Does Kamen Rider Black Deserve the Hype?

A thorough look at 1987’s Kamen Rider Black - the eighth installment of the Kamen Rider series.
Thumbnail Artist:
Cesar Campos - / cesar_campos_artista
Special thanks to the following individuals and I highly recommend checking them out:
Petsu-chan: / petsuchan
Animétudes: / anime_gaku
Felipe Q: / felipeonodera
MercuryFalcon: / mercuryfalcon
Triblast: / triblast28

[@lucianobarbosa4045]

Kamen Rider Black is by far the most popular Rider show here in Brazil. I think that more interesting than the show itself are the concepts that were discarded along the way, such as the experimental manga "Kimi wa Kamen Rider wo mitaka?". I read that Black was initially planned as a post-apocalyptic show, that's why the lyrics of the ED theme are kinda nostalgic. It would be amazing to see you cover other Ishinomori series lesser known, such as Inazuman and Inazuman Flash, Robot Keiji K and two personal favorites: Akumaizer 3 and Kaiketsu Zubat. Your channel is gold.

[@NaldzHobbySide]

same here in Philippines 👌 if you ask anyone about Kamen Rider or Masked Rider, the answer is BLACK! 😎👌

[@Agito4774]

@@NaldzHobbySide Ayyy, another fellow Filipino!! :D

[@213Gremlin]

ALSO A HUGE RECOMMEND for Cyborg 009. I know some of the character designs are.....questionable...but it's very enjoyable.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@213Gremlin oh hi! Haven’t you watched the Kenya Boy movie before? A dvd copy of the surreal film (complete with a hilarious unofficial fan sub) is here for you!

[@TheRezro]

Black stand out among Showa Era Riders. Unfortunately series always was low budget action cinema targeted largely toward kids. Most early Showa Riders are campy as hell (notable exception is Amazon, where they try spin the idea. What BTW has interesting remake/sequel). I think Skyrider was also decent, but as reboot it was rather safe. Unfortunately Black RX is huge drop in the quality. Fast comment regard Heisei Era show. It start strong trying target this darker tone of original and Black. Unfortunately when was paired with Super Sentai (what become pure kids show), quality of the franchise drop hard. I think it was after W and Decade. Though it was still uneven as despite more childish formula, writers did try push more complex plots for older fans. But it didn't always work. Unfortunately Reiwa is straight unwatchable for my, despite Zero-One, starting rather decently. It drop ball quite fast. Too many flashy special effects.

[@doneabrigo]

I love Kamen Rider Black because it focuses a lot on the solitude of being a Kamen Rider. He has a huge fight in front of him, he has to face everything alone, the odds are stacked against him, and he's always backed into a corner. But he pushes onwards. He's pretty much like Batman: he works through the pain. Now that's what a hero is, in my book.

[@pijaranugerah4776]

Whether it is deserved the hype or not, for many children in my country KR Black or Satria Baja Hitam - as well as Black RX - is THE Kamen Rider. No other KR have ever been so popular, even though Super-One, Kuuga, Ryuki, and Faiz was broadcasted on television in the 90s and early 2000s.

[@filiperodriguesaquin]

Same here! In Brasil (and the rest of Latin America, i believe), Black is the most iconic KR

[@doctorsnakeeater1997]

Weirdly I always thought Ryuki was more popular in Indonesia cuz I could've sworn I saw a lot more toys from that series

[@OneShotHenshin]

Youn mean no other Kamen Rider Series Beside BLACK/RX between 1981-1999 so popular by default only. and between 1989-1999 no KR Series made. what do you expect to be popular if there is no other series made and broadcasted?

[@pp-vf8ls]

actually, i think because of the Black and Black RX of course the re-airing keep it fresh to memories for young child

[@adrianusyudianto9762]

Yes. Black is THE Kamen Rider for Indonesian kids born in late 80s-early 1990s. I can confirm since was born in 1991,and the original Black & Black RX was the hit. Aired on TV, in posters as magazine bonus, Betamax videos, I even had the radio drama cassette tape. It's followed by Super One (somehow promoted as sequel to Black RX). There are special performance, live action performance in the national football stadium for 2 consecutive years. Kamen Rider J and ZO was aired too during holidays, but still overshadowed by Black. Even Tetsuo Kurata is still famous for grown ups KR fans, and visits Indonesia as special guest several times.

