KAMEN RIDER BLADE EPISODE 09

This time on Kamen Rider Blade: Trenchcoat Mastermind abducts Tachibana! Everyone else tries to process their anger and sadness in somewhat healthy ways! It's a barnburner of an episode!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade09a.png

I mean, I enjoyed this episode, don't get me wrong. It's solidly done. There's a lot of attention paid to letting characters figure things out emotionally, in ways that make smaller events seem a lot more epic. I don't ever want to make an episode where Kotaro and Kenzaki value their friendship... I don't want it to feel bad about itself.

But, like, a bit of a snoozer?

The beginning is great, with Chalice and Blade powering up their bikes to have a Rider Joust. It looks amazing, with them not even riding bikes so much as the very forces of nature. And Tachibana decides to do what he does best: distract a monster by getting his ass thoroughly kicked.

I think my favorite point in the episode (or least the part I laughed the hardest at) comes at the end of the Chalice/Blade fight, as Blade gets yelled at by Hirose for wanting to have a meaningless fight with Chalice when he could be saving innocent people. Blade needs to get Chalice to cool it for a minute, and he basically calls for a Time Out? It's adorably sweet, this rage-fueled fight ending with Kenzaki being like This Has Been Fun But I've Got To Split. And Chalice lets him go! (With a cheap shot at the end, but still!)

Everything after that, though... it's fine?

It's just a ton of time telling us stuff we already know about Tachibana. It's important that he's trying to get to the root of his issues, to find some way to become the hero Dr Ladyfriend sees in him, but it's a mostly dull approach. Like, we get to see him explaining his history to Dr Ladyfriend, then we get to see him relive those memories a few scenes later. It's the same information! There are no new details! And, as information goes, it's not even that relevant? It's a minor wrinkle in the stuff Hirose told Kotaro when they were snooping around BOARD's abandoned starter home. He was a researcher who stepped up and became Garren. It's a data point, nothing that made me reconsider what I thought of Tachibana.

It ends up leading to a fight with Trenchcoat Mastermind, who is a peacock I guess? Is that right? It's a cool monster suit, complete with a leather skirt because of course it has a leather skirt. The blue feathers add a nice pop of color without really reducing the menace. It's a neat-looking monster.

The fight is pretty good, despite it being a now-standard Garren Gets His Ass Kicked showdown. There's an interesting moment where all of the sound drops out, and it's just Garren thinking back on his life, how it went. He seems at peace, no longer burdened by his shortcomings or embarrassments. ("Don't worry about me” is, like, his new catchphrase this episode.) It's like, he knows he sucks at being a Rider, he knows this fight is going to kill him, but he isn't afraid of that. He doesn't view his end as wasted potential, he views it as realized potential.

But, of course, he isn't killed by Trenchcoat Mastermind. He's in a green goo bath that is going to fix his fears (I guess?) and probably do wonders for his numbers. They were so low this episode, you guys! It was terrible!

On the other hand, you've got Kotaro and Kenzaki, who are not terrible. Or, they are briefly terrible, then fully synchronized.

It's a little blip, barely a scene, but I liked it. It's just Kotaro getting mad at Kenzaki for not immediately telling Kotaro about Hajime being Chalice, and Kenzaki puffing his chest out before feeling terrible about hurting his friend. He goes after Kotaro, who has meanwhile learned that Hajime has some fans in Amane and Haruka. Kotaro forgives Kenzaki for being less-than-forthcoming, since he couldn't tell his family the truth, either. Hajime's complicated, and they don't really know if they should welcome him into the fold, or kill him on sight.

I really liked that the argument is so mild, and so quickly resolved. It's not given undue weight (this isn't I'll Never Forgive You stuff), but it is something Kenzaki feels bad about. It's a really minor thing in the episode, but I liked what it brought out in Kotaro and Kenzaki.

And, you know, Hajime is complicated! He won't protect Jin, but he will demolish anyone who tries to fight him. Great scene of Hajime having this ice cold rage as he mercilessly takes down some street toughs.

The Jin stuff is good, but it feels a bit like a diversion. Hajime's definitely going to move back in with Haruka and Amane, right? Feels like a good bet. So what's here with Jin is really more about Hajime trying to determine the size and shape of the hollowness in his heart. He doesn't know how to be a human, but he also doesn't know how to stop caring about things like a human. There's a friction there that's grinding him down, forcing him both to lash out and to mourn. It'll be interesting to see where his story goes next.

