Kamen Rider Gotchard Reviews

Gotchard Episode 24 Review

Wasn't expecting the episode to start with the prototype super form to debut in 23. Then again, google Primitive Dragon debut: chapter 23 of Saber. Revice? First appearance of the Masked Man. Geats? Debut of Kamen Rider Beroba. Okay, Zero One revealed in episode 23 Metal Cluster Hopper was the only for Aruto could get stuck too. Wait Ghost was...no Fukuda wrote that: Grateful's debut and the final appearance of Houdini? Shame, Houdini was an underrated Super Form.

Those are just coincidences, but I like stuff like that. Honestly, prefer when the Super Form gets involved more towards the mid 20s so the final form gets more prominence in the late 30s since back a while ago, the Final Forms would debut a bit too early. And hey, Gotchard's three Upgrade Forms have been used in tandem numerous times so with Iron being brought out of necessity, it doesn't devalue those forms, especially since they're...alive.

Okay, that gag of Kesuzo accidentally leading into Sabimaru leaning more into the smart guy role was a funny, neat way to use Tamami thanks to Renge foolishly using it as a normal eraser. People have criticized Hotaro for foolishly using the Chemies and putting them in harm's risk despite the fact that the only thing he's done is just ignoring the Alchemist laws and it's mostly everyone else abusing, harming, or inflicting malice on the Chemies.

And cool to know Sabimaru hid his excitement and Renge immediately calling him out on it.

Hell Rinne and Renge were the ones reigning in him, i.e. Hotaro isn't perfect and has people to correct his actual mistakes and mishaps (which was Renge's fault)

And while brief, Sabi's actor does enough to show Dread's usage was traumatic.

Plus we finally get the confirmation from Geyron they're alchemical dolls, following his demands: and since he was incapacitated, they did his work for him. Interesting to note they made the Dread Driver to make another key to the Door of Darkness.

So the reason Geyron wasn't present earlier was because the damages from the fight with Fuga took him out for ten years. Considering his alchemy may potentially be forbidden and we saw the dangers of that with the Inspector, it's a valid excuse to explain his absence since then.

But it does make one how the Dark Sisters managed to gain their own personality and quirks: because of the 10 years and his absence, including hunting Fuga until the Chemies were released, or something else?

Glad to see Kyoka and Spanner clearing things up.

And we get what the preview spoiled for us, the Warp Malgam's abilities are on par with forbidden alchemy normal humans can survive. Cute to see Hopper1 sacrifice himself so Hotaro doesn't get sucked and his bond with Steam being the only one he has left.

Interesting how we don't know if Minato's actions are meant to help the Alchemists in the long run and this is his attempt at playing the middle while showing he's still competent that Geryon needs him and won't just get "you've failed me for the last time'th." From his perspective sure, but still.

Suzuya Daiki, now we know the other reason Minato sided with him: a kid in his care got killed. We need more context to see if Minato actually murdered someone, was it an accident that left him jaded, if the Chemy was responsible.

And almost everyone's cards have been taken at this point. Majade and Valvarad honestly don't do too bad for a Curb Stomp Cushion. Spanner showing respect to Rinne, Dread Type One using her abilities.

As for Dread Type-One's suit, it's pretty unique from the black-white symmetry, kinda in between liking it and finding it appropriately designed over feeling an asymmetric concept. It also takes elements from the other three riders: similar components to Steamliner's form present in the original Dread, copies Majade's unicorn aspects, and has Valvarad's

Say whatever you want about Hotaro, if he's willing to damage himself in order to make up for his actual mistakes, he'll do it. Iron Gotchard's limited by using one card compared to the Gotchardriver's two.

The only reason the other two are losing is cuz Warp's mind games make them hard. They haven't even been transformed yet.

Evolving's known as transmutation. Wonder like Mad>Machwheel, does it depend on the user's willpower & growth or the levels, one's alchemic energy, or the ring?

Also, Fuga definitely gave him that ring. Let's not deny it.

Shame we don't get a fight but given this is supposed to lead into another one, I'm okay with this, Geats Mark 3 worked similarly. As for Iron Gotchard, if you look at it from one perspective, Hotaro's rightfully in despair but his motivation to fix his mistakes and his will to try something dangerous to do so is probably the thing preventing him from becoming a Malgam. If that's they were going for, they almost succeeded in presenting that in a way given the dark-golden covers expressed when Iron Gotchard transforms.

And the suit looks better than in the preview. Only issue, the arms. Love gauntlet arms but the framing of it not matching with the arms makes it look a little off.

So Kamen Rider recap episodes tend to save up on filming extra time, but giving enough context and content to at least make an episode decent. This recap hmm:

Having the cast be brought down to about five cards raises the tension.

The recap let the cast foreshadow the return of forbidden alchemy.

So who's to blame for everyone leaving the cards? The smart response is Minato and Geryon, but should we blame Hotaro for jumping in? Ehh, Kyoka and Spanner brought up the possibility based on reliable evidence fans paying attention would obviously make Minato's actions dubious to which side he's on to anyone with emotional bias.

Kesuzo erasing the data on Sabi's tablet definitely has some implications, I wonder if that ring he made earlier was empowered to allow Hotaro to use Iron.

Only issue, Hotaro's dialogue could've been a bit specific about how he feels guilty all his Chemy friends sacrificed themselves and wants to return the favor for supporting him. The actor's definitely portraying it, but the words could've had a bit more weight behind them.

Still it was entertaining enough, and that's all you can ask for. Hope the next episode pays off what happens in this one better. Probably give this one a 3...out of 5. Did it's job, set up things, just wish there was a bit more fleshing out of everyone's emotions during certain recap moments.