Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Episode 22: Shocker Is on the Move

A brutal dance unfolds as the Combat Girl pummels a Shocker Combatman. He is beaten, bloodied, yet with each blow, his declarations of love only grow louder. He is a broken man, but his heart remains stubbornly fixed on his tormentor. Even as purple energy crackles around his fist, he fights not for victory, but for his feelings to be acknowledged.

The Combat Girl, though furious, shows a momentary blush, a flicker of human reaction. She sheds her combat gear, rejecting the Combatman (now revealed as Ichiro) not just physically, but personally, telling him he is too old. Her subsequent violent outburst, full of distorted fury and tears, suggests her anger is less about him and more about her own frustration. Ichiro and Jiro watch, then the Shocker Combatman, again beaten, begs for death, driven by a despair that almost feels more profound than his earlier love.

Provoked by Jiro, the Shocker Combatman renews his attack, only to be met by a swift and brutal response. Ichiro and Jiro transform into their powerful Rider forms, delivering decisive blows. The sight is both a relief and a stark reminder of the power they wield. Ruriko and Takeshi watch, calmly observing what they call 'caveman behavior.' With the immediate threat neutralized, Takeshi then declares the larger war has begun, marking SHOCKER as officially on the move.

Under a green moon that shifts ominously to purple, the heroes are exhausted. Ichiro, Jiro, and Kengo are seen asleep on a train, utterly depleted from their battles. Ruriko and Takeshi observe their weariness, acknowledging the toll their fight against SHOCKER takes. It is a quiet moment, contrasting the earlier chaos with the mundane exhaustion of a ceaseless war.

In a traditional room, the team discusses SHOCKER's next move. Kengo reveals Kouda Morio, a seemingly harmless showbiz figure, is the mastermind behind a sinister plan to convert concert-goers into Combatants. Ruriko expresses anger at the manipulation, calling it 'next-level icky,' while Takeshi almost succumbs to the allure of idols, much to the disapproval of Ichiro and Kengo. The full scale of the plan is revealed: a concert at the Tokyo Central Dome, seating 55,000 people, aiming to create SHOCKER's largest recruitment drive yet.

Kengo and Ruriko present their infiltration plan, complete with a stolen concert itinerary. Their ingenuity impresses the team. Suddenly, Tackle arrives, fully healed and full of purpose, much to everyone's surprise. Ruriko admits she called Tackle, recognizing her importance. Tackle confronts Takeshi about his past as a 'Shocker robber,' but his explanation of losing his comrades shifts her perspective, unifying them under a shared enemy.

Tackle, indignant at being excluded, launches into a passionate, episode-by-episode recollection of Kamen Rider Stronger's history. She emphasizes how multiple Riders united against the formidable Delza Army. Ichiro, Jiro, Kengo, and even Takeshi are deeply moved by the story, recalling the 'brotherhood' and shared struggle of past heroes. Their emotional reaction is palpable, a connection forged in the nostalgia of heroism.

Ruriko shows visible annoyance at the boys' sentimentality, a sharp counterpoint to their emotional display. Tackle then brings the tone back to solemnity, acknowledging her tragic fate in the original history, showing a flashback of her heroic sacrifice. But this Tackle declares her road continues; she is 'Tackle 2,' reborn and determined, demanding to join the mission. The team, recognizing her resolve and strength, enthusiastically accepts her, seeing her as their ace.

The tension breaks as Misato arrives with drinks, momentarily startled by the team's spirited pose. Ichiro, ever suspicious, questions her unusual kindness, drawing a mild annoyance from her. Despite the momentary friction, the team finds a moment of calm. Ruriko proposes a toast, celebrating Misato's improving mood and the newfound unity of their team. Their raised glasses signify a shared resolve before the impending storm.

The episode concludes with a chilling reveal: Kouda Morio, the seemingly charismatic concert promoter, transforms. Under a malevolent purple moon, he sheds his human guise to become a monstrous, bat-like creature. He takes flight into the city night, a dark omen of the chaos to come. The preview for the next episode shows the Tokyo Central Dome, now a stage for horror, with the Combat Girls transforming into grotesque zombies under Kouda Morio's monstrous influence.