Kamen Rider Black RX

Kamen Rider Black RX (仮面ライダーBLACK RX（ブラック アールエックス）, Kamen Raidā Burakku Āru Ekkusu) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series produced as part of the Kamen Rider series. The ninth show in the franchise, it is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei Company, and aired on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and the Tokyo Broadcasting System from October 23, 1988, to September 24, 1989. The series is a direct sequel to Kamen Rider Black and the first to feature a team-up with the past Riders since the 1984 TV special Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!!. For distribution purposes, Toei refers to this television series as Black Kamen Rider RX.

Kamen Rider Black RX
Genre	Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fiction Action/Adventure Fantasy
Created by	Shotaro Ishinomori
Developed by	Takashi Ezure
Directed by	Yoshiaki Kobayashi
Starring	Tetsuo Kurata Jun Koyamaki Makoto Akatsuka Eri Tsuruma Rikiya Koyama Megumi Ueno Jo Onodera Go Inoue Shoko Iruma Atsuko Takahata Tetsuya Matsui
Voices of	Seizō Katō Shōzō Iizuka Toshimichi Takahashi Kazunori Arai Atsuo Mori
Narrated by	Issei Masamune
Composer	Eiji Kawamura
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	47
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	Toei Company Ishimori Productions
Release
Original network	MBS TBS
Original release	October 23, 1988 (1988-10-23) – September 24, 1989 (1989-09-24)
Related
Kamen Rider Black Kamen Rider Kuuga

This was also the last installment of the Kamen Rider series to be produced in the Shōwa era and the first to be produced in the Heisei one — Episode 11 was delayed by one week following Emperor Hirohito's death.

The series was adapted by Saban in North America as Masked Rider. The show featured a heavily altered story and all-new characters, in an attempt to fit the series in as a spin-off of Power Rangers.

Story

Main article: List of Kamen Rider Black characters

After the downfall of Gorgom, Kotaro Minami has gotten a job as a helicopter pilot in a business owned by the Sahara family, who have also given him a new home. Kotaro is later captured by the Crisis Empire and offered a place in their group. When Kotaro refuses, his King Stone is shattered, and he is thrown into space where the sun's radiation mutates his King Stone and he turns into Kamen Rider Black RX. With his new powers, he wages a one-man war against the Crisis Empire and thwarts their plans to take over Earth.^[1][2]

