Kouta Kazuraba

"This is my stage now!"

- Gaim's pre-battle quotes

"Yuya..I'm going to move forward! So please, watch over me!"

- Kouta's resolve after receiving the Kachidoki Lockseed

Kouta Kazuraba (葛葉 紘汰), also known as Kota Kazuraba in different publications, is one of the main characters and the main protagonist as well as the titular character of the Kamen Rider Series installment, Kamen Rider Gaim. When he accidentally finds the Sengoku Driver and a pair of Lockseeds (Orange and Ichigo), he gains the ability to transform into Armored Rider Gaim (アーマードライダー鎧武 [ガイム]), a name given to him by DJ Sagara due to his affiliation with Team Gaim (チーム鎧武). By doing so, he was labeled Test Subject 01 by Ryoma Sengoku. Later helping out the fourteen previous Kamen Riders, he inherits the name of Kamen Rider, becoming Kamen Rider Gaim (仮面ライダー鎧武 [ガイム]).

Beat Riders Saga
Kouta, a young adult was called by Team Gaim's leader, Yuya Sumii, who wants to show him something that can help their team. However, Kouta is unable to find his old friend and is pulled into a mysterious forest with his former teammate, Mai. There, Kouta finds a mysterious belt and using it with a freshly ripened Lockseed to fight an Inves that targets him and Mai. Quickly, Kouta realizes that the Sengoku Driver is not a toy after his near-death experience with Zangetsu. Trying to find a means to put the belt to its best use, Kouta uses his newfound powers to battle Inves in the Inves Games, earning Kouta the name of "Armored Rider Gaim" as he becomes Team Gaim's official member in Yuya's stead.

Kouta appears in the World within the Magic Stone. Summoned by Haruto and assuming the Orange Arms, Gaim helps Kamen Rider Wizard and Haruto against Amadum's minions. Later, he is summoned once more by Haruto, this time, joining forces with all his other titular predecessors and inheriting the name of Kamen Rider Gaim. After this event, the Beat Riders have a dance off in a stadium filled with tons of fans, competing against each other. However, the Nephenthes Inhumanoid attacks, causing Ryugen, Baron, and Gaim to follow it into a Crack. The three are placed in a world called the Sengoku Period World. Kouta and Mitsuzane become Ieyasu's replacement Bujins. With the "death" of Mitsuzane, Kouta finds himself broken, resolving to never fight again. However, he is confronted by Mai and Haruto Soma that to fight also means to protect something you care about. Taking these words to heart, Kouta uses this as his newfound inspiration to fight. Freeing Mitsuzane from the Nepenthes Inhumanoid and Bujin Gaim, Kouta teams up with the other Armored Riders, Wizard, and Beast, destroying Bujin Gaim and the Nepenthes Inhumanoid. In the aftermath, the group returns to Zawame, leaving the Sengoku Period World, and Helheim Forest, resuming their tournament.

Eventually, Kouta and Mitsuzane set up a new Inves Games that takes place within the Helheim Forest. During this event, Kouta and Mitsuzane manage to persuade the other Armored Rider teams to participate as a distraction (unknown to them) so that Kouta can investigate the humans present in the forest and the "White Armored Rider". From the games, Kouta learns that the Armored Riders are guinea pigs for the Yggdrasill Corporation and that the Sengoku Drivers feedback data to Yggdrasill. Learning that Sid has been using Kouta and the other Armored Riders, Kouta tells Sid that he isn't a rat in their maze. Kouta, along with Team Gaim later dance off during their Christmas event with Kouta reminiscing about being an adult and that one doesn't become one because they want to, but rather it just happens.

