Live action TV
Description
Kivala is a small, bat-like creature who plays a dual role as both a living partner and the transformation device for the female Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Kiva-la. She is a member of the Kivat race, the same species that powers the original Kamen Rider Kiva. Specifically, Kivala is introduced as the younger sister of Kivat Bat the Third from a parallel world. In her natural state, she is extremely tiny, small enough to be concealed within a closed fist, with an expanded wingspan of just over eleven centimeters.
In terms of background, Kivala begins her journey with an ambiguous allegiance, initially cooperating with the enigmatic Narutaki. She is sent to the Hikari Photo Studio under the pretense of being a spy to monitor the world-traveling protagonist, Tsukasa Kadoya. Despite this questionable start, she becomes a constant companion of the traveling group, forming a particularly close bond with the studio's owner, Eijiro Hikari, and living comfortably at the studio. While she reports to Narutaki for a time, she also develops genuine affection for the group, especially for Yusuke Onodera, the alternate reality version of Kamen Rider Kuuga, often showing delight at his presence.
Kivala's personality is defined by her fierce loyalty and protective instincts, though her tiny stature contrasts sharply with her willingness to engage in combat. While she can be secretive due to her original mission as a spy, she ultimately sides with the protagonists. She is known to use her power to aid others, even if it means causing them temporary harm, as demonstrated when she bites Yusuke to force him into the dangerous ultimate form of Kuuga to help him control his power. Her primary motivation is ensuring the safety of the people she travels with, particularly Natsumi Hikari, whom she empowers to fight. She also exhibits a strong sense of duty regarding the fate of the worlds, believing that Natsumi is the only one capable of stopping Tsukasa when he succumbs to his role as the "Destroyer of Worlds".
Kivala's most significant role in the story is serving as the means for Natsumi Hikari to transform into Kamen Rider Kiva-la. Unlike many other transformation devices in the Kiva series that require the user to possess Fangire blood, Kivala has no such requirement, allowing Natsumi, a normal human, to become a warrior. When Natsumi uses Kivala to transform, she dons a suit of armor and fights using the Kiva-la Saber. In this form, she can manifest wings of light on her back, granting her the ability to fly at high speeds to execute her primary finisher, the Sonic Stab.
Beyond granting transformation abilities, Kivala possesses her own unique powers. Similar to her former associate Narutaki, she can manipulate the Aurora Curtain, a dimensional wall that allows for instantaneous travel between parallel worlds. She also demonstrates other abilities such as summoning monsters and, in certain stage show continuities, the power to reverse time. Throughout the series, Kivala evolves from a mysterious spy with unknown goals into a full-fledged ally of the Hikari Studio, forming a deep bond with the travelers and rejecting her original mission to side with them against common threats.
In terms of background, Kivala begins her journey with an ambiguous allegiance, initially cooperating with the enigmatic Narutaki. She is sent to the Hikari Photo Studio under the pretense of being a spy to monitor the world-traveling protagonist, Tsukasa Kadoya. Despite this questionable start, she becomes a constant companion of the traveling group, forming a particularly close bond with the studio's owner, Eijiro Hikari, and living comfortably at the studio. While she reports to Narutaki for a time, she also develops genuine affection for the group, especially for Yusuke Onodera, the alternate reality version of Kamen Rider Kuuga, often showing delight at his presence.
Kivala's personality is defined by her fierce loyalty and protective instincts, though her tiny stature contrasts sharply with her willingness to engage in combat. While she can be secretive due to her original mission as a spy, she ultimately sides with the protagonists. She is known to use her power to aid others, even if it means causing them temporary harm, as demonstrated when she bites Yusuke to force him into the dangerous ultimate form of Kuuga to help him control his power. Her primary motivation is ensuring the safety of the people she travels with, particularly Natsumi Hikari, whom she empowers to fight. She also exhibits a strong sense of duty regarding the fate of the worlds, believing that Natsumi is the only one capable of stopping Tsukasa when he succumbs to his role as the "Destroyer of Worlds".
Kivala's most significant role in the story is serving as the means for Natsumi Hikari to transform into Kamen Rider Kiva-la. Unlike many other transformation devices in the Kiva series that require the user to possess Fangire blood, Kivala has no such requirement, allowing Natsumi, a normal human, to become a warrior. When Natsumi uses Kivala to transform, she dons a suit of armor and fights using the Kiva-la Saber. In this form, she can manifest wings of light on her back, granting her the ability to fly at high speeds to execute her primary finisher, the Sonic Stab.
Beyond granting transformation abilities, Kivala possesses her own unique powers. Similar to her former associate Narutaki, she can manipulate the Aurora Curtain, a dimensional wall that allows for instantaneous travel between parallel worlds. She also demonstrates other abilities such as summoning monsters and, in certain stage show continuities, the power to reverse time. Throughout the series, Kivala evolves from a mysterious spy with unknown goals into a full-fledged ally of the Hikari Studio, forming a deep bond with the travelers and rejecting her original mission to side with them against common threats.