[Switchblade]

I'm still flip-flopping about whether or not I want to watch along on this one. I went through Fourze again not too long ago and I have a whole bunch of commentary that I'm already planning on pulling up and re-sharing. It is a really damn fun show, though, and I'm not averse to re-revisiting it (with the probably exception of two specific episodes in the back half).

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I'm still flip-flopping about whether or not I want to watch along on this one. I went through Fourze again not too long ago and I have a whole bunch of commentary that I'm already planning on pulling up and re-sharing. It is a really damn fun show, though, and I'm not averse to re-revisiting it (with the probably exception of two specific episodes in the back half).

I won't blame you if you'd rather not watch along, but your opinions are always fun to hear! Either way, we're still friends!

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

It's very America-coded for the premiere, at least to my eyes. The cheerleaders, Shun playing American Football... it just feels way more like something from my context than shows like Gotchard or whatever. (I like Gotchard! That's not a dig!)

I can't help but speculate Sakamoto's experience in America influencing him to include stuff like it. That said, high school football is supposedly a thing in Japan. High school baseball still has more mass appeal, but they have their version of the Super Bowl called Christmas Bowl, so I suppose it's not too far-fetched. Also, they have a college league and a pro league called X-League as well. Heck, probably why Eyeshield 21 was a thing back in the days.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunred

I can't help but speculate Sakamoto's experience in America influencing him to include stuff like it. That said, high school football is supposedly a thing in Japan. High school baseball still has more mass appeal, but they have their version of the Super Bowl called Christmas Bowl, so I suppose it's not too far-fetched. Also, they have a college league and a pro league called X-League as well. Heck, probably why Eyeshield 21 was a thing back in the days.

Yeah, I didn't mean to make it sound like this is American Rider or anything -- I don't see a single Ferbus, for one -- but it feels a bit more like it's leaning into American high school tropes than just "high school tropes".

As to the sports stuff, while I'm sure American football does exist at Japanese high schools, I'd imagine it's like saying kendo clubs exist at American high schools: technically true, but probably not the dominant sport at any school. (Baseball for sure, then soccer.)

[Sunred]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

but it feels a bit more like it's leaning into American high school tropes than just "high school tropes".

Oh yeah, Japanese high school tropes collectively are a whole other ball game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

As to the sports stuff, while I'm sure American football does exist at Japanese high schools, I'd imagine it's like saying kendo clubs exist at American high schools: technically true, but probably not the dominant sport at any school. (Baseball for sure, then soccer.)

Yep. The average Taro Tanaka winning baseball for his school in Koshien is not just gonna make him a likely local hero, but give Taro a bigger chance of appearing on national tv the following Monday morning for a brief interview. Still, it's cool that gridiron football has a presence in Japan. I actually saw an X-League game a while back on the internet, stadium might not be overcrowded but was still fun to see.