[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshToku

I remember the stuff with Adel was what frustrated me the most when I first watched those episodes. I didn't think Takeru should just kill him without hesitation or anything, but I didn't like them showing Adel having a change of heart. Personally, I think it should have been Takeru showing mercy to someone regardless of whether they deserved it, and Adel then pitifully goes into a self-destructive rage that doesn't help anyone, leading into the Ganmeiser taking over.

Maybe I was just a bit too jaded about him since he had spent so much time being completely irredeemably evil, and also flat-out killed Makoto (who fortunately got better) two minutes before all that sappy stuff played out. (And I usually love sap!)

When you get to it, I hope you like Specter ReBirth! It's... pretty special!

I think the show pulled the move you're suggesting a few episodes prior, when Takeru reaches out and Adel literally slaps his hand away. That was some hilarious villain energy!

Similarly, I thought the Adel redemption stuff worked because of how much farther they pushed his character. He stops being some cold, imperial obstacle and starts laughing in Takeru's face when he remembers he killed Takeru's dad. He's so aghast at the thought of needing human connection that he's going to taunt Takeru's strategy of reaching out, needling Takeru into a (justifiable!) rage so Adel's dim view of emotional support is proven correct.

But, no! Takeru still, after everything, after any other Rider would've Rider Kicked this dude's spine out of his body, that's not Takeru's way. To go back to some joke I made at the start of this thread, to Takeru all life is one life. Adel is clearly in deep, unacknowledged pain. That means Takeru is in pain, too. Together, maybe they can help Adel get better? I like that idea more than a one-size-fits-all Evil Must Be Punished view.

Also, like, you said, Makoto immediately gets better (not my favorite choice!), Takeru wishes everyone Adel killed back to life, so... what are even consequences anymore?