Commentary: The new global rider "Kamen Rider Zeztz" is a work that combines innovation and origins

The latest installment in the special effects drama series "Kamen Rider Zeztz" (TV Asahi, Sunday 9am) will premiere on September 7th. For the first time in the more than half-century history of Kamen Rider, it is scheduled to be broadcast and streamed in Asian countries and the US, and the unprecedented "transformation belt worn around the chest" has attracted attention. Based on previously released information, we will introduce the highlights of this work.

◇The belt is innovative, but its appearance is reminiscent of No. 1.

"Kamen Rider Zeztz" is the seventh installment of the Reiwa Kamen Rider series. The protagonist, Kamen Rider Zeztz/Yorozu Baku Yorozu(played by Ryutaro Imai), is an agent who infiltrates people's dreams to carry out missions, protecting them from the monsters known as Nightmares that appear in their dreams. The script is written by Yuya Takahashi, who served as the main writer for "Kamen Rider Zero-One" and "Kamen Rider Geats," and the series is directed by Kazuya Kamihoriuchi, who has worked on numerous Kamen Rider and Super Sentai series.

As mentioned above, a major feature of Kamen Rider Zeztz is that, unlike conventional riders, the transformation belt is worn on the chest rather than the waist. The production team also touts it as an "innovative rider belt." Perhaps with a view to global expansion, the belt's system voice is also in English.

However, not everything is innovative, as the exterior coloring of the basic form is green, black, and red, a design that is somewhat reminiscent of Kamen Rider 1. In a video message sent at the production announcement press conference (August 7th), screenwriter Takahashi commented, "The color scheme and design feel like a return to the basics. I think this will be a work that will redefine for the world what Kamen Rider is."

Director Kamihoriuchi also commented, "When I first saw the rider design, I was shocked. I thought, 'I can't lie.' In an age where (viewers) have high standards for visual quality, I want to show (the world), if I may say so, a 'straightforward coolness' that can be seen as cool from the front."

Judging from the visual aspect, it looks like it will be an innovative work that also has the coolness of classic Kamen Rider.

◇The main character is a fan of the heroine?!

The main cast includes Ryutaro Imai(20) as the protagonist Moko, Maho Horiguchi (16) as the heroine Nemu, Kenta Mishima Tetsutya Fujimi , the head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau's Paranormal Division, Nasuka Nagumo(24) as Rina Onuki, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau's Paranormal Division, Miki Yagi (18) as Moko's sister, Minami Yorozu Miki Yagi, and Yuki Furukawa(37) as the mysterious man Nox.

The youngest cast member, Horiguchi, plays the heroine Nemu, the queen of commercials and the most popular celebrity. Momo is also one of her biggest fans, admiring her, so it's a fresh plot to have the protagonist be a fan of the heroine. It will be exciting to see how the relationship between the two deepens.

In addition, Onuki, who plays Nasuka, also appeared in the previous film, "Kamen Rider Geats" (2022-2023), as Kamen Rider Ropo/Ganaha Sae, and attention is focused on whether she will "transform" in this film as well.

Director Kamihoriuchi said, "It's a work that combines innovation and origins. I think it's a work that can reach all generations. I want you to watch the first episode first." Kamen Rider is taking a new step towards the world. First of all, we can look forward to the first broadcast.