Kamen Rider Saber

Kamen Rider Saber (仮面ライダー) is a Japanese tokusatsu drama, the 31st entry of Toei Company's Kamen Rider franchise, and the second series to debut during the Reiwa period. The series premiered on September 6, 2020, joining Mashin Sentai Kiramager, and later, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger in the Super Hero Time line-up after the finale of Kamen Rider Zero-One before being succeeded by Kamen Rider Revice on September 5, 2021. The series is notable for its use of a fantasy setting and its storybook theming.

Premise
The human world collides with Wonder World, a realm of fairy tales, because of a conflict over the Almighty Book – a legendary artifact of great power that a trio of monsters known as the Megids seek to acquire in order to create more of their kind, and that an organization of swordsmen known as the Sword of Logos seeks to protect. Two millennia later, the Dark Swordsman Hayato Fukamiya, also known as Kamen Rider Calibur, betrayed his comrades after learning a terrible truth and was seemingly killed by the Flame Swordsman Daichi Kamijo, with a girl named Luna being an apparent causality of their fight. Daichi gave his Wonder Ride Book to a boy named Touma Kamiyama before leaving his sword behind.

Fifteen years later, Touma has become a novelist and bookstore owner. After being caught in a Megid attack, his attempt to stop it causes him to inherit Kamijo's title as Kamen Rider Saber and he resolves to end the conflict after the Water Swordsman, Rintaro Shindo, recruits him to join the Sword of Logos. Among the other swordsmen Touma meets while recovering his memories and the lost Wonder Ride Books is his childhood friend, Kento Fukamiya, who wishes to understand his father's actions after Calibur reappears as an ally of the Megids.

Production
The Kamen Rider Saber trademark was registered by Toei on May 29, 2020.

On 29 July 2020, Kamen Rider Saber was officially announced during a press conference alongside its cast, and it was announced that the show was planned to feature at least 10 Riders. Along with the titular character, five other Riders were confirmed: Blades, Espada, Buster, Kenzan, and Calibur. Following the series premiere, additional Riders Slash, Falchion, Saikou, Sabela, Durandal, Solomon, and Storious were announced to be part of the cast.

The opening theme song is performed by the band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with the band Alexandros' Yoohei Kawakami, who provides the vocals. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra also performs the ending theme song, with Kinichi Motegi, the band's drummer, providing the vocals.

The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin
Kamen Rider Saber Theatrical Short Story: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin (劇場短編 仮面ライダーセイバー 不死鳥の剣士と破滅の本) was released on December 18, 2020, double billed with Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time. Actor Masashi Taniguchi portrays the film's main antagonist, Bahato, who also appears in the series as a recurring character. The events of the film take place between episodes 9–11.

Super Hero Senki
Saber + Zenkaiger: Super Hero Senki (セイバー＋ゼンカイジャー スーパーヒーロー戦記) is a crossover film released on July 22, 2021, starring the casts from Saber and Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger and featuring characters from past entries of the franchises involved. The film is part of the celebrations for both the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider franchise and the 45th anniversary of the Super Sentai franchise, and serves as the final crossover between them. Actors Fuku Suzuki and Ayumi Tanida portray Shotaro Ishinomori and the film's main antagonist, Asmodeus, respectively. Kenjirō Ishimaru of Kamen Rider Den-O; Takashi Ukaji of Kamen Rider OOO; So Okuno of Kamen Rider Zi-O; Fumiya Takahashi of Kamen Rider Zero-One; Shogo Suzuki of Samurai Sentai Shinkenger; Atomu Mizuishi of Mashin Sentai Kiramager; and Hiroshi Fujioka of Kamen Rider (1971 - 1973) reprised their respective roles while Naoya Makoto of Himitsu Sentai Gorenger; Toshihiko Seki, Kōji Yusa, Masaki Terasoma, and Kenichi Suzumura of Kamen Rider Den-O; Tetsu Inada of Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger; M·A·O and Hiroshi Kamiya of Uchu Sentai Kyuranger; and Rikiya Koyama of Kamen Rider Zi-O reprise their respective voice roles. Additionally, the two main characters of Kamen Rider Revice make their first appearances and a special film for the series was double billed with Super Hero Senki. The events of the film take place after the two-part Movie Release Commemorative Combo Special, which itself takes place between episodes 39 and 40.

Beyond Generations
Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations (仮面ライダー ビヨンド・ジェネレーションズ) is a crossover film released on December 17, 2021, starring the casts of Saber and Kamen Rider Revice. The film features a new Kamen Rider from a possible future in the year 2071, 100 years after the debut of the first Kamen Rider television series. Akiyoshi Nakao and Arata Furuta portray the film's guest characters and Hiroshi Fujioka's son, Maito, portrays Takeshi Hongo's younger self.

