Kamen Rider Kabuto

Kamen Rider Kabuto
Title screen.

Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト, Kamen Raidā Kabuto?, translated as Masked Rider Kabuto[1]) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. It is the sixteenth installment in the popular Kamen Rider franchise 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 2006-01-29 and with the final episode airing on 2007-01-21, completing the series with 49 episodes. The series represents the 35th anniversary of the Kamen Rider franchise, as indicated by a notice at the beginning of the pilot episode reading, in Japanese, "Kamen Rider 35th Anniversary Production".

Synopsis
Kamen Rider Kabuto revolves around the story of a man named Tendou Souji. He has trained his entire life while waiting for the Kabuto Zecter so that he may properly take up the name 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; Protecting Hiyori by destroying all other Worms that would make life difficult for her. Making a friend in Kagami Arata, who later becomes Kamen Rider Gatack, the two work together and protect Hiyori along with humanity from the alien Worms that arrived from a meteorite seven years ago.

Masked Rider System
Main article: Zecters
Zecters, also known as the Masked Rider System, are compilation of mobile systems that seem to 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. Jaunting from the ZECT headquarters, it appears instantaneously to the selected personnel so that they may transform into the respective Rider to fight any Worms in the vicinity.
There are eight known Zecters within the Masked Rider System, each allowing the user to become a different Rider.
Kamen Rider Kabuto
Kamen Rider TheBee
Kamen Rider Drake
Kamen Rider Sasword
Kamen Rider Gatack
Kamen Rider Kick Hopper
Kamen Rider Punch Hopper
Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto
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.

Characters
Main article: List of Kamen Rider Kabuto characters
A list of all the various characters within Kamen Rider Kabuto. The main characters within the series are split into four groups, protagonists, ZECT, renegade Riders, and Worms.

Worm
Main article: Worm (Kamen Rider Kabuto)
The main villains of the series, these alien like lifeforms seem to take pride in stealing human identities and then killing them. They arrived when the Shibuya Meteorite crashed into Earth seven years ago. Another species of Worm, the Natives, arrived on a meteorite 35 years ago, similar to the Shibuya Meteorite.

