Thought now getting a closer look at this I sorta like it, but doesn't really feel fruity to me. I don't know unless the mode has Orange Slices as the panels then it doesn't fit the mood of the suits theme.

Butcher didn't actually like the fruit stuff though did he? So I guess it makes sense if he deviates from fruit more and more with every new form. It's just a shame the forms he apparently didn't like were actually far more interesting.

I think this new form looks pretty damn awesome. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in action.

I think that's kinda of the point though, its becoming less fruity and more Samurai - much like how Kota's going from being a kid with a magic belt to an actual hero.

does Kachidoki remind anyone else of the Ronin Warriors?

How so? The show's only just now getting close to its 20s and everything that's been going on in it lately hasn't exactly been predictable.

There's nothing saying Takatora won't have to go back to donning a Sengoku driver at some point yet.

He's also not in charge of the designs of new forms.

Also Siguard is still totally cherry-looking, but he also has the coolest Energy Rider suit.

When you figure the energy riders are basically the monster generals ala the Sonozakis or Greed, it becomes more understandable the way they're designed. But I'm deffinitely glad Gaim is getting away from Jinba.

Well there is a new type of Inves in these scans. One that appears to have intelligence, may also be able to speak. Overlord Inves, his name is Demushu. So we may get real Kaijin villains at some point.

Oh really? I always kinda assumed they were - how does a writer write when he doesn't know what he's working with? Are the action bits done on the fly? No wonder, especially in earlier series, the action feels so disconnected from everything.

Rider designs for a new series are usually always already finalized even before the current series is over. The writer most likely already has them to work with when filling out the plot.