Hibiki Volume 19
It seems Todoroki is a little excitable, as, after getting 3 Makamou kills, he starts rocking out on the guitar, all while a disc animal records it. Well, I guess he's doing his job right? Hmm...
Well, Asumu officially starts his first day at Tachibana's, and it's going smoothly. There's a brief introduction between the two (I think Todoroki only met Asumu's mother beforehand...), and we see Todoroki is super awkward in casual situations, especially with Hinaka (Though it seems her father would totally be fine with him dating her). He quickly eats and departs, and shortly afterwards, Zanki finally returns, having left to recuperate at a hot spring for a few days. He decided to stay with the group as a trainer, so that's cool. However, he and the old man aren't quite proud of Todoroki's little rock out session with the guitar post battle.
Todoroki rushes off to his next battle, encountering the monsters by a stream and after saving a family, engages, killing the Douji and Hime, but ended up getting caught by the crab Makamou.

This episode was alright, but a little fast paced. We see the return of Todoroki (Who was out of commission the last two episodes due to a physical) and Zanki, learning that he left for a hot spring to see if it might help soothe his body some. The episode begins with Todoroki on a Makamou killing montage, axing them off quickly, and then having a post battle celebration on the guitar at the 3rd. I think if they put a little more time into showing him showboating after all 3, it would make a little more sense for the old man and Zanki to be so disapproving of his actions.
We also see Hibiki learning to ride a motorcycle. That's cool. He's not as bad as before, thankfully, managing to avoid a lost dog on the track as well as not crash it.
Asumu's story here really isn't that important, basically telling us that his accidental volunteering at the restaurant last episode has led to a part time job there now. He meets Todoroki and learns he's Hitomi's cousin (Awkwardly leading to a conversation where they desperately try to avoid telling her that he's a demon. Also, I'm surprised they haven't used the "Oni" (Demon) and "Onii" (Brother) joke sooner).

Hibiki Volume 20.
This one was rather straightforward, but one part confused me a little, but I'll get to that in a bit.
Zanki starts by leaving for Todoroki's location, wanting answers for his shredding on the guitar after every battle. Someone isn't very happy...
So Asumu is working hard at his new job, but life catches up to him and he fumbles a bit, dropping a tray and shattering a tea cup. It's not too bad, considering his last downer event...It's here that the old man entrusts the shop to him should he and Hinaka be indisposed helping the Oni, quite a hefty responsibility...

Anyway, we cut to Zanki offing two more crab demons and the Makamou, and he engages in his little rock session once more, but this time Zanki arrives and catches him in the act. We get an explanation that he's doing it to ward off any evil energy in the area, and I'm unsure whether or not that's an excuse, but Zanki accepts it.

Then we see the cloaked man insert a vial containing something into his staff, then planting it into the ground (He also did this in the last episode, but I don't think it amounted to anything, unless I didn't realize it), and here is where I get a little confused. Two demons and a Makamou appear before him, and they say it's thanks to him that they have life, implying that he revived him. But they're not very similar to the monsters Todoroki killed earlier, having stingers on their arms and now being able to fly (The crab Makamou, too), and Hibiki's conversation with the old man seems to imply their different. So did the cloaked man revive the recently killed monsters and upgrade them, or are they unrelated monsters with a Makamou that just happen to resemble a crab?

Anyway, Hibiki and an untransformed Zanki arrive on the scene to help Todoroki, and we see Hibiki use his new ability to create a flame/energy blade from his Ongekibou, cutting off one of the crab's wings, stopping it from flying, and Todoroki gets the kill. Zanki says he's going to come back, but as a supporter for Todoroki, and he starts rocking out once more.

Nice episode, nothing too special, but it was good. Todoroki's talk with Zanki was nice, and having him decide to un-retire and aid Todoroki is cool. Asumu just got a boatload of responsibility dumped on him on his first day, so...Sorry kid. Hibiki using that fire blade thing in a fight was neat, too.

