Emu Hojo

Emu Hojo (宝生 永夢), also known by his gaming persona M, is a 24 year-old medical intern at Seito University Hospital, and is one of the main characters in Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. He transforms into Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (仮面ライダーエグゼイド), tasked with eliminating the Bugster virus from infected patients to save their lives.

Childhood
Emu developed interests in video games at the mere age of 8, which he proved to have a natural talent for in the near future. This lead him to creating the concept for Mighty Brothers XX, to ease his loneliness. From a young age, he was a huge fan of Genm Corp. and often sent fan letters to one of its programmers, Kuroto Dan, which had included ideas for new games. Furious that someone who could create game concepts on par with him, Kuroto sent Mighty Action C, a game in-development which, unknown to anyone but Kuroto, had been infected with a strain of the Bugster Virus, which subsequently infected the boy.

On one rainy day, Emu succumbed to the Bugster Virus and subsequently got involved in a traffic accident. After receiving an emergency surgery from Kyotaro Hinata, Emu was given a WonderSwan handheld video game device by Dr. Hinata as a reward for hanging on. This event would inspire Emu to become a doctor and help children like the one who saved him.

Teenage Years
Emu would later go on to win numerous gaming tournaments under the gaming alias of M. Sometime in 2010, Emu trained vigorously for a gaming tournament he had participated in, at the cost of his health. Unknown to him, Kuroto watched his victory in the shadows, having watched Emu for a decade. Shortly after, Emu was abducted by the Next Genome Institute, who had been hired by Kuroto to remove the now-mature Bugster Virus from Emu's body. After the matured Bugster later known as Parado was successfully removed from Emu's body, the members of the Next Genome Institute vanished. Emu would believe that the operation was nothing more than a dream. Following the incident, he decided to take a serious attitude in his entrance exam and pursue being a doctor. However, the leftover Bugster Virus in his body would create a split personality that represented his gaming interest. The Bugster Virus that had been extracted would be used as the basis for the virus used for Zero Day a year later.

Sometime later, his fame as "M" would earn the interest of Asuna Karino as a potential candidate for using the Gamer Driver.

Becoming Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
Emu eventually became a pediatrics intern at Seito University Hospital. After it is learned that his patient, Sota Suyama, is diagnosed with an unusual disease, he is restricted from knowing more by Director Haima Kagami. Emu deduces that Sota's stress may be related to being confined in the hospital and unable to see the release of the awaited video game, Mighty Action X. As a result, Emu takes him to see its release but is scolded by Asuna, telling him that he fails as a doctor for his unauthorized release of Sota. When Asuna tries to force Sota to return back, his condition worsens and he transforms into a golem-like creature.

Emu learns about Sota's condition of being infected with the Bugster Virus, a potential lethal computer virus that infects human, and can be prevented by someone who is capable of using the Gamer Driver to successfully operate on the patient. Determined to save his patient, Emu took the driver, the accompanying Mighty Action X Gashat without Asuna's consent to combat the Bugster. Much to Asuna's surprise, Emu was able to transform into as he reveals that he was in fact, the prodigy gamer "M" that she was looking for.

He extracts Salty from Sota and transforms into Action Gamer Level 2, defeating the Bugster. After confirming Sota's health, he becomes part of the CR and Asuna reveals to him that her true identity is a Kamen Rider navigator, Poppy Pipopapo. She christened Emu as Kamen Rider Ex-Aid.

At the request of Kuroto Dan, Emu entered the CR patient room where he was to undertake a simulation as the Action Gamer. Given Dan's VR device by Poppy Pipopapo, Emu was clueless as to how he would start only to enter the simulation having been knocked out by Poppy. Within the simulation, Emu was faced with generic Bugster Virus grunt. Instructed by Poppy, Emu transformed into Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 1 then Level 2 before activating his Critical Strike finisher using the Kimewaza Slot Holder. Having cleared the simulation, Emu received no explanation for why he had to take this test as Poppy left, attempting to go after her only to stumble from the bed.

As the battle against the Bugster Viruses continues, Emu would later met several Kamen Riders like him, such as the genius surgeon Hiiro Kagami (Brave), former CR acquaintance Taiga Hanaya (Snipe) and the coroner Kiriya Kujo (Lazer). Although the three Riders as well fought against Bugster threats and infections, Emu is constantly at odds with them as each had their own viewpoints and ulterior motive. He also faced against Genm, a Rider who allied himself with the Bugsters and at the same time adding another Gashat, Gekitotsu Robots to his arsenal. In the final battle against Graphite, Emu acquired the Drago Knight Hunter Z and is able to work in synchronization with the other Riders through this power.

Meeting Kamen Rider Ghost
Two conflicting accounts exist of Ex-Aid's first encounter with Kamen Rider Ghost, Takeru Tenkuji.

Island of Eyecons
Earlier from Ghost's perspective, Ex-Aid inexplicably appeared on the Island of Eyecons as Takeru and his friends were being pursued by the Gamma. His mere arrival extinguishing the Gamma Commandos, Ex-Aid introduced himself to Takeru before performing a successive Rider Punch and Kick to destroy a pair of Gamma Superiors. Allowing Takeru and company to get away, Ex-Aid faced off against Kamen Rider Dark Necrom B, whom he overpowered with a series of kicks and punches while empowered by the green Ex-Aid medals that accompany him before defeating the Dark Necrom with the Mighty Critical Strike.

Encounter with Ayumu
Searching for the Shakariki Sports Gashat which he needed to save the world, Ex-Aid arrived to fight a pack of Bugster Viruses which were being fought by Ghost in defense of Ayumu, the mysterious boy who held the Gashat. Mistaken for an enemy by Ghost, whose friends had been attacked by his doppelganger, Ex-Aid found himself attacked but was quickly able to reason with his fellow Rider as he explained that he wished to save lives - the most important thing of all - by changing fate, a sentiment which was respected by Ghost. Alongside Ghost, Ex-Aid tended to Ayumu as they were attacked by his doppelganger, Kamen Rider Genm, who took the Gashat before leaving as soon as he came. Ghost apologized but Ex-Aid assured him that it was alright for now as Ayumu was safe. After defeating a further horde of Bugster Viruses together, Ex-Aid predicted to Takeru that they would meet again soon before leaving him an Ex-Aid Ghost Eyecon as a gift as he took his leave, with Takeru noting that he had connected to another person's feelings.

Return of Dr. Pac-Man
Following the incident with Dr. Pac-Man, Emu was instructed by Dan to return the Kaigan Ghost Gashat. On his way to Genm Corp. with Asuna, Emu was met by a Collabos Bugster which wielded the power of the Proto Gashats and easily overwhelmed Ex-Aid when he assumed Ghost Gamer Level 2 again. It was at this point where Dan arrived with a briefcase carrying further Kamen Riders' Gashats, providing Ex-Aid with the Full Throttle Drive which allowed him to disarm the Bugster of the Proto Gekitotsu Robots Gashat. When the Bugster switched to the sword-wielding Proto Giri Giri Chambara Gashat and grazed Dan, Ex-Aid appropriately received the Toukenden Gaim to engage it as Asuna took Dan to safety. After disabling the Bugster, Ex-Aid was confused to see what he recognized as the "black Ex-Aid" adopting Wizard Gamer Level 2 before being swiftly defeated by the enigmatic Kamen Rider who announced that he had collected all the data he needed as he used the power of the Legend Rider Gashats to complete his Ganbarizing Gashat. Using the blank Collabos Bugster as a conduit to harness the power of Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing, a game Emu was unfamiliar with, Genm brought forth manifestations of Kamen Riders Double, OOO and Fourze. Advancing on Emu, the three Riders were held off by the sudden appearance of Dr. Pac-Man, coming as a shock to both Emu and Genm as he presented his own three Bandai Namco Gashats.

