Kamen Rider Agito
Kamen Rider Agito (仮面ライダーアギト, Kamen Raidā Agito, Masked Rider ΑGITΩ), is the eleventh installment in the popular Kamen Rider tokusatsu franchise. The series represented the 30th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series. The series was also a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei and was shown on TV Asahi from January 28, 2001 to January 27, 2002. The series served as an indirect sequel to Kamen Rider Kuuga and the first Kamen Rider series to not have an ending sequence.
Kamen Rider Agito | |
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Cover of the first Blu-ray Box, feature Kamen Riders Agito, G3, and Gills. | |
Also known as | Masked Rider ΑGITΩ |
Genre | Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fiction Action drama Horror Supernatural fiction |
Created by | Shotaro Ishinomori |
Developed by | Ishimori Productions Toei Company |
Written by | |
Directed by |
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Starring |
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Composer(s) | Toshihiko Sahashi |
Country of origin | Japan |
No. of episodes | 51 |
Production | |
Producer(s) |
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Running time | 23–25 minutes per episode |
Production company(s) | Toei Company |
Distributor | Toei Company |
Release | |
Original network | TV Asahi |
Picture format | 480i SDTV |
Original release | January 28, 2001 – January 27, 2002 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Kamen Rider Kuuga |
Followed by | Kamen Rider Ryuki |
Story
A man named Shouichi Tsugami has no memory of who he was, where he came from, or how he came upon his peculiar circumstances to transform into a powerful superhuman, Kamen Rider Agito, whenever in the presence of the beings referred by the police as the "Unknown". Known as the Lords, these powerful monsters perceived themselves as humanity's defenders and kill certain people in a series of murders that force the police department to make Makoto Hikawa the user of the Kamen Rider G3 powersuit which was modeled after Kamen Rider Kuuga. Shouichi and Makoto, both initially hesitant of the other at first, are joined by Ryō Ashihara, who becomes a pre-Agito known as Kamen Rider Gills and seeks the truth behind his father's suicide. These mysteries and many others collide as the true nature of Agito would ultimately determine the fate of humanity.
Episodes
- The Warrior's Awakening (戦士の覚醒, Senshi no Kakusei, 1/28/2001)
- Blue Storm (青の嵐, Ao no Arashi, 2/4/2001)
- My Transformation (俺の変身, Ore no Henshin, 2/11/2001)
- Puzzle Decoding (パズル解読, Pazuru Kaidoku, 2/18/2001)
- The Third Warrior (第3の戦士, Dai-San no Senshi, 2/25/2001)
- Sorrowful Monstrous Fist (哀しき妖拳, Kanashiki Yōken, 3/4/2001)
- A Piece of a Memory (記憶の一片, Kioku no Ippen, 3/11/2001)
- Sword of Red Flames (赤い炎の剣, Akai Honō no Tsurugi, 3/18/2001)
- The Two G3s (2人のG3, Futari no Jī Surī, 3/25/2001)
- Silver Points and Lines (銀の点と線, Gin no Ten to Sen, 4/1/2001)
- The Past Tied Together (繋がる過去, Tsunagaru Kako, 4/8/2001)
- The Crash in the Lake! (湖の激突!, Mizuumi no Gekitotsu!, 4/15/2001)
- Dad's Clue (父の手掛かり, Chichi no Tegakari, 4/22/2001)
- The Strongest Kick (最強キック, Saikyō Kikku, 4/29/2001)
- A Trap Begins (罠の始まり, Wana no Hajimari, 5/6/2001)
- A Suspicious Woman… (怪しい女…, Ayashii Onna…, 5/13/2001)
- Capture Tactics! (捕獲作戦!, Hokaku Sakusen!, 5/20/2001)
- The New Boss (新しいボス, Atarashii Bosu, 5/27/2001)
- Breakup Decision? (解散決定?, Kaisan Kettei?, 6/3/2001)
- That Awakening (或る目覚め, Aru Mezame, 6/10/2001)
- Rampaging Power (暴走する力, Bōsō Suru Chikara, 6/24/2001)
