[NGW]

I still find it kinda odd that Power Rangers manage to work out so well, and yet Kamen Rider has had two adaptation attempts and never really stuck around after that. It's been a long time since I've seen Saban's Masked Rider, but I remember liking it as a kid at least, and I still love the theme song. I've not watched Black RX to be able to make an actual comparison so my opinion there remains neutral. The opposite is true with Dragon Knight. I missed out on the US adaptation, but I have watched Ryuki (remains my personal favorite season) and while I have heard relatively good things about the adaptation, I can't say I'd be able to give it a fair shot. No idea how well it did here though, but seeing as we've not had Kamen Rider ______ since then I have to imagine it did fairly poorly too.

What is it that made Super Sentai/Power Rangers transition so well whilst Kamen Rider never quite got that same hold here? Is it that Sentai typically is more kid friendly/aimed directly at a younger audience whereas Kamen Rider typically is for a wider/older group?

Like I said, I've not seen Dragon Knight, but knowing Ryuki's content and mood, and themes, I imagine a lot of liberties had to be taken and things toned down significantly for the west. And having not seen Black RX I've no idea if any sacrifices had to be made adapting the material for the US, then again there's pretty much no similarities between Masked Rider and Black RX as far as story goes so...

I recall the rumor earlier last year about Power Rider Apollo, which was said to be a US adaptation of Fourze, which I thought was perfect. I cannot think of a season that would make the transition to the US better or easier than this. Seems that was either all BS or just something that didn't pan out. Shame really.

So, why do you think Kamen Rider has never really had a successful US adaptation? Would you like to see another attempt made? If so what season and why?

[Sentai]

Honestly, I think Fourze would do very well. Or something else fun like OOO. Ryuki skewed to dark at times and made it hard to adapt for an american audiance. Thank God they didn't choose Faiz

[NGW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sentai

Honestly, I think Fourze would do very well. Or something else fun like OOO. Ryuki skewed to dark at times and made it hard to adapt for an american audiance. Thank God they didn't choose Faiz

I've heard mention of Faiz being pretty dark before, haven't gotten around to checking it out myself. Is it really darker than Ryuki got?

And yeah, can see OOO doing well, especially with all the options that opens up for toy sales of the different combinations (and Fourze, of course, with the modules). Hell, they could even just bring over the different budget lines that Japan gets (WAP, FMC, etc.) and they'd do rather nicely.

I'd like to see an American adaptation of W as well, it managed a solid balance between the darker aspects and the more humorous ones. Not sure how well it would do with American child audiences though.

[GoseiWonder]

Imagine if they tried to treat KR in the style of Arrow.

"But what about the toy marketing? KR is a big commercial for noisy plastic belts!"

NECA exists. Case closed.

"But only Bandai can make KR Toys and merchandise! They won't license KR to another company!"

Oh you know what I meant! If adults will pay money for a rainbow of rings used by space cops, the'y probably pay for shiny coins you scan from a belt of maybe not even care if the series they're watching IS a commercial!

[Sentai]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGW

I've heard mention of Faiz being pretty dark before, haven't gotten around to checking it out myself. Is it really darker than Ryuki got?

And yeah, can see OOO doing well, especially with all the options that opens up for toy sales of the different combinations (and Fourze, of course, with the modules). Hell, they could even just bring over the different budget lines that Japan gets (WAP, FMC, etc.) and they'd do rather nicely.

I'd like to see an American adaptation of W as well, it managed a solid balance between the darker aspects and the more humorous ones. Not sure how well it would do with American child audiences though.

From what people tell me Faiz got really dark really damn quick.

[SPLIT LIP]

They'd deffinitely have a better shot with more "gimmicky" shows like the Neo Heisei riders, or maybe Den-O as well.

Problem is, they just didn't pick riders who had the best gimmicks. Black RX was just one guy. Ryuki had multiple riders, but it's toyline didn't have a shitload of collector value. OOO or Fourze would be perfect, since they have colourful, modern-looking suits with accesible motifs, and a ton of collectible value. Simply importing the OCC series alone would fill a single scale toyline. Then you have candroids, medals, etc.

