Kamen Rider Saber

Kamen Rider Saber (仮面ライダーセイバー/聖刃, Kamen Raidā Seibā)[lower-alpha 1] is a Japanese tokusatsu drama and the current entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider Series. It is the second series to debut during the Reiwa period and the thirty-first overall. The series premiered on September 6, 2020, joining Mashin Sentai Kiramager, and later, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger in the Super Hero Time line-up after the finale of Kamen Rider Zero-One. The series is notable for its use of a fantasy setting, along with its storybook theming.

Kamen Rider Saber
GenreTokusatsu
Superhero fiction
Fantasy action
Supernatural fiction
Isekai
Adventure
Drama
Based onKamen Rider concept
by Shotaro Ishinomori
Developed byIshimori Productions
Toei Company
Written by
Directed by
  • Takayuki Shibasaki
  • Shojiro Nakazawa
  • Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
  • Hidenori Ishida
  • Koichi Sakamoto
  • Teruaki Sugihara
Starring
  • Shuichiro Naito
  • Takaya Yamaguchi
  • Asuka Kawazu
  • Ryo Aoki
  • Yuki Ikushima
  • Eiji Togashi
  • Hiroaki Oka
  • Tomohiro Ichikawa
  • Rina Chinen
Narrated byAkio Ōtsuka
Opening theme"Almighty ~Kamen no Yakusoku feat. Yoohei Kawakami" by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Ending theme"Kamen Rider Saber" by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
ComposerKousuke Yamashita
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Producers
  • Chihiro Inoue (TV Asahi)
  • Kei Mizutani (TV Asahi)
  • Kazuhiro Takahashi (Toei)
Running time24–25 minutes
Production companies
DistributorToei Company
Release
Original networkTV Asahi
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Original releaseSeptember 6, 2020 (2020-09-06)
Chronology
Preceded byKamen Rider Zero-One
External links
Website

Plot
Main article: List of Kamen Rider Saber characters

Kamen Rider Saber features a world based on fairy tales and fantasy adventures colliding with our own, centering on a conflict over the Greater Book– a legendary artifact that contains unparalleled powers and secrets. In ancient times, sinister monsters known as Megids came forth to take the Greater Book for themselves. As a result of the conflict however, chapters of the book were scattered across the world, becoming Wonder Ride Books. A collection of heroes known as the Sword of Logos unite to fight the evildoers and reclaim the book. The battles between both groups will throw the world into chaos - with people and places vanishing between worlds. During a climactic battle the Swordsman of Darkness Kamen Rider Calibur betrayed the Sword of Logos and led the Megid conquest, only to be defeated by the Swordsman of Flames. Fifteen years later, novelist and bookstore owner Touma Kamiyama tries to stop a Megid attack, activating the Wonder Ride Book he obtained years before to transform into the new Swordsman of Flames, Kamen Rider Saber. Recruited by Rintaro Shindo, the Swordsman of Water, Touma becomes a member of the Sword of Logos and vows to end the battle with his own hands.

As Touma meets other members of the Sword of Logos and recovers lost Wonder Ride Books, he begins to regain more of his lost memory. As the memories merge, Touma discovers that his childhood friend Kento Fukamiya, now the Swordsman of Thunder, is the son of Hayato Fukamiya aka Calibur, and Kento is seeking to understand his father's actions. As Touma, Rintaro, Kento, and Touma's friend Mei Sudo vow to uncover the truth, they discover that Calibur is not Hayato, but is actually Daichi Kamijo, the previous Kamen Rider Saber who is searching for an ultimate truth and will sacrifice anything to find it. After losing Kento to his predecessor, Touma manages to stop Daichi from reaching the Book of Revelations, the table of contents for the Greater Book. On his death bed, Daichi reveals there is a mole within the Sword of Logos seeking to destroy it from within. Hayato learned of this, but was branded a traitor, forcing him to ally with the Megids before Daichi became the new Calibur. Before he can reveal the mole's identity however, the Megid warrior Desast kills Daichi to prevent Touma and the others from learning it.

