History Characters / KamenRiderKuugaMainCharaters

* NiceGuy: Yusuke's pure-heartedness is what lets him control Kuuga in the first place; [[spoiler:being anything less than that would plunge him into Ultimate Form's innate UnstoppableRage.]]

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Grongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Grongi. Eventually, once all the other Grongi are defeated, N·Daguva·Zeba, the Grongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Daguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.\\
\\

Voted #3 Kamen Rider in the Heisei era, and #3 Kamen Rider overall in NHK's All Kamen Rider Popularity Vote.

* LoyalPhlebotinum: Justified with the Arcle, as its Amadam core is fused into his body and won't come off ([[BodyHorror out of his body]]) unless the core is shattered. The Gouram, meanwhile, is purely loyal only to Yusuke.

* NiceGuy: Probably the nicest Kamen Rider, only matched by [[Series/KamenRiderOOO Eiji Hino]]. Yusuke's pure-heartedness is what lets him control Kuuga in the first place; [[spoiler:being anything less than that would plunge him into Ultimate Form's innate UnstoppableRage.]]
* PayEvilUntoEvil: He gives Go-Jalaji-Da a brutal NoHoldsBarredBeatdown to the point said Gurongi doesn't escape with his life before executing him with Rising Titan's FinishingMove.

* SuperMode: Ultimate Form, the unquestionable best form and the best at everything. It even has the ability ([[AllThereInTheManual So sayeth the side materials]][[note]]The [[http://www.microforever.com/Rider/kuugaultimate.htm 2000 Japanese edition]] of Kuuga Ultimate Form's ''Souchaku Henshin'' toy figure (i.e. the predecessor to ''Toys/SHFiguarts'') even included "Ultimate" versions of Kuuga's Rising Forms' weapons[[/note]]) to use the weapons and powers of all the other forms with zero drawbacks.

* LoyalPhlebotinum: {{Justified}} with the Arcle, as its Amadam core is fused into his body and won't come off ([[BodyHorror out of his body]]) unless the core is shattered. The Gouram, meanwhile, is purely loyal only to Yusuke.
* MotorcycleJousting: The crowning example of the Heisei Era, Yusuke can [[CarFu Bike Fu]] on beaches, on roads, and even inside buildings. {{Justified}}, as the Try- and [=BeatChasers=] were specifically made for both speed and maneuverability.

* SecretKeeper: He keeps Yusuke's identity as Unidentified Lifeform #2/#4 (Growing Form Kuuga and Mighty Form Kuuga, respectively) a secret from his colleagues and his superiors. A {{justified}} decision on his part, especially in the beginning, when Kuuga is considered just as much of a threat as the Grongi by the police. Of course, this means that Ichijo must rely on other evidence to advocate for cooperation with Kuuga.

* CharacterTics: The thumbs-up, which he gives to everyone. One of the few that are {{justified}}: Yusuke inherited it from his teacher, because it meant "Well Done" to someone who surpassed adversity. Yusuke's sensei taught him this while cheering him up from Yusuke losing his father. He encouraged Yusuke to protect his mom's and sister's smiles, and grow up to be a man who could protect everyone's smiles. If not for Yusuke's teacher, we wouldn't know the wonderful man he became.

* TheDeterminator: He WILL not give up on trying to protect peoples smiles, no matter what happens to him.

* FragileSpeedster: Dragon Form, allowing for quick movement and high jumps, but has to use a weapon to fight just as competently.
* MakingASplash: Dragon Form's agility complements its marine origin and theme.
* PlayingWithFire: Mighty Form and [[spoiler:Ultimate Form. This last form, to be fair, is the only real moment wherein he can summon fire out of thin air--the same way as N-Daguva-Zeba]]

* MechaExpansionPack: Gouram can combine with both of his {{Cool Bike}}s, [=TryChaser 2000=] and [=BeatChaser 2000=].
%%* MidSeasonUpgrade: The Rising Forms, Amazing Mighty Form, and the [=BeatChaser=] 2000.

