[Shin Densetsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

Actually I think this quote may say it best:



Shinji lost protecting Yui, his only outlet for the battle. Without her he had nothing lef to protect or fight for. A betrayal of the only reason he exists as a rider. He couldn't see himself that way though. Even with no true reason to fight he knew he had to continue. He ratained a strong will until his death. He had nothing to give, no one to give anything too, but his will to fight was stronger than any reason the other riders may have had for battle. Maybe it was Shinjis' wish for the reset. Maybe he thought the others deserved that, maybe that's why he was willing to sacrifice his life. He did say once when he fought Odin that if Kamen Riders protect people that it was also possible for him as a Rider to protect other Riders.

1 billion forum points to anyone who knows who I quoted.

Interesting insight, especially with the part you mentioned which I bolded. I do remember him saying that. I think Shinji was hopeful to the end, he probably didn't know what was to become of anything at the moment with only he and Akiyama left, and losing Yui. He still knew he had people to protect and he died in the process of saving that little girl that showed up. Hell at the end of the series he finally realized that Kitaoka wasn't exactly fighting to live a life of luxury, he was actually just trying to live to begin with since he only had a few months left.

His death scene is one of the best scenes of the entire series. I kept thinking, "oh he'll use the Survive card and maybe he will be alright", but no, dude had a heartbreaking conversation with Akiyama then freaking DIES.

Shinji didn't go out in a blaze of glory but damn what a sad ending! I remember reading that when Burai died in Zyuranger, there was a letter writing campaign to bring him back, but that the writers, while acknowledging his popularity, decided not to, because they wanted to show that even heroes can die. Might have been the same premise behind killing Shinji off, the most heroic of the Riders in Ryuki dying yet never yielding from his purpose; to protect others.