Kamen Rider (1971)

The Kamen Rider Series (仮面ライダーシリーズ, Kamen Raidā Shirīzu) is a Japanese superhero media franchise consisting of tokusatsu television programs, films, manga, and anime, created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. Kamen Rider media usually revolves around the titular defined group of motorcycle-riding superheroes with an insect motif who fight supervillains, often known as kaijin (怪人; lit. strange person).

The franchise began in 1971 with the Kamen Rider television series, which followed college student Takeshi Hongo and his quest to defeat the world-conquering Shocker organization. The original series spawned television and film sequels and launched the Second Kaiju Boom (also known as the Henshin Boom) on Japanese television during the early 1970s, impacting the superhero and action-adventure genres in Japan.

Bandai owns the toy rights to Kamen Rider in Japan and other Asian regions. Bandai Namco Toys and Collectibles America, a subsidiary of Bandai, distributes Kamen Rider merchandise in North America.

Series overview

The entirety of the Kamen Rider franchise revolves around the exploits of the various enhanced superhumans and cyborgs bearing the title of the "Kamen Rider" (仮面ライダー, Kamen Raidā; lit. Masked Rider) and their one-man war against a multitude of opposing enemy factions seeking to take over the world for nefarious intentions, usually an evil organization responsible for their augmentation. Barring a few entries, each series' Rider(s) utilizes a transformation belt commonly known as a "Driver" (ドライバ, Doraiba) to transform into their enhanced Rider form — usually activated with the transformation phrase "Henshin!" (変身, Henshin; lit. Transform) — to fight against various kaijins on a "monster of the week" basis, each armed with a multitude of different combat forms of varying destructive potential and a sizable array of abilities and weapons, with the notable part of their arsenal being their respective "Rider Machines" (ライダーマシン, Raidāmashin) motorcycle to drive around with, though certain entries of the franchise uses other forms of vehicles as substitutes such as Kamen Rider Drive with the "Tridoron" sports car, Kamen Rider Revice uses an hoverbike via one of Kamen Rider Revi and Vice's forms, and Kamen Rider Gavv's titular Rider conjures a candy-themed buggy as a combat vehicle. Typically, a kaijin is usually defeated either through the Kamen Rider's signature weapons or with the "Rider Kick" (ライダーキック, Raidākikku), a powerful flying dive kick only used when the Kamen Rider(s) deemed their enemies weakened enough to be destroyed that would result in an explosive finish.

A recurring theme of the franchise is how any Kamen Rider's powers are derived from a power source and/or technology being used for less noble intentions and the internal turmoil that comes with protecting humanity through violence, as evident by the "tear lines" in the Rider's helmets to represent the agonizing sacrifices made for committing to such a noble cause. Another recurring theme in the franchise is that it portrays how some kaijins, cyborgs and other monstrous beings can also show some degree of humanity to their interaction with mankind, as well as equally portraying how humanity can be ironically seen as radically evil compared to the kaijins and other beings through the various human antagonists of varying maliciousness and cruelty, often displaying their misanthropy towards humanity by becoming monsters themselves. Additionally, unlike its Super Sentai counterpart, most if not all Kamen Riders are morally grey in terms of their respective reasons to fight, usually clashing with other Riders over their ideals and their justifications to accept such power.

Each Kamen Rider series takes place in a standalone continuity within the same universe, the exceptions to this rule being Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider Build, Kamen Rider Zi-O and Kamen Rider Gotchard, with each often crossing over to fight against a common foe in their summer-billed movies taken place somewhere before/after the events of their respective series primarily through the yearly Kamen Rider Movie War (仮面ライダーMOVIE大戦, Kamen raidā mūbī taisen) film series and/or with the Super Sentai franchise through the Super Hero Taisen film series.

