Masked Rider (TV series)

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Masked Rider
Genre	Action-Adventure
Creator(s)	Haim Saban Shuki Levy
Starring	T.J. Roberts Rheannon J. Slover Ashton McArn Ken Ring Jennifer Tung Paul Pistore Candace Kita David Stenstrom Libby Letlow Don Yanan Michi Yamato Wendee Lee Jason Narvy
Country of origin	USA
No. of episodes	40
Production
Executive producer(s)	Haim Saban Shuki Levy
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	FOX
Original run	September 16, 1995 – November 20, 1996
Links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Masked Rider is an American adaptation of the Japanese television series Kamen Rider BLACK RX, the ninth in a line of series in the popular Kamen Rider franchise. It was produced by Saban and aired on FOX part of the Fox Kids program block from September 16, 1995 to November 20, 1996.

The main title character of Masked Rider was featured on a 3-part Power Rangers episode before his own series started. The Rangers themselves were never mentioned in the Masked Rider television series, however, as Saban reformatted the series to sever links with Power Rangers, because the popularity of that series was declining at the time (although its ratings have since recovered). The Rangers did, however, make a guest appearance in Masked Rider's short-lived comic book adaptation.

[edit] Plot

The series began with the main character, Dex, escaping the Plague Patrol with a small group of Edenoites rebels, before leaving for Earth, the next target of his sinister uncle Count Dregon, who ruled Edenoi with an iron fist after displacing Dex's grandfather, King Lexian, who also gave Dex the Masked Rider powers (where the powers came from is a mystery, although apparently they have been in use for some time by Edenoi's champions). Arriving on Earth in a massive crater, Dex finds himself in the care of the Stewarts, a multiracial group consisting of a white father and daughter (named Hal and Molly respectively), an Asian wife (Barbara), and an African-American son (Albee). The addition of an extra Stewart was not noticed by anyone in Leawood, the town where the series took place in. Dex defends the town as Masked Rider from Count Dregon and his vicious Insectovores.

Edenoi was mentioned in Power Rangers as the planet where Alpha 5 (and presumably the Alpha line of robots) was created, though not one single building or factory to be seen on the planet surface of Edenoi; it is largely assumed that Count Dregon's domination of the planet was absolute and rendered it a dying husk. Indeed, the original storyline saw Dex being dispatched to Earth by his grandfather as Edenoi was prepared to explode, ripping into an aspect of the Superman mythology. The scene in which Dex is given his powers by King Lexian (a scene which differs from the televised version) remains in the title sequence, possibly one of the few remaining aspects of the original pilot.

Dex's Masked Rider armor was also eventually given upgrades to change into "Masked Rider Super Gold," a gold-and-black variation equipped with a powerful laser rifle, and "Masked Rider Super Blue," a blue-and-grey variation with the power of liquified teleportation and an extra-powerful saber.

Edenoites are descended from insects, not apes. Dex is not aware that humans did not evolve from bugs (as he discovered in an episode where he gives a report about how humans evolved from insects). Edenoites also possess telepathic abilities that are focused through a gem in the forehead, which can be hidden telepathically, though in times of stress can become visible. The gem is capable of focusing mental energy, as well as creating mental imagery that can be shared with others. Dex apparently possesses the knowledge needed to detoxify Leawood's rivers using solar-powered lasers.

Dex had a furry friend named Ferbus, a small bear/duck-like creature that followed him to Earth. Ferbus was kept hidden by Molly and Albee because Hal was allergic to fur. Ferbus is eventually revealed to the entire family during the course of the series.

Dex is a loquacious individual. In the first episode, Molly and Albee told him to speak like a regular person, and that he could learn how to do that by watching TV. Sadly, Dex misunderstood and spoke like a television show announcer.

