As Sakura's debut becoming Jeanne, yeah, time for the other characters to bring up about Sakura's edgy behavior, with Yukimi stating that she does like to act tough (and confirmed more by her noting that she's obviously anxious, but covers it up by acting mean and provocative to the family), and Ikki approaching her to tell her to drop her tough act (instead of holding her back again). As she's a teen, I guess the show doesn't pull its punches on showcasing teenage puberty in a rather negative light, culminating in her lashing out in bratty-like manner at the beginning (albeit Daiji was also too strict and harsh). The resolution would be, of course, for her to accept reality that she's not unbeatable. A situation where someone is powerful but helpless, showing that one can't solve every problem just by being what they're an expert at, but there's lessons like how one can gain somehow by losing, or there's great value in expanding one's expertise.

By accepting her human weakness she'd open to more improvements, like accepting the power of Kamen Rider in addition to her karate skills so she can properly fight, and gimmick-wise, getting in touch with her demon Lovekov (her name being Japanese syllables of "cobra" - コブラ rearranged backwards), literally showing her weakness to others with Sakura not having any problem for that, just asking others to take care of the literal punching bag.

Jeanne of course had to be made the hand-to-hand combatant to make full use of her karate skills, where in comparison previously Gaim had Yoko, a spy combatant, becoming a Rider that mainly relies on bow instead. I do admit that while I expected that, her fighting here does surprass my expectations to make a great debut like what others said, with neat variations of punches and kicks that she gave to the Giff Juniors like juggling one of them to the horde of enemies. Albeit it's not perfect that karate uses strong stances and hard, direct hits. Jeanne turned the battle against bigger horde of Giff Juniors in heroes' favor as a karate master. In the Revice previews, they mentioned Sakura having greater potential than her 2 older brothers.

There's more about Hiromi shown in this episode, that it's revealed that his backstory had him being bullied and hoping for a hero to save him, but there were none, so he became his own hero. Reminds that you better not wait around hoping for something you want but work on it (of course, being successful or not is another matter..). The reveal is very abrupt though in my opinion, Hiromi suddenly talking about his backstory out of nowhere, and like, it's in the middle of fight before henshin, that can left them open to the Giff Junior's attacks. Otherwise, I guess Hiromi resembles Spider-Man as human too, not only as Rider. I guess I didn't see it coming for George's reaction to Jeanne, from his potential excitement of stating that Sakura had a demon inside her, but he's instead enraged here, shouting his way off to Daiji too, and he states that Libera Driver is something he scrapped.

Amahiko lives up to his title as the "savior of Deadmans" where he rises their level by mass producing phase 2 Deadmans, but as usual, he didn't learn about how obsessed Aguilera is with Giff, thus making a joke about becoming Giff himself is a bad idea. That'd mean Amahiko's proper goal is still unknown despite being questioned here. Like usual, she'd ignore words coming from anyone beneath her, continuing from how she's bossy and hates being ordered. Aguilera making a decent point here that happiness can come in many forms, but that probably can be another temptation for Sakura that it's a relief she takes her brother's words instead. And a hint of her backstory as well that she was raised by Deadmans since toddler and apparently "thankful". She's also instead excited at Sakura's performance as Jeanne despite her wiping out one of the larger Deadman squad. Again, this gives me Parado vibe regarding how he interacts with Emu and is interested at seeing him come at the top.

I guess Ikki still had some ways to go on putting faith on others, where as shown here, against his parents he tried to claim that Sakura is fine, but actually the parents would also know her better that she's even more despondent as usual that she didn't ask for Yukimi's guidance like she usually does. And now the english name of Igarashi's onsen Happy Spa is also fully canon with Ikki wearing a shirt with that name written. There's a lesson for Daiji as well that him being professional can make him too uptight or even patronizing, against Sakura here, and that he may need to loosen up and acknowledge that something outside of legal can work well, or even better, sometimes law can be on the way to accomplish good instead. Again for Daiji to Sakura, like Daiji and Ikki before, both parties have their share of blame instead of only one having full blame. Other than the rehabilitation Seiko gets, she had to learn here that there are various help you can go for, with she almost giving up on Ryou, like how here, Fenix would be the one to try taking care of Ryou.

I guess there can be various ways on how teenagers operate, what's realistic or natural shouldn't be conformed into certain things only. I get your interest in her regarding how she incorporates convincing teenage traits (as I wrote above), though this does kinda sound like how you appreciated bratty kid character before. But a behavior being natural and normal doesn't mean that it can't warrantee a criticism from others (but I'd disagree with outright bleak view on whole kids or teenagers due to these stereotypes). Wonder what'd be something actually counts as wrong coming from kid/teenager though.

Actually I agree too that Yukimi's behavior doesn't sit well with me here, about her being overprotective to her though she is quite underage. While Yukimi is often a voice of reason with impeccable wisdom, I wouldn't want if anything she does is automatically considered right (+also because she's older figure). And Ikki's behavior is addressed annoyingly by others as a busybody. Though I do get softened on this stance due to later events.

Sakura being compared with Ren isn't something that I see often... I usually saw Ren being compared with Micchy from Gaim (Ren a.k.a Micchy) if comparison happens. Though Ren has actually performed morally questionable actions from his belief, while Sakura was limited to supporting bad actions. Otherwise, I thought that there are times where characters' problems aren't immediately solved in that one episode, and this is still the beginning of Revice. Though ofc how this is handled before can change things.

I can't say I've seen or heard enough of it to form an opinion, but I at least like the way the Vistamp rotates? I like a belt mechanism with some movement to it, and this one is pleasingly chunky in its activation.

Ha ha, I loved everything about Episode 12 -- Sakura's story, Lovekov's introduction, Ikki's role, Daiji's role, Aguilera's crush -- except for the Jeanne suit. I don't dig how baggy the boots are, but I hate how the orange at the bicep looks shrugged off of the shoulders. If those orange elements came up to form pauldrons, I'd probably like the suit 50% more. It looks like she's slouching, and it really bothers me. That said, the mask is pretty great.

"Appreciated" is maybe overstating it? I like when a character has a point of view, and I like when that point of view forces other characters to respond to it. Sakura's character is very distinct from Ikki or Daiji, and yet everything she is as a person is due in part to her proximity to those characters. The way they can know and love each other, but still aggravate one another, is one of the best tools this series has to make itself unique.

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 13 - “FENIX ESCAPING CRISIS BY A HAIR’S BREADTH!”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice13a.png

I just… I basically don’t care about suits? As stories?

I got progressively less interested in this episode as strayed from what looked to be an absolutely killer premise – Sakura and Daiji have to team-up while Hiromi and Ikki are benched – into something that was pleasant, but less original – Ikki needs to have the courage to believe that people can change – and then finally into a glorified showcase for Revi’s upgrade form.

I care about suits to the degree that they illuminate some evolution of the character, but that’s where it stops with me. Ikki still seeing Vice as the monster that tried to eat his mom, instead of the supportive and steadfast friend he’d become over the last few months? That’s awesome. I love that. There’s something innate in Ikki that worries about his family as the first choice in any interaction, and it can keep him from being as supportive as he wants to be. (We even get to see Ikki learn to stop rushing to his siblings’ aid at the drop of a hat, and let them fight their own battles!) He cares about his family so much that he’s been holding it against Vice, even when Vice clearly doesn’t deserve it anymore. We’re miles away from Ikki almost suiciding himself against Giff Juniors to teach Vice a lesson, and it’s starting to get rough watching Ikki treat Vice like shit. It was time to have Ikki realize that Vice isn’t a demon that’s haunting him, he’s his buddy. We’ve finally reached the point where Vice can stop being some humiliated apparition, and start being a part of the family.

But then we get an extended sequence of Barid Rex, complete with Jumbo Brachio Remix, and I don’t think it’s as cool as the show does, pun very much intended. It’s an okay suit, even if it’s inherently less fun because Vice is being punished by George. I like the shattered egg motif, and how it symbolizes Ikki coming out of his shell and befriending Vice. The pink gradation over the turquoise is pretty. But I don’t need so much of a one-off episode to be devoted to glory shots of it in action. The finale of the episode for me was the pre-Henshin slow-walk of friendship by Ikki and Vice; everything after that was epilogue.

And while I didn’t get a full episode of Daiji and Sakura teaming up, I liked what little I did get. I really wanted to see what their dynamic was away from Ikki, you know? We haven’t really seen the two of them on their own yet, and I don’t really know what that relationship is like. There’s some fun notes so far, though. I like how they commiserate over Ikki’s helicopter brothering, and how hard they have to work to get him to back off. There’s a little bit of Daiji trying to be a voice of authority, and a clear indication that Sakura has never and may never see him as anyone to listen to. But, y’know, the episode very quickly pivoted to Barid Rex and Kagerou, and we didn’t really get the Daiji/Sakura spotlight I’d’ve liked.

Not to say the Kagerou stuff was unwelcome! The episode included a lot of intriguing story teases around the edges on this one: Kagerou’s reactivation, however briefly; Hiromi’s reasonable and relatable vow to lay down his life to protect Lovekov; a(nother) traitor in Fenix; the impending activation of Giff, maybe, possibly, who really knows. None of the villain plotting got me thinking in new ways about their schemes or characterization, but I liked them going on the offensive. A “base under siege” story is always entertaining, and the brevity of this one kept the pace fast all the way through. It’s a quick story, but a solid one.

I did manage to thoroughly enjoy this one, even if the last several minutes were not at all the high point for me. I like the developing dynamic of the Igarashis fighting as Kamen Riders, and I’m thrilled that we’ll be getting more Vice interaction with non-Rider characters. I can’t wait ‘til Vice meets the parents again!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice13b.png

Shame you didn't like this one that much because of Barid Rex. I really enjoy Barid Rex, it's so cool... okay I'll see myself out. There's something... nice about the coloration of Barid Rex, and the way the shoulder and chest armor is shaped. It's really nice.

