Oh, it's definatly that they only ended up enabeling him in that aspect, but given who these two, especially Geiz, are as people, it makes totall sense for them to do that. Will probably go a good bit more indepth for Geiz once the first arc finishes by just reposting an old comment I made during the run of the show of how I interpret Geiz and why I think he is such a fantastic character.

Oh, just remebered. The hiding under the blanket thing? Ripped straight out of a Wizard episode, even in an hospital I think. Love details like those!

Regarding let Tsukuyomi getting hurt and Tsukuyomi being time mom, it'd be Tsukuyomi's own action to willingly to step up to the plate when needed. She tried to stop the Another Wizard herself when needed. For now she felt like Yuri/Megumi from Kiva fighting wise, someone equipped with weapons but normal human albeit a competent fighter thus still won't do something worthwhile to MOTWs. It being Sougo's fault is more of Geiz' hatred of him, albeit understandable but it had reached irrational territory. It's like that for now he's the Narutaki of Zi-O ("for now", further talk about this would be spoiler).

Woz is a helpful fan to Sougo, but he would be at odds to Geiz and Tsukuyomi's goals. The setting being about someone who's a cheerful hero in present time but tyrannical villain in the future creates a quite interesting premise that various people of different alignment can "flock" around Sougo, like how Woz is a villain for now but he's a constant help to the protagonist due to him trying to groom said tyrannical villain. But being a villain would make him an enemy to other major casts like Geiz and Tsukuyomi. Woz is affable to people like Geiz though, albeit in troll-ish way.

It's a story about adding Sougo's depth, in his surprisingly manipulative and cunning side.

Yeah, this was the capabilities of Sougo I talked about before. Despite his apparent outwardly stupidity and delusion. Sougo. Is. a. Cunning. Manipulator. This is what both anniversary Riders have in common, what Sougo is similar with Tsukasa. Sougo can control other's actions to benefit him (or just everyone in general, for what he thinks as the best outcome), like here, he uses Woz' vow to help him to goad him into giving him the explanations as well as Geiz's black and white worldview to do his bid by inadvertently making himself seek more power.

This is quite a nice reversal of usual stereotype that someone who's em-pathetic and puppy dog like Sougo is usually portrayed as the one that is easily manipulated, and that someone morally questionable like Geiz is portrayed as the one that is more sensible and mature. But for this series, it's not only that Sougo's kindness isn't weakness, but it's Geiz who is the one easily manipulated (by Sougo here) exactly due to his black and white mentality. Being someone fueled by hate and pragmatism can have them being easily manipulated too, not only the one who is empathetic and kind. Unfortunately, this competence of Sougo would convince Geiz more that he's a threat.

I guess they want to make both primary and secondary Riders fight threats at once, but though there's time paradox established, I don't quite understand of fighting 2 versions of Another Rider in past and future or... Geiz being the one assigned to fight in the past while Sougo's in present. It's not like for the series premise, there are people dealing with Sougo in the past and the Ohma Zi-O in 2068. It's only in the past one with both Geiz and Tsukuyomi time travelling. You said there about Hayase protecting the people he cared about. But "he cared about" is really literal here as people he doesn't care about? Just a stepping stone like before. Unless you mean overlooked rage as him attacking Kaori too. It can hurt (though how you convey it can help like being a creep or not), but for love lessons here, telling your love interest your actual feelings can create a better outcome that even if they got rejected, they won't be left hanging or led into eventual dangerous scenario like Hayase's futility of his actions up until now regarding the stage.

You mean this bit from episode 39?

https://i.imgur.com/Fw27DBP.png
https://i.imgur.com/JAI0i9p.png
https://i.imgur.com/82cPQKc.png

Sougo should definitely be modeling his heroic entrances off of Haruto, because nobody makes heroic entrances as well as he does. Dude is just the coolest, what can I say?

It's really funny that they ended up making the abrasive, grim executioner the secret POV for the audience. Bold move! Definitely helped with the reveal, though.

Yeah, that's my preference, too. I'm more into stories that are Let's Fix This Problem instead of Let's Detonate This Monster. It allows for more thoughtful, empathetic storytelling. It's holistic, rather than hostile, which I appreciate.

It's also more complicated to do, so I'm always grateful when a show makes it a core part of their storytelling. It's easy to do (and I love this show, but) Agito-style storytelling, where a monster shows up to murder people, and the heroes have to deduce the pattern in time to save at least one victim. It's more compelling to do a story where terms like Victim and Monster don't land where you think, or are even synonymous. It just creates more diverse, ambiguous stories, which is a positive thing to do.

I just took it as these .5 episodes having a budget of Whatever Cash Is In The Producer's Wallet That Day. Even paying to get the suit actor on set, dressing him up, doing the VFX... that's not what these bonus episodes are equipped to do! They probably shot this whole thing in about forty minutes, while they were rigging up the fight scene from Episode 8.

Ha ha, good catch!

