[Paladin]

Hopper1 may find something to cheer up Houtaro.

[Zolda]

Kyoka says @ 01:14 that Gigist did some kind of transmutation trick to Skebows. She says that Gigist's direct Malgamization performed on a Chemy caused it to go berserk, and defeating the Malgam will destroy the Chemy itself.

Like I hypothesized last week here, in this episode Hopper1 is going on a journey to find the golden flower, although I was half wrong about its importance. I thought that the golden flower would play a crucial role in the story, but it turns out it's not important at all. Hopper1 doesn't even go far in his solo journey, let alone actually find it. He only goes to a local market to find yellow flowers, and the one he eventually finds is located in the vicinity of this episode's crime scene at which he appears out of nowhere @ 13:25.

The very very very late crucial revelation in this episode happens @ 07:04 when it's shown that Houtarou's dad had already been absent (missing? dead?) since 10 years ago, not recently. I thought his dad's disappearance happened only 2 or 3 years ago. But, as shown in that scene, he's been missing since 10 years ago. Maaaannn... His circumstance is getting weirder and weirder with each new episode. If he'd been absent 10 years ago, then how did Kid Houtarou end up in the Ouroboros world in episode 18? How could Kid Houtarou be very familiar with alchemy and Chemies, especially Hopper1 and Steamliner? I don't think Kid Houtarou could randomly be stranded in the Ouroboros world (where Fuga was researching Gotchardriver) without his dad's involvement. Or did Kid Houtarou's scene in episode 18 happen before his dad disappearance? I rewatched episode 18 to find new hints whether Fuga had already acquainted with Kid Houtarou (and thus his dad), but it didn't seem like Fuga had known Kid Houtarou that well.

So, what's the connection between Houtarou's dad, his disappearance, and the story? The more the story unfolds, his dad's involvement in the story is getting more and more unclear. My initial hypothesis several aeons ago in episode 4 (!) thread here was that Houtarou's dad was another prominent alchemist (the Alchemist of Dawn?) who was also involved in the Gotchardriver research with Fuga, but I think that it may not be the case. So far, the story has hinted that Fuga did the Gotchardriver research alone without any partners. Perhaps Kid Houtarou being in the Ouroboros world 10 years ago was meant as a hint about his dad's involvement in the Gotchardriver research? Another important point is, has his mom actually known about the truth behind his dad's disappearance? I mean, what kind of mom keep telling his kid that his dad has been constantly travelling the world for 10 years without ever coming home, essentially abandoning his family? Why doesn't Houtarou have even a tiny amount of curiosity to find out about the truth on his own? If I were Houtarou, I would've been suspicious since the second year of my dad's disappearance. On the fifth year, I would've confronted my mom about the truth. I'm sorry, but I think I'm smelling a very convenient idiot plot here.

Gigist says @ 10:36 that he only needs the Chemy sleeping inside Houtarou's body, i.e. the Nijigon egg. If Nijigon (which is a part of Gigist's body/powers) is a Chemy, then doesn't it mean that Gigist is also a Chemy? So, Gigist is a Chemy that created all Chemies? Well, it seems like I was wrong about being wrong in episode 36 thread, haha. He then says that Houtarou's Gotchardriver has been forged using Nijigon as material. Houtarou's Gotchardriver's power to freely change his forms comes from the Nijigon egg. The repeated transformations using the Gotchardriver have caused Nijigon to gradually fuse with Houtarou and resulted in Gigist being unable to separate them in episode 36. Gigist plan in this episode is to reclaim the Nijigon egg by turning Houtarou into a Malgam.

Clotho doubts that turning Houtarou into a Malgam will be that easy, but she's silenced by Atropos. Atropos asks whether it's possible to revive Glion if Gigist is able to reclaim the Nijigon egg, which is replied with a dismissal from Gigist who says that Atropos feeling as a homunculus doll who long for a parental figure is a mere insignificant, sham existence. Atropos doesn't seem to like Gigist reply to her request, so maybe she will ultimately betray him?

