[DreadBringer]

So this is a season that takes the place of what Fourze was planned to previously as yearly anniversary season (50th, to Fourze's 40th), I wonder (and hope) how will anniversary season that doesn't involve revisiting previous series go. For anniversary, so many 50 motifs, including the main family's surname Igarashi which means "Fifty Storms". So far:

The series seems to be the lighthearted and spiritual type (probably a nod for Fourze before too), though the spiritual aspect seems to be at surface, a dark type that it involves a demon worship cult Deadman, contrasting to Ghost's spiritual themes that are portrayed in positive light such as "Heroic Spirits" (albeit it glorifies the likes of Nobunaga and Edison too much). Keep the lighthearted part of the main cast, but I'd like for them to explore more of the world there, like how it ends up centering on a devil cult, which probably can add up bleak elements in the world. Currently the cult members are acting like concert audiences... even despite Julio telling them off to not "pretending to be happy" *cheers louder*. The Deadman's opposition Fenix being scientific already contrasts the Deadman, which should be ok for the darkness to contrast the lighthearted-ness opposite faction.

Ikki's a protagonist with the typical cheerful and bright personality (with his limit being Vice's antics), albeit he's not the type to accept Rider's powers right away and prioritize family more, but at least he returns Revice Driver to George gently. Vice possessing him is really problematic for his daily life as it'd screw him up and others (like his mom) due to no others being able to see Vice. The problem of him causing a mess seems to be solved after fully knowing Vice's nature, but personal problem likely still applies where he still can be seen as crazy for interacting with unseen beings. For Ikki's affinity with soccer, I'd actually hope for soccer-like Rider Kicks, at least he did it a bit with the debris from the Deadman's attack at Daiji's ceremony.

Vice takes the role of more morally dubious but comical monster sidekick like Momotaros. Though of course it's unknown yet if Vice will replicate Momo's success. Like Momo, Vice is loud, loves to fight and show off his strength as well, and a representation of Ikki's inner demon (like how the Taros take up Ryotaro's traits into flaws). He ironically makes the goofy Ikki look serious. Morally dubious because currently Vice fights for selfish reason, only for self-preservance, protecting Revi so he wouldn't die with Revi dying, as well as attempting to eat humans if he's let off of his leash (with him employing tasteless joke by claiming his attempt to eat Yukimi as this, a reminder that jokes can really be misused for that).

The appropriately named Daiji (with 二 kanji as the second son), seems to have prideful trait as he denies the Igarashis being his family when they wave a flag for him. Uhh.. that'd be actually a show of insolence and ungratefulness from a child (and certain folklore have these kind of child being turned into stone for this). Daiji being paralyzed with fear due to Hiromi accidentally unleashing a monster seems to set up his character arc. I wonder if he's the one that's going to be secondary Rider.

Not much seen about Sakura yet, other than establishing her as an action girl, using her karate skills to defend against Giff Juniors. Not to talk down, but humans kicking ass against mooks have been common too, as well, like Taiga battling Bugster Virus in Ex-Aid. She seems to take up Daiji more compared to Ikki, more on serious side like talking down her father for being a weirdo. Still I'd like the series to prove her excellence in mind (as what the series tell). Other than that, her actress is the one to have an appropriate name instead of the character, with her name being Ayaka Imoto, and her character is the little sister.

Yukimi's the one that values their bathhouse the most, reprimanding Ikki for dealing with Vice and the others to neglect the bathhouse. In contrast to Sakura, Yukimi's in complete danger from Deadman's attack. Genta is shaping up to be the comic relief sidekick the series had by focusing on making viral videos. Otherwise, it's an anomaly for Rider series to have the protagonist have a complete set of family, but more than that, regularly lives with them.

George for now seems to be the 'mentor' for the main Rider regarding Rider systems. Him having European given name probably should explain him slipping English words. He's eccentric and hammy, but he seems to revel in chaotic situations a bit (contrasting other's obvious panic), concerned about Revice's performance in a chaotic situation of Deadman's attack.

Currently as for now, Hiromi, the one that tried to henshin into Revi but instead unleashes Rex Deadman, is the one with the most sense of justice, attempting to take up the role of Kamen Rider despite the risks (well, risk doesn't only involve yourself, but the surroundings too). Albeit I've seen some series before where the outwardly admirably heroic character turns out to be someone with a lot of mental issues, like Yaguruma from Kabuto and Nago from Kiva, wonder if Hiromi turns out to be like that too. If not then the name Hiromi will fit him.

Aguilera is much more ecstatic and playful than I thought, she's not the type to be calm, distant, and composed like previous major female villains such as Baruba from Kuuga (Aguilera's outfit reminds me of hers somewhat) or Uca Worm from Kabuto. She had a clear goal of reviving Giff, but her role as the leader of the villain group along with having psychopathic childish behavior reminds me of Parado too. I wonder if she's going to be someone who'd never reveal her Deadman form just like the aformentioned Baruba... and Parado, and like the latter, fights primarily as Kamen Rider.

Revice's chat motif for his henshin worked out better than I thought, the words are that spicy and varied to have the chat continue for long time. I'd want for the chat to have significance of the theme/gimmick too though like Ex-Aid's character select to portray gaming theme. As above, I liked the part where Revice uses nearby debris as projectile. And yet another one of the base main Rider's power being legs that can jump high, like OOO's Batta legs (ironically, Tyra is part of OOO's final form) and Zero One's Rising Hopper. I'd wish the finisher would act like actual stamp instead of projection though, like flattening the opponent.