[DreadBringer]

Geats' version of Takahashi's Christmas twist. And obviously Michinaga will return later. He IS a zombie... who rises from the dead.

Buffa is one of the strongest DGP Riders other than Geats, the 2nd one at the beginning of the series, and Tycoon & Na-Go has reached that level too while ago. They can take on most of what DGP throws at them, but so far, none of the Riders other than Geats can stand a chance against the final boss, including those 3. Though this is also a reminder to not underestimate Shirowe, who also can be someone who only final boss was too much for him.

Other than their similar entry to fight as previous episode, the 3 Riders' line before they face the final boss also sums up their characters, of which Michinaga focusing to beat up monsters signify his destructive and hostile competitive nature, while Keiwa focusing to rescue people obviously displays his selfless and protective nature, and Neon claiming both should be done, perhaps it's her balancing between being competitive while not wanting anything bad to happen to anyone in the process including her competitors with her shouting Michinaga's name here. Like Keiwa, Neon lately is also actively rescuing civilians, and yeah, for non-Keiwa players, the question of them doing it only for the civilian rescue points is real, but I'd think Neon's is also genuine based on her helping Keilow, of which that one wouldn't give her any benefit.

Seems that Keiwa and Neon not getting their confidence back after beating the Jamato Riders make sense here, as now, they can't beat a Jamato Rider even when tag teaming it, different results from before. And it seems to be due to it evolving according to how Buffa says a higher-ranked Jamato he fought is significantly stronger, other than Keiwa being all confused. In contrast to those 2, Michinaga is overconfident instead and is hell-bent to one-up Ace by winning the game without him, and his recklessness finally paid him the price here by getting himself outright killed. The Jamato Riders' speeches, it only imitates what has been said by the players, but dunno if it has actual consciousness or that the speeches are all just coincidences, but they're limited to repeating it like Bugster Saki from Ex-Aid.

Now this seems to further explain why Keiwa gives Ace his Desire Driver before, both in ep. 13 and 14, that it's the Riders feeling safer to have Ace fight, leading to Geats using all the available Buckles (including Zombie) to finish off the final boss here. Seems passive from the action standpoint, but those 2 are still also dealing with other issues, like Keiwa trying to get to know what the Jamatos actually are, and Neon inspecting potential nepotism in DGP based on her return. Other than Ace revealing that Girori is Game Master, them resorting into breaking into DGP is mostly themselves instead of following Ace. And even with no fighting, Neon insisted that they aren't strong enough yet, which means they don't necessarily give up either and would try to get stronger so one day they may be able to face the final boss.

Another similarity to Ryuki, in how some feels the secondary Riders are the actual primary Riders, and the primary Riders being the one to make a dent in the game creator's plans, it's even done in a similar way, of Ace stuffing himself with notes in his room, like Shinji stuffing his office and room with notes after he lost his memories due to Time Vent before he can warn people, so that he ends up punching Odin. Here Ace makes a series of notes to lead him into Jamar Area, so he can regain his memories. Seems that only current unfulfilled wishes that changed the person, as Ace is still narcissistic after his elimination, and his current wish is only becoming DGP Staff. Though Ace consistently showed concern to people around him to his crew and as he enters the Jamar Area, perhaps this is similar to how he acted in Labyrinth game too but without DGP memories.

Other than his treatment to Ace, Girori outwardly seems to be 'encouraging' to his Riders, as well as standing up to them against Archimedel who roots (literal too) for Jamatos, displaying trust in their abilities to save the world. But yeah this can be something that hides something more sinister, in how he deliberately set up Keiwa and Neon to fight Ace in the next episode. The DGP rule at the end is also heavily on his favor, after the previous rule implying that it'd be his downfall. Other than how the trio is now more attached than ever, with a nod to ep. 1 when Ace carries them away (and they can win games without harming the others), it also seems unlikely those 2 can beat the Rider who beat a final boss they can't beat, but that would likely happen for Keiwa to bring Michinaga back.

