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Let’s Watch Wednesdays returns from a couple weeks on hiatus back to Kamen Rider Den-O! Zeronos has returned, but that may be all the good news our heroes will have for now.

Yuuto Sakurai, the older one, disappeared some time ago. That fateful day by the lake, the circumstances of it are known only to Ryutaro. If Yuuto Sakurai no longer exists in the memories of others, how can we be sure Ryutaro actually knows what happened? Kai counted on erasing Yuuto from time to connect his future to the present, but he didn’t count on Ryutaro’s memories. And if the two times don’t connect, Momotaros & the others will disappear along with their time, forever. Now that contested moment in time will be revisited by all parties involved. But who actually knows the truth?

Den-O Trivia #16
Back to actors! If you didn’t pick up on it yet, you may have seen Kamen Rider Zeronos’ actor before. Yuichi Nakamura, is the man we’ve come to know and love as the younger Yuuto. However don’t confuse him with the actor of the same name who voiced Beet J Stag from Go-Busters.  This is the Zeronos Yuichi Nakamura.

In any case Nakamura once had another role on an older rider series, Kamen Rider Hibiki! 2 years before he became Yuuto/Zeronos he played Kyosuke Kiriya, who would briefly transform into the at the time unnamed Kamen Rider Kyoki! His role as Kyoki may not have been as long as Zeronos but it’s always fun to see which characters toku actors have played previously.

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“Take Care of Deneb.”

Let’s Watch Wednesdays returns to Kamen Rider Den-O but with the loss of one of our heroes. In case you haven’t noticed we’re rocking a Thursday Edition this week. Techincal difficulties on my end being to blame. But we’ll be back to normal next week.

Yuuto paid the ultimate price when his past self was erased from time. Or so it would seem. The Zeronos cards aren’t all bad after all. While the memories of a person disappear, they are protected from the ravages of time. But with no more green cards left, Yuuto must now resort to the red cards and an even greater price must be paid as well. The memories Yuuto’s made in the present will now cease to be. His past no longer exists, and now neither does his present, nor would it seem does his future. But one thing is certain, Zeronos Zero Form is a power to be reckoned with!

Den-O Trivia #15
It’s time to see if you were paying attention again! This week the show changed up something most people skip right past, the opening! That’s right, the usual rendition of Climax Jump you’re used to was replaced this week by Climax Jump Den-Liner Form. A rendition of the song sung by our lovable Imagin! Episode 40 is the first instance where the opening theme changes and the first where clips from the episode you’re about to watch are inserted into the montage.

Of course this isn’t the only alternate version of Climax Jump out there. In fact when Climax Jump was released as a Single there were 5 versions of the song just on that disc. But there are multiple other versions of the song each tied to a particular form of Den-O as well as several more official remixes of it. I actually know of at least 12 more versions of the song out there, bringing the total close to 20, all of which I have of course.

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Kamen Rider Den-O is approaching it’s final stop with Let’s Watch Wednesdays! As we approach the end, here’s where we stand.

With the debut of Liner Form things should be headed the right direction. Wrong. It seems Ryutaros was originally sent back in time to kill Ryutaro! And the one who sent him was someone from the Imagin’s future, Kai. But Ryutaros stands with his friends, so Kai sets his sights on Yuuto! In an effort to erase Yuuto from time, Kai will send an Imagin to his past. Will he succeed? Can Kamen Rider Zeronos be erased forever? Find out now.

Den-O Trivia 14
Did you notice something familiar this week? You may not have immediately recognized them but they’re there. Notice that Kai’s right hand man in his first appearances is the Leo Imagin. Leo has 3 underlings with him, the Leo Soldiers. Take a good look at their suits. Stll don’t see it? Those are in fact 3 Zectrooper suits from Kamen Rider Kabuto!

As is often the case in tokusatsu productions costumes are rehashed, reused, and canibalized for the sake of whatever the current production is. The Zectrooper suits were no different. These rider like characters were seen in large groups in Kabuto so it seems Toei could spare 3 suits to retrofit for Den-O. With their antennae removed, bug eyes covered in gold jewels, and the armor parts of their suits painted in gold it’s not surprising most people have never noticed this.

