Kamen Rider Wizard EP 43 - "The White Wizard's Secret"

[Toku Prime]

Also in 41(?) Mayu told Haruto that WW needs two more wizards for whatever his dodgy but well intentioned master plan is, and now that WW has kidnapped Yuzuru, that leaves one more wizard to go, so hopefully something exciting or different will happen with one of the upcoming Gates of the week beyond the usual "Haruto saves the day" stuff.

That depends on what he needs four people for. If it's a ceremony to restore Koyomi, then Haruto would help out and we'd have the four (the show hasn't given any reason why his powers wouldn't be compatable with the other three's). On the other hand, the way White Wizard was holding the Eclipse ring as he was saying it was nearly time makes me assume that he's not attempting to have a daddy-daughter reunion, in which case he does still need a fourth as Haruto wouldn't have a reason to help out. If we go with the sinister interpretation and assume White Wizard and Wiseman are definitely the same person, then my pet theory that Koyomi's need for mana is to fuel her up so she can act as the trigger for the next Phantom-spawning eclipse ceremony still stands.

I can't believe that wizard is giving us Another filler next episode instead of a episode that focuses on the plot. This is what I hate about this series. The plot is basically nothing And when we do get episodes that contribute to the plot they then drop it for Some fucking filler

Look at every previous Rider series. Every single one I've seen (except arguably Amazon, because it changed bad guys half way through) has followed the same basic format - introduce all the concepts, "the grind" where the show spins its' wheels and nothing of consequence happens except for introducing the new toys forms and/or weapons, and the last half-dozen episodes where they remember they're technically required to tell a story and try to cram it all in at once. If Wizard really is getting more episodes than the last few series, then we're not at "story time" yet. We're still in "the grind", where sod all happens.

 

[HurricaneDragon]

Pretty decent episode. We didn't have to worry much about escaping Phantom syndrome like we've had to at other times, and we even had a decent helping of plot - surprisingly. I actually didn't see the twist coming, so I'll take that as a welcome surprise. Putting some theories together, I suppose we could assume White Wizard is putting all this together to revive his daughter, yeah? Not sure how him being Wiseman ties into it (maybe the surprise of the season will be that he's not Wiseman after all!), but I'm sure that they'll figure something out.

That said, one thing that I still can't get over is how irresponsible this is all making Haruto out to be. I guess you can argue that the Gate takes priority, but it's just frustrating to have a running plot where someone has been kidnapped and is in immediate danger and the hero is just going to sit around playing bodyguard/doing nothing. What's worse, it looks like that it's getting dropped completely next week, with even Beast seemingly dropping the search.

Ah well. At least I got my Sphinx versus Beast fight.

 

[SamuraiEchidna]

You know, I like it when Tokusatsu stops caring about following 2-episode patterns or whatever patterns they have and just let the plot carry itself for however long it needs to.

--Wait... There was confusion on whether or not Koyomi was human? :sly: Since when? Is this one of those things I previously glazed over due to the fact that we have to rely on subs? Because I thought she was human from the very beginning... Amnesia is one thing, but what would make you question something like that?
--Nitou, you're going to lose. Your heart's in the right place, but you fought White Wizard once and lost. You're going to lose again... :nono: I mean, just look at that weapon! It has a bunch of rings embedded in it! :shakefist
--Oh wow! My prediction came true, and at the same time, it put MagiRanger to shame with just one fight.

Heavy.
--Didn't expect them to find Kizaki that fast. :eyebrow: Oh. And he's in a coma. Wow. :confused2 ...And how many times are we going to keep seeing Wizard in a hospital? We get it, it's a serious battle that plays with people's lives. You can portray that in other ways, you know. :shrug:
--Shunpei, you spaz. :rolleyes2: This is why characters like you are annoying.
--A monster with a magical string figure chain thing? Well, that's something new.

But seeing All Dragon Style again after all this time is even better! Sure did miss that style. How can you not use it more when it's in the OP sequence?
--Wait... Koyomi is Fueki's daughter. W-what?! :O_O: I'm so confused... If he wanted to turn Koyomi into a wizard, why didn't he do it back then when Haruto first became a wizard and discovered Koyomi? Or is he looking for someone else to be the final wizard? I'm sure this will all make sense later, but right now, I feel like I need to sit down and have a drink or something...

