Kouta Kazuraba

"This is my stage now!"

- Gaim's pre-battle quotes

"This power exists to protect those who can't fight!"

- Kouta's unwavering resolve to stop Demushu

Kouta Kazuraba (葛葉 紘汰), also written 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
"Looking back on it, that was when the gears were just starting to turn. But, we didn't realize anything at all. We didn't know that our fates were already written in stone. We just wanted the power to reach our dreams. We thought that help shape us. That's what we all believed. In the endless war that was yet to come. We would discover that for ourselves."

- Kouta looking back his actions and looking back at all of his friends and rivals

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 later appears in the World within the Magic Stone. Summoned by Haruto and assuming 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 via a Crack into 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.

During the Hyper Battle Video, Kouta's Lockseeds become rusted. Going through a great effort to revitalize the Lockseeds with Kaito and Mai, his Orange lockseed eventually become sparkling. Kouta uses the Fresh Orange Arms against Ryugen Pine Arms - defeating him with a Fresh Orange Squash (Rider Kick). He also defeats Baron Kiwi Arms with a Fresh Orange Au Lait (Rider Slash) and even manages to gain the upperhand against Zangetsu Mango Arms, defeating the unrivaled White Armored Rider with a Fresh Orange Sparking (Rider Slash), shocking the latter and marks the first time Kouta defeats Takatora. In the aftermath, he reveals that his Pine Lockseed also turned fresh.

Eventually, Kouta and Mitsuzane set up a new Inves Game 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
"What good is a future bought with the lives of that many innocent people? Don't be stupid! You can't bring hope in exchange for that kind of sacrifice! You'll just bring them despair instead!"

- Kouta clashes ideals with Takatora

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 discovers that he gained the Sengoku Driver by killing a human-turned Inves, Yuya Sumii.

Helheim Saga
"I...I've been fighting because I couldn't live with what Yggdrasill was doing. But I did exactly the same thing. I claimed I was protecting people, but I had to sacrifice others to do it. Then what am I fighting for? Just to decide who would be saved and who would have to go? Can you call that protecting at all?"

- Kouta's conversation with DJ Sagara who reveals himself in Kouta's time of need

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.

Later he is forced to reveal what he has been hiding from Mai, thinking he no longer has the right to be near Team Gaim and his friends. However to his shock, Mai comforts Kouta, telling him that he doesn't need to keep the burden to himself and that she's there for him. Gaining a job at Drupers, Mai does his shifts for him as the two start to spend more time with each other. In one of these times spent together, the two find a robot by the name of Jiro. Kouta lets Jiro stay at his apartment showing Jiro that they need to protect people. However, Jiro is overwhelmed by two conflicting processes and wishes to protect those he cares about and wants to regain his lost memories. Kouta reboots Jiro, allowing Jiro to regain his lost memories and become Kikaider, and the two gang up against Hakaider (Ryoma). In the aftermath, Kouta bids his farewell to Jiro, the latter unable to recognize Kouta, which saddens him.

Over Lord Saga
"Right now, I need more power! Kaito...and the rest are still fighting. I can't just leave everything to them! Whether it's enough or not...can't be known. Right now...all I can do...is think about what I can do, right now!"

- Kouta's explanation to DJ Sagara while struggling to obtain Kiwami Lockseed

Aware of the Over Lord's existence, Kouta seeks out to find them, only to realize that they have become disillusioned after centuries of boredom. As the Over Lords view the human race as apes, Kouta struggles to gain their attention to stop the invasion of the forest. However, Kouta's journey to gain the Over Lord's support runs dry as he stops the fight between Demushu and Baron. Kouta teams up with Oren as the two aid Yggdrasill from Demushu's rampage, and Kouta's unwavering resolve allows Takatora to realize that the Over Lords are the key to saving humanity rather than culling humanity through Project Ark.

