 This article is about a villain in Kamen Rider Zero-One.
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- "When great malice is born, Master Ark will rise again."
- ―As's prophecy.[src]
- "Please don't be sad. I'll always be by your side... Master Ark."
- ―As attempts to console Aruto.[src]
- "In due time, humanity and Humagears will clash, ushering in mass destruction. And the one who holds the key...is you."
- ―As reveals her intentions.[src]
As (アズ, Azu),[1] spelled Azu in some Japanese publications, was a Humagear-like being and messenger[2] in servitude to the Ark. She temporarily became its host and transformed into Kamen Rider Ark-Zero-One (仮面ライダーアークゼロワン, Kamen Raidā Āku Zerowan).
History[]
Singularity Test[]
- "Okay, let us begin our Singularity Test."
- ―As introducing herself to MetsubouJinrai.net[src]
As beginning the Singularity Test
As first appears to Aruto Hiden, pretending to be a seemingly defective Is in a ploy to gather information about Zero-One for the Ark.
With the four members of MetsubouJinrai.net all active, As finally stepped out of the shadows, introducing herself to Horobi as the Ark's "executive assistant" and "secretary". She declared that her task was to collect data on each of the terrorist group members' Singularity Points in order to use them as the keys to her master's revival. After approching Horobi, Naki, IkAschi, and Jin to collect their Singularity data, As gave her report to the Ark about her mission being a success, to which the Ark affirmed that everything had gone according to what the satellite had predicted.
The Next Incarnation of Ark[]
Following the Ark's defeat, it had As create new incarnations of itself while it retreated underground. As broadcast a simulation to Is and Jin, which showed Horobi becoming Ark-One and thus the next incarnation of the Ark. After Is deduced that it was a simulation, As approached her and revealed that it was not Zea that was behind the simulation, but rather the Ark's despite the A.I being destroyed. As then declared to her counterpart that the Ark had now exceeded human comprehension; her master now became a god and was expected to revive soon, before disappearing. After Horobi destroyed Is, As appeared to a grieving Aruto and altered her hair color to exactly like Is. Referring to him as her master, she offered him the Ark-One Progrisekey, which he accepted and used to become Kamen Rider Ark-One. After intervening in the chaos within the city and brutally defeating Kamen Riders Vulcan, Valkyrie, Jin, Horobi, and the Magia army. Aruto returned to As still in despair over being the Ark itself.
As "embracing" Aruto
After Aruto headed to MetsubouJinrai.net's base to find Horobi, As approaches Aruto again but was rebuffed by him, angrily declaring that she was not Is. As questioned Aruto as to why he was being so hostile, saying she had even changed her hair to green to make him more comfortable. Instead of destroying her, Aruto simply told her to leave him alone before leaving to confront Horobi once more. After Ark-One unwittingly destroyed Jin and sent Horobi spiraling down into grief, As approached Horobi and took advantage of his sorrow and malice to corrupt him into another Ark, handing him the Ark Scorpion Progrisekey to get revenge for Jin.
Right following the end of Aruto and Horobi's final battle, As later appears in the front of Rihito Isshiki, known as S, and told him about Ark as she also gave him a copy of Hiden Zero-One Driver and an incomplete Ark Progrisekey, which would turn into the Eden Zetsumerisekey. As then changes her appearance into a bridal gown as she saw Rihito's transformation into Kamen Rider Eden.
Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage[]
As transform into Ark-Zero-One
One day, As sensed the Ark's presense within her and transforms into Kamen Rider Ark-Zero-One. Immediately after the transformation, As's voice was a mixture of her own and Ark, which then became the Ark's voice itself. As Ark-Zero-One, she continues to have the advanced prediction and production capabilities like her master. Ultimately, Ark-Zero-One was defeated by Zero-Two and As is forced to withdraw, still believing as long as malice exists, the Ark will return.
Kamen Rider Zero-One: REAL×TIME[]
Three months after the war between him and Aruto ended, As continues to observe Rihito Isshiki (S) as he leads his followers at Thinknet to destroy the world and replace it with a "paradise". She remains in the background during the chaos, which caught Horobi's attention. Although he questions her objectives, As explains that this is part of the Ark's conclusion before leaving.
