Kamen Rider Zi-O Episode 37- "Next Level Kabuto 2006!" Dicsussion
 

Meteors strike the city, containing the extraterrestrial creatures known as "Worms." To stop these new foes, Sougo's team must meet with a warrior who has faced this menace before...

Zi-O 37 Raw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CSXEUigMeg

Decade to taisen to zio made clock up so underwhelming when it can be easily counter with sensing, prediction, and any speed rider form. I don't think kagami will become kabuto since he's the god of war already. Gattack was the strongest zecter. It might be a flashback or in suit kabuto. Hyper kabuto would of end everything. Schwartz and decade is back at teasing without fruition again.

What do you expect the teasing is for? The others are right you nitpick the shit outta Zi-O so much it makes the show look bad. Look, Zi-O had problems, but it's been getting better now.

Hatewatching and nitpicking a show to death is unhealthy.

Other than the giant meteor C plot, I thought it was a better episode than the last arc, where the focus is on the Legend Riders this time. I found it funny that Kagami is puzzled how Shibuya is normal looking when in Kabuto it was destroyed 7 years prior to the series, with Sougo and Woz looking confused.

I would love to see Kagami become Kabuto next episode.

I wanna see Kabuto team up with Zi-O Trinity. Hissatsu!
Finish Time!
1 - Zi-O
2 - Geiz
3 - Woz
Both riders: Rider Kick!
Rider Kick! Trinity Time Break! Burst! Explosion!

One thing I enjoyed about this episode was the fact they ACKNOWLEDGED they were breaking their own rules as of late. Namely, that the recent Another Riders for Blade and Agito hadn’t affected their powers, despite the main rule being that only one person could wield the respective rider’s powers at a time. That’s something that’s been bugging me about recent episodes.

Those Another Rider Watches for Agito, Blade could be made in the future and used in the present to make things consistent. That means sometimes in the future Agito and Blade get their own powers back only to be stolen, or the ride watches where corrupted/stolen to make Another Ride Wathes.

Thankfully, it seems that Inoue's Kiva tribute was a one-off thing because we've returned to Mouri's fantastic format. This episode was a loving homage to Kabuto and nudged the plot forward a little as well.

As a tribute to Kabuto, I am highly satisfied. I love that there is a lot of focus on the returning guests - Kageyama and Kagami are featured quite frequently, starting right from the cold open, and Yaguruma gets to be Another Kabuto. The fake-out opening card was genius. I honestly thought "Next Level" was going to play in its entirety.

The characterization is on-point too. Kagami is still the serious guy we know from the post-Gattack episodes and Kageyama and Yaguruma are both still downers. I love that they played with Yaguruma's "you guys are lucky" dialogue; a part of the character which made him so popular back in the day. It's also kind of cool that, while Yaguruma still hasn't aged, Kageyama and Kagami look pretty different from 13 years ago but the core of their characters have not changed in the slightest. It's nice that they are writing around Kageyama's death by using the original show's lore. And interesting that Kagami notes that Shibuya is looking eerily fine despite being destroyed by a meteor back in the day. By the looks of things, this won't just be a throwaway line.

Action-wise, high-speed battles return. Seems Toei has found a new way to counter clock-up with the Zi-O characters but it's still fun to watch. I'm super happy that we get to see the original enemies return with the Worms in both base and molted form. Seeing Gattack's armoured and Rider forms made me happy and the use of music from the Kabuto OST really helped make this feel authentic (hopes are high for Decade OST when the time arises!). PunchHopper had a decent amount of screentime and Another Kabuto moved just as well as you might have hoped.

Stand-out scene was when Woz defeated Another Kabuto only to have him revert to Kamen Rider KickHopper. Standing in the flames, lamenting himself... and then unexpectedly performing a Rider Kick. So badass.

As for the Zi-O stuff, things are getting interesting. Tsukuyomi has finally questioned the oddities happening in the series since the Blade episodes, including the change in rules regarding Rider powers. Integrating it organically into the show is a good move and it feels less artificial than just chalking it up to production reasons. I think it's great that we're finally exploring Tsukuyomi's past in more depth and with Tsukasa tagging along, I have no doubt it will be worth the wait. Time will tell if we will see how the displacement of Time-Space affects future tributes as well.

It's also nice that they haven't simply forgotten about Ginga's odd appearance in the last two episodes and are tying it into the meteors from Kabuto. Ginga Wakusei form has one baller finisher and I like how they are taking it slow with the reveals instead of blowing it off in one episode.

