Kamen Rider Revice (仮面ライダーリバイス, Kamen Raidā Ribaisu) is a Japanese tokusatsu drama and the 32nd entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider metaseries. It is the third series to debut during the Reiwa period and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the franchise. The series premiered on September 5, 2021, joining Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger and later, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers in the Super Hero Time line-up following the finale of Kamen Rider Saber and was followed by Kamen Rider Geats after its own finale. Aside with the animal/bird/dinosaur motif, the series uses a genome motif.
In 1971, a military organization called NOAH led an expedition in Latin America and discovered the remains of the first devil Giff and an artifact from which they developed Vistamps. In the present, Giff's remains are in the possession of a NOAH splinter faction called Deadmans, a devil-worshiping cult who seeks to resurrect him by using Proto Vistamps to convert peoples' inner demons to their fold. Opposing Deadmans is an organization called Fenix, which has developed the Revice Driver for someone who has tamed their inner demon. Ikki Igarashi, who runs a sentō with his family, ends up acquiring the belt while forming a pact with his inner demon, Vice, to fight Deadmans together as Kamen Riders Revi and Vice.
Ikki's younger brother Daiji, a Fenix operative who was intended to become Revice but failed to out of fear, begins to avoid Ikki until he is possessed by his inner demon, Kagero, who obtains the means to transform into Kamen Rider Evil to defeat Ikki, who helps Daiji overcome Kagero's control and become Kamen Rider Live. Later, Ikki and Daiji's younger sister, Sakura, joins the fray after obtaining the means to become Kamen Rider Jeanne and awakening her inner demon, Lovekov, from the secret resistance group Weekend.
"Feelings to Protect... The Era of the Three Igarashi Siblings!" Transliteration: "Mamoritai Omoi...Jidai wa Igarashi San Kyōdai!" (Japanese: 守りたい想い…時代は五十嵐三兄妹!)
Satoshi Morota
Hanta Kinoshita
December 26, 2021 (2021-12-26)
17
"Deepening Betrayal, the True Value of a Buddy" Transliteration: "Uragiri no Shinka, Badi no Shinka" (Japanese: 裏切りの深化、バディの真価)
Teruaki Sugihara
Hanta Kinoshita
January 9, 2022 (2022-01-09)
18
"A Buddy's Trajectory, the Miracle of Fire and Ice" Transliteration: "Badi no Kiseki, Honō to Kōri no Kiseki" (Japanese: バディの軌跡、炎と氷の奇跡)
"Vice Takes Over... Betrayal After All!?" Transliteration: "Baisu ga Nottori...Yappari Uragiri!?" (Japanese: バイスが乗っ取り…やっぱり裏切り!?)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
February 20, 2022 (2022-02-20)
24
"Reversed by Dr. Karizaki! An Inverse Operation!" Transliteration: "Karizaki-hakase no Modose! Abekobe Daisakusen!" (Japanese: 狩崎博士の戻せ!あべこべ大作戦!)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Nobuhiro Mouri
February 27, 2022 (2022-02-27)
25
"Revival! Vail!? Memories of the Igarashi Family" Transliteration: "Yomigaeru! Beiru!? Igarashi-ke no Kioku" (Japanese: よみがえる!ベイル!?五十嵐家の記憶)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Hanta Kinoshita
March 6, 2022 (2022-03-06)
26
"Showdown! Farewell!? The End of Darkness and Light" Transliteration: "Taiketsu! Ketsubetsu!? Yami to Hikari no Ketsumatsu" (Japanese: 対決!決別!?闇と光の結末)
Hidenori Ishida
Hanta Kinoshita
March 13, 2022 (2022-03-13)
27
"Stop! Tyrant's Mayhem and Violence Gone Wild" Transliteration: "Tomero! Bōkun no Bōkyo to Bōryoku no Bōsō" (Japanese: 止めろ!暴君の暴挙と暴力の暴走)
Hidenori Ishida
Hanta Kinoshita
March 20, 2022 (2022-03-20)
28
"Overcoming Fear at Lightning Speed! Believe in Yourself as One!" Transliteration: "Osore o Koete Shippūjinrai! Onore o Shinji Isshindōtai!" (Japanese: 怖れを超えて疾風迅雷!己を信じ一心同体!)
