Kuroto Dan

"Grade (Level Number)."

- Genm's pre-Level up transformation catchphrase.

Kuroto Dan (檀 黎斗) is a 30-year old CEO of Genm Corp. He was also the true identity of Kamen Rider Genm (仮面ライダーゲンム), also colloquially known as the Black Ex-Aid (黒いエグゼイド). He was also the host of the Level 30 Charlie Bugster.

In a plot to revive himself following his death, Dan temporarily transformed into Kamen Rider Blade (仮面ライダーブレイド), having assumed the form of Kazuma Kenzaki.

He is then revived again as a Bugster, due to the help of Poppy by equipping him with the first Proto Mighty Action X Gashat and a Gamer Driver, calling himself New Kuroto Dan (新檀 黎斗).

As a Teenager
16 years ago, a 14 year old Kuroto was a developer for his father's company, Gemn Corp. Kuroto was extremely talented that many of his games were bestsellers and masterpieces. During the Year 2000 problem, he discovered a computer virus which would be known as the Bugsters. One day he received fan mail from Emu Hojo, suggesting ideas for a new game. Impressed but angered, Kuroto could not believe someone else would be as talented as him. Thus, he created a game known as Mighty Action C and sent it to Emu. Emu would play it and be infected with the Bugster virus.

Sometime afterwards, Kuroto's mother was infected by the Bugster Virus. Fearful, Kuroto decided to find a way to preserve her in data form, and save her life, leading to the concept, and purpose, behind Kamen Rider Chronicle.

Beginning of Zero Day
Kuroto had been observing Emu from the shadows for a decade, in order to observe the development of the Bugster virus within Emu. In 2010, after Emu won the Tekken tournament against Nico Saiba, he would soon be abducted by the Next Genome Institute, whom Kuroto had hired to remove the now-mature Bugster virus from Emu's body. Shortly after the operation, the members of the Next Genome Institute vanished. Kuroto would later use the virus harvested from Emu as the basis to trigger Zero Day.

As CEO of Genm Corp.
Kuroto has been CEO of Genm Corp. for at least five years. He was present during the beginning of Zero Day, when the Bugster emerged from the glitches in ten of the games his company was developing on his desktop. Working with the Ministry of Health, Kuroto helped design the Gashats and Gamer Driver as a countermeasure to the Bugster, managing to keep his agenda for unleashing the first Zero Day hidden from the public eye by framing his father for this.

During Zero Day, Kuroto assigned Taiga Hanaya, who was a doctor from CR at the time, to become the first doctor Rider, giving him the Proto Bang Bang Shooting Gashat and also a Gamer Driver. In reality, he had been using Taiga as a test subject on finalizing the Gashat's final version. However, upon Taiga's defeat to Graphite due to the Proto Gashat's side effects on Taiga, Taiga left CR, and left his Gashat and Gamer Driver as well, while Hiiro Kagami becomes Kamen Rider Brave after the death of his girlfriend Saki Momose, who was Graphite's host. During this time, many other casualties were also infected, including Heiji Uesugi's son, leading Heiji to investigate Zero Day for years.

Two years later Kuroto was confronted by Kiriya Kujo, a coroner who had found out about Zero Day after his friend Jungo died in an accident before the virus in him manifested to the real world. Kiriya was given a Gamer Driver and the Bakusou Bike Gashat in exchange for his silence.

Second Bugster Outbreak
Five years after Zero Day, Genm Corp. had finally completed one of the ten games, Mighty Action X. At the press release, the Salty Bugster emerged from Sota Suyama. The Bugster was defeated by Kamen Rider Ex-Aid.

Following Ex-Aid's debut, Dan called Poppy Pipopapo and ordered her to record Emu's specs as the Action Gamer using his specialized VR for later use. .

Soon after the incident, Kuroto met with Kyotaro Hinata. Hinata thanked Kuroto for providing the Driver and Gashats. Kuroto responded humbly before asking how the incident was covered up. Sometime later, Kuroto appeared as Genm to interrupt Ex-Aid and Brave's fight against Aranbura. He attacked the two riders, allowing the Bugster virus to escape. After the incident, he was approached by Taiga Hanaya, who had been the rider during the first outbreak. After receiving large piles of cash, Kuroto gave Taiga a new Driver, along with the Bang Bang Shooting Gashat.

Kuroto was confronted by Hiiro Kagami soon after CR learned that Taiga was a Rider again. Kuroto acknowledged the incident that cost Taiga his medical license, but defended his decision, saying that Taiga was both compatible and capable.

Kuroto later visited CR, only to be intercepted by Taiga, who demanded that he give him a simulation by using the VR. Dan had intended to record Emu's specs again, but Taiga had confiscated Emu's Gashat beforehand. Disappointed, Dan prepared to leave, only to be threatened by Taiga to expose the Proto Gashats responsible for the Zero Day incident to the public. Leaving him with no choice, Dan finally simulated Taiga as the Shooting Gamer, but only once. After the simulation ends, Taiga asked him to give the data later and to relay his rematch acceptance challenge to Emu before he left, leaving Dan speechless.

Kuroto came to CR later to apologize, claiming that he underestimated Taiga and didn't predict the latter would take Emu's Gashat. He assured Hiiro that there would be more Gashats ready within a few days. He interrupted Brave and Snipe's fight as Genm, depleting their Rider Gauges. After Ex-Aid and Lazer defeated the Motors Bugster, he finished the monster off to prevent Lazer from getting a sample to study. Using the Shakariki Sports Gashat, he upgraded to Sports Action Gamer Level 3, taking out Ex-Aid and Lazer with one move.

Visiting CR again, Dan was met by Hiiro who had been waiting for him in front of the CR Lift. Hiiro demanded Dan to simulate him because he could not accept his defeat to Genm. As Hiiro asked what Gashat did Genm use, Dan revealed that Genm uses the Proto Mighty Action X Gashat, which basically had the same ability perimeter as Ex-Aid. Hearing this, Hiiro became flustered and demanded Dan to simulate him right now. Dan finally agreed to simulate Hiiro. At the Quest Gamer simulation, Dan changed the enemy to Genm and sets the difficulties to Easy (presumably to hinder him for leaking Genm's true power to Hiiro). After the simulation concluded, Dan decided to refuse recording Hiiro's data for his own good before he left.

