There are only a relative few franchises that can boast over 50 years of history, while still surviving well into the modern age. Many in the English speaking world will know ofDoctor Who, orStar Wars, but when it comes to Japan,Kamen Rideris one of the biggest and oldest names around, especially in the superhero genre.
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Kamen Rideris a series that focuses on the titular riders, superheroes who often work alone or In small groups to stop some grand, evil organization. While its sister seriesSuper Sentaiwas introduced outside Japan asPower Rangers,Kamen Ridernever got a worthwhile adaptation, and remains largely Japan exclusive. This means getting into the series can often be a challenge, but luckily most seasons tell their own story, and there are a lot of great jumping on points.
8Kamen Rider Fourze
In many ways,Kamen Riderand other ‘tokusatsu’ TV shows share a lot of aspects with anime, from mannerisms and gags to themes of friendship and determination. Since anime is such a massive cultural force, these similarities might help ease anime fans into theKamen Riderworld.
Fourze’s use of a traditional high school setting is an aspect of the show that it shares with many anime. The main character Gentaro is also a classic ‘delinquent’ character like Yusuke Urameshi fromYu Yu Hakusho. Even outside its anime links, the focus on space provides a rather popular motif for newcomers to latch onto.
7Kamen Rider Decade
Kamen Rideris divided into 3 eras; ‘Showa’, ‘Heisei’ and ‘Reiwa’, corresponding to whatperiod of Japan’simperial rule each season aired under.Kamen Rider Decadeaired in 2009, right in the middle of the Heisei era. It’s an anniversary season, which makes it a good place to learn about the series as a whole.
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Particularly, it pays homage to the 9 seasons that precede it in the Heisei era. This era started in 2000, after a 10 year hiatus for the series, so it acts as the series’ first set of modern installments.Decadenot only gives newcomers a brief overview of all seasons in the Heisei era, but is also fairly short at only 31 episodes.
6Kamen Rider x Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen
Kamen Riderand its sister seriesSuper Sentaiare very closely linked, sharing an entire broadcast block together and often crossing over in various movies and specials.Super Hero Taisenis one such crossover, mainly featuringKamen Rider DecadeandKaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.
While the movie is best enjoyed with knowledge of all the various seasons of both shows involved, these crossover events are also designed to not be too overwhelming to newcomers. SinceDecadeandGokaigerare both anniversary seasons that use powers from across their respective series,SHToffers a chance to see a wide range of what both series have to offer while enjoying some great action.
5Kamen Rider Zi-O
As the final Kamen Rider series to air in the Heisei era,Zi-Ois a spiritual successor toDecadein many ways. Just likeDecade, it pays homage to previous seasons by allowing its protagonist to access powers from various other Kamen Riders.
Zi-Omight be a better jumping on point thanDecade, as it aired roughly 10 years later in 2018. This means 10 years of improvements to the series' visual style, action scenes and grasp on modern technology, makingZi-Omuch less jarring to modern viewers. This season also features a Terminator-esque time travel plot line that is easy to grasp.
4Kamen Rider Gaim
Among fans, 2013’sKamen Rider Gaimis still one of the more popular seasons in the franchise, meaning it can show newcomers some of the best the franchise has to offer. A big part in makingGaimas loved as it is it’s writer Gen Urobuchi, best known forcreatingMadoka Magica, one of the most iconic anime ever made.
Due to Urobochi’s involvement, the season’s storytelling is somewhat similar to that of an anime, further helping anime fans transition smoothly intoKamen Rider. Gaim also features fruits and samurai as its main motifs, giving it a uniquely appealing range of colorful costume designs.
3Heisei Rider vs. Shōwa Rider: Kamen Rider Taisen
Most of the seasons listed here are from the Heisei era, as it’s the longest running era in the series’ history. Getting into the seasons from the Showa era will likely be quite difficult for many, due to their very visible age and lower production values. They are the beginning of the series however, and are worth at least knowing about.
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While a lot ofKamen Ridermovies and specials will feature the Showa riders,Kamen Rider Taisenputs them all in one movie, while pitting them against the Heisei riders. This movie allows newcomers to see the older riders in a more modern context, possibly sparking interest in checking out the older seasons in the series.
2Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
EachKamen Riderseason needs something to set itself apart from the crowd. Especially in recent years, each season commits to an overall visual motif, whether it be cars, fruit or ghosts.Ex-Aidis a season that chooses to pay homage to video games.
Just like anime, video games are a massive industry, and many fans looking to get intoKamen Riderwill have some background in video games. This helpsEx-Aidfeel more familiar, even to newcomers. It is also one of the more popular seasons, having even faced offagainst Pac-Manin a crossover movie.
1Kamen Rider Geats
For long-running franchises, if the story between entries is more disconnected, sometimes the best place to jump in is the newest entry. Just like startingPokemonwith the upcomingScarletandVioletis a perfectly easy way to try the series out,Kamen Rider Geatsis an easy way to try this series out.
Geats’ first episode will be airing on the 4th of September 2022, so any newcomers can watch along with it from the start. The season is also going for a battle royale style story, taking inspiration from other battle royales likeFortniteandSquid Game, meaning many newcomers will be familiar with the structure the narrative uses.