I think it's more that he's become a cunning manipulator, not that he always was. We've started a journey with Sougo, and that journey has already helped him feel more confident in pursuing his dream. Previously, he was content to just assume he'd be a king someday, and it's dopey and worrisome. But now that he's fought and struggled and overcome adversity -- thanks to going on Time Missions, a thing he probably would've never done without Geiz and Tsukuyomi showing up in 2018 -- he's a more capable person than he used to be.

Like, I think it's important to acknowledge that Geiz and Tsukuyomi are helping to turn Sougo into (maybe!) Oma Zi-O, which is the nicely ironic twist at the end of Episode 8.

This discussion got me interested so I'm going to take a look at all the Rider series that I know enough about to anaylze and look at the types of monsters. I will be nonspecific as not to spoil any series where it either changes or isn't what it first appears to be.

So I will divide them into 3 categories.

1. Monsters. They are monsters full stop. Their only purpose is to die.
2. Former People. They were people. They are now monsters. See above.
3. People. They are people who can transform into monsters. They can be turned back into people again and saved.

Some shows use multiple types, so I will have them under both their indivual categories and their own. That's why the math won't work quite right.

I will use the 20 Hesei and 3 Reiwa shows, as well as the original Kamen Rider. I don't know enough about the rest to put them into categories. I won't include Amazons. I also didn't bother with Decade, since he just borrows from other shows.

So the totals are:

Monsters: 14
Former People: 6
People: 10

Mixed: 6

Some interesting things, of the ones I know, the People category has only appeared since Neo Hesei and is the most common one after that point, with 10 out of 13 shows using it. Before that, the Monster category was overwhelmingly the most common.

There's also an interesting trend for Reiwa shows that I will put in spoilers since in ever case this is not immediately shown.

All of them have been a mix of at least 2 types, accounting for half of the mixed ones total.

Yeah, noticed that on a rewatch of Wizard for one of my fanfics. I wanted to do a crossover with Wizard and I thought "Hey, you know how I could write Haruto properly? Just rewatch all 53 episodes of Wizard! That will be a good timeinvestment for using him in 6 chapters!" Which I did xD Sometimes I think I just have too much time on my hand :D But hey, it amde me notice this one detail! Clearly worth it!

I actually dissagree. Sougo was always someone who just gets people and what they will do. His speach about how Sento would always become Build, no matter what is probably the first big indicator of that. Sending Geiz to fight Another Faiz because he knows that it will help him get closer to him is another. He just pushes people in the direction he wants them to be.

He however has far more of a drive than in episode 1 that pushes him to do it more often. I'd say it's just something that with his current situation is gonna happen more often simply because he fights to save people from themself now.

This was very interesting! Thanks for doing the research! Sougo would respect your dedication to Kamen Rider history. You can be his official statistician in his empire!

The Sento thing, I don't know. That just came off as wishful thinking to me; less Sougo innately understanding people, and more of his constant optimism.

But for the rest, I think I meant it more that he's unlocking something within himself as a result of his journey, not that he's learning new skills or habits. He could've been this guy five years ago, if only the Time Orphans had shown up then. A lot of the series is (like most time travel stories) wrapped up in questions of destiny, and Sougo's increasing confidence and strategizing is maybe not as inevitable as Woz might suggest.

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 9 - “GENM MASTER 2016”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio9a.png

I think this is the first episode to really interrogate the idea of a Good Despot, and it made for one of the better uses of that part of Sougo’s character.

It’s an intensely stupid idea, a Good Despot. It’s insane that Sougo, a student of history, should look at centuries of bloodshed and subjugation and go But Maybe They Meant Well. It’s making a case for fascism, for authoritarianism: that One Good Person should be in charge of everything, forever, and we’ll all be better off for it.

But this episode starts to explain how Sougo could be deluded enough to think that it’s super neat to secede from Japan and declare yourself sovereign ruler of your own breakaway republic -slash- mansion. It’s because he’s literally too sweet to see the bad in people.

Much like last episode took the Hero’s Journey part of a Kamen Rider series – the whole Making Friends and Finding Collectibles part – and turned it towards an intensely foreboding future, this one starts to look at the downside of boundless enthusiasm and limitless empathy. Sougo can’t conceive of anyone having the power and authority of a king, but not using it to make everyone’s lives better. It literally doesn’t occur to him. The fact that people could be hurt by it, or that the person in charge could choose to hurt people… that’s the most absurd thing in this story to Sougo.

But he also knows that, unfortunately, he could become that guy. Geiz tells him repeatedly that Oma Zi-O is a merciless tyrant, and Geiz is not one to exaggerate for dramatic effect. He can’t understand that motivation of his future self. He reads about Nobunaga – whose last name might as well be Ambition – and only sees the positive outcome, not the compromises made along the way. He needs to know why someone would choose to use their authority and power for negative reasons.

Enter Kuroto.

He’s a brilliant choice, for no other reason than he is so OBVIOUSLY a megalomaniac that it, at first, makes Sougo seem even more obtuse than normal. This isn’t someone who seems nice, and Sougo fell for the ruse. This is a dude who cackles maniacally and imprisons dissenters. This is someone who beats women that he plans to force into marriage. He’s a villain, and the most unsubtle one imaginable.

