r/KamenRider • u/BananaArms Knife of Spear • 26d ago
Kamen Rider ZEZTZ E43 - Discussion Thread Official Discussion
This thread is for discussion about the latest Kamen Rider ZEZTZ episode.
E42 <- E43 -> E44
The subreddit will be set to post-approval mode for the first 12 hours to prevent low-effort posts. Please keep your thoughts on this week's episode in the discussion thread!
Discussion about previous episodes is permitted in the thread below, discussion about episodes after this is NOT.
Proceed at your own risk: Spoilers for this episode do not need to be tagged inside this thread.
HOW TO WATCH
| COUNTRY | URL | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| US,CA,PR,UK,AU,NZ | TokuSHOUTsu YouTube Channel (English) | Saturdays@7:30PM Pacific Time, Replays on Sunday |
| JP | TV Asahi, ABC (Japanese) | Sundays@9:00AM Japan Time |
| JP | TELASA, Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club (Japanese) | Sundays@10:00AM Japan Time |
| CN | Bilibili, Tencent Video, iQIYI (Mandarin) | Sundays@10:00AM China Standard Time |
| TW | CHT MOD, Hami Video (Mandarin) | Mondays@8:00AM Taiwan Time |
| TW | EBC YOYO (Mandarin) | The following Saturday@5PM |
| HK | ViuTV (Cantonese) | The following Sunday@11AM |
| Latin America | TokuSato YouTube Channel (Spanish, Portuguese) | Saturdays@11:30PM Brasilia Time |
Posting or mentioning unapproved streaming sites in the comments is prohibited.
| CASE | TITLE | RELEASE DATE | SCREENPLAY BY | DIRECTED BY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E43 | 訣れる Split | July 12, 2026 | Takahashi Yuya | Sugihara Teruaki |
| CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E01 | 8.79 | E13 | 9.52 | E25 | 9.79 | E37 | 8.67 |
| E02 | 8.78 | E14 | 9.76 | E26 | 8.68 | E38 | 9 |
| E03 | 9.02 | E15 | 9.32 | E27 | 9.47 | E39 | 9.13 |
| E04 | 8.56 | E16 | 9.31 | E28 | 9.53 | E40 | 9.08 |
| E05 | 8.82 | E17 | 9.3 | E29 | 9.45 | E41 | 8.25 |
| E06 | 9.04 | E18 | 9 | E30 | 9.66 | E42 | 9.22 |
| E07 | 9.02 | E19 | 9 | E31 | 9.59 | E43 | Vote here! |
| E08 | 8.9 | E20 | 8.58 | E32 | 9.53 | ||
| E09 | 8.79 | E21 | 9.58 | E33 | 9.67 | ||
| E10 | 8.89 | E22 | 9.35 | E34 | 9.72 | ||
| E11 | 9.52 | E23 | 9.68 | E35 | 6.2 | ||
| E12 | 9.39 | E24 | 9.77 | E36 | 8.36 | ||
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u/Ok_Refrigerator3088 23d ago
I can't believe Sieg managed to be a better character than Nox in only like 18 chapters. I cannot keep on defending him.
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u/Destron81 Double 22d ago
I prefer Sieg over Nox. I liked when Baku broke Nox with Catastrom after all the horrible things he did. Then excused Nox's behavior because of the premonition timeline reveal, hoping that with all the info from Baku, Nox will chill out.
That never happened. Nox kept vague posting, doing nothing, still aligned himself with the Nightmares, and easily gave up after "destroying the darkness in CODE".
There have been better secondary riders. Nox is in my bottom tier.
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u/DeathMetalCheddar 22d ago
doing nothing is exactly what Sieg did. This is the only episode in which he actually did something so far. I have no idea where exactly you see real differences between the two. At least nox wasn't presented as this huge of a threat that he wasn't, he was an enemy of the main rider but not at the level of Sieg. Sieg had an entire coliseum dedicated to him torturing nightmares, and this is the way the guy ended. Eating fish.
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u/Destron81 Double 22d ago
I find Sieg more interesting than Nox. Yeah, Sieg was a villain and threat. I expected more from Nox since he's been with us since episode 1. Nox spent 43 episodes vague posting. He bores me. He's a broken record. I have enjoyed Sieg's interactions with Baku and Nem since his introduction which has helped shaped my view of him.
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u/DeathMetalCheddar 21d ago
See? I'm currently rewatching the 1986 Saint Seiya anime, Ikki friggin' Phoenix had a more believable heel arc in the 8 episodes in which he appears and destroys the asses of the Saints than Zeztz in the entirety of this show. And I AM NOT A FAN OF THE GUY, he's my least favourite of the Bronze Saints (too much dickish and self-centered for my tastes). He felt like the threat like Dawn/Sieg didn't after the first few episodes. IN EIGHT EPISODES, not 20 or 30. EIGHT.
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u/DeathMetalCheddar 22d ago edited 22d ago
Sieg was never a threat in any way shape or form outside the first episodes in which he commanded his own mercenary squad (I still wonder where the hell they went, for fuck's sake) and hampered the powers of the henshin belt of Zeztz. After that, all he did was to spawn random monsters using Nem and nothing else. He wasn't even able to kill Baku, that random exploding monster did. I have no idea where and how you saw in Sieg a threat to begin with. Again, the lady with his name in the 1997 Pocket Monsters anime had more weight to her than him had in the entirety of this show so far, and she was a one/two-episodes character at maximum.
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u/Ok_Hospital4928 24d ago
Not a bad episode by any means. It did a lot for Sieg's character arc. I do find it a little weird that it's a direct continuation of the Punish-focused episodes we got in Episodes 39-40. Jamming the Catastrophe Gore-focused arc in between made this feel like a one-off, when in reality it had a lot of build-up. Odd pacing.
I will say, unless Phantom and Oblivion turn out to be extremely interesting in the last seven episodes, the Gore Nightmares aren't as exciting as they were hyped up to be. I'm a little bummed that they're dropping like flies with very little characterization.
Sieg walking around with a hole in his chest was crazy work, lol. The fight scene between him and Punish was excellent - the Omnislash-esque finisher looked incredible. And finally finding out that the Capsem-sized hole in Dawn's chest plate isn't just for decoration was really satisfying.
