:lol

No.

Pretty much, although it was after he'd been traveling around and fighting off-screen, if I remember correctly. So it was at least implied that he found it between episodes. Faiz had crap explanations - the Faiz Blaster was literally sent to Mari in the mail - but it generally had explanations for things that weren't the Jet Sliger.

Yes he does. :D

I think they say he went off to look for it, and he disappeared for an episode or two, to show up and bean Faiz in the head with the Accel watch.

In fact, somebody recently posted the gif in the gif thread, so I'll snag it to post here.
https://38.media.tumblr.com/c57f8eb6...o325o1_250.gif


Because MERCHANDISING!

I'd like to know why Smart Brain didn't just shut down its own satellite that's giving Faiz Blaster its power...

Finished Hibiki, or as I like to call it, "How Toei filed down a square peg to fit in a round hole". This might be the fastest I've ever finished a series. (~2 weeks, although I think I finished Double pretty fast, too) Major spoilers to follow.

I enjoyed most of it, and I loved it's unique approach to a Kamen Rider Series. But there were some problems, namely with the second half. (No surprise there)

Things I liked:
-All the Oni had very nice designs, and I liked that they were similar a la the Ryuki riders
-Very unique style during the first half of the show
-Kagayaki was a really good opening that also contributed to the show's style
-Soundtrack was pretty good
-Likable characters
-All the acting was very good; the episodes with Todoroki in the hospital and Zanki's death both had some very good emotional moments
-Even though they stopped using them, the first opening and ending songs are still kept as instrumental background music

Things I didn't like:
-Kiriya "Zeronos, what are you doing here?" Kyousukue. Absolutely hated his character and the way he influences the series, especially when they try to make him sympathetic/less of a dick, presumably so we'll accept his transformation into an Oni more
-Akira and Asumu quitting their Oni training, especially when you can tell they were supposed to continue based on their alliterative names
-The second opening, which isn't bad, but it just feels generic, and it has no discernible chorus. The only thing it really has over "Kagayaki" is the brief shot of all the oni. Other than that, the first opening is much better.
-The removal of "Shounen Yo!" as the ending
-Never showing us the whole purification ritual. They end it on a cliffhanger and just skip to one year later. Not cool.
-They introduce a new major plot thread in the last episode, which of course means we'll never learn about it.
-We only get to see 3 or 4 Oni regularly. I would have really liked to see more Oni in significant roles. (Other than Sabaki continually showing up just to get his ass kicked)
-The final episode doesn't have any satisfying resolution for the supporting cast. I think Ibuki and Todoroki only get a couple lines each in the finale
-Shuki's design. It's so different from the rest of the Oni, and it really feels like they did that to say "Look, this one's a girl! You can tell because she has a skirt!"
-Akira only being an Oni for all of 3 seconds, and we don't even see the full design
-Giving Hibiki a bike, even though he never had one and it's established that he's a terrible driver

Things they should have done:
-Made Asumu into an Oni and let Akira become a full Oni
-Introduced Eiki and Shouki as main characters as originally intended
-Not changed the production staff. That would have made the show infinitely better. At the very least they could have kept Inoue away from it.
-Kept the original opening.
-Had the final episode be instead a very powerful rare Makamou (or something similar) that they need to assemble all the Oni (Including Asumu) to defeat
-It also would have been nice to see more variety in instruments among the auxiliary Oni

Overall, I think they actually did a decent job bedding in the new storyline with the old one. The only real problems I had were the introduction of the new Douji and Hime, who then erase the Puppets/story that were being set up. Felt like a big middle finger to the previous staff. and the fact that they never explain the plot, or why the new Douji and Hime disintegrate, and who the people in the traditional clothes really are and their motives. Why do all Inoue shows relish never explaining what's going on? However, I was okay with the lack of a final battle, as the series didn't feel like it really needed one.

Overall, I give it an 7/10, mainly due to the exceptional first half. The show's second half took away a lot of its individuality and felt like the studio trying to make it into more a conventional series, which prevents it from being the 9/10 it could have been.

See, I actually liked the conclusion of Asumu and Hibiki's relationship. The whole "just because you've decided not to be an Oni, doesn't mean I'm not your mentor" thing would have been a nice revelation and a brilliant message to end on. If only they had planned to end on that note from the moment the production changed, and had properly built things up to that point. It could have been great.

