Seiji Takaiwa

is a Japanese actor and stuntman. He served as the suit actor for all of the Heisei-Era Kamen Riders except Kuuga and Hibiki, though his role as Decade allowed him to wear the suits. In 2019, he suit-acted as Kamen Rider Horobi, having stepped down following the end of the Heisei-era to focus more on acting as himself. 
==Biography==
When Takaiwa was in middle school, he knew he wanted to have some sort of athletic career and set his eyes on either being a stuntman or a physical education teacher. He was inspired to pick the former by and enrolled in Japan Action Club (now known as Japan Action Enterprise) in their gymnastics program. Since graduating, he has been the suit actor for many Tokusatsu heroes.
In 2021, Takaiwa announced the expiration of his contract with JAE and would continue as a freelancer. https://japanactionenterprise.com/info/高岩成二に関するご報告/
Since 2022, Takaiwa has had starring roles in two Good Morning, Sleeping Lion films, where it also stars multiple actors who have portrayed primary Kamen Riders. Each of them stated that they decided to appear in the film series to support Takaiwa as he suit acted for each of them.https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2222410/full/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mYpAgsribo
==Personal Life==
*He is married to retired stunt performer and suit actor Rie Murakami. Their son is Taisei Takaiwa and Shinta Takaiwa.
==Filmography==
===Stunt/Suit Actor Roles===
*Kamen Rider Black RX (1988–1989) - Riderman (Episodes 41-47)
*Saban's Masked Rider (1996) - Unnamed Masked Rider Warrior 2
*Kamen Rider Agito (2001–2002) - Kamen Rider Agito, (Kamen Rider Agito) Yukina Sawaki, Kamen Rider G3-X, V-1 System
*Kamen Rider Ryuki (2002–2003) - Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Knight (Trick Vent)
**Black-suited man (Episode 7)
*Kamen Rider 555 (2003–2004) - Kamen Rider Faiz, Wolf Orphnoch, Centipede Orphnoch (Episodes 14 & 15), Worm Orphnoch, Horse Orphnoch, Kamen Rider Kaixa (Episodes 21 & 22), Kamen Rider Delta (Episode 38), Seacucumber Orphnoch
**Smart Brain Scientist (Episode 1)
*Kamen Rider Blade (2004–2005) - Kamen Rider Blade, Joker Undead
**Gang member (Episode 9)
**Jacaranda customer (Episode 49)
*Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006–2007) - Kamen Rider Kabuto, Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto, ZECTroopers
**Policeman (Episode 41)
*Kamen Rider Den-O (2007–2008) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros
*Kamen Rider Kiva (2008–2009) - Kamen Rider Kiva, Garulu, Kamen Rider Dark Kiva
*Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight (2008-2009) - Kamen Rider Dragon Knight
*Kamen Rider Decade (2009) - Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form, Momotaros
*Kamen Rider W (2009–2010) - Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Joker, Kamen Rider Accel (sub)
*Kamen Rider OOO (2010–2011) - Kamen Rider OOO
**Transporter Driver (Episode 15)
*Kamen Rider Fourze (2011–2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider Wizard (2012-2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard
*Kamen Rider Gaim (2013-2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim, Byakko Inves (episode 40)
**Ressha Sentai ToQger Vs. Kamen Rider Gaim Spring Vacation Combining Special (2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim
*Kamen Rider Drive (2014-2015) - Kamen Rider Drive, Kamen Rider Ghost (final episode)
**Shuriken Sentai Ninninger Vs. Kamen Rider Drive Spring Vacation One-Hour Combining Special (2015) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Kamen Rider Ghost (2015-2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost, Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Katana Gamma (episode 1), Gamma Superior, Gyro (Gamma Ultima), Heroic Parka Ghosts, Robin Damashii
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (2016-2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (Level 2 and above)
*Kamen Rider Build (2017-2018) - Kamen Rider Build
*Kamen Rider Zi-O (2018-2019) - Kamen Rider Zi-O, Kamen Rider Ohma Zi-O, Kamen Rider Zi-O (Mirror World), Kamen Rider Faiz, Kamen Rider Birth (episode 29https://twitter.com/jumpeishiokawa/status/1114008027101782017), Momotaros, Kamen Rider Decade (episode 48@jumpeishiokawaの2019年8月17日のツイート), Sougo Tokiwa (Previous Timeline)
* Kamen Rider Zero-One (2019 - 2020): Kamen Rider Horobi, Kamen Rider Ark-Zero (episodes 36-37), Kamen Rider Ark-One (episode 42)
===Movies===
* Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue (1992) - Foundation soldier
* Kamen Rider ZO (1993) - Doras
* Kamen Rider Agito: Project G4 (2001) - Kamen Rider Agito, Ant Lord
* Kamen Rider Ryuki: Episode Final (2002) - Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Ryuga (Against Ouja)
* Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost (2003) - Kamen Rider Faiz, Wolf Orphnoch, Kamen Rider Kaixa (As Keitaro's transform)
* Kamen Rider Blade: Missing Ace (2004) - Kamen Rider Blade, Beetle Undead, Squid Undead, Albiroachi, Security guard
* Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love (2006) - Kamen Rider Kabuto
* Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born! (2007) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros
* Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown (2008) - Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form, Momotaros, Kamen Rider NEW Den-O
* Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Cop (2008) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Kiva, Momotaros
* Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World (2008) - Kamen Rider Kiva, Garulu, Policeman
* Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship (2009) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros, Kamen Rider Decade
* Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (2009) - Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros, Riderman, Kamen Rider X, Skyrider
* Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider: Cho-Den-O Trilogy (2010) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros, Kamen Rider NEW Den-O
* Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010 (2009) - Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Decade
* Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z/The Gaia Memories of Fate (2010) - Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Joker, Kamen Rider OOO
* Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider OOO & W Featuring Skull: Movie War Core (2010) - Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Double
* OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros, Kamen Rider Faiz
* Kamen Rider OOO Wonderful: The Shogun and the 21 Core Medals (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Fourze, Kamen Rider Birth (Eiji Hino)
* Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Fourze & OOO: Movie War Mega Max (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Fourze, Kamen Rider Double, Kamen Rider Joker, Kamen Rider Stronger
*Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze, Kamen Rider OOO, Momotaros/Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form, Kamen Rider Decade
*Kamen Rider Fourze The Movie: Everyone! Let's Feel the Universe! (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze, Kamen Rider Wizard
*Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum (2012) - Kamen Rider Wizard, Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z (2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard
*Kamen Rider Wizard in Magic Land (2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard
*Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Gaim & Wizard: The Fateful Sengoku Movie Battle (2013) - Kamen Rider Gaim, Kamen Rider Wizard
*Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai (2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim, Construction worker
*Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup! (2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim
*Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Drive & Gaim: Movie War Full Throttle (2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim, Kamen Rider Drive
*Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 (2015) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future (2015) - Kamen Rider Drive, Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Ghost & Drive: Super Movie Wars Genesis (2015) - Kamen Rider Ghost, Kamen Rider Drive
*Kamen Rider 1 (film) (2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Ghost: The 100 Eyecons and Ghost's Fateful Moment (2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost with Legend Riders (2016) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider x Super Sentai: Chou Super Hero Taisen (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Momotaros, Aka-Rider
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid: True Ending (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Final: Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Riders (2018) - Kamen Rider Build, Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Fourze, Kamen Rider Gaim
*Kamen Rider Build: Be The One (2018) - Kamen Rider Build
*Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever (2018) - Kamen Rider Zi-O, Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros, Kamen Rider Faiz, Kamen Rider Kuuga@jumpeishiokawaの2018年12月23日のツイート
*Kamen Rider Zi-O: Over Quartzer (2019) - Kamen Rider Zi-O
*Kamen Rider: Reiwa The First Generation (2019) - Kamen Rider Zi-O, Kamen Rider Ichi-Gata, Kamen Rider Horobi
*Kamen Rider Zero-One: REAL×TIME (2020) - Kamen Rider Horobi
*Kamen Rider Revice: Battle Familia (2022) 
==== V-Cinema ====
* Kamen Rider W Returns: Kamen Rider Accel (2011) - Kamen Rider Double
*Kamen Rider W Returns: Kamen Rider Eternal (2011) - Kamen Rider Double
*Drive Saga: Kamen Rider Chaser (2016) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Ghost RE:BIRTH: Kamen Rider Specter (2017) - Gyro
==== Specials ====
* Kamen Rider Ryuki: 13 Riders (2002) - Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Knight (As Shinji's transform), Kamen Rider Ryuga
* Kamen Rider Backwards-Kiva: Queen of the Castle in the Demon World (2008) - Kamen Rider Kiva
* Kamen Rider G (2009) - Kamen Rider Decade
* Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders Super Spin-off (2009) - Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider Kabuto, Riderman, Himself
* OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders: ~Let's Look! Only Your 48 Riders~ (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO
*Kamen Rider OOO Allstars: The 21 Leading Actors and Core Medals (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taihen – Who’s the culprit?! (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider Fourze the Net Edition: Everyone, Class is Here! (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze, Himself
*Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Otsu: Heroo! Answers (2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard, Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider Wizard in Magica Land (2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard
*D-Video Special: Kamen Rider 4 (2015) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Type LUPIN: ~Lupin, The Last Challenge~ (2015) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Kamen Rider Ghost: Legendary! Riders' Souls! (2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Virtual Operations (2016) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Kamen Rider Genm (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Brave: ~Let's Survive! Revival of the Beast Rider Squad!~ (2017) - Kamen Rider Ouja
*Kamen Sentai Gorider (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Build ~The 7 Best Matches Raising the Hazard Level~ (2018) - Kamen Rider Build
*Rider Time: Kamen Rider Ryuki (2019) - Kamen Rider Zi-O, Biker
*Kamen Rider Den-O: Pretty Den-O Appears! (2020) - Kamen Rider Den-O, Momotaros
==== Hyper Battle DVD ====
* Kamen Rider Agito: Three Great Riders (2002) - Kamen Rider Agito
* Kamen Rider Ryuki: Ryuki vs Kamen Rider Agito (2002) - Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Agito (voice)suzu_n_officialの2021年3月15日のツイート
* Kamen Rider 555: Hyper Battle Video (2003) - Kamen Rider Faiz
* Kamen Rider Blade: Blade vs. Blade (2004) - Kamen Rider Blade
* Kamen Rider Kabuto: Birth! Gatack Hyper Form!! (2006) - Kamen Rider Kabuto
* Kamen Rider Den-O: Singing, Dancing, Great Training!! (2007) - Momotaros
* Kamen Rider Kiva: You Can Also be Kiva (2008) - Kamen Rider Kiva
* Kamen Rider Decade: Protect! The World of Televikun (2009) - Kamen Rider Decade
* Kamen Rider W: Donburi's α/Farewell Beloved Recipe (2010) - Kamen Rider Double
* Kamen Rider OOO: Quiz, Dance, and Takagarooba!? (2011) - Kamen Rider OOO
* Kamen Rider Fourze Special Bonus DVD: Astroswitch Secret Report (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider Fourze: Rocket Drill States of Friendship (2012) - Kamen Rider Fourze
*Kamen Rider Wizard: Showtime with the Dance Ring (2013) - Kamen Rider Wizard
*Kamen Rider Gaim: Fresh Orange Arms is Born! ~You Can Also Seize It! The Power of Fresh~ (2014) - Kamen Rider Gaim
*Type TV-KUN: Hunter & Monster! Chase the Mystery of the Super Thief! (2014) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Type HIGH SPEED! The True Power! Type High Speed is Born! (2014) - Kamen Rider Drive
*Kamen Rider Ghost: Ikkyu Eyecon Contention! Quick Wit Battle!! (2015) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Ghost: Ikkyu Eyecon! Awaken, My Quick Wit Power!! (2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Ghost: Truth! The Secret Of Heroes' Eyecons! (2016) - Kamen Rider Ghost
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Kamen Rider Lazer (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Kamen Rider Para-DX (2017) - Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Kamen Rider Build: Birth! KumaTV!! VS Kamen Rider Grease! (2018) - Kamen Rider Build
*Kamen Rider BiBiBi no BibillGeiz (2019) - Kamen Rider Zi-O
==Notes==
*Takaiwa was ultimately responsible for the foundation of Shinji Kido's characterization, as his ad-lib from the first episode of Kamen Rider Ryuki gave the crewmembers the idea of Shinji's behavior, particularly his naive and hot-blooded behavior.https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20181227-kamenrider/
*Because he served as lead-suit actor for most of the main Riders of the Heisei era, he was given the nicknames and by fans.
*In an interview, Seiji said that the most uncomfortable main Rider suits that he had to wear in terms of temperature were Wizard in the summer because of the predominantly black outfit, Ryuki because he had to do certain shots with natural sunlight reflecting onto his costume and the heat was so intense it nearly burned him and Ghost because of the double layer structure of the costume with the undersuit, plastic parts and hoodies.https://natalie.mu/eiga/column/536463
*He also stated that while heat stroke was always a risk for a suit actor, the only severe case of passing out he had was while filming Kamen Rider 555 in the mid summer months, but stated he was never hospitalized because the crew was always ready on standby to let him take his suit off, rest and cool down before shooting again.
==External Links==
*Agency Profile
*Seiji Takaiwa at Wikipedia
*Seiji Takaiwa at RangerWiki
*Seiji Takaiwa at Metal Heroes Wiki
*Official Twitter
==References==
Category:Suit Actors
Category:Actors
Category:JAE Members