Kamen Rider

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Kamen Rider 1 (left) and Kamen Rider 2 (right), the heroes of the original Kamen Rider series

Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー, Kamen Raidā^?), translated as Masked Rider, was a popular and seminal sci-fi story conceived by renowned Japanese comic book creator Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森章太郎 Ishinomori Shōtarō). It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971. A manga adaptation was also featured in Shonen 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.

1 Synopsis
2 Live Action Show
3 Films
4 Manga
5 Main Characters
6 Shocker/Gel-Shocker
- 6.1 Shocker Kaijin
- 6.2 Gel-Shocker Kaijin
7 Episode List
8 Cast
9 Crew
10 Theme Songs
11 Legacy
12 Trivia
13 See also
14 External links

[edit] Synopsis

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.

[edit] Live Action Show

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The live action show premiered on MBS in April 1971. Sometime during the shooting of early episodes, an accident happened and caused a severe injury to Hiroshi Fujioka (藤岡弘 Fujioka Hiroshi), the actor playing Hongo. To keep the series going, a second Kamen Rider was introduced in episode 14 to reprise Hongo's role as Japan's champion. Hayato Ichimonji (一文字隼人 Ichimonji Hayato), better known as Kamen Rider 2 and played by Takeshi Sasaki (佐々木剛 Sasaki Takeshi), did a short sequence of arm-waving motions and uttered "Henshin!" (変身, literally "transform") whenever he wanted to switch from his human guise to the Rider form. This stylish pose, which was not demonstrated by Kamen Rider 1, was immensely popular among the young audience and helped turn the show into an immediate sensation.

Ratings were further boosted when Fujioka returned to the stage in episode 40, now known as Kamen Rider 1 and equipped with another henshin pose. The show spanned 2 years and ended in episode 98 with the Double Riders defeating Shocker and its reincarnation Gel-Shocker.

[edit] Films

1971: Go Go Kamen Rider - movie version of Episode 13
1972: Kamen Rider versus Shocker
1972: Kamen Rider versus Hell Ambassador
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

[edit] Manga

Many mangas based on the original Masked Rider series had 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)

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The original manga in 1971 (1st run) was quite different from the TV series with respect to its response to the Fujioka accident. In the manga, Hongo was outnumbered by 12 Shocker Riders (as opposed to 6 in the television series) and was subsequently killed. Ichimonji Hayato, initially one of the twelve, 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. Nevertheless, Hongo was resurrected near the end of the manga story.

[edit] Main Characters

Riders

Takeshi Hongo (本郷猛 Hongō Takeshi) / Kamen Rider 1 - protagonist in episodes 1-13, 53-98
Hayato Ichimonji (一文字隼人 Ichimonji Hayato) / Kamen Rider 2 - protagonist in episodes 14-52

Allies

Tobei Tachibana (立花藤兵衛 Tachibana Tōbei) - mentor
Kazuya Taki (滝和也 Taki Kazuya) - FBI agent

[edit] Shocker/Gel-Shocker

Shocker (1-79)/Gel-Shocker (80-98)

The Great Leader
Colonel Zol (26-39)/Okami Otoko (39)
Doctor Deathgod (40-52, 61, 63, 68)/Ikadevil (68)
Hell Ambassador (53-79)/Garagaranda (79)
Black Shogun (80-98)/Hiru-Chameleon (97-98)

