Kamen Rider Kuuga

**Kamen Rider Kuuga** (仮面ライダークウガ, *Kamen Raidā Kūga*?, translated as **Masked Rider Kuuga**) is the eleventh entry of the *Kamen Rider Series*. It the first of the series to air entirely in the Heisei period.

It was a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was shown on TV Asahi from January 30, 2000 to January 21, 2001, replacing *Moero!! Robocon* in its timeslot.

*Kamen Rider Kuuga* is the first series to be broadcast in widescreen presented in a letterbox format. The catchphrase for the series is "A New Hero, A New Legend".

## Plot

Long ago, the Gurongi Tribe terrorized the Linto (リント, *Rinto*?) until a warrior named Kuuga appeared and defeated the Gurongi, sealing their leader within a cave. In present day, a multi-talented man named Yusuke Godai finds himself linked to the mysterious stoned belt that was found within the excavated cave as the Gurongi are resurrected and resume their murderous game on the descendants of the Linto, humanity itself.

It is up to Yusuke, along with the assembled Science Police, to use the various powers of Kuuga in order to stop and defeat the Gurongi Tribesmen from their continuous killing and ensure the happiness and safety of others. However, as endgame draws near, Yusuke learns that there is a horrible revelation behind Kuuga and the Gurongis' leader.

## Characters

### Allies

* Kaoru Ichijo
* Sakurako Sawatari
* Minori Godai
* Shuichi Tsubaki
* Hikari Enokida
* Tamasaburo Kazari
* Nana Asahina
* Jean Michel Sorrel
* Sadao Matsukura
* Morimichi Sugita
* Tsuyoshi Sakurai
* Nozomi Sasayama
* Mika Natsume
* Shoji Kanzaki
* Junichi Chono

### Gurongi

#### Ra Group

* Ra-Baruba-De
* Ra-Dorudo-Gu

#### Zu Group

* Zu-Gumun-Ba
* Zu-Gooma-Gu
* Zu-Mebio-Da
* Zu-Badzu-Ba
* Zu-Zain-Da
* Zu-Gujiru-Gi
* Zu-Garuga-Da
* Zu-Miuji-Gi
* Zu-Gazubo-De
* Zu-Daago-Gi
* Zu-Nezuma-Da
* Zu-Nezumo-Da
* Zu-Jamoru-Re

#### Me Group

* Me-Badjisu-Ba
* Me-Giiga-Gi
* Me-Biran-Gi
* Me-Gyarido-Gi
* Me-Gadora-Da
* Me-Ginoga-De
* Me-Garume-Re
* Me-Garima-Ba
* Me-Agon-Gi
* Me-Aguri-Da
* Me-Ibae-Ba
* Me-Gaage-Re
* Me-Mugado-Ba
* Me-Gorigi-Ba
* Me-Gaera-Re
* Me-Zoebi-Gi
* Me-Uzaa-Da
* Me-Demudo-Ba
* Me-Ginee-Da
* Me-Gegura-Gi
* Me-Gaberi-Gu
* Me-Juuma-Da

#### Go Group

* Go-Buuro-Gu
* Go-Bemiu-Gi
* Go-Gamego-Re
* Go-Badaa-Ba
* Go-Jaraji-Da
* Go-Zazaru-Ba
* Go-Jaaza-Gi
* Go-Baberu-Da
* Go-Gadoru-Ba
* Go-Jiino-Da

#### Others

* Nu-Zajio-Re
* Be-Jimin-Ba

## Episodes

*Main article: Kamen Rider Kuuga Episodes*
The title of each episode of this Kamen Rider Series is written with only two Kanji.

