[DreadBringer]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Yeah, but... Morimoto's job is to provide the best defense for his client? It's funny that he's going to be such an easy mark for Asakura, and he's definitely a moron (a 1 to Kitaoka's 100), but he's acting within the boundaries of his profession.

Sure Morimoto asking for Asakura's rights not to be treated as animal is the job, but he (actually the reason he asked for the rights) also seemingly plans to treat Asakura as a complete good guy and free him. Lawyer's job is to ensure the client's rights, proportionally, not necessarily to give best defense (like freeing a blatantly quilty client). I'd imagine if Morimoto isn't blinded (even though he's a moron he's undoubtedly good but still wrong here), he'd just ask about Asakura's rights, but not vigorously defend him from any bad accusations and Asakura likely still won't be free. When the public finds out a person was guilty and their lawyer knew it all along and still vigorously defended them, the reaction's usually negative (Even Kitaoka isn't free from this, public's nickname for him is "Black-or-White Lawyer"). The other right thing to prevent perjury also should be the lawyer refusing to represent an infamous fugitive whose crime is already well-known. For "1 to Kitaoka's 100" I still wonder what are the contents of Morimoto's file Goro gave to Kitaoka.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Everyone's mileage will vary on this, but I think the popularity of the Phase 2 stuff relative to the Phase 1 stuff is a) the easier accessibility of newer series on the internet activated a lot more fans than it used to, and b) as the franchise expands to tell new stories, attack new themes, it increases the number of fans it appeals to. There're probably a ton of folks who couldn't care less about Agito that adored the stories from Gaim, or Build, or whatever.

Yeah, I was refering to the easier accessibility too, which I think stems from people just contributing significantly more to the newer series, either in videos or informations (sites like TVTropes). New things like new story isn't necessarily better probably (or also old ones, for those blinded by nostalgia).

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I mean, about 15% of Kitaoka's bullshit in this episode is about protecting Reiko, if we're being extremely generous. The other 85% is, as always, about making himself looking good and trying to date Reiko.

Sure Kitaoka is fooling around, with his usual flamboyant narcissism way (to Reiko especially), but that's to enlighten the mood and distract Reiko from the topic he wanted her to avoid discussing and know (Mirror stuff) which because he doesn't want Reiko to get closer to that topic for her safety. So I'd say he has equally balanced part for both of the bullshits.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Mostly because, you know, Shinji’s a little dopier than usual in this one. So much so that Shinji’s naivete/gullibility/stupidity is an actual plot point in the episode! Shinji’s trusting nature gets its harshest critique yet as the panel of Kitaoka, Asakura, and Ren, three dudes who are definitely who you want to take life advice from, basically tell Shinji that he sucks.

So apart from the vote moment being funny it also... carries a deeper meaning to you as your discussions here. This one actually stems from Shinji's goal to stop the Rider War. And from the fact that all those terrible men dislikes Toujou and his crazy ideals (at least Kitaoka and Ren think Toujou's terrible), and just lumps Shinji together with him because accusing him to be similar to Toujou as he also wants to close the Mirror World, as a way to stop the Rider War.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Imperer is clearly untrustworthy, as he’s probably not going to change his loyalty to money based on a few minutes in Shinji’s presence and an offer of free tea.

Though this time, Sano wasn't flattering, he earnestly told Shinji about his backstory (you asked right?) though it also can be used to get him on his side. So you already noticed early that Sano is untrustworthy? Because some fans probably forget that (or being biased), because of Sano's relatable traits to them (hard adult life; problems with girls and economy). And even someone like Toujou asks about Sano's loyalty. Between the collection of terrible men here, I want to know how's Sano compared to them? He doesn't seem to do as much atrocity as Kitaoka or Toujou, but it's clear that he can easily betray or kill others (unlike... Ren).

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

It’s just, that’s what’s interesting about Shinji, the way he really doesn’t think things through, the way he makes gut decisions, and it’s fun to see the show call it out while still embracing it.

You seem to never respond to this (also probably because you still tolerate Shinji here), but this is an Inoue stuff, his writing clashes with Kobayashi too much. He like, ignores character developments for more "drama", like Shinji here, doing the exact same mistake as the beginning part of the series, when Shinji trusts Sudo at ep. 5, putting Ren and Yui in jeopardy, although Sano isn't a pure evil person like Sudo. For your "growing out of that" question, didn't you complain about the status quo part of the series? But actually yes, Shinji did grow out of that. Though for those you mentioned except Asakura, they do have development, though their core character doesn't change. Shinji also grows up to gain some skeptical traits, some guarded traits, just recall episode 38 when he's being fishy about Toujou and act according to it! Doesn't mean his character core is changed like his take on the war, his ideals, or his care about people, but there's growth right there, he has matured. Those who are tired about Shinji making bad/dumb decisions are probably people who also has problems recognizing growth (never letting go of the beginning part of the series and treats everything in status quo), but those who do and follows Shinji should realize that Shinji's treatment is even worse in this one episode, he's not this dumb (like Ren's remark against him hiring Sano).

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(Hey, big stuff happened in this episode outside of Shinji stuff, but I really just wanted to talk about Shinji stuff. Still, if you want to discuss any of the following with me, I’m sure I’ve got thoughts: Yui’s got mirror powers, Toujou kills Professor, and Reiko gets out her rage by hitting a few dingers.)

I'm going for... all. Probably Yui's thing against monsters can be attributed into ep. 14 where she repels Dragreder but it's likely just Dragreder leaving on his own avoiding the sister of Shiro (wild monsters won't attack her but controlled monsters like Contracts can), not her imposing her will on it like she does here (also Yui not being herself, her true self seemingly trapped in a white field and black feathers). There's also a... Kuuga effect on her. What will happen to the Riders if they scan a card while the monsters are turned against the masters?

Kagawa got an ironic death (as you already talked above) where he talks a big game about sacrificing others for the greater good, only to be killed by someone who bought what he was selling and saw him as a threat to the greater good. A testament of how much a lunatic Toujou is, he twisted all Kagawa's teachings in the worst way possible. Kagawa teaches that a hero must have courage to sacrifice something important to you for the greater good, and that a hero suffers... with Tiger only taking the sacrificing part, and Kagawa being the most important person in his life, combine those all, and by his mindset, Tiger should sacrifice Kagawa, where he would suffer by losing the most important person, and by suffering you would become a hero (and Alternative Zero was Final Vented in a facing-down position, the worst way to get Final Vented by Tiger, you can't fight back Destwilder at all).Toujou took it upon himself to create his own suffering by losing his mentor. Where was Ryuki or Imperer, did they even notice this betrayal?

Now Kitaoka's usual flattering sthick on Reiko won't work, he's just being direct and tells Reiko to stop chasing "fantasy stories", like what civilians would think against someone who knows the obscure fantasy traits in a world where most of them are unknown. This shows the rare soft side of Kitaoka (if you weren't convinced before, this one should), wanting the 2nd person he cared the most (Reiko's life, not her handling the truth) to be safe from potential dangers Riders/Mirror Monsters (or just Shiro) give, forcing Kitaoka to embrace his "weak side" Goro admires for Reiko (does Kitaoka also feel weak by caring for Goro?).