Exclusive Insanity

Yet more web-exclusive figures are on the way from the Tamashii Web Bandai Collector's Shop. Who's up this time:



S.H. FiguArts Sieg, from Kamen Rider Den-O. Yeah yeah yeah, I think we all knew this was coming. With Momotaros, Urataros and Deneb being regular releases, Sieg joins Kintaros and Ryuutaros (also up for preorder until 8/17) as webshop exclusives. More details here.

The figure ships in December 2009.



S.H. FiguArts Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Ultimate Form (Black-eyed Version) from some movie that just came out. This one came out of nowhere so fast that at first I didn't even believe it was real! But it is indeed, though not up for preorder just yet. This is the black-eyed version, and if you know anything about how Ultimate Form works (or read my Spoiler review of the movie) you know what this guy means. A Red-eyed version will be on sale at Toei Hero Net, essentially making it another web exclusive. More details on the Black-eyed one here.

The figure ships in February 2010.



Lastly, S.I.C. Kamen Rider Kiva Emperor Form from... guess where. Normal old Kiva comes out at the end of this month, and his super-duper upgrade is also up for preorder now. I've got a few pictures of him from the Tokyo Toy Show back in July which I'll be putting up soon. More details here.

The figure ships in December 2009.


Of course, getting any of these if you live outside Japan will be tougher than it would be to get a general release. Fortunately, I'm told they do eventually turn up overseas in other parts of Asia (like Hong Kong), and middlemen services in Japan should be able to help you once they get released and start popping up on the auction sites. Because Tamashii Web allows you to preorder up to 24 figures, there's usually plenty of these guys to go around, it's all a matter of finding one for a decent price.

You can also find someone in Japan to preorder one for you. Which I caaaan do, but if you want a a real fast, friendly service that specializes in this stuff, I highly recommend Yokatta Shopping, who takes preorders for these webshop figures. They've helped me get some other hard-to-find items in the past and are consummate professionals.

***

Project BM! Kamen Rider Kiva

Hey, how about some toys news? Bandai & Medicom continue their collaborative "Project BM!" line, which is essentially the "let's do the recent guys in Medicom RAH 1/6 size since we're still only up to Kuuga in the main line" spin-off.

What I mean is, the name might be different but these guys are Medicom Real Action Heroes through and through. The spin-off started back in 2005-ish with Kamen Rider 1 & 2 from THE FIRST, then saw characters from Hibiki, Kabuto, Den-O, & THE NEXT join the line-up. Now, later this year (currently September) Kamen Rider Kiva (Kiva Form) will get his due.

The first news of this guy came out in the magazines earlier this month, but we've finally got some really good pictures courtesy of Ami-Ami. Check 'em out here.

As you can see, this looks like one of, if not the best Kiva figures ever. With 6 removable Fuestles, a removable Kivat, extra hands and parts for changing his leg armor to "open" mode, plus a display stand, it looks like one to invest in. Also, the figure upholds the level of quality Medicom has been putting into their figures for years. Look at those chains!

Obviously, he's not going to be cheap, but I find Medicom RAH/Project BM! figures are always worth it. Especially with the latest, "DX"-type releases, which are about as good as it gets for accuracy to the original suits and nifty extras. If you're a Kiva fan and you want just one really good big 'ol Kiva figure, this looks like the one to get.

Additionally, the figure is said to include the all-important mail-in certificate for the exclusive Project BM! Kurenai Wataru figure. I can't wait to see that one.

***

Monster Mash

This is it! The end is here! Kamen Rider Kiva is over.

My big last 3rd of the series summary has gotten so massive, I decided to hold it off until after the last episode, so that will go up tomorrow-ish, along with my final thoughts on 2008/2009's Kamen Rider Kiva as a whole. Look forward to those, plus more this week as we count down the hours until Kamen Rider Decade. 2009's already a few weeks in but the real new year begins on the 25th for me!

Until then, here's the recap of the final episode of Kiva. I will share my thoughts on it later, including the ending that people will probably be talking about for a while...

So get ready.

Get set.

Last chance to turn back now...

Okay?

Too late!

No turning back anymore...

Here we go!

Proceed and Break the Spoiler Chains Below!



Kamen Rider Kiva Final Episode: "Finale: The Inheritor of Kiva"

Wataru still sits in Castle Dran, surrounded by the Arms Monsters. Bishop enters, displeased with his declaration of taking the throne.

"I said I would become the King."

Scary-eyes Bishop vows to destroy him, as the Arms monsters hold him back. Wataru tells him to bring it on. He will face any challenge now.

There's the usual final shorter-than-average opening, and we're onto the action.

Nago is in the cafe. He thanks Shima for everything, and returns the IXA Knuckle. He is quitting the Blue Sky Organization. Shima thanks him as well. Megumi isn't having it though, and pulls a resistant Nago out. She won't let him quit so easily.

Megumi and Nago have a short training montage. He wants to know why she's doing this. Over all this time together, she has come to care about him. She feels it in her heart. He understands.
"You are a kind woman."

Wataru is greeted by Taiga, who wants to fight again. Wataru waves him off though. There is no need, and he'll (Taiga) just get his but kicked again.

"But now I have acquired a new power."

Taiga shows off his new DX Dark Kiva toy. He believed that Maya was going to give this power to Wataru, and could not forgive that betrayal. So he executed her.

Wataru is not a happy camper. He takes up the Zanvat sword, ready to rumble.

Soon Emperor Form Kiva and Dark Kiva are outside. They begin their final battle, but suddenly a TON of Fangire appear. Bishop pushes them aside. He sends his troops into action. The Double Kivas fight all the monsters. Kiva uses the Zanvat Sword to slash up a bunch of them.

The Arms Monsters join in on the fight, vowing to fulfill their promise to Otoya and kick revived monster ass. Garulu flips them around, Bashhaa uses his water blasts, and Dogga chucks 'em hella far and uses massive punches. They all say their names too, if you're keeping track.

Kiva kills a ton of guys with a really cool-looking spinning slash.

Dark Kiva crushes more of them with his immense power.

Soon the brothers are left, and they resume fighting. Bishop, now practically acting like a zombie, is royally ticked. He tries to intervene, but Nago appears to push him down.

"Return that life to God. Henshin!"

Nago becomes IXA, going straight to RISING IXA. Biship becomes Swallowtail. Megumi directs Nago again, helping him to fight the monster. But IXA is still at a disadvantage.

"You can't see..."

IXA's still handicapped, so Swallowtail beats him down easily. He is blasted by the yellow dust attack, but stands. That's not enough to stop him now.

Letting loose an unearthly wail, Swallowtail rushes IXA, but with Megumi's direction he halts the Kaijin, slashes him to bits, shoots him, and uses his finisher.

Swallowtail is knocked back to Bishop. He stands, crackling with electricity.

"This life... will give it to the True King. Him and I shall become one. Everything will be destroyed."

Bishop smiles, but then yells out and falls, exploding. His life force flies off into the air.

Megumi is happy. IXA collapses, turning back into Nago. Megumi tries to rouse him.

"Megumi..."

Miraculously, his vision returns! He reaches out to her.

"Your eyes... you can see?"

"Yeah. I can see. Megumi..."

Nago struggles to get up. He wraps his arms around Megumi, and they hold each other. She calls him an idiot.

Bishop's life energy goes to Bat Fangire, reviving him at long last!

Wataru and Bishop stand in a field somewhere. Taiga wonders if he can fight any more. Wataru staggers towards his brother.

Wataru hugs Taiga. He wants to stop. Taiga's mad, and still wants to fight. But then Shima appears to tell him something...

We recap their night time conversation from last episode. Wataru became King to save Taiga. This was Wataru's plan all along. He believed that if he became King, he could truly save Taiga from himself. Shima backs him up.

Taiga is shocked by this twist. But suddenly Bat Fangire appears and blasts them all down. Wataru recognizes him as the thing that he and his father killed in 1986, but now wild and mindless. Taiga saves him from being blasted. They decide to fight together against this common foe.

The two transform into Kiva & Dark Kiva, and fight the beastly former King together.

Bat Fangire is too strong though. He easily beats down the two Kivas. He knocks them back towards the place where he was originally beaten.

Ba knocks Dark Kiva back to Taiga, and then blasts Kiva back into Wataru with his power. He soon has Wataru on a cliff, and then knocks him back. Wataru's kingly clothes are shreaded off of him as he falls.

Wataru takes then takes a massive spill down the cliff. I sure hope that stunt guy got paid extra for this! He is about to fall into the dried-up remains of the lake, but he grabs onto... IXA?

Flashback to when Otoya was blown out of his IXA armor by Bat Fangire at the final showdown in 1986. Remember, his entire arm (IXA's, not Otoya's) was thrown into the lake, and is now stuck there... I guess. Uh, well, okay!

Wataru realizes what this means, but then slips. However, Otoya catches him. Wataru is in a white void. Otoya's spirit speaks to him.

"Wataru. Don't give up. I am within you. We are one."

"Dad..."

Wataru grips his father's hand.

Bat beats up Taiga. The Kivats and Tatsulot attack him. Wataru shows up. I don't know how (if you really think about it, he was saved by a hallucination/vision/dream sequence/drug trip) but hey hey, it's the finale! Who cares, right?

"Brother... we still need to fight!"

"Let's go, Wataru!"

The two confront Bat Fangire, and transform together.

"Henshin!"

The Double Kivas use their power to stun the monster, bringing him towards them. They perform several duel attacks, knocking him back. He tries to blast them, but they dodge.

Dark Kiva uses Jacorder, performing his Saga-style execution finisher. Kiva uses Wake Up Fever, and Rider Kicks the monster.

Dark Kiva finishes his own attack, and Bat Fangire is thrown back. The ex-King explodes in a massive fireball.

The two Kivas stand, and face each other... reverting to human form as the smoke rolls by.

"Wataru..."

Taiga realizes he has been wrong, and done a horrible deed with his actions. But Wataru believes that his brother's deeds are his own, and they must both be held accountable.

Then they head a familiar voice speak their names...

Maya approaches them.

"Mom... why?"

Taiga flashbacks... and apparently, he didn't stab her with Jacorder! I have no idea what that big wet "THUNK!" noise is, but hey... finale!