[@veejaycarlos5067]

I think what makes black stand off from his showa predecessors are the overall more serious and goth aesthetic. And looking back at the plot, THERE'S SO MUCH YOU CAN DO WITH THESE CHARACTERS. And black sun totally deserves that

[@GingaBishounen122]

Nah Black Sun story and characters are trash. It's a disgrace to the original Black.

[@Mars_over_seer]

I felt like original Black had a lot of stumbles, but the tone and story was very good. Even though the show would introduce plot points and never bring them up again, the story between Shadow Moon and Black was very good.

[@KURO_ame]

I completely agree, Kamen Rider Black just stands out from all the other Kamen Riders. Minami Kotaro rules!

[@kyon813]

@@GingaBishounen122 For all its edge and ranting about politics, Black Sun is still less mature than OG!Black.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Black Sun is a bit too much of an Edgelord hassle for my taste. It is a little too obvious that its own takes on Kotaro and his former friend (adoptive stepbrother in the older mangas and mainline tv shows) Nobuhiko were turned into monsters by their own screwed up dads.

[@vipajack8980]

What I love about Kamen Rider Black is that haunting "lonely" vibe the show has. Like blunova mentioned in the video, Kotaro was alone facing a huge evil force without the help of another Rider, unlike most of his rider predecessors and successors. Sure, he had help from others but most of them are not equal in physical strength as the Rider or they appear in limited episodes. I also felt that KR Black was a revisit and expanding upon the "lonely hero theme" from first Kamen Rider's early episodes (before Kamen Rider 2's introduction). Which I really like and made me want a Reiwa TV-series that explores this theme again with just one Rider alone (without a secondary rider.) Though I did think that Shadow Moon was over-hyped as a villain.... Yes, I love the brotherly drama between Nobuhiko (Shadow Moon) and Kotaro (Black), as well as the moment when Nobuhiko completely trainsform into the villainous Shadow Moon. However, I felt he should had appeared in more episodes, interrupting Black's fight with any weekly Kaijin, like how Hakaida did in the Kikaida show. Furthermore, I felt his first victory versus Kotaro was way too late. Before then, Kotaro was actually winning that fight, until the Century King interrupts and gave Shadow Moon the clutch advantage, tipping over the situation, and defeats Kotaro. The tables turned was too sudden and Shadow Moon's victory wasn't earned, I felt. I honestly wished that Shadow Moon was made more threatening by having him interrupting Black's missions more frequently and had small victories before the show's finale. Admittedly, it's been a long time and I may misremembering things, but that's how I felt the last time I watched the show. However, I still enjoyed Kamen Rider Black and is one of my favorite Kamen Rider series. In addition, I'm eager to watch Kamen Rider Black Sun's own spin on the story (....if I get to watch it somehow). It's interesting to note that Nohubiko/Shadow Moon returns as the antagonist in Black Sun, but he's not brainwashed like he was in original. Which I think could make the drama and rivalry between Kotaro and Nohubiko more complex than the original.

[@zeroskaterz92]

The rivalry between Kotaro and Nobuhiko in Black Sun is terrible. They literally forced Nobuhiko to be villain within the last three episodes. lmao

[@raflintar3479]

oh yeah! that's why everytime i watch black sun, the lonely vibe is always on my mind. The soundtrack too! it's increase the lonely vibe within the show

[@dewacinta4106]

muslim super Hero. Movie youtube.com/@RiyadiYussuf

[@nozarashi4329]

I agree that we should have a new single-rider series, that would be really interesting with how Rider is written now. To make up for the lack of riders, they could just make the main rider have a bunch of different forms, and maybe make more villain riders to compensate.

[@RockoEstalon]

Shadowmoon is indeed overyhyped. Birugenia on the other hand is a pretty forgotten villain but he was the one who actually felt like Black's main rival and it sucks they didn't had a proper final battle.

[@akwilson1676]

I love the fact that he wears white when he's in human form. He's fighting this battle both as a white knight and a dark knight.

[@WindyREDPanda]

Actually: Its kore like "The light in Darkness" Eclipse.

[@so4400]

I think Kuuga would be a good one for you to cover. I think it's one of the most unique entry to the series.

[@akwilson1676]

YES. Probably the best Rider season of all time.

[@HordikaNate3821]

*Laughs in Hibiki* which did share the same director as Kuuga anyway

[@akwilson1676]

@@HordikaNate3821 Damn had the producer and the head writer not been replaced Hikibi could have been a masterpiece. Shame Toei did them dirty.

