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Big brother and little brother in action.

Wait, isn't Kamen Rider Gaim supposed to be one of the darkest series in the whole Neo-Heisei era? Well, yes, but despite everything, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Even some of the smaller moments in the series prove that everything isn't all dark and gloomy, and in the end, when you look past all of the pain and terror, you'll find a series with a surprising level of optimism.

Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.


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     Episode 3: Shock! The Rival's Banana Transformation!? 
  • When Kouta is depressed over what Akira has said, Bando gives him a parfait to cheer him up. It's small, but it's still a nice gesture.
     Episode 4: Birth! The Third Rider is Grapes! 
  • When Kouta's fearing for his life after his run in with Zangetsu, Mai says she'll hide the Sengoku Driver, and the two Lockseeds Kouta has. She then tells him he's free to visit the Team again, and the smile on her face is irrefutable proof that she's being sincere. Aww...
     Episode 5: Revival! Ichigo Arms of Friendship! 
  • When Kouta hears that Micchy was in trouble, he immediately tries to break down the barrier surrounding the stage. When that doesn't work, he immediately asks Mai for the Driver and Lockseeds, despite knowing that he'll be heading into danger once more.
  • How much Micchy respects Kouta. Despite Micchy liking Mai, he genuinely looks up to Kouta. When Kaito makes fun of him, Micchy angrily tells him that he has no right to do so.
     Episode 7: Great Ball Watermelon, Big Bang! 
  • Mai being supportive of Kouta during his and Micchy's battle with Oren. Just the simple act of her cheering Kouta on can really bring a smile to your face.
     Episode 11: The Truth Behind The Christmas Game 
  • For the first time, we see Kouta join in the dance with Team Gaim. It's very sweet to see the entire group together.
    • Earlier, when the Yggdrasill camp is being overrun by Inves, one of the scientists (who had previously been gleeful about using the Beat Riders as lab rats) begs Kouta to save them. Despite being royally pissed off and rightfully calling the man a Hypocrite, Kouta still can't bear to see people being hurt and steps in to save them. It's at this point you know Kouta truly has the heart of a Kamen Rider: he can't stand to see people hurt if he can do something about it.
     Episode 12: New Generation Of Riders Appear! 
  • Mai and Kaito reminiscing about the Zawame City of old, as well as the now-destroyed Takatsukasa Shrine. It's implied that they met there when they were children, with Kaito watching a young Mai dance. Said conversation also really brings out their contrasting personalities: While Kaito sees his memories as nothing but fuel for his hatred of Yggdrasill, Mai treasures them, using them as fuel to become a better dancer and remind people of the older, more happy times.
     Episode 13: Gaim & Baron, Tag Of Friendship! 
  • Kaito abandons his fight with Bravo to tend to his hurt teammate, further proving that he's not so nasty after all.
     Episode 14: The Secret Of Helheim's Fruits 
  • Baron holding off Zangetsu Shin while Gaim goes to try and stop Hase, who is now an Inves. It shows that Kaito truly does see Kouta as something of a friend, and is willing to help him if the situation calls for it.
     Episode 15: The Man Who Developed the Belts 
  • DJ Sagara shows that he respects all the Armored Riders, and finds them exciting. When Kouta tells him that he seeks power to protect others, he is so impressed that he gives Kouta a spare Lemon Energy Lockseed and a Genesis Driver Core. He then tells Kouta that as long as he keeps shaking things up, he'll keep helping him. He then "forgets" his Yggdrasill keycard, which allows for Kouta and Kaito to escape and recover their drivers and Lockseeds.
  • Micchy does his best to stop Kouta from learning Yuya's fate. It's both kind due to Micchy being that concerned for Kouta's wellbeing, and heartwrenching given that the truth itself is so painful.
