Kamen Rider Zeronos

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Yuto Sakurai

nihongo|Yuto Sakurai|桜井 侑斗|Sakurai Yūto is a man who bears the same name as Airi's fiance who mysteriously disappeared prior to the beginning of the series, but similarities do not go any further it would seem. It is later revealed that Yuto is the very same Yuto Sakurai, only a decade younger, sharing his future self's high knowledge of astronomy. Unlike Ryotaro, Yuto claims that protecting the flow of time is not the same thing as protecting people. He says that saving people is unnecessary if it means disrupting the flow of time even if it means sacrifices must be made to save the future. He holds a very spoiled personality, and often acts like a child when things do not go his way and putting lots of sugar in his coffee before actually tasting it, hence earning him the nickname nihongo|"Boku-chan"|僕ちゃん by Urataros. Yuto is also the kind of figure who would use dishonest methods to get the job done, but has since abandoned this way of fighting. A running gag with Yuto is his hatred for shiitake, going as far as a comic beating to make sure Deneb does not serve any.cite web|url=http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8161/1180580725578zg2.jpg|title=A magazine scan detailing the various parts of Zeronos|accessdate=2007-05-31] cite web|url=http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5944/1180580952254wc2.jpg|title=A magazine scan detailing Vega Form and Deneb|accessdate=2007-05-31] cite web|url=http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/241/1180581528153ht2.jpg|title=A magazine scan detailing various aspects of Zeronos|accessdate=2007-05-31]

When possessed by Deneb, Yuto's hair grows out past shoulder length with two locks of hair on each side of his head. On the right side, the lock is a neon green with a darker green streak within it. His personality is also overwritten by Deneb's, who is much more polite and apologizes for Yuto's actions, often by giving out Deneb Candies and acting overly friendly. This usually gets Yuto angry thus forcing Deneb out of him and comically beating him.

Fictional character biography

Prior to the series, Yuto Sakurai encounters his future self, the older Yuto Sakurai of 2007, who revealed to him the situation relating to the Imagin. Provided with the Zeronos arsenal and Deneb, Yuto takes the Zero-Liner forward in time to May 20, 2007, where he makes himself known to Ryotaro Nogami after the Wolf Imagin is destroyed. He warns Ryotaro not to look for the mysterious man in the trenchcoat, the future Yuto Sakurai that Ryotaro knows as his sister's fiance. Yuto also reveals that he is Kamen Rider Zeronos, chiding Ryotaro's flawed ideals as Den-O yet was unhinged when Ryotaro intended to keep fighting for what he believes in. Once he meets his near-future self, who abducts Ryotaro to prepare for an event known as the , Yuto begins to respect the boy chosen to be Den-O.

Yuto originally has ten Zeronos Cards, the items that allow him to become Zeronos, which are in turn are tied to the memories people have of the elder Sakurai. Each time a card is used up from a battle, the memories from normal people who knew Sakurai disappear as well. It is this reason that he tries not to become Zeronos very often, only doing so if it is necessary to help Den-O. After using up his second-to-last card in an attempt to save Deneb, only to learn it was a false alarm, Yuto is reluctant to use his final card until Airi is kidnapped by Fujishiro, one of her former suitors that has been possessed by the twin Anthopper Imagin. He uses his last card as Airi begins to remember him, making Fujishiro and Airi lose all memories of the Sakurai they knew. Unable to become Zeronos, Yuto is confronted by Sakurai himself, receiving another set of Zeronos Cards despite Deneb's protests. These new cards show that the older Sakurai is displaced from time and space during each transformation, as memories of him alone cannot power the cards. As Kai arrives, Kai sees fit to eliminate Yuto Sakurai, as he believes that Sakurai is the key to the Junction Point. Kai sends the female Snail Imagin to 1993 to kill Yuto before he could meet Sakurai, removing him from time.

