Episode 2 is another great episode like episode 1, but sadly this is going to be a two parter. I wonder if the series will continue with this since the first episode wasn't. I think there will be more of a balance this time unlike past rider series. The first thing I really want to talk about is Nara the new character. He reminds me of Hanto from Go-onger since he sounds like him and has that same personality. He's a very open minded person even if reality hits him. He lost hope in magic, but still had some belief and now he knows it's real. He was sort of annoying with how he stalked Haruto, but it shows his strong passion for magic. When he discovered he could use magic was very good and I like how he froze up when it happened. Also Nara's acting is good, better than Rinko for sure. So overall I am liking Nara a little more than Rinko, but she had some good points in this episode as well. It was one scene where she saved Nara and she still wants to protect people and this reminds me of characters like Kagami. Both don't have powers, but still did a lot to protect people.
Another thing that was in this episode was Kizaki and his character gives light on how the Phantoms are known. I always like to see police being involved with the super natural and it's a nice little wink to series like Kuuga and Agito. I do wonder how the Phantoms have become known by the police though since the last time the police got involved it didn't go well, since it seems Rinko only survived. Furthermore in questions is Haruto's back story on how he became a Mage. There is a lot answered, but even more questions to ask now. First who performed the ritual and why did he or she want Phantoms to appear? Also the White Mage is a mysterious character who gives Haruto the Driver. Did the White Mage perform the ritual just so he can get a Mage and how did he have Koyomi. One more thing, Koyomi said she lost her memory, than how does she remember all of that? She should have been more clear on how she said that. I guess Haruto told her what happened, but do those two have a connection or was Koyomi not even with Haruto in the beginning. So the origin reveals a lot of things and how the mass of Phantoms were born, but it leaves more questions which is good for a series to explore with that.
I think the White Mage is voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi who voiced Gosei Knight, but I could be wrong.
There were three fight scenes in this episode where the first was very quick and only revealed a new ring, the other two gave us more and better action. First the Big Ring is interesting and can be a strong offensive ring, but I wonder if it can make other body parts bigger like his legs. Next was Wizard fighting the Ghouls with a very impressive style of fighting. I think it's some sort of a martial art (sorry I had trouble looking it up) and his fighting style shows more technique. Compared to other riders some just go all out, but Wizard had a real style while fighting. It reminds me of Meteor, but Wizard does it better as it isn't just quick punches all the time. Seeing Wizard flip his foes around and he knocks them away just to get some open space. The last fight was the bike fight which reminds me Kuuga. One thing I wish for though is that there were no cars in the way. I know it's realistic, but I rather see the monster and rider just riding in an open area like the fight with Kuuga and the Batta Grongi. The fight was still very good as they played some parts like Kuuga's bike fights, but it's just a personal thing with me and cars.
Overall this is another fun episode. The effects were lowered down for this episode which was something people were worried about, but I think the series will balance the effects well so that the constituency will be fine. If you were bothered by the belt in the last episode it doesn't say as much compared to the first episode. Nara is a good character so far and I wonder if he really learned magic? (Probably not) Hellhound is a cool looking villain and what I like the most the episode is that there isn't a mystery for once. Even episode one of Wizard had some sort of mystery with finding the Gate and Phantom this time it was very straight forward. The pacing was like the last episode as there weren't any slow parts both comedic, drama, and action wise. I give this episode an A as I am loving what Wizard is doing. It reminds me of Double with how both shows use similar methods, but gives other elements in the mix.
Next Time: The Show Off Wizard!
I think this was a better episode than Ep. 1. I once again am BLOWN AWAY by the fight choreography. It's movie-quality with tons of flips and showy moves. I love it. It's a spectacle. I'm almost liking all the previous Rider's fight scenes less because of it (Excluding Faiz who had a real style as well).
ReplyDeleteI'm calling it right now. The fire magic Nara creates is actually Hellhound. He's going to let him get used to it then when he takes it away Nara will fall into despair. It's a good plan, actually.
Yea I am expecting that too with Hellhound I was actually going to type that in for this post, but I didn't want to spoil. This is a really good plan though and I know Hellhound will make Nara do something with that fire.
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