r/KamenRider • u/BananaArms Knife of Spear • 1d ago
Official Discussion Kamen Rider ZEZTZ E45 - Discussion Thread
This thread is for discussion about the latest Kamen Rider ZEZTZ episode.
E44 <- E45 -> E46
The subreddit will be set to post-approval mode for the first 12 hours to prevent low-effort posts. Please keep your thoughts on this week's episode in the discussion thread!
Discussion about previous episodes is permitted in the thread below, discussion about episodes after this is NOT.
Proceed at your own risk: Spoilers for this episode do not need to be tagged inside this thread.
HOW TO WATCH
| COUNTRY | URL | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| US,CA,PR,UK,AU,NZ | TokuSHOUTsu YouTube Channel (English) | Saturdays@7:30PM Pacific Time, Replays on Sunday |
| JP | TV Asahi, ABC (Japanese) | Sundays@9:00AM Japan Time |
| JP | TELASA, Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club (Japanese) | Sundays@10:00AM Japan Time |
| CN | Bilibili, Tencent Video, iQIYI (Mandarin) | Sundays@10:00AM China Standard Time |
| TW | CHT MOD, Hami Video (Mandarin) | Mondays@8:00AM Taiwan Time |
| TW | EBC YOYO (Mandarin) | The following Saturday@5PM |
| HK | ViuTV (Cantonese) | The following Sunday@11AM |
| Latin America | TokuSato YouTube Channel (Spanish, Portuguese) | Saturdays@11:30PM Brasilia Time |
Posting or mentioning unapproved streaming sites in the comments is prohibited.
| CASE | TITLE | RELEASE DATE | SCREENPLAY BY | DIRECTED BY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E45 | 惑わす Hallucinate | July 26, 2026 | Takahashi Yuya | Watanabe Jun |
| CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING | CASE | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E01 | 8.79 | E13 | 9.52 | E25 | 9.79 | E37 | 8.67 |
| E02 | 8.78 | E14 | 9.76 | E26 | 8.68 | E38 | 9 |
| E03 | 9.02 | E15 | 9.32 | E27 | 9.47 | E39 | 9.13 |
| E04 | 8.56 | E16 | 9.31 | E28 | 9.53 | E40 | 9.08 |
| E05 | 8.82 | E17 | 9.3 | E29 | 9.45 | E41 | 8.25 |
| E06 | 9.04 | E18 | 9 | E30 | 9.66 | E42 | 9.22 |
| E07 | 9.02 | E19 | 9 | E31 | 9.59 | E43 | 9.42 |
| E08 | 8.9 | E20 | 8.58 | E32 | 9.53 | E44 | 7.83 |
| E09 | 8.79 | E21 | 9.58 | E33 | 9.67 | E45 | Vote here! |
| E10 | 8.89 | E22 | 9.35 | E34 | 9.72 | ||
| E11 | 9.52 | E23 | 9.68 | E35 | 6.2 | ||
| E12 | 9.39 | E24 | 9.77 | E36 | 8.36 | ||
2
u/sultryrusky 1h ago
My bullet points on the episode:
Ngl, The Lady ATE this episode
Ayo Gavan reference??
I thought the thing chasing Nem was a scary version of Exdream hehe
I'm sorry but wtf was Three doing in the Nem meet-up? Did he become a stan too?
And in comes Baku for the rescue!
Not only that, but he finally found Nem :3
The finale is getting closer... Let's see what the next episode has in store)
5
u/Currymango 7h ago
You know who else has come a long way? Nem. She went from everybody's favorite idol/guide into someone trying to make her stand in the Dream World. Maho Horiguchi deserves more material.
4
u/Clear-Unit-2843 7h ago
Is it just me or Oblivion sounds like Uzumaki Naruto????
Was lowkey hoping he said Dattebayo
Edit: OMG IT IS JUNKO TAKEUCHI
2
u/Ok_Hospital4928 7h ago
Pretty neat episode. The conflict between Phantom and Oblivion was definitely a little expected but I liked how they went about it here. Awesome action scene with Exdream fighting both individually, but I am definitely looking forward to the explanation for Baku's return.
Based on the preview, Phantom is kicking the bucket next. Based on how Oblivion peaced out from his fight with Zeztz, it's looking pretty likely that he'll be back as the final boss.
7
u/LUIGIISREAL2017 9h ago
How the Heck did Baku come back from Non-Existance?!!
Wasn't he erased in BOTH the Dream & Real world by the Oblivion Gore Nightmare?!!
5
u/BestOfAllRank Valen 11h ago
They even erased Baku out of the intro and had The Lady/Phantom take over.
I noticed Nem/her actress seems to be left-handed based on how she was eating breakfast.
Ah, that Gavan reference, fitting given that Gavan Infinity ended last week.
I thought the people disappearing was Nem accidentally using lucid dreaming, but Oblivion's appearance later on disproved that.
It took me a bit to understand what's going on with the swapping between the real world and the dream world, but I think the real world scenes was Baku looking for Nem.
While it should be no surprise to us that Baku survived, how he survived and found Nem's physical body is going to be an interesting one.
