[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicrescend0

You know, my opinion of Sougo was leaning positively as at this point on my initial watch, but re-watching this episode....How can I put it? Still same old Sougo, but a slightly different side of him? I know I've called him dopey in the thread a while back, but I think this was the point where I realized where he's a bit smarter than I gave him credit for? It made me almost want to go back and rewatch the past episodes viewing him through that lens.

The thing that's great about it is that it's sort of subverting the classic Kamen Rider checklist? It's taking a bumbling, dopey teenager and sculpting him into Kamen Rider Zi-O. It's making him more confident, more powerful, and surrounding him with people who believe in him (or are willing to follow his lead, at least).

It's just, all of that stuff might also be what turns a bumbling, dopey teenager into a genocidal warlord? He's inadvertently eliminating threats to his rule, while turning adversaries into accomplices. He's willing to look people in the eye and tell them to stop questioning him.

It's all done with -- perfect for a Wizard story -- some really impressive sleight of hand, leading you into a thrillingly sweet conclusion that twists into something bitter as Geiz goes Holy Shit Sougo's In Charge Now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicrescend0

-.......I didn't realize we would get to this next arc so soon. Looking forward to everyone's opinions about that.

These threads move pretty fast! We're about, uh, a seventh done? With all of the Rider Time stuff? Crazy!