For the 45th time, Rider Break! returns as Hiroshi Fujioka returns as Takeshi Hongō, who returns after 45 years (maybe?) in the 45th Anniversary movie Kamen Rider 1, as Kamen Rider returns to the big screen and Rider Break! returns as well.

Hongō returns to Japan, meeting faces old and new. Shocker once again looms large, but is now split in two. Despite a beefy new appearance and an updated version of the Cyclone, something is wrong with our hero, and with each breath and battle, the end draws near...

Is this Rider 1's greatest adventure? Is it Hongo's final day? Is this Rider Break's last episode?

There's only one way to find out!



In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! (like somebody in this movie, it turns out) is immortal!
• Once again Craig of The Repacked Podcast joined in to help as I (very badly) recap the movie, and hey, this time we're actually getting it out on time!

• Oh yeah and RIDER SPOILERS!


Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

Excerpt from "Let's Go!! Rider Kick -2016 movie ver.-". Get it on Amazon Japan!
A BGM track from the V3 PS1 game.

• As before, Skype recorder was used for most of this, hence the slight drop in audio quality. I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible. This time, I succeeded!

• This episode (which really is 25) marks a transitional phase of sorts for Rider Break!, though it's not going to be immediately obvious here. Wait until next episode (hopefully coming... well, sooner than usual! There may just be a little Q&A involved!)

• Okay, real talk time. As much as I bag on Novashocker's plan for comedic effect, I have only seen the movie once, so it's possible I missed the justification for everything (like why they show up at the beginning to confront actual Shocker in full force yet can still operate as a real company, or what legal loophole they're using to get away with blackmailing everybody face-to-face and not just getting sued/arrested.)

On the other hand, I forgot to mention it at the time, but the way Ghost and Specter are able to locate their base? It's noticed to be the only building with any electric power left and where a huge energy beam is projecting from (this was from the dialogue) so I'm starting to think the rest of Shocker didn't exactly mind losing those guys.

• Yeah yeah yeah I'll do something about Drive in the background (this will make no sense if you're reading this any time after 2016).


Timestamps:

00:00 - Speaker-destroying sound time.
Less than a minute in - a badly edited-in appearance from late-afternoon Igadevil.
22:45 - (most) Spoilers for the movie begin!
02:09:25 - The (I believe) longest episode of Rider Break! thus far comes to an end!

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

Announced back at the beginning of the month, the original Kamen Rider (1971~1973) is finally making its way to Blu-ray at the end of the 2015. Obviously this is huge news to yours truly, because— on the off chance that you weren't aware— it's not only my favorite Rider series or my favorite Tokusatsu series, but my favorite TV series ever of all time bar none no question period. 

I love it, all 98 episodes, both all three movies, and every possible permutation thereof including Taiwanese remakes and Malaysian dubs. I have watched it in full more times than I can remember, and in parts more times than any well-adjusted person probably should.  I still recall my first episode (5, with Kamakiri-Otoko) and where I was when I watched the finale with my dad (New Year's Eve in 2001). The show has made me laugh, made me cry, and made me friends It has drained probably a million yen or so from my wallet, and that's a low estimate. I think you get the idea. We all have that one show that's gotta be our favorite, and this is mine. 

So of course I'm excited. Despite owning the show on multiple formats already (VHS, DVD, some of it on LaserDisc, and uh... "digitally archived versions" for when I can't carry the other three with me) I am all in on the Blu-ray releases. I have been so far with all the "box"-style Rider releases, in fact. While from OOO onward Rider series have gotten simultaneous 4-episode releases on DVD and Blu-ray, the shows prior to that have been slowly (sloooooowly) getting the Blu-ray treatment, spread out across 3 months (or 6, since they alternate one newer and one older series.) Thus far we've gotten Kamen Rider W, Kamen Rider Faiz, Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider BLACK, & Kamen Rider Kabuto, with Kamen Rider Blade Vol. 1 out last month, and Kamen Rider BLACK RX Vol. 2 out earlier this month (not to mention Kamen Rider Drive, which is also being offered in box form as well as individual 4-episode volumes). And soon, the original show that started it all will join them.

Read on for my analysis of the contents and thoughts on the totally affordable pricing!



Toei basically read my mind in how to split the series up across four volumes, with each volume ending on a major turning point episode in the series. The selection of extras is both interesting and not entirely unexpected, but still welcome. Also, given that there's four volumes and the first one prominently features Rider 1 in his original look, I'm hoping they stick to a pattern and give us original costume Rider 2 on Vol. 2, New Rider 1 on Vol. 3 and New Rider 2 on Vol. 4 (he'll only appear in a couple episodes, but Ichimonji gets two of the franchise's best moments in 'em.) 

Here's how things currently look (subject to change as of this writing):


Volume 1 (episodes 1~26) On sale December 9th, 2015 (@Amazon Japan)

It's the original 13 with Rider 1 and the other original 13 with Rider 2. Highlights include... well, the first episode of Kamen Rider ever, Kōichi Takemoto's uniquely-directed fight scenes, the kick-ass two-parter with Shinigami-Chameleon, Taki "getting married" (igniting Igadevil's fanfiction senses years later) the crazily innovative Fujioka-less episodes, Rider 1's all-out battle royale against Tokageron and all his previous foes, Ichimonji's explosive debut, Kamen Rider's first time going puroresu, Rider 2 dueling Dokugander in the shadow of Osaka Castle, a trip up to Hokkaido, the predecessor to those episodes where Kuuga kissed a Mushroom and died, and the debut of Kamen Rider's first-ever onscreen reoccurring villain, Colonel Zol.

