“Shin Kamen Rider” embraces modernity. A look at good and evil, violence, and power

A work that replaces "Kamen Rider" with modern times

``Shin Kamen Rider'' is, of course, a work based on ``Kamen Rider,'' but the ``Kamen Rider'' here refers to the manga and TV program (1971-73 edition) by Shotaro Ishinomori.

Director Anno, who was born in 1960, is a member of the "Kamen Rider" real-time generation, and is a die-hard fan, having directed the independent film "Nakamu Rider" in 1978 while still in high school. At the time of production, he said, ``50 years ago, most elementary school boys at the time were fascinated by the life-size hero called Kamen Rider.I was one of them. I started this project with the desire to give back as much as possible in the form of a film."

These words suggest a strong respect for the ``original'', but ``Shin Kamen Rider'' is not what you would call a remake. This is a new story that takes ``Kamen Rider'' as its starting point, and while there are obviously some overlaps, it is a hero movie that incorporates director Anno's ``uniqueness'' as well as modern themes, Arrival, and elements.

Following on from his previous statement, Director Anno said the following. ``This project is an epoch-making work created by Shotaro Ishinomori and Toei Ikuta Studio to create a work that fulfills the dreams of adults that have continued since childhood, and a work that depicts children's dreams that remain in their hearts even as adults. I will do my best to create a work that brings the world of masks into modern times, and an entertainment work that can be enjoyed even without knowing the original video."

How can we add something new while paying homage to our predecessors? What emerges from this part is Shin Kamen Rider's perspective on the current era and society. It can be said to be the core and "heart" of the work, and is connected to the uniqueness of this work.

In order to clarify that part, first of all, what kind of story is the manga "Kamen Rider" about? I would like to introduce This is the story of Takeshi Hongo, who was transformed into a superhuman by Shocker, an evil organization that plots to rule humanity, and who calls himself ``Kamen Rider'' and stands up to crush their ambitions. Hongo wishes for peace for humanity and engages in a deadly battle with monsters made by Shocker. ``Shin Kamen Rider'' has the same general outline of the story, but the details are very different.

From now on, I would like to unravel the originality of this work, focusing on three points: "good and evil," "violence," and "power."

The existence of SHOCKER, which is not an absolute evil