[Fish Sandwich]

(Fish Sandwich also watched Kamen Rider Zi-O - EP38)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 38 - "2019 - THE ONE CHOSEN BY KABUTO"

There's kinda no getting around how unnecessary it is to see Kagami actually become Kabuto. A big theme in that show was how it's more important to overcome yourself than it is to worry about "surpassing" others -- something Kagami learned more than anyone -- and we've even got the other end of that spectrum here in Yaguruma, a man who basically threw his entire life away all because he let beating Kabuto distract him from following his own path. Like, y'all can diss that Decade tribute all you want, but I think it had a much stronger grasp on the elements of Kabuto it chose to focus on. So, yeah, Kagami as Kabuto -- nothing we needed to see.

And yet, "unnecessary" is really the most scathing criticism I can give it?

It's something where I should be downright offended by it, as a Kabuto fan. I mean, if you've seen the show, you probably understand just how critical a point it is that Kabuto and Gatack are equals, and that the identity Kagami carved out for himself is not just a silver medal. It's like, downright blasphemous of Zi-O to even *risk* suggesting that. ...Just like it was blasphemy to undo the bittersweet tragedy of Blade's ending, or to have the most unpopular character in Hibiki earn a title basically nobody wanted to see him inherit.

Zi-O has a way of making me enjoy these things I should hate seeing, and that's just as true as ever here. I can only barely tell you the reasons why, but I think it ultimately comes down to two pretty simple words -- it's fun.

I figured this plot point might bug me more now than it did at the time, since, like I said, I've become a lot more passionate about Kabuto, especially when it comes to the messages and themes it explored, but man, I just can't be bothered to care? Kagami using the Kabuto Zecter is cool, probably something plenty of fans wanted to see happen, and something that Zi-O made happen, long after it seemed like there was any chance it would. It might not be a moment that perfectly fits Kagami's character, but it fits the vibe of this stretch of the show flawlessly. Who knows, maybe this is just part of that Geiz character arc I have with Zi-O as a series. Like I've gone so soft I simply can't view it with any suspicion anymore. But as awkward as some of the details become when you stop to think about them, this really is a delightful episode, and I can't help but let it off the hook for that alone. Maybe that stunt team did really good work, okay?! What's so wrong about that being the focus of praise every now and then?

This is probably one of those times where my attempt to defend something is only going to make it look worse, but I feel like the episode really sets a tone when it opens up with Sougo destroying a big rock in space, only to be met with the threat of Bigger Rock. I feel like it was a conscious decision to have Geiz and Yaguruma's scenes together be the main source of emotional complexity here, because I just can't imagine that was ever the overall priority for this story. We've got a hint of depth there, some overarching Plot progression with Tsukuyomi, and a dash of simple fanservicey fun with Sougo, even as they play a bit fast and loose with Kagami's character to get us there. (To be clear, I don't think Kagami's feelings are portrayed in a way that undoes any of his development, which is critical.) This is a two-parter with a little bit of everything, that arguably doesn't do particularly great at any one element, but adds up to a whole that's still satisfying. I guess you could say it's fun to watch, all the way through, but not a story you'd be ravin...

Wait, I did start this off trying to disagree with Die, right?