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So, myself and Alias have been getting into a series called Kamen Rider recently. I'd have to take Alias's definition to explain what it's all about: CSI meets a show where the good guys all turn into Insect-cyborgs and fight monsters. Think Power Rangers but made for an older audience and actually taking itself seriously. And it's awesome. Presenting, the musical attack:



Originally Kamen Rider was from the 70s, but from 85-2000 it took a hiatus somewhat. Now, it's been continually being made and broacast for the last TEN YEARS. It has more episodes than Doctor Who does.

Totally worth checking out, either way.

Fun fact: Saban (Responsible for adapting Sentai into Power Rangers) Adapted Kamen Rider Black RX into "Masked Rider". They were subsequently banned from ever touching Rider again after someone at Toei happened to see the end product.

Here's a clip from the newest series, it should give you a general idea of the action. But action only makes 4-8 minutes of a twenty minute episode, unlike Power Rangers and the like the backstory is extremely well written and the half-dodgy CG shouldn't put you off the show.



The older series are generally more ridiculous, here's some clips.
Here's the opening to Kamen Rider V3 (my current avatar ):

He's so awesome that the ground his bike drives over explodes!

And here's some blatantly awesome political incorrectness:

I can't say I'm not intrigued by this. I always liked Power Rangers when I was younger so I like the idea of a similar show that takes itself more seriously.

Might have to check it out.

I've seen eps of Dragon Knight before(Japanese Version not the American one), graphics are definitely better than power rangers

And unlike power rangers, you can take it seriously
Edited by Zeke, 21 July 2010 - 14:41.

Nazi starfish? This show is very interesting...

Sadly the series that is from isn't subbed. ;_;

The more recent series aren't nearly as ridiculous, but they're still a really good watch.
If you guys are interested, I'd recommend starting on Kamen Rider W (aka Double) which is the series which is currently on air. Both RaiDK and myself started on this and it's a great introductory series. We get the TV-Nihon subs as they are typeset really well.

The story takes a while to get off it's feet (10 eps or so), but when it does it really hooks you in. Once Accel is introduced it all gets better and better.

The series Zeke mentioned, which is Ryuki, probably has an even better written storyline than W. I'd definitely recommend that as well, but it's probably easier to get into it after W as things are a bit different, and W covers pretty much all bases.

If you watch Ryuki, be prepared for the single most depressing ending to a show about guys in rubber suits you could ever think of.

Agito is also really good, it's nowhere nearly as silly as other series and rather than introducing new toys it focuses on the characters and story.

And after you're familiar with the series, you can them move onto...



AAAAAAAAALL R-R-R-RIDERS!

So I finished Ryuki. Absolutely great series. As a whole, extremely well written. Very unique characters (Asakura, you bastard) and great character development. The ending did invoke some manly tears, but it was a well written ending in my opinion, and it caps off the series rather well. Answers all of the questions you ask yourself during the duration of the series, and does give a LOT of closure at the end. I'd highly recommend it as one of the first to watch if you're going to start, along with W and Agito.

Oh, and Odin is an absolute badass.

Edited by Alias, 25 July 2010 - 15:41.

Watching 555 at the moment. It's for the most party pretty awesome, lots of neat gadgets throughout and the story is pretty solid as well. The one thing that's REALLY bothering me though is the amount of DRAMA. It seems like every second episode one character attacks another because he didn't know he was good/thought he was lying/something else. Still solid though.

So. Kamen Rider W is coming to an end, next week's ep is the last. As a whole, probably one of the best series. I'd really recommend you watch it, but don't let the CG or some other trivialities put you off. The show really starts to pay off in the latter half, the Weather arc and the final Terror arc being the standouts.

If you're still unconvinced, have some Skull.

Ah, Ryuki still brings good memories and I thought Kitawka would live. D:
Anyways, thanks for the warning Alias I'll be surely keeping an eye on the final episodes, I blame school.

That hat block was awesome...

Well it is Skull. Probably one of the most badass characters in the entire 40 year history of the series. A few others come close, though. The big bad of W certainly does, as does Accel, Odin and Chalice. And of course V3 for troll-tier Rider.

Another clip, because I can. If you thought Kamen Rider was for kids, watch some Amazon. Probably the most blatantly violent series out of the lot.

Edited by Alias, 24 August 2010 - 14:26.

Oh lol... Amazon looks ridiculously low budget, even by Kamen Rider standards. Reminds me of the low point of the Showa Godzilla movies...

Anyway, another clip. This time from Den-O.



Kotae wa kiitenai!
Edited by RaiDK, 25 August 2010 - 13:14.

Okay, so a lot going on. W has finally finished at episode 49, 48 being the 'intended written end' and 49 being the 'end so crossovers work'. Overall probably one of the best series as a whole and a highly recommended watch. Kamen Rider OOO starts next week, will be interesting as the main character is a hobo, his bike transforms into a vending machine (YEEEEEEAAAAAHHH) and his gadgets are cans that come from the vending machine.

RaiDK and I are currently watching a series called Kamen Rider Blade, where the main theme is playing cards. There's four main Riders who each get their own suit. It's quite overused at times but when it is overused, IT IS AWESOME. Take this for example:

SPADE TEN
SPADE JACK
SPADE QUEEN
SPADE KING
SPADE ACE
ROYAL STRAIGHT FLUSH

I've finished it, RaiDK is almost there. It is a very good series, probably my favourite out of the five or so I've seen so far. It takes the best bits out of the series before it and merges them into one brilliant package. Some great plot twists and a great backstory.
Edited by Alias, 31 August 2010 - 11:16.

Agreed, Blade's definitely turned out to be one of the best series I've watched so far.

On a related note, Kuuga's now been subbed which means every Heisei series is now available for watching.

OMG it's so cheesy

That's part of the whole appeal to be honest. The low-budget sci-fi really adds to the appeal, just like it does with other series like Doctor Who. I mean Doctor Who's top villains kill people with paint rollers and plungers.

You should watch some.

Can't say I've ever watched Doctor Who either tbh.

Surely you've watched some Scifi before. Stargate? BSG? Firefly?

BSG and some Star Trek. But BSG has very little cheese tbh. Anyway my limited internet forces me to resort to DVDs for TV shows and somehow I doubt I'll find this show through that

Kamen Rider OOO confirmed for INSANE tier Rider.

OOO definitely had one of the better first episodes of the heisei era. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Hobo main character will be interesting too.
Edited by Alias, 06 September 2010 - 10:55.

Watch Kabuto. Kabuto is the best introductory Hiesei era Kamen Rider.

555 is quite shitty. It starts well, but it ends horriblyyy.....

Also, Kamen Rider is made of win:



I rest my case :quite

555 wasn't THAT bad. Kaixa's character was written incredibly poorly/rage inducingly but otherwise it's a pretty fun watch with lots of awesome designs and characters being thrown around. Got a Figuarts Faiz coming in the mail, wooo.