[weedle013ZiO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

As for casting trivia, the guy playing Nobunaga doesn?t have any prior roles to this (we?re not on the train for his other Tokusatsu villain role), but he retired in 2016, citing his lack of fame and talent as an actor.

Train, toku villain

[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 15 - “MEDAL COMBAT, TRANSPORT, AND POTENTIAL”



MEDAL COMBAT:
This episode’s structure is what I think of the most when I think about OOO, despite its semi-unusual nature. There isn’t a person being saved, and it doesn’t split its focus into two parts, and the Yummy for the story is just Gamel’s backup. It’s not really a story where a person grapples with their own desires and is forced to accept limitations on their obsessions, despite also being 1000% about that. This one-off is mostly about people gaining and losing Core Medals, and that’s the most OOO thing in the world to me.

There’s the thematic value to it as a story driver, for sure – the lust for power, the need to feel whole, the way an object’s totemic qualities can drive people crazy, all exemplified by the year’s collectible. But it’s the way the shifting fortunes of hero and villain alike ramp up the story and turn every combat into a different tactical challenge that really makes this concept an iconic one to me. Like, just having Eiji try to figure out a way to survive a three-on-one fight with SaGoZou, which is mostly just used to lock a single opponent in place? Fun! Fun limitation to the stock fight sequence!

It’s an episode that feels fraught and dangerous at all times, coming off more as the penultimate episode of the series rather than the penultimate episode of the first act. There’s genuine danger as Eiji and Ankh whittle down their selection of Medals, and real triumph to Gotou’s bit of heroism by sneakily rescuing the other two Medals of TaToBa. It’s just a rich episode, for how much can change in a single scene, which is maybe fitting for the Heist episode!

TRANSPORT:
Which, it’s a Heist episode!

I love that it’s a heist with the laziest possible participants – Kazari basically saying This Is A Trap, and Ankh being like I Need Medals So What The Hell. Kazari is mostly using the lure of Cell Medals (and maybe a Core Medal) to draw all of his Greeed victims out into the open, which is the most relevant of OOO ways to plan a betrayal: he’s using their desires against them, up and down the roster. There are a bunch of moving pieces to Kazari’s scheme, and yet it’s also just distraction after distraction so he can get the drop on whoever is least expecting it at any given time. He’s sending everyone running, and then picking them off one by one. It’s not the densest plot, but it’s enormously effective at increasing tension and surprising the viewer.

Some of that tension is thanks to an actually pretty thrilling chase sequence? The Gotou/Uva car chase is one of the better vehicular stunts I’ve seen on a Kamen Rider TV show, using a treacherous mountainside highway to let the automotive mayhem do its work in giving the villains a pretty resounding victory. It uses some extended takes to keep the action visceral, using only a couple fakey interior shots to clarify the participants. It’s a solid chase sequence by any standard, not just TV Budget.

AND POTENTIAL:
Plus, we’re in an episode that’s all about leveling up out of tired ideas that aren’t working, so why not imbue the quick chase scene with that?

There’s so much to like in the possibility of Kazari deciding that being one of many Greeed isn’t interesting to him anymore, and in Eiji deciding that his dynamic with Ankh is keeping both of them from getting what they want. I like shows that can have characters in the story fight against the boring routines that a lesser show would build as its sturdy status quo. Kazari would rather risk it all on being the only Greeed than rehash his plans from 800 years ago, while Eiji reframes his existential battle with Ankh into the sort of mercenary terms that an avaricious avian asshole can understand. (A year’s worth of ice cream, and Eiji’s vow to help Ankh recoup his Core Medals, to get Ankh to help rescue Hina. And Hina says Thanks! And Ankh has no idea why because obviously he’s only doing this because there’s something in it for him!!!) This whole episode is talking about the ruts that people can get into because of their desires, and that breaking out of them can actually get you more than you might’ve landed ordinarily. Good for our heroes, but sort of bad for heroes too, thanks to Kazari’s successful gambit!

