Interesting way of describing it! I don't know that I'd've been nearly that dialed in if Revice had gone that way -- the family aspect is by the most unique aspect, the Fenix/Weekend stuff comes off too generic -- but I can see the appeal in a general sense. I think you'd have to drastically reconceive the conflict in the show, though. Akaishi lacks any sense of nobility or empathy, and Weekend waits forever to actively oppose Fenix's activities. As organizations, they're barely sketched in enough to carry their end of a half-hour show; I can't imagine spending time thinking about them beyond that.

Fair. It would change the show fundamentally.

And that?s why I don?t think it?s fair criticism. It?s not engaging with what the show is, but a fantasy version of it.

And yes, it would fundamentally change to accommodate this theme properly.

Case in point, my Revice fanfic, I started out of pure spite, had to split the Deadman effectively into 2 cults with those philosophies. xD

Yeah, Daiji’s plot is widely considered the worst storyline in the series, due to its length and how it requires Daiji to act like a moron in order to keep going, with him giving about 5 different reasons as to why he?s doing this. Even Wataru Hyuuga (the actor playing Daiji) felt it made no sense, given that it required Daiji to ignore perfectly good advice in order to work.

As for the episode itself, it was divisive as ever, but one guy I’ve followed for years (and cited on the matter of Hibiki’s second half) thought of a few reasons why this episode was better than the last few.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...E6D4E0351F.png

But in general, this was the shape of the fandom at this point.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FVFzoE1W...pg&name=medium

And over in Donbros (hilariously, one of these two was revealed to have a split personality with their own base form using the same device as the main one. Though the arc that results goes in the opposite direction to Daiji’s)

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...E1C0FA65A.jpeg

I don?t really have anything to say for this next picture, other than maybe “lol”.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...F843AA1AB.jpeg

And ironically, this guy was looking forward to this scene from the promo shot of angry Hiromi glaring at George.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...F581D9F1E.jpeg

And now, the main attraction.

George: Hey, hey, hey! Yo, George Karizaki here. With everyone else out doing their own battles, it’s up to me and…

Hiromi: FENIX former captain Hiromi Kadota…

George: To handle this week’s Stamp Navi. So then, let?s get on with discussing this Vistamp.

Hedgehog!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=QjgEDCmNLrI

Prickling! Sharp! Hedgehog! Sharp Go!

Hiromi: We haven’t had an opportunity to test this out in the field yet, but the intention was to have a rapid firing attack that can cause damage with every hit.*

George: And the Legend I based this on is… this one.

Desire Driver: Kiva!

Wataru: Henshin!

George: Kamen Rider Kiva, Wataru Kurenai. The result of the affair between the great man Otoya Kurenai and the Fangire Queen Maya 22 years earlier, he was able to use his royal blood, energised by the venom of Kivat-Bat III and the Imperial Dragon Tatsulot, to become Kamen Rider Kiva to battle the Fangires praying on humanity.

Kivat: Alright! Kivatte Go!

Hiromi: Wow, great quality on the sound, Karizaki. It sounds like Kivat is here and not part of the video.

George: He isn’t part of the video.

(Suddenly, Kivat and Tatsulot fly in, slapping George in the face as they do so)

Kivat: Everyone, did you know? There are 13 different Demon Races inhabiting this Earth. Humans, Fangires and Kivats are just three of them, along with the Wolfen, Merman and Franken Races that empower Kiva’s incomplete form.

Tatsulot: Nice to know. I?m not technically part of any of them myself, but I do have an important role nonetheless.

Hiromi: You? how did you get in here?

Kivat: We hope you enjoy the next instalment. Be sure to WAKE UP!

Tatsulot: Tension Fortissimo!

* Once again, there is nothing canon to back this up. I just guessed based on the usual abilities Hedgehog characters are shown to have in Toku (which seem to be the result of confusing them with Porcupines)

Being a villain isn't necessarily about them needing to be defeated though, it's merely about how they act and behave, their end doesn't matter. And there can be more than one villains, saying Kagerou is one doesn't mean not considering Daiji one (though he has a heel turn) - both pairs are now villainous at this point, just that they're different types.

The people here surprisingly had steadfast belief on Kamen Rider, to drive Daiji away when he tried to influence people into giving up on despair, despite the edited footages that made Weekend looked actually villainous. Still if they're using actual footages in their schemes, I'd like if footages are used in Weekend's plan, though Genta stated Ultimate Revi/Vice's fights are uploaded.

Regarding the fights in this episode, I'm relieved that Ultimate Revi/Vice still walks through Hell Giftarians easily, despite a bit struggle against the mooks before. And after all the jokes about Jeanne performing better than Holy Live, now Holy Live is the 'unstoppable' berserker here, swatting away the girl Riders and holding his own with Ultimate Revi/Vice. As said above, Ultimate Revi/Vice is still consistent against Hell Giftarians, and at the end, Ultimate Vice defeats Holy Live by reflecting the attack back to him. So perhaps it's about Ultimate Revi/Vice holding back, for obvious reasons. Again like before, I kinda wish that the Rider and fighting part would be addressed more like explaining how Ultimate Revi/Vice can hold back Giff beam, for example.

Ikki losing his memory about his family, the onsen moment, is a throwaway here just to show how dire the current situation now that they need to fight harder. Though appreciate Vice's method of trying to get to know if his memory loss is getting worse. Unrelated is about Vice's solution to co-exist with Giff peacefully, that's ironically Vice following Daiji's footsteps, though Vice may be proposing about befriending him instead of letting Giff rule over them. I have to say I kinda like that Genta's more active father of his family now, after stop acting like Junpei, other than just doing some (in-universe) asinine gags before, including at Vail Legacy part 5 before.

George meets up again with Hiromi and the mass production Demons is teased... a̶n̶d̶ ̶D̶e̶m̶o̶n̶s̶'̶ ̶p̶o̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶n̶e̶r̶f̶. I like that George's atrocities before isn't forgotten with Hiromi being suspicious of him at first. Like if Hiromi finally had the higher ground on his bullies (and George was). Though as George stated before, he'd try to help him if he can, and apologizing to him though not expecting to earn it. R̶e̶g̶a̶r̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶S̶p̶i̶d̶e̶r̶-̶M̶a̶n̶ ̶s̶t̶u̶f̶f̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶e̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶'̶d̶ ̶r̶e̶m̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶m̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶S̶a̶n̶d̶m̶a̶n̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶e̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶g̶i̶v̶e̶n̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶S̶p̶i̶d̶e̶r̶-̶M̶a̶n̶ ̶T̶r̶i̶l̶o̶g̶y̶,̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶u̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶g̶l̶o̶o̶m̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶l̶i̶v̶e̶r̶y̶. Hiromi at the end almost punched George, but later fist bumps his chest instead, signifying that George had both committed despicable actions in the past, but now has been redeemed. George wasn't a case of turns out he's good though (also in his apology), he probably was evil in the past before changing.

After getting little focus, albeit she gets more lately, Kimiko is finally killed, and this weighs on Hikaru despite that the family is fake. This does show more about the remaining 2's characters, that Hikaru seems to have no one else than the Ushijimas and thus is lonely, which probably would mean Hikaru got hit by tragic circumstances regarding his real family, and that Tasuke is someone rather cold and ruthless in his cause as well, the type to degrade emotions and feelings as 'naivety' (albeit Hikaru really got slowed down by his feelings there). Previously, he's surprised at Masumi's unethical practices, but now, Masumi's the one that called him harsh. But the Ushijima family being fake was also only a throwaway line when the cast joined Weekend, and it was never elaborated on how a fake family live together, compared to real family like the Igarashis (harmonic) and Karizakis (dysfunctional), just like the missed chance to flesh out the Hell Bros in Build as child soldiers, even if Sakura had dope words for Hikaru that fake or real doesn't matter in a family.... like adopted kids, and ironically, most KR series use the 'fake' family type in the main cast's circle. If only the previous KR reference (perhaps with George) is still there as a potential 4th wall breaking material too.

As expected, Daiji's the one that is blinded, instead of the others, because he'd still be fixated to ARARAT's cause and vehemently rejecting any other solutions or views. Though to be fair to him, Akaishi still acted smug after Ultimate Revi/Vice's appearence. Previously Daiji's still acting like edgy secondary Riders, but now he had started to commit actual villainy, like what you listed here (and props to you actually using "self-righteousness" instead of "too righteous"), using brutal methods to get rid of any obstacles in his cause, like beating up Tasuke (he's a shithead here, but the reason is unrelated to that), siccing Giff Juniors on the humans (that's some Baron level crime), and of course what he did to his siblings, even more that he tried to pull a gun on unmorphed Ikki or Sakura. While Daiji wants to prevent bodycounts, he ironically would potentially cause more of it.