 

[tigerblood]

Putting some theories together, I suppose we could assume White Wizard is putting all this together to revive his daughter, yeah? Not sure how him being Wiseman ties into it (maybe the surprise of the season will be that he's not Wiseman after all!), but I'm sure that they'll figure something out.

I agree with the serial killer hair stylist, I still think he is Wiseman. Fueki may be trying to revive his dead wife, not Koyomi. When Kizaki was attacked he found two names in Fueki's file "Kueki Sou" and "Fueki Kyouko" AND little Koyomi mentioned her dead mother, so it is possible he tried to sacrifice his daughter to get back his wife and things went sideways. It is still too early to tell, but the more conjecture the merrier!

That said, one thing that I still can't get over is how irresponsible this is all making Haruto out to be. I guess you can argue that the Gate takes priority, but it's just frustrating to have a running plot where someone has been kidnapped and is in immediate danger and the hero is just going to sit around playing bodyguard/doing nothing. What's worse, it looks like that it's getting dropped completely next week, with even Beast seemingly dropping the search.

How do you propose they find Yuzuru? Walking around town wont help. Fueki isn't going to keep the kid at Wiseman's cave (for a few reasons: the Wizards and Phantoms). Mayu was in an unknown place for her training, IIRC, she made it seem like a magical dimension. There is no real hope to find Yuzuru at this point, especialy because they CAN NOT use magic to search for him; I believe that was a poor writing choice.

You know, I like it when Tokusatsu stops caring about following 2-episode patterns or whatever patterns they have and just let the plot carry itself for however long it needs to.

--Wait... There was confusion on whether or not Koyomi was human? :sly: Since when? Is this one of those things I previously glazed over due to the fact that we have to rely on subs? Because I thought she was human from the very beginning... Amnesia is one thing, but what would make you question something like that?

Sora claimed she was "just a doll" animated by magic; Haruto and Wajima rejected the idea out of impulse and based on what White Wizard had said when he gave Koyomi to Haruto. I have had doubts at certain points, partially because she kept getting called a "doll" as if she had no humanity and when Sora said it too, I figured he had no reason to lie. Sora has been fairly honest. I think she [HIDE]may actually be dead and this Koyomi is just a shell or facsimile.[/HIDE]

 

[Black Fang]

Wizard 43:

- When was it a plot point that they were unsure Koyomi was human? Wasn't she part of the solar eclipse ceremony too?

- I like the blue tint on the foliage from Hyper Beast's attack.

- I wonder if it'll ever be explained what Foundation X's involvement, if any, is with the Phantoms, Fueki and/or Section 0.

- How many times is Rider going to repeat the "mysterious supporter has a hidden agenda" plotline?

- Why is this cause for a party, Shunpei? Why is your sole purpose in this show to act like an idiot for a cheap laugh that never comes? That scene could've just been him seeing Koyomi without bumbling around.

- What was that Phantom in the Underworld?

- "Here I come to become your master"? Good grief, the things these belts say are getting dumber and dumber.

- Another female Phantom next week?? Shocking! Where have they been?

- Why are the Net Movies still featuring previous Rider and Sentai characters?

And "tons of jokes you won't see in the main show"? I think they're a ton a jokes in the main show that should stay in the net movies >>

 

[HurricaneDragon]

How do you propose they find Yuzuru? Walking around town wont help. Fueki isn't going to keep the kid at Wiseman's cave (for a few reasons: the Wizards and Phantoms). Mayu was in an unknown place for her training, IIRC, she made it seem like a magical dimension. There is no real hope to find Yuzuru at this point, especialy because they CAN NOT use magic to search for him; I believe that was a poor writing choice.

Well, it's not my job to come up with how they find Yuzuru - I'm just pointing out that it looks really, really bad for Haruto to respond to a kidnapping and maybe-murder by sitting down for tea. Sure, looking around aimlessly might not amount to anything (but wait! looking around aimlessly landed Nitou with an encounter with the man himself AND finding out the missing agent was still alive! more than Haruto accomplished this arc, for sure) but at least he'd be trying, and it's the lack of trying that I find most disturbing.

What are the viewers that are Yuzuru's age supposed to think? If they get kidnapped, too bad, Haruto has better things to do?

