Kamen Rider Wizard Series Review

Kamen Rider Wizard is the very 1^st rider show I’ve followed from the beginning of its run to its conclusion.  It is not my 1^st rider show that I’ve seen all episodes though, that honor goes to OOO.   Now that it’s done, I can say I’ll never get into the Kamen Rider series as much as Sentai.  Wizard is a flashy show that hooked me with its smooth main rider.  It got better with the introduction of a competitive, mayonnaise loving second rider.  But after that, the show became boring.  For one, the 2^nd rider suddenly lost the characteristics that made me like him.  He suddenly became just the other rider to call on for help.  Then the main rider had to always share the spotlight with the 2^nd.  I know the obvious need but darn it, when he was alone, his fight scenes were so much more entertaining compared to the long drawn out ones he has with the 2^nd rider in later episodes, against the goons no less.  

Nonetheless, I kept on watching for the eventual final form and the epic way the riders obtain it. Infinity is one of the coolest designs.  Hyper is meh.  But after that, I just slogged on through the filler episodes until they finally got to explaining everything during the final arc.  It was a good final arc and the Heisei Rider teamup is the perfect way to finish off the series. 

So did I like it?  I liked the suit design and that’s a big reason for my watching.  I will always like the 1^st 23 episodes.  The following seemed to lack the magic the 1^st 23 had.  The big episodes like Infinity and that awesome team up will stand out when I reminisce about it.  Overall, a pretty nice show and I have no regrets following it for 1 year.  The actors for Koyomi and Medusa being there week in and week out was another reason to watch as well :)

So what follows are screenshots from each episode with some words below.

That was a great 1^st episode showcasing all his standard special moves

What can I say, I like the way he fights even if he doesn’t use punches.

This ep made me love Water form and its slash strike

This guy was a memorable phantom

Man, slash strike finishers are addicting to watch

Just another nice fight and transformation scene

Why didn’t he do this more often?

Always a cool gesture and sound

I like the Dragon forms.  Thinking of getting the WAP!

Forgot he did this, it’s like the Infinity style finisher

For lack of anything nicer to screenshot

I liked the story

This was a pretty nice aerial battle

Haruto is a lucky guy.  Koyomi’s smile is very nice to look at

I think water dragon is my favorite dragon form

This is one of the “coolest” finisher sequences I’ve seen, and he meets Santa Claus

I like Nitou because I get to see him put mayonnaise on anything

This is a funny scene

I enjoy seeing food being eaten

Okay, this is hilarious! And a little disgusting

                                  Sadly, this is the last we see of his mayonnaise bottle for a while

4 words, AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!

Take a page out of Son Goku’s playbook.  Can’t beat enemy, let the sun do it for you.

Yes, why is that?

Wow, he never did this again

Medusa’s actress just got interesting

Man, weren’t we all excited about this, a possibility of another wizard and it’s a female to boot

Sheesh, I don’t even remember ever seeing this treasure box again

Meteor Storm color scheme and a gun as an upgrade

Chimera and Dragon together.  Nice fight scene

Awesome and somewhat overpowered Infinity form debut!

Sparkle Sparkle!

After some hilarious events, we get 4 simultaneous Dragon Style Kick Strikes!

Meh, not really interested in this guy.  Miss Phoenix

Whooooh, look at that close up

2^nd time he’s run out of mana

Wizard has a sense of humor

Does anyone else see that ring of circles in the middle of the screen?  What is that?

Glow baby glow

Well this was a let down of magnificent proportions

The plot thickens

Don’t know why this pic but eh

All Dragon a second time in 15 blurry seconds, WHY?

Boring episode

Relatable guy huh

So it’s all about Koyomi now

Going for a Best Actress Award perhaps?

Gee, that was fast.

Beast finally did something awesome

Fourze did this as well

My 1^st punch and it’s in the 3^rd to the last episode

So this 2 parter is to make up for Gaim not showing up in Wizard’s summer movie

 Episode 53 

This episode warrants more than a single phrase to sum up my thoughts on it

Firstly, it makes no sense and it was a rush job 2 episode storyline.  Amadam being a wizard who misused magic and got punished, where did that come from?  Did Decade explain that to Wizard? And why is Tsukasa there?  He’s just a Rider Ring summon.  Is Beast dead?  Praying to the 13 rings when Earth is at its highest?  And a lot more but I’ll stop now cause it doesn’t matter.  

What matters is we got an amazingly flashy FINALE for a show that was flashy to begin with and it was fun.  Future all Kamen Rider team up movies should take a lesson from this episode.  It features a lot of actual team up fight scenes between the various Riders, cumulating in that massive CGI battle against “larger enemies”.  Seeing them use special moves and power ups together is what I want to see in a team up special.  

