The First seemed quite refreshing in that I enjoyed seeing a "modern" Rider just using his fists to fight, but I'm yet to watch The Next.

Yeah, I'd say it's something to at least check out once you've gotten yourself acquainted with Rider. THE NEXT's problem stems from it trying to be J-Horror and Rider at the same time. It's strange.

Wait JUST his fists? No special powers or weapons?

Hmm. That DOES sound strange but I still want to watch it. Which groups did fansubs for The Next?

I can't remember if it was literally just fist fighting, but the fight sequences are a lot heavier on straight hand-to-hand combat than the flashy weapons and gimmicks from modern Kamen Rider shows.

TVN. They also did a "special edit" where their main translator edited out stuff he didn't like, which has to be one of the worst things I've ever seen a fansub group do.

They did that to the Eternal movie as well.

Which makes no damn sense, because that movie was awesome.

Links to their original sub?

I loved this series and I urge everyone to give this 2 movies a try.

It's a very realistic approach on riders with close to zero magic or sci-fi elements in it. Personally I love the fight scenes in the film alot and how the transformation sequence is not magical.

For the most part, yes it's mainly fists and kicks. No special effects or weapons. Just plain straight up fights. Fresh approach and it suits really well.

It's on this page: http://krdl.info/display/show/misc/

Grab the extended cut, not the takenoko one.