  • A very subtle one, but in this episode, Kaito has switched from referring to Kouta with "kisama" (a very rude, disrespectful, and condescending way of referring to someone) to referring to him with "omae" (a significant improvement; an informal and perfectly acceptable way to refer to a friend). Kaito really has has begun to see Kouta as a friend, or at the very least, respects him far more than he did at the beginning.
     Episode 16: The New Arms! Jimber Lemon Is Born! 
  • After spending the last few episodes debating with himself about whether or not having power would turn normal people into monsters, Kouta asks Bando for his advice. And Bando says that while not all people that have powers are bad, there still exist heroes that don't have powers. The real heartwarming part is that Bando took Kouta's question seriously, managing to talk Kouta out of his depression.
  • A minor one, but when Rat shows up and reveals that he is okay, Bando's reaction is to smile and loudly offer all of Team Gaim free drinks to celebrate. It shows that Bando really does care about the kids who come to his establishment.
  • Takatora and Micchy have their first real on-camera talk. It's the longest conversation the two of them have up to this point, and it's honestly kinda sweet. Especially when it's revealed that Takatora's REAL reason for not wanting his brother to have a Driver is because he wanted to keep his brother safe himself.
     Episode 17: The Peach Rider, Marika, Descends! 
  • Mitsuzane decides to spare Kouta from losing his Sengoku Driver after he recalls a moment earlier on in the episode where Kouta declares themselves friends forever. He then distracts Minato long enough to allow Kouta to drive her away.
  • Oren rigging Jonouichi's Driver and stopping him from attacking a customer of his (that is, Kouta's sister), shows that he's not completely heartless.
     Episode 18: Farewell, Beat Riders 
  • All of the dance teams show up to support Teams Gaim and Baron in their dance show.
  • All the messages of support from the online viewers, especially after the tough times the Beat Riders have going through due to being blamed for attracting the Inves to Zawame with their games.
     Ressha Sentai ToQger VS Kamen Rider Gaim Spring Vacation Combining Special 
  • Right winds up in the Helheim forest, only for his gluttony to lure him to Helheim's fruit. Kouta immediately blasts the fruit to bits, knowing full well what it'd do to him.
  • Heck, Kouta's friendship with the ToQgers is heartwarming in general. After episode after episode of it being drilled into him that he's alone in this battle with only a few untrustworthy people to rely on, it's nice that Kouta has found others who are just as moral as he is.
  • Kouta is smiling again. The last few episodes were hell on his mental state, leaving him unable to smile even once. Now he's finally able to relax, even if just for a moment.
  • Kouta's attempt to get Mai out of Zawame City by having her join the ToQgers on the Rainbow Line. Not only does Kouta trust the ToQgers enough to protect Mai, it really shows that Kouta cares about Mai's safety and well-being, to the point that Tokacchi believes that Kouta has feelings for Mai.
     Episode 24: The New Formidable Enemy: Over Lord 
  • Mai worrying about Kouta, and hoping that Micchy can help him in some way.
  • Mai tries to get Kaito to dance again. But Kaito, being Kaito, just says that dancing was a waste of time for him, but then tells her that if she can still find it in her to dance in the future, then he'll respect her.
     Episode 25: Gridon & Bravo, The Strongest Tag 
  • It seems that not only does Oren actually does care for Jonouichi, the latter is starting to regret his past actions, saying that he misses his time with Hase.
  • After all the blame levelled at the Beat Riders, finally, some residents of Zawame are starting to appreciate the Armored Riders defending them from all of the Inves attacks.
     Episode 26: Baron's Genesis Transformation! 
  • Mai finally gets sick of Kouta not telling her what's going on, and demands answers. And instead of trying to keep the secret like Micchi has been telling him to, Kouta has the balls to tell her the truth of Helheim and Yuya's fate, despite knowing how badly she might take it.
  • Once Kouta finally spills the beans, Mai... goes to his side and hugs him, realising that he's been bearing the burden of the truth all alone and telling him that he shouldn't have to. No accusations, no "I hate you", just understanding and support in the perfect blend of heartwarming and tearjerker.
