The Masked Rider Series

Hi! Welcome to my new blog. I am very new here but I hope though practice, I will become a good blogger.Following the Masked Rider Fever,today, i will present to you the "Masked Rider History". The Masked Rider Series (仮面ライダーシリーズ, Kamen Raidā Shirīzu?, translated as Masked Rider Series) is the overall name of a franchise of Japanese tokusatsu. The franchise began in 1971 with a show titled Masked Rider which followed college student Hongo Takeshi and his quest to defeat Shocker. Over the years, the popularity of the franchise has grown and the original series has spawned many television and theatrical sequels. History Shōw era The Masked Rider Series originally began under the title "Masked Hero Project". Produced by Toru Hirayama (平山 亨, Hirayama Tōru?), the series spent nearly five years on hold while Hirayama worked on other shows and searched for a proper character designer. In 1969, Shotaro Ishinomori, who was a known face in Tokusatsu at the time, was approached by Hirayama to have his Skull Man manga adapted for the Masked Hero Project. Originally the project was rejected due to criticisms that it was too violent for the timeslot it was given. After the duo reworked the story and designs, the final Masked Rider design, a grasshopper, was chosen by Ishinomori's son. This drawing would go on to become the original Masked Rider 1, after some modification. Masked Rider premiered in April 1971, to lower than expected ratings, and verged on the brink of cancellation. During the filming of episode 10, Fujioka Hiroshi, the actor of Masked Rider 1, was thrown off of his motorcycle during the filming of a stunt. Crashing into a telephone pole, he shattered both his legs. Toei then went through many methods to have Hongo appear less and less until episode 13, when Ichimonji Hayato was introduced. Until episode 52 when Fujioka Hiroshi returned, Ichimonji Hayato was Masked Rider 2 and the star of the show. Upon his return in episode 53, Hongo became the main character once more. Both Masked Riders 1 and 2 would go on to appear in every show in the first half of the Shōw era. The continuous run from April 1971 to January 1976 distinguished itself by featuring the recurrent mentor character, Tobei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛, Tachibana Tōbei?). After a four year hiatus, the series returned to television broadcast in October 1979 for two years. In these new shows, the role of Tachibana was replaced by a similar character named Genjiro Tani (谷 源次郎, Tani Genjirō?). Airing in 1984, the Masked Rider ZX special, Birth of the 10th! Masked Riders All Together!!, became the last show in the franchise to be produced by Hirayama. Masked Rider Black was the first series that neither indicated nor hinted at any relationship with its predecessors. Masked Rider Black was the first show in the franchise to feature a direct sequel, Masked Rider Black RX, the basis of Saban's Americanized Masked Rider. RX's finale showed the ten previous Riders return to help Black RX defeat the Crisis Empire, this is the last time any Rider from a previous show would appear in another series. Masked Rider Black RX was the final show to be produced during the Shōw era. Heisei era Being completely absent from television during the 1990s, the franchise was kept alive mainly by stage shows, musical CDs, and the Shin, ZO, and J movies. Toei announced its new project, Masked Rider Kuuga, in May of 1999. Kuuga was part of a Masked Rider rebirth that Ishinomori had worked on in 1997, planning for a leadup into the 30th anniversary. However, Ishinomori passed away before he could see these shows materialize. During the summer of 1999, Kuuga became publicized through magazine ads and commercials. On January 30th, Masked Rider Kuuga premiered to high ratings, which would throughout the anniversary series, Masked Rider Agito. The third series in the Heisei era was Masked Rider Ryuki. Using the concept of 13 Riders, Ryuki took a turn away from previous series, however, resulting in lower than expected ratings. The series and franchise as a whole was helped to continue in large part due to the toy sales of Masked Rider Ryuki. The next series, Masked Rider 555 (pronounced Phi's), continued with strong toy sales and slightly lower ratings than Ryuki. The fifth and six series were plagued with behind the scenes problems. Masked Rider Blade has become the second lowest rated Masked Rider series as well as being noted for poor toy sales. During the course of the series, the main writer and director crew were fired to