Yeah, that's part of what I don't like about it. It just felt a little forced, which is because it went through so many rewrites and the final was the only one with him not becoming an Oni. And it looks like it contradicts with the original intentions. I can live with the ending as is, but it just doesn't feel right. I would love it if they released a summary of what the original endgame was supposed to be. (Unless they have already, in which case I should find it)

Not fire Shigenori Takatera and Shinji Ooishi

I used to give Hibiki a split ranking, too. But I eventually decided that it's not fair to hold the Inoue era against the real show. So I just make it my personal head canon that the show was cancelled after 29 episodes and replaced with Faiz reruns. And that allows me to happily consider Hibiki my favorite Rider show.

And if you liked the original version of Hibiki, I strongly recommend checking out Daimajin Kanon, which was made by Hibiki's original producer and writer. It's very similar in tone and I can't recommend it enough.

Yeah, aside from it's problems it's actually a very good show; I think it's might be my second favorite so far. I'll see about checking out Daimajin Kanon.

In other news, I watched the first four episodes of Amazon. It's pretty good so far, and it's the oldest Kamen Rider show I've watched. I do think it's kind of funny how for the first two episodes the faces on the Ten-Faced Demon aren't painted red, which makes him look extra goofy. :lol

They kinda explain that a bit later by showing that the faces aren't red until he's consumed enough blood. And by explain I mean sorta make up for some extra goofiness.

All this Hibiki talk reminds me I need to finish it...I've made it up to 23 but knowing it was close to the end of the original tone of the show made me sorta stall on it. Its been so long now I might as well start over.

Classic Kusaka.

Y'know weirdly with all the negativity around it I still don't hate Faiz. I mean I've seen up to episode 18 and I can 100% recognize the glaring problems with it but...I'm still interest3d enough in the premise so far...and the suits look really cool.

I even sorta like Kaixa, who from all I've heard of thought I'd hate but...within a couple episodes of his introduction he became some kind of instant cartoon sociopath which is hilarious.

My guess is King, along with perserving them out of respect for them surviving this long thought he could use their powers for himself and made them become weapons that he could call upon to further subjugate humanity.

Over-Time has complete subs. I know TVN was working on it, but I don't know if they ever finished (I think they did, but I'm not 100% sure).

Watched the first two episodes of Black and I honestly kind of hated them. Eh, I just think Showa isn't for me.

So many Rider series I've gotta finish: Faiz and Kabuto I've been watching with other people so I gotta wait on them. Might go through Kuuga or just watch Hibiki again from the start since its been a while since I last watched it. Also finished Agito but need to watch that G4 movie.

Speaking of Kabuto...do they ever explain how Kick Hopper reaches his....current attitude? I mean he had some issues before but...the last time he showed up he was a normal person?

Gotta finish Drive as well. It has gotten better since Shinmosuke revealed his identity, but I'm seeing people singing it's praises now. It's alright...but nowhere near one of my favorites. I'm only nearing the end of the Nira arc now, so maybe things'll pick up more.

Have you watched the Hibiki episodes of Decade?

It does. Drive does a really good job of keeping up the momentum after the identity reveal.

Guess I'll try to get back into Drive...

Now I remember why I didn't finish Hibiki. TV-Nihon's subs.

Also, what episode does Drive's identity get revealed?

Late or early thirties.

That's a long ass time for the show to get in gear.

No, I'm planning on watching Decae after I finish all the shows before it. The only one of those I haven't seen yet is Faiz.

It's actually revealed in episode 25. YMMV whether it actually started getting good around that time, before, or way afterwards.

What do you guys think are the best Kamen Rider movies?

God Speed Love.:p

The first super hero taisen movie was the best.

I loved Accel Returns for the unmorphed fight scenes alone, but the story was great too.

I actually don't think I've ever seen that one.

I really liked Accel retruns.

Paradise Lost and ZO.

The Hibiki one that's basically Seven Samurai is great. ZO and J are both fantastic. All of the W movies are good. Movie Wars Ultimatum is amazing with Mega Max not too far off. I love the hell out of the Showa/Heisei SHT movie.

Still need to watch the Hibiki movie. (And the Wizard one. And Gaim. And Agito.)
I think Accel Returns and the Kabuto movie (God Speed Love?) are pretty good. Accel mainly because it was really well done, and Kabuto because of how it affects the show

Also, I'm a quarter through Amazon. I'm enjoying it a lot, and I might check out Black/RX when I'm done.

I'm gonna guess that since you're recommending it, it was done before the jarring production changeover occured?