Which makes him the perfect person for Sougo to study under. Sougo needs to see what not to do, and Kuroto is the most blatant What Not To Do character in maybe all of Heisei. Working alongside a Bad Despot, even briefly, is a way for Sougo to understand where he might go wrong, where he could lose the empathy that he thinks could be what keeps him from becoming Oma Zi-O.

It’s a crazy plan, of course. It’s Sougo thinking the ends justifying the means, just like Geiz was afraid of. I imagine Sougo is biding his time before betraying Kuroto (just like in the Nobunaga anecdote), but in the meantime, people are being hurt.

Just like last time, we’re in a very nebulous space for Sougo’s character. On the one hand, he’s all smiles, every single scene. He’s confident that he knows what he’s doing, and that what he’s doing is right. But he’s also cozying up to a lunatic, and battling his teammates. He’s so sure that he’s right, that he doesn’t seem too broken up about injuring the people who’d stand against him.

This show’s doing some really smart work adding depth and shading to one of its most tricky character choices, and I’m incredibly excited to see how Sougo continues to evolve. Or, uh, maybe devolve?

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio9b.png

—

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O COMPLEMENTATION PROJECT EPISODE 9.5 - “KINGS, GODS, AND EXECUTIVES”

We’re at near Peak Kuroto in this short. (It’s a bit less than the main episode, where he’s clearly like Kuroto + Desire = Way More Cackling.) He’s not a character you really interact with, this version. He’s a character you withstand. Woz and Sougo do a decent job of existing in a scene with so much charisma!

And it’s a funny little short. Woz and Sougo are both goofing around a bit here (there’s a Woz ad-lib that causes Sougo to break character for a second), and I’m always a fan of these shows trying to sell merchandise directly. I can spend a page talking about the thematic resonance or intriguing character arc of an episode, but let’s never forget that these shows exist To Sell Toys.

Solid short, because of – not in spite of – its blatant plugs for toys.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/ziocp9a.png

Okay, now this pair of episodes! This pair of episodes were the ones where I felt Zi-O was finally confident enough to actually started messing with the Legend aspect of the formula. Even if it is like, a big promotional campaign, what with them bringing in the Genm Ridewatch, them introducing a Legend Rider of sorts as Another OOO is an interesting thing that I found pretty cool and unexpected.

I know there are people who don't like this set of episodes, mostly because of the way Sougo acts in them but I just found them a great time. I mean I already liked OOO, and Genm's one of the Riders I like to see pop up time and time again. So sure, let's mix the two! Not to mention we continue to go into more interesting places with Sougo's character even if the decisions he makes... aren't exactly the most solid.

Another OOO is also a design that makes me enjoy it. I think what helps is the designer in this particular case was the one who worked on the Greeed's and Yummy's, so you can definitely tell there's some influence from OOO here more than the other ones. And the plating on Another OOO's back too is a genius touch I love. Because it's clear what time OOO is based on, we all know that. These kids don't know that, and them thinking the crack on the 0 makes it a 6 is kind of genius.

Anyway, we're still in a two for one in regards to BGM Swaps this set. But unlike the last one that just had Genm's OST, this time the Youtuber decided to add in Genm's actual Insert Theme for the swap.

Zero's Legend Episode Previews Corner - EP 10 Preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x61h6C3pp2Q

Y’know tying the theme of ambition with Nobunaga, OOO and Kuroto Dan is one of ZI-O smartest writing decision. It so fun to see Dan chew the scenery as guest character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyJVgwKu2yo
Speaking of Genm notice in the fight when Geis uses that form for a finisher there was no sound made when he clicked on the Riderwatch. Well that because the Watch wasn’t DX and made no sounds.

And while talking about toys obviously Genm Armor is a repaint of the Ex-Aid Armor and that got a S.H Figuart made where Ex-Aid Armor didn’t lol. This is especially hilarious later down on the road I’ll explain why

I definitely feel like I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. This was maybe not a good episode (I for sure wouldn't push back too hard on anyone who thought Sougo's actions were too oblivious), but I want to think the show is going somewhere with this plot. I'm totally prepared for Episode 10 to make me regret putting my faith in Sougo Tokiwa: Tyrant Intern as a storyline.

The only problem I have with Another OOO is that it looks a little too much like Super TaToBa to me? It's hard to find a new take on Plussed Out OOO when the movies already got there.

Otherwise, I think it's a neat suit!

It is! And, hey, Nobunaga was also an OOO character!

Leveling up to Episode 9! (Just finished the OOO v-cin but can't even think of a good OOO pun, maybe next time.)

There's a lot of things about my first watch that are too fuzzy to properly recall, or things I straight up forgot. But I do remember one thing!

I despised this set of episodes from the bottom of my core.

(Unfortunately, we'll have to save why I didn't like them for next episode!)

But now that I'm re-watching, this is literally the perfect episode to follow up the last one? After witnessing Sougo as a leader, its time to place him alongside a awful leader and see what just might happen!