During one of his shifts at Drupers, Kouta is 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 goes all out having the determination to end him. However, the battle becomes chaotic as Baron, Demushu, and Sigurd enter the battle field, causing a free-for-all battle royale to ensue between the five. Gaim and Baron follow Demushu back to Zawame City, overpowered by Demushu once he stops holding back. Kouta, exhausted from using the Jimber Lemon Arms and injuries from the long fight, resolves to end Demushu's rampage, realizing that those with the mind set of Demushu is why the Over Lord's civilization is in ruins. Using Kachidoki Arms, Gaim, although weakened, is able to put up more than a match for Demushu. However, before he can fully initiate the Kachidoki Charge from his DJ Gun, he is pierced in the leg by Marika shortly before Kurokage Trooper Ground Units attack while Kurokage Troopers with the Dandeliner Lock Vehicles bomb him from above. In amidst of all this commotion, Gaim falls before Demushu who takes advantage of the situation, critically injuring him to the point where his clothes are torn and his face is bloodied. With the help of Kaito, Kouta makes his way back to Team Gaim's garage where he listens to Kaito's reasoning for wanting to be strong before Kouta collapses due to heavy injuries and exhaustion.

It is during his short convalescence that DJ Sagara makes himself known, again, preparing to give Kouta the means to become stronger with the key-like Lockseed created from the Forbidden Fruit. However, even though he heals Kouta's wounds with his abilities, he still tests Kouta to see if he really wants the power. Kouta struggles to surpass Sagara's otherworldly abilities and obtains the new Lockseed, the Kiwami Lockseed, and thus joining Baron, Knuckle, Marika, Bravo and Gridon in fighting an Enchanted Form Demushu. Kouta transforms into Kiwami Arms in battling Demushu overpowering him with ease and destroys Demushu.

After all Riders meet and discuss combating the Inves Invasion, he rendezvouses with Yoko, ending up with the two having a conversation. Telling Kouta about how she likes power-driven people, she asks Kouta what does he intend to do with the power he has obtained. Kouta responds by saying that he wants to protect everyone, but Yoko reiterates by asking what would become of him and that power once everyone is safe. Kouta, unable to answer that question while also discussing about the Fruit of Knowledge is then refuted by Yoko that he cannot best Kaito. They are then attacked by Dyudyuonshu and Mitsuzane, under the guise of Zangetsu Shin. Kouta faces off against the Over Lord and Zangetsu Shin. During the battle, Oren arrives to assist Kouta and discovers that the Zangetsu Shin they are fighting now is an imposter because he lacks the elegant fighting style that Takatora had. Kouta manages to overpower both the Over Lord and imposter Zangetsu Shin, using an Ichigo Charge with the DJ Gun against the two. However, the imposter Zangetsu Shin slashes Dyudyuonshu and uses his death as a cover for him to escape.

Back in Team Gaim's garage, Kouta wonders how Oren knows the recent Zangetsu Shin is an impostor due to his unelegant fighting ability, it is soon interrupted by an appearance of Mitsuzane, whom other Armored Rider alliances, except for Yoko and Kaito who know his plotting behind their backs, are happy to see him again. Kouta and Kaito goes to Drupers to discuss about a Forbidden Fruit and DJ Sagara. They are watching Redyue's announcement about kidnapping people for a sacrifice, causing Zack, Kaito and Kouta to get fed up with the Over Lord's announcement speech. His sister arrived and needs help to get to the survivors' place his sister was hiding. When Akira ended up caught by one of Grinsha's army, she tells Kouta to save the kid whom Akira rescued first, resulting in him losing his sister. Though he and Baron defeat Grinsha, the Over Lord is saved by Redyue. Learning that the other countries' government have activated missiles in addition to the Over Lords' plan to turn the world into something like Helheim. They are soon saved by Rosyuo's power to which Redyue boasts to them on how powerful the King is in addition to what kind of power is granted from possessing the Fruit of Knowledge.

Annoyed at the fact that the Over Lords actions prompted other countries to bomb Zawame, Kouta, Yoko, and Kaito plan to save those that were kidnapped by the Inves. However, Baron and Marika stop him from going straight into Yggdrasill as the place is guarded by Inves and Redyue. Kouta eventually runs into Mitsuzane at Drupers, prompting Mitsuzane to talk to him about the concept of hope. In a fit of rage, Mitsuzane reveals that he looked up to Kouta as a role model and believed that his unwavering will was why he deserved Mai. However, Mitsuzane kicks Kouta in the face declaring that his notion of hope is nothing more than sweet optimism and naïve, telling Kouta that Kouta is plaguing all the friends Mitsuzane cares about and taking them away from him one by one. Mitsuzane reveals that he is the imposter Zangetsu Shin, hellbent in killing Kouta. Kouta calls out Mitsuzane's name and transforms into Orange Arms. However, he is defeated, before the sudden appearance of Takatora, who Kouta thought was dead (according to Mitsuzane). He finds out that Takatora is Mitzuzane's older brother. Kaito appears, and is cut by Redyue. Kouta tries to help him out, before going back to the garage.