As he tells Mei of what he has learned, Rintaro and the other Swordsmen are told by Reika Shindai, a Sword of Logos member with a hidden agenda, that Touma will betray them after being seduced by the mysterious power like Daichi and Hayato. Touma is also branded a traitor and attacked by the others, but is saved by the mysterious Yuri, who reveals himself as the Swordsman of Light, Kamen Rider Saikou.

Production

The Kamen Rider Saber trademark was registered by Toei on May 29, 2020.[1]

On 29 July 2020, Kamen Rider Saber was officially announced during a press conference alongside its cast, during which time it was announced that the show is planned to feature at least 10 Riders over the course of the series. Along with the eponymous character, five other confirmed Riders at the time were Blades, Espada, Buster, Kenzan, and the villainous Rider Calibur. Following the series premiere, additional Riders such as Slash and Saikou eventually join the cast.

The opening theme song is performed by the band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra collaborating with the band Alexandros' Yoohei Kawakami, who provides the vocals.[2] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra also performs the ending theme song, and Kinichi Motegi, the band's drummer, provides the vocals.[2]

Episodes
Main article: List of Kamen Rider Saber episodes
Chapter English title
Original Japanese title		 Writer Original airdate
1"In the Beginning, There Was a Swordsman of Flames."
Transcription: "Hajime ni, Honō no Kenshi Ari." (Japanese: はじめに、炎の剣士あり。)		Takuro FukudaSeptember 6, 2020 (2020-09-06)
2"The Swordsman of Water Along With a Blue Lion."
Transcription: "Mizu no Kenshi, Aoi Raion to Tomo ni." (Japanese: 水の剣士、青いライオンとともに。)		Takuro FukudaSeptember 13, 2020 (2020-09-13)
3"A Father and a Swordsman."
Transcription: "Chichi de Ari, Kenshi." (Japanese: 父であり、剣士。)		Nobuhiro MouriSeptember 20, 2020 (2020-09-20)
4"The Book Was Opened, Therefore."
Transcription: "Hon o Hiraita, Sore Yue ni." (Japanese: 本を開いた、それゆえに。)		Nobuhiro MouriSeptember 27, 2020 (2020-09-27)
5"My Friend Is the Swordsman of Thunder."
Transcription: "Waga Tomo, Kaminari no Kenshi ni Tsuki." (Japanese: 我が友、雷の剣士につき。)		Takuro FukudaOctober 4, 2020 (2020-10-04)
6"Appearing Like the Wind."
Transcription: "Hayate no Gotoku, Kenzan." (Japanese: 疾風の如く、見参。)		Takuro FukudaOctober 11, 2020 (2020-10-11)
7"The Sword of the King Lies in Avalon."
Transcription: "Ō no Tsurugi, Avaron ni Ari." (Japanese: 王の剣、アヴァロンにあり。)		Keiichi HasegawaOctober 18, 2020 (2020-10-18)
8"The Sealed Arthur."
Transcription: "Fūin Sareshi wa, Āsā." (Japanese: 封印されしは、アーサー。)		Keiichi HasegawaOctober 25, 2020 (2020-10-25)
9"The Overlapping of the Swordsman's Timbre."
Transcription: "Kasanariau, Kenshi no Neiro." (Japanese: 重なり合う、剣士の音色。)		Nobuhiro MouriNovember 8, 2020 (2020-11-08)
10"Crossing Swords and Crossing Feelings."
Transcription: "Majiwaru Tsurugi to, Kōsa Suru Omoi." (Japanese: 交わる剣と、交差する想い。)		Nobuhiro MouriNovember 15, 2020 (2020-11-15)
11"The Storming Thunder and the Spreading of Dark Clouds."
Transcription: "Midareru Kaminari, Hirogaru An'un." (Japanese: 乱れる雷、広がる暗雲。)		Keiichi HasegawaNovember 22, 2020 (2020-11-22)
12"In That Place Where We Made Our Promise."
Transcription: "Yakusoku no, Ano Basho de." (Japanese: 約束の、あの場所で。)		Keiichi HasegawaNovember 29, 2020 (2020-11-29)
13"I Will Stick to My Convictions."
Transcription: "Ore wa, Ore no, Omoi o Tsuranuku." (Japanese: 俺は、俺の、思いを貫く。)		Takuro FukudaDecember 6, 2020 (2020-12-06)
14"These Feelings Dwell in the Sword."
Transcription: "Kono Omoi, Tsurugi ni Yadoshite." (Japanese: この思い、剣に宿して。)		Takuro FukudaDecember 13, 2020 (2020-12-13)
15"Beyond the Resolution."
Transcription: "Kakugo o Koeta, Sono Saki ni." (Japanese: 覚悟を超えた、その先に。)		Keiichi HasegawaDecember 20, 2020 (2020-12-20)
16"A Ray of Light That Saves the World."
Transcription: "Sekai o Sukuu, Hitosuji no Hikari." (Japanese: 世界を救う、一筋の光。)		Keiichi HasegawaDecember 27, 2020 (2020-12-27)
17"Whether the Ancient Messenger Is Light or Shadow."
Transcription: "Inishie no Shisha wa, Hikari ka Kage ka." (Japanese: 古の使者は、光か影か。)		Nobuhiro MouriJanuary 10, 2021 (2021-01-10)
18"Defeating the Megid With a Flaming Tenacity."
Transcription: "Honō no Shūnen, Megido o Utsu." (Japanese: 炎の執念、メギドを討つ。)		Nobuhiro MouriJanuary 17, 2021 (2021-01-17)
19"Flame and Light, Sword and Sword."
Transcription: "Honō to Hikari, Ken to Ken." (Japanese: 炎と光、剣と剣。)		Takuro FukudaJanuary 24, 2021 (2021-01-24)
20"The Will of the Sword to Destroy the Stronghold."
Transcription: "Gajō o Kuzusu, Ken no Ishi." (Japanese: 牙城を崩す、剣の意志。)		Takuro FukudaJanuary 31, 2021 (2021-01-31)
21"Shine Brightest in Full Color."
Transcription: "Saikō ni Kagayake, Furu Karā." (Japanese: 最高に輝け、全身全色（フルカラー）。)		Keiichi HasegawaFebruary 7, 2021 (2021-02-07)
22"Nevertheless, I Want to Save People."
Transcription: "Sore demo, Hito o Sukuitai." (Japanese: それでも、人を救いたい。)		Keiichi HasegawaFebruary 14, 2021 (2021-02-14)

