Yeah, the episodic style sure takes a while to get used to and it really depends on what they're doing with it. For example, I had more fun with Amazon than with Stronger and what I've seen so far of Black, but I think it really depends on what kinds of single episodes you like to see.

I knew that going in though, and that's what I was hoping for. With this series I just want the basics - a costumed superhero kicking a new monster's butt every episode. I don't mind episodic when it comes to toku (I just can't deal with it in anime). I want to get a feel for where Kamen Rider started from before I started watching the Heisei stuff, so I can better appreciate what unique qualities they all bring to the table.

Kuuga 43

Man, not that it took me this long to notice, but the characters in this show have literally the most inane conversations imaginable. I don't, never have, and never will care how Mika and Ichijou eat their red bean buns. Christ.

This is almost as bad as that part in another episode when Sawatari and Enokida just stood there giggling about Godai being 'weird.'

Well some parts of the Showa era have continuing stories which are surprising to me. Like Stronger, X, Black, Black RX, and Super-1 all have parts that continue.

I just finished episode 6 of Ryuki. I am really enjoying it so far. I'm really curious about Yui's brother now.

Well I watched all of Kabuto...it was okay. The while deal with the Worms and the Natives I sort of understood until the end where things got confusing. It just got all so muddied by the end.

Tendou had an interesting, if not completely insane, personality for a ma main rider. It was at equal times amusing and annoying with how he seemed to know nearly everythung. He only really got distressed when something went down involving his sisters.

In fact....aside from Kagaku ALL of the Riders were completely nuts. And pretty much pointless aside from Tendou and Kagami. Drake was just kinda there...except when he wasn't. Sasword...I'm not even sure what to think about. It seems they forgot his while deal and the fact that he was a rider for a dozen episodes so he could act like a moron...and I guess his death was sad but...I dunno it was just weird.

Speaking of weird...Kickhopper and Punchhopper...I'm not quite clear on the massive personality jump Kickhopper had when he first appeared. I'm not sure why as Punchhopper gets seen in a sympathetic light unless he's the Bee, then he's pretty much instantly a jerk.

Also the Bee was a cool suit, sad to see it used so little.

Series was still watchable though, it was fun. I didn't even outright hate all the stuff I complained about, it just left me puzzled at what I was even watching aha.

Kuuga 46

Didn't Enokida's mom say she brought that paper craft thing home a while ago? Smells like a plot hole. The most important plot hole, probably.

And now I'm finished.

Kuuga didn't really leave much of an impression on me, all in all. But I did quite like the last few episodes, especially 48. It was an alright series, I guess.

Also episode 50 is the damn greatest thing ever. That is all.

Anyway, now onwards to Stronger...

Stronger Episode 28: Damn that was an awesome episode. Staff Officer Steel and Wild Eagle's rivalry was as good as Titan vs Shadow. I think they liked having the bad guys against each other so they decided to expand it even more. Wild Eagle reminded me of Terrorsaur and Starscream from the Transformers Universe so I'm surprised he was defeated this early. Shigeru was great with using his intellect to get past the insulated net and Wild Eagle's electric resistance by throwing him into the river with him. I loved Yuriko's reaction to seeing the Fake Stronger being destroyed because it just shows how much she cares about him. Tobei and Tackle both were doing well and didn't get captured so that was fantastic for them. I love General Shadow's intelligence and how he's fueling the fire of the rivalries to help make them want to defeat Stronger more. I am very intrigued to see where this goes for Stronger and his crew I can't wait for more.

Yeah, the internal power struggles between the various Delza leaders is one of the things that really makes this part of the show so strong. That and the fact that the monsters are much more powerful and pose such a significantly greater threat to Shigeru. Early Stronger is not my favorite Showa series, but I really, really love this later era.