Japanese entertainment shows explores the world of reality and fantasy. From modern day celebrities to cartoon heroes, all have been a part and parcel of the Japanese entertainment industry since the last few decades. While several shows and real life celebrities have entertained people in the past, one amongst the entertainment shows that has made its mark in the Japanese entertainment industry is the Kamen Riders series.

It debuted in the year 1971 and entertained the Japanese audience for several years. The impact of the show was widely proven from the fact that there were many original and sequel shows made based on the popularity of this show.

Originally, started under the title”Masked Hero Project” the show was held for more than 5 years by the producer due to other commitments. After few rejections and modifications Kamen Riders made its first television appearance on April 3, 1971. The main character was shared amongst two heroes, Takeshi Hongo(Kamen Rider Ichigo) and Hayato Ichimonji(Kamen Rider Nigo). Hiroshi Fujioka(actor for Kamen Rider Ichigo) injured both his legs while performing a stunt for the show while filming the 10th episode. The producer somehow managed to drag the show until the 13th episode, after which Hayato Ichimonji played the lead character. Hiroshi Fujioka regained good health by episode 52, however, by then the show had already picked up great popularity with the acceptance of Hayato Ichimonji as the lead character. From episode 53, Hiroshi Fujioka replaced Hayato Ichimonji as Kamen Rider thus making Ichimonji, Kamen Rider 2 or Nigo. The show gathered immense fan following over the years, and went off air for the first time in the year 1976. It made its comeback again in the year 1979.

From this year onward, Kamen Rider didn't fail fans from making new Kamen Rider series each year. This includes Kamen Rider V3, X, Amazon, Stronger, Skyrider, and Super-1. Through the years, Kamen Rider Ichigo and Nigo appears frequently on all Kamen Rider shows.

Kamen Rider Black, which went on air in the year 1987. is the first Kamen Rider that doesn't have any relationship with its predecessors. It is followed by a direct sequel, Kamen Rider Black RX. It features the first form changing ability of a rider. Black RX can transform into three forms. First is thedefault form, second is Roborider and lastly, Biorider.

This show ran successfully for few years followed with a large absence during the 1990’s. In this hiatus, they make a three movies namely, Kamen Rider J, ZO and Shin Kamen Rider. The later is called the most violent rider of all time.

In 1999, “Kamen Rider Kuuga” was announced and aired in 2000, it also features a form changing Kamen Rider with a total of 11 forms. It is followed by Agito(2001), Ryuki(2002), 555(2003), Blade(2004), Hibiki(2005), Kabuto(2006), Den-O(2007) and Kiva(2008).

The year 2007 saw the emergence of the eighth series named “Kamen Rider Den-O”. The immense popularity of this show made its way to theatres in the year 2008 and 2009, with a total of four movies in total. It is the only Kamen Rider which has four movies.

Certain remakes of the first Kamen Rider series have been done including, Kamen Rider The First in 2005, and Kamen Rider the Next in 2007.

The latest 2009 series, “Kamen Rider Decade” is the 10th Anniversary Series which features the title rider traveling into 9 worlds of the previous 9 Kamen Riders. All Kamen Riders in the Heisei era returned into their alternate worlds. To the fans demise, no previous lead actor had returned in these series.

In the upcoming movie "Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs Daishocker" is what fans have been waiting for for years. All Kamen Riders will return to battle it out to finish their greatest enemy, the Daishocker. It will be shown in theaters on August 2009.

The show has entertained people for decades now and continues to make its presence felt not only through television, but also through action figure, belts, videogames, statues, books etc.