Kamen Rider Kabuto

Kamen Rider Kabuto
Title screen
Genre Tokusatsu
Superhero fiction
Science fiction
Action
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
Written by
Directed by
  • Hidenori Ishida
  • Naoki Tamura
  • Takao Nagaishi
  • Ryuta Tasaki
  • Nobuhiro Suzumura
  • Takayuki Shibasaki
Starring
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 featuring Arata Kagami
Composer(s) Kuniaki Haishima
Country of origin Japan
No. of episodes 49 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)
  • Atsushi Kaji (TV Asahi)
  • Shinichiro Shirakura (Toei)
  • Naomi Takebe (Toei)
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
Production 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.

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

#TitleWriterOriginal airdate
1"The Strongest Man"
"Saikyō Otoko" (最強男)		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 29, 2006
Kagami Arata, member of ZECT, meets Tendou Souji, who has been training his entire life waiting for the Kabuto Zecter. As a Worm attacks a young girl, Kagami attempts to call the Kabuto Zecter but it flies to the hands of the strange man, Tendou Souji.
2"The First Two-Step Transformation"
"Hatsu Ni-dan Henshin" (初2段変身)		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 5, 2006
Tendou uses the second form of Kabuto, known as "Rider Form" by using a process called "Cast Off". Kagami tries to understand Tendou and why he believes he is destined to be great.
3"I am Justice!!"
"Ore wa Seigi!!" (俺が正義!!)		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 12, 2006
A woman named Yuki is attacked by the Lanpyris Worm and impersonated, but she survives so now there are two Yukis running around. More intrigue between Tendo & Kagami, who is quickly falling out of favor with ZECT, plus a fight between Kabuto and a new kind of Worm at an amusement park.
4"Love Explanation!!"
"Ai o Toku!!" (愛を説く!!)		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 19, 2006
Kagami must face the tough truth about the person his younger brother really is. Tendou confronts Kagami and tells him that he will defeat all Worms, including Kagami's brother, Bellcricetus Worm. In the end, Kagami is left with the toughest choice of his life.
5"Order to Capture!!"
"Hokaku Shirei!!" (捕獲指令!!)		Shōji YonemuraFebruary 26, 2006
The connection between Hiyori and Tendou is seemingly discovered as Tendou makes a promise to Hiyori that he might have to break after ZECT discovers the identity of Kabuto.
6"My Flower"
"Ore-sama no Hana" (オレ様の花)		Shōji YonemuraMarch 5, 2006
Tendou plans his escape from ZECT with the help of Kagami. After escaping, Kagami is sent to meet Hiyori and Tendou must defeat two Worm that are impersonating ZECT members.
7"#2 Appears"
"Nigō Shin Tōjō" (２号新登場)		Shōji YonemuraMarch 12, 2006
Sou Yaguruma, also known as Kamen Rider TheBee, arrives from ZECT HQ with his own ZECT Tropper team known as Shadow. Kagami warns Tendou to stay out of ZECT affairs now that a new Kamen Rider is here. After saving a wedding and fighting a pair of Worm, TheBee then asks Kabuto about joining them and ZECT, but Kabuto refuses, resulting in a showdown between the Riders.
8"Angry Tofu"
"Ikareru Tōfu" (怒れる豆腐)		Shōji YonemuraMarch 19, 2006
Due to being upstaged by Tendou, Yaguruma loses his cool and begins trying to defeat Kabuto once and for all. After seemingly destroying the Zect Belt, Hiyori remembers more about her past and the boy that had a rider belt.
9"The Bee's Insanity!!"
"Hachi no Ranshin!!" (蜂の乱心!!)		Shōji YonemuraMarch 26, 2006
Yaguruma discovers that Tendou is alive and well, and so is the Zect Belt. Furious, he and Tendou fight once again, but this time, Yaguruma goes insane and injures his fellow comrades in the process. Ideals lost, the TheBee Zecter leaves him for Kagami Arata.
10"I'm Not Your Friend"
"Tomo ja Nee" (友じゃねぇ)		Shōji YonemuraApril 2, 2006
Kagami basks in the power of the TheBee Zecter and the new position of Shadow's captain. However, his mission is to defeat Kabuto and after fighting him, Kagami realizes that there is something far more important to him than being a Rider. After this, he gives up the TheBee Zecter along with the title of Kamen Rider TheBee.
