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09-25-2021, 04:21 AM | #16811 |
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Kamen Rider W(atch)
Foundation X Arc Episode 39-40: The Likelihood of the G G stands for Gene (Dopant) and Genre. Written by: Riku Sanjo, Directed by: Takayuki Shibasaki /Bad Cinema Paradise Phillip's still sulking on the revelation, though Akiko points out that his attitude won't help either with him not saying anything regarding it. A mostly cold and logical person, now is experiencing the opposite of being pushed down by emotions (not that he had never felt emotions before though, but this one should be the most severe), which proves his human side. With Akiko pointing out the flaw in his behaviors, this can potentially reaffirm Phillip's view of emotions being weakness, with him as direct proof. But emotion can be a weakness or a strength depending on how the user manages it. Emotions managed poorly is weakness, but emotions managed well is a source of strength. Would hope the lesson Phillip use is to manage emotions well instead of dropping it altogether, continuing from him accepting Shotaro's kindness as something necessary, albeit would still have weakness in his eyes just that he tolerates it. Phillip did say something that he thinks Wakana lost herself to Gaia Memory influence. Another guest comes, a girl named Ai Nijimura, who asks for a case about a movie starring her even when she's apparently not involved. Moreover, the audience can't get out of the movie until it's over, with the exit door being blocked with a wall. Shotaro and Akiko go to the theater Ai worked at to investigate, but the manager would try to kick them out for the sake of his customers. Then a man named Tooru Kawai falls while carrying heavy theater programs. A female co-worker chastises him for repeatedly not asking for help, but he stays quiet. Ai is also his co-worker, who helps him carrying the theater programs. Akiko notes Tooru's crush on Ai, and teases him for it. Tooru's quietness is not an ordinary one either, as he outright communicates only using a notebook, extreme level of social awkwardness. Meanwhile, Shotaro comes across an advertisement for Kaze no Saheji's 3D movie, and invites Akiko to watch it together. Akiko at first smacks Shotaro with a slipper for not focusing on the case...but of course she'd be tempted too, being the one to 'introduce' the jidaigeki series to Shotaro after all. It had a little advantage that the manager can't kick them out as they're now the customers (as Akiko says.. a payback to the unreasonable manager), watching the Kaze no Saheji movie. I did wonder before how would Shotaro react to Kaze no Saheji in front of others, I thought that he'd treat it as a guilty pleasure due to his disinterest to historical stuff otherwise, but actually no, he displays it openly. As Shotaro and Akiko got pumped up for their shared interest in the movie... but it's not a 3D movie with mountain setting... and turns out that they're watching the mysterious movie, titled very long in Jessica's Entranced Wandering: Why is the Mysterious Girl Going West (Adrift Edition), and indeed the star girl looks like (or is) Ai. The movie's apparently bad too like Jessica's acting that Shotaro wants to leave, only for him to find out that the exit is blocked like before. Shotaro's not the only one who leaves, I wonder if that movie can earn the entry on Horrible page on TVTropes. How the roles have reversed, now Shotaro's the one that had attention deficit while Akiko's the 'sensible' one who tried to get him back on track, only for Shotaro's antics to unwittingly move their case forward. Not only that they get stuck, the movie also runs for a whopping 7 hours and 19 minutes, with it ending on "to be concluded". Not even the movie content, they'd have to deal with their bladder as well staying that long. A glimpse of the movie's content is told as Shotaro claims the story hasn't even progressed... though bizzarely Akiko thinks it has some good hooks. Shotaro's finally openly angry, but fortunately for him the culprit is quickly found in a Dopant, who converts the wall in the exit into a shrubbery and escapes, which Phillip thinks as fascinating (well, me too for less conventional powers), and reports (as Shotaro does to Ai) that it's Gene Dopant, who can alter genetic codes of something he touches to change it to anything he wants, including his own body, like disguising as the manager (who Shotaro notes as tired). Shotaro henshins to W, and Gene is not much of a direct fighter, but still utilizes his powers to throw weapons, and then after W heats him with HeatJoker, turning said hand into a puppet. Though it's managed by just changing forms to LunaJoker, and Gene's a frail one as some strikes from the stretched hand reverts him back to the human form, revealed to be Tooru, to Ai's surprise. As Akiko confiscates the Gene Memory, W calls him out of using his job to lure people and force them to watch his movie and trap them until it's completed, with Ai on the movie being revealed to be Tooru changing his body to hers, thus making him one-man movie producer.. though it's obviously not successful. Though Akiko calls him out to not ask others like the female co-worker before, she had an idea and insists for W to suspend his police arrest. Wakana explains the reason of fighting Raito to make a break from her previous habit, which Ryubee approves, and both family members are happy with each other. Kazu and Saeko has a dinner, with Kazu explaining that he helped her as he apparently liked her. For those who views Kazu like how Shotaro views Jessica, Kazu's expresionless demeanor is noted in-universe too, as Saeko notes that for a confession it's so unenthusiastic. Kazu also reports that the Museum's operations have accelerated in Wakana's control, thus Saeko can't strike back anymore, with Saeko losing his cool as she vows to prove herself. Wakana is later shown as an abusive boss, berating and yelling at her employees. One of the employees, the janitor who she berated turns out to be Saeko, looking for the Nazca Memory. That'd be more like Wakana reverting back to her personality pre ep. 13-14. of being a mean girl, where her father seems to be the exception of this. but I don't know if that'd help her being intimidating as a head villain, she'd be more like a brat throwing tantrums, without class, despite how Kazu notes that the Museum has grown with her. Ryubee presents her the Gaia Progressor as present, with the same glow that Wakana witnessed in W Xtreme debut, to make Wakana perfect, and they track down Gene Dopant to accomplish that. Meanwhile, with no Driver, Saeko injects a Living Connector for Nazca, becoming another one to possess multiple one like Isaka (and that was his demise..). Akiko's plan turn out to be directing a new version of Tooru's movie with her as the producer (and Aki-P alias), getting Phillip, Terui (as a scarecrow), Makura (as a fairy), Watcherman, and Ai (as Jessica) involved. Ai portrays Jessica as bubbly, and Akiko had to force Tooru, as the director, to speak up when the shot is cut. As Makura and Watcherman complains about being dragged to this, Akiko explains (while smacking Shotaro and Watcherman with slipper) that her plan is to rehabilitate Tooru via film, by finishing his movie, intending to develop Tooru's spirit to overcome Gaia Memory's influence. The movie is planned to be shortened, like the duration to 90 minutes, or even the title to Holy Warrior Jessica, which Tooru doesn't mind, still conveyed via writing in a notebook. So another 2-parter where Akiko had a big role, and her attention to the movie was actually used here (still, keeping track of 7 hour+ one...). After adding some action, comedy, and fanservice cliches, Akiko's real plan, coming from her teasing before, is actually to hook up Tooru and Ai together, so Tooru can express themselves. Shotaro remarks that the movie did improve from the changes, which makes the 7 hours length unnecessary. Later Ai continues her portrayal as energetic heroine, where though the cast approves that and thinks that's how a heroine should be, Tooru disagrees (I'd disagree too to force character archetype to possess certain traits) and claim the scene's totally wrong, but he still can't explain (the wrong thing is to let wrong stuff unexplained), or that's also because Wakana arriving there, which got Ai excited. But of course, not many would know the reality that she's part of the Museum and a Dopant, as she would reveal to them (other than Shotaro and Phillip) by changing into Claydoll right there. After failing to reason with her, Shotaro and Phillip henshin to W, shortly as Xtreme, even analyzing Claydoll that the Prism Sword can disable its regenerative ability. As Claydoll lies on the ground, Saeko also arrives, mocking Wakana as all bark no bite in her "I am the Museum" claim. Saeko changes into Nazca Dopant.. and it emerges as an evolve version, R (Double meaning too; Red and Revenge) Nazca Dopant, the lv. 3 power of the Memory, giving her greater speed than previously. So Saeko's really the superior being compared to ex-husband Kirihiko from how she's dominant against him and can back it up... It managed to surprise W Xtreme, but there's Accel too, using Trial to hold R Nazca in place. However R Nazca frees herself too, using her power to create energy wings that turned into blasts. As the camera is on the middle of the fight, Akiko tries to retrieve it, but Tooru stopped her as (via notebook) she doesn't need to risk for her life and that he didn't like the movie. He only asks to give him Gene Memory back to finish the movie by himself again... dunno if he'd learn from what happened here like cutting the unnecessary parts. /I Can't Forgive You As Saeko feels the sensation of inserting Memories directly (I wonder if that's another factor that lets lv. 3 Nazca keep up with final forms, instead of going through FangJoker level first), Phillip tries to stop R Nazca from fighting too, that she does simply to re-affirm her existence, as she's his older sister too. But Saeko would de-humanize Phillip, treating him as only a 'thing' instead of family. Well, not like Saeko is good to her own family either. She leaves. Terui too would see Saeko as the worse one between the sisters, but still Wakana right now is nasty in her own ways too. Akiko tries to convince Tooru to work together and express his feelings, like to Ai. Though Tooru would claim in the notebook that he doesn't have romantic interest to Ai. For how she uses Nazca, Kazu proposes to her... to become his business partner. Though there's danger in the movie making, Akiko didn't give up, even rewatching the old version of Tooru's movie that is ridiculously long to understand Tooru's thoughts, to Shotaro's surprise. What Akiko concludes is that Tooru views Jessica as an ideal woman, which is probably how she's still convinced