History

Shōwa era

In 1970, Toei producer Toru Hirayama (平山 亨, Hirayama Tōru) proposed a "Masked Hero Project", which he approached Shotaro Ishinomori to provide character designs for. This became Kamen Rider, which premiered on April 3, 1971, initially intended as an adaptation of Ishinomori's Skull Man manga. He and Hirayama redesigned the main character to resemble a grasshopper. The hero Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider, played by actor and stuntman Hiroshi Fujioka, was described as a transformed human (改造人間, kaizō ningen) (cyborg). During the filming of episode 10, Fujioka was thrown from his motorcycle during a stunt and broke both legs. Although most staff wanted Takeshi to be killed off, Hirayama opposed it, saying "We can't destroy the children's dreams of being almighty." His character was thus temporarily phased out until the introduction of another transformed human, Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2 (played by Takeshi Sasaki) in episode 14. Takeshi (Fujioka) was reintroduced in episode 40, and by episode 53, had fully replaced Hayato's character until the two were united in episodes 72, 73, 93, 94 - and the series finale - episode 98.

The series from April 1971 to January 1976 (Kamen Rider, V3, X, Amazon, Stronger) included a recurring mentor, Tobei Tachibana, and also featured regular team-ups with each protagonist, with the exception of Amazon, with Hirayama stating "I was planning to save it until the next development, so I thought it was not necessary for a while, but the cancellation was decided." After a four-year hiatus following the finale of Kamen Rider Stronger, the series returned to broadcast television in October 1979 for two years with The New Kamen Rider (featuring Skyrider) and Kamen Rider Super-1. This was initiated by Hirayama studying the recent trend in science fiction productions and discussing ideas with fans. In these shows, Tachibana was replaced by a similar character named Genjiro Tani (谷 源次郎, Tani Genjirō). The annual new shows ended briefly during the 1980s, punctuated by the 1984 Kamen Rider ZX special Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!! (Hirayama's last project for the franchise).

Kamen Rider Black premiered in 1987, the first series since Amazon not hinting at a relationship to its predecessors. Black was the first show in the franchise with a direct sequel: Kamen Rider Black RX, the basis of Saban's Americanized Masked Rider. In RX's finale, the ten previous Riders returned to help Black RX defeat the Crisis Empire. Kamen Rider Black RX was the final show produced during the Shōwa era, with the franchise resuming production by the end of the 20th century. A manga of Kamen Rider Black was a novelization and reimagination of the Black-RX series' continuity. Absent from television during the 1990s, the franchise was kept alive by stage shows, musical CDs, and the Shin, ZO, and J films.

Heisei era

Phase 1

Toei announced a new project, Kamen Rider Kuuga, in May 1999. Kuuga was part of Ishinomori's 1997 Kamen Rider revival in preparation for its 30th anniversary, but he died before the shows materialized. During the summer of 1999, Kuuga was promoted in magazine advertisements and TV commercials. On January 30, 2000, Kamen Rider Kuuga premiered with newcomer Joe Odagiri. Following Kuuga's 2001 sequel Kamen Rider Agito, the series deviated into a series of unconnected stories starting from Kamen Rider Ryuki in 2002 to Kamen Rider Kabuto in 2006.

In 2005, Kamen Rider: The First was produced. Written by Toshiki Inoue, the film reimagines the manga and original television series and characters from the original series had their storylines altered to fit the film's time span. Masaya Kikawada played Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1 and Hassei Takano (previously Miyuki Tezuka/Kamen Rider Raia in Kamen Rider Ryuki) was Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2. This was followed in 2007 by Kamen Rider The Next, an adaptation of Kamen Rider V3 starring Kazuki Kato (previously Daisuke Kazama/Kamen Rider Drake in Kamen Rider Kabuto) as Shiro Kazami/Kamen Rider V3 and with Kikawada and Takano reprising their roles.

The eighth series, Kamen Rider Den-O, followed in 2007. It differed from past Kamen Rider series with the main protagonist being unsure of himself and uses a large vehicle, the DenLiner: a time traveling bullet train. Although the series has only two riders (Den-O and Zeronos), they have multiple forms similar to Black RX, Kuuga, and Agito. Due to Den-O's popularity, a second film crossover with the 2008 series Kamen Rider Kiva was released on April 12, 2008. The top film in its opening weekend, it grossed ¥730 million. In addition, Animate produced an OVA, Imagin Anime, with SD versions of the Imagin. A third film, Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown (with two new riders) serves as a series epilogue. According to Takeru Satoh, who played the titular protagonist in the television series and first three films, Den-O was successful because of its humor.