Films

The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin

Kamen Rider Saber Theatrical Short Story: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin (劇場短編 仮面ライダーセイバー 不死鳥の剣士と破滅の本, Gekijō Tanpen Kamen Raidā Seibā Fushichō no Kenshi to Hametsu no Hon) was released on December 18, 2020, double billed with Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time.[3][4] Actor Masashi Taniguchi portrayed the film's main antagonist, Bacht.[5]

Special episodes
  • Kamen Rider Saber Spin-off: Swordsman History (仮面ライダーセイバー スピンオフ 剣士列伝, Kamen Raidā Seibā Supin'ofu Kenshi Retsuden) is a web-exclusive series released on Telasa on November 8, 2020. It comprises four episodes and focuses on Rintaro Shindo, Kento Fukamiya, Ryo Ogami, Ren Akamichi, and Tetsuo Daishinji.[6]
  1. Chapter 8.5: An Episode of Kamen Riders Slash & Buster (an episode of 仮面ライダースラッシュ＆バスター, An Episōdo Obu Kamen Raidā Surasshu Ando Basutā)
  2. The Other Side of Chapter 9: An Episode of Kamen Rider Kenzan (an episode of 仮面ライダー剣斬, An Episōdo Obu Kamen Raidā Kenzan)
  3. Behind the Chapter 13: An Episode of Kamen Rider Espada (an episode of 仮面ライダーエスパーダ, An Episōdo Obu Kamen Raidā Esupāda)
  4. Chapter 15.5: An Episode of Kamen Rider Blades (an episode of 仮面ライダーブレイズ, An Episōdo Obu Kamen Raidā Bureizu)