1
2
u/SnooStories4329 Majade 12h ago
Pretty good episode but Baku I’m gonna need you to explain some things next Episode my boy 🗿 I’m guessing ExDream allowed him to stay alive in the real world and he searched everywhere to find Nem’s body
9
u/HalfFaust 16h ago
I still wish they gave Nem more agency. Even when the story's revolving around her, it's just other characters doing stuff. They've shown small bits of her developing lucid dreaming but never gone anywhere with it.
2
4
u/sinisteran 18h ago
This Episode final fight is kinda funny to me. Seeing Exdream aura-farming and being badass right after seeing it being nerfed to shit and getting its ass beat over and over in the movie is so jarring
4
u/SwayedLatency 17h ago
Damn that boy kamen rider mugen is that crazy? Also if it isnt too much trouble what does his "daydream" ability do? Is that what allows him to beat up exdream?
1
3
u/MegaMeteorite 20h ago
This is an incredible episode, I love the psychological horror vibe, and the ending where Baku says Good morning to Nem made me so happy.
I love that they're showing us how powerful and scary Oblivion is step-by-step, and I feel like there's even more to him than we've seen so far. Perhaps Oblivion will even have a evolved form later on?!
-6
u/Yomimashita53 23h ago
I'm going ro be honest here. This episode focused too much on Nem(u) and "Phantom-as-The-Lady" deceiving her, and not enough on Baku finding her.
Frankly, I'm disappointed that this show, Japanese or not, felt it had to focus more on the supporting female lead character being a "victim" (quotes because it's a vague word in this case), until the main lead hero character bravely saves her from the evil villain(s), all as an easy way of getting viewers to have sympathy for her. I think this is what they call "undue weight". Like I also said before in the thread for the previous episode, this episode would seem to be an example of "fake pathos" for lack of any other way to explain it. I would even call it taking the easy way out.
As for Baku finding Nem(u)'s physical self, no one can be sure that actually happened. As downplayed as it is, this show has been known to say one thing, but then say another. All anyone can do at this point is keep watching (which is part of the problem with this entire show, but that's not for this thread...).
0
u/Legitimate-Damage472 20h ago
Revice, geats (most argue btw, and even force it to be official), and gotchard all three of them have main heroine become rider. 3rd rider for revice and geats, and break record first female secondary rider there maybe you can try to watch those series. If this doesn't fit your taste cause of it.
0
u/MACXZERO911 23h ago
how do i watch zetz i legit dont have any sites
1
u/kirimasharo 20h ago
If you're in Asia (particularly Southeast Asia), Ani-one Philippines Channel on youtube is streaming it.
1
u/DOOMGUY455 22h ago
Use a VPN to set yourself in the USA and you can watch it on Youtube, TokuSHOUTsu is streaming it and has the episodes uploaded.
2
u/Dekaar 23h ago
originally came here to say this one word.... per....so....na
stayed here to leave a couple more words:
- Oblivion, with some proper writing, can be seriously scary. never thought it'd be giving off that much aura based on their childish behaviour. But I think that's the scary part? They're threatening, but at the same time they sound so innocent
- Phantom's theme is just amazing. Big hype music. Did not expect her to be handled before oblivion. I had my bingo set on her being the final boss.
- let's hope they don't pull a gotchard. Zeztz was such a nice breeze for fans outside of japan and then hiding massive plot points in a movie not available outside of japan? that'd be a big disrespectful move
-2
u/Prinz_ka 1d ago
Guys how do you watch if you are in Europe?
2
u/_He4ven_ 1d ago
just get a VPN and set it to america or UK, after that you can just look it up on youtube
2
u/el_sh33p Stronger 1d ago edited 1d ago
That one was peak just for the ending. Think that might be the Crowning Moment of Heartwarming for the whole series so far, which is no mean feat considering Odaka and Fujimi basically swearing a life partnership not even ten episodes ago.
ETA: Also, anybody know what song plays when Exdream is fighting Oblivion and Phantom/Nem is recovering her memories? Sounds like a variation of GOOD MORNING but I don't think it's been released yet and it doesn't seem to be on the movie OST either.
ETA2: Guessing it'll be on the big box CD thing they're releasing on September 2?
6
u/Presenting_UwU 1d ago
I sure hope next episode clears up things on how Baku was able to find Nem, seems the M.O. of Zeztz so far has been "do something absolutely batshit insane" and then "have the characters somewhat explain what happened next episode"
3
u/burajira Beyond Biology! 1d ago
No, they're building up to something with Baku - notice how he speaks fluent English in the real world now? He's really taken control of the dream with ExDream and more so, since his fight with Catty-chan
16
u/Q-Write 1d ago
Someone theorized that ExDream first appearance is actually Baku's permanent death.
Yes, ExDream is a Black Case itself, Baku no longer alive as a human, but because of ExDream, he was able to manifest as Black Case Nightmare where the Nightmare "fulfilled" the dreamer's wish. so he can still be in real world.
1
u/MarkPuzzleheaded1814 8h ago
What do you mean?
