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09-05-2021, 06:26 PM | #16791 |
Henshin Heaven
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Inside a Hyper Battle Video, help.
Posts: 1,243
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Fourze always makes me smile, the show is so wholesome and earnest it makes what could otherwise be a rather shallow show into something special. Even just SEEING Gentaro makes me happy!
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09-05-2021, 07:09 PM | #16792 |
I have a problematic type
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,426
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Fourze is such a fun show to go back to. It definitely holds up.
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09-05-2021, 10:01 PM | #16793 |
Kaiju or Hero?
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Even I Don't Know Anymore.
Posts: 1,397
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No matter what shortcomings, flaws, "could-have-been-better" moments, or some of the goofy suits. I just can't find any way to not love Fourze. It's such a fun show, and Gentarou is just the best.
It's one of the reasons Fourze became my second completed Rider Season after Decade. Also one of my top favorites, in show and character. |
09-06-2021, 08:36 PM | #16794 |
The Immortal King Tasty
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Every diner you've ever been to.
Posts: 3,833
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Can't even get two minutes into the Saber HBV before Touma starts reading a magazine about Ghost, and then the actual plot is about a sympathetic monster and Yuri and Touma going LARPing. All with gloriously absurdist direction by Hidenori Ishida. Saber loves me, and I love it right back!
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09-07-2021, 07:07 PM | #16795 |
Ex-Weather Three leader
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,558
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Quote:
No matter what shortcomings, flaws, "could-have-been-better" moments, or some of the goofy suits. I just can't find any way to not love Fourze. It's such a fun show, and Gentarou is just the best.
It's one of the reasons Fourze became my second completed Rider Season after Decade. Also one of my top favorites, in show and character.
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09-08-2021, 01:06 PM | #16796 |
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,290
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Kamen Rider W(atch)
Weather Arc Episode 29-30: The Nightmarish H H stands for Himeka and (spoiler) Hajime Fukushima. Written by: Keiichi Hasegawa, Directed by: Ryuta Tasaki /The Melancholy of the Sleeping Princess Akiko is currently tired at work, due to her newfound passion in a jidaigeki-genre DVD series, Kaze no Saheji: the Panic Revenger, which she marathoned until morning due to it being so good, explaining her sleepy state. Akiko even claims Shotaro will get hooked, albeit he claims he has no interest in historical stuff and would fall asleep within minutes. Coincidentally, they got a client with sleeping-related problem too, Himeka Yukimura who carries around an alarm clock who claims she can't sleep. Her entrance is accompanied with bright effects as if her and the case is really emphasized for some reason, in contrast to Akiko pointing out that she may come into the wrong place, that doctors are the place for sleeping problems, but she explains further that her case is about a dream monster making someone won't wake up anymore, thus she sets her alarm clock every 30 minutes (with it ringing on the office that time surprising everyone). She continues (with illustrations) about her study group friends in college lab being the victims of the monster, leaving them, except 1, in a coma with an ominous H mark on their heads. Akiko suspects that it's a Dopant that enters people's dreams, which Phillip finds fascinating; as an absurd concept (indeed less conventional ideas like that can affect the audience similarly, depending on them though). Shotaro finally agrees to take the case (while his flirting resurfaces again), which apparently made Himeka hug him and claims Shotaro may be the fated prince in her dreams. As they visit Fuuto University, Himeka would be described as beautiful as Snow White, which plays into some part of her given name Himeka Yukimura. The Snow White play is true somewhat with her frilly outfit or such, though I don't necessarily agree with her beauty being exceptional like how the show says, but that's how looks can be subjective and an example of 'show, not tell' trait in a story. The resemblance to Snow White continues where her study group consists of her and 7 boys (and Himeka depicts them as Seven Dwarves in her drawings). They then meet Professor Akagi, who is shown to be really eccentric and quirky that he wears loincloth and lion hood, while researching lucid dreaming (controlling one's dream), using Himeka's friend that hasn't been victimized. As Shotaro tries to interrogate, Terui (with Makura) suddenly intervenes, to Akiko's joy as usual, by questioning Akagi. After admitting about those 6 students in sleeping disease being his and explaining how their experiment goes, Akagi claims that those students can't cope with the experiment. The student introduces the equipment that records their brain activity while sleeping. As Kamen Riders, Terui (with Shotaro following after) offers themselves to use that device to take the monster head on. Himeka, again, thanked Terui by hugging him and claiming that he may be the prince. Unlike to Lily, Akiko shows disdain to Himeka's behavior, though not for jealousy, but about how she does that to anyone. This is also not an usual "Shotaro loser to cool Terui" moment as the student clears up that it's the way of Himeka being nice. So Himeka's a cuddle bug. Naturally, Akegi would be suspected as a mad scientist who turns into Dopant for his research (at least by Akiko), covering rotten nature with his weirdness, though Phillip claims there's nothing wrong with the device, as Shotaro underestimates the case that he only needs to use the device, sleep, and then fight the monster in his dream. Terui starts his mission and assigns Makura and Jinno to wake him up when there's something weird as well. Yup, turns out Shotaro can't even get a sleep, of which he'd try using his disinterest to historical stuff that he claims will put him through sleep within minutes, by watching Kaze no Saheji. Akiko was right all along, Shotaro actually gets hooked into the series. This