Kamen Rider Zero-One (仮面ライダーゼロワン, Kamen Raidā Zerowan, also called Kamen Rider 01) is a Japanese tokusatsu drama series produced by Toei Company and TV Asahi. It is the 30th series in the Kamen Rider franchise and the first series in the Reiwa period. The show premiered on September 1, 2019, following the finale of Kamen Rider Zi-O, and joined Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger, and later, Mashin Sentai Kiramager in the Super Hero Time lineup before concluding on August 30, 2020.
Kamen Rider Zero-One | |
---|---|
Genre | Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fiction Action/Adventure Comedy-Drama Cyberpunk |
Based on | Kamen Rider concept by Shotaro Ishinomori |
Developed by | Ishimori Productions Toei Company |
Written by |
|
Directed by |
|
Starring |
|
Voices of | |
Narrated by | Kōichi Yamadera |
Opening theme | "REAL×EYEZ" by J×Takanori Nishikawa |
Composer | Go Sakabe |
Country of origin | Japan |
Original language | Japanese |
No. of episodes | 45 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producers |
|
Running time | 24–25 min. (per episode) |
Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | TV Asahi |
Release | September 1, 2019 August 30, 2020 | –
Related | |
The series' theme revolves around technological singularity and artificial intelligence, a theme shared with the company, Hiden Intelligence, who face threats from the cyber-terrorist group, MetsubouJinrai.net, who want to take over and bring extinction to the human race via a tech uprising.
The story takes place in a world where Japan has entered a new era of technological innovations as Hiden Intelligence, the leading tech company in artificial intelligence research, develops human-like androids called Humagears, which quickly become a staple in both public and private sectors. However, a cyber-terrorist organization known as "MetsubouJinrai.net" starts hacking into Humagears, transforming them into monsters called "Magias" and turning them against humanity. The government responds by establishing a military resistance unit Artificial Intelligence Military Service, or A.I.M.S., to destroy them.
The story primarily follows Aruto Hiden, a young man with aspirations of becoming a comedian who suddenly finds himself appointed as the new CEO of Hiden Intelligence after his grandfather's death. Despite his initial disinterest, Aruto changes his mind after witnessing MetsubouJinrai.net's terrorist attacks firsthand; maintaining appearances as CEO while becoming Kamen Rider Zero-One to realize his late father's wish for a peaceful co-existence between humans and Humagears. This places him in an uneasy alliance with A.I.M.S. operatives, Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba, who can transform into Kamen Rider Vulcan and Kamen Rider Valkyrie respectively, against MetsubouJinrai.net; led by the rogue Humagears Horobi and Jin, who can also transform into Kamen Riders.
All the while, Gai Amatsu, the CEO of tech giant conglomerate and Hiden's corporate rival ZAIA Enterprise, initially watches their battles from afar before moving forward with his agenda to destroy all Humagears and create a society only for humans with his company in the forefront. He later develops the Kamen Rider Thouser system to achieve his goals and personally enter the fray as well as devices to transform humans into “Raiders”. As the ideals of Aruto, Gai, and MetsubouJinrai.net collide, a three-way battle takes place to decide the future for both Humagears and humankind. However, after the maliciously sentient AI "Ark" ascends into a Kamen Rider form and threatens the world, they are forced to settle their differences and join forces to stop it.
Development for the show had begun during the summer of 2018. Producer Takahito Omori had visited several technological institutes and spoke with many professors and experts on the topic of artificial intelligence. The suit's design was completed in time before the Reiwa-era change, but a name had not been decided on yet. Omori came up with the idea of "Rei-One", which was a shortening of "Reiwa's first Rider." It was later pointed out that "rei" could also be read as "zero", and that there was already a superhero named Kikaider with the "01" moniker. With the show's heavy technology theme, the name "Zero-One" was chosen as a reference to binary code and the trademark was registered by Toei on April 19, 2019.[1] Three months later, a press conference was announced by an unnamed Humagear on the Kamen Rider Zi-O Twitter account.