Fighting the Gamma
"What was that?" "Could it be... a Kamen Rider?"

- Deep Specter and Necrom on Genm

Without speaking a word, he arrives already transformed into Action Gamer Level 2 as Deep Specter and Necrom are fighting a group of Gamma Commandos and Superiors during the final battle between Ghost and the Great Eyezer. He joins in fighting the Gamma, summoning his bike with the Shakariki Sports Gashat before performing a Critical Strike finisher to clear away the Gamma, immediately riding away.

Pursuing Ayumu
"What... they had the same form!?"

- Onari on Genm and Ex-Aid

For unknown reasons, he stands holding the Shakariki Sports Gashat while looking upon the city during a lightning storm. Later, he triggers the Gashat and a purple Game Area expands from him, but it and the Gashat are pulled into a Gamma Hole resembling a Great Eye interface. When Ayumu steps out holding the Gashat, Genm tries taking it back, but is interrupted by Makoto and Alain, recognizing him from earlier. He fights Specter and Necrom using the Gashacon Bugvisor, disappearing when they counter with the Gan Gun Hand and Catcher.

The sketch Ayumu drew of Genm later leads Ghost to mistakenly attack the near-identical Ex-Aid when the Rider tries saving Ayumu from a group of Bugster Viruses and retrieve the Shakiriki Sports Gashat, but a sudden attack by Genm shows Ghost his mistake. The attack knocked away the Gashat, which he takes back before fading into thin air.

Genm's True Identity
Dan calls Poppy Pipopapo and informs her that the newly-developed Gashats have all stolen by a hooded man. Dan also secretly informs Taiga and Kiriya, giving them the special stethoscope. Dan is later seen on Robots Collabos location, already transformed as Genm Action Gamer Level 2 before changing into Sports Action Gamer Level 3. Thanks to his interference, Robots Collabos is able to flee. He himself also successfully vanished.

Dan is later seen in CR and gives a proper welcome to Emu. He asks Emu if he knows who Genm really is, and Asuna claims that the thief is Genm. After witnessing Emu quarreling with Hiiro, Dan gives chase to Emu, who fled to a helipad. There, Dan tried to comfort Emu by saying that it's only natural for a doctor to have a desire to save the patient. But, he agreed with Hiiro, since the man is responsible for the stolen Gashat. He then compares Emu to a crystal, that once shattered by a malicious patient, it won't able to shine ever again. However, Emu still persisted with his idealism and left, stating that he'll regret the day he can't save a patient, much to Dan's astonishment.

Deciding to teach Emu a lesson, Dan transformed into Genm Sports Action Gamer Level 3 and with Robots Collabos, they able to beat Brave Quest Gamer Level 2 and Lazer Bike Gamer Level 1. The thief soon joins as Emu asking Genm why did he attack the doctors, he states that he might refer to the thief. The thief later turns out to be Graphite, and this enrages Snipe as they collide with each other, ended in Snipe's defeat.

Genm soon provokes Emu that his idealism didn't work on a real battlefield, and also survival for the fittest. Finally, Emu snapped and transformed into Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2. Ex-Aid successfully beat Robots Collabos using Mighty Critical Finish and claims the Gekitotsu Robots Gashat in the process. Ex-Aid then changed into Robot Action Gamer Level 3 and successfully beat Genm using Gekitotsu Critical Strike. Genm then retreats, while Ex-Aid roared in rage.

As Dan staggers, he reverts to Action Gamer Level 2. Dan cancels his transformation and covers his face. Graphite asked if he was afraid of Emu. Dan then shows a psychotic smile as he said that only his genius is the one thing who he feared. Parad then christened Dan as Kamen Rider Genm, as Dan showed an evil grin.

While Kiriya was recovering from his injuries late at night in the hospital, Dan forced him to use the VR and simulate him as the Bike Gamer while he was unconscious. He then ordered Kiriya to transform in order to collect his data, and stated that the simulation was a game he created, which allowed no escape from him. However, Kiriya believed he was lying, but had no choice but to listen to Dan's commands. Dan then for unknown reasons, controled Kiriya's movements to transform into Bike Gamer Level 1 and Bike Gamer Level 2, while threatening that he will let him pay the price of knowing his identity. After that, he took the Bakusou Bike Gashat out of Kiriya's Gamer Driver and inserted it into the Kimewaza Slot Holder, thus activating the finisher. However, during this time, he did not sit onto Lazer, causing Lazer to accelerate uncontrollably on his own and crashing into a wall, ending the simulation. Before he left, he threatened Kiriya to stay away from him, causing him to tremble in fear.

Collecting data for the Ultimate Game
As the Beat Collabos Bugster is fighting Ex-Aid and Brave, Graphite enters to try and defeat the Riders. Dan, who is watching from afar chooses to transform into Genm for the first time on screen and tells Graphite to retreat with the Bugster, which Graphite begrudgingly does, after which Dan himself proceeds to escape.

As Emu and Hiiro extract the Collabos Bugsters from Yoshio Okada, Dan intervenes and fights off both Emu and Hiiro as Sports Gamer Level 3, allowing the Bugsters to escape. When Hiiro later tries fighting the Chambara Collabos Bugster, Dan steps in again and fights Brave Quest Gamer Level 2 which gives Emu and Kiriya enough time to obtain the Giri Giri Chambara Gashat. Dan then fights Kiriya as the now Chambara Bike Gamer Level 3 after having his identity exposed. After some fighting, Dan is defeated by Lazer's Giri Giri Critical Finish, but Parad appears and creates a protective barrier to allow Dan to escape and fool Emu and Hiiro by pretending to have been the Black Ex-Aid. When Parad later comes to give Dan back his Gamer Driver and Proto-Mighty Action X Gashat, Dan concludes that no one will ever believe Kiriya now.