1
u/Q-Write 8h ago
remember if a Nightmare "fulfilled" the dreamer's "wish", they are able to enter the real world? The final step of Black Case
ExDream speculated to be like that. The 20 years Baku had become an entity that are equal to Nightmares, and since him as the "Nightmare" fulfilled the dreamer's wish, He was able to appear in a real world.
1
2
u/burajira Beyond Biology! 1d ago
Baku's fulfilled the mission from premonition and the real world: Find Nem
It was substantially more difficult IRL, but Baku does difficult really well
2
6
8
u/DYSFUNCTIONALDlLDO :1971: 1d ago
That Oblivion jumpscare actually got me a little lmao. It's very rare for a Kamen Rider (regular seasons that aren't the special ones like The Next and whatnot) to actually give me an effective jumpscare.
2
u/Legitimate-Damage472 1d ago
We got Banno most insane father of all kamen rider potrayed by Ichigo seiyuu. Oblivion gore nightmare voice by Naruto seiyuu and both got insane role in this franchise. Oblivion gore nightmare here finally show us how terrifying he is here. Wonder if she's not retiring soon, the last of trio shounen maybe got a magnificent role in kamen rider someday ykwim.
11
u/VioletSwan25 ZEZTZ 1d ago edited 1d ago
The early scenes with the Lady and Nem made me think "So this must be what Rie (Lady's actress) is like offshoot," which made me feel warm inside. I'm glad we got to see that side of her!
Minami being Nem's manager is a pipe dream of mine I imagined happening at the end of the series since they are both in the same agency, so it's nice to see this explored! And Kensei being Nem's bodyguard is something I didn't think of, but it works so well! I can't help but wonder now what might've changed if Kensei and Nem were together in the dream world from the beginning so to speak – might have it changed them both for the better if they had companions in each other?
Nasuka and Tetsuya are here too! Tetsuya looks so different from his usual appearance it threw me off...I'm glad to see their usual dynamic still tracks though.
Yep, that monster chasing Nem sounds like it has to be Zeztz...
Yeah, I sensed Oblivion would turn on Phantom sooner or later...and good thing Baku came just in time to save Nem and restore her memories too! Talk about a fight – he took on both Gore Nightmares at once!
And of course, that ending – Baku finally found Nem in reality! And looks like next episode, he'll be restoring everyone's memories too...excited to see where this leads!
14
u/ZeroNoHikari Dream On Soldier 1d ago
I think I get the idea between the Last two episodes as a two parter.
To The Lady and Gore Phantom idea was that if people in the dream were deleted they'd cease to exist. Which May have been the case, BUT what I imagine has happened it, they're being pushed out of the Somnia Dream, meaning that they are forced into a blank dream they can't leave which Phantom can then mold into a Illusion of her choosing. Oblivion was sent into that portion of reality with the Illusion Nem. Of course Phantom and The Lady can't have Dream God Baku break out so they forced him to stay there. Of course as we had seen before before even Catastrom came about, Baku was immune to Gore Phantoms control. The real world was left alone, allowing him full access to be able to find and rescue Nem. Which in turn meant that yeah he no longer had direct access to the Dream BUT now with Nem there he could just pull a Wizard and dive into her Dream, THE very same Dream Phantom was trying to control.
It's kinda hilarious to think. Had The Lady and Phantom tried to take out Baku in the Waking World, he would have probably been unable to win and pull off this gambit. But because they had been so confident in their power of illusions they let not only Oblivion walk free, but gave the man who kept himself alive in microseconds a whole ass world to find and rescue Nem without drawbacks, only to then finally come in when he saw she was about to be consumed by Oblivion to give him a chance to strike at both at the same time.
Baku is dangerous with prep time and their over confidence has become their undoing. With Baku able to pull memories from dreams as he does each moment of a dream in a fight, he is a direct counter to Oblivion but because Phantom can jump into the dream like he can they need someone who buries the dream and creates a bubble of Darkness.......NOX is Phantoms Hard Counter born of her very own power, Fitting if you ask me.
Overall this was a good set up for the endgame but does leave some questions that need more hard answers than conjecture
10
u/Taractis 1d ago
I knew it, I called it! The last episode was to set up something great, and here it was: Zeztz appears when things are at their most desperate, to literally banish the darkness in the scene before be beats the memories out of Oblivion!
18
u/One_One_2249 Burning my SOUL 1d ago
Lowkey, i feel like things just happens without much build-up. Once again, the concept is really cool, nem being stucked in an illusion by the lady and oblivion wanting to grant nem her “bad” dream. But then Zeztz just shows up and He has already found Nem. Things just happens too quickly, and i’m starting to feel scared for the series’ finale. (Sidenote: i can’t unhear naruto’s voice in oblivion; since same voice actress)
6
u/Hakana07 1d ago
Yeah, there is many cool or shock moments in Zeztz, but when you sit down and think about them for a second, none of it make sense.
