Line #51 Series/KamenRiderDenO


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/91conwdthtl_sl1470.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''"Traveling through time. Here I come!"'']]
3
4	->''"[=DenLiner=], the train of time. Which is the next stop, past or future?"''
5
6	''Kamen Rider Den-O'' is the 2007-2008 series of ''Franchise/KamenRider'' and the eighth installment in the Heisei Era.
7
8	Ryotaro Nogami is the [[BornUnlucky unluckiest guy in the universe]]. But his life changes on the day he stumbles across a mysterious train pass that allows him to board the [=DenLiner=], a CoolTrain that [[TimeTravel travels through time]].
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10	Just as he is recovering from the shock of this, he is suddenly [[DemonicPossession possessed]] by a monster known as an Imagin: shapeless creatures from the future that take on forms based on the ideas within their host's imagination. The Imagin make contracts with their hosts to gain physical bodies, offering to grant them a single wish. Once the wish is fulfilled, they can then use their host as a gateway back through time, aiming to destroy the past to seize control of the future.
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12	However, it turns out that Ryotaro is a Singularity Point, a [[RippleEffectProofMemory person immune to any changes to the timeline]] and able to resist the possession of his Imagin. He is soon corralled by Hana, a mysterious passenger of the [=DenLiner=], into using his power as a Singularity Point and his [[TransformationTrinket Rider Pass]] to transform and fight the hostile Imagin invaders as Kamen Rider Den-O.
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14	While Den-O's base form ([[{{Pun}} Plat Form]]) is incredibly weak, Ryotaro can relinquish control of his body to an Imagin who has possessed him and power up. His first Imagin, a HotBlooded BoisterousBruiser called Momotaros, transforms Den-O into the red Sword Form. Together, they fight crime.
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16	The plot thickens when Ryotaro discovers that Yuto Sakurai, his sister's missing fiance, is hiding in the past for reasons unknown, and somehow linked to the Imagin attacks. Just as Ryotaro goes to confront him, he is stopped by none other than [[WhichMe a younger version]] of Yuto Sakurai. This version of Yuto is brash and cocky, bringing with him his ''own'' Time Train called [=ZeroLiner=] and the ability to transform into [[TheRival Kamen Rider Zeronos]].
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18	Despite average television ratings, ''Den-O'' proved to be a massive hit in Japan - such that on ''Kamen Rider''[='=]s 50th anniversary in 2021, the series was voted #1 series in the Heisei era and #1 series overall by the general Japanese public in Creator/{{NHK}}’s All Kamen Rider Popularity Ranking - spawning multiple character song [=CDs=], a {{spinoff}} anime starring [[EnsembleDarkhorse the Imagin]] and '''eight''' [[TheMovie movies]], which is practically unheard of for a television series that was only designed to last a year:
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20	[[folder:Tie-In Media]]
21	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O + Shin-O'': A TV special crossing the ''Den-O'' cast over with ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'', as Shin-chan manages to get on the [=DenLiner=] thanks to Imagin interference.
22	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O: Ore, Tanjo! ("I'm Born!")'': In a change from the then-common practice of the yearly ''Kamen Rider'' tie-in film being a NonSerialMovie, this film caps off the show's second act and revolves around the time-traveling bandit Gaoh and his theft of the [=DenLiner=], which he wants in order to find the forbidden "God's Line" and the powerful Time Train resting at the end. The series spends a couple of episodes teasing at the movie just before its release, then dedicated the next episode after the film's opening to dealing with the aftermath.
23	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O: Singing, Dancing, Great Training!!'': A DVD special distributed by ''Magazine/TeleviKun'' magazine. Ryotaro and the Taros start an exercise program to get stronger when some evil Imagin crash the party.
24	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Deka'': Set after the series, this movie sees Team [=DenLiner=] setting up a detective agency when a rogue Imagin, Negataros, steals Owner's Liner Pass and begins forming an evil organization. Nominally a CrossOver with ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'', the "crossover" is limited to a couple of brief scenes featuring Wataru and a BigDamnHeroes appearance by Kiva near the end of the final battle.
25	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O: Collection DVD: "Imagin Anime"'': A DVD collection of animated shorts featuring the Imagin.
26	* ''Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown'': The [=DenLiner=] crew must contend with the villainous Shiro and his minions, including Kamen Rider Yuuki. With Yuto injured and Ryotaro MIA ([[spoiler:possessed by the Ghost Imagin and forced to be Yuuki]]), the crew must turn to Kotaro, Ryotaro's [[KidFromTheFuture Grandkid From The Future]], AKA New Den-O, who doesn't exactly think too highly of Gramps or his Imagin partners.
27	* ''Imagin Anime 2'': A second DVD collection of animated shorts.
28	* ''Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship'': The first in the ''Cho Den-O'' film series, this movie ties directly into the Den-O arc of ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' and sees the [=DenLiner=] crew, with brief support from Tsukasa Kadoya/Decade, battling a pair of Oni brothers/rogue Kamen Riders who seek to uncover a legendary and powerful battleship. Also features nominal cameos by ''[[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva]]'' characters (something of a nod to ''Climax Deka'', also supposedly answering a few continuity issues with the aforementioned Decade) as well as Riders from ''[[Series/KamenRiderAgito Agito]]'', ''[[Series/KamenRiderRyuki Ryuki]]'' and the ''[[Series/KamenRiderKabuto Kabuto]]'' NonSerialMovie summoned by Decade's rival Daiki Kaito/Diend.
