[Guido]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Spoiler for Ep42:

About time that we really dove into Kiriha's past and understand what drives his character. It did seem a bit strange to have his personality shift so suddenly. Sure the goal is in sight, but honestly I think it was badly handled. Now that they are at the last Death General he just sets up this battle, attacks his allies, and charges at Gravimon? I thought he had some kind of personal history with this guy that would help explain why his aggressiveness suddenly jumped up.

Interesting to get a picture into his home life. I thought his parents died or something (though I suppose that's still possible). But seems like he was defeated in some way and was completely blasted by his father after already dealing with the feeling of losing. I'm not sure if that's all, but seems like it was hammered into him that if he couldn't win then there wasn't any point in being alive. What a lesson to teach a kid.

Now to jump into the next episode and see how some sense is knocked into him and who does it. He's finally hit a low point with only Taiki being seen as an enemy (sorry Nene ). Right now Kiriha needs to feel like he has power no matter where he has to turn for it.

FlareKnight, a beautiful and succinct review for the 42nd episode, I may add.

Yes, I thought so that Kiriha's lust for battle and competition suddenly going gung-ho and out of the clock at the very start of Canyon Land arc not only felt a little bit disturbing but out of pace with the story's development.

It was a welcome return to Kiriha's old days, but those days during the first episode depicted him cold and calculating, though always wishing to exceed himself.

Going postal to defeat Gravimon at first seemed out of character, but once his childhood memory was delved upon then everything became so clear.

If previous digidestined had tough childhood experiences or traumas, naming Juri Katou and Ken Ichijouji, as best examples, Kiriha's childhood best them all with a dead-end trauma.

Spoiler:

I was as well of the thought that either his parents died or separated, leaving him behind completely.

But, his father is the first one for digidestined character that act a cold bastard against his own child.

An obsession and stupid pride for winning that's only what Kiriha got from his father and traumatized him with only seeking the power to become the strongest, minding nothing else at all.

Gravimon further discloses that it was Baguramon that first brought into the digital world, because the Leader, himself, thought him strong at first....

Spoiler:

Gravimon nicely hit Kirihas' berserk buttons, specially quoting the latter's fathers' words at driving him low bottom to get him fight Taiki once and for all.

But, this very dark episode with a character that hit rock-bottom was a very nice and well-received juxtaposition and scope turnaround episode in contrast to previous episodes that led to happy conclusions for the rest of the other characters.