Something I think makes Kenzaki's lack of focus in this stretch of the show a lot more bearable is that, even then, Blade passes the "Why is this multi-Rider show named after this one guy?" test with flying colors. The development he got in those first couple episodes was all about him learning to really step up and do his job as a Rider no matter what, and at this point in the series, he's literally the only Rider who even remotely gives a s*** about doing actual heroic things. Tachibana has been way too wrapped up in "saving" himself, and Hajime barely registers people not named Amane as more than a blip, while also having motives shrouded in mystery.

Blade doesn't have a ton going on at the moment, but I never forget why it's his show. He's essentially holding down the fort right now so the interesting drama with Garren and Chalice can happen. Kenzaki just loves to help out, you know?

Jin's bit never quite worked for me, although I did enjoy Amane just absolutely passive-aggressively (straight-up aggressively?) being absolutely terrible at him while he wasn't doing anything particularly egregious. I do find Jin-as-stand-in-for-humanity to be appropriate in this part of Hajime's arc; that his name is also a homophone for a word that means person or humanity kind of underscores that idea.

To be entirely fair, I like where Hajime's story is going with Jin! I just wasn't crazy about the journey. But you give me new appreciation for the parts that I was less happy with, so :D

I might be wrong on this, but I'm not sure the Undead Scanner has that wide of an angle once it's locked on to an Undead. Since it locked onto Zebra Monster, I'm not sure it could register a different Undead at a different location. It's like, it's focussed on the mall, so it can't see what's going on with Kenzaki and Hajime. Mostly just a theory on how the Undead Scanner works.

The shift from This Is A Very Serious Fight To The Death to Kenzaki asking for a time out is very abrupt, which cracked me up. It gives Kenzaki a more irresponsible vibe, for that moment, which I thought was funny. It also probably threw Chalice off, because I can't imagine any opponent in 10,000 years has asked for a time out. Begged for their lives, sure. But a time out? Probably a new one on him.

I am rooting for the Riders! Maybe Garren finds the strength within himself to triumph, briefly, over a more powerful opponent. Maybe he holds his own long enough for Blade to help out. Maybe the Hayabusa satellite drops from the sky, crushing Trenchcoat Mastermind, and Yuji from Fourze jumps out to give her principal a pep talk. I want to see the heroes find a way to win!

He probably would've loved to get more background from Karasuma, but Karasuma was out of there faster than you can say I Am Only A Guest Star And A Lot Of This Information Won't Be Revealed Until Later In The Series.

Someone else can maybe correct me on this, but I don't think Kotaro knew that Hajime was Chalice. I think it was just Kenzaki who was putting that together.

Sorry to... disappoint? Is that what's happening now? I'm like Hajime right now: I don't understand these emotions!

Oh, for sure. There's a... reliability, maybe, to Kenzaki on the show that allows space for Garren and Chalice to be off on their little journeys. Him going through stuff at the exact same time the other two are going through stuff would be a recipe for disaster.

I'm just a little surprised (not concerned or angry or disappointed or anything) that Blade's less prominent in the plotting this early in the series. It's usually not until the teens where we see the Primary Rider take a step back to fill in the other Riders. Here, it's like the introductory stories are all about the backstory and emotional growth of the secondary Riders. It's an interesting choice!

Yay! I can totally see why Jin might not work for some folks. He is... it is a very specific flavor of comedy that may not be to everyone's liking. I think it ends up working for (right now at least) how miserable Hajime is around him. I think that's just a very cute dynamic.

Karasuma has to go now. His planet needs him.

Be glad, because it means you have good taste.

These early episodes remind me why I was annoyed of this period of the show during my first watch many years ago. The Tachibana arc makes Kenzaki a bystander despite his titular hero status so even if he has his moments to shine it distracts the viewer because so far this show is Kamen Rider Garren pretty much for now. But hey, still love the show. :rock:

Yeah, it's tough to not feel a little put out by how much Kenzaki is playing sidekick to other people's storylines. I think what's in the show is still super solid (the Tachibana stuff has some interesting moves on it; the Chalice stuff is similarly surprising), but it all feels a little early in the run to not feature Kenzaki in a more decisive role.

KAMEN RIDER BLADE EPISODE 11

This time on Kamen Rider Blade: Tachibana is 100% in the pocket of Big Trenchcoat! Hajime and Jin face monsters both literal and paternal! And Blade is trying to get everyone on the same page!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade11a.png
https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade11b.png

Also, hello special guest star Kenzaki From Kuuga! I thought he looked familiar as someone's dad, and I thought he was the dad from Agito, but, nope. He was a father-figure to Godai on Kuuga. One of my favorite characters from that show, and it's cool to see him back on a Kamen Rider. He still has that weird energy, half-judgmental and half-supportive, but it twists up his I Only Want The Best For You vibe into something more stifling. Or maybe Jin is just lashing out? Tough to say. There's some neat levels to the story with Jin and his dad, something that doesn't feel that open-and-shut.

