Kamen Rider BLACK RX
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Kamen Rider BLACK RX (仮面ライダーBLACK RX Kamen Raidā Burakku Aru Ekkusu?), shortened by some to Kamen Rider RX is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series produced as part of the Kamen Rider franchise. It was a joint collaboration between Ishinomori Productions and Toei, and was broadcast on MBS from October 23, 1988 to September 24, 1989 with a total of 47 episodes. The series was a direct sequel to Kamen Rider BLACK.
The series was adapted by Saban in the United States into a show called simply Masked Rider. The Americanization featured a heavily altered story and all new characters, in an attempt to fit the series in as a spin-off of Power Rangers.
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[edit] Plot
It has been 5 years since Gorgom was defeated. Minami Kotaro had been captured by the Crisis Empire. When Kotaro refused, his Kingstone was destroyed and he was thrown into space where the sun's radiation mutated his Kingstone and he mutated into Kamen Rider Black RX. With his new powers, he battles the Crisis Empire and thwarts their plans to take over Earth.
[edit] Characters
- Minami Kotaro/Kamen Rider BLACK RX: A few years after the events in Kamen Rider BLACK, Kotaro was captured by the Crisis Empire when the Skull Devils were sent to bring him to them. Refusing to side with the Crisis Empire, they shattered his Kingstone into two piece, thus rendering him unable to transform into Kamen Rider BLACK. He was then thrown into outer space, where the sun's radiation mutated his Kingstone and allowing him to turn into a new cyborg, Kamen Rider BLACK RX (Child of the Sun). In battle, he wields the Ribolcane that he uses to impale the monster which ends up slowly sawed in half and then destroyed. Later, he discovers two new cyborg forms, Roborider (Prince of Sadness) and Biorider (Prince of Anger).
[edit] RX's other forms
- RoboRider: He gained this form in Episode 15. RX 's armor becomes bulky and more robotic, with black and yellow coloring and his belt becomes a gearbox. During his duration as the "Prince of Sadness", both his strength and defense are enhanced. He is also unharmed by explosions or projectile weapons. The only downside is that he moves slower than BLACK RX, as well as possessing semi-robotic movement. His weapon is the Vortech Shooter, an energy firing pistol.
- BioRider: He gain this form in Episode 17. BLACK RX's armor becomes much sleeker, blue and silver all over and his belt resembles that of a single Kingstone belt. During his duration as the "Prince of Anger" his speed is enhanced. He can also transform into water for escaping traps or attacking enemies while not getting hurt in the process. His weapon is the unbreakable sword, Bioblade.
[edit] Rider Machines
- Acrobattar: This is the revived version of Black's old motorcycle, Battle Hopper. It is now capable of speaking coherent Japanese, and often has conversations with Kotaro. Whenever Black RX transforms into any of his two other forms, it does the same.
- Roboizer: Acrobattar transforms into Roboizer when RX becomes RoboRider. This form of Acrobattar has two blasters mounted at its rear.
- Mach Jabber: Acrobattar transforms into Mach Jabber when RX becomes BioRider.
- Ridron: A high-speed car created by Kotaro shortly after becoming Black RX. It is highly intelligent, similar to Acrobattar. It has two mandibles that can extend from the front to do break-ins or ramming enemies. Black RX is only rider to have a car.
[edit] Crisis Empire
The Crisis Empire are group of aliens who attempt to invade Earth. They always attempt to justify their invasion and their plans to exterminate the human race. They also claimed that their home planet is being sucked into a black hole. Since they think that humans don't really care about the Earth, the Crisis Empire thinks it's right for them to take over Earth.
[edit] Membership
Among the members of the Crisis Empire are:
- Grand Lord Crisis (42, 46-47): The true leader of the empire. He appears as a giant, ugly alien head in the finale. He may have been the Great Leader responsible for the formation of the previous evil organizations and he claims that it will not be his last appearance. He is voiced by Naya Goro, the same person who voiced the other Great Leader reincarnations. However, in the later Kamen Rider series which were made 2 years after Shotaro Ishinomori death in 1998, Naya Goro's voice was never heard again thus may have ended the Great Leader once and for all.
