Shuichi Kitaoka

is , the fourth of the 13 Kamen Riders the story revolves around, though serving as the third main Rider in the series. A defense lawyer who was diagnosed with cancer, he participates in the Rider Fight in order to fulfill his wish of becoming immortal.
==History==
Shuichi Kitaoka is a self-proclaimed "Super-lawyer", tending to only help someone if he has something to gain. Because he has a terminal case of cancer and was given only several more months to live, Kitaoka accepted Shiro Kanzaki's offer to join the Rider Fight. His prize is to be immortal so that he could continue his extravagant lifestyle. Because of his illness, he suffers from frequent dizzy spells and fainting.
He first meets Shinji Kido after he clears the Sakura Company of its credit fraud charges and is later pursued by its bookies after taking their dirty money as added payment for his services. Though Shinji was unaware of this at first, he attempts to save Kitaoka only to be rescued by his apprentice Goro Yura. Shinji later meets Kitaoka again when he and Reiko wanted permission from the Kawazu Pharmacy to inspect their factory for environmental violations. Interested in Shinji, Kitaoka allows Shinji to hang around with him and understand his ideology until Shinji hit a nerve of Kitaoka's thought to live for one's own desire seemed hollow made Kitaoka kick him out.
Later, after attacking Kamen Rider Ryuki just as Ryuki kills a Zebraskull, Kitaoka learns that Shinji is in jail for suspected kidnapping and agrees to help him on the condition that Reiko writes a special article to boost his positive image. However, learning that Shinji's Ryuki with seeing the wound he inflicted in their fight, Kitaoka goes to Atori Cafe to get his pay from Ren. However, when a Wildboarder attacks, Kitaoka exposes himself while learning that Ren is a Rider - Kamen Rider Knight - as well. After fighting him, Kitaoka questions Ren's reasons for not killing Shinji. Kitaoka had intended to frame Shinji for kidnapping but after being fired as Shinji's lawyer when his intentions were revealed, Kitaoka is annoyed that Shinji is freed because of a girl named Yukari whom he brushed off while refusing to aid her. But after learning that her mother is hospitalized, Kitaoka secretly pays for her mother's surgery and earns the girl's respect. However, Zolda manages to sneak attack Ryuki and Knight while they were fighting the Wildboarder with Magnugiga, killing the monster while giving Ren memory loss in the overkill attack.
Kitaoka later gives Goro use of Zolda for a while to conceal himself, until get sets up a scheme of having Shinji believe he accidentally killed Goro to have him quit being a Rider. But his arrogance of barring ORE from a press conference to spite Reiko led to her helping Ren expose the lawyer as the real Zolda. After bailing out the son of one of his clients, Jun Shibaura, Kitaoka drops his long time client Takeshi Asakura out being tired of the man's attitude, leading Asakura receiving aid from Shiro. Eventually the two found out they were both Riders and they began a personal feud against each other. Though Shinji would attempt to warn him of this while under the effect of Kamen Rider Odin's Time Vent, Kitaoka faked helping Shinji and later states that fulfilling his wish to win the Rider War is more important than Asakura staying behind bars.
As the war goes on, Kitaoka becomes weaker and weaker. He begins to have doubts whether he can truly win the war. He also grows to care for Shinji, unwilling to fight him when he saw that, while Shinji requested to fight, his heart wasn't in it.
Kitaoka was the only Rider to voluntarily give up the fight rather than be killed, realizing that while his life was a short life, it was a good one. While he died in peace at his home, Goro went to fight against Ouja in his place as Zolda; Goro, not used to Zolda's long-range style, died with Asakura learning too late that he is denied taking Kitaoka's life himself. After Shiro restored time to its proper course after Yui's death, Kitaoka and Goro were both given a second chance at life, though it was never revealed if Kitaoka still has cancer or not. 
==Post Series and other events==
===Hyper Battle Video - Ryuki vs Agito===
Zolda, Knight and Ouja fighting the rest back. They apologize for being late; when Ryuki accuses Ouja of being a villain, they all claim that as Kamen Riders they are the protectors of humanity, all completely out of character. They rush in to keep fighting the Monsters as Ryuki stands in confusion, but he eventually joins in.
