[Paladin]

A number of Desire Grand Prix contestants have lost their Desire Drivers. if Drivers are not recovered, they will be disqualified.

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[Pineapple924]

So we've officially met Niram and Samas/Samus(?) this ep.

They apparently can just insert the command buckle into the game by having it fly in to assist Geats.

Speaking of the Command Buckle, it looks like its supposed to be our Q1 upgrade compared to the Fever Slot which was more like Boost.

[Mesnick]

Well, it looks like there are several departments in the DGP that are responsible for different aspects, and they all have different views on the DGP. We will also learn more about the principles of Ace himself: even though he is a liar, he keeps his word. Also, even though I'm not a fan of the visual command form, I liked its functionality. The whole idea that you first fight with a sword to earn high-tech is very cool and playful. As a minus, I note that, as for me, the driver should have grabbed PunkJack, not Buffa. Because in this way the stakes for the next episode are very low: Ace, as the main character and plot driver, will not decrease from the game, and Win is a DGP employee for whom there is no particular reason to worry.

[Tokumonkey]

Wow, Fever doesn't even show up in this episode. Yeah, I think this may be the fastest-abandoned upgrade we've seen.

I'm very curious as to whether the new characters we met constitute the audience, or at least the people responsible for catering to that audience. There has to be an audience for the DGP; otherwise, why hold it at all? Also, although we didn't really need confirmation of this, the gardner isn't an entirely loose canon; the DGP staff know what he's up to. Apparently, the Jyamato didn't start off semi-sentient, so I guess the storyline will move toward the DGP staff losing control of them entirely.

I suspect our next plot twist will be that Tycoon will win this round and Ace will be eliminated, only to be reinstated at the demand of the maybe-audience. As a result, we'll find out that Tycoon's wish is one of the ones that can't be granted because the dead contestants were mulched and are walking around as Jyamato now. I guess the other twist could be that if a wish can't be granted, the contestant can ask for something else as compensation, and that'll be how Ace gets reinstated: because Tycoon demands it. Okay, end speculation.

And UGH, can Michinaga just get eliminated already? I'm tired of his one note.

[DreadBringer]

So Ace also had his lows here while also developing, and that the DGP exposes itself more as something up to no good.

The Musical Chairs round of the DGP seems to be the hardest so far, if someone hypercompetent like Ace actually finally bleeds, as the game forces you to face the Jamatos in human form, and other than immortality, Ace still has normal human physical stats outside Rider, of which when the Driver is used by Jamato, it's a near auto-lose condition as it's near-impossible for humans to stand up to Jamato Riders, one of the stronger DGP opponents so far (definitely the strongest non-boss). Not much yet seen about the hide-and-seek Jamato though. Previously I said that here only players can henshin, but here it's revealed (in a rule too) that the Driver actually can be used by anyone, just that the ID Core is locked, but it's used to devastating degree of a game where Jamatos and/or Red Hat Girl steal their Drivers as Jamato Riders are a thing now.

Girori (a.k.a "glare", not only in his KR name) seems to cement his status as a villain here, as now it's confirmed that what he's concerned is protecting the DGP's secrets, to ensure DGP's longevity. It may sound good to keep the longevity of something that combats the Jamatos to protect the world, but here it's also shown that Archimedel is truly Girori's workmate, albeit there's a divide between them, with Girori complaining about the Jamato results coming from him, and Archimedel talking about giving stronger foes for Riders, implying that Jamatos truly are DGP's creations for Riders to fight, and DGP feigning itself as a world defender. About why the DGP are doing this is obviously, another mystery for this show. And of course there's Girori stepping in himself as Glare (same Rider name as user name), of which he's shown mistreating Punk Jack.

Though obviously Ace would retain his confidence faced with his hardest challenge yet, I kinda like on how Win tries to rub it in on Ace's face, even if it obviously doesn't work, that Win kinda makes a sound point that, Ace's victories and achievements are provided by the DGP, like the wishes, and by extension the only way that he can keep participating and uncover them, and most importantly the Desire Driver and ID Core. But trying to uncover DGP's secrets means picking fights with them and they can retaliate.. by trying to eliminate him at all cost. Ace is a capable fighter as a human but it's limited into taking care of Pawn Jamatos only. But Ace's remark is also neat with the DGP also deserve to be questioned as well, other than Ace risking his life in his 'war' with DGP.