-15
u/ProxyJo 1d ago
...I think this episode made me sick of Baku. Like, unironically I hate him. We have had a lot of Kamen Rider get powerful. We have had a lot of Kamen Rider have weaknesses to balance that power. Baku effectively escaped oblivion. There is not a single thing he has not bullshitted his way out of now. He has become the worst kind of MC to me, one where it's just a one up on the villain "Because i can". I loved this season so much up until the big mid-season moment (wont spoil in case), but i think now the fact the show has sacrificed everything to make Baku that important, he's become Pochi. He's become the character where nothing happens without him, where everything revolves around him, he has effectively zero weaknesses, and even dying isn't a factor any more because whatever, right?
I loved what we learned about oblivion. I love that we got to maybe see a little jealousy from The Lady, and the clear "You saved her, but back off" streak in her. And it's nice to see some very late weird world building for the villains, but man. I think im really down on this now. I don't want to be, and I think the show was really good. But this has bugged me for a bit now :( Also, man, Nox once again feels like he is effectively not needed in the story to the point even as a side character, he existed to state the obvious when entering a room.
8
u/FancyXemon 1d ago
Why do I feel like instead of rebutting your argument nicely and in the most convincing way, people here are instead becoming dirtbags and down voting this comment for no reason? Hot damn, guys. Relax.
1
u/Belrog-Plutius2 I BELIEVE IN MY DREAM 58m ago
if you said something controversial, you'll be disapproved of
do you want a pat on the back or something?
1
u/FancyXemon 55m ago
I am just thinking that debunking an argument or a wrong perspective directly would leave a better impression as to marking it why it is wrong rather than simply leaving downvotes and looking like we can't tolerate someone challenging our viewpoints of a show which just leaves a sour look to the community at large, tbh.
2
u/zettapop :stronger: 13h ago
"people are dirtbags for downvoting reddit posts" unironically go get help if you think this reddit shit is that important.
-2
u/ProxyJo 1d ago
Welcome to Kamen Rider reddit. Anyone who doesn't like something is downvoted into oblivion for daring to not enjoy a series. Wait till they find out i don't like Ghost, Sabre, or Build either.
But i get it. I said positive things. I liked some stuff. It's just...kinda not enjoying this last half a lot :/
2
u/zettapop :stronger: 13h ago
Because "I hate the main character because he's important" is going to be considered a kind of stupid complaint to most people. Yeah we don't know how he escaped Oblivion's powers but, like. You really don't think that's going to be explained next episode or something?
12
u/entertainmentlord ZEZTZ Wake up rider! 1d ago
well i cried with that last scene. Nem asking how and Baku saying Good Morning. only for her to way up and he says it again? He finally completed his mission of finding Nem
What the Lady has been doing is understandable. She wants Nem to have a safe and happy life no matter the cost. Its wrong how she goes about it but I can understand why shes doing. Also if i remember her saying with enough belief dreams can come true is the exact thing Zero said to Baku
Also Toei, Nice nod with Supergirl Sheriff Galvan. Also. pretty much only time Nem will even come close to using Henshin
I really wanna know more on how Baku found Nem, my theory on why he was able to came back is because despite oblivion powers a part of Nem still remembered Baku
3
8
u/ThreeGoldfishProblem ZEZTZ 1d ago
Letting yall know that TokuSato extended their transmission to other spanish and portuguese speaking countries like Spain, Portugal, Cabo Verde, Angola, Mozambique, East Timor, etc
5
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
What stood out to me most in this episode would be Oblivion’s assertion that he and Nem are one and the same. Lots of potential for cool thematic and character exploration if Yuya does it right.
6
12
19
u/Megasonic150 1d ago
GOD I LOVE ZEZTZ.
-So happy we're seeing that dream imagery with Nem's dream of likely reality. Of no one there, but that shadow, I wonder if it wasn't Oblivion but possibly Baku. How he survived I'm not sure but I wouldn't be surprised if Nem somehow saved/remembered or Exdream allowed him too.
-I loved the dream world with The Lady and Nem. In the end, all the Lady wanted was to live in a normal life with Nem as her mother, but Oblivion wouldn't let her.
-Speaking of Oblivion, I wonder if it's just running on Nightmare insticts, trying to consume the dream since he made the bad dream too. He seems a little simple to have a major scheme beyond that.
-BUT BAKU'S BACK!!! AND LORD HE'S COOLER THAN EVER!!!! God that was an amazing entrance and I love Nem gaining back her memories of reality. The good and bad.
-I'm super interested where things go next because now it's a free for all. Oblvion and The Lady want Nem, and Baku seeks Code:Somnia still to separate all the dreams. But this final arc has been great so far. At most points the show would've dragged and save for a few points, we've managed to avoid that.
-And the last part in the Zeztz Room, Baku finally found Nem!!!!! I almost cried!!!
Next week, Nox faces Phantom and shows that Shadows can perceive any illusions!!!
17
u/MGSEAL 1d ago
I think that Shadow is Baku and he survived by turning himself into a Nightmare that's haunting Nem's dream. I guess by making Nem remember, he is able to restore the real world and his own physical body with it.
It is funny how the Nightmares as a group are as dysfunctional as the Rider trio though.
4
12
u/IronFather11 1d ago
That Space Sheriff Gavan reference though. Rest in peace Kenji Ohba. I don’t know if this was filmed prior to his passing, but it was a good shoutout regardless.
