List of Kamen Rider Kiva characters
This is a list of characters of the 2008 Japanese tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Kiva. The cast of characters is mostly split among two years, 1986 and 2008, and both groups of characters affect one another in their actions and their battles with the vampiric Fangire.
2008 side
Wataru Kurenai
Wataru Kurenai (紅 渡, Kurenai Wataru) is a shy young man who never lies, keeping to himself due to his hygiene obsession and belief that he was "allergic to the world." He works at an atelier to continue his father's legacy of violin making with a dream to create the ultimate violin, using strange methods to accomplish it. But, Wataru is destined from birth to become Kamen Rider Kiva as his mother is Maya. He teams up with Kivat to fight the Fangire race and protect humanity from them, learning of his family legacy and true nature.
Keisuke Nago
Keisuke Nago (名護 啓介, Nago Keisuke) is an elite member of the Fangire Hunters, working as a bounty hunter by capturing criminals and taking a button from them as a memento. He has an intense hatred towards Kiva, making him a loose cannon for his intent to kill Kiva. He also has a prejudice for certain people like Wataru, as he believes they are everything his ideology of "humanity's full potential" is against. Like Wataru, Nago has his own Rider System, becoming Kamen Rider Ixa who is made to counter Kiva.
Megumi Aso
Megumi Aso (麻生 恵, Asō Megumi) is a famous model and the daughter of Yuri living in the year 2008, born on December 29, 1987. As a Fangire Hunter and as Yuri's daughter, Megumi makes it her duty to hunt down the Fangire as well as finish her mother's unfinished affairs, such as Rook. She meets Wataru and develops a liking towards him after helping him with his allergy issue, unaware that he is actually Kiva himself. She is also not afraid to tell him off whenever he acts strange. While Keisuke Nago has expressed his interest in her, Megumi cannot stand him and was reluctant to notify him of Kiva's reappearance. Her weapon is a rather small pistol that shoots slugs at high velocities, with an attachment which shoots out a chain that resembles her mother's Fangire Slayer. It seems that she shares her mother's cynophobia. Over time, she starts to see Kiva in a different light as he continues to fight the Fangire, rescuing her on more than one occasion in the process. When her younger brother named Mitsuhide Aso (麻生 光秀, Asō Mitsuhide), the Fangire Hunters' benefactor, comes to reclaim his sister, Megumi refuses to leave and convinces her brother to let her remain after killing Rook using the Ixa System.
Shizuka Nomura
Shizuka Nomura (野村 静香, Nomura Shizuka) is a 14-year-old girl who able to get around the shyness of Wataru being a motherly figure to him as he teaches her how to play the violin. She seems to be infatuated with Wataru; as a result, she can be jealous of other women in his life and actually sabotages his relation to Mio. Shizuka happens to be one of the few people to know about Kivat, though she does not know that Wataru is Kiva. She is also shown to be very adept at drumming.
Kengo Eritate
Kengo Eritate (襟立 健吾, Eritate Kengo) is an independent rock guitarist and vocalist from Osaka. Although he formed a band called IKEMENS (イケメンズ, Ikemenzu), other members got tired of his character and dropped out. After that, he makes Wataru and Shizuka join and aims at the major debut as a new IKEMENS as part of his lifelong dream to be a rockstar. Though he learns that Wataru's lifelong dream is not like his, Kengo remains Wataru's friend as the two promise to help each other out with their dreams. However, when nearly devoured by the Rhinoceros Fangire, Kengo encounters Kiva and begins to idolize him and then Keisuke after seeing him fight the Ladybug Fangire, wishing to be the later's apprentice. When he is deputized as a temporary Fangire Hunter, Kengo has to be hospitalized after shoulder and hand injuries from fighting the Crab Fangire. Once released from the hospital, he learns that due to his injuries, he can no longer play the guitar, and as a result, gets angry at Wataru from hiding this truth from him. The rage gets worst when Kengo overhears Nago naming Wataru his apprentice instead of him, with Kengo running off and wondering what would he know with his friends and dream gone.
