I thought the older guy looked familiar! Thanks for the info, and thanks for the fun skit!

Hey!

Only I'm allowed to make DreamSword-esque hot takes, thank you! My favorite character in the show right now is Vice, afterall!

Anyway, my overall thoughts on this one are pretty much the same as that of the previous one: I like alot of the concepts and ideas being thrown down; I just wish I were at all more invested in Daiji beforehand.

There are two Line Texts this episode. The first is a very basic "Let's fight to get Daiji back!" The second one, however...

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

If nothing else, I am glad that this whole scenario is causing a bit of self reflection on the part of Ikki, though if I recall right, this is the first episode that puts any sort of emphasis on him being "nosy." Which isn't exactly what I'd call a guy with no real agency, but hey, I guess.

When it comes to the Daiji/Kagero dynamic, I kinda just count them as Daiji and Goth Daiji, really. Given how different the dynamic between them and the one between Ikki and Vice is, it's really hard for my mind to separate both Daiji and Kagero into entirely different characters, so I kinda more see Kagero as an extreme emotional state for Daiji rather than a separate entity. As for whether or not it makes me like the character more... eh. I at this point in the show have no strong feelings one way or another.

But hey, if he's your guy, more power to you, Die-ji.

To me, the nosy thing makes perfect sense for Ikki: he's only able to be active when it comes to solving other people's problems and making other people happy. It's come up a bunch so far, alternating with "busybody", as a way of describing Ikki's tendency to insert himself into problems and try to fix them. It's a great habit for a Kamen Rider! But maybe not if it's your entire personality!

I'm trying to remember where I was at with Revice at this point. I think I was generally enjoying it but it hadn't really grabbed me yet. I know that I was still having a really hard time reading George and whether I was supposed to find him vaguely sinister or not.

George is definitely interesting to watch. Currently, my take on him is "Chaotic Neutral." Guy just mainly seems out to get his jollies, regardless of if it ends up causing trouble for others or not.

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 10 - “AN OLDER AND YOUNGER BROTHER, BELIEVING FROM THE HEART”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice10a.png

Huh. Didn’t really connect with this one! Not… not entirely sure why?

I mostly don’t get what Ikki and Daiji were supposed to have learned from this? Ikki’s rally in the second half is built around having faith in Daiji. Vice says that Ikki was just paying lip-service to his belief in Daiji, and it’s not until Vice’s pep talk that Ikki truly believes in Daiji’s strength. Except I’m not sure how Ikki’s behaving any differently? He spent all of last episode shouting DAIJI to a point that Vice ended up parodying, and he starts this episode begging for Daiji to put an end to Kagerou’s rampage. The only thing Ikki does differently at the end is tell Kagerou that Daiji’s strong, and I guess that’s it? That’s the lesson for Ikki? To be more verbally supportive of his brother? And Daiji doesn’t seem to learn anything; he just accepts his brother’s fawning praise and becomes a Kamen Rider because of it. The lesson, I guess, is to compliment dangerously jealous people, and put yourself beneath them until they stop trying to murder you?

It’s a conclusion that does just about nothing to address the overall dilemma of the Kagerou storyline: that Daiji’s unresolved envy coalesced into a monster that lived out Daiji’s secret desire of humiliating and murdering his brother. None of that is resolved in this exciting victory for Daiji, because all that happened is that Ikki said Daiji You’re So Much Cooler And More Awesome Than Me. This… this was not solely an Ikki problem! This was at least equally an Ikki and Daiji problem, but Daiji just waits in Kagerou’s head until Evil’s weakened by unearned compliments and Daiji heroically busts out. It’s like the show is burying the dilemma in the same way Daiji buried his resentment, and that’s sort of a terrible conclusion to frame as a win?

If I squint, I can sort of see what the show’s after. Ikki’s failure was in assuming Daiji was too weak to win on his own. Daiji’s failure was in assuming he needed Ikki to save him. It’s only when Ikki tells Kagerou that Daiji can win whenever he wants, that Daiji’s able to see the strength he’s always had. Sure, y’know: okay. But that doesn’t even touch the weird rivalry between Daiji and Ikki, it just says Oh Daiji Doesn’t Need To Be Jealous Because He And Ikki Have The Same Power Now. That’s awful! That’s a win that requires no actual introspection or contrition from Daiji! The show is doing nothing to examine the root cause of this problem! It’s like if a kid’s jealous of another kid’s toy and throws a tantrum, so you buy him the same toy. That is not addressing how unhealthy the kid’s jealousy is, and it’s doing nothing to stop it from happening all over again when there’s some other toy the kid wants. Horrible! Horrible moral!

And yet, there’s a competency to this episode that won’t let me write it off. I liked the Live suit’s debut, and the corresponding explosive fight scene. I liked the adorable family dinner at the end. I liked Aguilera going off to the underpass to flirt with Sakura. I liked all of the stuff with Vice as an attentive and helpful friend to Ikki. I liked Hiromi (not so) secretly being super emotionally invested in his soldiers. I liked the pace and structure of the episode, even if I didn’t care for how it chose to conclude this storyline. It’s… y’know, it’s not the best feeling, this disconnection from a big, emotional finale, but at least the way they told this not-great moral was pretty good?

Weird! Weird way to feel after a big episode!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice10b.png

It's a weird episode in how exactly they solve the Kagerou problem.

But like you said, the stuff surrounding said solving the problem is all pretty solid. There's a bunch of fun bits here, Hiromi actually being a big softie despite his hard cold demeanor, Sakura and Aguilera's little meeting, Vice's fourth wall breaking at the beginning actually coming into play in how he exactly told Ikki that Daiji was okay.

Also Live! A lot of people don't like the Live suit? And I mean if you had to follow up Evil I get it. But I enjoy it, he has this like battle priest-style to him and he uses a gun! But also I have to say that the transformation setup into Live is the most hilariously long one I've seen in Rider for a while.

Like, you stamp the pad, set the stamp in, flip it from blade to gun mode, draw it out then Henshin. It's needlessly complicated yet I kind of adore it?

Speaking of stuff I found funny. The pacing when it comes to the big confrontation at the end, mostly at the beginning. You have Hiromi starting up his transformation only to cut to an entirely different scene with the Demons jingle just ending immediately. It's such a weird awkward cut, especially since I'm pretty sure during broadcasting... there was no commercial break between those two scenes.

Also we get our 10th Genome this week, Brachio! Which is a Zi-O form because... idk I guess? I think the thing I like about this suit is how bulky and almost Oma it feels in shape, especially with the extra long watch strap going down the middle.

Aw, I really like the Live suit! As the Evil suit is so performatively Dangerous and Mean and You're Not My Dad, the Live suit is equally Daiji trying to sell I Am A Pristine Vessel Of Justice And Not A Jealous Brother to everyone who saw him as a failure. It's great!