allow franchise veterans to return as main writers. Masked Rider Hibiki, the sixth series, became one of the most controversial series in the history of the franchise. Introducing new themes and taking on a different look, while the series broke the chain of each series having lower ratings than the last since Agito, its toy sales were relatively low. As with Blade, a new directing and writing team was brought onto the show during the midterm of the series. Later on in 2005, Masked Rider The First was produced. The movie was an original reimagining of both the manga and original television series. Various characters from the original series had their storylines altered to fit the time span of the movie. Masked Rider Kabuto, the seventh series, celebrated the 35th anniversary of the show. It was the first show in the Heisei era to use the trademark attack, "Rider Kick". The series brought back many conventional aesthetic conventions of the Masked Rider legacy such as bug-like motifs and weapons. The series suffered from low ratings, causing it to become the lowest rated series in the franchise to date. Masked Rider Den-O, the eighth and current series, takes a turn from past Masked Rider series, introducing a Masked Rider that is completely unsure of himself. The series marks the first time a mecha has been used in the franchise, the DenLiner; a bullet train that can travel through time and take on various forms to fight against monsters called Imagin. The year 2007 will also see a sequel to Masked Rider The First entitled Masked Rider The Next. It will feature Kazuki Kato (previously Masked Rider Drake in Kabuto) portraying Masked Rider V3, the title character of the second television series. Series overview Although each entry in the series is different, each one shares similar traits with one and another. All generally involve at least one young adult male transforming into a Masked Rider to fight various monsters and organizations linked to that specific Masked Rider's origin. As the series progresses, the Rider often learns more about the monsters in the series, other Masked Riders or the origin of his powers. Early Masked Riders were generally based on grasshoppers, but this practice has only been done twice in the newer set of shows. Usually referred to as Rider Machines, motorcycles are an integral part of the series. Early Masked Riders wore scarfs along with their costumes, but this practice was dropped after Masked Rider Black. A trait shared among recent Masked Riders is their ability to change forms and become stronger versions of themselves. The first power up appeared in Masked Rider Stronger which was used by the title character. Masked Rider Black RX had multiple forms, Roborider and Biorider. Since then, every title Masked Rider in the Heisei era has had at least one power up with Masked Rider Kuuga having the most, 11. All Shōw era Riders gained their powers through some form of surgical alteration to their bodies, a practice seen only once in the current era with Masked Rider Dark Kabuto. The Heisei era of Masked Rider varies greatly in its use of Masked Riders. Whereas all early Masked Riders fought on the side of justice and peace, there have been numerous Masked Riders in the Heisei era that have fought for personal reasons such as greed, revenge and the personal enjoyment of battle. Because of this, recent Masked Riders have become less eager to immediately join the battle of justice. Rider finishers Combat techniques generally remain somewhat consistent between series. The "Rider Kick" has become known as the signature attack for Masked Riders. Although no Heisei era Masked Rider before Masked Rider Kabuto named their Rider Kick, it has still been a staple for every Masked Rider series. Other variations include the Rider Chop and Rider Punch. Productions TV series Shōw era Masked Rider (仮面ライダー, Kamen Raidā?) Masked Rider was the very first show in the franchise, airing from 1971 to 1973, the series set up many themes that are still used today. The series followed the battles of the first two Masked Riders against Shocker and later Gelshocker. The series ran for 98 episodes, making it the longest series to date. Masked Rider V3 (仮面ライダーV3, Kamen Raidā Buisurī?) Airing from 1973 to 1974, the series ran for 52 episodes and followed Shiro Kazami on his quest to gain revenge against the group that murdered his family. Later on, Riderman, the fourth Masked Rider is introduced as the first long term villain Masked Rider. The original Masked Riders also make various appearances over the course