Hayato Ichimonji is a main protagonist of Kamen Rider. A freelance photographer who was turned into a cyborg by Shocker to defeat Takeshi Hongo, Hayato is later saved by the former and takes his place to defend Japan as the Kamen Rider. When his predecessor returned from his battles overseas, Hayato would then assume the title of Kamen Rider 2, or Kamen Rider 2-go.

The form displayed by Hayato upon his return from Nanki, donning the title of Kamen Rider 2, or Kamen Rider New 2 while gaining an upgrade to his capabilities to the extent of surviving and apparently unharmed by the effects of a nuclear bomb. Retaining his great strength from the original stage, Hayato now maintains the title of "Powerful 2", an aspect later passed to Kamen Rider V3, with his "power and skill".

Sometimes, Hayato's helmet would take on the coloration of his old one in order to further differentiate Rider 2 from Kamen Rider 1.