Gigist conveniently appears out of nowhere @ 15:27 and performs Malgamization on Hopper1/Crosshopper, who also conveniently appears out of nowhere 2 minutes earlier to give a yellow flower to Houtarou. A random kid who left his toy earlier at the crime scene then also conveniently (re)appears out of nowhere in the midst of a battle to turn himself (and his mom) into willing hostages, haha. This scene is comically identical to the one in episode 33 where a kid conveniently appears out of nowhere to put herself as the target of Saigetsu/KR (ripoff) Dark Kiva's Rider kick. I can imagine my 5 year-old self rolling his eyes all the way to the back he can see his brain, haha. KR writers should stop using this dumb trope because kids can see how dumb those scenes are. I get that the intention of the writers is to create a sense of danger that will trigger the desperation inside Houtarou's mind, but why should it be created via unnecessary, irrational, dumb scenes like these? Why not simply make Hopper1 Malgam attack Rinne and the others, especially Spanner who was just utterly defeated several moments ago? My 5 year-old self was dumb, but not that dumb. Beyond Gigist's expectation, Houtarou then transforms not into a Malgam, but a giant egg, and then vanishes and teleports to Toei's warehouse/studio complex, haha.

Inside the giant egg, Houtarou hears a voice, which is very likely Nijigon's. As I hypothesized in episode 31 thread here, Nijigon could be Houtarou's dad (aka the Alchemist of Dawn) who took a portion of Gigist's raw power when he defeated him 120 years ago, and then later fused himself with it and transformed himself into the Nijigon egg, which was then planted into Kid Houtarou's body by Fuga. Houtarou's dad has been absent for 10 years because he's inside Houtarou's body all along. The point where he went missing (e.g. moving into Kid Houtarou's body) was probably around the scene 10 years ago in episode 18, right before Glion found out about the Gotchardriver development by Fuga in the Ouroboros world. Nijigon wears a pair of goggles because he is Houtarou's dad. Another important hint in episode 18 was when Kid Houtarou created his own goggles through alchemy (without the use of the Ring), which was then he gave to Houtarou. It might be a hint about his dad being there doing Gotchardriver research with Fuga, and might also be a hint about the existence of the Nijigon egg inside his body. The reason why Kid Houtarou (who was already very familiar with alchemy and Chemies, especially Hopper1 and Steamliner) was in the Ouroboros world in episode 18 was because he was required as the final piece of the puzzle. Kid Houtarou was the final resting place of his dad (which had transformed himself into the Nijigon egg several moments earlier), where the alchemical operation procedure was very likely performed by Fuga as the alchemy doctor. His dad (aka the Alchemist of Dawn) and Fuga had a grand plan with the aim of using a portion of Gigist's destructive alchemical powers and transformed it (via the synergy vetween Nijigon, the Gotchardriver, and the RCC's) into a power of creation and miracle that could change the world for the better.

Next week:

Yyyyyep, like I hypothesized in episode 33 thread here, the debut of KR Rainbow Gotchard is exactly in episode 38. Every Reiwa season has debuted the final form in episode 38 for 4 years, except KR Zero-Two that debuted in episode 40 due to COVID. If this pattern continues (which I'm afraid it does), then I think Kamen Rider's stories will become very predictable. Well, what can I say? This is the power of quarterly reports, haha.

[Enchilada645]

I'm glad I watch the raw video and then subs, and now that I'm keeping up I can have my heart torn apart twice within the span of 24hours! No true words, only feelings cause man... they played with my emotions like a fiddle at the end there.

Just an incredible episode, the directing was on point, on the writing side though Akiko Inoue you know how to make people suffer. Though the idea of a Hopper Malgam was tossed around since Episode 3-4 when it comes to the production side of things. There's a lot of fun stuff in those post episode blogs so I'd suggest seeking them out and translating or finding translations elsewhere. This week they got into what it means to defeat a monster, to fight, to decide that finishing blow, real good stuff.

