[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

I personally liked PuToTyra over FangJoker. While it was the same concept, it was just more fun.
And nothing can match up with stabbing with the tricera horns, then freezing them with the ptera wings, then the tail smash.
That was just awesome.

Yeah, the tail smash was awesome.

But FangJoker still wins out for being less cartoonish in appearence and demeanor (seiously, Eiji walked like a dinosaur when he was in that form. I mean, come on, if he walked sort of hunched and menacing, but arms up T-rex style was ridiculous) and not repeating itself right after it's arc was resolved. Also because said resolution was way the hell more maturely handled and imaginative than Hina just hugging Eiji to snap him out of his rampage. When Shotaro broke Philip of Fang's feralness, it was this cool inner sequence where we see the Gaia Library ablaze and Shotaro has to dig him out of the books, and when he does Philip reveals that he knew Shotaro would save him, because that's the kind of unshakable trust those two have in eachother. Plus, that was the first time we really got that these two were truely bonded and not just a conflicting duo. PuToTyra was tamed by... a hug, from a nearly irrelevant character overall. No unique symbolism, no comraderie or deep character bonds, just "hug' and puppy dog face from Hina before Eiji spends a few eps in control and then goes nuts again.


Anyway, Weezard 16: Actually, Phoenix's plan is pretty good. Just blow up everything, I'm sure a few people would despair from that. Not to put myself too deep in the mindset of a monster, but torching a city would kill loved ones, destroy homes and memories, livlihoods, all kinds of stuff that's make gates despair. I know he's overall unlikable and a bad actor, but Phoenix is already my favourite character simply for that one brilliant statement. But of course, Medusa is the single worst villain ever so she just crosses her arms and smirks like a complete loser with the weakest of justifications that they might lose gates. Because, you know, despairing them one jerk at a time while Wizard stops you every single time doesn't lose any gates at all.

Seriously, these villains are terrible, and it's all in the base concept. There's no good reason for them not to use their incredible powers to just lay waste to the world, or why two Phantoms don't just tagteam Wizard before he gets another upgrade and remove him from the question.

Also, these police are a joke. And not a funny joke like the Futurama police.

On the positive side, Hairytoes repeated fits of laughter at Stinko's santa suit were pretty funny. Would be funnier if he could act worth a damn, but when he smacked himself to get serious I laughed. Also the gate is a weinerfiend, but at least he tried to fight back, fruitless as it was. Still, I will never understand fictional characters who witness magic firsthand and smugly refuse to believe it. I don't get what makes a writer think that makes sense. Also his assholeium is almost immediately counterbalanced by us seeing him working hard, so no paltry retcon flashback later.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagezuno

And it just kinda happens at the very end of the fight. "Oh, right. I turned black. Wonder if that's important? Oh well--roll credits!"

And because they are fighting in a dark forest and Godai takes so long to recognise the change, I just assumed he hadn't changed at all and it was the lighting. But I guess it doesn't matter as this form has already been defeated at the START of the next episode.

Also I'm so glad I was warned about the time jump in the next episode or 47 would have hurt. So apparently a key moment for the series, Godai's first meeting and battle with Zero, was shown through a short artsy montage before the theme and instead 47 focuses on the aftermath of a battle we haven't properly seen or had any context for. I guess that is just Kuuga, two villains left (and three episodes, or two according to Wiki) and I still know nothing about them, their motivations, powers...anything.

It's worse too because the episode keeps screaming exposition at the audience going on about how it's such a big deal that Kuuga was defeated, I mean I already knew that, but if you know that as well WHY AREN'T YOU SHOWING IT.

Also, what is episode 50? According to Wikipedia this show only has 49 episodes.

Episode 48 was hell of a lot better. If there is something Kuuga does well, that is heart string tugging. Sure Godai himself may have the subtly and nuance of a firework and be a terrible protagonist but luckily the rest of the cast are there to emote the episode. And these episodes are always so well written and directed, it even makes the terrible actors in this series feel like they need an Oscar.

By far the best scene of the episode was the goodbye to Sakurako, my GOD it gave me chills! Just the little things, the tears in her eyes even though she has a smile on her face. The way her voice cracks on the goodbyes. The way her body would droop when she thought Godai wasn't looking. The way her mouth was fighting to say the words that she couldn't bring herself to say. And the regret on her face as she chases him into the rain, but it's already too late. "I'll leave the window open for you." such a meaningless sentence, but any fans of the series will probably be a blubbering wreck at Sakurako's conviction to the sentiment that means so much to us. Much like earlier in the series, this show has a great way of convincing me of just how strong and loving their bonds are.

Sadly outside of those emotional goodbyes the episode was pretty weak. Rose died, her final worlds were in Grongi so I have no idea what she said but I'm kinda used to not understanding what is going on in this series. She never once fully transformed on screen and as she was killed off by Ichijou for basically never killing him when she had the chance I have no idea what her purpose on the show was for. Err...bye?

Also Kuuga got a new form which badass looked pretty badass but sadly, even despite all the set up, the final battle just involved the two wailing on each other in the snow. With SYMBOLISM Godai in black the other monster in white.

