[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Otherwise (perhaps I've asked but forgot the outcome), do you only use the term generic for something not clicking with you?

It's definitely a pejorative, but I think I try to only use it for concepts or plots, not for characters. Any character is likely to feel specific because of the actor, the costume, the staging, etc. But concepts and plots can get incredibly generic; I can't count how many Heisei shows leaned on Gathering Data in their early run of episodes to explain a villainous plot that just flung MotW at the heroes so they could show off form change gimmicks and collectibles. That's a generic approach, because it could be grafted directly onto a completely different show without altering much.

I don't think I'd ever consider a hero/main character on these shows to be generic, though? There are tropes and character types, but each writer and performer makes them unique.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I definitely didn?t expect her to turn out to be one of my favorite characters, but the show generally toned down the more excessive elements of the character as it went on and focused more on how she fit into the cast and less as a vehicle for slapstick (I say ?generally? because you can always tells when Fukuda was writing an episode as Mei becomes about 300% more cartoony).

Mei's great because she's basically the Editor for this group of weirdos: she's the one responsible for getting the best work out of them, to harness their individual efforts into something approaching a coherent body of work. That might mean assigning work, but it might also mean helping them through some mental blocks. Also, gorgeous. (Not exactly relevant to the conversation, but I thought it was worth getting on the record.)

And, MAN, I would love to see Mei become the new Espada. Don't think it'll happen, but I would be thrilled.