Kamen Rider Kuuga (character)

Kuuga in base Mighty Form

Kamen Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga) is the protagonist and eponymous character of the 2000 Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Kuuga. Unlike other Heisei Rider series that have at least 2 characters who are considered Kamen Riders, Kuuga is the only Kamen Rider appearing in the Kuuga series. In the series, he is referred simply as Kuuga. His motif is the stag beetle. Kuuga's name in Japanese comes from the readings for "clear-self" (空我, Kūga).

An alternate version of Kuuga appears as one of the main supporting characters in the 2009 series Kamen Rider Decade.

Yusuke Godai

Yusuke Godai (五代 雄介, Godai Yūsuke, portrayed by Joe Odagiri) is a young, happy-go-lucky, multi-talented man said to possess 1999 (later 2000) different abilities. He is an honest person that fights to protect everyone's smile. He and his younger sister, Minori, lost their mother while they were both young and later their father in Afghanistan when they were older and living with their father's friend Tamasaburo Kazari. Yusuke's trademark, along with his positive-thinking ideology, is to always give a thumbs up (the Roman sign to convey that everything is alright) to everybody around him.

On the day he returns to Japan from Indonesia at the airport, Yusuke's life changes as he returns with a mask for Sakurako Sawatari, who assisted in Professor Natsume's archaeological finding of the Linto (リント, Rinto) Tribe and a mummified corpse. The finding creates a disruption, unsealing a strange monster that attacks the archaeologists. Receiving a distress call from them, Yusuke makes his way to the excavation site, seeing the light that marks the rebirth of the Gurongi Tribe. By the time he arrives at the scene at daybreak, he finds the police investigating the area and meets detective Kaoru Ichijo and finds a strange belt tied to the visions he's been seeing. He later meets Ichijo as he and Sakurako are brought to police station to learn the archaeologists were all slaughtered by the mysterious monster, later referred to as "Unidentified Lifeform 0", before being given the belt, the Arcle, to translate the markings on it.

However, as they leave, the two encounter the Gurongi Zu-Gumun-Ba attacking the station. Upon being revived, Yusuke puts on the Arcle to fight him, resulting with the belt fusing onto him as he assumes Kuuga's Growing Form and saves Ichijo from the Gurongi, the detective recognizing Yusuke. Following the fight and Yusuke taking an 11 hour rest, Sakurako suggests they return to Tokyo as Ichijo visits, telling him not to meddle in police affairs and to go to Tokyo to see Shuichi Tsubaki. Later that night, Yusuke goes against Ichijo's wishes to help fight Zu-Gooma-Gu, only to be beaten by the stronger monster and later get chewed up by Ichijo. But after seeing the daughter of the late Professor Natsume cry over her father's death, Yusuke's resolve to fight for the sake to keep people from suffering allow him to assume Mighty Form, taking name of "Kuuga" as he saves Ichijo from Gooma and destroys Gumun. Starting with inspector Kaoru Ichijo, Yusuke eventually gains the trust of the police force by receiving the TryChaser 2000 from Ichijo. While brought to doctor Shuichi Tsubaki for a confidential check-up, Yusuke learns that the Arcle's fusion onto him is more complex is it had spread into his muscular and nervous systems.

During his first battle with Zu-Badzū-Ba, Kuuga assumes Dragon Form and eventually masters it with Sakurako's aid to kill Badzū. Then while fighting Me-Bajisu-Ba, Kuuga assumes Pegasus Form but was overwhelmed by his enhanced senses as Bajisu escapes, vowing revenge on Kuuga. Unable to change, Yusuke decides to help Ichijo by finding Mika Natsume, who is on the verge of being suicidal when her father's murderer was not yet caught. After talking Mika into letting things resolve themselves over time, Bajisu attacks and Yusuke is able to effectively use Pegasus Form's power to kill the Gurongi sniper. While dealing with Me-Giiga-Gi, and Minori's apprehensive feelings for being Kuuga, Yusuke is able to become Titan Form to defeat Giiga after convincing Minori that it all be right.

