The popular special effects drama series "Kamen Rider" has a long history spanning over 50 years, and 10 years ago today (October 4th) it began airing on television: "Kamen Rider Ghost," starring Nishime Shun. This is the 17th installment of the Heisei Kamen Rider series, and Hayato Isomura also starred as Kamen Rider Necrom/Alan. Isomura is known as a "chameleon actor" for his ability to brilliantly play a wide range of roles, and he has become an indispensable presence in the world of film. There is no doubt that one of the origins of this is "Kamen Rider Ghost." What was the "awareness" that Isomura once spoke of?
◇ "Kamen Rider Ghost" with a "ghost" motif
As the name suggests, Kamen Rider Ghost is based on the motif of a ghost, and the Kamen Rider form he takes after transformation incorporates images of heroes and great men such as Miyamoto Musashi, Isaac Newton, and Thomas Edison.
The story begins with the death of Tenkuji Takeru (played by Nishime) on his 18th birthday, when he is attacked by a mysterious monster called the Ganma and loses his life... However, thanks to the efforts of a hermit-like man he meets in a mysterious space, Takeru is temporarily revived. However, in order to fully return to life, he must find 15 Ghost Eyecons (icons), eye-shaped items imbued with the souls of heroes. Takeru begins his search for the Eyecons while defeating the Ganma that attack him as Kamen Rider Ghost.
Eventually, the battle with the Ganma leads to a situation that will determine the fate of the world...
In addition to Nishimei and Isomura, Yamamoto Ryosuke plays Kamen Rider Specter/Fukamui Makoto, Osawa Hikaru plays the heroine Tsukimura Akari, and other cast members include Kudo Mio, Nishimura Kazuhiko, and Takenaka Naoto.
◇ He taught me everything I needed to know as an actor.
As mentioned above, the TV series "Kamen Rider Ghost" began airing in October 2015. Isomura had entered the entertainment industry the previous year, so naturally, he was still a rookie at the time. The Kamen Rider filming set was "the place where I learned everything I needed to know as an actor."
Isomura not only experienced acting and action scenes, but also dubbing, and had the opportunity to speak in front of fans at events, where he also learned conversation skills. He reflected, "I was still inexperienced, so the director would sometimes be harsh on me, and to be honest, there were times when it was difficult. Looking back now, I think it was a really fascinating time where I learned the basics of being an actor."
The year after "Kamen Rider Ghost" ended, Isomura appeared in the NHK Asadora drama "Hiyokko" (first half of 2017). He initially played an apprentice cook, but later became romantically involved with the heroine Mineko (Kasumi Arimura), and his role as "Hide" (aka Hidetoshi Maeda), who he later married, sparked his breakthrough.
"Ghost led to the subsequent Asadora, and I was unknown before appearing on the show, but now I'm known by people of all ages, from children to adults. The situation (in my entertainment career) changed completely before and after I appeared on the show. I am who I am today because of Kamen Rider," he said.
◇The hero's awareness is "eternal"
All of the above statements were made by Isomura in an interview when he served as an ambassador for the "50th Anniversary THE Kamen Rider Exhibition" held at Shimizu Cultural Hall Marinart in Shizuoka City in the spring of 2023. He also said that "once you become Kamen Rider," your awareness as a hero is "eternal."
Therefore, she said there is something she keeps in mind, and stated her determination, "Ever since the show started, I've always been aware that I'm carrying the dreams of children on my shoulders. Even in my private life, I feel I have to be a role model for children. I want to continue to do activities that will make people look up to me."
He has continued to be active in recent years, receiving high praise for his performance in the film "Moon" (2023, directed by Ishii Yuya), based on a novel by Henmi Tsune, which is based on a real-life murder case involving disabled people, and won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 47th Japan Academy Awards. He also attracted attention for his role as "Mucchi Senpai" in the TV drama "Extremely Inappropriate!" (2024, TBS), and his first lead role in a commercial TV drama, "We Still Don't Know the School Rules of That Planet" (2025, Kansai TV/Fuji TV), concluded last month to great acclaim.
He will surely become an actor we cannot take our eyes off of in the future.
