[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 23 - ?IT?S KIKAI! 2121?

I liked the stuff with Kikai, the same as probably everyone else. They went for a terrifically goofy late-Showa vibe to everything (Rento?s all-denim outfit! With bell bottoms!) and it was the right move. Rento himself is a stalwart defender of humanity and a friend to children, with a charming lack of guile. And as much fun as it was to see Rento walk stiffly and smile slightly unnervingly, it was equally entertaining to watch Kamen Rider Kikai full-on punch an old lady in the face. I mean, it was a killer robot old lady, but it still looked pretty funny. Really good time hanging out in 2121.

Since nobody else has brought up which Sentai actor is portraying this arc's Mirider, I guess I'll do it. Machina Rento's actor is Irie Jingi, who was previously Lupinranger's arch enemy Zamigo Delma. And when I say "previously", I literally mean last week. This episode aired on the same day as the premiere of Super Sentai Strongest Battle (a miniseries designed to push Sentai premieres from February to March), following the finale of LupinPatren. Which means Irie finished his work on that show and was then immediately cast for this role. Like sure, there's Sento and Ryuuga in Zi-O and Kaito in Donbrothers, but those are more deliberate examples. Zamigo and Rento are totally different though. Don't you think that's weird?

Regarding my opinion of Kikai, I honestly don't think he's that great. My observations in this thread tell me that's an unpopular opinion, but I'll explain so people can understand why I think that. Firstly, he's not a ninja. Secondly, the suit. The crossed wrench and screwdriver on his face and Driver look stupid, like he's some kind of robot pirate or something. Which is kind of appropriate within his story where he's a criminal to the other Humanoiz, but I maintain that it's poorly executed. Thirdly, while I could see Shinobi and Quiz as being protagonists in their own setting, I don't feel like Rento has that same protagonist quality.

2121 marks the 100th anniversary of Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, which also has "Kikai" in the title. It also marks the 150th anniversary of Kamen Rider, hence the Showa references.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(I don?t 100% believe in Tsukuyomi?s turn on Sougo ? she?s scared, I get that, but she is all WHY HAVEN?T YOU MURDERED SOUGO YET GEIZ in basically every scene here, without bothering to sketch out why she?s so insistent ? but I kinda loved how she?s the new Grim Executioner to Geiz?z Time Dad this episode. Geiz trying desperately to get Sougo to take his education seriously, while Tsukuyomi schemes to kill Zi-O? it?s a cute switch-up, even if half of it lacks explanation.)

Tsukuyomi is a practical person. She's more concerned with the growing threat of Zi-O's power, disregarding how Sougo chooses to apply that power for good. While Geiz is more emotional. He's had the opportunity to get to know Sougo as a person through their conflict, so he's more inclined to judge Sougo as a person. Tsukuyomi is affected by that conflict, but she's mostly an observer, so she doesn't have the important personal perspective that Geiz has. All she had was a fragile faith, which she has now given up on.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(wood is the opposite of metal, I guess)

The 機 (ki) in 機械 (kikai) is pronounced the same as 木 (ki) which means wood.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(Woz at the end pointing out that emotionally isolating Sougo and trying to destroy him is a pretty great way to make a genocidal despot!)

Especially when you consider that Oma Sougo in his youth would have been ostracized by default, due to the lack of Geiz and anybody who would take his dream seriously.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

(feels like more of a Kiramager move?)

.... Huh, you watched Kiramager?

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Originally Posted by Rei

Edit: slightly offtopic to the episode, but prior to a certain plot line down the line, I... may or may not have mistaken Tsukuyomi and Geiz to be siblings. They sure do act like they are!

I didn't think it in a literal way, but yeah, I agree they act like siblings. They may as well be, considering how their families are pretty much all dead in the future.