I think my favorite touch was that Vice was a Time Mazine? Was I seeing that right?

Forgot to post before.

Vice shouldn't be lumped with Ikki together for Kamen Ridering and busybodying, because Vice is just put on a leash at this point, but the one putting a leash is a person like Ikki, so Vice would be forced to go along with his whims whenever he likes it or not, because Vice would die otherwise. For Daiji though, I know people tend to like if the characters are culpable (but out of misguided view that characters have to be terrible to be complex), but while perhaps denying the parts of ourselves we dislike can encourage it, but there's also a case where they don't act on it, thus it's not problematic. Daiji still has his conscience to not go through his insecurity, and the conflict that happened between them so far was only about Ikki not being committed enough. A story can make a representation of anyone else's darkest traits but not directly coming from them, like using separate entity in Kagerou who actually acts on those envy, albeit it does can end with the original person apologizing for what that entity do regardless.

Now Kagerou's the one to go giving out ViStamps, and so far he did it in a more brutal way than the Deadmans, who were goading the humans to give into their desires, practically doing "good" against them, albeit only temporary (the consequence of shallow desires) and that it won't do good to others, while against the Super Sentai alumnis, Kagerou took them hostage, and probably tortured them too shown in the injuries of those 3 scammers. Though those 3 aren't good people, Kagerou targeting them and making them miserable doesn't make Kagerou good, evil people can target other evil people too, one of the prominent example is Daguva killing other Grongis in Kuuga. Kagerou's the one who commits the actions, but he claims all of that can be traced back into Daiji, where Kagerou pretty much recounts Daiji's entire life until now, of being the jealous brother under Ikki's shadow, where it's the reason of him joining Fenix as well to shine as Kamen Rider, only for Ikki to take over the Kamen Rider role as well, with Kagerou manifesting if there's enough hatred from Daiji. Another Kagerou trait is that he actually likes feeling pain due to it meaning that he had full control of the body.

It seems that Sakura's most respected person so far is Daiji, getting enraged at those who are against Daiji, including Ikki. So there's something Daiji at least is superior to Ikki; getting Sakura's approval, dunno what though, though I'd say at least she resembles Daiji the most; being a more serious person and both gets embarrassed and annoyed with the family's antics (with Daiji denying his relation to them in promotion). The opposite to others is also about how Sakura's the only one to not treat Daiji as baby-ish unlike the other Igarashis, or even Fenix like Hiromi. I like puns so I rather like Vice's scene of inserting "daiji" in as many sentences he can, but I also think that the fourth wall joke in this episode from him is just uninspired and too blatant. Vice also suggests that Daiji won't be able to be saved... I wonder if that's Ikki's secret skepticism against Daiji. Both of the parents kinda are forcing the family members to be happy. The Kamakiri Genome, Gaim-based, is one of those that has "accurate" weapon to the source material, Kamakiric Arrow is like Sonic Arrow, can shoot energy arrows as well as close combat.

So even with Kagerou revealing his identity to others, there's still can be conflict and drama present among the family, with Ikki being assigned to finish off Daiji by George and Wakabayashi, with Hiromi encouraging Ikki to do that too (as Hiromi who deals the finish blow). George is able to be dubious and suspicious here, even without him shoving the order into Ikki, assigning him to finish off Daiji in his usual goofy, sleazy way, even if Ikki objects. This'd also reveal another shrewd quality of George (which Wakabayashi also notes) that he's also the type who places scientific research above anything else (along with spy cameras), he doesn't care about the user's morality, only giving Drivers to those he deems suitable, which is how he gives Kagerou the Driver. Said Wakabayashi seems to have some questionable morals himself (but not ambiguously evil ones like George), he seems to be the pragmatic type who'd use any kind of method to get the job done and encourages others to do the same, being onboard with the orders to finish off Kagerou without any hesitation, as well as ignoring what's going through with Daiji/Kagerou, and that's probably how he berates others for being swayed by emotions, which is actually about him celebrating cold detached traits, and that he places Fenix's reputation above everything else. Not much to talk about Hiromi character wise here, other than how he's also cooperative with others like Ikki, another good trait, but I'd like to see how'd he deal the finishing blow. Hiromi's really taking the Showa part, where his new form Mogura Genomix resembles Amazon.

I mean, at it's heart, Kamen Rider is a show that exists in part to sell extravagant plastic belts that interact with noise-making doodads (sold separately).

So this was the first episode I watched as it was going out on the air (as opposed to long after the fact). The reveal of Live, the TwoSiDriver’s full gimmick (which made me continue my streak of getting both the Secondary Rider belt and the episode 5 gimmick item. I just need a P-Bandai item with voice lines from one of the characters, which I’m not exactly spoiled for choice on) and the Zi-O based Brachio Genome really got me hyped to watch.

Granted, the scammer trinity proved pretty much just monster fodder for this storyline, but given the main emotional plot with Daiji, it’s forgivable.

Ikki: It’s Ikki and…

Daiji: Daiji’s

Both: Stamp Navi

Hiromi: Featuring FENIX Captain Hiromi Kadota…

Wakabayashi: Former Captain. Anyway, I’m also part of this, making sure Igarashi is back to his usual self and won’t be causing trouble.

Daiji: I assure you, Kagerou is sleeping in my body right now. He won’t be causing any more trouble with today’s Vistamp.

Brachio!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WH01HiQgWHg

Greatest! Longest! Oldest and Strongest! Brachio! Rejoice! For the birth of the long king!

Ikki: Brachio Genome grants Revice an altogether greater kicking strength than any other Genome. Its primal power is unmatched by anything.

Daiji: That’s right, Onii-san. I think Kagerou might’ve stolen it to prevent it from being used against him by you.

George: So he simply wanted to prevent more power from amassing. Ironic, given today’s Legend.

Desire Driver: Zi-O!

Sougo: Let’s go! Henshin!

Rider Time! Kamen Rider Zi-O!

George: Kamen Rider Zi-O, Sougo Tokiwa. He started out as an ordinary high schooler, before he embarked on a quest through time to take the power of all the Heisei Riders, by defeating their Another Rider counterparts. In one future, he used the power of all Riders to become the Demon King of Time, Ohma Zi-O and conquered the world.

“The Heisei Kamen Riders have passed through this era. Now, their power gives way to a new future. Rejoice, for the birth of the new king”

Wakabayashi: ‘Demon King’? How come FENIX never heard of this?

George: Oh, he erased his own existence and separated the Riders back into their own separate universes.

Hiromi: Wait a minute, if all these Riders came from different universes, than how do we have enough data on them to make your Vistamps?

(Suddenly, a time portal opens, with Ohma Zi-O on the other side)

Ohma Zi-O: A wise man once said “Rule #3: Don’t ask unnecessary questions”. You would be wise to heed their advice in your situation.

