If Faiz is the dark hero, Kaixa is the villain in a hero's skin. Masato Kusaka wields the Kaixa belt, and he is arguably one of the most detestable "good guys" ever written. He is manipulative, sociopathic, and obsessed with Mari. He actively tries to kill Takumi out of jealousy, even though they are fighting the same monsters. Kusaka represents the corruption of the Kamen Rider ideal.
The show also isn't afraid to kill its cast. Major characters die permanently. There are no Dragon Ball-style resurrections. When the credits roll on the final episode, the victory is pyrrhic at best. The world isn't saved; it just survives for one more day.
what is the opinion of Kamen rider 555? (no spoilers please)
In the expansive pantheon of Tokusatsu —the genre of special effects-heavy live-action entertainment—few series carry the weight and distinct atmosphere of Kamen Rider 555 (pronounced "Faiz"). Airing in 2003 as the fourth installment of the Heisei era, the series is often remembered for its sleek, sci-fi aesthetic and complex characters. However, beneath the rubber suits and motorcycle stunts lies a narrative deeply rooted in the concept of "Japan" as a setting for isolation, urban decay, and the struggle for identity.
The true heart of the show is Yuji Kiba. A gentle violinist who dies in a car accident and revives as an Orphnoch, Kiba represents the "Lost Paradise." He tries desperately to build a peaceful community for Orphnochs, only to be betrayed by humans and monsters alike. His slow descent into despair is the most heartbreaking arc in the franchise. You will root for Kiba, and you will cry for Kiba.
Unlike the charismatic Yusuke Godai ( Kuuga ) or the stoic Shoichi Tsugami ( Agito ), protagonist Takumi Inui is sullen, rude, and profoundly disconnected. His famous opening line—"I don't have any dreams, but I can protect the dreams of others"—is not noble. It is an admission of defeat. Takumi is an Orphnoch himself, living in denial. He becomes Faiz not out of justice, but out of a desperate, unspoken need for a reason to exist.