Kivat-bat the 3rd
- Wingspan: 280mm
- Weight: 820g
- Max. flight speed: 70km/h
Kivat-bat the 3rd (キバットバットIII世, Kibattobatto Sansei) is the 3rd generation of the Kivat-bat Family (キバットバット家, Kibattobatto Ke), distinguished among the Kivat Race (キバット族, Kibatto Zoku), possessing two heirlooms, the green Demon Emperor Stone (魔皇石, Makōseki) on the forehead and the Kivat Persona (キバットペルソナ, Kibatto Perusona) on the face. Called "Kivat" for short, he is a solid character with dry wit, tending to have a bitter attitude. He has a technique called Kivat Cutter (キバットカッター, Kibatto Kattā) with the Kivat Wings (キバットウイング, Kibatto Uingu) which are ornamented with Lucifer Gold (ルシファーゴールド, Rushifā Gōrudo). He formed a partnership with Wataru to give him the power of Kiva, infusing the Active Force (アクティブフォース, Akutibu Fōsu) which is one of the Demon Emperor Powers (魔皇力, Makōryoku) from the Active Fangs (アクティブファング, Akutibu Fangu) before attaching to the Kivat Belt (キバットベルト, Kibatto Beruto) to allow his human partner to transform by the Active Force, as well as blow the Fuestles to evoke their power. He likes Megumi because she reminds him of Amedeo Modigliani's masterpieces, particularly the man's works of long-necked women. Kivat also serves as a narrator of sorts, telling the viewer random historical facts while scenes from the previous episode play in the background.
Mio Suzuki
Mio Suzuki (鈴木 深央, Suzuki Mio) is a meek and clumsy girl who is currently dating Wataru after they meet at her previous job at a restaurant, where she was fired for being clumsy. However, her encounter with Fangires reveal that she is more than meets the eye, learning that she is actually Maya's successor to the title of Queen of the Checkmate Four and the future bride to Taiga, donning a anklet from Bishop to complete to her full transition into the Checkmate Four. Though in charge of killing traitors, Mio is given the additional task of killing Kiva to protect their kind from him. Just as her predessor Maya, Mio can transform into the Pearlshell Fangire (パールシェルファンガイア, Pārusheru Fangire) and utilized all of previous Queen's powers, though she can turn day into night with a violet moon in the background and Fangire form is a indigo compared to Maya's being a pink color.
Taiga Nobori
Taiga Nobori (登 太牙, Nobori Taiga) is Maya's first born son, the child Maya had with the Checkmate Four's original King, and current King of the Checkmate Four. He had met Wataru in their childhood, and the two became good friends. Though by 2008, he founded the Development & Pioneer (Ｄ＆Ｐ（ディベロープメント＆パイオニア）, Diberōpumento ando Paionia) company, Taiga developed a disdain for humans and, as King, is in charge preventing the progress of humanity if it would pose a threat to Fangires. To meet his goal, Taiga has his own rider form, Kamen Rider Saga (仮面ライダーサガ, Kamen Raidā Saga), and is aided by Sagark (サガーク, Sagāku).
1986 side
Otoya Kurenai
Otoya Kurenai (紅 音也, Kurenai Otoya) is Wataru's father who battles the Fangire menace in the year 1986, 22 years ago. Otoya is a ladies man who retires from being a professional violinist for reasons unknown. It is by accident that he interferes in Yuri's mission and is eventually brought into their group as a result. Though normally a casanova, Otoya cannot stand people getting married and others getting in his way. He was the first to learn Jiro is actually a Wolfen, although no one believes him until later before he becomes the 2nd user of the Ixa System from him, eventually. He is also capable of reasoning with Fangire, as he befriends Ōmura/Frog Fangire and convinces him not to harm others. During his battle with the Fangire Race, Otoya falls in love with Maya of Checkmate Four, with his very fate a mystery. The only item he leaves behind for Wataru is the violin named the Bloody Rose that Otoya himself made.