Masked Rider ran for just 40 episodes before it was cancelled.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main

• Dex Stewart: The hero of the story. Dex originates from the fallen planet of Edenoi. On Edenoi, he is its prince and his grandfather is the king. In Edenoi's royal family, the powers of the Masked Rider are passed down from generation to generation. As the current Masked Rider, Dex is sent to Earth to stop his evil uncle, Count Dregon, from enslaving the Earthlings. He is adopted by the Stewarts and tries to interact with American culture. Dex has many capabilities that Earthlings don't have. He can materialize a crystal on his forehead to transmit his thoughts to others, use it to scan and x-ray, and sense nearby danger. Dex has superhuman strength, super-speed, and telekinetic abilities. While trying to blend in, he appears unusual to everyone else. In order to transform into Masked Rider, he yells out the phrase, "Ectophase Activate!"
• 

  

  Ferbus
  Ferbus: Dex's pet and friend. Ferbus is a furry bipedal animal with a beak. He wants nothing more than to be at Dex's side. Ferbus has a big appetite and can get into some trouble at times, but fortunately, Dex manages to bail him out at the right moment. When Ferbus first arrived, Molly and Albee had to hide him due to Hal's allergies; once he revealed himself, Ferbus was accepted as part of the family.
• Hal Stewart: Dex's adoptive Earth father, a full-time handyman and part-time inventor. His personal workspace is filled with assorted junk and recycled parts. Hal often assembles a weird invention in his spare time which sometimes backfires. He has, however, invented very useful items with some help from Dex. One of his more successful creations is the alien detector alarm that goes off when Count Dregon or his agents come within the radius of the house. Hal was at one point allergic to animal fur, though he had seemingly developed a tolerance as he no longer sneezed around Ferbus.
• Barbara Stewart: Dex's adoptive Earth mother. She works as a caterer and part-time as a homemaker. Barbara keeps on eye on the family's well-being and constantly has her husband stick to his diet. In one episode, Count Dregon banished Nefaria and brainwashed Barbara into his new commander but her love for Dex broke the spell.
• Molly Stewart: Dex's adoptive Earth sister. Molly always tries to steer Dex in the right direction and help him adjust to life on Earth. Since his arrival, they develop a strong sibling relationship. Dex, in turn, always supports Molly to the best of his ability. In one episode, Molly tried out for the cheerleading squad and made the cut, though her career as a high school cheerleader is never mentioned afterwards.
• Albee Stewart: Dex's adoptive Earth brother. Albee looks up to Dex with enthusiasm as any little brother would. He tries to help Dex get accustomed to Earth by encouraging him to watch a great deal of television. Of course, Albee's help can sometimes lead to Dex acting strange in public. In one episode, he dreamt that he gained the Masked Rider's powers. In his dream, Count Dregon put Albee through a triple death match against three tough Insectivores, but Albee managed to destroy them all.

[edit] Villains

• Count Dregon: The main antagonist of the series, and Dex's uncle, the son of King Lexian. Because of his place in the royal lineage, Dregon couldn't inherit the Masked Rider powers. He was banished for his evil deeds. Dregon is determined to have the powers even at the cost of destroying his own family and his home world. Dregon took advantage of Edenoi's peaceful way and enslaved everyone in full swoop. He wears a gold mask to hide scars he sustained in a duel with King Lexian, and in the episode "A Friend in Need", it is said that Dregon was an old rival of Lord Zedd from Power Rangers.
• Nefaria: A human-looking female in black-and-red armor (possibly an Edinoite like Dex and Dregon). Nefaria uses the yellow feather on her helmet as a weapon or to write messages. She hardly goes into battle and is often seen on Earth giving commands. Nefaria has sometimes flirted with Dregon, but she's often ignored. Sometimes, Nefaria accompanies any monster in the Supernatural category. Her eyes regularly glow bright red, and she has an extremely sinister laugh.
• Cyclopter: A blue robotic biker in a leather jacket, slack, and one red eye on his face. Cyclopter has faced Masked Rider in battle occasionally. He is armed with a laser gun and a powerful motorcycle named Cannon Wheels. His head can detach from his body to float around on its own. (This implies that Cyclopter is probably a robot or cyborg.) Sometimes, Cyclopter accompanies any monster in the Robot category.
• Double Face: A tall man dressed in a blue-green naval coat and white tights. Double Face's distinct feature is that he has two faces: his primary face is the large red visor on his "helmet", and the tiny face on his forehead. He has gone to battle Dex personally with swords and daggers. Sometimes, he accompanies any monster in the Man-Beast category (Interestingly, in Power Rangers, Double Face is depicted as being clearly the highest ranking of Count Dregon's assistants, but in Masked Rider, he seems to have the same status as Cyclopter and Nefaria).
• Gork: A small, unusual creature that speaks in rhyme. Gork is constantly hopping about and annoying everyone else on the Spider Base. He is most cowardly and quick to ditch a battle before it's even over. Sometimes, he accompanies any monster in the Alien Lifeform category.
• Fact: A small robot that gives out statistical data, calculations, and probabilities concerning a plan before Count Dregon makes any final decision.
• Plague Sentry: The leader of the Plague Patrol that oversees the enslaved Edenoites. He first appeared in the Power Rangers episode "A Friend in Need." His helmet has two long horns, and he rides a horse and is clearly immune to the toxic gas that the Edenoites are forced to excavate. He fits the category of Double Face's unit.
• The Maggots: Tall, humanoid maggots that serve as grunts. They're not so bright, and hardly get the job done. Count Dregon makes reference, in one episode, that the Maggots belong to Nefaria when he commands her to "dispatch her Maggots." They can spew slime and shoot threads from their mouths.
• Commandoids: An alternate set of grunts with hockey mask-like faces. They come in three colors: gray, brown, and black.
• Plague Patrol: See List of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers monsters (Season Three).
• Cogwarts: A trio of toad-like mutants that were sent to assist Plague Sentry and his Plague Patrol in there battle against Masked Rider and the Power Rangers. The three of them were destroyed by Masked Rider in "A Friend in Need Part III".

