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alchemicinkThis week: dream lore in Zeztz; manager woes in Girl Rules; and a stellar performance in Akane-banashi
The title quote was the funniest line from Zeztz this week. I couldn't resist using it 😂
Spoilers, as always, below:
Kamen Rider Zeztz (episode 32)
This episode tried to make me feel sorry for Zero for being a terrible dad ("it was all for the greater good" etc, etc) but I'm not falling for it. Good intentions don't make up for bad actions! (Though it was nice that he sent Baku his bike back 😁)
Actually, I think Zero's one of my favorite characters because his motivations and actions have helped move the plot forward a lot, and I think the repercussions are interesting to explore. And also, Jay Kabira's just doing a fantastic job in general.
This episode also gives us some explanations about Nightmares, courtesy of Zero and The Lady. It's another piece in the overall puzzle of this story, and it's nice to finally have some answers. (I've always thought the Nightmare aspect of this series was, ironically, the most confusing part.) Now that more has been revealed, I'm already formulating some guesses on how the series might end!
Lastly, I can't end today's review without also mentioning my favorite part, which was that one scene with Nasuka, Fujimi, and Nox. Some much needed comic relief 😂 I hope this trio has more scenes together soon.
Girl Rules (episode 7)
Every time I think I should drop this show, they give me a good Shasha/Gorya scene that pulls me back in.
These two are so fascinating in this episode. Shasha ropes Gorya into being her manager after firing the one ripping her off last episode. Gorya, as always, is reluctant but eventually agrees, because deep down, she just can't resist helping when needed.
As always, I enjoy their back-and-forth banter whenever they're together. Gorya's still pretty cold, but you can tell there's not as much venom in her words as before, and Shasha's not leaning completely on her haughty persona as much either. It's been really fun to watch their relationship develop over the past several episodes. So when they get to dancing together in the furniture store, it feels like a glimpse of what could be in the future. A future where they eventually let themselves be honest and vulnerable with each other.
It was a sweet moment, and probably my favorite of the show so far.
But the episode ends with the mean former manager blackmailing Shasha, so there is definitely going to be more trouble brewing for these two before they get to their happy ending.
Akane-banashi (episode 4)
I couldn't stop smiling at the end of this episode. I think it might be my favorite so far. There's just something so satisfying about seeing Akane take what she learned last week and apply it in this performance. Akane is such a likeable character that you want to see her succeed.
At the same time, it's great to also get a look at Kyoji's performance too, to show that Akane still has lots to learn in her journey ahead. There is a lot in this episode about different kinds of comedy: relatable storytelling; slowly ramping up the pace; and being overly serious. I can't speak for other people, but I love looking at the mechanics of storytelling, particularly comedic storytelling, so this is what I really enjoyed about the episode.
I also spent some time after this episode thinking about how rakugo is an old art form, and a lot of it appeals to older folks (such as this episode's audience of retirement home residents). So it's kind of refreshing to see a high schooler like Akane take such an interest in it. That's how these traditions get passed down, after all. I am definitely more interested in rakugo just by watching this series, so I hope that's true for more folks as well!
The title quote was the funniest line from Zeztz this week. I couldn't resist using it 😂
Spoilers, as always, below:
Kamen Rider Zeztz (episode 32)
This episode tried to make me feel sorry for Zero for being a terrible dad ("it was all for the greater good" etc, etc) but I'm not falling for it. Good intentions don't make up for bad actions! (Though it was nice that he sent Baku his bike back 😁)
Actually, I think Zero's one of my favorite characters because his motivations and actions have helped move the plot forward a lot, and I think the repercussions are interesting to explore. And also, Jay Kabira's just doing a fantastic job in general.
This episode also gives us some explanations about Nightmares, courtesy of Zero and The Lady. It's another piece in the overall puzzle of this story, and it's nice to finally have some answers. (I've always thought the Nightmare aspect of this series was, ironically, the most confusing part.) Now that more has been revealed, I'm already formulating some guesses on how the series might end!
Lastly, I can't end today's review without also mentioning my favorite part, which was that one scene with Nasuka, Fujimi, and Nox. Some much needed comic relief 😂 I hope this trio has more scenes together soon.
Girl Rules (episode 7)
Every time I think I should drop this show, they give me a good Shasha/Gorya scene that pulls me back in.
These two are so fascinating in this episode. Shasha ropes Gorya into being her manager after firing the one ripping her off last episode. Gorya, as always, is reluctant but eventually agrees, because deep down, she just can't resist helping when needed.
As always, I enjoy their back-and-forth banter whenever they're together. Gorya's still pretty cold, but you can tell there's not as much venom in her words as before, and Shasha's not leaning completely on her haughty persona as much either. It's been really fun to watch their relationship develop over the past several episodes. So when they get to dancing together in the furniture store, it feels like a glimpse of what could be in the future. A future where they eventually let themselves be honest and vulnerable with each other.
It was a sweet moment, and probably my favorite of the show so far.
But the episode ends with the mean former manager blackmailing Shasha, so there is definitely going to be more trouble brewing for these two before they get to their happy ending.
Akane-banashi (episode 4)
I couldn't stop smiling at the end of this episode. I think it might be my favorite so far. There's just something so satisfying about seeing Akane take what she learned last week and apply it in this performance. Akane is such a likeable character that you want to see her succeed.
At the same time, it's great to also get a look at Kyoji's performance too, to show that Akane still has lots to learn in her journey ahead. There is a lot in this episode about different kinds of comedy: relatable storytelling; slowly ramping up the pace; and being overly serious. I can't speak for other people, but I love looking at the mechanics of storytelling, particularly comedic storytelling, so this is what I really enjoyed about the episode.
I also spent some time after this episode thinking about how rakugo is an old art form, and a lot of it appeals to older folks (such as this episode's audience of retirement home residents). So it's kind of refreshing to see a high schooler like Akane take such an interest in it. That's how these traditions get passed down, after all. I am definitely more interested in rakugo just by watching this series, so I hope that's true for more folks as well!