It's a fun story, too, the Hajime and Jin one. It's nice to see Jin more in his element. It's also nice to see Hajime being incrementally won over by humanity, their capacity for expression and their dreams for the future. I'm not sure how much of that he was seeing in a basement apartment beneath a barely-frequented restaurant (it feels like it's a million miles from any traffic), so this friendship with Jin is a real positive.

It's just a sweet story, you know? There's a monster fight, but it feels perfunctory, more a reminder that Chalice is still very into killing Undead than anything that pushes this plot forward. This one's just about Jin having a dream, and Hajime slowly getting into the idea of supporting him.

Hajime... he's a bit like Kenzaki, isn't he? Kenzaki falls into friendships too easy, and so does Hajime. He maybe wouldn't think of it like that, but when he's grown to care for the only three people he's spent any time with, it's hard to deny. He, I'm sure, wouldn't want to be someone so invested in humanity, but him and Kenzaki just can't fight their natures.

Speaking of, pretty good episode for Kenzaki! All it took was moving Tachibana more firmly into the Antagonist column.

Now that Tachibana is working directly for Trenchcoat Mastermind, the show doesn't view him with as much sympathy. He's dangerous, and, while his friends always view him as redeemable, that danger is kept in mind constantly. That means that Blade is allowed the solo Hero role, and he gets to be more present in the storyline. It's no longer Garren Is Doing One Thing And Blade Is Doing Another Thing, it's Garren Is Doing One Thing And Blade Needs To Stop Him. Blade is an active participant in Garren's story now.

Or, honestly, maybe Garren is an active participant in Blade's story now? There's way more time spent with Team Blade (and Dr Ladyfriend) than with Garren. It's a story that's all about how Team Blade is going to deal with the new threat of Garren teamed-up with Trenchcoat. I'm really into that! Kenzaki doesn't... he doesn't really have much in the way of plans or clues, but he's got determination and a Rider Kick. Heroes have gotten by with less than that.

Sort-of a light episode for discussion? I liked it, but there didn't feel like a lot to draw out of this one. The Hajime/Jin stuff was very good, but still sort-of setting up what it's about. The Blade/Garren stuff was also good, but still pretty nascent. It's a real Part 1 episode, I guess. I mean, I'm excited to see Part 2, so I guess that's okay!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade11c.png

Next time on Kamen Rider Blade: Garren and Blade vs an Ace! Dr Ladyfriend in danger again! Boat explosions! Just a billion Undead everywhere, and all three Kamen Riders in action!

Not a fan of the Jin eating scene (the Kurihara family part) personally. Also for Kenzaki being treated like this, it's just because not everyone is dysfunctional like Tachibana or Hajime? (you even said it himself that it's embarassing for Tachibana to be told by Kotaro, something that is given to kids). Kenzaki as shown early, also was displayed about his wreck, but his morality should be used to help out people like Tachibana to be better (or restoring him back to normal).

Lol yeah, in this series, the brooding Kamen Rider was the one that gets his ass kicked all the time, so others need to stop thinking that kind of behavior as strength (and that, at least here, by shedding it, he got to win). Though it feels that Undeads are tough against Riders. Though keep in mind, as you said Kotaro knows Tachibana for thirthy minutes, so Kenzaki and Hirose's opinion on him are more plausible, they seem to think that Tachibana is back to normal. Meanwhile Sayoko takes Kotaro's approach, I mean she knew him for the longest perhaps, and Tachibana is at his best towards her.

I̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶l̶a̶i̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶S̶h̶i̶n̶j̶i̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶t̶r̶u̶l̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶t̶a̶g̶o̶n̶i̶s̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶R̶y̶u̶k̶i̶ ̶d̶e̶s̶p̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶R̶e̶n̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶b̶a̶b̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶u̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶g̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶u̶p̶g̶r̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶f̶i̶r̶s̶t̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶S̶h̶i̶n̶j̶i̶ ̶d̶y̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶.̶.̶.̶ ̶"̶s̶i̶d̶e̶k̶i̶c̶k̶"̶?̶ Hajime is someone that has no clue of his motivation and questions himself constantly as his driving point. He's not human, yet he's genuinely confused of doing humane things, like Amane and probably also here of his interactions with Jin like protecting him before (he also had avoidant thing with Amane too). He questions himself on what family is, after he hears her defend him in front of her uncle. He thinks everyone is his enemy and attacks Blade because of that, but he lets him go. And what's the line between cartoonish or realistic? Because a good number of folks only prefer one while dismissing the other completely.

Yeah, it should've the Riders triumph (and this not being the case of Faiz is likely the reason the ending is considered bad by many), and have them struggle and find a way to win. I too rooting, but... it doesn't mean that suddenly turning the fight around because of plot is a plausible outcome. It's one of people's main complaint of protagonist side, the one famously called "plot armor" (though it can be used as buzzword now), where for almost no logical reason, someone made to win against others, just because of plot. Riders have many forms, and no one had that yet, and here, they're fighting basically the final boss level of an enemy. And for me, rooting aside, I also want the story to play it out consistently, someone had to win/lose based on their established power, not alignment (good shouldn't beat evil because of them being good and uplifting despite the good being weaker unless they gained something to even out, also vice-versa, evil shouldn't beat good just because evil gets you more ahead or something despite the evil being much weaker).

