History YMMV / KamenRiderDrive

** Apparently Red Racer took offense to Shinnosuke yanking the ''Carranger'' CatchPhrase.[[note]]YujiKishi, previously Red Racer, played Doctor D in the {{Crossover}} special.[[/note]]

** ''Series/KamenRiderWizard'' had a episode dealing with a monster taking the guise of the VictimOfTheWeek's boyfriend [[spoiler:who was DeadAllAlong]]. Haruto's way of handling the situation makes sense now looking at Drive's take on that exact same plot in which [[spoiler:Shinnosuke confronts the victim on said dead boyfriend. The way the victim breaks down might make Wizard fans wince thinking [[DespairEventHorizon cracks will appear on her]] and Gaim fans shudder as they're reminded of Takatora's breaking of Kouta]].

** [[WickedCultured 010 Paint Roidmude]] is a MadArtist whose sadism disturbs even other Roidmudes. During the Global Freeze, Paint personally attacked Kiriko, turning her arm into data until she was saved by Proto-Drive, an event which traumatized her. Six months later, Paint assumed the identity of a gallery owner whom he had trapped inside a painting, and with the assistance of his apprentice, did the same thing to several women who wandered near the gallery, all while they were [[AndIMustScream aware of their situation but unable to escape]]. Realizing that Kiriko is investigating the serial kidnappings, Paint triggered her post-traumatic stress by attacking her once again. Using Mashin Chaser as a distraction, Paint planned on fleeing to another area so he could find a new hunting ground, but not before he tried to trap Kiriko in a painting, seeking to [[LovesTheSoundOfScreaming immortalize her expression of pure and sheer terror]].

** As usual with Rider super mode themes, Drive's ultimate form has "Unlimited Drive" from the Kamen Rider Girls.

** Episode 36 debuts [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OemYwwgW0M "Spinning Wheel."]] While the previous show had the memorable "Ranbu Escalation" sung by Gaim and Baron's actors, this song ups the ante by having Shinnosuke, Go, and Chase's actors in a trio. It doubles as a Crowning Music of Heart-Warming if you read into the lyrics.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2CC9mCvIGg "Police Spirit"]] is usually played during powerful dramatic moments in the show,[[spoiler: such as Gou's CallingTheOldManOut speech prior to using Chase's Signal Bike to become Mach Chaser]].

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The show has a lot more fans in the west, whereas it placed pretty low in a 2020 poll in its home country.
* GrowingTheBeard: While the first 11 episodes do their jobs of introducing the viewer to the show's cast, the Roidmudes and their motivations, along with Drive's various forms, viewers tend to agree that the show [[{{Pun}} shifts into high gear]] once Mach is fully introduced in episode 12.

** Apparently Red Racer took offense to Shinnosuke yanking the ''Carranger'' CatchPhrase.[[note]]YujiKishi, previously Red Racer, plays Doctor D in the {{Crossover}} special.[[/note]]

** On Deviantart there is a fanart of Heart as a Kamen Rider, now Heart is going to be a Kamen Rider in an upcoming movie.

** One of Chase's major character arcs was him learning to drive and getting a driver's license, [[spoiler: which ends up as part of a tragic keepsake for Gou]]. In a 2018 interview for ''another car-themed drama'', Chase's actor, Taiko Katono, admits he has never actually gotten any license to drive, despite the multiple times he's shown driving motorbikes, cars, and even a ''truck'' as Chase.

** During the Kamen Rider Mach CD Drama, Gou ends up dreaming of him and Chase on a date. He blames the machine running the dream for creating the scenario, but the AI in charge points out that he can't make anything and this is something Gou subconsciously wants.

* InferredHolocaust: [[Recap/KamenRiderDriveEp6WhoDoesTheWarriorFightFor In episode 6]], when we first see Crush approaching the Font-R president for more explosives, it was the middle of the day and the building was intact. Later on, we see the president running for his life, smoking ruins all around him. It's never told what happened to all the workers, including the truck driver that saved Shinnosuke.

* NarmCharm: [[spoiler:Banno's death]] is [[spoiler:a Belt being executed with an axe while screaming for mercy]]. That ''should'' be ridiculous, but given the context and who he is, it's immensely satisfying. Likewise, [[spoiler:Mach's newly attained form ''looks'' lazy, but nobody seemed to care when he starts kicking his ass]].

* SpecialEffectFailure: In episode 13, especially towards the end, the Slowdown effects are non-existent, leaving the actors just wobbling around.

