[Fredbob392]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

A reminder of The Chair:



Somebody wants to find a version of The Chair that scales with Figuarts, I got room on my credit card and no sense of fiscal responsibility.

They should have made the chair in So-do. They already sent so all out on making every suit but the smash and monster Evolt, making the chair wouldn't have been too much of a stretch

[GrandComplete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

MASKED RIDER RYUKI EPISODES 8 - 9


Oh, hey , Rider fights, lemme talk about those for a minute. There, uh, aren’t a lot of them in these two episodes.

Yeah Ryuki imo has lots of rider conflicts but the fights are too short. Though the movies and specials do help alleviate this with thier bigger budget. And yeah Auntie the worst she not funny, dosen't contribute to the plot, isn't even really moral support as her advice and attitude puts people off. And some other things that hasn't happened yet but I definity prefer Ore over her.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

You know if they ever remade Ryuki into something more comical akin to MMPR instead of something serious like Dragon Knight, I bet Shinji would be the yearbook photographer, Ren the Luke Perry wanna-be, and Kitaoka the smug yuppie-in-training who drives a green Jaguar to school.

The tea shop becomes a juice bar...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredbob392

They should have made the chair in So-do. They already sent so all out on making every suit but the smash and monster Evolt, making the chair wouldn't have been too much of a stretch

I spent, uh, more than a minute looking for a 1/18-scale chair for my tiny Faust mans to lounge in. (They aren't as poseable as Figuarts, so they couldn't nail a lot of the same poses, but, like, I already own those three figures as SO-DO?) There are a couple kits I could buy, but the fabric and pattern aren't right. It's got to be perfect! Utsumi fought and died for that chair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandComplete

Yeah Ryuki imo has lots of rider conflicts but the fights are too short. Though the movies and specials do help alleviate this with thier bigger budget. And yeah Auntie the worst she not funny, dosen't contribute to the plot, isn't even really moral support as her advice and attitude puts people off. And some other things that hasn't happened yet but I definity prefer Ore over her.

After her first appearance, honestly, she's a bit easier to take. She's still adding an energy that I don't think the show at all needed, but she blends a bit more with Ren's one-upmanship and Shinji's undependability and Yui's, uh... her... thing... for the group.

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Hey, since we're on the topic of Ryuki costumes, I keep forgetting to mention that Knight's whole Medieval Batman thing reminds me so much of the Batman character (I am not making this up) Knight
He's basically a British Batman. That design, the JLA Classified one, debuted a few years after Ryuki aired, and... I'm not saying Ed McGuinness cribbed it from Ryuki, but man. MAN. There're a lot of similarities in those designs, the way the chestplate and visor work, the bodysuit, the gloves... Very similar designs.

Yes I remember this character and I actually like that rendition as well. Plus it's fine if it has resemblences. You won't believe how hard I was laughing circa 2002 when I went to the TV Asahi website, enter their Ryuki page, and immediately as I see Kamen Rider Knight I said Kamen Rider Batman, Bat Rider, Kamen Bat, the list goes on.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Like, the whole thing is incredibly contrived (he sprays down the entire office, something that would take minutes of sustained action) and serves no narrative purpose. Why did that need to happen, when it doesn't really affect anything in the story? It's another Shinji Shouldn't Be Living There scene, sure, and that's a storyline, but it's too dumb to believe in. That's when comedy gets bad for me, when it's too ludicrous to buy into.

Well, I said before it's a plot point, and it's answered in episode 8 where Shinji moves to Atori. Beginning of bromance lol.


Shinji snoring also...never enough of "annoying" traits to people in-universe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

No, sorry, I meant Kitaoka. Dude is on the run and happens to wander into the one tea shop he'd be recognized in? How was Auntie getting these people to all show up at once? Was Ren out there blocking traffic, pulling people out of their cars, pushing them into the tea shop?

I think he just came to Atori as a regular customer honestly, but with Shinji (someone troublesome to him) there, makes it too uncomfortable for him there and canceled himself to order in Atori (you see before Shinji pins him, he sits on a table like regular customer does). As you saying he's a fugitive I think no; as his ego shows, he generally has a good reputation to the public as the best lawyer, but only a particular group like the Sakaura suits had a problem with him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Yeah, all true, it's not like she's a morose character previously. If some parental figure showed up, referred to me as a teenager, and took over my life, I don't think I'd be smiling much, either.