And, that's sort-of the episode? It felt very transitional, honoring status quo changes while holding off on new developments. Things are going to happen, but not in this episode.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade09b.png

Next time on Kamen Rider Blade: Garren is back! Maybe for better, maybe for worse! He's probably still going to be weird, though!

This is part of the reputation Blade has. The early part of the show - up through about episode 14 or so - is considered to be kind of a slow start, sometimes to the show's detriment. A lot of that is in comparison to the later episodes, in particular, where the show is able to cut down on the exposition and focus more on the current events instead of backstory. I don't think these episodes are as dull as they sometimes are said to be, but I think you'll find that the show's pacing does pick up a lot once we get through the end of this current arc.

On an unrelated note, I really love the Peacock's sunglasses. I don't know if I'd go as all-in on the Corey Hart lifestyle, but I would absolutely buy and wear a pair if I could find them.

Here’s today’s monster. I really should come up with a name for this section. Any suggestions?

Fusion Peacock

An immortal creature that is the ancestor of the peacock and belongs to the Category J of Diamond Suit. Attacks enemies with flammable explosive flames and shock waves, and long-distance battles with countless wing-like shuriken Eye Dart (アイダート Ai Dāto). He is also good at swordsmanship with giant swords Sworzer (スウォーザー Suu~ōzā). As a Royal Class Undead, he is more intelligent than standard Undead, being able to assume the human identity of Isaka. His power in human form is telekinesis, as well as summoning fireballs and mass hypnosis he uses to recruit humans to his aid.

* Suit: and Category: https://powerrangers.fandom.com/wiki/Ryu_Higashi
* Effect name: FUSION
* Card name: Fusion Peacock (フュージョン・ピーコック Fūjon Pīkokku)
* Consumption points: EP +2400

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20121110143038

There aren’t any new Undead in the next episode, so I’ll be back in episode 11 to do the first of my two “big posts” that I promised at the end of the last thread, including trivia about a new writer (or rather, an old writer) and fact fuels on not one, not two, but THREE Undead.

I refer to how in the end of the episode, all current Riders are in the same place and fighting each other.

Yeah, I feel that regarding flight, especially that not long after I took a flight, something happens, dunno if talking about that here is plausible that it may string up the fear even worse.

For you thinking that coward is an innate trait, I've also read somewhere where it's stated that, cowardice is also a trait that is shaped. However, there are several inherent traits that are quite similar to, and can be mistaken for brave/cowardly traits, or reckless stupidity/practical reserve. Ex: Someone could have an inherent behavior where they are slow to open up to new experiences, and will carefully consider something before acting. This can be mistaken for either practical reserve (good), or cowardice (bad). Or someone could have an inherent behavior where they act upon an impulse; wanting to dive into things immediately. This can be mistaken for bravery (good), or reckless stupidity (bad). It can be quite confusing tbh, that inherent behaviors and similar learned behaviors can be mistaken for each other. It's unknown if a behavior is “pretending” to be another behavior or not. Nature Vs Nurture. An example of where cowardice is shaped is that, it can be a consequence of resentment, one way to process it. Like abuse at an early age, or a sensitivity in the mind that made a seemingly abusiveness act destructive. There's also the fact that, we brave in some ways, and coward in others, there's also those that feel stuck.

Yeah, for start concentrating on the good she can do, I feel like you conveniently left that part out before as a critical excuse. It's not like asking for a solution to atone to others like Kenzaki before is the part of "concentrating on the good she can do in the present", who gives her the answer, though it won't change, just fixing it by beating Undeads, continuing BOARD's work. But this also reveals that Tachibana's accusation is wrong; Karasuma didn't release the Undeads, in fact he was trying to stop them. Though, did you contradict yourself a bit here? You say above that cowardice is innate but here, Hirose's guilt being like Tachibana's fear, they made themselves feel that way, which means those aren't innate.

One of the reason that I come here to these type of thread is that, I can talk about the non-Rider stuff in the series.

For previous leads, it takes Jaraji for those that Yusuke deems as unforgivable, it takes Ouja for those that Shinji deems as unforgivable. For Kenzaki... it takes a merely standoffish person (for Tachibana, even if he wasn't stated as Kenzaki's first/second friend, it seems that they're that way in the past but something happened in the present) to set him off like that, accusing him as the example of high level Undead Karasuma narrates where they use their "humanity" to trick off others (though Hajime has constantly talked about not associating with humans). Obviously it's not heroic or villainous, but Kenzaki seems to think of it as heroic.