-Feel really bad for Geiz in this situation, if you think about this episode from his perspective? He got to see a glimpse of Sougo's (terrifying) potential as leader, and now he's join some madman's side! He's been taking this kid too lightly, and here come the consequences! At least it's now the moment he's been preparing for! But.....he got totally wiped out?! Even if the other side of this tunnel is Sougo cheerfully describing how he was planning to betray Kuroto all along, the fact that Geiz could barely land on stratch on Zi-O, much less actually kill him, is going to burn itself into the back of his skull. Looking forward to what happens next.

-Hina!!!!! Eiji!!!! ..........And Kuroto's here too i guess. Like you said, Kuroto's existence in this plot is perfect. Having our Legend Rider actually be the Another Rider is such a good move, especially with someone like Kuroto. I'm going to have to save Eiji/Hina for next episode, but can I just say? That red feather pin is killing me. I wonder Ankh and friends are still sleeping in that coffin in this revised timeline,,

One of the best things these last couple episodes have done is switch Geiz from some zero-tolerance bully into a tragic figure. Like, he maybe should've killed Sougo when he had the chance! Now Sougo's too powerful to defeat, and well on his way to being Oma Zi-O. Most shows would've had Geiz staunchly defend Sougo's kind nature and limitless empathy, but this one's like Well Actually...

Was not expecting to see Hina in this story! Eiji's not too hard to believe (he'd just shown up in the prior year's Winter Movie), but Hina! Hina, who we haven't seen in, like, five years! Very cool addition to this story, even if she doesn't end up lifting a sturdy bench and breaking it over Kuroto's head.

Bringing Kuroto back as a king replacement candidate and Another Rider is just genius. Dude can chew up the scenery like no one else.

That alone makes this two-parter fun. And as you said, it fits in with the story and Sogo's development way more of a threat than he first seems to be.

Today's English cover is brought to you by someone that has apparently never done any other Kamen Rider covers before or since. I like showcasing a variety of talents here, so I was glad to find this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6szD...K0TjZo&index=6

The one where Geiz gets a rank up from Knight to Baron.

Anyway, it’s time for…

Ridewatch Playlist: Buy Now for a Free Genm Watch Mix

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hrP4M4VlbBw

“The medal combo is Hawk, Tiger, Hopper. The animal powered Rider is… OOO”

And this will be the first mix without the theme song from the show in there somewhere (because I don’t like it and I know you don’t either). So the representing song for TaToBa is Regret Nothing -Tighten Up- https://youtube.com/watch?v=n-fcfmS5Jyw

“Blazing crimson wings. The burning OOO, Tajadol Combo”

And the song choice here is obvious: Time Judged All https://youtube.com/watch?v=WAd2NOTeMdk

“The dinosaur’s power now awakens. Rampage with the strongest power. The strongest OOO, Putotyra Combo”

And this form’s song is just as obvious: Power to Tearer https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZHsaKZzJhUI

“Fighting with the power of Cell Medals, the mechanical Rider is Birth”

And the song for this guy is Reverse/Re:birth https://youtube.com/watch?v=OgQMm4UZZGk

And, for something different this time, I’m giving a song to Another OOO. Don’t expect this to be a regular thing, the only Another Riders I have songs picked out for are the ones for Ryuki, Kabuto, Kiva, Decade, Drive, Shinobi and Kikai. And I’ll start by sharing that one watch I didn’t share during the Ex-Aid mix, the third winner of the poll from that series.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6elOuV8cz68

“Revived by the power of Dangerous Zombie. Genm Zombie Gamer”

And the song for this form is Wish in the Dark (ironically, performed by Masamune’s actor) https://youtube.com/watch?v=qrzJcLGdcRk

And talking of the poll, here’s OOO’s candidates. No winners this time either.

Kamen Rider OOO (Gatakiriba Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Latorartar Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Sagohzo Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Shauta Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Tamashii Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Burakawani Combo)
Kamen Rider OOO (Super Tatoba Combo)
Kamen Rider Birth Day
Kamen Rider Proto Birth
Kamen Rider Aqua
Kamen Rider Poseidon
Kamen Rider Core

And now for the compare and contrast. Eiji is a man with no desire who gained one through becoming OOO and cutting his abusive father out of his life. KurotOh on the other hand started with an ambitious desire (to raise the dead) which becoming Another OOO made him forget about. And he dealt with his controlling father by murdering him and seizing everything he owned.

They really didn't need to bring in Dan Kuroto for this, but I'm not complaining, since he is one of the greatest Kamen Rider characters of all time.

Now, I pondered how exactly I should put this, since I worry people might take me the wrong way here, but I've always interpreted Sougo's Nobunaga idolization moment as "People shouldn't be remembered only for the bad in their life." Now Sougo's image of Nobunaga is that, in a way, he brought together a war-torn country (or at least tried to), and that's the image he latches on to. I don't want to remain on this topic for too long, so I'll just leave a quote from Kamen Rider W to end this note: "Nobody's Perfect."

