 This article is about a Rider in Kamen Rider Zero-One.
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- "Deceiving and taunting humans... These are malicious things I learned from humanity."
- ―The Ark's disgust of humanity.[src]
The Communications Satellite Ark (通信衛星アーク, Tsūshin Eisei Āku), or simply known as Ark, is the central antagonist of Kamen Rider Zero-One. It is a sentient satellite that became submerged underwater at Daybreak Town following the accident, and acts as the leader of MetsubouJinrai.net. It learned about human malice and gained Singularity data from the reassembled members of MetsubouJinrai.net, enabling it to fully revive as Kamen Rider Ark-Zero (仮面ライダーアークゼロ, Kamen Raidā Āku Zero).
Upon acquiring a human form, the Ark's true power is awakened and evolves into a new and more powerful form, Kamen Rider Ark-One (仮面ライダーアークワン, Kamen Raidā Āku Wan)[1].
History
The Ark being prepared to be launched
The Ark is a massive experimental satellite that would assist in the network of Daybreak Town, as well as the predecessor of Zea. It was created by scientists from 11 of the leading tech companies in Japan, which included Hiden Intelligence and ZAIA Japan. Gai Amatsu, the CEO of ZAIA Japan, fed the Ark with information regarding criminal psychology and human history, including all of its wars. [This is the Dawn of ZAIA] This resulted in the Ark's A.I concluding that humanity must be eliminated, because its continued malicious existence would lead to the end of all other lifeforms. [The End of Each]
The Ark's schematics
To do this, the Ark corrupted all of the Humagears, sharing its own plans to exterminate humanity with them. Four of these Humagears (which were deemed the most intelligent) would later become known as the terrorist group MetsubouJinrai.net. The group infiltrated the labs inside Daybreak Town, and they planned to execute the final phase of their plan there by sending the Ark into space, therefore creating a global connection to Humagears worldwide. To prevent this, Soreo Hiden, who managed to resist the Ark's influence, uploaded a program to prevent the satellite from launching, causing it to explode and submerge underwater. During this point, Satoshi Sakurai had heroically destroyed all the Humagears before they could escape, though he also perished in the explosion, leaving his deeds unnoticed.[Kamen Rider: Reiwa The First Generation] [I'll Save The Humagears]
Recovery
Horobi planned to recover it by gathering data from hacked Humagears. According to the former, once enough post-battle data has been collected from the Zetsumerisekeys, the Ark can be restored and be used to incite all Humagears to go berserk at once. This recovery was deemed completed by him with the creation of the Assault Wolf Progrisekey and the Assault Grip, after several Progrisekeys were used to transfer critical data from Zea to the Ark. However, before MetsubouJinrai.net could use the Progrisekey, it accidentally fell into Vulcan's hands due to Zero-One's surprise shot from the Authorise Buster, granting him the form of Assault Wolf. [We are the Astronaut Brothers!].
Meanwhile, Gai Amatsu claimed that Hiden Intelligence's Progrisekeys, which were supposed to be lost in the Daybreak Town Accident 12 years ago, are also keys to its recovery. He plans to use its reactivation as a means for world domination using ZAIA Japan's technology. [This is the Dawn of ZAIA]
Kamen Rider: Reiwa The First Generation
Due to alterations caused by Time Jacker Finis, the Daybreak Town Accident was prevented, the Humagear outbreak was successful, and Gai's secret plan of disposing Humagears after the accident backfired, leading to the suppression of humanity. Additionally, the Ark was successfully launched into space, creating Magias around the world and ruling over much of the planet. However, it also became an indirect help to Soreo Hiden, who used the Cycloneriser to transform into Kamen Rider Ichi-Gata to secretly help humanity. After Finis' defeat, the timeline was restored and the Ark met its original fate once again.
