Oh, I really like this! I hadn't even noticed that they've completely exchanged positions. Great catch!

Actually, no offense but the part of Wataru going back in time to set right what once went wrong, reminds me of stuff like Shinji (Kido) in Ryuki trying to prevent some outcome in the war in the series "recap" ep. 28, Tendou in Kabuto movie altering the past after gaining Hyper Clock-Up creating the TV series timeline, and Woman of the Beginning in Gaim trying to change the fate of her friends by traveling to the past. Otherwise, though I also like that the time travelling properties of Castle Doran is implemented for something more interesting here than a cop-out it was in stopping Tanahashi before, but regarding episode like 44 coming after ep. 43, I don't want for hostile and biased assumptions like "the TV team must've sabotaged Inoue to create something as bad as ep. 43, because no way Inoue can screw up or create bad things" to happen, or worse be agreed upon people here, it'd be a total lie and misinformation, it being claimed as joke or not (if it's a joke it's the worst usage of "just a joke" to get free pass of terrible behavior kind). The TV team restrained Inoue instead to not go overboard in gross way like side medias.

Probably yeah, he can save Mio for his blame to himself... though it can also Wataru just wanting to save the one he loves by sacrificing himself, like if someone wants to save. Otherwise, Wataru seems to really prove that he's a Kurenai family here, with him channeling his father here to disguise as a doctor and then a fortune teller as his method to do his goals (like Otoya buying the dress from his manipulative female friend to trick a Fangire). That skill to approach someone in different occupation needs confidence to pull off (so it's not exactly very Wataru-style in the plan, but the sweet and earnest probably applies), and Wataru had gone through yet another trauma of losing Mio, albeit Otoya can spot him, but Wataru did nice job of showing the proof of him being the son, with the button, the shattered glass of Mio, and the key of Kurenai family house. But Otoya's interaction at first to this reminds again that albeit Otoya have become better (now he's friends with the Arms Monsters), his terrible traits still present that he's a hedonist that wants freedom as in doing anything what he wants with little regards (after he acknowledged Wataru is his son) and he can be hostile and aggressive towards other males. About the collateral damage, you just reminded about this here to me (Yuri would marry other man in the present for Megumi and his brother), this is a common thing that happen when writing time travel stories, the story sometimes can neglect the consequences here, creating plot hole, as iirc a good number ends in triumph for interfering in the past. Actually, no offense to bring up another series, but Den-O's the one which warned Ryotaro about the change of time flow if he changed something in the past.

Dunno... glorifying mean-spirited comedy of Yuri stomping on Otoya's foot, while continuing with it being a lesson to kid. Something wrong with the tone here I feel. Though the one on receiving end for this is Otoya, a casanova though (depends if you'd accept misfortunes on enjoyable characters that can be rooted). Though that aside, probably the other lesson can be that men and women can interact closely without forcing a romance feeling between them, as stomping foot aside, Otoya and Yuri interact like they're close to each other here. There are those for either gender as both pairs have been romantically involved with each other, they're forced to end any relationship with anyone with different gender.

Like above, I'd not like for this to paint Inoue as 'the only one that makes tokusatsu insanity and human drama'. Like, Kivat and Tatsulot popping up in wormhole when henshin is ordinary among toku stuff, though I'm not sure if I'm getting what you said here, like stuff such as the mechanic obeying the user in Ryuki ep. 26 (Zolda's advent cards going to user despite Ryuki scanning it), the ricocheting laser to blow up a Worm without super speed in Kabuto, Den-O Liner's Sword being too heavy to lift, the reaction to Suika Arms in Gaim, Drive's Type Speed Cab allowing him to separate his body in diagonal cut, Ex-Aid's continue bar in final fight, etc. Otherwise, I feel that it'll likely create a loop that before Otoya and Maya married, they'd know that their children's name is Wataru, and about how he'll be when adult.

