Most Kamen Rider heroes are reluctant warriors. Shinji from Ryuki fell into his role by accident. Takumi from Faiz was an amnesiac monster. Tendou Souji, played with sublime arrogance by Hiro Mizushima, is the opposite.
The iconic countdown begins: "3... 2... 1..." Tendou: "Cast Off."
In a burst of explosive armor (the "Masked Form" falls away), appears in his Rider Form . The design is stunning: a sleek, crimson and dark blue suit with a horned, almost samurai-like visor. But more importantly, Kabuto can also use Clock Up. kamen rider kabuto episode 1
In the climax of the episode, a Worm reveals itself and activates Clock Up. From the civilian perspective, he has vanished. The episode brilliantly captures the terror of this power—police officers are thrown around by an invisible force.
Press play. Cast off. And walk the path of heaven. Lost half a point only because we have to wait until Episode 2 to see his "Rider Kick" in full glory. Most Kamen Rider heroes are reluctant warriors
If you are a newcomer looking to get into the series, or a veteran wanting to revisit the origin of the ZECT War, this deep dive into Episode 1 will explain why this 2006 premiere remains a landmark in Tokusatsu history. The episode opens with a flashback that sets the entire mythology in motion. Seven years before the main plot, a massive object—later identified as the meteor carrying the alien Worms—crashed into Shibuya, Tokyo. The impact was catastrophic, leveling the city and causing a timeline split for the survivors. From this wreckage emerged the Worms: shape-shifting insects capable of mimicking human beings perfectly, down to their memories and emotions.
There is a famous scene in Episode 1 where a ZECT operative attempts to use the —a massive, horned beetle that serves as the transformation device. The Zecter rejects the soldier, flying away. Soldier: "It didn't choose me." Tendou, catching the Zecter effortlessly: "It was waiting for me." Tendou Souji, played with sublime arrogance by Hiro
In that moment, the series subverts every trope of the genre. Tendou doesn't beg for power; the power begs for him. This "Mary Sue" characterization could have failed miserably, but the direction treats it as comedic and cosmic destiny. The audience roots for Tendou because he backs up his arrogance with undeniable skill. No review of Kamen Rider Kabuto Episode 1 is complete without discussing the fight choreography. The Worm’s signature ability is Clock Up : a hyper-acceleration that allows them to move faster than the speed of sound, freezing the human world around them.