* MemeticHandGesture: The thumbs-up, which he gives to everyone. One of the few that are {{justified}}: Yusuke inherited it from his teacher, because it meant "Well Done" to someone who surpassed adversity. Yusuke's sensei taught him this while cheering him up from Yusuke losing his father. He encouraged Yusuke to protect his mom's and sister's smiles, and grow up to be a man who could protect everyone's smiles. If not for Yusuke's teacher, we wouldn't know the wonderful man he became.

[[folder:Kuuga]]

!!'''Yusuke Godai/Kamen Rider Kuuga'''

!!'''Riku/Warrior Kuuga/"The Previous Kuuga"'''
!!!'''Portrayed by:''' Kenji Tominaga
[[quoteright:210:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/riku_2.png]]
A young member of the Linto tribe, who took on the Amadam in the face of the Grongi threat in ancient times. The majority of his story is told in the novelization, and he's only ever referred to as "the previous Kuuga" in the show. Can be assumed to have had the same abilities as the modern Kuuga.

* BatmanGambit: Riku became Kuuga as a result of the Grongi setting him up for it, on the theory that he was the ''least'' warrior-like choice for being their worst enemy. ''It backfired spectacularly''.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: As with Yusuke, Riku wasn't a warrior from the get-go. [[TookALevelInBadass He became one anyway]].
* BigBrotherInstinct: Became Kuuga to protect his little sister and only relative, Mio. (That's probably her hand touching the sarcophagus, at the very beginning of the first episode.)
* MidSeasonUpgrade: {{Averted}} in Riku's case. He apparently did '''not''' unlock anything past the five basic forms. (Between this and the generally sparser population density of the time, there's a good chance he avoided reaching the modern Kuuga's level of DestructiveSavior.)
* NiceGuy: Had to be, given the nature of the power he had. [[spoiler:Whether it was to the extent of controlling Ultimate Form or not is unknown.]]
* ReluctantWarrior: Wasn't much of a warrior at all before becoming Kuuga.
* SealedGoodInACan: If you need any proof that he's a NiceGuy and a hero to boot, note that he sealed ''himself'' in that sealing sarcophagus while he was [[BuriedAlive still alive]], ''[[{{Determinator}} just in case]]'' the Grongi overcame the fatal case of death he'd given them. [[spoiler:Sadly, Daguva apparently forced him to revert to his aged human form in the present day...which didn't stop him, as he appeared to be getting up to fight anyway.]]
* ShroudedInMyth: We don't know a whole lot about him--just that he was at minimum Yusuke's equal as a good man and warrior.
* TheStraightAndArrowPath: Unlike Yusuke's Pegasus Bowgun in the present, Riku's Kuuga probably used an actual bow and arrows while in Pegasus Form.
** Then again, #1 shows Riku as Pegasus Form Kuuga using the Pegasus Bowgun. It's possible that either a bow or a gun would be a suitible subject for the weapon to be based on.

*** All of the basic forms later get a MidSeasonUpgrade as '''Rising''' forms that boost their stats[[note]]Rising Mighty just gets an overall stat boost, Rising Dragon has increased speed and the Rising Dragon Rod now has [[BladeOnAStick blades on both ends]], Rising Pegasus has better SuperSenses and the Rising Pegasus Bowgun can shoot repeatedly, and Rising Titan has increased strength and bigger swords that he can [[DualWielding use two at once]][[/note]] but they're more of a LimitBreak that only lasts for 30 seconds until Yusuke's second electrotherapy in #46, and the power can [[DestructiveSavior cause serious collateral damage to civilians]].

[[center: [- [[Characters/KamenRiderKuuga Main Character Index]] | '''Main Characters''' | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaGurongi Gurongi]] | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaMinorSupportingCast Minor Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaManga Manga]]]] -]

Yusuke Godai is a carefree, gentle spirit, always willing to help out people. Motivated by the death of his father, he swore to protect others and promised to [[ArcNumber master 2000 talents before the year 2000]]. One day, he has a vision of an artifact called the [[TransformationTrinket Arcle]], and eventually puts it on after the first of the unsealed Gurongi attacks, giving him his 2000th skill in transforming into Kuuga. At first, his white Growing Form is dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 2 by the police, and his subsequent forms are dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 4. As the police learns of his identity, they begin working with Godai.\\

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Gurongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Gurongi. Eventually, once all the other Gurongi are defeated, N·Daguva·Zeba, the Gurongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Daguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.\\

* TheAce: Has mastered nearly 2000 skills (with Skill #2000 being becoming Kuuga), is loved by everyone who doesn't consider him [[IdiotHero an idiot]], and is later on seen as the hope of humanity as their protector against the Gurongi.

