Kamen Rider DCD #28 Review (SPOILERS)

[SPOILERS - in the jungle, in the jungle, in the - in the - in the jungle]

Let’s get this out of the way first, shall we?

I think that Amazon could have been cast better. I understand why Sakamoto Enrique was chosen and I see the similarities in the portrayal of the character to the original, but I think Toei could have cast this role better. Having said that, my main bone of contention is not in the way that Amazon acts but in the fact that, by merit of the character’s name (Yamamoto Daisuke) I have to accept that this is the canonical Amazon and not just an Ultimate version. If that’s the case…I also have to ask how?

You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby!

…

I also have to ask where is Tachibana Tobei, but that’s not the point.

By now it’s impossible to avoid the impending release of All Riders vs. Dai Shocker, just as it is impossible for me to truly believe that somehow the creative team’s vision of the ‘Rider War’ hasn’t been sketchy all along and the whole series isn’t going to wrap up during the film and not the series. This prospect is both awesome and not at the same time.

So, in order to avoid feeling disheartened, let’s talk about this episode, putting aside problems with Original Series Canon and focusing on what’s good.

First off, Gorgos is hardcore now – at least, I’m assuming that the main villain here is still Gorgos. To be fair, there aren’t many other villains who go flying around in cauldrons, using their multiple faces of hate and rage to facilitate acts of senseless violence against the world…except maybe the Quintessons. The big difference here, and the very thing that makes him hardcore, is that now his armour seems to include the masques of different Riders, giving him the ability to easily match Kuuga in battle. That in itself is a big deal as far as I’m concerned.

Secondly, Kamen Rider 1984 is a great premise, I’m not sure I would have picked Amazon‘s storyline to alter in this way as I think some of the more classical Rider themed shows might have done better but, at the same time, none of those other shows would have had the impact that this has. Ichigo, Niigo, V3, Stronger, none of those guys have the youthful naivete of Amazon and whilst they’ve all been assisted by younger characters (I’m think specifically of Ichigo’s sidekicks on their little bicycles here), none of them have the same connexion as Amazon and Masahiko. Seeing Masahiko reduced here to being a member of the Hitler Youth is chilling and effective.

If I can shoot rabbits, then I can shoot fascists...

Of course, what with the build up to the film and the fact that Shocker are infinitely more terrifying than a man in a canvas hat, it does mean that the series’ resident villain is at a loose end. Again, I can’t help but feel that his role has never been properly defined. In fact, if we’re going to be honest, a lot of DCD‘s originality has suffered since the conclusion of the Hibiki arc. Obviously, I’m going to be easier on these arcs than I am on Inoue’s arcs because, primarily, they feature a more significant connexion with the franchise’s past rather than simply showcasing one man’s pet themes, but that doesn’t mean these episodes should be conceived of as being of the same quality as the earlier arcs.

One thing that I will say in Yonemura Shoji’s favour however is that it’s nice to see Yuusuke as Kuuga once more. If I had one criticism of the Aikawa arcs, it would be that Yuusuke was too quickly sidelined by Diend in places.

In other news: I’m pretty much convinced that the factory scenes in this episode were filmed in the same location as those during the Kiva arc.

Also: is that ZX and Stronger in the next episode…or is it just more hype for the film? Either way, I’m glad ZX has a role…but I think I’m going to have to cave and download that ‘making of’ programme just so I can see some of these suits in action again!

Kamen Rider DCD #27 Review (SPOILERS)

[SPOILERS - major ones actually]

There was a lot of unnecessary melodrama in this episode – of course there was also a lot of melodrama for all the right reasons as well. The emotional resonance of Yuusuke losing Natsumi, just as he once lost Ai, should have been really moving but it never quite came across as convincing. Even with the idea that Natsumi may well indeed be dead (until the movie/next episode/next scene/delete as applicable) the facts never quite coalesced into the dramatic moment that should have been on screen before us.

Regardless, there’s also a lot to recommend this episode, so don’t let one misplaced subplot put you off.

A while ago, myself and Mister Watts were talking about the nature of Kaito’s ‘summoning’ skills. I never quite managed to work out whether he was creating puppets of the characters based on the details on their cards or if he was actually pulling them out of their respective universes. As of this episode, I’m going to have to say he summons them…otherwise there’s no way this episode can work.

It should be noted that in episode #18, Kaito summons Momotaros who very much, like Black here, exhibits his own personality. It should also be noted that it was Yonemura Shoji who wrote both of these arcs. This may possibly mean that the role of Kaito’s ‘summons’ is subjective and open to change depending on each writer.

Whatever the case (and who really cares, I’m sure you’re thinking), in this episode Black teams up with Black RX, Double Rider Kick and all.

Now you see them...

One thing I find myself missing though is the old Final Form Ride sequences, weird and disjointed as they might have been. Having skipped a block of episodes, I haven’t been able to get used to Laminated Card Mode or whatever it’s called and, if I’m honest, having a guy sellotape playing cards to himself and summon an echo of a past Heisei Rider doesn’t have the same kick or originality as two (or three) Riders teaming up for a last ditch attack against an evil foe.

Just saying.

This episode’s final scene with Minami Kotaro (and I’ve just noticed he managed to keep his whole original name as well as the original actor who played him) and Tsukasa is heart warming. It’s the kind of scene I watch these shows for. It’s a scene about heroes.

Now you don't!

So…next episode! I’m really excited! I have a soft spot for Amazon and, even though it definitely looks like a new actor will be playing him, I’m confident that it could still be a lot of fun (as long as Inoue stays out of the picture). It does seem an odd choice though. Considering that DCD is supposed to be ending with #30 or #31, it seems strange to spend two episodes in Amazon’s World before wrapping up the Rider War threads in the last episode or two.

Unless, of course, Toei are planning on running W and DCD concurrently come September.

Either way, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Kamen Rider DCD #15 Review (SPOILERS)

[SPOILERS, again, for Chou Den-o...and a bit of DCD and speculation on one aspect of the August DCD movie]

Kiva is the first item on the agenda.  That’s what, three, four times outside of his arc now? Again, I have to wonder how much Kiva merchandise Bandai have left over from last year that they hope to shift. I was also surprised to find out that two characters from Kiva are turning up in the new Chou Den-o franchise – it’s really beginning to feel like Kamen Rider has become the testing ground for elements Toei hope to include in their spin-off franchise.

But enough of the complaints, let’s talk about this episode and let’s talk about what was good about it: for starters it was an improvement on the first part of the Den-o arc, secondly, I’m firmly of the opinion that the inclusion of Momotaros as an actual character improves anything. Even if part of the way in which he was used seemed somewhat random to me, I will fully admit that he was one of my favourite things about the original series and, quite possibly, one of my favourite things regarding the entire Heisei era. Kintaros comes a close second but as far as I’m concerned, Momo is the Imajin man.

People who aren’t the man are, obviously, girls and, speaking of which, it’s hard not to see that the actress who plays Kohana has grown a lot since I last saw her in the abysmal Climax Deka. She’s still not a patch on the original Hana but, considering she was a quick-fix for Shiratori Yuriko‘s absence, I wonder what Toei will do when they finally realise that their new girl is now a teenager and unable to play the same Kohana they originally foisted upon the series.

The other girls who primarily do nothing during this story are sadly, Natsumi and Naomi. The latter I didn’t expect much storyline for but I was hoping that the former might get a bit more, especially considering the whole End of the World sequence in the last episode. Perhaps, however, this was asking too much as the second part of Rider World arcs are always crammed with the majority of the action so there was never really much room for her here.

I won’t pretend to understand the whole DenLiner Form card vs. Momotaros Form card in this episode, but I am pleased to see Yuusuke as Kuuga once more and even more pleased to see Kuuga and Momo as a team – even if the Final Attack Ride card for this episode was a bit weird even by DCD‘s standards.

"Don't cross the streams!"

Undeniably though, my favourite aspect of the episode was Diend’s use of the RiotTroopers from Faizu. Mass-produced armour characters are one of my favourite aspects of this kind of show (quick, spot the Gundam fan!) and so it was great to them here – plus, their inclusion amongst Diend’s deck and the appearance of RiderMan in the trailer for All Riders vs. Daishocker (or whatever it’s called), gives me faith that maybe, just maybe, we might get to see an AU version of Tackle in that film.

"I Predict a Riot."

To wrap up, despite being an improvement on the previous episode, I still felt there was a lot lacking in #15. This wasn’t helped by the ‘two-ending’ phenomenon – i.e., having to have an ending for the arc and then having to bolt on a continuation point for the rest of the Onigashima Battleship movie and the necessary DCD cameos in that. I could have done without that.

I am however, believing that things will be back on track next week. I couldn’t stomach the Stronger!lite stylings of the Hibiki killing team of Inoue Toshiki and Yonemura Shoji scripted Kabuto and avoided watching even the opening episode for so long due to feelings of resentment towards Toei. In the opening episode of that series, I found little to convince me to follow the show – I’m hoping that Aikawa Sho (the writer, not *the* actor) will be able to bring the source material alive for me.

If anything though, I’m just pleased to be back in the realms of a storyline without tie-in considerations.