of the series to help Kazami. Masked Rider X (仮面ライダーX, Kamen Raidā Ekkusu?) The series aired in 1974 and ran for 35 episodes. Keisuke Jin and his father Kentaro Jin are attack by the Government Of Darkness, Keisuke and his father are both mortally wounded in the attack, but before he dies, Keisuke's transforms his son into Masked Rider X. Many of the monsters Masked Rider X faced were based on Greek mythology and later on various animals. Masked Rider Amazon (仮面ライダーアマゾン, Kamen Raidā Amazon?) Masked Rider Amazon aired from 1974 to 1975, airing just 24 episodes, it is the shortest Masked Rider series to date. Daisuke Yamamoto, an orphan lost in the Amazon has grown up with an Amazon tribe and lead a peaceful life until his tribe was attacked by Gorgos. Before dying, his tribe elder turned Daisuke into Masked Rider Amazon. This was the first Masked Rider not to use a belt to transform. Masked Rider Stronger (仮面ライダーストロンガー, Kamen Raidā Sutorongā?) Airing in 1975, this was intended to be the final Masked Rider series and aired 39 episodes.. Shigeru Jou joins Black Satan after the murder of his best friend and mentor. Knowing the organization to be the culprits, he allows himself to undergo an operation that changes him into Masked Rider Stronger. Later on, Black Satan is defeated and a new group known as Delza becomes the series enemy. Stronger is later joined by Electro Wave Human Tackle, a female warrior who is later killed. This was also the first series to have a temporary power up for the main character. Masked Rider (Skyrider) (仮面ライダー（スカイライダー）, Kamen Raidā (Sukairaidā)?) Airing 54 episodes from 1979 to 1980, Masked Rider was supposed to be a series reboot. Intended to be a remake of the original series, the idea was slowly phased out as references to the past were made and senior Masked Riders made guest appearances. Hiroshi Tsukaba is kidnapped and transformed into Masked Rider as a means to help Doctor Shiro escape Neoshocker. During the course of the series, former Masked Riders appear and Masked Rider is dubbed Skyrider by Masked Rider Stronger to differentiate him from the original Masked Riders. Masked Rider Super-1 (仮面ライダースーパー1, Kamen Raidā Sūpā Wan?) Airing from 1980 to 1981, the series ran for 48 episodes. Wanting to become an astronaut, Kazuya Oki undergoes an operation that allows him to survive in space. The area where he is operated is in attacked by the Dogma Empire and Masked Rider Super-1's peers are all killed. Super-1 has special gloves that allow for different attack types. Masked Rider Black (仮面ライダーBLACK, Kamen Raidā Burakku?) Airing from 1987 to 1988, the series ran for 51 episodes. After being kidnapped by the cult Gorgom on the night of their 19th birthday, step-brothers Kotaro Minami and Nobuhiko Akizuki are submitted to a mutant surgery with the purpose of becoming the candidates to be the next Creation King. Kotaro escapes before the brainwashing, with help from his foster father, and turned against Gorgom. He soon finds out the horrific truth from his step-father: Gorgom originally killed his true parents. Later on, Masked Rider Black must battle with his brother, who has become the trump card of Gorgom, Shadow Moon. This was the first series not to have any previous Masked Riders appear. Masked Rider Black RX (仮面ライダーBLACK RX, Kamen Raidā Burakku Aru Ekkusu?) Airing from 1988 to 1989 for 47 episodes, Masked Rider Black RX is the ninth and final show in the Shōw era of shows. Years after the defeat of Gorgom, Minami Kotaro is kidnapped by the Crisis Empire. After refusing to join them, he is thrust out into space where he undergoes the change to become Masked Rider Black RX. This series marked the end of the Shōw era of shows. Heisei era Masked Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga?) Airing from 2000 to 2001 for 49 episodes, this was the first Masked Rider series in 11 years and the start of the Heisei era of shows. Yuusuke Godai finds an ancient artifact that allows him to transform into Masked Rider Kuuga to battle the Grongi forces. Having 11 forms, this series had more power ups than any before or after. Masked Rider Agito (仮面ライダーアギト, Kamen Raidā Agito?) Kamen Rider Agito ran from 2001 to 2002 for 51 episodes. This was the first series to feature more than one Masked Rider as the main character at the same time. Shouichi Tsugami has lost his memories, he lives with a foster family and fights against the Unknown as Masked Rider Agito. Looking for the origin of his power and his lost memories, this series follows Masked Rider Agito, G3, Gills and Another