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#421 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,529
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I'm kinda glad that Aguilera, although leaving Deadmans, she's still not tamed in the slightest. While she had gotten tons of sympathy for her condition before, she was still never a good person yet, and her instance of 'helping' the Igarashis was still about her goal of bringing forth of Giff in the world by taking Giff ViStamp. She's still as bitchy, bratty, and haughty as ever in interacting with others. The preview is about her lashing out for some reason (with Tamaki still speculating about her actions, likely about time he's not used as mere comic relief punching bag...). And as a fellow 'militaristic' organization and martial artist, yeah, gotta show off the capabilities and actions of Weekend's members too, like Hikaru here trying to protect Sakura, other than just monologuing in their HQ. About time, after nonending persuasion of inviting Sakura. Comedic bit for Sakura getting caught in the illusion and have her fighting Amahiko instead.
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KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 31 - “GUIDED BY AN ILLUSION, THE CONSEQUENCE OF DREAMING”
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. About the final fight with Rafflesia Deadman, I think that Revice's fight is done better here, than his debut fighting Olteca as Anomalocaris Deadman. So his element powers make sense now, his ability in Jack Revice was only the preview, Revice retrained that and is used to a greater effect here than previously as Jack Revice, namely to buff Holy Live a bunch of times. His finisher here is also one of the better ones to make use of the element paintings as a tornado that surrounds the enemy, so much power would be gathered, though a bit disappointing that Revice didn't go through all the marks. Probably quite clear that Olteca as Anomalocaris Deadman was far from the best of what Giff can do if a Phase 1 seems to take more effort to beat here. Quote:
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.
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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.
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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.
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#422 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,713
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I know that Ikki forgot his promise for now until Subaru resolves it in an extreme way, but it wasn't touched upon regarding Jiko's personality difference here and before. I mean I can speculate about forgetting the promise being the one that sends Jiko to edge rather than Ikki injuring him, or that Jiko played along with Subaru's schemes to get Ikki to remember, but that's not just speculation and won't fix the writing issue here.
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#423 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,713
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KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 32 - “LOSING THE PLACE YOU BELONG, THE QUEEN’S PRIDE”
![]() Sakura and Aguilera! Hard to go wrong with that pairing at the heart of an episode. Beyond the terrific chemistry the two actors have together, I like how this story is delving into a major theme of the show, which is how we need to be vulnerable as people; how we need to be honest and open with the people around us if we ever want to feel happy and fulfilled. The various Demons – Kagerou, Vice, Lovekov – are all expressions of the things inside our cast that they’d prefer not to deal with. Those parts, eventually, need to be brought into the light and treated with care and responsibility, or the characters are destined to live frustrating and unfulfilled lives. So, hey, here’s Aguilera, desperately trying to live the life that she had before, even though it maybe was never worth living in the first place, but it’s all she’s ever known. She wants a final glorious battle with Sakura, because that would make everything in her life feel directed, warranted. The Queen Bee who’s defeated by a Kamen Rider is a fittingly tragic end for a regal monarch of evil; the girl who’s cast out from power and left to eke out a meager existence bereft of purpose or station is a humiliating finale. It’s not a story that completely comes together here, though. Much like the last two-parter, Aguilera’s motivations and goals are kept irritatingly opaque, with only the arguably-accurate Tamaki to sketch in why Aguilera keeps randomly picking fights with a sympathetic Sakura. The idea that Aguilera is clinging to her tattered reputation makes sense, but there’s a specific outcome she’s after that is left just out of reach for the viewer. I mean, it’s a two-parter, we’ll get there, but it makes some of the fighting a little less impactful, emotionally. Sakura’s side of things is given a little more spotlight, though, and that’s nice and clear. She wants to do right by Aguilera, but she’s imposing her own values and hopes, rather than trying to understand Aguilera’s specific dilemma. Like, offering Aguilera a gig scrubbing tubs alongside Tamaki?! TERRIBLE. INSULTING. That’s the wrong solution for a girl who was raised to believe she had a destiny, and now has nothing but scorn and pity. Sakura’s refusing to be vulnerable enough to let Aguilera lean on her, and even Lovekov knows that things are headed in the wrong direction. Speaking of wrong directions! Oh boy, all of that Fenix stuff. Akaishi is maybe my least-favorite Kamen Rider villain in recent memory. He’s so corny! He’s cackling maniacally in front of his troops, and everyone’s just like What Can You Do, back to work. It makes Akemi, George, and Daiji all look like helpless chumps (George acts like he’s nailed to his chair for this episode), and I’m not clear on why this dude gets to treat Fenix like his own personal Deadmans. It’s a very weird choice, writing and performing Akaishi in this way, and I’m not a fan. Rest of this one worked okay for me, though. I’m looking forward to some clarity on Aguilera’s mindset in the conclusion of this two-parter, but I thought the kick-off installment was solid enough. Excited to see these two kids work out their problems! ![]() |
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#424 |
Echoing Oni
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,686
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Akaishi reminds me a lot of the dude from the tail end of Blade; the one who took over BOARD and wanted to turn himself into a monster. That is not a great benchmark to set for yourself.
