The highly anticipated anime series, “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider,” has successfully launched its first season, capturing the attention of tokusatsu fans and anime enthusiasts alike. The Japanese broadcast premiered on October 4, 2025, with the English dub making its debut on Crunchyroll on October 18, 2025. The series, an adaptation of Yokusaru Shibata’s manga, follows the heartfelt and action-packed journey of a 40-year-old man whose lifelong dream of becoming a Kamen Rider suddenly becomes a reality amidst a crime wave inspired by the notorious “Shocker” organization.
A Dream Ignited: Tojima’s Unexpected Heroic Path
“Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” centers on Tanzaburo Tojima, a man who, despite reaching middle age, has never abandoned his childhood obsession with the iconic Kamen Rider franchise. His secluded physical training, once a mere hobby, takes a dramatic turn when he finds himself embroiled in real-world crimes mimicking the fictional villainous group, Shocker. This unexpected encounter propels Tojima into a battle against these “Fake Shocker” criminals, forcing him to confront whether his lifelong dream can translate into genuine heroism.
The narrative explores the power of fiction and how it shapes individuals, with Tojima and a fellow Kamen Rider enthusiast, Yuriko, drawing strength and inspiration from their beloved series. Their journey delves into themes of perseverance, the distinction between fictional ideals and harsh reality, and the choices that define a hero.
The Manga’s Origin and Anime Adaptation
The anime is based on the manga series written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata, created in cooperation with Ishimori Productions and Toei Company, the originators of the Kamen Rider franchise. The manga began serialization in Monthly Hero’s magazine in May 2018 before transferring to the Comiplex website in November 2020.
The anime adaptation is produced by LIDENFILMS in collaboration with Toei Company, with Takahiro Ikezoe directing. Touko Machida is responsible for the series composition, Cindy H. Yamauchi for character designs, and TeddyLoid provides the musical score.
Premiere Details and Global Availability
The first episode of “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” originally aired on October 4, 2025, in Japan on networks like Tokyo MX. For international audiences, Crunchyroll is streaming the anime in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian subcontinent. New episodes are scheduled to release on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. PDT / 1:00 p.m. EDT, available with both English subtitles and English dubs.
The English dub, which premiered on October 18, features a notable cast including Patrick Seitz as Tojima, Colleen Clinkenbeard as Yuriko, and Jason Douglas as Nakao. The first season is slated for 24 episodes, divided into two cours of 12 episodes each.
Critical Reception and Fan Buzz
The premiere has been met with significant praise, with many critics and fans hailing it as a standout of the Fall 2025 anime season. Reviewers have lauded the series for its stunning animation, emotional storytelling, and its ability to act as a profound homage to the classic Kamen Rider series while forging its own unique identity. It has been described as feeling more akin to a carefully crafted film than a standard anime pilot, instantly earning high scores from those who tuned in.
While some initial episodes have drawn minor comments regarding animation fluidity in certain fight scenes, the overall consensus highlights the series’ strong narrative, impactful moments, and effective blending of gritty realism with stylish heroic flair. The series quickly moves beyond mere parody, establishing itself as a legitimate entry in the tokusatsu-inspired genre, deeply rooted in human emotion and a profound understanding of what makes masked heroes iconic. The widespread nature of “Shocker” in the series has also been noted as a brilliant narrative element, reminiscent of the original Kamen Rider shows.
