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Kamen Rider Kabuto | |
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Genre | Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fiction Action Biopunk |
Created by | Shotaro Ishinomori |
Written by | |
Directed by |
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Starring |
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Narrated by | Eiichiro Suzuki |
Opening theme | "NEXT LEVEL" by YU-KI |
Composer | Kuniaki Haishima |
Country of origin | Japan |
No. of episodes | 49 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producers |
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Running time | 24–25 minutes (per episode) |
Production companies | TV Asahi Asatsu-DK Toei Company |
Original release | |
Network | ANN (TV Asahi) |
Release | January 29, 2006 January 21, 2007 | –
Related | |
Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト, Kamen Raidā Kabuto, lit. Masked Rider Beetle), stylized in English as 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 Asatsu-DK 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. It aired as a part of the Super Hero Time slot alongside GoGo Sentai Boukenger. It is the first series to debut an insect/cybernetics motif.
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."
Seven years before 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 Tendo has been trained for 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.
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.
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 have 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.
# | Title | Director | Writer | Original airdate |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Strongest Man" Transliteration: "Saikyō Otoko" (Japanese: 最強男) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | January 29, 2006 |
2 | "The First Two-Step Transformation" Transliteration: "Hatsu Ni-dan Henshin" (Japanese: 初2段変身) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | February 5, 2006 |
3 | "I Am Justice!!" Transliteration: "Ore wa Seigi!!" (Japanese: 俺が正義!!) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | February 12, 2006 |
4 | "Love Explanation!!" Transliteration: "Ai o Toku!!" (Japanese: 愛を説く!!) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | February 19, 2006 |
5 | "Order to Capture!!" Transliteration: "Hokaku Shirei!!" (Japanese: 捕獲指令!!) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | February 26, 2006 |
6 | "My Flower" Transliteration: "Ore-sama no Hana" (Japanese: オレ様の花) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | March 5, 2006 |
7 | "#2 Appears" Transliteration: "Ni-gō Shin Tōjō" (Japanese: 2号新登場) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | March 12, 2006 |
8 | "Angry Tofu" Transliteration: "Ikareru Tōfu" (Japanese: 怒れる豆腐) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | March 19, 2006 |
9 | "The Bee's Insanity!!" Transliteration: "Hachi no Ranshin!!" (Japanese: 蜂の乱心!!) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | March 26, 2006 |
10 | "I'm Not Your Friend" Transliteration: "Tomo ja Nee" (Japanese: 友じゃねぇ) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | April 2, 2006 |
11 | "The Party Burns" Transliteration: "Gōkon Moyu" (Japanese: 合コン燃ゆ) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | April 9, 2006 |
12 | "The Makeup Thousand-Man Cut" Transliteration: "Keshō Sen-nin Giri" (Japanese: 化粧千人斬) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | April 16, 2006 |
13 | "The Team Dissolves" Transliteration: "Chīmu Kaisan" (Japanese: チーム解散) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | April 23, 2006 |
14 | "Back of the Back of the Back" Transliteration: "Ura no Ura no Ura" (Japanese: 裏の裏の裏) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | April 30, 2006 |
15 | "The Monster Noted Doctor!?" Transliteration: "Kaijin Meii!?" (Japanese: 怪人名医!?) | Nobuhiro Suzumura | Toshiki Inoue | May 7, 2006 |
16 | "An Impossible Storm" Transliteration: "Masaka no Arashi" (Japanese: まさかの嵐) | Nobuhiro Suzumura | Toshiki Inoue | May 14, 2006 |
17 | "Restored Memories!!" Transliteration: "Yomigaeru Kioku!!" (Japanese: 甦る記憶!!) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | May 21, 2006 |
18 | "Farewell, Gon" Transliteration: "Saraba Gon" (Japanese: さらばゴン) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | May 28, 2006 |
19 | "Scorpion Millionaire" Transliteration: "Sasori Fugō" (Japanese: さそり富豪) | Takao Nagaishi | Toshiki Inoue | June 4, 2006 |
20 | "Eh, Jiiya?" Transliteration: "Nee, Jiiya?" (Japanese: ねぇじいや?) | Takao Nagaishi | Toshiki Inoue | June 11, 2006 |
21 | "Vs. Stag Beetle" Transliteration: "Tai Kuwagata" (Japanese: VSクワガタ) | Ryuta Tasaki | Shōji Yonemura | June 25, 2006 |
22 | "Birth of a Special Compilation" Transliteration: "Tanjō Tokubetsuhen" (Japanese: 誕生特別編) | Ryuta Tasaki | Shōji Yonemura | July 2, 2006 |
23 | "Riddle + Riddle = X" Transliteration: "Nazo Tasu Nazo Wa Ekkusu" (Japanese: 謎+謎=X) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | July 9, 2006 |