A new plot set up for Neon too, seeking the truth about her secretive father which in turn would also expose more of the DGP. Yeah now Kousei sounds suspicious here. So after Ace, Michinaga, and then Neon, Keiwa's the one who hasn't gotten into uncovering DGP conspiracies yet. Looking forward to see his reaction when DGP isn't actually world savior of which likely would force him into saving the world in his own terms. Otherwise, that should be the good reason for the 4 main Riders to work together against DGP conspiracies later (or even for Ace to make a wish like, letting the DGP retain certain player's memories), of which the main trio has gotten into it with Michinaga obviously harshly rejecting that idea, but it's addressed here.

After spending most of her time as wacky but supportive sibling, Sara's core principles is shown here about how people needs others in their lives and can't do everything on their own. I wonder how far that has influenced Keiwa in his life. That principle would be carried on throughout this episode, like Neon using her influence to track down the Red Hat Girl and Keiwa retrieving both Drivers. Keiwa's fighting against the Jamatos still seem sloppy compared to Michinaga's, but well it's still effective enough to retrieve his and Neon's Driver so... Not said but their teamwork brought them ahead, while Ace, Michinaga, and Win are hostile with one another, thus now.. the former 2 are the ones getting protected by Keiwa and Neon, the “extras” according to Michinaga. I'd also say that between this and next episode preview, they seem to pair up Keiwa and Neon to 'compensate' for handful amount of Ace and Neon pairing so far among the main trio.

Apparently since Schemes DGP Neon truly is about teamwork now, not only here for agreeing on Keiwa's suggestion but at the beginning to Ittetsu (and other players she can talk with) too, as in Encounter DGP she can reject teamwork suggestion if it can blatantly let other players win. Dunno if that there are differences between teamworks necessary for survival and blatantly sacrificing teamworks, or that she recognized the consequence of dying in DGP better (Ittetsu talk happened before Labyrinth game btw). Later it's shown more on how she agrees on teamwork because surviving and losing is better than being outright killed, as she points out to Michinaga, who rejects all form of teamwork and help no matter what, which is suicidal at this point when he’s stuck in human form fighting Jamatos here. Yeah, he's still really hostile to Keiwa as shown here even if he holds him in slightly higher regard than other Riders. Ace can be distant, but has shown himself to be a team player, so it's expected that he'd agree on those 2, though well... funny that he's someone prideful and talks about how overconfidence can be one's downfall...

I've felt that Ace seems softer and more considerate in Schemes DGP, and so by here he does really change for the better, where he actually keeps his promise to Keiwa after borrowing his Desire Driver. Though unfortunately, now he’s on losing position due to that with Michinaga taking the Desire Driver for himself. But well.. a bit of hot take but I have problems with this of them seemingly regressing Keiwa back (even if I know they're back on better terms after Keiwa's elimination) to highlight Ace's change. After also growing enough backbone to stand up for himself when Michinaga tries to guilt-trip him in Encounter DGP, now he just agrees to give Ace, a known trickster, his Driver again without second thoughts? This part is just either being na?ve or being pushover (when he knows), and yeah, one of the common mistaken view is viewing kindness as synonymous with being na?ve or pushover, but nah, it’s ok to set up boundaries and it doesn’t reduce your kindness. They’re developing Keiwa to be someone having more clear purpose, and if they want to keep his kindness (so far), it’s actually ok to make him more (or keep him) wary, I personally don’t see idealism and/or trusting others as an inherent part of being good anyway (like naivety or pushover above).

Not much can be said yet about the new characters, Niram (a.k.a "glower") and Samas (a.k.a "awaken") as they have little screentime in this episode. Samas so far displayed Ace’s (other) weakness being flirting…. as if him bleeding here isn’t enough. Niram established that there are some infightings in DGP too, between Niram’s stronger sense of fair play as a Board of Director by handing the targeted player Command Twin Buckle against Girori who primarily cares about DGP’s longevity to the point of sabotaging other players. Regarding the Command Twin Buckle, it has a charge system that the player needs to use the Raising Sword to charge up the Command Cannon Buckle and activate it, and the form does look cool, the color aesthetics remind me of another Takahashi series Ex-Aid’s Mighty Brothers XX. The fight is cool but straightforward, and finally the Jamato Rider is beaten.

