 This article is about a Rider in Kamen Rider Kiva.
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- "This is my proclamation as king, rejoice."
- ―King issuing his death warrant[src]
The Checkmate Four's King (キング, Kingu) is the main antagonist of Kamen Rider Kiva. He was the father of Taiga Nobori and the Bat Fangire (バットファンガイア, Batto Fangaia), with his true name being The Dawn Sleeps, A Magnificent Story's Ending (暁が眠る、素晴らしき物語の果て, Akatsuki ga Nemuru, Subarashiki Monogatari no Hate), who also transforms into Kamen Rider Dark Kiva (仮面ライダーダークキバ, Kamen Raidā Dāku Kiba).
History[]
Kamen Rider Kiva[]
Introduced as the ruler of all Fangires in 1987, the King is the consort of Maya, with whom he sired Taiga Nobori as his sole offspring. Denying any attachments toward his wife and son, the King treated them as his possessions, causing Maya to subconsciously drift toward Otoya Kurenai.
Learning of this from Bishop, the King confronts Maya at Castle Doran, questioning her true intentions. In a mocking manner, Maya asks whether the King felt jealous, causing him to discard the Zanvat Sword as proof of his apathy towards her.
Later, from a simple whim, the King decides to hunt down Jiro to finish what the Rook started: the extermination of the Wolfen Race, along with putting an end to the last of Merman and Franken races as well. However, he eventually offers the Arm Monsters a chance to avoid extermination, provided they kill Otoya for him.
The three are unable to do it, choosing to flee town instead. Riki and Ramon were unable to escape the King, who seals them into the Dogga Hammer and the Basshaa Magnum so they can serve as decorations within Castle Doran. While searching for Jiro, the King ambushes Otoya to execute him. During his attempt, Maya reveals herself to reciprocate Otoya's love for her, causing the King to become enraged.
In an effort to save Otoya, Jiro suddenly appears before them, attacking the King. Easily blocking Jiro's attack, the King seals him into the Garulu Saber, much to Otoya's horror. Disgusted at what the King had done, Otoya transforms into Ixa, attempting to retaliate. Using his psychic powers, the King defeats Otoya without any visible effort, canceling his ransformation. With Maya too afraid to retaliate, the King abducts Otoya in front of her and Yuri, intent on torturing him to death.
At Castle Doran, the King entraps Otoya with a special set of chains, which he explains is connected to the monsterous beast. Stating that Castle Doran will absorb Otoya's entire life energy within a certain set of time, the King gleefully watches Otoya suffer in agony, intent on punishing with a painful death. As a final request, the King temporarily stops the execution at mid-point, granting Otoya the opportunity to play his violin one last time. Unbeknownst to the King, Otoya's music gave away their location to Maya and Yuri, allowing them to reach Castle Doran. Finding Otoya's performance to be dull, the King blasts away Otoya, resuming the execution.
To the King's surprise, Maya and Yuri appear to stop him, narrowly saving Otoya's life. Transforming into Dark Kiva, the King faces Maya, while Yuri escapes with Otoya. Overpowering his wife, the King questions whether Maya truly loved Otoya, to which she affirmed. Immediately, the King strips Maya's title and powers as the Queen of Fangires, stating it to be a worse fate than death.
Bat Fangire Reborn is resurrected by Bishop
Wishing to make Maya suffer even more, the King later forces her to never see Otoya again by holding Taiga's life hostage, stating that he has no qualms murdering Taiga as retribution. Afterwards, upon learning of Wataru's presence in their time period, the King becomes interested in meeting his future successor, confronting him and Otoya.
Stating that Otoya's death will fulfill Wataru's desire to change the timeline, the King transforms into Dark Kiva and attacks Otoya. Unwilling to let this happen, Wataru strikes the King with a Rider Kick, stopping his attack. Incredibly angered by this, the King cancels his transformation and assumes Fangire form, blasting Otoya and Wataru with a powerful energy bomb. Finding that they had escaped, the humiliated King continues his hunt for them, fully intent on exacting revenge.
Once finding Wataru, the King transforms into Dark Kiva and defeats him, attempting to murder him before Otoya's eyes. Otoya then asks for Kivat-Bat the 2nd to help them, to which the latter obliges. Shocked, the King questions Kivat-Bat the 2nd's betrayal, to which Kivat-Bat the 2nd replied that the King's cruelty toward Maya disgusted him, hence his actions.