Web-exclusive series

 * Kamen Rider Saber Spin-off: Swordsman History (仮面ライダーセイバー スピンオフ 剣士列伝) is a web-exclusive series released on Telasa on November 8, 2020. It comprises four episodes and focuses on Rintaro Shindo, Kento Fukamiya, Ryo Ogami, Ren Akamichi, and Tetsuo Daishinji.
 * 1) Chapter 8.5: An Episode of Kamen Riders Slash & Buster (an episode of 仮面ライダースラッシュ＆バスター)
 * 2) The Other Side of Chapter 9: An Episode of Kamen Rider Kenzan (an episode of 仮面ライダー剣斬)
 * 3) Behind the Chapter 13: An Episode of Kamen Rider Espada (an episode of 仮面ライダーエスパーダ)
 * 4) Chapter 15.5: An Episode of Kamen Rider Blades (an episode of 仮面ライダーブレイズ)
 * Separate Volume Kamen Rider Saber: Short Animation Collection (別冊 仮面ライダーセイバー 短編活動萬画集) is a web-exclusive animated short series released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on February 1, 2021.
 * 1) Dance Performance, Just Before It. (ダンス本番、その前に.)
 * 2) Rock, Scissors, and Paper. (ロック、シザーズ、ペイパー.)
 * 3) Save Sophia, the Electric Shock Escape Game: Part 1. (ソフィアを救え、電流ビリビリ脱出ゲーム〜前編〜.)
 * 4) Save Sophia, the Electric Shock Escape Game: Part 2. (ソフィアを救え、電流ビリビリ脱出ゲーム〜後編〜.)
 * 5) Le Grand Supermarché. (ル・グラン、シューペルマルシェ.)
 * 6) 2021, We Will Show You Everything! NG Award. (2021年、全部見せます！NG大賞.)
 * Kamen Rider Saber × Ghost is a web-exclusive series of Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club serves as a crossover between Saber and Kamen Rider Ghost, with Shun Nishime and Mio Kudo reprising their respective roles as Takeru Tenkūji and Kanon Fukami: The events of the series take place between episodes 38 and 39.
 * Kamen Rider Saber × Ghost (仮面ライダーセイバー×ゴースト) is the titular first entry of the web-series released on May 23, 2021, with Sotaro returning to reprise his role as Javel.
 * Kamen Rider Specter × Blades (仮面ライダースペクター×ブレイズ) is a sequel to the titular first entry of the web-series released on June 27, 2021, with Ryosuke Yamamoto returning to reprise his role as Makoto Fukami.
 * Kamen Rider Saber Spin-off: Kamen Rider Sabela & Durendal (仮面ライダーセイバー スピンオフ 仮面ライダーサーベラ＆デュランダル) is a web-exclusive special released on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club on November 20, 2022. The events of the special take place a year after the end of the main series.

DVD and Blu-ray-exclusive series

 * Sword of Logos Saga (ソードオブロゴスサーガ) is included as part of the Blu-ray releases of Kamen Rider Saber. This storyline focuses on the lives of three known bearers of the Kamen Rider Calibur title:
 * Part 1 serves as a prequel to the main series and focuses on Hayato Fukamiya and Daichi Kamijo.
 * Part 2 takes place during episodes 17–35, and focuses on Kento Fukamiya. It was released on August 4, 2021.
 * Gather! Hero!! The Explosive Birth of Dragon Televi-Kun (集え！ヒーロー！！爆誕ドラゴンてれびくん) is Televi-Kun's "Hyper Battle DVD" (バトルDVD).

V-Cinema
Kamen Rider Saber: Trio of Deep Sin (仮面ライダーセイバー 深罪の) is a V-Cinema release which received a limited theatrical release on January 28, 2022, followed by its DVD and Blu-ray release on May 11, 2022. The events of the V-Cinema take place eight years after the end of the main series. The V-Cinema was written by Takuro Fukuda and directed by Kazuya Kamihoriuchi. The theme song is "Bittersweet" performed by Asuka Kawazu, Shuichiro Naito, Takaya Yamaguchi, and Ryo Aoki.

Manga
Supplementary Volume Kamen Rider Saber: Kamen Rider Buster the Comic (別冊 仮面ライダーセイバー 萬画 仮面ライダーバスター) is a manga adaptation that focuses on Ryo Ogami's past, including his high school days two decades prior and the birth of his son, Sora, six years after Daichi Kamijo defeated Hayato Fukamiya. The manga is written by Kaori Kaneko and illustrated by Keitarō Kumatsuki, and was serialized on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club from February 28, 2021, to May 30, 2021. Each arc of the manga consists of three chapters.
 * 1) Strongest Youth (最強の青春編)
 * 2) Ultimate King of Parenting (最強の子育て王編)

