[DreadBringer]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER HIBIKI VOLUME 15 - “DWINDLING THUNDER”

I mean, I obviously stan Akirasumu, but this is a pretty solid diversion. The body language is especially on-point, with the two of them fidgeting in excitement at hanging out later. Terrific opening scene.

No! A person you just met earlier in a rather cold note (Akira) can't overtake the relationship that has been built from childhood (Hitomi)! (kinda jokey here actually cuz I know it doesn't always end up that way).

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

And then we’re at the first Zanki/Todoyama fight, and, man, those guitars! I really missed them! It just makes a fight scene more hyped, more entertaining.

Guitars can be used as spears. Utilize everything you had in hand as weapons. And, I guess Zanki went into the future and watched the Sony E3 2006 conference as a tips to fight the giant enemy crab, that you have to flip it over. Zanki's stuff looks the least combat-y compared to the other Riders, unlike Hibiki who is about smacking the monster over and over, or Ibuki who turns the bullets into bombs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

And just so we don’t completely forget what show this is, it’s Hibiki! Training! With Ibuki and Akira!

Nah, Honda is just all over Kamen Rider franchise. Some other examples are Machine Tornador being Honda VTR1000F, Gills Raider & Blue Spader are Honda XR250, Shinji's bike is Honda Ruckus, Tezuka's bike is Honda CB400 SF, his Survive Mode bike is Honda X4, and for Knight Survive's it's Honda Shadow, Hardboiler (W's) is Honda CBR1000RR, Machine Massigler & Machine Builder are Honda XR230, Bike Gamer is Honda CRF250L, etc. Smart Lady's car is Honda NSX (my fave JDM) and also the car Tridoron is based on, Kageyama's car is Honda S2000, etc. And while we can see him earn it... it's rather ironic that someone with peak physical prowess can't do something as ordinary as riding a bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Meanwhile, Ibuki and Todoyama finish off the remaining Douji Or Hime (it’s usually the Douji who survives, because of misogyny, but I thought it was the Hime this time) and the Makamou with some LIGHTNING and HURLED GUITARS and MAJESTIC SHREDDING.

Yeah, the hurled guitar move is neat (as an ordinary move, not so much if someone has that as a finisher). And nah, flashiness =/= powerful, this is one important thing to judge when evaluating fights (don't be shallow just by the ability/attack looks), while Zanki resonates better to you with abilities that look cooler to you, it doesn't mean Zanki is a better combatant than the other Riders, he could be someone who is weaker than others due to age (according to him) that just happens to use guitar as a weapon. And for this one, you're okay with Todoyama being a support? Because can be judged "UseLesS" by others.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I enjoyed the conversation between Hibiki and Akira quite a bit.

Hibiki having most responsibility, he has to look after Asumu and here he did it to Akira.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Hinaka being very into Todoyama and putting him on the spot while he’s trying to call in about a defeated monster, yes.

It's been 17 years and they still haven't told us what element the Honda is. But.. despite these unique features (no pillar between the front, rear-hinged rear doors), it wasn't as nice to live with overall as the CR-V. Those rear-hinged rear doors can be a hassle, and the thick roof pillars interfere with the view out. It's a long reach to the steering wheel, there are only seats for four, and a low payload capacity limits its utility. The Element handles well enough, but is noisy and has a choppy ride. It seems that Todayama is admired by a bunch of people currently, I thought this at first for Hitomi, but it turns out to be her cousin. And actually I didn't know how did Hitomi end up in Takeshi's HQ honestly, but this is also another coincidence that must be let known like Asumu with Midori.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Zanki is epically chill, the kind of unflappable protagonist that it’s easy to see Todoyama feeling inferior to.

And dunno for me, Zanki probably didn't have anything of that intention, but his chillness and unflappable can come off as being cold and dismissive somehow to me. He utters nice words, but it can sound curt and also with it being mostly short. And for all Todoyama has like above (and being a police officer too?), he still has lack of confidence and fear like clearly shown in this episode, and I ought to people not to demean that part.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Even the more straightforward exposition scenes are killer, with the camera zooming into and alongside Team Zanki?’s Element at the start of a scene, and then separating and zooming at the end. The content of Ichiro and Zanki’s conversation is largely about conveying info, but I like how when Ichiro brings up Zanki’s sudden retirement, Zanki just goes, “Yeah. Sorry.” He’s so cool!

Dude it's clear... Team Zanki's Honda Element is green, while the rest's Element is red. They're opposite colors in the spectrum... would that imply something?? And well, if Ichiro wants to be reasonable, he has to accept Zanki's retirement proporsal, he can't force himself to work against his will and endanger himself and potentially others.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

THAT. HENSHIN. Gotta be in the Top 5 Henshins ever. They call down lighting and explode into superheroes. Unbelievable. This is the most jaw-dropping, metal episode of this show yet, and it’s one of the first where I’m salivating for the next one.

I agree, this is one outstanding henshin. And to me, also more like how this one henshin you can freely pose because you are protected from attacks by that lightning.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I think what I meant by 'drama' was that there really isn't any conflict to the Hibiki/Ibuki/Akira team, which is heart-warming, but also leaves their scenes without much to talk about. A little drama is necessary. The Oni getting along and doing their jobs well with no disagreement or conflict is great for Takeshi, but it doesn't really fill out a TV show.

Well, necessary to you, doesn't mean it objectively is needed or not filling out. "cynical tryhard edgy media with milktoast characters = good " mindset needs to stop, obviously not purge away those completely, but like, this aspect being hailed as something (or worse, considered the only way) to make something appear more complex than it actually is when it degrades and is pretentious in its attempt. Unless you meant for conflict being just any obstacles, struggles, and challenges a character need to overcome (like Asumu's story), then sure why not (like probably Akira being Ibuki's apprentice), which is also something I want to convey, that conflict isn't only toxic characters childishly infight all the time, so no need to degrade characters to create conflicts. And well, I guess, because of mentor archetypes having lack of struggles, stories commonly kill off mentors because of the reason you mention here.