11"The Party Burns"
"Gōkon Moeyu" (合コン燃ゆ)		Toshiki InoueApril 9, 2006
Tendou constantly tells Kagami that he has forgotten something important. Kagami does not understand this, but after being saved from a Worm, Tendou asks him why he joined ZECT. Kagami, still puzzled, watches in shock as Kazama Daisuke, a makeup artist, transforms into Kamen Rider Drake.
12"The Makeup Thousand-Man Cut"
"Keshō Sennin Giri" (化粧千人斬)		Toshiki InoueApril 16, 2006
Tendou and Daisuke have a contest to see who can get the most girls to follow them in one day. Despite that Tendou did nothing but scratch cards all day, he wins the contest as all the girls collected by Daisuke run to Tendou because they all know who he is. Kagami finally realizes that Tendou was trying to tell him to remember his promise to fight Worms.
13"The Team Dissolves"
"Chīmu Kaisan" (チーム解散)		Shōji YonemuraApril 23, 2006
Yaguruma returns with a new vigor and is determined to protect Shadow because someone has been killing off Shadow members one by one. Kageyama believed it to be Yaguruma who was doing the betrayal, but in the end this was proven false. However, Kageyama is now the user chosen to be Kamen Rider TheBee.
14"Back of the Back of the Back"
"Ura no Ura no Ura" (裏の裏の裏)		Shōji YonemuraApril 30, 2006
Kagami is marked as the traitor by Kageyama, and is chased across town by the entire team of Shadow. This seemingly perfect case is broken when Kageyama reveals that he was just using Kagami as bait to lure out the real traitor. A Zect operative shoots Kagami who is saved by Tendou at the last second, who reveals that one of Kageyama's troops is actually the traitor, the only one who could see him when he Clocked Up to save Kagami. In the end Drake, TheBee, and Kabuto have a three-way battle.
15"The Monster Noted Doctor!?"
"Kaijin Meii!?" (怪人名医!?)		Toshiki InoueMay 7, 2006
Kagami feels betrayed by ZECT and takes a leave to try and solve his own mission. Drake and Kabuto secretly back him up and they discover that there are multiple Worms impersonating the same person, and they do not try to kill each other. Tendou joins ZECT in order to find out more about this, and automatically becomes Shadow's leader.
16"An Impossible Storm"
"Masaka no Arashi" (まさかの嵐)		Toshiki InoueMay 14, 2006
Realizing that there were three Worms mimicking the same man all along, Drake and Kabuto work together to defeat them. Kagami thinks that he destroyed a Worm by himself, but in truth Tendou has helped him through the use of Clock Up. Mishima temporarily takes over as TheBee because Kageyama failed to do his job.
17"Restored Memories!!"
"Yomigaeru Kioku!!" (甦る記憶!!)		Toshiki InoueMay 21, 2006
Gon is hurt as Daisuke constantly ignores her and mistreats her, and so she runs off to Hiyori. However, after being attacked by a Worm, she hits her head and recalls some of her memories. In the end, Gon gets captured by ZECT.
18"Farewell, Gon..."
"Saraba Gon..." (さらばゴン・・・)		Toshiki InoueMay 28, 2006
Due to an attack by a Worm from Gon's past, Gon's memories are restored, at the cost of losing her memories of being Gon; and with Daisuke. She returns to her mother and Daisuke leaves for an unknown place, realizing that it was for the best.
19"Scorpion Millionaire"
"Sasori Fugō" (さそり富豪)		Toshiki InoueJune 4, 2006
A new man by the name of Tsurugi Kamishiro appears, and he is seemingly as arrogant as Tendou. After competing with Tendou in all manners of sports, he meets Tendou at the top of the roof, ready to fight a Worm. It is then shown that he is Kamen Rider Sasword.
20"Eh, Jiiya?"
"Nee, Jiiya?" (ねぇじいや?)		Toshiki InoueJune 11, 2006
Tsurugi becomes the next target of the Phantom Thief Shadow, whose actual goal is to lure the Worm that only targets criminals out. Tsurugi causes a traffic accident which injures Juka, and so Tendou punches him. After realizing Tendou also has a sister, he apologizes. After destroying Sepultura Worm with Rider Slash, Sasword transforms into Scorpio Worm, the very Worm that killed his sister.
21"Vs. Stag Beetle"
"Tai Kuwagata" (VSクワガタ)		Shōji YonemuraJune 25, 2006
