Late to the party!! Kamen Rider W!
Following Val's reccomendation, finally tackled Kamen Rider W. :D
It's a good thing having an unbiased view of the show, without the dramarama and the weekly expecting, also is good to see that the rider actors won't got lost in anonimity after it.
After KR W, Suda Masaki was in Hammer session!, Runaway and a brief appearance in Rich Man, Poor Woman and Kiriyama Renn has been in dramas with 37-sai de issha ni natta boku, Hanakimi 2 (bad hair, BTW), the lead of Switch Girl! (playing a high schooler at 25, not much different than Ikuta Toma, for example. xD)
As a disclaimer, I don't rememeber much about the buzz at the time, and I'm up to 10-12 episodes, so I'm not sure about how the story developes after that, so I'm working with what I've seen until then. And my pics will be from the opening because I forgot my DVD at home and I'm running my 2nd DVD to make this screencaps XD;; ::fails::
[Notes on this series]
I was happy when Kiriyama Renn was designated the next Kamen Rider, the surprise was he was going to be a rider with somebody else. And then eveything turns around dicotomies of partnership and aibou-ness.
Because being a detective is the center of the story and the backstory and the setting is building around it.
I find it curious because I've seen this detectives references in Lucky Seven or Unubore Deka (probably Kare Naru Spy?) and well, probably the novels Tezuka Kuninitsu from Tenipuri likes. XDD Over my border I only had "Murder, she wrote" and "Mike Hammer", which probably might helped to figure Shotaro's character a bit, with all this voice in off and the general appearance. XDD
Until that moment, Kiriyama had a track record for playing cocksure genki (if not obnoxious) roles (don't know about Cafe Daikanyama). Personally I think that he makes a good Shotaro, being this half boiled, flaily and kindla flaily detective who might be a bit tsundere but he has pretty clear who he wants to protect and that there are lines he won't cross not even for the sake of justice. I find really interesting that sometimes Phillip, being the one with a complete knowledge of things, points him about why save a delinquent (for example in episodes 11-12), but as a citizen of Fuuto city, he will be protected, AND Phillip respects his decision and still helps him.
I find interesting how we get this story in media res, we have this team working as a rider for a year. We don't have a guy who suddenly turns into a Rider (like Sato Takeru in Den-O) or begins to get into it, like in Fourze. Akiko joins the story with out PoV, knowing nothing about these guys who occupy his father's agency.
I don't know if in the first movie (or further on the series) we get more tidbits about how Phillip and Shotaro work out/adjust their partnership, but it's clear that they ARE a team and they know each other and as they help each other, they give space as well, for example, whenever Phillip goes all OCD about a certain topic, until he satisfies his curiosity about it, he lets go, even if it interferes with the Henshin or the investigation.
So we have this Rider that is made of two people, you can say it's a strong sense of justice (Shotaro) + a tactician who has an objective view of things (Phillip).
About the enemies, definitely they're a bit interesting and we'll get to see where this Museum Org is aiming for along the story, as the origins of Phillip and what is this mistery about his family. Also if wheter Shotaro will tell Akiko his father died.
There are lots of plotlines to be developed, like for example, Nazca!! ;____; Still I have to meet the secondary rider who I suspect will stick till the end.
Something that always surprise me is the production quality. Of course every KR project is prepared with at least a year in advance but I find impressive the way Fuuto city was built, from the art direction, the locations and giving this importance to the setting, the city is a character itself. <3 I like the background characters too, like Santa-chan and Watcherman.
