Souji Kusakabe is Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto, Masked Rider Dark Kabuto), one of the major antagonists in Kamen Rider Kabuto.
Story
Souji Kusakabe is a mimic version of Tendou who was unknowingly captured by Mishima and used for the Hyper Zecter test. It is finally revealed that he is able to use the Dark Kabuto Zecter, a Zecter that mirrors the Kabuto Zecter. His Rider Form is similar to Kabuto's, but he has yellow eyes and his color has changed to black, with the exception of the top of his head, chest, and shoulders which contains dark red circuits which light up upon Cast-Off. When he is first introduced, he was at the edge of time and space, existing in an unknown universe with Hiyori. Shown in episode 39, he seems to be a kind person that wants to protect Hiyori just as the original Tendou does. His innocence is shown when he observes the flowers and gives off a kind laugh.
Publication Information
- Protagonist : Souji Kusakabe
- Japanese : 日下部 総司
- Type : Negishi's Experiments Human
- Rider Users : Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto
- Gender : Male
- Season : Kamen Rider Kabuto
- Homeworld : Earth (Main Timeline Continuity)
- First Appearance : Kamen Rider Kabuto Episod 32 : Puzzle Unraveled!!
- Last Appearance : OOO, Den-O, All Riders : Let's Go Kamen Riders
- Number of Appearances : 10 (Kabuto), 1 (Movie)
- Portrayer : Hiro Mizushima, Tsuyoshi Takishita (Climax Heroes series)
- Main View : Full Episod
It is later discovered that he is actually a human that was modified into a Native by Negishi's experiments, in hopes of turning all of humanity into Natives. When Kabuto is carried to this dimension, the mimic Souji stands by Hiyori defensively, angered by the presence of Kabuto. Calling upon the Dark Kabuto Zecter, he changes into Dark Kabuto and prepares to fight Kabuto.
During his first battle, he and Tendou initiate similar Rider Kicks, resulting in Tendou being defeated and flung back to the real world. During episode 42, Dark Kabuto arrives in the real world through a bolt of lightning, and walks away with a childish look on his face. Later in episode 43, he appears before Kagami and others, stating that he's going to eliminate his other self.
OOO, Den-O, All Riders : Let's Go Kamen Riders
Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto was part of a group of reinforcement riders led by Akira Date/Kamen Rider Birth to aid the primary riders in defeating the Rock Great Leader. All the Kamen Riders got on their bikes and performed the All Rider Break attack which destroyed the Great Leader.
Video Game Appearances
- Kamen Rider Kabuto Video Game
Forms
The Dark Kabuto Zecter allows Souji Kusakabe to transform into Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto. As with all of the Zecters, Kabuto has two basic forms that he can transform into. His forms resemble those of Kamen Rider Kabuto in different colors.
Dark Kabuto Masked Form
- Dark Kabuto Masked Form
- Henshin! ― Transformation announcement
- Height : 190cm
- Weight : 132kg
- Punching Power : 8t
- Kicking Power : 10t
- Maximum Jump Height : 20m
- Maximum Running Speed : 100m/8.9s
- Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto's Masked Form is a heavily armored form resembling a pupa that has very little offensive capabilities. This is the default form that Dark Kabuto transforms into, until he flips the "horn" on the Dark Kabuto Zecter, like a switch, to initiate the Cast Off command.
Dark Kabuto Ride Form
- Dark Kabuto Ride Form
- Cast Off : Change Beetle! ― Transformation announcement
- Rider Height : 195cm (Rider Form)
- Rider Weight : 95kg (Rider Form)
- Punching Power : 3t (Rider Form)
- Kicking Power : 7t (Rider Form)
- Maximum Jump Height : 37m (Rider Form)
- Maximum Running Speed : 100m/5.8s (Rider Form)
- Finisher Power : 19t
- Dark Kabuto's Rider Form is the sleeker and more offensive-based form which more resembles the Japanese rhinoceros beetle on which Dark Kabuto is named after and themed. It is in this form that Dark Kabuto has access to the Clock Up command which allows Dark Kabuto to travel at near-light speeds to match the speeds of the Worms. By pressing three buttons on the belt in succession, Dark Kabuto can perform his tachyon-powered Rider Kick called the Dark Rider Kick, a roundhouse kick from a standing position.
Dark Kabuto Native Form
- Main Article : Native
Equipment
- Devices
- Dark Kabuto Zecter : Transformation device
- Rider Belt : Transformation belt
- Weapon
- ZECT Kunai Gun : Personal weapon
- Main Article : Dark Kabuto Ring
KamenRide : Dark Kabuto
- To Be Added
- Original Version : Souji Tendou