ALSO since I'm near the final stretch of Kuuga now, anyone wanna recommend me what to watch next?

I really wanna watch something similar to Kuuga, in terms of it feeling like a real world, populated by actual people where things actually matter but I'd rather it was a bit more upbeat with more polished fight sequences.

Yeah, I guess.

Maybe Fourze? You could try Agito, since it's pretty much a sequel to Kuuga.

I tried Agito before and was advised against it by a reliable source. Will check out Fourze though!

Sweet! Fourze is very light-hearted, but it does take a more serious turn later on though. Just so you know.

No, it doesn't.
It stops being as goofy, but "A more serious turn" is a straight up lie.

Let me know how it turns out. I never made it past the first episode.

Taking a break from Den-O and watching the last few eps of Kuuga.

First of all, that reliable source is dead fucking wrong. Agito is fantastic.

And Fourze's not a bad show, but it's about as diametrically opposed to Kuuga as possible within the Rider franchise. Be prepared for some major mood whiplash.

Oh yeah. That is one of the other things that nagged me about Kiva - I did kind of want to know who, in the end, really did know Wataru was Kiva and how they all felt about it. Ah well.

Kengo being such a massive prick never made sense. Have fun with him while he is. I didn't. :|

I also wouldn't call Fourze "serious" ever. It... matures, perhaps. But it's still all light-hearted fun.

Mood changes aren't a problem, like I say I want to keep Kuuga's 'real world where stuff matters' feel but I don't really want another series as bitter and depressing as Kuuga.