You can tell Suda Masaki was clearly a beginner (as many actors casted for KR are) but the way Phillip is written, it cuts him a lot of slack, acting-wise. And being on KR really teaches you a lot. so far, I like it, and i find impressive his voice, because despite his looks, it's deeper than Kiriyama's. XD
Things to love:
I laways like the props, like the motorcycle an d weapons, and it always amaze me the shit ton of toys they release every season. (I love my IXA to bits! <3)
* Takaiwa Seiji. This man is a God. I love how season after season he gets under the rider suit and builds a complete different body language for every Rider. Someday he'll have to retire but he's flawless and amazing and asjdgskdjhlkñhjgñgkjñ. <3<3<3<3
* Yuki Kimisawa: I wasn't watching at the moment, but when I saw pics on the magazines I was all "Who's him?" *___*
He had to be a foe (and tall and skinny!) to love him. And I've been spoiled about his fate. ;____;
Annoying things:
* Why the female sidekick has to be a bratty girl? Seems that we got over that in this season with KR Wizard, but I haven't seen this season yet, IDK for sure. Akiko tries to be the osakan strereotype, but he don't come across properly. >>;;
And this is why you won't see any Akiko screencaps here.
* Some random AKB girls as incidental characters, WTF. D< But whatever, the show it's over, but still I don't saee the appeal. >>;;
* Excuse me to be a prude, but a male back nude at 8 AM? It's not that I don't appreciate Hirihiko's backside, but I found it kinda unnecesary. >>;;
* Just thinking about the ton of movies after Decade (And I missed the Den-O movies XD;;) I'll have to catchup on , I already have a headache. DD: (Super Hero Taisen isn't out yet, right? DD:)
About the song theme, I remember I got the track at the time and it suits the drama, but isn't my favorite. But I've never been a Judy and Mary fan anyway. XD;; Personally my favorite KR theme is Den-O's and it will be then only thing I'll like by AAA.
Veredict: so far, so good. I should check Wizard, but maybe when I finish W. I don't remember if OOO was any good, only that Miura Ryosuke stole the show. XD
Random Toku notes:
* Nakamura Yuichi, you will be missed. Your Sakurai Yuto was awesome. Whenever I'll end Hibiki I'll miss your other character. XDD And I should watch Moyashimon. XD;;
* ZOMG, Takkun (Nagaoka Takuya) will be on the Gavan movie!! (trailer at the right) He'll be like the friend of the hero (minor role, lol) but I'm so happy!! :D:D:D:D
It's a good thing having an unbiased view of the show, without the dramarama and the weekly expecting, also is good to see that the rider actors won't got lost in anonimity after it.
After KR W, Suda Masaki was in Hammer session!, Runaway and a brief appearance in Rich Man, Poor Woman and Kiriyama Renn has been in dramas with 37-sai de issha ni natta boku, Hanakimi 2 (bad hair, BTW), the lead of Switch Girl! (playing a high schooler at 25, not much different than Ikuta Toma, for example. xD)
As a disclaimer, I don't rememeber much about the buzz at the time, and I'm up to 10-12 episodes, so I'm not sure about how the story developes after that, so I'm working with what I've seen until then. And my pics will be from the opening because I forgot my DVD at home and I'm running my 2nd DVD to make this screencaps XD;; ::fails::
[Notes on this series]
I was happy when Kiriyama Renn was designated the next Kamen Rider, the surprise was he was going to be a rider with somebody else. And then eveything turns around dicotomies of partnership and aibou-ness.
Because being a detective is the center of the story and the backstory and the setting is building around it.
I find it curious because I've seen this detectives references in Lucky Seven or Unubore Deka (probably Kare Naru Spy?) and well, probably the novels Tezuka Kuninitsu from Tenipuri likes. XDD Over my border I only had "Murder, she wrote" and "Mike Hammer", which probably might helped to figure Shotaro's character a bit, with all this voice in off and the general appearance. XDD
Until that moment, Kiriyama had a track record for playing cocksure genki (if not obnoxious) roles (don't know about Cafe Daikanyama). Personally I think that he makes a good Shotaro, being this half boiled, flaily and kindla flaily detective who might be a bit tsundere but he has pretty clear who he wants to protect and that there are lines he won't cross not even for the sake of justice. I find really interesting that sometimes Phillip, being the one with a complete knowledge of things, points him about why save a delinquent (for example in episodes 11-12), but as a citizen of Fuuto city, he will be protected, AND Phillip respects his decision and still helps him.