I mean, that's up to each viewer? There's stuff I've thought of as cartoonish that someone else might call grounded. And, even individual characters can have a single trait that's cartoonish or grounded. Like, Tachibana. That's a dude whose cowardice is hilarious and over-the-top in one episode, but heartbreaking and evocative the next.

For me, it's levels. If everyone in a scene is at the same level, intense emotions and extreme reactions are fine. (Like, Kotaro and Kenzaki arguing about Kenzaki withholding the truth about Hajime.) If one person in the scene has a higher energy level than everyone else, it can come off stagey, overdone, cartoonish. Think Tachibana's tantrum when Dr Ladyfriend said his tests were negative.

It... acting is reacting, you know? Two people playing off of each other's performance, it's got a naturalism no matter what the content or tone. One actor just Acting So Hard, it's going to make for a funnier scene than was probably intended.

Yeah, but just saying This Is What Would Happen... that doesn't seem like a fun way to approach action-adventure storytelling? I want to suspend my disbelief. I want to get invested enough in the characters to want them to figure out a way to defeat the most powerful adversaries. I want the writing to surprise me with big turns and smart plans.

It's totally fine that the show didn't do that this time. They've got a plan for Garren, and it's not what I'd expected. But I want their wins to be clever and unexpected, not a foregone conclusion.

Big Post #1 Time!
 

This episode is the first of the series not to be written (or co-written) by Shoji Imai. Instead, it’s written by Jun’ichi Miyashita, who was previously the co-showrunner on Kamen Rider Black, the secondary writer on Kamen Rider Black RX and the co-writer for Shin: Kamen Rider Prologue. Outside of Kamen Rider, he was the head writer for 5 consecutive Metal Heroes shows (Tokusou Exceedraft, Janperson, Blue SWAT, Jukkou Bee Fighter and Bee Fighter Kabuto) and one Super Sentai series (Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger). He’s also the rare Tokusatsu screenwriter to also be a songwriter (list enclosed within).


Let’s Go Rider Kick https://youtu.be/C02iy00hdNw (Shotaro Ishinimori)
People Game https://youtu.be/QK836Ke9fck (Yuya Takahashi)
Kuroi Juujika Black Beet https://youtu.be/r5yUSatfIpM (Jun’ichi Miyashita)
Go Go DenziTiger https://youtu.be/euhAc5OQKuI (Shouzou Uehara)
Karrakishi https://youtu.be/X5OKhzV6dq8 (Kento Shimoyama)
Sing! Swing!! Smoky!!! https://youtu.be/9lqYQLOdDSo (Michiko Yokote)
Aoi Akuma no Hohoemi https://youtu.be/O9uq40shGzk (Naruhisa Arakawa)
Honoo no Condor https://youtu.be/nlJAbngVXeg (Toshiki Inoue)
Yorokobi no Uta https://youtu.be/PvnQx5HsE1c (Riku Sanjo)
Legends https://youtu.be/ITfqVoj3rhI (Shō Aikawa)
Flash! Goggle V https://youtu.be/Eczf8PByx90 (Hirohosa Soda)
Pop Up Night https://youtu.be/Zza1nvtSLuY (Noboru Sugiyama)
PSYMA ~Hakai no Rakuin~ https://youtu.be/WdNVeOcnEqQ (Yasuko Kobayashi)
Mahou no JUMON https://youtu.be/xL9VXKzIfZw (Atsushi Maekawa)
Akuma no Shocker https://youtu.be/VaPOQ6XqSUQ (Masaru Igami)

And now, the Undead Information Kiosk (yes, that’s the name I decided on).

Change Spider.

A Category Ace Undead who belongs to the Club-class Undead. Category Aces are smarter than Category 2-10 Undead, but lack the human forms and speech capabilities of the Royal Class Undead. While unsealed, this one can release golden spiders from itself. Sealed Aces allow for transformation with the Rider system, but improperly sealed Aces could be dangerous.

* Suit: Club
* Category: Ace
* Effect Name: CHANGE
* Card Name: Change Spider (アブソーブ・カプリコーン Chenji Supaidā)
* Consumption Points: +3 (your guess as to what that means is as good as mine)


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20200603052236

Mach Jaguar.

A high speed Undead who mauls his victims to death.

* Suit: Spade
* Category: 9
* Effect Name: MACH
* Card Name: Mach Jaguar (マッハ・ジャガー Mahha Jagā)
* Consumption Points: FP 1600


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20121110111426

Drill Shell.

An Undead with incredible spinning abilities.

