Shocker (Kamen Rider)

The , also known as ''Masked Rider Series'' (until ''Decade'' and except Thailand), 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 fights supervillains, often known as .

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 Collectables, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco, 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 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 to transform into their enhanced Rider form 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 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 Gavvs 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 , 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 film series and/or with the Super Sentai franchise through the '' Super Hero Taisen'' film series.

History

Shōwa era

In 1970, Toei producer 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 (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 Ichimonji'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 . 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'' 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'' 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'' 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,''Telebikun'' August 2009 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 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'' 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 Rider'' 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 , which premiered on September 1, 2019. It is followed up by on September 6, 2020, and is later followed by 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 , a reimagining of the original 1971 series. It was released on March 17, 2023.

The franchise's 4th entry in the Reiwa era is , which debuted in September 2022 following the finale of ''Revice''. The series would end in 2023, with 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 the Fall of 2025.

Production

Main series

The following is a list of the Kamen Rider series and their broadcast years:

Television specials

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 Battle Familia''
* 2022: ''Kamen Rider Geats × Revice: Movie Battle Royale''
* 2023: '' Shin Kamen Rider''

V-Cinema releases

Direct-to-video releases, films focusing on secondary riders and storylines, began appearing during the franchise's Heisei era. Hyper Battle Videos are episodes included with ''Televi-Kun'' magazine.

* 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''
** ''Brave & Snipe'' Chapter
** ''Para-DX with Poppy'' Chapter
** ''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''
** ''Kamen Rider Metsuboujinrai'' Chapter
** ''Kamen Rider Vulcan & Valkyrie'' Chapter
* 2022: ''Kamen Rider Saber: Trio of Deep Sin''
* 2022: ''Kamen Rider OOO 10th: Core Medal of Resurrection''

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

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: ''Kamen Rider Zi-O Spin-off''
** ''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-''
* 2021: ''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 Genms -Smart Brain and the 1000% Crisis-''
* 2022: ''Revice Legacy''
** ''Revice Legacy: Kamen Rider Vail''
** ''Part 2''
** ''Part 3''
* 2022: ''Kamen Rider Black Sun''

Others

* 2016: ''The Legend of Hero Alain''
* 2017: ''Kamen Rider Snipe: Episode ZERO''
* 2018: ''ROGUE''
* 2020: ''Project Thouser''
* 2021: ''Kamen Rider Saber Spin-Off: Sword of Logos Saga''
* 2022: ''DEAR GAGA''
* 2022: '' Fuuto PI''

Adaptations outside Japan

Taiwan

In 1975–1976, Tong Hsing Film Co., Ltd. in Taiwan produced a 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''

United States

In 1995, Saban produced the first American '' Masked Rider'' 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.

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.

Merchandise

, Bandai Namco has sold ''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.

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References

External links

TV Asahi

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Kamen Rider Geats
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Kamen Rider Revice
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Kamen Rider Saber
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Kamen Rider Zero-One
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Kamen Rider Zi-O
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Kamen Rider Build
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Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
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Kamen Rider Ghost
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Kamen Rider Drive
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Kamen Rider Gaim
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Kamen Rider Wizard
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Kamen Rider Fourze
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Kamen Rider OOO
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Kamen Rider W
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Kamen Rider Decade
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Kamen Rider Kiva
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Kamen Rider Den-O
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Kamen Rider Kabuto
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Kamen Rider Hibiki
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Kamen Rider Blade
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Kamen Rider 555
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Kamen Rider Ryuki
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Toei

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Kamen Rider Zi-O
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Kamen Rider Build
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Kamen Rider Amazons Season 2
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Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
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Kamen Rider Amazons
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Kamen Rider Ghost
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Kamen Rider Drive
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Kamen Rider Gaim
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Kamen Rider Wizard
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Kamen Rider Fourze
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Kamen Rider OOO
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Kamen Rider W
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Kamen Rider Decade
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Kamen Rider Kiva
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Kamen Rider The Next
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Kamen Rider Den-O
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Kamen Rider Kabuto
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Kamen Rider Hibiki
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Kamen Rider Blade
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Kamen Rider 555
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Kamen Rider Ryuki
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Kamen Rider Agito
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Bandai

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Kamen Rider Ghost
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Kamen Rider Drive
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Kamen Rider Gaim
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Kamen Rider Wizard
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Kamen Rider Fourze
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Kamen Rider OOO
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Kamen Rider W
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Kamen Rider Decade
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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

{{Shotaro Ishinomori

Bandai brands
Bandai Namco franchises
Manga series
Mass media franchises introduced in 1971
Japanese drama television series
Teen superhero television series
Toei tokusatsu