[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 30 - “SEIYUU! SAY ME! SORTING STUFF OUT FROM YOUR YOUTH!”



Hey, what if the first act of a four act story was stretched to the length of an entire episode? Wouldn’t that be super fun, and not at all monotonous and repetitive? Shockingly, no, it would be an almost indescribably dull installment of Kamen Rider Revice. I’m as surprised as the producers surely must’ve been after watching this episode!

There’s barely anything here to talk about, much less critique. Jiiko, a character from Ikki’s past that we’ve neither met before nor heard mentioned in passing, is incredibly mad at Ikki about a thing that Jiiko won’t talk about, and Ikki doesn’t remember. That’s basically it! That’s the entire episode’s plot! Ikki and Jiiko circle each other several times in the episode, but there’s just a blank space where a thematic or narrative conflict would be. Ikki’s confused, and that’s about the only recognizable emotion in the entire story. There’s no guilt, or shame, or anger, or anything that would be a counterpoint to an old friend calling him a piece of shit to his face, because Ikki's as clueless about the conflict as the viewer is. There’s just confusion, and that’s all we get.

I mean, there’s also the Way Too Gregarious Old Mentor, who is clearly the villain of this story, but that dude exists to be way too gregarious, and that’s it. He provides no context for Jiiko’s seething and inexplicable resentment, probably because this is all part of a plot to destroy Ikki. It’s obvious in a way that I was anticipating either a twist or a reveal, and this episode was just like GUESS WHAT IT’S THE WAY TOO GREGARIOUS OLD MENTOR and we’re into the trailer for the next episode. There’s nothing here; it’s all just setup for the real story.

(There is also the possibility that it's not the Way Too Gregarious Old Mentor, and his malevolent outro is just a funny gag the show will walk back at the start of the next episode, but if that's the case, this episode is maybe worse than if that dude was just the obvious culprit? There's only two characters it could be, and if it's neither, what are we even doing here? What is this story even about?)

Hilariously, "setup for the real story" is a bit of a theme for this episode! The only non-Ikki scenes we get feature Akaishi teasing the next phase of his plan – waiting; Daiji teasing the next phase of his plan – stalking; Sakura teasing the next phase of her plan – thinking about Aguilera; and Aguilera getting a Dark Aguilera costume change. No one really gets a scene of any weight or importance, except for a very brief bit of business where Daiji is correctly chided for trying too hard to be Cosplay Hiromi, instead of being himself. It’s all setup, which would be fine for subplots… if the main plotline for the episode didn’t also feel so much like it was half an idea stretched out to the three times its length.

Just a massively underwhelming episode, right when the show needed to have originality and momentum to kick off the next phase of the story. Ikki’s got nothing to do in this story other than be the target of rage for no established reason, and everyone else is just waiting for their stories to start in the next few episodes. Whole thing probably would play better as a 90-second "Previously On" opener, and that’s a fun feeling to have after a 23-minute episode.

[Switchblade]

This was an episode I partially fastforwarded through. The guy playing Ikki's old soccer coach/superstar voice actor is, in fact, a real superstar voice actor. Specifically, he's Vice's voice actor. All the voice actor scenes were basically just fellating the guy for how awesome he is, which feels in poor taste in general and especially when you consider that he was a controversial addition to the series outside of Japan due to some of his social media activity.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

This was an episode I partially fastforwarded through. The guy playing Ikki's old soccer coach/superstar voice actor is, in fact, a real superstar voice actor. Specifically, he's Vice's voice actor. All the voice actor scenes were basically just fellating the guy for how awesome he is, which feels in poor taste in general and especially when you consider that he was a controversial addition to the series outside of Japan due to some of his social media activity.

...see, now I just like this episode less, and not even because of the last part. (I probably would for the last part, but then I'd have to go looking into this dude's social media history, which sounds like a depressing way to spend an evening.) Like, this dull episode only partially works if you get the gag, and if you don't? If you don't know this dude, or can't tell he's voicing Vice... how is that enough to hang a story on, let alone an entire episode? Bummer! All additional information is a bummer!

[Androzani84]

Yeah, this episode was way more controversial outside of Japan, which pretty much summarises its main guest. Though to be honest, as someone who actually uses the translate function on Twitter, Facebook and Insta for foreign pages, the hate for him is way overblown (at worst, he blocks people for being rude to him for an out of context picture… entirely justified, in my opinion), and posts from people who actually know him personally are nothing but positive.

