Finished Heisei Phase 1 this week. Thoughts…
I’ve been into tokusatsu for about 6 years. For most of that time, I thought Kamen Rider stopped being good after Agito. I don’t know where this belief came from because I was completely wrong. Since January I’ve been on a tear, flying through Heisei phase 1 in order, starting with Ryuki (I watched Kuuga and Agito years ago) Over the weekend I finished decade and thought this sub might be interested in my ranking with some brief notes. I mostly just want to gush about kamen rider and interact with fellow fans. What’s everyone else’s ranking? Or at least, what do you consider peak or the worst of the era? I will say the only show I didn’t like was Den-O but it still had redeeming qualities and I enjoyed chunks of it. Picture for attention. It’s my haul from a toy convention I went to over the weekend. Got a killer deal on the rider 6” sofubi.
Kamen Rider Kuuga>!- Watched this one years ago, but will still randomly play episodes. It’s my favorite!! What can I say that hasn’t been said? The scene where he beats the crap out of the porcupine kaijin is one of my favorite toku scenes period.!<
Kamen Rider Faiz>!- I was genuinely sad when it was over. Like I was going to miss hanging out with real friends. I hated Kusaka so much throughout the show but when he died I just felt sick. Not because I would miss him but because what it meant for Kiba’s character. They kinda whiffed the ending but still some powerful stuff in there.!<
Kamen Rider Ryuki>!- the reveal that the whole mirror world/rider battle royal was spurred by childhood abuse was dark and beautiful. Loved most of the characters and suit designs. Goro is my favorite and I wish he got more time as a rider.!<
Kamen Rider Hibiki >!(thru episode 29)- at this point it’s cliche but those first 29 episodes are damn near perfect. Had me in my feels and tearing up almost every damn episode. I liked it so much I watched!<
>!Daimajin Kanon (the producer and the writer’s later series) in the middle of my Kamen Rider binge. Must see if you like Hibiki.!<
Kamen Rider Blade>!- tbh kind of a mid season. Maybe this is a hot take, but the fighting was bad. On Faiz, fighters looked like they were beating the crap out of each other. On Blade, you could see them purposefully missing punches like a western stereotype of Japanese action. But the end really elevates the series. Plus, Chalice is top 3 rider for me, for sure.!<
Kamen Rider Kiva>!- I thought I would hate Kivat but I ended up thinking he was cool and I liked the idea of a sentient driver. For some reason, I absolutely loved the cgi castle and the monster weapon guys inside. The wolf guy was my favorite character. Nago’s arc was pretty stupid. Seemed like he was going to be more like Kusaka at first then he became a joke character. I mostly preferred the 1986 timeline. Overall I liked it and I want more goth Kamen Rider.!<
Kamen Rider Agito>!- I watched this years ago and I’m gonna be real, I probably need to watch it again. But I remember really liking Gills story. The rest kinda blends in with Kuuga and I didn’t even watch them close together.!<
Kamen Rider Decade>!- show was a hot mess. I loved Diend and visiting the AR worlds. But I also watched the All Riders movie. Are we really supposed to just be cool with Decade being high up in shocker? Then he only leaves because they turned on him? He seems sort of irredeemable. He was one of my favorite main riders up to that. If someone can explain to me why I’m wrong on that, I’d love to hear it. I’m watching W just so I can watch the W and Decade movie to finish the story.!<
Kamen Rider Kabuto>!- great fighting and food motif. Some cool suits, some stupid suit choices.!<
>!I think they started to get a grasp on how they wanted all Kamen Rider shows to feel moving forward, with this one. Kamen Rider used to be more serious with some comic relief characters and stories. Since Kabuto is almost the opposite. They’ve just been trying to find the right balance of silly and serious ever since and I don’t think they have tbh (remember I’m only on W)!<
Kamen Rider Hibiki>!- (after episode 29)- Zanki stuff was fun but damn did they betrayed the characters and story. I don’t even want to talk about the character they added in. (Even tho the actor end up playing my favorite rider in Den-O)!<
Kamen Rider Den-O>!- The only season I almost gave up on. The imagin’s sand form where their legs are above them is kinda cool. I liked Deneb a lot. I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum so I’ll leave it at that. Just not for me. I can see the appeal for kids so I can’t dog on the show too much.!<