Vice: Just a moment! If you’re from the future, can you tell us some info? Is Daiji-chan rid of Kagerou? What are the winning lottery numbers this week? Will Hiromicchi ever be cool?

Hiromi: Hey!

Ohma Zi-O: I will not say anything that could disrupt the flow of events. However, I do have this to say. Revi, Vice, Live, and Demons. You and your fellow Riders will go through hardships that seem frustrating and illogical, but you must persevere through them. Goodbye. (He then vanishes along with the portal)

Daiji: Wait a minute, did he say there’ll be more Riders helping us?

Wakabayashi: I hope not. It would make things inconvenient in development.

Hiromi: And besides, who’s going to become these Riders? Papa Igarashi? That kid from the karate class?

Ikki: Things are getting a bit long winded, so I’ll just say “We hope you enjoy the next instalment”.

Daiji: Next thing you know, Aguilera and Julio will be Riders.

Yeah, I’ll use this to finally talk about what I feel is the biggest problem at the heart of the show. It is unable to properly conclude a narrative it started, pretty damn consistently.

That is a problem plaguing the show from the micro, like the weak MotW-plots, to the macro scale where arcs fall just as flat.

They have an idea, but never plan enough ahead and put the work to any significant amount of scrutiny that there are a lot of contradictions and unintended implications that brings it crumbling down. And it’s so frustrating!

Also, why is George working on the Vistamps if they work without issues and keep the Rider-references even when picked up from a defeated Deadman? Again, not thinking things properly through.

Vice should be lumped in here, though, because my point was that Ikki's teamwork with Vice proves that not hiding parts of yourself -- in the way Daiji does -- leads to a better outcome. Ikki's stronger for having Vice in his life.

The real lesson of the Kagerou storyline is to be enough of a petulant little shit that someone gives you a DX toy.

It's a neat toy! And thanks for the fun skit!

It's not a great look, them bungling the message of their first big storyline. I'm still optimistic, though! There's such a unique character dynamic between the inner demons and the Igarashi family and Happy Spa and Fenix... I feel like there's a ton of potential.

Don't even disagree. Revice has tons of potential, partially the reason why I have such a strong dislike for it. It's a show I desperately wanted to love; for a lot of reasons, and still, even with its latest material, movie, and V-Cinema, gave them the benefit of the doubt, only to be let down again and again.

But yeah, I hope you can find something to enjoy in it.

Don't want to wish anyone a bad time with a show.

I think that's Layton's point though. Revice is a show full of potential, in its premise and themes, but the problem is that the writer makes an effort to constantly waste that potential by taking the story in frustrating directions. This episode concludes the stretch of the show that I mostly liked, that's not to say there aren't still good parts to come, but they're increasingly rare.

EDIT: I got ninja-ed.

This Revice has a lot of interesitng ideas(A superhero who doesn't have dead parents what is this timeline and I wanted a dinosaur themed rider for a while prior) but here's the problem remember how I said the first 20 episodes of Saber kinda suck but then it gets REALLY good Revice has the opposite problem the first 25 episodes are the best parts of the show (Save for one REALLY good episode later in the show) but the problem is it felt like the writers only had enough plot for like 30-35 episodes this is bad because most of these are around 45 episodes long. Even worse Revice is 50 episodes long now this wouldn't be an issue if the writers planned this story ahead of time but after a while it's going to be more and more obvious the writers DID NOT plan this story to be 50 episodes long. So were stuck with 25 episodes of them mostly repeating plotlines they did early on or dragging another sideplot WAY longer than it needed to be in my and many people's opinion

When a show is almost purposely bad like that… I don’t even know anymore.
EDIT: It seems I’ve also gotten Ninja-ed

For as wonky as early Saber could be at times, I still very much enjoyed it, it is fundamental to its later success.

Late-stage Saber, in all its glory, would not work without the foundation it had laid beforehand. It's kinda like Geats in that regard.

Revice builds its foundation rather shakily, mixed with inconsistent pacing and not enough self-reflection regarding its own plot points and implications.

So, when Saber used its foundation to elevate itself, Revice simply crashes down because there was nothing solid to pull from in the long run.

This episode shows that even if you only have the best intention of others and didn't really do mean stuff to them (even in the name of 'making them better'), you can still have flawed approach in that. Ikki's insistence to be the one handling probably anyone's problems can feel like he's taking all the spotlight and turn overbearing due to that, and it's due to him not putting his faith on Daiji to handle something instead, contradicting his claims, making Vice right, like Ikki handling the problems of his siblings cause Daiji to feel marginalized, feeling unimportant due to everything being handled by others, spurring him to look for a place where he can shine on his own (and inadvertently making things worse via Kagerou). It's also seen before when Ikki inadvertently forced Sakura to go into Daiji's promotion despite her karate session. Not that Ikki fully fits, but this can lean towards overprotective parent/bigger sibling type, which doesn't really consider the feelings of those under your care if they'd not want to be treated as such (as Ikki realizes his selfishness to Daiji), which isn't an optimal way to take care of them and can do more harm than good, this he needs to learn to give some space for those under your care, and learn some of the others' worth like Daiji's strength as he's lost before.

Though I feel like that flashback or Sakura's reaction to Genta crying seems to enforce that being emotional is weak again... This is also a case when the 'victimized' one didn't lash out at others due to them getting where Daiji (not Kagerou) didn't really do evil shit, other than probably denying his family relations at his promotion, so I guess for this once, Ikki can take the bigger blame, one that can be easily overlooked too. Their argument before was only Daiji acting like Ichijou from Kuuga against Ikki, and what he did at the end was bringing up his nosy traits again in lighthearted manner. Now I guess Kagerou won't be fully eliminated (if it is it's too fast), so time to learn how to prevent Kagerou returning.

Conveniently there's still 1 Deadman after Daiji is restored, to have him show off as Live ("Evil" with reversed letter). Live's design reminds me of Drake, and he's also a gunslinger like him, where I admit his fighting moves of gun-fu are quite flashy and stylish. The Rider that is done to get Live, Revice Brachio Genome with Zi-O motif (and Time Mazine as Remix), has the Zi-O traits quite underutilized, only mostly about both him and Vice beating up the stunned Evil, like there's no time-motif power (for example Zi-O II had it which allows it to predict attacks for instance). Though both the Zi-O motif and the animal it uses has a thought put behind it; Zi-O's first episode has Sougo running away from a Tyrannosaurus, which, like brachiosaurus, are dinosaurs. The Brachiosaurus is also meant as a gentle giant, generally peaceful until you make it mad, which is like how Sougo is the most powerful KR as Ohma Zi-O, and is generally a nice guy but one you shouldn't mess with.

Earlier on, this establishes something new for Sakura, establishing her vendetta and irrational disdain against Kamen Riders due to how it affects the family. The series establish further of the 2 major girl characters' rivalry with her fighting Aguilera, this time taking Aguilera's kick better (without leaving a mark in her white cloth) than before. Via Aguilera's temptation.

