More New Stuff

Coming January 17th, it's Kamen Rider Kabuto COMPLETE BEST ONE AND ONLY, the complete musical Kabuto experience. In the same vein as the big CD box sets for some of the previous Riders, Kabuto's 4-CD set will boast roughly 120 tracks- OP & ED Songs, BGM (from the series and movie), Karaoke, and even all the sound effects featured with the toys. Kabuto fans, this will be a must-get.

Also in January of '07 is "Tokusatsu Heroes" Kamen Rider V3, the second set of the new "Tokusatsu Heroes" series. Basically, they're little super-deformed figures and, ironically, the majority of them are villains! Nothing wrong with that though!

The first set was all characters from the original Kamen Rider, and I've got my hands on a bunch of them. They're really pretty neat, and for some characters they're the first toy version of that character ever, so of course they're easy to get excited about. This set will feature characters from the end of the original series, as well as Kamen Rider V3.

The line-up for this set includes Kamen Rider 2 (New), Gani-Kômoru, Gelshocker Combatant, Isogin-Jaguar*, Kumo-Lion*, Shocker Rider (variant alert!), Hiru-Chameleon*, Kamen Rider V3, Riderman, Hasami-Jaguar, Kame-Bazooka, Terebi-Bae, Ika-Fire, Machinegun-Snake, Pickaxe-Shark, Gama-Boiler*, Missle-Yamori, Taihô-Buffalo, Kani-Laser*, Kyuuketsu-Mammoth*, Shibito-Kômori*, Zariganna*, Destron Combatant, & Marshal Armor.

*Starred characters indicate a raised "Holy @#$%!" level.

"Soul of Soft Vinyl" Stronger & Tackle

You saw the prototypes, now here's the finished products, coming out in February 2007:

Looking good! I'd say that's one of the best Tackle figures ever. Now when's Kamen Rider Femme coming out?

Kamen Rider Den-O! Part II

And now my further thoughts on all the new toys related to 2007's Kamen Rider. If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, the pics are linked in the previous post. All release dates are tentative and subject to change.

-The Henshin Belt this year is the DX Den-O Belt which will be able to play "Hassha Melodies" (Hassha being the "Departure of a vehicle") and feature 13 sounds in total, plus the usual blinky lights. The belt plays a role in transforming into the different forms, and the main circular part (which I'll call the "Typhoon" for nostalgia's sake) can change color according to the forms. The "Rider Pass" is combined with a "Rider Ticket" (it goes into the Pass, I believe) and is swiped over the front of the belt (as opposed to being inserted into it) to activate everything. The belt will also play a role in initiating the final attacks via something called "Full Charge" (kinda like Faiz.) Comes out in the latter half of February.

-The two thingies on Den-O's sides form his weapons, and you'll be able to do the same with the DX DenGassher (or whatever it's supposed to be, we'll find out eventually.) The parts can be combined in different ways to form the 4 different modes; Sword Mode, Rod Mode, Axe Mode, Gun Mode. Comes out in the latter half of February.

-Cheaper versions of both of the above come in the Kamen Rider Den-O Complete Transformation Set. There's also a Kamen Rider Den-O Helmet (which does not cover the face and is meant for kids, people) and a punching bag, if for some reason you feel the need to sock Den-O in the face (I never quite understood putting heroes on the punching bags, but whatever.) All of these come out in late January.

-Rider Hero Series Soft Vinyl figures of all four forms are on the way, of course. Sword Form comes out in January, Rod Form in February, and Axe & Gun Forms are slated for March. Apparently, Rod and Axe will be appearing in the series the same months the toys come out, but Gun Form is not appearing on TV until April (If I read that tiny text right.)

