Thread by @Exalted_Speed

So I was asked to have a thread on Kamen Rider, and here it is, the Exalted Speed Guide to Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider is a classic Japanese Franchise that has been around since 1971, spearheaded by Toei and manga creator Shotaro Ishinomori.

The creation of Kamen Rider goes something a little like this, after creating the anti hero manga one shot Skullman Inshinimori was asked to maybe develop it into a show, this didn't exactly happen but that DNA made it into some early concepts and other Rider's over the decades.

After feeling it was too dark, the skull motif was dropped and after trying a couple different motif, Ishinimori's son pointed out a grasshopper to him and the rest shall we say is history, The grasshopper motif was chosen and the show found it's themes, and started production.

Kamen Rider would premier and after some troubled development in production including having TO switch out the lead character because of an accident, it would be a huge hit.

now the point of this thread is two fold purpose, someone wanted a good guide for Kamen Rider and what are the best places to start, and to be fair, MOST any Kamen Rider series just start at Episode 1 and you will be fine. The series are often made for any new kid to watch.

But let's be fair I get it so this SINCE MORE PEOPLE WANTED SOMETHING COMPREHENSIVE, I'm going to talk about each show I watched, I'm going to limit to one to two tweets each show, and will point out which I think are good starting points. Anyway onto THE stupid terms.

Now Kamen Rider was not on the air EVERY year after it premiered taking several breaks(you will notice only 3 riders were created in the 90s) and fans and TOEI themselves split them into eras.
Showa- The Original up to black and the 90's movies
Heisei- Kuuga-Zi-o shows made ....

....after Kiva are often called either...sigh Neo heisei or Heisei phase two because of style changes in the shows and formats.
Reiwa- Zero one the current era

Fans will throw these terms and debate these terms, don't really worry about it too much, just a heads up.

At the end of the day the you might like one show or the other based on the era it's from sharing similar productions. Now the other aspect...Canon.....should you....worry about it?...no, most SHOWS are self contain and while some shows share some continuity, it's not a big deal

There ARE CROSSOVERS but if you know one rider you will be fine if you watch the ones that focus on them. Though...the movies are....sometimes weird....look just focus on the shows for now movies later.

Now what make a Kamen Rider tends to be this, Kamen Riders often but not all the time have themes about sharing a power source or being turned into a type of monster by the bad guy, a vehicle to ride, and themes of Justice and heroism, but this does get messed with.

Now let's start this were going to be looking at the Showa era, now all the showa shows are IN CONTINUITY with each other, and several riders make guest appearances, but each show is stand alone enough, now these ARE OLDER shows and Episodic ones so go in knowing that.

These are also way older shows with outdated special effects, if your inclined to older media one of the showa shows might be a good try, but these are products of their time, and while good, it might not be your thing. Still these form the foundation of the franchise.

and now...some people will debate me on what are GOOD PLACES TO START...and I want to say fine, look we all got into this series differently and if you want to debate it cool, it might help someone help or add something....anyway onto the riders.

Kamen Rider, okay the first series is ALSO THE LONGEST series clocking in at 98 episodes(most riders shows are about 50), the Story is about Takeshi Hongo being turned into a cyborg by SHOCKER, an evil organization who want to take over. Using his new power he fights for justice.

The series had some productions issues, Hongo had to get replaced early on due to his actor getting injured in a stunt accident and was replaced by Rider Number 2 Ichimoji, this series is a good place to start IF YOU JUST WANT TO go full showa and just binge everything.

but it again it's the oldest show, either way it was A HUGE hit at the time, and would go on to other shows and establish the motifs of the franchise. Now after it finished it's run it got a direct sequel.

Kamen Rider V3, a direct sequel this is WHERE I would try out the showa series, it's lead is played by one by the great Hiroshi Miyauchi and it's a fun show that also introduces an important aspect to future Kamen Rider productions, the secondary rider rival.

Riderman the 4th Kamen Rider was introduced LATER in this show and his story is one of the highlights of V3, either way, it would not become a recurring aspect for A LONG TIME, of having another rider, but it started here. What holds the series back is the ending. still V3 is fun

Up next is Kamen Rider X, this series has SOME MAJOR identity issues mostly it seems to finding what it wanted to do, either way it's also 35 episodes, and contains some of the wackier monsters of the franchise in the second half. It's a fun show with the BEST villain name.

The Government of Darkness or God, and it also has....the villain Starfish Hitler. That's kind of the thing it's known for but Jin the main rider is a likable sort, and it does try to be entertaining.

Kamen Rider Amazon is the shortest of the showa series at 24 episodes and is honestly a good one to get into. This series is KNOWN for how gory it was at the time leading to parent complaints and while it was thought to be ended because of that, but that's not true.