However, by a strange term of events in 2008, Otoya makes his appearance when he suddenly finds himself in Wataru's body. During that time, he recognized Megumi and Kivat as the children of those from his time. He also starts building a new violin with Wataru unaware that his father is building it through him.
Yuri Aso
Yuri Aso (麻生 ゆり, Asō Yuri) is the founding member of the Fangire Hunters 22 years ago, meeting Otoya by sheer accident. She hates the Fangires with a passion, referring to them as "God's mistakes", as it was Rook who murdered her mother Akane Aso (麻生 あかね, Asō Akane), one of the founding members and designer of the Ixa suit. However, her vengence on Rook was never resolved though she did succeed in providing her daughter an advantage. After admiting her feelings for Otoya, she moved in with his house to live as his roommate. Yuri seems to be cynophobic, which can be a hassle while she is working at the Café mald'amour. Her weapon is two bars that connect together to create a short snake sword named the Fangire Slayer (ファンガイアスレイヤー, Fangaia Sureiyā). The sword, despite its size, can elongate further than imagined. However, by 2008, Yuri is deceased and buried next to her mother.
Maya
Maya (真夜, Maya) is the the human form of the Pearlshell Fangire (パールシェルファンガイア, Pārusheru Fangire) and the Queen (クイーン, Kuīn) of the Checkmate Four in 1986, possessing the Queen tattoo on her palm. Her powers are similar to Kiva as she can turn day into night with a blood red moon in the background and teleport in black rose petals as well as being the strongest of the Checkmate Four. Due to her status, Maya is in charge of executing any Fangire who betrays their kind, accompanied by a member of the Kivat Race who serves as her eyes and ears. She lived for centuries, meeting Antonio Vivaldi with an admiration his genius and not finding another like him until she crosses paths with Otoya, questioning her mission and the concept of love. As a result, while accompaning Otoya while he lost his memory, starts to question humanity. Eventually, Maya is forced to reveal her true identity as a Fangire to Otoya when attacked by Dogga. Though she dies prior to 2008, she had a infant child with the previous King who suceeds him, Taiga Nobori, and another child with Otoya who inherits the mantle of Kiva, Wataru.
Kivat-bat the 2nd
Kivat-bat the 2nd (キバットバットII世, Kibattobatto Nisei) is the 2nd generation of the Kivat-bat Family, and Kivat's father. Kivat the 2nd is the partner to the original Kiva.
No side
These characters are the few that exist in both the 1986 and 2008 timelines, serving as a link between the 22 year gap.
Mamoru Shima
Mamoru Shima (嶋 護, Shima Mamoru) is a mysterious millionaire who is the president of the Shima Foundation, a front for the Wonderful Blue Sky Organization (素晴らしき青空の会, Subarashiki Aozora no Kai) that funds the Fangire Hunters, spending his spare time at a gym. He also gathers information on any new members of the Fangire Race that the Organization comes across, as well as seeing Kiva as a possible greater threat due to the original's rampage in 1986.
Akira Kido
Akira Kido (木戸 明, Kido Akira) is the owner of the Café mald'amour (カフェ・マル・ダムール, kafe maru damūru) and an acquaintance of Otoya's in the past, a rival with Shima in who can lose the most weight in 1985. He owns a Golden Retriever named Buruman (ぶるまん, Buruman), a puppy in 1986 and a fully grown dog in 2008. He is the first few to know that Wataru is Otoya's son. Akira and Otoya do not get along, although Buruman took an instant liking to the violinist. Akira was also a fan of the popular at the time song group Onyanko.
