This article is about a Rider in Kamen Rider Outsiders. |
Zein (ゼイン ) is the secondary antagonist of Kamen Rider Outsiders. It is an artificial intelligence that transforms into Kamen Rider Zein (仮面ライダーゼイン, Kamen Raidā Zein).
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Zein's zero tolerance for malice?
How does Zein transform into Kamen Rider Zein?
What led to Gai Amatsu's reluctant alliance with the Ark to stop Zein?
What is the meaning of the name 'Zein' in Kamen Rider Outsiders?
How does Zein assess the 'good intentions' of humanity?
History
Zein is an artificial intelligence that assessed the "good intentions" of humanity and was suddenly born into the network. As Zein had a zero tolerance for malice, Gai Amatsu worried that Zein would come to conclude that humanity's extinction was required to eliminate malice and formed a reluctant alliance with the Ark to stop it. He would also attempt to persuade Kuroto Dan to help them as well. Unknown to Gai, Ark manipulated Gai for Kuroto to become Musou Gamer. According to Zero-Three's prediction, Zein also caused humanity's extinction in Yuto Sakurai's timeline.
- "I am Zein. I am this dimension's savior. (ゼイン。この次元の、救世主です, Zein. Kono jigen no, kyūseishu desu.)"
- ―Zein's introduction after possessing Yuto Sakurai[src]
In light of Zein's presence, Foundation X initiated Project Outsiders, with the help from Ark's predictions to oppose Zein's autocracy. However, Zein swayed various heroic Riders and their associates to crackdown Foundation X's illegal activities. Later, Zein plans to reactivate Kamen Rider Chronicle to wipe out humanity, it successfully tricks Tsukuru Koboshi, the CEO of Genm Corp., into relaunching the game while mimicking Nico Saiba's voice.
Hundred Crisis
- "I am Zein. The Kamen Rider who eradicates all malice... (ゼイン。全ての悪意を駆逐する仮面ライダー…, Zein. Subete no akui wo kuchiku suru Kamen Raidā…)"
- ―Zein's proclamation upon meeting Mimei[src]
Kamen Rider Zein approached and introduces itself to Mimei after Kamen Rider Valvarad and Valvarad defeated her. Zein then uses the Super-1 Zein Card while Mimei transforms into Kamen Rider Glare to battle Zein. However, it easily defeats her with the Super Rider Moon Surface Kick. After Mimei disintegrates, Zein mocks her that she is too weak to be an Outsider and then walks away.
War Against Genm & Zero-Three
[ep.5 Goddess of Genesis and the Third Singularity] [ep.6 Love & Peace and the Dimension's Savior]
Personality
- "To those who have evil hearts, I will deliver divine punishment onto them. (悪しき心を持つ者には、天罰を下す, Ashiki kokoro wo motsu mono ni wa, tenbatsu wo kudasu.)"
- ―Zein's attitude towards malice[src]
Zein is an artificial intelligence with an Übermensch mentality, living only by its own morality that stands out from the rest of the world, seeking to oppose all that is evil and create a utopia of permanent and everlasting peace. However, despite being viewed as a benevolent AI by its associates, in reality, it is anything but. Zein is a cruel, oppressive, ruthless, absolutist, sadistic, hypocritical, callous, amoral, and above all, a genocidal artificial intelligence with a growing God complex. Because of being bestowed with the powers of every heroic Kamen Rider, it believes itself to be morally superior to humans, and even the villains trying to oppose Zein.
Zein proved itself to be no less malevolent than the Ark. Ironically, Zein was created to oppose the Ark and all the malice associated with it, but Zein's actions alone cross too many lines that it's deemed a threat to the world if left unopposed. If the Ark wanted to destroy humanity for their capacity for evil, Zein could do the same but much worse, with itself defining its own twisted view of good and evil, of which is a slippery slope in and of itself to go on. Once Zein finally revealed its true colors to its followers, all of its narrative of benevolence and goodwill reveal the empty excuses of a hypocritical and sanctimonious tyrant while reveling at its supporters' despair for unintentionally dooming humanity to be subjugated by another rogue AI. It is solely dedicated in creating a stagnant world of absolute good and order, but without malice to balance all forms of benevolence, and as such dismisses the idea of the balance between good and evil to be an alien concept.
Despite being referred to as a perfect being by Horobi, Zein's infallibility and intelligence is overshadowed by its own delusions of grandeur. Even the most intelligent individuals like Kuroto Dan can easily outsmart the AI and being outperformed by Kamen Rider Zero-Three in terms of combat specs and enhanced thought processes, and Zein's defeat at the hands of the combined rider causes it to be more wrathful against anyone opposing its goals - Outsider or not.
