"Bounty Hunters. We don't need their scum."

The arrival of a new Rider is usually something to get excited about, and the debut of Kamen Rider IXA is no different. While I still have no idea what his belt says when he transforms (having seen it just once and simultaneously trying to type this thing up) it sure sounded cool.

Spoilers and a clunktastic new Rider ahead.



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode 9: "Symphony: IXA, Fist On"

There's the usual reprise of the previous episode's finale while Kivat-Bat talks about the muzak.

Wataru is playing on a violin in his home. Bu it's no Bloody Rose. He himself states that it's all wrong, and he throws it into the fire! "Again..." says Kivat-Bat. Shizuka shows up asking what he's doing. Wataru is depressed. He's been doing it wrong all along. He can't build as great a violin as his father did.

1986. Shima, with Yuri, talks to Jirô, giving him a Fangire Hunter weapon. He is now a member. Asking his name, the erstwhile-wolfman replies that just "Jirô" will do. He & Yuri almost seem to be an item.

Otoya comes in, asking Shima about letting him into the Hunters again. Yuri taunts him about his coffee fiasco last time. Everybody else starts getting ticked off at Otoya. Kido throws stuff at him. Shima ignores him. Jirô doesn't give a damn about him. And Yuri punches him into the ceiling.

2008. Shizuka saves the violin from the flames, and reveals she's brought someone to help Wataru.

President Murakami! Well, Omura as he's known here. I think it's Omura anyway.

A famous violin expert, he examines Wataru's violin. And puts it back into the fire. Shizuka takes it out again, but Wataru tells her to put it back.

"Omura, I know you're a great man, but I must make the violin alone, and make a great one like my father."

"I understand, that's okay. I have ne favor to ask though: Let me see your father's violin."

Wataru shows him to the Bloody Rose. Omura sniffs the air, taking in the scent of the place. Wataru hands him the Bloody Rose.

Omura examines it.

"You can't make something the same as this. You can make your violin, but not this."

Omura is about to leave, but Wataru asks him to teach him more.

1986. A woman is playing the violin, a mysterious man appears from the bushes outside her home (despite the sunglasses, it's pretty obvious who it is and they'll give up the ghost before this episode ends) and there's obviously a nasty end to that scene.

Shima talks about the upcoming auction of a violin called Black Star, and about how this is seemingly a Fangire's target. Otoya's there and Kido tells him to beat it, but notes how weird it is that the infamous puppy likes him. Much as it would someone else 22 years later...

Yuri talks to Shima & Jirô about Otoya. Yuri then asks about the Rider System's progress. Shima reports good news, but Yuri seems bothered by something. She asks of Shima:

"Give me IXA's power."

2008. Shima workin' out, talking to Megumi about IXA. Nago appears and does his usual being-a-bastard routine, especially now that he apparently is the one granted IXA's power, which he shoves in Megumi's face.

Omura is building a violin with Wataru while Shizuka brings tea. She trips and drops the tray, the crashing breaking Omura's concentration. He begins to freak out at all the ensuing noice, and Kivat-Bat notes how odd this is...

1986. A masked auction. The Black Star is being auctioned off. Yuri joins in the bidding. Suddenly, Otoya shows up and bids even more. Yuri tries to outbid him. The price keeps rising and Shima (on the phone) tells Yuri to get the violin no matter the cost. Jirô knocks Otoya out with a bit of Venusian Aikido (or a Vulcan Neck Pinch) and Yuri wins the auction.

Yuri & Jirô walk along. Yuri wonders why the Fangire are after the Violin. She can't play it at all. Jirô is about ready to flee at the awful noise. Otoya tells her to stop and asks for her to give it over. Jirô punches him out when he tries to take it back. The mysterious man from earlier observes all this.

2008. Omura and Wataru still making a violin.

Nago is talking about IXA with Megumi at her favorite restaurant. Nago doesn't seem to like the place. "IXA belongs to me" he says. I don't think he's thinking about anything else other than the fact that he's now the greatest man in the history of forever because he's IXA. Megumi is too busy trying to start eating.

Nago sees Omura walk by, and checks his cell phone.

"What is it?"

"It doesn't concern you." he says, and takes off.

1986. Down on the docks, Yuri is still trying to play the violin. Otoya stops her. That mysterious guy shows up, and demands the Black Star. He turns into the Frog Fangire, and fights with Otoya, who throws him off the pier. Yuri & Jirô fight the monster with their weapons. Jirô chases after Froggy when he runs for it.

Otoya climbs out of the water and follows, just in time to see Jirô go into Garulu mode, and fight the Frong Fangire some more until it vanishes. Ramon shows up, asking Jirô what's up. Dogga, in human form, also appears, looking all tough. The three monsters have a conversation about humans and Fangire.

2008. Omura is listening to violin music on his headphones. He suddenly hears a little good ol' Rock & Roll, distracting him. There's a street band performing nearby. Omura starts freaking out again. He goes and attacks the band, smashing guitars and punching the crap out of people. Nago stops him, and they get into a fight. Omura transforms into the Frog Fangire. If you didn't see this coming, you will when you watch the episode since it's blindingly obvious it's Omura all along.

Frog leaps at Nago, who removes something from his coat, creating a field which throws the monster back. A strange knuckle-weapon.

Kivat-Bat is talking to Wataru, still working away, when the Bloody Rose starts playing.

Frog runs from Nago, and Wataru magically shows up since he apparently lives next door to every Fangire attack.

"Henshin!"

Wataru becomes Kamen Rider Kiva and fights with the Frog man as the ED theme plays. Frog Fangire has a gun like the Sheep one did, so Kiva goes to Basshaa Form and trumps the monster with his own firepower. Frog reverts to Omura, and a shocked Kiva changes back to Wataru. Omura is just as surprised at his enemy's identity, but he stumbles off.

Nago appears in front of a weakened Omura, who changes again to Frog Fangire.

Nago pulls out an entire Henshin Belt, and puts it on. He puts the knuckle thingy onto his hand, punches it into his other palm, and then sticks it onto belt. All the while a distorted electronic voice (which reminds me of Ginga-Oh from the 8 Riders movie!) says... something, it's hard to make out. In the toy ad after the show it very clearly says "IXA" but I haven't been able to make out anything else.

"Henshin!"

A ball of light appears in front of Nago, changing to a glowing version of the IXA suit, which then moves back onto him (like Kamen Rider Leangle) and he becomes Kamen Rider IXA Save Mode.

IXA (who speaks in a really echo-y metallic voice) easily beats down the Frog monster, then his mask opens up and everything explodes as he becomes Burst Mode...

Next Time: Wataru stands between IXA & the Frog Fangire. IXA is seen using his weapons. And Kiva will have to fight the Frog Fangire again as well...

***