This is one of the reasons why I vehemently talked about Yui's Shinji-level good deeds before, before all of this came up. Glad you noticed that she's not a morose character previously though. And for bolded one, the one that made me worked up is that she described herself as "she's just that kind of person she is", not because of Auntie situation or something. Though she IS a teenager regardless Auntie being wrong or not (19 year old). And not only for Yui, I also talked about how Shinji thinks her smiling is weird -_-

Though like I said before, different writer for episode 7, and an infamous one (Inoue...).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Obviously, a lot of that is down to Kitaoka. Kamen Rider Scumbag is maybe one of my favorite secondary Riders of all time? After maybe three episodes? Every scene he’s in kills, from his mentor relationship with Shinji, through his gross come-ons with Yui and Reiko, to his Don’t Hate The Player shit with Ren. He’s so perfectly smarmy, with his Greed Is Good ethos and his manservant and that he hates kids… why is it that everything that’s horrible about Kitaoka is so awesome? (Honestly, I felt like a total asshole watching these episodes. Every time Kitaoka or Ren were dicks, which was so often, it was cracking me up. There’s a point where Ren’s being horrible to Shinji, when Shinji’s been falsely imprisoned, and Yui goes “Leave him alone, Ren,” and I out loud said to the show, “Do NOT leave him alone, Ren. Never leave him alone.” I love it when Riders are awful to each other! That’s what Ex-Aid did, and by God it’s the right way to do it.) These two episodes are chock-a-block with Kitaoka, and they are sterling. Kamen Rider Scumbag forever.

Kitaoka is tertiary, not secondary btw, Ren is the secondary. And well, with you being cracked on with their dickery, I thought at first you won't like Shinji because he's not like those, and also like what Kitaoka thinks about him at the end, Shinji's righeous ideals make him boring as pedestrians. And even Ren met his limits on his douchebaggery as shown in his episode. He thinks Kitaoka is a dick, and actively criticizing him and calling him out for his acts "the best at his job, the worst at being human". Now again with Kitaoka treating Shinji to his life to get his charm but, well at least Shinji got something free even if Kitaoka doesn't do it to care for him, and voila, the first time, Rider battle but not fighting, but ideology clash! Shinji also uses his role as a journalist to take infos, taking notes. Kitaoka's gross come-ons to Yui and Reiko does come to an advantage though, with Reiko being the one asking him to represent Shinji, making him easier to oblige due to Kitaoka liking her.

And extra points of Kitaoka being a dick, when he came to Atori to force them to pay, he didn't know yet that Shinji was a Rider and that Yui and Ren were related to Rider stuff (which are all his enemies), so as far as he knows, he was just harassing innocent civilians and because they all need him, he can do whatever he wants there.

I admit Ren's dick moment here is funny, like telling how Shinji living there is the best for them with him "seemingly" comfortable and Ren can sleep well. Also regarding Yui to stay away from Shinji that she may get kidnapped, as Shinji is another Rider and that's like in episode 6 (and Ren genuinely thinking Shinji is dangerous to Auntie). With someone like Ren accusing Shinji as "villainous criminal", it should've been easy to talk back to Ren saying how he's the one actually thuggish and having criminal demeanor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

The other big thing now, I guess, is the tea shop? We're there a lot now? Masked Rider Ryuki seems all-in on the tea shop, and I’m of two minds on it. (Also, why are they all reading maps when Shinji shows up late at night? Are they all taking a trip together? Who just kills time by looking at maps?) My gut reaction is Too Many Settings. We’ve already got ORE, do we really need another workplace for comedy? I still don’t love Auntie, despite her schtick being toned down a lot, and I feel like we’ve got plenty of space to tell Shinji Is Bad At His Job stories with ORE. It feels redundant, I guess is what I’m saying. On the other hand, the tea shop scenes do an outstanding job of fleshing out the Ren/Shinji rivalry, so it’s hard to be too mad that they exist. If anything, it makes it seem like maybe the ORE stuff should go? The tea shop, it just features more primary characters, seems more convenient for a lot of the Rider Battle storytelling. I don’t know. I’m not loving them trying to do two workplace comedies in one show, and the tea shop just feels more economical, story-wise.

ORE will be needed for something....later. Regarding Auntie, I have to give a crack when she points out that Ren looks far more dangerous than Shinji (very true) when Ren thinks it's dangerous to let Shinji live there. Have also to point out the waiter scenario with primary/secondary rivalry inspires the same thing on Gaim. Also as Auntie is a traveler, so reading maps for next trip or something?