29	* ''Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider The Movie: Cho Den-O Trilogy'': '''Three separate''' feature length films released in the span of a month, each one attempting to resolve plot points for a different set of characters, none of them are Den-O himself:
30	** ''Episode Red: '''Zero No S'''tar Twinkle'' focuses on Yuto being forced to choose between two jobs equally important to protecting the timeline - preserving his future self's relationship with Airi, and stopping an Imagin from stealing the [=DenLiner=].
31	** ''Episode Blue: The Dispatched Imagin is '''NEW'''tral'' focuses on New Den-O and his relationship with his BattleButler Teddy, while having them battle a new Imagin and deal with a young woman and a supposedly EvilTwin.
32	** ''Episode Yellow: Treasure '''DE End''' Pirates'' focuses on... [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Diend]], who [[spoiler:thanks to Imagin possession, has stolen the [=DenLiner=]]], but is pursued by Kamen Rider G Den-O, a new Rider who resembles a Series/{{Metal Hero\|es}}. This film gives Diend his own [[SuperMode Complete Form]] [[RuleOfCool to make a spectacle of the situation]].
33	* ''Imagin Anime 3'': The third and last DVD of animated shorts.
34	* ''Film/OOODenOAllRidersLetsGoKamenRiders'': The final movie where ''Den-O'' characters have a starring role (though they'd continue to make appearances in franchise-wide crossovers), although, differently from ''Climax Deka'' and ''Onigashima Warship'', the other titular stars are main characters too. This time around sees the [=DenLiner=] crew, led by New Den-O, team up with ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'', ''Series/KamenRider 1'' and ''[[Series/KamenRider Kamen Rider 2]]'' to correct a timeline divergence caused by OOO's ally Ankh. All the other main Riders and also many secondary Riders also appeared in a BigDamnHeroes role for the series' 40th year MilestoneCelebration.
35	* ''Kamen Rider Den-O: Pretty Den-O is Here!'': The first new project in since ''Let’s Go'' starring the Den-O cast (or at least the Taros Brothers) as the Den-Liner visits the year 1989, picking up a runaway little girl when Shocker attacks and hijacks Den-Liner!. The main character of ''Series/KamenRiderBlackRX'' makes his cameo appearance.
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	Partnered with the ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' show ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger'' after initially airing alongside the final episodes of ''Series/GoGoSentaiBoukenger'' in the ''Series/SuperHeroTime'' block.
39
40	Followed by ''Series/KamenRiderKiva''.
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42	From start to finish, the [[Characters/KamenRiderDenO Character Page]] is always at a climax!
43
44	----
45	!!Recurring ''Kamen Rider'' tropes include:
46	* CallingYourAttacks: Used, parodied, subverted and more. Momotaros announces his finishers with "My Hissatsu Attack... Part [number]!" or "[X] Version!", even if it's not visibly different from previous variations. In one episode, he realizes he's lost count and Ryotaro advises him to just pick a random number. Meanwhile, Kintaros announces "Dynamic Chop!" ''after'' he's performed his finisher.
47	* TheMovie: ''Den-O'' has '''eight''' feature length films (three of which premiered as an anthology), with the most recently-announced as a MilestoneCelebration for 40 years of ''Franchise/KamenRider''.
48	* MultiformBalance:
49	** Den-O's forms are tied to which allied Imagin is [[DemonicPossession possessing him]] at the moment:
50	*** '''Plat Form''' ([[{{Pun}} geddit?]]): The base form of the Aura Armor, used when Ryotaro is acting on his own without any Imagin. Almost useless in a fight ([[JokeCharacter but it doesn't stop Ryotaro from trying and get his ass kicked though]]).
51	*** '''Sword''': Possessed by Momotaros. This is the [[JackOfAllStats balanced form]].
52	*** '''Rod''': Possessed by Urataros. Has [[StoneWall high defense but low offense]]. This form is good for aquatic combat, and the [=DenGasher=] rod mode has [[YouWillNotEvadeMe the power of capturing an escaping enemy]].
53	*** '''Ax''': Possessed by Kintaros. [[MightyGlacier Slow but strong]], and has [[SuperToughness the best defense]].
54	*** '''Gun''': Possessed by Ryutaros. [[LightningBruiser Faster than Sword Form and armed with a powerful DenGahser gun mode]]. Ryutaros also incorporates break dancing into his fighting style, making it [[ConfusionFu hard to predict]]. However, Ryutaros's trigger-happy carelessness tends to cause serious collateral damage.
55	*** '''Wing''': Possessed by Sieg. [[LightningBruiser Even faster than Gun Form]] and armed with [[DualWielding a combination of a boomerang and a handaxe]]. But Sieg is the SixthRanger of the group, often not available, and [[TheFriendNobodyLikes the team loathe him]]. His arrogant attitude also makes him prone to making mistakes in battle. Generally exclusive to movie appearances, though it made a couple teaser appearances in the series beforehand.