- Fateful Showdown (運命の対決, Unmei no Taiketsu, 7/1/2001)
- The Qualified Person (資格ある者, Shikaku Aru Mono, 7/8/2001)
- The Flawless Machine (完璧マシン, Kanpeki Mashin, 7/15/2001)
- Another Clash! (激突再び!, Gekitotsu Futatabi!, 7/22/2001)
- Restored Memories (甦った記憶, Yomigaetta Kioku, 7/29/2001)
- Ryō Dies… (涼、死す…, Ryō, Shisu…, 8/5/2001)
- That Summer Day (あの夏の日, Ano Natsu no Hi, 8/12/2001)
- A Numerical Mystery?! (数字の謎?!, Sūji no Nazo?!, 8/19/2001)
- Hidden Power (隠された力, Kakusareta Chikara, 8/26/2001)
- A Person's Whereabouts (人の居場所, Hito no Ibasho, 9/2/2001)
- Gills Resurrection (ギルス復活, Girusu Fukkatsu, 9/9/2001)
- The Enemy Who Appeared (現れた敵, Arawareta Teki, 9/16/2001)
- Summoning Souls to Meet (呼び逢う魂, Yobiau Tamashii, 9/23/2001)
- The Mysterious Messiah (謎の救世主, Nazo no Kyūseishu, 9/30/2001)
- The Fourth Man (4人目の男, Yoninme no Otoko, 10/7/2001)
- The Warrior of Darkness (暗闇の戦士, Kurayami no Senshi, 10/14/2001)
- The True Identity… (その正体…, Sono Shōtai…, 10/21/2001)
- Gills Howl (ギルス咆哮, Girusu Hōkō, 10/28/2001)
- United Front! (共同戦線!, Kyōdō Sensen!, 11/11/2001)
- Light and Darkness (光と闇, Hikari to Yami, 11/18/2001)
- The Akatsuki (あかつき号, Akatsuki-gō, 11/25/2001)
- The Darkness That Begins to Move (動きだす闇, Ugokidasu Yami, 12/2/2001)
- Dad and Older Sister and… (父と姉と…, Chichi to Ane to…, 12/9/2001)
- Stolen Power (奪われた力, Ubawareta Chikara, 12/16/2001)
- Warriors, Those Bonds (戦士その絆, Senshi Sono Kizuna, 12/23/2001)
- The Mystery of the Sky! (天空の怪!, Tenkū no Kai!, 12/30/2001)
- The Governor of Stars (星の支配者, Hoshi no Shihaisha, 1/6/2002)
- Footsteps of Destruction (絶滅の足音, Zetsumetsu no Ashioto, 1/13/2002)
- Now, Time to Battle (今、戦う時, Ima, Tatakau Toki, 1/20/2002)
- AGITΩ (AGITΩ, Agito, 1/27/2002)
Movies and specials
- TV Special: A New Transformation (仮面ライダーアギト スペシャル 新たなる変身, Kamen Raidā Agito Supesharu Aratanaru Henshin)
Originally aired on October 1, 2001 between Episodes 35 and 36, the special features all three Riders plus the first appearances of G3 Mild and Agito Shining Form. Shouichi encounters psychologist Azuma Kunieda, who had once nursed him back to health, fights an Unknown at night and reaches Burning Form, but goes out of control. Then, Kunieda helps him control it. All three Riders fight against the Beetle Lord. The story ended with a mysterious girl stalking G4 and was to be continued in the movie.
There is a difference concerning the series' plot and the special's plot. In the special, Tōru Hōjō finds out the truth about Shouichi's identity by secretly hearing a conversation between him and Kunieda as he stands behind a window and listens to them. In the series, however, Hōjō ambushes Agito as he flees from the battle scene and sees as he reverts to Shouichi, ultimately arresting him. It is possible, however, that he did not believe Shouichi in his conversation without physical evidence.
- Kamen Rider Agito the Movie: Project G4 (劇場版 仮面ライダーアギト PROJECT G4, Gekijōban Kamen Raidā Agito Purojekuto Jī Fō)
Released in theatres on 22 September 2001, Project G4 was a double bill with the Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger movie, "Fire Mountain Howls!". Shouichi encounters a teenage girl called Sayaka Kahara, who ran away from a military facility because of an attack by the Ant Lords. Sayaka has a supernatural ability to foresee the future. Risa Fukami, of the military group GA, wants to use that power to enhance the newly made G4 System, which was based upon designs stolen from Ozawa. Now, Agito and Gills must fight to stop the Ant Lords' attack, as G3 and G4 settle their score. The events of the movie happen in the late 30s–early 40s after the special.
The film grossed over ¥1 billion at the Japanese box office.[1]
- Kamen Rider Agito: Three Great Riders (仮面ライダーアギト 3大ライダー, Kamen Raidā Agito San Dai Raidā)
In Three Great Riders is the Hyper Battle Video for Agito. The events of the video show Teleppi (てれっピ, Tereppi), the Televi-Kun mascot, calling upon Kamen Riders Agito, G3, and Gills to help fight several Unknowns that have invaded his world, but he will only trust the "Ultimate Rider". The video featured exclusive finishing moves for the three Riders. G3's special weapon that appears in the video, the Antares, was later featured in the television series.
Video game
A video game based on the series, developed by KAZe and published by Bandai, was released in Japan on November 29, 2001 for the PlayStation. It is a fighting game.
S.I.C. Hero Saga
Agito featured two S.I.C. Hero Saga side stories published in Monthly Hobby Japan magazine. The first was titled Masked Rider ΑGITΩ: Heaven's Door (MASKED RIDER ΑGITΩ -HEAVEN'S DOOR-, Kamen Raidā Agito -Hebunzu Doa-) and featured a crossover with Kamen Rider 555. It introduces the new characters Mirage Agito (ミラージュアギト, Mirāju Agito) and the Dog Orphnoch/Dog Lord (ドッグオルフェノク/ドッグロード, Doggu Orufenoku/Doggu Rōdo). The story was published from October 2003 to March 2004.
The second S.I.C. Hero Saga story titled Masked Rider ΑGITΩ: Project G1 (MASKED RIDER ΑGITΩ -PROJECT G1-, Kamen Raidā Agito: Purojekuto Jī Wan) expands on the story told in Project G4 in showing the G-Series suits Generation 1, Kamen Rider G4-X (仮面ライダーG4-X, Kamen Raidā Jī Fō Ekkusu), Generation 2, and the Road Chaser (ロードチェイサー, Rōdo Cheisā) vehicle. It also features the Hydrozoa Lord (ハイドロゾアロード, Haidorozoa Rōdo) Hydrozoa Tegula (ヒドロゾア・テグラ, Hidorozoa Tegura). The story was published from October 2007 to January 2008.
- Heaven's Door chapter titles
- Outset (発端, Hottan)
- ΑgitΩ (アギト, Agito)
- Operation (操作, Sōsa)
- Conceit (奇想, Kisō)
- Psychic (能力者, Nōryokusha)
- The Alpha and the Omega (ΑにしてΩ, Arufa ni shite Omega)
- Project G1 chapter titles
- GENERATION 1
- G4-X
- V1
- ΑGITΩ
Cast
- Shouichi Tsugami (津上 翔一, Tsugami Shōichi): Toshiki Kashu (賀集 利樹, Kashū Toshiki)
- Makoto Hikawa (氷川 誠, Hikawa Makoto): Jun Kaname (要 潤, Kaname Jun)
- Ryō Ashihara (葦原 涼, Ashihara Ryō): Yūsuke Tomoi (友井 雄亮, Tomoi Yūsuke)
- Mana Kazaya (風谷 真魚, Kazaya Mana): Rina Akiyama (秋山 莉奈, Akiyama Rina)
- Sumiko Ozawa (小沢 澄子, Ozawa Sumiko): Touko Fujita (藤田 瞳子, Fujita Tōko)
- Tōru Hōjō (北條 透, Hōjō Tōru): Jun Yamasaki (山崎 潤, Yamasaki Jun)
- Kaoru Kino (木野 薫, Kino Kaoru): Takanori Kikuchi (菊池 隆則, Kikuchi Takanori)
- Tetsuya Sawaki (沢木 哲也, Sawaki Tetsuya): Atsushi Ogawa (小川 敦史, Ogawa Atsushi)
- Overlord (オーヴァーロード, Ōvārōdo): Rei Haneo (羽緒 レイ, Haneo Rei)
- Kōji Kōno (河野 浩司, Kōno Kōji): Kazumasa Taguchi (田口 主将, Taguchi Kazumasa)
- Takahiro Omuro (尾室 隆弘, Omuro Takahiro): Akiyoshi Shibata (柴田 明良, Shibata Akiyoshi)
- Taichi Misugi (美杉 太一, Misugi Taichi): Tokimasa Tanabe (田辺 季正, Tokimasa Tanabe)
- Kōji Majima (真島 浩二, Majima Kōji): Yoshikazu Kotani (小谷 嘉一, Kotani Yoshikazu)
- Aki Sakaki (榊 亜紀, Sakaki Aki): Masako Sakuma (佐久間 雅子, Sakuma Masako)
