My Thoughts On Kamen Rider Zi-O's Latest Rumor

As said, just take rumors with a grain of salt -- though we have to realize that Kamen Rider Build has already finished filming. So for all we know, a lot of this rumor may already be true and I'd like to share my thoughts on the latest rumor from JEFusion concerning the upcoming series -- Kamen Rider Zi-O!

Kamen Rider Zi-O's real identity is Daisuke, a man who has been erased from time while Kamen Rider Gates is named Ryu, a man from the future who's job is to repair cracks in time. 

The year 2018 is the last year of Heisei, a year where a Kamen Rider was never born. Gates is from a future resistance group who fight against an evil cult known as BLOOD. 

Gates goes into the past to try to change the future, but BLOOD causes a ripple in time that fractures history. 

Evil BLOOD monsters have invaded the homes of past riders, Zi-O and Gates must stop them in order to create a better future and return Zi-O to his rightful place in history. 

People behind the scenes, not the creative types, have joked that this series will be the most expensive rider season in history, higher ups are feeling anxious. 

Head director is Shojiro Nakazawa, head writer is Yasuko Kobayashi (some of her previous works is Mirai Sentai Timeranger, Kamen Rider Den-O, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Amazons, Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, and Ressha Sentai Toqger). 

The series will have many returning actors, potentially ending up as the toku production with the most actors returning as previous roles. 

Riku Sanjo has been asked to write an episode, potentially more, for the series. Toshiki Inoue has also been asked Certain episodes will act as tributes, taking place during a previous riders season.

Here's what I think about the possible plot. It seems to be trying to redo Decade, visit the lost potential and it's also trying to do something similar to Kamen Rider Den-O or some time-related science fiction -- the quest to fix time cracks before time literally falls apart. The BLOOD may be comparable to the Imagins in Den-O. As for Zi-O's being a Rider out of place -- it could be an attempt to do a better version of Tsukasa in Kamen Rider Decade.

It's said to be the most expensive Kamen Rider yet? I hope that the budgeting release won't go too far just in case something goes wrong. While there are times you need to spend higher to have better innovation (getting new ideas isn't all that easy and requires proper research) and proper execution (such as getting the right people) -- all the while there's also the problem of not considering the cost and risks associated with such spending. Hopefully, the risk and returns have been considered as this project is about to launch. 

It's time to consider the possible head director Shojiro Nakazawa? What's his contribution? Well, he's the main director of Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, Kamen Rider Wizard and Kamen Rider EX-AID. He was also an assistant director for Mirai Sentai Timeranger (1 episode), Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger (1 episode), Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (2 episodes), Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (8 episodes), Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (10 episodes), Mahou Sentai Magiranger (14 episodes), GoGo Sentai Boukenger (10 episodes), Engine Sentai Go-Onger (6 episodes), Kamen Rider Kiva (6 episodes), Tensou Sentai Goseiger (10 episodes), Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (10 episodes), Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters (5 episodes), Kamen Rider Wizard (13 episodes), Kamen Rider Gaim (2 episodes), Ressha Sentai ToQger (5 episodes) and Kamen Rider Build (6 episodes). It's too early to say how he will do as a head director -- all the while I thin he's got an impressive resume to boot.

So about the rumor head writer -- it still has me concerned about Yasuko Kobayashi and the fact that overworking anyone is not good for innovative thinking. Innovation requires a properly tuned-up mind and not someone who's really burnt out. Sure, she's a fan favorite but I keep thinking about the tendency to overwork writers is NOT good for pumping in new ideas. Maybe, some can say that Kamen Rider Amazons has an interesting spin but the question is -- is she now recovered enough up for accepting this new task before her? I hope she's had a good rest period before this is given to her. Also thinking about Riku Sanjo (who I actually like for writing Kamen Rider W or another of my favorites namely Kamen Rider Drive) gets me excited and I think he should become a major contributor. All the while the idea of Toshiki Inoue has me worried about whether or not he's well-rested or is he still willing to write a good script? Inoue was really not too happy with what could be shabby treatment either. IMHO, I think newer writers are needed just like Super Sentai is having newer, unfamiliar writers to make way with new ideas. I'm still wary about this side of the rumor if it's ever true or not. 

Meanwhile, it's best to just hold on as Kamen Rider Build is about to finish with five more episodes to go. I'm also thinking on how am I going to react to any upcoming updates when Zi-O will finally be broadcast. Will I do minimalist type of reviews with Zi-O's episodes -- which is only ONE picture used in each and every entry with my own short summary like what I'm doing with "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?") or will I update every two weeks or even only when I feel like it? Hmmm.... I'll be thinking about that first. 

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