Kamen Rider Saber Episode 9- "The Overlapping Tones Of The Swordsman" Discussion
 

Touma's latest victory has him promoted to a full-fledged member of the Sword of Logos- just in time for the latest Megid attack...

At this point, I don't really care anymore with their toy shilling with the WRBs. Slash, Bremen Rock, and Crimson Dragon all shared the same debut episode which was a bit hectic since I feel Saber's combo form should've been moved to another episode to give Slash his time.

With that said, goddamn are the stunts in this one VERY good. The crazy camera motions and stunts are really good. Actor stunts came back a bit which nice to see as well. You could tell Sakamoto directed this, and he will for the next one. Hey! Maybe he should direct all of Saber?

The chroma effect is back, some may dislike it here or downright hate it, but I actually like it since it gives it its own identit- Aaaand its gone. Okay. We finally see Espada's rider kick, and Slash's debut was kino af. A bit iffy on his sudden personality change with Bremen, but I feel like this was gonna happen sooner or later with Daishinji. Being Slash is the only time he gets to express himself.

The true highlight of this episode, surprisingly, is Crimson Dragon. Again, Touma's fight with Calibur here was amazing. And Calibur is a cold bastard, grabbing the Megid and sacrificing him to defend himself. It might seem weird that Touma can just use three books already, but he does stumble around again and almost knocks himself out, unlike Rintaro who had no problems using it in his first try.

Next episode is the reveal of Calibur's identity who is most definitely Ex-Saber. His "People are the betrayers!" leads me to believe he defeated the previous Calibur who also betrayed SOL, took his belt, betrayed SOL, and became Calibur. Double betrayal, I guess. But why? Idk, maybe SOL has a dark secret that Ex-Saber and previous Calibur know.

They've kinda slowed this episode, I feel? But, again, the toy shilling is not for everyone. Tho, it might slow down next quarter, maybe? I don't know.

Edit: to you, the people who said that the pacing with Saber was atrocious, Toei will be releasing shorts that are probably cut content that details the SOL members. That's what I think these ".5" episodes are. This one in particular, is about Slash and Ogami and takes place between EP 8 and 9.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GSS94Tu6YI

I feel like a lot of people are dunking on Saber as "atrocious" far too quickly. I read that article where they talked about how too many Riders were introduced far too quickly, thus making the show bad yet ignoring how Gaim did the same shit. Seven Riders had been introduced by episode six and four more by episode fourteen.

The pacing for a lot of Rider seasons first quarter is always fast because of the "GET THESE TOYS OUT BY WINTER" and every single time it slows down after those winter sales end. So far, Saber has held my interest compared to Ghost. I remember really not liking Ghost by now back when it aired. The pacing in those Ghost episodes felt bad. The pacing is fast here, but it doesn't give me the same utter eye-rolling dislike I had for it. I enjoy Saber and enjoy watching it every week. Maybe it's simply because it's fun in a time when I need it a lot. But even looking at it with a critical eye, I feel the goods in the show outweigh the negatives I have with it. Because I was a little bit "eh" with episodes one and two, they felt like badly paced Ghost episodes, but by episode three I was more onboard with it. This episode was pretty good, I liked it and I will continuing enjoying it. And I think the .5 episodes will help give us some more content to flesh out everyone. I can imagine this cut content being the time they spend with the ED, which while fun and I like the song, I find to be the biggest problem since Rider desperately needs that extra minute and a half of actual show.

If I remember correctly, most people who disliked Ghost in general actually liked the first 1~12 "eyecon gathering/saionji" arc though. It's what happened next that had people bored to death.

as for the episode :

Yeah the wonderworld effect returned but I found it less annoying this time. Maybe the way the episode was filmed, with people mostly moving and dynamic made it less painful to watch. When actors are still though that's annoying.

Speaking of the action. Damn that was great today.

Im happy about Daishinji debut as a rider too. I had secretly hoped he had CGI background like the first 4 riders. I was afraid he would be like Kenzan without a background. And his personality change lmao. I expected he was not shy in suit but damn not THAT much :'D

About the new woman character introduced : meh so far. But she is the one who will give Kento his full combo. So let's see.

Now that there are subs, Storious mentions something about combining three alter books, Jaaku Dragon, and the SOL WRBs will create a new powerful book that is stronger than Arthur.

EP 10 has the trio in their combos against Calibur. I guess that means Jaouh Dragon debuts around 10 or 11. Cailbur would get defeated but the presence of the trio's WRBs reacts to Calibur and creates Jaouh Dragon.

Part 1 of 4 of the streaming spin off shoul be out as well.