     Episode 27: When You Know The Truth... 
  • Kaito gets pissed when Micchy shoots Kouta while his back was turned, saying that he doesn't really consider Kouta an enemy and more of a nuisance as his defense for not killing him. It's not even really an Enemy Mine type thing, he's just that disgusted that Micchy would go for a cheap shot like that. Kaito may not be the nicest guy, but he clearly puts honor and strength above all else.
    Kaito: My enemies are those who'd shoot the strong in the back!
  • Kaito carries an unconscious Kouta up into a tree and covered him with branches to protect him from Inves. It may be offscreen, but it's still a weirdly sweet gesture to think about.
  • Takatora wanting to reduce the cost of production on the Sengoku Drivers so that Yggdrasill can produce more Drivers and produce them more quickly. The man obviously wants to save as many people as humanly possible.
  • Takatora and Kouta shaking hands. Finally, after so long, Kouta finds someone that shares the same ideals as him. Sadly, it doesn't last, but it's still nice to see for a while.
     Episode 28: The Betrayal Of Zangetsu 
  • It's nice to see Takatora with an air of serenity that mirrors the one that Kouta had during the ToQGer Crossover. Discovering someone who had similar ideals to him has clearly helped put Takatora at ease from the tensions of the Helheim conflict and Project Ark.
  • When Kouta laments that he can't get a job, Bando indirectly hires him by putting up a Help Wanted flyer for "serving and general help" as well as "defending Zawame City." Kouta's reaction is to hug Bandou in gratitude.
  • Kaito coming to save Kouta. They generally don't get along, but Kaito still sees Kouta as an opponent worthy of respect.
  • Takatora's final action before falling off the cliff? To urge Micchi to help Kouta defend humanity. While the event itself is tear jerking, it's nice to see that even in his dying breaths, Takatora still wishes to defend the world above all else.
     Episode 29: The Overlord King 
  • Mai decides to fill in for Kouta whenever he has to go out and protect the city. Meaning that she's essentially working for free by helping him. Which is perfectly fine by her.
     Episode 31: Whereabouts of the Forbidden Fruit 
  • Kaito gives up his chance to defeat Demushu to save Kouta after Yggdrasill interrupts their fight to try and get rid of Kouta. Kaito really does care about him. Further proof is that just moments prior to Yggdrasil showing up to attempt to capture Demushu, Kaito takes a hit that was meant to kill Kouta right after the latter is detransformed and left helpless.
  • Rosyuo's treatment of Takatora in general. Not only did he save Takatora's life, but he goes as far as to protect him from Sid. It seems that Rosyuo has really taken a liking to the human.
     Episode 32: The Strongest Power! Kiwami Arms 
  • Kaito and Zack arriving to help Yoko, who is being overhelmed by a large number of Inves. And Oren and Jonouchi then come to the rescue shortly after. They put their differences aside and all team up to take on the monsters flooding the city.
  • Kouta's reason for taking the Kiwami Lockseed is that he can't bring himself to abandon Kaito and the others. This gets to the point that he physically struggles through Sagara's power to take the Lockseed even though Mai's pleading with him not to because Sagara isn't telling him everything.
     Episode 33: Beat Riders' Great Gathering 
     Episode 35: Micchi's Ark 
  • Despite how evil he has become, Micchy is still willing to help his friends, rescuing two members of Team Gaim from the machine that would revive the Overlord Queen, and offering Mai a chance to stay with him in safety.
     Episode 36: Brothers' End! Zangetsu vs. Zangetsu Shin! 
  • Takatora and Kouta's bonding moment. They talk mainly about Mitsuzane, with both of them sharing a bit of their family history with the other. And most importantly (which also doubles as a tearjerker), Takatora saying that if Mitsuzane had had a big brother like Kouta, he probably would not have gone down the wrong path.