Anyway, aside from Kimura’s guest spot, we also get appearances from Kenichi Suzumura, the voice of Ryutaros, and His partner Hiroshi Kamiya, who voiced a similar character back in the producer’s last show, Kyuranger.



Also, Aguilera gets a new look that basically seems like they’re going down familiar lines with her at this point (still better than Tamaki basically being demoted to comic relief)



Aguilera: I have no need of Giff or fianc?s.

Julio: Aguilera-sama! Please let me be your little brother, Aguilera-sama!

And in other news, this is back.

Ikki: It’s Ikki’s…

Vice: And Vice’s…

Both: Stamp Navi!

Ikki: And today’s stamp is this one!

White Leo!

Scary! Me! White Leo! Begin the era at Leo!

Ikki: Truth be told, we’ve never actually used this Vistamp, or the next, so I’m going to let George give today’s explanation.



George: The white king of beasts, Kamen Rider Revi White Leo Genome with the power of the Great Emperor! It's a plan prepared as one of the possibilities of the Lion Genome, but maybe because of the extremely dangerous power, I decided that the Revice system still needs to be adjusted, but about the strongness of this guy, Trust meー!*

Vice: What about me?



George: Your golden parts can allow a variety of elemental attacks, such as fire, electricity, light, and rock. All powers in line with this guy.

Ridewatch: Kuuga Amazing Mighty.

Godai: Chou Henshin!

George: When Yusuke Godai faced down the Kabuto Grongi, no. 46, he was outmatched by the Unknown Lifeform’s ability to copy or hijack his various abilities. But his resolve to keep fighting unlocked a brand new form, Kuuga Amazing Mighty. Enhanced beyond Rising, this power proved far more than what the Grongi could counter, leading to Godai’s victory.

Vice: Hey, Kari-chan. Given we’re basically doing the same stamp again, but with different colours, are you running out of ideas? Especially since this didn’t even appear in the episode.**

George: Well, you see… (stamps himself with the Batta Vistamp, leaping out of the room)

Ikki: We hope you enjoy the next instalment.

Vice: Goddamn, this again?

* Self-production notes: This entry was copied from the official site’s blog for the same episode where the truth of the Demons Driver is revealed. So George was saying this around the time he proved untrustworthy (at least to Hiromi)

** I included this before I realised the Rafflesia Deadman was a retool of the Lion Deadman, so this Vistamp does kind of fit here.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

Anyway, aside from Kimura?s guest spot, we also get appearances from Kenichi Suzumura, the voice of Ryutaros, and His partner Hiroshi Kamiya, who voiced a similar character back in the producer?s last show, Kyuranger.

Oh, neat! This is additional information I approve of! And thanks for the fun skit!

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Well, it helps that this special is putting Hiromi's dedication into a slightly different context. This isn't Hiromi destroying his body to be a hero, or flinging himself at a monster when there are other options; this is a story where Hiromi just needs to be there for his mom. The lesson he learns isn't so much that Sacrifice Is Always Right, it's that... it's that it's more important to fight for your convictions than to win with your convictions. Him saying he'll lay down his life in this situation, it's more him showing that his dedication to the people he cares about doesn't have any limits, instead of trying to be the most heroey hero who ever heroed. I think it's him learning an important lesson here?

Yes, this is the reason why discussion can happen to ask for more elaboration in something. This one now I'd understand of what he learns though dunno about his actual return still.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 30 - “SEIYUU! SAY ME! SORTING STUFF OUT FROM YOUR YOUTH!”

There’s barely anything here to talk about, much less critique. Jiiko, a character from Ikki’s past that we’ve neither met before nor heard mentioned in passing, is incredibly mad at Ikki about a thing that Jiiko won’t talk about, and Ikki doesn’t remember. That’s basically it! That’s the entire episode’s plot! Ikki and Jiiko circle each other several times in the episode, but there’s just a blank space where a thematic or narrative conflict would be. Ikki’s confused, and that’s about the only recognizable emotion in the entire story. There’s no guilt, or shame, or anger, or anything that would be a counterpoint to an old friend calling him a piece of shit to his face, because Ikki's as clueless about the conflict as the viewer is. There’s just confusion, and that’s all we get.