Episodes
Main article: List of Kamen Rider Kabuto episodes
The Strongest Man (最強男, Saikyō Otoko?)
The First Two-Step Transformation (初2段変身, Hatsu Ni-dan Henshin?)
I am Justice!! (俺が正義!!, Ore ga Seigi!!?)
Explaining Love!! (愛を説く!!, Ai o Toku!!?)
Order to Capture!! (捕獲指令!!, Hokaku Shirei!!?)
My Flower (オレ様の花, Ore-sama no Hana?)
#2 Appears (2号新登場, Nigō Shin Tōjō?)
Angry Tofu (怒れる豆腐, Ikareru Tōfu?)
The Bee's Insanity!! (蜂の乱心!!, Hachi no Ranshin!!?)
I'm Not Your Friend (友じゃねぇ, Tomo ja Nee?)
The Party Burns (合コン燃ゆ, Gōkon Moeyu?)
The Makeup Thousand-Man Cut (化粧千人斬, Keshō Sennin Giri?)
The Team Dissolves (チーム解散, Chīmu Kaisan?)
Back of the Back of the Back (裏の裏の裏, Ura no Ura no Ura?)
The Monster Noted Doctor!? (怪人名医!?, Kaijin Meii!??)
An Impossible Storm (まさかの嵐, Masaka no Arashi?)
Restored Memories!! (甦る記憶!!, Yomigaeru Kioku!!?)
Farewell, Gon... (さらばゴン..., Saraba Gon...?)
Scorpion Millionaire (さそり富豪, Sasori Fugō?)
Eh, Jiiya? (ねぇじいや, Nee Jiiya?)
VS Stag Beetle (VSクワガタ, Tai Kuwagata?)
Birth of a Special Compilation (誕生特別編, Tanjō Tokubetsu Hen?)
Riddle + Riddle = X (謎+謎=X, Nazo Tasu Nazo Wa Ekkusu?)
The Ramen Way (ラーメン道, Rāmen Dō?)
The Proud Searchlight (驕る捜査線, Ogoru Sōsasen?)
Love That Shook the Earth (激震する愛, Gekishin Suru Ai?)
Me!? A Murderer (俺!?殺人犯, Ore!? Satsujinhan?)
Why!? Death (なぜ!?絶命, Naze!? Zetsumei?)
The Dark Kitchen (闇キッチン, Yami Kitchin?)
Miso Soup Ascension (味噌汁昇天, Misoshiru Shōten?)
Shocking Fact (衝撃の事実, Shōgeki no Jijitsu?)
Puzzle Unraveled!! (解ける謎!!, Tokeru Nazo!!?)
The Sprouting Adjutant (萌える副官, Moeru Fukukan?)
Breaking Super Evolution (砕け超進化, Kudake Chō Shinka?)
Siblings of Hell (地獄の兄弟, Jigoku no Kyōdai?)
Red Shoe's Recklessness (赤い靴暴走, Akai Kutsu Bōsō?)
School's Ghost Story (学校の怪談, Gakkō no Kaidan?)
The Dangerous Younger Sister (あぶない妹, Abunai Imōto?)
The Powerful Black Opponent (強敵黒カブ, Kyōteki Kuro Kabu?)
The Saddest Battle (最大の哀戦, Saidai no Aisen?)
The Strongest Defeated (敗れる最強, Yabureru Saikyō?)
Worst Terror VS Worst Fear (最凶vs最恐, Saikyō Tai Saikyō?)
That Which We Aim For (俺を狙う俺, Ore o Nerau Ore?)
Who You Will Live With (生きるとは, Ikiru to wa?)
Christmas Earthquake (Xマス激震, Kurisumasu Gekishin?)
Farewell, Tsurugi!! (さらば剣!!, Saraba Tsurugi!!?)
Rushing into the Last Chapter (最終章突入, Saishūshō Totsunyū?)
Tendou Dies!! (天道死す!!, Tendō Shisu!!?)
Path of Heaven (天の道, Ten no Michi?)

Quotes
Throughout the series, it's been noted that the main protagonist, Souji Tendou would always quote from his adoptive grandmother. In other episodes, his step-sister, Jyuka Tendou would also quote from her grandmother as well. To contradict this, Tsurugi Kamishiro had also chipped in quotes from his butler, Jiiya.
Grandmother said this...
Walking the path of heaven, the man who will rule everything.
Make the world revolve around you. It's more fun to think that way.
When people love others, they become weaker, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. True weakness lies elsewhere.
When not close by, one is even closer.
Chase two birds, and you catch two birds.
People who steal things, lose something even more important.
It is enjoyable to eat something delicious, but the greatest joy is the time spent waiting for it.
If you wish it to be so, luck will always be on your side.
Flowers can make any girl glow.
All girls are equally beautiful.
A knife can only bring happiness when used in cooking.
Fancy flavors cannot hide poor cooking.
It is fun to add a secret flavor so that no one knows. But... it's more fun to find it.
The whisper of the devil can sometimes sound like an angel's voice.
One that drowns in oneself will eventually fall to darkness.
Even if the world were full of enemies, there is someone you must protect.
If you receive a little kindness, give them a large serving.
Imitating others is not bad, for it is to recognize ourselves.
Once you know the real thing... you won't be fooled by an imitation.
Children are treasures. The greatest sin in this world is to damage those treasures.
During meals an angel descends, for it is a sacred time.
There are two things men must not do. One is to not make girls cry...The other is to not handle food crudely!
The sun is wonderful, it can make even the dirt shine.
Life is a long path to a goal. Drop your heavy luggage and enjoy walking with your hands empty.
Men must be cool. Boiling water is but vapor.
The wishes of the children are the future reality...Adults that laugh at such dreams are no longer human.
A bond is a deep connection that cannot be broken. Even if apart, heart and heart are connected.
My evolution is faster than the light. Nothing in the whole universe can keep up with my evolution.
Jiiya said this...
A noble deed must be nobly returned.
All men are fiery. The spark must be lit early for them to become fireworks.
There is no greater wealth than friendship, let's make it our treasure.