  • Kaito finds Mai practicing her dance moves and they talk for a bit, with Kaito admitting that, in her own way, Mai really is strong.
     Episode 37: Baron's Soccer Showdown Summer Camp! 
  • This episode is essentially a way of telling the Japanese team at the World Cup, "Good luck, we Kamen Riders will be supporting you all the way".
  • Seeing Hase alive and well again, after the horrible way he died in the main timeline.
     Episode 39: The Do-Or-Die Tower Break-In Strategy! 
  • Despite how far he's fallen, Mitsuzane grabs Redyue's arm and threatens to end their partnership should she even lay a finger on Mai. Especially because he has been saying over and over that opposing the Overlords is an impossible task. But should Mai be harmed, he's more than willing to fight them himself. It all goes to show that he truly cares about her despite everything.
  • Mitsuzane also leaves Mai with Rosyuo, who doesn't trust him in the slightest. Why? Purely to keep Mai safe from Redyue.
     Episode 40: Awakening The Over Lord 
  • After all of the nightmarish goings-on, when Kouta has resigned himself to turning into an Inves, he hears Mai's voice telling him to never give up. This allows Kouta to break free from the Inves form he was trapped in, and fight his way out of Redyue's illusion.
  • Mai's sheer faith in Kouta. Even when Sagara is wondering whether Kouta would save himself at the cost of the world, or vice versa, Mai tearfully states that that was always his choice. Cue Kouta breaking out of the illusion.
     Episode 41: Clash! The Over Lord King 
  • It's bittersweet, but after all the hell he's been through, Rosyuo can finally be reunited with his Queen in death, with the spirit of the latter even appearing briefly to pay her respects before disappearing forever.
     Episode 43: Baron's Ultimate Transformation 
  • Micchy finally realizing his mistakes after (seemingly) killing Kouta. How? Because Kouta is finally able to reach Micchy by forgiving him, despite all of the atrocities that he's committed and everyone else (audience included) writing him off as a lost cause. Jesus has some serious competition in the compassion department.
     Episode 44: Two People Aiming At the Future 
  • Kouta comforting Mai in her dreams and returning her words from episode 26 that helped him hang in there until the present day.
     Episode 45: The Fated Two's Final Battle! 
  • Yoko's loyalty to Kaito. Despite it costing her her life as she protects Kaito from Zack's bomb, she stays by his side until the bitter end, with Kaito holding her in his arms as she dies. What's more is that Kaito's dialogue as Yoko dies implies that he really took a liking to her, combined with him squeezing her hand after she passes. The next scene is of Kaito carefully carrying her dead body to somewhere (likely to lay her to rest).
    Yoko: Hey... if I had the Fruit of Knowledge... would you have sought me?
    Kaito: Yoko, you're one thing. But the Fruit of Knowledge is different.
     Episode 46: Fate's Victor 
  • With his final breath, a defeated Kaito gives Kouta the highest praise he can possibly give:
    Kaito: You... truly are strong.
  • When Sagara tells Kouta that his decision will be a difficult, lonely one, Kouta simply states that he isn't alone and reaches for Mai. Mai takes his hand and smiles, adding that she isn't scared as long as they are together.
  • Zack still being willing to forgive Micchy and invite him to dance with everyone again, despite how much pain Micchy caused him and everyone else.
  • Micchy going to see Takatora in the hospital. Not only because it proves that Takatora survived the ending of his battle with Micchi, but that Micchy truly regrets what he did.
  • In spite of everything Micchy did throughout the series, Kouta knows that he's still suffering from the weight of his crimes. So Kouta heals Takatora with the power of the Forbidden Fruit just so Micchy can have someone to help him move past his guilt and become the good person he once was again.
  • Jonouichi putting up a missing person's poster for Hase. It's both sweet since Jonouichi truly misses Hase and tragic since Jonouichi has no idea that Hase is dead.