The 2009 series, Kamen Rider Decade, commemorated the Heisei run's 10th anniversary with its protagonist able to assume the forms of his predecessors. Japanese recording artist Gackt performed the series' opening theme, "Journey through the Decade", and the film's theme song ("The Next Decade") and jokingly expressed interest in playing a villain on the show. Also announced in 2009 was a fourth Den-O film (later revealed as the beginning of the Cho-Den-O Series of films), starting with Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship. In the March 2009 issue of Kindai magazine, Decade star Masahiro Inoue said that the series was scheduled for only 30 episodes.

Phase 2

Advertisements in May, June, and July 2009 promoted the debut of Kamen Rider W, who first appeared at the 10th-anniversary Masked Rider Live event and was featured in Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker. The staff of W said that they planned to make 10 more years of Kamen Rider, differentiating subsequent series from the Kuuga through Decade period (including a new broadcast season from September of one year to about August of the next). The hero of Kamen Rider W is the first Kamen Rider to transform from two people at once, and the series premiered on September 6, 2009. Continuing into 2010 with Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010, W ran from September 2009 to September 2010 instead of from January to January. The second, third, and fourth films of the Cho-Den-O series, collectively known as Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider The Movie: Cho-Den-O Trilogy, were also released in 2010. Late 2010 brought the series Kamen Rider OOO to television after W's finale, and 2011 observed the 40th anniversary of the franchise. Festivities that year included the Kamen Rider Girls idol group, the film OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders (released on April 1) and OOO's successor, Kamen Rider Fourze, which references the previous heroes in its characters' names and its plot. A crossover film, Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen, was released in 2012 featuring the heroes of all Kamen Rider and Super Sentai series to date.

With Fourze's run complete in 2012, Kamen Rider Wizard premiered; its protagonist was the first Kamen Rider to use magic. Wizard additionally had the first homosexual character and cast member with Kaba-chan. Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z, a sequel to 2012's Super Hero Taisen with the revived Metal Hero Series characters from Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie and other characters created by Shotaro Ishinomori appearing in Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum, was released in 2013.

On May 20, 2013, Toei filed for several trademarks on the phrase Kamen Rider Gaim previewed on July 25, 2013, revealing a Sengoku period and fruit-themed motif to the series' multiple-rival Kamen Riders and Gen Urobuchi as the series' main writer. The third entry in the Super Hero Taisen film series, Heisei Rider vs. Shōwa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai, marked the 15th anniversary of the Heisei Kamen Rider era and revolved around a conflict between the 15 Heisei Riders and the 15 Showa Riders with Kamen Rider Fifteen, and a cameo appearance by the ToQgers and the Kyoryugers. It also marked the start of a yearly Haruyasumi Gattai Supesharu (春休み合体スペシャル, Spring Break Combined Special) involving each year's Kamen Rider teaming up with the current Super Sentai team in a story tying into that year's entry in the Super Hero Taisen movie series. Gaim was followed in 2014 by Kamen Rider Drive, the first Kamen Rider since Kamen Rider Black RX (who also used a motorcycle), to use a car instead of a motorcycle. The fourth Super Hero Taisen, Super Hero Taisen GP, marks Kamen Rider 3's first live-action appearance after the Showa Kamen Rider manga. Kamen Rider Ghost was introduced in 2015. In 2016 the Kamen Rider series celebrated its 45th anniversary, and Toei released the film Kamen Rider 1 on March 26, 2016. Kamen Rider Ex-Aid was introduced in 2016 and was the first Rider series to have a character, Kiriya Kujo, portray the main Rider's motorcycle. A Movie War film known as Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost with Legend Riders was announced for December 10, 2016, featuring Bandai Namco Entertainment's original character created by Namco prior to merging with Bandai in 2006, Pac-Man. Following up Ex-Aid's finale, Kamen Rider Build premiered on September 3, 2017. The twentieth and last series of the Heisei era, Kamen Rider Zi-O, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Heisei era, premiered on September 2, 2018. On December 22, 2018, a film commemorating all the Riders of the Heisei Era titled Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever premiered in Japanese theaters.

Reiwa era

On May 13, 2019, Toei filed a trademark on the phrase Kamen Rider Zero-One, which premiered on September 1, 2019. It is followed up by Kamen Rider Saber on September 6, 2020, and is later followed by Kamen Rider Revice on September 5, 2021. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider series, Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno was announced as the writer and director of Shin Kamen Rider, a reimagining of the original 1971 series. It was released on March 17, 2023.

