[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER HIBIKI VOLUME 3 - “FADING VOICES”

It’s a really solid episode, if only in how much it drills into the reality of Asumu and Hibiki’s day-to-day. Asumu is working hard to get into Jounan, but he keeps dreaming of the forests and adventures of Hibiki. His friends are executing on their plans, preparing for their futures, but Asumu’s future has never seemed more in flux. All of the stresses of studying and exam prep feel like a distraction to him now, something that used to be important before he saw a wider, weirder world. Why do all of that hard work when he could be out adventuring like Hibiki?

The other half is spent charting Asumu’s newfound desire to be a Kamen Rider (mmmaybe?), and the way his old dream seems diminished by comparison. It’s not really a funny plotline, but it’s still pretty goddamn charming. Asumu’s a kid that’s easy to root for, with an optimistic attitude that never seems too sunny, too grating. He’s excited, but not excitable. I’m totally into the show spending as much time as it wants showing me what this kid wants and what he’s willing to do to get it.

Well, previously he goes to the mountain for the memorial, but he's likely considered "pure of heart" and something surreal about that and Hibiki just can't be... left alone? But don't expect for the bolded one. Asumu And man, just judging this one by "not really a funny plotline"? Geez... Other than that, I don't really know about community's general consensus of Asumu, other than what you said for him being easy to root for. I'm afraid of him being singled out for being so lame and generic, especially in comparison to the "alpha" Hibiki.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Cut to the dull (if tranquil!) reality of being Hibiki: long drives to the middle of nowhere, endless data gathering, monotonous surveillance, and you can’t even drink your tea in peace.

Same dullness as... Asumu above in school. Yeah just that. Any routine job activities are like that, and probably this one shows more of a Rider, in non-fighting part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

It’s… I mean, I know these shows have a formula, but did I not just see these same beats in the last two episodes? This is one of the things that ended up bugging me about Kuuga, and I can already see it rearing its head here.

Ah.. didn't you say the monsters are what you seek in that series because of them not being grounded and full of insanity? In contrast to, what stated, this one taking place in the real world, the setting and characters feel very true to life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

It’s great, all of the character stuff. Hibiki is such a natural comic presence that literally every scene with him and Kasumi (and Asumu’s mom) kills.

And... wait (dunno if you've) until you learn about Kasumi's surname, just wait, I won't tell you but that should surely get something of you. It's really on point for, what I also claim multiple times before (s̶o̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶p̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶m̶e̶?̶), the point of not everyone is as strong as Hibiki, with that being the reason to keep Rider and supernatural identity as secrets (so far it seems that they only stay at the mountain). And Asumu's mom is mentioned it's Adachi. And Kasumi's actually the foil to someone... probably not introduced here yet actually. Dunno why for some reason, appearence wise to me, Kasumi gives me Rina Abe vibes, and Hibiki... gives me Isaka vibes.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Thank you for bringing this up, because, uh, yes. I really wanted to put the focus on her acting and comedy chops when I was talking about the episode, but, goddamn, even Asumu's mom is like That Lady Hibiki Was With Was Gorgeous. It's canonical!

Not to ruin it but this is something that happened in various, probably almost all series too.