Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series

Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series from TV Asahi from 2019 marks the 30th overall production and the start of the Reiwa era in the iconic and beloved Kamen Rider franchise. As a legacy that extends over a span of decades, Kamen Rider is known for its transformative superheroes who don the titular 'Rider' suits to fight against evil forces. Broadly, the franchise dabbles into Science fiction and blends it with action and drama to create a robust narrative.

Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series is no exception. It spins an absorbing narrative in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have incredibly advanced to the extent of humans co-existing and co-working with AI assisted robots called 'Humagears.' The series pits the marvels and menaces of technology against each other and weaves a tale that is timely, relevant and holds the spectators in its firm grip.

At the heart of the story is Aruto Hiden, a young, warm-hearted man with the aspiration to be a stand-up comedian. But destiny has something else planned for him. Upon the sudden demise of his grandfather, who was the president of the world's leading AI company- Hiden Intelligence, Aruto unexpectedly finds himself sitting in the presidential chair. The company is the manufacturer of 'Humagears,' and Aruto is handed the responsibility of ensuring these humanoid AIs are a boon to society and not a bane.

As the story unfolds, Aruto gets embroiled into the 'Rider' wars when the terrorist group, MetsubouJinrai.NET, hack into the Humagears system and manipulate them to turn against humans. Inheritably bestowed with the 'Zero-One driver,' an advanced AI system in itself and the primary source of power for the Kamen Riders, Aruto transforms into Kamen Rider Zero-One to thwart the attacks and save humanity from the chaos caused by the insurrectionist Humagears. Assisting him in his mission are other Kamen Riders with disparate agendas of their own, thus adding layers of intrigue, conflict, and alliances to the storyline.

Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series seamlessly integrates the thrill of battle sequences with the heart of the human-AI relationship. The cleverly designed Rider suits, the innovative weapons, the flamboyant transformation sequences, and adrenaline-inducing showdowns rightfully cater to the action fan-base of the genre.

However, the show is not all bells and whistles of skirmishes. It delves deeper into the ethical and philosophical implications of AI advancement. Through the living, learning, and evolving Humagears that often display more humanity than actual humans, the show questions the essence of what truly constitutes as being 'human.' By presenting working-class Humagears in roles like teachers, doctors, and even entertainers, it expounds on the societal impacts, the pros and cons of AI incorporation into the human world.

The show's narrative is dichotomous, oscillating between the spectacle of Aruto's struggles as a Kamen Rider, fighting the rogue Humagears and the institutional power dynamics he faces as the president of Hiden Intelligence. He is constantly struggling to assuage public fears about Humagears while trying to prevent the company from falling into the clutches of his corporate rivals who wish to seize control.

Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series, apart from its eye-catching visual effects and dramatic battle scenes, is a character-driven narrative. Aruto, as a cheerful and compassionate protagonist, guides us through the ups and downs of the tale. The supporting characters too, both human and Humagears, are intricately woven into the narrative and add depth to the story.

In a nutshell, Kamen Rider Zero-One: Series is an action-packed, emotionally resonant narrative that proves to be a fitting continuation of the legacy of the Kamen Rider franchise. It brings together a compelling blend of action, drama, science fiction, and philosophy, making it an intriguing watch that has something to resonate with diverse audience preferences.