56	*** '''Climax''': [[AllYourPowersCombined Combines powers of the four Taros into one form]]. This form requires a [[TransformationTrinket Climax Cellphone K-Taros]], and all four Taros need to work together controlling a single body.
57	*** '''Super Climax''': Even more powerful than Climax Form, at the cost of fusing with [[TheFriendNobodyLikes Sieg]]. This one only appears in spinoff movies.
58	*** '''Liner''': After some CharacterDevelopment, Ryotaro can use the [[CoolSword DenKamen Sword]] to transform into this form without being possessed by Imagin. It's the fastest form and relatively stronger than most, except Climax Form. The downside is Ryotaro's low combat skill, which is remedied to a degree as he can select one of the Taros to advice him through the [=DenKamen Sword=], allowing him to [[DittoFighter utilize their fighting style depend of the situation]].
59	** [[TheLancer Zeronos]]:
60	*** '''Altair''': His default [[JackOfAllStats balance form]]. Also, Deneb is independent from Zeronos in this form and can assist him otherwise.
61	*** '''Vega''': Fused with Deneb. Becomes [[MightyGlacier slower but stronger]] as well as gaining [[SuperToughness improved defense]] and being equipped with a powerful set of {{Shoulder Cannon}}s.
62	*** '''Zero''': Transformed by using the Red Zeronos card. [[LightningBruiser Marginally weaker than Vega Form but much faster than Altair Form]] and equipped with a powerful Denebick Buster gun (which can qualify as both {{BFG}} and GatlingGood).
63	* VictimOfTheWeek: Common for Franchise/KamenRider, to the extent that future series like ''[[Series/KamenRiderDouble Double]]'' and ''[[Series/KamenRiderOOO OOO]]'' have adopted it. Even the multitude of Den-O movies uphold this tradition, so much that some unexpected examples turn up ([[spoiler:young Ryotaro in ''Ore Tanjou'', young Yuto in ''Onigashima Battleship'', and even ''G Den-O'' in ''Chou Den-O Episode Yellow''.]])
64
65	!!I don't have any tropes left to faint!
66	* AnimeThemeSong: The opening of each episode features a song carrying an anime-esque tone with an introduction, a dark verse and an uplifting chorus.
67	* ArcWords:
68	** "The past should give us hope."
69	** "Climax Scene" for the episodes leading into the first movie, [[spoiler:which, in the "aftermath episode", also brings us the '''Climax''' Form.]]
70	* AnimeHair: Any time an Imagin possesses a human, their hair will be restyled and gain at least a shock of a new color; rarely, an accessory may be included, such as Sieg's feathered boa or Urataros' glasses. The style, color and accessories are consistent across hosts, but oddly never appear on the Imagin themselves.
71	* BackToBaseForm: After the [[spoiler:Death Imagin]] managed to defeat both Den-O and Zeronos in their Liner and Zero form respectively. He ends up being defeated by Sword Form's finisher which is empowered by all of his allies, but not before also being attacked by Rod, Axe, Gun and Zeronos Altair form.
72	* BadassFamily: The Nogami family, giving us two Den-[=Os=] (Ryotaro and Kotaro), [[spoiler:Zeronos/Yuto, and BadassNormal Hana]]. Airi, not so much, but hey.
73	* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: A regular occurence with evil Imagin. They'll take their victim's wish and take heavy liberties with it, usually taking the interpretation that causes the most destruction.
74	* BigBudgetBeefUp: The last few eps.
75	* BiggerIsBetter: The Onigashima Battleship is '''huge'''. Comparing it to the [=DenLiner=] is like comparing [[Series/GoseiSentaiDairanger Daijinryu]] to a normal Zord. [[SubvertedTrope However]], the [=DenLiner's=] size and speed proves to be a major asset, allowing it to evade most of the shots fired at it and enter the battleship.
76	* {{Blipvert}}: [[spoiler:Kai]] can dig into people for their memories, which turn out looking like this.
77	* TheCameo: Given Den-O's long-running popularity, it's easier to list instances where there aren't cameos. However, some of the cameos stand out regardless.
78	** In episode 9, the master of the dojo who gets tossed out the window by Kintaros is played by Jiro Okamoto, Kintaros's suit actor. Various other martial artists who get beaten up in that same scene are also suit actors (including Eitoku, Urataros's suit actor).
79	** Wataru, the protagonist of ''Series/KamenRiderKiva'', makes a limited appearance in the ''Climax Deka'' film.
80	** Kiva's Arms Monsters return for another short cameo in ''The Onigashima Warship''. Mimicking Kiva's lesser importance in the previous crossover movie, they don't make sure that you notice.
81	* CasualDangerDialogue: Regularly. Enforced at times, when Den-O is suddenly able to off-handedly swat away the guy causing trouble.
82	* CloseEnoughTimeline: While time can't be outright rewritten for the better, minor changes are allowed here and there provided that it's incidental to fixing the actual damage. [[spoiler:The series ends on this too, as with the death of Kai the Taros, Sieg and Deneb should fade away. However, the strong memories they've made with the main cast allow them to exist beyond their initial timeline.]]
83	* CombiningMecha: While not as [[HumongousMecha large]] as a [[Franchise/SuperSentai Sentai mecha]], the time trains fulfill the same function.