In July, Kamen Rider Zero-One was officially announced during a press conference alongside its cast. Yuya Takahashi is the main writer, who previously was main writer for Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, and later, for Kamen Rider Geats.
Two members of the band Monkey Majik revealed that they will be providing the voices for the Hiden Zero-One Driver and the Progrise Keys.
The theme song is "REAL×EYEZ", a collaboration by J×Takanori Nishikawa. J composed the song, while Nishikawa provides the vocals.[2] Vocaloid producer DJ'Tekina//Something provided the song's arrangement.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, the filming schedule changed and the series' television broadcast was delayed following episode 35. During the break period, Zero-One released five special episodes that reflect past events as recounted by the main characters. The two-part "President Special," focusing on Aruto Hiden and Is, the "Shooting Special," focusing on Isamu Fuwa and Yua Yaiba, and the two-part "Super Job War".[3][4]
After Japan lifted the state of emergence on May 26, filming of Zero-One and other related Japanese dramas were allowed to resume filming starting on June 1. However, new restrictions were announced, such as filming staff maintaining a distance of at least two meters and only allowing 20 extras in a single scene while scenes with mass crowds will be handled with composite editing. In addition, Zero-One's broadcasting resumed on 21 June 2020.[5][6][7] In regards to the summer movie, it was postponed alongside Mashin Sentai Kiramager the Movie: Be-Bop Dream due to the pandemic.[8]
No. | English title Original Japanese title |
Writer | Original airdate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "I Am the President and a Kamen Rider" Transliteration: "Ore ga Shachō de Kamen Raidā" (Japanese: オレが社長で仮面ライダー) | Yuya Takahashi | September 1, 2019 |
2 | "Are AI Guys Enemies? Allies?" Transliteration: "Ē Ai na Aitsu wa Teki? Mikata?" (Japanese: AIなアイツは敵?味方?) | Yuya Takahashi | September 8, 2019 |
3 | "That Man Is a Sushi Chef" Transliteration: "Sono Otoko, Sushi Shokunin" (Japanese: ソノ男、寿司職人) | Yuya Takahashi | September 15, 2019 |
4 | "The Bus Guide Saw It! That Truth" Transliteration: "Basu Gaido wa Mita! An'na Shinjitsu" (Japanese: バスガイドは見た!アンナ真実) | Yuya Takahashi | September 22, 2019 |
5 | "His Passionate Path of Manga" Transliteration: "Kare no Jōnetsu Manga-michi" (Japanese: カレの情熱まんが道) | Masaya Kakehi | September 29, 2019 |
6 | "I Want to Hear Your Voice" Transliteration: "Anata no Koe ga Kikitai" (Japanese: アナタの声が聞きたい) | Masaya Kakehi | October 6, 2019 |
7 | "I Am a Hot-Blooded Humagear Teacher!" Transliteration: "Watashi wa Nekketsu Hyūmagia Sensei!" (Japanese: ワタシは熱血ヒューマギア先生!) | Masaya Kakehi | October 13, 2019 |
8 | "The Destruction Begins Now" Transliteration: "Koko kara ga Horobi no Hajimari" (Japanese: ココからが滅びの始まり) | Yuya Takahashi | October 20, 2019 |
9 | "Your Life Is In My Hands" Transliteration: "Sono Inochi, Azukarimasu" (Japanese: ソノ生命、預かります) | Yuya Takahashi | October 27, 2019 |
