[XW1n5t0nX]

Faiz Episode 23
Well that's what I call an explosive opening.

"I can tell you're different from Faiz." The suit didn't give that way to you Yuji?

That laugh o.o

That scene needed the jaws theme so much

What the hell is Naoya doing with that pillow? Steady? I wouldn't call Naoya steady. He's more unstable/unpredictable then anything. At least I get to see more of Yuka playing matchmaker for Naoya, which means more awesome comedic moments with Naoya. And that is always a good thing.

So should I add stalker to Kusaka's list of jobs/skills?

I just now noticed that this kid Orphenoch has barbed wire wrapped around him. I find that utterly cool and I love that design choice. Way to go suit designers!

Dual wielding like a bad ass!

Wait, Kusaka wants to join Lucky Clover? Normally I would assume he's doing this so that he can destroy them from the inside. But this is Kusaka we're talking about. So why exactly would he want to join them?

So you told her to meet you outside in the rain? Why not go to her place, or a cafe, or a restaurant, you know somewhere indoors. Maybe this is outside of his place (I don't recall if he's living with Mari, Keitaro, and Takumi). But if it is outside of his place, why not just take her inside? I don't get it one single bit.

See now you're soaking wet. This is why you should have talked indoors.

Mari is the woman who could save you, and be your mom. Whaaaaaaaaa?

"You don't know what love is!" Yeah Yuji, you're blind to what love is. Love is staying on the heels of that special gal and trying to make her love you! That is what love is! That's the power of love!

Yuji you are royally fucked. Three Orphenochs and a Kamen Rider? Yeah you may want to run or cal in Yuka for some backup.

It was a trap!

Well that was 23 and it was pretty nice. Like the last few episodes, there hasn't been too much of an actual story in place. However, I would be able to say that 23 does offer a bit more store then the past few episodes. It did add to the main story by presenting the option of Kusaka possibly joining Lucky Clover, which if he does join could indeed affect the overall plot. It also added to the on going romance plot that revolves around Mari, and while that doesn't move forward the main story a whole lot (if at all), it is seemingly a good part of the show as to it's importance (by what the show is saying), and so it getting some development is nice.

There was actually individual character development here, so that's a plus! Like the story of the episode, the CD is mostly reserved for Kusaka. His development comes in the form of him admitting what he wants Mari for, as well as developing into a possible antagonist. Going off of that flashback, it appears that Kusaka became separated from his mother as a child, and thus did not have a mother influence from that point onwards. He loves Mari but also wants her to be like a mother to him, I assuming so that he has guidance within in his life.

Outside of Kusaka, there wasn't really much other character development, except maybe Yuji seemingly to now grow a great distrust for all riders.

The action in the episode was pretty good as well. The fight at the beginning of the episode was a lovely continuation of where 22 ended, the tides now turning to where Kusaka and Yuji are the ones in control of the fight instead of Saeko and that kid. Took an episode to do so, but it gives the overall fight some nice balance, even if it is in that classic Kamen Rider comeback fashion. The end fight was pretty nice as well. It does kind of stink we couldn't see Yuji fight off the four more before they turned on Kusaka, but that's my only really gripe with the fight, and it's more of a personal nitpick then anything.

Overall, 23 was another good episode.