[Fish Sandwich]

Hey everyone, guess what time it is!



Time for me to put that last arc behind, because Zi-O is firmly back on track for the final stretch. I mean, Shimoyama is writing again and we get a returning character from a Kobayashi series? Like I could be anything other than satisfied.

This episode goes a long way to further prove the notable difference I feel exists between the two writers this show has had. There aren't any particularly crazy, fun concepts to the plot, but it's just as exciting because it compensates with way more in-depth character work. Mind you, Tsukuyomi is still failing to impress me with her uncanny ability to stand around looking sad, but beyond that, there's boatloads of excellent development here. The backstabbing drama between the Time Jackers is heating up to a point where it's become genuinely interesting, Geiz feels like he's about to take another huge step forward, and Sougo was perfectly on-point, showcasing that trademark "anything goes" kind of wisdom only he can offer.

Speaking of which, Aqua was great in this episode. I didn't know what to expect out of him, but the way Miharu is written here, with all those little moments of normal human awkwardness that you don't usually get out of characters in a dramatic show like this, was extremely true to how naturally characters in OOO were written, and that contrast was fun. I appreciate that he apparently actively carries those underpants around, too.

The whole episode kept me super engaged the whole time. It was also a nice reminder of why I say Zi-O has unusually tight writing. So much happened I was legitimately convinced the episode was about to end when Another Drive's identity was revealed, but that wasn't even close. It even pushes past the first time Zi-O and Geiz get blown up in slow-motion (one of the all-time classic ways Rider cliffhangers play out) to have Swartz summon a bunch of movie Riders to blow them up in slow-motion again. Now that's what I call fanservice.

The only complaint I have is once again Grand Zi-O. I'm trying to lower my expectations, but why even summon the Handle Sword if you aren't going to turn that wheel? I get that Drive himself barely did that after a while, but within the context of this show, surely you want to demonstrate the things that make all these different Rider powers unique, right? Because after the first couple times he's pulled out other Riders' swords, it's starting to lose some impact.