Taken away by Dr. Pac-Man, Emu was met by Hiiro and Taiga whom were both intent on defeating this revived "Dr. Pac-Man" while Emu began to trust him. When the three doctors were met by Genm and the three copy Kamen Riders that he had summoned, "Dr. Pac-Man" provided the trio with the Bandai Namco Gashats, with Emu receiving the Pac Adventure Gashat. Transforming, Ex-Aid Level 2 faced Kamen Rider Fourze in a brief skirmish before using his new Gashat to assume Pac Action Gamer, generating a Game Area in which he finds himself pursued by Kamen Rider Double before reaching a Power Pellet which allowed him to turn the tables on Double who became a vulnerable ghost, performing Pac Adventure's Critical Strike to defeat the opponent Kamen Rider. Confused to be met with no Game Clear message, Ex-Aid returned to the real world where he saved Poppy Pipopapo from the berserk Collabos Bugster from whom he took out the Ganbarizing Gashat which he inserted into his Gashacon Breaker, performing a Critical Finish to destroy the Bugster. Despite this, both Ex-Aid and Poppy found that a Game Clear message has still not appeared. The Ganbarizing Gashat then suddenly ejected from the Gashacon Breaker on its own before entering the Game Area from which a figure began to emerge.

Ex-Aid recognized this figure as another Kamen Rider, Hibiki, while Poppy mistook him for a malicious demon and ran away. Immediately after, Ex-Aid was met again by "Dr. Pac-Man" but noted no sign of the black Ex-Aid pursuing him as he was handed the Taiko no Tatsujin Gashat, which Ex-Aid recognized as a music game where the goal is to hit the taiko drum in time with the rhythm, realizing that he could use this to face the drummer Rider. Inserting the Gashat into his Kimewaza Slot Holder, Ex-Aid was armed with two taiko sticks which he used to match Hibiki's Ongekibou Rekka before blasting back and finishing him with Taiko no Tatsujin's Critical Strike, at last clearing the game. Recovering the Ganbarizing Gashat, Ex-Aid was met by rival Riders Brave and Snipe, who had both come to claim the Gashat for themselves only for all three Riders to be swiftly eluded by "Dr. Pac-Man" who snatched the Gashat himself, adding it to his collection now totaling five. It is at this point that Snipe and Brave realized that they had been manipulated and used as guinea pigs, a deduction immediately confirmed when "Dr. Pac-Man" was joined by the black Ex-Aid, who took the Ganbarizing Gashat for himself. Inserting the Gashat into his Kimewaza Slot Holder, Genm activated a Critical Strike which imbued him with the combined power of Ex-Aid's seventeen Heisei Rider predecessors, allowing him to defeat all three Riders with a single Rider Kick. Genm then took his leave with the Gashats as Emu wondered what exactly was going on.

Christmas Revelations
During Christmas Eve, Emu and the others learned of Genm Corp.'s CEO Kuroto Dan being Genm's true identity, proving Kiriya's innocence after being fooled once by Parado. It was also at that time he renew his trust on Kiriya after going through several lies and obtain the Shakariki Sports Gashat from Genm but their renewed friendship cuts short when Kiriya was killed by Genm Zombie Gamer Level X in hopes of preventing the truth from being revealed.

Birth of Mighty Brothers XX and Becoming Double Action Gamer Level X and XX
In early 2017, Emu was promoted to the surgery intern by Haima Kagami himself. Kiriya's death affected his prowess in fighting the Bugster and was suspended by Hiiro to transform after the latter confiscated his Gashats. Parado approached Emu and gave the young intern his incomplete Gashat, which transformed into the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, giving him the strength to counter Genm Level X with the same rank. He as well renewed his trust with Hiiro, but was cut short when both the latter and Taiga attack him due to being a Game Disease patient. His combat data as Mighty Brothers XX was utilized by Kuroto to create the Gashat Gear Dual that Parado utilized to assume Kamen Rider Para-DX, whose level outclassed even that of Genm and Ex-Aid.

Befriending a Burger Bugster and Becoming Burger Action Gamer Level 4
"I'll cook a hamburger with No Continues!"

- Ex-Aid's proclamation in Level 4 before battle

Whilst in the middle of a day off, Emu encountered the Burgermon Bugster while he was about to eat lunch. He chased it into a parking lot and encountered the one sick with the virus, before encountering Snipe and Para-DX. When questioned why it was he wasn't using the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, Ex-Aid revealed that he left his other Gashats at home. The ill patient, a game developer who works at Genm Corp, supplied Ex-Aid with the Ju Ju Burger Gashat, which he promptly uses to transform into Ex-Aid Burger Action Gamer Level 4. With his new form, Ex-Aid manages to fend Snipe off and save Burgermon in the process.

The Truth About His Game Disease, Finalizing the Gashat Gear Dual Beta
"Emu Hojo!!! How are you able to transform into Ex-Aid...without undergoing the compatibility surgery? How are you able to create Gashats?! Why does your head hurt after transforming?! There is only one answer. Emu Hojo! That's because...you were the very first person in the world...to be infected by the Bugster virus!"

- Kuroto Dan exposing the reason behind Emu's bizarre condition

"I have...Game Syndrome? That's a lie! You're trying to trick me!"

- Emu Hojo refusing to accept the truth that he is Patient Zero

In an effort to help Tsukuru after being infected yet again, Ex-Aid tries to defeat the spawned Bugster, Motors, only to be repeatedly interrupted by Genm, who is after his remaining Gashats, as he took away Snipe's. After another encounter, Ex-Aid is defeated by Genm, who demand for the remaining Gashats, to which the former refuses. Before he can kill Emu, Genm is attacked by Para-DX, who's fed up with his narcissism and how he looks down upon Bugsters. Finally defeated, Kuroto punishes Parado for his defiance by revealing to Emu that he is Patient Zero. After Emu denies it, the game disease inside him changes drastically, with Hiiro, Taiga, Asuna, and Nico watching in terror as Emu screams in pain.

Debut of Brave Fantasy Gamer Level 50
Much to the members of CR, Taiga, and Kuroto's surprise, Emu did not disappear after he learned the truth, but rather fell unconscious. When he awoke, he greeted the CR crew casually, acting in his Genius Gamer M persona despite the fact that he was not playing a game. He starts playing Poppy's game expertly, though she doesn't like it, and even scares Haima. Eventually, they receive word that someone has been infected with the Bugster Virus. Hiiro tries, and fails, to convince Emu to give him his Gashat, in order to prevent him from transforming and suffering further from the effects of his own virus. When they arrive, Emu's eyes turn red, an effect common among Bugsters when they take hold of their host, which Hiiro notices immediately, and engages the Gatton Bugster when it emerges, transforming into Ex-Aid Robot Action Gamer Level 3 immediately. At first overwhelmed, he makes use of the power ups and turns the tables on his opponent, though he becomes agitated when it reverts back into its host to recover.

