Same, Kenji.

Anyway, this was an interesting one in that, while I did like it... it just doesn't quite sit right with me? Atleast not fully.

And the thing is, I dunno if I can really accurately articulate as to why. On paper, it's fine. It's about how we need to be honest with ourselves and be willing to hear the things that we need to hear rather than what we want to hear.

But the way in which that lesson is carried out? I dunno. Komachi take center stage here, with her having been training over the past handful of episodes in order to become a fighter and further aid Kenji in his battle against the Jamanga. But according to the narrative, she lets her newfound power get to her head.

Except, I didn't really see it that way? I more saw it as her being happy that she could finally directly contribute, and the danger was never at her being full of herself like what Kenji claims(and the narrative backing him). If anything, a more sensible reason for having Kenji not want Komachi to join the battle would be that he's worried about her getting hurt. Which does infact happen.

The upside to this though is that this episode also reframes what exactly the story was trying to say about Kenji when it came to Q1 of the show: That he wasn't taking his job as a SHOT member seriously and was simply having fun with all the toys he was getting. Sure, one could argue against that stance as well(especially given how Kenji always took pride in his position as a protector), but it atleast makes a little more sense than "You shouldn't rely on/use the keys!"

There's also some Jack Moon stuff, with the ties to the Komachi storyline being a hint that Jack Moon might still be alive in some form. But there's nothing in this episode that really hints at that outside of Baron Bloody having a hunch that it might be the case. But hey, if it means that the Jack Moon that I know and love will get to return in the future, then sure, let's roll with it.

So, yeah. I guess the best way I could sum this up is: It has some good ideas and moments, but the overall execution left me wanting more.

Ritsuko is on vacation, meaning Ichiko gets her very first solo episode!

And on paper especially, it's a rather bizarre one. The premise being that Ichiko and a fragment of Rock Crimson fall in love.

It for sure sounds like a total shitpost, but yet, I overall felt it was pulled off surprisingly decently? For a one off episode, I feel like they did all they could with the general idea.

Ichiko getting a spotlight of her own was already a nice surprise, as it allowed us to get some insight as to what she's like when her and Ritsuko aren't hovering around one another. Turns out she has the very human aspect of muttering threats under her breath whenever she's annoyed.

Combine that with Rock Crimson's' love of crushing things and his hatred of being called an idiot and you have a surprisingly complimentary pairing. And the fact that he's nothing more than a giant rock with angry eyebrows throughout most of the episode is equal parts hilarious and adorable. It made me like Rock Crimson's' character all the more.

With all that said, it really did make the ending of this one come across as a bit contrived and forced. Rock Crimson regaining his memory and becoming a villain again isn't the worst idea, but the way it came about I wasn't a fan of. It could lead to some interesting stuff down the line, sure, but I dunno. The timing is also a bit odd/interesting since we're also still in the middle of looking at the Mechani-Moon stuff.

So, yeah, the ending is a bit weak, but this episode overall made for a fun and interesting ride.

Ok, I misremembered. This was the other episode that was a favourite.

I can see why! This episode has alot of heart to it.

This felt like the script to a Ryukendo videogame that got retooled into an episode.

The flow of the plot, the fact that it's an escort mission, the waves of enemies blocking progress, and it all ending in a boss fight? Classic game logic.

Don't take that as any sort of negative though, as I still had fun with this one. Baron Bloody's' plan to create a dummy key is actually rather smart, and the way various aspects of the episode build off it are nice to see.

Ichiko being able to get in on the action was a nice surprise, and I loved the attention to detail on how Ryujinoh's' powers still work due to his system being independent from SHOT's'. Plus, we got to see that Tsukaima can drive, but only barely. Putties are superior in this regard.

And while it's kinda weird that the latter half of the episode seems to frame things as if Koichi was the main character, I'm not really gonna complain. Because I again wanna note how much better he is as a side character than a main one. I actually kinda liked him in this one, and it wasn't like his personality was changed at all in order to compensate.

If Ryukendo ever were adapted into a PS2 action game, I think this episode serves as a sort of proof of concept, and I think I'd have fun with it.

Ryukendo Catch Up Corner Part 2!

Episode 19: Can't believe Komachi dated Raidou Kuzunoha, woman's got game I'll say that much. That said I was not expecting a focus episode on her but this was honestly rather nice. We also get a unique minor monster suit again after quite a bit which is always fun to see. It's kind of funny though to see how the Koichi plot wraps up thanks to this ghost summoning bit, since I wasn't expecting his parents to show up as actual ghosts brought back to life and tell him to move on in a completely divorced B-Plot. That said, I do like the ending bit of both Ryukendo and Ryujinoh ascending alongside the departing spirits, legit probably one of my favorite imageries in a Toku now.

Episode 20: This one wasn't as bad as I assumed it was going to be. Felt like the usual treatment for Fudo given this series has not been shy about poking fun at him constantly. Like if there was any doubt about it, the recap episode specifically having the Ryugunoh OP only for Kenji to laugh it off entirely is a big factor. That said, shit kids will be shit kids, I don't think I was turned around on her by the end but I thought the episode worked well enough.