84	** Seven years later, Den-Liner [[Film/HeiseiRiderVsShowaRiderKamenRiderWarsFeaturingSuperSentai will combine with]] [[Series/ResshaSentaiToQger a Sentai mecha]]: the [=ToQ-Oh=] [[Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger Kyoryujin]] feat. Den-Liner!
85	* ContinuityNod: The drawing of Ryotaro's parents from ''Ore Tanjou'' shows up all the way in ''Chou Den-O Episode Yellow''. Can be considered BookEnds as these are the first and last times Takuya Mizoguchi starred as Ryotaro.
86	* ContinuitySnarl: In #39, Yuto is shown as a high-schooler in 1993. However, in the ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' crossover film ''The Onigashima Battleship'', he's shown to be 10 years old. While this ''could'' be written off as an AR version, it's established that Decade visits Den-O's home series, not an [=A.R.=] version of the show.
87	* CoolTrain: The show is built on them, particularly the [=DenLiner=], [=ZeroLiner=], [=GaohLiner=], and [=KingLiner=].
88	* CreationMyth: Invoked in the first Movie, as Gaoh is after a traintrack that goes to the beginning of time.
89	* CriticalAnnoyance: In ''Chou Den-O Episode Yellow'', [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Daiki/Diend]] hijacks the [=DenLiner=] to rectify his own mistake in the past, and manages to get around G Den-O with three minutes to spare -- upon which the clock starts beeping down. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTDnJIpt0sY&t=43m52s It will become the longest three minutes in your life.]]
90	* CrossOver: In the movie ''Climax Deka'', the show was briefly crossed over with the 2008 series, ''Series/KamenRiderKiva''. The fourth ''Den-O'' movie takes place after its story arc in ''[[Series/KamenRiderDecade Decade]]'' and has cameos by the Arms Monsters from ''Kiva''.
91	* CurbStompBattle: ''Ore, Tanjou!'' has Gaoh's minions easily falling against Wing (in a separate battle), Rod, Ax, and Gun Forms. Sword Form, on the other hand, was the one in trouble, since he was facing Gaoh himself...
92	** Of course, the tables turn when Gaoh returns to the [=GaohLiner=] - turns out that, while extremely powerful in its own right, it's not disposed towards fighting against [[spoiler:''six'' other time trains linked together, each armed to the teeth]]. The fact that Gaoh attempted a ramming strike against [[spoiler:the [=ZeroLiner=], which has a ''drill'' for a weapon]] really just sealed the deal.
93	* DancingTheme: The Taros and Deneb (and Kivat in the {{Crossover}} movie) can be seen dancing to "Climax Jump" at the end of the opening credits.
94	* DeadlyDodging: At the beginning of ''Episode Yellow'', the Taros surround [[spoiler:the possessed [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Kaito]],]] he dodges, and the Imagin all hit ''each other'' in a CrossCounter.
95	* DemonicPossession: A more benevolent version, and the only way the Taros can interact with the physical world [[spoiler:until they properly initiate and fulfill their contract with Ryotaro]]. Played for humor in ''Climax Deka'', where Momotaros is accidentally shunted into [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Wataru Kurenai]]'s body. In the fourth movie, the Taros possess the [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Arms Monsters]] as well as [[Series/KamenRiderDecade [=DiEnd=]]]-summoned copies of [[Series/KamenRiderAgito G3]], [[Series/KamenRiderKabuto Caucasus]], and [[Series/KamenRiderRyuki Ohja]]. [[Series/KamenRiderDecade Tsukasa/Decade]] himself gets possessed by all four Taros Imagin and Sieg, while Yusuke[=/=]Kuuga is possessed by Momo and Natsumi gets possessed by the other three main Imagins at different points.
96	* DenserAndWackier: OHHH YES. Aside from being LighterAndSofter than the [[Series/KamenRiderKabuto previous incarnation]], Den-O is FULL of funny moments stemming from [[CosmicPlaything Ryotaro's bad luck]] and the [[DemonicPossession Taro's possession hijinks]]. They even happen a lot [[MoodWhiplash during battles]].
97	* EarlyBirdCameo: Unlike the previous 6 series, ''Den-O'' averts the trend of having the hero's final form debut in the summer movie. Likely due to a combination of taking place earlier than most of the movies (which either were an alternate ending/continuity or took place around the point where the final form debuts in-series), as well as the fact that, since ''Ore Tanjou'' is completely canon to ''Den-O'', circumstances prevent the form from being used.[[labelnote:explanation]]Climax Form, which debuted right after the movie, required all 4 of the Taros to possess Ryotaro at the same time; however, the movie has all 4 of them possess Ryotaro from different points in time, to work together - this causes problems for Ryotaro's memories, which ends up leading to the form's creation[[/labelnote]]
98	* EveryoneIsRelated: [[spoiler:By the end of the series we learn that most of the primary human cast is related -- Yuto is Airi's future husband, and Hana is their daughter, making her Ryotaro's niece. And of course, we have Kotaro in the later movies.]]