- Yoshihiko Misugi (美杉 義彦, Misugi Yoshihiko): Takeshi Masu (升 毅, Masu Takeshi)
- Narration: Eiichiro Suzuki (鈴木 英一郎, Suzuki Eiichirō)
A New Transformation cast
- Azuma Kunieda (国枝 東, Kunieda Azuma): Masaki Kyomoto (京本 政樹, Kyōmoto Masaki)
- Hiroki Kunieda (国枝 広樹, Kunieda Hiroki): Hiroto Horibe (堀部 寛十, Horibe Hiroto)
Project G4 cast
- Shiro Mizuki (水城 史朗, Mizuki Shirō): Ryo Karato (唐渡 亮, Karato Ryō)
- Risa Fukami (深海 理沙, Fukami Risa): Maju Ozawa (小沢 真珠, Ozawa Maju)
- Sayaka Kahara (加原 紗綾香, Kahara Sayaka): Akane Kimura (木村 茜, Kimura Akane)
- Rei Motoki (本木 レイ, Motoki Rei): Rikiya Otaka (大高 力也, Ōtaka Rikiya)
- Customer in Hamburger Shop: Shunsuke Nakamura (中村 俊介, Nakamura Shunsuke)
- Sayaka's Father: Tsuyoshi Ujiki (うじき つよし, Ujiki Tsuyoshi)
- Sayaka's Mother: Noriko Watanabe (渡辺 典子, Watanabe Noriko)
- MPD Superintendent General: Hiroshi Fujioka (藤岡 弘、, Fujioka Hiroshi, Cameo)
Songs
- Opening themes
- "Kamen Rider AGITO" (仮面ライダーAGITO, Kamen Raidā AGITO)
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko)
- Composition & Arrangement: Kazunori Miyake (三宅 一徳, Miyake Kazunori)
- Chorus: Lisa Ooki (大木 理紗, Ōki Risa)
- Artist: Shinichi Ishihara (石原 慎一, Ishihara Shin'ichi)
- Episodes: 2 - 35
- "Kamen Rider AGITO ~24.7 version~" (仮面ライダーAGITO ~24.7 version~, Kamen Raidā AGITO ~24.7 bājon~)
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Kazunori Miyake
- Remix: Kazunori Miyake, Hiroyuki Suzuki (鈴木 浩之, Suzuki Hiroyuki), Takashi Sasaki (篠笥 孝, Sasaki Takashi)
- Chorus: Lisa Ooki
- Artist: Shinichi Ishihara
- Episodes: 36 - 50 & TV Special
- Insert themes
- "BELIEVE YOURSELF"
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Kazunori Miyake
- Artist: Naoto Fuuga (風雅 なおと, Fūga Naoto)
- Episodes: 1 - 8, 10 - 13, 15 - 25 & TV Special, 51
- "STRANGER IN THE DARK"
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi (佐橋 俊彦, Sahashi Toshihiko)
- Artist: Norio Sakai (坂井 紀雄, Sakai Norio)
- Episodes: 9
- "MACHINE TORNADER"
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Kazunori Miyake
- Artist: Shinichi Ishihara
- Episodes: 14, 31 & 40
- "DEEP BREATH"
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition: Yoshio Nomura (野村 義男, Nomura Yoshio)
- Arrangement: RIDER CHIPS
- Artist: RIDER CHIPS featuring ROLLY
- Episodes: 26 - 30, 32 - 39, 41 & 43 - 50
- "Mō Hitotsu no Kamen no Gikyoku" (もうひとつの仮面の戯曲, "Play of Another Mask")
- Lyrics (Japanese ver.): Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
- Artist: Tamami Shiraishi
- Episodes: 40 & 42
- Movie theme
- "Jiken da!" (事件だッ!, "It's Trouble!")
- Lyrics & Composition: Tortoise Matsumoto (トータス 松本, Tōtasu Matsumoto)
- Arrangement & Artist: Ulfuls (ウルフルズ, Urufuruzu)
References
- Clements, Jonathan; Tamamuro, Motoko (2003). The Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama Since 1953. Stone Bridge Press. p. 182. ISBN 9781880656815.
External links
- Official website at TV Asahi at the Wayback Machine (archived August 2, 2002)
- Official website at Toei Company at the Wayback Machine (archived June 5, 2002)
- Kamen Rider Agito DVD & Blu-ray Box