Kamen Rider 555 – How disturbing…

Four episodes into Kamen Rider and I am having problems understanding who it is for.

On one hand, you have thoughtless killing and suicide attempts. I would never let my children watch it. On top of that, it is clearly high-budget, with some pretty good effects – it reminds me more of Star Trek TNG than Power Rangers. On the other hand, the plot is clearly that of a kid’s show – with a lot of product placement. (Every car or bike in the show is a Honda).

Everything else aside, it is kinda cool to see modern day Japan, and the photography director is pretty good at what he does.

A surprise speech.

As I walked into the local mosque for Friday prayers, I was surprised by the presence of a security detail outside. Knowing that Muslims aren’t organized enough to actually, you know, handle parking, I was expecting a bigwig. I correctly guessed that Jacques Saada, the local MP for La Prarie, might make an appearance. I did not, however, expect the Prime Minister to make an appearance and a speech. When I walked inside, and saw a stage with a huge sign for “The Right Honourable Paul Martin”, I was completely and utterly shocked. My friend Abu Bakr, who was next to me as we entered, couldn’t believe it either. What was the Prime Minister doing here – and how come I didn’t know?! The benefits of having a father who is almost a hermit in the local community I suppose.

Following prayers, we sat through a speech by a local brother who talked about Mr. Martin and Mr. Saada, and about the local community. I witnessed the outright bizarre scene of the Prime Minister entering to applause from the populace (normally people say “Allah Akbar” in a mosque instead of clapping) and then him sitting on the ground (as is Muslim tradition). Saada spoke about how the Muslim Community had spoken out against the racist comments made on his signs in the previous election, and both Saada and Martin spoke about the Muslim Community’s struggle to build a mosque, and a better life, in Canada. They congratulated us on its completion, and Martin spoke about both the earthquake in Pakistan and the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and the need to stabilize the Palestinian Authority.

It is a great day for Muslims when we are seen as being important enough to warrant one of these political campaign visits. The question is, who is next?

Kamen Rider 555

The innocent guy always is killed – it seems to be a clarion call to all Japanese writers, especially in drama. This point is pretty clear in the first episode of Kamen Rider 555. Quiet, simple Japanese guy who never gets into a fight with his girlfriend? Check. Gets into a horrendous traffic accident that kills his family? Check. Spends years in a coma? Check. Loses his beloved girlfriend to a cousin? Check. His home and everything repossessed? Check. Goes into a killing rage and destroys one of his enemies with super powers? Check.

Yuji Kiba may not be the title character, but he got a lot of screen time in the first epsiode. His story might be the typical cliche, but the effects are nice and it looks to be worth watching. At least have something to do while frozen rain keeps me barricaded in my house…