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“ | If I become a Creation King it would be a fruitless dream for one without a Kingstone. However... Kamen Rider has the other Kingstone. High Priests... And the mutants in their slumber... I have been reborn to create the Empire of Gorgom. From now on I, Shadow Moon, Will be the supreme ruler. | „ |
~ Shadow Moon's first words after being reborn. |
“ | Kamen Rider... I'll build the Gorgom Empire metropolis on top of your corpse! | „ |
~ Shadow Moon threatening Kamen Rider Black before torturing him. |
Century King Shadow Moon is the figurehead-turned-leader of the Gorgom cult and the secondary antagonist of the Kamen Rider franchise, specifically he serves as the main antagonist of the 1988 Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider BLACK, as well as a recurring antagonist in its sequel Kamen Rider BLACK RX.
His true identity is Nobuhiko Akizuki, the stepbrother of Kotaro Minami / Kamen Rider Black, who like him was born on the day of a solar eclipse and kidnapped by the Gorgom cult to be brainwashed into being their messiah. Like Black, Shadow Moon utilizes the King Stone to transform into his Rider form and is armed with a sword, the Satan Saber.
After Gorgom's downfall and his presumed death, Shadow Moon would return in Kamen Rider BLACK RX to finally settle his score with Kotaro.
Shadow Moon later returns as the main antagonist of the movie All Riders Vs Dai-Shocker and a major antagonist in Super Hero Taisen Z.
He was voiced by Masaki Terasoma, and portrayed by Takahito Horiuchi as Nobuhiko.
History[]
Past[]
Both Nobuhiko and Kotaro were born on the same day as a solar eclipse. This made them ideal candidates to become Century Kings for Gorgom, who set their sights on recruiting the two. When Kotaro's parents died in an accident, Kotaro was adopted by Nobuhiko's father and became his stepbrother.
The years went on until they both became teenagers, at that age, Nobuhiko would meet Katsumi and fall in love with her, however, this happened just before his 19th birthday, in which the Gorgom cult was already present while watching the brother's growing up.
Kamen Rider Black[]
Alongside his best friend and stepbrother, Kotaro Minami, Nobuhiko Akizuki was abducted by Gorgom to become one of their new Century Kings. Kotaro however, managed to escape after he was given a Kingstone, allowing him to transform into Kamen Rider Black. In the process, Kotaro accidentally damaged Nobuhiko in his escape, forcing him into a deep slumber to recover from his wounds, which were beginning to be treated by The High Priests.
Nobuhiko later recovered from his wounds. Upon awakening he assumed leadership over Gorgom. At first, Shadow Moon used to send mutants to watch over Black or attack him at times to distract him or directly torment him, with him even putting Katsumi into a brainwashing state for her to attack Kotaro and Kyoko, despite this, Shadow Moon reveals that he still cares for her and Kyoko, with him even offering them to join him. He later went to go fight Kotaro. Shadow Moon attempted to fight his brainwashing and briefly turned back into Nobuhiko after requesting the Creation King to turn him back into a humam, but he was unable to keep fighting due to the Creation King's interference. With nothing to hold him back, Shadow Moon finally decided to attack Kotaro and ultimately kill him.
Shadow Moon later engaged in another duel with a revived Kotaro. Kamen Rider Black defeated him by using the Satan Saber to slash his Kingstone. He was last seen in the Gorgom Headquarters as it was exploding.
Kamen Rider Black RX[]
He returned during his step-brother's fight against the Crisis Empire. Wielding the twin Shadow Sabers created by his Kingstone, he sought revenge against Kotaro. Immediately after returning, he manipulated and tormented Joe The Haze, and later forced him to give him his body, with this, he became even closer to Kotaro. Although, later on, he was finally killed when RX stabbed his Kingstone with the Revolcane.
As he dies, he informs Kotaro of the Crisis Empire's plans to cause a volcano to erupt as he rescues kidnapped children trapped within the area.
Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders Vs. Dai Shocker[]
- Main article: Nobuhiko Tsukikage
Shadow Moon returns again, this time as Nobuhiko Tsukikage, a butler to the Kadoya family and an alternate reality version of Nobuhiko Azikuzi. While Tsukasa was away, he took care of Sayo Kadoya. When Tsukasa returns and reassumes leadership of Dai-Shocker, he usurps him and convinces Sayo to become High Priestess Bishum.
