Kamen Rider Kabuto

This article is about the television series. For the series' main character, see Kamen Rider Kabuto (character).
Kamen Rider Kabuto

Title screen
Genre Tokusatsu
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
Written by Shoji Yonemura
Toshiki Inoue
Starring Hiro Mizushima
Yuki Sato
Yui Satonaka
Kazuki Kato
Yusuke Yamamoto
Masato Uchiyama
Hidenori Tokuyama
Narrated by Eiichiro Suzuki
Opening theme "NEXT LEVEL" by YU-KI
Ending theme "FULL FORCE" by RIDER CHIPS
"LORD OF THE SPEED" by RIDER CHIPS
Composer(s) Kuniaki Haishima
Country of origin Japan
No. of episodes 49 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) Atsushi Kaji
Shinichirō Shirakura
Naomi Takebe
Running time 24-25 minutes (per episode)
Production company(s) Toei Company
Distributor Toei Company
Release
Original network TV Asahi
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Original release January 29, 2006 (2006-01-29) – January 21, 2007 (2007-01-21)
Chronology
Preceded by Kamen Rider Hibiki
Followed by Kamen Rider Den-O
External links
Website

Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト Kamen Raidā Kabuto, Masked Rider Kabuto) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. It is the sixteenth installment in the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu programs. It is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei. The series was broadcast on TV Asahi. The first episode aired on January 29, 2006, and with the final episode airing on January 21, 2007, completing the series with 49 episodes. The series represents the 35th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series, as indicated by a notice at the beginning of the pilot episode reading, in Japanese, "Kamen Rider 35th Anniversary Production." Kamen Rider Kabuto is the first Kamen Rider Series to be broadcast in high-definition format.

The series' catchphrases are "Walking the path of heaven, to rule everything!" (天の道を行き、総てを司る！ Ten no michi o iki, subete o tsukasadoru!, [Note 1]) and "I am justice." (俺が正義 Ore ga seigi).

Story

Seven years prior to the series, a meteorite struck the Shibuya district in Tokyo. An alien lifeform, known as the Worms, emerged from the meteorite and became a threat to humanity. Souji Tendou has trained seven years while waiting for the Kabuto Zecter so that he may properly take up the mantle of Kamen Rider Kabuto. Making many enemies while at the same time meeting other Riders with mysterious origins, Tendou attempts to accomplish his goal at all costs: to destroy all Worms that threaten humanity. He meets ZECT operative Arata Kagami, who later becomes Kamen Rider Gatack. The two soon work together to save humanity from the alien Worms—but not before uncovering the conspiracies within the ZECT organization and the "Natives" species.

Masked Rider System

Zecters (ゼクター Zekutā), also known as the Masked Rider System (マスクドライダーシステム Masukudo Raidā Shisutemu), are a compilation of mobile systems that affect space/time. They were created by the Natives, a species of Worm that arrived on Earth 35 years ago. These Natives in turn gave the Zecters to humans so that they may protect them from alien Worms that would arrive later. The Zecters appear instantaneously from the ZECT headquarters to the selected personnel so that they may transform into the respective Rider to fight any Worms in the vicinity. Each Rider (except for the Hopper Riders and the Kabutech Riders) possesses two forms: the bulky armored cocoon-like Masked Form (マスクドフォーム Masukudo Fōmu) and the sleeker Rider Form (ライダーフォーム Raidā Fōmu) which can use the Clock Up (クロックアップ Kurokku Appu), a system that allows the Rider to move at high speed. They also have the ZECTroopers to help them. Worth noting is that the Zecters have a mind of their own and can reject their present user in search of another one if they so choose.

There are eight known Zecters within the Masked Rider System, each allowing the user to become a different Rider. Most Zecters are based on insects, with the exception of the Sasword Zecter, which is based on a scorpion.

There also exist two other Zecters known as the Perfect Zecter and the Hyper Zecter. The Perfect Zecter serves as a primary weapon while the Hyper Zecter is a power-up device that enhances the powers of the original Zecter. Both were only used by Kabuto in the series, but Gatack got to use the Hyper Zecter in the Hyper Battle DVD.

Allusions

The series made some allusions to the whole Kamen Rider series. Masked Rider Project as mentioned in the course of the series was said to be started on 3 April 1971. The Worm species known as Natives also first arrived on Earth on the same year. In real-life, it was the date the first Kamen Rider show aired for the first time.

