Kamen Rider Drive (2014) Rewatch
Jul. 21st, 2023 11:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
g_uavaOn finishing my rewatch of Kamen Rider Drive, I only have two words: NICE DRIVE!
Drive is the first tokusatsu show that I managed to follow on a weekly basis for the most part, watching each episode as soon as the subtitled version was uploaded. I only kept it up for about slightly more than half of the show, displeased by some of its developments. Beyond viewing the canon, I was also discouraged from encounters with critical fans, some of whom were unforgiving about my early awkward attempts at sharing Kamen Rider meta and fanfiction, basically fanworks that by nature are more personal than the GIFs and graphics I had at that point been sharing on Tumblr on a regular basis.
Most of the bitterness associated with Drive melted away once I approached it in a way I like. That is, by viewing it whole as a completed show rather than waiting and catching up on new installments. The parts I like seems to come up faster by watching multiple episodes at a time, and those I dislike seem to take up less mental space as compared to when I used to dread the possibility of the next episode dedicating lots of screen time to what's less relevant to my interests.
What I dislike I've come to see as instead what I liked less since I've expended a lot less energy in actively disliking these elements of the show during my rewatch. Namely: Gou's character arc, Kiriko not having much to do to influence the plot and the fights towards the end of the show and the final villain being motivated by megalomania in an uninteresting way (unlike say, Dan Kuroto). What I mean by actively disliking involves venting in my head and on public platforms for the purpose of validating my views, which is no longer necessary since it's more worthwhile to take the effort to arrange words into OTP fic instead of negative meta I'd rather not re-read.
There are also parts I minded less and have even come to appreciate -- namely the Chase-Kiriko-Shinnosuke 'love triangle'. Not every Rider show involves my OTP (Shinnosuke/Kiriko) becoming canon and eventually getting married, and along the way involving their mutual friend taking on a role akin to a Kdrama second male lead (he who doesnt walk away with the heroine but with all the hearts of all the other women in the world, as paraphrased from a Dramabeans writeup).
Fandom fulfillment comes as a result of greater self-knowledge in doing more of what I like, that also includes acquiring knowledge of the Japanese language. The year of Drive was also the year I started taking Japanese classes, which has since allowed me to access and appreciate a bounty of tokusatsu fanworks by the Japanese fanbase. Though I still rewatched Drive with subtitles (by TVNihon), I had some extra fun in comparing and contrasting the original dialogue with its translation.
All in all, I'm just thankful to be able to revisit one of my early Rider shows as a fan more mature in age, skills and temperament (hopefully), and wrote this post to commemorate growing through fandom.
Drive is the first tokusatsu show that I managed to follow on a weekly basis for the most part, watching each episode as soon as the subtitled version was uploaded. I only kept it up for about slightly more than half of the show, displeased by some of its developments. Beyond viewing the canon, I was also discouraged from encounters with critical fans, some of whom were unforgiving about my early awkward attempts at sharing Kamen Rider meta and fanfiction, basically fanworks that by nature are more personal than the GIFs and graphics I had at that point been sharing on Tumblr on a regular basis.
Most of the bitterness associated with Drive melted away once I approached it in a way I like. That is, by viewing it whole as a completed show rather than waiting and catching up on new installments. The parts I like seems to come up faster by watching multiple episodes at a time, and those I dislike seem to take up less mental space as compared to when I used to dread the possibility of the next episode dedicating lots of screen time to what's less relevant to my interests.
What I dislike I've come to see as instead what I liked less since I've expended a lot less energy in actively disliking these elements of the show during my rewatch. Namely: Gou's character arc, Kiriko not having much to do to influence the plot and the fights towards the end of the show and the final villain being motivated by megalomania in an uninteresting way (unlike say, Dan Kuroto). What I mean by actively disliking involves venting in my head and on public platforms for the purpose of validating my views, which is no longer necessary since it's more worthwhile to take the effort to arrange words into OTP fic instead of negative meta I'd rather not re-read.
There are also parts I minded less and have even come to appreciate -- namely the Chase-Kiriko-Shinnosuke 'love triangle'. Not every Rider show involves my OTP (Shinnosuke/Kiriko) becoming canon and eventually getting married, and along the way involving their mutual friend taking on a role akin to a Kdrama second male lead (he who doesnt walk away with the heroine but with all the hearts of all the other women in the world, as paraphrased from a Dramabeans writeup).
