[Layton13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

So, I disagree with a lot of your points, some objectively (Izu's role is integral to the series' themes; Izu and Aruto collaborating on Zero-Two is literally what this show is about) and some subjectively (see above re: the manufacture of the Zero-Two Driver; I think Zero-Two looks cool),

Fair enough. I personally just had long since checked out of their relationship because Is, to me, is a charisma black hole and plot device. So, I personally feel like focusing on that really detracted from the chance Aruto could have had to actually get some focus of his own. It's very much just a subjective complaint from me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

but this point is something that legitimately bothers me from the episode. If the whole story had been Izu stressing out and imagining the worst, fine. But if this is all really possible, why didn't the Ark just murder Aruto on the bridge? Why wait for him to go back to Hiden Manufacturing, rest up for a few hours, and then get murdered? The Ark's either a villain who wants to cause suffering, or it's a villain that wants to succeed as efficiently as possible. It can't be both!

Yeah, the Ark is... Weirdly characterized. On one hand, it is consistently depicted at making pretty obvious mistakes, but the show keeps claiming that it's cold and calculating. It feels like two different interpretations of it are flying around the writers room and they never really ironed the true one out.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Layton13

Yeah, the Ark is... Weirdly characterized. On one hand, it is consistently depicted at making pretty obvious mistakes, but the show keeps claiming that it's cold and calculating. It feels like two different interpretations of it are flying around the writers room and they never really ironed the true one out.

Yeah, Ark plots tend to be either impossible mouse traps that the heroes can't even perceive, or He Just Hates Humanity And Wants You To Know It. You'd feel like one would negate the other's effectiveness, but I guess not! He's doing okay!

[Daikaijuman54]

Alright, folks. This might be a long one... (And if it ain't, then good!)

So, the "Pandemic Arc:" Honestly, not much, just set up for the true big bad of the series, the ARK. Naki finds a dream, Ikazuchi returns, Yua leaves ZAIA (forgot about her greatest attack move in the show, ha ha!), and Aruto starting a new dream alongside the Humagears. Then there's the recap episode featuring Azu (Or As, I'm assuming if the official translations suggest that, I could be wrong. People probably made jokes about adding an extra letter to her name, but I won't talk about that), AKA Evil Izu who works for the ARK.

But as it turns out, only Horobi is working for the ARK, and ARK is one tough cookie. A machine shown only humanity's misdeeds making him into the robot overlords from The Terminator (I haven't watched it), viewing humanity as inferior and not worthy of continued existence. ARK also has a fantastic design! A mismatched monstrosity that just fits the bill as a machine monster like the Magia that came before it in a way.

We also got Naki's Rider form, which I love! Much like Naki, it looks both masculine and feminine, a perfect neutral Rider anyone can be happy with, because that design is just so good. Also, nice how it's also wolf themed given the connection with Fuwa (best character).

We also got Thouser/Gai's redemption arc, which I can see why this guy doesn't deserve one, or how it's just hamstrung in just so we can have an "All Good Guys Vs Super Strong Unlimited Power Bad Guy." He's a jerk, shown completely heartless, and is the very picture of a big corporation that eats all others... And yet, in spite of it all, I liked this episode.

Now, being the perfectionist, Mr. 1000%, I figured that was part of his road to becoming a twisted piece of human garbage, but I did find it to be a nice little story of him losing sight of his dream, which as seen throughout this season, dreams are one of the most important themes. It also works in how he has to clean up the mess he made (which was bigger than Metal Cluster Hopper) and atoning for being one of the people responsible for this event. All this thanks to M.A.O. the Japanese Alexa! Which is kind of fitting that the A.I. Gai resonates with are the ones without human forms. Hooray for doggo! And the title of the episode is one of my favorites.

And now the moment we've (some of us) been waiting for: Kamen Rider Zero-Two! Not that Dinosaur Waifu from that one Anime we don't talk about. But Zero-One's Final Form... Kinda.

I love how this form works by adding an extra piece to the Driver and how it's made by Aruto surpassing his grandfather's work, even making it pretty much a whole new Rider instead of an upgrade. And boy do I enjoy the design! It is basically just Zero-One 2.0, which only serves to make the name even more fitting, but the reds, the "2" jutting out the chest in Build RabbitTank fashion, I just really enjoy this form. Because naturally, in order to outwit an enemy who knows all your stuff, you have to make a new one to throw them off.

Whew... Thought it'd be longer, but here I am! Probably missed or misinterpreted some stuff, but it is difficult to remember this part in the show when the arcs mesh after not seeing it for a while. Maybe I'll do a revised look back once I rewatch and own the series.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

So, I disagree with a lot of your points, some objectively (Izu's role is integral to the series' themes; Izu and Aruto collaborating on Zero-Two is literally what this show is about) and some subjectively (see above re: the manufacture of the Zero-Two Driver; I think Zero-Two looks cool), but this point is something that legitimately bothers me from the episode. If the whole story had been Izu stressing out and imagining the worst, fine. But if this is all really possible, why didn't the Ark just murder Aruto on the bridge? Why wait for him to go back to Hiden Manufacturing, rest up for a few hours, and then get murdered? The Ark's either a villain who wants to cause suffering, or it's a villain that wants to succeed as efficiently as possible. It can't be both!

