every single episode so far except the first, Shinji gets at least once awesome hero moment cool enough I've felt the need to comment on. Nothing like that happens here. We also don't see him ever calm down for a second and maybe show a smarter side of himself like he does in Kobayashi's episodes. Here's the trick, though. He's just leaning into what makes Shinji different from his guys in Agito, or pretty much any Rider protagonist up to that point. Sure, Shouichi could be a goof out of the suit, but Agito was a skilled warrior driven by instinct who barely talked for most of the show. The way I see it, Inoue was trying to have fun with the show's concepts, and that's great. This is what I mean about context. It's easier for me to rationalize this arc as just being an off day for Shinji, because it's silly to think every single trait of a character needs to come up in every single episode, versus something like a movie where I feel you probably should try to put in all the elements you can. And, crucially, the episodes are fun. After the fake out with Scissors, Zolda is a Rider who's actually here to stay, and between Kitaoka and Gorou, there's a lot of stuff introduced here that'll make you sit back and ask "how was there even a show without these guys?". The exposition here is also handled pretty creatively. Having Kitaoka brag about how good a lawyer he is to Shinji? Expected. Doing in while in the middle of a car chase? Awesome. I also always loved the scenes where they're basically going on a date. Following Kitaoka around on his high-class lifestyle really rubs in the kind of character he is perfectly, while also quickly building a dynamic between him and Shinji. It's like what I said about Ren's backstory. It's easy to take for granted, but I can't help but feel there's a version of this story in some alternate timeline where the script just called for Kitaoka to stand around in some boring hallway saying all the same dialogue, accomplishing the same goal but in a way less interesting style. And a lack of style is just not something you should be able to say about anything involving Kitaoka. Den-O 7-8: These episodes are rock solid. The nature of the guest character's dilemma allows the show to start digging into its themes of memory to a larger extent than it has up to this point, and all the characters are used to great effect. Ryoutarou getting hit in the face by five different kinds of balls within seconds of one another is probably the most hilarious gag in the series so far, and seeing him reduced to limping around for the entirety of the back half shows why I love the guy so much. He doesn't exactly have the kind of duality Shinji has, but despite genuinely being as meek as he looks (at first), the simple fact that the guy can even get out of bed in the morning goes to show that he's way more tough than he gets credit for. It probably helps that he has such a great sister looking out for him. I love how absurdly calm and cheerful Airi is at all times. This arc also ends by hinting at some bigger things to come with her, which is probably the first real hint of a capital P Plot this show has actually dropped. A dude in a trench coat standing around is a little too lacking in context for me to feel comfortable counting (like, how do you even speculate on that by itself?), so I really think this is it. OOO 7-8: As usual, OOO is over here making those other shows look like chumps by comparison, flexing that razor sharp writing you can only get from a writer who's been around the block before... on those other shows, but still. While we're talking about protagonists, I really should stress how great Eiji is. Shinji has duality, and Ryoutarou's got depth, but Eiji has layers. The continued hinting at his backstory is great, his relationship with Ankh where he's essentially a dog on a leash pulling its owner around is great, his endearing optimism at all times is great, his surprisingly realistic worldview is great... See, I'm doing it again. It's just one part of the show and I could go on about it forever. But I have to hold myself back, so I can find time to mention the further exploration of the central theme in the Victim of the Week plot, or finally mention Gotou already, or the creative use of all the different Medal abilities in the fight scenes. Or I could talk about how funny and awesome Chiyoko is. There's just too dang much on offer here. Every episode of OOO comes packed with like three times the amount of Rider goodness as your average Rider show. It's nuts. Quote:
Don't worry, the show helpfully had Kougami watching the last episode in his office just so they can get a little more mileage out of the footage. I made sure to savor it while I could. It's fine though. I've always been more about LaToraTah anyway. If it's any consolation, we'll all be here to commiserate with you on this when it's over.
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Last edited by Fish Sandwich; 06-09-2019 at 05:12 PM.. |
06-10-2019, 04:22 AM | #15377 |
Stronger Than You
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: nyet
Posts: 25,326
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Well, with Kagami becoming Kabuto in Zi-O, I decided to rewatch Kabuto, and hopefully finish it this time (I don't even remember why I dropped it last time I watched...)
I really enjoyed how much Kabuto set up Kagami, and I had forgotten how much of the first episode is about him over Tendou. Honestly, I think it would have been fun to reduce some of Tendou's scenes in this episode to make Tendou's reveal as Kabuto more of a twist. That way, Kagami's encounter with him in the alley makes him seem more like an eccentric stranger by removing the scenes that show him already having a belt. I enjoy that Kagami is the one to go on the traditional hero's journey in this series as we see him grow from an employee to a hero, and that's really set in motion by being rejected by the Kabuto zector, poor guy. Don't worry, Kagami. It may be called Kabuto, but you're really the MC
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06-10-2019, 04:46 PM | #15378 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,424
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Nobody will think less of you for stopping here.
(I'm actually at about the same point in my latest Hibiki rewatch; I'm dragging my feet in getting to 28 and 29, though, because I know that it means the show will be over again and I love spending time with these characters so much.) |
06-10-2019, 05:26 PM | #15379 |
Stronger Than You
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: nyet
Posts: 25,326
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If I recall, doesn't Hibiki 29 end with everyone just...Hanging out together?
Makes for a pretty solid ending to a chill and unique series
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06-10-2019, 06:47 PM | #15380 |
Avatar by: @autorun__exe
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 409
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I actually just (binged) watched Hibiki and gotta say, the run up to 1 - 29 was a comfy as fuck show. The fact the series starts with a musical number really sets the tone and I love it.
30+ wasn't bad, but it was so jarring to go from a comfy show about musical Onis to Kamen Rider. Overall I liked it but eh more of the first half would've made me happy. Now for Kabuto |
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