ZECT has made a new Zecter known as the Gatack Zecter. Due to its immense power, no one is able to use it and Tadokoro is badly hurt trying to tame the Zecter. Elsewhere, Kagami has made friends with a young boy who seems to be hiding something.
22"Birth of a Special Compilation"
"Tanjō Tokubetsuhen" (誕生特別編)		Shōji YonemuraJuly 2, 2006
Kagami tries his hand at taming the Gatack Zecter but is badly hurt in the process. After discovering the secret of the young boy Kagami met, he is seemingly killed, until the Gatack Zecter is placed in his hands. Using its power, Kagami is able to become Kamen Rider Gatack. Kagami wins his first battle and also discovers that all Worms are not necessarily evil.
23"Riddle + Riddle = X"
"Nazo Tasu Nazo Wa Ekkusu" (謎+謎=X)		Shōji YonemuraJuly 9, 2006
Worms begin attacking anyone and everyone that possesses pieces of the meteorite. Kagami questions Tendou as to how he originally came into ownership of his belt and the truth about the financial state of the Discabil family is exposed.
24"The Ramen Way"
"Rāmen Dō" (ラーメン道)		Shōji YonemuraJuly 16, 2006
Tendou and Tsurugi finish their battle from the previous episode to end with Tendou as the victor. Hiyori, along with Kagami and Tendou, enter Area X to discover what ZECT is trying to keep hidden from the world. Once inside, the trio meets resistance from Kageyama and Shadow and Hiyori discovers that Tendou and Kagami are Kamen Riders Kabuto and Gatack. After receiving some help from an unlikely ally, the trio opens the door to the center of Area X.
25"The Proud Searchlight"
"Ogoru Sōsasen" (驕る捜査線)		Shōji YonemuraJuly 23, 2006
The stay inside the core of Area X is cut short as TheBee and Shadow force the trio to make an early exit. Tendou joins the police force in an attempt to get closer to ZECT and Kagami impersonates Tadoroko to get closer to ZECT HQ. Meanwhile, as Kageyama pursued a new and mysterious Worm, Rena Mamiya/Uca Worm, one of her subordinates assumed Misaki's form to kidnap Tendou's younger sister, Juka.
26"Love That Shook the Earth"
"Gekishin Suru Ai" (激震する愛)		Shōji YonemuraJuly 30, 2006
Tendou and Kagami try to find out why Kagami's name was written in the file from 35 years ago. Tendou is questioned about the identity of his parents and Hiyori begins to suspect Tendou of being more than he claims to be.
27"Me!? A Murderer"
"Ore!? Satsujinhan" (俺!?殺人犯)		Toshiki InoueAugust 6, 2006
After holding off a very powerful Worm that Tendou is unable to beat, he makes a promise to Hiyori that he will always protect her. Elsewhere, Gon regains her memory after reading an article about Daisuke, who has been accused of a murder. Jiya then falls ill and a grieving Tsurugi goes to Tendou for help.
28"Why!? Death"
"Naze!? Zetsumei" (なぜ!?絶命)		Toshiki InoueAugust 13, 2006
Everyone thinks Daisuke has died and that a Worm is impersonating him, but in reality it was a deception to force the Riders on one another. The real Daisuke was soon attacked by the other four riders as he tries to prove that he is human. Eventually the Worm's identity is discovered, and Daisuke retrieves his Drake Grip. Hyper Kabuto makes its first appearance after defeating several Pupa Worms.
29"The Dark Kitchen"
"Yami Kitchin" (闇キッチン)		Toshiki InoueAugust 20, 2006
A new Worm under the guise of master chef Ichiro Ikesu is using the dark cookings arts to have people submit to his "superior" skill as part of his plan to rule the world with his cooking added with the power of the Black Knife. Jiya then tries compete against Ichiro Ikesu without knowing that he is a Worm, Jiiya falls ill after losing to him in an iron chef match. Tendou vowed to avenge Jiya.
30"Miso Soup Ascension"
"Misoshiru Shōten" (味噌汁昇天)		Toshiki InoueAugust 27, 2006
Tendou pays a visit to Jiya's brother and receives the ancient White Knife blade that will allow him to win in the upcoming match with Ichiro. Kagami then discovers the shocking truth behind Tsurugi's past and must come to his defense against a Tendou who says that he will defeat all Worms.
31"Shocking Fact"
"Shōgeki no Jijitsu" (衝撃の事実)		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 3, 2006