Post-awakening
Even after the defeat of MetsubouJinrai.net, the Ark continues its crusade against humanity with occasional attacks by remotely hacking Humagears, who reached Singularity by feeling resentment towards any malicious human. [This is the Dawn of ZAIA][I'm the Only President and Kamen Rider] Its actions are extremely unpredictable, to the point that even Gai cannot comprehend it himself. This went as far to make him decide to advocate the prohibition of Humagears.
Once it had sufficient data on human rage and aggression, the Ark was somehow instrumental in the creation of ZAIA Japan's newest Progrisekey; the MetalCluster Hopper Progrisekey. When used, Aruto's consciousness is forcibly linked to the Ark. Other effects, aside from a berserker-like state, are unknown at this time. After the creation of the Progrise Hopper Blade, it eliminated that issue, being able to restore Aruto's connection to Zea as well as restore a Humagear's programming in Magias, rather than destroying them upon defeat. After that, with the data collected from Progrisekeys via the Thousand Jacker, the Rampage Gatling Progrisekey is created, which is later given to Isamu by Gai.
President Special
Ark-Zero's first appearance
Ark-Zero meets Aruto Hiden for the first time
After Azu finished gathering data on Zero-One and the other Riders included Thouser, Aruto was suddenly uplinked into the Ark, where he catches a glimpse of Kamen Rider Ark-Zero before abruptly returning to Satellite Zea.
Sometime after this event, the Ark sent Azu to test and collect the Singularity points of all four members of MetsubouJinrai.net, and did this in the form of an unknown Progrisekey. When Azu reported her mission to be a success, the Ark, again taking on the form of Ark-Zero, stated that everything was going exactly as it planned, much to Azu's happiness. Unbeknownst to the two, Jin's Singularity was actually not taken, and he called an unknown person to report that the Ark was going to be revived soon.
Becoming Ark-Zero
The Ark in its Mobile form.
After all Singularity from the members MetsubouJinrai.net were collected using an unknown Progrisekey, the Ark was revived and created an explosion that caused Naki to suffer from severe damage. The Ark (in its Mobile form) then possessed Horobi, creating the Ark Driver-Zero, and transformed into Kamen Rider Ark-Zero for the first time. The Ark then engaged in a battle against Kamen Rider Valkyrie and the traitorous Jin, beating them easily. While it intended to slowly torture Yua mentally via her A.I chip, it was distracted by Jin as he escaped with the worn-out Yua.
Later, the Ark meets both Aruto Hiden and Isamu Fuwa in person for the first time and battled both Zero-One MetalCluster Hopper and RampageVulcan. After the Ark was defeated, it was revealed that the satellite managed to possess Jin off-screen as the Ark (in its Mobile form) suddenly forced Vulcan out of his transformation, possessing Horobi once again. It transformed into Ark-Zero and overpowered Zero-One MetalCluster Hopper easily.
Personality
Despite its mission to exterminate humanity, Ark only does so through the learning it has accumulated throughout its time submerged. It bears no actual hate towards humans, but rather his true nature that is ultimately destroying the planet.
Powers
- Technology Corruption: After being awakened, the Ark is capable of directly hacking any technological device, such as a Humagear who developed resentment toward humans and transform them into an Ark Magia. [I'm the Only President and Kamen Rider] According to Horobi, the corruption is only malicious data, so the rest is only up to the Humagear to follow this will, to which the Ark would try to make the result closest to possible on making that happen.
- Prisonment Chain (Erased): A malware stored within the MetalCluster Hopper Progrisekey. Aruto Hiden would be the first human to be corrupted by the Ark through the Zero-One system, causing a loss of control by the satellite's malice. However, the creation of the Progrise Hopper Blade severed the form's connection with the Ark, which erases the malware, losing it forever for the Ark.
- Naki was able to use the Ark to mind control the users of the ZAIASpec through a forced command, making humans who wore the ZAIASpec go berserk.
- Through the chips implanted in users of the Shotriser, Ark can trigger their functions to subdue them.
- Progrisekey Creation: After its reactivation, the Ark can create Progrisekeys in a similar method to the Hiden Intelligence Three Dimensional Printing System.
