[TF RyuShin]

One little nitpick that I have for Zero-One was how they didn't maximize the usage of Soreo and Korenosuke in the series. I almost forgot Aruto had a Humagear Dad until last episode, lol. That heart-to-heart scene between Aruto and his dad was a warm welcome and I wish the series did this a lot more. Soreo was better utilized because he had spotlight in Reiwa First Generation. Korenosuke, on the other hand... I wish there was more scene with him, even as flashbacks with Gai and Fukuzoe. It's baffling to see after I found out Koronosuke's last appearance was in ep 13. For such a central figure, a little snippets of Aruto's grandpa would be welcome.

Other than, pretty much this was a really satisfying finale. I think the last time Final Villain was spared was with Hajime in Blade but that's a whole another beast. I think Yuya Takahashi did a good job to land the perfect way to convey the messages for the audiences. There's a certain mirror or parallel where Aruto showed Horobi that no matter how low we sink or descend to despair, we could always leap back and just move on from the past. Honestly, it was the right decision for the show to make Aruto as Ark-One. Aruto needs to sink to his lowest point as possible and relate to what Horobi experienced. It's nice to see the show made Aruto to be on the same level as Horobi specifically so Horobi could see as an example of hope.

My favorite parts in this episode was when Aruto let go of Izu's memento ribbon in the sky. That was... Beautiful was not an understatement. There's a nice symbolism here in that ribbon which signified Aruto moved on and LET go Izu. Izu WAS dead and that's the fact. Remember how I informed the Ark Signal One in Ark-One's suit that basically acted as coping mechanism for Aruto? Aruto used the Ark-One's suit solely to run from reality. Once Horobi destroyed the suit, there's a nice transition where Aruto was freed from the Ark-One and Azu's machination or dream. More or less it meant Aruto was waking up from his dream and face reality. He ACCEPTED he lost Izu and that's it. Basically the whole arc of Aruto as Ark-One was a reality check for our protagonist to REALIZE he needs to face reality as much as he dreams. He can't sought the dream that he and Izu wished for if he keeps running from reality.

I think that message goes for any of us. It's easy to hate, despise and resent others, like Horobi. It's also easier for us to run away from reality in front of our eyes, like Aruto. Only after accepting ourself and facing our problems we can become the best of us. We understand each other after facing our own problems from the inside.

I'm a bit in-between regarding reviving Izu. I understand why people dislike and feel it was so wrong to revive back Izu. It was almost a back slap to everything that had happened in the last arc. Still, I respect their decision to bring back Izu again. It's not like it was the same old Izu. The old Izu is dead. This was an act of Aruto honoring the late Izu. It was a nice metaphor where Izu was the one who helped Aruto the most before and now it was the reverse. This was the best book end I could wish for this show.