I mean, my Masters Project was on trying to make sure the numbers were high enough for some circles, and me and my supervisor *were* very positive when we got some good numbers, so maybe Blade's science is right all along.

And I know it's early days, but Hajime and Jin is one of those things that I remember really liking from this period of Blade, so I look forwards to you hating it and telling me every way it sucks :P

This is another time where I don't fundamentally disagree with you but I'm going to stick up for the episode anyway. I think when Tachibana's past comes up, they're definitely adding a few details each time. Him being a researcher who became Garren is a pretty throwaway line when Hirose mentions it. Here in this episode, we get to first hear the same thing directly from Tachibana's own mouth, which means in that scene it's more about his tone and attitude as he's bringing it up, a contributing piece to a conversation with Sayoko that's a little more broad in what it's about. The actual flashbacks later on, despite being just a few brief moments, I think have the most impact, with us being shown a notably fresh-faced, eager looking Tachibana that stands in stark contrast to his moodier present self... right before he gets into a fight with Isaka, entirely expecting to die, and downright content with it. They're showing him at a much higher point in his life right before arguably one of his absolute lowest.

Like, I mean, it's not a lot, but I think all these instances have at least a different enough purpose to them to justify their existence. It's definitely more context than you had about Tachibana beforehand, even if it's nothing mind-blowing, which, you know, again, I agree this isn't some absolute banger of a Blade episode.

I Wear My
Sunglasses To Fights

Anyway, yeah, it's not like this episode was an abject failure or anything. It was just a little slower, a little more... methodical, maybe? It was purposely trying to slow stuff down, and while that's great for the pace of a series, it's maybe less great if you're watching an episode some night.

Why does he need mass hypnosis when he's got that sweet coat? Seems unnecessary!

To be clear, I was trying to say that Tachibana considers his cowardice to be innate. He's looking for a reason to give up on himself, and looking at his flaws as unfixable is the way he's doing that. I definitely don't think fear is unbeatable! I tried to be very honest about how overcoming fear is difficult but rewarding.

That for sure sounds like me!

Sure! Like I said earlier, it's not like this episode was a failure for me. It was just a little bit more low-key than I'd've wanted. The Tachibana stuff was, I felt redundant, but it was also maybe a minute of the episode. I'm glad you thought it worked!

KAMEN RIDER BLADE EPISODE 10

This time on Kamen Rider Blade: Tachibana is cured, but at what cost? Hajime is trying to move on, but are his feelings for Haruka and Amane too strong to be denied? Also, Kenzaki appears!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade10a.png

Boy, we are at a point in the show where there's just not much for Kenzaki to do, aren't we? I mean, he's helping out, and he's interacting with the rest of the cast, but he's not really doing anything right now, which feels incredibly strange.

It's not like this episode lacks incident, though. There's obviously a ton of movement on Tachibana's storyline, as well as some cute moments with Hajime, Jin, Amane, and Haruka. But, like, the character in the title is a sidekick in every story, except when he's imperiled.

And, sort-of been this way for a few episodes now? There isn't a lot of momentum to Team Blade, if I'm being honest. I love seeing them all hang out, and I love the way the decision-making feels more democratic than Whatever The Hero Says Goes, but that somewhat lackadaisical approach to monster-fighting means that any plotline that's more emotional, like Chalice or Garren, is naturally going to pull the spotlight.

I assume this is just a minor turn in the story, letting it ebb towards our supporting cast so it can be more powerful when it flows back towards Blade. It's just weird how fully Blade has receded to the background, and how early it's happened in the series. I want to spend more time with Kenzaki! I was just getting to know that kid!

But, again, plenty happens in this episode. It's a pretty good one!

The Tachibana story takes up the most screen time, and it's a very fun, action-heavy story for him. He gets his first W against an Undead, since the premiere, maybe? Or ever? He's been getting his ass kicked so consistently that I was really pulling him for during the second fight with Zebra Monster. (Was this the first time his fight music played? I liked it! A little reminiscent of Justifaiz? A little?) He's so excited to be of value to his team, to have his confidence feel earned. He's been a wreck for so long that it's great to see him happy and complete.

It's all bullshit, though. Everyone knows it. He was a shattered, miserable wreck yesterday, and today he's just totally cured? Just, y'know, don't worry about him, cero miedo, we're all fine here, now, how are you. To my everlasting delight, literally every single character he interacts with on this show knows that he's not beaten any part of his fear. He seems too happy, too convinced of his fearlessness. Dr Ladyfriend seems more worried for him than when he was screaming about exploding. Kotaro, who's known Tachibana for about thirty minutes, immediately calls out how fake he was acting. There's not a minute of the show where we're supposed to think Tachibana's turned a corner. And he loves corners!