Upon on the way on reuniting with his old teacher Shoji Kanzaki, Yusuke must ask Sakurako to go in his place, as he has to deal with the rampaging Zu-Zain-Da. During the fight Kuuga is overwhelmed by the Gurongi's incredible raw power and even his Mighty Kick is useless. Yusuke however, is able to perfect his Mighty Kick in the next encounter, destroying the Gurongi and fulfilling his promise to Shoji. Yusuke later meets Junichi Chono, a young man who lost his faith in humanity and thought he could relate more to the Unidentified Lifeforms. However, his encounter with Me-Biran-Gi said otherwise when Kuuga saves the boy before killing the Gurongi. During the fight however, Yusuke felt the reawakening of the Gouram as it was excavated and whirled to life to make its way towards him, providing its power for him to counter Me-Gyarido-Gi.

Later, when poisoned by Me-Ginoga-De, Yusuke manages to survive the near death experience due to the Amadam countering the poison when induced with shock therapy, allowing him to arrive to the police's aid to destroy Ginoga and later his clone. Following that, Yusuke begins to felt a numbing pain during his next few battles as Kuuga against stronger Gurongi, learning that it may be tied to a greater power that may be needed as he believes that stronger Gurongi will eventually appears. After training to bring out the "golden power" with Enokida's help, Yusuke's battle against the promoted Go-Garima-Ba leads to an upgraded version of Kuuga's Titan Form, Rising Titan Form.

The next two fights allow Yusuke to become bring Rising Pegasus Form and Rising Dragon Form while learning that the Arcle had fused further into his body. After healing from being wounded by Go-Gamego-Re, Yusuke meets Chono as he took up being an artist since their last encounter before he finds the Gurongi and kills him once achieving Rising Mighty Form, accidentally causing mass devastation in the process. Due of the incident, the BeatChaser 2000 would not to be given to Kuuga as the Go-Badā-Ba finally begins to play, saving Kuuga as his final victim. While Ichijo convinces his fellow officers, Yusuke is aided by Sugita in tracking down Badā until Ichijo arrives with the Beat Chaser which allows Kuuga to destroy Badā. However, the incident with the sadistic Go-Jaraji-Da, influences Yusuke's behavior for the worse, causing him to subconsciously assume Kuuga's Ultimate Form while killing the Gurongi in a brutal rage.

Later, Yusuke goes to Enokida when she wants to investigate the reason on how he can turn everyday objects into weapons like the Go Gurongi before going after Go-Zazaru-Ba. When she went up against an evolving Gooma, she was worried that two Gurongi fighting each other was a very bad omen. This is made worse when Yusuke learns the "Kuuga" character is not of Linto origin, but is actually an incomplete Gurongi character and may be tied to Number 0, later revealed as the Gurongi lord N-Daguva-Zeba when he arrived to slaughter Gooma before making his way to Tokyo for end-game. Yusuke's fears of their relation were confirmed as Sakurako fully translates the Linto text and the Gurongi characters on it, revealing his mental well-being during the incident with Jaraji while also coming to the understanding that he'll be alright as long as he doesn't fight out of hate. After learning from Enokida that the Gurongi may also share Kuuga's ability to change form, Yusuke leaves when Go-Jāza-Gi makes her move. During a flawed attempt to get her, Kuuga senses Daguva and gets hurt while his guard was down before he finally kills Jāza in the next confrontation. After a post-discussion of the recent Gurongi/Kuuga connections after the death of Go-Baberu-Da, Yusuke makes his way to the 12 Arikawa Group Flute Competition, having a brush in with Daguva before arriving to the Arikawa Group building after a hostage situation is resolved with Mika traumatized by the incident. As he escorts Mika to her train for home, Yusuke tells her not to run away even if things get scary.

During the battle with the last of the Go Gurongi, Go-Gadoru-Ba, Kuuga is overwhelmed by the Gurongi's ability to assume forms similar to his own. Severely wounded as a result, Yusuke is brought to the hospital where after a question of ethics, Tsubaki agrees to induce an electro-therapy charge after his heart gave out. By the time he leaves the hospital, Yusuke arrives to the stadium where Gadoru is fighting Ra-Dorudo-Gu. However in the ensuing rematch, Kuuga assumes the dark-armored Kuuga Amazing Mighty Form to kill Gadoru. With all the Gurongi warriors dead, Daguva finally reveals himself, overpowering Kuuga's Amazing Mighty Form and cracking the Amadam while killing numerous people before taking his leave, sparing Kuuga so he can get even stronger.

Knowing that he has no choice but to break his word and assume that form, Yusuke visits to his friends one-by-one, knowing that he may not come back, with Sakurako realizing his intentions as Daguva finally makes his move, telling Yusuke to meet him at Mount Kuro. With Ichijo joining him, Yusuke tells him to shoot him in the Arcle should he go berserk and becoming the entity that bring ultimate darkness, though the officer is reluctant to do that. Ichijo also apologizes to Yusuke for dragging him all this far, though he only wants an adventure, but Yusuke thinks glad of it because he can meet and befriend Ichijo.

Once assuming Ultimate Form, powered by his gentle nature rather than hatred, Kuuga battles Daguva to the point of exhaustion, continuing to battle even when both revert to human form and nearly gets himself killed. However, despite both coming out of the fight badly wounded, Daguva dies from his wounds while Yusuke survives. Three months after the final battle, Yusuke had begun a new adventure to travel the world, starting at a Cuban beach where he helps some kids before walking off, continuing his adventure.

Kamen Rider Kuuga

Kuuga has eleven forms in total (with an additional form appearring in the movie Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker with his alternate incarnation). Aside from his first form, Growing Form, he has four base forms that he relies on and would upgrade throughout the series, which he can alternate in between by saying "Super Transformation!" (超変身!, Chōu Henshin!). His armor can also change color depending on the form being used at the time. Like the Go Gurongi, Kuuga can alter any item he has into a weapon by temporarily changing its atomic structure. Later in the series, it was revealed that Kuuga may have been from Gurongi origin instead of the Linto.

Growing Form

Growing Form (グローイングフォーム, Gurōingu Fōmu) is the first, but weakest form of Kuuga. It has white armor with small horns. In the first episode, Yusuke puts on the belt to fight Zu-Gumun-Ba, but was unable to fully utilize its power. Kuuga will turn also revert to his Growing Form if he is seriously injured and will not be able to transform for 2 hours. In the first few episodes, he is labeled as "Unidentified Life Form #2" and thought to be a different being from his other form. Although his power is weaker in this form, he can still use a weaker version of his finisher, called Growing Kick (グローイングキック, Gurōingu Kikku), though it's only 1/3 as powerful as the Mighty Kick. Therefore, Kuuga must strike his opponent three consecutive times to destroy him.

Mighty Form

Mighty Form (マイティフォーム, Maiti Fōmu) is Kuuga's default form and has red armor, originally referred to by the police as Unidentified Life Form #4 (未確認生命体四号, Mikakunin Seimeitai Yongō). Yusuke was first able to transform into this form while fighting Zu-Gooma-Gu. In this form, Kuuga uses his Rider Kick the Mighty Kick (マイティキック, Maiti Kikku) attack to kill the Gurongi. Later in the series, Mighty Form was enhanced by the golden power into Rising Mighty (ライジングマイティ, Raijingu Maiti), with golden trimmings. The Mighty Anklet (マイティアンクレット, Maiti Ankuretto) attaches onto the right leg, upgrading Kuuga's Rider Kick to Rising Mighty Kick (ライジングマイティキック, Raijingu Maiti Kikku), which not just destroys his target, but also unleashes an explosion with a 3000 meter blast radius. By episode 46, Kuuga's Rising Form had become permanent and further advanced into the gold-trimmed & black-armored Amazing Mighty (アメイジングマイティ, Ameijingu Maiti), which seems to be a perfect "Mighty-Type" form. He gains an additional Mighty Anklet, and it is attached to the left leg. Then both Mighty Anklets together, can deliver the deadly Amazing Mighty Kick (アメイジングマイティキック, Ameijingu Maiti Kikku) dropkick attack. But even with Amazing Mighty, he was easily defeated by the Gurongi's leader, N-Daguva-Zeba.

