Kamen Rider Hibiki

Kamen Rider Hibiki
	; Title screen.
Genre	Tokusatsu
Created by	Shotaro Ishinomori
Written by	Shinji Ōishi, Tsuyoshi Kida, Toshiki Inoue, Shoji Yonemura
Starring	Shigeki Hosokawa, Rakuto Tochihara, Jouji Shibue, Shingo Kawaguchi
Opening theme	"Radiance" (輝 Kagayaki?) composed by Toshihiko Sahashi; "To the Original You" (始まりの君へ Hajimari no Kimi e?) performed by Akira Fuse
Ending theme	"Boy!" (少年よ Shōnen yo?) performed by Akira Fuse
Composer(s)	Toshihiko Sahashi
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	48 (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)	Atsushi Kaji; Shinichirō Shirakura; Shigenori Takadera; Masamichi Tsuchida
Running time	24-25 minutes (per episode)
Broadcast
Original channel	TV Asahi
Original run	January 30, 2005 – January 22, 2006
Chronology
Preceded by	Kamen Rider Blade
Followed by	Kamen Rider Kabuto
External links
	Official website

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Kamen Rider Hibiki (仮面ライダー響鬼（ヒビキ）, Kamen Raidā Hibiki^?) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. It is the fifteenth installment in the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu programs. It is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei. Kamen Rider Hibiki first aired on January 30, 2005 and aired its final episode on January 22, 2006. This series is noted for introducing new themes and styles yet unseen in other shows. The catchphrase for the series is "We have a hero." (ぼくたちには、ヒーローがいる, Bokutachi ni wa, hīrō ga iru^?).

[edit] Synopsis

The story's main focus is the teacher and apprentice-like relationship between Adachi Asumu and the Oni called Hibiki. Asumu is a young boy unsure of himself and is at a crossroads in his life as he transitions to high school. As the series progresses, he learns to be an adult through watching Hibiki and the other Oni. The secondary focus of the series is the ancient battle of the Kamen Riders (referred to as Oni in this program) and the Makamou, demons that can only be defeated using "pure sound". The series follows the life and training of the four main Oni: Hibiki, Ibuki, Todoroki and Zanki.

[edit] Staff changes

Kamen Rider Hibiki began with Shigenori Takadera as the Toei producer, however, Shinichiro Shirakura, who though having participated in other Heisei Kamen Rider series, had no involvement whatsoever in the Hibiki production, was appointed producer of the movie Kamen Rider Hibiki and the Seven War Demons, eventually replacing Takadera in the TV production from episode 30. The writing staff also changed; Tsuyoshi Kida and Shinji Ooishi were replaced by Toshiki Inoue and Shouji Yonemura, who had worked with Shirakura in Sh15uya and other Heisei Kamen Rider series.

In addition, personalities such as Sensha Yoshida, a renowned manga artist; Hiroshi Yamamoto, a video-game designer; Masao Higashi, a seasoned television and movie critic; and many others published severe criticisms in their personal blogs because of this. Even the show's star, Shigeki Hosokawa, who portrayed Hibiki, stated in his personal website that Inoue’s scripts "needed adjustments" and that this whole staff change was "fraudulent". With the first production staff, Hosokawa would join the writers meetings and give suggestions, however Hosokawa could not give his opinion in the second production staff meetings due to time restraints.

In an interview published on TV Asahi's main website, Hosokawa stated that the script for the final episode was rewritten on the final day of filming. He later said that the script was sent in so late that it arrived on set as the final battle was being filmed. This finale was scrapped and then a new ending that, according to Hosokawa, was nothing like the intended ending, was filmed. Later in the interview, Hosokawa said that the Oni suit used by Kiriya was a kitbash of two new suits made especially for the characters of Asumu and Kiriya. Hosokawa said that this was the most upsetting change to him as the final script had been rewritten six times at that point and all but the filmed version contained both Asumu and Kiriya becoming Oni.

In January 2006, at the Kamen Rider Super Live, Hosokawa stated that "The series was essentially an incomplete process" and that "It should not have ended that way". Mitsu Murata, who portrayed the Douji characters, declared on his blog: "I cannot forgive them, I want to continue his idea", complaining about the removal of Takadera as producer. These declarations caused an unprecedented storm within the professional tokusatsu market and many of Toei's executives were berated for allowing a series to be handled in such a manner.

There has never been any official statement from Toei, but many critics point out several facts might have caused it, the main reason being the low toy sales. It is not usual for a Toei production to have two different producers for the TV series and the movie. It is likely that different producer was appointed for the movie because Toei was suffering from schedule problems with Takadera.

Changes

Asumu's opening narration at the start of every episode was removed.
A new opening was introduced in episode 34 and following.
The use of kanji being flashed on screen during scenes was removed altogether.
The ending sequence was removed altogether.
The characters of Kyousuke Kiriya and Shuki were introduced to the series.
Originally Eiki and Shōki were both supposed to be main cast members, but had their parts completely removed.
The fire breathing (Onibi) and the Oni claws (Onizume) abilities' sequences were completely removed along with Ibuki opening his mouth for his attack. The Makamou that opened their mouths too wide or spurted liquids were also removed. There had been complaints about these sequences from parent advocacy groups who claimed that they scared children.
Things as complicated-to-animate CG Makamou and shooting in mountains were almost entirely reduced probably due to cost issues, leading critics to believe that Takadera was forcefully removed from the project due to his unwillingness to change his script to adapt to these changes.

[edit] Oni Kamen Rider

The combatant agents of Takeshi are known as Oni. They have been around for hundreds of years, protecting humans and fighting against the Makamou. The title of every Oni bears the -ki suffix (鬼), which is semantically identical to "Oni" in Japanese. It also has some resemblance with the real name of the Oni. Among making many changes the Kamen Rider look, Kamen Rider Hibiki introduced Kamen Rider Shuki, the third officially recognized female Kamen Rider in a Kamen Rider series after Kamen Rider Femme from Ryuki and Kamen Rider Larc from Blade.

[edit] Makamou

Main article: Makamou

The regular antagonists of the series; an assortment of monstrous creatures that usually dwell in the rural areas and consume human beings as food.

[edit] Takeshi Gear

Main article: Takeshi (Kamen Rider)

Takeshi is the name of the group that works with the Oni Kamen Riders. They create many items for use in battle, from weapons to Disc Animals.

[edit] Novel

A set of six novels published under the title "Kamen Rider Hibiki: Compass to Tomorrow" was released shortly after the end of the series. The novels followed relatively the same plot as the TV series but added new characters and enemies towards the end of its run.

[edit] Video Game(s)

A video game based on the series was produced by Bandai for the PlayStation 2, under the name Kamen Rider Hibiki. It is a fighting game, with final attacks done with Ongeki weapons, as in the show. Players can connect their Tatacon, the controller from the Taiko: Drum Master game, to play along with the beat to defeat their enemies.

[edit] Episodes

Main article: List of Kamen Rider Hibiki episodes

The Echoing Oni (響く鬼, Hibiku Oni^?)
Howling Spider (咆える蜘蛛, Hoeru Kumo^?)
Falling Voice (落ちる声, Ochiru Koe^?)
Running Ichiro (駆ける勢地郎, Kakeru Ichiro^?)
The Melting Sea (熔ける海, Tokeru Umi^?)
Beating Soul (叩く魂, Tataku Tamashii^?)
The Majestic Breath Oni (息吹く鬼, Ibuku Oni^?)
Shouting Wind (叫ぶ風, Sakebu Kaze^?)
A Squirming Evil Heart (蠢く邪心, Ugomeku Jashin^?)
An Oni Who Stands in Line (並び立つ鬼, Narabitatsu Oni^?)
Swallowing Wall (呑み込む壁, Nomikobu Kabe^?)
Revealed Secrets (開く秘密, Hiraku Himitsu^?)
Berserk Fate (乱れる運命, Midareru Sadame^?)
Devouring Douji (喰らう童子, Kurau Dōji^?)
Weakening Thunder (鈍る雷, Niburu Ikazuchi^?)
The Roaring Oni (轟く鬼, Todoroku Oni^?)
A Targeted Town (狙われる街, Nerawareru Machi^?)
Unbroken Hurricane (挫けぬ疾風, Kujikenu Shippū^?)
Strumming Warrior (かき鳴らす戦士, Kakinarasu Senshi^?)
Pure Sound (清める音, Kiyomeru Oto^?)
Gathering Demons (引き合う魔物, Hikiau Mamono^?)
Becoming a Cocoon (化ける繭, Bakeru Mayu^?)
The Summer Of Training (鍛える夏, Kitaeru Natsu^?)
Blazing Crimson (燃える紅, Moeru Kurenai^?)
Running Azure (走る紺碧, Hashiru Konpeki^?)
Counting the Days (刻まれる日々, Kizamareru Hibi^?)
Eternal Bonds (伝える絆, Tsutaeru Kizuna^?)
Undying Malice (絶えぬ悪意, Taenu Akui^?)
Shining Boy (輝く少年, Kagayaku Shōnen^?)
Forging Premonition (鍛える予感, Kitaeru Yokan^?)
Surpassing Father (超える父, Koeru Chichi^?)
Bursting Song (弾ける歌, Hajikeru Uta^?)
The Armed Blade (装甲う刃, Matō Yaiba^?)
Beloved Beauty (恋する鰹, Koi Suru Katsuo^?)
Fallen Angel (惑わす天使, Madowasu Tenshi^?)
Starving Shuki (飢える朱鬼, Ueru Shuki^?)
Lightning Living Again (甦る雷, Yomigaeru Ikazuchi^?)
Broken OnGeki (敗れる音撃, Yabureru Ongeki^?)
Your Beginning (始まる君, Hajimaru Kimi^?)
Nearing Orochi (迫るオロチ, Semaru Orochi^?)
The Awakening Teacher and Student (目醒める師弟, Mezameru Shitei^?)
Ferocious Demons (猛る妖魔, Takeru Yōma^?)
An Unchangeable Body (変われぬ身, Kawarenu Mi^?)
Forbidden Secret (秘める禁断, Himeru Kindan^?)
Dying a Glorious Death, Zanki (散華する斬鬼, Sange Suru Zanki^?)
Mastering the Oni Way (極める鬼道, Kiwameru Onidō^?)
The Talking Back (語る背中, Kataru Senaka^?)
Dreaming of Tomorrow (明日なる夢, Asunaru Yume^?)

