[Kamen Rider Die]

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Didn't expect this reaction to the comedy part of the episode. I thought the inclusion of the over-the-top comedy will be considered a show of versatility that this episode can contain everything; be it comedy, tragedy, and growth.

Sure, but there's also a time and a place, you know? An episode can have comedy and tragedy, but it's a lot more difficult to include Wacky Comedy and A Spouse's Death From Illness in the same episode. Can it be done? Yeah, probably. It definitely wasn't done here, though.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Though this also shows a negative consequence for the choices, heartbreak, and satisfying the loved ones, that after Ryoko's death, Shinji snaps as he becomes a typical bloodlusted Fangire (after conversing with Wataru who remembers him as kind and tries to bring him back to his senses), venting his loss to others, especially to Mio, considering her reveal with something that is planted on her hand. Though I dunno if this is triggered by Nago transforming into IXA nearby too or not.

I took Shinji's freakout as the standard Suicide By Rider that you get with your sympathetic monsters at the end of a story. He couldn't live with his loss, and here's a merciless agent of retributive justice, the end. It definitely goes up a level when he sees that Mio is the new Queen, though. Then it becomes about lashing out at the people who cost him the ability to be happy with Ryoko.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

I know that Ryoko only knew Shinji's Grizzly Fangire self at her death, but that'd mean they never had a child? I'd also like to know how Shinji can escape punishment from Maya in 1986 to 2008; as Maya easily kills disobedient Fangires, though Shinji seems to be one of the stronger Fangire.

First, I'm not sure I'd read Ryoko's admission that she knew Shinji was a Fangire as something she just learned. I definitely read it as something she's known for years, maybe since 1986. The way she quiets him as he tries to unburden himself implies that she has lived with this knowledge for a long time, but let him keep his secret as a kindness. She had spent a long time caring for Shinji, and if he needed to pretend he was a human because he couldn't bear the thought of her hating him? She's okay with that compromise.

Second, the implication is that Shinji and Ryoko spent years living off-the-radar in not-great conditions to avoid being tracked down by Maya. Unless you mean how Shinji escaped originally? Because that was from Maya laughing so hard at Otoya that Shinji was able to make a run for it.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

I feel for some reason Yuri's love declaration of Otoya feels sudden here, as if it's done just to keep Jiro away from her, dunno. I know the near death moment at the end had them truly hugging btw, but that part still feels that to me, it's not that different from Jiro's declaration to Yuri not long before. The compromise also can be formed in other way, like you said in toku world, it'll mean the loved ones being kidnapped or something, and to prevent that, another kind of sacrifice is done like cutting off ties with them.

I'm okay with this interpretation! Because, yeah, Yuri saying she loves Otoya feels a little unearned. It's better if she's just saying it to protect Otoya and dissuade Jiro. I'm not sure the beginning of 25 supports it, but that could just be Yuri deluding herself.

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

I feel so bad for Yuri at this point. First her creepy boyfriend turned out to be a monster with serious consent issues, and now her new boyfriend is getting mesmerized by someone else. In fairness, she really should have seen this last one coming considering Otoya is, well, Otoya. I can't help but feel for her, though, given that Otoya barely had time to digest that omelette rice before he was off running around with Maya, headlong into another one of Inoue's beloved amnesia stories.

It is neat that Yuri has become this woman with nothing but bad relationship decisions, although when your options are Clawolves, Frankenburies, and Otoya... I mean, it is okay to be alone maybe. I'm not sure there's a good pick anywhere in there. My OTP is Yuri/Her Career.

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

Honestly, it’s something I find really endearing about Kiva. Castle Doran starts shaking and Jairo’s all “Oh, that’s just Tatsulot acting up” like that makes any sense to the audience.

Yeah, I can't say I was ever super concerned about the backstory for Kivat and Tatsulot. It's nothing I've puzzled over. It's maybe a weird perspective, considering I came through Ex-Aid, where the entire show is built to constantly explain power-ups and form changes, but I generally don't give a shit where some of this stuff comes from. I kind of like the idea of it being totally reasonable within the world, to the characters, because then it feels like it's woven into the fabric without having to spend two minutes on exposition. It's got that Star Wars thing of feeling like you're getting a small piece of a much bigger story, and that's a fun tone for sci-fi/fantasy storytelling.