[TokuKnight89]

For me, a "Rider" is a designation and not just a Hero who rides a motorcycle and kicks evil into oblivion!

Did the Showa Era tend to oversimplify things? Perhaps. Ishinomori probably had a story and theme to tell and Rider was a way of doing that. Plus, the Showa Era started in the '70s, when televised storytelling was more episodic in nature. Having a Hero lament his circumstances on screen wasn't always par for the course. Much of that was left to the disembodied narrator!

As the years passed and storytelling became more serialized, one can explore themes differently.

Changes in the World and in sensibilities between generations can also affect a theme and who best to represent that theme.

The Riders have become those who have a diverse level of intent, not always predicated on someone's expectations. They don't all have to ride a motorcycle or fight for someone else. Some fight for themselves, and that person may not want to be controlled. Such a person may also be offended at the idea of a big Kaijin Army trying to control or kill others, but this is on a character-by-character basis. It might be controversial, but it is definitely more "real".

However, the core of what a Rider is remains even among those who aren't in it for others. Even if a Secondary or Third Rider is in it for themselves, a Main Rider tends to be in it for themselves in addition to someone else, even if fighting for another wasn't their initial intention.

As to the idea that a Rider is "light" or "darkness", I find myself thinking of Gai from Ultraman Orb! In that series, Gai used the cards of Zoffy and Belial to access the power-up form "Thunder Breaster", which tended to rage out of control due to Belial's darkness. As Gai slowly found himself and his control over that form, he began to repeat a line which has weight here (barring translation inconsistencies) : "I embrace the Darkness to become the Light"!

Embracing what a Rider has done to them is part of what made the Showa Riders! Many of them are abducted and modified by an Army and escape before the brainwashing is complete. They then use their newfound power to fight even if nobody else will admit to an evil organization. A Rider was born from hate and darkness, but will affect change with love, peace, and a Rider Kick!

In the last two episodes of Wizard, the Heisei Generation aligned to fight a villain who claims to be the progenitor of all of their powers, be it Cards, GaiaMemories, AstroSwitches, etc. With a little help from the next Rider, Gaim, they beat this guy who can't understand how they won even though their power is his power! It's an extension of the "Hero Born From Evil" logic that predicated the Showa Riders. Even if someone is using your darkness, they will change the meaning of that darkness and fight by merging another's darkness with their personal light! In that sense, are they really using the powers of evil or the power of themselves?

As for Riders who try to save another, it's understandable and even goes back to the Showa Era! Saving someone who becomes a monster isn't always possible, but if it can be done, all the better. The monster-conversion process takes many forms and not all of those forms can be undone! There are those who will attempt to reach out because the "monster" really isn't one, just a disgruntled person who's made a bad choice. Some fight others to not only halt their agenda, but as a way of proving to them that they aren't in the right; the Rider Kick is meant to illuminate that person's darkness!

Can a Rider overcome their pain, or learn to live with it a little easier? Some "overcome" by trying to ensure that nobody else has to undergo that pain! Many accept what happened and more forward to an uncertain, but hopeful future.

I think a Rider, especially a modern one, is open to interpretation. They are what you want them to be; a multi-layered "Hero" with no singular definition other than being someone who fights to protect their own dreams or the dreams of others!