Kotaro Minami

Kotaro Minami is the main protagonist of Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX. Starting with Kamen Rider Decade and continuing onto the later crossover movies, there are two Kotaro Minamis who are independently Black and RX.

History

Kotaro is an emotional man which has served both good and bad for him. After seemingly losing his step-brother when he became Shadow Moon, Kotaro tried very hard to get Nobuhiko back while being saddened at having to fight him. He also didn't truly give up on Nobuhiko and tried to save him even as Shadow Moon. Towards the end of his first series, Kotaro had to part with not only Battle Hopper who thanked him for everything, but also with Shadow Moon who he unwillingly defeated in combat serving as a maturity point for him. As saddened as he was for failing to save the both of them, Kotaro chose to keep on living for himself showing strength for his character.

Publication Information

Protagonist : Kotaro Minami
Japanese : 南光太郎
Known As : Century King Black Sun
Rider Users : Kamen Rider Black RX
Gender : Male
HomeWorld : Earth (Main Timeline Continuity)
Season : Kamen Rider Black
First Appeareance : Kamen Rider Black Episod 1 : Black!! Transformation
Last Appeareance : Super Hero Taisen GP : Kamen Rider 3
Number of Appeareance : 98 (Black & Black RX), 8 (Movie)
Potrayer : Tetsuo Kurata, Ibuki (Lets Go Kamen Riders!), Hirofumi Tanaka (Voice in Super Hero Taisen), Hiroshi Kamiya (Voice in Kamen Rider Taisen)
Main View : Full Episod

Kamen Rider Black

Kotaro was born on the day of a solar eclipse, along with his stepbrother Nobuhiko Akizuki, within the same hospital. Gorgom noticed this, and both brothers were entitled heirs to their leader, the Creation King's throne. After Kotaro's parents both died (when Kotaro was around 3 years old) as a result of an apparent accident, Prof. Akizuki then adopted Kotaro alongside Nobuhiko as if they were brothers. On the night of their 19th birthday, they were captured by Gorgom and were remade into cyborgs and infused with King Stones.

Kamen Rider : Run All Over The World

In the film, the Crisis Empire devise a plan to defeat Kohtaro Minami by reverting him back to his old form of Kamen Rider Black and sending out several revived monsters after him. However, Kamen Rider Black is assisted by another RX, who used a time warp to help his past self.[1] The two are joined by RX's alternate forms of Robo Rider and Bio Rider, and the four Kamen Riders combine their powers to defeat the revived monsters.

Kamen Rider Decade : RX! Dai-Shocker Attack

A two episode arc features two different Kohtaro Minamis - one from a world where he is Black RX, and one where he remains Black. The two even encounter each other. In Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, Black and Black RX appear together again, both portrayed by Tetsuo Kurata. After the battle, RX is one of the few past Riders shown to demorph into his human form, looking identical to the Kohtaro Minami from the World of Black RX; Black never appears in his civilian form in the film.

Manga

In the manga adaptation of All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, based on the original script when the movie was planned to be the original ending of the TV series, Black, with V3 and Super-1 fight Decade, Diend and Kuuga in the final round of the Rider Battle as in the movie. When defeated Black, V3, and Super-1 expresses sadness that he "erased the Riders and can't meet them any more."

Kamen Rider Decade : All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker

Later, also like in the movie, All Riders return to fight Dai-Shocker. Bishum/Sayo Kadoya zaps Yuusuke into Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Ultimate and he fights Decade. Shadow Moon knows who Black RX is. The other Riders stand back and BLACK says Decade needs to fight this one alone. After Tsukasa gets through to Sayo, Black RX comes to save her from Nobuhiko Tsukikage/Shadow Moon and it is he who destroys the Stone of the Earth.

OoO & Den-O, All Riders : Let's Go Kamen Riders

A mishap caused by the Greeed Ankh unintentionally altered the timeline which enabled Shocker to utilize a Cell Medal to create the Shocker Greeed which defeated the Double Riders and seemingly erased the legacy of the Kamen Riders from history. In 2011, after Kamen Rider New Den-O's attempt to repair the damage, he along with Kamen Rider OOO and M-Ankh awaited execution. However, it was revealed the Double Riders had their brainwashing removed by a Shocker scientist.

