Ooh, a big two parter only 8 episodes in. Toei, you spoil us.
This is a major plot episode backed by some really good stuntwork. That's often a recipe for a fantastic episode, and that's certainly what we got here. It's a treat from start to end.
Amidst all the chaos, I like how grounded the series is in some ways. Ignoring for the moment the fact that Humagear are perfect human-like robots that can be turned into killing machines with a simple hack, and what you have is a fairly reasonable portrayal of how AI is being used in the world. It makes perfect sense that Humagear started as a healthcare AI project, because that's exactly what's happening in the real world right now. We're not up to robots walking around (yet), but we're already at the point where computer vision systems are being used for radiology diagnostics, fixed robotic instruments are doing surgery, etc. And Japan, of course, is seriously looking at what's necessary to get robots that can help with the physical labor of health care as well. Even though the series is ultimately fantasy, having this kind of hard sci-fi underpinning it really helps to sell the series and its world, I feel.
Speaking of which, we finally get an in-show explanation for the singularity. Rather than just being Humagear gaining sentience, as we first assumed, it's actually the point where they become smarter than a human. Which is much closer to the real-world definition of the singularity than I was expecting the show to go. I'll save the sci-fi navel gazing, but having characters afraid of AI exceeding humanity's intelligence, for all the problems that could bring, is a
really good character motivation.
I also like how one of AIMS' solutions to the MJnet problem is to hack back the rouge Humagear to stop them. It's a very reasonable solution to regaining control. Of course, the fact that they built a giant, even more killer autonomous robot to do it is incredibly stupid precisely because of what would happen if the hackers got a hold of that too. So minus one point for AIMS, and minus two points for Yua in particular, as she's smart enough that she should have thought of that.
The action in this episode was also befitting a major plot episode. I actually had to stop and make sure Sakamoto wasn't doing this one. They did a great job on the wire-fu for the flying fight, and the on-the-ground stunt choreography was a step above as well. Also, lots of things blew up, which is always fun.
And hello Kamen Rider Horobi. I'm not sure his first Rider fight is especially special - it's the usual mini-boss introductory fight where he kicks the heroes asses - but he sure does it in style. I really like the methodical way he moves; it sells that he's a machine (a smart one, at that), and that he has a purpose in mind for every action he takes.
takenoko wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2019 11:53 pm
Alt Title: Man, it would have been a big balls move to kill off Fuwa this early
But seriously, Fuwa should be dead after that explosion.
Eh. We've seen Riders survive worse. The suit is meant to protect you from such things, after all. But it was definitely a beat down that he's not going to quickly get back up from. A fitting way to introduce KR Horobi.
Feel disappointed that she got beaten so easily this episode.
Ditto. Admittedly,
everyone lost this episode (Aruto may have won his fight, but he lost the Nurse-bot), but she already has the least screen time of the three leads, so it would have been nice to see her do better.
Catastrophe wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 6:36 pm
I'm interested as to why Horobi's sensor things on the side of his head look to be forcefully implanted into his head.
I second this. Thus far the show hasn't been glossing over details like this, giving us good, thoughtful reasons behind those details, so I'm hopeful that it'll be the same here.
BreadToku wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:08 pm
takenoko wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2019 11:53 pm
So both Jin and Horobi are Humagear. Is Ark also a Humagear? I'm guessing it'll turn out to be a person.
Didn't they already establish that Ark is the satellite at the bottom of Daybreak Town? That said, I can totally see it gaining a humagear body of it's own later down the line so our heroes can physically fight it too.
Correct. The Ark is the satellite at the bottom of the lake. But so far the show has tactically avoided the subject of just how Zea works. So as things stand right now, there's nothing that precludes the two satellites from being sentient themselves; but there's also nothing that precludes a human being the real force behind all of this. For now, all we know for sure is that MJnet isn't acting on its own; whoever or whatever controls the Ark is the bigger bad calling the shots.