[@HordikaNate3821]

@@akwilson1676 I've heard it must make binging Hibiki hard, you get used to the different atmosphere it has from past Rider seasons, then it jumps the shark.

[@so4400]

@@HordikaNate3821 I honestly didn't notice the final shift when I was small but looking back at it, the first half was surprisingly mature and unique.

[@fushumang1716]

Black is the best for me. Somewhat has that Batman feel to it. The opening and closing theme are masterpieces. I cried when Battle Hopper died, then was cheerful when it was revived. Black Sun and Shadow Moon are amazing names for the brothers. Black's transformations at the end of the series confused me.

[@battleupsaber462]

What makes Black special are the dark aesthetic, cinematography, occasional horror tones, music, and the strength of the endgame Shadow Moon arc. Otherwise, it would have been a standard Showa era season, with episodic monster of the week plots and whatnot.

[@HordikaNate3821]

This covers my thoughts perfectly

[@minicle426]

It has that distinct 80s horror atmosphere to it.

[@NaldzHobbySide]

Exactly 👌 and No other Kamen Rider series capture the same Feel of Kamen Rider Black 👌

[@thesamuraix881]

I would consider Black to be the perfect transition from Showa to Heisei in terms of plot, design, and themes.

[@unbearablename]

The endgame is what made me think it was decent to being one of my favorite tokusatsu shows ever made. Those last fourteen or so episodes of Black are some of the best you'll ever see in the genre.

[@spider_chad_yu]

Great video. Kamen Rider Black definitely deserves the hype. The cinematography, the effects, the atmosphere, and the plot was amazing. Black is not just my favorite showa Rider but my favorite Rider overall. My favorite episode is the one when Shadow Moon finally gets revealed and brilliantly establishes him as true force to be reckoned with when he cuts down Bilgenia in one slash with the Satan Saber.

[@NaldzHobbySide]

yup, because Kamen Rider Black is iconic and known Globally 👌

[@maxcklein]

Dropping Plastic Love in your Kamen Rider video essay is a power move I can get behind.

[@ml7561]

Back in 2008 I started watching the series shortly before my pre deployment training, during and while I was in Iraq. I was a mega fan that Kamen Rider Black represented hope through suffering. I bought Kamen rider Black and Black RX T shirts that only displays the chest logo the Kamen riders have, and wear them in my boxing class currently. While it is ultra rare to find a fan of the series in America, hopefully someday I will find someone who picks up on the logo and reference.

[@Saintjohn2711]

I am one of the original fans of KR Black. Black was amazing because it was true to its scifi, horror and drama roots.

[@raindrainxi]

The original Kamen Rider Black (or Masked Rider Black as it's known here in the Philippines) was extremely popular here in the Philippines back when it was first released. It was as, if not more, popular than the other super sentai groups that was released around the same time (Bioman, Fiveman, Jetman) and is only rivaled by Shaider. The crucial change that made it so popular here is that they changed the story a bit, instead of being adopted brothers, they were blood brothers. Hence Kotaro was renamed Robert Akizuki, brother of Stephen Akizuki (Nobuhiko). It created a far more compelling drama, especially the first and last few episodes. All the children back in the 90s here were playfighting with Rider Kick and Rider Punch.

[@fushumang1716]

I remember them as being stepbrothers as it was implied during the first episode that Stephens father is not Roberts biological father. So it is not a mystery to me that the younger of the two girls is Stephen's sister and not Robert's

[@rovidelarosa]

Forgot about Maskman? Also, regardless of them being blood brothers or adoptive brothers, Masked Rider Black would still be popular. Do you think kids understand or care about the gravity of that? No, Black is popular because he's the coolest shit on TV.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@fushumang1716 I think they were former friends in Black Sun who forcibly turned into monsters by their screwed up dads.

[@dewacinta4106]

muslim super Hero. Movie youtube.com/@RiyadiYussuf

[@omathitis8498]

I remember in those days, my pals and I making our cartboard cut outs of shaiders armor and KRB's iconic red gemed belt. Then we do toss coin to see who will play who in the upcoming battle of heroes. It was so much fun! It all ended when OP Goku went into the scene.

[@Werezilla]

Shadow Moon's introduction is an interesting way of foreshadowing what was to come with future series. Later series would introduce evil Kamen Riders as primary antagonists, so its fitting that Bilgenia, a character who's design has "Showa Villain" written all over it, is brought down by the villain archetype that would replace his.

