Recap

Shinnosuke and Gou attempt to catch a mad bomber, while Kiriko tends to the wounded Chase in secret.

Zigg’s Thoughts

This is a real interesting episode, but it’s despite rather than because of the main plot. That’s not to say the actual story is unengaging, but it’s pretty clearly fodder to get some very basic points in and then get out of the way as fast as possible. While Kamen Rider‘s writing is often workmanlike at best, it’s very rare that they go to the lengths of including a completely unconnected red herring, yet that’s exactly what we get here in the form of the bomb-obsessed weirdo who shows up at all the sites. It doesn’t even really achieve its desired effect of misdirection because anyone who’s seen more than one episode of toku knows that the most obvious culprit is always innocent.

With that said the bare bones plot means we get a unusually high dose of action, something that’s very welcome now that the shakycam appears to have been permanently toned down and the fight choreography beefed up. In some ways I think that this should have been the introductory episode for Type Formula, since it’s a very entertaining look at its breadth of abilities (and of course, associated toys). Super speed is always a fun power, and one that’s actually effectively achieved on Drive‘s nonexistant budget. The missile chase is a fun way to show off and as far as the introduction of hilariously crowbarred toysets go, I’ve seen worse. Mach’s fight against the Roidmude is also decent with some nice maneuvers, good special effects and an overall punch (no pun intended) that makes it among the better throwdowns we’ve seen.

Really though this episode is powered by the trio of plots that are bubbling behind the scenes. Of these three the most immediately pressing is Kiriko tending Chase. There’s a potential plothole in that she doesn’t just tell the others that she’s found him, but it’s also totally plausible she fears they’d just destroy him on sight, so it’s not a big deal. Nothing of note really happens in this episode aside from his awakening, but it’s definitely looking that our most straight-edge character could be given a nice meaty moral quandary to deal with and I like the sound of that.

The plot the show is definitely pushing the hardest is the growing inferiority complex Gou seems to be developing. I’ve got mixed feelings about this – he’s gone from flashy ace to downtrodden sub-ordinate so quickly there’s something about the transition which rings false. But they’re actually taking the time to give him a well-thought out character arc, and one with potentially great moments to come.

The last plot is the increasing tension between the head Roidmudes, which is playing out in an interesting way. I like the idea that Heart, ostensibly the lead villain, has the most emotional attachment towards the fallen Chase. It’s an interesting, different characterisation for a big bad and leads me to believe he’ll inevitably be usurped from that role by Medic, whose affection for him is increasingly obviously a facade. I’m getting frustrated with Brain’s inconsistent character – one moment he’s an ineffectual crybaby, the next he’s back to being a calm, collected mastermind. I’ve always loved the interplay between villain factions, so seeing them move towards that is an encouraging icing on a tasty, multi-layered cake of an episode.

Random Observations

• I get that the explosions are not meant to be devastating per se, but they do look laughably cheap, especially the ‘monument’ that is clearly made of paper and cardboard.
• Why is the Chief always away? Both in and out of universe.
• Shinnosuke and Gou both get their shirts off a lot in this episode, and mums everywhere rejoiced.
• Next week there won’t be a regular episode, but instead a special crossover with Shuriken Sentai Ninninger.