[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(That said, not thrilled with Tachibana’s psychological instability and win-at-all-costs rage being because of, basically, prehistoric CBD oil. It’s exactly what I was glad the original My Belt Is Killing Me plot avoided, where what’s happening to Tachibana ceases to be his responsibility. Like, Trenchcoat Mastermind never gives him a choice, he just abducts Tachibana, juices him up, and then sends him out in the world. There’s no informed consent by Tachibana, no personal responsibility. He’s just a victim, and I find that a little dull. I mean, it’s fine, it makes more sense than him just being a fight-obsessed lunatic all of a sudden, but it doesn’t really mean anything, thematically. Not as interesting to me.)

Hi, hello, I'm still thinking about this part.

I'm coming around a bit on it, and I'm not sure how much is me digging out what's on the screen, versus me projecting my headcanon onto a plot. Either way, here's where I'm at.

It's Tachibana leaving the puzzle piece for Dr Ladyfriend, I think. That's the key. He leaves the puzzle piece because that part of his life is done. He's not planning on seeing her ever again. That was someone who meant the world to Tachibana, but now he's just Garren.

Because, see, Garren is powerful, fearless, deadly. Tachibana was weak, cowardly, broken. Now that he's had a taste of what Garren can truly be, he can't bear living as Tachibana. He doesn't see a way to have what Tachibana had without being diminished. He'd rather be alone and powerful than loved and weak.

It's a version of the story that makes Tachibana more responsible for his circumstances, and that makes me more invested in his arc. Again, not sure if I'm reading too much into it, but that's how I'm thinking about it right now.