They should make Riders for 95-99 for the Zi-O summer film...I think that'd be cool to give a Canon reason for why Rider took a hiatus from J to Kuuga.
Whoa, that was a pretty great final episode. No bullshit, just the final boss letting it all out. The Thieves had a secondary role, but still, a pretty important one - and the Patrangers finally had their time to shine! Hell, Keiichiro got a super form, better late than never!
The thieves sacrifice part was pretty cool too. I mean, we knew they would be saved, but still, it was touching and well done. The plot, while it didn't really advance in a good pace, man, they made everything work so well in this ending.
HOWEVER. I really loved how they didn't make the thieves be back by a miracle, power of friendship, or anything like that, but by things happening in a consistent way with the series own rules - even if it used something not that wasn't really in the series, but on the summer movie.
Also, I really, really, really liked what they did with the loved ones becoming phantom thieves. Hope we get a V-Cinema or something with them.
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Now, as always...
Lupinrangers vs Patrangers - The Series
I know a lot of people will not agree with me in that, but... This was a good series. However, it had a lot of problems, and most of them are kinda the same thing: Lots of potential, not used very well. The series dragged the big moments, and then, when it happened, it was kinda too little, too late. Thieves identity? Dragged until the end of the series, and then on directly to the final arc. Kogure and Noel? Dragged a lot, and then, when they finally reveal their past, it isn't that much of a deal to the overrall plot, really. Zamigo? The guy was missing for most of the series. Hell, him, Dogario and Gauche could be really, really good villains - maybe ToQ level good - if they were used just a bit better and more often.
As expected, most of the series was focused on the Lupinrangers. However, to me, it was unexpected how good the Patrengers would be. Really, they are well developed, likeable, funny, consistent - even if most of the time they are not the focus of the series. The Lupinrangers also had some development, but it wasn't as well done, imo. However, I loved how they tied everything together on the final arc.
And what a final arc. While it did follow many points of the formula, I loved how different most of it felt. That's probably one of - if not the - most memorable final arcs in years and years.
In the end... the series did a lot of cool new things, but not enough, imo. Unfortunately, we'll probably get a few less (or non) experimental series, at least until Sentai recovers... or dies. If the worst happens, I feel it would be very undeserved for LuPat to be known as the series that killed Sentai. It was a great series, but with many, many pacing problems that prevent it from being one of the greats.
I know a lot of people will not agree with me in that, but... This was a good series. However, it had a lot of problems, and most of them are kinda the same thing: Lots of potential, not used very well. The series dragged the big moments, and then, when it happened, it was kinda too little, too late. Thieves identity? Dragged until the end of the series, and then on directly to the final arc. Kogure and Noel? Dragged a lot, and then, when they finally reveal their past, it isn't that much of a deal to the overrall plot, really. Zamigo? The guy was missing for most of the series. Hell, him, Dogario and Gauche could be really, really good villains - maybe ToQ level good - if they were used just a bit better and more often.
Gotta admit, i didn't like Zi-O II's design at first but the episode sold me on the form
He's like a super version of Chronos from Ex-Aid lol, but instead of pausing time he can rewind time at will to change the outcome of events and also see the future to block attacks.
Remember ? When Kogure's Behave a lot suspicious ? Goodie's was very scared Kogure ? Noel's look like not trust Kogure somehow ?
They're happy family now
Gagaga 3 is out!
I was watching a stream on saturday and a dude was raving about the LuPato finale. Almost made me watch it even though I dropped the show in the single digits.
Also, Shimamoto's (Aoi Honoo author) Blazing Transfer Student got a live action adpatation in 2017 and it's on Netflix since then! Blazing Transfer Students, happens years after the original story, with the MC as the current director of the school (as a stop motion figure) and clear shades of sentai. Didn't know about it at all. 8 episodes long. Will try to watch it and give impressions at some point.
They should make Riders for 95-99 for the Zi-O summer film...I think that'd be cool to give a Canon reason for why Rider took a hiatus from J to Kuuga.
Absolutely nothing. He was a cool side character, and had some cool jokes, but was pretty much inconsequential otherwise. Another big missed opportunity, imo.
However... He was treated much, much better than most foreigners on previous series. He was pretty much just another humorous mentor, and most of his jokes and traits couldn't be attributed just to the fact he's a foreigner.
I'm in a bit of a denial that LuPat ended. I'm really going to miss that show, flaws and all. While it wasted a lot of potential of the concept, and did things at the end that should have happened in the middle of the series, episode by episode was always fun and had a good cast. Well, at least Keiichiro will return next week.
I guess the most frustrating thing about the show is that, unlike the mess that was Kyuranger, the changes they could have made to make the show excellent would not have been difficult or expensive to implement.
Also, did you guys know that the exterior shots of the Jurer was an actual restaurant? They have a twitter account.
JINGA 08
Did the small japanese construction worker just Might Action Brothers'd himself as a bigger western dude?
Laughed out loud at the dudes dropping a pair of pipes at Jinga's feet in the ending scene.
Btw, have you all seen Cross-Z in an Armani? Looks like he cleaned up after the murder charges after all.
Gagaga 3 is out!Also, Shimamoto's (Aoi Honoo author) Blazing Transfer Student got a live action adpatation in 2017 and it's on Netflix since then! Blazing Transfer Students, happens years after the original story, with the MC as the current director of the school (as a stop motion figure) and clear shades of sentai. Didn't know about it at all. 8 episodes long. Will try to watch it and give impressions at some point.
Due to circumstances I've been behind on the Weekly Toku. Now I'm caught up. Including the finale of Lupin vs Pat.
It was a decent but flawed show. Patrangers really needed more love in the power-up department. It took until the final episode to get Super Patren #1.
I get the feeling they purposely didn't resolve the Lupin Collection so they could have movies. At least the Ryusoulger and LuPat crossover movie.
Speaking of...another annoying case of "movie character out of nowhere" at the end there.
But overall, it was alright.
Zi-O is getting somewhat interesting at least. White Woz is a broken little fucker.
Interesting. Definitely looks more streamlined than the gobuster mecha set which I own, which look quite chunky and not particularly close to the mecha suits lol.
I haven't been watching Toku for a while and I'm catching up on Zi-O and finally getting around to finishing Kyuranger, my first full Sentai series. Then I'll go and finish Lupin Rangers, hopefully before the movie between the two gets subbed. I'm really enjoying Kyuranger.
Interesting. Definitely looks more streamlined than the gobuster mecha set which I own, which look quite chunky and not particularly close to the mecha suits lol.
These might actually be an improvement over the original toys. The gorilla looks odd but is much closer to the depiction in the show, and they made the rabbit a lot bigger, presumably to justify the cost of selling it separately. Plus I'm sure these won't be as fragile. I'm going to get my gobusters toys out for my son but I'm kind of afraid how the Clips are holding up.
These might actually be an improvement over the original toys. The gorilla looks odd but is much closer to the depiction in the show, and they made the rabbit a lot bigger, presumably to justify the cost of selling it separately. Plus I'm sure these won't be as fragile. I'm going to get my gobusters toys out for my son but I'm kind of afraid how the Clips are holding up.
I don't remember having problems when I first opened them up, but I know the clips wear out over time. My son actually broke my Kyoryujin because the clips couldn't hold up.
How are the Lupin vs Pato toys, btw? I know they didn't sell very well.
Regarding the chat about Build being a gay relationship, the Kamen Rider Diner is running a White Day menu with just one item. A Banjo and Sento drink.
These might actually be an improvement over the original toys. The gorilla looks odd but is much closer to the depiction in the show, and they made the rabbit a lot bigger, presumably to justify the cost of selling it separately. Plus I'm sure these won't be as fragile. I'm going to get my gobusters toys out for my son but I'm kind of afraid how the Clips are holding up.