Kagami tries to learn more about how Tsurugi became a Worm, eventually he ends up at Jiya who has a secret that he has been keeping from Tsurugi. For helping him in a battle, Tsurugi proclaims that he and Kagami shall now be best friends. Hiyori, after being attacked by a group of Worms, evolves into Sisyra Worm, her true form.
32"Puzzle Unraveled!!"
"Tokeru Nazo!!" (解ける謎!!)		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 10, 2006
Hiyori finally discovers that she and Tendou and are brother and sister. Hiyori has become the target of ZECT with Mishima commanding Kageyama to eliminate her. Mishima is also seen with the mysterious Hyper Zecter. Tendou, Kagami and Hiyori finally enter the center of Area X, but Kagami and Tendou are thrown out onto a beach while Hiyori discovers the identity of the man in the iron mask.
33"The Sprouting Adjutant"
"Moeru Fukukan" (萌える副官)		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 17, 2006
Hiyori disappears and Tendou lends his strength to ZECT to find out where she has gone. A training session is held for the new ZECT Troopers and a girl named Renge Takatori is sent by Mishima to get closer to Tendou. Tendou also starts collecting the Zecters to ensure that he will be the only rider left, but after attempting to obtain the TheBee Zecter, he meets an old Rider, with a new look, who has become Kamen Rider KickHopper.
34"Breaking Super Evolution"
"Kudake Chō Shinka" (砕け超進化)		Shōji YonemuraSeptember 24, 2006
Kageyama begs Tendou to return him his Zecter but Tendou says he will be the only rider in the end. Afterwards, Mishima orders Renge Takatori to kill Tendou; but when Tendou convinces her to eat his cooking, she steals the Hyper Zecter from Mishima only to be pursued by both enemy factions. The Hyper Zecter is then seemingly destroyed, and Kagami was destroyed by the worm. It turns out, the Hyper Zecter merely warped itself through time to come to Tendou allowing him to transform into Kamen Rider Kabuto Hyper Form. He uses it to return to save him just before Kagami was destroyed.
35"The Hellish Brothers"
"Jigōku no Kyōdai" (地獄の兄弟)		Shōji YonemuraOctober 1, 2006
A mysterious man called Daigo Tachikawa tells Tendou to stop collecting the Zecters. He says the riders are there to combat Worms that aren't native to earth. Daigo becomes Kamen Rider Drake later on to save a mother and her child in front of Kagami. After being told to chase Daigo, Kageyama is nearly killed when Yaguruma saves him and "sends him to hell" allowing him to become Kamen Rider PunchHopper.
36"Red Shoes' Recklessness"
"Akai Kutsu Bōsō" (赤い靴暴走)		Shōji YonemuraOctober 8, 2006
Riku Kagami tells Tendou of the story of The Red Shoes and explains that both Kabuto and Gattack has a system that forces the wearer to destroy all Worms, regardless of the wearers' will. After Kabuto goes insane and almost kills Tachigawa, Gatack stops him but is unable to prevent Daigo's death by Cochlea Worm. In the end, Tendou and Kagami make a pact to stop each other if they ever try to destroy Hiyori.
37"School's Ghost Story"
"Gakkō no Kaidan" (学校の怪談)		Shōji YonemuraOctober 15, 2006
Tendou learns of strange occurrences happening at Juka's school and sends Kagami and Misaki to investigate the problem. Kageyama encounters a young girl who he protects and is reminded by Yaguruma that he can no longer interact with other humans.
38"The Dangerous Younger Sister"
"Abunai Imōto" (あぶない妹)		Shōji YonemuraOctober 22, 2006
The truth behind the school's ghost story is discovered, for the principal has been making secret deals with the Worms, who in turn replace students, one by one. Kagami seeks out this Worm after going on Juka's trip, and Tsurugi returns, once again as Sasword.
39"The Powerful Black Opponent"
"Kyōteki Kuro Kabu" (強敵黒カブ)		Toshiki InoueOctober 29, 2006
Uca Worm seeks out Tendou once more, in an attempt to retrieve the Hyper Zecter, but her plan is foiled when she loses her memory due to Tendou's Hyper Sting attack. Befriended by Kazama Daisuke, she seemingly returns to her normal life of singing and happiness. Kabuto is taken to an alternate dimension and meets Dark Kabuto.
40"The Saddest Battle"
"Saidai no Aisen" (最大の哀戦)		Toshiki InoueNovember 12, 2006