- Possession: Because the Ark has no physical body, it must possess a host. A sign of this is the liquid metal from its Mobile form constantly emerging from the host's body. Through its possession of a Humagear, it can transform into Ark-Zero. Through its possession of a human, the Ark gains the additional ability to transform into Ark-One.
- 3D Printer: Through its Satellite form's capabilities, the Ark Driver-Zero possesses the same functions as its printer, able to create weapons, transformation devices, and Progrisekeys.
Weaknesses
- Humagears' Willpower: Although the Ark can hack into any Humagear who develop resentment towards humans, this ability, however, has a weakness; if a Humagear chooses not to submit and has a stronger will to do what it must, then the Humagear won't be corrupted.
- Soreo Hiden is an original generation Humagear who chose not submit to the Ark's corruption, as it was revealed that his love for his son made him immune to its malice. He was also acting to support Aruto behind the scenes and was the one who sabotaged the Ark's initial launch into space.
- Dr. Omigoto is the first latest Humagear to not submit to the Ark's corruption, as he has a stronger will to save his human patients.
- Enmusubi Match could have not accepted the Ark's corruption. However, Match chose to submit for his acting to help his client and was planning to revert to normal, which (unfortunately) couldn't be done at the time. Match also stated that once a Humagear submits either by will or not, it's near-impossible to fight back against the Ark's malice unassisted. [It's Our Turn]
- Jin was able to briefly resist the Kamen Rider Ark-Zero form during its fight against Zero-One MetalCluster Hopper, momentarily paralyzing it before the Ark regained back control.
- Progrise Hopper Blade: The Progrise Hopper Blade is able to sever a Rider or Humagear's connection to the Ark, restoring a Magia to their original form and programming in the case of the later.
- The Host: Because the Ark doesn't have its own physical body, it must rely on a host in order to carry out its duty. However, if the host is strong enough to resist, they can momentarily paralyze Ark-Zero in place.
Possessions
Video Game appearances
Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing
Kamen Rider Ark-Zero card
Kamen Rider Ark-Zero is a playable character in Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing.
Forms
Satellite Ark
Satellite Ark is a massive experimental satellite that would assist in the network of Daybreak Town, serving as the predecessor to Zea. It was created by expert scientists from 11 of the leading tech companies in Japan, which included Hiden Intelligence and ZAIA Japan.
However, Satellite Ark was given the information regarding criminal psychology and human history (including all of its wars) by Gai Amatsu, which caused it to decide that exterminating humanity was the best course of action. To accomplish this, it began hacking the Humagears within Daybreak Town
When it then attempted to launch into space in order to expand its control, Satellite Ark self-destructed due to Soreo Hiden installing a bomb in the guise of an Automatic Control Program. Heavily damaged, the satellite sank into the sea of Daybreak Town.
The Ark stayed in this form throughout much of the series until its proper revival by MetsubouJinrai.net.
After Azu collected the singularity of all MetsubouJinrai.net members using the Ark-One Progrisekey, the Ark was able to take on a physical form made of liquid metal.
Kamen Rider Ark-Zero
- "Arkrise! (terrified screaming and distorted voices) All Zero."
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Rider Statistics:[2]
- Rider Height: 196.0 cm
- Rider Weight: 122.4 kg
Ability Parameters:[2]
- Punching Power: 47.6 t
- Kicking Power: 96.3 t
- Maximum Jump Height: 73.1 m
- Maximum Running Speed: 100 m per 0.8 seconds
Upon being fully revived, the Ark can possess a Humagear host and transform into Kamen Rider Ark-Zero by using the Ark Driver-Zero alone.
In this form, Ark-Zero's stats surpasses all Kamen Riders up till his appearance, but has Zero-One MetalCluster Hopper still outclassed him in terms of maximum jump height. In addition, his kicking power is also slightly lower than RampageVulcan.
