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ShatteredDreamsFinal β Kamen Rider Gaim: Evolution
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Published: 2014-09-29 07:36:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 888; Favourites: 10; Downloads: 2
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From Orange arms, to Jinba Lemon, to Kachidoki, and lastly Kiwami ArmsComing Soon:
Ichigo Arms
Pine ArmsΒ
Banana Arms
Jinba Cherry Arms
Jinba Peach Arms
Jinba Melon Arms
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Comments: 13
I can't watch Drive because of Gaim. The comical tone shift it had was such a step back.
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Indeed, I agree, with every big leap forward, it's hard to fill the shoes of Gaim, However Drive has entertained me time to time, not as much as Gaim did though. It's not easy to fill the shoes of your way better brother, but you can maintain it's formula for a steady show
Similar to other things like LoZ OoC and LoZ MM or PWAA Trilogy and AJAA
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The problem I have with Drive was that it reverted back to the silly humor they had in the previous Neo-Heisei series. I'm not a big fan of it, especially when the characters are supposed to be Police Officers.Β
When I look back at the first episode and all the destruction and tragedy that they show right at the beginning, their needless attempt at humor really takes me out of it.
But considering Drive is basically Toei pushing their own version of Hot Wheels, I'll shrug it off. I don't need Drive to fill Gaim's shoes. I just wish they'd drop the comedy act.
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We gotta remember though, it's still a kid's show, probably Gaim's more adult oriented with the deep storyline and overall dark feel. Drive brings the show back to it's roots trying to be more uplifting. I mean if were Toei, I wouldn't wanna scare the kids watching my show. Who knows, it might pull of a Den-O
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I don't know what you mean by Toei going back to its roots. The original Kamen Rider series were pretty friggin' dark in comparison. They only started to make it more comedic oriented with Kiva and up.
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I meant going back to the Heisei formula, a sorta-dark tale, with some light humor, and an uplifting feel. Kinda like Den-O and after, where it's tales are more lighter despite the slight dark background
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I may have a theory that why Drive failed to be good as Gaim, but warning: I will compare with other series (a thing that I really don't like because some are very good. Others, like Hibiki, Decade and Wizard... don't).
So, to begin, some series, like Kuuga and Blade (series that I watched the most) have some serious and dark tone here and there, but there's some humor to appreciate and some moments that, rather you like or not, you mostly remember aside Riders gaining forms or something. Kuuga, for example, make the Ultimate form so amazing that I still watch and I can't understand why others series don't do that often. Blade has one of the most sad and heartbreaking endings that I've ever seen (Fun fact: I only heard of Blade BECAUSE of the finale. Years later, I watched the entire series. Worth it). Faiz is, I believe, is the most saddest series I've ever seen. Even some of the OrphenochsΒ have sad deaths because they don't agree with some ideals.
Then comes the Neo-Heisei Era. W, while it wasn't dark or somber, was an amazing series trough and trough. OOO is maybe my favorite because of the Riders and characters and the balance between dark tone and light humor (Pun intended). Fourze is beyond words and Wizard is a complete shit that I call Kamen Rider Lona (I'm a Brazilian and yes...this is how much I hate Wizard, calling by other name).
And finally Gaim. While it began weak, the sharp change of tone really make the series worth for watching. I liked Gaim the most because the characters have many ideals of power and sacrifice. And while it has some fillers (and a very confusing Kikaider crossover), I still like, no, love the series for the bizarre motifs hiding something MUCH bigger than we think.
So, why I'm talking ONLY on memorable moments and the tone of the series, along with motifs? I think that Drive lacked some identity. Don't get me worng, I like this series and some of the characters are amazing to see (R.I.P. Chase, Brain and Heart) and some of the episodes are mostly epic on its own. But I believe that Drive was mostly for selling toys and less for telling a story. The only reason I liked Drive was for Kiriko/Shinnosuke relationship, the TOKUJOU and Krimbelt, plus some moments here and there. But it lacked identity and has one of the most hyprocrite moments I've ever seen (and if you see the Heart vs Shinnosuke finale, you know what I mean).
I can't talk much about Ghost, mostly because I don't have a final opinion up to this point. But, so far, I really like the series. It may not be as dark, somber or have some humor that most of the series have, but has some unique touches and it's very straightfoward, which I think it works for Ghost.
Anyway, this is my theory. My apologies if that's wrong or something like that.
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I totally agree with you, Gaim is pretty big, and Drive does fail to not be as good. In what way, my reasons will differ. I do like all the Heisei Riders (Save Hibiki, never caught on to it) To me, Gaim was almost a masterpiece, I too was a little surprised by the sudden Kikaidder bits, but I didn't find the beginning weak, if anything it does the usual Prime-Cast, well some of the cast anyways, the best thing I can praise about the beginning was how the writers drop the mood and usual traditions of 'Kamen Rider'. Movies are a little outside but they're Ok. But back to the topic at hand.
I think Drive has it's moments, though not as big, the Mashin->KamenRider Chaser Saga was good, and the Roidmude coexistance was a pretty interesting storyline.I also believe another reason of why Drive was not as good, is because of of the Kamen Rider background, the shoes that were left for the series to fill, Drive writers knew it'd be hard to step up Urobuchi's works, so they tried to return go back to the usual format. I felt Gaim was one big story, and everything was intertwined save crossovers and movie promos, but Drive went back to some episodic fills, where each one is their own thing until a bigger arc. I get why Wizard was hated due to the predictable 2 episode story arc, they did that with Decade too. But anyways, due to the change of story pacing of Drive after Gaim, I understand many fans won't enjoy the story. Gaim to me was a well designed odd ball to the series, it changed the usual format with it's own 1 string story telling. Now that Urobuchi's off the table, writers I guess give up trying to rival his work and return the usual working formula.Plus I wouldn't say it was meant to sell toys, XD That's what almost all post W Riders are trying to do with collectibles.
Also I know this is out of topic, but I hate the usage of the term "Neo-Heisei" not for the name or purpose of the name, but the way it's used. I mean it's cool Decade was the 10th Heisei, but do we really need the Neo-Heisei label? I feel like it should be put up POST Gaim, a.k.a Drive and after, because up to then the title was brought around between shows (Though not directly in Gaim, his appearance in Wizard does say he knows of the honor). I won't count movies as some aren't canon. So let's say Drive bare bone has no mention of where Kamen Rider comes from. As far as I know, it probably came with Proto-Drive. as he was a Masked Rider, a guy wearing a mask and riding a bike. But I believe Ghost has no mention of the title as well, at that point, that should be the NEO-Heisei Era, a real brand new take. Besides, if that was the case, I'll label Black, RX, ZO, J and Shin as Neo Showa Riders since they came after the 10th Showa Rider, ZX.
It's stupid it's a personal nitpick, but hey, I respect your words and what the mean, I hope you respect mine. It's not a bad theory, it's pretty good actually, but I have my opinions and you have yours, I will forever respect your mate. Also I will forever label this if you don't mind:
Ichigo - Shin = Showa
Kuuga - Gaim = Heisei
Drive - Ghost (and later additions) = Neo Heisei.
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Sure thing pal. I will fix my Neo Heisei thing now.
In the way I'm writing, of course, but hey, putting Gaim into Heisei makes sense (it has a movie to prove it).
By the way, where's my Drive and Ghost Crossover?
*remembering the time when Movie Wars is launched on DVD after the actual series ends and another Kamen Rider is right to start*
Damn it!
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Here you go:
kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Kameβ¦
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I will miss him and the rest,you know...
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It was the best series, hands down
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