List of Kamen Rider Kiva characters

This is a list of characters of the 2008 Japanese tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Kiva. The cast of characters is mostly split among two years, 1986 and 2008, and both groups of characters affect one another in their actions and their battles with the vampiric Fangires.

2008 side

Wataru Kurenai

Wataru Kurenai (紅 渡 Kurenai Wataru) is a half-fangire shy young man who never lies, keeping to himself due to his hygiene obsession and belief that he was "allergic to the world." He works at an atelier to continue his father's legacy of violin making with a dream to create the ultimate violin, using strange methods to accomplish it. But, Wataru is destined from birth to become Kamen Rider Kiva as his mother is the Queen of Fangire, Maya. He teams up with Kivat to fight the Fangire race and protect humanity from them, learning of his family legacy and true nature.

Wataru Kurenai is portrayed by Koji Seto (瀬戸 康史 Seto Kōji).

Keisuke Nago

Keisuke Nago (名護 啓介 Nago Keisuke) is an elite member of the Fangire Hunters, working as a bounty hunter by capturing criminals and taking a button from them as a memento. He has an intense hatred towards Kiva, making him a loose cannon for his intent to kill Kiva. He also has a prejudice for certain people like Wataru, as he believes they are everything his ideology of "humanity's full potential" is against. Like Wataru, Nago has his own Rider System, becoming Kamen Rider Ixa who is made to counter Kiva. After finding out Wataru is Kiva, he is relieved that the power of Kiva is in good hands.

Keisuke Nago is portrayed by Keisuke Kato (加藤 慶祐 Katō Keisuke).

Megumi Aso

Megumi Aso (麻生 恵 Asō Megumi) is a famous model and the daughter of Yuri living in the year 2008, born on December 29, 1987. As a Fangire Hunter and as Yuri's daughter, Megumi makes it her duty to hunt down the Fangire as well as finish her mother's unfinished affairs, such as the Rook. She meets Wataru and develops a liking towards him after helping him with his allergy issue, unaware that he is actually Kiva himself. She is also not afraid to tell him off whenever he acts strange. While Keisuke Nago has expressed his interest in her, Megumi cannot stand him and was reluctant to notify him of Kiva's reappearance. Her weapon is a rather small pistol that shoots slugs at high velocities, with an attachment which shoots out a chain that resembles her mother's Fangire Slayer. It seems that she shares her mother's cynophobia.

Over time, she starts to see Kiva in a different light as he continues to fight the Fangire, rescuing her on more than one occasion in the process. When her younger brother named Mitsuhide Aso (麻生 光秀 Asō Mitsuhide), the Fangire Hunters' benefactor, comes to reclaim his sister, Megumi refuses to leave and convinces her brother to let her remain after destroying the Rook using the Ixa System. When Shima orders the elimination of Kiva, together with Nago she tries to assassinate Kiva but cannot do it. After Kiva's Fangire blood reacts he jumps on the bridge and grabs her and was going to kill her when Nago intervenes leading Kiva to regress back to Wataru to her shock. Back at his house she, Shizuka and Nago try to cheer Wataru up but to no luck. Megumi, along with Ryo Itoya, are the only two of the 2008 Ixa users not to use the Rising Ixa form.

Megumi would later play an important role in Nago's life after his eyesight was revealed to be failing, encouraging him to continue as Ixa when he considered quitting the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization. After the final battle was over, she would marry Nago a few days later. After marrying Nago she tried to fight the future threat with her husband and the other Riders only to be stopped by the guests for fear of ruining her dress.

In the S.I.C Hero Saga side story King of Vampire, at the end of the wedding Kiva-la shows up instead of Masao Kurenai to warn everyone about the threat of the Lion Fangire's Sabbat. Kiva-la chooses Megumi to become Kamen Rider Kiva-la.

Megumi Aso is portrayed by Nana Yanagisawa (柳沢 なな Yanagisawa Nana).

Shizuka Nomura

Shizuka Nomura (野村 静香 Nomura Shizuka) is a 14-year-old girl who able to get around the shyness of Wataru being a motherly figure to him as he teaches her how to play the violin. She seems to be infatuated with Wataru; as a result, she can be jealous of other women in his life and actually sabotages his relation to Mio. Shizuka happens to be one of the few people to know about Kivat, and eventually Tatsulot, though she does not know that Wataru is Kiva, though by the last episode she does. She is also shown to be very adept at drumming.

