[Kamen Rider Die]

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Moreso of this in the Showa era, and the reduction of the value of empathy in the world of violence in later Heiseis (more anti-heroic Riders who does good but leans more to fighting monsters part, or outright villainous Riders starting from Ryuki), although that can tell a more interesting story, it can get a flak for straying away from the Rider formula.

I don't know that that's been my experience with Heisei Riders! The anti-heroic Riders actually help enforce the necessity of empathy, where the distance they keep from humanity becomes an flaw they need to overcome in order to defeat the villains. If the Riders seem less empathetic, I think it's just down to their journey being longer.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

BTW what do you mean for Kenzaki's empathy being used against him for this case? Even for Tachibana, his recklessness is also the thing that get him used by others (Isaka).

Hirose's dad and Tachibana are able to neutralize Kenzaki by making him feel guilty for fighting as a Rider, making him feel irresponsible. It's only successful because Kenzaki cares more about people than he does defeating monsters. His empathy becomes something the villains can exploit.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

For Hajime gaining strength through thoughts about people he cares... I guess he wants to survive to always be there for them, so he had to win the fight and is more determined in doing so?

I think some of it's that, but some of it's Hajime realizing the value of them being there for him. It's less about him protecting them now, and more about him understanding the mutual benefit of having people in your life. It's a bit like Kenzaki's evolution from Duty to Compassion. Hajime isn't just fighting to keep them safe, he's fighting to keep himself in their lives.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Though Blade's way of winning here, is commonly considered as the worst way for a fighter to suddenly turn the fight around just because "you have faith in others or something", The Power Of Friendship trope. It's considered as laziest reasons for plot armor and makes the show little bit more shallow, and would rather see them overcoming adversities by more effort and doing something logical; doing things that are fight-related. (though probably the reason for the complaint was about it being overused). And the punch from King form, that's a random nameless move, but it's used as one of the special attacks in Battride War.

I mean, people can look down on that Blade ending for not being logical enough, but I think they're creating a false dichotomy. To suggest that logical fights are inherently better than emotional or thematic fights, it just feels like people are asking for stories to be half as good? There are great fights that are all about fighters outthinking their opponent, and this was a great fight that was all about a fighter triumphing over his own self-doubt. Both can be valid choices!