Morton's fork situation for Hiromi as he's wrong either way, he gets scolded for not speaking up, but if he does then it's him taking blame anyway for being a Fenix member that involves Igarashi family. The end of the episode shows that Hiromi can loose up, offering a genuine smile after Daiji is restored, probably he's in that situation when there's not military occupations stressing him. It's also probably him actually more hoping for a best outcome too, but had less hesitation before compared to Ikki, who is a family. Also the first time he got de-henshin... so the Deadman of the week from the Sentai alumnis puts better fight than Olteca and Julio (at least if those 2 didn't hold back). George seems to be thrilled over the appearence of Live, so he seems to appreciate some of the Kamen Rider virtues (other than being a fan of its aesthetics) to a degree, wanting to create a hero that is born from lots of drama and struggle. Still doesn't change the fact that he let a superpowered villain loose though as Kagerou before. Wakabayashi starts to be suspicious of him... firstly assuming him as just a mad scientist who prioritizes experiment over anything, when he's motivated by his, destructive passion of Kamen Rider.

yes and again can't stress this enough the writers did NOT plan for a 50 episode long show/story I think the reason why Saber's earlier episodes are kinda wonky because they have to introduce so much shit early. Revice's problem is it wraps EVERY interesting plotline up by episode 30 meaning we have to trot out plots that we kinda sorta resolved but because we didn't know what to do have to bring back and have to deal with the 2 worst villains in the franchise imo (the reason why episodes of Saber following Elemental Dragon's dbeut work is because of how good Issach is as a villain)

This is hands down the best episode of Revice so far. I loved almost every second of it.

Handling and reaching out to someone with low self-esteem is tricky business, especially if you aren't actually genuine in learning where they're coming from.

Likewise, saying something and actually believing in or following through with it are two entirely different things. Both of these factors at play are the primary cause of the rift between Ikki and Daiji.

Who are family is absolutely affects us, intentional or not, and Daiji grew up feeling lesser in comparison to Ikki. Breaking out on his own, joining Fenix, becoming a hero of justice, this was all his dream. But when push came to shove, he couldn't do it. And unfortunately for Ikki, who was there to pick up the Driver right afterward?

It's alot easier to make someone else an enemy rather than look inward and acknowledge your mistakes. All through the show so far, Daiji has been projecting his own ideals and and desires onto Ikki -- Pressuring him into signing the Fenix contract, calling him out on his lack of heroics, and trying to get a Driver to call his own any chance he can as a way to feel superior.

It was all of this pressure, both internal and external, building up over time that eventually gave birth to Kagero.

It's notable that Kagero calls Daiji pathetic given that, as the other side Daiji, it shows that Daiji himself deep down acknowledges that he's not entirely in the right here, but his feelings of lashing out have grown out of control. Why look inward when you can pin the blame on someone else? Daiji, however, isn't a monster. Just like many people do, Kagero can claim that Daiji wants Ikki dead, and sure, Daiji can have aggressive thoughts like that, but when it comes down to it, he does still love his brother.

On the flipside is Ikki, whose primary character flaw is his shortsightedness. But perhaps even more pressingly than that in this instance is how he serves a doting older brother to Daiji -- whether Ikki realizes it or not. He can constantly say he wants to save Daiji, but him instantly believing Kagero's' words, that Daiji is long gone, shows that his faith was only skin deep. Ontop of that, Ikki doesn't realize that by constantly shouting that Daiji is in need of rescue, he's also saying that Daiji is incapable of helping himself, which in turn can only make Daiji's' low self-esteem kick in even harder.

The day is not saved by Daiji becoming Live or giving Daiji exactly what Ikki has, it's instead done so by Ikki, for the first time in the show, having a genuine heart to heart with Daiji, and telling him the exact message that Daiji needs to hear, basically amounting to "You're better than you think you are." It's an expression of genuine care and love, and one that hits Daiji right where it needs too, inspiring him to stand tall and make the effort to move forward. He makes a breakthrough is handling the negative feelings that have literally trapped him inside of own head. Live is the reward for improving, not the cause of the improvement in and of itself.

It's all wonderfully grounded and intricate character work that really helped this arc to stick the landing, and I loved it. It's an episode(heck, an entire character arc) all about balancing your emotions and being careful in how you handle someone who's emotionally unstable, which is actually a rather adult lesson for kids and one that I respect, especially since I personally haven't seen many shows that so much as even talk about self-esteem issues.

Wonderful episode, and it makes me overall very excited to see where Revice goes from here on out.

No Line Texts this time, as both basically read as "Let's do what's best for Daiji."

Thanks for the insightful post, DreamSword! I don't know that I think it overcomes the ways the episode sort of avoids confronting the negative aspects of boosting Daiji by giving him the thing he went crazy not having, but I appreciate how much it resonated with you. It's nice to hear positive things about this show in the thread!

On that note...

Things are veering a little farther from the individual episodes than I like. A lot of the discussion over the last day has stopped being about the Kagerou storyline, and Episode 10 specifically, and into a larger condemnation of the Revice series. That's not exactly what this thread's supposed to be? Beyond starting to become spoilery in its takedown of the larger series structure, it's also sort of a bummer to read about. If you've got specific thoughts on an episode, pro or con, I always want to hear them! Especially if I don't agree with them! I love getting to see a show through someone else's eyes. But if the choice of topic is Revice Is Bad... no thanks? The main thing is -- and this maybe gets missed in posts that criticize elements of the show I feel less enthused about -- I like this show. I like every Kamen Rider show, you guys. I like Revice: I think it's a fun show with a unique hook, and I think it's finding itself in some kind of clever ways. Maybe I won't like it that much by the end, but I'm genuinely enjoying it right this second. I am happy to debate a scene or an episode, but I am not ready to pass judgment on the series as a whole. We can definitely discuss that later in June.

I love hearing from you folks! I love knowing that you've got strong feelings about this show! But please, let's keep it to an episodic discussion about the material, and not sweeping judgments about the series. Thanks! See you tomorrow for Episode 11!

Apologies. I was trying to keep my criticism applicable to the episode at hand, while still kinda universal to the series.

Gonna try and keep it more contained again.

Well... I usually just read comments here and what your experience are on these shows.

I think I'm in the minority there because I loved Revice even when it went downhill a bit, like, excuse me to say that, almost every Rider series since the Neo Heisei Era.

But I'm not going to spoil anything. I don't remember what happens in what episodes but I remember most of the series, but from what I'm seeing you are during the Kagerou arc, and what you basically have to understand, and as subtle as it is to us westerners, is that Ikki does have a shift in his behavior during that episode.

After all this time, he was only after protecting his little brother, by being overprotective, he kinda diminishes Daiji's effort to find himself, to find his own strenght.

