Now that OOO is done, it is time for next Rider to shine! The series opens with the same tone like the cold opening of Kamen Rider W which later fast forwards 17 years later in which we meet the three stars of this show, Kengo Utahoshi, Yuki Jojima and our main protagonist, a transfer student who didn't receive the school memo about the proper school uniform, Gentaro Kisaragi!
The first episode properly sets the tone of the series. The first thing the series set that they are studying in a Japanese high school with American student stereotypes, in which we have the punks, the nerds, the jocks, the party animals, the resident bitches, I mean, the cheerleaders, the football players and the most important part of the high school ecosystem, the freaks. I am fine with the series having this kind of setup, but I was expecting something more like a traditional Japanese high school that I often see in anime and other related Japanese media. But hey, at least it is fun to watch it. Also, they established that the series will be quite goofy with a couple of moments of awesome.
As for the characters, Gentaro will befriend anybody, even the ones who are bullying him or the ones who are acting like jerks and will punch them just for them to be his friends. I instantly love this guy. As for Yuki and Kengo, Yuki is one fun character to watch due to her personality while as for Kengo, he is the series jerk which I am sure, will water down after the show's 2nd episode; as for four other characters, namely, Miu (cheerleader), Shun (American football player), JK (the party animal) and Tomoko (Goth girl with an iPad), since they act based on the stereotype, so talking about them is not very important right now.
Now to the Fourze System, I love it. Sure, the belt looks a bit bulky, but I prefer function over design since hey, who cares if you look good if you can't do something? The Astro Switch switching will take some time to use to, and it reminded me a bit of the Gaia Memories in terms of function, except that they don't imbue attributes but more like give you weapons in a similar fashion like that of Kamen Rider OOO's Birth System. As for the set of Switches that were introduced in the episode, they were impressive less the Radar Module for reasons that it acts like a communicator between the Rabbit Hutch and Fourze and that it's only function is for aiming at the opponent.
As for the first Foodroid the BurgerMeal, I still find it stupid design wise. Granted I mentioned that I prefer function over aesthetics but who in the right mind will design a tracking device that looks like a hamburger? I mean its plain stupid. Seriously, if they want to go with the school theme, they can just disguise their gadgets into school supplies since it makes more sense. Heck, I am fine if they disguise one gadget to look like a football! As for the Power Dizer, I love it instantly. Its function as Kengo's exoskeleton fits well with the story considering that Kengo here is quite sickly and that he can't fight well.
For the Zodiarts, I will reserve my judgement about it till the next episode since it seems that they will show the full origins of these guys. More on these guys, I love the foreshadowing of the eight other main Zodiarts. As for the mysterious man who is the school principal which we saw in the opening in the series, he has this vibe that he is the Ryubee Sonozaki of this series, except that he is operating in a small scale.
