Staff of Kamen Rider Gaim Share Final Thoughts

With Kamen Rider Gaim’s finale in the books, the staff of the show took to the internet to share some final thoughts on the show. Care of Aesir Subs’ Magenta, check out the details below; however, you are warned, there are several, major spoilers in the blog!

The following is a selection of quotes from the translated blog.

(Translator’s Note: This is a translation of the final episode blog post on Toei’s official Gaim blog, which is kind of the auxiliary, adult-aimed site that dealt with production talk and behind-the-scenes information. This post offers a final farewell from the cast and staff that worked on the show, and I’ve preserved the format and imagery of it intact, merely translating the text. Please enjoy!)

Introduction

Thank you for everything this past year!

It’s been nearly two years now since we decided to bite into that forbidden fruit that is a multiple rider show, and begun the planning and design of the show. We placed Mr. Urobuchi in the writers’ chair, built an army of veteran Heisei Rider staff, and aimed to create a show like we’d never made before. And it’s made me so happy to see every character in the show being popular with the fans, thanks to the hard work and camaraderie between this wonderful cast. To everyone who’s loved the story and the characters, and supported the show – thank you all so much.

The story has come to an end, but I’d like to hope it’s not all over… just yet? But of course right now, focus is on December’s new Movie Wars. What stage awaits our heroes, I wonder?

On the 12th October, we’ll be holding the Final Stage – a huge all cast event, which we’ll be broadcasting live at cinemas around the country. If you, like us, can’t bear to see Gaim go, then I hope you’ll join us for a few hours together that day.

– Toei Producer, Naomi Takebe

Production Notes

“Thank you for all your work on Gaim!”

Director Ishida’s group was the first to finish filming – and it was a bunch of people’s final scenes at once! First up was Rika Izumi, playing Kouta’s sister, Akira Kazuraba.

During the show she acted as the gentle, guiding figure for Kouta, who was constantly struggling with becoming an adult. Whenever he started to lose his way, she’d be there to show him what to do. As an aside, the pilot episode of Gaim was the first time she’d met Director Ryuuta Tasaki or Matsumura, the cameraman, since her work on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon! And I’m sure I spotted a familiar glint in her eye when she saw the old Toei filming lot again! To Miss Izumi we say thank you for everything you did on the show!

Next up is Ryou Matsuda, playing tactician/pâtissier Jounouchi Hideyasu!

In this final episode, there was one particularly touching transformation. And that was Jounouchi Hideyasu transforming into Kamen Rider Kurokage, a mantle inherited from his late friend Hase.

When he read the script for the last episode, Matsuda told me he was really excited about this! After all, he and Kurokage were a partnership – it was him that gave Jounouchi the name Kamen Rider Ornac/Gridon! He may not have told Shiramata, but I’ll bet you anything he actually really liked the name!

Next up is Metal Yoshida, who played Pierre Alfonso Oren.

Metal Yoshida was the perfect choice to play the flamboyant Oren! The first time he came out of costuming clad in nothing but a bath robe and glamorous makeup, the staff and cast lost themselves with laughter – he won his way into everyone’s hearts so quickly! On set, he was a reliable father figure to the mostly quite young cast. Thanks to Metal Yoshida for his time on the show – and to his wife Hiromi Iwasaki, who played Roshuo’s wife!
Next we say goodbye to the reliable big brother figure from the fruit parlor – Tomohisa Yuge, playing Kiyojirou Bandou.

His quote from episode 16 – that he’d “been through a lot” – was remarkably true! When you’re think of the cast of a multiple rider show, Yuge is always there! And who knows, we’ll probably end up seeing him again somewhere down the line!

And last but not least, we move on to the main cast.
Mahiro Takasugi, playing Mitsuzane Kureshima, filmed his last scene out on a location shot!

Even Director Ishida is tearing up! He’s so upset! See the thing is, poor Mahiro was the only member of cast here on set that day *sobs* So, we roped in Ishida, Producer Takebe and the cameraman, Kurata, for a commemorative photograph!

Let him go, Ishida, you’re choking him!

Micchy’s story went in a rather dark direction during the show, but Mahiro here enjoyed playing the role throughout. It’s been fun watching him grow as an actor this past year!

And now, we move onto the final day of filming for Kamen Rider Gaim.
We filmed on location, with the heavens opening above us.

Our first goodbye that day is to Yuumi Shida, playing the role of Mai Takatsukasa.

She was absolutely sobbing her heart out, inconsolable. As the heroine of the show, she was always there to cheer us up when filming. I honestly can’t count how many times her smile has gotten us through the day. Her earnesty has truly been the light behind Gaim.

Next, we say goodbye to Yutaka Kobayashi, playing Kaito Kumon.

Though he managed to hold back his tears better than Yuumi, there were still definitely a few in his eyes as filming wrapped up. He was definitely being strong for the others, I think. *sobs*

He worried about his performance a lot, and sometimes confided his insecurities in us – but Yutaka was the only one who could have played Kaito. After all he’s done for us this past year, I think it’s only fair we send him off with a resounding round of applause.

And now…

At long last, we must say goodbye to this man.

Playing the role of Kamen Rider Gaim…

Of Kouta Kazuraba…

Gaku Sano.

He was sobbing even more uncontrollably than Yuumi – wailing, almost. And seeing him in tears, I couldn’t stop myself from crying too…

I’ve had the privilege of watching him on set. Many times, I’ve had to give him guidance and warnings without saying a word to the rest of the cast – and he took that on board with a sense of responsibility for his role that goes beyond what you would expect from anyone. I think at this moment, he finally felt the pressure lifting.

Gaku Sano has grown so much as a person over the course of the show, and I can’t wait to see what he’ll go on to do next.

And finally, everyone say cheese for one last commemorative photo!

But wait… who do we see over there?

Oh my! It’s a bunch the other Gaim cast members who’d already finished filming!

There’s Takasugi, Kubota, Ryou Matsuda, and even Atsushi Shiramata, who played Hase! It just goes to show how the deep the bond was between the Gaim cast. And of course Takaiwa and the other suit actors join the photo too! We’re incredibly grateful not only to Takaiwa, but all the stuntmen from Japan Action Enterprises too!

Thank you all for your hard work!

Check out Aesir Subs for more from the blog, including personal notes from many of the cast!
What did you think of Gaim, and the Staff’s final thoughts on the show? Where does Gaim rank in your list of favorites? Let us know in the comments and forums, and be sure to keep it here for the latest Tokusatsu news.