[DreadBringer]

So even with Kagerou revealing his identity to others, there's still can be conflict and drama present among the family, with Ikki being assigned to finish off Daiji by George and Wakabayashi, with Hiromi encouraging Ikki to do that too (as Hiromi who deals the finish blow). George is able to be dubious and suspicious here, even without him shoving the order into Ikki, assigning him to finish off Daiji in his usual goofy, sleazy way, even if Ikki objects. This'd also reveal another shrewd quality of George (which Wakabayashi also notes) that he's also the type who places scientific research above anything else (along with spy cameras), he doesn't care about the user's morality, only giving Drivers to those he deems suitable, which is how he gives Kagerou the Driver. Said Wakabayashi seems to have some questionable morals himself (but not ambiguously evil ones like George), he seems to be the pragmatic type who'd use any kind of method to get the job done and encourages others to do the same, being onboard with the orders to finish off Kagerou without any hesitation, as well as ignoring what's going through with Daiji/Kagerou, and that's probably how he berates others for being swayed by emotions, which is actually about him celebrating cold detached traits, and that he places Fenix's reputation above everything else. Not much to talk about Hiromi character wise here, other than how he's also cooperative with others like Ikki, another good trait, but I'd like to see how'd he deal the finishing blow. Hiromi's really taking the Showa part, where his new form Mogura Genomix resembles Amazon.

Now Kagerou's the one to go giving out ViStamps, and so far he did it in a more brutal way than the Deadmans, who were goading the humans to give into their desires, practically doing "good" against them, albeit only temporary (the consequence of shallow desires) and that it won't do good to others, while against the Super Sentai alumnis, Kagerou took them hostage, and probably tortured them too shown in the injuries of those 3 scammers. Though those 3 aren't good people, Kagerou targeting them and making them miserable doesn't make Kagerou good, evil people can target other evil people too, one of the prominent example is Daguva killing other Grongis in Kuuga. New information regarding Daiji is revealed, now I don't know if Daiji is blameless anymore, Kagerou's the one who commits the actions, but he claims all of that can be traced back into Daiji, where Kagerou pretty much recounts Daiji's entire life until now, of being the jealous brother under Ikki's shadow, where it's the reason of him joining Fenix as well to shine as Kamen Rider, only for Ikki to take over the Kamen Rider role as well, with Kagerou manifesting if there's enough hatred from Daiji. Though as usual, Daiji still has his conscience to not go through his insecurity, and the conflict that happened between them so far was only about Ikki not being committed enough, while Kagerou is Kagerou. I'd want to see if Daiji is actually aware of this and grapples with his conscience, or probably also a lesson to not turn envy or insecurity into destructive trait. Nevertheless, it managed to give a lasting impact to Ikki, albeit he keeps going. Another Kagerou trait is that he actually likes feeling pain due to it meaning that he had full control of the body.

It seems that Sakura's most respected person so far is Daiji, getting enraged at those who are against Daiji, including Ikki. So there's something Daiji at least is superior to Ikki; getting Sakura's approval, dunno what though, though I'd say at least she resembles Daiji the most; being a more serious person and both gets embarrassed and annoyed with the family's antics (with Daiji denying his relation to them in promotion). The opposite to others is also about how Sakura's the only one to not treat Daiji as baby-ish unlike the other Igarashis, or even Fenix like Hiromi. Sakura is in-universe refered as strong by other practicioner, and I guess there's a set up with her question to herself that having strength doesn't mean one'll be happy.. I like puns so I rather like Vice's scene of inserting "daiji" in as many sentences he can, but I also think that the fourth wall joke in this episode from him is just uninspired and too blatant. Vice also suggests that Daiji won't be able to be saved... I wonder if that's Ikki's secret skepticism against Daiji. Both of the parents kinda are forcing the family members to be happy. The Kamakiri Genome, Gaim-based, is one of those that has "accurate" weapon to the source material, Kamakiric Arrow is like Sonic Arrow, can shoot energy arrows as well as close combat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskedRiderAsakura

It does feel like we're moving through the Kagerou arc kinda fast, but at the same time, I really wouldn't want them to drag this out as many early Heisei shows would. I know this applies to last episode, but I like that we've largely averted the Inoue trope of character conflicts being drawn out due to one or both parties never figuring on what's actually going on (i.e., Yuji and Takumi feuding for 30 episodes because of a massive misunderstanding of events). Instead, Ikki is immediately aware that Daiji is under demonic possession, so no 10 episodes of angsting over his brother being evil (no pun intended) while we the audience already know what's happening.

Well, Ikki wasn't aware... more like Kagerou reveals himself directly to Ikki , Kagerou made it easier for the heroes.