[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Yeah, Shinji looks for the good in others, while Sachika clearly sees the good in others. For Primary Riders, I'd say Sachika is more like Kenzaki or Eiji, who were good influences on Hajime and Ankh. While she doesn't act on conjecture for quick accurate judgments, she can take the measure of people by being in their company long enough. So it's not like her faith in Shouma is based on nothing, she's just been his friend long enough to know he's a good guy.

All of the boy scout primary Riders would be good influences to the other characters around them (not all but still). Though tbf, said charismatic villains who deceive others could be in the good guy's company for long enough, likely for example Sou Fueki in Wizard, or the figures in a seemingly good organization like Tennoji in Blade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Takumi and Kiba did resolve the misunderstanding soon after learning each other's identities though, with Kusaka being necessary for the plot to extend it. The healthy example of Wataru and Nago is from another Inoue season, so his favorite misunderstanding trope isn't as extreme as people like to exaggerate.
It's good that you relate to Shouma, as he's certainly a strong role model hero. However, his hesitation to speak his thoughts is still a flaw, albeit a fair and understandable one. Being a good influence on others sometimes means being willing to say stuff they don't want to hear. If they're healthy enough, they'll respect the honesty and strive to become better. If not, that's their problem.

It's indeed a flaw, which should also be acknowledged that a character being morally good doesn't mean that they're "mary sue"/flawless like some claim, that flaws don't only consist of dark traits - this kind of flaw is like one being socially awkward or shy though. But if people can't see flaws in even a likable villain, then they likely would never view Shoma as having flaws he needs to work on. Something like Kusaka still insisting that the Orphnochs are all evil including Takumi or Kiba might be viewed as the miscommunication part too to accuse the series as creating contrived conflicts by not making Kusaka know better like he's supposed to be, that he should be smarter than the way he presented than the way he was in the show. Though Inoue was kept on a leash for the TV shows, as in the unrestricted Kiva novels, Nago was villainous.