“Kamen Rider és avui dia tota una icona de la cultura popular japonesa i un dels responsables de la cultura de superherois pròpia del Japó” “A través d’aquest manga que tens a les mans pots començar a endinsar-te en el fabulós món dels henshin heroes de la mà del millor guia possible: ISHInoMORI SHOTARO” Oriol Estrada Rangil(@capitanurias)
Takeshi Hongô, pilot de motos professional, és segrestat per la malvada organització Shocker. Aquesta tria candidats per un físic i intel·lecte elevats i els converteix en poderosos i servils cíborgs. Durant el procés de transformació i just abans de la rentada de cervell, les instal·lacions es queden sense energia a causa d’un raig. Un científic, penedit, ajuda a en Hongô a escapar. L’organització Shocker els persegueix utilitzant a una sèrie de monstres. Takeshi Hongô degut a la seva transformació incompleta pot convertir-se en l’intrèpid Kamen Rider, i jura lluitar contra la malvada organització.
Shōtarō Ishinomori (石ノ森章太郎) was a Japanese manga artist and cartoonist. Known as the "King of Manga", he is regarded as one of the most influential manga artists of all time.
The ending of this is great, really good conclusion to the series. Our main character struggles to find a true sense of self, caught between being a man and a machine, all while trying to save humanity from some scientists trying to use machines to wipe out humanity. The only reason he can stand up to them is because of his machine parts, but they also leave him vulnerable to the sciences the enemy uses. It goes from goofy slapstick, to serious drama, to big sci-fi action series, and back again over and over.
As a series in its own right this one limps over the finish line, nothing feels conclusive or ultimately very well developed. But looking into this it seems that the Kamen Rider TV series became an absolute juggernaut with many shows and continuities appearing over the years and so it seems that this short manga was really only intended to be one part of the process - bit of a shame because it starts out feeling very authentic and very cool but by itself ... eh? The art takes a nosedive in this final installment too, you can see this became a less personal project as it went on.
Chega ao fim a primeira grande aventura do Kamen Rider nos mangás, em sua luta com a temível Shocker. O mangá continua ágil e dinâmico. O traço ainda é bem datado, principalmente nas sequências com os humanos, crianças mais especificamente, mas o leitura é divertida. Esse acho que é o volume com mais lutas dos três. Mas em comparação, o Black faz mais meu estilo, até por ser mais moderno. Mas esse gibi vale como curiosidade.