[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

Well, Die, given what I now know about you and memes, I'm sure what I have to say next will really do a lot to enhance your enjoyment of this episode.

I appreciate your service!

[AkibaSilver]

Hey, don't call me out like this! I enjoy seeing Riders working together! I just think it's neat! Especially when there's Tachibana-san being a dork in the background.

[Fish Sandwich]

I will say that I remember kind of enjoying this episode specifically because it's about as basic as early Blade gets. Which is weird to say, when even this episode couldn't resit doing that completely insane hologram ashes thing, but you know, it's got all the Riders doing stuff, and it's got a relatively elevator pitchable premise about saving a child, which is as tokusatsu as tokusatsu gets. It's not doing anything amazing, but it's got a good, varied set of things it's all executing solidly enough.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkibaSilver

Hey, don't call me out like this! I enjoy seeing Riders working together! I just think it's neat! Especially when there's Tachibana-san being a dork in the background.

Tachibana would rather they all work together on something that truly matters, namely saving him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

I will say that I remember kind of enjoying this episode specifically because it's about as basic as early Blade gets. Which is weird to say, when even this episode couldn't resit doing that completely insane hologram ashes thing, but you know, it's got all the Riders doing stuff, and it's got a relatively elevator pitchable premise about saving a child, which is as tokusatsu as tokusatsu gets. It's not doing anything amazing, but it's got a good, varied set of things it's all executing solidly enough.

First off, I love how you're able to take what should be a negative (okay episode is just okay) and try and make it a positive (okay episode is super okay). Like, I expected it, but I still enjoyed you saying it. How meta!

But, yeah, it's a real right-down-the-middle episode. I sort-of appreciate the smaller scope, the way the story grows pretty organically out of the characters, the way it all supports the themes of the series so far. It's like, it's a Blade monster-of-the-week story, and that does some pretty specific things.

[Fish Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

First off, I love how you're able to take what should be a negative (okay episode is just okay) and try and make it a positive (okay episode is super okay).

The word "try" makes it sound like this kind of thing is a conscious effort on my part, Die.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

The word "try" makes it sound like this kind of thing is a conscious effort on my part, Die.

TOEI: We're sorry to report that several tokusatsu series we've released over the last decade have been proven to kill brain cells in lab mice.

FISH SANDWICH: Toei's done a great job in heightening the tension that comes with watching tokusatsu!

[Androzani84]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

FTFY

Sorry, but I’m currently watching the series specifically for the second half.

Anyway, here’s today’s monster.

Shuffle Centipede.


A chain wielding Undead that appeared in the Echoing Cave, attacking those who enter and infecting them with his fever-induced poison. The ancestor of the centipede who belongs to the 10 of Hearts category. He can also replenish the energies of expended Rouse cards.

Rouse Card details.

* Suit: Heart
* Number: 10
* Effect name: SHUFFLE
* Card name: Shuffle Centipede (シャッフル・センチピード Shaffuru Senchipīdo)
* Consumption Points: FP 2200


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...20121110144637

[LeviathanBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

I will say that I remember kind of enjoying this episode specifically because it's about as basic as early Blade gets...It's not doing anything amazing, but it's got a good, varied set of things it's all executing solidly enough.

The more or less self-contained MOTW basic story in this episode is one that I like to return to occasionally for something relaxing. Partly because it feels representative of early Blade overall, which for me has positive associations, and also partly because I don't feel like I have to pay close attention to it. (I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, haha)

Kenzaki and Hajime's interactions are absolutely my favorite part of the episode, though

As a side note about the music - Chalice has three or four versions of that guitar-heavy theme song, all of which are part of the giant music box set (plus a set of the ace cards if you bought the physical CDs in 2004!) available on Spotify for some inexplicable reason. And by inexplicable, I mean that Spotify has pointed out every year since I got an account that the Blade soundtrack is one of my most-listened-to albums

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

He can also replenish the energies of expended Rouse cards.

Neat! Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeviathanBlossom

Kenzaki and Hajime's interactions are absolutely my favorite part of the episode, though

For a middle-of-the-road episode, they also manage to keep both Kenzaki and Hajime relatable, despite a) the enormous stakes at the end of the episode, and b) they just 1000% do not like each other. Hajime doesn't think humanity has much to recommend it, outside some adorable children (and his guilt?), and Kenzaki thinks this brooding creep is totally hiding something. That all gets way more pertinent as they have to somehow work together despite still feeling their feelings. It makes for a very fun dynamic at the end, with Hajime willing to endure Kenzaki's presence to save Amane, and Kenzaki starting to fill in enough blanks on what Hajime's hiding to trust that he can save Amane.

They're a pretty interesting pair of Riders, so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeviathanBlossom

As a side note about the music - Chalice has three or four versions of that guitar-heavy theme song, all of which are part of the giant music box set (plus a set of the ace cards if you bought the physical CDs in 2004!) available on Spotify for some inexplicable reason. And by inexplicable, I mean that Spotify has pointed out every year since I got an account that the Blade soundtrack is one of my most-listened-to albums

God only knows how judgmental Apple Music is going to be for me listening to the Phase 2 Heisei opening themes so often this year. It's a lot of BE THE ONE and SURPRISE DRIVE! No regrets, though!

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Sorry, but I’m currently watching the series specifically for the second half.

It’s okay, we all make mistakes.

Quote:

He can also replenish the energies of expended Rouse cards.

Rouse Card details.

* Suit: Heart
* Number: 10
* Effect name: SHUFFLE
* Card name: Shuffle Centipede (シャッフル・センチピード Shaffuru Senchipīdo)
* Consumption Points: FP 2200

If there’s one thing I think Blade handled really poorly it’s the implementation of the card powers. The whole point system is never explained in the show and is never really even a factor since you rarely see cards used for anything but the finisher. I don’t remember Shuffle ever getting used on the show.