Yggdrasill Saga
Kouta finds himself along with his fellow Beat Riders as scapegoats for the rampant Inves attacks as they naturally find their way to Zawame City. Kouta is unable to save those who are injured by these Inves and struggles with killing a human-turned Inves and former rival, Ryoji Hase. Stripped of his Sengoku Driver alongside Kaito, he meets Ryoma Sengoku, the belt's creator. Later in Kouta's cell, Kouta receives the recognition and admiration of DJ Sagara and is granted the Lemon Energy Lockseed and Genesis Core. While combating Yggdrasill's efforts to take back the Prototype Sengoku Driver, Kouta helps restore the Beat Riders' name by assuming his newfound powers, Jimber Arms, and learns the truth of the Helheim Forest and what Yggdrasill has in store for Zawame City. As Kouta wins and steals the Cherry Energy and the Peach Energy Lockseeds, he finds himself clashing with Zangetsu Shin and has a struggle between ideals of what's best for humanity. However, Kouta is ultimately broken once he realizes that his ideals are a contradiction to his actions when he realizes that he gained the Sengoku Driver by ultimately killing a human-turned Inves, Yuya Sumii.

Helheim Saga & Overlord Saga
While he is still trying to figure out what to do with the revelation that he killed Yuya, Kouta's spirit is shattered along with the ideals borrowed from both Mai and Haruto. Entrusted by DJ Sagara, Kouta receives the Kachidoki Lockseed along with a new purpose, to destroy the iron rule of the world. Through his newfound purpose, Kouta annihilates an armada of Kurokage Troopers and is able to trade blows with Zangetsu Shin. He ultimately destroys the Scalar Weapons that threaten Zawame City.

Aware of the Overlords' existence, Kouta sets out to find them. Confronting the two Overlords, he realizes that they're arrogant and have become disillusioned after centuries of boredom, only seeing the human race as toys. Later, Kouta reveals to Mai the burden he carries, revealing Yggdrasill's secrets to her and the fact that he killed Yuya with the risk of possibly endangering her. Now at ease after revealing this relevation, Kouta spends more time with Mai, finding a robot by the name of Jiro. Kouta and Akira allow Jiro to stay at their apartment as Kouta befriends Jiro, showing him that they need to protect people. However, Jiro is overwhelmed by two conflicting processes and wishes to protect those he cares about and regain his memories. Kouta reboots Jiro, allowing Jiro to become Kikaider as he teams up with him against Ryoma as Hakaider. In the aftermath, Kouta bids his farewell to Jiro, the latter unable to recognize Kouta, which saddens Kouta.

In another attempt to seek the Overlords in efforts to stop the invasion of Helheim, Kouta is too late to stop the fight between Deemushu and Baron, allowing Deemushu to leave the battlefield damaged and enraged. Later teaming up with Oren, the two aid Yggdrasill's research camp alongside the Kurokage Troopers and Zangetsu Shin against an enraged Deemushu. Deemushu escapes, but Kouta befriends Takatora, gaining his trust and support, allowing Takatora to see this opportunity as another way to save humanity than going with Project Ark.

Kouta finds a job at Drupers with Mai doing his shifts for him as he defends the city. Lured by Mitsuzane into a construction site under the guise of Zangetsu Shin, Kouta is infuriated at Zangetsu's "betrayal" and brutally murders an Inves summoned by Zangetsu Shin. In a later rematch against Zangetsu Shin, he is aided by Baron and Deemushu unexpectedly, causing a free-for-all battle royal to ensue between Baron, Sigurd, Gaim, Zangetsu Shin, and Deemushu. Gaim and Baron follow Deemushu back to Zawame City, overpowered by Deemushu once he stops holding back. However Kouta now resolves to end Deemushu's rampage realizing that those with the mind set of Deemushu is why the Overlord's civilization is in ruins. Using Kachidoki Arms, Gaim overpowers Deemushu before being intercepted by Marika and Kurokage Troopers armed with Dandeliners. As they bombard the Armored Rider, Kouta is critically injured. He makes his way back to Team Gaim's garage where he collapses, arguing with Kaito about the strong and the weak.

Kamen Rider Gaim the Movie: The Great Soccer Match! The Golden Fruit Cup!
Every timeline has changed, with Yuya, Hase and Sid somehow revived, except for Kouta, who knows what happened. His fight against the Inves' invasion has long passed, with the timeline it seems normal without the Helheim invasion.

