[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

I think my main highlight was Woz telling Kuroto that he?ll make ?great fertiliser? for Sougo?s ascension.

It was good! I don't think the timing necessarily lines up to say its an influence, considering how early the pre-production on Zi-O might've started, but Woz comes off very Ebony Maw from Avengers: Infinity War in this episode... and a lot of earlier episodes, now that I think about it? He's a grandiose, regal hype-man, and it's a cool gimmick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Heck, I feel like "matters of perspective" is one of the major themes that the show is going for in general, so if nothing else it was nice to see it be brought to the forefront.

I think it's also helping Tsukuyomi understand that people can spin historical facts anyway they want when it comes to discerning motivations, so it's best to go to do your own research, if you can. It's the thing that makes her trust her own opinions about Sougo, rather than follow Geiz'z interpretation of recent events (i.e. getting his ass completely and utterly kicked).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

This is quite a nice reversal of usual stereotype that someone who's em-pathetic and puppy dog like Sougo is usually portrayed as the one that is easily manipulated, and that someone morally questionable like Geiz is portrayed as the one that is more sensible and mature. But for this series, it's not only that Sougo's kindness isn't weakness, but it's Geiz who is the one easily manipulated (by Sougo here) exactly due to his black and white mentality. Being someone fueled by hate and pragmatism can have them being easily manipulated too, not only the one who is empathetic and kind. Unfortunately, this competence of Sougo would convince Geiz more that he's a threat.

I agree!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Other than Kuroto, the OOO tribute though, it acted as if Eiji returns to his family and becoming politician, but the context is quite ignored that his parents bailed him out of Africa while leaving everyone else to die, as well as his siblings manipulating his story as a tragic figure that escaped by luck (not by money), and exploiting his pain to win sympathy from voters. Without OOO this treats as if Eiji is fine and can return back to his family or helping people using his power (as politician here), ignoring that the one that can made him more happy again, his room to heal and made him use his power to reach out and help people, are the people around him, Ankh, Hina, Date, Goto, Satonaka. Like him being worried and cared about as well as being told to let others help him. It's also not really explained that why Hina designs for Kuroto.

I definitely don't love it, but this show has pretty definitively stated that, even without the emotional healing and psychological support of their Kamen Rider story arcs, they end up becoming the people they're meant to be. Sento and Banjou find each other anyway, Gentarou becomes a teacher, Emu becomes a pediatrician, etc. In this case, Eiji still finds a way to be a hero to people who need a helping hand.