[Kamen Rider Lucha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red5

Ninninger isn't even 20 episodes in yet and if we are going to compare Nin to Kaku, then let's look at the first 20 episodes of Kaku; they were way dumber and more ridiculous than anything Nin has aired yet. Nine isn't dumbing anything down, nor is it treating the audience like they are stupid. It's a light-hearted show and light-heart sells right now. You are entitled to your opinion, but I do think that it is wrong.

I like Ninninger and Kakuranger a lot (Kaku is a top-three favorite series), but they both have their weaknesses. I think they're good shows to compare and contrast, beyond both being about ninjas. Specifically because Kaku was very goofy and comedic for its first chunk of episodes, just like Ninnin has been so far.

Comparing the first 18 episodes of each series, I'd argue that Kaku is actually goofier than Ninnin, although I think Kaku's sense of humor is smarter. Kaku's comedy is based on pointed social satire, whereas Ninnin's humor is pretty vapid and surface level. Since comedy is such a big emphasis in these episodes, I think Kaku's superiority here is pretty substantial.

But... Ninnin improves upon Kaku, at least in the first 18 episodes, in its approach to overarching plot and character development. The first hint of an overarching plot in Kaku doesn't emerge until Junior's arrival in episode 18, and the show doesn't start developing its lead characters in earnest until the mid-20s. Meanwhile, Ninnin shows us an overarching plot from episode one, and it builds 3 distinct, fully fleshed-out characters (Kasumi, Fuuka, and Yakumo), one of which is gunning for franchise-classic status (Kasumi, with her bubblegum-flavored ruthlessness). Even the characters I don't like (Kinji, I'm looking at you) or who are not particularly unique (Takaharu), I find hard to discount as under-developed compared to Kakuranger. Nagi is the obvious exception, but look at the first 18 of Kaku, and you'll find Sasuke, Saizou, and Seikai are equally bland.**

Do I expect Ninnin to reach the dramatic heights of Kakuranger's second half, which is some of the best sentai I've ever seen? Based on recent series (and based on the overarching plot already established, which is admittedly pretty freakin' bland), I have to say no, I don't. But I don't think it's fair to count it out quite yet. Whether one likes it or not, Ninninger has a lot going for it -- and I'm confident that there are interesting developments in store for the next 28+ episodes.

** Kaku's early episodes spend a lot of time developing the monsters of the week as actual characters, often at the expense of developing the heroes, which is something that makes it unique in the Sentai pantheon (as far as I've seen, at least). I readily admit that criticizing Kaku's sparse development of the heroes until later episodes may be missing the creators' point -- even though it still rings as problematic to me.