[Enchilada645]

There are beginnings, and there are endings. And it's because of those endings that there are new beginnings.

This episode... really, really hit a lot of great notes, and definitely made it one of my favorite finale episodes from Rider as a result. Again, as someone who writes fanfiction, the decision to pin everything on stories to help frame the final battle, it resonated with me in a deep way. Just like how I saw it resonated with you and others in their posts about the previous episode. While Saber had a fantastical fantasy theme to it, another important theme was the power of stories and what they mean to us, what they inspire us to do. So them going full in on that aspect of the show makes for a really special time.

There's so much about this episode that's great, Yuri giving his all in order to get Kento to where he's needed. The prior fight before that where Kento and Ren work entirely in desperate sync to beat the last Sage.

There's Primitive Dragon showing up again and fighting alongside Touma, which is such a pleasant surprise with some fun altered suit acting to show both Touma and the boy working in tandem. There's a wild edge to it, but it's somewhat refined. And it's really cool that he was able to get the drop on Storious as a result. In a finale where stories are important, Touma utilizing a form/friend that came from an Arc that had a fantastic ending because of Touma creating a new story... it's a nice warm fuzzy moment.

Then we get Wonder Almighty. I love that the call out is the other Riders and Luna speaking. I love how despite it being our usual "Base Form with New Trinket" like Realizing Hopper, that it's so much more unique. It basically is our All Powers in One power for the Wonder Ride Books. Getting to see a lot of minor books used again, some that hadn't shown up in a while, and seeing our trio all beat Storious back all to the tune of Almighty, it was a rather nice final battle which cemented Wonder Almighty for me as the best done of these finale battle forms.

And of course... the scene of everyone talking about their favorite stories. Back when Saber was airing there was a call for people to make videos talking about their favorite stories and send them in. I had a feeling this might've been what they were used for, but it was still heartwarming all the same to see it happen in the episode.

Circling back around to what I said at the beginning though. I do like that well... the world does end. But it's thanks to Mei's rallying of everyone through asking them to remember their favorite story, that everyone is able to take that ending... and then write a new beginning to overturn that ending. One story ends, another begins, maybe it's a sequel, maybe it's something inspired by the last story. Either way, one of the greatest strengths of humanity is our creativity and ingenuity. And Saber used that to allow a happy ending, even if it took a bit in-universe, for everyone as a result.

Again, fantastic episode, and I love how in honor of Touma, Kento decided to go for the most bizarre fashion choice I've ever seen. Also yes that was a Humagear, I believe that was the writer of the episode making a fun cameo in it as well.

Honestly I was curious as to what you'd choose for a base in terms of the story this time, since there is a lot to potentially use in this episode. Though an editorial note from Mei about Touma... it feels right, and I enjoyed reading it.