[GoldenXtreme]

I think one of Takahashi's strengths as a writer is how he does these sorts of conflicts with large amounts of opposing parties and shifting alliances, which is really starting to show at this point. I like the new form in this one, very cool looking! I do agree that a lot of the time the outcomes of the rounds of the game are too predictable though. I'm hoping as the show goes along we get some really surprising eliminations and some unusual characters making it to the late rounds.

[Daikaijuman54]

I've caught up with Geats!

Really liked the old man, just a nice guy with big dreams of being young again but cares for the other youngsters (also kind of reminds me of my grandfather, they almost look alike). I figured he'd be gone, but I'm happy to see Tycoon back.

Also, I love this new form! It's a neat gimmick, and gives me Fourze Magnet States, which I adore, so this form's a winner for me. Also, want to bring up (unless I've said it before and forgot like a doofer) how Geats utilizes the forms throughout the show, and with the addition of the Jackpot Buckle, it ensures the forms aren't just dumped for all the stronger ones, or at least not to the extent of past seasons.

I have a feeling Geats might actually lose in the course of the series, since that would be prime opportunity to give him a new form, and also, it just feels like something that would happen (I'm probably wrong, just like everything).

Next Episode: NEW RIDER!!

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

Well, it looks like there are several departments in the DGP that are responsible for different aspects, and they all have different views on the DGP. We will also learn more about the principles of Ace himself: even though he is a liar, he keeps his word. Also, even though I'm not a fan of the visual command form, I liked its functionality. The whole idea that you first fight with a sword to earn high-tech is very cool and playful. As a minus, I note that, as for me, the driver should have grabbed PunkJack, not Buffa. Because in this way the stakes for the next episode are very low: Ace, as the main character and plot driver, will not decrease from the game, and Win is a DGP employee for whom there is no particular reason to worry.

I thought Tycoon was kind of foolish to believe Ace again after being deceived twice before, especially in a situation where Desire Drivers are so coveted. But fortunately for him, Ace was telling the truth this time. The moral of this episode was the value of rivals helping each other out after all, so maybe Ace learned that while deception has short-term benefits, earning people's trust can have even better long-term benefits, as they're more likely to return the favor later, which he'll need now that he's in a position of imminent elimination.

I'm not a fan of Raging Command Jet whatever's aesthetic either, the orange and green color scheme reminds me too much of Mighty Brothers XX and the finisher totally rips off Rampage Vulcan, both of which are from shows written by Takahashi. However, I will admit that its debut fight scene was very spectacular and cool to watch, unlike Geats Fever Boost's weird CGI bike nonsense from last fortnight.

I still think that the stakes are high for next episode, as the combination of "double elimination" and "protagonist plot armor" suggests that someone is going to take Ace's place alongside Win as the eliminated party. My guess is that either Keiwa or Michinaga will be going next week (or both if Win's lucky), for different reasons. I'd totally be surprised if Neon went this early, as she's one of the more tactical and adaptive players.

[Mesnick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I thought Tycoon was kind of foolish to believe Ace again after being deceived twice before, especially in a situation where Desire Drivers are so coveted. But fortunately for him, Ace was telling the truth this time. The moral of this episode was the value of rivals helping each other out after all, so maybe Ace learned that while deception has short-term benefits, earning people's trust can have even better long-term benefits, as they're more likely to return the favor later, which he'll need now that he's in a position of imminent elimination.

May be. Or Ace has fallen into the trap of "cool" riders suffering from a lack of character, and does what the plot tells him to do. We'll find out towards the end of the show.

Quote:

I still think that the stakes are high for next episode, as the combination of "double elimination" and "protagonist plot armor" suggests that someone is going to take Ace's place alongside Win as the eliminated party. My guess is that either Keiwa or Michinaga will be going next week (or both if Win's lucky), for different reasons.

In that case, I bet on Michinaga. It seems to me that Keiwa will not be cleaned immediately after returning. Plus, Buffa in the last episode was that bastard (and, in fact, did what Win was supposed to do) and deserved to be punished. And, given his hatred of Geats, Michinaga's return is quite expected, while Tacoon needs a more or less convincing reason.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I thought Tycoon was kind of foolish to believe Ace again after being deceived twice before, especially in a situation where Desire Drivers are so coveted. But fortunately for him, Ace was telling the truth this time. The moral of this episode was the value of rivals helping each other out after all, so maybe Ace learned that while deception has short-term benefits, earning people's trust can have even better long-term benefits, as they're more likely to return the favor later, which he'll need now that he's in a position of imminent elimination.

