Kamen Rider Kuuga

This article is about a/an series entry (the 10th) in the Kamen Rider Series.

WARNING: This series contains scenes of blood, graphic violence, gun violence, and murder. Viewer discretion is advised!

For the series' main character, Kuuga, see Yusuke Godai.

Kamen Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga, Masked Rider Kuuga) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the tenth installment of the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu shows and the first of the series to air entirely in the Heisei period. It was a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was shown on TV Asahi from January 30, 2000 to January 21, 2001. Kamen Rider Kuuga is the first Kamen Rider Series to be broadcast in widescreen format (albeit presented in a letterbox format). The catchphrase for the series is "A New Hero, A New Legend".

The average ratings of the series was 9.7%.^[1]

Story

Long ago, the Grongi Tribe terrorized the Linto (リント, Rinto) until a warrior named Kuuga appeared and defeated the Grongi, sealing their leader within a cave. In the present day, a multi-talented man named Yusuke Godai finds himself linked to the mysterious stoned belt that was found within the excavated cave as the Gurongi are resurrected and resume their murderous game on the descendants of the Linto, humanity itself.

It is up to Yusuke, along with the assembled Science Police, to use the various powers of Kuuga to stop and defeat the Grongi Tribesmen from their continuous killing and ensure the happiness of others. However, as the endgame draws near, Yusuke learns that there is a horrible revelation behind Kuuga and the Grongis' leader.

Characters

Kamen Riders

TV Show

Novel-exclusive

Allies

• Kaoru Ichijo
• Sakurako Sawatari
• Minori Godai
• Shuichi Tsubaki
• Hikari Enokida
• Tamasaburo Kazari
• Nana Asahina
• Jean Michel Sorrel
• Sadao Matsukura
• Morimichi Sugita
• Tsuyoshi Sakurai
• Nozomi Sasayama
• Mika Natsume
• Shoji Kanzaki
• Junichi Chono

Gurongi

Main article: Gurongi

Ra Group

• Ra-Baruba-De
• Ra-Dorudo-Gu

Zu Group

• Zu-Gumun-Ba
• Zu-Gooma-Gu
• Zu-Mebio-Da
• Zu-Baduu-Ba
• Zu-Zain-Da
• Zu-Gujiru-Gi
• Zu-Garuga-Da
• Zu-Miuji-Gi
• Zu-Gazubo-De
• Zu-Daago-Gi
• Zu-Nezuma-Da
• Zu-Nezumo-Da
• Zu-Jamoru-Re

Me Group

• Me-Badjisu-Ba
• Me-Giiga-Gi
• Me-Biran-Gi
• Me-Gyarido-Gi
• Me-Gadora-Da
• Me-Ginoga-De
• Me-Garume-Re
• Me-Garima-Ba
• Me-Agon-Gi
• Me-Aguri-Da
• Me-Ibae-Ba
• Me-Gaage-Re
• Me-Mugado-Ba
• Me-Gorigi-Ba
• Me-Gaera-Re
• Me-Zoebi-Gi
• Me-Uzaa-Da
• Me-Demudo-Ba
• Me-Ginee-Da
• Me-Gegura-Gi
• Me-Gaberi-Gu
• Me-Juuma-Da

Go Group

• Go-Buuro-Gu
• Go-Bemiu-Gi
• Go-Gamego-Re
• Go-Badaa-Ba
• Go-Jaraji-Da
• Go-Zazaru-Ba
• Go-Jaaza-Gi
• Go-Baberu-Da
• Go-Gadoru-Ba
• Go-Jiino-Da