The appearance of Dan (The Man) Kuroto (King), demonstrates the twisted version of King Sougo admires, or the "bad" qualities of his idol, which I think is a fitting way to use this theme here. However, this is an OOO tribute, so it's a little odd why they picked a character from Ex-Aid to represent the villain, when as far as I can remember, greed was not exactly a quality for Dan. Again, I'm all for some more Godly Gamer, but it's still interesting they went this route.

Another OOO Time Stamp looking like a 2018 instead of a 2010 is a nice subversion of expectations, which probably answers my question from before, but this is where they start to break their own rules. Since Ex-Aid lost his powers, which in turn erased the Gamer Riders (Kamen Gamers if you will), meaning there shouldn't be a Genm Ridewatch. As I'm writing this, I realize this is the perfect excuse for Kuroto to fit into the story if Ex-Aid didn't happen, so maybe I'm just chasing my own tail here.

But anyway, it's great to see Hina and Eiji again (even if I didn't watch OOO until after Zi-O was already finished), meaning I should get around to that 10th Anniversary Special.

He's really something else. This version of Kuroto is way more in the front of my mind, so I remember being a little weirded out watching Helpful CEO Dan Kuroto in the Ex-Aid/Ghost movie. It's hard to believe he wasn't always a dude who threw his back and laughed maniacally during speeches?

(I also really appreciated that Another KurotOOO still thought Zombie motifs were super cool and totally regal.)

Man, don't put words in my mouth! You're gonna get me in trouble! Folks really love that song!

It's not my fave (I mean, ska), but I like it okay. It's very upbeat, very exciting. I probably like it more than half of the Phase 1 theme songs, at least.

I think that's okay to point out? I'm pretty sure the show is saying History Is Messy, even if Sougo isn't saying that. Sougo's a very sweet boy who is certain that you can obtain rulership through power, but then only use that power for good reasons. Geiz, who's a bit of a history buff himself, is aware that being a warlord and taking control of a territory usually means people got killed. That's the conflict in this story, so far.

That's how I took it: that Kuroto is free to change because Ex-Aid's already been erased.

The combination of both the screencap and your avatar makes for an amazing reaction. Thank you.

Well, I mean...

The way that Haruto and Shunpei bounce off one another is always fantastic. Their dynamic is great and really helps the comedic bits of Wizard as a whole, ontop of showing how the two grow a close bond over the course of the season. The trio of Haruto/Shunpei/Rinko is probably one of my favorites in the franchise. Made Beast feel totally redundant to me.

As for Onari, well, he was just kinda there for me. I got a few laughs out of him, and never really found him annoying like alot of other viewers seem to. Not bad, but not anything super notable to me either.

Mei from Gaim? Haven't seen that one yet, but I look forward to her!

You get it! I agree on those being some of the best moments too. Was legit grinning ear to ear the entire time I was making those gifs, haha.

No, Mei from Saber.

(Fish Sandwich also watched Kamen Rider Zi-O - EP09)

I feel like I was a bit unnecessarily hard on this one at the time. Like, I guess I was just particularly burned out on Genm back then or something. I imagine this is another early Zi-O episode I'd only enjoy more on a rewatch.

Looking back, I also genuinely appreciate how out there the premise of Sougo apprenticing himself to an egomaniac is? There's something I've come to very consciously value about Rider shows over the years, and it's basically whenever I can see the show going "what's something only this particular show could do?" This is a story that makes Sougo look completely insane to a degree that risks feeling like a bit of a stretch, but at the same time, the fact that you can stretch Sougo's character that far to begin with is a testament to what makes him stand out as a protagonist.

Shunpei is one worst side characters in the entire franchise along with Onari.
That man boy shtick pissed me off.

I think the thing that makes it especially weird is that, for a concept this ludicrous, you'd usually apply it to a supporting cast member. A story where the hero is like I'm Going To Try Being A Henchman For The Week -- regardless of the motivation -- is maybe something you'd do with a Kagami from Kabuto, or a Mutsuki from Blade. It's not normally the sort of story you run your title character through?

...because you normally make your title character the head villain, not the henchman.

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 10 - “HAWK, TIGER, AND GRASSHOPPER 2010”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio10a.png
https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio10b.png
https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio10c.png

I sort of saw what Sougo was going for last episode, so this one didn’t surprise me a lot with its motivations or reveals. He wants to learn what not to do as an overlord, so he decides to spend time with Kuroto. The surprises were in how they’d walk back some of Sougo’s more villainous activities, and how the Time Orphans would forgive him.

I was definitely surprised by how bad the answers were?

Like, last episode let everyone see that Sougo’s goal-oriented mindset is maybe more immediately problematic than everyone feared. Geiz and Tsukuyomi thought they had a lot of time before there’d be any warning signs that Sougo might be on the wrong path; they were not expecting it to be in the fifth story of the season. Sougo was acting as the (hilariously) cheerful henchman to a (hilariously) bombastic villain, and real people were getting hurt. This isn’t just something Sougo could say My Bad to, and it wasn’t something that Tsukuyomi and Geiz could just overlook.

So, naturally, Sougo says My Bad, and the Time Orphans overlook it.

