[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Speaking of Kamen Rider Hanging Art Feature, we get to the one part of this era of Blade that has always underwhelmed me: the lack of advancement in Leangle’s story. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with just how much of the show’s 20s felt like it was all-Mutsuki, all-the-time, but it really feels like he’s just stuck in stasis during this period. Tachibana isn’t doing a ton, either, but he’s at least directly involved with the Trial plot. Mutsuki just feels like he’s hanging around the edges of the show, waiting until it gets back to him again.

It's a problem, for sure, but much like Tachibana and Kenzaki's behavior in the previous, it seems like something the show is trying to address in the narrative? I mean, when a 10-year old that you kidnapped clowns on you for being lame, I think that's a pretty clear message that you've maybe underperformed. A lot of Mutsuki's story is feeling excluded, feeling left behind. It's not great for the week-to-week Mutsuki fans (who I assume exist?), but it does seem like it's... if not intentional, then in the process of being addressed.

While we're talking about hilarious Mutsuki embarrassments (Amane telling him he sucks and then laughing at him alongside Hajime is maybe in the Top 10 embarrassing moments for Mutsuki on this show), I loved the end of 38, where the three other Riders run up to Mutsuki as he's slinking off. They want him to come home, I guess, and he basically just goes Uh I Definitely Still Hate You Guys and walks away. It was very funny to me, because Mutsuki just showed up to murder Kenzaki! A few minutes earlier! And he did not at all seem conflicted about it! And they're all like We Miss You? Just an insane episode.