Hidenori Ishida
Hanta Kinoshita
March 27, 2022 (2022-03-27)
29
"Crank-in! Memory of Hiromi!" Transliteration: "Kuranku In! Memorī Obu Hiromī!" (Japanese: クランクイン!メモリー・オブ・ヒロミー!)
Koichiro Hayama
Hiroki Uchida
April 3, 2022 (2022-04-03)
30
"Voice Actor! Say Me! The Aftermath of Youth" Transliteration: "Seiyū! Sei Mī! Seishun no Atoshimatsu" (Japanese: 声優!SAY ME!青春のあとしまつ)
Teruaki Sugihara
Hanta Kinoshita
April 10, 2022 (2022-04-10)
31
"Illusionary Guidance, Dream Afterwards" Transliteration: "Gensō no Michibiki, Yume no Atosaki" (Japanese: 幻想の導き、夢のあとさき)
"The Demon Calls the Demon" Transliteration: "Akuma ga Akuma o Yondeiru" (Japanese: 悪魔が悪魔を呼んでいる)
Hidenori Ishida
Nobuhiro Mouri
May 8, 2022 (2022-05-08)
35
"Unknown Threat, the Way People Should Go" Transliteration: "Michi Naru Kyōi, Hito no Susumu beki Michi" (Japanese: 未知なる脅威、人の進むべき道)
Hidenori Ishida
Nobuhiro Mouri
May 15, 2022 (2022-05-15)
36
"Humanity at the Crossroads, Each One's Determination" Transliteration: "Kiro ni Tatsu Jinrui, Sorezore no Ketsui" (Japanese: 岐路に立つ人類、それぞれの決意)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
May 22, 2022 (2022-05-22)
37
"Inevitable Fierce Battle! The Risky Demon Recapture Mission!" Transliteration: "Gekisen Hisshi! Kesshi no Akuma Dakkan Misshon!" (Japanese: 激戦必至!決死の悪魔奪還ミッション!)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
May 29, 2022 (2022-05-29)
38
"Father and Son Weaving Together! The Ultimate Revice!" Transliteration: "Chichi to Ko ga Tsumugu! Kyūkyoku no Ribaisu!" (Japanese: 父と子が紡ぐ!究極のリバイス!)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
June 5, 2022 (2022-06-05)
39
"Hope and Despair, the Conflict Between Three Siblings" Transliteration: "Kibō to Zetsubō, San Kyōdai no Kattō" (Japanese: 希望と絶望、三兄妹の葛藤)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Nobuhiro Mouri
June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)
40
"Family or the World... A Brothers Quarrel of the Soul!" Transliteration: "Kazoku ka Sekai ka...Tamashii no Kyōdai Genka!" (Japanese: 家族か世界か…魂の兄弟喧嘩!)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Nobuhiro Mouri
June 19, 2022 (2022-06-19)
41
"A Father's True Intention, a Son's Determination!" Transliteration: "Chichi no Shin'i, Musuko no Ketsui!" (Japanese: 父の真意、息子の決意!)
