Kamen Rider Espada - Tokunation

Last night was the official Toei press conference for the newest Kamen Rider hero, so we now have a plethora of new information on the adventures of Kamen Rider Saber!

The series will be directed by longtime Kamen Rider veteran Takayuki Shibasaki while the main writer this time around is Takuro Fukuda– previously known for Kamen Rider Ghost.

A brief story outline was included in the conference: Kamen Rider Saber features a world based on fairy tales & fantasy adventures colliding with our own, centered over conflict with The Book– a legendary artifact that contains unparalleled powers and secrets. In ancient times, a sinister group known as Megiddo came forth to take The Book for themselves- as a result of the conflict, chapters of The Book were scattered across the world (becoming the WonderRide Books seen in toy listings). A collection of heroes known as the Sword Of Logos unites to fight the evildoers and reclaim The Book. The battles between both groups will throw the world into chaos- with people and places vanishing between worlds.

*Kamen Rider Saber’s true name is Touma Kamiyama (played by new actor Shuichiro Naito), a novelist and owner of the Fantastic Kamiyama Bookstore. An encounter with the Sword Of Fire Rekka grants him the power of Kamen Rider Saber.

This will be another year with multiple Riders- with a total of FIVE in the main cast from the start! According to comments from the writing team at the conference, the total number of Kamen Riders in this series may be over TEN.

*Secondary Rider is the hero Kamen Rider Blades (not “Blaze” as previously translated) also known as Rintaro Shindo (played by Takaya Yamaguchi)- he wields the Sword of Water Nagare and is very dedicated to rules and order.

*Third in the lineup is Kamen Rider Espada! This Rider features white and yellow armor; his signature element is lightning powered by the Sword of Lightning Ikazuchi. Espada’s real name is Kento Fukamiya (portrayed by Ryo Aoki); he and Saber are childhood friends.

*The fourth Rider is Kamen Rider Kenzan! Kenzan is a green Rider who uses the Sword of Wind Hayate for powerful cyclone attacks. Kenzans’ civilian identity is Ren Akamichi (played by Eiji Togashi); he is described as a man with high self-esteem who views Saber as a rival.

*Finally, the fifth Rider is Kamen Rider Caliber! This is the only Rider whose real face & identity remain unrevealed; Caliber is a traitor to the Sword of Logos and now works with Megiddo to gain the power of The Book for himself. Caliber works alongside the Megiddo enforcer Storius– creator of the Alter Book that he plans to use to rewrite history.

The Sword of Logos was founded by Sophia– played by Rina Chinen an ancient mystic who seeks to restore the balance of the worlds. Sophia has an aide named Tetsuo (portrayed by actor Hiroasa Naka who helps maintain the weapons and vehicles for Kamen Riders.

Kamen Rider Saber’s opening theme will be performed by the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra along with another musical guest who remains unrevealed at time of writing. The series will also feature an ENDING theme, something absent from Kamen Rider since Hibiki.