-The big thing this year is the DenLiner Series, scaled-down versions of what I guess will be Den-O's train thingie DenLiner, hereafter referred to as "The Justice Train" on this blog, because I said so. The initial set of DenLiner Series 1~4 "Gouka" (don't quote me on the name, it's tough to make out) reflects Sword Form and gives you nearly everything you see in that wild promo pic. The different cars feature different action gimmicks, and later add-on sets will do the same. The initial set comes out in later March, which will also see the release of DenLiner Series 5 "Isurugi", reflecting Rod Form. Mid-April will be the release date DenLiner Series 6 "Kouki", the Axe Form cars, and late April is when DenLiner Series 7 & 8 "Ikatzuchi" comes out, reflecting Gun Form, and has some kind of transforming dragon gimmick. Maybe Den-O gives Ryuki a lift? All of the train toys come with "Rider Tickets" which work with the "Rider Pass" that came with the Henshin Belt. So in other words, if you buy the belt, you're probably gonna want to get these too for even more fun. As I said earlier, I don't know how the DenLiner idea will work on the show, but it looks like it'll at least make for some neat toys.

-Now for the really good stuff. A DX Kamen Rider Den-O figure, which can change between any of the 4 forms, comes out in late April. I imagine this is like the successor of the C.O.R. Series. The Sôchaku-Henshin Series is on the ball a month earlier with Kamen Rider Den-O Sword Form. Lastly, a Bike & Rider set gives you both the main man and his motorcycle (glad to see he's got one, considering the whole train thing!) and comes out in later April.

I think that's about it. Most of the Kanji in the "Story" box on the first scan is really hard to make out, but from what I can see, there will be some dimensional-hopping accomplished via the trains (for some reason, this reminds me of the Gummi Ships from Kingdom Hearts) Also, the usual "defending people from Kaijin" jazz, which is fine by me. I hope the villains are cool, considering how much stuff Den-O already has, they'd better be!

Kamen Rider Den-O!

It's official: The title for 2007's seties is Kamen Rider Den-O (that being a long "Ou")!

Check out tons of new pics of the toys, courtesy of the folks at Henshin Justice Unlimited, here and here. I'll post more of my thoughts tomorrow (it's late, and Finals are starting!) but I have to say the train thingie in the last link...well, I don't know how it will turn out on the show, but it looks like an awesome toy, and something I would have killed for when I was younger. (^_^)

Faced!

As a follow-up to the "History Repeating Itself" post from a few nights back (which nobody commented on...boo-hoo) I forgot about one of the greatest "Simultaneous Rider Kicks" of all:

Kamen Rider Gills vs. Another Agito! Now, I love Gills as much as, if not more than, the next person, and the Gills Heel Claw is one of my favorite moves in a long time. But I have to laugh every time I watch the scene when they first face off, if only because Another Agito demonstrates the seemingly-obvious way to counter Gills' attack.

You just step back and kick him.

And THAT'S what medical school will do for you, kids.

Kamen Rider Kabuto Episode #44

Kabuto, how far you've come. I remember seeing the first episode back when it originally aired, and...oh wait, this isn't the last episode yet. But it could have well been, it was pretty spectacular, and gives me yet more hope for the finale.

Grandmother said this: Spoiler Warning!

When we last left off, things were looking pretty grim for the good guys. An army of Worms is headed straight for Area Z, where the Masked Rider System Project began all those years ago. ZECT is losing ground fast, and the seemingly invincible Nogi/Cassisworm (whose name makes me think of the drink...long story) is knocking down Riders like they were dominoes. On top of this, Dark Kabuto has been runnin' around looking to meet his non-evil counterpart and "erase" him. And even though Kabuto just defeated his knock-off, Hiyori showed up to announce that she likes it better in EVIL! Tendô's blissful green world, and has no desire to ever return to this world again.

Needless to say, this is the final straw for our hero, and his fighting spirit (which he just regained after a period of self-doubt last time) goes out the window yet again. After Gatack saves him from getting shot by the slowest-moving beam ever, Tendô decides that despite his best efforts, there is nothing more he can do, since the only way for Hiyori to be happy is to run off with the fake.

Renge then arrives and reveals that the entrance to the other world seems to be tied in with an eclipse, but Tendô repeats that his inability to convince Hiyori has made it all for naught anyway. Kagami however is not convinced. After Hiyori and her new best friend took off, Tendô found the two pieces of Hiyori's drawing (which EVIL! Tendô had ripped in half last time) and Kagami believes there is some further hidden meaning in the drawing. Back on Earth-2, or wherever it is, Hiyori & EVIL! Tendô share a fond little moment, although she does not seem as sure of her decision now.

