[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

It perfectly illustrates what I love so much about the nature of Ryoutarou's character growth, which is how understated it is. He clenches his fist in anger and everything, but the words he says as still as soft as ever. Just a simple "I won't ever accept that", and at a volume only slightly higher than usual. Combined with the body language Takaiwa gives Liner Form, I've always found it fascinating how Den-O conveys the idea that Ryoutarou has learned to be more assertive and confident in himself by this point without any of his older traits ever really going away. It's a very particular take on the typical hero arc I find stands out.

Yeah, I think it shows how this series has slowly shifted Ryotaro from someone who cares about people, to someone who fights for people. In the first episode, he's someone who'd rather get beat up than fight a bully. Here, the idea of someone causing death and destruction because they heard it would be funny, that makes Ryotaro viscerally angry. It's his empathy growing, if anything, where he can't stomach the idea of people suffering. He's had these adventures, been tested, and now he understands himself well enough to be able to articulate his needs.

Fun development for that kid!