Peak Toku
When I started GARO: Hagane wo Tsugomono, I never imagined I would end it as satisfied as I did. The presentation and the above-average performances (for tokusatsu)… And what can be said about the costumes and practical effects? Incredible. Garo, as always, sets the standard for visual effects (and even CGI) within the tokusatsu genre.The script, despite being simple, managed to keep me engaged, especially from episode 6 onward. Could the ending have been better developed (with fewer genre clichés)? Yes, it could have. Still, the execution was very solid.
In fact, I must say that after following several seasons featuring Ryōga, he is finally becoming as interesting and believable as the fan favorite, Kōga (at least to me). In this season, you can clearly see the character’s evolution compared to previous stories, more respectful and more mature, I would say (though the actor hasn’t improved much from his earlier performances, lol).
I only have one major complaint: the script is simple, but being simple and not taking many risks isn’t the real issue. The problem is the limited time given to develop the story (only 12 episodes). I can’t believe I’m complaining about a tokusatsu having too few episodes, but the narrative would have flowed much better if it had more screen time to flesh out the story and each character’s motivations, and consequently make the audience care more about them. It feels a bit too rushed. I believe this is the season’s biggest flaw.
Now we wait, my fellow GARO fans, the next season is expected to release in 2026.
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This review may contain spoilers
"The Movie"
Jyamato Awakening is a great special. It helped give Buffa more depth and brought his character arc to a close (he became an adoptive father, lol). The story is shallow; it mainly serves as another excuse to bring Geats back to television screens. That said, the special is still fun. It works as a finale for the Geats series (or not — you can easily skip this one). If you are a die-hard Geats fan, maybe this is essential for you.Was this review helpful to you?
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Jesus Rider
This is, without exaggeration, the best Kamen Rider I have ever watched (so far), and it became my favorite as soon as I finished it. One major problem with Kamen Rider series is that, when the format tries to combine its story with a long episodic pacing (49–50 episodes), the narrative often becomes dull and poorly cohesive. This is definitely not the case with Geats: all of its arcs, from the earliest to the final ones, are filled with strong character development and solid storytelling.The idea of adopting a battle royale style combined with an audience-pleasing concept is very interesting without feeling dated to the genre (could it have taken more risks? Yes, for instance, by portraying the audience’s addiction and desire for violence, etc.). Still, within what it proposes, a youth-oriented tokusatsu, the show exceeds expectations and delivers excellent entertainment. The fights and camera work are outstanding.
Kan Hideyoshi also does a great job as the Rider; he has a lot of potential as an actor (unfortunately, I’ve heard he’s being used as fujoshi bait > Japan does waste its talents sometimes).
Entering spoiler territory, unlike some viewers, I liked the ending. Despite a few plot conveniences, the resolution of the “Jesus Rider” fits well within the narrative.
Overall, it’s a phenomenal Kamen Rider work and so far, my favorite.
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Kamen Rider Geats × Revice: Movie Battle Royale
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The strongest aspect of the movie is its fight choreography, which is well-executed, fast-paced, and designed to showcase each Rider’s suit and unique abilities. For a tokusatsu production, the special effects are also competent, featuring decent CGI, explosions, and transformation sequences that look polished and entertaining.
However, the film’s main weakness lies in its story, which is overly simple and largely unengaging. The plot functions merely as an excuse to bring characters together, without offering meaningful conflicts or exploring the contrast between the worlds of Geats and Revice. The villains are generic, their motivations underdeveloped, and the narrative unfolds in a predictable, formulaic way.
It works as light entertainment for fans, yet it is ultimately forgettable.
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Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General
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The Best One So Far
They did an excellent job developing Ouki’s character, even better than in the anime adaptations. The story was well structured, and Riboku’s introduction was solid (the actor really captured the character). The film’s production made sure no character felt left out of the narrative. The effects are top-notch, and the choreography pulled off the impossible: making Glaive fights look both real and exciting. I was genuinely impressed by this movie. I liked it just as much as the second one. Definitely a movie to watch with popcorn on a Saturday night.Was this review helpful to you?
I Liked the Previous One More
Nothing too different from what we saw in the first and second movies so far. The fight choreography is great, but the story might feel a bit slow for those who aren’t that familiar with the Kingdom universe (even I felt that way at times). I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous one. Still, it gives a decent continuation to the story and, as much as possible, stays faithful to the original.Was this review helpful to you?
Much Better Than the First One
I know that many hardcore fans like me, both of the manga and anime, usually don’t give live-action adaptations a chance. But I have to say, in this second movie I found the producers’ decisions much more on point. The narrative is rushed, but at least it’s not poorly done and stays true to the original material. The actor who plays General Ouki is really good — the rest of the cast is just okay (though I did like the actress who plays Kyoukai). The facial expressions the actor playing Shin makes are still annoying. The fight scenes and effects are very well done and nicely choreographed (could’ve used a bit more violence, but that’s fine). Overall, it’s a fun movie — perfect for a Saturday night with some buttery popcorn.Was this review helpful to you?
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This is how GARO should be directed and written.
A very enjoyable movie to watch. Keita Amemiya was born to direct GARO (after all, he's its creator). The fluidity of the combat and the effects are exactly as GARO should be. The screenplay is infinitely better than 'The One Who Shines In The Darkness' that precedes this story. It's not even fair to make a comparison. The idea that eliminating the 'Horrors' while considering the evil they cause would also mean eliminating the greatest source of evil in the human world: humanity itself, is very well explored. It demonstrates this delicate line that the Makai priests and warriors have to deal with. It's very interesting to see the story unfold. For the first time, it made me care about the characters Ryuga and Rian. An essential film for GARO fans.Was this review helpful to you?
Seven! Seven! Seven!
I watched it some time ago and decided to write this review now. The master Tsuburaya was still shining with his brilliance when producing this incredible work. Ultraseven is not only a great piece of tokusatsu genre, but also one of the best science fiction productions of its time. I must say that the effects are amazing, in my opinion even better than its successor (Ultraman Jack). The actors also do a good job in embodying the characters. It's very interesting to have an alien who disguises himself as a human instead of possessing a host. Dan is a character of great depth.What impresses me the most about Ultraseven is the quality of storytelling and the special effects that complement it. Each episode is surrounded by intriguing and captivating mysteries.
Watch it without fear! This work is among the greats of science fiction, and unlike its predecessor, I didn't find it tiresome to watch practically any episode.
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The birth of the Giant of Light
I watched it some time ago and decided to write this review now. Ultraman is born from the creativity of a team, and more specifically, one man: Eiji Tsuburaya. Since Ultra Q, the conflict between monsters and humanity has captured the audience's interest. The effects, miniatures, creatures, villains, and motivations of each character... This series encapsulates the essence of tokusatsu imagination, and it has influenced and continues to influence the entire science fiction genre. Despite having a main hero in a common and cliché form, it's worth applauding how experimental and daring the storytelling is in this series. There is no fear in exploring moral dilemmas and human conflicts, all with a good touch of mystery and action.In short, if you can overcome any prejudice towards older effects and the episodic and slow pace, definitely watch Ultraman!
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Decker!
The action in the latest Ultraman series is incredible! And now, with Decker, it's no different. The characters have much greater depth compared to Trigger. Kanata isn't just that perfect hero with the motivation to make everyone smile; he tries to develop his motivation throughout the series while dealing with the dilemmas of humanity and fighting monsters. The effects are simple but captivating and vibrant as always. The direction, camera angles, and miniatures are done with great dedication. The homage to Dyna may go unnoticed, but it's there. I'm excited to see what the new Ultraman series can bring us in the future! I highly recommend Decker to all tokusatsu fans as it's fun to watch!Was this review helpful to you?
