[Sh Ranger]

Gochisousama deshita!

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Originally Posted by Zolda

Why is Shouma chased by the Stomach guards inside the Stomach facility? It seems like he's running away from them, and bringing (or stealing?) something valuable. That valuable thing could be his Henshin Belt Gavv, which is a modified/upgraded version of the standard ones owned by all Granutes. And why is he banished to the Earth, not captured by the guards? Why does that particular (trap?) door lead to the Earth? Does someone control that door (or the whole place) and let him escape?

It's unexpected that the shady confectionery company Stomach also have a bunch of magic doors leading to different places. Shouma's Gavv is a mystery, as Granute Hound expresses surprise at its red color. A Gavv is part of Granute anatomy, so it doesn't seem like the kind of thing that Shouma could just steal and slap on his waist. However, organ transplants exist IRL and most Showa Riders had them. Maybe Shouma's Gavv is a prosthetic, making him a Remodified Granute.

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Originally Posted by Zolda

The OP is quite nice, but I much prefer the battle theme. It's more upbeat.

I think the OP will be an acquired.... Taste. After listening a few times, I've decided that I actually like it, but not as much as ALMIGHTY and ChemyStory.

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

The battle was colorful and stylish. And if we have already seen trips through skyscrapers and races around the city, then a stretch fight between containers is cool.

The container fight scene was awesome for sure! I could hardly contain my excitement.

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

P.S. Also Hanta`s Master seemed very suspicious to me. Although, IMHO, everyone whose belly we haven?t seen is suspicious here.

He's certainly quick to jump to the conclusion of mariticide. If he's the Granute behind this, then Stomach seem to be using journalism to cover up their unethical method of candy production. I'm curious to know more about the public opinion of them. People today care more strongly about the ethics of food production and the welfare of any livestock involved, but this hasn't reached Granute culture. Even Shouma's indifferent treatment of Gochizous might be seen as controversial.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

The hugely important thing is that since these shows have that Ishinomori DNA of exploring humanity and free will and all that, it's critical that both good and evil come from the same place to emphasize that the bad guys aren't just obvious "others" who need to purged from society or whatever. The element of choice is where a ton of nuance comes into the story, and that's why Shouma allowing the Granute that decision before going for the finisher was a staggeringly well-done moment. It suggests Koumura understands Kamen Rider down to its bones in a way you don't see every year. (Not that the variety is a bad thing of course.) So yeah, needless to say this far in, I'm very excited to see where Gavv takes itself over the next 40-50-some episodes.

It's just like Zenkaiger Episode 1 with Juran protecting the kid from Tozitendo, despite being persecuted himself. The theme of prejudice common in Komura's works fits so naturally in the Kamen Rider setting, reminding that Riders often come from the same source as the monsters and the moral that being a monster doesn't mean you have to act like one. Shouma also acts like a happy guy who loves to eat and party, while hiding a bitter sadness of being detached from his family and the memory of a past he can never return to. Makes me think that he indulges in gluttony as a distraction from his tragic life, like Shinnosuke with his milk candy.

Komura created the clever name Hiroi Hajime, with kanji meaning "the first to pick up", as in the first person to pick up Shouma. Maybe Morichi should take notes from her! Hajime did a good job here as a viewer perspective and it's cool how the first episode focuses everything on the setting and Shouma, leaving next episode to reveal more about other main characters Hanto and Sachika. I wouldn't mind seeing Hajime appear as an occasional guest though.

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Shoma's stronger than normal humans even untransformed to be tougher than a speeding van, though he fares the same to monsters, where Shoma's unable to fight Granute Hound until he becomes Gavv.

Like Orphenochs, fall damage can only render Shouma unconscious.

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Originally Posted by Llyot42

The gochizo being used as a replenishment for the battle damaged armor is a clever way to justifies the large amount of trinkets, also a way to emphasize the "mouth" aspect of gavv

While this seems like a downside on the surface, the fact that Shouma can produce so many Gochizous in a short amount of time means he can probably stay in a struggling fight when most other Riders would get dehenshined. Even though Vice was compared to Venom before, I think this is more fitting for Shouma, as I don't recall seeing Vice actually eat anything other than that one time he removed his mask.

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Originally Posted by FairyKing

Maybe it's just a quirk of the fan-translation that I watched, but I found it interesting that Shoma referred to the Gochizo as his "minions" rather than friends or partners. It makes sense with how many he can make (though I bet not having any of the flavor he needs will be used to put him in a pinch at some point), and more importantly with how he treats them as expendable! I was worried he would repeat the "befriend the collectable monsters" gimmick Houtaro did, but it's actually very different. He also said "I can use these too," and I wonder if that implies other Granutes can also create and use minions?

I was pretty sure the Gochizous were going to be treated as expendable, but the surprising part is that they're willing accomplices to their own deaths, literally inviting Shouma to eat them and instructing him which mouth to eat them with. Shouma casually asks a Vrocan if it can die to become a bike and it's like, "what kind of bike?". Like they're all Mr. Muffin or something. I was expecting Shouma to have to go hunting for them in the wild, like Nitou with Magic Land's mayonnaise fish.

People are complaining how Henshin Belt Gavv's sounds are unpleasant, which I agree, but like, you guys try making cool non-painful sounds while being chomped to death! Just another reminder of Shouma's monstrous nature, that even henshining requires a sacrifice. Anyway, I like how it drools the belt strap around Shouma's waist!

Overall, a delicious sweet premiere that leaves me hungry for a savory dish! A shame that people are using it as fuel to dunk on Gotchard though, regardless of opinions. I think it would be much better if we can judge Gavv on its own merits. Besides, Houtarou enjoys creating food as much as Shouma enjoys eating it and the only point of creating amazing food is to give somebody an amazing culinary experience. While food can be an art, it's an art that exists to be destroyed and we should remember this: Food is both life and death.