Other Appearances
Kouta appears in the Spring Break special with Ressha Sentai ToQger. Kouta joins forces with the ToQgers and sends Mai off with them so that she will be safe and away from Zawame City. This special serves as the prelude to the Kamen Rider Taisen film. Timeline-wise, this event takes place between after Kouta receives the Kachidoki Lockseed, but before Kouta's first encounter with the Overlords.

Kamen Rider Batton-Line
to be added

Kamen Rider Travelers Record
Gaim appears with the rest of the Primary and Secondary Neo Heisei Riders.

Kamen Rider: Battride War II
Gaim is set to appear with Kachidoki Arms as his final form in the new Battride War. Gaku Sano returns to voice his character in the game.

Personality
Kouta is a cheerful person who concerns himself with helping and protecting everyone and due to this, "protecting people" is his very reason in fighting when it comes to his duty as a Armored Rider. This is shown when he rescues the Yggdrasill Corporation scientists from a horde of Elementary Inves despite holding a grudge against them for using the Beat Riders dance crews and their Inves Games as tests and lab rats (this also includes the Armored Riders).

Still learning to live as an adult, his world view is very limited and as such, he is very naïve and can be oblivious to consequences and the price that comes with having great power. He does not have any interest in battling other Riders, or anyone if he can avoid it for the matter and decides that he and other Riders should use their powers to save humanity.

Initially due to his inexperience and naiveté, he foolishly and recklessly used the power of Gaim for his own personal gain such as using it for his part-time jobs (and failed spectacularly to boot) and battling at the Inves Games. As such back then, he regarded himself as nothing more than being lucky to have found the Sengoku Driver and saw the whole thing as little more than a game. But after a short encounter with Zangetsu, Kouta felt stressed and traumatized but recovered and realized the price that comes with such power.

However, during the course of the series, Kouta undergoes numerous changes, becoming a lot more assertive and serious when it comes to innocent lives being taken. Although his naiveté has yet to change, he views himself more than what he was before. Because of this confidence in him, he resolves to become stronger and stronger. When he clashes ideals against Takatora during their second encounter, his resolve and beliefs overpower Takatora. However, Kouta undergoes a breakdown after realizing Yuya died by his hands, destroying his beliefs along with him.

However, Kouta isn't without his dark moments. After defeating Sid in a fit of rage realizing that Yggdrasill intends to destroy Zawame City if they ever found out about the Helheim Forest, he intended to take Sid out after his transformation was canceled if it were not for Ryugen summoning an Inves to save Sid. However, since the realization of Yuya's death, Kouta resolves not to kill and not to have unnecessary bloodshed. This is most evident when he had multiple opportunities to kill Sid when trying to find the Overlords along with killing Yoko Minato after he canceled out her transformation when he was in Kachidoki Arms. In both scenarios, he showed restraint and moved on to more important matters at hand. Along this fact, he tried to cancel the fight between Deemushu and Baron and later the fight between Zangetsu Shin (Mitsuzane) and Lemon Energy Arms Baron (Kaito).

Arms
Like his fellow Lockseed-using Armored Riders, Kamen Rider Gaim's forms are called Arms (アームズ). With the exception of Suika Arms, all of his Japanese Samurai, Ninja, and Shogun-themed Arms' helmets share the title Kabuto (カブト), while his visors are called Pulp Eye (パルプアイ).

Devices

 * Sengoku Driver - Transformation device
 * Removable slots for additional Lockseeds:
 * Genesis Core - Essential to access a Jimber Arms
 * Senyo/Gunyo Joint - Essential to access Kiwami Arms
 * Musou Saber - Side weapon
 * Arms Weapons:
 * Daidaimaru - Gaim Orange Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Pine Iron - Gaim Pine Arms' personal weapon
 * Ichigo Kunai - Gaim Ichigo Arms' personal weapons
 * Suika Sojinto - Gaim Suika Arms' personal weapon in Yoroi Mode
 * Banaspear - Gaim Banana Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Sonic Arrow - Gaim's personal weapon in a Jimber Arms and Kiwami Arms
 * DJ Gun - Gaim Kachidoki Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Mango Punisher - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Budou Ryuhou - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Kiwi Gekirin - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Melon Defender - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Donkachi - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Kagematsu - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Duri Noko - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Kurumi Bombers - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * WizarSwordGun - Gaim Wizard Arms' personal weapon
 * Lockseeds - Gives access to Gaim's form changes, depending on which arm the lock is