Arms Monsters
The Arms Monsters (アームズモンスター, Āmuzu Monsutā) are last of the three of the 13 Demon Races (魔族, Mazoku) wiped out by Fangires, whom they hate to be compared to and vowed revenge on the genocide of their races. They are considered Kiva's allies, though Kivat considers them as only Kiva's arsenal instead of actual living creatures. After making a Darkness Pledge (闇の盟約, Yami no Meiyaku) with Otoya, their original abilities were sealed by Kivat and they are then placed inside Castle Doran as its caretakers, Kiva's supporters, and the Blue Sky Organization's protectors until Wataru dies. They allow Kiva to access other powerful forms, possessing their fighting skills and mentality. They can sometimes get directly getting involved when needed to support Kiva.
Jiro
- Height: 225cm
- Weight: 92kg
Jiro (次狼, Jirō) is the human form of the violent and impulsive Garulu (ガルル, Garuru), the last surviving member of the Wolfen Race (ウルフェン族, Urufen Zoku) that were decimated by Rook. Like those of his kind, Garulu uses his claws to rip out human souls from their bodies before eating them. In the human guise of Jiro, Garulu sees the world as a place of utter corruption and usually prefers to be with Castle Doran as its lead caretaker, occasionally playing Dogga in Chess or cards. He usually triggers his transformation by scraping his fingers against the ground.
In 1986, Jiro is a regular at the Café mald'amour as he enjoys the coffee there. Unbeknownst to the other workers, he begins attacking regulars in secret to feed on them, leaving Yuri alone as she's an "ideal wife" to revive the Wolfen Race through. To that end, he joins the Fangire Hunters and becomes the first user of the Ixa System, saving Yuri from the Earwig Fangire and also alerting Otoya to his true nature, with the two at odds with each other unless Yuri's in any danger. But after Yuri reveal that her heart's for Otoya, Jiro left a lost man after exposing himself for what he truly was and attempts to get his revenge on Rook. But after the attempt, Jiro was forced to ask for Otoya's help, with them, Ramon, Riki, and Yuri defeating a weakened Rook together.
Eventually, Jiro makes a Darkness Pledge with Otoya and now aids Wataru in 2008, becoming the Garulu Saber (ガルルセイバー, Garuru Seibā) that Kiva uses to assume Garulu Form (ガルルフォーム, Garuru Fōmu). Out of the Arms Monsters, Jiro supports his current condition as Wataru's ally out of respect for Otoya, even to the point of directly getting involved sometimes to honor his vows. In the The Queen of Hell Castle net spin-off movies, Jiro challenges Kiva when Wataru accidently ends up in Castle Doran.
While "garuru" (ガルル) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a wolf's howl, the last syllable in Jiro's name contains the kanji for "wolf" (狼, ōkami/rō).
Ramon
- Height: 170cm
- Weight: 68kg
Ramon (ラモン) is the human form of Basshaa (バッシャー, Basshā), the 127 year old survivor of the Merman Race (マーマン族, Māman Zoku) He has a cool yet childish attitude and is able to assume his true form by spinning then snapping his fingers. He can shoot pressurized water bubbles from his mouth and his pupils turn into crosshairs to increase his aim. Basshaa is Castle Doran's housekeeper, assuming the form of a 13-year-old boy in a School Gakuran outfit while using his telekinetic abilities to mess with his housemates' chessgame from time to time. In 1986, he lives in human society as a shoeshine boy while aiding Jiro out of common interest, though confused by the Wolfen's methods as he should be in hiding and feeding off of humans in secret. When the parlor he lived in closed, Ramon started to work at the Café mald'amour as a greeter until Jiro left and became a fireworks seller when Jiro asked for his aid. Eventually, Ramon makes a Darkness Pledge with Otoya and now aids Wataru in 2008, becoming the Basshaa Magnum (バッシャーマグナム, Basshā Magunamu) that Kiva uses to assume Basshaa Form (バッシャーフォーム, Basshā Fōmu).
The word "basshā" (バッシャー) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a splashing effect.