Really?  Sunglasses the whole time he had his helmet on?  Looks badass though

I bet someone will recreate this scene with Figuarts one day

Gaim is… I am not sold on it but let’s check out the 1^st ep and we’ll see

I guess everyone knew well beforehand this kid’s name

Well that’s it, sayonara Wizard.  It was fun and I like your suit designs enough to consider buying your toys.  Nicely done Toei.  Story could’ve been better though.  Looking forward to one last showtime! 

I do believe this is a female White Wizard

Status Update

It’s been 5 months since I last posted anything.  I guess it’s because I am helping out in the family business and just don’t have all the free time I used to have last year.  But my birthday is approaching and for some reason, I always try to post something on that day.  It’s almost done, am just waiting for a certain special episode to get subbed.  

To any Simpsons fans out there, do you regret buying this?  I for one do not (helps I spotted it about 2500 pesos cheaper at NBS compared to Fully Booked)  But it is a really neat thing to have when rewatching the old seasons.  Jam packed with all the Simpson info you could possibly need.  Though one thing bothers me, the last part of the book lists all the songs but Jazzman is not there.

Here is my current toy shelf.  Presently, there are 11 S.H. Figuarts.  Can’t wait for HLJ to have a sale again.  Their discounts are by far the best I’ve seen!  I never planned on buying Bouken Red but my cousin persuaded me by contributing a bit for it and it was on sale, so what the hey!  Still am not a fan his suit though.

Super Hero Otsu, we really need more of these things.  Always a pleasure to see those marvelous suits, especially Gao White!

 As I said before, Kyoryuger is easy to watch.  I like it.  I’ll probably do a series review of it next year.  As for the 2014 Tokkyuger, I am interested already.  Trains as a motif seems nice.  I am sure Toei learned from Go-Busters and am confident it won’t turn out that way again.  I hope the color scheme to be different, not the same old red, blue, green, yellow and pink.  There’s enough of that.

That's all for now. Check back on October 5!

Memorable PBA matches

I have by no means seen every PBA match on Youtube or have an encyclopedic memory of the history of the PBA.  I have not seen the bowlers of yesteryears as much as the more current ones but from those I have seen, the list below are the ones that stayed with me until today.  Not in order, all very fun and inspiring matches featuring the most popular stars of the PBA.

Norm Duke Vs Mika Koivuniemi (2008 and 2011)

Both amazing matches.  Came down to the last frame for each.  2008 was a lot of fun to watch since you just can’t help but feel happy for Duke after he makes the bucket.  To think a pro as old and successful as he is can act like that inspires me to give my best on every shot.  I think I reacted the way he did when I first broke 200.  Just jumping up and down, not believing I actually did it. 

2011 was a stunner.  This time, you can’t help but feel bad for Mika.  We’ve all been there, to work so hard and one tiny mistake cost us so much.  Though you have to hand it to Duke, he struck out and doing that is not easy.  Those last 4 strikes, though not dead flush perfect, makes you notice how smooth Duke throws the ball.  Really beautiful the way ball rolls.

2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my6hW78FNuQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5wUd8cfgeM

2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZUZeeGzcJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVqLnqE9GYw

Walter Ray Vs Pete Weber (Japan Cup 2006)

A hall of fame match made even more special since WRW nearly shot a 300 and broke Earl Anthony’s record.  The match starts off with each of the legends matching each other strike for strike, but it was obvious Weber’s look to the pocket was not as dead eye accurate as Williams’.  WRW’s shot is one I would love to have someday and whenever I am in a slump, I’ll think back to this match and imagine that the pins I see in front of me are falling the way each time WRW throws the ball.  Two true masters of game, Norm Duke on commentary, Pete Weber crotch chops and an almost 300 game, what more could you ask for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZohDkzxny0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbxNupT_1DM

 Not to mention this high five pose as epic as any sentai hand off

Norm Duke Vs WRW (300 game)

Norm Duke becomes the 15^th player to shoot a televised 300 game and it couldn’t have come against a better opponent as WRW.  Just look happy both of them are after Duke achieves the feat.  I doubt anyone else could provide a tall target for Duke to leap onto.  Just really a feel good match to watch.  Just thinking about these two great bowlers and friends as it seems smiling and celebrating together pus a smile on my face.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8g-IEu7vEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ICTagJ7Vw

WRW Vs Chris Barnes (2010)

Poor Chris Barnes falling victim to WRW at the Masters again.  But when WRW is throwing the ball so beautiful and perfect like that, it’s near impossible to beat him.  My favorite part is when Rob Stone says Good Lord on WRW’s 12^th frame shot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owL8-piyYg4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnKc5xzhEaw

Will Duke Em’

A fun video to watch.  Listening to these two joke around with Jeanette Lee is pure gold.  Duke calling himself Yoda and WRW as Obi-Wan, priceless.  Not to mention these two living up to the expectations of teaming up together.  I ask, how is it fair to the other teams?  Were they really expected to beat a dream duo like these two?  I really love watching these shootouts since it is a different change of pace in terms of fun.  You get to hear some banter between the bowlers you would never hear in the serious tournaments.  Seeing guys smiling and laughing doing what they love is pure estacy.

