10 commentaires
- ahmedbukhari-37602
- 1 mars 2019
- Lien permanent
Before watching Kamen Rider Ryuki the only other series I had watched was the very first one from 1971. I chose this one because a friend of mine went on a rant saying that the ending pissed him off a bit which got me quite curious.
The whole premise of this series is exceedingly fascinating in my opinion. I went into this without even reading a single thing about the plot so the growing number of riders caught me by surprise. It's practically like someone decided to remake Battle Royale (2000) with Kamen Riders. As the more the show went on and more details came to the light, the entire premise just became more and more captivating. I was surprised with how a good handful of the story was actually quite dark and mature for what is technically a kids show. Thankfully the darker and edgier parts are balanced out quite well by the great comedic moments. I really liked how a good chunk of the comedic moments were quick and subtle, unfortunately a ton of shows in general let some jokes linger for too long which hurts or kills the joke in my opinion but thankfully that does not happen in this show too often.
I found Shinji Kido to be a decent main character, sure his naivety can be a little repetitive and some might find it annoying but I actually thought it was realistic since the dude's young and just found himself in a bizarre situation he knew absolutely nothing about, it's no wonder he has breakdowns here and there. Ren Akiyama was a blast, he is the embodiment of what I'd most likely expect a edgy lone rival to actually be like. I think I'd say Takeshi Asakura and Shuichi Kitaoka were my fav. Riders. Asakura simply due to how exceedingly crazy the dude seemed to be, hell his entire backstory is nuts. Seeing a maniacal guy like him in this show was quite exciting, I just wanted to see how much crazier his antics would get with every appearance he made. Kitaoka never failed to make me laugh and he had an incredibly over the top super attack that I freaking love!
The only characters I really didn't care for were Nanako Shimada and Megumi Asano. Nanako was only really helpful for 1 single episode in my opinion and Megumi only felt relevant in her debut episode. They were actually the least funny characters in the show in my opinion.
I can definitely see why my friend did not like the ending of this series and I've actually heard that quite a number of fans out there did not like it either. I completely understand why folks will say that the ending is just a 'cop-out' but despite that I actually do appreciate parts of it somehow. It certainly wasn't what I expected at all and I even agree with all the criticisms I have seen about it but to me it somehow ended in a way that just felt...poignantly right in my opinion. When I stop to think about the ending I truly feel like the ending we got was the only appropriate way to end this story. This is one of those shows that you're better off watching completely so you can form your own opinion instead of going by what you hear.
Overall I definitely enjoyed Ryuki a lot. It was very fun, had very engaging and well developed characters, exceedingly unique rider designs, a superb atmosphere/setting and a thought provoking plot in my opinion. It's by no means a perfect series with a divisive end but the positives far outweigh the negatives if you ask me. So sorry to drag this on for so long but I just really had tons of fun watching this series.
The whole premise of this series is exceedingly fascinating in my opinion. I went into this without even reading a single thing about the plot so the growing number of riders caught me by surprise. It's practically like someone decided to remake Battle Royale (2000) with Kamen Riders. As the more the show went on and more details came to the light, the entire premise just became more and more captivating. I was surprised with how a good handful of the story was actually quite dark and mature for what is technically a kids show. Thankfully the darker and edgier parts are balanced out quite well by the great comedic moments. I really liked how a good chunk of the comedic moments were quick and subtle, unfortunately a ton of shows in general let some jokes linger for too long which hurts or kills the joke in my opinion but thankfully that does not happen in this show too often.
I found Shinji Kido to be a decent main character, sure his naivety can be a little repetitive and some might find it annoying but I actually thought it was realistic since the dude's young and just found himself in a bizarre situation he knew absolutely nothing about, it's no wonder he has breakdowns here and there. Ren Akiyama was a blast, he is the embodiment of what I'd most likely expect a edgy lone rival to actually be like. I think I'd say Takeshi Asakura and Shuichi Kitaoka were my fav. Riders. Asakura simply due to how exceedingly crazy the dude seemed to be, hell his entire backstory is nuts. Seeing a maniacal guy like him in this show was quite exciting, I just wanted to see how much crazier his antics would get with every appearance he made. Kitaoka never failed to make me laugh and he had an incredibly over the top super attack that I freaking love!
The only characters I really didn't care for were Nanako Shimada and Megumi Asano. Nanako was only really helpful for 1 single episode in my opinion and Megumi only felt relevant in her debut episode. They were actually the least funny characters in the show in my opinion.
I can definitely see why my friend did not like the ending of this series and I've actually heard that quite a number of fans out there did not like it either. I completely understand why folks will say that the ending is just a 'cop-out' but despite that I actually do appreciate parts of it somehow. It certainly wasn't what I expected at all and I even agree with all the criticisms I have seen about it but to me it somehow ended in a way that just felt...poignantly right in my opinion. When I stop to think about the ending I truly feel like the ending we got was the only appropriate way to end this story. This is one of those shows that you're better off watching completely so you can form your own opinion instead of going by what you hear.
Overall I definitely enjoyed Ryuki a lot. It was very fun, had very engaging and well developed characters, exceedingly unique rider designs, a superb atmosphere/setting and a thought provoking plot in my opinion. It's by no means a perfect series with a divisive end but the positives far outweigh the negatives if you ask me. So sorry to drag this on for so long but I just really had tons of fun watching this series.
- MrX867
- 22 janv. 2023
- Lien permanent
"What if heroes were not united by justice, but divided by survival?" This series delivers one of the most daring narratives in the tokusatsu genre, breaking away from the familiar "hero versus villain" formula and replacing it with a morally ambiguous Rider Battle, where thirteen combatants fight for their wishes inside the mysterious Mirror World.
From an analytical standpoint, it distinguishes itself through layered storytelling and philosophical undertones. The protagonist, driven by optimism and empathy, enters this deadly game not to win but to protect others-a striking contrast to the self-serving motives of many rivals. This clash of ideals becomes the heart of the narrative, as each participant represents a different moral compass, from selfish ambition to reluctant duty, making the conflict less about power and more about the human condition.
The Mirror World setting adds symbolic depth, reflecting distorted realities and hidden desires, while the action choreography maintains intensity with inventive monster designs and visually striking duels. Although the pacing can sometimes feel uneven, and the large cast leaves a few characters underdeveloped, the overall execution pushes the genre into uncharted thematic territory.
Ultimately, this series challenges the audience to reconsider what it truly means to be a "hero." It is not just about battles, but about choices, sacrifices, and the consequences of desire.
Rating: 8/10 - Ambitious, thought-provoking, and a milestone in redefining heroism.
From an analytical standpoint, it distinguishes itself through layered storytelling and philosophical undertones. The protagonist, driven by optimism and empathy, enters this deadly game not to win but to protect others-a striking contrast to the self-serving motives of many rivals. This clash of ideals becomes the heart of the narrative, as each participant represents a different moral compass, from selfish ambition to reluctant duty, making the conflict less about power and more about the human condition.
The Mirror World setting adds symbolic depth, reflecting distorted realities and hidden desires, while the action choreography maintains intensity with inventive monster designs and visually striking duels. Although the pacing can sometimes feel uneven, and the large cast leaves a few characters underdeveloped, the overall execution pushes the genre into uncharted thematic territory.
Ultimately, this series challenges the audience to reconsider what it truly means to be a "hero." It is not just about battles, but about choices, sacrifices, and the consequences of desire.
Rating: 8/10 - Ambitious, thought-provoking, and a milestone in redefining heroism.
- MrBoMzIMDb
- 16 sept. 2025
- Lien permanent
- Kamen_Rider
- 4 nov. 2004
- Lien permanent
After watching Dragon Knight, I decided to watch Kamen Rider Ryuki and I had a good time. Characters are interesting, good story, good acting and good writting. My only complaint about the show is the ending was confusing as hell. I'm not going to spoil the show so it's best to see it since to me it's weird. Overall I like the show, pretty much my favorite Kamen Rider show.
I'm gonna give a quick review on the 13 rider special, I like the story, the acting is good and writing is alright but same problem with the show's ending, it's weird to understand. It's a good special but not as great as the show. 8/10
I'm gonna give a quick review on the 13 rider special, I like the story, the acting is good and writing is alright but same problem with the show's ending, it's weird to understand. It's a good special but not as great as the show. 8/10
- FinisherDude
- 7 août 2020
- Lien permanent
Rewatched the series during lockdown and nostalgia flooded me.
