#kr.saber: sabela & durandal

[iristial]

Took a peek at the Shindai sibling special the other day last year and it actually had a few things I liked

Complete disinterest in the other Shindai sibling whose debut I never watched >> learning Ken Shonozaki has a son via a random tweet >> absently thinking Ryoga is a forgettable character but he isn’t bad looking >> my heart melting as little kid Reika ran into Ryoga’s arms she’s so cute

Reika in traditional wear feat. Yume Miyamoto (Magine) playing a waitress! Doubles as a chance for Mei Angela, the biggest Magine fan, to admire her magical voice because she sounds just like her (a callback to the Saber/Zenkaiger crossover) heh

It was pretty strange witnessing a joyful, affectionate Reika when I last saw her plotting to demoralize and isolate several swordsmen tbh. I mean, it’s not impossible for siblings to openly love each other + everyone changes how they act/think around certain people. Reika’s no exception to this. But the way her adoration towards Ryoga is portrayed...sometimes feels at odds with her character? Not to mention her decisions are reframed to revolve around Ryoga and recontextualizes why she was so devoted to Master Logos in the first place, despite throwing in a line or two about Reika making her own decisions

However, I do see what they’re going for. And as someone who enjoys sibling relationships with large age gaps feat. the older one assuming a parental role, if they did a few steps differently then I would’ve liked their bond a lot more

Another way of looking at it: Szabela is the mask/armour Reika cultivated to suit her guild lifestyle. Now that she no longer needs it, she’s somewhat displaced because she never stopped being that little girl diving into her brother’s arms at heart

Buster family hug and face nuzzle <3

Ryoga comes off as one strict and old-fashioned guy (not that marriage doesn’t bring happiness, it’s just how he pushed Reika into it because he thinks it’s a ‘guarantee’), but his heart’s in the right place. Plus he’s awkwardly endearing. Fumbling for the right words, trying not to cry as he sent Reika off to her wedding...I’m starting to like you!

Honestly this special had me wish they wrote Ryoga as Reika’s dad, which could contrast Rintarou’s relationship to his predecessor and the Fukamiya men. Have it so Ryoga’s a devoted swordsman at odds with the ever-changing world (in part to the Wonder World slowing his physical ageing) but found peace and happiness in his beloved daughter. He even considered giving up the family legacy so they could enjoy a normal life - before Noroshi chose Reika. He strongly opposed, fights became commonplace, and Reika “rebelled” by throwing herself into her duties. To boot, Shindais are notorious for being prideful; neither of them are willing to make the first move in reconciling. By the present day, there’s a huge rift wedged between them and they’re coldly polite at best. But they still care for each other deep down