** Chase, with his crisis of identity, brainwashing, loyalty conflicts, [[spoiler: being a HeartbrokenBadass]], PinocchioSyndrome, and [[spoiler:unrequited love for Kiriko]], is very pitiable, especially in ''Kamen Rider Drive Saga: Kamen Rider Chaser''.
** Go. [[spoiler:Realizing that he was used by Banno all this time, he goes into denial-induced rage at first before breaking down into a sobbing wreck.]]
*** JerkassWoobie: Gou after [[spoiler: TheReveal that his father is the Roidmudes' creator, Professor Banno, and killing them is apparently his way of atoning for that mistake.]]
*** Brain also counts as a JerkassWoobie, what with how his affections for Heart are constantly overshadowed by Medic, who frequently upstages his plans with her own and bullies him.

* IdiotPlot: Some people see the plotline of Drive's secret identity as this, with them pointing to the fact that he is wearing the belt and brace, along with Shift Cars roaming about. [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment All that needs to be said, really.]]

** Episode 36 debuts [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OemYwwgW0M "Spinning Wheel."]] While the previous show had the memorable "Ranbu Escalation" sung by Gaim and Baron's actors, this song ups the ante by having Shinnosuke, Gou, and Chase's actors in a trio. It doubles as a Crowning Music of Heart-Warming if you read into the lyrics.

** On the topic of Banno, [[spoiler:while it is fitting he is finished off by Gou, some think Sigma plus was a generic villain for Shinnosuke and Heart to face.]]

** Drive's design also tends to get a lot of flak for being a "discount [[Series/KamenRiderW Accel]]". Similar designs, character backstories and the fact that two writers of [[Series/KamenRiderDouble Double]] will also write this show doesn't help.

* FanPreferredCouple: Despite Chase’s canon crush on Kiriko, the fact that he spends most of time after his HeelFaceTurn trying to make friends with Gou, and that [[spoiler: he dies for Gou]], pretty much ensures that the fans preferred shipping Gou and Chase with each other.

** An inevitable example in #48; [[spoiler: Shinnosuke had promised Heart that he will never forget the Roidmudes. But just like the other monsters in previous entries, no matter how much humanity they were originally portrayed to have, they'll end up being bad guys to get beaten up in future movies.]]

** Gou isn't the first [[VideoGame/MachRider Rider with the word Mach associated with him.]]

*** Gou eventually relents that it ''is'' his dream, and [[https://youtu.be/jBaehPdYd5k?t=6m28s calls Chase cute]].

** [[spoiler:Banno crossed it way before the series even began by using his own subject as a punching bag. If they discount past events, then him attempting to kill Gou and labeling him a failure will]].

* SoOkayItsAverage: The role that ''Drive'' plays in the Neo-Heisei era. ''W, OOO'' and ''Fourze'' are loved seasons, ''Wizard, Ghost'' and ''Zi-O'' are generally disliked seasons, and ''Gaim, Ex-Aid'' and ''Build'' are the most subject to BrokenBase. ''Drive'' on the other hand, tends to be an okay show that isn't actively disliked, but not at the top of most lists.

* StrawmanHasAPoint: Gou's hatred bordering on racism towards Roidmudes, while blind and ends up driving a wedge between him and his friends and family, has some sort of basis in that, outside of two exceptions that he's more than willing to overlook, every other Roidmude he's faced so far were AlwaysChaoticEvil, killed several people, including his father and a close friend, or even plotted to kill people. Until we found out that [[spoiler:they were corrupted by Banno to be that way]], he sort of had a point.

** Gou's need to finish his CatchPhrase ([[CatchphraseInterruptus after getting interrupted]]) in #14 lets Roidmude 096 get away.

** [[spoiler:Dr. Banno, Kiriko and Gou's dad, has by far the ''biggest'' instance of this trope within the series: he quite deliberately corrupted his Roidmude creations, sparking the Roidmude conflict. Every single death caused by the Roidmudes can be traced to this guy...[[SubvertedTrope except ''that'' was part of his evil plan]]]].

** Gou. [[spoiler: Realizing that he was used by Banno all this time, he goes into denial-induced rage at first before breaking down into a sobbing wreck.]]

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Not everyone of a species or race is going to be good or evil. It may seem like just another way of saying "Racism is bad", but the delivery of it allows us to see how not all of the Roidmudes or humankind were necessarily good or evil in spite of some of the truly heinous actions of the likes of Freeze and [[spoiler: Banno.]]

* MemeticMutation:
** Drive's pose while saying "What do I look like, the pizza delivery guy?"
** Chase shooting the orange juice glasses to let out his rage.
** With a mix of NeverLiveItDown, Gou's hatred towards Chase somehow translates into him begging others to not let his sister engage in relationships with Chase.
** Many people, in tribute to Gen's own habit, began misnaming the Roidmudes by different, but similar sounding names.
** FUCKING BANNO![[labelnote:Explanation]]As the series goes on, it becomes increasingly clear that everything bad in the series happens because of him[[/labelnote]]

* StrawmanHasAPoint: Gou's hatred bordering on racism towards Roidmudes, while blind and ends up driving a wedge between him and his friends and family, has some sort of basis in that, outside of two exceptions that he's more than willing to overlook, every other Roidmude he's faced so far were AlwaysChaoticEvil, killed several people, including his father and a close friend, or even plotted to kill people. Until we found out that [[spoiler:they were corrupted by Banno to be that way]], he sort of had a point

* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** Chase for being a stoic badass, having an awesome design, and his character arc.
** Heart got his own movie because his popularity.

