Hiiro Kagami

Hiiro Kagami (鏡 飛彩) is Kamen Rider Brave (仮面ライダーブレイブ), the secondary Rider of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. He is a surgeon of Seito University Hospital, considered by many to be a genius in his profession, and is the son of Haima Kagami.

Past
Five years ago, Hiiro was a student at a prestigious doctor university. He had a girlfriend named Saki who deeply cared for him, going so far as to leave him so that he could prioritize his studies. When Zero Day occured, Saki became infected by the Bugster virus and created Graphite, a Bugster so powerful that not even Taiga Hanaya (as Proto Snipe) was able to defeat him. After Saki asked Hiiro to become the best doctor in the world, she vanished from the world.. Since then, Hiiro holds a grudge against Taiga Hanaya and Graphite as well.

Present
Hiiro was working for a prestigious hospital in the United States before being called back by his father to handle the Bugster outbreak. Given the Gamer Driver and the Taddle Quest Gashat, he had just arrived in Japan when a second candidate, pediatrics intern Emu Hojo, had been chosen to join the CR as Kamen Rider Ex-Aid.

Debut as Brave
"Commencing surgery to eliminate the Bugster. Proceeding with Level 1. Separate the Bugster from the patient."

- Brave's phrase after he transforms to Level 1 for the first time.

Hiiro appeared in CR after Emu receives his special Stethoscope. He wasted no time in alienating and belittling Emu, responding to the latter's presence with "No thank you". He arrived with two of his nurses to the location of Rensuke Natori, the next Bugster patient. Transforming into Brave Quest Gamer Level 1, he extracted the Aranbura Bugster from Rensuke. However, before he could continue as Quest Gamer Level 2, Brave and Ex-Aid were attacked by a black Ex-Aid, allowing the Bugster to escape.

Frustrated about being interrupted, he asked Asuna to alert him when the Bugster reappeared. He proceeded to eat cake, seeing that as more important than helping the patient, infuriating Emu. Hiiro found Emu later when Aranbura had taken Rensuke's fiancé Asami hostage. Ignoring Emu's warnings (and calling him a failure of a doctor for letting the well-being of his patient get in the way of fighting the Bugster), Hiiro transformed into Brave Quest Gamer Level 2, and attacked Aranbura using a sword generated in the game map, which later turned into the Gashacon Sword. Brave and Ex-Aid fought the Bugster together, although Brave was the one to deliver the final blow on Aranbura using Taddle Critical Finish (Ex-Aid attempted to finish the Bugster using Mighty Critical Finish).

Nevertheless, the incident would push Emu to stay in the CR, not trusting Hiiro with patients due to his apathetic nature.

The Return of a Nemesis
Hiiro was disgusted to learn that Taiga Hanaya had gotten a Gamer Driver and Bang Bang Shooting Gashat, becoming Kamen Rider Snipe. Finding Snipe and Ex-Aid fighting the Revol Bugster, he transformed into Brave and attacked Snipe in order to take the latter's Gashat & Gamer Driver. The two fought briefly before Ex-Aid reminded them of the bigger priority. However, Revol was able to lower Ex-Aid and Brave's health meters to critical levels. Brave decide to cancel his transformation, deeming it too risky to fight. However, Ex-Aid bravely fought Revol & defeat him (Which actually turned to be a clone) using Mighty Critical Finish. Snipe finished off the real Revol using Bang Bang Critical Finish. After Taiga confiscated Emu's Gashat, Hiiro said that Emu reaped what he had sowed and that that was the consequences if he operates with high risk. Much to his confusion, Emu seemed unbothered, as Yuki had been saved.