Witnessing a human use the powers of Dark Kiva, the King voices his contempt and retaliates, with Otoya and Wataru barely able to escape alive. Still remaining unfazed by the situation, the King nonchalently continues his hunt toward them, confronting Otoya at Castle Doran. Midway, the King summons a a red Six Pillars Sabbath to control Castle Doran into attacking Wataru and Maya, while he faced Otoya. Though successful in saving the Arm Monsters and Taiga, Otoya finds himself outmatched by the King, his Rider Punch failing to do any real damage. Brutally attacking Otoya, the King is re-confronted by Wataru, the latter desperately facing him in battle. Scoffing Wataru's attacks, the King mocks him for his weakness and retaliates with a powerful energy burst, causing Wataru's transformation to be canceled.
Unable to watch his son suffer, Otoya stands up from his pain, surprising the King with his immense life-force. Using Ixa, Otoya confronts the King, to no avail. Having regained enough stamina, Wataru transformed into Kiva, only to be overwhelmed instantly by the King's attacks. Using his remaining energy, Otoya transforms into Dark Kiva for a third time, fighting alongside Wataru. Once Wataru fully recognized the meaning of recieving his father's life, both he and Otoya finally overpowered the King, their Double Rider Kick fatally injuring him.
Bitter about his situation, the King proclaims Maya as his possession and attempts to kill her, only for Taiga to awaken his powers and deflect the King's attack. Glad to see that his son had inherited his powers, the King tells Otoya and Wataru that Taiga will one day avenge him before dying in an explosion. 22 years later, the Bat Fangire is resurrected in a zombified state by Bishop to kill both Taiga and Wataru, being used as his pawn. Working together, the two brothers combine their finisher attacks to stop the revived Bat Fangire, permanantly ending Bishop's nefarious plans.
Post Series and other events[]
Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker[]
Bat Fangire forming part of the army of Dai-Shocker
A resurrected Bat Fangire, in the same berserker state seen when he was resurrected previously, is seen among Dai-Shocker's common troops. He is among the monsters faced by Diend and Decade when they decide to take on Dai-Shocker by themselves, and attempts to attack Diend, only to be thrown away by the Rider. When the All Riders force arrives, the berserker Bat Fangire attempts to face Decade, only to be slashed and retreat. He's seen for the last time among a force of Shocker Combatmen, Fangires and Orphnochs facing Kamen Rider Faiz and Kamen Rider Kiva. He's presumably defeated by them, as both Kiva and Faiz are later seen joining up with other Riders, like Decade to defeat Ika Devil.
Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen[]
Bat-Fangire in Super Hero Taisen
The Bat Fangire, resurrected again and back to his original Fangire form while armed with a sword, is one of the Great Commanders of the revived Dai-Shocker. Following the orders of Doctor G, Dai-Shocker's second in command, he engages GokaiYellow
in combat, and they're evenly matched. When Dai-Shocker and Dai-Zangyack reveal their alliance and fight against the combined Super Sentai and Kamen Rider force, the Bat Fangire, alongside Yogoshimacritein Crime Minister of the Gaiark, is seen leading a group of Fangires, Gaiark and also the Medusa Legendorga and the Samurai World Yoma Rairaiken to fight against the Go-Ongers and Kamen Rider Kiva. However, they're all destroyed again at once by a combined finisher attack from the Go-Ongers and Kiva. Before his defeat, he was seen in the background of both aerial fight scenes, first fighting Clover King, then DekaRed.
Kamen Rider X Super Sentai x Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z[]
The Bat Fangire was one of the revived monsters in the Space Shocker army which fought a combined force of Kamen Riders, Super Sentai teams and Space Sheriffs as they approached the Genmu Castle. The Space Shocker force was soon destroyed. [Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z]
Appearances in other media[]
OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders: ~Let's Look! Only Your 48 Riders~[]
Type20. - Quietly Listen! Rare Rider Road[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears with TheBee, Kuuga Dragon Form, and OOO Gatatoraba combo. According to Sieg, Dark Kiva is considered a least compatible match.[Type20. - Quietly Listen! Rare Rider Road]
Type21. - Get it! Can You Ready the Muffler Too!?[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears with Drake, Raia, and Double. According to Kivat-Bat the 3rd,
Dark Kiva is considered a best friend.[Type21. - Get it! Can You Ready the Muffler Too!?]
Type28. - Quietly Listen! Unlabeled Kamen Rider![]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears with Zolda, Armed Hibiki, and OOO TakaUta combo. According to Sieg,
Dark Kiva is considered a most repugnant match.
[Type28. - Quietly Listen! Unlabeled Kamen Rider!]
Type34. - Peppers! Will You Call Heaven or Earth?![]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears with Ryuki, Den-O Climax Form, and Birth. According to Momotaros, Dark Kiva is considered the least compatible match.[Type34. - Peppers! Will You Call Heaven or Earth?!]