1. Revival (復活, *Fukkatsu*?)
2. Transformation (変身, *Henshin*?)
3. Tokyo (東京, *Tōkyō*?)
4. Sprint (疾走, *Shissō*?)
5. Distance (距離, *Kyori*?)
6. Azure Dragon (青龍, *Seiryū*?)
7. Grief (傷心, *Shōshin*?)
8. Archer (射手, *Shashu*?)
9. Siblings (兄妹, *Kyōdai*?)
10. Fierceness (熾烈, *Shiretsu*?)
11. Promise (約束, *Yakusoku*?)
12. Teacher (恩師, *Onshi*?)
13. Suspicion (不審, *Fushin*?)
14. Omen (前兆, *Zenchō*?)
15. Armor (装甲, *Sōkō*?)
16. Creed (信条, *Shinjō*?)
17. Preparation (臨戦, *Rinsen*?)
18. Loss (喪失, *Sōshitsu*?)
19. Artifact (霊石, *Reiseki*?)
20. Smile (笑顔, *Egao*?)
21. Secrets (暗躍, *An'yaku*?)
22. Game (遊戯, *Yūgi*?)
23. Uneasiness (不安, *Fuan*?)
24. Strengthening (強化, *Kyōka*?)
25. Wandering (彷徨, *Hōkō*?)
26. Myself (自分, *Jibun*?)
27. Ripple (波紋, *Hamon*?)
28. Clarification (解明, *Kaimei*?)
29. Crossroads (岐路, *Kiro*?)
30. Fate (運命, *Unmei*?)
31. Retaliation (応戦, *Ōsen*?)
32. Obstacle (障害, *Shōgai*?)
33. Cooperation (連携, *Renkei*?)
34. Tremble (戦慄, *Senritsu*?)
35. Emotion (愛憎, *Aizō*?)
36. Complication (錯綜, *Sakusō*?)
37. Approach (接近, *Sekkin*?)
38. Transition (変転, *Henten*?)
39. Gooma (強魔, *Gōma*?)
40. Impulse (衝動, *Shōdō*?)
41. Control (抑制, *Yokusei*?)
42. Battlefield (戦場, *Senjō*?)
43. Reality (現実, *Genjitsu*?)
44. Crisis (危機, *Kiki*?)
45. Archenemy (強敵, *Kyōteki*?)
46. Indomitable (不屈, *Fukutsu*?)
47. Decision (決意, *Ketsui*?)
48. Kuuga (空我, *Kūga*?)
49. Yusuke (雄介, *Yūsuke*?)

**Specials**

1. *Special Chapter* (新春スペシャル, *Shinshun Special*?)
2. *Kamen Rider Kuuga: First Dream Of The New Year* (初夢, *Hatsuyume*?)
3. *Good Job* (乙彼, *Otsukare*?)
4. *Kamen Rider Kuuga vs. the Strong Monster Go-Jiino-Da* (仮面ライダークウガＶＳ剛力怪人ゴ・ジイノ・ダ, *Kamen Raidā Kūga Bāsasu Gōriki Kaijin Go Jiino Da*?)