Admittedly i could care less about it's actual gimmick of it summoning Remixes. What I do enjoy is it being an ice based power-up, that's really cool (again)!

Anyway, we've got a new Deadman lurking around and there's at least one fun thing I'll point out (that I personally didn't expect) with him once we get to it.

Highlight of the episode was Hiromi defending Lovekov though, and nonchalantly just saying Lovekov is cute at the very beginning.

As always, Hiromi is the only one who understands what's truly important: protecting Lovekov, even if it cost him his life. Who among us would do less?

I'm going to break a years long hiatus from Posting to express some pushback at this claim! The Libera Driver's design is wholly based on reflecting the stamp pad so that it mirrors the stamp's relief once it's inserted. It's a very simple gimmick, but it is very much tailor made for the Vistamp design in specific. There definitely are some belts in this season that legitimately don't do anything with the stamps, and could easily have the gimmick replaced (the TwoSiDriver is a standout in this category) but I don't think the Libera Driver is one of those.

uhhhhh, with that out of my system,
I don't think I've posted in these threads since like the Build one? Which I think was like the first one? But I've been keeping up with them, especially over the last year+. Always fun to read the insights and discussions here.
I'll probably return to my posting slumber now though. Despite rewatching Revice not actually that long ago, I don't think I have anything too insightful or constructive to say about it. "Lovekov is good" is about all I got for this part of the series.

Welcome back, however briefly! Build was the second full one of these threads, but since that and Ghost (and the Ex-Aid movies) were basically done in the time it takes me to get to the Winter Crossover Movie on the recent threads, I'm gonna still say that you are functionally correct, if not technically correct.

As for Revice, "Lovekov is good" is the main takeaway, yes.

So, I’ll just say I totally called Wakabayashi being evil entirely be accident. But I have to laugh at how inept his attempt to keep Hiromi out of it is. He uses the very legitimate excuse of “I’m concerned for your health” and then he takes the Demons Driver away and… puts on a bench where Hiromi can retrieve it. He doesn’t destroy it, or hide it, or give it to the Deadmans. What was his plan here?

Also this episode establishes that Hiromi hails from the Miyagi Prefecture, which is coincidentally where Ishinomori hails from. This was entirely unplanned: the guy playing Hiromi also happens to come from Miyagi.

I also like the idea that George is annoyed enough at Vice mocking his design to deliberately not give him an aesthetic changes with the new upgrade. Especially since it leads to a gag where Vice has to glue a shield together form the debris.

Ikki: It’s Ikki’s…

Vice: And Vice’s…

Both: Stamp Navi!

Ikki: It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve done one of these, right Vice?

Vice: Yeah, I mean, who said that fat snake b*tch could have a segment?

George: Believe me, I had those two scheduled for the tail end of the season. I’m even telling your mummy to convince her to retire. She seemed pretty eager to do so.

Ikki: That’s our Mom alright. Anyway, speaking of strength, here’s today’s Vistamp.

Barid Rex!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1EQ9gdd9...ature=youtu.be

Baribari Up! My name is… Kamen Rider! Revi vi vi vi, Revi Revi! Revi vi vi vi, Revi!

George: Kamen Rider Revi Barid Rex showed a shocking rebirth by breaking the shell. It is a new Revice that can be developed thanks to the operation data with 10 special Vistamps. Super G～reat! Using 10 kinds of Genomes using explosive forces that produce life in this world. Now, Ikki Igarashi, please fully demonstrate the power that will be the next phase! And Vice, I can't get the glue, but you've been holding on for a while with just that homemade shield.

Vice: Believe me, I’d take that long necked look you devised over this. You are working on a Barid Rex Genome for me, right?

George: You’ll have it before Ikki gets his final form. Don’t worry.

(Enter Hiromi, panicking)

Hiromi: You’ll also prove that the Captain isn’t a Deadmans cultist, right?

George: I’m a mad scientist, not a genie.

Ikki: And on that note, we hope you enjoy the next instalment.

There's alot of nice character stuff going on in this episode. Ikki finally trusting Vice, Vice making his own shield to spite George, and the establishment that Kagero isn't gone, meaning that Daiji is still dealing with his issues in his own way.

One terms of plot, Chameleon being the commander was... was it even meant to be a twist, really? Given how obviously evil the guy actually was. And Killer Lawyer being busted out of prison is a very interesting hook to be sure.

Overall, I found the episode to be a fairly solid one, and a good way to get things focused again after my displeasure with the previous two-parter.

No Line Texts this time, as I don't think there were any this time? It's worth noting that from this point onward they aren't guaranteed to be in every episode.

It's nicely childish! And thanks for the fun skit!

Yeah, he's kind of been a colossal prick since the first episode, so Is Also A Deadman feels like a lateral move, rather than a twist. Maybe now I'll be able to remember his name! (I won't.)