Others

• Nu-Zajio-Re
• Be-Jimin-Ba

Episodes

Main article: Kamen Rider Kuuga Episodes

1. Revival (復活, Fukkatsu)
2. Transformation (変身, Henshin)
3. Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō)
4. Sprint (疾走, Shissō)
5. Distance (距離, Kyori)
6. Azure Dragon (青龍, Seiryū)
7. Grief (傷心, Shōshin)
8. Archer (射手, Shashu)
9. Siblings (兄妹, Kyōdai)
10. Fierceness (熾烈, Shiretsu)
11. Promise (約束, Yakusoku)
12. Teacher (恩師, Onshi)
13. Suspicion (不審, Fushin)
14. Omen (前兆, Zenchō)
15. Armor (装甲, Sōkō)
16. Creed (信条, Shinjō)
17. Preparation (臨戦, Rinsen)
18. Loss (喪失, Sōshitsu)
19. Artifact (霊石, Reiseki)
20. Smile (笑顔, Egao)
21. Secrets (暗躍, An'yaku)
22. Game (遊戯, Yūgi)
23. Uneasiness (不安, Fuan)
24. Strengthening (強化, Kyōka)
25. Wandering (彷徨, Hōkō)
26. Myself (自分, Jibun)
27. Ripple (波紋, Hamon)
28. Clarification (解明, Kaimei)
29. Crossroads (岐路, Kiro)
30. Fate (運命, Unmei)
31. Retaliation (応戦, Ōsen)
32. Obstacle (障害, Shōgai)
33. Cooperation (連携, Renkei)
34. Tremble (戦慄, Senritsu)
35. Emotion (愛憎, Aizō)
36. Complication (錯綜, Sakusō)
37. Approach (接近, Sekkin)
38. Transition (変転, Henten)
39. Gooma (強魔, Gōma)
40. Impulse (衝動, Shōdō)
41. Control (抑制, Yokusei)
42. Battlefield (戦場, Senjō)
43. Reality (現実, Genjitsu)
44. Crisis (危機, Kiki)
45. Archenemy (強敵, Kyōteki)
46. Indomitable (不屈, Fukutsu)
47. Decision (決意, Ketsui)
48. Kuuga (空我, Kūga)
49. Yusuke (雄介, Yūsuke)

Movies

1. Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FOREVER (仮面ライダー平成ジェネレーションズFOREVER, Kamen Raidā Heisei Jenerēshonzu Foebā)

Specials

1. Kamen Rider Kuuga: Special Chapter (仮面ライダークウガ 特別篇, Kamen Raidā Kūga Tokubetsu-hen) (director's cut of the first two episodes)
2. Kamen Rider Kuuga: First Dream of the New Year (初夢, Hatsuyume)
3. Good Job (乙彼, Otsukare)
4. Kamen Rider Kuuga vs. the Strong Monster Go-Jiino-Da (仮面ライダークウガＶＳ剛力怪人ゴ・ジイノ・ダ, Kamen Raidā Kūga Bāsasu Gōriki Kaijin Go Jiino Da)

Other media

Manga

1. Kamen Rider Kuuga (Televi-kun manga) (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga)
2. Kamen Rider Kuuga: Extra Episode ~Trust~ (仮面ライダークウガ エクストラエピソード「信頼」, Kamen Raidā Kūga Ekusutora Episōdo Shinrai)
3. Kamen Rider Kuuga (comic) (幪面超人古迦, Mung Min Chiu Yan Gu Gaa)
4. Kamen Rider Kuuga (manga) (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga)