Above all else I have to say about this episode, I've got to call attention to just how flippin' cool it makes all the Riders look. It's Sakamoto doing what he does best. The action is nuts, Touma, Rintarou, and Kento all get their little bit of stuntwork in before transforming (that little flourish of the sword Rintarou does!), and once they are transformed, it's just cool moment after cool moment. I'm always going to be happy whenever Esapda gets to say that catchphrase after beating a monster, and the addition of Slash to the lineup reveals that on top of being a Sentai, Saber is also Ex-Aid.

Hardly an original observation, I'm sure, but man is it glaring. He even changes personality when fighting! Genius Swordsman D did a great job feeling wild and out-there even by the standards of one of the loudest Rider shows ever, and it's going to be fun seeing Daishinji get more actively involved with the cast from here on out. Overall, the episode left me feeling pretty much like Touma is at the end: all these guys are just super cool to be around and I'm excited at the prospect of stories about them all.

The insane rush of merch introuctions is absolutely more glaring than usual for Kamen Rider, but I have to say, I still think Saber is finding a way to own that? It's hard to put my finger on, but the overall atmosphere of the series so far is lending itself well enough to all these Books popping up, and while it doesn't help the aforementioned Sentai comparisons, there's an emphasis on the teamwork and group dynamics forming that makes the number of Riders feel fairly natural. The characters have all established personalities for themselves quite well already, and a lot of them have good chemistry going together.

The show will probably slow down at some point, and that'll probably be nice, but even if it doesn't, I don't see it bothering me that much for a year. I'm fine with this being just a quirk of Saber, is maybe how I'd put it; if every Rider show from this point on has a first quarter like this, I admit it'd definitely burn me out a little. For now, though? Saber's a good time. One of those cases where I can easily see why it's not working at all for some people, but I honestly do think it has a charm all its own.

Fun fact: The reason Tomokazu Seki voiced the Ahiru Megiddo in this episode was because of a personal request from Koichi Sakamoto.

So, it has been 9 episodes now, the action has been top notch and all, and honestly the comedy relief character is a far more likable character then a certain monk.

But is it just me, or is the overall dialogue kinda, bad ?

Now naturally the subs might be part of the issue here, but even then the lines feel kinda wonky whenever someone speaks, could be the actors naturally, but it feels like most of the dialogue so far is kinda, bad.

Now, the overall story is interesting and I do want to see where it goes, and I do not trust Tassel at all, now I am keeping myself as blind as possible as well, avoiding the toy guides whenever mentioned.

But the dialogue feels very much like Ghost, which is not a good thing honestly.

A seperate issue is the absolute absurd amount of drivers this season, fair it makes every Rider more unique, and it also means the swords being destroyed (( it will happen, we all know it will happen, xmas is coming ! ALL WILL DIE ! ) matter more, but it feels a bit overkill. But at least that aspect I can overlook, the dialogue though, not so much.

Blades and Mei* are great, Touma not so much so far, for me personally at least.

the beginning of Ghost was the best part of it, it wasn't a GREAT Start but there was potential

I love how Onjuken Suzune has two voices that argue during the transformation, and which one wins depends on which mode it's in. I wonder if the writers will do more with Daishinji's radical change in personality, or if it will just be a funky quirk.

Definitely feels like a nod to Den-O Gun Form.

Also, as someone who writes as a hobby and wants to be an author someday, the scene of Touma being in a funk because he has too many ideas and can't decide which to write spoke to me on a deep personal level.

I don't have much to say in regards to the episode aside from, yeah this was fun. Slash is seriously making me consider buying his weapon.

But this, yeah this also hit me on a deep personal level.

Episode 9 and I'm already hit with a merchandising onslaught. I'm not a big fan of how new shows of Kamen Rider are usually used to promote as much gimmmickry and toys as possible but there's nothing I can do about it unfortunately.

Slash is definitely an interesting character. I can definitely sympathise with him going wild over Bremen no Rockband as I tend to sometimes rock out and go nuts when I listen to music (when I'm alone of course, I'm to embarrassed to do that in public). And my goodness the Onjuken Suzune has amazing sounds. I'm tempted to buy the DX but I know I'll lose interest within like 3 days after purchase.

I definitely like the updates opening and ending. Nice to see the inclusion of the other members of SOL in the OP, and more sword dancing is always a big plus for me.

This episode was one huge fight scene. The jingles and choreography and everything else overlapping at once was a bit too overwhelming at times though. Maybe like tone it down a little? I know this is all a glorified toy commercial and all but my goodness it feels like my brain's about to explode. If books are supposed to add to one's knowledge and improve their cognitive skills or something along those lines, then ironically I felt a but dumber at the end of this episode.

And Calibur's not Kento's dad. No real surprises there, we all called it when they obscured his face in the desert during the King of Arthur episode.

