Emu Hojo

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 is the main protagonist of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. He is a doctor who transforms into .
==History==
===Background===
Emu Hojo is the son of Kiyonaga Hojo and an unnamed woman. He grew up a lonely child because his father was busy with work and his mother passed away from illness. To ease his loneliness, Emu found love with video games, leading to the creation of Mighty Brothers XX that he sent to Genm Corp. in a fan letter. After Kuroto Dan sent him the Mighty Action C game, the young Emu was infected with a Bugster Virus strain. While succumbing to the effects, he was involved in a car accident and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. After recovering, Emu was given a WonderSwan handheld game console by Dr. Kyotaro Hinata as a reward. This event inspired him to become a doctor to help children.
During his teenage years, while he was still on the fence of becoming a doctor, Emu continued winning numerous gaming tournaments under the gaming alias of M. Sometime in 2010, Emu trained vigorously for a gaming tournament that he had participated in, at the cost of his health. Unknown to him, Kuroto watched his victory in the shadows, having watched Emu for over a decade.
Shortly after, Emu was abducted by the Next Genome Institute under Kuroto Dan's orders to extract the now-mature Parado from his body, which caused the surgeons operating on Emu to vanish. The leftover residue of the virus in Emu's body created a split personality that represented his love for gaming, while the portion extracted was used to execute Zero Day a year later. Emu believed the operation was a dream and decided to take his entrance exams seriously as he enrolled in Seito University as a medical student.
===Becoming Kamen Rider Ex-Aid===
During his first year residency at Seito University Hospital, Emu noticed his patient, Sota Suyama, was diagnosed with an unusual disease. While the two bonded over a common interest for video games, Emu later learns that Sota is infected by the Bugster Virus as his patient is transformed into a golem-like creature. Knowing that the Gamer Driver can be used to operate on the patient, Emu took the belt and the accompanying Mighty Action X Gashat to extract the Bugster. After battling the Salty Bugster and saving Sota's life, he is brought into CR where Asuna Karino reveals herself as the navigator, Poppy Pipopapo, as she christens Emu as Kamen Rider Ex-Aid.
As his battle against the Bugsters continue, Emu would later meet several Kamen Riders like him but is constantly at odds with them due to their viewpoints and ulterior motives. He first encounters Hiiro Kagami, the genius surgeon who initially looked down on Emu's optimism. Next, he faces Taiga Hanaya, a disgraced radiologist who demands the Gashats for himself. Then, he meets Kiriya Kujo, a medical coroner who tries to get along with Emu but would frequently lie regarding his actions.
He would frequently face the mysterious "Black Ex-Aid", a dark doppelgänger of Ex-Aid who allies with the Bugsters for an unknown agenda. During one of his fights against the Black Ex-Aid, he managed to obtain the Gekitotsu Robots Gashat to his arsenal, allowing him to level up into Robots Action Gamer. During the final battle against Graphite, Emu acquired the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat and unites the three Kamen Riders to synchronize with its power.
====Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost alongside Legend Riders====
Following the intrusion of the Next Genome Institute into Genm Corp. headquarters, Emu would meet Takeru again as the two Riders face off against the threat of the Pac-Man Virus. The two would, later on, be aided by Wizard, Gaim, and Drive in defeating the Institute. During the battle, Michihiko Zaizen revealed that he was the one who operated on Emu as he was Patient Zero of the Bugster virus. His Gamer Driver was forcibly inserted with both the Mighty Action X Gashat and its prototype counterpart, which combined the Gashats into Mighty Brothers XX. This allowed Emu to transform into his Level XX form for the first time. The memories of the final battle along with the revelation would be erased from Emu, due to the trance-like state. Emu would later re-learn the truth about his Bugster infection much later.
====Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Kamen Rider Genm====
Following the Dr. Pac-Man incident, Emu was on his way to Genm Corp. with Asuna to return the Kaigan Ghost Gashat. When he encounters the Collabos Bugster wielding the power of the Proto Gashats, Ex-Aid Ghost Gamer engages the Bugster. Kuroto Dan arrived and gave him more Kamen Riders' Gashats, proving Emu with Full Throttle Drive and Toukenden Gaim. After disabling the Bugster, Ex-Aid was confused to see the Black Ex-Aid assuming a Kamen Rider Wizard based form. With the Black Ex-Aid seemingly completing his collection of Legend Rider Gashats, he completed the Ganbarizing Gashat. Ex-Aid found himself facing manifestations of Kamen Riders Double, OOO and Fourze.
Emu finds himself saved by the sudden appearance of Dr. Pac-Man, who also presented him the three Bandai Namco Gashats. After regrouping with Hiiro and Taiga, Emu takes the Pac Adventure Gashat to become Ex-Aid Pac Action Gamer. Ex-Aid engages in a skirmish Kamen Rider Double in battle and taking Pac-Man's ability of turning Double into a vulnerable ghost to defeat his opponent. Returning back to reality, Ex-Aid saved Poppy from the Collabos Buster and claimed the Ganbarizing Gashat. However, the game is not over as Kamen Rider Hibiki began to emerge.
