What's the significance of the numbers 01? They are read as Reiwan where you can find the word Reiwa. Is Toei punning everyone? Do you remember when the first Kamen Rider who was just called Kamen Rider was later called Kamen Rider Ichigo which means The First Kamen Rider? However, Kuuga means empty self which Kamen Rider did to empty itself from the traditional formula and it's been stuck in that framework ever since -- albeit with some changes. However, it doesn't look like the writing formula won't change much for the Reiwa era and maybe, the same TV sci-fi drama formula will still kick itself through.
Toei officially revealed its latest Kamen Rider series, Zero-One, today in Tokyo.
Kamen Rider Zero-One will be the first series in the Reiwa era of Kamen Rider, following the end of the Heisei imperial era in Japan. The press conference today revealed staff members as well as the cast, characters, and various visuals.
The show will be produced by Chihiro Inoue of TV Asahi and Takahito Omori of Toei, who produced Kamen Rider Drive, Ex-Aid, and Build. Yuya Takahashi, chief writer for Lupin III Part 4 and Kamen Rider Ex-Aid will serve as writer. Jun Watanabe will take over as action director, a role previously held by Takeshi Miyazaki on 13 of the 20 Heisei Kamen Rider series, with his most recent run being Kamen Rider Ghost through Zi-O. Go Sakabe, who served as composer on Kamen Rider Ghost, will return to compose for Zero-One.
The story takes place in a version of Japan that has reached a new era where fully fledged AI androids known as Humagear are common place. HumaGear are so lifelike that they are indistinguishable from regular humans.
The terrorist group Metsubo Jinrai.net hacks into the HumaGear and causes them to go berserk, attempting to destroy humanity. The government responds by dispatching their Anti-AI organization, A.I.M.S’ operatives are capable of becoming Kamen Riders.
At the center of the story is Aruto Hiden, someone who lacks a sense of humor but has his sights set on becoming a comedian one day. He is taken by surprise when his grandfather’s will suddenly names him as president of Hiden Intelligence. Although he has no interest in being president, he is given the ZeroOne Driver and becomes Kamen Rider Zero-One when berserk HumaGear appear.
Aruto’s battle will be against by Metsubo Jinrai.net and A.I.M.S., who are hostile towards AI.
I'm still somewhat wanting to hit the panic button whenever Takahito Omori is involved due to him being somewhat sexist. I wonder how Yuya Takahashi will be carrying it out. I admit, I really did like the medical drama in Kamen Rider EX-AID though the series was cut short due to Toei's decision. I also wonder how will Jun Watanabe do as an action director considering he's been a longtime stunt actor? Though I'm getting skeptical about Go Sakabe's role as composer -- I wasn't such a fan of the music of Kamen Rider Ghost if you ask me!
Another alternate future? I wonder will the Reiwa era create a new continuity different from the Heisei era? Also, the plot where the AI called Humagar gives me the Megaman X vibes. The same goes for the terrorist group known as Metsuo Jinrai.net that causes HumaGear to go berserk. The Megaman X series has the Reploids who are robots who have near-human reasoning -- they do go berserk and may need to be terminated.
So, here's a Kamen Rider who's the president of a company. Are we getting Ironman vibes from Marvel? Granted, I've been too discouraged by Marvel now with making more stories that just don't make sense -- it takes me back to when I did like classic, pre-Disney Marvel?
Now, I'd like to give my thoughts on the first set of characters...
Aruto Hiden/Kamen Rider Zero-One
The main hero having been made the president of the company against his will is the reluctant hero. The status of being a billionaire hero may remind one of Ironman and Batman. So, he's the hesitant hero? I wonder if he can use all his money to help others as a philanthropist? The design goes back to the grasshopper theme -- something that was used WAY BACK in 1971, right?
Isamu Fuwa/Kamen Rider Vulcan
Looking tough, aren't we? I just can't wait to see this leader of the Anti-AIM unit do his action. Is he the bodyguard of the main protagonist?
Although we'd probably never have a female lead for Kamen Rider (which I think is because the show may be primarily geared for boys) -- I do always love a good female sidekick! I hated how Kiriko suddenly got weaker and I hope that stupid Oomori doesn't throw that card on her. I love the female allies with how they come up with different ways to fight. Her character as a technical adviser may make her a valuable ally in the battlefield -- though most Kamen Rider girls tend to be used as the valuable ally that
So she serves as the secretary of the hero? She's also artificially produced which makes it a bummer. Remember how Poppy was the silly sidekick in Kamen Rider EX-AID? Well, I hope they do take her into a different direction. Her name seems to be a pun on "I see." or IC.
Apparently the main antagonist since he's revealed as the supposed leader of Metsubo Jinrai.net. He does look really menacing as a gang leader. So is this guy human or not? But I doubt it that he's the main antagonist!
Okay, is this a throwback to Tekken? He wears almost the same kind of hood Jin first wore in Tekken 4. I wonder how this guy will turn out as a field commander of Metsubo Jinrai.net?
He was aiming to be president of Hiden Intelligence. So is this guy a saboteur? Maybe, maybe not. I'd just have to wait and see!
What are your early thoughts?
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