It was actually ended because of Kamen Rider moving channels, either way it's fun gore and tarzan like main character keeps it an entertaining ride. It's one of the easier of the showa to get into and just binge.

Next is the last Rider before it's first hiatus, STRONGER, Stronger is over the top and one of my favorite riders. He's bombastic and has one of the more memorable transformations of his era. MAYBE not the best starting point but fun.

It also has what is KIND of the first Female rider, Tackle, she's more of a sidekick and I'm going to focus on that IF SHE IS A RIDER debate, either way she was a fun addition. the series also closes some PREVIOUS plot points of Rider like the the Ending of V3.

After the Hiatus an attempt at a kind of reboot was made, Kamen Rider later known by fans as Kamen Rider Skyrider was meant to a complete clean slate but the show for various reasons, brought back in the old rider anyway for ratings. This kind of sours him to Toei.

One of the thing holding it back to is the fact that this was during an era where Parents were keeping a HEAVY eye at the tv, this also had an effect on other toku show Ultraman 80. Still SKYRIDER is a fav of mine. Just know the show is cheesy at points.

Because it was FELT he couldn't stand on his own, Toei kind of is a bit ashamed of him and you will notice in later material that if a showa rider is CHOSEN to JOB hard it's often Skyrider. Poor dude.....this man has died a lot.

THE ONLY one of the showa shows I've not seen Super 1 seems to have the reception of being okay, but it does have a focus on martial arts and he has a neat gimmick, but I wish I could say more, I know from fans the second half has a different focus.

After that Kamen Rider would go on another Hiatus. The only Kamen Rider production was a movie introducing the 10 rider ZX but he would NOT get a series, still this would not be the end of him completely. But the next show will focus on is....

Kamen Rider Black, Black is one of the most beloved shows in the showa era and is A HUGE international favorite, it's villain Shadow Moon is iconic in the franchise. It's also known for it's dark tone and Being the MOST....okay let's talk about this....

Some toku fans often OVERPLAY how serious each show is. Black is one of them, while it has it dark episodes it's still has a lot of kid focused episodes and goofy moments. The show also lost it's head writer early on and some issues stem from that.

Still Black's style and overall production keep it a fan favorite, it is still one of the best places to start or if you want a good compromise with watching Showa. Just don't go in expecting A GRITTY MURDER rider, it's a superhero show through and through

Next up is ACTUAL direct sequel because it shares the same main character Black RX, Kamen Rider Black RX was meant to be a new Rider but the popularity of Black's actor and the show kept him around, ONE ISSUE with the show is it's a bit more lighthearted then Black.

it was also adapted to another show.....but were going to skip ahead to the next FULL show, after RX finished there was A HIATUS but 3 movies were made, in 2000 after the death of Shotaro Ishinimori it was decided to make a show out of some notes he made...which leads to....

Kamen Rider Kuuga is the first heisei show, a shockingly realistic series, it's not what you would expect from Most toku and even new shows are not really like it. It's considered a classic but isn't what every other show is like, still it is influential.

It's also not a bad place to start, I would recommend it. Godai is one of the best rider protagonists and the question if he will fall to evil is a compelling one. It's ending is considered one of the best, it has aged in some regards but Kuuga is worth a shot.

Next up is Agito, this was made during the 30th anniversary , initially planed on being a Kuuga sequel the early episodes have this, but it get no mention later on. Either way this series IS IMPORTANT FOR making Multiple riders the standard of the franchise.

Agito is also MY FAVORITE series, it's stand alone enough as well. Either way Agito feels like 3 shows in one, each rider forms a part of plots for the episodes and how they collide and investigate the main mystery of the show keeps it compelling.

Kuuga and Agito both introduce what would be the template for Riders in later seasons, Rider who have multiple forms(Black RX had this but Kuuga made it recurring) and multiple riders, Rider was supposed to end with Agito...but for various reasons Ryuki was made.

Ryuki USED to be the most controversial Rider show. For a long time it also had the most riders in the show and movies clocking in at 13 now NOT all of them are leads, some are arc villains, and that's get to the point...Ryuki is weirdly influential.

if your an anime fan you MIGHT have seen it compared to Madoka Magica, and yeah there was AN influence. Ryuki popularized a battle royal format, and seems to have influenced some future shows. The main riders are fighting for a wish, and this battle will test them.

Ryuki also controversial for not feeling like Rider, for one it introduced EVIL Kamen Riders, official ones, while there were evil Kamen Rider likes never actual evil Riders. Still Now it's kind of old hat and more shows take from it then don't.

Ryuki is a good show, and not a bad stater either. It's story about doing the right thing and letting go is a powerful message and it's mystery about the rider war is compelling, good characters also keep me coming back. It is still goofy at points but good stuff.