S.I.C. Hero Saga

1. Odyssey (オデッセイ, Odessei)
2. Dark Side

Novels

1. Kamen Rider Kuuga (novel) (小説 仮面ライダークウガ, Shōsetsu Kamen Raidā Kūga)

Cast

• Yusuke Godai (五代 雄介, Godai Yūsuke): Joe Odagiri (オダギリ ジョー, Odagiri Jō)
• Kaoru Ichijo (一条 薫, Kaoru Ichijō): Shingo Katsurayama (葛山 信吾, Katsurayama Shingo)
• Sakurako Sawatari (沢渡 桜子, Sawatari Sakurako): Kazumi Murata (村田 和美, Murata Kazumi)
• Oyassan (Tamasaburo Kazari) (おやっさん (飾 玉三郎), Oyassan (Kazari Tamasaburō)): Kitaro (きたろう, Kitarō)
• Minori Godai (五代 みのり, Godai Minori): Wakana Aoi (葵 若菜, Aoi Wakana)
• Shuichi Tsubaki (椿 秀一, Shūichi Tsubaki): Yoshitaka Otsuka (大塚 よしたか, Ōtsuka Yoshitaka)
• Hikari Enokida (榎田 ひかり, Hikari Enokida): Kaori Mizushima (水島 かおり, Kaori Mizushima)
• Nana Asahina (朝比奈 奈々, Asahina Nana): Shio Mizuhara (水原 詩生, Mizuhara Shio)
• Jean Michel Sorrel (ジャン・ミッシェル・ソレル, Jan Missheru Soreru): Serge Vasilov (セルジュ・ヴァシロフ, Seruju Vashirofu)
• Mika Natsume (夏目 実加, Natsume Mika): Yuka Takeshima (竹島 由夏, Takeshima Yuka)
• Sadao Matsukura (松倉 貞雄, Matsukura Sadao): Yudai Ishiyama (石山 雄大, Ishiyama Yūdai)
• Morimichi Sugita (杉田 守道, Morimichi Sugita): Takashi Matsuyama (松山 鷹志, Matsuyama Takashi)
• Tsuyoshi Sakurai (桜井 剛, Sakurai Tsuyoshi): Nobuyuki Yoneyama (米山 信之, Yoneyama Nobuyuki)
• Nozomi Sasayama (笹山 望見, Sasayama Nozomi): Eri Tanaka (田中 恵理, Tanaka Eri)
• Hitoshi Kashiwabara (柏原 仁, Kashiwabara Hitoshi): Takashi Kikuchi (菊池 隆志, Kikuchi Takashi)
• Junichi Shiina (椎名 純一, Shiina Jun'ichi): Makoto Hatayama (畠山 真, Hatayama Makoto)
• Tatsuhiko Ebisawa (海老沢 達彦, Ebisawa Tatsuhiko): Fujio Mori (森 富士夫, Mori Fujio)
• Tsurumaru Kameyama (亀山 鶴丸, Kameyama Tsurumaru): Katsuaki Nishide (西手 勝秋, Nishide Katsuaki)
• Shoji Kanzaki (神崎 昭二, Kanzaki Shōji): Takashi Inoue (井上 高志, Inoue Takashi)
• Junichi Chono (蝶野 潤一, Chōno Jun'ichi): Daisuke Uchida (内田 大介, Uchida Daisuke)
• Keiko Motoshiro (元城 恵子, Motoshiro Keiko): Rie Okada (岡田 理江, Okada Rie)
• Atsuko Enokida (榎田 篤子, Enokida Atsuko): Machiko Naka (中 真千子, Naka Machiko)
• Sayuru Enokida (榎田 冴, Enokida Sayuru): Kentaro Niibo (新穂 健太郎, Niibo Kentarō)
• Hiroyuki Yashiro (社 広之, Yashiro Hiroyuki): Yutaro Kamata (鎌田 雄太郎, Kamata Yūtarō)
• Shuto Terashima (寺島 周斗, Terashima Shūto): Tomoaki Takagi (高木 智晃, Takagi Tomoaki)
• Ra-Baruba-De (Rose-Tattooed Woman) (ラ･バルバ･デ (バラのタトゥの女), Ra Baruba De (Bara no Tatu no On'na)): Mie Nanamori (七森 美江, Nanamori Mie)
• Ra-Dorudo-Gu (ラ･ドルド･グ, Ra Dorudo Gu): Tenmei Basara (婆裟羅 天明, Basara Tenmei)
• Zu-Zain-Da (ズ･ザイン･ダ, Zu Zain Da): Akira Nogami (野上 彰, Nogami Akira)
• Zu-Gooma-Gu (ズ･ゴオマ･グ, Zu Gōma Gu): Mitsuru Fujio (藤生 みつる, Fujiō Mitsuru)
• Zu-Badzū-Ba & Go-Badā-Ba (ズ･バヅー･バ＆ゴ･バダー･バ, Zu Bazū Ba & Go Badā Ba): Nobuyuki Ogawa (小川 信行, Ogawa Nobuyuki)
• Nu-Zajio-Re (ヌ･ザジオ･レ, Nu Zajio Re): Tadashi Takatsuki (高月 忠, Takatsuki Tadashi)
• Me-Biran-Gi (メ･ビラン･ギ, Me Biran Gi): Hironobu Ohashi (大橋 寛展, Ōhashi Hironobu)
• Me-Garume-Re (メ･ガルメ･レ, Me Garume Re): Masaharu Mori (森 雅晴, Mori Masaharu)
• Me-Garima-Ba (メ･ガリマ･バ, Me Garima Ba): Miho Iijima (飯島 美穂, Iijima Miho)
• Go-Buuro-Gu (ゴ･ブウロ･グ, Go Būro Gu): Koichi Takao (高尾 晃市, Takao Kōichi)
• Go-Bemiu-Gi (ゴ･ベミウ･ギ, Go Bemiu Gi): Seiko Ito (伊藤 聖子, Itō Seiko)
• Go-Gamego-Re (ゴ･ガメゴ･レ, Go Gamego Re): Kazuyoshi Sakai (酒井 一圭, Sakai Kazuyoshi)
• Go-Jaraji-Da (ゴ･ジャラジ･ダ, Go Jaraji Da): Masayoshi Okawa (大川 征義, Ōkawa Masayoshi)
• Go-Zazaru-Ba (ゴ･ザザル･バ, Go Zazaru Ba): Chiaki Asakura (朝倉 ちあき, Asakura Chiaki)
• Go-Jāza-Gi (ゴ･ジャーザ･ギ, Go Jāza Gi): Sumire Arai (あらい すみれ, Arai Sumire)
• Go-Baberu-Da (ゴ･バベル･ダ, Go Baberu Da): Kensho Sakurai (桜井 顕生, Sakurai Kenshō)
• Go-Gadoru-Ba (ゴ･ガドル･バ, Go Gadoru Ba): Masato Gunji (軍司 眞人 , Gunji Masato)
• N-Daguva-Zeba (ン･ダグバ･ゼバ, N Daguba Zeba): Kenji Urai (浦井 健治, Urai Kenji)
• Narrator (ナレーター, Narētā): Fumihiko Tachiki (立木 文彦, Tachiki Fumihiko)

