[DreadBringer]

I guess if you don't remember much, I will now note what episodes I'm discussing with, in this case, episode 42.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(Which, man, where was this narrative precision when Hirose needed it? That story couldn't stop tossing in subplots, while this one relegates everyone but the main three subjects, who are all in one plot, to background roles. Hirose deserved better!)

I wonder for here, what does Hirose have in relation to the main players in this episode; Nozomi, Mutsuki, and Tennoji?

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Nozomi’s story is probably not going to win over anyone who thinks she’s wasting her time on a chode like Mutsuki, but I really loved it.

Well, even if Mutsuki wasn't a chode (and now for once, listen here about him), it was only 1 person and that probably can give a not well impression too. Or in inverse, as you've seen in a comment, Mutsuki being a waste and not worth saving for her. Both sides could've get criticism regarding that. And... Nozomi tolerates all of this Mutsuki more, than him missing their date in Kurihara household. I will stood up to the phrase of "save someone and won't let her fer stand" as pseudo-Kamen Riders (her declaring no fear is epic... but if the monster went berserk on her... nothing would save her as she's a normal human.. not talking Mutsuki because her feelings for him is what holds him apart)... but unfortunately, normies only associate with anything Rider-ish as in fighting and be a killing machine, and dismiss something like you elaborate here.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Tiger Queen’s story is one I probably shouldn’t love. It’s her sacrificing herself for Mutsuki’s sake, and that can be some loaded storytelling. But it didn’t bother me at all. The main reason it worked was because it was about her regaining control over her choices.

And yeah, at the end, finally, Tiger Undead is another Undead who redeems herself, becoming another non-malicious Undead like Shima (Shima has full Rider sensibility though, Hikaru can't compare), even working with Tachibana.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

He screwed up, people sacrificed to get him back on track, and now he needs to honor that. Between Nozomi, Tiger Queen, and good ol’ Shima (that dude has a serenity that is iconic), I bought Mutsuki’s redemption.

As I've told you before (and I wasn't trying to spoil, with Mutsuki having yellow glow in ep. 30-ish, he was Yami Mutsuki), Mutsuki was possessed by Spider Undead all this time until now. And Shima's sacrifice began to take effect here, with help from Hikaru's. And probably you'd be disappointed with this one (unless you'd think Mutsuki's insecurities which leads him to be possessed makes him also responsible, but still, even if those are more interesting, never treat your or anyone's headcannon as real ones), but Mutsuki is forgiven because all of his transgressions were Spider Undead's act, and, well, "I need to be stronger" is part of the reason why Spider Undead can possess him, so yeah, the villain here is always Spider Undead (and possessed Mutsuki was anti-villain with him doing bad things but none are in control/what he wants). He's not someone who would resort into doing all the bad things he did from ep. 30-ish to 42, it's all Spider Undead's doing, and as it've been said in ep. 40-41, it was Mutsuki being possessed (and it probably shows that the cast also knew what's going on with Mutsuki). And the fight... wow, it's one species fight, Spider vs Tarantula (Shima's).