Chameleon Deadman

This article is about a monster in Kamen Rider Revice.

"Yujiro Wakabayashi"
Chameleon Deadman
Gender	Male
Motif	Chameleon, Muscle fibers, Demon, Contracts
Villain Type	General Spy
Affiliation	Deadmans
Homeworld	Earth
Series	Kamen Rider Revice
First Appearance	The Demon Is Just a Bad Guy!? (as Yujiro Wakabayashi) Fenix's Close Call! (as Chameleon Deadman)
Latest Appearance	Desire to Protect... The Time of the Three Igarashi Siblings! Karizaki's Rebellion, The Price of Transformation (flashback)
Number of Episode Appearances	16 (Revice) 1 (Movie) Full list of appearances
Actor	Kazuya Tanabe ("Wakabayashi") Ayumu Kato
Chameleon Deadman

"Guess that's it... Oh, I hate this!"

―Chameleon Deadman's last words^[src]

This unnamed man was a member of the Deadmans who became the Chameleon Deadman (カメレオン・デッドマン, Kamereon Deddoman) and used its abilities to impersonate Yujiro Wakabayashi (若林 優次郎, Wakabayashi Yūjirō) and infiltrate Fenix.

History

Background

Little is known about the man who became the Chameleon Deadman. After receiving the Chameleon Vistamp, he eventually advanced his contract and reached the Phase 2 state.

Infiltration into Fenix

Wakabayashi ambushed by the Chameleon Deadman

While the Deadmans were assaulting the Fenix ceremony, the Chameleon Deadman snuck onboard the Fenix Skybase. Finding Yujiro Wakabayashi observing the monitor screen, the Chameleon Deadman ambushed him and took the former's appearance. He declared himself to be "Yujiro Wakabayashi" before disintegrating him. For the next few months, the Chameleon Deadman continued impersonating Wakabayashi, assuming the role as Fenix head commander.

The Chameleon Deadman releases the Giff Juniors inside Skybase

The Chameleon Deadman monitored the actions of Fenix's Kamen Riders while feeding the Deadmans with intel. When the Skybase landed to refuel, the Chameleon Deadman helped the Deadmans raid into the Skybase to break out Yasushi Kudo, as well as obtain the Barid Rex Vistamp from George Karizaki. While Amahiko Haitani freed Kudo, the Chameleon Deadman went to obtain the Barid Rex Vistamp, but was driven away by Kamen Riders Revi and Vice. It was there that the Deadman made a crucial slip by referring the Vistamp's name, something only Karizaki and "Wakabayashi" had known.

Beyond Generations

"Yujiro" guiding the Deadmans at the Shocker base

Through his knowledge as "Yujiro Wakabayashi", the Chameleon Deadman guided the Deadmans' executives into an old Shocker base to release the demon Diablo. They also carry the Crisper Stamps, containing the genetic information of historical figures. The Deadmans joined along Diablo's plan to enact world domination. This led to Fenix's Kamen Riders joining forces with the Sword of Logos, and Diablo would be vanquished by their combined forces.

The Deadmans in Alaska

The Chameleon Deadman arrives at Alaska to create a pillar of light. However, they are intercepted by Kamen Rider Demons, Sabela, and Durendal. However, the Deadmans executive put up an immense fight against the three heroes, with the Chameleon Deadman in particular putting Demons in a chokehold. The four withdrew after completing their mission. In the end, Diablo would be defeated and the plot to fully reawaken his power was foiled.

The Giff Ceremony

"So let me tell you something interesting, a harsh truth to leave you in despair. Hahahaha...GRACIAS DEADMANS!"

―Chameleon Deadman reveals the truth behind his ploy^[src]

Chameleon Deadman reveals his true colors

As "Wakabayashi" attempted to seize the Giff Stamp from Fenix custody, he was caught by George Karizaki, Hiromi Kadota, and Daiji Igarashi. While he tried to get into Hiromi's good graces, "Wakabayashi" held him in a lock and revealed that he impersonated the real Wakabayashi and murdered him. After Karizaki gave him the Giff Stamp, he returned to the Deadmans' hideout to evolve into a Gifftex. Although he participated in the ritual to reawaken Giff, it was interrupted by the Kamen Riders' raid in the base. While he was briefly overwhelmed by Kamen Rider Demons, the ritual to awaken Giff was tarnished.

The Chameleon Deadman attempted to kill Ikki Igarashi by trying to knock out Yukimi Igarashi at the supermarket and assume her appearance. As he pulled a knife behind Ikki, the Igarashi siblings had caught onto his attempt and cornered him instead. After Chameleon Deadman was defeated by Revice, he shifted between his "Yujiro Wakabayashi" disguise and his true identity right before being absorbed by Giff.

Personality

The Chameleon Deadman appears to be an extremely cruel and manipulative man devoid of remorse or empathy. Like the other Gifftex, he is totally motivated to become a sacrifice for Giff and nothing would change his mind. He also has a sadistic side, toying with Hiromi Kadota before using him as ransom and telling him about the real Wakabayashi's fate to break his spirit. Conversely, he was shocked to learn that Vice thought the Igarashi family looked tasty, suggesting a limit to how far he would go.

Deep down, beneath all of his disguises, lies a very insecure person, as he openly expresses his distaste for his original appearance and prefers to continue copying Wakabayashi even after everyone at Fenix has discovered the truth about his identity. At his last moments, he tearfully lamented his defeat as he is absorbed by Giff.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Shapeshifting: Using the Chameleon Vistamp, he is able to transform into the Chameleon Deadman. He is also able to change his appearance to resemble anyone he's touched, to the point where he is indistinguishable in both appearance and voice from the original. Upon becoming a Gifftex, he used his ability to permanently change his human form to that of Wakabayashi, preferring his victim's face to his original.