[edit] Supporting

• King Lexian: Dex's grandfather. King Lexian bestowed the powers of the Masked Rider to Dex when he became far too old to carry on the responsibility. He still communicates with Dex from time to time, giving Dex guidance. King Lexian also built Alpha 5, who had been assisting Zordon years before Dex began his mission on Earth.
• Magno: Masked Rider's talking car. Magno is a red car modeled after an ant-like bug. She is capable of driving at high speeds and digging underground.
• Combat Chopper: Masked Rider's talking chopper. Chopper is a wisecracking motorbike modeled after a grasshopper. He can go at faster speeds than Magno. With the help of Dex, Chopper can also change into two other variations depending of which color Masked Rider uses, Super Gold or Super Blue.
• Patsy Carbunkle: Patsy is a spoiled brat that thinks the world should revolve around her. Patsy always lies to further enhance her reputation as the most popular girl. Patsy is condescending towards the Stewarts and thinks they're all weird, and often rivals with Molly. She does, however, have a soft spot for Dex and occasionally tries to flirt with him.
• Herbie: Patsy's friend and unwitting partner in her schemes, Herbie is a stereotypical geek. Although he is friends with the brattiest girl in Leawood, he is still a nice, but cowardly, guy.
• Principal Henry Chalmers: The principal of Leawood High School. Chalmers is much like Principal Caplan and encourages teamwork and enforces discipline. He has an obsessive suspicion of Dex's unusual behavior. Although he means no harm, Chalmers constantly keeps his eyes on Dex hoping to find answers.
• Moon Dude: The owner of the arcade that Dex, Molly, and Albee frequently hang out at. His arcade has been host to several events and competitions that Dex and his siblings have participated in, such as a dance contest and a video game tournament. In one episode, Moon Dude employed Dex when Dex was looking for a job.
• Masked Rider Warriors: The previous Edenoi champions who used the powers of the Masked Rider, summoned through time to help Dex battle the super-monster Bruticon. Their varied appearances suggest the Masked Rider armor somehow changes with each user.
  • Warrior Leader: Wore a black bodysuit, green armor, silver gloves and boots, and a red scarf. This was Kamen Rider 1.
  • Warrior Commander: Had a green costume, a red helmet with green eyes, and a "V" on his Accelerator. This was Kamen Rider V3.
  • V3: Wore a gray suit with a large "X" on his chest. This was Kamen Rider X.
  • Riderman: Looked more a red/green lizard than grasshopper. This was Kamen Rider Amazon.
  • Masked Rider X: His helmet had large green eyes, and he wore red armor over a black bodysuit, and a big "S" on his chest (which is kinda dumb considering his name). This was Kamen Rider Stronger.
  • Amazon: A green-and-brown Rider with the ability to fly (but was never seen flying onscreen). This was Skyrider.
  • Strongman: Wore a black-and-silver costume, and had special abilities built into his gloves. His arsenal included a dimensional warp which he used to retreat the Warriors from battle. This was Kamen Rider Super-1.
  • Z-Cross: A warrior in red-and-silver armor. This was Kamen Rider ZX (the only Rider whose name was not mixed up in the show, as his name is pronounced as "Z-Cross" in Japan as well).