The episode title wordplay lol, "Seiyuu! Say Me!" lol. It happened.

Though outwardly the episode is a breather one, this seems to center around Ikki more, bringing his soccer occupation previously that he quit to take care of Happy Spa. Subaru Kimura is brought up as Ikki's former mentor but his real life occupation is brought up here in the voice recording as well. Aside from the cliffhanger at the end, previously he seems to be open and connected to any of the soccer player under his care, including when they leave soccer and takes up other occupation like Ikki now as family caretaker or Kamen Rider, and also Koji who now is aspiring to become a seiyuu, but now is holding a grudge to Ikki. Other than being supportive to both former soccer player's current occupation, Kimura sets up the voice recording for them to talk as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I mean, there’s also the Way Too Gregarious Old Mentor, who is clearly the villain of this story, but that dude exists to be way too gregarious, and that’s it. He provides no context for Jiiko’s seething and inexplicable resentment, probably because this is all part of a plot to destroy Ikki. It’s obvious in a way that I was anticipating either a twist or a reveal, and this episode was just like GUESS WHAT IT’S THE WAY TOO GREGARIOUS OLD MENTOR and we’re into the trailer for the next episode. There’s nothing here; it’s all just setup for the real story.

Though previously the one who called Ikki out was the depraved Kudo, now Kimura claims both Ikki and Koji had big egos, which, probably does confirm about Ikki's darker side before, at least from more reliable source than Kudo. And of course his soccer days were something in the past so Ikki's busybodiness is still not checked yet. Ikki has grown better now, but Koji was a victim of it that still harbors a grudge to Ikki until now, and the next previews shows Ikki regretting. Koji's grudge doesn't help things either though, and it's unknown what Koji wants, to get back at Ikki or to solve the problem (with spite). Ikki was also apparently genius striker previously as well, so he wasn't ordinary player, but his soccer trick was only used on ep. 1 so far. So other than Vice obsessively fanboying over Kimura, apparently Vice's taste is that Kimura's the most handsome man for him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Hilariously, "setup for the real story" is a bit of a theme for this episode! The only non-Ikki scenes we get feature Akaishi teasing the next phase of his plan – waiting; Daiji teasing the next phase of his plan – stalking; Sakura teasing the next phase of her plan – thinking about Aguilera; and Aguilera getting a Dark Aguilera costume change. No one really gets a scene of any weight or importance, except for a very brief bit of business where Daiji is correctly chided for trying too hard to be Cosplay Hiromi, instead of being himself. It’s all setup, which would be fine for subplots… if the main plotline for the episode didn’t also feel so much like it was half an idea stretched out to the three times its length.

For the Fenix side, Daiji repeats his plan of going after Akaishi to cure Fenix, kinda feels like the series puts that on hold for some reason before for the Kagerou part or something, it has never begun yet. Or probably it's on purpose which Akemi addresses that, to claim that mere righteous speech preaching can make it hollow. Which if Daiji really is holding off his plan until now, it'd be true that he can make claims to cure Fenix all he wants but it won't happen if he only talks, he should prove himself by taking actual action. But in reverse, action only isn't all good either, because someone can create a good outcome, but doesn't mean that it's a good thing, like... someone morally questionable taking out a monster (for those who glorify taking action as 'killing monsters'), especially if it's bad guy taking out another bad guy, or villainous organizations that experimented on others thus creates heroic Kamen Riders. That doesn't mean the bad guy "turns good", bad guys can target other bad guys, or that the organization can be cleansed due to the heroic Kamen Rider part only. They unintentionally create a good outcome but speechs can be important too to address something that is wrong and likely overlooked.

She's not involved much yet though I hope she'd be more involved, but so far Akemi is usually amiable, except to Hiromi when he's persistent before, but she didn't give George a coffee. Though he's likely redeemed now, previously George doesn't seem to be someone who is hated among the Fenix, and only those who knows his dirty secrets do like Hiromi or the Igarashi siblings before, of which he made up to the latter now.

