[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Weird how Renge and Sabimaru here make Houtarou look like the sane one of the three. Renge is randomly dressed like Alain, while Sabimaru is even more shy than Daishinji. With these people as peers, I can kind of understand why Rinne is often exasperated.

Yeah but... randomly dressing or being shy aren't traits that are deserving of scorn. Though it's true that someone can have feelings to be exasperated, but those who'd take it out to them due to something harmless but they personally dislike (no offense, but something like Misora to goofy Gentoku - saying this as someone who don't like Gentoku's goofy direction after his redemption) would be intolerant meanies. Bullies often lash out at those who have traits that they don't consider "acceptable" (and they'd be irked by those) like not being good at sports, enjoying reading, being a nerd, not caring about fashion, socially awkward, etc. Otherwise Sabimaru gives me Kyuun vibes, in his hair color, expression, and prefer using other medium to communicate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Human malice would naturally include behaviors like lust, so it makes sense that a Malgam similar to Spider Fangire would exist.

Not denying that it can exist, but for the series itself to feature these type of malice that seems to have no purpose other than putting Rinne in a sex object role... thought it may not be good for the series or Toei image.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Yeah, the philosophical conflict here needs to be a little deeper to intrigue me. Spanner (a name perfectly befitting his motif) reminded me of Isamu before, but now he reminds me of Makoto in early Ghost, where he would just show up to bully Takeru, insult his idealism and attempt to steal his Heroic Eyecons. However, while Takeru and Makoto are childhood friends/cousins, Houtarou and Spanner are total strangers, so their dynamic is pretty weak so far. The scene does show off more of Houtarou's athletic skills though, so I like it for that.

Takeru and Makoto being childhood friends in this dynamic would be the exception, not the rule. I'd wonder what differentiates between other goofy primary and edgy secondary dynamics as they're also strangers at the start. Otherwise, Spanner talking about the necessity in sealing Chemies to clash with the lead Rider also reminds me of Den-O's Yuuto who seem to be the standoffish secondary who talked (pushed) about something of importance most often.