10 | "I Am Shinya Owada, the Actor" Transliteration: "Ore wa Haiyū, Ōwada Shin'ya" (Japanese: オレは俳優、大和田伸也) | Masaya Kakehi | November 10, 2019 |
11 | "Keep the Camera Rolling, but Somebody Stop Him!" Transliteration: "Kamera o Tomeru na, Aitsu o Tomero!" (Japanese: カメラを止めるな、アイツを止めろ!) | Masaya Kakehi | November 17, 2019 |
12 | "That Ace Detective Arrives" Transliteration: "Ano Meitantei ga Yattekita" (Japanese: アノ名探偵がやってきた) | Riku Sanjo | November 24, 2019 |
13 | "Being the Presidential Aide Is My Job" Transliteration: "Watashi no Shigoto wa Shachō Hisho" (Japanese: ワタシの仕事は社長秘書) | Riku Sanjo | December 1, 2019 |
14 | "We Are the Astronaut Brothers!" Transliteration: "Ore-tachi Uchū Hikōshi Burazāzu!" (Japanese: オレたち宇宙飛行士ブラザーズ!) | Yuya Takahashi | December 8, 2019 |
15 | "Each One's Ending" Transliteration: "Sorezore no Owari" (Japanese: ソレゾレの終わり) | Yuya Takahashi | December 15, 2019 |
16 | "This Is the Dawn of ZAIA" Transliteration: "Kore ga Zaia no Yoake" (Japanese: コレがZAIA(ザイア)の夜明け) | Yuya Takahashi | December 22, 2019 |
17 | "For I Am a President and a Kamen Rider" Transliteration: "Watashi koso ga Shachō de Kamen Raidā" (Japanese: ワタシこそが社長で仮面ライダー) | Yuya Takahashi | January 5, 2020 |
18 | "This Is How I Arrange My Flowers" Transliteration: "Kore ga Watashi no Ikeru Hana" (Japanese: コレがワタシのいける華) | Yuya Takahashi | January 12, 2020 |
19 | "She Is a Humagear Who Sells Houses" Transliteration: "Kanojo wa Ie Uru Hyūmagia" (Japanese: カノジョは家売るヒューマギア) | Yuya Takahashi | January 19, 2020 |
20 | "That Is 1000% the Best House" Transliteration: "Sore ga Sen-pāsento no Besuto Hausu" (Japanese: ソレが1000%のベストハウス) | Yuya Takahashi | January 26, 2020 |
21 | "Objection! That Trial" Transliteration: "Igi Ari! Sono Saiban" (Japanese: 異議あり!ソノ裁判) | Yuya Takahashi | February 2, 2020 |
22 | "Even So, He Didn't Do It" Transliteration: "Sore demo Kare wa Yattenai" (Japanese: ソレでもカレはやってない) | Yuya Takahashi | February 9, 2020 |
23 | "I Am in Love With Your Intelligence!" Transliteration: "Kimi no Chinō ni Koi Shiteru!" (Japanese: キミの知能に恋してる!) | Minato Takano | February 16, 2020 |
24 | "It Is Our Turn" Transliteration: "Watashi-tachi no Ban desu" (Japanese: ワタシたちの番です) | Minato Takano | February 23, 2020 |
25 | "I Will Save the Humagears" Transliteration: "Boku ga Hyūmagia o Sukuu" (Japanese: ボクがヒューマギアを救う) | Yuya Takahashi | March 1, 2020 |
26 | "We Are the Flaming Fire Brigade" Transliteration: "Ware-ra Honō no Shōbōtai" (Japanese: ワレら炎の消防隊) | Yuya Takahashi | March 8, 2020 |
27 | "I Will Not Give Up on a Life" Transliteration: "Boku wa Inochi o Akiramenai" (Japanese: ボクは命を諦めない) | Yuya Takahashi | March 15, 2020 |
28 | "My Rap Will Change the World!" Transliteration: "Ore no Rappu ga Sekai o Kaeru!" (Japanese: オレのラップが世界を変える!) | Yuya Takahashi | March 22, 2020 |
29 | "Our Dreams Will Not Be Broken" Transliteration: "Ore-tachi no Yume wa Kowarenai" (Japanese: オレたちの夢は壊れない) | Yuya Takahashi | March 29, 2020 |
30 | "After All, I Am the President and a Kamen Rider" Transliteration: "Yappari Ore ga Shachō de Kamen Raidā" (Japanese: やっぱりオレが社長で仮面ライダー) | Yuya Takahashi | April 5, 2020 |
