[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Just, immediately, Kamen Rider Horobi feels like a huge deal. I straight up love this guy, by the way? I don't know how much I'll end up gushing about him in this thread, but for now, just focusing on him as a Rider, it was so dang cool knowing Takaiwa was still playing a big role even after stepping down from the protagonist spot after Zi-O. I'd imagine I'm not the only one who sort of felt like it just wouldn't be Kamen Rider without the guy, so this made that transition a lot smoother, while also giving him a chance to demonstrate his talent with a very different kind of character. I've always felt Kabuto was actually one of the roles that most demonstrated Takaiwa's skill as a suit actor? Most people probably jump to Den-O, but I think its the subtlety of a character like Tendou that lets him shine most. I praise guys like Eitoku and Kousuke Asai for being hugely expressive in their own right, but if I had to think of something about Takaiwa that I geuninely can't imagine any other suit actor will ever match, it'd be the minimalism of Kabuto. How with the least possible amount of movement, he could still excellently convey a properly defined personality just in how carried himself. Kamen Rider Horobi gave him a chance to really showcase that aspect of his style again, and that made it a total delight to watch that character in any scene he was in. (Also I very specifically love the shape of those eyes on the suit. They're so weirdly elongated and creepy and utterly unique and I was fascinated by them before the show even started.)

I really love Kamen Rider Horobi! I don't-- I don't think I love the character of Horobi, though?

Or, the actor, is maybe what I mean. I find the MetsubouJinrai leader to be a distractingly uncharismatic presence, honestly. Most of his scenes have - not to keep comparing him to Genm, but - missed either the beneficent charm of early Kuroto, or the unhinged lunacy of late Kuroto. This guy's just there, and I don't find him nearly as appealing as either one of his weirdo underlings. There's more to him this time (I was pretty dialed in when he theatrically declared war on all of humanity to Fuwa's sputtering face), but I don't feel like the actor has figured out a way in to this guy yet in-person. Does an okay job on VO, though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Also some more weirdly noncommittal To Sell Toys stuff this week, with the sudden focus on Izu having the obligatory Progrise Key holder thing that came out around that time. Just look at *all* those Keys it holds!

Ha ha, it's pretty dopey! Not exactly leaping to the top of my To Buy list, despite Izu's showmanship and the very fun Use Three Suits tactics.