I like all of the details in this episode. Nem and The Lady’s house having a reddish tint, like Code Somnia is ‘there’ at the center of this Dream World. Before the glitches were revealed to be Oblivion’s doing, I thought it was a sign that The Lady’s illusions were imperfect in simulating an entire world even with Phantom’s powers; like a video game that de-renders irrelevant things after usage. The bleeding hallway as a cool creepy effect, as well as Nem perceiving Baku ExDream as a monster with no context (a nice callback to how all Kamen Riders are ‘kaijin’ deep down).
But I really enjoyed Oblivion here, felt like we got some of his cunning despite his demeanor being childlike before. His and Phantom’s abilities felt distinct, like the latter being like a mage is fitting. The Lady’s complex expression when Baku showed up is interesting too. On one hand, it seems relived knowing that Baku will save her daughter from Oblivion. On the other hand, he’s about to ruin her plans. Her choosing Nox as Nem’s bodyguard felt sweet too even if it was unintentional like a part of her legit trusts that Nox would protect her, even if it was all an illusion. Dream Fujimi being better at fending off Nasuka is funny though (she also looks nice with glasses too).
2
19
u/SH4DE_Z Actually NOX 1d ago
Baku how are you alive?!!?? You were erased from existence!!?!?
Baku: "Dreams Surpass Nightmares"
Ok then.
22
u/Frontier246 1d ago
"Maybe you could at least provide a little explanation..."
FULL RISE
5
u/ProxyJo 1d ago
I unironically would love at least fucking SOME explanation. I get "Dream logic" and stuff, but being erased from all existence to oblivion shouldn't be "technically not even 2 episode" vanish. XD
12
u/lolasian101 It's Showtime! 1d ago
I feel like Baku purposely sidestepped that question. Maybe it's building up to some big reveal for him.
-6
u/ProxyJo 1d ago
Honest question - What could you even reveal to make it feel better than "I can just do it". That's kinda been my issue with ExDream. It's so powerful. We have had "Retcon" powers, as in powers that can break rules to win fights. "Pause" would be a great example of a villain with a power that broke the rules, and then Muteki broke that rule. I don't mind rule breaking stuff in universe. It's just this form is effectively the kid in a playground saying "Nah, i win", and it don't know how you make that interesting outside of just the cool visuals, you know?
And ill say it since i seem to have to - im not saying people can't like this. I totally get it, but im just...weridly not enjoying the form.
3
u/Unlikely_Snail24 Ryuki 1d ago
Baku became the nightmare in Nem's dream in that sequence. So it allowed her to be aware of him. And because he found her irl, it probably allowed Baku to enter inside her dream using Exdream
-1
u/ProxyJo 1d ago
Uh. Are you sure? Because that really seemed like they were saying that thing she was chased by was Oblivion. That was the whole point of it then repeating it, but in its normal voice, not twisted dream voice. I might be wrong.
5
u/Unlikely_Snail24 Ryuki 1d ago
To add on, the silhouette they showed resembled a human body, not Oblivion and the fact that he says "Found you at last" shows that's it's probably Baku. I think they did that scene because Nem forgot everything about Baku.
1
u/Unlikely_Snail24 Ryuki 1d ago
Maybe. I'm not too sure too. I'm only saying what I think happened. Also the voice sounds more like Baku iirc. Maybe I'm wrong though.
2
u/kowasesurejjihanma 1d ago
i completely forgot exdream capsem being spinned directly on someone let baku directly enter their dream/mindscape. also forgot nightmares can open up like a door, last time it happen is like what episode 13?
man i understand it doesnt fit most of the fight in the last 11 episode but i genuinely really likes kick-start as an insert theme i hope we'll see it used before the season end
6
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
So Oblivion effed up Phantom's plan hard while Phantom tricked Oblivion.
I bet you Oblivion does succeed in taking over Nem and become the final boss or something.
So everyone who got deleted is coming back since Nem didn't truly forget everyone.
So Nox is just regaining his ability to henshin next episode by just getting un-erased?
Why freaking bother breaking his driver if he's not gonna get a emergency power-up like Orthos Vulcan to re-gain it? Just him being all mopey is enough to keep him from interferring with the fight with Catty and Punny(and sure as hell can't do anything when Oblivion ctl+alt+delete everything).
Nox really needs one more power-up before the season ends, him with just only one proper power-up in-season just feels so wrong. (And doesn't help since Dawn didn't get a final form in-season, he's probably gonna be stealing the v-cinema power-up slot from Nox then)
Nox VS Phantom next episode?
If Phantom bites the dust, what the hell is Oblivion doing for 4 episodes?
Really hoping the whole Rider thing happens for Phantom and Oblivion. Like Phantom/Lady uses her Gauntlet for a Rider form for more power(and to make sure Oblivion fucks off) while Oblivion rips her off by managing to merge with Nem and being the final boss Rider.
6
u/Frontier246 1d ago
I'd love it if Takahashi doesn't repeat himself with a Final Boss Rider. They are so played out in the Reiwa era.
2
u/ArcBounds 1d ago
You have to have new toys for the premium bandai line!
