[Den-O]

The show definitely just throws everything plus the kitchen sink at you right off the bat. Seeing BOARD destroyed almost completely within the first episode is jarring but it adds a real dimension of terror. The good guys are on the ropes from episode 1 and it's an uphill struggle from there.

Of course the designs are strikingly solid for the riders. Chalice especially. The Undead however are fairly bland looking, almost like knockoffs of Grongi and Mirror Monsters shoved together. That's not to say the designs don't improve as the series progresses, but they aren't particularly interesting right now.

Of course Kenzaki is a bit annoying, he's in the Shinji Kido vein of riders (though I loved Shinji) but he seems pretty earnest. Tachibana is as cold and dickish as I could have hoped for and it's good to see him in his original element before Fourze

All in all a strong first showing of episodes. I have to ask though as I'm really not sure, are the aspect ratios for episodes 7 and up goofed up for anyone else? My video is crunched down and stretched pretty wide.