Lazer Makes His Appearance
Hiiro and Poppy confronted Kuroto when the latter went to CR to apologize for underestimating Taiga. Hiiro requested one of each kind of Gashat. His request was denied, as only one of each Gashat existed, but he was assured that more Gashats would be ready in a few days. The conversation was interrupted by Emu, who requested Hiiro's help in helping Yoshitaka Nishiwaki, the newest Bugster victim. Hiiro learned of the fourth Rider, coroner Kiriya Kujo, Kamen Rider Lazer. Hiiro observed Lazer and Snipe take on the Bugster after it emerged from Nishiwaki, but joined the fight after the Motors Bugster was separated, primarily to keep Snipe from finishing it off. His duel with Snipe was interrupted by the black Ex-Aid. Both riders were brought to their knees by the black Ex-Aid, only for the intruder to disappear without a trace. Weakened by the ambush, Hiiro could only watch in frustration as Taiga walked away.

Frustrated over having been defeated by Genm twice, Hiiro would confront Dan alone as he visited CR, demanding that he give him a VR simulation. Dan explained to Hiiro that Genm used the Proto Mighty Action X Gashat, stolen on Zero Day, which essentially had the same parameters as Ex-Aid. Knowing this, Hiiro became more flustered and demanded that Dan simulate him right now to which he complied Dan. Simulating the Quest Gamer, Hiiro faced Genm as opposed to a Bugster Virus. Instructed by Dan, Hiiro transformed into Kamen Rider Brave Quest Gamer from Level 1 to Level 2 before activating his Taddle Critical Strike finisher using the Kimewaza Slot Holder. Though clearing the simulation, Hiiro was not satisfied since he knew that the real Genm was not that weak. To evade further questions, Dan decides to leave for checking the new Gashats. When Hiiro checks the screen, it shows that Dan had set the difficulty level to Easy, which confuses Hiiro.

Encountering Graphite for the First Time
Sometime later, Kuroto contacted Hiiro and Poppy to inform them that the four new Gashats were stolen, sending them security footage of what seemed to be a man breaking into Genm Corp. Within seconds of this announcement, Emu called Poppy about another gaming disease patient. Upon arrival, Hiiro and Asuna recognized the "victim" as the man from the security fotoage. Hiiro demanded the Gashats from the patient in exchange for his help, leading to an argument with Emu and eventually the thief escaping the premises.

While Hiiro and Emu lost the thief, they were quickly confronted by a Collabos Bugster. Much to their shock, not only was the Bugster separate from its host, but it had been installed with the Gekitotsu Robots Gashat. Emu and Hiiro transformed to Ex-Aid and Brave, only to be overwhelmed by the Bugster's sheer strength. To make matters worse, the fight was interrupted by the black Ex-Aid, who brought the other Riders to their knees before escaping with the Bugster. The only form of clarity was from the sudden appearance of Kiriya, who claimed that he had seen the black Ex-Aid's true identity: the Gashat thief. Kuroto arrived in CR sometime later to discuss the game plan. Hiiro lost his temper with Emu after the latter pleaded to try and help the thief. Reminding Emu that they were dealing with a criminal, he reprimanded Emu for getting involved with his patients, citing Taiga taking the Migthy Action X Gashat as an example. He claims that he's sick with Emu idealism, which the latter claims that Hiiro isn't a real doctor before fleeing away.

Hiiro later appeared at Robots Collabos location along with Emu and Asuna. Taiga, Kiriya and Genm Sports Action Gamer Level 3 also appeared not too long after. Hiiro, Taiga and Kiriya trasnformed into Brave Quest Gamer Level 2, Snipe Shooting Gamer Level 2 and Lazer Bike Gamer Level 1 to fight Genm and Collabos. However, Genm and Collabos manage to defeat them easily with the help of the thief, which latter shown to be Graphite all along. Hiiro cancel his transformation, stating that this battle is too risky to handle. Hiiro later witness Emu, defeating Robots Collabos and Genm using Mighty Critical Finish and Gekitotsu Critical Strike respectively.

