[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

It *is* apparently Keiichi Hasegawa's first script for this show, and also Kyouhei Yamaguchi's first gig directing standard TV episodes of Kamen Rider period(?!), which might account for something or another, but I also think the kind of vague vibes stuff I registered is more down to the show consciously trying to make things feel varied, which is also probably where these ones succeed the most.

If I was forced to find a different way of explaining why it didn't work for me (and I am not forced!), I'd say it's a too-complicated way of exploring too-simple characters. Eguchi feels undercooked, and Misa is lacking a twist of any sort, but the world they inhabit for these two episodes is like a completely TV show that the cast of Fourze uncovered and crossed over with for a fortnight. So much work went into the Cygnus concept and halo effect of the Ugly Ducklings, but the characters that existed within that setup don't feel as thought out.

(Also, man, remember when Ryuusei didn't want to detonate Zodiarts because he was desperately trying to find the one that'll evolve into Aries so he can save Jirou? Well, Ryuusei clearly doesn't remember that, since he just up and Limit Breaks Cygnus all on his lonesome. I guess his pride was pretty wounded by looking bad in front of Tomoko, which is relatable, if still wildly out of character.)