Moloth - The M-Forums

I've started watching Kamen Rider W and it's become clear to me that it's another show that I can declare to be the BEST. THING. EVER. I know that no one here cares much for sentai/power rangers but this show is a little different from that. I think it's worth checking out for a number of reasons.

Kamen Rider W (pronounced 'double') is this years entry into the long running Kamen Rider series. This year's show is about a detective agency run by the hard-boiled Shoutaru and his mysterious partner Philip. The two of them merge together to form Kamen Rider through the use of six different GaiaMemories. GaiaMemories are basically USB drives that contain a specific ancient power. So, if Philip uses HEAT and Shoutaru uses METAL, they'd transform into a Masked Rider with fire and armor type powers. Kamen Rider also has a motorcycle with an interchangable ass for land, air, or sea travel. When they combine, the Shoutaru becomes the Rider and Philip's consciousness is transferred into the Rider body while his own body enters a trance/coma and drops to the ground like a rock.

Philip, I should point out, is awesome. He's very... femme? And spacey. For reasons yet unexplained, he has the entire knowledge of the world inside his head. However, in order to access it, he has to search for what he needs by using the right combination of keywords. It's like he has Google in his head. Remember that scene in the matrix where Neo call's for guns? Replace the gun racks with bookcases and that what it's like.

They are quickly joined by Shoutaru's old boss's daughter Akiko, who takes great delight in being a foil to Shoutaru's hard-boiled lifestyle. She's both insane and hilarious. She carries a shoe in her purse for hitting people upside the head and she mugs for the camera like nobody's business.

So, since this is a detective show, most storylines begin with the team taking a case. Cases typically revolve around the involvement of an ordinary human buying an evil GaiaMemory from the main villain's of the show. All of the episodes are two parters, and most of the episode is devoted more to plot and character than the inevitable action sequence.

Speaking action, it's quite good. The show isn't nearly as formulaic as Sentai/Power Rangers shows are. The stakes are higher too, this is a show unafraid to have people (good or bad) die. The effects in the show are hit or miss, but you definitely can't fault them for not trying. The second episode is a great example of this. When Shoutaru confronts the person behind the trouble, you're ready for a typical Heroe vs. monster suit fight. Instead of a rubber monster suit though, a giant CGI robot T-rex made of junk appears and goes stomping down a busy highway, dragging a car behind it, KR in pursuit on his bike. Granted, some of it does look pretty bad, but some of it works great. It's exciting, unexpected, and ambitious action sequence.

Anyway, I recommend checking out at least the first two episodes to see if it's something you might like.

SD Fansubs:
http://tvnihon.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 1e93d3cbda

HD Fansubs:
http://tvnihon.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 1e93d3cbda

Episode 1 (streaming):
http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/kam … 602rxeCDTZ