[DreamSword]

Episode 28: A Mechanical Heart

This one episode is better than the entirety of Kamen Rider Drive.

When Baron Bloody decides to invade Akebono with a squadron of Androids, SHOT manages to capture and modify one, and name her Maria.

What follows is an episode centered around Fudo, whether he realizes it or not, teaching Maria about life and love. Ultimately leading up to her doing one of the most human things anyone could imagine.

It really speaks to the emotional strength of the story and atmosphere when you make me care deeply about a one off character who doesn't so much as say a single word. I ended up liking Maria and way she played off of Fudo alot, making the dramatic beats hit all the harder.

The episode never misses a beat either. Even the ending is one of a somber note, with SHOT reflecting on how tragic Maria's' loss is, as well as her situation. Her negative traits were the result of her creator, not her, and that she was able to evolve passed them proved that she and the other androids had hearts all along. It's a concept Drive tried to pull but utterly failed at, so to see it done so well here, in one single episode, was a fantastic surprise.

Quarter 3 sure is off to an incredibly strong start for Ryukendo, no doubt.