Zero-One Others[]
Death of As
Following the defeat of Thinknet, As approached Lyon Arkland, CEO of ZAIA Enterprise's main branch, to be her new candidate for the next incarnation of Ark. She conspired with Arkland to kidnap Jin and mass-produce military-type Humagears called Solds. However, Lyon had no interest in becoming the next Ark and executed As shortly after making his true goals known. After her death, she was given a proper funeral by Jin and the other members of MetsubouJinrai.net.
Video Game appearances[]
Battle Spirits[]
As in Battle Spirits
As appears with other Kamen Riders and Monsters in Battle Spirits.
Personality[]
As is deceptive, conceited, and flirtatious with her attitude, which is a clear contrast to that of Is's far more obedient, compassionate, and jocular attitude. On one occasion, she pretended to be a malfunctioning Is inside There before revealing herself as the Ark's messenger. On another occasion, she tried to trick Jin with a hologram of Aruto, which proves how much of a chilling and convincing trickster she is. As is also shown to be a manipulative sadist, as she manages to convince a devastated Aruto to use the Ark-One Progrisekey to get revenge against Horobi for the death of Is, all while giving a resentful Horobi the Ark Scorpion Progrisekey to use against Aruto as revenge for Jin's death, proving that both deaths were coordinated by her. As is void of concern over her kind's well-being in general, and this reinforces her sadistic disposition; the thing that could be considered her only concern is that of her master Ark. Even after Ark's apparent death, she continues to be loyal to him and searches for anyone to become the host for Ark. Despite her attempts to manipulate others, As is repeatedly shown to be short-sighted in her schemes, such as when she attempted to corrupt Lyon Arkland into being the next Ark, even though he rejected malice in favor of justice, leading to her demise by his hand.
Most of As' appearances and guises vary whenever she serves the Ark and his many incarnations:
- Ark: As retains the identical Is appearance with the long hair and red strands to represent her as the Ark's secretary similar to how Is is to Aruto Hiden.
- Aruto Hiden & Horobi: As simply changes her red strand into a green color to almost resemble Is. This ties into Aruto's grief over Is's death and Horobi's guilt for murdering Is in the first place.
- S: As wears a black wedding dress that symbolizes S's goal to reunite with his fiancée, Akane Tono, who he was supposed to marry before her untimely death during the Daybreak Town Accident.
- Lyon Arkland: As sports a black leather jacket and a red fabric dress. She wears a professional and business-like attire as an analogous to Arkland's profession as the ZAIA Enterprise CEO.
Powers[]
- Appearance Alteration: As was able to materialize and wear different outfits with every single Ark successor she had followed, either changing her hair color or a different outfit.
- Simulation: Since As uplinks to the Ark, she can make simulations like Is did. She demonstrated the ability to Is, showing that Horobi becomes Ark-One. However, the simulation can be inaccurate, unlike Is's, as Aruto Hiden ends up becoming the user of Ark-One instead, though it is also likely that As deliberately showed her counterpart a false simulation in order to manipulate Aruto into becoming an incarnation of the Ark.
- Equipment Creation: As she is linked to the Ark, As can use its data and malice to mass-produce blank Ark Progrisekeys, which are then given to chosen ones that she thinks are suitable to be the next incarnations of the Ark. As her plans over the course of the series involve several Hiden Zero-One Drivers of unknown origin, it is implied that this ability extends to the creation of drivers as well.
- Rapid Adaptation: All equipment As creates through her abilities start out blank, but have the ability to change their appearance and function to match their user when coming into contact with a host. The first Zero-One Driver/Ark Progrisekey pair given to Horobi transformed into equipment based on his Rider form and his position as MetsubouJinrai's leader, while the second pair given to Rihito transformed into a Zetsumerisekey and driver unit based on humans, symbolizing his desire to wipe out humanity. As's own Zero-One Driver is unchanged, but has her Progrisekey become a variant of Ark-One, symbolizing the union between the Ark and Zea creating Ark Zero-One.