 

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Kamen Rider Den-O has pulled back into the station for another round of Let’s Watch Wednesdays @ Tokunation!

Memories are time. As long as people hold onto them, the time erased by Imagin can be restored. Even the people lost can return. But if no one remembers you, you fall through the cracks of time ,travelling until you are remembered. The Sakurai Yuuto of the future has returned with more cards, forcing the young Yuuto to become Zeronos once more, and dooming him to fall through the cracks of time. Now Ryutaro’s determination to be stronger is greater than ever. To keep Yuuto from needing to transform and destroy more memories of his life, something greater must be created. Ryutaro will use his own power, Den-Liner, and the 4 Imagin to create Liner Form! 

Den-O Trivia #13
We told you about the voice of Deneb, but now we’re looking at the man behind everyone’s favorite Imagin, Momtaros! Momotaros is brought to life by legendary voice actor Toshihiko Seki! Though his list of previous toku credits is primarily bit roles (Chameleon Nejire in Megaranger, Zebra Fangire in the Kiva Movie) Seki has been prolific as an anime actor.

His credits include: Rau Le Creuset in Gundam SEED, Duo Maxwell in Gundam Wing, Legato in Trigun, Iruka Umino in Naruto, and many other roles that span his nearly 30 year acting career. Mr. Seki has continued to voice the role of Momotaros since Den-O’s TV series began, even continuing the role all the way to this years Hesei Vs. Showa Featuring Super Sentai film! And it looks like there’s no end to this role in sight!

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TokuNation is back with another exciting climax in Kamen Rider Den-O for Let’s Watch Wednesdays!

As Yuuto continues to struggle with the final Zeronos Card, their secret is revealed. Airi can’t remember any version of the Sakurai Yuuto she once loved.  Because every time one of Zeronos‘ cards is used something incredibly important is lost, memories of Sakurai Yuuto! Each card contains a memory someone else has of him. And a new line has appeared in time twisted and mangled, this line doesn’t connect to Den-Liner, yet. But its tremors are being felt across time. No one will know that better than Hana. Could this line cross into her destroyed time? Where does it lead to, the future? Or the past?

Den-O Trivia #12

You may have noticed something big changed this week. And that’s Hana’s actress! For reasons we’ll find out later within the shows plot, Hana has regressed in age to that of a child. Some of you may even have noticed that Hana’s original actress, Yuriko Shiratori, last appeared in episode 30. After Ore Tanjou her involvement began to decline somewhat but she abruptly left the show at episode 30. So you’ll notice the ignorance of her absence by the shows plot.

In the real world what happened was Yuriko Shiratori became very over worked while doing the show and she’s said to have exited the franchise because of health problems related to this. Other reports have variously claimed over the years that she was injured filming a stunt for the show and refused to return because of it. Whatever the case may be she left the show and never returned. Which may be a big missed opportunity for the young actress as Den-O went on to become the longest lasting franchise in Kamen Rider and by far one of the most successful. But her replacement Tamaki Matsumoto stuck with it as Kohana for years, all the way into the Cho Den-O Trilogy!

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Everyone’s favorite segment, Let’s Watch Wednesdays, returns from Kamen Rider Den-O’s movie! Now for the consequences…

Gaoh has been defeated and time saved for now, but at a cost. The delicate bond Ryutaro had with the 4 Imagin  is broken. Now the Imagin of Den-Liner, all but Momotaros, will fade away. But something is left behind, composed of all Ryutaro’s feelings and memories of them. However this device may be the key to unlocking the greatest power of Den-O. The ultimate Climax. Meanwhile Yuuto is faced with a harsh reality. With only one Zeronos card left, his next battle may be his last. What is the dark secret of the cards and their hidden cost? Can he rely on Deneb and Ryutaro’s new power forever?

Den-O Trivia #11
We’ve talked about the Imagin and their design origins, but how about a little behind the scenes action? When talking about the Imagin they of course have incredible suit actors which bring them all to life. Equally as important though is the voice which gives them each a unique personality. The lovable Deneb is of course voiced by the wonderful Hochu Otsuka!