However, the Zeronos Cards have created a time lag, allowing Yuto to return despite not being a Singularity Point like Ryotaro. He also uses a red Zeronos Card, which Ryotaro notices. Yuto tells him that the memories of the older Sakurai are no longer enough to support Zeronos' power, and now his memories in 2007 are being used as power to transform him into Zeronos Zero Form. Eventually, Kai starts to question his agenda and realizes that Yuto and his future self have been acting as a distraction from his true target: Airi, who is tied to the Junction Point. Once Ryotaro goes into the past, Yuto is forced to battle the numerous Imagin under Kai, fighting them and the Death Imagin to protect Airi until Ryotaro returns. When Ryotaro does return, Yuto fights alongside him using the last card Deneb gave him, which servers his ties to his future self. After the battle is over, Yuto immediately returns to the Zero-Liner to find Deneb only to find nothing but the last meal Deneb prepared for him, which ironically has shiitake in it. Yuto willingly eats the meal as Deneb surprises him. Instead of comically beating him up as normal, Yuto instead hugs Deneb, crying tears of joy. No longer bound to the future of Sakurai, Yuto and Deneb say their goodbyes to Ryotaro as the Zero-Liner departs into the time stream. However, Yuto and Deneb later return to aid the Den-Liner Crew when Ryotaro is adbucted by Shiro, joining the epic battle against the revived Imagin. They later Ryotaro by independantly investigating the crime lord Seiya Kuroki before joining in the fight against Negataros.

Forms

Unlike Kamen Rider Den-O, Zeronos uses a card system, using Zeronos Cards to activate the transformation process. A Zeronos Card disappears after use, which limits the number of times the Zeronos transformation can be achieved as each time a card disappears. At the beginning, Zeronos had multiple forms that he could assume in battle. On his own, Yuto could become Kamen Rider Zeronos Altair Form. When the Imagin Deneb possesses him, he is able to become Kamen Rider Zeronos Vega Form. Altair and Vega Form are based on the Summer Triangle, which is part of the myth that is the basis for both the Chinese legend of Qi Xi and the Japanese Tanabata Festival. A cowherd named Niu Lang/Hikoboshi (Altair) is separated from his lover and the mother of his children, the fairy Zhi Nü/Orihime (Vega), by the great river (the Milky Way) as punishment for the fairy having eloped with a mortal man. Every year, the magpies take pity on the two lovers and become a bridge at Deneb to allow the two lovers to be together once again.

Altair Form

*Rider height: 192cm
*Rider weight: 89kg
*Ability perimeters
**Punching power: 5t
**Kicking power: 7t
**Maximum jump height: 35m
**Maximum running speed: 100m/5snihongo|Altair Form|アルタイルフォーム|Arutairu Fōmu is the default form of Zeronos, using the Zeronos Cards to evoke the change. It is named after the star Altair in the constellation Aquila the Eagle. The "mask" is made up of two green bull's head-shaped visors, the same motif as Zero-Liner Drill, which is based on the mythological occupation of Altair as a cowherd. These form from two bull's head-shaped train cars that ride along the tracks on Zeronos' helmet. The rest of the body has a set of converging train tracks that are almost like a zipper. Altair Form has generally balanced abilities comparable to Den-O's Sword Form. When Yuto becomes Altair Form, he says, nihongo|"I'll tell you this for starters…"|最初に言っておく…|Saisho ni itte oku… followed by something that concerns Yuto's strength or how annoyed he is. After using the Red Zeronos card, Yuto's own memories were used to cause Altair Form to "rust", changing it into Zero Form, although the future Yuto Sakurai is still able to assume Altair Form. In the final fight, Yuto once again uses this form using the last of original Zeronos cards. Later during the investigation of Negataros, Yuto returns with a new set of Zeronos cards, able to assume Altair Form once again.