After returning to the CR, Emu once again plays Poppy's game, and when Hiiro questions him, Emu states that he doesn't care about the patient at all, even going on to say that this is who he was. However, Hiiro becomes angered and tells him that the person he should be is a doctor who invests in his patient in order to make them smile. This causes Emu to suffer from a headache. When the Bugster takes over and escapes, Hiiro takes Emu's Mighty Action X Gaschat and leaves to take it on. However, Emu takes it back and engages the Gatton, only to be attacked by Genm. The two easily overpower and force Ex-Aid back. Hiiro, however, manages to turn the situation around by using the same tactics as Ex-Aid earlier and use a Power Up to confuse the Fantasy Gamer, allowing him to take the Gashat Gear Dual β and transform into Brave Fantasy Gamer Level 50 for the first time by using Taddle Fantasy. At first being taken over by its power, Hiiro manages to regain control and states what it means to be a doctor, something that causes Emu to falter and suffer from another headache. His transformation is cancelled, and returns to his previous self.

After the battle is over, Emu apologizes for the trouble he has caused, though Hiiro dismisses him, telling him he should do what he should do as a doctor.

Encounter with Takeshi Asakura
At Seito Hospital, Emu bumped into an unidentified man. Unbeknownst to him, he had been caught up in the plot of the enigmatic Foundation X, having had their own Level 4 Gashat, Night of Safari, slipped into his pocket. This led Emu to being confronted by the revived serial killer - Kamen Rider Ouja - Takeshi Asakura, who was after the Gashat as part of his sick "game" before becoming bored and proceeding to give Emu a savage beating. Emu would be found unconscious and badly injured by Hiiro, who took the Gashat still in his hand, using it to assume Brave Safari Quest Gamer Level 4 with which he defeated Kamen Rider Ouja and his Beast Rider Squad.

Debut of Snipe Simulation Gamer Level 50
In an attempt to trigger Emu's Bugster Virus, Hiiro activates his Taddle Quest Gashat to threaten the dwelling Bugster to no avail. CR is then alerted that there's an outbreak at the amusement park. While Brave Level 50 fights the Vernier Bugster, and later Para-DX, Emu attempts to wield his Mighty Brothers XX Gashat but is hesitant due to his fear of the disease. After the two Bugsters fallback, he and Asuna help their new patient, Daisuke Egami, to get over his fear of thrill rides after mentioning he set up a date with a girl in his class. They go to the same park and go on all the rides, which drains both Emu and Daisuke. Unfortunately, Daisuke's Bugster surfaces due to him overhearing girls mock him. Kuroto unexpectedly Stage Selects them and himself. He takes note that Emu's reluctancy for transforming no longer poses a threat to him as he then thansforms into Genm Level X and proceeds to kill him and Poppy. But, Taiga who has the Level 50 Gashat Gear Dual β, intervenes as Snipe Simulation Gamer Level 50 and engages with Vernier. Emu grabs his Gashat, and soon finds responsibility for his patients and himself included, transforms into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level XX and fights Genm head on. He uses his Gashacon Key Slasher to finish Genm off, but he escapes yet again. Taiga lectures Emu for not leaving the fight, but the latter relays his duties as a doctor to him. But Emu is dragged off by Daisuke and Poppy to go on other rides as Taiga walks away.

An exhausted Emu returns to CR, due to Hiiro's intense surgical internship. Hiiro says that Emu's true talent is fighting off Bugsters which has Poppy reveal that she was to find the Genius Gamer as a recruit from Kuroto's request. They are soon alerted on another outbreak from an investigator named Heiji Uesugi. When they arrive, the virus releases the Kaiden Bugster. Brave Hunter Quest Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon and Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level X fight the awakened Bugster as Genm, on the sidelines, deals with Snipe Level 50. Genm and Kaiden fall back. At CR, Useugi's insistence on leaving is due to his investigation on Masamune Dan as he wants answers for the disease that killed his son and the disappearance of Kiriya Kujo. Emu and Asuna then decide to visit Masamune on Useugi's behalf. When they arrive to visit him, they reveal that the Bugster Virus originated from the Y2K pandemonium and Kuroto was the first to discover it. After their visit, Kuroto appears before the two with Emu more knowledgeable of his crimes. The former admits that he had blamed his father on the virus and had him arrested for it. When they were alerted that the Bugster became active again, Kuroto and Emu transform and fight. Snipe is shown to fend off Para-DX. After Brave managed to defeat Kaiden as Ex-Aid finished off Genm, Kuroto absorbs the Bugster's death data, ranting on that Kamen Riders and Bugsters are just small parts for his "ultimate game." He reveals his future plans for people to transform into Riders and fight Bugsters in a game of life or death. Emu is infuriated by this, as Kuroto killed innocent lives, like Kiriya, Saki, and Uesugi's son, for nothing but a twisted game. He is determined to stop Kuroto, but he counters this as he doesn't believe that Emu cannot defeat his immortality and powers as Level X. Kuroto transforms into Genm Level X again, resulting in a shockwave. Emu transforms into Ex-Aid Level XX and tries to defeat him with the Gashacon Key Slasher, but Genm had disappeared. Emu returns to CR and checks on Heiji's disease if it's cured. Poppy says to Hiiro that Emu has taken the responsibility of his current and former patients. Comedically, Emu helps Heiji get out of bed and the two slip and fall.

At CR, Emu and Poppy are in distress about the revelations of Kamen Rider Chronicle and Zero Day. But, they are alerted about the Charlie Bugster outbreak. The three Riders arrive on the scene, with Brave and Snipe occupied with Para-DX. After Charlie retreats back into its host, it appears to be none other than Kuroto. Before the Ministry of Health has the chance to arrest him, Emu tells them it's their responsibility to cure his disease first, with Hiiro backing his statement. At CR, Kuroto said that back as a teenager, he believed that his games were superior to all others. But when he received a letter from Emu himself with his ideas games, he found them to be better than his and went mad. He goes on to tell him and Asuna that he sent Michihiko Zaizen to operate on Emu back in 2010. Emu gets angered when hearing this, evident from his eyes glowing red. But he soon relaxes, stating that a doctor cannot have a grudge against his patient. The Bugster resurfaces and Emu transforms into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level XX and stage selects at a pier. After Kuroto has been freed of the virus, he absorbs its data with the Gashacon Bugvisor. He reveals to have injected himself with Game Disease in order to keep away from the Ministry and stated to Emu that he was very easy to fool. The mad Rider transforms into Genm Level X and using his Critical Dead finisher, Genm corrupts Emu's Gamer Driver, rendering it useless. Before leaving, Genm vows to destroy Emu's crystal and lets him live longer, a reward for his cooperation.

Going to the Maximum Level & Kuroto's Death
"I'm at maximum level. Level 99!"

- Ex-Aid's introduction when he transformed into Maximum Gamer Level 99 for the first time

Even though Emu's Driver was corrupted by Genm, Emu still had Kiriya's Gamer Driver to spare. He then fought Genm as Ex-Aid Level XX after some officers were injured by Genm's power. It was until Brave threw Ex-Aid a new Gashat that the two halves of Ex-Aid fused into Level X and try to use it again, only for Ex-Aid to be knocked out of his transformation. After Hiiro was knocked out of his transformation himself, he managed to remind Emu of Kiriya's trust in humanity to him. This resulted in the Bugster Virus within Emu evolving further, and completing the Maximum Mighty X Gashat.

