[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER SABER X KAMEN RIDER GHOST

This was definitely Movie War Against Weird Creeps, but in a more digestible Episode format. Desast is in it, representing the Saber side of the antagonists, and he's a repellant creep throughout. I could wave it away as him not caring about Kanon?s autonomy because he doesn?t see her as real enough to bother not dragging her away screaming, but the optics on it are still very not appealing. The Ganma Guys are a non-descript bunch of chuds; deranged cultists from the Specter movie that I am incredibly grateful (*wink*) that this episode decided to recap, since I barely remember any of it. (I mean, that Omega Drive, forever.) They?re similarly creepy, dressing up Kanon in Chloe?s Gothic Lolita outfit and getting way too close to her while singing some unsettling lullaby. It?s a full episode of Kanon being imperiled and possessed and maybe brain damaged, and it?s just? boy, it?s not a very fun way back into Ghost?

I went in to this special expecting a fun crossover between two of my favorite Rider shows, so I was surprised how much Desast focus there was, even giving him more rivalry and interaction with Saber than in the show, reminding me of the early fights between Ghost and Specter.

Personally, I think Desast's a pretty intriguing antagonist here. I mean, yeah, his creepy stalker behavior is kind of misguided, but it shows how beneath the surface of the lovable free-spirited thrill seeker is actually a lonely man. He has his freedom, looking for fights, going to all kinds of places on Twitter, but he really just wants to find somewhere to belong and people who will accept him. He's like Rintarou in a way. So then Desast picks up the mysterious scent of this fellow artificial lifeform, lost and orphaned, been to hell and back. Just like him. He sees an opportunity for them to help each other, but his overly simple solution doesn't work for Kanon. She doesn't want a big bro, she wants her big bro, she wants Makoto. Desast doesn't understand that family isn't something that can be easily replaced, which is painful for him who never had a family.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Luckily, the non-Kanon parts of this Ghost resurrection are delightful. I?ve never been a huge fan of Takeru?s post-show non-dyed hair, but I liked it here. He?s a fully-grown adult now, and he looks it. There?s still that bit of swagger he always had, but now it?s seasoned with a bit more calm and seriousness. He wears it well! Also, Javert is here to be Fill-In Onari, and I thought he acquitted himself as well as Onari ever did. I mean it as a compliment, but your mileage may vary.

I still think it's a little weird to see Takeru without his classic blonde hair, as his hair color is literally a plot point in the novel. Other than that, I'm always glad to see Takeru, love that guy. Kamen Rider Ghost is tragically underrated, so I have to respect Nishime for not letting that discourage him as he keeps coming back for the fans who do appreciate him.

Nice to see that Jabel got his promotion to head monk, he deserves it a lot more than those two incompetent apprentices. With Onari busy running his detective agency on the side, Jabel has a lot more responsibilities now and you can already see how much his training has developed, offering onigiri to Desast just like Onari did to him before. It's not quite as effective on Desast, but it did make a good diversion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by r4bbitdragon

That's also the motivation behind the final picture in that Desast's Walk by the way- remember how one of Desast's suit actors had just played Kiramared? That's them doing Kiramared's signature pose together, "Hiramaking!"

How'd Desast even get Kanon to co-operate for his blog?