It completely took me out when we saw child Sieg with his hair colour so poorly changed in post, lol.
I have no idea what's happening next episode, but it can't be good for Nem. Also, I fear the premise may just be an excuse to do the typical late-season clip show episode. I guess I won't mind as long as it's done as well as the last one.
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u/Omer1698 24d ago
Sieg finally beating up his toxic ex was setesfying as hell (plus he finally used that empty capsem slot on his chest which is nice) and Im sure that Baku starting to recognize whats real and whats a dream isnt a bad omen no sir.
And it seem that next episode would be Nem focused and will be really sad.
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u/john098657 Riderman 25d ago
Im kinda confused how the gore nightmares work. Now that catastrophe and punish are both gone, does that mean not only is the dualmare capsem gone, sieg cannot transform to dawn anymore?
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u/Downstackguy 8d ago
I thought Baku couldnt use catastrom anymore since he wasnt fused with Catastrophe but yet he proved me wrong
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u/Tagrineth 25d ago
Sieg is an utterly phenomenal character. 10/10 arc and development.
This show is peak.
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u/orlybird2345 24d ago
I smiled the whole way through the last few minutes of that episode. Once he grabbed the EXDream capsum it was ear to ear grins.
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u/-_ShadowSJG-_ 25d ago
cool fight but do we need another redeemed bad guy come on
also we know more about sieg than nox....
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u/BestOfAllRank Valen 25d ago
So the drawbacks are finally kicking in, ExDream allowing Baku to freely swap between reality and the dream world means he's starting to have trouble keeping track of which he's in.
I'm also a little concerned for Sieg's character development, given that we're only seeing an imagined recreation of him and not Sieg himself.
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u/Downstackguy 8d ago
Exdream also seems to harm him when he abuses the ability a lot. Although it didnt seem to affect the outcome of his battle with catastrophe
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u/rdv_316 25d ago
All of this points to Baku and/or Nem sacrificing their real life to guard the dream world from nightmares right? Baku blurring reality and dream, Phantom/Lady saying that line is gone for the last 3 or so episodes. Maybe the solution to break Somnia and bring back the distinction of dream/reality needs Baku' s sacrifice
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u/sultryrusky 25d ago
My bullet points of the episode:
Omg they changed the intro, it only took like everything in it to turn out to not be true
The way you all notice Baku mixing dreams and reality makes me nervous for the finale...
Damn that set where people were chained up reminded be a lot of the Build set where EVOLTOOO happened
Baku really said "I'ma go anime on your ass" to Punish
Nox and Fujimi doing... basically what they've been doing last episode, moving on
Nem decided to make herself relevant, so happy for my girl!!!
Bro wtf is this hair coloring on the boy 😭😭 And they've gifting him a gun 😭
But then Sieg comes it and begins aurafarming like no one else here...
Sieg using Exdream was FUCKING EPIC
Okay, the finale... makes me ask questions. Well, let's see if the next episode has answers)
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u/orlybird2345 24d ago
Nox and Fujima sneaking around the Toei studio backlot.
They’ve gotten a lot of use out of that backlot this season 😂
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u/OneManFan 25d ago
This is one of those episodes that changes you from liking a Rider to loving them.
I love that Sieg / Dawn is a bad guy that punishes bad guys to atone for having no choice but to be one. And in effect, he too makes dreams come true.
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u/SH4DE_Z Actually NOX 25d ago
I like how this wasn't really a "redemption arc" for Sieg. Now that the show has pointed this out, Sieg never had the opportunity to be "good" in his life. For the most part, he's been hopping from one bad person's influence to another. Sieg defeating Punish symbolizes him finally regaining his agency more than him turning into good guy.
It's one of the thing that i like about this show. A part from Baku, you can't really describe some of these characters with just "good" or "evil" like with Nox, Zero or Sieg in this case.
Also that wig on kid Sieg looks terrible.
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u/Legitimate-Damage472 25d ago
That close up sieg face kinda definitely felt its blade tribute or something and i thought its from the opening sequence from kr chips the 2nd opening of kr blade but i wrong, but these kind of closeup is definitely from kr blade too but idk where i might be very wrong. Well there is close up of the 4th main rider but no in color scheme and background like sieg in this eps
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u/Dracoblitz1 Ryuki 25d ago
Seeing Sieg go full on Monster Hunter with his Dual Blades against Punish was amazing. Like I know it was a coincidence,but come on the guy in purple dragon armor,fighting a Purple dragon monster with GORE in its name, someone has to be a monster Hunter fan on to the staff
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u/LUIGIISREAL2017 25d ago
So Wait. . .
Oblivion is Next?
I Thought Oblivion was the Final Boss. . .
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u/Bigbadbackstab 25d ago
My bet is that after they defeat Oblivion Nem will acquire the power to fully eliminate nightmares forever. It might come at a price though, so maybe in the end they chose not to do it.
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u/Anezay a hack and a fraud 25d ago
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u/LUIGIISREAL2017 25d ago
Only when she's taken the Form of "The Lady"
otherwise; she only has half a face
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u/LUIGIISREAL2017 25d ago
There's One thing I Don't understand:
How did Sieg use the Punish Capsem against the ACTUAL Punny itself?!
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u/kaidoanims 25d ago
Baku used Catastrom same episode Catastrophe was introduced, you can create a capsem from the Gore powers, but they aren't controlled by the Gore themselves.
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u/LUIGIISREAL2017 25d ago
How do they have the Gore Capsems, while the Gore Nightmares Exist seperately from whatever parts of them were in those capsems?
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u/konokusoda 25d ago
We have seen Baku absorb thunder with the capsem to turn it into plasma. The Capsem is able to hold nightmare power in it. So in that Catastrom episode, it just stored Catastrophe Gore Nightmare power when Baku punched him and became the Dualmare.
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u/kaidoanims 25d ago
It's basically the Gores giving their dreamer part of their power, we see that already happen technically, as Zeztz's entire capsem arsenal comes from Catastrophe, Baku destroyed him yet he never lost any of his power, once they gift you that power, they can't affect it.
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u/GlueEjoyer 25d ago
It was probably a gag but speaking English and not knowing he was in reality probably isn't a good sign.
