unKamenCast-RX!
Episode #054 - Crescendo# The Wall Shattering Movement
Download the MP3 Subject: Kamen Rider Kiva 1-6
Hosts: GomessQ, IllustratorClaire and MC Pez
In what some might see as a rare turn of events, we discuss the first 6 episodes of Kamen Rider Kiva and how awesome they are. Forget what you may have heard about Inoue and look at his work with an open mind because the quality of this show is almost staggering. Watching just these less than 3 hours of Kiva has changed MC Pez. Expect some changes in this show if you have been listening for a while. If you are new to the show welcome aboard!
Please send us your feedback on Kiva and the shifts talked about in -RX! Please try to avoid spoilers, but let you voice be heard we want to know what you think about the show.
This episodes notes are as follows and yet they spawned a discussion over two hours long, and we had more to say!
Father and son (Mother and daughter too, as you will hear.)
Legacy
Aspiration
Familial shame and guilt
Structure
Multiple Motivations
Complex characters
Strong women
(Legitimate) Mystery and Reveals
Suit
Power Source
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14 Responses to “Crescendo# The Wall Shattering Movement”
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One thing in particular I remember about Kiva was the episode where they killed off Rook, and the girls were only allowed to use IXA to fight him after the men had already used it to thoroughly defeat him, to the point where he was just a punching bag they were in no danger from. Like, why have a subplot like that if it’s going to end in the most condescending way possible?
ffs. NO SPOILERS.
I think we cover in the episode – and many others – that female characters are rarely given as much of an opportunity as their male counterparts, but I have to confess to enjoying the moment you’re referencing. Maybe it’s a little too close to what Claire feels for Malika, though.
Oh, and yeah, no spoilers please. Maybe we should’ve made it more obvious, but we want Pez at least to get the full experience of this show.
Oops.
I still have trust issues with Inoue after things like Kamen Rider THE FIRST&THE NEXT and the second half of Hibiki (although, I will admit it probably is more on the fault of editorial mandate), though this is still a much welcomed new perspective after hearing nothing but bad things about Kiva from certain parts of the fanbase, and actually got me quite interested in Kiva.
Though, I do have to finish Utena and Kamen Rider X before going to Kiva.
Oh, and I have finished Black how did you knoooow
Where do you hear bad things? I wonder what they are, how interesting maybe. Watch along with uuusss
(Rargh THERE IS NO “HAVE TO”!! *pet peeve*)
I’ve heard it from around the internet, though looking back I probably should not put too much stock into them since a lot of them comes from either the worst parts of HJU or god forbid the /m/ board on 4chan, though the few common ones I’ve heard comes more from the general dislike of Inoue’s writing tropes that people had grown tired of back in the day (perhaps one of the reasons why Double is so popular then?)
Oh but I guess I should atleast watch the first six episodes now that you asked.
Inoue’s writing tropes. I sure would like to see some rigorous analysis of those. His TVTropes page is weak as heck.
Yeah get watching, get watching! I wanna hear your opinions too!
I think it’s mostly the later episodes of Kiva that gave it that reputation. I remember the first few episodes got a pretty good reception, not unlike Wizard.
I’m interested to here what you guy’s opinion is of Nago, since he’s…interesting.
His shows get a bad wrap because of his writing style. I think they work on some of his shows like Agito/Jetman and get pretty bad in Faiz and Kiva.
I think the thing that saves Kiva for me is the awesome Otoya
But what IS his writing style? Like I’m open to hearing what it is that’s bad, because the series sure isn’t perfect and takes some questionable routes, but I’m NOT hearing what’s bad. Just that ‘something’ is. I’m really interested!
Will you lay it out for me?
@Claire I admit it’s hard to describe. You just kind of know it’s him. For example a common trait I see over dramatic characters or characters that don’t talk to each other. He’ll often have these dramatic plot lines where characters misunderstand each other and all they have to do is talk. Or obnoxious jerk characters like Kusaka or that guy from Hibiki’s second half.
It was really nice listening to such a long and positive podcast about Kamen Rider Kiva. It’s hard to talk about it without giving away spoilers, but I can say that I know so many people, including myself, who have drawn strength from Wataru’s internal struggle. I also agree with you that the women in Kiva are well developed and interesting. The story is coherent and, while it feels it would have profited from having 52 episodes instead of just 48, it doesn’t seem to have dropped story lines or characters in pursuit of toy sales. I really appreciate Inoue’s understanding of the complexity of human relations. I particularly like Seto Koji’s ability to play a character as socially withdrawn as Wataru without the character seeming lifeless.
Oh, did you know this is a really tiny tiny comment box?
It IS a tiny box, isn’t it?
Aah I am glad to hear Wataru was a strength-giver for you. I would like to hear more of that in future, please share as much as you’re comfortable once we’ve passed the relevant milestones in the show! That kind of thing is why Kamen Rider MATTERS.