After Dr. Pac-Man gave Ex-Aid the Taiko no Tatsujin Gashat, he challenges Hibiki in a taiko battle that ends in the victory with the Genius Gamer. While he recovers the Ganbarizing Gashat, Brave and Snipe demanded the Gashat for themselves only for all three Riders to be swiftly eluded by "Dr. Pac-Man" who recovered all the Bandai Namco Gashats and the Ganbarizing Gahsat. It is this point where the Kamen Riders realized they are being manipulated by Dr. Pac-Man and the Black Ex-Aid. Ex-Aid was defeated by the Black Ex-Aid's Critical Strike using the seventeen Heisei Rider predecessors, allowing him to defeat all three Riders with a single Rider Kick. The Black Ex-Aid then took his leave with the Gashats as Emu wondered what exactly was going on.
===The Dark Christmas===
During Christmas Eve, Emu and the Kamen Riders finally became aware CEO of Genm Corp., Kuroto Dan, is the true identity of the "Black Ex-Aid", who christens himself as Kamen Rider Genm. Although Emu initially thought it was a lie from Kiriya after he told them, this ended up renewing his trust and friendship with Kiriya. However, this was cut short after Kiriya was killed by Genm Zombie Gamer Level X in hopes of preventing the secret behind Emu's compatibility with the Gamer Driver from being revealed. 
===Mighty Brothers XX===
Following the death of Kiriya Kujo, Emu completed his pediatrics training and entered a surgical internship, with Hiiro overseeing him. The grief of Kiriya's death had affected both his performance in the operation table and his prowess in fighting the Bugster. After Hiiro suspended him and confiscated his Gashats, Parado approaches Emu and gives him a mysterious Gashat, which gave him access to Mighty Brothers XX. This allows Ex-Aid to reach Level X as the Double Action Gamer and can also splits into two separate bodies as Level XX.
From behind the scenes, Hiiro and Taiga would learn that Emu was infected with Game Disease since childhood. The two agreed to keep Emu in the dark to not risk him from feeling stressed or worsening his condition. While Brave and Snipe attacked an unaware Emu, it attracted the attention of Parado, who became Kamen Rider Para-DX at at level outclassing the three Kamen Riders.
====Kamen Rider Brave: ~Let's Survive! Revival of the Beast Rider Squad!~====
At Seito University Hospital, Emu bumped into an unidentified man. Unbeknownst to him, he had been caught up in the plot of the enigmatic Foundation X, having had their own Level 4 Gashat, Night of Safari, slipped into his pocket. This led Emu to be confronted by the revived serial killer, Takeshi Asakura, who was after the Gashat as part of his "game" before becoming bored and proceeding to give Emu a savage beating. Emu would be found unconscious and badly injured by Hiiro, who took the Gashat which was still in his hand, using it to assume Brave Safari Quest Gamer Level 4 with which he defeated Kamen Rider Ouja and his Beast Rider Squad.
===The Patient Zero Revelation===
After a series of events that involved Genm Corp. member Tsukuru Koboshi as a victim, Kuroto finally revealed to Emu about his true nature as Patient Zero of the Bugster Virus. This caused Emu to experience a fatal outburst that seemingly subsided. However, this would erratically affect Emu under the influence of "Genius Gamer M". He manages to regain consciousness from Hiiro's words after seeing him overcome the Bugster Virus himself. Although Emu became frightened to continue fighting the Bugster Virus, seeing Taiga fight motivated him to overcome his doubts.
Emu would learn that the Kamen Riders and the Bugster Virus were intended to be part of Kuroto Dan's ultimate game, Kamen Rider Chronicle and later gets his Gamer Driver destroyed in the penultimate battle against Genm. This doesn't deter Emu at all as he takes Kiriya's Gamer Driver and accesses Maximum Mighty X. As Maximum Gamer Level 99, it grants him the ability to reprogram the Bugster Virus, allowing him to defeat Kuroto and strip him of his powers. However, Emu's efforts were all for naught when Parado killed him with Dangerous Zombie's own power.
===Kamen Rider Chronicle===
Following the defeat of Kuroto Dan, Emu has finished his surgical internship and enters interal medicine internship. However, he soon discovers that Kamen Rider Chronicle had released to the public and Poppy was brainwashed as the game's mascot. The Kamen Riders attempt to save the Ride-Players from their Game Illnesses and save Poppy by reprogramming her. Although doing so made Poppy discover her true nature as a Bugster that harms humans, he assures her that Poppy loves to dance and play with people regardless if they are human or Bugster, allowing Emu to successfully saving her saddened heart.
However, Parado decided to act and take over Emu's body. After capturing him, Parado revealed that he is Emu's Bugster and was forced to duel him as one of the two halves of Mighty Brothers XX. Emu is later informed that Parado had saved his life when his game illness flared out, motivating him to fight Parado properly until the Bugster was affected by Ex-Aid's reprogramming attack that evolved Para-DX into Level 99. While Parado continued to take advantage over Emu's game illness, this was stopped upon the return of Kamen Rider Genm, using the power of Level 0 to negate Parado's abilities.
While the Kamen Riders faces off against the high tier Bugsters to clear Kamen Rider Chronicle. As the game continues, Masamune Dan reveals himself to be the true mastermind and becomes Kamen Rider Cronus. Because of his exploitation of Pause and holding the Proto Gashats, Hiiro was lured into working with Masamune and Kiriya is revived as Lazer Turbo. To counteract Cronus, Kuroto created Hyper Muteki. While he initially failed to access the the Gashat, it was through Lazer's tactics and Emu himself reinfected with Parado's virus where Ex-Aid evolved into the Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer.