But I will agree that any time Revice wants to focus its A-plot on Aguilera and Sakura it is 100% okay by me. |
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#425 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,866
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An episode where two people with a lot of subtext spend much of it fighting each other aired alongside the Donbrothers episode where two guys dating the same girl calmly and rationally discuss their relationships with her.
![]() Also boy, the show sure made a big deal of Sakura going off on her own road, only to go back to Ikki really fast. The IRL reason of course, is that the writers changed their minds on the intended plot line for that route (that she’d become a revolutionary for Weekend, who’d come to blows with both of her brothers). But on the other hand, it turns out “ignoring the exact thing people want help with” in favour of offering them generic assistance runs in the family. Karizaki: Hello, Professor Karizaki here, taking back the project I started, the Stamp Navi. George: Hey, Daddy. I’ve been seeing this feature through to this point, so there’s no way you’re doing this without me. Karizaki: If you insist. Anyway, let’s get around to discussing today’s Vistamp. Tricera! Triple Horn! Tricky Battle! Tricera! Awaken! Three-horned Dinosaur! Karizaki: With the aid of the latest weapons technology created by Namba Heavy Industries, Tricera Genome has a powerful charging attack that can break through anything. George: Given that it announced “Awaken! Three-horned Dinosaur!”, I can guess what Legend you based this one on. Karizaki: That’s right, I kept to your aesthetic. If it had been mine, this would’ve been based on Sharivan. Desire Driver: Agito! Shouichi: Henshin! George: Kamen Rider Agito, the next stage in humanity’s evolution, manifesting in those with psychic powers. The current Agito, Shouichi Tsugami, awakened in the aftermath of his sister’s death. “Awaken, that soul!” Karizaki: The last good Rider. George: What? Ryuki was right after him? Karizaki: And that show sucked balls. George: Just for that, the next new Rider I make, I’m giving him the Ryuki Vistamp. Talking of Vistamps, which Rider will use this one? Karizaki: Well, given the factors involved, and which Riders are in need of additional abilities… (Sakura pokes her head in) Sakura: Please, he has a dead sister. You’re just going to give it to me. George: You’re going to give it to Sakura. Karizaki: (without hesitating) I’m going to give it to Sakura, alright? Are you happy? Sakura: If it’ll help me save Aguilera’s soul, than yes. Karizaki: Ah, we’ll have to leave that until the next instalment. We hope you enjoy that. Random note: Some customiser on Twitter actually guessed that the Tricera Genome would be Agito-based months before this was announced. He even correctly guessed the phrase that would be used for the pun (though his pun was “Awaken Dino Soul!”) |
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#426 |
Standing By
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 2,609
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Obviously, I don't like the premise, so I won't bother talking about that. I'll talk about the execution. While it's infuriating to see Sakura constantly toying with Aguilera's feelings of despair, which I'll have more to talk about next episode, the main reason I found this particular episode of the two so painful to watch was how much Tamaki gets punished for his earnest efforts to help. Being Tamaki is a thankless job. He's truly devoted to Aguilera, but he always has to compete with Sakura for attention, a battle he cannot win. And when he does manage to get a few seconds with her before Igarashi Invincible shows up, Aguilera treats him like dirt. Why would anybody want to watch Tamaki suffer like this over and over again? It's just depressing! Quote:
So, hey, here?s Aguilera, desperately trying to live the life that she had before, even though it maybe was never worth living in the first place, but it?s all she?s ever known. She wants a final glorious battle with Sakura, because that would make everything in her life feel directed, warranted. The Queen Bee who?s defeated by a Kamen Rider is a fittingly tragic end for a regal monarch of evil; the girl who?s cast out from power and left to eke out a meager existence bereft of purpose or station is a humiliating finale.
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Akaishi is maybe my least-favorite Kamen Rider villain in recent memory. He?s so corny! He?s cackling maniacally in front of his troops, and everyone?s just like What Can You Do, back to work. It makes Akemi, George, and Daiji all look like helpless chumps (George acts like he?s nailed to his chair for this episode), and I?m not clear on why this dude gets to treat Fenix like his own personal Deadmans. It?s a very weird choice, writing and performing Akaishi in this way, and I?m not a fan.
Que Bom!
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#427 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,713
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Also boy, the show sure made a big deal of Sakura going off on her own road, only to go back to Ikki really fast. The IRL reason of course, is that the writers changed their minds on the intended plot line for that route (that she?d become a revolutionary for Weekend, who?d come to blows with both of her brothers). But on the other hand, it turns out ?ignoring the exact thing people want help with? in favour of offering them generic assistance runs in the family.
