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Kamen Rider (franchise)

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Kamen Rider is the overall name of a Japanese series of tokusatsu superhero productions that begins with the 1971 TV series Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー Kamen Raidā?). Owing to its popularity, the original show spawned many sequels and spin-offs that have since become part of its legacy. Described as Japan's answer to Spider-Man and Batman, this series is one of the prominent tokusatsu productions from Japan, alongside Ultraman, Super Sentai, and Metal Heroes.

Contents

[edit] History

Kamen Rider originally began under the title "Masked Hero Project". It was produced by Toru Hirayama (平山 亨 Hirayama Tōru?), the series spent nearly five years on hold while Hirayama worked on other shows and searched for a proper character designer. In 1969, Shotaro Ishinomori, who was a well known face in Tokusatsu at the time, was approached by Hirayama to have his Skullman manga adapted for the Masked Hero Project. Originally the project was rejected due to criticisms that it was too violent for the timeslot it was given. Hirayama and Ishinomori then reworked the series, Hirayama crafted the stories and Ishinomori began working on new character designs. The final Kamen Rider design was chosen when Ishinomori's son picked a grasshopper themed warrior from the many designs he had done. This drawing would go on to become the original Kamen Rider 1, after some modification.

Kamen Rider premiered in April 1971, to lower than expected ratings. The series was in danger of cancellation due to these low ratings. During the filming of episode 10, an event happened that many fans believed literally saved the franchise. Fujioka Hiroshi, the actor of Kamen Rider 1, was thrown of his motorcycle during the filming of a stunt, he crashed into a telephone poll and shattered both his legs. TOEI then went through many methods to have the Hongo character appear less and less until episode 13 when Ichimonji Hayato was introduced. Ichimonji Hayato became Kamen Rider 2 and became the star of the show until the 52nd episode when Fujioka Hiroshi returned to the show. Both Kamen Riders 1 and 2 would go on to appear in every first generation show. The continuous run from April 1971 to January 1976 distinguished itself by featuring the recurrent mentor character Tobei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛 Tachibana Tōbei?).

After a four year hiatus, the series returned to television broadcast in October 1979 for two years. In these new shows, the role of Tachibana was replaced by a similar character called Genjiro Tani (谷 源次郎 Tani Genjirō?). In 1984, the Kamen Rider ZX TV special was the last Kamen Rider show to be produced by Hirayama. This marks the end of what the Japanese consider to be the first generation of Kamen Rider. Toru Hirayama had more influence than anyone else on the show, arguably even Shotaro Ishinomori.

The second Kamen Rider generation began with Kamen Rider Black and lasted through Kamen Rider J. Kamen Rider Black was the first series that neither indicated nor even hinted any relationship with the old canon. It adopted a more mature theme than its predecessors. The show was so well received by the audience that it spawned a "canonical" sequel, Kamen Rider Black RX, the basis of Saban's Americanized Masked Rider. At the end of Kamen Rider Black RX, all previous ten Riders returned to help Black RX defeat the Crisis Empire. This remains the last team-up of the original Riders on television.

The franchise was completely absent from television during the 1990s. It was kept alive mainly in stage shows, musical CDs and the Kamen Rider Spirits manga. In May of 1999, TOEI began working on Kamen Rider Kuuga. Kuuga was part of a Kamen Rider reinvention and rebirth that Ishinomori had begun working on in 1997 that would lead up to the 30th anniversary. Unfortunately, Ishinomori passed away before he could see these shows realized. Magazine ads began running announcing "The rebirth of Japan's greatest legacy." during the summer of 1999. Finally, on January 30th, Kamen Rider Kuuga premiered to high ratings, which would continue on into the anniversary series, Kamen Rider Agito.

The third show in the third generation, Kamen Rider Ryuki, premiered on February 3rd, 2002 to average ratings. These ratings would continue to sit at this level until the middle of the series when they started taking a dip with each new episode. Eventually it got to the point that TOEI was planning on ending the series, and the new generation of Kamen Rider, with EPISODE FINAL, the Kamen Rider Ryuki movie. This movie made an unusually large amount of money and this was more than enough for TOEI to continue the series. The fourth series, Kamen Rider 555, had solid ratings, as did the next show, Kamen Rider Blade.

The sixth Kamen Rider show of the third generation, Kamen Rider Hibiki, premiered on January 30th, 2005. This would become the most controversial series in the history of the franchise, this was also, ironically, what Ishinomori had in mind when he thought of reinventing Kamen Rider. It takes a turn from other Kamen Rider shows and introduces new themes and styles yet unseen in other shows. The show was more character driven than any other Kamen Rider to date. Many fans complain that this is not a "true" Kamen Rider due to cosmetic reasons and also that Blade was originally supposed to be the end of the third generation of Kamen Rider. Kamen Rider Hibiki was originally titled "Ongeki Rider Hibiki" or "Sonic Strike Rider Hibiki" and was supposed to start a new franchise. TOEI has said that they have plans of continuing the Ongeki Rider franchise under its own title and not a part of Kamen Rider. Ironically, while Hibiki is one of the lower rated shows (barely above both Ryuki and Faiz), its movie was the most successful of all Kamen Rider movies at Japanese cinema.

