Kamen Rider Geats

Kamen Rider Geats (仮面ライダーギーツ) is a Japanese drama series, the 33rd entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider metaseries and the fourth series in the Reiwa period. The series premiered on September 4, 2022, joining Avataro Sentai Donbrothers and later, Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger in the Super Hero Time lineup following the finale of Kamen Rider Revice, before concluding on August 27, 2023.      Kamen Rider Gotchard would later air in its place the following week.

Summary
The Desire Grand Prix (DGP) is a survival game overseen by an organization of the same name, where players must protect the city from a mysterious enemy called Jyamato. Each participant is bound by the game's rules to continue playing until they die or are eliminated. The winner is rewarded with "the right to bring an ideal world to life", and so only true heroes who win the competition can realize their desired reality.

Among the participants are Ace Ukiyo, a mysterious man and the DGP's undefeated champion who competes as Kamen Rider Geats, his rival Michinaga Azuma, a construction worker who competes as Kamen Rider Buffa, graduate student Keiwa Sakurai who competes as Kamen Rider Tycoon, and social media influencer Neon Kurama who competes as Kamen Rider Na-Go. As the group fight the Jyamato to survive and the monsters grow stronger, the truth about the DGP and its creators is revealed.

With the exception of Daybreak (黎明), which serves as both the prologue and epilogue of the series, the series is divided into six arcs, each covering a different season of the DGP:
 * Daybreak-Prologue (Episode 1): It introduces the main characters and ends with Ace winning and attaining his wish of "becoming a celebrity".
 * Encounter Arc (邂逅編) (Episodes 2–9): Keiwa and Neon join the DGP as Kamen Riders while Ace and Michinaga return from the previous season. Ace wins again and uses his wish of "Having Girori and Tsumuri (two members of the DGP staff) as part of his family", to investigate further on the DGP. He wants to discover why he cannot make his real wish come true, which is to reunite with his long lost mother Mitsume.
 * Conspiracy Arc (謀略編) (Episodes 10–16): Fearing that Ace could be a liability for the organization, Girori, who is revealed to be the DGP's game master, brings DGP agent Win Hallelujah to the game to remove him permanently from the competition. Meanwhile, some of the Jymato gain the ability to transform into Jyamato Riders. However, he ends up removed from his position for abusing his authority and indirectly causing Michinaga's death along with sacrificing Win in an attempt to kill Ace. It is revealed that the DGP is an interdimensional reality game show, and the season ends with no winners.
 * Divergence Arc (乖離) (Episodes 17–24): Chirami assumes the role of the DGP's new game master, and Ace finds the format has changed to a popularity context to place him at a disadvantage. He also learns he and the other Kamen Riders have supporters who aid them. Meanwhile, Michinaga's prolonged usage of the Zombie Buckle resurrects him, and he learns the Jyamato are evolving because a mysterious gardener named Archimedel is cultivating and nourishing them using fallen players' ID Cores. Over time, Michinaga gradually becomes a human-Jyamato hybrid as he and a disqualified DGP player named Daichi Isuzu are recruited by Archimedel and the Jyamatos' supporter Beroba. They seek to throw a wrench into the DGP and seize the "Goddess of Creation", which is the source of the DGP's power. Ace also discovers that the DGP supporters and staff are time-travelers from the future, who choose different locations from the past as venues for their games. The season ends without a winner due to Beroba seizing control.
 * Lamentation Arc (慟哭編) (Episodes 25–32): Beroba, seeking full access to the Goddess of Creation, creates a new competition called the Jyamato Grand Prix (JGP) with the roles reversed: The Jyamato, joined by Michinaga and the Dunkleosteus Jyamato, fight the Riders, with the last one standing creating their ideal world as a Jyamashin. Ace is revealed to have been continuously reincarnated and participating in the DGP since 1 AD, while Neon learns her father created her to replace his deceased daughter Akari. During the final round, Ace learns that Mitsume was transformed into the Goddess of Creation by the DGP's owner Suel, with the power to grant wishes coming from her absorbing the lives and happiness of the games' causalities. The game ends with Michinaga's victory as he attains his longtime wish to have "The power to destroy all Kamen Riders".
 * Longing Arc (慕情編) (Episodes 33-38): Jyamashin Michinaga proceeds to hunt down the Kamen Riders, including those from the DGP staff, until Tsumuri revives Ace by awakening a similar power to Mitsume. But when Ace turns against the DGP for what they did to his mother and Michinaga disposes of Chirami, Suel offers them his version of the Desire Royale. This version is an elimination game founded by Colus where Kamen Riders fight each other, with the winner allowed to decide the DGP's fate. Ace and Michinaga are joined by Neon and Daichi, with Keiwa also participating after Kekera tricks his sister Sara into joining the game as part of his deal with Beroba to revive his ward. Daichi is eliminated while Archimedel, whose mind was absorbed into the Dunkleosteus Jyamato, is destroyed. But the game is revealed to be a cover for Suel to have Niramu move DGP broadcasting to a different time period. Win, who is revealed to have survived being Girori's sacrificial puppet, joins Tsumuri in secretly helping Ace. The two learn about his first incarnation's birth and that his reincarnation ability is a result of Mitsume's forbidden marriage with the previous Dezashin. Samas kills Niramu for opposing Suel's intention to erase everything and make Tsumuri a replacement Goddess of Creationm while a dying Mitsume uses her remaining power to unlock her son's full potential. Ace uses this power to defeat Suel and restore everything from memory, with the DGP's existence now public knowledge.
 * Creation Arc (創世編) (Episodes 39-48): Despite the laws he established to remove them from the world, Ace learns the Jyamato have evolved into small parasites that bypass his rules by possessing human hosts, and forms a task force with Win, Michinaga, and Keiwa to stop them. These Jyamoto are creations of Daichi, who used Archimedel's research to turn himself into a human-Jyamato hybrid in a plan to become a Jyamashin. Kekera and Beroba, who used Mitsume to remain in the present to observe their wards, manipulated Daichi before forming an alliance with a new Game Master named Zitt, who was sent by the DGP to capture Tsumuri. The three convince Keiwa to work for when Sara is killed, having him use Tsumuri's power to grant his wish of bringing back everyone killed in the DPG games. However, his wish also revives criminals, with his revived family killed again as Zitt, a game master that crafts unhappy endings, establishes an Apocalypse Game. Neon makes peace with her parents when her father Kōsei protects her as a Kamen Rider before giving his gear and entry to her, allowing her to become Na-Go once more. Ace gets Keiwa to realize he was being manipulated while having Win rescue Tsumuri shortly before absorbing her powers to thwart Zitt. This momentarily immobilizes Ace while Keiwa and Michinaga defeat their evil former supporters. However, Zitt uses a tear extracted from Tsumuri's Goddess of Creation state to create her evil counterpart in order to create a Zillion Driver and transforms into Kamen Rider Regad. This allows Suel to absorb him and most of their audience’s cameras to enact the latter's final plan.
 * Daybreak-Epilogue (Episode 49): Tsumuri is possessed by her counterpart to kill Ace on Suel’s command, unaware that was part of Ace's secret plan to use his Boost Mark III Buckle's hidden power to revive himself as a deity. With his new powers, Ace help the other Riders defeat Suel as Regad Omega for good while erasing the DGP’s staff and Game Masters. The series ends with the other characters moving on with their lives and pursuing their own dreams, with Tsumuri among the few to remember Ace as he watches over them as their new deity.

