Kamen Rider

Kamen Rider
Genre	Tokusatsu
Created by	Shotaro Ishinomori
Starring	Hiroshi Fujioka, Takeshi Sasaki, Akiji Kobayashi
Opening theme	"Let's Go! Rider Kick!" by Hiroshi Fujioka (1–13) and Masato Shimon (14-88) (first) "Rider Action" by Masato Shimon (89–98) (second)
Ending theme	"The Song of Masked Rider" by Masato Shimon (1–71) (first) "Rider Action" by Masatro Shimon (72–88) (second) "Lonely Masked Rider" by Masato Shimon (89–98) (third)
Composer(s)	Shunsuke Kikuchi
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	98
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Mainichi Broadcasting System, NET
Original run	April 3, 1971 – February 10, 1973

Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー, Kamen Raidā^?), translated as Masked Rider, is a popular and seminal sci-fi story created by renowned Japanese mangaka Shōtarō Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō^?). It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973, airing on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and NET TV (now TV Asahi). A manga adaptation was also featured in Shōnen Magazine around the same period. The series has spawned many sequels and evolved into a widely popular franchise which is still going strong after 3 decades.

Synopsis

Masked Rider, aka Takeshi Hongo, is an altered human. He was altered by Shocker, planning an evil world conquest at the secret society. Because Masked Rider is a human of freedom, he will fight against Shocker! (仮面ライダー本郷猛は改造人間である。彼を改造したショッカーは世界制覇を企む悪の秘密結社である。仮面ライダーは人間の自由のためにショッカーと戦うのだ！, Kamen Raidā Hongō Takeshi wa Kaizō Ningen de aru. Kare o Kaizō shita Shokkā wa Sekaiseiha o Takaramu Aku no Himitsukessha de aru. Kamen Raidā wa Ningen no Jiyū no Tame ni Shokkā to Tatakau no da!^?) (in episodes 14–52, the name Takeshi Hongo was replaced by Hayato Ichimonji). The story took place in a world plagued by Shocker, a mysterious terrorist organization. To assist its plan in world domination, Shocker recruited its agents through kidnapping, turning them into mutant cyborgs and, ultimately, brainwashing them. However, one of the victims was rescued just before the final step, and his name was Takeshi Hongo (本郷 猛, Hongō Takeshi^?). With his sanity and moral conscience remaining intact, Hongo assumed the identity of the grasshopper-looking altered-human (改造人間, kaizō ningen^?) superhero Kamen Rider and battled Shocker with his newly acquired powers.

Films

• 1971: Go Go Kamen Rider - movie version of Episode 13

The Shocker Organization sends two of its cyborg freaks to destroy an atomic plant, but their plan is foiled by an invisible barrier that surrounds the complex. Because of this, they abduct a top soccer player and convert him into a lizard kaijin capable of kicking a 5 kg bomb to destroy the plant's barrier. Kamen Rider must once again combat the Shocker and prevent them from destroying the atomic plant.

• 1972: Kamen Rider versus Shocker

Professor Daidōji (大道寺博士, Daidōji Hakase^?) has developed a gravity machine called the GX Device. Unfortunately, the Shocker Organization wants it; so they attack the professor and destroy his laboratory, but come home empty-handed. Shocker's agents find out that the plans for the GX Device are with Daidōji's daughter, who is celebrating her birthday. Now the Kamen Riders, along with FBI agent Kazuya Taki, must protect Daidōji's daughter and prevent Shocker from obtaining the plans.

• 1972: Kamen Rider versus Ambassador Hell

Takeshi Hongo and FBI agent Kazuya Taki fake their deaths when they are attacked by Shocker soldiers during a motocross race. They disguise themselves as Shocker soldiers and infiltrate the main headquarters, but it doesn't take too long for Eminent Chief Ambassador Hell to find their whereabouts and trap them. Before he detonates a bomb within the base, Ambassador Jigoku tells Kamen Rider 1 and Taki that the Shocker Organization is preparing a giant laser capable of destroying cities. Our two heroes must escape from the base's self-destruction and stop Shocker from arming their latest weapon. Not only that, they must rescue Tachibana and the racing club, who have been abducted by Shocker's minions.

• 2005: Kamen Rider the First - premiered on November 2005, this movie retells the origin of Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider 2 in a 21st Century setting

Manga

Many manga based on the original Masked Rider series have been published, but only the following few were penned and drawn by Ishinomori himself:

• 1971: Masked Rider
• 1971: Masked Rider - a remake
• 1979: Masked Rider (Storyboard)

The original manga published in 1971 diverged from the plot of the television series in several ways. In the manga, Hongo was outnumbered by twelve Shocker Riders (as opposed to six in the television series) and was subsequently killed. Hayato Ichimonji, one of the twelve Shocker Riders, received a head injury during the fight and regained his conscience as a result. He then turned against Shocker and succeeded Hongo's role as Kamen Rider. However, Hongo was resurrected near the end of the manga story.

Main Characters

Riders

• Takeshi Hongo / Kamen Rider 1 (本郷 猛 / 仮面ライダー１号, Hongō Takeshi / Kamen Ridā Ichigō^?) - protagonist in episodes 1-13, 53-98
• Hayato Ichimonji / Kamen Rider 2 (一文字 隼人 / 仮面ライダー２号, Ichimonji Hayato / Kamen Ridā Nigō^?) - protagonist in episodes 14-52

Allies

• Tōbei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛, Tachibana Tōbei^?) - mentor
• Kazuya Taki (滝 和也, Taki Kazuya^?) - FBI agent

Shocker

Main article: Shocker (Kamen Rider)

Gel-Shocker

Main article: Gel-Shocker

Episode List

1. The Mysterious Spider Man (怪奇蜘蛛男, Kaiki Kumo Otoko^?)
2. The Terrifying Bat Man (恐怖蝙蝠男, Kyōfu Kōmori Otoko^?)
3. Monster, Scorpion Man (怪人さそり男, Kaijin Sasori Otoko^?)
4. Cannibalism, Sarasenian (人喰いサラセニアン, Hitokui Sarasenian^?)
5. Monster, Mantis Man (怪人かまきり男, Kaijin Kamakiri Otoko^?)
6. Grim Reaper, Chameleon (死神カメレオン, Shinigami Kamereon^?)
7. Duel With Grim Reaper Chameleon! World Fair Impression (死神カメレオン決闘! 万博跡, Shinigami Kamereon Kettō! Banpaku Seki^?)
8. Strangeness! Bee Woman (怪異! 蜂女, Kaii! Hachi Onna^?)
9. The Terrifying Cobra Man (恐怖コブラ男, Kyōfu Kobura Otoko^?)
10. The Revived Cobra Man (よみがえるコブラ男, Yomigaeru Kobura Otoko^?)
11. Bloodsucking Monster, Gebacondor (吸血怪人ゲバコンドル, Kyūketsu Kaijin Gebakondoru^?)
12. Murder, Yamogelas (殺人ヤモゲラス, Satsujin Yamogerasu^?)
13. Lizardron and the Big Monster Army (トカゲロンと怪人大軍団, Tokageron to Kaijin Dai Gundan^?)
14. Raid of the Demon Sabotegron (魔人サボテグロンの襲来, Majin Saboteguron no Shūrai^?)
15. Counterattack, Sabotegron (逆襲サボテグロン, Gyakushū Saboteguron^?)
16. Wrestler of the Devil, Pirasaurus (悪魔のレスラーピラザウルス, Akuma no Resurā Pirazaurusu^?)
17. Death Match in the Ring: Defeat! Pirasaurus (リングの死闘倒せ! ピラザウルス, Ringu No Shitō Taose! Pirazaurusu^?)
18. Fossil Man: Mandanger (化石男ヒトデンジャー, Kaseki-Otoko Hitodenjā^?)
19. Monster Crabbubbler Appears in Hokkaido (怪人カニバブラー北海道に現る, Kaijin Kanibaburā Hokkaidō ni Arawaru^?)
20. Fire-Breathing Caterpillar Monster: Dokugander (火を吹く毛虫怪人ドクガンダー, Hi o Fuku Kemushi Kaijin Dokugandā^?)
21. Dokugander, Confrontation at Osaka Castle (ドクガンダー 大阪城の対決!, Dokugandā Ōsaka-jō no Taiketsu!^?)
22. Suspicious Merman Amazonia (怪魚人アマゾニア, Kai Kyojin Amazonia^?)
23. Sky-Flying Monster Musasabedol (空飛ぶ怪人ムササビードル, Soratobu Kaijin Musasabīdoru^?)
24. Deadly Poison Monster Mushroommolg's Sortie! (猛毒怪人キノコモルグの出撃!, Mōdoku Kaijin Kinokomorugu no Shutsugeki!^?)
25. Defeat Mushroommolg! (キノコモルグを倒せ!, Kinokomorugu o Taose!^?)
26. The Terrifying Antlion (恐怖のあり地獄, Kyōfu no Ari Jigoku^?)
27. Mukadelas Monster Classroom (ムカデラス怪人教室, Mukaderasu Kaijin Shōshitsu^?)
28. Underground Monster Molerang (地底怪人モグラング, Chitei Kaijin Mogurangu^?)
29. Electric Monster Jellyfishdall (電気怪人クラゲダール, Denki Kaijin Kuragedāru^?)
30. Revived Fossil, Bloodsucking Trilobite (よみがえる化石吸血三葉虫, Yomegaeru Kaseki Kyūketsu San'yōchū^?)
31. Deathmatch! Anteater Demon Arigabari (死斗! ありくい魔人アリガバリ, Shitō! Arikui Majin Arigabari^?)
32. Cannibalism Flower, Dokudalian (人喰い花ドクダリアン, Hitokui Hana Dokudarian^?)
33. Steel Monster, Armadillong (鋼鉄怪人アルマジロング, Kōtetsu Kaijin Arumajirongu^?)
34. Japan in Danger! Toadgiller's Invasion (日本危うし! ガマギラーの侵入, Nihon Ayaushi! Gamagirā no Shinnyū^?)
35. Murderous Ant Queen, Archimedes (殺人女王蟻アリキメデス, Satsujin Joōari Arikimedesu^?)
36. Resurrected Mummy Monster, Egyptus (いきかえったミイラ怪人エジプタス, Ikikaetta Miira Kaijin Ejiputasu^?)
37. Poisonous Gas Monster Trickabuto's G-Plan (毒ガス怪人トリカブトのG作戦, Dokugasu Kaijin Torikabuto no Jī Sakusen^?)
38. Lightning Monster Rayking's World Darkness Plan (稲妻怪人エイキングの世界暗黒作戦, Inazuma Kaijin Eikingu no Sekai Ankoku Sakusen^?)
39. Monster Wolf Man's Huge Murder Party (怪人狼男の殺人大パーティー, Kaijin Ōkami Otoko no Satsujin Dai Pātī^?)
40. Deathmatch! Monster Snowman vs. Two Riders (死斗! 怪人スノーマン対二人のライダー, Shitō! Kaijin Sunōman Tai Futari no Raidā^?)
41. Magma Monster Ghoster, Decisive Battle at Sakurajima (マグマ怪人ゴースター 桜島大決戦, Maguma Kaijin Gōsutā Sakurajima Dai Kessen^?)
42. The Devil's Messenger, Mysterious Fly Man (悪魔の使者 怪奇ハエ男, Akuma no Shisha Kaiki Hae Otoko^?)
43. Mysterious Birdman Pranodon's Attack (怪鳥人プラノドンの襲撃, Kai Chōjin Puranodon no Shūgeki^?)
44. Graveyard Monster, Moldbinga (墓場の怪人カビビンガ, Hakaba no Kaijin Kabibinga^?)
45. Monster Namewhale's Gas Explosion Plan (怪人ナメクジラのガス爆発作戦, Kaijin Namekujira no Gasu Bakuhatsu Sakusen^?)
46. Showdown!! Snow Mountain Monster Bearconger (対決!! 雪山怪人ベアーコンガー, Taiketsu!! Yukiyama Kaijin Beākongā^?)
47. The Death-Calling Ice Devil Todogiller (死を呼ぶ氷魔人トドギラー, Shi o Yobu Kōri Majin Todogirā^?)
48. Bloodsucking Marsh, Leechguerilla (吸血沼のヒルゲリラ, Kyūketsu Numa no Hirugerira^?)
49. Cannibalism Monster, Sea Anemone (人喰い怪人イソギンチャック, Hitokui Kaijin Isoginchakku^?)
50. Monster Turtlestone's Murderous Aurora Program (怪人カメストーンの殺人オーロラ計画, Kaijin Kamisutōn no Satsujin Ōrora Keikaku^?)
51. Stone Monster Unicornos vs. Double Rider Kick (石怪人ユニコルノス対ダブルライダーキック, Ishi Kaijin Yunikorunosu Tai Daburu Raidā Kikku^?)
52. My Name is Mysterious Birdman Gilgalass (おれの名は 怪鳥人ギルガラスだ!, Ore no Na wa Kai Chōjin Girugarasu^?)
53. Monster Jaguarman's Ready-to-Die Motorbike War (怪人ジャガーマン決死のオートバイ戦, Kaijin Jagāman Kesshi Ōtobai Ikusa^?)
54. Phantom Village vs. Sea Serpent Man (ユウレイ村の海蛇男, Yūrei Mura no Umihebi Otoko^?)
55. Cockroach Man!! The Terrifying Bacterial Ad-Balloon (ゴキブリ男!! 恐怖の細菌アドバルーン, Gokiburi Otoko!! Kyōfu no Saikin Adobarūn^?)
56. Amazon's Poison Butterfly Gireera (アマゾンの毒蝶ギリーラ, Amazon no Doku Chō Girīra^?)
57. Earth-Spider Man Poisonmondo (土ぐも男ドクモンド, Tsuchigumo Otoko Dokumondo^?)
58. Monster Poison Lizard, Duel in Fear Valley!! (怪人毒トカゲ おそれ谷の決闘!!, Kaijin Doku Tokage Osore Tani no Kettō!!^?)
59. The Bottomless Swamp Monster, Earthworm Man! (底なし沼の怪人ミミズ男!, Sokonashi Numa no Kaijin Mimizu Otoko!^?)
60. Mysterious Owl Man's Murderous X-Rays (怪奇フクロウ男の殺人レントゲン, Kaiki Fukurō Otoko no Satsujin Rentogen^?)
61. Monster Catfishgiller's Electric Hell (怪人ナマズギラーの電気地獄, Kaijin Namazugirā no Denki Jigoku^?)
62. Monster Hedgehoras' Murder Skull Plan (怪人ハリネズラス 殺人どくろ作戦, Kaijin Harinezurasu Satsujin Dokuro Sakusen^?)
63. Monster Rhinogang's Autorace of Death (怪人サイギャング 死のオートレース, Kaijin Saigyangu Shi no Ōtorēsu^?)
64. Monster Cicadaminga's Song to Kill Everyone (怪人セミミンガ みな殺しのうた!, Kaijin Semiminga Mina Koroshi no Uta^?)
65. Monster Dr. Insect and the Shocker School (怪人昆虫博士とショッカースクール, Kaijin Konchū-hakase to Shokkā Sukūru^?)
66. Shocker Graveyard, Revived Monsters (ショッカー墓場よみがえる怪人たち, Shokkā Hakaba Yomigaeru Kaijin-tachi^?)
67. The Shocker Leader Appears! Riders in Danger (ショッカー首領出現!! ライダー危うし, Shokkā Shuryō Shutsugen!! Raidā Ayaushi^?)
68. Dr. Grim Reaper, the True Meaning of Terror? (死神博士恐怖の正体?, Shinigami Hakase Kyōfu no Shōtai?^?)
69. Monster Gillercricket's Claws of Impending Death (怪人ギラーコオロギせまる死のツメ, Kaijin Girākōrogi Semaru Shi no Tsume^?)
70. Monster Electric-Guitarbotal's Fireball Attack (怪人エレキボタル火の玉攻撃!!, Kaijin Erekibotaru Hi no Tama Kōgeki!!^?)
71. Monster Horseflygomes' Rokkoudai Mountain Pursuit (怪人アブゴメス六甲山大ついせき!, Kaijin Abugomesu Rokkōdaisan Tsuiseki!^?)
72. Vampiric Mosquilas vs. Two Riders (吸血モスキラス対二人ライダー, Kyūketsu Mosukirasu Tai Futari Raidā^?)
73. Double Riders' Defeat! Shiomaneking (ダブルライダー 倒せ! シオマネキング, Daburu Raidā Taose! Shiomanekingu^?)
74. Good Luck, Bloodsucking Devils of Death!! Rider Boys' Squad (死の吸血魔 がんばれ!! ライダー少年隊, Shi no Kyūketsu Ma Ganbare!! Raidā Shōnen Tai^?)
75. Poison Flower Monster Roseranga - The Secret of the House of Terror (毒花怪人バラランガ 恐怖の家の秘密, Doku Hana Kaijin Bararanga Kyōfu no Uchi no Himitsu^?)
76. Three Head of Generator Monster Seadragons!! (三匹の発電怪人シードラゴン!!, Sanbiki no Hatsuden Kaijin Shīdoragon!!^?)
77. Monster Newtgeth, Duel at the Farm of Hell!! (怪人イモリゲスじごく牧場の決闘!!, Kaijin Imorigesu Jigoku Bokujō no Kettō!!^?)
78. The Dreadful Urchindogma + The Phantom Monster (恐怖のウニドグマ+ゆうれい怪人, Kyōfu no Unidoguma + Yūrei Kaijin^?)
79. Hell Ambassador!! The True Meaning Of Fear? (地獄大使!! 恐怖の正体?, Jigoku Taishi!! Kyōfu no Shōtai?^?)
80. Gelshocker Appears! Masked Rider's Last Day! (ゲルショッカー出現! 仮面ライダー最後の日!!, Gerushokkā Shutsugen! Kamen Raidā Saigo no Hi!!^?)
81. Masked Rider Dies Twice! (仮面ライダーは二度死ぬ!, Kamen Raidā wa Nido Shinu!^?)
82. Monster Jellyfish Wolf, Dreadful Rush Hour (怪人クラゲウルフ 恐怖のラッシュアワー, Kaijin Kurage Urufu Kyōfu no Rasshuawā^?)
83. Monster Inokabuton, Defeat the Rider With Crazy Gas (怪人イノカブトン 発狂ガスでライダーを倒せ, Kaijin Inokabuton Hakkyō Gasu de Raidā o Taose^?)
84. Watch Out, Rider! Isoginjaguar's Hell Trap (危うしライダー! イソギンジャガーの地獄罠, Ayaushi Raidā! Isoginjagā no Jigoku Wana^?)
85. Sludge Monster, Dreadful Murder Smog (ヘドロ怪人恐怖の殺人スモッグ, Hedoro Kaijin Kyōfu no Satsujin Sumoggu^?)
86. Monster Eaglemantis' Human Hunt (怪人ワシカマギリの人間狩り, Kaijin Washikamagiri no Ningen Kari^?)
87. Gelshocker's Delivery Man Of Death (ゲルショッカー 死の配達人, Gerushokkā Shi no Haitatsunin^?)
88. Bizarre! The Picture of the Black Cat That Calls for Blood (怪奇! 血をよぶ黒猫の絵, Kaiki! Chi o Yobu Kuroneko no E^?)
89. Fear's Pet Strategy, Drop Rider into Hell! (恐怖のペット作戦 ライダーを地獄へ落とせ!, Kyōfu no Petto Sakusen Raidā o Jigoku e Otose!^?)
90. Fear's Pet Strategy, Rider SOS (恐怖のペット作戦 ライダーSOS, Kyōfu no Petto Sakusen Raidā Esu Ō Esu^?)
91. Gelshocker, Enroll in Terror School (ゲルショッカー恐怖学校に入学せよ, Gerushokkā Kyōfu Gakkō ni Nyūgaku Seyo^?)
92. Atrocity! Fake Masked Riders!! (凶悪! にせ仮面ライダー!!, Kyōaku! Nise Kamen Raidā!!^?)
93. 8 Masked Riders (8人の仮面ライダー, Hachinin no Kamen Raidā^?)
94. The True Identity of the Gelshocker Leader (ゲルショッカー首領の正体, Gerushokkā Shuryō no Shōtai^?)
95. Monster Garaox's Sky-Flying Car (怪人ガラオックスの空飛ぶ自動車, Kaijin Garaokkusu no Sora Tobu Jidōsha^?)
96. Takeshi Hongo, Cactus Monster Exposed!? (本郷猛 サボテン怪人にされる!?, Hongō Takeshi Saboten Kaijin ni Sareru!?^?)
97. Takeshi Hongo, Transformation Impossible (本郷猛変身不可能, Hongō Takeshi Henshin Funō^?)
98. Gelshocker Annihilated! The End of the Leader!! (ゲルショッカー全滅! 首領の最後!!, Gerushokkā Zenmetsu! Shuryō no Saigo!!^?)

Cast

• Takeshi Hongo / Kamen Rider 1 (本郷 猛 / 仮面ライダー１号, Hongō Takeshi / Kamen Raidā Ichigō^?) - Hiroshi Fujioka (藤岡 弘, Fujioka Hiroshi^?)
• Hayato Ichimonji / Kamen Rider 2 (一文字 隼人 / 仮面ライダー２号, Ichimonji Hayato / Kamen Raidā Nigō^?) - Takeshi Sasaki (佐々木 剛, Sasaki Takeshi^?)
• Tōbei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛, Tachibana Tōbei^?) - Akiji Kobayashi (小林 昭二, Kobayashi Akiji^?)
• Kazuya Taki (滝 和也, Taki Kazuya^?) - Jirō Chiba (千葉 治郎, Chiba Jirō^?)
• Colonel Zol (ゾル大佐, Zoru Taisa^?) - Jirō Miyaguchi (宮口 二郎, Miyaguchi Jirō^?)
• Dr. Grimreaper (死神博士, Shinigami Hakase^?) - Hideyo Amamoto (天本 英世, Amamoto Hideyo^?) (Played as Eisei Amamoto)
• Ambassador Hell (地獄大使, Jigoku Taishi^?) - Kenji Ushio (潮 健児, Ushio Kenji^?)
• General Black (ブラック将軍, Burakku Shōgun^?) - Matasaburō Niwa (丹羽 又三郎, Niwa Matasaburō^?)
• Ruriko Midorikawa (緑川 ルリ子, Midorikawa Ruriko^?) - Chieko Morigawa (森川 千恵子, Morigawa Chieko^?) (Played as Chieko Maki (真樹 千恵子, Maki Chieko^?))
• Hiromi Nohara (野原 ひろみ, Nohara Hiromi^?) - Yōko Shimada (島田 陽子, Shimada Yōko^?)
• Mari (マリ, Mari^?) - Linda Yamamoto (山本 リンダ, Yamamoto Rinda^?)
• Yuri (ユリ, Yuri^?) - Wakako Oki (沖 わか子, Oki Wakako^?)
• Michi (ミチ, Michi^?) - Katsumi Nakajima (中島 かつみ, Nakajima Katsumi^?)
• Emi (エミ, Emi^?) - Emily Takami (高見 エミリー, Takami Emirī^?)
• Mika (ミカ, Mika^?) - Yōko Sugibayashi (杉林 陽子, Sugibayashi Yōko^?)
• Tokko (トッコ, Tokko^?) - Machiko Nakajima (中島 マチ子, Nakajima Machiko^?) (Played as Machiko Nakajima (中島 真智子, Nakajima Machiko^?))
• Yokko (ヨッコ, Yokko^?) - Yoshiko Nakada (中田 喜子, Nakada Yoshiko^?)
• Choko (チョコ, Choko^?) - Mimi Hagiwara (ミミ 萩原, Mimi Hagiwara^?) (Played as Mimy (ミミー, Mimī^?))
• Gorō (五郎, Gorō^?) - Yasuharu Miura (三浦 康晴, Miura Yasuharu^?)
• Naoki (ナオキ, Naoki^?) - Tomonori Yazaki (矢崎 知紀, Yazaki Tomonori^?)
• Mitsuru (ミツル, Mitsuru^?) - Hōichi Yamada (山田 芳一, Yamada Hōichi^?)
• Shirō (史郎, Shirō^?) - Jō Honda (本田 じょう, Honda Jō^?)
• The Great Leader of Shocker / The Great Leader of Gel-Shocker (ショッカー首領 / ゲルショッカー首領, Shokkā Shuryō / Geru Shokkā Shuryō^?, Voice) - Gorō Naya (納谷 悟朗, Naya Gorō^?)
• Narrator (ナレーター, Narētā^?) - Shinji Nakae (中江 真司, Nakae Shinji^?)

Crew

• Creator: Shotaro Ishinomori
• Scriptwriters: Masaru Igami, Moriichi Ichikawa, Masayuki Shimada, Mari Takizawa, Hisashi Yamazaki, Takao Chouseki, Masashi Tsukada, Takeo Oono, Fumio Ishimori, Seirou Suzuki, Takayuki Hasegawa, Kimio Hirayama, Minoru Yamada, Gorou Okeya, Shotaro Ishinomori
• Directors: Hirokazu Takemoto, Itaru Orita, Hidetoshi Kitamura, Minoru Yamada, Kazukuri Uchida, Katsuhiko Taguchi, Masashi Tsukada, Shotaro Ishinomori, Atsuo Kumanaka
• Photographer: Osamigi Yamamoto
• Illumination: Kouosamu Oota
• Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
• Artist: Mokuo Mikami
• Editing: Ayaki Sugeno (Onkyou Teruhiro)
• Recording: Mari Fujinami
• Assistant Director: Masashi Tsukada
• Costume Designer: Tokyo Designs
• Technician: Kazutoshi Takahashi
• Line Chief: Teruo Itou
• Production Charge: Okusouhei Matono
• Sound Recording: Katsushi Ota (Onkyou Teruhiro)
• Development: Toei Chemistry
• Cooperation: Muromachi Racing Group

