Riderman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Riderman (ライダーマン Raidāman?) (also known as The Avenging Demon, Kamen Rider Yongo, or Kamen Rider #4) is a fictional character, an anti-heroic protagonist from the tokusatsu television series, Kamen Rider V3.
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[edit] Fictional history
His real name is Yuuki Joji, a former member of the organization known as DESTRON. He served loyally for DESTRON's cause as top scientist until a jealous Marshall Armor framed him for being a traitor of DESTRON to cover up his failures of defeating Kamen Rider V3. As a result, he was sentenced to be tortured to death by being dipped into a pool of acid, which resulted in the loss of his right arm. At first, he only sees Marshall Armor as his enemy and not the DESTRON Organization itself; furthermore, to prove his innocence to DESTRON, he seeks out to defeat Kamen Rider V3. However, he learns the truth about DESTRON and eventually joins Kamen Rider V3's cause. Near the end of the series, he supposedly died in a Pluton Rocket explosion. Kamen Rider V3 cried out that he is Kamen Rider number 4.
In reality, he manages to survive. In the Kamen Rider Spirits manga, it explains how he survived the explosion and landed in Tahiti where he lost his memory, but regained it when fighting a crab kaijin who was reality a resurrected Marshall Armor.
He is among the veteran Kamen Riders who help Kamen Rider Black RX fight the Crisis Empire near the series finale.
[edit] Cassette Arms (or Attachment Arms)
What Riderman lacked in technological strength of V3, as well as the Riders before him, Ichigo and Nigo, he made up for in persistence, smarts, and his wide array of prosthetic weapons to meet his needs.
- Rope Arm: Riderman's Default Arm, which is used in various ways. As means of escape, climbing, and combat. The arm itself has modified attachments for Yuuki to use and adjust to various situations. There's his default Hook Arm, with hook attachment, for climbing and combat. When the mace end is attached, he gets his Swing Arm, which can be extended and used as a flailing weapon. Then, there's the Net Arm, where Yuuki's arm can shoot out a net to capture and restrain enemies (by Kamen Rider Spirits, it appears that this net is fireproof). Finally, there's the Sickle Arm which has been seen in various promotion; and yet, wasn't used in the series. Based on the photos, it's assumed it's simply used for combat.
- Power Arm: Riderman's strongest weapon, which increases Yuuki's attack in battle. It's primary use is to hack away at both obstacles, such as doors, and opponents. This weapon could've been easily used as a finishing attack according to some fans.
- Drill Arm: Another weapon could've been easily used as a finishing move. It was only seen being used as an infiltration tool. It must be plugged in order for it to work best, although it will still work otherwise (by Kamen Rider Spirits, it appears to work just fine without external power).
- Machine Gun Arm: This weapon was only seen in the Kamen Rider Spirits manga. This weapon was used to destroy the crab kaijin in the manga. There are at least two versions of this weapon - the Kamen Rider Spirits version appears to be a regular machine gun.
- Spray Arm: Currently, it is only an unused concept. Its function was described as a weapon which sprays gas or smoke to distract adversaries.
- Octopus Arm: Currently, it is only an unused concept. Its function is described as a climbing tool, each finger on the hand resembling octopus tentacles.
[edit] Trivia
- Currently, is the only "legitimate" rider without a face plate. His helmet is similar to another Ishinomori character, Skullman.
- Riderman is the second Add-On Rider in a Kamen Rider television series, Kamen Rider Nigo was the first.
- Riderman vs. V3 was the first Rider vs. Rider conflict.
- The actor who portrayed Yuuki Joji/Riderman was Yamaguchi Akira, who died at age 39 due to lung cancer in 1986.
- As a tribute to actor Yamaguchi Akira, the story of Riderman in the Kamen Rider Spirits manga was originally devised by Ishinomori Shôtarô and finally saw print thanks to Yamaguchi Keiko, the eldest daughter of Yamaguchi Akira.
- In Kamen Rider Kabuto, the show features a group of soldiers known as the ZECT Troopers, which are armed with a weapon called the Machine Bladegun, which consisted of a machine gun and a retractable bayonet, which was used for close quarter combat. The weapon was strikingly similar to Riderman's Cassette Arm.
- Captain Falcon from the Super Smash Bros game series closely resembles Riderman, wearing the helmet without a mouthpiece that has the V (falcon) adornment on the forehead, as well as the yellow scarf. His move set may also be a salute to Kamen Rider, shouting out "Falcon Punch" and "Falcon Kick", and his Falcon Kick having the ability to launch him in a certain direction.
- In the anime series Digimon, the character Justimon has a mechanical right arm that can change into several different weapons, a homage to Riderman.
[edit] External links
| Kamen Riders: | 1 • 2 • V3 • Riderman • X • Amazon • Stronger • Skyrider • Super-1 • ZX • Black • RX |
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| Others: | Shocker • Shadow Moon |