- General Jaaku (1-47): The military leader of the empire wearing a gold face mask and a black cape. He was initially seen as Black RX's archnemesis by fans until the voice of Grand Lord Crisis was heard. Towards the end of the series, he was transformed by Grand Lord Crisis into a stronger warrior called Jaaku Midora to kill Black RX. He was inevitably killed (and reverted back to normal) by Black RX in mortal combat who used the Riboken on him.
- Colonel Maribaron (1-48): The sorceress of the State, a human-looking officer in black and red armor with feelings for Jaaku. She uses the yellow feather on her helmet as a weapon or to send messages. Her monsters are supernatural-based. In one event, she revived the spirits of 10 used monsters when Kotara was believed to be dead. She was killed by Grand Lord Crisis when she objected on his decision to have Black RX join them.
- Bosgan (1-44): A naval commander, a tall man dressed in a blue-green naval coat and white tights who wields a jagged sword and dagger. He wears a white helmet with a red visor & the tiny face on his forehead. He is in charge of the Man-Beast unit. He died fighting Black RX.
- Gatezone (1-43): A blue robotic biker in a leather jacket, slack, and one red eye on his face. In charge of Robot unit, he took to fight Black RX occasionally. He is armed with a blaster and a powerful motorcycle.
- Gedorian (1-42): A small, unusual creature in charge of Alien Lifeform unit. He is constantly hopping about and annoying everyone else. He is the most cowardly and is quick to ditch a battle before its even over. He is in charge of the alien lifeform division. But he soon gave his life to ensure the others avoid Crisis' wrath when he transferred his life energy into Gedoll Ridoll before he died at Black RX's hands.
- Dasmader (28-47): An inspector sent by Grand Lord Crisis at the middle of the series. The other Crisis members hate the way he does his job. In the last episode, it was revealed that he is actually Grand Lord Crisis' host body.
- 'Service Droid Chakrum: A small robot that announces Jaaku's arrival before his subordinates and transmits messages from Grand Lord Crisis himself.
- Chaps: Crisis cannon fodder with hockey mask-like faces. They come in three colors: gray, brown and black.
[edit] Kaiman Senshi
The monsters used by the Crisis Empire are referred to Kaiman Senshi which translates to "Demon Warriors." Each one belongs to the known Crisis Empire Units: The Robot unit, the Man-Beast unit, and the Alien Lifeform unit. There are some Kaiman Senshi that aren't even in that category. Here are those monsters:
- Skull Devil (1-2, 9, 19, 45, Movie): A Grim-Reaper style monster with 2 long horns coming out from its hood. Skull Devil #1 can use his scythe to blast a electrical forcefield to bind anyone. He was assisted by two hornless versions of himself. They defeated Kotaro before he can henshin. Skull Devil #1 was killed by RX. Skull Devil #1 spirit is revived by Maribaron.
- Kublican (2): A robot sent after Black RX. When Black RX severed the robot's head, Kubilan grows a new head: a four-way cannon. He was destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Giscon: The Knight of Wind (3, Movie): A horseman whose helmet has two long horns. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Gun Gadin (4): A large robot with tank treads instead of feet. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Moth (5): A moth monster who could turn humans into insects. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Burrowing Ten (6, 45): Toad-like mutants. Destroyed by RX's Riboken. Their spirits are later revived by Maribaron.
- Bujin (7): A man dressed a green and yellow helmet, silver armor, and a black cape. He weilds a sword and his ability was to harness the sun's rays and use them a weapon. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Might (8): A lobster-like monster with a strong clawed arm. He is commanded by Bosgan. Killed by RX's Riboken.
- AcchiPecchi (9): A monster composed of jaw-like pinchers. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Dogmarogum (10): A grayish-white blob-like monster with tentacles for arms. It can emit steam from it's mouth and bite with it's mouth. It can also teleport. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Scrap Demon (11): Gatezone used several parts of his fallen robots to create a metallic mummy. His head had a built in cooling system that kept him monster from overheating. In addition, he also had the power to control any electrical appliance. Using two cars, he seemingly killed Black RX. But Black RX returned and managed to damage its head so that he would overheat beyond the coolant's capacity, thus killing him.
