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PODCAST

Rider Tears

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/ALL PODCASTS - https://mjmunoz.com/podcasts/

tv & film tv reviews

All Episodes

10:20

Kamen Rider Zeztz 36

Rider Tears ·

2026/05/26

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

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10:14

Kamen Rider Zeztz 35

Rider Tears ·

2026/05/20

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

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10:11

Kamen Rider Zeztz 34

Rider Tears ·

2026/05/15

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 -

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11:08

Kamen Rider Zeztz 33

Rider Tears ·

2026/05/05

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 limboZero’s philosophy about dreams becoming realitywhy children’s media often carries mythic truthsthe importance of hopeful fictionand why stories like Kamen Rider still

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9:56

Kamen Rider Zeztz 32

Rider Tears ·

2026/04/28

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

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8:29

Kamen Rider Zeztz 31

Rider Tears ·

2026/04/22

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

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12:54

Kamen Rider Zeztz 30

Rider Tears ·

2026/04/21

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 30 introduces Orderm — and just like that, everything changes.I had issues with Catastrom and the way power was being handled in Zeztz… but this episode kind of wipes those away. Not because it answers them, but because it sidesteps them entirely.Is that good storytelling… or just really effective tokusatsu?In this review, I break down:The visual storytelling of Catastrom vs OrdermWhy the new form works emotionallyThe “trolley problem” Zeztz just escapedAnd whether this is

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11:40

Kamen Rider Zeztz 29

Rider Tears ·

2026/04/20

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 29 is trying to convince us that Catastrem is dangerous, corrupting, and pushing Baku over the edge.I’m not buying it.In this review, I break down why the Catastrem arc isn’t landing, why the show hasn’t clearly defined the difference between dream power and nightmare power, and why Baku’s actions in this episode actually make sense based on everything the story has shown us so far.If Catastrem is supposed to be a problem, the show needs to prove it. Right now, it hasn’t.Is

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9:25

Kamen Rider Zeztz 28

Rider Tears ·

2026/04/16

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 28 introduces Sieg as a uniquely dangerous villain. Not just because of his power, but because of what he represents.He is a fallen hero who knows the truth about Code, a criminal with a mysterious thousand-year sentence, and someone who can wield Nightmare power without a system. That combination makes him different from anything we have seen so far.In this review, I break down why Sieg works so well, how he challenges Baku, and what his existence reveals about Code as an

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7:17

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 27 Proves Sieg Changes...

Rider Tears ·

2026/03/26

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 27 introduces Sieg in a way that expands the world of the show in a major way.In this episode analysis, I look at how Sieg is making an already great show even better.Three key things stand out:• Sieg's strange nightmare realm where monsters are imprisoned and forced to fight• His ability to enter and interfere with other people's dreams• His power to rewrite and reshape the dream world itselfThis episode also raises huge questions about the lore of Zeztz.How powerful is

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9:57

Kamen Rider Zeztz 26 Is This the Greatest Recap in...

Rider Tears ·

2026/03/17

Kamen Rider Zeztz is a clip show, but...This one feels different.Instead of simply repeating old footage, the episode uses the recap to reframe the story and clarify what the conflict actually is, it keeps the conflict going and introduces a new threat!So the question becomes simple.Is this the greatest recap episode in tokusatsu history?Dive deeper with Inspector's Notes: https://mjmunoz.com/2026/03/17/kamen-rider-zeztz-26/ZEZTZ PLAYLIST -

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12:09

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 25

Rider Tears ·

2026/03/10

Episode 25 of Kamen Rider Zeztz might be one of the most important episodes in the entire series so far.After the shocking events of Episode 24, the story appears to reset in a kind of New Game Plus timeline, but the emotional core of the episode comes down to one line from Baku:"My mission now is to make sure my dream never comes true."For years Baku dreamed of becoming an invincible CODE agent, Code Number Seven. But now that dream has become a nightmare. If his vision of the future is real, then

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9:19

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 24

Rider Tears ·

2026/03/06

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 24 - The Moment Baku FailedIn Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 24, the biggest moment isn’t Baku’s apparent death or the destruction of the Nightmares. The most important moment is much smaller and much more disturbing.Baku walks past an injured man and does nothing.Earlier in the series, Baku risked his life to save strangers. Now, as Zeztz Catastrom, he ignores someone dying in front of him and continues pursuing his mission. Has Baku lost his heart? Has he crossed the line from

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7:42

Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity Episode 1

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/27

Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity Episode 1 is a very promising start; the biggest reason is Reiji.In this Henshin Reflection review of Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity Ep. 1: Red Gavan, I break down why the premiere feels complicated and overloaded with multiverse lore, Emorgears, transformation devices, and large-scale sci-fi concepts… yet still works because of its emotional core.Reiji Doki is a compelling, charismatic lead. His emotional performance, grounded presence, and untransformed

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11:04

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 23

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/26

Kamen Rider Zeztz Episode 23 “Destroy” proves this is the right way to sell a toy.Catastrom isn’t just a new form. It shifts Baku’s trajectory, raises the moral stakes, and forces a real confrontation with duty and identity as Code Number: Seven.The belt add-on, the Catastrum Buster, the dark framing — it all matters to the story.That’s why it works.In this review I break down: • Why Catastrom feels consequential • The moral tension between Baku, Nem, and Fujimi • How Zeztz integrates toy marketing

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7:49

Kamen Rider Zeztz 22 - Baku, CODE, and the Big...

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/20

Episode 22 of Kamen Rider Zeztz raises a serious moral question about CODE… and then distracts us with spectacle.Baku embraces the power of Catastrum, destroys Nox, and delivers one of the most satisfying fights of the series so far. But in the middle of all that chaos, something important gets pushed aside.Are we being emotionally manipulated? Is CODE righteous? And why does it feel like Yuya Takahashi just pulled a sleight of hand on the audience?Let’s talk about it.Bonus Content -

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20:44

Silver Buster Review – A Grounded Tokusatsu “Season...

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/13

A spoiler-light review of Silver Buster by Jordan Allen (@MightySkrow), breaking down what works, where it stumbles, and why it feels like the strong opening arc of a modern henshin hero series.If you love Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and transformation heroes with real consequences, this one’s worth a look.Full Post - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/13/silver-buster-book-1-review/

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9:08

Kamen Rider Zeztz 21 The Nightmare Wins

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/11

Episode 21 is great and it sucks, because it is great at what it does. The Nightmares win in the worst way possible, by targeting children, and the consequences finally spill out of the dream world into reality.Bonus Content - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/11/kamen-rider-zeztz-21/

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5:52

Kamen Rider Zeztz 20 - Escalation

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/05

Episode 20 quietly escalates everything. New players enter the board, old failures come back to haunt the story, and Zeztz crosses a strange moral line as the nightmare war expands. Not explosive, but necessary. Where do you think this arc is headed? What do you think of Agent 5?Bonus Content - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/05/kamen-rider-zeztz-20/

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6:20

Kamen Rider Zeztz 19 - Broken

Rider Tears ·

2026/02/04

Kamen Rider Zeztz 19 confronts what it means to act morally inside a broken system.Baku admits he does not fully understand CODE, but still chooses to fight what he knows is wrong, while Nem struggles with guilt, responsibility, and the temptation to sacrifice herself to end the Nightmares.In an imperfect world, when clarity is impossible, what does it actually mean to do the right thing?Bonus Content - https://mjmunoz.com/2026/02/04/kamen-rider-zeztz-19/

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