* Suit: Heart
* Category: 5
* Effect Name: DRILL
* Card Name: Drill Shell (ドリル・シェル Doriru Sheru)
* Consumption Points: FP 1200

This is probably as good a time as any for me to gush some more about how much I love everything about Blade's aesthetics and gimmicks. I cannot describe the level to which year after recent year of everyone having a million different finishing moves has made me grateful that Blade valued the idea of Riders actually Kicking things so much, even when the main character is literally named after his weapon. Like the prominence of the bikes, and being only the second one to use the name in dialogue, it's one of those things that shows Blade was a lot more openly proud of being a Kamen Rider show than its early Heisei contemporaries, which might be harder to appreciate now.

Faiz had quite the variety of ways to finish off monsters, which was fun too, but in Blade, it's this really consistent routine I just find never gets old. Kenzaki fanning out those trading cards, doing that cool thing where he slams the sword into the ground, the simple little somersault in mid-air. It's all super visually interesting to me, as is the whole idea of throwing trading cards at the monsters with the most satisfying whooshing sound ever instead of them just exploding, which subtly helps give the show a distinct identity.

Indeed. And while Kamen Rider was more of an inclusive term in Ryuki amongst those with the decks, it was definitely more used in Blade as a common jargon for card-flicking armored vigilante/urban legends who fight anthropomorhic zombies and then seal them away.

I love it! And I love all of the info! You've really got your work cut out for you, since we're now getting so many Undead each episode.

The card thing is very cool. I like the idea of a monster having more to offer the narrative than just blowing up real good. Being able to weave the monster's abilities back into the fight scenes at a later date, I really dig that. It's economical, you know? It's using every part of the monster.

The Rider Kick is extra cool because the show takes time to construct it using the tools they've already defined. Blade doesn't just suddenly having a flaming kick that detonates monsters, he uses two cards that give him a flaming kick that detonates monsters. It's built up in the language of the show, and I think that's awesome.

That said! A little mystifying that Blade's finish isn't sword-based? Not saying it'd be better, but... he's a sword guy? And he doesn't use his sword to finish off monsters? Surprising decision for the show to make, is all I'm saying.

Yeah, we've reached the point where If You Wear A Mask And Rider, You Are A Kamen Rider. I think I said earlier in this thread, but I really like how much of a public utility Kamen Riders are treated as on this show. Jin's just like Oh A Kamen Rider, no debilitating confusion or anything.

Kenzaki complaining about how little BOARD pays him for his job of killing monsters and saving the human race is the epitome of this, and will never not be funny to me.

Look, I swear Tachibana forgets he has a gun half the time, so for Kenzaki to actually use his sword is good Rider-ing.

He has to swipe a card to load his gun, which feels like a poor design choice. But, maybe it's more of an operator flaw? (I mean: Tachibana. Yes, of course it's an operator flaw.) He swipes the card only when he's being rushed by a monster, not when he leaps into combat. I'm not sure why you'd only want to load your weapon directly before firing it?

Correction - the gun doesn't need to be swiped to be loaded, which Tachibana only remembers when against his primary opponent - Kenzaki.

Which is what my point was, don't make the good guy winning a foregone conclusion. That sparks ire from many, many audiences all over the internet. Obviously they should figure out a way to defeat them, smart plans etc. (show that competency doesn't always belong to bad guys, I want for audience to realize that memes aside, good guy isn't always masked in plot armor), and that it should surprise. And that time with Tachibana fight, there seem to be no logical way for any Riders to beat Isaka! This part hasn't even reached the Rider's mid season upgrade form yet!

The Kuuga one is Kanzaki! Don't be confused lol, and with the Ryuki ones too (I've seen cases where the ones from Ryuki gets misspelled as Kenzaki). It's understandable though with the main character named that and one word difference. For Jin's dad, he seems to be a parent that forces his kids to follow what he wants, possibly to give himself prestige in community (which would mean being abusive to his child like Jin claims), or that he genuinely thinks what's best for his child, but does so in a tiger parenting method, the "education papa" type. And it's implied that his ways of parenting, or something, kills Jin's brother. Obviously, as a contrast of his role in Kuuga.

Hmm... you say that a humanity and friendship wins Hajime over... but it's revealed here, Jin's inner dark side (possibly from his upbringing), that he's also a misantrophe whose dream is wanting to be independent and away from mankind on the boat he worked hard to get and ready, where Chalice is very into killing Undead. And their dark side (hidden for Jin) was what eventually bonds them over. Though now for Chalice, falling into friendships too easy... but it seems that it's not set in stone, he can reject people that are soft to him like Kenzaki (at first for him).

Hmm.... as the discussion previously was about how Blade's got a sidekick role to Garren, what differentiates in this episode? That you said, Blade needs to stop him and is an active participant in Garren's story, and that Garren's act drives Blade to prominence here to stop him (well, to be fair you also said an opposite possibility, with Garren being a participant in Blade's story now). And for Tachibana... he seems to (understandably) made a terrible decision for himself here. He's told multiple times that his problems are psychological, and it can be solved by conquering his fear. Then he decides he should probably just call it quits as a Rider, but he still can't stick to that.