[@lady_kuribo]

I think , RX could be an interesting subject since it's the only sequel to a previous show in the Kamen Rider history (and by sequel I mean we have the same main character , not just continuity between the two series ) and how RX distincts itself from it's predecessor

[@HordikaNate3821]

Personally from what I've seen of RX, I dunno if it was really adds anything to this show other then Kotaro gets powers from the sun like Superman, and more side characters

[@pijaranugerah4776]

He’s the first Kamen Rider who changes forms? RX Bio dan Robo are pretty cool.

[@jael4132]

though bishum was still alive to run golgom. i dont think there will be sequel since black became creation king and died

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@jael4132 are you referring to Black Sun?

[@dewacinta4106]

muslim super Hero. Movie youtube.com/@RiyadiYussuf

[@francoikari5085]

Black is without a doubt the best Rider of the Showa era. And the best moment for me is when Gorgom reveals herself to the world, forcing an evacuation of people after Black's death and in the end Kotaro defeats the enemy but there's no one he loves waiting, it's a very bittersweet ending. Hard to believe that this series generated a conflict between Toei and Ishinomori because of the Murakami that made them until they removed Gorenger and Jakq from Super Sentai for a long time but luckily they reconciled in 1992. Some series that deserve attention are Amazon, Kuuga, Ryuki and 555

[@minicle426]

Prefer X myself.

[@francoikari5085]

@qtsssim Stronger is also very good, I consider it the second best next to Amazon

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

I really hope other past Rider shows get the Black Sun treatment. I also hope that many Rider shows finally get Blu Ray releases

[@NaldzHobbySide]

Kamen Rider: The First & Kamen Rider: The Next 👌👌

[@mackybell14]

I think Kuuga would fit for a darker reboot. Though I think Ryuki can also work if they further lean in to the "Battle Royale" theme.

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

@@mackybell14 Bruh, Gaim would be an absolute banger and bloodbath if given the Black Sun treatment

[@joarvilleza1662]

They already did one for Kamen Rider Amazon

[@mitodrudito5806]

If its showa probably V3 or Super 1, if its heisei probably Ryuki (imagine rider vs rider gore) or Hibiki, or faiz (probably adapating the more dark script that didnt make into final product)

[@igormorais4192]

Kamen Rider was THE rider we knew in Brazil. The story was dark, and engrossing as hell. It was a mindfuck for us kids who would otherwise watch Disney movies where everything turns out well. Well in Black they find their father, who promptly dies, then he fails to turn his brother and rival Shadow Moon towards good and is killed by him in battle, then the monster who saves and revives Black is KILLED as well, then Black just gets sick of it all and kills his own brother and ends the threat. Third in spite of the fact that he spent the entire god damn show trying to get his brother back. It messed us up, man! It was awesome

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

All the Toei shows in 1987 were pretty depressing: Maskman,Metalder and Kamen Rider Black. A shame Metalder is overlooked here as it was brodcasted in Bandeirantes (Maskman and Black were shown in Rede Manchete)

[@sackjhindo511]

I would love to see you dive into Kamen Rider Kuuga. It’s such a unique show from the rest of the rider shows. I think Kamen Rider W should also warrant your analysis, especially since Fuuto Pi just came out (really hope we get a season 2!).

[@marcosdheleno]

kuuga really needs a reboot. the series is awersome, but the cgi is so bad...

[@ORLY911]

Started watching kuuga a week ago, tbh the late 90s aesthetic and dated cgi makes it extremely charming.

[@ardius9777]

@@marcosdheleno No it absolutely does not. The dated cgi isn't even that prevalent, and the stunts would never be as good if it was shot under modern japanese laws.

[@Zarathustra_infinite]

​@ardius9777 like the only way it could work if they flim in a country with less strict laws but that would be expensive

[@maingamer6846]

Seriously can't believe were getting this on Blu-Ray. UPDATE: Not to mention that we’re now getting Black RX. Would also love to see Kuuga or Zero-One next

[@khandigifer5254]

Kuuga and Zero one have been out for a good while from Shout Factory on Bluray, they also release Ryuki.

[@maingamer6846]

@@khandigifer5254 Ik. I own them all

[@GingaRunner]

Thank you! I've been loving your series, and seeing you cover Black made my day!

[@TypeVertigo]

BLACK is easily the most remembered Kamen Rider in my country. Trying to watch it on marathon nowadays is kind of a painful slog, though, because the monster-of-the-week formula really gets in the way of the story it wants to tell. Having watched Kamen Rider Blade later on, I think that was BLACK's modern-day spiritual successor because of the tragic plot elements.