Now for the first rider show I finished Kamen Rider 555 or Faiz. Faiz is a unique show, this Kamen Rider is a good place if your a jdrama fan, because does a very unique thing it actually makes SOME of the monsters main characters and shows their perspectives.

the shows two MAIN character are Takumi, Faiz himself, and Kiba the Horse orphenoch and their conflicts. The show has a heavy focus on drama and is a favorite of mine even now. This drama and plot last the series, but this series isn't perfect and might annoy some people.

The show relies on people keeping secrets from each other and this will ANNOY some people who just want everyone to talk and there are characters like Kaixa who keep EVERYONE in conflict. Kaixa is great though HE IS A FANTASTIC ASSHOLE.

Still it was a HUGE FAN favorite in Japan, and has won several polls as the favorite one. Faiz might not be your thing but if you want Rider to be a dark drama this is the show to go for.

After that is Blade, Blade is a bit of a meme in Japan old MEME now but if you see weird fanart of it that's why. Blade is kind of a good average show it has A bad beginning though but comes together not to badly around episode 10. Still it has a great ending that fans love.

Next is one of the problem children of the Heisei show now I like it but this one has production issues you should know going in. Hibiki was NOT intended to be a Kamen Rider show but for various reasons ended up that way. It was intended to be it's own show.

Hibiki is a unique show that had a lot of potential if not as a Rider show but it's own thing within Rider, but Hibiki didn't catch on, and SO was RETOOLED with a new writer midway through to make it more traditional.

Hibiki is a good show for the first bit, and I like as it's own thing plus Hibiki himself is one my favorite riders.Just wish they let this BE it's own thing but either way just know if you watch and wondering why it's like that there is a reason. still after that....

it was the 35 anniversary of Rider and so Kabuto was made. A show meant to be a fusion of a Showa style hero in a modern heisei show, Kaburo is a controversial rider do to how overpower people feel he is. Still Kabuto boast SOME OF THE BEST action in the series.

Kabuto's unique clock up gimmick led to some really good scenes, now there are ALSO writing issues, do to some actor issues(ONE GOT SERIOUSLY ILL and the other was a MAJOR IDOL) it led to some hasty rewrites of the show.

either way Kabuto is more fun and my cousin favorite rider do to it's slick production. It's a good starter series in the sense it kind of is a good showing of many themes but you might have issues with the writing. ALSO TENDOU...is cool.

Next up is Den-o, with Den-O it was A MASSIVE HIT and out of the Heisei series has more showings them ANY OTHER ONE. With more movies, specials and guest spots. If your a Den-O fan your basically spoiled for CONTENT. Still let's focus on just the show.

Den-O is a time travel focus rider series focusing on Ryotaro and the imagin, the imagin posses him and together they work as Kamen Rider Den-o to protect people one of the reasons it got popular was the lead actor...he HAD TO DO A LOT.

Because of the gimmick of each FORM having it's own personality, the main ACTOR basically had to give a unique performance for each one and he does IT SO WELL. Plus the voice actors for the Imajin are also fantastic.

Now what MIGHT hold Den-O back is that it's a comedy, it's more down to earth then sentai can be sometimes and there are SERIOUS moments(Kamen Rider Zeronos alone) but it's a good fun show with a lot of heart and good performances. Just don't question the time travel.

Kamen Rider Kiva is a problem show, it's not perfect but it has merit. For one the show is split between the then present and the past focusing on Kiva father meaning the show essentially has TWO LEADS each in their own show.

Now it feels like the show at points WAS forced to be more Den-O like(if you compare the gimmicks of the season and set up, and Kiva being shy himself) but the show wanted to be it's own thing. Otoya seems to get most of development as a character and he is Kiva's father.

Either way the show has it's moments and has SOME of the best music but it might not be the best place to start, and it kind of wastes characters like only one of the monster helpers being given a character. Still when it's good it shines. Just maybe consider it later.

Next up is Heisei anniversary show Decade, now decade has one of the best theme songs, but this one I would SKIP over if you start, and go back to LATER, Decade is an anniversary and at times doesn't do the best job handling past series.

Look they couldn't get all the actors back MOSTLY of various issues some just became too big and others had problems, either way Decade did an AU thing to explain it but it doesn't often give you a good understanding of the shows still Decade himself is entertaining.

after that show we get the first New Heisei show and it did bring major changes, for one now a collectable gimmick would be a feature the in each of the next shows and but a lot of the western base for rider got in with these shows I feel. Let's get started and count them up.

Kamen Rider W is the two in one Kamen Rider two dudes become one rider. This series was a surprise hit and became a major face of the franchise, the show mixes a parody of Noir stories with a unique superehro story about a solving mysteries and fighting monsters.