Even W with it's different gadgets and memories would probably work.

[GoseiWonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

They'd deffinitely have a better shot with more "gimmicky" shows like the Neo Heisei riders, or maybe Den-O as well.

Problem is, they just didn't pick riders who had the best gimmicks. Black RX was just one guy. Ryuki had multiple riders, but it's toyline didn't have a shitload of collector value. OOO or Fourze would be perfect, since they have colourful, modern-looking suits with accesible motifs, and a ton of collectible value. Simply importing the OCC series alone would fill a single scale toyline. Then you have candroids, medals, etc.

Even W with it's different gadgets and memories would probably work.

True. Compare Flashman to Zyuranger:
Flashman-Five costumed heroes with no easily definable motifs.
Zyuranger- Five costumed heroes with prehistoric beasts proudly displayed on their belts and helmets
Flash King- two fairly similar jets and a tank that combine to make a cool, yet generic, giant robot.
Daizyujin- a Mastodon, Pteradactyl, Triceratops, Saber-Tooth Tiger and Tyrannosaurus that all look very unique that combine into an equally unique giant robot.

Which one is more appealing to Western kids of the 80's-90's?

[TokuChris]

I read somewhere on Ranger Board that one of the grand daddies of Kamen Rider was so disgusted at what Saban did with Masked Rider, that he refused to ever let Saban attempt to adapt another Kamen Rider series. Due to how highly Japanese culture thinks of the elderly, especially elderly with dying wishes, it's speculated that TOEI is continuing to honor the wishes of the man and continue to refuse to let Saban Brands adapt any of the Kamen Rider series.

How true that is I am not sure, but it sounds feasible. I think everyone except Saban was pretty embarrassed with Masked Rider.

[Switchblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGW

I've heard mention of Faiz being pretty dark before, haven't gotten around to checking it out myself. Is it really darker than Ryuki got?

Faiz is incredibly melodramatic and bleak - a combo that is designed to be dark and depressing to over-the-top degrees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLIT LIP

Problem is, they just didn't pick riders who had the best gimmicks. Black RX was just one guy.

It was 1995, the only thing we had resembling a show with more than one Rider were bits of the original and about ten episodes of V3. Black RX was actually the most gimmicky Rider at the time: two alternate forms, a bike, and a car.

I think Kamen Rider hasn't worked in the US for two reasons:

One: Masked Rider. The show was a joke and anyone who has more than a passing interest in US toku adaptations knows its reputation.

Two: the tokusatsu adaptation craze has long been over. Power Rangers exists because of its legacy. The idea that you can take other shows like it and port them over here with new scenes and dubbing died in the mid-90s. Dragon Knight tried, but it didn't find an audience.

That said, I think now would be a pretty decent time to try again. Grab one of the modern shows (as much as I'm lukewarm on it, Fourze would direct adapt nicely) and bring it over. Power Rangers is bigger than it has been for years and I think Saban could capitalize on that and branch out, especially if they are still going to make their own network.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickback

I read somewhere on Ranger Board that one of the grand daddies of Kamen Rider was so disgusted at what Saban did with Masked Rider, that he refused to ever let Saban attempt to adapt another Kamen Rider series.

It was Shotaro Ishinomori. His disgust over Masked Rider was very well known.

[GoseiWonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kickback

I read somewhere on Ranger Board that one of the grand daddies of Kamen Rider was so disgusted at what Saban did with Masked Rider, that he refused to ever let Saban attempt to adapt another Kamen Rider series. Due to how highly Japanese culture thinks of the elderly, especially elderly with dying wishes, it's speculated that TOEI is continuing to honor the wishes of the man and continue to refuse to let Saban Brands adapt any of the Kamen Rider series.

How true that is I am not sure, but it sounds feasible. I think everyone except Saban was pretty embarrassed with Masked Rider.

Reminds of Dr. Suess' widow being so disgusted with The Cat in the Hat that she forbade any more live-action Suess films.