31 | "Take Off Toward Your Dream!" Transliteration: "Kimi no Yume ni Mukatte Tobe!" (Japanese: キミの夢に向かって飛べ!) | Yuya Takahashi | April 12, 2020 |
32 | "My Pride! The Runway of Dreams" Transliteration: "Watashi no Puraido! Yume no Ranwei" (Japanese: ワタシのプライド!夢のランウェイ) | Masaya Kakehi | April 19, 2020 |
33 | "Are Dreams Really That Important?" Transliteration: "Yume ga Son'na ni Daiji nano ka?" (Japanese: 夢がソンナに大事なのか?) | Masaya Kakehi | April 26, 2020 |
34 | "This Is Horobi's Way of Life" Transliteration: "Kore ga Horobi no Ikiru Michi" (Japanese: コレが滅の生きる道) | Masaya Kakehi | May 3, 2020 |
35 | "What Do Humagears Dream of?" Transliteration: "Hyūmagia wa Don'na Yume o Miru ka?" (Japanese: ヒューマギアはドンナ夢を見るか?) | Masaya Kakehi | May 10, 2020 |
SP–1 | "President Special: Part.01" Transliteration: "Purejidento Supesharu Pāto Wan" (Japanese: プレジデント・スペシャル PART.01) | Masaya Kakehi | May 17, 2020 |
SP–2 | "President Special: Part.02" Transliteration: "Purejidento Supesharu Pāto Tsū" (Japanese: プレジデント・スペシャル PART.02) | Masaya Kakehi | May 24, 2020 |
SP–3 | "Shooting Special" Transliteration: "Shūtingu Supesharu" (Japanese: シューティング・スペシャル) | N/A | May 31, 2020 |
SP–4 | "Super Job War: Battle 1" Transliteration: "Sūpā Oshigoto Taisen Batoru Wan" (Japanese: 超(スーパー)お仕事大戦 バトル1) | N/A | June 7, 2020 |
SP–5 | "Super Job War: Battle 2" Transliteration: "Sūpā Oshigoto Taisen Batoru Tsū" (Japanese: 超(スーパー)お仕事大戦 バトル2) | N/A | June 14, 2020 |
35.5 | "What Created MetsubouJinrai?" Transliteration: "Nani ga Metsubōjinrai o Tsukutta no ka?" (Japanese: ナニが滅亡迅雷を創ったのか?) | Yuya Takahashi | June 21, 2020 |
36 | "I Am the Ark and a Kamen Rider" Transliteration: "Watashi ga Āku de Kamen Raidā" (Japanese: ワタシがアークで仮面ライダー) | Masaya Kakehi | June 28, 2020 |
37 | "No One Can Stop It" Transliteration: "Sore wa Dare ni mo Tomerarenai" (Japanese: ソレはダレにも止められない) | Masaya Kakehi | July 5, 2020 |
38 | "I Am 1000% Your Friend" Transliteration: "Boku wa Sen-pāsento Kimi no Tomodachi" (Japanese: ボクは1000%キミの友だち) | Yuya Takahashi | July 12, 2020 |
39 | "That Conclusion Is Unpredictable" Transliteration: "Sono Ketsuron, Yosoku Funō" (Japanese: ソノ結論、予測不能) | Yuya Takahashi | July 19, 2020 |
40 | "Toward Our Dream" Transliteration: "Ore to Watashi no Yume ni Mukatte" (Japanese: オレとワタシの夢に向かって) | Yuya Takahashi | July 26, 2020 |
41 | "Thou, Take Thy Neighbor's Hand!" Transliteration: "Nanji, Rinjin to Te o Tore!" (Japanese: ナンジ、隣人と手をとれ!) | Yuya Takahashi | August 2, 2020 |
42 | "As Long as There Is Malice" Transliteration: "Soko ni Akui ga Aru Kagiri" (Japanese: ソコに悪意がある限り) | Yuya Takahashi | August 9, 2020 |
43 | "That Is a Heart" Transliteration: "Sore ga Kokoro" (Japanese: ソレが心) | Yuya Takahashi | August 16, 2020 |
44 | "There Is Only One Person Who Can Stop You" Transliteration: "Omae o Tomerareru no wa Tada Hitori" (Japanese: オマエを止められるのはただひとり) | Yuya Takahashi | August 23, 2020 |
45 | "The Future of Each" Transliteration: "Sorezore no Miraizu" (Japanese: ソレゾレの未来図) | Yuya Takahashi | August 30, 2020 |
Kamen Rider Zero-One made his first appearance as a cameo in the film Kamen Rider Zi-O the Movie: Over Quartzer.