- Zuno Warrior (12, 45): An alien monster. Killed by RX. His spirit was revived by Maribaron. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Flamey Grammy (13): A jellyfish-like monster with lots of tentacles. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Death Gron (14-15, Movie): A humanoid robot who resembles a silver insect. He was killed by RoboRider.
- Triplon (15-17, Movie): A red robotic monster that originally appeared as its three components: Triplon Units 1-3. Together, they cane become United Triplon. He was killed by BioRider.
- Neck Sticker (16): A blue robotic insect monster. He was killed by RoboRider.
- Flying Squirrel Beast (18, Movie): A flying squirrel-resembling bat monster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Black Zel (19): An insectoid-like robotic monster that can manipulate heat. He is killed by RoboRider.
- Bya Fiend (20): A green and white-furred shaman with bat wings for ears. It is armed with a staff and is armed with bananas. He is killed by BioRider.
- Shadow Beast (21): A blue monster who can shapeshift and transform into a shadow. He is killed by BioRider.
- Ant Runt (22, 45): A black ant monster loyal to Gedorian. Killed by RX. His spirit was revived by Maribaron. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Brass (23): A monster with long horns. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Rik Back (24): A mutant monster that resembles a lobster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Mantis Gill (25, 45): A lizard/mantis hybrid with black hair. Commanded by and battled alongside Bosgan. Destroyed by RX's Riboken. His spirit was revived by Maribaron.
- Harmful Gingamu (26): A turtle monster. He is commanded by Bosgan and battled with him. Harmful Gingamu was beheaded before being destroyed by the Riboken.
- Mat Bot (27): A monster that resembles an anteater and can dig furiously underground. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Chimera Gomera (28): An scaley ostrich-like creature that had small dragon-like heads for hands and an extra mouth on its belly. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Munde-gande (29): A purplish flea-like alien with a red exoskeleton, he and Gedorian were attacking a reservoir/electric power plant until Black RX came to fight it. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Meta Snake (30): A fire-elemental reptile monster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken. His spirit was revived by Maribaron.
- Eregitron (31, 45): A black and white robot with the ability to harness electricity. He had two long bowed horns on his head and a sword, all of which served as lightening rods. He and Gatezone fought against Black RX where he died in battle upon being impaled by RX's Riboken. Eregitron's spirit was later revived by Maribaron.
- Ganma: Rock Devil (32): A monster completely made up of large rocks that wore an orange loin cloth. With his ability to manipulate soil, he overpowered Black RX at first until Black RX managed to find a way to defeat him...by attacking the heart-shape on his chest with his Riboken.
- Gazora-gezora (33): A brown monster that resembles an octopus/lobster/squid. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Shurai Being (34): A red Asura-like monster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Will Fiend (35): A bluish imp monster armed with a pitchfork. Crisis Empire planted him inside Kotaro to kill him. Kotaro became RoboRider to bring him out. Once Will Fiend was out, he was destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Balun Bolun (36): A one-eyed alien monster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Nimp (37, 45): A primate monster that leads the Devil Beastman Ninja Corps. He was destroyed by RX's Riboken. His spirit was revived by Maribaron. It also impursonated Kamen Rider 1 at that time.
- Sky (38): A baboon/mosquito monster. He was destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Springler (39): A robotic automobile-resembling monster. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Harmful Jaguarma (40): A tiger monster armed with small black boomerangs. Killed by BioRider.
- 100 Eyed Hag (41): A multi-eyed hag creature who could imprison anyone within her main eye. She was destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Gedoll Ridoll (42): A louse monster created from Bosgan that asborbs energy from machines or living things with his mouth-like hands. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Hell Gademu (43): He is commanded by Gatezone and battled alongside him. Destroyed by RX's Riboken.
