Time And Relative Nagos In Space

Okay, so I'm putting off the cumulative review until episode #30 since it'll be from episode #16 on and that's a bit more even to the first one (which was #1~15.) Stay tuned tomorrow when I finally finally finally talk about what I did weeks prior, and what's in store in the near future.

Spoiling Fever! Typos Probable!



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #27: "80's: Angry Rising Blue"

Pure Crack. That's what the entire staff & cast were on this week. Pure, unfiltered, crack (not from concentrate.) I swear, as soon as this episode finished, my immediate simultaneous reactions were this: "BEST EPISODE EVER!" and "What the hell was that?"

I think it ultimately comes down to the fact that this episode was big. Huge. As the last one before the movie opens this coming Saturday, it had to be. There was a lot going on this week, and not all of it made much sense or was even particularly innovative, or even good. But it was all very surprising. Surprise is what this episode had in spades. Defying expectations left and right. I mean look at what we knew going into it: IXA would get an upgrade, and there would be lots of cops runnin' around. Also, three words which hooked me from the get-go: Time-Travelling Nago. The possibilities therein are ripe with comedy, and they did not disappoint. But the manner we got there... well, I knew it would be weird and random, but not this weird and random. But I'll adress these finer points as I get to them.

Kivat talks about time travel and Einstein while we recap Kiva beating the Spider Fangire, prior to his final defeat at the hands of Mio (who is absent this week, as you'd expect.)

Nago & Megumi train in the gym, and Shima appears to give Nago the newly-completed IXA Knuckle. Yes, up until now the thing has not been operating at full capacity, even in 2008, but that's no longer an issue. IXA will now be stronger than ever and even have the power to upgrade to Rising IXA, a more powerful mode that takes full advantage of the system. Random note, the most recent issue of Hyper Hobby revealed a little about the stats of IXA both in 1986 & 2008. But that's a whole barrel of laughs unto itself that I'll discuss some other time.

Nago is happier than a pig in mud and while Megumi is clearly ticked that she's again being passed over (since her granny made the system and technically it should be passed down via the family and all that), she helps him train harder and harder.

Meanwhile Wataru attempts to train at home, but collapses under the strain of his aching body.

Megumi is later eating at her favorite place when the police arrive and arrest her on suspicion of burglery. As she is led away, a mysterious man watches from a car. Shima & Nago drop by to question her, but she's as confused as they are. Shima (back at the gym, natch) is soon arrested himself on suspicion of murder, and finds himself in Megumi's place, talking to Nago. And all this happens in like, 2 minutes! I have a soft spot for "good guys getting arrested" episodes in part due to the two absolute killer ones in the original series (#26 & 43), and it's one of those plots that gets repeated like no tomorrow, but it's always a grand old time.

The meeting between Shima & Nago is tense. Shima notes that Nago's face indicates he does believe Shima might be guilty, even though our health-obsessed friend is as clueless as Megumi was. All the same, Nago vows to uncover the truth, and Shima warns him that someone's setting a trap for them all. Someone with a grudge against the Blue Sky Organization (the fancy-pants name for the Fangire Hunters.)

Detective Nago recruits his trusty sidekick Kengo to the cause of justice, and fortunately they don't have to go very far for clues as the Crab Fangire soon appears to attack an innocent woman near where they're standing. Convenient! Nago jumps into action (literally) while Kengo helps the would-be victim.

"Henshin!"

IXA slashes at the monster with his sword, but the crabby guy sprays the all-important killer foam (which goes all the way back to 1971) all over him. So he removes his mouthpiece! Okay, "Crusher" is the technical name for a Rider mouthpiece, and that goes back to the original series as well. It turns out to be the IXARiser, which IXA uses to become... Rising IXA! He dials in 193 on the phone-like device, and the electronic voice says... well, it garbles something, I think it's "Rising IXA Rise Up".

The transformation is pretty neat. Panels fold in and move around, or explode off... the finished look is... well, it's good for what it is. It's not going to top my favorites any time, but it's not a bad upgrade or anything. Unfortunately, it's also unstable. One blast from his IXA Riser sends our man flying back, where he then de-transforms. Fortunately, his attack sent the monster fleeing as well.

I have to say, I was not expecting that at all. Usually new Riders or forms have all this build-up followed by a fairly impressive debut performance. If anything goes wrong, it's after the fact (see Blade's King Form) and tends to form the basis of a cliffhanger. But this... it's just there. Nago got his upgrade with even less fanfare than Tachibana's in-the-mail Jack Form, and he's using it before the halfway point. And what's more, it sucks! I mean, as far as a tactical advantage. He can't even squeeze off a shot without being thrown backwards. That pic at the top of this review? You'd think it was IXA jumping down from a bridge dramatically, all guns blazing. Instead, he's flying back to fall flat on his ass. I swear, this episode is in crazy town. And it's about to get crazier.

The cops arrive (one notes how interesting the IXA Knuckle is, I wonder if that'll go anywhere) but of course Nago fights them off when they try to arrest him. I love how he shouts "I AM NAGO KEISUKE!" in protest. Well, I guess he is still a famous bounty hunter and all. Nago hoofs it to a nearby car, the one seen earlier. He gets in, and demands that the driver take him away. Curiously, the man obliges, and they burn rubber.

Oh yes, the man. Guess who it is? It's Ogawa Atsushi! I laughed so hard when he appeared, because I've been waiting for him to be in Kiva for ages now. It's pretty much a requirement that he appears every once in a while in Kamen Rider now, after having a lead role in Agito and guest spots in Faiz & Kabuto. I'm hoping he'll be in whatever they call THE NEXT's sequel (if there is one), ideally as the bus driver who runs over Chiharu in the first minute of the movie whereafter she is never seen or mentioned again. This is followed by a show-stopping dance number, since it's probably going to be a musical to continue the different "themes" of the series.