* TheCape: Is one of the straightest examples of this trope in ''Kamen Rider''. After [[JumpedAtTheCall answering the Arcle's call]] to defeat #1, Yusuke chooses to be Kuuga and defeat the Gurongi solely because it's the right thing to do and to save people, he's an AllLovingHero, and only fights because it's the only option. [[spoiler:Is a ''plot point'', as if he was anything less than this, he may have become as bad as Daguva when he reached Ultimate Form.]]

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Whenever he learns of a Gurongi attack, he drops everything and rides off to stop it. This actually leads to him [[RunningGag abandoning work at Poré Poré, to the owner's confusion]].
* ComesGreatResponsibility: InvertedTrope. ''With Great Responsibility Comes Great Power''. The first time Yusuke transforms, it's primarily to save himself, transforming into the weak Growing Form. It's in his third battle at the church, with the resolve to protect humanity from the Gurongi, that he enters Mighty Form. This basically defines Yusuke's time as Kuuga, as despite being scared of fighting and what he might become if he grows too strong, he continues to fight because he has to.

** When he inadvertently enters Pegasus Mode, Yusuke isn't defeated by the Gurongi--rather, he's stopped by Pegasus Form giving him such a nasty case of SensoryOverload that he falls from a height that would kill a normal person, and eventually leaves him passed out. This is part of Yusuke learning that unlike the short-range-oriented Mighty and Dragon Forms, Pegasus Form's strength lies in extremely ''long''-range combat, using the Pegasus Bowgun with his heightened senses to kill Gurongi in mid-flight.

* ReluctantWarrior: Hates fighting, but chooses to fight as long as the Gurongi remain a threat to people.

* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: His sense of right and wrong doesn't have much to do with the law. It's a lot more about having a good reason to him, and that's why he's okay with taking a police bike without permission to chase down a Gurongi.

** [=TryGouram=] Attack: Kuuga on the [=TryGouram=] [[RammingAlwaysWorks rams a Gurongi]].

* {{Transmutation}}: Kuuga's Dragon, Pegasus, and Titan forms allow him to temporarily transmute objects of a certain shape into weapons suited to his forms. High tier Gurongi also have this ability.

A young member of the Linto tribe, who took on the Amadam in the face of the Gurongi threat in ancient times. The majority of his story is told in the novelization, and he's only ever referred to as "the previous Kuuga" in the show. Can be assumed to have had the same abilities as the modern Kuuga.

* BatmanGambit: Riku became Kuuga as a result of the Gurongi setting him up for it, on the theory that he was the ''least'' warrior-like choice for being their worst enemy. ''It backfired spectacularly''.

* SealedGoodInACan: If you need any proof that he's a NiceGuy and a hero to boot, note that he sealed ''himself'' in that sealing sarcophagus while he was [[BuriedAlive still alive]], ''[[{{Determinator}} just in case]]'' the Gurongi overcame the fatal case of death he'd given them. [[spoiler:Sadly, Daguva apparently forced him to revert to his aged human form in the present day...which didn't stop him, as he appeared to be getting up to fight anyway.]]

* BadassNormal: He kills ''two'' Gurongi. Sure, he use special nerve-breaking bullets and one of them wasn't transformed, but the fact remains that he's the only human to do so.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: The second most prominent character in the series, and the one focused on just as much as Godai in the fight against the Gurongi. [[spoiler:He even kills one of the most prominent members himself.]]
* FriendOnTheForce: Supports acting together with Kuuga to his colleagues and superiors. In general, he gives Yusuke backup by coordinating with the police to find Gurongi, while also giving him access to [[CoolBike the specialized TryChaser and BeatChaser 2000 prototypes]].