Teruaki Sugihara
Hanta Kinoshita
June 26, 2022 (2022-06-26)
42
"Fierce Battle! Crimson Vail and Destream" Transliteration: "Geki Batoru! Akaki Beiru to Desutorīmu" (Japanese: 激バトル!紅きベイルとデストリーム)
Teruaki Sugihara
Hanta Kinoshita
July 3, 2022 (2022-07-03)
43
"The End of Eternity, Where Regret Leads" Transliteration: "Eien no Owari, Kōkai no Mukau Saki" (Japanese: 永遠の終わり、後悔の向かう先)
Teruaki Sugihara
Hanta Kinoshita
July 10, 2022 (2022-07-10)
44
"Laying Down My Body and Soul, the Path of the Decision" Transliteration: "Zenshinzenrei o Kakete, Ketsudan no Yukue" (Japanese: 全身全霊をかけて、決断の行方)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
45
"Never-Ending Nightmare, Protectors and the Protected" Transliteration: "Owaranu Akumu, Mamoru Mono to Mamorareru Mono" (Japanese: 終わらぬ悪夢、守る者と守られる者)
Hidenori Ishida
Hanta Kinoshita
July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
46
"Courage to Face Each Other... What Should You Really Protect?" Transliteration: "Mukiau Yūki...Shin ni Mamoru beki Mono wa Nani?" (Japanese: 向き合う勇気…真に護るべきものは何?)
Hidenori Ishida
Hanta Kinoshita
July 31, 2022 (2022-07-31)
47
"Karizaki's Rebellion, the Price of Transformation" Transliteration: "Karizaki no Hanran, Henshin no Daishō" (Japanese: 狩崎の反乱、変身の代償)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Hanta Kinoshita
August 7, 2022 (2022-08-07)
48
"Proof of Determination! This Is...Japan's No. 1 Busybody!" Transliteration: "Kakugo no Shōmei! Kore ga...Nihon'ichi no Osekkai!" (Japanese: 覚悟の証明!これが…日本一のお節介!)
Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
Hanta Kinoshita
August 14, 2022 (2022-08-14)
49
"At the End of the Battle... Only the Demon Remains" Transliteration: "Tatakai no Hate...Nokotta no wa Akuma dake" (Japanese: 戦いの果て…残ったのは悪魔だけ)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
August 21, 2022 (2022-08-21)
50
"Family to the End, Until the Day We Meet Again" Transliteration: "Akumade Kazoku, Itsuka Mata Au Hi made" (Japanese: あくまで家族、いつかまた会う日まで)
Takayuki Shibasaki
Hanta Kinoshita
August 28, 2022 (2022-08-28)
Production
The Kamen Rider Revice trademark was registered by Toei on May 6, 2021.[1]
On July 27, 2021, Kamen Rider Revice was officially announced during an online production announcement conference alongside its cast.
The opening theme song is performed by the vocal and dance group Da-ice collaborating with Subaru Kimura.
Kamen Rider Revi's main vehicle, a hoverbike that Kamen Rider Vice can transform into, is based on the real life XTurismo hoverbike developed by A.L.I. Technologies.[2]
Initially, the original concept for Revice was that all of the past Kamen Rider series took place in their own TV series. However, due to Kamen Rider Revice guest starring in Kamen Rider Saber, the staff decided to create a new concept inspired by Kamen Rider Den-O and Kamen Rider Zi-O instead.[3] Another concept considered for the series was a "post-COVID-19 pandemic road trip" story wherein Revi would explore a new era in the aftermath of the pandemic, with the idea of "moving forward" being a central theme. However, difficulties from the pandemic itself made it difficult to execute, resulting in it being changed to a family-themed drama, reflecting how lockdowns have allowed families staying together more opportunities to bond with each other.[4]
Sakura Igarashi's actor, Ayaka Imoto, tested positive for COVID-19 on February 28, 2022 and recovered on March 7, 2022.[5][6]
Controversy