Emu then transforms into Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer Level 99 for the first time, selects the hangar, and successfully managed to defeat a giant Bugster Union that Genm had put together to fight him, as well as refill Genm's health gauge. After punching him twice, Ex-Aid then cancelled the transformation, saying that he'd been a doctor before a Kamen Rider, and won't kill him.

He later reappears in front of Genm, Snipe Level 50, and Brave Level 5 Full Dragon to transform into Ex-Aid Level 99, and selects the junkyard. Genm summons clones of himself to fight the three riders, but they're all successfully defeated by them. After the Game Area clears, Kuroto tries to transform into Genm Level X again, only to learn that Ex-Aid's finisher reprogrammed the Bugster antibody within Kuroto, rendering him incapable of transforming so that he can be easily taken into custody. However, Parado shows up and infects Kuroto with a fatal dosage of Bugster Virus, killing him instantly. Devastated that he failed to save a life yet again, Emu weeps on top of the hospital roof later that day.

Through the use of an Ex-Aid that inexplicably had been acquired by, Kamen Rider Ex-Aid was summoned to a version of the world which had been occupied by the , coming to the assistance of the   and  whose battle against Jark Matter forces had been interrupted by Space Ikadevil, a cyborg monster of Shocker. First appearing as Action Gamer Level 1, Ex-Aid fought off Space Ikadevil, allowing Sasori Orange to get away. Switching to Level 2, Ex-Aid joined forces with Shishi Red and together they used their respective slash attacks (Mighty Critical Finish and Regulus Impact) to destroy Space Ikadevil. Canceling their transformations, Emu and respectively introduced themselves before wishing each other luck in saving many patients and liberating the universe from Jark Matter before Emu was returned to his world.

At this time, Emu has nearly completed his surgical internship. And CR has now taken in a band member, Sora, for examination, with her two bandmates arguing about their career's future. Soon, the stress results in all three receiving Game Disease. And the Bugsters, Motors Level 20, Gatton Level 40, and Kaiden Level 40 emerge. Before Emu starts fighting them, Lucky sees him and decides to help. Lucky transforms into Shishi Red and the two, with Ex-Aid's Level XX form, manage to have the Bugsters retreat. Before leaving, Lucky claims that he had no team to help him but Emu states he does and bids him farewell. He explains to Asuna that he has three reliable people to count on; Hiiro, Taiga, and Kiriya. He later attempts to convince the two to team up and cure their patients. But they refuse, with Taiga wanting to bet their Gashats as competition and Hiiro claiming to work alone. But they wind up finding Gatton and Kaiden on their own and proceed to defeat them. While Ex-Aid Level 99 is hunting down Motors, all three coincidentally finish off their designated Bugsters. The three doctors then proceed to aid the ill band members, with Nico stating how well they work together.

Kamen Rider Chronicle
Emu becomes concerned for Poppy after she suddenly goes missing. But, his attention is then towards the multiple CR calls. He heads to a local construction site where he finds his patient, Tenma. He is surprised when the boy takes out a Kamen Rider Chronicle Gashat and becomes a Ride-Player. The two, with Emu also transformed, find other players fighting Salty, causing the doctor to plead with the others to stop. Poppy interrupts, saying how Kamen Riders have rare items to help the players. All of them target Ex-Aid, but retreat from his powerful Level 99 form, except for Tenm a whose gaming disease worsens. When Emu leaves his patient back at CR, he goes again to another call, to find the same situation yet again. Before he could transform with the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, the Ride-Players attack Ex-Aid, using his Gashats against Salty. Parado then appears before the shocked doctor and enters the fray as Para-DX Puzzle Gamer Level 50. He makes quick work of the players, finishing them with his Perfect Critical Combo. Poppy shows up again stating that all Ride-Players have only one life and if they lose it, they disappear. All the players soon slowly die from the virus, with Emu in horror.

The doctors are ordered by Doctor Hinata to not intervene with Chronicle as word of what could happen to players what cause panic. Hiiro abides the Director's orders, but Emu runs after Tenma, who aims to defeat Salty by himself. Although Ex-Aid wants to do it instead, Poppy reappears to tell him that's against the rules. She turns into Kamen Rider Poppy and proceeds to fight him as punishment. At this time, Tenma leaves and Snipe Level 2 enters the fray but the Riders are defeated by Poppy's Critical Crews-Aid. Emu then tries to have Poppy remember the times she helped patients back CR, but leaves with no recollection of it. Parado appears before Emu and Taiga, saying that Poppy's memories, or save data, was reset, and claims his efforts are pointless. And he states that Kuroto created her to gather data at CR. Emu heads back to the hospital, where Hiiro is angry with him for going against Hinata, saying that the Director did this so that him, Emu, and Taiga won't fight them as they don't want to be operated on, much to their frustration. But Emu heads out once more to where Tenma and a group of Ride-Players are fighting against Salty, Aranbura, and Para-DX Level 50. He says that even though he can't save everyone, that won't stop him. Hiiro and Taiga arrive behind Emu, just as determined to defeat the Bugsters. Snipe Simulations Gamer Level 50 uses his Bang Bang Critical Fire to finish Aranbura and Brave Hunter Quest Gamer Level 50's Drago Knight Critical Strike defeats Salty. And Ex-Aid in his Maximum Gamer Level 99 form uses the Gashacon Key Slasher and the Maximum Mighty X Gashat to pin Para-DX down but quickly retreats. Emu tells the players that they're cured and asks for their Gashats back. Tenma now sees the doctors' credibility and hands his over, with the others doing the same.

On TV, Ren Amagasaki, Genm's new CEO, explains some of the mechanics of Kamen Rider Chronicle, after the Ministry started to call back all copies of the game. He states that all players who died can be brought back if the game itself is beaten. The three doctors, along with Nico watch this and are shocked. Emu and Hiiro later find Revol and prepare to take him head on. But Nico arrives unexpectedly with a Chronicle Gashat and transforms into Ride-Player Nico. She manages to defeat Revol single-handedly, and the doctors become further concerned with she immediately becomes infected Vernier's virus. Taiga arrives at CR, angered with what Nico did, and it resulted in them arguing and Hiiro taking Taiga out of the patient ward. Nico comes into CR's conference room, still mad with Taiga dictating her, but Emu reassures her that he just wanted to protect her. Emu, Hiiro, and Nico then find Vernier, but and Ren shows up, revealing himself as the Lovrica Bugster, and brings maid Viruses and Poppy. The four Riders attempt to defeat the two Bugsters, but are made quick work of and are out of their transformations. Taiga tells Nico how much she means to him and that he'll always be her patient. As Snipe Simulations Gamer Level 50, he uses his Bang Bang Critical Fire to defeat Vernier. Emu notices Poppy smiling in relief of Taiga and Nico's relationship. He then asks the duo help CR beat Chronicle, but they deny the request, saying they alone will finish the game. Hiiro states how Emu wasn't the one to make Nico smile, but Emu notes that she'll be fine with Taiga. Later in the evening, Emu prepares to leave CR for the night, but stops to look at Poppy's arcade game. He is then reminded of her innocent smile from earlier.



