This show is largely misconcieved

In Faiz, there are random plot points at the end of a lot of episodes, or "plot convienience" for people surviving, but people don't realize how Inoue intentionally wrote it this way. Inoue doesn't care about details that the characters don't care about, and he doesn't care how characters get the powers, he cares more about the interactions between characters, and how he writes his characters. I gave Kabuto the same star rating even though Faiz's story is general weaker, but the characters are just as strong if not even stronger.

With that cleared up, the characters are masterfully crafted. The main character, Takumi, is easily a top 3 protag in Kamen Rider. He's specifically made so that Inoue can break down his character over the course of the series and convey messages behind using him as an example. Yuuji is such a beautifully done character, and my favorite in the whole Kamen Rider series because of how much he feels and evolves/devolves over the course of the show. He's the most *human* character in a lot of ways, it seems like he could've been anyone in the real world, which many shows fail to do.

I'm not going to say much about Kusaka because it's all spoilers, but his character is less about him, and improving further on how characters interact with each other, and bring more evolution and understanding. Also, compared to the novel, he isn't absolutely trash in this show.

The final belt is... there... ig. I think it's interesting though about the power dynamics of it.

The villains are actually pretty well done. I like when villains are almost like a mirror of the main cast in some way. Even they are often confused most of the time.

With that all being conveyed, the messages in this show are some of the most powerful I've seen in fictional media, and how it handles them. There is a lot of melodrama, and certainly a lot of low hope points,, but it's all the worthwhile. This show is a blast to watch, especially when you're going through something, or can relate to the characters. Highly recommend.

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