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#31 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,508
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I really love Ankh and Eiji's dynamic at the start of the series. Ankh is such a complete bastard but Eiji does a good job of holding his own in their interactions. He's idealistic, but you don't get the sense that he's naive enough (because this isn't Move War Core) to think Ankh has better angels to appeal to.This leads to a lot of creative thinking on his part to work around Ankh rather than with him. I enjoy that.
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#32 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,454
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KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 3 - “CATS, EVOLUTION, AND GLUTTONS”
I think Ankh’s prominence in my memory over Eiji has less to do with Eiji’s sweetness than with Eiji's tendency in the narrative to be mostly reacting to Ankh’s cruelty/hilarity. This episode alone is largely just Eiji trying to work around Ankh’s more human-indifferent goals, while Ankh is the one deciding where to go next and how to approach a problem. Eiji’s job is to work within Ankh’s restrictions and push back on Ankh’s imperiousness, which makes for a solid episode of tense conflict between our leads, but definitely gives Ankh the juicier part. Quote:
It’s the sort of cold pragmatism we’d expect from our avian asshole, and Eiji’s resistance so far is more about a general belief in human life than a specific counter to Ankh’s worldview, but I’m sure that’ll come in time. The tracks are already being laid for a discussion about how some of the people who least deserve help most need it, and that probably includes Ankh.
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Ankh, who is absolutely gluttonous this episode when it comes to harvesting Cell Medals. We’re still at a point with Ankh where his blatant contempt for humanity is making his partnership with Eiji horribly ineffective, and threatening both of their objectives. Definitely a good place to leave the first half of a two-parter!
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
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#33 |
The Immortal King Tasty
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Every diner you've ever been to.
Posts: 3,953
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He actually gets a couple more in there throughout the series, but it will never *not* drive me insane that OOO had such a cool Rider Kick and basically never got to use it in any standout moment. Like, if you're gonna do this subversion so early, at least make him finish off something in the first two episodes with it so there's something there to subvert!
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#34 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,508
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Superhero shows would usually have the people who least deserve help getting help, by the righteous characters, but seems that many of real life people, even those who believe they're good people, would discourage it and wish for 'karma' for someone that deserves it, particularly villains they have a sympathy for, but also including those who make foolish decisions like said glutton V/MOTW.
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He actually gets a couple more in there throughout the series, but it will never *not* drive me insane that OOO had such a cool Rider Kick and basically never got to use it in any standout moment. Like, if you're gonna do this subversion so early, at least make him finish off something in the first two episodes with it so there's something there to subvert!
(I will also now carry with me the headcanon that as Eiji goes to finish off every Yummy from now on, he does a little mental calculus before he's about to leap into the air for a Rider Kick and thinks But What If Kazari Is In Hiding Somewhere, and then just cuts the monster in two.) |
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#35 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,508
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KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 4 - “DOUBTS, PICS, AND A HELPING HAND”
![]() DOUBTS: We’re only in the second half of our third story for this series, so it’s the perfect time to interrogate its foundations. With the breathtaking speed of OOO’s storytelling, we don’t really have the sort of stability that would make a test on Eiji and Ankh’s partnership a non-starter. It’s completely believable that Ankh would flip on Eiji, because we just don’t know enough about either one of them – the series to date has mostly been them scrambling to figure out a dynamic that works around various impediments and… I mean, Ankh. A dynamic that works around Ankh. Which is what makes this episode’s pivot from Will Ankh Betray Eiji so fun. Like, yeah, it’s eminently believable that Ankh would drop Eiji in a heartbeat, mostly for spite, somewhat for expediency. So let’s instead spend some time figuring out what Eiji’s in this for, and why he’s willing to continue the fight against the Greeed even if he loses the Core Medals and OOO Driver. There’s more depth to Eiji right now that we really haven’t plumbed. What we get is a solid story of how haunted Eiji is by guilt, despite his carefree demeanor. Eiji’s clearly lost before, failed people before, so he can’t live with the thought of turning his back when it’s within his power to help. It’s less about seeing the value in a person, or in people, and more in his own neuroses and hang-ups; it’s a motivation that could be either a weakness or a strength, which makes it perfect for the hero of this show. (I mean, Eiji clearly cares about people, and would sacrifice himself for others, but the motivation for him is guilt and regret. It’s something within him, not within others.) PICS: While we’re getting a subdued and heartfelt story from Eiji and Hina – mostly there to dot i’s and cross t’s about what happened to Shingo, much appreciated – the B-plot in this one is Ankh playing with an iPhone and tormenting children, so you know I loved it. (I didn’t really touch on this last time, but I love how much the OOO team plays up the bird physicality of Ankh. Last episode had him always up in a tree, or on a roof. This one has him sitting on a beam high above the battle. Even sitting down on a bench, he looks like he’s perched. It’s great!) It’s mostly there for the eventual reveal that Ankh’s been using the internet to track Kazari, while Kazari has been wasting his time waiting for Ankh to go search on foot. This episode does not do a lot to make Kazari seem unbeatable or all-powerful, despite the mauling he gives OOO in the beginning. Kazari’s sly, but he’s easily countered by Ankh’s modern knowledge and Eiji’s clever fight tactics. Kazari comes off as a guy that haasn’t learned a new trick in 800 years, and that’s a very fun aspect of the other Greeed to get to explore. I like villains that have to work for their success! AND A HELPING HAND: Just like the heroes need to work for their success! The Yummy is dispatched with the teamwork of Eiji and Ankh, after Ankh declares his loyalty to Eiji by pointing out that the other Greeed would eventually betray him, while Eiji’s trustworthy despite being a frustration. That OOO teamwork!!! It’s a thing of beauty. I liked the literalism of Eiji reaching out his hand to pull the unnamed victim out of the Yummy. It’s 1000% on the nose, but it’s such a strong visual, and it just gets to the heart of this show. Eiji can’t promise he’ll save you, and he can’t always make everything right, but he can always reach his hand out. (I mean, the other guy on this show is a literal hand. Kobayashi is not trying to be subtle with this stuff!) I like shows where the promise of the Rider is that he’ll always try, if nothing else. I think that’s a more real thing to be able to promise kids, and it’s maybe even more valuable to adults. Knowing someone will always reach out if you’re in trouble? I think we could use someone like that in the world. ![]() |
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#36 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,725
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Would’ve replied earlier, but I forgot what I had to say until now.
