The 1970s Sci-Fi Action Series That Launched The Superhero Craze Is Now Streaming
Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
The popularity of superheroes has increased over the past decades, with different projects that tap into the interest of the ages, from the old Max Fleischer Superman series to Batman '66, X-Men '92and the launch of the MCU. Among the most influential were Kamen Riderwhich spawned decades of spin-offs and movies while inspiring another franchise still celebrated today. It's not a household name outside of Japan, but in its home country, the masked superhero has been a huge success since its debut in 1971.
Kamen Rider
This is a hero Kamen Riderwhich translates to “Masked Rider,” by Takeshi Hongo, a college student who loves science and motorcycles, sometimes in that order, who was tempted by the evil Shocker, an organization trying to conquer Japan, and then, the world. Using the special Henshin Belt, Hongo can transform into a masked warrior, modeled to look like a grasshopper, and use Shocker technology against them. Basically, this meant having martial arts fights with men in costume before finishing them off with a special move, usually a dive kick.
Goofy fun
I'll admit, it's real Kamen Rider should only be watched today by those looking for an old-school superhero show with monsters of the week like Spider-Man (not that one) and Bat-Man (also not that one). The special effects are atrocious, the acting is lovely, however, the series ended up with 37 shows (and counting) over the course of 50 years.
But beyond a huge franchise with many different riders, the series is also responsible for launching the second boom of Tokusatsu shows in Japan, and although most of them don't mean anything to you, this one is included. Super Sentaior as it is known in the West, Power Rangers.
Coming to America
Following the smash success of Mighty Morphin Power RangersHaim Saban brought other similar shows, including The Big Bad Beetleborgs, VR Troopersagain Umaskandi Riderthe last to change the Kamen Rider series, Kamen Rider Black RXsince 1988. The American version of the franchise was not popular Power Rangersothers blame it in part on the series' focus on a single hero and not a team, meaning fewer sales opportunities.
The second American adaptation, Kamen Rider Dragon Knightit arrived in 2008 and was even more successful, even earning an Emmy nomination for the show's stuntwork.
Two passengers approached
Since the beginning of the franchise, Kamen Rider's animation work has been at its best, thanks to the original Hidden Rider, Hiroshi Fujioka. This actor is also a skilled stuntman, who can play a hero and do all his stunt work. Unfortunately, Fujioka broke his legs in a motorcycle stunt that went wrong, forcing the producers to bring in a second Masked Rider, the character of Hayato Ichimonji, played by Takeshi Sasaki, to take 30 episodes.
It was a strange stroke of luck, as the idea of super-powered riders helped grow the world and set the stage for future spin-offs.
Stream Most Franchises For Free
The first one Kamen Rider can be streamed now for free on Tubi if you want to know about the beginning of Japan's superhero boom, but with something modern, Kamen Rider Geatsaired in 2022, it includes all the riders who have passed through one series. While I found the acting incredibly corny, and the special effects delightfully low-budget, there's a charm about the integrity of the original series that's missing from most low-budget sci-fi today.
