[Androzani84]

Yeah, I’m not really sure I’d want to see more of this. Especially since I can’t see a continuation that isn’t just a Wizard knock-off with a lot more horny-ness.

Anyway, next time, we can get back to the main series, and I’ll ask that question again, for people who’ve forgotten it.

True or false: It is against the law to sell ice cream on Sundays in Oregon, USA?

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

RIDER TIME: SHINOBI EPISODE 3 - ?LAST NINPOW!!! VOLUME: THE CLOSE CALL IN A DEAD-END"

I pretty much disliked this series. There?s not much here but the gags, and a TON of the gags in this episode (a full third of the series!) are built around some really uncomfortable storylines. It?s tacky, and it?s not for me.

It's a shame you didn't enjoy this so much, Die. Rider Time Shinobi is revered by a lot of people for its unusual form of comedy and character drama. However, I've noticed that Kaneko's works can be pretty divisive, as she's also written some interesting episodes of Lupinranger VS Patranger and Kiramager.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

And it?s a shame, because despite Iroha being knocked out for the bulk of this episode and used as a prize for multiple men to fight over (was not expecting a Gaim tribute in this Shinobi series), there?s some neat stuff added to Iroha?s character here? Her use of science sets her apart from the more straightforward ninja spellcasting, giving her a perspective that?s pertinent to the themes and struggles of Shinobi?s world. Her use of opposing elements to achieve a new effect is used by Shinobi to escape from a trap, but it?s also relevant to Shinobi and Hattari teaming up to save her. It?s a great use of her character.

I'd say this would be more of a Kiva tribute, since Rentarou and Icchy teaming up to save Iroha who they both care about is similar to that time Yuri and Maya teamed up to save Otoya from Castle Doran. Furthermore, they're fighting to protect her from Nijinohebi who wants her all to himself, so they do have some honorable motivations other than their personal obsessions with her. The fight scene was cool as well, with Shinobi and Hattari combining their elemental ninpou to escape the trap.

Real life ninjas rely a lot on science to create their special effects like stage magic, so Iroha experimenting with science is a good way to master the basics of ninpou. Of course, the "straightforward ninja spellcasting" depicted here is an exaggeration of ninjas' abilities, since they're not actually able to use literal magic IRL, contrary to common belief at the time when they weren't understood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Buuuuut then some old man says that he wants to kill Shinobi so he can abduct a teenage girl and force her into marriage, and Rentarou?s like You Only Kidnapped Her So You Can Go, and Icchy shows up later to perv on Iroha, and I?ve completely forgotten my positive feelings for this series.

If a sequel does happen, I think they'd need to have a new main villain, since nobody can really take Nijinohebi seriously anymore.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Yeah, I?m not really sure I?d want to see more of this. Especially since I can?t see a continuation that isn?t just a Wizard knock-off with a lot more horny-ness.

And no one even eats a single donut! Total failure!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

It's a shame you didn't enjoy this so much, Die. Rider Time Shinobi is revered by a lot of people for its unusual form of comedy and character drama. However, I've noticed that Kaneko's works can be pretty divisive, as she's also written some interesting episodes of Lupinranger VS Patranger and Kiramager.

I still think the 2nd episode has some funny gags, but the first and third... not so much? It's light, which isn't really the same as funny, and too much of it is in service to a plot I find repellant.

Even the character drama stuff is a little boilerplate. Some of that can be funny -- there's a feeling like this is almost Satirical Kamen Rider, where it's commenting on series tropes -- but it doesn't add enough to the experience for me.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Sometimes there are jokes!

I was kinda playing along too with mocking the Heisei Phase 2 as fake. B̶u̶t̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶l̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶l̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶j̶o̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶I̶ ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶v̶i̶b̶e̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶r̶i̶o̶u̶s̶n̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶d̶u̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶f̶e̶e̶l̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶S̶h̶o̶w̶a̶ ̶s̶t̶u̶f̶f̶ ̶i̶n̶c̶l̶u̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶t̶s̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶l̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶H̶e̶i̶s̶e̶i̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶K̶a̶b̶u̶t̶o̶ ̶f̶e̶a̶t̶u̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶e̶e̶t̶l̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶t̶i̶f̶.̶ ̶O̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶l̶a̶t̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶s̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶f̶e̶a̶t̶u̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶B̶l̶a̶d̶e̶.̶

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

RIDER TIME: SHINOBI EPISODE 2 - ?NEXT NINPOW!! VOLUME: THE DARK NINJA?S ASSASSINATION"

Funny gags, though! It?s almost all following the Rule of Threes, where a joke is funny, then not funny, then REALLY funny. By the third torn-off-clothes costume change, I was dying. Stuff like that, or Iroha?s incredibly quick No Thanks to Icchy?s vow to protect her, was delightful. This whole thing was practically an HBV, with how nonsensical and broad it was. (Hattari having absolutely no poker face! In either identity! At all times!)