- Gran Zairus (44-45): A bird-like monster under Bosgan's services. While the 10 veteran Kamen Rider team fought Gran Zairus, Black RX went one-on-one with Bosgan and killed him. Turning his attention to Gran Zairus, Black RX became BioRider and destroyed the monster from the inside out. For a time, the 10 veteran Kamen Riders thought that Black RX had been killed, but BioRider resurfaced and explained that he bailed out in time.
- Spirit World Demons (45): When Kamen Rider BLACK RX was believed to be dead, Maribaron revived the spirits of Skull Devil #1, Meta Snake, Zuno Warrior, Harmful Nimp, Harmful Mantis Gill, Burrowing Ten, Erigitron and Ant Runt to kill the other 10 Kamen Riders. Because they're dead spirits, they are all a grayish-white in color. All of them were destroyed by BioRider.
[edit] Others
- Shadow Moon/Nobuhiko Akizuki (22,27): Kotaro's step-brother and archenemy from Kamen Rider Black. He mysteriously came back to seek revenge against Minami Kotaro. He now uses twin Shadow Sabers similar to the Satan Saber. He was finally defeated by Black RX when Black RX thrust his light saber through his Kingstone. He turned good shortly before he died and finally turn back to Nobuhiko. However, Shadow Moon would return once again as a villain in the somewhat non-canon 8-minute movie Kamen Rider World for some reason. This time, he was giant and he was defeated by a giant Kamen Rider J.
- Reiko Shiratori: Photographer. Kotaro's girlfriend.
- Joe the Haze(霞のジョー Kasumi no Jō): A cyborg initially under the control of the Crisis Empire who became friends of Kotaro. He was the first to know that Kotaro is Black RX.
- Kyoko Matoba: An ESP girl who is skilled with a bow and can manipulate ground water.
- Ten veteran Kamen Riders (44-47): Kamen Rider 1 to Kamen Rider ZX. They help Black RX in defeating the Crisis Empire.
[edit] Theme Songs
- Opening - "Kamen Rider Black RX" (Lyricist = Kan Chinfa; Composer / Arranger = Eiji Kawamura; Singer = Takayuki Miyauchi)
- Ending - "Dare ka ga Kimi o Ai shite'ru" (Lyricist = Kan Chinfa; Composer = Tetsuji Hayashi; Arranger = Eii Kawamura; Singer = Takayuki Miyauchi)
[edit] List of episodes
- He's the Child of the Sun! RX (太陽の子だ! RX Taiyō no Ko da! Aru Ekkusu)
- Basking in the Light! RX (光を浴びて! RX Hikari o Abite! Aru Ekkusu)
- RX, Knight of the Typhoon (RX対風の騎士 Aru Ekkusu Taifū no Kishi)
- Car of Light, Ridoron (光の車ライドロン Hikari no Kuruma Raidoron)
- Pitfall of Cave Exploration (洞窟探検の落し穴 Dōkutsu Tanken no Otoshiana)
- Mysterious Demon ET Riot! (怪魔ET大暴れ! Kaima Ī Tī Abare!)
- SOS! Ring of Friendship (SOS! 友情の輪 Esu Ō Esu! Yūjō no Wa)
- Papa and Mama's Secret (パパとママの秘密 Papa to Mama no Himitsu)
- Maribaron's Sorcery (マリバロンの妖術 Maribaron no Yōjutsu)
- Shocked by a Faker (ニセ者でドッキリ Nisesha de Dokkiri)
- Rebellion of Scraps (スクラップの反乱 Sukurappu no Hanran)
- The Assassin Inside Dreams (夢の中の暗殺者 Yume no Naka no Ansatsusha)
- The Targeted Mysterious Demon Girl (狙われた怪魔少女 Nerawareta Kaima Shōjo)
- Hitomi-chan Abducted (ひとみちゃん誘拐 Hitomi-chan Yūkai)
- Roborider is Born (ロボライダー誕生 Roboraidā Tanjō)
- The Princess of the Valley of Miracles (奇跡の谷の姫君 Kiseki no Tani no Himegimi)
- Biorider! (バイオライダー! Baioraidā!)