One of Kamen Rider Revice's assistant producers filed a complaint to the General Support Union (総合サポートユニオン, Sōgō Sapōto Yunion), a trade union that fights for workers' rights, regarding her position in the Kamen Rider series as a whole ever since her promotion into her current position. Among the addressed problems are sexual harassment, unpaid overtime, and the chief producer overlooking her problems and not taking them seriously. Despite the hardships she endured, the assistant producer assured that Revice's cast members are easy to work with and unrelated to her problems.[7][8]
Films
Kamen Riders Revi and Vice made their debut in the crossover film Saber + Zenkaiger: Super Hero Senki and in a special film with the same title as the series double-billed with it. The events of the special film take place between episodes three and four of the series.[3]
Beyond Generations
Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations (仮面ライダー ビヨンド・ジェネレーションズ, Kamen Raidā Biyondo Jenerēshonzu) is a crossover film released on December 17, 2021, starring the casts of Revice and Kamen Rider Saber.[9][10] The film also features a new Kamen Rider from a possible future in the year 2071, 100 years after the debut of the first Kamen Rider television series, called Kamen Rider Century.[9][11] Additionally, actors Akiyoshi Nakao and Arata Furuta portrayed Ryunosuke and Hideo Momose,[12] while Maito Fujioka, the son of Hiroshi Fujioka, portrayed Takeshi Hongo's younger self.[13] The film was written by Nobuhiro Mouri and directed by Takayuki Shibasaki.[10] The theme song is "Promise" performed by Da-ice.[14] The events of the film take place between episodes 13 and 14 of the series.[citation needed]
Battle Familia
Kamen Rider Revice the Movie: Battle Familia (劇場版 仮面ライダーリバイス バトルファミリア, Gekijōban Kamen Raidā Ribaisu Batoru Famiria) is a tie-in film released on July 22, 2022, double-billed with Avataro Sentai Donbrothers the Movie: New First Love Hero.[15][16][17] Actors Norito Yashima, Haruka Tateishi, Issei Mamehara, and Kane Kosugi portrayed Masato Sotoumi, Yume Takeda, Nozomu Ōtani, and Azuma respectively, and comedian Shingo Fujimori voiced Chic.[18][19][20] Additionally, the main character of Kamen Rider Geats made his first appearance.[21] The film was written by Hanta Kinoshita and directed by Koichi Sakamoto.[22] The theme song is "Dance Dance" performed by Da-ice feat. Subaru Kimura.[17] The events of the film take place between Birth of Chimera and episode 47 of the series.[23]
Movie Battle Royale
Kamen Rider Geats × Revice: Movie Battle Royale (仮面ライダーギーツ×リバイス MOVIEバトルロワイヤル, Kamen Raidā Gītsu Ribaisu Mūbī Batoru Rowaiyaru) is a crossover film released on December 23, 2022, starring the casts of Revice and Kamen Rider Geats. Additionally, Takamasa Suga, Satoshi Matsuda, and Takashi Hagino reprised their respective roles as Shinji Kido, Ren Akiyama, and Takeshi Asakura from Kamen Rider Ryuki and appear as supporting cast members to commemorate their series' twentieth anniversary. The film was written by Yuya Takahashi and Hanta Kinoshita and directed by Takayuki Shibasaki.[24][25][26] The theme song is "Change my future" performed by Koda Kumi.[27]
Revice Legacy: Kamen Rider Vail (リバイスレガシー 仮面ライダーベイル, Ribaisu Regashī Kamen Raidā Beiru) is a five-episode web-exclusive series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on March 27, 2022. The theme song is "My dream" performed by Yukimi Igarashi (Kurara Emi & Sakurako Okubo). The events of the web-exclusive series take place 25 years prior to the series.[31][32][33]
Boiling Up and Feeling Great! Revice Anime: Steam Paradise a Go! Go! (ゆだって最高!リバイスアニメ 湯けむりパラダイス A Go! Go!, Yudatte Saikō! Ribaisu Anime Yukemuri Paradaisu A Gō! Gō!) is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on April 9, 2022.[34][35]
