Reminder that, the Ryou episode (ep. 4, the one that resurfaced on ep. 24) took place between the shots I took (the first was ep. 3, the second was ep. 9). Yeah was a mistake for Tsurugi and Jiiya comment.

I do like complete coincidence like that, with Misaki is the "unrelated stranger" that is approached as a competition bystander, the audience obviously knows that she's related to the two people competing there, but the reporter who is just reporting the situation doesn't know at all (though, usually, in these kind of situations, I usually want for the in-universe characters to get to know quickly that those separate character they're interacting with are related). Though probably what you said here is a rule of funny, where any violation of continuity, logic, physics, or common sense is permissible if the result gets enough of a laugh, while for other reasons, random things like these isn't as acceptable if like, random for bad things happened. There are other types where any violation is permissible if enough result are given; where other than funny, there's rule of cool, creepy, cute, drama, empathy, glamorous, romantic, scary, sexy, and symbolism. Tsurugi also displays his omniglot skills (he wants to become the top of anything, so that'd apply), when evaluating the food others made for him ("bù hăo chī" for Chinese one's not delicious).

Well, ego can be one of the main roots of monsters (other than something like money), and proving greatness is usually used negatively. Some do say that, while Tsurugi is worse than Tendou, Tsurugi also received more development than Tendou. And I also have to say, in their first fight, there was a best and most appropriate usage of Cast Off; as Cast Off is breaking the Rider's shell, launching the remains of Masked Form in high velocity where the remains can act as projectile attack, it's best used when you're literally bound by an attack, you break free using Cast Off!

Would this part count as the keeping someone away from the truth trope? Physically in this case, where Hiyori is forbidden to go to visit Area X by both Kagami and Tendou, for good reasons though as apparently, Hiyori isn't a combatant (and I don't think any combatant is able to fend off Worms anyway, like normal humans such as Misaki, where she begs for Kageyama to transform in ep. 20), going in Area X would be a complete suicide (and for how non-combatants can be judged more badly, audiences can bash them for putting themselves into dangerous situation, especially if they knew that, and moreover if they got severe consequences for what they're doing). Hiyori isn't comfortable around people, and it shows again here that other's existence is a bother for her, and she doesn't want Kagami or Tendou to follow her as she just feels uncomfortable around other people. If Kagami is concerned for her being unprotected, then yeah, he had to use his Rider power to solve that (success or not is another matter). And I must object to what you said about the need to follow your instincts when everyone else objects, and that it won't be a good friend if they stand in their way. While yeah, some people can just be overprotective that they're the wrong one to hinder others that they should just go on it, but just completely following your instincts can lead to disastrous consequences, that being completely stubborn to completely ignore anything coming from others (and I mean, even if others are wrong, you can consider their words, while not abandoning what you want, use those words as tips), blocking any room for improvement, like what you said below, that pushing away the people who care about you because they make you feel less than perfect (but gives room for improvement), and even worse, can lead to bad consequences like Kagami's screw up (his triumph moment was ep. 24, but that's just a rare occassion).

Oh well, Misaki not likely finds Kagami's idiocy to be an endearing trait and pulls Never Change Kagami, while Tadokoro, the one who describes Kagami as that previously, now fiercely forbids Kagami to go to Shibuya? While yeah, Kagami's feeling mindset rewarded him as Gatack, I think that room for development should be encouraged for Kagami, the one that is endearing is actually his sense of morality, keep that while reducing his idiot tendencies and increasing his effectiveness (well in more things than being Rider). With Tendou arriving at the most big damn heroes moment, by that, probably Tendou wouldn't be the one that is in the wrong? Tendou's the one that saves the day once again, and that proves that Hiyori shouldn't insist to go alone, which means Tendou was right in that, and also, his move of stalking Hiyori is in the right. Or probably, if talking about how Tendou is wrong, it's likely more about being morally wrong (which will happen to ubermensch jerks like him) about the Tsurugi and Jiiya situation (and Jiiya is another one Tendou with soft spot on, he'd help him out, at least reminding that Jiiya is the cook worthy of Tsurugi). Also, it seems that Jiiya's cooking also gives a lesson not to judge by looks; Jiiya's cooking looks the least extravagant and more simple, but it's the delicious one! And it seems that almost any Rider is given a capability to fend off monsters, at least the fodders, like Kagami did in this episode (I mean, with bare hands, previously he only shoots them).

