In today's world, Kamen Rider Stronger has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide public. With the advancement of technology and globalization, Kamen Rider Stronger has positioned itself as a point of focus in different fields and sectors, generating debates and reflections around its impact and relevance. From politics to science, culture and entertainment, Kamen Rider Stronger has managed to capture the attention of millions of people around the world. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the meaning and implications of Kamen Rider Stronger, analyzing its evolution over time and its influence on today's society.
Kamen Rider Stronger (仮面ライダーストロンガー, Kamen Raidā Sutorongā) is a Japanese tokusatsu television show that aired in 1975. The fifth entry in the Kamen Rider Series, Stronger was produced by Toei Company.[1] The program was broadcast on TBS and MBS from April 5, 1975 to December 27, 1975.
Story
Following the death of his close friend and mentor Gorō Numata (沼田 五郎, Numata Gorō), Shigeru Jo joins the evil organization Black Satan. With the promise of great power, and fueled by a desire for revenge, Shigeru undergoes surgery to become one of Black Satan's super soldiers. Secretly, Shigeru knows that Black Satan was responsible for Numata's murder, and he uses the organization as a means to gain the power he needs to exact his vengeance. The newly transformed Shigeru escapes from the Black Satan headquarters before they can brainwash him, and becomes Kamen Rider Stronger. Shortly after his escape, Stronger meets Yuriko Misaki, another cyborg soldier created by Black Satan who can transform into Electro-Wave Human Tackle. Together they combat Black Satan and later the Delza Army, to restore peace in Japan. During a battle against the Delza Army, Tackle sacrifices herself to protect Stronger, and Stronger performs a special procedure on himself to achieve his "Charge-Up Form". Later, the six previous Kamen Riders return to Japan and join Stronger to finally topple the evil Delza Army.
Characters
Shigeru Jo (城 茂, Jō Shigeru)/Kamen Rider Stronger is the protagonist and eponymous character of the series. When he transforms into his rider form, he shouts "Henshin... Stronger!". In episode 31, he gains the ability to power up into a new "Charge Up" form after undergoing surgery. However, he has to use this power up in less than a minute or else he'll explode.
Yuriko Misaki/Electro-Wave Tackle (岬 ユリ子/電波人間タックル, Misaki Yuriko/Denpa Ningen Takkuru) is the first attempt at a female Kamen Rider. She was to be used by Black Satan like Shigeru, but was saved by him while he was trying to find a way out of Black Satan's secret lair. After some talk, he convinced her to come with him and together with a good friend to many Kamen Riders, Tobei Tachibana they fought Black Satan as Kamen Rider Stronger and the Electro-Wave Human Tackle for quite some time. Over time, Yuriko fell in love with Shigeru, but sadly, in episode 30, she gave her life to defeat the evil Doctor Kate in order to save him from being poisoned. This would forever haunt Shigeru and push him to undergo surgery to attain the even more powerful (and dangerous) Charge Up form. Shotaro Ishinomori and Kamen Rider co-creator Toru Hirayama conceived the idea of Tackle after receiving fan letters from young girls who said they wanted a hero to pretend to be when playing Kamen Rider with other boys.
Tōbei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛, Tachibana Tōbee): The mentor of the previous Kamen Riders.
Black Satan
Black Satan (ブラックサタン, Burakku Satan) is a terrorist organization formed by the remnants of Shocker.
Great Boss of Black Satan (ブラックサタン大首領, Burakku Satan Dai Shuryō; 26): The leader of Black Satan who is the boss of Satan Bug (サタン虫, Satan Mushi). Destroyed by Stronger's Stronger Electro Kick.
Titan (Mr. Titan)/One-Eyed Titan (タイタン/一つ目タイタン, Taitan/Hitotsume Taitan; 1-13): A high-ranking officer of Black Satan. He and General Shadow are rivals. He can assume a human form. He was thrown into the sea by Stronger and destroyed. However, Black Satan learns of his demise and performs a ritual that revives Titan into Hundred-Eyed Titan (百目タイタン, Hyakume Taitan; 17-23). He was then destroyed by Stronger's Stronger Double Kick.
Dead Lion (デッドライオン, Deddo Raion; 24-26): A lionlike monster from Egypt who is known as the strongest great commander of Black Satan. He took over after Mr. Titan's death. After Black Satan's destruction, his whereabouts are unknown.
Black Satan Soldiers (ブラックサタン戦闘員, Burakku Satan Sentōin): Black owl foot soldiers of Black Satan. Scientists wear white gowns.
General Shadow
General Shadow (ジェネラルシャドウ, Jeneraru Shadō; 13-38) is a high-ranking officer who is rivals with Titan. Wielding the Shadow Sword, his signature attack is the Trump Shoot. After abandoning Black Satan, he forms the Delza Army. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electro Lightning Kick.
