Kamen Riders by Medicom

Whilst we are on the subject of tokusatsu (live action films with special effects), let's not forget the Kamen Riders / Masked Riders. Love their costumes.

Already covered Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider 2. Yet to cover Kamen Rider Amazon whose design motif was based on a komodo dragon rather than the more typical suit basis of a grasshopper, beetle or other insect. Amazon transforms biologically, rather than simply donning a mask and armor. He is far more violent and brutal than the previous riders and his combat style is much more harsh, severe, and direct than previous Riders. Amazon is the only Kamen Rider who was able to open his mouth during his Rider form and has bitten his opponents on occasion.

Also covered V3 previously but not Kamen Rider X who preceded Amazon in the series. Kamen Rider X is Keisuke Jin whose father Keitaro, a robotics scientist, performed surgery on him before he died and transformed Keisuke into Kamen Rider X who now battles the monstrous minions of G.O.D. (Government Of Darkness) with his powerful "Ridol", which can be used as a spear, a rapier, or a club, among many other weapons he possesses. With an exuberant cry of "Set Up!", he transforms into X-Rider, charging into battle aboard his motorcycle "Cruiser".

Kamen Rider Stronger's attacks were based on electricity, and the cyborg aspect of his body is much more prominent than in the previous series; his hands were metal coils that had to be covered when he was not transformed. Stronger was not based on a grasshopper or grasshopper-like insect as with the previous Riders; he was based on the Kabutomushi or Japanese rhinoceros beetle.

Kamen Rider Super-1 was the seventh installment in the Kamen Rider series. Kazuya Oki underwent cybernetic surgery in the International Space Development Program in the United States in order to become an astronaut who can survive in outer space without the need for a bulky external suit. After the successful operation, he was given the codename "Super-1". However, before he can depart for space, the base where he received his operation was attacked by the Dogma Kingdom and only Kazuya is able to escape. As Super-1, Kazuya possesses super-powered attachments called the "Five Hands". They are: Super Hands: Super-1's default silver gloves. He can perform the Super Punch with them. Electric (Eleki) Hands: Super-1's blue gloves. They can shoot an electric beam. Power Hands: Super-1's red gloves. He gains the ability to lift heavy objects. Radar Hands: Super-1's gold gloves. He can shoot missiles that emit radar waves, allowing him to see further from the radar screen on his gloves. Hot/Cold (Reinetsu) Hands: Super-1's green gloves. The left glove is a cryogenic sprayer, while the right glove is a flamethrower.

Riderman was created within the Kamen Rider V3 series. He was a former member of DESTRON but becomes Riderman and aids Kamen Rider V3 in bringing down DESTRON. He lost his right arm when he was sentenced to be tortured to death by being dipped into a pool of acid. As Riderman, he has a wide array of  prosthetic weapons to meet his needs: Rope Arm - Riderman's Default Arm, which is used in various ways. There is his default Hook Arm, with hook attachment, for climbing and combat. When the mace end is attached, he gets his Swing Arm, which can be extended and used as a flailing weapon. Then, there's the Net Arm, where Yuuki's arm can shoot out a net to capture and restrain enemies. Finally, there's the Sickle Arm. Apart from his Rope Arm, there was also Power Arm, Drill Arm, Machine Gun Arm, Spray Arm and Octopus Arm.

The latest / revamped Masked Riders are pretty cool too - Masked Rider The First and Masked Rider The Next.