How did Ren know Shinji's shoes are dirty there? I usually check if shoes are dirty by checking its bottom. Also Auntie is abnormally open, she just lets Shinji stay on Atori, and later, Ren, after showing off his skills. That would mean he had a waiter background before being quit/fired before. Ren's waiter outfit also ftw! (more because of his dedication to the job)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

That said, holy shit am I not loving how the show’s been using Yui. The more she’s left out of the Rider Battle story, the more she’s just some girl for Ren to feel protective of or Auntie to talk over, the more frustrated I get with seeing her. I don’t want to feel like that! I liked Yui in the first few episodes! Since Ren and Shinji aren’t doing a whole lot of monster fighting recently, and no one wants to clue her in on the Rider vs Rider stuff, it’s like the show can’t figure out what she’s there for, so she gets the worst The Girl story beats. (It’s not, like, Mai-from-Gaim bad, but it’s getting to the point where she might as well be a literal object for men to protect and covet, like a sturdy cabinet, or a commemorative plate. She’s barely a character right now!) Between spending all of her spare time staring at a picture of her brother and not saying a word when Kitaoka is an unbelievable creep, I’m not at all sure why the show is putting Yui in the doghouse.

As Ren said in the episode (to defend herself for Shinji accusing him of being jealous), he also keeps Yui for his advantage in Rider War, due to her being Shiro's little sister (but as ep. 6 shows, he cares more about her than that, enough for Ren's to suppress his more immoral traits for her; morality pet)

Not saying a word? Well, that'd be fixed with something on the next episode (something I liked about that episode there). And as for her role, after that next episode... Though if you talking about her role here, did everyone just do the same thing in this episode? Yui, Ren, Reiko, Okubo, Auntie, all trying to get Shinji out from the prison?

Also gotta have to say something here; despite expressing some distrust for Shinji in episode 4 before (which probably should be proven true with Shinji being accused as a kidnapper), she's the only one among Shinji's group that genuinely tried to help him and made him feel better, only bringing up the good news. Ren was a dick (sorry if I'm pointing this out cockblocking the Ren's comedy dick moments here), Reiko suspects Shinji as the kidnapper and is uncaring (only thinks about it being a scoop), and Okubo is a bit better, but still suspects Shinji for kidnapping Shimada.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

If only she had got the kind of attention that Shimada got in part of this story. That self-date night! Hilarious. I probably could’ve watched another ten minutes of her having an incredibly romantic evening with a giant stuffed doll she won at an amusement park. It was, sincerely, better than just about any sequence Yui’s been in since episode three. I’m glad the show’s finding room to write fun stuff for one woman on this show…

Shimada doing what weebs doing with their waifu pillow, replace the waifu pillow with a stuffed doll. And her being kidnapped is a testament of Shinji's hard luck. Him being just arrested without giving a word. So this is a comedy moment you appreciate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Oh, hey , Rider fights, lemme talk about those for a minute. There, uh, aren’t a lot of them in these two episodes. There’s the Ryuki/Scumbag (I know he’s got a different name but they ain’t said it yet on the show so he’s Kamen Rider Scumbag in my heart) fight, after Ryuki knocks out the last Mirror Zebra, and a minute or so of a Knight/Scumbag/Like A Mirror Boar Or Something fight at the end of episode nine. The Ryuki/Scumbag fight, that’s the meaty one. I really like how each Rider (so far?) has a different color base suit. Big bright red, or green, or orange, plus a black suit for The Cool One. It’s a great visual cue, that These Are The Riders. From that one-color base suit, there’s plenty of room to layer on gears or vents or grills or whatever. It’s a great, flexible, dynamic design philosophy.

Speaking of philosophy, also Shinji and Kitaoka's idelology clash in place of Rider fight!

Can we also talk about how Zebraskull seemingly brutalizes a victim? That only gets obscured by a window view. Yeah, Kamen Rider is for kids, totally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Kitaoka comes off as a very weasley, intellectual character, so watching him beat the hell of Shinji rounds him out as an antagonist. He can be cunning, but he doesn’t have to be. But, like, just because he can win in a fair fight doesn’t mean he won’t stack the deck (reference!) by cheating. It’s… he’s so great.

And also can we also talk about Goro being the contrast to the 2nd Kamen Rider Scumbag, after Yui to the 1st Kamen Rider Scumbag (Ren)? Kitaoka hates kids (we don't know why tho), but Goro treats the kid opposite into what Kitaoka does, also contrasting his thuggish looks.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

I think he just came to Atori as a regular customer honestly, but with Shinji (someone troublesome to him) there, makes it too uncomfortable for him there and canceled himself to order in Atori (you see before Shinji pins him, he sits on a table like regular customer does). As you saying he's a fugitive I think no; as his ego shows, he generally has a good reputation to the public as the best lawyer, but only a particular group like the Sakaura suits had a problem with him.

I just think it's weird that he was running for his life a few minutes earlier, and then he's like, what, Hey New Tea Shop? Why didn't he got to his home, where his ass-kicking manservant is? Why not, I don't know, go to a better tea shop? It's just weird, narrative contrivance. He needs to run into Shinji so he just walks into where Shinji is. It's not, like, totally unbelievable, but it was straining credulity in a setting that I already was finding insane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

This is one of the reasons why I vehemently talked about Yui's Shinji-level good deeds before, before all of this came up. Glad you noticed that she's not a morose character previously though. And for bolded one, the one that made me worked up is that she described herself as "she's just that kind of person she is", not because of Auntie situation or something. Though she IS a teenager regardless Auntie being wrong or not (19 year old). And not only for Yui, I also talked about how Shinji thinks her smiling is weird -_-

I mean, honestly? Yui's smiling has been weird before. There's a scene a couple episodes earlier where she's telling Shinji that her parents were dead and she's got this big, beaming smile on her face. It's unnerving. Yui strikes me as a character who smiles to put people at ease, not out of sincere happiness. She see monsters all the time and has since childhood. That's... that can't be good for an emotionally healthy life! It wouldn't surprise me if she has to fake it a bit in social situations, and sometimes that stuff gets mixed up.

Still, I think it's mostly Auntie. Yui had autonomy, she felt like an adult, and then this (well-meaning?) family member comes barrelling in, calling her a thirteen year-old, making decisions on her behalf, and just generally infantilizing her. Your mileage may vary, but, like, family can be grueling as an adult. I love my mom, but by the second day of a visit with her my face looks pretty permanently like Yui's. Older family can't help it, they'll always see you as a kid, but it's so frustrating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Kitaoka is tertiary, not secondary btw, Ren is the secondary.

To my mind, any non-primary Rider, any Rider whose name isn't in the title, they're secondary Riders. I don't know that I'd rank them beyond that, since who's getting the spotlight can change a lot through the season. Like, if I was ranking them right now? Kitaoka definitely feels more integral to the show than Ren does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Also gotta have to say something here; despite expressing some distrust for Shinji in episode 4 before (which probably should be proven true with Shinji being accused as a kidnapper), she's the only one among Shinji's group that genuinely tried to help him and made him feel better, only bringing up the good news. Ren was a dick (sorry if I'm pointing this out cockblocking the Ren's comedy dick moments here), Reiko suspects Shinji as the kidnapper and is uncaring (only thinks about it being a scoop), and Okubo is a bit better, but still suspects Shinji for kidnapping Shimada.

I mean, yeah, but a) it's not totally impossible that Shinji could be the kidnapper, considering only Ren and Yui are aware of his Rider powers, so he's got basically zero alibi when it comes to anyone else, and b) it's hilarious. I like that this show took a situation like it's hero being falsely imprisoned for kidnapping, and just went, "You guys know he didn't do it, he's definitely going to get freed soon, let's just have everyone dunk on him for a few scenes." Like, I think it's to the show's credit that no one really treats this a serious thing. It's like when Shouichi got arrested as a murder suspect in Agito. Don't insult the audience, play around with the inevitability of this going away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Shimada doing what weebs doing with their waifu pillow, replace the waifu pillow with a stuffed doll. And her being kidnapped is a testament of Shinji's hard luck. Him being just arrested without giving a word. So this is a comedy moment you appreciate?

All of the Shimada stuff was great, yeah. ("Smooch!") I loved how the police carried her and the big stuffed doll out of the shack, like they were both victims. That's the kind of wacky I want from this show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Speaking of philosophy, also Shinji and Kitaoka's idelology clash in place of Rider fight!

I don't know if, at this point in the show, I've seen enough between Shinji and Kitaoka to get that impression. There's been some great discussions, but it feels more mentor/apprentice than anything more conflicting. Like, I think we get a moment of Shinji saying "But, what if greed isn't good," that Kitaoka answers with "NO, SCREW YOU! GET OUT! GET OUT FOREVER!" It... you know, it lacks nuance. I feel like we'll get to a real debate in time, but so far we're really in the Kitaoka Show part of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

And also can we also talk about Goro being the contrast to the 2nd Kamen Rider Scumbag, after Yui to the 1st Kamen Rider Scumbag (Ren)? Kitaoka hates kids (we don't know why tho), but Goro treats the kid opposite into what Kitaoka does, also contrasting his thuggish looks.