At CR, Emu tells Hiiro about when Poppy smiled that day, noting that she is not fully gone. They then get a call and arrive to see one Ride-Player against Para-DX. While Ex-AidMaximum Gamer Level 99 distracts Para-DX, Brave Beat Quest Gamer Level 3 tries to tend to the player. But Poppy appears and states that Kamen Riders are not permitted to help Ride-Players, and transforms into Poppy Toki Meki Crisis Gamer Level X and zaps Brave out of his transformation instantly with her Bugvisor. She proceeds to critically injure the Ride-Player, with Ex-Aid yelling at Poppy that she's not like this. Meanwhile, Para-DX tries to direct Ex-Aid's attention towards their fight but ignores him. Believed to have no other choice, he uses his Maximum Mighty Critical Finish with the Key Slasher on Poppy, who is easily defeated from the blast. Poppy then regains her memories and Emu is pleased by this, telling Hiiro that he used his reprogramming abilities to do so. Parado steps in and takes back Poppy, believing that as a Bugster, she's still on his side. Their patient, Ken Samejima, who's infected with Poppy's virus wants to defeat her himself while criticizing Emu for believing that she is a good Bugster. In the conference room, Hiiro tells Emu that Poppy had to be defeated if they are to treat their patient, to which Emu doesn't take easily. But Hiiro reminds him that Poppy took someone's life when she was created, making her an enemy regardless. The next day, the two find Ride-Player Nico and Snipe Level 50 fighting Poppy, but Para-DX begins to fight Ex-Aid, leaving Brave and the others against Poppy. Poppy is beaten and overwhelmed by the Riders who are about to finish her, but Ex-Aid has his Maximum Gamer holding Para-DX while he ejects from it and prevents the three from attacking Poppy further. Poppy begins cry, saying that Bugsters are humanity's enemy and that they shouldn't be helped. Emu, who cancels his transformation, then tells her to attack him with her Bugvisor if what she says is true. She hesitates and throws it away, admitting to everyone that she just wants people to play DoReMiFa Beat with her. Emu agrees and the two make up, resulting in a Game Clear. Poppy hugs Emu for what he did, with Hiiro apologizing to the two, and Taiga and Nico threatening Poppy if she betrays them again. Poppy becomes scared and runs from Nico. The group runs into Parado again, frustrated that Emu won't fight him. The Bugster then possess Emu, which causes the latter to challenge the Riders to fight him.

Hijacked by Parado and Their Connection to Each Other
Parado, who has possessed Emu proceeds to fight the riders, using his Fighter Gamer Level 50 form. He easily beats Snipe and Brave Level 2 and leaves. Parado shows up at the Bugsters' hideout, with Graphite mistaking him for Ex-Aid. The former uses Emu's Gamer Driver along with the Gashat Gear Dual to transform but it fails. Parado tells Emu that all of what he's doing is because it's what Emu wanted. He brings Emu to a local park and explains that during Emu's childhood, he had ideas for games because of his desires to have someone to play with. And Parado was created from these said desires, thus making him Emu's Bugster. It was the work of Michihiko Zaizen that had made it possible from to be separated. He then makes him transform into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level XX, with Emu as the blue counterpart and the orange being Parado. He wants Emu to fight him, even handing him the Gashacon Key Slasher and Maximum Mighty X Gashat, but still doesn't. Parado goes on to tell him that the reason why he Emu didn't vanish the first time when Kuroto tells him about his game virus is due Parado's reentry in him. He goes on to say that they're one in the same, but Parado will be the one to control his fate. Hearing this drives Emu to fight back, using the Maximum Mighty Critical Finish to beat Parado, which cancels both of their transformations. But he also used reprogramming on Parado, which had Emu fuse his human genes into Parado's own. Parado was able to then use Kuroto's Gamer Driver to become Para-DX Perfect Knock Out Gamer Level 99. Hiiro, Taiga, and Nico arrive to see this and begin to advance towards him, but the two doctors were easily beaten. They try to retreat from Parado with Emu, but the Bugster again possess Emu with ease and leaves on his own.

Parado, who's posing as Emu, walks up to the group, but Taiga immediately recognizes the Bugster, due to his use of the word, ore. He drops the facade and enters his level 99 form and outmatches the others. Parado then prepares to cut down Asuna, but

Emu is able to withstand the infection symptoms to stop him. His Bugster counterpart gets excited by this, saying that he wanted him to get fired up for their match. He then plans to fight Parado alone but leaves Hiiro the patient and Kamen Rider Chronicle to Taiga and Nico before heading out. Parado takes him to the now abandoned Next Genome Institute lab, where Zaizen operated on Emu, back in 2010. The two then transform into Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer and Para-DX Perfect Knock Out Gamer, and stage select at an excavation site. Ex-Aid ejects from his armor to fight him up close, with Para-DX stating that this is a match between both Humanity's and Bugster's strongest fighters. The two end the fight with their personal Critical Finishers, but Emu is the one pinned to the ground. Emu becomes confused by this as they are both level 99. But Para-DX explains that he is his "Genius Gamer" persona, therefore being the reason why their skill is not on par with each other. Hiiro and Taiga arrive before he can give Emu the fin blow, before they are knocked aside. But at that moment, Kamen Rider Genm Level 0, equipped with the Gashacon Bugvisor II and Poppy come in. Genm, who is confirmed to be the late Kuroto Dan, charges at Para-DX with the Bugvisor, only able to cut slash once at him. Annoyed with the interventions, Parado prepares to take Emu again, but doesn't seem to work. After Poppy explains that Level 0 Riders can neutralize a Bugster's effects, Parado leaves. Back at CR, Emu and the others are shocked to see Kuroto still alive.

Genm's Return and Arrival of Cronus
Emu, and the rest of CR still find Kuroto's revival unsettling to realize. But Emu, Taiga, Nico, and Asuna leave for a patient and they soon find another Ride-Player against Charlie. While Ex-Aid Level 99 is fighting the Bugster, Parado appears to finish his fight with him. But Asuna distracts him by releasing Kuroto from her Bugvisor. Ex-Aid focuses on Charlie, but it is Nico who gives the finishing blow. They return to Genm and Para-DX's fight, only to see the former defeated and given a Game Over. But, it's revealed that Kuroto has 99 lives at his disposal, and Parado leaves, uninterested. Emu and Asuna console their patient, who was aiming to revive her son back by clearing the game. At CR, Poppy remembers that her host was Sakurako Dan, Kuroto's mother, who had a fatal disease so her son infected her with the Bugster virus, in order to save her data. And he created Kamen Rider Chronicle in order to bring her mother back. But Kuroto states he made the game in order to preserve his talents. Emu is angered hearing this, as he treats lives like a game. He tells Poppy that he doesn't understand how fragile life is and he cannot work with him, after Kuroto goes out to find Parado. When Genm was fighting Para-DX, Poppy transformed and used her Critical Crews-Aid to untransform Kuroto by force, with Ex-Aid witnessing this and does the same. She thanks Kuroto for bringing her to life and asks Emu to forgive him. Para-DX decides to kill Poppy for siding with humans, but Kuroto decideds to take the hit for her. Revived again, Kuroto states he will protect the life he created, with Emu stating he will cooperate, if he will atone by help beating Chronicle, although he won't forgive him for what he did in the past. The two, as Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer Level 99 and Genm Action Gamer Level 0 take on Para-DX, who is surprised by their team up. Ex-Aid uses his Maximum Mighty Critical Finish and slices him in quick succession, which causes him to retreat. Poppy asks the group to put aside what Kuroto has done until the game is finished, with the latter giving presents to make up for it. With all them working together, and all Gashatrophies in their possession, they now go after the boss tier Bugsters.