So you too do actually view him as foolish at first glance when trusting Ace again. Also I honestly don't like it when people explain Tycoon trusting Ace again and giving him the Buckle as him just being good boy and staying true to himself, which just continues the notion of being kind equals stupid, naive, or pushover (of which it's just many portrayed them as such, not inherent traits), and also about how personally I don't see trusting others as a part of being good. Keiwa didn't become less kind when he stands up for himself against Michinaga who guilt-tripped him into giving him Boost Buckle in ep. 7.

It's true that, Ace seems to have become a better person since the Schemes/Conspiracy DGP, I suspected that too in the Labyrinth game that he seems to display more concern and emotional affect towards the problems other are facing like insisting others to escape while he fends off the Jamato hordes, but a similar situation where he acted differently displayed it more clearly that now Ace keeps his promise against Keiwa. Though still it doesn't change that Keiwa doesn't know that and he still made foolish decision regardless of the outcome, as if to show Ace's development, Keiwa has to be regressed. But also dunno if, for some arguments I got, this is actually about both Ace and Keiwa building actual trust between each other and that, Keiwa believes him because he knows Ace is more trustworthy now. Which is what I hoped, but hard to judge without clear thoughts from Keiwa here (too much 'show, not tell').

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

I still think that the stakes are high for next episode, as the combination of "double elimination" and "protagonist plot armor" suggests that someone is going to take Ace's place alongside Win as the eliminated party. My guess is that either Keiwa or Michinaga will be going next week (or both if Win's lucky), for different reasons. I'd totally be surprised if Neon went this early, as she's one of the more tactical and adaptive players.

Dunno about Neon being eliminated, but I kinda fear that they'd make Na-Go totally helpless against Buffa, as one of the screenshots for next episode is Buffa attacking her and it can be a possibility. Maybe it can be played off as her being caught off guard thus is more defenseless to fight back and some fanbase explaining that, but it can also potentially have the fanbase deeming Neon as another shafted female like usual (I also already dislike people claim a form known as strong losing against a new stronger threat as being "nerfed").

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

May be. Or Ace has fallen into the trap of "cool" riders suffering from a lack of character, and does what the plot tells him to do. We'll find out towards the end of the show.

It just seems that Ace is handled differently compared to Tendou or Tsukasa whom they actually give some development for him to change into a better person? While those 2 mostly stay the same and has only little, late struggle but doesn't leave them in a shape as bad as Ace's here and overall never an incentive to change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

In that case, I bet on Michinaga. It seems to me that Cave will not be cleaned immediately after returning. Plus, Buffa in the last episode was that bastard (and, in fact, did what Win was supposed to do) and deserved to be punished. And, given his hatred of Geats, Michinaga's return is quite expected, while Tacoon needs a more or less convincing reason.

I̶ ̶g̶u̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶b̶a̶b̶l̶y̶ ̶p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶t̶y̶p̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶t̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶e̶l̶i̶m̶i̶n̶a̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶e̶a̶s̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶K̶e̶i̶w̶a̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶N̶e̶o̶n̶,̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶ ̶b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶"̶B̶u̶f̶f̶a̶'̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶l̶o̶t̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶d̶a̶s̶s̶"̶ ̶(̶r̶e̶f̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶a̶t̶t̶i̶t̶u̶d̶e̶)̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶b̶a̶b̶l̶y̶ ̶h̶o̶l̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶t̶u̶s̶ ̶q̶u̶o̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶2̶ ̶(̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶e̶g̶i̶n̶n̶i̶n̶g̶)̶ ̶e̶s̶p̶e̶c̶i̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶K̶e̶i̶w̶a̶.̶ Michinaga has some code of honor, but he'd do anything to win, as he says in ep. 6. Technically he did pay evil unto evil move to Morio in said episode by purposely going behind his back and kept him in the dark about his 'betrayal' team switch hindering his game too (though Tsumuri also didn't announce it until it's too late for Mary). Just saying that if it happens to someone not scumbags like Morio, it'd be really nasty. And Michinaga ofc hates Ace more than other Riders (though toned down here compared to before) and only views him as a stuck up snob.