[Kamen Rider Die]

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Originally Posted by Androzani84

This was the last episode to be completed before COVID hit. From here on in, the writers had to truncate their plans significantly (Takahashi has gone on record saying it would?ve just been a retread of Ex-Aid, with Aruto slowly getting all the secondary villains redeemed to join him in fighting the Ark if they?d had the full 51 episodes they?d planned for).

I'd've been okay with that, Aruto slowly turning all the villains against the Ark, but I can't say I'm bummed it's not happening. There's something so perfunctory about that type of story, where it's gratifying but predictable. It'd feel like a checklist, where Aruto goes through four different two-parters until he's got, like, the full set. Better to make it more strategic, or at least more unexpected.

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Originally Posted by GrandComplete

And I might as well get this out of the way now(even if it's early) but that really how I feel about Zero-One as whole I'm not sure where it falls for me. It not the worst thing in the world but I don't love it either. I wish I loved it because I see so many people both on here and other places love it so much. And I'm honestly jealous that I can't feel the same. And maybe that's my biggest dissapointment? Myself for not feeling the same as the others. That maybe I'm just not seeing what others are seeing?

Never beat yourself up if/when you don't get the same thing out of a show as anyone else. We all process art differently, and it's no big deal to think a show is passable entertainment that you're not in love with.

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Originally Posted by TF RyuShin

What I don't like was how the show portrayed the Ark as an omnipotent future-calculating machine by manipulating... Aruto and Ikazuchi. The two characters who, unfortunately, might be not the best one in the brain. Aruto, of course, put his heart more to action than his thought and don't forget how Ikazuchi was easily puppeteered by Mestubojinrai without even realizing it. Obviously manipulating both of them were too easy, so to have the Ark HAD to explicitly said they were gullible was disappointing.

To paraphrase a wrestling commentator cliche, The Ark's not out here getting paid by the hour. It makes sense that he'd attack the weakest points, to create the optimal conditions for victory in the shortest span of time.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

In Ex-Aid, someone who did many atrocities like Kuroto was not made redeemed too, just happened to have mutual goal with the heroes, and he'd return to his old ways in alternate endings.

Sure, but the key difference is that Kuroto wasn't trying to be redeemed. Gai's asking for forgiveness, and is willing (so far) to putting the work in to obtain it. Whether or not he deserves forgiveness is up to the people he wronged, as well as the viewers. He may not get what he's after! That's one possibility!

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

While you have talked about horrible people not coming from nowhere before, but, didn't you say that people don't change 180? I'd think Gai's "redemption" here is a case of changing 180, after the series tried to write him as someone who'd stoop at any low to achieve something consciously without ever considering of others, even those that work closely with him, he just suddenly realizes what he did is wrong here.

Well, one, I'd argue that Gai hasn't changed 180 degrees, he just has some newfound clarity about how his actions have prevented him from finding any happiness or contentment, and is working towards a better outcome. He's still an egotistical asshole, and he needs a lot of guidance in figuring out what the right course of action is. He's only started a path, not finished his rehabilitation.

And, two, that's the thing about redemption: it's an incredibly long process, and not guaranteed to end to anyone's satisfaction. It... I mean, we are in a Kamen Rider discussion thread, not a philosophy thread, so I'm not gonna write a few thousand words on my beliefs regarding human morality and societal judgment, but Gai's not instantly Good just because he feels bad about his past actions. That's not how redeption works. It's not up to Gai if he's been redeemed, it's up to everyone but Gai. All he can do is try to be better than he was yesterday, and try to atone to the people he harmed.

Finally, I think the show is absolutely leaving it up to the viewers to decide how much forgiveness they want to offer Gai's character. I don't think anyone's saying Gai Is A Hero And You Have To Love Him And Forget About His Villainy. You don't! Gai can still try to be better without anyone's forgiveness or support! His self-improvement is not dependent on anyone else's authorization! Things are allowed to be complicated!