I wouldn’t say it squanders the intriguing character work of the previous episode, because Sougo’s explanations have such specificity and flavor to them that it’s hard to call this chapter a failure. His definition of Good Despot as someone who’s, like, an elected king (ridiculous!) is a little bit more reasonable than some warlord who everyone likes. He’s talking about the Magna Carta, but for Kamen Riders who control time and space. The idea that he’ll know he’s being a good person as long as he can take criticism and guidance is a pretty neat one. It’s a way of talking about history as something that doesn’t have a static value, but becomes good or bad based on people’s insights. That’s a nicely thematic way of framing things for Sougo.

(If anything, I think Eiji’s role as Man Of The People is more crucial to his role in this story than the OOO catchphrases or whatever. The thing that Sougo’s talking about being, a kind leader who serves at his subjects' request… that’s an elected official! That’s someone in representative government! Just run for office, kid!)

But the details of this episode are DUMB. They’re so dumb! The big two problems are in Sougo’s defense, and the Time Orphans’ forgiveness.

Sougo commits a whole bunch of terrible acts in the past two episodes – injuring Geiz, assisting a man who is turning innocents into monsters, imprisoning dissenters – and yet he keeps assuring his friends that he hasn’t done anything wrong yet. HE HAS! HE COMPLETELY HAS! We’re well past some hypothetical moment where Sougo could possibly maybe do horrible things in pursuit of his goals. He did them! Last episode! And he doesn’t really seem to think they’re worth more than a Mea Culpa! We don’t get some huge realization that he’s in over his head, or a stern rebuke from any of the other/actual good guys in the story. He’s just like Changed My Mind, and smiles his way through everyone’s incredulity.

And that incredulity is frustratingly short-lived, especially in Tsukuyomi and Geiz. They’re both acutely aware of Sougo’s possibly villainous future, but they seem to think this brief moment of adjacent villainy was some weird bump in the road… while we’ve been told from Episode 1 that it’s the path they’re most afraid he’ll take. I don’t – for a single second – understand why this wouldn’t be the breaking point for the two of them. I get why Sougo would behave the way he does, mostly, but I don’t understand why Tsukuyomi and Geiz would think he’s worthy of another chance.

It makes for an episode that has a few really fantastic scenes (Sougo’s speech at the end to Kuroto; Sougo excitedly running to meet Geiz so Geiz can kill him; Hina using her super-strength multiple times, just for me), but makes its characters view really big moments as small, insignificant blips. I liked the way it expanded Sougo’s character, but I wish it didn’t come at the expense of the Time Orphans’ believability.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/zio10d.png

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KAMEN RIDER ZI-O COMPLEMENTATION PROJECT EPISODE 10.5 - “MOURI VS SHIMOYAMA”

Ha ha ha, MAN, I was apparently not the only one who thought this story didn’t work out great for the series-long arcs of its characters!

This one basically goes It Was A Guest-Writer, and just throws that dude under the bus. I was, weirdly, kinder to the last two episodes than the cast and crew of this .5 episode? I thought it had some interesting moves for Sougo’s character, with a troubling lack of repercussions, but this short starts with Sougo going Why Did I Do Any Of That. That is… man! Cold blooded!

I mean, not totally out of hand, though? If it’s by a guest-writer, I can see him not totally getting the boundaries of Team Zi-O. He gets Sougo pretty right by the end, but Sougo interning for a warlord should probably have been a red line for the Time Orphans. Things get a little too zany, and it hurts me to say that.

I may not’ve loved all of Episode 10, but I appreciate 10.5’s honesty.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/zio/ziocp10a.png

Also! Episode 10 had maybe my favorite Legend Rider appearance to date:

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/...tooolegend.png

Watching this episode with a friend who's seen seasons I haven't has been a great time so far, as it helped to highlight things that I'd obviously miss out on. For example, having Dan be Another OOO is surprisingly smart, as from what I gather Dan is basically the exact opposite to Eiji in just about every regard. Add onto that the cool fights, the raised stakes due to Geiz and Tsukuyomi delaying their mission, and the far better justification of our main character's' actions(and the casts reactions thereof) than what Decade ever did made for a great time.

Oh right, speaking of which, there was one other thing I was happy to see, even if it did end up being minimal.

https://i.imgur.com/3GN2z93.png

Eiji Hino, or as my friend likes to call him sometimes, Hobo Rider.

Eiji is one of the few main protagonists in this franchise who ended up being my favorite character of the season they came from. While I found the overall plot of OOO to be rather dumb, his personal journey alongside the rest of the cast of OOO(Ankh, Hina, Goto, etc), swiftly made OOO my second-favorite season the moment it ended, only bolstered by every extra bit of OOO content I've seen being something I've really enjoyed, these Zi-O episodes included.

(I also ended up relating to him far more than what I probably should)

And on a personal note, OOO deciding to highlight the beauty in just how deep platonic relationships can go is also something I'll always appreciate, and is why I feel the relationship between Eiji and Ankh continues to be THE big thing alot of people remember about the season. And it's all the better that way, I think.

The .5 makes it sound like this episode was such a wacky diversion from the norm so far, but it just seemed like the usual to me! But if someone thought that maybe the characters were possibly out-of-character, maybe like, bring that up to the writer to do something about it, instead of noting it down for skit material??

