[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

This is probably my favourite episode of the series after two watches (with 36 being a close second). I think it was the introduction of a female villain in a fancy outfit.

She makes quite the first impression, that's for sure.

[DreamSword]

Episode 15: Wriggling Terror in the Darkness

Our proper introduction to Koichi, who is Ryukendo's' version of Leangle from Kamen Rider Blade.

And while he's meant to be the focus of the episode, I was way more attached to like, everything else in it. I don't immediately hate the guy or anything, but everything else was just way more interesting.

Because really, alot of this episode was more in line with something you'd typically see in GARO Crimson Moon than in your average Ryukendo episode: A zombie virus outbreak with the episode even imitating the standard aspects of those types of movies.

I get that it was meant to show off how much cooler and more effective Koichi was than SHOT, but really alot of his interactions make him look way more socially dumb than it does cool and mysterious. Lucky for him that Kaori has alot of patience. I also didn't see the logic in him saying SHOT fought ineffectively after Ryugunoh does the sickest maneuver we've seen all show.

In the end, it's fine. I just felt the focal point was misplaced.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

I get that it was meant to show off how much cooler and more effective Koichi was than SHOT, but really alot of his interactions make him look way more socially dumb than it does cool and mysterious. Lucky for him that Kaori has alot of patience.

These are the seeds for the future development of this character. Well, and a new character who knows how to fight "correctly" is practically a clich? of the genre.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

These are the seeds for the future development of this character. Well, and a new character who knows how to fight "correctly" is practically a clich? of the genre.

Oh it is, and the episodes plays up those tropes for all they're worth. I just found the other stuff more interesting, is all.

[DreamSword]

Episode 16: Friend or Foe?

With a title like that, you might think Ryujinoh is the focus of the episode.

And like, sure, the question of where his allegiance lies is part of the episode, but he's surprisingly very out of focus for this one.

Instead we get an episode that, while I overall rather liked it, has a premise that stands in very stark contrast with some select episodes of the first act: Fudo venturing into the Power Spot in order to activate a new key for Ryukendo.

It makes me wonder if Ryukendo has like 10 different writers on staff, or if everyone just collectively realized how hypocritical the message of "Don't rely on the keys" was coming across, because Fudo should be the last person to suggest that a new key is the answer to Rock Crimson's' rampage.

But again, the setup might be weak, but I thought alot of what the episode had to offer was pretty cool. The set design is really neat to look at, the actions scenes with Ryugunoh are stylish, and while character development is on the backend for this one, the interactions and showcasing of heroism with Fudo and Kenji are great to see.

We're also fed a small hint at an overarching plot, with the new Dagger gotten from the key apparently being a piece for unlocking an ancient seal of some kind. Not to mention Koichi's' hatred of SHOT and his apparent theft of something called the Dragon Core. I found them to be interesting enough hooks, and the shot at the end implying that this is the first episode of the show's' second two-parter got me intrigued as to what exactly they plan to do.

Very cool episode all around, even if Fudo got taken out of character a bit in order for it to work.

[DreamSword]

Episode 17: Would You Care for a Nightmare?

This was a really weird one to experience.

As far as dream/nightmare episodes go, it's not the worst I've seen, but the entire thing felt really weird to sit through.

The main takeaway(or atleast, I think it is), is we learn what Koichi's' grudge against SHOT is about: That the commander is responsible for the death of his parents, and Koichi is out for revenge.

And the thing is, I kinda just shrug it off because I barely know a dang thing about Koichi outside of that. I feel like this plot would've been better served further down in the show's' run, when the audience got more time to warm up to or learn about the guy. Rather than, you know, the episode immediately after his proper introduction.

A certain other toku reviewer would probably be very happy to be fed instant answers to questions, but me? Not only do I like me a bit of a mystery, but I tend not to care too much about a character explanation, much less how tragic it is, unless I have any idea who the person is. God forbid if I dislike the character outright. Coincidentally, Kiriko and Medic, both from Kamen Rider Drive, serves as examples of this(I finished watching that recently).