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: To Yusuke. He grants Yusuke use of the [=TryChaser=] 2000 prototype against the Gurongi, realizing that Yusuke--who has shown more resolve--can make the most of it.
* SecretKeeper: He keeps Yusuke's identity as Unidentified Lifeform #2/#4 (Growing Form Kuuga and Mighty Form Kuuga, respectively) a secret from his colleagues and his superiors. A {{justified}} decision on his part, especially in the beginning, when Kuuga is considered just as much of a threat as the Gurongi by the police. Of course, this means that Ichijo must rely on other evidence to advocate for cooperation with Kuuga.

* TheWorkaholic: He tends to push himself to do his job. Especially obvious in the earliest episodes, when he is focusing on the Gurongi; he'll act in spite of his injuries from a previous encounter, he'll act without his superiors' permission, and he'll focus on ending a rampaging Gurongi instead of checking on his mother.

An archaeologist at Jounan University. At first reluctant to help Godai with his newfound power, she eventually agrees to help by deciphering the ancient texts to shed more light on Kuuga and the Gurongi.

Ichijo's friend and Godai's doctor, treating his various injuries and taking notes on the Amadam and its HealingFactor. He also performs autopsies on Gurongi victims, and even on the body of [[spoiler:Xu·Goma·Gu, eventually leading to the conclusion that the Gurongi work similarly to Kuuga.]]

The Head of the Police Department Science Division, Enokida is a personable scientist who studies the Gurongi and develops weapons for police use against them. Her husband was killed in Unidentified Lifeform #5's rampage against the police. Due to her workload, she doesn't have much time to spend with her son.

* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Unlike other characters in later ''Kamen Rider'' shows, Kazari is unaware of Godai being Kuuga, mainly because he thinks that Godai just made the word "Kuuga" up. On the other hand, he keeps an extensive scrapbook on "Unidentified Lifeform #4's" (Kuuga's) exploits against the Gurongi, believing that #4 is one of the good guys. [[spoiler:He doesn't put two and two together for most of the show, but learns the truth near the end.]]

An aspiring actress, she moved in with her Uncle Kazari to take up acting school in Tokyo. She had a crush on Yusuke, and helps out at her Uncle's cafe. Though a lighthearted character, the murder spree of the Gurongi occasionally hits close to home.

*** '''Dragon''': [[FragileSpeedster Fast and can jump very high but has the least protective armor]], and is so weak that he needs a Dragon Rod to injure an enemy.

* HotScientist: Although given she mainly researches past languages, she is probably more of a HotLibrarian.

%%* HotScientist

[[center: [- [[Characters/KamenRiderKuuga Main Character Index]] | '''Main Characters''' | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaGrongi Grongi]] | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaMinorSupportingCast Minor Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/KamenRiderKuugaManga Manga]]]] -]

Yusuke Godai is a carefree, gentle spirit, always willing to help out people. Motivated by the death of his father, he swore to protect others and promised to [[ArcNumber master 2000 talents before the year 2000]]. One day, he has a vision of an artifact called the [[TransformationTrinket Arcle]], and eventually puts it on after the first of the unsealed Grongi attacks, giving him his 2000th skill in transforming into Kuuga. At first, his white Growing Form is dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 2 by the police, and his subsequent forms are dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 4. As the police learns of his identity, they begin working with Godai.\\

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Grongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Grongi. Eventually, once all the other Grongi are defeated, N·Daguva·Zeba, the Grongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Daguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.\\

* TheAce: Has mastered nearly 2000 skills (with Skill #2000 being becoming Kuuga), is loved by everyone who doesn't consider him [[IdiotHero an idiot]], and is later on seen as the hope of humanity as their protector against the Grongi.

* TheCape: Is one of the straightest examples of this trope in ''Kamen Rider''. After [[JumpedAtTheCall answering the Arcle's call]] to defeat #1, Yusuke chooses to be Kuuga and defeat the Grongi solely because it's the right thing to do and to save people, he's an AllLovingHero, and only fights because it's the only option. [[spoiler:Is a ''plot point'', as if he was anything less than this, he may have become as bad as Daguva when he reached Ultimate Form.]]