[Locke]

So I checked out Fourze episode 2, to make sure I am making the right decision moving onto this series next. And I just really think I am.

It has so much Kuuga lacks, whether it's a protagonist who does more than look stoned and gives a thumbs up, who actually convinces you he is in the suit or have ambition that it can at least partially realise, Fourze has achieved almost as much in two episodes as Kuuga has in forty eight. The fighting is awesome as well, I love how the main non-Rider still has a direct impact on the battles much like Ichijou did in Kuuga.

Although I'm not entirely sure I like the idea of villains who get powers from magic buttons (literally) it is at least nice to know this show comes with some form of explanations as Kuuga had none.

About the only thing I'm going to have to get used to is the scale. Although the battles are bigger, the meanings behind them aren't. When Godai fought his enemies, his enemies had killed hundreds of innocent people when Gen fights his enemies, they have a first world problem and decide to settle it with magic buttons. Same with the general feel good tone, it goofiness will eventually grate, I assume, but right now it's so refreshing.

[Locke]

ALSO. Final thoughts on Kamen Rider Kuuga here we gooo:

Overall, I found it a pretty terrible series. I'm sorry, but I did.

This is a supehero show, and I know you have to cut it some slack with its age and so on, but the action in this series was still terrible. And as such, that extremely dampens my enjoyment of a series. If I wanted a gritty police drama, surprisingly...I'd watch a gritty police drama!

The general dark and depressing nature of the story didn't gel with the kind of show this is. The monster designs were well done enough to stop this becoming too goofy but I watch Toku for escapism, not to basically watch a horror film spread out over fifty episodes. If I wanted to watch a horror film I'd...watch a horror film! And if I wanted to slit my wrists...I'd slit my wrists!

However my biggest...biggest complaint was with Godai. All I ever hear is Haruto sucks, how he is 'boring', have you guys not seen Kuuga? Godai is the same character in the first episode as he is in the last one, he has lots of admirable and likeable qualities but in a forty nine episode TV series your character needs to grow, he needs to learn things and change that is the most basic rule of storytelling. By the end Godai was so bland and uninteresting the show started to actively diminish his role in the story as more and more often it was up to the side characters to emote the story and breathe life into it that Godai couldn't. Just a shame the acting sucked.

It's a shame too because there are elements to Kuuga which I wouldn't want people to miss. Although it could do well to fucking cheer up, the fact that Kuuga feels like it's set in a real world with real people with actual cause and effect and consequences really needs to be commended. I also really loved the chemistry between the cast and how well realised their bonds were. Plus Ichijou is easily one of my new favourite characters and was the soul reason I watched this show until the end like I did. Just a shame his character got no closure at all.

Meh.

[Megabattimus]

Quote:

ALSO. Final thoughts on Kamen Rider Kuuga here we gooo:
Overall, I found it a pretty terrible series.

Annnnnnnnd that's where I stopped reading. Not surprised really. It would go against your personality to like something that's actually good.

Oh, and I can't wait for people who haven't seen the show to take your opinion as fact, like some people have started doing with Agito.

[Locke]

Wow insulting me before even reading my post? You're a pleasant person, I must say. Anyway screw that guy, here is what I'm watching:

Fourze Episode Three.

I don't normally like goofy comedies but after Kuuga this show is just so refreshing. I also really like Gen's attitude and willingness to engage monsters without transforming, now THIS is a lead Rider. It all looks really great as well.

Plus, so much fan service!

[Matrixbeast]

For Fourze, you have to remember that the monsters are over emotional and confused high schoolers. A first world problem to an adult has a lot more impact on someone like that.

Anyway, I'm surprised you're liking Fourze, considering your other problems with other series (Useless backup cast, lack of characterization, bad CG) is something Fourze has in spades

[Locke]

Yeah so far they've done well to keep everything fitting for the high school setting.

And I think my like for Fourze is reactionary because it has everything Kuuga lacked. The fights are grand in scale and incredibly flashy and the main Rider actually has an emotional range and can do things for himself out of the suit, living up to his own hype.

If I hadn't just slogged through Kuuga, then I'd probably hate this show, but right now it's like a cool glass of Coke on a hot summers day.

[Dr Kain]

The only thing I did not like about Kuuga was the lack of an actual final battle. The last two episodes of the show sucked hard. There was no payoff, no climatic grand battle, and people seemed out of character during these last two episodes. It's like they forgot they were at the end of the show and had to rush through a story.

I agree about Godai, which is one of the reasons why I think Agito is the superior series. THere is a lot of development and growth with Shuichi.

And Fourze is a damn fine show. It isn't as good as W, but better than OOO, and is just all around well written with good characters (who get their own introduction stories) and great villains.

BTW, damn dude, I thought I was bad, but jesus, use the edit button!!!

[Matrixbeast]

I found OOO to be better than Fourze, personally. It had a better sense of scale, the main character had to accept some facts, rather than keep blissful hope, and the duo of Eiji and Ankh was great.