I think, right now, the only problem I have is the cloaked villain. I know I'm only 20 episodes in so I shouldn't be antsy, but it's just so confusing to follow when he's involved, now. First he was feeding demons rambutans that gave them power ups, but stopped after one went berserk. Then he encountered Akira on the bridge, but that was so confusing I have no idea what actually happened since all we know is that she passed out. And, recently, he's been putting vials of science juice into his staff and planting it into the ground, with demons seemingly reviving, except when they don't and the scene just ends with no idea of what the result was.
I'm getting a little frustrated since he's been showing up for the past 8 or so episodes now, and there's just far too many questions concerning him at the moment. All we know is that he's apparently high up on the rankings, since other demons bow in his presence, but beyond that...Nothing.

No, I'm not looking for the show to just remove the cloak and tell me everything, but his constant machinations and "Experiments" with no rhyme or reason behind the scenes is just getting weary.

Kamen Rider Shin for the umpteenth time during late nights.

Watched the first two episodes of Kuuga. I have no real opinion yet, although the 90s-ness in killing me.

I'll tell you right now: you're never going to get a satisfying answer to the cloaked figure and the ones who are sending them out. You will see some more development on that front soon, since I know the Man and Woman will be appearing soon. The staff change happened before they could be fully explained, though, and the replacement staff never gave a concrete explanation for them either (in fact, what you do get just frustratingly complicates things).

The most you'll ever really get is that there are two people who look a lot like the Douji and Hime and they're experimenting on making the Makamou stronger. Their ultimate goal is never revealed.

Goddammit. I was afraid of that...As new plot threads are brought up and the story slowly begins advancing, the constant, looming shadow of episode 30 and the staff change is leaving me quite worried.

I know. It sucks, but this is the unavoidable fact about Hibiki.

You'll either not like it or enjoy what you get with it. Hibiki is one of my favorite series of Kamen Rider (Yes as I enjoy everything I watched I do favor some over others lol) including lots after episode 29. I know of people who actually enjoy the entirety of Hibiki myself included it's not as rare as it sounds like.

I'm just most worried about the affects it'll have on the story, now.

Hibiki Volume 21.
This was probably the first episode where I can accurately say I have no idea what was going on.
Ibuki and Akira encounter the cloaked figure communicating with the monsters, but he tosses them into the water and the Makamou and the monsters make a break for it. Todoroki is also hunting a different Makamou, but they, too, run away rather than try to kill him.
Then we find out that both monster families are converging onto the same location, cloaked figure waiting, of course, for some strange reason.

In the meantime, Asumu and Hibiki are off to deliver some tea for a ceremony, where they stumble upon Hitomi. On arrival, they find the old lady writhing in pain. Hibiki runs off to find somebody (Who turns out to be an old man fishing).

This episode clearly ties into the next episode, but alone, it was so confusing...

I finished Kamen Rider Kiva second half. There were great drama moments, Otoya get to shine and Wataru character evolved in a significant manner.

Overall, I liked it, the gothic and monsters themes were cool, but some inconsistencies were annoying. Main offender is that Nago's time travel didn't work as Wataru's (Nago's one allowed him to change the future while Wataru looks like a stable loop).

I watched The Movie too. It's non-cannon but it contains so much elements put in the show after it, that it's almost a spoiler, I'm glad I watched it after the end of the serie. And I fell asleep, so it's rather "meh".

I've gotten through 12 episodes of Kuuga now. I'm starting to like it more, but it's not enthralling me. I really dig the police officer guy for some reason though, maybe it's just my biased love towards anything vaguely detective-esque.

No, that's no bias. Ichijou is easily the best character in Kuuga. Proactive, likable, serious, clever, and just overall an amazing hero.
Kuuga may be the one wearing the belt, but I always felt Yusuke was just too relaxed in a series that's trying to be as serious as it is (Also not helped that, 9 times out of 10, he has to be told where the Grongi is by Ichijou and the police squad, so he's generally just sitting on his hands until then).