Vehicles

 * Sakura Hurricane - Gaim's Rider Machine
 * Dandeliner - Gaim's second Rider Machine, loses it during the the battle against Bujin Gaim. Receives another one from DJ Sagara.
 * Tulip Hopper - Gaim's third Rider Machine.

List of Appearances

 * Kamen Rider Gaim
 * 1-31
 * Kamen Rider Wizard
 * Episode 52: The Kamen Rider Rings (debut)
 * Episode 53: Neverending Story
 * Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Gaim & Wizard: The Fateful Sengoku Movie Battle
 * Kamen Rider Gaim: Sengoku Battle Royale
 * Sengoku Movie Battle
 * Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai
 * Ressha Sentai ToQger Vs. Kamen Rider Gaim Spring Vacation Combining Special

Portrayal
Kouta Kazuraba is portrayed by Gaku Sano (佐野 岳), 2011 Junon Super Boy Contest Grand Prix winner. Sano said that he grew up wishing he could be the character from Kamen Rider Kuuga, and now that he will portray Kamen Rider Gaim which he hopes that he will inspire a new generation of boys.

As Kamen Rider Gaim, his suit actor is Seiji Takaiwa (高岩 成二), who has been the suit actor for the majority of leading Heisei Kamen Riders (except Kuuga and Hibiki).

