Yeeeeeeeeah. that was pretty shitty. And I really didn't mind Otoya's antics a at first until that. I mean it makes sense considering the future, but they coulda fucking handled that better...

But really the other worst thing about Otoya is how he's the world's most accomplished violinist....of two songs.

He had a second song?

Ahaha. But yeah, near the end, he made another.

It's Japan, they seem to have the worst healing abilities or something.

Look at Yuri in GMK. She gets a little scratch on her forehead and has a huge ass bandage wrapped around her heard for it.

Reiko in Ryuki had some eye patch on for getting his in the back of the head during the Scissors episodes.

Anyway, did they ever release the full version of Otoya's song on a soundtrack?

Finally catching up on Gaim(just finished episode 8). I only ever watched the first two episodes back when they came out. If only I had known how good it got.

Took long enough for me to get around to it but just finished Episode 8 of Kabuto.

Nice continuation from where we left off. Building up the rivalry between Tendou and Yaguruma, Kagami's loyalty to Zect, etc.

Seeing Yaguruma snap like he did towards the end was pretty awesome, he seemed the more..composed type, not the reaction I expected out of him, at least not one I'd have expected so soon. Think they should have built it up a bit longer and held off on it for a while.

I actually really dig TheBee's design too.

Again the fight with the Worm was rather short and lackluster, but the fight between the riders at the end was pretty cool. I liked it set against the setting sun, nicely shot.

So yeah, I am enjoying the season, though so far I'd probably rank it on the lower end of the seasons I've watched. Kinda reminds me a little bit of Ryuki, but not nearly as good.

Ryuki 42

Imperer just continued to try and get one for the other Riders to hire him. His only goal seems to be money. Though apparently he was desperate enough to draw Kanzaki to give him a deck. Still he seems like he got in over his head. Shinji's a bit too quick to trust him though...but then again, he's Shinji so.

Kitaoka keeps attempting to steer Reiko away from discovering too much about the Rider War, while Asakura is sent by Kanzaki to kill Kagawa and Toujou...but misses them as they'd moved locations. Also we finally find out how he survives out in the wilderness. On lizards, apparently. Kitaoka finds him and confronts him...ad so do Ren and Shinji eventually.

Kagawa eats dinner with his family and invites Toujou, who continues to make very scene he appears in as uncomfortable as possible. Kagawa must be too focused on his goals to see what a nutcase his pupil is.

But then there's this bizarre comedy bit...that just has Shinji, Ren, Kitaoka, and Asakura pretty much just chilling for a bit with the latter three insulting Shinji. That was weird as hell! I thought it was kind of cool though that they just sort of all hung out for a bit, even Asakura. Ironically, though they all just made fun f Shinji while they were there, I still feel like they wouldn't even all be this friendly if it wasn't for his influence.

Imperer reveals his true colors when he attacks Yui under the payroll of Kagawa. Then Kagawa and Toujou join in to join in beating Shinji to a pulp...but then Yui reveals she can also control the mirror monsters! Though I have no idea what's up with the freaky effects around her now.

.....Ugh fuck you, Tiger. Seriously?! So he gave p the idea of sealing the mirror world to fight in the Rider War and win it to be a hero. What a lunatic. But uh..what he hell's up with Yui?!

Ryuki 43

More weirdness as Yui goes missing and Ren and Shinji go to search for her in the mirror world. Imperer is still running around, making contracts and haha holy shit, Shinji just kicked his ass in a normal fight. Well 'fight', Shinji mostly just went and beat the shit out of him. If a dude who is super idealistic and is able to have jokey comedy moments with people who tried to kill him, including a sociopathic criminal, and you're the one he beats up, you know you've fucked up, Imperer.

Imperer doesn't give p though, as he's trying to ally with Kitaoka now...and later goes on to see Asakura kick tiger's ass. Aha, kinda a dick move Kitaoka to send Imperer to Asakura of all people, but really you'd think Imperer would bother to read the "letter of recognition" first.

Tiger sure likes to beg for his life when he's about to die, ironically enough. Kitaoka finally gets to use his finisher again on both psycopaths and both get hurt pretty bad. And Imperer saves Tiger, because he's not a good judge of character at all.

And Shinji finally tracks down Yui, but she's not alone so far...of course she'd eventually run into Kanzaki.