Kamen Rider Kabuto: GOD SPEED LOVE
Main article: Kamen Rider Kabuto: GOD SPEED LOVE
The movie spin-off of the 2006 Kamen Rider Series, entitled Kamen Rider Kabuto: GOD SPEED LOVE, was released in Japan on August 5th. 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
See also: Kamen Rider Hyper Battle
The Hyper Battle Video for Kamen Rider Kabuto, Enter! Hyper Gatack was released during the later half of 2006. Within this direct-to-video feature, Hyper Gatack appears, albeit only featuring an enforced "Tachyon Fractor". Also, this is the only instance in which the Zecters are able to talk. Gatack Zecter is voiced by Kouji Yusa, while Kabuto Zecter is voiced by Tomokazu Seki.

Video game
Main article: Kamen Rider Kabuto (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 30th, 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.

Music
Opening theme
"NEXT LEVEL" by YU-KI (TRF) (Eps. 1-48)
Ending themes
"FULL FORCE" by RIDER CHIPS (Eps. 1-32)
"LORD OF THE SPEED" by RIDER CHIPS featuring Arata Kagami (Yūki Satō) (Eps. 33-49)

Cast
Souji Tendou / Kamen Rider Kabuto (天道総司 / 仮面ライダーカブト, Tendō Sōji / Kamen Raidā Kabuto?) - Hiro Mizushima (水嶋ヒロ, Mizushima Hiro?)
Arata Kagami / Kamen Rider Gatack (加賀美新 / 仮面ライダーガタック, Kagami Arata / Kamen Raidā Gatakku?) - Yuuki Satou (佐藤祐基, Satō Yūki?)
Sou Yaguruma / Kamen Rider Kick Hopper (矢車想 / 仮面ライダーキックホッパー, Yaguruma Sō / Kamen Raidā Kikku Hoppā?) - Hidenori Tokuyama (徳山秀典, Tokuyama Hidenori?)
Shun Kageyama / Kamen Rider Punch Hopper (影山瞬 / 仮面ライダーパンチホッパー, Kageyama Shun / Kamen Raidā Panchi Hoppā?) - Masato Uchiyama (内山眞人, Uchiyama Masato?)
Daisuke Kazama / Kamen Rider Drake (風間大介 / 仮面ライダードレイク, Kazama Daisuke / Kamen Raidā Doreiku?) - Kazuki Kato (加藤和樹, Katō Kazuki?)
Tsurugi Kamishiro / Kamen Rider Sasword (神代剣 / 仮面ライダーサソード, Kamishiro Tsurugi / Kamen Raidā Sasōdo?) - Yuusuke Yamamoto (山本裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke?)
Souji Kusakabe / Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto (日下部総司 / 仮面ライダーダークカブト, Kusakabe Sōji / Kamen Raidā Dāku Kabuto?) - Hiro Mizushima (水嶋ヒロ, Mizushima Hiro?)
Hiyori Kusakabe (日下部ひより, Kusakabe Hiyori?) - Yui Satonaka (里中唯, Satonaka Yui?)
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 Shuichi?) - 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, Gon?) - Airu Kanzaki (神崎愛瑠, Kanzaki Airu?)
Jiiya (じいや, Jiiya?) - Yasukiyo Umeno (梅野泰靖, Umeno Yasukiyo?)
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, Negishi?) - 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?) - Hirotarou Honda (本田博太郎, Honda Hirotarō?)
Voice of Zecter (ゼクターの音声, Zekutā no Onsei?) - Surage Gajria (スラージガジリア, Surāji Gajiria?)
Narrator (ナレーター, Narētā?) - Eiichirou Suzuki (鈴木英一郎, Suzuki Eiichirō?)

