[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Viewers would be often more focused on their favorite characters, but of course that's something really subjective in general (and this is a secondary Rider for what you talk about here, but even more if the favorite is villains like Kuroto for Ex-Aid). While viewers may be focused on seeing how the favorite character performs, it won't change who's the actual protagonist, which is something objective. Also you reminded me well than him breaking open Progrise Keys also actually had a relation to his personality of being anti-technology, at least Humagears.

Of course, I don't literally deny Kamen Rider Zero One being the protagonist of Kamen Rider Zero One, even though there are others I've seen who will. Actually, I also get annoyed hearing people casually deny guys like Shinji and Tendo, due to them not being conventional enough, so maybe I should have phrased it better. If Isamu was hogging the screen and taking focus away from Aruto, then yeah, that would suck. I appreciate how the show makes time for both of them, since their characters shine brightest in contrast to each other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE EPISODE 4 - ?THE TRUTH THAT BUS GUIDE SAW?

The problem is, both of those lessons are filtered through the prism of Fuwa?s experiences, and it takes them to such an insane level that they start to become cautionary tales. The whole idea of Fuwa telling this kid to not believe his dad caused a tragedy ? this is Fuwa telling a child to hold onto his rage and never stop blaming someone else for what might just be a tragic accident. Fuwa is telling this kid that, no matter what anyone else says, the Humagears are responsible for his dad?s death. The fact that Fuwa turns out to be right in this one instance (sort of, but we?ll get to that) doesn?t alter the fact that we?re watching a story where Fuwa teaches a child that there?s always someone to blame when anything hurts you. That?s? I don?t love that message!

I can see why you might infer that subtext of encouraging a vendetta against a potentially non-existent enemy, due to Isamu obviously having a bias from his tragic backstory. However, I think it's more like he related to this kid who was being dismissed by everybody as some bitter conspiracy theorist and struggling to resist conforming to their version of reality. When I think about it that way, it makes sense why Isamu is always so ticked off, as he thinks everybody else is ignorant to the truth about Daybreak and wants to expose it to get justice for all those who were affected, like the kid's father who heroically sacrificed himself to save others.

I thought the road trip to the submerged ruins of Daybreak was a good way to provide exposition on the lore in an intriguing and thrilling way, while showing that there are different shades to the truth, with Aruto making his point by rejecting Izu's advice to keep his identity secret, since he believes he can't truly be trusted as a president if he doesn't trust others in exchange. He helps to uncover Hiden Intelligence's involvement in Daybreak so he can get Isamu on his side and prove that he can be trusted. I think that mix of being open to new ideas and asserting your own balances out and gives Isamu a pretty complex moral for him to contemplate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE SO-DO AI 01: KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE - FLYING FALCON

I don?t like the Zero-One form changes, either? The contrasting red and COLOR are unpleasant, visually. I can appreciate how the Rising Hopper mask splits and spins around to give some height to the back of Zero-One?s helmet, but it also gives him two faces on each side of his head, like the Another Double suit got stripped for parts. I just? I do not like the whole folding-back part to the form changes. Seeing bits of Rising Hopper hanging around, fluorescent and unmissable? It just doesn?t work for me, aesthetically.

Strong disagree here. Flying Falcon is my overall favorite form of Zero One and it's rare for me to say that about a basic form change! It was a curse for me back when the show was airing, due to [spoiler]. As a consolation, it got to be one of his five playable forms in Memory of Heroez and I'm pretty sure I mentioned how much I loved it in DS' thread for that game. I think the yellow and pink are a striking combination of bright colors, the design is elegant, the name is alliterative and the fighting style is enjoyable to watch!