The Kamen Rider franchise continues its annual iteration of series and movies. As Kamen Rider Gaim comes to a close the obligatory movie's trailer has been unveiled: Kamen Rider Gaim: The Great Soccer Playoffs! The Golden Fruit Cup!
What's so interesting to me about this particular film is the inclusion of renowned kabuki actor Ainosuke Kataoka VI. Tokusatsu has always felt like an extension of kabuki theatre traits: The stylistic, flashy costume designs and creatures standing in for powerful armor/beasts, the consciously built stage world representing its own form of reality, much like tokusatsu miniatures...etc... Because toku comes from a lineage of kabuki theatre, it makes Kataoka's addition all the more appropriate.
He comes from a family line of kabuki performers and has been a long time fan of Kamen Rider. In The Great Soccer Playoffs! The Golden Fruit Cup! Kataoka plays Kougane, an evil god-like, armored rider named Kamen Rider Malus. Cast for his theatrical talent, and the divine beings he's played on stage, Kataoka will incorporate kabuki inspired moves to his transformation.
“I tried studying previous transformations, but mine will be different from the other Riders in Kamen Rider Gaim. Kamen Rider Malus will have a rather slow transformation with Kabuki influences.” On the franchise, Kataoka continues, “I believe all boys have thought at one point that they wanted to transform. Since I did grow up with Kamen Rider, I was very happy when I received this offer. While I’m basically playing an evil god, I think playing the villain is actually fun. At the same time, I hope the children that watch Kabuki with their families will say ‘It’s the Kamen Rider guy!’ when they see me on stage.”
It's nice that Kataoka is enthusiastic about both the part and being recognized for it while on stage. No doubt he'll bring a sense of class to Kamen Rider's latest film.
In addition to this summer's Kamen Rider Gaim film, which will open next to current Super Sentai's Ressha Sentai ToQger: The Movie – Galaxy Line SOS, the franchise will reach its newest iteration: Kamen Rider Drive. No word on a release date yet as the information was leaked early.
Enjoy the trailer for both Kamen Rider Gaim: The Great Soccer Playoffs! The Golden Fruit Cup! and Ressha Sentai ToQger: The Movie – Galaxy Line SOS:
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Thanks to Tokunation and Toku Network for the translations.
