This Clinches it! Kamen Rider W Series Review

Kamen Rider W is the 11th series at the Heisei era, which aired after Kamen Rider Decade after its 31st episode. This is the first time that a series employs a two-in-one Rider gimmick, which rather causes fans to scratch their heads before the series started. This series was described as “Heisei Kamen Rider 10th Anniversary: Fall Campaign.”

A year prior to the series, a detective and his apprentice raided a facility to rescue a boy. The boy was rescued by it caused the death of the detective. The detective gave his torned fedora on his apprentice before his breath his last. The two tried to escape, with nowhere to run, the boy asked, “Are you ready to ride with the devil?” Bewildered on what the boy said, the apprentice agreed and for the first time, the two transformed into Kamen Rider W.

A year after, on the windy city of Futo, a girl from Osaka named Akiko Narumi went into the detective agency in which the apprentice worked and claimed the ownership of the said place. The apprentice was Shotaro Hidari and he is not yet ready to tell her daughter that her father, Sokichi Narumi is now dead. We are then introduced to the boy that they saved, only identified as Philip. He has the knowledge of the Earth stuck in his head, because of this feature, he can search a certain object with the help of some keywords given to him. Akiko discovers the underground base in which Philip stays so that the organization that once had him will not find him.

We later learned that said organization, later identified as the Museum, is the ones responsible in the production of Gaia Memories, a device that looks like a USB flash drive that once inserted at your body, you will turn into a super human known as a Dopant. Once you use the Gaia Memory frequently, you can get addicted to it, like a certain drug. The only ones can stop it is Shotaro and Philip’s purified Gaia Memories that allows them to transform as Kamen Rider W.

As the series progress while cracking down some Dopant related cases, we slowly learned that Philip’s access to the Gaia Memory has some limitations; he can’t search about his family which later on, became one of the subplots of the series, Philip’s identity. After this, we are introduced to Ryu Terui, the head police officer of the Futo MPD’s Dopant Cases Division who is on revenge on Shinkuro Isaka, the Weather Dopant who is responsible to the death of his family. Because of his fuel of hatred on Isaka, Shroud, a mysterious bandaged woman gave him the ability to transform as Kamen Rider Accel.

As W gets stronger with Philip having control on W FangJoker and now can easily walk outside the basement because the Fang Memory can protect him. In addition, later, W having the access of his strongest form, W CycloneJoker Xtreme. Moreover, Philip learning the truth about him, we are introduced to Foundation X, an organization who is responsible on the funding of the Museum. Can W and Accel defeat the Museum and Foundation X? That is for you to find out.

On to the review, to start with, I will go to the bad thing about W. Just like what I noticed in Den-O, the two-episode arc formula is becoming more predictable, losing the thrill of the show’s detective theme. The reason why most detective shows became unpredictable is that most of the show is difficult or extremely mysterious cases have a different number of episodes per arc. Some might be three or some might be as long as five episodes.

Even with the problem, I will go to the positive side. Aside from the fresh set of writers for the franchise, namely, Riku Sanjo (Beet the Vandel Buster) and Keiichi Hasegawa (Ultraman Nexus) that was able to gel the amount of toys that this show can produce while making the merchandises relevant as well is that because of the good writing, the series became consistent in its theme and flavor.

The idea of a two-in-one Rider concept is at first, like most people, felt like gay or this show might have more yaoi references compared to Kiva. This series prove me wrong in terms of the concept being gay but I was right that it had more yaoi references compared to Kiva! Back at the concept, it was neat. It allows any of the two to transform into W. Shotaro has the Body Memories while Philip has the Soul Memories. Because of this, Philip’s conscience is transported on Shotaro’s body. Kinda like the Taros from Den-O except that Philip doesn’t overpower Shotaro most of the time considering that it is Sho’s body.

The concept of Fang Memory was good. It allows Philip to protect himself while he is in danger. What I liked about W FangJoker is that it has a different battle style compared to W’s other nine basic forms. It has a feeling that Sho is now in the same position like that of Philip. Shotaro never overpowers Philip while W is on FangJoker.

This concept was further solidified in the introduction of W CycloneJoker Xtreme. This where the true fusion dance between Shotaro and Philip begins, in this form they are one single Rider with Philip’s body completely transferring in the Xtreme Memory which kinda serves as the mediator between the two bodies inside W.

Of to W’s forms, before OOO aired, W is tied with Kuuga in the number of forms. Unlike most of the Heisei Riders that after they obtained their final form and decided to spam it, W even if he has his final form and occasionally spams it, he continues to use some of his basic forms in some of his battles. This is the good thing about the series; all of his forms have its own specific use when needed.

On to the Double Rider, Shotaro and Philip, Shotaro is a static character. Aside that he does some narration that gives us the perspective that the show is being told in Shotaro’s eyes, it gives the viewers someone to relate to with. He was the heart of the story; he is the man that the viewers root for the most while he is in human form. We all feel his pain when he lost his partner, Philip at the last few moments of the 48th episode while Cyclone Effect Acoustic Version is being played. We all laugh in his Akiko screams, heck; we love his Delusions at his Delusion Diary!

Philip is one of the most interesting characters in the series. When I first saw Philip, I first thought he was a girl due to his hairstyle but I was wrong. He is one of the manliest girly man in the Heisei era that I have seen aside from Agito’s Souichi, Blade’s Kenzaki and Kabuto’s Tendou. What adds up to it is this, quoting himself at the first episode of the series. It was revealed on Begins Night that when Shotaro first met him, aside from punching him after learning that he was responsible in the production of the Gaia Memories, Sho labeled Philip as a devil due to his actions and after that, he lectured about weapons.

He was at first, an introvert and occasionally, a research freak, he slowly opens up to the entire crew that is not Shotaro and Akiko. As we learn about his past, we saw a change in his character he wants to fix his families’ problem and have things back they where before he first died. Aside from that, one of the things that I loved about Philip is his crazy family to be exact, here it is. Her mom being a revenge psychopath, her dad who turned his cat into a brute while running a mafia, her older sister who has a reputation of being cold and a black widow and her other sister in which he almost had an incest relationship with, Philip has one hell of a family. If I would describe Philip overall, he is a dynamic character, even with that, he retains some of his qualities before he learned the truth.