I find interesting how we get this story in media res, we have this team working as a rider for a year. We don't have a guy who suddenly turns into a Rider (like Sato Takeru in Den-O) or begins to get into it, like in Fourze. Akiko joins the story with out PoV, knowing nothing about these guys who occupy his father's agency.
I don't know if in the first movie (or further on the series) we get more tidbits about how Phillip and Shotaro work out/adjust their partnership, but it's clear that they ARE a team and they know each other and as they help each other, they give space as well, for example, whenever Phillip goes all OCD about a certain topic, until he satisfies his curiosity about it, he lets go, even if it interferes with the Henshin or the investigation.
So we have this Rider that is made of two people, you can say it's a strong sense of justice (Shotaro) + a tactician who has an objective view of things (Phillip).
About the enemies, definitely they're a bit interesting and we'll get to see where this Museum Org is aiming for along the story, as the origins of Phillip and what is this mistery about his family. Also if wheter Shotaro will tell Akiko his father died.
There are lots of plotlines to be developed, like for example, Nazca!! ;____; Still I have to meet the secondary rider who I suspect will stick till the end.
Something that always surprise me is the production quality. Of course every KR project is prepared with at least a year in advance but I find impressive the way Fuuto city was built, from the art direction, the locations and giving this importance to the setting, the city is a character itself. <3 I like the background characters too, like Santa-chan and Watcherman.
You can tell Suda Masaki was clearly a beginner (as many actors casted for KR are) but the way Phillip is written, it cuts him a lot of slack, acting-wise. And being on KR really teaches you a lot. so far, I like it, and i find impressive his voice, because despite his looks, it's deeper than Kiriyama's. XD
Things to love:
I laways like the props, like the motorcycle an d weapons, and it always amaze me the shit ton of toys they release every season. (I love my IXA to bits! <3)
* Takaiwa Seiji. This man is a God. I love how season after season he gets under the rider suit and builds a complete different body language for every Rider. Someday he'll have to retire but he's flawless and amazing and asjdgskdjhlkñhjgñgkjñ. <3<3<3<3
* Yuki Kimisawa: I wasn't watching at the moment, but when I saw pics on the magazines I was all "Who's him?" *___*
He had to be a foe (and tall and skinny!) to love him. And I've been spoiled about his fate. ;____;
Annoying things:
* Why the female sidekick has to be a bratty girl? Seems that we got over that in this season with KR Wizard, but I haven't seen this season yet, IDK for sure. Akiko tries to be the osakan strereotype, but he don't come across properly. >>;;
And this is why you won't see any Akiko screencaps here.
* Some random AKB girls as incidental characters, WTF. D< But whatever, the show it's over, but still I don't saee the appeal. >>;;
* Excuse me to be a prude, but a male back nude at 8 AM? It's not that I don't appreciate Hirihiko's backside, but I found it kinda unnecesary. >>;;
* Just thinking about the ton of movies after Decade (And I missed the Den-O movies XD;;) I'll have to catchup on , I already have a headache. DD: (Super Hero Taisen isn't out yet, right? DD:)
About the song theme, I remember I got the track at the time and it suits the drama, but isn't my favorite. But I've never been a Judy and Mary fan anyway. XD;; Personally my favorite KR theme is Den-O's and it will be then only thing I'll like by AAA.
Veredict: so far, so good. I should check Wizard, but maybe when I finish W. I don't remember if OOO was any good, only that Miura Ryosuke stole the show. XD
Random Toku notes:
* Nakamura Yuichi, you will be missed. Your Sakurai Yuto was awesome. Whenever I'll end Hibiki I'll miss your other character. XDD And I should watch Moyashimon. XD;;
* ZOMG, Takkun (Nagaoka Takuya) will be on the Gavan movie!! (trailer at the right) He'll be like the friend of the hero (minor role, lol) but I'm so happy!! :D:D:D:D