I really hope we get some more backstories involving the Riders though, I really want to connect to them in some way or form and them appearing out of nowhere is a bit grating.

I remain cautiously optimistic for this show.

I want them to reveal that Ren is actually a psycho, Ogami's wife, and who the previous Espada could be. Also maybe maybe have Kento use Calibur at least once.

Oh, and Slash may be a fun character, but I wouldn't exactly consider him a role model for kids. I can imagine kids acting cool with Hanselnuts to Gretel and then going ballistic when they insert the Bremen no Rockband WRB, which is a funny thought.

I mean, like, he kind of IS.

It's not a role model as it is more of being relatable. There are kids who're very shy and can only express themselves in what they like. Same holds true for Daishinji.

Altho, apparently the WRB hypnotizes him to act like this? Which kinda ruins it for me a bit?

So Calibur's plan is to write/make a new book from the power of other Wonder Ride Books?

I see Calibur is harnessing the dark forbidden power: fanfiction.

According to a screenshot from reddit (https://old.reddit.com/r/KamenRider/...atest_episode/) the 3 Alter Books shown in this ep being used for Calibur's power-up are all brand new:

• Kabekara Gargoyle (From the wall Gargoyle) - A divine beast type, in reference to how Gargoyle statues were used on Church buildings to ward off evil spirits
• Drill Mandrill (self explanatory) - A living animal type, (and is also a Megaman X boss if I remember correctly...)
• Usotsuki Wolf (Liar/Lie Wolf) - A story type, possibly based on the "Boy Who Cried Wolf"

Much like the books that make up Dezast, this is an interesting combination of things to pull from, although I doubt the books' actual motifs will be referenced with the power-up's abilities.

I hope all of 3 Alter Books will be used to summon a new 3 monsters in the future episodes....

You know, Saber - if you're going into the direction I think you’re going, please continue.

If Calibur is proven right, and we're getting into a situation where Touma must fight against the Sword of Logos, against the friends he starts to hold so dear, that would be excellent drama. But I'm reading way too much into this, in an ultimately futile attempt to like this show, so I expect to be severely disappointed.

On the bright side, I always like it when they incorporate dynamic camera movement into their action scenes and it was done beautifully this week.

Gingerbread house Rider was neat too, although he sadly debuted in an episode that was too crowded with other stuff. He needed more screen time, but thankfully he’s getting a bit next week.

I do not like this show and I want to but damn is it hard. Can Mei just go away please. I think Onari is better only because he has a use while Mei so far just seems to be act wacky.

But yeah the dialogue is crap. Now I been watching Gemn Corps' subs before Saber so I trust them. So unless the dialogue is so hard to translate that Gemn Corp is having trouble with it then this is bad writing.

Like if I had to describe the dialogue to someone it would be like if there were three writers. One writer for the normal dialogue that helps fill the episode, one for the storyline that makes sure they talk about the plot, and one for the comedy.

But each writer is fighting over the script where one writer is writing down some stuff before one of the other writers yanks the script out of their hands then starts writing down stuff without altering or checking what the other writers wrote, to make the dialogue seem natural.

Then there is the Bandai representative constantly poking their head over the writers' shoulders every minute to remind them to insert the new toy.

The eye candy and damsel for geeks to thirst over. They have one or more every years just depend how important or useless they are on the relevancy scale. Shes on akiho level from w. She might be the angel goddessidol fans simp over.

Well, they did let her keep something and is social media savvy so maybe she'll become more important later on, who knows it's only the ninth episode.

Well, you're not exactly wrong. The amount of friendship spouting in this show so far is Red Ranger level. And then there's Kenzan who's practically an excitable man child which kind of grates me somewhat.

Honestly with Mei being our social media expert, alongside now having a book she can hold onto to help like detect Megid attacks.

Alongside what we learned about the Northern Base about how there's a barrier that Sophia needs to stay to maintain.

Anyone else feel that our possible December Climax isn't someone dying, but the heroes losing the SoL North Pole Base?

Santa gonna evict them lol.

Ho ho ho, where is my money?

Considering fairy tales, myths and stories are the main theme for this, Krampus shows up and murders everyone.

So Christmas special is a Santa vs. Krampus showdown? With Saber Santa Form vs a Krampus Megid or something. Hold on, I need to get my popcorn for this.

Honestly, I'll be real, if the episode near Christmas isn't just an episode where Santa isn't like a concept or myth but an actual person in the North Pole and we see him team up with the Sword of Logos in a fun and wacky Christmas adventure, then I feel like I'll have to dock a full point from Saber at the end of it all.

Because that kind of plot feels obvious and I'd love to see it.