For what I'd talk likely gag aside was that, Rentarou was lenient guy regarding Icchy's treachery, he just calmly asked him the trouble and let Icchy explain, that it'd be related to him making a move to Iroha ofc, wanting to prevent Iroha to win so they can still date as Iroha works as his secretary, not someone on his equal position as the policy is no dating. But as Rentarou said too, it's still scummy thing to do (still calmly stating), as it'd be prioritizing Icchy's own benefit as well as screwing up others to some extent (Iroha's position/standings, Kagura family's winnings) for that. But again, Icchy's not a completely horrible person in his scale of schemes and also him admitting and explaining it to Rentarou without glee. Otherwise, though others' affection for Iroha is undeniable, this one further shows that Rentarou isn't stringing Iroha along or enjoying in it, he actually got weirded out by his sister's affection for him due to hidden identity, he avoids Iroha's moves on him for obvious reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

RIDER TIME: SHINOBI EPISODE 3 - ?LAST NINPOW!!! VOLUME: THE CLOSE CALL IN A DEAD-END"

Boy, resolving the action with an Everyone?s Horny For Iroha story beat is? it?s a choice! It?s definitely a real decision that this three-episode mini-series made! To have multiple adult characters lust after a 17-year old girl! And for that 17-year old girl to accidentally lust after her older brother!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Buuuuut then some old man says that he wants to kill Shinobi so he can abduct a teenage girl and force her into marriage, and Rentarou?s like You Only Kidnapped Her So You Can Go, and Icchy shows up later to perv on Iroha, and I?ve completely forgotten my positive feelings for this series.

Reminder that Faiz was something that had Mari being 16 year old (overall Faiz's cast is really younger than they sound) and it also had parts of everyone being horny for her. I guess it's creepy, but Yaminin is created as the evil version of Icchy that, Yaminin goes into that creepy lengths you mentioned here to get Iroha's affection, while Icchy does sabotage her performance, the other thing he did is just inelegantly revealing his crush to Iroha. Yaminin also abuses his power to win over Iroha with only darkness elemental to Rentarou's straightforward using powers for good and protecting others (as well as the stock lecture of using power) with varied elementals, a trait that has always existed in Zi-O as Another Shinobi. Unfortunately battle-wise Yaminin is the stronger one compared to Shinobi though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

And it?s a shame, because despite Iroha being knocked out for the bulk of this episode and used as a prize for multiple men to fight over (was not expecting a Gaim tribute in this Shinobi series), there?s some neat stuff added to Iroha?s character here? Her use of science sets her apart from the more straightforward ninja spellcasting, giving her a perspective that?s pertinent to the themes and struggles of Shinobi?s world. Her use of opposing elements to achieve a new effect is used by Shinobi to escape from a trap, but it?s also relevant to Shinobi and Hattari teaming up to save her. It?s a great use of her character.

Iroha freed his brother from Yaminin's bind, but I guess, her as a normal human there would have her shine only shortly (though it may prove her toughness to be merely unconscious from the attack).... l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶T̶s̶u̶k̶u̶y̶o̶m̶i̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶m̶a̶i̶n̶l̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶Z̶i̶-̶O̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶A̶s̶o̶ ̶f̶a̶m̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶K̶i̶v̶a̶. But otherwise I agree on this, as well as Shinobi and Hattari's solution to free themselves from the barrier, and I must also say that, everyone being horny over Iroha shouldn't be her fault, but the other's fault (well, Yaminin is evil so...) or the series. Other than that, I thought sometimes making a series short is necessary to complete them without unnecessary extending.... but this one had no reveal of why Rentarou hides his Shinobi identity (of which he claims he'd do until Iroha's 18), which inadvertently stringing Iroha in the love triangle, or Icchy (who's still friends with Rentarou) learning that Rentarou is Shinobi, or Gamano (the frog) being implied manipulator.

[Fish Sandwich]

Fish Sandwich also watched Rider Time: Shinobi!

