The Sword in the Stone

I've been beaten down by illness for a lot of this past week, so sitting in front of a computer screen was the last thing I wanted to do. So this is going up later than usual. I mean, I can't really write a coherent synopsis if I'm half-dead now, can I?

Spoilers for the future of the Fangire race ahead!



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #36: "Revolution: Sword Legend"

Kivat and Tatsulot recap the story again while we watch Wataru work his magic from last time.

Wataru plays at home for Shizuka. For the first time in a while, he looks truly content. Kivat and Tatsulot listen in as well, and chatter away as usual. Shizuka tells them to be quiet. So she knows about them as well. I guess this means she knows Wataru is Kiva? Either that, or she's just so used to them by now that she doesn't even give it a second thought. Well, that, or Shizuka's just totally crazy. It's possible.

Some of Wataru's neighbors show up to complain about something or other (I was too busy dwelling on the above scene to pay attention.) Shizuka tries to tell them off, but Wataru confronts the problem head-on, apologizing for that somethin' or other. With help from Rider Charisma™, he convinces everyone to leave happily. Shizuka & Kivat talk. Okay seriously, how long has she known? Anyway, Shizuka thinks Wataru looks lonely, and his "joy" is just a cover.

The OP is a bit different just this time, since there was a cross-show promotional campaign thing going on. Everybody Kibatto-Ikuze!

The Arms Monsters inspect the mysterious sword in the wall from last time. Jirô identifies it as the Zanvat Sword, belonging to the King of the Fangires and passed down from one generation to the next. Ramon tries to pull it out, but Riki pulls him aside and attempts to do so himself, only to get electrocuted. Eh, he'll live. Long story short, nobody can get the thing to budge.

Taiga & Bishop discuss the upcoming wedding ceremony with the Queen. It is too soon for Taiga, but Bishop insists it is important for the future of the Fangire that they go ahead as soon as possible. He asks if they may prepare. Taiga leaves it to him. Methinks that 1) Bishop is pulling the strings of something and 2) Taiga's not the most romantic guy on the planet.

Mio is on a swing (hey, just like Wataru & Bishop were two episodes ago!) She wonders about Taiga.

Later they are both back at what I'm starting to think is Taiga's favorite restaurant (it's run by Fangire, probably. "Restaraunto Fang'Ire" or something.)Taiga shows Mio some wedding dress designs, asking her to pick the favorite. She says it's impossible though. Can't blame her, they look really similar.

"To tell the truth... I like somebody else."

She apologizes, and Taiga asks for a trash bucket. He tears the dress designs in two and throws them away. He wants to know more about this man. But she apologizes again, says no more, and leaves.

Taiga, understandably, is not a happy camper. He slams his fist on the table.

"I can't forgive you... Queen is the King's woman!"

Bishop meets with Maya in the cave. They discuss her time as Queen, as well as the new one. And of course, Kiva. Bishop is suspicious of the possibility that Wataru, the one who can become Kiva, is the "dark child" of Maya and a human. Maya is tight-lipped...

1986. Otoya and Maya celebrate the completion of Bloody Rose with some wine. Maya asks about his promise, a concert just for her. He tells her to listen, and begins playing, right there in the middle of the bar. Yuri listens in, and for the like third episode in a row gets moody at the sight of them together, but does not intervene.

A Fangire kills a dude, and Yuri runs out and takes her rage out on it with her whip weapon. She's knocked silly though, and the monster escapes. Yuri slams her weapon against the wall in anger.

Otoya finishes.

Yuri is livid, knocking over a trashcan. Everything's just falling apart for her...

2008. Taiga confers with Wataru about Mio. He tells him that she likes another man, and asks Wataru's opinion. He wants Wataru's help to find this other man. Oh come on Taiga, isn't it obvious? Ah, but there's a twist on the way...

Nago stands outside a shrine, recalling his loss of IXA. He prays to the Gods for its return. Megumi shows up to taunt him. He tells her to stop bugging him. He goes to get an Omikuji. These are small fortune scrolls sold at shrines. It used to be that you'd pull a numbered stick from a box and be given the actual fortune by an attendant, but at some shrines it's all automatic now (with a fortune vending machine!) Nago keeps getting bad luck whilst Megumi gets a little good luck. Things aren't looking good for our button-obsessed friend.

Mio's in a park. She sits quietly. Wataru & Taiga have been trailing her, and in true Rider style, hide out behind the bushes. I like how Wataru's playing dumb through all this. Suddenly, Kengo appears.

"It's been a while, Mio."

They used to date, remember? Yeah, took me a minute as well. She wants to talk with him. Wataru reveals to Taiga that he knows Kengo. They listen in. Mio talks about the mysterious person she likes, but Kengo just wants to go walk. She asks where he's going.

"When we first met, I liked you. But I'm different than the old me." He hugs her, Taiga yells for him to stop. They have a stare-down until Wataru steps in.

Taiga goes to Mio, taking her away. Her eyes meet with Wataru's as they pass. Wataru tries to talk with Kengo, but Kengo punches him out, Ashihara-style. Kengo wants him to disappear from his life.

Taiga and Mio talk. Taiga thinks that Kengo is the man she likes, but it's not.

"Then who is it!?"

She apologizes and runs off.

Wataru looks lost, suddenly, Jirô appears before him.

"I have a request."

Jirô summons Castle Dran from under the ground. Just like that. Sure would have come in handy when he was fighting all those Makamou in Hibiki.

The Arms Monsters want him to remove the Zanvat Sword from the wall. Wataru grips it, and pulls with all his might. But it's no good.

"You're useless too."

Dejected, Wataru leaves. Well that was pointless! He runs into Mio, but suddenly the Rat Fangire appears to attack her. He knocks her out. Wataru summons Kivat.

"Henshin!"

Kiva fights the Fangire. The monster pulls out a sword, but Kiva doesn't give up. But the monster also has a gun! Kiva goes Emperor, and uses Wake Up Fever. The monster fires, but is hit head-on and explodes. Kiva turns to walk away, but another one of the same creature attacks him, knocking him into a fountain. A third Rat Fangire appears, and it's two-on-one.

Taiga sees this going on from afar.

"Henshin!"

He becomes Saga. The monsters grab Kiva, but Saga knocks them away. They book it. Saga attacks Kiva. It's time for a real fight!

The dark Rider uses both whip and sword mode of Jacorder. Then, he picks up the monster's fallen gun. He blasts Kiva, but in the ensuing explosion the other Rider escapes. Saga's not too pleased.

Wataru goes to help up Mio, who awakens. She is glad they met. Saga sees this...

"I don't like Taiga... I like you Wataru!"

Dejected, Saga reverts to Taiga.

"It can't be.. no way..."

1986. Maya lifts up the baby Taiga. Meanwhile, a man with the ZanVat Sword walks through the halls of Castle Dran.

"It's been a while, Maya."

"King..."

And all this is followed by an ad for the DX Zanvat Sword. Merchandising, baby!

NEXT TIME: Kiva gets his version of the yearly bigass sword, and looks like he goes crazy as he swings it at the Arms Monsters. Nago wants his IXA back. Will he get it? There's also ton of Rat Fangire action. And Saga is not in a good mood...

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