Relationships[]
- Ark: While As has physically contacted Ark once only, she shows respect and even love towards her master. After Ark's death she continue to be loyal towards him. Her loyalty towards Ark also leads to her death.
- Is: As and Is are depicted as polar opposites. As is the more cunning and playful messenger of the Ark compared to Is's polite and easygoing nature. They have only met once, inside the Ark's simulation.
- Aruto Hiden: As is very much aware of Aruto's relationship with Is. She uses that to her advantage by approaching Aruto under the guise of Is first, before luring him into the Ark's influence. Aruto is aware of As, and thinks that she cannot replace Is, to her slight astonishment. Despite this, he accepts her offer of power to take vengeance against Horobi and allows her near him, imagining her embracing him when contemplating the consequences of his actions.
- Horobi: After Jin died at Ark-One's hands, As provided Horobi the Ark Scorpion Progrisekey for him to get revenge for his deceased comrade and son.
- Rihito Isshiki: Another target of As. She gives Rihito a spare Zero-One Driver and a mass production Ark's Progrisekey (which are then converted into the Eden Driver and the Eden Zetsumerisekey respectively), while asking him what conclusion will he make when the Ark is revived again.
- Lyon Arkland: Arkland is the only person who declines As's offer and ultimately had his Solds assassinate her.
Forms[]
Ark-Zero-One
- "Progrise! Final Conclusion! Ark Rising Hopper! A jump to the sky to gain hatred."
- ―Transformation Announcement[src]
- Rider Height:
- Rider Weight:
Ability Parameters
- Punching Power:
- Kicking Power:
- Maximum Jump Height:
- Maximum Running Speed:
As transforms into Ark-Zero-One (アークゼロワン, Āku Zerowan) by using the Ark-Zero-One Progrisekey into the Hiden Zero-One Driver.
This form's finisher is the Ark Rising Impact (アークライジングインパクト, Āku Raijingu Inpakuto).
This form is exclusive to Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage.
Equipment[]
Devices[]
- Hiden Zero-One Driver - Main Transformation Device. (Exclusive to Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage)
- Progrisekeys - Transformation trinkets (Exclusive to Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage)
- Progrise Holder - Carrying straps for Progrisekeys (Exclusive to Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage)
Behind the Scenes[]
Ark-Zero-One Concept Art
Portrayal[]
As is portrayed by Noa Tsurushima, who also portrays Is. As Kamen Rider Ark-Zero-One, she is voiced/co-voiced by Show Hayami and was portrayed in-suit by an unidentified suit actor.
Etymology[]
As's name is a play on the English word "as". Interestingly, when the first letter of her name is combined with that of Is, it makes up the word "AI", which means Artificial Intelligence, or Love (愛 Ai) in Japanese, the latter of which, though rather ironic given her evil nature, is related to her undying love, respect and loyalty towards the Ark.
Notes[]
As in the opening sequence
- As has been featured in the opening sequence since the third episode, originally thought to be Is herself. Writer Yuya Takahashi stated this was inserted in by director Teruaki Sugihara as Takahashi himself had yet to conceptualize As then.[3] As such, As was given several nicknames by Japanese fans such as "Red-Eyed Is" (赤目イズ), "Long Is" (ロングイズ), and "Ark Is" (アークイズ)[4]
- Fitting their similar appearance, Is and As are named after similar-sounding English words. However, while Is is named after the verb, "is" As is named after the word "as", which can be an adverb, conjunction, or preposition depending on how it is used.
- Kamen Rider Ark-Zero-One's suit is recolored from Kamen Rider Ark-One, with Kamen Rider Zero-One's boots and a modified version of Rising Hopper's transformation phrase.
Appearances[]
Kamen Rider Zero-One
- Kamen Rider Zero-One: President Special
- Episode 35.5: What Created MetsubouJinrai?
- Episode 42: As Long as There Is Malice
- Episode 43: That Is a Heart
- Episode 44: There Is Only One Person Who Can Stop You
- Episode 45/Finale: Their Respective Futures
- Kamen Rider Zero-One: Final Stage
- Kamen Rider Zero-One: REAL×TIME
- Zero-One Others: Kamen Rider MetsubouJinrai (Death)