is a Green Eggs and Ham kind of stuff, trying new things that isn't on one's interest but turns out they like it. As Makura and Jinno are playing shogi, Terui begins his dream, where he interacts with his little sister Haruko again to his confusion as she should've died, moreover that she's apparently married to Jinno (with Makura as the priest). Terui realizes that this is lucid dreaming, being conscious in your sleep dream, as the dream troublemaker Nightmare Dopant promptly appears. The scene continues to play up as if Akagi's the Dopant, as he appears by answering Terui's suspicion as well as admitting to put 6 students to sleep. apparently Terui still can henshin as Accel in his dream, and as expected from apparently the ruler of the dream, Nightmare can alter the dream to his liking like changing the scenery into a billiard hall, and also pranking Accel by pretending to explode after being hit by jet Engine attack. Don't know what limits of the reality manipulation he can do in the dream though, but Nightmare still defeats Accel by trapping him in dreamcatcher-like net. Terui's notably acting weird for this, but yeah Jinno and Makura is expected to be incompetent to be asleep when this happened, neglecting their duties to wake him up. Not only enjoying Kaze no Saheji, Shotaro even marathoned it for a whole night, just like Akiko did, and she knows it by predictably teasing him (and playfully hit him with slipper) for being contradictory. Makura informs Shotaro that Terui is another sleeping victim with H mark now. Well of course... you neglected your duties. But for once, Terui who is usually played up as much cooler than Shotaro in the story is on the receiving one of the worf effect here, where the main protagonist would look better due to being the one to save the day. Shotaro intends to avenge Terui by sleeping (it should be easier when you've stayed all night) as Phillip, who is using Gaia Library, warns him to not rush in. It's touching for Shotaro to actually care for Terui, but true that'd be reckless as shit, Phillip's 100% right here (and it's basic warning), as there are no morally questionable actions involved here. Though Wakana can show her childish side directly in front of her family, this time, she practically turns insane, laughing all the time for no reason. Isaka confesses that it's due to high compatibility with her Memory.... which Ryubee already knew, and again, displays his protectiveness of his (apparently favored) daughter, warning Isaka that he'll make him pay if something happened to Wakana, the shot being done in a hole from pile of dishes. Another warning happens in Himeka, who eventually fell asleep, but Nightmare apparently only tells her to tell Shotaro to back off instead of taking her down, which she does to Shotaro. Of course, she'd think Shotaro's an ordinary detective, but he's a Kamen Rider. Shotaro declares to protect clients which earns him another hug from Himeka, and Akiko expressing disdain towards her. By this Himeka's probably the black sheep among Akiko's clients, the one she sees less favorably. Phillip begins his strategy, having both him and Shotaro sleep while their consciousness are linked as they henshin into W, so that Phillip can enter his dream. A silly shot commences with a tough super-warrior only be called upon for sleeping, for real world perspective. As Shotaro has been engrossed in Kaze no Saheji recently, naturally his dream would be about him with the current cast Phillipachi, landlady Ooaki(ko), Ohime(ka), jidaigeki Terui, and Santa-chan, in jidaigeki-setting Fuuto, only that Shotaro's (hard-boiled okkapiki/edo-period cop) addressed as the boss here. I'd think the chonmage hairstyle fits Terui the best here, while it doesn't fit Phillip at all. Ooaki still slaps Shotaro with a (geta) slipper with kanji, and (luckily) still using another one for footwear. Santa-chan acts as the victim of Nightmare where he got shot at the neck before he spills the truth. Nightmare complains about Ohime's existence in Shotaro's dream and kidnaps her by absorbing her with flute, shrinking her to locate her in a jar. Like Terui before, Shotaro can still henshin with Phillipachi, where the Gaia Memories turned into painted wooden tablets as per the setting, with fully-Japanese name as well, so CycloneJoker is ShippuKirifuda. W chases down Nightmare, who makes better use of his reality manipulation, sending a building on their way, using bystanders as ninja logs after they almost save Ohime (apparently getting one who can't keep her hands off W) or just popping them out of existence (another W's deaths??), and turning W's HardBoilder into.. a bicycle. Midway, Nightmare declares himself to be Himeka's prince as well. Fortunately, the actual Phillip intervenes (somehow changing his hairstyle as well when he changes his outfit) where he's immune to Nightmare's powers (erasing or projectiles) due to him being another kind who appears in someone else's dream. A bit confused where, there'd be 2 Phillips then in Phillipachi (who's still works like real Phillip) and actual Phillip? As Phillip interrogates Nightmare as Akegi, he confesses that.. he had put Akegi to sleep too (means he's not). Unfortunately for W (both Shotaro and Phillip), the Dopant of the week being dream based that they have to sleep to get through him means they're left in a very vulnerable state (Phillip's hole in his strategy, should sleep in a more isolated area), as Isaka arrives (likely knowing due to him trying to call Nightmare before) to take advantage of the situation to get revenge on those that disrupt his fun, with only a normal human Akiko (mere slippers as weapon) standing in his way, raining lightning as Weather directly to W, waking Phillip up. Phillip vanishes in Shotaro's dream, leaving Shotaro alone to fight Nightmare. Still Phillip's in far worse condition than Shotaro's, only having Fang to defend him against Nightmare's assault which isn't enough. eventually taking direct hit from Weather's lightning barrage, giving scorch marks all over his body, and Akiko can only cry over Phillip's unconscious body. /Who Is the Prince? While Shotaro is fighting Nighmare in his dream, Akiko's voice somehow figuratively reaches Shotaro in the dream as her dream projection, Ooaki, also warns Shotaro about Phillipachi being in trouble. Though interrupted by Weather, Phillip's entrance in Shotaro's dream was still impactful enough, as Nightmare deems Shotaro's dream to be too dangerous and he actually leaves for good, making Shotaro the first of Nightmare's victims to wake up and not succumb to coma, albeit Shotaro's too late