[AgileSiamang7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

First episode is up at Over-Time. You can also find the preview episode they skipped over at TVN.

I liked the first episode. A lot. After months of sub-par Kamen Rider and an incredibly dull kick-off to the new Super Sentai, it's so nice to have a show that feels interesting and competent again. It doesn't have quite the same old school Garo feel as Makai no Hana, but it feels closer than TOWSITD did. I'm glad to see that this show should avoid Makai no Hana's biggest failings, though, given that Gold Storm is going to be a single ongoing story instead of episodic. Amemiya's more directly involved this time, too, it seems, which is usually a good sign.

The premiere does a nice job of catching us back up with Ryuga and Rian. Obviously, those of us outside Japan haven't had a chance to see the movie yet, but I don't feel lost - the Garo suit (yes suit, not CGI, thank every deity ever) is different and Ryuga has a new scabbard, but the show isn't making a big deal out of it. The main point of Ryuga's background is still the de-blackening of the Garo armor. No mention of Aguri or Takeru, but I don't mind; I can do without another season of Junya Ikeda chewing on the scenery.

The main story so far centers around some kind of powerful sword. A couple of Horrors (one of whom is played by Masahiro Inoue) try to retrieve it but only end up with half when it splits into two pieces and flies off. No explanation yet, but it also releases some kind of crystal with an LCD countdown display. I assume it's a countdown to release some kind of gigantic, topless destroyer of worlds.

Onore Dickeido.

Ryuga and Rian mostly just fight a Horror. There's some good fight choreography and character moments (plus I'm pretty sure I saw a Keita Amemiya cameo, if I'm not mistaken). The action is definitely looking good so far, even if the main Horror this week is still in CGI. Another one appeared that looked far more like a suit, though, so ideally we'll get a mix of CGI and practical monsters again.

The new opening song is probably the weakest so far, very unmemorable. The ending is performed by several actresses from current and past Garo shows, most notably Mary Matsuyama in an all-white Rekka costume. Sakina Kuwae's orange and purple jumper looks fucking terrible. The song itself isn't bad.

But yeah: good premiere, pumped for more.

To be fair, Garo always has a proto-opening before they release the song.