[Kamen Rider Die]

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Originally Posted by ShyGuy

This is exactly the kind of perspective that makes me want to try it again. I think if I view it from this angle, I can enjoy it more. When I first watched it I was definitely focusing less on that and more on general plot, which is a type of viewing I've moved beyond just in general since then. So I think I might be able to get a lot more out of it on a second viewing considering both the changes in my own viewing style and your insights.

I really hope it works for you!

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Otherwise, didn't you say that you don't want for a prick to change for the better at the end? That it's a smart choice of a show to keep characters still being an asshole?

I might've said that? I honestly don't remember. (Everyone on this thread is way better at recalling my comments and takes than I am.)

For this one, I think the whole point of Takumi's story is to, not redeem him, but evolve him? He's an asshole when it starts, but the show adds so much context and specificity to it that he can only get better as a person.

On the other hand, there's Kusaka. He starts as a tortured anti-hero and ends as a villain. He never gets better, and he actually gets worse as you learn more about him?

So, I don't know. I think there's a benefit to not trying to turn everyone into a nice guy, but there's also times where you need to give a character an arc. Does that make sense?

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

That means Inoue was on the right track for Faiz as a concept, but sorta forgot what KR meant for kids, that Faiz probably would work much better as anything else except as a Rider season, for those that watches KR for the hope and optimism in humanity; while Faiz is much more realistic approach as a hero genre (not everyone wants to do things) it leave a bad taste for those.

Yeah, I wonder how kids took this series. It's definitely coming at its heroism from a weirder angle.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Can you explain about Keitaro ("the show is too cruel or too bleak or too nihilistic or too morally bankrupt") to Kurona, or just recently, those who comments that they think all characters are assholes?

Oh, I mean, I have been? For two months? But they just feel differently, and that's cool. I appreciate them sharing their takes on these characters!

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

For Orphnoch King, I would like to know, what's your thoughts on those like Sigma in Drive or Gamedeus in Ex-Aid, because Orphnoch King is Faiz' answer to them.

The Orphnoch King is definitely in the same category as Gamedeus and Sigma, yeah. They're metaphors, forces of nature, obstacles. They aren't villains that you can argue with, bargain with.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Though for you, I guess he'd matter more if he interacts with more than just Ryusei School alumnus like Team Faiz or Orphnoch (except Yuji at the end)? Also if you think there's too much time digging into Ryusei School, would that contradicts with Hanagata not mattering much?

The Ryusei School bugged me because it was basically all flashbacks, all backwards-looking. It excluded the entirety of Team Orphnoch from its storytelling, and largely left Keitaro and Takumi on the outside. It was almost entirely a Kusaka story, by the end. That's too much time to explain Kusaka!

Adding more Orphan Daddy to the present-day storytelling probably wouldn't fix that, so for me it's a Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't situation. As is, it's an Orphan Daddy who feels inconsequential and a Ryusei School story that feels poorly portioned. Adding more Orphan Daddy makes the Ryusei School story way way more of the series plot, and that feels like a huge mistake. I don't really have a way in mind for them to have fixed it!

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

So I first watched Faiz back in 2009, during my own binge-watch of the Heisei era (minus Kuuga, which hadn't been subbed yet). I was really into it at first, but about two-thirds in I started seeing some of its recurring tropes become more apparent. In the years since then, I've largely let some of its more infamous elements grow larger and more egregious in my memories, helped along by a lot of the general consensus that most people have for the show. For a long time I felt I would never go back and watch it again, and the one attempt I made ended after two episodes.

I'm really glad that I joined you on this ride (pun intended) because it's given me a chance to really re-evaluate the series. There are still some elements that didn't work for me (Mihara) or made my eyes roll (some obvious cop-out fight endings), but a lot more of it worked. I'll definitely say that your own interpretations helped me view some of these areas in a new light, but I also just remembered how good this show's characters could be. I'll stand by my own comments early on in the thread that this is the soap opera Kamen Rider, but I'll be damned if that didn't turn out to be one of its redeeming qualities.

Aw, thanks! I'm glad you were able to have a better time with the show!

I think maybe bingeing this one does it a disservice? Being able to spend a day between episodes, spending some time really thinking about, it helped focus on the themes and characters rather than just letting the plot wash over me for hours at a time. I'm glad that it was helpful for other fans!

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Originally Posted by Actar

Excellent, excellent thread. While I don't agree with everything 100%, I have to tip my hat off to Kamen Rider Die for his steadfast dedication and pinpoint analysis of the entire season. Bravo!

So, on to the movie? That's one I'm really looking forward to! Also, just had my 30th Birthday Party and had a custom cake made based on the Faiz Gear Box! (^o^)

Thanks so much! And happy birthday! That cake is amazing. I hope you said Standing By before you blew out the candles, Henshin as the cake was cut, and Complete after you ate your first piece.