as Phillip's already in critical condition, with Weather attempting to finish him with a lightning bolt. However, a sentient bird-shaped Gaia Memory successfully protected Phillip, but also absorbs Phillip's body. The Memory was so strong that it's able to 'beat' Dopants like Weather on its own, shrugging off his lightning barrage and sending back a tornado to him. Fortunately, Shotaro hearing Phillip's voice within that bird confirms that Phillip didn't die. Shotaro figures out that Himeka calls every one of her research partners as destined prince (while breaking off of Himeka's huge as a sign of him knowing that it's her habit), which Himeka admits, to anyone that treats her nicely. Other than another reference to Snow White and Seven Dwarfes, this is a case of someone who really needs to get over themselves in love situation, and I suspect naivety for Himeka to assume that being nice = being in love. But Himeka's not only one who needs to get over themselves, as Shotaro warns that there are those who take Himeka's words to heart, and also turning into a monster and tries to get rid of his rivals with sleeping sickness. Shotaro and Akiko then visit Himeka's last standing friend, who claimed to be tired, but Shotaro gets to the point by interrogating if he's the Nightmare Dopant, but he apparently got hit by sleeping sickness too, earning the H mark in his forehead. Shotaro attempts to lucid dream again, but Akiko reminds him that Nightmare won't enter his dream again. Apparently Akiko's voice didn't only reach him, she's aware of what Nightmare said earlier. Akiko volunteers to be the one who lucid dreams now, claiming that she talks in her sleep. The Sonozaki family (with Wakana still insane) talk about Xtreme Memory (the bird-shaped one before) apparently rescuing a Rider, which alarms Ryubee that Shroud has made her move. And currently she's directly interacting with Phillip who's still inside Xtreme Memory, but healed fully, claiming that Phillip can't die for being too important (indeed, other than this he hard carries the cast in most of the cases, poor Shotaro being seen as useless compared to him). Akiko's sleep-talking is proven in her try with Shotaro getting engaged to her plan. Her dream is about Osaka, specifically Tsūtenkaku, where she runs a takoyaki stall (albeit her father is still the hard-boiled detective), with Terui and Phillip as customers. Due to her sleep-talk being clear, Shotaro can contribute as well to remind Akiko about her objective (irl wise, shouting to her sleeping self), of which the dream shows him.. in Sokichi's outfit (and Akiko mistaking him as her dad). Luckily for them Akiko quickly spots Nightmare in Tsūtenkaku. Another surprise is that, Akiko invites Shotaro to... henshin. That's the real lucky actually to have protection after spotting Nightmare. Apparently it worked as a Double Driver materializes on Akiko too. Another female Rider baby! As in this case Shotaro's consciousness was transferred to Akiko's. As CycloneJoker, her main weapon would be, as expected, her slipper. She stays using Metal Shaft and TriggerMagnum for the subsequent HeatMetal and LunaTrigger forms though. As Nightmare uses his net to absorb LunaTrigger's beams, Akiko calls RevolGarry. As she seems to be in upper hand, and where I feel that Nightmare doesn't utilize his reality manipulation enough, Nightmare just punched her once.. and Akiko dehenshins, whining that it hurts. That's what expected from fighting as Rider y'know, it's not always you who got the upper hand. It refuted my feelings that Nightmare boasts that everything other than him is illusion in a dream, so he apparently lets others gain upper hand to toy with them. Akiko continues to interrogate Nightmare about his identity, but he actually complies due to thinking that there's no way for her to tell anyone... when in reality Shotaro praises her for it The identity isn't shown to the viewer at this point, but Shotaro commends Akiko's work and attempts to wake her.. as she got H mark in her forehead. Phillip thanks Shroud as he leaves to help Shotaro.. but Shroud warns him to not to as Shotaro will bring misfortune on him. A new plot being set up here. Shotaro meets up with Himeka again, who explains that she suspects those who are being nice to her as her prince due to her constant dream of a prince saving her and tells her they'll be bound by fate. I think that's an extreme level of childlike and naivety to treat dream as if it's real life (anything can happen in dream including Phillip changing his hairstyle when changing his outfit). Himeka apparently finally realizes that her words causes troubles. Shotaro tries to reveal the truth to protect her, but once again it failed, but not due to Shotaro hiding/lying, but due to Himeka finally sleeping. Himeka got a dream about prince again, but this time, it's Nightmare chasing after her. However, Shotaro manages to invade the dream by confronting the real Nightmare Dopant, where Shotaro got projected as a matador in Himeka's dream. Nightmare is surprised, and Shotaro further confirms the suspicion by claiming that H in his victims refer to the initial of the true Nightmare identity - Hajime Fukushima. With no way out, Hajime finally morphs back to human, confirming that he's indeed the one friend who didn't get sleeping disease among Himeka's study group, and explains that H is both for him(eka). Though Hajime actually successfully tricked Shotaro and Akiko earlier where he pretends to get sleeping sickness, thus it shocks Shotaro, albeit the clue's still there of the hospital reporting him leaving the hospital alone. So after Virus and Liar, this one's another case of a plot twist that was made misleading at first, in this case, Akagi was the first potential culprit, but it turns out to be Hajime. I don't think that this one's handled as good as the previous 2, probably either of it being repetitive or the clue being more obvious of Hajime being an anomaly that didn't get into coma. Hajime indeed explains about Himeka's words hurting others, like him, due to seeing her smiling to another men, thus he can't sleep for days and wants to let her know his pain. Hajime feels overconfident here due to seeing Shotaro as regular detective as he beats him up as Nightmare. Eventually after Phillip parts with Shroud, the Xtreme Memory saves Shotaro, and with Phillip's arrival both henshin into W, shocking Nightmare that he truly is a Kamen Rider, and shows him who's really the big man here. With it not being a dream, Nightmare can only run away, but got caught by W's stretching LunaJoker, and W continues the beatdown with LunaMetal while countering Nightmare's fireballs. There are still some W forms that haven't revealed their Maximum Drive yet, and LunaMetal is one of them, so W performs it here, the Metal Illusion where W forms several golden rings with the stretching Metal Shaft as projectile attack. Though still not that spectacular, I like that the attack is a bit different from usual ability unlike Metal Branding. Hajime got arrested, but somehow Terui is notably gentle in his approach to a criminal here (even compared to Makura who tries to block Himeka). Himeka witnesses his arrest but Hajime's lucky here that Himeka doesn't condemn him, and vows to wait for his return. Still, Akagi was never seen on how he reacts to this, either Hajime or the lucid dreaming project. Turns out that it's not only Hajime, but there are several sleeping sickness victims that approach Himeka and treat the fated prince declaration as love confession. What's with masses of people not getting over themselves in love topic? Moreover, to Shotaro and Akiko's dismay, Himeka didn't really learn her lesson as well, still continuing on her declaration of love to them, or that she tries to convince them that she favors no one to prevent another fight for her like what Hajime did... Phillip is thinking about Shroud's words, but now he too had a secret he can't tell, but for now brings up the incredibly obvious declaration that Shotaro's his only partner. Shotaro is puzzled by the obviousness but he blushes too as Akiko teases him for.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
09-11-2021, 04:08 PM | #16797 |
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,290
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Kamen Rider W(atch)
Weather Arc Episode 31-32: The B Carried on the Wind B refers to Bitou (Isamu) and Beast (Dopant). Written by: Riku Sanjo, Directed by: Satoshi Morota /The Beast Pursues An ex-convict Isamu Bitou gets to see the world again after 10 years, but apparently is still unhappy. A newspaper Bitou finds talks about the emergence of the "beast-man" which provokes a reaction from him. Another copy of the newspaper is handed by Terui to get Phillip who is thinking about Shroud's words (and laying on bed.. but with boots on..) to search about the beast-man. Shotaro notes that it's an urban legend that started 10 years ago and assumes that it's a Dopant. Bitou enters the office, and as Akiko get scared, Shotaro apparently tries to kick him out, which produces another slapstick gag like Akiko's slipper of Bitou finger snapping Shotaro between his eyes. Bitou claims he was a client of Sokichi and Sokichi told him to see him after he got released, but for obvious reasons, Sokichi's no longer there and there are no record of Isamu in the Agency's files. Shotaro changed his mind that he'll take the case as it involves Sokichi, but he earns another finger snap as Bitou dismisses Shotaro as rookie. While following Bitou, Shotaro explains a bit about Bitou's presence stirring him up, probably explaining how he acted mean to him before... but he mumbles out loud, thus gets spotted by Bitou (and another finger snap), albeit he allows Shotaro to follow. Bitou approaches a food stall to look for his employee (as he used to run a place there) Maruo Arima, which apparently gets the food vendors quiet. Meanwhile Shotaro comes across Watcherman, who explains about Arima being an owner of all real estate in that area. It's Sokichi shilling time, with Terui getting to know about his hype for him fighting Syndicate, as well as Phillip recounting Sokichi saving and teaching him about life. Akiko suggests for Phillip to search about Sokichi. Bitou meets up with Suzuko Arima, who apparently had old nicknames for each other as Sam (from "Isamu") and Bell (from 'Suzuko'), while Bitou's co-worker got Maru from "Maruo". Shotaro got another finger snap for questioning this. As Suzuko talks about her playing shogi to lose gracefully for keeping her spirits up, Maruo appears, at first glance congratulating Bitou's release. But turns out that he holds animosity to Bitou for rumors he could bring in his house, and he even pushes Suzuko for defending Bitou. Bitou is enraged for Maruo's treatment to Suzuko as well and talks back about Maruo's rumor himself as beast-man. As Maruo brings up Sokichi, Shotaro reveals himself as Sokichi's apprentice, and claims that he knows about what he talked with Bitou and Sokichi before he leaves with Bitou. Using Gaia Library, Phillip narrates about Bitou turning himself in for 10 years sentence due to attempted robbery on armored car near Fuuto reservoir. Sokichi investigated the case due to lack of evidence; the armored car and 3 billion yen fell to the reservoir and never got recovered, along with a superhuman level wreckage, which Akiko suspects beast-man as someone involved there starting the rumor. Turns out that Shotaro didn't actually know, but he did that to bait Maruo into making a move. But Shotaro gets finger snapped by Bitou again as he warns him about Maruo. But before Bitou does, Shotaro gets attacked by Beast Dopant, who interrogates Shotaro about "the bear". Shotaro henshins with Phillip, but notices power surge in the Cyclone Memory, albeit he goes anyway. The trouble is more prevalent in the battle as the power surge on the right (Cyclone) side made W's power imbalanced, hindering their battle where Beast already gains the upper hand at the first place. Phillip warns that Joker isn't powerful enough to be paired with Cyclone, but W tries Metal and it still fails to stop the imbalance. Accel arrives, thinking that Shotaro is sloppy. Assuming him as beast-man, Accel uses A-Slasher, but the Beast can regenerate at quick rate, negating the attack. Finally, Bitou stops Beast as Shotaro was bluffing, and turns out that Beast reacts to him, revealing that Beast is Maruo. However Maruo simply wants to get rid of anyone who goes against him as he escapes by vanishing as Beast. W de-henshins, but something strange happens to Phillip as he wakes up, but in an empty Gaia Library with W, but having a band of light down the middle of his body approaching, before he wakes up properly. As Maruo goes into a hiding, Suzuko was interrogated by Terui and Makura about Maruo being Dopant, where the latter rejects Suzuko's denial, earning a finger snap from Bitou. Shotaro reports that the real culprit 10 years ago is Maruo, and ponders about his lead being "the bear", which Akiko assumes as resembling quaint bear carvings with salmons in their teeth, demonstrating it by.. biting her slipper in the mouth (for her too, good that she didn't use it as footwear). But