Going Beyond Level Max
With the strength of Cronus and being mocked by Kiriya, Kuroto mad and created a new Gashat as means to destroy Cronus and become the ultimate Gashat no one will be able to defeat, the Hyper Muteki. This new Gashat was given to Emu but Emu initially unable to use it and forcing Kuroto to use it, which is revealed only usable for 10 seconds to endure Cronus' Pause ability and Kuroto was distracted, having the Gashat stolen instead when the time was passed. Kuroto blamed on Emu because Hyper Muteki is meant only able to be used by Emu since the beginning, but the reprogramming done on Parad had rendered the ability useless. Emu baited Parado to be inserted inside Asuna's Bugvisor II and injected himself with Parad's virus to regain his M gamer persona and was able to use Hyper Muteki and able to defeat Cronus without having 10 seconds limit.

Final Battle With Parado
"Goodbye, Parado."

- Emu's word to Parado while finishing him.

Emu was later distracted by the sudden ill Nico which was revealed to be infected with Gamedeus virus because she is the highest rank player in Kamen Rider Chronicle game. To encounter Gamedeus, Emu decided to eliminate Parad. He later found Parado and chose to lose his power by eliminating him without any burden which pissing Kuroto as Cronus will never able to be defeated because of what Emu has done.

Reset Game
Emu had a reason for "killing" Parado. In fact, he took the core of Parado's DNA and absorbed it before he disintegrated into data, showing to Asuna that Parado is still alive by accessing Mighty Brothers XX Level 20 immediately. When Parado was forced into a corner by Cronus, Emu capitalised on that and wanted to let Parado experience the fear of dying, thus decided to put on a merciless facade. Parado eventually broke down due to him unaware of the fear of death as he only wished to play with Emu, in the end he is seen begging for Emu's forgiveness. Emu accepted him as an ally afterwards.

Emu and Parado encountered Cronus after the CR riders (excluding Kuroto) had their Gamer Driver and Gashats stolen by Masamune. With their combined effort, and demonstration of amazing teamwork, they managed to destroy Cronus along with his Rider Chronicle Master Gashat. This provoked Masamune to his maximum limit, evolving the Bugster virus within him even further. Unaware to himself, Emu, Parado, and Asuna, Masamune had yet again obtained another time-defying ability which allows him to reset the current timeline into whatever he wishes. Masamune used this newfound power and discontinued the existence of the Hyper Muteki Gashat subconsciously, shocking everyone on the scene.

Personality
Emu Hojo is a very clumsy and yet a serious doctor to take on his job. However, his thirst for playing video games has a problem of Emu being absent-minded at times. An example of this is he sometimes fails to remember his work schedule properly and it makes the nurses scold him. He also has a habitual quirk of tumbling down in various comical ways.

As "M", his alias that he uses when playing video games, he shows a completely different side of himself. He displays a focused, calmer, and more confident demeanor. His grammatical persona also changes from 僕 into 俺, proving to be extremely skillful at video games, to the point where he has come to be known as the "genius gamer" who never leaves any game unfinished. This carries over to his battles as Ex-Aid, as his knowledge of video games has proven to be a definite advantage. Originally, when shifting to his Genius Gamer M personality, a wind blows through his hair and he makes a cocky smile. But during episode 10, Emu's eyes instead flash pink before turning a less intense, glowing red, after which, his eyes turn back to normal. Though he still makes the same cocky smile as before, showing that he can actually shift into his gamer persona at will. In the past, Emu's normal and "M" personalities were once one and the same, though following his surgery by the Next Genome surgeons, the leftover Bugster Virus in his body caused him to develop a case of, constantly switching from his naive side to his predative "M" persona. After learning that he was infected with the Bugster Virus, Emu's gamer persona took over as the dominant one, showing no concern for his patients and was instead only interested in playing the game, something which greatly angers Hiiro. However, after Hiiro states what it means to be a doctor, Emu regains control over himself, and becomes fearful of transforming into Ex-Aid. After he gains his resolve, he loses his fear of becoming Ex-Aid.

Emu has a very idealistic attitude towards being a doctor: he invests himself in the well-being of his patient, hoping to help them both physically and personally. He will always try to help a patient in need, even if they are a criminal, an enemy, or refuse to get help. For him, a life is a life and it's worth saving, fitting the morality of a true doctor and their devotion to the. This mindset helped him connect stress as a catalyst for Bugster infection, but also hinders him if the enemy is smart enough to threaten the patient's life. His firm idealism has led to clashes with his fellow CR Rider, Hiiro. Hiiro views Emu as naive and inexperienced, while Emu openly opposes Hiiro's detached and callous approach, going as far to say Hiiro is not a real doctor.

However, Emu is not without a dark side. When pushed too far, Emu can lose control of his temper and when that happens his Gamer side becomes as vicious and selfish as his rivals. This was shown when Kyotaro is infected by Graphite. Emu become so frustrated into believing that he's the only one who can save Kyotaro, to the point that he'll do anything to capture the Hunter Gamer using a stolen Gashacon Sword. While this shows that Emu takes pride in his beliefs as a doctor, at the same time it demonstrates that as a Gamer he shares Genm's and even Taiga's ideals to some extent. However, after some enlightenment from his idol, Kyotaro Hinata, Emu decides to trust his fellow doctor Riders, while also gaining respect from them over time.

Often after transforming, he says his catchphrase I'll clear this with No Continues! (ノーコンティニューでクリアしてやるぜ).

Powers and Abilities

 * Game Proficiency: Emu is highly adept in the field of video gaming, both in creative concept and actual practice. As a kid, he often creates game ideas that even Kuroto Dan, a genius game developer, recognized and envied. As a Kamen Rider, his creative concepts in gaming had lead to the creation of Mighty Brothers XX and Maximum Mighty X Gashats and the Save Energy Item, all arsenals that counters all of his toughest adversaries, specifically Genm, Para-DX, and Cronus. In actual practice, even without the influence of his Bugster, Parado, and the gaming skill of his Genius Gamer M persona, Emu is already a masterful gamer on his own with gaming skills formidable enough to see through the loopholes and weaknesses of every game and figuring out the methods of clearing them. As Genius Gamer M, Emu's skills in gaming and his battle prowesses are greatly enhanced especially when he enters a state of emotional rage or frustration, as shown when he effectively, in separate occasions, outmaneuvered both Genm and Snipe who are both at their Level 3 forms while Emu is only on Level 2. Furthermore, if his Genius Gamer persona is 100% active, his gaming skills skyrocket to a frightening degree evidenced on how despite being only at Level 3 he managed to overpower Gatton Bugster who is a Level 30, stating that one of gaming's thrills is figuring out how to defeat stronger opponents.
 * High Interpersonal Skill: Despite his clumsiness, Emu's kindness has allowed him to connect with all of his patients.
 * Original Bugster Virus: Being a Patient Zero (along with Masamune Dan), Emu was host to the virus for a prolonged period of time. This allowed the virus to fuse with and alter his DNA granting him Rider and possibly even Bugster-like powers and abilities that, by standard, requires external intervention to acquire.
 * Natural Game Disease Immunity: Unlike the other Riders, but later like Masamune, Emu can utilize the Gamer Driver and Rider Gashats without the need of the compatibility surgery. Also, his immunity is absolute, unlike the other Riders' acquired immunity which can still be overwhelmed by a large dose of Bugster virus, as he was unaffected when using the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat for the first time.M is laughing.png
 * Game Disease Cancellation: According to Episode 29 and the fact that Parado doubles as Emu's natural immunity to the Bugster Virus, the Bugster Virus Origin and as the one who activated the Game Disease on him, when Emu's resolve is strengthened by any means (in this case, Parado harming his friends), he can make the Bugster Virus inside him his own by forcibly stopping the Game Disease Parado has started on him.
 * Gashat Creation: As Patient Zero of the Bugster Virus, the progenitor of all the Rider Gashats and Bugsters as stated by Hiiro, he can use the Bugster Virus in him in conjunction with certain blank Gashats to create new, stronger forms for himself. This causes the Bugster Virus in him to evolve and become even stronger, which made Emu as Ex-Aid become stronger in return. Emu demonstrated this ability twice so far in the series with the creation of Mighty Brothers XX and Maximum Mighty X. He can also modify Gashats to a degree, displayed when he used his Bugster Virus to modify the Proto Bakusou Bike Gashat into the Combi Fukkatsu version.
 * Dual Personalities: Due to the Bugster Virus in Emu's DNA, he has two different personalities, which can be separated when using Mighty Brothers XX. This became dormant after Emu reprogrammed Parado, but was reawakened after re-injecting Parado into his body.
 * Parado Respawning: A side effect of this trait, ever since Parado became the Double Action Gamer Level XX R. If Parado's physical existence is terminated while not letting him dissolve into data and absorbing his core, Emu can simply absorb his remnant data to cultivate and respawn him again.
 * Increased Physical Strength: In at least one occasion, the spontaneous activation of Emu's Bugster infection allows him to exert great physical strength without transforming.
 * Pause Bypass: The same infection is also used to single-handedly destroy Cronus' Buggle Driver II with a single punch whilst time was paused, thereby cancelling the ability, and lowering Cronus's power such that he could be taken down by 4 Level 2 riders.