Agito 18-I don't like this new person Tsukasa who is working with Hojo at all, I mean I think he is doing his job but man he is a problem. Hojo I think has gone further down the villain path if I am right about him killing Shouichi's boss. I like the Shouichi moved out and got a job I think he was doing too much for them but still it's not like they aren't apart of his life. Intrigued by the mystery duo in the hospital room too. I feel bad for Hikawa, I hope G3 gets it's upgrade soon it gets it's ass kicked far to easily. I want to know what's going with Ryou too.

Agito 19-Well I was totally wrong about Hojo, and I actually like him after that unbiased revelations he found out with Tsukasa. It was a very powerful scene and definitely showed some more of his lighter sides. I am intrigued with what the Ramen guy predicted about Hikawa that he has an eye for violence, I wonder if that means more fighting for him then normal. Shouichi running a bakery must be tough for him but I'm glad him and Mana are working together. I loved how Shouichi likes to tease Hikawa about being clumsy and that scene with the icing was funny. I can relate to Hikawa about being clumsy, I hate when I do something clumsy and break something or hurt myself or someone else. It sucks. Good to see Ryou being alive and struggling, interesting to see how he interacts with Shouichi next episode. I love the Storm form of Agito it's so badass with that Double-Bladed Staff. That Jellyfish Unknown was a cheap bitch, glad Shouichi got that good hit on him to destroy it, also loved how he created that small sandstorm with the staff too.

I was watching this episode holding my Agito figuart, makes me feel so much like a kid again. =)

I think that was actually because the actress had some kind of eye infection or something.

Toshiki Inoue, ladies and gentlemen.

Ryuki 44

Yui had a battle placing Kanzaki's mirror monsters against each other sing her control of them. If both of them drew them as children, I guess this only makes sense. Meanwhile, Tiger's still recovering and manages to cover up any mirrors he might be ear, fearfully. That afraid of losing his life when he's so quick to take it from others.

Yui doesn't remember a thing about controlling the monsters supposedly. Imperer apparently WAS rich, but his father disowned him so he could learn something. And now that his dad died, he has money, so...if he was patient enough he wouldn't have needed to become a Rider in the first place. Even he seems to think it's pretty pointless to be a Rider now. Kanzaki obviously disapproves.

Y'know...I get why Kanzaki can't allow Riders to quit...but is it really that bad if they don't wanna give up or have the gall for it? He can't just switch to another person? I'm pretty sure he has the power to do so. I guess years of going mad doing experiments kinda rattled his mind.

Also, if he wanted people who wanted to fight to the death mercilessly for a wish, he should've given decks to a bunch of prisoners or something. Which would be pretty bad, but him handing out decks to more relatable , normal people does make him more of a villain.

Imperer has cash now and tries to hire other riders for a change Shinji and Ren refused, thought there was a pretty funny scene of Ren staring blankly at all the money that was in Imperer's briefcase. Kitaoka, however instantly accepts. But Imperer distrusts him...and trusts Tiger?! that's not gonna end well for him, I suspect.

Imperer really is a character that should've been introduced earlier though. Still, nice to know he and Tiger became friends before Tiger unsurprisingly brutally betrays him. And then he instantly runs into Asakura afterwards, who breaks his deck. Ad there goes Imperer. His death was kinda tragic, at least for what they could build up about his backstory with one episode. Worst part is no one would know he died though.

Ryuki 45

Or they could just state Imperer went missing in the paper. Bt Ren and Shinji figure out what really happen obviously. Once again, Shinji feels down that another Rider died. and Shinji agrees with my assessment that Asakura is easier to understand then Tojou, but he's still against Ren killing him.

Toujou then rescues Asakura from the police so they can fight later, thinking if he kills the other Riders, he'll get some kind of power-up apparently. and ORE journals been shut down due to tax issues, but Editor-In-Chief isn't giving up! so he's lodged up at Yui's grandma's cafe while Megumi and Shimada decided to bother Kitaoka.

Yui's beginning to erase again and sees a child version of herself, telling her that she'll disappear on her birthday. would be kinda creepy if the child actor was a bit better. Sepaking of creepy, Toujou is really disturbed to find out that he didn't kill Imperer and Asakura did instead. No imaginary power-up for him I guess.

The riders fight a bunch of weird mirror monsters and Kitaoka faces Tiger, telling him that he originally thought being like him or Asakura would help him win the Rider war, but he sees now they're pieces of shit so good for him. Meanwhile Yui passes out in front of a truck and Odin just shows up to smack the truck away. Killed the driver, think though. Sorta harsh, but Yui's about the only person Kanzaki cares for anyway.