Kamen Rider × Super Sentai : Super Hero Taisen

Kamen Rider Black appeared in a flashback where he was part of the group of Riders defeated by Gokai Red along with Hibiki, G3-X, Knight, Zolda, and Gatack. Both Black and RX, as separate heroes, were among the "All Rider" force during the "Super Hero Taisen" incident which resulted in the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai joining forces to defeat both Dai-Shocker and Dai-Zangyack. During the battle, Black RX is shown defeating a Gormin. Afterwards, a separate Kamen Rider Black joined forces with the Hikari Sentai MaskmanIcon-crosswiki, as they protected Earth in the same year, and launched an attack against the revived Shadow Moon and General Jark.

Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff : Super Hero Taisen Z

Black RX was part of a force of Rider and Sentai reinforcements led by Kamen Rider 1 and Akarenger that came to assist the Riders and Sentai of recent years who were overwhelmed by the revived monster army of the Space Crime Syndicate Madou. The combined forces of superheroes were able to turn the tide against the Madou army. They lined up and used their various finisher attacks to destroy the revived monsters.

Heisei Rider vs. Showa Rider : Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai

How BLACK and RX are separate again, remained unknown, either both are from different A.R. Worlds or the original Kohtaro Minami himself and an A.R. world counterpart. They are first appeared attacking Tsukasa and Shotaro to take a young boy Shu Aoi with them, and telling the Heisei Riders are now nuisance to Showa Riders. With Tsukasa escaping with Shu, Joker fends off both BLACKs until Baron arrived to aid Joker, defeating his RX half with a Punish Mash/Rider Kick combo, though BLACK manage to escape with the help of Amazon and Super-1, with the two Showa Riders beating Baron when he protects Joker from a Rider Kick/Great Slice combo.

Super Hero Taisen GP : Kamen Rider 3

He and his senior Riders, Takeshi Hongo and Shiro Kazami are one of the three main Showa Riders in this movie. He remains BLACK after Shocker alters the timeline into making Kamen Rider 3 exist. Affected by the timeline being changed from Rider 3 defeating the Double Riders, Kohtaro never evolved from Black to Black RX and remains as Black even into middle adulthood. Althought he fights against Shocker Rider Drive, he is able to help restore Shinnosuke's memory, but later sacrifices his life to allow him and Kiriko to escape the Drive Pit. Kohtaro is revived a while afterwards and evolved from Black to Black RX. During the Rider Grand Prix, he defends Drive from Mashin Chaser while on the Ridoron.

Appearances In Other Media

Kamen Rider Black RX (SD)

Black RX is the newest Kamen Rider and star of the animated short Kamen Rider SD: Strange!? Kumo Otoko. Black RX is still new to being a Kamen Rider and often leaps before he looks. In the movie, he has fallen in love with an instructor at a local sports club, which GranShocker kidnaps in a plan to destroy the Kamen Riders once and for all. He has been paired up in a team with Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider ZX, the latter of which has taken a liking to teasing the young Rider. His finishing move is slashing his enemies with his Revolcane sword. He rides in a modified version of the Acrobatter motorcycle.

Video Games

Kamen Rider Black : Taiketsu Shadow Moon

Kamen Rider Black fights through various Gorgom opponents both on foot and while riding Battle Hopper in the video game Kamen Rider Black: Taiketsu Shadow Moon.

Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001

Kohtaro Minami/Black/Black RX is a playable character in the Sony PlayStation crossover strategy game Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 along with Takeshi Hongo, Hayato Ichimonji, Shiro Kazami, and Joji Yuki.

Kamen Rider : The Bike Race

Black RX appears riding the Acro Batter (Kamen Rider Black is absent) in Kamen Rider: The Bike Race, a racing game featuring the majority of Kamen Riders and Rider Machines up to Kamen Rider Agito.