It's almost funny, in a way, because that just shows how badly this show handles things like this and how much more important the victims of the week are than the actual plot.

 

[tigerblood]

Well, it's not my job [HIDE]to come up with how they find Yuzuru - I'm just pointing out that it looks really, really bad for Haruto to respond to a kidnapping and maybe-murder by sitting down for tea. Sure, looking around aimlessly might not amount to anything (but wait! looking around aimlessly landed Nitou with an encounter with the man himself AND finding out the missing agent was still alive! more than Haruto accomplished this arc, for sure) but at least he'd be trying, and it's the lack of trying that I find most disturbing.[/HIDE]

What are the viewers that are Yuzuru's age supposed to think? If they get kidnapped, too bad, Haruto has better things to do?

It's almost funny, in a way, because that just shows how badly this show handles things like this and how much more important the victims of the week are than the actual plot.

All interesting and valid points, but I am not really defending how things are being written, I am more trying to shine a light on the shoddiness of these circumstances. Besides if WW needs 2 more Wizards it makes no sense for him to kill Yuzuru... yet. Maybe when [HIDE]he tries to sacrifice Mayu, Yuzuru and the third contestant Haruto will be able to redeem himself by rescuing them all?[/HIDE]

 

[bleachjoj]

So as much as I've said I like Wizard, Koyomi's treatment has been a big flaw. Sadly this seems like it'll be the most we get out her character wise. Still I didn't expect that she was human or that Fueki was her father. Sora has seemed to have figured out the mystery that White Wizard and Wiseman are connected. But in what way? The show is doing a good job giving everyone a reason to go after White Wizard, which again is funny that White Wizard has more of a presence as a villain than Wiseman does. Then again if they're the same person then I guess it no different.

And at episode 43 Shunpei is starting to wear on me. Were heading into the home stretch and everyone is given a reason to stop White Wizard and he's still bumbling around. Unless Shunpei is Wiseman and is secretly Koyomi's brother.

 

[The Slashing Best]

Black Fang's Bullet Points.

Wizard 43:

- When was it a plot point that they were unsure Koyomi was human? Wasn't she part of the solar eclipse ceremony too?

Haruto was just told she was a shell by the White Wizard. Her humanity has always been a plot thread.

- I like the blue tint on the foliage from Hyper Beast's attack.

I do too! Details like that are nice!

- I wonder if it'll ever be explained what Foundation X's involvement, if any, is with the Phantoms, Fueki and/or Section 0.

That will probably be in movies and movies only.

- How many times is Rider going to repeat the "mysterious supporter has a hidden agenda" plotline?

A lot!

- Why is this cause for a party, Shunpei? Why is your sole purpose in this show to act like an idiot for a cheap laugh that never comes? That scene could've just been him seeing Koyomi without bumbling around.

He wanted to throw a party because they know more stuff about Koyomi now.

- What was that Phantom in the Underworld?

Gigantes.

- "Here I come to become your master"? Good grief, the things these belts say are getting dumber and dumber.

How is it dumb? Dragon is saying that so Wizard knows that he is able to fall into despair if he over-uses him.

- Another female Phantom next week?? Shocking! Where have they been?

I KNOW!!!!!!!!! I have no idea!

- Why are the Net Movies still featuring previous Rider and Sentai characters?

Because people like call-backs.

And "tons of jokes you won't see in the main show"? I think they're a ton a jokes in the main show that should stay in the net movies >>

To each their own.

 

[HurricaneDragon]

All interesting and valid points, but I am not really defending how things are being written, I am more trying to shine a light on the shoddiness of these circumstances. Besides if WW needs 2 more Wizards it makes no sense for him to kill Yuzuru... yet. Maybe when [HIDE]he tries to sacrifice Mayu, Yuzuru and the third contestant Haruto will be able to redeem himself by rescuing them all?[/HIDE]

Still, Haruto knows by now that the White Wizard is dangerous AND that Yuzuru didn't want to be a Wizard.

It almost feels like they invented Yuzuru - not so much for White Wizard's plot (because they could have just used one less number) - but to finally give Beast some proper motivation... but it's backfired horribly, because, for all intents and purposes, Haruto should care just as much as, if not more than Beast about someone being forced into this supposedly horrible fate - after all, he's been living it and knows just how "bad" it is.