The Kamen Rider team absolutely took Los Angeles Comic Con by storm this year, bringing massive energy to celebrate the franchise's groundbreaking 55th anniversary. We had the opportunity to sit down with Kamen Rider ZEZTZ screenwriter Yuya Takahashi and Kamen Rider MY-TH producer Naomi Takebe to dive deep into the creative DNA, storytelling mechanics, and global future of the series. 

T-ONO: For people who are not familiar with your work, can you describe what it is you do, and how you got involved with Kamen Rider? 

Yuya Takahashi: As the writer, I am responsible for character development, world-building, and establishing the overall series structure. I also handle the detailed scripting for each individual episode.

Naomi Takebe: I am a producer at Toei, currently overseeing Kamen Rider. My first project in the franchise was Kamen Rider AGITO, which I took on simply because someone asked for a volunteer. Prior to that, I worked as a producer on various Super Sentai series. 

T-ONO: Kamen Rider has crossed generations and international borders for 55 years. When you look at rooms full of global fans here in Los Angeles, what core element of the franchise's DNA do you think universally resonates across cultures?

NT: There are two main points I would like to highlight. First, while it is primarily a children's show, adults can enjoy it just as much—especially with different Kamen Riders appearing across a single year. Second, Kamen Rider's ultimate mission is to fight for peace and freedom. Because he often fights as a solo hero, seeing him overcome obstacles gives viewers hope and the courage they need in their own lives.

T-ONO: Takahashi-san, coming to LA Comic Con for a major anniversary showcase—how does knowing that Kamen Rider has a passionate, growing fandom outside of Japan influence the way you conceptualize themes or character struggles in your writing?

YT: On a fundamental level, we don't necessarily start with an international audience in mind, simply because we are Japanese creators writing from our own cultural perspective. However, there are universal principles of storytelling. We remain mindful that people around the world face real-life hardships, conflict, and personal challenges, so we strive to craft stories that don't worsen their sorrow. In Kamen Rider, the kaijin villains have long symbolized the obstacles we encounter in life. By grounding the narrative in that classic struggle of good versus evil, my hope is that viewers everywhere can connect with the themes, see their own lives reflected in the journey, and find genuine hope.

T-ONO: Your scripts are famous for subverting expectations and putting protagonists through intense emotional trials while maintaining a core heroic optimism. Where do you draw the line between a high-stakes narrative and keeping the story accessible and inspiring for younger audiences?

YT: I believe true hope can only be fully realized through deep despair. To illustrate, think of a glass of water: for someone who has always had easy access to wealth and resources, that glass isn't nearly as meaningful as it is to someone who has trekked through a desert and finally reached an oasis. The value changes completely. When balancing hope and despair, I don't view it as a 50/50 split. I often push the narrative to 99% despair so that the remaining 1% of hope delivers a truly powerful, meaningful payoff.

T-ONO: Looking ahead, how do you see the bridge between Japanese tokusatsu production and international fandom evolving over the next few years? Are there specific things you hope overseas fans take away from modern series like ZEZTZ?

NT: There isn't anything specific, because Kamen Rider changes every year. Since each year brings something different, there is no single answer other than to tune in weekly and see what comes next.

YT: Kamen Rider ZEZTZ was the first series to be simulcast globally, and my hope is that all future Kamen Rider series can be enjoyed worldwide simultaneously with the Japanese broadcast. As for the storytelling, returning to the kaijin metaphor, I hope that once global simulcasts become standard, viewers everywhere can experience these stories and find the courage to overcome whatever challenges they face in their daily lives.

T-ONO:  Lastly, could we get a closing statement from both of you to your fans around the world who couldn’t make it to LA Comic Con? 

NT: We're celebrating the 55th anniversary here at LA Comic Con. With around 40 series in Kamen Rider's history, it truly is a legacy show that our cast and crew are incredibly proud of. While we as creators are always looking toward the future, we hope fans will explore both what is currently accessible and all the wonderful series from the past 55 years.

YT: To the fans who couldn't make it to LA Comic-Con, we are truly sorry we weren't able to meet you. With your continued support, we hope to visit a city near you soon—perhaps even as part of a US tour to meet fans everywhere! Please keep spreading the word about Kamen Rider and connecting with us online. Your passion and support mean everything to us.

Follow Kamen Rider: 

Official X: https://x.com/KamenRider_EN

Watch KAMEN RIDER MY-TH and KAMEN RIDER ZEZTZ now on the Toei Tokusatsu

World Official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@toeitokusatsuworldofficial2399