What are your thoughts on the premiere of Kamen Rider Zeztz? Is it a dream or a nightmare?

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Zeztz Episode 2: Culprit, Victim… or Dream Warrior?

“I wasn’t sold after Episode 1… but now I’m changing my tune.”

Dream Invasion Gets Complicated

Episode 2 of Kamen Rider Zeztz—titled “Case 02: Explode” really surprised me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the premiere. It started off strong but lost some steam by the end. This episode corrected a lot of what didn’t sit right with me… or maybe I just got used to the show’s rhythm. Either way, I’m in.

Victim or Culprit?

The episode leaves us with a really intriguing idea: Is Mr. Fujimi—the detective—the one having the nightmare, or is he the one causing it?

He dreams of a bomber. That bomber causes chaos. But if the dreamer’s own mind created the nightmare, does that make him the culprit or still the victim? We’re not told yet. But it’s definitely something the show is going to keep exploring—and I love that.

Nem’s Role Just Got Way More Interesting

This whole “dream cop” bit with Nem is fascinating. She claims she’s playing a role and commits to it—today, that role is “police chief.” But what got me was the reveal that everyone dreams about Nem. That’s not a throwaway line. If she shows up in everyone’s dreams… who or what is she really?

And let’s talk naming:

• Nem = sounds like a cut of “nightmare”
• Nox = Latin for night
• The enemies? Nightmares

The pieces are starting to line up, and I’m wondering if Nem and Nox are two sides of the same coin—or on opposite ends of a deeper power struggle.

Action That Hits Hard (and High)

There’s a moment in this episode that blew me away. Zeztz jumps on air, flips over a girder, and kicks the Bomber Nightmare in midair. The choreography was insane.

It gave me flashbacks to the best of GAVV’s early episodes. That kind of spectacle sticks with you.

Is This Fujimi’s Dream?

There’s a lot of dream-logic detective work going on here, and I love it. There’s speculation that Baku might already be inside Fujimi’s dream, which could explain why he’s weaker in this scenario, and why Nem shows up in the way she does. But we’re still left guessing.

It reminds me a bit of Persona 5, Wizard, and even Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance. There’s that layered dream-state storytelling going on, but it’s grounded in Rider logic. Mostly.

Enter the Dream Van (a.k.a. The X-Files)

Let’s talk about the detective duo for a minute. Fujimi and Nasuka have this weirdly physical, chaotic energy. She kicks him. He nudges her. It’s like a slapstick X-Files parody, and I am into it.

Their “office” might be one of the most ridiculous sets in Rider history, and I say that with affection. It feels like Mulder’s FBI basement office got turned into a mobile home. No wonder the guy is dreaming of rearranging the police station! I don’t get how the mechanics of it work, but I am pretty sure every time they enter the van, they have to crawl into in a very awkward way. When Baku goes with them, all 3 of them do some version of rolling into the van. I don’t think the Japanese would have made such an inefficient design to this military vehicle, so I am sure it is more of a gag, but it seems like an odd thing to turn into a gag. Again, it feels like a parody. Then moments later, things get earnest and very serious, when Fujimi tells Nasuka that it was his dream to be a policeman or detective.

This might not be the best Western-facing approach for a global Rider launch… but now that I know what I’m in for, I’m rolling with it.

Localization and Laughs

There’s one moment that really worked for me: when Agent Zero calls Baku in English, and Baku goes, “Sorry, I don’t understand English… my dream self does, but not me.”

It’s such a funny and clever joke—and it feels like a rare wink to the global audience. That’s the kind of humor that works. More of that, please.

Rider Power Ball

Zeztz’s “power balls” are a neat flourish. The base design is so slick and smooth. The streamlined suit makes the cross-body belt the focal point. At the center of the focal point us the collectible gimmick, swappable balls that give Zeztz all sorts of powers. Yes, I’m sticking with calling them “balls.” The official term “Capsums” just doesn’t work for me. Anyway, we see a new ball used in this episode, transform: it spikes Zeztz’s leg, lets him shred tires, flipping the Bomb Nightmare’s van. It looks so cool and I am sure this Power Ball can enable him to transform his body in all sorts of ways. I have seen toy scan and it looks like some really cool things are on the horizon. Anyway, this guy made himself into a spike trip and SWEPT A TRUCK!

It’s over-the-top, it’s fun, and it looks good. And it ties into the bigger conflict: When a Nightmare fully takes over a host, that person becomes a real-world threat. Think bombings. Violence. Persona-style mental breakdowns. That’s what Zeztz is here to prevent.

Culprit Confirmed?

The end of the episode leans hard into Fujimi’s inner conflict. His dream was to become a police officer, but maybe some part of him resents the system. Resents where he ended up.

So when Nox interupts his fight with the Nightmare, Baku starts to wonder: Is the Nightmare the real enemy… or is it the dreamer himself?

That’s way deeper than most Episode 2s dare to go.

Cast, Crew, and Suit Actor Spotlight

• Writer: Yu Takahashi (X-Aid, Zero-One)
• Director: Kazuya Kamihoriuchi (Veteran Rider director)
• Suit Actor: Kenta Nita (new lead; previously a masquerade Dopant, OOO’s cop and many other roles)

That air flip kick I mentioned? I think that’s why they hired him.

Final Thoughts

This episode sold me. It’s still quirky. It’s still a little uneven. But now I understand the tone, and I’m vibing with it.

• Great action
• Clever dream logic
• Emotional stakes rising
• Thematic depth about culpability

If this keeps up, Zeztz is going to be a lot of fun.

Let’s Talk

What did you think of Episode 2?

Do you like the goofy tonal shifts, or are they pulling you out?

Was Fujimi the villain?

Is Zeztz responsible for messing with people’s minds?

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