Recap: Kamen Rider Saber, Chapter 2: The Water Swordsman, Along With a Blue Lion.

Touma and Mei are speechless at the sight of Rintaro on his blue lion. He apologizes as he read in a book about human culture that it is rude to enter a home with shoes on. Mei says coming in on a lion is just as bad.Touma and Mei are speechless at the sight of Rintaro on his blue lion. He apologizes as he read in a book about human culture that it is rude to enter a home with shoes on. Mei says coming in on a lion is just as bad.

Rintaro apologizes again as he hops off his lion and packs it back into his Book, saying he still has lots to learn about this world.

He introduces himself as Shindo Rintaro of the Sword of Logos and they should have no reason to be suspicious of him. He explains that the Sword of Logos is a secret guild that has maintained the balance of the world.

The Wonder Ride Book in Touma’s possession holds great power, thus is very dangerous. Rintaro asks if Touma can hand it over.

Touma says he cannot as it is something very important to him.

Rintaro gets a call and tells Touma he will be using a section of the wall to open a strange door.

Mei thinks it’s a Dokodemodoa, but Rintaro says it is a Book Gate that connects to their headquarters. He invites Touma to join him through and asks Mei to wait here.

Mei notices Rintaro drooling over her pastry, but Rintaro asks Touma to please hurry. Touma stumbles into the strange portal and they arrive in a large library-like place.

Suddenly, a door opens amidst the bookshelves and out walks Sophia, a protector serving the Sword of Logos. She welcomes Touma to their northern base in the North Pole and explains they have been based here with other swordsmen chosen by the Sacred Swords to protect book that created this world.

Rintaro asks if it’s okay for them to be telling Touma this information and Sophia nods.

Sophia says the Seiken has determined Touma to be worthy of becoming a Kamen Rider.

Touma asks what he has to do. But Sophia says it will depend on what’s in Touma’s heart. She takes her leave.

Touma asks who moved the city to another world. Rintaro explains that it was Calibur and the Megido. They stole countless Wonder Ride Books 15 years ago, resulting in the death of many swordsmen. But Rintaro says they will their live son the line to protect the Books and maintain the balance of the world.

Later back at the store, Touma holds his Wonder Ride Book and Rekka, thinking about all he’s just learned.

Next morning, Rintaro walks through the door and says he will go out to save the people in the part of the city that’s still trapped in the book. Touma says he will come with. Rintaro says it is dangerous. But Touma vows to save everyone.

Rinataro, smiling, says he understands and will be right alongside Touma the entire way.

They head downtown. Rintaro explains that they can use a Seiken to travel to the other side of the barrier.

Before they walk through, Mei arrives on her bike and pedals right at them, causing them all to fall into the booked area.

The city inside the book looks terrible and Rintaro says it’s in its final stages of abnormal. He tells them to leave this to him as he shows them how he fights.

Rintaro locks his Wonder Ride Book in and henshins to Kamen Rider Blades.

Rintaro takes on the Ari Megido and Shimi grunts and easily finishes them off. Touma and Mei are wowed by Rintaro’s strength and power.

But Rintaro says there’s still more danger ahead.

After helping people evacuate a building, Touma also henshins. Mei watches from around the corner as Touma takes care of some Shimi. Rintaro compliments him on his swordsmanship.

Suddenly, a piercing sound emanates from Kirigirisu Megido who joins Ari Megido as they hope to make this the new normal. They leave.

Mei collapses and Touma and Rintaro being her back to the store.

Touma and Rintaro meet with Sophia who explains that the Megido must be replacing Wonder Ride Books in order to recreate the book that created the world and attain all its power.

Sophia says the Megido have already rewritten the section of the city engulfed by their book. And if the Megido continue to rewrite reality, their lives as swordsmen will be put at risk.

Touma thinks about the Megido earlier mentioning the new normal if the book were to be completed. So all they must do is defeat them before that happens. Sophia says there’s a difference between recklessness and bravery. But Touma says that “Hope exists beyond our resolution.”