Maya tells him it's okay. Taiga still feels ashamed of his actions though.

"Bishop was right... I cannot be the King."

Wataru disagrees.

"After all, you are the King. You can create the bright future between humans and Fangire."

Taiga asks that Wataru fight him one more time. Maya agrees, and tells them to fight...

"And you two will become one..."

"Let's go, Wataru..."

"Okay, brother..."

They fight, in human form first, and then change to the Kivas...

Sometime later...

Shizuka bursts into Wataru's home, looking for him. They'll be late! Wataru is struggling with a necktie.

A frantic Kengo and Shima come into the cafe. Kido is sick (and he's got a new doggy) so it's up to them to carry all the wedding presents.

At a wedding hall, Megumi sits alone. She thinks of her mother.

"Mom... I'm getting married. You couldn't see me in my wedding dress."

But then Yuri appears!

"You look very pretty, Megumi."

She congratulates her daughter.

But it was just a vision, and Megumi is alone again...

Shima leads Megumi into the hall as the music plays. The gang's all here. Wataru, Jirô, Riki, Ramon, Kengo, Shizuka, her brother, Kivat (with hat), Tatsulot...

And Nago, the groom. He looks uneasy, but he braces himself.

Meanwhile, the board of Taiga's old company sit are having a meeting, and one them introduces their new boss... Taiga. These guys are lucky he didn't kill them all, right? And Taiga's lucky he didn't actually kill Maya, or his survival chances would have been a lot lower. Happy endings all around!

Rather than Life Energy, they willl look for a new energy source...

Nago kisses the bride. Well, Megumi kisses him first. They are now Riki holds back a jealous (?) Jirô. Shizuka introduces Wataru, who is about to play his violin, when suddenly...

"Papa!"

As the theme song begins, the doors burst open. A man in strange clothes comes in, ranting away. It's Otoya... not it isn't, it's Masao.

Wataru's son from 22 years in the future.

Everybody is shocked. What the hell?

The future is in trouble, and he needs Wataru's help.

Everybody runs out. There's a giant glowing thing above them in the air... Wataru's son calls it the "Neo-Fangire".

Taiga runs up, and is confused when Masao calls him "Uncle".

Nago runs down to join the others, and the rest have to hold Megumi from joining in too.

Tatsulot and the Kivats (II, III, and now IV) show up. And the four Riders transform.

"Henshin!"

Wataru becomes Emperor Form Kiva.

Taiga becomes Dark Kiva.

Wataru's son becomes Kiva (regular Kiva Form, with a different Kivat belt)

Nago becomes Rising IXA.

The three Arms Monsters change as well.

They all strike a battle pose, and then leap into the air, ready to give whatever comes at them a good flying kick...

THE END

NEXT TIME: A great battle takes place. The Kamen Riders of the past 9 series are all involved, but why? And who is the mysterious new Rider with the power to destroy them all? It's the first episode of the 10th Heisei series, Kamen Rider Decade!

***

The Kingmaker

Hard to believe it, but we're almost there! The end of Kamen Rider Kiva is upon us. The toys are vanishing from the aisles or going on sale at ludicrous prices (the Zanvat Sword is now so cheap I might just bite, and I've never before gotten a final form weapon for some reason.) Decade is on everyone's brain.

And I'll finally get around to re-reviewing #31~47 some time before the finale. I started on that the other day, realized I need to go back and reread my own summaries, and by that point #46 had already happened and that's kind of a big one. So I'll extend it to cover up to this episode below. Then a final final final whole-series retrospective following next week's episode.

So let's go!

Bishop is summoning Massive Spoilers from all across Japan. Even the picture is a spoiler, so turn back now lest ye be spoiled.

Okay then...



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #47: "Break the Chain: Obey Me!"

1986. Otoya lies still in Maya's arms...

2009. Yep, it's now 2009, although if you look at the episode #46 summary on TV-Asahi's page, it's still 2008 when Kiva and Saga began their fight. But for #47 it's 2009. So they've been fighting for a while!

Anyway, Kiva and Saga fight the revived Fangire monsters, destroying them all with their weapons. With the interlopers dead, they resume their battle. Saga's Jacorder is knocked from his hand, and he is put at a the disadvantage.

Bishop plays the organ madly. He is amassing more power. He will resurrect the "true" King.

Wataru and Taiga continue to fight, having been knocked back into human form. Wataru doesn't want to fight anymore, and throws the weakened Taiga back. He declares himself stronger than the "king". He has no problem with living on as a Fangire, but he can never live with his "brother". He walks off.

Taiga's not happy.

"I cannot forgive you! You are no longer my brother."

The collected Life Energy goes to a familiar-looking place. The lake by which Wataru and his father beat Bat Fangire in 1986, now dried up and sealed off. It begins to resurrect the former King, but it's still not enough. Bishop must get even more life energy. He goes off on a good old evil rant, and suddenly gets scary eyes. No really. I think kids will be freaked out all week after this one.

The Fangire hordes go hog wild, killing people by the truckload and amassing a huge amount of Life Energy. Going off on a tangent, seeing as how Decade is going to have (seemingly) a giant rehashed monster army as a regular feature, I don't even want to begin to think how the final few episodes will play out.

Nago sits alone in the cafe, staring at his hands. His vision is blurry. Wataru walks in, blurry too. Nago covers his handicap though, and seeks to make Wataru the new Blue Sky Organization president (rather than himself.) Wataru refuses adamantly. He seems suddenly cold and distant. Nago gets a call, and Wataru leaves.

Megumi calls Nago into action. Fighting the Fangire herself, she is overwhelmed. Nago shows up, but with his weakening eyes, Nago is pretty useless. He can't even transform without being knocked over. Wataru appears, giving the monster his stare o' doom, and chasing them away. He saves Megumi. Another monster gets shot from afar.

The heroes look up to see a man on the rooftop. He removes his sunglasses. It's... Shima!?

"What's with those eyes? I am not a ghost, nor a Fangire. I am the original me."

At the cafe. Kido is overjoyed. The others are skeptical. They can't believe it. Shima seems aware of Nago's impaired vision and asks him to put sugar in his coffee.

"You can't do it?"

Kido is going to, but Shima stops him. Nago tries, but his blindness becomes obvious. He misses the cup completely.

"I see. Nago, you are blind."

Megumi is shocked. She realizes that it must have been when Bishop attacked her, IXA got in the way and took it on the eyes.

Shima begins to tell him what this means, as far as his job is concerned. Megumi is defiant, but Nago says he understands, and bows deeply...

Taiga is mad (once again.) He talks to the company board of directors, but they're all turning against him. He's been a screw-up in a lot of ways lately, so they vote to oust him from his own mega-corp. Why Taiga doesn't just waste 'em, I don't know. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the way Murakami was booted out of SMART BRAIN back in Faiz, and at least he had Yuji and the Goat dude to contend with. Think about it. These guys should be toast. Taiga should take a page from the Master. If I ever make a Rider series and some big shot evil exec gets the ax, they're going to slaughter everybody in the room after some smartass quip (uh-oh, foreshadowing...)

Nago is at a bridge. He turns over the IXA Knuckle to Megumi, but she refuses it. Nago starts to sniffle! Megumi says that she will become his eyes...

Wataru goes to meet Maya. He wants to know about his father's end.

"Your father died peacefully... how like him."

She talks of the music within her, and how splendid a man her son has become. But Wataru's tired of being sad. He wants to be stronger. He wants to protect the beautiful things and the music within everyone for real. Maya tells him that he is already strong. Like his father. Because he is kind.

Wataru disagrees. He leaves.

Taiga is now pretty pissed. His arm in a sling, kicked out of his company. Scary eyes Bishop shows up to taunt him about his "replacement". Taiga is adamant. While he lives, there can be no other King. But Bishop plans to kill him and resurrect the real King. He becomes Swallowtail Fangire. Taiga suddenly finds himself surrounded. He transforms, but is overwhelmed by old monsters and slow motion. Bishop's gang beat on him good. Nago and Megumi arrive.

Nago becomes IXA, but is still blinded. So Megumi directs him (hey, this is familiar...) but he is still blasted back and overwhelmed. He is knocked back to human form. Swallowtail savagely beats down Taiga. He prepares to kill him, but Wataru shows up, becomes Kiva, and kicks everybody's butts.

"From now on I will be the new King!"

Taiga and Swallowtail aren't happy about this. Kiva tells anyone who disagrees to bring it on.

"I will rule over the strong!"

He slashes Swallowtail, who teleports away. Megumi asks him what he means. He states that in Taiga's place, he will become the new King. He walks up to Taiga, and past him. Taiga is really mad now. Nago & Megumi are just plain shocked.

Maya gets a visit from Taiga...

Wataru wanders through the street at night. He meets with Shima, who wants to talk.

Taiga hugs Maya. His entire world has been shattered.

Shima explains to Wataru how he survived. Saga's attack did not kill him as was thought. Taiga saved him and had him undergo some kind of operation that (apparently) split the Fangire and Shima back into two, as they had once been. This made Shima realize that perhaps there was some sort of kindness in Taiga after all, and he hadn't forgotten about Shima's role in his life. Wataru wants to know why Shima's telling him this. Shima wants Wataru to "take care" of Taiga...

Taiga begs Maya go give him the Dark Kiva power. She can't, but he demands it. He thinks she loves Wataru more than him. She tries to tell him this isn't the case. In anger, he stabs her with Jacorder! Maya collapses in his arms. Taiga rises, and screams out in the night. He has killed his mother. Kivat-Bat the 2nd suddenly shows up.

"You need me?... To become the greatest King..."

"Henshin..."

Kivat bites his hand, and Taiga becomes Dark Kiva in the rain.

"Darkness. The age of darkness begins here!"

In Castle Dran, a man walks through the halls. It looks like King. The Arms Monsters are shocked, stepping back. It's Wataru, dressed like King. He stabs the sword into the floor, and sits in the throne.

"From now on, I am King."

Bishop summons forth Bat Fangire once again, having gained enough energy. Soon.. he will return...

The Arms Monsters question Wataru's decision, reminding him of his father, who would be displeased. He tells them not to mention his father again. Ramon and Riki bow to him, and soon, so does Jirô...