Suit actors

• Kamen Rider Kuuga: Kenji Tominaga (富永 研司, Tominaga Kenji)
• Gurongi: Hirofumi Fukuzawa (福沢 博文, Fukuzawa Hirofumi), Makoto Itō (伊藤 慎, Itō Makoto)
• Go-Zazaru-Ba: Shoji Hachisuka (蜂須賀 昭二, Hachisuka Shōji)
• Go-Jaraji-Da: Toshihiro Ogura (小倉 敏博, Ogura Toshihiro)
• Kamen Rider Kuuga (Motorcycle Action): Takumi Narita (成田 匠, Narita Takumi)
• Go-Badaa-Ba (Motorcycle Action): Ryo Narita (成田 亮, Narita Ryō)

Songs

Opening theme

• "Kamen Rider Kuuga!" (仮面ライダークウガ!, Kamen Raidā Kūga!)
  • Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
  • Composition: Toshihiko Sahashi
  • Artist: Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, Tanaka Masayuki)

Ending theme

• "Aozora ni Naru" (青空になる, "Aozora ni Naru" "Into the Blue Sky")
  • Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
  • Composition: Toshihiko Sahashi
  • Artist: Jin Hashimoto (橋本 仁, Hashimoto Jin)

Notes

• This is the last Kamen Rider series and the only Heisei series to feature only a single Rider.
• This show is the very first Kamen Rider series to be shot in 1080i.
  • Despite this, frequent home video and streaming releases of the show used the modified component masters, which results in standard quality. This is also shared with Agito to Den-O.
• There were plans to create a Kamen Rider Kuuga movie.^[2] Due to funding issues, it did not come to pass, leaving Kamen Rider Agito as the first Heisei Kamen Rider series to get a movie and for Kuuga to not appear in a film until Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (which featured a different Kuuga than from the series).
  • The movie was planned to have a new Gurongi group from North America, led by the Wolf Gurongi.^[2] The idea of Wolf Gurongi leader was later reused in Kamen Rider Decade.
• At Japan World Heroes 2017, Noboru Kaneko revealed at a panel that before getting the role as GaoRed, he auditioned to be Kuuga in 1999, but was not picked in the final round of auditions and Joe Odagiri got the part instead.

• An alternate version of the logo with both English and Japanese language was used in the 2018 Kamen Rider Exhibition in Macau.

References

External links

• Official website at TV Asahi (archive link)
• Kamen Rider Kuuga at Wikipedia
• Kamen Rider Kuuga at Japanese Wikipedia
• Kamen Rider Kuuga on DVD

Kamen Rider Kuuga
Kamen Rider Kuuga
Riku - Yusuke Godai
Rider Gear
Arcle | Gouram | TryChaser 2000 | BeatChaser 2000
Tokyo Police Department
Kaoru Ichijo - Hikari Enokida - Sadao Matsukura - Morimichi Sugita - Tsuyoshi Sakurai - Nozomi Sasayama
Other allies and characters
Sakurako Sawatari | Minori Godai | Shuichi Tsubaki | Tamasaburo Kazari | Nana Asahina | Jean Michel Sorrel | Mika Natsume | Shoji Kanzaki | Junichi Chono
Gurongi
N-Daguva-Zeba
Nu-Zajio-Re
Ra Group Ra-Baruba-De | Ra-Dorudo-Gu
Zu Group Zu-Gumun-Ba | Zu-Gooma-Gu | Zu-Mebio-Da | Zu-Badzu-Ba | Zu-Zain-Da
Me Group Me-Badjisu-Ba | Me-Giiga-Gi | Me-Biran-Gi | Me-Gyarido-Gi | Me-Gadora-Da | Me-Ginoga-De | Me-Garume-Re | Me-Garima-Ba
Go Group Go-Buuro-Gu | Go-Bemiu-Gi | Go-Gamego-Re | Go-Badaa-Ba | Go-Jaraji-Da | Go-Zazaru-Ba | Go-Jaaza-Gi | Go-Baberu-Da | Go-Gadoru-Ba
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Kamen Rider Series
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Kamen Rider  • V3  • X  • Amazon  • Stronger  • Skyrider  • Super-1  • ZX (TV special)  • Black  • Black RX Shin (movie)  • ZO (movie)  • J (movie)
Heisei Era (2000-2009)
Kuuga  • Agito  • Ryuki  • 555  • Blade  • Hibiki  • Kabuto  • Den-O  • Kiva  • Decade
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W  • OOO  • Fourze  • Wizard  • Gaim  • Drive  • Ghost  • Ex-Aid  • Build  • Zi-O
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