That's the new conflict for now, Taiga resorting to kill Wataru, blaming him for Mio's death. Like Wataru, trauma befalls Taiga from time to time, like before, he's born as the new sovereign of a certain race, and said race depends on that sovereignity to survive, then he's set up to marry a girl, but she fell for someone else who's also your childhood friend who turns out to bet his half-brother. Then the said brother doesn't share your worldview. The girl can't take it anymore, wants to be with his half-brother, and she attempted to murder you. But because he loves her, he defends her and lets her go. Then now, said girl gets killed by the half-brother unintentionally. For Nago inheriting Shima's role, it's him probably not being himself to inherit Shima's methods of keeping body fat low, or either he does think Shima's a good influence, that part of him here. BTW aside from this, wdyt about my thoughts about Mio's choice to shield Taiga? Here:

Well, sacrificing himself would be someone offering to bring Mio back at the cost of Wataru's life. That's not really what's happening here? This is Wataru wanting to run away from his own guilt by ceasing to exist, and just sort of assuming it would bring Mio back to life because Wataru hates himself that much at this point. It's not heroic! It's definitely Wataru running away from his problems!

Otoya had it coming! He got off lightly.

And, like, she didn't shoot him in the face or push him into traffic. She stomped on the foot of a man who treated her with less respect than she deserved. I think Otoya would agree that she had a point.

Sure! I don't understand why Mio did it, and I'm not sure there's an explanation out that's ever going to work for me, but that sounds like a valid interpretation.

Going for that proper penultimate episode "stuff about to go down" vibe with today's track, King's Wrath, which makes a pretty great choice for the opening here as Taiga and Wataru are fighting each other while the background explodes and then fighting a gang of resurrected Fangire while the background explodes even more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwZiKt-S7I

...And besides pointing out how much I love both cool explosions as well as how there's specifically a bit where Kiva and Saga somehow end up working together in the middle of their grudge match, it's a bit hard to kick in much more about this episode by itself for exactly the reasons Die brought up. ...Oh, and Wataru's silly King voice! I love that too! Between the abrupt total change in mannerisms and the clothes, you know he's really making an effort here.

A bit more seriously, I do quite like that Nago explicitly offers the Ixa Knuckle to Megumi. I seem to recall Inoue did this exact melodramatic late series shlocky blindness thing with G3, but for whatever reason, Nago's version of it was way more memorable to me? That's not to say it's necessarily some genius plotting decision or anything, or me trying to diss Agito, which I would never want to do, because Agito is awesome, but I can definitely see what Kiva was aiming for by having Nago's ultimate challenge for the climax be something so humbling for him. Just imagine for a second how extra poorly pre-753 Nago would be handling this situation.

It's a nice moment for both characters, and I do love the bizarre Odd Couple energy Nago and Megumi have. I will never not be a fan of them getting on each other's nerves while being equally dedicated to fighting Fangires. It's great.

...and that always comes with the proviso that watching a great scene like this has me saying But Why Won't Megumi Just Be IXA through gritted teeth. It's nice that she's willing to take a backseat to Nago's emotional journey, but, like, she is always taking a backseat to Nago's emotional journey. This was maybe a point - you know, as Fangires are slaughtering people by the dozens - for Megumi to accept that she'll need to operate IXA while Nago is injured. It would maybe be the ultimate expression of Nago's growth, to step aside in a time of crisis?

(Also, I want to say Hikawa's blindness was psychosomatic, what with his Imposter Syndrome, rather than Nago's Sword Slash To Face. I maybe prefer the Hikawa version, because it's way funnier? Hikawa was a real disaster, and that plot point was his zenith.)

Of course, I did say "Though the one on receiving end for this is Otoya, a casanova though". I refered to the part of this being a lesson to kids being said after that, not Otoya, of course Otoya deserved that, let him get his just desserts.... well even Otoya to women isn't 100% respectful...

I guess that comes very quick, Taiga's grudge to Wataru is solved by how Bishop's the true killer for Mio. And this is a big downfall and stupidity for Bishop, this'll be something that turns the Fangire against his advantage! However of course, Bishop has sociopathic traits, not wanting to admit his faults, viewing Taiga’s attempt to kill Wataru (Bishop's job to protect him from ursurper) as a betrayal and a sign that he wasn’t worthy of being a king including draining people's souls here, as well as valuing Fangire law without empathy like what he did to Mio.