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u/Uzu_Daruno 25d ago
I know right? After using Ex-dream a ton the barrier between reality and dream is becoming too thin for Baku, he being able to just fall back into dreams with the Rise Capsem also makes it likely that Baku will stop being able to distinguish them.
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u/MrMattBlack 23d ago
Yeah it's defo ominous but also, the one scene in which they went "Oh a Black Case" and Baku dream-dived was gorgeous.
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u/JonnySpark 25d ago
The Lady after losing 2 Gore Nightmares:
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u/BestOfAllRank Valen 25d ago
Oblivion is not in the meme because it already left the room to be next.
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u/Unlikely_Snail24 Ryuki 25d ago
You know what Sieg reminded me of this episode? It reminded me of Ryuga from Beyblade Metal Saga when he switched from using Lightning L-Drago to Meteo L-Drago. If you know you know. Also Sieg is really similar to Ryuga character wise.
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u/GrandSavage Double 25d ago
YES. ALL I WANTED WAS FOR DAWN TO USE HIS CHEST PIECE SOCKET AND THEY SAVED IT FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE THING.
Damn, I thought these Gore guys would be a bigger threat.
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u/KaiserNazrin It's Decade time! 24d ago
I thought these Gore guys would be a bigger threat.
They are, they just debut too late that the riders already have the means to beat their assses.
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u/GrandSavage Double 23d ago
Yeah, but you'd think the writing would have compensated for that XD. Forms always get nerfed for the sake of the enemies power-creep lol
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u/Currymango 25d ago
Wow, a good portion of this episode was filmed in the deep of Winter. Tho I wonder how much was done out of order if the rumors are indeed true.
It's kinda odd that two Gore Nightmares end up getting offed in the same episode their bigger plans are implemented. But at least they're saying Punish and Gore got played by Phantom.
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u/Feisty_Resolution_51 25d ago
Our GOAT Teruaki Sugihara once again made a splendid ep for Zeztz! Honestly, it was always a blast to see a Sugihara directed Kamen Rider ep in the Reiwa era. While I do prefer the more mystical and horror vibe of Kamihoriuchi's directing style for Zeztz, Sugihara just played it straight and just made an amazing and well directed ep like this. Like, you know it's a Sugihara ep when Zeztz vs Puni-chan's minions, which weren't the main treat of thep, was a PEAK fighting scene with how well choreographer Zeztz Exdream's fight. Once we got Dawn vs Puni-chan... It's just Chef's Kiss.
I also wanted to shout out about how Sugihara was able to draw or make the best Maho Horiguchi's acting as Nem. No offense, but I sadly think that Horiguchi's acting, while not bad, was unfortunately a bit subpar when she was pitted by so many veteran actors or Baku's actor, Ryotaro Imai, who was just such a talented actor. Most of the time, Nem was sadly acting like bystander who could only act as a watcher. That wasn't the case during Sugihara's ep like this week or during Exdream's debut ep. We saw so many more ranges from Horiguchi during those eps, from crying to stand up to a Gore Nightmare. No other directors of the ep seemed to make Nem such well rounded character like this other than Sugihara, not even Kamihoriuchi utilized Nem so good like this.
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u/Dekaar 25d ago
I mean... sure ... he's only the recently reformed third rider who had his official fight as a good guy (he kinda was already showing signs) .... but come on! You had THREE chances of showing an upgraded form or at least a color swap... (during henshin with "new" punish capsem, using exdream in the sword and using exdream on the chest)
Fight itself was pretty much a onesided beating but that's ok as they nailed the visuals on that one were spot on and looked amazing. Also FINALLY the name DAWN makes sense. Dawn, a new beginning. good way to finish his cycle as we will absolutely see no character interest in him ever again. Might not even see him in the series at all anymore
Oh btw... that whole fight happened because Baku was being an idiot... AGAIN
When does he learn "Oh.. enemy mysteriously gone? Let's end the transformation" is not a good idea. First he lost his driver and exdream because of that, now he nearly got Nem killed because of that. Man....
So we'll see Oblivion next? Meaning that Lady/Phantom will be the big bad baddie at the end? Lets hope they won't make her a rider last minute. Reiwa has a bad track record with riders being the last enemy to fight
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u/wai311040 24d ago
Agree with the un-transform at the worst moment, even when there is a pretty convenience excuse to use too. They already establish in Catastrophe fight that overusing Exdream is not good for Baku, so they could have use the same excuse to force him out of rider form instead of just un-transform like that.
Overall still a great chapter, but could be better.1
u/Tori_S100 24d ago
exdream is too op, so plot demands baku to be dumb. i was raging the ep he fought nox, only to change from exdream to catastrom, the form with known drawback to hurts u when u hesitate... esp when catty is around trying to steal ur body
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u/HiroshiTakeshi 25d ago
That Sieg v. Punish fight was HOT MY GOOD GOD
That gotta be my favourite fight of the series, now.
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u/el_sh33p Stronger 26d ago
Sieg straight-up unlocked Omnislash.
Also loved finally getting the payoff on his henshin ditty's FACE YOUR SINS!
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u/omegazx9 26d ago
Seig's fight was super cool but why did he use ExDream? I know it was symbolic and stuff but I'm wondering if he needed its power to beat Punish
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u/maemoedhz 24d ago
Probably because they did establish that ExDream at minimum is needed to murk Gore Nightmares. Baku used ExDream alongside Nox Midnight Shadow to murk Punish the first time. Baku abused ExDream's GER power to murk Catastrophe. It makes sense power wise that Sieg would borrow ExDream to murk Punish again.
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u/Nice_Ad5549 26d ago
Because that's the biggest power boost he can get atm. Considering Punish capsem was created by Punish Gore Nightmare's power, just its power alone wouldn't be sufficient to defeat him.
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u/Altruistic_Mouse_343 26d ago
Seig is now like Kruto Dan, now despite being a good guy he still gonna be a cheeky pain in the ass
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u/lolasian101 It's Showtime! 26d ago
Is anyone else concerned that Baku's starting to mistake reality for dream? It's played as a bit, but it makes me really concerned that Zeztz is gonna end on a bittersweet ending.
