Feelings about KR Saber till ep10 (without spoilers)
I’m happy to have waited till ep10 to vent why I’m truly enjoying KR Saber more than prev series. Saber is delivering exactly where prev series failed. So just let me throw it all:
-THEME: Books! There is something magical about books, libraries, books stores. I just love it. And the take of children books in the gimmick is a really win for me in a KIDS SHOW. I love POPUPS books, in fact I did one for my graduation project, I know how difficult is to make them. So watching a POPUP in Saber was just so exciting for me.
-PROTAGONIST: There is a lot to say about our protagonist, Kamiyama Touma! There is something magical about Touma, starting with his wardrobe, personality and his book store. His book store seems like a magical place for children, with an awesome big model in center, plushies around, childrenbooks, pictures. Have a big heartwarming feeling for me that I almost cry in the first ep. It was like: I could have loved a place like that when kid, I could have loved an adult like Touma when kid. In fact, Saber first ep made me feel like a kid again, something that no Kamen Rider series had done… not in the first ep at least.
-PROMISES: I think this was the first and most interesting Touma’s traits that I payed attention since his description. The first BIG deception that a kid will probably have is about promises. Adults don’t compromise with promises, they lie, they always lie and us as kids learn that quite fast. Touma taking promises at heart being an adult is probably something unrealistic, but it has a big and good message that I love.
-STORY: till ep10 we don’t know exactly Touma’s backstory. But it’s obvious since the preview of the series, that Touma’s memory is important, in fact, all Saber plot revolves around Touma’s memory. We can say that Saber story is Touma’s story. There’s a PROMISE that in some point we will know. And if till ep10 we don’t know all, is because they are building things, for make us emotional, for hit us when the time comes (exactly what Build did), and ep10 is like a taste of what will become so… is exciting. There is a feeling of RUSH in the show’s pace, but I feel is because the toys. Toei/Bandai needs to sell toys so all the gimmicks and upgrades and stuff get a lot of attention and time on the episodes, but till now I feel they have done a good job trying to tell a story and sell toys at the same time. In fact, Saber have WORLD BUILDING, and it’s quite awesome how they have managed to tell us about it while selling toys. They still have a lot of things to tell about the story, about the world of Saber… but with 10 eps… this is only the beginning.
-CHARACTERS: I have already talked about Touma, but Saber offers a varied cast, that seriously put a smile in my face. Rintaro is one of the most heartwarming second rider that exist, Mei is a so extroverted and happy going heroine that feels unreal but makes you smile every time she is in screen; she is like a little girl. Kento, Ren, Ogami san, Sophia, Daishinji san, the villains: Storius and company, Calibur, Desast, the narrator Tessel, even if we don’t know exactly much about them… their characters and roles are so well stablished in the story and they interact. Saber have characters for move around and that’s good (can be a double edge sword but that… only time will decide).
-SUITS: I wasn’t a fan of Saber suits at first. But I loved the visual with the Pop Up book in the background. Saber suits are heavy with a lot of things and details and bright colors… but when you watch them in movement… they are graceful and beautiful. Hands down to suits actors, action directors and suit designers. Now I’m really loving the suits, they are truly made for move with swords. And yeah here comes the comment: the suits feel SENTAI like with the bright colors and even with the red, blue and yellow for the main riders. But… really? Visually… there is no way that a Sentai could look like that; they have more simple designs. Also there this stigma that because the riders in Saber works as a team… they are Sentai like. TEAM WORK is not only exclusive of Sentai. Team work is how jobs works, and here in Saber world… being a Kamen Rider is like a job. Sword of Logos is the organization where they work and the other Riders are comrades. Im quite loving how they work together, it’s heartwarming. TTvTT
-MUSIC: For some reason I love the OP, I keep listen to it… is slow but peaceful and warming, the visuals put a smile in my face with the main characters following Touma’s lead in a Pop Up like background. The dancing ending… another thing that people say that is SENTAI LIKE, but really? that dancing is no way a child dace… the steps are difficult and I feel it’s perfect for the show. Also love the background music that feels like a medieval epic.
-3D BACKGROUNDS: Saber is a series to enjoy in HD, have alot of 3D backgrounds and bright colors...some people could not like it (in fact i think most of people hate it). But i seriously think it’s good, it adds a magical feeling to all the series aesthetic. In fact i feel the 3D in Saber is better than prev series.
-PHRASE: “I determine how this story end” I love how in this ep10 was changed to “We determine how his story ends”. Be it I or WE, the phrase it self have the feeling of resolve and positivity.
Loving the series so far, it’s magical, lighthearted, it have books, knights, friendship, cool suits and sword fights, characters that interact and have the heartwarming feeling of human touch.
I don’t know if Saber will end being a good series… but have a lot to deliver… and I hope it does till the end.
I think i will do this again by ep20 to see how the series is progressing.