Next Time: It's the end! But has the moment been prepared for this time? We'll find out. Bishop brings back the Bat Fangire and has his forces go nuts on Kiva & co. Wataru confronts Taiga. IXA goes up against Swallowtail. The Arms Monsters get in on the action. And the Double Kivas battle the Bat once more...

Also, I kind of think the trailer reveals a sort of big spoiler. We'll see if that turns out to be true next week, but if you're curious, as soon as it starts, notice who's on the right hand side, looking to be in pretty good shape.

There was, of course, another trailer after that:



***

Daddy Done Good

The end is near! And uh, I have a big-chunk-of-series-review to get to. I found this episode a little hard to summarize, because A LOT happened in these 20-something minutes. It was a good one though, that's for sure.

Big big Spoilers Ahead!



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #46: "Full Stop: Farewell, Otoya"

1986. Kiva watches on as Bat Fangire defeats Dark Kiva while Kivat and Tatsulot get us up to speed on the plot. Hey, it's been two weeks. Kiva flips out and attacks Bat, but is beaten up easily. Dark Kiva has since reverted back to Otoya, who lies on the ground flinching. Soon, his son is knocked back into human form, and joins him on the ground.

"Wataru... leave this to me."

Otoya stands up, gritting his teeth like no tomorrow. He takes out the IXA Knuckle, and transforms.

But IXA is easily knocked about by Bat. He is no match for the Fangire King. The IXA belt is knocked right off of Otoya, and a piece of his armor (arm!?) is sent flying into the nearby lake. That's gonna cost them. Otoya collapses again. Watatu yells out for him to stop pushing himself, and transforms into Emperor Form again, rushing at Bat. Otoya sees this. He vows that his son will not fight alone.

He calls for Dark Kiva's power once more, even as Kiva yells at him to stop fighting. Dark Kiva's power will be too much for him. He transforms. Maya screams out to them.

The Kivas fight Bat. Wataru believes Otoya will die, but it matters not to him (this is all spoken via voice overs. Maybe they're having a good old Rider Telepathic Conference.) I like how Dark Kiva suddenly flash to Otoya in a stylized slow-mo, so we actually get Wataru's dad jumping around and kicking the monster. Hey, end of the series, this is when they go all-out.

Bat still knocks both Kivas around though. He is the King for a reason.

Wataru begins to realize how this was all meant to happen, that he was meant to go back and aid his father. United, the Kivas are stronger. Suddenly, the tide turns.

Dark Kiva uses his power to stun Bat. He and Kiva use their Rider Kicks. A Double Rider Kick knocks Bat down. He reverts to King. It's a good classic major villain death scene! I love it when they revert to human form ala Black Shôgun and the Destron guys.

"You're mine... let's go to hell together!"

King summons the last of his power and fires it at her, but Taiga's Fangire powers suddenly manifest, and Maya and the child are shielded. King is proud of his son, who he believes will one day destroy the Kivas. He then finally gives in, and explodes.

The Kurenais revert to human form. Otoya claims to be okay. Suddenly, Wataru begins to fade away. Time to go. Otoya believes that his life from now on will be happy. Wataru wonders how, and there's some talk of the music (you know, the music.) Wataru vanishes. As Maya believes, Otoya looks like he's going to die. But he couldn't, not in front of his son...

2008 (or should it be 2009 now?) Wataru is back (to the future.) Things are pretty much as we left them. Nago is trying to take on the role of replacing Shima and pestering Megumi with a request to back him on it.

In a church, Bishop plays the organ. He thinks back to when Taiga hit him. He no longer believes that the boy is worthy of being King. Bishop revives a ton of Fangire, creating multiple copies of past monsters and sending them all over the world (well, Japan. Well, Tokyo.)

"Collect the life energy of the world!"

Wataru hears Bloody Rose, as well as the words of his father. He must protect the world. I rather like the idea (implied in this scene) that Bloody Rose when it does playing was also always somehow tied to Otoya, and it's only now that Wataru, his mind "clear" at last, hears what it's really saying.

Shizuka is attacked by a revived Wild Boar Fangire. Wataru intervenes himself, not changing to Kiva. Go Wataru! He gives the monster a glare 'o doom, and the rehashed Kaijin flees.

"I'm home Shizuka-chan."

He carries her home. He almost lets slip what he's been up to. Wataru sees some suspicious cops walk by...

Nago and Megumi are arguing as usual. He still wants her help in becoming the Blue Sky Organization's chairman. The two cops walk by, but they attack them. They're Fangire. Wataru gets in the way, fighting them (still untransformed.) Nago becomes Rising IXA. Wataru is able to scare off the Fangire with just a look yet again. Rising IXA destroys the other monster brutally. Bishop then appears.

"Bishop."

The two rivals face off...

Bishop, as Swallowtail Fangire, rushes at IXA, and they fight. He's mad as hell, and beats IXA down. Megumi intervenes, and Bishop knocks her gun from her. He's about to finisher her off when IXA gets in the way, taking a blow meant for her. Megumi stops Swallowtail with a blast from IXA Knuckle before he can kill Nago.

Taiga goes to visit Mio's gave. He vows that he will become stronger King. Wataru shows up there too, and puts his own flowers down. He and Taiga exchange tense words; they both know what they must do.

They must fight. The brothers face off.

They transform.

"HENSHIN!"

Emperor Form Kiva vs. Saga.

We cut away from the fight back to 1986. Awwwww.

The rain is pouring. Yuri is looking for the cafe's resident dog, and is offered an umbrella by Otoya. But they decide to wait it out. There's a nice little scene where she comes to the realization that this is probably good bye. The fighting is over, his destiny with Maya is assured. Otoya seems almost unearthly. He believes that soon, the rain will stop. He throws he umbrella up... and is gone. And the rain has stopped.

By the lake, the Arms Monsters look up at Castle Dran. Otoya meets them. He begins to fade away... but before he does, he asks them to work for him. To help his son. To save him.

"We're monsters. What do promises with humans mean to us? But with you..."

Otoya is the only one they would honor a deal with.

"I leave it up to you, Jirô"

And then he's gone.

2008. Saga & Kiva continue their fight. Things explode around them, and they are attacked by Revived Fangire.

"Saga!"

Bishop appears. He will destroy Saga, and make his "own" King.

The monsters attack Saga, beating up on him.

Megumi and Nago walk off the effects of their fight. Megumi suddenly rushes off, leaving the other man behind. Nago's vision is blurred. He's losing his sight...

1986. Otoya and Maya have a picnic. He plays violin for her.

"Can you hear it?"

She can. and soon, he lies in her arms, as she cradles his head. His hand falls. Maya begins to cry. And Otoya is...

NEXT TIME: The Endgame continues. Bat Fangire revives in 2008. Wataru becomes King!? What does the future hold for Taiga? And who's voice is that speaking to Nago, who is now undergoing Hikawa Makoto-style vision impairment?

***

Welcome to the Kurenai Wataru Program

Okay, I meant to do this last weekend, but you know how it works. So here we are.

Spoilers, including movie spoilers. The actual movie!



Net Edition: Kamen Rider Backwards Kiva: Queen of the Castle in the Demon World

(Note: I'm almost entirely positive that "Kamen Rider Bass Ackwards Kiva" would be acceptable in this situation.)

Toei tried a rather interesting experiment with the summer Go-Onger & Kiva movies this year: spin-off net-only pay-per-view (for 7 days) "webisodes" (the first one was free, the rest weren't.) Now as I understand it, you had to be in Japan to see them, or at least the pay ones, which means that yes, I should have been able to see them, right? Of course, there's the issue of paying; not a problem in itself, but there was a lot of screwy business involving Yahoo points and such.

So I finally decided that "well, you only get to keep them for a limited time, and they're going to come out on DVD anyway since I know through my secret sources." Hence, I held off this year (although vowed that if they do it again for Kamen Rider Decade, I will bite the bullet.)

I have to say I'm glad I did; partly because while the quality of the net movies online was okay, I have this weird thing about liking to see stuff at maximum quality from a hard copy; I'll happily buy a CD or DVD even if it's being downloaded left and right. I can't really explain it, it's just me (for example, I understand that a DVD "Sample" version of the Kiva movie is out there now, but I haven't bothered looking for it. I'm happy to wait until my special edition DVD arrives in the mail. Madness, no?)

The other reason I'm glad I waited is that having seen the free first one when it came out... I was a bit confused. What the heck was going on? This was pre-seeing the movie mind you, so that probably had something to do with it (I also avoided all the movie hype beforehand, so I had no clue why Otoya was there with Wataru and who the guy in white was.) It was just this weird lil' thing, like a Super Hero Time segment stretched out for 5 minutes. But after having watched all 5 parts together, I can now safely say I "get it". Mostly.

For you see, these mini net movies are basically what would happen if you set up a camera during rehearsal, let it run, and then edited the footage and made a story out of it. I'm pretty sure that's what they did here, because it is absolute insanity.

This may sound like a critique; it's not. On the contrary, I had a blast with these things. But they are without a doubt some of most irreverent Kamen Rider in a while, up there with the infamous "episode #50" o Kuuga.

I say these look like they were done during rehearsals because the whole thing looks like one giant attempt by the cast to get the rest of the cast to corpse. The jokes come fast and furious and it seems like everything they could think of gets thrown in. And like the best dreams, none of it makes much sense as it jumps from one idea to the next like a sugar-infused child.

Okay, there's sort of a plot and they sort of connect to the movie, but it's so loose that you probably won't be shocked at all by the final twist (I saw it coming a mile off.) Still, these are, as the kids say these days, "some seriously good crack".

Episode 1: "Kurenai Wataru's Backwards Face?!"

Wataru and Kengo (this is pre-character reinvention/ruination Kengo) decide to put on a Manzai (comedic duo) act because, well, why the hell not? Kengo speaks Kansai-ben, that's all you need really. Otoya & Yuri are hanging around in 2008, just cuz. Try to work this into the movie continuity; you'll turn your brain inside out. Shiramine (Kamen Rider Rey) is there too, but I'll get back to him later. Much wackiness ensues and we're privy to what I'm pretty sure is Seto Kôji's impersonation of a foreigner speaking Japanese. Which is amusing and slightly disturbing. Wataru goes all magician and makes Machine Kivaa appear. You know, in case you wondered where it went. He teleports to Castle Dran at the end and is challenged by the Arms Monsters...