Extras (Tentative)

- Box for all four volumes (first edition only, so if you want this, get Vol. 1 sooner rather than later).
- Booklet

Bonus Disc (Tentative)

- Kamen Rider Memorial Vol. 1
- Go Go Kamen Rider trailer

Aw yes. The Memorials are awesome. Largely a clip shows, but they are comprehensive. They even give you the names of nearly every character and monster in English, which is informative and sometimes amusing. Also, it's basically an overview of the series as narrated by Fujioka and Sasaki (who get interview segments at the end). This is a great inclusion, since it's unlikely those would ever see individual releases. The Go Go trailer is nice to include. The actual movie is just episode 13 expanded and cropped for a Toei Manga Matsuri, and the only new thing is a title card that's in the trailer, so I'm cool with that. I won't comment on the booklets (included in all releases) other than I hope they're as good as the ones that came with the DVD-BOX, because dude. THAT is how you do a bonus booklet. Rare photographs and reprints of Televi Magazine articles? Yes plz.


Volume 2 (episodes 27~52) On sale February 10th, 2016 (@Amazon Japan)

Rider 2 rules the show, but Rider 1 returns for some guest appearances as Ichimonji battles Colonel Zol for 13 episodes, followed by 13 more for Doctor Shinigami. Highlights include kiddies getting hypnotized, people being electrocuted, Rider 2's emotionally-charged struggle against Arigabari, Taki as a hippie, our first possible glimpse at the Leader of Shocker, Egyptus setting people on fire, Torikabuto scaring the living hell out of 10-year-old me, the best Christmas episode ever, the first Rider team-up, Rider vs. Rider fight and and Rider Double Kick, the one where Rider 2 goes nuts punching one guy over and over again, Taki taking back-to-back life-threatening injuries and pulling through, a sea anemone that walks like a man and wants to eat us all, a fourth-wall-breaking crow, and Ichimonji's last stand before handing the show back to the original guy. And hey, what a day to release it on. Let's just hope Rider 3 doesn't screw things up.

Extras (Tentative)

- Booklet

Bonus Disc (Tentative)

- Hero Club 7 Kamen Rider: The Warrior of Skill! The First Rider
- Our Kamen Rider
- Kamen Rider (creditless version)
- Kamen Rider vs. Shocker trailer

The Hero Club videos are a relic of another time, but I loved 'em back then so I'm glad to see them now. It's more narrated clips, meant to be informative as well as providing a glimpse at Rider 1 during a time when you had to get something like 20 VHS tapes to see him in action. "Our Kamen Rider" is actually a short series overview put together and shown at "100th Episode Party" that took place in the week between the original ending and V3 beginning. It's notable for having Shinji Nakae just shoot and refer to all the characters by their actors' names, as well as providing tidbits and trivia from the series' run (including when Rider made ratings history in the early 20's). It's the sort of thing that would be nifty to have subbed (if it isn't already). We've seen it before (it's on the DVD-BOX bonus disc as well) but worth having here. I'm actually not sure what the no-credits thing is, since it doesn't specify which OP or ED it is (all of them? I dunno! I only remember seeing the first Rider 2 ED sequence, with the slow-mo fight on the bridge , done that way). A trailer for the first fully-original Rider featurette rounds out the set, which is fitting since it takes place around the point this volume ends.


Volume 3 (episodes 53~79) On sale April 13th, 2016 (@Amazon Japan)

Rider 1 gets a new look, a new bike (eventually) and a new villain in the form of Ambassador Hell. This volume covers his entire reign, and other highlights include the expansion of the Rider arsenal, the iconic skeletal Shocker soldiers making their TV debut, bike racin' action against Jaguarman and Saigang, the return of Doctor Shinigmi, two episodes where Fujioka is mysteriously absent (which are still pretty awesome) another tease at the Leader, the episode with IKA-FREAKING-DEVIL, location shooting in Kobe, an awesome two-parter down south featuring the return of a powered-up Rider 2, the ever-changing cast taking on its definitive incarnation, the debut of the Shōnen Riders (and New Cyclone's modern look with the blue around the headlights), some especially awesome monster designs in the 70's (episodes) and the final showdown between Rider 1 and Garagaranda that nails the coffin shut on Shocker... or does it?

Extras (Tentative)

- Booklet

Bonus Disc (Tentative)

- Kamen Rider Memorial Vol. 2
- Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell trailer

The second half of the Memorial covers everything from this and the next Blu-ray set, which is cool. And you gotta include the Ambassador's movie trailer on a set that's got all his episodes. This is where I'm kinda hoping the "planned/tentative" next to everything on Toei's official page for the Blu-ray sets means "more is coming, we just haven't finalized it yet." The Memorial is a big enough deal on its own and this does mirror Vol. 1 nicely, but I dunno, I feel like they could squeeze a little more onto that bonus disc. I haven't seen any mention of a monster or artwork gallery, and those are pretty much home video staples on Toei's stuff (maybe they're in the booklet?)


Volume 4 (episodes 80~98) On sale June 8th, 2016 (@Amazon Japan)

The final stretch of the show wherein Rider 1 fights Gelshocker, a combination of the remnants of Shocker and the Geldam group. Highlights include the awesomely iconic debut of Black Shōgun and his crew on Sarushima, some of the show's most freakish monster designs (not to mention cruelly-characterized. We're officially in "mega-bastard" territory), Ishinomori penning the script and stepping behind and the camera to give us an episode like no other, the postman from hell, the most vicious canary you'll ever see, Gelshocker's attempt at an evil kiddie squad, the epic Shocker Rider storyline, Hongō turning into a cactus, and the grand finale with a dual atop a cable car AND a moving roller coaster (!) Also, it's my favorite episode of Rider ever, and the ending still gets me to tear up just a bit.