that also reminds Shotaro that Sokichi did have a bear carving, at a little bungalow in the mountains. Phillip warns about W being troublesome, but Shotaro simplifies it that Phillip only needs to tone Cyclone down, kinda dismissing the warning. At a piano bar as Maruo complains about the cops, the nearby Saeko (with Wakana) warns him to calm down as the cops also have Kamen Rider (that's more like a bad news for him, can make it more difficult to calm down). As Wakana rejects helping Maruo due to him not being decent, Saeko introduces Isaka to Maruo, who wants to see the potential of his body. Shroud comes into Phillip's secret base, and tells him about his evolution due to Xtreme Memory, and again warns him that Shotaro won't be able to make him grow. Shotaro, Akiko, and Bitou goes to the bungalow. As Akiko goes upstairs, Bitou gets Sokichi's message that Maruo didn't clean up his act, and in the photo, it's revealed why Bitou stands up for Suzuko each time, that as Shotaro assumed, Bitou's still in love with her, and 10 years ago Bitou turned himself in Maruo's place for Suzuko, as well as Sokichi not saying a word to him for that. For once, Shotaro didn't get hit by Bitou due to him being right, albeit Bitou's still gruff about it (him overall after 10 years sentence). Akiko found the bear carving, but Isaka as weather comes along to attack them again. Shotaro invites Phillip to henshin, but Phillip delays it, but it's for him to arrive at the scene with RevolGarry so they fight as W FangJoker, as his proposed solution to get around the power surge. But it still failed, and they got knocked out of their transformation by themselves when they perform Fang Strizer. /Now, in the Radiance Weather tries to finish off both Shotaro and Phillip in their human form, but they're saved by Accel with Gunner A. As being W can't work, Phillip can only hand Accel his Cyclone Memory for him to use with Engine Blade, performing a Maximum Drive with green-wind slashes which are enough to keep Weather at bay, losing the bear carving. Now I wonder if the reverse can happen, with W using other Memories than the 6 they use, if W uses Engine then he'd got lighter grey side other than Engine's power? Terui actually thanked Phillip and praised the memory, while keeping his stone-faced expression. This also alarms Phillip about how Terui can withstand Cyclone's power, bringing back Shroud's words before that he suspects his true partner is Terui. Shotaro had a mental breakdown over the fact that he can't become W anymore, even ignoring Akiko's invitation to go back from the bungalow. At a phone, Saeko is upset over Isaka losing the bear carving, which enrages Maruo to kill the useless helper. However, even without being Taboo, Maruo is put on his place with Saeko intimidating him, that she too discards Maruo. Shotaro now realizes about Bitou's warning, losing something big now refers to Phillip, now he can only work as normal detective. Luckily for the cast, the Memory Gadgets find the carved bear, which Shotaro can reveal to the other main cast after Akiko apologizes to the hospitalized Bitou for losing the carved bear, asking them to give the carved bear and picture to Bitou like Sokichi intended. As Shotaro leaves dejected, dismissing Akiko's concern, it's soon revealed why to them, with Phillip asking Terui to become his partner. Even Terui would call him out on asking a stupid question, and Akiko, as what she did in ep. 4, calls out Phillip again for degrading Shotaro (as weak), defending him that Shotaro isn't merely a tool to fight as W, his... half-boiled persona also makes things work. Once again his half-boiled trait is viewed in a good light, and indeed, even though he can't live up to Sokichi, he can be impactful in different way, like his moral being something that kept Terui in check from killing an innocent. Luckily it gets through Phillip quickly. Shotaro confronts Suzuko about Gaia Memory relating to her instead of Maruo. The bear carving's purpose is finally seen here, it holds Zone Memory, and Shotaro exposes Suzuko that she's a Dopant. Sokichi hid the Zone Memory there, where Suzuko used that while Maruo used Beast to attack. Shotaro insists for Suzuko to apologize to Bitou for sacrificing his 10 years seemingly for nothing, but obviously, being in position of power (this time's true as no W for Shotaro; either 'Double' or 'Win') Suzuko is ecstatic of getting her Memory back, turning into Zone Dopant to teleport Shotaro into heights outside the building in a chessboard motif. Another reason she plays shogi. Big mistake for Shotaro, revealing a Memory in front of its user without countermeasures as he can't be W. Zone leaves and drops Shotaro above a canal. This is kinda plot armor, don't see why she'd leave him in a relatively safer place from heights (albeit tbf fall from heights to water will still injure or kill), and she even claims he can grind his teeth in afterlife (indicates intent to kill). Meanwhile Ryubee invites Wakana to witness the Museum's valve being cranked open by Phillip/Raito due to Xtreme Memory. Terui also confronts Maruo, insisting him to hand over his Memory, but refuses for the sake of his boss... which is Suzuko showing up above as both morphs into their Dopant form. At first, Maruo was shown hitting Suzuko, but in reality, Maruo's probably a henpecked husband instead. Not only by the numbers, the Arimas gain upper hand due to Zone's shogi prowess used in that battle to teleport Beast strategically. Phillip and Akiko retrieve Shotaro from the water. And though Phillip still criticizes Shotaro being lenient on the subject and missing Sokichi's message on the bear carving, those previous moments are tolerated due to said message, "Nobody's Perfect", intended to expose the truth to Bitou (about Suzuko being true culprit) but not emotionally hurting him, but it's intended for everyone like Shotaro believing in Suzuko. This is a reminder of how, as Sokichi said, humans aren't perfect and they can make mistakes, but that's something ok, they don't deserve contempt for it, either from others or themselves. It reminds Phillip as well that W needs Shotaro's kindness, as it's not intended to be a perfect killing machine. Being a Kamen Rider prioritizes helping others, there are wide range of morally good trait and deeds in addition to “saving people” (by beating up the enemy) that should be displayed (also why I like mundane utility trope for superpowers). Like what Shotaro remind Terui in his debut, being a Kamen Rider isn't about hating the criminals and exert overboard punishment, but only the criminal act. Nobody's Perfect