Vega Form

*Imagin: Deneb
*Rider height: 199cm
*Rider weight: 123kg
*Ability perimeters
**Punching power: 7t
**Kicking power: 10t
**Maximum jump height: 25m
**Maximum running speed: 100m/9.7snihongo|Vega Form|ベガフォーム|Bega Fōmu is the form of Zeronos that comes from being possessed by the Imagin Deneb. It is named after the star Vega in the constellation Lyra the Lyre. It has a series of cannons on its shoulders called the nihongo|Zeronos Nova|ゼロノスノヴァ|Zeronosu Nova. In the process of transforming into Vega Form, Deneb's body makes up various aspects of the form: his face is on Vega Form's chest, his hands form the Zeronos Nova, and his cloak becomes the cape. The "mask" is made up of a spool of thread, as Vega is a weaver, that opens up into a star shape. Vega Form is physically stronger than Altair Form, although suffers a loss of speed and overall agility. Whenever Deneb possesses Yuto to assume Vega Form, he says, nihongo|"I'll tell you this for starters…"|最初に言っておく…|Saisho ni itte oku… following with a honest fact that annoys both the opponent and Yuto. Vega Form is accessed for the last time during the final battle, playing a part in the destruction of the Death Imagin, although Yuto assumes the form once more in the fight against Negataros.

Zero Form

*Rider height: 192cm
*Rider weight: 89kg
*Ability perimeters
**Punching power: 7t
**Kicking power: 9t
**Maximum jump height: 42m
**Maximum running speed: 100m/4snihongo|Zero Form|ゼロフォーム|Zero Fōmu is a form of Zeronos that Yuto can assume, visually similar to Altair Form, but with a red color scheme (in place of Altair Form's green parts) and golden trimmings. After Yuto used the first Red Zeronos card, it used his own memories as a catalyst to cause the green portions of Altair Form to rust dramatically, turning them red and giving the armor a rustic-like texture while increasing its capabilities. As he did with Altair Form, Yuto can now assume Zero Form on his own, with access to the Denebick Buster. Zero Form is lost when Yuto is defeated by the Death Imagin using his last Red Zeronos card [cite web|url=http://www.e-na.co.jp/wakuwaku/product/index.asp?prd_id=310159|title=【フィギュアショップ　わくわくワンダー】 ０７-１１-末発売予定　ライダーヒーローシリーズＤ09　ゼロノス（ゼロフォーム）|accessdate=2007-07-24] [cite web|url=http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5094/40fodbqj9kt4.jpg|title=Low-quality Zero Form scan|accessdate=2007-07-28] , but is later regained through unknown means in time to aid the Den-Liner crew against Shiro and the revived Imagin.

Equipment

Zeronos Belt

The nihongo|Zeronos Belt|ゼロノスベルト|Zeronosu Beruto allows Yuto Sakurai to transform into Kamen Rider Zeronos. It uses the nihongo|Up Set|アプセット|Apusetto system and the nihongo|Zeronos Card|ゼロノスカード|Zeronosu Kādo to transform and switch forms. There are several kinds of Zeronos Cards. The original cards had a green side (Altair Form) and a yellow side (Vega Form). A special variant of the Zeronos card had the original green side, but a red side in place of the yellow side in order to start the process of changing Altair Form into Zero Form. All subsequent cards thereafter replaced the green side with the red side, but retained the yellow side.

A Zeronos Card can only be used once; when Zeronos cancels the transformation, the card evaporates if it is the yellow Zeronos Card, or rusts if a red Zeronos Card. At his debut, Yuto possessed ten green sided Zeronos Cards in a card holder on the Zeronos Belt until he used up the last in Episode 32. These cards are based on Yuto, representing the memories of those who know him. When a card is used, the memory of the elder Yuto's existence in present time is erased from the memories of people who are not Singularity Points. In Episode 35, elder Sakurai offered Yuto a new full card holder and one extra Zeronos Card. After some hesitation, Yuto accepted the offer and used the extra, displacing elder Sakurai from the time they were in. It is to be assumed that the new holder has infinite Cards left as long as there are people to remember him. When Yuto used the red sided Zeronos Card, it used the memories of Airi as a catalyst to permanently change Altair Form into Zero Form. All subsequent red Zeronos cards now use the memories pertaining to Yuto instead of his future self. Although Yuto eventually uses up all of these new cards, in the finale, Deneb presents him with the last of the original green Zeronos cards. Through unknown means, Yuto eventually reappears with a new set of green Zeronos cards, allowing him to join Den-O in the fight against Negataros.