Vice being most of the series the voice of reason, makes him understand that yes, he wants to protect Daiji, but his own faith in Daiji is taking a dive in not just trusting the guy to deal with it.

In the End, Ikki finally shows that he is trusting Daiji in telling Kagerou that Daiji is strong. AND THAT, was the actual help that Daiji needed, someone trusting him in his strength.


Either way, I'll just say this, Revice made me feel alive, I liked that show very much and I like where they put most of the emotion in the show.. I liked it that much that I tried 3 episodes of Geats and dropped it.

Sure! I think that does come across in the episode, and I made sure to note it. (I'm always trying to be fair with these shows!) Ikki's side of things is 100% him not giving Daiji the space and support to be his own hero, leading to Daiji inadvertently becoming a villain. My problem is less in how the Kagerou situation resolves, than in how the root cause is sort of ignored. This didn't happen after Episode 1, this envy and self-loathing of Daiji's; it was there for years. A resolution that even partially suggests that Daiji just needed a win is... I feel like it's underselling how toxic Daiji's comparisons to others are. Maybe this is something the show will continue to explore. I hope so! I think it's a compelling character arc! But they sort of glossed over in Episode 10, and that was an issue for me.

Thanks so much for the alternate viewpoint, though! I'm also a Revice fan, and it's neat to hear what other fans got out of this arc.

Oh, gosh, I was very much the opposite. Geats is easily my favorite Reiwa show, and possibly my favorite Kamen Rider show period. Sorry to hear it didn't work for you!

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 11 - “WHY DOES THE UNBEATABLE SAKURA NEED POWER?”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice11a.png

The Igarashi Brothers spend an episode dynamically mopping up Deadmans with a synchronicity that borders on the superhuman, and it’s wonderful to see. Very exciting to watch Live and Revi (and Vice) get gigantic fight scenes where they use combo tactics to detonate monsters.

Okay, with that out of the way, let me talk about the main thing worth addressing in this episode: Sakura.

Sakura’s one of my favorite characters on Revice, mostly for how incongruently she’s fit into the narrative thus far. Much like Daiji’s great for his laundry list of psychological defects, Sakura’s teenage prickliness and barely-restrained aggression makes every one of her scenes fascinating to watch. She’s coiled at almost all times, appropriately, like a cobra. There’s a restlessness that seems natural for a girl her age, but it’s turned up a few notches too high. She doesn’t fit in this family, and I don’t mean that in an emotional way. They all love her, and she loves them. But she needs more than that, and she can’t articulate what.

It’s the core of her story in this episode, the belief that more power is the answer, even when she doesn’t know or understand the question. She’s someone looking desperately for a purpose, and she’s lost herself in a life that’s thus far avoided the necessary engagement to secure it. She trains, relentlessly, but that’s inherently a hollow pursuit. Training for what? Becoming stronger why? Since she was a little girl, she’s seen Being Stronger as a goal in and of itself, with a clarity that would give Ren from Saber pause. But now that she’s becoming an adult, she’s learning that strength only matters if it’s in the application of a greater cause.

I appreciated the show treating her like a child, despite generally losing my temper with shows that treat male characters as unstoppable beacons of moral justice whose resolve and self-sacrifice are only questioned to be proven unimpeachable, while women are things (not people) to protect and patronize. Some of it is for my favorite Sakura expression – wide-eyed, stunned, paralyzed with fury – but a lot of it is for a clear division between the adult cast-members and the youngest Igarashi. They’re wrong to hold Sakura back, but it’s right for these characters to hold her back. In much the same way that Ikki struggles with being overprotective because he's always been the oldest kid, and Daiji struggles with defining himself outside his brother’s shadow because he's the middle sibling, Sakura’s frustration and desire for power spill directly out of how powerless a large family can make the youngest child feel. The way this show uses relatable family dynamics to quickly and precisely shape its cast is great, and Sakura’s stifling but well-meaning family is a perfect foil for a young woman who is determined to test her own boundaries.

Also, Aguilera.

The thing that made Diend great (stay with me here) is that his actor, seemingly all by himself, decided that he and Decade were constantly flirting with each other. It’s barely on the page; it is almost entirely in the performance. It’s the same thing with Aguilera here, who brings a romantic charge to any scene that even hints at Sakura’s existence, even when it could read through dialogue as menacing or bored or jokey or whatever. Find you someone who looks at you the way Aguilera looks at Sakura. I could watch those two Fight As A Metaphor for an entire episode and never get sick of it. Aguilera’s a temptation in a lot of ways, but she’s mainly here to get Sakura to understand that her power as a human fighter is irrelevant in a world of demon-powered superheroes and Cinco de Monsters. If she wants to have her family actually hear her, she’s going to have to meet them on their level. She’s going to have to become a Kamen Rider.

It helps that she’s got a Vistamp and a Driver (the Ushijimas, most likely: a bunch of suspicious weirdos living in an empty house), but neither of them help her become a hero. She’s looking for power, but she lacks a purpose. She’s missing a definition to her resolve. She might find it in the next episode, when we meet her inner demon.

When we meet my favorite character in Revice, at long last.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice11b.png

I have a lot to say about Sakura and this story in particular, but I do need its second half for it.

So, yeah, tomorrow.

That said, the Phase 1 this episode may be one of my least favorite suits ever xD

It literally looks like someone threw a trashbag over an existing suit, painted it purple and glued leftovers to it xD

Every time I look at it, I can’t but laugh. XD

Now we're really getting into the part where the show starts taking off for me. Sakura is absolutely my favorite of the Igarashi siblings and probably my favorite character on the entire show. Finally getting her out into the spotlight absolutely kicks the show up to another level.

So fun fact: the three monsters our heroes destroy in the opening scene are all reused from the character designer’s previous series, Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisastsu Sentai Patranger. Whereas before, they were based on a snake, a butterfly and a dinosaur (I forget the specific species), here they’re identified as the Kurage (Jellyfish), Harinezumi (Echidna) and Omo (Parrot) Deadmen.

And we come to my favourite monster in the whole show, the Planarian Deadman, in both phases. While it never got a DX toy, if it had got one, it would’ve been based off Kamen Rider Chaser.

Talking of supporting Rider Vistamps, Hiromi is shown with a Condor Vistamp, which is just the Eagle Vistamp painted black. You get three guesses who this one is based off and the first two don’t count.

And let’s actually get to this episode’s feature, focusing on the toy that came out the day before the episode aired (continuing the theme of antagonists’ belts appearing in-show 6-7 weeks before they get released as DX toys)

Daiji: It’s Daiji and… (Awkward silence) Huh, guess I’m alone for this one.

George: Kind of a necessity when you’re a solo act. Anyway, proceed.

Daiji: Okay. On today’s Stamp Navi, we’ll be looking at my first Vistamp.

Bat!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Oc-5TJvMg68&t=270s

Slash! Cut! Shot! Acrobat! Kaboom! Bat!

