is a Japanese
tokusatsu
is a Japanese term for live action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects. ''Tokusatsu'' entertainment mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is som ...
drama series produced by
Toei Company
() (also styled TOEI) is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution and video game developer and publishing company. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan (all but two of them operated by ...
and
TV Asahi
JOEX-DTV (channel 5), branded as (also known as EX and and stylized as TV asahi), is a television station that is owned and operated by the subsidiary of certified broadcasting holding company , itself controlled by The Asahi Shimbun Comp ...
. It is the 30th series in the ''
Kamen Rider'' franchise and the first series in the
Reiwa period
is the current era of Japan's official calendar. It began on 1 May 2019, the day on which Emperor Akihito's elder son, Naruhito, ascended the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan. The day before, Emperor Akihito abdicated the Chrysanthemum ...
. The show premiered on September 1, 2019, following the finale of ''
Kamen Rider Zi-O
is a Japanese tokusatsu drama in the Toei Company's ''Kamen Rider'' franchise. It is the twenty-ninth ''Kamen Rider'' series overall as well as the twentieth and final series in the Heisei period. The show premiered on September 2, 2018, follo ...
'', and joined ''
Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger'', and later, ''
Mashin Sentai Kiramager
is a Japanese tokusatsu drama. It is the 44th entry of Toei's long-running ''Super Sentai'' metaseries and the first series to air exclusively in the Reiwa era. ''Kiramager''s main motifs are genies, gemstones and vehicles. It is the fifth veh ...
'' in the ''
Super Hero Time
is a programming block on the Japanese television network TV Asahi featuring new episodes of tokusatsu television series from the Super Sentai, Kamen Rider and Metal Heroes. Both series have decades of history and have been intertwined in the ...
'' lineup before concluding on August 30, 2020.
The series' theme revolves around
technological singularity
The technological singularity—or simply the singularity—is a hypothetical future point in time at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization. According to the m ...
and
artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech r ...
, a theme shared with the company, Hiden Intelligence, who face threats from the cyber-terrorist group, MetsubouJinrai.net, who want to take over and bring extinction to the human race via a
tech uprising.
Plot
The story takes place in a world where Japan has entered a new era of technological innovations as Hiden Intelligence, the leading company in
artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech r ...
research, develops human-like androids called Humagears, which quickly become a staple in both public and private sectors. However, a cyber-terrorist organization known as "MetsubouJinrai.net" starts hacking into Humagears, transforming them into monsters called "Magias" and turning them against humanity. The government responds by establishing the Artificial Intelligence Military Service, or A.I.M.S., to destroy them.
The story primarily follows Aruto Hiden, a young man with aspirations of becoming a comedian who suddenly finds himself appointed as the new CEO of Hiden Intelligence after his grandfather's death. Despite his initial disinterest, Aruto changes his mind after witnessing MetsubouJinrai.net's terrorist attacks firsthand; maintaining appearances as CEO while becoming Kamen Rider Zero-One to realize his late father's wish for a peaceful co-existence between humans and Humagears. This places him in an uneasy alliance with A.I.M.S. operatives, Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba, who can transform into Kamen Rider Vulcan and Kamen Rider Valkyrie respectively, against MetsubouJinrai.net; led by the rogue Humagears Horobi and Jin, who can also transform into Kamen Riders.
All the while, Gai Amatsu, the CEO of Hiden's corporate rival ZAIA Enterprise, initially watches their battles from afar before moving forward with his agenda to destroy all Humagears and create a society only for humans with his company in the forefront. He later develops the Kamen Rider Thouser system to achieve his goals and personally enter the fray as well as devices to transform humans into “Raiders”. As the ideals of Aruto, Gai, and MetsubouJinrai.net collide, a three-way battle takes place to decide the future for both Humagears and humankind. However, after the A.I. "Ark" ascends into a Kamen Rider form and threatens the world, they are forced to settle their differences and join forces to stop it.
Production
Development for the show had begun during the summer of 2018. Producer Takahito Omori had visited several technological institutes and spoke with many professors and experts on the topic of artificial intelligence. The suit's design was completed in time before the Reiwa-era change, but a name had not been decided on yet. Omori came up with the idea of "Rei-One", which was a shortening of "Reiwa's first Rider." It was later pointed out that "rei" could also be read as "zero", and that there was already a superhero named
Kikaider
is a manga series written and illustrated by Shotaro Ishinomori. A two-season tokusatsu series titled ''Android Kikaider'' ('' Kikaider 01'' in season 2) was produced by Toei Company and Ishimori Productions in early 1970s. A 18-episod ...
with the "01" moniker. With the show's heavy technology theme, the name "Zero-One" was chosen as a reference to
binary code and the trademark was registered by Toei on April 19, 2019. Three months later, a press conference was announced by an unnamed Humagear on the ''Kamen Rider Zi-O'' Twitter account.