Oh, and Kengo has on the silliest jacket, unbeaten until Nago wore something similar on an episode of the TV show. Even Otoya could give him fashion advice. The best part is it's never really clear why. He could be doing it as part of the Manzai act, but seriously you guys? I think Kengo's just plain crazy in this thing.

Episode 2: "Backwards Battle at Castle Dran?!"

...and that battle at Castle Dran is, in fact, a card game. Basshaa schools everyone, Riki works on his "Poker Face" (his solution is to change to monster form, and since his costume has no animated face, well...) and ultimately Garulu loses and is condemned to Hell, i.e. taking the place of the dog in the cafe. You can't make this stuff up. If you've ever thought Matsuda underplays, and want to see him dial it up so high it goes past 11 to to 12-@#$%ing-1, well, here you go. I like that little disco dance he does upon losing; if Todoroki could see him now...

Episode 3: "Nago Keisuke's Backwards Face?!"

You know, I like Taiga/Saga just fine, but I stand by my sentiment that Yamamoto's Shiramine/Rey is still his top Kiva character. Because while Taiga's a scheming nasty, Shiramine is an unbelievable bastard. He's the killjoy in most of these, but in #3 he lays it on HARSH. We never totally get the full details of his past with Nago in the movie, but we get a lot more here (albeit comically) and suddenly it's little wonder why Nago was so messed up for the first half of the series (I know, I know, TV=/=movie continuity... meh, continuity can look after itself.)

That's pretty much the extent of this one: Shiramine kicks Nago around in the café, much to the amusement of Megumi. Oh, and the ending is one of the strangest things ever, but it's awesome. Bunny!

Episode 4: "Café Otoya d'amour"

Otoya (still hanging around in 2008 with Yuri) turns the café into a Maid Café, which is guaranteed laughs. He then turns it into just about every other kind of café imaginable. Shiramine is a bastard throughout. You have to see this one to get the full effect. Needless to say that the girls look good as maids, but you didn't need me to tell you that. Although I wish they weren't in the plasticky-looking orange things, and rather something more elegant and... okay I'll stop now.

Also, Rey fans take note: the great white one puts in a short appearance. In your face, Arc!

Episode 5: "The Queen Descends!"

Okay, all during the past 4 parts, Kivat (sometimes CG, sometimes a toy) has been showing up at the beginning to complain about the rise of the titular Queen, and show scenes from the movie (the actual movie.)

In this episode, we find out that the Queen is, in fact, Shizuka. Huh. She beats up Nago, Jirô (watch for the scenes where Matsuda is very clearly a dummy, I love this) and Otoya, before confronting Wataru as Kiva. And then...

...it all turns out to be a dream. No, I don't know if it was the entire thing, or just this episode. Maybe it was all of them. Maybe it was everything, including the movie. Maybe it was the whole series and Wataru wakes up, will walk outside and get attacked by Kamen Rider Decade. Who knows?

So in summary, these things are absolutely nuts, but they're pretty funny and worth the equivalent of a regular episode it will probably take you to watch them. The DVD also features the Go-Onger webisodes, which I have yet to watch. But I'd say it's worth it for the Kiva ones alone.

***

Up to Bat

No Kiva next weekend, but this time, I actually have something planned to review in its place! (no, it's not V3, yet. I hope to get back to those soon, before diving into the two other old shows I'll be reviewing next year. Also, I'll try to do some Christmasy-stuff this week.)

Also, with this being #45, I'll try to finally do another "series so far" review from #30 until now, and naturally the final few episodes will factor into the full series review next month.

And hey! Check out the new Poll on the sidebar. It's an experiment I hope to do a lot more in the future. One vote per person, please.



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #45: "With You: The Last Henshin"

Dark Kiva uses his power to pull IXA towards him. He grabs him by the neck, electrocuting him. Kive Emperor Form uses Wake Up Fever, and hits the dark Rider head-on. I mean really head-on. It's probably one of the easiest Rider Kicks in history, Dark Kiva just turns and takes it. Of course he survives though, but is now majorly ticked off.

"I can't forgive you!"

Roaring, he rises. Kivat-Bat the 2nd leaves him, seemingly shocked. He reverts to King, and then to his true form of the Bat Fangire. He fires a great red blast at the Riders, seemingly destroying them. But when the flames die down, there's no sign of them. I don't know why Bat didn't think he'd just blown them to hell, but I guess he knows how his powers work better than I do.

Otoya leads Wataru away. He now believes that he is his son. But he must keep his promised date. Wataru tries again to stop him.

"Wataru, you are mistaken."

Otoya whacks him from behind and then runs to look for Maya. Kivat II appears.

"Maya is gone."

"You... King's servant."

"I am no one's servant."

Kivat II leads him away. Maya is at a stadium, and Kivat II appears, bringing Otoya. Wataru shows up as well, still asking them not to meet again. Maya agrees this time, and remembers King's words...

If she meets Otoya again, King will kill Taiga.

Wataru refers to Taiga as his brother. And Otoya says to Maya:

"Your child is my child. I will save him. And destroy King."

Maya thinks it's impossible, but Kivat II offers to lend him the power of Dark Kiva. Kivat-Bat the 3rd is happy to see daddy, BTW.

Maya says that Dark Kiva's power cannot be handled by a mere human, and asks Wataru if he will lend his power and help them. She begs him to save Taiga. Otoya doesn't want this though. He will save Taiga, and Jirô & co. And he will do it of his own power.

Wataru is at the cafe. He meets Kido, and notes he hasn't changed at all in 22 years.

2008. Taiga looks at a picture of Mio. Bishop appears, asking him to hurry up and forget her. She has been executed, after all.

"Executed?"

As it turns out, after Kiva kicked Pearl Shell Fangire, Bishop appeared to kill her as Swallowtail with a great green blast of power. He did it so Wataru would think he had killed her, thus ruining his spirit. Bishop is smug that he has now elminated both threats to the King. Furious, Taiga attacks Bishop. He cannot forgive him, and beats him up. King tries to kill him, but Bishop knocks him away and storms out. He collapses, wondering why the King is fighting what must be. He has betrayed his destiny. And that, Bishop cannot allow...

1986. King finds Wataru, and becomes Dark Kiva. Wataru goes Emperorr. The two Kivas fight. Otoya shows up, Dark Kiva turns his attention to attack him, Kiva gets in the way and takes the blast, reverting to human form. Dark Kiva betrays King, going to Otoya. He bites Otoya, who is enfused with dark power. He flinches, finding it difficult to handle. Furious, King changes to his true Bat Fangire form.

Dark Kiva and Bat Fangire jump in the air and kick each other. King vanishes, leaving a weakened Dark Kiva. He reverts back to Otoya and helps Wataru up. Wataru is upset at what his father has done, ignoring Maya's warning. But Otoya must do this. He plans to go to Castle Dran. Before doing so, he punches Wataru out. If you've seen the movie (spoiler coming up) this should be familiar.

Yuri is with Wataru at the same place where they were last time when he woke up post-Otoya punching-out. He talks about his inability to save Mio (he kept the shard from last time, and brings it out here.) Yuri sees that she was important to him. But she states that Mio would not be happy if he changed the future. Had he not been born, Mio would never have met him, and not be as happy as she was to have known him.

Otoya stumbles along, encountering Maya. She goes to hug him, asking if he changed to Dark Kiva. He tells her not to worry. But she asks if he understands what he did, and tells him not to change anymore. Because it's now changing him. But he says he will put his life on the line.

Wataru goes looking for dad, and instead finds mom. Maya has a request. She tells him that as a normal human, Otoya is doomed to die. So in her place, he must take something from Otoya...

"Take what?"

"Life."

2008. Bishop is stealing people's Life Energy en masse, trying to build up more life energy for his new plans involving King. Nago appears, and becomes IXA. He goes straight to Rising, and fights Bishop as Swallowtail.

1986. Otoya goes into Castle Dran, and finds the three Arms Monsters in weapon form. He takes them, but King appears. Surprised, but pleased. King beats Otoya up good. Otoya uses the IXA Knuckle to blast him away.

Wataru is there too (apparently Castle Dran's a lot easier to get into than I first thought) and Otoya pulls him away. They hide from King. Otoya talks with him about Mio, and he again takes out the shard. It turns into a ghost-like Mio. He asks Mio if it's okay, that he live on like this. She nods, and vanishes. And then the shard vanishes as well.

King finds the father-son team. Otoya tells Wataru to run, whilst he once again summmons Kivat II and becomes Dark Kiva. King becomes Bat Fangire.

Wataru finds baby Taiga crying. He tries to comfort him. And it's at this point that the episode goes completely crazy.

Dark Kiva and King smash out of Castle Dran. Dark Kiva is blasted back, but in the process, the Arms Monsters are released back into human form. Confused, they run for it.

Dark Kiva uses his power to stun Bat Fangire, then uses his Wake Up Fuestle (with really awesome sound effects.) He Rider Punches the monster, knocking him down. But Bat summons Life Energy to create a gant CGI thing that overtakes Castle Dran, spreading evil roots throughout it. Wataru runs out with Baby Taiga. Maya leads them away. He gives Taiga to Maya, then runs and becomes Kiva. He goes into Flight Style, and fights with the giant Fangire possessing Dran. He reverts to Emperor Form, and uses a Zanvat Sword finisher to destroy the big beastie.

Dran is free, and follows Flight Style Kiva.

Dark Kiva is beaten on by Bat Fangire, who sends spinning blades at him. He turns as Dark Kiva falls,reverting to Otoya in a hail of sparks. Otoya gets back up, but collapses. Kiva finds returns just in time to see this. Taiga cries as Maya watches on. Is this the end of Otoya!?

NEXT TIME: Bishop rocks out on an organ (is that him doing the first voiceover? Cuz it sounds creepier than ever.) Armies of duplicate revived Fangire pop up all over the place. Megumi (and Shizuka?) are in trouble. Otoya meets with the Arms Monsters. Swallowtail Fangire beats up Rising IXA. Kiva and Dark Kiva fight Bat Fangire on the beach. Kiva and Saga face off, once and for all. And a ton of old Fangire are beating up Saga. The King will fall, and the end is coming...

