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Kamen Rider Gaim: Inves

Inves are monsters from the 2013 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider Gaim. Inves are a breed of monster that originate from a realm called the Helheim Forest. They vary in design and feed on the fruit that the forest provides. Inves have two major characteristics to them. The first is that they are used as fighters for competitive battling by humans. The humans in the show developed technology to link the overworld with Helheim, and they use items called Lockseeds to summon smaller versions of the Inves monsters, to which they battle with them (almost like Pokémon). The second is that if a human eats the same fruit in Helheim that the Inves eat, they will turn into an Inves, and the process is irreversible. There are also types of Inves called Overlords. Overlords are slightly more intelligent versions of Inves, to the point where they can learn and become fluent in human languages. Inves are a neat type of being, and the first one I've posted about thus far that amhave otherworldly origins.

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Kamen Rider Amazons: Amazons

Amazons are monsters from the 2016 Tokusatsu web series (and also technically remake), Kamen Rider Amazons. Amazons are humanoid organisms created by special cells called Amazon Cells. They are not really humans per se, but they can maintain human appearances. They are the result of a prestigious experiment and number in exactly 4000. Amazons can think and act like humans, but are also bound to animal-like instincts. The facility who made them equipped each one with an arm brace that injects them with special drugs in order to keep them satiated. However, those drugs do not last forever, and if not replaced, the Amazons will go berserk and transform into a more monstrous-looking form. In this form, not only is the transformation irreversible, but they become human-eating beasts and in some cases, will even eat fellow Amazons, if it satisfies their hunger. While they are certainly monster-like, they are the first Kamen Rider monsters I’ve reviewed that act like animals the most. Once transformed, they succumb to their instincts and hunger. They no longer act like the humanoid being they once were. Any form of human-like consciousness and appearance disappears, and in place comes something vastly similar to an apex predator. 

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Kamen Rider Blade: Undead

Undead are monsters from the 2004 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider Blade. According to the show’s lore, Undead are a group of 52 monsters, each representing a different type of animal that inhabits the Earth, including humans. They originally existed since the dawn of time and were placed on Earth to participate in what is known as the Battle Fight. The Undead who wins this fight determines which species will gain intelligence and reign supreme among the Earth, to which the Human Undead was the victor. It’s very odd to classify Undead as monsters. If we look at Mary Douglas’s studies of monsters, she states that they are beings that do not belong, or do not have a place to belong in the first place. While Undead do have monstrous-like appearances, they were placed on the Earth with a major purpose in mind. So by technicality, they do have some sort of place that they belong, whether it be on Earth, or as a tool to decide the future of the Earth. Another interesting fact is that Undead do not die when they are beaten by the Kamen Riders. When the Battle Fight was decided, the remaining Undead were sealed in items called Rouze Cards, and hidden below the Earth’s surface. When the Kamen Riders defeat them, they are able to be sealed in the empty Rouze Cards they escaped from, and the Riders do as such. They can be then used in the Rider’s arsenal to assist them in capturing more Undead. So along with this sense of purpose, there is an idea that Undead should be preserved as well, rather than eliminated. 

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Kamen Rider 555: Orphnoch

Orphnoch are monsters from the 2003 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider 555 (pronounced as Kamen Rider Faiz). Orphnoch are beings that literally transcend humanity. So much so that you need to die in order to become one. However, not anyone can become an Orphnoch. There is a little bit of chance to it, to which only some humans are capable of becoming one after death. Orphnoch are all themed after different types of animals, but there isn’t really any more specifics when it comes to that. What there are specifics in however, are that they can transform into their previous human images at will. So does that mean they’re still human? They retain all their memories from when they were still alive, but then again, they are technically alive, or a type of undead rather. If we look at the readings of Mary Douglas, we can say that they don’t belong. They are quite literally something that should not be possible, or should not be possible for the human race yet. As a species, we are bound to evolve, as we have been for centuries. But Orphnoch take that to a whole new level by extending that human evolution to the afterlife. 