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Whenever he learns of a Grongi attack, he drops everything and rides off to stop it. This actually leads to him [[RunningGag abandoning work at Poré Poré, to the owner's confusion]].
* ComesGreatResponsibility: InvertedTrope. ''With Great Responsibility Comes Great Power''. The first time Yusuke transforms, it's primarily to save himself, transforming into the weak Growing Form. It's in his third battle at the church, with the resolve to protect humanity from the Grongi, that he enters Mighty Form. This basically defines Yusuke's time as Kuuga, as despite being scared of fighting and what he might become if he grows too strong, he continues to fight because he has to.

** When he inadvertently enters Pegasus Mode, Yusuke isn't defeated by the Grongi--rather, he's stopped by Pegasus Form giving him such a nasty case of SensoryOverload that he falls from a height that would kill a normal person, and eventually leaves him passed out. This is part of Yusuke learning that unlike the short-range-oriented Mighty and Dragon Forms, Pegasus Form's strength lies in extremely ''long''-range combat, using the Pegasus Bowgun with his heightened senses to kill Grongi in mid-flight.

* ReluctantWarrior: Hates fighting, but chooses to fight as long as the Grongi remain a threat to people.

* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: His sense of right and wrong doesn't have much to do with the law. It's a lot more about having a good reason to him, and that's why he's okay with taking a police bike without permission to chase down a Grongi.

** [=TryGouram=] Attack: Kuuga on the [=TryGouram=] [[RammingAlwaysWorks rams a Grongi]].

* {{Transmutation}}: Kuuga's Dragon, Pegasus, and Titan forms allow him to temporarily transmute objects of a certain shape into weapons suited to his forms. High tier Grongi also have this ability.

A young member of the Linto tribe, who took on the Amadam in the face of the Grongi threat in ancient times. The majority of his story is told in the novelization, and he's only ever referred to as "the previous Kuuga" in the show. Can be assumed to have had the same abilities as the modern Kuuga.

* BatmanGambit: Riku became Kuuga as a result of the Grongi setting him up for it, on the theory that he was the ''least'' warrior-like choice for being their worst enemy. ''It backfired spectacularly''.

* SealedGoodInACan: If you need any proof that he's a NiceGuy and a hero to boot, note that he sealed ''himself'' in that sealing sarcophagus while he was [[BuriedAlive still alive]], ''[[{{Determinator}} just in case]]'' the Grongi overcame the fatal case of death he'd given them. [[spoiler:Sadly, Daguva apparently forced him to revert to his aged human form in the present day...which didn't stop him, as he appeared to be getting up to fight anyway.]]

* BadassNormal: He kills ''two'' Grongi. Sure, he use special nerve-breaking bullets and one of them wasn't transformed, but the fact remains that he's the only human to do so.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: The second most prominent character in the series, and the one focused on just as much as Godai in the fight against the Grongi. [[spoiler:He even kills one of the most prominent members himself.]]
* FriendOnTheForce: Supports acting together with Kuuga to his colleagues and superiors. In general, he gives Yusuke backup by coordinating with the police to find Grongi, while also giving him access to [[CoolBike the specialized TryChaser and BeatChaser 2000 prototypes]].

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: To Yusuke. He grants Yusuke use of the [=TryChaser=] 2000 prototype against the Grongi, realizing that Yusuke--who has shown more resolve--can make the most of it.
* SecretKeeper: He keeps Yusuke's identity as Unidentified Lifeform #2/#4 (Growing Form Kuuga and Mighty Form Kuuga, respectively) a secret from his colleagues and his superiors. A {{justified}} decision on his part, especially in the beginning, when Kuuga is considered just as much of a threat as the Grongi by the police. Of course, this means that Ichijo must rely on other evidence to advocate for cooperation with Kuuga.

* TheWorkaholic: He tends to push himself to do his job. Especially obvious in the earliest episodes, when he is focusing on the Grongi; he'll act in spite of his injuries from a previous encounter, he'll act without his superiors' permission, and he'll focus on ending a rampaging Grongi instead of checking on his mother.

An archaeologist at Jounan University. At first reluctant to help Godai with his newfound power, she eventually agrees to help by deciphering the ancient texts to shed more light on Kuuga and the Grongi.

Ichijo's friend and Godai's doctor, treating his various injuries and taking notes on the Amadam and its HealingFactor. He also performs autopsies on Grongi victims, and even on the body of [[spoiler:Xu·Goma·Gu, eventually leading to the conclusion that the Grongi work similarly to Kuuga.]]