In the The Queen of the Castle in the Demon World net spin-off movies, Shizuka is the title villain, using her powers to take out both Nago and Jiro for their disrespect towards Wataru before zapping Otoya with her "Shizuka Beam" for being a lousy father. Then enlarging into a giant, she battles Kiva before Wataru wakes up from his dream.

Shizuka Nomura is portrayed by Rina Koike (小池 里奈 Koike Rina). She previously portrayed the human form of cat Luna in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.

Kengo Eritate

Kengo Eritate (襟立 健吾 Eritate Kengo) is an independent rock guitarist and vocalist from Tokyo who lied about coming from Osaka out of shyness. Although he formed a band called IKEMENS (イケメンズ Ikemenzu), other members got tired of his character and dropped out. After that, he makes Wataru and Shizuka join and aims at the major debut as a new IKEMENS as part of his lifelong dream to be a rockstar. Though he learns that Wataru's lifelong dream is not like his, Kengo remains Wataru's friend as the two promise to help each other out with their dreams. However, when nearly devoured by the Rhinoceros Fangire, Kengo encounters Kiva and begins to idolize him and then Keisuke after seeing him fight the Ladybug Fangire, wishing to be the latter's apprentice. When he is deputized as a temporary Fangire Hunter, Kengo has to be hospitalized after shoulder and hand injuries from fighting the Crab Fangire.

Once released from the hospital, he learns that due to his injuries, he can no longer play the guitar, and as a result, gets angry at Wataru from hiding this truth from him. The rage gets worse when Kengo overhears Nago naming Wataru his apprentice instead of him, with Kengo being taken Shima's wing and made into an official Fangire Hunter, now bitter and harsh with no respect for Nago and very distrustful of Wataru. He even went so far as to cut and dye his hair back to black, along with discarding the Kansai accent he used to maintain the charade of being from Osaka. When Nago is injured in action, Kengo eagerly takes his place as the Ixa System's user. However, due to the incident where Kiva's Fangire nature takes over, Kengo is forced to return the Ixa System back to Nago after he attempted to redeem himself by fighting the Seamoon Fangire and almost getting killed by the Bishop. Kengo, in a last-ditch effort to bring back Wataru to battle, plays his guitar with what ability he has left and then begs Wataru to come back, apologizing for his recent behavior and coming clean about why he behaved like he did recently. It was not that much because of Wataru hiding the fact that he could no longer play the guitar from him, but that he needed to blame someone for his own weakness - he was actually relieved that he could no longer play the guitar as he eventually knew that he has little talent in music, but could not live with himself as someone who gave up on his dreams. At first, Wataru initially refuses, stating that he cannot be friends with anyone due to his heritage, but after Wataru returns to being Kiva, he relents and both he and Kengo become friends again. He later is a guest in Nago's wedding and helped carry the presents to the wedding.

Kengo Eritate is portrayed by Kouhei Kumai (熊井 幸平 Kumai Kōhei).

Kivat-bat the 3rd

Kivat-bat the 3rd (キバットバットⅢ世 Kibattobatto Sansei) is the 3rd generation of the Kivat-bat Family (キバットバット家 Kibattobatto Ke), distinguished among the Kivat Race (キバット族 Kibatto Zoku), possessing two heirlooms, the green Demon Imperial Stone (魔皇石 Maōseki) on the forehead and the Kivat Persona (キバットペルソナ Kibatto Perusona) on the face. Called "Kivat" for short, he is a solid character with dry wit, tending to have a bitter attitude. He has a technique called Kivat Cutter (キバットカッター Kibatto Kattā) with the Kivat Wings (キバットウイング Kibatto Uingu) which are ornamented with Lucifer Gold (ルシファーゴールド Rushifā Gōrudo). He formed a partnership with Wataru to give him the power of Kiva, infusing the Active Force (アクティブフォース Akutibu Fōsu) which is one of the Demon Imperial Powers (魔皇力 Maōryoku) from the Active Fangs (アクティブファング Akutibu Fangu) before attaching to the Kivat Belt (キバットベルト Kibatto Beruto) to allow his human partner to transform by the Active Force, as well as blow the Fuestles to evoke their power. He likes Megumi because she reminds him of Amedeo Modigliani's masterpieces, particularly the man's works of long-necked women. Kivat also serves as a narrator of sorts, telling the viewer historical facts while scenes from the previous episode play in the background during the early episodes. In the later episodes, with Tatsulot, Kivat tells the viewer of current events during the 2008 storyline.

Kivat-bat the 3rd is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (杉田 智和 Sugita Tomokazu).

Mio Suzuki

Mio Suzuki (鈴木 深央 Suzuki Mio) is a meek and clumsy girl born in 1989 who fell in love with Wataru after they meet at her previous job at a restaurant, where she was fired for being clumsy. However, her encounter with Fangires reveal that she is actually Maya's successor to the title of Queen of the Checkmate Four and the future bride to Taiga, donning an anklet from the Bishop to complete to her full transition into the Checkmate Four. Though in charge of killing traitors, which she has been reluctant to carry out, Mio is given the additional task of killing Kiva to protect their kind from him. Though she was unaware that Wataru is Kiva at first, still having feelings for him in spite of being forced to marry Taiga. After finding Maya and learning she can't rid herself of the title easily, she admits to Taiga she has no love for him before she learns that Wataru is Kiva. Learning that Wataru was half Fangire, she tries to convince him into defeating Taiga and taking his place as the King of Checkmate Four so they can be together. But when Wataru declines her request, Mio attempts to kill Taiga herself after faking that she wants to marry him. However, in spite of this, Mio tries to stop the fight between Kiva and Saga, knocked away from the two as Bishop takes his chance to fatally wound her for her earlier action. On the verge of death, Mio gives Wataru the ring he gave her during their early dating, and he puts it on her finger before she crystallizes and shatters. Mio appears to Wataru as a spirit from the shard he kept as a memento before Wataru traveled to 1986, encouraging him to live on and giving him closure.

Just like her predecessor Maya, Mio can transform into the Pearlshell Fangire (パールシェルファンガイア Pārusheru Fangire) and can utilize all of the previous Queen's powers, though she can turn day into night with a violet moon in the background and her Fangire form is indigo compared to Maya's being a pink color.

Mio Suzuki is portrayed by Yuria Haga (芳賀 優里亜 Haga Yuria). She previously portrayed Mari Sonoda in Kamen Rider 555.

Taiga Nobori

Taiga Nobori (登 太牙 Nobori Taiga) is Maya's first-born son, fathered by the Checkmate Four's original King, and current King of the Checkmate Four. He had met Wataru in their childhood, and the two became good friends. Though by 2008, he founded the Development & Pioneer (Ｄ＆Ｐ（ディベロープメント＆パイオニア） Diberōpumento ando Paionia) company, Taiga developed a disdain for humans and, as the Fangire King, is in charge preventing the progress of humanity if it would pose a threat to Fangires. To meet his goal, Taiga has his own rider form, Kamen Rider Saga, and is aided by Sagarc (サガーク Sagāku). Though his true form was not revealed throughout the series, his power and abilities deal with serpents. He would later gain the powers of Kamen Rider Dark Kiva.

Taiga Nobori is portrayed by Shouma Yamamoto (山本 匠馬 Yamamoto Shōma). Yamamoto also portrays Takato Shiramine in Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World.

Tatsulot

Demon Imperial Dragon Tatsulot (魔皇竜タツロット Maōryū Tatsurotto) is a small golden dragon known as the Goldy Wyvern (ゴルディ・ワイバーン Gorudi Waibān) and allows Kiva to become Emperor Form. Tatsulot was resting inside the ceiling of Castle Doran until Wataru's rage from the harm coming to Mio awakens him. After his initial appearance, Tatsulot would go on to live in Wataru's house. Sometimes appearing without being summoned by the Tatsulot Fuestle. He and Kivat do not usually get along because of their differing attitudes. He is known to say "Pyunpyuun! Tension fortissimo!" (ぴゅんぴゅーん！テンションフォルティッシモ！ Pyunpyūn! Tenshon forutisshimo!). Later, Tatsulot joins Kivat telling the viewer random historical facts while scenes from the previous episode play in the background, although his historical knowledge is somewhat limited. He would later help narrate the current events in the 2008 storyline with Kivat.

Tatsulot is voiced by Akira Ishida (石田 彰 Ishida Akira). He previously voiced Bae in Juken Sentai Gekiranger.

