Kamen Rider 555: A Review of the 13th Installment of the Kamen Rider Series
Introduction
Kamen Rider 555 (仮面ライダー555ファイズ, Kamen Raidā Faizu, officially Masked Rider Φ's, also read Kamen Rider Faiz or Phi's) is a Japanese tokusatsu television drama that aired from January 26, 2003 to January 18, 2004 on TV Asahi. It is the 13th installment in the Kamen Rider Series and the fourth entry in the Heisei era. It is a joint collaboration between Ishinomori Productions and Toei Company.
The series follows Takumi Inui, a mysterious loner who becomes Kamen Rider Faiz to fight against Orphnoch, a new stage in human evolution created by Smart Brain Corporation, a powerful organization that seeks to take over the world. Along the way, he meets other riders who have their own agendas and motives, as well as allies and enemies among humans and orphnoch alike.
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Kamen Rider 555 differs from other Kamen Rider series in several aspects. It has a darker tone and more mature themes than its predecessors, dealing with issues such as betrayal, death, identity, morality, and love. It also has a complex plot with many twists and turns that keep the viewers guessing until the end. It also introduces new elements to the franchise, such as rider gears that can be used by anyone who can activate them, orphnoch that can transform from human to monster at will, and a catchphrase for each rider that relates to their code number.
Kamen Rider 555 is popular among fans for its engaging story, memorable characters, impressive action scenes, catchy theme song, and emotional impact. It has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and has won several awards and nominations. It has also inspired various spin-offs and adaptations, such as movies, specials, manga, novels, video games, stage shows, and crossover appearances. It has also influenced later Kamen Rider series in terms of style and concept.
Plot summary
The series begins with Mari Sonoda, a young woman who inherits a suitcase containing the Faiz Gear from her father Hanagata, a former chief of Smart Brain who stole three rider gears from them before his death. She is chased by Orphnoch who want to retrieve the gear or kill her. She runs into Takumi Inui, a loner who works as a delivery man for a cleaning shop. She mistakes him for an Orphnoch and tries to use the Faiz Gear to transform but fails. She She then passes the gear to Takumi, who accidentally activates it and transforms into Kamen Rider Faiz. He defeats the Orphnoch and saves Mari, but he has no memory of what happened. Mari decides to stay with Takumi and his friends Keitaro Kikuchi and Yuka Osada, who run the cleaning shop. She also meets Yuji Kiba, a kind-hearted violinist who is secretly an Orphnoch himself.
Meanwhile, Smart Brain, led by its president Kyoji Murakami, is determined to recover the stolen rider gears and eliminate any threats to their plan of creating a world for Orphnoch. They have their own riders, such as Kamen Rider Psyga and Kamen Rider Orga, as well as a group of elite Orphnoch called Lucky Clover, who are loyal to Murakami and carry out his orders. They also have a rival faction within Smart Brain, led by Hanagata's successor Naoya Kaido, who opposes Murakami's methods and wants to coexist with humans.
Takumi soon learns that he is also an Orphnoch, but he does not know how or why he became one. He also meets other riders who have their own rider gears and motives. There is Masato Kusaka, a former friend of Mari who becomes Kamen Rider Kaixa to protect her from Orphnoch, but he is also obsessed with her and hates Takumi. There is Shuji Mihara, a timid photographer who becomes Kamen Rider Delta to fight against Smart Brain, but he is also afraid of his own power and the consequences of his actions. There is Leo Izumi, a mysterious agent who becomes Kamen Rider Psyga to serve Smart Brain, but he is also looking for his lost sister Mina.
The series follows the adventures and battles of these riders as they face various enemies and challenges, as well as their own inner conflicts and dilemmas. They also discover the secrets behind Smart Brain, Orphnoch, and the rider gears, as well as their own origins and destinies. The series ends with a climactic showdown between Faiz and Orga, the ultimate rider created by Smart Brain, who reveals himself to be Hanagata's son Teruo Suzuki. The fate of the world and the future of humans and Orphnoch are decided by their final battle.
Characters and actors
The series features a large cast of characters, both human and Orphnoch, who play important roles in the story. Here are some of the main characters and actors who portrayed them:
Character
Actor
Takumi Inui / Kamen Rider Faiz
Kento Handa
Mari Sonoda
Yuria Haga
Masato Kusaka / Kamen Rider Kaixa
Kohei Murakami
Shuji Mihara / Kamen Rider Delta
Atsushi Harada
Yuji Kiba / Horse Orphnoch / Kamen Rider Orga
Masayuki Izumi
Kyoji Murakami / Rose Orphnoch / President of Smart Brain
Katsuyuki Murai
Naoya Kaido / Snake Orphnoch / Chief of Smart Brain Japan Branch
Peter Ho (voice)
Lucky Clover (Saeko Kageyama / Lobster Orphnoch, Kitazaki / Dragonfly Orphnoch, Itsuro Takuma / Centipede Orphnoch, Mr. J / Crocodile Orphnoch)
Mitsuru Karahashi, Masato Uchiyama, Ken Mizorogi, Hitomi Kurihara
Leo Izumi / Kamen Rider Psyga / Agent of Smart Brain International Branch
Leo Izumi / Kamen Rider Psyga / Agent of Smart Brain International Branch
Yuki Kawahara
Mina Izumi / Kamen Rider Orga / Leo's Sister
Rie Kasai
Teruo Suzuki / Kamen Rider Orga / Hanagata's Son
Kento Suga
Smart Brain Narrator / Smart Brain Voice
Takehiko Kano (voice)
Production and trivia
Kamen Rider 555 was written by Toshiki Inoue, who had previously worked on Kamen Rider Agito and Kamen Rider Ryuki. He wanted to create a series that was different from the previous ones, with a darker tone and more realistic characters. He also wanted to explore the theme of communication and how it affects human relationships. He was inspired by various sources, such as the movie Phone Booth, the novel The Catcher in the Rye, and the manga 20th Century Boys.
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The series was directed by Ryuta Tasaki, Takao Nagaishi, Hidenori Ishida, Naoki Tamura, and Nobuhiro Suzumura. It was produced by Shinichiro Shirakura, Naomi Takebe, and Takaaki Utsunomiya of Toei Company, and Chika Hamada of TV Asahi. The series aired on TV Asahi from January 26, 2003 to January 18, 2004, with a total of 50 episodes. It was the first series to use TV Asahi's current logo.
The design and concept of the rider gears and orphnoch were created by Tamotsu Shinohara, who had also worked on Kamen Rider Ryuki. He wanted to make the rider gears look like cell phones, as they were a symbol of communication and technology. He also wanted to make the orphnoch look like humans with animal features, as they were a new stage in human evolution. He used various animals as references, such as horses, crabs, snakes, lobsters, etc.
The special effects and stunts were done by Japan Action Enterprise (JAE), who had been involved in the Kamen Rider franchise since its inception. They used various techniques and methods to create the action scenes, such as wire work, pyrotechnics, CGI, etc. They also used stunt actors to perform the fights and transformations of the riders and orphnoch.
The theme song of the series is "Justiφ's" by ISSA, a Japanese singer and actor who is also a fan of Kamen Rider. The song is an upbeat rock tune that expresses the feelings and struggles of the main character Takumi Inui. The song was composed by Cher Watanabe and arranged by Akio Kondo. The song was well received by fans and critics alike, and became a hit single in Japan. It also won the Japan Record Award for Best Song in 2003.
The soundtrack of the series was composed by Hayato Matsuo, who had also worked on Kamen Rider Agito and Kamen Rider Ryuki. He used various instruments and genres to create the music for the series, such as guitars, keyboards, drums, orchestras, etc. He also used different motifs and themes for each character and situation, such as Faiz's motif being a phone ringtone, Kaixa's motif being a military march, Delta's motif being a techno beat, etc.
The series has many interesting facts and anecdotes about its production and reception. For example:
The series was originally planned to have 49 episodes, but due to its popularity and ratings, it was extended to 50 episodes.
The series was originally titled "Kamen Rider Phi's", but it was changed to "Kamen Rider 555" to avoid confusion with the Greek letter phi.
The series was originally intended to have four main riders: Faiz, Kaixa, Delta, and Omega. However, Omega was scrapped due to budget constraints and time limitations.
The series was originally intended to have a happy ending for Takumi and Mari, but it was changed to a tragic one due to Inoue's preference for sad endings.
The series was originally intended to have a crossover with Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger , but it was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
The series has many references and homages to previous Kamen Rider series, such as Faiz's henshin pose being similar to Kamen Rider Black's pose, or Kaixa's belt being similar to Kamen Rider X's belt, etc.
The series has many guest stars and cameos from other tokusatsu actors and celebrities, such as Hiroshi Fujioka (the original Kamen Rider), Shun Sugata (Kamen Rider Agito), Takashi Hagino (Kamen Rider Ryuki), Rina Akiyama (Kamen Rider Agito), Kenji Matsuda (Kamen Rider Hibiki), etc.
Reception and legacy
Kamen Rider 555 was a commercial and critical success, earning high ratings and reviews from viewers and critics alike. It was the most watched Kamen Rider series of the Heisei era, with an average rating of 11.4%. It also won several awards and nominations, such as the Japan Record Award for Best Song, the Tokyo Drama Award for Best Drama, the TV Asahi Award for Best Actor, etc.
Kamen Rider 555 also spawned various spin-offs and adaptations, such as movies, specials, manga, novels, video games, stage shows, and crossover appearances. Some of them are:
Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost , a theatrical movie that serves as an alternate ending to the series, set in a dystopian future where Smart Brain has taken over the world and Faiz must lead a resistance against them.
Kamen Rider 555: Hyper Battle Video , a DVD special that features a comedy skit where Takumi and Kusaka compete in various challenges to win Mari's heart.
Kamen Rider 555: Episode Final , a novel that serves as another alternate ending to the series, written by Toshiki Inoue himself.
Kamen Rider Spirits , a manga that serves as a sequel to the series, featuring the return of Takumi and other riders who fight against a new enemy called Arch Orphnoch.
Kamen Rider Faiz: Edge of Tomorrow , a video game that serves as a side story to the series, featuring a new rider called Kamen Rider Edge who fights against Smart Brain.
Kamen Rider 555: The Musical , a stage show that serves as a retelling of the series, featuring songs and dances by the cast and crew.
Kamen Rider Decade , a crossover series that features Kamen Rider Decade traveling to different worlds based on previous Kamen Rider series, including Kamen Rider 555.
Kamen Rider 555 also influenced later Kamen Rider series in terms of style and concept. Some examples are:
Kamen Rider Blade , which also features riders who use cards to transform and fight against monsters called Undead.
Kamen Rider Kabuto , which also features riders who use cell phones to transform and fight against monsters called Worms.
Kamen Rider Den-O , which also features riders who use trains to travel through time and fight against monsters called Imagin.
Kamen Rider W , which also features riders who use USB devices to transform and fight against monsters called Dopants.
Kamen Rider OOO , which also features riders who use coins to transform and fight against monsters called Greeed.
Conclusion
Kamen Rider 555 is a remarkable series that stands out among the Kamen Rider franchise. It has a captivating story, charismatic characters, thrilling action scenes, catchy theme song, and emotional impact. It is a series that appeals to both fans and newcomers alike, as it offers something for everyone. It is a series that deserves to be watched and appreciated by anyone who enjoys tokusatsu drama.
Personally, I think Kamen Rider 555 is one of my favorite Kamen Rider series. I like how it explores the theme of communication and how it affects human relationships. I like how it portrays the characters as flawed and complex individuals who have their own strengths and weaknesses. I like how it surprises me with its twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. I like how it makes me feel happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, and moved by its events. I like how it makes me think about what it means to be human and what it means to live.
I would highly recommend Kamen Rider 555 to anyone who is looking for a quality tokusatsu drama that will entertain and inspire them. It is a series that will not disappoint you. It is a series that will make you say "Justiφ's".
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Kamen Rider 555:
Q: What does "Justiφ's" mean?
A: "Justiφ's" is the catchphrase of Kamen A: "Justiφ's" is the catchphrase of Kamen Rider Faiz, which he says before transforming or finishing off an enemy. It is a pun on the words "justice" and "phi", the latter being the Greek letter that represents the number 5 and the symbol of Faiz. It also means "just fight" or "just fight for justice".
Q: What are the code numbers of the riders and what do they mean?
A: The code numbers of the riders are based on their names and their rider gears. They are as follows:
Faiz: 555, which is pronounced "Faizu" in Japanese and also represents the number of his phone.
Kaixa: 913, which is pronounced "Kaiza" in Japanese and also represents the date of his birthday (September 13).
Delta: 333, which is pronounced "Deruta" in Japanese and also represents the number of his card.
Psyga: 315, which is pronounced "Saiga" in Japanese and also represents the number of his phone.
Orga: 000, which is pronounced "Ouga" in Japanese and also represents the number of his card.
Q: What are Orphnoch and how are they created?
A: Orphnoch are a new stage in human evolution, created by Smart Brain Corporation using a device called the Orphnoch Generator. They are humans who have a special gene that allows them to transform into monsters with animal features and enhanced abilities. They can also revert back to their human forms at will. However, they also have a shorter lifespan than normal humans, and they tend to lose their humanity and emotions as they become more Orphnoch. They are divided into two factions: those who follow Smart Brain and those who rebel against them.
Q: What is Smart Brain and what is their goal?
A: Smart Brain is a powerful organization that created Orphnoch and rider gears. They are led by Kyoji Murakami, who is also an Orphnoch himself. Their goal is to create a world for Orphnoch, where they can live freely and peacefully without fear of humans. They also want to eliminate any threats to their plan, such as humans, riders, or rogue Orphnoch. They have various branches and divisions around the world, as well as agents and allies who work for them.
Q: What are rider gears and how do they work?
A: Rider gears are devices that allow users to transform into riders and fight against Orphnoch. They were created by Smart Brain using Orphnoch technology, but they were stolen by Hanagata before his death. They consist of three parts: a phone that serves as a controller, a belt that serves as a transformer, and a weapon that serves as a finisher. They can be used by anyone who can activate them using their voice or fingerprint, regardless of whether they are human or Orphnoch. However, they also have side effects, such as causing pain or addiction to the users.
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