Nobuhiko Akizuki

This article is about a rider-like character in Kamen Rider Black.

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For the A.R. World version, see Nobuhiko Tsukikage.

Century King Shadow Moon (世紀王シャドームーン, Seiki Ō Shadō Mūn) is a character who serves as the primary antagonist in the Kamen Rider Series installment Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX.

Background/Biography

Black

Nobuhiko Akizuki (秋月信彦, Akizuki Nobuhiko) is the stepbrother and best friend to Kohtaro Minami, both being born on the same day during a solar eclipse. On the night of their 19th birthday, the two were abducted by Gorgom, being altered into candidates for the new Creation King. Despite Nobuhiko's father trying his best to save both from Gorgom, only Kohtaro successfully escaped. Nobuhiko instead was heavily injured in the process and fell into a deep coma, under Gorgom's clutches. Later on in the series, the three high priests of Gorgom used their combined powers to forcibly reawaken Nobuhiko from his coma, at the cost of retaining their humanoid forms. Nobuhiko, having his mind altered alongside his body, was now Shadow Moon.

Like Kamen Rider Black, Shadow Moon utilizes the King Stone to transform and is armed with the Satan Saber, a sword crafted specifically to be used by the Century Kings.

The two Century Kings eventually fought each other, both seemingly matched in strength. Despite Kohtaro's unwillingness to fight, he proved himself the more formidable warrior, slowly gaining the advantage in their battle.

Noticing this, the Creation King intervened in the battle, causing Kamen Rider Black's defeat.

Pleased that Shadow Moon had won, the Creation King ordered him to take Kohtaro's King Stone. Just when Shadow Moon had reached his hands toward it though, Kohtaro suddenly reverted back into his human form.

Shocked by this, Shadow Moon became hesitant. Even with High Priest Darom and the Creation King's urgings, the remaining humanity of Nobuhiko prevented him from acquiring both King Stones, instead retreating away.

Having a rematch with the resurrected Kohtaro later on, Shadow Moon was ultimately overwhelmed by him. Defeated, Shadow Moon spitefully told Kohtaro to feel regret knowing that he had murdered Nobuhiko by being the victor of their duel. Not wishing to lose his best friend, Kohtaro told Shadow Moon to stay alive while he fought the Creation King.

Mid-way in Kohtaro's battle with the Creation King, he called forth the Satan Saber, realizing that it is the only weapon he could use to win. The Satan Saber noticed Kohtaro's call for it, with Shadow Moon noticing as well. In what appeared to be his final act as Nobuhiko, Shadow Moon stated Kohtaro's full name and released his grasp on the Satan Saber, allowing it to fly towards Kohtaro. With Kohtaro using the Satan Saber to defeat the Creation King, Gorgom's base began self-destructing, Shadow Moon still being trapped inside.

RX

6 months later, he mysteriously resurfaced to seek revenge against his step brother. This time, he wielded the twin Shadow Sabers, similar to the original Satan Saber, gained from his King Stone. He was finally defeated by RX when he thrusts the Revolcane through Shadow Moon's Kingstone. Admitting defeat, Shadow Moon tells Kohtaro of the Crisis Empire's plans and proceeds to use his remaining strength to save two children that were being held hostage. Surprised by Shadow Moon's actions, Kohtaro suddenly sees Nobuhiko's image from him. Trusting that Shadow Moon will save the children, Kohtaro then proceeds to stop Matbot from flooding the city with magma, before returning to Shadow Moon's location. There he sees the two children express their concern to their savior, who was on the ground on a bed of flowers. Assuring the two that Shadow Moon was merely sleeping from exhaustion, Kohtaro gently tells them that they should return to their father. Immediately afterwards, said father comes up to pick up his kids. Seeing them off, Kohtaro returns his attention to Shadow Moon.