Terui is a rather interesting secondary Rider to begin with. He was like most jerkass Riders in the Heisei era except, he had some decent character development. He doesn’t hog the monster of the arc for himself, he helps W in beating the monster! He is at first, a Rider who is on revenge on Isaka but after realizing some things while being Accel, his development as a Kamen Rider, a hero of justice continues. Here’s the problem with some of the earlier Heisei Kamen Riders whose mission is on revenge. After revenge, what is next? That’s the big question. Accel fixed the problem and revived the old notion that there is something more after revenge. The arc that introduces to us the Accel Trial proves to that. There is a part of me that says this, “Accel, you are Kamen Rider no. 27!”

I will now focus on the Sonozakis, Philip’s family. As I said, they are one of the craziest families in Kamen Rider history. They settle their disputes in battles, they had Saeko who is a black widow and after Isaka’s death, started running psycho in becoming the head of the Museum. We have Wakana who is at first a tsudere and later had a character development which later drugged by Isaka a little thanks to him modifying her driver which later, learned the truth and started having the same cold attitude like that of her sister which was never given a concrete explanation in the series. We have Ryubee who plays his family like a bunch of chess pieces and uses them for the good of his organization. But behind that, he has an unforgettable past of his old happy family before Raito (Philip’s real name), fell in a well that turned his body into a lump of data, causing his real body to be technically dead. We have Shroud, who is later identified as Fumine, the Sonozaki children’s mother who is out to revenge his husband because on his evil plans on their son, Raito. And who can’t forget Philip’s pet, Mick who became an assassin for his father’s plans!

What makes the Sonozakis great is that you can relate to any one of them and they are one real whacked out family that is why, it is easy to relate with them. Even if they are this whacked, they still cared for each other, which was seen on Ryubee’s death when we saw Saeko crying as she saw their mansion burning into ruble.

One thing that I liked about W is that they returned the notion that all Kamen Riders are heroes of justice. The great thing about it is that the people in Futo are the ones gave the name Kamen Rider to W that when his name was ruined, Shotaro wanted to clear it because it is the name that the citizens gave to their hero.

Unlike most Riders in the Heisei era, as I said that the show returned the Riders being the heroes of justice concept, along with it, we don’t have a Rider vs. Rider battle in their own free will that is one of the popular practices in the Heisei era. If there is a Rider vs. Rider fight, it was forced upon them to fight and not on their own free will.

Since of the themes was hard-boiled detective fiction, the series doesn’t have it nor the noir that comes with it. What the series did is a parody of the said genre which is good in my opinion. The humor of the “half-boiled” detective fiction was good and well timed and not over the top. The only time that the series really went hard-boiled is on the last few episodes and the Begins Night segment of the Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider W and Decade: Movie Wars 2010 film.

On Begins Night, we saw the extended origins of W are revealed. In addition, how Sokichi Narumi while saving Philip. This is where we saw the development of Shotaro’s character; more of it once I review the Director’s Cut of the said film.

Even though it is a light-hearted show, since this is Kamen Rider W has the trademark dark storyline of Kamen Rider in a form of the mystery of Philip’s identity and the last few episodes of the series.

Overall, with some problems on the construction of the number of episodes as a detective series, Kamen Rider W stands out as one of the unique Kamen Rider shows in this era. The two-in-one Kamen Rider concept is good that if someone attempts to do it again, I am not sure if it will click the fans.

The good thing about W is the fresh writing staff and the return of the heroic feel on Kamen Rider. Sure, we have Kamen Rider Eternal in the W Forever film, but since I didn’t watched it yet since it is not yet available on home video, in my own opinion, like the Arms Dopant, he is a self proclaimed Kamen Rider and W is will fix it. At the end of the day, OOO will have a hard time following up what his senior did.

A-MA-ZON! Kamen Rider Amazon Series Review

Kamen Rider Amazon is the fourth Kamen Rider Series in the Showa era and the shortest series so far, with 24 episodes. Aside from the fact that the series “revolutionized” the franchise by its gore and the Rider itself considering that Amazon’s design is not based on an insect like the other Riders before him.

Because of a plane crash, a young Japanese baby called Daisuke Yamamoto was stuck in the Amazon Rainforest and was adopted by an Incan Tribe. Years later, he grew into a wild man and one day, the Ten-Faced Demon, Gorgos attacked the Tribe and slaughtered everyone because he is looking for the mystical armlet that would grant the user great power. 

Therefore, Elder Bago decides to do an operation that will transform Daisuke into a creature using the mystical Gigi Armlet and Incan Science and orders Daisuke to go to Japan and look for the Dr. Kousaka who will help him understand the power of the armlet. Apparently, he knows Daisuke’s parents. Elder Bago asked him to take good care of the Armlet before he breathe his last.

Daisuke sneaks inside a ship that is going to Japan. O_O Wait a minute, how did he know that the ship is going to Japan? Anyways, when he arrives to Japan, he goes looking for a scientist who can help him, and there he met Masahiko Okamura who is the first person he befriended. Because Daisuke cannot speak and only growls what he says, he gave him the name, Amazon since he knew that he came from the Amazon thanks to the scientist in which both of them are related.

The Beastman that is pursuing him, the Spider Beastman, has found Amazon and Masahiko witnessed Amazon’s transformation into a creature. Because of this, Masahiko gave him the name, Kamen Rider Amazon and Amazon Rider. At the end of the first episode, Amazon never knew the secret within his armlet because Spider Beastman killed Dr. Kousaka before Amazon learned something about his armlet.

As the series progressed, we learned the reason why the Ten-Faced Demon wants Amazon’s Gigi Armlet. The said armlet holds great power that once it combined with Gorgos’ Gaga Armlet (Which looked like the Gigi Armlet except its “nose” is inverse from the Gigi Armlet) it would grant the user of both Armlets great power and with it, the Ten-Faced Demon will use it to conquer the world. 

Aside from that, he befriended Tobei Tachibana, who he first met in a motorcycle race and forced Amazon, I mean teach him how to ride a motorcycle. Later on, he gives Amazon his personal bike, the Jungler and so far, one of Tachibana’s most vibrant work.

He later made friends with Mogura Jujin (Trans. Mole Beastman), one of Geddon’s Beastmen who first aligned with Geddon whose mission is to kill Amazon and get his armlet. However, because of his failures in killing Amazon, he was placed outside the ground and forced to die in a heat stroke but because Amazon saved him, he later aided Amazon in his various adventures and was affectionately called, Mogura by Amazon and company.