Two additional Masked Rider Warriors appeared but were not named. One looked like the Warrior Leader, but had red gloves and boots (Kamen Rider 2). The other had an interchangeable arm weapon and wore a blue helmet that exposed half his face (Riderman).

• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers:
  • Tommy Oliver/White Ranger (Jason David Frank)
  • Rocky DeSantos/Red Ranger (Steve Cardenas)
  • Adam Park/Black Ranger (Johnny Yong Bosch)
  • Billy Cranston/Blue Ranger (David Yost)
  • Aisha Campbell/Yellow Ranger (Karan Ashley)
  • Kimberly Hart/Pink Ranger(Amy Jo Johnson) (Kim had a fever in "A Friend in Need" and did not assist the Masked Rider)

[edit] Monsters

Main article: List of Masked Rider monsters

[edit] Cast

• Ted Jan Roberts (credited as T.J. Roberts): Dex Stewart/Masked Rider
  • Tetsuo Kurata: Dex (as "Kohtaroh Minami" in Black RX footage)
• Rheannon J. Slover: Molly Stewart
• Ashton McArn: Albee Stewart
• David Stenstrom: Hal Stewart
• Candace Kita: Barbara Stewart
• Libby Letlow: Patsy Carbunkle
• Don Yanan: Principal Chalmers
• Matthew Bates: Herbie
• Verne Troyer: Ferbus
• Paul Pistore: Ferbus (voice and lead puppeteer)
• Jason Narvy: Combat Chopper (voice)
• Wendee Lee: Magno (voice)
• Ralph Votrian: King Lexian
• Richard Epcar: Masked Rider Z-Cross, Masked Rider V-3 (voice)
• Mike Reynolds: Masked Rider Warrior Commander, Masked Rider Strongman (voice)
• Kim Strauss: Masked Rider Warrior Leader (voice)
• Peter Shinkoda: Ferrian
• Ken Merckx (credited as Ken Ring): Count Dregon
  • Toshimichi Takahashi: Count Dregon (as "General Jark" in Black RX footage)
• Jennifer Tung: Nefaria
  • Junko Takahata: Nefaria (as "Maribaron" in Black RX footage)
• Takayuki Kitamura: Cyclopter (as "Gathezone" in Black RX Footage)
  • Steve Kramer: Cyclopter (voice)
• Julie Maddalena: Fact (voice)
• Minoru Watanabe: Gork (as "Ghedorian" in Black RX footage)
  • Michael McConnohie: Gork (voice)
• Tom Wyner: Plague Sentry (voice)
• Yoshikazu Fujiki: Doubleface (as "Bosgun" in Black RX footage)
  • Michael Sorich: Double Face (voice)

[edit] Criticism

Despite the use of the official English language title of "Kamen Rider" ("Masked Rider") for the series, at the demands of Toei and the series' creator, the late Shotaro Ishinomori, many American fans of Kamen Rider despise this Americanized adaptation and would rather disavow its existence. Masked Rider, like Power Rangers, was not a flawless transition in adapting the footage for Kamen Rider by far, and glaring errors occur time and again. Eventually, the editing team began using such a variety of footage from completely different Kamen Rider series and movies that not even long distance shots could disguise the fact the Masked Rider costume in such footage did not resemble the costume used in the U.S. version on the most frequent basis.

Furthermore, the fact that Kamen Rider, a very dark and serious franchise, was adapted into a goofy, situation comedy TV show greatly angers Kamen Rider fans. Ishinomori himself was so utterly repulsed by the series that he refused to allow any further American adaptations of his work by Saban.

However, this would not be the final form of Kamen Rider to show up in the US, since Media Blasters has announced the license to Kamen Rider the First for release in 2007, making it the second Kamen Rider title to show up in the US in over a decade, the first being JN Productions' release of Kamen Rider V3. However, unlike Saban's Masked Rider these are subtited versions of the Japanese programs with no refilmed or edited footage.