Fandom fulfillment comes as a result of greater self-knowledge in doing more of what I like, that also includes acquiring knowledge of the Japanese language. The year of Drive was also the year I started taking Japanese classes, which has since allowed me to access and appreciate a bounty of tokusatsu fanworks by the Japanese fanbase. Though I still rewatched Drive with subtitles (by TVNihon), I had some extra fun in comparing and contrasting the original dialogue with its translation.
All in all, I'm just thankful to be able to revisit one of my early Rider shows as a fan more mature in age, skills and temperament (hopefully), and wrote this post to commemorate growing through fandom.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-23 02:27 am (UTC)Which makes sense when I sit down to think about it! The thought just didn't cross my mind until recently since it's been ages since I last saw any sort of show as it aired. It really adds a different perspective to the experience, and even though I do love seeing a show as it airs (the theory crafting and other positive elements that can come from having a weekly wait is exciting and fun! No doubt about that.) I also still much prefer the approach to see a show after the fact.
I also can relate to a lot of your early experience with Drive with having been watching Geats. It's the first rider and toku overall I've been seeing as it airs. I overall have enjoyed the show a lot, but have complicated emotions and even displeasure on some developments in the currently airing endgame. (But I don't have a hard opinion on the show yet because its not finished.) I was told "rider endgames tend to be best viewed moreso after the fact" and I think she is onto something!
Being discouraged from critical fans too is also an experience I can relate to, there's been a lot of discourse about it's plot and character developments right now. So much so I don't check the tag anymore, its just a little too heated everywhere this show is talked about right now. And it made me discouraged about talking about the show, and making fanworks for it too. (I have been very fortunate that I haven't had anyone be rude to me on my fanworks, disabling anon asks and guest comments I feel was what has given me protection. But it has happened to some of my friends.)
But with curation I've been able to avoid seeing that heat that's everywhere online, and have been having a better time talking about it more privately with people I know one-on-one. I'm sorry you had such experiences as well, especially when sharing more personal sorts of fanworks.
I also have planned to rewatch the show in its entirety sometime in the future when it's done. Regardless of how I end up feeling about it overall, Geats will undoubtedly have a very special place in my heart since it is my first I've seen as it airs.
I'm glad you've had a lot of fulfillment with that greater self knowledge, and knowing Japanese! Knowing Japanese I feel would add a lot to watching toku, or any sort of media in the language. (Same for any media and knowing its native language in general!) I need to get back on my studies, one goal of mine is to revisit Blade one day so I can have a greater appreciation of the "Ondul words" and memes that are specific to the JPN fandom for Blade.
Revisiting a piece of media, especially having leveled up (so to say :D) in multiple aspects, it really can enhance the experience overall. And you learn more things about what works for you, and what doesnt, with said media too. I've had it happen before with other media and it is a lovely thing. And I'm very happy for you that you had a more pleasant time when revisiting drive. It brings me joy to hear! I wish you more happiness to come with future fandom experiences. <3
no subject
Date: 2023-07-25 02:16 am (UTC)No show is perfect and it's normal for viewers to be less pleased with certain parts of the show's development. It seems reflecting on our preferences could prevent the displeasure from being magnified and as a result retain more of our enjoyment.
That's a good idea about not checking the tag. Since I've moved away from toku fandom itself, I've been thinking that most of the discourse is pretty pointless since the show would deliver the resolution sooner than we know it and then the next show rolls around. The energy to vent and going further to change the opinions of others is just not worth it. It's a pity that overly heated discussions discourage the making of fanworks, resulting in even less of it and fewer opportunities for viewers to engage with canon in a more positive way.
Omg the classic "Ondul words" and the Blade memes XD All the best for getting back to your Japanese studies! I've learnt a lot just from listening to toku openings and reading their lyrics.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-25 11:58 pm (UTC)It is very pointless! And it is a shame that such heated discussions can discourage making fanworks for others. It's been so long for me, that I kinda forgot how heated people can get when any sort of media is currently being made. XD ^^; This was something I'd notice in anime fandoms too, back when I used to watch some seasonal anime. I've gained a lot of new experience and wisdom on how to navigate fan spaces as the next Rider entry airs. As it will begin pretty soon, and Geats having 4 episodes left.
(I am looking forward to Gotchard's press conference so we can get some more details! I'm very curious about it.)
The "Ondul Words" and Blade memes from Japan are so funny!! XD Even with what little I know, I can enjoy many of those old NicoNico edits. I can only imagine what it will be like once I revisit the entire show, and see more memes with better knowledge! I look forward to getting back to studying Japanese again. Thank you so much! <3