[MarsHottentot]

The only quibble I have with Kamen Rider Blade is one that could be levied at pretty much EVERY toku drama: characters learn pertinent info about another character then beat around the bush rather than just tell them directly because it's episode 26 and they need to drag that shit out! Really my only problem. I love this show - just when you think you know what's going on, something comes and screws up the status quo and, once it's in gear, it's just constantly moving forward. The card motif really works well and they fetishize the hell out of the drivers (probably smart if you want kids to salivate and scream bloody murder until Mom gives up and buys one).

And there were some real surprises! My favorite being when Blade helps up a badly wounded Garren - who immediately gut shoots him for his trouble!

The effects are pretty great, too: the suits are high quality (the S&M animal men motif was suitably creepy) and the amount of sparks in the show is insane - some characters catch fire for a second here and there - it's nuts.

Man, where can I learn to make a pop gun like Garrens?