[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 18 - “FAREWELL TO N - FRIENDS IN THE WIND”



It’s interesting how much this Kirihiko story turned out to be a Sonozaki story.

I can see why – I mean, this is the last Kirihiko story, so you’re better off using it to inform the remaining antagonists for this series. While it’s neat to see Kirihiko realize the limitations of his need for power and authority, albeit in service of what he deems to be the greater good, it’s more compelling to use Kirihiko’s burgeoning conscience and/or awareness of consequences to get a better look at Wakana, Saeko, and Ryubei.

The Wakana scene is the best one, both for its easy charm (Kirihiko is rightfully surprised that Wakana treats him with any affection whatsoever) and the fun twist of Wakana spreading her introspection out to other people. She’s starting to see herself outside the structure of the Museum, and she wants to give Kirihiko the chance to do the same. It’s this nice moment of someone in the Sonozaki family actually treating Kirihiko as something other than an inconvenience or an entertaining failure, and it’s terrific to see that person end up being Wakana.

Because, oh man, do Ryubei and Saeko not see that guy in any kind of positive light.

The Ryubei scene ends up being a bit more exposition than character work, with Kirhiko learning about the source of the Gaia Memories (the Earth itself – I mean, it’s right there in the name, guy) as well as his own role in the schemes of the Museum. He’s been a patsy from the start, just a useful idiot that can maybe be coerced or cajoled into unlocking the Nazca Memory’s abilities, nothing more. Now that he’s topped out his potential and is almost dead, he’s got nothing left to offer the Sonozakis. Ryubei tries to murder him, but in a gleefully half-hearted It’s The Least I Can Do For My Pointless Son-In-Law kind of way.

Saeko, however, goes the full Femme Fatale on him, shrugging off his pleas to join him on the run by pointing out that she never loved him anyway, and also here is a giant ball of energy as an alimony settlement. (She even personally sold the Bird Memory to Akiko, twice.) It’s the final nail in an episode-length coffin, and it comes with the tease that Saeko is not content to be a lieutenant for much longer.

Amongst all of these other character arcs and foreshadowing, we still get a nicely contemplative finale for Kirihiko. He always loved Fuuto, even as he conspired to flood its most vulnerable citizens with USB drug metaphors. He thought he was serving a greater good, and turned his back on power when he realized how much Fuuto was really hurting. Getting to go on that journey with him, even if it only ended up being for two episodes, was nice.

—

DIE-A MEMORIES



-Meanwhile, there was also a Gaia Memory story happening, and I could not have cared less about it. It never really connects thematically with what’s going on with Kirihiko, and it’s just there to be a line that the Sonozakis crossed. Akane's addiction to enbirdening is hilarious for how unsubtle it ends up being, and none of the cast of kids felt completely fleshed out. (Touma's just A Jerk, and the other two... existed?) I definitely preferred what was going on with Kirihiko to what was going on with Akane and her need to become a bird again.

-Nice to see that the Sonozaki mansion was built atop the scenic and majestic Toku Caves. I love them so much! Easily in my Top 3 for toku locales, alongside Kamen Rider Stadium and That One White-Checked Building.

-Accel’s almost here!!!