Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Episode 1

GREAT

85%

of 10 scoutsrecommend

Review Summary

Watch Tojima's hilarious and heartfelt dedication to his Kamen Rider dream; this episode delivers relatable humor and nostalgia, especially for older fans.

Animation & Style

Character Writing & Lore

Pacing

World Building & Setting

👀 SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY

A 40-year-old construction worker named Tanzaburou Tojima still dreams of becoming Kamen Rider, and this premiere wastes no time leaning into the absurd beauty of that premise. Expect a tonal cocktail of genuine heart and sharp comedy as the episode explores the gap between childhood fantasy and adult reality. The humor lands hardest when Tojima's earnest devotion to his tokusatsu hero clashes with the mundanity of his everyday life, but there's real emotional weight underneath the laughs. The pacing moves briskly, establishing Tojima's world and personality without dragging through exposition. Action sequences carry an energetic punch that signals LIDENFILMS isn't treating this as a pure gag show. If you've ever held onto a dream long past the point of reason, this premiere speaks directly to that feeling.

🔥 KEY MOMENTS

⚠️ Spoiler Alert!

A Dream at 40

Tojima confronts the weight of turning 40 with his childhood dream of becoming Kamen Rider still unfulfilled. The quiet desperation of a grown man measuring his life against a tokusatsu hero sets the entire emotional foundation.

Shocker Hits the Streets

A criminal gang cosplaying as the iconic Shocker organization launches a string of brazen robberies across the city. News coverage spreads panic — and strikes a very specific nerve in Tojima.

The Convenience Store Attack

Tojima witnesses the Shocker imposters terrorizing a convenience store firsthand. Seeing real people threatened by villains wearing the face of his childhood nemesis snaps something back into place inside him.

The Plastic Mask

In a moment that's equal parts absurd and genuinely stirring, Tojima buys a cheap plastic Kamen Rider mask and charges headfirst into the criminals. No powers, no belt — just a 40-year-old man and a lifetime of belief.

A Hero Goes Viral

Tojima's reckless confrontation catches the public eye, turning him into an overnight sensation. The episode closes with the clear promise that this middle-aged dreamer's journey toward becoming a real-life hero is just beginning.

📍 ARC CONTEXT

As the first episode of a 24-episode run, this is pure foundation—introducing Tanzaburou Tojima's character, his unfulfilled aspirations, and the comedic-action tone that will define the series. No prior context is needed; this is the starting line. The groundwork laid here directly feeds into upcoming episodes where Tojima's obsession pulls him into increasingly dangerous territory, including encounters with a group known as 'Fake Shocker.'

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