Recap: Mai ventures into the other world where she meets Kaito, while Kouta and Micchy head there to save her.

Zigg’s Thoughts: Gaim continues to develop in impressive ways, taking time to allocate development and backstory among all of its characters, not just one. Mai’s been very much a bystander up to this point so it’s gratifying that she gets a little more fleshed out here, and it’s a brave and rewarding decision to do so by pitting her opposite Kaito. It’s a good example of making characters fully three dimensional – Kaito and Mai are opposed on many issues (as you’d expect them to be) but they do share some common ground, and this common ground should be a launching point for their future interaction. It’s also a great scene for Kaito – he gets to expand at length on his personal philosophy and there’s few things Urobuchi does better than write monologues on the value of strength. As a result, it’s pretty great TV.

This episode also excels at the kiddier, sillier, more action packed side of Kamen Rider too, with some excellent fights that really help sell the impression that the Armoured Riders are serious threats. Once again I’d like to point out how good the show is at protecting the legitimacy of its characters. Micchy is again placed on an equal footing with Kouta, getting a sweet sword-on-bike sequence and generally holding his own. In fact, overall it’s a good episode for Micchy, as his showdown with Sid once again demonstrates he’s got a darker, more manipulative streak. No doubt this side of his personality will become more important and/or prevalent as time goes by.

Micchy does get a little sidelined in the big climax, but that’s understandable, since it’s time to shift the focus back to Kaito. His Melon Arms powerup somehow manages to look both incredibly goofy and extremely cool all in one fell swoop and there’s definitely a thrill to see Baron and Gaim fighting side by side for the first time. There’s also the tantalising prospect that this will spawn something of an arms race (zing) among the various Riders. Certainly Toei never was shy about making as many different toys as possible. If the show continues to be this good though, I won’t begrudge them it.

Random Observations

• Sid’s playful banter with Takatora seems to indicate he’s more than a mere lackey, and I wonder if he may be a wild card in the ongoing conflict.
• I remain impressed with how effectively a few simple special effects can make the other world look convincingly mysterious and creepy.
• I’m encounraged by the fact Pierre doesn’t appear in this episode at all, aside from a brief mention at the top. Keeping multiple plotlines bubbling under gives options in how to pace the story, and means you can constantly change up for variety.