What are your thoughts on Kamen Rider Zeztz 05?

#Tokusatsu #Toku #KamenRider #ShotaroIshinomori #manga

VIDEO

Kamen Rider Zeztz 05: Secrets and Setups

“Crash” brings chaos, comedy, and Crow-fueled combat. I liked it. But I’ve got questions.
By MJ Muñoz – Rider Tears

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Secrets Everywhere

Episode 5 has a strong theme of secrets. Everyone’s hiding something. Baku is keeping his identity as Zeztz from his sister. Fujimi and Nasuka break into his room — through the window, no less — and somehow stumble into his secret chamber while he’s sleeping. Don’t ask how. They never explain it.

Then there’s the bride. I think her name’s Miku. Her secret isn’t what we expect. She’s terrified of heights but is about to fly off to the US for her honeymoon. That fear fuels her nightmare. Subconsciously, she wants the wedding ruined just to avoid the flight. That’s kind of wild.

What’s the Message Here?

Here’s where I start to wonder about the message. Is the show telling us it’s okay to run away from fear? Is that the lesson?

It’s too early to say for sure. If we get a couple more episodes where people get to just avoid what scares them without facing it, I might have a bigger issue. But for now, I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt. Especially because Baku is young — maybe 18 or 20. He’s not a trained therapist. He’s not equipped to dive into people’s traumas and fix them. I’m adjusting my expectations accordingly.

But if this becomes a pattern — if Zeztz keeps “solving” problems by avoiding real healing — then we’ve got a storytelling problem.

Want the super fast version? Check out the Zeztz 05 YouTube Short.

Suit Talk

This is a henshin hero show. Let’s talk suits.

The wing suit looks amazing. Still not a fan of the little 8-bit sprite that pops up in the capsules, but I’m willing to forgive it. My headcanon? These were developed by a retro game company in the 80s or 90s. Let’s just say Dan Kuroto’s dad made them and call it good.

Visuals were on point. Even the toy camera gag was shot with a certain flair. It’s a kid’s show. It’s made to sell toys. But there’s care in how it’s being presented. It’s polished. And it works.

Black Files and Banter

Fujimi and Nasuka continue to be a highlight. Their dynamic is so weird but so good. They’re ridiculous — jumping out windows, throwing up tea fuel, crawling through Baku’s window — but they’re also important to the plot. They bring levity and exposition. They’re basically comedic X-Files agents, and I’m here for it.

Baku’s reactions to them are great too. The chemistry is working.

Kiva Vibes and Dream Doors

I loved the little visual of Baku waking up on a church pew. It reminded me of Wataru rising from the roses in Kamen Rider Kiva. Subtle callback, maybe. Either way, it worked.

We also saw the dreamer (Fujimi last time) walk through the monster door again. The visual language of the dream world is staying consistent. And the butterfly seeding thing from Episode 4 is paying off — more nightmares are waking up in more people now.

Feather Foils and Crow Combat

The high-flying action in this episode might be the best we’ve seen so far. The Crow Nightmare is awesome. I love how he is set up as this foil for Baku to rise up and meet. The Zeztz Impact Wing look is so cool. He holds his wings like swords and there’s something about the way the suit’s gray areas mute while the active power pops that’s just… satisfying. That contrast is working. That Crow Nigtmare was a killer challenge for Baku to overcome and his cool factor really sold me on Baku and Zeztz.

Lore Bits That Hit

There’s a moment where Nox says only he and Nem remain unchanged. That line felt loaded. It implies something deep about who or what they are. He calls her Nem-chan. There’s clearly a connection.

We also see a book with red, blue, purple, and green figures drawn inside. I’m guessing these are future power-ups or modes for Baku. Curious to see how they tie in.

Final Thoughts

This show is picking up steam. Episode 5 had style, fun character moments, and a lot of narrative momentum. I’m enjoying the ride.

What did you think of the episode? Does the message about fear feel a little off to you too? Or are you fine with it as-is? Let me know.

Until next time,
This is MJ — signing out for Rider Tears.

Thanks for reflecting with me. What say you, fellow traveler? Drop a comment below or if you’re on Twitter, tag me @MJ_Scribe. 

If you’re looking for something with magical creatures, high stakes, and a whole lot of heart, check out Mockwing Mayhem. Learn more at grobugs.com.

You can find more of my reviews, book reflections, and stories with spine at mjmunoz.com.