Usually I see your comments where you prioritize only characters, and that plot isn't your cup of tea, and sometimes for phase 1, plots can be a detriment to character stuff instead. For this one it's an exception (and also, I think ZECT is the plot stuff in Kabuto and you thought of them as stupid ones)? For the answer, new things had to be done in the franchise, so old collectibles for current Rider would be a blast to watch, especially if they're made faithfully like the Zecter's personality. I would like to see the non-animal Riders, unlike OOO or Zero-One, like Drive (probably it'll function similarly as Shift Car who moves), or Ex-Aid (probably moving action figure of the Gashat's main characters?)

In the same vein of keeping away the truth for good reasons, where it's about preventing spoiling stuff to those that still doesn't know yet, can only said that what happens in Kabuto later will be an ironic of "involved in Rider plots" here.

https://i.imgur.com/YTLazOg.png

I really loved the direction in this episode, and the last one too. They're the work of one Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi), who is always credited as Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi), presumably because TV Asahi, the network that airs Kamen Rider, really wants you to know he doesn't actually work specifically for Toei. This is how they always credit their producers, too, and similar distinctions are made elsewhere in the credits where appropriate, so it's not actually unusual, but he's the only director it ever happens to, and I just find it hilarious that he alone apparently needs to be branded like cattle.

Anyways, Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi) has a rather compact list of credits on Rider, all things considered, but it stretches all the way from Faiz to Zi-O, and some of those episodes were pretty big deals. Especially in Faiz's case, where he was responsible for handling episodes as pivotal as Takumi's big comeback in episode 17 of that show. I remember when rewatching Faiz thinking episodes like that noticeably above average visually, and while that was a little prior to me discovering my current abiding love for Ishida's work when it comes to early Heisei, I'm reminded by these episodes of Kabuto that I wasn't wrong about Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi) either.

I can't define his style or what, if anything, makes it unique, but there are loads of super slick, super smart direction choices all throughout this one especially. The blinding white light of the truth that lies beyond the super secret door at the end isn't even my favorite example. Nor, amazingly, is it the decision to emphasize the awesomeness of the Kabuto/Gatack teamup by having them do simultaneous Rider Kicks where the "1!" is announced by Kabuto's belt in close-up, followed by "2!" from Gatack, before letting them announce "3!" together in a singular chorus of awesomeness.

I mean, that double Rider Kick might objectively be the best thing in the episode, but naturally my favorite bit of great direction involved Hiyori. It's a scene towards the middle where she's staring at a picture of her and her parents, thinking over the past as she hardens her resolve to make her way to Shibuya, and... it's like I said, I struggle to even describe why find it so visually stunning, but it's just... it's composed of so many little individual shots, and it's way more elaborate and well put together than it really needs to be, and the end result looks fantastic. I appreciated the extra effort for a scene that's essentially the turning point for the whole plot in a way.

So yeah, great work from Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi) on this show. This is actually his last set of episodes for Kabuto, following from 3/4 and 9/10, both of which also had some notably slick visuals in spots (4 is the big rain fight, if you don't remember), but I don't think I mentioned him by name back then, so I'm glad I got a chance to amend that. It's very important that Naoki Tamura (TV Asahi) gets the credit he deserves!

The writing is of course very solid this episode too, but Die covered that at least as well as I could. I loved the vibe of the main trio actually trying to come together as one unit here. Hiyori visibly smiling a bit when Kagami says he'll be by her side is an especially sweet moment; a quick flashback to her sketchbook stresses that Kagami is basically making that fantasy of no longer being alone into a reality, and she appreciates the weight of that enough to immediately stop pushing him away.