Agito. This was the last series to have any form of continuity with a previous series. Masked Rider Ryuki (仮面ライダー龍騎, Kamen Raidā Ryūki?) Airing from 2002 to 2003, Masked Rider Ryuki ran for 50 episodes and drastically changed the mold of Masked Rider. Shinji Kido, a reporter, forms a bond with a creature known as a "Contract Beast". Becoming Masked Rider Ryuki, Shinji joins the war of the 13 Masked Riders. All fighting for various reasons, the winner of the war will be granted a single wish. Due to low ratings, this series was on the verge of cancellation for a time. Masked Rider 555 (仮面ライダー555, Kamen Raidā Faizu?) Airing from 2003 to 2004, Masked Rider 555 aired for 50 episodes. A group of evolved humans known as Orphenochs are starting to take control of the world. It is unknown how much of the human population is not an Orphenoch. The Orphenochs are protected by a company called Smart Brain, the creators of the three rider belts. A young loner, Takumi Inui, is unwillingly drawn into the conflict between the Orphenochs and humans and becomes Masked Rider Faiz to save the life of Mari Sonada. Among the Orphenochs are renegades who wish to fight to protect humans rather than kill them. The series follows Takumi, the renegade Orphenochs and two other Masked Riders who are both enemies upon their entrance to the series. Masked Rider Blade (仮面ライダー剣（ブレイド）, Kamen Raidā Bureido?) Airing from 2004 to 2005 for 49 episodes, Masked Rider Blade returned to the card motif introduced in Masked Rider Ryuki. Kenzaki Kazuma has just recently become the user for the Masked Rider Blade system. Months after becoming a Masked Rider, the BOARD agency that he is apart of is attacked and nearly wiped out. Trying to discover the reason behind the attack, Kenzaki unwittingly becomes part of the Battle Royale. Later joined by three Masked Riders, Kenzaki ultimately has to make the toughest decision in his life and make a choice between his friends' happiness and the safety of the human race. Masked Rider Hibiki (仮面ライダー響鬼（ヒビキ）, Kamen Raidā Hibiki?) Airing from 2005 to 2006, Masked Rider Hibiki ran for 48 episodes. Masked Rider Hibiki's main focus is the story of the teacher and apprentice-like relationship of Adachi Asumu and the title character. Adachi Asumu is a young boy who is unsure of his own skill and worth, and at a crossroads in his life as he transitions to high school. As the series progresses, he learns what it is to be a man, more confident in his own power. The secondary focus of the series is the age old battle of the Masked Riders (referred to as Oni in this program) and the Makamo, demons that can only be defeated using "pure sound". The series follows the training and changes of the four main Oni, Hibiki, Ibuki, Todoroki and Zanki. The series was plagued by controversy behind the screen, starting with the firing of the principle writers and directors and later leading to drastically altered stories. Masked Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト, Kamen Raidā Kabuto?) Airing from 2006 to 2007 for 49 episodes, Masked Rider Kabuto was seen as a "return to the basics" after years of new styles and themed gimmicks. Masked Rider Kabuto revolves around the story of a man named Souji Tendou. He has trained his entire life while waiting for the Masked Zecter so that he may properly take up the name of Masked Rider Kabuto. Making many enemies while at the same time meeting other Riders with mysterious origins, Tendou attempts to accomplish his goal at all costs; Protecting Hiyori by destroying all other Worms that would make life difficult for her. Making a friend in Arata Kagami, who later becomes Masked Rider Gatack, the two work together and protect Hiyori along with humanity from the alien Worms that arrived from a meteorite seven years ago. Masked Rider Den-O (仮面ライダー電王, Kamen Raidā Den'ō?) Airing in 2007, Masked Rider Den-O is the current entry in the franchise. It follows the story of Ryotaro Nogami, an young man with incredibly bad luck who is discovered to be a Singularity Point, a human who can exist outside of time itself. When he is possessed by a future lifeform called an Imagin, he reluctantly becomes Den-O to fight the more malignant Imagin that travel back in time to 2007 to grant the wishes of weak-hearted humans so they can travel back further and alter the course of history. He also tries to protect his sister Airi from the past that she cannot remember. He boards the time-traveling train DenLiner and meets the brash and tomboyish Hana, the eccentric Owner, the waitress Naomi, and the Imagin Momotaros, Urataros, Kintaros, and Ryutaros. Recently, a man named Yuto Sakurai appears and is another Masked Rider whose timeline was supposed to have been destroyed. He also shares his name with Airi's fiance who mysteriously disappeared. TV Specials Shōw era 1976: All Together! Seven Masked Riders 1979: Immortal Masked Rider Special 1984: Birth of the 10th! Masked Riders All Together!! 