Video game appearances[]
Kamen Rider Ganbaride[]
King as Bat Fangire and Kamen Rider Dark is a playable character in Kamen Rider Ganbaride.
Kamen Rider: Battride War series[]
Kamen Rider: Battride War[]
Bat Fangire Reborn as seen in Kamen Rider Battride War.
Bat Fangire Reborn appears as a boss character in the video game Kamen Rider Battride Wars. He acts as the boss for Kiva's mission "Wake Up: Kiva's Memories", which loosely recreates the final episode of Kamen Rider Kiva.
Kamen Rider Battride War Genesis[]
Bat Fangire Reborn as seen in Kamen Rider Battride War Genesis.
Bat Fangire Reborn reappears as a boss character in the video game Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis
Kamen Rider Riderbout[]
King as Kamen Rider Dark Kiva, Bat Fangire, and Bat Fangire Reborn appears as a playable character with the other Heisei and Showa Kamen Riders in Kamen Rider Riderbout.
Kamen Rider Break Joker[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva Break Joker card
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears as a playable character with other Riders and monsters in Kamen Rider Break Joker.
Kamen Rider Batton-Line[]
Dark Kiva in Batton-Line
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears as a playable character in Kamen Rider Batton-Line among other Riders in the game.
Kamen Rider Battle Rush[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears as a playable and support character in the video game Kamen Rider Battle Rush using Rider Punch.
Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears as a playable character with others Kamen Riders in the video game, performing his King's Burst End against his enemies in Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes.
Kamen Rider Buttobasoul[]
Bat Fangire in Kamen Rider Buttobasoul
King appears as a Bat-Fangire and Kamen Rider Dark Kiva is a playable character and boss in Kamen Rider Buttobasoul .
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva Medal
Battle Spirits[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva Battle Spirits Card
It is the sixth collaboration pack and the second collaboration with the Kamen Rider franchise. CB06 was released in Japan on September 29th, 2018,King as Kamen Rider Dark Kiva appears with other Kamen Riders and Monsters in Battle Spirits.
Dark Kiva Battle Spirits Cards Included
- Kamen Rider Dark Kiva (Common)
Family[]
- Taiga Nobori - son
- Maya - ex-wife
Personality[]
From his powers and status, the King possessed a very arrogant and cruel attitude toward others, with his disgust for emotions such as empathy and love being apparent. Viewing humans as an inferior species, the King could not fathom why Maya was attracted to Otoya, believing it to be a stain on their honor.
Evidently, the King revealed himself to be highly petty in nature, threatening the depowered Maya with their own son's life simply out of spite. Furthermore, the King's arrogance and strong tendency for anger caused him to act in a self-destructive manner when upset, recklessly throwing away several of his invaluable possessions in the process.
Though a power-mad tyrant at heart, the King was capable of some mercy, having offered the Arm Monsters a chance to escape his wrath, as well as granting Otoya's final request when preparing to kill him.
Abilities[]
- Fangire Physiology: The King was an extremely powerful Fangire, with Maya herself stating that he cannot be defeated in battle. Notably, the only thing that proved to be of any threat to him was the powers of Kiva and Dark Kiva, provided that the users could resist his devastating attacks.
- Aura Manipulation: With little issue, the King could create dense energy balls and beams to attack his foes, this being his preferred method of attack. Evidently, simply by walking in human form, the King is capable of causing the ground to burn in flames, doing so as a means of intimidation.
- Teleportation: Requring no visible concentration, the King could teleport himself and others through long distances.
Forms[]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva
- "Gaburi!"
- ―Dark Kivat's transformation announcement[src]
- Ability Parameters
- Punching power: 20 t.[1]
- Usual kicking power: 35 t.[1]
- Maximum jump height: 250 m.[1]
- Maximum running speed: 100 m. per 1.2 sec.[1]
Being Kiva Emperor Form's predecessor, Dark Kiva shares a similar appearance in general, with a black and red color scheme. Created to draw upon as much strength as possible, Dark Kiva is not bound in any way as Kamen Rider Kiva, having no chains that act as limiters.
As Dark Kiva, the King has access to an unlimited potential of power that is hindered within his successors such as telekinesis and the use of the Kiva insignia as a weapon. Though incapable of changing forms, Dark Kiva can imprison other species of the Demon Race with fuestles, completely restricting their mobility.
Due to being crafted for the King, Dark Kiva's power is too immense for any ordinary human or Fangire to handle and will cause instant death upon usage. Though exceptionally powerful humans like Otoya Kurenai can handle its power to some extent, continued usage is still lethal. While created to be a safer version of Dark Kiva, Kiva also carries this risk, if diluded in potency.