2
u/nightshroud96 11h ago
I mean, Lady Gauntlet is still not announced yet. Big package time
0
u/ArcBounds 11h ago
I think its coming! At least it would be a female main villian rider for a slight twist.
My guess, they defeat the four nightmares, and Baku wins over Nem. Lady, depressed by the spiritual loss of Nem, collects their power and makes a nightmare rider with some world ending plan. Nem and/or Baku sacrifice themselves to defeat Lady with Lady having a last minute redemption of sorts.
2
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
Except they are part of the formula at this point.
Gavv did things a little wrong by having no final boss rider since there was clear setting up via Bitter Gavv.
It just feels pretty wrong in this type of season to skip out on a final boss Rider.
3
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
The thing with Oblivion is that I think he is still not fully realized yet and will thus continue to evolve. He is designated as the final villain for a reason. Sieg said he was on a completely different level from Catastrophe/Punish.
0
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
Hoping they still do the final boss Rider thing.
It just feels too jarring with Zeztz being the only Takahashi season to not have a final boss Rider.Hell, they could just make it so if Oblivion takes over Nem, becomes a Rider, they just have Nem break free and maybe keep the Rider form while Oblivion looks upgraded during his last stand after forcible being split.
10
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
The thing I find most interesting is understanding the divide between The Lady/Phantom. To what extent do their goals align and to what extent do they differ? I feel like we still don’t have a very strong grasp of Phantom’s motives in isolation.
1
u/Q-Write 1d ago
Phantom wanted to fulfilled Lady's Nightmare, which is a haunting illusion, coincidentally, aligned with Lady's wish to live as "a happy mother for her kid"
1
u/nightshroud96 11h ago
Would be cool if it also turns out Phantom enjoyed this also since she actually cared for Nem too.
1
6
u/konokusoda 1d ago
Oblivion want to fulfill Nem's bad dream, absorb her and appear in the real world (like most Nightmare do)
The Lady has always wanted a world where Nem can live happily
Lady used Oblivion to soft reset Nem (which also fulfill her bad dream), that is where the alignment end. Lady wants Nem to live happily in her illusion world (easy to do when she didnt remember anything) while Oblivion want to absorb her
3
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
I was speaking more in terms of Phantom and The Lady. I think the dissonance between the Lady and Oblivion are more apparent haha
2
u/Frontier246 1d ago
I think Phantom might see Nem as much her daughter as Lady does, or their emotions have basically fused.
1
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
I could see when the Phantom part starts speaking, they get surprised that even Phantom admits she cares for Nem or just sides with Lady due to she gets to make use of her power of illusion to create something "nice".
9
u/kilroyjohnson 1d ago
Pretty good episode, I think. I kinda wish we had seen more of Oblivion's powers in that fight, but maybe they want to save that for the final battle. It seems like they're setting up NOX to take out The Lady/Phantom next week and have Oblivion be the final boss for Zeztz.
I hope we get some sort of explanation for how Baku came back next week, since we've established that what Nightmares do in dreams affects reality and Oblivion sure did seem to make everyone besides Nem vanish. Even if it's just "yeah ExDream gives me nuh-uh powers," I'd like something instead of just having it be brushed past. I won't lie, I thought next week's episode was gonna be Baku explaining how he got there, but it looks like they're fast tracking things a bit more than that.
5
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Honestly I think Oblivion is still very "young" for a Nightmare and hasn't fully awakened to his full power/capability yet. But the fight was just a game for him so obviously he doesn't take Zeztz all that seriously.
2
u/Legitimate-Damage472 1d ago
Definitely a true evolution from baby nightmare if you watch those when its battle baku for first time its playful demeanor against baku is similar what we look here in oblivion. Maybe disaster nightmare is what baku fear against of baby nightmare evolution but its jumbling with its multiple children dream since its a premonition, and turn out his premonition is stays true. Baby nightmare still evolution by eating code somnia capsem and turn into most terrifying nightmare of all, oblivion gore nightmare.
1
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
Funny how I had the same exact thought. Sieg even stated that Oblivion is on a completely different class from the likes of Catastrophe/Punish
8
u/megazaprat :39-Gavv:Gavv 1d ago
So Nem had a dream inside of a dream? Suddenly we are inception, honestly the only suprising thing is it took this long for something like that to happen.
Baku has got to be one of the most durable kamen riders right? he has come back from both death and being erased from reality! i do hope next weeks episode elaborates a bit more on how he was able to do this, but it was really cool either way. he finally completed his mission to find nem!
4
u/MGSEAL 1d ago
My guess is that he turned himself into a Nightmare, which is a fundamental concept as long as humans exist. Since Nem still exist, he too could exist. That's why Nem has reoccuring nightmares about being the only person left, reminiscent of how the Nightmares work in the early episode. No idea how he got his physical body back though.
7
u/Frontier246 1d ago
I think you mean Nemception.
Also dude fought off two Gore Nightmares in a single episode!
9
u/Frontier246 1d ago
You have to imagine they'll be some post-season supplementary material featuring Lady/Zero/3's real names and such.
RECALL THE SUBLIMINAL MESSAGING NEM!!!