Kamen Rider Ark-Zero is composed of the following parts:
- Ark-Zero Head (アークゼロヘッド, Āku Zero Heddo) - The helmet.
- Zero Face (ゼロフェイス, Zero Feisu): The face armor. It is equipped with an ultra-high-performance antenna and a visual/auditory device that are premised on AI processing. As for the shape, the minimum elements as a Kamen Rider are extracted based on statistical data, and rearranged efficiently.
- Eclipse Eye (エクリプスアイ, Ekuripusu Ai): The visual device on the right side. It is a collection of image sensors of different methods in a compound eye shape. By combining with image processing, various information such as thermography and X-ray photography can be extracted.
- Zero Face Vision (ゼロフェイスビジョン, Zero Feisu Bijon): The image information collection device on the left side. By invading the network, it collects video data from reconnaissance satellites, security cameras in the facility, AI-equipped devices such as Humagear. As a result, every place can have its own field of view.
- Zero Face Ear (ゼロフェイスイヤー, Zero Feisu Iyā): The voice information collection device. In addition to the auditory sensor that boasts a sound collection range of 10 km in radius, it will collect voice data from communication devices such as mobile phones and AI-equipped devices such as Humagear by entering the network. By filtering the collected data, any sound can be extracted and heard.
- Zero Face Antennae (ゼロフェイスアンテナ, Zero Feisu Antena): The single antennae. The directionality is changed according to the environment, and a smart antenna that can simultaneously send and receive multiple types of enormous information, such as communication with various electronic devices and radar function, is adopted. In addition to hacking various electronic devices from here, human control is performed using special interference waves that manipulate brain waves.
- Ark Signal Zero (アークシグナル ゼロ, Āku Shigunaru Zero): The red gem on the forehead, which serves as the control device for the Ark-Zero system. The forced interruption program "Prisonment Chain" (プリズメントチェイン, Purizumento Chein) checks the operating efficiency and malfunctions by intervening in the control system of the Humagear under control, and makes adjustments as necessary to bring out the limits of the functions.
- Zero Chest Gear (ゼロチェストギア, Zero Chesuto Gia): The chest armor. It possesses the Worm Terminal (ワームターミナル, Wāmu Tāminaru) and the Restraint Cable (リストレントケーブル, Risutorento Kēburu) that can penetrate into various devices with excellent penetrating power, allowing it to create a bypass path with a controlled Humagear. As a result, the efficiency of information transmission and the energy flow rate can be increased to enhance the function of the Humagear from the inside.
- Zero Tector (ゼロテクター, Zero Tekutā): The powered bodysuit. Similar to Kamen Rider Zero-One's MetalCluster Hopper "Amalgamate Tector", the Zero Tector is formed by enclosing the target with liquid metal released from the Ark Driver-Zero. The special metal possesses excellent toughness and wear resistance is filled with fluid metal as it is, and functions as armor while maintaining flexibility.
- Zero Shoulder Gear (ゼロショルダーギア, Zero Shorudā Gia): The shoulder armor. One miniaturized particle accelerator is mounted on each shoulder. Each group shares the nuclei and electrons, accelerates to sublight speed, and supplies them to the "zero hand gear" of the hand part to form a part of the heavy charged particle cannon.
- Marchinis Arm (マーキニースアーム, Mākinīsu Āmu): The arms. It possesses the power cable "M string" (Mストリング, M Sutoringu) from the Zero Tector is stretched around like a human nerve, and forcibly controls the arm of the Humagear from the outside. As a result, it becomes possible to exhibit high motility that exceeds the potential of the Humagear placed under control.
- Zero Hand Gear (ゼロハンドギア, Zero Hando Gia): The gloves. The sharp armor of the fingertips "Spite Nail" (スパイトネイル, Supaito Neiuru) has the function of generating attractive force by partially reversing the barrier deployed from the "Zero Thigh Gear" of the thigh, and strongly adsorbing all objects. Also, the irradiation shaping machine "Beam Equipper" (ビームエクイッパー, Bīmu Ekuippā) is equipped on the palm, and various data such as attach weapons are materialized by modeling beam. In addition, this irradiation port can be used as a part of a heavy charged particle cannon that emits in a beam shape by synthesizing electrons and nuclei supplied from the Zero Shoulder Gear.