As the battle with Cronus progressed, Hiiro Kagami would return to CR to fight with the Kamen Riders once more. Emu later recognizes Parado's fear of death and seemingly killed Parado at the cost of his transformation. He revive him later and have Parado see the errors of his ways, joining forces with him in the fight against Cronus. After some trials and tribulations, the Kamen Riders advanced to the final stage of Kamen Rider Chronicle, preparing to confront the last boss Gamedeus.
===The Gamedeus Pandemic===
With Gamedeus and his Bugster Virus pandemic spreading rapidly, Ex-Aid and Para-DX fought against him while the other doctors stayed behind to take care of the patients. Although the Doctor Mighty XX Gashat developed by Kiriya and Kuroto managed to weaken him, Masamune barged in to absorbed the Bugster into his own body at the last minute. This resulted in the fusion known as Gamedeus Cronus, proclaimed to be Chronicle's true final boss, reigniting the pandemic and turning his victims into Bugster Viruses until Poppy sacrificed her life with the Doctor Mighty XX Gashat.
Emu would face Super Gamedeus head on as Ex-Aid Level 1 with the Kamen Riders to separate him from Masamune Dan. But when Parado followed in suit, he sacrifices both his existence and Emu's transformation. As all hope seemed lost, Emu miraculously regained his infection, allowing him and the remaining Riders defeated Cronus once and for all. However, in their final confrontation, Masamune kills himself with the Master Gashat, this removing the only way to rescue the data of the patients within the Proto Gashats. Despite that, Emu remained confident that people trapped in the data will one day return.
While Emu returned to CR, he discovers Poppy was revived by Kuroto from what was left of her data. Kuroto later revealed that the same occurred with Emu and Parado, which explains why he could still transform during the final battle. Emu rejoices to the fact as he reunites with Parado before Emu goes to take on another medical case.
===Kamen Rider Ex-Aid: True Ending===
After Cronus' defeat, Emu is assigned to his latest patient Madoka Hoshi, a 7-year old girl who needs daily treatments. However, new outbreak of the Bugster virus occurs that rainy day as Kamen Rider Fuma storms Seito University Hospital with his Ninja Gamers. With most of his teammates incapacitated, Kuroto creates the Mighty Creator XX for Emu to free the people trapped inside the Game World. While Ex-Aid Creator Gamer succeeds, Madoka refuses to leave the Game World.
While confronting Kagenari Nagumo on his actions and learning that he is Madoka's father, the true threat arises when Johnny Makishima reveals himself as the "true last boss" and transforms into Gamedeus Machina. While Emu joined with the Kamen Riders to combat the Bugster, he was able to overwhelm all of the six that were present. When Madoka Hoshi's condition was getting worse from her Game Illness, Emu joined with Hiiro and Asuna to operate on her. After the operation ended, Ex-Aid convinced Nagumo to be at his daughter's bedside. In the end, Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer manages to vanquish Gamedeus Machina and peace has finally returned. After the incident, Emu becomes a formal pediatrics doctor.
One year later, Emu and Parado as the Double Action Gamers Level XX battle a group of Bugsters. Suddenly, they encounter Kamen Rider Build defeating the Bugster Viruses assuming the GorillaMond Form. With Build declaring he's going to take Ex-Aid's powers, Parado rushed in to protect Emu but Build manages to get past him and takes away Emu's powers using a Fullbottle. As the two stood confused over what had happened, Build takes his leave.
===Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Final: Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Riders===
One week after Kamen Rider Build stole Emu's powers, Nebula Bugsters start to appear due to the effects of Enigma, an inter-dimensional gateway connecting his reality to the Build's world. This alerts the CR, but they are also rendered powerless due to the effects of Enigma, controlled by Right Kaiser. While treating the injured, Emu encounters Ryuga Banjo, who was transported from the World of Build. He manages to contact Parado with Sento Kiryu's assistance, learning that Parado spent two years trapped in Build's world.
Emu was accompanied by Ryuga as they fought against Right Kaiser. As he continued to put a stop of his plans, they would run into previous Riders like Takeru Tenkuji (Ghost), Eiji Hino (OOO), and Gentaro Kisaragi (Fourze). Emu would remain in contact with Parado and Sento Kiryu in Build's world, while he and Ryuga confront Mogami as they learn of his intentions of smashing their two Earths with his alternate doppelgänger, Left Kaiser.
As the two Earths were vast approaching, Emu would finally meet Sento for the first time as he is given back the Doctor and Game Bottles to restore his powers. Ex-Aid and Build joined up with OOO, Fourze, Gaim, and Ghost as they cycled against the Foundation X Guardians, until the two managed to reach the interlocked Engima to confront Bikaiser. Ex-Aid assumes the Muteki Gamer form as he fights alongside Build RabbitTank Sparkling to turn the tide and vanquish Bikaiser together. After Build and Cross-Z say their goodbyes to the Kamen Riders, Emu returns back to his normal life as a doctor and a Kamen Rider with Parado beside him.
==Other Events==
===Kamen Rider Ghost===
====Kamen Rider Ghost the Movie: The 100 Eyecons and Ghost's Fateful Moment====
While Takeru Tenkuji and his friends were pursued by the Gamma, Ex-Aid arrived and extinguished the Gamma Commandos upon landing. He introduced himself to Takeru before performing a successive punch and kick to destroy a pair of Gamma Superiors. Allowing Takeru and his companions to get away, Ex-Aid faced off against Kamen Rider Dark Necrom Blue, whom he overpowered with a series of kicks and punches while empowered by the green Ex-Aid medals that accompany him before defeating the Dark Necrom with the Mighty Critical Strike.
