[Kiwami]

What a fantastic episode. First of all: The Future Riders are the best thing since sliced bread and I love them all, but Kikai goes beyond what even Shinobi and Quiz did. They created a perfect, interesting world for him, gave it a fitting, charming Showa-look which ties into the history of the future and then round it all up with a fantastic Rider. Kikai rules. Shinobi had the best suit and powers, Quiz was the most developed character, but Kikai is the one I can immediately see carrying a 45+ episode show on his own.

His world, character arc and powers are so Rider-like it’s almost like he was a Showa Rider that never came to be. I adore him already.

But what makes this episode great is that the Zi-O frame that surrounds the Kikai parts was enjoyable as hell. Sougo’s comedy was on point this time, I laughed out loud a couple of times, and the action was exceptionally well executed even for a show which already does well in that department. Plus, Swartz turning on Uhr is a nice twist that makes sense but could turn the balance between the Time Jackers and their enemies substantially, at least they hint that Houra will not tolerate that betrayal.

The only thing I didn’t like, and that started last episode, was how Tsukuyomi’s character turned around 180° for no fathomable reason. She went from "I have no doubts about Sougo" to "Let’s kill that sucker" in 5 seconds and it doesn’t work for me. I get that she would become doubtful after Sougo openly shouted things like "I accept the Darkness" but she should be bright enough to understand the context. Plus, she is the kind of character who would act carefully and slowly, I feel like giving her a short arc of doubt before she goes radical like this would’ve been better. She acts like Geiz would or rather, did, a few episodes ago. Meanwhile Geiz acts like Tsukuyomi now?

If there’s anything I don’t like about Zi-O as a show it’s how Geiz and Tsukuyomi struggle between trusting Sougo and trying to kill him. It’s not a bad idea, but I think the execution is lacking.

I do hope it's just a scheme White Woz is playing but with the track record of this show I kinda doubt it.

Bottom line: Kikai rules, I still like this show, but I think it could be better.