Anyway, Hibiki Volume 22.
Ibuki and Todoroki briefly get distracted by the Douji and Hime's, but they eventually manage to dispatch them. However, during all the fighting, Akira ends up injured, soon passing out. Soon afterwards, they let her rest in the car while sending out all their disc animals to survey the land, eventually finding something odd. It seems to be the porcupine bull, but the sounds are more like the flying viperfish. The two set out to find it for certain while the old man sends out Hibiki to help.
Their suspicions turn out to be correct as the cloaked man managed to fuse the two Makamou together, now a porcupine fishbull with a tentacle tail. It also seems impervious to their pure sound, shrugging off both Ibuki and Todoroki's finishers. Hibiki arrives to help, and they form a strategy to use all 3 attacks together. They do so, and it's awesome. To see the 3 work together is always cool (And I think this might be the first time...), and while they didn't synergize too well, I think the end result speaks for itself.

Back at the house, Asumu and Hitomi were working hard to comfort the old lady, and we find out the old man Hibiki ran to get was actually a doctor...Dude really needs a cell phone...
We see some more growth from Asumu in how much he helped, both in large and small ways until the doctor arrived.

This episode was cool. Cloaked figure still being too damn mysterious is still doing his thing, the monsters were dispatched without the Oni actually learning why they were working together or how they merged, so mysteries are still abound. I did like Hibiki and Ibuki poking fun at Todoroki as they tried to get him to do his post battle rock out session. Was fun.

You forgot the badass longcoat and the slow motion ;)

I just watched the first episode of Ghost, and I now regret watching the first episode of Ghost. Takaru is completely unlikable to the point that at the end of the episode I was thinking "I'm glad you died". I don't like Bald-Priest or Annoying Science Girl, I don't like Old Fart, and I really hate that flying chibi-ghost. Sorry I didn't care enough to actually learn their names. I only know Takaru because they kept screaming it. This show is just horrible. I don't care how much I like Necrom's design I am not sitting through another episode of this.

In all fairness to Ghost, flying chibi-ghost actually gets fun later. You're not going to get much improvement in the others, though.

Takeru and Yurusen (Chibi ghost thing) are probably the only reasons why I'm mildly interested in catching up. I don't see how Takeru is unlikable. I can completely understand if you find him far, far too boring or cliched (He's basically Yusuke Urameshi from YuYu Hakasho without the chip on his shoulder to make him interesting), but aside from his being a bit of a wimp, I can't understand what makes him unlikable.

When does TV-Nihon usually put up a batch? Is there on now so I can just download that and binge it?

Takeru I enjoy, if not mostly for his growth, Makoto I liked both when he was being antagonistic and now that he's calmed that shit down, and I like how I only have an idea of what the villains are after, but it isn't clear cut and doesn't seem like something Toei can botch when the do reveal it (I hope).

Also at least now that the power-up hunt is slowed down, they actually remember to use their previous forms if they're useful to the situation, instead of just spamming the new favorite thing (didn't think I'd see Robin Hood again).

You answered your own question.

With the rate Takeru was going and the small number of trinkets he ultimately needed, I knew it would slow down rather quickly. It doesn't make it any more interesting to sit through, though, which is the problem. Advancing Takeru as a character was always put on the backseat to showcase whatever new power.
I might get back into it after I finish Hibiki to see if things have improved, since I'm not too far behind to still play catch up.

But you said he was unlikable.
I find Wataru to be a bore. I find Tsukasa to be unlikable.
I guess I just never really could find myself to just abhor a character just because they were boring to watch.

Takeru reminds me too much of Wataru. He's got that same kind of moping, indecisive, and hesitant personality that drove me crazy on Kiva.

Yeah, the Wataru vibes are strong in him, disappointingly. At least he has a really loud sidekick and some chick that won't stop sciencing about science to back him up.