Remembering Shadow Moon's last actions and Nobuhiko's kindness, Kohtaro questioned whether the image had seen was just a mirage. Convinced otherwise, he then decided that Nobuhiko had indeed regained his humanity in his final moment. Carrying his friend's body, Kohtaro swore to not let his friend's death be in vain, becoming even more determined in defeating the Crisis Empire. Noticably, Nobuhiko's body is shown to have reverted back into human form after dying, signifying his release from being Shadow Moon.

After 0

Kohtaro Minami is walking out when all of a sudden he finds himself out in the open under the moonlight and he sees someone floating around. It’s Black RX, only white. The Rider itself fights him and pulls his King Stone out and becomes the Creation King, Another Shadow Moon. The place turns into some dark temple with a throne and Shadow Moon sits down in it. Kohtaro yells but Shadow Moon sneers at him and as he removes his chest armour to reveal that inside is Nobuhiko's skeleton… and a beating heart. The fight between Black Sun and Shadow Moon was to determine which body would be most suitable for Gorgom's ruler, the Creation King to use. He ended up in Shadow Moon’s body. When things started to seem bleak, Nobuhiko's remaining thoughts prevented the Creation King from using it's full power as Kohtaro turns into RX by retrieving his King Stone and defeats Shadow Moon. Kohtaro then wakes up, apparently that was all a dream.

Kamen Rider World

J vs Shadow Moon — Shadow Moon battles Kamen Rider J Jumbo Formation

However, Shadow Moon would return once again as a villain in the debatedly non-canon 8-minute movie Kamen Rider World. This time, he was a giant and he was defeated by Kamen Rider J's Jumbo Formation.

OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders

Due to a change in history caused by Ankh leaving a O Medal behind in 1971, Shocker achieved its goal of world dominion with the Shocker Greeed which defeated the Double Riders, and new members from the various groups that would had manifested in the normal timeline after Shocker's destruction. Shadow Moon was among the many villains who were part of this alliance. He later is defeated by Kamen Rider Decade.

Super Hero Taisen

"Stop this, Nobuhiko!"
"Don't interfere, Black Sun!"

―Shadow Moon and Kamen Rider Black face off once more.^[src]

Shadow Moon returns as a member of the revived Dai-Shocker under Tsukasa Kadoya and like all the other past villains, pretended to assist his plan to destroy the Super Sentai while working in cahoots with Dai-Zangyack to have the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai destroy each other. Once it is revealed that in fact it was Tsukasa and Captain Marvelous who were deceiving them to stop their plans, Shadow Moon joins the fight against the heroes just to be defeated along with General Jark by the combined efforts of Kamen Rider Black and the Hikari Sentai Maskman.

Super Hero Taisen Z

"Wretched Superheroes, I'll remember this!"

―Shadow Moon is destroyed again.^[src]

Shadow Moon returns again in Super Hero Taisen Z as the leading force behind Space Shocker. He along with Strategist Reider plot to capture Psycholon and revive Demon King Psycho to take over the Universe. He is defeated in battle against the Kyoryugers.

Kamen Rider SD

Main article: Shadow Moon (SD)

Shadow Moon: A member of GranShocker. The brother of Black RX and apparently a Kamen Rider himself. This version of Shadow Moon tries his best to be evil, but falls short of his own expectations. He is armed with the Satan Saber and an unknown motorcycle (possibly a Road Sector modification). He is constantly teased by Black RX, whom refers to him as "Sunshine Moon."

In other media

Shadow Moon is one of the few villains in the Kamen Rider Series to be given an action figure, Souchaku Henshin figure, and a Super Imaginive Chogokin figure. He is also one of the few Kamen Rider villains to have a Rider Kick, without being a Kamen Rider himself.

Shadow Moon was also featured as the first Secret Rare card in the Rangers Strike Masked Rider Expansion Vol. 1 and the only character in the Dark Alliance group in the Masked Rider Expansion Vol. 1.

An alternate reality version of Shadow Moon appeared in the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker.

Video game appearances

Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon

Shadow Moon is the nineteenth opponent and seventh and final boss fought by Kamen Rider Black in the video game Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon.

Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu

In Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu, Shadow Moon appears to save Kamen Rider Black from Evil Eye when the latter tries to claim Black's Kingstone. When Black asks why he did this, Shadow Moon simply explains that it is because only he will defeat him and claim the title of Century King. Shadow Moon is then captured by Evil Eye and taken away so the monster can take his Kingstone instead.

Personality

Before he became Shadow Moon, Nobuhiko was a kind man whom Kohtaro respected and cared about. After his transformation though, Nobuhiko became an arrogant, cold, and merciless tyrant that was obsessed with defeating Kamen Rider Black and becoming the new Creation King. Even with Nobuhiko's memories intact, he showed little to no concern of the fate of humanity, believing that Gorgom had every right to rule mankind. This was reflected by his inability to revert to human form on his own, requiring the Creation King's assistance. However, despite Gorgom's corruption, Shadow Moon still retained a portion of his humanity. His concern towards Kyoko and Katsumi has been shown several times, actively saving them from High Priestess Bishium on one occasion. When given the chance to take away Kohtaro's Kingstone at one point, Shadow Moon outright relented the opportunity, proclaiming that he could not bring himself to do it. When reappearing in Kamen Rider RX, Shadow Moon seemed to have lost all traces of his humanity. The extreme conditions he had to endure to cheat death removed his death as Nobuhiko, causing him become even more ruthless towards Kohtaro. Upon his final defeat however, Shadow Moon appeared to have a change of heart, opting to help Kohtaro rather than continue fighting him. Kohtaro himself acknowledges this, believing that Nobuhiko had finally regained his kindness in the end. Interestingly, it was hinted in a dialogue with Kamen Rider Double in the game All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation that even as Shadow Moon, there was still something left of Nobuhiko since he tells Philip and Shotaro to warn Kohtaro about Juda.

Forms

Batta Man

File:Shadow Moon Batta Man.jpg

Batta Man

During his hibernation state in a circular pupa, Nobuhiko completely transformed into this grasshopper themed monster called the Batta Man (バッタ男, Batta Man Grasshopper Man) before he became Shadow Moon.

Shadow Moon

File:KRBlk-Shadowmoon.png

Shadow Moon

Rider Statistics:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Rider Height: 197.4 cm
Rider Weight: 90 kg

Rider Senses:

Eyesight: 1.5 km^{[note 1]}
Hearing: 500 m^[2]

Ability Parameters:

Punching Power: 4 t^[4]
Kicking Power: 10 t^[4]
Maximum Jump Height: 40 m^[2]^[3]^[4]

Century King Shadow Moon is Nobuhiko's alter-ego after being brainwashed by Gorgom. Shadow Moon has roughly the same amount of power and strength as Kamen Rider Black. His primary techniques are the Shadow Punch and the Shadow Kick.

File:Img 1 (1).jpg

Giant Shadow Moon

In the film Kamen Rider World, Shadow Moon is resurrected as a giant and uses his dark powers to revive five monsters destroyed by Kamen Rider Black, ZO and J. How he became a giant and returned from the dead is unknown, but it could possibly be a result of his King Stone absorbing J Power energy in his deceased state to resurrect him.

Appearances: Kamen Rider Black Episodes 35-38, Terrifying! The Phantom House of Devil Pass, 39-51, Kamen Rider Black RX Episodes 21, 22 & 27

White RX

File:SIC-Another RX.jpg

White RX

Rider Statistics:^[3]

Rider Height: 198.8 cm
Rider Weight: 91 kg

Ability Parameters:

Maximum Jump Height: 60 m^[3]

White RX (白いRX, Shiroi Āru Ekkusu), also known as Another RX (アナザーRX, Anazā Āru Ekkusu), is the upgrade form of Shadow Moon. It is essentially Shadow Moon's RX version of Black's, with a silver colored appearance of BLACK RX, but is powered by moonlight instead of sunlight.

