Series Grab onto the waves of time! From start to finish, Kamen Rider Den-O is at a climax!!!
This is probably not going to be agreed upon by many, but Den-O is my favorite KR series. Disregard what I said about Blade. I think Blade is, overall, the best series. Den-O, however, is my favorite. If that makes sense. Which it doesn't. But hey, whatever, review time!
The plot of Den-O is the weakest point, although I do like its story! The big problem is that the actual PLOT comes in pretty goddamn late. Overall, it's about a guy named Ryoutaro, who has the worst luck in the entire world, who is thrust into the role of Kamen Rider Den-O. He's forced to cooperate with a bunch of rambunctious imagin while still dealing with his own issues of cowardice and timidness. Without spoiling anything, I like the overall plot. It just doesn't come in early enough, and there's a whole lot of filler. Damn enjoyable filler, though.
The characters is where, in my opinion, Den-O really shines. I've heard comments that Ryoutaro doesn't develop at all. I'd like to direct the attention of anyone who thinks that to episode 4, where he refuses to jump off a 3 story building even if it means letting the imagin away. And then I will direct your attention to the last episode, where he grabs the big bad and leaps off a fucking skyscraper. No development my ass, Ryoutaro became a man throughout the series and is one of my favorite characters ever. I love how he develops, but he's still identifiable as Ryoutaro. He doesn't magically become a huge badass, and he'd still be knocked over by a stray wind. He'd just do it much more heroically.
The imagin, despite their cash cow nature, were all really good characters. Look past their obvious abuse for money, and you'll find a whole lot of development and interesting personality. Deneb is awesome, by the way. The rest of the characters are also well done, and I was surprised by how decent loli!hana's child actor was. She got a lot of her mannerisms down.
I was surprised to learn that a lot of people didn't like the Den O designs, because I always thought they were awesome! Your mileage may vary, I guess.
It takes a certain kind of person to love Den O. Watch it. If you're one of those people, you'll love it. If you aren't, you might like it anyway.
Now then, I've gotta go catch a trip on the Den Liner.
Series Comedic take on Kamen Rider
Pros: It is probably not your typical Kamen Rider series but it's really fun. A lighthearted attempt at Kamen Rider, props for the main actor who managed to pull off different personalities at a time. The taros imagin, characterizations and interactions are the highlight of the shows.
The main theme is comedy, yet the series can also pull a drama when it needed to. The hidden theme is 'memory is time itself'
The series is mostly formulaic, two parter episode and it is done right.
The opening is catchy and personally I really like the taros version.
Cons: It is being cashcow franchise to the point I personally disregard any movies past the main series.
Overall, this series is a comedic take on Kamen Rider, and it's personally one of my favourite.