Short Animation Collection

Separate Volume Kamen Rider Saber: Short Animation Collection (別冊 仮面ライダーセイバー 短編活動萬画集, Bessatsu Kamen Raidā Seibā Tanpen Katsudō Mangashū) is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on February 1, 2021.[3]

  1. Dance Performance, Just Before It. (ダンス本番、その前に。, Dansu Honban, Sono Mae ni.)
  2. Rock, Scissors, and Paper. (ロック、シザーズ、ペイパー。, Rokku, Shizāzu, Peipā.)

Manga

An as-yet-untitled manga adaptation focusing on Ryo Ogami is scheduled to be serialized on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club in spring 2021.[7]

Cast
  • Touma Kamiyama (神山 飛羽真, Kamiyama Tōma): Shuichiro Naito (内藤 秀一郎, Naitō Shūichirō)
  • Rintaro Shindo (新堂 倫太郎, Shindō Rintarō): Takaya Yamaguchi (山口 貴也, Yamaguchi Takaya)
  • Mei Sudo (須藤 芽依, Sudō Mei): Asuka Kawazu (川津 明日香, Kawazu Asuka)
  • Kento Fukamiya (富加宮 賢人, Fukamiya Kento): Ryo Aoki (青木 瞭, Aoki Ryō)
  • Ryo Ogami (尾上 亮, Ogami Ryō): Yuki Ikushima (生島 勇輝, Ikushima Yūki)
  • Ren Akamichi (緋道 連, Akamichi Ren): Eiji Togashi (富樫 慧士, Togashi Eiji)
  • Tetsuo Daishinji (大秦寺 哲雄, Daishinji Tetsuo): Hiroaki Oka (岡 宏明, Oka Hiroaki)
  • Yuri (ユーリ, Yūri): Tomohiro Ichikawa (市川 知宏, Ichikawa Tomohiro)[8]
  • Storious (ストリウス, Sutoriusu): Robin Furuya (古屋 呂敏, Furuya Robin)
  • Legeiel (レジエル, Rejieru): Kairu Takano (高野 海琉, Takano Kairu)
  • Zooous (ズオス, Zuosu): Koji Saikawa (才川 コージ, Saikawa Kōji)
  • Sora Ogami (尾上 そら, Ogami Sora): Tenta Banka (番家 天嵩, Banka Tenta)
  • Reika Shindai (神代 玲花, Shindai Reika): Angela Mei (アンジェラ 芽衣, Anjera Mei)[9]
  • Tassel (タッセル, Tasseru): Tobi (レ・ロマネスクTOBI, Re Romanesuku Tobī)
  • Daichi Kamijo (上條 大地, Kamijō Daichi): Hiroyuki Hirayama (平山 浩行, Hirayama Hiroyuki)
  • Sophia (ソフィア, Sofia): Rina Chinen (知念 里奈, Chinen Rina)
  • Desast (デザスト, Dezasuto, Voice): Kōki Uchiyama (内山 昂輝, Uchiyama Kōki)[10]
  • Seiken SworDriver Singing Voice: Eizo Sakamoto (坂本 英三, Sakamoto Eizō)[11]
  • Narration, Seiken SworDriver Speaking Voice, Wonder Ride Books Voice: Akio Ōtsuka (大塚 明夫, Ōtsuka Akio)[12][11]