I don't know if I'd describe Jin as having a dark side, though? I think the joke is how Jin is misinterpreting Hajime's declarations. Like, Hajime says, "I want to destroy everything I see," and Jin's response is, "Yeah! We should tear down systems that don't work, and people should be allowed to follow their dreams with no interference!" Jin thinks Hajime is speaking figuratively, when he he is actually speaking very very literally.

Jin's story right now is that he wants independence from his dad, not from all of society. He wants to perform for people, sing his songs, entertain. Jin is a good guy!

I was trying to phrase it in a way where I'd reconsidered which Rider was supporting which story. It's definitely more of a Blade story this time, since Garren is treated as more of an adversary than before. Previously, he was on his own, confused, defensive. Now he's fighting Blade on behalf of Trenchcoat Mastermind. It's a more clear-cut Hero/Villain delineation than they've used on Tachibana so far.

Yeah, about that. I was expecting a bit more awe and surprise when he says that considering the notion that riders are urban legends within this world. I mean he is witnessing something in the line of chupacabra vs sasquatch and that is all they get? :lolol

I guess it depends on where you are in the city? Like, that rooftop is a Kamen Rider hotspot. Jin's unlucky in that he only saw one Kamen Rider fight in the few minutes he was up there. Maybe Jin's busking is right down the block from Kamen Rider Stadium? Or his boat is parked near that one bridge?

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/...garrendrop.gif

I wish I could explain why this part of the opening fight for Episode 12 makes me laugh so hard... but all I've got is that this part of the opening fight for Episode 12 is making me laugh so hard.

It's one of those rare occasions when the monster is actually smart enough to not just let the hero activate their power-ups.

It's a little bit that (something I'm typing up right this minute!), but some of it's just making Garren look like a butterfingers. There's also a flinch he does right before he drops the card, and it cracks me up.

You think it'd become more popular with the longer times it takes for powers to activate in post decade hesei.

Well, the Phase 2 Heisei monsters also have their social media profiles to contend with, what with the ubiquity of touchscreen cellphones and their corresponding apps. It's tough for Salty to do much about Ex-Aid's Gashat-switching when he's trying to retweet something from Lovelica.

(I may be remembering Ex-Aid incorrectly.)

KAMEN RIDER BLADE EPISODE 12

This time on Kamen Rider Blade: Hajime loses faith in humanity! Tachibana wants that Category Ace at all costs! And there's one cute Kenzaki/Hirose scene!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade12a.png

Hoo boy. Hooooooo boy. We are firmly ensconced in Garren And Chalice Country, population Not Blade.

Aside from saying Tachibana-San about eight billion times this episode (low estimate), there's, like, one fun thing to mention about Kenzaki from this one. After sitting down with Hirose to figure out what Tachibana's up to, namely nabbing an Ace so Trenchcoat Mastermind can build a new Rider, Kenzaki congratulates her for her helpful analysis. In doing so, to show respect, he calls her his Senior. (I know, it's Sempai, but it's easier for me if I do it in English.) She's offended, because she's younger than him. It's a cute little gag that gets a call back when she calls herself his Senior. Just some fun interplay between the only two remaining members of Team Blade.

Like, when even Kotaro bails on your plot for Hajime's, you got real problems. This show's got no interest right now in doing anything more than a token check-in with Kenzaki as far as dialogue scenes go. It's a total, thorough bummer.

And, I mean, I like Garren and Chalice! But they've been hogging the spotlight for well over half this series, and it's getting on my nerves.

Especially because the Garren and Chalice plots are, like, luxuriating in themselves. There isn't much in the way of hustling through the plot so that Blade can get some screentime. They got all the time in the world for these two, and barely a look in for Blade.

It... god. It's so weirdly frustrating.

Anyway, let's not dwell (too much) on what's not here. Let's talk about what is here.

The Chalice stuff is my favorite plot on the show right now. It's all messy contradictions and people lashing out. It's got Hajime as someone searching for happiness in a world where, as Kotaro pointed out, people got plenty of their own baggage to deal with.

There's an element of Hajime's plot where... it's like the show is acknowledging both that Hajime doesn't deserve to be treated poorly (the way the mom he saves is terrified of Chalice, the way Jin kicks him out), while also suggesting that Hajime isn't willing to do the hard work to stay in people's lives. He's so unable to own his loneliness that the second someone pushes him just a little, whether through a desire for honesty (Haruka and Amane) or a selfish cruelty (Jin), he quits. Not with malice, but just as a way of saying that he never belonged there anyway. People caring about him is unnatural, and it ending is natural. Leaving is the appropriate response.

Jin's reactions, and his whole story in this one... I kind-of can't get a handle on it? Basically, everything up until Chalice defeats Mollusk Monster (or whatever), that was all on-point for me. Jin sees Hajime as his friend, as his brother, and he wants him to know that him being a Kamen Rider isn't some big nightmare. It's fine, let's go sailing. But then the boat gets destroyed, and he sees that Hajime isn't human, and he just tears into him. He won't even look at Hajime as he blames him for everything and cuts him out of his life. It's brutal.

