I think I'm having a weird mid-life break down...

[SaikoDragon]

I really am. I remember when I was so excited about Sentai and Toku in general. I loved watching the current episodes and waiting for the next series. Sure they had their goofier moments but the shows had dramatic flare to them; they took themselves seriously.

Then I just got distant from it all. Maybe it was all too silly for me, or maybe I just grew out of it. I don't know. But I still want to be part of it. Every year I keep my eye on the new series coming out and make sure to watch a few episodes just to see if maybe it will rekindle that spark I once had.

So obviously, when learning of Kamen Rider Gaim, I read this bit of interesting information.

*Gaim's various dance teams are a symbolic tribute to Japan's Warring States.
*Both Tasaki & head writer Urobuchi had grown tired of the "2 Rider" default present since W. In addition both are big fans of Kamen Rider Ryuki, which inspired them to work towards a drama-focused series.
*Urobuchi's main goal for the early arcs of the series is to "...build up a story that most fans are used too, only to tear it down with new and surprising twists."

Source? None other than HJU mutha!! link

Ryuki as an inspiration? Focus on drama? Tired of the "2 rider" default? R U SRS? This is AWESOME! I can't wait to check out this show.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_GhZqrBPw8"][T-N] Kamen Rider Gaim First Trailer - YouTube[/ame]

Orange Arms? Banana arms- BANANA ar- Is that asshole a pineapple?

This. is. fucking. stupid.

I damn near cried when I saw this. How are you going to make this a drama? Oh right, I'm supposed to be at the edge of my seat, eyes peeled wide open with my face stuff with popcorn and choking on anticipation when suddenly Fruit Ninja jumps out on the screen and whips out his Banana Sword and Melon shield and does a fucking samba step on the bad guys.

Oh dog, that sounds so god damn thrilli- **** that! **** that ****.

I just don't get it anymore and I realized after watching that youtube video... I think Kamen Rider is dead for me. I don't know if I can get into it anymore if they are seriously going to throw a fruit bowl on top of a man's head and call him a hero.

I'm about to go look into the new episodes of Garo I missed out on and hope it helps me recover.

 

[TheMechanicXYZ]

I mean it is a kids show anyways.

 

[LaZerwolfX]

I love how Gaim is becoming the Peter Capaldi of Kamen Rider. Purging out all the people who don't really get what makes Kamen Rider special.

 

[Hidden Masta]

I'm about to go look into the new episodes of Garo I missed out on and hope it helps me recover.

Don't. It wont.

I love how Gaim is becoming the Peter Capaldi of Kamen Rider. Purging out all the people who don't really get what makes Kamen Rider special.

Not watching Dr.Who because you're a teenage girl and only watched it for the cute boy is one thing. Not watching a Kamen Rider because they keep choosing over the top designs that can't be taken seriously when they could literally choose from any other thing in the world is another.

 

[SamuraiEchidna]

I don't know, I am seeing a disconnect here...
You mention all these things to be excited about, then start throwing tables when fruit and dancing are thrown into the mix. Not to mention we're only 2 episodes in. But still...

I guess it is possible to just grow out of tokusatsu...

The family friendly yearlies have become pretty desperate as far as looking for a new gimmick to profit from. My favorite video game franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog, was falling into the same trap. For years, they were more concerned about sticking Sonic with a gimmick, not realizing many of their games were just pure crap. Lately, with the release of Colors and Generations, they've FINALLY started getting back on track with releasing good, solid, playable games that are fun. Oh sure, the gimmicks are still there, but the cycle of crappy and unplayable games is finally broken. Hopefully it will stay that way even with the future release of Sonic: Lost World.

My point is, gimmicks aren't bad, they just shouldn't be the defining focus. You can burn yourself out constantly looking for new gimmicks to work with; a gimmick does not make the product. A Rider series should just allow itself to be good in its own right. Kind of like how Double was really good. It still had the USB memory stick gimmick, but the show was so much more than that. It was still very fun with many nods to classic Rider tropes. I don't mind that there is dancing in Gaim. Seems weird, but if Shinkenger has taught me anything, it wouldn't be the first time samurais have doubled as entertainers; nor would that stop the show from having some pretty serious drama. Just gotta let the show be, ride it out and see what comes of it.

 

[shamrocknroll]

Not watching Dr.Who because you're a teenage girl and only watched it for the cute boy is one thing. Not watching a Kamen Rider because they keep choosing over the top designs that can't be taken seriously when they could literally choose from any other thing in the world is another.

To me, Gaim's themes aren't that over the top. They're an acquired taste sure but it's not like they are fruit everywhere. Plus if aesthetics bother you enough to drop a story than I feel sorry for you.

 

[LaZerwolfX]

To me, Gaim's themes aren't that over the top. They're an acquired taste sure but it's not like they are fruit everywhere. Plus if aesthetics bother you enough to drop a story than I feel sorry for you.

Exactly.

 

[lazycoconut]

There isn't any samba dancing during the fights, that would be Kyoryuger. And so far, the show does take itself seriously, they've tried to make the fruit theme fit in with the mythology of the story. I'm sure you know of Urobuchi's reputation as an anime writer. The producer, director, etc. have all said that the fruit armour was imposed on them by Bandai but they're doing the best they can with it. Kamen Rider's ratings are not doing too well, and the last show that Toei let Naomi Takebe direct was a commercial flop; so it makes sense they want to push toys with this one.

I would say however that sometimes it's normal to grow out of things you used to enjoy. If you're having other symptoms of mid-life crisis (comb-over, desire to buy a motorbike, people start mistaking you for your father) maybe get those hormones checked out. Otherwise, don't worry about it

 

[kuroihikari]

Mid-life? You're in your 50s already?

To me it seems like you just outgrew it. For me, toku takes a special kind of mindset which is far from the norm, and its hard to appreciate it without going into that kind of mindset. If you're looking for badass fights and mature themes, you're frankly better off going somewhere else.

 

[Black Fang]

Since when have good fights and mature themes been absent in toku?