Early on Daiji's someone who's characterized as being insecure, and after his persuasion is denied by the citizens, he blames everyone else but himself, and I wonder if this is also more about Daiji trying to Prove Himself Right instead, which'd be actually selfish. Which if it is, this is one of the most disastrous consequences of middle child syndrome. A sliver of hope would be that Daiji still being disgusted at Vail, someone purely malicious. To add up from some discussions, I thought this comes from the side effect of losing Kagerou (getting purified from his demon, but actually half his emotions just disappeared) that made Daiji change - Daiji gets disturbed or interrupted by his inner side less often (like normal humans' level, his "chaos" part makes him question if a lawful path is wrong and not good that time), making him more unhinged, less hesitant, less conflicted, inability to question his actions.

I know that you properly considered Daiji an anti-villain, and you've acknowledged before that Ikki shouldn't let Olteca have his way, but still, not exclusively the sentence here, but regarding how that people can think that the heroes can be really incredulous and imposing with their ideals (and this happens in many of these kind of stories), and by this... pins all the blame on the heroes instead and somehow absolve any of these bad guys from blame (them, not you). I wonder what'd be the proper way to convince them that they're wrong and try to change them... urgently... to prevent people being hurt by them. I know you usually think of becoming an example to others via action, but I thought it also can be ineffective due to their differing values on processing that actions (e.g. also like viewers only deeming all heroes' triumph as plot armor).

Probably a good idea! There's definitely room for improvement with how Revice constructed its various factions.

Great skit! Thanks so much!

It's the perfect usage for Genta -- Weekend's Social Media Intern -- and they're just leaving him on the sidelines! What a waste!

That's probably the show's intention, but symbolically, it still doesn't make any sense to me. Kagerou is Kamen Rider Evil, not Kamen Rider Chaotic, after all. The absence of Evil shouldn't have had any effect on Daiji's law-chaos axis, but oh well, I gave up on applying logic to this show after the whole memory loss nonsense.

Well, other than Daiji's siblings being poor advocates for freedom, I think this arc in general is ridiculous for how easily Akaishi convinced a significant majority that Gif is totally some lonely mistreated dude who just wants to be friends with humans. Instead of anybody asking for evidence or confirmation from Gif to support this, they immediately take his word for it! Daiji stands out for being a main character, but a lot of the characters here are too dumb to be reasoned with via normal means, when a basic value like freedom shouldn't be something you'd even need to advocate for in the modern day. The world of Revice is somehow like an entire society of gullible subservient Aguileras. The only good thing to come out of this contrived insanity is the Daiji Rage Quit meme.

Outside of Revice though, yeah, the "practice what you preach" method to convince others is effective, but like you said, it can be a slow process. In a hurry, well, sometimes it's necessary to use limited force, as we previously discussed regarding the manipulated civilians in Bima. Something to prevent them from doing harm until a long-term solution is found, preferably without anything severe like maiming.

Yeah tbh I think I'm cool reading your recaps for the time being. shit seems intense and might hit a bit close to home for me.

Edit:
I just wanna comment on this, I am reminded that Ikki watched Daiji "kill" Kagerou, and like I feel he should be putting two and two together that Daiji is probably self destructing cause all he did was internalize his hate for himself and his family?

Also, as a person who often feels weak and that their life is out of their control Daiji is relatable on some level. It's hard to cope with and accept our internal flaws and demons. A lot of society shames us for having flaws and being hateful or resentful when those emotions are natural. It's easy to see why Daiji killed Kagerou, he wanted to feel like he'd overcome those emotions, that he had come to love his family, but no one actually addressed the source of the problems. I don't know what the Igarashi's could do to help Daiji, but it feels like no one, not even Daiji, has helped Daiji.

Understandable! It's a tense time in Revice! Hope things settle down for you!

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 40 - “FAMILY OR THE WORLD… A BROTHERLY BATTLE OF SOULS!”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice40a.png

Fighting in Kamen Rider… it’s not really fighting. It’s an argument, just with pyrotechnics and rehearsed choreography. It’s not violence, it’s metaphor.

Mama Igarashi gets it. It’s easy to read Daiji’s recent actions as intolerable, unforgivable. But Daiji’s not really battling on behalf of an alien dictator in a pocket dimension, or a leather tie-wearing despot in a cavernous office. Daiji isn’t warring on behalf of his commitment to pessimism or nihilism, nor is he certain that deference to Giff is the one possible path to humanity’s salvation. Daiji’s fighting with his brother because they don’t see the world the same way, and love each other too much to let it slide. They’re too squabbling brothers, and nothing more serious than that.

(In fairness, Ikki has neglected to mention the actual gun that Daiji pulled on his brother as part of last episode’s cliffhanger. I do not think she would be as serene about this storyline if she knew all of the details!)

The thing with Ikki and Daiji is that they don’t rate problems the same way. Daiji values the big picture to a degree that misses out on nuance and individuality, while Ikki thinks small and lets that build big. Ikki would rather help his family than save the world, while Daiji would rather save the world, even if it lost him his family. They fundamentally view things differently, and that friction is the baseline of their lives. Daiji frustrates Ikki, and Ikki frustrates Daiji. That’s their whole dynamic.

But the conflict isn’t about a differing viewpoint; lots of characters on this show have unique views on the world, and they aren’t dueling in parking lots to settle things. The thing that keeps pushing Daiji is that he still loves his brother, and needs Ikki to understand that Daiji’s right. The fight isn’t about the problem, or the difference – the fight is about the other guy admitting he’s wrong and you’re right. Everything else in the narrative fades into the background as the primacy of the emotional stakes becomes clear. Daiji’s fighting because he wants to be appreciated, and Ikki is fighting to show Daiji that this doesn’t have to mean anything more than a disagreement. There’re platitudes thrown about, and a debate on Freedom Vs Safety, but that’s not really what’s going on here. It’s just two brothers having a disagreement, but with more special effects.

It’s one of the best episodes in this arc, for how it lets these massive conflicts – Weekend Vs Fenix, the armies of Giff against three kids – serve the overall themes of family. Daiji and Ikki aren’t two warriors on opposite sides of a philosophical struggle, they’re two brothers who can’t figure out how to stop annoying each other. Weekend Dad and Hikaru aren’t stern soldiers disagreeing about how best to withstand an enemy assault, they’re a dad trying to provide a better future for a son who has had too much asked of him. Even Akaishi is getting in on the act, weaponizing Daiji’s need for validation by becoming his new Work Dad. (Sorry, absent-from-this-episode Hiromi.) All of the fights and debates and explosions and transformations, they’re all in service of illustrating the humanity of the characters, and it’s a sign of this show’s inherent quality; quality that is so frequently obscured by opaque motivations and developments that lack build-up. Here, it’s the Ultimate version of this show: smart, character-driven conflicts that ask us to accept the people we love, even when – especially when – they make it hard for us.

Very happy to see this show had an episode like this one tucked up its sleeve.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice40b.png

I think one person pointed out that the main issue with the Ikki/Daiji conflict is that the show never truly pits their ideals against each other. Instead, Daiji gives several perfectly good reasons for why he’s working with Giff (and the fandom suggested that he also has the perfectly shallow reason that as far as he knows, Ikki killed Akemi), but Ikki doesn’t offer any counter-arguments and basically treats his reason for changing sides as unresolved angst.

And also, there’s the elephant in the room of Akaishi becoming a new Giffdemos and killing Hikaru’s not-dad. There’s certainly more emotional torque to this moment than the death of the not-mother in the last episode. And as pointed out, the subplot not only gives a lot more dimension to Hikaru than he had prior, but is the only time the show has actually discussed the concept of family, rather than having Ikki say “kazoku” every fifth line. The main issue with it is that they probably should’ve held off on Hikaru becoming Over Demons until after this one-two punch tragedy. That way, he’d probably be far less controversial.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...4731/image.png

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...79693DEEB.jpeg

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...7EE7CB27D.jpeg

Ikki: It’s Ikki’s…

Vice: And Vice’s…

Both: Stamp Navi!

