Kamen Rider Kuuga (Blu-ray/DVD) review

The 1990s wasn’t an especially prolific period for Kamen Rider. Although Shotaro Ishinomori’s popular tokusatsu was adapted into stage shows and a trio of films across the decade, 1988’s Kamen Rider Black RX was the century’s last televised series. Following Ishinomori’s passing in 1998, Kamen Rider Kuuga debuted on January 30^th, 2000, offering a revival that propelled the action-driven serial into the Heisei era.

Revisiting Kuuga over two decades later is a gratifying experience.  Sure, there is a tedious stretch or two, which is routine for a 49-episode series focused on a single Rider. And while much of the imaginatively choreographed fighting and action scenes remain rousing, some of the special effects seem rather dated. But overlook the CG animation overlayed onto live action or the occasional cheesy costume, and it’s difficult to not be swayed by the series’ numerous charms. Shot in a widescreen format, there’s an invigorating mix of intrigue, and light comedy, along with a perpetually upbeat lead that helps make Kuuga endearing.

Likely, late-century fare like Armour of God and The Mummy inspired Kuuga’s setup. Kamen Rider’s tenth installment opens with an archaeological expedition reconnoitering a mysterious tomb. As the adventure genre habitually reminds us, when people poke around age-old crypts, a series of injurious events soon follow. That’s the case here, with Kuuga’s inaugural episode depicting the unearthing of the Grongi, an ancient race who attacked the peaceful Linto people with murderous resolve.

Reawakened, the Grongi quickly converge on the public, and their ability to disguise themselves as humans makes containment particularly tricky. But the tomb is also the resting place of an ancient warrior named Kuuga, who was able to overpower Grongi attacks on the Linto. Much of Kuuga’s dominance was rooted in an exotic stone housed within his belt.

Meanwhile, Yusuke Godai, a seemingly happy-go-lucky 25-year-old begins having visions of Kuuga and finds himself drawn to the crime scene at the archaeological site. Despite cautions from a local police officer named Kaoru Ichijo and Sakurako Sawatari, a research team lead, Godai lingers around the tomb. Following a particularly vicious attack by a spider-like Grongi, Godai dons the belt, assuming Kuuga’s Growing Form, and subsequently kicks Grongi ass.

What is especially noteworthy about Kamen Rider Kuuga is how fluidly the series changes moods. Occasionally, the series will flirt with horror, such as when a concealed Godai sneaks up on Sawatari, as she’s translating a warning found at the tomb. Kuuga isn’t afraid of fierceness either. While it’s never too graphic, intermittently groups of civilians are slain by the Grongi. Occasionally, an episode will mimic the structure of a police procedural, cultivating intrigue with a quizzical phenomenon. And then there’s some chaste attraction between the affable Godai and charismatic Sawatari as well as a character with an obvious crush on the lead. Tokusatsu often inject a bit of romantic tension to escalate the stakes, and Kuuga follows tradition rather pleasingly. This blend of different moods ends up endowing the series with a jazzy feel. While you can expect a professional wrestling-style fight across each episode, the build-up to that encounter is rarely predictable. And that’s important for a series with nearly 50 installments.

While some might criticize Godai’s perpetually optimistic demeanor, the character offers a refreshing reprieve from the reluctant heroes of contemporary entertainment. Pay close attention and you might even feel that the protagonist’s positivity is performative, a coping mechanism for dealing with past tragedy. Similarly, there’s even a bit of depth applied to the series’ villains.  Not only does the series explore a hierarchical power structure, but the Godai speak their own language. Gratifyingly, Shout Factory’s seven disk Blu-ray set even offers a subtitle track that translates their native tongue. Give it a read (on the second viewing, since there are a few spoilers), and you’ll appreciate the development that’s applied to the antagonists, as their goals and even some in-fighting are revealed.

With seven episodes on each disk, there’s plenty of space on each Blu-ray for a blemish-free reproduction of the original 1080i video. Of course, the set’s superb image quality makes some of the CG effects and early henshin that much more of an eyesore. But beyond some brief blemishes, Shout Factory’s transfer is commendable, making it clear why lead actor Joe Odagiri casting was so notable. Similarly, the series’ DTS-HD stereo output is praiseworthy, making every motorcycle rev and kick palpable. Although it’s clear that the publisher wanted to keep the cost of the set down, disks tend to slip off the spindles in the multi-case.

As we watch Godai’s journey toward his ultimate form, there’s the worry that the escalation of violence as well as the lingering memories of mistakes might corrupt, damaging the handsome, jovial protagonist we have come to love. Arguably, Kuuga’s greatest success is avoiding the kind of storybook-style conclusions of many tokusatsu. While proceeding Kamen Rider series have touched on these kinds of ethical quandaries, Kuuga does it quite dexterously. Whether you’re a passionate Kamen Rider enthusiast, tokusatsu devotee, or seeking entertainment that feels fulfilling, this is a series you won’t want to miss.

Kamen Rider Kuuga is currently available for purchase from
Shout Factory and can be streamed from Shout! Factory TV.