I was really afraid they'd be going the "Patch Adams" route with Emu, focusing more on a patient's mood than any real ailment.

But I think they subverted that well enough; as Asuna pointed out stress can be a contributing factor in any illness and since an intern isn't allowed to give medicine or do operations this is a nice way for him to help patients and still keep learning.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this episode much better than the first. Well, primarily it was because Hiiro's inclusion in there. But, I also found that Emu was much better here. I really liked when he clashed his minds with Hiiro and it shows a bit of growth for him. I just hope they will keep this part up since I felt most of the comedies regarding Emu are a little flat and tasteless. For those who think Asuna is a bit annoying as Popi or whatever her name is, well, I think you don't need to think too much of it as much as Onari. Basically, I felt a bit of Kiriko-vibe in Asuna in her nurse mode. I still enjoy her as Popi but it feels much better to see her as Asuna herself. Also, the more I see it the more I feel that Director Kagami or Hiiro's father will be like Chief Hongaji; a bit goofy for most of the times but gets serious when the time calls.

For those who kinda disappointed with Hiiro's weak appearance or debut here, I will certainly disagree. I really enjoyed Hiiro's screentime here and his stoic personality is a great enjoyment for me. His rivalry with Emu also gave enough tense to build up the tension. As for now, I feel Emu will be much better if paired with Hiiro since it really balances the bland comedy here. It's funny to see Hiiro's assistant to actually placed the belt and gave the Gashat to him. Man, everyone would envy him....

Also, I found a Kaito-vibe in Hiiro but he is a nicer type of him. Really, despite saying he won't sympathize his patients, he actually saved the victim in the church by slaying the Bugster first. Well, basically, he just needs to beat the crap out of enemies and by that, he saves his patients too. It might be unnoticeable but it shows a bit similarity with Emu. Yep, Hiiro is really a tsundere. The battle here was pretty good too. Genm was still intimidating. I also love how they blended the RPG and Action type game together in a fluid battle scene. It's really hard to blend the two well.

Lastly, the weak part of this series is the bland comedy. Really, I couldn't enjoy the comedy at all. It's just so unnatural!! Ghost was pretty much better to handle the comedy or not even with too much comedy either.... -_-'. But, other than that, I love every parts of this episode, especially Hiiro. I love him much better than Kaito. And yep, Taiga got a Gamer Driver from Dan. For Genm, I will suspect it would be Dan or the Graphite Bugster.

Or Pallad!

The toy catalogue gave us a reason to expect Graphite and that Pallad isn't Genm
Graphite has a black belt, which the toy catalogue shows as the Bugster Buggle, which Genm needs for his Zombie Gamer form, and we have a Kamen Rider Paradox. Pallad = Parad

Haven't read any of the thread yet, just finished watching the sub and wanted to post my quick thoughts.

Hiiro/Brave reminds me of Kitaoka/Zolda for some reason, and seeing as the latter is my favorite tv character of all time, that's all good with me.

Plus the bit at the end of the episode with the pie, I was already digging him, but I think I fell in love right there. I can see him becoming my favorite rider of this season easily.

Was a good episode. The pace felt different from what I expected, with a bigger action scene towards the beginning, character stuff in the middle, and then the final fight at the end. I actually liked that though, just felt different than the usual.

Fight scenes were great, am gonna miss the game visuals when the budget runs out, but I'll enjoy them while I can. Hell, even watching the Level 1 forms fight has become rather enjoyable, much better than I ever expected from them.

A few plot threads teased here and there, looking forward to seeing where things go from here.

Edit: Also gotta say I love "Excite" as a theme and the intro sequence is great.

Well I just got done watching the episode and I really loved it!
The opening is giving me some early hesei rider vibes which I'm digging a lot. The song itself is pretty catchy and I enjoy it more than Ghost's or Drives. The visuals are also a lot more impressive than Ghost's and really all of it was great.

The episode itself had a lot of fun. The characters in this show don't annoy me like some characters from the past few years. The action is really fun to watch especially with all the game affects added in. LVL 1 suits and fight scenes are way more entertaining than I ever thought than they would ever be. LVL 2 is what I expected and it's still entertaining.

Overall I'm very surprised that Ex-Aid is rubbing off on me as good as it is. It's entertaining to watch, it looks like it knows where it wants to go with its story and the theme song is really catchy. I really hope that Ex-Aid can keep this level of fun up for a year.

Episode Thoughts

• I'll admit out of every Kamen Rider OP I've heard, Excite probably had my worst first impressions. It just sounded so terrible in the previews. Its definitely grown on me now and I eagerly await the full version.

• The episode does move at a fast pace, quickly establishing Hiiro as Brave as well as the dynamic between him and Emu. It does still however follow the same kind of relationship of the naive, optimistic hero versus the serious, brooding secondary that we had in previous seasons for who knows how many times. It does change it up a bit by having them both work with each other in the beginning but not liking each other.

• Still need to see more of Popi to see whether or not I fully like her. Same thing with Hiiro's father. They are doing the same serious/goofy old guy but so far it's at least little downplayed compared to other characters with this kind of trope.

• The action still holds up from last episode. Brave was pretty cool with how his sword style seem to switch between modes and the Level 1 fight was a little more interesting compared to last episode. The only thing I'm worried about is whether all the Level 1 fights will be against CG monsters because if it is, we'll probably never them see after 10 episodes.

Pretty good episode. Solid action and a cool secondary rider. I still find the humor to be unfunny.

GAH! Me, too - and I've never even seen Patch Adams!

Indeed the Lvl 1 form is specifically for fighting the CG monsters (as somewhat inferred when Emu tries to attack the CG Bugster with Lvl 2) so... hopefully the story will be engaging enough to make it okay. What's crazy about that is we give a squirt about Lvl 1 at all - something that, on it's face, shouldn't have worked in the first place!

I'm amazed by how promising this series seems. I just saw the first two episodes this evening, and I'm impressed. I hope the show can keep my interest; I don't know if I can stomach another Ghost or middle-of-Drive.

This is very better than first one

Why Brave remind me of Doctor Strange? He is very arrogant and a-hole toward his patient like Doctor Strange did and it's helped that both Brave and Doctor Strange have a fantasy element

I am worry that Brave will end up become a Mary Sue-Character. It would be crazy if Brave will get his severe hand injury in later episodes like Doctor Strange to show how his arrogance could lead him to this situation

Emu is a type of Doctor that actually care about patients while Hiiro is a JERK Doctor who just doing his jobs. I wonder what type of Taiga will be?

I did laugh when Hiiro call Asuna "Whatever" and she is shock by this

I think the show will be darker in LATER EPISODES considered this is a multiple RIDER SHOW like Ryuki and Gaim

So, binge watched this and the first episode. Gotta say, it had potential. Emu was extremely refreshing after that abomination that is Takeru. And while Hiiro is a cliche 2nd Rider, for some reason he had a better impression than Specter did.

The only thing that I don't like so far is that the comedy tends to be a bit forced. Also keep nurse Asuna. She's more gorgeous in that form.

Hiiro very remind me of Doctor Strange. You know arrogant doctor that don't care about his patient.

It seem you rather prefer Asuna over Poppi?

Brave's arrogance and disregard for others already count as negative character traits, so he isn't a Mary Sue

Taiga's a backally doctor iirc, meaning he's only in it for dirty money. According to the preview, he only cares about getting more Gashat

Well that's good he have a negative flaw!

Okay, We got a kinder doctor, JERK doctor, backalley doctor and a medical coroner.

Yeah. Not a fan of that kind attitude. Plus she's more attractive as a nurse :P

Yeah, I love Asuna much better in her nurse form. She's not as snarky as Poppi and the comedy was much better when she accidentally acted as Poppi :P. Actually, as I said, Hiiro might not a such a terrible guy. Well, he might be a little selfish and unemotional, but he still cares to his patients. Just see the scene when both of the Rider saved the victims here. While Emu focused on saving the patients, Hiiro focused beating the Bugsters first. Well, in the end, they have the same goal with different ways to achieve it.

I absolutely loved this episode. I'm taking a more casual stance on it this season. Since my friends and I are watching it together. So I normally just watch and enjoy it with them.

I think Poppi is supposed to be annoying - Ruka Matsuda seems to be acting pretty poorly while inhabiting that part of her character - like someone making fun of a video game sprite or pop idol. Time will tell, but that's my feeling.

This show is just on fire right now. The excitement level is great. Emu and Hiiro are both awesome. Hiiro brings an intriguing dynamic to Emu and I like that in the medical dramas I've watched before so it's nice that it's with Kamen Rider as well. I am intrigued in Genm and who he is exactly, it makes me think so far it's Parad because he said that he should go greet them this episode and I feel he might lose or give up those powers later down the line. Poppy is fun and I love how she interacts with everyone just like the Director too. Hiiro's love of sweets is really fun and brings a bit of levity to such a serious character. Emu's clumsiness and heart is what I love about him and that he wants to do the best he can to save his patients. Also that he cares about them and isn't detached like Hiiro is. Hiiro I feel was hurt or made a mistake before and that's why he's detached now and I am interested in seeing what happened to him. The fighting is awesome in both the Lv1 and Lv2 forms with both Ex-Aid and Brave. Loved all the did and can't wait to see more of the moves they have in their arsenal. I can't wait for Lazer and Snipe in the next few episodes. I can't wait for more of this fun series.