[GuardianAngel87]

A couple of days ago, I have finished rewatching Kamen Rider Dragon Knight before the end of what is now considered as last year. I am also down to the final 13 episodes of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid and hopefully finally get around to finishing that particular series this time in the near future.

[Mesnick]

I watched Kamen Rider Vram: Route Stomach and was slightly disappointed. Recent years have set a very high standard for films about tertiary riders, but this one doesn't even reach the level of the earlier V-Cinema films. Essentially, it's just a small special, telling an alternative story. However, if you look at the project without high expectations, and simply as an advertisement for the coffee-noir form, then it's the best thing you could do. The drama is strong, the plot moves quickly, and the battles, as always in Gavv, are magnificent. Although, I have a feeling this special will appeal more to Nyelv fans than to Vram fans.
In short, it’s not a waste of time, but it’s not necessary to watch it either.

[Enchilada645]

Route Stomach isn't a standalone V-Cinema film.

It's a TTFC Special advertised as an alternate way things could have gone during a pivotal time in Gavv. Granted from what I skimmed of the raw, I didn't really see the point of it? But who knows how I'll see it with subs.

That said I'm waiting for GeoSubs to get to this before watching it like I did with the Summer Movie. But the ending to the big fight is the most "Yugioh Duelist Kingdom Rules" thing I've seen in Rider and I can't help but respect it for that.

[Sh Ranger]

I didn't even know this was a thing, so I also just watched it. There's the intriguing premise of Nyelve lamenting his death and imagining an alternative scenario where he was a more effective mastermind, but it doesn't even address the critical point of whether or not he would've actually succeeded in defeating Bocca. Focusing on his blunder with Lakia seems tangential. It's a favorable scenario for Dente and Kenji though!

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I didn't even know this was a thing, so I also just watched it. There's the intriguing premise of Nyelve lamenting his death and imagining an alternative scenario where he was a more effective mastermind, but it doesn't even address the critical point of whether or not he would've actually succeeded in defeating Bocca. Focusing on his blunder with Lakia seems tangential. It's a favorable scenario for Dente and Kenji though!

I agree. The potential of the "alternative" hasn't been fully realized, but it's precisely how the final situation will change that's most interesting.

[VagueDoctor]

Okay, so I started watching the Wizard x Sentai x Space-Sheriff crossover movie. I am not sure why, but it's got to be the only special so far that I haven't been able to finish. Perhaps, it's because of my unfamiliarity with the running Sentai at that time and Space-Sheriff.

On one hand, it's the last piece of Wizard media I have yet to complete. On the other? Feels like there's too much going on and nothing enthralling. I'm like... half-way through?

It's not a bad film per se to any degree; I hold low expectations given the nature of these crossover events. Still, one word can describe it: jumbled.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VagueDoctor

It's not a bad film per se to any degree; I hold low expectations given the nature of these crossover events. Still, one word can describe it: jumbled.

In my opinion, this film is clearly better than its Super Hero Taisen predecessor, but the complaint about it being a bit chaotic is certainly justified. And I always found it odd that Haruto, after playing a significant role in the beginning, disappears only to return for the final battle. But in terms of fan service, it's certainly a joy.

[GuardianAngel87]

I have watched episodes 38-40 of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid today.

[DreamSword]

I've now watched up through episode 34 of Saber, and thus have finished its second arc.

The short version of my opinion is that I felt the first arc was better.

This arc was the polar opposite of the one that came before it in alot of ways. The pacing is way slower, which to some might be seen as the biggest positive, but to me it was more of a detriment.

Arc 1's' pacing meant that the show was always steadily moving towards some goal or idea, whereas arc 2's' pacing has the show come to a grinding halt, which made the thing feel like a total drag alot of times. Sure, arc 1 had certain episodes that probably would've benefit from being made into a 2-parter, but I felt like arc 1 had alot of episode pairs that could've(and should've) easily just been oneoff. Like the discovering of separating a person and a Megid. "You never asked!" just made me roll my eyes.

And when it comes to characters, sure, arc 1 didn't give most characters a whole lot, but the attention was alot more equally spread overall. When it comes to arc 2, certain characters either get shafted(Ren gets next to nothing in comparison to everyone else), or the way in which they're handled really rubs me the wrong way. I know this won't be a popular take, but I felt next to nothing when it came to Rintaro's' arc here.

Arguably, the biggest disappointment for me when it came to this arc was how it handled the oath of friendship that happened in arc 1 between Touma, Rintaro, and Kento. While it's not direct, the events that transpire in arc 2 essentially mean that the oath was next to nothing in the eyes of Rintaro and Kento. Especially Rintaro. The contrived ways in which the plot has Touma and Rintaro never properly talking and especially Rintaro attacking Touma on sight really wore on me. This was a situation wherein I couldn't stand the plot suddenly taking the stance of the three's' friendship needing to earned, because it already was back in arc 1!

At first, the way Saber began had me very interested in where it was going, and now I'm almost totally out of it. I don't think the show itself is out and out horrible, and arc 2 did have some solid moments and character stuff that I did enjoy(mostly from Yuri), but man, my drive towards this show has lowered by alot, and I feel like this last third of the show is really gonna make it or break it for me. And that's not even counting post-show stuff.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Arguably, the biggest disappointment for me when it came to this arc was how it handled the oath of friendship that happened in arc 1 between Touma, Rintaro, and Kento. While it's not direct, the events that transpire in arc 2 essentially mean that the oath was next to nothing in the eyes of Rintaro and Kento. Especially Rintaro. The contrived ways in which the plot has Touma and Rintaro never properly talking and especially Rintaro attacking Touma on sight really wore on me. This was a situation wherein I couldn't stand the plot suddenly taking the stance of the three's' friendship needing to earned, because it already was back in arc 1!

Here, you need to understand the very essence of Rintaro's character. He grew up in Sword of Logos. This organization is his home, family, work, and interests. Therefore, at first, he doesn't question orders, and then continues to follow them. As for friendship, the real criticism of the first part of the show was that friendship is built on nothing, and therefore can't be strong. Therefore, its disintegration and subsequent rebirth are precisely the process of strengthening. Plus, what friends never quarrel?
Also: how come Ren didn't get anything? He has Desast and independence, and that's clearly more than there was at the beginning.