Kohtaro Minami

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, alternatively spelt Kotaro Minami, is the main protagonist of both Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX. Initially chosen by Gorgom to become , Kohtaro later escapes and fights against them as . After the defeat of Gorgom, Kohtaro later faces the Crisis Empire and is eventually reborn as the evolved .
Starting with Kamen Rider Decade and continuing onto most of the later crossover movies, there are two incarnations of Kohtaro Minami who are independently Black and Black RX.
==History==
===Kamen Rider Black===
Kohtaro was born on the day of a solar eclipse, along with his stepbrother Nobuhiko Akizuki, within the same hospital. Gorgom noticed this, and both brothers were entitled heirs to their leader, the Creation King's throne. After Kohtaro's parents deaths from an apparent accident, Prof. Akizuki adopted Kohtaro alongside Nobuhiko and Kyoko. On the night of Kohtaro and Nobuhiko's 19th birthday, they were captured by Gorgom and were remade into cyborgs and infused with Kingstones. Kohtaro received the "Stone of the Sun" to become . However before they could remove Kohtaro's humanity, Prof. Akizuki intervened, with Kohtaro using Battle Hopper to escape from Gorgom's base.
Pursued by the High Priests of Gorgom, Kohtaro continued to run, eventually getting cornered on top of a building. There, Kohtaro is told by his pursuers of his physical alteration, before being subdued by their attacks. Just as the High Priests began carrying away Kohtaro however, the latter struggled to break free, falling on top of a warehouse. 
The High Priests following after Kohtaro, Darom continuously used his telekinetic powers to punish him, blasting Kohtaro into a concrete wall. Amidst the rubble, Kohtaro regained his posture and transformed into Kamen Rider Black, surprising the High Priests. His newfound strength and abilities proving enough to simultaneously counter all three High Priests, Kohtaro successfully drove them away.
After receiving a letter from Prof. Akizuki, Kohtaro secretly meets with his foster father and learns the truth about his childhood. Soichiro reveals to Kohtaro that he agreed to join Gorgom in order to receive funding for his archaeological research in exchange for Kohtaro and Nobuhiko to be operated on during their 19th birthdays. When Kohtaro's father had refused to join the cult organization, Gorgom had him and Kohtaro's mother assassinated. 
Displeased by Prof. Akizuki's continued submission to Gorgom, Kohtaro leaves him in disgust, allowing Gorgom's Spider Mutants to attack Prof. Akizuki. Arriving too late to save his foster father, Kohtaro holds Prof. Akizuki in his arms, with the dying man's last request for Kohtaro to save Nobuhiko and Kyoko.
Grieving Prof. Akizuki's death, Kohtaro transforms once again and takes the title of "Kamen Rider Black, vowing to stop Gorgom and save Nobuhiko. As Black, Kohtaro gains support from Nobuhiko's younger sister, Kyoko, as well as Nobuhiko's girlfriend Katsumi. He would often be found working part-time with the two girls at the Capitola café. He would also gain some allies in fight against Gorgom, such as Interpol officer Ryusuke Taki.
Failing to re-kidnap Kohtaro, Gorgom fully deemed him a foe, sending several members to kill him and retrieve his Kingstone. From each battle, Kohtaro slowly became a formidable warrior, with even the highly trained Bilgenia and three High Priests being overpowered by him as Kamen Rider Black. 
Eventually Kohtaro reunites with Nobuhiko; however, Nobuhiko was converted into the Century King, Shadow Moon. Taking his place as commander of Gorgom, Shadow Moon declares war on Kohtaro, intent on ruling the entire world. Though reluctant to face his best friend, Kohtaro found himself unable to avoid battling Shadow Moon, the latter fully intent to defeat his archenemy. 
In their fight, just when Kohtaro was winning, the Creation King temporarily turned Nobuhiko back into human form. This caused Kohtaro to lose the fight as Nobuhiko turned back into Shadow Moon and launched a surprise attack. In a desperate attempt, Kohtaro tried to convince Shadow Moon that Earth belongs to all living things, and that Gorgom's actions were wrong. Shadow Moon in response stabbed him with the Satansaber. Shadow Moon then reached his hand towards Kohtaro's Kingstone, when Kohtaro suddenly turned back into his human form. The human form of Kohtaro reawakened the lingering humanity within Shadow Moon, causing the latter to retreat. Despite retaining his Kingstone though, Kohtaro's wounds were too grave to heal on his own, causing him to die. In response, his remaining family left Japan and people from across the country lost hope in the battle against Gorgom. Luckily though, the Whale Mutant used a special ritual to resurrect Kohtaro, as well as raising his power. Having been revived, Kohtaro fought his way through hordes of monsters until fighting Shadow Moon and unwillingly defeating him. Kohtaro was then mercilessly taunted by Shadow Moon who told him that he shall feel regret for the rest of his life knowing that he killed his best friend and step-brother Nobuhiko. Despite these cruel words, Kohtaro told Shadow Moon to stay alive so they can later escape together.