As the series progressed, Amazon slowly adapts into society and is slowly being civilized thanks to Masahiko and Ritsuko’s help who gave him his clothes. Later, with the help of Masahiko, he learns who to speak and read Japanese.

After the defeat of the Ten-Faced Demon, Gorgos and the fall of Geddon, a new organization appeared called Garanda Empire, led by the Great Emperor Zero who is focused on conquering the world unlike its predecessor. Will Amazon defeat him? That is what I want you to find out.

On to the review, I got interested with this show thanks to the YouTube clips that I found online, to be exact, those clips with Amazon killing the Beastman of the week. That is when I learned more about the series and learned the HiNoTori Fansubs in subbing the entire thing; I got the chance to watch the series. Since this series is best known in the franchise for its gore, I will start with it.

The series aired back in 1974-1975 so I didn’t expect that the effects are top-notched but during the time that a thing called CGI doesn’t exist in mainstream, the effects team need to be creative in terms of the blood spurting coming from the enemies Amazon will… err, mutilate. Due to their creativity, the effects worked and it really created a huge impression that Amazon is a wild man coming from the depths of the Amazon Rainforest and martial arts is not in his field. Because of its gore, moral guardians have problems with this show considering that Kamen Rider is a superhero show and kids admire superheroes.

About Amazon, in the earlier episodes, Amazon usually growls, giving people a hard time in understanding him. There is one episode that Amazon got lost in the city, like what most people would describe it; an urban jungle. With him being lost in this “jungle” he hard time in understanding his fellow humans that in some point, he almost hated the humans he must protect. One thing that I loved about Amazon is that he is a child who was suddenly forced to learn the ways of the world in a hard way considering that he never got the chance to learn how to speak and the only way for others to understand him is by a hand sign that means, “Friendship.” That is the charm of the series.

A fun factor about the series is that as Amazon slowly becomes “civilize,” his fighting style evolves. First, his fighting style involves him jumping the enemy, biting the hell out from his opponent and involves fewer fists, more grunts and slashing. But as the series progressed, his fighting style evolves. Not only he does his usual tactic to jump, bite and attack, he finally involves more use of his fist and uses more his own style of attacking his opponent. Along with it, he started calling his slash finisher as Dai Setsudan (Trans. Big Slice) and later his kick, Amazon Kick. 

Since he is the first Rider whose design is not based on an insect, I would comment on that. Because of his radical design, earlier in the series only a couple of beings trusted him, the first one who trusted him was Masahiko, later Tobei and later, those people who saved him. Ritsuko was the last from the core cast who trusted him because according to her, it is Amazon’s fault that Geddon came in Japan because of his armlet. After Amazon saved her, she trusted Amazon. And in theory, that is the point that the Amazon’s World Arc in Kamen Rider Decade that they worked on with and added modern flavor on it.

In addition, I love the fact that you can keep on guessing which creature Amazon was based. Based on my research, he was based on a chameleon but his fangs gave him an impression that his head more looks like of that of a piranha or a fanged lizard… anyways, Amazon is the first Rider that looks like he never wore a mask. Because of his origins, you can say he transformed into a different creature and it was clearly emphasized in Amazon’s World Arc in Kamen Rider Decade.

Masahiko was one of the believable characters in the series. Aside from the fact that he has this charm that he is a really a kid, add the fact that he easily trusted Amazon, he is smart and if knows he can do something to help Amazon, he will do it.

On to the two halves of the series, first, I will talk about the first half that involved Geddon. To be honest, I never find Geddon quite a threat in world peace considering that they just want Amazon’s Gigi Armlet and once they get it, this is when their plan for conquering the world will come into fulfillment.

Their leader, The Ten-Faced Demon, Gorgos was probably one of the creepiest Rider boss designs I have seen in the Showa Era. Its large head, other nine talking faces swear about killing Amazon once the camera pans on them and the fact that he is an intimidating figurehead gave me an impression that Amazon will have a hard time in defeating him… and he did.

In the build up on their final battle, when Amazon got the chance to be near with Gorgos, he tries his best to attack him but because he flies, it took Amazon some time to defeat one of its faces.

As for the episodes in the first half, it is retro gore fest in some episodes and most of the time; it involves Amazon’s growth from an uncivilized wild man coming from the Amazon into a civilized man known in his birth records as Daisuke Yamamoto while retaining his inner wildness. The first half is the series in its prime because it involves the growth of our hero before he started to face the bigger threat, the Garanda Empire.

On the second half of the show, after Gorgos’ arm was cut off and before Amazon got the chance to get the Gaga Armlet (Rah! Rah! Ra-ah-ah! Roma… oops, bad timing to place Lady Gaga reference!) that was found in the mutilated arm, Black Followers from a different organization came to take it. Garanda Empire has just made its presence.

Unlike its predecessor, they are into conquering the world and Amazon is just one of the things they need to take care off for them to be successful in conquering the world. This is what I say a bigger threat. Most of the episodes in the second half felt like a standard tokusatsu episode back in the 70’s with the monster of the week and the problem of the week in tow. My problem with these episodes is that the trademark gore of the previous half is slowly diminishing… but some episodes in this half in which we saw good ol’ Amy removing the head of the monster. Makes me suddenly wish that Amazon will appear on a Mortal Kombat game!

The best thing about the Garanda Empire is the fact that they are bent in destroying the world that they don’t care if Amazon has the Gigi Armlet. They just proceed with their plan. One of my favorite Garanda plots involves the Sea Anemone Beastman in which we saw it suck the blood of its victims and gives his own blood in his victims to turn them into his slaves. Another favorite plot of mine involves the Zero Device, a device that is needed to create a devastating earthquake that will destroy Tokyo once activated.

As for their boss, Great Emperor Zero, he is indeed a real threat. Aside from his intimidating presence, he doesn’t accept failure and he himself eliminates those who failed him by using his spear that emits sparks that once you got hit, you will instantly die.

The best part of Zero is that Amazon never had a chance to transform into his Rider form! If he tries to transform, Zero will just use his spear and he will revert to normal… unless a certain armlet is here to give him more power.