  • As if to further prove that he's come a long way from his old, scheming, calculating self that readily abandoned Hase, Jonouichi now proudly wears a sleeved version of Oren's patisserie outfit, standing next to him at the reopening of Charmant. Maybe Urobuchi's words about the audience liking and relating with him fell flat at first, but Jonouichi, if nothing else, has truly grown up.
     Episode 47: Transform! And To The Future 
  • The flashback at the beginning of the episode featuring Kouta and Micchy goofing around is very sweet to watch.
  • The interactions between the Kureshima brothers, full stop. Just from their first lines in the episode, you can tell how much their relationship has changed for the better. After 46 episodes worth of secrets, lies and a good deal of ignorance, they now genuinely seem to care about each others' wellbeing. What's more is that after defeating Kougane and seeing his friends rushing toward him, the one person Mitsuzane chooses to focus on is his smiling brother.
  • Takatora and Akira meeting at Charmant to talk about their younger brothers and happier times.
  • Jonouichi, upon being told of Hase's death at the hands of Yggdrasill, asks Takatora to allow him to use the last Kurokage Trooper Sengoku Driver and Matsubokkuri Lockseed in honor of Hase. Takatora lets him.
  • The montage used when Jonouichi transforms into Kurokage showing him and Hase transforming side by side.
  • The fact that Mitsuzane, after winning the first fight against Kougane, had the chance to end the villain's life just by pulling a trigger. The price? The life of the girl that Kougane was possessing. And Mitsuzane... doesn't go through with it, willingly detransforming when Kougane tells him to. If there were any doubts about Mitsuzane being on the right path, let this one act quell them.
  • Kouta's Pre Ass Kicking One Liner as he and Micchy stand together against Kougane.
    Kouta: This is our stage now.
  • Kouta assuring Micchi that they'll always be friends.
  • Mitsuzane's smile after finally being able to start putting the past behind him.
  • Mitsuzane's reunion with Kouta and his newfound resolve to move on from the past deeds becomes Heartwarming in Hindsight with this tidbit: The last time that Micchy and Kouta interacted with each other was when the former has mortally wounded the latter and believed that he was dead. This, along with the death of Mai's human self, caused him to snap and reflect on his vain attempts to keep the only things that made him truly happy. It's no wonder why he was able to move on after Kouta came to his aid, because he knows that he didn't kill him like he'd (indirectly) killed Mai.
  • The very last scene, in which the two kids that Kaito and Kouta helped out in the beginning meet up and dance with the young woman that Kohgane possessed, all while being observed by the spirit of Kaito, who bonded with the tree thanks to Mai and Kouta. With the last shot being of a Crack opened by Kouta leading to their new world, which turns from red and desolate to blue and vibrant, as a horn faintly sounds in the background.
     Gaim Gaiden 
Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Zangetsu
  • Takatora sharing an apple pie with Touka. Even if it's a flashback, it's nice to see, at some point, Takatora is able to smile.
Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Gridon VS Kamen Rider Bravo
  • After Jonouichi's Lockseed breaks, he picks out a Helheim fruit, but it doesn't transform into a Lockseed. With no other choice, Jonouichi prepares to eat it... when none other than Hase's spirit appears to stop him. Hase then smiles and transforms the fruit into the Lychee Lockseed before fading away. Even in death, Hase is still looking out for his friend.
     Others 
  • All of this translated blog post from the staff of Gaim.
  • The whole of the Live & Talk Show portion of the Final Stage Show. Gaku Sano (Kouta) nearly breaks down crying while performing Rise Up Your Flag, and nearly all of the cast has trouble holding back tears during their last words to the audience. Right before Sano rounds it out, Yutaka Kobayashi (Kaito) presents him with a t-shirt signed by the rest of the cast. Then, the whole performance is capped off with the cast leading a cheer of the Kachidoki rallying cry.
  • In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Gaku Sano got most of the show’s cast to record reassuring messages in-character for a compilation video on his social media.

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