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03-18-2022, 09:39 PM | #221 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,159
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KAMEN RIDER ZI-O EPISODE 8 - “BEAUTY & BEAST 2012”
Getting ensemble casts right is pretty tricky. It’s about balance, and possibility. You need enough variables so you can tell any type of story you want. Alternately, you need enough variables so you can keep telling the same stories indefinitely. But you also need a core tone to your groupings; some sense that the show itself still has a specific viewpoint, even if the characters involved shift from week to week. Kamen Rider Zi-O has a pretty solid cast. It started as a trio: Sour Geiz, Sweet Sougo, and Vanilla Tsukuyomi. (I like Tsukuyomi, but her presence post-Episode 1 has mostly been as the Voice of Reason -slash- Time Mom, and that’s a bit of a bummer. She’s still entertaining to watch, though.) The growing addition of Woz as a helpful fan has complicated things, but the core trio has been successful in telling some straight-forward Time Mission stories. This week, we get a ton of addition by subtraction, though, as the knocked-out Tsukuyomi cedes the stage for more Woz, which was sort of predictable, and a stronger Sougo, which really wasn’t? The entire tone of the show changes without Tsukuyomi around, starting immediately with Geiz blaming everything on Sougo’s weakness. He’s furious that Sougo’s lack of decisiveness – his tentativeness – has let Tsukuyomi get hurt and Hayase escape. Geiz vows to solve this Time Mission by doing what he does best: wandering around Tokyo until he runs into one of the three people that are related to these unfolding events. (I do love it, how sort of blockheaded Geiz is when it comes to investigations. It starts as a kind of impatience, which makes sense, but then he just endlessly doubles down on sprinting through alleyways and spinning around at intersections, hoping he’s blundered into a monster or a Rider. It’s just the dumbest strategy, when you’re looking for a magic-powered time monster… but, it works? It always seems to work? Amazing.) The lack of Tsukuyomi’s peacemaking tendencies should force Geiz and Sougo to collaborate, to put their differences aside and work together, but the show goes a different, stranger, smarter way. It’s not a story about Sougo’s sweetness overcoming Geiz’z sourness, or the two of them becoming the teammates Tsukuyomi hoped for. It’s a story about the allure of power, and the ways we lose ourselves when we think we can do anything. Sougo has a really strong outing, from one perspective. He harnesses the knowledge of Woz and the power of Geiz to bring hope to Hayase. Another Wizard is defeated, but Hayase is saved through Sougo’s bravery and empathy. Woz and Geiz are both surprised by Sougo’s inventiveness and knack for leadership. He's confident in his abilities, and willing to argue for his sense of right and wrong. It’s a solid win for our Good Despot. Except… it’s a win for a Good Despot, not for Sougo. It’s a win where he marshaled forces, where he ran the show. His confidence rattled Geiz, and impressed Woz. It was all in the name of helping someone, but it was Sougo flexing his muscles and strategizing a plan of attack. This wasn’t another adventure for Tsukuyomi, Geiz and Sougo. This was a victory for Zi-O. The idea that Sougo’s relentless optimism and cheerful empathy isn’t the detour from the road to Oma Zi-O – but the direct route to it – is a fun idea. Hayase was someone who took power to protect the people he cared about, until that turned into rage at being overlooked. He was fine working for others, to bring them hope, until he resented their ingratitude. The Sougo we know in Episode 7 could never become that type of character; could never lose his empathy. The Sougo I met in Episode 8? Him, I’m not so sure about. — KAMEN RIDER ZI-O COMPLEMENTATION PROJECT EPISODE 8.5 - “DREADFUL TIME PARADOX!” I’m a Beast fan. I wasn’t super thrilled with the middle section of Wizard (too repetitive, even if it was on purpose), but Nitou helped a lot. I think his energy was a great compliment for Haruto’s laid-back charm/”charm”, and his arc of weird redemption and sacrifice was solidly entertaining. He’s also just a really committed performer, finding ways to create loopy scenes with just about anyone. It was nice to see him show up for a little bit in Episode 8, but it was awesome to see him and Geiz get real weird about time travel rules in Episode 8.5. Not a ton of substance in this one to talk about (there’s really nothing new here, information-wise), but it’s a really funny scene. Mostly thanks to Beast!
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03-18-2022, 10:12 PM | #222 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,570
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Okay this scheming for Sougo? I always liked it because it very much shows that Sougo is a capable planner who can figure out various ways to work through a plan once he has enough information. It really gives this side that while Sougo is this kind, weird, outgoing person, he's still clever and his kindness shouldn't be taken as naivete.
This was also an episode where I ended up really liking it after we got the second half since I felt it was really nice. I feel like the way they handled the Another Rider ended up working really well. Also hile Wizard Armor doesn't have the same stylish action choices as Faiz Armor does, it's probably my favorite of Geiz's Armors? There's just something about it that works really nicely. Anyway, because of the content for the next tribute, we've got another 2 BGM Swaps for this episode preview. And I'm sure given our end stinger, it's very obvious as to why there's 2 BGM Swaps. Zero's Legend Episode Previews Corner - EP 9 Preview: |
03-18-2022, 10:18 PM | #223 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,159
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Quote:
Okay this scheming for Sougo? I always liked it because it very much shows that Sougo is a capable planner who can figure out various ways to work through a plan once he has enough information. It really gives this side that while Sougo is this kind, weird, outgoing person, he's still clever and his kindness shouldn't be taken as naivete.
The Wizard Armor's finish being a gigantic boot that gets deployed is pretty great. That's my favorite part. A Rider Kick that starts with the Rider leaping into the air... and then he just hangs there, while a gigantic foot telescopes out to detonate a monster? Good stuff!
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03-18-2022, 10:20 PM | #224 |
Precure enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Amongst the Cosmos
Posts: 304
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One Episode 8 please, and hold the mayo!
-You know, my opinion of Sougo was leaning positively as at this point on my inital watch, but re-watching this episode....How can I put it? Still same old Sougo, but a slightly different side of him? I know I've called him dopey in the thread a while back, but I think this was the point where I realized where he's a bit smarter than I gave him credit for? It made me almost want to go back and rewatch the past episodes viewing him through that lens. -Woz ending this episode with geniune praise for Sougo after being grumpy that he's seemingly veering off track....Isn't that terrifying? The fact that Woz saw anything,even if was an smidge, of a growing potenial that will eventually give birth to Oma-Zio-it immediately gets you worried, doesn't it? -Whoever decided to pair Geiz and Nitou together for the 8.5 skit, thank you, this is amazing. Probably one of the more interesting Legend Riders to throw at Geiz, purely because how utterly silly pairing a stick in the mud like Geiz with someone so chill as Nitou can be. -.......I didn't realize we would get to this next arc so soon. Looking forward to everyone's opinions about that. |
03-18-2022, 10:33 PM | #225 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,159
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Quote:
You know, my opinion of Sougo was leaning positively as at this point on my initial watch, but re-watching this episode....How can I put it? Still same old Sougo, but a slightly different side of him? I know I've called him dopey in the thread a while back, but I think this was the point where I realized where he's a bit smarter than I gave him credit for? It made me almost want to go back and rewatch the past episodes viewing him through that lens.
It's just, all of that stuff might also be what turns a bumbling, dopey teenager into a genocidal warlord? He's inadvertently eliminating threats to his rule, while turning adversaries into accomplices. He's willing to look people in the eye and tell them to stop questioning him. It's all done with -- perfect for a Wizard story -- some really impressive sleight of hand, leading you into a thrillingly sweet conclusion that twists into something bitter as Geiz goes Holy Shit Sougo's In Charge Now. Quote:
These threads move pretty fast! We're about, uh, a seventh done? With all of the Rider Time stuff? Crazy!
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03-18-2022, 10:33 PM | #226 |
Procrastinator
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Earth
Posts: 256
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When I watched this one in 2018, I felt like Sougo was moving away from the Ohma Zi-O future. He intentionally gave up a chance at the Wizard watch/powers so he could help Hayase in the present. And Woz's outro at the end was about how Zi-O didn't get another new power. It all felt optimistic.
But thinking about it now? It fells VERY different. Sougo DID help someone, and he prioritized that over getting more power. But he also used both Geiz and Woz to make it happen, and they didn't even realize it. or at least I didn't realize it until now. Like you said, this is a victory for Zi-O. It's interesting, though. As kind and friendly as Sougo is, he's still clearly on the World Domination route.
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03-18-2022, 10:33 PM | #227 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,570
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Quote:
It's a little unnerving! This isn't a kid who just bumples around like an excitable puppy; he's capable of thinking four-dimensionally to achieve his goals, and ready to tell people that he's in charge. Very interesting to see where this kid goes now.
The Wizard Armor's finish being a gigantic boot that gets deployed is pretty great. That's my favorite part. A Rider Kick that starts with the Rider leaping into the air... and then he just hangs there, while a gigantic foot telescopes out to detonate a monster? Good stuff! Also second, yes. Wizard Armor's finish being a gigantic boot is great because the show creators decided that Wizard's best ring wasn't Kick Strike but Big. |
03-18-2022, 10:39 PM | #228 |
Kamen Ride Or Die
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,159
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Quote:
It's the most fun ring, probably. Connect is fine, but he rarely pulls out anything other than a weapon. (A couple times a donut, which: same.) Copy's useful, but not a lot of fun. A big hand or boot is a lot of fun.
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03-18-2022, 11:02 PM | #229 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,393
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This episode brought back the character I disliked most from Wizard, so I wasn't very keen on that. That aside though, it was overall just fine, I guess? Personally didn't really get anything major out of it.
Know what character from Wizard I am really keen on though? Shunpei Nara, or as I like to call him, the best Comic Relief in all of Kamen Rider! Kamen Rider Wizard was a show that I started watching soon after the pandemic had hit and things started getting crazy at my job, and man, that show was ahead of its time. It was just the sort of thing I loved spending my off time on, and its wonderful cast of characters along its celebration of life were big reasons as to why. And Shunpei? Lifted my spirits almost every time he was on screen. Gave me alot of laughs, and the hidden depths he displayed at various points in the show made it all the better. Helps that his actor had alot of natural charisma too. A fashion icon, a great friend, and a strong contributor to the team... what's not to love about this guy? As such, I would like to announce the official Shunpei fan club, for this character who everyone in the fandom loves to bits! Our official hashtag will be #ShunpeiIsBae so let's spread the word! Onward my friends! Rise up and spread the word of ( USER HAS BEEN BLOCKED FROM POSTING IN THIS THREAD FOR THIS POST. PLEASE CONTINUE AS NORMAL. )
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03-18-2022, 11:03 PM | #230 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: World of Ataru
Posts: 857
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I just want to shout out Satoshi Morota for the beautiful cinematography in this episode. The uses of the darker color grading in 2012 looks fantastic giving a cold vibe contrasting the warmer colors of 2018.
Making this shot between the two Hayase all the more engaging. Also the effects they used on Woz here from the running water in the hospital to the clocks going haywire at the clockshop just adds to the guys mystique y'know. Also that final sunset shot is just gorgeous. But enough about the direction the main highlight this episode was Sougo here. Just his plan and how he managed to complie all that he learned to effectivley play out the scenario how he wanted was downright chilling just seeing Sougo be so commanding without everyone noticing it.
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Last edited by GrandComplete; 03-18-2022 at 11:11 PM.. |
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