[Switchblade]

I went into this show pretty much blind. I skipped the preview episode and really haven't looked at much beyond the casting news for it. It's not that I wasn't interested, but I tend to find that watching the preview specials lowers my enjoyment of the premiere. I basically went in with no real expectations in place. I really like what I'm seeing so far.

The set up for the cast gives me more of a Taiga or Orb vibe, focusing on a small group that's associated with the kaiju fighters but not actual members. Nothing against the various defense teams, but it's been several years of that in a row so it's good to get some deviation again.

I am absolutely in love with this show's cinematography. I am, of course, a lifelong fan of Taguchi, but Tsujimoto is already really impressing me as the guy in charge for this year. The model shots are fantastic, there's some really impressive framing, and the action is top notch. If the show can keep up this visual style I'm going to have a hell of a good time. There really isn't another tokusatsu out there right now that looks as dynamic as Ultraman.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear Arc speak. After Trigger, Decker, and Blazar it's nice to get a relatively vocal Ultra again. I didn't realize how much I'd missed that.