Episodes

1. The Child of the Sun! RX (太陽の子だ！ＲＸ, Taiyō no Ko Da! Āru Ekkusu) (Original Airdate: October 23, 1988)
2. Bathed in Light! RX (光を浴びて！ＲＸ, Hikari o Abite! Āru Ekkusu) (Original Airdate: October 30, 1988)
3. RX vs. the Knight of the Wind (ＲＸ対風の騎士, Āru Ekkusu Tai Kaze no Kishi) (Original Airdate: November 6, 1988)
4. The Car of Light, Rideron (光の車ライドロン, Hikari no Kuruma Raidoron) (Original Airdate: November 13, 1988)
5. The Cave Exploration's Falling Hole (洞窟探検の落し穴, Dōkutsu Tanken no Otoshiana) (Original Airdate: November 20, 1988)
6. The Kaima Extraterrestrials' Great Riot! (怪魔ＥＴ大暴れ！, Kaima Ī Tī Ōabare!) (Original Airdate: November 27, 1988)
7. SOS! The Circle of Friendship (ＳＯＳ！友情の輪, Esu Ō Esu! Yūjō no Wa) (Original Airdate: December 4, 1988)
8. Dad's And Mom's Secret (パパとママの秘密, Papa to Mama no Himitsu) (Original Airdate: December 11, 1988)
9. Maribaron's Witchcraft (マリバロンの妖術, Maribaron no Yōjutsu) (Original Airdate: December 18, 1988)
10. Surprised With Replicas (ニセ者でドッキリ, Nisemono de Dokkiri) (Original Airdate: December 25, 1988)
11. The Scraps' Revolt (スクラップの反乱, Sukurappu no Hanran) (Original Airdate: January 15, 1989)
12. The Assassin in Dreams (夢の中の暗殺者, Yume no Naka no Ansatsusha) (Original Airdate: January 22, 1989)
13. The Targeted Kaima Girl (狙われた怪魔少女, Nerawareta Kaima Shōjo) (Original Airdate: January 29, 1989)
14. The Kidnapped Hitomi-chan (ひとみちゃん誘拐, Hitomi-chan Yūkai) (Original Airdate: February 5, 1989)
15. Robo Rider Is Born (ロボライダー誕生, Robo Raidā Tanjō) (Original Airdate: February 12, 1989)
16. The Miraculous Valley's Princess (奇跡の谷の姫君, Kiseki no Tani no Himegimi) (Original Airdate: February 19, 1989)
17. Bio Rider! (バイオライダー！, Baio Raidā!) (Original Airdate: February 26, 1989)
18. The Mystery! Swimming in the Air of Dreams (怪！夢の空中遊泳, Kai! Yume no Kūchū Yūei) (Original Airdate: March 5, 1989)
19. The Artificial Sun of Terror! (恐怖の人工太陽！, Kyōfu no Jinkō Taiyō) (Original Airdate: March 12, 1989)
20. The Banana Eating Ogre (バナナを喰う鬼, Banana o Kū Oni) (Original Airdate: March 19, 1989)
21. The Front of Love And Friendship (愛と友情の戦線, Ai to Yūjō no Sensen) (Original Airdate: March 26, 1989)
22. Shadow Moon! (シャドームーン！, Shadō Mūn!) (Original Airdate: April 2, 1989)
23. RX Became a Pig (ブタになったＲＸ, Buta ni Natta Āru Ekkusu) (Original Airdate: April 9, 1989)
24. Dad Is Dracula (パパはドラキュラ, Papa wa Dorakyura) (Original Airdate: April 16, 1989)
25. The Bride of Scorpio (さそり座の花嫁, Sasoriza no Hanayome) (Original Airdate: April 23, 1989)
26. Bosgan's Revenge (ボスガンの反撃, Bosugan no Hangeki) (Original Airdate: April 30, 1989)
27. Huge Counterattack! The Prince of Shadows (大逆襲！影の王子, Daigyakushū! Kage no Ōji) (Original Airdate: May 7, 1989)
28. The Agent of the Majestic Emperor (皇帝陛下の代理人, Kōtei Heika no Dairinin) (Original Airdate: May 14, 1989)
29. A World Without Water (水のない世界, Mizu no Nai Sekai) (Original Airdate: May 21, 1989)
30. Tokyo Desert Without a Tomorrow (明日なき東京砂漠, Asu Naki Tōkyō Sabaku) (Original Airdate: May 28, 1989)
31. The Woman Who Saw the Kaima World (怪魔界を見た女, Kaimakai o Mita On'na) (Original Airdate: June 4, 1989)
32. The Sky of Love And Hope (愛と希望の大空, Ai to Kibō no Ōzora) (Original Airdate: June 11, 1989)
33. Decisive Battle on the Great Seto Bridge (瀬戸大橋の大決戦, Seto Ōhashi no Daikessen) (Original Airdate: June 18, 1989)
34. Making a Plan For The Shikoku Aircraft!! (四国空母化計画！！, Shikoku Kūboka Keikaku!!) (Original Airdate: June 25, 1989)
35. Kotaro Wanted!! (光太郎指名手配！！, Kōtarō Shimeitehai!!) (Original Airdate: July 2, 1989)
36. Who's the Hero!? (ヒーローは誰だ！？, Hīrō wa Dare Da!?) (Original Airdate: July 9, 1989)
37. Skinning With Tusks, the Beastman Ninja Troop (牙むく獣人忍者隊, Kiba Muku Jūjin Ninja Tai) (Original Airdate: July 16, 1989)
38. The Wicked Dance Troop of the White Bone Field (白骨ケ原の妖舞団, Hakkotsugahara no Yōbudan) (Original Airdate: July 23, 1989)
39. A Running Explosion! Mini 4WD (爆走！ミニ４ＷＤ, Bakusō! Mini Yon Daburu Dī) (Original Airdate: July 30, 1989)
40. The Trap of the Ghostly Housing Development (ユーレイ団地の罠, Yūrei Danchi no Wana) (Original Airdate: August 6, 1989)
41. The Terror of the 100 Eyed Hag (百目婆ァの恐怖, Todome Babā no Kyōfu) (Original Airdate: August 13, 1989)
42. The 4 Commanders Are Banished (四隊長は全員追放, Yon Taichō wa Zen'in Tsuihō) (Original Airdate: August 20, 1989)
43. Defeated! RX (敗れたり！ＲＸ, Yaburetari! Āru Ekkusu) (Original Airdate: August 27, 1989)
44. Fight! All Riders (戦え！全ライダー, Tatakae! Zen Raidā) (Original Airdate: September 3, 1989)
45. The Fake Rider's Last Days (偽ライダーの末路, Nise Raidā no Matsuro) (Original Airdate: September 10, 1989)
46. The Riders' All Out Charge (ライダーの総突撃, Raidā no Sōtotsugeki) (Original Airdate: September 17, 1989)
47. A Shining Tomorrow! (輝ける明日, Kagayakeru Ashita) (Original Airdate: September 24, 1989)

TV special

• 1988: Kamen Rider 1 Through RX: Big Gathering (仮面ライダー１号～ＲＸ大集合, Kamen Raidā Ichigō~Āru Ekkusu Daishūgō) - It covers all the heroes, from Kamen Rider 1 until ZX and introduces Kamen Rider Black RX.