Hibiki Volume 23.
We see Hibiki training Todoroki in playing taiko drums. Interesting. I can understand why (Monsters are strong and weak to specific sounds), but I don't know why (It's not like Todoroki is carrying around a drum and Ongekibou, and the Oni usually fight alone). Oh well. Todoroki is bitched out because he sucks at it, and tries to leave, but Hibiki isn't having it. Man, Todoroki is almost as weak willed as me. He can barely talk to Hinaka, he can't muster up the courage to just leave (Hibiki's argument is so embarrassingly weak), and it seems the only thing he's good at is fighting monsters...And apparently he can't do that (For some reason, summer time monsters are resistant to guitars? What?). Oh well, before things get too deep, a pair of monsters attack and they go on the move.
These monsters act childishly, letting others let their guard down, then attack. It's weird. Hibiki even notes their strange innocent act.
They're also rather fast, able to swiftly dodge Hibiki's fire sword and everything Todoroki throws at them, though Hibiki manages to axe one off with fireballs, though the other is saved by the human sized Makamou.

On Asumu's side of things, we finally see him in brass band!
...And he's on the whistle. Damn, poor kid. Couldn't even get the tambourine. Naturally, he's not in the spirit of things and he's not giving his all because he's on the damn whistle, and he gets scolded for not giving a fuck. Soon, at Tachibana's, the club captain pays him a visit to try and reassure him, basically telling him that he knows it sucks to get a shit role and not what you wanted, but you still have to give it your all. I particularly liked this part because someone reached out to Asumu that wasn't Hibiki, quite the Rarity, though it seems Asumu is still on the down side of things, understandably.

This episode was alright, but it's like it's trying to piss me off. Now either A. The cloaked character is wearing white, or B. There's ANOTHER cloaked figure, but in white. Either way, I have no idea. The white cloaked figure uses their stick of science to summon the particular monsters in this episode, but earlier than normal, as noted by the old man. While it was nice to see Asumu in band, it's eye rolling that he's on the damn whistle. While they explain why (Drums are a first come, first serve, and he joined rather late), it's just frustrating that, unless Hibiki is directly involved, nothing good seems to occur for Asumu.

Anyway, while Hibiki is training, we see glimpses of a red Hibiki, so I'm interested to see where that's going.

I watched KR Ghost: Legendary Souls episode 1 the other night. I liked it.

If I remember correctly, we do get to see both Todoroki and Ibuki using the drum in combat in the next episode or two.

I figured as much. I forgot a little detail in the episode about Hibiki asking one of the two women to deliver a green drum for Todoroki that apparently Zanki used to use. I don't know how I forgot, but I'm interested in seeing the payoff, now.

So apparently Makoto plans on going back to the Ganma World to settle some things, and the Ganma supposedly operate on a "needs of the many" mentality, barring the nobility themselves anyway. Also, Necrom is a hypocrite, though I think he main says the opposite of whatever Takeru says because he's jealous that he "stole" his best friend.

Wizard episode 6.

Haruto crying over his donuts. Literal perfection.

This show is fun.

Fourze Episodes 11-13: Well I completely loved the Kengo getting stuck on the Moon arc, and finally getting him into the Kamen Rider Club. Also this creepy kid was taking it really far when he was going to try and kill the girls glad he was stopped. I like all the new switches that were used there. It was a nice two-parter and it was good to see more secrets a bit revealed with Sonada and especially her biggest secret that was a huge shock to me. The Kamen Rider Club are freaking awesome when they work together, reminds me a bit of Super-1 who had the Junior Rider Squad/Team not sure what it was called who helped him find the bad guys. Shun really shined in these episodes with saving the girls, helping out Yuki, and wanting to help make things better with Miura; honestly he's one of my favorite members of the Kamen Rider Club with how much he's grown. Tomoko is so much fun with her charms and her aura stuff she does. The other thing I love about the KR Club is that I figured this for a while but read that they are all named after the Legendary Seven Kamen Riders which is awesome. Episode 13 was fantastic with going to try and help the students who had the issues with the Switches, something I've been wanting to see for a while, Scorpio's identity, and seeing Garren come in (I mean the super cool principal who I can only see as Garren lol). Gentarou has become an awesome fighter so far, I really enjoy his style and his character. He's so amazing right now I can't wait for more.