[edit] Shocker Kaijin

Kumo-Otoko (1, 13, first movie)
Komorii-Otoko (2, 13, first movie)
Sasori-Otoko (3, 13, first movie)
Arizonian (4, 13, first movie)
Kamakiri Took (5, 13, first movie)
Shinigami Chameleon (6-7, 13, first movie)
Hachi-Onna (8, 13)
Cobra-Otoko (9)
Revived Cobra-Otoko (10, 13, first movie)
Gebacondor (11, 13, 27, first movie)
Yamogeras (12-13, first movie)
Tokageron (13)
Sabotenguron (14-15, first movie)
Phirasaurus (16-17)
Hitodanger (18)
Kanibubbler (19, 37, first movie)
Dokuganda (Caterpillar Form) (20, first movie)
Dokuganda (Moth Form) (21)
Amazonia (22, first movie)
Musasabedorl (23, both movies)
Kinokomorgu (24-25, second movie)
Hellthunder (26, first movie)
Mukaderas (27, 37, first movie)
Mogurang (28, 37, 41, first movie)
Kuragedoll (29)
Zanburonzo (30, both movies)
Arigabaril (31)
Dokudhalian (32, both movies)
Arumajirongu (33)
Gamagirah (34, first movie)
Archimedes (35, first movie)
Egyptus (36, first movie)
Torigubti (37)
Stingray King (38, both movies)
Snowman (40, first movie)
Magma Human Ghoster (41, both movies)
Hae-Otoko (42, first movie)
Pranodon (43, both movies)
Gabibinga (44)
Namekujira (45, first movie)
Bearkonger (46)
Totogira (47)
Hiru-Guerilla (48, first movie)
Isoginchak (49, first movie)
Kamestone (50, first movie)
Unicornos (51, first movie)
Gilgaras (52, first movie)
Jagarman (53, 66, second movie)
Umi Hebi Ototoko (54, second movie)
Gokiburi-Ototoko (55, second movie)
Kirira (56, second movie)
Dogumondo (57, second movie)
Frilltokage-Otoko (58, 66, second movie)
Mimizu-Otoko (59, second movie)
Furou Otoko (60)
Namasukiller (61)
Harinesras (62, 66, second movie)
Saiking (63, 66, second movie)
Zemiminga (64, second movie)
Kaburong (65, 68, second movie)
Kamikiri-Kid (66, second movie)
Zanjio (66, both movies)
Girisames (67)
Killer-Coroki (69)
Elekiboddle (70)
Abugomens (71)
Mosquiras (72)
Shioraneking (72-73)
Shirakiras (74)
Bararanga (75)
Sea Dragon (76)
Newt Gesu (77)
Unidogma (78)

[edit] Gel-Shocker Kaijin

Kani-Koumorii (78-79)
Revived Kani-Koumorii (80, 97)
Sasori-Tokages (81)
Gurage-Wolf (82)
Ino-Kabuton (83, 98)
Isogin-Jaguar (84)
Utsubo-Kames (85)
Washi-Kamakiri(86)
Kumo-Lion (87, 98)
Neko-Yamorii (88)
Canary-Cobra (89)
Nesu-Condor 1 (89-90)
Nesu-Condor 2 (90)
Mukades-Tiger (91, 98)
Baitori-Hachis(92-93, 98)
Ei-Dokuga (93-94, 98)
Namecushi-Kinoko (93-94)
Shocker Riders (92-94)
Kara-Ocksu (95, 98)
Saboten-Bat (96, 98)