3D Film

Kamen Rider: Run All Over the World (仮面ライダー 世界に駆ける, Kamen Raidā Sekai ni Kakeru) is a short 3D film originally screened in the Coal History Village in Yubari between April 29 throughout October 31, 1989.^[3] The film involves a team-up between Kotaro Minami's four Kamen Rider alter-egos (Black, RX, Robo Rider and Bio Rider) to fight against the Crisis Empire. Tetsuo Kurata plays Kotaro Minami and voices all four of his Kamen Rider alter-egos. General Jark, the four commanders of Crisis, and three high priests of Gorgom also appear in the movie, all played by their original actors with the exception of Bosgan (who is unvoiced) and Darom (who is voiced by Eisuke Yoda). The movie was written by Yoshio Urasawa and directed by series director Yoshiaki Kobayashi.

In the film, the Crisis Empire devises a plan to defeat Kotaro by reverting him back to his old form of Kamen Rider Black and sending out several revived monsters after him. However, Kamen Rider Black is assisted by another Black RX, who used a time warp to help his past self.^[4] The two are joined by Black RX's alternate forms of Robo Rider and Bio Rider, and the four Riders combine their powers to defeat the revived monsters.

The film is included as a bonus on the Region 2 DVD release of Kamen Rider Black RX Vol. 2. The DVD versions lack the original 3D effects of the theatrical release. A bonus Blu-ray 3D disc containing the movie is included in the "Kamen Rider: The Movie Blu-ray Box 1972-1988" set.

After 0

The S.I.C. Hero Saga story for Black RX ran in Monthly Hobby Japan in the December 2002 through March 2003 issues. Titled Kamen Rider Black RX: After 0 (MASKED RIDER BLACK RX -After 0-, Kamen Raidā Burakku Āru Ekkusu: Afutā Zero), it tells the story of what happened after the finale of Black RX. It features the original characters the White RX (Another RX) (白いRX（アナザーRX）, Shiroi Āru Ekkusu (Anazā Āru Ekkusu)), Shadow Moon with RX powers, and the Creation King (Another Shadow Moon) (創生王（アナザーシャドームーン）, Sōseiō (Anazā Shadō Mūn)), the result of Shadow Moon absorbing both King Stones.

Chapter titles

1. Ceremonial Day (式日, Shikijitsu)
2. Dazzling (眩惑, Genwaku)
3. Earth's Demise (終焉の地, Shūen no Chi)
4. King of Dreams (夢幻の王, Mugen no Ō)

Cast^[5]

• Tetsuo Kurata as Kotaro Minami (南　光太郎, Minami Kōtarō)
• Makoto Sumikawa as Reiko Shiratori (白鳥 玲子, Shiratori Reiko)
• Makoto Akatsuka as Shunkichi Sahara (佐原 俊吉, Sahara Shunkichi)
• Eri Tsuruma as Utako Sahara (佐原 唄子, Sahara Utako)
• Rikiya Koyama as Joe of Haze (霞のジョー, Kasumi no Jō)
• Megumi Ueno as Kyoko Matoba (的場 響子, Matoba Kyōko)
• Joe Onodera as Goro (吾郎, Gorō)
• Go Inoue as Shigeru Sahara (佐原　茂, Sahara Shigeru)
• Shoko Imura as Hitomi Sahara (佐原 ひとみ, Sahara Hitomi)
• Maho Maruyama as Princess Garonia (Teenager Hitomi)
• Minoru Sawatari as Hayato Hayami (速水 隼人, Hayami Hayato)
• Goro Naya as Grand Lord Crisis (クライシス皇帝, Kuraishisu Kōtei, Voice)
• Seizō Katō (1-44) and Hidekatsu Shibata (45 & 46) as General Jark (ジャーク将軍, Jāku Shōgun)
• Atsuko Takahata as Maribaron (マリバロン, Maribaron)
• Shōzō Iizuka as Bosgan (ボスガン, Bosugan, Voice)
• Toshimichi Takahashi as Gatezone (ガテゾーン, Gatezōn, Voice)
• Kazunori Arai as Gedorian (ゲドリアン, Gedorian, Voice)
• Atsuo Mori as Chakram (チャックラム, Chakkuramu, Voice)
• Tetsuya Matsui as Dasmader (ダスマダー, Dasumadā)
• Masaki Terasoma as Shadow Moon (シャドームーン, Shadō Mūn, Voice)
• Teiji Ōmiya as King Stone (キングストーン, Kingu Sutōn, Voice)
• Issei Masamune as Narrator