Dragon Form

Dragon Form (ドラゴンフォーム, Doragon Fōmu) is an azure form that allows Kuuga to be more agile and quicker, but his physical strength is lower than Mighty Form. Dragon Form enables Kuuga to run and jump quicky in order to pursue the enemy. However, it also gives Kuuga less protection, yet being better suited for quick movements and more jump power. To make up for his lack of strength, he uses the Dragon Rod (ドラゴンロッド, Doragon Roddo) staff as his weapon, transmogrified from any long pole or stick-like object. His finishing move is "Splash Dragon" (スプラッシュドラゴン, Supurasshu Doragon), an aerial thrust attack to the torso. Dragon Form was later upgraded by the golden power into Rising Dragon (ライジングドラゴン, Raijingu Doragon), gaining a golden trim with his weapon enhanced into the Rising Dragon Rod (ライジングドラゴンロッド, Raijingu Doragon Roddo) voulge and his finishing move improved into "Rising Splash Dragon" (ライジングスプラッシュドラゴン, Raijingu Supurasshu Doragon).

Pegasus Form

Pegasus Form (ペガサスフォーム, Pegasasu Fōmu) is a green form where Kuuga's senses are heightened to extreme, superhuman levels; enabling him to see, hear, and hit his opponents with deadly precision. It also allows Kuuga to detect the enemy's position, despite whatever ability they may have to avoid detection. However the drawback is that he can only stay in this form for a limited amount of time, due to over-stimulation on his nervous system (only 50 seconds), and if Kuuga were to exceed this limit, he will forcefully revert into Growing Form and be unable to transform again for two hours. Kuuga uses the Pegasus Bowgun (ペガサスボウガン, Pegasasu Bōgan) crossbow, created out of any gun-like object, commonly Ichijo's hand gun. His finishing move is "Blast Pegasus" (ブラストペガサス, Burasuto Pegasasu), a blinding fast arrow shot from the bowgun. Once he upgraded to Rising Pegasus (ライジングペガサス, Raijingu Pegasasu), Kuuga's time limit gets extended by 30 seconds and can use the Rising Pegasus Bowgun (ライジングペガサスボウガン, Raijingu Pegasasu Bōgan); an upgraded bowgun for his "Rising Blast Pegasus" (ライジングブラストペガサス, Raijingu Burasuto Pegasasu), which rapidly fires three arrows.

Titan Form

Titan Form (タイタンフォーム, Taitan Fōmu) is a purple form with increased defense, allowing him to withstand most attacks long enough to attack at close range by sacrificing his speed. This form has much larger armor which is mainly silver with large purple trimmings. Although this armor provides superior protection, it still leaves parts of his body exposed, thereby making him still susceptible to damage. He uses the Titan Sword (タイタンソード, Taitan Sōdo) that can be created out of short pole or stick-like objects, normally the control handle of his bike. His finishing move is "Calamity Titan" (カラミティタイタン, Karamiti Taitan), a powerful sword thrust when Kuuga twists the blade after it is impaled. This was also the first form to be upgraded by the newly found golden power, becoming Rising Titan (ライジングタイタン, Raijingu Taitan), turning his armour purple with gold trimmings. As a result, Kuuga can now use the longer & bigger Rising Titan Sword (ライジングタイタンソード, Raijingu Taitan Sōdo) for the "Rising Calamity Titan" (ライジングカラミティタイタン, Raijingu Karamiti Taitan) attack, or he can create an additional Rising Titan Sword to use in the even stronger "Double Rising Calamity Titan" (ダブルライジングカラミティタイタン, Daburu Raijingu Karamiti Taitan) attack.

