Kamen Rider Zeronos

Kamen Rider Zeronos Altair Form wielding the ZeroGasher Sabre Mode

Kamen Rider Zeronos (仮面ライダーゼロノス Kamen Raidā Zeronosu) is a character in the 2007 Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Den-O. In 2010, he was the main character of one of the Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider The Movie: Cho-Den-O Trilogy films.

Yuto Sakurai

Yuto Sakurai (桜井 侑斗 Sakurai Yūto, portrayed by Yuichi Nakamura) is a man who bears the same name as Airi's fiancé, referred in the series as the "Past Man" (過去の男 Kako no Otoko, portrayed by Tomonobu Okano), who mysteriously disappeared prior to the beginning of the series, but similarities do not go any further it would seem. It is later revealed that Yuto is the very same Yuto Sakurai, only a decade younger, sharing his future self's high knowledge of astronomy. Prior to the series, Yuto Sakurai encounters his future self, the older Yuto Sakurai of 2007, who reveals to him the situation relating to the Imagin. Provided with the Zeronos arsenal and Deneb, Yuto takes the ZeroLiner forward in time to May 20, 2007.

Unlike Ryotaro, Yuto claims that protecting the flow of time is not the same thing as protecting people. He says that saving people is unnecessary if it means disrupting the flow of time even if it means sacrifices must be made to save the future. He holds a very spoiled personality, and often acts like a child when things do not go his way and putting lots of sugar in his coffee before actually tasting it, hence earning him the nickname "Boku-chan" (僕ちゃん) by Urataros. Yuto is also the kind of figure who would use dishonest methods to get the job done, but has since abandoned this way of fighting. A running gag with Yuto is his hatred for shiitake, going as far as a comic beating to make sure Deneb does not serve any.

After Yuto disappears in time (during the events of Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship), an even younger version of Yuto appears known only as "Yu" (ユウ Yū, portrayed by young actress Ruka Sawaki). Yu possesses an artifact that the Oni Brothers Goludora and Shilubara need to complete their plan. Thus Ryotaro, Kotaro and the rest of the Den-Liner crew aid him and get the artifact to the past. To protect Yu, Deneb, not knowing he is actually Yuto, asks to form a contract with him, allowing him to gain a physical form. Yu's wish for the contract is for Deneb to see his contract holder, once more. The adult Sakurai and the ZeroLiner make a cameo appearance in the end, with the former reuniting with Deneb. Yuto returns once more when his relationship with Airi begins to be threatened by the actions of the Piggies Imagin (the events of Episode Red: Zero no Star Twinkle).

When possessed by Deneb, Yuto's hair grows out past shoulder length with two locks of hair on each side of his head. On the right side, the lock is a neon green with a darker green streak within it. His personality is also overwritten by Deneb's, who is much more polite and apologizes for Yuto's actions, often by giving out Deneb Candies and acting overly friendly. This usually gets Yuto angry thus forcing Deneb out of him and comically beating him. On one occasion, he was also possessed by Urataros. Although surprised and initially annoyed, he allowed the possession to happen for a short while.

Unlike Kamen Rider Den-O, Zeronos uses a card system, using Zeronos Cards to activate the transformation process. A Zeronos Card disappears after use, which limits the number of times the Zeronos transformation can be achieved as each time a card disappears. At the beginning, Zeronos had multiple forms that he could assume in battle. On his own, Yuto could become Kamen Rider Zeronos Altair Form. When the Imagin Deneb possesses him, he is able to become Kamen Rider Zeronos Vega Form. Altair and Vega Form are based on the Summer Triangle, which is part of the myth that is the basis for both the Chinese legend of Qi Xi and the Japanese Tanabata Festival. A cowherd named Niu Lang/Hikoboshi (Altair) is separated from his lover and the mother of his children, the fairy Zhi Nü/Orihime (Vega), by the great river (the Milky Way) as punishment for the fairy having eloped with a mortal man. Every year, the magpies take pity on the two lovers and become a bridge at Deneb to allow the two lovers to be together once again. Its overall motif is the locomotive train.

The Zeronos Belt operates in much the same fashion as the Den-O Belt, drawing in free energy to generate the softer Aura Skin (オーラスキン Ōra Sukin) bodysuit, the tougher Aura Armor (オーラアーマー Ōra Āmā) armor plates, and the Denkamen (電仮面 Denkamen) facemask.