[@nexusorigin2600]

Great video, never expected Black to have so many positives. Hope to see Black RX next

[@doctjoe]

This was an excellent review, and I mean that. Just an all around great analysis of the show. I can't wait to rewatch the series when it comes out on Blu-Ray next year.

[@PersonaOna]

I really like this channel. It is very refreshing to see a review channel that isn't so negative all the time. Plus, whenever I close one of your videos I always feel like I know just enough to make an informed choice on if I want to watch the show or not, but just little enough that I'm not spoiled

[@chao9430]

A black sheep idea, covering would be good pick. Kuuga is the obvious next pick. However I think Hibiki would be a good topic as to how unique it is.

[@methik38]

Your videos hit the spot man. appreciate these so much.

[@dimasbujursangkar8120]

I watched many Kamen Rider series, some I like and some just nice to know. But Black is a special one for me. Black defines my childhood. It's in my heart. Will forever and ever be my favorite. Thank you for this review and appreciation video of Black.

[@mrgodzillaraptors8632]

Well made video. Your channel is what got me into Kamen Rider. Hope to see more Kamen rider videos!

[@donatematchacookie]

Black release feels exactly like when the day I first saw Kuuga aired in 2000. It's dark, mature, and doesn't appeal to children. I remember back in HK, when the second episode of Kuuga broadcasted, my parent were shocked at the horror and violence involved. This is definitely S+ 👍

[@ShinGoji1987Official]

Great overview of this series man. I've never seen it before but wow talk about "truth in plain sight" when it comes to the nwo stuff and the demonic villains in this one lol. The manga version that's like Go Nagai's Devilman sounds awesome too. Keep up the fantastic work

[@GIGALADZ91101]

The scene in episode 14 where Katsumi, Kyoko, and a young boy go by the Oceanside to give the boy's dead mother flowers and the girls sing the ending song while grieving over Nobuhiko is one easily my favorite moment in Black

[@jakesantiago3740]

Nice video, and Kamen Rider Black is my second favorite KR series behind Kuuga. While it has many problems that many other Showa-era Rider series, mainly its episodic structure and how they handled Shadow Moon. And I hope you cover Kuuga, since in many ways its like Black on how it was a massive gamble in bringing Kamen Rider back to Japanese TV.

[@n00bstackz]

Jumping back on black(prime) form a 10+ year hiatus and watching with my friend who never watched kamen rider…that show goes f’ing hard yo

[@doublestarships646]

You know what I love about Black? It's how much scenes they added of just normal life of Japan during the 80's. It's kind of interesting.

[@onetruepirateking3664]

black sun and shadow moon are such badass names... not mention that blacks costume looks so amazing, but shadow moon on another level... black is so clean, slick and timeless with its design. but shadow moons design is probably the best kamen rider design ever. and he is the villain in the show

[@OverZaEast]

My problem with Black was just It's still a Showa show. Like half of it's episodes were just episodic filler that IMHO kind off clashed within the Kotaro personal story arc. But when it finally arrives to Kotaro personal story oh man it is amazing.

[@HordikaNate3821]

You definitely won't like Black RX then

[@MikeTien007]

i got to meet and assist the main actor - Tetsuo Kurata last July here in the Philippines, he's still very charismatic and nimble---he does convention appearances often and still has a massive following

[@eldernascimento287]

I certainly remember the guy was called Issamu Minami, not Kotaru in the Brazilian version. I was rocking my brain about this during the whole video.

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

Yes,he was called Issamu in both Black and RX.They only corrected it in the New Pop edition of Kamen Rider Black Manga. I think it was because of the name sound off in portuguese .Star Wars done the same with some characters in the prequel trilogy-Count Dooku,Panaka and Syfo Dias have...sugestive names in our language.

[@redreploid1713]

The show was such a hit, it was the only Kamen Rider to ever get a direct sequel in the form of RX, I hope you get to review it too

[@whitewing2]

Back when it was first aired in the Philippines, it was un announced, suddenly appeared out of no where, but then the Grew on us like "Wait, his Brother was still captured?" and later in the series "Wait... Now his Brother has been turned to the main Villain?" I didn't had the hype back then because it just pop out un announced, but now its a Treasure, something We will re watch time in time again when felt we want to

[@Agito4774]

I'm from the Philippines as well lmao XD

[@matttumberman2191]

Kotaro will always be Robert Akizuki to me

[@dr.dejnairb7022]

I think Kamen rider should have something like this a celebratory series following the route of Amazons. Since Zi-o somehow follows this kind of rendition thru another Kamen, I think they already have this on their back of their mind. Looking for R18 rendition of Ryuuki next and excited on how they will create the suit for them and have a mirror world altercation.