song which is sung by the Chief plays, the lyrics reinforcing that strength comes from weakness. True as mistakes are the way to learn lessons, as well as despite that nobody is perfect, doesn't mean they should stagnate and improve themselves, like keep the moral approach but prepare countermeasures better. The song plays as Terui is beaten up until Shotaro and Phillip henshin as W. Despite Shroud noting about their power imbalance again, Shotaro insists for Phillip to go all out despite his handicap. Fortunately for W, the Xtreme Memory arrives as it absorbs Phillip's body and inserting itself to the both Gaia Memory (with beaconing light to the sky) slots and opening to reveal a spinning X as W's middle section glows. Shotaro and Phillip are now united not only in soul, but their body as well, giving W's final form CycloneJokerXtreme, with its data burst going through the Museum as Ryubee and Wakana witnesses. The form is linked with the infinite knowledge of the true Gaia Memory as well, shown in W's Crystal Server, the iridescent band going down the middle of W's body. Due to said knowledge, W is able to analyze every aspect of the enemy... knowledge is power indeed, fight smart, not only fight hard (albeit all the knowledge are just handed there). W uses his new weapon Prism Bicker, a sword-shield combo, along with Prism Memory, and the knowledge to counter Zero+Beast's teleportation, as well as giving Beast a wound that he can't heal with Prism Break Maximum Drive. Blocking Zone's beam with his shield, W prepares freaking 4 Gaia Memories; Cyclone, Heat, Luna, and Joker for another Maximum Drive, Bicker Finalusion that shoots a colorful and spreading energy beams, destroying Zone. W uses another 4 Gaia Memories Maximum Drive for Beast, Bicker Charge Break which is a Rider Slash enhanced with energy colored in those 4 Gaia Memories, taking Beast down. I'd tolerate Bicker Finalusion better, but I'd wish that for hyped up 4 Gaia Memories usage, the Bicker Charge Break would be more spectacular. Probably showcasing each of the Gaia Memories ability, like creating fire tornado + thousand cuts using spiraling stretching sword. As Phillip shares a body with Shotaro as Xtreme, they appear together when they de-henshin. As Terui arrests the Arimas, Shroud acknowledges that Shotaro exceeds her expectations. In an unusual kind, Shotaro recounts the events, but not by typing. He notes that Suzuko's activities was discovered and the case was closed, but this can be troublesome for Bitou who's in love with her. Turns out that Bitou is content due to getting his food stall back, and chastises Shotaro for being gloomy. The food stall sells apple candies which the cast including Queen and Elizabeth (who expands their business other than selling CDs) enjoy. Bitou still finger snaps Shotaro, but it seems to be done in more playful way now as he encourages him to keep the Agency going.
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The most complete non-wiki encyclopedias for Kamen Rider series (currently only found Ryuki and OOO's). |
09-11-2021, 06:30 PM | #16798 |
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Just finished watching the first episode of Kamen Rider Ghost and it already looks somewhat promising.
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09-15-2021, 06:07 PM | #16799 |
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Apologies again for the double post
I am now up to episode 32 of Kamen Rider Agito. |
09-16-2021, 07:30 AM | #16800 |
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Kamen Rider W(atch)
Weather Arc Episode 33-34: Y's Tragedy Y stands for Yesterday (Dopant) and Yukie (Sudo). Written by: Kazuki Nakashima, Directed by: Hidenori Ishida /The Woman Looking For Yesterday A female client named Yuuko Fuwa, apparently gorgeous enough for Shotaro to fancy over her, asked for the Agency's help to find her cat named 'Kinou' (Japanese word for 'yesterday', and hilarously gets translated to local language too in my airing). As Akiko questions Shotaro to take a lost pet case, Shotaro apparently have learned a thing or two from Bitou, to finger snap Akiko for underestimating the case, as the cat also had precious memories for the owners (really? for someone who previously won't make dolls cry?), so Shotaro had something to counter against Akiko's slipper (and appreciate balanced slapstick between men and women). Yuuko is relieved that the Agency lives up to her hype as her friend told her to go there to ask for help. Phillip takes an interest about Shotaro's type of girl being Yuuko, from how Shotaro wears favorite hat for that case, while Akiko can only irrationally processing a half-boiled idiot 'hitting puberty', though the big problem for her is about Shotaro might not charging her. Well, at least before Shotaro forces Fuyumi from ep. 15-16 to turn herself in after her case. Meanwhile Terui, Jinno, and Makura ask Eisuke Nishiyama about his workers Takeshi Hirabayashi who purposely walked into traffic and someone else who was speeding at a narrow corrider, where both had hourglass-like mark. As a real estate owner, Eisuke would possess a lavish lifestyle where those got blurred on my airing; drinking beers, having beautiful servants serve him, and having a penthouse, of which he tell the cops that yesterday he was swimming in his private swimming pool. Turns out that Eisuke himself is a victim too like his co-workers, he went to do the exact same thing in the present, but by jumping on a top of a building. Terui at least now adheres to the cop's law to go save a suspect, and notices that Eisuke had a hourglass mark as well. Shotaro, Akiko, and Yuuko are looking for Kinou around the Fuuto Hall, until Yuuko comes across a poster about an event organized by Saeko, but she claims to Shotaro as being interested in Fuuto-Kun mascot. Shotaro still remembers Kirihiko's last moments of giving him the Fuuto-Kun keychain, but he only agrees with Yuuko here. As they haven't found the cat yet, Shotaro applies Sokichi's teaching to think like someone you're looking for.. of which Shotaro pretends to be a cat here. It's literal-minded take and just making yourself look like a fool (this time the mockery of Shotaro's detective work is warranted), and Akiko hits him with her slipper for this as Sokichi's advice can only be applied to people. However Yuuko agrees with Shotaro's approach, to try all the possibilities, of which Akiko, being the sane one for once here, sarcastically remarks that they're a perfect team. Meanwhile Wakana reports about Saeko's (a speech for Museum's front Digal Corporation as its CEO) event being