Kamen Rider Kuuga (Rider)

is the titular Rider and protagonist of Kamen Rider Kuuga and the first Kamen Rider in the Heisei era, marking the franchise's reboot after its hiatus following Kamen Rider Black RX. Kuuga is the sixteenth Rider overall.
Along with the Gouram, his mysterious power was created by the ancient Rinto tribe using an artifact called the Amadam, to combat the monstrous Gurongi tribe who tormented them. He transforms using the Arcle and rides the TryChaser 2000 and later the BeatChaser 2000.
The following characters have assumed the title of Kamen Rider Kuuga:
Yusuke Godai.png| Yusuke Godai
Rinto Warrior Riku.png| Riku
Mika Natsume.png| Mika Natsume
Yusuke Onodera.png| Yusuke OnoderaKamen Rider Kuuga (DCD)
Bujin Rider Kuuga.jpg| Kamen Rider Bujin Kuuga
GodaiYusukeManga.png| Yusuke Godai (2015 manga)
Rintaro Shindo.png|link=Rintaro Shindo| Rintaro Shindo
==History==
===Riku===
Kuuga's source of power, the Arcle, was originally created by the ancient Rinto tribe and given to the warrior Riku to defend them against the Gurongi tribe. Upon defeating all of the Gurongi and their leader N·Daguva·Zeba, he sealed himself and the Gurongi in a tomb, until their remains were unearthed by archaeologists in the year 2000. 
===Yusuke Godai===
After Riku's remains and the Gurongi were unearthed, Yusuke Godai had a chance encounter with a member of the Gurongi and donned the Arcle, becoming the next Kuuga and engaging in a battle against the Gurongi's murder spree. 
===Mika Natsume===
13 years after the end of the series, Mika found a prototype Arcle which was created earlier than Yusuke's, but is incomplete because of lack of an Amadam, which causes the user to go berserk. The previous user went crazy and the belt was sealed inside the Coffin of Darkness. Wearing the belt, she transformed into Kuuga. As the prototype Kuuga, she only has Growing and Ultimate Forms. However, she must control both of her powers and temper due to the Arcle's lacking an Amadam stone, which usually stabilizes the user. 
===Yusuke Godai (2015 manga)===
===Yusuke Onodera===
Yusuke Onodera is the World of Kuuga's alternate version of Kuuga, joining Kamen Rider Decade on his travels when his world is intruded upon by him. 
===Bujin Kuuga===
Bujin Kuuga is the World of the Warring Period's alternate version of Kuuga, representing the Kuuga Army. 
===Rintaro Shindo===
Rintaro Shindo was briefly transformed into Kamen Rider Kuuga via George Karizaki's Clone Rider system. 
===Unnamed appearances===
As a main Heisei Rider, Kuuga frequently reappears in crossovers in his suit only, usually with no speaking lines (or voiced by a new actor). Generally, he is assumed (and sometimes confirmed) to be Yusuke Godai unless otherwise stated, though the canonicity of this is dubious and bears no relevance to his characterization.
====Kamen Rider Decade====
*In the version of Kamen Rider Decade episode 31 shown in reruns, an unidentified Ultimate Kuuga, with black eyes, appears as one of Wataru Kurenai's companions, who antagonize Decade after he failed in his mission of saving the worlds. When more Riders appear and the Rider War starts, Kuuga seemingly reverts to Mighty Form and boards the TryChaser 2000, although he's knocked out during the conflict. In the original version of the episode, the Ultimate Kuuga in the final battle was a brainwashed Yusuke Onodera, but all references to his identity are removed in the rerun version, which just makes him appear as another member of Wataru's group. Tv-Asahi site also lists this Kuuga as a separate character.
====OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders====
Kamen Rider Kuuga, in Mighty Form, appears in OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders. He reappears alongside the other Heisei era Riders, fighting against Gurongi that allied themselves with Shocker and other Kamen Rider villains from the 40 years of the franchise. Kuuga defeats N·Gamio·Zeda who had become one of Shocker's executives and stops the Gurongi's offensive. Afterwards, he joins up with every other Rider for a final battle against the Great Leader of Shocker.
When all the Riders board their vehicles for a combined attack against the Great Leader, Kuuga goes with the Rising BeatGouram.
Although Kuuga's human form isn't shown in the movie itself, he has no lines and isn't listed in the credits, Kuuga is confirmed to be Yusuke Godai by the movie's official website. http://www.all-rider.jp/character/index.html lists Kamen Rider Kuuga as Godai Yusuke
====Kamen Rider Fourze====
*The previous Riders, Kuuga among them, are remembered as urban legends. In episode 2, there's brief new video footage of four past Riders, including Kuuga. Kuuga's video footage shows him in Mighty Form facing three Gurongi who look similar to Xu·Goma·Gu in Ultimate Form, Xu·Zain·Da and Me·Vagis·Ba.
====Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen====
Kuuga, among the majority of the Kamen Riders, was caught up in the "Super Hero Taisen" incident which resulted in the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai joining forces to defeat both Dai-Shocker and Dai-Zangyack. Kuuga is being shown when he is team-worked with Tsukasa at first (as Decade in 1 form) while riding his TryChaser 2000.
====Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z====
Kuuga was part of a force of Rider and Sentai reinforcements led by Kamen Rider 1 and that came to assist the Riders and Sentai of recent years who were overwhelmed by the revived monster army of the . The combined forces of superheroes were able to turn the tide against the Madou army. They lined up and used their various finisher attacks to destroy the revived monsters. 
After was destroyed and the battle was finally over, Kuuga appeared standing on a cliff with all the other heroes who appeared to help, to say goodbye to the heroes of recent years before taking their leave. 
====Kamen Rider Wizard====
When a young boy and a young girl attempt to escape from the World within the Magic Stone, they use the Kamen Rider Rings to summon many Riders to help them, and among them there's Kuuga. Using the Mighty form, Kuuga takes on the Armadillo Orphnoch, Beetle Fangire and Same Yummy at the same time. However, the powerful Beetle Fangire counter attacks, stunning both Kuuga and Blade at the same time. Surrounded by the monster army alongside Agito, the three Riders are hit by many energy blasts and are temporarily expelled.
Amadum, recovers the Rider Rings and summons all Riders from Kuuga to OOO, besides Decade, attaching them to a giant magic stone that absorbs their energy. Later, Amadum summons again all of the Riders from Kuuga to Fourze, and orders them to take on Kamen Rider Wizard. However, the Riders reveal they aren't just puppets and turn against Amadum. Kuuga fights against the Mole Imagin,Tortoise Undead and Bakeneko. Afterwards, Kuuga uses his Mighty Kick to finish off both the Hound Zodiarts and Rat Fangire at once. When the battleground changes to the air, Kuuga and Agito are left behind on the ground, but Decade uses his Final formride ability to change them into Kuuga Gouram and Agito Tornador. Kuuga is surprised by Decade's ability, while Agito tells him to ask before doing that the next time. Flying through the air, Kuuga destroys many Hydragoons.
Facing Amadum himself, all Riders fall before him one by one, including Kuuga. Amadum attempts to open the way to Earth, but a New Rider is called to that world, Gaim. Amadum is unable to absorb Gaim's powers and loses the powers that he had absorbed before. Most Riders go to their ultimate forms while others transform into other powerful forms, with Yusuke Godai showing on screen for the first time his Rising Ultimate Kuuga form. Flying through Amadum's blasts, Rising Ultimate Kuuga and Shining Agito hit Amadum with a Rider Double Kick which knocks him down, and they're soon followed by all other Riders present, destroying Amadum. After the battle, the boy wakes up next to the chest with the Rider Rings, and Kuuga gives him a thumbs up, telling him that everything will be fine. Afterwards, he leaves that world alongside most other Riders, and the Rider Rings disappear.
====Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai====
Kuuga was defeated by unknown means and sent to Helheim, alongside other Riders, from where they planned a surprise attack against the Badan Empire. In the beginning of the final battle against Badan, Kuuga can be seen briefly facing the Ikajaguar Yummy, which is shown to not have been defeated in a later scene. Afterwards, Kuuga faces Destron Combatmen and Chaps alongside the Ganikoumoru. Kuuga is shown one last time during the battle taking on Badan's Combatroids when the arrive to help.
During the battle between the Heisei and Showa Riders to prove the strength of the Heisei Riders, Kuuga initially faces Kamen Rider ZO, but he takes on Kamen Rider J when the battleground changes to the coast. Kuuga's Mighty Kick and J's J-Kick match each other during the battle. Both Riders are still fighting when the battle is interrupted. Afterwards, Kuuga and ZO are seen shaking hands when both groups stand together. 
========
Due to the timeline alteration caused by Shocker, Yusuke became one of the brainwashed Riders in that timeline, donning the name of Shocker Rider Kuuga.
Following the Rider Grand Prix in which Drive emerged victorious over Kamen Rider 3, who was promptly integrated into the Great Leader of Shocker's Rider Robo form, Kuuga was among the Riders who appeared to attack Zeronos Zero Form and Denebick Buster only to be fought off by the turncoat BOARD Riders: Chalice, Leangle, Blade and Garren. Ultimately, the Double Riders 1 and 2 made their appearance having survived their apparent demise from within the Rider Robo, and broke Shocker's brainwashing on the fallen Riders, enabling all Riders to unite in a final battle against Shocker.
Unfortunately, Kuuga was among the Riders whose existence was erased by the Rider Robo. This fate, however, was rendered moot when the Rider Robo was finally destroyed by , restoring Kuuga's place in history.
====Kamen Rider Ghost: Legendary! Riders' Souls!====
Despite not appearing in the web-exclusive series, Ghost can use the power of 16 Heisei Riders, including Kuuga, with the Heisei Rider Damashii in the final episode.
====Chou Super Hero Taisen====
Kuuga appeared as part of Team Legend Hero, an unofficial Game World team that did not participate in the Chou Super Hero Taisen tournament, exclusively featuring in a promotional conference for the film. 
====Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Kamen Rider Genm====
Despite not appearing in the web-exclusive series, Kuuga and 13 Heisei Riders were the projections of the Ganbarizing Critical Strike.
====Kamen Rider Zi-O====
Kuuga was among the Riders at the melee of Legend Riders and monsters briefly encountered by Sento Kiryu before being destroyed by Zi-O. 
==Appearances in other media==
===Video Game appearances===
====Kamen Rider Kuuga video game====
Yusuke appears as Kuuga in the Kamen Rider Kuuga video game. The player may play as Kuuga in his Mighty, Dragon, Pegasus, Titan, Growing, and Ultimate Forms.
====Kamen Rider Agito & Kuuga Wild Battle====
Kuuga appears with Agito in Kamen Rider Agito & Kuuga Wild Battle. He is playable in all forms except Growing Form.
This was the first Kamen Rider video game to feature Kuuga Amazing Mighty as a playable character and also feature Kuuga's Rising Forms as fully playable. Rising Forms and Ultimate Form can only be selectable during battle by pressing Down (Rising Forms must select pre-existing forms first; for example Mighty Form can select Rising Mighty etc.) Amazing Mighty is only playable in Survival Mode on normal difficulty (replaces Mighty Form automatically after Mighty Form's life is lower than 30%).
====Kamen Rider: The Bike Race====
Kuuga appears riding the Beat Chaser 2000 in Kamen Rider: The Bike Race, a racing game featuring the majority of Kamen Riders and Rider Machines up to Kamen Rider Agito.
====Kamen Rider: Battride War====
Kamen Rider Kuuga appears as a Main Rider in the video game Kamen Rider: Battride War, which unites the riders of the Heisei era from Kuuga to Wizard.
Kuuga's Rising Forms (with Amazing Mighty as Rising Mighty's special finisher) can accessable via normal string charge attack.
c20130318_riderbw_010_cs1w1_720x.jpg|Kuuga riding his TryChaser in game.
Kuuga Rising Titan Form.jpg|Kuuga Rising Titan in the game.
Rising_Kuuga_Mighty_Kick.jpg|Kuuga Rising Mighty knocking out a Salis Worm.
Kuuga_Ultimate_flamethrower.jpg|Kuuga Ultimate Form channeling flames from his hand.
Daguva VS Kuuga Battride War.jpg|Kuuga Ultimate Form vesus N·Daguva·Zeba in a cutscene.
4 riders vs wizard.JPG|Kuuga, Agito, Ryuki and Kiva before they using their Rider Kicks to terminate Wizard.
KRBW_All_Riders_Heisei_and_NeoHeisei.png|Kuuga among the Heisei and Neo-Heisei Era Riders.
====Kamen Rider: Battride War II====
Kamen Rider Kuuga reappeared in Kamen Rider: Battride War II.
15allheisei.PNG|All of the main official Heisei Riders, from Kuuga to Gaim.
Thefirst5heiseiriders.PNG|The first 5 Heisei Kamen Riders in their Rider Machines.
====Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis====
Kamen Rider Kuuga reappeared in Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis
Kamen Rider Kuuga intro in Battride War Genesis.png
Kamen Rider Kuuga Ultimate Form in Battride War Genesis.png
===Stage Shows===
====Timeranger Stage Show at Double Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the are seen fighting their usual foes, a Gurongi shows up and winds up defeating them. Kuuga in Mighty Form arrives to assist the Timerangers.
====Timeranger Stage Show at Super Hero Nagoya Dome====
In a stage show where the Timerangers are seen fighting their usual foes, a Gurongi shows up and defeats them. Kamen Riders 1, 2, V3 & Kuuga, & & Robocon arrive to assist the Timerangers.
====Gaoranger Stage Show at Super Hero Osaka Dome====
In a stage show where the Gaorangers are seen fighting their usual foes, , A Lord, and a Gurongi show up and wind up defeating them. The & Kamen Riders Kuuga, Agito, G3-X, Exceed Gills & 1 arrive to assist the Gaorangers.
====Kamen Rider Super Live: Cho Henshin Battle====
*Kuuga returns in the Stageshow of Faiz. He was turned into stone statue by Bio Roid Dark, and is controlled to fight against Faiz, 1, 2 and V3.
==Forms==
Transforming with the power of the Arcle, Kuuga accesses a variety of different forms for different situations, unlocking and upgrading them as he hones his skill. Changing his armor shape and color, Kuuga's standard forms are the balanced Mighty Form, the agile Dragon Form, the precise Pegasus Form, and the strong Titan Form. Eventually, he upgrades them into stronger Rising versions, even pushing Rising Mighty into the black Amazing Mighty, before accessing his final form, Ultimate Form. Conversely, when weakened, he is forced into the ineffective Growing Form.
Like the Gurongi of the Go Group, some of Kuuga's forms can temporarily transmogrify items of a certain shape into weapons suited to his forms.
==Equipment==
===Devices===
*Arcle - Transformation belt
*Amadam - Power source
===Weapons===
*Dragon Rod - Dragon Form's personal staff
**Rising Dragon Rod - Upgraded version used by Rising Dragon
*Pegasus Bowgun - Pegasus Form's personal gun
**Rising Pegasus Bowgun - Upgraded version used by Rising Pegasus
*Titan Sword - Titan Form's personal sword
**Rising Titan Sword - Upgraded dual swords used by Rising Titan
*Mighty Anklet - Kick-enhancing anklet worn by Rising Mighty and Amazing Mighty
===Vehicles===
*TryChaser 2000 - First Rider Machine
*BeatChaser 2000 - Second Rider Machine
*Gouram - Mechanical beetle which transforms into armor for TryChaser or BeatChaser
==Legend Rider Devices==
Ever since Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Riders' arsenals have featured an assortment of Legend Rider-based collectible devices, including many for Kuuga.
==Derivatives==
KRDCD-Decadekuugamighty.png| Kamen Rider Decade Kuuga
Kuuga Module.png| Kamen Rider Fourze Kuuga Module
KnuckleKuuga.png| Kamen Rider Knuckle Kuuga Arms
KRGh-Ghostkuuga.png| Kamen Rider Ghost Kuuga Damashii
KRSpeKuuDam.png| Kamen Rider Specter Kuuga Damashii
KRNecKuuGam.png| Kamen Rider Necrom Kuuga Damashii
Ex-Aid Kuuga.jpg| Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Kuuga Gamer Level 2
KRZiO-Another Kuuga.png| Another Kuuga
KRZiO-Another Ultimate Kuuga.png| Another Ultimate Kuuga
KRZiO-Zi-Okuuga.png| Kamen Rider Zi-O KuugaArmor
KRRe-Revilion.png| Kamen Rider Revi Lion Genome
KRRe-Vicelion.png| Kamen Rider Vice Lion Genome
KRRe-Revice Lion.png| Revice Lion Remix
KRRe-Revice Lion (Cat).png| Revice Lion Remix (Cat)
KRRe-Reviwhiteleo.png| Kamen Rider Revi White Leo Genome
KRRe-Vicewhiteleo.png| Kamen Rider Vice White Leo Genome
KRGe-Geatskuugaupper (Concept Art).png| Kamen Rider Geats Kuuga Form (Upper Half)
KRGe-Geatskuugalower (Concept Art).png| Kamen Rider Geats Kuuga Form (Lower Half)
KRGo-Gotchardexceedmighty.png| Kamen Rider Gotchard Exceedmighty
KRGo-Firegotchardexceedmighty.png| Kamen Rider Fire Gotchard Exceedmighty
KRGo-Gorgeouskuuga.png| Kamen Rider Gorgeous Kuuga
==Behind the Scenes==
===Design===
The motif was the stag beetle, which was more popular with children at the time than the longhorn beetle <Televi-kun Deluxe Favorite Edition>. (2001). "Kamen Rider Kuuga Chozenshu" Final Volume. p. 64, "Memory of Kamen Rider Kuuga Staff Interview Design Ishimori Productions". ISBN 4-09-101476-3.. Kamen Rider Stronger with a beetle motif was also used as a reference for the design. (2001). "TV Magazine Special Edition Kamen Rider Kuuga". p. 112. ISBN 4-06-178426-9..
The decision design is based on Kamen Rider 1 <Televi-kun Deluxe Favorite Edition>. (2019). "Kamen Rider Kuuga Chozenshu" Volume 1. pp. 62-63, "Shigenori Takatera Toei Producer!!". ISBN 4-09-101473-9.. There was a proposal that the form change had a different design in all forms like Kamen Rider Black RX, but the head only changed the color of the eyes because it looked like a different person. Ultimate Form was designed by PLEX, who was also in charge of designing Gurongi, not by Ishimori Productions <Televi-kun Deluxe Favorite Edition>. (2001). "Kamen Rider Kuuga Chozenshu" Final Volume. p. 65, "Memory of Kamen Rider Kuuga Staff Interview Design PLEX". ISBN 4-09-101476-3..
==Notes==
*Kuuga appears to be based off of the power of N·Daguva·Zeba. Daguva draws power from an Amadam like Kuuga, and is an example of a user having lost himself to darkness and evil as risked by using Ultimate Form, as visible in the visual resemblance between Daguva and Ultimate Form. The Rinto symbol for Kuuga is also adopted from Gurongi symbols and resembles Daguva's symbol.
*Kuuga Amazing Mighty was created by painting the Growing Form from white to black, and including a second Mighty Anklet in the left leg. The form's brief appearance in Kamen Rider Decade was Mighty Form rendered white in post-production.https://twitter.com/taka_69s/status/590724474284154880 
*Although rumors circulated that Amazing Mighty was suddenly introduced by the production staff at the a last minute without Bandai's knowledge, this claim has been debunked by chief producer Shigenori Takatera. Amazing Mighty was intended to be a black recolor of Rising Mighty, and had been approved by Bandai. However, the production team gave Amazing Mighty with Mighty Anklets in both legs to enhance the scene of Go·Gadol·Ba's defeat. This caused internal debates with Bandai since Sofubi figures of Amazing Mighty were made with one Mighty Anklet, forcing them to push forward the release the Sofubi figure at a later date.https://twitter.com/taka_69s/status/1363113288696029187https://twitter.com/noir46EXAM/status/889104825291423744/photo/4https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61vKlVT4iLL._AC_SX679_.jpg
*Kuuga Ultimate Form was scheduled to appear in the middle of the story. However, the production staff opted to postpone the form's appearance until the end of the story to enhance the story progression.「宇宙船vol.128特別付録 宇宙船 YEARBOOK 2010」『宇宙船』vol.128（2010.春号）、ホビージャパン、2010年4月1日、ISBN 978-4-7986-0027-7。『フィギュア王』No.278、ワールドフォトプレス、2021年4月30日、ISBN 978-4-8465-3243-7。
**This makes Kuuga Ultimate Form having the the shortest number of appearances in their respective series to date, with its only appearances only as a silhouette in some episodes and its proper debut in the penultimate episode before the finale. It also doubles as the latest for a Final Form to debut in the franchise.
*Ultimate Form's weapons were referred to in the official data, but never seen in the series proper. However, the weapons were included with the Souchaku Henshin action figure, where they were depicted as identical to the Rising weapons, with the blue/green/purple parts recolored to black.
**There were early designs that depicted Ultimate Form with its own unique weapon: an arm-mounted unit with similar design cues to the Arcle.
==Appearances==
==References==
===Footnotes===
==Navigation==
Category:Kamen Riders
Category:Kamen Rider Kuuga
Category:Riders with more than one identity
ru:Камен Райдер Кууга (Райдер)