[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER SABER EPISODE 39 - “O SWORDSMEN, FOLLOW THE PATH YOU BELIEVE IN”



I mean, look at that image. Look at our pop-up book opening, reconfigured to not just include the returning Kento, but every other hero on the show. It’s as thrilling a victory lap as I can imagine, seeing that troupe of warriors marching off for their next adventure. The episode that followed it, though? A little bit more of a mixed bag.

When this episode stuck to its combination of tentative reunions (Ren/Kento) and heartwarming team expansion (Kento’s reinduction, the Shindais grumpily signing on), I was thrilled. After last episode’s cacophonous climax, you desperately need an episode to decompress; to spend some time establishing a new status quo, and let the big emotions of last time find some subtler notes. When this episode decided to breathe a little, it was exactly what I wanted.

Unfortunately, Touma takes a trip to the Southern Base to interrogate/rehabilitate Isaac, and I sort of don’t know what the show’s doing here? On the one hand, I like that Touma – even after everything Isaac has done – needs to try one last time to see if that guy can be swayed from supervillainy. It’s the bottomless empathy of the main Rider, to not even see a cackling global terrorist as irredeemable. Sure. Okay.

But just last episode, Touma was like You’re Not Even Worth Talking To, right? That was one of my favorite parts! Where Touma could clock that a guy like Falchion was maybe misguided, while Isaac was an unrepentant murderer. Isaac already told Touma (and the rest of Team Saber) that he was only in this for laughs. He laid out his motivation, which is that he’s a nepo baby and wanted to try torturing humanity for a few centuries as a change of pace. There is no deeper level to Isaac; that’s the whole point of him. So for Touma to try one last time to reach him, and to be infuriated by Isaac’s flippant disgust for humanity… like, did using Xross Saber give Touma amnesia again? Did he completely forget learning that Isaac was a psychotic villain with zero humanity? Why is this scene even happening?

Like, it’s acceptable as the setup for a fun fight, but that’s about it. The fight’s great, but it feels poorly motivated in the aftermath of last episode’s climatic defeat of Solomon. This ends up being a weird rerun of that battle, with next to no stakes. (Like, Solomon wasn’t exactly mounting some new offensive or anything? Touma and Rintaro show up and it turns into a fight.) It brings down what’s an otherwise warm and sweet episode of reconciliations and new directions. I wish, like, a different fight had happened, if this episode needed a fight so badly.

But, hell, everyone’s in this one, and that’s nice. I love this cast to pieces, and it’s great to see them all utilized so well. As always, when the show plays to that strength, it’s almost unbeatable.

—

UNLEASHED! THE LARGE-HEARTED BOY



“Do you know why I asked you here today, Daishinji?”

“I don’t, no. Sophia just said ‘Mei needs to speak with you in the bookstore.’ What is this about?”

“So, it’s about swords.”

“...I’m listening.”

“Swords are pretty cool, aren’t they? They’re something you like.”

“If by ‘like’ you mean ‘dedicated my life to the service and care of’, then yes, I 'like' them.”

“That’s great! I always want you to feel comfortable talking about what you like. This is a safe space, Daishinji.”

“This is a bookstore, Mei.”

“And there’s a lot of great books to choose from, now that you mention it. There are books that can help us understand… new feelings, maybe ones that we don’t understand yet, and they make us feel funny.”

“Uh… what?”

“Like, sometimes when you see a sword. You can get… a little excited. Which is fine! No one’s judging! But you need to be respectful of the sword.”

“I– I am ALWAYS respectful of swords! I care for them, and maintain them, and listen to them when no one else does! HOW DARE–”

“Whoa whoa whoa! Sit back down! This is a safe space! A safe space!”

“This is absurd. I don’t know what you’re on about, but if Sophia has an issue with my duties as a swordsman, I’ll just go take it up with her. Good day.”

“Nononono come back WAIT Sophia asked me to talk to you because Yuri tried to file a complaint with HR because he read about that in a comic but the Sword of Logos doesn’t have an HR and also Touma said you were weirding him out with how you’d lick your lips when you looked at the Xross Saber and I definitely didn’t find your drawings of Yuri and the Xross Saber and I feel like you’re going to do something really weird soon if you don’t deal with this stuff and I’m sorry I didn’t say this better come on come back and sit down pleeeeeease.”

“I just… I really like swords, Mei.”

“That’s okay, Daishinji. It’s okay to like swords, but this is still a workplace, and we need to be respectful of other people’s – and swords’ – feelings. Let’s talk about that some more. This is a safe space.”

[Enchilada645]

I think the most I remember about the finale fight is Charybdis returning after a lengthy hiatus from the main plot (I don't really count the HBV) alongside Xross Saber showing that it basically just gives Touma upgraded versions of forms he was able to access prior via Crimson Dragon becoming Crimson Saber.

It's a cool versatile ability to give the Final Form... Form Changes. Almost makes Xross Saber feel like a separate Rider in a sense but also makes it more unique aside from its sword slinging abilities.

That being said, I do love all the smaller moments in the episode. Definitely a victory lap for our heroes after putting up with Solomon for quite a while. And Storious seems to be meddling a lot more than usual compared to prior. I suppose that means things are going to be heading for their turning points soon... well, as soon as we take care of a few other detour-ish things if I recall the schedule correctly.

As for our story... "This is a bookstore, Mei." & "I just... I really like swords, Mei."

Very good lines, had me nearly laughing out loud when I shouldn't given the time of day. Admittedly was not expecting this returning gag to be the basis of the story, but I can't complain as it was as always, entertaining.

[Switchblade]

Huh. Never knew they updated the opening credits with the full compliment of Riders. I warmed up to Saber as a show, but I still cannot tolerate that theme song.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

It's a cool versatile ability to give the Final Form... Form Changes. Almost makes Xross Saber feel like a separate Rider in a sense but also makes it more unique aside from its sword slinging abilities.

It does a really good job of selling the all-encompassing power of this Final Form by having it feel complete unto itself. If it reskins every possible Wonder Ride Book and Combo, then there's really no matching its power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

Huh. Never knew they updated the opening credits with the full compliment of Riders. I warmed up to Saber as a show, but I still cannot tolerate that theme song.

This is, I believe, the second change: they removed Kento for a couple dozen episodes, I think.

It hasn't grown on me to the extent that Ghost's eventually did, but I don't really dislike the theme song anymore. It's in my bottom tier, though, for sure.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER SABER EPISODE 39 - ?O SWORDSMEN, FOLLOW THE PATH YOU BELIEVE IN?

This episode also sees the return of Tassel's intro, which has been missing for 14 episodes. And yes, the episode is full of joyful reunions, Kento officially returns to the team and to the old style, Shindai, although not friends yet, but clearly no longer enemies, Ren is looking for his own way. Perhaps all this turned his head a little, so Touma decided to take a chance with Isaac. Although most likely the desire to show a new form played a decisive role.
Fanfiction is awesome! Laughed happily!

[Androzani84]

The one Toku thing I’ve ever discussed with anyone in my family was the reveal of Isaac’s motives (it was in the middle of a discussion of how the cooler a name a sword has, the more powerful it is). His reaction was “Well, I guess it would liven things up”.

And we get Crimson Saber, who is in good company in not being red, despite what the name would make you think.



Next time: I checked the master post (which is what some people call the first in a thread) and it’s about time I do what I promised you around the 4th Swordsmen Chronicles and send you that fic of mine, unless I’m much mistaken.

[AkibaSilver]

That's a great story Die, but I think we both know the official SOL HR policy towards disagreements would be "Have a swordfight so you can understand each other's positions through combat and the strength of your will and heart etc".

Also I hate to be the only one to say it, but I do like Almighty quite a bit? I don' think it's a favourite, but it's nice, it's got trumpets, and it's a ska piece in the year 2021, points for bravery if nothing else.

[Enchilada645]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkibaSilver

Also I hate to be the only one to say it, but I do like Almighty quite a bit? I don' think it's a favourite, but it's nice, it's got trumpets, and it's a ska piece in the year 2021, points for bravery if nothing else.

Oh no, I'll agree with you here.

Almighty is probably my favorite of the Reiwa OP's though with Trust Last at a close 2nd. Though that may change depending on how the full version sounds.

That being said it's Ska, and it's from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra who gave us three different songs for Saber so far, and I think that's a very big win.

[Kurona]

I like Almighty a fair bit! But I also can’t name a single Toku OP I don’t enjoy and end up coming back to, so uh, take that as you will? Genre with a lot of bangers I feel!

[Enchilada645]

That is true.

Admittedly I can name one singular OP that I just do not like at all in the history of Kamen Rider OP's.

Hibiki's 2nd OP. It just does not work at all for me and it's absolutely bottom tier "I dislike it immensely" level for me.

The rest range from "pretty good" to "banger" with me.