[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Huh. I actually didn't know that about Ravens. I'm guessing we don't have a Water Stone then, given that the Blue Stone is Wind.

There's no Holy Stone either, only a Dark Stone. It's kind of interesting how Satria has its own concept of elemental magic, with electromagnetism being considered above water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 21

No that is not some dumb edit I made, this is legit.

And really, do I at all need to sell you on the rest of this episode? That's all you need to know for a hook, right?

Alright, fine. So uh, turns out that Gackt was the mysterious voice from last episode, and not only that, but he's a Satria too. And alongside him comes not only the third member of Shadow Crisis, but an escapee from the Parallel World.

Yep, it's Gackt, who Decade fans (and critics) will remember as AU Yuki Joji. But his character as Noir/Bima Legend is a lot more memorable to me. I was totally surprised when I first saw his appearance in this episode and even more that he can actually speak a lot of languages, including Japanese, English and Indonesian. Bima Legend is also a good way of repurposing the original Bima suit for future use, since Ray's inevitably going to upgrade to Bima-X in the sequel. But yeah, I think maybe if more people were aware that Gackt of all people was in this show, it wouldn't be so obscure.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 20

Meanwhile, one of my least liked episodes of Kamen Rider Revice are a two-parter in which a mother trying to save her deathly sick child is painted as a bad person and that the correct course of action was simply sick back and have faith that one day her child in desperate need of surgery will just magically get better through sheer will power.

Seiko? I'd wish that actually treating non-family or other beloved ones as garbage is more acknowledged as something terrible, rather than being glorified as you can get free pass to be biased on family only, others be damned. Series like Ryuki has the big bad willing to murder anyone for the sake of family (who doesn't even want it). Some of the common criminal cases happen due to this though, those who doesn't know the context or the direct victim will want worst outcomes to the culprit (not right but still...).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

And while premises like this are things I'm usually a sucker for regardless, especially in terms of their real life parallels, the ultimate message that Ray as Bima imparts onto Dion(the child) is one that is every bit as practical as it is heartwarming: Faith and courage are things that are absolutely needed in order to live life to its fullest, but even so, everyone has big fears and obstacles that life will throw at them, and waiting around for others to save you while taking no action of your own isn't going to result in much of anything.

But even then, it's also unfair to talk down civilians for not being able to pull their own weight in battles (and, often got dismissed as useless and irrelevant, even though being superheroic is about protecting people). Their demise also can be just dismissed as numbers and statistics. Not everyone is made for fighting or can fight, it's not a cavemen era. Society works because people are split into different works. Leave the dangerous work to capable people, others can support in their own different way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Even heroes like Bima get scared, and even they can't always win every single battle, but if they gave up and ran away, nothing would get solved. Not only is the message itself a very realistic one, but I loved the touch to Ray's' character that tied into it; At first, Ray is simply saying all of this just to impart some hope into Dion, but the message ends up getting thrown back at him when the Crow Monster shows up. In a bit of an ironic way, Bima gives the lesson to Dion, who then in turn ends up imparting that same lesson onto Ray. And because this is Toku, it ends up resulting in a wicked powerup.

While they shouldn't give up if they can help it, folding 'em is still something good to think for a while and ensure that they're at their best. Because recklessness is not bravery. But it seems that the lesson to be given for someone idolizing and putting hope on someone is that the idols aren't perfect and they have to tamper their expectations...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

God Helios not only looks cool and grants Bima the power to fly, but it can also speak English! Like, I get the possibility that its early showing in the episode itself was probably just Ray's' own inner voice talking to him, but I do find it funny to think that Helios spoke English this whole time and just no one noticed.

Yeah, the upgrade for Bima is finally here, the weapon now turning into full suit, giving both offensive and defensive capabilities.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

But yeah, I think maybe if more people were aware that Gackt of all people was in this show, it wouldn't be so obscure.

On the flipside, more people being aware of it would totally ruin the surprise!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

But even then, it's also unfair to talk down civilians for not being able to pull their own weight in battles (and, often got dismissed as useless and irrelevant, even though being superheroic is about protecting people). Their demise also can be just dismissed as numbers and statistics. Not everyone is made for fighting or can fight, it's not a cavemen era. Society works because people are split into different works. Leave the dangerous work to capable people, others can support in their own different way.