In search of a power stronger than the Saga armor, the Fangire created a new armor meant for the second king. The armor is also known in dialogue as the "Kiva of Darkness" (闇のキバ, Yami no Kiba), and can reach its limits by accessing the wearer's natural abilities, but it has the drawback of making the wearer lose control. The King, equipped with the Dark Kiva armor used the Wake Up III finisher "King's World End" during the fight against the Legendorgas. Due to the huge loss of Fangire life after the finisher was used, Knight and Pawn sealed it away afterwards.[2]
Kamen Rider Dark Kiva has the following parts:
- King's Persona (キングス・ペルソナ, Kingusu Perusona) - Dark Kiva's helmet. The bat-like wings on the head are called "Zenon Stabilizers", and spreads the stress on the user's brain by maximizing the demonic power of the user and armor.
- Darkness Breast (ダークネスブレスト, Dākunesu Buresuto) - A depressant called Darkness Tar is applied to the armor to control the demonic power which is amplified by the 3 Demon Emperor Stones to prevent self-destruction. The silver stripe in the center is called the Satan's Vessel (サタンベッセル, Satan Besseru). It is an energy conduit that is connected to Kivat-Bat II to control the demonic power.
- Demon Emperor Stone (魔皇石, Ma Ō Ishi) - Like Kiva Emperor Form, the stones control the air, water, and Earth, and amplifies the strength of the user by ten. The purity is higher than Emperor Form's 3 stones and has stronger amplification powers.
- Darkness Veil (ダークネスベール, Dākunesu Bēru) - The cape. It can neutralize all physical attacks in the world. By swinging the cape, Dark Kiva can generate a blade of darkness to penetrate enemy defenses.
- Satan Mail (サタンメイル, Satan Meiru) - The undersuit made of GaoraDoran leather. The material is rare, and it is made using the finest quality 1200-year-old Doran leather and boasts 3 times the defense of Kiva's armor.
- Bloody Shoulder (ブラッディショルダー, Buraddi Shorudā) - The shoulder armor made of polished Bloody Stone, has a blade that is sharp enough to cut like a razor with just a touch. It functions as armor and a powerful weapon in close combat.
- Bloody Armor (ブラッディアーマー, Buraddi Āmā) - The bright crimson armor made of Bloody Stone. It is said it is not possible to refine it further, it stores demonic power and combines the power with the user.
- Stabilize Shadow (スタビライズシャドー, Sutabiraizu Shadō) - The black lines on the Bloody Armor. They are restraint bands made of Darkness Tar with the purpose of cooling down the demonic power to protect the user from being overpowered and self-destructing as a result.
In his Fangire form, King was capable of flight and could fire a bladed boomerang from each wrist, emit energy waves from his body, fire energy balls from his hands, and fire an energy beam from his mouth.
With the help of Bishop, King is revived as Bat Fangire Reborn (復活バットファンガイア, Fukkatsu Batto Fangaia), but becomes a mindless beast as a result.
Appearances: Kiva Episode 45-46 (Original), 47-48 (Reborn), All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, Super Hero Taisen, Super Hero Taisen ZEquipment[]
Devices[]
- Kivat-Bat the 2nd - King's Kivat partner and servant.
- Dark Kivat Belt - Transformation device that forms when Kivat bites King.
- Fuestles - Whistle-like devices that activate a function, depending on the Fuestle.
Weapons[]
- Zanvat Sword - Dark Kiva's personal weapon.
- umnamed sword - Bat Fangire's personal weapon.
Vehicles[]
- Castle Doran - Kiva's Doran partner that is also a base.
Legend Rider Devices[]
KamenRide: Dark Kiva
- KamenRide: Dark Kiva (カメンライドダークキバ, Kamenraido Dāku Kiba): A Rider Card containing the power of Kamen Rider Dark Kiva.
Dark Kiva Wizard Ring
- "(Digital beeping) Dark Kiva!"
- ―Activation announcement[src]
- "Yami no yoroi o matotta Fangire no oh wa... Dark Kiva da!
Translation: The Fangire king that wears the dark armor is... (Clock ticking noise) Dark Kiva! (闇の鎧をまとったファンガイアの王は…ダークキバだ！)" - ―Secondary activation announcement[src]
- "Rider Time! Wake Up! Dark Kiva!"
- ―Transformation announcement in the Ziku-Driver's right-hand slot[src]
- "(Right-hand Ridewatch's announcement)! Armor Time! (Violin music) Wake Up! Dark Kiva!"