The franchise's 4th entry in the Reiwa era is Kamen Rider Geats, which debuted in September 2022 following the finale of Revice. The series would end in 2023, with Kamen Rider Gotchard debuting following the finale as the series of said year. Following Gotchard's finale, Kamen Rider Gavv started airing as 2024's Rider series, later being replaced by Kamen Rider ZEZTZ in September 2025. ZEZTZ marked Toei's first attempts to launch the franchise on a global scale, and was the first Rider series to have an official simulcast release upon launch.

On April 3rd, 2026, Toei held a press conference celebrating the 55th anniversary of the series where they revealed major changes to the production and marketing for the extended franchise, primarily to target global expansion of the series. Moving forward, they are set to release non-mainline series movies under three labels: The Kamen Rider Chronicle will focus on stories revolving around legacy rider characters similar to the series anniversary movies, The Kamen Rider Premium will release high budget blockbuster movies created for theatres, and The Kamen Rider Animated will encompass all animated works with the first project to be coproduced by Aniplex and Shirogumi. At the same press conference, they officially announced the 8th Reiwa entry, Kamen Rider MY-TH.

Production

Main series

Television specials

1976: All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!

1979: Immortal Kamen Rider Special

1984: Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!!

1987: This Is Kamen Rider Black

1988: Kamen Rider 1 through RX: Big Gathering

1993: Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider

2000: Kamen Rider Kuuga: First Dream Of The New Year

2001: Kamen Rider Agito Special: Another New Transformation

2002: Kamen Rider Ryuki Special: 13 Riders

2004: Kamen Rider Blade: New Generation

2006: 35th Masked Rider Anniversary File

2009: Kamen Rider G

Theatrical releases

1971: Go Go Kamen Rider (Movie version of episode 13)

1972: Kamen Rider vs. Shocker

1972: Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell

1973: Kamen Rider V3 (Movie version of episode 2)

1973: Kamen Rider V3 vs. the Destron Monsters

1974: Kamen Rider X (Movie version of episode 3)

1974: Kamen Rider X: Five Riders vs. King Dark

1975: Kamen Rider Amazon (Movie version of episode 16)

1975: Kamen Rider Stronger (Movie version of episode 7)

1980: Kamen Rider: Eight Riders vs. Galaxy King

1981: Kamen Rider Super-1

1988: Kamen Rider Black: Hurry to Onigashima

1988: Kamen Rider Black: Fear! Evil Monster Mansion

1989: Kamen Rider: Stay in the World – 3D theme park special

1992: Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue

1993: Kamen Rider ZO

1994: Kamen Rider J

1994: Kamen Rider World – 3-D theme park special

2001: Kamen Rider Agito: Project G4

2002: Kamen Rider Ryuki: Episode Final

2003: Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost

2004: Kamen Rider Blade: Missing Ace

2005: Kamen Rider Hibiki & The Seven Senki

2005: Kamen Rider: The First

2006: Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love

2007: Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!

2007: Kamen Rider: The Next

2008: Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Deka

2008: Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World

2008: Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown

2009: Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship

2009: Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker

2009: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010

Kamen Rider Decade: The Last Story

Kamen Rider W: Begins Night

Movie War 2010

2010: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider The Movie: Cho-Den-O Trilogy

Episode Red: Zero no Star Twinkle

Episode Blue: The Dispatched Imagin is Newtral

Episode Yellow: Treasure de End Pirates

2010: Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z/The Gaia Memories of Fate

2010: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider OOO & W Featuring Skull: Movie War Core

Kamen Rider Skull: Message for Double

Kamen Rider OOO: Nobunaga's Desire

Movie War Core

2011: OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders

2011: Kamen Rider OOO Wonderful: The Shogun and the 21 Core Medals

2011: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Fourze & OOO: Movie War Mega Max

Beginning: Fight! Legendary Seven Riders

Kamen Rider OOO: Ankh's Resurrection, the Medals of the Future, and the Leading Hope

Futo, The Conspiracy Advances: Gallant! Kamen Rider Joker

Kamen Rider Fourze: Nade-Shiko Ad-Vent

Movie War Mega Max: Gather! Warriors of Glory

2012: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen

2012: Kamen Rider Fourze the Movie: Space, Here We Come!