targeted, but Saeko and Isaka's nonchalant reaction as it's a habit of Saeko's work instead made Wakana mopey and leaves, thinking back about Ryubee asking only her to witness the burst of Xtreme's datas. Isaka even burns the threatening letter... using Weather Dopant's powers. It's like Miyabi's challenge in ep. 5-6 of being hated as a politician and that they have to take it to be accomplished, but taken to a dark degree here (not that Miyabi was clean) due to the target being a supervillainess and thus can outright eliminate threats. In their search of the cat, Shotaro encounters a Dopant with an hourglass in the head. He henshins with Phillip as W and jumps from the top of a high building to the ground. W changes to HeatMetal... ironically when the Dopant keeps W at bay with ranged attacks. The fight continues into a conference hall, albeit they're closed for now, thus no people will be harmed. Potential collateral damage still can happen though. W tries to use CycloneJoker's Joker Extreme, but the Dopant dodges again, hitting the podium instead. But the Dopant ends the fight that time, escaping outside of W's reach. At the sunset in the same place, Yuuko appears, apparently having retrieved Kinou by herself, but still thanked Shotaro. Shotaro warns her to go home for safety as Akiko tries to charge her. Seemingly a typical happy ending and case closed right? Reminder that this is still (sorry Shotaro) half of the episode, not to mention Yuuko made a claim about the tomorrow being interesting. Tomorrow starts with Saeko inviting Wakana to join her speech event, and convinces the threat as a test of will to run their family's business. And for the Agency, Shotaro is acting as if Yuuko assigns him to find Kinou, which earns a mockery from Terui where Phillip's intelligence are the only needed help. Just after Phillip himself realizes that Shotaro's kindness is needed... After enjoying Akiko's coffee which she timed in the drip, Phillip and Terui talk about hourglass mark victims, which Terui reported that all of them survived, but are in coma. Saeko starts her speech, about the power of information and future of Fuuto, which was true as it was the reasons W Xtreme was more threatening in battle other than stats. Then it's shown that Yuuko was actually the Dopant W fought before, and her Memory name is Yesterday, which she uses to mark her victims with the hourglass mark, including Shotaro now. After being marked, Shotaro began acting exactly the same as him in the beginning of the episode with the same words, and causes a misunderstanding from Terui who thinks Shotaro mocks him. Well, Terui kinda already mocked him before though. Phillip learns about Yesterday power of manipulating the memories from someone with a mark, named Yesterday brand, to repeat their activites from.. well.. yesterday, also explaining Yuuko victim's activities from previous day before they got into coma. Akiko is obviously puzzled again by Shotaro's actions, which aren't even sane to begin with last day, as Phillip informs her about his situation. Like Yuuko's previous victims, Yesterday's power almost doom Shotaro as he jumped from high building previously as W, which he repeats here in human form, where Akiko had to inform Phillip to henshin to save Shotaro from heights. Shotaro repeats his movements as W until the conference hall, and this time, W uncontrollably attacked the huge crowds of people who are listening Saeko's speech, though fortunately none are injured as they escaped. As Terui catch up, he suspects that Yesterday Dopant wants to assassinate Saeko, which W almost did with Joker Extreme he aimed at podium previous day. Terui henshins as Accel and deflects the attack, pushing W aside from Saeko. Don't know what's the deal with Saeko here, brushing off Wakana who tries to pull her and didn't move a single inch in human form. Accel forces W outside and Phillip uses Xtreme to neutralize the Yesterday brand. The Yesterday Dopant arrives, and luckily W retains his Xtreme form, and as a final form, easily gains the upper hand as Yesterday escapes. But Accel stops her as they've figured it out. Yesterday reverts to human form, revealing her true identity (and true name being Yukie Sudo, Kirihiko's little sister) in front of the main cast. Though Shotaro assumes that she wanted revenge to the Museum, apparently what she wants is to become a member of the Museum and surprass her brother. As she turns into Yesterday again to bombard W, Xtreme shows off his power by not just blocking all of them with the shield, he can even prepare his Maximum Drive which slots 4 Gaia Memories uninterrupted. Though funnily (or it's further show-off), he uses the close-ranged Bicker Charge Break instead of the far-ranged Bicker Finalusion. /Brother & Sister But before W's attack connects, Yukie reverts into human form, where predictably Shotaro would stop his attack for that. Yukie walks away laughing, and Terui calls out Shotaro for stopping, as Phillip confirms that she took advantage of Shotaro's mercy to humans, which means she's very sharp. So apparently despite Terui resorting to arrest some of the previous Dopants like Fukushima, he'd still prefer if Shotaro finished Yukie off here. Phillip continues his observation about Yukie that she was just testing the cast to see through her or not, and they failed. Yukie had used W to almost harm innocent people. However Shotaro still catches a hint of redemption in Yukie due to her carrying Kirihiko's bloodied scarf. Yukie confronts Saeko as Taboo Dopant, who discredits his brother as he threw away his opportunity at Museum due to pride, despite having a journal on his computer at Digal, and claims she can do much more at Museum. There's a hint of Taboo being someone who'd kill those who know too much like when Yukie talked about her brother's journal. Taboo would still not fully trust Yukie, but Yukie shows off her Yesterday capabilities to perform some sneaky stealth (and escape). Though afterwards, Yukie displays apparently warmer side when going to her old daycare center, amicably interacting with the landlady including her problems of land development people trying to force the land off them. The flashbacks show Yukie to be anything but hateful for Kirihiko as well, playing together happily, and Kirihiko was the one to tell her to go to Narumi Detective Agency for problems in his final phone call. Saeko was right to not trust her fully. Nearby, there's... Shotaro interacting with the kids himself, teaching them to fly a whirlwind spinner. There's a rare smile from him as the wind blows as well. I guess Shotaro is more good with kids