Using the Satansaber wielded by Shadow Moon, Black then fought against the Creation King of Gorgom and destroyed him. The base soon started to self destruct which prevented him from getting Shadow Moon out to safety. Kohtaro then looked at the ruins while saying Nobuhiko's name. With Gorgom defeated, Kohtaro visited the Capitola bar before leaving for unknown parts.
===RX===
After the defeat of Gorgom, Kohtaro is left homeless until he is taken in by the Sahara family. He became a helicopter pilot for the family's business due to their connections, beginning a new life for himself. Unfortunately, Kohtaro is later abducted into the Crisis Empire's mother-ship. The Crisis Empire was aware of his identity as Black and gave him an offer to join them. Kohtaro refused and fought back but was incapacitated when his transformation ability became disabled. He was ejected into space to float aimlessly until the sun's radiation altered his Kingstone. When his pod entered Earth's atmosphere, Kohtaro miraculously survives and immediately discovers he had gained a new power in the shape of an evolved rider form. With his new power, Kohtaro engaged the Crisis Empire forces as Kamen Rider Black RX.
Kohtaro's campaign was long and grueling. In one instance, the family's daughter Hitomi is kidnapped by Intelligence Staff Officer Maribaron in a plot to make her the Crisis Empire's only living heir. Kohtaro attempts to rescue her using Deathgaron, only to land in the Demon World's Desert of Death. He then ends up in a trap set up by Maribaron. Deathgaron kills Hitomi, but in his grief and sorrow, RX invokes a new Rider power, RoboRider. Using his power, RoboRider fatally wounds Deathgaron before learning that the Hitomi killed was a fake and the real one was being taken to the Valley of Miracles. On his way, he meets Kasumi no Joe who is under the control of Nexticker, freeing him before they and Shigeru are captured by Maribaron and Princess Karuoriya. It was after they break free that Kohtaro realizes the princess is Hitomi, who was abducted to replace the real princess who died and was force grown by the nearby waterfall. When he attempts to restore Hitomi's memory, Kohtaro is forced to surrender when the Triplon captured Shigeru and Joe. Kohtaro was then placed into a room for a hole designed to counter his abilities as both RX and RoboRider for a slow painful death. His rage to save those he love invokes another new form, Biorider. After killing Triplon, with Shigeru's help, Kohtaro succeeded in having Hitomi regain his memory as she and the others are returned to their original ages by the people who originally resided in the valley. With only Joe and the Sahara Children knowing his identity, Kohtaro returns to Earth.
During the middle of the series, Shadow Moon mysteriously returns to seek revenge against him. Though not evolving in the same manner as Black, Shadow Moon was formidable as ever, rivaling the Crisis Empire itself. In their final duel, RX and Shadow Moon remained evenly matched with one another, neither side willing surrender. Amidst their battle, the Crisis Empire revealed to Kohtaro of two children they had taken hostage, much to his shock. Despite Kohtaro's pleas for Shadow Moon to stop, his words fell on deaf ears. Angered by Shadow Moon's cruelty, Kohtaro summoned his Revolcane, dealing a critical blow to his foe's Kingstone. Stumbling over, Shadow Moon admits defeat. 
Immediately afterwards, Shadow Moon reveals to Kohtaro of the Crisis Empire's plan to flood Japan with erupted magma, having heard it from one of their monsters. With no time to be wasted, Shadow Moon states that he will save the two children held hostage while Kohtaro prevents the eruption. Surprised by this change of heart, Kohtaro sees a flash of Nobuhiko from Shadow Moon. 
Referring to Shadow Moon as Nobuhiko once more, Kohtaro called out to him. Shadow Moon denied Kohtaro's words but still marched forward, all while urging Kohtaro to not waste time. Placing faith in Shadow Moon, Kohtaro proceeds to stop the Crisis Empire. Afterwards, he returned to Shadow Moon's location, confirming that the children had been rescued.