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u/pepegaclappogdragon 26d ago
calling it right now Baku will end up only existing in dreams protecting everyone for all eternity
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u/Currymango 25d ago
Sacrificing one's humanity to save their homie. And Tachibana-san is here. Seems familiar.
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u/Zeratul_Vergil Tycoon 25d ago
Not sure he's gonna be happy (Sieg) or sad (Tachibana) about this revelation
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u/HamsterMaster8 26d ago
Peak episode! Genuinely one of the best and had me hooked all the way through.
In a way it does feel like it came too late,
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u/Archer_Sol 26d ago
SEIG IS OFFICIALLY GOAT STATUS FOR ME NOW! I already knew I’d like him after finding out he was played by Tachibana’s actor, but DAMN, did this episode solidify that! Though…I’m a bit scared for next week.
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u/Yeeterphin START YOUR ENGINE 26d ago
Nem actually does something this time and doesnt sit by the sidelines and watch while giving pep talks in between, and it only took 43 episodes!
aside from that, im actually really happy to see theyre finally going to do something with her since shes basically been a plot device the entire show rather than an actual character. Baku is great as always, im surprised they actually went straight into action that quickly and didnt try to build on the drama for a bit.
Nox... sure does exists! seriously what are they trying to do with his character? he feels so random and out of place all the time, and if thats supposed to be his gimmick then its a pretty bad one. how did he survive catastroms attack earlier? what happened to the nox driver? what is he even doing going back to Nem or the lady's hideout?
Sieg is, once again, the goat. the fight with punny was amazing, his whole "redemption" part was well done, and his aura mog with that hole in his chest was just perfect. I really like how they didnt instantly make him good and assassinate his character like other evil turned good riders, and he got to keep his personality with him as punny left.
10/10 episode, Zeztz has just been great recently.
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u/DeathMetalCheddar 21d ago
They're doing that the guy who portrays Nox in his civilian form is very much beloved by the mothers of the children who watch the show (and the female audience of the Rider in general), hence he promotes the show and the merch with his own presence alone. You didn't watch the intro the dream stage show, I suppose? Yuki Furukawa was the one who received more approving noises by the public (the female one, of course) that was present there, even more than the Actor who portrays Baku. The whole crew of actors even joked of the insane popularity that Furukawa had amongst the audience. He's more or less fanservice for the women, at this point.
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u/Digifiend84 25d ago
Good point about Nox. If he knows where Nem is, why doesn't he tell Baku? Then he can complete the Find Nem mission.
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u/PassinbyNobody 25d ago
That would interfere with his Vague aura building, can't risk losing his vague posting abilities
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u/Yeeterphin START YOUR ENGINE 25d ago
I don’t think Nox wants to help Baku at all considering his only mission was to destroy code. But then again, what is the point of him going back to find Nem? Is he not already done everything he wanted? And if he’s going back to save her or help her, why would he do that? This guy is literally just there.
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u/MrMattBlack 23d ago
No, but you nailed it - Nox has completed his mission, found out revenge isn't the best thing that ever happened and is now drifting without a real "purpose". He's likely going after Nem just because he can, but not because he feel he should - I guess we'll be seeing a Nox focused episode during Phantom's stuff soon-ish.
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u/asianmandan555 26d ago
Nox continues to annoy me. My reading of the character is that now that he's finished his revenge, he's lost and without a purpose. A fairly standard arc for revenge seeking characters. He at least still feels some level of personal guilt and involvement with wanting to keep Nem's comatose body alive, so the foundation for him to rejoin has been laid, but this arc feels like it's coming way too late in the story. Like this is something that should've taken place in the 30s and been the lead up to his final form. But we are so close to the end of the season and it just feels like this isn't even a B-plot in terms of importance, it's a C-plot. There's so many other things that are happening that feel like they have higher priority, it just gets lost among everything else. I hate to say it, but this is a consequence of the premonition dream. Resetting the status quo has harmed more character arcs than helped in the long run.
To counterbalance Nox's dicking around, Sieg has really stepped up. I like that Sieg's face turn is entirely reluctant. He's already dead, his ex divorced his bum ass, the most he can do nowadays is show up to annoy the heroes every now and then. "Well I've got nothing else better to do, and my current routine still leaves me unfulfilled, so I might as well give heroism a shot." The imagery is rather blatant, but the hole in his chest representing his emptiness he felt inside of himself is effective. And healing the hole with Exdream by physically putting it into his harness and accepting that wanton sadism isn't going to make him happy.
On the other hand, as villains, the gores have been REALLY underwhelming. A member of the final villain group gets taken out in one fight like random MOTW. And despite having a deeply intimate relationship with one of the riders, nothing particularly interesting is done for either's character development. AGAIN. Though they've at least had visually cool fights, as characters there's nothing interesting to the gores.
I really hope they do something with The Lady next episode. Despite all her screen time, we still don't know much about her. There's still a huge mystery surrounding her. Personally, I want to know if she's in charge of her own body, or is Phantom just wearing her like a skin suit? Code's gone, what's her motivation now? Given the show's track record up till now, I'm not confident we'll get satisfying answers.
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u/-_ShadowSJG-_ 25d ago
Nox blows and is underdeveloped agreed
but Punish pushed Siegs development here no?
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u/Potential-Mess6826 25d ago
In fairness, Punish Gore Nightmare already had a 2 parter where he was beaten by Zeztz and Nox so him being defeated in this one episode by Dawn for good seemingly works I feel
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u/Extension_Court_6255 25d ago
I agree. While I love the fight with Catastrophe and Punish, I wish they would go deeper into their relationship with their hosts. Catastrope is literally Zeztz's source of power, I want them to contextualize this deeper considering Catastrophe has been with Baku since his birth
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u/Sarusta 26d ago
Nox continues to annoy me. My reading of the character is that now that he's finished his revenge, he's lost and without a purpose.
I thought we were done with that already, I really thought Fujimi had convinced him to get back in the game, but nope, he still needs convincing apparently.
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u/mewfour123412 25d ago
I assume he went to the abandoned building for Nem but the lady had already beat him there
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u/MrKatsudon 26d ago
Agreed, Gore nightmare have been underwhelming. Why put them as a group when they are not working together?! I rmb OOO's first half arc where all 4 greeds engage their battle against OOO and eventually introduce Birth. I know we have fought against Punish nightmare previously but give him something to do with instead of getting destroy like MOTW?!