Cast

 * Touma Kamiyama (神山 飛羽真): Shuichiro Naito (内藤 秀一郎)
 * Rintaro Shindo (新堂 倫太郎): Takaya Yamaguchi (山口 貴也)
 * Mei Sudo (須藤 芽依): Asuka Kawazu (川津 明日香)
 * Kento Fukamiya (富加宮 賢人): Ryo Aoki (青木 瞭)
 * Ryo Ogami (尾上 亮): Yuki Ikushima (生島 勇輝)
 * Ren Akamichi (緋道 連): Eiji Togashi (富樫 慧士)
 * Tetsuo Daishinji (大秦寺 哲雄): Hiroaki Oka (岡 宏明)
 * Yuri (ユーリ): Tomohiro Ichikawa (市川 知宏)
 * Reika Shindai (神代 玲花): Mei Angela (アンジェラ 芽衣)
 * Ryoga Shindai (神代 凌牙): Ken Shonozaki (庄野崎 謙)
 * Storious (ストリウス): Robin Furuya (古屋 呂敏)
 * Legeiel (レジエル): Kyle Takano (高野 海琉)
 * Zooous (ズオス): Koji Saikawa (才川 コージ)
 * Isaac (イザク), Original Master Logos (初代マスターロゴス): Keisuke Sohma (相馬 圭祐)
 * Bahato (バハト): Masashi Taniguchi (谷口 賢志)
 * Luna (ルナ): Miku Okamoto (岡本 望来) (Child), Mayuu Yokota (横田 真悠) (Adult)
 * Sora Ogami (尾上 そら): Tenta Banka (番家 天嵩)
 * Tassel (タッセル): Tobi (レ・ロマネスクTOBI)
 * Daichi Kamijo (上條 大地): Hiroyuki Hirayama (平山 浩行)
 * Sophia (ソフィア), Another Sophia, Priestess: Rina Chinen (知念 里奈)
 * Desast (デザスト): Kōki Uchiyama (内山 昂輝)
 * Charybdis (カリュブディス): Ryota Iwasaki (岩崎 諒太)
 * Seiken Rider System Singing Voice: Eizo Sakamoto (坂本 英三)
 * Kamen Rider Sabela's Equipment Voice: Miyu Fukuda (福田 みゆ)
 * Narration, Seiken Rider System Speaking Voice, Wonder Ride Books Voice: Akio Ōtsuka (大塚 明夫)

Guest cast

 * Fighting Fairy (戦う妖精さん): Reika Saiki (才木 玲佳)
 * Hayato Fukamiya (富加宮 隼人): Mitsuru Karahashi (唐橋 充)
 * Kenshin Nagamine (長嶺 謙信): Masashi Mikami (三上 真史)
 * Men (8): Ryo Matsuda (松田 凌), Metal Yoshida (吉田 メタル)
 * Yuki Shirai (白井 ゆき): Hitomi Hasebe (長谷部 瞳)
 * Married couple (16): Hideyoshi Iwata (岩田 栄慶), Mayu Iwata (岩田 眞優)
 * Zocks Goldtsuiker (ゾックス・ゴールドツイカー): Atsuki Mashiko (増子 敦貴)
 * Humagear (ヒューマギア): Keiichi Hasegawa (長谷川 圭一)
 * Ikki Igarashi (五十嵐 一輝): Kentaro Maeda (前田 拳太郎)
 * Vice (バイス): Subaru Kimura (木村 昴)
 * Revice Equipment Voice (Special Issue): Shingo Fujimori (藤森 慎吾)
 * George Karizaki (ジョージ・狩崎): Noritaka Hamao (濱尾 ノリタカ)
 * Orteca (オルテカ): Hayata Seki (関 隼汰)

Theme songs

 * Opening theme
 * "ALMIGHTY ~Kamen no Yakusoku feat. Yoohei Kawakami" (ALMIGHTY～仮面の約束 feat.川上洋平)
 * Lyrics: Atsushi Yanaka
 * Composition: Tsuyoshi Kawakami
 * Artist & Arrangement: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
 * Vocals & Lyrics (English Translation): Yoohei Kawakami
 * Episodes 1 and 47 do not feature the opening sequence. The song is used as an insert song in episodes 1, 10, 15, 27, and 47.
 * Ending theme
 * "Kamen Rider Saber" (仮面ライダーセイバー)
 * Lyrics: Atsushi Yanaka
 * Composition: Takashi Kato
 * Artist & Arrangement: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
 * Vocals: Kinichi Motegi
 * Episodes 15, 44, and 47 and Special Issue do not feature the ending sequence.
 * Insert themes
 * "Rewrite the story"
 * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Composition: tatsuo
 * Artist: Shuichiro Naito, Takaya Yamaguchi, & Ryo Aoki
 * Episodes: 38-40
 * "Will save us"
 * Lyrics: Shio Watanabe, Kazuya Kamihoriuchi
 * Composition: Shuhei Naruse
 * Artist: Asuka Kawazu
 * Episodes: 43
 * "The story never ends"
 * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Composition: Kousuke Yamashita
 * Artist: Rina Chinen
 * Episodes: 44
 * "BOOK OF POWER"
 * Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi
 * Composition: tatsuo
 * Artist: Masanori Kobayashi (WAЯROCK)
 * Episodes: 45
 * An instrumental version of this song is used.
 * "Timeless Story"
 * Lyrics: Isa Takinoo
 * Composition: Kousuke Yamashita
 * Artist: Utabito Zanmai Samady
 * Episodes: 45, 47