[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 34 - ?2019 - THE HEISEI ONI AND THE REIWA ONI?

I loved this episode. I loved how it didn?t redeem Kiriya, so much as it tried to provide a larger context for why he?s still an insufferable prick after all these years, despite becoming a mentor and a hero. Because it?s? those things don?t negate each other, or act in conflict, you know? Being a parent is as complicated and terrifying as growing up, just from the opposite side. Kiriya never really figured his shit out, because Figuring Your Shit Out isn?t a prerequisite for being a parent. He screwed things up by trying to be Hibiki, when all Tsutomu ever wanted was Kiriya. He didn?t want Kiriya?s mentor, because he didn?t know that guy. He wanted his mentor to be proud of him, and that?s all that mattered.

It's like what Hibiki said, how everybody's got their own rhythm. Kiriya can never be a better Hibiki than Hibiki, or a better version of his father, but he can always strive to be his best self, which Tsutomu needs him to be. It's the same thing Shounen learned, that being an Oni is only one way to become an independent person. Part of being independent isn't just mimicking the lifestyle of someone you admire, but using your own judgement as well.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

There's also of course the Woz subplot which is all around wonderful. Full of great character humor for sure, but also really touching in how it's pulled off and resolves, which is a great move to pull as something for those who aren't buying into the Kiriya plot to latch onto. Although I guess if they don't like Woz then they're out of luck.

Good thing Woz is the most beloved character in the show, but yeah, sucks for the minority who don't like him. Pretty sure this is the first arc where Woz takes focus over the other Time Riders. I thought it was a sweet story about how small gestures can be just as profound and special as grandiose IWAEs, as long as it comes from the heart. Todoroki was a very appropriate guy to deliver that moral, since he's all about celebration as well with the guitar purification ritual he does.

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Originally Posted by catwhowalks

This was one tribute where I felt not having the original actor actually made it better. Having it being about the next generation figuring out the whole mentor thing seems very much in theme.

Another hit in the second half of tribute, imo.

Good point. Seeing Hibiki again would've been cool, but since this arc is about Kiriya's struggle to be a good Oni and mentor, it would've diminished that if Hibiki just showed up and gave him advice. It's more meaningful that Kiriya figured it out on his own. When the Hibiki Ridewatch manifested and Kiriya became Reiwa's new Kamen Rider Hibiki, I believe Hibiki was there in spirit, cheering him on! Kiriya will be a great Oni someday.

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

This is not the way I would have chosen to do a Hibiki tribute, but with at said, I do like how it turned out in the end. This is probably the best Kiriya story we?ve ever gotten, which is absolutely a low bar to clear. I?d have much rather had Asumu come back, but this still worked better that it should have.

There?s one small moment near the end that I love, though, and would probably say is the best tribute in all of Zi-O. One of Todoroki?s last lines is him saying that he may find his own apprentice now and that he?ll run the idea by Hinaka. Hinaka?s actress, Miyuki Kanye, died in 2008 of heart failure. I found it so sweet of Zi-O to acknowledge her and I love the implication that she still?s still alive in the world of Kamen Rider.

I commend you for finding something to appreciate about this plot about a character from a non-existent part of Kamen Rider Hibiki. It's good to keep an open mind.

Regarding Hinaka, I think it's a nice consolation when an actor is survived by their character, as a way for their legacy to continue, both in universe and in meta. Like Riderman and Stronger, who are still fighting for justice in crossovers, their actors bringing hope to people even from beyond the grave. And it's reassuring that Todoroki still has that important person in his life who supports him.