1986 side

Otoya Kurenai

Otoya Kurenai (紅 音也 Kurenai Otoya) is Wataru's father who battles the Fangire menace in 1986, his ideology that "All humans are music" his reason of fighting Fangires was to protect that music. Otoya is a ladies man who retires from being a professional violinist for reasons unknown. It is by accident that he interferes in Yuri's mission and is eventually brought into their group as a result. Though normally a casanova, Otoya is vexed on anything marriage related, things always staying the same, and others getting in his way. He was the first to learn Jiro is actually a Wolfen, although no one believes him until later when Jiro threatened Yuri and reveals himself. He then becomes the second user of the Ixa System when Jiro was exposed, putting up a front of not suffering the suit's. He is also capable of reasoning with Fangires who are not truly evil, he befriending Ōmura/Frog Fangire as he convinces him not to harm others. During his battle with the Fangire Race, Otoya falls in love with Maya, the original Queen of the Checkmate Four, resulting in the chain of events that led to him becoming the second Dark Kiva after forming a pact with Kivat-bat the 2nd to take on the Fangires' King. Otoya, with help from a time-traveling Wataru, succeeds in destroying the King at the cost of being on the verge of death due to the strain of wielding Kiva's power. Otoya would then pay final visits to Yuri and the Arms Monsters before finally dying in Maya's arms after playing her favorite song. He would leave behind the Bloody Rose, a violin that Otoya himself made with Maya's help, for Wataru.

However, in a strange turn of events in 2008, Otoya's spirit makes his appearance when he suddenly finds himself in Wataru's body. During that time, he recognized Megumi and Kivat as the children of those from his time. He also starts building a new violin with Wataru unaware that his father is building it through him. He would appear to Wataru in spirit one final time, encouraging his son not to give up as he lives on through him. In the non-canon The Queen of the Castle in the Demon World net spin-off movies, Otoya is brought into the present and bought the Café mald'amour, renaming it the "Café ore'amour" and attempting to remodel it.

Otoya Kurenai is portrayed by Kouhei Takeda (武田 航平 Takeda Kōhei).

Yuri Aso

Yuri Aso (麻生 ゆり Asō Yuri) is the founding member of the Fangire Hunters 22 years ago, meeting Otoya by sheer accident. She hates the Fangires with a passion, referring to them as "God's mistakes", as it was the Checkmate Four's Rook who murdered her mother Akane Aso (麻生 あかね Asō Akane), one of the founding members and designer of the Ixa system. However, her revenge on the Rook was never resolved though she did succeed in providing her daughter an advantage and finally was being able to move on after defeating the Rook personally. After admitting her feelings for Otoya, she moved in with his house to live as his roommate, only to feel betrayed when Otoya is seeing Maya. But once learning of Maya's identity, Yuri starts to track her down with intent to kill her, but after learning that Otoya loves her, she decides to give up and breaks up with him after rescuing him from the King. Otoya would see Yuri one last time to say some parting words before his eventual death from usage of the Dark Kiva power. Yuri seems to be cynophobic, which can be a hassle while she is working at the Café mald'amour; however, she seems to have gotten over this fear as she went out to search for Kido's dog, Buruman, on a rainy day. Her weapon consists of two bars that connect to create a short snake sword named the Fangire Slayer (ファンガイアスレイヤー Fangaia Sureiyā) which is capable of elongating. However, by 2008, Yuri is deceased and buried next to her mother. She would appear before her daughter in spirit to congratulate her on her marriage to Nago.

Yuri Aso is portrayed by Yu Takahashi (高橋 優 Takahashi Yū).

King

The previous King (キング Kingu) of the Checkmate Four is referred to as the first Dark Kiva (闇のキバ Yami no Kiba), the lord of all Fangires and the original Kiva who was a threat to humanity in his time. In spite of being married to Maya, he has no actual love for her as her purpose to him was the birth of his son, Taiga Nobori. However, the King disapproves Maya's sudden association with a human. He would eventually be defeated at the hands of Otoya when he took the power of Kiva from him, attempting to kill Taiga in act of vengeful rage. However, he is fatally wounded when his son turned his attack against him, realizing that Taiga has now succeeded him and vowed that he would avenge him in his final breath. Though Taiga succeeds him as the new Fangire King after his death, the King's power as Kiva is inherited by Wataru.

The previous King is portrayed by Shinya Niiro (新納 慎也 Niiro Shin'ya).

