Just before Shocker can perform the final brainwashing procedure that would strip him of his humanity, Hongo is rescued by his university mentor, Professor Midorikawa. Hongo escapes with his mind intact but his body permanently altered. He can now transform into Kamen Rider 1, a grasshopper-themed cyborg possessing immense strength, agility, and a specialized motorcycle named the Cyclone.
The production of Kamen Rider faced an unexpected crisis early in its run. During the filming of episode 9, lead actor Hiroshi Fujioka suffered a severe motorcycle accident, fracturing his leg. With the star hospitalized and the show's future in jeopardy, the writers made a brilliant narrative pivot that expanded the universe.
It's worth noting that some sources mention that a few fansubs, particularly early efforts, may have been partially incomplete or had some technical issues, leading to some digital artifacting. However, the official release and the efforts of later groups like K.I.T.Subs and XIG are generally considered to be of high quality.
Whether you are a die-hard Tokusatsu fan, a student of television history, or a casual viewer looking for an action-packed retro ride, Kamen Rider (1971ā1973) English subbed is essential viewing. It is a gritty, passionate, and endlessly charming piece of television history that proves true heroes never go out of style. Kamen Rider 1971 - 1973 -English Subbed-
Before Shocker can brainwash him, Hongo escapes with the help of his mentor, Professor Midorikawa. Transformed into a "remodeled human" (KaizÅ Ningen), Hongo vows to use his cybernetic enhancements to fight his captors. Adopting a grasshopper motif, he becomes , relying on the kinetic wind energy gathered in his "Typhoon" belt while riding his motorcycle, the Cyclone . The Arrival of Kamen Rider 2 (Hayato Ichimonji)
Hearing the iconic "Yee!" or "Ee!" battle cries of the foot soldiers adds a layer of campy charm that subbed viewing preserves perfectly. Accessing High-Quality Official Releases
| Aspect | Kamen Rider 1 (Takeshi Hongo) | Kamen Rider 2 (Hayato Ichimonji) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | A brilliant and kind-hearted college student and motorcycle racer. | A witty and free-spirited freelance photographer. | | Transformation | Transforms by performing the "Rider Jump" and shouting "Henshin!" (Transform!). | Performs a similar "Henshin!" pose to transform. | | Cyborg Nature | Augmented with the abilities of a grasshopper, granting incredible leaping power. | Augmented to be slightly stronger than Rider 1, with more refined combat skills. | | Signature Move | The "Rider Kick": a powerful flying kick delivered after a high jump. | The "Rider Punch": a super-powered straight punch, among other moves. | | Rider Machine | The Cyclone, a modified high-performance motorcycle. | The New Cyclone, an upgraded version of the original bike. | Just before Shocker can perform the final brainwashing
+--------------------------------------------------------+ | KAMEN RIDER (1971-1973) | +--------------------------------------------------------+ | | | [Episodes 1-13] | | Takeshi Hongo (Kamen Rider 1) | | - Gritty, dark sci-fi horror tone | | - Real-world stunt accident interrupts production | | | | [Episodes 14-52] | | Hayato Ichimonji (Kamen Rider 2) | | - Introduced the iconic "Henshin!" pose | | - Brighter, action-packed tone raises ratings | | | | [Episodes 53-98] | | The Double Riders Return | | - Hongo returns; both Riders fight Shocker/Gel-Shocker| | - Cemented the franchise format for future decades | +--------------------------------------------------------+ The Dark Era: Kamen Rider 1 (Episodes 1ā13)
In recent years, the original "Kamen Rider" series has become more accessible to international audiences, including English-speaking viewers. Thanks to fan efforts and official releases, the series is now available with English subtitles.
This cast change completely altered the trajectory of Japanese television. While Hongo originally transformed by riding his motorcycle to catch the wind, Ichimonji introduced stylized, rhythmic martial arts poses to activate his belt. This gave birth to the pose. The phrase and the accompanying hand movements became an overnight national craze among Japanese children, shifting the show's tone from bleak horror to high-energy, heroic action. Iconic Characters and Shocker Mutants The production of Kamen Rider faced an unexpected
The English-subbed version allows viewers to fully appreciate the behind-the-scenes drama. You can track how the suits evolved, how the monster designs shifted from grotesque body-horror creatures to more stylized comic-book villains, and how the cinematography adapted to capture the high-speed motorcycle action. Legacy and Modern Accessibility
For fans of modern superhero media, diving into Kamen Rider 1971 - 1973 -English Subbed- is like uncovering a cinematic time capsule. It is a thrilling mix of 1970s stunt work, retro sci-fi aesthetics, and a timeless battle for human freedom. Whether you are a lifelong Tokusatsu fan or a newcomer curious about the roots of Japanese pop culture, the original journey of Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji remains a masterpiece of television history. Share public link
The 1971ā1973 run saw these two heroesāsometimes individually, sometimes togetherādefend Japan in a saga that felt both personal and epic, culminating in a dramatic battle against the leader of Shocker. Why You Must Watch the Original -English Subbed-
Watch any modern Riderā Zero-One , Black Sun , Shin Kamen Rider (2023)āand you see the DNA of 1971. The 2023 film directed by Hideaki Anno is essentially a love letter to the first 13 episodes, recreating shots exactly.