There's a metaphor in Tachibana's story with Trenchcoat Mastermind, maybe. I don't a hundred percent have a handle on it. It's maybe something about how medicine is useful, but medicine needs therapy to be most effective. Like, whatever green goo he was submerged in is a crutch, while actually dealing with your fears is like physical therapy. Tachibana's avoided the hard work of self-analysis for a quick fix, and it's going to make trouble for everyone.

Trying to sublimate your feelings rather than actually feeling them is going equally swimmingly for Hajime, who is officially a Kamen Rider thanks to his wacky sidekick, Jin. You can't be a brooding Kamen Rider without a wacky sidekick! I mean, look at Ren from Ryuki, and his wacky sidekick Shinji!

And, man, I do like Jin and Hajime's schtick. (Sorry, AkibaSilver.) Jin is incredibly broad, but since Hajime is almost cartoonishly closed off, it sort-of works? Jin's maybe no one's idea of a great person, but since Hajime despises all of humanity (except for Amane and Haruka), why not confide in Jin? It's like telling your darkest secrets to a dog. The dog can't possibly understand what you're talking about. It's a lower life form. Go ahead and unburden yourself, you know?

Hajime's story is nicely sad right now. He's never cared about anything, so he's never felt the loss of losing something you care about. These ideas were academic to him before, the failings and quirks of a ruined species. Now he's seeing the strength of rage, and the weakness of loss, and every other weird emotion that humanity has to contend with while not falling apart. (Thank you, Kotaro, I see it now.)

It's a pretty strong episode, despite Kenzaki being around mostly to tell Tachibana that he's a fan, and then to get mauled by Trenchcoat Mastermind at the very end. Hopefully we'll get to see Kenzaki a little more in the driver seat sooner rather than later.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade10b.png

Next time on Kamen Rider Blade: Trenchcoat Mastermind gives Garren more power! Dr Ladyfriend is in danger! Jin and Hajime go for a boat ride! And Blade is only in the very end of the teaser to get punched by Garren jfc show i was literally just talking about this you've got to at least try to meet me halfway here

It's tornado (just the bicycle surrounded by it instead of it spinning like one) vs lightning... And regarding Hajime, would Undead Searcher detect him if the sensor reached him? It doesn't seem so in that fight, it detects the Undead biorythm when it fights. I think, it should be used to prove if Hajime's really an Undead, other than Kenzaki's accusation. BTW how can this stuff (just a fight cease) makes you laugh?

So the issue is if something has no real new details then even if the reveal previously is engaging or good? Yeah as it've been said, Blade is a slow-paced series at the beginning. Dunnoo if the reveal that he's a researcher, which would mean he had scientific abilities, would make it useful later with the intelligence. And there's Sayoko.... refusing a call from someone... even Tachibana reminds her of her job.

Obviously, what do you expect lol? If Garren was getting his ass kicked by a regular Undead, obviously the outcome will be worse if fighting an actual high level Undead, who also beat that Zebra effortlessly. ABC logic! (Zebra beats Garren, Peacock Undead beats Zebra, so obviously Peacock would beat Garren). And for this case, it's probably isn't the case of Tachibana sucked at being a Rider, the other Riders would get their ass kicked against Peacock too.

So even Kotaro can (understandably) snap at someone perceived as his idol, one of the Rider he wanted to write (does he still have that desire? Because Karasuma was his golden chance to gain more information from him). And also, that Kotaro and his family consider Hajime as one of them, did he also know previously that Hajime was a Rider (what I catch is that Kenzaki didn't tell about Hajime's Undead stuff, something that Kotaro nearly spilled on to Kurihara family, the one that finally made Kotaro forgive Kenzaki that he was put in his shoes and is the same as him)? Probably he could also talk about him regarding Rider stuff for him to write. Also a bit of a payback and reverse for Kenzaki, where this time around, Kotaro storms out and ignoring Kenzaki's cries, while previously Kenzaki storms out ignoring Kotaro completely, both regarding Hajime.

Won't protect Jin? Hmm... dunno, it was just that Hajime beat up some thugs previously, then Jin clings to him. And it's not seen yet an actual danger situation, like especially, if an Undead attacks. What we got here is a vague claim where Hajime said he wants to destroy.

I'd care about being proved wrong, but you put Kotaro's best conversation as the image choices, so I can't even be mad that you agree with me. What a wild world we live in.