***

Fight the Future

As you may have noticed, I've been tinkering with the blog big time lately. Or maybe you didn't notice; I was counting on everyone being distracted by Dragon Knight. While I originally considered moving it to a different location, after a frustrating weekend and a lot of coding nightmares, I decided to go back and give the Blogger upgrade another try.

I've messed around with it in the past (as you might have seen) and always ended up nowhere, and the fact that upgrading undid all the personal changes I'd made to the template didn't help either. But now, after rebuilding the whole thing from scratch, I'm happy enough with it (so far) and will stick it out here for the time being.

Now as for the rest of the site...



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #44: "Punk: Back to Father"

We recap the tragic events of last episode. I gotta say, Mio looked pretty fine just then (it's the eye make-up.) Wataru can't believe what's happened. He looks at the fragments of glass-like Fangire bits left behind. He picks up a blue one, shaking his head.

"Impossible..."

Wataru screams out into the sky.

1986. Yuri visits Otoya at the hospital. They go there a lot in 1986, don't they? Yuri explains why she still saved Otoya, despite everything with Maya. Suddenly, he gets up to pack his stuff. He plans to go save Jirô & company. But a familiar voice tells him to stay. The doctor walks in, and takes off his glasses... it's Wataru!

Doctor Wataru tells his father to relax. He must stay in the hospital for a minimum of 1 year. But Otoya ain't having none of that, and he books it.

At night, Otoya encounters a fortune teller who warns him of the future. Otoya argues with him, then stops and studies his face. He knows him from somewhere. Otoya pulls of the man's disguise to reveal Wataru.

"What are you after!?"

Otoya leaves, and his son swears that he will change the future...

Yuri is at the Kurenai residence, thinking of Otoya. Flashback Time! She's decided on leaving him behind though. As she walks down a tunnel, she meets Wataru. Wataru tells her not to give up on the man.

"Please have confidence!"

Otoya goes to meet her at a cafe while Wataru watches from afar. Going off on a tangent, but if Wataru tried to order something, would his 2008 money work here? Given that it did change a fair bit since 1986. Right, anyways...

Yuri still expresses her desire to leave Otoya though. She was happy to have known him, but she wants him to be happy, so the best thing to do is for her to leave. As a parting shot, she steps on his foot and walks off.

Maya is by a riverside, weak and crawling. Drained of her Fangire power, she is no longer the woman she used to be. The Polar Bear Fangire (repainted/retooled Grizzly, natch) appears He's been waiting for a chance to get back at her (nice to see Queen's antics do come back to haunt her) and he attacks her brutally. Without her powers, she is helpless to fight back. Suddenly, a whip-like weapon attacks the monster, knocking him back. Yuri to the rescue!

Maya tells Yuri about the loss of her powers. She doesn't know how to go on living anymore. Otoya appears.

"You two... talk."

Yuri leaves as Otoya goes to talk with Maya. He asks her to live her life out with him. Which is fine by Maya, what other choice does she have?

Wataru approaches Yuri again. He tells her to fight. She must hold onto Otoya. Otoya talks with Maya, but Wataru shows up with Yuri. He tries to stop things from progressing between Otoya & Maya. Then he calls them father and mother.

"You loved each other, and I was born!" I like how Wataru uses the -shimau ending here, as if it's a bad thing. He doesn't want them to be together, in order to change the future...

Otoya thinks it's a Fangire plot. Ha! Now that's standard Rider thinking, there. Wataru explains how he came from 22 years in the future. To prove this, he shows them a familiar-looking button, which you may recall from Nago's time-travelling trip.

Otoya's response to all this?

He punches Wataru out. Classic Inoue.

Wataru wakes up by Yuri, who asks him just what is it that he wants. He explains that he is the son of Otoya & Maya, and to change the future he came back to the past. For you see...

2008. Post-Mio's death, Taiga furiously follows Wataru, and tries to strangle him. But a blast knocks him away. Wataru is suddenly gone...

He is taken through the halls of Castle Dran by Garulu, who uses that handy Time Travel Door to send him back to the past. Wataru must change the future, to save Mio.

Okay, hold up. Why doesn't Wataru just go back and try to stop himself from accidentally killing her? Because, apparently, the door only goes between 1986 & 2008. So the next best thing is to go totally bonkers and try to avert his own creation. Thereby allowing Mio to live on happily, either as a clumsy waitress, Kengo's flame, or Taiga's Queen of a Fangire Empire.

Somehow, I don't think Wataru thought this one through all the way.

Of course, I'm oversimplifying things here. Wataru's crazy scheme is spur-of-the-moment, but that's not why Garulu chucked him through the time-door. He sent the kid back to "heal his heart", and while Wataru thinks that means going all Marty McFly and mucking about with his parents' lives, obviously our wolfy friend knows something that Wataru doesn't. I hope.

Otoya & Maya discuss Wataru. The button she gave him is the same as one of hers. She begins to wonder...

2008. Taiga cries over the loss of Mio. Bishop tells him to cheer up. Fate must still take its course, and he must still be King. Taiga swears vengeance on Kiva.

1986. Wataru is at home, he used his key to get in. Otoya has his own, and is shocked that someone has a duplicate key. Otoya wants to find out the truth once and for all. He walks around on the tips of his toes, and asks if Wataru can do the same. Otoya is sure that he can't, but guess what? He can! Oooookay.

Wataru taks out Bloody Rose, delighted to see it back here too. Otoya is amazed that he knows of it.

"What is your name!?"

"Kurenai Wataru."

2008. Kido puts out the coffee for Shima. Megumi can't bring herself to talk about what happened. Oh yeah, Shima! Good to see someone remembered that he died too.

Nago shows up, and does Shima's usual body weight spiel with Kido. He will continue to work to fulfill Shima's dream...

Jogging, Nago is confronted by Bishop, who wants ro remove him for obstructing the holy war between Kiva & the King. Nago becomes Rising IXA, and fights with Bishop in Swallowtail Fangire form. They duke it out, until the monster uses his deadly dust attack. IXA counters by firing both his weapons, knocking the Kaijin back into human form. Bishop teleports away to fight another day...

1986. Wataru & Otoya are in the bath. Wataru wants him to not "marry mom", but Otoya is still not convinced of this weird kid...

Maya meets with Wataru, who talks about his human/Fangire blood.

"You really came from the future?"

Just then Polar Bear Fangire attacks, strangling Maya and knocking Wataru aside. Kivat & Tatsulot appear from the future to help Wataru out, and attack the monster. Wataru transforms into Kiva.

"HENSHIN!"

Wataru becomes Kiva (Kiva Form, yay!) He fights the Fangire, and tells Maya to run for it. King confronts Maya, holding baby Taiga.

"You are free now. And yet..."

Having escaped, Wataru meets up with Otoya, wondering where he's going

"A date, with your 'mom' of course!"

Wataru explains that he must not pursue his relationship with Maya, because it leads to him, and then to the death of an innocent. Wataru takes Bloody Rose from his father, and tries to run. Suddenly, the Polar Bear Fangire attacks them both. Wataru transforms, going right to Emperor Form. Otoya sees this, and is shocked. Kivat II has also been watching.

"That's Kiva..."

The monster beats up Kiva good. So either they made 'em tougher back in 1986, or it's STRONGEST RIDER EVER! Syndrome™.

Otoya becomes IXA.

"Let's go Wataru!"

Father and son run at the monster, taking his blasts on the chin. They punch and kick him together. IXA uses his IXA Knuckle, and Kivat uses the Zanvat Sword.

The monster is destroyed. But things aren't over yet. Wataru will still not leave his father alone. So IXA & Kiva fight. Father easily beats son, and leaves... but King appears. He looks at Kiva.

"This... the one who bent time to come here."

"The future Kiva?"

He too wants to change the future... by killing Otoya. He becomes Dark Kiva, and uses his dark power against IXA...

NEXT TIME: Everybody smacks each other around (Taiga loses it with Bishop!) and we see King's true Fangire form beating up... Dark Kiva!? The fate of the future is at stake...

***

Love's Labours Lost

I will still be reviewing Kiva next week, but an early warning guys: there's going to be some downtime as I fiiiiiiiiiiiinally make some headway on updating my site in the near future. There will also be some changes to this blog... like it's location. But more on that when it happens.

And here's this week's Kiva.

MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD. No really, they're big.



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #43: "Wedding March: The Time of Parting"

Kiva and Saga continue to duke it out as the offscreen Kivat and Tatsulot recap the plot and the dealie with Shima.

In the dark warehouse, Sungazer Fangire reverts to Shima, who realizes the terrible truth. He looks at his hands, and cracks with Fangireness, screaming.

Saga beats Kiva down, so much that he collapses and reverts to Wataru. Saga in turn reverts to Taiga. One way or another, he will make Wataru see the truth. He leaves his "brother" lying behind him. Pretty cool, it feels like Saga's finally living up to his hyped-up rep of being da king and all.

At the cafe, Shima is once again eating a lot. More than usual. More than he should. Everybody watches him, realizing something's really wrong here. He's eaten 7 plates, and Kido finds this strange of his old friend. Megumi & Nago question him about what happened when that Fangire attacked him. They want to guard him, but he unusually requests Wataru over them. Nago pushes his luck, and Shima violently screams at him. Realising what he's done (by the stunned silence), he apologizes and relents.

1986. Yuri fights against the Silk Moth Fangire, who has some pretty gnarly powers. Maya tells her (the Fangire) to stop, and she requests a reason why.

"It's no concern of yours."

Well that helps! Maya blasts her back into the stone thing from which she came. Yuri thanks her, but feels she doesn't need her help anymore. She just wanted Maya to get her to the destination; saving Otoya is her job.

2008. Taiga is surprised when Mio announces that she wants to get married as soon as possible. He embraces her, pouring out his heart. His true life can finally begin. She states that she wants to begin a new life as well. Ha! Kids these days.

Wataru watches Shima jogging in the park. Megumi & Nago are there too, also up to their "guard" duty. Some nearby kids play soccer, and when the ball flies at Shima, he seems to sense it and puts his arm up to stop it. It explodes upon impact, stunning everyone. He then screams out in pain and collapses, and soon runs off.