Extras (Tentative)

- Booklet

Bonus Disc (Tentative)

- Hero Club 8 Kamen Rider: The Warrior of Strength! The Second Rider
- Kamen Rider's Birth 20th Anniversary Event (Full-length edition)
- CM Collection

This lends some credence to my theory that Rider 2 will grace the cover of this volume. And hey! I don't think I've actually seen his individual Hero Club video before, so this should be interesting. If the 20th Anniversary event is the one I'm thinking of (also included on the DVD-BOX Bonus disc) it's a nice mix of recorded history (Ishinomori speaks! Alla them guests!) and goofy nonsense (there's a stage show with a plot even I have yet to decipher). Also, Shin Kamen Rider turns up at the end since his movie was coming out soon. Yes, I know ZO is the 20th anniversary Rider, despite coming out in 1993. You know what? I don't think Toei's ever been particularly good at dates, since in a couple years this will all be part of the Showa era despite that ending in 1989. Anyway, the CM (commercials) are likely going to be all the old classics we've seen before (Rider Snack, the original DX belt) but they're pretty much a requirement to include.


And that's it so far! Now for the boring technical stuff:
When it comes to the home video releases for Toei's stuff, it's fair to say that they don't always put in quite as much effort when it comes to restoration work, although the original series is one show that did get a more noticeable upgrade from the LD to DVD releases (my litmus test: they fixed the part in episode 8 where the film rips) and yet more for the HD re-airing from a couple years ago. I've seen some criticism of how Toei handles the picture quality for early 2000's series on the Blu-rays, often taking the cheapest possible route. But, I've been fine with them, and the shot-on-film older stuff like BLACK looks pretty great. And, at the end of the day, I'm just happy to have the show than not, you know what I mean? I first watched Kikaider on tired, muddy copy-of-a-copy-of-a-copy taped-off-TV VHS tapes for years, so the DVD upgrade looked like a million bucks by comparison, and the Blu-ray practically makes me feel like Professor Gill himself watching the whole thing via DARK cameras as it happens live.

Of course the big sticking points for a lot of people with these is 1) the lack of subs and 2) the price. The former I can't really help you with. KITsubs is still committed to the original series as far as I know, but barring Dairanger selling like a million-billion copies and Toei just handing over the keys to their library to somebody, I don't think you're ever likely to see more than that. Official subs on a Japanese release are understandably a rarity.

Now the price of these is steep, but if you're used to buying DVDs/Blu-rays from Japan (and more specifically, from Toei) you know that already. Also, there's some good news if you are considering these: you don't actually have to pay quite as much as the prices being reported (32,000 yen for Vol. 1~3, 27,000 yen for Vol. 4) The key is Amazon. Not the guy, but the site. Amazon Japan basically always marks stuff down before it comes out, and often even after while its still in production. All those other Rider series Blu-ray boxes? The usual SRP is over 20,000 yen, but on Amazon there's usually a 25% or so discount for the Rider Blu-ray sets, depending on availability. 

So while under SRP all of Blade will cost you over 64,000 yen, via Amazon right now is comes out to just under 48,000. That isn't a huge difference, but a discount's a discount. Also, when you also factor in exchange rates, there's either going to be a drop or a rise depending on your country's currency. If you're in the US right now, the exchange rate is pretty good, for example (this may change some day, so keep in mind I wrote this in August 2015, future readers.)

Ultimately it still ends up being a helluva lot, and that's not taking into account international shipping which is a real killer, I know. But my point is that with a little smart shopping, it's not quite as bank-bustingly bad as it seems (it's still pretty bad, but again, welcome to Japanese home video prices!) And, considering the episode count per volume on the original (26 vs 16 for other series) it makes some sense why these are going to be pricier. I'm not saying it's reasonable or even sane, but it is what it is. And, lest we forget, these releases are being spread out over half a year. I'm a crazy lunatic who is buying the releases every month, but if you just want the original (or really, any pre-OOO Rider series on Blu-ray) it's doable with some planning. Expensive, but doable.

At the end of the day, the DVD/Blu-ray releases are for the fans who want that show in physical form. I personally like owning hard copies of stuff, and this is Kamen freaking Rider we're talking about here, but nobody should be worried by the prices of these things unless they're seriously thinking about buying them. Then you can freak the hell out, and join others in trying to get them the cheapest way possible.

I say "others" because something they do with the Blu-Rays is also sell versions with a B2 poster that get less of a markdown, even on Amazon. Up until now I've skipped them, but this is my favorite show, and I feel like I'm gonna need these ones. I mean, I don't really need them, but... oh who am I kidding?

Let's Go, Rider Kick!



Sources:
Ladyeve.net | The Tokusatsu Network | Toei's official Kamen Rider Blu-Ray BOX listing

Rider 3 confronts his destiny, Drive confronts mind-controlled damn near everyone, and Igadevil confronts trying to keep his food down in the sense-shattering conclusion to the Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 review. After that, Craig and I talk about our hypothetical team-up movies that will probably never happen. Then again, I once thought a movie with Kamen Rider 3 would never happen, so who knows?

Also, Rider Break bids a farewell to Masayuki Izumi, Kamen Rider Faiz's own Yuki Kiba/Horse Orphenoch.