Who wouldn't be? Just look at the expression on her face there. It's a look that says "Get the heck away from me, you creepy little man."

Meanwhile, all Hell is still breaking loose as the Nogi-led Worm Army continues their push towards Area Z. As usual, the Zectroopers get their butts kicked big time. I mean look at this:

It's an all-time low for ZECT. Yaguruma and Kageyama watch the chaos, and Kageyama wants to go out and help fight the Worms, but is dismissed by his "brother" for being weak and wanting to give in and be "an ally of justice."

Tendô heads for Area Z, and despite telling him to return to the hospital, grudgingly allows Kagami to join him. As they speed to the scene, Cassisworm Gladius has once again broken through the lines, and is after Misaki. Tsurugi appears to save her, and, knowing that he cannot defeat Cassisworm himself, instead transforms only to shield Misaki from harm. Cassisworm savagely attacks Sasword, damaging even his Masked Form.

They manage to get away, and as Tsurugi is taken away for medical attention, Kagami (who has since arrived with Tendô) realizes that, just as Tsurugi sought to protect Misaki, so too is Hiyori trying to protect Tendô in a way. Deep in her heart, she does want to return to this world, even if she's trying to convince herself otherwise. Tendô, moved by his words and examining Hiyori's drawing once more, agrees, and his faith is renewed yet again. They decide to deal with the Worm army first however, and deduce that only a simultaneous attack by two or more Riders can defeat Cassisworm, as he then can't absorb the attacks and copy their moves. They transform, but just as Kabuto goes Hyper, Renge contacts him and reports that a solar eclipse is happening again. Kabuto and Gatack agree to split up for now; Kabuto will go to the other world and save Hiyori, and Gatack will fight Cassisworm alone.

The assault has pushed all the way to the last line of defense, and there are literally thousands of Worms plowing through the Zectrooper ranks. Gatack arrives and, despite Tadokoro's pleas, engages Cassisworm in combat. Kageyama suddenly appears, dressed in his old clothes, and reveals that he has TheBee brace. He summons TheBee Zecter and transforms, entering the fray.

However, he impulsively attacks Cassisworm with a Rider Sting before Gatack can also connect with a Rider Cutting, so the Kaijin simply absorbs both attacks and turns them against the Riders. Yeah, nice one, Kage.

Tendô reaches the other world by flying into the eclipse (yeah...um...) and as you can probably guess, EVIL! Tendô is not a happy camper. Tendô keeps his cool though.

Knocked right out of his transformation, Kageyama pleads for TheBee Zecter to return to him again, but you already know how well that works out. Yaguruma arrives and all but flips the attention-deficit Zecter off before scowling at his partner in crime once more. Man, you'd think the Hoppers would have split by now with all the teamwork crises they keep going through.

Tendô manages to win Hiyori back with a little smooth-talkin'. Well okay, he reveals that despite her being a Worm, he has realized that all Worms are not the enemy- the enemy is simply all who wish to do wrong on the world, Worm, human or whatever. When asked by his other-worldly counterpart if he can live up the promise of "always being by Hiyori's side", Tendô admits that he can't. But he can, and he will, continue to protect her with all that he's got. And, as Skyrider would say, "Isn't just that good enough?"

They return to our world, leaving a crushed EVIL! Tendô behind. Tendô then speeds off, as while all this has been going on, Gatack has been getting his ass kicked! Seriously, Cassisworm is leaving dents in him left and right, and ZECT, realizing just how bad things have gotten, prepare to blow Area Z sky high- killing them, the Worms, and nearly anybody else who's been in this episode so far. Kabuto arrives first, and comes to Gatack's aid. Yaguruma also shows up, stating to Cassisworm that "You're the one who laughed at my pal? Laugh at me too." He then changes to Kick Hopper and joins Kabuto and Gatack in a Triple Rider Kick, which overwhelms Cassisworm.

The tables now turned, Kabuto goes into Hyper Form for the Coup de grâce.