The end of the episode is pretty intense. Sougo goes Fourze and stops a massive meteor, only to come face-to-face with an even larger one. God Speed Love reference aside, this is really upping the stakes and that makes the cliffhanger all the more effective.

Pretty stoked to see the Kabuto Zector return next episode. By the looks of things, Kagami will finally become Kabuto, which I'm fine with. It's been a long time coming, honestly.

It's like game of throne last season. From the memes I've seen online people enjoy seeing guest and fan service and joke about how inconsistent and bad the script is. It still havent become or reach the point that's its so bad that its good to watch as a guilty pleasure. It's like both the scripts and the cast are becoming disservice to an anniversary series making decade looks a lot better to watch again. Btw gattack suit is so worned out like the ryuki ones in storage room. A bit dated for the god of war or battle or whatever his title was back in 06. The best and worst tease was i was expecting krk theme to play, then got Rick roll in to zio anniversary stamp. It would be sick if they shows montages of the original riders and current zio visuals with kabuto opening. Kabuto is the 30th anniversary series. Arguably, on par with gaim and decade in power wise.

Except they subvert expectations even if we suspend our disbeliefs. It's a kids shows, but at least gaim, build, and ex aid or even ghosts and drive actually answer questions before raising more interesting questions. The whole geiz vs zio and tsukiyomi/schwartz/decade/another zio aren't memorable and went literally nowhere. The mirai riders+ohma day arc with another white woz and ginga shoehorn in to kiva are such bad writings with underwhelming to no pay off at all. The time jackers are the most op and pathetic group of recurring villains in a while that doesnt add much to the show value besides making the motw and giving off one liners that isn't significant or we should care about. So far, from what I've seen on yt and instagram and twitter zio is quite close to bottom of barrels of rider series. Meanwhile, series like build really shows good rider series can be made. Tbh, me and a lot of others are more invested in the clickbait returning guests taking over spotlight than seeing zio. The script haven't been kind to them to make them relatable and likable. In comparison, build is quite likable suprisingly considering early on the comedy hijinks with his hair and catchphrase are silly, but he believes in what he preaches, so it's cool. Zio keep i want to be king every episode to the point it's really just a gag. Ohma zio should of been a midsession obstacle. The series feel like it haven't moved at all like lupin ranger, however, lupin ranger actually have quality character development to justify the stagnant script like with zamigo plus good action Choreography .

I do give credit when credit is due, but overalls i just remember 2-3 good episodes featuring zio core trio for this year. I just can't see how they pull out a satisfying endgame. You tell me in a civil manner whats so good about zio now compares to a few months ago without mentioning toku alumni being a major player again for tributes. Woz join the trio and they're all a team. For an anniversary series, I expected more. If we're getting in to gaim, build, ex aid, or any other rider series ginga would of been a huge foreshadowing muscle for a couple of episodes. I remember how shocking the helheim secrets and backstabbing betrayals was in gaim as well as the mysteries of sento getting unfold. Even ghost have some pay off by this point. The tributes are leading the cast and the casts are there to sell toy literally with all these random undeserved power up recently.

Rider time subs is quick on its game on par with chinese subs and build overtime times. I've seen people joking that they let ginga the space and strongest rider so far to stay behind instead of sending him off the space to take care of the worms. I hope there's references to Tendou. I honestly didnt expect yaguruma is another kabuto and they didnt do the whole exposé thing at the end whee they surprisingly find out. Yaguruma's actors looks the best despite being the oldest i think. I really want kabuto to return in suit to take care of everything like he always do back then in 06. Stock audio or hiro guest voice over would be fine. Kagami was never meant to be kabuto like hibiki. He forgave thebee to gain gattack. Gattack was the superior and most powerful zecter before hyper.

To me, Kiriya becoming Hibiki was giving him a taste of what he wanted, but ultimately led to the realization that he needs to follow his own path instead.

For Kagami, becoming Kabuto will be the realization of what could have been, but I fully expect him to give the Zector back to its proper owner by the end. It's more of a statement: Kagami DOES have what it takes to be chosen by Kabuto, and he will just get a small taste.