Rena recovers her memories after encountering Punch and KickHopper, but was saved by Kamen Rider Drake. After becoming Uca Worm again, she proceeds to fight Drake, but is forced into a weak position. After sacrificing his love for her to come to the realization that she was evil, Drake makes a heart-paining choice and destroys Uca Worm.
41"The Strongest Defeated"
"Yabureru Saikyō" (敗れる最強)		Shōji YonemuraNovember 19, 2006
A new weapon is created by ZECT called the AM bomb. Short for anti-mimicry, this device is used on the general population, revealing all the Native's and other Worms disguised as humans. Kagami also goes to his father and learns the origins of ZECT and the Masked Rider system, wondering if his sole purpose is to fight Worms.
42"Worst Terror vs. Worst Fear"
"Saikyō Tai Saikyō" (最凶VS.最恐)		Shōji YonemuraNovember 26, 2006
Reiji Nogi has captured mass amounts of Native Worms along with Tadakoro. He demands that one more AM bomb be given to him. If so, he will release the Natives, however, they will no longer have their mimic abilities. Kagami is sent into negotiations, but things happen that are even out of his control. Meanwhile, an old dark enemy returns again to take on Kabuto.
43"That Which We Aim For"
"Ore o Nerau Ore" (俺を狙う俺)		Shōji YonemuraDecember 3, 2006
The Worm Souji has appeared in the city and after visiting the Bistro and trying Renge's food, Kagami notices something odd about him. They realize he is a Worm, but Hyper Kabuto is able to subdue Dark Kabuto. However, Hiyori appears and sides with Dark Kabuto. Nogi and his Worm forces also prepare to enter Area Z, the location of the Masked Rider System's creation.
44"Who You Will Live With"
"Ikiru to wa" (生きるとは)		Shōji YonemuraDecember 10, 2006
After hearing that Hiyori does not want to return to the real world anymore, Tendou is left in shock. Kageyama begins to stray from the path of darkness as he is enticed by the sight of TheBee. Elsewhere, Nogi and his army advance towards Area Z. Kagami holds off Nogi's forces while Tendou tries to convince Hiyori to return to the real world.
45"Christmas Earthquake"
"Kurisumasu Gekishin" (Xマス激震)		Toshiki InoueDecember 17, 2006
The Worm Souji returns to the real world to destroy everyone and everything, including Hiyori. Tsurugi and Misaki prepare for their first date, but while on their date, Tsurugi becomes Scorpio Worm. Tendou and Kagami prepare themselves for the approaching battle with Dark Kabuto.
46"Farewell, Tsurugi!!"
"Saraba Tsurugi!!" (さらば剣!!)		Toshiki InoueDecember 24, 2006
Kamishiro Tsurugi finally becomes aware that he is Scorpio Worm. Driven to a point of insanity, he takes Kagami captive and demands that all the Zecters be given to him. Tendou then goes to make the trade, but ultimately defeats Scorpio Worm.
47"Rushing into the Last Chapter"
"Saishūshō Totsunyū" (最終章突入)		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 7, 2007
Riku Kagami has finally announced to the world the threat of the Worms, and in turn ZECT has created necklaces that react when a Worm is nearby. However, Tendou seems to be destroying these necklaces, but will not tell anyone the reason. In an attempt to block Tadokoro's bullets, Tendou accidentally injures Renge.
48"Tendou Dies!!"
"Tendō Shisu!!" (天道死す!!)		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 14, 2007
After confronting Tendou about the truth of the Worm necklaces, Kagami doesn't believe that they actually turn humans into Natives. Tendou and Kagami once again fight, with Kagami being the victor. Meanwhile, Mishima is plotting with Negishi to overthrow Riku as the leader of ZECT. Yaguruma is forced to kill Kageyama after he turns into a Native, due to the necklaces.
Finale"Path of Heaven"
"Ten no Michi" (天の道)		Shōji YonemuraJanuary 21, 2007
Kagami rushes to stop Mishima's plans of using a meteorite to drain Dark Kabuto of his powers. As he reaches the area of the final battle, he finds Mishima and Negishi conducting a broadcast all around the planet. Unbeknown to the humans, the signals sent out by the broadcast are composed of Dark Kabuto's drained power and causing the humans to become Natives. As Kagami lays defeated, Tendou appears, after going one-on-one with Mishima, Kagami regains his strength and joins Tendou in a double team on Mishima for the final battle.

God Speed Love

The movie spin-off 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. 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 Shōji 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

  • Souji Tendou, Souji Kusakabe (天道 総司、日下部 総司, Tendō Sōji, Kusakabe Sōji): Hiro Mizushima (水嶋 ヒロ, Mizushima Hiro)
  • Arata Kagami (加賀美 新, Kagami Arata): Yuuki Sato (佐藤 祐基, Satō Yūki)
  • Hiyori Kusakabe (日下部 ひより, Kusakabe Hiyori): Yui Satonaka (里中 唯, Satonaka Yui)
  • Sou Yaguruma (矢車 想, Yaguruma Sō): Hidenori Tokuyama (徳山 秀典, Tokuyama Hidenori)
  • Shun Kageyama (影山 瞬, Kageyama Shun): Masato Uchiyama (内山 眞人, Uchiyama Masato)
  • Daisuke Kazama (風間 大介, Kazama Daisuke): Kazuki Kato (加藤 和樹, Katō Kazuki)
  • Tsurugi Kamishiro (神代 剣, Kamishiro Tsurugi): Yusuke Yamamoto (山本 裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke)
  • Renge Takatori (高鳥 蓮華, Takatori Renge): Yuka Teshima (手嶋 ゆか, Teshima Yuka)
  • Jyuka Tendou (天道 樹花, Tendō Juka): Natsumi Okumura (奥村 夏未, Okumura Natsumi)
  • Shuichi Tadokoro (田所 修一, Tadokoro Shūichi): Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi (山口 祥行, Yamaguchi Yoshiyuki)
  • Yuzuki Misaki (岬 祐月, Misaki Yuzuki): Anna Nagata (永田 杏奈, Nagata Anna)
  • Gon (ゴン): Airu Kanzaki (神崎 愛瑠, Kanzaki Airu)
  • Jiiya (じいや): Yasukiyo Umeno (梅野 泰靖, Umeno Yasukiyo)
  • Soichi Kusakabe (日下部 総一, Kusakabe Sōichi): Go Narumi (鳴海 剛, Narumi Gō)
  • Satomi Kusakabe (日下部 さとみ, Kusakabe Satomi): Kaori Asano (浅野 香織, Asano Kaori)
  • Tendo of 7 Years Ago (7年前の天道, Shichinenmae no Tendō): Sean Wiig (ショーン・ウィーグ, Shōn Wīgu)
  • Hiyori of 7 Years Ago (7年前のひより, Shichinenmae no Hiyori): Reina Fujii (藤井 玲奈, Fujii Reina)
  • Rena Mamiya (間宮 麗奈, Mamiya Rena): Hitomi Miwa (三輪 ひとみ, Miwa Hitomi)
  • Reiji Nogi (乃木 怜治, Nogi Reiji): Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku)
  • Negishi (根岸): Masahiro Kobayashi (小林 正寛, Kobayashi Masahiro)
  • Yumiko Takemiya (竹宮 弓子, Takemiya Yumiko): Megumi Nishimuta (西牟田 恵, Nishimuta Megumi)
  • Masato Mishima (三島 正人, Mishima Masato): Tomohisa Yuge (弓削 智久, Yuge Tomohisa)
  • Riku Kagami (加賀美 陸, Kagami Riku): Hirotaro Honda (本田 博太郎, Honda Hirotarō)
  • ZECTrooper (ゼクトルーパー, Zekutorūpā, Voice): Katsumi Shiono (塩野 勝美, Shiono Katsumi)
  • Zecter Voice: Surage Gajria (スラージ・ガジリア, Surāji Gajiria)
  • Narration: Eiichiro Suzuki (鈴木 英一郎, Suzuki Eiichirō)

Guest actors

  • Detective (刑事, Keiji, 1): Maroshi Tamura (田村 円, Tamura Maroshi)
  • Yuki Tamai (玉井 ユキ, Tamai Yuki, 3): Mika Kikuchi (菊地 美香, Kikuchi Mika)
  • IT President Uemura (IT社長・ウエムラ, Ai Tī Shachō Uemura, 3): Kohei Murakami (村上 幸平, Murakami Kōhei)
  • Shogo Higashi (東 省吾, Higashi Shōgo, 5, 6): Atsushi Ogawa (小川 敦史, Ogawa Atsushi)
  • Takeshi Hongo (本郷 猛, Hongō Takeshi, 14): Masaya Kikawada (黄川田 将也, Kikawada Masaya)
  • Koji Iguchi (井口 浩二, Iguchi Kōji, 14): Kenzaburo Kikuchi (菊地 謙三郎, Kikuchi Kenzaburō)
  • Kazuhiko Sagara (相良 和彦, Sagara Kazuhiko, 27): Hiroyuki Matsumoto (松本 博之, Matsumoto Hiroyuki)
  • Ichiro Ikesu (生簀 一郎, Ikesu Ichirō, 29, 30): Shinnosuke Abe (阿部 進之介, Abe Shinnosuke)
  • Keiko Kobayashi (小林 恵子, Kobayashi Keiko, 37, 38): Kasumi Suzuki (鈴木 かすみ, Suzuki Kasumi)
  • Oda (オダ, 49): Katsuya Kobayashi (小林 且弥, Kobayashi Katsuya)
  • Yamato (ヤマト, 49): Mitsuki Koga (虎牙 光揮, Koga Mitsuki)

Songs

Opening theme
  • "NEXT LEVEL"
    • Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
    • Composition & Arrangement: Cher Watanabe
    • Artist: YU-KI (of TRF)
    • Episodes: 1 - 48
Ending themes
  • "FULL FORCE"
    • Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
    • Composition: nishi-ken
    • Arrangement: RIDER CHIPS & Cher Watanabe
    • Artist: RIDER CHIPS
    • Episodes: 2 - 32
  • "LORD OF THE SPEED"
    • Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
    • Composition: Cher Watanabe
    • Arrangement: RIDER CHIPS & Cher Watanabe
    • Artist: RIDER CHIPS featuring Arata Kagami (Yuuki Sato)
    • Episodes: 33 - 48

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.

