Call it homage, will you?
The OP is fairly good IMO although I'd say its losing impact because it would suit a badass MC rather than this kind of MC.
Personally I kinda disappointed because after Ultraman Zero, Gridman and Dynazenon, this one feels like Tsuburaya dropped the ball.
Charm of Tiga -> Dyna -> Gaia -> Cosmos series are their light-hearted mature theme with continuing theme. Here we got MC who pretty much opposite of Daigo (positive about helping others rather than conflicted whether one should accept great responsibility) and not exactly good call to Asuka either (no gritty atmosphere, so positivity became less impactful as you said).
Hopefully it became better when it reach half of the story.