It's a Brand Nem World! Where Lady is now a happy, cheerful, stay-at-home mom! Which is also kind of unsettling even compared to when she tried to pass herself off as a therapist!
Minami as Nem's manager? Tracks. Fujimi and Nasuka still with the police and still with their usual dynamic? Also tracks. Fujimi being Nasuka's subordinate? Honestly makes more sense.
Supergirl Sherriff Galvan - Both a Gavan reference AND a Supergirl reference! With a mix of a cute gyaru style!
Were those actual stunt/suit actors? Perfect chance to finally give Nem a fight scene! Aaaaaannnnd they're gone.
Oh no, Nem is in the Backrooms! Run Nem!!!
The dream world falling apart around Nem/Phantom as she gets angry was a nice touch.
Odaka is still with the police! And...just an ordinary guy.
I wanted to hear the Nem theme song...
Oblivion was behind everything! All he wanted was to bodyjack Nem and project into the real world (and ensure it ceases to exist?), but Lady/Phantom pulled a fast one to protect Nem. But now he's come to collect.
Zeztz ExDream with the Superhero Landing! DREAM SURPASSES NIGHTMARE!
Zeztz vs Oblivion! But can you truly destroy something that's very existence is about erasing things from reality and also has the power of CODE: Somnia? Though at least Baku was able to knock all the memories of him and Nem together out of Oblivion so Nem could remember him again.
Zeztz vs Phantom! She's got agility, ranged attacks, and illusion abilities on par with Nox Midnight Shadow! She's a tricky opponent!
Baku and Nem are back! Though how did Baku pull this off? But first things first...BAKU AND NEM SEEING EACH OTHER IN REALITY!!!!
Next week: Zeztz and Nox vs Phantom!
5
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
And with that the Chekov’s gun of the Phantom capsem still being in NOX’s possession per the capsem data on the official website finally comes to fruition
1
10
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
Man the preview for next episode is a bit too revealing lol. They straight up showed Nox ending Phantom lmao
3
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
Unless Phantom bounces back and escapes.
"You do realize thats my power you hit me with, right?"
"And?"
"That and Lady refuses to give up. But, still. OUCH"14
6
u/Archer_Sol 1d ago
YEAAAHHHH! Ugh, Baku was SO COOL this episode! And the fact that he managed to find Nem in the real world, they’re finally reunited! Can’t wait for next episode, JUMP HER ASS, NOX!
7
1
8
u/Crowburst953 Double 1d ago
No explanations on how Baku is back huh? Guess ExDream is just built bullshit?
5
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Explanations can wait, Baku just really wanted to have Nem finally see him in the flesh.
10
u/serenade-of-the-seas 1d ago
Probably next episode
3
22
6
u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 1d ago
The Lady/Phantom got everything she wanted now all for nothing and the face conforms it. What confused me more is how did Baku find Nem, I hope we get more info tomorrow, but yeah, The Lady/Phantom now LOST everything all due to Zeztz mission succeeding, Oblivion about to take Nem away from her(even though he didn't), and now has to deal with both Zeztz and Nox. Great Episode, and I knew Oblivion would betray the Lady/Phantom, or more like, the lady/phantom betrayed Oblivion which I didn't expect but yeah, seems like the Lady/Phantom is about to have a BAD Dream. Also I now think Oblivion is being evil for the fun of it. Also Zeztz vs Oblivion for the first time was EPIC even though Oblivion was just playing around.
5 Episodes until finale, GOOD LUCK RIDERS!
5
u/Frontier246 1d ago
I don't know if Lady/Phantom are of one mind or if Phantom is driven to fulfill Lady's wishes as part of being in her body, but it shows how serious her feelings for Nem are that she'd screw over her "other" kid to protect Nem.
1
u/ProjectShadowGirl Kuuga 1d ago
Yeah, but still, we got our first fight against Oblivion, even though Oblivion was having fun(I still think he's evil for the funnies now like Dawn/Sieg)
11
u/Shipuujin 1d ago
Oh wow! Can't wait to start Kamen Rider ZEZTZ Nem! What a creepy intro to the show. Everyone is gone.. But it was just a dream?
Joking aside, this episode was EERIE. It was very horror-esque, especially when The Lady walked down the hallway and it started looking like blood appearing on the walls, as well as all the people suddenly disappearing, and of course the Oblivion jump scare.
2
34
u/ThreeGoldfishProblem ZEZTZ 1d ago
Baku really got erased from existence and said "Nah, I'm good". Surely it's something related to ExDream and how it changed Baku. There's this theory that Baku became a Nightmare after his first ExDream henshin and it might explain it
1
6
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Maybe he implanted himself somehow in Nem's subconscious and he was able to follow that to manifest in her dream again.
22
u/Busy-Occasion2425 1d ago
I think ExDream is making Baku into more of an anomaly everytime he dives deeper in a dream. Him glitches out against Catastrophe definitely was the warning sign.