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Damn, it's a week early! Talk about subverting expectations. Ace's elimination and now this. Michinaga's death may have been his own fault, but still, his last words were no less tragic to hear. Despite hating Ace, he believed in his encouragement that he could win someday as long as he continued to stand and fight. He felt betrayed by him when that didn't work out, accusing him of lying like he always does. Michinaga had the strength to win, but that's as far as he could go alone, as he refused the help he ultimately needed. Now, ironically, his only hope of that encouragement being proven true is for his rival to win once more in his place. While I don't condone his destructive means, he was willing to risk his life and happiness to get justice for his friend and I have to praise his bravery for committing to that. In the end, Michinaga was a Kamen Rider.

Thinking about it, Michinaga being the one who is killed is fitting for his Zombie theme, as obviously his return from the dead is inevitable. Otherwise, yeah his death is his fault, and it'd still be tragic (there are some deaths caused by one's own fault but they can deserve to live and learn), but I never got into a right vibe of framing recklessness as bravery. I know ep. 10 before had this inspiring Ace, but this is similar to for example, governments who frame victims (due to risk involved or them having no care to their well-being) as martyrs to cover up their mistakes, normalizing throwing away lives in the name of 'bravery' and them escaping responsibility.

I'd like for Michinaga's clear shortcomings to be more acknowledged tbh, as much as kind-hearted character's naivety or indecisiveness. There has been some people comparing him and.. Kaito Kumon, another Rider who is destructive while also having sense of honor and keeps being honest and determined throughout, of which also has similar (can be ignored) shortcomings in never asking for help with his wounds, advice, or people to share their strength with him, keeping him in this spiral of failure, and even still being in denial of acknowledging camaraderie for survival even after seeing it.

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Just as I expected, Ace is Kamen Rider Geats as long as he breathes. He doesn't even need to appeal for his qualifications, as he was never disqualified. The fact that Giroli didn't expect this outcome even though he was the one who granted that desire makes him look like even more of an idiot. All of his attempts to get rid of Ace are completely in vain, simply due to how he never considers how people will react to what he does.

His first wish also makes it expected that it won't be his end, though didn't expect it to be done mid-game. His first wish is the most ideal one to get through DGP, basically giving him infinite wishes too to try various things, but with some effort that he can solve with his skill. And I agree, other than Ace's intelligence, this is also Girori being idiotic. Like he's just so shortsighted on his plan. Even viewers would know that too that Ace being eliminated wouldn't be his end, as he can be chosen again as a DGP participant from his first wish. Not to mention, Girori didn't even notice Ace's writings on his wall, unlike Yui and Okubo in Ryuki regarding Shinji's notes (albeit it obviously fills his entire office/room). His plan can be fixed by simply probably planning on Ace's murder as a human (though he's still a capable fighter), such as stabbing him in his sleep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

To emphasize Ace's return, Geats' fight scene was awesome and especially hype due to the third ever appearance of MagnumBoost! Seems to be a once a season thing.

Yeah, this fight is awesome, after the series gives many well-choreographed fight, blows the ep. 1 one out of the water. As Geats outclass any Riders by far, this is exemplified by him using Boost in an even more advanced way than Na-Go in ep. 4. He also exemplifies Command Twin Buckle's abilities to get through the final boss' attacks from various sides. Just that weirdly Fever Shot Buckle is still unused even by him (should be with Zombie). With how the Jamatos are evolving and Archimedel thinks this one is ready to rule the world, this final boss seems to be harder than previous ones for any Riders, except for Geats. But this game seems to be designed without Geats in mind, thus I'd still say the hardest game was Musical Chairs to strip the main equipment of the Riders, of which Geats is invincible only with it.

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Originally Posted by Omnikaiser

Im pleasantly surprised with Tsumuri attitude. She doesn't like Ace that much but her respect for the rules is greater.

So far, Tsumuri seems to play Yua's role in Geats (both are the secondary female leads), though probably is a more active one. She's a part of (probably) baddies, but she's the one that still has some conscience and shows disapproval to her superiors. And in an ironic twist, now she's the one who insists Riders' wishes to be honored to Girori trying to deny Ace his rights as Rider, compared to previously where Tsumuri rejects Ace's wish. Albeit Niram so far is the one that gives me Gai vibes, instead of her direct boss Girori (of which some suspects Glare will receive similar continuous beating as Thouser). Niram previously claims he's there for balance, but he seems to have clear interest on Geats, and talks about realism as his worldview so far.