[@kisato2687]

Neat video as always! I was wondering if you would ever cover Space Runaway Ideon? I've not seen too many videos on it, or at least any that have expressed interest in it As one of the most influential works to Anno's Evangelion, I believe that Tomino's work that gave him the infamous reputation as "kill em all" Tomino is one that is underappreciated even till now, and it's honestly one of the few stories that has really kept me thinking about it for a long time Cheers as always for the amazing video!

[@ShadowRoadX]

I do think Black is the probably the top tier of the Showa era series, even over Black RX despite it being a continuation. The mood of the season does lose its way a bit as you mentioned, but I think it continued enough of the character development in other ways even if it didn't quite even out entirely.

[@petekaiser]

Kamen rider black revolutionized the KR series over all bringing that atmosphere to the ahow itself. Not to mention the only KR series that had a continuation in the form of Kamen Rider Black RX, also where different KR forms were introduced

[@togelz]

I want to add a little more background for any newcomer for this legendary series : both Kotaro and Nobuhiko are destined (according to Golgom prophecy) to become the 2 candidates for the next Golgom's creation king because both was born during a solar eclipse (hence their name is Black Sun and Shadow Moon), so they are supposed to receive the Kingstone (one red and one green) by operation, get mindwiped / brainwashed and then fight to the death where the winner are supposed to take the loser's Kingstone to become the next creation king The operation is failed midway because Prof Akizuki (Nobuhiko's father) doesn't want to his son and his foster son (Kotaro) to be mindwiped by Golgom, it seems that he wanted them becoming The creation King while still retain their original personality and i think why the shows creator kinda wasted Shadowmoon appearance near the end of the series and resulted in some inconsistencies or quality drop was because the show's producer already thinking at that time to make the sequel series which is Kamen Rider Black RX, that's why the ending is kinda confusing to me because it didn't make sense that both Kyoko and Katsumi didn't go back to Japan and search for Kotaro after the finale, since they are the only remaining family that he had

[@jerrogs]

This was called Maked Rider Black in the Philippines. This was one of my favorite shows growing up, another was Ultraman Tiga and Shaider. Great video!

[@randallrona9618]

Kamen Rider Black is considered to be the Michael Jordan of the Kamen Rider series. It was released in the 80s, the same year Michael Jordan was drafted in 1984 in the NBA and wasn't yet a championship level on that time before he would become the GOAT in the 90s. It was during the 90s that Black became popular and fan favorite in not just Japan but to other countries such as Brazil and Philippines.

[@blackrx89]

thanks for highlighting ever since the reboot coming out from amazon would do justice if done commentary on the sequel, the Black RX as it's the most popular version of it

[@lynnkyawzaw33]

This is awesome. Thank you for creating this vdo. Quality indeed.

[@nuke1100]

The best Kamen Rider of all riders. Black & RX are the kamen riders that made it big international.

[@1001johny]

Love your content, just love your content. I hope you could do RX, BLACK SUN, or Kuuga next. That is unless you'd rather continue your rider series in order and go to V3. KR Black content might be good for the algorithm, but I'll watch it either way.

[@grungethemovie]

Great video! Black was the first (and to many only) Kamen Rider series here in Brazil, and after many series it remains one of my favorites. Just discovered your channel through KZbin suggestions, subscribed and about to dive in! (Sure you're gonna make a video about Black Sun, right?)

[@Tripledashhh_]

I’d love for you to talk about the first heisei era kamen rider; kuuga the drama plot is just so surreal for a show aimed for children. It’s quite the drama show

[@safruddinaly5822]

Good as usual, more please, i can't wait for how you made video about RX because the tunes of RX is more light hearted

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Great video once again. My favorite Kamen Rider next to ZO. Love everything about this show.

[@elyusmechanicalengineering8898]

What I like the most about Kamen Rider Black is the soundtrack and the thriller suspense in the series.

[@greentokyo]

Great video!