In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! is back as promised. A little close to my self-imposed deadline, but at least we don't get bought out by Saban now. PS I am Warrior Leader!

• Things start off on a somber note as I share a few thoughts about the recent passing of Masayuki Izumi, who sadly passed away last month. I'm going to miss him, and I hope I did a good enough job establishing that.
• Part 3 (of 3) the second part of the spoiler-filled review/recap of Kamen Rider x Super Sentai Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 where I told Craig of The Repacked Podcast all about the movie, but months ago so like half of what I say is out-of-date and probably incorrect. Fun times!


Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

Excerpt from "Who's That Guy" the movie's theme song by Mitsuhiro Oikawa. Get it on Amazon Japan!

• I often joke about how illness-prone I can be, but I'm not kidding about having a stomach flu or virus literally the weekend I sat down to finish editing this. I spent most of today with my stomach going nuclear and the worst headache of my life. Still, a promise is a promise! Now time to go fall into a ditch and pass out.

• As before, Skype recorder was used for most of this, hence the slight drop in audio quality. I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible. As you can tell, I failed.

• Part 3 is out, which means that the next episode, will, at last, be... wait, there's another movie out now? Well, I'll figure something out. Q&A is still happening!


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers!
02:27- My thoughts on Masayuki Izumi's passing
15:30 - Back into the review, which picks up right where Part 2 ended.
01:12:34 - Where the plot summary ends, final thoughts and team-up movie discussion begins!
01:41:06 - Another episode in the can!

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

Hey uh, weren't we talking about a movie or something?




In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! took off close to 5 months because my life is a neverending cycle of pain. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you all soon. Soon. Soooooooon...
• Part 2 (of 3) which is actually the first part of the spoiler-filled review/recap of Kamen Rider x Super Sentai Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 where I told Craig of The Repacked Podcast all about the movie, months ago. Confused yet?

• This part of the review contains massive spoilers for the film and basically every Kamen Rider thing that has ever happened, including the finale of the original series. Don't worry though, the movie comes out on DVD/Blu-ray tomorrow, so they won't be massive spoilers much longer!

Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

"Fight! Kamen Rider V3" with some...alterations.
A sample of Rider 3 & Drive's Henshin music from Taisen GP.

• As before, Skype recorder was used for most of this, hence the slight drop in audio quality. I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible. As you can tell, I failed.

• If Part 3 doesn't come out within a week, it means I have quit being Igadevil and this becomes Saban's Masked Rider Page, the Second-Worst Rider Website On The Internet. Believe Dat!


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers!
04:30 - Reviewing begins.
01;11;16 - Reviewing takes a coffee break

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

In the first of a probable trilogy of episodes, Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 is discussed by one person who hasn't seen the movie yet, and one who has but can barely remember what he did last week. This part is mostly spoiler-free, and just covers my initial feelings, reactions and stuff you'll have already know unless you were without internet access for the past several months.




In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! has now set a record for how many times a podcast can die and return, approximately eleventy-billion.
• I'm once again joined by Craig of The Repacked Podcast (which I'm on a hiatus from at the moment due to work-related stuff, but I will return to!) Craig volunteered to be somebody to bounce off of and keep me focused when going through the film, which really helps, especially when recapping something as long and detailed as this. Next time I'll see if I can't get someone who also saw the film to join in. I do know these guys... Also, I'm always open to having more voices join in on Rider Break! in the future!

• As mentioned, this is mostly just the basics, and the real meat/summary of the movie will be in the next two parts (or one part, I'm still not sure how I'll do it, but it will be soon.)

Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

"Let's Go!! Rider Kick 2006" by Hiroshi Fujioka (excerpt) Get it on amazon.co.jp
The music from the Taisen GP trailer mentioned.

• As mentioned, Skype recorder was used for most of this, hence the slight drop in audio quality. I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible (and it's already a couple weeks late!) so pardon the half-boiledness of this production.

• Parts 2 (and hypothetical 3) will be coming along soon, and they will be spoiler-filled! And after that... yeah, I do have to do that damned Q & A episode, don't I?


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers!
16:45 - Around here was where I initially planned to start getting into spoilers for the plot. That doesn't quite happen, though there is some discussion of who appears (and who doesn't appear) in the movie from here on, so listener be aware!
49:23 - End of Part 1

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

As you can probably guess, things haven't exactly been smooth sailing around here at IKRP lately. I totally missed my self-imposed February update mandate after Real Life™ got in the way again. But like V3, I am the immortal man, and like Riderman, I will never give up. And like Rider 3, I... wait, who the hell is Rider 3? There's another third Kamen Rider now?

That's the question that's been on a lot of people's minds for the past few months, ever since it was announced that the upcoming annual spring super hero spectacular would feature the character, in a very big way. He's even in the title (which doesn't feat. Super Sentai, though Ninninger will appear.)

Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 marks the onscreen debut of a character most never knew existed until it was announced he'd be in it (so prematurely, all they had to show for it was production art, and the news still made it into papers!) Heck, I never knew he existed until just a couple years ago, that should tell you something. But who is he, and why is he suddenly a big deal again after 40+ years of obscurity? The answer is even more convoluted than you might think! Read on...



"That's right Black Shōgun! Along with Rider 1 & Rider 2... I, as Rider 3, will fight you!" 

The first time I ever heard about a character called "Kamen Rider 3" or 仮面ライダー3号, was around 2008, when the Kamen Rider Official Data Files had a small blurb about him in the topics, trivia & factoids pages for the original series. And that was pretty much the extent of it, until a couple years later when his original comic appearance was reprinted in a lavish collection of Tanoshii Yōchien's original Kamen Rider comics.