2012: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum

Kamen Rider Fourze

Kamen Rider Wizard

Movie War Ultimatum

2013: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z

2013: Kamen Rider Wizard in Magic Land

2013: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Gaim & Wizard: The Fateful Sengoku Movie Battle

Kamen Rider Wizard: The Promised Place

Kamen Rider Gaim: Sengoku Battle Royale

2014: Heisei Riders vs. Shōwa Riders: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai

2014: Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup!

2014: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Drive & Gaim: Movie War Full Throttle

Kamen Rider Gaim: The Advancing Last Stage

Kamen Rider Drive: A Challenge from Lupin

Movie War Full Throttle

2015: Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3

2015: Kamen Rider Drive: Surprise Future

2015: Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Ghost & Drive: Super Movie War Genesis

2016: Kamen Rider 1

2016: Kamen Rider Ghost: The 100 Eyecons and Ghost's Fated Moment

2016: Kamen Rider Heisei Generations: Dr. Pac-Man vs. Ex-Aid & Ghost with Legend Riders

2017: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai: Ultra Super Hero Taisen

2017: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid the Movie: True Ending

2017: Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Final: Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Rider

2018: Kamen Rider Amazons the Movie: The Last Judgement

2018: Kamen Rider Build the Movie: Be the One

2018: Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever

2019: Kamen Rider Zi-O the Movie: Over Quartzer

2019: Kamen Rider Reiwa: The First Generation

2020: Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time

2020: Kamen Rider Saber Theatrical Short Story: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin

2021: Saber + Zenkaiger: Super Hero Senki

2021: Kamen Rider Revice (short film)

2021: Kamen Rider Beyond Generations

2022: Kamen Rider Revice the Movie: Battle Familia

2022: Kamen Rider Geats × Revice: Movie Battle Royale

2023: Shin Kamen Rider

2023: Kamen Rider Geats the Movie: 4 Aces and the Black Fox

2023: Kamen Rider the Winter Movie: Gotchard & Geats Strongest Chemy ★ Gotcha Great Operation

2024: Kamen Rider Gotchard: The Future Daybreak

2025: Kamen Rider Gavv: Invaders of the House of Snacks

2026: Agito: Psychic War

2026: Kamen Rider ZEZTZ: Farewell Mission

V-Cinema releases

1992: Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue

1993: Kamen Rider SD – Only anime adaptation

2011: Kamen Rider W Returns

Kamen Rider Accel Chapter

Kamen Rider Eternal Chapter

2015: Kamen Rider Gaim Gaiden

First Part

Kamen Rider Zangetsu Chapter

Kamen Rider Baron Chapter

Second Part

Kamen Rider Duke Chapter

Kamen Rider Knuckle Chapter

Third Part

Kamen Rider Zangetsu Chapter (Stage Show 2019)

Kamen Rider Gridon VS Kamen Rider Bravo Chapter (2 Special 2020)

2016: Kamen Rider Drive Saga

First Part

Kamen Rider Chaser Chapter

Second Part

Kamen Rider Heart Chapter

Kamen Rider Mach Chapter

Third Part

Kamen Rider Brain Chapter (2 Special 2019)

2017: Kamen Rider Ghost Re-Birth: Kamen Rider Specter

2018: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Trilogy: Another Ending