Maximum Hyper Cyclone! Kabuto completely blows away Cassisworm and the Worm army. If I was a Zectrooper, I'd probably want to go strangle him since he could have done that in the first place and saved countless lives, but then again, they're just Zectroopers, who seem to have no life beyond shooting things and getting killed, so I guess it's no big loss. A happy ending follows as Tendô helps an injured Kagami, Kageyama and Yaguruma make up once again (well, okay, Yaguruma doesn't kill Kageyama, which I guess means they're buddies again) and Hiyori is reunited with Tendô and OH SNAP it's EVIL! Tendô instead!

Yes! Transforming into Dark Kabuto, he seemingly knocks Hiyori out and stands over her, stating that he will "Destroy this world!" Nogi then appears, followed by...Nogi again! The Double Nogi's and EVIL! Tendô stare each other down.

To be continued...

Ask the Experts: Next Year's Kamen Rider

The pictures are out, and although they've only been production artwork, CG, or toys, everybody's been talking about the design of 2007's apparently train-themed Kamen Rider. Although I feel you can't make a really accurate judgment until seeing the actual suit in action in the actual show (as with anything), I would be kidding if I said I didn't have any sort of opinion formed yet, although it's not really much beyond "Since nothing really shocks me any more, it's different, and looks interesting".

Of course, the experts, highly-opinionted as they are, beg to differ. And a few of them have already made up their minds on whether 2007 is going to be the "Best Year For Kamen Rider Ever" or a redux of the Dark Times™, also known as "That first moment when we all realized Saban's Masked Rider probably wasn't going to be very good."

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FIRSTy Hongô Takeshi
Jônan University Grad Student/Professional Brooder

Man, life sucks. As if things weren't bad enough with Asuka getting engaged to Katsuwhatsisface, there I was just minding my own business, cruising along on my bike, and then a bunch of guys in gasmasks ambush me, and their leader is Batman! Next thing I know, I'm getting thrown into walls, knocked unconcious, turned into a cyborg via highly painful surgery (without any anesthesia) and brainwashed into becoming a member of a secret evil organization that wants to take over the world. Or at least Japan. Well, maybe all they wanted to was to blow some stuff up, I'm still not really sure. What? Beautiful things, oh yeah! They wanted to make all the beautiful things in the world dirty. Yeah, there we go. And then it just all goes downhill from there. Sure, I get released from Shocker's control, but then they're all like "All traitors must die!" and stuff, and now I've got henchmen jumpin' out of trashcans and stuff everywhere I go. I can't even walk 10 feet without someone trying to kill me, like, three or four times, and that's just on a week day. So anyway, things just got worse when Ichimonji showed up. Like, imagine Katsusatsulangadang there, but even more of a ladies' man, plus he's *also* a Hopper, so he's like got Asuka wrapped around his finger and stuff. And HE'S tryin' to kill me too! Well, okay, he was, but then he got his butt kicked a couple times and now it's all cool between us. Well sorta, you see at the end of the movie- oh wait, I probably shouldn't go there right now.

Anyway, I guess I should consider myself pretty lucky. I mean, compared to some people at least. Like this guy I saw once, driving along, and- what? What do you mean "Does that indicate some kind of time paradox in which Kabuto is actually a prequel to all the later Kamen Riders, even if they came first?" I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Why don't you ask Ichimonji, or Katsuschmatsu, or whatever name he's going with right now?

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Stage Show-Only Zectrooper
Part-time ZECT Member

Can you guys seriously believe this? I mean, that I even exist? That is totally whack! It's sick! It's "da bomb". I think. That's what the kids call it these days, isn't it? I dunno man.

What, Kamen Rider in 2007? No clue, dudes, I'm just happy if I make it out of 2006 alive! You have no idea how tough it is, even for a guy like me. Those Worms man, they're like rats! Big, green, killer rats that eat people and take their faces! Well, okay, I don't really know about the eating part, but hey, it worked a couple shows back, so I say, why not?

Oh, about the spiffy new chest armor you ask? It gives me like, super powers! Cuz I'm only in the stage shows, so I'm like extra-special and all that good stuff! I'm like, the best Zectrooper ever!