Apologies for me not wording things more clearly. When I talk of battle and other such similar phrases, in this context it simply means overcoming adversity, whether it be physical or mental. Dion gaining the courage to go through with the surgery is still him fighting for the chance to continue living, even if he's not throwing punches. Meanwhile, if he let his fears win out and he does nothing, then he's dead for sure. That's both what I and the episode is getting at.

[DreamSword]

Episode 22

Gackt is every bit as confusing as he is cool.

Like, I get the general idea(I think). As a former Satria, he appears to impart wisdom onto Ray to help make Ray a better Satria.

The problem is that he doesn't exactly tell Ray anything that Ray doesn't already know(which funnily enough is noted by Ray himself). So was the whole idea for Gackt to just show up and bully Bima?

The coolness factor does help with me turning my brain off during the whole thing atleast. And there's also the nice character stuff with Randy still being the bravest of the family and Rena making friends with the runaway girl from Vudo. So it's not as if this two-parter was entirely shallow.

That said, one thing I was hoping this episode would elaborate on, given Gackt's' status as the former Bima, was answering the question of where exactly the Bima suit even comes from, given that we've seen many times before that the Power Stones can be used without any sort of armor manifestation thanks to the monsters.

Does it ultimately matter? No, but it was still a plot detail that I felt could've been cool, and I even thought it might happen given Gackt's' whole speech on how Bima is the summation of many things. But alas, it was not to be.

If you're not a fan of Gackt, I really can't see you getting much out of these two episodes. But if you are, then there's alot of fun to be had with this very unexpected cameo, and sometimes that's all that's needed.

(We also got to see the Grand Gator and I swear they used the Godzilla Roar for it but that's for another time I guess.)

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

On the flipside, more people being aware of it would totally ruin the surprise!

That's true. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the surprise like I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 22

That said, one thing I was hoping this episode would elaborate on, given Gackt's' status as the former Bima, was answering the question of where exactly the Bima suit even comes from, given that we've seen many times before that the Power Stones can be used without any sort of armor manifestation thanks to the monsters.

Does it ultimately matter? No, but it was still a plot detail that I felt could've been cool, and I even thought it might happen given Gackt's' whole speech on how Bima is the summation of many things. But alas, it was not to be.

Oh yeah, the origin of Satria is something hasn't really been brought up until now, so it's intriguing how Noir hints that there's a whole culture and lore surrounding them that we don't know about yet, which Ray and Mikhail have now become part of. While we've seen that Topeng Besi and Shadow Crisis are capable of using the Power Stones, it seems that only the Satria can master them, something that Rasputin might've known when he abducted Mikhail.

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh Ranger

While we've seen that Topeng Besi and Shadow Crisis are capable of using the Power Stones, it seems that only the Satria can master them, something that Rasputin might've known when he abducted Mikhail.

Or maybe Rasputin just got a kick out of seeing the two brothers kill eachother.

Or both. Could very much be both.

[DreamSword]

Episode 23

The most emotionally powerful episode so far, which is only fitting given who's involved.

It's a clash between brothers, and not just Ray and Mikhail, but Ray and Randy too. Randy's' lesson being that even if brothers fight, they can still come together in the end.

Faith restored, Ray is more determined than ever to get Mikhail to remember his past as Reza. And what a fight to remember, as it's one of the most emotionally driven and best choreographed bouts in the show.

I'm an absolute sucker for when battles between arch-rivals devolve into just throwing hands while weakened(s-CRY-ed, Kamen Rider Kuuga), so seeing BIMA pull it off here was a great treat. And that ending, with Ray protecting Reza... so good.

But man, what a friggen cliffhanger at the end! It seriously tempts me to just jump right into the next episode, which is a good sign, really. Those poor kids in 2013, having to wait a whole week before getting proper closure to this whole thing, haha.

Very excited for tomorrow's' episode. This was a blast from start to finish.

[DreamSword]

Episode 24

As great as 23 was, 24 is even better, and I think is an easy pick for my favorite.

An episode focused entirely on Mikhail and Uncle is something I didn't even realize this show needed until it happened, and I'm so happy it did.

Everything just came together so perfectly. The character development of both characters involved, the well directed action scenes, and the absolutely on point musical score really brought the emotional core to the forefront.

I'm not even really sure what I can say outside of that, given what a great ride the episode is from start to finish. I guess the only thing I can really say that's a bit of a shame is that Azazel didn't get the Yellow Power Stone to obtain God Taranis, but whatever, it's not a big deal.

The family is all back together now, and unless the final two episodes end up being Faiz tier for me, I get the feeling I'll come out of BIMA looking at the whole thing rather fondly, even with the rough transition between writers. This show really does make for an oddly fitting double feature with Revice. Don't expect a VS Review or anything, as both shows give me more to celebrate than complain about.

[Sh Ranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episode 23

Faith restored, Ray is more determined than ever to get Mikhail to remember his past as Reza. And what a fight to remember, as it's one of the most emotionally driven and best choreographed bouts in the show.

It's the big climactic final battle between Bima and Azazel to herald the start of the final arc! Bima using his power to summon that magic barrier to protect Reza was such an emotional moment and I love how it flipped their dynamic, with Ray being the one giving his former mentor advice and acting like a real big brother. He's so much more confident now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

But man, what a friggen cliffhanger at the end! It seriously tempts me to just jump right into the next episode, which is a good sign, really.

Successfully tempted, it would seem....

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 24

As great as 23 was, 24 is even better, and I think is an easy pick for my favorite.

An episode focused entirely on Mikhail and Uncle is something I didn't even realize this show needed until it happened, and I'm so happy it did.

Everything just came together so perfectly. The character development of both characters involved, the well directed action scenes, and the absolutely on point musical score really brought the emotional core to the forefront.

Their interaction was a nice respite between action, allowing Mikhail to gather his thoughts and determine what he should do next. Always good to see Uncle playing an important role as well by helping out his nephew, even if he's not actually aware of his identity, which probably makes it even better that he'd do that for a stranger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

I'm not even really sure what I can say outside of that, given what a great ride the episode is from start to finish. I guess the only thing I can really say that's a bit of a shame is that Azazel didn't get the Yellow Power Stone to obtain God Taranis, but whatever, it's not a big deal.

I can see why you would think that, since Taranis is half thunder elemental and Power Stone Kuning should be able to amplify that. But nope, looks like Azazel is only compatible with Hitam. Azazel God Taranis is a missed opportunity for sure.

Nevertheless, Azazel was awesome here, with how he dramatically destroyed his VUDO belt and did his new roll call as Satria Garuda Azazel, before finishing the last member of Shadow Crisis!

It's not only a change for Azazel, but for Mikhail as well. Since he's not a celebrity like Levi Weston, he doesn't actually have any reason to keep using that name. So now he goes back to calling himself Reza Bramasakti.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

This show really does make for an oddly fitting double feature with Revice. Don't expect a VS Review or anything, as both shows give me more to celebrate than complain about.

For me, I have way more to complain than celebrate about Revice, so I could totally declare Bima the victor of that fight.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 21

The blood pumping action that Gackt brings along with him aside, there's a surprising amount of world building contained in this episode. As the girl who escaped from Vudo highlights just how much her home world has suffered, while simultaneously establishing that not everyone in that world supports the invasion that Rasputin has put into motion.

His name would be Bima Legend. I'd think actually regarding how there's Maya, the runaway girl in Parallel World, there seems to be lacking of how that world is established, about how the people there can live if it drives VUDO to invade Earth's resources, if it's completely uninhabitable or actually not, CMIIW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

[CENTER]Episode 22

The problem is that he doesn't exactly tell Ray anything that Ray doesn't already know(which funnily enough is noted by Ray himself). So was the whole idea for Gackt to just show up and bully Bima?

The coolness factor does help with me turning my brain off the whole thing atleast. And there's also the nice character stuff with Randy still being the bravest of the family and Rena making friends with the runaway girl from Vudo. So it's not as if this two-parter was entirely shallow.

And here, Gackt speaks in both Japanese and English. Maya is also played by Haruka Nakagawa, a member of AKB48.