Delza Army
The Delza Army (デルザー軍団, Deruzā Gundan) is created by General Shadow after he leaves Black Satan. After its destruction, he forms the Delza Army to fight Kamen Rider Stronger. The first eight of his officers schemed against him, but never challenged General Shadow, but soon General Shadow was overthrown by Great Marshal Machine. The organization was destroyed by the combined efforts of Kamen Rider Stronger and the six previous Riders.
Great Leader of Delza Army (デルザー軍団大首領, Deruzā Gundan Dai Shuryō): A stone giant controlled by the one-eyed brain-like Great Leader; later revealed to be the true form of the Great Leader of Shocker from the original series, as well as the true leader behind previous organizations. He takes on the form of a giant rock, impervious to the attacks of the Riders. He then self-destructs in an attempt to kill all seven Riders.
Delza Army Corps (デルザー軍団戦闘員, Deruzā Gundan Sentōin; 26-39): The foot soldiers of the Delza Army. Each foot soldier wears a different mask depending on the one who leads them.
Staff Officer Steel (鋼鉄参謀, Kōtetsu Sanbō; 27-29): An armor monster. Destroyed by Stronger's Stronger Electro Kick.
Division Commander Wild Eagle (荒ワシ師団長, Arawashi Shidanchō; 27, 28, 39 & All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!): An eaglelike monster. Destroyed by Stronger's Underwater Electro Fire.
Doctor Kate (ドクターケイト, Dokutā Keito; 27-30): A plumed cockscomblike monster that shoots poisonous liquid. She is destroyed by the poisoned Tackle's Ultra Cyclone, the move taking her own life in the process.
Major Skull (ドクロ少佐, Dokuro Shōsa; 27-31): A skulllike monster. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electron Drill Kick.
Baron Rock (岩石男爵, Ganseki Danshaku; 27-32): A rocklike monster. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electron Drill Kick (head) and Super Electro Three-step Kick (body).
General Wolf (狼長官, Ōkami Chōkan; 27-33 & All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!): A wolflike monster. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electro Lightning Kick.
Commanding Officer Brank (隊長ブランク, Taichō Buranku; 27-34): A Frankenstein's monster-inspired monster. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electro Speed Diving Punch.
Snake Woman (ヘビ女, Hebi Onna; 34, 35 & All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!): A snakelike monster who has the ability to suck blood and make humans who look into her eyes follow her orders. Destroyed by Stronger (Charge Up)'s Super Electro Big Wheel Kick.
Marshal Machine (マシーン大元帥, Mashīn Dai Gensui; 35-39): A mummy monster from Egypt who later along with his follower Commanders Jishaku and Armored Knight overthrew General Shadow when he failed to capture Kamen Rider Stronger while Commander Jishaku and Armored Knight were able to capture Kamen Rider V3 and Riderman. Destroyed by Stronger's Electro Punch.
Commander Magnet (磁石団長, Jishaku Danchō; 36-39): A magnet monster who becomes one of Marshal Machine's followers and has the ability to throw magnets and make the target move to whatever direction he's aiming. He was destroyed with the revived Kaijin Corps.
Armored Knight (ヨロイ騎士, Yoroi Kishi; 36-39): An armor monster who becomes one of Marshal Machine's followers and has the ability to make fire from his two swords but later one of his two swords is destroyed by Kamen Rider X's Ridol with help from Kamen Rider Amazon. He was destroyed with the revived Kaijin Corps.
Goodbye! The Glorious Seven Riders! (さようなら!栄光の七人ライダー!, Sayōnara! Eikō no Shichinin Raidā!) (Original Airdate: December 27, 1975)
Film
Kamen Rider Stronger
A reedited episode 7. Waniida from Black Satan attacks a young boy and long-time Kamen Rider ally Tōbei Tachibana, but Kamen Rider Stronger and Electro-Wave Human Tackle run in to make the save. However, Shigeru and Yuriko fall into separate traps and are captured by Black Satan. Yuriko fights for her life as Shigeru is brainwashed by the organization.
Special
The 45-minute All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!! (集合!7人の仮面ライダー!! (Zen'in Shūgō! Shichinin no Kamen Raidā!!)), first broadcast on January 3, 1976 (one week after the series' finale) opens with Tobei Tachibana taking some children to a Kamen Rider roadshow. Just as he's reminiscing about all the heroic modified humans he's lived alongside: 1, 2, V3, Riderman, X, Amazon, Stronger and Tackle, the first seven Riders gradually show up to greet him in their human guises, unrecognized by the crowds. When it's revealed that the monsters onstage are real and not actors, the Riders transform to save the crowd and Rider actors, uniting their power to defeat a surviving Delza Army general, Great Generat Darkness (暗黒大将軍, Ankoku Daishōgun) in his hideout beneath the stadium.