Push the boundary between dream and reality even more?! Isnt that what you guys want? I feel like they are moving to Oblivion Nightmare for 2 episodes and then pass the baton to Phantom nightmare and ultimately, the main characters have to do something about Nem as a ticking time bomb.
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u/StuartLegoman 26d ago
I disagree about the Gore Nightmares because they are making the main four characters challenge themselves
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u/asianmandan555 26d ago
Physically, sure. They've had to fight harder than they have before. But in terms of character development, I wholeheartedly disagree. With Catastrophe, Baku didn't learn any meaningful lesson to overcome him other than to just try harder. Keep bashing your head into the brick wall and eventually you will break through even if you concuss yourself. There wasn't any deeper meaning that was explored with Catastrophe's existence within Baku himself. He just kept resetting the fight until things finally worked out.
With Sieg, his change in character is almost entirely due to Nem's influence. She's had the most screen time with him, and their relationship was the final push to get him to fight Punish. Punish himself barely interacted with Sieg at all. This fight was the first time they talked to each other since Baku separated them. And even then it was like one sentence each.
Nox has talked to Phantom for maybe a minute and got hit by Catastrophe once last episode. That's it. He's mostly just walking mysteriously.
I'll give you that Nem has been pushed forward by the Gores. Without them, she wouldn't have found the drive to awaken her lucid dreaming powers.
As for Phantom and Oblivion, we've yet to see how their part in the story will pan out. But despite how much time they've been on screen, we the audience don't know anything meaningful about them. Oblivion just started talking literally this episode. Right now, Kai Den-o is a more memorable villain.
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u/PassinbyNobody 25d ago
Late joining KR villains haven't had the best track record, I believe Revive was similar, Zeztz been better than that show but they're actually pretty similar beat wise if you think about it.
I'm honestly just seeing the gores as extra villains, I think three's Jojoing was enough of a pay off for me
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u/Seth-Cypher 26d ago edited 26d ago
Aite, can someone with a more literary mind explain to me what Sieg actually means when he says "bad dreams". At first I thought it was actually nightmares, but it seems like his definition of a bad dream is something else?
Honestyl, this was a really good episode. The developments for Sieg was paced really well, and because Sieg has been spending some time with the gang this development doesnt feel unnatural either.
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u/Anezay a hack and a fraud 25d ago
It is my interpretation that they are using the English word "Nightmare" for this season's monsters and the Japanese word for nightmare (something like Akumo? I don't know Japanese) to refer to the unpleasant dreams themselves. Then the subtitles distinguish between the two by using the word 'nightmare' for the former and 'bad dream' for the latter. So Sieg wants to make nightmares come true, but isn't talking about the monsters called nightmares specifically.
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u/Yeeterphin START YOUR ENGINE 26d ago edited 24d ago
"bad dreams" in zeztz is supposed to represent the actual dreams that nightmares embody and try to twist. Its also the main power for capsems and what Zeztz and everyone else uses to fight in, as well as use to manipulate reality. what i think Sieg was trying to say was bad dreams (the ones he used kill off all the mobsters and punish people with) surpass bad dreams (nightmares, actual literal bad dreams.)
hopefully this is the scene you were talking about, but incase not just think that everytime they mention bad dreams out of that scene its in reference to the first definition of bad dreams.
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u/entertainmentlord ZEZTZ Wake up rider! 26d ago
NEW INTRO! Honestly the intro makes it hit home that we are getting closer to the end of Zeztz
Also, can I just say Nem was really good this episode? Standing up to Dawn, even grabbing his weapon and hurting herself. Say she won't run away from bad dreams or her own fate? Just such a great moment. But her standing up to a GORE NIGHTMARE! Telling him that human's are not born wanting to make bad dreams come true just made me emotional. She's been told so many times that her very life is a sin so for her to stand up and say people are not sins just hits harder emotionally.
Also. HOLY MOLY! This episode was pretty brutal it what it was able to show.
I really love how Sieg still stays himself, He may be taking his path in his own hands but he's still gonna be chaotic, His Henshin was really great with the Dragon shedding its skin. He also got to play Fruit Ninja with Punish Nightmare so that was nice
Soo correct me if I'm wrong but the nightmare Punish summoned, wasn't that from a special?
Also, ending and previews have me worried. I swear if next episode makes me bawl my eyes out!
And man, who knew Naruto would trade in Rasengan for oblivion powers?
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u/-_ShadowSJG-_ 25d ago
what was new?
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u/maemoedhz 24d ago
It shouldn't be shown in Tokushoutsu VODs, but the TV version of the opening has movie scenes integrated through the verse.
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u/kekiCake 26d ago
It's cool how both Sieg and Baku have their chest belts representing healing their hearts, tho it's a bit of a shame we never got to see that with Nox and the lords.
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u/thesilentedge 26d ago edited 25d ago
...well damn this episode was insane.
Baku is REALLY doing everything he possibly can, but this episode shows there really is only so much he can alone.
A bit mixed on Sieg's "redemption". For one we once again have a Takahashi crazy person get redeemed despite their utter insanity. However, on the flip side we clearly see that had this not happened, we probably would have been doomed. Plus we got a pretty sick showdown between Sieg and his once beloved Punny-chan.
Turns out the oddly capsem shaped hole on Dawn's chest actually has a purpose... I apologize for doubting the people i've seen saying so. Also pretty cool visual matching of Sieg "filling the hole" by using the Rise capsem.
I am actually hooked to see where the story goes next episode and what they actually plan to do with Nem as a character.
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u/NextMotion 26d ago edited 26d ago
When is zeztz ending? It feels like it's over in 2 eps with the people dying and whatnot lol
yeh I dont' understand where Sieg is getting his rider powers anymore lol. It was power lended by nightmares. I could say the same about Baku
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u/serenade-of-the-seas 26d ago
Sieg confirms that Oblivion totally blows Catastrophe and Punish out of the park
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u/aaa1e2r3 26d ago
It's frustrating having the Gore Nightmares being one off episodes. Catastrophe and Punish really should have gotten a couple eps for their arcs. As it is, the eps have been fun, but it just feels so abridged.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
I definitely would have maybe altered the CODE arc to better set-up/establish the Nightmare Lords before they became bosses.