So Kanzaki's entire plan was for Yui was so she didn't disappear. Hmm. So I wonder how the Rider war accomplishes this.

Ryuki 46

Yui's situation gets worse as Shinji and Ren debate on what to do about it. Meanwhile, Kitaoka's sorta shook Toujou with his words about being the hero meaning you've already lost the Rider War. Shinji's desire about saving Yui is challenged when Kanzaki appears, telling him to win the Rider war to save her. But that goes against Shinji's ideals, since he would have to kill the others. Guess Kanzaki finally has something to hang over Shinji's head as a reason to participate in the Rider war.

Tojou invites all the other riders to a fight, yet doesn't show up while Ren, Kitaoka, and Asakura do. He does douse the car in gasoline, deciding that riders are scum and he shouldn't listen to them. I'd say he's gone off the deep end, but...

So, Kitaoka tricked Asakura into getting hit with his contract monster's own attack. Asakura got pissed enough to attack Kitaoka in the real world, which he might have succeeded in if Goro hadn't intervened. Asakura's car blows up thanks to Toujou's doing, but...I dunno if he's gone just yet.

So Toujou thought by getting rid of a ride,r he could be one step closer to becoming a hero. But in the end he lost his life doing the only truly heroic thing he ever did. A fitting ending for one messed up dude. And Shinji...seems to have finally given in and has a reason to fight in the rider War. But only time will tell if he's serious about it. Or...the next episode, really.

Well, to be fair, Otoya is supposed to be a shithead. It's made clear early on, when Wataru is made aware of his sleazy womanizing and is severely disillusioned.

Which should make it interesting to watch how he goes from womanizing dickbag to hero.

Otoya's a capricious dude. I think that's an intentional flaw and part of the reason all the characters refer to him as the most "human" human around. By the end, he's a pretty complex, humane guy -- with a balance of honorable and detestable traits -- and you at least understand that his womanizing is the dark side of his ability to avoid stress and live in the moment.

He's a hero in the Oscar Wilde mode: a good guy, but you have to dig through all his sensualist layers to find it.

Ryuki 47-50

So first things first..the Mirror World. So Yui and her brother created it through their drawings and it just came to exist one day and in addition to monsters it had an alternate version of Yui. The real Yui died and the mirror Yui sort of took her place. Er...well I guess it's kind a creepy, but the mirror world happens to exist because of...their imaginations? I guess so.

Then why did Kanzaki need to do the laboratory stuff again. I mean...I suppose he couldn't start the rider war if he didn't find a way to actually tap into the mirror world's power. I think that's the one I'll go with, any more thinking on this and I'll get way too confused.

The actual ending....ehhhh. I dunno how I'd end it, but that one wasn't the best. But everything just resets? I mean yeah, it's nice that my favorite characters and whatever get to live their lives and everything, but...I really wanted to see the outcome of the world where Knight saved Eri and Editor-in-Chief published the article about the Kamen Riders. If anything, they could've showed more of that, before going to the reset.

Shinji's death was almost hard to watch. The main character gets taken out in such a tragic way, but I'm glad he didn't die in a Rider fight, if Shinji had to die, it should be the for the reason he became a Rider in the first place. To save people.

He kind of made Ren and Kitaoka better people through his actions too. Ren stated before that Shinji was a better person than him or Kitaoka, and when Shinji was dying, he practically said wanted Shinji to live, because he was the one who had to win. So, I guess in the end both Shinji and Ren's dreams were accomplished. Rider war stopped and Ren saved Eri.

Also whatever compunctions they had against killing doesn't apply to Odin, it seems. Shinji even held him down for Ren to finish off! What was Odin anyway, just the extension of Kanzaki's will like a living suit of armor?

Kitaoka refusing to fight Shinji, when Shinji was briefly unstable shows how he changed a lot form the prick who tried to kill them off multiple times. He was essentially the third main hero after a while, and his idea to finish his fight with Asakura, not to win the war or cure his illness (which he'd given up on curing since he figured he lived his life to the fullest), but because he feels responsible for letting a violent criminal run free like that. Though to be fair he did try really hard to get him locked up.

He finally got his date with Reiko too, but the sickness had pretty much rendered him immobile. He had a nice quiet death scene. But man, Goro dies too?! He wasn't even a Rider to begin with. I understand why he took Kitaoka's place, but man...you could tell he wasn't used to the Rider battles, given how he fought. But dude was loyal to the end.