Ikki: And today’s stamp is this one!

Crocodile!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=r_UPwawayDU&feature=share

Teeth-crushing Style! Biting Showtime! Crocodile! Jaws are the Final Hope!

Ikki: Crocodile Genome grants a stronger version of the Demon Digzon, the Croco Wizarolling, which generates spinning energy for a drill attack. Objects caught by its blade will be reduced to dust by high-speed rotation.

Vice: Hey, who’s the guy in white using it? I haven’t seen him before.

George: I’ll explain later. For now, let’s discuss today’s Legend.

Desire Driver: Wizard!

Haruto: Henshin!

Flame, Please! Hi! Hi! Hi Hi Hi!

George: Kamen Rider Wizard, Haruto Souma, was one who used the power of the Dragon Phantom within his mind, allowing him to fight other Phantoms using its magic. He commanded Flame, Water, Hurricane and Land magic to Dave people from despair.

Haruto: I am the Final Hope!

Ikki: ‘Save from despair’? You think we could ask for his help in saving Daiji from Akaishi’s thrall?

George: Now, now. Let’s not bother the Sempai Riders with trivial things. (Picks up a phone and answers it). Yes, Mr. Fukami. I am requesting a date with your younger sis- Hello? Hello? HELLO?

Vice: (he grabs George by the jacket and starts shaking him violently) Hey, be. More. Helpful! (He throws him back so hard that George crashes into the wall and falls unconscious) I think I killed him.

Ikki: Eh, not much of a loss. We still have his dad.

(George awakens)

George: I’m not dead, you morons. And I’m going to be back for the next instalment, so I hope you enjoy that.

Self-production note: I almost included a reference to the promo for this Vistamp (which featured Ikki, Hiromi, Genta and George screwing around and impersonating the Wizardriver), but couldn’t think of how to incorporate it.

I don’t wanna say anything about Daiji till his stuff is done, so I’ll instead talk about Hikaru.

Probably my favorite character if you only concern the main runtime of the show.

That said, that’s not because he’s a great character, but simply process of elimination.

His arc is fairly straightforward, hits its major beats, actually says something about family and is the least screwed up.

The character is however severely underutilized and underdeveloped.

Also, Akaishi is a character I to this day don’t get what they were going for with.

Is he an evil ham?

Is he a tortured individual in search of family?

Or someone wanting the best for humanity?

He kinda ends up with traits for all of them without it feeling cohesive. They really should have picked one and ran with it. Pretty sure any of the three would have worked, but this doesn’t.

That said, kinda love the scene with Weekend dad dying before he gets to finish. It’s somber, sparks some thought and is tragic, just simply brought down by the bungled mess that lead us here.

I thought the public supports Kamen Riders by booing Daiji at ep. 39. Daiji's the one that does take Akaishi's words by face value, but other than Daiji's arc being actually controversial and to people, I wish that this gets more acknowledged by people in other, better-received arcs when a character feels villains are more rational, of which they can be praised or defended by people compared to idealistic nonsense. Though regarding people immediately taking villains' words at face value, that seems to be more commonly happen than just specifically dumb and gullible society, it seems to happen commonly among fanbase in many fictions that it makes the villainy downplayed and them being viewed as right but get shit on, though dunno if being fiction plays a part, though it can happen to historical real life far from present.

Honestly, though the show paints getting rid of their demons as refusal to face one's self and actually a wrong path, and while it's true, kinda felt that it's reasonable too that they dislike their demons around and want to get rid of them (also Ikki at the beginning, though at one point he does not acknowledge Vice's change), as how both Kagerou and Vail are uncaring psychos who tried to kill their hosts’ family, or performing other moments like ruining their family moment, and don’t show a shred of remorse for this, they're nothing but nuisance at best or actual dangerous threat to be around.

Yukimi returns as the usual voice of reason regarding the family meddlings, this time about how siblings can regularly fight and it's normal, or in this case it can be better that they're letting each other know what are their feelings. Though the flashbacks seem to portray it in the most lighthearted way they can, it's not touched upon regarding sibling fights that can go out of the hand (outside of Rider fighting). Her fighting with Genta, admittedly, was something that surprised me as Yukimi's the only one to fully appreciate Genta between the family, but of course, it was just an acting, and shows that the other family members aren't any more reasonable for putting down goofy antics from Genta.

I'm quite mixed regarding the Ikki and Daiji battle here, on one hand, I like it that, Daiji is established as unshakable in his extremist belief regarding Giff, and he still is not swayed easily here. Daiji should not be suddenly swayed easily only because Ikki had more resolve and is more prepared in facing a rogue family member. But on the other hand, I'm still disappointed about Ikki not giving full explanations yet. about how by letting Daiji talk, Daiji talked about how Giff is so overpowered and everyone had witnessed that. Like the Weekend against edited footage, Ikki should've countered with another power showing, about how Ultimate Revi/Vice did block Giff's beam (the very part Ikki knows they stand a chance against Giff). Instead he talked about the teamwork with his friends and family to overcome Giff. That still doesn't show to Daiji if they're successful or failed, so the proof is still not completely clear to Daiji. Even though I like that Ultimate Revi/Vice consistently clowns Holy Live in fight if he gets his shit together.

I guess Hikaru now deserves some credit in this episode. Though actually I rather like him telling off Tasuke more than his stand off against Giffdemos. Here Tasuke extends his ruthless approach to those outside his fake family, to force Ikki and others completely dispose Daiji as Weekend's enemy (and Ikki's not even an official member!), using shoot first ask later method with little regard. But as Hikaru stated, this 'professional' and 'task-oriented' approach is actually just being a control freak and imposing his decisions on everyone else. He's practically pulling stuff similar to Ikki's 'busybody' antics, but in a directly destructive way. But too often that, this type of approach by someone is handwaved away due to how said person has seniority or holding higher position (Tasuke is Masumi's right-hand man), where appeal to authority is often in effect to view everything they say as right, or inherent fear of displeasing your superiors (of which those can be about position abuse if they do that).

Tasuke's the more significant Ushijima, and he's the only one to have a bit of backstory with his real family, who is said to be lost to Deadmans, so he's not someone who never felt having an actual family (like perhaps Hikaru), which I presumed before to be the cause of him refusing to understand the meddling of Igarashis, but he's someone who refuses to look at the past, only the future. While Hikaru standing up to Giffdemos is nice, now it's disappointing that Over Demons is now really an ordinary Rider, not showing special power that can stand up to Giffdemos for a bit or such.

Other than that, I kind of appreciate what they're doing with Akaishi here. Though previously he had been established as a well-intentioned extremist, the first one to try ensuring humanity's existence before Daiji (well he followed him after all), as well as not killing the Igarashis because of them being technically family to him (as Giff's descendant), they live up into said Akaishi's trait here, by being respectful and pitying against Tasuke, giving him his condolences about his lost family and putting his family photo on his chest. Of course, you can give someone respect while being evil, as Akaishi still killed Tasuke after all (attempted for Hikaru). And there's him showing more about how he sees the Igarashis as his family, specifically, the ones who reciprocated him back, like Daiji, by sharing his feelings with him (and puzzled at his show of empathy) and 'saving' Daiji away. This now makes more sense of why Akaishi doesn't finish off the Igarashis. I already thought this before, but this cements more that, power threat aside, Akaishi's relatively better than Orteca, other than his proposed noble intentions, though he'd kill those who are obstacles in his ways. But... turns out that while it's good he's not turning into a Rider, Akaishi still got full monster form instead of keeping his human form like his first fight with human Daiji.

Of which Akaishi 'comforting' Daiji was the one, of all scenes, parallels with Aguilera comforting Sakura. I guess often than beating up those on Giff's side, Aguilera should also try interacting with others better, starting with Sakura here (to be specific, talking to someone who's downed), as well as returning the favor to her. Actually she's still rather stiff and the hug feels rather forced, but it probably makes sense, considering who she is formerly (she still had some harshness to Tamaki before, but not abusive anymore). But it's not really seen on how she consoles Sakura, after allowing her to talk to her as much as she likes.

It is so weird to hear this description of the Ikki/Daiji conflict, because we as fans should already have a grounding for what each character is saying -- this is 100% the Kento/Touma debate from the end of Saber. Like, 1000%. Daiji is saying that the only hope lies in doing something morally reprehensible, but the "heroes" are selfishly standing in his way; while Ikki is saying that a) what everyone else is doing is noticeably working, and b) there's no point to winning if victory is a choice between two horrible outcomes. Like, this is just the end of Saber! Which is a different problem, sure, but I don't remember people being as down on the end of Saber as they are on the end of Revice?

