[Switchblade]

I want to make sure I note, before anything else, that the random street thug pulling out a bazooka was the most delightfully silly thing I've seen in a tokusatsu in ages. Perfect moment, 10 out of 10, no notes.

I was really curious to see what this show would feel like, specifically if it was going to have its own identity or just feel like a slightly different take on Kamen Rider. It's definitely still a Toei tokusatsu (Toeisatsu) made in the mid-2020s. It does have some unique elements to its vibe, though, so I think it's going to avoid coming off as just a second 25 minutes of Rider.

The pacing was a little rushed because it's a first episode. I'm definitely intrigued by the characters and premise, but I want to see what the show looks like when it's not introducing a lot of new stuff all at once.

I appreciate the show keeping the whole "let's watch that transformation again in slow motion" thing from the original series, but I'm not going to be upset if they don't do it in every episode. I am missing the classic Space Sheriff villains lair full of absolutely bonkers monster designs that will never do anything, though.