Ultimate Form

Ultimate Form (アルティメットフォーム, Arutimetto Fōmu) most powerful and dangerous form of Kuuga, which combines the powers of all his past forms together, it has black armor with both gold and "slightly visible" silver trims all over his body. Ultimate Kuuga has a much different design, with five horns and a black belt core, as well as spiky-looking armor. However the most dangerous risk was that Yusuke would lose control and become like Daguva, a monster bent on destroying everyone and everything; a living weapon whose only purpose is to fight endlessly. However, due to Yusuke's gentle and kind nature, he manages to retains his will as he uses the newly unlocked form against Daguva, retaining the Red Eye (レッドアイ, Reddo Ai) color of Mighty Form, opposed to the original Black Eye (ブラックアイ, Burakku Ai). When in battle, Ultimate Kuuga is able to see a monster's human form, and every attack he deals causes his opponent to bleed, no matter how powerful the enemy's armor may be. This form can also utilize the same powers as Daguva, which includes Pyrokinesis, as well as utilizing the Dragon Rod, Pegasus Bowgun, and Titan Sword, with similar "Rising"-type weapons, but in a black-gold color scheme, but this was never shown in the series. Kuuga Ultimate Form's most powerful attack, is the "Ultimate Mighty Kick" (アルティメットマイティキック, Arutimetto Maiti Kikku) which is stated to be able to destroy the world at its full power, This form was also known as the Supreme Warrior (凄まじき戦士, Susamajiki Senshi) and Ultimate Kuuga (アルティメットフクウガ, Arutimetto Kūga).

Equipment

Arcle

The Arcle (アークル, Ākuru) is an ancient belt created by the Linto tribe and used by the previous Kuuga. While being attacked by Zu-Gumun-Ba, Yusuke grabbed the belt and after putting it on, it immediately fused into his body. When he transforms it reappears around his waist and is always the same color as his current form. A stone embedded in the belt, called Amadam (アマダム, Amadamu), is the source of Kuuga's power and able to extend the lifespan of a person. Furthermore, the Amadam is present in Daguva as well.

Gouram

Gouram (ゴウラム, Gōramu) is a mysterious, stag beetle-shaped entity formed from the fragments found at the original excavation site. After its initial formation, the Gouram assimilated various other metals as it made its way to Tokyo and find Kuuga. It assists Kuuga in various capacities such as aerial transportation and becoming Barding or Horse's armor for Kuuga's bike. However, after a certain amount of time, it reverts back to its shattered fragments until Yusuke replenishes it by touching its Amadam. It is very maneuverable and capable of a top air speed of 500 km/h (310.69nbsp;mph). However, after it became exposed to the golden power, Gouram returns to the Police Science Division in a new, different color, as well in one piece.

TryChaser 2000

The TryChaser 2000 (TRCS 2000) (トライチェイサー２０００, Torai Cheisā Nisen) is Kuuga's personal bike. A new model of police motorcycle, it was designed to be faster and powerful than the conventional bikes utilized by the police force. Its other unique feature is its activation: To activate it requires both the Try-Acceler Rod, the bike's right grip that functions as a start-up key, and a four-digit keycode. Ichijo would give the prototype to Yusuke, believing he is the only one who can successfully beat the Unidentified Life Forms. Yusuke would later alter TryChaser's color scheme via a keycode, giving it its signature red, white, and gold look. It is broken in mid-series when Kuuga fighting with Go-Badā-Ba.

TryGouram

The TryGouram (トライゴウラム, Torai Gōramu) is what ultimately results when the Gouram finally finds Kuuga. It attaches itself to the TRCS 2000 as armor. While in this form the bike is faster and capable of ramming opponents via the Try Gouram Attack in a similar manner to Kuuga's Mighty Kick.

BeatChaser 2000

The BeatChaser 2000 (BTCS 2000) (ビートチェイサー２０００, Bīto Cheisā Nisen) is an upgraded model of the TryChaser 2000 that was designed specifically for Kuuga, it is faster and more durable than the TRCS model and more resistant to the corression caused by Gouram. Yusuke utilized this bike in order to track down and defeat Go-Badā-Ba. Like the TryChaser, this vehicle was also upgradable by the Gouram and even Kuuga's Golden Power.

BeatGouram

The BeatGouram (ビートゴウラム, Bīto Gōramu), like Try Goram, is the combination of the BeatChaser 2000 and the Gouram. It is later enhanced by Kuuga's Golden Power to become the Rising BeatGouram (ライジングビートゴウラム, Raijingu Bīto Gōramu). Unlike its TryChaser incarnation, the Gouram returns to the Police Science Division when inactive, now intact and in a different color. It was used only once, in order to destroy Go-Baberu-Da.

See also

• Kamen Rider Kuuga
• Kamen Rider Kuuga (Decade)
• Gurongi