Goro's great! That mix of thug looks, manservant presence, and asskicking skills? And he's got candy for sad children? He's fascinating in his complexity. Definitely want to know more about this dude's deal!

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I just think it's weird that he was running for his life a few minutes earlier, and then he's like, what, Hey New Tea Shop? Why didn't he got to his home, where his ass-kicking manservant is? Why not, I don't know, go to a better tea shop? It's just weird, narrative contrivance. He needs to run into Shinji so he just walks into where Shinji is. It's not, like, totally unbelievable, but it was straining credulity in a setting that I already was finding insane.

Personally I don't think he's running for his life all the time in his life, otherwise it'd be hard for him to even doing anything to enjoy his life or even doing his job (well, he clearly has the best life without issues and has a good publicity), where him going to Atori is just another time trying to enjoy life. Shinji having to call the suits is an indication Kitaoka isn't continuously pursued.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I mean, honestly? Yui's smiling has been weird before. There's a scene a couple episodes earlier where she's telling Shinji that her parents were dead and she's got this big, beaming smile on her face. It's unnerving. Yui strikes me as a character who smiles to put people at ease, not out of sincere happiness. She see monsters all the time and has since childhood. That's... that can't be good for an emotionally healthy life! It wouldn't surprise me if she has to fake it a bit in social situations, and sometimes that stuff gets mixed up.

Well, what I meant for weird is that Shinji at that episode felt like it's the first time he saw Yui smile, not her situation. Regarding her situation/putting people at ease, can't discuss/explain this further without spoilers so... leave it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I love my mom, but by the second day of a visit with her my face looks pretty permanently like Yui's

And that is conditional right, like only happening at certain situation? My pet peeve is that the episode described as "just her personality"/"kind of person she is", which would mean, all the time regardless of condition (ex: Ren scowling all the time, cuz he's just rude, no matter what's the situation).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

To my mind, any non-primary Rider, any Rider whose name isn't in the title, they're secondary Riders. I don't know that I'd rank them beyond that, since who's getting the spotlight can change a lot through the season. Like, if I was ranking them right now? Kitaoka definitely feels more integral to the show than Ren does.

And regarding spotlight, some thinks Ryuki isn't the actual protagonist....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I mean, yeah, but a) it's not totally impossible that Shinji could be the kidnapper, considering only Ren and Yui are aware of his Rider powers, so he's got basically zero alibi when it comes to anyone else, and b) it's hilarious. I like that this show took a situation like it's hero being falsely imprisoned for kidnapping, and just went, "You guys know he didn't do it, he's definitely going to get freed soon, let's just have everyone dunk on him for a few scenes." Like, I think it's to the show's credit that no one really treats this a serious thing. It's like when Shouichi got arrested as a murder suspect in Agito. Don't insult the audience, play around with the inevitability of this going away.

I don't know if, at this point in the show, I've seen enough between Shinji and Kitaoka to get that impression. There's been some great discussions, but it feels more mentor/apprentice than anything more conflicting. Like, I think we get a moment of Shinji saying "But, what if greed isn't good," that Kitaoka answers with "NO, SCREW YOU! GET OUT! GET OUT FOREVER!" It... you know, it lacks nuance. I feel like we'll get to a real debate in time, but so far we're really in the Kitaoka Show part of it.

These 2 are covered a bit more in my full review for the episodes, which was in the "Kitaoka is the tertiary Rider" part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

All of the Shimada stuff was great, yeah. ("Smooch!") I loved how the police carried her and the big stuffed doll out of the shack, like they were both victims. That's the kind of wacky I want from this show.

Glad to see you appreciate the comedy moments that aren't Rider/monsters related, that some toku followers will deem as useless and filler. Just that you have limits regarding that. It's a blessing that the police cares more about the victim, like their belongings too as bringing her stuffed doll.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Goro's great! That mix of thug looks, manservant presence, and asskicking skills? And he's got candy for sad children? He's fascinating in his complexity. Definitely want to know more about this dude's deal!

Unfortunately still loyal enough not to fully help the poor kid that gets attacked by Kitaoka. Though there's a bit of change in the next episode.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Personally I don't think he's running for his life all the time in his life, otherwise it'd be hard for him to even doing anything to enjoy his life or even doing his job (well, he clearly has the best life without issues and has a good publicity), where him going to Atori is just another time trying to enjoy life. Shinji having to call the suits is an indication Kitaoka isn't continuously pursued.

