“Kamen Rider” was actually created by Toei in the beginning just to save money! At that time, some people still said that it was to compete with “Ultraman”, but it gradually became one of the three pillars of Japanese special effects. Motorcycles are not only used to carry people, they are also the most powerful killing weapons! From money-saving schemes to passing on legends, how can “Kamen Rider” survive for fifty years?
What is tokusatsu?
First of all, we need to understand what “Tokusatsu” is! Special photography is special photography, using special effects, explosions, and models to shoot scenes that ordinary photography cannot handle. When talking about tokusatsu in Japan, it must be a TV or movie with monsters, heroes, and sparks and explosions. The earliest hit was “Godzilla” in 1954, then “Moonlight Mask” in 1959, and then “Ultraman”/”Superman”/”Salt Man” in 1966. This film directly brought the concept of giant heroes fighting monsters to every household. Children must be watching the TV when they come home from school!
“Ultraman” became a hit, and Tsuburaya made huge profits. Some people even said that “Kamen Rider”/”Masked Superman” was created by Toei to “kill” Ultraman. But there are actually competitors like “Mirror Superman”, and the market competition is fierce! The point is that a big guy like Ultraman fights monsters, and the production cost is super expensive! Toei wanted to save money, so he thought it would be better to be a hero with an ordinary body shape. Using motorcycles, punching, kicking, and small explosions is much cheaper, and of course the boss is super cool!
kamen rider birth concept
Speaking of “Kamen Rider”, I must mention Shotaro Ishinomori. He is the disciple of Osamu Tezuka. He is very good at drawing comics and is the best at transforming people. Toei asked him to cooperate and said they wanted to create a new hero.
“SkullMan” is actually the predecessor of Kamen Rider, in which artificial humans fight against evil organizations, and many of the subsequent settings are related to it.
Mr. Ishimori originally wanted to draw a Cyborg fighting a secret organization in the style of “Skeleton Man”, but it was too dark for children to watch, and the toys couldn’t be sold! Bandai gets angry when he hears it, this is not okay! So I changed it and added elements such as insects, motorcycles, cyborgs, evil organizations, etc., and the first Kamen Rider was born!
So, why is Kamen Rider blushing?
First, it is not a born hero, but is forced to transform, but still has to stand up to protect the weak. Even though I know I will sacrifice myself, I still have to hold on. With the passionate theme song, how could a child not be on fire!
Second, the sense of immersion is very strong. Ultraman’s enemies come from the universe, while Kamen Rider’s enemies are on Earth. Evil organizations and laboratories seem to come out next door. The audience feels that they may be transformed into Kamen Riders at any time! As soon as the belts came out in the later period, they simply asked you to pay money. If you buy one, you can imagine yourself transforming. Even if you can’t buy the real thing, if you wear a DX or CSM belt and watch TV, you still feel like you’re participating in the war!
Third, motorcycles. Motorcycles are not just for transportation, they can also hit people! With a flick of the tail, the monster was knocked away, and the young man’s blood surged. Speed is passion, and it wouldn’t exist without motorcycles!
Fourth, longevity. From 1971 to the present, new characters and new belts have been released continuously for decades, accompanying the audience from children to fathers and grandfathers. This sense of inheritance is not comparable to ordinary works.
The secret to Kamen Rider’s everlasting popularity
Inheritance does not mean adherence. Only by adding new elements with the times can we continue to move forward.
Back then, he said he wanted to fight Ultraman, but in the end, Kamen Rider went his own way. Today, together with “Sentai” and “Ultraman”, it ranks among the three pillars of Japanese special photography. The plot may not be as dark as before, but the core of justice remains the same. Passed from generation to generation, how can it die?
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