Episodes

# Title Writer Original airdate
1 "The Strongest Man"
"Saikyō Otoko" (最強男) 		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 29, 2006
2 "The First Two-Step Transformation"
"Hatsu Ni-dan Henshin" (初2段変身) 		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 5, 2006
3 "I am Justice!!"
"Ore wa Seigi!!" (俺が正義!!) 		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 12, 2006
4 "Love Explanation!!"
"Ai o Toku!!" (愛を説く!!) 		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 19, 2006
5 "Order to Capture!!"
"Hokaku Shirei!!" (捕獲指令!!) 		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 26, 2006
6 "My Flower"
"Ore-sama no Hana" (オレ様の花) 		Shōji YonemuraMarch 5, 2006
7 "#2 Appears"
"Nigō Shin Tōjō" (２号新登場) 		Shōji YonemuraMarch 12, 2006
8 "Angry Tofu"
"Ikareru Tōfu" (怒れる豆腐) 		Shōji YonemuraMarch 19, 2006
9 "The Bee's Insanity!!"
"Hachi no Ranshin!!" (蜂の乱心!!) 		Shōji YonemuraMarch 26, 2006
10 "I'm Not Your Friend"
"Tomo ja Nee" (友じゃねぇ) 		Shōji YonemuraApril 2, 2006
11 "The Party Burns"
"Gōkon Moeyu" (合コン燃ゆ) 		Toshiki InoueApril 9, 2006
12 "The Makeup Thousand-Man Cut"
"Keshō Sennin Giri" (化粧千人斬) 		Toshiki InoueApril 16, 2006
13 "The Team Dissolves"
"Chīmu Kaisan" (チーム解散) 		Shōji YonemuraApril 23, 2006
14 "Back of the Back of the Back"
"Ura no Ura no Ura" (裏の裏の裏) 		Shōji YonemuraApril 30, 2006
15 "The Monster Noted Doctor!?"
"Kaijin Meii!?" (怪人名医!?) 		Toshiki InoueMay 7, 2006
16 "An Impossible Storm"
"Masaka no Arashi" (まさかの嵐) 		Toshiki InoueMay 14, 2006
17 "Restored Memories!!"
"Yomigaeru Kioku!!" (甦る記憶!!) 		Toshiki InoueMay 21, 2006
18 "Farewell, Gon..."
"Saraba Gon..." (さらばゴン・・・) 		Toshiki InoueMay 28, 2006
19 "Scorpion Millionaire"
"Sasori Fugō" (さそり富豪) 		Toshiki InoueJune 4, 2006
20 "Eh, Jiiya?"
"Nee, Jiiya?" (ねぇじいや?) 		Toshiki InoueJune 11, 2006
21 "Vs. Stag Beetle"
"Tai Kuwagata" (VSクワガタ) 		Shōji YonemuraJune 25, 2006
22 "Birth of a Special Compilation"
"Tanjō Tokubetsuhen" (誕生特別編) 		Shōji YonemuraJuly 2, 2006
23 "Riddle + Riddle = X"
"Nazo Tasu Nazo Wa Ekkusu" (謎+謎=X) 		Shōji YonemuraJuly 9, 2006
24 "The Ramen Way"
"Rāmen Dō" (ラーメン道) 		Shōji YonemuraJuly 16, 2006
25 "The Proud Searchlight"
"Ogoru Sōsasen" (驕る捜査線) 		Shōji YonemuraJuly 23, 2006
26 "Love That Shook the Earth"
"Gekishin Suru Ai" (激震する愛) 		Shōji YonemuraJuly 30, 2006
27 "Me!? A Murderer"
"Ore!? Satsujinhan" (俺!?殺人犯) 		Toshiki InoueAugust 6, 2006
28 "Why!? Death"
"Naze!? Zetsumei" (なぜ!?絶命) 		Toshiki InoueAugust 13, 2006
29 "The Dark Kitchen"
"Yami Kitchin" (闇キッチン) 		Toshiki InoueAugust 20, 2006
30 "Miso Soup Ascension"
"Misoshiru Shōten" (味噌汁昇天) 		Toshiki InoueAugust 27, 2006
31 "Shocking Fact"
"Shōgeki no Jijitsu" (衝撃の事実) 		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 3, 2006
32 "Puzzle Unraveled!!"
"Tokeru Nazo!!" (解ける謎!!) 		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 10, 2006
33 "The Sprouting Adjutant"
"Moeru Fukukan" (萌える副官) 		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 17, 2006
34 "Breaking Super Evolution"
"Kudake Chō Shinka" (砕け超進化) 		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 24, 2006
35 "The Hellish Brothers"
"Jigōku no Kyōdai" (地獄の兄弟) 		Shōji YonemuraOctober 1, 2006
36 "Red Shoes' Recklessness"
"Akai Kutsu Bōsō" (赤い靴暴走) 		Shōji YonemuraOctober 8, 2006
37 "School's Ghost Story"
"Gakkō no Kaidan" (学校の怪談) 		Shōji YonemuraOctober 15, 2006
38 "The Dangerous Younger Sister"
"Abunai Imōto" (あぶない妹) 		Shōji YonemuraOctober 22, 2006
39 "The Powerful Black Opponent"
"Kyōteki Kuro Kabu" (強敵黒カブ) 		Toshiki InoueOctober 29, 2006
40 "The Saddest Battle"
"Saidai no Aisen" (最大の哀戦) 		Toshiki InoueNovember 12, 2006
41 "The Strongest Defeated"
"Yabureru Saikyō" (敗れる最強) 		Shōji YonemuraNovember 19, 2006
42 "Worst Terror vs. Worst Fear"
"Saikyō Tai Saikyō" (最凶VS.最恐) 		Shōji YonemuraNovember 26, 2006
43 "That Which We Aim For"
"Ore o Nerau Ore" (俺を狙う俺) 		Shōji YonemuraDecember 3, 2006
44 "Who You Will Live With"
"Ikiru to wa" (生きるとは) 		Shōji YonemuraDecember 10, 2006
45 "Christmas Earthquake"
"Kurisumasu Gekishin" (Xマス激震) 		Toshiki InoueDecember 17, 2006
46 "Farewell, Tsurugi!!"
"Saraba Tsurugi!!" (さらば剣!!) 		Toshiki InoueDecember 24, 2006
47 "Rushing into the Last Chapter"
"Saishūshō Totsunyū" (最終章突入) 		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 7, 2007
48 "Tendou Dies!!"
"Tendō Shisu!!" (天道死す!!) 		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 14, 2007
Finale "Path of Heaven"
"Ten no Michi" (天の道) 		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 21, 2007

