[DreadBringer]

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I feel like this is pretty well acknowledged? At least around here? This is basically the text of every single Yuya Takahashi Rider show, most explicitly Ex-Aid.

I feel this is what I'm talking about where about Takahashi being infamous for his undeserved redemptions, people can also bring up Kuroto as one of the examples, though yes for him there are those who point out that he's still evil, just working with the heroes for mutual benefit, but still my point is many think/claim a villain joining forces with the heroes for mutual benefit is redeeming them (to me it seems like treating anyone on the good side as similarly heroic, so it means validating the villain's crimes in their eyes), and not only about Takahashi's show, but also something like Evolt working with the Build team against Killbus in V-Cinema.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 35 - “DREAMS, A BROTHER, AND BIRTH’S SECRET”

Let’s go back to this format, because this episode has three things in it that don’t super overlap yet, at least in a thematic sense. The most sort of random of the three is Date’s terminal case of Brain Bulletry, which has chosen this episode to make itself an immediate and deadly obstacle. (It sort of ties in with what’s going on with Ankh/Shingo, as a way of talking about how precarious everyone’s ability to contribute is becoming, but that feels like a bit of a stretch.) I like, as always, that Kougami completely doesn’t care about everyone’s ulterior motives and secret histories; on the contrary, he thinks they’re SPLENDID! or whatever. While Date fears losing access to Birth as the result of his, uh, lead poisoning, Kougami’s typically Do As Thou Wilt, As Long As It’s Weird. Kougami is as keen as I am on this show putting people in dramatic danger!

Kougami doesn't care about ulterior motives or secret histories yeah, which'd be something appealing about him as a character, though it makes him suspicious, due to him also being tolerant of villainous desires like the Greeed's and Maki's and unlike Sougo, would support them achieving it unless his own desire is threatened, so he's also an enabler. Though ulterior motive shouldn't fit Date here, one can want to survive without his good acts to others being just something fake to cover/work towards his personal goal. Dunno about placing it here as you said, but this is the tease of Date's actual goal, and still explains why Date is struggling in his fight against the MOTW this episode.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

As ticking clocks go in this narrative, it’s easy to forget that Shingo’s basically inevitable recuperation will mean that Ankh gets evicted from his comatose (?) body, which will render him incredibly vulnerable to any number of former friends -slash- body parts that might wish him ill. Like, this is objectively a good thing for characters like Hina and, y’know, Shingo, while still being pretty bad for Ankh and Team OOO’s effectiveness in combatting the Greeed. It’s a great twist because it’s not a clear win. Hina definitely wants her brother back! But that means Ankh is pretty screwed, and Eiji probably along with him.

This reminds me of Kobayashi's previous show Ryuki again, where in the 30-ish episode mark, the loved one of a main cast in coma temporarily wakes up, Ren's fiancee Eri, and here it's Hina's brother Shingo. The cast also worked on to get Eri to safety that time when Eri also puts herself in an incredibly vulnerable position by walking out of hospital, and it obviously put Ren in a conflicted position too. This also explains how Ankh "congratulated" her or defended her against the Yummy, which is caused by Shingo already awakening that time and taking control of his body to be a big brother for Hina. And those who think it's Ankh consciously growing to care about Hina may think his behavior of dismissing Hina's dream don't matter due to this part.

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Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Really, though, it’s nice just to have a little conversation between Eiji and Hina about pursuing dreams. It’s just a cute scene. I like how the two of them, outside the constant danger of the Greeed, can talk about how their lives are standing still, and how that’s maybe something that needs to stop soon. Hina’s reluctant to pursue a dream that could take her away from Shingo, while Eiji’s reluctant to decide on a dream that might crush him again. (Look at how fast he changes the topic when Hina brings it up!)

At least ep. 5-6 (the 2-parter with the rich girl Yamano) shows Hina attending a fashion university. Otherwise, from what I remember, I often see stories blame those who'd leave their loved ones to chase after their dreams, that they're seen as taking their friends or family for granted, though obviously here, Eiji and Chiyoko supports Hina's dream, albeit I knew Hina wouldn't chase after her dream as otherwise she wouldn't be a part of the main cast anymore (what some'd probably think as the righteous choice to not abandon her brother), but Eiji'd be just seen as someone who's exceptionally all-loving, tolerant, and forgiving, like Shinji sympathizing with the Riders' selfish wishes which'd make them want to murder each other, so it seems takes from someone so optimistic and positive are seen as less valid due to being so biased towards seeing the best in everyone.

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Originally Posted by GodSpeedLove

I just wish they didn't drop the competition aspect of Date/Eiji so soon. I thought it was really interesting for a show about currency/desire for two characters fighting the same monsters for different reasons (and disagreeing on who gets the spoils). Date being somewhat selfish but realistic is really refreshing. That was a thing for maybe 3-4 episodes? But by now he's just part of the crew, and I think that happened too fast or without a proper transition. That's just me though, what do you think?

I rather wish that someone wanting something personal for themselves isn't always portrayed in a negative light, so I'm not looking forward towards this rivalry (though, Date should have more rivalry with Ankh specifically, not Eiji, as Ankh is the one wanting Medals) like, Date shouldn't be someone awful because he wants money, of which usually stories portray one wanting that in a negative light (and I'm also counting those who need that for desperate/necessity situation but is willing to do anything underhanded for them, or even if Date was initially awful but got inspired by Eiji later, and secondary Riders are also often jerks), or even the fanbase due to that stereotype despite the character not being so. Date can want something for his own while also being straightforwardly heroic person similar as Eiji without the need to grow better or dropping his desire due to Eiji's inspiration. I'm tired of the notion that being heroic means you must make yourself suffer, like sacrifice or making your life miserable such as giving up own dream, I mean a heroic person may do that as one way to help others, but the primary thing about heroism is helping anyone, and making one suffer isn't always the only way to achieve that (and I agree with Date calling out Eiji's reckless ways, with him pointing out that you can't save anyone if you're dead which means considering others, I guess this is the reason why Date initially refused to work with Eiji as someone who "makes himself cry", likely about his lack of regard of his own life)