Putting that aside, I'd also argue that Ikki treating Daiji's arguments as thin cover for unresolved angst is exactly the right move from Ikki. Daiji's arguments focus on defeating/destroying his brother to such a disturbing level that they're clearly the focal point of Daiji's fixation. Daiji has a problem with Ikki, and resolving that is way more important to Ikki than winning some philosophical argument. I feel like that's not a new part of the show?

Oh, and thanks for the fun skit!

I don't know if I thought it was brought down by anything? I didn't love the stuff leading up to it, but I really enjoyed that scene in the episode. I liked how nuanced and difficult to read Akaishi was, where you can't tell if he's having a genuine emotional reaction, or just formulating a new strategy. And Weekend Dad! He gets this heartfelt speech that clarifies how much he loved the fake family he put together, without ever directly saying that he loved the fake family he put together. Some of the best writing in this episode was in that scene.

It was great! I'm not surprised that we were only shown a lighthearted version of Ikki and Daiji's fighting -- Yukimi's the one telling the story, and the memory is bound to be a nicer one. But her and Genta putting on a little play to teach Ikki that it's okay when families fight? I love it!

I think this is an unfair comparison for Kento, who at least checked Kurayami's despair visions to see if he could save everybody, before succumbing to the lonely path of Calibur. Furthermore, his ultimate goal had not changed, as he and Touma were both fighting the same enemy. It's one book with two writers, envisioning the same conclusion but with two different journeys to reach it.

Ikki and Daiji are not writing the same book, barely even the same genre. Ikki opposes Gif to protect people. Daiji sides with Gif to protect cattle. And for what? Daiji does not have any convenient excuse of despair-inducing clairvoyance, so his claim that his actions are "justice" isn't at all plausible and only makes him look like a self-righteous coward who would bend the knee to Gif after a little loss streak.

I'm not saying that Saber didn't do a better job of illustrating how Kento came to his conclusion than how Daiji came to his -- Saber better! Saber much better! -- but I am saying it's a little disingenuous for the fandom to say that the Daiji/Ikki conflict is somehow unintelligible, only a year after Saber pulled nearly the exact same shit. They're both stories about pessimism and despair driving people to become unrecognizable versions of themselves, while the people who love them come off as obstacles! Let's not pretend this is an apples-to-oranges comparison!

Fair enough, I simply draw a lot of my enjoyment in these shows from both the bigger picture and the small picture working together. If one falls short, a scene, no matter how good in isolation, loses a lot of its appeal for me. (We'll get to something where I can get a bit more in detail about this rather soon)

Here, Akaishi just lacks a lot of build-up, focus, and meat to his narrative bones to invoke anything beyond "Man, this was surprisingly good. Wish it was connected to something, though."

I adore when the macros scale of storytelling invokes the macros scale and vice versa. It's this fun mix that just gets me excited. If I didn't care about that, I could just watch an anthology. Obviously, that last part is a bit of a hyperbole.

But I can totally see why you have no problem with it, it really comes down to what I enjoy in these shows.

Sure, but I think in this case it's connected enough to the overall theme of Family that I found plenty to like in it. Like, the discussion that Akaishi and Weekend Dad are having is as much about Hikaru and Weekend Dad specifically as it is about larger concepts like moving on from pain (or not) and letting your children be a way of obtaining the future you never could -- all stuff that's a huge part of this series, and crucial to the Daiji storyline.

I don't know! I find myself more generous in my appraisal of this show than it maybe deserves! Take my opinion with a grain of salt!

I always take others' opinions with a grain of salt since, well, they are subjective.

For me, I see the connections; I just don't see them as strong or, well, properly spun. The show failed to hook me on its themes of family, and to me, it utterly failed in its implementation, so that very strongly relates to why this moment is more of a spark in a sea of nothing for me.

I get why you like this moment and don't see issues with it. For me, everything connected to it just drags it down by association sadly, which honestly just makes it more frustrating :lol

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 41 - “THE FATHER’S TRUE MOTIVE, AND THE SON’S DETERMINATION!”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice41a.png

It’s an episode more about digging into the last episode and setting up the next episode, rather than feeling like a compelling story of its own. I just finished watching it, and most of the middle section is already sort of escaping me, like I borrowed a demon’s power and I’m left blissfully ignorant of what it cost me. Let’s see if anything comes back to me over the course of this post!

Like, a whole lot of this episode is spent delineating the various feuds and stakes of this late-series arc: Ikki vs Daiji, Vail vs Genta, Weekend vs Fenix, Hikaru vs Akaishi, and Hana vs Anyone Who Would Make Sakura Sad. Toss in Tamaki’s desire to be a Kamen Rider, Karizaki Sr’s deteriorating health, Hiromi’s new/old job as commander, and you’re going to find yourself in an episode that struggles to move any one element into a spotlight position. It’s a lot of stuff happening, but no room to sculpt all of that into a compelling or memorable episode. Certain series-wide themes are touched on, and character traits are exhibited, but it feels almost like a clip show. We’re talking about Kamen Rider Revice the TV show, instead of saying anything new or different about our cast of characters.

That said, it wasn’t like I hated this episode, because I still like that cast of characters a whole lot. Ikki talking to his mom and dad about the cost of being a Kamen Rider isn’t new information in any way, but it’s still a touching and well-acted scene. (Genta and Yukimi! Always! They make this whole show so much better!) It also ends up slightly altering the trajectory of Genta’s character, pushing him to confront Vail, and I’m cautiously optimistic about where that’s heading. There’s a way it’s all phrased – “I can’t afford to lose anyone in my family” – that makes me feel Genta’s version of settling things with Vail is more about reintegrating Vail into Genta as a way of honoring the life that Vail helped Genta gain, rather than Karizaki Sr’s whole thing of I Must Defeat My Original Sin. Not sure that’s where we’ll end up, but after an episode that also brings up Kagerou’s mistaken execution around Genta, I am hopeful.

Beyond that, I thought this episode was entertaining, but not really anything to love or hate. It’s another assault by a bunch of Giffterians and Giff Jrs and whatever, it’s another assault by Vail, it’s another evacuation of Weekend bases, it’s another etc etc etc. A lot of the same set pieces and action sequences. Competently done, but nothing that’s emotionally engaging. Hikaru gets a scene where he’s trying to process Weekend Dad’s sacrifice, but it’s Hikaru, and asking me to care about that kid’s emotional turmoil and shaken resolve is asking too much of just about any viewer. (Again: Mihara from Faiz. Do not spend precious minutes of an episode late in the series asking me to care about the youngest, dopiest Rider! It will never be time well-spent!) We’re setting up for a whole string of shocking developments and final battles, but none of ‘em are happening yet.

Still, yeah, had an okay time with this episode. I liked all of the little bits we got with the cast, even Sakura’s side of the Hikaru stuff. They’re all interesting characters, and they’ve found so many weird angles on their interactions. Not the best episode, but still a decent enough transitional installment of Revice.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice41b.png

This happens in a lot more than just Ikki/Daiji conflict here, that people also insist that the heroes are just selfish for being standing in the one actually thinking realistically and just making things worse to prevent them from "solving problems" - of which villains are usually viewed as that by the audience, especially if they have a point. And if they don't get that, they'd complain about the writing being suck and not making sense, as if they think it's wrong for the show to paint villains as in the wrong? Many seem to think in moral relativism, there's nothing such as righr or wrong only perspective, and ironically they also impose their view on others as the realistic and mature view - the only right view to process the world, want the show to cater to them for "both sides having a point" and complaining if the villain is clearly wrong....

Coming from above too, I felt that if the show insist that the villainous side (anti-villain ofc for wanting the best) is right and that they've made an effort, the heroes can get more shit for standing in their way, and that the conclusion of Touma proving him wrong can just come across as the show favoring the heroes biasedly to convince the audience (who usually think the heroes only get ahead due to plot armor). Also, I thought Daiji sides with Giff to protect people? But Daiji's only concerned about how they live, not taking into regard of actually giving fulfilling lives.

Yeah, this episode doesn’t have much for me to talk about. The most I have is the Demons Troopers and Karizaki with a Driver and Vistamp (which no-one believed would really happen, except for one guy). So I’ll go for the first one.