A Movie War film, titled Kamen Rider Reiwa The First Generation (仮面ライダー 令和 ザ・ファースト・ジェネレーション, Kamen Raidā Reiwa Za Fāsuto Jenerēshon)[9] was released on December 21, 2019,[10] featuring the casts of Kamen Rider Zero-One and the last Heisei Kamen Rider series, Kamen Rider Zi-O. Actress Rina Ikoma and actor Sōkō Wada portrayed the Time Jacker Finis and the Humagear Will respectively.[11] This movie introduces another version of Kamen Rider Zero-One known as Kamen Rider Zerozero-One, and the Kamen Rider 1-inspired Kamen Rider Ichi-Gata.[12][13] This movie is a shared tribute to the original series, Kamen Rider, and the entire Heisei Kamen Rider Series as a whole. The events of the film take place between episodes 9 and 10.
Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time (劇場版 仮面ライダーゼロワン REAL×TIME, Gekijōban Kamen Raidā Zero Wan Riaru Taimu) was originally scheduled for release on July 23, 2020, double billed with Mashin Sentai Kiramager's film, but both were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14][15] On August 30, 2020, the film was given a new release date of December 18, 2020.[16] On October 18, 2020, it was announced that the film will be double billed with Kamen Rider Saber Theatrical Short Story: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin.[17] In the film, which is set after the final episode of the TV series, actor Hideaki Itō portrayed the film's main antagonist.[16]
Zero-One Others (ゼロワン Others, Zero Wan Azāzu) is a series of V-Cinema releases written by Yuya Takahashi and directed by Masaya Kakehi that serve as spin-offs for characters from the Kamen Rider Zero-One series.[20][21] The events of the V-Cinemas take place after the end of the main series and Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time.[20]
Kamen Rider Zero-One Short Anime: Everyone's Daily Life (仮面ライダーゼロワン ショートアニメ EVERYONE'S DAILY LIFE, Kamen Raiā Zero Wan Shōto Anime Eburiwanzu Deirī Raifu) is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on July 23, 2020.[24]
Kamen Rider Genms (仮面ライダーゲンムズ, Kamen Raidā Genmuzu) is a web-exclusive crossover series of Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club starring Nachi Sakuragi as Gai Amatsu and Tetsuya Iwanaga of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid reprising his role as Kuroto Dan. The theme song is "GAME CHANGER" performed by Hiroyuki Takami, who reprised his role as Masamune Dan in the first entry.[25]
Kamen Rider Outsiders (仮面ライダーアウトサイダーズ, Kamen Raidā Autosaidāzu) is a web-exclusive crossover series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on October 16, 2022 that features cast members from the Kamen Rider metaseries and serves as a direct sequel to Kamen Rider Genms. The theme song is "What's the Outsiders?" performed by m.c.A.T.[31]
Kamen Rider: Memory of Heroez is a 3D action game released on October 29, 2020 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. While the storyline primarily focuses on the casts of Kamen Rider W and Kamen Rider OOO, the titular Rider of Kamen Rider Zero-One also appears in the game.[32]
A comic book of the same name, written by Brian Easton and drawn by Hendry Prasetya and Brian Valenza, was announced by Titan Comics on April 28, 2022. The first issue will release on November 23, 2022. A new foe (known as Kamen Rider Ragnarok) will be introduced in the first issue.[33]