Kivat-bat the 2nd

Kivat-bat the 2nd (キバットバットⅡ世 Kibattobatto Nisei) is the 2nd generation of the Kivat-bat Family, and Kivat's father. As the King's partner, he infuses him with the power of Kiva. However, unlike his son, Kivat-bat the 2nd controls a lot more Demonic Power that enables Dark Kiva to fight at his utmost limit. Eventually, disgusted with his partner's methods, Kivat-bat the 2nd offers Otoya his power to become Dark Kiva. Kivat-bat the 2nd later appears in present-day to forge a pact with Taiga, making him the new Dark Kiva.

Tomokazu Sugita voices Kivat-bat the 2nd in a dual role with Kivat-bat the 3rd.

No side

These characters are the few that exist in both the 1986 and 2008 timelines, serving as a link between the 22-year gap.

Mamoru Shima

Mamoru Shima (嶋 護 Shima Mamoru) is a mysterious millionaire who is the president of the Shima Foundation, a front for the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization (素晴らしき青空の会 Subarashiki Aozora no Kai) that funds the Fangire Hunters, spending his spare time at a gym. He also gathers information on any new members of the Fangire Race that the Organization comes across, as well as seeing Kiva as a possible greater threat due to the original's rampage in 1986, believing from his experience with his foster-son Taiga that Fangires and humans cannot co-exist. He let Kengo be part of the organization, training him to be a more suited successor to Ixa System, but fires him after Wataru runs away. It was soon after that Shima suffers an ironic fate when mortally wounded by the Sungazer Fangire and made into a Fangire by Taiga to save his life, forced to turn toward Wataru to be his bodyguard. But after revealing to Wataru the relationship between him and Taiga, Shima attempts to kill Taiga only to be defeated by Saga and taken away to heal his wounds. Shima eventually returns to aid his friends in the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization's final battle against the Fangires. Shima also talks about Wataru's father, Otoya, who he deemed "unique" and how Maya entrusted Taiga to him in order to prevent any retribution in the future. At the end of the series he attends Nago's wedding, retrieving the presents along with Kengo.

Mamoru Shima is portrayed by Kazuhiko Kanayama (金山 一彦 Kanayama Kazuhiko).

Akira Kido

Akira Kido (木戸 明 Kido Akira) is the owner of the Café mald'amour (カフェ・マル・ダムール kafe maru damūru) and an acquaintance of Otoya's in the past, a rival with Shima in who has a lower body fat percentage in 1985, with him constantly losing. He owns a Golden Retriever named Buruman (ぶるまん Buruman), a puppy in 1986 and a fully grown dog in 2008. He is the first few to know that Wataru is Otoya's son. Akira and Otoya do not get along, although Buruman took an instant liking to the violinist. Akira was also a fan of the popular at the time song group, Onyanko Club. In the aftermath of the final battle, while Buruman was staying at a vet, Akira took in a black Pug named Sayuri.

Akira Kido is portrayed by Houka Kinoshita (木下 ほうか Kinoshita Hōka).

Arms Monsters

The Arms Monsters (アームズモンスター Āmuzu Monsutā) are last of the three of the 13 Demon Races (魔族 Mazoku) wiped out by Fangires, whom they hate to be compared to and vowed revenge on the genocide of their races. Though they attacked/helped Otoya on a regular basis, the three eventually grew accustomed to his face when the King offers them a chance to be spared. Refusing to execute their friend, they were sealed away into small statues until Otoya saves them. However, upon making a Darkness Pledge (闇の盟約 Yami no Meiyaku) to Otoya prior to his death, they are marked with orbs on their bodies and their original abilities sealed as they are then placed inside Castle Doran as its caretakers, watching over Wataru and the events of the outside world via tarot cards or playing chess or Hell's Old Maid to pass the time, the later game having a penalty on the loser. As a result of the pact, the Arm Monsters become Kiva's supporters, protecting the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization by allowing Kiva to access other powerful forms, possessing their fighting skills and mentality. They can sometimes get directly involved when needed to support Kiva. During the events of Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship, the Arms Monsters were briefly possessed by Urataros, Ryutaros, and Kintaros in the 1930s. When Wataru became the King of the Checkmate Four the Arms Monsters were apparently freed as they were seen fighting an army of revived Fangires and attending to Megumi and Nago's wedding.