====Final Story (Special Edition): Future! Connected Thoughts!====
While pursuing the "Black Ex-Aid" and the Shakariki Sports Gashat, Ex-Aid arrived to fight a pack of Bugster Viruses. He was mistaken as an enemy by Ghost and tried to engage him to defend Ayumu, the mysterious boy who held the Gashat. Despite being mistaken as the one who attacked Specter and Necrom, Ex-Aid told Ghost that he is fighting to save lives and change their fates, a similar sentiment which was respected by Ghost. When the Black Ex-Aid attacked Ayumu and reclaimed the Shakariki Sports Gashat, Ex-Aid and Ghost rushed to his side to tend him. After an apology from Ghost, Ex-Aid fought alongside him to defeat a group of Bugster Viruses together. Ex-Aid predicted to Takeru that they would meet again soon before leaving him an Ex-Aid Ghost Eyecon as a gift as he took his leave. 
===Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Trilogy: Another Ending===
===Kamen Rider Build: Be The One===
Among the first 18 Heisei Riders, Ex-Aid fought against numerous monsters in a melee briefly witnessed by Sento Kiryu, who recognized Ex-Aid, before being caught in the crossfire as Kamen Rider Zi-O BuildArmor used his Vortex Time Break to wipe out his enemies.
===Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever===
However, Ex-Aid eventually manifested in the World of Ataru due to the memories from the fans of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. First appearing along Ghost to save 2 kids from some monsters, he later rode Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2 and participated in the final battle against Another Ultimate Kuuga along with the other 19 main heisei riders, attacking the giant monstrosity with his Mighty Critical Strike in order to destroy it.
=== Saber + Zenkaiger: Superhero Senki ===
Though he was seemingly erased as a result of Asmodeus’ manipulations, he was restored back into existence once Touma Kamiyama had helped Shotaro regained his passion in drawing out the superheroes that he wants to draw out.
During the climatic final battle itself, he can be seen fighting alongside Kamen Rider Den-O, ToQ 1gou, Kiramai Red and Kamen Rider Saikou.
===Kamen Rider Revice: The Mystery===
==Video Game Appearances==
==Personality==
Emu is a very clumsy yet serious young man who has quite the thirst for video games, making him absent-minded at times as he sometimes fails to remember his work schedule properly. Hiiro Kagami describes Emu as naive and inexperienced, yet Emu possesses the very idealistic attitude for a medical worker, and invests himself greatly into the well-being of all of his patients, regardless of whenever they were a criminal, an enemy, or someone who simply refused his help. To him, all lives were worth saving, fitting the morality of a true doctor and their devotion to the . However, Emu can easily lose his temper and temporarily become as vicious and selfish as his enemies. While Emu takes great pride in being a doctor, Emu is prune to not trusting others, a trait he shares with Kuroto Dan and Taiga Hanaya to some extent. However after some enlightenment from his idol, Kyotaro Hinata, Emu began to trust them a little more, while gaining their respect over time. 
As "M", his alias that he uses when playing video games, he shows a completely different side of himself. He displays a focused, calmer, and more confident demeanor. His grammatical persona also changes from into , proving to be extremely skillful at video games, to the point where he has come to be known as the "genius gamer" who never leaves any game unfinished. This carries over to his battles as Ex-Aid, as his knowledge of video games has proven to be a definite advantage. Originally, when shifting to his Genius Gamer M personality, a wind blows through his hair and he makes a cocky smile. But during episode 10, Emu's eyes instead flash pink before turning a less intense, glowing red, after which, his eyes turn back to normal. Though he still makes the same cocky smile as before, showing that he can actually shift into his gamer persona at will. In the past, Emu's normal and "M" personalities were once one and the same, though following his surgery by the Next Genome surgeons, the leftover Bugster Virus in his body caused him to develop a case of , constantly switching from his naive side to his predicative "M" persona. After learning that he was infected with the Bugster Virus, Emu's gamer persona took over as the dominant one, showing no concern for his patients and was instead only interested in playing the game, something which greatly angers Hiiro. However, after Hiiro states what it means to be a doctor, Emu regains control over himself and becomes terrified of transforming into Ex-Aid. After he gains his resolve, he loses his fear of becoming Ex-Aid.
Often after transforming, he says his catchphrase .
==Family==
*Kiyonaga Hojo: Father
*Unnamed Mother (deceased, passed away due to illness)https://www.kamen-rider-official.com/zukan/characters/60
==Powers and Abilities==
===Powers===
*Original Bugster Virus: Being a Patient Zero (along with Masamune Dan), Emu was host to the virus for a prolonged period of time. This allowed the virus to fuse with and alter his DNA granting him Rider and possibly even Bugster-like powers and abilities that, by standard, require external intervention to acquire.
**Natural Game Disease Immunity: Unlike the other Riders, but later like Masamune, Emu can utilize the Gamer Driver and Rider Gashats without the need of the compatibility surgery. Also, his immunity is absolute, unlike the other Riders' acquired immunity which can still be overwhelmed by a large dose of Bugster virus, as he was unaffected when using the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat for the first time. However, he may still be prone to suffering from bouts of symptoms either due to stress, or due to Parado consciously activating the virus within him.
***Game Disease Cancellation: According to Episode 29 and the fact that Parado doubles as Emu's natural immunity to the Bugster Virus, the Bugster Virus Origin and as the one who activated the Game Disease on him (Emu uses this ability later after being freed by converting the Game Disease into his own powers), when Emu's resolve is strengthened by any means (in this case, Parado harming his friends), he can make the Bugster Virus inside him his own by forcibly stopping the Game Disease Parado has started on him.
**Gashat Creation: As Patient Zero and the progenitor of the Bugster Virus and Rider Gashats, as stated by Hiiro, he can use the Bugster Virus in him in conjunction with certain blank Gashats to create new, stronger forms for himself. This causes the Bugster Virus in him to evolve and become even stronger, which made Emu as Ex-Aid become stronger in return. Emu demonstrated this ability twice so far in the series with the creation of Mighty Brothers XX and Maximum Mighty X. He can also modify Gashats to a degree, displayed when he used his Bugster Virus to modify the Proto Bakusou Bike Gashat into the Combi Fukkatsu version.
**Dual Personalities: Due to the Bugster Virus in Emu's DNA, he has two different personalities, which can be separated when using Mighty Brothers XX. This became dormant after Emu reprogrammed Parado, but was reawakened after re-injecting Parado into his body.
***Parado Respawning: A side effect of this trait, ever since Parado became the Double Action Gamer Level XX R. If Parado's physical existence is terminated while not letting him dissolve into data and absorbing his core, Emu can simply absorb his remnant data to cultivate and respawn again.
**Increased Physical Strength: In at least one occasion, the spontaneous activation of Emu's Bugster Virus allows him to exert great physical strength without transforming.
***Pause Bypass: This ability is also used to single-handedly destroy Cronus' Buggle Driver II with a single punch whilst time was paused, thereby cancelling the ability, and lowering Cronus' power such that he could be taken down by four Level 2 riders.
===Abilities===
*Game Proficiency: Emu is highly adept in the field of video gaming, both in creative concept and actual practice. As a kid, he often creates game ideas that even Kuroto Dan, a genius game developer, recognized and envied. As a Kamen Rider, his creative concepts in gaming had lead to the creation of Mighty Brothers XX and Maximum Mighty X Gashats and the Save Energy Item, all arsenals that counters all of his toughest adversaries. In actual practice, even without the influence of his Bugster, Parado, and the Genius Gamer M persona, Emu is already a masterful gamer on his own with gaming skills formidable enough to see through the loopholes and weaknesses of every game and figuring out the methods of clearing them. As Genius Gamer M, Emu's skills in gaming and his battle processes are greatly enhanced, especially in state of emotional rage or frustration, as shown when he effectively, in separate occasions, outmaneuvered both Genm and Snipe who are both at their Level 3 forms while Emu is only on Level 2. Furthermore, if his Genius Gamer persona is 100% active, his gaming skills skyrocket to a frightening degree evidenced on how despite being only at Level 3 he managed to overpower Gatton Bugster who is at Level 30, stating that one of gaming's thrills is figuring out how to defeat stronger opponents.
*Skilled Physician: With a deep passion to be a doctor, Emu worked hard to earn his medical degree and entered his first-year residency at Seito University Hospital. Despite his beginning status, he would be able to respond to dire situations, even including a new medical threat like the Bugster virus. During this time he also pursued a surgical residency and had a rough start due to not just because of his slow performance, but his grief over Kiriya Kujo's death, but would eventually able to assist Hiiro Kagami in major surgeries like his surgery on Taiga Hanaya & Madoka Hoshi. Hiiro, a master surgeon, would often compliment Emu on his growing performance as a doctor.
*High Interpersonal Skill: Despite his clumsiness, Emu's kindness has allowed him to connect with all of his patients. This also extends to other Riders, showing how his influence allow them to cooperate properly. It is also worth noting that during their battle against Cronus, the absence of Emu and his inability to transform resulted in their defeat and the confiscation of three Gamer Drivers.
===Weaknesses===
*Parado: Since Parado is the Bugster created from Emu, like most Bugsters, Parado can possess Emu and take over his consciousness with no effort. Parado can also activate the virus within Emu at will, making Emu suffer similar symptoms to any other infected patient. However, Parado can't possess Emu when he transforms into Ex-Aid Double Action Gamer Level XX (as they split into Level XX L and R), or when Parado is inside a Game Area created from a Level 0 Gashat (Proto Mighty Action X Origin). Ever since Emu reconciled with Parado and the two of them decided to work together, with Parado's existence no longer poses a threat to Emu's physical health. Despite this, if either one of them were to be killed, the other will still lose their transformation ability.
==Forms==
==Equipment==
===Devices===
;Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
*Gamer Driver - Transformation device.
*Rider Gashat - Transformation trinkets.
*Kimewaza Slot Holder - Carrier strap for the Rider Gashats.
*Robot Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 3 support robot summoned by the Gekitotsu Robots Gashat.
*Burger Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 4 support robot summoned by the Ju Ju Burger Gashat.
*Hunter Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 5 support robot summoned by the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat.
*Maximum Gamer - Ex-Aid's Level 99 support robot/armor summoned by the Maximum Mighty X Gashat.
*Pac Gamer - Ex-Aid's support robot summoned by the Pac Adventure Gashat.
*Game Scopehttp://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000112050/ - a stethoscope-like device used by CR to detect for the presence of the game illness among other uses.
;Akarider
*Typhoon - Transformation device.
===Weapons===
*Gashacon Breaker - Standard sidearm weapon, can be a hammer or a sword.
*Gashacon Sword - Brave's primary blade weapon that Ex-Aid borrows. 
*Gekitotsu Smasher - Robot Action Gamer Level 3's personal weapon.
*Trick Flywheels - Sports Action Gamer Level 3's personal weapons.
*Dragon Fang - Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 (Dragon Fang/Full Dragon)'s personal weapon.
*Dragon Blade and Dragon Gun - Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon's personal weapon.
*Gashacon Key Slasher - Double Action Gamer Level X(X), Maximum Gamer Level 99 and Muteki Gamer's personal weapon.
*Daidaimaru - Gaim Gamer's personal weapon.
*Handle-Ken - Drive Gamer's personal weapon.
* stick pair - Accessed via the Taiko no Tatsujin Gashat.
*Front/Rear Armed Unit - Bike Gamer Level 1's personal weapon; temporarily used by Bike Action Gamer Level 0 via the Proto Bakusou Bike Gashat (Combi Revival ver.)
===Vehicles===
*Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2/Bike Gamer - Lazer's Rider Machine Mode that Ex-Aid can use to ride. Until his death, shortly after a dying Lazer gave Ex-Aid his Gamer Driver and Bakusou Bike Gashat for Ex-Aid's use as his personal Rider Machine.
*Sports Gamer - Secondary Level 3 support robot/Rider Machine summoned by the Shakariki Sports Gashat. Formerly belonged to Kamen Rider Genm.
==Legend Rider Devices==
==Relationships==
=== Friends ===
* Parado/Kamen Rider Para-DX: Parado took an interest in Emu. He at first mocked Emu that life is like a game and once humans die, it's game over for them (they can't come back). However, upon seeing Emu's determination to save lives, Parado gives him a blank Gashat, wanting to observe his fate. After Emu created the Mighty Brothers XX Gashat, Parado said that Emu is really exciting. Parado starts insisting on fighting with Emu after Kamen Rider Chronicle had started, but Emu ignored him since he was more focused on saving people. Having become fed up with Emu's Hippocratic Oath preventing their fight, Parado reveals that he's actually Emu's 'M' Personality and also his manifested Bugster all along. Regardless of the connection between each other, Emu hates Parado because of how he is willing to take lives, Bugster, and humans alike. When suggesting they should team up, he would always refuse. Emu, however, depends on Parado's continued existence because as long as Parado remains alive, Emu retains his ability to transform into Ex-Aid and utilize Hyper Muteki. After their final confrontation, that leads to Parado's supposed death, Emu made him understand the value of losing a life which leads to begging forgiveness to the former for all the lives he took, Emu struggling to forgive him have finally accepted Parado as a part of himself. Each other made the promise to fight together for protecting lives, but on the same occasion Emu swore to Parado, that they will make up for his sins together. After their reconciliation, it is shown that when they fight together against Cronus, Poppy notes that their "Hearts are connected", which proves to be correct to the way that both have a genuine care for the other's safety. Emu was devastated when Parado chose to sacrifice himself to destroy Gamedeus. But he was very relieved to see a part of the Game Virus was in Emu, allowing Parado to survive.
* Asuna Karino/Poppy Pippopapo/Kamen Rider Poppy: Asuna is a close ally & friend for Emu and mostly acts as his main assistant nurse. Initially, he still called Asuna by that name even when it was Poppy. But after saving her from the brainwashing of Ren and Parado, he began to always call her by her real name: Poppy (considering how he called her at first, that shows that their relationship has become much strongerr over time). When Ren Amagasaki (Lovelica Bugster) brainwashed her (And later Parado revealed that her Memory was erased), Emu was the most worried. He was the only one who still had faith in saving her, noticing her smile when Taiga and Nico reconciled. When Hiiro, Taiga, and Nico attacked her in their attempt to complete Kamen Rider Chronicle, Emu was the one who stopped them, shouting that she was not their enemy (This is the only time that Emu's priority has not been his patients, except when he was controlled by Parado). He decided to save her even when he did not know how to cure his patient without defeating her and even shouted "Shut up" to Hiiro when he said that they should kill her for the sake of his patients). Until she told him she did not want to hurt anyone, that she wanted to get along with everyone, Emu replied: "Let's play together", making her smile, achieving the "Game Clear", saving her. She hugged him and thanked him, furthermore, she was the first to worry when Parado seized his body and became determined to return Emu's smile at all cost. When Poppy chose to sacrifice herself to cure the rampant Gamedeus virus from infecting the public, Emu was heartbroken as they didn't fulfill their promise. But he was overjoyed when Kuroto managed to bring her back.