** MemeticLoser: Brain, ever since he got one-upped by Medic.

** Who is the ''true'' SecondRider? Mach or Chaser?

* ToughActToFollow: It's coming after ''[[Series/KamenRiderGaim Gaim]]''. It's not going to have an easy time and even if it's a masterpiece, there will be fans who hate just for the crime of [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotHeinous not being ''Gaim'']].

* EarWorm: The opening, "SURPRISE Drive" has already gained some attention. "ALL WE NEED IS DRIVE!"

* ShipTease: Rinna and Otta in #27-28.

* MostAnnoyingSound: For some, the sounds listed below can be this.

* IdiotPlot: Some people see the plotline of Drive's secret identity as this, with them pointing to the fact that he is wearing the belt and brace, along with Shift Cars roaming about. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment All that needs to be said, really.]]

* CompleteMonster:

** [[WickedCultured 010 Paint Roidmude]] is a MadArtist whose sadism disturbs even other Roidmudes. During the Global Freeze, Paint personally attacked Kiriko, turning her arm into data until she was saved by Proto-Drive, an event which traumatized her. Six months later, Paint assumed the identity of a gallery owner who he had placed in a painting, and with the assistance of his apprentice, did the same thing to several women who wandered near the gallery, all while they were [[AndIMustScream aware of their situation but unable to escape]]. Realizing that Kiriko is investigating the serial kidnappings, Paint triggered her post-traumatic stress by attacking her once again. Using Mashin Chaser as a distraction, Paint planned on fleeing to another area so he could find a new hunting ground, but not before he tried to trap Kiriko in a painting, seeking to [[LovesTheSoundOfScreaming immortalize her expression of pure and sheer terror]].

* CounterpartComparison
** A famous hero franchise that started in the [[TheSeventies 70's]]? Check. Is empowered by the same forces that his foes use, but uses that power for good? Check. Main characters transform into a hero that uses the name "Rider,"? Check. Their signature style is riding a motorcycle? Check. The newest holder of the title is now suddenly switching to driving a car? [[ComicBook/GhostRider Now where have we heard]] [[ComicBook/AllNewGhostRider this one before..?]]
** ''Drive'' has two counterpart comparisons from the specific Franchise/SuperSentai installments:
*** In general, this series is the ''Kamen Rider'' counterpart to ''Series/KousokuSentaiTurboranger'' due to the riders are modeled after vehicles, with the main rider was based on a car much like the Turborangers.
*** Toyline-wise, it's really easy to compare Drive with the [[Series/ResshaSentaiToqger ToQgers]], ''especially since they both air on the same programming block at the same time''. Vehicle-themed heroes that use various miniature vehicles by putting them inside a brace in order to transform. The description fits both series, with the only difference being that Drive's motif is cars, while the [=ToQgers=] have a train motif going on. Admittedly though, that's where the similarities end.
** It also had a ''[[Franchise/PrettyCure PreCure]]'' counterpart in the form of ''[[Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure Go! Princess PreCure]]'' since it had similar concepts as well as being aired during the same year at that time: past heroes (Proto-Drive and the past Princess Cures), the brainwashed/possessed SixthRanger subplot (Mashin Chaser and Twilight), a trio of major villains (The Roidmudes Heart, Brain, & Medic, and Three Musketeers), and the ButNowIMustGo ending.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome:
** The opening, "Surprise Drive" is incredibly catchy and awesome. There's a reason why this is used as Drive's theme when he's kicking ass!
** "Don't Lose Your Mind" is generally used for Dead Heat and is suitably intense.
** The bad guys get borrow some classic awesome music with Mozart's Requiem being used in 32 as [[spoiler: 001 achieves ultimate evolution and kills Drive.]]
** As usual with Rider super mode themes, Drive's ultimate form has "Unlimited Drive" from the Kamen Rider Girls.
** Episode 36 debuts [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OemYwwgW0M "Spinning Wheel."]] While the previous show had the memorable "Ranbu Escalation" sung by Gaim and Baron's actors, this song ups the ante by having Shinnosuke, Gou, and Chase's actors in a trio. It doubles as a Crowning Music of Heart-Warming if you read into the lyrics.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2CC9mCvIGg "Police Spirit"]] is usually played during powerful dramatic moments in the show,[[spoiler: such as Gou's CallingTheOldManOut speech prior to using Chase's Signal Bike to become Mach Chaser]].

* MostWonderfulSound: