[Den-O]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesparrow

AoBlue actually was the first to say it, though.

I'm gonna be one of those dudes too, I called it as well

What a fantastic episode and a great end to Medusa. Didn't care for her in the beginning, she grew on me in the middle with the developments of Mayu, and I loved seeing her go down. The epic WTF moment of learning Wisemans' identity, and her reaction, were priceless.

[SPLIT LIP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Actually, according to the list I've seen, the only Rider series to come close to Hibiki's 8.2 since it finished was the double-act of Decade and W at an 8.0. Hibiki's problem was always toy sales, not ratings (although, to be fair, the final ratings include the bastardized episodes, so I can't fairly claim that Hibiki was totally doing fine before the retool).

I'm shocked Den-O is so low considering it's insane popularity.

[Matrixbeast]

Oh, so now you act? A little late for that, missy. Yeah, you still have the Mayu character to portray, but we only got 4 episodes left, now...
*Tallys another "I called it"*
And is Yuzuru getting his own Mage form? I'd love to get a figure of him and a bike in his scale to commemorate the greatest episode of Wizard ever

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Actually, according to the list I've seen, the only Rider series to come close to Hibiki's 8.2 since it finished was the double-act of Decade and W at an 8.0. Hibiki's problem was always toy sales, not ratings (although, to be fair, the final ratings include the bastardized episodes, so I can't fairly claim that Hibiki was totally doing fine before the retool).

Den-O's toys must have made a freaking mint then if it's ratings were only 6%...

[baltmatrix]

I would just like to point out that I was the first to say 'I called it!'.

*Adds another tic to the tally board of 'Things That Don't Acutally Matter'*

So if Wizard has 6.2% what's Kyoryuger hitting right now ratings wise? I'm curious since the toys are apparently selling like gang busters.

[Locke]

I LOVED this episode.

Wizard has a lot of useless, fluff characters, but the core characters that matter are so well realised and are the reason that I can never truly hate this show. I wish Mayu was in the series way earlier because her presence both in action scenes, but also out of them is a welcome one, she is a really great character. It's impressive as well, how likeable she is, when her other role in the show is playing a sour puss I spend every episode wanting to punch in the face.

Still, Medusa got a very satisfying send off indeed, I love how Phoenix got the big epic action send off, but she got the big epic emotional send off. Just a shame neither of those characters lived up to their own endings.

Also man Nitou really has grown into a very very likeable character, I love how he is actually a person now and isn't just another piece of unnecessary comic relief. His big, almost aggressive personality where he flings his emotions all around the room really does strike a great balance with Haruto's play his cards close to his chest, shoulder the burden alone personality. The raw cracks in Haruto's voice as Nitou confronts him and his actions speak volumes, that is what I love about Haruto, it's all in the details for those who care enough to look. And that is what I love about Nitou, he works in perfect balance with Haruto, making a truly classic duo. Move aside, Batman and Robin.

Really the only thing that let the episode down was the worlds most obvious twist.

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltmatrix

So if Wizard has 6.2% what's Kyoryuger hitting right now ratings wise? I'm curious since the toys are apparently selling like gang busters.

The most recent numbers I can easily find are from late June. As of episode 16 it was averaging a 4.0%. I've heard that they've been going up, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I LOVED this episode.

Wizard has a lot of useless, fluff characters, but the core characters that matter are so well realised and are the reason that I can never truly hate this show. I wish Mayu was in the series way earlier because her presence both in action scenes, but also out of them is a welcome one, she is a really great character. It's impressive as well, how likeable she is, when her other role in the show is playing a sour puss I spend every episode wanting to punch in the face.

Still, Medusa got a very satisfying send off indeed, I love how Phoenix got the big epic action send off, but she got the big epic emotional send off. Just a shame neither of those characters lived up to their own endings.

Also man Nitou really has grown into a very very likeable character, I love how he is actually a person now and isn't just another piece of unnecessary comic relief. His big, almost aggressive personality where he flings his emotions all around the room really does strike a great balance with Haruto's play his cards close to his chest, shoulder the burden alone personality. The raw cracks in Haruto's voice as Nitou confronts him and his actions speak volumes, that is what I love about Haruto, it's all in the details for those who care enough to look. And that is what I love about Nitou, he works in perfect balance with Haruto, making a truly classic duo. Move aside, Batman and Robin.

Really the only thing that let the episode down was the worlds most obvious twist.

I agree with all of this, although I will say that the world's most obvious plot twist was handled pretty well. At this point it looks like the entire point of the whole Sabbat ritual wasn't to create Phantoms, but to find the people who could overcome the despair and become Wizards. So pretty much every Phantom attack since then has likewise been about creating new Wizards and not Phantoms. In a way it's kind of like Gamou's hunt for the Horoscopes in Fourze, except here it's not "I'll make you a monster in the hopes that you Digivolve into Champion" and more "I'll torment you in the hopes that you become a superhero - if not, you'll just die and a monster will walk around in your corpse." As someone who's missed Kamen Rider's darker side in the last few years, this kind of extreme "ends justify the means" campaign pleases me.