On a side note, I like how Fangire-Shima is channeling the old "Kaizô Ningen Angst Factor" of the classic Riders. Destroyin' stuff, acting all aloof... okay, the eating part seems to be something you have even before being altered, but hey, this is Shima, Mr. Gym himself.)

Soon, Sungazer Fangire is attacking a fmily. Nago shows up and transforms, going right to IXA Rising yet again. He's gotten good at that! He fights with Sungazer, saving the guy he was about to kill. IXA double blasts the monster with both his weapons, sending him flying behind a tree. He runs over to find... Shima! Naga (as well as Wataru & Megumi, who've since shown up) can't believe it. Growling madly, Shima runs like the wind.

Wataru suddenly realises the horrible truth of what Taiga did to save Shima...

1986. Otoya is tortured as his lfe force is drained by Castle Dran. Kivat Sr. watches on. 5 bucks says this is leading somewhere.

2008. Taiga, on motorcycle, is stopped in a parking garage by Wataru. Yep, time for another classic Kamen Rider Parking Garage Showdown.

"What the hell did you do to Shima?"

"Made him better, as I promised."

Taiga joined him with a Fangire, putting the essence and heart of a monster into him. Shima shows up, angered at this revelation. Wataru can't believe it...

"You understand nothing!"

Taiga still wants Wataru to know the true destiny they share...

Shima goes to the cafe, empty save for that dog. Kido appears though, and asks him if he wants the usual. Shima agrees.

Shima only has coffee this time. Then Nago shows up.

Nago & Shima talk down at a construction site. Awesome bit of filming here, with them ways apart amidst the mud and puddles and the setting sun. Reminds me of a few episodes of Ultraseven, oddly.

"Yes, I am Fangire!"

Nago transforms, again going right to Rising IXA. He runs at Shima to punch him, but stops. He can't do it.

"You're too soft." says Shima as he leaves.

After all that talk, Taiga & Mio get married in some dark place. The ceremony's pretty cool, with him wrapping her wrists with a chain, and a mutual drinking of wine (or maybe blood, but I think it's probably wine.) She's got a cool outfit. It's all a pretty awesome scene although I still have to say Destron wins for having the coolest evil wedding yet. From afar, Bishop watches, probably wondering why he didn't get to read them the vows. Then again, maybe he technically can't do that. I'm bad with that sorta stuff.

Shima talks with Wataru, and realizes how great he is for having Fangire blood in him but maintaining control over himself. Within Shima himself though, is only evil power. Shima suddenly begins to change...

Taiga lifts Mio's veil, and goes in for the kiss... but in the first big surprise of the episode (and there's a few) she stabs him! Her hands are those of the Pearl Shell Fangire! He bleeds, blue blood I think it is. She breaks the chains (ha!), and Taiga collapses. She apologizes, and runs. Bishop stops her, but Taiga tells him to let her go. She did nothing... Bishop hesitates, but relents.

1986. Otoya is still being drained. King taunts him from afar.

The girls walk through the woods. Maya can hear Otoya's violin. For some reason, he's playing it now, no longer chained up. King wanted to indulge him one last time and hear the music that's supposedly so great. Doesn't seem like the best idea, but then again King is one smug bastard.

Yuri can't hear anything though, so Maya leads them on. King and Kivat mk. II listen to his playing, but King doesn't like it, so he blasts Otoya away. Time's up.

King approaches him, and prepares to strike him down once and for all. I guess then he gets chomped whole? But Yuri's weapon stops him. Maya is there too. King transforms into Dark Kiva. Maya walks forward, becoming the 1986-edition Pearl Shell Fangire. They fight.

2008. Shima, as Sungazer Fangire, runs to the graves of Yuri & her mother. Wataru tries to stop him, but he shakes him off. An injured Taiga shows up. Shima wants to destroy him for what he did, so he runs at him... but Taiga vanishes, and reappears as Saga. He whips Sungazer mercilessly, then stabs him, and finishes the deed. Shima, the Sungazer Fangire, roars out, collapses, and explodes. Wataru watches on, horrified. He can't believe it. That his "brother" is capable of this kind of evil pushes him over the edge.

"I can't forgive you..."

Screaming, he goes right to Kiva Emperor Form, without a regular Henshin!

Mio suddenly appears as well...

1986. Yuri leads Otoya through the woods, but Silk Moth reappears. Otoya wants to take this one, so she lends him the IXA Knuckle. He fights with Moth, using a Fuestle to blow the monster away with the Knuckle.

Dark Kiva throws Pearl around. She reverts to Maya as he asks her if she truly loves Otoya. She does, more than him. Dark Kiva wraps her in enegy, draining away her power. She rises up, and he reverts to King.

"You will no longer be Queen."

He leaves her behind...

2008. Kiva & Saga fight. Bishop shows up and watches along with Mio, who remembers what Taiga said earlier. Why did he forgive her? The brothers duke it out, and this time, Kiva has the upper hand. Kiva uses Wake Up Fever, and runs at Saga. Mio has an epiphany, and runs towards them. And... you guessed it, she gets in the way, becoming Pearl Shell Fangire to take the blow meant for Saga. Kiva realizes too late, and his kick connects. Pearl Shell falls.

Wataru runs to Mio, telling her to pull together. But she is weak.

"Wataru..."

She gives him the ring he once gave to her.

We see a vision, of the life they could have had, the ring he would give to her as they wed. But this is a fate which will never be.

He puts it on her finger.

"I'm glad."

And then her eyes close, and she cracks and explodes away into glass.

Wataru is left, alone...

And I gotta say, while the prospect of Mio biting it was something I saw coming (what with Kamen Riders rarely having any luck with love, unless you're like, one of them ancient Oni like Habataki) I did not expect it to come in this episode. I mean, so (comparitively) early from the end, but rather at least within the final 3. But here we are. Taiga's gonna be mad as hell.

NEXT TIME: It's Wataru's turn for a little time-tripping adventure. Also, It appears IXA will rumble with Bishop once again. The end is coming...!

***

The Secret of Shima

And so November comes to an end. I've got a lot of big plans for December, so I'll keep this brief. On to Kiva!



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #42: "The Power of Love: The King's Anger" (Great title, by the way.)

As we recap last time, Kiva blows up that big Sagarc.

1986. IXA runs at Dark Kiva, and jumps into the air as explosions go off all around him. But his flying kick is cut off when the dark Rider grabs him by the throat. Dark Kiva electrocutes IXA with his evil energy, and slams him up against a wall (a cool moment.) IXA de-transforms back to Otoya. As Maya watches on helplessly, he weakly reaches out for his violin case. Yuri tries to attack Dark Kiva with her Fangire Hunter weapon, but is knocked back.

"I will take this human."

Yuri tries to run at him again, but Maya stops her. Dark Kiva takes Otoya and teleports away.

"OTOYA!"

2008. Saga & Kiva have a face-off, but Saga reverts back to Taiga. He's really ticked off with Wataru, who soon reverts back to normal from Kiva. There's an argument over Wataru's allegiances.

"I don't want to fight my brother!"

Taiga is mad as hell (yet again) and he storms off...

Wataru sits in the cafe alone. He is offered some sweet confection by Nago, Kengo & Megumi. They all want him to feel better. Wataru apologizes to Kengo for the way he treated him before. He wants to become friends with him again. Kengo gets all misty-eyed and "We will be special friends."-spouting. You know, as much as manly-tears Kengo might irk some people who like the all-new, all-tough Kengo, I like him a whole hell of a lot more as a good guy again. Also, Kido appears to kock Nago aside.

Shima sits nearby, upset. Nago asks him to call off the whole "kill Wataru" thing once more. He's been saved, right? Shima is not convinced though. Wataru is that which "should not exist"; half-human, half-Fangire. But he's outnumbered, so one way or another, he must conclude that Wataru can indeed be trusted.

Shima starts cooking. He makes Omelette Rice as a way to test Wataru's humanity. If he enjoys it, he is human. If not, he will kill Wataru. Wataru seems to enjoy it, but let's be honest: even if he didn't, he's smart enough to act like he is, lest a crazy-ass Shima stab him in the eye or something.

At night, Mio is decked out in full Queen gear, and does the deed of killing a Fangire woman who loved a human. After she does this, the 1986 edition, aka Maya, appears. She asks Mio about her about her role as Queen. The younger woman has decided to accept her destiny, but not with Taiga. She will do so with the man who will become the King: Wataru. She then leaves to continue her "job".

Taiga meets with Shima at a restaraunt. Taiga wants to re-discuss an alliance to destroy Wataru. Shima leads him on, but stops things short. He says that he has changed his mind about Wataru.

"Why do you hate the Fangire so much?"

They talk of the past, and there's that flashback again where Taiga was responsible for injuring Shima (and apparently, killing someone close to Shima.) Shima thanks Taiga for the meal as he leaves. Man, they REALLY do eat a lot in Kamen Rider, don't they?

1986. Maya is in a church, alone. Yuri enters. She wants to rescue Otoya. Maya is ambivalent, but Yuri begs for her help. Maya is still not convinced they can do it.

"We cannot beat King."

Yuri persists, her hatred of the other woman overpowered by her love for Otoya.

"But why? Otoya betrayed you."

Yuri explains the depth of their love, and that it was no betrayal in her eyes.

2008. Shima is at the graves of Yuri & her mother, when the Sungazer Fangire appears. Shima uses his gun/sword weapon to try and fight, but is easily beaten. Nago & Megumi show up to help him, but he's already knocked unconcious. Nago goes right to Rising IXA and shoots at the villain, but the monster escapes.

Shima winds up in the hospital. According to the doctor, things don't look good. Wataru is there when he awakens. I like how darkly this scene is shot, it's not the usual bright hospital set type thing. Shima talks about Taiga. And about how his hatred of humans is Shima's fault.

"Wataru... please save Taiga."

Before he passes out. Taiga enters, saying that he will live. Taiga will save him. He's also amused at the prospect of being "saved" by Wataru.

During the commerical break, there's another Ganbaride ad! I'll be talking a lot about this soon. Like, when I get to try it out and all.

1986. Yuri prepares to go rescue Otoya. Maya is there too. She doesn't seem convinced of victory, but goes along wih the plan. They're soon in the dark, misty woods. A dangerous place, according to Maya, who reveals their destination: Castle Dran.