Shadow Moon lied still on a bed of flowers, with the two children worried whether he had died. Assuring them that their savior was just tired and sleeping, Kohtaro oversees the two return to their father, before focusing his attention back to Shadow Moon. Remembering Shadow Moon's last actions and the man he used to, Kohtaro decided that Nobuhiko had been restored in the end, no longer the ruthless Century King but his kind best friend once more. Evidently, Nobuhiko's body reverted back into human form in death, symbolizing Kohtaro's belief to be correct. In a sense, Kohtaro finally succeeded in his initial mission, having saved Nobuhiko like he promised to Prof. Akizuki, Kyoko, and Katsumi.
In the finale, he was helped by the 10 veteran Kamen Riders to destroy the Crisis Empire. 
===Kamen Rider: Run All Over the World===
In the film, the Crisis Empire devise a plan to defeat Kohtaro Minami by reverting him back to his old form of Kamen Rider Black and sending out several revived monsters after him. However, Kamen Rider Black is assisted by another RX, who used a time warp to help his past self. The two are joined by RX's alternate forms of Roborider and Biorider, and the four Kamen Riders combine their powers to defeat the revived monsters.
===Kamen Rider Decade===
In Kamen Rider Decade, a two episode arc features two different Kohtaro Minamis - one from a world where he is Black RX, and one where he remains Black. The two even encounter each other. In Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, Black and Black RX appear together again, both portrayed by Tetsuo Kurata. After the battle, RX is one of the few past Riders shown to demorph into his human form, looking identical to the Kohtaro Minami from the World of Black RX; Black never appears in his civilian form in the film. Official material related to the movie, like the pamphlet distributed alongside its theatrical showing, make it clear that Black RX is the original character, but Black is another Kohtaro Minami who never became Black RX.
In the manga adaptation of All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, based on the original script when the movie was planned to be the original ending of the TV series, Black, with V3 and Super-1 fight Decade, Diend and Kuuga in the final round of the Rider Battle as in the movie. When defeated Black, V3, and Super-1 expresses sadness that he "erased the Riders and can't meet them any more."
Later, also like in the movie, All Riders return to fight Dai-Shocker. Bishum zaps Yuusuke into Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Ultimate and he fights Decade. Shadow Moon knows who Black RX is. The other Riders stand back and BLACK says Decade needs to fight this one alone. After Tsukasa gets through to Sayo, Black RX comes to save her from Nobuhiko Tsukikage/Shadow Moon and it is he who destroys the Stone of the Earth.
After this appearance, all following crossovers which featured All Riders would go on to feature Black and Black RX as separate independent characters, even while both continue to be the original Kohtaro Minami, with the difference that one seemingly didn't go through the events of Black RX, without giving any specific explanation regarding it, not even in official extra materials. 
===Let's Go Kamen Riders===
A mishap caused by the Greeed Ankh unintentionally altered the timeline which enabled Shocker to utilize a Cell Medal to create the Shocker Greeed which defeated the Double Riders and seemingly erased the legacy of the Kamen Riders from history. In 2011, after Kamen Rider New Den-O's attempt to repair the damage, he along with Kamen Rider OOO and M-Ankh awaited execution. However, it was revealed the Double Riders had their brainwashing removed by a Shocker scientist.
The Double Riders joined with New Den-O and OOO to fight Shocker's forces, but were eventually defeated. When the order was given to kill everyone, V3 suddenly appeared, asserting that there were more than four riders. V3 was soon followed by all the other revived riders that came after him, including Black and RX, as even though Rider history was changed, the people's memories haven't changed.
After the riders were united, they faced off against Shocker's Great Leader. Later, when joined by a force of extra riders, Black and most other riders got on their motorcycles and performed the "All Rider Break", while RX hopped into his Ridron, together all Riders rammed into the Rock Great Leader and defeating it once and for all with the All Rider Break. 
===Super Hero Taisen===
Kamen Rider Black appeared in a flashback where he was part of the group of Riders defeated by along with Hibiki, G3-X, Knight, Zolda, and Gatack. Both Black and RX, as separate heroes, were among the "All Rider" force during the "Super Hero Taisen" incident which resulted in the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai joining forces to defeat both Dai-Shocker and . During the battle, Black RX is shown defeating a Gormin. Afterwards, a separate Kamen Rider Black joined forces with the , as they protected Earth in the same year, and launched an attack against the revived Shadow Moon and General Jark. 
===Super Hero Taisen Z===
Black RX 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, RX 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 Taisen===
Black and Black RX appear as separate Riders again. They first appear telling the Heisei Riders to stay out of the current Badan crisis, attacking Tsukasa and Shotaro to take a young boy Shu Aoi with them when they refuse. Tsukasa escaped with Shu, while Joker faced off both Blacks until Baron arrived to aid Joker. They defeated Black RX with a Punish Mash/Rider Kick combo, though Black manages to escape with the help of Amazon and Super-1. The two Showa Riders beat Baron while he protects Joker from a Rider Kick/Great Slice combo.