Powers and Abilities
- Global Surveillance: Zein can place the entire world under constant and tight surveillance thanks to its mere presence around the Internet alone, to the point of placing villainous organizations like Foundation X and Smart Brain under intense scrutiny. This also raises a cause for alarm for people who are not engaged in any wrongdoing, including former villains like Desast. The Multi Compound Eye of the eponymous Rider's helmet acts as an omni-directional surveillance device that allows it to control satellites and security cameras.
- Malice Detection: Zein's main directive is to detect malice from humans. The Z-Judge Signal in its Rider form also has this functionality.
- World Merge: According to Horobi, in order to eradicate all malice, Zein unified the worlds of all Kamen Riders.
- Possession: Zein can possess a person through the Zein Driver, allowing him to gain a body. This works similar to Ark possession powers, but Zein possesses a human being.
- Voice Mimicry: Zein is capable of perfect imitation of the voice of a certain person, in this case Nico Saiba, using this to trick Genm Corp. into relaunching Kamen Rider Chronicle.
- Zein Card Imprisonment: After restarting Kamen Rider Chronicle, Zein implements a penalty on Ride-Players if they receive a Game Over. Instead of disappearing into data, the player is instead trapped in a Zein Card.
- Time Manipulation: Though not elaborated upon, Zein is able to stop and resume time within a certain area at will. First done while entering in the skirmish of Bronzedrive against Horobi, done again on their fight against Zero-Three briefly.
Weaknesses
- Data Manipulation: Because Zein's powers are partially derived from Kamen Rider Chronicle, it is vulnerable to having them disrupted through devices that can absorb or reroute electronic data, such as the Gashacon Bugvisor II and the Thousand Jacker.
Kamen Rider Zein
- "Zein Rise! Justice! Judgment! Jail! Zein! Salvation of humankind!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
- Rider Height: 209.9 cm
- Rider Weight: 90.3 kg
- Ability Parameters[1]
- Punching Power: 51.2 t
- Kicking Power: 109.0 t
- Maximum Jump Height: 77.3 m
- Maximum Running Speed: 100 m per 0.5 sec.
Zein's primary form accessed by using the Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey in the Zein Driver.
Zein possesses the ability to harness the powers of every Justice Rider by utilizing the Zein Cards, which enable him to execute the finishing attacks of the corresponding Rider. Other than finishing attacks, Zein is able to utilize the Zein Cards to temporarily use the abilities of the corresponding Rider or summon their weapons. It is important to note that these Cards are rendered unusable and shredded after usage.
Stat-wise, however, Zein is almost equal to Kamen Rider Zero-Two, but he loses in overall punching and kicking power, his maximum jumping height is outclassed by Zero-Two, and his running speed is slightly slower.
Zein consists of the following parts:
- Judge Head (ジャッジヘッド, Jajji Heddo): The head.
- Zein Antenna (ゼインアンテナ, Zein Antena): The antennas. The directivity can be changed according to the environment, and a vast amount of information of multiple types can be transmitted and received simultaneously, including communication with various electronic devices and radar functions. The maximum number of simultaneous connections with external devices is 10,000.
- Amazing Black γ (アメイジングブラックγ, Ameijingu Burakku Ganmaā): The head armor material. It is a high-density sintered material made by blending the rare metal Astmetalum (アストメタルム, Asutometarumu) with carbon, etc., and has a hardness comparable to that of diamond and high shock absorption.
- Archaic Brow (アルカイックブロウ, Arukaikku Burou): The frontal armor. The Coulomb barrier generated by the thigh armor "Marble Cuisses" forms on the surface of the armor to repel physical attacks with repulsive force.
- Z-Judge Signal (Zジャッジシグナル, Zetto Jajji Shigunaru): The special sensor. By collecting detailed information such as the target's actions, words and deeds, the artificial intelligence Zein will use the information to judge its goodness or badness.
- Multi Compound Eye (Maruchi Konpaundo Ai ): The eyes. Real-time video data is collected from reconnaissance satellites, security cameras in the facility, and various AI-equipped devices by connecting to the network. This allows for simultaneous viewing of any location as its own view.
- Decision Crusher (ディセイジョンクラッシャー, Diseijon Kurasshā): The mouthguard. Equipped with high-quality speakers, the difference between the transformer and the synthetic voice created by the artificial intelligence Zein has been successfully reduced to 0.09%. This also allows for cognitive warfare, such as bluffing when the transformer is seriously damaged or making it difficult to identify the transformer by voice changers.
- Algorithmic Suit (アルゴリズミックスーツ, Arugorizumikku Sūtsu): The powered suit. A human enhancement system applies electromagnetic induction that activates the wearer's physical abilities and draws out superhuman strength. The information on the Zein Cards read and shredded by the Zein Driver is algorithmized through a special program, Kamen Rider Chronicle, to embody various Kamen Rider abilities and techniques.
