[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yarlick

I've resumed watching Kamen Rider Ryuki and I'm currently at episode 20.

I have a couple of things to say about my feelings on this series so far and perhaps some of you could explain to me why I feel that way.
This is not a rant in any means and I'm sorry if this feels like it's a really long post x)

N̶o̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶b̶l̶e̶m̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶l̶o̶n̶g̶p̶o̶s̶t̶s̶,̶ ̶a̶c̶t̶u̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶k̶e̶e̶p̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶u̶p̶. Though I feel that people can overlook Shinji fighting style, you clearly see that Shinji is able to rider kick a monster in human form by now. He also actually puts on rather even fight with Asakura after Gai's death. I guess that's the part where he started to give actual fight to other Riders (but still not killing). Shinji would have growth of course but sometimes different writer can be problematic regarding this, in much later part of the series.

Of course both Shinji and Tezuka being pacifists can give them different character, it's wrong notion for people to think that "pacifist good guys only have that as their sole character trait", I feel like it's audience issue, claiming them as only having one entire character trait, but they overlook the personality/traits that are present on those characters. Like there are those who are goofy, fun-loving, or more calm and straight-man type, or having personal trauma/emotional issues (but of course not venting it to others) and is fighting through them, etc. Also because Ryuki is filled with many morally ambiguous to morally bankrupt character, I have to remind you here that Yui is also another one of pacifists guys like those 2, she also can't stand the suffering to others the war is causing and is working towards stopping it.

Kitaoka and Goro do have equal relationship, they aren't merely master and servant, but are outright friends and partners. Caring only for certain person (those that matter to you) is still a lesser form of selfish though, the other person he acts like a jerk to are still people. Goro has contrast between his thug-like appearence and gentle demeanor, and he can serve as morality pet for Kitaoka. The other one Kitaoka cares is someone who suffers illness like him, the one that pushed him to helping Yukari by paying her mom's surgeon. Gai is meant to be hated yeah, he's the most irredeemable villain in the series along with Ouja, and I think the brain type to Ouja's brawn. And Asakura and Kitaoka are also arch enemies.

Ren being the brooding tsundere bad boy secondary Rider is as much of the primary Rider being pacifist guys do-gooder, it's shaping to be the franchise's formula most of the time (I mean if people complain about the main Rider being generic but neglects the secondary one). Ren is a jerk compared to his only 2 friends (or 3 if you count Tezuka) who are pacifists guys and is frequently called out by Shinji or Yui (the only one he has soft spot for, other than Eri, as for now) for his behaviors, or "therapy session" by Tezuka, but he himself has clear limit on his bad traits to show disapproval to Kitaoka's bad traits, calling him worst of humanity despite best of profession, and disgust to Asakura's methods, despite him being driven to win the war (and thus have to murder others).