Alone at his office late at night, Dan decided to use the VR on himself, starting the simulation by plugging his Proto Mighty Action X Gashat in the VR device. Within the simulation, he was surprised to find out Graphite was there as well. Questioning Graphite as to him almost spoiling his identity as Genm, the Bugster replied that no one cared about that, causing a vexed reaction in Dan as he held up his equipment to Graphite's confusion. Dan then transforms into Kamen Rider Genm Action Gamer from Level 1 to Level 2 before pulling out his Gashat, plugging it into his Kimewaza Slot Holder and pressing the switch, ready to activate his Critical Strike finisher. Graphite asked him if he is serious about this, to which Dan replied that he definitely was before pressing the switch again, activates his finisher with which he defeated Graphite. With the simulation concluded, Dan returned to his office where he pulled the Gashat out of the simulation device. Laughing madly, Dan boasted that no one would interfere in his way, claiming that he would create the ultimate game as he held the Proto Mighty Action X Gashat in front of the Mighty Action X poster.

While sitting in his office, Parad warns Dan that while the Proto Gashats have great potential, prolonged use will damage his body. A moment later, Dan receives a call from Kiriya Kujo. The next day, Dan confronts Kiriya under a bridge, denying he knows anything about Parad before the two proceed to fight as Genm Sports Action Gamer Level 3 and Lazer Chambara Bike Gamer Level 3 respectively. The two are evenly matched and even after colliding with their respective Critical Finishers, do not revert to human form. When Kiriya questions why Dan helps the Bugster, Dan says that he does it to figure out why the Bugsters came into their world and developed the Gamer Drivers and Rider Gashats to help doing so. Dan then brings up the fact that to use the Gamer Drivers, one had to undergo a compatibility surgery, and like Kiriya, had done so to become a Kamen Rider. When Kiriya questioned why Dan is mentioning this now, Dan proceeds to hint to Kiriya that one of the Kamen Riders has not received the compatibility surgery, which Kiriya quickly identifies as Emu Hojo.

Back at his office, Dan confirmed to Parad that he had allowed Graphite to take the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z so that he would give the Kamen Riders their most challenging fight yet as he went on a rampage, causing Parad to enthusiastically voice to Dan that he scared him. Taking out the refined Drago Knight Hunter Z itself, Dan, noting that acquiring its combat data would complete the first stage, set off to deliver it to CR. Passing Taiga, who had trespassed on his premises, Dan told him that he would unfortunately not be giving this tenth Gashat to him. Arriving at CR, Dan presented Drago Knight Hunter Z, a unique albeit incomplete Level 5 Gashat, to Emu and Hiiro as the key to defeating Graphite. Dan revealed, however, that Drago Knight Hunter Z would need to be completed by defeating the Hunter Gamer, which Ex-Aid and Brave encountered as a Bugster Union within Kyotaro Hinata. Despite Dan's warning that, as a co-op 4 Player game, Drago Knight Hunter Z would need teamwork to avoid the danger of using it alone, Emu took the Gashat for himself, vowing to clear the game.

Dan later watched with Parad from a distance as Emu initially failed to acquire the co-operation of his fellow Riders, assuring him that they would collect their data eitherway and that they could eventually replace the troublesome doctors with new candidates. Nevertheless, Emu ultimately achieved a collaboration resulting in the four Riders dividing and using the Hunter Gamer together to terminate Graphite, with the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z being salvaged by Parad. With this, Dan was able to complete tests and data recording, allowing him to proceed to the next stage.

Ganbarizing Project
Following the Dr. Pac-Man incident, Dan assembled a collection of specially created Heisei Rider Gashats. Energizing the last three of the first sixteen with his Ganbarizing machine, Dan requested that Emu return the Kaigan Ghost Gashat that he had used back to him only to arrange for him to be ambushed by a Collabos Bugster which utilized the Proto Gashats recovered from the Next Genome Institute. Coming to Ex-Aid's "aid" with a briefcase holding these Rider Gashats in hand, Dan provided him with the Full Throttle Drive which allowed him to disarm the Bugster of Proto Gekitotsu Robots. Dan was grazed by the Bugster when it changed to Proto Giri Giri Chambara, appropriately handing the Toukenden Gaim to Ex-Aid as Asuna took him to safety.

Easily managing to lose Asuna, Dan proceeded to enter the last phase of data collection on these Gashats himself as he transformed into Kamen Rider Genm, using Magic The Wizard to assume Wizard Gamer Level 2. Appearing before Ex-Aid who has just disabled the Bugster, Genm easily overwhelmed the Gaim Gamer before forcing him out of his transformation with Wizard's Critical Strike. Reverting to his default Action Gamer Level 2, Genm recovered the three Rider Gashats that Ex-Aid had just used. Announcing that he had collected all the data he needed, Genm 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.

While "Dr. Pac-Man" escaped with Emu, Genm and his Riders soon enough caught up with the pair as they were joined by Hiiro and Taiga. With "Dr. Pac-Man" taking his leave after providing the three doctors with his Gashats, allowing them to face Genm's Riders, Genm pursued this "Dr. Pac-Man", ultimately catching up with him before taking off his helmet, with Genm realizing his true identity as he was faced with a fourth Gashat, Taiko no Tatsujin.

Genm Identity Revelation
After revealing himself to the other Riders, Dan revealed that there was a large amount of people infected with the Bugster virus, pointing out that no-one knows when a break-out might happen. He then challenges the other Riders to save those people with the ten Gashats, saying that it was up to them whether they will be saved or not before shooting at them with the Gashacon Bugvisor to make his escape. Upon escaping, Dan examined the new Gashat he had created: Dangerous Zombie.

Killing Lazer
"I am...Kamen Rider Genm...Level 10."

- Genm's introduction when he first transformed into Zombie Gamer Level X.

"I'll bury you and the truth in the darkness."

- Genm before killing Lazer

Soon after this incident, Dan learned that Kiriya had interrogated his father and was planning to inform the other Riders of his findings. Dan found Kiriya before the others arrived to confirm the latter's findings. Deciding that Kiriya knew too much, Dan tricked him into taking the Dangerous Zombie Gashat, pretending to offer it in exchange for Kiriya's silence. Once Lazer was weakened within inches of his life after trying to use Dangerous Zombie, Dan took the Gashat back and used it to become Genm Zombie Gamer Level X. With the massive advantage, Genm stole the Giri Giri Chanbara Gashat and mortally wounded Lazer, seconds before CR and Snipe arrived.