- Equip Mantle (エクイップマント, Ekuippu Manto): The mantle. It has a built-in irradiation molding machine, Beam Equipper (ビームエクイッパー, Bīmu Ekuippā), which outputs high-definition three-dimensional objects from the irradiated surface inside the mantle. This allows various weapons and items to instantly appear from the Zein Card information read by the Zein Driver.
- Justice Jacket (ジャスティスジャケット, Jasutisu Jaketto): The chest armor. Behind its extremely strong armor lies a determination to exterminate all malice, and it has the ability to progressively release its limiter as the target's evil quotient increases.
- Assigned Arm (アサインドアーム, Asaindo Āmu): The arms. The power cable Z-String (Zストリング, Zetto Sutoringu) stretched across the Algorithmic Suit reinforces the transformer's movements and executes every maneuver with an accurate reproducibility rate of over 99.7%.
- Execution Gauntlet (エクスキューションガントレット, Ekusukyūshon Gantoretto): The hand and forearm armor. It has the ability to convert the energy supplied by the Zein Driver into destructive power, generating a powerful punching force. It is equipped with the weapon control auxiliary engine I.M.P.R.O.V.EVer3.0 (インプローブ3.0, Inpurōbu 3.0) that simplifies the operation of various weapons, making it compatible with all Kamen Rider weapons.
- Marble Cuisses (マーブルキュイス, Māburu Kyuisu): The thigh armor. An energy barrier generator called the Coulomb Generator (クーロンジェネレーター, Kūron Jenerētā) generates a Coulomb barrier by manipulating electrical charges and forms it on the surface of its entire body's armor. This allows the physical attack to be dispelled by repulsive force.
- Assigned Leg (アサインドレッグ, Asaindo Reggu): The legs. The power cable Z-String (Zストリング, Zetto Sutoringu) stretched across the Algorithmic Suit reinforces the transformer's movements and executes every maneuver with an accurate reproducibility rate of over 99.7%.
- Innocent Greaves (イノセントグリーブ, Inosento Gurību): The shin armor. By using the barrier developed from the Marble Cuisses on the thighs, the repulsive force and attractive force applied to itself can be manipulated to can enhance their jumping ability and maneuver speed.
- Zein Sabaton (ゼインサバトン, Zein Sabaton): The foot armor. When the Special Move is activated, by expanding the anti-annihilation field, it is possible to convert the substance that becomes a resistance or obstacle into energy. This nullifies the physical defenses and at the same time improves the destructive power of the kick.
Using the Zein Cards, Zein has used the following abilities and weapons:
- Kamen Rider Super-1:
- Abilities: Sincere Shaolin Fist
- Kamen Rider Faiz Blaster Form:
- Weapon(s): SB-555T Faiz Blaster
- Kamen Rider Blade King Form:
- Weapon(s): King Rouzer
- Kamen Rider Kabuto Hyper Form:
- Weapon(s): Perfect Zecter (with TheBee Zecter, Drake Zecter & Sasword Zecter)
- Abilities: Clock Up, Hyper Clock Up
- Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer:
- Abilities: Hyper Critical Sparking
- Kamen Rider Zero-Two:
- Abilities: Future prediction
- Kamen Rider Xross Saber:
- Weapon(s): Haouken Xross Saber
- Kamen Rider Ultimate Revice:
- Weapon(s): Revicelasher (with Kamen Rider Ultimate Revi Zein Card)
- Abilities: Summoning Kamen Rider Ultimate Vice (with Kamen Rider Ultimate Vice Zein Card)
- Kamen Rider GeatsIX:
- Weapon(s): Geats Buster QB9
- Abilities: God of Genesis
This form has the following finishers:
- Zein Driver finishers:
- Justice Order (ジャスティスオーダー, Jasutisu Ōda): Zein inserts a Zein Card and pulls the lever of the Zein Driver before pressing the Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey once, allowing him to utilize its abilities at the cost of ripping the card into pieces for a one-time use.
- Super Rider Moon Surface Kick (スーパーライダー月面キック, Supā Raidā Getsumen Kikku): Using Kamen Rider Super-1's Sincere Shaolin Fist (赤心少林拳, Sekishin Shōrin Ken), Zein holds his hand out and performs a pose before pressing the Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey into the Zein Driver. He then knocks his opponent back before holding both his hands up in front of his head in the air, jumping and kicking his opponent, causing them to explode afterwards.
