Kamen Rider 555 20th: Paradise Regained

is a Japanese superhero Tokusatsu V-Cinext film serving to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Kamen Rider 555. In the film, Masato and Mari fight against a new iteration of Smart Brain led by Kitazaki, who begins an operation to exterminate all Orphnochs, with Takumi seemingly working with them for unknown reasons since his disappearance.
==Production==
===Pre Production===
In anticipation for the 20th anniversary of Kamen Rider 555, actors Kento Handa, Yuria Haga, and Kohei Murakami consulted with producer Shin-ichiro Shirakura about creating an reunion film.https://youtu.be/26WAdvERURU The film was announced on May 5, 2023, also known as Faiz Day, with the majority of the original cast reprising their roles.https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0136643
===Writing===
Series writer Toshiki Inoue, who had recently finished , was brought back to write the film. The first thing on Toshiki Inoue's agenda was to turn Mari into an Orphnoch.https://youtu.be/WKmonTTva44?si=tbvWh7regbCqGevE&t=142 According to an interview with Kento Handa, there was a key scene involving himself and Yuria Haga which both of them had disagreed with, and they were able to intervene and convince the producers and director to change it.https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/2307/26/news017_2.htmlhttps://twitter.com/nightmare_4869/status/1684477571092869121
===Post Production===
On September 13, 2023, a release date was set for February 2024. On October 2, 2023, six new cast members were announced to star in the film alongside the mainstay Handa, Haga, Murakami, and Karahashi.https://twitter.com/555_20th/status/1708663089514827915 On October 19, 2023, a full theatrical poster was revealed along with the return of Ray Fujita in his role as Kitazaki.
The film was given a PG-12 rating by the Japan Film Ethics Agency for its depiction of violence and mature themes.https://eiga.com/movie/99409/
==Synopsis==
Mari Sonoda heads to Keitaro's cleaning shop with his nephew Jotaro and meets Naoya and Masato, who has returned. Meanwhile, Smart Brain, which has become a governmental organization, has transformed into a company aiming to annihilate all Orphnoch life, and this operation is led by Kitazaki.
In order to protect the Orphnochs from extinction, Masato Kusaka fights against Smart Brain's enforcer, Rena Kurumi. Not only that, she is assisted by none other than Takumi Inui himself, who had disappeared years ago and returned as Kamen Rider NEXT Faiz to spearhead Smart Brain...! 
Mari and the others are confused after being attacked by the new Faiz. Why is Takumi working with Smart Brain? What has he been up to since? Their turbulent reunion marked the beginning of a new story involving Orphnochs and humanity.
==Continuity and Placement==
*The film is a sequel to the TV series and set twenty years after the final episode, ignoring the events established in D-Video Special: Kamen Rider 4.https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2277917/full/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231020-2797633/
==Plot==
Twenty years after the defeat of the Orphnoch King and the collapse of Smart Brain, Takumi Inui and his remaining allies attempt to return to normal life. The Japanese government has taken control of Smart Brain, using it to exterminate Orphnochs, with Nozomi Kitazaki appointed as the new president. A Rhinocerosbeetle Orphnoch awakens and kills two doctors, prompting Smart Brain to dispatch Rena Kurumi, who transforms into Kamen Rider Muez to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, Keitaro Kikuchi embarks on a long trip, leaving his laundromat business to Mari Sonoda, who sidelines her dream of becoming a hairdresser to help out. Keitaro’s nephew, Jotaro, assists with the business. Mari shelters Orphnochs with Masato Kusaka, who has been mysteriously revived. Naoya Kaido runs a second branch of the laundromat as a ramen restaurant, also aiding Orphnochs. Before his disappearance, Takumi’s Orphnoch body destabilizes, causing frequent dusting symptoms. He leaves for a walk and vanishes for several years, only to be found dying by Kitazaki, who takes him to Smart Brain.
During a food delivery run, Hisao reveals his Orphnoch nature to save an old woman, alerting Smart Brain. Rena and Riotroopers are dispatched, and Takumi, now Kamen Rider Next Faiz, is sent as backup. Takumi’s unexpected return surprises his friends, but he attacks them, now aligned with Smart Brain. A battle ensues, resulting in Hisao’s death and Mari’s group retreating. Takumi explains to Mari that Smart Brain saved him, and he must continue fighting Orphnochs. Mari cannot accept this, believing in Orphnoch potential for coexistence.
Rena knocks out Mari and activates her Orphnoch nature through an illegal procedure. Mari returns to the laundromat with no memory of the event, but her newfound Wildcat Orphnoch powers surface during another Smart Brain attack. Takumi finds her and helps her regain her senses. At night, the two reconnect emotionally and physically, but their moment of peace is shattered when Smart Brain’s forces attack again.
Rena’s love for Takumi leads her to sacrifice herself to save him and Mari. As Kitazaki, now Kamen Rider Muez, fights Next Faiz, Kusaka, revealed to be an android, attacks Mari and transforms into Kamen Rider Next Kaixa. When Muez overpowers Next Faiz, Jotaro gives Takumi the original Faiz gear, allowing him to become Kamen Rider Faiz once more. Despite Muez using its predictive program, Faiz was able to overcome the advanced systems of both Muez and Next Kaixa. Takumi and Mari, now united in their struggle, manage to defeat their enemies.
Despite the victory, the threat of Smart Brain looms as new androids, including another Kusaka, awaken to continue the fight. Back at the laundromat, Takumi, Mari, and their friends try to enjoy a semblance of normal life. Takumi's condition appears stabilized, giving hope for the future, but the battle for coexistence and peace between humans and Orphnochs continues.
==Characters==
===Kamen Riders===
Kamen Rider (Next) Faiz 	Takumi Inui
Kamen Rider (Next) Kaixa	Masato Kusaka
Kamen Rider Delta 	Hisao
===Allies===
*Mari Sonoda
*Naoya Kaido
*Jotaro Kikuchi
*Kouta
*Kei
===Villains===
====Smart Brain====
Kamen Rider Muez	Rena Kurumi ► Nozomi Kitazaki
*Smart Lady
Riotrooper	Various users
==Cast==
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*Customer: 
*Orphnoch Extermination Corps member: 『仮面ライダー555 20th パラダイス・リゲインド』パンフレットhttps://twitter.com/TomConstantines/status/1753269836279619976
===Suit Actors===
*Kamen Rider (Next) Faiz, Wolf Orphnoch: https://twitter.com/BuiltOnSomewish/status/1714964424887525727
*Kamen Rider (Next) Kaixa: 
*Kamen Rider Delta, Mosquito Orphnoch: 
*Kamen Rider Muez (Kurumi): https://twitter.com/BuiltOnSomewish/status/1714964563064697212
*Kamen Rider Muez (Kitazaki): 
*Snake Orphnoch: 
*Gecko Orphnoch, Kuina Orphnoch: 
*Wildcat Orphnoch:
==Errors==
*It was never explained how the Auto Vajin and the Kaixa Gear were restored, given their prior destruction in the final battle with the Arch Orphnoch.
*During the final battle, when Next Faiz's transformation cancels out, the Faiz Driver NEXT vanishes from Takumi's waist.
==Music==
*"Identiφ's"https://twitter.com/KR_avex/status/1714823683481760061
**Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
**Composition: Kazuto Sato
**Artist: ISSA ft. m.c.A·T
==Marketing==
A teaser poster was revealed with the tagline .
On September 13, 2023, also known as "Kaixa Day", a second poster was revealed with Next Kaixa and the tagline ..https://twitter.com/555_20th/status/1701785338480677335
On October 23, 2023, a crossover collaboration was announced with the game Senki Zessho Symphogear XD Unlimited titled Senki Zessho Symphogear × Kamen Rider 555: Another Testament, and was written by Toshiki Inoue.https://twitter.com/symphogear_XD/status/1716363835907645831
==Release==
==Notes==
*Alongside , this marks the 20th anniversary of Super Hero Time. This is also the first Kamen Rider movie to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a particular season.
*The film's title is a nod to Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost and named after another of John Milton's poems, specifically , which deals with the subject of temptation of Christ, turning away Satan's offerings of rewards. This is reflected with Takumi falling into servitude with Smart Brain, seemingly betraying his ideals due to his fear of death.
**The title was meant to contrast with Paradise Lost, which taking place in a setting where a small number of humans fighting in a world ruled by Orphnochs. Paradise Regaineds setting features Orphnoch living a small life in human society.https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231020-2797633/3
*Among the returning cast members, Masayuki Izumi, Ken Mizorogi, Atsushi Harada, and Yoshika Gaja were unable to reprise their roles. Izumi had passed away in 2015 due to an undisclosed illness. Mizorogi had retired from the entertainment industry, hence the creation of Keitaro's nephew Jotaro. Both Harada and Gaja were not available, but each expressed support for the film.https://twitter.com/pataya719/status/1671839417374478336https://twitter.com/gajaleilani/status/1756607045758046208
*The film's opening title sequence features a multiple screens featuring several clips from the TV series and Paradise Lost.
*Suit actor Seiji Takaiwa makes a cameo appearance as a customer in Naoya Kaido's ramen shop. When a bowl of hot ramen accidentally spills into his hands, Takaiwa reflexively flicks his hands in a manner reminiscent of Faiz's signature hand flick as he readies himself for battle.
*To subtly distinguish between the old and new Rider Gears, the older versions are depicted with a vintage sound filter, while the Next Smart Brain phones feature a clear and modern voice modulation.
**This is also the first time since the original series that the original Rider Gears are depicted with their original sound qualities. In previous returning appearances, the clearer, unfiltered voice clips were always used.
*The discoloration of reused props becomes noticeable, particularly with the Faiz Mission Memory, which now appears gold instead of clear in certain shots.
*According in an interview with Kohei Murakami, after reading the final scene, he expressed interest in a sequel to Paradise Regained starring the android Masato Kusaka. He jokingly named the sequel film, .https://youtu.be/qo7JUpLWEqo?si=IRIzB3P027CSGRtc&t=240https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0141330
==External Links==
*Official site
*Official Twitter
Category:Kamen Rider Movies
Category:Anniversaries
Category:V-Cinext