Why Was the Double Kick Unbeatable? The Surprising Truth Behind Kamen Rider No. 1 and No. 2 as They Celebrate Their 55th Anniversary

From the Showa era to the Reiwa era, the landmark tokusatsu drama Kamen Rider (1971–1973) has thrilled countless fans. In 2026, it reaches the major milestone of its 55th anniversary. At the beginning of this legend were Kamen Rider No. 1 (Takeshi Hongo) and Kamen Rider No. 2 (Hayato Ichimonji), known as the “Double Riders.”

These warriors of peace and freedom (as described in the opening narration) fought fierce battles to thwart the ambitions of the evil secret organizations Shocker and Gel-Shocker. But how much do you know about their surprising true identities, the traces of their battles that extended across the globe, and the drama hidden behind their most powerful finishing move?

In this article, alongside rare photographs from the definitive Double Riders photo collection, Television Magazine Special Edition: Kamen Rider — 1971–1973, The Ultimate Collection of Photographs from the Kodansha Archives, we will take a closer look at three secrets.

Kamen Rider No. 1, Takeshi Hongo, was a student at the Biochemistry Research Institute of Jonan University. However, a prodigy with an IQ of 600 would hardly go unnoticed, and he was likely actively involved in various research projects under his mentor, Dr. Hiroshi Midorikawa. He also had many scientist friends and often sought their help in solving cases involving the evil organization.

Putting his intellect to use, Hongo analyzed the “Bat Man’s Virus,” helped develop the “New Cyclone,” and, together with Kamen Rider No. 2, transformed Shiro Kazami into Kamen Rider V3. He was truly a genius young scientist.

Another side of Hongo that should not be overlooked is his career as a motorcycle racer, having achieved impressive results in numerous Grand Prix races, including the All-Japan Motocross Championship.

The emblem on the front and sides of Cyclone’s fairing, combining a frontal illustration of a motorcycle with the letter “R,” is none other than the logo of the Tachibana Racing Club, run by Tobei Tachibana. The same emblem is clearly visible on the racing suits worn by Hongo and Tachibana at the test racing circuit.

Even while continuing to fight Shocker and Gel-Shocker, Hongo never gave up on his dream of becoming a successful motorcycle racer, aiming to win the World Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Kamen Rider No. 2, Hayato Ichimonji, worked as a freelance photographer. He photographed a variety of subjects, from wrestling matches at ringside to interviews and photo shoots with scientists, seemingly without limiting himself to any particular genre. For some reason, however, he once insisted that he doesn’t photograph women.

Because Kamen Rider No. 1 and No. 2 were often fighting overseas separately, they did not team up all that frequently. Consequently, the number of finishing moves performed by the Double Riders was limited.

Their standard combined attacks included the Rider Hammer Thrust, Rider Double Chop, Head Crusher, and Rider Throw. However, their ultimate finishing move was almost always the Rider Double Kick. Let’s look back at the Double Riders’ battles in Kamen Rider.

In the battle against Snowman in Episode 40 and Ghoster in Episode 41, the fights were settled with the Rider Double Kick. In Episode 49, during the battle against Sea Anemone Man, they launched a series of attacks, beginning with the Rider Wheel and Rider Counter, before finishing with the Rider Double Kick. This was also the first time they shouted the attack’s name as “Rider Double Kick!”

The Rider Double Kick was also the finishing move against Unicorunos in Episode 51, Gilgaras in Episode 52, Mosquilas in Episode 72, Shiomaneking in Episode 73, and Slug Mushroom in Episode 94. In the same episode, however, their battle against the six Shocker Riders ended with the powerful Rider Wheel, a different technique from the one bearing the same name used against Sea Anemone Man.

Then, in the final Episode 98, they delivered the finishing blow to Hiruchameleon, who had transformed from General Black, with a Double Chop before heading off to confront the Gel-Shocker leader. Before the Double Riders could deliver their finishing move against the leader, he triggered a self-destruct explosion in an attempt to take them down with him.

Both Kamen Rider No. 1 and No. 2 developed numerous new techniques through special training and other methods. Yet the Double Riders’ signature finishing move remained the Rider Double Kick. Perhaps this was proof of just how important the image of the two Riders performing the Rider Double Kick together was to the series.

Against enemies with abilities equal to their own, such as the Shocker Riders, they had no choice but to introduce new techniques. Against other foes, however, the Rider Double Kick gave them the seemingly invincible aura that allowed them to defeat even the most formidable opponents. This was likely what kept the Double Riders shining as legendary heroes.