Behind the scenes

 * Kouta is the first Primary Rider since Tsukasa Kadoya who does not make his debut as a cameo appearance in the Summer Movie of his predecessor, instead debuting in the final episodes of that series.
 * Kouta's name in publications is both Kota and Kouta. As of recent publications, his name is now written as Kouta, while in earlier publications, he was written as Kota.
 * It's sort of amusing how Kazuraba has a set of Lockseed Arms associated with the strawberry, with the fruit's name in Japanese being "Ichigo".
 * "Ichigo" can be read as "Number 1" when the "go" kana is given an elongation, the name of the very first Kamen Rider, Takeshi Hongo.
 * Gaim would face off against Kamen Rider 1 in Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai, and also using the Showa Rider Lockseed to assume an Arms based on him. Thus, Gaim has two Ichigo Arms; "Strawberry Arms" and "1 Arms". Coincidentally, Gaim also assumes the Strawberry Ichigo Arms during the movie.
 * Splitting the two words "Ichi" and "Go" lead to the numbers "1" and "5", as in 15; Kazuraba is the main Rider of the 15th Kamen Rider Heisei Series since the revival with Kamen Rider Kuuga.
 * Additionally, the Ichigo Lockseed was first seen in episode 1, while Ichigo Arms made its debut in the episode 5.
 * Adding the numbers together also yields its LS number, 06.
 * As the fifteenth leading Heisei Rider, the Heisei era now equals the Showa era in main Riders, as Kamen Rider J is officially considered the 15th Showa-Era Kamen Rider. Thus, Gaim is also the 30th main Rider overall.
 * Suika Arms can be a homage to Psyco Gundam and Destroy Gundam, as it has finger vulcans, alternative modes like Odama Mode and Gyro Mode which representively resemble both Psyco Gundam and Destroy Gundam's Mobile Armor Mode.  Also due to its large size, it leaves fans debating whether or not Suika Arms is a form or a support unit in a similar fashion of how Psyco Gundam and Destroy Gundam are debated if they're Mobile Suits or Mobile Armor.  While Suika Arms resembles several Gundams, it's single red optic is more reminiscent of Zeon mobile suits.
 * In a similar vein, Kachidoki Arms' design resembles a lot like Sengoku Astray Gundam, as they have a similar head and shoulder armor design.
 * Gaim's Sengoku Jidai motif mirrors, the Samurai who was actually born and raised during the Warring States Period in , Gaim's first Super Hero Time partner.
 * Before him, there was the Shinkengers, who appeared in the World of Shinkenger in a crossover two-episode arc with Kamen Rider Decade, although their motif was just traditional samurai, not a specific part of Japan's history.
 * The Ichigo Arms is similar to that of a ninja, making it the first explicit ninja Rider motif since Kamen Rider ZX.
 * The back of Kouta's Team Gaim jacket has a picture which consists of a samurai that resembles Kamen Rider Gaim's Orange Arms.
 * His suit design is similar to Kotaro Nogami/Kamen Rider New Den-O.
 * Gaim's transformation, along with the other Riders' transformations is similar to the Kamen Rider Den-O series' Riders in that his basic form is briefly glimpsed before the armor forms.
 * Kouta's first transformation occurs without him saying "Henshin" first, similar to Yusuke Godai when he willingly transformed into Kuuga Growing Form for the first time.
 * Kouta is the first Neo-Heisei Kamen Rider to reveal his transformation to someone close to him; in this case, his sister.
 * Kouta's birthday is revealed to be January 30. Like Kaito, he is 20 years old. With a text message placing the first episode as having taken place on its airdate, October 6th 2013, Kouta's birth year would be 1993.
 * In real life, Kouta's actor, Gaku Sano was born on April 3rd, 1992.
 * Gaim's Jimber Arms serve the same purpose as Kamen Rider Kuuga's Rising Forms and Kamen Rider Wizard's Dragon Styles, as upgrades for the base form. Also, each of the Jimber Arms' abilities and finishers share a visual similarity to a past Rider:
 * Jimber Lemon Arms' Sonic Volley finisher is visually similar to Kamen Rider Blade King Form's Royal Straight Flush and Kamen Rider Decade's Dimension Shoot.
 * The start up of Jimber Lemon Arms' Burai Kick is also similar to Kamen Rider Chalice's Spinning Dance.
 * Jimber Cherry Arms' super speed ability is visually similar to Kamen Rider Faiz Axel Form's Start Up and Kamen Rider Kabuto's Clock Up.
 * Jimber Peach Arms' enhanced hearing ability is visually similar to Kamen Rider Kuuga Pegasus Form.
 * The evolution of Gaim's Super Form (Kachidoki Arms) to Final Form (Kiwami Arms) is similar to Kamen Rider Agito who assumed his Super Form (Burning Form) before evolving it into his Final Form, Shining Form.
 * Gaim's Kachidoki Arms' battle catchphrase "Iza, shutsujin!" is similar to the battle catchphrase "Iza, mairu!"  from , as both catchprases are references to battlecries used by the ancient Feudal samurai to lead their armies to the battlefield.
 * The appearance of Kiwami Arms was inspired by the armor of Oda Nobunaga.
 * The Black Jimber Arms are similar to previous dark Kamen Riders
 * There is Dark Kabuto, who transforms into a Blacked-out version of Kamen Rider Kabuto,
 * There is Kamen Rider Ryuga, who transforms into a Blacked-out version of Kamen Rider Ryuki.
 * These past two riders shared a common trait with their good counterparts, they were alternate versions. If so, the Kouta who transforms into Yami Jimber Lemon Arms, could be an alternate counterpart as so.
 * Kouta has the Lockseeds required to transform into Black Jimber Lemon Arms. It can be assumed he is able to assume Black Orange Arms too.

Legend Rider Lockseeds

 * In addition to the Wizard Lockseed, the following toyline-exclusive Legend Rider Lockseeds are also styled for Gaim, as well as Kurokage:
 * 1
 * 2
 * Riderman
 * ZX
 * Black
 * Shin
 * J
 * Shocker
 * Kabuto
 * Den-O
 * Den-O Climax Form
 * Decade
 * Fourze (Despite being canonically used by Zangetsu)
 * Gaim