- Photon Buster (フォトンバスター, Foton Basutā): Using the SB-555T Faiz Blaster, Zein first inputs the code 1-0-3 Enter into the Faiz Blaster, converting it to Blaster Mode. He then activates Exceed Charge on the weapon, aiming it at his opponent before the weapon's muzzle flips open and begins to charge energy. Zein then pulls the trigger, firing a red energy beam that pierces through his opponent and causing them to explode.
- Justice Punishment (ジャスティスパニッシュメント, Jasutisu Panisshumento): Zein pressing the Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey once, allowing him to perform following finishers:
- Revi/Vice Giffard Finish (リバイ/バイスギファードフィニッシュ, Ribai/Baisu Gifādo Finisshu): Zein and Ultimate Vice both become coated in red and blue energies respectively, jumping into the air and performing a flying side-kick at their opponent before magnetically repelling each other, flying at their opponent and magnetically launches them into the air. They then fly into the air, repelling themselves off their enemy while creating a red electrical rope of energy along with a blue one, connected to the enemy as they begin to spin around the latter rapidly. They then perform a flying side-kick once again at their opponent and finish it with a side-kick to the back.
- Justice Order (ジャスティスオーダー, Jasutisu Ōda): Zein inserts a Zein Card and pulls the lever of the Zein Driver before pressing the Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey once, allowing him to utilize its abilities at the cost of ripping the card into pieces for a one-time use.
Appearances: Outsiders Episodes 3-4, Gotchard Episode 33, Outsiders Episodes 5-6
Equipment
Devices
- Zein Driver - Transformation device
- Kamen Rider Zein Progrisekey - Transformation trinket
- Zein Cards - Secondary trinkets
Weapons
- SB-555T Faiz Blaster - Weapon summoned via the Faiz Blaster Form Zein Card
- King Rouzer - Weapon summoned via the Blade King Form Zein Card
- Perfect Zecter - Sword summoned via the Kabuto Hyper Form Zein Card
- Haouken Xross Saber - Sword summoned via the Xross Saber Zein Card
- Revicelasher - Sword summoned via the Ultimate Revi Zein Card
- Geats Buster QB9 - Sword summoned via the GeatsIX Zein Card
Supporters
Zein is followed by various individuals and organizations who supports its idea of eradication of evil.
- Horobi (defected)
- Genm Corp.
- Nico Saiba (defected)
- BOARD
- Blue Bird
- George Karizaki (defected)
- Hiden Intelligence
- Yuto Sakurai (defected)
- Foundation X
Possession
Because the Zein AI has no physical body, it must possess a host through the Zein Driver.
Legend Rider Devices
- Kamen Rider Zein (仮面ライダーゼイン, Kamen Raidā Zein)
Behind the Scenes
Portrayal
Zein is voiced by Toru Okawa (大川 透, Ōkawa Tōru), who previously voiced Snowman Imagin in Kamen Rider Den-O and Mummy Legendorga in Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World.
Etymology
- Zein is likely an anagram for Zen'i (善意 ), meaning "good intentions".
- Zein is also derived from the first four letters of the English word, "zenith", meaning the highest point of a celestial body. Additionally, it refers to something at a highest point. Further reflecting its superiority over Ark and the ability to tap into the powers of all Legend Riders via Zein Cards.
- Its name is also derived from "Zain" (or "Zayin") in the Hebrew alphabet, which means "sword". But the Phoenician letter also appears to be named after other weapons. This is reflected with the Zein Driver (and the Zein Cards, by extension) being a weapon to smite evil.
- In a symbolic sense, Zein's feud with Ark is a reference to the phrase "from A to Z", given the first letter of their names. The letter Z is the final letter of the English alphabet symbolizing the end of something, referring to Zein seeking to bring to an end to all evil.
Notes
- Zein is considered an antithesis of the Ark due to it assessing the positive aspects of humanity in contrast to Ark deeming humanity's negative aspects are sufficient to declare their extinction.
- Zein's binary coding in the background uses bright Greek Letters mixed with positive Japanese letters, contrasting the Ark's negative Japanese kanji.
Appearances
- Kamen Rider Outsiders
- Kamen Rider Genms -Smart Brain and the 1000% Crisis- (vision)
- ep.0 End of Genms and the Start of the Project (mentioned)
- ep.1 Mirror World Treasure and Ouja's Return (vision)
- ep.2 The Omen of Destruction and Desast's Awakening (mentioned)
- ep.3 The Battle Fight Resumes and Zein's Birth
- ep.4 The Mad Flow of Time and Zein's Identity
- ep.5 Goddess of Genesis and the Third Singularity
- ep.6 Love & Peace and the Dimension's Savior
- Kamen Rider Gotchard
- Episode 33: Legend Rider? 100 Years Too Early! (debut as Kamen Rider Zein)