...But I definitely never wrote up any particular thing for it. For real this time. (I think!) It's not the kind of thing that gets me super motivated to write any sort of analysis of, because, well, it's like, it almost feels as though that's missing the point? It's a cute novelty that exists, I had a laugh or two watching it, and I mostly haven't thought about it all too much since. I don't know, I guess there's always the possibility one day I'll come back and start revering it as some Kamen Rider Brain level secret masterwork, but I'm reasonably sure Shinobi isn't that deep. It is fun though, and we got IZANAGI out of it, which was a nice bonus.

[Daikaijuman54]

First off, great April Fools review, nothing I can add to that, so I decided to wait for the full review of Shinobi.

While I can see a lot of people's criticisms, I can't help but look back on it fondly, possibly even loving it? I pretty much went into this knowing it was going to be a parody series, heck wouldn't surprise me if it was going to be an April Fools joke in the first place. The main factors were evident in the trailer, narrated by White French Woz (who also thirsts for Iroha) and some of the things like the Frog. But boy, did I enjoy the narrator shouting POW! in every sentence of the Episode Previews more than I should, and still crack up every time I listen to them, one of the reasons I love the sounds for the Driver.

First off, I actually love the kitbashes for Shinobi and Hattari (though I agree it seems like a waste for Dark Drive who has an absolutely fantastic suit...), even the villains, overall, just great designs, despite being remodels. And IZANAGI is an amazing Opening, maybe even too good for this show, but I'm not complaining.

Maybe it's also because I'm old-fashioned, but the Love Triangle shenanigans are honestly entertaining, mainly since I usually find love triangles annoying, so seeing it in a comical fashion is more often than not more enjoyable than serious ones. And quite frankly, I also think Iroha being 17 is better than being, I don't know 12 or something, so it doesn't bother me that much (I've seen worse). Also, they're not wrong about her being a looker, not that I'd fight Shinobi or anything (here's your April Fools, son).

For it's greater whole, I don't know if I'd want a full series in this vein, but than again, it's not something I'd mind. There's intrigue, some interesting ideas, potential for cool Ninja Riders, but I don't think it's something I can't live without. This special is fun, but it's no masterpiece, but neither is it something I wish didn't exist. It's most likely just a joke since Shinobi will most likely never become an official Rider, and takes it time making an absurd "what if" scenario poking fun at a bunch of stupid tropes and quirks, though honestly it feels more like a Sentai than a Rider, comedy hijinks aside.

And you know what? I don't mind this special's existence whatsoever.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Reminder that Faiz was something that had Mari being 16 year old (overall Faiz's cast is really younger than they sound) and it also had parts of everyone being horny for her.

I want to say that Faiz always had Mari's suitors be people of similar age? That she grew up with? (Which were sooooort of her siblings, so it was gross in a totally different way.) Like, Kusaka was supposed to be just a few years older than her. Icchy comes off like a grown adult, and it's weird. The old guy is literally old enough to be her grandfather!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

But otherwise I agree on this, as well as Shinobi and Hattari's solution to free themselves from the barrier, and I must also say that, everyone being horny over Iroha shouldn't be her fault, but the other's fault (well, Yaminin is evil so...) or the series.

It's definitely the fault of the series!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Sandwich

I don't know, I guess there's always the possibility one day I'll come back and start revering it as some Kamen Rider Brain level secret masterwork, but I'm reasonably sure Shinobi isn't that deep.

Yeah, I don't think it's that deep. It could've been -- there are HBVs that landed harder emotional punches than this thing -- but it just doesn't seem like where anyone wanted to go with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daikaijuman54

The main factors were evident in the trailer, narrated by White French Woz (who also thirsts for Iroha) and some of the things like the Frog.

Man, I love the Frog Art giving advice and commands to Rentarou. That's such a great gimmick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daikaijuman54

And IZANAGI is an amazing Opening, maybe even too good for this show, but I'm not complaining.

The theme song is, without a doubt, the best part of this series.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daikaijuman54

This special is fun, but it's no masterpiece, but neither is it something I wish didn't exist. It's most likely just a joke since Shinobi will most likely never become an official Rider, and takes it time making an absurd "what if" scenario poking fun at a bunch of stupid tropes and quirks, though honestly it feels more like a Sentai than a Rider, comedy hijinks aside.

I think them doing a three-part Shinobi thing as though we're just in the middle of Shinobi's season is a super-fun idea. I think the world they built was clever and worthy of exploration. I think the suits are fun, maybe Shinobi more than Hattari. I think the cliffhanger ending is bonkers. I think the cast has great comedic chops. I think the theme song is a banger.

I wish they hadn't put all their chips in on Wacky Love Triangle. I wish it so much.