Production
The Kamen Rider Geats trademark was registered by Toei on May 23, 2022, and published on May 31, 2022.

Geats was officially announced on July 22, 2022. An online production announcement conference introducing the main cast and characters and the artist for the show's theme song was held on August 7, 2022.

Geats was influenced by battle royale-related media such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Squid Game as well as past Kamen Rider entry Kamen Rider Ryuki to appeal to their target audience.

The main writer for Geats is Yuya Takahashi, who previously served as the main writer for Kamen Rider Ex-Aid and Kamen Rider Zero-One.

The opening theme song is performed by Kumi Koda and Shonan no Kaze.

Films
Kamen Rider Geats made his first appearance in the feature film Kamen Rider Revice the Movie: Battle Familia.

Movie Battle Royale
Kamen Rider Geats × Revice: Movie Battle Royale (仮面ライダーギーツ×リバイス MOVIEバトルロワイヤル) is a crossover film released on December 23, 2022, starring the casts of Geats and Kamen Rider Revice as well as four returning Riders from Kamen Rider Ryuki as supporting cast members to commemorate their series' 20th anniversary. Takamasa Suga, Satoshi Matsuda, and Takashi Hagino reprised their respective roles as Shinji Kido, Ren Akiyama, and Takeshi Asakura from Ryuki. The film was written by Yuya Takahashi and Hanta Kinoshita, and directed by Takayuki Shibasaki. The theme song is "Change my future" performed by Koda Kumi. The events of the film take place between episodes 15 and 16 of the series.

