As Kamen Rider Gotchard is coming to an end (and I'm having a hard time adjusting to its really young cast) -- I decided to react to the updates for Kamen Rider Gavv. It looks like Toei's starting to shake things up with Gavv. As I was reading through the plot -- this is the synopsis given as of late:
A looming threat of monsters, Granute, from another world.
The humans don’t know. These monsters have secretly come to the human world.
The humans don’t know. These monsters are attacking and kidnapping humans.
To protect them, one boy has risen to the challenge!
Shouma, a young man who loves to eat, stands up to protect humanity from the Granute!
By eating sweets, he produces beings called “Gochizou” and gains the power to transform into Kamen Rider Gavv!
First, we need to take a look at the protagonists of the series
Kamen Rider has taken a way more different route since 2000 up to the present. After seeing all the Heisei era entries (but barely on the Showa era, which I feel is harder to relate to) -- it's easy to notice the changes introduced. Everything after Kamen Rider Agito started to introduce more secondary Kamen Riders as henshin heroes. That means the main Kamen Rider was expected to have a sidekick of sorts. This is what the show features.
The details of the main hero are as follows:
Shouma is a young man that comes from the same world as the Granute monsters. In search of his missing mother, Shouma comes to the human world. By experiencing the new flavors of the human world, Shouma creates the Gochizou that allow him to transform into Kamen Rider Gavv and fight the Granute. He’s a bit of a glutton and loves all sweets.
Shouma is played by Hidekazu Chinen, who made his pre-series debut in Kamen Rider Gotchard: The Future Daybreak.
Unlike most of the main Kamen Riders -- this one isn't from Earth but from another world. Such plots are cliche in superhero shows that came before Tokusatsu. Take Clark Kent from Superman. The idea was introduced in the failed Saban's Masked Rider. Shouma would need to adjust to the new world he's in.
Apparently, the need for sweets is similar to Yoko Usami's necessity in Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters. Yoki apparently has hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
There's probably no way Toei will stop producing secondary Kamen Riders these days. The concept was shelved for a while -- only to make a rapid return. It's safe to assume that the idea got popularized in Agito. The idea probably didn't Rider Kick off during The First Kamen Rider and Kamen Rider V3. Fortunately, a lot of stuff from the Showa era got fixed in the Heisei era -- such as Kamen Rider BLACK RX's use of multiple forms and active allies. Now, for details on the secondary Kamen Rider:
Hanto is a bold freelance writer who follows criminal cases and other strange occurrences and pursues information about the Granute. When he encounters the Granute, Hanto eventually finds himself thrust into the fight against them and eventually transforms into Kamen Rider Valen.
Hanto Karakida is played by Yusuke Hino.
It would be interesting that the secondary Kamen Rider is the one who's from Earth -- not the main hero. I do like the idea of allies who just don't go out into the battlefield like Joe No Haze and Reiko in BLACK RX. Giving them some henshin devices doesn't just sell toys. It also adds some layers and advantages to help out the main hero.
We've got the non-combat ally as always. Kamen Rider Kuuga's allies also had those assisting BTS. One thing good about that is that it teaches not everyone can fight but anyone can help the heroes. The data of the first known non-combat so far is:
The energetic owner of the Hapipare general store who takes Shouma under her wing, Amane is cheerful and looks out for other people’s happiness.
Amane Sachika is played by Nozomi Miyabe.
Based on the preview, the Hapipare General Store may resemble the candy store from Kikou Sentai Zenkaiger. Quite interestingly, Junko Komura will be the head writer. I do get skeptical on Komura. Sure, I enjoy Kaito Sentai Lupinranger vs. Keisatsu Sentai Patranger. However, Komura doesn't get anniversaries right. Yes, I'm saying that Komura's anniversaries aren't really anything to write about or worth rewatching IMHO.
Knowing the main antagonists
The villains are known as the Stomach Family. It's been the first time in so long -- since we had a villanous family. The last they were known where in Choriki Sentai Ohranger with the Baranoia Empire. Later, we had the Saima Clan in Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive -- which was the best villainous family IMHO.
The names of the family members are a series of puns. Toei's no stranger to such naming schemes like how Dragon Ball Z used food puns and more. Now, for the details of the Stomach Family members:
- Takashi Tsukamoto plays Rango Stomach, the eldest sibling. I expect him to carry a similar dynamic to Zylpheeza from GoGoFive. The name Rango may imply the Spanish word for rank -- a word also used by some Filipinos with the same meaning.
- Machi Chisote plays Grotta Stomach. Grotta means a large natural hollow rock. Her role is to manufacture sweets. Apparently, her name may also be a play on stomach opening.
- Ryo Takizawa plays Nierve Stomach -- a possible play on Stomach Nerve. He oversees group technological developments.
- Honoka Kawasaki plays Theta Stomach and Ruito Koga plays Jeep Stomach. Theta represents the angle in mathematics. Jeep Stomach might mean stomach motor. They are twins who might be a reference to Nai and Mea from Mahou Sentai Magiranger.
Other thoughts
The opening theme will be performed by the Fantastics from the EXILE group. I'm not mindful of the opening themes. Saber's opening had the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with vocals provided by Alexandros' Yoohei Kawakami. I'm usually outdated with music bands since I prefer mostly old music to chill out. It's strange but true that I watch many newer shows WITHOUT minding the music!
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