Okay, I like episode 36 overall. (Basically everything OTHER than Buffa was written in this episode actually) But there is ONE specific glaring issue
https://www.tumblr.com/ultrariderfiretornado/717436568086986752I know that I said all this like several days ago or whatnot…? And I do think I prove a valid point and reasoning. (It wasn’t how Buffa’s actions were justified, NONONONO! It was how Buffa’s character has been written in a way that for consistent and reasonable for the most part IMO pre-episode 36 and that I believed the structure Takahashi was using could work this time when it was handled differently.)
But when episode 36 came out…? Uh, yeah… I kinda take back a portion on what I just said earlier on my hopes now that the writing for Buffa in this episode had betrayed my expectations. Looks like Mr. Takahashi is using this writing structure for some of his villains the way he always did. You’re right, Ms. Kari, the writing is clearly trying to redeem Azuma, not only when he didn’t deserve to, but when the show DIDN’T need to. I mean yeah… I still stand by my belief on how Azuma eventually also hating the DGP reasonably lines up with his already established hatred for the riders (Unlike George who was still under Fenix in the late 10s-20s and was still a stagnant and didn’t learn shit, Azuma was now working along with the Jyamato and he eventually LEARNED more about the DGP over time. It didn’t change Azuma’s beliefs one bit about the riders, but the DGP naturally became another enemy, being responsible for the competition between riders to begin with and by an extension Toru’s death).I will stand by my belief how the “protagonist and detestable enemy teaming up against a bigger threat” COULD’VE (emphasis on the past tense because episode 36 just happened) worked, if they tweaked it. Like there’s definitely a POSSIBILITY this structure could’ve worked without acting as a “redemption arc” for the asshole villain, like this alliance could’ve worked as long as it was TEMPORARY and they would’ve gotten back to fighting after the bigger threat was gotten rid of. This IS possible, I just don’t get why the writer wouldn’t think of using this structure this way.I will stand by the belief that Azuma’s actions and intents are not justified at all, just like with Gai and Kuroto, two other Kamen Rider villains that Takahashi also wrote. With one of these fuckers actually got some kind of punishment- oh right, I’ll get to that for Azuma much much later.
But the way Azuma was fucking written in episode 36 was just… Yeah, in my opinion, this is where they really start to contradict how this character has been established and built up in all the episodes prior to 36. Like really… REALLY?! Not only did Takahashi went with his usual redemption arc with this structure instead of something different (let alone a complete different take on this structure) for Buffa when he didn’t need nor deserved it, this episode… actually had the gall.. to JUSTIFY Azuma’s actions. Like why? Why Takahashi? Why are you “justifying” Azuma’s prejudice and killing the riders was to save them? That was never established from beforehand, not from the start and not from any build up! I also did not like how Ace is written to speculate that Azuma’s actions was justified and that there was any “remaining good” within him. Come on Takahashi, let Buffa and Geats have their ultimate final battle as true enemies or whatnot! Why are you trying to redeem a character that did not need nor deserved to redeem and why did you think justifying his horrid actions was a good idea?! It feels like a retcon just like with George and his character shift back in Revice! Are all kids that stupid to believe this?
Oh and speaking of kids… Yes, Kamen Rider is more than just a kids show. Both an older audience and younger audience can enjoy it, in a way, it can be perceived as a “family show”. (Although that may sound like an understatement and may not be the accurate term) From the surface level like suits, actions, the toys to dramatic and emotional moments, deeper themes and morals. But besides the point, when it comes to asshole characters…regardless of whether you’re trying to redeem them or not, is it EVER right to try to justify their actions? Or worse… considering what happened with Gai in Zero-One or George from Revice, let these assholes completely get away with their sins scot-free and ignore the despicable fuckery never happened?!Shouldn’t the writer be teaching the fucking kids that if you do something horrible or beyond forgiving such as murder in cold-blood or sacrifice others for your own goals, that they should and could get PUNISHED for this and deserve to be angrily reprimanded and called out for these crimes against humanity?! What is it with the Reiwa Era mostly afraid of teaching the kids that wrongdoers naturally deserve their punishment, their karma, for their actions and that they shouldn’t get away with it scot-free?!Like at least the first time Takahashi used the same structure for Kuroto’s “redemption” (the term is very debatable for his case), Kuroto actually got some form of punishments that I talked about if you read the link on the first paragraph, from being reigned in by Poppy using the bugvisor for his behavior to, by the authority of the health ministry, officially AND legally placed into permanent custody or house arrest in the CPR in his very own digital prison where he can be used to their advantage. But then the second time Takahashi used this structure, it was worse. Given the mostly real world setting Zero-One took place in, Gai SHOULD’VE gotten punished for his various crimes. Like there are so many charges that could’ve legally been pressed against Gai and Gai should’ve been incarcerated for his actions.But now the third time Takahashi used this structure again, in the same (for the most part) way he did for Kuroto and Gai, it feels like it’s going to be even worse than with Kuroto (who got punished and his character didn’t completely change for the “better”) and Gai (who really didn’t punished from what I recall)…Why do I say the third time would somehow be worse (especially how episode 36 handled the character)…it’s due to the SETTING of Kamen Rider Geats. Like I think Azuma deserves comeuppance for his sins, but given how the DGP works, the laws of the real world DON’T apply like with Ex-Aid or Zero-One, the DGP is exempt from all this. What’s worse is that Azuma would just lose his memories and live a memory if he was just retired, effectively getting away from it all undeservingly. The setting is another huge reason why I don’t believe Azuma getting a redemption would work for Kamen Rider Geats, he’ll just blissfully get away with it all scot-free. The setting doesn’t work in Kamen Rider Geat’s favor when it comes to using this same structure (or any structure) as a redemption arc for Buffa.
Oh boy…I think I’ve said enough. I feel like the same way the writer has been using this structure as a redemption has actually, dare I say, worsened over the years. It didn’t quite the second time, it’s clearly not working the third time. But since episode 36 just happened, it’s too late, all we can do is watch the fire spread as Azuma’s character deteriorates for the worse as the show progresses starting from this point.(At least then, we’ll just pay may attention to the other cast members for now that are actually written better.)PS: I hope I actually explained this fine and that anyone gets the point on what I’m saying. It’s not to change anyone’s beliefs, I’m just sharing what makes sense to me.