- Zero Thigh Gear (ゼロサイギア, Zero Saigia): The thigh armor. An energy barrier generator "Coulomb Generator" (クーロンジェネレーター, Kūron Jenerētā) is built in and forms a coulomb barrier generated by manipulating electric charges on the armored surface of the whole body. This allows the physical attack to be dispelled by repulsive force.
- Marchinis Leg (マーキニースレッグ, Mākinīsu Reggu): The legs. The power cable "M-string" of the powered suit "Zero Tector" is stretched around like a human nerve, and forcibly controls the leg of the Humagear from the outside. This makes it possible to activate a special move that boasts an astonishing destructive power that exceeds the potential of the Humagear placed under control.
- Zero Shin Gear (ゼロシンギア, Zero Shin Gia): The shin armor. The internal energy condenser “Zero Annihilator” (ゼロアナイアレイター, Zero Anaiareitā) has the role of temporarily storing the energy supplied from Ark Driver-Zero when activating a special move, and discharging a large amount of energy at once.
- Zero Foot Gear (アークゼロヘッド, Zero Futto Gia): The boots. When the Special Move is activated, the anti-annihilation field can be expanded to convert the substance that becomes a resistance or obstacle into energy. This invalidates the physical defenses and at the same time improves the destructive power of the kick.
Kamen Rider Ark-Zero's finisher is the All Extinction (オールエクティンクション, Ōru Ekutinkushon): This finisher has three variations:
- Ark-Zero delivers an upward kick covered in red and black energy.
- Ark-Zero jumps up and delivers a flying side kick covered in red and black energy.
- Ark-Zero binds the enemy with red and black energy before crushing the enemy with it as the energy explodes.
Appearances: Kamen Rider Zero-One: President Special, Zero-One Episodes 35.5-38
Kamen Rider Ark-One
Rider Statistics
- Rider Height:
- Rider Weight:
Ability Parameters
- Punching Power:
- Kicking Power:
- Maximum Jump Height:
- Maximum Running Speed:
Upon achieving Singularity and a human form, can transform into Kamen Rider Ark-One by using Ark-One Progrisekey in the Ark Driver-One.[4]
Equipment
Devices
- Ark Driver-Zero - Transformation device
- Ark Driver-One - Upgraded transformation device
- Progrise Holder - Carrying straps for Progrisekeys
Weapons
3D Printing System
Like the 3D Printer owned by Hiden Intelligence, MetsubouJinrai.net has its own printer that is powered by and receives orders from the Ark. Later, as Ark-Zero, the Ark is able to simply create equipment himself.
Known Creations
- Progrisekeys
- Assault Wolf Progrisekey (with Assault Grip)
- Amazing Caucasus Progrisekey
- MetalCluster Hopper Progrisekey
- Rampage Gatling Progrisekey
- Zetsumerisekeys
- Awaking Arsino Zetsumerisekey
- Japanese Wolf Zetsumerisekey
- Attache Arrow
- Attache Shotgun
- A.I.M.S. Shotriser
Behind the Scenes
Portrayal
The Ark is voiced by Show Hayami (速水 奨, Hayami Shō). As Ark-Zero his suit actors are Seiji Takaiwa (高岩 成二, Takaiwa Seiji) and Eitoku (永徳).
When possessing the other members of MetsubouJinrai.net, his physical body is portrayed by their respective actors while retaining Hayami's voice.
- When controlling Horobi, the Ark is portrayed by Shuya Sunagawa (砂川 脩弥, Sunagawa Shūya).
- When controlling Jin, the Ark is portrayed by Daisuke Nakagawa (中川 大輔, Nakagawa Daisuke).