that Tooru had a crush on Ai due to him assuming Ai's look for Jessica's portrayal. Though Akiko still tries despite Tooru insisting to use Gene, Phillip would be a cynic that he views changing Tooru as impossible task. Phillip may be someone devoid of interest human relationship for good amount of time before, but probably this time he can be just frustrated over his failed attempt to reason with Saeko before, if he'd have development for spending time with Shotaro and Akiko. It's a reversed role again, as Phillip called Akiko a genius before, but now it's Shotaro's turn to remind Akiko's capabilities to Phillip's skepticism. As Tooru isn't enthusiastic about directing the movie (still with the cast as the crew), Akiko finally takes into account of her slipper smacking habits, learning to put it away for once and resort into gentle encouragement. Yeah.. happens after 40 episodes, it leads to this though previously she still had her usual loudness which depending on the person, can be grating. Akiko uses another plan, to have the scene involving Terui (as a scarecrow) kissing Jessica, to test Tooru's reaction to that, as Akiko feels that people in love wouldn't admit that (shy) when Terui points out about Tooru's claim before. Terui instead escapes, while uttering his catchphrase to his enemies "despair is waiting for me at the finish line". Akiko assigns Makura to chase after him, and Tooru, actually wonders why Terui escaped. Of course, it's from his thoughts, so only the audience would know it, instead of the cast like Akiko intended. Wakana laments about her Claydoll Memory being not on par, and that she's now living on the mercy of her sister, which shortly happened with R Nazca attacking her (in human form) as well as mocking her again for not listening to her warning, still being off-guard. I've read some that found the Wakana part (at Foundation X arc) being reminiscent of Yuka's part in Faiz, like communicating with certain person for comfort via a phone ('Kikuchi-san', though Faiz' one was texting), but I'd add up that it..well.. doubles as taking up Yuuji's part as well (regardless of it being bad) of both characters turning evil (though I find Wakana's turn much sooner than I expect, outright at the beginning of the final arc) and is symbolized by assuming a new look as well as controlling the evil organization in respective series. Not to mention both her and Yuka are under the mercy of a ruthless woman named Saeko (who presumably finishes off Yuka in Faiz, or gloats over Yuka's demise by humans, depending on the interpretation). Wakana learns that Saeko disguised as the janitor she berated before and had the Nazca Memory with her. Wakana's sentimental teasing previously turns into full on criticizing that Saeko's outright 'obsessed' with the previous men. Though not sure if her words hold any weight anymore now, though Saeko denies Wakana's words due to her being a child with a mere Claydoll talking against a grown up woman. So Saeko bringing up their Memories means she had might makes right approach, feeling entitled from her power alone. She'd also have ageism view as well, treating adults as master authority towards childs (yet won't live up her words against Ryubee). They have a fight in their respective Dopant forms, which of course R Nazca would win, mocking Claydoll that it's only good in regenerative ability; it'd be meaningless if it can't properly strike back. Wakana resorts into using the Gaia Progressor, finally understanding what the light meant when Ryubee showed her in Xtreme's debut. Tooru suddenly wants to talk to Aki-P about something, which had Akiko leaving the movie to Shotaro care temporarily. Due to Tooru holding Akiko's shoulders... she instead assumes Tooru having a feeling for.. her instead. But it turns out to be a sneaky plan of Tooru to pickpocket his Gene Memory back. Don't know if it's intentional or not, but Tif it's the former, Tooru's way more cunning than what people presume he is when he knows that Akiko would be distracted by other's "confession" to her, and though he may not speak, he had the advantage of understanding people better albeit he utilizes it in bad way here. But then she was right of Tooru having some potential before, albeit she learns it in the hard way. Still I'd wonder if Akiko would be disgusted or something if it's real. Akiko is understandably mad for the trick and tries to smack him with her slipper, but she still relents to reach out to him instead. Tooru's obviously doing criminal stuff here, but her attention deficit still needs to be worked on though. Unfortunately their struggle for the Gene Memory led the Memory to be tossed into Wakana as Claydoll, taking it, along with Tooru away. Wakana forms a deal with Tooru where she'd let him record the movie in Digal Corporation when he fuses the Gaia Progressor to her cells with Gene Memory, or she'd kill him otherwise. Tooru would oblige, though he still changes into Gene Dopant, don't know if he can defend herself against Claydoll with Gene's variety of power (albeit Claydoll's more vicious and experienced, and Gene's physically weak), but otherwise Tooru would be a pushover too, combined with a lack of strong moral code, can lead into doing disastrous stuff like this. Which makes both him and Claydoll, a deserving one for Akiko's slipper slap, as she arrives after the Gaia Progressor is fused with Wakana's body (shown in green light outside the building), trying to remind them of their usual selves as well (ofc Akiko won't know that Wakana's nice only on camera, but in reality is a mean girl). As Tooru runs off, back to the film production, he still hesitates to talk, but as it'll be about important information, finally Ai had it enough and also insists for Tooru to speak up. Reminded of Akiko's criticism before of having no will (particularly after helping an enemy from that), he finally does, telling Ai that her acting is too cheerful for Jessica, who's supposed to be a dark character. Though you can be a non-talkative person, speaking up is still important to clear things up, and you have to if it's necessary to speak, even if non-talkative person would likely only talk when necessary. So the plan to get him to open up is a success, midway before the movie is finished. Still though, no information of how Tooru can be extraordinarily kind of awkward like that. Phillip is proven wrong about him being impossible, and got inspired from that, but refering to Akiko made Tooru realize that as well to tell the others. As the others reach Digal Corporation, Phillip explains to Akiko that Wakana used Gene's ability to give Claydoll new ability. And it would be the first time (cmiiw) that it's not a double henshin, but a triple henshin with Shotaro, Phillip, and Terui doing it side by side. Triple for double (as in number) Riders. Though for now the Claydoll looks the same, it did become more powerful, and W goes Xtreme. Xtreme gains the upper hand as usual and performs Memory Break with Prism Break, but Claydoll got stronger as it even regenerates after being attacked by Prism Sword, contrary to what Phillip analyzed before, to their surprise. Claydoll now mutates into stronger form, dubbed as Xtreme... just like W's final form, with her noticing Saeko nearby to have her witness it too. Ryubee explains to Kazu about the creation behind the Claydoll Memory; being made by people who convey their wishes to the gods, and Wakana is now the cleric of the god (known as Earth) with her mastery over it. So Wakana more than lives up to her boast of being the Museum itself, but she's even more than that. Ryubee credits that to the data gathered from W's battles, thus it's worth letting them run around for this long. It's personal view, but I'd think that the excuse to let W run around as a data gathering feels more like a cop-out here, compared to the previous series I've seen on TV such as Gaim or Build, where the villain's data gathering is done more actively, with their effort and methods being more prevalent throughout the series, though there was Gaia Memory distribution too in W by Kirihiko, but I'd feel Gaim plays it off better to its theme, with Sid knowing why he'd success due to the young ones being more easily tempted with power (metaphorical drug for Lockseeds), while the Gaia Memory's distribution target more random people that happened to have it succeeding (though of course not only young ones more tempted to power). Claydoll gets an upgrade into Claydoll Xtreme, the same name as W's final form, a floating type without legs like her sister's Taboo, and it's quite silly-looking though ability's the real deal, I do think regular Claydoll is silly looking anyway. Claydoll Xtreme can stretch her limbs, with Saeko (as R Nazca) remarking it as really powerful, and also shoot red energy balls. Tooru shows another change as well by ducking himself and Akiko for a blast, and later handing his Gene Memory as he doesn't need it anymore due to friends, and later making a new movie with his theater friends. Xtreme counters a big red energy ball with Bicker Finalusion, a Metal variation in place of Joker that augments the Prism Shield's capability (and it's explained in the series). This'd make Ryubee's favoritism even more obvious in Saeko's eyes, that Wakana actually got the ultimate Memory. The Xtreme naming for Claydoll, I guess that's setting up Wakana's set up as Phillip's counterpart? If it's the case probably it comes from how both of them are only more comfortable and relaxed around each other before, and that now Wakana also can visit Gaia Library, but still don't get much what'd be the contrasting part of them other than what side they're fighting. Probably gotta wait for some next episodes. The Xtreme name in W's case comes from how X is the letter after W though, signifying the next level (in next letter), with the katakana ekusutorimu containing 'tori', which is the word for bird, and how the Xtreme Memory is shaped, and the weapon Prism Bicker is 2-in-1 just like the Rider. However, a side effect of Tooru's change occurs, in Terui still trying to perfect his kissing with a bunch of romance DVDs, and is ready to perform the kissing scene it to Akiko with the cast trying to hold him off. It's too late for him that Tooru's case has ended, and that moment is something so unusually silly for someone hardcore like Terui to do.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). Last edited by DreadBringer; 10-01-2021 at 04:51 AM.. |
09-25-2021, 03:14 PM | #16812 |
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 898
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Started watching Kamen Rider Agito: Project G4 movie on YouTube in celebration of the series's 20th anniversary. I was originally going to watch the movie in a later date after my own annual Halloween marathon and after a few more episodes of the main show proper but it's released on here for only one week.
