[Sh Ranger]

Kabuto not using his default form in the first episode is atypical but not completely unique. Kuuga was stuck in Growing Form and Ryuki was stuck in Blank Form for their first episodes since they hadn't unlocked their default forms yet. In Kabuto's case, he could use his default form if he wanted to but Heisei Phase 1 is a little slower at showing new forms. If EX-Aid had aired a decade earlier than it did, Level 2 might have debuted in the second episode as well. I think leaving Rider Form's debut until the second episode adds some more suspense to it, so it will be more awesome when he finally uses it. Tendo is something of a minimalist, unlike most Primary Riders, he uses what he has to in the moment.

I would like to mention one thing I love about Kabuto is NEXT LEVEL, my third favorite OP in Heisei Rider! The show actually starts out pretty good and surprisingly apocalyptic with the Meteor of 99.