Become Beat Quest Gamer Level 3, Second confrontation with Graphite
Hiiro appears in front of Kiyosora College of Music, muttering Graphite's name and thinking about Taiga's reaction against Graphite before noticing Emu and Asuna, who were attempting to find a patient. He later appeared when the patient showing symptoms of Game disease. Hiiro suggests to let the disease take over first so that they can operate her easily. After the patient turned into Bugster Union, Hiiro transformed into Brave Quest Gamer Level 1 and quickly extract the girl from the bugster, which is later shown to be Beat Collabos. However, Graphite suddenly appeared and claims that he's infect the girl with two game viruses (Gekitotsu Robots and DoReMiFa Beat). This prompts Emu to join the battle as Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 1. He and Ex-Aid then confront Beat Collabos. The Bugster then attack Ex-Aid and Brave in similar manner as Rhythm game. Although Ex-Aid manage to get a Perfect, Brave get a Miss and damaged. Graphite soon transformed too and join the fray, although soon interrupted as Taiga appeared, already transformed into Snipe Shooting Gamer Level 2. Ex-Aid then directly transformed into Robot Action Gamer Level 3 and Brave transformed into Quest Gamer Level 2. Graphite attack the trio using Gekidoryuga, heavily damaged Brave and Snipe despite their attempt to counter it. Their lives somehow saved by Genm Sports Action Gamer Level 3, ordering Graphite to retreat.

After the Battle, Hiiro confronts Taiga. He ask if Graphite was the one Taiga failed to kill 5 years ago. Taiga states that it's not Hiiro's own business anyway. This frustrates Hiiro as he chases Taiga and demands the answer. Taiga mockingly said that he's been forgetting things lately. Hiiro then tries to punch Taiga, but Taiga easily blocks it using his right hand. Hiiro states that he could have saved a girl called Saki back then. Their fight was stopped by Emu, and Taiga challenged Hiiro to defeat Graphite if he can and reveals that Graphite is indeed the one who kill Saki before leaving. Hiiro then clenched his fist in rage.

Hiiro later appears at Beat Collabos location. This time, however, he aims for Graphite [who was at scene as well]. While Emu transformed into Ex-Aid Robot Action Gamer Level 3 fight the Beat Collabos and Bugster minions, Hiiro transformed into Brave Quest Gamer Level 2 and attacked Graphite, but was easily defeated. Graphite provoked Brave by claiming that Saki had already given up on him, causing him to snap. Brave cast his Gashacon Sword away and attacked Graphite again, but was once again easily defeated. Just before Graphite could finish Brave by using Gekidoryuga, Ex-Aid saved him by taking the hit directly, cancelling Emu's transformation. Emu pleaded to Brave that Saki kept her Buster virus a secret since she didn't want to bother his studying. Reminiscing Saki's last words, Brave realizes that Emu was telling the truth. This ignites Brave's spirit as he becomes determined to finish Graphite off.

Brave uses Stage Select to enter a forest-like environment, and using Taddle Critical Finish (Ice ver.), Brave manages to defeat Beat Collabos, acquiring the DoReMiFa Beat Gashat. Using the newly acquired Gashat, he transforms into Beat Quest Gamer Level 3 and uses rhythm-based attacks to fend Graphite off. Using DoReMiFa Critical Finish, Brave quickly manages to defeat Graphite; however, Graphite manages to flee, cursing Hiiro in the process.

Second confrontation with Genm
Hiiro was seen along with Haima at CR. After scolding his dad because he talked too much, Hiiro decide to operate the patient. He quickly notices Emu and order him to stand aside, which the latter refuse as he can't let Hiiro to do things his way. Nevertheless, they transformed into Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 1 and Brave Quest Gamer Level 1 respectively, and also successfully extract the bugsters (Chambara & Combat Collabos) from the patient. However, sudden intervention from Genm Sports Action Gamer Level 3 allow the bugsters to successfully flee, even after Ex-Aid and Brave transformed into their Level 3 forms.

Back at CR, Kiriya appeared in CR after Haima carelessly drop his folder in front of the CR Door. However, all of them (Except Haima since the latter is still obvious about Kiriya) starts to not believe him. Hiiro ask why did Kiriya lie to them by saying that Genm is Graphite. The latter said that it's to protect them from Harsh Truth. Unfortunately for Kiriya, they all goes to their own business. Hiiro then ask his dad to do some research regarding of Kiriya past.

Hiiro later appeared again at Chambara Collabos location, warned Emu to not trust Kiriya before transforming into Brave Quest Gamer Level 2. However, Genm Action Gamer Level 2 appeared and fight with Brave. He later saw that Genm is Parad. He warned Emu that Kiriya is a complete liar, there is no truth in his words before he left.

The Rematch with Taiga
At night, Haima said to Hiiro that Taiga had abduct the Bugster that infects Yoshio. Hiiro coldly scorns that Taiga had lost all his morals, ever since Taiga failed to save Saki back on Zero Day, and that her death means nothing to him. Hiiro decided to accept Taiga's challenge and swore to claim Taiga's Gashat and Gamer Driver, ignoring his father's warnings.

The Dr. Pac-Man Incident
With his fellow doctors and Kamen Rider Ghost's allies, Brave fought the Next Genome Institute.

Assuming the Famista Gamer
"It's game, set for you."

- Brave's proclamation in Famista Quest Gamer Level 3 before a finisher

Hiiro along with Taiga confronts the revived "Dr. Pac-Man" who had taken Emu away from Genm, both vowing to defeat him again. When the three doctors are met by Genm and the three copy Kamen Riders that he had summoned, "Dr. Pac-Man" provides the trio with the Bandai Namco Gashats, with Hiiro receiving the Famista Gashat. Transforming, Brave Quest Gamer Level 2 faces Kamen Rider Double in a brief skirmish before using his new Gashat to assume Famista Quest Gamer, generating a Game Area in which he finds himself as a pitcher facing off against the batter Kamen Rider OOO and his baseball team of Bugster Virus. Ultimately prevailing in the match, Brave performs Famista's Critical Strike to defeat the opponent Kamen Rider.

Alongside Snipe, Brave soon caught up with Ex-Aid as he recovered the Ganbarizing Gashat, both intending to claim it for themselves only to be eluded by "Dr. Pac-Man" who snatched the Gashat as quickly as he arrived, adding it to his quartet of Bandai Namco Gashats. It was at this point that Hiiro realized that the three of them had been used as guinea pigs, a deduction immediately confirmed when "Dr. Pac-Man" was joined by the black Ex-Aid who, using the Ganbarizing Gashat to bestow upon himself the power of the first seventeen Heisei Riders, took the three doctor Riders by shock as he was able to defeat them with a single Critical Strike Rider Kick before taking his leave.

First Time Assuming Fantasy Gamer Level 50
"I won't let anyone take control of me. The strong resolve to accomplish a mission...is the sign of a doctor entrusted with people's lives!"

- Brave overcoming Taddle Fantasy's dark magic.

With Genius Gamer M dominant of Emu's body and Hiiro left with no Gashats on him, he confiscated and tried to use the Mighty Action X Gashat, but Emu managed to steal it back.

After witnessing Genm activate Taddle Fantasy to summon Fantasy Gamer, Genm commanded it to attack Hiiro, after he stole the Mighty Action X Gashat, while he tried to dodge its attacks.

The Gashat Gear Dual β fell into Hiiro's hands thanks to his plan to get the Fantasy Gamer confused via the Confusion Energy Item it tried flying into.

After assuming Fantasy Gamer Level 50, Brave was overwhelmed by the power of the Fantasy Gamer, corrupting him and summoning Bugster Viruses to attack Ex-Aid and capture Asuna, but not before he regains his control over the said form and used the Bugster Viruses he summoned to attack Genm and used his form's new powers to flail Gatton Bugster aroung the Game Area but not before Genm futilely used a conjunction of Taddle-Drago Knight Critical Finish while Brave finished it with a Taddle Critical Slash, knocking Genm out which enabled Brave to recover both the Drago Knight Hunter Z and Taddle Quest Gashats, at the cost of suffering pain in his chest.

Confrontation with Takeshi Asakura
"My scalpel is justice!"

- Brave's proclamation in Level 4 before battle

Fall of Kuroto Dan
Hiiro assumed Brave Fantasy Gamer Level 50 again despite Taiga warning him that the Gashat is too dangerous, to the point he calls Taiga existence a "no thank you", to fight Vernier Bugster Level 30 and Para-DX Puzzle Gamer Level 50. Brave managed to negate the effects of Para-DX's Stretch Energy Items despite Para-DX getting two Recovery Energy Items to assume Fighter Gamer Level 50. Both Riders appear to be evenly matched, but Brave suffers another pain in the chest while Para-DX barely beats him, hesitating to finish off an injured opponent. Brave eventually gets knocked out of his transformation, leaving behind an unconscious Hiiro.