I guess Otoya has been suicidal before by taking on King after his friends are sealed, with IXA, not Dark Kiva. IXA is an ordinary Rider, not a broken one like Dark Kiva (Kiva Emperor isn't necessarily more powerful). I'd say Otoya is really impulsive here, as he probably had not gotten into grip for Dark Kiva's power, straight up using it to fight King right away. I mean of course there's no time to try as Dark Kiva will kill ordinary humans. But well, this shows a miracle determination that Otoya doesn't die right away by turning into Dark Kiva yet, despite the claim that it'll instantly kill humans. I'd think that Otoya turning into Dark Kiva may actually succeed Wataru's plan to eliminate himself, what I concerned was about, Otoya and Maya haven't married yet at this time and give birth to Wataru?

Wataru's so caught up in eliminating himself to save Mio that he forgot that Yuri herself is going through the same thing, but not about death, but breakup. I know Wataru doesn't handle his emotions well, and this I'd see as a case. This is not exactly an idol/mentor and apprentice situation, but this plays out like one as Yuri tries to speak to Wataru here (with Wataru also opening up), she inspires Wataru to give up on the quest to eliminate himself for his love, by thinking that Mio won't necessarily want that as she won't meet Wataru. I guess Mio can be inevitably killed if Fangires sooner or later will approach her and force her role as the Queen with her being reluctant to do it, which'd make Wataru's quest still go wrong, but Taiga also may protect her but she can be living an unhappy life instead, probably highlighting that saving life isn't necessarily a good thing for them.

Yeah, Bishop is the type of lieutenant who's more loyal to a creed/culture/system than he is to anyone within it. He got a little lucky that he has some non-Taiga options available to him, though.

It's definitely a scene that draws some extra power from how Yuri and Wataru are basically strangers to each other. She's able to talk to him as just some misguided kid - not a Child Of Destiny or whatever - and he's able to take advice from an adult he isn't related to. It's a very nice scene of two warriors who have some overlapping heartache, and they can maybe help each other through it.

KAMEN RIDER KIVA EPISODE 48 - "FINALE: THE INHERITORS OF KIVA”

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/kiva/kiva48a.png

Honestly, I didn't have any expectations for this finale. I know last episode set up a whole bunch of threads, but, like, Inoue. It wouldn't've surprised me if they were all tied up in the first two minutes, and then we spent the rest of the episode looking for the last perfect varnish for a violin. It's the finale of Kiva, and it could be about nearly anything.

I couldn't even tell you what I'd think a Kiva finale should have in it, and watching this episode, I don't think Inoue could tell you, either. There're a hundred different things in this episode: bits of fan service, shocking reveals, brotherly love, love connections, deaths, weddings... a lot. There's a lot going on in this episode. I just... I just don't think it's saying a whole lot? Or , at least, it's not really saying one thing clearly.

There's nominally stuff about the value of family, how family members support each other. It's a little facile, compared to some of the thorny elements Inoue's played with before on this series. Here, it's Otoya's IXA gauntlet from 1986 catching Wataru when he falls. It's a cute shot, but it's not really an evolution of where things were left with the two of them. It's a callback, or a nod towards character growth, but it doesn't add a period at the end of the sentence for Wataru and Otoya. Wataru wasn't feeling disconnected from Otoya, so having his dad support him is just an Oh Thanks moment, rather than something pivotal to Wataru's character. It's cute, but not anything that feels profound at all.

The bigger examination of how family supports each other is in Wataru's ridiculous plan to save Taiga by stealing his throne and goading him into a fight. I couldn't even begin to tell you why this seemed kind to Wataru. It's kindness from the Shima school of caring for people, where it mostly serves to put Taiga into a bloodthirsty rage. Luckily, as soon as Wataru reveals his plan (with Shima there, because god forbid this show not have Shima in a big emotional moment), Taiga immediately and entirely regrets everything he's done to date, and gratefully accepts Wataru's love.

