[Fish Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

I find it interesting that so many people are comparing this show to Wizard, when meanwhile I've been moreso getting W vibes.

I'd definitely agree W is probably a lot closer to what Zeztz is aiming for, for sure. Helps that the tropes that come with detective stories and spy stories tend to have a fair bit of overlap to begin with.

[Mesnick]

Honestly, I wanted to save these thoughts for later, but since the discussion has gotten so heated, I'll share them now. I think a reference to Takahashi's previous work is indispensable here, especially since the franchise has significantly changed its approach since then. So, if Gotchard is the "anti-Geats" of Kamen Rider in general, then Zeztz is the "anti-Geats" of Takahashi personally. And, as with the schoolboy alchemist, unfortunately, this show goes to the other extreme. The plot of Zeztz in this series is very simple and concise, everything is tightly connected, and the unexpected twists are predictable. There aren't a ton of opposing sides here, nor conflicts between allies, like in Takahashi's previous works. And with such a lean main plot, his typical approach to Mot2W stories as a B-plot doesn't always work for everyone. Simply because it creates a feeling of emptiness and the presence of two B-plots without an A-plot. The approach of other shows (the closest example is its direct predecessor, Gavv, but it can be traced back to Den-O and even Showa) is more appropriate here. Where the main plot plays a secondary role and is even paused, Mot2W really shines.
But at the same time, for me personally, this is a small problem. The characters in the show are likable, the dream visuals are charming and sometimes frightening, and the plot, though simple, is still interesting. While it's too early to draw any conclusions, at this point, Zeztz seems like a show I could quite happily spend a year watching. However, it's not exactly a favorite just yet.

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

I actually like that about the main four forms. Physicam being the only one to get a major secondary color worked in nicely emphasizes it as the most important one (...even if we're already doing episodes without any version of it showing up), and Esprim's green is more of a pure Green than the distinctly bluish Rider #1 hue the base form has as part of that whole homage, so they stay distinct that way too.

Even Technolom keeps the green head though. Espirim is just green everything and next to Physicam, I can't see anything about it that stands out, regardless of the warmer shade. I think a pastel green accent would've worked better for distinction, like so:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Again, using Baku himself as the viewpoint here, yes, he does care enough about saving the lives of others, but he's also not about to throw himself into the lives of others wholesale.

I totally agree that there should be a distance between Baku and the people he fights to protect. It's in an agent's best interest to keep a low profile, even while feeling passionately inside. As GoldenXtreme pointed out, this is where the Wizard comparison ends, since Haruto's whole backstory and motivation makes him a functionally different hero. If Zeztz needs a perspective to bridge that distance, then Nem's job as an idol is to act in the spotlight and bring cheer to everybody, which seems like a deliberate contrast to an agent. Let her be the empathetic side of the show that Baku can't afford to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

And with such a lean main plot, his typical approach to Mot2W stories as a B-plot doesn't always work for everyone. Simply because it creates a feeling of emptiness and the presence of two B-plots without an A-plot. The approach of other shows (the closest example is its direct predecessor, Gavv, but it can be traced back to Den-O and even Showa) is more appropriate here. Where the main plot plays a secondary role and is even paused, Mot2W really shines.

This is a good explanation. Perhaps one of the reasons why Zero One is praised for its guest characters is due to them being the only thing keeping the show going during the dreaded Work Competition where the main plot loses all momentum. Den-O is mostly a show of connected B-plots, so it has nothing to lose from the start and instead thrives from the freedom. I honestly think the introduction of a convoluted A-plot felt distracting from the formula that makes Den-O good. Zeztz is enjoyable so far, but I agree, it does need to find a better balance.

[Frontier]

I think with Zero-One and Wizard it kind of necessitated the protagonist getting more personally involved with the people they were dealing with week-after-week compared to Baku who is this secret agent who just slips into their dream and saves them and whom they'll never really know or recognize that much.