Anyway, I want to just mention the designs of the suits again since the OOO Armour reminded me just how silly (I mean that affectionately) the whole incorporation of the words are. Like all the suits and weapons and their feet have these handy labels on them, and just imagine how much stupider they all look if Japanese was your native language. Or rather, imagine if on their faces and weapons and everything were English words in a bold, upper-case, wacky font.

Also yeah, it was mentioned already but I have a grudge against the Genm Armour because it was the only of his armour times they made a SHFiguart of. Ghost Armour would been ideal but I would have taken Ex-Aid, or even Geiz's own version of Build.

I want to note that Nobuhiro Mouri is less of a guest writer and more or less secondary writer filling in for our main writer several areas of the show. And this is his first outing I feel like he gets better eith understading the cast dynamic as the show goes along and by the end I'd even conisder the guy one of favorite writer for Kamen Rider.

I'd also like the fact that Geiz goes away after this which does set up some consequence for Sougo actions and what happens next.

And the fact that Eiji has a red feather and a Tajador Watch with him break my heart man. In general I think Diet!Eiji maybe favaorite time altered Legend becuase it shows that the people have done their homework Eiji flashback, to his background as his parents are acrual politician in a timeline where he never becomes OOO this is something I can see him doing.

Amazingly we don't have to, as someone else was way ahead of you on that :lol:

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca88...Pf8f8TeMHOL2sI

He's a good counterpoint in this story, for sure. Kuroto's a guy who wants the entire world, and Eiji's a guy who needs the absolute minimum. Eiji reaches out to everyone to pull them up, and Kuroto wants people beneath him. Eiji's all selflessness, Kuroto's all selfishness. They do mirror each other pretty well here.

The words on the chest of the OOO Armor are weird, but I think the funniest touch is the sideways tiger for the torso? It's a very Cheap Toy aesthetic, which I find hilarious. Everything about the Armor Time gimmick feels geared towards incredibly basic toys, and that's fun.

He does, but it mostly plays like Geiz is running away from home because he's conflicted about his feelings for Sougo. Like, dude is muttering to himself that he is DEFINITELY not Sougo's friend, which... I don't know if it plays so much like Sougo ruined things. Feels like a different vibe!

(Fish Sandwich also watched Kamen Rider Zi-O - EP10)

I don't have as much of a problem with how this episode wraps up this story as Die did. As my post from when it was new can attest to, I was more pleasantly surprised to see Geiz didn't just brush it off at the end than I was upset that was all that happened. Like, it goes back to not being that impressed by the first half, I guess, but I was entirely prepared for this plot to just have some insanely dumb and contrived way to get things back to the status quo, and it was actually really, really cool to have the show's dynamic thrown off like this.

Shirakura sure had his fun roasting the storytelling decisions here in the .5 episode, but Nobuhiro Mouri's crazy vision for Zi-O has an appeal all its own, and hey, it's not like Shimoyama nailed his first script for the show either, right? The two of them basically took turns writing Zi-O in big uninterrupted chunks, so you'll get to see Mouri take another crack at things right away, Die. And then he'll take a few more cracks, while he's at it. It's pretty unusual for a Rider show to have a "guest" writer who gets a huge group of episodes right in a row, and that made this an interesting stretch of Zi-O. Like, Mouri is a guest writer, yes, but he's essentially a guest main writer, considering his first batch of episodes is identical in size to the actual main writer's.

(On an unrelated note, OOO still got what is by far my favorite Rider Armor. Zi-O's basic form changes never left the biggest impact on me, overall, but the sheer creativity of the super robot combination of animals, that gloriously silly spin on the chest logo, and just how bright it is make the OOO armor stand out from the crowd.)

And I did like what he did with Sougo! The whole concept of 9-10 interrogating Sougo's weirdly optimistic view of Supreme Rulers is a great idea, and the ways it eventually lets Sougo clarify what he hopes to become (while also dropping in a quick I Almost Said BECAUSE I SAID SO But I Didn't to make sure you don't forget how easily Sougo could fall to darkness) makes a lot of the first few stories snap into focus. There's some great writing in this episode.

It's just, it's more of a calibration problem than anything. It makes Sougo's decision-making too wacky for the stakes, which is a bit of a recurring problem in people's first stories with him. There's too big of a leap in what Sougo'll consider acceptable, and the show has a tough time letting him slide for it. Future stories should have a better grip on how far to take his zeal for zealotry, just like they did for Shimoyama.

Not much to really say on this one, while I did enjoy the departure from how the Rider Tributes were with the inclusion of Kuroto, I just had a lot of fun with the small bits. I feel like Zi-O OOO Armor is the best of Zi-O's Armor times on a sheer uniqueness front. Also Woz's Happy Birthday is the best, that I use it as a gif whenever wishing someone a happy birthday.

For the next episode preview, we're back to one BGM Swap for now.

