[Kiwami]

First off, thank you Switchblade for keeping this tradition going! I really love it.

Favorite New Show of 2022

It has to be Donbrothers. It's the first Sentai show that really rocked my socks off. It's so good.

That being said, aside from one example, we'll get to that one later, all of the ongoing shows are very strong this year IMO. I liked the end of Revice and so far Geats is really good too.

But Donbrothers is my number one, it's so much fun. I adore the characters, setting and much needed departure from tiring Sentai tropes. Donbrothers mixed up the formula real good!

Favorite New-to-You Show of 2022

I watched the first Ultraman show for the first time in 2022 and adored it. It's absolutely no wonder this show set the starting point for this incredible franchise. Besides great effects, cinematic work and fun monster designs, I enjoyed the characters a lot. The SSSP grew on me fast, and I enjoyed their dynamic very much. I really liked how they were allowed to have relatable flaws.

I'm watching Ultraseven now, a show many people find superior, but so far it doesn't grab me as much as Ultraman did, and a huge part of that is that the Ultra Guard can't compare to the SSSP IMO. Seven does many things better than Ultraman, but I can't feel the attachment to the Ultra Guard yet, at least not on the same level as the SSSP.

Favorite Movie, Miniseries, or Special of 2022

"Godzilla vs. Gigan"!

I didn't watch a lot of movies last year, but this anniversary short was awesome. So cool to see some classic suit-action Godzilla again and Gigan is such an iconic foe so it was great to see him again too. The effect work was awesome, and the suit actors portrayed a lot of character through their suits which was amazing to see.

Favorite Rewatch of 2022

I only rewatched a few single episodes of random shows, nothing worth talking about.

Favorite Male Lead Character

Momoi Taro for me. Really like his character both in his human form and as Don Momotaro.

Favorite Female Lead Character

Does Haruka count? Probably, right? She's awesome. Love the characterization, especially the "I choose violence"-part

Favorite Male Supporting Character

Hm? maybe Kaito in his "Donbrothers"-flavor? Some super fun scenes with this character. And I have no idea who he really is, and at this point I don't care anymore, in a good way though.

Favorite Female Supporting Character

I really like the childhood friend of Don Dragoku, I think Rumi was her name? Again, some awesome scenes involving her, even though I don't like Jirou that much.

Favorite Villain

The Cerebrans count, right? If so, Sonoi for me. Great dynamic with Taro. Some historians might say they were great friends!

Favorite Returning Past Character

Double mention, but - Kaito? I don't know, at this point my brain is really failing me and I have no idea what I even watched last year anymore

Favorite Actor

Shinnosuke Takahashi. Don't judge me, I think he's ridiculously handsome. Plus, the acts out the antics of his character so well.

Favorite Actress

Kohaku Shida. A lot of what makes Haruka fantastic is her amazing acting, she's so much fun to watch.

Favorite Writer

I yet again fail to know any names, but the people who wrote Black Sun. For obvious reasons, that show was amazing.

Favorite Director

Hideaki Anno. It's not that I can watch anything he makes (for now?) but yeah, him.

Favorite Suit Design

Kamen Rider Geats has amazing suit design, I don't even know which one to pick. I guess Buffa, really cool suit.

Favorite Weapon/Vehicle/Mecha

Don Onitaijin is the best. Love this guy.

Favorite Fight Scene

Kamen Rider Geats has freakin' insane fight choreography. I think the one that wowed me the most is when Geats uses the Zombie buckle to protect Na-Go. Not only is the choreography is flawless, the camera work is also insane. Like, the character jumps through a window and the camera follows, just like that. Damn. It's a breathtaking scene to behold.

Favorite Dramatic Scene

Black Sun has too many, and most are too graphic to describe anyway. So - all of it.

Favorite Comedic Scene

Donbrothers made me laugh plenty of times, but I'm an idiot who forgets so I can't name any specific ones.

Biggest "WTF did I just watch?" Moment

The opening of Black Sun's final episode. In a hella good way though. Made me say "No way!" out loud. Epic stuff.

Favorite Song

"Trust Last" is awesome. Sucks that Rider songs are released months after the premiere for whatever reason, but I listen to the TV-size on loop instead.

Favorite Piece of Merchandise

Lots of awesome Figuarts, but I think the DX Don Onitaijin takes it for me. Such an amazing, fun toy. That's what a combinable robot toy should be like.

Biggest Surprise of 2022

Black Sun being as awesome as it is I guess? It kinda vanished from my radar before its release.

Biggest Disappointment of 2022:

Ultraman Decker. For continuing Trigger's legacy of actively making me bored of Ultraman. These shows suck. Really hope they get their groove back in the near future.

The Onari Memorial Award for Single Worst Thing in Tokusatsu, 2022 Edition:

Nothing I think. Can't say anything comes to mind right now. Good year.