Jiro

Jiro (次狼 Jirō) is the human form of the violent and impulsive Garulu (ガルル Garuru), the last surviving member of the werewolf-like Wolfen Race (ウルフェン族 Urufen Zoku) that were decimated by Rook in one of his Time Plays. Like those of his kind, Garulu has heightened senses and uses his claws to rip out human souls from their bodies before eating them. In the human guise of Jiro, Garulu sees the world as a place of utter corruption and usually prefers to be within Castle Doran as its lead caretaker, occasionally playing Dogga in Chess or cards and beating him. He usually triggers his transformation by scraping his fingers against the ground.

In 1986, Jiro is a regular at the Café Mald'amour as he enjoys the coffee there. Unbeknownst to the other workers, he begins attacking regulars in secret to feed on them, eventually stopping when his cover was almost blown. Recognizing Yuri as an "ideal wife" to revive the Wolfen Race through, Jiro joins the Fangire Hunters and becomes the first user of the Ixa System, saving Yuri from the Earwig Fangire and also alerting Otoya to his true nature, with the two at odds with each other unless Yuri's in any danger. But after Yuri favors Otoya, Jiro attempts to get revenge on Rook. He eventually warms up to Otoya enough to consider him a friend. Jiro is forced to ask for Otoya's help, with Ramon, Riki, and Yuri also defeating a weakened Rook together. Unable to kill Otoya to save himself (as per the King's offer), Jiro decides to leave town. However, he returns to aid Otoya and Maya against Dark Kiva but gets sealed into the Garulu Saber (ガルルセイバー Garuru Seibā). He escapes with the other Arms Monsters because of Otoya and runs away after seeing Otoya and King fighting. In the aftermath, before deciding to lead the Arm Monsters in keeping Castle Doran from running amok, Jiro questions Otoya's faith in them as he and the others promise to protect and aid Wataru in his stead.

This leads to Jiro now aiding Wataru in 2008, his Garulu Saber form used by Kiva to assume Garulu Form (ガルルフォーム Garuru Fōmu). Out of the Arms Monsters, Jiro supports his current condition as Wataru's ally out of respect for Otoya, even to the point of directly getting involved sometimes to honor his vows. In the The Queen of the Castle in the Demon World net spin-off movies, Jiro challenges Wataru to a card game when he accidentally ends up in Castle Doran, losing to him in Hell's Old Maid and suffers a humiliating punishment. He later tracks down Wataru to get back at him, finding Shizuka before she overwhelms his nose with an old fish and manhandles him for threatening Wataru.

While "garuru" (ガルル) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a wolf's howl, the last syllable in Jiro's name contains the kanji for "wolf" (狼 ōkami/rō).

Jiro is portrayed by Kenji Matsuda (松田 賢二 Matsuda Kenji). He previously portrayed Zanki in Kamen Rider Hibiki and Touki in Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Senki.

Ramon

Ramon (ラモン) is the human form of the cheerful Basshaa (バッシャー Basshā), the 127-year old survivor of the gill-man-like Merman Race (マーマン族 Māman Zoku). He has a cool yet childish attitude and is able to assume his true form by spinning then snapping his fingers. He can shoot pressurized water bubbles from his mouth and his pupils turn into cross-hairs to increase his aim. Basshaa is Castle Doran's housekeeper, assuming the form of a 13-year-old boy in a School Gakuran outfit while using his cunning and telekinetic abilities to mess with his housemates in their games from time to time. In 1986, he lives in human society as a shoeshine boy while aiding Jiro out of common interest, though confused by the Wolfen's methods as he should be in hiding and feeding off of humans in secret. When the parlor he lived in closed, Ramon started to work at the Café Mald'amour as a greeter until Jiro left and became a kakigoori seller when Jiro asked for his aid. After becoming unable to kill Otoya to save himself (as per the King's offer), Ramon decides to flee. But he is attacked by the King moments later and sealed into the Basshaa Magnum (バッシャーマグナム Basshā Magunamu). This leads to Ramon now aiding Wataru in 2008, his Basshaa Magnum form used by Kiva to assume Basshaa Form (バッシャーフォーム Basshā Fōmu).

The word "basshā" (バッシャー) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a splashing effect.

Ramon is portrayed by Yuuki Ogoe (小越 勇輝 Ogoe Yūki).