1987: This Is Masked Rider Black 1988: Masked Rider Ichigou through RX: Big Gathering Heisei era 2000: Masked Rider Kuuga: New Year's Special 2001: Masked Rider Agito Special: Another New Henshin 2002: Masked Rider Ryuki Special: 13 Riders 2004: Masked Rider Blade: New Generation 2006: 35th Masked Rider Anniversary File Theatrical films Shōw era 1971: Go Go Masked Rider 1972: Masked Rider Vs. Shocker 1972: Masked Rider Vs. Hell Ambassador 1973: Masked Rider V3 1973: Masked Rider V3 vs. the Destron Monsters 1974: Masked Rider X 1974: Masked Rider X: The Five Riders Vs. King Dark 1975: Masked Rider Amazon 1975: Masked Rider Stronger 1980: Masked Rider: Eight Riders vs. Galaxy King 1981: Masked Rider Super-1 1988: Masked Rider Black: Hurry to Evil Island 1988: Masked Rider Black: Fear! Evil Monster Mansion 1989: Masked Rider: Stay in the World - 3-D theme park special Heisei era 1993: Masked Rider ZO (1) 1994: Masked Rider J (1) 1994: Masked Rider World - 3-D theme park special 2001: Masked Rider Agito: Project G4 2002: Masked Rider Ryuki: Episode Final 2003: Masked Rider 555: Paradise Lost 2004: Masked Rider Blade: Missing Ace 2005: Masked Rider Hibiki & The Seven Fighting Demons 2005: Masked Rider The First - movie remake of the original Kamen Rider 2006: Masked Rider Kabuto: GOD SPEED LOVE 2007: Masked Rider Den-O: I Am Born! 2007: Masked Rider The Next - sequel to Kamen Rider The First that is a remake of Masked Rider V3 Original video releases Original video releases began appearing during the Heisei era of the franchise. Previously depicting independent Riders and storylines, current releases have been shorts part of the series that was currently airing. Heisei era 1992: Shin Masked Rider: a Prologue 1993: Masked Rider SD - only anime adaptation 1993: Ultraman vs. Masked Rider Main article: Masked Rider Hyper Battle 2000: Masked Rider Kuuga: Versus the Strong Monster Go-Jiino-Da 2001: Masked Rider Agito: Three rider TV-kun Special 2002: Masked Rider Ryuki Hyper Battle:Masked Rider Ryuki Versus Masked Rider Agito 2003: Masked Rider 555: The Musical 2004: Masked Rider Blade: Blade vs Blade 2005: Masked Rider Hibiki: Asumu Henshin: You can be an Oni too 2006: Masked Rider Kabuto: Birth! Gatack Hyper Form! Motifs The most commonly seen theme in the Shōw era was the grasshopper, a symbol that early Masked Riders have become synonymous with. The Heisei era, however, explored other insects and sometimes even more extreme motifs such as greek letters, card suits, and musical instruments. Shōw era Masked Rider Masked Rider 1 - Grasshopper Masked Rider 2 - Grasshopper Masked Rider V3 Masked Rider V3- Dragonfly Riderman - Dragonfly Masked Rider X Masked Rider X - Giant water bug Masked Rider Amazon Amazon Rider - Komodo dragon Masked Rider Stronger Masked Rider Stronger - Japanese rhinoceros beetle Electro Wave Human Tackle - Ladybug "New" Masked Rider Skyrider - Locust Masked Rider Super-1 Masked Rider Super-1 - Hornet Birth of the 10th! Masked Riders All Together!! Masked Rider ZX - Longhorn beetle Masked Rider Black Masked Rider Black - Grasshopper Shadow Moon - Grasshopper Masked Rider Black RX Masked Rider Black RX - Grasshopper Heisei era Shin: Masked Rider Prologue Masked Rider Shin - Grasshopper Masked Rider ZO Masked Rider ZO - Grasshopper Masked Rider J Masked Rider J - Grasshopper Masked Rider Kuuga Masked Rider Kuuga - Stag beetle Masked Rider Agito Masked Rider Agito - Golden Chinese Dragon Masked Rider G3 - Stag beetle Masked Rider Gills - Longhorn beetle Another Agito - Locust Masked Rider Ryuki - Knights Masked Rider Ryuki - Chinese Dragon Masked Rider Knight - Bat Masked Rider Scissors - Crab Masked Rider Zolda - Minotaur Masked Rider Raia - Ray Masked Rider Gai - Rhinoceros Masked Rider Ohja - Cobra Masked Rider Tiger - White Tiger Masked Rider Imperer - Gazelle Masked Rider Femme - Swan Masked Rider Ryuga - Chinese Dragon Masked Rider Verde - Chameleon Masked Rider Odin - Phoenix Alternative Zero - Cricket Alternative - Cricket Masked Rider 555 Masked Rider Faiz - Phi/Firefly Masked Rider Kaixa - Chi/Hornet Masked Rider Delta - Delta/Atlas Beetle Riot Troopers - Omicron/Ants Masked Rider Psyga - Psi/Firefly Masked Rider Orga - Omega/Hercules Beetle Masked Rider Blade Masked Rider Blade - Hercules Beetle/Spades/Tarot Swords Masked Rider Blade King Form - Caucasus Beetle/Spades Masked Rider Garren - Stag beetle/Diamonds/Tarot Galleons Masked Rider Chalice - Mantis/Hearts/Tarot Chalices Masked Rider Chalice Wild Form - Ghost mantis/Hearts Masked Rider Leangle - Spider/Clubs/Tarot Liangles Masked Rider Glaive - Cerberus/Ace Masked Rider Larc - Cerberus/Ace Masked Rider Lance - Cerberus/Ace Masked Rider Hibiki - Oni Masked Rider Hibiki - Taiko Masked Rider Ibuki - Trumpet Masked Rider Todoroki - Electric Guitar Masked Rider Zanki - Electric Guitar Masked Rider Sabaki - Electric Guitar Masked Rider Danki - Taiko Masked Rider Eiki - Taiko Masked Rider Shuki - Harp Kiriya Henshin Form - Taiko Masked Rider Gouki - Taiko Masked Rider Tōki - Trumpet Masked Rider Shōki - Trumpet Masked Rider Banki - Electric Guitar Masked Rider Kabuki - Taiko/Kabuki Masked Rider Touki - Taiko/Polar Bear Masked Rider Kirameki - Cymbal/Carp Masked Rider Nishiki - Triangle/Tiger Masked Rider Habataki - Flute/Hawk Masked Rider Kabuto Masked Rider Kabuto - Japanese rhinoceros beetle Masked Rider TheBee - Wasp Masked Rider Drake - Dragonfly Masked Rider Sasword - Scorpion Masked Rider Gatack - Stag beetle Masked Rider Kick Hopper - Grasshopper Masked Rider Punch Hopper - Grasshopper Masked Rider Dark Kabuto - Japanese rhinoceros beetle Masked Rider Caucasus - Caucasus beetle Masked Rider Hercus - Hercules beetle Masked Rider Ketaros - Centaurus beetle ZECT Troopers, Shadow Troopers, Bright Troopers and Neo Troopers - Ants Masked Rider Den-O Masked Rider Den-O Plat Form - Train station Sword Form - Momotarō/Oni/Peach Rod Form - Urashima Tarō/Sea Turtle/Fishing rod Ax Form - Kintarō/Bear/Axe Gun Form - Tatsu no Ko Tarō/Japanese Dragon Wing Form - Swan Lake/Swan Masked Rider Zeronos Altair Form - Altair/Bull Vega Form - Deneb/Vega/Hawk Masked Rider Gaoh - Crocodile American adaptations In 1995, Saban produced the first American Masked Rider series after his success adapting Super Sentai into Power Rangers and Metal Heroes (VR Troopers & Beetleborgs). In 2008, a new series will be broadcast and produced by Steve and Michael Wang. Saban's Masked Rider Originally presented as a spin-off of Mighty Morphing Power Rangers. Dex, prince of Edenoi, fled from his planet to the planet Earth at the request of his grandfather. Count Dregon soon followed after in an attempt to steal the Masked Rider powers from Dex. The Masked Rider powers have been passed down through the ages to warriors of immense courage and purity and would bring about the end of the world if they ever fall into the wrong hands. On Earth, Dex poses as a high school student while living with the Stewarts, a family that has agreed to take him in. The footage in this series came from Masked Black RX as well as the movies, Masked Rider ZO and Masked Rider J. Masked Rider Dragon Knight Searching for his father, Kit Taylor has been chosen to become Masked Rider Dragon Knight.Masked Rider are an ancient order of protectors who long ago defeated General Xaviax in the Mirror World, a dimension opposite our own. Now, years later, General Xaviax has returned to the human world in his quest to conquer it again. Another Masked Rider named Len will fight alongside Kit as Masked Rider Wing Knight. Together, the two will fight to defend the world and find the Advent Cards that General Xaviax spread throughout the world before they can fall into the hands of those who would use them to become Dark Masked Riders. The footage in this series will come from Masked Rider Ryuki. Homages and parodies in popular culture Masked Rider franchise has been parodied in various productions, both in and outside of Japan. One of the main trademarks being parodied is the Masked Rider henshin pose. In video games, Skullomania (from Street Fighter) and May Lee (from King of Fighters) are some examples of Masked parodies, as well as Viewtiful Joe. In anime, various aspects of Masked Rider are noticeable. Examples range from Tokyo Pig to Mai HiME and its sequel Mai Otome to Dragonball Z; either being used as a comical parody or homage. Live Action wise, known parodies of Masked Rider include Masked Renaider, which is a parody skit of Masked Rider Ryuki, Masked Zaiber a parody of the original,Masked Norida a parody of Ichigo and the first series, Masked Rider HG Hard Gay's parody of the original for a Japanese TV show, and Ridermen a short skit of a man called Ridermen (an obvious parody of the Riderman) on the set of Masked Rider Kuuga.