This form is exclusive to S.I.C. Hero Saga Kamen Rider Black RX Edition: After 0.

Creation King

File:SIC-Another Shadow Moon.jpg

Creation King

Rider Statistics:^[3]

Rider Height: 197.4 cm
Rider Weight: 95 kg

Ability Parameters:

Maximum Jump Height: 100 m^[3]

Creation King (創世王, Sōseiō), also known as Another Shadow Moon (アナザーシャドームーン, Anazā Shadō Mūn), is the final form of Shadow Moon. It is a form Shadow Moon took by absorbing both the Sun and Moon King Stones. This form resembles a crimson colored Shadow Moon. The Creation King is essentially the true purpose of those who possess the King Stones, so that the victor may claim the other to become the Creation King and rule Gorgom for another 50,000 years.

This form is exclusive to S.I.C. Hero Saga Kamen Rider Black RX Edition: After 0.

Equipment

King Stone - Transformation belt
Satan Saber - Primary sword in Kamen Rider BLACK arc
Shadow Sabers - Twin swords in Kamen Rider BLACK RX arc

Vehicles

Battle Hopper - Kamen Rider Black's personal motorcycle, temporary mind-controlled/hijacked by Shadow Moon.

Legend Devices

File:Better Shadow Moon Ring.jpg

Shadow Moon Ring

This Rider Ring which bears the likeness of Shadow Moon is exclusive to Kamen Rider Wizard's Wizard Ring toyline. When used by a Wizardriver wearer, it would be able to summon Shadow Moon.

Shadow Moon Lockseed (シャドームーンロックシード, Shadō Mūn Rokkushīdo): Allows the user to transform into Shadow Moon Arms. The core image depicts the King Stone while the lid backside image depicts the Satan Saber. Baron/Gridon-styled Lockseed. It was the first of 3 unknown Lockseeds during the release of the Showa Rider Lockseeds.

Transformation: Shadow Moon Arms: King of Century! (シャドームーンムズ・キングオブセンチュリー！, Shadō Mūn Āmuzu - Kingu obu Senchurī!)
- Squash: Shadow Flash! (シャドーフラッシュ！, Shadō Furasshu!)
- Au Lait: Satan Saber! (サタンサーベル！, Satan Sāberu!)
- Sparking: Shadow Saber! (シャドーセイバー！, Shadō Seibā!)

Behind the scenes

Portrayal

Nobuhiko Akizuki is portrayed by Takahito Horiuchi (堀内孝人, Horiuchi Takahito) while Shadow Moon is voiced by Masaki Terasoma (てらそままさき（寺杣昌紀）, Terasoma Masaki).

Debatable Status

Shadow Moon is always with a debatable status of being a "Kamen Rider" or just a "Kamen Rider lookalike villain". One of the instances where Shadow Moon is referred to as a Kamen Rider, from the Summer 2013 issue of THE Kamen Rider magazine published by Shogakukan.^[5] However, in the 2014 magazine Our Kamen Rider Monster Ranking published by Takarajimasha, Shadow Moon is a candidate of the "rank 1" series' Monster.

Notes

If Shadow Moon were to become a Kamen Rider, his name would presumably be "Kamen Rider Shadow" as Kamen Rider Black's Century King name is "Black Sun" although in theory it could also be "Kamen Rider White" which would serve as a parallel to Kohtaro's Rider Form.
- This is shown in the S.I.C Hero story for RX, as he is known as "White RX" in it.
His and Kotaro's birthday is most likely September 22, 1968, as they turn 19 in 1987, while in 1968 there was one Solar eclipse, occuring on September 22.
Despite Shadow Moon having regained his humanity as Nobuhiko upon dying in Kamen Rider Black RX, later sequels ignore this altogether. It is possible, though, that the Shadow Moons that appear in later crossovers are either copies or alternate reality versions of the original, especially with the appearance of an A.R. World counterpart in Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker.
Stephen is his Filipino dub name.