Abilities

• Expert Combatant: The Chameleon Deadman was able to easily overpower Hiromi Kadota and Daiji Igarashi in his disguise.
• Expert Actor: The Chameleon Deadman was able to trick everyone (even Fenix) for months into believing he was the real Yujiro Wakabayashi. He also seems to have a great capacity for learning and mimicking others in general; he managed to effortlessly copy Vice's speech and mannerisms in the heat of battle, even predicting his reaction to his transformation and playing along with his eccentricities.

Chameleon Deadman

Chameleon Deadman Phase 2/3

"Chameleon!"

―Transformation announcement via Chameleon Proto Vistamp^[src]

Statistics

• Height: 196.6 cm
• Weight: 106.1 kg

The Chameleon Deadman and its host have been united by a higher contract. The host has gained immense power in exchange for the risk of not being able to return to human form. In Phase 2, the ability to change the the pigmentation of the body surface in addition to the ability to change shape have been acquired. This makes it possible to impersonate various people, and he is good at infiltration work. Once he changes his form, it becomes difficult for humans to recognize him, and it is so perfect that even demons can miss it if they don't pay attention. Initially, this man fused with his inner devil indefinitely to transform into the Chameleon Deadman Phase 2 (カメレオン・デッドマン フェーズ2, Kamereon Deddoman Fēzu 2). After becoming a Gifftex, he could use the Chameleon Proto Vistamp to transform into the Chameleon Deadman Phase 3 (カメレオン・デッドマン フェーズ3, Kamereon Deddoman Fēzu 3) and return to his human form at will.

Abilities

• Shapeshifting: The Chameleon Deadman can change his appearance into an exact copy of another person after touching them. This ability extends to demons and Kamen Riders.
• Camouflage: The Chameleon Deadman can blend into his surroundings by changing the coloration of his body to match the environment. He is still able to use his other abilities while camouflaged.
• Disintegration: The Chameleon Deadman can generate destructive dark energy from his hand that can disintegrate a person.
• Enhanced Speed: The Chameleon Deadman can move at high speeds, resulting in his body being covered in green energy.
• Wallcrawling: The Chameleon Deadman's hands and feet can adhere to surfaces, allowing him to crawl on walls.
• Prehensile Tongue: The Chameleon Deadman can extend his tongue and use it to attack the enemy.
• Heat Generation: The Chameleon Deadman Phase generate a burst of fire his body or fire it as a stream.
  • Fire Breath: The Chameleon Deadman can expel flames from his mouth.

Appearance: Revice Episodes 13, Beyond Generations, 14-16

Disguises

Yujiro Wakabayashi

Yasushi Kudo^{[Fenix's Close Call!]}

Unnamed Fenix member^{[Fenix's Close Call!]}

Kamen Rider Vice^{[Eradicate! Showdown! Deadmans!]}

Yukimi Igarashi^{[Desire to Protect... The Time of the Three Igarashi Siblings!]}

Behind the Scenes

Portrayal

Chameleon Deadman's human form is portrayed by Ayumu Kato (加藤 歩, Katō Ayumu)

While disguised as several people, he is portrayed by their respective actors:

• As "Yujiro Wakabayashi", he is portrayed by Kazuya Tanabe (田邊 和也, Tanabe Kazuya).
• As "Yasushi Kudo", he is portrayed by Gamon Kaai (河相 我聞, Kaai Gamon), who previously portrayed Alfred/Kamen Rider Tyrant in Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Baron.
• As an unnamed Fenix member, he is portrayed by Kento Nozawa (野澤剣人, Nozawa Kento).
• As "Kamen Rider Vice", he is voiced by Subaru Kimura (木村 昴, Kimura Subaru).
• As "Yukimi Igarashi", he is portrayed by Kurara Emi (映美 くらら, Emi Kurara).

Notes

• Although Chameleon Deadman's motif appears to be an homage to General Black, the general of Gel-Shocker from the 1971 Kamen Rider TV series, it was confirmed to be an unintentional coincidence by the showrunners.
• Series writer Hanta Kinoshita stated that the Chameleon Deadman as Yujiro was inspired by Gary Oldman's portrayal of Norman Stansfield in the film Léon: The Professional.

Appearances

• Kamen Rider Revice
  • Episode 2: The Demon Is Just a Bad Guy!? (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 3: Hostage Trouble, What Will the Brothers Do!? (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 5: The World Reforming Rider! Who Is the Traitor!? (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 7: Theft!? Skateboard!? I'm Kagero! (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 9: Runaway Kagero! Igarashi Brothers... Collapse!? (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 10: Older and Younger Brother, the Heart That Believes (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 11: Invincible Sakura, Power for What Purpose (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 12: Weakness Is Strength!? The Invincible Jeanne! (as Yujiro Wakabayashi)
  • Episode 13: Fenix's Close Call! (first appearance as Chameleon Deadman)
  • Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations
  • Episode 14: The Commander Is...a Deadman!?
  • Episode 15: Eradicate! Showdown! Deadmans!
  • Episode 16: Desire to Protect... The Time of the Three Igarashi Siblings! (Death)
  • Episode 17: Deepening Betrayal, The True Value of Buddies (Flashback)
  • Episode 18: Buddy's Trajectory, A Miracle of Fire And Ice (Flashback)
  • Episode 29: Crank In! Memory of Hiromi! (Flashback)
  • Episode 47: Karizaki's Rebellion, The Price of Transformation (Flashback)
  • Kamen Rider Revice: Final Stage (Mentioned)