[AkibaSilver]

Kamen Rider Saber: Episodes 29-34

We wrap up the Primitive Dragon arc, and move into everyone's favourite time - Secondary Rider upgrade period! And for his upgrade, Rintaro has to suffer. Poor kid has everything he's ever known torn out from under him, and does not react well. I'm reminded of Mach's little arc back in Drive, where he was frustrated that everyone else was ahead of him, but Rintaro isn't jeaous, he's full of loathing that he let himself get tricked and keeps having to get saved. But, of course, through the support of his friends, and his own desire for justice, he resolves his will, and pushes on as his best self.

And then the upgrade comes the next episode.

It all holds together fine, it's just an odd choice. Maybe it's just that, knowing the upgrade was coming, I was expecting it to be more tied into what he was going through, rather than what feels like a post-script reward?

Aside from that minor confusion though, I'm having a good time with Saber! New, edgier Kento's nihilism makes for an interesting despindent villain, and Genta is fine as an antagonist? He's evil, he wants the book of power, he's definitely gonna get stabbed in the back by Storius, good for him. Durandal is just boneless King Crimson, Sabela is getting the hints of a redemption arc, which is cool, and they even made Ren and Dezast kinda interesting!