Daiji: Oh, so this machine allows you to simulate unleashing the full power of a stamp that the Revice Driver unleashes. (We take a look at the Machine, which is mostly black, with some silver pipes and a grey slot to place the Vistamp in). How impressive.

George: Indeed. But the true power of the Bat Vistamp is unlocked when used with your belt.

Two SiDriver.

George: But in order to demonstrate… (he clouts Daiji on the head with a mallet, causing the latter to arise as Kagerou) Now then, if you’d transform.

K-Daiji: Much obliged. (He transforms the Two SiDriver)

Blade!

(K-Daiji then inserts the Bat Vistamp and transforms)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XxGWcGHfH0w

Vs Up! Madness, Hopeless, Darkness! (Bat) Haha, Kamen Rider Evil!

George: The jet-black warrior transformed from the devil "Kagerou" living in Daiji Igarashi, that is the Kamen Rider Evil Bat Genome. The basic Bat Genome has a very high synchronisation rate with the stealth characteristics of the Evil System, and it sneaks up to targets without sound by making full use of its flight ability and high tranquillity. It's just a dark hero who burys from darkness to darkness with the evil sword in his hand.

K-Daiji: That’s right. My power is derived from this fool’s negative feelings charging up the Evil System in this belt. But right now, I’m so weak even a hammer could defeat me.

(Sure enough, George hits him with a hammer, turning him back to regular Daiji)

Daiji: Why does my head hurt?

George: Explanations later, now transform.

Daiji: (confused) Ok. (He picks up the Two SiDriver, looking confused as to why it’s in Blade mode and transforms it)

Gun!

(Daiji inserts the Bat Vistamp)

Daiji: Henshin!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=J3nn2l8qPbQ

Vs Up! Precious, Trust us, Just is! (Bat) Kamen Rider Live!

George: Another form in which the Two SiDriver demonstrated its true value ... that is Kamen Rider Live Bat Genome. The platinum warrior who landed on the battlefield with light seems to embody the philosophy of justice. Prove your way of life with a fighting style that combines live gunfire and brilliant body skills!

Daiji: Erm, thanks for the advice. But that doesn’t explain my abilities that well.

George: Just as the Evil System grows in power from your darkness, your light will likewise charge the Live System’s power by draining your inner demon.

Daiji: That’s nice to know. (He then collapse from all the trauma his head has endured)

George: Huh. I guess I hope you enjoy the next instalment. And that Daiji here makes a swift recovery.

Production notes: Wheras most of the Legend Riders get loving write ups based on my context of them, almost all the power-ups and supporting Riders in Revice get descriptions copy-pasted and translated from a similar feature on the official Kamen Rider website, which is why the prose may be awkward in them. (Though unlike said website, I’m not going to be repeating Stamps, or leaving you waiting until the show is over halfway finished to feature Demons)

I'll save my full thoughts for the next episode.

Random tidbit I did find interesting for this episode is that... the Stamps already have the Rider stuff in them to a certain point? Like Brachio wasn't calibrated last episode, but it still had the Zi-O stuff in it, but if a remix had happened uh... yeah. So I just find it interesting that these things were already half baked before they were stolen.

Our Deadman spotlight this week is also interesting, seeing as this is the first time we have a Planarian monster. It's freaky and weird in its first and second states (probably one of my favorite Phase 2 designs tbh) and just generally an out there theme for a monster.

Also it's nice to see how Revi, Vice, and Live work together. Our usual duo are the main attackers while Live provides support via his gun. I also like it when Riders loan each other their weapons so getting to see Live dual wield his own weapon and the axe gun that Revi has was fun for that first fight.

And of course we've got a big Sakura focus as she's slowly closing in on becoming a Rider. It's fun to watch really, seeing her family pretty much try and keep her grounded to not fighting monsters.

Which you know it makes sense, very much a family of overprotective siblings/parents, especially since we're only just coming out of the Evil Arc that Daiji was a part of and I feel that's a big driving factor in everyone reacting to Sakura's proclamations of wanting to fight like they did.

But yes, we're very much approaching one of my absolute faves in Revice and I can't wait. Thankfully, we won't have to wait long for that compared to if we were watching this as the show came out!

I would also like to apologize for my previous post, as I see now that it was too broad a statement to give the insight I was going for. Like Daiji, I'm trying to hold back a lot of thoughts that may be perceived as unhelpful, or, "a bummer to read", but the desire to complain is tempting sometimes and I guess the Kagerou got out here.

Fortunately (unfortunately?), your review of Episode 11 gives me the perfect opportunity to complain in a way I hope you will find relevant!

Putting aside the narrative problems, if there's something I can blame for the immediate decrease in my enjoyment of the show, it's the focus on Little Miss Angst, whose existence may have contributed to me softening on Reika a little.

You've already compared Sakura to Ren and Aguilera to Kaito and I'd compare Sakura to Yaguruma and Aguilera to Kageyama, which in your case, that probably just makes you like her more. However, as I mentioned in the Kabuto thread, I have little tolerance for pretentious types and I think this is one of the worst examples, cause now Yaguruma is the female lead, there is no escape from it. A kid talking about how they want to become invincible and beat everybody is typical kid behavior, but as a young adult, it sounds insufferably pretentious and edgy!

I don't recall this getting brought up yet, but Kinoshita's original pitch for Revice included a female Primary Rider due to his confessed bias towards what he calls, "strong women". It was vetoed, mostly for marketing reasons. Makes you wonder who that character would've been, doesn't it?

She's in high school.

In senior year.

It's a very unusual design for what I thought was supposed to be a flatworm? It's... not very flat.

That said, I love the very videogame gimmick of needing to do more damage than it can regenerate, so it's just the Kamen Riders spamming powerful attacks with every tool available. Always entertaining to see the heroes just punish a monster.

I just... I like the choices Sakura's actor makes. It's restrained in a way that's more affecting than if she was super dramatic and demonstrative. Misora from Build's actor would frequently do the same thing, and it always always always got my attention. In a scene with Ikki's boiling-over nosiness and Daiji's caustic need to point out his authority, being quiet is the best move as a scene partner.

Thanks for the fun skit!

Thanks for the screencaps!

I can see that? There's a point where Sakura's considering her teacher's motivation, and wondering if it's valid to hurt others to protect your family if there's no other option, and Daiji's like It Is Never Right To Summon Inner Demons To Attack People Because You're Hurting Emotionally and you know he's talking about himself as much as he's talking about Sakura's teacher. While things are generally escalating in the Deadmans department, they are specifically escalating for the Igarashi family. Daiji and Ikki (and Mom) are a little worried that a headstrong Sakura could get herself pretty badly hurt as everyone else is getting sucked into monster fights!

