English Dub Review: Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider “Risk Your Life”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Yuriko and Tojima clash, with her superior technique frustrated by his bottomless resilience and power…

Our Take:

Following the intense sibling matchup, this week’s episode pits Tojima against Yuriko in the next round of the tournament.  These two clashed a couple of times earlier in the season before having to join forces against the Spider Man combatant.  Now they’re going to fight for real without any distractions slowing them down.  As in the previous episode, this one follows the formula of showcasing the two opponents’ distinctive styles while highlighting one of them overcoming their personal struggles.  In this case, we see Yuriko struggling with Tojima’s “Rider Punch”, which is powerful enough to knock someone out in seconds, and his refusal to back down despite severe injuries.  Amid the fight, she unleashes her own Kamen Rider spirit by letting out her frustration over Tackle’s death in Kamen Rider Stronger, an event that has haunted her since childhood.

With the show’s title being Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider, one might assume that Tojima would be the clear victor of the match.  However, the episode pulled a complete 180 by giving Yuriko the clear victory, thanks to her willingness to take risks, eventually overcoming Tojima’s incredible resilience.  As a result, Yuriko can face off against Mitsuba in the final match.  Given Yuriko’s dilemma, it makes sense that the episode went in this direction.  The arc serves not only to display its stylized Kamen Rider action but also to portray character development for the contestants, notably Mitsuba and Yuriko.  “Risk Your Life“ is no exception, blending thrilling action with character moments and Colleen Clinkenbeard’s solid performance to give Yuriko a satisfying shining moment with her Kamen Rider spirit.  We shall see if it’ll be enough to defeat Mitsuba in the final match.