In July, ''Kamen Rider Zero-One'' was officially announced during a press conference alongside its cast.
Two members of the band
Monkey Majik
Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as the simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes, which constitutes an incomple ...
revealed that they will be providing the voices for the Hiden Zero-One Driver and the Progrise Keys.
The theme song is "REAL×EYEZ", a collaboration by
J×
Takanori Nishikawa
is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, voice artist, radio personality, and businessman. He performs under the stage name T.M.Revolution (TMR), which stands for , stemming from the famous '80s pop electronic band TM ...
. J composed the song, while Nishikawa provides the vocals.
Vocaloid
is a singing voice synthesizer software product. Its signal processing part was developed through a joint research project led by Kenmochi Hideki at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, in 2000 and was not originally intended to b ...
producer
DJ'Tekina//Something provided the song's arrangement.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
As a result of the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, the filming schedule changed and the series' television broadcast was delayed following episode 35. During the break period, ''Zero-One'' released five special episodes that reflect past events as recounted by the main characters. The two-part "President Special," focusing on Aruto Hiden and Is, the "Shooting Special," focusing on Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba, and the two-part "Super Job War".
After Japan lifted the state of emergence on May 26, filming of ''Zero-One'' and other related Japanese dramas were allowed to resume filming starting on June 1. However, new restrictions were announced, such as filming staff maintaining a distance of at least two meters and only allowing 20 extras in a single scene while scenes with mass crowds will be handled with composite editing. In addition, ''Zero-One''s broadcasting resumed on 21 June 2020. In regards to the summer movie, it was postponed alongside ''Mashin Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Be-Bop Dream'' due to the pandemic.
Episodes
*The series is divided into four arcs:
**Episode 1-16: The Secret Manuevering of MetsubouJinrai.net: This arc focuses on the threat of the cyber-terrorist group, MetsubouJinrai.net, who seek to bring extinction to the human race.
**Episode 17-29: 5-Round Workplace Competition, ZAIA Enterprise: This arc focuses on Hiden Intelligence facing their corporate rival, ZAIA Enterprise, in a battle for
technological supremacy.
**Episode 30-35.5: Struggle! Hiden Manufacturing: This arc focuses on Aruto establishing a new company, Hiden Manufacturing, after ZAIA’s takeover of Hiden Intelligence and their continuous attempts to stop him as well as the resurgence of MetsubouJinrai.net.
**Episode 36-45: Take Off Toward The Future! Hiden Intelligence: With MetsubouJinrai.net active again, their leader, the artificial intelligence Ark becomes Kamen Rider Ark-Zero to enslave humanity. In response, Aruto and his allies must join forces to stop it from achieving its goals. However, Aruto willingly becomes Kamen Rider Ark-One to avenge his friend, Is, who died at the hands of Horobi.
Films
Kamen Rider Zero-One made his first appearance as a cameo in the film ''
Kamen Rider Zi-O the Movie: Over Quartzer''.
''Reiwa The First Generation''
A ''Movie War'' film, titled was released on December 21, 2019, featuring the casts of ''Kamen Rider Zero-One'' and the last Heisei Kamen Rider series, ''
Kamen Rider Zi-O
is a Japanese tokusatsu drama in the Toei Company's ''Kamen Rider'' franchise. It is the twenty-ninth ''Kamen Rider'' series overall as well as the twentieth and final series in the Heisei period. The show premiered on September 2, 2018, follo ...
''. Actress
Rina Ikoma Rina or RINA may refer to:
__NOTOC__ People and fictional characters
* Rina (given name), a list of people and fictional characters
* Kento Rina, Indian politician
* Mahfuza Rahman Rina, Bangladeshi politician
* Tongam Rina (born 1979), Indian journ ...
and actor Sōkō Wada portrayed the Time Jacker Finis and the Humagear Will respectively. This movie introduces another version of Kamen Rider Zero-One known as Kamen Rider Zerozero-One, and the
Kamen Rider 1-inspired Kamen Rider Ichi-Gata. This movie is a shared tribute to the original series, ''
Kamen Rider'', and the entire Heisei Kamen Rider Series as a whole. The events of the film take place between episodes 9 and 10.
''Real×Time''
was originally scheduled for release on July 23, 2020, double billed with ''
Mashin Sentai Kiramager
is a Japanese tokusatsu drama. It is the 44th entry of Toei's long-running ''Super Sentai'' metaseries and the first series to air exclusively in the Reiwa era. ''Kiramager''s main motifs are genies, gemstones and vehicles. It is the fifth veh ...
''s film, but both were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 30, 2020, the film was given a new release date of December 18, 2020.
On October 18, 2020, it was announced that the film will be double billed with ''Kamen Rider Saber Theatrical Short Story: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin''. In the film, which is set after the final episode of the TV series, actor
Hideaki Itō
is a Japanese actor.
Biography
Ito is best known for starring in the hit franchise ''Umizaru'' film series which consistently topped the Japanese box office of the year. He has also head-lined many other major Japanese films such as Takashi M ...
portrayed the film's main antagonist.
Special episodes
* is ''
Televi-Kun
is a Japanese monthly manga magazine published by Shogakukan, starting in May 1976. Its main target is elementary school aged boys, younger than the readers of shōnen manga. It features super heroes such as ''Kamen Rider'', ''Super Sentai'', ...
''s . This events of this special take place between episodes 13 and 14.
* is a web-exclusive series released on Toei's official YouTube channel.
* is included as part of the Blu-ray releases of ''Kamen Rider Zero-One''. This side story comprises two episodes and focuses on Gai Amatsu. The events of this miniseries take place before episode 17.
* is a special two-part recap miniseries told from the perspective of Aruto Hiden and Is.
* is a special recap episode told from the perspective of Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba.
* is a special two-part episode covering the jobs the cast has seen performed during the series.
''Zero-One Others''
is a series of
V-Cinema
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
releases written by Yuya Takahashi and directed by Masaya Kakehi that serve as spin-offs for characters from the ''Kamen Rider Zero-One'' series.
The events of the V-Cinemas take place after the end of the main series and ''Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time''.
* is a side story that focuses on MetsubouJinrai.net members Horobi, Jin, Ikazuchi, and Naki. Actor
Jai West
Jai West (ジェイ・ウエスト born October 24, 1976) is an actor and poet of French Canadian and Japanese descent born in Vancouver, British Columbia and currently based in Tokyo, Japan.
He is best known for his work on screen as manic Japa ...
portrayed the film's main antagonist, Lyon Arkland. The V-Cinema received a limited theatrical release on March 26, 2021, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on July 14, 2021.
The theme song is "S.O.S" performed by
Monkey Majik
Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as the simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes, which constitutes an incomple ...
.
* is a side story that focuses on Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba. The V-Cinema received a limited theatrical release on August 27, 2021, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on November 10, 2021.
The theme song is "Frontier" performed by Monkey Majik.
''Everyone's Daily Life''
is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on July 23, 2020.
#
#
#
#
#
''Kamen Rider Genms''
is a web-exclusive crossover series of Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club starring Nachi Sakuragi as Gai Amatsu and
Tetsuya Iwanaga of ''
Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
is a Japanese tokusatsu drama in Toei Company's Kamen Rider Series. It is the eighteenth series in the Heisei period run and the twenty-seventh series overall. Toei registered the Kamen Rider Ex-Aid trademark on June 13, 2016. The show premiered ...
'' reprising his role as
Kuroto Dan. The theme song is "GAME CHANGER" performed by
Hiroyuki Takami, who reprised his role as
Masamune Dan in the first entry.
* is the first entry of the web-exclusive series released on April 11, 2021 that comprises two episodes. The events of the series take place after ''Zero-One Others: Kamen Rider Vulcan & Valkyrie''.
* is a sequel to the first entry of the web-exclusive series released on April 17, 2022. This entry features an appearance by
Smart Brain from ''
Kamen Rider 555''.
''Kamen Rider Outsiders''
is a web-exclusive crossover series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on October 16, 2022 that features cast members from ''Ex-Aid'', ''Zero-One'', ''555'', ''
Ryuki'', ''
Decade
A decade () is a period of ten years. Decades may describe any ten-year period, such as those of a person's life, or refer to specific groupings of calendar years.
Usage
Any period of ten years is a "decade". For example, the statement that "du ...