*Device: Up Set ("Zeronos Belt")
*Imagin: Deneb
*Change system: For Altair Form, Yuto slides a switch on top of the Zeronos belt and insert a Zeronos Card with the green side facing forward and forming the letter A in green. For Vega Form, Deneb stands behind Yuto while in Altair Form, whom repeats the process, but instead inserts the Zeronos Card with the yellow side facing forward forming the letter V in yellow. After using the Red Zeronos card, Yuto inserted the card with the red side facing forward as he did with Altair Form previously, activating Zero Form.
*Change announcement: ALTAIR FORM, VEGA FORM, CHARGE AND UP
*Primary finisher: FULL CHARGE

ZeroHorn

The nihongo|Machine ZeroHorn|マシンゼロホーン|Mashin Zerohōn is Zeronos' personal motorcycle, similar in design to Den-O's DenBird, but with a different head design. [cite web|url=http://www.maruzen-toy.com/cgi-bin/goods.cgi?id=KR-533|title=丸善商店　予約05/27〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 バイク＆アクション マシンゼロホーン＆仮面ライダーゼロノス 商品説明|accessdate=2007-05-24] Just like the Machine DenBird to the Den-Liner, the Machine ZeroHorn allows Zeronos to control the Zero-Liner in combat against the Gigandeath. It has a slot for a Rider pass as well, despite Yuto not possessing one, rather Zeronos cards can be inserted and used in place of one.

ZeroGasher

The nihongo|Combination Armament ZeroGasher|連結武装ゼロガッシャー|Renketsu Busō Zerogasshā is Zeronos' primary weapon. It has two modes, Sabre and Bowgun, and both forms can access them. [cite web|url=http://www.maruzen-toy.com/cgi-bin/goods.cgi?id=KR-529|title=丸善商店　予約05/27〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 連結武装 ＤＸゼロガッシャー 商品説明|accessdate=2007-05-24] It has only two components, the blade and a triangular handle. Its components can be swapped with the Denebick Buster.
*For nihongo|Sabre Mode|サーベルモード|Sāberu Mōdo, Zeronos attaches the handle to the blade with the tip of the triangle aligned to the blade. The blade would then almost triple in size.
*For nihongo|Bowgun Mode|ボウガンモード|Bōgan Mōdo, Zeronos flips the handle around and attaches it to the Blade perpendicularly. He then pulls back on the blade to open up the 'bow' component of the weapon. The Bowgun then increases in size.

Zeronos Nova

The nihongo|Zeronos Nova|ゼロノスノヴァ|Zeronosu Nova are a set of cannons mounted on the shoulders of Zeronos' Vega Form. They are actually Deneb's open hands switched (right hand goes to the left shoulder) with his fingers acting as the cannon barrels. The Zeronos Nova fires from the inner cannons outward.