Episode 21: Oh so Jack Moon isn't really dead he was kinda just chilling unconscious for a while and also the Jamanga only just now decided to execute him? Honestly weird, especially when how vague the final clash between him and Thunder Ryukendo was. But I do like how this episode fixes up how Jack Moon was acting in the Thunder Ryukendo episodes, definitely makes those slightly better. Honestly love how Jack Moon decided to go out on his own terms and we basically get the duel with Thunder Ryukendo I was expecting nearly 10 episodes ago. We've also got the appearance of the last Jamanga General that appears in the OP, him basically setting up the episode and walking off with Jack Moon's sword. I'm curious as to where that will lead.

Episode 22: The bathroom scene in this episode is basically the only knowledge I had of Ryukendo until now, it was such a great scene I included it in my Symphogear and Saber crossover. That said this episode is also just a ton of fun in general, what with the folks of Akebono showing their own skills off, and Rock Crimson getting a comeback too, and hell we even get to see Fire Ryukendo and Fire Kong again too. Overall, a real fun one.

Yeah that ending bit is super good. Ryukendo might be peak when it shitposts, but it can do drama surprisingly well at times.

Sure, but on the other hand. I still want that brat thrown off a bridge. And then Inoue could write and episode where she floats on water or something I guess.

It's such a great way to send him off. To the point that I'm willing to give the writers the benefit of the doubt in that his reasoning was planned from the getgo. Makes alot of his actions make sense.

Despite it being the show's' most famous scene, I had actually never seen it before, so getting to view it in all of its majesty with eyes unclouded was incredible. The rest of the episode is definitely no slouch either.

Man, I can't believe Shin Ultraman ripped off of Ryukendo.

The Jamanga plot this time? Launch a killer satellite into space called Gren Star; armed with an orbital lazer designed to fire on anyone who defies the Jamanga.

This results in Akebono briefly becoming a police state under Jamanga rule, and our heroes desperate to find a way into space without getting blown up themselves. And can their suits even survive in space?

There's alot of cool aspects that go into this one in terms of plot, but on the character level this episode is all about Kenji and Koichi finally being able to see eye to eye. And while it's not pulled off ideally, I think it overall works, and results in the birth of Lightning Ryukendo.

In terms of the climax, this is the sort of thing I don't think a Kamen Rider show(specifically) has ever done, nor will it. A blast off into space with Ryukendo against a giant space weapon. All while the citizens of Akebono cheer God Ryukendo on and giving him the edge he needs in saving the day. Sound familiar? If you said Kamen Rider Fourze, you lose!

It's not my favorite episode of Q3, and it's not what I'd immediately think of in terms of placing it as a final episode of a quarter, but I'm overall satisfied. And very shocked that it wasn't another recap episode ontop of that. Solid stuff.

Ryukendo Catch Up Corner Part 3!

Episode 23: Huh... aliens... was not expecting this, at least until the man behind the curtain was revealed. No, it looks like our new General is finally getting into action and it seems his methods are wildly different than the other Jamanga. Other than that, this was pretty alright, even if the tone with how Goryugun's death here was kind of all over the place. Fudo saying it's destroyed is fine but the way he pivoted to "I'm not your partner anymore, you still have your trinity!" is like the weirdest ways to prompt Kenji into doing his team attack with Brave Leon and Gekiryuken.

Episode 24: Okay this was a pretty cool follow-up, what with Fudo going all gung-ho and doing what he can to protect the being repaired Ryugunoh. Will say though now that we?'re three episodes in, I'm surprised that Umi's back, like I figured she would be but it?'s weird to see her recurring like this. I will admit I wasn't expecting us to get deeper lore on what happened with Koichi's parents, nor that our new General, Bloody, would be involved. Ngl, this is the most excited I've been when watching Koichi on screen, just him going "Zanyru, I'm going to be an idiot too!" in response to confronting who is basically his parents' murderer and going gung-ho as well is kind of great.

Episode 25: Okay, the Rin plot this episode was neat, but what I got the biggest kick out of was Komachi trying to act as a wing-woman to Rin and Kenji. It was also pretty fun seeing old monster suits again, and it's cool that Ryugunoh is still out of commission so we need to keep teaming up with Ryujinoh for the time being.

Episode 26: It feels weird seeing SHOT HQ under normal lighting and not the usual mood lighting they have. That said, this recap is more my speed when it comes to things. It switches up the usual viewing of old footage format by framing it as a game show, and we get some fun competitive scenes out of it. Also was not expecting some teases of some new forms for Ryukendo and Ryugunoh too, so that's definitely something fun to look forward to.

Personally, I feel like aliens would be one of the least ridiculous things to come out of Ryukendo, haha.

Yeah, they finally got a proper handle on how to to utilize Koichi, and while he's not my new favorite or anything, I do start to like him more than I did during his intro arc.

She's very much a shipper, and it leads to some fun stuff for sure.

The game show aspect really is a great idea ontop of it being utilized rather smartly. Loved how the climax had Kenji pointing out how nine keys were used, even if we never saw one of them being loaded.