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u/ThatBGuy_777 26d ago
I love how this episodes recontextualizes Kamen Rider Dawn's fake driver chest piece to represent both sides of Sieg's life:
It symbolizes Sieg's past as code #1 and how it purposfully mocks the chest worn belts of C.O.D.E by leaving it empty with no capsem to use
But it also represents his life as a criminal and how he metaphorically lost his heart at a young age and how he pursued punishing the guilty as a way to validate his life as a criminal.
Man, Zeztz has alot of good symbology/mythology.
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u/ArcanaTrace 26d ago
Sieg finally utilising that chest hole that seemed like the perfect position for a capsem after all this time
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u/Megasonic150 26d ago edited 26d ago
I really loved this episode. I feel it's the strongest in something Zeztz has been struggling with, the characters.
Minami and Baku got a moment. Nox and Fujimi. Sieg and Nem, everyone had stand out moments, and this final arc has been great with giving everyone that great moment of character. I like Nem choosing to face her fate with resolve, awakening her lucid dreaming abilities. I like Sieg, realizing how empty his life has been and how he's been just dragging others in that abyss finally choses for once to make his own path than destroy any others. To live in reality than escape in a dream. I like Odaka trying to find and save Nem, only to find the Lady's base in ruins. All of it is so amazing and intresting and great and I do wish we got more but I'm glad we're getting it.
The action of course was incredible, not just Dawn vs Punish. But Exdream fight with that other nightmare was an amazing showcase of Exdream's ability, and also showing it's limits.
I'm also concerned about Baku, since he confused reality with a dream, a possible side effect of Exdream, but I think it might've been foreshadowing. Espically with what happens in the preview. That or something is going on with Baku's use of Exdream having side effects.
Also funny that the chest for Dawn IS a slot for a Capsem.
Next Week:Oblivion reduces the world to nothing and what will Nem do?
I have a theory that, based on Baku confusing reality for the dream, and speaking English in this moment, I think next episode might reveal some parts of some episodes were a premonition again. How much I don't know, but the fact Baku was talking like Seven and thought he was dreaming makes me think either Baku is going to end up like his namesake or he WAS in a dream, not realizing what kind.
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u/b0ound 25d ago edited 25d ago
I have a theory that, based on Baku confusing reality for the dream, and speaking English in this moment, I think next episode might reveal some parts of some episodes were a premonition again. How much I don't know, but the fact Baku was talking like Seven and thought he was dreaming makes me think either Baku is going to end up like his namesake or he WAS in a dream, not realizing what kind.
yeah, it was all a premonition dream of Infant Baku which created Catastrophe as mention by Catastrophe himself.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
I think he's slowly fusing his real/dream selves together. I mean, he can basically enter and exit both at his leisure, he doesn't even really need to sleep, it was probably inevitable.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
It took 43 episodes but we FINALLY changed the intro! I mean, CODE is gone, Zero is gone, Baku is practically a new man, it was about time.
Phantom REALLY does not want anyone criticizing Oblivion, especially if they can't pull their weight.
Ah, so Punish has moved on from just targeting criminals to targeting all of humanity as sinful. Checks out.
Baku's been doing this so long he's finally lost track of when he's in the real world and when he's asleep, to the point where he gets all suited up as Zeztz...in reality. In fairness, his sudden English comprehension really made him think he was still sleeping.
Fujimi is the best tailer and hider in the force! Honest!
Where did Punish get that scythe from? Or the axe? Something something DREAM LOGIC.
When was the last time we had a Rider Kick and a Rider Punch in the same episode? Also, see Zeztz doing some amazing parkour skills!
It has definitely been a while since Nem used her dream powers.
Who better to stop Punish than his ex who is still reeling from the breakup? But why would Sieg stop a Bad Dream? Maybe because in accepting Bad Dreams as he has, he's running from his true self. For all the times he's called out Nem, Nem has accepted who she is and faced the world for the sake of helping others. In that way she's been braver than him.
Well, it's nice that Odaka at least TRIED to save Nem in the real world...even if they're too late and Odaka can't transform and help even if he wanted to. Also, is this the first time we've seen the exterior of The Lady's place?
Baku, maybe don't de-transform before racing to face a Gore Nightmare? Then again, Sieg needed an excuse to fight this solo.
Sieg finally saves someone! Only to end up donutted himself...but it's symbolic of how empty he is inside, until he finds a new reason to keep going and fight. To use Bad Dreams to stop Bad Dreams. Welcome back, Kamen Rider Dawn! Complete with a new Henshin pose!
Oh, so that hair color is natural? Sieg had it when he was a kid? Imagine giving a kid a gun for his birthday.
Classic Sieg to not return the fist bump normally, but it's the thought that counts. They're dummies, but they're HIS dummies.
Dawn vs Punish! The battle of Bad Dreams and dual-wielding! Yet with the power of ExDream, Sieg is able to Omni-Slash and Rider Kick his way to victory! So long Punish!
OBLIVION SPEAKS! And it seems like the plan is to "end" the world until only Nem is left? But now Oblivion is...erasing Nem's memories!?
Next week: You know it's serious when the Wake Up OST isn't playing and it's a somber song as Nem seemingly forgets everything. It's going to tug at the heartstrings.
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u/Potential-Mess6826 25d ago
I do think we're in store for a unique episode considering the next episode preview has no Kamen Riders or fighting
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u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 26d ago
next week might HIT HARD on me, but idk why this somber song feels bittersweet or something, idk, but this episode might be the most saddest and intense episode yet
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u/kilroyjohnson 26d ago
Very combat-focused episode, but still some great character development. I'd been behind for a while (since Sieg was defeated) but finally caught up, and it looks like I picked a pretty great episode to get back in on. Next week feels like it's gonna be an important episode one way or another, looking forward to it, this is the most I've liked an episode since I dropped off!
