[MrWilliamGraham]

Favorite New Show of 2021

Kamen Rider Revice - I have a blast watching this show week to week. Great action, amazing form changes paying homage to past riders, and a rich supporting cast that all pull their own. I love the strong family focus, it?s such a refreshing angle from our usual dead/evil parents. Mama and Papa are adorable and I love how supportive they are of their children?s heroics. And speaking of, sibling Riders? Hell yes! I think we?re in store for some really intriguing storylines down the road with this show and I?m here for it


Favorite New-to-You Show of 2021

Kamen Rider Kiva - I didn?t really get to finish as many past shows as I would?ve wanted, but I?m giving it to Kiva for being the most consistent of the ones I finished (Den-O, Kiva, Decade). All in all, I found it to be a very solid and enjoyable series, really fun supporting characters with great suits & action. Inoue Forever indeed

Working my way through Fourze now, and so far it?s a fun, wholesome show. The focus on the school and students is a great anchor and I can?t wait to see how the rest unfolds


Favorite Movie, Miniseries, or Special of 2021

Kamen Rider Zero-One The Movie: REAL X TIME - HOLY CRAP THIS MOVIE DOES NOT HOLD BACK. Action thriller told in real time, amazing choreography, fun twists and turns, all with the Zero-One and Rider flair. Guys, the transformation scene at the church! This has got to be one of the best Rider movies by a long mile.

Honorable Mention: Both of the Zero-One Others films. I can see how the story decisions were not to everyone?s liking, but I thought the angle they took made for some really thought provoking and dramatically rich themes


Favorite Male Lead Character

Juran- A great counterpart to the energetic and non-stop (ha) Zenkaizer. His Roger Murtaugh ?Maybe I?m too old for this sh*t? energy is a welcomed changeup to the usual character tropes we see in Sentai, but still fills the wise mentor role very effectively


Favorite Female Lead Character

Magine - What else can be said about Magine that hasn?t been already? An incredibly endearing character bursting with joy and earnestness. I think we can all relate to Magine?s dedication to her passions/hobbies, even if we?re not always the best at them. Plus, Yume Miyamoto does an amazing vocal performance, IMO the best of all the Kikainoids


Favorite Male Supporting Character

Yuri/Kamen Rider Saikou - My MVP of Saber. What makes Yuri work so well is he can do all the exposition and fights without the burden of being the protagonist. While his job is to help everyone move the story along, the moments his action and humor shine hit very hard for me. And the cherry on top: COMIC BOOK RIDER!

Honorable Mention: George - Look at all those Figuarts


Favorite Female Supporting Character

Yatsude Goshikida - While we couldn't get Grandma Zenkaiser, she?s still a fun character that brings a wholesome and lively energy to an already packed cast. Her storyline with Stacey has been incredibly endearing to watch unfold


Favorite Actor

Junya Komatsu as Hiromi Kadota/Kamen Rider Demons - Dude was so good not only did he get a promotion, he upended Bandai and Toei?s release schedule to get in the spotlight


Favorite Actress

Yume Miyamoto (Voice) and Ayumi Shimozono (Suit Actress) as Magine - I?m giving recognition to both of these actresses for bringing Magine to life. Yume?s voice over work can go from shy and earnest to hot headed and passionate in an instant, and doubled with Ayumi?s physical acting in both civilian and Zankai mode makes for a fun character to watch


Favorite Villain

Stacey/StaCeaser - On top of having a great suit, Stacey might as well be our second protagonist with all the development he?s received. I feel he?s the most interesting of the villains we?ve gotten this year, with how he?s much more at conflict with himself rather than our protagonists. I hope there?s a great payoff (or sendoff) as we near the end of the series


Favorite Returning Past Character

Haruki and Z - I loved Ultraman Z, so any chance to see these two again is always going to be a treat for me. Just look at these two goofballs:

Favorite Writer

Junko Komura (Zenkaiger) - Major recognition for not only writing a bulk of the series, but also for making consistently funny and engaging episodes. A real highlight of her writing has been all the character arcs sprinkled throughout the series, with Gaon and Stacey being the standouts


Favorite Suit Design

Zenkaiser - A bit unconventional for what we usually get, but making him an encapsulation of Sentai with the core elements of Goranger was the perfect choice for an anniversary design

Honorable Mention - Revi?s form changes. Blending the animal motifs with past Rider suits was an absolutely inspired choice. We probably won?t get all 20 Heisei tribute suits in the show, but I really, really wish there?s concept art released later on


Biggest "WTF did I just watch?" Moment




Favorite Song

LiveDevil - I dig the K-Pop influence ( at least I think that?s going on, I don?t know all that much about current music trends, sorry ! ) It?s unique enough for me and it gets me pumped to get on with the show (though sometimes I'll rewind the song and listen again before starting ! )

Honorable Mention - Zenkaiger OP. Listening to the intro during each episode always gets me pumped for the show, but it is just not a song I would listen on repeat


Favorite Piece of Merchandise

So-Do Chronicle Gaim - This is the year I jumped on the So-Do train with Chronicle Gaim. I already loved the Gaim suits, but what really sold it for me was the seamless arms change feature you can pull off with most of the line. I had a blast swapping around the armors and seeing all the different looks each figure could have. To sweeten the pot, we got some of the remaining characters & arms change officially distributed to the US. Great little figures, but an even better gimmick


Biggest Surprise of 2021

Shin Kamen Rider - I really hope Toei?s expansion plans pay off in the long run, but at the very least it made way for exciting projects. Never thought I?d see a theatrical Rider movie released in my neck of the woods (and how great is that suit ?). I haven?t watched Shin Godzilla or Evangelion yet, but I?m really fascinated to see an interpretation of Rider from someone outside the Toei roster

Fuuto PI - I loved Double, and an anime adaptation of the sequel manga is the perfect way to revisit that world. I hope the show does well enough to open up more unique anime projects for Rider, just like Tsuburaya with Ultra. Release the concept art for Cyclone/Joker already !!


Biggest Disappointment of 2021

Kamen Rider Den-O - Finally got around to watching the series, and I gotta say I was let down despite all the hype and praise people give it. I think it has some really strong elements going for it, but the last couple episodes were such a drag to get through that it really soured my experience. I?m starting to think people only really love the characters, and rightfully so, or just that the most die-hard Den-O fans are the most vocal.

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All in all, I think it was a solid year for Toku. Zenkaiger has been an absolute treat and I commend Toei for shaking things up this year. Rider didn?t do anything radical but Revice has been an absolute blast so far.

I wish Trigger held my attention past the Z team up, but at least Shin Ultraman looks interesting ?

Godzilla vs Kong was badass

As always, thanks to you all on Tokunation for being awesome! Here's to another good year for our favorite masked spandex heroes in 2022 !