99	* ExpositoryPronoun:
100	** The two main Riders: Ryotaro uses [[UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns “boku”]] and Yuto uses “ore”. Ryotaro is mild-mannered, even-tempered, usually non-confrontational, and generally more polite. In contrast, Yuto is hot-headed, rougher, and more willing to pick a fight. This choice of pronouns also suit their SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan dynamic.
101	** The main Imagins:
102	*** Momotaros, Kintaros, and Deneb use “ore”. Momotaros is without a doubt the most HotBlooded and least bothered with manners of the cast. Kintaros has the personality of a manly samurai and is the physically strongest of Ryotaro’s Imagins. Oddly averted for Deneb, though, as he is one of the nicest members of the cast despite using “ore”.
103	*** Urataros and Ryutaros use “boku”. Urataros is smooth, well-spoken, and a charismatic speaker, and his choice of “boku” immediately contrasts Momotaros’s “ore”. Meanwhile, Ryutaros is the most childish of the cast, so him using “boku” emphasizes his child-like personality.
104	*** Sieg uses “watashi”. “Watashi” is a gender-neutral pronoun, but more commonly used by women, which fits his {{Camp}} mannerisms. However, it also has a superior air to it, and in anime, is sometimes used by people who are royalty or have a god-like complex. Which, considering Sieg’s haughty and royalty-like attitude, is rather fitting.
105	* FakeDefector: [[spoiler:Urataros in #48.]]
106	* FiveManBandConcert: The DoItYourselfThemeTune, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmv9A8vlqCc "Climax Jump"]], uses this trope. The [[PeopleInRubberSuits Imagin]] FourTemperamentEnsemble provides both the vocals and instrumental accompaniment separately. They sing as a quartet with only microphones in front of them (and act as backing [[DancingTheme dancers]] when one takes the lead). In interspersed cuts, they are playing rock band instruments. All four possess the protagonist, Ryotaro, to aid him in battle -- turning Ryotaro into the absent [[TheLeader Leader]]. Momotaros is TheLancer and on the electric guitar, Urataros is TheSmartGuy and on the bass, Kintaros is TheBigGuy and on the drums, and Ryutaros is TheBabyOfTheBunch and the [=DJ=].
107	* FourIsDeath: Played for laughs with Momotaros, who [[CallingYourAttacks calls his attacks]] "My Special Attack, part [insert number here]!"...but when he does this the fourth time, he skips straight to 5. When Ryotaro calls him out on this, Momotaros just shrugs it off instead.
108	%%* FourTemperamentEnsemble
109	* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Usually inside the [=DenLiner=], especially with Naomi and Ryutaros.
110	* GratuitousEnglish: All of the belts speak entirely in English. Momotaros' use of the word "Climax" also counts as a more standard use of the trope.
111	* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:The Taros, Sieg and Deneb have no problem protecting the timeline from their kin, even if it means that if the Imagin race are successfully defeated, it would mean the end of their ''own'' existence as well. Prior to the final battle, Kai himself calls them out on this, asking them if it's okay for them to disappear for the sake of the humans. The one who had the problem for this setup was instead Ryotaro, leading him to go AchillesInHisTent, and even have a brief falling out with his partners.]]
112	* HypocriticalHumor
113	** In ''Episode Red'', the Piggies Imagin and Den-O (as Climax Form) throw insults at each other for SharingABody (the Piggies Imagin with his siblings). In the end, however, they both agree that the whole concept was gross.
114	** Also, earlier in that same movie, Urataros corrects Deneb for calling him "Kametaros", then proceeds to call Deneb "Odebu", only to ignore Deneb's own correction.
115	** In ''Episode Yellow'', Momotaros (in Climax Form) derisively says "What's with that form?" when he sees Diend's Complete Form.
116	* IdenticalGrandson: In the third movie, Airi, Miura, Ozaki, and supposedly older Sakurai's ancestors in 1729 are played by the same actors.
117	* InSpiteOfANail:
118	** Although a lot of plot points are made of Den-O and rampaging Imagins making changes to the timeline for better or worse, a big point is also made of how it's fairly difficult to change the flow of time because it's based on people's memories (so the past will mostly only change for those who are there to witness and remember it changing,) and because sometimes that's how life goes. One example being a contract holder who regretted missing his audition and failing to make it big -- Den-O helps him get to the audition but he failed, ending up in the same place he was at the start of the two-parter.
119	** Those important to time, like Singularity Points and Riders, will survive even gigantic changes to the timeline.
120	* IntercontinuityCrossover: Series/UltramanTaro of the ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' appears in the last episode of the third Imagin Anime.
121	* InterfaceSpoiler: A non-video game example, oddly: the [[TransformationTrinket henshin belt]] has 4 buttons on it, indicating that Ryotaro will have 4 different Imagin possessing him for different forms, even ColorCodedForYourConvenience so you know that those all-yellow and all-purple Imagin are gonna be part of the crew. [[spoiler:And then Sieg comes in to give him a fifth form, subverting it partially since it's rarely used. Deneb is also shown able to use the system when he possesses Kotaro, giving a form that's similar to Zeronos' own Vega Form.]]
122	* InTheStyleOf: "Double-Action" again. And again. And again...
123	* JackassGenie: Sure, the Imagins will grant your wish... but they'll always choose the interpretation of it that will cause the most harm to you and others. Example : "I want to play soccer again!" "Okay, I'll just put the other players into hospital!" Though this could be justified due to the fact that they're not actual wish-granting genies, and thus try to find any loophole they can to render the contract "complete" and thus allow them to travel to the past with as little effort as possible.
124	* JidaiGeki: In the first, third, and fourth movies.
125	* LandSeaSky: The Gigandeath {{Kaiju}} that the Imagins can become are of three types: the aerial Gigandeath Heaven, the aquatic Gigandeath Hades, and the terrestrial Gigandeath Hell.
126	* LaserGuidedAmnesia:
127	** The Zeronos cards erase people's memories of Yuto when they're used. The green ones affect memories of the elder Sakurai, while the later red ones involve those of his younger self.
128	** In the episodes leading up to ''Ore, Tanjou'', Yuto keeps kidnapping Ryotaro to recruit multiples of him for the "climax scene" and wipes his memory of the event afterward. Unfortunately, the episode following the movie reveals that messing with Ryotaro's memories has consequences and nearly kills the Imagin.
129	* {{Leitmotif}}: All the belts make some kind of music during transformation, but the big-band themes in the soundtrack fit this trope closer.
130	* LetsGetDangerous: When you hear Liner Form's primary theme, you better expect this!
131	* LighterAndSofter: This trope is one of the reasons ''Den-O'' is so popular.
132	* MacGuffinSuperPerson: Hana, who is revealed to be the Junction Point, a special type of Singularity Point whose destruction will ensure the existence of the Imagin.
133	* MagicMissileStorm: The Boistous Shot, Climax Form's Gun Form-based 'Charge And Up' finisher is this.
134	* MeaningfulName:
135	** "''Den-O''" is written with ''Kanji'', instead of Katakana, using the characters for "(Electric) Train" and "King".
136	** Also, the Imagin-less "Plat Form" is both this and, as stated at the start of the article, an IncrediblyLamePun. [[DontExplainTheJoke Y'know, seeing as it serves as the platform of all the other forms and all.]]
137	** A couple in ''Chou Den-O Episode Yellow'':
138	*** G Den-O is partnered with the first artificially-created Imagin - instead of naming it Adam, it's named Eve, who was responsible for the great fall from Eden.
139	*** It's heavily implied that G Den-O's mother was barred from ever seeing him because his aristocratic family didn't approve of her background. She's named [[Literature/MemoirsOfAGeisha Sayuri.]]
140	** The Imagin themselves. Their name is based on the English "imagine," the Arabic "djinn" (more commonly known as genies), and the Japanese "ima jin" (literally "now person").
141	* MechaExpansionPack: In a technical sense, [[spoiler:the [=KingLiner=] for the [=DenLiner=].]]
142	* MechanicalMonster: All the time trains have this to some degree, what with the various animal motifs that their chassis and weapons embody. The [=GaohLiner=] comes across as one stronger than the others though, given that its transformation not only has it regularly rear back like a snake but also roar into the air.
143	* MundaneUtility: The [=DenLiner=] is, and always has been, a passenger train (time-traveling, yes, but you get the point). The fact that it's a heavily armed one doesn't seem to gather much comment.
144	* MythologyGag:
145	** And Momo, Ura, Kin and Ryu have horns arranged in a manner resembling [[Series/KamenRiderHibiki Hibiki, Ibuki, Todoroki and Sabaki]] respectively.
146	** As pointed out in the design book ''Imagin: Say Your Wish...'', the first few enemy Imagin correspond to Riders from ''Series/KamenRiderRyuki'': Bat to Knight, Chameleon to Verde, Crust to Scissors, Crow to Odin, Rhino to Gai. Additionally, as mentioned under ActorAllusion, the Cobra Imagin is designed to resemble Ohja, and is also voiced by the same actor. Sieg also takes after Femme, and got to engage in a CurbStompBattle against Cobra like how Femme killed Ohja.
147	*** The Spider Imagin is a double subversion of this - while there was no spider-themed rider in ''Ryuki'',[[note]]the only insect-themed rider the show had was the stageshow-exclusive Kamen Rider Papillion, who was butterfly themed[[/note]] it is a reference to the traditional spider-themed kaijin that are present in most series (and was the theme for one of the first monsters fought in the original ''Series/KamenRider'').
148	** According to ''Re:Imagine - Detail of Heroes 03'', the villains from ''Onigashima Battleship'' are modeled on[[Series/KamenRider Riders 1 and 2]] (Goludora) and [[Series/KamenRiderV3 V3]] (Shilubara). They also not only draw upon the gold and silver-themed heroes of ''Series/{{Garo}}'', but transform the same way.
149	** The Anthopper Imagins are {{Expies}} of the Double Riders of the [[Series/KamenRider original series]]. On another note, the two Imagins are even a homage of the [=PunchHopper=] and [=KickHopper=] of Series/KamenRiderKabuto.
150	* NegativeContinuity: Between the movies; ''Climax Deka'' ends with the group deciding to keep their detective agency open; ''Final Countdown'' makes no mention of it, and ''Onigashima Battleship'' might not even be in the same continuity as the rest of ''Den-O'' due to being a ''[[Series/KamenRiderDecade Decade]]'' AlternateUniverse.
151	%%* NeverTheSelvesShallMeet: Averted and used straight.
152	* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: Of a sort. The show revealed and explained details about the world at a ''very'' relaxed pace, such as not explaining why everything reset itself after the Imagin doing the destruction was destroyed until around the half-way point of the series. Sometimes the rules aren't even explained verbally, leading to events that feel like they come out of nowhere, such as the Taros being able to freely possess others after they'd completed their contract with Ryotaro and being able to use the Den-O belt on their own, much like Sieg was able to. Once showcased, however, the rules remain fairly consistent.
153	** By the time of the crossovers though, the rules seem to have been altered a bit. For example, the core Imagin form Climax Form without a human host, and rogue Imagin who complete their contract and travel back in time now steal their host's own time, dissolving them (see Retcon).
154	* {{Oni}}: While Momotaros is the most obvious, the other Taros also look like oni because of their horns and their faces resembling hannya masks.
155	* PaperPeople: The style of the ''Imagin Anime'' shorts. Gets outright [[MediumAwareness self-aware]] in one episode.
156	* RearrangeTheSong: ''Den-O'' is known for this. "Double-Action" and "Climax Jump" have been remixed several times. For a sample of "Climax Jump": [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zladOg3q6g=18 Den-Liner Form]] (all four Taroses), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaxQNtVMN6w Sword Form]] (hard rock for Climax Jump, eurobeat for Double Action), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoMnAfU07Zw Rod Form]] (ska), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S28NuYfG_tc Ax Form]] (ENKA), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBfBRT9WgDk Gun Form]] (hip hop), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLPKpVkkp4w The Final]], Chō Climax Jump...
157	* {{Retcon}}: The ''Chō Den-O Trilogy'' changes the rules on Imagin time travel from the show, now saying that if an Imagin successfully travels to the past, the act will destroy the contractor's past self (via dissolution into sand), whereas in the show proper the Imagin simply emerged from their contracted human without any effect until they started wrecking the past. Unless this is some sort of fallout from the final episode, this reflects rather badly on Kintaros, as he was one of the Imagin who completed his contract and travelled back in time.
158	* ReunionShow: ''Kamen Rider Den-O & [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva]]: Climax Deka''.
159	* RippleEffectProofMemory: A ''very'' important plot point; all Singularity Points essentially have this and, as time is based around memories, they effectively keep time from falling apart when it is changed. Though they don't remember every single thing, they restore what they remember, which then allows other people to remember how things were, creating [[{{Pun}} a ripple effect]] that restores the timeline. [[RetGone The only exception is for things that people simply do not have sufficient memories of, such as the invading Imagin, erasing them from the timeline and undoing any effects they may have had on it]]. [[spoiler:This becomes a massive problem for Yuto as, due to the Zeronos cards erasing peoples' memories of him, nobody remembers his actual life when Kai manages to kill him, resulting in a ''vastly'' different timeline where he never lived. However, this rebounds when Yuto reveals that a side-effect of the Zeronos cards grants him {{Ontological Inertia}}]].
160	* RuleOfCool:
161	** Again, Riders on horseback.
162	** Not until ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'' will you see all forms of a single Rider transforming and fighting side by side.
163	%%* RuleOfFunny
164	%%* SanDimasTime
165	* SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong: A rather confusing one, actually, as there are only certain things that ''can'' be fixed and it seems the only way you're allowed to do it is if you're stopping an Imagin in the process. Several times, someone in the group alters the past so that the person never made the DealWithTheDevil with the Imagin in the first place, negating the wish altogether along with all the damage the Imagin caused, including what normally would've been erased for good. While things will continue as they originally did in these cases, the VictimOfTheWeek normally comes off much happier for it. For example, a man who originally missed his band's recital and blamed himself, becoming obcessed with getting enough money to make it big had time altered so he ''did'' make the recital but his band still didn't make the cut. However, the man was now trying to make his way to the top through his own talent and hardwork instead of buying his way there and was much happier than in the original timeline.
166	* SharedUniverse: ''Climax Deka'' seems to indicate that ''Den-O'' and ''Kiva'' are set in the same 'verse, just like ''Kuuga'' and ''Agito''. This was compounded in ''Onigashima Battleship'' with the random cameo appearances of Kiva's Arms Monsters.
167	* ShoutOut:
168	** Not sure if it's a shout out or would be classified as something else, but there's a very obvious parallel between ''Den-O'' and ''Series/JukenSentaiGekiranger''. In ''Gekiranger'', the team is made up of 5 people in Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, and White. In Den-O the team is made up of 1 person with other people in him corresponding to the colors Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, and White (for Wing Form). Also, in both shows, TheRival has the colors Green and Black related to them in some way. Interestingly, both shows aired alongside each other. An announcement of a Geki/Den-O joint promotion even ends with the five Gekiranger mimicking the poses of their respectively colored Imagin. As if returning the favor, the Imagin would later appear in promos for the [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva Movie]], but mimicking the Catch Phrases of the next Sentai, ''Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger''.
169	** Teddy displays the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Newtype Flash]] when protecting Kotaro from bad luck.