24 | "The Ramen Way" Transliteration: "Rāmen-dō" (Japanese: ラーメン道) | Naoki Tamura | Shōji Yonemura | July 16, 2006 |
25 | "The Proud Searchlight" Transliteration: "Ogoru Sōsasen" (Japanese: 驕る捜査線) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | July 23, 2006 |
26 | "Love That Shook the Earth" Transliteration: "Gekishin Suru Ai" (Japanese: 激震する愛) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | July 30, 2006 |
27 | "Me!? A Murderer" Transliteration: "Ore!? Satsujinhan" (Japanese: 俺!?殺人犯) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | August 6, 2006 |
28 | "Why!? Death" Transliteration: "Naze!? Zetsumei" (Japanese: なぜ!?絶命) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | August 13, 2006 |
29 | "The Dark Kitchen" Transliteration: "Yami Kitchin" (Japanese: 闇キッチン) | Hidenori Ishida | Toshiki Inoue | August 20, 2006 |
30 | "Miso Soup Ascension" Transliteration: "Misoshiru Shōten" (Japanese: 味噌汁昇天) | Hidenori Ishida | Toshiki Inoue | August 27, 2006 |
31 | "Shocking Fact" Transliteration: "Shōgeki no Jijitsu" (Japanese: 衝撃の事実) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | September 3, 2006 |
32 | "Puzzle Unraveled!!" Transliteration: "Tokeru Nazo!!" (Japanese: 解ける謎!!) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | September 10, 2006 |
33 | "The Sprouting Adjutant" Transliteration: "Moeru Fukukan" (Japanese: 萌える副官) | Ryuta Tasaki | Shōji Yonemura | September 17, 2006 |
34 | "Breaking Super Evolution" Transliteration: "Kudake Chō Shinka" (Japanese: 砕け超進化) | Ryuta Tasaki | Shōji Yonemura | September 24, 2006 |
35 | "The Hellish Brothers" Transliteration: "Jigōku no Kyōdai" (Japanese: 地獄の兄弟) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | October 1, 2006 |
36 | "Red Shoes' Recklessness" Transliteration: "Akai Kutsu Bōsō" (Japanese: 赤い靴暴走) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | October 8, 2006 |
37 | "School's Ghost Story" Transliteration: "Gakkō no Kaidan" (Japanese: 学校の怪談) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | October 15, 2006 |
38 | "The Dangerous Younger Sister" Transliteration: "Abunai Imōto" (Japanese: あぶない妹) | Takao Nagaishi | Shōji Yonemura | October 22, 2006 |
39 | "The Powerful Black Opponent" Transliteration: "Kyōteki Kuro Kabu" (Japanese: 強敵黒カブ) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | October 29, 2006 |
40 | "The Saddest Battle" Transliteration: "Saidai no Aisen" (Japanese: 最大の哀戦) | Ryuta Tasaki | Toshiki Inoue | November 12, 2006 |
41 | "The Strongest Defeated" Transliteration: "Yabureru Saikyō" (Japanese: 敗れる最強) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | November 19, 2006 |
42 | "Worst Terror vs. Worst Fear" Transliteration: "Saikyō Tai Saikyō" (Japanese: 最凶VS.最恐) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | November 26, 2006 |
43 | "That Which We Aim For" Transliteration: "Ore o Nerau Ore" (Japanese: 俺を狙う俺) | Takayuki Shibasaki | Shōji Yonemura | December 3, 2006 |
44 | "Who You Will Live With" Transliteration: "Ikiru to wa" (Japanese: 生きるとは) | Takayuki Shibasaki | Shōji Yonemura | December 10, 2006 |
45 | "Christmas Earthquake" Transliteration: "Kurisumasu Gekishin" (Japanese: Xマス激震) | Takao Nagaishi | Toshiki Inoue | December 17, 2006 |
46 | "Farewell, Tsurugi!!" Transliteration: "Saraba Tsurugi!!" (Japanese: さらば剣!!) | Takao Nagaishi | Toshiki Inoue | December 24, 2006 |
47 | "Rushing into the Last Chapter" Transliteration: "Saishūshō Totsunyū" (Japanese: 最終章突入) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | January 7, 2007 |
48 | "Tendou Dies!!" Transliteration: "Tendō Shisu!!" (Japanese: 天道死す!!) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | January 14, 2007 |
49 (Finale) | "Path of Heaven" Transliteration: "Ten no Michi" (Japanese: 天の道) | Hidenori Ishida | Shōji Yonemura | January 21, 2007 |
The movie of the 2006 Kamen Rider Series, entitled Kamen Rider Kabuto the Movie: God Speed Love (劇場版 仮面ライダーカブト GOD SPEED LOVE, Gekijōban Kamen Raidā Kabuto Goddo Supīdo Rabu), was released in Japan on August 5, double-billed with GoGo Sentai Boukenger the Movie: The Greatest Precious. The film took place in a previous timeline and served as a prequel to the series, featuring three new Riders known as Hercus, Ketaros and Caucasus.
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.
The Kamen Rider Kabuto trademark was registered by Toei on October 26, 2005.[1]
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 multiplayer modes.
Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト, Kamen Raidā Kabuto), written by Shōji Yonemura, is part of a series of spin-off novel adaptions of the Heisei Era Kamen Riders. The mysteries behind Kamen Rider Kabuto are 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 followed Arata Kagami as he tries to court with Hiyori Kusakabe. The novel was released on November 30, 2012.
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.
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, Keroro Attoiuma no Shinryaku! de arimasu) features the members of the Keroro Platoon trying to invade Earth in Clock Up mode.