 This article is about a Rider in Kamen Rider Gaim.
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Kugai Kudo (狗道 供界, Kudō Kugai) is the main antagonist of Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Duke[1] He was a researcher of Yggdrasill Corporation who transformed into Kamen Rider Saver (仮面ライダーセイヴァー, Kamen Raidā Seivā).
History[]
Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Duke[]
Kugai was the predecessor of Ryoma Sengoku in the Yggdrasill Laboratory for Lockseeds. He was ordered by Amagi Kureshima to test out Ryoma's first functional Lockseed. Kugai was killed during the test and his body was destroyed.
Kugai managed to enter Limbo, aware of the world and managed to gain a physical appearance due to the Sengoku Driver he was equipped with. Kugai also managed to keep the Zakuro Lockseed after his death and facilitated his own mass production laboratory with data stolen from Yggdrasill, creating blank pomegranate Zakuro Lockseeds that will explode upon activation.
Intentionally making his actions aware to Yggdrasill, Kugai taunts Ryoma as he proclaims that he can guide him to the path of God alongside him, testing him to overcome his labors. Due to Sid's interference to stop the brainwashed members of Black Bodhi and acquiring one of the blank Lockseeds, Ryoma and Takatora track his location, discovering his artificial Helheim factory.
Kugai demonstrates to Ryoma that he is the final task he must overcome, utilizing a Genesis Core Unit as an extension of his Sengoku Driver with his Zakuro Lockseed modified to summon a variant of the Sonic Arrow called the Saver Arrow. Initially gaining the upperhand, fighting Duke and Zangetsu as he can overpower them one on one, he is defeated by their combined efforts.
Days later, Ryoma finishes his Genesis Driver with the intent to destroy Kugai for good. Ryoma taunts Kugai saying that he is third rate and cannot be considered a potential person to acquire Godhood. During his second encounter, Ryoma damages his Sengoku Driver, causing Kugai to wail in pain as the Driver is what maintains his physical form. Kugai dies when Ryoma shoots his Sengoku Driver directly.
Gaim Gaiden: Kamen Rider Knuckle[]
Sometime after or before, Kugai meets with Shura in a limbo, with Shura becoming an affiliate of the now-defunct Black Bodhi terrorist organization. Shura carries on Kugai's legacy, owning several Sengoku Drivers for himself and his fight club, and wishes to enact the Saver System, which will wipe out any unwanted humans who are not worthy.
Personality[]
Kugai is a man who carries himself around with a mysterious aura, disappearing as quickly as he arrives. As of his death, he developed a God Complex, desiring to become God (or at least a figure like Him) to save the world.
Despite said claims, his plan and strategies are nothing short of horrific and disturbing. From forming a cult of brainwashed suicide bombers, to desiring to use [[Yggdrasill's Scalar System on a worldwide scale, Kugai is an extremist willing to go any lengths for his personal ideals.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Teleportation: Being deceased and having his Sengoku Driver to gain his physical appearance, Kugai can teleport at will.
Creations[]
Using the powers of Forbidden Fruit in his possession, Kugai created copies of said Kamen Riders.
Arms[]
Like his fellow Lockseed-using Armored Riders, Kamen Rider Saver's forms are called Arms (アームズ, Āmuzu). His Sengoku Driver plays Japanese horagai music and announces "Ha!" (ハ!) before every transformation, while his personal Lockseeds are styled with a mix of Japanese words and English words.
By pressing the Sengoku Driver's Cutting Blade down on the Lockseed after transforming from one to three times, Saver can activate one of three finishing moves based on his current Arms form: Squash (スカッシュ, Sukasshu), Au Lait (オーレ, Ōre), or Sparking (スパーキング, Supākingu).
The Ride Wear (ライドウェア, Raido Uēa) is Saver's default form undersuit, which is briefly seen during Saver's transformation sequence before the Armor Part attaches or when he changes Arms. Unique to Saver is that the Armor Part materializes around him and attaches unlike the usual Armor Part descending from a Crack and attaching onto the head of the user.
Blood Zakuro Arms
- "Ha! Blood Zakuro Arms! Kuruizaki sacrifice! Ha! Blood Orange Arms! Ja no michi on stage!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Blood Zakuro Arms (ブラッドザクロアームズ, Buraddo Zakuro Āmuzu, lit. "Blood Pomegranate Arms") is Saver's pomegranate-based default form that is accessed through the simultaneous use of the Zakuro Lockseed and Blood Orange Lockseed with the Genesis Core replacing his Sengoku Driver's Rider Indicator.
While assuming Blood Zakuro Arms, Saver dons the Blood Zakuro Armor Part (ブラッドザクロアーマーパート, Buraddo Zakuro Āmā Pāto, lit. "Blood Pomegranate Armor Part") and his Arms Weapons are the Saver Arrow and Blood Daidaimaru.
The boost in strength from the Genesis Core is apparent, allowing Saver to take on the undefeated Zangetsu, who had back up from Duke. However, Saver's limitations are apparent as the boost in strength is not comparable (despite the Blood Orange Lockseed being comparable to that of an Energy Lockseed) to a finished Genesis Driver or a Sengoku Driver using an Energy Lockseed in the Genesis Core.
