Kamen Rider: The Insect-Inspired Superhero Franchise Takes America by Storm

Hold onto your helmets, folks! This Halloween weekend at L.A. Comic Con, I was absolutely blown away by the buzzing excitement surrounding the iconic Japanese superhero franchise Kamen Rider. Picture this: a booth decked out with action figures and dazzling Rider Belts, plus some seriously cool stunt performers strutting their stuff as Kamen Rider MY-TH and Kamen Rider ZEZTZ. Talk about a super hero showdown!

And if that wasn’t exciting enough, there was an electrifying panel that brought directors and writers all the way from Japan to celebrate the franchise’s dazzling 55th anniversary. I squeezed into a packed theater for an English screening of Agito: Psychic War, marking the 25th anniversary of Kamen Rider Agito. The crowd erupted into applause that could probably be heard three states over. You see, people are absolutely smitten with Kamen Rider, and Toei is ready to amp up the fandom with more projects heading to the States.

What on Earth is Kamen Rider?

Now, for those who have been living under a rock or simply don’t know about this insect-themed hero extravaganza, here’s the deal: Kamen Rider features a character transformed into either a cyborg or hybrid by some nefarious organization or invading alien bunch. Our new hero, the “Kamen Rider,” decides to turn their powers towards good, often teaming up with another rider. While there’s plenty of variety among the Riders, three things stay the same: they all sport a cool bug-themed look, they ride a motorcycle that even the coolest kids would envy, and they’re masters of the fearsome “Rider Kick” aimed at evil. You might think it’d achieve the same level of super stardom as the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in America, but alas, that hasn’t happened—until now!

Toei’s New Plans for Kamen Rider

Brace yourselves because Toei is kicking things into high gear! During the Taiwan Creative Content Fest, their President and CEO, Yoshimura Fumio, announced two exciting initiatives: “Kamen Rider Animation” and “Kamen Rider Premium.” The animation label aims to blast Kamen Rider-themed anime around the globe, while the Premium projects promise standalone movies that aren’t tied to the ongoing TV series. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or a newbie, there’s something fresh coming your way!

But hold your horses! While fans are buzzing about these new projects, there’s chatter about Toei’s interest in using generative AI in their film production. Isn’t that just the bee’s knees? Everyone’s wondering: how will AI affect the gritty practical effects we’ve come to love in Kamen Rider productions? After all, this franchise has often warned about the dark side of technology. Toei better tread lightly on that path!

The Future is Bright for Kamen Rider

Despite the ongoing discussions about generative AI, the dawn of Kamen Rider Animation and Kamen Rider Premium could very well introduce a brand-new swarm of fans to the legendary franchise. Anime is a global phenomenon at this point, so expect fans to show up at conventions trading their Spider-Man suits for Kamen Rider gear! This new animation style is perfect for showcasing those high-energy battles that Riders thrive in. Plus, standalone films? What a brilliant way to bring in fresh fans without making it feel like homework.

Let’s be real: past attempts to fly Kamen Rider into American homes weren’t exactly box office gold. Remember Masked Rider? That adaptation of Kamen Rider Black RX flopped right out of the gate, trying to hitch a ride on Power Rangers’ coattails. Things didn’t get much better with Kamen Rider Dragon Knight on the CW, which was more faithful but bombed under terrible marketing. Seriously—did anyone even know it was airing?

But with Kamen Rider Animation and Kamen Rider Premium, plus simultaneous U.S./Japan broadcasts of recent series and even a crossover with Kamen Rider Zero-One/Batman on the horizon, Toei is making it clear: they want Kamen Rider to be a global sensation. And this time, they might just succeed!