[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 19 - “THE QUIZ SHOCK 2040”



I really liked how this episode used the Kamen Rider Quiz character to talk about binary conflicts, and how mutually destructive they are.

There’s a lot in Quiz’z whole thing about binaries. Winning/Losing. Right/Wrong. True/False. Red/Blue. X/O. It’s a strong motif, and that’s before I get to rave about the Ghost’s Head On Ex-Aid’s Body suit design. (I am all for the subtle indication that both Ghost and Ex-Aid’s suit philosophies will continue on into the future! I feel a little vindicated!) After the shadowy approach of Shinobi, here’s Quiz to usher in a strict, clearly-delineated bifurcation.

That newfound zero-sum reality is what Hat Woz has been leading us towards for the last couple episodes. For Geiz to win, Sougo has to lose. It’s an interesting level of threat, since it runs counter to Sougo’s view of the world. Sougo wants everyone to win; he wants a world where everyone can live their dream. He’s been fighting against monsters that steal what’s special in people, hoarding it for themselves, enforcing a rule that only one person can be powerful. Sougo’s built to find solutions where no one has to lose. So to have a conflict that’s testing that hope, that’s a fun place for this show to be right now. It’s like One Winner versus No Losers, as worldviews.

And some of that is just this show seemingly trying to grapple with Geiz’z whole Grim Executioner thing, and how badly he lives up to his adorably consistent death threats. We’ve seen Geiz get talked out of killing Sougo, but Hat Woz is pushing Geiz to gather power and become the savior the future requires. It’s one thing to beg off from executing Kamen Rider Puppy Dog, but another for Geiz to ignore the chance to gain enough power to be able to defeat Oma Zi-O, even if it’s just as a safety net. What, exactly, is Geiz’z limit in what he’ll do to achieve his goals?

There’s a bit in this episode that felt illuminative, where Hat Woz is telling Geiz to steal Quiz’z power and step onto the path to victory. The thing is, I don’t think Geiz has really thought about winning. Ever. Going back in time was a desperate move that almost immediately – hilariously – failed. Hat Woz’z whole pitch about Glory and Being A Savior and Victory all feel aimed at a version of Geiz that never existed. This one’s constructed out of a brutal pessimism. He doesn’t have a clue how to win at anything, but he’s lived his life throwing himself into hopeless situations anyway. Crushing an innocent person to gain power, even for the right reasons, doesn’t feel like a Geiz move. Dying for a cause, that feels more his speed.

This was a fun episode for ratcheting up the tension. There’s so much fun stuff to unpack along the lines of Binary Struggles versus Holistic Solutions (Quiz’z whole speech about a need for understanding instead of a need to change outcomes feels pretty instructive here), and how much the Quiz aesthetic is looped into the Woz/Hat Woz storyline. Just… boy, a very smart episode that is super fun to think about.

[GrandComplete]

I'm a little behind but I can't wait to talk about the Quiz arc when I get too it but for now here my (very late!) thoughts on Episode 17

So I love the Future Riders they're one of my favorite concepts to come out of ZI-O just giving "tribute" to season from the future was honestly a stroke of genius on the writer's part because to me feels this feels like it allows ZI-O to tell its own stories for once unrestrained by the past and this also felt like when the writers started to take time to see the feedback and adjust things back when we inevitably go back to Legend Rider tributes. Plus I really dig the vibes we got for this second arc; now onto Shinobi himself, I'm pretty sure I fell instantly in love with him as soon as I laid eyes on that suit and seeing him in action was the best way to kick things off for ZI-O. With the reveal of Ohma Day it gives the show a more concrete goal imo as before it was just Sougo becomes Ohma ZI-O in the future but now having it be set within somewhere in 2019 gives a bit more of a sense of urgency and greater grasp of what the cast is doing. And finally let's talk about our other big thing this episode White Woz and boy oh boy I have got to give props to Woz's actor Keisuke Watanabe for being able to play the types of subtle evil with the similar but different characters, I love all the different mannerism's that both is very Woz like but also somehow wrong. And the BeyondDriver standby loop is an absolute banger, and it was even my ringtone for an entire year, so I have to mention this.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandComplete

Plus I really dig the vibes we got for this second arc; now onto Shinobi himself, I'm pretty sure I fell instantly in love with him as soon as I laid eyes on that suit and seeing him in action was the best way to kick things off for ZI-O.

Absolutely! Sougo wandering into a Kamen Rider Shinobi action scene was an awesome way to start this run of Future Riders, and the best way to introduce Shinobi himself. Dude comes off like an upstanding hero who uses darkness to fight evil, and that's undeniable Kamen Rider energy.