An artist's rendition of Lotus Position Saver according to the novel description
- "Ja no michi on stage!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Rengeza Gishin Saver (蓮華座偽神セイヴァー, Renge-za Gishin Seivā, Lotus Position False God Saver) is the form that Saver takes upon emerging from a giant lotus flower. It is based on Kamen Rider Bujin Gaim's Rengeza Bujin Gaim.
This form is exclusive to the Kamen Rider Gaim novel.
Artist rendition of Saver Golden Arms image according to the novel description
- "Ha! Blood Zakuro Arms! Kuruizaki sacrifice! Kin! Golden Arms! Ougon no kajitsu! (Baroque choir with harp music)"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Golden Arms (ゴールデンアームズ, Gōruden Āmuzu) is Saver's golden apple-based form, that is accessed through the Golden Ringo Lockseed. Golden Arms is normally used by Kamen Rider Mars.
While assuming Golden Arms, Saver dons the Golden Armor Part (ゴールデンアーマーパート, Gōruden Āmā Pāto) and his Arms Weapons are the Sword Bringer and Apple Reflecter.
This form is exclusive to the Kamen Rider Gaim novel.
An artist's rendition of Saver Darkness Arms image according to the novel description
- "Ha! Blood Zakuro Arms! Kuruizaki sacrifice! Kuroi! Darkness Arms! Ougon no kajitsu! (Sinister choir with harp music)"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Darkness Arms (ダークネスアームズ, Dākunesu Āmuzu) is Saver's apple-based form that is accessed through the Black Ringo Lockseed. This form bears the Black Mask (ブラックマスク, Burakku Masuku) helmet with the Steering Eye (ステアリングアイ, Sutearingu Ai) visor. Darkness Arms is normally used by Kamen Rider Jam.
While assuming Darkness Arms, Saver dons the Darkness Armor Part (ダークネスアーマーパート, Dākunesu Āmā Pāto) and his Arms Weapon is the Dark Daidaimaru.
This form is exclusive to the Kamen Rider Gaim novel.
Artist rendition of Saver Maja Arms image according to the novel description
- "Ha! Blood Zakuro Arms! Kuruizaki sacrifice!! Hebi! Maja Arms! Ja no Michi wa Hebi!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Maja Arms (魔蛇アームズ, Mājā Āmuzu) is Saver's skull-based form based on Maja.
This form is exclusive to the Kamen Rider Gaim novel.
Gaikotsu Kyoryu
Gaikotsu Kyoryu (骸骨恐竜, Gaikotsu Kyōryū) is Saver's giant monster form.
This form is exclusive to the Kamen Rider Gaim novel.Equipment[]
Devices[]
- Sengoku Driver - Transformation device
- Removable slots for additional Lockseeds:
- Genesis Core - Essential to access a Jimber Arms
- Removable slots for additional Lockseeds:
- Lockseeds - Gives access to Saver's Arms changes, depending on which lock is used
Weapons[]
- Arms Weapons
- Saver Arrow - Saver Blood Zakuro Arms' personal weapon through the Blood Zakuro Lockseed
- Blood Daidaimaru - Saver Blood Zakuro Arms' personal weapon through the Blood Orange Lockseed
- Musou Saber - Jam's side weapon
- Sword Bringer - One of Mars Golden Arms' personal weapons
- Apple Reflecter - One of Mars Golden Arms' personal weapons
- Dark Daidaimaru - Jam Darkness Arms' personal weapon
- Yomimaru - Personal weapon of Maja Arms.
Behind the Scenes[]
Etymology[]
Kugai's Saver Plan
The katakana used in Kamen Rider Saver, セイヴァー (, Seivā), can be romanized as both Saver and Savior. The latter is mostly used in many localizations and translations and ties in better with the character of Kugai claiming himself to be a Messiah, with the Lockseed number on the Zakuro Lockseed being "LS-MESSIAH".
Portrayal[]
Kugai Kudo is portrayed by Jun Toba (鳥羽 潤, Toba Jun).[2] As Kamen Rider Saver, his suit actor is Yugo Fujii (藤井 祐伍, Fujii Yūgo).
Concept Art[]
Concept art of Saver shows that the silver armor parts on Saver's Ride Wear were originally intended to be painted red in color. However, they remained as silver on the finalized suit.
Notes[]
- Saver's suit contains the following repaints/retools:
- Saver's left shoulder pad is from Kamen Rider Bujin Gaim's Blood Orange Arms, while the right side is that from Armor Parts that are normally associated with the Ringo Arms.
- Saver's helmet is a recolored Kamen Rider Mars' helmet with additional "mummified" bandages on its mouthpiece.
- Saver's armor part is a recolored version of Ringo Arms' armor part (besides the Blood Orange Shoulder-pad).
- Saver's standby sound is never heard in the film, but was revealed through the release of the CSM Sengoku Driver Kamen Rider Saver Set.[3]
Appearances[]
References[]
External Links[]
- Kamen Rider Zukan page on Kugai Kudo.
- Kamen Rider Zukan page on Kamen Rider Saver Blood Zakuro Arms.
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