Regarding Akaishi, there's a new speculation of him, coming from his biodate which due to how he's 57 year old as a 1964-born, but though he looks old now, he stops aging, looks the same as him decades ago, which'd imply he's a descendant of Giff (relation he has to the Igarashi siblings would be...). As someone running both Fenix and Deadman, he was said as Masumi's boss in NOAH as well, instead of Agariyama. NOAH is split into Fenix and Deadman with Akaishi still the leader of both seems to be done by he himself with his own purposes of splitting the organization. Akaishi manifests a red devil that is likely the one behind Genta's parents death as well, so there's set up for his personal significance. Akaishi is shorter than I expected too at 168cm in said biodate. In Weekend, there's another showing of some genuinity of the Ushijima family's company over the Igarashis other than Kimiko enjoying the onsen, Hikaru seems to genuinely view Sakura as a friend as well, being overjoyed to have her on his side. Sakura's outfit is made different to.. show off her legs as well, obviously for meta reasons of eye candy...

There's another setup of Aguilera burning her dress and dons a civilian outfit, not as disguise anymore. And also Tamaki bringing up his family in a Gundam reference as Ikki accidentally punched him. The family part can just be throwaway line like Hiromi's bullied backstory so far. She may have her own breed of difficulty of socializing as someone bratty and spoiled, paralleling Tamaki I guess.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Ikki was also apparently genius striker previously as well, so he wasn't ordinary player, but his soccer trick was only used on ep. 1 so far.

Yeah, this isn't a show where folks get to use unique skills or backgrounds a whole lot. The only things we know about Daiji and Sakura are Uniforms and Karate, respectively, and little else that might get leveraged for a story. The fact that Ikki's soccer background got resurfaced at all is sort of huge!

[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 31 - “GUIDED BY AN ILLUSION, THE CONSEQUENCE OF DREAMING”



Like, that screencap’s it, as far as talking about this episode. That’s the point of everything we were shown, and why this semi-interesting story about the weight of another person’s dreams had to be hilariously convoluted and almost unrecognizably motivated. This is the episode where we’re finally given the significance of all of those disappearing Ikki’s from family photos.

As a stylistic choice, a vanishing Ikki to denote Ikki forgetting things feels sort of backwards to me? Wouldn’t a vanishing Ikki mean that his family is forgetting him, not the other way around? As a thematic choice, though, I don’t hate it. The risk of obtaining power is that it warps your values, and distances you from the people in your life who knew you as someone else. The more he becomes Kamen Rider Revi, the less Ikki’s able to be the brother/son/friend he was before. (Or, more specifically, by embracing the dynamism and selfishness of Vice, he risks outgrowing the safety of his family.) The struggle of that, of keeping grounded in the face of the call to heroism – that’s an interesting balance to strike as the series moves towards its conclusion. (Bonus: so many stories about Narratively Convenient Amnesia!!!) It’s a decent dilemma for Ikki to confront, and one that needs a different skillset than upgrade forms and new ViStamps.

But the story around that revelation! Jesus! Absolutely abysmal.

Jiiko’s the only character in the Ikki/Subaru/Jiiko triangle that feels anywhere close to a normal human being. He’s a well-meaning guy that had a (literal) bad break, is trying to put his life back on track, and his best friend has not only squandered the dream they both chased, but also somehow forgotten that they ever had it to begin with. He’s offended by Ikki’s insensitivity, but he’s not letting it consume him. He’s just, like, pursuing his new dream. He’s approaching a bizarre situation in a healthy, mature way. Jiiko’s even enough of a stand-up guy to apologize to Ikki for putting too much pressure on him back in the day. Every Jiiko scene is smart, well-observed, and part of a story worth telling.

Which is why it’s so infuriating that the show put so many distracting, absurd roadblocks up in the telling. Ikki not remembering this bond and promise, it unnecessarily delays all of the useful information until moments before the resolution, robbing Ikki of a chance to sincerely grapple with his actions. It’s not a story about a choice Ikki made, or an abdication of his vow, or sacrificing a dream to feel less survivor’s guilt; it’s just a story about Ikki’s Narratively Convenient Amnesia, and nothing else for about 75% of the runtime. If this wasn't all a story built to finally explain the disappearing photographs, we maybe could’ve gotten a full two episodes of Ikki treating his choice like a choice, and of Jiiko getting to confront Ikki instead of having to go You Know What You Did and avoid actually discussing the problem like a normal human being. The realistic conflict is subsumed into bizarre mysteries and longform dilemmas, and it’s incredibly disappointing.