Like... do you know how badly I want to like this scene? This is a character defusing an adversary by hugging them and telling them they are loved. I adore that shit. That is one of my favorite Kamen Rider moves of all time. That is my Rider Kick; the Rider Hug. But this feels insanely rushed, with Taiga doing a complete 180 in about forty words, and Wataru tightening the screws and acting like an asshole for very little reason. It's nuts. There's a lot to like about Wataru trying to save his brother from hardship, but... no. It's a plan that pushes Taiga to almost kill his mother (oh, Taiga also didn't kill her, in a scene that made me laugh pretty hard) and almost kill his brother, and it only succeeds because Taiga suddenly sees Wataru's rivalry as something Wataru is doing to help him. It's like Taiga got hit on the head with a coconut, and all of a sudden he's like I Don't Need Power If I Have My Brother. You've got to work way harder for that twist to work, and this episode just doesn't put in the time.

But, god, they did on Megumi and Nago.

Of a thousand things I'd've guessed this episode would end with, the wedding of Megumi and Nago wouldn't have been one of them. But it's here, and it's the best. All of the Nago and Megumi stuff in this episode is fantastic, and I almost can't believe it. This is the finale of Kamen Rider Kiva, and Wataru's story in it is the B-plot I won't remember in a couple weeks. (That's not true. I will always remember Maya's look of happiness as her two sons just start beating the holy hell out of each other in front of her. That was, by far, the funniest thing in this entire series. They are brutally fighting out of love!) The little story they told about Nago and Megumi is the one that worked for me.

Them two always had great chemistry. First as workplace rivals, then as workplace friends, and now as romantic partners. It's not a huge story, and it doesn't have a bunch of twists, but that's why I liked it. While the Wataru/Taiga story is tying itself in knots and speeding through character developments, the Nago/Megumi story has a training montage, because the episode wants you to feel the time they're putting in. It's dead simple, this plot. Nago needs someone to help him, and Megumi respects him enough to not let him give up. It's just support, and being there for someone when they fall. It's like an origin story for their love, which is why I'll remember it more than Taiga lying about killing his mother or Wataru making his Three Weird Uncles think he's a dick. Megumi and Nago had a year-long story that ended in a wedding, and that's maybe what I wanted out of Kamen Rider Kiva after all.

I didn't think this episode was that great. As a finale, it mostly misses the forest for the trees, concentrating on recent plot twists without really connecting with the series' themes in a clever way. There's a ton of work put into the Wataru/Taiga plot, and very little of it registers. It mostly just assumes that things are going to work out because Wataru would like them to, and that's almost the opposite of the story the show was telling at its peak. But the way this show made me not only believe in Megumi and Nago as a couple, but made that development feel like a worthy end to the series? Yeah, I'm okay with that. Not the best ending ever, but it concluded the series in as satisfactory a way as this messy, confounding show was probably ever going to.

https://kamenriderdie.com/images/kr/kiva/kiva48b.png

Surprised and glad that you got a lot out of Nago and Megumi's wedding in the end! For me, unfortunately, the thing I took the most was all the stuff involving Wataru and Taiga and how not great it was. With so many people who look like they died but not really, wouldn't have been surprised at that point if Otoya showed up and was like 'are ya winning, son?'.

And I'm pretty sure the thing that most people who watched the finale took away from it was the laughably stupid final sixty seconds or so.

Maya being alive isn't on the same level of stupidity as Shima being alive, but it's a very close second.

And, man, I really liked Wataru's kid showing up in full Back to the Future regalia (that orange vest!) and getting everyone together to fight the Neo-Fangires. (THE NEO-FANGIRES.) Beyond a fun way to get Otoya's actor back in the final shots, I liked how it reaffirmed the links between generations? This episode didn't do a single thing in 1986, so having a character from 2030 let us know that Wataru's actions will impact future generations... that's pretty on-topic?