[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Yeah not trying to spoil anything (especially since you’ve actually overtaken me on the homestretch. I was planning to start it tomorrow). But if I remember some things from the three-part miniseries that aired last year (and I probably don’t remember it that well, since I only watched it once), I don’t think the final choice will be Shinji’s to even make.

I guess we'll see!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshToku

I really wonder what would have happened if Shinji, while in this state, managed to find Asakura, or Toujou if he was still alive.

Even though I know some people, including myself sometimes, aren't too invested in Shinji, but this episode really only works because we've seen him for the last 46 episodes hold so steadily to his code to not take a life, even when that code seemed impossible or pointless.

Even though you know he won't actually do it, Shinji actually choosing and getting himself ready to strike Ren down is an intense moment because it's so counter to who he is.

The ending might feel like Shinji is just right back to where he started at the beginning of the episode, but I think it very solidly confirms for the last time that killing is not the answer Shinji will turn to no matter how bad things get. No matter what happens from there on, I don't think he would or should have any regrets about that at least.

Yeah, there's a real question mark over Shinji's quandary if he'd fought someone more evil, rather than a close friend. It's nicely open to interpretation. (I'm going with He Wouldn't Kill, because that's my belief in Shinji's goodness.)

I have a tough time with this show sometimes, where I feel like a huge change has occurred and the show has to evolve, but then things slide back, regress. I want this to be the final word on Shinji's morality, on the limits of what he'll do for a friend. I don't know if it is, and it'd maybe bum me out if it isn't, but I want to think it is. I want this ending to be definitive. Rolling it back... ugh. It'd really cheapen a super-solid episode.