170	* ShownTheirWork: A minor bit of trivia about UsefulNotes/SanadaYukimura states that ''dango'' is his TrademarkFavoriteFood -- in ''Ore Tanjou'' Ga-Oh takes over Sanada's castle, commanding all his slaves to dig for the [=GaohLiner=], and is shown taking a big plate of Sanada's ''dango'' as a KickTheDog gesture.
171	* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: ''Den-O'' skews '''very''' idealistic; out of all the Imagin contractors, all but one or two are good people whose wishes were well-intentioned (or only slightly misguided, but they see the light at the end of the arc). Yuto initially thinks Ryotaro is soft for putting so much effort into helping the victims rather than just fighting the Imagin, but eventually comes around to the [=DenLiner=] crew's way of thinking. Even when [[spoiler:Sakurai disappears into the timestream at the climax]], it's treated as a temporary separation rather than KilledOffForReal.
172	* {{Spinoff}}: ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Imagin Anime]]''
173	* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: Because of how Den-O always tosses his Rider Pass away after activating his FinishingMove due to RuleOfCool (regardless of who is in control), oftentimes the cast end up having to scour the area for where the Pass had landed after the battle is over to retrieve it, much to Hana's chagrin.
174	* SwissArmyWeapon: The [=DenGasher=] and [=ZeroGasher=] both have the ability to change into different weapons with a little bit of parts-shuffling. Naturally, their toy counterparts can do the same.
175	* TapOnTheHead: At the beginning of ''Ore, Tanjou!'', Gaoh kicks Ryotaro in the head. This gives him amnesia (though only regarding matters concerning Den-O and the Imagin) through most of the film which, since the Imagin are based on memories, disrupts Ryotaro's effectiveness until he gets it back just in time for the big fight.
176	* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Most big fights with Imagin will have the relevant version of "Double-Action" playing. "Climax Jump" starts up during the debut fight of Climax Form.
177	* ThrowTheDogABone: Ryutaros meeting Airi ''for real'' in ''Climax Deka'' and even receiving a bento lunch from her.
178	* TimeCrash: [[BigBad Shiro's]] big plan in ''Final Countdown'' involves bodyjacking Ryotaro and making him destroy his own ancestors in the past, which should have this effect. It's disproved later on in ''Episode Yellow'' though.
179	* TimePolice: What the [=DenLiner=] crew see themselves as. Later, in ''Episode Yellow'', G Den-O, an officer from an ''actual'' time police force appears.
180	* TimeTravel: As part of the premise; the [=DenLiner=] can travel through time and will take people to a specific time that they have passes for. Imagin, on the other hand, can travel into the past directly by traveling through someone's memory (as "time" is, in this series, made up entirely of people's memories of past events).
181	* TooLongDidntDub: A source of controversy in the fandom is subbing group TV-Nihon leaving as many honorifics as they can in the subs. While it wouldn't be too surprising for Japanese-themed series like ''[[Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinkenger]]'', expressions like "cow-san-tachi" (seen in the ''Imagin Anime'') can be jarring for fans with a minimal knowledge of Japanese. This is actually a recurring problem with said group.
182	* TrickedOutTime: When Ryotaro or the Taros change time, Owner allows it so long as [[CloseEnoughTimeline things don't change too much]]. Thus, most of Ryotaro's travels to the past end up with him helping the VictimOfTheWeek with their issues by changing the past just that tiny bit.
183	* UniquenessDecay: ''I'm Born!!'' treated the battle with all four Den-Os as a unique and special event, only possible because Yuto "borrowed" Ryotaro from three other points in the timeline. After the final story arc, where [[spoiler:the Taros "complete" their contracts with Ryotaro and thus gain physical form]], the Taros gain the ability to transform into Den-O on their own (as well as spontaneously possessing their own copies of the belt and Rider Pass). As a result, just about every post-series appearance from ''Final Countdown'' onwards features all the Den-Os fighting as a team, making ''I'm Born!!'' a lot less "unique and special" than it originally was.
184	* VFormationTeamShot: ''SIX'' Den-Os plus Zeronos in ''Final Countdown''.
185	* VillainPossessedBystander: The monsters are {{Jerkass Genie}}s who distort peoples' wishes (which are, with perhaps two exceptions, well-intentioned or merely misguided. TheHero, [[TheHeart a very compassionate young man]], makes helping the Victims as much a priority as fighting the monsters.
186	* VillainProtagonist: All of the Taros (minus [[TokenGoodTeammate Kin]]) start out as this, specially Ryutaros, who was given [[spoiler:by Kai]] the mission to kill Ryotaro.
187	* VillainTeamUp: ''Climax Deka'', where Negataros recruits several [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Fangire]] into his evil organization.
188	* WhamEpisode: #39: after some usual hijinks for most of the episode, we then get treated to [[spoiler:a past version of Yuto actually being killed by the Snail Imagin, causing the present Yuto to disappear.]]
189	* WhamLine: What sets off the DarkerAndEdgier tone of the final leg of the series:
190	-->[[spoiler:'''Kintaros:''']] ''Your wish has been granted.''
191	* WhoWouldWantToWatchUs: One episode of ''Imagin Anime'' shows the Taros' as producers at Toei, and they end up haphazardly creating their own series.

Context Series / KamenRiderDenO