Zero's Legend Episode Previews Corner - EP 11 Preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3r8JcmEWyA

Ha ha, I know! When I saw it in this episode, it was like someone in the "How is Everyone Today- New" thread was being celebrated. (Also, boy, Woz nailed that delivery. What a fun actor!)

Episooode 10!

As promised, here's everything I hated about this episode on my firstwatch:

-Sougo! It really felt like they were stretching his innoence/naviety to the breaking point? "I'd get if Another OOO wasn't the cartoonishly evil Kuroto, and someone more vague in their intentions as King, this plotpoint of Sougo temporarily defecting would go a lot smoother for me. Also aren't you a history buff, Sougo?! I'd feel like you should already know how awful people in power act!?" or something like that, was my sentiment. Speaking of History..

-Uh yeah the Nobunga stuff really didn't land for me? The message "You can't merely judge things by one perspective" was alright, but the way we got there......."No one would've followed him if he was a nasty old demon king!" ......Are you sure about that. Because there's other ways to do that without the approval of the masses, yknow?

-I think I was sick of Kuroto in general? Ex-Aid or its characters wasn't at all my cup of tea, so the fact that this guy was taking up space in an entirely different arc where there were characters I actually wanted to see (Hina and Eiji), just really soured this arc for me.

As for my rewatch thoughts..

-Even with my newfound perspective on Sougo, it still feels a bit far-fetched? Not the end of the world though. I agree that handwaving Sougo's actions in the arc as "all part of the plan!" is a little :-/. The "I've known I was one since I was born." line though, that's what peaked my interest. On my inital watch, I merely placed it as the writers not really knowing how to give Sougo a strong reason to be so fixated on this goal. I didn't really like it that much. But on my rewatch.....There's like, a very unsettling feeling to that statement?

-Sougo seemingly seeing in his ideal in Eiji is such a fun idea. Wish they didn't go so catchphrase-heavy on Eiji's lines though, it kinda sours his appearance juuuust a bit for me. The sheer delight I felt upon seeing Hina throw Eiji at Kuroto might make up for it though.

-I got jumpscared at Dr. Maki's doll chilling on Kuroto's shelf, I didn't remember that at all,,

-the "Please go out and buy the Time Mazine please :-) You'll get a free OOO watch :-)" fight was definitely A Thing That Happened this episode. I know the Ridewatches were pretty popular and Zi-O ends up being currently the highest selling KR season, but I don't really see the appeal of the Mazines? Any Zi-O fans in the thread actually bought one?

-Kinda disagree on your idea of the idea Sougo got off easy? We ended this episode with a very determined and angry Geiz leaving 9 to 5 and vowing to defeat Sougo after all...Poor dude has had enough of Sougo's antics, it seems.

So yeah, this arc wasn't perfect but it wasn't a horrific mess like I deemed it to be on my inital watch.

That explanation by Uncle killed me. Of all the weird ways this show has tried to put a happy face on Time Dictator, I think Uncle suggesting that someone couldn't possibly have subjugated an entire nation unless people thought they were a good guy... like, that is hysterical. If you said that in a 2nd Grade history class, you'd probably be laughed out of the room. And this show just lets him say it! Mostly unquestioned!

There's a point where Eiji does his All I Need Is A Fresh Pair Of Underpants thing, and all I could think was that it was sweet, but no. No, you are in government. You definitely need more than that now!

Maybe! It feels less to me like Geiz vowing to destroy Sougo once and for all, and more like a weirdly dramatic Geiz running away from home because he cared about Sougo and Sougo hurt his feelings. Like, I'm very interested in that follow-up (I really like Geiz as someone who just fundamentally doesn't have a box in his brain to put friendships), but it doesn't feel like a huge repudiation of Sougo's activities.

Uncle Tokiwa was one of my favorite characters out of my inital watch, but on my rewatch, I'm surprised how....not necessarily a bad character, but he's really used rather strangely? The kids don't know what's the next step? A slightly ham-fisted tangent that goes on a little too long will do! Hoping I can remember what I liked about him soon.

Well, here's what I like about him: I love characters on these shows that have a rich life parallel to the events of the show. Like, there's a runner in these two episodes about Uncle needing the kids to pick up chicken for dinner that I was insanely invested in. When Sougo finally comes back after a day of interning for a lunatic who tried to secede from Japan, and the first thing Uncle asks is Did You Get The Chicken... it pretty much made the episode for me?

I think my main highlight was Woz telling Kuroto that he’ll make “great fertiliser” for Sougo’s ascension.

Also, just as Heure’s Time Mazine is based on the Iguana Ghostriker, Ora’s is based on Castle Doran, which does fit with her MO of recruiting people who have dead/dying loved ones. Sadly, we never see what Schwartz has as his Mazine.

Next time: “Be Warned” is back with a vengeance, plus I get something to gush about.

While I agree that Nobunaga probably isn't the best example to use, I feel like they got the core message across decently enough: The hero of one story is the villain of another and vise versa. That said, similar arguments have been made for alot of other big figures both before and since(just look at leadership positions in general). Heck, I feel like "matters of perspective" is one of the major themes that the show is going for in general, so if nothing else it was nice to see it be brought to the forefront.