Altair Form

Altair Form (アルタイルフォーム Arutairu Fōmu) is the default form of Zeronos, using the Zeronos Cards to evoke the change. It is named after the star Altair in the constellation Aquila the Eagle. The DenKamen is made up of two green bull's head-shaped visors, the same motif as ZeroLiner Drill, which is based on the mythological occupation of Altair as a cowherd. These form from two bull's head-shaped train cars that ride along the tracks on Zeronos' helmet. The rest of the body has a set of converging train tracks that are almost like a zipper. Altair Form has generally balanced abilities comparable to Den-O's Sword Form. When Yuto becomes Altair Form, he says, "I'll tell you this for starters…" (最初に言っておく… Saisho ni itte oku…) followed by something that concerns Yuto's strength, usually with "I am fairly strong", or how annoyed he is. Another common trait is occasionally when the transformation is completed, Zeronos will summon a lightning bolt down from the sky to strike in front of him, or lightning will simply flash in the sky above. After using the Red Zeronos Card, Yuto's own memories were used to cause Altair Form to "rust", changing it into Zero Form, although the future Yuto Sakurai is still able to assume Altair Form. In the final fight, Yuto once again uses this form using the last of the original Zeronos Cards. Later during the investigation of Negataros, Yuto returns with a new set of Zeronos Cards, able to assume Altair Form once again.[1]

Vega Form

Vega Form (ベガフォーム Bega Fōmu) is the form of Zeronos that comes from being possessed by the Imagin Deneb. It is named after the star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Lyre. It has a series of cannons on its shoulders called the Zeronos Nova (ゼロノスノヴァ Zeronosu Nova). In the process of transforming into Vega Form, Deneb's body makes up various aspects of the form: his face is on Vega Form's chest, his hands form the Zeronos Nova, and his cloak becomes the cape. The Denkamen is made up of a spool of thread, as Vega is a weaver, that opens up into a star shape. Vega Form is physically stronger than Altair Form, although suffers a loss of speed and overall agility. Whenever Deneb possesses Yuto to assume Vega Form, he says, "I'll tell you this for starters…" (最初に言っておく… Saisho ni itte oku…) following with an honest fact that annoys both the opponent and Yuto. Vega Form is accessed for the last time during the final battle, playing a part in the destruction of the Death Imagin, although Yuto assumes the form once more in the fight against Negataros.[2]

Zero Form

Zero Form (ゼロフォーム Zero Fōmu) is a form of Zeronos that Yuto can assume, visually similar to Altair Form, but with a red color scheme (in place of Altair Form's green parts) and golden trimmings. After Yuto used the first Red Zeronos Card, it used his own memories as a catalyst to cause the green portions of Altair Form to rust dramatically, turning them red and giving the armor a rustic-like texture while increasing its capabilities. As he did with Altair Form, Yuto can assume Zero Form on his own, with access to the Denebick Buster. Zero Form is lost when Yuto is defeated by the Death Imagin using his last Red Zeronos Card,[3] but is later regained through unknown means in time to aid the DenLiner crew against Shiro and the revived Imagin, possibly because of memories of him are still being made in the present. For some reason, instead of announcing the form's name, the transformation is accompanied by "Charge and Up" (チャージアンドアップ Chāji Ando Appu).[4]

Equipment

Zeronos Belt

The Zeronos Belt (ゼロノスベルト Zeronosu Beruto) allows Yuto Sakurai to transform into Kamen Rider Zeronos. It uses the Up Set (アプセット Apusetto) system and the Zeronos Card (ゼロノスカード Zeronosu Kādo) to transform and switch forms. There are several kinds of Zeronos Cards. The original cards had a green side (Altair Form) and a yellow side (Vega Form). A special variant of the Zeronos card had the original green side, but a red side in place of the yellow side in order to start the process of changing Altair Form into Zero Form. All subsequent cards thereafter replaced the green side with the red side, but retained the yellow side.

A Zeronos Card can only be used once; when Zeronos cancels the transformation, the card evaporates if it is the green Zeronos Card, or rusts and breaks if it's a red Zeronos Card. At his debut, Yuto possessed ten green sided Zeronos Cards in a card holder on the Zeronos Belt until he used up the last in Episode 32. These cards are based on Yuto, representing the memories of those who know him. When a card is used, the memory of the elder Yuto's existence in the present time is erased from the memories of people who are not Singularity Points. In Episode 35, the elder Sakurai offered Yuto a new full card holder and one extra Zeronos Card. After some hesitation, Yuto accepted the offer and used the extra, displacing elder Sakurai from the time they were in. It is to be assumed that the new holder has infinite Cards left as long as there are people to remember him. When Yuto used the red sided Zeronos Card, it used the memories of Airi as a catalyst to permanently change Altair Form into Zero Form. All subsequent red Zeronos cards now use the memories pertaining to Yuto instead of his future self. Although Yuto eventually uses up all of these new cards, in the finale, Deneb presents him with the last of the original green Zeronos cards. Through unknown means, Yuto eventually reappears with a new set of green Zeronos cards, allowing him to join Den-O in the fight against Negataros.[5][6]

ZeroGasher

The ZeroGasher (ゼロガッシャー Zerogasshā) is Zeronos' primary weapon. It has two modes, Sabre and Bowgun, and both forms can access them.[7] It has only two components, the blade and a triangular handle. Its components can be swapped with the Denebick Buster.