* Kiriya Kujo/Kamen Rider Lazer (Turbo): Emu initially bought into Kiriya's fake backstory and him posing as his friend, agreed to help him, until Kiriya reveals that it was a lie to get a Bugster sample. Like others, this makes him reluctant to get close to Kiriya, due to the many lies he'd given to him, which Kiriya claims was for Emu's own benefit. Their misunderstandings eventually got cleared up after Kuroto reveals his true identity, becoming real friends with Kiriya from that point. Due to his death, Emu became enraged towards Kuroto. Even when Parado kills Kuroto, which indirectly helped Emu to avenge Kiriya's death, Emu still feels that avenging the fallen victims by killing the true suspect doesn't seem right. Their partnership also shown to be the best, shown when Kiriya was resurrected as a Bugster, the two began to be at odds with each other, due to their stand on opposing sides. When there was a chance, Kiriya whispered Emu "to lie" which Emu understood and they managed to pull act, succeeding in defeating Cronus for the first time with Muteki Gashat. The two resume their friendly relationship with one another.
=== Allies ===
*Seito University Hospital
**Hiiro Kagami/Kamen Rider Brave: Emu and Hiiro develop a rivalry relationship as both have polar opposite ways of taking care of patients. Hiiro also becomes the second reason why Emu decided to not quit fighting as Ex-Aid. Hiiro in return sees Emu with animosity and sees his presence as a resident and a No Thank You. However, Emu indirectly helped Hiiro to regain his confidence in his skill as Genius surgeon, while Hiiro also acts as a senior to Emu, once helping him to escape from Genm Zombie Gamer Level X's Critical Dead (but he still takes Emu's Gashats away as punishment). Emu also appears to have gained some respect for Hiiro when he agreed to help perform cancer surgery on a patient while he was curing the same patient's game disease. In return for being reminded of Saki's final wish after Kuroto's death at the hands of Parado, Hiiro gives a warmful lecture that losing someone and failure is also part of doctors' life to move on. When Hiiro began to work Masamune Dan, Emu disheartened by his decision and couldn't fight him seriously. But, because it's revealed that it was Hiiro's chance to bring Saki back, he began to feel more sympathetic towards him. He then decided not to hold back on him, regardless. When Taiga was critically injured by Parado and Graphite, Hiiro was responsible for his emergency surgery. Emu believed in Hiiro's efforts to save Taiga, even disregarding Nico's warnings and confronting Masamune Dan about it. After Hiiro saved Taiga and realigned himself with CR, his relationship with him went back to normal.
**Haima Kagami: Haima is a senior for Emu. Although Emu respects him, Haima initially acts tough towards him, although this is only a coy.
**Taiga Hanaya/Kamen Rider Snipe: Emu and Taiga also developed a rivalry. However, Taiga is the only doctor that Emu won't get close to unless they encounter the same problem. Taiga also seems to despise Emu, although he does call him by his title, Genius Gamer. Taiga is one of the first to discover that Emu has a game disease. After Kamen Rider Chronicle had started, although still keeping an arrogant persona, Taiga shows some level of respect for him.
* Genm Corp.
** Kuroto Dan/Kamen Rider Genm: When Emu was a child, he was a fan of the games that Kuroto had developed. Even as Emu joined CR later as an adult, he still had great trust in Kuroto, unaware that Kuroto was his nemesis Genm, right until Kuroto reveals his true motives of collecting data to complete the ultimate game. Emu's hostility towards Kuroto later deepens once he learns that Kuroto had killed Kiriya. However, even after all the sins that Kuroto has committed, Emu feels that killing Kuroto would not seem right as he would rather have Kuroto live to repay for the evil deeds he has done. This is especially shown when Emu decides to take Kuroto into CR when Kuroto was infected with the Bugster virus, even when Kuroto was already apprehended by the Ministry of Health. After seeing Kuroto suffer his tragic Game Over, Emu would later cry for Kuroto while alone. Eventually he no longer has remorse towards Kuroto anymore when both meet again in Kuroto's impossible game world for his resurrection to continue his ambition, just as Parado warned Emu before, whether dead or alive, Kuroto has always been a complete monster whom never knows when to quit his evil ambition towards humans and Bugsters alike. When Kuroto is later revived, though Emu does not forgive him, he gives Kuroto the chance to make up for his sins. Because of his cooperation with CR in defeating Kamen Rider Chronicle, Emu began to slowly trust him again, even in pivotal fights.
*Ministry of Health
**Kyotaro Hinata: Emu highly respects Kyotaro, to the point of debt-like respect because Kyotaro was the one who saved his life 16 years ago. In return, Kyotaro helps Emu by giving him some advice regarding his Doctor idealism.
*Nico Saiba: When Nico first met Emu, it was during the time Parado possessed him as Genius Gamer "M" and competed in a game tournament. For this, she vowed revenge on Emu, only to find out it was Parado she fought. As she suffers the Gamedeus Virus, she gave her words of apology to Emu for thinking it was him at the tournament.
*Takeru Tenkuji/Kamen Rider Ghost: Due to his similar Rider Form, Emu was falsely marked as an enemy due to Genm's attack on Makoto and Alain. This was resolved and they bonded quickly, as they share the same philosophy of protecting all life. During Heisei Generations, they even show how far they will go to protect each other.
*Shinnosuke Tomari/Kamen Rider Drive: First met in Heisei Generations, they share a bond to be the best Rider they can be to protect the world.
*Haruto Soma/Kamen Rider Wizard: First met in Heisei Generations, Haruto almost mistaken as an enemy when he joined the Next Genome Institute. But Haruto explained that he only did so to attack them when they lowered their guard. He also shared a bond to be the best Rider he can be to protect the world.
*Kouta Kazuraba/Kamen Rider Gaim: First met in Heisei Generations, they share a bond to be the best Rider they can be to protect the world.