It actually very easily can be both. Because here's the thing, all Izu/ZEA are calculating throughout the episode are possibilities, not definites. Could Ark come and easy kill the heroes if it wanted? Yes. Does that mean it is 1000% going to do so? No. Same as anything else that can think.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daikaijuman54

Because naturally, in order to outwit an enemy who knows all your stuff, you have to make a new one to throw them off.

Very true! It's a great strategy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

It actually very easily can be both. Because here's the thing, all Izu/ZEA are calculating throughout the episode are possibilities, not definites. Could Ark come and easy kill the heroes if it wanted? Yes. Does that mean it is 1000% going to do so? No. Same as anything else that can think.

But... that's exactly what does happen. The Ark shows up to try and murder Aruto. It's not just a random possibility, it's exactly what the Ark was planning to do.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

But... that's exactly what does happen. The Ark shows up to try and murder Aruto. It's not just a random possibility, it's exactly what the Ark was planning to do.

Just because Ark shows up doesn't mean it was a 100% certainty. You can predict that a fish will jump in a river, and be correct, but that doesn't mean that the chances were always 100%. The simulation does change slightly every time, afterall.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Just because Ark shows up doesn't mean it was a 100% certainty. You can predict that a fish will jump in a river, and be correct, but that doesn't mean that the chances were always 100%. The simulation does change slightly every time, afterall.

I'm not arguing the simulation, I'm arguing what the Ark does. The Ark shows up to murder Aruto, and it's only the creation of the Zero-Two Progrise Key that averts it. The Ark's plan was to leave Aruto alive on the bridge, then show up at his office an hour or two later to murder him. That plan doesn't make any sense to me?

[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE EPISODE 41 - “TAKE THY NEIGHBOR’S HAND!”



We’re coming up on the end of the Zero-One TV episodes, and I’m realizing (or even REALxEYEZing) that I never did an image post for this show. I never really took the time to let myself soak in the cinematography of this series. Thought I’d have to skip that post this go around, until I got about six minutes into this one and had already pulled a half-dozen examples of stuff that visually elevated the material. So let’s talk about how smartly this episode was filmed!




This opening scene with Team Zero-One does a smart job of keeping Aruto and Izu in the frame whenever Aruto’s talking about his plans and dreams, because they’re not just his plans and dreams anymore, they’re theirs. Him and Izu are one cohesive unit now, and this framing never lets you forget it.




Perfect visual gag. Perfect. The long hold on Fuwa’s face, and then the background explosion just as he breaks. Five stars.



The whole sequence of Jin’s return to MetsubouJinrai’s “No Humans Allowed” Clubhouse is full of evocative, fascinating shots. This one’s the first of several long-takes for the episode, with the group being shot through a set of blinds. It crushes down the image, creating a claustrophobia to Jin’s pleas for understanding. He’s in a familiar space, but now it’s hostile territory. By both limiting the image and extending the take, we get a lot of anxiety injected into this shot.



A fraught conversation between Horobi and Jin, but it’s one that becomes increasingly philosophical as it goes on, abstracted from their familial connection into something more primal and fundamental. As such, this part of the exchange is just their silhouettes; we’re looking at two concepts, not two people. They’re not connecting as individuals, they’re just arguing their morality.



A nice reminder that this confrontation between Jin and Horobi has the larger goal of reclaiming MetsubouJinrai from the Ark’s clutches. We’ve got Naki and Ikazuchi here, literally sandwiched between two opposing viewpoints.




I like how, as the argument between Horobi and Jin turns into a fight, they can’t even look at each other anymore. They need to separate out their bond from this conflict; they need to dehumanize their opponent. Jin can’t fight his father (or father-figure), but he can fight Kamen Rider Horobi.



And then the fight happens in darkness, illuminated by almost nothing but sparks. Such a fun way to shoot this fight.



This gag killed me, but I still hate the development. For one thing, Fukuzoe should be President of Hiden Industries. He’s a guy that never stopped fighting for that company, not just its principles. It’s totally his time to be in charge. For another thing, though: I really hate the idea of Aruto coming back to his family’s company. He specifically turned down returning to Hiden Intelligence a few episodes ago because he had his own destiny, his own dream. He could (and should) rebuild Hiden Manufacturing with Izu, honoring their dream. He could (and should) license the Humagear patents to ZAIA/HI – collaborating with Gai, which is something this show is 1000% built on – to save the day. But Gai just being like You’re The Better Man? And Aruto being like It’s Good To Be Back? No thanks! Super-duper no thanks!



Nothing special about this shot (typical boardroom stuff), but this line struck me as real Inspired By Actual Events. Probably the one society-altering Kamen Rider finale that was a little too close to home for folks watching.