I just, I don't get why he did it? I'm not sure if I'm supposed to read it as Jin's inability to face hardship, or something about his dead brother, or some pathological fear of neon blood, or what. He's completely written-off Hajime before he even gets back to the boat. Just, canceled him, entirely. It's a massive turn for Jin, and I'm fumbling to understand why. If this plot made sense to someone, please let me know what you got out of it.

Garren's plot is a lot more of what I was glad last episode skipped over, namely Garren as power-obsessed lackey to Trenchcoat Mastermind. I just don't find that facet of Tachibana terribly interesting? It lacks a specificity to me. It's just him wanting to be more powerful, but not really to accomplish anything for his own sake. Just, more powerful. Even him declaring he'll defeat Blade is like, What? Why does he want to defeat Blade? He's just saying these villainous things now, and I don't get why. If this is how the show wants to play his current motivation, I'm fine keeping his non-fight scenes to a minimum.

Like, we get a scene with Tachibana and Dr Ladyfriend, and it's circling a lot of the same things their last scenes circled. She's worried about him, he's sheepish and evasive, Trenchcoat Mastermind flicks his switch, the end for this week. It's doing something, reinforcing her need to investigate what the hell is (currently) wrong with Tachibana, but as a scene it's not that memorable.

Fight scenes are great this time, though!

The Spider Monster is a lot of fun as a more powerful adversary, mostly because how the show exhibits it is through better choreography. It's not just no-selling or big explosions, it's making Blade and Garren miss, it's keeping them off-balanced, it's waiting to strike and then making the most of the opportunity. He keeps the cards out of their hands, costing them time and throwing off their strategies. And, since Garren's just as busy fighting the Spider Monster as he is fighting Blade, the Riders are just massively outclassed in this one. It's a monster fighting smarter, not harder, and I love it.

Chalice's fight, while not as thrilling, is still entertaining. The Mollusk Monster (?) is too bulky to provide much back-and-forth action, but the scenery is gorgeous (that bridge they fight on!), and I'm always into a Kamen Rider fight scene that goes into the water. Simple pleasures.

Anyway, yeah, the Chalice and Garren show. I like the Chalice part, am ambivalent towards the Garren part right now (gotta show me some more nuanced looks at that guy), and I am dying for more Blade content. Dying.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade12b.png
https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade12c.png

Next time on Kamen Rider Blade: I get to keep on dying, I guess, because it's Chalice vs Garren, with the Category Ace at stake!

You bet he does!

Learning Ondul the Easy WEEEEEEI! (#7)

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

(kategori e-su wa ore no mono da! -> nigorie-suwaorenomonoda!)

Today's lesson is another quickie chronicling Dadi's further descent into madness in episode 12. This is another time the high tension nature of so much of this show's dialogue makes things unclear. Tachibana barely pronounces the ka in kategori audibly, leading to it being misheard as nigori. I think there's a clear element to this line's popularity of how adorable it is that Tachibana is getting so worked up. These characters are just so passionate!

So, one thing that you kinda glossed over that I think is worth noting: I believe this was the first episode where we explicitly see how Hajime de-henshins. Not going to say too much more, but that's definitely a thing to be aware of.

Also, it's good to know that Tokyo is small enough that you can easily find a runaway little girl within a few hours by just riding around on your bike. I'm just going to pretend that someone called up Kotarou, shouted "Kotarou-kun! Amane!" and then hung up, which would naturally be all he needed to pinpoint her exact location.

Maybe all of this meme-worthy marble-mouthed hilarity is just, like, enthusiasm. They don't got time to articulate syllables, Dad! THEY'LL SLUR THEIR WORDS AND BE STARS!

I did notice that! It says Spirit and it's got a picture of a mans! It definitely makes it seem like he's turning into a man, not turning back into a man. Still, I'm sure that'll be elaborated on later.

He was just that desperate to get into a plot that this episode would actually spend time on! Any waiting-for-clues delay in Kotaro's search would've meant another episode in Story Purgatory with Hirose and Kenzaki.

Worked for Marlon Brando.

It very well might be.

One look at Kenzaki is all it takes to see that it is 100% enthusiasm. :lol

I'm glad both that Switchblade mentioned this, and that you already picked up on it anyway. I don't remember really catching on to the significance the first time I watched the show, but in retrospect, I think there's something very neat about them not showing that happening until directly after that scene of Chalice having his hand slapped away by people he was trying to protect. It specifically reminds you how little he fits among humans right before raising a bunch of new questions about what exactly he is at all. Just a cool little bit of structure.

No new Undead today. But I’ll be back with a new one tomorrow.

Also worth mentioning that this is the second episode written by Miyashita. After this episode, Imai comes back and he didn’t ask Miyashita back for more episodes.