The Head of the Police Department Science Division, Enokida is a personable scientist who studies the Grongi and develops weapons for police use against them. Her husband was killed in Unidentified Lifeform #5's rampage against the police. Due to her workload, she doesn't have much time to spend with her son.

* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Unlike other characters in later ''Kamen Rider'' shows, Kazari is unaware of Godai being Kuuga, mainly because he thinks that Godai just made the word "Kuuga" up. On the other hand, he keeps an extensive scrapbook on "Unidentified Lifeform #4's" (Kuuga's) exploits against the Grongi, believing that #4 is one of the good guys. [[spoiler:He doesn't put two and two together for most of the show, but learns the truth near the end.]]

An aspiring actress, she moved in with her Uncle Kazari to take up acting school in Tokyo. She had a crush on Yusuke, and helps out at her Uncle's cafe. Though a lighthearted character, the murder spree of the Grongi occasionally hits close to home.

* BondingOverMissingParents: Played. Jean reveals near the end that he grew up with busy parents, which is why he had such a vested interest in getting to know Enokida when he saw she was having problems balancing work, motherhood, and its effects on her son.

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Grongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Grongi. Eventually, once all the other Grongi are defeated, N·Zaguva·Zeba, the Grongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Zaguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.\\

* StepfordSmiler: Shows signs of this late in the series, following his rage-filled beatdown of Go-Jaraji-Da. Especially noticeable in his farewell scene to his old teacher, when, seeing more reports of Zaguva's carnage, we get a close-up of his fist on his side, clenching in rage. [[spoiler: Following the final battle, he's gone back to WalkingTheEarth for some soul-searching, to rediscover his smile]].

* SealedGoodInACan: If you need any proof that he's a NiceGuy and a hero to boot, note that he sealed ''himself'' in that sealing sarcophagus while he was [[BuriedAlive still alive]], ''[[{{Determinator}} just in case]]'' the Grongi overcame the fatal case of death he'd given them. [[spoiler:Sadly, Zaguva apparently forced him to revert to his aged human form in the present day...which didn't stop him, as he appeared to be getting up to fight anyway.]]

Yusuke Godai is a carefree, gentle spirit, always willing to help out people. Motivated by the death of his father, he swore to protect others and promised to [[ArcNumber master 2000 talents before the year 2000]]. One day, he has a vision of an artifact called the [[TransformationTrinket Arcle]], and eventually puts it on after the first of the unsealed Gurongi attacks, giving him his 2000th skill in transforming into Kuuga. At first, his white Growing Form is dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 2 by the police, and his subsequent forms are dubbed Unidentified Lifeform No. 4. As the police learns of his identity, they begin working with Godai.\\

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Gurongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Gurongi. Eventually, once all the other Gurongi are defeated, N·Daguva·Zeba, the Gurongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Daguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.\\

* TheAce: Has mastered nearly 2000 skills (with Skill #2000 being becoming Kuuga), is loved by everyone who doesn't consider him [[IdiotHero an idiot]], and is later on seen as the hope of humanity as their protector against the Gurongi.

* TheCape: Is one of the straightest examples of this trope in ''Kamen Rider''. After [[JumpedAtTheCall answering the Arcle's call]] to defeat #1, Yusuke chooses to be Kuuga and defeat the Gurongi solely because it's the right thing to do and to save people, he's an AllLovingHero, and only fights because it's the only option. [[spoiler:Is a ''plot point'', as if he was anything less than this, he may have become as bad as Daguva when he reached Ultimate Form.]]

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Whenever he learns of a Gurongi attack, he drops everything and rides off to stop it. This actually leads to him [[RunningGag abandoning work at Poré Poré, to the owner's confusion]].
* ComesGreatResponsibility: InvertedTrope. ''With Great Responsibility Comes Great Power''. The first time Yusuke transforms, it's primarily to save himself, transforming into the weak Growing Form. It's in his third battle at the church, with the resolve to protect humanity from the Gurongi, that he enters Mighty Form. This basically defines Yusuke's time as Kuuga, as despite being scared of fighting and what he might become if he grows too strong, he continues to fight because he has to.

