[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by Frontier

So the Capsems linked to each form can actually shift directly into that form when used. Mechanical and Projection immediately transform him into Technolom.

Just like how the Goemon, Ryouma and Himiko Ghost Eyecons automatically assume Toucon Boost, due to their Damashii having the Toucon horn. An example of a Rider not having default subforms would be Drive, who found out the hard way that Shift Dump is a poor match for Type Speed and only ever used it in conjunction with Wild after that, although the shape of the Shiftcar at least hints which Type it's designed for. For the Capsems, I guess forms and subforms are matched by similar hues, which might be confusing since Wing looks like it could work with either Physicam or Paradigm.

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Originally Posted by Frontier

Nox is basically coaxing people into giving up their lives and their bodies to the Nightmare...but maybe that would be better than facing reality?

Being stuck inside a Nightmare forever and causing the end of the world? No, I think Nox is wrong about that being what the dreamer wants, which is more complicated. Even if Bijogi died, it wouldn't bring back Nem. Nobody would be happy with an outcome like that.

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Originally Posted by Frontier

Bijogi until the bitter end really did consign dream Reiko to death versus being with Nem. Is it any wonder they divorced? Though I guess it's some solace that at least dream Reiko understood why he did what he did. But she's just a dream projection of his mind.

It's worth remembering that the dreamer's visible personality is expressed through the subconscious, without the conscious filter. While the real Bijogi is a controversial character, we shouldn't judge his dream self too harshly.

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Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

This episode even demonstrates what I mean when Baku decides on what his own mission is going to be, in English, just like all the other times, which gives that promise much more dramatic heft specifically because of all the expectations the show has established about how seriously Seven takes getting the job done. Just a real nice moment in a real nice episode.

Seven certainly hasn't failed a mission yet, even if the bomber incident was a close call and one that made him take his job even more seriously. Like you said, when he assigns himself his mission to "Find Nem", it sounds like an agent's promise. I like how this cool moment is consistent with Baku's personal motivation as well, as he knows exactly how terrible it feels to have no helpful impact on the world and doesn't want Nem to be stuck like that forever, apparently also being exploited as an unwilling homing signal for Nightmares which is the opposite of helpful. It's really fitting how Baku hates the prison dream, as he sees dreams as a way to be free and feel empowered to do what he truly wants, so he can't stand by while Nox and the Nightmares destroy the dreamers' hopes.

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

"We didn't want to tell the world that Nem was in a car accident because it would destroy everyone's hopes and dreams" is some deeply insane parasocial logic. I get that idol culture is really, really intense in Japan but this is profoundly fucked up.

The death/injury/disappearance of a beloved celebrity doesn't only affect Japan though. Anybody would be upset to hear that. Especially in a story where subconscious fears are prey for Nightmares, imagine how much worse it would be if Bijogi had told the world. Sure, that wasn't even his intention, but maybe he did inadvertently make Zeztz's job easier. However, I also think Nasuka has a point that Nem's fans deserve to know the truth, no matter how dark.

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Originally Posted by Switchblade

Please do not return her to this man;

That's Nem's choice. I mean, she's not a missing pet.

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Originally Posted by StardustWhip

- I did predict that Nem would be in a coma, but her abduction was a definite surprise. And then I was shocked again to see it already revealed that Nox is the one behind it, and using her to "guide" the bad dreams.

This also shows that Nox is actually a real person in-universe, not only in the dream world. But what is his motive?

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

As for the rest, Baku was very lucky that President Bijogi remembered his dream. I'm not against that, but in this case, it was done to fit the story into two episodes.

Makes sense that dreaming about the same person twice lets them stick in the memory. Even for non-lucid dreamers, a recurring dream should become more memorable and vivid as the mind rationalizes it, rather than one-and-done scenarios that leave you wondering what the hell just happened.

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

I doubt it, because it's her ex-husband's dream, and she's not an agent who infiltrates other people's dreams. So the Reiko in the dream is just an imaginary version.

Exactly.

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Originally Posted by GoldenXtreme

I'm also starting to wonder if Minami is getting set up to be a Rider, since Baku isn't exactly good at keeping secrets and she stars in those TTFC spinoffs.

Minami has a talent for fight choreography, but not lucid dreaming like Nem.