Here he's playing a man called Tanahashi, who is (get ready for it) a mysterious guy who knows a great deal about Nago & co. He takes him to a house in the woods (watch as Nago gets out of the cuffs with ease. Handy, that.) Tanahashi is in fact the mastermind behind the plot to bring down the Blue Sky Organization. He relates a story of how 22 years ago, he began painting a picture of a lovely woman who was without equal... but soon, he was involved in an incident with the Fangire, and IXA, who struck him to attack the monster (he's being held hostage in the quick flashback.) This put him in a coma for a year, so when he awoke, the woman was long gone and he could never finish the painting. So what does he do? Goes completely nuts and formulates a massive, years-in-the-making plan to bring down the Blue Sky Organization of course. Wouldn't you? Also, take note that the woman in the painting... is Maya.

Shizuka shows Wataru that Nago is wanted by the police, via cellphone TV... I wish my cellphone was that good! Sadly I settled for a cheaper model when I got mine. Hmmm, upgrade time? Oh, sorry. Nago & Kengo show up, still trailed by the cops. Tanahashi's tale has put a lot on Nago's mind, and he wonders how the heck they're going to get out of this one. The police are closing in, so Nago runs. And then things start getting really, really weird.

He runs into Jirô! Well, Garulu as I refer to him in the present, since he hasn't gone by that name for a long time now. Yes, the wolf man is out and about free as a bird in 2008, and he summons up Castle Dran from under the ground. Why?

"There is a chance to change the past."

Nago is led into the castle to a door to the past, which he opens...

1986. Otoya and Yuri are walking home, when Nago appears from the future, standing on a railing. Thinking he's going to kill himself, Otoya runs to help, but they both end up falling into the water. Later, Nago is taken to Otoya's home. It's August, 1986. Nago can't believe that he's actually time-travelled, and asks if it's really 1986. Our past heroes confirm this, perplexed by his strange behavior. Yuri announces that her and Otoya are now living together, but of course Nago doesn't care about any of that. He has more important things to do. Like figure out what the hell he's going to do.

2008. Wataru & Shizuka wonder about Nago & Kengo, which leads to a discussion about Wataru's friends. Wataru has a random flashback to the past, where he's getting bullied by some other kids. But he remembers another boy who showed up to get back the shoe they stole. A boy named Taiga.

"He was my first friend. But I don't know where he is now."

Yes, another obligatory Tokusatsu bullying scene. I have to say, it's kind of sad that the kids here are better actors than some of the "bullies" I've seen elsewhere in the franchise, from older actors/actresses. But even then, these scenes are almost invariably always badly acted. If I ever make a Tokusatsu series, it's going to involve the victim pointing out how bad the bullying acting is, and everyone feeling embarassed and shuffling away, heads hung. Cuz that's long overdue.

1986. Otoya plays his violin, which apparently makes roses bloom. He's a miracle worker!

Tanahashi claps and comments on how he likes Otoya's playing. The man wants to make a painting of him, but Otoya refuses, thinking it dull and in need of a beautiful woman. Maya appears, asking to hear more of his violin. The painter instead does Maya's portrait, while Otoya plays and she sits entranced by his music. The man asks for her not to move when he finishes playing. Nago appears outside the building, intent on seeing what the real deal is with the painter. But the Cicaida Fangire is there too. Nago attacks it, but it slams him into a tree and beats him up good. Suddenly it is knocked away by a blast. Otoya, using the IXA system of the past. He transforms.

"Henshin!"

Nago can't believe it... THAT guy is IXA!?

2008. Kengo looks for Nago, and the Crab Fangire attacks him. Wataru runs into action.

"Henshin!"

Kiva shows up to save Kengo. As he fights with the Kaijin, Kengo watches, cheering his hero on. Moved by the spirit of "true rock" embodied in the Rider, Kengo pulls out his guitar and starts playing. While they're still fighting. Yes. It's insane.

Kiva seems to have the upper hand, but the monster sprays foam all over him, and it looks like the main man is down for the count. Tatsulot shows up though, and revives Kiva. Nago watches as Kiva glows brightly, turning into Emperor Form. Emperor Form uses Wake Up Fever, appearing to defeat the Crab Fangire...

In the past IXA is about to destroy the Cicaida Fangire, but it runs away. Otoya returns to normal. Nago confronts him. The effects of IXA's actions in past weigh heavy on his mind. This is it. The big moment where he can change everything.

"Return IXA!"

And Nago punches at Otoya...

Okay, let's pause to consider the implications here:

Nago, who has gone back in time to 1986, is trying to alter history so that in 2008, Tanahashi won't have set about with his whole scheme to bring down the Blue Sky Organization. Fair enough, right? But rather than try to find the event which will ruin Tanahashi's life and just change that, he decides to take away the system from the guy who has it now, which could have untold effects on the future. And what's more, he decides to do it with a little two-fisted justice. Nago, you crazy bastard! Didn't you watch Den-O? Watch Megumi become a man and Kengo will be a dark overlord and Wataru is now a cyborg. Actually, that last one doesn't sound so bad.

After the show, the Imagin have been knocked back... by Kamen Rider Rey! Momotaros is ready to fight, but the others just goof around. The Imagin announce themselves, Go-Onger-style. Momotaros goes twice, since Deneb and or Sieg seem to be off somewhere else. Rey disappears in a blizzard. The Imagin rush towards the screen. The adventure continues...

NEXT TIME: OH NOES! Due to travel, I won't be able to recap next week's episode in full until the following weekend, but that doesn't mean I won't try to entertain you with my own alternate timeline version. Stay tuned.

Oh, and as for the actual preview, Crabby survived and there's a lot of people grabbing each other around the neck.

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