** When he inadvertently enters Pegasus Mode, Yusuke isn't defeated by the Gurongi--rather, he's stopped by Pegasus Form giving him such a nasty case of SensoryOverload that he falls from a height that would kill a normal person, and eventually leaves him passed out. This is part of Yusuke learning that unlike the short-range-oriented Mighty and Dragon Forms, Pegasus Form's strength lies in extremely ''long''-range combat, using the Pegasus Bowgun with his heightened senses to kill Gurongi in mid-flight.

* ReluctantWarrior: Hates fighting, but chooses to fight as long as the Gurongi remain a threat to people.

* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: His sense of right and wrong doesn't have much to do with the law. It's a lot more about having a good reason to him, and that's why he's okay with taking a police bike without permission to chase down a Gurongi.
* StepfordSmiler: Shows signs of this late in the series, following his rage-filled beatdown of Go-Jaraji-Da. Especially noticeable in his farewell scene to his old teacher, when, seeing more reports of Daguva's carnage, we get a close-up of his fist on his side, clenching in rage. [[spoiler: Following the final battle, he's gone back to WalkingTheEarth for some soul-searching, to rediscover his smile]].

** [=TryGouram=] Attack: Kuuga on the [=TryGouram=] [[RammingAlwaysWorks rams a Gurongi]].

* {{Transmutation}}: Kuuga's Dragon, Pegasus, and Titan forms allow him to temporarily transmute objects of a certain shape into weapons suited to his forms. High tier Guronji also have this ability.

A young member of the Linto tribe, who took on the Amadam in the face of the Gruongi threat in ancient times. The majority of his story is told in the novelization, and he's only ever referred to as "the previous Kuuga" in the show. Can be assumed to have had the same abilities as the modern Kuuga.

* BatmanGambit: Riku became Kuuga as a result of the Gurongi setting him up for it, on the theory that he was the ''least'' warrior-like choice for being their worst enemy. ''It backfired spectacularly''.

* SealedGoodInACan: If you need any proof that he's a NiceGuy and a hero to boot, note that he sealed ''himself'' in that sealing sarcophagus while he was [[BuriedAlive still alive]], ''[[{{Determinator}} just in case]]'' the Gurongi overcame the fatal case of death he'd given them. [[spoiler:Sadly, Daguva apparently forced him to revert to his aged human form in the present day...which didn't stop him, as he appeared to be getting up to fight anyway.]]

* BadassNormal: He kills ''two'' Gurongi. Sure, he use special nerve-breaking bullets and one of them wasn't transformed, but the fact remains that he's the only human to do so.
* FriendOnTheForce: Supports acting together with Kuuga to his colleagues and superiors. In general, he gives Yusuke backup by coordinating with the police to find Gurongi, while also giving him access to [[CoolBike the specialized TryChaser and BeatChaser 2000 prototypes]].

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: To Yusuke. He grants Yusuke use of the [=TryChaser=] 2000 prototype against the Gurongi, realizing that Yusuke--who has shown more resolve--can make the most of it.
* SecretKeeper: He keeps Yusuke's identity as Unidentified Lifeform #2/#4 (Growing Form Kuuga and Mighty Form Kuuga, respectively) a secret from his colleagues and his superiors. A {{justified}} decision on his part, especially in the beginning, when Kuuga is considered just as much of a threat as the Gurongi by the police. Of course, this means that Ichijo must rely on other evidence to advocate for cooperation with Kuuga.

* TheWorkaholic: He tends to push himself to do his job. Especially obvious in the earliest episodes, when he is focusing on the Gurongi; he'll act in spite of his injuries from a previous encounter, he'll act without his superiors' permission, and he'll focus on ending a rampaging Gurongi instead of checking on his mother.

An archaeologist at Jounan University. At first reluctant to help Godai with his newfound power, she eventually agrees to help by deciphering the ancient texts to shed more light on Kuuga and the Gurongi.

Yusuke's younger sister, who works at a children's daycare that Yusuke occasionally visits. At first wary of her brother's new powers, Minori became supportive of him. She helps out at the Pore-Pore Tea Cafe whenever hands are short.

