[Phantom Stranger]

Kamen Rider Black RX

Alright, I finally watched a few of these a while back. I knew this wasn't going be the same tone as Black, but it is rather jarring at points because of ill-timed and forced "Humour" I don't believe something like child endangerment/kidnapping should have slapstick, very badly done slapstick, injected. You can mix sad moments with contrasting ones, but I don't believe this is the way to do it. There are also some deus ex machina moments too, such as when Kotaro travels to the demon world and Acrobatter and Ridoron are there. They explain that wherever Kotaro is, they will be too. I'm fine with that even if the how isn't explained, but my problem is that later on Ridoron is used to return to Earth, and it isn't explained how the hell that works.

All that being said, I think the later episodes are really good. Inspite of the deus ex machina mentioned previously, the multi-part episode arc involving the demon world are the best episodes I've seen so far, the writing is strong, it knows when to be serious for the most part. RoboRiders début in particular is wonderfully handled, and I believe a lot of that is Tetsuo Kurata's really great performance. I don't think I've ever heard anyone scream like he does in episode 15. I also just love seeing when villains actively fuck with the hero.

Btw, I can't help but think Deathgaron in episode 14 and 15 looks like a heavily mutated Shadow Moon. I seriously wonder if he started out as a White RX concept, because he has a belt with two green circles not unlike the sun riser, and he bares a strong resemblance to a grasshopper, even more so than RX, in much the same way Shadow Moon looked more robotic than Black. But maybe I'm just seeing things.



Kamen Rider Stronger

I've really been enjoying Stronger, and it's one of my favourites (so far) of the early shows. A lot of Black Satan's schemes are really fucking macabre which I kinda enjoy. Other times it's just petty for an organization such as them, which I find perplexing.(Although you can say this about most villains in the Showa era) Seeing really messed up thing like them trying to poison School Children, are things I can see an evil organization doing. But then you have petty things, like a Biker Gang causing wrecks. Yeah it's horrible, but it's not something I can see causing mass panic.

Still, you can only take something with foot soldiers as goofy looking as the Black Satan "Owl" soldiers seriously. I think the regular mooks are the goofiest I've ever seen, even Shocker Combatmen were more intimidating. But it's entertaining as hell whenever they appear, for all the wrong reasons. Episode 3 in probably the Epitome of this, in which those things are in pedal boats.

I'm also enjoying Tackle actually kicking ass, at least sometimes. It's really annoying whenever "her being a silly woman" is brought up in the first few episodes, But is thankfully played down later on. I can only get so upset at something from 1975, and from Japan no less. Still, having her not being able to take down regular grunts when the plot deems it convenient...it's frustrating to say the least.

As for Shigeru, I don't have much of a strong opinion. Really there hasn't been much elaborated on him, the same could be said for Yuriko too but she at least has a big sister thing going for her with the Children featured. I do love how he came to be, basically tricking, or rather banking on Black Satan's incompetence and them not brainwashing him as a precaution. Seeing all the scientists with a "Oh shit, not again" look was just funny to me.


Also if Bandai Premium ever does Showa era items, I want Shigeru's denim Rose jacket, because I love that thing.


Kamen Rider OOO

I started this up again. Really my opinion hasn't change much from the last time, mainly because I haven't gotten much further in the series. I still enjoy Eiji being a character that's fully aware that saving everyone is an impossibility, but that you must try as hard as you can, whenever you can. Ankh continues to be a loveable, arrogant, smartass.

Even this early in the series though, I have a pretty good idea of where the characterization for these two is going, because I've seen this type of contrasting characterization in other works. Usually the good one becoming corrupt at some point and the not so bad guy becoming a bit more humble, sometimes reluctantly.

How the subject of greed is handled is done well, that wanting material or frivolous things isn't a bad thing, but that you can't be consumed by it.(Bandai has to sell those figuarts after all )

As far as the Greeed go, my favorite so far is Mezool. I just love how she teases Eiji, calling him OOOs boy.


Oh, and of course Kousei Kougami is a riot, but that's a given.


Kamen Rider Blade.

Only watched the first episode of this, but I really enjoyed it. I only have one complaint and that the Kurihara family's dialogue felt a bit unnatural and exposition heavy(Although I loved Amane being cheeky). Everything else was great, the atmosphere with B.O.A.R.D. (Which raises flags for me, I don't trust big organizations that capture monsters) I like the humor, I liked all the little set ups for later episodes, I like how it ends just as all hell breaks loose and a fight starts, making for a great cliffhanger. I will certainly watch more Blade when I can.