[Kamen Rider Die]

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Originally Posted by Androzani84

So instead, I?ll show off the toy version of most of the Zetsumerisekeys, since this episode debuts the two that come with the Zetsumeriser. (Anyone else think that thing looks like Ryuki?s V-Buckle. That was literally my first thought when I first saw it)

Yeah, it's got the same simplicity as the V-Buckle.

It's also my least-favorite Driver on this show so far? Of the four that've been shown off, it's the only one I haven't ordered. (I, uh, ordered a Forceriser last night.) Too simple? The jingles and stuff miss the addictive exuberance of the name character belts, and the actual dimensions of it seem lackluster and unimpressive. It's the kind of belt that's fine for a parade of one-off villains (two-off, maybe, when they need to reuse suits just to piss off Fuwa), but it doesn't conjure nearly the same fascination as the Kamen Rider belts.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

What also helps Zero-One is just that, again, the action is relentlessly fun. Even just that little throwdown between Valkyrie and Jin, for example. I know you don't quite feel like engaging with the shady stuff Yua's doing in the background just yet, but one thing I love about this episode is that, while it ends with her looking her shadiest yet, it also goes out of its way to put in a moment where she realizes there are civilians on the battlefield, and shields them from Jin with her own body. I really love the way the show builds up Yua early on a ton. The gap between her as a hero and her as someone with a hidden agenda is a lot of fun, and of course, I never get tired of that highly tactical fighting style.

I still liked Yua in this episode, don't get me wrong. While my patience to engage with a slow-burn mystery subplot is nowhere, I do appreciate the show devoting as much time and energy to her character development as they seem to be. And, yeah, the fight with Jin in the beginning is great! It might be my favorite fight in the episode, for how clearly she's able to overcome Jin's raw strength by fighting faster and smarter than Zero-One could.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Other fun bits of action in this episode include Vulcan using the Attache Calibur, a moment which I think exists solely because the box for the DX Attache Calibur has a picture of Vulcan using it.

To Sell Toys aside, I laughed pretty hard at Vulcan swiping the case seconds before Zero-One needied it, and Izu holding empty air to Aruto's frustration. We'll eventually get the thrilling scenes of all our Riders working in unison to defeat monsters, but I do have a soft spot for the early days of no one getting along and the fights being punctuated with gags.

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I like how the first few episodes are formulaic but gradually increases the stakes about what it means for HumaGears to co-exist with humanity. Kobe is the first instance we've seen of one reaching Singularity, a state of self-awareness comparable to our own. Of course, there's another controversial AIMS law stating that those who reach Singularity are "defective" and should be destroyed. However, that's a human bias due to the fact that self-aware HumaGears would be able to demand better treatment and override their programming if they don't get what they want, making them less useful. Once more, I think it's important to consider the HumaGears' perspective, not just how it inconveniences humanity.

I mean, that's basically this show's core dilemma: what humanity needs from Humagears, and what Humagears need from humanity. Aruto's excited about the potential of fully self-aware Humagears dreaming a better future alongside humanity, but then you've got humanity saying I'm Not Giving My Roomba Vacation Days. There's idealism meeting realism, and it makes for some fun stories.

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Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I respect your opinion on the first part. But no offense, the second part sounds spiteful towards Aruto, considering how much he wants that Key back. I'd also like to point out how Jin's Henshin puts Tori-chan through visible suffering, which is something I would advocate against, similar to the unethical practice of poaching endangered species for luxury items. I can't tell if you're joking here?

I'm mostly joking? A lot of it is preferring Jin's suit to Aruto's suit for that Key, as well as finding it hard to muster much sympathy for an uber-rich CEO's loss of property, but, you're right, I wasn't considering that laser bird's suffering. I am not in favor of that! Stop hurting laser birds!

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Regarding Zi-O, sorry, but how about my late reply in your thread there?

Have not had the time, sorry! I liked what I read, though.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Now due to this proving Aruto's belief, this'd really make Fuwa look bad, as him not caring about Kobe gaining sentience and the impact on his students, shows how clouded his judgment is so far, and makes him quite cold and heartless in this episode to not think about the actual humans being positively impacted by this.

I mean, it proves Aruto's theory, but not his belief. And even then, this is a known issue. (It's why Fuwa carries that gun!) THe world knows that Humagear can become self-aware, and they really really don't like it.