One of the biggest surprises in this half is the death of Mogura Jujin. Sure was just an aide and probably a prototype of Kamen Rider Den-O’s Taros, he is one of those lovable support characters considering that he is the only kaijin during that time that aligned itself with the good guys… until Whale Mutant appeared in Kamen Rider BLACK. One of the things that I loved about Mogura is he is sometimes a comic relief character and sometimes he cowers in fear when some of the enemy Beastmen appeared. Even with that, there are some episodes in which we saw Mogura’s heroic side, to be exact is his last few moments and the episode he protected the girl he liked… who turned out to be one of the bad guys. Ouch. Because of these qualities, seeing him died gave me an impact that he is one of the most human characters in the series despite its appearance.

As a guy who barely watched a Showa Era Kamen Rider show, (First was BLACK then this.) and based on my research that there are crossover episodes in which the previous Riders will make an appearance but to my disappointment, it never happened which became the one of the turning points in the franchise. This is the first series that doesn’t involve the Senior Riders to appear which will later happen in some series in the franchise especially in the Heisei Era… till Decade came along.

Overall, Kamen Rider Amazon is a fun series to watch. It was something out of the box from a standard Kamen Rider show. Aside from the fact that you do not need to be based on an insect to be called a Kamen Rider (Looks at Agito), it also changed the face of the franchise in terms of story and in terms of special effects. In the time with no CGI, they have to be creative to give us the impression that Amazon is a wild man from the Amazon… and it worked. From the Kamen Rider Series that I watched, this is one of my personal faves because of its ingenuity and its style.

All together, Amazon, tomodachi. *Ukiya does the Amazonian Friendship Sign.*

Hit the Beat, Keep Your Beat! Kamen Rider Hibiki Series Review.

Kamen Rider Hibiki is the sixth Kamen Rider Series of the Heisei Era. Unlike the other shows before him, Hibiki went out of the box from the usual Rider tradition, namely, the show have themes not first seen in the previous shows.

Asumu Adachi, a middle school student went on a vacation on Yaku Island along with his family. On the ferry going to the island, he met a middle-aged man simply known as Hibiki and since that day, his life changed forever. While exploring the forest, he witnessed a battle between an Oni and a large monster, later identified as a Makamou. This is where he learned Hibiki’s secret. That is he doesn’t know how to drive a car He is an Oni and it is his job to protect humans from the Makamou before it reached civilization. That is why he trains regularly to be prepared in case he will face one.

Along the way, Asumu learned the reason why Onis used musical instruments to fight the Makamou it is because that these weapons emit “pure sound” that is necessary to defeat these demons. 

As the series progressed, he met members of Takeshi, an organization founded ages ago with its mission to aide the Oni in battle. Along with it, he met Ibuki, a Wind-based Oni, and his apprentice, Akira which later became Asumu’s high school classmate.

Todoroki, an Oni who just graduated from his apprenticeship from a veteran Oni, Zanki, and wants to make a name for himself, both Onis wield Electric Guitars.

After Hibiki and Asumu’s trip on the mountains, we are introduced to Kyosuke Kiriya, a multi-talented boy who hates sports and serves as Asumu’s rival in the said series. Unlike Asumu, Kiriya is sure that he wants to be an Oni and he will do everything just to become one.

On the review, Kamen Rider Hibiki is one of the most underrated shows in the Heisei Era and often times, skipped by most viewers since it doesn’t have elements found in previous Rider shows. I mean, if that is the case, then they should not watch Ryuki!

Since the show is divided into two parts due to the writing team, I will review the show based on that.

The first part consists of episodes 1-29. After Blade ended back then (That was back in 2009 here in the Philippines.) with a really awesome finale, I am not sure if Hibiki can carry torch that Blade left. I mean, it is one of the best shows this era has produced plus, they made the Card System not cheesy!

When it first flashed in my screen, I was like, what the, Hibiki doesn’t have those trademark bug eyes! After seeing his primary weapon was a... well, a pair of drum sticks, its one of the moments of the show that made me laugh. I mean, seriously, he will beat that frickin’ monster with a pair of drum sticks?! The next episode sorta pissed me off because of the quick kanji popping in the screen since it felt like, since I am watching this dubbed, it doesn’t have any particular purpose. After a series of episodes, I slowly appreciated the show. The kanji adds the beauty of the show, along with the lighting and the rest of it. The show’s writing is one of the finest I have ever watched back then, till W came along and they did what is first seen impossible, a single Rider fighting a giant monster every week… unless it is summer. Sure, X-Rider fought King Dark along with other the Riders back then and fought another giant monster in the Spirits manga alone (Not sure if it is King Dark though), but the Onis fight giant monsters in a weekly basis and they need to hunt them down before they reached civilization which makes them really cool. 

Now for the second part, it consists of episodes 30-48 and this is were the Inoue-Yonemura writing team first gained fame in the fandom as the writing team who “destroys” a series. The reason for this change, according to some, is the low toy sales while some similar to Amazon’s case (A Kamen Rider show that lasted for 24 episodes), it is because of kids being scared in some scenes found in the show. Because of this change, it disappointed everyone even Hibiki’s actor, Shigeki Hosokawa was disappointed with these changes another said reason of this change it is because the show was not “toku enough.” I mean, the show returned a concept that was missing in the franchise and that is training. The last time Kamen Rider showed a training episode was on Kuuga.

Since this is different from the first part, I decided to watch the second half just like Hibiki back in day one. There are a lot of things that I liked in the second part.

First, Kiriya, for one simple reason, Kiriya made Asumu likable character. I mean, he gives a good contrasting balance in the show’s student characters.

Here is the show before Kiriya came along. Mochi was the heart of the group, the one who doesn’t have any knowledge about the Onis. Akira is someone who is an apprentice of an Oni while she tries to balance her student life. While Asumu, is not sure of himself if he wants to be like Hibiki, giving me an impression that he is more of stalker in some point in the series.

When Kiriya came along, it created balance in the students in the series. Kiriya is sure that he wants to be an Oni but he is not yet an Oni and he much more of a stalker type of character compared to Asumu making Asumu quite likable in the second half. He made Asumu not look like a Marty Stu.

Second was Shuki, she is Zanki’s master after his first master, the original Zanki died. Because of this, it led to one of the best reasons why I love the second half of this show, Zanki’s best moments. 

The reason why Zanki retired earlier in the series, it is because of his injury and if he continues to fight as an Oni, it might cause his death. During the course of the Shuki Arc, Zanki was forced to return to the battlefield for him to stop her master. Later, after his former student, Todoroki was injured, it forced Zanki to return to the battlefield once again. After fighting one Makamou, Zanki died but he was miraculously alive due to the spell he casted that he learned from Shuki, an expert in the mystical arts. The reason for this is that he wants to see his student, Todoroki to stand for himself. It is one of the arcs that I loved watching repeatedly since it justified the main theme of the series, a series about a teacher and his student.