- ―Transformation announcement in the Ziku-Driver's left-hand slot[src]
- "Finish Time! Dark Kiva! Darkness Time (Break/Burst/Jack)!"
- ―Finisher announcement in left-hand slot[src]
Dark Kiva Ridewatch (ダークキバライドウォッチ, Dāku Kiba Raidowotchi): Based on Kamen Rider Dark Kiva, this Ridewatch would provide access to the DarkKivaArmor. It is dated 2008. This Ridewatch was one of the five winners of a poll held by Bandai to select Riders to be used in a five-pack of DX Ridewatches.
.png "KRZiO-Dark Kiva Ridewatch (Inactive).png (923 KB)")
- Kamen Rider Dark Kiva (仮面ライダーダークキバ, Kamen Raidā Dāku Kiba, Masked Rider Dark Kiva)
Behind the Scenes[]
Portrayal[]
King is portrayed by Shinya Niiro (新納 慎也, Niiro Shin'ya).
Having several users, Kamen Rider Dark Kiva had two suit actors. The main suit actor for Dark Kiva (King) was Seiji Takaiwa (高岩 成二, Takaiwa Seiji), who was also suit actor for Kamen Rider Kiva and Garulu. When used by Otoya Kurenai and Taiga Nobori, Dark Kiva's suit actor is Eitoku (永徳, Eitoku), who was also suit actor for Kamen Rider Saga and Dogga.
Concept Art[]
Bat Fangire was designed by Tamotsu Shinohara (篠原 保, Shinohara Tamotsu).
Notes[]
- While the Bat Fangire's hidden bird motif is bird skeleton, a a bird skull can be seen on the center of the chest as well as each shoulder.
- In Kamen Rider Kiva: Final Stage, there is a Bat Fangire that becomes the Neo King and transformed into Dark Kiva. This is revealed to be a different Fangire from the future that happens to share his predecessor's powers.
- Given how time-travel works in Kamen Rider Kiva[4], it is unclear what happened to the King in the original timeline prior to Punk: Back to Father, with only passing references ever made about him. From the given evidence though (Taiga's ascension as the new king, Otoya's confirmed death) it can be assumed that he was defeated by Otoya in battle at some point, likely through Dark Kiva's powers.
- Ironically, despite his role as one of the main villains in Kamen Rider Kiva, the King is never shown murdering another individual at any point throughout the series, with all attempts to do so ending in utter failure.
Appearances[]
Kamen Rider Kiva
- Episode 32: New World: Another Kiva (mentioned)
- Episode 36: Revolution: Sword Legend
- Episode 37: Triangle: Behead the King
- Episode 38: Erlking: Mother and Child Reunion
- Episode 39: Shout: Targeted Brother
- Episode 40: Encore: Nago Ixa Explosively Returns
- Episode 41: Lullaby: Release the Heart
- Episode 42: The Power of Love: The King's Anger
- Episode 43: Wedding March: Time of Parting
- Episode 44: Punk: Back to Father
- Episode 45: With You: Final Transformation
- Episode 46: Full Stop: Farewell, Otoya (death)
- Episode 47: Break the Chain: Obey Me! (revival)
- Episode 48/Finale: Finale: The Inheritors of Kiva (second death)
- Kamen Rider Kiva: Special Show
- Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker
- Kamen Rider OOO
- Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen
- Kamen Rider X Super Sentai x Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z
See also[]
- Otoya Kurenai - Second user of the Kamen Rider Dark Kiva powers in Kamen Rider Kiva
- Taiga Nobori - Third user of the Kamen Rider Dark Kiva powers in Kamen Rider Kiva
- Otoya Kurenai (A.R. World) - Nega Rider, user of the Kamen Rider Dark Kiva powers in Kamen Rider Decade
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "TV Asahi's page for Dark Kiva". https://web.archive.org/web/20121024000555/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kiva/rider/darkkiva_00.html?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=420&width=400.
- ↑ https://www.kamen-rider-official.com/dictionaries/works_search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_dictionaries_form%5Bkamen_rider_id=9&search_dictionaries_form%5Bicon=11&initial=%E3%81%9F
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "TV Asahi's page for Bat Fangire". https://web.archive.org/web/20150413091747/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kiva/fangire/31/fan_mov.swf.
- ↑ 80's: Angry Rising Blue
External Link[]
- King (Kiva) in Kamen Rider Official Website.
- Kamen Rider Dark Kiva in Kamen Rider Official Website.
- Bat Fangire in Kamen Rider Official Website.
- Bat Fangire Reborn in Kamen Rider Official Website.
