Live action TV
Description
The character known as Kikaider from the 2014 film Kikaider Reboot is an android designated as Android KJX-1, though he is most often referred to by his human name, Jiro. He is a prototype creation of Dr. Nobuhiko Komyoji, developed as part of the government’s ARK Project, which aimed to produce androids to assist the public. Unlike a purely military automaton, Jiro was built with a unique experimental component known as a Conscience Circuit, intended to allow the android to process emotions and distinguish between right and wrong, effectively giving him a sense of morality. However, this circuit is incomplete, a fact made visually apparent by his appearance; when he activates his true battle form, his body is asymmetrically colored half blue and half red. According to his creator, the blue sections represent the completed, virtuous parts of his conscience, while the red indicates the unfinished, chaotic, or "evil" aspects of his programming.
In terms of personality, this iteration of Kikaider is distinct from previous versions. He initially behaves in a highly mechanical and detached manner, often stating plainly that he is an android and treating his own feelings as mere lines of code rather than genuine emotional experiences. He does not initially express a strong desire to become human, viewing his identity strictly through the lens of his mission parameters. Despite this cold exterior, he is not without a sense of justice. He inherently dislikes taking life, whether human or machine, and follows his core programming to protect the innocent, even if he does not fully understand the emotional weight behind that action. His behavior softens through interaction with others; he is a keen observer of humanity, showing curiosity towards human customs and demonstrating a willingness to help with domestic tasks, even if the results are initially inconsistent.
Jiro’s primary motivation is embedded in his final directive from Dr. Komyoji: to protect the doctor’s two children, Mitsuko and Masaru. Following the mysterious death of his creator, Jiro activates this protocol, dedicating himself to shielding the siblings from the Japanese Defense Minister and the schemes of Professor Gilbert Kanzaki, who have co-opted the ARK Project into a new, sinister initiative known as the DARK Project. For much of the narrative, he acts according to this programming, but a significant turning point occurs when he begins to bond with the children and an old colleague of his creator. Through these exchanges, he transitions from acting solely on pre-loaded commands to fighting of his own free will, choosing to protect his charges because he understands they are important to him, not merely because he was told to do so.
Jiro’s key relationships are central to his development. His bond with Mitsuko and Masaru Komyoji is the primary catalyst for his growth; Masaru looks up to him fondly, while Mitsuko is initially wary of the mysterious android. He also shares a significant, though brief, connection with Kouta Kazuraba, the hero of Kamen Rider Gaim. In a crossover appearance, a memory-wiped Jiro lives with Kouta and experiences a genuine, carefree existence, developing a fear that regaining his true memories might turn him into a destructive monster like his rival. His primary antagonist is Hakaider, an android body housing the brain of Professor Gilbert Kanzaki. This rival represents a dark mirror to Jiro, possessing similar power but lacking any moral restraint.
The character’s development arc involves his struggle with the limitations of his incomplete Conscience Circuit. Initially, this circuit acts as a limiter, suppressing his violence and making it difficult for him to fight effectively against opponents who operate without such restrictions. In a crucial moment of realizing he is fighting to protect his loved ones by his own will, Jiro makes the drastic decision to disable his own conscience circuit entirely. This removes his inhibitions and unlocks his full, original combat performance, allowing him to match Hakaider’s ferocity, though it also risks turning him into the very kind of monster he is fighting against. By the end of the film, he sacrifices himself to defeat his enemy, with Mitsuko vowing to one day rebuild him, solidifying his transition from a tool to a being worthy of remembrance and care.
As a fighter, Jiro possesses immense physical capabilities. In his battle mode, his specifications include a punching power of 17.5 tons and a kicking power of 33.1 tons. He can leap as high as 14 meters and run the 100-meter dash in just 4.9 seconds. His body is covered by a Bio Nano-Fiber Cowl, which generates a three-dimensional holographic projection to make him appear human in his default "Jiro" state. For offense, he utilizes the electromagnetic energy generated within his body. His primary finisher is the Denji End, a devastating electromagnetic pulse delivered via a double-handed chop that converts all of his electrical energy into a massive shockwave. This attack is so powerful that it inflicts critical damage on his own internal systems, forcing him to use it only as a last resort when he is fully committed to protecting others. He is also often seen carrying a guitar, which serves a dual purpose as a musical instrument and a container for his mechanical tools.