Hibiki Volume 24.
So the monster is special in that it's human sized, but it multiplies. Naturally, Todoroki screws things up and it gets to escape. Hibiki leaves for a little more training through the forest and under a waterfall (Because of course it's under a waterfall), while Todoroki chills out at the campsite where Kasumi soon arrives on the scene with the taiko drum as well as a set of green Ongekibou for Todoroki. There, they have a nice little discussion about Todoroki's feelings of weakness, as he obsessed over the guitar so he's having a hard time with the drum. We also learn that Hibiki experienced the same problems with the guitar, having a rough time at first. Their discussion helped reinvigorate Todoroki as he starts to practice.
[Also, Ibuki soon arrives, too].
We soon see Ibuki also has a set of blue Ongekibou, and he starts practicing with Todoroki until they get a hit, Hibiki arrives, and the three all set out to have a taiko drum festival.
The trio find that the monster has multiplied numerous times (Though, thankfully, it can't multiply on the fly, so it's not a limitless army). The three go into action, killing the Hime before using their Taiko skills to wear the monsters' numbers thin (Though Todoroki does have a little trouble at first, he soon catches up).

Then we see Hibiki's red form, which he had been training for, Hibiki Kurenai. It's cool as we find out he doesn't even need a drum anymore, as just striking the monsters with the flames creates an energy like drum on it's own. It's pretty cool. The monsters down to three, the Oni trio performs for us as they soon take them out.

Back at the ranch, Asumu gets some words of encouragement from Hinaka, though it seems to slowly break through his thick skull. We also learn Asumu is not a ladies man after Hitomi arrives while he also gets a call from Akira. Poor kid, maybe one day he'll learn...

Anyway, this episode was pretty nice. It was cool to see Todoroki and Ibuki fighting with Ongekibou and drums, though my one qualm is that they didn't get any styles to them. No kanji or anything. Oh well. Hibiki Kurenai is also pretty cool. I like that he's apparently strong enough to strike at enemies so hard it apparently creates it's own drum. Cool~

Also, white cloaked character literally just runs away after the monster started multiplying...It sure would be nice to know what the hell was going on with these cloaked characters...

Watched that Den-O and OOOS All Riders movie. I generally like Den-O bit man....this movie. Well it had some funny moments at least. As someone who doesn't mind Taisen movies and their very convoluted plans of certain characters, this is the worst of it. Riders 1 and 2 just...let the world suffer for FORTY YEARS while they waited for the right moment to strike? What?! And where were all the other Riders during that time?! And and...the kid from the present went back in time and became the other kids dad...thats uh.

Well anyway, it was interesting seeing Momotaros actually put on the den-o belt himself and transform. Is this the first movie that decided, "Fuck it we can't get Ryotaro back, Momotaros is just Den-O now,"?

I've decided to go watch Wizard as well. I know it has a bad rap plus it follows the W-esque two episode plot formula that I'm not super fond of....but every time I see Wizard in a movie that suit just looks really cool! Can't say I'm exited at all for Beast though. I've gotten up to episode 3 before.

They're alright so far, I like the set up its been giving so far. I'm interested in seeing more of the event that caused Haruto to become a mage plus more of his connection with Koyomi. This belt does talk waaaaaaaay too much. I remember people saying Ghost' belt was annoying but I don't remember his saying something almost every second of every fight. Didn't find Shunpei too annoying in episode 2....but I pretty much got tired of him by 3 lol.

Also Wizards bike combines with a dragon...wonder how long that'll last. Makes more sense then an iguana ship though.

One of my favorite parts of Hibiki (and one that contributed to it going over-budget) is all the location filming. It was really fun to see a Kamen Rider series that didn't have fights in the same old warehouse, industrial area, underpass, and stadium exterior over and over. It gave the show a unique look and really highlighted some of Japan's natural beauty (but enough about Kasumi's actress... ;)).

I thought Wizard was pretty enjoyable. It slowed down a bit, but picked up again after a couple of story-arcs. Plus the suit does look really good.

I'm not a fan of either OOO or Den-O, but I legit loved how cracktastic that movie was. Kamen Rider seems to love using alternate universe dystopian futures for movie plots for some reason. The 555 movie, the Blade movie, the Kabuto movie... The list goes on and on.

Yeah, the numerous scenes set in forests and mountains certainly are a sight for sore eyes. It really gives a natural feel, and helps it stand out from it's fellow series. I like it~

Hibiki is one of the rare Rider series where you can look at an establishing shot and instantly tell which show it is.

Fourze Episodes 14-16: Another fantastic run of episodes. The second half of the part with Miura was fantastic. Gentarou is crazy willing to try and save Miura even when's he's poisoned, I love his crazy heroic heart. He reminds me of Eiji in that respect, no wonder I liked MegaMax so much. Also great to see Kengo use the switch to help save Fourze. Tomoko figuring out how to use the switch and what the Pen switch did was brilliant, she's great at figuring out things and I love that about her. Yuki was her crazy, fun, adorable self loved her performance with the Glee Club. I like that Gentarou made friends with people that he didn't have to fight or protect just friends like a normal person lol. I felt a lot of empathy for Motoyama and this kind of is reminding me back to Super-1 with reminding me of how you shouldn't end up like the monsters and have the selfish reasons destroy you. This has been the first time in a while that I can think of since I think OOO or I'm not sure where I'm like why do I even need the secondary rider lol, I love Gentarou/Fourze a whole hell of a lot Fantastic character and fantastic fighter lol. I'm obviously going to give Meteor a chance because I enjoyed what I've seen of him in movies and it took me a bit to warm up to Birth too. So it's going to be a fun ride when I return to Fourze I can't wait for more.

Hibiki Volume 25, or, as I like to call it, "Hibiki officially becomes a Rider."
Hibiki and Ibuki are training at a pool, with Kasumi just being eye candy. Eeyup. (He's also strength training by weighing himself down at the arms while underwater, but you know that's not relevant)
Meanwhile, not wanting to be outdone, Todoroki is training at a public, outdoor pool with Asumu (Also, his mother, Hitori, and Hinaka are there, too). Todoroki wants to do 10 laps in a 300 meter pool with Asumu, poor kid. Afterwards, they have a lunch and Todoroki, being Todoroki, gorges on it all without break, despite Hinaka's trying to get him to show restraint. Asumu leaves to get everyone drinks, and Todoroki, being Todoroki, makes everything worse by bringing up Hitori and Asumu's non-relationship status, causing her to run off. Damn, you can't bring Todoroki anywhere...
While running, Hitori runs into a nice, blonde haired guy and makes a friend in him and we soon find out he somehow knows Todoroki and all the oni stuff. Curious to see where this leads. Asumu is equally as curious, as he notices him having a private conversation with Hinaka and Todoroki. If I said I had any idea of who the hell this was, I'd be lying.

In the meantime, a Kappa has attacked an Oni, Sabaki, and defeated him, so Hibiki goes out (Choosing to go alone, rather than take aid from Ibuki) to dispatch it. Here, we see he's finally learned how to drive and he's bought his own motorcycle, the Gaika! Huzzah! We also see the Kappa can multiply (Though not at the pace of the last monster), so Hibiki has an easier time with his Kurenai form, though the last one manages to fire some kind of thick wrapping around Hibiki's arms, weighing him down (Wait...That scene in the beginning DID matter?! SAY WHAAAAAAA), though he eventually does defeat him, too. We then see him using his Wolverine claws to try to chip away at the wrappings on his arms.
And then we learn why Hibiki went to fight alone. Because apparently the gas released from the wrappings makes your voice sound like helium on crack. Poor guy, always trying to be cool...

This episode was rather fun, with nice humorous moments that kept me smiling. I'm rather weary of this new character appearing out of the blue, especially with the looming staff change 5 episodes away...Even still, I don't know how to feel of it, since he literally just...Shows up. I guess I can only wait and see...
Asumu's portion is a subject brought up, but never fully tackled, that being Hitomi's possible feelings for Asumu. Though I guess dumbass' natural inability to understand social situations brought it full force with no tact. Naturally, no one was happy about that. I wonder where it will go next.

Wizard episode 8.

I like how Shunpei has the same fashion sense as the little kid. Lol.

Also rip little kid kicking Shunpei and Haruto in their magic stones.