Currently, Kamen Rider Kabuto is airing and celebrates the 35th anniversary of the series having homages to past series and look backs as well. It also officially brought back the use of the attack "Rider Kick", which many see as a trademark of Kamen Riders.

[edit] Series overview

Although each entry in the series is different, each one shares similar traits with one and another. All generally involve at least one young adult male transforming into a Kamen Rider to fight various monsters and organizations linked to that specific Kamen Rider's origin. As the series progresses the Rider often learns more about the monsters in the series, other Kamen Riders or learns secrets about the origin of his powers. Early Kamen Riders are generally based on grasshoppers, but this practice has become less common with the third generation shows. Additionally, motorcycles are an integral part of the series. They are usually referred to as "Rider Machines". The early Kamen Riders wore scarfs as a distinguishing article of clothing, this practice was common until Kamen Rider Black. With the exception of a Hyper Battle DVD special, no third generation Kamen Riders have worn scarfs.

A trait shared among most Kamen Riders is their ability to change forms and become stronger versions of themselves. The first power up appeared in Kamen Rider Stronger which was used by the title character. Kamen Rider Black RX had the first multiple power ups, Roborider and Biorider. Since then, every title Kamen Rider in the third generation has had at least one power up with Kamen Rider Kuuga having the most; 11.

Combat techniques generally remain somewhat consistent between series. "Rider Kick" has become known as a signature attack associated with Kamen Riders. Although no third generation Kamen Rider before Kamen Rider Kabuto named their attack, it has been a staple used in every Kamen Rider series. Lesser known attacks such as "Rider Chop" and "Rider Punch" have been used by early first generation Kamen Riders and some third generation Kamen Riders.

All first and second generation Kamen Riders gained their powers through some form of surgical alteration to their bodies, this has become less common in the third generation. The third generation of Kamen Rider varies greatly in its use of Kamen Riders. Where all first and second generation Kamen Riders fought on the side of justice and peace, there have numerous Kamen Riders in the third generation that have fought for personal reasons such as greed, revenge and personal enjoyment of battle. Also, unlike the early Kamen Rider shows, recent title characters are not always as head fast to join the fight for justice.

[edit] Productions

[edit] TV series

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

[edit] TV Specials

Ishinomori Era
Post Ishinomori

[edit] Theatrical films

First Generation

  • 1971: Go Go Kamen Rider *
  • 1972: Kamen Rider Vs. Shocker
  • 1972: Kamen Rider Vs. Hell Ambassador
  • 1973: Kamen Rider V3 *
  • 1973: Kamen Rider V3 Vs. the Destron Monsters
  • 1974: Kamen Rider X *
  • 1974: Kamen Rider X: The Five Riders Vs. King Dark
  • 1974: Hanuman and the Five Riders (unauthorized Thai production; Based on The Five Riders Vs. King Dark)
  • 1975: Kamen Rider Amazon*
  • 1975: Kamen Rider Stronger *
  • 1980: Kamen Rider: Eight Riders Vs. Galaxy King
  • 1981: Kamen Rider Super-1*

Second Generation

  • 1988: Kamen Rider Black: Hurry to Evil Island
  • 1988: Kamen Rider Black: Fear! Evil Monster Mansion
  • 1989: Kamen Rider: Stay in the World - 3-D theme park special
  • 1993: Kamen Rider ZO (1)
  • 1994: Kamen Rider J (1)
  • 1994: Kamen Rider World - 3-D theme park special

Third Generation

(Note: * denotes movie version(s) of regular TV episodes.)

[edit] Original video releases

Second Generation

Third Generation

[edit] Motifs

Most of the first generation Kamen Riders and all of the second generation Kamen Riders were based on grasshoppers, a symbol that early Kamen Riders have become synonymous with, while the third generation has explored other insects and motifs.

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] TV Asahi

[edit] Toei

[edit] Others

Kamen Rider franchise created by Shotaro Ishinomori
TV series (Ishinomori-era) Kamen Rider | V3 | X | Amazon | Stronger | "New" Kamen Rider | Super-1 | BLACK | BLACK RX
TV series (Post-Ishinomori) Kuuga | Agito | Ryuki | 555 | Blade | Hibiki | Kabuto
Films and specials ZX | Shin Kamen Rider | SD | ZO | J | Kamen Rider World | Kamen Rider the First
ja:仮面ライダーシリーズ

pt:Kamen Rider ru:Наездник В Маске th:มาสก์ไรเดอร์ zh:假面騎士系列一覽

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