Actually, it was the new production team's first job on the series - this is back when Toshiki Inoue did all of the Rider series movies. It's still a lot of fun, though. It's hard to make a Seven Samurai pastiche that isn't at least fun.

I really like how in the show Hibiki tells some customers that "A period drama just came out about seven great men. Be sure to watch it." :lol

Drive 36

FINALLY Nira's been put away. I'd just about had enough of his endless cackling. This episode was pretty decent. The whole thumbs up scene with Chase was hilarious. His deadpaneadpan jokes are some of the few that work for me in this show.

The triple rider kick was pretty cool too. Now that Brain's been reduced to a number I wonder if he'll keep his ultimate evolution?

Also man, the Roidmudes were always some of my biggest problems with Drive. Not the charafters themselves, they're fine but...they've always seemed like such a small scale threat compared to other Rider villain groups, aside from the vague details of the Global freeze and 001.

I loved this episode also. I think it was my favorite episode of Drive.

Drive 37

At first I thought this was gonna be Drive's equivalent to Kabuto's 'dark kitchen' episodes. Not even Drive can reach that level of insanity. Belt's annoyance at not being able to eat anymore was pretty funny though.

Other than that, episode was good. Two new Roidmudes with Human forms arrive after having returned from overseas and I assume they'll be semi-important since they're some of the single digit ones.

Heart finally catches on to Medic's underhanded experiments on their fellow Roidmudes and he's pretty pissed, making Medic seem a little regretful. Then Heart reveals he's strong enough to defeat even Type Tridoron, through some kinda 'I get stronger everytime I fight an opponent' thing.

Gou continues to talk to the tablet that houses his dad's mind, and Chase seems to have questions of his own for Banno, before they're attacked by some of the newly arrived Roidmudes.

I did think the golden sauce would end up more important than something Medic uses for twisted experiments, but...maybe next episode, I guess.

Drive 37 was an episode that had me worried. It looked like it was going to be a return to the show's goofier tendencies after the darker and more serialized, but it did a good job of keeping up the drama. Once Drive got into gear it really stayed consistently excellent.

Drive 38

Ah after all my comments on how Heart never really felt like much of a villain, Shinnosuke and Heart basically have a whole conversation about that. Really good episode. After fighting Roidmudes for so long, Shinnosuke is starting to see bits of humanity in them, like he and Kiriko did with Chase. Now he seems to have a bit of respect for Heart and sees him as more a rival than an enemy.

Gou seems to be becoming more and more of a loose cannon recluse now, still sticking to his goal as the destroyer of all Roidmudes to clean up Banno's mess. Speaking of Banno, he's one powerful-ass tablet...no wonder Brain could manipulate so much with him, but being strong enough to block an attack from golden evolution Heart is pretty impressive.

Medic's humane side, for lack of a better word, is shown this episode, where she shows she only wanted to aid Heart, though she did it in a really callous way. Heart gave her the cold shoulder at first, but he's willing ot forgive after hearing her out.

And now...human Krim?! I feel like I'll have to wait until Surprise future to figure out what his deal is...and speaking of which, the dystopian future scenes in Surprise Future look pretty badass, I can't wait till it gets subbed.

Drive 39

Sometimes it's weird to me how Drive has so many car themes and puns yet the actual plot has very little to do with cars, lol. Anyway another really good episode with Banno's true nature seemingly revealed so far. I like how Krim was becoming aware that Gou was receiving his help.

Gou might be my least favorite character of the main cast...but Istill think he's a good character. Way better than the obnoxious clown he started as, at least. He's still obnoxious, but...he has understandable motives even if he's in the wrong most of the time.

Chase getting a driver's license was pretty funny. Really random that he suddenly wants one though, lol. Less funny, was the constant zooming in of the face and repeating words over and over again that happened with Rinna's joke for the episode. I hope they get rid of those kinda gags in Ghost, they did a bit in Gaim though it was sparse but those jokes are EVERYWHERE in Drive and it's the weirdest thing every time.

Anyway, the plot looks like it's gonna get heated with Kiriko finding out Banno's her father, Banno's betrayal, and 004 stealing Drive's belt. Not to mention Tornado might be receiving his golden form and whatever the hell 006 is up to.

The Fourze one, from right before the show ended, I think. The one with Meteor Nadeshiko fusion.

Also, I like A to Z the Gaia Memories of Fate. And the Fourze/Wizard movie wasn't.

You'd think I'd have seen the KR W Forever movies, but I haven't yet. :/