In terms of personality, this iteration of Kikaider is distinct from previous versions. He initially behaves in a highly mechanical and detached manner, often stating plainly that he is an android and treating his own feelings as mere lines of code rather than genuine emotional experiences. He does not initially express a strong desire to become human, viewing his identity strictly through the lens of his mission parameters. Despite this cold exterior, he is not without a sense of justice. He inherently dislikes taking life, whether human or machine, and follows his core programming to protect the innocent, even if he does not fully understand the emotional weight behind that action. His behavior softens through interaction with others; he is a keen observer of humanity, showing curiosity towards human customs and demonstrating a willingness to help with domestic tasks, even if the results are initially inconsistent.
Jiro’s primary motivation is embedded in his final directive from Dr. Komyoji: to protect the doctor’s two children, Mitsuko and Masaru. Following the mysterious death of his creator, Jiro activates this protocol, dedicating himself to shielding the siblings from the Japanese Defense Minister and the schemes of Professor Gilbert Kanzaki, who have co-opted the ARK Project into a new, sinister initiative known as the DARK Project. For much of the narrative, he acts according to this programming, but a significant turning point occurs when he begins to bond with the children and an old colleague of his creator. Through these exchanges, he transitions from acting solely on pre-loaded commands to fighting of his own free will, choosing to protect his charges because he understands they are important to him, not merely because he was told to do so.
Jiro’s key relationships are central to his development. His bond with Mitsuko and Masaru Komyoji is the primary catalyst for his growth; Masaru looks up to him fondly, while Mitsuko is initially wary of the mysterious android. He also shares a significant, though brief, connection with Kouta Kazuraba, the hero of Kamen Rider Gaim. In a crossover appearance, a memory-wiped Jiro lives with Kouta and experiences a genuine, carefree existence, developing a fear that regaining his true memories might turn him into a destructive monster like his rival. His primary antagonist is Hakaider, an android body housing the brain of Professor Gilbert Kanzaki. This rival represents a dark mirror to Jiro, possessing similar power but lacking any moral restraint.
The character’s development arc involves his struggle with the limitations of his incomplete Conscience Circuit. Initially, this circuit acts as a limiter, suppressing his violence and making it difficult for him to fight effectively against opponents who operate without such restrictions. In a crucial moment of realizing he is fighting to protect his loved ones by his own will, Jiro makes the drastic decision to disable his own conscience circuit entirely. This removes his inhibitions and unlocks his full, original combat performance, allowing him to match Hakaider’s ferocity, though it also risks turning him into the very kind of monster he is fighting against. By the end of the film, he sacrifices himself to defeat his enemy, with Mitsuko vowing to one day rebuild him, solidifying his transition from a tool to a being worthy of remembrance and care.
As a fighter, Jiro possesses immense physical capabilities. In his battle mode, his specifications include a punching power of 17.5 tons and a kicking power of 33.1 tons. He can leap as high as 14 meters and run the 100-meter dash in just 4.9 seconds. His body is covered by a Bio Nano-Fiber Cowl, which generates a three-dimensional holographic projection to make him appear human in his default "Jiro" state. For offense, he utilizes the electromagnetic energy generated within his body. His primary finisher is the Denji End, a devastating electromagnetic pulse delivered via a double-handed chop that converts all of his electrical energy into a massive shockwave. This attack is so powerful that it inflicts critical damage on his own internal systems, forcing him to use it only as a last resort when he is fully committed to protecting others. He is also often seen carrying a guitar, which serves a dual purpose as a musical instrument and a container for his mechanical tools.