[edit] Episode List

The Mysterious Spider Man (怪奇蜘蛛男 Kaiki Kumo Otoko)
The Terrifying Bat Man (恐怖蝙蝠男 Kyōfu Kōmori Otoko)
Monster, Scorpion Man (怪人さそり男 Kaijin Sasori Otoko)
Cannibalism, Sarasenian (人喰いサラセニアン Hitokui Sarasenian)
Monster, Mantis Man (怪人かまきり男 Kaijin Kamakiri Otoko)
Grim Reaper, Chameleon (死神カメレオン Shinigami Kamereon)
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)
Strangeness! Bee Woman (怪異! 蜂女 Kaii! Hachi Onna)
The Terrifying Cobra Man (恐怖コブラ男 Kyōfu Kobura Otoko)
The Revived Cobra Man (よみがえるコブラ男 Yomigaeru Kobura Otoko)
Bloodsucking Monster, Gebacondor (吸血怪人ゲバコンドル Kyūketsu Kaijin Gebakondoru)
Murder, Yamogelas (殺人ヤモゲラス Satsujin Yamogerasu)
Lizardron and the Big Monster Army (トカゲロンと怪人大軍団 Tokageron to Kaijin Dai Gundan)
Raid of the Demon Sabotegron (魔人サボテグロンの襲来 Majin Saboteguron no Shūrai)
Counterattack, Sabotegron (逆襲サボテグロン Gyakushū Saboteguron)
Wrestler of the Devil, Pirasaurus (悪魔のレスラーピラザウルス Akuma no Resurā Pirazaurusu)
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)
Fossil Man: Mandanger (化石男ヒトデンジャー Kaseki-Otoko Hitodenjā)
Monster Crabbubbler Appears in Hokkaido (怪人カニバブラー北海道に現る Kaijin Kanibaburā Hokkaidō ni Arawaru)
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)
Dokugander, Confrontation at Osaka Castle (ドクガンダー大阪城の対決! Dokugandā Ōsaka-jō no Taiketsu!)
Suspicious Merman Amazonia (怪魚人アマゾニア Kai Kyojin Amazonia)
Sky-Flying Monster Musasabedol (空飛ぶ怪人ムササビードル Soratobu Kaijin Musasabīdoru)
Deadly Poison Monster Mushroommolg's Sortie! (猛毒怪人キノコモルグの出撃! Mōdoku Kaijin Kinokomorugu no Shutsugeki!)
Defeat Mushroommolg! (キノコモルグを倒せ! Kinokomorugu o Taose!)
There is Terrifying Hell (恐怖のあり地獄 Kyōfu no Ari Jigoku)
Mukadelas Monster Classroom (ムカデラス怪人教室 Mukaderasu Kaijin Shōshitsu)
Underground Monster Molerang (地底怪人モグラング Chitei Kaijin Mogurangu)
Electric Monster Jellyfishdall (電気怪人クラゲダール Denki Kaijin Kuragedāru)
Revived Fossil, Bloodsucking Trilobite (よみがえる化石吸血三葉虫 Yomegaeru Kaseki Kyūketsu San'yōchū)
Deathmatch! Anteater Demon Arigabari (死斗! ありくい魔人アリガバリ Shitō! Arikui Majin Arigabari)
Cannibalism Flower, Dokudalian (人喰い花ドクダリアン Hitokui Hana Dokudarian)
Steel Monster, Armadillong (鋼鉄怪人アルマジロング Kōtetsu Kaijin Arumajirongu)
Japan in Danger! Toadgiller's Invasion (日本危うし! ガマギラーの侵入 Nihon Ayaushi! Gamagirā no Shinnyū)
Murderous Ant Queen, Archimedes (殺人女王蟻アリキメデス Satsujin Joōari Arikimedesu)
Resurrected Mummy Monster, Egyptus (いきかえったミイラ怪人エジプタス Ikikaetta Miira Kaijin Ejiputasu)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The Devil's Messenger, Mysterious Fly Man (悪魔の使者怪奇ハエ男 Akuma no Shisha Kaiki Hae Otoko)
Mysterious Birdman Pranodon's Attack (怪鳥人プラノドンの襲撃 Kai Chōjin Puranodon no Shūgeki)
Graveyard Monster, Moldbinga (墓場の怪人カビビンガ Hakaba no Kaijin Kabibinga)
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)
Showdown!! Snow Mountain Monster Bearconger (対決!! 雪山怪人ベアーコンガー Taiketsu!! Yukiyama Kaijin Beākongā)
The Death-Calling Ice Devil Todogiller (死を呼ぶ氷魔人トドギラー Shi o Yobu Kōri Majin Todogirā)
Bloodsucking Marsh, Leechguerilla (吸血沼のヒルゲリラ Kyūketsu Numa no Hirugerira)
Cannibalism Monster, Sea Anemone (人喰い怪人イソギンチャック Hitokui Kaijin Isoginchakku)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Phantom Village vs. Sea Serpent Man (ユウレイ村の海蛇男 Yūrei Mura no Umihebi Otoko)
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)
Amazon's Poison Butterfly Gireera (アマゾンの毒蝶ギリーラ Amazon no Doku Chō Girīra)
Earth-Spider Man Poisonmondo (土ぐも男ドクモンド Tsuchigumo Otoko Dokumondo)
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!!)
The Bottomless Swamp Monster, Earthworm Man! (底なし沼の怪人ミミズ男! Sokonashi Numa no Kaijin Mimizu Otoko!)
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)
Monster Catfishgiller's Electric Hell (怪人ナマズギラーの電気地獄 Kaijin Namazugirā no Denki Jigoku)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Dr. Grim Reaper, the True Meaning of Terror? (死神博士恐怖の正体? Shinigami Hakase Kyōfu no Shōtai?)
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)
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!!)
Monster Horseflygomes' Rokkoudai Mountain Pursuit (怪人アブゴメス六甲山大ついせき! Kaijin Abugomesu Rokkōdaisan Tsuiseki!)
Vampiric Mosquilas vs. Two Riders (吸血モスキラス対二人ライダー Kyūketsu Mosukirasu Tai Futari Raidā)
Double Riders' Defeat! Shiomaneking (ダブルライダー倒せ! シオマネキング Daburu Raidā Taose! Shiomanekingu)
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)
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)
Three Head of Generator Monster Seadragons!! (三匹の発電怪人シードラゴン!! Sanbiki no Hatsuden Kaijin Shīdoragon!!)
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!!)
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)
Hell Ambassador!! The True Meaning Of Fear? (地獄大使!! 恐怖の正体? Jigoku Taishi!! Kyōfu no Shōtai?)
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!!)
Masked Rider Dies Twice! (仮面ライダーは二度死ぬ! Kamen Raidā wa Nido Shinu!)
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)
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)
Dangerous 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)
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)
Monster Eaglemantis' Human Hunt (怪人ワシカマギリの人間狩り Kaijin Washikamagiri no Ningen Kari)
Gelshocker's Delivery Man Of Death (ゲルショッカー死の配達人 Gerushokkā Shi no Haitatsunin)
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)
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!)
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)
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)
Atrocity! Fake Masked Riders!! (凶悪! にせ仮面ライダー!! Kyōaku! Nise Kamen Raidā!!)
8 Masked Riders (8人の仮面ライダー Hachinin no Kamen Raidā)
The True Identity of the Gelshocker Leader (ゲルショッカー首領の正体 Gerushokkā Shuryō no Shōtai)
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)
Takeshi Hongou, Cactus Monster Exposed!? (本郷猛サボテン怪人にされる!? Hongō Takeshi Saboten Kaijin ni Sareru!?)
Takeshi Hongou, Transformation Impossible (本郷猛変身不可能 Hongō Takeshi Henshin Funō)
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!!)

