[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER 555 EPISODE 48



--1--

So, a lot of the things that bugged me last episode continued to bug me in this episode. (Yuuji's attitude lacks any trace of the character I've invested in for the past 40-odd episodes, to the degree that he might as well just be Orphan Daddy's biological son, a brand-new character.) Plus, there're a couple new things to dislike. (I can't believe that they're already done with Orphan Daddy's story; I'm really surprised they'd put so much dramatic weight on Kusaka saving Mari.)

But! But.

Let me spend some time talking about the things I did like. I'd rather do that. If you're looking to know how much what I'm going to talk about was a part of the experience of watching this episode, I'd say maybe 25%. Three-quarters was stuff I didn't much care for (to varying levels of disinterest), to one-quarter stuff I enjoyed.

I'd just... I'd rather talk about that good stuff rather than continue to harp on the series' failings.

--2--

Like, man, did not expect this arc to do so much with Kaido! I was just saying earlier today that I like the idea of someone following through on the ideals that Yuuji's forsaken, but I was not figuring on that someone being Kaido!

It makes a ton of sense, though, and the scene between them was the best one in the episode. It's Kaido calling out how callous Yuuji's become, while admitting that the old Yuuji was maybe his idol. I like that, that Kaido always envied Yuuji's resolve, his steadfast belief in the ability for Orphnochs to overcome their cruelty and rage. It's a nice little coda to Old Yuuji, that he was right. That he could reach someone else and teach them to care for others. It adds some heartbreaking regret to the Yuuji stuff by showing how worse things are for everyone, now that Old Yuuji is gone.

Having it be the most selfish character who decides to live by Yuuji's code, it's by far the smartest choice this story offered.

--3--

There's another thing they do that I thought was interesting, even if it's not something I think has a ton of juice in it. Basically, what if Kusaka has been right all along?

The unconvincing speed at which Yuuji fell makes this one a tough pill to swallow, but maybe Kusaka was right to think that all Orphnoch will turn on humanity? It's almost impossible at this stage in the series to see Takumi and Kaido as anything but the exceptions that prove the rule. They're the Good Orphnochs, because when you just say Orphnoch you're implying evil. You have to modify it for the two of them.

This episode at least considers that idea, with Orphan Daddy saying that Orphnochs all deserve to die and that stopping the Orphnoch King is a sacrifice that'll save humanity. (Which, I'm trying to stay positive, but what in the hell was Orphan Daddy thinking, bringing Dark Yuuji into this scheme at this point?! The whole scheme depends on Yuuji destroying the Orphnoch King to save humanity, dooming all Orphnochs to an ashy demise. Yuuji, who just went through a massive emotional event that led to him loudly turning his back on humanity. Just... why would Orphan Daddy tell Yuuji that he's doing this all for humanity?! Yuuji had just murdered the guy who was trying to save humanity right in front of Orphan Daddy! He's turned his back on his friends because they want to protect humanity! WHAT IN THE HELL WAS ORPHAN DADDY THINKING, BRINGING DARK YUUJI INTO THIS SCHEME AT THIS POINT?!)

It's a fun concept to play around with, even if I'd be shocked if that's where the series landed on Should Orphnochs Exist. It's neat to think that, much like the Sawada story, maybe everyone's been projecting a humanity that doesn't exist, and that Orphnochs who won't kill humans are denying their nature. I don't think that's what the show's been saying, but it's a fun thing to entertain for a minute.

--4--

Solid episode for Kusaka, maybe? Not sure.

There's a thing I liked in it. I like that while you could view his actions as heroic, I don't know that Kusaka got any more heroic in this episode. He's always hated Orphnochs and wanted to protect Mari, and that's what he died doing. I respect that the show never reformed him, or had his sacrifice be more than a consequence of his rage and selfishness. It's a neat way to take objectively heroic acts (trying to save Mari, trying to stop a villain, dying in the process) and make them so subjective that Kusaka stays irredeemable. Tricky, but I think the show landed it.

Plus, being able to see Mari as he died without her seeing him? Perfect metaphor for Kusaka and Mari's storyline, and a poetic end to my least favorite pairing on the show.

--5--

I still mostly didn't like this episode. It wasn't as disappointing as the last one (hopefully nothing else in Kamen Rider ever is), but I think that was more down to me being prepared this time.

But, y'know, there's still stuff around the edges to enjoy. I like “troop builder” Rider types, so the Riot Troopers (thank you TV-Nihon splash screen) are right up my alley. (I like how a show with Rider troops has to make them cool enough to be a suit, but lame enough to not be a Name suit. It's mostly color choices, or the lack of a cool Driver.) Takumi's side of his phone call with Yuuji was great. It's half of a really great scene. There's a neat lighting effect the DP uses to get in and out of Mari's flashback. I like that Keitaro is playing soccer with Teruo.

It's like, little things.

I didn't mention it last time (too busy being a baby), but Soeno had a little speech that feels more and more relevant to my experience with these final Faiz episodes. He's talking to Sawamura, who feels terrified by whatever is to come. Soeno, though, he's easy-going about it. Sawamura, in disbelief, wants to know why Soeno isn't freaking out. Soeno tells him that the world is a chaotic place. You never know what tomorrow's going to bring, and most of it you can't do anything about. If you're lucky, you can protect a little bit of happiness. Just a little bit. And that can be enough, if you let it be. A little bit of happiness is all we can ask for sometimes, and we need to be okay with that.

He also recommends alcohol, which feels equally wise right now.


(I also really enjoyed this sign. I imagine Mad Science Division was considered too on-the-nose.)