Movie Taisen Full Throttle Press Conference Coverage

Kamen Rider Gaim and Drive: Movie Taisen Full Throttle held its first press conference, drawing cast members from both the Gaim and Drive series to a stage appearance before hundreds of fans. Ryoma Takeuchi, who plays Shinnosuke Tomari (Kamen Rider Drive), spoke about appearing alongside “sempai” Riders from earlier series: “It’s truly an honor having been given the opportunity to be a part of a film with Sempai Riders. This is the first film in the Drive series. My heart is just pounding waiting for the actual release. I believe this has turned out to be an awesome film!”

A highlight of the event was the appearance of Yuu Inaba, the actor behind the new Kamen Rider Maha. Inaba said, “I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Thanks for such a warm welcome, I’m really happy!” His character, Shijima Go, is the younger brother of officer Shijima Kiriko; after graduating high school he pursued work as a freelance cameraman in the United States before recently returning to Japan. Inaba described his goal as adding “more fun and flavor” to the already-eclectic cast of Kamen Rider Drive. Kamen Rider Maha appears briefly in the film and was set to make his television debut in Episode 12 of Kamen Rider Drive, airing December 28, 2014.

Comedian Yuuji Ayabe, who plays Kamen Rider Lupin in the film, made a playful entrance, telling Takeuchi and Sano, “I have come to steal the main character title from these two! There have been other comedians in the past having played villains and such, however, as the first to score a leading role as a Kamen Rider, it’s truly an honor.” In total, 13 cast members took the stage for the event, which also included an exclusive photo gallery from the conference.