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09-30-2021, 05:52 AM | #16813 |
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Kamen Rider W(atch)
Foundation X Arc Episode 41-42: J's Labyrinth J refers to Jewel (Dopant) actually and (Mikio) Jinno. Written by: Keiichi Hasegawa, Directed by: Hidenori Ishida /The Psychotic Villainess To the shock of the cast who got called into the police station, except for one, the cop Jinno is currently imprisoned, as he's suspected as a jewel thief. The exception is the dickhead Makura, who uses his supposed partner's eviction to gloat about, while ignoring Jinno's explanation that he's framed. Don't know what leads Makura to do this or what hidden beef he had against him in the past (Jinno "enslaving" him to buy him teas or such?), or he's just the type who ditches his "friends" when difficulty comes. Fortunately Shotaro interferes to ask about the details, where on his way home, Jinno saw a giant diamond worn by a woman, who promptly beats him up while asking him what makes a diamond precious. Really, W is rife of evil women, and this even repeats the scenario of woman offering/helping one of the cast something then beats them up, which is done previously by Aya and then Grasshopper Woman, the former which is inflicted to Jinno too. Moreover, things went from bad to worse as Jinno is accused of being a jewel thief due to the woman leaving the stolen goods on him, thus gets arrested. Makura continues to mock him, but he got a deserved slipper whack from Akiko. Jinno asks for Shotaro to prove his innocence by finding what he refers as "diamond woman". The Agency would learn about a monster turning people into gems, currently 7 victims, and always with the diamond woman on the scene. Akiko notes that all of her victims are young beautiful women, and targeting Jinno is an outlier. Shotaro would defend Jinno as awesome from Akiko refering to him as goofy, ironically by explaining him as guillible, which Shotaro demonstrates by pointing upwards and claiming an UFO is there. Akiko falls for it.. or so she acts as she claims none will fall for that, and smacking Shotaro with her slipper (I thought she had taken that into account before? Or her not using her slipper is the specific one instead of becoming the norm..). But Jinno... fell for the same trick every time, shown in Shotaro repeatedly tricking him by 'look behind you' in flashbacks. Though Shotaro would give an explanation about Jinno being awesome, that his guillible trait sparks pity from others, making them feel bad to lie to him. Akiko still doesn't get it, and yeah it's not that easy to understand, but with people feeling pity, Jinno can unwittingly turn people around him to be a better person starting from the pity. This 2 parter overall elevates Jinno into spotlight, and with the supposed 'weakness' turning into an endearing trait, he's a counterpart to Shotaro himself, whose "half-boiled" traits are acknowledged as Shotaro's good things for others, and both are on 'unremarkable' side for Akiko but she'd defend them. But Akiko herself too can have attention deficit, and she too was guillible before when Tooru pretends to have feelings for her to pickpocket. They come across Santa, who informs that all of the attacked women are models and are on the same club, Blue Topaz. As they inform Phillip, he's still in funk due to Wakana being able to visit Gaia Library, but still doesn't tell them. Should Phillip be inspired by Tooru's change too before? And Akiko did say that not talking doesn't help. It's the opposite for Kazu, who informs Saeko about Wakana's ability, thus she can get to Raito first, and Saeko's still losing even with R Nazca, but offers her a Memory that increases her chance of success. As usual Shotaro would be flirty watching a bunch of beautiful models, which earns him a smack from Akiko's slipper. Though that'd mean they have to deal with another unreasonable guard, once again they won't be let in, due to them in due to them not being models. Both Shotaro and Akiko tries to pose as one, which wasn't convincing. I guess Akiko's intentionally relatively 'plain' compared to other girls, if only Hikaru Yamamoto at that time is like her present self.... (see for yourself) Albeit fortunately, a famous male model named Makoto Uesugi, named after Uesugi Kenshin, intercepts the guard, letting them in. Here, Uesugi is depicted as being friendly and helpful, though vaguely withdrawn. Akiko's a fan of Uesugi and thus asks for his autograph, which he obliges. Both of them explain to Uesugi about their motive, and shortly they meet the diamond woman. Akiko approaches her, but gets beaten up just like Jinno before. So despite her athleticism, Akiko's no fighter, though it's completely off guard. The woman repeats her question about diamond which Akiko claims due to the diamond's value, but the woman now explains about how diamonds are beautiful and can't be harmed, and views herself like that too. She then steps on Akiko until Shotaro intervenes, where she declares to turn models into jewels and adorn her. The light suddenly goes off and a diamond-body Dopant appears in the place of that woman, and releases a gas to turn several models into jewels, like what the woman declares before. Shotaro and Phillip henshin into W, and Jewel lives up to her claim, that W just hurts himself in his attacks against her hard body. W still failed using HeatMetal and LunaTrigger, though for the latter the Dopant disperses diamond particulate to create an energy shield that deflected the beams. After the Dopant runs off, Uesugi informs them that the woman's name is Rui Jojima, his best friend who has changed. The first Jojima to set afoot on the franchise. Uesugi also blames himself for her change. Akiko declares Rui as the worst woman in Fuuto.... Of the plethora of bad woman in the series, at least is someone like Saeko a joke to her? Is it because Rui personally roughed up her unlike others (though it's not the worst of what happened to Akiko)? Well doing bad things personally to you doesn't make others who didn't less bad. Shotaro assigns Phillip to find out about Rui's Dopant abilities, but as Phillip finds the Jewel book... Wakana takes said book, explaining that her synchronization has risen from her previous 50%, but now she can even kick him out. As his friends are obviously concerned, Phillip finally speaks up, about his sister being in the Library, thus he can't search now. Shotaro visits the police station, where Uesugi follows after him. Jinno is interrogated, with Makura keep forcing him to "confess" about his crimes, despite both eating shaved ice. As Jinno insists for Makura to instead use his time to find out the diamond woman instead of blaming him, which Makura still denies about the woman's existence. Shotaro and Uesugi arrives to explain further about Rui's identity. As a famous model, Makura would recognize Uesugi too, also asking for his autograph, but as Makura asks Jinno, apparently he knows him more, to explain that he got into fights (with flashback) and blabbered about protecting the city's peace. Uesugi confirms that which he deems as his group of friend's naivety, and continues his story about how him, Rui, and another man named Satoru Takeda, named after Takeda Shingen, are best friends (with a photograph), then Satoru fell in love with Rui, but Rui fell in love with Uesugi instead, and Uesugi rejected her as he shipped his other 2 friends and doesn't want to ruin their friendship. So he watched other KR series that shows how a love triangle can really cause damage. By that, Rui is hurt and acted strange, eventually turned into a monster, and Satoru was one of her victims to be turned into a jewel. For some reason, Jinno finds this hard to believe, despite his guilibility before, and that was the lead for the woman who framed you man.. Due to Wakana accessing the Gaia Library, now she even knows that Kazu talked with Saeko. Meanwhile Terui and Makura approaches the same pub that the Sonozakis are there to ask about Rui, who is told as in the bathroom, with Saeko approaching her, asking her to show off her Gaia Memory ability. However, the 2 evil women had a human fistfight instead, ending with Rui stepping again on Saeko. So Saeko's a real hand-to-hand combatant as a human too, faring much better than Akiko, even lasting longer than Shotaro later. Probably explains about her being the