Kamen Rider Villains Jump Into The Political Spotlight

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Japan Today

Here in the United States we just have to worry about our wacky celebrities throwing in their worthless two-cents when it comes to politics, in Japan, their fictional super-villains are starting to get in the act.

During a PR event for the upcoming film, “Kamen Rider Decade”, two of the long-running series greatest villains, Jigoku Taishi (Ambassador Hell) and Shinigami Hakase (Dr Death) of the evil Shocker Syndicate, took advantage of the moment to weigh in on the upcoming August 30th Lower House election.

“What comes after we conquer the world? A better nation,” said actor Ren Osugi, who plays Jigoku Taishi, after arriving on stage aboard a mock election campaign vehicle. At that point some of the parents in the audience applauded, Osugi and actor Renji Ishibashi, who plays Shinigami Hakase, then declared that they were starting a new political party to run in the election, the Great Shocker Party. This to was greeted with cheers and applause from the crowd.

"Kamen Rider Decade" is set to open in Japan on August 8th and features a battle royal between the 38-year-old series most notable heroes and enemies.

I wonder what would happen if the 'Legion of Doom' or 'The Brotherhood of Mutants' formed their own party here in America?

Let's see....should I vote for Solomon Grundy or Barack Obama?...... I'll need a coin toss for that one.

See Also: Kamen Rider Dragon Knight Trailer (US Version) / Pusan International Film Festival Focuses On Asian Super Heroes

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight Trailer (US Version)

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Source: Henshin Justice

Originally produced for Japanese TV channel MBS by Toei Company, Kamen Rider is a 35-year-old live-action series that has so far clocked up 790 episodes, 17 series and 21 movies. Now, after a deal with Toei for rights to the show outside Asia, Adness is in production on 40 episodes of a US version, which it is financing itself in time for a fall 2008 debut.

The show follows a teenager who finds a mysterious card that turns him into a powerful warrior in another dimension. Once there he discovers his missing father may be the hostage of an evil general. Though the show is visually similar to Power Rangers, another perennial Toei franchise, Adness VP of international sales Daniel Castaneda said the target demographic was different. "Power Rangers is aimed at four- to eight-year-olds, while Kamen Rider is for six- to 14-year-olds," he said. "We're finalising a US deal right now and are starting to pitch the show to channels in Europe." Adness is shopping the show to UK and French channels, but Castenada is looking to sew up representation deals to take the show into other markets such as Spain, Germany and the Nordic region.

A movie based on the series is also something that Adness is planning, possibly for 2009. "This will all depend on the ratings data we get from the US channel," Castenada said. Adness director of licensing Takeshi Okajima is spinning off the North and South American L&M programme for Kamen Rider, as well as the company's recently acquired Mexican property Crack & Bonky. Following two friends from another dimension who try to mimic human behaviour, the property launched through Mexican website Chicabum and became popular via downloadable wallpapers, animated shorts and ringtones. Adness has North American and Asian rights to the CGI property and has already finalised licensing deals for apparel, toys and stationery. Castaneda said plans were afoot in Japan to produce Flash animated shorts based on the two characters.