Ichijo's friend and Godai's doctor, treating his various injuries and taking notes on the Amadam and its HealingFactor. He also performs autopsies on Gurongi victims, and even on the body of [[spoiler:Xu·Goma·Gu, eventually leading to the conclusion that the Gurongi work similarly to Kuuga.]]

The Head of the Police Department Science Division, Enokida is a personable scientist who studies the Gurongi and develops weapons for police use against them. Her husband was killed in Unidentified Lifeform #5's rampage against the police. Due to her workload, she doesn't have much time to spend with her son.

%%* ShipTease: With Jean.

* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Unlike other characters in later ''Kamen Rider'' shows, Kazari is unaware of Godai being Kuuga, mainly because he thinks that Godai just made the word "Kuuga" up. On the other hand, he keeps an extensive scrapbook on "Unidentified Lifeform #4's" (Kuuga's) exploits against the Gurongi, believing that #4 is one of the good guys. [[spoiler:He doesn't put two and two together for most of the show, but learns the truth near the end.]]

An aspiring actress, she moved in with her Uncle Kazari to take up acting school in Tokyo. She had a crush on Yusuke, and helps out at her Uncle's cafe. Though a lighthearted character, the murder spree of the Gurongi occasionally hits close to home.

* GratuitousEnglish: Though he supposes to be French, Jean occasionally uses English words and phrases.

* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Loves his ''umeboshi''.

*** '''Dragon''': [[FragileSpeedster Fast and can jump very high but has the least protective armor]], and is so weak that he needs a [[SimpleStaff Dragon Rod]] to injure an enemy.

* {{Transmutation}}: Kuuga's Dragon, Pegasus, and Titan forms allow him to temporarily transmute objects items of a certain shape into weapons suited to his forms. High tier Guronji also have this ability.

* {{Meganekko}}: A scientist studying both Kuuga and the Gurongi? Check. Wears glasses? Check.

* HealingFactor: Merging with the Arcle resulted in him gaining one. It allows him to survive injuries that would kill a normal person and heal ''much'' quicker. However, this requires that Yusuke is not disturbed while recovering; Episodes 18 and 19 sees Tsubaki and an emergency team try to save the poisoned Yusuke when he flatlines, which instead leaves him in a [[FauxDeath near-death sleep]]. This gives the Arcle time to kill the poison spores and revive Yusuke, though only leaving enough power to transform into Growing Form when he returns.

* EleventhHourSuperpower: Ultimate Form was really only teased in the latter part of the series, and [[spoiler:it was only around the last episode that he reached it--in time to use against N·Daguva·Zeba]].

*** All of the basic forms later get a MidSeasonUpgrade as '''Rising''' forms that boost their stats[[note]]Rising Mighty just gets an overall stat boost, Rising Dragon has increased speed and the Rising Dragon Rod now has [[BladeOnAStick blades on both ends]], Rising Pegasus has better SuperSenses and the Rising Pegasus Bowgun can shoot repeatedly, and Rising Titan has increased strength and bigger swords that he can [[DualWielding use two at once]][[/note]] but they're more of a LimitBreak that only lasts for 30 seconds until Yusuke's second electrotherapy in episode 46, and the power can [[DestructiveSavior cause serious collateral damage to civilians]].

** Then again, Episode 1 shows Riku as Pegasus Form Kuuga using the Pegasus Bowgun. It's possible that either a bow or a gun would be a suitible subject for the weapon to be based on.

After seemingly dying at the hands of the mushroom Gurongi Me·Ginoga·De, Godai's premonitions combined with Dr. Tsubaki's defibrillator awaken a new power in the Amadam, the stone within the Arcle. This unlocks a new level of power, the Rising forms. In his hatred for Go·Jalaji·Da, he channels Ultimate Form, a form powered by anger, as he defeats the Gurongi. Eventually, once all the other Gurongi are defeated, N·Daguva·Zeba, the Gurongi leader, comes and nearly kills Godai, challenging him. Eventually, Godai transforms into Ultimate Form, but firmly under his control, and engages in a brutal battle with Daguva, narrowly winning after both their Amadams were destroyed and reverting into human form. Yusuke eventually recovers and is free to resume his wanderings, though it is stated that his Amadam is regenerating.