Hmm I finished Kamen Rider W in 10 days after Gaim, yet it took me so long to finish this post.
My first impression was: "OMG so many familiar faces !!":
- Kiriyama Ren (Hidari Shoutarou), that kinda-psycho older brother in Lost Days
- Kinoshita Ayumi (Kujou Aya), my beloved Jasmine in Dekaranger
- Nagasawa Nao (Lily Shirogane), Nanami in Hurricanger
- Koike Yui (Akira's sister at the end), cutie Ahim in Gokaiger
- Itano Tomomi and Kasai Tomomi (Queen and Elizabeth), AKB48 (I didn't think AKB members would play in Toku)
- Kimisawa Yuki (Sudou Kirihiko), a butler in Mei-chan no Shitsuji (I didn't have much impression about him when I watched Mei, but he sure looked familiar enough
This series format reminds me of Meitantei Conan, detective content with each arc lasts for around 2-3 episodes. The concept two people in one KR is unique, though people said there are some series before it with the same concept, I don't care that much, W is the first I've watched and I find it unique and exciting. This two-in-one thing of course brings much much "shounen ai", but it's not overdone and exaggerated. The chemistry between Shoutarou and Phillip goes smoothly and reasonably, pleasing those hardcore fans of shounen ai, at the same time satisfying neutral fans with the idea of companions. I admire their friendship, companionship and sobbed a bit when Phillip decides to vanish and Shoutarou decides to make him vanish by his own hand.
Phillip is an interesting character. He has every knowledge of the Earth but has no clue about so simple things like takoyaki. He looks feminine because of the hair and figure, but his voice, way of talking and gestures make him even more manly than Shoutarou or Ryuu sometimes, many times. I like the chemistry between Phillip and Wakana. If they weren't siblings, I would ship them together. There are many things that kept me stick to the series, Phillip is on top.
Shoutarou and Akiko is the combination I place second only to Shoutarou and Phillip. I read many reviews which have criticism toward Akiko, but personally I like her character a lot. It's true that at first she is a little too annoying sometimes, but as the story goes, her character develops into not just a comic relief, but also an indispensable assistant, if not BOSS, to Shoutarou and Phillip. Before Ryuu appears, I thought Shoutarou and Akiko would have the chemistry and hints and so on, but I'm not sad when they don't. I think their relationship as constantly bullying each other is even more adorable.
For Akiko and Ryuu, too bad the part when Akiko becomes his wife isn't in the main series, but they look cute together. One ultra energetic girl who pretty much causes all the chaos is with the kuudere guy who barely expresses happiness. By the way, the way Ryuu strains all his muscles to say "Hen...SHINN" is hilarious to me somehow.
If there's anything I would like to complain, it will be the character of Kirihiko. I thought he would be something like Takatora from GAIM, the seemingly antogonist turns out to be all nice and loveable, at lease that he could make it all the way through the end. But his screentime ends so soon.
The Sonozaki family is indeed some kinds of dysfunctional family. Dominating father, absent mother, sisters fight, leaving the brother to death, and everything. Then somehow in the end they reunite and live happily ever after (?) in another life, sacrificing everything to spare the life of the little brother. The development of all other members of the family is good, but not the mother's. She appears as a mysterious woman who seems to have great power, yet in the end she just doesn't do much.
During the first part of the series I thought "Hmm it would be hard to choose the best looking girl!" since all of them look gorgeous. Akiko and Queen looks cute, Wakana is beautiful, and all those guest appearances. But then, that moment stroke, and I knew that I didn't need to choose anymore. No one, NO ONE, could beat "her".
The suits, oh I just love them. The idea is simple, without any complex patterns, just simply the change of colors. However such simplicity makes it look perfect. I'm not a fan of bulky fancy suits like those in GAIM, I like suits from this series better. My favourite is Fang.
Overall, I absolutely love the series. I also read through some KR rankings and W is usually on top, and I absolutely agree with that. I think this will hold the number 1 position in my personal KR ranking for a very long time.
I grade it: 9/10
Would I recommend it?: If anyone asks me which KR to watch, I will definitely shout out W immediately.
Would I rewatch it?: Actually I don't usually rewatch a toku series on my own, I just happen to catch a toku which I already saw (because it takes ages after its release for our local TV to broadcast a toku) showing on TV and if I'll follow if I like the series. That being said, if I see W on TV, I will shout out "OH MY GOD" and enjoy it.
My current KR ranking:
1. W
2. Gaim
During the first part of the series I thought "Hmm it would be hard to choose the best looking girl!" since all of them look gorgeous. Akiko and Queen looks cute, Wakana is beautiful, and all those guest appearances. But then, that moment stroke, and I knew that I didn't need to choose anymore. No one, NO ONE, could beat "her".
The suits, oh I just love them. The idea is simple, without any complex patterns, just simply the change of colors. However such simplicity makes it look perfect. I'm not a fan of bulky fancy suits like those in GAIM, I like suits from this series better. My favourite is Fang.
Overall, I absolutely love the series. I also read through some KR rankings and W is usually on top, and I absolutely agree with that. I think this will hold the number 1 position in my personal KR ranking for a very long time.
I grade it: 9/10
Would I recommend it?: If anyone asks me which KR to watch, I will definitely shout out W immediately.
Would I rewatch it?: Actually I don't usually rewatch a toku series on my own, I just happen to catch a toku which I already saw (because it takes ages after its release for our local TV to broadcast a toku) showing on TV and if I'll follow if I like the series. That being said, if I see W on TV, I will shout out "OH MY GOD" and enjoy it.
My current KR ranking:
1. W
2. Gaim