But, like, he just escaped those guys. Maybe getting his ass kicked makes him thirsty?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

And that is conditional right, like only happening at certain situation? My pet peeve is that the episode described as "just her personality"/"kind of person she is", which would mean, all the time regardless of condition (ex: Ren scowling all the time, cuz he's just rude, no matter what's the situation).

Sure, okay. For Auntie, maybe she doesn't think Yui smiles because Yui absolutely doesn't smile around Auntie. For Shinji, it's weird, for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Glad to see you appreciate the comedy moments that aren't Rider/monsters related, that some toku followers will deem as useless and filler. Just that you have limits regarding that. It's a blessing that the police cares more about the victim, like their belongings too as bringing her stuffed doll.

Oh, man, I love the humor in Kamen Rider when it's done right. Like, in general, I love how many moves a Kamen Rider series can have in it: humor, horror, action, drama, romance, morals, all of it. I like all of those things, I like all different kinds of stories, and Kamen Rider's capable of doing all of them.

There're limits to all of that, though. Kuuga went too hard on Apocalyptic Body Count for me, Amazons got pretty in the weeds on Moral Philosophy, and humor's so subjective that nearly every show's had moments where I'm like Okay Pull It Back. It's about balance, it's about proportion. Shimada going on a date with her stuffed doll, funny. Shinji destroying an office, not funny. I could try and drill down into the whys of it, but I just didn't laugh at the latter like I did the former.

[Kamen Rider Die]

MASKED RIDER RYUKI EPISODE 10



Great, great ending to this Kitaoka arc.

Thankfully, resolving the Kitaoka/Shinji/kidnapping thing is really all that happens in this one. It's an all-hands-on-deck episode, with every single currently active character putting in a little something on this plot. It feels like everything's pulling in the same direction on this one, moving characters to where they need to be to keep the plot moving organically. Like, Shimada getting discharged from the hospital just in time to run into Kitaoka (literally, and god bless him for knocking her plush doll, just gonna call it Smooch, out of her hands, staring at her for a few seconds, and then just walking away) so we can find out that he's terminally ill. That could've been info conveyed in a dumber way, a more distracting way, but it came at just the right time in just the right way.

And, hey, we get another piece in the puzzle that is Kitaoka. He's terminally ill, and he clearly expects to be made immortal should he take out the other Riders. There's a thing he brings up, that I'm super into exploring, and that's the Power of Selflessness versus the Power of Selfishness.

Riders, traditionally, exhibit their heroism through self-sacrifice, through saving others at a potential risk to themselves. Ren is fighting on behalf of someone else, presumably. (I figure girlfriend, but maybe it's something else.) He's willing to do whatever it takes for that other person. Kitaoka's fighting for himself, his survival, and he makes the excellent point that fighting for himself makes him stronger than Ren. I don't think he's wrong on that? Fighting for another person you care about, like Ren does, or fighting for strangers, like Shinji does, that's a high-minded goal. That's choosing to put others ahead of yourself. That takes effort and drive and dedication, as Ren has tried to drill into Shinji's head. Fighting for yourself? That's the default. That's baked into nearly every person on the planet. It is natural to want to live, it's difficult to choose not to for someone else's sake. Kitaoka can fight harder because it's his life on the line, the most precious thing to him. (In all fairness, Kitaoka's life is currently the most precious thing to me, as well.) Ren, Shinji, they might hesitate to save someone else, might not go to the lengths they need to. Kitaoka will do anything to save himself. Self-preservation is the strongest thing on the planet. But what Kamen Rider shows presuppose is, what if it isn't? I can't imagine a Kamen Rider show ever suggesting that heroism is naive and we owe nothing to others, that's... why would you even make a Kamen Rider show, if that's what you're trying to say? I'm sure we'll see Kitaoka's Everybody Wants To Live viewpoint tested in the coming episodes, and I'm excited to see how the show disputes it.

I guess I maybe got a sneak preview tonight, though, as Masked Rider Ryuki deploys its most sinister weapon yet: an adorable child with a shattered homelife who can only depend on a good-hearted manservant. Goro and Cub, man, great stuff. Low-hanging fruit, who could say no to those cute cheeks and sad eyes, and the kid generates plenty of sympathy, too, but it's stupid effective. The show does a great job of getting Kitaoka to a place where he'd agree to pay for the surgery to help this kid, but still framing everything as a) just as much about getting this shit out of his life as it is about helping a stranger, and b) something he's so mad at himself for doing. That bit in the parking lot as Team Ryuki confronts Kitaoka over his vague plan to swindle Ren/Auntie and leave Shinji to be monster-devoured while they try and figure out why he'd pay for a stranger's surgery, he wants to leave so bad. He doesn't want to be around some kid, or angry Riders, or crusading journalists, any of it. He completely regrets getting involved and feeling emotions other than self-satisfaction. He's so mad at considering the needs of others. I love it. I love how the show has him perform two heroic acts and he's mortified at them. It's like Kitaoka murdered Kamen Rider Scumbag and he doesn't know how he'll live with himself.