However, Decade later joined up with the other Kamen Riders and they all attacked the forces of Dai-Shocker. Nobuhiko transformed into Shadow Moon and fought Decade and Kuuga, but was defeated and slammed into the wall by Kamen Rider Double. He was then finished off by the Kamen Riders kicking him at the same time in an "All Rider Kick".
Kamen Rider x Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen[]
Shadow Moon appears as one of the members of the newly revived Dai-Shocker led once again by Tsukasa Kadoya as the Great Leader of Dai-Shocker and formed to hunt down the Super Sentai in response to Dai-Zangyack's targeting of the Kamen Riders. After Dai-Shocker and Dai-Zangyack reveal their alliance and betray their figureheads, Shadow Moon took part in the massive battle between the combined forces of the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai and the Shocker-Zangyack Alliance.
Kamen Rider x Super Sentai x Space Sheriff x Super Hero Taisen Z[]
Shadow Moon returns once again as one of the main antagonists of this movie alongside Space Reider, he leading a new incarnation of Shocker called Space Shocker to conquer the universe by wreaking havoc all across it with magic. Secretly, he is working with Reider of the Space Crime Syndicate Madou to revive Demon King Psycho by capturing Psycholon, a robot that houses part of Psycho's soul.
During the battle at the Genmu Castle between the combined Kamen Riders, Super Sentai and Space Sheriffs, Shadow Moon is defeated by the Kyoryugers.
Personality[]
Kamen Rider Black[]
When he wasn't brainwashed by the Gorgom organization, Nobuhiko Akizuki was known for his Caring and Selfless nature, with him being respected by his foster brother for his nice actions, With his nature being the reason as to why Katsumi loved him so much, he was also seen as an inspiration by other people (Including Kotaro and Kyoko).
However, when he became Shadow Moon, he became ruthless, manipulative, strategic, cold, misanthropic and deluded, with him believing that the world belonged to Gorgom and not to wealthy and egotistical people, and while he was right about the poor state of society due to corrupt officials, Gorgon's ideals weren't going to help the world either (Something that the organization didn't seem to realize). However, his main goal wasn't to conquer earth and remade it as Gorgon's new "empire", but to defeat Kamen Rider Black and prove his superiority, despite his rivarly with his brother, he is still honorable towards him, with Shadow Moon having no problem on fighting him in fair advantages and even congratulating him after sabotaging Gorgom's plans. Shadow Moon is also shown to care about his little sister Kyoko and Katsumi, with him even admitting that he feels unable to kill them due to how important they were for him in the past and offers them to join him in his conquest for world domination.
However, despite his brainwashing, Shadow Moon doesn't mindlessly follow the Creation King, with him even refusing some of his plans (which included killing Kotaro Minami and taking his kingstone). It was not until the end that Shadow Moon managed to take revenge on his brainwasher, by giving his Satansabre to Black, so he can finish off the Creation King.
Kamen Rider Black RX[]
Shadow Moon's personality is keep almost the same here, however, after reviving, some of his memories were also altered, with them slowly disappearing as time passed, which led to Shadow Moon forgetting all of his past as Nobuhiko Akizuki.
Despite this, Shadow Moon is still shown to be a threat to both Black RX and the Crisis Empire, with the already mentioned empire even offering Shadow Moon a pass to become a member and help them to defeat Black RX, while at first Shadow Moon accepted, he eventually decided to drop the idea and go solo.
When Shadow Moon deduces the Crisis Empire's plans on killing him and Kotaro, he doesn't mind it, even if it means that he would die, however, he has a change of mind thanks to his brother, when he remembers him that there are children across the area, and after Black RX defeats him, Shadow Moon decides to honor him by saving the children and taking them into a safe place, and before he dies again, he remembers all of his past memories as Nobuhiko and manages to transform into his human-self, and he finally manages to have redemption.
Equipment[]
Satansabre[]
This weapon was created to be only used by the Century Kings themselves, although, Birugenia used it in his final battle against Black to no avail, it was not until Shadow Moon killed him that the sword was properly used in the series, it is shown to be sharp enough to cut even time and space, it can summon energy blasts that can damage the brain of the opponent and also grab them without any physical contact.