[edit] Hyper Battle Video

The spin-off Asumu Henshin was released direct-to-video during the later half of 2005. It is special feature that Asumu Adachi plays an active part as Oni, guided by Takeshi's Animal discs. The Oni form of Asumu is identical to Hibiki. The only other Oni in the video (not counting the stock footage scenes) is Sabaki.

[edit] Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Senki

Main article: Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Senki

The movie spin-off of the 2005 Kamen Rider series, entitled Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Senki, takes place in the Warring States Period. The film serves as a prequel to the Makamou war and features five movie-only Oni known as Kabuki, Kirameki, Habataki, Nishiki, and Touki.

[edit] Seven Ogres

The S.I.C. Hero Saga side story for Hibiki is titled Kamen Rider Hibiki: Seven Ogres (仮面ライダー響鬼 -SEVEN OGRES-, Kamen Raidā Hibiki: SEVEN OGRES^?), which is an alternate telling of the film Hibiki & The Seven Senki. It features the original character Kamen Rider Armed Hibiki (Sengoku Period ver.) (仮面ライダー装甲響鬼（戦国時代ver.）, Kamen Raidā Āmudo Hibiki (Sengoku Jidai ver.)^?). The Seven Ogres storyline ran in the June through September 2006 issues of Monthly Hobby Japan magazine.

Chapter titles

Takeshi (猛士^?)
Kabuki (歌舞鬼^?)
Kurenai (紅^?)
Orochi (オロチ^?)

[edit] Cast

Hibiki (響鬼 (ヒビキ), Hibiki^?): Shigeki Hosokawa (細川茂樹, Hosokawa Shigeki^?)
Asumu Adachi (安達明日夢, Adachi Asumu^?): Rakuto Tochihara (栩原楽人, Tochihara Rakuto^?)
Ibuki (威吹鬼 (イブキ), Ibuki^?): Joji Shibue (渋江譲二, Shibue Jōji^?)
Todoroki (轟鬼 (トドロキ), Todoroki^?): Shingo Kawaguchi (川口真五, Kawaguchi Shingo^?)
Zanki (斬鬼 (ザンキ), Zanki/Kamen Raidā Zanki^?): Kenji Matsuda (松田賢二, Matsuda Kenji^?)
Kasumi Tachibana (立花香須実, Tachibana Kasumi^?): Mayu Gamou (蒲生麻由, Gamō Mayu^?)
Hinaka Tachibana (立花日菜佳, Tachibana Hinaka^?): Miyuki Kanbe (神戸みゆき, Kanbe Miyuki^?)
Hitomi Mochida (持田ひとみ, Mochida Hitomi^?): Erika Mori (森絵梨佳, Mori Erika^?)
Ikuko Adachi (安達郁子, Adachi Ikuko^?): Kaoru Mizuki (水木薫, Mizuki Kaoru^?)
Ichiro Tachibana (立花勢地郎, Tachibana Ichirō^?): Atomu Shimojo (下條アトム, Shimojō Atomu^?)
Akira Amami (天美あきら, Amami Akira^?): Nana Akiyama (秋山奈々, Akiyama Nana^?)
Midori Takizawa (滝澤みどり, Takizawa Midori^?): Masako Umemiya (梅宮万紗子, Umemiya Masako^?)
Douji (童子, Dōji^?): Mitsu Murata (村田充, Murata Mitsu^?)
- Parent Douji (Voice): Sei Ashina
Hime (姫, Hime^?): Sei Ashina (芦名星, Ashina Sei^?)
- Parent Hime (Voice): Mitsu Murata
Kyosuke Kiriya (桐矢京介, Kiriya Kyōsuke^?): Yuichi Nakamura (中村優一, Nakamura Yūichi^?)
Danki (弾鬼 (ダンキ), Danki^?): Makoto Ito (伊藤慎, Itō Makoto^?)
Shōki (ショウキ, Shōki^?): Yoshifumi Oshikawa (押川善文, Oshikawa Yoshifumi^?)
Konosuke Kogure (小暮耕之助, Kogure Kōnosuke^?): Akira Fuse (布施明, Fuse Akira^?)
Shuki (朱鬼 (シュキ), Shuki^?): Reiko Kataoka (片岡礼子, Kataoka Reiko^?)
Tsutomu Tsumura (津村努, Tsumura Tsutomu^?): Kento Shibuya (渋谷謙人, Shibuya Kento^?)
Kamen Rider Sabaki (仮面ライダー裁鬼 , Kamen Raidā Sabaki^?, Voice): Katsumi Shiono (塩野勝美, Shiono Katsumi^?)
Next Preview Narrator, Kamen Rider Eiki (次回予告ナレーター, 仮面ライダー鋭鬼, Jikai Yokoku Narētā, Kamen Raidā Eiki^?, Voice): Kazuya Nakai (中井和哉, Nakai Kazuya^?)
Junction Narrator (ジャンクションナレーター, Jankushon Narētā^?): Koji Nakata (中田浩二, Nakata Kōji^?)

[edit] Suit actors

Kamen Rider Hibiki/Kamen Rider Sabaki: Makoto Ito (伊藤慎, Itō Makoto^?)
Kamen Rider Ibuki/Kamen Rider Danki/Yamabiko: Yoshifumi Oshikawa (押川善文, Oshikawa Yoshifumi^?)
Kamen Rider Todoroki: Jun Watanabe (渡邉淳, Watanabe Jun^?)
Kamen Rider Zanki/Black Puppet: Keizo Yabe (矢部敬三, Yabe Keizō^?)
Kamen Rider Eiki/Kamen Rider Shuki/Oni Armor: Naoki Nagase (永瀬尚希, Nagase Naoki^?)
Kwaidouji/Mushadouji/Midaredouji/Kamen Rider Danki: Hisanori Ōiwa (大岩永徳, Ōiwa Hisanori^?)
Youhime/Yoroihime: Keiko Hashimoto (橋本恵子, Hashimoto Keiko^?)
Others: Yuichi Hachisuka (蜂須賀祐一, Hachisuka Yūichi^?), Koji Mimura (三村幸司, Mimura Kōji^?) and Shinya Shimokawa (下川真矢, Shimokawa Shin'ya^?)

[edit] Songs

Opening themes

"Kagayaki" (輝^?, "Radiance")
- Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
- Episodes: 1-33, 48
"Hajimari no Kimi e" (始まりの君へ^?, "To the Original You")
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
- Artist: Akira Fuse
- Episodes: 34-47

Ending theme

"Shōnen yo" (少年よ^?, "Boy!")
- Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
- Composition & Arrangement: Toshihiko Sahashi
- Artist: Akira Fuse
- Episodes: 1-33, 48

Character and insert songs

"Kiwamareba Ongeki!!" (極めれば音撃！！^?, "Reach the Extreme Ongeki!!") performedby Jin Hashimoto
"Fūga Yūden" (風雅勇伝^?, "Refined Brave Confidant") performed by Tomokazu Seki for Kamen Rider Ibuki
"Raibu Gōgō" (雷武轟々^?, "Thunderous War Rumblings") performed by Eizo Sakamoto for Kamen Rider Todoroki
"Hibiki Kenzan!!" (響鬼見参！！^?) performed by Masatoshi Ono for Kamen Rider Hibiki

[edit] International broadcasts

In the Philippines, the series is broadcast on TV5 as Masked Rider Hibiki.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Kamen Rider Hibiki at the Internet Movie Database

Preceded by Blade	Kamen Rider 2005 – 2006	Succeeded by Kabuto

Kamen Rider Hibiki v • d • e
Kamen Riders:	Hibiki • Ibuki • Todoroki • Zanki • Other Oni Kamen Rider	響鬼	ヒ
Other characters:	Makamou • Takeshi		ビ
Media:	List of episodes • The Seven Senki • Hyper Battle DVD • Video Game		キ