The story is amazing, and the actors are pretty good. In fact, none of the Kamen Rider series are as good as Ryuki, in my opinion. There are other good ones like Kuuga, Agito and Kabuto - basically the earlier Heisei era riders are awesome.
If you are looking for a more "mature" type of Kamen Rider series, this is it. Don't confuse this with the American version of Dragon Knight which doesn't hold as much complicated storyline as Ryuki does. Basically, I'm satisfied with how the series end, and how Toei made several spin-offs for the series.
Sure, the CGI effects (not sure if you could even call it that back then) in the show are clunky and most of the time did not look surreal at all. But you have to remember this show was shot in the early 2000s. And some of the dialogues in the show were pretty corny and lacked context in certain scenes, but you have to remember the Kamen Rider series mainly targets children and young teens.
The atmosphere and settings of the show was superb in my opinion. All the riders in Ryuki are awesome, and each individual rider highlights their personality and goal. I also like the idea of the Mirror World, which adds 'flavour' to the show and enhances the plot.
Overall, this is one of the, if not, the best Kamen Rider series I've watched. And trust me, the newer Kamen Riders will make you cringe. You just can't compare the current riders and early heisei era riders.
The story is amazing, and the actors are pretty good. In fact, none of the Kamen Rider series are as good as Ryuki, in my opinion. There are other good ones like Kuuga, Agito and Kabuto - basically the earlier Heisei era riders are awesome.
If you are looking for a more "mature" type of Kamen Rider series, this is it. Don't confuse this with the American version of Dragon Knight which doesn't hold as much complicated storyline as Ryuki does. Basically, I'm satisfied with how the series end, and how Toei made several spin-offs for the series.
Sure, the CGI effects (not sure if you could even call it that back then) in the show are clunky and most of the time did not look surreal at all. But you have to remember this show was shot in the early 2000s. And some of the dialogues in the show were pretty corny and lacked context in certain scenes, but you have to remember the Kamen Rider series mainly targets children and young teens.
The atmosphere and settings of the show was superb in my opinion. All the riders in Ryuki are awesome, and each individual rider highlights their personality and goal. I also like the idea of the Mirror World, which adds 'flavour' to the show and enhances the plot.
Overall, this is one of the, if not, the best Kamen Rider series I've watched. And trust me, the newer Kamen Riders will make you cringe. You just can't compare the current riders and early heisei era riders.
- brsiew
- 31 août 2021
- Lien permanent
One of the more popular and highly regarded Kamen Rider shows, Ryuki, is an odd beast. Its fifty-episode length certainly feels unwarranted, but when combined with the show's complex depiction of justice and outstandingly choreographed action, it can make for immensely satisfying viewing. The humour doesn't always work and can even be detrimental to the tone the series is trying to maintain, especially given the high amount of emotional plot beats during the final stretch. Many episodes feel very meandering, focusing on a small cast of characters and emphasising the sillier elements; it all feels like a different show entirely, where the Rider Fight is merely an afterthought.
It's difficult to buy into Shinji's antics at the start, but thankfully, it seems the writers realised this and gave us a second Rider to follow right from the get-go with Ren. They make for an intriguing double act early on, with Shinji's carefree attitude contrasting heavily with Ren's more personal involvement in the big battle royale. The problem arises when nearly every character introduced, even the small one-offs, has their own arc and journey, which leaves many of the leads fighting for screentime; it makes the series feel cramped when it has a whole other dimension to explore.
As this show features a whopping ten Riders to keep track of, with some having a greater impact than others, it can be a challenging follow. Some turn up and leave just as quickly as they are introduced, while others stick around for a lot longer. Imperer and Scissors are examples of the former more than the latter. Their ultimate deaths are also a mixed bag, with Scissors' demise only there to serve as a warning to the fate that will befall the rest of the cast, while Raia's death is utterly soul-destroying, signalling a change in direction for the rest of the run.
Production-wise, it feels very much of its time; the reliance on CG ultimately dates the show quite severely, but the direction usually more than makes up for it with the musical score being generally delightful to listen to, even if it's somewhat repetitive. The cast all do a great job with the material, bringing a range of different levels of energy to their roles. It's hard to single out any standouts when they are all good.
Honestly, I think Ryuki is just alright in the end. The mystery regarding the Kanzaki siblings doesn't do a lot for me, especially when it's plainly evident that Shiro is the big bad from the moment he's first mentioned. Still, when the show is focused on each Rider and their individual goals, I was hooked. It's a show where I wish the core elements were just a bit more consistent because it had all the potential to be a winner, especially with its brutal gut-punch of an ending. Still, I did enjoy watching the show, and am looking forward to checking out Dragon Knight one of these days.
It's difficult to buy into Shinji's antics at the start, but thankfully, it seems the writers realised this and gave us a second Rider to follow right from the get-go with Ren. They make for an intriguing double act early on, with Shinji's carefree attitude contrasting heavily with Ren's more personal involvement in the big battle royale. The problem arises when nearly every character introduced, even the small one-offs, has their own arc and journey, which leaves many of the leads fighting for screentime; it makes the series feel cramped when it has a whole other dimension to explore.
As this show features a whopping ten Riders to keep track of, with some having a greater impact than others, it can be a challenging follow. Some turn up and leave just as quickly as they are introduced, while others stick around for a lot longer. Imperer and Scissors are examples of the former more than the latter. Their ultimate deaths are also a mixed bag, with Scissors' demise only there to serve as a warning to the fate that will befall the rest of the cast, while Raia's death is utterly soul-destroying, signalling a change in direction for the rest of the run.
Production-wise, it feels very much of its time; the reliance on CG ultimately dates the show quite severely, but the direction usually more than makes up for it with the musical score being generally delightful to listen to, even if it's somewhat repetitive. The cast all do a great job with the material, bringing a range of different levels of energy to their roles. It's hard to single out any standouts when they are all good.
Honestly, I think Ryuki is just alright in the end. The mystery regarding the Kanzaki siblings doesn't do a lot for me, especially when it's plainly evident that Shiro is the big bad from the moment he's first mentioned. Still, when the show is focused on each Rider and their individual goals, I was hooked. It's a show where I wish the core elements were just a bit more consistent because it had all the potential to be a winner, especially with its brutal gut-punch of an ending. Still, I did enjoy watching the show, and am looking forward to checking out Dragon Knight one of these days.
- DanTheMan2150AD
- 27 sept. 2025
- Lien permanent
The concept of the battle royale kamen rider is very interesting, the characters are very good, the asakura rider is the most evil!
Every conflict between riders is always fun to watch, unfortunately Yui's story is told a bit boring because it seems slow to unravel the mystery and some of the dramatic scenes seem exaggerated.
I'm also very sorry in the vfx part of the explosion that I saw, it looks really bad.
Every conflict between riders is always fun to watch, unfortunately Yui's story is told a bit boring because it seems slow to unravel the mystery and some of the dramatic scenes seem exaggerated.
I'm also very sorry in the vfx part of the explosion that I saw, it looks really bad.
- wahyudiva
- 30 oct. 2021
- Lien permanent
First time watch this series I really Like the design of the main rider also with kamen rider knight, both makes the oeing great. but I really confuse with riders next to come, a lot of them shows up, and guess what? they fight each other. Shame lot of the riders design are gold, but makes no sense because the plot is no good.
- thyobloye
- 23 févr. 2019
- Lien permanent
Compared to Kuuga, its story structure is more complete, but it feels somewhat like a fairy tale-focusing only on the story itself and its characters, with almost no connection to society. The number of characters is also excessive and messy, which seems at least partly driven by merchandise sales. In a world where almost everyone can transform, if problems were solved without transformations, it would just turn into a gangster or delinquent school drama. Transformations exist only for fighting-for battles in the Mirror World, for fights hidden away from bystanders.
Each character puts on a cold façade:
I won't say why I'm fighting-guess.
I won't say why I must kill someone-guess.
I won't say why I'm making people fight each other-guess.
I won't even tell my sister the backstory-guess.
And behind every unanswered question lies a supposedly "heartwarming" reason: it's all for your own good, and he has his own hardships too.
Each character puts on a cold façade:
I won't say why I'm fighting-guess.
I won't say why I must kill someone-guess.
I won't say why I'm making people fight each other-guess.
I won't even tell my sister the backstory-guess.
And behind every unanswered question lies a supposedly "heartwarming" reason: it's all for your own good, and he has his own hardships too.
- v-89277
- 4 sept. 2025
- Lien permanent