Tendou is also sweet here, but it's naturally done through a very Tendou filter. You know he's serious about trying to be a good friend because he bowed to someone else's wishes at all, but you know he'd still rather not be here because he makes the ZECT Mizer do his heroic entrance for him. Tendou only busts that thing out when he's feeling real unenthusiastic that day. Still, it's nice to see everyone getting along!

Yeah, that's a very tactical use of Cast Off. I'm also a fan of when Riders use it on advancing enemies to stagger them. Using it as a distraction, like chaff... it adds some complexity to the combat.

This episode also had a rare (first?) appearance of Put On, where the Riders, uh, put on some of their discarded armor. I love that shouted command from the belt, PUT ON, so much.

I'm not sure that'd be my read of her at this point? There's more nuance to it than that, I think. Hiyori would love to feel supported (as shown at the end of the episode), but the reason this is all so stressful for her is because Tendou and Kagami are being such horrible friends. She's going to these lengths to feel worthy of their friendship, and they are acting as obstacles to her healing. Tendou's giving her the most unconvincing bullshit, and Kagami's trying to talk her out of something he'd do himself. She wants her friends to support her, even if she can't say that. It's just, Tendou and Kagami are being terrible friends right now?

Well, he took forever to show up, and they likely wouldn't have been outgunned by Shadow if Tendou had made his mind up earlier. While he eventually made the correct decision to support Hiyori, it's only after two episodes of ghosting Hiyori and threatening Kagami.

He's such a dick during his big heroic arrival! Him exposing his identity as Kabuto, something that he outright lied to Hiyori about, is immediately followed by him going UGH FINE Yeah I'm Kabuto This Is All A Terrible Idea And I Wish You Were Smart Enough To Listen To Me But I'm Here Anyway. Even though he is humbling himself to do it his friends' way, he needs you to know that the only reason he needs to humble himself is because this was all a huge mistake that they're making. It's great to give Kagami the emotional reunion scene, and then to give Tendou the Let's Get This Over With scene. Such a fun trio of characters.

Die! I finished Hibiki last weekend, immediately started Kabuto, and just blazed through it. I think I may be about 4/5 episodes ahead of you surprisingly.

Sounds like youre enjoying it ? I know I am. Great stuff all around and I'm very taken aback by how funny this show can be. I kinda expected this show to be edge-grim-dark for 12 years old but that's not really the case.

So last EP's question: How about we cheat and give Build two Zectors: a tiny little hopping rabbit and a tiny little tank steamrolling from the horizon ( wait didnt his show already do that ? )

Y'know, I really am digging it. It's got a construction that's way closer to Doctor Who than I'd've thought (heroic title character who is heroic in sometimes aggravating ways, supporting cast who are the POVs and the ones with arcs, space aliens but also militarized organizations of nebulous authority), and I'm enjoying how absurd its exploration of A Kamen Rider Story is getting. It shot the right the hell off the rails a few episodes ago, and I'd say for the better? Hard to believe it's only half done!

Build's and Double's Zecters would definitely need to be two pieces, so that works for me!

Sorry I haven’t really commented on this episode. I just didn’t have anything to say. That should be rectified with the next episode (which introduces a new villain who defies your main problem with villains and riders in phase 1 Heisei shows)

Oh no!

He said "defies your main problem" so that's actually a good thing.

Come to think of it, this reminds me of something I keep meaning to bring up – the fact that despite it being such an iconic part of the show, if I'm not forgetting anything here, none of the DX toys at the time actually said "Clock Up", let alone having a Put On sound.

That's always been insane to think about to me, with how much both Rider and Sentai are generally all about keeping the show and the merch in sync with each other. Surely a lot of children in 2006 were extremely disappointed when they went to slap the side of their belts all cool like Tendou always does, only to realize nothing was happening because there aren't even electronics there?

But then, those were still sweet toys anyway, so they probably got over it pretty quick.

wh. what