In another clash between Heisei and Showa sides, Black aids the first six Showa Kamen Riders. Black points that the wish of the Heisei Riders to bring back their fallen comrades is what allowed Badan to attack. However, the Heisei Riders don't back down and Black faces Kamen Rider Joker, with the two Riders taking each other out with their Rider Kicks. Gaim is soon left as the last Rider standing before Kurayami Taishi of the Badan Empire reveals himself to be Ryo Murasame (Kamen Rider ZX). Together, they execute the Showa Riders' plan to restore and bring together the other Riders.
Black RX takes on various Combatroids alongside Shvarian, while Black faces more Combatroids and High Priest Baraom. Midway through the battle, they're attacked by the Generalissimo of Badan when he emerges, although from the soon takes the battle. After Shu is rescued by Decade, both Black and RX are among the Riders that attack Badan City directly to destroy the Mega Reverse Machine and Badan's headquarters. After the battle is over, both combine their powers for a Rider Syndrome technique, allowing Shu to meet his mother one last time.
However, there was still one final clash between the Heisei Riders and Showa Riders in order for the Heisei Riders to be acknowledged by the Showa Riders. Black initially faces Hibiki while Black RX faces Blade, when the battle gets to the beach, Black faces Double while Black RX faces Ryuki in a sword battle. Shortly afterwards, Black RX faces Double, while Black faces OOO. After the end of the battle between Gaim and Rider 1, all other Riders stop their own battles and agree to protect the world together.
===Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3===
He and his senior Riders, Takeshi Hongo and Shiro Kazami are one of the three main Showa Riders in this movie. He remains BLACK after Shocker alters the timeline into making Kamen Rider 3 exist.
Affected by the timeline being changed from Rider 3 defeating the Double Riders, Kohtaro never evolved from Black to Black RX and remains as Black even into middle adulthood. Althought he fights against Shocker Rider Drive, he is able to help restore Shinnosuke's memory, but later sacrifices his life to allow him and Kiriko to escape the Drive Pit. Kohtaro is revived a while afterwards and evolved from Black to Black RX. During the Rider Grand Prix, he defends Drive from Mashin Chaser while on the Ridoron. In final battle, he joins Shinnosuke and his friends accompanied with most of good Riders to start their final battle against Shocker and their Great Leader with help of a Super Sentai Team .
===Chou Super Hero Taisen===
The Chou Super Hero Taisen Game World copy of Kamen Rider Black was the red representative and leader of Team Jiro in the tournament for the power of the Kamen Sentai Gorider. They faced Team Takaiwa in their first match, but it's not known who won. Either way, the winner of the match was defeated by Team Genm immediately afterwards.
===Kamen Rider Den-O: Pretty Den-O Appears!===
Black RX made a cameo appearance in the post-credits as he is ready to battle the minions of Crisis Empire but instead he saw one beaten and tied up much to his confusion .
=== === 
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. Not only that, during the climatic final battle itself, both of his incarnations as Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX had existed as separate individuals while the aforementioned battle had gone underway.
Kamen Rider Black can be seen fighting alongside , , and Kamen Rider Buster whereas Kamen Rider Black RX can be seen fighting alongside , , Kamen Rider Double and .
==Appearances in other media==
===Kamen Rider SD (OVA)===
Black RX is the newest Kamen Rider and star of the animated short Kamen Rider SD: Strange!? Man Spider. Black RX is still new to being a Kamen Rider and often leaps before he looks. In the movie, he has fallen in love with an instructor at a local sports club, which Grand Shocker kidnaps in a plan to destroy the Kamen Riders once and for all. He has been paired up in a team with Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider ZX, the latter of which has taken a liking to teasing the young Rider. His finishing move is slashing his enemies with his Revolcane sword. He rides in a modified version of the Acrobatter motorcycle.
Unlike later crossovers which feature Black and Black RX side by side, only RX appears in this OVA.
===Video Games===
====Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon====
Kamen Rider Black fights through various Gorgom opponents both on foot and while riding Battle Hopper in the video game Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon.
====Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001====
Kohtaro Minami/Black/Black RX is a playable character in the Sony PlayStation crossover strategy game Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 along with Takeshi Hongo, Hayato Ichimonji, Shiro Kazami, and Joji Yuki.