Tanoshii Yōchien, or "Fun Kindergarten" is kinda like Televi-Magazine (which shares its publisher) for a younger demographic, as that aims for more of a low elementary level. It still runs today, though its Rider coverage is minimal— it's essentially the Pretty Cure magazine now, since 'Mag hardly ever features that (as of the May 2015 issue though, they sure like Sailor Moon Crystal I guess!) Anyway, once upon a time, TY ran its own monthly Rider comic, starting all the way back in May 1971.

Just trying to explain how original Kamen Rider comics work will take a couple future articles devoted to that subject, but the short version is this: it's complicated. The one everybody knows (and you can now read on Comixology in English) is Ishinomori's 1971 version that ran in Weekly Bokura (Our) Magazine and Weekly Shōnen (Boy's) Magazine.

As that wrapped up, Ishinomori's understudy/assistant Mitsuru Sugaya had versions that ran in the pages of Televi-Magazine and Adventure King, often referred to as "New Kamen Rider", not to be confused with the other New Kamen Rider. I say "versions" because there were differing versions in either publication, and believe me, trying to keep track of them is a headache in itself. To be fair though, Ishinomori himself has other, less well-known comic takes on original Rider, including a couple in a magazine named, I swear to you, Disney Land (and yes, it was affiliated with Disney. It also had some early 80's Sentai comics later on!)


To get back on track, Ishinomori wrote and drew the first several stories for Tanoshii Yōchien. At least the first 8, after which things get complicated. But to focus on those early ones for a second, they're really pretty fascinating (and thankfully were reprinted in the same book that features Rider 3's comic.) Given the younger reading audience, they're a lot simpler than his more well-known version, though primarily in plot and length (each one is about 4 pages, often with a full-page splash or two-page spread in there.) The art is still classic Ishinomori, and he even draws a couple monsters that rarely appeared anywhere else, including Ushi-Otoko (Bull-Man) in a story that ends with Kamen Rider busting out of the TV to tell some kiddies not to stay up too late watching. Owned.

I mentioned things get complicated: From here, Tanoshii Yōchien's Rider comic becomes a revolving door of writer-artists, with a number of installments being less full-drawn comics and more like photo stories with illustrated embellishments. I wrote about one on the Tumblr a while ago, if you need a visual. There's still more traditional comics though, and Ishinomori understudy Norihiko Ishikawa is the guy who does a bunch of them throughout late 1972, including the one that I've spent like ten paragraphs building up. Though, as if things weren't hard enough to follow already, it appeared in an "extra volume" version of Tanoshii Yōchien's October 1972 issue. I say this only because if somebody else out there is mad enough to try and track it down, you'll want to be aware to get that one, and not the regular Tanoshii Yōchien issue from that month, where Kamen Rider takes on some Deer-Men. Got it? Good.

"Rider 3 vs. Black Shōgun" is a 5-page color story told with two full-page splashes (seen above and to the left) and a two-page spread (which is where the image at the top of this article comes from.). The remaining page consists of Black and comics Gani-Koumoru (who looks very different from his on-screen self) talking smack about Rider 3, right before G-K gets kicked in the face as seen here. We get three shots of Rider 3 (who as you can see, looks like Rider 1 with some red stripes and a white midsection), find out his finisher is the Rider Cyclone Kick, and a caption on the first page tells us he was made by Shocker to destroy Rider 1 & 2, but he pretty clearly escaped and now "Ghost Shocker" (an earlier name for Gelshocker; "Black Shocker" being another) is out to get him. 


And that's it! There's even a caption at the end asking what sort of adventures Rider 3 will have from here, but we'd never find out, as this was the character's one and only appearance in the comic or anywhere else that I know of. The only thing that comes close is from the same month's Televi-Magazine article, "100 Secrets of Kamen Rider". Secret 11 (right)  raises the possibility of a Rider 3 and, very interestingly, Rider 4 and beyond. 

Obviously, this was being done to build up the Shocker Riders, who would debut a couple months later, but it is pretty interesting given how we've now got a "Rider 3" & "Rider 4" popping up in the onscreen Kamen Rider universe (speaking of Rider 4, he has no obscure comic version, but is totally new, apart from the name).

But before I get into that, some TV production history: as we saw in the Rider 3 comic, Gelshocker turned up (they would have been making their TV debut not long after the magazine's release) but with an earlier, unused-on-TV name. The transitional period where Shocker becomes Gelshocker on the show came about at a time when behind-the-scenes, there was a lot of talk about where the show was going to go from here. One idea was that a third Rider would be created by the Double Riders, but this one would be android, debuting in episode 85. Interestingly, Rider 1 would undergo a similar fate as his Ishinomori comics counterpart soon after, and Rider 2 would join in the 90's (episodes, not the decade) to form the Triple Riders. 


Of course, we all know how this story ends: the idea for a third Rider evolves into V3, who's still going to be in episodes 99 & 100 of Kamen Rider for a while, until it's decided he'll debut in his own series, but the links to the original are strong. Hasami-Jaguar and the Destron combatants all inexplicably wearing yellow boots & gloves in those early production photos suddenly starts making sense, doesn't it? And the rest, as they say, is history. V3 is Kamen Rider #3 (as his first episode clearly states) and he later christens Riderman "Rider #4".

