[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JusticeMagnum

I can agree with this, but I think the reason why some people I've seen online are so split on the this direction with Keiwa's character is because it's a bit too subtle, like if we actively saw Keiwa slowly getting more frustrated visually & overtly over the course of the series I think it would flow much more naturally for people. Like you said, I do think the pieces are all there and how we got here does make sense if you stop to think about, but I think a little less subtlety might've helped a bit here.

However, we know from his manipulation of Giroli and Tsumuri that subtlety is one of his skills. Unlike Ace's method of deception, Keiwa appeals to people emotionally and leverages their perception of him, sometimes without even trying. This is why he didn't get voted out as the Desire Star, as the others believed in him enough to figure out Daichi was playing them. So, if his development was too obvious to the viewer, it might instead diminish the impressiveness of that skill and probably make other characters look like idiots for not being able to notice it sooner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

But I think Ace just needs a live Daichi to get the said cure for second stage infected. And he did not say this directly, so that it could later be called a deception. Because, frankly, most of his tricks are very drawn.

That totally sounds like something Ace would do. Using a monster to create an antidote for their venom/poison is a pretty common trope in Tokusatsu.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Man I wonder what'd be other people's reaction regarding this, that you use Neon as a point of comparison for Keiwa's repressed cynicism and zealousness here.

I do find it a little humorous that I managed to predict this turn based on an apathetic reaction to a popular streamer. My intuition was working hard on this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Man, this description is actually personally relatable. Otherwise, about people being surprised of Keiwa resorting to this, dunno if people, those who want to watch Kamen Rider for the spirit of heroism (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶K̶e̶k̶e̶r̶a̶), may just be disappointed of how the only character they see fit for this, Keiwa, also becomes sinister like others, making the series too much for them to bear (like your problem for series like Gaim). And if he would've eventually snapped without relating to Sara, guess some people'd insist he'd not have turned out this way if others don't "dismiss" or "mistreat" him or such, so only putting the blame in others to turn Keiwa like this (this can already happen in even pure evil characters when they had tragic backstory) and get the "karma" of Keiwa giving them the taste of their own medicine if he doesn't choose to be "nice" (which is what I fear honestly, to perpetuate the view of kindness is weakness and cruelty is strength, when he has a new form to succeed).

Considering the theme of parasocial relationships in this show, I think the fans' contention over Keiwa's development might even be the outcome that Takahashi intended to happen. Some people got so attached to this character from the start, or rather, they got attached to this idealistic static image of a pitiful underdog soba-eating good guy, that they resisted the idea that he could be anything else. This is a fallacy of the viewer perspective, that viewers can project too much and get offended when the character to whom they relate doesn't live up to their expectations. I think the moral here is that characters are individuals, not only archetypes. You can't just murder anybody's family and expect them to become Kazami Shirou.

Not sure why they won't acknowledge the spirit of heroism in Neon though, as she's fighting for true love, which is more heroic than merely saving lives. I guess Keiwa is kind of a more realistic depiction of Kouta (who also had a big sister), where Ace, Neon, Michinaga and Tsumuri actually call him out, instead of giving him the Hero's License to get away with some bad deeds.