Otoya is chained up in the cavernous innards of Castle Dran. I think he's inside it, anyway. King is there too.

"You're awake."

King explains that Otoya will become food for Castle Dran. Otoya's life energy is drained slowly to feed the enormous beast.

2008. Taiga goes to buy flowers when Mio appears. She asks him about what the special day is that he's planning. 3 guesses what it is! Surprisingly, Mio agrees. Taiga asks for every flower in the store. No, more than that. He's a crazy one, that Taiga.

At the cafe, Nago, Wataru & Megumi worry about Shima. And who should turn up, but Shima! They ask him if he's okay. And indeed he is. The heroes are confused. Shima is unusually lively. It's like nothing happened to him at all. Shima wolfs down spaghetti, and asks for 5 Omlette Rice plats. Something isn't right...

Wataru meets with Taiga. By Taiga's hand, Shima has become better. In return, Taiga wants Wataru to assist him. Only when they are together, serving the same cause, will he be happy. Wataru cannot do so, so Taiga warns him...

In the gym, Shima breaks the weight lifting thing he's always on. He leaves, shocked.

The Sungazer Fangire is attacking more people. Nago & Megumi give chase, but he vanishes into a good old nearby abandoned warehouse. Shima suddenly appears, saying that the Fangire is in the area. He goes in after it, and they follow.

"Be careful, he's close."

The monster appears, and Megumi & Nago try to blast him with their guns. The Kaijin knocks them down and comes smashing out the wall. Wataru is there. He summons Kivat and Tatsulot and goes straight to Emperor Form, with Zanvat Sword in hand. He attacks the blue monster with his sword, but the Fangire has two powerful shields on his arms. They absorb the attack and are knocked off. The monster runs. Kiva gives chase, but is attacked by Sagarc. Taiga shows up, giving him one last chance, but Kiva refuses. Taiga becomes Saga. The two Riders fight.

1986. Continuing through the woods, the heroines find strange stone markers to lead the way. They start to go around in circles. Suddenly they hear a voice, and the stone projects a Fangire. The Silk Moth Fangire, who sports a recolored version of the big trident weapon that the movie's Kamen Rider Arc... um, "had". If you know what I mean. Well, good to see it show up here at last.

2008. Saga knocks Kiva onto a tower, electrocuting him. Inside the warehouse, the Sungazer Fangire stumbles through the darkness, reverting to the human form... of Shima!

He looks at his hands, cracking with Fangireness, and screams out...

Okay, hold up. How is it that Shima can be the Sungazer Fangire when said Fangire attacked him? According to the official site, Taiga used the research he kind of stole from good ol' Doctor Kanda (remember him?) to somehow merge them, thus saving Shima's life. Well, that's what they say. It brings up the question of who the Sungazer Fangire was beforehand, and a couple other questions, but hopefully next week's episode will clear everything up, if it weren't clear already. Uh... right.

NEXT TIME: In 1986, Yuri & Maya must deal with the Silk Moth Fangire and prevent Otoya from ending up as Castle Dran's next snack. In 2008, Taiga advances his plans to wed Mio. Wataru's got other ideas, and what fate will befall Shima?

***

Gotta catch 'em all

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiick is how I've been feeling lately. Buuuuuuuuuuuusy is how I've been. I'm thinking that with next year's series (finally finally finally confirmed to really be Kamen Rider Decade) I might do less of a scene-by-scene summary and more of a general analysis, like I did do with V3. I'll still recap the plot, but it would be nice to actually be able to watch a new Rider show again, and not just jot down everything going on. We're sort of at the point now where a lot of people are seeing the stuff as it airs (which is mind-blowing) or at the very least seeing it within the next few days, and then if they wait for subtitles seeing it whenever the heck it gets subtitled. And I'll still probably cover the major plot points anyway, but it will be a bit easier to write. I'll maybe give that idea a try in the near future. Until then, this week's Kiva:

Spoilers and monsters being turned into toys ahead.



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #41: "Lullaby: Unleash Your Heart"

"I can't go"

The Bloody Rose plays louder, but Wataru resists.

Nago is knocked back into human form. See, he lived! I knew he would, the number of times a Rider has died by another Rider's attack is... well okay, often. But generally only in the movies (where everybody's automatically magically weaker) or Ryuki. Swallowtail Fangire is about to kill him, but Nago is saved when Kengo shoots at the monster with one of those anti-Kiva rifles. He helps Nago escape as Saga watches on, probably disappointed that his finisher didn't work and he's now going to suffer from STRONGEST RIDER EVER!!! Degradation Syndrome™. Watch, he'll be jobbing to a MOTW in the next few episodes.

Kivat and Tatsulot beg Wataru to let them go and get out of his funky state, but he won't. Well then!

Shima & Nago walk & talk. Nago wants to know about Kengo's dismissal. In spite of all that was done to him, Nago actually sticks up for the guy. Shima doesn't care. He says that Kengo was a loser and a terrible fighter to boot. Nearby, Kengo listens in, and responds accordingly (frowny face.) Shima asks about Kiva, who he stil wants eliminated. Nago wants no part of that though. He believes that Wataru is still good deep down, and can be saved. Shima calls Nago an idiot for believing such nonsense.
Meanwhile, Kengo walks away through the streets, dejected.

Maya & Taiga talk by a river, first about Wataru, and then Taiga asks his mother about his father, and the power of Dark Kiva. Taiga wants to know when he will get this power. Or has it been given to someone else, i.e. Wataru? When he marries Queen, he wants to achieve his true potential. This is a rather interesting scene because it seems to imply that Saga (the Rider/suit/system/armor/whatever) is somehow just a placeholder, and Taiga *should* be a new Dark Kiva. Sucks to be Sagarc now!

1986. Otoya is getting a massage from Reimon & Riki. They remember about King telling them to kill him. They give it a try (with a BIG hammer), but can't do it.

Later, Otoya takes a bath. Jirô joins him, and changes to Garulu when he's not looking. He tries to kill Otoya, but can't do it when an oblivious Otoya starts going on about their strong, burning friendship (the "friendship of men".) Otoya turns to see Garulu crying.

2008. Shizuka, Megumi & Nago are at the cafe, trying to figure out how to get Wataru out. Kido (remember him?) doesn't help much.

Wataru's still at home, when Mio teleports in. She has prepared a meal for him. He says it's tasty. She asks him to eat a lot, then asks him when he will destroy Taiga.

"Didn't you promise?"

Wataru says he said no such thing, and tells her to leave. Mio's been getting kind of creepy with her whole "kill Taiga" routine, if only because that seems to be the extent of her dialogue lately. And she used to be such a nice, normal girl...

1986. The Arms Monsters agree that they cannot bring themselves to destroy Otoya, so they decide to split up and go into hiding, fearing retribution from King. Jirô will go train a disciple in the ways of the Oni, Reimon will get hit by falling boxes and contract an Imagin... oh I kid, I kid. They split up, but you know things ain't gonna turn out well for them.

Reimon is the first to be confronted by the King of Glam Rock himself. He becomes Basshaa and attacks King, who becomes Dark Kiva. DK pulls a golden-accented Basshaa Fuestle from his belt, and uses it. Basshaa is sealed. Like he always was supposed to be, apparently. It would have been pretty embarassing if the Arms Monsters looked nothing like the sealing Fuestles Dark Kiva has.

Basshaa into his small, statue-like unactivated Basshaa Magnum form. Kivat II asks why the King will not just kill him. It's a much crueler fate this way... also, he has those sealing Fuestles, so he might as well us them.

Riki is the next to go, turned into Dogga, lifted up by the neck, and sealed. Kinda disappointed that he goes down like such a punk. I mean Reimon I can understand because he's the kid, but Riki? I guess Dark Kiva is just that badass (until he suffers from STRONGEST RIDER EVER!!! Degradation Syndrome™.)

"One left to go..."

Jirô gets a bad feeling, and runs like hell.

2008. Wataru hears the sound of an electric guitar outside. It's Kengo, looking slightly more like his old self. Well, his clothes at least. I'm in the minority I think in liking his old hair style, because his new style makes him look too much like an evil Keitarô (from Faiz) for comfort. Anyway, he asks to talk to Wataru. He wants to make amends.

Wataru allows Nago & Kengo in. Before they talk, Wataru asks Nago that if he act strangely again, he must agree to destroy him using IXA. Kengo apologizes, and Wataru asks why. Isn't he too tough for friends anymore or something? Kengo pours his heart out and makes up for being such a jerk to Wataru & co. He realized how selfish he had been, and asks Wataru to return to living as a human. You can tell Kengo is a good guy again: he regained his accent!

Wataru smiles, but shakes his head. He can't do this. He is not human, and cannot live as one...

Suddenly, Taiga is there. The others are gone, but he's doing the same thing. Wataru will still not go. Taiga wants him to cast off his humanity, but he can't. For just as he is not human, nor is he entirely Fangire either, and cannot embrace the same destructive path as Taiga. Good old fashioned Rider drama, this.

There's some confusing stuff involving Wataru hearing the voice of his mother, semi-flashbacks to him as a kid, and other stuff. It gets a bit weird, but it all pays off in the end. Around this point there's also a commercial break and an ad for the upcoming Ganbaride card game, which looks awesome.

1986. Yuri busts in to see Otoya & Maya... or rather, she doesn't. She picks up the Bloody Rose, and Maya shows up. Yuri vows to fight, or she will destroy Bloody Rose. She transforms into IXA. Maya sees no choice, and becomes Pearl Shell. She knocks IXA out the door. They fight outside. But King jumps in, knocking her away. A blast from his hand knocks her out of the armor. Maya reverts to human form. Otoya walks up, he picks up the Knuckle. His jacket looks like it was made from bathroom wallpaper.

King & Otoya confront each other. There's some arguing over Maya, who Otoya has obviously fallen for. He doesn't care about her being human or Fangire or whatver, and loves her in earnest. Unlike King, who just sees her as the Queen, his property, and part of his admittedly abstractly-defined "empire".

Maya sees a vision... of Wataru. Wataru willl be a good kid, she feels.