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Kamen Rider Zero-One: Magia

Magia are robots from the 2019 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider Zero-One. The last few posts I’ve made have talked about beings that either start out as a human, or have features that question the category they are in. With that being said, this is the first one that is a single type all of the way through. Magia are the byproduct of a different type of robot present in Kamen Rider Zero-One called Humagears. While this post is not focused on Humagears, I will give a brief explanation as to what they are. Humagears are a type of android that are built to accompany humans and to be purchased to complete tasks. They operate under the guidance of an artificial intelligence named Zea, who resides in a satellite. However, the villain faction of the show, named Metsuboujinrai.net, are able to corrupt Humagears with ideas of malice and change what once was a cheery and helpful robot, into a more dangerous one that’s full of bloodlust, a Magia. To become a Magia, a Humagear must be using an object called a Zetsumerise Key, and insert in into a belt called a Zetsumeriser. Each Zetsumerise Key is themed after an extinct animal such as a Mammoth or a Dodo. As such, a Humagear will turn into a Magia that is themed after the respective extinct animal. As opposed to the beings I’ve reviewed so far, the Humagear cannot necessarily be saved when turned into a Magia. They are robots, so they can be rebuilt, but the consequence is that they will forget the moments they have shared with humans since they were built the first time, which the actual show builds upon greatly. Magia do not really possess any unique features that make them any more than a vicious killer robot (those belong to the Humagears), but what they do possess is a very nice contrast to Humagears. Just when we think AI is helpful and nice, Magia remind us of the risks there are to developing AI, should it be led down the wrong path...

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Kamen Rider Drive: Roidmudes

Roidmudes are robots from the 2014 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider Drive. Roidmudes are an interesting case when it comes to robots. In the show, they are classified as mechanical life forms and/or androids. Robots are usually built to serve a purpose, or to fulfill an action. Kamen Rider Drive tells us that as a robotic species, they numbered exactly at 108, and were built with the capability of “evolving” to be more like humans. So that begs the question: are they really robots? Another feature Roidmudes have is that they possess what is called a Core. Core’s are physical numbers that are assigned to each Roidmude. For example, if you are Roidmude 001, you would have the 001 Core. Cores essentially serve as souls of sorts for Roidmudes, and as long as the Core exists, they can come back to life with ease. These similarities to souls and life alongside their sole purpose of evolving to be like humans makes you wonder if they could be classified as more than robots. Their bodies are certainly mechanical. However, the Cores and the presence of an evolving consciousness that wants to be like humans suggests that alongside being robotic, they may also be close to something akin to cyborgs, or even humans.

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Kamen Rider W: Dopants

Dopants are monsters from the 2009 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider W (pronounced as Kamen Rider Double). As with most types of monsters in the Kamen Rider franchise, Dopants are monsters that also start out as humans. Instead of being forcefully turned into one like Smash from my last post, Dopants are monsters that you willingly transform into. To turn into a Dopant, you need an object called a Gaia Memory: USB-like drives that each have one specific type of data in them. When you use a Gaia Memory by itself, you transform into a Dopant based on the data of the respective Memory. For example, if you use a Triceratops Gaia Memory, you will turn into a Triceratops Dopant. You can willingly de-transform from Dopant to Human as well. Similar to Smash, Dopants are a type of monster that go beyond human limits with the help of technology. The difference here is that when transformed into a Dopant, you are fully in control of your actions and can do whatever you please, as opposed to Smash. If a Dopant is defeated by a powerful-enough move from the titular hero of the show, Kamen Rider W, then they will de-transform, and the Gaia Memory they used will be destroyed. Dopants are yet another good example of unique types of monsters like Smash. They are monsters that are solely created using the modification of human beings, this time with a twist that questions the morality of any person who becomes one. 

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Kamen Rider Build: Smash

Smash are monsters from the 2017 Tokusatsu television show, Kamen Rider Build. They are essentially modified humans, but with no mind of their own, and simply act on instinct. Smash are an interesting case because they represent the borderline between human and monster. While they are products of mutation, it is possible to change back into a human if turned into one. Granted, with the help of the titular hero of the show, Kamen Rider Build. This begs a question, though. Is it a monster if it can be saved? A common description for monsters is things that do not belong, or things that are uncanny to the naked eye. Smash do have the appearance of monsters, but they are still quite literally humans on the inside. The line between human and monster is a fascinating one, and monsters like Smash bring new and interesting ideas to the table.