Oh! It looked like a 5 on his belt. Thanks for the info!

That’s okay, we all make mistakes.

Anyway, since the countdown for the movie begins next episode, I’m not sure whether to join it in by revealing one new card for every episode, or just do what I usually do and put them all in after the movie (ICYWTK I’ve decided to rename this feature from the Undead Information Kiosk to the Rouse Card Information Kiosk. You’ll see why)

I mean, if they're from characters in the movie, I'd be grateful if you held onto them until after the movie. Sometimes the identities and abilities of the cards are important plot points. It would be nice to be able to experience those in the story first!

Well, who wasn't? Probably anyone nowadays will come through phase 2 first, with many of the recommendation for first shows being phase 2 shows like W. But a bunch of them started with phase 2 and worked their way back to phase 1, from my experience. Those that don't follow phase 1, from my experience, had a quite unfair reason to me which is (only) the special effects. I think actually, none of KR special effects are ever perfect, from phase 1 to phase 2, they're still similar, just probably more oversaturated in phase 2.

Shima is the good monster this series have, Blade's answer to the likes of Cubi in Ghost and Burgmon in Ex-Aid. Shima was Karasuma's acquaintance....but he immediately also knows the faces of those involved in BOARD... and including those associated with them like Kotaro or Hajime? BOARD probably should've contained biodatas for Riders or Hirose, but probably not those related to them. Then again it's implied that he's the one that knows the situation and reported to Mutsuki. Now I also wonder, what makes this less appealing, for outsider's kick in the ass, compared to something like Miyuki, not from Blade one, but the one from Ryuki? (who just appeared and approached the protagonists).

Yeah it's undeniable, here, Tachibana seems can't deal with Mutsuki anymore, I wouldn't say he's that bad previously, he's still right of accusing Mutsuki as treating this as collectible card game. And as terrible his choices was during Isaka tenure, it's actually real experience Tachibana has compared to someone like Mutsuki to mentor with. Mutsuki's bravado also can stem from how Leangle is the strongest, ultimate Rider, seemingly thinking that Blade and Garren are weaker to lose to Daichi.

Chalice now taking more approach in learning humanity with taking photos of each affectionate moments human shared with each other. What'd he do with those photos he collected? Shima is more of a proof of Undeads being capable of doing something Hajime is puzzled of, but Shima's more focused on others.

Didn't Kenzaki also already proclaimed this several times in the previous episodes though? Dunno if here you channel something where trauma can make someone more empathic and kinder, the first to reach a hand out (which for here, it'd mean Kenzaki going through his parents death giving him Rider sensibility to love and protect others), which is reportedly realistic, something I read from other's experience. But still, with it not being personal enough.... From before, sometimes people actually forget the more realistic and non-tragic/dark part in fiction, despite the claims that any tragic part is more realistic, like this blog here talks (not regarding Kenzaki, but rather Yusuke).

Blade's Jack Form, this series' Mid-Season Upgrade. G̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶l̶w̶a̶y̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶,̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶1̶s̶t̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶c̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶i̶l̶v̶e̶r̶'̶s̶ ̶2̶n̶d̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶c̶e̶.̶ While Leangle is the strongest Ace form Rider, he can't approach upgrades like Blade can here... (at least in the main series).

He probably learned about Kotaro from Karasuma, and Hajime is probably some mix of sensing him and getting basic info from the Team.

I think the larger problem Tachibana has training Mutsuki is that he's been trying to train another Rider, not Mutsuki. He's approaching this mentorship probably the same way he trained Kenzaki, and holy shit is Mutsuki not at all going through the same things Kenzaki did. It's only in the last two episodes that it seems like Tachibana is seeing Mutsuki for the troubled young man he is, not just The New Rider or A Reflection Of Tachibana.

Tachibana, a few episodes ago: "Nah, don't worry guys, I'll totally help Mutsuki be a good Rider."

Tachibana, now: "Guys, Mutsuki's being controlled by the spider and I don't have advice for that, what do?"

I joke, but I do like these few episodes. Shima is a rare look at actual, possible harmony with Undead, instead of just "Undead mess with humans", and he's cool to have around to give the cast some direction. And honestly? I really like Mustuki. He's just some kid, in *way* over his head, and no-one knows what to do to help him. So it resorts to fighting, because Battle Royale, tatakae, all that.

Shima is also a rare look at what an actual, helpful father-figure would be like on this show*, instead of the parade of absentee parents and manipulative caregivers. Imagine if Karasuma gave half the shits that Shima gives for these at-risk youths!

*: alternately, every Kamen Rider show ever.

Someday, Papa Karasuma will come back from Tibet when it's not the worst possible time and give us some helpful advice, and everything will be alright with the world.

Really, it's hard to blame Mukki for having so much trouble learning to be a superhero. I mean, honestly, I even see why he'd be jealous of Tachibana for having a lost loved one to motivate him. How's a high school kid with spider powers supposed to internalize the great responsibility that comes with his new powers if he doesn't have a dead uncle or something?

I want Karasuma to come in hot in the finale, after the day has been saved, all Doc Brown from Back To The Future.

"KENZAKI! There's big trouble!"
"Chief, it's okay! We've won! We've beat the Undead!"
"No, Kenzaki, the problem is the UnLIVING!"

To Be Continued!

If you are suggesting that Mutsuki's character arc would've been improved by a brief stint as a professional wrestler, you and I are finally on the same page.