[DreadBringer]

Geats more unmasks itself as Gaim 2.0.

Jit's explanation of Ace's powers is touched upon more here, where he wants to keep Ace's allies away from him because in general his creation powers is strengthened by every strong wish around him, as demonstrated by Neon's formerly abusive parents, of which now Ace has to gather more allies that supports and believes in his utopia (or potentially dystopia, as Suel claims for everyone to be happy vs people's varying view of happiness). Another case that 'weaponizes' power of friendship here with the work being gathering more friends. And for same writer, also like how Aruto gets his MetalCluster Hopper 'fixed', by using all Humagears' positive feelings and faith towards him including Izu's. Neon and Win's (of which I feel has some similarities, other than both using Beat) interaction so far is only Win welcoming her which she reciprocates...

Guess turns out that Kanato will get along with other people who share his sentiments, like Beroba bringing despair to others, claiming they'd get along fast. Which means he can work as an ally to other bad guys who simply revel in others' misery, not like what I thought of backstabbing anyone. This even extends to Keiwa, where Kanato genuinely tries to emphatize with him and make him feel welcomed, but ofc for sinister reasons of having more people to burn the world. Albeit he'd also point out their atrocities in patronizing way, when Keiwa denies their similarities, yet as Kanato points out, he also sacrifices other people's happiness, showing lack of regard for the world, for his family. I guess Kanato's purpose is one of the steps to redeem Keiwa, by pitting him against someone they have a low opinion with, though he was self-righteous at first to deny that, he makes more effort to not be similar to Kanato.

Not really invested in the newfound relationship between Neon and hermom now shopping together, I think though she'd want to help her abusive parents get some closure, I'd rather if she distanced herself for a while, but turns out that the scene of Neon and Irumi together was to "nerf" Neon in her fight with Kanato. My worry was Da-Paan with base Buckles (even 2) equaling Na-Go Fantasy, but her struggle was mostly about Irumi being on the way, while she whoops his ass when she's no longer in the way as expected. There's a scene where I expect her to break through the stones, but she phases through it instead, albeit ofc collateral damage isn't good. For an overprotective mom, the only one that needs protecting here is proven to be Irumi herself, who has Na-Go taking more damages than necessary to shield her, as final forms aren't immune to base forms, and is still unharmed at the end. Though surprised that Da-Paan didn't take advantage of this, just gloats.

Jit continues to perform his penchant for bad ending by getting his VIP audiences to watch, as well as them supporting Da-Paan by giving him Beat Buckle, and even Water Buckle, which even Da-Paan knows that it's worthless. The Buckles are also given stats, of which it seems clear that Large Raise Buckles has superior stats to Armed Buckles like Propeller (with Boost and Ninja having sky high speed), and it seems that Riders with Large Raise Buckles aren't instantly going down to final forms, both Buffa to Tycoon and Da-Paan to Na-Go here, long enough for Da-Paan to shoot Irumi, unlike Turbon. Though regardless of power level difference, Da-Paan uses the Beat Buckle well. The rude and straightforward type like Da-Paan can still have as much despicable traits like the two-faced ones like Mary though, where he's also a coward by shooting Irumi when Na-Go overpowers him. Beroba did succeed in making Neon despair to some extent though, by targeting loved ones.

For team Ace's DGP, later Ace, Neon, and Michinaga stick together going to various places/people. Felt disappointed here with more of Michinaga's actions, or even changes not being brought up, not by the returning Neon too, particularly that he did say that he crushed Na-Go ID Core. I mean not necessarily about antagonizing him due to his previous atrocities, but can be also about addressing how Ace told her (and Keiwa) that he's a lost cause before but seeing the events now and making remarks about it. They're still mostly making independent remarks to things around them, despite standing side-by-side. In contrast to Ace, who Neon already knows about his invincibility, and now his Creation powers, Neon seems to have less faith to Keiwa (I guess her DezaStar strat was getting Keiwa in her side to doubt Ace), doubting him to ask how to open his eyes, and later getting Ace to tell these 2 to believe more in Keiwa. It also feels as if Michinaga has to make less effort with Keiwa wavering at the end here, which he failed due to his ways of communicating including deflecting blames, albeit next episode seems to be about his redemption, likely Grease treatment.

The Daichi scene is a setup so far. It's shown that his Tree of Knowledge also reverts back to regular tree, maybe Keiwa's wish was about reverting those people inside as humans again to revive them, erasing those on the trees. Daichi seems to be in general more subdued after his brutal beatdown by Keiwa that left him bedridden, experiencing despair about having his creation and invention ruined. Ace explains his despair as him feeling guilt from absorbing other people's joy via their memories, and that means experiencing those joy while feeling guilt to rob it from them by murdering them. Of which Ace claims the only way to be happy is to atone for that, which he seems to.. consider it when they left. Ironically, this seems to be implementing "changing people by force" solution, at least about Daichi becoming less insufferable lately, not redemption, despite that the later Geats vs Tycoon fight being done to defy that.

Keiwa's less personal about beating Ace, that he does it cuz he thinks there's no other way to save his family. Their fight was already shown in ep. 16 with both in Command Twin form, and I thought it was still a serious fight despite Tycoon's plan to bait Girori, as Geats didn't know about that, but Tycoon deliberately gets himself beaten up via Geats' skill gap. With Geats IX and Tycoon Bujin Sword being almost on par, it's expected that it'd be similar of Tycoon putting up a fight, but Geats still having upper hand. Those who think Na-Go Fantasy can catch up by pairing other Buckles seem to be wrong though, as 2-side Buckles like Bujin Sword also can make use of regular Buckles, which he does with Monster and Boost. And it seems that, Tycoon actually gains the upper hand using those (the Boost one is especially a strong combination), finally dehenshining Geats IX. So at least the regular Buckles, including Tycoon's Ninja can still be relevant, if paired with final form.

Like Geats vs Buffa on ep. 32 though, Ace deliberately threw the fight, as he knows that someone can't be changed by force. I do read some viewers who wants Ace to beat up Keiwa mercilessly to get his senses back, but I know beating up someone won't make it happen, and I'm glad that it's implemented here. Geats still seem to fight seriously because Bujin Sword is a strong final form, but it seems to be done just to buy time for Win to help Tsumuri escape, even getting KOed by Jit with his baton in the process. As usual, though Ace can tell people off, including being out of depth of it like just forgetting the past, he won't force it to them, with him only giving a chance for Keiwa to believe in him to realize the ideal world. Tsumuri is there to act as an evidence for Ace's drive to create the ideal world in her faith, and it makes Keiwa hesitate to cut Ace as human with his sword, with Tsumuri reverting back to her regular outfit and Ace being the one with white hair like Kouta now. Her comment about their fight being pointless which is why Ace threw the fight, sounds like a commentary about some Rider franchise arcs which is funny, but Geats still has done that with Keiwa getting a heel turn.