But what if history took a swerve? That's the question asked by Super Hero Taisen GP, which brings Rider 3 to the screen, albeit with a lot of changes. The design has been completely overhauled, and now harkens back to the older costume of Rider 1, but also mixing in elements from the Ishinomori comic, and even touches of THE FIRST and SIC versions (also: three lines!) I like that they kept the classic Typhoon belt, which now will sport a Shocker emblem covering (he's also got Shocker cuffs on his arms and legs with bits of chain, like he ripped right off of the operating table. Also, note the color of the scarf.) He's traded in his off-brand New Cyclone for the Tricyclone car. No idea if they kept the Rider Cyclone Kick yet, but he does now have a human alter-ego, Kyōichirō Kuroi, played by actor/musician Matsuhiro Oikawa, who also sings the movie's ending theme.


Perhaps most significantly, they went back to his origin (created by Shocker to destroy the Double Riders) and used that as the starting point for the story, making a big point of it in the trailers and how it alters history. They're doing the "Ally or Enemy?" tease big time; he's shown to be both teaming with and fighting pretty much everybody else. From the trailers, it's unclear who's on what side at what point, and apparently there'll be some evil mind control at work in the Shocker-dominated world Rider 3's existence created. Also, a giant Rider robot.

The whole thing reminds me a lot of the 2011 anniversary film, OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders, which isn't a bad thing, since I like that movie a lot and "Shocker wins, History's screwed" is a plot I don't mind seeing again. Rider history should hinge on whether or not the Double Riders won and made the world safe for Drive to start his engine, etc. (alternatively, it can hinge on whether or not Hongō escaped in the first place. That'll probably be the 50th Anniversary film.) They even have Black Shōgun coming back for this one! 

But the movie's release is a few days away as of this writing, so I'll save the speculation and just see how it all plays out on March 21st. I know this much at any rate: Oikawa's a legit crazy fan, having appeared on TV to talk about spending a truckload of cash on oldschool Rider merchandise at Mandarake, so I like him already.

And until the movie's release, that's all there is to say on Rider 3 really! He's an oddity, forgotten for years and unknown to even the most dedicated fans. Even most of the people making the movie have admitted they didn't know he was a thing until recently, which is what makes him such a fascinating concept to explore. He's weirdly essential and yet redundant at the same time. On the one hand, sooner or later, somebody had to address the deal with him. He's V3 before V3 was V3, right? On the other, he's not exactly this trailblazer character who needs to get proper recognition long after the fact. As we've seen here, he barely even is a "character" in his original appearance. He's more of an idea, one that had an inauspicious debut and basically sat untouched for decades. Now, suddenly, he's turned up again, with a very new spin, and he wants a piece of the action. Will he have any staying power beyond this film? I dunno right now, but at least for the moment, history is taking that swerve, and we'll see just who that guy is.

"With Rider 3's arrival, the Riders now number three. What adventures will the Triple Riders have from here?" 

I rise from the grave once again to give you an update!

We're one month in to 2015, and while not a whole lot has changed visibly here at IKRP, there is a lot going on behind the scenes, and you'll start to see some of that finally come together over the course of February. I'm trying to set up a timetable of sorts for when I make I drop the big one (the update, not the superhero), which will probably end up being... well "some time in the not-too-distant future" is where I'm at right now.

What has changed visibly is the general layout of the site, which I was tinkering with at the start of the month and then got distracted by shiny objects and real-life commitments (and illnesses.) For ages now I've been trying to get something just right, and I think I've almost got it. It's still a work-in-progress and I'll add/tweak things here and there, but a clean, minimalist layout that maximizes content space and makes everything easy to find/get to is what I'm aiming for. I spent hours just trying to get that scrolling social sticky buttons thingie to work- hopefully it still does! As far as a few other things go, read on...


Rider Break! has been on another Unintended Hiatus™ (future episode title!) but I've been working on some plans for it in 2015, and they're going to be pretty cool. All I'll say at this juncture is I'm planning to split the massive Q&A across two or more episodes for easier listening, and the next episode will come out in February.

At some point soon I also want to finally get around to transferring stuff over from the old IKRP, so I don't have to keep telling people to go to a dead site with no pictures that looks like a junkheap. I'm only doing it with the real essentials. Stuff like:

-The important stuff; credits, FAQ, links, etc. The Links pages has always been one of my most popular (figures!) and I owe it to everybody who's still been linking to this site through its many dormant phases.

-The Ishinomori Week articles that I labored over. All those are basically getting extensive updates and additions anyway. I'm doing some tinkering with the release format too; it'll be different, but I think you'll like it when you know how I'm doing it. And it'll make sense- even with all the comics/shows covered thus far I've barely even begun to chip away at the massive mountain that is Ishinomori's work. There's a lot of stuff without Tokusatsu or even TV adaptations and I'm more than willing to write about it. First things first though, I want to get all the old articles over here and up-to-snuff before moving onto new frontiers (and I already have a couple half-written.)

-Some articles like Tackle Week (also getting a lot of tweaks) will be preserved, though shelved for a while and brought out later. That for example is something where I'd like to set aside an actual week this year to repost it since Stronger is kinda celebrating an anniversary and all. Or something like the 40 Years of Televi-Magazine, which isn't exactly timely anymore, but is still something I really enjoyed writing, will find its way over in some fashion. One of the most popular but unfinished series, Secret Origins, is something I'm going to give a massive overhaul to and finish, but that's a long-term plan right now.

