[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Where was all this character and personality earlier in the show?

The simply insane and furious Dаwn as the antagonist rider brings more dynamism to the plot than the mysterious sufferer NOX. The main thing is that the show doesn't lose its momentum too quickly.

[ThirstMcGurst]

Kamen Rider Blade was my first toku series and KR Garren was my first belt I purchased.

It never fit me, but I saved it for my kid.

So, I'm always excited seeing Kousei Amano, and seeing him being a big freaking problem for Baku and the gang made me even more excited.

Baku's plans have become more complicated with the introduction of a menace that not only witnessed your premonition, but can also do a stage change with the greatest of ease.

[Fish Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

The show also once again focused on her pendant. Why would that be?

Speaking generally, because this show seems to have a particular fascination with using jewelry to symbolize things about its characters. As for what that means in Minami's specific case... I guess we'll probably get clearer hints later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Is this how we're finally going to get to see Zeztz perform the Over Banish we've all been waiting for?!

I wouldn't get my hopes up for that at this point personally, but then, I also didn't expect to see Plasma Booster again. It would definitely be a perfect excuse to finally use that sound in the show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I also liked the cut to who I presume is Seven inside Baku's subconscious, taking the role of Zero wishing him Good Luck before the OP

It's definitely supposed to just be Baku, even if that shot itself still isn't something happening literally. On top of his appearance, you can actually compare how he pronounces "good luck" to the start of 18, and see here he's distinctly just sort of speaking in katakana (if that phrasing makes sense) in a way Seven doesn't. I think I gave Ryuutarou Imai similar credit when something similar happened in the "real" world back in episode 3, but even now, I'm consistently really impressed by how well he handles playing this character that's also kinda two characters, or even three if you consider that dubbing over ZEZTZ in-costume probably also requires a distinct approach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

The simply insane and furious Dаwn as the antagonist rider brings more dynamism to the plot than the mysterious sufferer NOX.

I'd wait a little more than one episode to make that judgment myself!

I agree that Dawn seems promising as a character who can generate exciting chaos through his mere presence, but I think people have a habit of underestimating just how effective NOX actually was in a narrative sense, as a character whose incomplete answers to questions constantly prodded Baku towards thinking more consciously about his situation. In a way, he's pretty directly responsible for the more proactive hero Baku has grown into, despite also being the villain for that entire half of the show. I don't think it's a coincidence that we've also literally seen him as Baku's teacher. Like there's a basic visual impression the show created there that's almost as important as the more complicated story context of what that weird class was actually about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirstMcGurst

Kamen Rider Blade was my first toku series and KR Garren was my first belt I purchased.

It never fit me, but I saved it for my kid.

So, I'm always excited seeing Kousei Amano, and seeing him being a big freaking problem for Baku and the gang made me even more excited.

The really crazy part is that, as cool as it is to be like "oh heck yeah, Tachibana-san is back!", Amano is actually a *really* good character actor too? Dude was basically unrecognizable in King-Ohger, and here too, I'm not sure a Blade fan would immediately notice it's him as Sieg without reading the credits or just being really good with faces or something?