[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan

I never felt like Kuuga was a kids show. Wouldn't say Ryuki was either. Later shows definitely are targeted more at kids, but the early shows feel like YA shows at best.

It always amazes me as to what Japan is allowed to get away with in these shows as compared to the US.

[Blade Raider]

I see Showa and early Heisei (Especially Kuuga and Agito) as something more akin to Star Trek TNG or Hercules the Legendary Journeys. Written with an adult mentality, but had plenty of children watching them. That is good Kamen Rider. Kamen Rider today has gotten way to "kid friendly" for my taste.

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade Raider

That is good Kamen Rider. Kamen Rider today has gotten way to "kid friendly" for my taste.

And stuff costs too much, and banks open too early, and young people drive too fast.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade Raider

I see Showa and early Heisei (Especially Kuuga and Agito) as something more akin to Star Trek TNG or Hercules the Legendary Journeys. Written with an adult mentality, but had plenty of children watching them. That is good Kamen Rider. Kamen Rider today has gotten way to "kid friendly" for my taste.

I actually don't know whether I agree with this.

I love that Kuuga feels like a real world, with real people, where things have actual consequences but Kuuga gets very dark and very heavy very often and I'm not sure it fits when it's about a guy in what looks like a knock off superhero costume from a costume shop fighting what look like tribesman that have been in the sun too long.

Don't get me wrong, I HATE pure comedy Toku with a passion like the current Super Sentai Kyoryuger, it does nothing for me at all. But there is inherent goofiness to Toku and when it's played completely straight, adult, I just think it all comes across a lot more goofy and stupid than it already is. Not to mention Kuuga is so bitter and depressing at times it actually becomes a drag.

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

But there is inherent goofiness to Toku and when it's played completely straight, adult, I just think it all comes across a lot more goofy and stupid than it already is.

Agreed completely. That's one of the reasons Agito was a wash for me.

[Locke]

Episode 35 of Kuuga was pretty dark and gruesome but wasn't quite as depressing at the same time. So coupling that with how well shot and directed it was, it really was a very enjoyable episode. Possibly one of Kuuga's best.

They finally had a UL conversation entirely in Japanese! Just a shame that we're so late into the series this point, even translated I have no fucking idea what they are talking about.

Although isn't it a little late for Godai to care that he sucks? During his time as Kuuga, I'm pretty sure the deaths are now in the millions. Still, watching Godai lose his shit was AMAZING.

The fights are rough in this show, don't misunderstand, but the choice to go physical with the hits rather than the sparks, explosions and special effects of later seasons gives a real visceral impact to moments like when Godai was punching porcupine into the floor, blood dripping off his helmet.

And they mixed this in brilliantly with the bond between two children, building a castle out of blocks, as Godai literally destroys the monster.

Not only was this one of the few decent fights in Kuuga, this has to be one of my favourite Toku fights period. Kuuga seems to have a habit of that, it's mediocre most of the time and then suddenly it'll completely blow my socks off, not just in comparison to its mediocrity but to everything I've ever watched.

[ryan]

Death toll is only in the low thousands at this point. And I don't remember, but I don't think it even gets up into the tens of thousands, but I'd have to check a wiki to be sure.

How else do you want Godai to handle it? just drive around randomly and hope he stumbles upon a Gurongi before they start killing people? They're not doing anything wrong until they start killing people, and without knowing where they're hiding how could he possibly have any idea of their plans?

And how often do we see them in the same place, anyway? They're moving around, keeping themselves hidden, and each game has different rules, so it's not like he can predict when or where the next UL attack.

[Locke]

I dunno, is the honest answer.

But in a lot of Toku, especially Super Sentai/Power Rangers, the danger is a jump cut away. It's implied that people die every day but it's never explicitly stated, so it just takes me off guard every time the show reminds me just how many people Godai hasn't saved. There have probably been others who have let much more die but they don't usually remind us of it or give us an exact figure to work with.

[Battlizer]

Kiva 28 and 29

Well. Nago saved all of time. Him getting gut punched by both Yuri and Otoya was hilarious. And...the original Queen is Wateru's mother, eh? Huh. Figures the first thing he'd recognize her buttons though...

As for 29. Oh hey...Wateru's friend Shizuka's back. And she's jealous of him and Mio. The jealousy gag was funny enough up until she started acting like a prick about it. Tha might have some repercussions...

Also...how does she not know about Wateru being Kiva! She's seen Kivat! She never thought to question why her buddy has a robot bat sidekick?

Man...Otoya sure is a nice guy for not only apparently forgiving Jiro for attempting to murder him and kidnap Yuri, but continuing to argue like morons just like they always did!

And in modern times, after getting bored of constantly playing pointless games of murder, Rook decides, in the most villainous way possible, to play the good deed game to get into heaven. Uh...alright then.

[ryan]

Jiro is one of my favorite characters.
Rook was an interesting character too.
I miss watching Kiva, I really enjoyed that show a lot, detractors be dammed.