Just type WD’E on youtube and enjoy seeing these two dominate the competition. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKwQ8G6BJk (At 2:30, Duke is Yoda and Williams is Obi-Wan)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJmuchc7s6w (At about 3:00, a very fun segment of Duke and Williams explaining their team name)

 

Parker Bohn III Vs Wes Mallott

Wes Malott could not be beat on these lanes.  Shooting ridiculous numbers, he bowled two 300 hundred games in a span of 5 weeks.  But I chose this more for the humorous exchange between Parker Bohn III and Wes after the game was all but over.  Really funny stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUk2439zGoY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lru2Sl20FNs

Kelly Kulick Vs Chris Barnes

As I’ve said before, Kelly just bowled so darn well.  A near perfect game except for that split in the 8^th and victory shot in the 12^th.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BUv0nJTzRY 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-vAjuWgFZ4

Bowling

I loved duckpins as a kid.  There are pictures of me when I was maybe 4 or 5 years holding a small bowling ball used for duckpins.  I have fond memories of playing in that country club every time I went to Baguio for vacation.  There was a certain magical feeling of throwing a ball down a 60 foot lane and knocking down all ten pins, seeing how the pins are put back by hand then eventually by machine, and getting ready to do it all over again.  What a childhood…

So I guess it’s no surprise I eventually ventured into “big boy” bowling when I was a little older.  I don’t really remember how good or bad I was since I was really just playing for fun.  I just knew I could throw that ball pretty straight if I needed to.  Now that I am past the teen years and am wondering what to do with my life, I came to the conclusion that no matter what I do, I want bowling to always be part of my life.

For most of my teen years, bowling has just been the game to play whenever I vacation in a country club or get invited to a bowling birthday party.  Now that I am done with school, I got myself a coach and have been bowling regularly for the past year and a half.  Naturally, I found myself watching bowling videos on Youtube (God bless the uploaders).  The only other time I ever saw bowling onscreen was when Kelly Kulick defeated Chris Barnes to become the 1^st woman to ever win on the PBA Tour.  That was way back in 2010 and it was just luck that I saw it.  I was taking summer classes and came home during lunch.  Coincidentally, I just came from a Philosophy class I believe so I was very deep in thought that time.  So I was flipping through the channels and suddenly stopped at the sight of bowling on TV.  I was shocked since, as I said before, I have never remembered clearly seeing a bowling match on TV before.  I watched in awe as I witnessed history in the making.  This woman whom I’ve never heard of was clearly dominating the match and with the way she was bowling, it wasn’t hard to see why.  It was at that moment I decided to pursue bowling seriously.  I promised myself that after I graduated, I will cast aside all doubt, get myself a coach and become the best bowler I know I can be.      

As far as bowling knowledge goes, I am still a noob.  There are still so many terms, equipment and strategies I have yet to master.  It is a difficult and daunting task.  But I believe with all that I can believe in, this is what I want.  This sport is one of the things that make life worth living.  No matter how down and out I feel, I can always look forward to the day I step onto those lanes with my good friends and just have a great time, chatting, laughing, eating, high fiving and most all, bowling.    

Update: February 21, 2013

It's been a month and a half since I last posted so I feel the need to post something.  Life has been busy, a lot has changed since New Year.  Let's just say I kind of gave up one interest to pursue another one and am now doing half of what I envisioned myself doing during college.  That interest is BOWLING!  I mentioned it before I think.  That is why my blog's titled as such. 

Now on the toku side of things,  I'm glad Go-Busters is done and over with.  The only thing that kept my interest in that show was Enter during the latter arc though I do plan on watching the series again as I skipped some episodes. 

Kyouryuger looks a lot easier to watch than it's predecessor.  It has a fun and light feel to it.  It also helps that the pink senshi's suit looks good and that the suit actress is the same one that made me love Gokai Pink so much.  Though I feel embarrassed watching the ending credits.  That was way too "kiddy" even for me.

Kamen Rider Wizard is the 1st Rider I'm following from start to finish and I am enjoying it very much.  Here's hoping the show stays amazing for the rest of its run.

Toy wise, I recently got the two Shinken Reds at great prices.  It nicely complements my Gokai Red and Pink. 

I'll probably be talking about the above paragraphs in individual posts next time.  I can't wait to rant about bowling.