RIDAAAAA... HENSHIN!
Happy 55th birthday to one of my favourite superhero franchises & part of my very own big 3 - Kamen Rider
As a kid I used to watch Saban's Masked Rider as a spin off to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers which is quite alright but what I didn't realise is that Saban uses props costumes & original footage from Japan known as Kamen Rider Black RX which is the same thing why I never knew about Power Rangers when I was teen kid at high school
Fast forward to 2013 when I was watching Kamen Rider Super Sentai Super Hero Taisen on YouTube with English subtitles I was like "Holy crap! I remember this one!" & pointer at Kamen Rider Black RX
& all I did was watch a ton of Heisei Kamen Rider entries like Kamen Rider Decade Kamen Rider W Kamen Rider Fourze even Kamen Rider Wizard & Kamen Rider Gaim as well as a lot of movies like Kamen Rider Decade All Riders Vs Dai Shocker
But unfortunately Toei removed every single episode & movie on YouTube due to copyright laws which totally isn't fair
Still looking to watch for various reasons but it doesn't mean I can't stop talking about Kamen Rider
So whether you're into the Showa classics like Kamen Rider V3 Kamen Rider Amazon or Kamen Rider Black the Heisei entries like Kamen Rider Kuuga Kamen Rider Den-O or Kamen Rider Zi-O or the Reiwa entries like Kamen Rider Zero-One Kamen Rider Geats or the latest entry Kamen Rider ZEZTZ none of those entries has ever failed to honour Shotaro Ishinomori's legacy involving a masked hero riding a motorcycle & performing a flying Rider kick
& thank you all for your support 🥹🤗
What's your favourite Kamen Rider entry?
Kamen Rider Volumes I Got (so far) is now live
youtube.com/@shadowsteve91
Kamen Rider has always held a special place in my heart, not just because it’s a long-standing franchise, but because of how it brilliantly intertwines themes of heroism, technology, and tradition. Growing up, I loved the energizing transformation sequences, or “henshin,” and the imaginative designs of each Rider's suit and motorcycle. What’s striking is how each era—Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa—offers something unique while keeping to the core essence created by Shotaro Ishinomori. The Showa period introduced classics like Kamen Rider V3 and Kamen Rider Black, embedding the foundation of what a Kamen Rider represents: a blend of justice and human spirit. The Heisei era further expanded this universe with complex storylines and diverse characters, including Kamen Rider Decade and Kamen Rider Gaim, which caught my attention for their rich narratives and innovative concepts. The most recent Reiwa entries like Kamen Rider Zero-One continue to push the boundaries with futuristic themes and cutting-edge production. However, accessibility remains a challenge, especially with copyright restrictions removing many episodes and movies from platforms like YouTube, which was my primary way of rediscovering Kamen Rider. Despite this, the online community and fan subs keep the spirit alive. Sharing fan theories, favorite episodes, and collectibles on forums enriches the experience. For anyone new to Kamen Rider, I’d suggest starting with series available legally online or official releases by Toei to appreciate the franchise’s legacy and its continuous evolution. Whether you’re into the flying Rider kicks, the inventive henshin gadgets, or the epic battles, Kamen Rider offers something for every superhero fan. Celebrate with me this 55th anniversary by diving into this world where courage and transformation are at the heart of every story.