This is the part of the episode where the members of MetsubouJinrai are cut off from the Ark and need to make a decision as to whether they’ll continue to serve, or if they'll rebel against their master. The camera work on all of them are great, but I was especially fond of how trapped Ikazuchi looks in this shot.



When we saw Horobi earlier as the Ark’s emissary, he was shrouded in darkness. Here, as he chooses to defend Jin and the rest of the Humagears against the Ark’s malevolence, he’s backlit and bathed in light. Great visual cue that this is a Horobi that’s fighting for his own convictions, rather than at the whim of some orbiting tyrant.



Kamen Rider Horobi and Kamen Rider Zero-Two, teaming up to take on Kamen Rider Ark-Zero. Ark-Zero’s dead center, the focal point of the protagonists’ combined power.



Whole fight was a goddamn masterclass in 21st-century tokusatsu fight scenes. The music was impeccable; intense but gentle, a battle with emotional weight to it. The combo moves of Horobi and Zero-Two were stunning. The extended finisher was climactic in every sense of the word. And this one little pose of Zero-Two as he waits for the explosion looks like it belongs on a movie poster. Absolutely stellar work on this fight from everyone involved.



And then this counterpoint, as the destruction of the Ark is just this little flash of light, followed by a little puff of smoke. It’s so far away, it might as well not even have happened at all. I love that choice, to deny the Ark any sense of scale at the end. It never mattered.



Because the real threat hasn’t been Hate as a concept, it’s been the people who act on hate. In one of my favorite developments, Horobi has followed Phoenix from Wizard’s example and let a hero give him a pep talk that convinces him of the righteousness of his crusade against humanity. Aruto’s no longer dealing with a Horobi that’s just a vessel for mindless hatred against humanity. He’s facing a Horobi that has seen how humanity’s capacity for hatred has lead to multiple near-extinction events for Humagears, and could potentially lead to more in the future. Horobi’s war against humanity is now personal and logical, grounded in hope for his people and a desire to protect his family. He’s fighting for something now, and that makes him more dangerous than the Ark ever could be.

Fantastic episode of Zero-One.

[Nokination]

I find it hard to describe this episode, even after watching it there was no part that really stood out to me, don't get me wrong it's still a good episode, but aside from the end of the episode, I wasn't particularly invested. Speaking of the end of the episode, this whole episode is just tying almost every plot point up, even including the Ark, which is just blown up along with Zea/There, it's anticlimactic to me, and I get the whole the 'Ark is immortal because it's an AI inside of Zea' thing, but I'd rather that the Ark was just destroyed by Zero-Two, even if I do like Ikazuchi getting to destroy the Ark on his own.

Though I guess it's fine to have an anticlimax since apparently the Ark isn't the final villain, but rather Horobi, who wants to extinguish humanity so they can't make another Ark (acting as if he hadn't been the main reason that Ark had such a negative effect on humans and HumaGears), it's felt like since episode 1 that the show has intended to have Horobi be the final villain, but (just like the rest of these Covid episodes) they did it in a rather rushed way.

They have him explain his motivations in less than 2 minutes, and I can see almost where he's coming from, considering how humanity is, there's definitely a chance of there being an Ark 2, but just based on the possibility that there's a chance of it happening, Horobi decides that's a good enough reason to exterminate all of humanity, I can kind of get it, but the villains in the show (and especially Horobi) haven't gotten enough development for me to understand why Horobi would do this. Though other than those two things, it was still a fine episode, not the best, but not the worst, just a plain ending to an arc for me.

[Enchilada645]

So yeah I will personally agree with anyone who say's that Aruto shouldn't have been Hiden Intelligence's President again. Like I don't know, do a joint partnership between Manufacturing and Intelligence, Fukuzoe giving Aruto the funding via Intelligence so that Manufacturing can get all the Humagear's out to everyone. I feel like that might've been a better solution.

That being said... while I was amused and enjoyed Horobi as a simplistic villain before, I really loved this episode for him. You can tell at the start he's still firm in his belief's about the Ark but he's slowly but surely cracking under the fact that Ark despite being able to easily recover, is not addressing them and is simply auto attacking the infrastructure without them. It's such a good change in motivation, and I love that despite defeating Ark, we've turned what it represents more into an actual concept/ideal.

"So long as human's have evil in their hearts, the Ark can return" and like, that's not a false statement in the slightest! It was thanks to Gai's animosity towards what Hiden was becoming that he filled a satellite full with malicious data. Who's to say someone else won't do something like that or worse again.

Other highlights of the episode to me, Fuwa's laugh being timed with the explosion, the short but sweet moments we get with Naki and Raiden. Some familiar faces in the Humagear's returning, that made me smile, 119nosuke's return in particular. Oh and of course, Ark attempting to retaliate only for Raiden and his bro to beat it to the punch and blow up Satellite Zea which as you described, as seen by Aruto, is not that fancy of an ending for Ark which is fitting.