Kamen Rider Zero-One Episode 22, titled “He Still Didn’t Do It!,” serves as a high-stakes turning point that manages to deliver one of the season’s most satisfying payoffs despite being tethered to the often-criticized “Workplace Competition” arc. The episode concludes the trial of Bingo, a lawyer-type Humagear, but the legal drama quickly takes a backseat to the physical and psychological horror of the Metal Cluster Hopper debut. Fans and reviewers from Tokunation highlighted the visceral nature of this new form; unlike typical power-ups that empower the hero, this Ark-born transformation effectively “hijacks” Aruto, forcing him to helplessly witness his own body unleash a brutal, swarm-based beatdown on his enemies.

While the “dirty cop” resolution to the trial plot felt rushed or cheap to some viewers, the sheer spectacle of the episode’s second half compensates for its narrative shortcuts. The visual effects for the grasshopper swarm are standout, creating a frightening atmosphere that contrasts sharply with Aruto’s usual optimistic demeanor. Most importantly, the episode provides a long-awaited “1000%” cathartic moment for the audience: seeing the arrogant Gai Amatsu (Kamen Rider Thouser) finally overwhelmed and beaten down after weeks of unchallenged dominance. It successfully shifts the show’s momentum, trading the repetitive contest format for a much darker and more urgent conflict.