For the finale, I have mixed feelings about it. When I first watched it, I was surprised on how it ended. I mean, we saw a glimpse of the final battle then the next episode is about a year after the events of the finale! I mean, I want to know how Hibiki stopped the Orochi while he is purifying the battlefield while Todoroki and Ibuki are protecting him! To be honest, it took me three times just for me to better grasp and accept the finale. Here is my final thought about it.

The finale justified what the show is about. It is about a story of the teacher and his student regardless if the student calls him “Teacher” or “Master.” I admired the finale of this series. It is simple yet it is striking. What makes it striking is Hibiki last words, “Even if you are not my apprentice, you are still my student.” Those lines made me stood up in my seat, and clap my hands.

Overall, Hibiki is one of those series you will have mixed feelings about it. It’s the Kamen Rider Amazon of its era due to its extreme uniqueness.

Dragon Road. Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!! TV Special Review.

Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!! Is a one-shot live action TV special involving Kamen Rider ZX (pronounced as Zee-Cross), the cyborg created by the Badan Empire for their conquest for the world with the other nine Kamen Riders helping ZX defeat the said empire. Since I watched it on Hong Kong subs, I only understand 2/3’s of it, so here’s how I understand the story.

In the Amazon Jungle, Ryo Murasame and her sister are exploring the jungle via plane when suddenly, the Badan Empire attacked them because Ryo’s sister, Shizuka knows their plan of world conquest. They killed her so that no one outside Badan will know their plan and transformed Ryo into a cyborg called ZX. While inside Badan’s base, he befriended, Eisuke which was also modified into one of Badan’s cyborg, the Tiger-Roid. Because of one incident, Ryo remembered his past and sworn revenge on Badan for what they did to her sister, before doing his revenge, Badan switched their base in Japan.

Ryo returned to Japan and examined his body to his friend, a doctor in which they discovered what Badan did to him. Ryo’s thirst for revenge became deeper. Since he knows Badan’s plan, he decided to stop them with his abilities as ZX.

Meanwhile, at Badan’s base, the machine that they will use to fulfill their plan is complete and all it needs is the material known as Badanium to make it work. Ambassador Darkness, the cousin of Kamen Rider’s very own, Ambassador Hell, dedicates the machine to the previous organizations who aimed for world conquest, which started flashbacks starting from Kamen Rider - Super-1. The machine’s function by the way is to distort time and space and with this, it would cause destruction to reality. Wow. It sounds like Shaider’s time-space warp only creepier.

The Nine Senior Kamen Riders learned about this plan and decided to take action, by stopping the delivery of Badanium to Badan’s base. This were the plot starts to become interesting. Ambassador Darkness orders Tiger-Roid to kill ZX so that they would have fewer problems. Tiger-Roid agrees.

Three of the Senior Riders, Shiro Kazami/V3, Joji Yuki/Riderman and Kazuya Oki/Super-1 met and discuss the plan that was relayed to them by their leader, Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider No. 1. After the brief discussion, the three went to their designated area. Meanwhile, Ryo went to one of the areas were they will transport Badanium. Before he confronted those related to Badan, V3, Riderman and Super-1 already defeated them, so when Ryo arrived, he thought that these three are the bad guys! Ryo transforms into ZX, attacked them, the 3 tried to convince ZX to stop attacking them because they are his allies, until finally, ZX stops, and reverts into ZX.

V3 then decides to educate Ryo into their world, by showing him various battle footage from every Rider that exist that time, namely, from Kamen Rider No. 1 to Super-1. Ryo then tells his reason why he is fighting after that, V3 gives him an advice that at first, they were for revenge but as time goes by, the slowly realized that as long as the world needs them, they will continue to fight. This gives Ryo inspiration to pursue his goal on stopping Badan. They left the place and the three left for their destination, they will meet with the other seniors while Ryo went to Badan’s base, in which along the way, he met his friend, Eisuke.

Ryo doesn’t want to fight him considering that he still considers him as his friend. But he replied, his loyalty is for Badan alone and whoever comes in their way must be eliminated. Ryo tried his best to convince him that Badan are the bad guys but he replied, that there is no such thing as good or evil. Those who will win are the strong ones. Eisuke transforms into Tiger-Roid and attacked Ryo, Ryo then transforms into ZX and fights him, at the very end, ZX was victorious and defeated Tiger-Roid.

After his victory, he meets up with the other nine Riders who just finished their roll call and he declares himself: Kamen Rider ZX. Ambassador Darkness was let’s just say, not really surprised on what Ryo said, in fact he is willing to finish him along with the other nine Riders. He orders all his Kaijins to destroy all the Riders.

All the Riders fight the Kaijins and at the very end, they won. Ambassador Darkness pull of another trick on his sleeve, he calls his goon, who is guarding two of Ryo’s friends and warms them to surrender or else, they will kill them. V3 springs into action and easily defeated the goon and saved Ryo’s friends (Note: Never, I repeat, NEVER have a foot soldier take in-charge of important hostages).

Ambassador Darkness used his final trump card, using the machine (which was earlier loaded with Badanium that was slipped away from the Riders and the said machine was used earlier), and the nine Riders were transported into a dimension with a black backdrop with white smoke covered on the ground. The Riders used their final attack, which involves them forming into circle and with the light coming from their belts, releasing a strong energy that defeated Ambassador Darkness. At the climax of the special, Generalissimo of Badan that has an appearance of a giant skull appeared and said that someday, they will return.

With the Nine Riders entrusting the world in him, Ryo bids farewell with the Nine Riders.

On to the review, the special had all the basic elements of a Rider show in a one-hour TV special, they had the tragic start and the climatic battle. The only thing that I am disappointed with this special is some of the Rider’s voice acting, especially Amazon. He doesn’t sound like Amazon!

One thing that I find in this special weird is that were did they get the entire Rider’s stock footage? I mean they showed Ryo the tape with each Rider fighting a monster with no explanation on how they got the footage! Because of this, I theorize that Tachibana Tobei, before his character will appear to the Rider, what he does is to record each Rider’s battle.

On to the story, like I said earlier, ZX story has the basic and tragic Rider story but with a different twist this time. Unlike his predecessors, ZX has been brainwashed by the organization that build him AND befriended one of its members, which added to ZX’s tragic story making the worned out Rider Story interesting. While watching the special, with the story in my mind, this question came into my mind, “How will he fight his friend?” which was concluded at the climax of the special. Their battle, in my own opinion is near in the level of tragedy like that of Kotaro Minami/Kamen Rider Black and the person that he considered his brother, Nobuhiko Akizuki/Shadow Moon.

For the special’s finale, the Rider’s individual fight scenes are better compared to the latest Kamen Rider film that I watched, namely, All Riders vs. DaiShocker. I mean, in All Riders, when each Rider was focused, they didn’t show all most of their skills, what they did is pure brawl, while in this TV Special, each Rider got a chance to perform some of their tricks, namely, Riderman used one of his arms and Stronger did his infamous Electro Fire. The only thing that I hate in the final fight scene is the “Circle of Light” thing. It’s too cheesy.

Since most of ZX’s weapons are ninja weapons, I had this assumption that ZX can do ninja tricks such as hiding and doing illusions, but he didn’t if only the TV Special was followed by a series. If only.

Overall, the TV Special was enjoyable to watch and it left a lasting impression about the Showa Era Riders. Being a guy whose first Kamen Rider show was Saban’s Masked Rider, this show gave me a big impression on how badass the Showa Riders are before BLACK. Because of this, once I am done with Kamen Rider Amazon, I think I should start watching Kamen Rider V3.

Madan Senki Ryukendo Series Review.

Madan Senki Ryukendo is a tokusatsu series aired on TV Aichi from January 8 to December 31, 2006.

The story is about a secret organization S.H.O.T. (Shoot Hell Obduracy Troopers), protecting the City of Akebono from the Jamanga who is gathering Minus Energy which will be used to revive their leader, DaiMaOh. To protect the city, S.H.O.T., with the fusion of magic and technology created two arsenals to defeat Jamanga and these are GekiRyuKen and GouRyuGun. Jushiro Fudo is fighting the Jamanga threat with his partner, GouRyuGun.

Enter Kenji Narukami, a newcomer in Akebono who later works for the police. He is by the way, a student of the Narukami Ryujinryu Style, a fighting style that is designed to defeat demons. Because of one incident involving a giant monster, GekiRyuKen chose Kenji as his partner and because of this, Kenji transforms into Ryukendo!

As the series progressed, Ryukendo earns more upgrades, a rival in the name of Jark Moon and we are slowly introduced to Jamanga’s notable leaders, namely, Lady Gold and Baron Bloody.

Also, a third Madan Warrior was introduced in the of Ryujinou who at first, is fighting against S.H.O.T. because of his grudge against one member and later, fighting with them when he found out that certain member of S.H.O.T. didn’t kill his parents.

On to my review, at first, Ryukendo felt like a Kamen Rider Blade rip-off. If you are asking why, here is the answer. Ryugunoh in the senior of Ryukendo, like what Garren is to Blade, and oh, Garren and Ryugunoh both wield the same type of weapon and color scheme. Also, like Ryugunou, Ryukendo and Blade wield the same type of weapon, a sword. To add more Kamen Rider reference, Jark Moon’s mask kinda resembles Kamen Rider Knight from Ryuki and the Madan Warriors also ride motorcycles AND sometimes does an opening kick to the enemy and there is one episode where Kenji’s seniors did a “Double Friendship Kick”.

Enough with the Kamen Rider stuff, on to the review. To be honest, I find Ryukendo at first not my type until Jark Moon was introduced. The show first followed a certain pattern and that is, monsters appear, Ryukendo wins and gets the key, earn upgrades, end of story. And this never ending process ended until Jark Moon appeared. He gave the show breathe of fresh air by giving Ryukendo a good rival and sometimes, I pity Ryukendo because he wasn’t able to defeat Jark Moon even with all the upgrades.

A good thing about this show is the show’s weapon system in the form of keys. It gave show uniqueness considering that the current trend of tokusatsu uses either cards or the good ol’ fashion way. What’s more, the keys need to be “purified” before being used and we saw its effect on Ryukendo when he hastily used the powerful Thunder Key.

In terms of the story, it’s balanced and realistic. It is neither cheesy nor corny. It sometimes whips couples of comedic scenes which fit for the timing of a certain scene. One of my personal faves was the scene were the trio transforms in the men’s comfort room!

One of the best things about Ryukendo is that it returned to the classic villain plans ridiculous plan that would cause fear to the masses. To those who don’t know what this is, here is a quick lesson. In one episode, Jamanga turned almost everyone in Akebono into human balloons. Unlike the regular classic setup, the causing of fear would help the Jamanga gather necessary Minus Energy for the revival of DaiMaOh.

One of the things that I would praise about the show is the suit designs especially when Ryukendo equips the Thunder Eagle in his armor and Ryujinou’s basic design.

The only thing disappointing about the show is that Ryukendo felt like he is an overpowered hero considering he gets a lot of upgrades unlike from his fellow Madan Warriors.

Overall, if you want to watch a tokusatsu that is not produced by Toei that has good quality, great suit designs and a decent plot that is worth of your time, Ryukendo might be the show for you.

Wake Up! Kamen Rider Kiva Series Review.

Kamen Rider Kiva is the ninth series of the Heisei Era of the Kamen Rider franchise. The show is said to have a horror film theme with our lead Rider, Kiva being based on a vampire and his Arm Monsters being based on various movie monsters. This show kicks off on the 70th birthday of the show’s creator, Shotaro Ishinomori.

Since I am pretty busy, I will quote the summary of the first episode from Wikipedia:

In 1986, at a funeral, a recently deceased man wakes up from his coffin and transforms into a monster known as Fangire. After he attacks a young woman, draining her of her Life Energy and turning her into a material similar to glass, the Spider Fangire is confronted by a woman named Yuri Aso, who attempts to destroy him before he escapes. Later, at the Café mald'amour, Yuri's employer Mamoru Shima tells her to target a young businessman named Kaoru Tsugami, who actually is the Horse Fangire. She finds Tsugami as he is about to eat his sixth secretary, but he calls his bodyguards to hold her off. Though she manages to give them the slip, she is too late to save the woman as she fights the Horse Fangire. However, before the fight could go any further, she is stopped by the man she met while escaping Tsugami's bodyguards: Otoya Kurenai. This little distraction allowed Tsugami to escape.

~~~

Twenty-two years later in 2008, a young man named Wataru Kurenai is gathering fish bones for a project of his to create the ultimate violin varnish, attracting the attention of Yuri's daughter, Megumi Aso, who makes him realize he is not allergic to the world. Megumi soon attracts Tsugami's attention, inviting her to model for his studio as an excuse to feed on her. However, Megumi uses Tsugami's scheme to get to him to finish what her mother started. Angry for being tricked, Tsugami assumes his true form and attempts to kill Megumi until Wataru arrives, with Kivat-bat the 3rd allowing him to transform into Kamen Rider Kiva and battle the Horse Fangire. After Kiva shatters the Fangire with his Darkness Moon Break, Castle Doran emerges to devour the Horse Fangire's soul before it can escape. Once the fight ends, however, Megumi attempts to take down Kiva.

As the series progressed, we are introduced Nago Keisuke, a bounty hunter who has an odd hobby of collecting buttons from his victims and the user of the IXA (Intercept X Attacker) System in the year 2008. While on 1986, we are introduced to Jirou, a regular of the café in which the organization were Yuri is working in hang out. Otoya later discovers that his rival is a Wolfen, a werewolf based monster and one of the three races that the Fangires anhilated.

We are then slowly introduced to the Checkmate Four, the leaders of the Fangire race and the reason why the events that happened to the 80’s are important to the events in 2008.

On to my review, when I first watched Kiva, I said to myself, what is the point of having a 1986 storyline in a show that focuses only to Kiva/Wataru Kurenai if they can do a 2-3 part episode about the origin of Kiva like what Agito did? As the show progressed, I slowly understand why the 1986 timeline is important. All the events that happened in the 80’s are connected to the present.

Now, to the individual storyline per timeline, in the 1986 timeline, it was focused on Otoya, the father of Wataru/Kamen Rider Kiva and his adventures. While on the 2008 timeline, it was focused on Wataru’s development as a person. To be honest, there are some instances that Otoya felt like he is the show’s lead and not his son. I mean seriously, he carries the show. Wataru’s story felt like climax on what Otoya did considering that he mostly finishes the Fangire that the 80’s Blue Sky Organization didn’t finished.

Kiva carried what Den-O left… and these are: time travel and mecha battles. I have nothing against with these because the time travel bit connected the 80’s and 2008, while the mecha battles help finished the Fangire that combined together and formed into. A. Giant. Monster. Wow. The gap between Super Sentai and Kamen Rider is slowly diminishing.

As for the character development, Wataru is by far, one of the best examples of character development in Kamen Rider. First, he started out as a person who is “allergic” to the world. Slowly, he is opening up to people aside from Shizuka, first it was Megumi then Nago and the list goes on. From a regular shut-in, he transformed into a badass Rider… even though he seldom uses his bike and later appeared in Decade as the representative of the Heisei Seniors Riders.

As for the show’s vampires, the Fangires, they returned my losing faith on vampires. They returned the sorta immortal (Heck, the Spider Fangire was alive for more than one episode!) and blood (In Fangire’s case, life) sucking creatures with epic stain-glass features and chess references. But even with the good things about it, like most vampires, it MUST have a love story. In the 80’s we have the love triangle between Jacob-Bella-Edward I mean, Yuri-Otoya-Maya. One thing that I liked about the 80’s love story is that Maya started out as someone who is experimenting about loving humans but in the end, he fell for Otoya. While for Yuri, she is a member of the Blue Sky Organization who at first, fell in love with Jirou and slowly harbors feelings for Otoya. Unlike certain Twilight, their love story has a certain depth. While in 2008, it is about the love story of Wataru and Mio who doesn’t know that they are enemies. Tragic. In terms of the 2008 love story, it is pretty common at first until it develops a twist at the middle of the love story.

Now to the disappointments, first, is the overuse of Kiva’s Emperor Form. To be honest, most ultimate or final forms are used if the enemy is strong. In Kiva’s case, after its first appearance, he frequently used it and there are times that I forgot that he has a base form! Even Tatsulot explains that the Emperor Form is Kiva’s “true form”. Shut up, bat-like dragon thing. After he was able to pull the Zanbat Sword from the wall of Castle Doran, which is when it felt that Emperor Form is one of the weakest ultimate forms I have ever seen next to Den-O’s Liner Form.

Another disappointment is the lack of motorcycle action. Its predecessor, Den-O has a lot of biking action thanks to its used as the train’s steering and Den-O’s (not Ryotaro’s) regular transportation. In Kiva, we barely saw his bike the last time we saw it is when he attacks a bunch of Fangires while going to his mother’s place as for Nago’s bike, IXAlion, the last time we saw it is after he fought Kiva with his bike attached with Buron Booster and don’t get me started with it! So far, those disappointments never ruined the plot.

Overall, Kamen Rider Kiva is so far, one of my favorites in the Heisei era. It has a balanced plot and is close to the original Kamen Rider theme.

Time Trippin Ride. Kamen Rider Den-O Series Review.

Kamen Rider Den-O is the 8th series in the Heisei Era of the Kamen Rider franchise. Because of its comedy, it became one of the most successful Kamen Rider Series to be produced. The series spawned four feature films, an anime OVA, parodies, crossovers, name it! Den-O is about Ryotaro Nogami, a guy with extreme bad luck and was unluckily (or luckily I guess?) was possessed by creatures known as Imagin and transforms to Kamen Rider Den-O. Along with the time traveling train, the DenLiner, Ryotaro and Co. must stop the evil Imagins who will destroy the present.

The series kicks off with Ryotaro’s strain of extreme bad luck, to be exact, he got stucked on a tree, his bike ran into broken bottles, crashed, got beaten up by thugs. After being beaten up, he finds a pass and went to the police. After he entered the door, he was transported into a strange place with a train and woman who gave him coffee. Later, he found the one who lost the pass and returned it to her. He later met up with the same thugs who beat him up earlier. Because of a strange force, he was able to beat up the thugs easily. Later on we found out that the leader of the gang was also possessed by a similar force. Because of Ryotaro able to resist the force known as Imagin, Hana, the girl who lost her pass said that Ryotaro can transform into Den-O.