- Mystery! Sky Swimming of Dreams (怪! 夢の空中遊泳 Kai! Yume no Kūchū Yūei)
- The Dreadful Artificial Sun (恐怖の人工太陽! Kyōfu no Jinkō Taiyō)
- The Demon Who Eats Bananas (バナナを喰う鬼 Banana o Kū Oni)
- The Front of Love and Friendship (愛と友情の戦線 Ai to Yūjō no Sensen)
- Shadow Moon! (シャドームーン! Shadō Mūn!)
- RX Who Became a Pig (ブタになったRX Buta ni Natta Aru Ekkusu)
- Papa is Dracula (パパはドラキュラ Papa wa Dorakyura)
- The Bride of Scorpio (さそり座の花嫁 Sasoriza no Hanayome)
- Bossgan's Counterattack (ボスガンの反撃 Bosugan no Hangeki)
- Big Counterattack! The Prince of Shadows (大逆襲! 影の王子 Dai Gyakushū! Kage no Ōji)
- His Majesty the Emperor's Proxy (皇帝陛下の代理人 Kōtei Heika no Dairinin)
- A World Without Water (水のない世界 Mizu no Nai Sekai)
- Tokyo Desert Without Tomorrow (明日なき東京砂漠 Ashita-naki Tōkyō Sabaku)
- The Woman Who Saw the Mysterious Demon World (怪魔界を見た女 Kaima Kai o Mita Onna)
- Heavens of Love and Hope (愛と希望の大空 Ai to Kibō no Ōzora)
- The Great Decisive Battle of Setoo Bridge (瀬戸大橋の大決戦 Setoōhashi no Dai Kessen)
- The Shikoku Aircraft Carrierization Project!! (四国空母化計画!! Shikoku Kūboka Keikaku!!)
- The Koutarou Investigation Mystery!! (光太郎指名手配!! Kōtarō Shimeitehai Kai!!)
- Who is the Hero!? (ヒーローは誰だ!? Hīrō wa Dare da!?)
- The Fang-Facing Beastman Ninja Squad (牙むく獣人忍者隊 Kiba Muku Jūjin Ninja Tai)
- Skeleton Field's Suspicious Dance Team (白骨ケ原の妖舞団 Hakkotsuke Hara no Aya Mai Dan)
- Roar! Mini 4WD (爆走! ミニ4WD Bakusō! Mini Yon Daburu Dī)
- The Trap of the Yu-rei Multi-Unit Apartments (ユーレイ団地の罠 Yūrei Danchi no Wana)
- Fear of the Deathblow Hag (百目婆ァの恐怖 Todome Babaa no Kyōfu)
- The Four Commanding Officers are All Banished (四隊長は全員追放 Yon Taichō wa Zen'in Tsuihō)
- Defeated! RX (敗れたり! RX Yaburetari! Aru Ekkusu)
- Fight! All Riders (戦え! 全ライダー Tatakae! Zen Raidā)
- The End of the Fake Riders (偽ライダーの末路 Nise Raidā no Batsuro)
- The Riders' Total Assault (ライダーの総突撃 Raidā no Sō Totsugeki)
- A Shining Tomorrow (輝ける明日 Kagayake 'ru Ashita)
[edit] Specials
- Kamen Rider BLACK RX: Running Around the World - Minami Kotaro has been thrusted through an alternate universe/dimension somewhere. It is also where he reverts to BLACK. Fortunately, BLACK RX shows up to save him. With the help of RoboRider and BioRider, they fight a bunch of revived Crisis Empire monsters.
