Kamen Rider (1979 TV series)

1979 TV series

Kamen Rider also referred to as Kamen Rider (New) or Skyrider (after the main character), is a Japanese television series created by Shotaro Ishinomori and the sixth program in the Kamen Rider Series. The series was a co-production between Toei and Ishimori Productions. The series aired every Friday at 7:00 PM on MBS from October 5, 1979 to October 10, 1980.

Kamen Rider / Skyrider
GenreTokusatsu
Superhero fiction
Science fiction
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Created byShotaro Ishinomori
Developed byMasaru Igami (eps 1-24)
Takeshi Ezure (eps 25-54)
Written byMasaru Igami
Kimio Hirayama
Takeshi Ezure
Katsuhiko Taguchi
Tsutomu Tsukushi
Kyoko Sagiyama
Ikuro Suzuki
Directed byMinoru Yamada
Katsuhiko Taguchi
Atsuo Okunaka
Hideo Tanaka
Kimio Hirayama
Shigeho Hirota
StarringHiroaki Murakami
Kimiko Tanaka
Naoko Fushimi
Nobuo Tsukamoto
ComposerShunsuke Kikuchi
Country of originJapan
No. of episodes54
Production
ProducersToru Hirayama(Toei)
Masashi Abe (Toei eps 18-54)
Running time24 minutes
Original release
NetworkMBS
ReleaseOctober 5, 1979 (1979-10-05) –
October 10, 1980 (1980-10-10)

The 1979 series was intended as a revival of the original Kamen Rider, going back to the basic, essential themes established in that show.

Story change

Doctor Keitarō Shido, a famous scientist, has been kidnapped by the terrorist organization Neo-Shocker. They want him to exploit his expertise in robotics technology. Desperate to escape, he tells Neo-Shocker commander to allow him to control an injured camper. Explaining that he can turn the camper, Hiroshi Tsukuba into a powerful Neo-Shocker warrior, they allow Doctor Shido to operate. However, he quickly turns the tables on them. He transformed Hiroshi not to in Kaiju, but into powerful warrior Sky Rider. He uses his newfound abilities to combat the evil Neo-Shocker menace.

Cast change

Songs change

Opening themes
  • "Moero! Kamen Rider" ("Burn! Kamen Rider")
    • Lyrics: Shotaro Ishinomori
    • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
    • Artist: Ichirou Mizuki and Kōrogi '73
    • Episodes: 1-28
  • "Otoko no Na wa Kamen Rider" ("That's Man's Name is Kamen Rider")
    • Lyrics: Shotaro Ishinomori
    • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
    • Artist: Ichirou Mizuki
    • Episodes: 29-54
Ending themes
  • "Haruka naru Ai ni Kakete" ("Long Distance Love")
    • Lyrics: Saburō Yatsude
    • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
    • Artist: Ichirou Mizuki and Kōrogi '73
    • Episodes: 1-28
  • "Kagayake! Hachinin Rider" ("Shine! Eight Riders")
    • Lyrics: Saburō Yatsude
    • Composition & Arrangement: Shunsuke Kikuchi
    • Artist: Ichirou Mizuki and The Chirps
    • Episodes: 29-54