Theme Songs

Opening Themes

• "Let's Go! Rider Kick! (レッツゴーライダーキック, Rettsu Gō Raidā Kikku^?)" (episodes 1–88)
  • Lyrics: Shōtarō Ishinomori
  • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Performance: Hiroshi Fujioka (episodes 1–13), Masato Shimon (as Kōichi Fuji) (episodes 14–88)
• "Rider Action (ライダーアクション, Raidā Akushon^?)" (episodes 89–98)
  • Lyrics: Shōtarō Ishinomori
  • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Performance: Masato Shimon (as Kōichi Fuji)

Ending Themes

• "The Song of Masked Rider (仮面ライダーの歌, Kamen Raidā no Uta^?)" (episodes 1–71)
  • Lyrics: Saburō Hatte
  • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Performance: Masato Shimon (as Kōichi Fuji)
• "Rider Action (ライダーアクション, Raidā Akushon^?)" (episodes 72–88)
  • Lyrics: Shōtarō Ishinomori
  • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Performance: Masato Shimon (as Kōichi Fuji)
• "Lonely Masked Rider (ロンリー仮面ライダー, Ronrī Kamen Raidā^?)" (episodes 89–98)
  • Lyrics: Mamoru Tanaka
  • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
  • Performance: Masato Shimon (as Kōichi Fuji)

Legacy

The Kamen Rider original series produced a great number of spin-offs which remain in production today. Several Kamen Rider series were aired in Japan after the first Kamen Rider finished. After Kamen Rider Black RX ended production in 1989, the series was put on hold.

There were occasional releases of Riders such as the 1990s "Movie Riders", which were Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue (considered by some fans to not be an actual Kamen Rider for various reasons), Kamen Rider ZO and Kamen Rider J. After original creator Shōtarō Ishinomori's death, the Kamen Rider franchise was restarted in 2000 with Kamen Rider Kuuga. Since then Kamen Rider has become popular again and has a strong fanbase across Asia in countries such as Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. As of 2007, seventeen Kamen Rider series have been made, with the latest series, Kamen Rider Den-O airing since January 28. As of 2005, a remake of the Kamen Rider series was made and reimagined with Kamen Rider the First.

Micellaneous Notes

• Originally, Kamen Rider 1's costume was a teal with a white belt and dark teal helmet with pink "eyes" and teal mouthpiece. After the first few episodes (during the opening), and episode 40 (fully in the show), the suit's color was changed to a dull green and the helmet color was deeply darkened with red "eyes". Kamen Rider 2 had the same color green as Kamen Rider 1, although the helmet had a silver stripe down the center, a silver mouthpiece, single-line stripes down the sides of his body, and a red belt. This was mirrored in the reimagined costumes of these two Riders in the 2005 remake movie Kamen Rider The First.
• After Kamen Rider 1 returned as the star of the show, his outfit was changed to a brighter green with a red belt, double stripes on the sides of his body, silver boots and gloves, and a helmet colored like Kamen Rider 2's; the suit now connected to the helmet no longer showed Takeshi Hongo's hair. When Kamen Rider 2 returned, his costume was the same as Kamen Rider 1's, except with red gloves and boots instead of silver and single-stripes on the side of his body. Strangely, unlike the adaptations done in The First, the 2007 movie Kamen Rider The Next only used the same costumes and "aged" their appearances.
• Skullomania from the Street Fighter EX games series closely resembles the first Kamen Rider. This includes his belt buckle, flowing crimson scarf, gloves, boots and the famous Rider Kick.
• The King of Fighters 2001 marked the debut of "May" Lee Jinju, a student of Kim Kaphwan. She has a second stance called "Hero Mode", in which she turns into a Kamen Rider-type character. One of her Desperation Moves, MAY LEE-THE END, is a parody of a Rider Kick. The name of the attack itself, however, may be inspired by the finishing move of another Shōtarō Ishinomori character, Jinzō Ningen Kikaider, who used the "DENJI END" attack to kill enemies (and actually called the attack "THE-END" in the first episode).
• Actor Hiroshi Fujioka (Takeshi Hongo / Kamen Rider 1) later went on to play Segata Sanshirō, the Judo-Master mascot for a series of Japanese Sega Saturn commercials in 1997 to 1998. The character of Sanshirō has become famous among Sega fans in and out of Japan.
• Actor Matasaburō Niwa (General Black) had also played Gargoyle's first commander Spider in the 1966 series Giant Robo.
• Yoshiki Takaya was influenced by Kamen Rider to create his own successful franchise: Bio-Booster Armor Guyver.
• For the first 10 episodes of Kamen Rider, Hiroshi Fujioka, being a martial artist, choose to perform his own stunts both as Takeshi Hongo and Kamen Rider; this included both fighting and motorcycle stunts. On one occasion however, Fujioka shattered his leg after a motorcycle stunt went wrong. This prompted the creation of Kamen Rider 2 to continue the series. After Fujioka's injury, Toei decided this was too risky for production, and thus Takeshi Sasaki did not perform his own stunts during his role as Kamen Rider 2. Despite protest upon his return from the injury, Fujioka was not allowed to perform as Kamen Rider 1 when Takeshi Hongo was written back into the show.
• The excessive arm waving the Riders did was not merely for show. It was their method to power up before being able to unleash their more powerful moves (explaining why Rider 1, for example, did a pose before performing the Rider Kick).
• One of the reasons the first Kamen Rider series was popular was that the battles the Riders had with Shocker and Gelshocker took them all over the country. They fought in places ranging from gorges to valleys to ski resorts to ancient castles. The production crew would film these scenes on location thus providing the fights with a beautiful backdrop.
• Hiroshi Fujioka walks with a slight but noticeable limp, a reminder of the accident that created Kamen Rider 2.
• In the Playstation 2 game Kamen Rider: Legacy of Justice, through the miracle of time travel Kamen Rider 1 and 2 join forces with some of their successors, including their direct successor Kamen Rider V3 (the Double Riders coming from a time before V3's creation), Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Agito. Amusingly enough, Agito is quite puzzled when one of Shocker's monsters notes that Kamen Riders still exist even in the future, prompting him to ask the monster what a Kamen Rider is. Later, however, he introduces himself to Kamen Rider I as 'Kamen Rider Agito'. By default, both Riders are in their new forms with 1 in silver and 2 in red, although their first default blue and green forms are unlockable as well.
• In the Game Boy Advance game Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, the Kicker Skeleton enemy, a skeleton wearing a scarf which launches itself into the air to flying-kick the player, is based upon the Kamen Riders. [1]
• The Kamen Rider henshin belt, along with V3's, appears in the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable game WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 as a belt accessory in the Create-A-Superstar mode.
• Kamen Rider 2 made his cameo appearance on the August 25, 2006 episode of TV Guide Channel's Sushi TV doing a little fighting against Snowman and gives kids traffic safety.
• Action Kamen from Crayon Shin-Chan has a belt that resembles Kamen Rider's Typhoon belt.
• Capcom's game series Viewtiful Joe was a massive tribute to Kamen Rider and tokusatsu in general. Joe, the main character, uses the phrase "Henshin A Go Go Baby!" when he is transforming into a super hero, even down to using the Rider "Henshin" arm moves. His costume even features a flowing scarf like Kamen Rider, and one of his signature moves is "Red Hot Kick", which is executed just like a Rider Kick.
• In the Playstation 2 game franchise Katamari Damacy the playable character, Kuro, performs Kamen Rider 1's henshin sequence.
• In the Super Robot Taisen series, RaiOh and DaiRaiOh were likely created as tributes to Kamen Rider.
• In the Playstation 2 game Shadow Hearts Covenant, Yuri's second most powerful fusion Amon has an attack which features the Kamen Rider's henshin dance movements before unleashing it.
• In the anime Meitantei Conan or Case Closed, there is a favorite show that Conan's friends like to watch which closely resembles Kamen Rider. It appeared in a few episodes: a special live event or play, in a t.v. show and as a picture in a collectible card item. The character is called "Kamen Yaiba".

See also

• Masked Rider (TV series)

References

External links

• Ishimori@Style - Shotaro Ishinomori with Ishimori Productions Official Website
• The Kamen Riders - Fansite with information and photos from the older Kamen Rider series
• Igadevil's Kamen Rider Page - Fansite with information and photos on Kamen Rider TV series, movies, and much more.
• Kamen Rider Toy Collection and Films (KAMENGAM) - 仮面ライダー - A little place to visit if you are Kamen Rider Collectors or fans. You may compare your collections to find out which you're still missing.
• Kamen Rider series on Region 2 DVD - A complete list of all official releases to date.
• Kamen Rider in Tokupedia