  • Episode 23 (Rider Kicks): The group watches and Yamato narrates the variations of Rider Kicks during the course of the years. Yamato mentions about the Rider Double Kick of Kamen Riders 1 and 2, Kamen Rider V3's V3 Kick, Kamen Rider X's X Kick, and Kamen Rider Super-1's ten various kicks. In the end, Kagami stands up and does his own Rider Kick (he even shouts the attack name) and falling into his seat with Yuzuki looking. Tendo asks Yamato, "Who are you?"
  • Episode 24 (Criminal Organizations): The group watches and learns about the different criminal organizations the Kamen Riders had to fight. Villains include Shocker & Gel-Shocker in the first Kamen Rider, Destron from Kamen Rider V3, and King Dark (of the Government of Darkness) in Kamen Rider X. Footage of Black Satan, first enemy of Kamen Rider Stronger, is also shown. Tendo then supposes that it is the Kamen Rider's destiny to fight an organization. Mishima tells Tendo that ZECT will show no mercy to anyone who fights them. Yamato then says that he will definitely smash Neo-ZECT for rebelling against and splitting off from ZECT.
  • Episode 25 (Rhinoceros Beetle-Themed Kamen Riders): The group watches Kamen Rider Stronger, and Kagami quickly thinks that Stronger himself is Kabuto, and looks at Tendo confused. Misaki corrects him, informing him that this is a different Rider, using the rhinoceros beetle as a design. Mishima then announces that it is Kamen Rider Stronger. The camera then zooms on Tendo's face as he says that while this Rider may be Stronger, he (referring to himself) is the strongest. Tendo pronounces "Stronger" and "Strongest" in English, (due to the fact that Hiro Mizushima, who portrays Tendou, is fluent in English). Yamato then also speaks of the Kabutech Riders (Caucasus [Caucasus beetle], Heracus [Hercules beetle], and Ketaros [centaurus beetle], the last of whom Yamato happens to be), which are also Rhinoceros Beetle Riders (as the Caucasus, Hercules, and Centaurus beetles are rhinoceros beetle sub-species). Also, despite being a Rhinoceros Beetle Rider, Kamen Rider Blade (also a Hercules beetle) was omitted. At the end, Tendo stands up and miniature hexagons with Tendo's face appear, forming a compound eye pattern as Tendo says once again that he is "the man who walks the path of heaven that will rule over everything."
  • Episode 26 (Riders Everywhere): The group watches Kamen Rider and Yamato comments on Skyrider's Sailing Jump, then says that the Riders can go anywhere around the world. In addition, they are not restricted to the ground. Then, Misaki mentions the Riders can even now go into space. During this segment, they watch footage of Kamen Riders 1 through ZX training with each other in Kamen Rider 1's base on Arizona in the final episodes of Kamen Rider Black RX, followed by footage from God Speed Love. Tendo then coins a variant his trademark quote ("Now, I will truly walk down the path of heaven and rule over all.").
  • Episode 27 (Kamen Rider Ultimate Forms): Kamen Rider Stronger's upgrade is not mentioned (as it is not an "Ultimate Form", but rather a temporary power upgrade) and the short starts with Yamato commenting on Black RX and his modes RX Roborider and RX Biorider. It then moves on to Kamen Rider Kuuga Ultimate Form, Kamen Rider Agito Shining Form, Kamen Rider Ryuki Survive, Kamen Rider Faiz Blaster Form, Kamen Rider Blade King Form, and Kamen Rider Armed Hibiki. Suddenly, Yamato and Tendo are about to duel with the others looking on and showing on screen is Kabuto's Ultimate Form, Hyper Form.

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, Keroro Attoiuma no Shinryaku! de arimasu) features the members of the Keroro Platoon trying to invade Earth in Clock Up mode.

International broadcasts

Kabuto was broadcast in South Korea as Masked Rider Kabuto (가면라이더 가부토 Gamyeon Raideo Gabuto) in 2008. In the Philippines, the show was 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.

References

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