Otsuka has been doing voice overs for many many years and in that time has had some seriously great roles that fans of anime and animation in general will recognize. A mere fraction of his roles include Chibodee Crocket from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Jiraiya from Naruto, Ultra Magnus from Transformers Headmasters, even Captain Planet himself, and so on. But perhaps the two greatest roles tokusatsu fans will know him for outside of Deneb are the fantastic Signalman from Gekisou Sentai Carranger and the Narrator of Kamen Rider Gaim!

Be sure to join our weekly discussion by clicking the link at the bottom of this post!

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It’s time for Let’s Watch Wednesdays once again here at TokuNation. And although we’re still steaming downing the tracks with Kamen Rider Den-O, this weeks installment brings us to the first of many Den-O Theatrical films. This week we view Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Ore Tanjou!

Kamen Rider Gaoh, has appeared. Intent on controlling and erasing time itself he’ll take Den-Liner & Gaoh Liner to rider God’s Line.  Hana & Ryutaro will travel to the past and encounter Ryutaro’s younger self, Sieg will return for a proper debut with Wing Form, and Yuuto will go back in time to find help. Last week we saw Yuuto & Deneb creating all kinds  hijinks, kidnapping Ryutaro from various points in time, all for the Climax Scene. Well the Scene is officially here, and the power of 4 Den-O’s will unite against Gaoh with all of time at stake! But before that we’ll have some fun with a new rider, Mini Den-O!? It’s a wild ride this week, but you can be sure there will be repercussions from this film. Next week we’ll see just what happens to Ryutaro after the Climax Scene. 

Den-O Trivia #10

Getting back to actors in this franchise, let’s take a look at this films big villain Kamen Rider Gaoh! Played by veteran actor Hiroyuki Watanabe, Gaoh’s costume is based on Den-O Sword Form but has a Crocodile motif. Something that wouldn’t turn up again in rider design until OOO BuraKaWani combo. Sadly Gaoh’s suit no longer exists physically as it was scrapped for parts to produce the Kamen Rider Yuuki suit in one of Den-O’s later films, Final Countdown.

Mr. Watanabe, having had a rather long career, was no stranger to tokusatsu before this role. He portrayed the Xig Commander Ishimuro in Ultraman Gaia, Taiga Saejima in Garo & it’s spinoff Beast of the White Night, and beyond Den-O he would go on to appear in the rebooted Karate Robo Zaborger film in 2011.

Be sure to click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to join this weeks theatrical discussion!

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Let’s Watch Wednesdays returns from a small vacation thanks to our SDCC coverage. But we’re back, Kamen Rider Den-O has pulled into the station once again, and things are a bit nutty for Ryutaro. Yuuto’s devilish smile, ninjas, all the Imagin, dinosaurs, a new rider, this is the Climax Scene. But what & when is it? What are we building to? Beginning or perhaps ending here is the story for Den-O’s first theatrical film, Ore tanjou!

Ryutaro is disappearing from his own timeline, kidnapped by Zeronos & Deneb!? Events from the past and future collide and all out of order! This can only be a movie tie-in! These events lead directly into, or out of (oh you know how time travel works by now), the Ore Tanjou movie! For now we know that the terrible Kamen Rider Gaoh has arrived and to control all time he’ll take Den & Gaoh Liners for himself! But future Yuuto has assembled various Ryutaro’s from across time to stand against Gaoh! Get ready because next week we take the leap into the first of many Den-O theatrical films! It’s time for a Climax Scene!

Fun Fact #9
Rounding out the Imagin of the trains of time is Sieg! This impromptu 5th member of the Den-Liner gang has only briefly appeared on the show but will make a proper debut in next weeks film, Ore Tanjou. For now you should know that Sieg’s character is derived from the ballet Swan lake. Very different from the other Imagin, Sieg is somewhat based upon Prince Siegfried, a selfish and vain aristocrat who wishes to marry for love but simply has none in his heart.

But love finds Siegfried when he witness a swan he’s about to kill become a beautiful woman, actually the swan queen, Odette. The victim of a dark spell, Odette and her kind can only be freed if she is loved by one who has never loved before. Siegfried. Via a rather convoluted story of betrothals and princely courtship the pair eventually affirm their love and die together in the titular lake, thus breaking the spell on the other swans. 

Be sure to join our weekly discussion thread for Den-O by clicking “Discuss on the Tokunation Forums” at the bottom of this post!

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Last time we left off on a cliffhanger battle on Let’s Watch Wednesdays! But this week we see the result of Kamen Rider Den-O VS Kamen Rider Zeronos!

And continuing this week we start with a question. Why doesn’t Yuuto want to make new friends? Despite being likable he strives to be alone only keeping Deneb close. Is there something sinister hidden here? And it’s time for the advent of a new hero! The 5th Imagin of Den-Liner appears, the enigmatic, the aristocratic, the elegant swan himself, Sieg! And his human brother?! This just begs more questions. In answering them a new form will be born, Den-O Wing Form! But only briefly. In 3 weeks time this form will rise again in a feature film adventure. Next time we begin our perilous journey into the movies’ time travelling antics as Ryutaro is kidnapped at multiple points in his life!

Den-O Fun Fact #8

Now that we’ve cycled through the first 4 Imagins of the Den-Liner, it’s time to take a look at the resident goofball of Zero Liner, Deneb! Deneb  is partially based on Benkei, a warrior monk popularly known for taking up residence at Gojo Bridge in Tokyo and standing guard over it. Collecting 999 swords from passing swordsman as he defeated them. Benkei was a warrior bound by his honor and was the trusted retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, often placing himself in harms way for his master much like Deneb.

Deneb is named after the star Deneb in the constellation Cygnus, which has heavy ties to the tradition of Tanabata. Deneb serves as the connection between the lovers Hikoboshi (Altair) and Orihime (Vega). As the stars of Altair & Vega, Deneb is seen a bridge between the two. Hence why the two main forms of Kamen Rider Zeronos are  Altair and Vega, and the difference between them is Deneb himself.

So it’s time once again for you to join us in our weekly discussion of all things Kamen Rider Den-O! Head on over to our thread this week by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation” forums at the bottom of this post! And remember that Let’s Watch Wednesdays will be taking a week off next week as TokuNation begins it’s FULL on site coverage of all things San Diego Comic Con 2014! To find all of our news from the convention simply click this link!

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It’s time once again for Let’s Watch Wednesdays to return to TokuNation! We’ve got another round of episodes with Kamen Rider Den-O!

Sakurai Yuuto. 2 men share this name, or rather 1 man from two times. One travels through the shadows of the past, the other has arrived in the present. With his own Ticket, his own belt, and his own train of time, the Zero Liner. Aided by the lovable Imagin Deneb, Yuuto has become Kamen Rider Zeronos! But what contract have they made? What powers lie in the Zeronos Cards? And what consequence does their use have? We only know one thing to start, he is fairly strong. 

Den-O Fun Fact #7

Ryutaros, the happy go lucky child like Imagin of the Den-Liner crew is next on our list. Ryutaros is based on the legend of Taro, the Dragon Boy. Taro is said to have been a gluttonous lazy child who lived with his grandmother as a young boy. He didn’t help his fellow farmers, or do his chores, he merely played and ate. But one day he found out from his grandmother that his long lost mother, thought to be dead, had actually been turned into a dragon many years before and now slumbered at the bottom of a lake. 

So Taro set out on a quest to find his long lost mother. Along his journey to find her Taro encounters all manner of vile creatures and demons of myth. At one point he’s given a cup of sake that once drunk, gives him the strength of 100 men. But only when he helps people, not when he’s being selfish. He learns to become a farmer, properly, and appreciate the land and the gifts it bears. By the end of his journey Taro become a self sacrificing hero of myth. Though Ryutaros has an overt dragon theme his carefree attitude and general laziness are more like the early version of Taro. But just as Taro one day became a selfless hero because of his journeys, Ryutaros will also.

As always join TokuNation’s members in a weekly discussion of all things Den-O by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post.