Riki

Riki (力（リキ）) is the human form of the silent Dogga (ドッガ Dogga), the last surviving member of the Frankenstein's monster-like Franken Race (フランケン族 Furanken Zoku). He has unbeatable strength and feeds by grabbing a person and draining the soul out in the form of electrical discharges. He acts as Castle Doran's butler, assuming his true form by pounding his fists together. He can only speak in a slow, monotone voice, and is thus not as talkative as Jiro or Ramon, usually having one of them speak for him. In addition to his habit of popping his neck, Riki tends to eat things that are inedible to normal people. In 1986, he lives in human society as a masseur in Ramon's parlor before moving into the Café Mald'amour to work there for a bit, falling in love with Yuri after eating her food. When Jiro left, Riki joined Ramon to become a kakigoori seller until Jiro asked for their aid. After becoming unable to kill Otoya to save himself (as per the King's offer), Riki decides to flee. After seeing Ramon sealed by the King, Riki attempts to run away, but is sealed into the Dogga Hammer (ドッガハンマー Dogga Hanmā). This leads to Riki now aiding Wataru in 2008, his Dogga Hammer used by Kiva to assume Dogga Form (ドッガフォーム Dogga Fōmu).

The word "dogga" (ドッガ) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a great thud, in the case, a hammer hitting while "Riki"'s name is spelled with the same kanji for "power" (力 chikara).

Riki is portrayed by Eiji Takigawa (滝川 英治 Takigawa Eiji).

Fangire Race

The Fangire Race (ファンガイア族 Fangaia Zoku) are the series' antagonists, with the major members of the Fangire Race playing a part in the story.

Maya

Maya (真夜 Maya) is the human form of the Pearlshell Fangire (パールシェルファンガイア Pārusheru Fangire) and the original Queen (クイーン Kuīn) of the Checkmate Four in 1986, possessing the Queen tattoo on her palm. Her powers are similar to Kiva as she can turn day into night with a blood red moon in the background and teleport in black rose petals as well as being the strongest of the Checkmate Four and consort to the King, giving birth to Taiga Nobori. Due to her status, Maya is in charge of executing any Fangire who betrays their kind, accompanied by Kivat-bat the 2nd. She lived for centuries, meeting Antonio Stradivari and Antonio Vivaldi and becoming their pupil, gaining an admiration for their genius and a love for human art. After Vivaldi's death, Maya found no other human like him until she crosses paths with Otoya, questioning her mission and the concept of love. As a result, while accompanying Otoya while he lost his memory, she starts to question humanity. Eventually, Maya is forced to reveal her true identity as a Fangire to Otoya when attacked by Dogga. But when Otoya refuses to kill her, she asks him to let her help him into creating an ideal violin for him to show his true potential, which would be named the Bloody Rose. However, in spite of Otoya telling her that they can never meet again, Maya falls in love with Otoya instead of her initial intent to kill him. This is expressed when Otoya and the King face off and later when she assaults Dark Kiva to hold him while Yuri escapes with Otoya, resulting with Maya being stripped of her title, rank, and powers as the Queen. Soon after the death of the original King, Maya stays by Otoya's side in his final moments.

Maya eventually gave birth to Wataru, leaving him as a child in order to protect him from retribution, telling him to become strong. Maya is eventually exiled to a location only the Bishop knows of, to keep her safe from the other Fangires that would intend to kill her as only she can bestow Kivat-Bat the 2nd's power to another. By 2008, now wearing an eye patch, Maya is found by her successor Mio, explaining to her how succession works along with realizing that Mio is following a path similar to her own. Taiga later visits his mother to learn the truth, bringing Wataru to meet her, again, despite her wishes. After being knocked out by a distraught Taiga who takes Kivat-Bat the 2nd as his own and claiming to have killed her, Maya reveals herself and expresses her pride in her sons finally working together.

Maya is portrayed by Saki Kagami (加賀美 早紀 Kagami Saki). She previously portrayed Elea in Ultraseven X.

Rook

The Rook (ルーク Rūku), named after the Rook tattoo on his hand, is the human form of the Lion Fangire (ライオンファンガイア Raion Fangaia) and a member of the Checkmate Four. The Rook is the one Yuri swore vengeance on for murdering her mother, as well as being the one who slaughtered nearly the entire Wolfen Race. Having no particular role to play and annoyed with boredom, the Rook devised his own personal game: the "Time Play". In a Time Play, he feeds on a select group of people within a time limit, with failure to make the intended number resulting in self-punishment with an electric shock strong enough to literally fry a human to crisp. However, if he manages to succeed the right amount of victims within his game, he rewards himself with parfait. Eventually he is defeated by Yuri when she tricks him into using the Ixa System to weaken him before Otoya and the Arms Monsters further weaken him for Yuri to deliver the deathblow with the Ixa System. However, the Rook barely escapes with a severe wound on his right shoulder, entering a deep rest to recuperate from his injuries.

