➷ღ o(๑≧▽≦๑)o

Photobooks: $30 AUD each

✅️ Hero Vision Vol.73 (the last Hero Vision volume. Features a special 'limited edition' cover of Aruto and Sougo

✅️ GRACIAS! Ankoku (Tokyo News Mook 983)

✅️ Kamen Rider Revice - Familia Diabolica*

*it's been kept in the packaging I made for it when someone contacted me the first time I attempted to sell it (they never responded to payment requests)

Zeztz's fights primarily(?) taking place in dreams reminds me of a story I wrote years back where two people fight nightmares in the dream world + the main villain was an entity that could induce comas onto its victims, should the nightmares progress to a point of no return (ignore the medical inaccuracy ^^;). I'm merely talking about this to say how cool it is to see this type of story play out in tokusatsu - especially when I incorporated some Kamen Rider 'inspiration' into said story I wrote hehe (Wizard's Underworlds was a variation of this concept + I'm pretty sure tokusatsu has dabbled with dream worlds before, but it hasn't been the main premise of a series before)

I've read somewhere that the monsters are based on Kamen Rider suits, which is probably true because as soon as the camera zoomed in on the monster's feet, I said "TaJaDor - is that OOO??" xD

As I expected when the cast pictures first dropped, Zeztz feels very different from previous Yuya Takahashi works. More grounded in reality, less fantastical. Or, as 'realistic' as you can be when the hero refashions a belt to fight monsters in the dreamscape. But it was a solid episode. I enjoyed every bit of it ^-^ Especially the opening act - it was like watching a scene from a spy/heist/phantom thief movie! And the first fight between Zeztz and the monster reminded me of some fight scenes from Blade

Themes/motifs: Gachapon and casino -> the Driver's henshin trinkets(?), the triple-7 when Zeztz defeats the monster Dreaming can affect reality (lack of job prospects, not utilizing time properly, not taking action hinders people from recognizing your potential/putting their faith in you (whether it's of genuine disbelief or deep-rooted concern/fear/worry in Minami's* case is another story)) and reality can affect your dreams (which is linked to the next theme)* *It's also reflected in the two bookcases we see in his room. One's full of physical media about spies/agents, accompanied by movie posters and merchandise. The other one contains bookcases for life skills (cooking, job hunting, social skills, advice, philosophical(?) discussions) The effect the mind has on the physical body, primarily the heart -> the monster tries to discourage Baku's resolve through speaking words that implant fear in his heart and his attacks affect Baku's real body, Zeztz's suit has no adornments other than the red stripes mirroring veins/blood flow and accentuation of his chest and stomach, there's several scenes where Baku lays his hand on his chest, victims of unfortunate events experiencing a nightmare/lucid dream prior to the actual event may be targeted so that poor sleep weakens their mental health and mind

Speaking of hearts, something about Baku and Minami's interactions made me think of those movies featuring terminally ill characters who achieve feats despite the odds (ranging from making a full recovery to learning to navigate life and make the most of it)....

I find it interesting that Baku's an unconventional hero, not just because all(?) his fights take place in the dreamscape. Like, he's been unemployed for an undetermined amount of time and gets lost in his dreams (figuratively and literally), but he quickly gathers himself to go to a job agency to lessen the load on his sister, who he dearly cares for (his first reaction to finding himself in his bedroom while escaping the monster is to look for Minami). His attempts to personally confront the child kidnapper(????) failed because he got hit by a car - but the ensuing commotion frightened said kidnapper into abandoning his plans and running away, allowing the worried mother to be reunited with her daughter in the background while Baku's out of commission. Maybe it reflects how his heroics lie less in movie-like escapades and 'perfection', but how he has the heart of someone who cares and does what he can when he has the chance to take action

Ryutaro Imai has some good acting chops! A number of main Rider actors tend to be awkward in the first episode, either from a lack of acting experience or how it's the early days in becoming immersed in their Rider character, but Ryutaro Imai's transitions between cool agent dream!Baku and sweet, slightly air-headed but ultimately well-meaning reality!Baku were seamless. I've heard he had some acting experience prior to being cast in Kamen Rider, so it's definitely an asset to his performance. He's already made me fond of Baku and I look forward to what the story has in store for him ~