[edit] Cast

Hiroshi Fujioka - Takeshi Hongou/Masked Rider #1
Takeshi Sasaki - Hayato Ichimonji/Masked Rider #2
Akiji Kobayashi - Toubei Tachibana
Jirou Chiba - Kazuya Taki
Jirou Miyaguchi - Colonel Zol
Hideyo Amamoto - Dr. Grimreaper (as Eisei Amamoto)
Kenji Ushio - Hell Ambassador
Matasaburou Niwa - General Black
Chieko Morigawa - Ruriko Midorikawa (as Chieko Maki)
Youko Shimada - Hiromi Nohara
Linda Yamamoto - Mari
Wakako Oki - Yuri
Katsumi Nakajima - Michi
Emily Takami - Emi
Youko Sugimura - Mika
Machiko Nakajima - Tokko
Yoshiko Nakada - Yokko
Mimi Hagiwara - Choko (as Mimii)
Kousei Miura - Gorou
Satoki Yasaki - Naoki
Michikazu Yamada - Mitsuru
Jou Honda - Fumio
Gorou Naya - Voice of Shocker Leader
Shinji Nakae - Narrator

[edit] 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, Nobu Orita, Hidetoshi Kitamura, Minoru Yamada, Kazukuri Uchida, Katsuhiko Taguchi, Masashi Tsukada, Shotaro Ishinomori, Atsuo Kumanaka
Photographer: Osamigi Yamamoto
Illumination: Kouosamu Oota
Artist: Mokuo Mikami
Editor: Otokyou Teruhiro (with Ayaki Sugeno)
Record: Mari Fujinami
Assistant Director: Masashi Tsukada
Costume Designer: Tokyo Designs
Technician: Kazutoshi Takahashi
Line Chief: Teruo Itou
Production Charge: Okusouhei Matono
Sound Recording: Otokyou Teruhiro (with Katsushi Oota)
Development: Toei Chemistry
Cooperation: Muromachi Racing Group

[edit] Theme Songs

First opening theme: Let's Go! Rider Kick! (レッツゴーライダーキック Rettsu Gō Raidā Kikku) (episodes 1-88)

Performed by Hiroshi Fujioka (episodes 1-13), Masato Shimon (as Koichi Fuji) (episodes 14-88)