Shotaro Hidari

Shotaro Hidari (Japanese: 左 翔太郎, Hepburn: Hidari Shōtarō) is one of the main characters in the live-action tokusatsu series Kamen Rider W. He is a detective who works with the young Philip, who possesses items called Gaia Memories, to investigate crimes caused by monstrous Dopants in the city of Fuuto. With their Gaia Memories, Shotaro and Philip can transform and combine into the superhero Kamen Rider W (仮面ライダーW, Kamen Raidā Daburu) to fight Dopants. In the sequel series Fuuto PI, Shotaro gains an assistant, Tokime, an amnesiac woman with a mysterious past connected to their enemies.

Shotaro and Philip are the first Kamen Rider composed of two members, and Shotaro's personality and job were inspired by the production team's desire to tell a hard-boiled story. Renn Kiriyama portrayed him in the live-action series, while Yoshimasa Hosoya voiced him for Riku Sanjo's anime sequel Fuuto PI and several video games. Ayumu Murase voiced a young Shotaro in Fuuto PI.

Critical response to Shotaro's character has been generally positive, with critics praising his ability to balance a serious side with lighthearted traits in his role as Kamen Rider W. His relationship with Philip has also been well-received, with reviewers enjoying their dynamic, while his portrayal in Fuuto PI was commended for expanding his backstory and relationships.