Heavy stuff. This ended way more somber than I'd've expected, leaning way more on real anger, real guilt, and real personal growth. I'm a huge fan of the previous parts of this story, where snarky assholes verbally spar, but they 100% landed this ending, making every character choice seem right and every story beat add up. (No fat on this one! Every scene told the same story, and every character was necessary. Even Smooch needed to be there to get knocked out of Shimada's hands so she'd see Kitaoka!) Just a great, great arc.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Thankfully, resolving the Kitaoka/Shinji/kidnapping thing is really all that happens in this one. It’s an all-hands-on-deck episode, with every single currently active character putting in a little something on this plot. It feels like everything’s pulling in the same direction on this one, moving characters to where they need to be to keep the plot moving organically. Like, Shimada getting discharged from the hospital just in time to run into Kitaoka (literally, and god bless him for knocking her plush doll, just gonna call it Smooch, out of her hands, staring at her for a few seconds, and then just walking away) so we can find out that he’s terminally ill. That could’ve been info conveyed in a dumber way, a more distracting way, but it came at just the right time in just the right way.

And, hey, we get another piece in the puzzle that is Kitaoka. He’s terminally ill, and he clearly expects to be made immortal should he take out the other Riders. There’s a thing he brings up, that I’m super into exploring, and that’s the Power of Selflessness versus the Power of Selfishness.

Well sorry but, it's your fault Shimada, you covering yourself with your huge doll, you can't really see what you're bumping into! Kitaoka's talk about immortal life and his dedication to Rider War came on full circle.

Another running gag also with Ren not only bringing up Shinji's debt, but also raising them up! If this one's not funny enough, it'd be even funnier if you know the reason why Ren raised it up later. Other than that, as previously Yui told Ren to stop being hostile to Shinji...now it's the reverse. I wonder why Ren didn't place the debt into Yui who was the one broke the mirror, with "preventing him to win the Rider War by killing another Rider" as an excuse, which is ironic that he sided with her to gain advantage on War, but she prevents him doing things what Riders are supposed to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Riders, traditionally, exhibit their heroism through self-sacrifice, through saving others at a potential risk to themselves. Ren is fighting on behalf of someone else, presumably. (I figure girlfriend, but maybe it’s something else.) He’s willing to do whatever it takes for that other person. Kitaoka’s fighting for himself, his survival, and he makes the excellent point that fighting for himself makes him stronger than Ren. I don’t think he’s wrong on that? Fighting for another person you care about, like Ren does, or fighting for strangers, like Shinji does, that’s a high-minded goal. That’s choosing to put others ahead of yourself. That takes effort and drive and dedication, as Ren has tried to drill into Shinji’s head. Fighting for yourself? That’s the default. That’s baked into nearly every person on the planet. It is natural to want to live, it’s difficult to choose not to for someone else's sake. Kitaoka can fight harder because it’s his life on the line, the most precious thing to him. (In all fairness, Kitaoka’s life is currently the most precious thing to me, as well.) Ren, Shinji, they might hesitate to save someone else, might not go to the lengths they need to. Kitaoka will do anything to save himself. Self-preservation is the strongest thing on the planet. But what Kamen Rider shows presuppose is, what if it isn’t? I can’t imagine a Kamen Rider show ever suggesting that heroism is naive and we owe nothing to others, that’s… why would you even make a Kamen Rider show, if that’s what you’re trying to say? I’m sure we’ll see Kitaoka’s Everybody Wants To Live viewpoint tested in the coming episodes, and I’m excited to see how the show disputes it.

Tfw, Ren got mocked relentlessly by Kitaoka, with little way to fight back, not even talking back at the end. Plus at home he lays on bed, thinking about Kitaoka's words, about how you shouldn't befriend another Rider (means Shinji)....tsundere detected! He even is the one to suggest to change lawyer, while if he truly didn't care about him, he should pretend to not know anything regarding Kitaoka (as a Rider), letting himself do his plan to take out Shinji while he tells Yui and Reiko it's gonna be ok that Kitaoka's the best lawyer, but when Shinji got guilty at the end, feigned surprised expression that he didn't think he's actually guilty. Also btw, before Ren also made a point about being stronger in fighting when you have a stakes to fight, a good reason to live, like his girlfriend for Ren, which he criticizes Shinji for not having one (and he responds by the 30,000 yen debt to drive him forward). So I think it's not about fighting for yourself but about what drives and motivates you to keep fighting?