other human who uses more than 1 Living Connectors like Isaka, as well as her combat prowess as R Nazca. For some reason Saeko was surprised when Rui attacks her in human form, isn't that what you ask?? The cops... enter the woman bathroom. Really, this is a job, but Terui can experience similar moment like when he first met Nagi, of a male entering female bathroom. As Rui sees the cops, Saeko breaks free of Rui's trampling, but Rui left the scene. Makura chases after Rui, with of course Makura getting KOed by Rui's kick, while Terui attempts to arrest Saeko, both changing into Accel and R Nazca respectively. A cycle of revenge happens as R Nazca wants to avenge Isaka, making Accel the one being 'hunted' this time, as Accel changes to Trial, turning the battle into super speed contest, implementing a sort of running contest among it. Shotaro and Akiko confront Rui, in a place she used to hang out, who brings up Uesugi, only to be brushed off as a big mouth. Shotaro then shows her a photograph of her with friends, and brings up the missing Satoru, which Rui admits without problem as the one who turned him into jewel. Shotaro and Rui fights in human form, ends again with Rui stepping on Shotaro. Rui really likes digging her heels into others (as well as explaining about diamond), though I wonder if the position would mean Shotaro can look at her... something, even if unintentionally. The position is also at a stairs, so Shotaro can break free while sending her rolling on the stairs. Rui then, seemingly, changes into Jewel Dopant, seemingly as she's concealed in light before Jewel emerges, and W also arrives. W goes Xtreme... and even freaking final form cannot scratch Jewel, including his Bicker Charge Break and Double Xtreme back-to-back, ending with Jewel stepping on W. Shows that quantity doesn't determine power quality... for a Dopant of the Week, Jewel's durability alone makes her invincible, seemingly the strongest so far to be shown outside of Terror, even to final forms, where Dopants like Weather had variety of power, but loses out against the same final form that fell to Jewel. Meanwhile, Jinno recounts about how Rui loved Uesugi, as well as showing her twisted mindset that the more you care about something the more you want for it to be destroyed at the end, which Jinno realizes that Uesugi's in trouble for that, and calls out Shotaro from prison. /The Diamond Is Hurt Jewel is interrupted by Accel and R Nazca's battle, and decides to escape as she's almost done (despite her obvious advantage..), but before nullifying yet another of Xtreme's finisher Bicker Finalusion, using the shield to send back the beams at all the 3 fighters, reverting all of the 3 fighters back to human form. Bicker Finalusion (Jewel's) AoE from the spreading shot is used well here. As Shotaro and Akiko visits Jinno, Jinno recounts about Rui's past that he interfered in the trio's fight (the same one as the previous flashback) but got roughed up (probably accidentally, as later Rui gives him a towel), and later Rui talks to Jinno that they fight for the city's love. Jinno sees that as a crummy excuse, which yeah though that kind of excuse is also seen in even villains (or some using that to paint the villain white), for the trio there's still not much context for their fighting in the past (but Uesugi deems that as their naivety), albeit as usual Jinno believes her. Still though believing doesn't mean you can't give an advice or such to her regarding her ideals. In said area, there are a bunch of pinwheels set up by kids as well for their volunteer work, but got destroyed a few days later with the kids crying (means you mess with Shotaro), where Rui confessed it and reveals said twisted mindset of destroying what you love. At this time, it seems that Rui is set up to be a well-intentioned extremist, good intention but is done with twisted actions. However, Makura kicks out Shotaro that his visiting time is over and that Jinno needs a medical checkup from a doctor. Makura just have a too rigid approach for the cop station, that Shotaro's stalling gets them to an argument again, and he had a big ego to use that as his golden age... by abusing your power? The attitude is seen on some of the police brutality to throw their weight around in the most nitpicky things, only that there are no violence here. The doctor turns out to be... Rui disguising as one. Shotaro retaliates by taking Makura's popsicle. Makura's unaware about the doctor being Rui due to his denial of Jinno's explanation though. Meanwhile Phillip is still cockblocked by Wakana, who really wants to take back Raito into the Museum, as well as showing that she can turn into Claydoll there, and with no Shotaro around, Phillip is a dead meat. Wakana seems to revel in her little brother's difficulty as well, probably something that really changed from her old personality. As the Gaia Library always provided the heroes with vital information, it's an interesting new obstacle to the heroes' job that Phillip now can't smoothly provide them information anymore this time. Jinno learns that the doctor is Rui, and accuses of her wanting to turn him into a gem after Uesugi. As Jinno screams, Makura arrives to tone Jinno down, and he got another slapstick with Rui shoving a watermelon he holds in his face. Shotaro, still in the station, learns as well that the doctor was Rui, and chases after her. Now Rui finally talks, that she claims that a simpleton like Jinno isn't worth turning into a gem. Shotaro calls her out on not properly knowing Jinno's trait, as well as her approach of destroying the things she loves instead of protecting. Good that for a casanova, Shotaro would put males (Jinno, Uesugi) above an evil woman. For the comparison I did between Shotaro and Jinno before at ep. 41, now it's refered in-universe as well with Rui mocks Shotaro for being as foolish as Jinno. I guess there are no ways to reason with her, albeit for Jinno's flashback, she's probably still tame enough to be reasoned with. Still, it's meaningless to have a good intention if you'd have twisted view or methods, you'd just cause as much damage as full-fledged villains, and the real troublesome stuff is not being foolish but being self-righteous, one of the greatest enemy to human souls, to make them look to themselves for salvation and rule out the possibility that they are what has gone wrong, due to that, they're hard as hell to reason with. For some reason as Rui runs off, Shotaro didn't chase after her like Akiko wanted. Phillip reports to his friends that his sister now has surprassed him in synchronization and can turn into Dopant in the Library. Akiko, once again, becomes a 'source of inspiration' with her question of Phillip sharing a half with Shotaro unlike Wakana, which reminds Phillip when Wakana is at 50% synchronization, of which she's intangible in the Library. Phillip praises Akiko again and worked on the solution he found. Uesugi visits the Agency shortly after, to convey Rui's message that she wants to meet at Kazami Wharf, despite Akiko's warning that it might be a trap. Rui does show up, in a different outfit, but runs off. Taking Raito back is also the final stage of Museum, which Ryubee says will happen if Wakana does so. As Wakana interferes in Phillip's Gaia Library search again, Phillip now agrees to go into the Museum when Wakana tells the needed information from the Jewel Memory book... which she does. So even guilibility doesn't only apply to the good guys here, but a villain like her here, due to Wakana still having a faith Phillip, probably from how both are comfortable with each other thus she's overconfidently think Phillip will choose her over others. I guess so far the comparison is about guilibility between the Xtreme fighters in good (for Shotaro) and bad side. But of course Phillip runs off, and Wakana now changes into Claydoll Xtreme, shooting red energy balls. Then Phillip is the one that synchronizes 50% to the Library, phasing through Claydoll, and reading the still open Jewel Memory book at the required page. Here Phillip shows (or grows to) that he's not only book smart, he can outwit others too with strategic mind. After running for a while, Rui reaches a spot where she leads Uesugi to come closer. The running seems like luring others into danger or such if they run then persuades others to come closer at certain point, which makes Shotaro use Denden