[edit] Trivia

• The series used footage from Kamen Rider BLACK RX, and the two theatrical movies Kamen Rider ZO and Kamen Rider J. The ZO footage was used in the pilot episode "Escape from Edenoi" and the J footage was used in the episode "Saturday Morning Invasion."
• The cut editing in Masked Rider was so bad that the viewer could see the face of Tetsuo Kurata's (the original Japanese actor) character, Minami Kotaro (Kamen Rider BLACK RX's civilian form). The same goes for the editing between the Black RX and the ZO and J footage.
• Count Dregon and Nefaria were the only villains to appear in the US footage; the other main villains appearances come from the BLACK RX footage. It can be easily seen that Dregon and Nefaria are played by one pair of actors when appearing on screen alone or with only each other, and by a different pair of actors when seen together with Double Face, Cyclopter or others. The Maggots were created for the series. Robo Rider and Hydrasect are the only monsters to appear in the US footage.
• Ferbus was primarily an animatronic hand puppet performed by Paul Pistore (who performed the voice) and assisted by puppeteer Michael Brachfeld. The puppet was constructed by the Chiodo Brothers, who are known as the creators of the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space.
• Ferbus (stunt double: used in full body and long shots) was portrayed by Verne Troyer, the actor who would go on to play Mini-Me in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember. Verne was added to the cast when it was found that the mechanical "stunt Ferbus" didn't work properly.
• Ferbus looks strikingly similar to a Furby toy, which didn't come out until later on in the 1990s.
• Wendee Lee and Jason Narvy were well-known for their roles in Power Rangers for the roles of Scorpina (in voice) and Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch. In contrast to Kamen Rider BLACK RX, Ridon (Magno) had a male-voice.
• A Maggot has made a cameo appearance in two Power Rangers series:
  • In Power Rangers: In Space, at the Onyx Tavern in "Flashes of Darkonda."
  • In Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy episode titled "Heir to the Throne."
• In Kamen Rider, it was common near the end of the series for the heroes of previous Kamen Rider series to team up with the current hero against the leader of his enemies. These characters also appeared in an episode near the end of Masked Rider as well. Because this was the first season, they became the Edenoi warriors who had wielded the Masked Rider powers before Dex in the episode "Invasion of Leawood." Their original names are kept, but except for ZX ("Z-Cross"), they are all ascribed to the wrong Kamen Riders (Skyrider is Amazon, Amazon is Riderman, etc.). Some of them were renamed: Stronger became Strongman.
• In Black RX, the protagonist used the Riboken. This weapon was thrust into the monster, slowly sawed in half, causing massive sparks to shoot out as the Riboken sliced through the enemy. This was deemed extremely violent for children's programming and was softened. In Masked Rider, it was renamed the Electro Saber, which finished off monster by merely shooting fireballs at the monster.
• The Masked Rider/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team-up has so far been the closest thing to a Kamen Rider/Super Sentai team up. So far, the only other tokusatsu hero that Kamen Rider (of any incarnation) has teamed up with was Ultraman. As of 2006, the closest Super Sentai/Kamen Rider crossover in Japan is Kamen Rider Kabuto/Tendou and his sister being seen on the Boukenger sets during the "Super Hero Time" segments. Recently, there were segments which featured Satoru/BoukenRed fighting along side Tendou and eating at Bristo La Salle.
• Ken Merckx (Count Dregon), who in this show was credited under the name Ken Ring, made additional appearances on Power Rangers: Time Force (in the human role of Dr. Michael Zaskin) as well as provided the voices of different monsters in different Power Rangers series, including the Org General Nayzor in Power Rangers: Wild Force.
• David Stenstrom (Hal) would be best known the following year for providing the voice of the leader of the Machine Empire, King Mondo, in Power Rangers: Zeo. He also provided the voice of the fallen angel monster Demonite in Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue, among other monsters in future PR series.
• At the time this show was released, the Power Rangers franchise was not crediting any guest stars on their show, nor were they crediting any voice actors for doing "Monster of the Day"-type voices. The second adaptation, VR Troopers, also did not credit its guests and voices. Masked Rider, however, changed that and credited everyone who guest starred on the show during the end credits, voice or otherwise. This trend would continue in the Beetleborgs series the next year, and the PR franchise would finally pick up this habit in 1999. Ironically though, T.J. Roberts was credited for his role as Dex during his only appearances in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers during the credits for "A Friend in Need".
• Masked Rider's Super Blue outfit was only seen once in U.S. footage.
• According to a logo guide, Ferbus' theme was later used on Saban's 1996 logo.

[edit] External links

• Masked Rider at the Internet Movie Database