Kamen Rider Zero-One episode 29
A really potent chapter ending. I figured we might see Aruto lose the company about midway through, but it was still effectively handled, with lots of drama -- though it's odd that in many ways the focus was more on Fuwa and Yaiba than Aruto. But there was a lot of movement for multiple characters.
For one thing, they finally started to address the question of why Yaiba is so obedient to Gai despite her clear inner conflict. Yet they only asked the question; the answer remains a mystery, and her continued submissiveness is still frustrating. Although I am glad they didn't go the simple route of having it just be the chip in her head.
It's surprising to see the Secondary Rider be the one getting the upgrade form that combines all the previous powers. There have been a couple of cases where Secondary Riders had fusion forms based on multiple powers associated specifically with them -- Wild Chalice in
Blade and Grease Perfect Kingdom in
Build: NEW WORLD -- but as far as I can tell, this is the first time a Secondary Rider has had a fusion/super form combining a large number of powers from multiple Riders.
It was pretty potent to see the climax come down to a direct threat to Izu's life, a fight to defend a main character, and one that I've grown so fond of. All she ever does is try to help and support, so it felt really cruel of Gai to order her destruction.
It was also really cool to see Aruto transform
during his fight with Yaiba in Raider form, to start struggling with her and
then henshin. It was hard to tell, but I think it's possible they did the "transformation" live -- Aruto was spun around to the right edge of the screen just before the flare of light of his henshin, so it's possible they did a quick handoff from the actor to the stunt double just offscreen and hid it with the flash of light.
From the preview, it looks like we're in for a time jump between 29 & 30.
It was sad to see Aruto and Izu struggling to garner support for their cause even in the pouring rain
Yeah, but it didn't make any sense. He's the president of a huge corporation! He can't buy some TV time to give his speech to more than a few people within earshot?
There was a plot convenience that Izu didn't just run away when Yaiba was attacking Aruto. We've
seen Izu have a "speed" mode.
She's also profoundly loyal to Aruto. I figure she was just reluctant to leave him.
So......[Fuwa] by sheer will just overcame a chip in his brain? That was an iffy part.
But that's his whole deal, isn't it? Overcoming resistance through sheer force of will, like how he forces his Progrise Keys open. It's his theme.