Sophia is surprised to hear him say those words. But a box opens to reveal what Sophia describes as a book only Touma can use.

Touma and Rintaro return to inside the Megido Book city and henshin.

To help them, Rintaro summons his Gatriker and Touma, using the new Book he just received, summons his new Diago Speedy bike. They ride through the Megido’d city and an army of ants until they find Kirigirisu Megido.

Touma realizes this scenario is based on the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper in which the grasshopper protects the ants. That means the queen must be the one multiplying the superants.

Rintaro finds Ant Megido and finishes it off with a Leo Cascade finisher. He catches the Jackun-to-Domamenoki Book that powered the Megido.

Rintaro uses the Book to power up his sword which slows down the Megido. He hands Touma the Book for him to try.

Touma locks it into his Driver. Rintaro says it’s too soon for him to try two volumes at once. But Touma is able to access the Jack and the Beanstalk power up.

Touma makes a beanstalk grow which allows him to ride up it to reach the Megido. The Megido says it’s too late for them to try and do anything. But Touma insists that he writes the end of this story.

With a Flaming Dragon Crushing Kick, Touma finishes the Megido off for good.

Touma catches the Peter Fantasista Book that was used to power up the Ari Megido. When Rintaro finishes off the remaining ants, they are able to restore the city back to normal.

Back at the store, Touma draws the new Books in a notebook of his and raves about Rintaro’s sword skills. He asks him to explain more about the Books and Seiken.

Rintaro says Touma has a lot to learn and from now on, Touma can call him “Rintaro-san.”

Mei offers to help Rintaro as well. He declines, but Mei has some delicious chocolate eclairs she could share.

Rintaro has read all about them, but says he must practice self-control to maintain his body. Though maybe a little sugar can’t hurt.

While they discuss the sweet treats, Touma remembers that little girl from his dream again.

But suddenly, a strange man enters the store on a magic carpet.

“Long time no see Touma!”

But Touma has no idea who this man is.

Tassel recaps the episode we just finished watching.

Episode Thoughts

I think overall, I enjoyed this episode a little more. It’s always great to get most of the set-up out of the way and just get into the story and characters more.

First, I liked seeing more of the dynamic between Touma and Mei. Initially, I thought they were strictly editor-writer or something professional. But they seem to be friendlier than that, which I actually prefer.

Rintaro not being a tsundere secondary Rider is also very refreshing. I think the last time we had a “main” secondary Rider who smiled more than scowled was Go in Drive! And that’s, what, like at least five years ago?!

The “two male Riders with female sidekick” is definitely a familiar set-up. But I would love to see them shake things up a little with that dynamic.

Can’t really get a feel for the villains or the overall threat yet. Especially when we only see them less than 30 seconds in the entire episode and at 10 seconds every time they pop up.

I thought the idea of different worlds would be interesting. But the heavy CGI feels a little more jarring than cool so far. Like it was kinda cool, but the video gamey sequence when Touma and Rintaro drove through the ants in the post-apocalyptic Megido City felt a little weird.

And the obvious green screen scenes feel awkward. Though, and here we go with corona again, it’s probably safer for the cast and crew to film in a soundstage in front of a green screen than to film outside, unfortunately. So I guess it’s a much safer benefit to have all these CG scenes rather and lessening the risks of having big crews and cast out and about.

I did like the more serious parts of the episode too. Like Rintaro’s expository monologue to Touma at the North Pole, for example. I think there was just a lot to take in during the premiere. And so this episode had a better balance of the serious business and the more amusing moments.

Oh! And I can’t help but think of Sento’s aroused cowlick hair when they play the sound effect here. Why couldn’t they choose something else! lol

So overall, I liked this episode a lot better. And things are moving well so far for our protagonists. But I’m hoping to get more from our antagonists soon too.