[@gto7795]

Thank you so much for this video! I grew up watching Kamen Rider Black..and of all the Kamen Rider series ive Watched.. Black is the best.. Ryuki 2nd and 555 third.👌

[@luchomscyfy]

Most of the people don't realize, it's Black is like a "reboot" of the original Kamen Rider, the 1971 series. The original Kamen Rider, Takeshi Hongo, had the same issues in the first 13 episodes of the series (except for having a brother). But the first 13 episodes of the original KR were that dark. When Ichimonji became the main character, the series became more "light".

[@nozarashi4329]

I would LOVE if you took a similiarly deep look at Kuuga. As the first post-Ishinomori series, I think there's a lot to examine, in both what is new and what stayed the same.

[@GleamingGarmore]

I’d love to see Kuuga covered. I just finished it recently and I loved it so much! If you don’t mind covering something more recent than that, you could talk about Den-O. Or maybe get real controversial and say something about Saber

[@HordikaNate3821]

He could do Ryuki (after Kuuga and maybe Agito) too, a show that broke Kamen Rider apart and then reconstructed it Edit: also the source for the best American Toku adaptation

[@Peraliq]

@@HordikaNate3821 everyone always talk about kuuga but i loved agito a lot as well lol

[@HordikaNate3821]

@@Peraliq Yeah Agito does get the middle child treatment a lot

[@bangbokir307]

Travel back "Long Long A Go 20th Century" ... Man I love how you smartly use this ending theme reference

[@passerbeta2298]

those suzuki bikes from the 80's-90's are so rare now and sought after

[@ginoongboyong]

Masked Rider Black is one of my childhood hero. I imitate his transformation with smoke while using small firecracker that emits smoke when wet by sweat and compressed in the fingers. I remember the time Battle Hopper became evil, he had use other Motorcycle named "Road Sector". Classic! Nostalgic!

[@PatrickLofstrom]

I fansubbed Black when I was in college because I loved the show so much as a kid when I was growing up in Japan. It took me I think six years or more since I was either busy or uninspired, but hey... I at least finished it! I let my site expire recently though, since I don't plan to fansub anything anymore. In any case, I love Black. Like you said, it does lose momentum, but the last few episodes are amazing to me. It has a surprising amount of depth for a show geared toward children, and I'm glad that it's still fun to watch as an adult. The suits look great, the kaijin look and sound menacing (for some shows, the kaijin sound like a dude in a recording booth... Black has effects layered on to sound "real"), the hero is actually someone you can look up to instead of being a clueless young guy, etc. RX was a totally different beast. I liked it, but didn't love it enough to want to fansub it, which is an indicator. I liked Black exactly because it was hopeful in a hopeless world, Kotaro was a brooding hero trying to put on a smile for the rest of us. The Kotaro in RX instead like a different person, because the script made him into a happy, sometimes clueless guy that became the template for Heisei shows. I get that happy heroes are more popular, but it was too big of a shift for me since I like the darker stuff. Anyway, great analysis. Black is always on my mind, but it's not every day that you hear someone else talk about it, and it made me remember certain scenes that made an impact on me. Fresh perspectives about the show's influences and the background research is much appreciated. Looking forward to the Blu-ray release, hope that KRB reaches an even bigger audience!

[@mcdent139]

The biggest problem with Kamen Rider BLACK is that it went through five head writers one after the other, and there are episodes where you can feel the writers scrambling to get something together before the deadline.

[@SorryIBlackedOut]

KR Black and KR Kuuga I consider my top KRs. They’re both my favorites for contrasting reasons and nothing else has been able to top them.

[@cs7jay41]

Great video! Please cover Black RX & Agito... Thank you

[@ahmadsallehinshariffuddin9745]

Most country in southeast asia and some Latin American country in the late 80’s knew who Kotaro Minami is. I dont know in europe whether they aired this series or not. This kind of revival made the phenomenal possible. In my country, this show is THE kamen rider compared to the 1963 original although it were aslo aired here in the early 80’s known as ‘Semut Merah’. When I first time watched this show montage, I was really in shock because it’s similar to ‘semut merah’. Most of Malaysian kids around my age back then will probably skipped evening clases to watched the siries. Too bad when it comes to RX, the tv station did not airing it. What a loss to Malaysian kids back then.

[@RavensEagle]

I honestly would love to see you do a piece on KR Kabuto It's such a departure from regular KR shows and such a unfortunate production and also a change in filming from 60fps to 24fps And it's still widely loved even 15 years later

[@jihlnabaat6329]

only on episode 4 of black sun and damn it almost perfect 1:1 so good i just wish there were more super 1 fans, having seen every series and film to date this series despite changing hands is still amazing and entertaining.

