[ryan]

Excepting any interaction between Godai and Ichijo or the doctor, I always felt all the human interactions were very little substance, stretched out over two episodes.

But I felt the mystery aspect, and the discovery of Kuuga's powers made up for it most of the time.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan

Excepting any interaction between Godai and Ichijo or the doctor, I always felt all the human interactions were very little substance, stretched out over two episodes.

But I felt the mystery aspect, and the discovery of Kuuga's powers made up for it most of the time.

Yeah isn't a bad show but pretty much all the characters around Godai and Ichijo have about as much depth and charisma as a potted plant. And although some of the themes it has dealt with, like Mika's grief over the death of her father, were really really well written and constructed there was no build up that episode just kinda happened and random unrelated action scenes were just slotted in around it.

Not to mention that the acting in Kuuga is really, really bad, no one really has a lot to work with and so naturally charming actors like those who portray Godai and Ichijo manage to breathe life into their flat characters but pretty much the entirety of the rest of the cast aren't strong enough to make anything interesting and engaging out of such lifeless mannequins for characters.

[Locke]

Episode 12 was another fairly meh episode of Kuuga.

It was cool to see the monsters fight each other and I certainly admire Godai a lot more now I know his motivations.

On the other hand despite being a fairly cool villain in just how much raw power he had, the Rhino guy was ultimately fairly unspectacular to laughably stupid points at times. Plus the scathing critique of Japan's school system from over ten years ago didn't really have much resonance with me. Although I will admit I wish my school got me more prepared for real life.

[KyoryuGreen]

Watched episode 20 and 21 of OOO, TaJaDor is a super sweet looking form. Love Date now, Intrigued with Ankh even with his jackass ways.

[Locke]

Episode 13 was a return to form for Kuuga, a really great episode. Just a shame I didn't really understand any of the references or jokes.

[Switchblade]

Inspired by some of the talk in this thread I've begun rewatching Kuuga. Only three episodes in so far, but definitely remembering why I love it. It really is a unique beast in the world of Kamen Rider shows. Maybe not as dynamically different as Hibiki, but it really is unlike any other Rider series.

[Locke]

Episode 14 was another great episode, it was cool to see Ichijou save Godai, I'm glad characters that got focus were actually well acted this episode and man that Blue Velvet sequence was just incredible.

Really my only complaints are the same old ones, namely that for the UL's the show can construct incredible action sequences showcasing just how much of a terrifying threat they are and yet it can never construct any satisfying ends for them as well, with this weeks UL being the second to be killed by Blue Kuuga's poke finish move, which I like to call the 'Facebook Finisher'. It is also easily the worst finisher in the show, minus the time Godai made his Rider Kick more powerful by doing a flip first.

[ryan]

I love the Dragon forms, but I agree, he finisher is kinda weak. At least with Rising Dragon it's a pointy staff instead of round ends, but it's still a kinda boring stab. Worse, it's the same for Titan and Rising Titan.

Still, I love the different forms, and that each has it's strengths and weaknesses, and he kinda has to figure them out on his own, or with some help from Sawatari.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan

I love the Dragon forms, but I agree, he finisher is kinda weak. At least with Rising Dragon it's a pointy staff instead of round ends, but it's still a kinda boring stab. Worse, it's the same for Titan and Rising Titan.

Still, I love the different forms, and that each has it's strengths and weaknesses, and he kinda has to figure them out on his own, or with some help from Sawatari.

I like the concept of the different forms, I also love that it gives Sawatari and the gang a purpose but the actual forms themselves leave a lot to be desired. Even minus the unspectacular finishers, the costumes aren't much better.

I like Red Kuuga's design but it doesn't seem to have any powers at all? I think it's supposed to enhance his abilities but between the low budget and the fact he is fighting power houses anyway the form seems kinda useless and is really a waste of the best costume in the series so far. And the blue form is just awful through and through.

The only form and finisher I've enjoyed thoroughly so far has been Green, I hope there are more like Green on the way.

[ryan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I like the concept of the different forms, I also love that it gives Sawatari and the gang a purpose but the actual forms themselves leave a lot to be desired. Even minus the unspectacular finishers, the costumes aren't much better.

I like Red Kuuga's design but it doesn't seem to have any powers at all? I think it's supposed to enhance his abilities but between the low budget and the fact he is fighting power houses anyway the form seems kinda useless and is really a waste of the best costume in the series so far. And the blue form is just awful through and through.

The only form and finisher I've enjoyed thoroughly so far has been Green, I hope there are more like Green on the way.

I banish thee to hell. it's not awful, it's just comparatively plain, but I like it. I like the Pegasus forms too, but the problem with those is he's limited to using them for such a short period, he chou henshins into one and has to end the fight in seconds or else he loses - which is great from a storytelling perspective, but not great from a perspective of wanting to see the form more.

Red is enhanced strength. It's the most balanced form, and yes, since he's fighting beings of enhanced strength it's not obvious. If I recall, it becomes more apparent that he's significantly stronger with Rising Mighty.

I haven't watched Kuuga for a couple weeks now, I just got to the first Rising upgrade, Rising Titan, which is a superior deco to Titan, also I rather like the Gourongi enemy and the rules for the game she's following. But mostly I liked the way the upgrade in power was teased for a few episodes, present, but a slow build until BAM! Super stronger now.