[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER W EPISODE 49 - ?GOODBYE TO E - A BOUQUET OF JUSTICE FOR THIS CITY?

With that in mind, I really enjoyed this final adventure for Team Double. It?s a quick one, the only single-episode story for our crew, and it?s mostly here to illustrate how hollow things are for Shotaro on his own. He?s capable of defending the city, but it doesn?t mean as much without Philip. The brief Akira/Yui story is here to tell us that it?s important to keep going when we?re on our own, while acknowledging that it?s better when we don?t have to shoulder those burdens alone. It?s cute, and, again, not complicated. This isn?t the show that?s going to send you off with a downbeat finale, or even one that delays your gratification for too long.

Glad to see another member for Team Phillip Lives! To expand on what I mentioned here for DreadBringer's review a few years ago, I think Phillip being temporarily dead was a good way to push Shoutarou's qualities to the foreground and develop them, so that Double can be even stronger when Phillip returns. Despite Shroud's initial dismissal of Shoutarou as a weak link, his year of fighting alone as Joker proves that he's strong in his own right and will always defend Fuuto from those who'd make it cry. Phillip's revival is Shoutarou's reward for his courage and endurance and that's why I love this ending. Honestly, I don't think it even takes anything away from the tragic scene in Episode 48. I cried the first time and I still cried the second time even though I knew what was coming.

For a meta reason, there's the inevitable crossovers to consider and of course we need Double for that, not only Joker. I mean, sure, you could only revive Phillip temporarily, but that would just feel open-ended and unsatisfying. If the show had aired in the 00s instead, permadeath may have been more likely, but that depends on agreement between the writer and producer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

Speaking of Nanba, perhaps I should rewatch Zyuohger soon, it's been a while.

Yeah, you should! Actually, I need to rewatch Zyuohger sometime soon as well, it's been 8 years after all and an awesome season! But I also need to rewatch Kakuranger for the 30th anniversary and potentially whatever Sentai Die's going to watch.