than he thought as in ep. 5-6 and it was more of the case of him not being good to tell (harsh) truths (as he's like that to Akiko too)? Shotaro was there due to actually waiting for Yukie, and figures out that Yukie spent her childhood there with Kirihiko and used W to cancel the land development project Saeko held, which apparently is going to take over her former school. If Saeko (or rather, Takamura/Anomalocaris) would be hellbent to keep her land (Dopant base, until Takamura's failure anyway) for your needs, then Saeko got a taste of others who'd be hellbent to keep their cherished land if she wants to take them herself. Although Yukie admits Shotaro's skills as a detective, she's still standoffish about this talk, strolling away, even brushing off said landlady. In the Museum, Wakana again teases Saeko for her presumed sentimentality to Nazca Memory despite her cold front, before Isaka claims that being hard to move on from the past is human trait. Isaka offers to experiment on Wakana again, but obviously Wakana flees, putting a happy facade. Isaka reveals that Yukie doesn't experience negative side effects despite not using a Driver which are benefical for offense and defense, which is fascinating for Isaka and he convinces Saeko to hire her, using it as a chance to improve Saeko's body for her goal. Shotaro follows after Yukie, who does have cold detached traits to treat Shotaro's insistence to solve the case as foolish. A reminder that despite that she may actually love her big brother, she's still not a good person in general now. Shotaro questioned her decision to join Museum, especially as he tells her that Kirihiko eventually put his life on line to protect kids, he loved Fuuto like Shotaro. Shotaro suspects her as being the same too with her defending the past (daycare center, still put other people at risk too) and the drawing he got from the landlady showing her and Kirihiko. Yukie is fed up with Shotaro and his do-gooder antics, and due to him talking about the past, Yukie uses her Yesterday powers to make him relieve the past as an excuse to finish him off. Shotaro henshins as W, and as Yesterday escapes, he holds her with LunaJoker, but Yesterday once again exploits Shotaro's goodness by raining the whole city with Yesterday brands, and W is forced to let go of her to destroy those brands with LunaTrigger's homing blasts. Yukie escapes to directly confront Saeko and Isaka, with the former forcing her to swear loyalty to Museum and the latter offering Memories stronger than Yesterday, with his many Living Connectors as the proof. Yukie shakes her hand with Saeko to make a deal, but not without her changing into Yesterday in the blink of an eye and putting hourglass mark on her. Yukie's motive is really to avenge Kirihiko, and her method is letting the opponent's guard down. This reverse mole act, something similar to what Utsumi did to Evolt after Namba's death is kinda already obvious since the beginning of the episode with the flashbacks, and I think the part veers into more generic part despite at first it attempts to subvert the generic approach (the cast assumes she wants to avenge Kirihiko, which she denies, but it's actually the case), would like to see a different approach of a (killed) loved ones as a stepping stone to ascend instead of a fuel for revenge (already done multiple times like in Terui and Aya), and/or likely the reaction if she's doing worse than Kirihiko or such. She's not necessarily good just because of her target being the ruthless Museum, as in the next day Akiko pointed out that it's terrible of her to spread Yesterday brands, albeit Shotaro still assumes that she limited herself so that W can intercept all the brand and that it's merely a distraction, but Shotaro's someone who puts his complete faith and trust in any clients regardless of their nature. Turns out Yukie is there too, confirming that she's after revenge from the beginning, and indeed Shotaro's deduction is right, that her bloodied scarf that she gave to Kirihiko as engagement present. But it's not her actually confessing to the cast, instead she's... under the effect of her own power, shown in the Yesterday brand in her body. Weather arrives to reveal that the Yesterday brand won't work on Saeko, due to Isaka's enhancement, and she sends back the Yesterday brand as Taboo to Yukie. Yukie changes into Yesterday to fight, thinking that she's fighting Saeko. Shotaro and Phillip henshin into W to fight Weather, but Accel also comes, still insisting to take on Weather alone, though this time it's benefical as W can deal with the still thrashing around Yesterday. A glimpse of her other motive is shown as she declares that she'd take Saeko down for the sake of Fuuto, like what Kirihiko wants. At least she takes a good example of her brother, having noble means even if she'd employ underhanded tactics. W uses Xtreme and its battle analyzing capabilities on Yesterday to free her from the influence of the brand with Prism Break. As Weather and Accel's fight continues, Weather is sick of Accel now as well due to his distaste of reminisching (and Accel's revenge would relate to the past), the hatred between them is now mutual. As Weather tries to burn Accel by choking him, Xtreme interferes, and his power is too much even for Weather, as he can shrug off Weather's blasts without the Prism Bicker's shield. Xtreme can deliver energy punches as well. Xtreme uses his kick Maximum Drive, Double Xtreme, which levitates him with a tornado before a dropkick to the target with the green wind. Though the tornado is grander than Joker Extreme, the finisher is less unique than CycloneJoker's, though obviously Xtreme can't split into 2 as there's white band in middle, but I'd wish that the tornado isn't just aesthetic. To Accel's.. relief, Xtreme didn't actually finish off Weather, as it was only an illusion, but Weather is still hurt by the attack, and acknowledges Xtreme's power before escaping by using lightnings as distraction. Yukie wakes up, and acknowledges that seeknig help from Narumi Detective Agency was a right move like Kirihiko said, but suddenly forgets about the cast, which Shotaro claims as the side-effect of Yesterday Memory, treating as it being figuratively the end of her revenge as her past is wiped clean, but is hoping for her to atone for her crimes when she can regain her past. Akiko's coffee is now terrible as Shotaro and Phillip spits it out, in contrast to the last one despite her insistence to time the drippings. Would wish for the man she fancies Terui to try that one as well.
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