I would give it until till IXA's first appearance in episode 9.

While a lot isn't explained, the strength of the show (other than how batshit crazy it is) is how they balance the two time periods. A lot of times, it out-Losts Lost in its deft hand with parallel narratives.

And I mean, I say that nothing ever gets explained, but that's a bit of an exaggeration. Some things do get background eventually, and for a lot of the stuff that doesn't, it's pretty easy to infer an explanation by the end.

But if you're not as gleefully entertained by stuff like the Garuru transformation as I was (the whistles and the dudes in Castle Doran do eventually get explained), the show might not be for you.

Garuru Saber WAS really cool.

I wouldn't call Kiva the best Rider series I've seen, but I don't really hate it either. I just found it so bafflingly weird, that I couldn't wait to see what other bizarre shit it pulled out next.

^^^ What he said. :cool:

Episode 5 of Kiva. Wataru has my sympathy. I can't imagine being that socially inept, life must be hard. His side kick is delightfully plucky and helpful.

But I do have a problem:

What the God damn has this got to do with being a Kamen Rider? I'm having Agito flashbacks, but at least here it's obvious Kiva has been doing this long enough it's "normal." But holy shit, he pretends like he doesn't have a little CGI bat flying around and turn into an armoured vampire.

What the fuck, it's so jarring. It's like I'm watching two unrelated shows.

My favorite thing about Shizuka, the plucky sidekick, is that she's SEEN Kivat nefore....yet doesn't know about Wataru being Kiva until waaaaaaaaay later.

As far as I'm concerned, Kivat is just some weird effect they threw on the screen after everything, as Wataru never acknoledges him unless transforming.

Except the times he tried motivating Wataru, and the times he helped him in battle.

So far every "motivation" has gone without a specific response from Wataru, and "in battle" falls under transforming.

It's like, man these shows just piss me off. Easily the most interesting thing is this guy's ability to turn into an armoured bike-riding warrior, and the writers treat it like an annoyance to the plot. How is the viewer supposed to find it exciting if nobody in the show does? It's draining. No wonder Gaim is my dream Rider show, they actually act like Transforming is a big deal.

Maybe he doesn't do it early on in the show, but I remember Wataru and Kivat having conversations all the time. Kivat is a great character.

I'm going to rewatch Kiva just to spite all of you that don't like it, or gave up on it.
I'm not sure how it will really spite you, but I'm going to do it anyway! And change my avatars back to Kiva. eventually.