[DreadBringer]

Not bad episode but has personal disappointments.

Sara's reason of becoming a Rider is the main drive of the characters in this episode, with Neon not working towards the fact that Sara was unconscious when Tycoon returned in previous episode. So just like the other 2 of the core trio, Neon also keeps something, her notebook that lists items and Riders, along with Keiwa's video diaries and Ace's notes. Still hoping that the former 2 also would be important later. And guess drawing is really one of Neon's traits, other than her drawing the Red Hat Girl before to advance the DGP. This is likely also how Neon claims she learned arts against her arranged fiancee before.

Sara's motivation, as per the episode title, is mutual with Keiwa's, who vows to not let Sara know he has returned, while also protecting her. He's actually mad over Kekera for it, but luckily Kekera can save himself with convincing excuse that Sara intentionally became a Rider to take his burdens herself. Guess it's nice that he does try to hide with various ways, like camourflaging himself either untransformed or as a Rider, actually becoming a ninja in literal sense of the word. He actually succeeds in tripping Buffa that lets the girls escape.

Like Beroba, Sueru runs DR while also being the one who assigns game rounds, and it's no-nonsense in directly helping the DGP/DR management by gathering the ID Cores from the Jamato. His elimination rule is letting the winner freely exclude 1 player, which is also done as a countermeasure against Buffa's cheating powers, and this is the other main drive of the characters. Sueru also forces the Riders to participate regardless of what they're doing, interrupting Ace and Ziin's talk as Ziin accepts Ace is going to destroy the DGP; what attachment Ziin still has on the DGP at this point to claim Ace "betrays" his fans? Ace jumps a balcony as another showing off... to real life fans.

Sara is actually enthusiastic with the idea of fighting, instead of this being a traumatic experience like before, including her being ecstatic to think she's getting a good hit on Buffa. Her start is also better than I expected with her having some aptitude in gadgets that lets her operate DGP technologies and be a help for Neon herself too, though the part of her operating gadgets are just sudden due to how Sara had little involvement in the story before this. I wonder though if Na-Go has known now, at least before Daichi told her, that Buffa gets his wish now while hitting him which is futile. Na-Go's done reasoning with him though, as told by Ace on ep. 25.

The actual game round performance however, the girls are no match compared to Daichi who's good enough to collect a bunch of ID Cores. Despite that he still has other plans, trying to make allies with other Riders, promptly rejected by Ace, but gave some showing fighting LaserBoost with Monster. Against the girls though, he falls into the asshole they have to tolerate type as he's too good here, despite that Neon's finally done with him, being actually angry at his cruelty, and Daichi admitting that he'd exploit anyone he can (still a facade to have him apologize or assuring the secrets to Keiwa). Keiwa also needs to speak at times, thus he also disguises as Sara's supporter Ponchicchi to further warn Sara, while being spotted this time, but he too, sees no wrong in accepting a bunch of ID Cores, but ofc warns Daichi about harming Sara.

Of course, there's no actual need in him to assign others collecting ID Cores or eliminating Buffa, if he already can do better than them. He just wants to eliminate other competitors faster, and satisfy his revenge, by siccing Buffa on them as he directs the girls to the area he already sweeped, while telling Michinaga they're heading there. Like usual, he completely discards morality in how he operates and once again, blows his plan as he doesn't realize how people can be pissed off with his antics, even someone not good like Michinaga, who still has standards. He'd fight all Riders, and he had no qualms fighting those he "spared" after they returned like Neon, but he'd prioritize the Riders who clearly fit his bleak view of them first.

While it's plausible to have his plans blow up like that, and it points about Daichi's greed to want as much advantage as possible, I'd think his apparent end is disappointing here. He doesn't show any tactical sense in this fight here, just in time that Buffa's revealed to be only immune to Riders. I'd like if Nadge-Sparrow is the one to display that by luring Buffa to an area filled with Jamatos (throw the girls and him to that area all at once). And I'd rather have Keiwa or Neon being the one to defeat Daichi, due to him dismissing them as simple, and Keiwa being a tanuki or likely Neon with that notebook, and perhaps with some mind games with both sides outwitting a Game Master (and them being pitted before). Rather than having those seem "powerless" here and that only Michinaga (and Ace ofc who warns those 2) can accomplish anything, and I think there's already enough moments of Michinaga being disgusted with degenerates due to his standards.

Otherwise, Ace here shows that having a difference in opinion doesn't necessarily mean enemies, as he prioritizes targeting the DGP management, though he does warn the girls to not trust anyone, which Neon reaffirms how much she and Sara are allies by being ok with Sara winning. Seems that Ace is the one who tests Michinaga's view of Riders to some extent, by now understanding that his wishes lead into him destroying the DGP, making him finally agree with him for once. Though at least Ace doesn't pull unnecessary cruelty, wonder what kind he can pull when it's necessary considering his tricks in ep. 2/7 and his ally being Michinaga here.

Sueru is more active in showing how's his character than I expected, along with Tsumuri continuing to doubt the DGP. Tsumuri laments why Sueru is pitting Riders against each other. Honestly by this I wonder who can or can't pit Riders against each other, as Girori got fired for this. Sueru highlights his cruelty openly ofc by another one who dismisses her opinion, and viewing the world as only a (temporary) stage, while the Riders are circus animals, while floating/vanishing around her. Still wondering for who he'd want to entertain this of. And this time, he's the one who revives Niram and Win. The tradition continues that as Daichi's gone for good, the "original" main Rider returns. The current threat seems to be... the DGP finally deciding to leave this world, while erasing every trace of it in this world, with at least Niram backing Sueru up as he already made plans of that before. Win seems to be still on the DGP side too to claim it's going downhill...