Graphite

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 was one of the main antagonists of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. As a Bugsters executive alongside Parado, his main goal is to annihilate the human race. Armed with the Gashacon Bugvisor, it was Graphite who was responsible for spreading the Bugster virus to infect victims in the first part of the series.
As recorded by CR, Graphite is part of the High Tier of Bugsters within Kamen Rider Chronicle alongside Para-DX and Lovelica. 
==History==
===Origins===
Graphite is the boss of the Genm Corp. game Drago Knight Hunter Z, conceived by Kuroto Dan. As a Bugster, Graphite's origin is traced to the bug, which left what would be known as the Bugster Virus on the younger Dan's computer shortly following New Year's 2000. Secretly incubating the virus by infecting the young Emu Hojo with it, Kuroto Dan would arrange for its matured form to be extracted by Michihiko Zaizen ten years later.
Graphite himself was spawned as a result of Zero Day, having been born from Saki Momose, girlfriend of Dr. Hiiro Kagami. During the incident, Graphite faced Taiga Hanaya as Kamen Rider Snipe Proto Shooting Gamer Level 1 and successfully defeated him. By thwarting the doctor Rider's operation to terminate him, Graphite ultimately achieved his perfected form as Saki sucuumbed to the Game Disease and perished. Graphite inherited Saki's memories, which he knew as "save data".
===Spreading the Bugsters===
Five years after Zero Day, Graphite reported a new Bugster infection to Parado, proclaiming that they would soon be joined by an influx of comrades, Parado voiced to him his excitement at the prospect of their "game field" expanding. He would continue to be accompanied with Parado as they continue to spread the Bugster Virus and his observing on the Kamen Riders.
Catching up with his old nemesis, Taiga Hanaya, Graphite was stopped short of settling what began five years ago by Parado, who dared Taiga to clear the most games and become the strongest Kamen Rider before the two departed.
Graphite was a central part of the Bugster's next scheme. In his human form, he "stole" the four Level 3 Gashats from Genm Corp. and infected Yoko Horiuchi with both the Gekitotsu Robots and DoReMiFa Beat Bugster strains. He was mistaken by the Doctor Riders as the true identity of the "Black Ex-Aid" under his human form, only for them to show up side by side together. Graphite transforms into his natural form using the Gashacon Bugvisor before making his leave.
During a second encounter with Ex-Aid, Hiiro discovered Graphite was the Bugster that spawned from Saki. Although this got him sidetracked from his role from a doctor, as Graphite mocked the genius surgeon for abandoning his girlfriend. It was through Emu's intervention that allowed Hiiro to regain his resolve and add the DoReMiFa Beat Gashat into his arsenal. This allowed Brave Beat Quest Gamer Level 3 to overwhelm Graphite in battle and made him retreat.
Back at Genm Corp., Graphite was still resentful following his defeat at the hands of Brave. Dan told him that he could have intervened but chose not to as a punishment for Graphite having ignored their plan and acted on his own accord. As well as that, Dan confiscated the Gashacon Bugvisor from Graphite for his own use. Graphite confronted Dan on Lazer being aware that he is Kamen Rider Genm only for Dan to retort that he had no proof while Parado told Graphite to calm down as the next game was beginning.
Eavesdropping on Parado and Dan in the CEO's office, Graphite overheard Parado's warning that the Proto Gashats, while granting unlimited power, would eventually destroy their user. Willing to take this risk for greater power, Graphite later went to Dan's empty office and took the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat for himself, unknowingly seen by Parado from a distance. Stepping out, Graphite, proclaiming to himself that he held the power to take the world now, triggered the Proto Gashat. Stabbing the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z into his chest, Graphite cackled manically as orange and black streams of energy were released.