I can only assume that the four Wizards (Haruto, Mayu, Yuzuru, and Todoroki) are going to be some kind of mana batteries for whatever the Philosopher's Stone does that'll make Koyomi a real girl. I don't see Haruto or Mayu going along with that willingly.

And man, how great is Mayu? I'm really liking the way she's developing as a character. I'm glad the show is keeping her around and using her effectively as a flawed, but dedicated hero.

My favorite scene this week was Haruto talking to Mayu in Todoroki's house (as a side note, I wish they cast Akira's actress from Hibiki and Decade as his wife - that would've amused me so much). Haruto's whole "I'm freaking out on the inside, but I have to hold it together for Koyomi's sake" speech is a great encapsulation of why he's become one of my favorite Riders. Even if it was followed by the incredibly boneheaded decision to give Mayu the Infinity ring.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I agree with all of this, although I will say that the world's most obvious plot twist was handled pretty well. At this point it looks like the entire point of the whole Sabbat ritual wasn't to create Phantoms, but to find the people who could overcome the despair and become Wizards. So pretty much every Phantom attack since then has likewise been about creating new Wizards and not Phantoms. In a way it's kind of like Gamou's hunt for the Horoscopes in Fourze, except here it's not "I'll make you a monster in the hopes that you Digivolve into Champion" and more "I'll torment you in the hopes that you become a superhero - if not, you'll just die and a monster will walk around in your corpse." As someone who's missed Kamen Rider's darker side in the last few years, this kind of extreme "ends justify the means" campaign pleases me.

I can only assume that the four Wizards (Haruto, Mayu, Yuzuru, and Todoroki) are going to be some kind of mana batteries for whatever the Philosopher's Stone does that'll make Koyomi a real girl. I don't see Haruto or Mayu going along with that willingly.

And man, how great is Mayu? I'm really liking the way she's developing as a character. I'm glad the show is keeping her around and using her effectively as a flawed, but dedicated hero.

My favorite scene this week was Haruto talking to Mayu in Todoroki's house (as a side note, I wish they cast Akira's actress from Hibiki and Decade as his wife - that would've amused me so much). Haruto's whole "I'm freaking out on the inside, but I have to hold it together for Koyomi's sake" speech is a great encapsulation of why he's become one of my favorite Riders. Even if it was followed by the incredibly boneheaded decision to give Mayu the Infinity ring.

Plus - most surprising at all - is Wizard has actually paced something better than another show, never thought there'd come a day. Still if all of the his has lead up to making the philosophers stone, then it is ludicrously elaborate, I wonder if Golgom helped Fueki draft his plan.

Since Rinko is only allowed to be useful and badass in movies, and Medusa went from a great villain to standing around looking like a horses anus I'm surprised by just how well they have constructed Mayu, she really is a fantastic character, I think she makes a better secondary than Beast has, who is only just coming together for me.

I think Haruto giving the Ring across was an important aspect for Haruto's character, it was pretty dumb to be fair, but it's his thought process that is important 'I'm trusting you', after his whole escapade with his Teacher, Haruto is finally growing and letting people in. It's just a shame his trust is then shit on...

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Plus - most surprising at all - is Wizard has actually paced something better than another show, never thought there'd come a day. Still if all of the his has lead up to making the philosophers stone, then it is ludicrously elaborate, I wonder if Golgom helped Fueki draft his plan.

Nah, the plan isn't silly enough to be one of Gorgom's.

Quote:

I think Haruto giving the Ring across was an important aspect for Haruto's character, it was pretty dumb to be fair, but it's his thought process that is important 'I'm trusting you', after his whole escapade with his Teacher, Haruto is finally growing and letting people in. It's just a shame his trust is then shit on...

True, but I'm pretty sure he at least suspects that this isn't going to end well. He's just counting on whatever Fueki has in store being for the greater good in some fashion.

[Locke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Nah, the plan isn't silly enough to be one of Gorgom's.


True, but I'm pretty sure he at least suspects that this isn't going to end well. He's just counting on whatever Fueki has in store being for the greater good in some fashion.

Lol that is very, very true.

I think by this point Haruto is just desperate, he is very proactive to his heroing business, so he probably isn't used to getting caught off guard, let alone the fighting arriving at his front door and all the revelations that came with it. If Haruto wasn't falling to bits right now, he might have been less quick to pass the ring across.

[baltmatrix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Medusa went from a great villain to standing around looking like a horses anus

And let it be know that the Anus Phantom was the most powerful of them all!

Joking aside I have to agree. Medusa was a great character then somewhere around the late 30's eps she kinda got boring and one note.