Kamen Rider Black Sun

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Kamen Rider Black Sun
Kamen Rider Black Sun logo.png
GenreTokusatsu
Superhero fiction
Science fiction
Dark Fantasy
Conspiracy
Based onKamen Rider Black
by Shotaro Ishinomori
Written byIzumi Takahashi
Directed byKazuya Shiraishi
Starring
Country of originJapan
External links
Website

Kamen Rider Black Sun (仮面ライダーBLACK SUN, Kamen Raidā Burakku San) is a tokusatsu superhero-drama series and a reboot of the 1987 series Kamen Rider Black. A co-production between Ishimori Productions and Toei, the series is directed by Kazuya Shiraishi and scheduled for release in Fall 2022 in Japan as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series.[1]

Production[]

Plans for an adult-aimed Kamen Rider series were in place by 2019, planned for the franchise's 50th anniversary. Kazuya Shiraishi expressed interest in the project after learning of it from Toei producer Taisuke Furuya; A few months later, producer Shinichiro Shirakura offered Shiraishi the role of director, revealing the project to be a reboot of Kamen Rider Black.

Due to Shiraishi's inexperience in tokusatsu, Shirakura sought an experienced concept artist to help flesh out the visual style; Shiraishi requested veteran tokusatsu director Shinji Higuchi. Higuchi, having not been approached to work on Shin Kamen Rider (directed by his Shin Godzilla co-director Hideaki Anno), believed he "probably wouldn't become involved in Kamen Rider." However, after learning of Shiraishi's involvement and the Kamen Rider Black basis, Higuchi accepted. Higuchi then invited Kiyotaka Taguchi to serve as special effects director, which the latter "accepted without a second thought."[2][3]

Shiraishi watched the original Kamen Rider Black in preparation for work on Black Sun. He began developing the story, focusing on the "sadness" of the original and emphasizing the relationship between Kohtaro Minami and Nobuhiko Akizuchi. Similar to his previous works, Shiraishi also sought to tackle contemporary social issues within the story. Despite Toei aiming to appeal to adult viewers, Shiraishi hoped the series could be enjoyed by children as well. [4] Principal photography wrapped in March 2022.

Announcement and marketing[]

The project was announced at a press conference on April 3, 2021, the 50th anniversary of Kamen Rider's first broadcast. Shiraishi was confirmed as director during the conference, stating "the thought of being in charge of this amazing reboot of Kamen Rider Black gives me the shivers." The logo, designed by calligrapher Souun Takeda, was also unveiled. The series was given a release date of Spring 2022, with Toei "considering" a simultaneous worldwide release.[5][6]

Higuchi and Taguchi's involvement was confirmed on October 4, 2021, with the pair and Shiraishi appearing in a special interview on the program's website. A crowdfunding campaign was also announced, with rewards including a limited re-issue of the original Kamen Rider Black transformation belt toy and the chance to appear on the show as an extra.[7][8]

A press conference was announced on October 4 and held on November 20, posted on Toei's YouTube channel. The casting of leads Hidetoshi Nishijima as Kohtaro Minami / Kamen Rider Black Sun and Tomoya Nakamura as Nobuhiko Akizuki / Kamen Rider Shadow Moon was revealed.[9][10][11]

At a Tamashii Nations event on November 21, Toei released the first concept images of the titular character as well as teasing upcoming toys for the series.[12] A redesigned version of Kamen Rider Black's bike, the Battle Hopper, was also unveiled, later being put on display at the 2021 Yokohama Hot Rod Show on December 5th to further promote the series.[13]

On March 19, 2022, it was announced that filming had wrapped and a new release date of Fall 2022 was given. The official website also revealed the first photographs of Kamen Rider Black Sun and Kamen Rider Shadow Moon, as well as their respective motorcycles, Battle Hopper and Road Sector.[14]

Cast[]

  • Kohtaro Minami (南 光太郎, Minami Kōtarō): Hidetoshi Nishijima (西島 秀俊, Nishijima Hidetoshi)
  • Nobuhiko Akizuki (秋月 信彦, Akizuki Nobuhiko): Tomoya Nakamura (中村 倫也, Nakamura Tomoya)

References[]

  1. ^ Tolentino, Josh (2021-04-03). "Kamen Rider Black Sun and Kamen Rider W Sequel Series Announced". Siliconera. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  2. ^ "仮面ライダーBLACK SUN スペシャルインタビュー 白石和彌 × 樋口真嗣 × 田口清隆 前篇". Kamen Rider Official. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  3. ^ "Kamen Rider Black Sun Special Interview, Part 1". The Tokusatsu Network. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  4. ^ "Kamen Rider Black Sun Special Interview, Part 2". The Tokusatsu Network. 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  5. ^ "Reboot of Classic Franchise: Kamen Rider Black Sun". Kamen Rider Official. 2021-04-03. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  6. ^ Toei Tokusatsu World (2021-04-09). "KAMEN RIDER 50th Anniversary Commemoration Project" Press Conference (with English Sub). YouTube. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  7. ^ "『仮面ライダーBLACK SUN』 応援プロジェクト始動！". Ubgoe. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  8. ^ "Kamen Rider Black DX Transformation Belt Crowdfunding Campaign Announced". The Tokusatsu Network. 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  9. ^ "「仮面ライダーBLACK SUN」配信作品として本格始動 樋口真嗣ら制作スタッフ発表". シネマトゥデイ.
  10. ^ "『仮面ライダーBLACK SUN』キャラクターデザイン発表特別配信番組" – via www.youtube.com.
  11. ^ "本作のダブル主演が西島秀俊、中村倫也に決定！ 二人からのコメントが到着！". Kamen Rider Official. 21 November 2021.
  12. ^ "『仮面ライダー BLACK SUN』S.H.Figuarts 仮面ライダーBLACK SUNの開発中原型が公開！". 電撃ホビーウェブ.
  13. ^ @KR_BLACKSUN (21 November 2021). "◆ #バトルホッパー