Anyway, the next episode preview left me with chills which hasn't happened in quite a bit when it comes to Final Form debut previews. But something the blog mentions is wanting to convey an overwhelming sense of hope and I think they succeeded. With my rambling out of the way I'll leave this post off with a really cool quote that was said:

“Without rain, there is no rainbow. Cut through the rain and create a rainbow, Kamen Rider!!”

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

The very very very late crucial revelation in this episode happens @ 07:04 when it's shown that Houtarou's dad had already been absent (missing? dead?) since 10 years ago, not recently. I thought his dad's disappearance happened only 2 or 3 years ago. But, as shown in that scene, he's been missing since 10 years ago. Maaaannn... His circumstance is getting weirder and weirder with each new episode. If he'd been absent 10 years ago, then how did Kid Houtarou end up in the Ouroboros world in episode 18? How could Kid Houtarou be very familiar with alchemy and Chemies, especially Hopper1 and Steamliner? I don't think Kid Houtarou could randomly be stranded in the Ouroboros world (where Fuga was researching Gotchardriver) without his dad's involvement. Or did Kid Houtarou's scene in episode 18 happen before his dad disappearance? I rewatched episode 18 to find new hints whether Fuga had already acquainted with Kid Houtarou (and thus his dad), but it didn't seem like Fuga had known Kid Houtarou that well.

Nijigon can eggify Houtarou and teleport him, so I guess that might explain how Houtarou ended up in Ouroboros World. Maybe Nijigon took pity on kid Houtarou after his father allegedly left, so he decided to introduce him to his 100 friends to help cheer him up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

Clotho doubts that turning Houtarou into a Malgam will be that easy, but she's silenced by Atropos. Atropos asks whether it's possible to revive Glion if Gigist is able to reclaim the Nijigon egg, which is replied with a dismissal from Gigist who says that Atropos feeling as a homunculus doll who long for a parental figure is a mere insignificant, sham existence. Atropos doesn't seem to like Gigist reply to her request, so maybe she will ultimately betray him?

I like how Clotho questions if Houtarou is the kind of person who can be turned in to a Malgam. Shows that their teamup against Hundred had a strong impact on her, compared to before where Clotho would dismiss Houtarou as weak.

Maybe Gigist is even counting on Atropos to betray him? If he understands Atropos' desire to meet Geryon, then he should also understand how his response here would tick off Atropos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

A random kid who left his toy earlier at the crime scene then also conveniently (re)appears out of nowhere in the midst of a battle to turn himself (and his mom) into willing hostages, haha.

Feels like the stegosaurus plushie is a consolation for the lack of stegosaurus in the Ancient Chemy category.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

I'm glad I watch the raw video and then subs, and now that I'm keeping up I can have my heart torn apart twice within the span of 24hours! No true words, only feelings cause man... they played with my emotions like a fiddle at the end there.

The subs were up quick this week, especially compared to last week. It's fine either way, I understand that subbers are humans and have real life stuff to deal with sometimes and I'm grateful for all their hard work. Also, your heart must have been torn 4 times, since you watched the death of Antrooper and Hopper1 twice each.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

Just an incredible episode, the directing was on point, on the writing side though Akiko Inoue you know how to make people suffer. Though the idea of a Hopper Malgam was tossed around since Episode 3-4 when it comes to the production side of things. There's a lot of fun stuff in those post episode blogs so I'd suggest seeking them out and translating or finding translations elsewhere. This week they got into what it means to defeat a monster, to fight, to decide that finishing blow, real good stuff.

