[FairyKing]

Yeah, as someone who also loves the "remodeled human" trope and cyborgs in general, I really respect Toei for being so considerate about that. It's a fascinating question, how the treatment of cyborgs and other altered humans in fiction both shapes and reflects our perceptions of real people who've had their bodies altered.

Like Fish Sandwich said, I am glad they keep the trope of the Rider being intended as a tool of evil or at least getting their powers from the same source as the villains, since that's another one I really love and it allows for some of the same "am I a monster?" angst. If you want to analyze it, it sends the message that being powerful doesn't automatically make you good or bad, it's how you use your power that matters. Plus it's just cool.

It would be interesting to see a modern Rider series that revisited the remodeled human backstory in light of these new developments, maybe with a message that being disabled doesn't mean you can't be a hero, but it would have to be handled with care. And honestly, "we'll give you the surgery you need, but in exchange you'll have to fight for us as a Kamen Rider" would make a damn good recruiting tactic for an evil organization, or even a good-but-sketchy organization.