Guest cast
  • Battling Miss Fairy (戦う妖精さん, Tatakau Yōsei-san, 4): Reika Saiki (才木 玲佳, Saiki Reika)
  • Hayato Fukamiya (富加宮 隼人, Fukamiya Hayato, 5, 15): Mitsuru Karahashi (唐橋 充, Karahashi Mitsuru)[13]
  • Kenshin Nagamine (長嶺 謙信, Nagamine Kenshin, 7): Masashi Mikami (三上 真史, Mikami Masashi)[14]
  • Men (8):[lower-alpha 2] Ryo Matsuda (松田 凌, Matsuda Ryō), Metal Yoshida (吉田 メタル, Yoshida Metaru)
  • Yuki Shirai (白井 ゆき, Shirai Yuki, 16-19): Hitomi Hasebe (長谷部 瞳, Hasebe Hitomi)
  • Married couple (16): Hideyoshi Iwata (岩田 栄慶, Iwata Hideyoshi), Mayu Iwata (岩田 眞優, Iwata Mayu)

Theme songs
Opening theme
  • "Almighty ~Kamen no Yakusoku feat. Yoohei Kawakami" (ALMIGHTY～仮面の約束 feat.川上洋平, Ōrumaiti ~Kamen no Yakusoku Fīcharingu Kawakami Yōhei, "Almighty ~The Masked Promise feat. Yoohei Kawakami")[2]
    Episode 1 does not feature the show's opening sequence. This song is used as an insert song in episodes 1, 10, and 15.
Ending theme
  • "Kamen Rider Saber" (仮面ライダーセイバー, Kamen Raidā Seibā)[2]
    Episode 15 does not feature the show's ending sequence.

Notes
  1. The characters used for Kamen Rider Saber's "聖刃" Logo formation translate to ''Holy Blade.''
  2. The two unnamed characters resemble Hideyasu Jonouchi and Oren Pierre Alfonso of Kamen Rider Gaim, but are not meant to be the same characters.[15]

References
  1. Salas, Jorge (2020-06-15). "Toei Registers "Kamen Rider Saber" Trademark". The Tokusatsu Network. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  2. "『仮面ライダーセイバー』主題歌はスカパラ×[Alexandros]川上洋平、ED曲キャストダンス振付をTAKAHIRO【コメントあり】" (in Japanese). Mynavi. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. "「劇場版 仮面ライダーセイバー」が「ゼロワン」映画と2本立てで上映！特報も公開" (in Japanese). Natalie. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  4. "映画「仮面ライダーセイバー」「ゼロワン」本予告、谷口賢志と伊藤英明が立ちはだかる" (in Japanese). Natalie. 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. "映画「仮面ライダーセイバー」に谷口賢志が出演「全員狩る…じゃなくて、成敗する」" (in Japanese). Natalie. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  6. "「仮面ライダーセイバー スピンオフ 剣士列伝」配信、剣士5人のバックボーン描く" (in Japanese). Natalie. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  7. "『仮面ライダーセイバー』より、仮面ライダーバスターのスピンオフ漫画が東映特撮ファンクラブ（ＴＴＦＣ）で連載決定！" (in Japanese). Kamen Rider Web. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. "「仮面ライダーセイバー」市川知宏演じるユーリ、仮面ライダー最光に変身" (in Japanese). Natalie. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  9. "「仮面ライダーセイバー」謎の使者・神代玲花役でモデルのアンジェラ芽衣が出演" (in Japanese). Natalie. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  10. "『仮面ライダーセイバー』に『ガンダムUC』バナージ役の内山昂輝がシリーズ初出演" (in Japanese). Mynavi. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  11. "仮面ライダーセイバーのおもちゃ情報！＆DX聖剣ソードライバーの先行抽選販売！" (in Japanese). Bandai. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  12. "『仮面ライダーセイバー』の放送が2020年9月6日スタート。令和第二弾の仮面ライダーは文豪にして剣豪!?" (in Japanese). Famitsu. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  13. "『仮面ライダーセイバー』第5話でカリバーの正体「エスパーダ／富加宮賢人の●●」が明らかに！富加宮隼人役は唐橋充さん！" (in Japanese). Lady Eve. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  14. "ボウケンブルー三上真史、「仮面ライダーセイバー」で水の剣士役「ブルーの血が騒ぐ」" (in Japanese). Natalie. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  15. "セイバー 第9章：「重なり合う、剣士の音色。」" (in Japanese). Kamen Rider Web. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
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