...except I still got killed in the end, because as cool as the new tech is, it ain't like what the Riders got, man. Drag. We all laughed when Kageyama got his pretty boy Dunamist butt chucked out of SHADOW, but lemme tell you guys, I bet he was yukkin' it up after we all got slaughtered a couple episodes later. It was crazy man, they were comin' out of the trees and stuff...and this is the middle of the city, too! That's how mean those Worms are, man. Giant rats, I tell ya. Well, um, giant bugs I guess, but you know what I mean. Speaking of which, I really don't like the looks of-

Note from Igadevil: Unfortunately, my brief conversation with Stage Show-Only Zectrooper was cut tragically short when he was dogpiled on by a horde of Worm grunts.

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Marshal Armor
Destron Officer

I don't know much about the Kamen Rider for 2007, but it's kind of been hard to keep up with all of these new guys in the first place. I lost track after like...Z-Rider, or something. If I actually cared, I'd go check, but I don't, so I won't.

But know this: If there's one thing that ticks me off about the state of the Kamen Riders these days, it's that Yuuki Jôji, or should say, Riderman, that worthless, dirt-eating, double-crossing traitor, is still alive. Seriously, what kind of half-baked retconning is that? He sacrificed himself in such a seemingly-noble yet at the same time pitiful manner, dying to vainly stop Deeeeeeeeeestron's rocket from destroying To-

Well, yes, I know he did actually stop the rocket, but that's besides the point. What I want to know is, how could that meddling fool possibly have survived-

What? He landed in Tahiti? Yeah, THAT MAKES SENSE. I'm sorry, but that whole "shrink people" scheme we had that one time, crazy as it was, is way more plausible than Riderman, a guy with absolutely no super powers beyond having a swiss army knife for an arm, being able to survive a quasi-nuclear explosion AND a drop of several thousand meters into the ocean. I'm sorry, I'm not buying it.

So how did that pitiful Yuuki survive, you ask? Simple: He cowardly never even boarded the rocket in the first place, and instead just sent his stunt double to do the deed. I wouldn't put it past him. I really wouldn't.

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The Badass Shotgun Guy
Rumored Candidate for 2006 Kamen Rider Human Identity

Hey kiddos. Betcha remember me, huh? Yeah, back around this time last year, before we had confirmation that Kamen Rider Kabuto would spend his off hours as some hippie cook always quotin' his grannie and havin' wussy make-up contests, y'all thought it was gonna be me behind the mask- with a bottle of sake in one hand and my trusy sawed-off in the other, ridin' the road between heaven and hell on my cruiser. Yea-heah! For the first time in like, years, I was going to be the biggest, baddest Rider ever. A manly man in the vein of the classics, someone you could look up to like the heroes of the good 'ol days. Because man, the last guy? He was like, barely outta highschool, probably still had training wheels on his-

What? He was in his 30's and has 15 years of experience prior to the start of the series? Damn. Well, okay, scratch everything I just said. But aside from him, I was gonna be the first "real man" Rider in a long time, yeah! Because let me tell you kids, there ain't nothing cooler than a stubble-faced, sunglass-wearing, gun-toting lone wolf who plays by his own set of rules. Am I right? That's right I'm right.

What? Transformation? Aw man, I dunno. I guess I woulda been one of those old-school Riders: no weapons, just my trusty old-

Well, yeah, I know that would go against the whole "Shotgun" thing, but c'mon. And don't even start about all the old-school Riders who used weapons. I mean, it was only like...well...um...quite a few, now that I think about it.

Oh! Did I mention I was going to have a totally badass sidekick too? He would be my 'ol mechanic buddy who carried around a katana, and also ran a snack shop! And he had an eyepatch! Doesn't get much more kickass than that!

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Kanzaki Shirô
Rider Battle Coordinator/Part-Time 7-11 Employee

You must fight. Fight until there is only one left. Fight until only you remain. You must fight to achieve the ultimate power. Your greatest dream, your deepest wish, all this shall be yours once you defeat all the other Riders. Using the card deck I have given you, you will enter the Mirror World and battle the other Riders until only one remains. Fight. Fight to attain the ultimate prize. Fight, fight because only then will you prove yourself in my eyes. Fight the other Riders, destroy them and all the power in the universe will be yours. You will gain all that you could ever possibly want. Say you want to become God. Boom! It's done, just as soon as you fight and defeat the other Riders. All twelve of them. Yes, there are twelve, count them, twelve plus you. That makes thirteen. Thirteen, the number that comes after twelve and before fourteen. There are only twelve other Riders to fight, they will be your targets. Not the Monsters, ignore them- all they're good for is contracting to achieve greater power, and then as food for your contracted monster. That's it. Just fight the Riders, and ignore everything else. The other twelve Riders. Twelve. Riders. That's it. Nothing more. Ignore any others who claim to be Riders- they're totally fakers. They're just crazy guys, they are not, and will never will be (nor ever were, I almost forgot that) Riders. They are just posers. Wait, scratch that. They don't exist. Yeah. That's how lame they are. Ignore them, and just concentracte on fighting the other Riders. All twelve of them. Nobody else, just the twelve Riders. Just um, be careful with the gold one. No, not the crab guy. The gold one, Odin. Yeah. He's tough. He's the most powerful Rider of all. He might say some stuff that sounds kind of like what I'm saying- "Fight! You must fight to win!" and all that- but take it from me, he's a different guy. We are not the same person. Got that? We're two seperate guys. In spite of the fact that we're the same height, say the same things, and I'm often seen holding the Odin card deck, we are not the same! Totally different people, okay? Just...just ignore whatever deluded preconceptions you might have, there's totally no connection between us whatsoever, okay? Good. Now go, and fight. Fight to be the last Rider left. Fight to-

Hey! I know you started scrolling after the I got to the part about the Monsters, go back up and finish the rest. I'm only saying this stuff once.

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Egyptas
Shocker Kaijin

Abarabarabarabarabara! Eboroboroboroboroboro! Ebarabarabarabarabarabara! Aboroboroboroboroboro! Abarabarabarabarabara! Ebarabarabarabarabarabara!
Ebarabarabarabarabarabara! Eboroboro....ebarabarabarabarabarabara!
Abarabarabarabarabara.....aboroboroboroboroboro!

Ebarabarabarabarabarabara! Aboroboro!

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Alternate Universe Doctor Shinigami
Self-Described Kung-Fu Monster Expert

Hey folks. Chances are, most of you are wondering just who the hell I am. In spite of the fact that, at first glance, I may appear to be the infamous Doctor Shinigami, Shocker's scientific master of evil and recent guest star in last year's Kamen Rider THE FIRST, I am, in fact, not him. Well, not the one you know. Rather, I come from the Taiwanese-produced, Toei-backed "Super Riders" films. Basically, they took Kamen Rider vs. Shocker, Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell, and later Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Kaijin, and kinda-sorta remade them into two new films, casting new actors for almost all the roles (minus Taki, because you know, he was a big star! I think) and just using the battle footage, coupled with some all-new battle footage we filmed. Kinda like the Power Rangers, in a way. They even got dubbed in German eventually! They're actually pretty cool, and I'm in the first one, along with my good frind Ambassador Hell, who also isn't the Ambassador Hell you all know and love, but hey.

Erm....wait, why am I here again?

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Kagami Riku
Head of ZECT

MOOOOOOOZAAAAAARTTT!

Could any man have crafted such a spectacle as he? The lights, the sounds, the colors, Jim, the colors! Flowing together in such a magical symphony of the senses, a bastion of knowledge and incredible dexterity that can only be described as "Mer Fabulosivio" as I think the man himself would have said in the tongue of his day.

You kids these days, you must understand: when a room is filled with rats, the rats on one side of the room will inevitably turn on those on the other side, and then they will form their own football teams and wage a holy war for the very foundation upon which their live were built- the bag of grain! But as they say, when the rats are away, the cats will play, and then they also say, those who hold the rats at bay, if they can and if they may, then they will play for the rest of the day in the hay, indeed. You see, it was all those years ago that we decided, in our futile efforts to understand the truth behind the meaning of the whole thing, that indeed, when there is one rat too many, the other rats will turn against him. Just as you will eventually turn against each other, but until then take care of my son, for he is our only hope. Us, the rats and all.

ABBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAMMM!

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Shin Kamen Rider
The True Masked Rider

Why doesn't anybody like me?






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