[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltmatrix

So if Wizard has 6.2% what's Kyoryuger hitting right now ratings wise? I'm curious since the toys are apparently selling like gang busters.

The most recent numbers I can easily find are from late June. As of episode 16 it was averaging a 4.0%. I've heard that they've been going up, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I LOVED this episode.

Wizard has a lot of useless, fluff characters, but the core characters that matter are so well realised and are the reason that I can never truly hate this show. I wish Mayu was in the series way earlier because her presence both in action scenes, but also out of them is a welcome one, she is a really great character. It's impressive as well, how likeable she is, when her other role in the show is playing a sour puss I spend every episode wanting to punch in the face.

Still, Medusa got a very satisfying send off indeed, I love how Phoenix got the big epic action send off, but she got the big epic emotional send off. Just a shame neither of those characters lived up to their own endings.

Also man Nitou really has grown into a very very likeable character, I love how he is actually a person now and isn't just another piece of unnecessary comic relief. His big, almost aggressive personality where he flings his emotions all around the room really does strike a great balance with Haruto's play his cards close to his chest, shoulder the burden alone personality. The raw cracks in Haruto's voice as Nitou confronts him and his actions speak volumes, that is what I love about Haruto, it's all in the details for those who care enough to look. And that is what I love about Nitou, he works in perfect balance with Haruto, making a truly classic duo. Move aside, Batman and Robin.

Really the only thing that let the episode down was the worlds most obvious twist.

I agree with all of this, although I will say that the world's most obvious plot twist was handled pretty well. At this point it looks like the entire point of the whole Sabbat ritual wasn't to create Phantoms, but to find the people who could overcome the despair and become Wizards. So pretty much every Phantom attack since then has likewise been about creating new Wizards and not Phantoms. In a way it's kind of like Gamou's hunt for the Horoscopes in Fourze, except here it's not "I'll make you a monster in the hopes that you Digivolve into Champion" and more "I'll torment you in the hopes that you become a superhero - if not, you'll just die and a monster will walk around in your corpse." As someone who's missed Kamen Rider's darker side in the last few years, this kind of extreme "ends justify the means" campaign pleases me.

I can only assume that the four Wizards (Haruto, Mayu, Yuzuru, and Todoroki) are going to be some kind of mana batteries for whatever the Philosopher's Stone does that'll make Koyomi a real girl. I don't see Haruto or Mayu going along with that willingly.

And man, how great is Mayu? I'm really liking the way she's developing as a character. I'm glad the show is keeping her around and using her effectively as a flawed, but dedicated hero.

My favorite scene this week was Haruto talking to Mayu in Todoroki's house (as a side note, I wish they cast Akira's actress from Hibiki and Decade as his wife - that would've amused me so much). Haruto's whole "I'm freaking out on the inside, but I have to hold it together for Koyomi's sake" speech is a great encapsulation of why he's become one of my favorite Riders. Even if it was followed by the incredibly boneheaded decision to give Mayu the Infinity ring.