As they fight the monsters down, explosions knock them all back, and the mysterious figure appears, named by Knight as Kamen Rider Agito, and by Zolda as the ruler of the "Miracle World". Burning Agito attacks them with fire before a gold figure jumps in, introducing himself as the real Kamen Rider Agito, saying Burning Form is a Miracle World illusion. The five Riders strike a pose and rush forward to fight the Fake Agito and his Mirror Monsters. the real Agito appears in Ground Form and teams up with Kamen Rider Ryuki, who imitates Agito's Rider Kick to destroy the imposter. In the end, this is revealed to be Shinji's dream.
===Kamen Rider Decade===
====Rider War====
Kamen Rider Zolda appears with other Kamen Riders commanded by Wataru Kurenai, but all are murdered by Decade in the episode 1 of Kamen Rider Decade in the dream of Natsumi Hikari and then concluded the dream with Decade as only Rider in the Rider War. 
====The Destroyer of Worlds====
In the special version of episode 31, Kamen Rider Zolda is seen on top of ZeroLiner, using his Final Vent against Decade's Final Attack Ride. They were presumably restored after the destruction (and subsequent revival) of Decade ended the Rider War and the worlds were restored.
====10th Anniversary Project: Masked Rider LIVE & SHOW====
Kamen Rider Zolda appears summoned alongside other secondary Kamen Rider Riders participating in the musically of Kamen Rider Diend with hats and dancing. 
===OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders===
Kamen Rider Zolda was part of a group of reinforcement riders led by Akira Date/Kamen Rider Birth to aid the primary riders in defeating the Rock Great Leader. All the Kamen Riders got on their bikes and performed the All Rider Break attack which destroyed the Great Leader. 
===Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen===
He, along with Kamen Rider Knight, Kamen Rider Black, Kamen Rider G3, Kamen Rider Hibiki and Kamen Rider Gatack were the Kamen Rider team to be defeated by the hands of Gokai Red. It's unknown if he reappeared or not during the final battle.
===Chou Super Hero Taisen===
An iteration of Shuichi Kitaoka/Kamen Rider Zolda was selected to join Team Ex-Aid, formed and led by Emu Hojo to fight for the title of Kamen Sentai Gorider in the Chou Super Hero Taisen tournament. Facing the in the first round, Zolda bested . Ultimately, Team Ex-Aid faced off against Team Genm, led by Kamen Rider Genm Zombie Gamer Level X, in the final round. Zolda engaged and defeated Kamen Rider Ryugen, with the team prevailing as Ex-Aid bested Genm. Upon completing the tournament, Zolda became Mido-Rider, as Team Ex-Aid were granted the form of Kamen Sentai Gorider, allowing them to use the Rider Hurricane together to destroy the Andor Genesis mothership. Their objective achieved, Momotaros and the other Game World teammates returned to their card forms and left while Emu's Aka-Rider transformation reverted to Robot Action Gamer Level 3 as he was left to face the Chou Shocker Taisen.
During the final battle against the Shocker army from the Game World, Kamen Rider Brave, who had acquired the cards from his Game World counterpart, summoned Ex-Aid's teammates again to back him up in his fight against the Oogumo Great Leader. Unfortunately, the quartet did not last long before being defeated, however, Ex-Aid would ultimately vanquish Shocker Leader III alongside the . 
===Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a toy, when Sento Kiryu and Sougo Tokiwa they find Ataru Hisanagahe brings them to his room which is filled with Kamen Rider memorabilia, with Sougo and Sento stunned to see toys of themselves. Ataru reveals that Kamen Riders are fictional. 
===Rider Time Ryuki===
====Advent Again====
Shuichi Kitaoka is only mentioned by Takeshi Asakura when Kamen Rider Zolda appears, believing it was Shuichi, but it turns out to be Goro using the Advent Deck. Takeshi, with his memories intact, tells Goro that he was Shuichi's butler. 
====Another Alternative====
Kitaoka is mentioned, when Asakura account that was Kitaoka's enemy. He thought that Kitaoka may "turn in his grave" should he know Goro was his servant. Asakura admitted he had never actually hated Kitaoka, but it was Kitaoka who hated him. He then remarked that "Hatred is a thing that you can trust".