First Part

Brave & Snipe Chapter

Second Part

Para-DX with Poppy Chapter

Third Part

Genm vs. Lazer Chapter

2019: Kamen Rider Build New World

First Part

Kamen Rider Cross-Z Chapter

Second Part

Kamen Rider Grease Chapter

2020: Kamen Rider Zi-O Next Time

Kamen Rider Geiz Majesty Chapter

2021: Kamen Rider Zero-One Others

First Part

Kamen Rider Metsuboujinrai Chapter

Second Part

Kamen Rider Vulcan & Valkyrie Chapter

2022: Kamen Rider Saber: Trio of Deep Sin

2022: Kamen Rider OOO 10th: Core Medal of Resurrection

2023: Revice Forward: Kamen Rider Live & Evil & Demons

2024: Kamen Rider 555 20th: Paradise Regained

2024: Kamen Rider Geats: Jyamato Awaking

2025: Kamen Rider Gotchard: Graduations

2025: Kamen Rider Gavv: Guilty Parfait

2026: Kamen Rider Kabuto 20th: Inheritor of Heaven

Hyper Battle videos

2000: Kamen Rider Kuuga: vs. the Strong Monster Go-Jiino-Da

2001: Kamen Rider Agito: Three rider TV-kun Special

2002: Kamen Rider Ryuki Hyper Battle: Kamen Rider Ryuki vs. Kamen Rider Agito

2003: Kamen Rider 555: The Musical

2004: Kamen Rider Blade: Blade vs Blade

2005: Kamen Rider Hibiki: Transform Asumu: You can be an Oni too

2006: Kamen Rider Kabuto: Birth! Gatack Hyper Form!

2007: Kamen Rider Den-O: Singing, Dancing, Great Time!!

2008: Kamen Rider Kiva: You Can Also be Kiva

2009: Kamen Rider Decade: Protect! The World of TV-Kun

2010: Kamen Rider W: Donburi's α/Farewell Recipe of Love

2011: Kamen Rider OOO: Quiz, Dance, and Takagarooba!?

2012: Kamen Rider Fourze: Rocket Drill States of Friendship

2013: Kamen Rider Wizard: Showtime with the Dance Ring

2014: Kamen Rider Gaim: Fresh Orange Arms is Born!

2015: Kamen Rider Drive Hyper Battle:

Type TV-KUN: Hunter & Monster! Chase the Mystery of the Super Thief!

Type High Speed! The True Power! Type High Speed is Born!

2016: Kamen Rider Ghost Hyper Battle:

Ikkyu Eyecon Contention! Quick Wit Battle!!

Ikkyu Eyecon! Awaken, My Quick Wit Power!!

Truth! The Secret Of Heroes' Eyecons!

2017: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks"

Kamen Rider Lazer

Kamen Rider Para-DX

2018: Kamen Rider Build Hyper Battle:

Birth! KumaTelevi!! VS Kamen Rider Grease!

Kamen Rider Prime Rogue

2019: Kamen Rider ZI-O: Kamen Rider Bi Bi Bi no Bibill Geiz

2019: Kamen Rider Zero-One: What Will Pop Out of the Kangaroo? Think About It by Yourself! Yes! It must be me, Aruto!

2021: Kamen Rider Saber: Gather! Hero! The Explosive Dragon TVKun

2022: Kamen Rider Revice Hyper Battle:

Koala VS Kangaroo!! Do you want to avoid love at the wedding?!

Becoming Rider 2♪

2023: Kamen Rider Geats: How Is It!? Desire Grand Prix Filled With Men, I Am Ouja!!

2024: Kamen Rider Gotchard: What's That!? Houtaro and Rinne Swapped Bodies!!

2025: Kamen Rider Gavv: Gourmet Snacks and Woo!-mai Wakamen!!

2026: Kamen Rider ZEZTZ: Send 'Em Flying! Giant Robot CODE Zeroider!!

Anime exclusive

2008: Imagin Anime

2020: Kamen Rider Zero-One Short Anime: Everyone's Daily Life

2021: Separate Volume Kamen Rider Saber: Short Animation Collection

2022–2023: Shocker During the Day

2022–2023: Boiling Up and Feeling Great! Revice Anime: Steam Paradise a Go! Go!

2023–2024: Geats Anime: Another Grand Prix

2024: Gotchard Short Anime GotchAnime: Get Furasu High School's Seven Mysteries!

2025: Gavv Anime! Sweety Days: Strange Everyday Life

2025–2026: ZEZTZ Anime: Dream Part-Timer Baku

Web exclusive

2015: D-Video Special: Kamen Rider 4

2016: Kamen Rider Ghost: Legendary! Riders' Souls!