## Cast

* Yusuke Godai (五代 雄介, *Godai Yūsuke*?): Joe Odagiri (オダギリ ジョー, *Odagiri Jō*?)
* Kaoru Ichijo (一条 薫, *Kaoru Ichijō*?): Shingo Katsurayama (葛山 信吾, *Katsurayama Shingo*?)
* Sakurako Sawatari (沢渡 桜子, *Sawatari Sakurako*?): Kazumi Murata (村田 和美, *Murata Kazumi*?)
* Oyassan (Tamasaburo Kazari) (おやっさん (飾 玉三郎), *Oyassan (Kazari Tamasaburō)*?): Kitaro (きたろう, *Kitarō*?)
* Minori Godai (五代 みのり, *Godai Minori*?): Wakana Aoi (葵 若菜, *Aoi Wakana*?)
* Shuichi Tsubaki (椿 秀一, *Shūichi Tsubaki*?): Yoshitaka Otsuka (大塚 よしたか, *Ōtsuka Yoshitaka*?)
* Hikari Enokida (榎田 ひかり, *Hikari Enokida*?): Kaori Mizushima (水島 かおり, *Kaori Mizushima*?)
* Nana Asahina (朝比奈 奈々, *Asahina Nana*?): Shio Mizuhara (水原 詩生, *Mizuhara Shio*?)
* Jean Michel Sorrel (ジャン・ミッシェル・ソレル, *Jan Missheru Soreru*?): Serge Vasilov (セルジュ・ヴァシロフ, *Seruju Vashirofu*?)
* Mika Natsume (夏目 実加, *Natsume Mika*?): Yuka Takeshima (竹島 由夏, *Takeshima Yuka*?)
* Sadao Matsukura (松倉 貞雄, *Matsukura Sadao*?): Yudai Ishiyama (石山 雄大, *Ishiyama Yūdai*?)
* Morimichi Sugita (杉田 守道, *Morimichi Sugita*?): Takashi Matsuyama (松山 鷹志, *Matsuyama Takashi*?)
* Tsuyoshi Sakurai (桜井 剛, *Sakurai Tsuyoshi*?): Nobuyuki Yoneyama (米山 信之, *Yoneyama Nobuyuki*?)
* Nozomi Sasayama (笹山 望見, *Sasayama Nozomi*?): Eri Tanaka (田中 恵理, *Tanaka Eri*?)
* Hitoshi Kashiwabara (柏原 仁, *Kashiwabara Hitoshi*?): Takashi Kikuchi (菊池 隆志, *Kikuchi Takashi*?)
* Junichi Shiina (椎名 純一, *Shiina Jun'ichi*?): Makoto Hatayama (畠山 真, *Hatayama Makoto*?)
* Tatsuhiko Ebisawa (海老沢 達彦, *Ebisawa Tatsuhiko*?): Fujio Mori (森 富士夫, *Mori Fujio*?)
* Tsurumaru Kameyama (亀山 鶴丸, *Kameyama Tsurumaru*?): Katsuaki Nishide (西手 勝秋, *Nishide Katsuaki*?)
* Shoji Kanzaki (神崎 昭二, *Kanzaki Shōji*?): Takashi Inoue (井上 高志, *Inoue Takashi*?)
* Junichi Chono (蝶野 潤一, *Chōno Jun'ichi*?): Daisuke Uchida (内田 大介, *Uchida Daisuke*?)
* Keiko Motoshiro (元城 恵子, *Motoshiro Keiko*?): Rie Okada (岡田 理江, *Okada Rie*?)
* Atsuko Enokida (榎田 篤子, *Enokida Atsuko*?): Machiko Naka (中 真千子, *Naka Machiko*?)
* Sayuru Enokida (榎田 冴, *Enokida Sayuru*?): Kentaro Niibo (新穂 健太郎, *Niibo Kentarō*?)
* Hiroyuki Yashiro (社 広之, *Yashiro Hiroyuki*?): Yutaro Kamata (鎌田 雄太郎, *Kamata Yūtarō*?)
* Shuto Terashima (寺島 周斗, *Terashima Shūto*?): Tomoaki Takagi (高木 智晃, *Takagi Tomoaki*?)
* Ra-Baruba-De (Rose-Tattooed Woman) (ラ･バルバ･デ (バラのタトゥの女), *Ra Baruba De (Bara no Tatu no On'na)*?): Mie Nanamori (七森 美江, *Nanamori Mie*?)
* Ra-Dorudo-Gu (ラ･ドルド･グ, *Ra Dorudo Gu*?): Tenmei Basara (婆裟羅 天明, *Basara Tenmei*?)
* Zu-Zain-Da (ズ･ザイン･ダ, *Zu Zain Da*?): Akira Nogami (野上 彰, *Nogami Akira*?)
* Zu-Gooma-Gu (ズ･ゴオマ･グ, *Zu Gōma Gu*?): Mitsuru Fujio (藤生 みつる, *Fujiō Mitsuru*?)
* Zu-Badzu-Ba & Go-Badaa-Ba (ズ･バヅー･バ＆ゴ･バダー･バ, *Zu Bazū Ba & Go Badā Ba*?): Nobuyuki Ogawa (小川 信行, *Ogawa Nobuyuki*?)
* Nu-Zajio-Re (ヌ･ザジオ･レ, *Nu Zajio Re*?): Tadashi Takatsuki (高月 忠, *Takatsuki Tadashi*?)
* Me-Biran-Gi (メ･ビラン･ギ, *Me Biran Gi*?): Hironobu Ohashi (大橋 寛展, *Ōhashi Hironobu*?)
* Me-Garume-Re (メ･ガルメ･レ, *Me Garume Re*?): Masaharu Mori (森 雅晴, *Mori Masaharu*?)
* Me-Garima-Ba (メ･ガリマ･バ, *Me Garima Ba*?): Miho Iijima (飯島 美穂, *Iijima Miho*?)
* Go-Buuro-Gu (ゴ･ブウロ･グ, *Go Būro Gu*?): Koichi Takao (高尾 晃市, *Takao Kōichi*?)
* Go-Bemiu-Gi (ゴ･ベミウ･ギ, *Go Bemiu Gi*?): Seiko Ito (伊藤 聖子, *Itō Seiko*?)
* Go-Gamego-Re (ゴ･ガメゴ･レ, *Go Gamego Re*?): Kazuyoshi Sakai (酒井 一圭, *Sakai Kazuyoshi*?)
* Go-Jaraji-Da (ゴ･ジャラジ･ダ, *Go Jaraji Da*?): Masayoshi Okawa (大川 征義, *Ōkawa Masayoshi*?)
* Go-Zazaru-Ba (ゴ･ザザル･バ, *Go Zazaru Ba*?): Chiaki Asakura (朝倉 ちあき, *Asakura Chiaki*?)
* Go-Jaza-Gi (ゴ･ジャーザ･ギ, *Go Jāza Gi*?): Sumire Arai (あらい すみれ, *Arai Sumire*?)
* Go-Baberu-Da (ゴ･バベル･ダ, *Go Baberu Da*?): Kensho Sakurai (桜井 顕生, *Sakurai Kenshō*?)
* Go-Gadoru-Ba (ゴ･ガドル･バ, *Go Gadoru Ba*?): Masato Gunji (軍司 眞人 , *Gunji Masato*?)
* N-Daguva-Zeba (ン･ダグバ･ゼバ, *N Daguba Zeba*?): Kenji Urai (浦井 健治, *Urai Kenji*?)
* Narrator (ナレーター, *Narētā*?): Fumihiko Tachiki (立木 文彦, *Tachiki Fumihiko*?)

