Picked up Ryuki again, randomly picked episode 19 to start with, because I wasn't sure exactly where I left off. Watched 19 and 20 last night.

I liked Gai, he was a douche, but I liked how he affected the others. big Rider fight at the end of 19 was great, especially since Zolda just missile spams the area and then walks away, so Ouja can finish Gai off.

I'm interested in where this is going, from reading that, but right now I hate about as much as I like about this show.

The second Imagin has largely been pretty rubbish, Rod form sucks and the dynamic between Rod and Momo just isn't really a particularly interesting one. The way Rod would take over Ryou was kinda fun at first, because much like with Momo, they are polar opposites from how Ryou actually is but that gag is a one note gag so the fact it takes up so much of the episodes, and is only really balanced with childish squabbling between him and Momo, it is just really boring.

Plus Whenever it feels like Ryou is starting to move towards being an interesting protagonist, the very nature of his powers mean he is once again benched and even the non violence stuff is usually solved more by Hana than it is Ryou, Ryou just seems a bit useless.

On the plus side, I do really like Momo and Hana as characters, and I may as well treat Momo as his own Rider for what it is worth and he really is a great one. I think the effects around the floating sword stuff is kinda lacking, the fights feel strangely small despite all the flash, but his look and personality as Sword Form is just great, great fun. Plus, I do also like the Imagin and seeing them go on wild rampages, even if the mech battles look fucking awful.

You'll be glad to know that Rod form isn't used as much and Urataros is probably the least utilised Imagin. I'm not sure when Kintaros shows up, but he's much more entertaining. Urataros is, in the grand scheme, the least used and least favourite (by most) Imagin.

I'm glad to hear that! And Kintaros makes his debut in episode nine apparently.

I'm not sure that was the original plan, but it's pretty obvious that from early on the Taros really started stealing the show, leaving Ryotaro to act primarily as their physical form. You'll notice that in the first few episodes, Ryotaro actually did all of Momo's lines when he was possessed, but that was quickly replaced with the voice actor dubbing over him. If I had to guess, I'd say that the voice actors weren't meant to be as prominent, but that changed fairly early on in production. Probably didn't help that they had some really high profile voice actors.

Urataros was actually my favorite Imagin, and Rod Form was my second favorite form.

I think they're all cool in their own bizarre way, though Ryutaros occasionally gets on my nerves in any capacity not involving annoying Momotaros. :)

Though Deneb ends up being everyone's favourite sooner or later.

Deneb has a heart of gold.

You are souless to not like Deneb.

Deneb and Beet J Stag would make for a great sitcom. :p

Quit looking into my dreams, Blade Raider. :)