[edit] Casts
- Koutarou Minami/Kamen Rider Black RX - Tetsuo Kurata
- Reiko Shiratori - Jun Kouyamaki
- Joe of Haze - Rikiya Koyama
- Kyouko Matoba - Megumi Ueno
- Shunkichi Sawara - Makoto Akatsuka
- Utako Sawara - Eri Tsuruma
- Shigeru Sawara - Gou Inoue
- Hitomi Sawara - Shouko Imura
- Emperor Crisis - Gorou Naya(Voice)
- Major Jaaku - Toshimichi Takahashi(Suits actor)/Seizo Kato(Episodes 1 - 44). Hidekatsu Shibata(Episodes 45 - 47)
- Colonel Maribaron - Atsuko Takahata
- Bosgan - Yoshikatsu Fujiki(Suits actor)/Shouzou Iizuka(Voice)
- Gatezone - Takayuki Kitamura(Suits actor)/Toshimichi Takahashi(Voice)
- Gedorian - Minoru Watanabe(Suits actor)/Kazunori Arai(Voice)
- Dasmader - Tetsuya Matsui
- Narrator - Issei Masamune
[edit] Trivia
- The "RX" in Black RX's name represents "RX sunlight", a part of energy in photosynthesis, which his belt is now powered by.
- Kamen Rider Black RX was the first Kamen Rider to have multiple forms: Roborider and Biorider. The concept of "multiple form changing" riders would be repeated with Kamen Rider Kuuga (2000), who has many different armor types, Kamen Rider Agito (2001), and Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006). Kamen Rider Blade's Jack Form, Kamen Rider Hibiki Kurenai, and Kamen Rider Faiz Accel Form are seen as initial upgrades rather than form changing. Form changing is best describe as alternating back and forth between forms to adjust to different situations.
- Since RoboRider is called the Prince of Sadness and BioRider the Prince of Anger, Kamen Rider Black RX is sometimes called the "Prince of Joy" by fans.
- Some fans count Shadow Moon as a Kamen Rider despite his antagonistic ways. Some even consider Shadow Moon as RX's rival.
- Kamen Rider Black RX is the only Kamen Rider to have a car (Ridron), a theme that has not been repeated since.
- The appearance of the previous 10 Kamen Riders in the end of the series was their last.
- Rather than Rider Kicks, Kamen Rider Black RX and his different forms had different finishing moves. Black RX had a light saber weapon called "Revolcane" which would saw through enemies. RoboRider had an energy-pistol that fired high-velocity lasers. BioRider had an unbreakable guardless blade. Although Black RX and each of his forms were able to execute Rider kicks, they were not finishing moves.
- The series was adapted by Saban in the United States for the unsuccessful Masked Rider show. Despite the use of the official English-translated name ("Masked Rider") in the title (at the demands of Toei and creator Shotaro Ishinomori), many fans of Kamen Rider were not pleased with the poor execution of the series (story changes, poor casting, etc.).
- In Saban's Masked Rider in the United States, RoboRider's name was changed into Masked Rider Super Gold and BioRider into Masked Rider Super Blue. Shadow Moon's name was changed into RoboRider. Acrobattler became Combat Chopper and Ridron became Magno, which was given a female voice instead of male. Both Chopper and Magno transform from cyber-insects: a mantis and a beetle respectively.
- The Acrobattler/Roboizer/Mach Jabber were created by Suzuki, a motorcycle/automobile company in Japan.
- The Ridron, Kamen Rider Black RX's car was created by Mazda, an automobile company in Japan.
- In the Brazillian dub of the show, Kotaro is named Isamu Minami.
[edit] References
- Ishimori@Style - Shotaro Ishinomori with Ishimori Productions Official Website
- The Real Kamen Riders - Fansite with information and photos from the older Kamen Rider series
- Tokufriends Portuguese website
| Kamen Rider franchise created by Shotaro Ishinomori and Toru Hirayama | |
| TV series First Generation | Kamen Rider • V3 • X • Amazon • Stronger • "New" Kamen Rider • Super-1 |
| TV series Second Generation | BLACK • BLACK RX |
| TV series Third Generation | Kuuga • Agito • Ryuki • 555 • Blade • Hibiki • Kabuto • Den'ou |
| Specials | Kamen Rider ZX • Kamen Rider Shin • Kamen Rider SD • Kamen Rider World |
| Original Films | Kamen Rider ZO • Kamen Rider J • Kamen Rider the First |