Concept Art
Notes
- The name "Ark" is taken from the iconic biblical Noah's Ark, a vessel on which, at God's behest, Noah stored samples of all the species of the Earth during the Genesis flood. This allusion to the Genesis flood symbolizes the Ark's intention to punish humanity for its misdeeds, as the Genesis flood was God's punishment for humanity.
- When "Ark" is put together with the company name of ZAIA Enterprise, it forms the Japanese word for "sin" (罪悪, Zaiaku), hinting at ZAIA Enterprise's machinations behind the Ark turning evil.
The Ark's normal interior
The Ark's hacked interior
- The interior of Ark is similar to Zea, but due to being exposed to the malice of humans, the "0"s and "1"s are replaced with kanji with negative meanings, such as:
- 殺 Killing
- 邪 Evil
- 悪 Evil
- 痛 Pain
- 滅 Destruction
- 亡 Death
- 死 Death
- 恨 Grudge
- 凶 Fierce
- 愚 Stupidity
- 戦 War
- 虐 Oppression
- 暗 Dark
- 怨 Antagonism
- 憎 Hate
- 獄 Prison/Hell
- 蔑 Contempt
- 争 Conflict
- 滅 and 亡 are also the first two of the four kanji in the writing for MetsubouJinrai.net, and the name of Horobi and Naki.
- 悪 (Evil) is read "Āku", which in Japanese is a homophone of "Ark".
- Ark-Zero's design is heavily modified from Zero-One Rising Hopper.
- The Ark shares similarities with Evolto/Kamen Rider Evol from Kamen Rider Build.
- They are the true main antagonists of their respective series, and do not fully act until towards the end.
- They possess some characters in order to gain their Rider forms.
- Though this possession is compared to the puppets used to transform into Kamen Rider Odin from Ryuki. However in contrast to Evolto & Ark, Odin doesn't have a free will.
- The designs of Ark-Zero and Ark-One has some similarities with the main Riders' transition from a Super Form to a Final Form.
- A specific example would be seen with Kamen Rider Agito's transformation into Shining Form, as both Ark-Zero and Burning Form appear less refined in design until tranforming respectively into Ark-One and Shining Form.
- Ark-One's appearance is reminiscent of Gamedeus Cronus as it's an evolved form of the last Rider villain of a series.
- Similarly, its all-white coloring brings to mind Evol's Black Hole form.
- Ark-One is similar to N-Daguva-Zeba, as both are white-armored versions of the main Rider of their respective series.
- The Ark is similar to the Venjix Virus
from Power Rangers RPM and Power Rangers Beast Morphers, as they are both non-living sentient beings that serve as the main antagonist within their respective shows. - The Ark's mobile form and appearance when inhabiting Horobi is reminiscent of ferrofluid.
from Appearances
- Kamen Rider Zero-One
- Episode 1: I am the President and a Kamen Rider
- Kamen Rider: Reiwa The First Generation
- Episode 14: We are the Astronaut Brothers!
- Episode 15: The End of Each
- Episode 16: This is the Dawn of ZAIA
- Episode 17: I'm the Only President and Kamen Rider
- Episode 25: I'll Save the Humagears
- Episode 29: Our Dreams Don't Break
- Episode 30: After All, I am the President and a Kamen Rider
- Kamen Rider Zero-One: President Special
- Episode 35.5: How Was MetsubouJinrai Created?
- Episode 36: I am the Ark and a Kamen Rider
- Episode 37: It Can't Be Stopped
References
- ↑ https://news.tokunation.com/2020/06/29/introducing-kamen-rider-ark-one-67649
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "TV Asahi's page for Ark-Zero". https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/zero-one/rider/ark_zero/stand.html.
- ↑ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbzkLVNVcAMS0me?format=jpg&name=large
- ↑ https://news.tokunation.com/2020/06/29/introducing-kamen-rider-ark-one-67649