Before every modern Rider strikes a pose, there was Takeshi Hongo. The original series features the "Henshin Pose" (transformation pose) in its rawest form. Watching Hongo wind up in the wind, the belt spinning, is a visceral thrill that subtitles make accessible.
Type: Optional Subtitle Track
Concept: An enhanced viewing experience similar to "Pop-Up Video" or director's commentary subtitles, designed for the English-subbed release.
Content Highlights:
The original Kamen Rider (1971–1973) is the foundation of the legendary tokusatsu franchise, consisting of 98 episodes and several tie-in movies. This guide provides the essential details for watching the series with English subtitles and understanding its historic structure. Where to Watch (English Subtitled)
Official English-subtitled versions are now widely available through Shout! Factory and its streaming partners. Free with Ads: TokuSHOUTsu (Shout! Factory's dedicated tokusatsu channel).
Pluto TV and The Roku Channel often host the TokuSHOUTsu live stream and VOD library. Tubi also carries the series for free. Subscription Streaming: Kamen Rider 1971 - 1973 -English Subbed-
Amazon Prime Video currently hosts Season 1 (episodes 1–98) for subscribers. Physical Media:
Shout! Factory has released a complete series Blu-ray set with high-definition transfers and English subtitles. Essential Watch Order
The series is divided into distinct "eras" based on the lead actor and the evolving threat of the evil organization, Shocker.
The original Kamen Rider (1971–1973) series is a foundational Japanese tokusatsu superhero drama created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. Running for 98 episodes, it remains the longest-running entry in the franchise and sparked a massive "Henshin Boom" in Japan. Production History & Key Milestones
Original Concept: Initially planned as an adaptation of Ishinomori's darker manga Skull Man, it was revised for TV to be less violent, resulting in the grasshopper-themed hero.
Airing Data: Broadcast from April 3, 1971, to February 10, 1973, on MBS and NET (now TV Asahi). Two Riders: Before every modern Rider strikes a pose, there
Kamen Rider 1 (Takeshi Hongo): Played by Hiroshi Fujioka, a college student turned cyborg by the evil organization Shocker.
Kamen Rider 2 (Hayato Ichimonji): Introduced in episode 14 after Fujioka suffered a real-life motorcycle accident during filming. The character was played by Takeshi Sasaki.
The Villain: The series follows the Riders' battle against Shocker, an international terrorist organization that creates monstrous "kaijin" (monster humans) to conquer the world. English Subtitled Availability
For English-speaking audiences, the series has moved from unofficial "fansubs" to high-quality legal streaming:
The original Kamen Rider (1971–1973) is the undisputed cornerstone of the henshin (transformation) superhero genre. Spanning 98 episodes, this massive saga laid the groundwork for an empire that still thrives today. Experiencing it through English subtitles offers western viewers a fascinating, raw look at the birth of a cultural phenomenon. 🎬 The Plot at a Glance
The story introduces us to Takeshi Hongo (Hiroshi Fujioka), a brilliant motorcycle racer kidnapped by the malevolent global terrorist organization known as Shocker. Shocker plans to conquer the world by surgically converting humans into brainwashed mutant cyborgs. The original Kamen Rider (1971–1973) is the foundation
Fortunately, Hongo escapes just before the final brainwashing procedure. Armed with his newly modified body and a heavy sense of lost humanity, he takes up the mantle of the grasshopper-themed superhero, Kamen Rider, to fight Shocker's relentless onslaught of monstrous "Kaijin".
Later in the series, due to a real-life stunt injury sustained by Fujioka, a second hero is introduced: freelance photographer Hayato Ichimonji (Takeshi Sasaki), who takes over the fight as Kamen Rider 2. 🔥 The Good: Why It Stands the Test of Time
As of 2025, there is no official legal streaming service offering the 1971 series with English subtitles in the USA or Europe. Shout! Factory released Kamen Rider (1971) on Blu-ray in 2021, but shockingly, without English subtitles. The disc was aimed at collectors who wanted raw Japanese video. Consequently, the only way to watch Kamen Rider V3 (1973) legally with subs is via the Kamen Rider: The Digital Impact release in Southeast Asia (Region 3), which is out of print.
For English-subbed viewers, it is crucial to understand the two phases of the show, as the tone and visual style shift significantly.
Phase 1: The "Old Rider" Era (Episodes 1–13)
Phase 2: The "Sakurajima" Era (Episodes 14–98)