Guest stars
Being the 35th year of the Kamen Rider franchise, Kabuto has had its fair share of Kamen Rider and Tokusatsu alumni:
Actor/Actress
Previous Show
Previous Character
Character
Notes
Maroshi Tamura
Gosei Sentai Dairanger
General Zydos
Police officer
Brief appearance in episode 1
Kohei Murakami
Kamen Rider 555
Masato Kusaka
IT President Uemura
Brief appearance in episode 3
Mika Kikuchi
Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
Koume "Umeko" Kodou
Yuki Tamai
Brief appearance in episode 3 as Lampyrisworm
Atsushi Ogawa
Kamen Rider Agito, Kamen Rider 555.
Tsugami Shoichi (the real one), Masahiko Minami
Shogo Higashi
Extended appearance in episodes 5-6 as Pulexworm
Masaya Kikawada
Kamen Rider the First, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Takeshi Hongo, Motoki Furuhata
Takeshi Hongo
Appeared in character as Hongo in episode 14, rode his New Cyclone
Kenzaburo Kikuchi
Kamen Rider Ryuki
Shiro Kanzaki
Koji Iguchi
Brief appearance in episode 14 as Albinoworm
Chisato Morishita
Kamen Rider Ryuki
Megumi Asano
Civilian
Brief appearance in episode 17 as a girl who called the police on Daisuke
Hiroyuki Matsumoto
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Nephrite
Kazuhiko Sagara
Brief appearance in episode 27 as a makeup artist
Shinnosuke Abe
Chouseishin Gransazer
Shuichi Yoshihama
Ichiro Ikesu
Extended appearance in episodes 29-30 as Culexworm
Kasumi Suzuki
Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger
Rije/Lije
Keiko Kobayashi
Extended appearance in episodes 37-38 as Salis

Homage
In order to celebrate the anniversary of both the Super Sentai franchise and the Kamen Rider franchise, the Tokyo Dome hosted a Double Hero Festival. A Super Sentai stage show, starring the core Boukengers, was hosted on July 22, while a Kamen Rider stage show, starring the actors for Souji, Arata, Hiyori, Sou, and Daisuke, was hosted the next day. The Dome featured Super Sentai's pasts along with Kamen Rider collections ranging from the earliest series to the latest.
Returning to the roots of the franchise, Kabuto has brought back the famous line, Rider Kick, shouting it before initiating the attack. Being the Kamen Rider's signature move, this is the first time the line has been used in the Post-Ishinomori era. Kamen Rider's 1, 2, and Black also shouted this line before performing their kicks. Along with bringing back the Rider Kick, Kabuto also takes something from the very root of the franchise, introducing two Hopper Riders, obvious references to the original Kamen Rider.
Kamen Rider Kabuto also features many references to the other series within the franchise:
The Perfect Zecter's two attacks are references to the original Kamen Rider, with Maximum Hyper Typhoon being a reference to the Typhoon Belt and Maximum Hyper Cyclone being a reference to the Rider machines, the Cyclones.
In episode 17, a girl calls the police on Daisuke using her cell phone, and it emitted the same sounds as the henshin phone from Kamen Rider 555.
In episode 25, Kagami finds a "Masked Rider Project" record, which has a date of "4/3/1971" (April 3, 1971), referring to the original premier date for the original Kamen Rider series.
In episode 36, Renge hums Kamen Rider Hibiki's trademark tune that he often sings.
In episodes 41 and 43, Kabuto and Dark Kabuto both shake their wrists and hands to the side in the same manner as Kamen Rider Faiz before doing battle.

35th Masked Rider Anniversary File
During episodes 23 through 27, this segment 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 Souji Tendou (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. Tendou and Kagami ask 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. Tendou then supposes that it is the Kamen Rider's destiny to fight an organization. Mishima tells Tendou 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 Tendou 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 Tendou's face as he says that while this Rider may be Stronger, he (referring to himself) is the strongest. Tendou 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, Tendou stands up and miniature hexagons with Tendou's face appear, forming a compound eye pattern as Tendou says once again that he is "The man who walks the path to heaven to rule over all."
Episode 26 (Riders Everywhere): The group watches New 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. Please note, that even though Kamen Rider Super-1's suit is capable of space travel, it is not used that way in the TV series. Tendou then coins a variant his trademark quote ("Now, I will truly walk down the path to 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 Tendou are about to duel with the others looking on and showing on screen is Kabuto's Ultimate Form, Hyper Form.