Kabuto was one of the rider series that doesn't dwell in to mystical oer magical origins. its pure tech. I can see w because of the the Phillip and earth memory and other tech riders can rely on a bs excuse, but kabuto? So will gattack zecter power be turn in to a watch as well. If not, he can still henshin. even blade ofher riders. the same with why was there even a g3 ride(not in a show, but I can get it more toys) watch when it's pure tech and not essence. Decade is the confusing one that still have his power intact and possess some knowledge he doesn't what to give. He's definitely playing the secret hero, but act like he's the snake from gaim.

Honestly, it would be more interesting if kabuto play a bigger part in time distortion instead of hinting it. Deno might be silly tribute or be the one that address it fully before e40 and grand zio. Hyper kabuto can play a role similar to decade and diend as well. Thebee should be kagami backup if anything happens to gattack as well. It was pass along nearly as much as delta and ixa.

Boy...you really are nitpicking for everything.
Sorry but not sorry, one of the appeal of these shows are the "show but don't tell" formula.

You don't need to have everything spelt out to you.

Anyway, I find this tribute weird, also, I always liked Gattack/Kagami better than Tendou soooo I'm kinda happy for the moment.

The fake-out opening was cool. I thought for a second they were really going to do it.

Man Woz Ginga is strong. That finisher was pretty good but to see Kickhopper emerge from the flames was even better.

Kagami mentioning how Shibuya seems a lot better after getting hit by a meteorite seems to be leading to something that's connected to Tsukuyomi.

And Zi-O destroying that huge meteor only to come face to face with an even bigger one is a pretty good cliffhanger.

We're learning about Time Jackers especially Schwarz. And Tsukuyomi who's always been in the background even now has a backstory of her own. That is the foreshadowing that you desperately needed but what do we know, you're going to say it's underwhelming and disappointing anyway.

Yes, Gaim and Build are fantastic shows, but we really shouldn't set our bars that high otherwise that is why everything in Zi-O is disappointing in your eyes. Hell, people deemed Drive to be bad just because it didn't live up to Gaim until the second half where they develop on their own, and this is what I'm seeing here. Even Ghost was actually good during its middle parts.

Hey everyone, guess what time it is!

https://i.imgur.com/QNBHAzY.jpg

What? Cool back-splosion time? But this episode isn't even directed by Sakamoto! And-

https://i.imgur.com/xijocBz.jpg

Wait wait we're just bringing this up now? It was time to have this conversation like two months ago already! And Over-Time got this episode subbed before Friday!

Tsukasa was right. Time-space IS in a sorry state.

At least the state of this show's writing is looking a lot less sorry with Nobuhiro Mouri back to give us a script that's insane in all the RIGHT ways instead of the wrong ones. Although to be fair to Inoue, Kiva didn't have the luxury of getting its main protagonist back, and if you've seen Kabuto, you'll probably understand me when I say having Kagami is actually better than having Tendou.

So between that and the definitive two fan-favorites of that show back, this story could pretty much be on cruise control and still work out. Which is why it's good they seem to be going the extra mile and tightening up Zi-O's messy mythology while also having yet another apocalypse for our heroes to stop, just in case there wasn't enough tension with everything else going on. Plus, this one is in space, which means Sougo gets to do Fourze stuff, and whether it's Zangetsu, Specter, or Zi-O, seeing other Riders do Fourze stuff is always a good time.

I won't lie, though, it was pretty mean to tease me with Next Level like that. Still, here's hoping Kagami gets to become Lord of the Speed in a week.

I'm definitely happy that we're back on track. Returning characters being very prominent, little inclusions of the old show's soundtracks, and the main characters actually being interesting to watch too? I couldn't ask for anything more. Seriously, even with Tendou not being here, I'm still totally satisfied.

Since everyone has talked about how great all the Kabuto stuff is, I just wanna take a moment to say how refreshingly fun Sougo himself is, especially after the previous two episodes did him no favours. In this one, he happily acknowledges that instead of caring about how the rules of Another Riders work, he's just having fun meeting old riders. And I mean, same here, buddy.

Not only that, he got to show himself as being pretty capable, not only when he fought off Punch Hopper, but also when he doesn't fall for the later 'trap' by the brothers.

And to top it all off, his excursion into space with the Fourze Armour and increasing exasperation at the giant meteors was just a lot of fun. I wished he was this simultaneously goofy and competent all the time.

See, it's not bad writing, it's a feature! They even recognize the timeline is out of place again (what 19XX meteor incident ?), but this can't be helped given the continuity is very loose between shows of the franchise.

Then when looking at the episode as a self-contained tribute to Kabuto, I really like most of the little things they brought.