Riki
- Height: 270cm
- Weight: 320kg
Riki (力（リキ）) is the human form of Dogga (ドッガ, Dogga), the last surviving member of the Franken Race (フランケン族, Furanken Zoku). He has unbeatable strength and feeds by grabbing a person and draining the soul out in the form of eletrical discharges. He acts as Castle Doran's butler, assuming his true form by pounding his fists together. He can only speak in a slow, monotone voice, and is thus not as talkative as Jiro or Ramon, usually having one of them speak for him. In addition to his habit of popping his neck, Riki tends to eat things that are inedible to normal people. In 1986, he lives in human society as a masseur in Ramon's parlor before moving into the Café mald'amour to work there for a bit, falling in love with Yuri after eating her food. When Jiro left, Riki joined Ramon to became a fireworks seller until Jiro asked for their aid. Riki later made a Darkness Pledge with Otoya and now aids Wataru in 2008, becoming the Dogga Hammer (ドッガハンマー, Dogga Hanmā) that Kiva uses to assume Dogga Form (ドッガフォーム, Dogga Fōmu).
The word "dogga" (ドッガ) is a Japanese onomatopoeic sound representation of a great thud, in the case, a hammer hitting while "Riki"'s name is spelled with the same kanji for "power" (力, chikara).
Fangire Race
The Fangire Race (ファンガイア族, Fangaia Zoku) are the series' antagonists, with the major members of the Fangire Race playing a part in the story.
Rook
Rook (ルーク, Rūku), named after the Rook tattoo on his hand, is the human form of the Lion Fangire (ライオンファンガイア, Raion Fangaia) and the Rook of the Checkmate Four. Rook is the one Yuri swore vengeance on for murdering her mother, as well as being the one who slaughtered nearly the entire Wolfen Race. Being one annoyed with boredom, Rook devised his own personal game: The "Time Play". In a Time Play, he feeds on a select group of people within a time limit, with failure to make the intended number resulting in self-punishment with a electric shock strong enough to kill a human. However if he manages to succeed the right amount of victims within his game, he rewards himself with ice cream. Eventually he was defeated by Yuri when she tricks him into using the Ixa System to weaken him before Otoya and the Arms Monsters further weaken him for Yuri to deliver the deathblow with the Ixa System. However, Rook barely escaped with a servere wound on his right shoulder, entering a deep rest to recuperate from his injuries.
By 2008, Rook has lost his memories while resting and possesses a child-like mentality, found by Wataru and Shizuka. Because he cannot remember his name, they call him Dai-chan (大ちゃん, Daichan) due to his size. Soon after, Dai-Chan regains all of his memories as Rook upon seeing one of his old battlefields. However, Rook became bored with his Time Plays and now resorts to playing the ultimate game, doing good deeds before getting himself killed to enter the pearly gates. However in the end, Rook decides to start a new game instead by destroying Ixa before being finally killed by Megumi using the Ixa system on his wounded shoulder.
Bishop
Bishop (ビショップ, Bishoppu), named after the Bishop tattoo on his hand, is a member of the Checkmate Four whose purpose is to oversee the progress of all Fangires, deeming those who are traitors. In 1986, he looks after Taiga for Maya while not leaving Castle Doran to carry out his mission. In 2008, he appears before Mio to have her embrace her destiny as the new Queen before searching for Taiga to complete the Checkmate Four prior to Rook's demise, deeming the current King as a improvement to the last one. Though his true form is unknown, Bishop can shoot blue flames from his hand.
Ryo Itoya
Ryo Itoya (糸矢 僚, Itoya Ryō) is the human form of the Spider Fangire (スパイダーファンガイア, Supaidā Fangaia). Because of his encounters with Yuri and Otoya in 1986, he has become obsessed with her. In 2008, his obsession shifts to Yuri's daughter Megumi, making attempts to have her for himself. In his final attempt, he accidently gains the Ixa Belt and uses it to make Megumi his. But once he loses the Ixa Knuckle due to his attraction to Megumi, Ryo is weakened by the Garulu Fever of Emperor Form and then destroyed by the fully awakened Mio.