Four Aces and the Black Fox
Kamen Rider Geats the Movie: Four Aces and the Black Fox (映画 仮面ライダーギーツ 4人のエースと黒狐) is a film released on July 28, 2023, double-billed with Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger the Movie: Adventure Heaven. Additionally, the main character of Kamen Rider Gotchard made his first appearance. The film was written by Yuya Takahashi and directed by Shojiro Nakazawa. The theme song is "Desire" performed by Shōnan no Kaze. This is the first film in Japan to be certified by Eiteki, a newly established system to promote appropriate and fair film production. The events of the film take place after the final episode of the series.

Strongest Chemy ★ Gotcha Great Operation
Kamen Rider the Winter Movie: Gotchard & Geats Strongest Chemy ★ Gotcha Great Operation (仮面ライダー THE WINTER MOVIE ガッチャード＆ギーツ 最強ケミー★ガッチャ大作戦) is a crossover film released on December 22, 2023, starring the casts of Geats and Kamen Rider Gotchard. The film was written by Hiroki Uchida and directed by Kyohei Yamaguchi. The theme song is "All for Love" performed by Blank Paper.

Spin-offs

 * Kamen Rider Geats: How Is It!? Desire Grand Prix Filled With Men, I Am Ouja!! (仮面ライダーギーツ どやさ!? 男だらけのデザイアグランプリ 王蛇はオレだー!!): Televi-Kun's "Hyper Battle DVD" (バトルDVD).
 * Geats Extra (ギーツエクストラ): A web-exclusive series of Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club.
 * Kamen Rider PunkJack (仮面ライダーパンクジャック): A prequel and midquel special released on May 21, 2023 that focuses Win Hareruya. The theme song is "ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’ PUNK KING" performed by Weather Hearts.
 * Kamen Rider Tycoon Meets Kamen Rider Shinobi (仮面ライダータイクーンmeets仮面ライダーシノビ): A crossover special between Geats and Kamen Rider Zi-O's spin-off, Rider Time: Kamen Rider Shinobi released on June 18, 2023 which features episode 46 of Shinobi and ninja-themed Kamen Riders. Hideya Tawada, Asuka Hanamura, Takuma Zaiki, and Shun Sugata reprised their respective roles as Rentarō Kagura, Iroha Kagura, and Isamichi Konjō from Shinobi and Ryo Murasame from Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!! while Nobuo Kyo and Eiji Togashi reprised their respective voice roles as Master Gamano from Shinobi and Kamen Rider Kenzan from Kamen Rider Saber. The theme song is "IZANAGI" performed by Sakuramen feat. Hideya Tawada.
 * Geats Anime: Another Grand Prix (ギーツあにめ あなざーぐらんぷり): A animated short series released on August 6, 2023.
 * Emergency Special: Taken Out of Storage! Desire Grand Prix Special (緊急特番 蔵出し！デザグラスペシャル): A special released on October 8, 2023 that features deleted scenes from Geats.
 * Kamen Rider Gazer (仮面ライダーゲイザー): A prequel special released on April 7, 2024 that focuses Niramu. The theme song is "Non-fiction" performed by Niramu (Ryo Kitamura).
 * Jack-of-All-Trades!? Boss Micchy's Day (よろずや!?ミッチー親方の一日): A special included as part of the third Blu-ray release of Geats and focuses Michinaga Azuma.

V-Cinema
Kamen Rider Geats: Jyamato Awaking (仮面ライダーギーツ　ジャマト・アウェイキング) is a V-Cinema release scheduled for a limited theatrical release on March 8, 2024, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on July 24, 2024. The events of the V-Cinema take place after Kamen Rider Geats the Movie: The 4 Aces and the Black Fox. The V-Cinema is written by Yuya Takahashi and directed by Koichi Sakamoto. The theme song is "Dangerously" performed by Koda Kumi.

Novel
Who Is Melo?, stylized as Who is MELO?, is a short story in the booklet included in the Collector's Edition of the Blu-ray release of Kamen Rider Geats the Movie: The 4 Aces and the Black Fox. It was written by Yūsuke Naitō.