The end of the Jin plot is definitely not the highlight of that whole thread, but I think it makes some sense? Like, Jin's whole life has come falling down around him, and he lashes out on the one thing he might have had left - Hajime. And, has this been another show, with another person, he might have had a chance to apologise, to try and repair that bond. But, as you say, Hajime isn't interested. If Jin doesn't want him, well, his attempt at making a friend just failed, away he goes. And Jin never gets the chance. It's sad, but life be like that.

I think there's also something to be said for the show having both Chalice and Hajime get rejected by people. It makes it bigger than just A Scary Masked Rider Is Scary, it makes it a deeper schism. There's a level of rejection here, where there's something innately wrong with Hajime (or humanity!) that can't be obscured by a different face.

Yeah, I can see that. It's... I don't love that as the end of the story? It feels too abrupt, for how much work was done bringing Hajime and Jin together.

Yeah, I'm with you. It's an ending, but it's not the most satisfying one, and I can't tell if that was intentional on the writer's part or not. It's a weird plot beat.

Perform for people, sing his songs, entertain... that's.... like what his father wants Jin to be, and he angrily lashes out that he doesn't want to be that. As for the rest, I'm gonna cover it in my reply to episode 12.

Total bummer for Kenzaki even if you appreciate the scene between him and Hirose that is considered cute? And the spelling is "Senpai", but in Japanese, "n" is pronounced "m" if it comes before a "p".

Well, as what've been displayed previously, Jin has inner (well, probably darkness isn't the right word) dysfunctional part of him. He's a misanthrope, and he has no one to depend to, except Hajime, which is also, someone whose relationship with humans are also like water and oil. His misanthropy is what drives him to be independent, and he also was taking Hajime's declaration literally, in which his way to express that is to get away from mankind by sailing to the sea. And at the end of the episode, Hajime inadvertently shattered his dream by ruining his boat, forcing him to return to his father, likely this being the reason that made him lash out at Hajime. Though he's shown previously that he can be courteous to those that likely doesn't bother him, though it can also be a society pressure to act like that, having no place to express his feelings. I even sometimes feel that way, and wonder if other people that acts normally is actually normal or nice, or they're expected to behave that way by society, but secretly, they have much inner problem, and cope by example like, vent their anger and frustration on internet. Other than that, well, probably now I got to see the consequence of fantasy truth on this series, where usually, it's assured to be fine to tell any crazy things that happen to others, where here, Hajime faces rejection and terror for being a Kamen Rider, from a civilian he saved for example.

Yeah, as I said before, this is far from being a good choice for Tachibana, or even the story itself, YMMV. He's told multiple times, by anyone (friends, girlfriend, mentor) that his problems are psychological, and it can be solved by conquering his fear. Then he decides he should probably just call it quits as a Rider, but he still can't stick to that. And like shown here, he still can't find his courage. Though if I may speculate, at least for Undead part, his fear probably comes from being unable to deal with Undeads, with it actually turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy where he actually gets his ass kicked by them. And with the new, stronger Category Ace, even after his accomplishments to regular Undeads, he probably will be unable to deal with the stronger ones this time, and thus his fear returns.

As the Spider Undead gains upper hand by taking away the card that they're going to slide, what happened to the taken card (esp. if they're damaged by Spider's attafck)? Would they be taken away by the Riders after the fight ends? Would they move into the Deck if the Riders take them again? Would the Deck forms other card, creating 2 of those? Also for the Chalice fight... they're fighting on the water tip right... as they can fight and walk comfortably there.

I think it's actually the opposite? Jin wants to perform for the public, sing his own songs. Jin's dad wants him to produce other people's music. Jin's dad specifically says he doesn't think Jin has what it takes to be an entertainer. That's the main source of their friction.

I did a Google search and it said there wasn't a difference, but okay! This is the main reason I immediately switched to Senior instead!

I think some of Jin's independence is also a desire to prove himself to his dad, is very very clear that he doesn't think Jin has what it takes. I'm not sure he's looking to "get away from mankind" as much as he is prove his dad wrong.

It's normal, probably, to wonder how much people's kindness or politeness is them abiding by societal expectations. I like to assume the best, but it's fair to be skeptical.

I definitely think Kenzaki had to spend a couple minutes after the first fight gathering up dropped cards. Tachibana's probably kicking himself, wishing he hadn't gone for the badass exit, since he'd end up leaving a half-dozen valuable cards behind.

KAMEN RIDER BLADE EPISODE 13

This time on Kamen Rider Blade: Uh, BLADE! Kenzaki is back in the spotlight! The hunt for the Category Ace draws Garren deeper into Trenchcoat Mastermind's web! Hajime has a ways yet to fall, emotionally and literally! A monster says "Leangle" a couple of times! All this, and it's Amane's birthday!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade13a.png

Loved it. Loved. It.

This episode did basically everything right for me, and it moved like a goddamn rocket. Every story felt like it was pulling in the same direction, with Kenzaki and Team Blade directing the narrative. Just a top-flight Blade ep, any way you slice it.