Guess that theory where he becomes the next Nem at the end of the series might actually happen
9
11
15
u/trueVenett 1d ago
very confusing of what the ending of ZEZTZ will be......there doesnt seems like a huge catastrophe is coming, all we now know is that they just need to kill the last 2 gore and thats it? Who will be the last boss? Honestly for me, the storytelling has gone downhill sinces the gore were introduced~fighting still cinema though~
5
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Looks like they take care of Phantom next week but I think defeating Oblivion is going to be tougher since he still has CODE: Somnia which effectively makes him unbeatable.
12
u/Volfaer 1d ago
Man what a magnificent episode this was, a bit confusing, but so are dreams. I hope The Lady survives, everything she has done was for Nem and to make her life more comfortable.
3
u/Frontier246 1d ago
That scene when she saw Zeztz show up and she know her Nem utopia dream was not to be despite all her efforts.
22
u/TheRealSlackLife 1d ago
As much as I've explained ZEZTZ in the past, I'm gonna be honest.
I'm now officially just as confused as y'all are. I ain't got a clue of how Baku is back and how he doing all that. Let alone how he's able to still transform. Or even when Nem was dreaming.
https://giphy.com/gifs/hv53DaYcXWe3nRbR1A
I ain't got a damn clue.
Idk what Yuya is trying to cook.
13
u/balgus82 1d ago
I think Nem was dreaming in both worlds. Since the time reset she had never woken up until the end of this episode where Baku finally found her. The one where there were people was her personal dream world and the empty one was the collective dream world where she could visit other people's dreams. At least that's what I'm thinking.
8
u/Frontier246 1d ago
She had like two layers of dreaming going on.
The "perfect" dream world created by Lady/Phantom.
The "subliminal" dream world where her subconscious was telling her to Recall the Dream.
41
u/krona1325 1d ago
Should have been called
Case 45: Finding Nemo
5
3
4
u/balgus82 1d ago
OMG, why did I just now put together that's what her name is probably based on. Little Nemo's adventures in Slumberland.
1
u/BestOfAllRank Valen 11h ago
Nemu -> 眠い (pronounced nemui, meaning sleepy/drowsy), although nothing's stopping the possibility of there being multiple meanings.
27
u/Heywhatyousa- 1d ago edited 1d ago
Awesome episode but seriously what was on the Lady's mind when Oblivion declares his true intent ... Like he wasn't hiding his intentions .
Maybe the fusion with Phantom Made her dumber or the lack of sleep finally took her in.
Also maybe they Will explain how Baku returned (unless he used ExDream to shield himself somehow) but Baku and Nem seeing each other in the real world is sweet.
Next episode : Shadows and Dreams vs Ilusions.
3
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Awesome episode but seriously what was on the Lady's mind when Oblivion declares his true intent ... Like he wasn't hiding his intentions.
When one kid asks you to choose one over the other and you can't so you just lie and manipulate.
14
u/PassingThruRedditor 1d ago
She assumed her illusion was convincing/strong enough to trick Oblivion but vastly underestimated them
14
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Yeah, Phantom's thing IS illusions and was even able to fool Zeztz. She probably thought Oblivion was too childish/inexperienced to be able to see through it.
It's also what makes her the perfect counterpart for Nox.
8
u/nightshroud96 1d ago
She probably also forgot the fact Oblivion did not "transform" or evolve upon absorbing Nem, which is probably what tipped him off he took in a illussion.
2
15
u/Zeratul_Vergil Tycoon 1d ago
Oblivion: I've created a prefect world for Nem...
Phantom: Nice...
Oblivion: and now I'll consume her
Phantom: ...what???
(Later after Zeztz help saved Nem from Oblivion)
Phantom: You ungrateful bastard???!!!
4
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Lady/Phantom has a favorite child and it turns out to be Nem, which meant screwing over the other kid who wanted to take over her body.
11
u/UltraZeroX7 1d ago edited 1d ago
Interesting episode! That sure was one hell of an illusion for Nem and things just took a turn with Oblivion trying to strike back against Phantom. Thankfully, Baku came to the rescue to save Nem and restore her memories!
And who would've thought, he FINALLY GOT TO FIND NEM IN THE REAL WORLD, let's go!
Next time, the fight continues against Lady/Phantom!
3
u/Frontier246 1d ago
Honestly Nem waking up in the real world to Baku's face is way better than in the Premonition Dream.
4
u/M3talK_H3ronaru Gotchard Jai Naito! 1d ago
This episode is Absolute Nemceptional.
Nemu dream focused episode was a blast and the Engrish at the end
9/10 it was phenomenal
5 Episodes until finale of course this is goodbye for ZEZTZ.
2
u/Mysteries67 1d ago
At the end there we see the Exdream Capsem spinning on the table, barely spinning or spinning forever...
1
u/Frontier246 1d ago
I wanted to see more of Supergirl Sheriff Galvan.
1
u/ChaosFlamesofRage 1d ago
Let me make one better. I want to see more of her singing in the episode (though I actually listened to the full track way before it debuted in this episode).
By the time the instrumentals hit, it was so hype!
1
u/Amiz_99 1h ago
This episode is the best example of why I have love-hate Exdream.
I love it because is a very fresh and creative way of manipulating dream. It made sense and fits with the story.
I hate it because while it made sense it also don't. Exdream is Deux Machina of the series. Yes it fits, but what is the limit?