*Team Ex-Aid: The team made in Chou Super Hero Taisen. Emu with his team also later become a temporary Super Sentai, Kamen Sentai Gorider and the leader.
**Kaito Kumon/Kamen Rider Baron: To be added
**Kaoru Kino/Kamen Rider Another Agito: To be added
**Yoko Minato/Kamen Rider Malika: To be added
**Kazuma Kenzaki/Kamen Rider Blade: To be added
*Sento Kiryu/Kamen Rider Build: To be added
*Ryuga Banjo/Kamen Rider Cross-Z: In Heisei Generations FINAL, Ryuga is sent to the World of Ex-Aid after Kaisei Mogami sent him via the Enigma portal. He later meets the Doctor Riders as well as Emu Hojo. Emu later confuses Ryuga as Kamen Rider Build due to wearing them wearing the same driver. They both come across fellow riders, Eiji Hino and Gentaro Kisaragi.
=== Enemies ===
* Genm Corp.
**Masamune Dan/Kamen Rider Cronus: Emu and Masamune have met each other through unknown means since 2000 and during Emu's special surgery led by Kyotaro when Emu was a patient zero. Once Emu learned that Masamune was framed by Kuroto for a Zero Day back in 2011, Kiriya's death and Kuroto spills Emu's secret being a Patient Zero, Emu wants to know more from Masamune and promises to put Kuroto in custody. While avenging Masamune's reputation, Emu failed to arrest Kuroto when Parado kills him. Following Kuroto's revival as Bugster, he now has to work alongside him to limit the continuing damage of both Parado's actions and Kamen Rider Chronicle's infections to further protect Masamune's reputation. However, it was revealed that Masamune was orchestrating events to eventually become Kamen Rider Cronus, revealing his true, villainous personality. Masamune is also the 'other' Patient Zero of the Bugster virus, thus allowing Masamune to use Gashats to transform. Emu is willing to stop the Chronicle at all costs, even going to talk Masamune out of it. After that failed, he is willing to stop Cronus by force.
* Gamedeus: to be added
*Graphite: Emu has been seen as Graphite's number one nemesis as Emu is the only Kamen Rider who is able to take care of most Bugsters easily. Especially, when Graphite infects his idol, Kyotaro Hinata. Ultimately, Emu destroyed Graphite with the help of his fellow Doctor Riders.
*Lovelica/Ren Amagasaki: to be added
*Kagenari Nagumo/Kamen Rider Fuma: to be added
==Behind the Scenes==
===Portrayal===
Emu Hojo is portrayed by . As a child, Emu is portrayed by . As Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, his suit actor is in Level 1 & X, in Level 2, 3, 5 & XX R, Toei Hero Max Vol.54 and in Level XX L.Uchusen Vol.155 His sub for Level XX L is . When Level XX R is possessed by Parado, he is voiced by .
===Rider No.===
As the leading rider protagonist of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, Ex-Aid is labelled and .
===Etymology===
*Emu's given name is likely derived from the Japanese word for , because of his goal to make his patient's smile. His surname, Hojo, is a pun on the Japanese word for , reflecting his job as a doctor. 
**His first name may possibly be derived from the word "emulator" (a gaming program based on game consoles), the meaning of which is made clear when the connection between him and Parado is revealed, as Emu serves as the "emulator" for Parado through the Genius Gamer M personality.
**The name "Hojo" was also inspired by Karen Hojo, a character from the Idolm@ster series of rhythm/simulation video games, though Karen's surname is written with different Kanji. This reference was apparently slipped into the series by head writer Yuya Takahashi, himself an Idolm@ster fan.
**The Kanji in his surname (宝生, Hōjō) can literally mean "precious life", representing how Emu treasures others' lives.
*Emu's first name is a homonym of M, which is his name of Genius Gamer identity.
*The name Ex-Aid is a portmanteau word from Extreme and Aid. According to Kamen Rider Build in True Ending, he describes Ex-Aid as a Kamen Rider who goes through extreme lengths to provide aid to his patients or in short, "Extreme-Aid".
==Notes==
*Chronologically, Ex-Aid's first appearance is on a Japanese talk-show named Ame Ta-lk (Aug 4th, 2016). Introduced by the show's special guest Shun Nishime (Takeru Tenkuji), Ex-Aid appeared behind the staff and performed a short burlesque, which shocked the other guests of the show.
*When triggering Level 2, he announces "Dai Henshin!" (lit. "Great Transformation"), similar to the transformation call of Keisuke Jin when he directly transforms into Kamen Rider X after gaining the Mercury Circuit.
*Before inserting his Rider Gashat for his finishers, Emu occasionally blows into it first, a reference to the common practice of gamers during the retro days where they had to blow into their video game cartridges whenever they malfunctioned due to dust on the connectors.
**This was originally an adlib by suit actor Seiji Takaiwa, which was kept on throughout production of the TV series.
*Emu is confirmed to be 24 years old in his character description in Toei's official website for the series. In a blood sample analysis made by Taiga in episode 14, Emu's blood type is AB positive.
*Yuya Takahashi, the head screenwriter of Ex-Aid, is a fan of the character Karen Hojo from the Idolm@ster game series, which inspired him to write in a kind-hearted older sister for Emu that was ultimately scrapped in the final cut.
==Appearances==
==Navigation==
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