====Alive A Life====
Kitaoka is last mentioned by Goro that, in reality, he keeps all his memories all this time. Goro and Asakura died from the final attack that they launched at each other disappearing from the mirror world, so Goro finally fulfilling the will of his master Kitaoka. 
==Appearances in other media==
===OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders: ~Let's Look! Only Your 48 Riders~===
====Type28. - Quietly Listen! Unlabeled Kamen Rider!====
Kamen Rider Zolda appears with Dark Kiva, Armed Hibiki, and OOO TakaUta combo. According to Sieg, 
Zolda is considered an ideal husband.
==Video Game appearances==
===Kamen Rider Ryuki (Video Game)===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as playable character in the PS1 game. Like the others Ryuki Riders, he summons his Contract monster, Magnugiga and uses his Advent cards with his finisher being the End Of World.
===Climax Heroes Series===
====Kamen Rider Climax Heroes OOO====
Kamen Rider Zolda appears in the video game with the others Kamen Riders of the Heisei Era, in Kamen Rider Climax Heroes OOO.
====Kamen Rider Climax Heroes Fourze====
Kamen Rider Zolda in the video game with the others Kamen Riders of the Heisei Era, in Kamen Rider Climax Heroes Fourze.
====Kamen Rider Super Climax Heroes====
Kamen Rider Zolda is an playable character with the other Kamen Riders in Super Climax Heroes.
===Kamen Rider Battle Ganbaride===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a playable character in this video game Kamen Rider Battle Ganbaride.
===Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing===
Kamen Rider Zolda is a playable character in Kamen Rider Battle Ganbarizing. Zolda is able to use his Final Vent in the Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing.
===Kamen Rider Riderbout===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a playable character with the other Heisei and Showa Kamen Riders in Kamen Rider Riderbout.
===Kamen Rider Break Joker===
Kamen Rider Zolda as a playable character with other Riders and monsters in Kamen Rider Break Joker.
===Kamen Rider Batton-Line===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a playable character in Kamen Rider Batton-Line among other 
Riders in the game.
===Kamen Rider Battle Rush===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a playable and support character in the video game Kamen Rider Battle Rush using End Of World.
Zoldachibirush.PNG|Zolda in Kamen Rider Battle Rush
Chibizolaendof the wolrd.png|Kamen Rider Zolda using End Of World
===Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes===
Kamen Rider Zolda appears as a playable character with others Kamen Riders in the video game, performing his End Of World against his enemies in Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes.
===Kamen Rider Buttobasoul===
Kamen Rider Zolda is a playable character in Kamen Rider Buttobasoul.
===Battle Spirits ===
It is the tenth collaboration pack and the fifth collaboration with the Kamen Rider franchise. CB10 was released in Japan on December 21st, 2019. This set includes spirit, magic, and nexus cards in all six colors,Kamen Rider Zolda appears with other Kamen Riders and Monsters in Battle Spirits.
Zolda Battle Spirits Cards Included
*Kamen Rider Zolda (Master Rare)
==Personality==
Kitaoka is flamboyant, playful, cunning, and clever. He often flirts with reporter Reiko Momoi, much to her annoyance. As a lawyer, he helped many people escape their prison sentences, though actually never caring for their moralities and as such is only interested in both the money and his vanity. If it benefits him, he is not afraid to deceit others, which was shown when he falsely recorded Shinji's desires as evidence to get him to stay in prison, and in his numerous battles with Asakura. He also believes that fighting for others is a sign of weakness, often lashing out on Shinji and Ren for their desires in saving lives. One can easily brush off Kitaoka as a bad person, though it is shown many times that he is not as bad as he seems, which was once shown when he paid for the medical expenses of a little girl's mother. Despite his many questionable means in winning the Rider Battle, he only does so to cure himself from his own sickness, as he fears the pain that he experiences.
As time passed, Kitaoka had finally let go of his outlandish personality, realizing that his wish for eternal life was only a lie, and that he wanted only to live without pain, much to the pleasure of his servant Goro. As such, he used what little time he had left to do actual good. He used his deceit to fool Reiko away from the truth of the Mirror World for her own safety, he lectured the deranged Satoru on his wrongful path in becoming a 'hero', he warns Ren on Shinji's concerning mental health, and when it finally came down to four riders, he refuses to fight. 
In his final moments, he sees now the value of others, now realizing that Ren was right about Shinji being the better man. He also shows regret, lamenting for allowing Asakura to become a Kamen Rider and for not being able to spend more time with Reiko. 
==Fighting Style==
Kitaoka is an expert on long-range battles. His personality and intellect are perfect to use Zolda's power to perform heavy damage from a long distance. Kitaoka always calculates the best use of his vent card to attack his target so that the explosive effect will not injure him, as revealed when he canceled his Final Vent because it caused great collateral damage when his opponent outsmarted his move by going closer to him. 
==Forms==
==Contract Monster==
==Equipment==
*Card Deck - Transformation device and Advent Card holder
*V Buckle - Transformation belt
*Advent Cards - Trinkets that enable a Rider to summon Contract Monsters, access equipment, and use special abilities
*Magnuvisor - Zolda's Visor and personal weapon that enables him to use Advent Cards
*Typhoon - MidoRider's transformation belt
===Vehicles===
*Rideshooter - Motorcycle used by any Rider to enter the Mirror World
* - MidoRider's Mecha
==Legend Rider Devices==
== Relationships ==
=== Love Interest ===
* Reiko Momoi: At first, Kitaoka thought his good looks and status as a famous "Super Lawyer" would make any woman fall for him. As Reiko resisted his advances, Kitaoka saw this as a challenge. As time passes, his egocentric tendencies somewhat faded, causing Reiko to give him a chance. Unfortunately, Kitaoka died before their date could come to pass.
===Friends===
* Goro Yura: While Goro seems to be just a servant to him, Kitaoka actually cares about him. He compliments Goro for his cooking skills and laments his absence whenever Goro is away. He also prevents Goro from killing Asakura, as he does not want Goro to have blood on his hands.
===Allies===
*Shinji Kido: At first, Kitaoka saw Shinji as one of the enemy Riders whom he needed to defeat. To do so, he used several underhanded methods to knock him out of the Rider Fight. As time went on, however, Kitaoka began to develop a grudging friendship towards him, as they worked together against several Mirror Monsters that were targeting people close to Kitaoka. Near the end of his life, Kitaoka cared for Shinji enough to warn Ren about Shinji's unstable behavior, echoing Ren's statement that Shinji is a better man compared to himself.
*Ren Akiyama: Like with Shinji, Ren started out as one of Kitaoka's enemies, but their antagonism gradually faded after working together against several Mirror Monsters. 
=== Enemies ===
*Takeshi Asakura: Even before both men became Riders, Kitaoka hated Asakura because of his violent lifestyle. His disgust was such that he refused to defend Asakura in court. After Asakura became a Rider, Kitaoka saw it as his mission to defeat the criminal Rider.
*Satoru Tojo: Kitaoka felt nothing but pitiable antipathy towards Tojo, for his twisted wish to become a hero. He scathingly told Tojo that the moment you try to become a hero is the moment you can never be one.
==Behind the scenes==
===Portrayal===
Shuichi Kitaoka is portrayed by . As Kamen Rider Zolda, his suit actor was , Yasuhiro Takeuchi (竹内 康博 Takeuchi Yasuhiro).
===Concept Art===
==Notes==
*His name is derived from the German, French or Russian word, "soldat (Солдат)" meaning "soldier" or "mercenary".
==Appearances==
==See also==
 (Ventara)
 (Earth)
*Kamen Rider Zolda (A.R. World) - The user of the Kamen Rider Zolda powers in Kamen Rider Decade.
===Footnotes===
==External Links==
*Kamen Rider Ryuuki Spoiler Page
*Shuichi Kitaoka on Kamen Rider Official
*Kamen Rider Zolda on Kamen Rider Official
*Mido-Rider in Kamen Rider Official Website
==Navigation==
Category:Kamen Riders
Category:Kamen Rider Ryuki
Category:Ryuki Riders
Category:Heroes
Category:Antiheroes
Category:Card Riders
Category:Revived Riders
Category:Ryuki Characters
Category:Ex-Aid Riders
Category:Movie Riders
Category:Supporting Riders
Category:Tertiary Riders
Category:Deceased