Asakura...didn't change much. He was mostly sort of a enemy for Kitaoka. He wasn't as much of a psychopath as Tiger was, something the characters note in the story itself. And Asakura's brand of craziness just kinda got humorous after a while, to me. Still, he worked as a foil to Kitaoka or whatever. Shinji didn't influence him much as he did the other two, but that scene a few episodes ago where he just sorta chilled out with the others for five minutes was the most progress he'll ever get in that regard.

I'd talk more about Yui and Kanzaki, but that'd bring me back to the mirror world topic, and I just wanna stay away from that shit right now.

All in all...I really like Ryuki. It has problems, most of which I feel lie in how the hell the Mirror World and Rider powers worked. But I liked the characters working through this and interacting and how Shinji's idealism changed the course of things.

Next, I guess I'll pick up where I left off in Hibiki around the 20's. But...about the Ryuki special and the movie? Are they worth watching? I hear the missing members of the 13 Riders are in them, so...is it worth watching just for them?

She had pink eye if I remember correctly.

It is implied that Ren is dead once he gets to Eri's room in the hospital and she wakes up, as he was the last one alive and he had the "strongest life" he doesn't really move once he falls asleep and he seems to be waning

As for the answer to any other Ryuki stuff worth watching, the Movie is a must watch as its a good movie, 13 Riders is bad but its worth it to see Verde in action. I have never seen the Hyper Battle video because its a crossover with Agito, so if you're an Agito fan, check it out.

I think that may be the best story I have ever heard.

Right on, mah boyah.

Agito 20-I wish I had the meme with Hermes from Futurama saying that just raises further questions to Bender underwater because this show keeps going like that lol, and I like it a lot. The weird symbol guy, giving the supposed Other Shouichi the symbol was interesting and him increasing Aki's powers intriguing too. I am thinking that the boat incident (I can't remember the spelling of it exactly) has something to do with Agito, and possibly giving people latent powers or something. Also the guy killing off the first Agito was intriguing too. Ryou being controlled I hope he gets over but man that is an interesting cliffhanger with him and Mana. I feel bad for Shouichi and that the bakery is being closed down. Still like that Shouichi took the time to go to work and go from it to check on Ryou, I love how caring he is, and how serious he gets when he transforms. I love Blaze form and that sword of it, so badass. I felt bad for Hojo too, he's lucky he's even alive. Not much with Hikawa this episode but can't wait for more with all of them.

Kabuto 19/20

After having that weird kidnapping stuff with Gon, Kageyama and Daisuke on, Sasword's entry was kinda refreshing. It's funny how everyone on this show seems to either have some sort of god-complex or has no confidence at all. Though it's by far from being amazing, it's still entertaining.
And omg, hearing Sasword saying he didn't like roses just cracked me up- but just because I remember him so well as Ouran's Tamaki Suoh xD

Blade 09.

Probably the most epic episode so far, Kenzaki and Chalice's fight was once again interrupted, but that super bike card battle thing was epic. And for once the thing we cut away to is as interesting as Kenzaki and Chalice's rivalry.

I'm actually kind of growing to appreciate Tachibana's cowardice, as it allows them to take the episodes in unexpected directions. It was such a trite scene to have the little girl screaming over the body of her mother, inspiring Tachibana to fight again but rather than finding new found strength he rushed in only to almost get himself killed - and by all regards almost killed by a very weak Undead. His fight with Wesker was really touching as well.

Is Wesker Kaito's Dad? He looks so much like him. Not really sure how I feel about his true form, it's weirdly flamboyant and very obviously a suit, much more so than the others. Well except Zebra, that thing is awful looking. I just think Wesker was cool enough in his human form.

Blade 10.

Garren has got his groove back, and man is it badass. Once again though, it's the super attacks which let it down. The fire upper cut was so cool but we once again get no real sense of impact, it just cut away and the monster was already on the floor defeated.

I still don't really understand this whole plot arc though. We never got to see Tachibana really fight before he got crippled by fear, it never explains why he suddenly woke up one day and was terrified of everything and it's weird they use the term 'cure' after the show decided he wasn't actually ill with anything physical.

I know Amane has been through a lot, but does she really need to be a bitch all her life? Kids like her are the reason I always make sure to put something on the end of it.

I see they're doing that thing Kuuga did, where they black out the visors on the helmets to hide the stunt doubles, so the clear visors on close ups look extra awkward. For a show with one of the smoothest, seamless, real time transformations I've ever seen, this trick is pathetic.

