[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

I’ll also point out that his show’s whole theme of mentors reminds me of a random tweet I read once talking about how Tokusatsu writers also have mentors when they first start out. The examples they used were Yasuko Kobayashi mentoring under a Metal Heroes writer (I forget which one, but it was one from the early 90s) and Kento Shimoyama (writer of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters… ‘s side material post-retool, Kikaider (reboot), Shuriken Sentai Ninninger, Super Doubutsu Taisen, Kamen Sentai Gorider and Kamen Rider Zi-O) mentored under Yoshino Urasawa (writer of several Toei Fushigi Comedies, Gekisou Sentai Carranger and Movie Wars Ultimatum). I’m also convinced that Junko Komura (Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger, Lupinranger vs Patranger, Healin’ Good Pretty Cure) mentored under Naruhisa Arakawa (I’m sure you’re familiar with what he wrote. If you aren’t, then what’s wrong with you?).

Neat! I really like the concept of these writers learning under more experienced writers in a more... structured (?) way. The baked-in role of a mentor to the process of learning to craft story, I think it's incredibly valuable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Oh hey, you've started Hibiki! How was Blade BTW?

I barely remember, but, good? I think? Good character work, a group of villains that never thrilled me, and a perfect final episode. It was fun to watch!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

This second episode really shows how unique Hibiki's fighting style is compared to other Riders. His finisher is the most spectacular part. Usually a finisher is like the climax but with the Oni, it's the main course, preceded by a starter. Exterminating giant monsters with a taiko drum is cool and not something you will see anywhere else. Hibiki is also my favorite color, and the only Primary Rider with that color in the Heisei Era.

I haven't really talked about the suit or the fights yet. I'll try to do it for the next episode. It doesn't feel... like, I keep forgetting to talk about it because it just doesn't feel like a big deal yet? The part of the show where a man transforms into a superhero and fights monsters is easily the part of this show I'm currently least invested in. I hope that changes soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Thematically, the show is very different. It's still Kamen Rider since there are Riders but the role of the protagonist kind of shifts between Hibiki and Shounen. Hibiki is the oldest Primary Rider in the Heisei Era and a lot more experienced than the typical Rider protagonist. Instead, the inexperienced guy is Shounen, who gives us a unique perspective as a guy following Kamen Rider as a spectator, like us. However, each arc has its own moral where Shounen's problem is reflected in the Oni's problem and the difference is in how the problem is resolved, which allows Shounen to learn and develop. In that way, I agree with the connections people make to Kuuga, although personally I think Hibiki does it just a little better due to how cleverly subtle the A and B plots relate to each other.

Is Shounen Asumu? I don't know if anyone's called anyone else Shounen on this show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

The other atypical thing about the show, which has already been mentioned, is the setting. This arc on the island is a good example of what you can expect from the first half, a lot of atmospheric action scenes in mountains, woods, caves, etc which is very much part of the show's identity about fighting the forces of nature and how nature can be both good and evil, linking to the whole theme of Kamen Rider about evil powers used for good.

For reasons that people have already informed you about, this show is ultimately not high on my ranking, but nevertheless, I appreciate it for its cool unique style and the potential it showed.

It's a very pretty first set of episodes, for sure. It's probably going to feel pretty weird to eventually see Hibiki in a city setting, instead of jumping over moss-covered logs.