Songs

Opening theme

• "Kamen Rider Black RX" (仮面ライダーBLACK RX, Kamen Raidā Burakku Āru Ekkusu)
  • Lyrics: Kang Jin-hwa
  • Composition & Arrangement: Eiji Kawamura
  • Artist: Takayuki Miyauchi

Ending theme

• "Dareka ga Kimi o Aishiteru" (誰かが君を愛してる, "Someone Loves You")
  • Lyrics: Kang Jin-hwa
  • Composition: Tetsuji Hayashi
  • Arrangement: Eiji Kawamura
  • Artist: Takayuki Miyauchi

International Broadcast, Home Video and Streaming

• In its home country of Japan from August 1993 to September 1994, the full series was released on VHS by Toei Video and spread across 12 volumes with four episodes on each tape, with the last volume containing only three episodes. Six volumes of the series were released on Laserdisc from March 21, 1999 to January 21, 2000, with all episodes. Then from May 21 to August 5, 2005, a total of 4 volumes were released with each holding two discs with 12 episodes, the last volume holding only 11. Then from June 10 to October 7, 2015, the full series was released on Blu-Ray in three volumes, with each one containing 3 discs and 16 episodes (15 for Volume 3). The Official Toei Tokusatsu YouTube channel also broadcast the series online from January 23 to July 1, 2012, then June 16 to November 29, 2014, November 4, 2017 to April 21, 2018 and December 15, 2021 to May 25, 2022. The Toei Tokusatsu Nico Nico Official Channel also broadcast it online from April 21, 2013 to March 9, 2014.
• It aired in Thailand on Channel 3, dubbed as weera burut nakak dam. ("วีรบุรุษหน้ากากดำ", literally: Black Mask Hero) and this along with the previous series was also released on VCD by Dream Vision and later again by TIGA Company under Rāchạny̒phlạng s̄uriyạnn ("ว่าราชันย์พลังสุริยัน", literally: Sun Power King).
• A Hmong dub was produced and titled under Hnub Leej Tub Black RX .
• In Malaysia, the series was released with an English dub on VCD by Speedy Video as simply Masked Rider Black RX. Nippon Vision also licensed and released a Malay dub of the series on VCD in addition.
• Spain has aired a Castilian Spanish dub of the series on Antena 3.
• In Indonesia, the series aired on RCTI as Ksatria Baja Hitam RX with an Indonesian dub on August 14, 1993. They also aired the Saban adaptation Masked Rider on Indosiar in 1997, as a separate series.
• It was the second of the two series of the Kamen Rider franchise to be broadcast in Brazil (the other being the previous series which was Kamen Rider Black) with a Brazilian Portuguese dub, by the now-extinct network Rede Manchete debuting on the network on July 24, 1995, airing as Black Kamen Rider RX in the region. Like the previous series, the last episode (Episode 47 - A Shining Tomorrow!) did not air initially. However, the episode was still dubbed and was eventually shown on TV Diário in the state of Ceará when the series was rebroadcast. However, it was only shown once. InterMovies Action released the series on home video as well.
  • As of June 2023, this is the only entry in the Kamen Rider series to have dubbed versions of both itself and its American adaption Masked Rider as two separate shows in Brazil.
• The series was licensed by Discotek Media for Blu-Ray in the US and released on August 29, 2023.

References

1. IMDB (23 October 1988). "Kamen Rider Black RX". IMDb. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
2. Basri "Biorider" Ispandi, , archived from the original on July 11, 2010, retrieved August 20, 2020
3. . Archived from the original on 2011-07-13.
4. "Toei's Kamen Rider Decade episode guide - Episode 27" (in Japanese).
5. IMDB. "Kamen Rider Black RX - Full Cast". IMDb. Retrieved August 20, 2020.

External links

• Ishimori@Style - Shotaro Ishinomori with Ishimori Productions Official Website
• Kamen Rider Black RX Song's Collection at Play Store
• Black RX Song's Collection at Play Store