Yeah, I've been seeing a guy regularly translating the blogs on reddit and I agree they're always an intriguing read after watching the weekly episode. For how to make people suffer, well, Inoue did learn from the best. I think the tragedy in this show hits hard in contrast to the lighthearted tone and Inoue, much like her father, strives for a balance between comedy and tragedy. The previous episode is a good example of this, starting with Kitchen Ichinose Alliance trying to make Lachesis laugh and ending with Skebows' death, which sets the dark tone for this episode. Iron Gotchard being the one to finish Hopper1 Malgam hurts a lot, since Houtarou and Steamliner have the strongest feelings towards Hopper1. According to the blog, poor Steamliner is crying offscreen as they perform the finisher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada645

With my rambling out of the way I'll leave this post off with a really cool quote that was said:

?Without rain, there is no rainbow. Cut through the rain and create a rainbow, Kamen Rider!!?

On the other hand, sounds like something Kekera might say.

[Mesnick]

A very strong episode. The famous Christmas episode of Ex-Eid immediately comes to mind, but in comparison, in my opinion, Gotchard wins. Gigist really managed to plunge all the characters into the abyss of despair, even the villains (Atropos was denied the desire to return Geryon, Clotho was not allowed to fight). But from the bottom there is only one way: up, to the light. I hope they don't delay this.
P.S. By the way, they explained to us why only Hotaro has wild forms. And now even the Malgams are defeating Valvarad.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

So, what's the connection between Houtarou's dad, his disappearance, and the story?

Honestly, I feel like Hotaro's father will end up being a Fukuda cameo. He loves them (yes, 2 times with a gap of 10 years, I think he loves them), plus this is the first rider he created, so he really is his father.

[Zolda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

Nijigon can eggify Houtarou and teleport him, so I guess that might explain how Houtarou ended up in Ouroboros World. Maybe Nijigon took pity on kid Houtarou after his father allegedly left, so he decided to introduce him to his 100 friends to help cheer him up.

How could the Nijigon egg do something to Kid Houtarou when the Nijigon egg only had contact with Houtarou since he equipped the Gotchardriver in episode 1? It should be impossible for the Nijigon egg to have contact with Kid Houtarou. I also had a hypothesis that Kid Houtarou was operated on by Fuga and Houtarou's dad 10 years ago and got the Nijigon egg implanted into his body. But this hypothesis was already proven incorrect in episode 38 where it was revealed that the Nijigon egg was implanted into the Gotchardriver by Fuga. This is one of the logical anomalies that so far has not been solved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

Honestly, I feel like Hotaro's father will end up being a Fukuda cameo. He loves them (yes, 2 times with a gap of 10 years, I think he loves them), plus this is the first rider he created, so he really is his father.

Fukuda? Fukuda who? Takuro Fukuda the writer?

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zolda

Fukuda? Fukuda who? Takuro Fukuda the writer?

My mistake. I meant Hasegawa, but for some reason I wrote about Fukuda. But the essence is the same, the main writer of the show.

[DreadBringer]

The direction of the episode effectively advocates for Chemies’ rights. It portrays the treatment of dying Skebows similar to that of a patient being rushed to a hospital. However, it's unfortunate that Kyoka reported Skebows as being dead on arrival, akin to a doctor.

Though returning to the good side, Minato still does not value Chemies as highly as others and attacks Chemy Malgams with little hesitation. Valvarad obviously never valued Chemies. For this one, they're treated as the sensible ones again compared to the Kitchen Ichinose Alliance, who faced a dilemma over killing Chemies or saving people.

The focus of this episode is Hopper1 wandering to cheer up Houtaro with a flower, which turns into a tragedy as he's the next one Gigist mutated into a Malgam. Although Hopper1 Maglam won’t attack Houtaro, he will still attack civilians. Consequently, Houtaro is forced to kill his best friend to end the threat. The direction effectively conveys the emotional impact of this loss through muted scenes.

Houtaro being surrounded by a red aura may seem like he is turning into a Malgam and that a main Rider is undergoing a heel turn, but this turns out not to be the case. The egg teleports Houtaro away to safety, and he only apologizes to Hopper1 rather than undergoing any drastic changes.