Hiiro wakes up at Taiga's clinic and is greeted by Nico, who states that the Gashat is "too much for him", as Taiga snatches it from him. Taiga explains that one half of the Gashat is Hiiro's Taddle Fantasy while its other half is Bang Bang Simulations. Hiiro still feels bitter that despite Taiga saving him, he still feels ungrateful.

Chou Super Hero Taisen
"And you're the me from the Game World?"

- The real Hiiro's response as he faces his Game World counterpart

The Bugster Horde
When Kuroto Dan's plot to revive in the Game World caused an army of Bugsters to perpetually revive and emerge into the real world, Brave and Snipe shared the Gashat Gear Dual β as they fought back the endless horde while Emu was sent from CR to the Game World to stop Dan. Brave assumed his Fantasy Gamer first before being beaten back, leaving Snipe to endure alone with the Simulation Gamer before rejoining him with the Hunter Gamer, at which point the horde ultimately dissipated in an instant as the destruction of the Game World brought about by Kazuma Kenzaki thwarted Dan's ambition to revive.

Personality
Hiiro is intelligent and capable, yet cold and arrogant. He is only concerned with the success of the operation, and opposes personal involvement with his patients. As a result, he looks down on Emu, deeming him unworthy due to his inexperience and conflicting ideals. However, his animosity with Emu is nothing compared to his hatred for Taiga Hanaya. He is the only one to question Kuroto's somewhat dubious behavior, showing some level of perceptiveness. Hiiro has a liking for desserts, mainly cake or pie, which he claims is to increase his energy in between operations. This quirk is later revealed as a legacy of his late girlfriend, who always gave him desserts when he studied. While remembering Saki, Hiiro begins to question if revenge was really worth it, showing he may have his doubts about vengeance instead of being utterly consumed by it like Taiga was.

Hiiro treats his fighting with Bugster as an operation. He has a habitual quirk of raising his hands in the position most surgeons use when they are about to operate on a patient, and refers to the Gashacon Sword as his "scalpel". He often also speaks in a mannerism akin to his civilian job after transforming. (Ex. "Commencing Bugster removal operation"). He will cancel his transformation if he deems the situation too risky (primarily when his Rider Gauge is almost depleted). Whenever he encounters someone he doesn't like or doesn't feel belongs in the situation, he will respond to their presence by saying "no thank you".

Abilities

 * Genius Surgeon: Although he is only 24, Hiiro is a skilled surgeon, considered by some to be a genius in his field.
 * Swordsmanship: Hiiro is shown to be capable in using swords, comparing them to scalpels. This can be seen when he decapitated a Giant Bugster using a generic sword. This also shown as when he sliced a cream puff in episode 6, he didn't bring the knife in contact with the cream puff, but still equally cut into 4 pieces.
 * Acquired Game Disease Immunity: As a result of the standard compatibility surgery for CR candidates, Hiiro Kagami is immune to the Game Disease, and able to transform into a Kamen Rider to fight the Bugsters.

Devices

 * Gamer Driver - Transformation device.
 * Rider Gashat - Transformation trinkets.
 * Kimewaza Slot Holder - Carrier strap for the Rider Gashats.
 * Beat Gamer - Brave's Level 3 support robot.
 * Safari Gamer - Brave's Level 4 support robot
 * Hunter Gamer - Brave's Level 5 support robot.
 * Fantasy Gamer - Brave's Level 50 support robot.
 * Famista Gamer - Brave's Famista support robot.
 * Legacy Gamer - Brave's Level 100 support robot.

