Kamen Rider Black RX is a Japanese tokusatsusuperherotelevision series produced as part of the Kamen Rider series. The ninth show in the franchise, it is a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei Company, and aired on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and the Tokyo Broadcasting System from October 23, 1988 to September 24, 1989. The series is a direct sequel to Kamen Rider Black and the first to feature a team-up with the past Riders since the 1984 TV special Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!!. The series was adapted by Saban in North America as Masked Rider. The Americanization featured a heavily altered story and all-new characters, in an attempt to fit the series in as a spin-off of the Power Rangers series. This was also the last installment of the Kamen Rider series to be produced in the Shōwa period and the first to be produced in the Heisei period — Episode 11 was delayed by one week following Hirohito's death.
Story
After the downfall of Gorgom, Kohtaro Minami has gotten a job as a helicopter pilot in a business owned by the Sahara family, who have also given him a new home. Kohtaro is later captured by the Crisis Empire and offered a place in their group. When Kohtaro refuses, his King Stone is shattered and he is thrown into space where the sun's radiation mutates his King Stone and he turns into Kamen Rider Black RX. With his new powers, he battles the Crisis Empire and thwarts their plans to take over Earth.
Episodes
Episode 11 ended up airing on January 15, 1989 because Emperor Hirohito died on January 7, 1989.
1988: Kamen Rider 1 Through RX: Big Gathering - It covers all the heroes, from Kamen Rider 1 until ZX and introduces Kamen Rider Black RX.
3D Film
Kamen Rider: Run All Over the World is a short 3D film originally screened in the Coal History Village in Yubari between April 29 throughout October 31, 1989. The film involves a team-up between Kohtaro Minami's four Kamen Rider alter-egos to fight against the Crisis Empire. Tetsuo Kurata plays Kohtaro Minami and voices all four of his Kamen Rider alter-egos. General Jark, the four commanders of Crisis, and three high priests of Gorgom also appear in the movie, all played by their original actors with the exception of Bosgan and Darom. The movie was written by Yoshio Urasawa and directed by series director Yoshiaki Kobayashi. In the film, the Crisis Empire devises a plan to defeat Kohtaro Minami by reverting him back to his old form of Kamen Rider Black and sending out several revived monsters after him. However, Kamen Rider Black is assisted by another Black RX, who used a time warp to help his past self. The two are joined by Black RX's alternate forms of Robo Rider and Bio Rider, and the four Kamen Riders combine their powers to defeat the revived monsters. The film is included as a bonus on the Region 2 DVD releases of Kamen Rider Black RX Vol. 2 and Kamen Rider Ichigō/Nigō box set. Both DVD versions lack the original 3D effects of the theatrical release. A bonus Blu-ray 3D disc containing the movie is included in the "Kamen Rider: The Movie Blu-ray Box 1972-1988" set.
''After 0''
The S.I.C. Hero Saga story for Black RX ran in Monthly Hobby Japan in the December 2002 through March 2003 issues. Titled Masked Rider Black RX: After 0, it tells the story of what happened after the finale of Black RX. It features the original characters the White RX, Shadow Moon with RX powers, and the Creation King, the result of Shadow Moon absorbing both King Stones. ;Chapter titles
