[SPLIT LIP]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Lucha

I think that speaks volumes about Kiva's character, though. And shows that he's not intended to be heroic up front -- he has way too much baggage.

I'd argue that Wataru's main flaw is his passivity, of which reluctance to involve himself in the Fangire conflict is a part.

This timidity is the hurdle he must leap to become the hero he needs to be.

Only problem is that this problem is not treated like a problem.

Again, this isn't a deconstruction. It could be, but it isn't.

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I think you're right about Shotaro/W. He (and really all of the neo-Heisei primary Riders, come to think of it) is set up as a hero from the get-go. What I disagree with is the notion that all Riders should follow the same heroic-up-front model.

I didn't say all heroes need to be, merely offered an example that heroes can be.

Cheif among all, if heroism does not exist naturally in them, they will not become a hero. There has to be a seed somewhere.

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At the end of the day, I see what you're saying. Maybe the franchise could stand to have a few more Ws and a few fewer Kivas. But I still think the jerk/idiot/loser-to-hero arc is more compelling (to me) than the hero-reinforces-his-own-heroism arc.

It could, and you're obviously more than welcome to your preference.

I'm just saying a hero who watches people die without being bothered at all is not a hero to me. Especially when Wataru is otherwise so emotionally suseptable, being numb to death doesn't fit.