Following his evolution, Graphite personally confronted Kyotaro Hinata and infected him with a potent amount of Bugster Virus from the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat. Confronted by Ex-Aid and Brave as they embarked to save Hinata in the Game Area, Graphite revealed his new Dark Graphite form. He easily overwhelmed the two Level 1 Riders and escaped with the dragon. Proceeding to create an army of new Bugster allies, Graphite dispersed his new potent virus across the general populace resulting in a mass epidemic. Confronted again by Ex-Aid now alone, Graphite engaged him again in the Game Area only to be met by Brave while Ex-Aid faced the Bugster Union and succeeded in refining the Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat, Faced with Ex-Aid assuming Hunter Action Gamer Level 5 Full Dragon himself, Dark Graphite unleashed his Dragon Fang of Rage only to have his technique overcome and beaten back by the out of control Level 5 Rider. While Ex-Aid was out of action, Graphite easily overwhelmed Brave, Snipe, and Lazer in their Level 3 forms.
===First Death===
Ultimately, however, Graphite was drawn to the Game Area for the last time as he was met by all four of his Kamen Rider opponents, Ex-Aid having overcome his rivals to lead them in a temporary alliance as they used the quartered Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat to each arm themselves with a piece of the Hunter Gamer. Though the four Riders found it difficult to fight in unison, they were nevertheless able to overcome their common enemy as they endured his Dragon Fang of Rage together. but the Riders easily block it. At least, each Rider struck to finish Graphite, triggering four Drago Knight Critical Strikes and firing a cavalcade of energy blasts; Graphite used his Graphite Fang blade to deflect as many of the attacks as he could, but eventually they got through and thus Drago Knight Hunter Z was cleared as Graphite was finally destroyed.
===Post-Mortem===
With Graphite eliminated, the Bugster Virus that he had inflicted upon Kyotaro Hinata and numerous civilians was negated. The Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z was salvaged by Parado back in the real world; little did Graphite know, he had served as a pawn in the grand scheme of Kuroto Dan, which Parado was in on. Dan had infact allowed Graphite to take the Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z so as to finish the data collection he was performing with the Gashats through Graphite's ensuing fight with the Kamen Riders whom he provided with the refined Drago Knight Hunter Z. With the test performed, Phase One was completed and Dan moved to the next stage.
===Kamen Rider Chronicle===
As Parado takes over the completion of Kamen Rider Chronicle after Kuroto's death, he revives Graphite using data from the Bugvisor. Graphite, along with a brainwashed Poppy Pipopapo, are the final two Bugsters used to complete the data for Kamen Rider Chronicle.
Graphite revealed himself to his old nemesis Taiga, now accompanied by Nico Saiba. Daring Taiga to beat Kamen Rider Chronicle, Graphite promised Taiga that he would eventually face him one-on-one should he win enough times to reach his Level.
Learning of Lovelica's shaming at the hands of the Kamen Riders, Graphite wished to join the game but was held back by Parado who assured him that he would handle them for the time being. When Poppy experienced a flash of memory belong to someone else, Graphite explained that it was an example of the "save data" which she inherited from her late host just as he did from Saki Momose.
Graphite was surprised to see Emu Hojo arriving at the Bugster's lair and greeting him only to soon learn that it was actually Parado returning after taking control of Emu's body. When Parado subsequently separated from Emu, Graphite was eager to kill the doctor but was denied by Parado, who insisted that he would be the one to ultimately defeat M when the time is right.
As Graphite joined with Parado and Lovelica against the Kamen Riders, both sides find themselves facing against Masamune Dan, Kuroto Dan's father, who reveals himself to be the true mastermind of the events that have unfolded and utilizes the Master Gashat of Chronicle to become Kamen Rider Cronus. After witnessing Cronus showcasing to kill Bugsters as Lovelica and Salty were among of his victims, Graphite elects to inject himself with Gamedeus' virus to be stronger enough to combat Cronus. This caused Graphite to appear visibly ill as the Gamedeus virus multiplied within his body. He accepted his pain, however, as the price it would take to defeat Cronus and take back Kamen Rider Chronicle.
As Hiiro continued to side with Cronus with the power of Taddle Legacy at hand, Taiga desired to settle his five-year score with Graphite once and for all. As Brave Level 100 fought Para-DX and Graphite, Snipe joined the fray to engage Graphite. Due to his higher level, Taiga struggled to fight despite Hiiro's protests. Even out of transformation, Taiga refused to withdraw but gets put in critical condition by Graphite's blow.
With Snipe out of action, Graphite expected to face Brave next only for he and Parado to be confronted by Cronus himself, who intended to terminate them personally. Though successfully neutralizing Cronus' ability to pause through use of the Gamedeus virus, this was rendered moot as Cronus retained the advantage by seizing control of all Energy Items, allowing him to easily defeat both Graphite and Para-DX who were only saved by the arrival of Genm and Lazer Turbo, who fought to preserve Parado as his existence was what enabled Emu, the only who could defeat Cronus, to transform.
Finding Parado shaken but intact, Poppy revealed that Emu had decided to save him from death at the last moment to make him understand mortality. Graphite tried to convince Parado not to listen to her, learning the Bugsters' purpose to fight humans and that it was Parado's destiny to defeat Emu. Parado, unable to cope with his new feeling, told Graphite to stop and left.
===Final Battle and Death===
Graphite, despite bearing the Gamedeus virus, still refuses to cooperate with the Kamen Riders. He fought Brave Legacy Gamer Level 100 and Snipe Simulation Gamer Level 50 for hours, much to his delight, until Cronus decided to interfere the next morning and prevent Kamen Rider Chronicle from completing. Meanwhile, Just as Ride-Player Nico is about to finish Graphite with the Rider Critical Finish via the Gashacon Magnum, Cronus activates the Pause function on his Driver, but Graphite decides to rebel against Cronus for "defiling the sacred fight", accepting the fact that he lost to the Riders fair and square. He uses this chance to disable Cronus with the Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Do Crimson Exploding Dragon Sword at the cost of being weakened by Cronus' Critical Sacrifice. As the game restarts, Graphite finally accepts his last defeat by taking the Rider Critical Finish blast for himself, smiling as he passes away.
===Legacy===
As one of the component Bugsters of Kamen Rider Chronicle, Guren Graphite's power was channeled by the last boss Gamedeus, allowing him to unleash Graphite's Supreme Trick: Crimson Exploding Dragon Sword as performed during his battle against Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer and Para-DX Perfect Knock Out Gamer. Graphite was channeled again, this time by Gamedeus Cronus as he performed the Crimson Exploding Dragon Sword against Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer and Brave Legacy Gamer.
During Gamedeus's appearance, Graphite's Bugvisor was stolen away in the chaos by Johnny Makishima who would use it become a stronger version of the original Gamedeus strain following the Bugster's defeat.
==Other Events==
===Kamen Sentai Gorider===
Graphite was part of an perpetually reviving army of Bugsters which emerged in the real world as a result of Kuroto Dan's plot to revive in the Game World. This endless horde was held off by Kamen Riders Brave and Snipe, sharing the Gashat Gear Dual β and Hunter Gamer between each other, while Emu Hojo was sent from CR to the Game World to stop Dan. Ultimately, the Bugster horde was suddenly dissipated in an instant as the destruction of the Game World brought about by Kazuma Kenzaki thwarted Dan's ambition to revive.
===Drive Saga: Kamen Rider Brain===
Graphite becomes a member of Mu and fighting Kamen Rider Brain in Brain's dream.
==Personality==
Unlike Parado, Graphite likes battle more than anything else and prefers to approach things more directly than Parado. However, he has no problem to follow his lead, showing great discipline and self-control. But strangely enough, he is later shown to be extremely impatient with Parado and his battle hungry traits become more prominent although that could be attributed to the Riders constant interference wearing out his patience. Unlike Parado, he's loyal to his race, and was upset when a Bugster was destroyed by the Kamen Riders. Eventually, his impatience resulting him in stealing Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat and using it to become Dark Graphite, before being destroyed by the Kamen Riders.
Upon being revived by Parado, his desire to defeat the Kamen Riders has not vanished. He challenges Taiga to clear Kamen Rider Chronicle by defeating all Low and Mid-Tier Bugsters in order to face him one on one. He also shows no sign of fear towards Masamune Dan, even when the latter transformed into Cronus and killed Lovelica permanently. Instead, he felt agitated and declared that the Bugsters will be the ones to defeat the Kamen Riders, including Masamune himself.
As shown in episode 34, Graphite seems to share the love of sweets with his host, as he was seen enjoying a piece of cake stolen from the CR. Also when he and Parado went into Kamen rider Chronicle's game world to get Gamedeus's data, Graphite volunteered to inject himself with Gamedeus' virus in order to replicate it, to make it up to Parado's choice of fighting alone while he was "dead", showing his deep relationship with Parado.
Graphite's final battle showed that for all that he loves battle, he has a deep sense of honor, as when Cronus attempted to meddle, he walked right back into the path of Nico's Rider Critical Finish after repelling Masamune, showing that if he is defeated in battle, he will abide by the results of that outcome.
==Powers==
*Bugster Physiology: As a Bugster, Graphite possesses all of the various superhuman attributes common among the Bugsters.
**Teleportation: Graphite has shown the ability to teleport himself.
==Forms==
==Equipment==
=== Devices ===
*Gashacon Bugvisor - Transformation and virus infection device. Originally Genm's standard side-weapon until Genm confiscated from Graphite, who later used it along with Bugster Buckle as his secondary transformation into Zombie Gamer Level X. Later regained sometime after his revival.
*Bugster Buckle - First Bugster form only. Never seen used in any means.
*Proto Drago Knight Hunter Z Gashat - Secondary transformation & virus infection device.
=== Weapons ===
* - Graphite's personal double-bladed pole-arm weapon.
==Relationships==
=== Allies ===
*Parado/Kamen Rider Para-DX: His comrade and friend while fighting the humans. They also have a deep relationship as if they were like brothers but in episode 9 it is shown that Parado was not willing to tell Graphite about Dan's plan to let him take the Dragon Knight Hunter Gashat. When Parado decided to fight for humanity Graphite express disappointment but tried to persuade him to come back and fight humanity. As Graphite is defeated for the final time he tells Parado that he is still his friend despite being on a different path.
*Poppy Pipopapo/Asuna Karina/Kamen Rider Poppy: A Bugster like him, but siding with the humans.
*Lovelica/Ren Amagasaki: One of his fellow Bugsters who ran Genm Corporation but died by Cronus' hands.
*Salty Bugster: TBA
=== Enemies ===
*Taiga Hanaya/Kamen Rider Snipe: Graphite's archenemy who seeks to destroy him for what happened in the past.
*Hiiro Kagami/Kamen Rider Brave: Another of Graphite's archenemies who also seeks to destroy him for what happened to his lover, since he was born from her.
*Emu Hojo/Kamen Rider Ex-Aid: Parado's Bugster host and enemy.
*Kiriya Kujo/Kamen Rider Lazer: Enemy
*Kuroto Dan/Kamen Rider Genm: The one responsible for bringing Graphite to life from Saki Momose.
*Masamune Dan/Kamen Rider Cronus: Genm's father who's responsible for letting his son and Parado create Kamen Rider Chronicle. Cronus kills Lovelica and Graphite swears vengeance on him for his death and controlling the Bugsters' lives.
==Behind the Scenes==
===Portrayal===
Graphite is voiced, and later portrayed, by . As Graphite Bugster, his suit actor is and later, Danki Sakae (榮男樹, Sakae Danki), with Yuji Nakata (中田裕土, Nakata Yuuji) acting as his substitute in episodes 37-38, though in his final appearance, Okada portrayed him once again.
===Etymology===
The origin of his name is based off the .
===Concept Art===
Graphite Bugster was designed by .
Graphite Bugster concept art.jpg|Graphite Bugster concept art
Dark Graphite Bugster concept art.jpg|Dark Graphite Bugster concept art
Guren Graphite Bugster concept art.jpg|Guren Graphite Bugster concept art
==Notes==
*Graphite's default form wears the Bugster Buckle. However, this is never explained or elaborated upon.
*In most of Graphite's later finishers, he emphasizes the word Do (ド) before calling out his attacks, which is the first letter in the romanization for "Dragon".
*Graphite's Guren form is the only form to be given a Level designation, in this case Level 99.
==Appearances==
==See also==
* - Pages 8 -9 
==Navigation==
Category:Bugsters
Category:Perfected Bugsters
Category:Generals
Category:Dragon Monsters
Category:Ex-Aid Characters
Category:Antivillains
Category:Bugster-infected Patients
Category:Deceased
Category:Kamen Rider like