The Demons Troopers? Surprisingly, despite being a mass-produced variant of the most popular Rider and belt in the show, not a lot of people like the concept, and have said that if they were doing the show/toyline, they would not exist. Ironically, the discord community I’ve been pulling screenshots from actually came round to the idea of them, if not the design. Me personally, I’m split between annoyance they didn’t go with the Week Endriver/Kuma Vistamp troopers, and slightly understanding that this was easier to pull off with reused parts. Though there’s not much reason they use the Demons Driver, given that none of them display the ability to Genomix and use the same weapons as Revice.

Hiromi: It’s Hiromi’s… Stamp Navi! With the help of a few of my old college buddies, fellow FENIX trainees and Weekend members. Come in and introduce yourselves.

(The two who demonstrated the Demons Trooper transformation appear)

Jun: I’m Jun…

Oiwa: And I’m Oiwa.

Both: Nice to meet you. Today, we’ll be looking at these two Vistamps.

Spider Trooper!

Kuwagata Trooper!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=iZTIx6e9lzo

Leadership! Entangle!/Scissor! Perfect Harmony! Spider/Kuwagata Trooper!

Jun: The Trooper Vistamps are modifications of the Spider and Kuwagata Vistamps, created for mass use along with the Demons Driver.

Rise! (Rise) Rage! (Rage) Requiem! (Sadness) Kamen Rider!

Oiwa: Spider Trooper boasts a stronger punching power, while Kuwagata Trooper is better at using kicks. However, they’re unable to Genomix and are very weak physically, requiring both prominent use of weapons and large numbers to be of any use.

(Enter George)

George: Hey, hey, hey! Did you really think you could do this without me? My daddy invented the Vistamp System and I improved on it.

Jun: Yeah, and because of that, you’ve only helped speed up Giff’s revival.

Oiwa: So we thought, we’d show you guys the door. (He slams the door into George, rendering him unconscious) I’ve always wanted to do that.

Jun: Maybe, but it was a bit of a jerk move, wasn’t it?

Hiromi: (clearly uncomfortable) We hope you enjoy the next instalment.

Oiwa: Yeah, we should probably take him to a hospital.

Self production notes: Jun and Oiwa are named for their actors, Jun Watanabe the action director and Hisanori Oiwa, better known as Eitoku, the suit actor for Vice.

I dont have much to add atm, but here's some fun Hiiromi art
https://twitter.com/hazardleveI/stat...528256/photo/1

I'm okay with it? They exist to be a bulk army that can fight Giff Jrs -slash- get murdered by Akaishi and/or Vail, so they don't need an especially ornate or clever design. They reuse the Demons helmet that Over Demons discarded, and add in a boring vest. It's a suit that's useful to the narrative, but it ain't like Bandai's going to be rushing out the Figuart. I sort of don't even think about it as a design, because they're just bulking up the Weekend side of the battle.

Oh, and thanks for the fun skit!

Neat! Thanks for sharing it!

Turns out that Demons Army isn't the same as Demons, so at least Demons isn't nerfed. If George created it, disappointed that there are no in-universe Kamen Rider references from him like Riotroopers, Kurokage Army, Ride-Players or such. And about the assault on the shelter, Revice quite takes a spin that, the ones who are using guns here are also the major characters, like Tamaki or even Hiromi, and the Riders, even when 'fodders' are the nameless ones. Usually the ones using guns are shown to be ineffectively holding off monsters, and is restricted to nameless ones (though there's probably bodycounts in this scene too, even female ones). For this fight, actually I liked that Ultimate Revi/Vice used their magnet powers to take care of the hordes, so they can attack (use Giffard Finish) on them all at once. However later...

Turns out that Akaishi is not the biggest fish in the pond either. I guess it was a good reason why his Giffdemos form debuts against the other Riders, instead of fighting Ultimate Revi/Vice before. Ultimate Revi/Vice is clearly superior to Akaishi, perhaps as direct Giff power. Actually Akaishi can feel anti-climatic too to be one-upped this early, feels like W's final bosses, Terror and Utopia, of which was dispatched by W (and Accel for the former) without many difficulty after everyone gets their shit together, and here too, Ultimate Revi and Vice dispatch both Akaishi and Vail in a teamwork style. I wouldn't complain about Akaishi being one-upped this early, but the fight is disappointing, after Akaishi's previous showings, either as Giffdemos or even human, to make use of his powers, as per Sun Tzu's The Art of War quote, like invisibility, super speed, thunderstorm, duplicates, etc. As expected of KR fights, the power showings are often neglected including Akaishi here to rely mostly on hand-to-hand, augmented by energy for Revi/Vice. And Ultimate Revi or Vice can still trounce him like countering with their own duplicate powers. But actually, Aguilera's showing in this fight is quite good to try holding off Holy Live, with that high altitude fight, flight, and maneuvers.

Character wise, so now Akaishi has been valuing Daiji even more, after trying to constantly groom him up, he now changes his mind to instead finish off the Igarashi families. This is in line with his usual character, that he normally acts affable and actually not two-faced for that (other than Fenix's public reputation), but he'd be ruthless against his obstacles, but not necessarily. Akaishi also still helped Vail's deteriorating condition with the ViStamps, despite mocking him before, or more about shilling Giff... giffing Vail extended life. Only that his love for Daiji now has overshadowed even his sympathy for the other Igarashis. Turns out that even Daiji is a bit shook by Akaishi's treatment of him too, not only Vail, that he's only acting on what he thinks is right. That can be either Daiji still being relatively better than Akaishi or especially Vail, but also can be him refusing to be influenced by anyone, good or evil (but he's doing bad now). The good thing in the fight is Akaishi finally letting out his cause and motivation against Revi, even if obviously Revi would reject it, as it's heavily biased against Giff. An actually benevolent force of nature would endure the misunderstood and not turning batshit crazy, like for example Kouta in Gaim still trying to help even knowing that him becoming an Overlord could have the world rejecting him.

The other one with deteriorating condition is Masumi, probably due to his burn injuries, yet he later jumps into the fight. Seems to be the most irrational decision he can make, as he's all about scientist, contributing in creating devices, and isn't about fighting, probably not in his youth too (unlike George who did work out), and now he has been even in worse condition physically and going fighting? But let's see what happens next.

One of the internal reveal is about how now Ikki's parents learned about Ikki disappearing on the photo. With Ikki telling the (almost) full story regarding his contract and memories to them right now, this'd be actually a good move considering now the family knows about Kamen Riders, Deadmans, and demons. Gotta tell them before Ikki fully forgets about his family, so that the family who isn't affected can act on this later. So they're continuing to work on Ikki being the one to lose his memories, instead of others forgetting Ikki. But even by that Ikki still strives for the best outcome, to keep fighting the world's threat, and also to ensure that the Igarashis are happy together. Unless Ikki feels confident that it can end soon with Ultimate Revi/Vice's power, how would the family being happy with Ikki forgetting them later? That'd be some contradicting from Ikki, unless Ikki doesn't discount the family's attempt to try getting Ikki back to them (of which it'd be problem, if Daiji returns), without threats ofc. The family is equally optimistic to Ikki's drive here, with Yukimi hugging him, but if the worst scenario came, wonder how they'd deal with this.

Another internal reveal would be Ikki realizing that Kagerou's existence is actually good for Daiji's balance, though George already said that before, but it's when Daiji's still good but reckless. Now there's nothing holding Daiji back to his twisted sense of justice added with his inculpability. Not as in Kagerou being Daiji's moral compass or such, because Kagerou by himself is evil (literally too) and selfish (including only saving the person due to benefical to him personally), Daiji too is needed so Kagerou won't act on his schemes, or being restrained, and had Daiji make use of Kagerou's calculating traits for good, but Daiji with Kagerou would be inherently more conflicted and hesitant, making him one of the more cooperative secondary Riders before as there's some chaos inside him, not strictly order. This situation also pushed Genta to settle things with Vail, asking for George's favor, and probably him returning to fight as Kamen Rider.

I thought as a part from Faiz you appreciated Mihara too (which'd be similar to Fish)... The dojo has returned, with Hikaru training and Sakura joining him, like the old times but without secrecy anymore. There's also Hikaru processing Tasuke as a person overall, between him saving Hikaru and his ruthlessness. But what Sakura said would be right there as humans don't always make sense, like contradicting themselves, no matter as much as someone like Tasuke tried to discard that, humans can be more complex than what's outwardly seen of them (though doesn't mean that the bad part disappears due to this complexity, or that complex is about having both good and bad part only). Though ironically, it's a waste that Ushijima family wasn't really elaborated before, unlike other families, to show how a fake family lives. Tamaki should actually return here, if he wanted to be Kamen Rider too, training with them but now without the two-faced approach, but still as white belt and "Sakura's junior".

I definitely do not! I dislike all of those Ryusei School dinks!

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 42 - “THE FIERCE BATTLE! CRIMSON VAIL VS DESTREAM”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice42a.png

Absolutely stunning episode, and maybe a series-best for this show.

Not perfect, unfortunately; despite the wall-to-wall runtime, there’s still at least one plotline that fits uncomfortably beside the main Genta/Vail stuff. Mainly, I don’t understand why we needed Akaishi in this one, and also maybe have him get killed? It’s a distraction from the main themes of self-care and forgiveness, with Akaishi unconvincingly playing Work Dad to Daiji and screaming about humanity's failures to Ikki and Vice. Like, there’s a little bit of thematic resonance to Akaishi’s fatalistic outlook on humanity being in opposition to this episode’s thesis – acknowledging and forgiving our weaknesses helps us become better people – but it’s given too little space to feel looped-in on what makes this episode special. And, boy, if Akaishi dies here? What a waste! To be bumped off midway through a completely different character’s spotlight episode? I’d honestly hope for more for that dude.

But that’s a very minor criticism, in light of this episode’s moving and rousing treatise on how we need to embrace and accept the parts of ourselves we don’t like, if we ever hope to turn those parts into something that can make us better.

Genta’s story is one that’s remarkably open to interpretation. He’s begun to see his life as a burden on those around him: children cursed, a wife robbed of safety, and a world imperiled. But Yukimi sees things differently: a loving and attentive husband, three healthy and vibrant children, and a home that keeps them all safe. The life that Genta feels like he needs to apologize for is the same one that Yukimi treasures. There’s no such thing as a normal life, because everyone’s life becomes something you could never expect. We grow and change and lose and win, and the end result is a life full of surprises. Valuing those surprises is healthier than regretting the expectations that went unfulfilled. It’s better to accept it all, than it is to force things to be a certain way.

That’s the story of Genta and Vail, as well. Vail wants Junpei, not Genta, and feels abandoned by the person who used to be his partner; Genta wants his family, not the vengeance he once sought alongside a bloodthirsty monster. Instead of finding a way to build a life together, Genta and Vail separated, weakening each other in the long run. Genta looked at the evil inside himself and saw it as foreign, alien, a nemesis. In doing so, he gave it additional power, and let it run rampant over the world. Separation was only prolonging suffering, and destruction would be mutual. The only hope for Genta and Vail would be to find some way to recognize how much they each needed each other. They don’t have to like each other, but they have to find a way to literally coexist.

That concept is so unique to this show, and I love that it was given an entire episode to express itself. Not just in the micro sense for Genta and Vail, but in the macro sense for how it applies to families. Daiji and Ikki are basically just Genta and Vail: they want fundamentally different things, and they can’t seem to make the other see how insane they’re being. But they’re family, and they’ll always be in each other's lives. They have to be able to accept their differences, and find a way to live together in peace. They don’t have to like it! But they do need to do it.

I thought this was a remarkable episode, in almost every way. The use of Yukimi’s love song over the Vail/Destream fight! Yukimi’s comparison of fatherhood to a Henshin! Making room in the episode for a quiet dinner between Genta and Yukimi! Basically everything Yukimi, always, forever! I adored this episode’s firm focus on Genta’s attempt to heal himself, and how that message spread out to his children, and then out to the series at large. An absolute bullseye of an episode.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice42b.png

Yeah, it’s an alright episode… in isolation. It basically relies on you caring for the showdown between a guy who’s barely been there and a card carrying villain with the same emotions as the Ren/Desast fight from the previous season. And I’m sorry, but It’s My Dream, thematic or no, does not work nearly as well as a tragic battle theme as Will Save Us.

And I’ll mention that Destream (and by extension KR Vail) were not part of the long term plans for these two. Vail came about because adults loved the Demons Driver, and so Bandai decided that lightning could probably strike twice, while Destream exists because Sakamoto wanted Genta as a Rider for the summer movie (which was filmed before this episode). One has to wonder what the endgame for these two was beforehand.

And in terms of recycled props, aside from the obvious with Crimson Vail, Destream reuses Century’s undersuit, while his three Neo-Bursts - Crocodile, Komodo Dragon and Kong - are reused from the Demon Digzon, Another Ryuki’s arm from Zi-O and Revi’s own Kong Genome.

And Giff finally gets off his throne to get involved.

Genta: It’s Genta and…

Buu-san: Buu-san’s…

Both: Stamp Navi!

(Giff floats in the air, looking on ominously)

Yukimi: Honey, you’d better hurry up and finish this talk, so you can battle that guy.

Genta: Right, right. Let’s go with today’s Vistamp.

Heracles!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=86WYOlEbAvY

It’s Golden! Hardness! Yes! Heracles! Hey!

Genta: This Vistamp is my second chance as a true warrior of justice. Like the ancient warrior who performed twelve labours, I will do what it takes. Starting with taking down Giff. Henshin!

Spirit Up! Slash! Sting! Spiral! Strong! Kamen Rider Destream!

(George comes running)

George: It's the figure of Genta Igarashi transformed using the Destream Driver and Heracles Vistamp! It has specs that further exceed the overwhelming power of Kamen Rider Vail. It is possible to deploy the raging strong power with 6 multi-purpose manipulators "Heraclaw" extending from the back, applying the ability of a Hercules Beetle, and multiple Genomix. Now is the time to make a true stream!

Yukimi: It’s super cool, isn’t it Karizaki-kun? (She tries to high-five George, only to slap him into falling off the cliff, sliding down the walls of the quarry) Oh no. (Quickly asserts herself) Go for it, Honey!

Ikki: (throws the Rex Vistamp) Dad, use this.

Sakura: (throws the Cobra Vistamp) Take my power as well, Papa.

Daiji: (with a look saying “I’m probably going to regret this”) Dad, let me help you as well. (He throws the Bat Vistamp as the Two SiDriver Blade mode’s laughter plays in the background, and the Holy Wing Vistamp in his pocket begins to crackle)

Genta: (catches the three) Thank you, everyone.

Yukimi: Honey, I’ve got something for you as well. (Throws something)

Genta: (catches the object to reveal that it is…) the Chameleon Vistamp? How do you have this?

Yukimi: I took it off that creep who tried to kill me. The green colour is so Awesome!

Genta: Alright. Giff, now count up your sins!

Next!

Dominate Up! Rex: Neo-Burst!

Dominate Up! Bat: Neo-Burst!

Dominate Up! Cobra: Neo-Burst!

Dominate Up! Chameleon: Neo-Burst!

(Genta summons up a pair of T-Rex legs, a pair of bat wings, a cobra’s tail on his left arm and a chameleon’s tongue on his right arm, using all of them to attack in sequence, with Giff not moving at all)

Genta: Alright, let’s go all out. (He presses on the Destream Driver once more, before taking out the Crimson and Kabuto Vistamps)

Destream Driver: Next! More! Rex/Bat/Cobra/Chameleon: Destream Nova!

Kabuto Vistamp: Kabuto!

Crimson Vistamp: Energy! (Genta presses the trigger on the stamp) Painting Finish!

(Genta once more attacks, but still fails to make Giff so much as flinch. The Destream Driver then begins to crackle, as Genta stumbles back to where he laid down at the end of episode 42, his transformation dispersing)

Ikki: Even Dad’s new Rider powers weren’t enough. And they’re supposed to surpass Giffard Rex.

Sakura: Maybe we can find something in the next instalment?

Buu-san: Maybe.

Remember when I said that even if a scene is great, it can be brought down if it doesn't play well with what surrounds it?

Yeah, this is that.

This episode leaves me utterly cold. I can absolutely recognize the craftsmanship at work here and how well everyone pulled this off, but it doesn't change the fact that I do not care one iota for Genta and Vail. He was a fine comic relief character, but he just did never work as a tragic character for me; it mostly related to how nonexistent he was during the show and how bad the Vail special was to me.

On paper, all of this works well, supported by stunning imagery, but... yeah, on paper. This needed more build-up. Vail and Genta interact pretty much only in the Vail special, and that is just not enough to make me invested in any way. This feels very much like a repeat of last year, but where that had just enough meat to its bones with previous interactions to make me 100% fall in love with Ren, even if they hadn't the biggest focus, this just doesn't.

Every time I think about this, my mind immediately goes to how squandered it all is because it is a good conclusion to an utterly butchered arc.

This arc sums up my feeling about Revice the most. Bad setup, awful execution, and at the core, a great idea. It is a monumentally disappointing show in how constant that feeling was for me. I desperately wanted to love this show and tried my best to keep it open to course correct, but each time it looked like it, it drove itself deeper into what I consider bad...

So yeah... resounding meh from me.

I guess I'd push back on describing Genta as "a guy who's barely been there"? He's a major cast member who has been involved in multiple integral storylines, several of which add up to this critical showdown. I feel like he's a large part of this show? And, geez, I think Vail's got some pathos to him? He felt rejected by Genta (correctly!) and lashed out. That's sort of tragic?

Either way, thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thanks for the fun skit!

Huh! I think for me, the build-up was fairly solid. Vail's hunting Genta for most of the last twenty episodes, and threatening the family that he thinks stole Junpei from him. Meanwhile, Genta's falling into the trap Daiji did of ignoring his demon in hopes it goes away, until he follows Ikki's example of prioritizing coexistence over destruction. I feel like all of that was delicately and deliberately set up in advance?

Nice reference

The continuation of... Revice Legacy: Kamen Rider Vail! No wonder this one's so good. As that bit is one of the last good Revice stuff lately. Though that also opens up the series fault for putting those in separate media instead of being in the main series.

Daiji had really few lines this episode, but it seems that finally the others rubbed off on him, with him having stronger reaction to Akaishi caressing him. Quite the parallel here that Akaishi is being the creepy dad that got rebuffed by Daiji, while the actual dad Genta is more welcomed by Daiji, and actually had his points considered. Probably because of how Akaishi and Vail are trounced by Ultimate Revi/Vice before with less problems than expected (and Revi/Vice doing it again to Akaishi here), which'd mean Giff's enforcers' opinions and views are less valid in how they're not the 2nd to Giff like how they see themselves as. Still kinda might makes right view, the process on how Ultimate Revi/Vice got on that level should also be acknowledged, when facing defeat.

This part continues about Akaishi's downfall, including being turned into dust at this episode, and Giff finally making his move cements Akaishi ending his role as central antagonist, though likely kept around by Giff in the previews. There has been some mockery of Holy Live being weaker than Jeanne due to the latter being writer's favorite, and... this is proven true in this episode in Jeanne besting Holy Live. This can be inconsistency (and bias for favorite) as before Holy Live swats away the girl Riders, or Daiji losing his will to fight (Holy Live still not invulnerable to attacks from weaker Riders). Good stuff for Jeanne using her fences at her henshin to block Holy Live's way though.

The family, of which what Revice should be about, took center stage again. Due to how all families are involved, this had Yukimi actually taking a stand for Genta, directly praising his worth to others instead of just showing that she treats him nicely compared to the others ("she spoiled him too much"), though for this one the children don't look down on their father, but actually was concerned. And it seems that, Yukimi is just mandatory for events that actually involved whole family in this series, always had something to say that is, while small, it's impactful. Now her latest bit is about how everyone had different kind of life, and thus it's not set in stone and there's no such thing as definitive normal life. What's important is living the life that makes you happy, which Genta does for her.

This can be applied on more than just how you live your life, there are far more stuff that is deemed as objective in being "good" or "bad", but is actually subjective. Like how you'd want to write something lighthearted or dark. Though doesn't mean this is limitless though, like if something is poorly written then it is (and that should be the one used to evaluate something being "good" or "bad") though still not 100% certain, like how in life, if you live your life purposely at others' expense, that'd be the wrong one to do. Not that she's completely perfect though, like one time in her overprotectiveness to Sakura, and this also shows that parents can learn from child too like Genta's solution below...

And later about Genta's debut as Destream to settle things with Vail, other than the even match and a nice use of his powerset (which sadly wouldn't be done again later, like Akaishi), at first was pretty bummed about just forgiving Vail like that and overlook his atrocities he had done before (perhaps the 2nd worst person behind Orteca so far in the series), but later it's actually more meaningful and well-thought when he approaches Daiji later. Continuing on how demons are inseparable part of yourself, Genta had to forgive himself, and it's done here by forgiving Vail, due to how, even if he wasn't malicious like Vail, Junpei was still someone with dark traits that he only desired revenge, and was someone destructive and unstable as a result.

Forgiveness actually should be applied on yourself too, which is self-forgiveness, and it's important to do so for mental health, such as someone like Genta who did have empty life as Junpei, and his life with Yukimi and the Igarashis are probably only temporary escapism from that, it's a matter of time until Vail returns, unless Genta finally make amends with himself, and thus includes Vail as another part of himself, and finally letting go from his past tragedies and dark traits which is the way to live a more fulfilling life he seeks. And don't know if Vail can be actually redeemed, entering the body of Genta who had forgiven himself despite his parting words, of which that'd mean for Genta too, the solution is as usual, is literally accepting the demon as a part of yourself, and likely would explain too how Vice became malicious at the beginning of Revice, of which Ikki was in a resentful and self-loathing phase, making Vice more untamed and selfish compared to childhood.

The men behind that fight (and pretty much any supplies as toku scientists), the Karizakis, other than them benefiting one another, is practically having their scientific abilities tested too which George wins, and is given a flashback about how they were like in the past as a parallel to their current situation too. Despite him being surpassed though, Masumi had improved himself too to create something that can seal Vail better, despite that it'd make Vail a stronger fighter, finally atoning for his vailures as he collapsed. So apparently Masumi was a good dad to George (with George returning it), encouraging him for his science's failures and successes. Still unknown how Masumi parted away from George that led for George to hate him, but this can mean there's unreasonable part in George's side, as no way he'd hate him for what he did in NOAH, as George only cared about his researches and violence or chaos before, and the hate continues after he's no longer shady. Still though the part of George being KR fanboy is still forgotten... give something on how he became KR fanboy too (and as usual, him rehashing KR's lessons as he became a better person now). Regarding George's past, it seems that there's some parallel to Sakura's too, who used to adore Genta in the past, but at the present series became mostly condescending towards him until crisis came.

She's the best part of this series! The best part!

ok 42 is good but the rest of the show is ooff sorry if I haven't been commenting been busy with work and stuff

Not a problem! I appreciate the feedback!

I have returned! And now we're further ahead in Revice where I can talk about some of the meat of this show.

So, I'm sure everyone has made jokes about Akashi's weird facial expressions and mannerisms, and with the added knowledge of his origins, I think it's very fitting for him, it gives him this sort of "trying to be human" sort of aura. Which is neat, but also, the moment we saw him, we all collectively thought, "he's definitely evil." I don't mind the fact that he wants to make Daiji his family, as it again, melds into the whole "family" theme this show has been aiming for, buuuuuuut...

Okay, so before I get into that, I'm going to go over some of the other bits in between as best I can. So, Ikki's losing his memories in exchange for his contract with Vice, we had a feeling that there was something up with him disappearing from photos, but I feel like this could have been shown earlier in the show, as it became forgotten and then brought up after the Aguilera, reawakening of Giff, and Weekend's introduction had to get weaved into the story. What's a little surprising is that in the middle of the show we get Ikki's backstory about his Soccer buddy and background and his handling of that, which is very similar to Haruto's backstory from Wizard and at almost the exact same time (unless I'm misremembering both of those). It's kind of amusing how Vice's voice actor cameos into the story with a connection to Ikki, but I felt like it was a two parter that would have been in the first or second quarter of the show, as it felt like it took out the steam of the show.

Weekend, the most suspicious looking group in the entire show, led by the fake family (you could call them The Forger Family! Hah!) and George's daddy, whom George has issues with. At first, I was expecting a three-way conflict when they got introduced and I was wondering what their beef was. So many things that seemed at first but turned out to just be me overthinking. We also have Hikaru taking the mantle of Over-Demons, which at first I wasn't a fan of, but I grew to like it, and Hikaru, who I will proudly proclaim is one of my favorite characters and I was perfectly fine with him being Over-Demons. Especially after the war arc of Revice commences.