'', and ''
Saber
A sabre (French: sabʁ or saber in American English) is a type of backsword with a curved blade associated with the light cavalry of the early modern and Napoleonic periods. Originally associated with Central European cavalry such as the ...
'' and serves as a direct sequel to ''Kamen Rider Genms''. The theme song is "What's the Outsiders?" performed by
m.c.A.T
, better known by his stage name is a Japanese musician, rapper, singer and record producer with Avex Trax. He graduated from Hokkaido Sapporo Tsukisamu High School and the Hokkaido University of Education. His debut single as m.c.A·T, " Bomb ...
.
Video game
''
Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez'' is a 3D action game released on October 29, 2020 for
PlayStation 4 and
Nintendo Switch. While the storyline primarily focuses on the casts of ''
Kamen Rider W
, is a 2009-2010 Japanese tokusatsu drama, the eleventh series in the Heisei period run of the Kamen Rider Series and the twentieth overall. It premiered following the finale of ''Kamen Rider Decade'' on September 6, 2009, and aired alongside '' S ...
'' and ''
Kamen Rider OOO
is a 2010-2011 Japanese tokusatsu drama in Toei Company's Kamen Rider Series, being the twelfth series in the Heisei period run and the twenty-first overall. It began airing on September 5, 2010, the week following the conclusion of '' Kamen Ri ...
'', the titular Rider of ''Kamen Rider Zero-One'' also appears in the game.
Comic
A comic book of the same name, written by Brian Easton and drawn by Hendry Prasetya and Brian Valenza, was announced by
Titan Comics
Titan Publishing Group is the publishing division of Titan Entertainment Group, which was established in 1981. The books division has two main areas of publishing: film and television tie-ins and cinema reference books; and graphic novels and co ...
on April 28, 2022. The first issue will release on November 23, 2022. A new foe (known as Kamen Rider Ragnarok) will be introduced in the first issue.
Cast
*:
*:
*, :
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*, :
*:
*:
*:
*, Ark Driver Voice:
*:
*Progrise and Zetsumerise Key Equipments Voice:
Maynard Plant, Blaise Plant
*Progrise and Zetsumerise Key Equipments Voice (Kamen Rider Thouser): Mark Weitzman
*Narration:
Guest cast
*:
*:
*Young Isamu Fuwa (2): .
*:
*:
*:
*:
*Himself (10, 11):
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
*:
Theme songs
;Opening theme
*"REAL×EYEZ"
**Lyrics:
Shoko Fujibayashi
is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics for several tokusatsu television series' theme songs. Most recently, Fujibayashi has worked with Shuhei Naruse on the soundtracks of '' Kamen Rider Den-O'', ''Kamen Rider Kiva'', and their films. S ...
, Takanori Nishikawa
**Composition: J
**Arrangement: J×Takanori Nishikawa,
DJ'Tekina//Something
**Artist:
J×
Takanori Nishikawa
is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, voice artist, radio personality, and businessman. He performs under the stage name T.M.Revolution (TMR), which stands for , stemming from the famous '80s pop electronic band TM ...
*:Episodes 1, 2, 29, and 45 and Specials 1-3 do not feature the show's opening sequence. This song is used as the ending theme in episodes 2 and 45 and as an insert song in episodes 1, 9, 29, 38, and 39 and Specials 1-3.
;Insert themes
*
**Lyrics: Megane Hirai
**Composition & Arrangement: Go Sakabe
**Artist: Tsuyoshi Himura
*:This song is first used in episode 1.
*
**Lyrics: Megane Hirai
**Composition & Arrangement: Go Sakabe
**Artist: Tsuyoshi Himura
*:This song is only used in episode 40.
Home video release
Shout! Factory released the complete series and ''Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time'' on
Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of st ...
and digital on January 22, 2022 in North America.
References
External links
Official websiteat
TV Asahi
JOEX-DTV (channel 5), branded as (also known as EX and and stylized as TV asahi), is a television station that is owned and operated by the subsidiary of certified broadcasting holding company , itself controlled by The Asahi Shimbun Comp ...
Official websiteat Kamen Rider Web
Official websitefor ''Zero-One Others''
Official websitefor ''Kamen Rider Outsiders'' and ''Kamen Rider Genms''
{{Kamen Rider
2019 Japanese television series debuts
2020 Japanese television series endings
Zero-One
TV Asahi original programming
Androids in television
Television series about artificial intelligence
Cyberpunk television series
Fictional soldiers
Post-traumatic stress disorder in fiction
Terrorism in television
Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic