[Locke]

W 14.

This wasn't a particularly good episode, but three strong moments really made the episode memorable all the same.

Firstly, in the "watered down" era of Neo-Heisei, I wasn't surprised when Wakana backed out of killing Nexus Chick. But then for Nazca to appear a second later, and (at least it hinted at) murder her for Wakana...like holy shit, shit's getting real!

Secondly, I loved that W caught the Manager as he fell. I know it was a completely throwaway moment but it kinda defines what sets these guys apart. And it also suggests the story isn't over, as soon as the monster is defeated, kinda like how Black'd end every episode with about fifty dangling plotthreads but oh well the monster is dead time to roll credits.

Finally, I love how the Sonozaki family are actual characters. First and foremost, they are humans, with personalities, goals and personal motivations. They aren't just rubber suits to knock down.

There are Kamen Rider shows where you could cut out the suit fighting, because it's so disconnected from the show, it may as well be another show entirely but then there are shows like W, where the strength of the non suited stuff is so good, it could perfectly stand on its own without the action and the toys. W is a solid drama, a solid story, the action is just an extra treat. Or it will be, when they tone down the atrocious CG.

[Locke]

W 15. MMM EXACTORY!

Why couldn't one of the Sonozaki's get the Arms memory? He was so cool. The only real problem is, did W have a lower budget than other series? Was it because of Decade?

I ask, because usually, although inherently rubbery, I usually find tokusatsu suits are so detailed you can largely forget they are suits. But so far all of the Dopants have looked EXTREMELY cheap, to the point where interesting designs can't hide flappy cloth, rubbery creases and cheap thin plastic. The suits look like, well, suits.

Oh well, the action was still solid, although fifteen episodes in and I'm still asking what the Joker memory actually does. Also that Fuymui, what a babe.

[SPLIT LIP]

I do believe W had a reduced budget because of Decade. Decade had to bring a LOT of suits back, and actors when it could.

Also, the Joker memory is fighting skill. It increases his strength and agility in hand-to-hand combat. So when combined with Philip's memories he gains elemental attacks, and when combined with Fang it's the ultimate brawler. That's why CycloneJoker is default, as it's the best balance of speed, force, and maneuverability.

There's also lots of symbolic meaning to the actual wordplay on "Joker" as the show goes on.

[Locke]

I really wish W would play more to its budget. The action is really solid, when it isn't doing those CGI sequences. I get that it wants to show off the toys, and be epic and stuff, but it looks bad man. I much prefer the subtle effects like when W wielded the Sonic Shaft, or Heat Trigger's Maximum Drive.

Ah okay, that explains Joker then, and I was just about to ask why it was called that but I guess I'll find out as I watch!

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Ah okay, that explains Joker then, and I was just about to ask why it was called that but I guess I'll find out as I watch!

I believe the A to Z movie is where it gets spelled out most directly.

Personally, I'm trying to start Black RX again. There's a guy who's subbing it on Nyaa and he's putting out about an episode every other day. Hopefully this will finally be the time that the show actually gets finished. There are a couple minor grammar things here and there, but it's a good sub overall and the video quality is great.

[Battlizer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I believe the A to Z movie is where it gets spelled out most directly.

Heh.

[Locke]

W 16.

This show is getting so good! My only real complaint at the minute is I wish the mini arcs were longer, like this Arms arc could have easily been four episodes. Would have loved to have longer sequences like when Sho and Akiko accept their fate, or when Sho visits Phillip's consciousness.

Man this episode was intense, our heroes were really on the ropes in a very brutal (and literal) way but not in a shamelessly juvenile way like Kuuga. W is a very mature show, when it counts, I just hope it has a lasting effect. Especially for Akiko who SUCKS.

Did I just space out when I watched Begins Night? Where is all this stuff coming from with Phillip freaking out about Fang? I swear in the movie he seems almost excited to show it off, and seems to perfectly understand what it does. Oh well it's so nice to watch tokusatsu shows that make a big deal out of the henshin hero segments, it's amazing how rare that actually is.

At least it unleashed an AWESOME fight sequence as well, Fang Joker is just so awesome. Although I think Shoulder Fang is a more impressive attack than Fang Strider. Plus I just love fights in front of crowds like it is actually the real world.

Also, some of the transformation sequences in this episode were just awesome. The henshins in Kamen Rider really are movie magic. There are a lot of transformations where they don't quite line up the actors properly, but there was one transformation where Akiko falls over in the background and there is no visible cuts at all, so it really does look like he must be transforming, that must have been painful to actually shoot and edit. Same as when W transforms on the bike, and drives past a crowd of people as he does, dunno how they managed to get the whole crowd in the same place as they swapped the suits but it looked awesome.

[SPLIT LIP]

Philip never used Fang before Begins Night, so he didn't know how savage it made him before he used it. That's why he's so chill: he literally thought it just switched him to W.

But Fang increases Philip's aggression and strength to make up for his weaker body. Too much.

And yes, the maturity and tense nature of W continues in it's dramatic moments all the way to the end. The Fang arc is deffinitely a sign of things to come later on.

Also yeah, W has one of my favourite Henshins because of how well done it usually is. The only times there's slip up is usually a result of W's suit actor, the same actor for every non-Kuuga/Hibiki Heisei rider, is slightly taller than Shotaro and Philip, so full-body henshins usually need clever camera work.

[Locke]

So he knew what it'd do, but not what it'd do to him? And why didn't they have the scene of him freaking out in the movie? It was all framed as Phillip telling Sho the story, so it seems a weird thing to leave out.

I really love Kamen Rider transformations in general. Like you may say Haruto's henshin was boring because he just stood there with his arm out, but from an actual technical stand point I just found it fascinating.

[SPLIT LIP]

Pobably because Fang was just a "teaser." It's common for "movie wars" to tease something without actually mentioning it's involvement in the story. Like Birth being Gotou in OOO's crossover before Birth even showed up. Even though "Begins Night" is a way more solid summer crossover, it's entirely possible Fang's story significance was not yet decided apon.