shinji kido fan
This review may contain spoilers
i wish i could watch this for the first time again
recently stumbled upon the toku genre, and starting with this does not disappoint at all. i have become a little more familiar with the other installments in the kr franchise since watching, which has made the strengths of Kuuga more evident to me.
this is the first kamen rider release of the heisei era, and it was a grounded and high-quality start to the heisei riders. where other installments neglect any explanatory element, simply hoping the viewer will maximally suspend their reality to follow along with the show, Kuuga consistently makes reference to the origins and motivations of the Grongi enemy, their cultural practices and shows the deciphering of Grongi language texts (the Grongi language was even made for the show, as you can hear the Grongi warriors don't speak Japanese :) ) in hopes to better understand Kuuga's enemy, and make combat more optimistic for the humans. the characters are also often law-enforcement, supplemented by linguistic anthropologists, doctors, and police scientists - because of course! there are insane monsters suddenly massacring citizens, how could some authority not get involved? realism <3
the story development and character dynamics are also incredibly high-quality, you really get attached to the characters and their emotions as you watch. i am a bit biased because Godai Yusuke is my favorite kind of protagonist - happy-go-lucky, brave and hopeful. even so, his character is not arbitrary in the least. these traits stand in direct contrast to the bleak brutality of the Grongi, which builds far beyond physical burden as the story develops. eventually Godai and the affected community endure psychological and emotional pains, brought on by the weight of loss, fear, and desperation. the final fight scene perfectly encapsulates the intensity with which Godai fights, and his raw love and weakness for humanity. stylistically, it stands out from the remaining fights scenes - bare, with Godai and Daguva in plain-clothes, and silent but for the sounds of hand-to-hand combat, Daguva's laughter, and Godai's grief. another distinct choice with thoughtful, purposed utility. all-around outstanding!!
final note: what a theme song!
this is the first kamen rider release of the heisei era, and it was a grounded and high-quality start to the heisei riders. where other installments neglect any explanatory element, simply hoping the viewer will maximally suspend their reality to follow along with the show, Kuuga consistently makes reference to the origins and motivations of the Grongi enemy, their cultural practices and shows the deciphering of Grongi language texts (the Grongi language was even made for the show, as you can hear the Grongi warriors don't speak Japanese :) ) in hopes to better understand Kuuga's enemy, and make combat more optimistic for the humans. the characters are also often law-enforcement, supplemented by linguistic anthropologists, doctors, and police scientists - because of course! there are insane monsters suddenly massacring citizens, how could some authority not get involved? realism <3
the story development and character dynamics are also incredibly high-quality, you really get attached to the characters and their emotions as you watch. i am a bit biased because Godai Yusuke is my favorite kind of protagonist - happy-go-lucky, brave and hopeful. even so, his character is not arbitrary in the least. these traits stand in direct contrast to the bleak brutality of the Grongi, which builds far beyond physical burden as the story develops. eventually Godai and the affected community endure psychological and emotional pains, brought on by the weight of loss, fear, and desperation. the final fight scene perfectly encapsulates the intensity with which Godai fights, and his raw love and weakness for humanity. stylistically, it stands out from the remaining fights scenes - bare, with Godai and Daguva in plain-clothes, and silent but for the sounds of hand-to-hand combat, Daguva's laughter, and Godai's grief. another distinct choice with thoughtful, purposed utility. all-around outstanding!!
final note: what a theme song!
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