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Being Tamaki is a thankless job. He's truly devoted to Aguilera, but he always has to compete with Sakura for attention, a battle he cannot win. And when he does manage to get a few seconds with her before Igarashi Invincible shows up, Aguilera treats him like dirt. Why would anybody want to watch Tamaki suffer like this over and over again? It's just depressing!
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#428 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,529
|
Quote:
KAMEN RIDER REVICE EPISODE 32 - “LOSING THE PLACE YOU BELONG, THE QUEEN’S PRIDE”
So, hey, here’s Aguilera, desperately trying to live the life that she had before, even though it maybe was never worth living in the first place, but it’s all she’s ever known. She wants a final glorious battle with Sakura, because that would make everything in her life feel directed, warranted. The Queen Bee who’s defeated by a Kamen Rider is a fittingly tragic end for a regal monarch of evil; the girl who’s cast out from power and left to eke out a meager existence bereft of purpose or station is a humiliating finale. Quote:
It’s not a story that completely comes together here, though. Much like the last two-parter, Aguilera’s motivations and goals are kept irritatingly opaque, with only the arguably-accurate Tamaki to sketch in why Aguilera keeps randomly picking fights with a sympathetic Sakura. The idea that Aguilera is clinging to her tattered reputation makes sense, but there’s a specific outcome she’s after that is left just out of reach for the viewer. I mean, it’s a two-parter, we’ll get there, but it makes some of the fighting a little less impactful, emotionally.
And in this case. she's the one who insisted Ikki to turn Aguilera back as well, but she changed her mind later. The Weekend didn't do direct action here, but probably they also helped in making Sakura change her mind with Tasuke asking if human life would be compartible with Aguilera, and Masumi stating about how any choices can have their own regrets, as there’re risks to everything, and consequences for any decision you make. Quote:
Sakura’s side of things is given a little more spotlight, though, and that’s nice and clear. She wants to do right by Aguilera, but she’s imposing her own values and hopes, rather than trying to understand Aguilera’s specific dilemma. Like, offering Aguilera a gig scrubbing tubs alongside Tamaki?! TERRIBLE. INSULTING. That’s the wrong solution for a girl who was raised to believe she had a destiny, and now has nothing but scorn and pity. Sakura’s refusing to be vulnerable enough to let Aguilera lean on her, and even Lovekov knows that things are headed in the wrong direction.
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Being Tamaki is a thankless job. He's truly devoted to Aguilera, but he always has to compete with Sakura for attention, a battle he cannot win. And when he does manage to get a few seconds with her before Igarashi Invincible shows up, Aguilera treats him like dirt. Why would anybody want to watch Tamaki suffer like this over and over again? It's just depressing!
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Ha ha, it's not great, no. I don't mind it a whole lot, though, honestly. Tamaki was never the most well-rounded character, even when the Giffamilia was a thing. He's devoted to Aguilera to a level that's creepy at points, but heartwarming at other points. He cares about Aguilera like a big sister, when she views him as a subject. The dynamic doesn't make him look cool, but I think it does make sense.
Also I guess this confirms that Tamaki is fully redeemed now (at least for me who doubts it before with him having no power), as he now admits that what he and the other 2 did at Deadman before was unforgivable. And other than Aguilera and Sakura, he now gets along better with the other Igarashis too, in him cooking for dinner and is approved by Yukimi, and Ikki being concened about him when he looks after Aguilera. This part is kinda like Vice, of which though Yukimi chewed him out here, it was not out of her previous grudge but about underestimating the bond between Igarashi Family (of which what Vice would hope for now). Quote:
Akaishi is maybe my least-favorite Kamen Rider villain in recent memory. He’s so corny! He’s cackling maniacally in front of his troops, and everyone’s just like What Can You Do, back to work. It makes Akemi, George, and Daiji all look like helpless chumps (George acts like he’s nailed to his chair for this episode), and I’m not clear on why this dude gets to treat Fenix like his own personal Deadmans. It’s a very weird choice, writing and performing Akaishi in this way, and I’m not a fan.
I guess this gave Akemi some comparison with Chigusa too, both are ladies who are a part of Fenix and watched its true nature via Akaishi talking about his schemes and are offed earlier than their significance would suggest, but Chigusa went rogue and ironically becomes someone no better than Fenix was by joining Olteca, while Akemi keeps her conscience and acted by investigating Fenix instead. I was at first a bit annoyed with Daiji's 'chivalrious' move towards Akemi before, but it seems that he's right this time.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
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#429 |
Warrior of Delusions!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Wait, you dont know either?
Posts: 5,854
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In defense of the Sealing Stone, it's a very spooky rock.
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#430 |
Standing By
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 2,609
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It's also curvy and can be used as a convenient mirror. #NiceSealingStone
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