Sensor to scan the surroundings, which turns out to be true, she set up bombs, which means Akiko was right, and pulls Uesugi away before it explodes, seemingly killing her off, but the cast is unharmed. Uesugi explains that Rui tried to kill him, albeit screwed up (or probably the heroes having the needed tools to foil her, golden age of Memory Gadgets), and he still blames himself of Rui's fall from grace. Akiko thought the case is over (and sets up hefty fee for Jinno), but Shotaro actually disagrees, and he hasn't finished his reports, missing the last page which he needed to do the last action, which is both of them going to a cruise ship that Uesugi boards, and declares Uesugi to be the real Dopant. As Uesugi and Akiko objects, Phillip is actually there too, and continues that the moment Rui turns into Jewel was a trick, that it was instead Rui's reflection, in the crystallized shield of diamonds, where Rui was hidden from the heroes' sight. Obviously Uesugi won't believe Rui doing that, but Shotaro continues that Rui was forced by him, revealing that she's still alive in front of Uesugi, who protests that Uesugi didn't fulfill his promise to her after she takes cover for him for everything he did, pretending to be the villain. She also declares that Uesugi actually lied, Rui loved Satoru too, and Uesugi turned him into a gem due to that, and the promise is turning Satoru back. Uesugi's a textbook depiction of sociopath, being a guy who is manipulating others while reading and exploiting them, as well as being willing to off anyone who gets in his way with little concern, while looking like a gentle and noble person to the others (which he drops the act at this point), hiding his true personality with his charm, further helped by the halo effect from his model occupation. I'd say so far, this is the most unexpected twist W did in Dopant cases so far, though I don't know if it's necessary (probably only for how Rui's name means tear drop, which she had when begging for Uesugi here), it's practically just swapping roles, that it's Uesugi who turned Satoru and the girls into gems instead of Rui, it's Uesugi who beats up others as Dopant instead of Rui, it's Uesugi who wrecks the pinwheels instead of Rui, it's Uesugi who had the twisted mindset of destroying things he cares about instead of Rui, while on the opposite case, it's Rui who wants to stop Uesugi and not the other way around etc. Though the pinwheel part might be the driving force of Uesugi's actions, as Uesugi thought she loved her as she takes the blame from his actions. The love triangle part before, it wasn't Uesugi preventing the strife that can happen from it... he's the living proof of the disaster a love triangle can cause like several other Rider series. She.. um.. friendzoned him ("love as friend"), the frendzoning isn't played as lighthearted humor for obvious reasons here though, as she's afraid of his twisted mindset now. Though Rui probably stopped now, but it's not pretending if she'd let her friend doing his terrible deeds while you're helping him even if forced, it's an actual (anti-)villainy act, even if lesser one (as a "sidekick of sorts"), it'd still harm others for a loved one's sake. She could've secretly (if disagreeing would have Uesugi harm her or something) asked for the Agency's help like a bunch of people in previous 2-parters, as their case are also weird ones. Uesugi explains another aspect of his that he's a perfectionist, his twisted mindset comes from how the flaws of something he liked stands out more, including Rui's, thus he wants to get rid of it. This episode had a twisted sociopath take of it, but it does can happen, like some people at a fanbase of a media that starts to get nitpicky over every single thing that is 'bad' to them, outright losing their ability to appreciate the actual good stuff over time (not that people cannot criticize, but accentuating the negative is imbalanced). Uesugi decides to throw Satoru into the sea, but Accel Trial saves him, and it means it's the 2nd time he saved Uesugi's "friends", as he also saved Rui before with Trial's super speed. Accel describes Uesugi's overall plan is making Rui look guilty with Shotaro and Akiko as witnesses. Shotaro unwittingly helping Uesugi was the reason that Rui mocks his guilibility before, though actually Shotaro reveals that he finally figured it out at the wharf, looking at Uesugi hiding the detonator in the arm cast along with the Jewel Memory. So the series' method of exposing the manipulator is the usual single mistake that blows their cover.... kinda an easier take. And of course, he used the cruise ship to escape and continue turning women into gems in another city, but now he had to take out the ones who know his true nature as Jewel, with Shotaro and Phillip turning into W, fighting with Trial against Jewel. Uesugi's still calm as he knows that neither of them can break a diamond like him, but Phillip now figures it out due to his trick on Library, that the Jewel Memory had a weakpoint, the "eye of a stone" that splits the materials. W goes Xtreme and uses Bicker Charge Break in that area, defeating Jewel. I guess that's the reason why Jewel Memory wasn't used as a primary offense means by the Sonozakis despite it seemingly performing better than Weather to the Riders for example, it has a glaring flaw... and turns out even Uesugi himself isn't perfect, and fittingly, (along with Jinno's guilibility), Nobody's Perfect plays after this. Again, this is a really easy route the series take of an invincible enemy, of revealing about a weakpoint or such, would prefer if there'd be more clever tactics getting around it. Uesugi would blame Rui for involving Jinno, which led to him running into the Agency and Fuuto PD, containing both of the Kamen Riders. So Jinno's the one who unwittingly saved the day here by being the Agency's client, without even getting into the action, and Rui got Jinno involved due to him being guillible, thus she had to keep him safe from the potential lies from Uesugi, and flashbacks show her as one of the people who got affected by Jinno's infectious aspect of being guillible, going along with him even if he's fooled (though tbf, the 'lie' she told him of her friend being held hostage isn't a really obvious one unlike Look Behind You), thus redeeming her delinquent aspects, not fighting anymore, owing him for that. Uesugi is unconscious and Jewel Memory breaks, turning Satoru and all the girls back to normal. As Rui and Satoru embrace, Akiko tried to do the same to Terui, but he unknowingly avoids her, causing her to hit the ship's barrier. Though this is a comedy slapstick inflicted to her, she'd get helped by Phillip, instead of the others reveling at the slapstick victim. And as Jinno is cleared of his charges... of course, Makura sucks up to him, claiming that he knew he's innocent the whole time, but still he doesn't seem to value others as friends, only being an opportunist to get himself on spotlight. Akiko once again, had her mean side resurface (without slipper) as he forces Jinno to pay ASAP, while Shotaro reveals that Rui wants to cook for him as gratitude. Jinno, however, thinks that it's a lie and vows to become less guillible, but of course, it'd be a big talk as Shotaro tests him, points a yeti, and he fell for it again. Albeit this time, Shotaro turns to be true that a yeti did appear nearby, scaring both of them.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). Last edited by DreadBringer; 10-01-2021 at 04:51 AM.. |
10-01-2021, 05:46 PM | #16814 |
Showa Girl
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 9,064
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Vulcan/Valkyrie subs are out so gave it a watch ASAP.
It... hm. There's definitely things I like about it (Yaiba finally has solid characterisation!!), but as a whole... I enjoyed a lot of the concepts and ideas behind it, but I think it's a movie where I'm trying too hard to convince myself I like it when at its core it's very much not something I like. Definitely has good things going for it but just does not stand up as a whole
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10-02-2021, 10:46 AM | #16815 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,290
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Ugh.. made a mistake of the arcs for W ep. 37-42 before ._., it should be Foundation X Arc, got fixed.
