[SengalBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkibaSilver

I'd wait till the end of the show to call anything for Zero One, but right now, I wouldn't say Thouser. Tertiary tends to be on the heroes side, and actually have an arc in recent years. Depending on how the latter half of the show plays out, could stick as Valkyrie (my choice rn), could be Jin, could even be Izu if she ever gets a rider form and uses it more than once.

Tbh I would love for Valkyrie to live up to the official third Rider status, but we know she's kinda screwed over. If she ended up obtaining a brand new form, I'd say Valkyrie will be the official third Rider. However chances of Thouser getting a final form are also high.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkibaSilver

And, now that you've mentioned it, there's an interesting discussion to be had about how in recent years the 2nd quarter/New Year rider has moved from being the secondary to typically being an antagonist, at least at first, while the secondary is usually around from the start. Transition happens roughly Gaim/Drive period, and I want to know if that's concsious on Toei's part, a move by Bandai to have more merch up front, or just coincidence.

I think it's both. Bandai wants to make more money by selling more henshin belt, and they realize they can have secondary Riders use the same gear as the primary Rider, so it's a jackpot.

For Toei, I would theorize that it's starting from Wizard is when they realize they can have more than 2 Riders again. When you think about it, Den-O until Wizard they would primarily focus with only 2 Riders, with the sole exception being Saga. Now I don't know exactly how popular Mayu really is, but it's safe to say she's pretty well liked and for using a 'grunt Rider' suit, she actually has a character arc, and that is why I credited her as being the one that cause the birth of Third Riders. Add to the fact that Gaim is a success with multiple Riders, it gave both Toei and Bandai the decision to include at least 3 Riders from now on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkibaSilver

Also thank you sharing the right opinion on Blade, doing the lord's work.

To be honest, I'd always consider Garren to take the role of the third Rider. But seeing that Geiz Majesty pretty much ended the debate, add to the fact that Necrom has more focus than Spectre made me realize Third Riders can be deuteragonist instead of the second is where I accepted Chalice as the official Third Rider for Blade.