====Kamen Rider: The Bike Race====
Black RX appears riding the Acro Batter (Kamen Rider Black is absent) 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: Seigi no Keifu====
Kamen Rider Black is soon attacked by Sasori Tokagues in the "Cable Room". After defeating him, he goes to the "Gas Chamber" and is greeted by General Black. He then sends Isoguin Jaguar to test Black's power. After Isoguin Jaguar is defeated, General Black tries to kill Kamen Rider Black by closing the "Gas Chamber", but it fails. Kamen Rider Black then enters the "Command Center" and soon encounters Utsubo Gamess, but the monster is no match. He comes face to face with General Black who reveals that the Big Gas Machine was created to evolve deceased monsters. He transforms into Hell Chameleon to face Black. With some effort, Kamen Rider Black defeats the General and escapes.
====Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbaride====
"To be added"
====All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation 1 & 2====
Kohtaro, as both Black and RX is the unlockable characters on both games. His RoboRider and BioRider forms are used for super move. In the second series, RoboRider can use another technique by increasing the attack power of his Vortech Shooter, while BioRider can use another technique by slashing enemies with his Bioblade.
====Climax series====
"To be added"
====Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis====
Both Black and Black RX are among the Showa Riders who make their Battride War debut in this game. Like both versions of IXA, Nago (the playable/2000s version of IXA) and Otoya (tag partner only/1986 IXA), both versions of Black can be paired if using tag partner mode.
As Black, this form is a charge and trapping character, such as having a Vital Charge refill by holding R1 to use Vital Charge via holding square to gain an access of a powerful version of his special attacks once the power is fully charge, such as from Kingstone Flash to Rider Kick automatically, or as a counter when using Kingstone Flash during guard from enemies' attacks. Vital Charge charges can be perform during an attacks. His only super finisher is from Rider Punch to Rider Kick, which access to Vital Charge state. However, when entering the transportation mode riding his Batta Hopper, even while in "final form" state including when wait too long without riding his bike in that state, Vital Charge state is still limited like in normal state, but can be refill via charging on his Rider Chop and Punch special moves, as using Hold R1/D-Pad Up button will only exit his "final form" state and cost amount of meters.
As Black RX, this form has a form change of becoming Roborider and Biorider. As his default current RX form, he has Sun Bask Resurrection Gauge, which can be accessed after its auto-regenration while in this form then dies at 0% reviving him in 50%. His "final form" is in his default RX form, but has a full access on using all Revolcane slash attacks, such as on his normals. However, unlike Ryuki, RX lacks vehicle changes while changing form, such as Roborider's Roboizer and Biorider's Macjabber, including Ridoron, which should a vehicle transportation for his "final form". Instead, as seen while as Roborider and Biorider when using a transportation ride, he will revert to back his default RX form.
Kamen Rider Black intro in Battride War Genesis.png
Kamen Rider Black RX intro in Battride War Genesis.png
====Kamen Rider City Wars====
Kamen Rider Black & Black RX are playable characters alongside the other Kamen Riders. 
Kamen Rider Black in City Wars.png
Kamen Rider Black RX in City Wars.png
===Stage Shows===
====Maskman Stage Show at 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the Maskmen are seen fighting usual foes, the , and Gorgom show up and wind up defeating them. Kamen Rider Black & arrive to assist the Maskmen.
====Maskman Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the maskmen are seen fighting the , Kamen Rider Black, Metalder, , , & , & , & arrive to assist the team.
====Liveman Stage Show at 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the Livemen are seen fighting their usual foes, the shows up and winds up defeating them. & Kamen Rider Black arrive to assist the team.
====Liveman Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the Livemen are seen fighting the usual foes, , , the Underground Empire Tube, the Armored Army & The Sorcerers Clan show up and wind up defeating them. Kamen Riders Black & RX, Jiraiya, , & , Metalder, Red & & Change Dragon arrive to assist the Liveman.
====Turboranger Stage Show at 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the Turborangers are seen fighting the , Kamen Rider Black RX & arrive to assist the team.
====Turboranger Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the Turborangers are seen fighting the Hundred Boma Tribes, Kamen Riders Black & RX, Jiban, Jiraiya, , , Red & Pink Mask, & Change Dragon arrive to assist the Team.
====Fivemen Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the are seen fighting the , , Kamen Rider Black RX, & , Red Falcon, & Red Mask arrive to assist the team.
====Jetman Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the are seen fighting , , , Kamen Rider Black RX, & , Red & Pink Turbo, Yellow Lion & Red Mask arrive to assist the team.
====Dairanger Stage Show at Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi====
In a stage show where the core are seen fighting their usual foes, , & show up and wind up defeating them, so , Kamen Rider Black, , & , & arrive to assist the Dairangers.
===Children's Day 1996===
Kamen Rider Black took part in stopping a Shocker plot, where they, the Space Bosozoku Bowzock, Alien Baltan, Alien Pitt, Alien Bado, and the space monsters, Bemstar and Gigan, to take over the Earth. Kamen Rider Black joined the legendary heroes, such as Kamen Rider 1, Ultraman, Carrangers, UltraSeven, Ultraman Taro and even the king of monsters himself, Godzilla to foil their plot.
==Personality==
Kohtaro is humble and sentimental, yet also hot-blooded and tenacious. Before being converted into a Kamen Rider, he would show traits typical for a young person, namely an interest in trends and famous idols. After his 19th birthday though, Kohtaro became burdened with as Black, showing strong signs of anguish in moments of solitude. The pain he felt from losing his loved ones would worsen this, unable to reunite with Kyoko and Katsumi from guilt for failing to save Nobuhiko Akizuki/Shadow Moon. 
When given another chance at life by the Sahara family though, Kohtaro's cheerfulness returned. Even when battling against the Crisis Empire, Kohtaro remained optimistic as ever. However, Kohtaro's past still haunts him at times; his worst fear to end up alone once more. This, combined with his lingering guilt can cause Kohtaro to be overprotective, not wishing for anyone else to leave him. Learning to overcome this fear became an essential aspect of Kohtaro's life, with the closure he received regarding Nobuhiko allowing Kohtaro to finally overcome his guilt. Notably, this is fully shown after defeating the Crisis Empire; Kohtaro calmly accepting his friends' departure, knowing that his bonds with each of them would remain forever.
As a running gag, Kohtaro has a sneaky and shameless side, and is not too adept with plants. This is prevalent in both Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX, with Kohtaro accidentally killing a friend's houseplant and attempting to cover it up through deception.
==Fighting skill==
As Black, Kohtaro's combat style is a combination of physical brawling and use of mystical abilities granted from his Kingstone. Initially lacking in combat experience, Kohtaro struggled to face Gorgom's strongest forces, with Sword Saint Bilgenia and the High Priests of Gorgom being serious threats against him. Yet, through time, Kohtaro gradually became more than capable of facing any threat, to the point of overwhelming an enhanced Shadow Moon in battle, despite Kohtaro's reluctance and Shadow Moon's armament of the Satansaber.
He was also able to pilot a helicopter as shown in RX. After becoming RX, Kohtaro became adept at sword fighting and shooting with precise marksmanship, turning him into an even more formidable Kamen Rider. 
==Powers==
*Superhuman Physiology: As the Century King Black Sun, Kohtaro's overall physical capabilities exceed Gorgom's followers. In human form alone, Kohtaro can withstand intense electric shocks, powerful energy attacks, solid concreteBlack!! Transformation, deep space, and rentry into Earth's atmosphereChild of the Sun! RX. Potentially, Kohtaro is able to become stronger than the godlike Creation King, given his role as intended successor.
*Mystical Powers: From the mystical powers granted by the Kingstone, Kohtaro can also instantly adapt in any life-threatening situations he may face, attaining Roborider form,Roborider's Birth Biorider form,Biorider! and even cheating death.Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 Furthermore, he shares the same powers as Shadow Moon, including the ability to summon the Satan Saber from great distances.
*Temporal Protection: The Kingstone imbued within the belt makes Kohtaro immune to changes in the timeline. 
*Rider Synchro/Rider Syndrome: By combining his powers with other Kamen Riders, Kohtaro can warp reality itself. 
=== Roborider ===
* Enhanced Accuracy: In Roborider form, Kohtaro's marksmanship is greatly enhanced, allowing him to shoot foes and object without an issue. 
* Interchangeable Ammunition: If needed, Kohtaro can instantly change his form of ammunition into rapid fire, diffusion, heat rays, or a flamethrower.
=== Biorider ===
* Fusion: By using Gel form, Kohtaro can fuse with other beings on a molecular level, combining their strength and skills. 
* Antibody Purification: Through Biorider, Kohtaro can instantly synthesize a cure for toxins and diseases. 
* Size Reduction: Biorider can shrink himself to a miniscule size, usually done to defeat monsters from the inside. 
==Forms==
Having his body altered and the Kingstone called the "Stone of the Sun" implanted into him, Kohtaro gained the power to transform into Kamen Rider Black, a candidate for the position of Creation King. From his Kingstone and physical enhancements, Kohtaro is immune to several threats such as: mind control, drugs, the Mirror World,The Black Shadow That Attacks Papa and time paradoxesThe Dangerous Time Thief. 
After being ejected into space by the Crisis Empire, Kohtaro's Kingstone evolved, giving him the power to use the more powerful and versatile Black RX form. 
