[MaskedRiderAsakura]

I feel like Daiji's actions are actually fairly consistent with what we've seen from him as a character, albeit manifesting in a more extreme and destructive way.

Daiji is basically middle-child energy personified. Old enough to feel the burden of guilt and responsibility, but young enough to still feel like the "baby" (even though Sakura technically is). The latter part is what resulted in Kagerou, who represents the built-up resentment Daiji has towards his family, most notably his older brother. Kagerou wanted to step out of Ikki's shadow by eliminating him, but what's most important is that since Kagerou didn't have any of the moral hangups that Daiji has, he was actually willing to act on his goals. Remember that Daiji's Rider career didn't even start of his own accord. Kagerou was the one being active, making all of the plays while Daiji was in the passenger's seat of his own body. Even when Daiji became Live, it was because Kagerou posed an immediate danger to everyone around him, and the only one who actually could stop Kagerou was Daiji gaining control of his own body. It's been said before, but Kagerou, for all of his faults, was the fire Daiji needed to kick his ass into gear, and he doesn't have that anymore.


And now, Daiji continues to have some major middle-child energy, but it's recontextualized. He's still wracked with guilt and responsibility fueled by moral obligation, but he's now reverted back into a passive role because of that guilt. There is no Kagerou to take over his body, get in his head and force him to stir the pot (for better or worse). All he's left with is his guilt and his righteousness sense of justice, no rebellious spirit to kick his ass into gear.


I've actually quite enjoyed the arc Daiji has been given here.