Fight Against Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer
Deciding that the "test players" were no longer needed, Dan moved to recover all the Gashats from the doctor Kamen Riders. As the Zombie Gamer, Dan first confronted Ex-Aid and Brave was they were facing the Level 3 Aranbura Bugster. It was there that Genm first summoned the Gashacon Sparrow, with the sight of him using Kiriya's weapon enraging Ex-Aid into assuming Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon. Though struck by Ex-Aid's full power, engulfed in a massive explosion, Genm recovered in a cloud of purple smoke. As Ex-Aid realized that Genm's Rider Gauge was stuck at zero, Dan announced he had surpassed death and all attacks are useless against him. Nevertheless Ex-Aid kept on attacking Genm, ignoring Brave's fight with the Bugster. Triggering the Critical Dead, sending forth a horde of shadowy zombie figures, Genm nearly eliminate Ex-Aid but Brave tackled him out of the way just as the zombies exploded, with Hiiro undoing both of their transformations to remove the Game Area and escape.

At his hideout, Dan decided that he would only return to Genm Corp. after he completed Kamen Rider Chronicle, a game which soon people "would not be able to live without". He had also created a new blank, double Gashat for Parad's use, instructing him that it would need to be inserted into a Bugster to get the data to finish it, whereas humans using it would get a massive Bugster virus infection, dying instantly. Joining with Aranbura, Genm easily defeated both Snipe and Brave. Ready to kill the doctors, Genm was confronted by Emu who, to his surprise, was holding the blank double Gashat he had given to Parad. As expected, Emu used the Gashat which caused him to be overwhelmed by the Bugster virus. However, rather than sucuumb to the Game Disease, Emu unexpectedly changed and transformed the blank Gashat into a new game, Mighty Brothers XX, much to Genm's shock and Parad's intrigue. First transforming into the Level 1-esqe Double Action Gamer Level X, this new Ex-Aid proved to be a match for Genm as he attacked him before advancing up to Level XX, which had the effect of splitting him into two seperate Level 2-shaped Riders. However, while Emu had became a force to be reckoned with, this split also caused him to seemingly become two distinct, conflicting individuals, with Genm using the distraction to escape with the Bugster. That night, Dan discussed Emu's survival and use of the new Gashat with Parad. Branding it a bootleg, Dan vowed to erase the data of Emu's game while creating another Gashat for Parad.

Confronting Ex-Aid, back as the Level 2 Action Gamer, Genm easily defeated the familiar Emu, asserting his place as the Game Master and demanding the new game be deleted. Emu, however dismissed his talk of games as he was operating on a patient; transforming again into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level X then Level XX. Vowing for a perfect co-op this time, the two Ex-Aids fought Genm and Aranbura. Ultimately, the Double Action Gamer succeeded in destroying Aranbura, who was then salvaged by the Gashacon Bugvisor used by Genm, who told Ex-Aid that fate was out of his control before leaving.

Developing Kamen Rider Chronicle
As Revol re-emerged as a Level 5 from Nico Saiba, Dan confronted Emu again, intent on deleting the data of Mighty Brothers XX as he assumed the Zombie Gamer. Evenly matched with Ex-Aid's divided Double Action Gamer, Genm cut the battle short and escaped with Revol. Dan was confronted by Taiga with the information that Kiriya had presumably discovered and was silenced for: Emu had the Game Disease. Kuroto casually expounded: Emu was the first person ever to have the Bugster virus, being given it six years ago in an experiment by Dr. Michihiko Zaizen of the Next Genome Institute, intended to create a Bugster being. However, the virus had spread and killed everyone involved save Emu, and he was returned to his normal life without remembering the incident. Kuroto then clarified that he only killed Kiriya because his intention had been to use this information to destroy the Bugsters before leaving. Back at his hideout, Dan determined via recorded battle data that each side of Ex-Aid's Level XX (20) form had the power of Level X (10). Deciding that taking down the Double Action Gamer personally was beneath him, Dan, having created a new Gashat for Parad, gave it to him so he would be occupied having fun, which he would do so by easily defeating all three doctor Riders in his first battle.

When Parad returned to his hideout, Dan chided him for not bringing Emu's Gashats with him only for to Parad respond that he was only helping Kuroto so he could play Kamen Rider Chronicle; Dan conceded and agreed to let Parad defeat Ex-Aid his own way. While Revol returned, Dan assumed the Zombie Gamer to confront Ex-Aid and Brave, intending to take their Gashats himself. Initiating a Critical Dead before the two Riders could Level Up, Genm knocked them both out of their transformations. Though he was able to recover the Taddle Quest and DoReMiFa Beat Gashats from Hiiro, Dan was unable to acquire those from Emu as he was repeled by a surge of the Game Disease from within the intern. Parad showed up to tell Genm to get back in line by not attacking Ex-Aid before they both took their leave. Dan would later come back to take Snipe's Gashats while Parad fought Ex-Aid. Quickly shoving Nico aside when she attacked him with a mop, Genm successfully endured a Drago Knight Critical Strike from Snipe, recovering without a scratch. To the objection of Genm, Para-DX, having been attacked by Revol, who had moved to protect Ex-Aid as the object of Nico's stress, destroyed the Bugster who was promptly preserved by a frustrated Genm before taking his leave with Para-DX.

Murdering Burgermon
While using the data of Taddle Quest in the creation of a new Gashat, Dan was informed by Parad of an anomalous Bugster who had came from Ju Ju Burger, a game previously dropped from the Genm Corp.'s line-up which was developed by Tsukuru Koboshi in Dan's absence. Initiating a Stage Select, Dan would confront Emu and this Burgermon Bugster with Parad. While Para-DX recovered the Ju Ju Burger Gashat from the Riders, Dan assumed the Zombie Gamer and proceeded to terminate the Bugster, triggering a Critical Dead against both Tsukuru and Burgermon. Stepping into save his creator, Burgermon ran into the attack to stop the zombie horde from progressing, taking the full explosion and being destroyed, with Dan forgoing the preservation procedure reserved for his own Bugsters. In a rage, Emu raged at Genm as his eyes briefly glowed red before collapsing; Genm asked Emu if something within him was making him favor Bugsters before he and Para-DX took their leave. Back at his hideout, Dan, questioned by Parad as to his elimination of the anomalous Bugster being his only objective, cited his role as the "Game Master" and claimed Ju Ju Burger as his own but not the Bugster within, stating that all Gashats would help create the world of Kamen Rider Chronicle.

The Truth Behind Emu's Game Disease
"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! You are Patient Zero...the very first person in the world...to be infected by the Bugster virus!"

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

Dan's next move was to take Snipe's Gashats. Infecting Tsukuru with Motors, he easily lured out Emu and Taiga to fight. The battle was evenly matched until Genm triggered an outbreak, causing Ex-Aid to chase after the upgraded Motors. With the main threat gone, Genm defeated Snipe and took back the three Gashats, gloating to Taiga that it would be child's play to create a new Gashat and beat Ex-Aid. Upon creating a new Level 50 Gashat from the games he stole, Dan began to revel in his victory. Parad's insistence to beat Emu himself only caused Dan's psychosis to worsen, prompting a narcissistic rant in which he declared himself to be God, claiming Gashats as something only he could create and that Bugsters were nothing but pawns in his master plan.

When Ex-Aid came to stop Motor's rampage, Dan was ready and waiting to unveil his new creation: Gashat Gear Dual β. Using the Fantasy Gamer from the Taddle Fantasy side, Dan took out Ex-Aid with one hit. Genm disposed of the now-useless Motors before demanding Emu's Gashats, threatening to kill him if he refused. Much to his shock, Genm was stopped by Para-DX, who had grown tired of the "Game Master's" arrogance and disregard for the Bugsters. Enraged by this defiance, Genm foolishly denounced Parad as a worthless game character, sending the latter into a fit of rage and earning the Game Master a brutal and humiliating defeat. In order to punish Parad for his insubordination, Dan attempted to rob the former of his wish to fight Emu by revealing Emu's status as patient zero of the Bugster virus, laughing madly at the sight of Emu's subsequent outbreak.

Dan's victory was short-lived: rather than disappearing, Emu merely fainted, and the Bugster remained in his body. Retreating to his base and seething at the unexpected failure, Dan waited for the next outbreak before confronting Ex-Aid again. Despite the overwhelming advantage, Genm was stopped by Hiiro's unexpected interference, losing three Gashats, including the Gashat Gear Dual β.

The Enigmatic Level and Death
"You don't understand anything...Neither the reason why I obtained death data from myself...nor why I chose Dangerous Zombie for my power. While this Gashat is Level 10...it is also Level X. That means...it's an unknown number."

- Genm explains why he chose Dangerous Zombie in the first place and the true meaning of Level X to Parad.

Kuroto meets with Parad yet again after their fallout in his secret office, showing hostility. But Parad then leaves, excited to fight Brave Fantasy Gamer Level 50. Kuroto, later on, stage selects with Vernier, Emu, and Poppy in a deserted valley. Claiming Emu's fear of transforming no longer a threat, he transforms and proceeds to kill them both. But Taiga suddenly appears, with the Gashat he "took" from Hiiro at the abandoned hospital. As Snipe Simulation Gamer Level 50 takes on the current Bugster, Emu finds resolve in his responsibility for his patients and his body and uses the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat. Kuroto escapes yet again while absorbing the death data from Vernier, after being defeated. As Kuroto, very exhausted now, hides back and sees Parad, waiting there for him to finish Kamen Rider Chronicle. But Kuroto dismisses that and proceeds to tell him that the reason that he chose Dangerous Zombie as his power is because it's not only Level 10 but also Level X, the undetermined variable.

As Genm, he watches over Brave and Ex-Aid fight the Kaiden Bugster and then proceeds to battle against Snipe Level 50. He leaves in defeat and warns the doctors not to be involved in things that don't concern them. In his office, Kuroto reveals that he needs one more piece of death data from a Bugster to access Level X. Kuroto confronts with Emu and Asuna, after their discussion with Masamune Dan, who had confessed on his son's involvement with the Bugster Virus 16 years ago. Kuroto maniacally laughs, saying that he couldn't be arrested just yet and said he blamed his father for it. When the two find out that Uesugi's Bugster is out again, Kuroto leaps before Emu and the two transform and engage. While Taiga focuses on Parad, and Hiiro on Kaiden, Emu is left to fight Genm alone. Hiiro manges to finish off the Bugster with the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat just as Genm is defeated. After, Kuroto manages to absorb the death data, which bewilders the Riders. Kuroto rants on how Kamen Riders and Bugsters are small parts to "the ultimate game". He reveals his future plans on Kamen Rider Chronicle, in which civilians are allowed to transform into Kamen Riders and fight monsters in the real world, and that they must fight for survival or perish. Emu is enraged when hearing this, due to Kuroto's twisted sense of what a game is and how so many people have died, like Kiriya, Saki, and Uesugi's son because of him. Kuroto retorts Emu's efforts to stop him, now that he has acquired both immortality and the power of Level X and transforms, unleashing a massive shockwave. Emu uses his Mighty Brothers XX Gashat and the Gashacon Key Slasher to finish off Genm again, but the latter disappears.

1="Since 16 years ago...you've been so transparent and pure! The brilliance radiated by that crystal...electrified my talents! You're the best guinea pig! Your entire life...has been manipulated by my hands!"

- Kuroto reveals that he had been using Emu all along.

2="I'll show you the power of Genm X!"

- Kuroto unlocking the full potential of Level X.

Kuroto was seen in his hidden office and checking that only 3 Bugsters (Doremifa Beat, Shakariki Sports and Drago Knight Hunter Z) left to complete Kamen Rider Chronicle. However, the Ministry of Health had already known about Kuroto's hideout and sends a team of officials to arrest him and put a stop to his plans. However, when the leader of the group attempts to catch him, Kuroto shows signs of Game Disease and transforms into the Charlie Bugster, before rampaging. Charlie is then temporarily stopped by Emu using Mighty Brothers XX along with the Sports Gamer. As Kuroto is about to be dragged away, Emu decides to cure his Game Disease, with Hiiro backing him for safety purposes. Both doctors agreeing that not only would it be dangerous to the Ministry and civilians alike if the Bugster broke out again, but also because Kuroto needed to be alive to pay for his crimes. Kuroto cries and thanks Emu before he's dragged to CR. At CR, Kuroto explained about Zero Day and how he was the one who infected Emu 16 years ago. Out of pity, Emu decides to excise Charlie from Kuroto if he is to pay for his previous crimes. Emu then finishes Charlie off using Mighty Brothers XX, but Kuroto absorbs Charlie's debris using the Gashacon Bugvisor. Kuroto then tells Emu that he actually tricked Emu to cure him and that he infected himself with the Bugster Virus not only to escape from the ministry, but also to acquire the Bugster data needed to complete Kamen Rider Chronicle.

Kuroto then transforms into Genm Zombie Gamer Level X and quickly defeats Emu using his refined Critical Dead, corrupting Emu's Gamer Driver in the process. Kuroto boasts about him shattering Emu's 'crystal' by himself and that Emu can no longer transform, before letting him live for his 'cooperation'. Kuroto then returns to Genm Corp. with a new hairstyle and pulls out the incomplete Kamen Rider Chronicle Gashat, proclaiming that he'll complete the game in no time.

"I'm God! My dreams are...IMMORTAL!!!"

- Kuroto's last words before his death.

Kuroto plans to infect every civilian with the Bugster Virus of DoReMiFa Beat and Drago Knight Hunter Z in order to complete Kamen Rider Chronicle. All hope seemed to be lost for Brave and Snipe, until Emu creates the Maximum Mighty X Gashat and transforms into Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer Level 99. With Ex-Aid's new power from his level upgrade, the three Riders finally managed to defeat Genm Level X once and for all. Ex-Aid used Maximum Gamer's reprogramming ability to delete the Bugster Virus antibody sample in Kuroto's DNA, causing him to be unable to transform into his Rider form. Emu attempts to take him to custody instead of killing him, as he followed his moral value of being a doctor first before being a rider.

Parad then appears and seems to help Kuroto, but quickly strikes him down to the ground and steals his Gashacon Bugvisor. He used it to infect Kuroto with the Dangerous Zombie Gashat, which is filled with both lethal amounts of the Bugster Virus and countless data of his own death. Kuroto struggles with immeasurable pain and starts to disintegrate, screaming in pain as Parad taunts him by saying that Kamen Rider Chronicle now belongs to him. After Parad leaves, Kuroto bellowed that he's a god and that his ambitions will go on forever, screaming madly as he disintegrate into thin air. With this, he is the second rider to experience 'Game Over' after Kiriya.

Chou Super Hero Taisen
A data version of the Zombie Gamer Kamen Rider Genm would fight in the Game World's Chou Super Hero Taisen, leading his own team of Kamen Riders and to compete for the title of Kamen Sentai Gorider. Ultimately, this Genm fell just short of achieving the form of Aka-Rider as he was defeated in the final round by a team led by Emu Hojo, bested by Ex-Aid Robot Action Gamer Level 3.

Kamen Sentai Gorider
As a backup contingency plan, Kuroto created an unbeatable game that would malfunction and take over the world with constantly reviving Bugsters. In the actual game itself, he took the guise of Kazuma Kenzaki, masquerading as an ally amongst other dead Riders such as Kiriya. This impossible game was designed to feed on the despair of the dead Riders after giving them hope so it could revive him in the real world. However his plan was stopped by the real Kazuma Kenzaki and Emu Hojo, who both entered the Game World. He ultimately dies when all of the Dead Riders sacrifice themselves to allow Emu and Kazuma to exit out of the Game World.

The Hidden Level 0 and Return


Poppy was having visions from the memories from her host, where one of them was a young Kuroto told the host that he was developing a way to prevent Bugster infection, so Poppy went to investigate Kuroto's abandoned game studio. Suddenly, a vision of a young Kuroto was passing by, Poppy follows the vision, leading her into a hidden room.

There was a treasure chest in the room, containing a brand new Gamer Driver and the Proto Mighty Action X Origin Gashat. There's also a manual right next to it.

Poppy later brings what she found back to CR, telling the others that Level 0 has the ability to nullify a Bugster's powers. Believing that this is the way to save Emu, she activates the Proto Mighty Action X Origin Gashat and enters the game itself via its title screen. In the game, she finds a Bugster Virus grunt, which turns out to contain data on Kuroto himself. Poppy later attaches the Gamer Driver on the grunt and inserts the Gashat, restoring Kuroto completely, albeit as a Bugster. After which, Kuroto declared he was truly immortal while madly laughing gleefully. Kuroto then transforms into Genm Level 0 and heads to the Next Genome Institute operation theater where Parad is about to finish off Emu. Surprising everyone with his presence, Genm proceeds to attack Parad. Parad then attempts to possess Emu, but fails due to Level 0's Bugster-nullifying effect.

Back at CR, as Poppy explains how she brought Kuroto back, Kuroto proceeds to threaten the doctor Riders once more, though he is hindered by Poppy absorbing him into the Bugvisor II as punishment, due to his status as a Bugster.

The True Purpose behind the Bugster Outbreak and the Creation of Kamen Rider Chronicle
It is then revealed that Kuruto's true intention of starting the Bugster Outbreak and creating the Kamen Rider Chronicle was to apply the game-like structure of the Bugsters, specifically their ability for revival to humans. Like the defeated Bugsters, those that had vanished due to the infection will be stored as 'Data' and later be given chance for a 'Continue.' To realize this, he created Kamen Rider Chronicle, a battle for existence between Humans and Bugsters, which will serve as a catalyst, if the Human side wins, to revive those that had vanished, more specifically, his mother.

Personality
To the public eye prior being exposed as the criminal mastermind, Kuroto appears to be a polite and humble man, both with a sense of sympathy and compassion. Despite this, his decisions are of questionable morality.