Weaknesses

 * Parado: Since Parado is the Bugster created from Emu, like most Bugsters, Parado can possess Emu and take over his consciousness with no effort. However, Parado can't possess Emu when he transforms into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level XX (as they split into Level XX L and R), or when Parado is inside a Game Area created from a Level 0 Gashat (Proto Mighty Action X Origin). At the same time, since gaining Hyper Muteki, Emu, as Ex-Aid, is literally invincible against any form of attack. However, since Muteki Gamer is accessible due to the fact that Emu is inflicted with Game Disease that enables him to manifest Genius Gamer M through the existence of Parado, if Parado is defeated, it frees Emu from his Game Disease, and his ability to transform into Ex-Aid and to Muteki Gamer will be all gone.
 * Soft-Heartedness: Due to Emu having an idealistic attitude towards being a doctor, he often lets his emotions take control of his body, rendering him unable to carry out what he/his comrades originally planned to fulfil. This is especially evident in his fight against Hiiro, as Hiiro managed to easily defeat Emu even though the level gap was so wide.

Devices

 * Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
 * Gamer Driver - Transformation device.
 * Rider Gashat - Transformation trinkets.
 * Kimewaza Slot Holder - Carrier strap for the Rider Gashats.
 * Robot Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 3 support robot summoned by the Gekitotsu Robots Gashat.
 * Burger Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 4 support robot summoned by the Ju Ju Burger Gashat.
 * Hunter Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 5 support robot summoned by the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat.
 * Maximum Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 99 support robot/armor summoned by the Maximum Mighty X Gashat.
 * Pac Gamer - Ex-Aid's support robot summoned by the Pac Adventure Gashat.
 * Game Scope -
 * Akarider
 * Typhoon - Transformation device.

Weapons

 * Gashacon Breaker - Standard sidearm weapon, can be a hammer or a sword.
 * Gashacon Sword - Brave's primary blade weapon that Ex-Aid borrows.
 * Gekitotsu Smasher - Robot Action Gamer Level 3's personal weapon.
 * Trick Flywheels - Sports Action Gamer Level 3's personal weapons.
 * Dragon Fang - Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 (Dragon Fang/Full Dragon)'s personal weapon.
 * Dragon Blade and Dragon Gun - Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon's personal weapon.
 * Gashacon Key Slasher - Double Action Gamer Level X(X), Maximum Gamer Level 99 and Muteki Gamer's personal weapon.
 * Daidaimaru - Gaim Gamer's personal weapon.
 * Handle-Ken - Drive Gamer's personal weapon.
 * stick pair - Accessed via the Taiko no Tatsujin Gashat.
 * Front/Rear Armed Unit - Bike Gamer Level 1's personal weapon; temporarily used by Bike Action Gamer Level 0 via the Proto Bakusou Bike Gashat (Combi Revival ver.)

Vehicles

 * Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2/Bike Gamer - Lazer's Rider Machine Mode that Ex-Aid can use to ride. Until his death, shortly after a dying Lazer gave Ex-Aid his Gamer Driver and Bakusou Bike Gashat for Ex-Aid's use as his personal Rider Machine.
 * Sports Gamer - Secondary Level 3 support robot/Rider Machine summoned by the Shakariki Sports Gashat. Formerly belonged to Kamen Rider Genm.