==Equipment==
*Vital Charger - Transformation device, belt of Kingstone
**Sunriser - Black RX's transformation device and an alternate form of the Vital Charger
*Revolcane - Black RX's personal weapon
*Wrist Bitkamen-rider-official.com/zukan/items/2157 - Black RX's wrist-mounted communicator that he uses to summon his vehicles.
*Vortech Shooter - Roborider's personal weapon
* Bio Blade - Biorider's personal weapon
===Vehicles===
*Battle Hopper - Black's personal motorcycle
**Acrobatter - The revived version of the Battle Hopper used by Black RX
***Roboizer - An alternate form of the Acrobatter used by Roborider
***Macjabber - An alternate form of the Acrobatter used by Biorider.
*Road Sector - Black's secondary motorcycle
*Ridoron - Black RX's personal car
==Legend Rider Devices==
==Relationships==
===Family===
Masato Minami.png|Masato MinamiFather(deceased)
Tomoko Minami.png|Tomoko MinamiMother(deceased)
Soichiro Akizuki.jpg|Soichiro AkizukiAdoptive Father(deceased)
Nobuhiko Akizuki.png|Nobuhiko AkizukiShadow MoonAdoptive Brother(deceased)
Kyoko Akizuki.jpg|Kyoko AkizukiAdoptive Sister
Reiko Shiratori.png|Reiko ShiratoriGirlfriend
*Masato Minami: Kohtaro's father.
*Tomoko Minami: Kohtaro's mother.
*Soichiro Akizuki: Kohtaro's adoptive father.
*Nobuhiko Akizuki/Shadow Moon: Kohtaro's adoptive brother and best friend.
*Kyoko Akizuki: Kohtaro's adoptive sister.
*Reiko Shiratori: Kohtaro's girlfriend.
===Allies===
====Black====
*Katsumi Kida: to be added
*Ryusuke Taki: to be added
*Gorgom Shonen-Tai: to be added
*Masaru Todo: to be added
*Whale Mutant: to be added
====Black RX====
*Kasumi no Joe: to be added
*Kyoko Matoba: to be added
*Shunkichi Sahara: to be added
*Utako Sahara: to be added
*Shigeru Sahara: to be added
*Hitomi Sahara: to be added
*Goro: to be added
*:Category:Ten veteran Kamen Riders: to be added
*Other Kamen Riders: to be added
===Enemies===
====Gorgom====
*Creation King: to be added 
*High Priest Darom/Grand Mutant Darom: to be added 
*High Priest Baraom/Grand Mutant Baraom: to be added 
*High Priestess Bishum/Grand Mutant Bishum: to be added 
*Sword Saint Bilgenia: to be added 
*Mara: to be added 
*Kara: to be added 
====Crisis Empire====
*Emperor Crisis: to be added 
*General Jark/Jark Midler: to be added 
*Intelligence Staff Officer Maribaron: to be added 
*Naval Commander Bosgun: to be added 
*Armored Captain Gatezone: to be added 
*Fanged Captain Gedorian: to be added 
*Colonel Dasmader: to be added 
==Behind the scenes==
===Portrayal===
Kohtaro Minami is portrayed by . As Kamen Rider Black, his suit actor was who also did work for RX along with Roborider and Biorider. Other suit actors were , who did Roborider and Biorider, and who did work for Roborider. 
In All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, did suitwork for RX, Roborider, and Biorider while Jiro Okamoto also did work for RX and Black.
In OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders, Kamen Rider Black was voiced by while Jiro Okamoto acted as suit actor for RX.
In , Jiro Okamoto again acted as suit actor for RX, while provided the voice for Kamen Rider Black.
In Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai, both Black and Black RX were voiced by and respectively.
===Rider No.===
As the leading Rider protagonist of Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX, Kohtaro Minami is labeled and as Kamen Rider Black & and as Kamen Rider Black RX. 
Before this definition in the Decade net movies, both Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX were counted together as Kamen Rider #11, as can be inferred by the trailer for Kamen Rider J.
===Concept Art===
Robo_Rider_design_concept.jpg|Roborider Concept Art
Bio_Rider_design_concept.jpg|Biorider Concept Art
===Two Kohtaro Minamis===
*Since the airing of Kamen Rider Black RX, most promotional media throughout the 90s and 2000s had counted both Black and Black RX as one single Rider (barring the film Kamen Rider: Run All Over the World where a time warp allows Kohtaro to meet other versions of himself in all of his Rider forms). Black would thus be left out in various all-Rider line-ups throughout this period, with Black RX appearing as the sole representative for both seasons. Starting from Kamen Rider Decade in 2009, it was decided to bring back Black as an independent Rider separate from Black RX, due to the widespread popularity of the former and many fans preferring him over the latter.Yep. In fact, Korarou(sic) in Black and him in RX are different persons. - Shin-ichiro Shirakura's tweet. Since then, Black and Black RX have been almost consistently featured as separate individuals distinct from one another in returning crossovers and all-Rider line-ups across various media.