Kamen Rider W(atch) Foundation X Arc Episode 43-44: The O Chain O stands for Old (Dopant) and Obscured. Written by: Keiichi Hasegawa, Directed by: Koichi Sakamoto /The Old Detective Terui visits his family's grave, and he found several white flowers, not from him, already laid there. Nevertheless, Terui prays and tells his condition now to his deceased family. Back at the Agency Terui treats people there (including Hidari) with Kazehana's sweet dumplings. As Akiko also drinks coffee... of which had her fawning over Terui again, seeing the coffee cup as an indirect kiss from him due to a flashback of Terui using that cup. But they got a new client, a woman, portrayed by Kiva's Mami/Ryoko Yui, who begs for them to help Miyu Goto, her daughter. Shotaro again tries to play cool, but he'd look like tryhard again, shoved away by Akiko. Said woman comes accompanied with an old woman, who Shotaro presumes as Miyu's grandma, but apparently (after shoving Shotaro again, rejecting his grandma claim) she calls the woman his mother. The mother explains that the old woman is actually Miyu, who's normally 10 year old but got turned into a grandma overnight. Obviously, none can cause something as bizzare like that except the fantastic element in the story, which means it must be a Dopant's doing. Akiko and Terui visits Miyu's kindergarten, and the headmaster tells them that Miyu is selected for a lead role in their production, and Terui suspects someone having a grudge to Miyu, which the headmaster denies as Miyu is popular, and her mother, named Yoshie, is a hardworker, thus both are well-liked. I'd convey a trivia again between the 2 parters lately, unintended probably; the J's Labyrinth (ep. 41-42) 2-parter had the guest star's actor names being Ryunosuke Kawai (Uesugi) and Yoshie Okumura (Rui), and the 2 parter before had Kawai as the last name of the guest star in The Likelihood of the G (ep. 39-40), and the 2 parter after (this one) had Yoshie as the first name of the guest star. Well, that aside, I guess the headmaster overlooked something for someone popular, there can be those who'd be jealous, but they can't express their feud due to the popularity of those they envy. One of Miyu's best friend Kumi Sekine asks them about Miyu's absence in the practice. Though Kumi gets more questions than answers. But Akiko gets interrupted by Kumi's mom Mitsuko, who talks down the Goto family for being a tryhard, and she says that while smiling all the time, which draws suspicion from the heroes. The smile's a fail cover. Mitsuko then takes Kumi away for dance lessons. Watcherman informs Shotaro that a psychic called Ager might be responsible, where someone can go to him to tell the name of someone they hate, to turn them old. So a repeat of Cockroach, but aging them instead of killing them. Watcherman then tells Shotaro the password of Ager that it's la mar (how old man calls the sea). In the Museum, Wakana asks Ryubee about Shroud, who he knows apparently better than anyone, explaining that she runs the campaign of revenge to the Museum. Wakana offers to eliminate her... yeah she's infallibility loyal to the Museum now, but Ryubee warns her that Shroud's an embodiment of rage, with a flashback of a scientific chaos involving a long haired woman, alongside Shroud in present time. Ryubee claims Shroud is something he hid from her as well. The heroes begin their search of the Ager, with Akiko asking any fortune tellers she found, each of them with what old man calls the sea question. Each of them have over the top reaction, but none give la mar answer as intended, and one of them accidentally offends Akiko by referencing racoon dog as her past, and she smacks him with the slipper. Another one claims Akiko's destined man is nearby, which'd refer to Terui, getting her mesmerized. After asking 30 people and failed, Akiko almost gave up, but finally founds Ager, accurately giving the answer of la mar when asked the what old man calls the sea question. Ager offers his services, with the fee of ¥100000/10 years. Akiko actually accepts the offer, showing him the picture of Terui with her, to Shotaro's surprise (and of course Terui rejecting questions as usual). Both men are forced to cover their blow when Akiko got tempted for some reason (why'd she want Terui old?). Really, this is not really different to Jinno's guilibility, though like Jinno, this moves the heroes' plan forward, as Terui trying to arrest Ager pisses him off, and exposes that he's Old Dopant. Old has powers similar to Terror (as Phillip later notes), spreading an ooze to the victims, only that Old's ooze is colored crimson red. Terui turns into Accel to shield Akiko, as does Shotaro to W, to Old's surprise that they're Kamen Riders. W turns Xtreme, but Old reveals that... like W, he got 2 side of his body as well, but Old has a trait similar to W, being 2-in-1 fighter (that W views as creepy), but his is front/back instead of left/right like W. Old uses his back patina side which is the faster one to gave Xtreme some beatdown, then switches back to his default rust side to inflict his ooze to W, which made Shotaro feel unwell, and Xtreme got de-henshined, to Phillip's surprise. Really, the powercreep of the Dopants, now the Dopant of the weeks can take on Xtreme, better than major villain like Weather did. Old is a combination of W and Terror, though not with their powers stacking, only ability/gimmick. There's a streak of white in Shotaro's hair as well. Accel changes to Trial, but Old runs away via the ooze. Shroud walks past them, and Terui chases after her with Phillip. Shroud reveals that she chose Terui due to his unique physiology, and as usual, she's dismissive of Shotaro, calling him useless now and urges for Terui and Phillip to become W. Other than Phillip being agitated with her insistence, even Terui acknowledges that Hidari is Phillip's only partner. So Terui does hold some degree of respect to Shotaro (along with moments like giving his regards to him as he gets Trial), despite being the one he's the most hostile to between the main cast (praising Phillip's intelligence and calling Akiko chief, in contrast to his disgust of Shotaro's "naivety"). Shroud finally explains her endgoal, she wants to create the ultimate W to beat Ryubee, CycloneAccelXtreme form (red right side; Italian W, also has glowing blue eyes), which is fueled by hatred. Makura looks for Shotaro in the Agency, and it's shown that Shotaro has been fully turned into an old man; he's the victim of Old's ability just like Miyu. Being old, Shotaro had to ask others to massage him, which Makura does. After slapstick happens due to Makura being too hard, Yoshie visits again, with Akiko and Phillip reporting to her that Ager is the culprit, turning people old as a paid act of someone's revenge. Akiko suspects Mitsuko as the one exacting revenge on Miyu, which Yoshie denies as she's nice, but Akiko still insists to try asking her (so she's truly suspicious of Mitsuko). Makura's forced to become old Shotaro's caretaker as Phillip looks for a solution in Gaia Library. As usual, Wakana's using the Library too for now, trying to look up an information for Shroud. She struggles to search for the book.. I guess she hasn't known to search properly there like using keywords? So she asks Phillip due to Ryubee still keeping it secret to her. Phillip tells her minimal information as well as only meeting her once, thus Wakana leaves pissy. While holding a suitcase of Gaia Memories that each has metallic blue contacts, Kazu explains to Saeko that those Memories are designed by a former Museum member, which are succeeded by Foundation X creating a new generation ones. Saeko notes that it's like a betrayal to her father, but Kazu leaves as Terui visits her, and both Terui and Kazu stopped by for a while as they walk past each other. Terui wants to ask her about the connection between Shroud and the Sonozakis. Akiko and Yoshie reaches Mitsuko's place. Kumi says that Mitsuko has a visitor, and turns out that it's Ager, who Mitsuko pays. Just like what Akiko suspects about Mitsuko. Mitsuko didn't really doiing good job hiding her true nature before as Akiko spotted her right away, smiles don't erase away any suspicion. Unfortunately, Ager spots both Akiko and Yoshio as well, and Ager turns into Old. Actually, Phillip does arrive, so they aren't unprotected, and declares Old as human vermin and unforgivable. Phillip got his turn to call out others' misdeeds now. As everyone present witness Old's transformation, Yoshio would hunt down Mitsuko for answers, who flees. Eventually Mitsuko proudly admits that she hires Ager to turn Miyu old due to her being chosen as the star over Kumi. Her uncanny smiles now just make her look completely nuts, like people such as Motoko (similarly had envy over others' success at entertainment field) from ep. 13-14. Otherwise yeah, a parent loving their child doesn't make them necessarily a good person, non-child are still people with rights. Or probably she doesn't fully love Kumi, she's a stage mom that forces Kumi into a child star, with likely self-serving reason such as experiencing the fame and fortune, just that the episode only shows the others directly being affected by her atrocity instead of Kumi (it can be indirect for Kumi too to witness her mom's true nature). Though Yoshie is understandably angered, Akiko struggles to break out their fight. With Shotaro being out of action as old man, FangJoker will return, but 2-in-1 difficulty arises again, with Shotaro's worsened hearing and his shivering hands to put the Joker Memory inside due to his age. Shotaro still hides his Rider identity in front of the cops with him sending Makura to get water for him, which finally pisses of Makura. Still though he had relatively long patience here. I wonder if Jinno and Makura know that Terui is Accel, if yes then no need to hide. FangJoker lasts for a while until Shotaro's age catches up to him, turning him into Old's punching bag, and Phillip contemplates using CycloneAccelXtreme as Shroud