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| Foto:Kamen Rider Ryuki |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,- When you hear the name Kamen Rider, images of brave superheroes fighting evil monsters for justice immediately come to mind. However, there's one series that completely flips this formula, even becoming an anomaly in the history of the legendary tokusatsu franchise: Kamen Rider Ryuki!
Instead of uniting against the forces of darkness, the Kamen Riders in this series actually fight each other, risking their lives for a single personal wish. A radical concept that left fans wondering, "Why are Kamen Riders killing each other?" Let's dive into the reasons why!
The main key to the concept of inter-Rider battles in Ryuki is "The Rider War," initiated by a mysterious genius named Shiro Kanzaki. He created the Mirror World, a parallel dimension that's home to fierce monsters called Mirror Monsters. To enter and fight in this world, and gain the power to defeat these monsters, one must possess an Advent Deck and become a Kamen Rider.
However, this power comes at a very high price: only one Rider can survive at the end of the battle. The last remaining Kamen Rider will get one chance to grant any wish they desire. This is the main incentive that drives the Kamen Riders to eliminate each other.
Unlike other series where Riders typically unite for a noble cause, in Ryuki, each Rider has very strong, often selfish or desperate, personal motives and wishes.
Shinji Kido (Kamen Rider Ryuki): Initially, Shinji, a journalist, rejected the fights and tried to stop The Rider War. However, he gradually got drawn in and had to fight to protect others. His simple wish: to stop the unnecessary fighting.
Ren Akiyama (Kamen Rider Knight): His motive is very strong and tragic. He wants to win the Rider War to save his girlfriend, Eri Ogawa, who is in a coma after a Mirror Monster attack.
Shuichi Kitaoka (Kamen Rider Zolda): An arrogant but successful lawyer who is dying from an illness. He wants to win the Rider War to gain immortality.
Takeshi Asakura (Kamen Rider Ouja): A brutal criminal who craves battle and chaos. He enjoys every fight and just wants to keep fighting.
These various motives make every battle in Ryuki not just a physical struggle, but also a clash of ideologies and moralities. Viewers are invited to see the darker side of humanity when faced with great power and life-or-death choices.
Every Kamen Rider in Ryuki must also make a contract with a Mirror Monster through an Advent Card. These monsters are the source of their power, which can be summoned to assist in battle. However, there's a big risk: if the contract breaks or the Rider is defeated, the monster will devour the defeated Rider.
This concept of contracting with monsters adds another layer of complexity and danger to every battle. It's not just about defeating other Riders, but also about controlling the "demons" within themselves.
Kamen Rider Ryuki is a brave and provocative series. By overturning the usual hero concept, Ryuki poses deep philosophical questions: Is power always used for good? How far is someone willing to go to achieve their personal desires?
This series shows that not all Kamen Riders are heroes. Some are selfish, brutal, even cowardly. However, amidst that chaos, there is still hope and a struggle for good, especially through characters like Shinji Kido.
Even though Kamen Rider Ryuki is different, that's precisely what makes it one of the most iconic and memorable Tokusatsu series to this day. Its courage to break away from standard conventions makes Ryuki a timeless masterpiece.
What do you think, is the concept of "Kamen Riders fighting each other" interesting or controversial? Share your thoughts in the comments section!