Kingstone[]
Some artifacts that are combined and later put on the Shadow Charger, it allows Shadow Moon to increase his power and transform (Although he never really used it to transform on-screen, due to the fact t i is hat he spend most of the time transformed already), it could be seen as the power source of the Century Kings in general.
Shadow Sabers[]
They are two twin swords that are manifested whenever Shadow Moon uses his kingstone, they serve as the replacement of the Satansabre, with Shadow Moon using them to fight Black RX. The only visible differences they have from each other is that while one is long, the other is short, with the latter being used to be thrown at the opponent, while the long one is used in short distance.
Forms[]
Shadow Moon[]
Specifications[]
- Height: 197.4cm
- Weight: 90kg
- Jump power: 40m in one jump
- Special Moves: "Shadow Kick", "Shadow Beam", etc.
Parts[]
- Head - Shadow Moon head.
- Mighty Eye - In addition to the telephoto ability to see up to 1.5km ahead, it has wide-angle, night vision, and clairvoyant eyes. It also has the ability to instantly see the enemy's weaknesses.
- Marine Sonar - A sensor that explores the state of the water by emitting radio waves.
- V Antenna - An antenna that can receive all radio waves around the world.
- Sky River - Aerial radar with high performance supplementary ability.
- Land Scanner - A high -performance scanner that can explore what is buried in the ground.
- Shadow Alarm - If you notice the approach of the enemy, it will blink and notify you.
- Side Ear - Eats that do not even hear the sound of water drops 500m away.
- Shadow Sensor - A radar system that allows you to catch all information. Use the V -antenna, Sky River, Land Scanner, and Marine Sonor to capture the movement of surrounding enemies.
- Silver Guard - Enhanced skin attached by mutation. It is stronger than Replus Foam, the skin of Kamen Rider Black, and even if it is hit by a machine gun, it will not be damaged.
- Shadow Lung - Modified lungs. 60 minutes of underwater activity is possible without apnea.
- Shadow Charger - The central part of the belt-like brace. A mysterious stone "Kingstone" containing a huge amount of energy, also known as the "Moon Stone", is embedded deep inside. It is the source of Shadow Moon's power, but it is also its only weakness.
- Neo-Avatite - Protector-like reinforced skin with hardness and flexibility. Unleashes a powerful electric shock to anyone it touches.
- Elbow Trigger - Always vibrating, it becomes a cutter that cuts through even rocks. It also has the effect of increasing punch power.
- Shadow Leg - Legs with stronger springs than Kamen Rider BLACK.
- Leg Trigger - It constantly vibrates and becomes a cutter that cuts through even rocks. It also has the effect of increasing jumping power and kicking power.
Trivia[]
- Despite him not being officially confirmed as an actual Kamen Rider by Toei, Shadow Moon is still considered by many fans as the first main antagonist to be a Kamen Rider (Or at least a Kamen Rider-like antagonist) that later inspired other series into featuring more villains who are Kamen Riders instead of being Monsters, Kaijins, Robots or even Humans.
- Ironically, In the animated OVA Kamen Rider SD, Shadow Moon considers himself as a Kamen Rider while claiming that Black is an 'Imposter' of him.
- He is arguably the only main dark rider of the franchise alongside Kamen Rider Odin to be brainwashed by someone, and yet, he Ironically managed to succeed in most of his goals in contrast to other villains of the Showa phase.
- Out of all the Showa-era villains in Kamen Rider, Shadow Moon is likely and arguably the youngest main antagonist and mastermind in this phase by being only 19 years old (Basically putting him in his late teens), This is weird to see, considering that the heavy and big bads of the franchise are mostly enigmatic or immortal beings whose age is unknown or is too old to begin with (With the Great Leader being a great example on this).
- Eventually, More humanoid and young villains would appear in the heisei and reiwa phases, although they were rarely considered as Big Bads.
External Links[]
- Shadow Moon at the Kamen Rider Wiki
- Shadow Moon at the Magnificent Baddie Wiki
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Villains | ||
Gorgom |
Villains | ||
Crisis Empire Other |