[@DanDaFreakinMan]

Haven't really touch much of Black, but I did watched Black RX growing up. Went back and watched the whole thing in my high school year and boy I love it. Best Kamen Rider IMO

[@otaking3582]

The flashes during the transformation sequence were actually a gimmick. The DX belt for that season had a light sensor that worked similar to the NES Zapper, activating lights and sounds in time to what's shown on screen.

[@saiken811]

Really appreciate your "long long ago, 20th century" intro.

[@senpaikuzu4703]

Brings back memories from my childhood 😢😢

[@senyum0]

Kamen rider black introduced me to the series

[@TheOldKing1998]

I would love to hear your thoughts on Black RX next

[@asalreview6432]

Nice analysis. I think you should do an analysis of Kamen Rider Kuuga or RX

[@nope5657]

It took me a while to get around to Kamen Rider Black. I had watched a few series before it - W, Fourze, Gaim, and Build. Then I went to a few Sentai and Ultraman series. Black is by my favorite Kamen Rider series for all the reasons people mention. It's cinematic, atmospheric, and just plain cool.

[@evoSieg]

Well this makes me want to watch the OG Black series before finishing the one on Prime. +1 sub sir!

[@ChaosMatrix]

"Lets travel back long long ago, to the 20th century" Ow my soul!

[@zulium]

Black was the first series I watched so it has a special place in my heart. I heard the theme song first and had to know what it was from, then got hooked lol

[@AkatsuVentures]

awesome breakdown of the show that I loved to watch as a kid......and even as an adult. what I'd like to know though is where'd you get your copy of Kamen Rider Black? its clarity is great! please share it. :)

[@neogriff]

Black, Black RX and Kuuga are my favorite Kamen Riders.

[@ahmes004]

This video was not only educational, but entertaining and insightful.

[@HordikaNate3821]

I wouldn't say it's the "last good Kamen Rider season" or anything like that(it's not even in my top 10), but it's a fun ride and a show that I'd recommend for people who want to get into the Showa stuff along with ZO and J, seeing as the camp isn't as prevalent with those as it is with Ichigo-ZX. Also Shadow Moon is literally the Kamen Rider counterpart to Darth Vader, his mannerisms, tie to Kotaro, and his design all remind me of that.

[@HordikaNate3821]

Also (not sure if this is a hot take) watching a bit of Black RX, I gotta say it's dope the show got a sequel but it's a bit of a slap in the face to the ending of Black with how Kotaro gets the Black RX powers. The show feels less like an add on to Black's story and more like a "lets figure out how to merchandise the last season more", and it shoulda been a new show with a different protagonist.

[@NaldzHobbySide]

Kamen Rider Black is Simply iconic 👌The Opening/intro theme the Henshin and the Footsteps of Shadow moon is f* creepy/awesome 👌👌

[@HordikaNate3821]

@@NaldzHobbySide I can't believe that the internet would rip-off Black's transformation pose in 2015 with the dab XD

[@darkwonderworld2231]

7:36 I love that that one kid's shirt is a shirt says Wisconsin haha

[@sanctusimmolatum4286]

Yes! It’s easily one of the more iconic and famous of the olden era.

[@catzilla5855]

This thumbnail is actual hot fire 🔥

[@FN-170]

I feel like most if not all kamen rider shows have shown issues with its back half it almost feels like a customary thing now.

[@jaycarl85]

The ending theme hits.

[@micheldepaula8733]

This show was big in Brazil! I did even know that kamen rider was a franchise until much later

[@GOGOAKUMAN]

Black was great, it was my introduction to Kamen rider when I discovered that Mask Rider from Saban had an original series. It felt pretty normal from the start because in France we always had the original series on tv "Bioman, San Ku kai, Gavan and other metal heroes" But we only got Mask rider, talk about a bummer 😅

[@VSarquiza]

Nice review! Kamen Rider Black is well loved here in the Philippines!

[@kamenrider.antonsuciptosp.]

Kamen rider black is my favourite film, in the 90's ..

[@halcyon2344]

I would be interested in seeing you cover Agito.

[@shoresy6943]

It deserves the hype the bikes alone gave me massive hype.

[@nathandanielhernandez5481]

I can't wait to see you describe the more recent kamen rider series because I wanna know how the series later becomes involved w fighting pacman and wearing a fedora