Cast

 * Ace Ukiyo (浮世 英寿): Hideyoshi Kan (簡 秀吉)
 * Keiwa Sakurai (桜井 景和): Ryuga Sato (佐藤 瑠雅)
 * Neon Kurama (鞍馬 祢音): Yuna Hoshino (星乃 夢奈)
 * Michinaga Azuma (吾妻 道長): Kazuto Mokudai (杢代 和人)
 * Tsumuri (ツムリ), Black Tsumuri (黒いツムリ): Kokoro Aoshima (青島 心)
 * Kyuun (キューン): Kenta Mizue (水江 建太)
 * Win Hareruya (晴家 ウィン): Tsubasa Sakiyama (崎山 つばさ)
 * Daichi Isuzu (五十鈴 大智): Dai Goto (後藤 大)
 * Sara Sakurai (桜井 沙羅): Nene Shida (志田 音々)
 * Irumi Kurama (鞍馬 伊瑠美): Ryoko Yuui (遊井 亮子)
 * Kōsei Kurama (鞍馬 光聖): Shinji Kasahara (笠原 紳司)
 * Niramu (ニラム): Ryo Kitamura (北村 諒)
 * Samasu (サマス): Seia Yasuda (安田 聖愛)
 * Kekera (ケケラ): Mitsutoshi Shundo (俊藤 光利)
 * Beroba (ベロバ): Ayaka Namiki (並木 彩華)
 * Zitt (ジット): Ryuji Sato (佐藤 流司)
 * Ben (ベン): Michael Kinder (マイケル・K)
 * John (ジョン): Tom Constantine (トム・コンスタンタイン)
 * Archimedel (アルキメデル): Shihou Harumi (春海 四方)
 * Ziin (ジーン): Fuku Suzuki (鈴木 福)
 * Chirami (チラミ): Shigenori Yamazaki (山崎 樹範)
 * Girori (ギロリ): Shugo Oshinari (忍成 修吾)
 * Suel (スエル), Vision Driver Voice, Laser Raise Riser Voice: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (松岡 禎丞)
 * Mitsume (ミツメ): Yuka Terasaki (寺崎 裕香)
 * Narration: Junji Shiono (塩野 潤二)
 * Jyamato Grand Prix Narration: Sayumi Watabe (渡部 紗弓)

Guest cast

 * Takeshi Goutokuji (豪徳寺 武): Yamato Kinjo (金城 大和)
 * Morio Koganeya (小金屋 森魚): Koji Abe (あべ こうじ)
 * Fukuo Fukuoka (福岡 福男): Mr. Chin (ミスターちん)
 * Jirō Ogata (尾形 次郎): Kouichi Sudou (須藤 公一)
 * Evil Goddess (邪神): Misa Watanabe (渡辺 美佐)
 * Ōnishi (大西): Tadashi Mizuno (水野 直)
 * Melo (メロ): Haruka Kudō (工藤 遥)
 * Kamen Rider XGeats (仮面ライダーギーツ): Shouhei Osada (長田 庄平)
 * Houtaro Ichinose (一ノ瀬 宝太郎): Junsei Motojima (本島 純政)
 * Hopper1 (ホッパー1): Misato Fukuen (福圓 美里)

Theme songs

 * Opening theme
 * "Trust・Last"
 * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Composition & Arrangement: Hi-yunk (Back-On)
 * Artist: Kumi Koda × Shonan no Kaze
 * Episodes 1, 16, 33, 38, and 49 do not feature the show's opening sequence. This song is used as the ending theme in episodes 1, 16 and 33, also as an insert song in episodes 13, 15, 28, 38, and 49.
 * Insert themes
 * "Live for the moment"
 * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Composition: tatsuo
 * Artist: Ace Ukiyo & Ziin (Hideyoshi Kan & Fuku Suzuki)
 * Episodes: 28
 * "Negai" (願い)
 * Lyrics: Saori Codama
 * Composition: Go Sakabe
 * Artist: Yuka Terasaki
 * Episodes: 40, 42
 * "Chair"
 * Lyrics: KENJI03, TEEDA
 * Composition & Arrangement: KENJI03
 * Artist: Back-On
 * Episodes: 42
 * "Change my future"
 * Lyrics: Koda Kumi
 * Composition & Arrangement: Hi-yunk (Back-On), Alan Shirahama, SLAY
 * Artist: Koda Kumi
 * Episodes: 49

International broadcasts, home media, and video streaming
On Valentine's Day 2024, Shout! Studios announced that Kamen Rider Geats would be receiving a Region 1 release on Blu-ray in Japanese with English Subtitles. The complete series was released in an eight disc box set on April 23rd, 2024. This is the fifth Kamen Rider series to be released on home media in North America following Kamen Rider V3, Kamen Rider Zero-One, Kamen Rider Ryuki, and Kamen Rider Kuuga. Also announced on the same day as the upcoming Blu-ray release, Geats was available to stream in the United States and Canada via both Tubi and Pluto TV.