I guess I don't see it that way? Sakura strikes me as a fairly normal teenager: someone who had a conception of herself at a young age that doesn't match the woman she's turning into, which is going to be a bumpy road to navigate for a little while. (Tillie Walden's memoir Spinning is a great insight into a young athlete who finds herself less fulfilled in her teens by what was once her passion, and I highly recommend it.) Like, she knows it's weird to only get stronger, but she doesn't know what else she should be yet. That's why she throws herself into these weird conflicts that could get her killed; maybe this is the reason she worked hard to become stronger.

Like, I really think Sakura's a relatable and unique character for a Kamen Rider show -- we don't usually get stories about teen girls trying to define themselves -- despite her motivation being one that's landed on a ton of great characters over the years: how do we find our motivation and resolve, when we thought having power would make that clear to us?

Though many of the Deadmans already come from villainous (anti or straight) humans who gave in to their inner demons, it seems that the series establish a major human villain Amahiko Haitani, who acts as the Deadman's "savior", helping them to promote for humans to join them and mass produce demons, and is charismatic enough that he can win over people, by bringing up about how the world is unfair. He's also the one that pulls the strings on Seiko, though Seiko still obeys her so she's not innocent, forcing her to do what he wants including making a contract with her demon. Other than wondering how he lasts if he's actually major, I'd like to see more of the public reaction to the Deadmans now, or probably what'd happen to Fenix who fights them off.

Though the episode still reveals that she does have darker traits... without demon, just like Seiko herself (saving her son, but having little regard on non-families). She thinks what Seiko did for Ryou via Deadman is completely justificable (just like before approving of Masao's methods), where of course Ikki and Daiji doesn't think so. People being on hard time is a common reason for criminal acts and Seiko's is an example of that, Sakura's basically thinking that (almost) no criminal acts warrant punishment. At that time she probably has some Machiavellian traits, the end justifies the means, as long as one has noble intention, any methods matter. Her pointing out to not let Ryou die, while considerate to him, is a lesser form of selfish (only caring for herself and loved ones), in line with her objecting to Ikki fighting for other family before, that she seems to only consider what's close to her, being ok with terrorizing people she doesn't know for Ryou's sake. She calls out Fenix for their job to help people... but y'know, that'd mean they shouldn't pick favorites, like the victims of the Deadman's attack. Overall, Seiko seems to be portrayed as Sakura's shadow archetype here, when those dark traits (picking favorites, having the end justifies the means approach) outright corrupts someone and reminding her to not sink that deep, as well as Seiko fiercely brushing off any attempts from others to help (from Sakura herself too).. for some reason, except Amahiko.

The next episode tease will probably finally touch upon that demeanor more (other than Yukimi teling her that she's overstrung). Turns out that in this episode, the one that is using the Deadman power isn't Sakura, but her karate instructor Seiko. Nice twist from the previous tease that made it seem that she's the one being corrupted by Deadman, but she's not. Though in places like karate, she actually managed to not lash out at others to be "cool", including accepting a help from newbie like "Tamaki", or not being mad at her 'defeat' by Hikaru. I guess she had to learn from herself at karate on how she deals with her family. But certainly not for her defeat by Aguilera, after 2/3 times. I guess it's her psychological attack that really does her in at that case other than the defeat, or that unlike to other humans, she can't keep up with Deadmans due to her human limitations thus impossible for her to be strongest again? Though despite that it's nice for the story to point out that she's good at karate while arguing against Ikki and Daiji though. This is however probably what makes her think Kamen Rider aren't necessary before, thinking that karate skills can deal with them.

So the childhood scene does show that her goal is to be cool, becoming the strongest and beat everyone. That's a goal reminiscent of probably shonen genre where one wants to become the master, the strongest, or such. Her case is one of those that has some negative influence on her though, not that she outright attacks anyone to show off (that'd be villainy), but about how wanting to be cool leads for her to become edgy against family (except Daiji), putting up a cool front in various forms like how she feels above any "stupid" and "silly" antics in her family (and probably Daiji being the more serious and uptight one as well earns her approval), or wanting independence to the point of fiercely refusing most help from other family members like Ikki's as it'll make her "like a kid", to the point of temporarily leaving them at the end, she's quite a lucky one that Ushijima family wants to take care of her.

I guess, Sakura also has similar resentment to Ikki as Daiji's due to how Ikki takes care of her siblings? As she hates being treated "like a kid", and of course, Ikki can be overbearing on taking care of them, not giving them a room to solve their own problems. The scene of Ikki assuring Sakura to be a help seems to be played off as a joke a bit, or is it Ikki not fully learning his lesson? Now Ikki and Daiji as expected becomes a brother tag team, with Vice thriving on them (but finally got his consequence for his 4th wall breaking, being punched by Planaria Deadman), and as families... both will have catchphrases based on their Rider name. So Daiji seems to be content on both brothers fighting together or giving Ikki the ViStamp (but Ikki being primary... will have him getting more upgrades), but this episode reaffirms that Daiji is a genuinely heroic person, as he knows that one's predicament (Seiko's) isn't an excuse for them to terrorize people (even if it's to get what they want), and it applies for himself too before, where he didn't act on his jealousy on Ikki who overshadows him, unlike Kagerou, and in the next episode, it seems that Daiji calls out Sakura for endangering Ikki (the reverse of what happened in ep. 4, so Daiji's quite neutral in how he treats his siblings). Even Ikki justifies Seiko a bit before, but that influence leads for him to fight her off. And as usual, he takes his Fenix duty very seriously, and Ikki's not the only one getting called out on this, but Sakura too, of being overconfident to use only karate skills to solve those, but the supernatural threats are beyond human level, thus she's not enough, at best humans can only take on Giff Juniors, reminding her that the stakes are far bigger than what she thinks (just like how Ikki thinks fighting Deadmans can be a secondary priority to Happy Spa before, so she does have a bit of an Ikki trait too here). Albeit his move to tell her to just stay in safety is the usual stigmatizing move that can be applied to women...

While Sakura seems to be growing out of those, as well as her human limitations, though it's at the end and still not much to talk about, so far by witnessing how dangerous and high-stakes the supernatural threats are (including Revi shielding her), the consequence of Seiko's actions, and how Kamen Riders are really the necessary force that can fight them off, by her trying to henshin as Kamen Rider herself and stopping Seiko, albeit she comically fails at this time (but the next tease have her being successful as Jeanne). Apparently though, Aguilera is excited at Sakura becoming a Rider (really George's counterpart who is obviously acting the same here..)... despite that it'd be more foes for her, but dunno. Kinda hope that she's the tertiary Rider instead of Hiromi as a family set.

I mean, Ikki learned a lesson with Daiji, but it didn't change how Ikki views his role in the family. He's still like a junior parent to his brother and sister, and that's always going to frustrate them a bit. I think Ikki's always going to be a guy who tries to take care of people more than they want to be taken care of, and that's a blindspot Ikki'll probably never stop tripping up on.