According to Ankh’s iPhone (Product Placement Kita!), this two-parter took place on September 13th 2010, which was in real life exactly a day after episode 2 aired. Meaning that the show’s early events all apparently took place 8 days after the show began (I certainly don’t remember much in the way of “next day” transitions, but I might just be struggling to remember). Also, the fat guy’s still eating even after this experience. I guess so,e desires are hard to let go of/really control. |
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#37 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,454
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Quote:
KAMEN RIDER OOO EPISODE 4 - “DOUBTS, PICS, AND A HELPING HAND”
What we get is a solid story of how haunted Eiji is by guilt, despite his carefree demeanor. Eiji’s clearly lost before, failed people before, so he can’t live with the thought of turning his back when it’s within his power to help. It’s less about seeing the value in a person, or in people, and more in his own neuroses and hang-ups; it’s a motivation that could be either a weakness or a strength, which makes it perfect for the hero of this show. (I mean, Eiji clearly cares about people, and would sacrifice himself for others, but the motivation for him is guilt and regret. It’s something within him, not within others.) Quote:
It’s mostly there for the eventual reveal that Ankh’s been using the internet to track Kazari, while Kazari has been wasting his time waiting for Ankh to go search on foot. This episode does not do a lot to make Kazari seem unbeatable or all-powerful, despite the mauling he gives OOO in the beginning. Kazari’s sly, but he’s easily countered by Ankh’s modern knowledge and Eiji’s clever fight tactics. Kazari comes off as a guy that haasn’t learned a new trick in 800 years, and that’s a very fun aspect of the other Greeed to get to explore. I like villains that have to work for their success!
Just like the heroes need to work for their success! The Yummy is dispatched with the teamwork of Eiji and Ankh, after Ankh declares his loyalty to Eiji by pointing out that the other Greeed would eventually betray him, while Eiji’s trustworthy despite being a frustration. That OOO teamwork!!! It’s a thing of beauty. Quote:
I liked the literalism of Eiji reaching out his hand to pull the unnamed victim out of the Yummy. It’s 1000% on the nose, but it’s such a strong visual, and it just gets to the heart of this show. Eiji can’t promise he’ll save you, and he can’t always make everything right, but he can always reach his hand out. (I mean, the other guy on this show is a literal hand. Kobayashi is not trying to be subtle with this stuff!) I like shows where the promise of the Rider is that he’ll always try, if nothing else. I think that’s a more real thing to be able to promise kids, and it’s maybe even more valuable to adults. Knowing someone will always reach out if you’re in trouble? I think we could use someone like that in the world.
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#38 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,508
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About one wanting to help others because otherwise they'd be haunted by guilt and conscience, this is also can be used by people to insist that these guys aren't genuinely heroic and selfless and are also doing good deeds for ulterior motives in making themselves feel good, to validate their belief that humans are inherently rotten.
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#39 |
The Immortal King Tasty
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Every diner you've ever been to.
Posts: 3,953
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I mean, someone could feel that way, but I think it'd be sad if they did. Eiji's heroism is messy and complicated, but no less resolute than a character that doesn't suffer from guilt or failure. It's way more interesting to watch someone like Eiji navigate his past than it would be to see a character without his baggage.
Also, the other thing I most remember is just how much I like the Cheetah Medal. Nowadays, that actually includes the beautifully put together sequence of OOO reaching out his hand, because the Yummy plot here is one that sticks out to me from the whole series. Back when I was originally watching the show, however, I'm not sure I absorbed much more than how funny/cool it looks when he's just turbo-kicking that monster to make the hole in the first place.
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#40 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,508
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