God Speed Love

The movie spin-off of the 2006 Kamen Rider Series, entitled Kamen Rider Kabuto The Movie: God Speed Love, was released in Japan on August 5. The film took place in an alternate timeline and served as an alternate prologue to the series, featuring three new Riders known as Hercus, Ketaros and Caucasus.

Hyper Battle Video

In Kamen Rider Kabuto: Birth! Gatack Hyper Form!! (仮面ライダーカブト 誕生！ガタックハイパーフォーム!! Kamen Raidā Kabuto: Tanjō! Gatakku Haipā Fōmu!!), Arata Kagami seeks to get the Hyper Zecter just like Souji Tendou, so he tries to emulate Tendou. Once he realizes that he has to be himself, the Hyper Zecter appears and allows him to transform into Kamen Rider Gatack Hyper Form, which only appears in the DVD. The Kabuto and Gatack Zecters speak to Tendou and Kagami throughout the DVD, voiced by Tomokazu Seki and Kōji Yusa, respectively.

Video game

A video game based on the series was produced by Bandai for the PlayStation 2, under the name Kamen Rider Kabuto. Released on November 30, 2006, it is a fighting game featuring all Riders seen in the show and movie, along with Hyper Gatack. The game features 5 different modes of play, ranging from a story mode to several multi-player modes.

Novel

Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト Kamen Raidā Kabuto), written by Shoji Yonemura, is part of a series of spin-off novel adaptions of the Heisei Era Kamen Riders. The mysteries behind Kamen Rider Kabuto will be revealed as Tendou Souji fights his final battle with the Worms. After the battle, he travels around the world starting from Bangkok, Thailand to Varanasi, India. During this time, the story follow Arata Kagami as he tries to court Hiyori Kusakabe. The novel was released on November 30, 2012.

Cast

Guest actors

Songs

Opening theme
Ending themes

35th Masked Rider Anniversary File

During episodes 23 through 27, this segment called the 35th Masked Rider Anniversary File, acted as a look back to the franchise and an early advertisement for the God Speed Love movie. These look backs are held in a movie theater and the segment is hosted by Soji Tendo (Kamen Rider Kabuto), Arata Kagami (Kamen Rider Gatack), Tetsuki Yamato (Kamen Rider Ketaros), Yuzuki Misaki, and Masato Mishima. During these five segments, they discuss the history of the Kamen Rider franchise, sometimes in a comedic tone, but always with serious background music.

International broadcasts

Kabuto was broadcast in South Korea as Masked Rider Kabuto (가면라이더 가부토 Gamyeon Raideo Gabuto) in 2008.[1] In the Philippines, this show is currently broadcast on Cartoon Network dubbed into English. In Singapore, this show is also dubbed and debut on June 20, 2009, on Okto.In Malaysia,this show was dubbed in Malay version on ntv7 NTV7.

Parodies

Episode 327-B of Sgt. Frog titled "Keroro, Invasion in a Blink!" (ケロロ あっというまの侵略！ であります) features the members of the Keroro Platoon trying to invade Earth in Clock-Up mode.

Notes

  1. ↑ This phrase has also been translated as "The man who goes road of god and manages all..." in Hyper Hobby magazine's Details of Heroes EX: Masked Rider System Kabuto photobook.

References

  1. ↑ "가면라이더 가부토". Retrieved 2008-12-21.

External links

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