[cosmicrescend0]

Episode 2 time <3

-Geiz's proper introduction! I love that his suit has more of a digital watch aesethic than Zi-O's being more of a analog watch. Also love how he's already so done with Time Jacker nonsense, he's got a mission to fufill damnit! He doesn't get to do much in this episode since the show already got its hands full trying to explain this season's gimmick, but I do enjoy the bits we did get of him this episode.

.......Speaking of season gimmicks, we are properly(?) introduced to the Time Jackers, Another Riders, and the way our tributes/forms will work in Zi-O! The Time Jackers' deal is really fun idea: offering up contracts to lengthen the "time" of those struck with tradegy, in exchange of becoming a King candiate for them.

As for our tributes and Ride Armor, I'd like to go back to a quote from the opening's intro:

The legacy of the Heisei Kamen Riders has carried on throughout the era. And now they pass their power onto the next generation!

I remember what I expected from this quote when I heard it in EP 1 for the first time: Like Decade, Sougo would probably have to prove himself somehow (to the original Rider? Time itself lol? idk) that he was worthy of that Rider's power before he would he be able to use it. What we actually have is something much more.....um......different? Those Ridewatches sure do work in mysterious ways!

-Bulid's definitely one of the weaker tribute arcs, having to be the "tutorial level" and all. Nice seeing our Best Match duo again (it's been ages since I've seen anything Bulid), but I felt like they didn't really do much here? I wouldn't say its a wasted appearance or anything, just a bit underutilized in my opinion.

-Sougo! Congratulations(????) on your first step towards conquest! I feel like we kinda breezed through the whole "Using the Ridewatch effectively erases the existence of that Rider!" thing, considering its implications? (Though probably intentional on Woz's part, lol). *Slightly* a bit more tolerable here since they're leaning into the well-meaning but not quite bright hero here, but he's still kinda an enigma for me at this stage.

-This might suck, but I cannot stress enough how important Rule #3 is. I think Zi-O's time stuff is something where you just have to take it at face value and roll with whatever they give you? If you start thinking about Zi-O's timeline too hard, you'll end up in a labyrinth, and I'm not quite sure you'll be able to get out, even with our help lol.


(............Also can we talk about how oddly adorable Another Bulid running up and hugging Banjou since theyre a Best Match, as well as Sento's jealousy, it's great. I can't remember if the rest of the Another Riders have little moments where they emulate the original Rider or is it an early-series quirk where they don't have all the rules set down on how these guys work yet lol)