Denebick Buster

The nihongo|Super Combination Armament Denebick Buster|超連結武装デネビックバスター|Chō Renketsu Busō Denebikku Basutā is a weapon that Deneb is able to transform into when Zeronos is in Zero Form. The sides of the barrel have gold-colored versions of the Zeronos Nova attached to Deneb's face. Deneb can talk through this form. The barrel and the blade of the ZeroGasher Crossbow Mode can be interchanged, allowing Zero Form to dual-wield guns. [cite web|url=http://www.e-na.co.jp/wakuwaku/product/index.asp?prd_id=340044|title=【フィギュアショップ　わくわくワンダー】 ０７-１１-末発売予定　 超連結武装　DXデネビックバスター）|accessdate=2007-07-24]

Full Charge

Zeronos has three nihongo|Full Charge|フルチャージ|Furu Chāji finishing moves. For the Full Charge to take place, Zeronos presses a button on top of the Zeronos Belt to charge the Zeronos Card. He then takes the charged Zeronos Card and quickly slides it in and out of a slot in the ZeroGasher, transferring the energy in the process. For the Denebick Buster, the Zeronos Card is kept in the slot until Full Charge is finished. Each Zeronos Card can transfer enough energy for more than one Full Charge attack.
* The Sabre Mode's Full Charge is used in conjunction with nihongo|Splendid End|スプレンデッドエンド|Supurendeddo Endo.cite web|url=http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3577/1180581784924jz9.jpg|title=A magazine scan detailing Zeronos and the Zero-Liner|accessdate=2007-05-31] With the ZeroGasher charged up, Zeronos releases a powerful wave from the blade that flies to the target in the form of a green 'A' shape (in Altair Form) or a yellow 'V' shape (in Vega Form).
* The Bowgun Mode's Full Charge is used in conjunction with nihongo|Grand Strike|グランドストライク|Gurando Sutoraiku. With the ZeroGasher charged up, Zeronos fires a powerful wave to the target in the form of a green 'A' shape (in Altair Form) or a yellow 'V' shape (in Vega Form).
* The Denebick Buster's Full Charge is used in conjunction with nihongo|Buster Nova|バスターノヴァ|Basutā Nova, creating a powerful energy beam with great recoil.

Zero-Liner

Much like Den-O, Zeronos has his own time traveling train, called the nihongo|Zero-Liner|ゼロライナー|Zerorainā. [cite web|url=http://www.maruzen-toy.com/cgi-bin/goods.cgi?id=KR-531|title=丸善商店　予約05/22〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 デンライナーシリーズ０９ ゼロライナードリル 商品説明|accessdate=2007-05-24] [cite web|url=http://www.maruzen-toy.com/cgi-bin/goods.cgi?id=KR-532|title=丸善商店　予約05/22〆【バンダイ】仮面ライダー電王 デンライナーシリーズ１０ ゼロライナーナギナタ 商品説明|accessdate=2007-05-24] [cite web|url=http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7798/1180581152775ql5.jpg|title=A scan from a magazine that details the Zero-Liner cars|accessdate=2007-05-31] The Zero-Liner, however, is a steam locomotive and not a bullet train like the Den-Liner. The Zero-Liner was thought to have been destroyed when the previous timeline was erased, but somehow arrived in the present to Airi and Sakurai, the later bestowing it for Yuto to use. Just like the Den-Liner, the Zero-Liner's cars can link in a different order or link up with Den-Liner itself. It can be used regardless of how many Zeronos Cards are left, even none.

Drill

nihongo|Zero-Liner Drill|ゼロライナードリル|Zerorainā Doriru is a train car with a bull motif and a green A on either side. When the bull's head is flipped around, a giant drill bit is revealed. Like Den-O's Rekkou, the Drill relies on close range attacks, using the horns as offensive weapons. The drill bit can also allow the Zero-Liner to travel underground as well as run through Gigandeaths. The drill bit can also spin fast enough to create a powerful whirlwind blast.

Naginata

nihongo|Zero-Liner Naginata|ゼロライナーナギナタ（薙刀）|Zerorainā Naginata is a train car with a hawk motif and a yellow V on either side. On its back is a naginata called the nihongo|Revolving Cutter|回転カッター|Kaiten Kattā. It can also function as a helicopter, proving to be very effective against aerial Gigandeath. Its most effective offense involves Zeronos flying the Zero-Liner towards the Gigandeath with the propeller slicing through the target.

References