stands nearby. Saeko answers Terui's question with a pool table, using the balls as imagery, with 9-ball as Ryubee and the cue ball as Shroud. Shroud is a woman that clears every player out of the field (including Terui and his family) just to attack Ryubee, which is demonstrated by Saeko's break in her pool game, sending the non 9-balls away, continued with Saeko sinking the 1-ball and 2-ball with the cue ball, likened to how Shroud takes out Terui's family. Terui didn't fully understand, but Saeko sums it up as Shroud set everything up, including being the one who gave Isaka Weather Memory, which'd mean Shroud's the real Terui family murderer (the reason he didn't understand at first, but not now), like the sinked 1-ball and 2-ball. That's what Isaka meant where he said the heroes' fate are at Shroud's hands. Shroud (cue ball) manipulates both the heroes and the villains (sinking the non 9-ball) with ruthless efficiency, arranging for the genesis of both Weather and Accel to use them both as pawns in her plan to attack Ryubee (9-ball), and won't care if anyone got caught in the crossfire of her endgame like Terui's family (1 & 2-ball). /Shroud's Confession Akiko sees FangJoker getting beaten up, and Old reveals more about himself, he justifies his actions as making others happy, which would also appeal to human's dark nature of wanting to see others miserable, thus he'd have completely no qualms of doing that if it's what his customers ask. At his very best, within his twisted mind, it'd be another picking favorites, only caring about his customers, complying to their request, but others be damned. Or it's just an excuse to profit off others by exploiting said human's dark nature, as he did say that he wants to prolong human vendetta to each other as he escapes, letting them gain their temporary happiness of having the upper hand in their vendetta, but one upped by their opposition who'd also be happy too regaining the upper hand, and so on. Old escapes due to Xtreme Memory beating him. Silly me to forget that, even without being used by W, Xtreme Memory is still a formidable fighter by itself, it fended off Weather in its early appearence. Though still, Xtreme Memory can save FangJoker, but won't have the output to put down Dopants (unless it can revert them back to human), so the stakes in old Shotaro is still there. Unfortunately, Old's parting words gave Yoshie an idea. Saeko continues that Shroud turned Isaka into a supervillain that also kills Terui's family, and it's wrong for Terui to assume that Isaka's death means it's over (and Saeko's explanations are all related to Isaka's final words) and in reality there's no end to vengeance, while sinking the 5-ball. Terui now directs his anger to Shroud, while stopping the cue ball from hitting the 6-ball, interrupting Saeko's game. It seems that struggle can make some villains more subdued, and Saeko (a name resembling "psycho" in pronounciation) at Foundation X Arc seems to be W's take of it, sort of being willing to "cooperate" with Terui, like for other series, Gentoku cooperating with Sento/Banjou after Hokuto attacks, but doesn't mean that the villains are redeemed or such, just being forced by circumstances. Though Saeko could've goaded Terui into finishing Shroud off here, considering how Shroud acts later. Next, we see for the first time of Kazu... smiling (not sinister smirk one), due to Museum's progress, which Ryubee credits to their relationship with Foundation X. Though Wakana is still wary of Kazu's feelings and words. Yeah, Kazu's lack of emotion is an intended trait, though still for now (in the main series) it's not known much about him except as a Museum (including Saeko) partner, where he tells Wakana the tips to find Shroud, which is by keeping an eye on Terui as he investigates Shroud too. Shotaro, being old, is much more relaxed, even claiming that a lovely and peaceful afternoon is hard-boiled. Akiko, again, tries to whack him with her slipper... but stopped at the last second and whacks herself. So yeah, her not whacking someone is the specific one (to people like Tooru or elderly) instead of the new habit. She'd still question him about his phrase, and warns Phillip that they won't win in this condition. Terui confronts Shroud, where Shroud explains Terui's unique physiology in him withstanding Dopant attacks that has biology-affecting power, like Old's ooze, which means he'd perform the same against Terror. the primary reason she grooms for CycloneAccelXtreme and screws Terui's life over, as she admits she gave Isaka the Weather Memory, which led to him killing Terui's family. Terui once again uses Engine Blade in human form to attack Shroud, though Shroud can fight back by shooting it with Shroud Magnum, including when Terui turns into Accel (base), where Shroud counters with Bomb Memory, using Bomb Maximum Drive (unnamed attack) to shoot some energy spheres that can harm Accel. Shroud molds Terui as Raito's partner from the very beginning, and Accel realizes that Shroud's the one who gets rid of Hidari indirectly via Old, using the family to draw Shotaro to Old. This reveals further about Shroud being the mastermind; she's much more actively involved in the story events that expected, and she treats everyone as her tools (instead of living being), which explains how she glorifies cold detached traits. She admits all of that for her another plan; purposely provoking Accel further, which she'd be fine with if she dies by his hand, due to reigniting Terui's hatred by doing so. Accel changes to Trial to reach Shroud, though Accel's common sense isn't completely blown away here (due to rejecting the idea of being Shroud's tool), as he stopped his attack before it hits Shroud. However, Wakana as Claydoll finally finds Shroud, who apparently refers to Wakana by her name, and Wakana calls her out due to apparently abandoning the Museum and Sonozaki family. Shroud is actually cornered against Claydoll, but Trial stops her to gain information about Shroud being family. Terui learns that Shroud's real name is Fumine Sonozaki, which'd mean she's.. Phillip's mother. Shroud walks away, teleporting away via flames (really she had supernatural abilities even without being a Rider or Dopant), and Wakana lets Terui take care of Shroud, as long as she's killed. In the Agency, as Shotaro trains to... slot the Joker Memory into Double Driver, it's revealed that Kumi turns old just like Miyu, and Miyu admits that Yoshie hired Ager to turn Kumi old to take revenge. Both daughters are clearly miserable, and can only cry on the shoulder of another Ager victim Shotaro. Later in the kindergarten, Mitsuko is the one who is enraged (and later cries) of Yoshie's action, of which Yoshie is proud of, reveling in her feeling the same misery as she did. Akiko again tries to break off their fight, but is shoved away once again by Yoshie, who justifies her action as being natural to go for the eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. While I'd still say Yoshie's the lesser evil compared to the 2 as I'd consider the one who started shit as worse rather than someone who retaliated, and that this can teach the wrong person a lesson of what'd they feel if being put on the same miserable position they put others in, 2 wrongs in no way will make for a right, as this brings harm upon an innocent, Kumi, who so far did nothing wrong, treating the actual victim only as a means to an ignoble end (and classifying everyone in a group, such as family, as all the same/identical is a bad trait as well). Which is how Terui calls both of the moms out of being morons, pointing out that Yoshie only satisfies her hatred instead of doing anything right, overlooking the fact that both of the daughters are obviously miserable for something none of their fault. The moms are referred as moron because really, revenge by proxy isn't practical either, it'd have a risk of earning even more enemies, like getting other relatives or potentially friends involved to help their respective favored person, escalating the revenge, as people who seek revenge forget that they won't always hold the upper hand, and as Saeko said at the beginning, vengeance has no end, it's just cycle of revenge (especially bad if by proxy one occurs). All of that can be avoided by, probably hiring Ager to turn Miyu back, and with Miyu getting the lead role back, it'd still foil Mitsuko's plan, but revenge really clouds one's judgment. Yoshie did bring up about human nature to pay back for those who wronged them, but doesn't mean that if something is naturally predisposed to a certain act or state, it must be accepted (or either selfishly seeking for approval to their nature but not for others). People should work into improving themselves, and they should resist the urge for their bad inherent nature instead of prolonging it. Otherwise, this is a nice reminder (though not the first time W did it) that monsters aren't the only factor that can cause disaster, but human's dark nature in general, seen in how both moms are the ones who drove the story with the Old Dopant being served to magnify the disaster with the power it holds. Though the headmaster would beg for forgiveness to the moms of doing something out of love to their children, albeit admitting that the love for children can go beyond reason (the reason why loving their child doesn't necessarily make a parent a good person overall). Nevertheless, Terui's criticism did get through the petty moms, who now just hug their crying children respectively. And Akiko uses the moment as a proof that... real old people are the one who know their shit instead of artificial one like Ager's victims. Dunno if it's meant to be parodic or genuine, or it can be both, as Terui then approaches Shroud again, but instead to forgive her, to Shroud's puzzlement, as Terui compares Shroud's situation into the moms, doing all of her wicked shit for Phillip's sake. Shroud admits that too, recounting her story of loving Raito until Ryubee treats him as a tool, with flashback about