That's not even getting into the credits sequence, which seems to imply that the big focal point of the episode was supposed to be the Cop Girls and like... how? They were such a minor part of the overall episode. It'd be like if Kaori was suddenly front and center when she had a grand total of two scenes in this one. And that's not even getting into how half the nightmares in this episode don't offer much of an insight into much of, well, anything. Was the police chicks having a standard falling dream really necessary?

The episode isn't a total wash though, as while again, I felt not alot for it, it does still offer character insight to Koichi. And the nightmare that Kenji has, showing a bit of his training days and how much he doesn't like his arranged marriage situation was nice to see. Plus the electric shock joke gave me a giggle as it had Kingdom Hearts I vibes. And while her involvement was minimal, showing what Kaori still hasn't fully gotten over what happened to her back in episode 2 was also a nice bit of character insight, even if it wasn't strictly necessary.

I just wish we'd been given a bit more breathing room before this episode had hit, that's all.

[DreamSword]

Episode 18: The Sealed Away Wings! Thunder Eagle!

I still don't give a crap about Koichi, and I don't know if I ever will.

This episode is all about getting the full context for what went on between him and the commander, as well as perhaps offering him some peace.

And, you know, on paper, that's all well and good, but in terms of execution and overall context, I just can't bring myself to get into it. And it's mainly due to how little I care about Koichi as a character.

Infact I ended up more rolling my eyes at certain points than others. Ryujinoh takes out Thunder Ryukendo no problem because of course he does. The day is saved not by any mutual understanding but by time travel suddenly becoming possible. And the Dragon Core never has anything to say in any of this.

Combine all that with how Koichi's' actions make me not at all sympathize with him and this episode was kind of tough to sit through. But on the bright side, this entire arc should hopefully be over now, so maybe we can get back to the stuff that normally makes Ryukendo really work. And I certainly don't mean the hinted romance towards the end. Yikes.

Atleast it was cool seeing the return of the Toku Storm Drain Tunnels.

[DreamSword]

Episode 19: The Resurrection Demon

It's incredible how much better the show is when it's not focused on Koichi.

This episode cemented in my mind that Koichi just isn't main focus material, as here, as a side character, I liked him alot better.

No, this episode is instead all about Komachi, the ghost lady. Her past regrets, why she's so attached to Kenji, and what she decides to do with the little time she's given to return to the living world.

This episode was a fantastic return to form after the drag that was the Ryujinoh arc. More world building via the unique flower that used to bloom in Akebono, the wonderful supporting cast(via Komachi), and showcasing just what Kenji is willing to do for the people he cares about.

The only part that I could see people possibly taking issue with is the very last scene, which, while the episode itself even lampshades how it somewhat undercuts the absolutely fantastic scene that came before it, I also understand not wanting to get rid of a valued member of the cast for good. It's kinda like a less extreme case of the ending of Kamen Rider W, you know?

I guess if I had to dish out any sort of real critique, it's that there isn't much to the action this time around. But when the atmosphere and characterization is so good I really can't complain, you know? I guess it would've been nice for Fudo to be around too, but given the hinted at connection between him and Komachi, I imagine they're saving that specific interaction for a later episode. And if it's anywhere near as good as this one was, I'm all for it.

[DreamSword]

Episode 20: Fudo's' Day of Agony

Sarina is a manipulative brat and I want her thrown off a bridge.

Look, were I pretentious, I could maybe talk about how this episode has some sort of commentary about the nature of lying or whatever.

But I frankly don't care, because the plot that Fudo is forced to take care of an annoying brat, only to then pretend as if she never did anything wrong and is, infact, better and smarter than her, really got on my nerves.

Now, the episode's not a total wash, as the world building for Akebono is as strong as ever, and there are a couple solid gags that got a laugh out me like Gekiryuken hiding from Rukkus. Not to mention the new finisher we get to see Ryugunoh do is really, really cool.

But the plot? Yeah, nah, it's for the birds.

[Sunred]

Ah, Ryujinoh. The Kamen Rider Chalice/Leangle of the show.