Relationships

 * Seito University Hospital CR
 * Asuna Karino/Poppy Pippopapo: Asuna is a close ally for Emu and mostly acts as his main assistant nurse. Initially, He still called Asuna by that name even when it was Poppy. But after saving her from the brainwashing of Ren and Parado, he began to always call her by her real name: Poppy (Considering how he called her at first, that shows that their relationship has become much larger over time). When Ren Amagasaki (Lovelica Bugster) brainwashed her (And later Parado revealed that her Memory was erased), Emu was the most worried. He was the only one who still had faith in saving her, noticing her smile when Taiga and Nico reconciled. When Hiiro, Taiga and Nico attacked her in their attempt to complete Kamen Rider Chronicle, Emu was the one who stopped them, shouting that she was not their enemy. Until she told him she did not want to hurt anyone, that she wanted to get along with everyone, Emu replied "Let's play together", making her smile, achieving the "Game Clear", saving her. She hugged him and thanked him, hinting that Poppy might have romantic feelings for him. Furthermore, she was the first to worry when Parado seized his body and became determined to return Emu's smile at all cost.
 * Hiiro Kagami: Emu and Hiiro develop a rivalry relationship as both have polar opposite ways on taking care of patients. Hiiro also becomes the second reason why Emu decided to not quit fighting as Ex-Aid. Hiiro in return sees Emu with animosity and sees his presence as an Intern and a No Thank You. However, Emu indirectly helped Hiiro to regain his confidence in his skill as Genius surgeon, while Hiiro also acts as a senior to Emu, once helping him to escape from Genm Zombie Gamer Level X's Critical Dead (but he still takes Emu's Gashats away as punishment). Emu also appears to have gained some respect for Hiiro when he agreed to help perform cancer surgery on a patient while he was curing the same patient's game disease. In return for being reminded of Saki's final wish after Kuroto's death at the hands of Parado, Hiiro gives a warmful lecture that losing someone and failure are also part of doctors' life to move on. When Hiiro began to work Masamune Dan, Emu disheartened by his decision and couldn't fight him seriously. But, because it's revealed that it was Hiiro's chance to bring Saki back, he began to feel more sympathetic towards him. He then decided not hold back on him, regardless.
 * Haima Kagami: Haima is a senior for Emu. Although Emu respects him, Haima initially acts tough towards him, although this is only a coy.
 * Taiga Hanaya: Emu and Taiga also developed a rivalry. However, Taiga is the only doctor that Emu won't get close into unless they encounter the same problem. Taiga also seems to despise Emu, although he does call him by his title, Genius Gamer. Taiga is one of the first to discover that Emu has game disease. After Kamen Rider Chronicle had started, although still keeping an arrogant persona, Taiga shows some level of respect for him.
 * Kiriya Kujo: Emu was initially reluctant to get close to Kiriya. But ironically, Emu is the only one who believes Kiriya despite the many lies he'd given to him, which was for Emu's own benefit. Emu eventually felt that he got to understand Kiriya, but due to his death, Emu became enraged towards Kuroto. Even when Parado kills Kuroto, which indirectly helped Emu to avenge Kiriya's death, Emu still feels that avenging the fallen victims by killing the true suspect doesn't seem right. Their partnership also shown to be the best, shown when Kiriya was ressurected as a Bugster, the two began to be at odds with each other, due to their stand on opposing sides. When there was a chance, Kiriya whispered Emu "to lie" which Emu understood and they managed to pull act, succeeding in defeating Cronus for the first time with Muteki Gashat.
 * Genm Corp.
 * Kuroto Dan: When Emu was a child, he was a fan of the games that Kuroto had developed. Even as Emu joined CR later as an adult, he still had great trust in Kuroto, unaware that Kuroto was his nemesis Genm, right until Kuroto reveals his true motives of collecting data to complete the ultimate game. Emu's hostility towards Kuroto later deepens once he learns that Kuroto had killed Kiriya. However, even after all the sins that Kuroto has committed, Emu feels that killing Kuroto would not seem right as he would rather have Kuroto live to repay for the evil deeds he has done. This is especially shown when Emu decides to take Kuroto into CR when Kuroto was infected with the Bugster virus, even when Kuroto was already apprehended by the Ministry of Health. After seeing Kuroto suffer his tragic Game Over, Emu would later cry for Kuroto while alone. Eventually he no longer has remorse towards Kuroto anymore when both meet again in Kuroto's impossible game world for his resurrection to continue his ambition, just as Parado warned Emu before, whether dead or alive, Kuroto has always been a complete monster whom never knows when to quit his evil ambition towards humans and Bugsters alike. When Kuroto is later revived, though Emu does not forgive him, he gives Kuroto the chance to make up for his sins. Because of his cooperation with CR in defeating Kamen Rider Chronicle, Emu began to slowly trust him again.
 * Graphite: Emu has been seen as Graphite's number one nemesis as Emu is the only Kamen Rider who is able to take care of most Bugsters easily. Especially, when Graphite infects his idol, Kyotaro Hinata. Ultimately, Emu destroyed Graphite with the help of his fellow Doctor Riders.
 * Parado: Parado took an interest in Emu. He at first mocked Emu that life is like a game and once humans die, it's game over for them (they can't come back). However, upon seeing Emu's determination to save lives, Parado gives him a blank Gashat, wanting to observe his fate. After Emu created the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, Parado said that Emu is really exciting. Parado starts insisting on fighting with Emu after Kamen Rider Chronicle had started, but Emu ignored him since he was more focused on saving people. Having become fed up with Emu's Hippocratic Oath preventing their fight, Parado reveals that he's actually Emu's 'M' Personality and also his manifested Bugster all along. Regardless of the connection between each other, Emu hates Parado because of how he is willing to take lives, Bugster and humans alike. When suggesting they should team up, he would always refuse. Emu however depends on Parado's continued existence because as long as Parado remains alive, Emu retains his ability to transform into Ex-aid and utilise Hyper Muteki. After their final confrontation, that leads to Parado's supposed death, Emu made him understand the value of losing a life which leads to begging forgiveness to the former for all the lives he took, Emu struggling to forgive him have finally accepted Parado as a part of himself. Each others made the promise to fight together for protecting lives, but at the same occasion Emu swore to Parado, that they will make up for his sins together. After their reconcilliation,it is shown that when they fight together against Cronus, Poppy notes that their "Hearts are connected", which proves to be correct to the way that both have a genuine care for the other's safety.
 * Masamune Dan: Emu and Masamune have met each other through unknown means since 2000 and during Emu's special surgery led by Kyotaro when Emu was a patient zero. Once Emu learned that Masamune was framed by Kuroto for a Zero Day back in 2011, Kiriya's death, and Kuroto spills Emu's secret being a patient zero, Emu wants to know more from Masamune and promises to put Kuroto in custody. While avenging Masamune's reputation, Emu failed to arrest Kuroto when Parado kills him. Following Kuroto's revival as Bugster, he now has to work alongside him to limit the continuing damage of both Parado's actions and Kamen Rider Chronicle's infections to further protect Masamune's reputation. However, it was revealed that Masamune was orchestrating events to eventually become Kamen Rider Cronus, revealing his true, villainous personality. Masamune is also the 'other' Patient Zero of the Bugster virus, thus allowing Masamune to use Gashats to transform. Emu is willing to stop Chronicle at all costs, even going to talk Masamune out of it. After that failed, he is willing to stop Cronus by force.
 * Ministry of Health
 * Kyotaro Hinata : Emu highly respects Kyotaro, to the point of debt-like respect because Kyotaro was the one who saved his life 16 years ago. In return, Kyotaro helps Emu by giving him some advice regarding his Doctor idealism.
 * Others:
 * Takeru Tenkuji: Due to his similar Rider Form, Emu was falsely marked as an enemy due to Genm's attack on Makoto and Alain. This was resolved and they bonded quickly, as they share the same philosophy of protecting all life. During Movie War, they even show how far they will go to protect each other.
 * Shinnosuke Tomari: First met in Movie War, they share a bond to be the best Rider they can be to protect the world.
 * Haruto Soma: First met in Movie War, Haruto almost mistaken as an enemy when he joined the Next Genome Institute. But Haruto explained that he only did so to attack them when they lowered their guard. He also shared a bond to be the best Rider he can be to protect the world.
 * Kouta Kazuraba: First met in Movie War, they share bond to be the best Rider they can be to protect the world.
 * Team Ex-Aid: The team made in Chou Super Hero Taisen. Emu with his team also later become a temporary super sentai, Kamen Sentai Gorider and the leader.
 * Kaito Kumon:
 * Kaoru Kino:
 * Yoko Minato:
 * Kazuma Kenzaki:

Portrayal

 * Emu Hojo is portrayed by Hiroki Iijima (飯島 寛騎). As a child, Emu is portrayed by Rai Takahashi (髙橋 來). As Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, his suit actor is Satoshi Fujita (藤田 慧) in Level 1 & X, Seiji Takaiwa (高岩 成二) in Level 2, 3, 5 & XX R, and Jun Watanabe (渡辺 淳) in Level XX L. His sub for Level XX L is Takuma Komori (小森 拓真). When Level XX R is possessed by Parado, he is voiced by Shouma Kai (甲斐 翔真).

Rider No.
As the leading rider protagonist of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Ex-Aid is labelled Kamen Rider #33 (仮面ライダー33号) and Heisei Rider #18 (平成ライダー18号).

Etymology

 * Emu's last name, Hojo, is a pun on the Japanese word for "assistance" (補助), reflecting his job as a doctor. His first name may possibly be derived from the word "emulator", the meaning of which is made clear when the connection between him and Parado is revealed, as Emu serves as the "emulator" for Parado through the Genius Gamer M personality.