I would check this out, for one both leads are great and while it has a focus on comedy it does have dark moments. It also has Kamen Rider Skull who is one of the cooler rider designs.

Next up is OOO and honestly I think even now it's one of the best ones to start with. For one I think it has a good balance of comedy and drama, and Eiji is one of the best main character in Rider. I'm going to be honest I was dismissive of him because of the theme and set up.

I thought the setup would be that Eiji is this sweet dumb guy manipulated by everyone and...it's not, while there is power play Eiji is on the ball and his exploration as a character is well done plus the relationship and conflict with Ahkh is fantastic.

Anyway OOO has some awkward episodes do to Anniversary stuff, but the cast all are on the ball and it ends up being one of the better Rider shows overall. ALSO TAJODOR FINAL FORM SUPREMACY BITCHES.....sorry.

FOURZE! Okay Foruze is one of my favorite series, Gentaro is one of the best leads and VERY MEMORABLE. His goal of being friends with everyone and his high school setting make it a fun show first, Gentaro is pretty much the reason you should watch this.

Weirdly enough people I introduce seem to like Fouze though I have meant people who hate it. Fourze is a VERY superhero show, it's very heroic, full of friendship speeches and I would have it no other way.

Kamen Rider Wizard....bland. It used to be one of the whipping boys of the franchise....but one series took it's place. It has some of the best costume and it's never so bad it's unwatchable. Just kind of boring as a show. But it does have good points.

Wizard does have some great effects, great costumes and overall it is flashy as fuck. but you can tell at points Rider needed a shakeup. Wizard I think deserves a try but you might find it not your thing and it tends to rank low. Either way onto....

Kamen Rider Gaim, this is one of the big shows for the fandom and some PEOPLE did get into rider with this. Written by Gen Urabuchi aka Madoka Magica/Fate Zero/DARK GRIM MAN it got a lot of people into writer just to see his writing.

*into the series,
Sorry about that last post's wording. anyway Gaim was inspired by Ryuki and specifically the ending of the Kamen Rider Black manga. The series despite being fruit theme runs very DARK and if you want a serious modern rider this is the best place.

Kamen Rider Drive is underrated in my opinion. Gaim left a heavy shadow, and while I don't think Drive has that great a gimmick the show other strengths like a good cast and likable main Rider who make it a good show especially in later episodes.

Drive also got a shocking amount of extra content too so while it's not going to be everyone thing if you like W this is a good series to try out next. Plus honestly a fun set of riders and the vehicle theme works for me.

Kamen Rider ghost...the current whipping boy. Okay Ghost had a lot of PROBLEMS. See one it's budget had to get used somewhere else for reasons, the head writer left for a long time and you can see the production suffer.

Ghost is not something horrible enough to say make it like the worst ever, but it is the tv show I return to least, but it does have fans, just knowing going in this one doesn't get a favorable reception.

Ex-aid...memes...I joke but the biggest impact was the memes of certain characters, but seriously Ex-Aid is a solid show with solid riders, the designs are weird and based on video games and classic ones at that. It has a divisive reception it seems.

Some people really love Ex-aid and are into video game doctors and other not so much, the weakest part about it is it feels like some of the drama is contrived but the twist in later episodes make it feel earned in some cases. Odd but good to me at least.

Kamen rider Build, shockingly popular it got a lot of follow ups very quickly, Build is one of those series that has a lot of popularity but some people are a bit sour on it do to the fact there are several asspulls later plus the drama escalation.

it's a good one to start with because it does try to mix showa and heisei themes and the reason I come back to it....I like all the main riders. They have unique quirks to them and seeing them team up together at the end was something that I really like. PLUS GREASE!

Next up is Zi-O, Zi-o is a an anniversary season basically Decade 2. Not a good place to start, but it does do a lot better then decade in SOME regards, like having actors shows up the High point being the Agito arc.

but Zi-O still is kind of a mess but if you like any of the series, it does handle some tributes well, like it's extra content to Ryuki is sad and tragic, but it honestly is nice to See Shinji and Ren remember. This is something to come back to when your more familiar.

Now Zero One....I actually need to finish, out and saber is not done yet. But I know Zero one had a bunch of stuff effected by Covid during filming leading to some extra clips shows and a protracted run. It also has some divisive aspects it seems.

and Saber which isn't' done, I often wait for rider shows that don't catch me right away to finish out before, and Saber was that. It was the same when Drive, Wizard, and Ghost came out. But right now till then that's the tv shows.....

but there is more then the tv shows...so this thread is going to get a part two. So Those are the shows and main meat of Kamen Rider but what else is there? Well that that thread is for the Extra stuff, so join me as we go to some special material.