[Fish Sandwich]

Faiz 19-20:

Episode 19 is the back half of the plot that started in 18 and it's exceedingly okay. "Obnoxious kid has family problems" is just about the most ubiquitous stock toku plot out there. So to see Inoue do a very standard take on that, in a show I love for being different? It's hard to get excited about. There are things to like. While it's stretched out way too thin, I feel like the show is accomplishing something with the main trio here. Because this is a lighter plot you get to see them in a more mellow light than usual, and it reinforces how much tighter they are by this point. It's something, anyway.

At least it has the super cool final fight with J. I have to admit the fact that Kaixa killed him twice already lowers the impact a tiny bit, but if we're looking specifically at his fights with Faiz, Takkun has consistently been getting smacked around by this guy. We know a Rider Kick won't work on him, and neither will a Punch. So to see Takumi ultimately beat him by just doing both is a cute payoff, and a memorable fight scene.

Actually, this is probably as good a spot as any to mention how much I love the action in Faiz. It's got the visceral feeling I love from stuff like Kuuga, befitting the grounded tone, with Takumi in particular being extremely thuggish, always grabbing at Orphenochs and even occasionally literally kicking them while they're down, but the show also mixes in a lot of cool flashy stuff, mostly where it comes to the finishers. It's the best of both worlds. The general lack of banter is also something that appeals to me. It creates a nice contrast with the talky parts of the show, and I love that often you can still get an idea of what's going through Takumi's head from Faiz's body language.

Episode 20 has plenty going on between wacky dating antics, Takumi's new haircut, and our fourth Faiz, but strangely I don't have much to say about it, even though it's way more interesting than the last two.

Oh, and the Faiz Mistranslation Corner is on break today. Granted, I'm also an amateur doing this by ear, so it's entirely possible, even likely, I missed something, but both these episodes seemed pretty intact. Of course, there's still plenty left from earlier episodes I could touch on, but, look, I'm still exhausted from the last one of these, okay? Please enjoy this picture of a cute dog instead:



W 19-20:

Accel has a pretty strong introduction. Ryuu is a character who I think adds a lot to the show, but he also falls into the same weird position for me as some other secondary Riders, where I don't actively care about him that much, even though he's cool. But I've already discovered I actually really like Akiko, so who knows how I'll feel about him this time around. As for the arc itself, it does its job cleanly and precisely, like Double always does. I appreciate how the importance of the Kamen Rider name is once again highlighted, and the way Ryuu fills the void Kirihiko left as Shoutarou's foil is neat. Besides, another character for Shoutarou to get comically frustrated with is never a bad thing.

Also, and I think everyone who watches W thinks this, but the show stressing how heavy the Engine Blade is before Ryuu transforms is amazing. It's cool simply because it's nice to have such a direct reminder that Riders are really strong, but beyond that, it's such a delightfully high-energy way to introduce this new character. Having Ryuu running around for a fight scene, in that sort of "halfway there" state, leaves with you with a very distinct impression of him. You won't soon forget the guy who fearlessly charges at a superpowered monster armed only with the rage in his eyes and a sword he can barely hold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurona

Unfortunately between Zi-O and Gorider I have had some major elements about Blade spoiled for me, though that's been the case for Ryuki and Faiz as well. I'm just hoping it's not stuff that's supposed to be a huge surprise because as said I'm super liking it despite being two episodes in.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I went into Blade knowing (or found out midway, I can't really remember) the usual assortment of things that always get spoiled about that show, and it didn't end up making a huge difference. I think the further you get into the show, the further it'll get from your mind. Plus, with big spoilers like that, I think even when you know the "what", there's still a lot of surprise to be had from the "how" of seeing it all play out.