2016–2017: Kamen Rider Amazons

2017: Kamen Sentai Gorider

2018: Kamen Rider Build: Raising the Hazard Level ~7 Best Matches~

2019: Rider Time

Rider Time: Kamen Rider Shinobi

Rider Time: Kamen Rider Ryuki

Rider Time: Kamen Rider Zi-O VS Decade -7 of Zi-O!-

Rider Time: Kamen Rider Decade VS Zi-O -Decade Mansion's Death Game-

2020: Kamen Rider Saber Spin Off: Swordsmen Chronicles

2021: Kamen Rider Genms -The Presidents-

2021: Kamen Rider Saber × Ghost

2021: Kamen Rider Specter × Blades

2022: Kamen Rider Revice: The Mystery

2022: Kamen Rider OOO Net Movie

Core Medal of Resurrection Prologue

Birth X Birth Prologue

2022: Kamen Rider Genms -Smart Brain and the 1000% Crisis-

2022: Revice Legacy: Kamen Rider Vail

2022: OOO 10th Kamen Rider Birth: Birth X Secret Birth Story

2022: Girls Remix

Kamen Rider Jeanne & Kamen Rider Aguilera with Girls Remix

Kamen Rider Majade with Girls Remix

Girls Remix in Halloween Party

Kamen Rider Eins with Girls Remix

2022–2024: Kamen Rider Outsiders

2022: Kamen Rider Black Sun

2023: Kamen Rider Juuga VS Kamen Rider Orteca

2023: Geats Extra

Geats Extra: Kamen Rider PunkJack

Geats Extra: Kamen Rider Tycoon Meets Kamen Rider Shinobi

Geats Extra: Kamen Rider Gazer

2023: Kamen Rider Gotchard VS Kamen Rider Legend

2024: Kamen Rider 555: Murder Case

2025–2026: Gochizo Party

2025–2026: Kamen Rider ZEZTZ: Series of Sister's Substory: Agent Minami

Others

2016: The Legend of Hero Alain

2017: Kamen Rider Snipe: Episode ZERO

2018: ROGUE

2020: Project Thouser

2020: TTFC Direct Theater: Kamen Rider Saber

2021: Kamen Rider Saber Spin-Off: Sword of Logos Saga

2022: TTFC Direct Theater: Kamen Rider Revice

2022: DEAR GAGA

2022: Fuuto PI

2023: Desire Grand Prix Bonus Stage

2023: Jack-of-All-Trades!? Boss Micchy's Day

2024: We Are Class 3G

2025–2026: Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider

Distribution and overseas adaptations

Although the Kamen Rider series originated in Japan, various Kamen Rider series have been imported and dubbed into other languages for broadcast in several other countries.

Hong Kong

Between 2001 and 2012, Omni Productions in Hong Kong dubbed several Kamen Rider shows.

Taiwan

Between 1975 and 1976, Tong Hsing Film Co., Ltd. in Taiwan produced the Super Riders series based on the Japanese version.

1975: The Super Rider V3 based on Kamen Rider V3

1976: The Five Of Super Rider based on Kamen Rider X

1976: The Super Riders based on Kamen Rider vs. Shocker and Kamen Rider vs. Hell Ambassador

Unofficial Thailand adaptation

In 1975, Chaiyo Productions made an unofficial Kamen Rider movie entitled Hanuman and the Five Riders, which used original footage of Chaiyo's Hanuman character, spliced with footage from the Five Riders Vs. King Dark movie. However, Chaiyo went ahead with the production without authorisation after Toei denied them permission to make an official movie with them, putting the legality of the movie into question.

United States

In 1995, Saban produced the first American Masked Rider, which was adapted from Kamen Rider Black RX, the series after its success adapting Super Sentai into Power Rangers and the Metal Hero Series (VR Troopers and Beetleborgs). Unfortunately, the show was panned by critics and fans from the series, and it only lasted one 40-episode season, with the first 27 debuting on Fox Kids, while the other 13 debuted in syndication.

In 2009, a new series, produced by Michael and Steve Wang, was broadcast: Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, which was adapted from Kamen Rider Ryuki. Although it was canceled before finishing its syndicated run, it won the first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Stunt Coordination at the 37th Daytime Emmy Awards.

In 2020, Shout! Factory made the entire series available to stream in North America.

In 2025, Shout! Studios announced that Kamen Rider Zeztz would be simulcasted on the TokuSHOUTsu YouTube channel.