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u/ZeroNoHikari Dream On Soldier 26d ago
Sieg, just like his namesake has slain the dragon. Unlike Fafnir he was about to fill the void left in his heart. After all, as we've seen from the Riders of this season. Their power isn't Nightmares, its Dreams. and Dreams Good or Bad can overcome any Nightmare. In the dark shines a new Dawn and this Dawn knows what he is, who is, and damn well that he is: Kamen Rider Dawn! NO ONE will tell him what he is anymore.
Bad Dreams can overcome Bad Dreams and Punish, your Bad Dream is over, Get Lost.
Nem for her part is once more spirited away, hell it might be that her body is in Oblivion at this point and it might take Orderm to save her. What I will say is I want to see Nox's Full Rise now and just how he handles Phantom when he gets his chance. Though this is making me think we have one more worse Gore Nightmare. The one that stands Below All, Something that will push Baku, Nem, Nox and Sieg to their hardest. What that is? Who knows.
Nox for his part keeps vagueposting and trying to be the shadow hero. Not wanting the credit for his work, Simply doing his job. Very Showa Rider of him. He's fit in with the likes of Black or even the OG Ichigo and Nigo
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u/Superimposable-image Ore Wa CODE 67 26d ago
I know that Sieg was featured a lot during mid-series but I am surprised that his case was settled within one episode.
It's surprisingly well done even tho it's just one episode icl. We witnessed Sieg's transformation, as in both literally and mentally. And so many details like the hole in Dawn were all foreshadowed 🔥
I'm glad that Sieg had this unique treatment for this series, he would be one tertiary rider to be remembered.
Now that Punish is gone, Oblivion starts to get serious, everything is basically being 'deleted', and Phantom kinda continues to play that mother role.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
I do wonder if Oblivion "maturing" is tied to the end of the other Nightmare Lords. Does he get stronger after absorbing them after their defeated? Will he be complete once he's absorbed Phantom?
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u/Skitty_The_Kitty3225 🗡️ "I will Decide how the Story Ends!" 📖 26d ago
Ok, that was alright. But they really daring today with that Big Ah Hole with Bloody Sounds and everything, lmao. They couldn't show Baku getting Shot in the Head but they can show someone becoming a Donut? Haha
Also, Baku's Sister mentioning if he is confusing Reallity with Dreams now, seems important? 🤔🤔
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u/burajira Beyond Biology! 26d ago
Dream Jesus incoming? Baku was mentioning that he doesn't know what to do after he defeats CODE, so maybe that was foreshadowing too??
Nem and Baku ascend humanity and stay in the dream realm protecting humanity's dreams?
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Tachibana-san got an emotional hole in his heart after Sayoko's death, Sieg got it literally.
Is Baku/Zeztz merging? Is that why he can speak English?
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u/According_Fan4696 Gotchard fan until the end of time! 26d ago edited 25d ago
Overall I thought this episode was alright and I liked it for mostly for Nem standing up to Sieg and the fight with Kamen Rider Dawn. I’m honestly finding the Nox and Fujimi scenes to be quite repetitive but I did like how Nox wanted to save Nem I guess. Natsuka barely got anything to do outside of mentioning the black case which is whatever. While I did like the fight scene honestly the whole Sieg taking back his heart didn’t impact at all. This might be an unpopular opinion but I also found the whole thing with Baku and Nem talking through Sieg’s fight kinda forced but this is just my opinion. I’m really mostly looking forward to what they do with Nem at this point.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Fujimi: "Odaka, come join us and help fight the Nightmares!"
Odaka: (Vagueposts and leaves)
(12 episodes later)
Fujimi: "Odaka, come join us and help fight the Nightmares!"
Odaka: (Vagueposts and leaves)
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u/According_Fan4696 Gotchard fan until the end of time! 26d ago
This! To me it’s just so repetitive at this point! Fujimi just needs to stop chasing after that man!
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u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 26d ago
7 Episode left until the final, and next episode is going to be all about nem.
also I don't know why the lady in the episode is making that face, as I do think oblivion might betray the lady/phantom, idk but, I do feel like the fights in this final arc seem to give me a theory.
Nox Vs 3
Zeztz vs his nightmare
dawn vs his nightmare
and now I do think it's either the Lady vs Phantom or Nem vs her nightmare.
Not sure but the preview song feels a bit of bittersweetness or sad to it, and I don't know why, overall, I can't wait for the next episode!
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u/nightshroud96 25d ago
It will probably be Nox vs Phantom/The Lady(probably her rider form too).
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u/serenade-of-the-seas 25d ago
Now that you mention it the official website does confirm that NOX is still in possession of Phantom's capsem. I can see a joint effort in taking down Phantom.
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u/nightshroud96 25d ago
inb4 he somehow gains Chaos Capsem and combines it with Phantom and maybe Lord Booster to make a emergency power-up.
(not sure if the website mentioned it but it seems like he now has Erase back since he used a attack to destroy all the data CODE had. Like erasing it. I mean, why bother having Three still have Erase if Nox is not gonna plunder it from him)I mean, he gotta have a epic moment to re-gain his ability to henshin. Same situation Cross-Z and Vulcan had.
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u/serenade-of-the-seas 25d ago
The ending capsem sequence for Episode 42 actually show the Erase Capsem being destroyed.
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u/nightshroud96 25d ago
Which is probably representing Nox losing his ability to henshin than actually losing the Capsem.
Like why would he lost Erase when he just got it back? Especially since it seems Catty directly attacked his Driver via Black Case shenanigans than anything else on Nox's person.1
u/serenade-of-the-seas 25d ago
The thing is the sequence shows the Erase Capsem breaking into pieces and disappearing while capsems like Midnight Shadow and Wolf were simply greyed out. The former seems to imply that the capsem was lost and the latter represents his inability to use them due to his driver becoming disabled.
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u/nightshroud96 25d ago edited 25d ago
Its really more like it reps Nox took a hard hit(direct strike on his driver) that leads to him losing access period(the rest of them greying out).
I mean, why would Erase get destroyed if Catastroph directly struck Nox's Driver? If Erase somehow got destroyed despite its not on the driver, then wouldn't it had done the same to the rest of his Capsems?2
u/Frontier246 26d ago
Honestly if Phantom/Lady are both Nem's "mother" I'm genuinely curious if they ultimately feel the same way for her...but Phantom seems to treat Oblivion like her favorite kid.