Kamen Rider : Seigi No Keifu

Kamen Rider Black is soon attacked by Sasoritokages in the "Cable Room". After defeating him, he goes to the "Gas Chamber" and is greeted by General Black. He then sends Isoginjaguar to test Black's power. After Isoginjaguar is defeated, General Black tries to kill Kamen Rider Black by closing the "Gas Chamber", but it fails. Kamen Rider Black then enters the "Command Center" and soon encounters Utsubogamess, but the monster is no match.

Kamen Rider Battle : Ganbaride

To Be Added

All Kamen Rider : Rider Generation 1

Kohtaro, as both Black and RX is the unlockable characters on both games. His RoboRider and BioRider forms are used for super move. In the second series, RoboRider can use another technique by increasing the attack power of his Vortech Shooter, while BioRider can use another technique by slashing enemies with his Bioblade.

All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation 2

To Be Added

Kamen Rider : Climax Heroes Series

To Be Added

Kamen Rider : Battride War Genesis

Both Black and Black RX are among the Showa Riders who make their Battride War debut in this game. Like both versions of IXA, Nago (the playable/2000s version of IXA) and Otoya (tag partner only/1986 IXA), both versions of Black can be paired if using tag partner mode.

Stage Shows

Maskman Stage Show At 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Maskmen are seen fighting usual foes, the Armored Army, and Gorgom show up and wind up defeating them. Kamen Rider Black & Metalder arrive to assist the Maskmen.

Maskman Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the maskmen are seen fighting the Underground Empire Tube, Kamen Rider Black, Metalder, Spielban, Shaider, Red & Blue Flash, Change Dragon & Phoenix, Green Two & Dyna Black arrive to assist the team.

Liveman Stage Show At 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Livemen are seen fighting their usual foes, the sorcerers clan shows up and winds up defeating them. Jiraiya & Kamen Rider Black arrive to assist the team.

Liveman Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Livemen are seen fighting the usual foes, Great Star League Gozma, Reconstructive Experiment Empire Mess, the Underground Empire Tube, the Armored Army & The Sorcerers Clan show up and wind up defeating them. Kamen Riders Black & RX, Jiraiya, Princess Ninja Emiha, Red & Pink Mask, Metalder, Red & Yellow Flash & Change Dragon arrive to assist the Liveman.

Turboranger Stage Show At 3 Heroes Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Turborangers are seen fighting the Hundred Boma Tribes, Kamen Rider Black RX & Jiban arrive to assist the team.

Turboranger Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Turborangers are seen fighting the Hundred Boma Tribes, Kamen Riders Black & RX, Jiban, Jiraiya, Red Falcon, Yellow Lion, Red & Pink Mask, Green Flash & Change Dragon arrive to assist the Team.

Fivemen Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Fivemen are seen fighting the Silver Imperial Army Zone, Winspector, Kamen Rider Black RX, Red & Pink Turbo, Red Falcon, Blue Dolphin & Red Mask arrive to assist the team.

Jetman Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the Jetmen are seen fighting Dimensional War Party Vyram, SolBraver, Knight Fire, Kamen Rider Black RX, Five Red & Blue, Red & Pink Turbo, Yellow Lion & Red Mask arrive to assist the team.

Dairanger Stage Show At Super Hero Korakuen Yuenchi

In a stage show where the core Dairangers are seen fighting their usual foes, The Bandora Gang, Dimensional War Party Vyram & Bill Goldy show up and wind up defeating them, so Janperson, Kamen Rider Black, Kiba, Tyranno & Dragon Ranger, Red Hawk & Black Condor arrive to assist the Dairangers

Forms & Abilities

Kamen Rider Black RX

Main Article : Kamen Rider Black RX Arsenal, Weapon & Abilities

After becoming RX, he has relied more on his weapons and didn't use his King Stone Flash or physical moves as effectively as his previous series hinting a drop in physical skills. He does however, become adept at sword fighting and shooting with precise marksmanship. In his later battles, Kohtaro seems to have regained his physical skills through training with his seniors.

See Also: