This year, an icon of Japanese superheroism turns 50: masked hero of justice, Kamen Rider, first debuted in 1971. But Kamen Rider franchise it’s not just celebrating its original iteration in 2021 – and it’s not just celebrating in Japan.
Early last year, Toei realized welcome, unprecedented step to start streaming some of the most beloved classic Tokusatsu series on YouTube worldwide, offering subtitled versions of icons such as Super Sentai, Juspion, and Space Sheriff Gavan international public, in some cases for the first time as an official.
A large part of Kamen Rider was obviously absent, but perhaps for good reasons: at about the same time, Toei collaborated with Shout Factory to officially bring the original Kamen Rider to a new linear streaming channel in the US, making the show’s first arrival in the country (well, outside of westernized adaptations like Saban’s Masked rider and Kamen Rider Knight Dragon, this is).
But now, that’s about to change. To celebrate the new year and Kamen Rider50th anniversary, Toei announced that the official Tokusatsu World YouTube account will start launching regular English subtitled episodes starting this month. The samples, which will be available internationally in an unconfirmed number of countries, will come not only from the original show, but over five decades of Kamen Rider history.
G / O Media may receive a commission
No program has been officially confirmed yet, but Toei is currently planning weekly launches “Every Saturday and / or Sunday”. He also hopes to have 1-2 episodes of each Kamen Rider series available on the platform throughout the year – from its beginnings Shōwa, to the rebirth and boom of the 21st century Heisa, to modern iterations, including 2019 Kamen Rider Zero-One (It is not known if we will get anything from the currently broadcast iteration of the show, the second from the Reiwa era, Came Rider Saber).
It’s a big step forward for Kamen Rideraccessibility outside the country of origin. Last year already marked a major step for the franchise, with its big American debuts of both classic pieces and more recently Kamen Rider offers through Shout Factory, but this push brings Kamen Rider, one of Toei’s most prominent and successful series, for an even larger audience, which so far has had to fuel its franchise through more dubious legal means, such as fans. This is a big leap forward to see more official releases of Kamen Rider around the world and a way for people to experience one of the most iconic superhero series in Japan.
Launch of Toei Tokusatsu World Official Kamen Rider the episodes will start on January 16th.
For more, be sure to follow us on Instagram @io9dotcom.