Merchandise

As of March 2021, Bandai Namco has sold 14.50 million Kamen Rider transformation belts since February 2000.

Homages and parodies

The Kamen Rider franchise has been parodied in and outside Japan. One parody is of the Kamen Rider henshin (metamorphosis) pose.

In video games, Skullomania (from Street Fighter EX) and May Lee (from The King of Fighters) are examples of Kamen Rider parodies. The titular protagonist of the Viewtiful Joe game series is modeled after the heroes of Kamen Rider and other tokusatsu series of the 1960s and 1970s, according to character designer Kumiko Suekane. In the Pokémon franchise, the grasshopper-based Pokémon known as Lokix appears to take inspiration from the heroes of the Kamen Rider series, further evidenced by the original Kamen Rider's grasshopper motif (which is also shared with other primary Riders).

In anime, examples include Fair, then Partly Piggy, My-HiME (and its sequel, My Otome), Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, and Franken Fran. In the Crayon Shin-chan series, the title character interacts with Kamen Riders in crossover specials. Case Closed has a recurring TV series the detective boys like to watch, Kamen Yaiba. In One-Punch Man, the C-Class Hero Mumen Rider is a parody, being an ordinary man in a world of superhuman beings, riding a bicycle rather than a motorcycle. However, despite his weakness, he is extremely heroic and his actions counter his parodic character conception. The series has also been parodied and homaged in the Disney Channel series Amphibia, referencing Kamen Rider 1, Kamen Rider Kuuga, and Riderman from Kamen Rider V3.

In live-action, parodies include "Kamen Renaider" by SMAP's Takuya Kimura and Shingo Katori, a parody of Ryuki; "Kamen Zaiber", a parody of the original series; "Kamen Norider" by the Tunnels, a parody of Kamen Rider 1 and as well as the first series; "Kamen Rider HG", Hard Gay's parody of the original for a Japanese TV show, and "Ridermen" (a short skit with a man called Ridermen, a parody of the Riderman on the set of Kamen Rider Kuuga.

Akimasa Nakamura, a Japanese astronomer named two minor planets in honor of the series: 12408 Fujioka for actor Hiroshi Fujioka, known for his portrayal of Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1, and 12796 Kamenrider for the series itself.

Notes

References

External links

TV Asahi

Kamen Rider Geats

Kamen Rider Revice

Kamen Rider Saber

Kamen Rider Zero-One

Kamen Rider Zi-O

Kamen Rider Build

Kamen Rider Ex-Aid

Kamen Rider Ghost

Kamen Rider Drive

Kamen Rider Gaim

Kamen Rider Wizard

Kamen Rider Fourze

Kamen Rider OOO

Kamen Rider W

Kamen Rider Decade

Kamen Rider Kiva

Kamen Rider Den-O

Kamen Rider Kabuto

Kamen Rider Hibiki

Kamen Rider Blade

Kamen Rider 555

Kamen Rider Ryuki

Toei

Kamen Rider Zi-O

Kamen Rider Build

Kamen Rider Amazons Season 2

Kamen Rider Ex-Aid

Kamen Rider Amazons

Kamen Rider Ghost

Kamen Rider Drive

Kamen Rider Gaim

Kamen Rider Wizard

Kamen Rider Fourze

Kamen Rider OOO

Kamen Rider W

Kamen Rider Decade

Kamen Rider Kiva

Kamen Rider The Next

Kamen Rider Den-O

Kamen Rider Kabuto

Kamen Rider The First

Kamen Rider Hibiki

Kamen Rider Blade

Kamen Rider 555

Kamen Rider Ryuki

Kamen Rider Agito

Kamen Rider Kuuga

Bandai

Kamen Rider Ghost

Kamen Rider Drive

Kamen Rider Gaim

Kamen Rider Wizard

Kamen Rider Fourze

Kamen Rider OOO

Kamen Rider W

Kamen Rider Decade

Others

Kamen Rider Official – The main site of the Kamen Rider franchise, the background changes when next series premieres.

Ishimori@Style – Shotaro Ishinomori with Ishimori Productions Official Website

Toei Kyoto Studio Park – A theme park with official events, exhibitions and shops related to the Kamen Rider series

Bandai Korea's Kamen Rider site – The site's look changes when the next series premieres in Korea