Fumine's misery. It was still vague in Wakana's flashback of the apparent Saeko's abuse (ep. 14), but now, it's clearly shown that Ryubee can have a real sadistic side to his family, other than using Raito as a tool due to him being Earth itself, he disposed Fumine with Terror Memory, along with an evil laugh. If Ryubee treats his family badly, then a good handling of Ryubee's character IMO should be fleshing him out, about how he became what he is now from his cruel family treatment before, he did want to punish Saeko for rebelling against him, but it seems to be out of necessity other than outright maliciousness unlike the flashback, thus she wants to get Raito back, and take revenge to Ryubee. Indeed, Shroud is comparable to both moms, to Mitsuko for getting rid of people who are against you (Shotaro, Miyu) and her obsession to create CycloneAccelXtreme also makes her a stage mom for her son Raito as well, and to Yoshie for taking revenge to someone who wronged them (Ryubee, Mitsuko), but getting so caught up in their vengeance that they won't care if they'd catch others in the crossfire (Terui's family + her other victims, Miyu), the 2-parter nicely sets up a parallel for Terui to grow out of his revenge ways, witnessing the destruction it can cause via the petty moms, as well as Shroud herself taking away Terui's family in her quest of revenge. And as Phillip also hears the conversation and shows up, Terui now sets up to prove to Shroud that hatred isn't the only thing needed to defeat the forces of evil. Though this'd mean CycloneAccelXtreme will never appear, if there'd be those who are disappointed in that. There's Climax Heroes OOO game that featured playable CAX, but is mostly a palette swap for CycloneJokerXtreme (but with Engine Blade in place of Prism Sword), but had the Prism Breaker move replaced by Engine Memory slashes, as well as no finisher (for being bonus character). Old Shotaro confronts Ager, who smugly believes that being old means he can't put a fight, but old Shotaro proved him wrong, scoring some good hits with his cane. It's kinda expected for an expert combatant to have some physical prowess when old, where it's weirder if old Shotaro struggles to move, but not for aged Kumi or Miyu. Ager is mad and turns into Old Dopant, planning to age Shotaro further 50 years forward, which'd mean death as it's beyond human expectancy. Phillip and Terui arrive just that time, along with Shroud to observe, to fight as Accel, and then to henshin with old Shotaro (still assisted by Akiko) as W. Accel then uses his unique physiology again to block Old's ooze directed at W, giving W a chance to directly strike Old as Xtreme. Accel upgrades to Trial then finishes Old off with Machine Gun Slasher, a slash version of the kick-based Machine Gun Spike, though would say kick is the more fluid and better suited attack of the 2. Like usual, the Old Memory's destruction means Shotaro (and the others) reverts back into his current self. Shows that like Yoshie, Shroud loses some common sense in her pursuit of revenge as well, where Accel simply needs to tank the ooze and let his allies strike the opponent, or focused on getting rid of Shotaro forgetting that he's just more addition for those who'd take down Terror, even was surprised when Terui mentions 3 of the Riders to do the job. Or even if what Shroud wants is getting Raito back, even currently he's no longer with Sonozaki family, so there's no restriction of her being together with Raito/Phillip without using convoluted schemes. And honestly, that'd mean Shroud is only marginally better than Ryubee, "helping" the heroes won't necessarily mean she's good, she just wants to exact revenge, only that her target happens to be a deserving one, it's a case of evil vs evil with what had she done, as she admits that her giving Weather Memory to Isaka is because, as shown later, he wants to take down Terror too; any means if it'd create a hero (anti-hero at first for Terui) or villain (evil vs evil in Isaka against Ryubee). To rely on at least both Isaka or Terui and pit them against each other, she uses the brutal competitive method to "improve" any of them and elevate their motivation to be on the top, regardless of what'd happen to both. Though fortunately, Shroud isn't irredeemable, as the Riders get through her, now regretting that Isaka turns out to be such monstrous creature that causes many deaths. Probably that's another sign of losing common sense, to not realize that he's messed up already as normal human, and power only gives them the means to do evil things on wider scale unprovoked. Terui accepts her apology, with rather clever words, a comforting one but still not forgetting her atrocity; that she doesn't need to hurt anyone again now; overall I'd view this 2-parter as one of the best in the series, with convincing way of showing the damages of a negative human trait, a crucial plot twist and story advance, a smart parallel between the main and side story, and the conclusive character development. Shroud leaves, with saddened Phillip failing to catch up to her. Meanwhile Kazu hands his briefcase to another agent named Tabata, who notes that it's filled with all 26 T2 Gaia Memories (containing every letter from A to Z), and tells Saeko that Shroud retires. That'd be more covered in Gaia Memories of Fate movie. Shotaro reports that the family smiles again and Shroud has seen the light. It's quite overlooked stuff for the series that the moms should've been charged for colliding with a known criminal, and Terui did confront them, albeit Terui probably sees no need if they did listen to his criticism and changed, as law is done to make sure others won't repeat their misdeeds. But due to Shotaro being young again, he got slapped by Akiko's slipper again for talking like his old self previously. Either way it's unnecessary meanness for Akiko to Shotaro to get hit due to that, as he himself points out, though it's probably a little rough (and childish) banter as Akiko clings to Terui for protection, starting a date for real in front of Shotaro and Phillip.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). Last edited by DreadBringer; 10-02-2021 at 10:54 AM.. |
10-02-2021, 05:16 PM | #16816 |
The Immortal King Tasty
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Every diner you've ever been to.
Posts: 3,833
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Just finished watching Vulcan & Valkyrie, and I gotta say, it's really locked in how I feel about the whole 01hers duology – it's got a lot of great concepts, is pretentious as all heck, has direction that keeps wavering between unusually stylish and unusually sloppy, takes what it's doing a bit too far in places... and yet all that boneheaded ambition, despite my frustrations, ends up feeling endearing to me when all is said and done, exactly how Zero-One always seems to.
I mean, it's a movie where a wounded Fuwa has the classic Rider tears painted on his face with his own blood. I just can't hate that, you know? A lot of what I adore about Zero-One is how I feel it's thematically rich in a way that's specifically geared to get people thinking, and while these V-Cinemas have this almost self-satisfied bluntness in how the characters talk about some of those themes, as ever, I deeply appreciate the effort to put some very real substance behind all the drama. In a lot of ways, I think this one of the tightest, most natural continuations a Rider show has gotten. In many other ways, it isn't, but hey, I learned things aren't always black and white from watching Zero-One well before they made two movies all about that idea. Because it really isn't like there are good things and bad things about Vulcan & Valkyire; there are just things, and there a lot of different ways I feel about them, which I figure is way better than if I didn't feel anything at all. At the end of the day, MetsubouJinrai is still a really charming and unique "character", and I think they did great work highlighting how much both Fuwa and Yua live up to that whole Kamen Rider ideal. (Significantly more subtly for the latter, mind you, but that's actually just being even more true to their characters.) MetsubouJinrai sort of left a bad taste in my mouth at the end, but for whatever reason, Vulcan & Valkyrie didn't, even though there are at least an many things about its ending I found unpalatable. I'm sure this post comes off a little ambiguous, but I honestly do think I'm rather satisfied with this one.
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10-03-2021, 08:28 AM | #16817 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,548
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Well I’ve just finished the Vulcan and Valkyrie V-Cinema.
How was it? Somehow worse than impressions online give you. I’d recommend just stopping with the last episode of the show. |
10-03-2021, 08:46 AM | #16818 |
Reiei
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,691
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I feel like it should be the show and then RealxTime. Because RealxTime washes my hands somewhat clean from the show ending.
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10-03-2021, 08:55 AM | #16819 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,572
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Quote:
Sounds like the way I'm going to remember Zero-One ending is RealXTime since that's honestly a nice capstone to everything. Especially given, while not a big, big cliffhanger teaser, Zero-One's final episode does tease Eden. |
10-03-2021, 09:17 AM | #16820 |
Showa Girl
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 9,064
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For me, Vul/Val surprisingly didn't ruin the MBJR movie for me and I'm still able to see it as its own individual thing -- so that'll be what I take as the series' ending. I wish Vul/Val had gone in a completely different direction but I do respect what they did with it
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