And then there’s Subaru, who makes zero sense. He was practicing tough love! For his beloved players! Which is why he used a ViStamp to send a monster on several uncontrollable rampages! And risked countless lives! And assaulted both Ikki and Jiiko! Instead of ever talking to either one of them about what their issue was! It’s, like… it’s not even Toku Stupid, where someone avoids saying an important thing to further a plot, but it’s a split-second thing, and almost instantly blows up in their face. This is just Actual Stupid, where no one in their right mind would pull this convoluted of a scheme in lieu of having a single conversation, especially as it is continuously spiraling out of control. Subaru’s acting like a lunatic here, and all it ends up doing is making a good story incomprehensible.

(It even taints Jiiko’s victory! The show implies that he gets his big acting role because Subaru is getting arrested by Fenix for monster crimes! That super sucks.)

I genuinely hated how this story was told, despite – or because of – how relatable Jiiko’s disappointment in Ikki was, and how non-offended I was by the perilous potential endgame of Ikki’s Going To Get A High-Even-For-This-Show Number Of Amnesias. There was a good idea here, maybe even two good ideas, and Revice opted to convey both ideas in the most frustrating way possible. This episode was maybe worse and dumber than the one before it, if only for how avoidable all of these mistakes were. I wish Lovekov would fall on the entire production team as punishment!

[Androzani84]

I mean, at best, this episode would be good… if it was a bit earlier in this season. When we’re 3/5s of the way through, it just seems like the writers have no idea how to progress the main plot.

And in terms of more voice actor cameos, Subaru’s (and later Jiiko’s) co-stars in the anime being recorded are Miku Ito, the voice of Lovekov, and Ryo Horikawa, who hasn’t had any prior Rider credits, but is best known as Vegeta in the Dragon Ball franchise. (In the world of Tokusatsu, he was the voice of Akumaro in Shinkenger and physically portrayed Tsu Shogun in Akibaranger)

And the reveal… yeah, the disappearing photos did not hint at “Ikki is forgetting everything related to his family” at all. Why would Ikki forgetting something result in physical evidence of that memory being erased? And if Vice just has that kind of power, then why are there any problems in fighting the Deadmans?

Anyway, on with the funnies.

Ikki: It’s Ikki’s…

Vice: And Vice’s…

Both: Stamp Navi!

Ikki: And today’s stamp is this one!

Quetzalcoatlus

Too fast! Stealth! Write in your mind! Quetzalcoatlus! 3, 2, 1! Sky Out!



George: This genius tuned Kamen Rider Revi Quetzalcoatlus Genome. It's a power limited by the Accel Limiter that times out in one second, but it's impossible for anyone to capture its silver shining figure! At that speed, you will feel that you are no longer in a different time axis.

Vice: And me?



George: By becoming bigger than the Ptera Genome, it is excellent in vertical soaring and plummeting, and has changed to a style that is good at high altitude activities. Run through the sky with that megaton body, which is said to be the largest pterosaur in history! Vice! Sky out!

Vice: I would, but this room ain’t exactly giving me much room to breath.

George: In that case, I’ll get on with today’s Legend, shall I?

Ridewatch: Faiz, Axel Form.

Start Up!

George: Using technology created for the Kaixa Gear, Faiz can move at incredible speed for a short burst. But the power this form gives off can instantly defeat an Orphnoch. Or three.

3, 2, 1, Time Out!

Ikki: So in this form, I can do a lot in just a second. Any orders?

George: Well I’d quite fancy a pizza. (Ikki suddenly has a pizza in hand, which George takes and opens). This has pineapple on it.

Vice: We hope you enjoy the next instalment. I know I will, provided I’m not stuck like this.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

I mean, at best, this episode would be good? if it was a bit earlier in this season. When we?re 3/5s of the way through, it just seems like the writers have no idea how to progress the main plot.

I don't know if I'd go that far (the ending definitely progresses the story in a major way!), but this story definitely had the feel of something that'd've slotted in better before the winter movie. Even the monster is just a Phase 1 that's sOmEhOw more powerful than previous Phase 3 monsters were. Weird format to trot out in the 30s!