Also even if it's misguided, can we talk the cool human moment where Shinji catches Ren's punch to punch Kitaoka himself?!?! Because Shinji deserves to punch Kitaoka more for almost indirectly killing him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I guess I maybe got a sneak preview tonight, though, as Masked Rider Ryuki deploys its most sinister weapon yet: an adorable child with a shattered homelife who can only depend on a good-hearted manservant. Goro and Cub, man, great stuff. Low-hanging fruit, who could say no to those cute cheeks and sad eyes, and the kid generates plenty of sympathy, too, but it’s stupid effective. The show does a great job of getting Kitaoka to a place where he’d agree to pay for the surgery to help this kid, but still framing everything as a) just as much about getting this shit out of his life as it is about helping a stranger, and b) something he’s so mad at himself for doing. That bit in the parking lot as Team Ryuki confronts Kitaoka over his vague plan to swindle Ren/Auntie and leave Shinji to be monster-devoured while they try and figure out why he'd pay for a stranger's surgery, he wants to leave so bad. He doesn’t want to be around some kid, or angry Riders, or crusading journalists, any of it. He completely regrets getting involved and feeling emotions other than self-satisfaction. He’s so mad at considering the needs of others. I love it. I love how the show has him perform two heroic acts and he’s mortified at them. It’s like Kitaoka murdered Kamen Rider Scumbag and he doesn’t know how he’ll live with himself.

Unfortunately for Shinji and his group, Yukari (that child), prefers Kitaoka group to Shinji's group because of one good Kitaoka act, which is sympathy only for people as ill as him. Yukari only speaking to Goro, but not to any of Shinji's group who are also protective (even Reiko just holds her in her arms!) when Kitaoka kicks her out again (and Shinji who gave her thanks at the hospital). Why I also feel that Yukari seems doesn't mind to lose his father (in exchange of his mother's surgery)...? I know she wanted Kitaoka to bail out her father but, didn't seem to worry further about him at the end of episode.

I also like how when they confronted Kitaoka, there's a balance there that everyone had something to say to him, Ren, Yui, and Reiko. Ren was as hostile as the latter 2 regarding Kitaoka's behavior and how he treats Shinji, now now don't deny it Ren you're a tsundere . Goro also fights back more, he insists to say Yukari's request to Kitaoka now even knowing before, and I guess Goro also tried to protect Yukari when Kitaoka kicks her out? (but still far from her). Same goes for when Shinji's finally freed, everyone had something to say to him too. I just hope that there were full team there, with Okubo and Shimada there too (and them saying something to Shinji too for sure).

Shinji's injury from episode 9 comes as an important plot point here, when Shimada and Okubo accuses him again as the kidnapper because that's the same spot where Shimada bit the kidnapper's hand, but Shinji reveals it's a huge bruise to convince them otherwise. I guess it's a good thing he kept his pride up against Yui and Ren regarding this injury before when he came home late this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Heavy stuff. This ended way more somber than I’d’ve expected, leaning way more on real anger, real guilt, and real personal growth. I’m a huge fan of the previous parts of this story, where snarky assholes verbally spar, but they 100% landed this ending, making every character choice seem right and every story beat add up. (No fat on this one! Every scene told the same story, and every character was necessary. Even Smooch needed to be there to get knocked out of Shimada's hands so she'd see Kitaoka!) Just a great, great arc.

Regarding Kitaoka, as my post here said, I have to also talk about my favorite Final Vent at ALL time! That is Zolda's End of World!! The point of finisher is to use everything you have in devastating result to make sure you totally win. Zolda's Final Vent is definition of that, firing EVERYTHING he has in his arsenal, be it guns, cannons, missiles, lasers, etc. no matter who or what the opponent is. Unfortunately, Knight and Ryuki was only hit by the explosion radius instead of the actual attack (missiles, guns, etc.) due to the Final Vent's slow start time. Still Ren and Shinji should've been careful of what they wished for....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Sure, okay. For Auntie, maybe she doesn't think Yui smiles because Yui absolutely doesn't smile around Auntie. For Shinji, it's weird, for sure.

Yui was the one described it as "just her personality"/"kind of person she is" when Auntie asked her to smile in that episode.