The biggest positive change, for me, is how central Kenzaki feels to the story. He doesn't feel like one of several Riders, he feels like this story's Rider. Tachibana and Hajime, they've got their own perspectives and goals, but those are all supporting Kenzaki's story, and their value is in giving Kenzaki something else to react to.

It's like, I don't need everything to literally be about Kenzaki in this show. I don't need him to be in every scene. I don't need scenes without him in it to be Tachibana or Hajime asking "Where's Blade?" But I need the show to understand that, much like exposition doesn't matter unless the characters are invested in it, the other Riders' stories don't matter unless Kenzaki is affected by them. Hajime having an adventure is cute, but the importance of Hajime is to be in conflict with or in partnership with Kenzaki. That's it. That is the entire point of him. Kenzaki is the hub that every single thing in this show needs to radiate out from and feed back into.

For instance, Hajime's story in this one. It's mostly a continuation of his last few episodes, where he clearly aches to return to Amane and Haruka, but he can't admit it to himself. But the value in this installment is how Kenzaki is distrustful of Hajime, but slowly being won over by sadness he harbors. Kenzaki has his bold I'LL Protect Amane And Haruka thing, but Hajime doesn't rise to the bait. He just slinks off. When Kenzaki sees that, and understands that Hajime is actually hurting over being apart from Amane, it creates space in his mind for empathy, for growth. Similarly, Kenzaki's vow to protect innocent people like Amane and Haruka shakes Hajime out of his brooding and isolation, makes him try to prevent Garren from obtaining the Category Ace. Hajime's story ceases to be a separate thing, and becomes a Blade story.

Tachibana's got the same thing going on. All of the Tachibana stuff in this episode, all of the new information, is framed as a threat that Team Blade has to resolve. It's not about what Tachibana's going to do next, it's about what Team Blade is going to do about Tachibana. It's, again, spinning out from what Kenzaki wants to do, and treating the consequences as a Team Blade responsibility.

(That said, not thrilled with Tachibana's psychological instability and win-at-all-costs rage being because of, basically, prehistoric CBD oil. It's exactly what I was glad the original My Belt Is Killing Me plot avoided, where what's happening to Tachibana ceases to be his responsibility. Like, Trenchcoat Mastermind never gives him a choice, he just abducts Tachibana, juices him up, and then sends him out in the world. There's no informed consent by Tachibana, no personal responsibility. He's just a victim, and I find that a little dull. I mean, it's fine, it makes more sense than him just being a fight-obsessed lunatic all of a sudden, but it doesn't really mean anything, thematically. Not as interesting to me.)

So, yeah, the character balance is dead-on in this episode, and not just for the Riders.

The supporting cast all get little moments to add to the drama, or the humor. Dr Ladyfriend gets to hide her fear in order to try and save Tachibana. (Although, if he left that puzzle piece behind for her, he might be too far gone to be saved!) Kotaro gets to accidentally (?) pine for Hirose, until Kenzaki reunites him with his one true love: dozens of bottles of milk. Amane gets to withstand the rarely-displayed but always-welcome Kenzaki Forgetfulness, where he both forgets about her birthday party and forgets to get her a gift. (That "Next Time" note! It only would've been worse if he'd given her a bottle of milk!)

God, even Trenchcoat Mastermind had some interesting points in this one! Specifically, I'm really intrigued by how... humane he is? He threatens Dr Ladyfriend, when he could've killed her outright. Shit, he barely does more than frighten her! And, when the Category Ace test subjects all come up negative, he tells the scientist to wipe their memories and set them free. Like, he tosses them back. What mad scientist/immortal monster has ever been this decent?! It's really fascinating to me. I'm super curious about what this dude's deal is, what he's after, and why he's been so keen to avoid needless bloodshed.

Also, a pretty dynamic episode, effects-wise. Some new effects for when Garren and Blade use three cards to do a finisher now. I really like the beginning portion of that new sequence. I like the zoom-in on the cards, how the monsters animate. The way the Riders are framed with three cards lined up behind them, that looks appropriately heroic. It feels like a finishing move, you know? There's a finality to it that makes Blade and Garren feel more powerful.

The actual moves... not as into Garren's (he duplicates and one of the dupes gets a Rider Kick in on the opponent), but I love the lit-up spade in Blade's bootprint. Love it. The missing component of a very cool Rider Kick.

This episode was a blast. The fights were great (Chalice versus Blade did not disappoint), everyone had something to do, and it really felt like an episode of Kamen Rider Blade again. Very into this show!

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/blade/blade13b.png

Next time on Kamen Rider Blade: Amane and Haruka at the mercy of Spider Monster! Dr Ladyfriend tries to appeal to Tachibana's humanity for the eleven-hundredth time! Garren faces Trenchcoat Mastermind! And Blade shouts TACHIBANA-SAN and then gets hit by Garren! The golden age of Blade is back!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlMwmFCFpU I can now post this here If I haven't already(and we STILL haven't gotten to the most memed scene in the show)

Fun! Thank you!