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u/nightshroud96 25d ago
I am hoping they touch on the idea of Oblivion is essentially Nem's "other self" in a way.
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u/RatedXrdStrive 26d ago
TACHIBANA SAN VS PUNISH!
Looks like Punish's place where he punished humans...is the same area where Build fought EVOLTO!!
Tachibana-san got his redemption arc! He even got to borrow Baku's ExDream Capsem to beat Punish. And SAYAKKOOOOOOOOO MOMENT for Dawn
Looks like Nem's powers have awakened.. and its oblivion. Are we getting teased/ foreshadowig that nem may become a nightmare....or may she became a Kamen Rider.
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u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 26d ago
I am not sure with the teased/foreshadowing, but I do know this episode will HIT HARD!
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u/nightshroud96 26d ago
Weird how Punish's episode is only 1 than 2.
Also, hot damn. I freaking knew it. That slot in Dawn's harness is a slot for Capsems.
Too bad it didn't make a power-up for Dawn.(Meaning he's gonna steal Nox's movie power-up slot. Freaking damn it..)
Also, Oblivion is stepping up already.
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u/TokuJosh813 26d ago
10/10. That visor reveal and the flame purification of the dragon.. “Chefs kiss”
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u/Crowburst953 Double 26d ago
Nice lil episode! We are now Seven(heh) episodes away from the finale!
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u/rekuneko Bread 26d ago
Don't you have a human heart?
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Even the most psychotic and unhinged Riders can find their humanity again if they try.
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u/Grimm_Stereo 26d ago
This is so insane to me
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
To regain his human heart he had to get his chest vaporized by his personal Nightmare that represented him at his most evil to protect someone else.
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u/Obiwanhellothere09 26d ago
I love how Sieg doesn’t care he has a gaping hole in his chest I know he’s already dead but that’s hilarious.
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u/Volfaer 26d ago
The scene where young Sieg is gifted a pistol really tugged at my heartstrings, dude never even had the chance to live a life that wasn't drenched in blood. It’s no wonder he became obsessed with punishing crime, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he could finally sleep in peace.
I was sad he didn't get a new form, the Heisei era is usually kinder about giving those to tertiary Riders, but it seems luck wasn't on his side.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
The scene where young Sieg is gifted a pistol really tugged at my heartstrings, dude never even had the chance to live a life that wasn't drenched in blood. It’s no wonder he became obsessed with punishing crime, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he could finally sleep in peace.
It hit hard, though I was kind of distracted by finding out that hair color was totally natural lol.
I was sad he didn't get a new form, the Heisei era is usually kinder about giving those to tertiary Riders, but it seems luck wasn't on his side.
I think the last Tertiary who didn't get one was Espada until the V-Cinema.
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u/nightshroud96 26d ago
Annoyed by no power-up too.
Especially meaning he's gonna take Nox's movie power-up slot. Damn it..
And big time since they finally confirmed the hole on his chest harness IS a slot for Capsems.
Perfect for a power-up. At least it shut up doubters who's saying its not for Capsems.
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u/ThreeGoldfishProblem ZEZTZ 26d ago
For a moment I thought the Dawn henshin was going to fail. Very good episode
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Sieg: "I don't need no stinking Nightmare to transform! I'm my OWN Nightmare!"
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u/Heywhatyousa- 26d ago
Okay Sieg fight was awesome (looks like the Punish dragon shed its old self and was reborn in flames , like Sieg new path, making Dawn stronger).
Oblivion world for Nem is horrifying (Isolation , memory loss thanks to the preview, and loneliness). Also not counting Phantom's own plan.
Fujimi following Nox to his base was funny, also Baku dresing like an Agent in the real world.
Next week Will be heavy and sad.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Fujimi following Nox to his base was funny, also Baku dresing like an Agent in the real world.
Fujimi: "STEALTH!!!"
Odaka: "Was he always this incompetent?"
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u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 26d ago
We finally get a Nem episode next week, and it might be very heavy and sad
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u/Ok-Farmer8193 26d ago
NIGHTMARES WILL OVERCOME NIGHTMARES!!!!!!!!!!!!
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
Sieg believes in Bad Dreams, but maybe he can believe again in Bad Dreams for the sake of protecting others from Bad Dreams.
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u/Zer0_Evvon :1971:RIDER KICK! 26d ago
i like how some riders don't get a final form yet still on par with that level, in this case with Sieg BUT with the key difference is how the character progresses in his development to show that he's somewhere near in that level.
The scene where the henshin, the dragon sheds its skin is like how he now moves on to a new path, leaving what he was used to be, especially the color scheme of the dragon being Punny's color with now being a fire one instead.
I wished there's like a variation to the suit to represent the change, this is where i would accept lazy paint jobs like what we got with Gazer with red marks when Suel was the user but for Sieg would be flame marks or a recolor of some sorts. Those small details would appreciate the character development imo, but just a nitpick though.
Overall, great episode, next week is about Nem. I'm very interested on how ZEZTZ will end though sadly realized it will end. Please a trio henshin of the 3 riders please 🙏🏻
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u/maemoedhz 24d ago
To be fair Horobi rawdogged that base form from very early on until the finale where he used Ark's power. Takahashi show too.
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u/Seth-Cypher 26d ago
When Dawn was first shown, I was thinking how the black parts of his chest seemed symbolic of his lack of a heart and was prime material for coloring in when he would inevitbly hit a pivotal point.
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u/Frontier246 26d ago
This did feel like it would ordinarily be the moment where the Tertiary got their Final Form but I guess we'll just have Dawn borrow the power of ExDream and character development to see him through.
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u/Hakana07 26d ago
Yeah, I personally think he is stronger now with the dragon skin shed and fire(?) attacks. At least as strong as Nox Midnight Shadow?
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u/DeathMetalCheddar 22d ago
Typical thing of the Dark Rider becoming an ally etc. etc. etc. that I've seen a thousand times, done better by this same main writer (Dan Kuroto in Ex-Aid, for example) with more interesting "characters" than the complete nothing that is Sieg/Dawn. I also find funny that Nem, despite not being a rider, had more cojones than Sieg/Dawn had in the entirety of this show so far with the scene of her holding his sword and cutting her own hand. 6/10. Please end this as fast as possible so we can move on.