[GoldenXtreme]

I watched Kamen Rider X. Like most Showa Rider, it is very standard stuff, but there were certainly intriguing bits that would have made for a more interesting show if they had been explored more!

The early parts of the plot are honestly quite interesting. Keisuke is just a normal guy who ends up becoming a Kamen Rider, and he ended up feeling less emotionally distant because of that, often having nice moments interacting with characters. This is also combined with some very dark early episodes, including an absolutely unbelievable one about a monster that drives elementary and middle schoolers to kill themselves. There is also a nice sense of mystery with KyokoThe tone of these early episodes seems to have largely been driven by writer Shukei Nagasaka, who is probably best known for being the madlad behind the vast majority of Kaiketsu Zubat's episodes. He dropped off the show early on however, and after that the show ended up just losing everything unique as it settled into the same old Showa Rider mold with only a few standout aspects from then on. Like yeah Apollo Geist's suave behavior and rivalry with X were neat and I definitely laughed at some of the historical figure monsters like the iconic Starfish Hitler, but it just wasn't the same. There was even an episode that was just literally the plot of Kikaider 01 (two boys who get the blueprint for a dangerous invention inscribed on their backs), which is an awfully questionable show to rip off.

So I guess like many Showa Rider shows it was fine, even a bit fun, but didn't break much new ground and wasn't the kind of Showa tokusatsu I get excited for. Super-1 is the only Showa Rider I haven't seen now, and I know that is one that has a notable contingent of fans...