[AkibaSilver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Kotaro... I'm a little surprised at how many people compare him to Keitaro, since I think he's tilling different narrative soil than that? (Not that that's what you're saying, but it's something I was thinking about and you brought up Kotaro and now I'm talking about it.) Like, I think he's way more indebted to someone like Reiko from Ryuki, where he's got a real thirst for uncovering secrets. I think of that as his primary attribute in the story, instead of being Kenzaki's confidant or whatever. I think he's useful to the story as someone who doesn't (currently!) seem as personally damaged by the core mystery, so the discovery of secrets and deployment of twists gets to be more exciting than horrifying.

He also does a lot to ground the story, to keep real, normal people in a tight orbit with tech nerds and Riders. Plus, he's a hell of a cook!

Look, all I know about Keitarou is from your Faiz thread, so that's you reading into things right there :P But, with hindsight, I think you're right. Whereas Kenzaki at this point is fighting because it's his job, and Tachibana is doing his best to set the meme record of all time, Koutarou wants to understand why this is happening. What are the Undead, why are they fighting - and yet his friendship with Kenzaki doesn't even feel manipulative, like he's only friends with him because he knows this. Yes, it's how they met, but Koutarou legitimately cares about the guy! He's his friend, goddamnit! I bet he doesn't even charge rent! Not that Kenzaki would actually pay - BOARD doesn't give him enough for that.