[Androzani84]

This is one of two episodes of the show I’ve seen lately (namely, last month) and I couldn’t remember what happens in it to save my life.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androzani84

This is one of two episodes of the show I?ve seen lately (namely, last month) and I couldn?t remember what happens in it to save my life.

It's a really good episode where a lot of incredibly fun action takes place!

[Switchblade]

I respect the show for having Eiji stop the caravan and explain to Gotou what’s going on instead of just attacking it to save Hina. It always feels like a pleasant surprise when characters on a Kamen Rider show resolve their issues with communication instead of punches and assumptions.

[DreadBringer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

This is all definitely possible. The problem is, none of it is shown at any point pre-Yummy. The first thing we're shown is her getting ready to operate and being told No. The next thing we're shown is her fighting for the chance to operate on her own patients, and being told No. I'd be way more into this story if we'd spent any time pre-Yummy showing Tamura to be reckless, egotistical, selfish, etc. It's just a bunch of dudes telling her she thinks too highly of hereself, though?

Though I agree highlighting those more'd work better, result/outcome-wise, Tamura'd still not fail even for having those qualities, because she'd still have those skills. It'd still benefit people and build a good rep for her, still making people want her for the operations. Rather like, Ankh protecting Hina in ep. 15 I guess. The "all skill" would still be there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 15 - “MEDAL COMBAT, TRANSPORT, AND POTENTIAL”

There’s the thematic value to it as a story driver, for sure – the lust for power, the need to feel whole, the way an object’s totemic qualities can drive people crazy, all exemplified by the year’s collectible. But it’s the way the shifting fortunes of hero and villain alike ramp up the story and turn every combat into a different tactical challenge that really makes this concept an iconic one to me. Like, just having Eiji try to figure out a way to survive a three-on-one fight with SaGoZou, which is mostly just used to lock a single opponent in place? Fun! Fun limitation to the stock fight sequence!

Guess this'd be OOO's main theme, a 'battle royale' (wouldn't be noticed by people because it's not about many Riders - also Kobayashi brought Ryuki) among the Greeeds to collect the Core/Cell Medals. The Greeeds usually got their Medals stolen/returning back before they retreat from battle while the Yummies got destroyed. Though this format also can lead to pure luck without planning, like ep. 12 in OOO gaining SaGoZou by pure luck despite Ankh only ordering him and him jumping into a battle too much for him to handle. Seems Hina's super strength isn't enough to fight Greeeds, or at least Gamel (the brute/physical one). Eiji steps up further to use 2 combos in 1 henshin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

I love that it’s a heist with the laziest possible participants – Kazari basically saying This Is A Trap, and Ankh being like I Need Medals So What The Hell. Kazari is mostly using the lure of Cell Medals (and maybe a Core Medal) to draw all of his Greeed victims out into the open, which is the most relevant of OOO ways to plan a betrayal: he’s using their desires against them, up and down the roster. There are a bunch of moving pieces to Kazari’s scheme, and yet it’s also just distraction after distraction so he can get the drop on whoever is least expecting it at any given time. He’s sending everyone running, and then picking them off one by one. It’s not the densest plot, but it’s enormously effective at increasing tension and surprising the viewer.

Kobayashi makes cat-themed fighters traitors who constantly backstab their teammates... first Tiger from Ryuki, and now Kazari. Some people have a tendency to view only the kind people as the one susceptible to manipulation, where their virtue is a weakness, and that they should dispose their morality to survive, like Eiji being seemingly deceived that Hina was kidnapped, but villains can be manipulated as well, as said there, them wanting something can be exploited to make them do something. Being manipulated is often used to deflect blames from the 'fundamentally good' victim (who for example, helped the villain's schemes) to insist that it's only the manipulator's fault ignoring said person's agency (e.g. "they didn't meant to commit that!"), while denying the fact that villains can be manipulated too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

There’s so much to like in the possibility of Kazari deciding that being one of many Greeed isn’t interesting to him anymore, and in Eiji deciding that his dynamic with Ankh is keeping both of them from getting what they want. I like shows that can have characters in the story fight against the boring routines that a lesser show would build as its sturdy status quo. Kazari would rather risk it all on being the only Greeed than rehash his plans from 800 years ago, while Eiji reframes his existential battle with Ankh into the sort of mercenary terms that an avaricious avian asshole can understand. (A year’s worth of ice cream, and Eiji’s vow to help Ankh recoup his Core Medals, to get Ankh to help rescue Hina. And Hina says Thanks! And Ankh has no idea why because obviously he’s only doing this because there’s something in it for him!!!) This whole episode is talking about the ruts that people can get into because of their desires, and that breaking out of them can actually get you more than you might’ve landed ordinarily. Good for our heroes, but sort of bad for heroes too, thanks to Kazari’s successful gambit!

Not all the characters on the good side want to help/do good things for the right thing (and not about those who both want something, but does care about others and do right things), even in more lighthearted shows, where the fanbase seem to think only darker shows feature ambiguous morality, like Ryuki having most of the Riders only caring and fighting for their own desires, where here Ankh only helps for personal gain. People'd think villains who help/benefit the heroes for said mutual benefit 'redeemed', like Kuroto in Ex-Aid or Evolt in Build V-Cin. It'd be dangerous if these type of people get better offer from the villains' side, which can likely get them to switch side and make things harder for the remaining heroes.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchblade

I respect the show for having Eiji stop the caravan and explain to Gotou what?s going on instead of just attacking it to save Hina. It always feels like a pleasant surprise when characters on a Kamen Rider show resolve their issues with communication instead of punches and assumptions.

It's a nice moment, and it becomes a funny moment when Gotou is annoyed at the entire situation. His little You're Not Really Shadowing Me If You Tell Me About It dig! Eiji's just trying to be polite about all of this and Gotou snarks at him! It's a good twist in a typical setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadBringer

Seems Hina's super strength isn't enough to fight Greeeds, or at least Gamel (the brute/physical one).

She still does pretty well for being a solitary scared human!

[Kamen Rider Die]

KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 16 - “A CONCLUSION, A GREEED, AND A NEW RIDER”



A CONCLUSION:
Is this it for Mezool and Gamel? I honestly don’t remember.

If it is the end for Tank Top and Girl, it’s a sort of underwhelming conclusion for the two of them. It’s interesting in how their bond is used to showcase both the innate desire of the Greeed for things like love and safety, while still being amplified to an unnatural hunger that threatens the world. But it feels a little light on individual conflict, keeping Mezool and Gamel apart until Gamel gets absorbed into Mezool and then Mezool gets flooded with Medals until she becomes a giant CG amphibian monstrosity. It all happens sort of quickly, and the episode doesn’t make it enough of a focal point for my liking.

(I mean, it’s for sure a part of this episode, and there’s been enough groundwork to the Mezool and Gamel relationship to still make their destruction affecting, but I’d’ve definitely liked this more if we’d seen them together for a little longer in this episode.)

It’s a smart way to raise the stakes, to seemingly (?) knock off half of our named antagonists to illustrate the danger and peril of the Greeed.

A GREEED:
Which is what this one’s really all about, in a way that’s less expository than it is exhilarating.

All of this could’ve been super dry, with Eiji learning more about the origins of the Greeed while Maki runs his diabolical experiments until things get destructive enough to qualify as an Act Break. But it manages just enough ambiguity to entertain, building out both the menace and the tragedy of the Greeed at the same time.

For an episode that’s nominally about defining the threat of the Greeed gaining their Core Medals – via a large amphibious monster wrecking an empty park – there’s so much fascinating sadness to the Greeed’s existence that we learn about from Kougami’s exposition. Ankh’s a pissy baby, Uva’s a slimy doofus, Kazari’s a duplicitous prick, Mezool’s an untrustworthy matron, and Gamel’s a blundering child, but they’re all driven by a need to reclaim their Core Medals. There’s a (if you’ll pardon the pun) core deficiency to their lives as Greeed – they’re all missing a part of themselves from birth, and their existence is about trying to reclaim that missing part of themself. Their lives are the rapacious hunger brought about by an unfillable void, and the existential terror that knows how easily they could be reduced to nothingness. (Much like, uh, everyone!) In that light, Kazari and Ankh’s quest to collect Core Medals feels less like world domination than it does the fervent hope that mortality can be held at bay, and maybe some solace can be found in its place.

It’s agreeably sad, that aspect of the Greeed. It’s a thing that Eiji can lock onto as a reason to help Ankh – this isn’t about power, or malice, it’s about someone who wants to feel safe, and needs a hand obtaining that safety. Who could say no to that?

AND A NEW RIDER:
Probably the new guy!

It’s a solid debut for what I remember being one of my favorite characters in Kamen Rider. Birth gets the standard Secondary introduction of absolutely demolishing an enemy with the sort of pyrotechnic display and overwhelming firepower that we will never, ever see again as he struggles to hold off Pseudo-Yummies or that corgi who barked at Ankh or whatever. This is his birthday, so he gets to be the special boy.

Everything about Birth is so smart, aesthetically. We’re in the Coin-Operated show, so naturally the new Rider is a goddamn Gashapon machine. (That little POP! I love it.) Where OOO runs on Core Medals, Birth churns out his form changes through Cell Medals. Where OOO is about the power of desire as a cornerstone of civilization, Birth is the raw avarice that undergirds the system. OOO is the spirit, Birth is the body. And so on, and so forth.

He’s great, in just this little bit we see from the end of this episode. (He carries around his instruction manual! I love it.) Very excited to get to talk more about this guy soon!

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

AND A NEW RIDER:
Probably the new guy!

It?s a solid debut for what I remember being one of my favorite characters in Kamen Rider. Birth gets the standard Secondary introduction of absolutely demolishing an enemy with the sort of pyrotechnic display and overwhelming firepower that we will never, ever see again as he struggles to hold off Pseudo-Yummies or that corgi who barked at Ankh or whatever. This is his birthday, so he gets to be the special boy.

Everything about Birth is so smart, aesthetically. We?re in the Coin-Operated show, so naturally the new Rider is a goddamn Gashapon machine. (That little POP! I love it.) Where OOO runs on Core Medals, Birth churns out his form changes through Cell Medals. Where OOO is about the power of desire as a cornerstone of civilization, Birth is the raw avarice that undergirds the system. OOO is the spirit, Birth is the body. And so on, and so forth.

He?s great, in just this little bit we see from the end of this episode. (He carries around his instruction manual! I love it.) Very excited to get to talk more about this guy soon!

Oh man, this is the moment I've been waiting for. No disrespect to Ankh, Eiji, and everyone else, but this is where the show really begins.

[Androzani84]

Now this one I do remember slightly. Mostly for the new guy’s debut, mostly for Eiji not recognising Gamel in a crowd (you’d think that even if he’s never seen his face, he’d recognise his voice).

And talking of the new guy, he’s someone else with a prior Toku role. Specifically, Hiroaki Iwanaga, who had two years prior played Eiji Ishiguro/R5 in Tomica Hero Rescue Force and its sequel Tomica Hero Rescue Fire. Notably, both are some sort of Showa-era throwback, with R5 having the mannerisms of a Showa era Kamen Rider, while Birth resembles Ichigou in terms of colour scheme.

Also, can we talk about how his gun catches the shells and uses them to reload? Probably one of the most obvious “this is a toy” elements in OOO (another being the random circle OOO has on his back in every form - a relic of the budget action figure gimmick wherein the circle is a button you press to separate the parts for mix and match purposes)