Weapons

 * Unnamed generic sword - Initial blade weapon, destroyed and replaced after first usage.
 * Gashacon Sword - Primary blade weapon.
 * Reversal Shield - Personal shield.
 * DoReMiFa Turntable and Watts Up Sounder - Beat Quest Gamer Level 3's personal weapons.
 * Dragon Blade - Hunter Quest Gamer Level 5 Dragon Blade's personal weapon.
 * Dragon Fang and Dragon Gun - Hunter Quest Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon's personal weapons.

Relationship

 * CR:
 * Emu Hojo: Although they often partnered during their battle with Bugsters, Hiiro sees Emu as nothing but an Intern and also 'No Thank You', in return Emu didn't really like him either, going so far to say that Hiiro isn't a real doctor twice. Hiiro has slowly warmed up to him, showing concern when he learned that Emu was infected with the Bugster virus and even saying that he "wanted to cure the patient right in front of him" in regards to Emu. This got extended to when Emu wakes up as "Genius Gamer M", Hiiro is greatly angered and choked on Emu so he can snap out of his delusions. Later on, he recants what he thought about Emu before, saying he was very harsh on him before.
 * Asuna Karino/Poppy Pipopapo: Hiiro's usually apathetic towards her but in return, she develops some fear toward Hiiro. She even obeys several orders from him such as when he asked Poppy to use her knife to cut the apple pie.
 * Haima Kagami: Despite being a family, Hiiro acts cold toward his father, once scolding him to not talk too much, but Haima always does his best to help him.
 * Taiga Hanaya: Hiiro holds a grudge against him, since Taiga is responsible for letting his late girlfriend die from Graphite's infection. Taiga, in return also hates Hiiro, often provoking him if necessary. His resentment of Taiga's actions were enough for Hiiro to claim that Taiga was "not qualified to be a Kamen Rider". When Taiga takes the Gashat Gear Dual β from Hiiro after suffering the strain of his own Level 50 form, Taiga reminds Hiiro that he might end up becoming the broken and bitter man he is now if Hiiro is not careful with his pragmatic methods.
 * Kiriya Kujo: Kiriya seems to hold no ill feelings toward Hiiro, but Hiiro distrusts him due to his liar nature, right up until Kuroto revealing himself to be Genm, which Kiriya had previously warned about. Later on, some time after Kiriya's death, as Hiiro found the data that Kiriya had left behind, he finally realized that Kiriya's true intentions were to find a way to stop the Bugster threat once and for all.
 * Kuroto Dan: Although somehow dubious from Kuroto's behavior, Hiiro seems to respect him, unaware that Kuroto is actually Genm until Kuroto revealed himself as Genm, whereas both Hiiro and the three other Doctor Riders were too late to notice and stop Kuroto's first plans, such as his manipulation of the Riders and the creation of death data from the Dangerous Zombie Gashat through clearing 10 produced Gashat games from succeeding. Even worst part, ones Emu found out full infos in regarding of his status on how he became a progenitor to Bugster Viruses and the viruses' further origin in Y2K from Kuroto's father Masamune, Hiiro and the detective Heiji Uesugi found out that Kuroto was the one who infected Heiji's son and Saki as the result of one of the Bugsters like Graphite completely manifest the infection progress and the hosts disappeared into nothingness.
 * Civilians:
 * Saki Momose: Saki deeply loves Hiiro, although Hiiro didn't reciprocate her feelings in order for him to continue studying. Saki's death is the one thing that motivates Hiiro to become a Kamen Rider. Hiiro also said that he'll do anything to see her one more time, implicating that Hiiro actually loves Saki.
 * Bugsters:
 * Graphite: Hiiro holds a grudge against Graphite, since Graphite was born from his late girlfriend. After receiving Emu's plea, Hiiro holds a determination to finish Graphite off. Graphite in return sees Hiiro as nothing before, but after his defeat, he swore to destroy him using his own hands. Hiiro finally gets to avenge Saki with the help of the other Doctor Riders, but he refuses to admit it.

Portrayal

 * Hiiro Kagami is portrayed by Toshiki Seto (瀬戸 利樹). As Kamen Rider Brave, his suit actor is Jiro Uchikawa (内川 仁朗) in Level 1 and Jun Watanabe (渡辺 淳) in Level 2.