2008. Wataru & the Maya of the past meet.

1986. Otoya says he wants to hear the music of Maya's soul.

2008. Maya puts the scarf around adult Wataru's neck. Interesting bit here. Symbolic?

"Believe in yourself, and your music." She vanishes.

Wataru is back outside. He listens to the call of Bloody Rose.

Nago becomes IXA, and goes Rising. But Bishop appears, and vows to destroy him this time. He becomes Swallowtail.

Wataru releases his buddies at last.

XA & Swallowtail fight violently. IXA uses his finisher, striking down the monster, who reverts to human. He runs away though, leaving the Sea Moon Fangire to grab IXA. Wataru shows up, and Taiga (who is also back) sees this. He is upset.

"I will live not as human or Fangire. I will live as myself!"

"HENSHIN!"

Wataru becomes Kiva, and goes straight to Emperor. Taiga becomes Saga. He summons a jumbo Sagarc, who destroys the Sea Moon Fangire. This turns out to be a bad idea real fast. Why?

More giant Sagarcs appear, along with a massive huge one, but Kiva has the bigass sword (sorry, Zanvat Sword) and kils everybody with sweeping blasts until only the big momma is left. The giant one creates tentacle-like "belts" from its underside, so Kiva uses his finisher, and jumps up, slashing through the monster, and cutting it in half. It blows up good. Now see, if they'd kept Sea Moon around, things might have at least gone a little better. Mad as hell, Saga walks up to Kiva...

1986. Otoya & King have a stare-down in the warehouse. King orders Maya to kill Otoya. She refuses silently.

King is livid, and will personally send them both to hell. Otoya uses the IXA Knuckle's concussive blast, but it doesn't work. Instead, it is reflected back, and he is knocked out. Maya goes to his side, crying. King is disgusted, and prepares to kill them both, when suddenly...

Jirô drops down from above! This is my favorite scene in the episode, maybe because the effect of Matsuda coming down from the ceiling is slightly "ambitious-looking", but mostly because it's just cool. Unfortunately, even Garulu can't stand up to King for long, and is soon sealed by Dark Kiva.

Otoya shoves a crying Maya aside, and becomes IXA. He runs at Dark Kiva, who creates massive explosions everywhere. IXA leaps into the air, kicking at Dark Kiva...

Next Time: 1986. Otoya is beaten, and taken to become the food of Castle Dran. Can Yuri & Maya put aside their differences to save him? 2008. A mysterious new Fangire beats the crap outta Shima and gives everybody else a hard time. Plus Saga vs. Kiva again!? The chains of fate draw ever tighter...

***

IXA Knuckle Sandwich

#40 already? Hard to believe, but the end is fast approaching. Time for another multi-episode review soon, I think.

Epic Spoilers Ahead!



Kamen Rider Kiva Episode #40: "Encore: Nago-IXA's Explosive Return"

His royal majesty (no, not Taiga) uses the Zanvat Sword to destroy those recycled monsters. Bishop does his magical hand thing, awakening the true Fangire blood within Kiva. Kivat & Tatsulot managed to stay quiet until this point, where of course they fly in the way and wonder what's gonna happen next.

Kiva is about to stab Megumi, but Nago jumps in the way, knocking him back. Soon he is about to get slashed, but he calls out Wataru's name, and the crazed Rider stops. Kiva reverts to human form, wondering where he is and what he's been doing. Taiga & Bishop walk up, looking smug. Kengo screams at our hero.

"You really are a Fangire!"

Shocked, Wataru runs off when he realizes what he's just done. The others watch on silently.

Nago, Megumi & Kengo talk with Shima. More than ever, Kengo is ready to K.O. his former friend, but Nago stands up for Wataru. He believes that he is caught between his human and Fangire halves, but his heart can still be rescued from the darkness. Kinda like you, Nago! Minus the half-Fangire part.

Taiga & Mio eat, talking about Wataru. Taiga believes that soon he will accept his true heritage and become their ally. Also, Taiga's still pining for Mio to marry him. Big dreams, man.

Shizuka (remember her?) asks Wataru what's wrong. She's taken aback by his ill disposition. Has he returned to his old germaphobic, social outcast ways?

1986. Down by the docks, Yuri reflects on her last conversation with Otoya. Maya appears, and they finally, properly introduce themselves (this is some kind of Inoue staple; it took Takumi & Kiba ages just to blurt their names out to each other.) Soon it looks like a fight will break out. Yuri tries to become IXA, but Otoya appears and stops her. He wants them to have a picnic. Ignoring him, Yuri turns, but Maya is gone. Yuri takes off, obsessed with finding the other woman...

Maya & Otoya sit down to a picnic anyway. The dark lady muses on Yuri:

"I will not take that child's life... because I have taken something more important than life..."

Otoya doesn't understand her. From afar, the King sees all this. And he ain't happy about it.

2008. Shima is in a car, when Taiga (on his bike) pulls up behind him. He passes and blocks the way, so the car stops, and the older man gets out.

"It's been a while, Taiga."

1986. King is stalking Otoya. He suddenly appears before him, then walking past. Otoya gets a strange feeling and turns to look back on the strange man, but he is gone. He leaves only burning footsteps behind...

2008. Shima & Taiga talk about the past, and Shima tries to get Taiga's help in destroying Kiva. After all, isn't he a threat to both their causes? But Taiga shoots him down; Wataru is family. At least, I think that's what they talked about here. I got distracted during this scene so they coulda been chatting about pie for all I know.

Shizuka tries to get Wataru to open up, but he's literally chained himself in, and barb-wired the gate. Nago shows up to help, but Wataru (scrawling away at a violin) tells them both to be quiet. He thinks back to his near-evil deed from before. How can he ever face the world again after that? And even if he could... well, he's half-Fangire, and there's a whole lotta problems with that at the moment.

Shima & Kengo talk. Shima's decided on returning IXA to Nago, as Kengo hasn't turned out to be all that and a bag of chips after all. Mad as hell, Kengo declares he will prove his worth in the end...

1986. Jirô & the boys are in the ever-so-foggy woords, and get attacked by King. He blasts them back with his power. But he makes a deal with them: they can live... if they kill Kurenai Otoya.

2008. The Sea Moon Fangire is attacking people. Kengo shows up, transforming into IXA. He launches into action, ranting "I am strong, I am strong!" He goes Rising, and shoots the monster with his gun. He pulls out his sword, but Bishop stops him. Bishop becomes the Swallowtail Fangire, promising to crush him. IXA rebukes this claim. He will crush the Fangire. Because he's strong!

Nago shows up as they start a sword fight.

Bloody Rose sounds, but Wataru doesn't want to fight anymore. He throws his cell phone aside, so a flustered Kivat answers. It's from Nago. He begs Wataru for help.

IXA gets blasted by Swallowtail's deadly dust attack, reverting to Kengo. The high-ranking Fangire steps on the IXA Knuckle, crushing it, but Nago stops him, running into him. He gets stepped on for his troubles. Swallowtail kicks him away, and then goes to Kengo, pulling him up. He prepares to stab him, but at the last second, stops. The Zanvat Sword has gotten in the way.

Wataru, as Kiva Emperor Form, has appeared! He knocks the Fangire back, and the bad guys hoof it.

"I believed in you!" says Nago. But Wataru says this will be his last fight. He no longer wants to be around people, not with his Fangire heart. Wataru thanks Nago for everything up to now, and asks him to apologize to Megumi for him. As he leaves, even Kengo calls out for him, but he does not stray from his path.

Nago looks over at the IXA Knuckle...

Wataru has locked Kivat and Tatsulot in a cage. He takes the Bloody Rose, wraps it up, and tosses it under a bench. The two flying critters beg him to stop, but Wataru will listen to no one.

Okay, time out. I've seen a lot of criticism of Wataru's behavior in this episode, but I have to say I sort of understand where he's coming from. He basically lost control and nearly killed one of his closest friends, and why? Because of who he is. Something he can't change. But just the fact that he is half-Fangire, and thus can be controlled the way he was... to him, that makes him a liability.

Add in the fact that this is a guy who spent a good portion of his life afraid of even talking to people or venturing outside, and I can understand why his reaction is to lock himself away like this. It actually kinda reminds me of Kikaida, for whatever reason. I dunno, but as angsty as it is (and is it ever), I see what they're going for here. Besides, he'll get over it soon. He's only got a few episodes left to do so!

At the cafe, Megumi sleeps. Nago shows up, and they talk about things. He brings her to Wataru's house. Along with Shizuka, they've decided they must get Wataru out of his funk.

Nago makes a way in through the outer gate with wire cutters. But Wataru has electrified the front door. Holy @#$%, right? Everyone is knocked down, singed but alive. They bust in, but he has set a swinging log trap to knock them down. Well, it knocks Nago down. Wataru is no where to be seen, so Megumi talks about how she felt when Wataru was trying to kill her, and how it's not such a big deal really. There's more traps (rubber creepy-crawlies from the ceiling, a slide down the stairs) and soon everybody ends up back outside the house. Wataru huddles alone in the bath...

1986. Yuri confronts Maya again. The time for chatting is over. She slashes the Queen's face with her Blue Sky weapon. And then she becomes IXA.

2008. Sea Moon Fangire is on the loose again, but Nago shows up, and transforms into IXA! With no Wataru to help out, he must go it alone. He goes straight to Rising.

1986. Yuri-IXA fights Maya, but she vanishes, in the process knocking the other woman out of her transformation.

2008. Bishop appears, asking to see IXA's true power. He becomes the Swallowtail again.

Wataru ignores Bloody Roses's call.

IXA fights the two Fangire at once.

Wataru sill ignores the call. Kivat and Tatsulot urge him to go.

Swallowtail is beating on IXA when Taiga shows up. For his crimes against the Fangire, he has condemned IXA to die. He becomes Saga.

Wataru runs from the pleas of his friends.

Bishop & Saga beat the hell out of poor IXA. Saga uses his finisher. IXA hangs in the air, explosions rocking his body...

The music plays louder and louder, and Wataru reverts to a child...? Wha!?

NEXT TIME: The true fate of Wataru & Nago revealed! What will Kengo, having lost IXA and cast out of Blue Sky, do now? Will the Arms Monsters truly turn on Otoya? Will Yuri settle things with Maya? Also: GIANT SAGARC.

One more time: GIANT. SAGARC.

***