But behind closed doors, Kuroto is shown to be psychotic, most likely affected by over usage of his Proto Gashats. He slowly becomes deranged over time, indulging himself with a God complex, believing that survival of the fittest is the only thing that matters in battle.

He also regards his skill as being the best, taking pride in the creation of Gashats as something that only he can make. When Emu and Tsukuru creates the Mighty Brother XX and JuJu Burger Gashats respectively, Kuroto lashes out attempting to retrieve it to destroy them, displaying this form of behavior to the most extreme when Emu attempted to use the Maximum Mighty X Gashat in it's incomplete form, even going as far as calling both Mighty Brothers XX and Maximum Mighty X "bootleg games". Despite this, he uses the data he collected from fighting Emu who used this Gashat to complete the Gashat Gear Dual for Parad, and the Gashat Gear Dual β which is currently in the hands of Hiiro Kagami and Taiga Hanaya. This practical psychosis-level of pride of his is made apperent when he was a child as of the present.

His malignant narcissism is also taken to the extreme when he attempts to kill a patient to obtain data on death needed to complete a Gashat he was developing before using data on his own death to complete it. Despite his instability, Kuroto appears to have some form of self-control after constant usage of the Dangerous Zombie Gashat. However, his obssession with immortality through the aforementioned Gashat made him even more unhinged.

Kuroto also views those who are no longer in the scope of his plans to be disposable as he murders Kiriya Kujo and Motors once he saw that they were no longer useful in his plans. This has seemingly led to Parad severing ties with Kuroto as the death of Motors was not from playing the game, but from Kuroto indulging in his god complex as the "Game Master" and thus being used as bait.

His delusions would become his fatal flaw, as Parad takes advantage of this when he murders Kuroto after his defeat by Emu and claimed Kamen Rider Chronicle for his own purpose. The same fatal flaw is also present in Kamen Sentai Gorider, and not only he rubs it in to the deceased Riders his desire to resurrect himself, but he also inadvertently attracted the attention of the real Kenzaki, not knowing that the presence of a Joker Undead can destroy his game world.

After his resurrection, Kuroto's insanity is still intact, with a vindictive streak; as shown he wants to make Parad pay for his treachery.

The only person he holds dearly to ensure he never loses his humanity is his mother Sakurako Dan, who was a host of Asuna Karina/Poppy Pippopapo.

Powers and Abilities
As stated by him, Genm's parameters are originally the same as Ex-Aid's, so his overwhelming power didn't come from his equipment, but his own combat experience and ability. This is shown when he easily defeated some of the Ex-Aid Riders, even veterans like Taiga Hanaya, many times. He's even on par with Kamen Riders Specter and Necrom, even while the former is in his strongest form.
 * Genius-Level Intellect: Kuroto has a formidable mind: He is responsible for the creation of all but four Gashats (Mighty Brothers XX, Ju Ju Burger, Maximum Mighty X and Toki Meki Crisis). He has shown an ability to quickly adjust to new situations and predict the actions of other riders almost perfectly, allowing him to almost completely mastermind both Bugster outbreaks.
 * Bicycle Proficiency: He is extremely skilled in bicycling, which allows him to effectively use his Sports Gamer bicycle as both a weapon and a transport to defeat a large group of Gamma Commandos and Superiors.
 * Close Combat Skills: He has proven himself to be a formidable combatant, as he easily overwhelmed Specter and Necrom at once.
 * Quick Retreat: Through unknown means, after he recovered his Shakariki Sports Gashat, he faded into thin air. This is also shown when he decided to save the Aranbura and Collabos Bugsters. He is also able to do so in his civilian form, escaping after he just revealed his true identity as Genm.
 * Acquired Game Disease Immunity: As a result of a secret compatibility surgery not unlike the standard one for CR candidates, Kuroto Dan is immune to the Game Disease, and able to transform into a Kamen Rider. This immunity is later negated due to Ex-Aid Level 99's reprogramming ability and when he revived as a Bugster, he installs his old DNA to use said Driver.
 * Death Cheating: When he stabbed the Gashacon Bugvisor into his emptied Rider Gauge, he gained the ability of the Dangerous Zombie Gashat, allowing him to revive from any fatal injuries. This power becomes invalid as Ex-Aid reprograms this ability to be useless with his Rider Gauge returning to normal condition, along with Parad effectively killing Dan by letting him re-infect the Bugster Virus. However, using the Proto Mighty Action X Origin Gashat, Kuroto was able to create a "sava data" version of himself, allowing himself to be revived again.
 * Cloning: After gaining the true power of Level X, he is able to produce many data clones of himself, allowing him to be at many places at the same time. According to Kuroto, this power is based on a fictional zombie's ability to self-reproduce through their own cells.
 * Bugster Ability Restriction: One of the functions of Level 0 Gashats. Kuroto can seal certain abilities of Bugsters who are in his game area, such as host possession.
 * Teleportation: Kuroto can teleport himself for simple travel or evade incoming assaults.
 * Respawn: Having revived as a Bugster, Kuroto can respawn himself after a Game Over. Once respawn, he approaches from a self-made pipe with the limitations for his revival are 99 lives.
 * Level Regression: By grabbing a Gamer Driver user, Kuroto can degrade their Levels to reduce their powers.

Weaknesses

 * Gashacon Bugvisors: Being revived as a Bugster recently, Kuroto can be absorbed and preserved in a Gashacon Bugvisor in any time. This has only shown accessible in human form.

Devices

 * Gamer Driver - Transformation device.
 * Rider Gashat - Transformation trinkets.
 * Kimewaza Slot Holder - Carrier strap for the Rider Gashats.
 * Bugster Buckle - additional buckle device When attached to the Gashacon Bugvisor to become the Buggle Driver.
 * Buggle Driver - Secondary Transformation device combined from the Gashacon Bugvisor and the Bugster Buckle.

