[AkibaSilver]

Kamen Rider Fourze Episodes 9 and 10


(I was hoping to grab a better screenshot of Kengo using his facts and logic against the witches, but I forgot)

Continuing on the good streak from last time, the show settling into its rhythm allows it to fashion the most obvious "You don't need to change, you're good as you are" moral around Tomoko. Considering she's been hanging around since Episode 1, it's surprising it's taken her this long to formally join, but I guess we had to get the less likable characters out the way first. Her story is pretty simple - fall into a destructive group because they're not as outright mocking, but still not being good enough for them, until Gentarou comes along and tells her she's good as is. There's a line from Tomoko's mum, about how happy she is that Tomoko finally has some "normal friends", and that hits a little close to home.

The pacing on this one is strange, though - we have the debut of Fire States and the reveal of the Zodiarts full scheme by the end of Part 1, but that lets part 2 breathe and be more about the emotions at play than uncovering a villainous plot. Also, the direction on this one feels different to usual? A few fun angles and interesting distortion tricks. It makes up for the Zodiarts herself being a little thin on the ground. Her two sidekicks have credible enough revenge plots (Love Mio tearing into the girl for skipping class as she's committing arson! Comedy gold), but Altar's motivation is explained basically in one flashback and that's it.

Nice to finally have the gang from the opening credits all together, if nothing else!