I hope this rider goes back in time and fixes all the bad endings of other rider shows, like Decade. Also, I hope he goes back in time to save Burgermon.

I've actually run the numbers....

If the rumors are true, and the series after Zi-O is truly 65 episodes.

That series, assuming it starts on September 2nd of 2019... will go on until December 6th of 2020.

Nearly a full year.

I feel that Zi-O's supposed short run would not only ruin sales, but the next series would induce a bit of boredom if the writing isn't up to snuff. We know how much Kamen Rider shows falter in the middle/end portions. Besides, what actor wants to work on the same show for nearly a year- let alone a children's show?

And furthermore, if the next series is 65 episodes, who's to say kids won't get bored and merch sales will tank?

Just saw the design now. He kinda resemble an old clock themed design of mine
http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?t=67756&page=3

Except mine is based on an alarm clock

It would end around September/October of 2020. The 65 episode follow up is assuming Zi-O runs around 31 episodes. The person who dropped these leaks says it's because they want both shows to be a celebration - Zi-O as the celebration of the end of Rider's most successful era and the next show as a celebration of the new era.

It wouldn't even be the first Kamen Rider show to run more than a year - the original Rider series was 98 episodes. The most recent show that went a lot longer than a year was Ultraman Cosmos, which ran for 65 episodes in celebration of Eiji Tsuburaya's 100th birthday.

Firstly, thanks for correcting my numbers.

Secondly, I still believe that the episode count and series air dates would mess with TOEI's merchandise schedule. I'm not so sure they'd want that.

And thirdly, yes, while the original KR and Ultraman Cosmos ran for 65+ episodes, Cosmos aired from 2001-2002 and KR for 98 episodes from 1971-1973. Times are different now and I think 45 episodes works well enough for a KR show.

I'm guessing you're referring to Rider's toy release synergy with Super Sentai?

Who knows? Maybe they'll do something similar with Sentai to accommodate Rider's adjusted release schedule. Anything is possible, considering the exact same companies are involved with both.

I'm just gonna drop in on this conversation to add my two cents about Zi-Oh possibly being a female...

A lot of you are saying this is not the right time being an anniversary series and all, but I completely disagree. Now is the PERFECT time to experiment. Think about it - even if the main Zi-Oh toys don't sell too well, they still have 20 years of Heisei Rider to bank off of. They can re-release belts like they did when Decade was airing. They can make new collectibles based on existing Riders and sell those at a premium. They can make new forms, new figures, new toys to complement old ones. It'll not only attract kids, but audiences that grew up with Rider in one form or the other.

This will carry on into the show too. People will be watching this series primarily for the anniversary elements. Same thing happened with Decade back in 2009 - I believe one of the Agito episodes hit like a 12% viewership rating which was completely unprecedented! -and most of the extended viewership for that show were there to see the Rider's they grew up with in action again. Now we have another generation of kids to join us mid 20-30 year old's in the celebration. Kids who may not identify with the lead will undoubtedly find someone else to root for in the form of the many male heroes who are reported to make a return.

And who wouldn't be able to relate to the lead in this scenario, regardless of gender? If it goes by the rumoured plot, then its about someone learning how to be a Kamen Rider. Take a blank slate - female representation in the series - and make them take a journey to be accepted as a hero worthy of the name by meeting legendary heroes. If the character turns out to be popular, Toei will know female leads are worth pursuing in the future. For people on the fence about having a female character, it could be a story that builds them up as equals in terms of representation for the series. If the character is found to be unfavorable, Toei can put the final nail in the coffin for female main characters but we'll be all the better for having been around to experience it. Either way no one really loses in this scenario, especially if it turns out to have a shorter run. People will undoubtedly watch the show regardless of the lead.

Meanwhile, an entirely new series is a lot more risky. You are looking at a year-long series with a dedicated toy-line that needs to sell on (mostly) its on merit. If the female lead doesn't work out from the start, Toei and Bandai would need to reshuffle the entire show's production. That would be a complete disaster.

Just my thoughts.

As for the Zi-Oh design itself, I am really digging it. Clock motif could have been a little more subtle though lol.

First Zi-O Scans

http://www.tokunation.com/attachment...1&d=1531292847

http://www.tokunation.com/attachment...1&d=1531292847

So we got what looks to be our secondary Rider. They can use the powers of Ghost and Drive (weirdly enough, Drive's design is based on Type Tridoron) and the main "Jioh" can turn into Build and Ex-Aid. They have giant versions of the collectible from the Rider they are turning into.

Jioh looks very feminine, especially that pose. I guess we'll see soon enough. That secondary Rider looks more in-line with what we are used to.

Very cool that the eyes change to spell out the name (in katakana) of the Rider they are changing into.

Seeing this "in action" pose - yep - LOOKS LIKE WE FINALLY GOT OURSELVES A MAIN LADY RIDER!!
I'm so excited, my niece will probably watch it with me again! (She loved Ex-Aid, Build is too dark / boy's club for her).
There's something absurd about the visors that makes me think we may actually get a comedy.
Interesting that the (not) Yokai watches are far more emphasized over the belt and that they seem to have four each.
Anyone able to read the secondary's name? I'm not great with stylized AND blurry katakana!