Weapons

 * Gashacon Bugvisor - Standard sidearm weapon, and also a secondary Transformation device combined with the Bugster Buckle to become the Buggle Driver. It's also Graphite's transformation device until Kuroto takes it back. When Ex-Aid renders Kuroto powerless from being a Rider anymore, Parad took it from him and kill him.
 * Gashacon Sparrow - Zombie Gamer Level X's weapon taken from Kamen Rider Lazer Chambara Bike Gamer Level 3, until Ex-Aid renders Kuroto powerless from being a Rider anymore and the Gashat is taken back to Emu.
 * Gashacon Sword - Brave's primary blade weapon that Genm steals until Brave Level 50 takes it back.
 * Trick Flywheels - Sports Action Gamer Level 3's personal weapons.
 * Gashacon Bugvisor II - Sidearm weapon used in Genm Action Gamer Level 0 to replace his lost Gashacon Bugvisor.
 * Gashacon Breaker - Genm Action Gamer Level 0's weapon (possibly on loan from Ex-Aid).

Vehicles

 * Sports Gamer - Genm's Level 3 Rider Machine summoned by the Shakariki Sports Gashat, until Ex-Aid defeats him and Genm no longer needing that Gashat anymore.
 * Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2 - Lazer's Rider Machine Mode that Genm can use to ride.

Relationship

 * CR:
 * Emu Hojo: Emu respects him and see him as a good man. Although Dan helps him in his civilian form, Dan acts hostile/even murderous to him as Genm. However, Emu is oblivious of this fact until Dan reveals himself to the Riders once his battle data gathering has been completed. Turns out, Kuroto had met Emu 16 years ago around the same time when Emu had an unknown illness and placed in a special surgery held by Kyotaro Hinata when Emu was a kid, then the experiment on Emu by Michihiko Zaizen under request of Kuroto himself in 2010. Dan's relation with him only grew worse after seeing the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, a game he didn't create, so he personally wants to kill Emu and wipe the data of the game out completely. Kuroto compares Emu and his idealistic, kind nature as a doctor with a crystal; once it's shattered, he won't be the same doctor again. He has said to Emu that he will soon destroy his crystal. Emu often calls Dan Genm when he transforms into Genm or not. Emu tries to save Dan after defeating him as a means of taking responsibility for his crimes, only to fail when Parad murders him in front of Emu.
 * Asuna Karino/Poppy Pipopapo: Asuna affectionately calls Dan as 社長 and greatly respects him. Dan in return also trusts Poppy for information regarding Gashats and the CR in his civilian form. Apparently, Poppy soon learns she was just a pawn to Dan when he reveals himself to the Riders that he is Genm, after he gathered enough battle data for his next plan. Later, after Kuroto's revival as a Bugster, he appears to be at Poppy's beck and call instead much to his dismay, due to Poppy being able to control him at will using the Gashacon Bugvisor II. Though he was originally bent on seeking revenge on Parad and acting on his own, Poppy's gratitude towards Kuroto for her creation (Affirming that, for her, he is her father), as well as she reminding him of his own mother, somewhat convinced Kuroto to side with the Riders for the time being.
 * Hiiro Kagami: They didn't interact much, but Hiiro shows some respect to him, although is somehow dubious of Dan's behavior until Dan reveals himself to the Riders of being Genm all along once his battle data gathering has been completed.
 * Kiriya Kujo: Kiriya saw Dan as his nemesis after he saw Dan's transformation into Genm. Dan however outsmarts him with Parad's help. Kiriya's hatred grows even further after that incident, even blackmailing him just to vent his anger. Strangely enough however, he claims that he's committing all these actions to find out the truth of how the Bugsters came to the real world, not unlike Kiriya's search for the truth behind the Bugsters. Unfortunately, Kiriya was too late to notice and stop Dan's next move, after Dan finally reveals himself to the Riders once his battle data gathering has been completed. As Kiriya is a greater threat to Dan for his meddling, he then murdered Kiriya as Genm Zombie Gamer Level X and stole his Gashacon Sparrow for his own personal use. However, Ex-Aid Level 99 managed to render Genm powerless from being a Rider anymore and retrieved the Giri Giri Chambara Gashat back.
 * Taiga Hanaya: Taiga mocks him because of Dan's laid-back behavior in civilian form. Although, Dan paid him no heed, even when Taiga bought his Gamer Driver back. Dan states that his Rider skills are undeniable despite how dangerous he is. Once Dan reveals himself to the Riders after he gathered enough battle data from Snipe and other Riders' battle, Taiga finally found out that he's being used by Dan.
 * Ministry of Health:
 * Kyotaro Hinata: Dan helped Kyotaro in the Gamer Driver and Gashat development. As such, they seem to be on good terms, until Kuroto reveal his true colors to the four doctor Kamen Riders once he completed his first evil plan.
 * Bugsters:
 * Graphite: Dan seems to see Graphite as a tool for his goals, Graphite in return didn't like Dan either.
 * Parad: Dan is often helped by Parad regardless of his mission as Genm. Parad also noted that Dan's necessary for his plan. However, his relationship with Parad appears to grow more bitter when Parad destroyed the Revol Bugster against Dan's deterrence. It gets worse even further when Dan himself does the same deed to the Burgermon Bugster right in front of Parad, though he completely destroys him instead of leaving any remains to absorb into the Bugvisor like Parad did. Thus, driving a wedge on their partnership. Ultimately, this becomes the reason Parad is fed up with his delusions when he kills Dan with no signs of remorse.
 * Masamune Dan: His father and the first CEO of Genm Corp before Kuroto. During his childhood life 16 years ago, their relationship was well. In 2010/2011, he become corrupted and betrayed his father by framing him that he started the Zero Day.
 * Sakurako Dan: Kuroto was a loving son towards his mother while she was still alive. Even after her death, Kuroto seemed to never forget the memory of his mother.

Portrayal
Kuroto Dan is portrayed by Tetsuya Iwanaga (岩永 徹也). As a teenager, he is portrayed by Mitsumasa Sato (佐藤 光将). Assuming the form of Kazuma Kenzaki in Kamen Sentai Gorider, he is portrayed by Takayuki Tsubaki (椿 隆之).

As Kamen Rider Genm, his suit actor is Satoshi Fujita (藤田 慧) in Level 1 and Yuya Nawata (縄田 雄哉) in Level 2, his bike action suit actor is Keigō Arizono (有薗 啓剛).