[Paladin]

A high school student named Houtaro searches for something unique.

[Paladin]

[Omnikaiser]

not sold on the lead yet still but that was cool. It's just he is shouting a lot so far. Not that I always want edgy and quiet mysterious lead like Ace could be (I liked Aruto in Zero One so why not) but I don't know. a tad too much.

The main girl reminds me a lot of Yua, but younger.

Ichinose home is a revamped Revice home right ?

Oh yeah and daaamn I didn't expect the mentor to die so quickly and in such a wild way. (well, that's a magic show so can't be sure he is dead but damn).

[Mesnick]

I just started watching, but I have to write how much I like the creative realization of the ability to turn things. The debris turns into burning arrows that hit the victim. Even if CGI fails, it's still very cool and gives unlimited scope for implementation. More precisely, limited only by imagination. To be honest, even if all the fights were based only on this, without riders and kaijins, I would still love this show.

[Kiwami]

Ouch, if that wasn't the first episode among first episodes that ever first episode'd.

Laughably bad against the likes of Geats or King Ohger, and I'm just comparing the very first episodes here. Gotchard is too basic, predictable and frankly boring.

But it shows potential at least; I see stuff here and there that could be cool. If this was the one episode which had to win me over on the show though? I would stop watching right here.

I'll give it some more time; maybe they can cook up something nice.

[Mesnick]

Well, here I will express the exact opposite opinion and say that the episode was amazing. The combat and overall abilities of alchemists are great. I also really liked the turmoil that the freed Chemies made. By the way, can this be counted as the first episode with the bike, given that he rode a bit not in CGI form, albeit without a rider.
And the final fight! After showing a reverse version of the remix (one rider transforms with two gimmicks), Gotchard transforms into his main form and a fight ensues. Anyone who has missed the martial arts of show riders should appreciate these kicks, footboards and grips! Hopefully they won't be forgotten in the future.Yes, this is a much more standard episode than the pilot Geats, who took his uniqueness and unusualness. But how magical he is, how inventive in detail, attentive to characters, even as yet unimportant ones like mom or Kaijiki. Also, in the first episode of Geats there was another feature: the main character appeared only for the final battle, and then with a delay. While with Hotaro we spend all the time getting to know his character, dreams and hopes.
Separately, I note that Hopper and Steamliner both tested Hotaro, but tested different qualities. The good-natured and cheerful Hopper appreciated his kindness, because the guy did not leave the huge grasshopper and tried to feed him.The stern and aggressive Steamliner tested his courage, as Hōtaro got into a fight he had no chance in, saving the one that didn't ask for it. Without any of these qualities, he would not have been able to become a Kamen Rider.
Gotchard is a great costume. I love the look, love the makeover and the kick rider is great too. Looking forward to seeing other forms.
Renne, with his gloomy readiness to fulfill his duty, is clearly needed to contrast with the cheerful and optimistic hero. Obviously, alchemy for her is precisely a duty, not a pleasure. Hopefully hanging out with Hōtarō will teach her to enjoy magic. It should also be noted that for once we got a heroine who actively helps in the battle without needing armor. By the way, it is surprising that they almost immediately worked well with Hotaro in a duet, because usually these shows prefer to arrange misunderstandings between future partners.
The Dark Sisters are truly spooky. Slightly strange to change to vibe: "I'm evil and with all my appearance I declare it", but I like their style, activity and a clear difference in personalities, visible even without much focus on the characters.
If I can name a noticeable minus of the episode: too fast narration. Obviously, they had to cut a lot in order for Hotaro to be able to transform in the first episode. It will be nice if they release a director's cut, I'll watch it with pleasure.
P.S. The face of father in the photo is prudently covered with a piece of paper. Is it because they are planning to introduce him without revealing his identity or just have not chosen an actor yet?

[DH21965]

YIKES. This first episode was absolutely not fantastic, fun, or interesting. Just felt flat. Maybe I’m just burned out on the formula. Maybe Kamen Rider needs a break to revitalize the franchise, Geats was a well written, well acted series, and I couldn’t “feel” anything for it either. Man, I detest what passes for CGI in KR. It’s so terrible and off-putting.
After rereading this, it’s obvious I’m burnt out on Tokusatsu in general….

[Zolda]

My prediction is Kamen Rider Gotchard will be a coming-of-age story, kinda like a fusion between Fourze and Gaim, though very probably not as dark nor heavy as Gaim is.

The surreal-looking isekai reminds me of the Wonder World of Saber. Didn't expect Steamliner Chemy to kidnap Houtarou from the real world. The Neuralyzer spell is a convenient plot device. Also didn't expect that Gotchard is actually the Rider name Houtarou gives to himself. Is the male alchemist holding a blank card beside a cream van actually Minato? Is he also collecting Ride Chemy Cards? Or is he Rinne's dad who's actually still alive? The overall plot is still unpredictable.

Plotwise, I strongly suspect that the main villain, or at least one of the side villains, is going after a mythical, powerful, yet forbidden object, like a Philosopher's Stone, elixir, etc. I also suspect that one or several homunculi/artificial humans will appear. Those are common themes in stories about alchemy and magic. I hope the villains' side will have several factions chasing the same object and betraying each other. The conflict could become more interesting that way.

And lastly, dang, Chemy?Story is a pure banger. That OP's chorus will be permanently carved in my brain. Back-On is the king of catchy, infectious melodies. The song's positive, optimistic, upbeat vibe is similar to Switch On! (Fourze's OP). Real?Eyez, we got a very strong contender for the best Reiwa OP here. Can't wait for the full song!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

P.S. The face of father in the photo is prudently covered with a piece of paper. Is it because they are planning to introduce him without revealing his identity or just have not chosen an actor yet?

They're probably saving it for some kind of plot twist. Not sure about it, though. Too obvious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

Gotchard is a great costume. I love the look, love the makeover and the kick rider is great too. Looking forward to seeing other forms.

There are 50 forms, so most of them will probably be either CGI forms (like Revice's Remix forms), ugly forms (like Build's rarely used Best Match forms), or both. I'd rather have a small number of great looking forms (like W, OOO, Wizard, or Drive) than 50 forms with 40 ugly/CGI forms. Quantity will never beat quality.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

There are 50 forms, so most of them will probably be either CGI forms (like Revice's Remix forms), ugly forms (like Build's rarely used Best Match forms), or both. I'd rather have a small number of great looking forms (like W, OOO, Wizard, or Drive) than 50 forms with 40 ugly/CGI forms. Quantity will never beat quality.

There didn't seem to be any especially ugly helmets, so there is hope that at least at the level of the original design forms are good. At the expense of the implementation, crew immediately announced that they would not show every form and I would like to believe that the best will be selected. As for CGI, perhaps they should take an example from Saber and for the sake of CGI fights they are transferred to the world of Ouroboros. They look a little more natural there.

[Mesnick]

I would also like to note that from the obvious Gentaro and Sougo, Hotaro is distinguished by the presence of a mother and the absence of a clear goal. To be honest, that's why he reminds me more of Asuma from Hibiki, only instead of a wise mentor and fatherly figure, Hotaro received a belt and responsibility.