By 2008, the Rook has lost his memories while resting and possesses a childlike mentality, found by Wataru and Shizuka. Because he cannot remember his name, they call him Dai-chan (大ちゃん Daichan) due to his size. Soon after, Dai-Chan regains all of his memories as the Rook upon seeing one of his old battlefields. However, the Rook becomes bored with his Time Plays, after finding out that he had run out of ideas on what kind of people he should hunt, and now resorts to playing the ultimate game, doing good deeds before getting himself killed to enter the pearly gates. This plan is changed when the Rook seeks to destroy Ixa, eventually being destroyed by Megumi as Ixa attacking the old injury on his shoulder.

The Rook is portrayed by Tomohide Takahara (高原 知秀 Takahara Tomohide). Takahara was previously in Chouseishin Gransazer as Naoto Matsuzaka.

Bishop

The Bishop (ビショップ Bishoppu) is the human form of the Swallowtail Fangire (スワローテイルファンガイア Suwarōteiru Fangaia) whose task as member of the Checkmate Four is to oversee the progress of all Fangires and their moral conduct, deeming those who are traitors to their absolute laws such as having relations with humans. The Bishop can shoot blue flames from his hand while in human form. In 1986, as the previous King's right hand, he oversees Taiga's development while not leaving Castle Doran to carry out his mission, even reporting to the King of Maya's actions. In 2008, he appears before Mio to have her embrace her destiny as the new Queen before searching for Taiga to complete the Checkmate Four prior to the Rook's demise, deeming Taiga as a better King than the last one. However, since learning that Kiva is Wataru, the Bishop feels that he would cause another disruption in the Fangire hierarchy as his father had in the past. His fears come true when Mio attempts to kill Taiga so Wataru could be the new king. After proudly admitting that he had to kill her for it, letting Wataru believe he was responsible in order to rid their kind of him, the Bishop is forced to run for his life from a furious Taiga. Enraged of Taiga's attempt on his life after all he did for him, the Bishop deems him unworthy of his title and resorts to gather a massive amount of Life Energy to set up a coup d'état and resurrect the previous king to take Taiga's place. In the end, after being mortally wounded by Rising Ixa, the Bishop uses his own soul to complete the process, becoming part of the reborn king.

The Bishop is portrayed by Mitsu Murata (村田 充 Murata Mitsu). He previously portrayed the Douji in Kamen Rider Hibiki.

Ryo Itoya

Ryo Itoya (糸矢 僚 Itoya Ryō) is the human form of the Spider Fangire (スパイダーファンガイア Supaidā Fangaia). Because of his encounters with Yuri and Otoya in 1986, he has become obsessed with her. In 2008, his obsession shifts to Yuri's daughter Megumi, making attempts to have her for himself. In his final attempt, he accidentally gains the Ixa Belt and uses it to make Megumi his. But once he loses the Ixa Knuckle due to his attraction to Megumi, Ryo is weakened by the Garulu Fever of Emperor Form and then destroyed by the fully awakened Mio.

Ryo Itoya is portrayed by Sohto (創斗 Sōto).

Masao Kurenai

Masao Kurenai^[1] (紅 正夫 Kurenai Masao) is the son of Wataru Kurenai, resembling Otoya Kurenai (and portrayed by the same actor). Coming from 2031, 22 years in the future, he comes back in time to ask his father's help to fight the Neo-Fangire (ネオファンガイア Neofangaia) menace that are making their way into the present. Being the son of Wataru, Masao can become Kamen Rider New Kiva (仮面ライダーNEWキバ Kamen Raidā Nyū Kiba) with the aid of the orange-colored Kivat-bat the 4th (キバットバットⅣ世 Kibattobatto Yonsei), son of Kivat-bat the 3rd, assuming Kiva Form.

Kouhei Takeda portrays Masao Kurenai and Tomokazu Sugita voices Kivat-bat the 4th in the final episode.

References

1. "仮面ライダーキバ 第46～47話　アンコール｜東映［テレビ］". Retrieved 2009-01-18.

See also