[Sh Ranger]

So this year, we have a Red Ranger who can only speak the truth and now we have a Primary Rider who lies compulsively.

This episode focuses a little more on our mysterious protagonist Ace, following his introduction and Grand Victory in the previous DGP. His desire looks like it was entirely selfish on the surface, but based on his interaction with Tsumuri, I think he might be trying to find an exploit in the DGP by deliberately making extravagant desires. This is Ace's world, but it's not his ideal world. He's still fighting to get his true desire.

Ace contradicts himself a lot, maybe intentionally. Like before, he tried to cheer up Keiwa by telling him he could change the world. But now, Ace put him down by telling him that no matter how noble his desire, he'll never beat him. While the DGP forbids foul play between Riders which is strictly enforced through disqualification, Ace has no problem using deception to persuade Keiwa to give up the Boost Raise Buckle. Fortunately, it was a limited-use item, so there are no consequences but it does teach Keiwa an important moral that he shouldn't be so easily trusting towards his rivals. As Taira failed to fulfill his desire, Ace also donates money for his son's operation, after claiming it was a lie that he wants to help unfortunate kids. So Ace is clearly a hero, but he doesn't care about appearing as one.

The characters are still shouting out subtext about their animal motifs though, like seriously, it's the most superfluous kind of exposition!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nokination

I know that Dapan died last episode, but this was the new start of the Desire Grand Prix, and we already have a death, it being Kamen Rider Mary/Morio Koganeya,

Uh, nope, Da-Paan and Mary are both alive. Shirowe and Ginpen are the dead ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Actar

On that note, how are people chosen to become Kamen Riders? Were they chosen randomly or did they already have a wish they wanted to be granted? I would like to think the latter, as it would make sense as to why they weren't more reluctant to participate... How does Ace keep coming back after winning, and why would the DGP keep letting him in?

You're right, it's the latter. Same reason why Ace keeps getting invited, as he explains to Tsumuri, he wants to test the limits of what desires DGP will grant.