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TV & FilmTV Reviews

Rider Tears

MJ Muñoz

This is MJ, join me for episode-by-episode analysis of various Kamen Rider series. I love Rider, despite its flaws, so get ready for a gut-punching look at the bad, the good and the fascinating of one of Shotaro Ishinomori's greatest creations.

Visit MJMunoz.com for more analysis, art and fiction.

SHOW CATALOG - https://luminousbeingssite.wordpress.com/category/podcast/mjmrt/

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  • 29 episodes
  • Avg 9 min
  • English

Episodes 29

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  • S2 · E63
    June 16 · 7 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 39

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 39 left me with a growing concern about the series. Is Zeztz becoming too complicated for its own good? Between Odaka's rushed redemption, Seek getting the redemption arc Odaka arguably deserved, the missing Somnia capsule, The Lady's growing role, and a rapidly expanding cast of threats, it feels like the show may be opening new storylines faster than it's resolving old ones. I still love Zeztz, but this episode made me wonder whether the series is trying to juggle too many moving pieces at once. Do you think Zeztz is successfully juggling all of its storylines, or is the series trying to do too much at once? Let me know in the comments! Dive deeper with my Inspector's Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/06/15/kamen-rider-zeztz-39/ #KamenRiderZeztz #KamenRider #Tokusatsu #HenshinInspection #KamenRiderReview #Zeztz39 #RiderTears

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  • S2 · E62
    June 9 · 10 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 38

    Did Kamen Rider Zeztz 38 confuse character movement for character growth? Odaka (Knox) ends this episode with a new form, a new purpose, a new alliance, and a major victory over Three. On paper, everything changes. But did he actually grow as a character? In this review, I explore the difference between a trip and a journey, why Baku's development felt earned, why Odaka's redemption fell flat for me, and why Midnight Shadow's debut may be the most disappointing moment in Zeztz so far despite the fantastic suit design. Was this a meaningful character arc, or did the story rush Odaka to the destination without earning the road that got him there? Dive deeper with my Inspector's Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/06/09/kamen-rider-zeztz-38/

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  • S2 · E61
    June 2 · 10 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 37

    Baku's battle to save Nox reveals the true theme of Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 37. This isn't just a story about friendship. It's a story about cooperation, trust, and why no one can win alone. What did you think of Nox's redemption and the growing alliance against CODE? Dive deeper with the Inspector's Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/06/02/kamen-rider-zeztz-37/

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  • S2 · E60
    May 26 · 10 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 36

    Baku never transforms in Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 36… and somehow that makes him feel more heroic. This episode quietly proves something important about Zeztz. The real power was never just the suit. Baku still fights, manipulates dreams, saves Nox, challenges CODE, and pushes the story forward even after losing the ability to become Zeztz. Ironically, the same toy gimmicks I’ve criticized since Episode 1 finally justify themselves here. The capsules stop feeling like merchandise and start feeling like actual tools that expand the story and the character. In this analysis, I talk about: Why Baku works without transforming The difference between gimmicks and meaningful tools Why Zeztz Episode 36 reminds me of Iron Man 3 The problem with modern toyetic Henshin storytelling Why moral clarity matters in Zeztz Check the pinned comment for my Inspector’s Notes and deeper thoughts on Episode 36 - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/05/26/kamen-rider-zeztz-36/

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  • S2 · E59
    May 20 · 10 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 35

    Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 35 completely changed the game. Kureha dies again. CODE: Somnia rewrites reality itself. Baku loses the Exdream Driver. And Zeztz pushes its hero into another brutal moral dilemma. But strangely, the most powerful part of the episode might have been the quiet barbecue scene at the beginning. In this analysis, I break down why contrast may be the secret behind Zeztz’s emotional impact, why Takahashi keeps resetting the status quo, and whether Baku made the right choice by sacrificing his power to save two civilians. Did Baku act heroically… or recklessly? Drop a comment and let me know where you stand on this episode. Dive Deeper with my Inspector's Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/05/20/kamen-rider-zeztz-35/

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  • S2 · E58
    May 15 · 10 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 34

    Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 34 is stunning. Baku’s new power completely changes the structure of the show, Sieg finally gets the nightmare he wanted, and Zeztz continues escalating in ways that feel logical, thematic, and honestly kind of terrifying. This episode gave us dream infiltration, layered nightmare warfare, some incredible visual storytelling, and one of the most satisfying villain defeats in the series so far. Check out my Inspector’s Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/05/15/kamen-rider-zeztz-34/

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  • S2 · E57
    May 5 · 11 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 33

    Baku’s impossible struggle against despair, death, and hopelessness becomes something larger than a simple power up episode. Zeztz 33 explores persistence, dreams, mythic storytelling, and the idea that refusing to give up can transform reality itself. In this Henshin Inspection review, I discuss: Baku’s twenty year struggle in limbo Zero’s philosophy about dreams becoming reality why children’s media often carries mythic truths the importance of hopeful fiction and why stories like Kamen Rider still matter This episode also features the debut of Kamen Rider Zeztz Exdream. Drop a comment to let me know where you stand on this. DIVE DEEPER with my Inspector’s Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/05/05/kamen-rider-zeztz-33/ #KamenRider #KamenRiderZeztz #Zeztz #仮面ライダー #Tokusatsu #HenshinInspection #RiderTears

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  • S2 · E56
    April 28 · 9 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 32

    Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 32 delivers massive revelations about Zero, Baku, dreams, and Nightmares... but I’m struggling with what the show seems to be saying now. Is Zero really being framed as noble? Is Nightmare power actually evil? Or is Zeztz setting up another false truth that Baku will eventually overcome? In this review, I break down the fatherhood themes, the growing moral confusion surrounding CODE, and why this episode may be the first time the series genuinely frustrated me. Drop a comment and let me know where you stand on Episode 32. Check the pinned comment for: • Inspector’s Notes • Extra analysis • The full Zeztz playlist • More Henshin Inspection reviews and theories

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  • S2 · E55
    April 22 · 8 min

    Kamen Rider Zeztz 31

    Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 31 drops a massive reveal: Zero is Baku’s father. It should be shocking. It should be meaningful. But instead, it raises a bigger question… Is Zeztz becoming too connected for its own good? In this review, I break down why the growing web of relationships, Code agents, and shared backstories might be pushing the story from compelling into ridiculous—and why this twist might not actually add anything to the narrative. Drop a comment to let me know where you stand. Check out my Inspector’s Notes - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/04/22/kamen-rider-zeztz-31/ #KamenRiderZeztz #KamenRider #Tokusatsu #HenshinInspection

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Showing 21–29 of 29 episodes