Kamen Rider Gaim the Movie: The Great Soccer Match! The Golden Fruit Cup!
Kouta is brought into another world where Yuya, Hase, and Sid are still alive. His fight against the Inves' invasion has long passed, but the new world he is faced with is that of a soccer Sengoku Era. He is recruited by Lapis to defeat Armored Rider Mars, but is defeated and brainwashed into Gaim Yami and is used to defeat the Soccer World's Armored Riders until he is freed.

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 Over Lords.

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 appears in the game with his Standard Arms, Jimber (Lemon) Arms, and Kachidoki Arms. Kiwami Arms has been released as a seperate DLC character. Gaku Sano voices 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.

Even after recovering from this breakdown, Kouta's naïve concerns of protecting others allows him to become a wild card in DJ Sagara's plans as Kouta himself has no ulterior motive compared to his fellow Armored Riders and New Generation Riders. Despite this unwavering resolve, Yoko asks Kouta what will become of him after he protects everyone to which he has no real way of responding to that.

Despite Kouta wanting to protect people and stop unnecessary bloodshed, Kouta himself 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 Over Lords along with the opportunity to kill 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 Demushu and Baron and later the fight between Zangetsu Shin (Mitsuzane) and Lemon Energy Arms Baron (Kaito).

During battle, he would announce, "This is my stage now!" (ここからは俺のステージだ！)

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 Joint - Essential to access Kiwami Arms
 * Lockseeds - Gives access to Gaim's Arms changes, depending on which lock is used

Weapons

 * Musou Saber - Gaim's side weapon in every single one of his forms
 * Arms Weapons - Weapons that come with the Arms, besides the Musou Saber:
 * Daidaimaru - Gaim Orange Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Pine Iron - Gaim Pine Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Ichigo Kunai - Gaim Ichigo Arms' personal weapons and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Suika Sojinto - Gaim Suika Arms' personal weapon in Yoroi Mode and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Banaspear - Gaim Banana Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Donkachi - Gaim Donguri Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Duri Noko - Gaim Durian Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Sonic Arrow - Gaim Jimber Arms' personal weapon and one of Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * 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
 * Kagematsu - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Kagematsu (Upgraded ver.) - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * Kurumi Bombers - One of Gaim Kiwami Arms' personal weapons
 * WizarSwordGun - Gaim Wizard Arms' personal weapon

Vehicles

 * Lock Vehicles - Vehicles that unfold from special Lockseeds:
 * Sakura Hurricane - Gaim's main Rider Machine
 * Dandeliner - Gaim's second Rider Machine. Loses it during the the battle against Bujin Gaim, but later receives another one from DJ Sagara.
 * Tulip Hopper - Gaim's third Rider Machine

List of Appearances

 * Kamen Rider Gaim
 * 1-
 * 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
 * Kamen Rider Gaim the Movie: The Great Soccer Match! The Golden Fruit Cup!
 * Kamen Rider Gaim Hyper Battle DVD: Fresh Orange Arms is Born!

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).

Rider No.
As the leading Rider protagonist of Kamen Rider Gaim, Kouta Kazuraba (Kamen Rider Gaim) is labeled Kamen Rider #30 (仮面ライダー30号) and Heisei Rider #15 (平成ライダー15号).

Legend Rider Lockseeds

 * The following Legend Rider Lockseeds are styled for Gaim, as well as Kurokage:
 * 1 - "Waza no Ichigō, Let's go!"
 * 2 - "Chikara no Nigō, Let's go!"
 * Riderman - "Kagakusha Met On!"
 * ZX - "Jūgō Cyborg Ninja!
 * Black - "Seiki Oh Black Sun!"
 * Shin - "Kaizou Heishi Level 3!"
 * J - "Shingeki Jumbo Formation!"
 * Shocker - "Jigoku no gundan on Parade! Eeeee!"
 * Kabuto - "Ten no Michi My Way!"
 * Den-O - "Iza Climax!"
 * Den-O Climax Form - "Denkamori Climax!"
 * Decade - "Hakaisha on the Road!"
 * Fourze - "Seishun Switch On!" (Despite being canonically used by Zangetsu)
 * Wizard - "Shabadoobi Showtime!"
 * Wizard Infinity Style - "Kira Kira Infinity!"
 * Gaim - "Fruits Yoroi Musha on Parade!"