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 12 - “WEAKNESS IS STRENGTH!? THE UNBEATABLE JEANNE!”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice12a.png

My general rule for buying merch is to hold off until after I’ve fully watched a show. A couple exceptions – I’ll get a Driver when I’ve started watching a show, I’ll preorder the Figuart of a main Rider for a show I haven’t watched yet – but I’ve held to that rule pretty firmly. Mostly because it all means more after I’ve watched a show, and there’s nothing more dispiriting than buying stuff you don’t care about yet. For example, I could’ve ordered SHF Blades at any time. He was cheap and plentiful. But I didn’t know anything about Saber when he was released. I didn’t like the look of the suit, and I assumed he’d be another surly rival for our main Rider. Now that the show’s over, I was rushing to get him. I needed to own Rintaro, in all his stammering and non-suspicious glory. The figure wasn’t just a cool toy, it was a manifestation of my appreciation for a performance; a record of art that resonated with me. I can’t care that much about a piece of merch for a character I haven’t even met yet.

Except for Lovekov.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/revice/lovekov.jpg

That’s a giant Lovekov I preordered months before I started watching Revice. (Rex Vistamp for scale.) It showed up a few months back. The design of Lovekov transcended my awareness of the character, and it obliterated my flimsy rules. I couldn’t wait until after I loved Lovekov, because I already knew it was inevitable. Watching Revice, getting to know the Igarashis… all of that was just prelude to the introduction of Lovekov. The actual show starts now.

And what a grand debut for the best Kamen Rider character of the Reiwa era!

Vice was the embodiment of the life Ikki wouldn’t let himself live in the name of being there for his family: adventurous, self-involved, thrill-seeking. Evil was the embodiment of everything Daiji hated about himself: vindictive, jealous, manipulative. Naturally, Lovekov is the embodiment of the parts of Sakura that she thought were weak about herself: unbridled joy, affection, vulnerability. The show’s thesis statement is the hollowness and failure of an unexamined life, so it’s time to see what Sakura’s been keeping from us.

It’s a nice lesson in the value of vulnerability. There’s strength in letting people in; strength in accepting that people care for you, want you to be safe and happy. It’s no surprise that the site of Sakura’s failure to Henshin is an empty room, all by herself. She’s convinced herself that a facade of self-sufficient power is enough to overcome any obstacle, but it’s not. It’s her at half-strength, cut off from the totality of her resolve, as well as the support of her family. She’s stronger for saying that sometimes she isn’t strong.

It all leads to a thrilling action sequence, likely on par with the climax of this weekend’s Beyond Generations. Sakura’s fighting abilities, coupled with the Libera Driver, trounce the rapidly multiplying Deadmans. (Very nice of this story’s bad guy to create so many scrubs for Jeanne to one-shot!) Aguilera’s there to show her support and cheer on her girl, which is adorable. Hiromi's there to randomly mention his backstory and motivation, like he wanted to get it on the record before Sakura overshadowed him for good. Ikki and Daiji are there to show the difference between teammates and siblings in a perfect closing scene. It all wraps up beautifully.

It’s my favorite episode of Revice, and not only because Lovekov finally validated this show’s existence. It leverages every Igarashi kid in interesting and dramatically compelling ways, from Ikki’s pep talk at the playground, to Daiji’s inability to not ruin an emotional moment despite trying to be cool and worthy of respect, to Sakura’s growth into a woman that is okay acting like a girl occasionally. It’s sweet in its portrayal of family, smart in its exploration of vulnerability as a part of a healthy psyche, and glorious in its incorporation of toku action in the midst of all of the above.

Finally, a show worthy of Lovekov.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/.../revice12b.png

I'll be upfront: These past two episodes of Revice were the first two that I actively didn't like. At all.

When it comes to what is supposed to be the main focus of it all, it in essence just comes across like a slightly less forced version of the Ryuga arc from Zi-O: Everyone in the cast keeps insisting that Sakura is in actuality a total wimp, despite there being very little indication of that up to this point, making the entire point/message feel unearned.

In extension to that, these episodes really had me turning on Mama Igarashi. Her blatant double standard of insisting that Ikki has to go out and save the world despite his own desires, yet telling Sakura that nothing in the show is Sakura's' responsibility despite Sakura wanting to contribute really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't care if it's human, or realistic, or accurate representation of a family unit or not, it's still a double standard and I found it very annoying.

Hiromi just dumping his backstory out of nowhere was not only forced, but made it really seem that the writer's' found him as more of an annoyance to work with rather than wanting to actually think of giving him any proper focus. The backstory itself is fine, but it would've been nice to actually explore that in a Hiromi focused episode, rather than just stapled into this randomly.

And lastly, and most importantly... that child is dead. There's no two ways around it. But yet we're still supposed to see the mother as in the wrong for wanting to do whatever she can to save her child's' life. This is what I was getting at with my fears of villains talking to much sense: Something like this where I am outright rooting for the "bad guy" despite the show not wanting me to. It's a really cruel message to end the episode off on and it seriously killed the momentum built up by how good episode 10 was.

No Line Texts this time, as there were none in the episode itself. Such a disappointment.

Toei saw how well Kururun did in Precure and realized they needed that for Kamen Rider. Thus Lovekov was born and by all that is great, I love Lovekov.

Like, just give me a fun mascot character, check. Do they need to do anything? Not really no. I should be honored to be blessed by their existence. So once again, I thank Lovekov for existing.

This episode is a fun one, in that it does a storyline I've enjoyed seeing from time to time and that's... it's okay to be weak, to not be strong. As long as you're true to yourself, that's where your real strength comes from.

So yeah, really enjoy Kamen Rider Jeanne as a design, given we don't get many snakes in Rider, it's always fun to see how they differentiate them. The debut is pretty fun, because you've got the kickass momentum of her fights... contrasted by Lovekov just being there all while Vice basically has to play babysitter.

Of course beforehand we might just have one of my favorite bits in Revice? While Hiromi's alright for me as a character, the dude's actor excels at straight faced comedy, in which he's entirely serious during his backstory drop that it loops around to hilariously endearing. To the point where Daiji's so distracted that he's unable to time the Henshin with Hiromi properly.

Now then... let's talk the Libera Driver. Mostly in how simple it is in function and I like that a lot. Sometimes you don't need a big fancy belt. Of course, I should also mention, P-Bandai. It strikes me odd that a belt like that is sold P-Bandai given how simple in function it is. Though it also doesn't strike me as odd because well... it's a girl exclusive Driver, I shouldn't be surprise, even if some countries outside of Japan will just sell it normally at retail from what I've seen.

So yeah, 4 Riders, 2 Retail, 2 P-Bandai. And so far every stamp a Rider uses that isn't the 10 Genomes, Bat, Batta is P-Bandai or Promo Exclusive. Just something to keep in mind for the moment.