As the Imagin that possessed the leader appeared, at first confused, Ryotaro swipes the pass and transforms into Den-O Plat Form. As Plat Form, he was easily being beaten up by the Imagin. Because of this, the Imagin that possessed him said that to switch with him. Ryotaro pressed the red button and transformed into Den-O Sword Form. As Sword Form, he was able to defeat the Bat Imagin… or so they thought.

Ryotaro and co. entered the train that he saw earlier; we learned more about the Imagin. Imagins came from the future and plans to destroy the present. They will contract someone to the future in which whatever the person thinks of becomes their appearance. Once the contract is complete, the Imagin can go to the time which is strong in his mind and destroy it. That is why an Imagin possessed Ryotaro… took the shape of a red demon that Ryotaro thought. He said that he was based on his childhood hero, Momotaro.

As the series progressed, we learned about why Ryotaro was able to control the Imagin that possessed him in which he named Momotaros that is because he is a Singular Point, a person who has the ability to be not affected with the changes that happened in time. That is why Hana still exist even though her time was destroyed by the Imagin.

Along the way, Ryotaro was possessed by other Imagins. The first was Urataros who was named after Urashimataro. A flirt and a sweet talker, he transforms into Den-O Rod Form. Next was Kintaros who was named after Kintaro. A heavy sleeper and really strong, he was first contracted to a martial artist, he transforms into Den-O Axe Form. The third was Ryuutaros who was based after Ryotaro’s imagination of dragons (according to a source). The spoiled brat who loves drawing and a break dancer, he transforms into Den-O’s Gun Form. Lastly, Sieg who was found by RyuuRyotaro, he transforms into Den-O Wing Form which was rarely used.

As the series progressed, we learned about the disappearance of Airi Nogami, Ryotaro’s sister’s fiancé, Yuuto Sakurai and his connections with the Imagins and a mysterious entity known as the Junction Point. We later found out that the mysterious guy who likes popping out in various times that carries a pocket watch is Sakurai’s older self and his younger self, who transforms into Zeronos along with his Imagin partner, Deneb.

On to the review, if Decade in my opinion was an Idiot’s Guide on Everything About Kamen Rider, Den-O is in my own opinion, the first show that the newbie of the franchise should watch. Simply because its comedy and maybe, just maybe he can’t handle the other shows that’s darker compared to Den-O. One thing that I liked about the show is the comedy, especially those episodes that has slapstick comedy.

One good thing about the show is the use of trains as the time machines. We saw cars, weird gadgets as time machines, but trains… it’s a first for me!

Now to the bad side of the show, the only time the plot of the show starts kicking in is when Kai, the show’s main villain was introduce. After Kai was introduce, that is the only time the Junction Point plot was implemented. For older fans of the franchise, Den-O is the show that ruined what a Kamen Rider should be. Most Kamen Riders before Den-O are badass especially those in the Showa Era who fight alone (except for Ichigo and Nigo and V3 and Riderman in some instances), and has personality. Ryotaro Nogami has the attribute of a Kamen Rider but it seems that he is not the one fighting his Imagin partners are the one doing the fighting making Ryotaro an empty slate. The only time Ryotaro became a true Kamen Rider is when he obtain the Liner Form. Even the Imagins are involved somewhat in this form, Ryotaro is basically doing all the fighting especially in the last episode with all the Taros are out and only Momo and Ryuu are the ones left.

Overall, Den-O was an entertaining series to watch. If you want something weird and want to hear familiar voices coming from various anime shows (Shin Asuka is a spoiled brat in this series!), Den-O is the series for you.

Better Witness It. Kamen Rider Decade Series Review.

Kamen Rider Decade (Masked Rider DCD) is the 10^th series in the Heisei Era of the Kamen Rider franchise. This show commemorates the 10^th anniversary of the Heisei Era, and the Toei did it with a blast, thanks to the show’s Crisis Crossover theme.

The series started with Natsumi’s dream, the Great Rider War where Decade emerged victorious. We are now then brought in the Hikari Photo Studio, with customers complaining about Tsukasa’s photography. Because of this, Natsumi decides to find Tsukasa. After Natsumi found Tsukasa and did her family’s special move, the Laughing Pressure Point, he explains why the pictures turned out bad. Tsukasa didn’t belong in this world.

After the argument, a strange event happened. Various monsters suddenly attacked the city. In the ruble, Natsumi found a belt and a book that carries strange cards. He gave the said items to Tsukasa and he transforms into Kamen Rider Decade. After having a taste of power as Decade, we later learned his mission. He must save the worlds. With that in mind, he sets on to his journey.

As the series progressed, we are introduced to Yusuke Onodera, the alternate universe Rider of Yusuke Godai, the original Kamen Rider Kuuga, he later on joins Tsukasa. Later, we are introduced to Narutaki, a prophet who warns the worlds about the destroyer, Decade. Lastly, we are introduced to Daiki Kaito, know as Kamen Rider Diend, a thief whose only interest is to steal I mean treasure hunt each Rider Worlds’ rare artifacts.

On to the review, if I would sum up Kamen Rider Decade in a phrase, it would be: An Idiot’s Guide of Everything About Kamen Rider. This show gives us a taste of what Kamen Rider is all about. The good thing about Decade is that they did the thing that is impossible, till Decade came along is the crossovers with other Riders.

Back in the Showa Era, after the said Rider’s series will end, there is an 80% chance that the Rider will appear in the latest show… until the Heisei Era came along. Because of this, most fans dreams came true like, what if Kabuto’s Clock Up and Faiz Axel Form will meet in battle? Those questions, where answered in Decade.

Another thing that I liked in Decade is the finale. Even though it is a cliffhanger finale and thus made some fans curse, it felt like you gave me something to give a higher expectation. Since the finale is a cliffhanger, I expect that the finale will be something explosive and awe striking.

Now the negatives in Decade, first is the plot. In the earlier episodes, the plot was great… until in some point in turned out to be confusing. There are arcs that stand-out namely Kuuga’s World Arc, Hibiki’s World Arc, and the Black X Black RX’s Worlds Arc.

Second, is Narutaki. At first he had this sort of power to summon the original Riders to fight Decade but as the series progress, all he does is to complain. IT’S DECADE’S FAULT!

Next, is the Daiki Kaito, I mean, what the hell Toei?! What is the use of Daiki in the series if all he does is to steal, transform, distract and go invisible?! At least he had some use in some episodes like in Hibiki’s World Arc.

Overall, Decade is a fun series to watch. In my own opinion, it is the best show to introduce a newbie in the Kamen Rider Franchise.