Birth of Chimera is a web-exclusive series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on July 22, 2022. The events of the web-exclusive series take place between episode 44 of the series and Kamen Rider Revice the Movie: Battle Familia.[36]
Kamen Rider Juuga vs. Kamen Rider Orteca (仮面ライダージュウガVS仮面ライダーオルテカ, Kamen Raidā Jūga Bāsasu Kamen Raidā Oruteka) is a two-episode web-exclusive series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on April 30, 2023. Additionally, Rei Yoshii and Taira Imata reprised their respective roles as Rinna Sawagami and Genpachiro Otta from Drive.[43] The events of the web-exclusive special take place after Revice Forward: Kamen Rider Live & Evil & Demons.[44]
DVD and Blu-ray-exclusive series
Kamen Rider Revice: Koala vs. Kangaroo!! Crying Out Love in the Middle of the Wedding Ceremony!? (仮面ライダーリバイス コアラVSカンガルー!!結婚式のチューしんで愛をさけぶ!?, Kamen Raidā Ribaisu Koara Bāsasu Kangarū!! Kekkonshiki no Chūshin de Ai o Sakebu!?) is Televi-Kun's "Hyper Battle DVD" (超バトルDVD, Haipā Batoru Dī Bui Dī).[45]
Dear Gaga is included as part of the Blu-ray releases of Kamen Rider Revice. It is a two-episode side story focusing on Hiromi Kadota and takes place in between episodes 21 and 29 of the series.[46]
Kamen Rider Revice: Becoming Rider 2♪ (仮面ライダーリバイス 2号ライダーはじめました~♪, Kamen Raidā Ribaisu Ni-gō Raidā Hajimemashitā♪) is Televi-Kun's "Hyper Battle DVD".[47]
V-Cinema
Revice Forward: Kamen Rider Live & Evil & Demons (リバイスForward 仮面ライダーライブ&エビル&デモンズ, Ribaisu Fowādo Kamen Raidā Raibu Ando Ebiru Ando Demonzu) is a V-Cinema release which received a limited theatrical release on February 10, 2023, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on May 10, 2023. The events of the V-Cinema take place after the end of the main series. The V-Cinema was written by Nobuhiro Mouri and directed by Koichi Sakamoto.[48][49][50] The opening theme song is "Come Alive" performed by Daiji Igarashi and Hiromi Kadota (Wataru Hyuga and Junya Komatsu), and the ending theme song is "Love yourself" performed by #Nice FamiRiva (#ナイスファミリバ, Hasshutagu Naisu Famiriba), which consists of Kentaro Maeda, Wataru Hyuga, Ayaka Imoto, Noritaka Hamao, Yui Asakura, Hayata Seki, Kurodo Hachijoin, and Junya Komatsu.[51][52]
Manga and novel
Kamen Rider Revice: My Brother Is Kamen Rider (仮面ライダーリバイス オレの兄貴は仮面ライダー, Kamen Raidā Ribaisu Ore no Aniki wa Kamen Raidā) is a one-shot manga included in the Kamen Rider Revice Secret Book, a bonus booklet distributed to the first 400,000 attendees of Saber + Zenkaiger: Super Hero Senki on August 7, 2021.[53] The manga is composed by producer Taku Mochizuki and illustrated by Mugi and Waima Hino, and tells the story of the Kamen Rider Revice film from Daiji Igarashi's point of view.
From 2071/Record of a Certain 7 Days (From 2071/ある7日間の記録, Furomu Nisen-nanajū-ichi/Aru Nanoka-kan no Kiroku) is a short story in the booklet included in the Collector's Pack Deluxe Edition of the Blu-ray release of Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations.
Episodes 1, 18, 20, 42, 48, and 50 do not feature the show's opening sequence. This song is used as an insert song in episodes 1, 10, 18, 20, 42, 48, and 50.
"Kimi wa Sonomama de" (君はそのままで, "You Stay the Same")
Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
Composition: tatsuo
Artist: Ikki Igarashi (Kentaro Maeda)
Episodes: 50
Reception
In an online popularity poll for characters of Kamen Rider Revice, conducted by Japanese website NLab Media, Hiromi Kadota emerges as the first place victor with a total of 1845 votes out of 4528. His dedication as Kamen Rider Demons and the desire to move forward even after the loss of his leader and subordinates are cited by the voters as one of the good points behind his popularity.[64]