BIMA Satria Garuda (Garuda Knight BIMA) is an Indonesian tokusatsu and comic series, the result of cooperation between MNC Media with Ishimori Productions, creator of the Japanese Kamen Rider Series. Starring Christian Loho, Rayhan Febrian, Stella Cornelia (JKT48), Adhitya Alkatiri, and Sutan Simatupang, BIMA Satria Garuda premiered on RCTI on 30 June 2013.
Following the success of the series, a 50 episodes Second Season series titled Satria Garuda BIMA-X premièred RCTI on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 08.30 pm, with the title of Satria Garuda BIMA-X: New Beginning. The series announced its first theatrical film, titled Satria Heroes Bima X: Revenge of Darkness and scheduled to release in the first quarter of 2017.
Production
BIMA Satria Garuda is a superhero series inspired by Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX, collectively known in Indonesia as "Ksatria Baja Hitam" ("Black Steel Knight"). BIMA Satria Garuda features Indonesian values and culture to become a new Indonesian super hero. The series films in Greater Jakarta. According to Reino Barack, Senior Vice President of PT. Global Mediacom as well as Executive Producer of the series, BIMA Satria Garuda is also intended to be a new business model in the world of entertainment in Indonesia that offer services in the form of a new product campaign in licensing, sponsorship, built in advertising and merchandising. MNC Media (which is majority-owned by Global Mediacom) in cooperation with Itochu will be the main licensee for BIMA Satria Garuda in building licensing business in Indonesia. Itochu is one of Japan's largest conglomerates in the licensing business in the world, as well as investing in Ishimori Productions since 2007. MNC Media has also worked with Bandai to produce "BIMA Satria Garuda" merchandise toys which was released in Indonesia since the series premiered on June 30, 2013.
Story
The story of BIMA Satria Garuda begins in the Dunia Paralel ("Parallel World"), a world which is ruled by VUDO Empire and is on the verge of collapse. The Parallel World is a world that lives in perpetual darkness, where nature has no source of life because of VUDO's ambitions for power. Rasputin is the evil and cruel lord of VUDO. He wants to find another world, to seize its natural resources to revive the Parallel World and expand VUDO's powers. Two scientists on Earth manages to create a portal that connects the Earth and other galaxies, which on VUDO's advantage finally reveal a target world that can be seized.
Ray Bramasakti is given the Power Stone Merah ("Red") from a mysterious young man named Mikhail to stop Rasputin and VUDO's evil attempts to take over Earth. By possessing the Power Stone Merah, Ray has the power to transform into BIMA, the Garuda Knight. Randy Iskandar and his sister Rena are Ray's foster family who become involved in Ray's fight against malicious activities of Rasputin and VUDO.
Comic
Reino Barack, executive producer and co-creator of BIMA Satria Garuda announced via his Twitter account that a series of comics which is based on the story of BIMA Satria Garuda will be published on 24 November 2013. The comic is illustrated by duo comic artist Ockto Baringbing and Hendry Zero. The comic is published by cooperation of RCTI and Ishimori Productions and distributed through Alfamart outlets in the scope of the Greater Jakarta.
Main characters
Ray Bramasakti/BIMA, the "Satria Garuda" ("Garuda Knight"), protagonist and super hero in this series. Kind, quiet, humble, and with noble principle, Ray is an orphan who lived with his two foster families, Randy and Rena. Ray works in the Satria Motors autoshop. He possess the Power Stone Merah ("Red") acquired from Mikhail and uses it to save Earth from VUDO's attacks. The Power Stone Merah can transform him into BIMA, the Garuda Knight which has the power of the Garuda: agility, focus, and strength; wielding the red-blue garuda saber Helios (Sun) which can transform into Helios Blasterbow. But Ray is also struggling with his refusal to assume responsibility and power as BIMA because he does not want to endanger his beloved foster family. Ray is portrayed by Christian Loho.
Randy Iskandar, Rena's brother, Ray's foster brother, and the owner of the Satria Motors autoshop. Randy acts as a friend and an unlikely father figure for Rena and Ray. He also is Ray's best friend since school and know of Ray's struggle as BIMA; being Ray's silat sparring partner and occasional side-kick; always lifting Ray's spirit to defend Earth from VUDO's invasion. He inherited considerable wealth from his parents who disappeared in his childhood. Randy is portrayed by Rayhan Febrian.
Rena Iskandar, the younger sister of Randy, a student, and also Ray's foster sister. Rena behaves naïve and innocent, and always tends to be careless and unlucky, always wants to help Ray but instead always get into trouble because of VUDO. Rena has great respect for Ray and Randy, but actually has feelings for Ray. Rena was previously unaware of Ray's secret identity as BIMA, until she discover his alter-ego after BIMA calls her "Mochi". Rena is portrayed by Stella Cornelia.
Mikhail, a mysterious young man from Parallel World. Mikhail fled a VUDO warship carrying the Power Stone Merah. He does not communicate much with humans and only communicates with Ray telepathically. Mikhail is then revealed to be Reza Bramasakti, Ray's long lost brother who thought to be dead 21 years prior the start of the saga. However, Mikhail is unwillfully transformed into Azazel, VUDO Empire's Champion Ksatria Kegelapan ("Dark Knight") by Rasputin's Power Stone Hitam ("Black"), stripping his humanity away to serve VUDO and invade Earth, until BIMA manages to bring him back to his senses and joins him against Rasputin. Azazel wields the dark garuda saber Taranis (Thunder), which is similar to BIMA's Helios saber and can transform into the Taranis Blasterbow. Mikhail is portrayed by Adhitya Alkatiri.
Paman Iwan ("Uncle" Iwan), a kind relative of Professor Andri Iskandar who took care of Ray, Randy and Rena after their parents disappeared. Uncle Iwan is a very patient person despite always appear bald with glasses and big eating appetite. Uncle Iwan is portrayed by Abio Abie.
VUDO Empire
Rasputin, evil lord of VUDO Empire, owner of the deadly Power Stone Hitam ("Black"). He comes from the Parallel World and wants to invade Earth to take over the oxygen, water, energy, and oil to give life back to the Parallel World. Rasputin is portrayed by Sutan Simatupang.
Topeng Besi ("Iron Mask"), right-hand man of Rasputin and the Panglima ("Commander") of VUDO who possesses the Power Stone Biru ("Blue"). Topeng Besi is a mysterious figure who wears steel armor covering his entire body and is armed with destroyer claws on his gauntlet. Topeng Besi is voiced by Heru Setiadi.
VUDO Soldiers/Kombatan, Rasputin's foot soldiers derived from the bones of the dead, given life by Rasputin's magic power.
Grand Gator, VUDO Empire's ultimate weapon-machine to conquer Earth. Shrouded by mystery upon its mention by Rasputin himself, this ultimate weapon can only be awaken by combining all seven of VUDO's Power Stones, including "Shadow Crisis" elite officer's Power Stones, energized by their hatred after their deaths.
VUDO monsters
VUDO's monsters are VUDO combatant officers that gains power from absorbing the soul of humans.
Lizarion, the lizard monster, can crawl on walls and elongate his arms to attack its prey.
Gremontis, the toad monster, armed with a magic staff, has the power to manipulate human mind to do its commands through hypnosis, ultimately to commit suicide.
Aracnofus, the spider monster, the agile monster armed with spears and spider web.
Octopoda, the octopus monster, sprays a blinding ink.
Valcus, the electric scorpion monster, armed with twin swords and sharp blades, can destroy human senses by powerful electric-shock from its tail-sting.
Gills, the cobra monster with venomous staff and fangs.
Megalodon, the shark monster, armed with a pair of cannon on his shoulder.
Shadow Crisis Ultimate Four
The Shadow Crisis Ultimate Four quartet is a group of elite VUDO officers with the sole mission to kill BIMA and retrieve the stolen Power Stones back to activate Grand Gator machine. They do not need to absorb human soul because of their innate strength from VUDO's Power Stones. Shadow Crisis appears from Episode 18.
Zacros, the goat monster, armed with a horned spear, has the magic power from Power Stone Ungu ("Purple") to create a world of illusion and manipulate dreams.
Karax, the raven monster, armed with a long sword, capable of flying and has the power from Power Stone Putih ("White") to shoot sharp feathers imbued with explosive ice magic.
Vargulf, the wolf monster, armed with a great sword and a destructive roar, has the power from Power Stone Hijau ("Green") which gave him enormous physical power on land.
Velifer, the bat monster, strongest officer among the Shadow Crisis, armed with double-sided spears and ability to summon VUDO monster ghouls. Velifer has the power from Power Stone Kuning ("Yellow") which gave him paralysing thunder shout power.
Supporting cast
Professor Rudy Bramasakti, Ray's father. Together with Professor Andri Iskandar created an inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth and Parallel World, revealing Earth to VUDO as a target for conquest. Rudy, his wife Risha and his youngest son Reza died in the event of Topeng Besi's assault, 21 years prior the arrival of Mikhail, leaving Ray as the sole survivor. His phantom appeared to Mikhail as he is held captive in Rasputin's prison; appears in Episode 01 and 16. Professor Rudy Bramasakti is portrayed by Gito Gilas,
Professor Andri Iskandar, Randy and Rena's father who disappeared with his wife. Together with Professor Rudy Bramasakti created an inter-dimensional portal connecting Earth and Parallel World. Professor Andri and his wife adopted Ray after the death of his family. Andri mysteriously disappeared with his wife, leaving Randy, Rena, and Ray in the care of Paman Iwan. He appears with his wife in flashbacks. Professor Andri Iskandar is portrayed by Edi Rahmat.
Risha Bramasakti, Ray's mother. Risha died in the event of Topeng Besi's assault, 21 years prior the arrival of Mikhail. She appears in Episode 01 and 16 when her phantom appeared to Mikhail as he is held captive in Rasputin's prison; . Risha Bramasakti is portrayed by Cinta Dewi.
Fira Iskandar, Randy and Rena's mother who disappeared along with her Husband. She appears with her Husband in flashbacks. Fira Iskandar is portrayed by Febrie Key.
Noir, the "BIMA Legend" Knight. A mysterious figure from Parallel World who dons a black cape and clutches three suzu bells. He possess the power of "Dark Zar" which can teleport him between worlds. Noir is portrayed by Japanese pop singer Gackt, who appears as a guest star in Episode 21 and 22, and guest voice in Episode 20.
Second season
In June 2014, MNC announced that they will be back in collaboration with their two Japanese partner companies, Ishimori Productions and Itochu to produce the Second Season of the series. The Second Season will feature 50 episodes, doubling the number of episodes of its First Season. With a slight change in the title from the First Season, Satria Garuda BIMA-X series will start in a special premiere on RCTI on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 08.30 am, with the title of Satria Garuda BIMA-X: New Beginning. The premiere episode will air with a duration of 90 minutes (three episodes), and will be re-aired again on September 13, 2014 at 15.30 pm, then continued by weekly 30-minute show from September 14, 2014.
