This year marks the 55th anniversary of the entire "Kamen Rider" franchise! And while "Kamen Rider Agito" is also getting a fresh 25th-anniversary theatrical release with Agito - Psychic War -, another fan-favorite, "Kamen Rider Den-O," is hitting its own massive milestone: 20 years! To celebrate, a brand-new movie has been officially confirmed, with a target release in 2027, kicking off a series of events under the banner of the "Den-O 20th Anniversary Project."
"Kamen Rider Den-O" first premiered in 2007 as the 8th installment of the Heisei Kamen Rider series. The story follows Ryotaro Nogami (played by Takeru Satoh), a young man with absolutely terrible luck. Marketed as the "weakest Kamen Rider ever," Ryotaro unexpectedly gets possessed by an Imagin, which opens the door to the DenLiner and allows him to transform into Kamen Rider Den-O, battling Imagins who seek to alter history.
What made the series truly special was how Ryotaro's personality and fighting style changed depending on which Imagin possessed him. This, combined with the incredible performances from popular voice actors like Toshihiko Seki, Kenichi Suzumura, and Koji Yusa, alongside Takeru Satoh's precise acting in switching between characters, propelled the show to massive popularity. Despite lower initial viewership, its discussion buzz and merchandise sales were off the charts!
The official announcement states that all upcoming plans for the 20th anniversary will be unified under the "Den-O 20th Anniversary Project." This isn't just about the movie; fans can expect a variety of initiatives across different platforms to be rolled out. So, get ready and stay tuned for more official updates!