### Suit actors

* Kamen Rider Kuuga: Kenji Tominaga (富永 研司, *Tominaga Kenji*?)
* Gurongi: Hirofumi Fukuzawa (福沢 博文, *Fukuzawa Hirofumi*?), Makoto Ito (伊藤 慎, *Itō Makoto*?)
* Go-Zazaru-Ba: Shoji Hachisuka (蜂須賀 昭二, *Hachisuka Shōji*?)
* Go-Jaraji-Da: Toshihiro Ogura (小倉 敏博, *Ogura Toshihiro*?)
* Kamen Rider Kuuga (Motorcycle Action): Takumi Narita (成田 匠, *Narita Takumi*?)
* Go-Badaa-Ba (Motorcycle Action): Ryo Narita (成田 亮, *Narita Ryō*?)

## Songs

Opening theme
* "Kamen Rider Kuuga!" (仮面ライダークウガ!, *Kamen Raidā Kūga!*?)
	+ Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
	+ Composition: Toshihiko Sahashi
	+ Artist: Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, *Tanaka Masayuki*?)

Ending theme
* "Aozora ni Naru" (青空になる, *"Aozora ni Naru"*? Into the Blue Sky)
	+ Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
	+ Composition: Toshihiko Sahashi
	+ Artist: Jin Hashimoto (橋本 仁, *Hashimoto Jin*?)

## Manga

*Main article: Kamen Rider Kuuga (manga)*
A manga adaptation of *****Kamen Rider Kuuga***** has been announced to be published in the magazine HERO’S, alongside the Ultraman manga by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, starting in the December issue. It will be written by the veteran tokusatsu writer Toshiki Inoue (*Kamen Rider Agito*, *555*, *Kiva*) and drawn by Hitoshi Yokoshima (Bateren XX, Akuto-ACT). The project was planned by Shinichiro Shirakura.

## Novel

*Main article: Kamen Rider Kuuga (novel)*
*Kamen Rider Kuuga* (仮面ライダークウガ, *Kamen Raidā Kūga*?), written by Naruhisa Arakawa, is part of a series of spin-off novel adaptations of the Heisei Era Kamen Riders. The story takes place 12 years after the series, where Yusuke Godai defeated the Gurongi as Kamen Rider Kuuga. Ichijou is still trying to research the remains of the Gurongi Tribe until rumors of a mysterious "white warrior" (白い戦士, *shiroi senshi*?) surfaces the internet, which reminds Ichijou of Godai. The novel was originally planned to be released on November 30, 2012, however it was delayed.

## S.I.C. Hero Saga

*Kuuga* had two S.I.C. Hero Saga stories published in *Monthly Hobby Japan* magazine. The first titled *Kamen Rider Kuuga: Odyssey* (仮面ライダークウガ -オデッセイ-, *Kamen Raidā Kūga: Odessei*?) written by series producer Shigenori Takatera expands upon the mythology of *Kuuga* featuring original characters Riku (リク, *Riku*?), the previous Kuuga chosen by the Linto, and the original N-Daguva-Zeba (Incomplete) (ン・ダグバ・ゼバ（不完全体）, *N Daguba Zeba (Fukanzentai)*?). The second story *Kamen Rider Kuuga: Dark Side* (仮面ライダークウガ -DARK SIDE-, *Kamen Raidā Kūga: DARK SIDE*?) continues the expansion of the series mythology. *Odyssey* ran from February to May 2002. *Dark Side* ran in a separate special issue titles *Hobby Japan Mook S.I.C. Official Diorama Story S.I.C. Hero Saga vol.2*.

*Odyssey* chapter titles
1. Linto (リント, *Rinto*?)
2. Gurongi (グロンギ, *Gurongi*?)
3. Gouram (ゴウラム, *Gōramu*?)
4. Daguva (ダグバ, *Daguba*?)

## Notes

* This is the last Rider Series to have only a Primary Rider.

## External links

* *Kamen Rider Kuuga* at Wikipedia
* *Kamen Rider Kuuga* at Japanese Wikipedia
* Kamen Rider Kuuga on DVD