[Sh Ranger]

Even as someone who generally enjoyed Kiva, I'm inclined to agree with most of the complaints. I prefer 1986 since it has Otoya, who is always entertaining, and Yuri, who I consider the true heroine due to my indifference to Megumi. However, 2008 is necessary since it has Kiva, the show's namesake, and I think Wataru is a decent protagonist.

His actor, Seto Koji, is one of the few who are also singers (Supernova FTW!) like Sato Kenta who sung the Turboranger and Zyuranger OPs and Miyauchi Hiroshi who sung the OP to his own show, Kamen Rider V3.

The 1986 plot sets up the events and the drama, all the intriguing stuff, while the 2008 plot is the climax that resolves it, often in the first half with a bad*ss finisher announced by "Wake Up!" until Takaiwa gets a new suit that isn't painful to wear. The format is okay. Looking forward to Reiwa Rider #12 in 2030/2031, so we can see how Masao resolves the Neo-Fangire problem!

Fun fact: In 2012, Treyarch would attempt a similar format with father and son protagonists in Call Of Duty Black Ops 2.

Regarding the love triangles, they're a part of Kiva but they're a part of every show written by Inoue. I prefer that he writes them rather than some guy like Sanjo who just tacks them on without much thought. All my favorite comedic and dramatic love triangles are written by Inoue, such as Jirou-Yuri-Otoya-Maya from Kiva, Kusaka-Mari-Kaido-Yuka-Keitarou-Kiba from Faiz and Gai-Kaori-Ryu-Rie from Jetman, where the characters are handled with care to make sure they don't act any differently from how they would usually. Inoue may falter on plot sometimes but I praise his ability to write consistent characters.

Jirou's behavior towards Yuri reminds me a lot of Kusaka's behavior to Mari, except Jirou is more assertive. I like Jirou's obsession with drinking only the best coffee. Just remind him never to drink at nascita. That's an unsatisfied customer Evolt won't be able to handle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamcastegirl

Like much of Inoue's work, the show falters when it comes to introducing a third Rider, almost as if he has not made provisions for the appearance of such in the story, despite the fact that he must know that he would be asked to include one, as this has been the pattern with the toys made for such a show for a very long time. In 555, the use of the Delta armour never felt as if it was as well thought out as other inclusions in the show, here also, Inoue doesn't really know what to do, and so we end up with a Fangire King who never shows his true form, but keeps jabbing a long stick into a UFO to transform into a sort of white and blue version of the Kiva armour.

I actually like Saga, which is why it annoyed me that after Taiga becomes Dark Kiva, Saga disappears, with no explanation for where that cute little Sagarc even goes. Poor guy! I loathe to say anything bad about Faiz, my favorite season, but I cannot deny that Delta's debut was overhyped and Mihara is meh personified. The Tertiary Riders had potential that were never unlocked. I guess every writer has flaws, even Inoue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamcastegirl

It is never explained why she has an eyepatch as nothing in the 1986 demonstrates her losing her eye, and even in later flashbacks, where she abandons Wataru and tells him he has to live alone in his father's old house, she is in possession of both eyes.

The show appeals to goth culture, so Maya's eyepatch might just be a fashion statement. That's always been my headcanon anyway.

Seriously, what happened to her shoes though?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

(Ironically, that's part of why I liked the Kiva arc of Zi-O. The whole Kamen Rider Ginga thing was a perfect homage to Kiva being unexplained gibberish. Also, manhole cover serial killer is my favorite original character on the entire show. That woman knows what her bit is and she is 100% committed to it.)

Manhole Kiva is one of my favorite things about Zi-O (next to "IWAE!", of course) due to how ridiculous and humorous it is and the memes that followed it of photoshopping manholes over circular objects. Letting Inoue write the Kiva arc was pure genius!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Go-Onger is just awesome.