*Below are the instances where Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX have existed independently from each other.
**The first was in Kamen Rider: Run All Over the World where a time warp causes Kohtaro to meet his past self. He also meets himself in his other forms, Roborider and Biorider, who also arrived due to the time warp.
**The second was in the two episode arc (RX! Dai-Shocker Attack/Black × Black RX) of Kamen Rider Decade, in which the World of Black and the World of Black RX were treated as separate universes.
**The third was in Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker. All returning Riders in this movie were stated to be the originals by the producers and assorted official material, like official site bios, but two Kohtaro Minamis still coexisted, both portrayed by Tetsuo Kurata, similarly to the Decade TV show appearance, meaning one or both of them could have been the Kohtaro Minamis from either the World of Black or World of Black RX.
**The fourth was in OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders, where there wasn't a proper explanation for their combined appearance. However it can be assumed that they are both Kohtaro from different points in time similar to the aforementioned Run All Over the World.
**The fifth was Super Hero Taisen, which yet again features both side by side, but only in the final battle, without any specific explanation for their combined appearance. The movie pamphlet distributed alongside theatrical showings of the movie references how Black's destined battle against Shadow Moon continues even 25 years later. However, since Kamen Rider Decade is involved, it can be assumed that the Kamen Rider Black in the movie is the one from the World of Black, where Kohtaro never lost his powers.
** The sixth instance was in Kamen Rider Taisen when both of them appear to battle Kamen Rider Joker. Once again, no explanation is given. But, considering Decade's involvement in the film it is likely that one or both of them are A.R. World Riders.
**The seventh is in the 8ing's Kamen Rider video game series since Climax Heroes series, while pairing both Black and Black RX in the team slots, presumably that both Blacks are from different timelines.
**A special case occurs in , where both Black and Black RX appear, but at separate points in the film, and that they are both the original Kohtaro Minami.
===Dub names===
*Kohtaro is renamed as Robert Akizuki in the Filipino dub and as Isamu Minami in Brazil. Kamen Rider Black was named "Black Kamen Rider" in the Brazilian-Portuguese dub, with the name "Blackman" used for merchandising purposes. In the Malaysian English dub of Black RX, he is referred to "Black Masked Rider RX".
*The Filipino dub's transformation call was "Rider Change" and "Mantra Aji" (which in Javanese means "Precious spell") in the Indonesian dub before reverted back to "Henshin" in the RTV airing in 2020.
*In the Korean dub of Kamen Rider Decade entitled Masked Rider Decade (가면라이더 디케이드 gamyeonlaideo dikeideu), which aired in South Korea, Kohtaro Minami keeps his name, but in Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3, Kohtaro Minami is renamed Gwangtae Lim (임광태 imgwangtae).
==Notes==
*Kohtaro is the only Rider to be the leading protagonist of two shows in the Kamen Rider Series. From this, he also holds the record of the Rider with the most appearances.
*If overlaying Kamen Rider Black's story with real life events, Kohtaro and Nobuhiko's birth date is most likely September 22, 1968. Having turned 19 years old in 1987, the two were undoubtedly born in 1968, with September 22 being the only date within the year to have a total solar eclipse,
* In the Filipino Dub of the series as Robert Akizuki, Kohtaro was voiced by Bonner Dytoc who later became the original voice actor for Daichi Yamagata in Kousoku Sentai Turboranger and as the first voice of Yusuke Urameshi in the manga and anime series, YuYu Hakusho.
==Appearances==
==See also==
*Kohtaro Minami (A.R. World) - alternative counterpart in Kamen Rider Decade.
*Kohtaro Minami (A.R. World 2) - alternative counterpart in Kamen Rider Decade.
===Footnotes===
==External Links==
*Kamen Rider Zukan page on Kohtaro Minami.
*Kamen Rider Zukan page on Kohtaro Minami (RX).
==Navigation==
Category:Kamen Riders
Category:Kamen Rider Black
Category:Kamen Rider Black RX
Category:Showa Era Riders
Category:Heroes
Category:Grasshopper Monsters
Category:Black Riders
Category:Revived Riders
Category:Cyborg Riders
Category:Black Characters
Category:Black RX Characters
Category:Gorgom Mutants
Category:Primary Riders