Zeronos Nova

The Zeronos Nova (ゼロノスノヴァ Zeronosu Nova) are a set of cannons mounted on the shoulders of Zeronos' Vega Form. They are actually Deneb's open hands switched (right hand goes to the left shoulder) with his fingers acting as the cannon barrels. The Zeronos Nova fires from the inner cannons outward.[2]

Denebick Buster

The Denebick Buster (デネビックバスター Denebikku Basutā) is a weapon that Deneb is able to transform into when Zeronos is in Zero Form. The sides of the barrel have gold-colored versions of the Zeronos Nova attached to Deneb's face. Deneb can talk through this form. The barrel and the blade of the ZeroGasher Crossbow Mode can be interchanged, allowing Zero Form to dual-wield guns.[10][11]

Full Charge

Zeronos has three Full Charge (フルチャージ Furu Chāji) finishing moves. For the Full Charge to take place, Zeronos presses a button on top of the Zeronos Belt to charge the Zeronos Card. He then takes the charged Zeronos Card and quickly slides it in and out of a slot in the ZeroGasher, transferring the energy in the process. For the Denebick Buster, the Zeronos Card is kept in the slot until Full Charge is finished. Each Zeronos Card can transfer enough energy for more than one Full Charge attack.

ZeroHorn

The Machine ZeroHorn (マシンゼロホーン Mashin Zerohōn) is Zeronos' personal motorcycle, similar in design to Den-O's DenBird, but with a different head design.[12] Just like the Machine DenBird to the DenLiner, the Machine ZeroHorn allows Zeronos to control the ZeroLiner in combat against the Gigandeath. It has a slot for a Rider Pass as well, despite Yuto not possessing one, rather Zeronos Cards can be inserted and used in place of one.[13]

ZeroLiner

Much like Den-O, Zeronos has his own time traveling train, called the ZeroLiner (ゼロライナー Zerorainā).[14][15] The ZeroLiner, however, is a steam locomotive and not a bullet train like the DenLiner. The ZeroLiner was thought to have been destroyed when the previous timeline was erased, but somehow arrived in the present to Airi and Sakurai, the later bestowing it for Yuto to use. Just like the DenLiner, the ZeroLiner's cars can link in a different order or link up with DenLiner itself. It can be used regardless of how many Zeronos Cards are left, even none.

Drill

ZeroLiner Drill (ゼロライナードリル Zerorainā Doriru) is a train car with a bull motif and a green A on either side. When the bull's head is flipped around, a giant drill bit is revealed. Like Den-O's Rekkou, the Drill relies on close range attacks, using the horns as offensive weapons. The drill bit can also allow the ZeroLiner to travel underground as well as run through Gigandeaths. The drill bit can also spin fast enough to create a powerful whirlwind blast.[16]

Naginata

ZeroLiner Naginata (ゼロライナーナギナタ（薙刀） Zerorainā Naginata) is a train car with a hawk motif and a yellow V on either side. On its back is a naginata called the Revolving Cutter (回転カッター Kaiten Kattā). It can also function as a helicopter, proving to be very effective against aerial Gigandeath. Its most effective offense involves Zeronos flying the ZeroLiner towards the Gigandeath with the propeller slicing through the target.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on Zeronos Altair Form". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "TV Asahi's page on Zeronos Vega Form". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  3. ↑ "【フィギュアショップ　わくわくワンダー】 ０７-１１-末発売予定　ライダーヒーローシリーズＤ09　ゼロノス（ゼロフォーム）". Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  4. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on Zeronos Zero Form". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  5. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the Zeronos Belt". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  6. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the Zeronos Belt with Red Zeronos Card". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  7. ↑ "丸善商店　予約05/27〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 連結武装 ＤＸゼロガッシャー 商品説明". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  8. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the ZeroGasher Sabre Mode". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  9. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the ZeroGasher Bowgun Mode". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  10. ↑ "【フィギュアショップ　わくわくワンダー】 ０７-１１-末発売予定　 超連結武装　DXデネビックバスター）". Retrieved 2007-07-24.
  11. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the Denebick Buster". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  12. ↑ "丸善商店　予約05/27〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 バイク＆アクション マシンゼロホーン＆仮面ライダーゼロノス 商品説明". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  13. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the Machine ZeroHorn". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  14. ↑ "丸善商店　予約05/22〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 デンライナーシリーズ０９ ゼロライナードリル 商品説明". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  15. ↑ "丸善商店　予約05/22〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 デンライナーシリーズ１０ ゼロライナーナギナタ 商品説明". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  16. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the Zeroliner Drill". Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  17. ↑ "TV Asahi's page on the ZeroLiner Naginata". Retrieved 2010-08-03.