[Fish Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

This punch from Eiji is another one of those primal images from a Rider show I occasionally have where it's just stuck in my brain forever. Not because of how much I remember it from first watching the show, in this case, but specifically because I randomly was rewatching that episode one time, probably not more than a couple years later, and I found it so impactful I was shocked to realize I had ever forgotten it. In context, it's of course saying a lot about Eiji's character and his relationship with Maki and everything, but the context isn't what makes it something I describe using the word "primal". I probably immediately forgot the context again up until doing a full rewatch of the show more years later -- but the raw action itself contrasts so strikingly against Eiji's usual demeanor, not just before this episode but after it, that it's become this sort of symbol in my head reminding me that OOO is a show that always seem to turn out to be deeper than I give it credit for.

Oh, and also, LaToraTah is my fav Combo, by the way. The Cheetah legs, like I already said, are great. The tiger body has those awesome flip-out claws, and the Lion head is just downright majestic between the subtly asymmetrical, natural shape of the mane and the gorgeous blue eyes that pop so well off the yellow and black of the body... not to mention how well the yellow pops off the black. I also respect it for being one of the most budget-friendly Combos in the series, since the super bike is ultimately just an option. Even the super-speed effects are done in a really straightforward undercranking kinda way rather than anything more elaborate like you might see in, say, Kabuto. Oh, and speaking of Kabuto!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

As for the episode, it?s our first episode by another writer, namely our old hit or miss friend Yonemura. I remember that both Kurona and Fish were surprised this was a Yonemura episode? until the latter brought up the Gotou with a bazooka screenshot and could instantly see it.

I had to go check back and see, but it looks like both of us were "surprised" in the sense that we thought Yonemura did a great job matching Kobayashi's style on the show. The funny thing about that bazooka comment I made is that I made it a little before rewatching Kabuto, because now... like I can *extra* see it? Gotou in this story definitely seems like he's giving off similar vibes to someone like early-series Yaguruma in that show. Driven by ego and jealousy? Trying so desperately to achieve some greater status in life, ignorant to the fact that his biggest obstacle is himself, rather than any of the external things he prefers to direct blame onto?

It's been a while since I've watched these episodes of OOO, but from what I remember and what Die is saying they're like, it's definitely touching on some similar themes to Kabuto. If Yonemura was only going to write two episodes of OOO, this seems like pretty much the perfect story to give to him. (Although, if he was going to write four episodes of OOO...)