Aguilera's "redemption," I thought was a nice storyline (though a little dragged out and rough it was), with the bottom line being "you can't erase your sins, but you can still make amends" which I think is a great line of thinking. And we also have Tamaki with the Weekenders now, which is also nice for how he wants to be of help but gets sidelined by everyone else. And the fact that Aguilera names herself Hana Natsuki makes me laugh knowing that it's not far off from Hanae Natsuki, a Japanese VA famous for his role as Kamado Tanjiro in Kemetsu No Yaiba and the Walrus Taxi Driver in Odd Taxi.

Daiji... Alright, so this is probably my least favorite arc in Revice, for more reasons than you might think. So first off, there's Akemi, someone close to Daiji in his days at FENIX whom Akashi Demons in front of him then setting up Revice to kill her, the thing that bothers me is that Daiji then agrees (albeit reluctantly in some parts) to aid Akashi even with the knowledge that he's done this to many other people before and used FENIX to allow this to happen, and sure, there's also the fact that he baited everyone into creating this whole situation and destroying FENIX to show how powerless everyone is against Giff (please tell me someone sent that one meme about Touma running up the light ladder to Giff while Akashi's shouting "ah! Look at that!"), but with everything that went down, I still feel like Daiji wouldn't be so willing to join him, even if he's been broken too much to reach this point. He just overcame Kagerou to unlock Holy Live (Wings to fry!) and it's a great suit, but even after all this, my main reason for not liking this arc is that it feels like something that would have worked better in earlier Revice like second quarter, maybe making Akashi less blatantly evil to make his revelation as one of Giff's lackeys and destroying FENIX more impactful.

But in spite of it all, the resolution to that arc with Destream vs Vail was beautiful. The fight, the music, all tied up to make it a great fight. Which leads me into one of my issues, I guess you could say, about Revice thus far, the resolutions are good but the road to reach them are very rough and sometimes unfocused. The idea that this arc was about the family falling apart (something that seemed to be building up when we were still sketchy on Weekend) was inevitable and fitting for a story about family, and the resolution was very nice, but the in-between was something I sort of didn't look forward to as the show was airing, because it felt sloppy and didn't fit, at least for me.

The war arc reminded me of Build's, the series felt bleak, uncertain, like an actual war, something rare to see in some media. Weekend's leaders putting their lives on the line to protect everyone they could but still chose to prioritize their son, fake though he may be, it was some of the best moments in Revice, and made Hikaru front and center, unlike his role as the setup for Weekend.

Now for some suits, Revice: I like the design, the addition of a fan on the ViStamp as a reference (or at least to me) to the Showa Riders, specifically Ichigo, but the colors feel a little too garish to me. I don't mind out there color schemes, it looked great on Ex-Aid, but here, it just doesn't work for me, like with Elemental Dragon in Saber, though I that one didn't bother me as much here. Holy Live: Beautiful (wings to fry!). Giff Monster Form: Reminds me of Cthullu, which is great, but he's just kind of... there (more on him later). Destream: Great! Though, I'm kind of sad it came at the cost of Century. Vail: Nice detail with him being just a red Vice without the mask. Crimson Vail: I love Jack Revice, so naturally I love this.

It's definitely a series that has a tough time letting plotlines meld into each other in organic ways. It's more like a stew, where different chunks get ladled out at random. We'll not see someone for a while, and then they'll become super important for an episode, and then they'll disappear for a bit; alternately, a detail from a dozen episodes ago, or a separate mini-series, becomes crucial to the newest storyline. I like all the bits they tossed into the pot, though, and I think the broth -- the overall tone and themes -- help everything taste right.

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 43 - “THE EVERLASTING ENDING, AND BEYOND REGRETS”

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Highs and lows, baby.

The low point of this episode narratively was also the high point comedically: Karizaki Sr casually informing George that, in the midst of his regret about putting Giff cells in Junpei, he… put an entire demon inside his toddler, as a going-away gift. It’s preposterous, and not even the incredibly forgiving room of fawning Weekenders can formulate any response to counterbalance George’s somewhat subdued JESUS CHRIST DAD WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL. There’s literally nothing to be said about Karizaki Sr’s whole My Bad attitude about putting a demon inside a child (!!! [!!!!!!] !!!!!!!!), which makes the ensuing conversational shift away from this nightmare of a confession – into an apology for Weekend, which I will graciously accept – so goddamn funny to me. We’ve spent, like, a couple dozen episodes being force fed the Karizaki Sr Redemption Arc, and then on his deathbed he’s like Wait Did I Never Mention This. It is glorious. That family is beyond psychotic in their attitudes towards science, and I could not possibly think of a better final twist for these two clowns.

Meanwhile, we’ve also got Akaishi and Daiji to deal with.

The Akaishi part… sort of feels like the show’s lost the thread with this guy? His stated reasoning for serving Giff – if we’re to take Akaishi at his word – is that servitude to Giff at least keeps humanity alive, while resistance would see humanity utterly perish. Except, it’s Giff: as the Giffamilia found out firsthand, Giff treats contracts as more like… suggestions. He’s decided to set the world ablaze instead of enslaving humanity, discarding Akaishi as well. So far, I’m okay with it. Giff’s motives have always been opaque and implied enough to weather any number of mood swings, so him being like NOPE ENDGAME to Akaishi’s long-term strategy is fine with me. But Akaishi debases himself to get back in Giff’s good books, giving up humanity and his own immortality in the process.

I don’t get this part, at all. Literally the only two reasonable motivations that Akaishi’s ever had are 1) preserving humanity, despite its willfulness and selfishness; and 2) living forever as Giff’s lieutenant. In this episode, he gives up both of them at once, in return for becoming a red repaint. I don’t get it? At all? It’s the character pulling a 180, just in time to die for it, without even being given a speech to try and clarify what the hell’s going on. At least if he’d been killed in 42, he’d’ve gone out with some coherence to his character; here, it feels totally out of character and disappointingly rushed.

That said, at least it gives Daiji an amazing story.

That execution shot! GODDAMN! So cool, and perfectly in character for Daiji at this point in the series. He’s learned a lesson, but not quite the one anyone wanted him to learn. Far from feeling regret over how distant he’s grown from his family, or how he might’ve found a better path with Kagerou in his life, Daiji’s only learned one thing: you have to own your choices. Kagerou died so Daiji could be strong, and that means making sure your convictions have weight and clarity to them. He’s not lashing out at Ikki anymore, which is good, but it hasn’t changed his perspective on the battle. He’s got his convictions, and he’s going to do what he thinks is right – not to shame his brother or taunt his detractors, but because he wants to help. Sometimes that help comes in the form of a finisher to the face, though!

Very excited to see what form the rest of Daiji’s new outlook takes!

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This is also the best episode of Revice for ONE REAOSN AND ONE REASON ONLY THE WORST VILLAIN IN THE FRANCHISE IS DEAD Akashi is 50% of the reason Revice's second half sucks he's a bad villain imo because he's a twist villain who the reveal concerning is BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS and only wins because of deus ex machina's or the good guys in this show are idiots. the other 50% is because it feels like they wrote a story that was meant to be 25-30 episodes long but it's stretched to be 20 episodes longer and thus every time the writers didn't know how to fill an episode they just make either Vice look suspicious as hell for 20 minutes or make Daiji the biggest idiot in the franchise for 20 minutes or both

Ha ha, I don't know if I'd boil Akaishi down to quite so mean of a description, but I appreciate that he's not for everyone!

Also my other big problem with Revice(Ok I'll go more into Daiji soon because the episode that's appropriate to talk about him is coming up) ok so not gonna lie when the first batch of episodes aired I was on board with Sakura and found her relatable. The problem is here she becomes a Mary Sue everytime she wants something the characters struggle she shits out a new power that makes the problem solved like 2 seconds and literally breaks a Deadman's contract that was set to kill her even though that type of contract kills it's user. I don't know if I said this yet but when the guy who writes this show was signed he wanted to make it about a young woman who protects her family from demons it really feels like at times he wrote episodes feeling like Sakura's the main character (it's fine to make arcs built around characters that aren't the main character I'm rewatching Breaking Bad and there's multipart episodes that are centered around characters not named Walt but we see he is still important to what's happening in these episodes during that batch this becomes the Sakura creates a weapon that let's her rewrite the rules of the series show)