I recently hit up my last convention of the year (unless that Doctor Who event in Chicago announces Paul McGann as a guest). Sure it wasn't the great note to end the year on but there was one thing that kept popping up over the course of the weekend--the notion that Christmas is on the horizon. From the Santa displays to the Salvation Army bell ringers, the Christmas blitz is already in full swing, reminding everybody that the year is almost over. While it may be a drag to some, I welcome any and all reminders of the passage of time, especially in the realm of Tokusatsu. Why? Because let's face it folks, this year wore out its welcome before it even got past the coat check.
It seems like only yesterday I was ranting and raving about Kamen Rider Kiva in the pages of Otaku USA. Back then, I said that I hoped the series could find a way to be just as great as those first few episodes. Now, here we are in 
the homestretch of the series and I just want it to be over with already. (Put down those ZanBat Swords, guys.) While I applaud the main writer for turning his cliches around, including those that sort of made it feel like it was just a gothic version of Faiz, it happened too little and too late for me to remain interested. Did I do what most fans do and go back to last year's show and claim it was the greatest thing all of a sudden? Not really. The temptation to at least re-watch Kamen Rider Den-O was there though, especially considering how it got two movies this year. However, I realized that if I didn't care much for it back then, I probably won't care as much now, unless they do something like digitally remove Ryotaro (Den-O's protagonist) and replace him with Vin Diesel. Actually, wait, that'd be kinda interesting to watch....Get on it, Toei!
What of Go-Onger? Do I really need to say anything more about it? I've never hated a show as intensely as I hated this one. I would rather put myself through a Magiranger marathon before I sit through one more episode of this series. That's right, I went there! See what you made me do?!
That still doesn't mean that the year was a total waste though. I mean for one, we got Great Decisive Battle! The Super 8 Ultra Brothers (I refuse to use the official English title of Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers), the movie that made Toei a bit anxious. After all, again, we did suddenly get two Den-O movies in one year. Desperation move, much? Aside from that, we got Tomica Hero Rescue Force which has to be one of the best shows of the year. I know I sing the praises of this show a lot but watching it has been the most fun I've had all year, making it all the harder to have to say farewell when the season ends. But now, the weird thing is that as much as I long for a swift wrap-up, I'm a little reluctant to see what's on the horizon.
First, we've got the rumored Kamen Rider Decade. According to the rumors, Decade is apparently going to try to link the universes together in what could be the Tokusatsu equivalent of Turn A Gundam. This has been somewhat backed up by the forthcoming Cardass arcade game featuring the Heisei and Showa Kamen Riders facing off against each other. Now if done right, Toei could finally make up for the past three years of mediocrity in one fell swoop. At the same time, if Toei screws this one up, that's it. Endgame. They'll make money from the toys through the kiddies but I guarantee that the fandom will hate them. As for Sentai, we've got the supposed Shinkenger. Not much on this one save for some grainy helmet pictures that have been leaked and a rumor that we may see a return to "serious business." This could be a very good thing just as long as it doesn't tread into the dreaded realm that is Uber Angst. What about the Ultra Series? Well in addition to Ultra Galaxy getting a new season with Ultra Galaxy Daikaiju Battle NEO (Never Ending Odyssey), there's a rumor on the wind that we may be getting a proper Ultra Series to show what Tsuburaya is capable of after the recent buyout. The prospect of that is exciting but we can only hope that this series 
maintains the Tsuburaya standard of awesomeness. At the same time, there's the hope that their spirit of tradition remains and that they don't fall prey to the epidemic of mediocrity for the sake of profits.
So right now I'm stuck playing the dreaded waiting game, anticipating the moment where the Big Two finally hit the road in favor of something new that will hold my interest...and not make me want to lose my lunch. Here's hoping that 2009 doesn't coast by and manages to sweep us off our feet for once.
Until the next, hope?