Agito 21-Even though Aki was a bit crazy, wow that was one hell of a catalyst for more events going on later. Loved seeing Gills and Agito fight at the same time then each other is a hell of a twist. Interesting to see Shouichi and Ryou interact together they remind me kind of Sora and Riku from Kingdom Hearts. Hojo is definitely a very layered character, very intrigued to see how he ends up by the end. Hikawa and Hojo were very interesting and man that looked like it hurt for them, also I loved Hikawa's face when Hojo called himself a good man, it's hilarious. Loving Agito right now, can't wait for more and finally get to see G3-X next time =)

Blade 11.

Hajime's new boyfriend is a terrible singer. Everything with Hajime feels a lot like filler at the minute, are we really expected to care about Jin and his first world problems?

However due to Chalice's wild and savage fighting style his fights are really quite refreshing. As I've said before, the fights aren't as bad as I remember them being, but Kenzaki and Tachibana feel very static in comparison to Chalice leaping around, with his limbs flying everywhere.

Is Tachibana's girlfriend Sherlock Holmes? For what logical reason would she assume the twig in Tachibana's hair is the reason for a personality shift? Who in their right mind would think that!

One of these episodes, one day, an enemy will actually put up a fight, and that fight wont be constantly full of cutaways to other less important things. That is my dream.

Blade 12.

A lot happened this episode, but somehow not a lot of it clicked. We at least, sorta, kinda, know a bit more about how the Rider system works. I have to say that if you allow a few logic leaps, Blade's mythology works really well, probably better than most Rider shows.

I mean a lot of Rider shows have more thought out mythologies, but their implementation and execution sucks. Blade's implementation and execution is so strong, it allows you to ignore and even forgive just how much of the core mythos lacks any logic.

Love the way Spider Ace uses his head, stopping them from using their cards. It's also nice to finally have an Undead who puts up a fight. His design is cool as well, the colours are a little flamboyant but I'm glad with both him and the Sea Undead they strayed away from the human in bondage gear with an animal mask design like most of the other Undead so far.

Ironically despite the fact that Chalice's fight is basically filler, his fight was way more impressive. I don't care for Hajime as a character, but I love him as a Rider. And I also loved the rapid cuts, and the way the camera snaked through the water, to really give the battle energy and to capture Chalice's wild savagery. Spinning Wave was fairly uninspiring though, as those sort of attacks always are in this show.

Hopefully as this Undead actually did damage, and not just a superfluous body count, may mean some impressive Undead may finally be on the way.

Agito 22- Great battle between Agito and G3 vs Gills; Gills seems extremely powerful and Ryou has the wrong idea with Agito, I'm sure that'll lead to more fights down the line. The V1 vs G3-X system is definitely an intriguing storyline to me but I think Hojo forgets that it's for the people not just which system is better. Ozawa's mentor is a bit harsh but definitely another interesting wrinkle to her background. I loved the scene with Ozawa and Shouichi in the restaurant where I think she had 7 full pints of beer or so which was crazy and Shouichi was emotionally eating but the two of them are really fun together, I hope they play off each other more. Good to see Shouichi working past his problems, I definitely relate to him about the loneliness part. Hikawa was pretty cool in the simulator but intrigued to see why it took a lot out of him and I hope the G3-X is a better armor for him. Also the Bee Unknown walking with his reflection ahead of him was creepy as all hell. The Unknowns have actually scared me the most out of any Kamen Rider villain which is actually surprising because most villains don't frighten me.

Watched the end of Gaim 8 again to hear Baron's ending theme.
Wow, this show's tone sure has changed, and changed fast...

Gaim ep 11

And shit just got real. Micchi learned the truth, Oren fell in love (:lol Oh Takatora), and Sid got his Seeds. And, apparently, Kouta found his backbone!

Dude, you have no idea.

Part of me is wanting to rewatch Fourze. Was the first season of Kamen Rider I finished and I haven't watched anything from it since then. Curious to see if it still holds up as well on rewatches for me as Ryuki does.

Gaim ep 14 (Aesir Subbed). And I LOVE IT!

Yeah Gaim is amazing so far

Just rewatched the first episode of Fourze and was reminded of why I loved the season so much. It's just freaking fun. Think I'll throw it into my regular rotation of things to watch in between episodes of Gaim alongside with rewatching Ryuki (again) and watching Kabuto.

Gaim 12

.. Yea, I pretty much want to punch Gridon in the face. Or choke him with his damned scarf. I'm hoping Oren sees through his BS and runs him into the ground.
And I know exactly how Kouta feels. No one becomes a Hero because it's easy, or convenient. You become a hero because it's the right thing to do. .. And I think Takatora might be an asshole.

Blade 13 - I must have watched loads more episodes than I realised first time around.

This was a kinda weird episode, for the characters. Kenzaki went from unnatural hating Chalice, to as equally unnaturally defending him without any context. And I'm just really not a fan of Tachibana's character arc at all, now he's a drug addict or some shit?

As bad as the CGI is, I like how much use the show makes of the bikes. They still aren't really a core aspect to the series, and they are mainly used for getting from A to B. But the Riders actually use them in battle, and we get to see them using them in every day life, not just in quick second long scenes before the battle.

Have they ran out of monster design ideas already? This weeks Undead basically looks the same as last weeks, only it has a wig on. Also, why would the Spider Ace help them find suitable candidates? He does know he has to die to create the New Rider, right?

The fighting was a lot better this week. 'Thunder' was impressive as a defensive move, especially as it doesn't seem intended for that. Lightning Sonic is pretty darn epic, if not a little awkwardly realised. Burning Divide was kinda cool as well, but what is the point of the bunshin, if it vanishes before the attack even lands? Also lol, Chalice gets hit on the shoulder and it cuts and he's falling off a bridge? I guess he popped out from under Garren's leg? :lol

Agito 23- Man, Hikawa and Shouichi are so much fun together lol. When they were asking Shouichi to be G3-X and Hikawa trying so hard to show that he could do it. I feel a lot for Hikawa and trying so hard to be G3-X, I can relate to that. I love Shouichi's carefree attitude it's so much fun. Also loved G3-X just beating the tar out of V1 and Hojo it serves him right, and glad to see the G3-X is really powerful now.

Agito 24-Interesting to see Hikawa trying to convince Shouichi to wear the G3-X and getting him too. It's interesting that the Main Rider gets to wear the Secondary Rider armor for a bit, that's really cool. I liked Ozawa and her teacher's interaction and how much she strives to help Hikawa to realize his potential. Well off to watch Shouichi as G3-X next and see how it goes. Also intrigued by Shouichi's dream of that woman calling out to him, I cannot wait to find out his past.

Ixa finally popped up in Kiva. He's... pretty lame. MOSTLY because the character itself sucks, but the driver has such a dorky voice, and the design is a bit bland. The visor makes no sense. It's closed then opens for no reason.

Kiva REALLY feels like a Den-O follow-up. Kiva is a similar character to Ryotaro, he likewise adopts a totally different persona when transforming. Kivat feels a bit like Momotaros. Something inhuman fluttering around and making small talk, but Momo is obviously five thousand times better. It deals with past events leading to future problems, Ixa is full of Den-O flare from the aformentioned visor (evne has the same shockwave effect) to the voice sounding like the Den-O belt pitched up doing a goofy robot voice. Kiva's powers are similar and gained through similar ways by similar characters. (Sword guy is cool, gun guy is a kid, and there's a muscle-y over-actor no doubt waiting to supply a future heavy-hitting upgrade) Even Kiva's deisgn feels like the ideas from Den-O sword form are still floating aorund in the designer's head. (huge eyes, colour situated largely in the upper body so it can be easily changed between forms) The girls feel like attempts at Hana's kick-your-fucking-ass personality, with only past girl actually being halfway effective.

It just feels like Den-O except not as good, but with a ten times cooler suit, theme, and bike. (and I LOVE sword form and Climax Jump. And Wataru is better than Ryotaro, desite being even WORSE in social interactions, he still charges in and makes his own deciions quick)

It's interesting. When I see Rider show they're generally not very similar to the previous iteration. But Kiva really strikes of wanting to capitalize on Den-O's popularity. Not that it's THAT much of a problem. Wolf guy is still super cool, and Kiva of course. Even the cafe owner in the past is pretty funny.

I'm not gonna go into much depth since I didn't particularly care for Kiva, but Ixa's visor is a sign of which era version it is, since the 80's Ixa has the closed visor, while the present day Ixa has the opening visor.

Yeah but at first, I think the present one starts off with it closed and opens it up in the midst of a fight. Later on the visor mostly stays open all the time, iirc.

Yeah, the present day one always had one that opened and closed (Present day Ixa's transformation always has the visor start closed, then opening when the transformation finishes).