Beyond that: With a lot of the TV show/movie reviews, my opinions and feelings have changed/evolved since I wrote them, so for something like Kiva (which I 'reviewed/recapped' in full) I'd kinda like to revisit it once it hits Blu-ray and let you know what I think of each individual episode then, rather than copy-pasting summaries that I wrote up largely because at the time, getting to see the episodes as fast as we do now wasn't an option. Or something like V3 or Kuuga, where I started them, but I've decided from now on if I do text reviews of a series it'll be more orderly and actually be something I'm committed to finishing. At some point, "sit down and go through every single episode of Kamen Rider all over again" is something I'm totally interested in doing, for multiple projects.

But basically, I am going to actually keep everything (because I keep everything except the important stuff!) I don't feel a need to repost it and tell you what I thought of a movie after seeing it once in 2009 when I can tell you what I think of it now having seen it a few more times, learned more about how it was made and how influential it would prove years later. That sort of thing.

Same goes for most of the other reviews. My Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider is one I'm keeping because that's another of my favorite articles, and there isn't a whole lot I can add to that beyond "years later, I still can't believe this came out on DVD & Blu-ray again!" A lot of the merchandise reviews I don't feel a real need to keep up either. I have a new format I'm developing and new goals in mind when it comes to toys/books/ etc, so who knows, I might revisit a few of them anyway (not that many people care about H.G.C.O.R.E. anymore!)

Beyond that, the odds & ends, news bytes and random pictures and such are all stuff I will discard or dump on the tumblr eventually. Maybe some of the goofy comedy articles too, I dunno if they're quite as funny now. But hey, like I said, I will save everything before finally pulling the trigger on the last remnant of the 'old' IKRP.

Because a new one is coming, and with all the stuff brought over from the old site, there's going to be a lot of new stuff. Some of which you may see real soon....

Thanks for reading!

And so 2014 comes to a close (about an hour from now in Japan time as I write this) and what a year it has (and hasn't) been!

Depending on who you ask, the assessment of this year ranges from "okay I guess" to "pretty lousy" and right on down to "an outright unmitigated disaster". I guess I should feel lucky that all things considered, 2014 wasn't a terrible year for me beyond the usual stuff (sick for about half of it, swamped with job responsibilities for the rest.)

But there is a sense of regret as things come to a close, because this was honestly a pretty great year to be a Kamen Rider fan. On TV, at the movies, and most importantly, on the toy and book and video shelves, it felt like someone was tapping directly into the dark recesses of my mind and coming out with movies where Ryō Hayami drives up to deliver lines opposite Kamen Rider Faiz, or they're making toys based on Ultraman vs. Kamen Rider. What an age of wonders we live in!

And... I never found much time to talk about any of it. Heck, I really liked all three of the Rider movies this year, and I only 'reviewed' one months after the fact, which shows you how messed-up things have gotten time-wise. Not to mention a bajillion other things I've been saying I'll get to eventually (it's practically a running joke at this point, but that big Q&A episode of Rider Break! is at the front of this Big To-Do List.)

But a new year is on the horizon, and with it comes a renewed drive (sorry) to push on. Even when real life wears me down, like Taki taking a vicious suitcase beating from a giant flying squirrel-man, I never want to give up. There's so much stuff I want to do, so much stuff I've started that needs finishing, and so many more exciting things in the pipeline I haven't even hinted at.

Can I make it happen this year? Will 2015 be the Year of the Igadevil (we'll think of a better name later)? I dunno, but the next part of the story starts real soon, and I'm going to do everything I can to make it an exciting one.

Thank you for sticking with me on this crazy journey so far, and I wish you all a safe and happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one.

You Are The Wheelman.




In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! has another episode in less than 24 hours! A new record!
• It's another first-reaction commentary, this time for Kamen Rider Drive episode 1, "Why Did My Time Stop?"

• Spoiler Warning because duh.

Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

"Let's Go!! Rider Kick 2006" by Hiroshi Fujioka (excerpt) Get it on amazon.co.jp
"SURPRISE-DRIVE" TV-size ripped from the episode. CD release forthcoming!

• Not much to say that isn't said in the episode! I got up, sat down with my microphone, and recorded my thoughts. I did go back and edit this one later since there were periods of silence while I took things in (that didn't exactly make for great listening) so the timing may be a bit off and there's no commercial breaks (not that there's much to say. The toy ads are great, the fish sausage ad is deceptively cool, and the gummy ad is still drug-fueled. Can't wait to try the monaka snack though.)

• And that's it! More Rider Break! (and more other stuff) to come eventually!


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers!
02:30 - Commentary begins and runs a little longer than the actual episode (minus CM breaks.)

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

Kamen Rider Drive is just hours away, and Kamen Rider Gaim has had 46 47 weeks (plus a few weekends off for golf, Super Sentai crossovers, etc.) to tell a tale of Armored Riders warring all so that a DJ can make one of them into a space god to save Christmas. Or something. I wasn't really paying much attention, but I did like that Bravo fella.

Fortunately this episode I'm joined by Craig & Nikki from The Repacked Podcast to figure all this stuff out!




In This Episode: 
• Rider Break! is back. Hey, it was quicker than last time. There's several episodes being edited right now (Kikaider REBOOT, that Damned Q&A, and yet another one that isn't about Kamen Rider at all!) but very likely the next one will be about Kamen Rider Drive episode 1 anyway. But hey, that's a lot of Rider Breakage on the way!
• Yes, actual human contact! Craig makes his return, and our mutual pal Nikki also chimes in as we discuss general thoughts on the most-recently-finished and soon-to-air Kamen Rider series. I still do a lot of the talking (per their choice) but it's always good to get some more voices in the mix. You can hear all three of us talk toys every week over at The Repacked Podcast.

Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

"Let's Go!! Rider Kick 2006" by Hiroshi Fujioka (excerpt) Get it on amazon.co.jp
"JUST LIVE MORE" by Shōnan no Kaze (TV Size) Get it on amazon.co.jp
Sound & music from the Kamen Rider Drive deluxe belt ad

• As mentioned, this episode was recorded Thursday, October 2nd. More news, reviews & bits of juicy info have been released since then (such as the title of the next Movie War.) During recording we used the Kamen Rider Drive tumblr which compiled all the scans together nicely, as well as The Tokusatsu Network for information (they've got a great interview with Riku Sanjo that just went up not long after we recorded this.) The Drive toy ad mentioned can be found here (At least as of October 2014.)

• We mention HJU Radio here and there; if you want a more comprehensive analysis of Gaim that'll probably be the place to hear it (and probably not from me, because I won't have gotten a chance to rewatch the whole show this time!) This episode's really more of a general thoughts type deal, very free-flowing (which is why we jump around from one show to the other near the end.)

• I think there are two points where I started to form an idea, then went off on a tangent and never returned. One is about episode 46, and if that had been the actual ending. What I was going to say was that I'd still probably be okay with it. But for me, if 46 is the "Gaim" ending, episode 47 feels like the "Kamen Rider" ending for the show (if that makes any sense), and it brings 46 up a little more in my book. Now the penultimate chapter is more like the close of Kōta/Kaito/Mai/Sagara's story, with a 'final battle' that is more bittersweet in nature. Whereas 47 wraps up (most) everyone else, and has that Hell Yeah Rider Final Battle in it. They're two parts of a whole to me.

The other was Marika/Yoko, who I don't think I really gave a clear answer on (she is probably my favorite character in the show, but a lot of that is down to liking the actress. I think Minami Tsukui could lead a series, she's that good.) What I'm trying to get at is that while her ultimate fate doesn't spoil the whole show (for me; but I understand if it does for you) it is one of the parts I'm having the hardest time figuring out. I'd love to know if Urobuchi or anybody commented on it.

• Yes, I know that every non-Rider badass rival villain reminds me of Apollo Geist. That's pretty much down to Apollo Geist being that great and memorable of a character. I like him about as much as I like Doctor Shinigami/Ikadevil, and I like Doctor Shinigami/Ikadevil more than is probably healthy.

• My big thanks to Craig for soldiering it out (he was coming off of a cold) and Nikki as well (who had to jump away from the computer a couple times.) They will return some day. And they're not the only ones! I'm always looking for interesting new voices to come on and talk all things Rider or Tokusatsu. At least, once I get the current crop of episodes squared away.

• And yes, that Q&A episode is STILL actually happening!


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers!
Around 35 minutes in - Drive talk begins (and eventually returns to Gaim.)
01:32:55 - The end! Man, that Kamen Rider Drive just can't wait to start, can he?

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here:

Can the classic and modern (and guys that are like 15 years old but we'll still pretend they're sorta modern) Riders put aside their vaguely-defined differences in time to save the world? Will Shu reunite with his mother? Will Super Sentai actually show up? Who will survive, and what will be left of them? It's an overlong, incoherent nonsensical monstrosity... but enough about this episode of Rider Break!

Listen in as Heisei Riders vs. Shōwa Riders: Kamen Rider Taisen feat. Super Sentai concludes in the only way it possibly could (or at least one of two ways)...

...and stuff like that.



In This Episode: 
• Did you listen to Part 1 yet?
• You did? Great! Here's Part 2!
• The movie "review" concludes with more Riders fightin', an epic final battle, a REALLY epic cross-generational transformation, and an unbelievable ending that is bound to be super unpopular. And of course, I love it.
Episodes Notes:
• Music used includes:

"Let's Go!! Rider Kick 2006" by Hiroshi Fujioka (excerpt) Get it on amazon.co.jp
"Dragon Road 2014" by Akira Kushida & Kamen Rider Girls (excerpt) Get it on amazon.co.jp
The eyecatch music cue from Kamen Rider X

• I'll fully admit, I blanked on a few things during the big explanation scene on the bridge, so I'm not kidding when I say it's very likely better than I make it sound. It still doesn't come across as completely in-character to me personally, but I think it's better than the crazy-go-nuts motivations for heroes in previous films. Ultimately it'll come down to a matter of opinion. Some might find it all a load of hogwash; others may be more okay with it than me. Still others will wonder who the hell still says things like "a load of hogwash".

• There are probably tons of mistakes and out-of-order scenes near the end. One I can already recall offhand is that Fourze was just in regular Base States with the Rocket Arm... I think. Guess we'll find out in a few more days!

• For even more laughs though, continue that drinking game of how many times:

- A sentence ends on "...and stuff like that"
- "You know" is used as a bridge between two thoughts
- I stop talking about the actual movie plot to talk about something tangentially related, like the history of X-Rider's transformation or my own theory about the rest of the Faiz cast.
-A character's reaction is described as being "What the he-" or some variations thereof.
-I put off a thought by saying "but I'll get to that..."

• And as mentioned, this is Part 2! Make sure you listen to Part 1 first!

• And yes, that Q&A episode is still actually happening, just as soon as I finish editing Episode 20...


Timestamps:

00:00 - Watch those speakers...!?
45:23 - Super Sentai finally appears!
01:37:17 - At long last, it's over!

• Thanks for listening!

Get The Episode
Download here

Rider Break! on iTunes

Or listen here: