<figure id="attachment_481377" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1378px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481377"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="51d360b3"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/399c6fcf117ca03265587ef457309e3a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-481377" class="wp-caption-text">“Television Magazine Special Edition: Kamen Rider — 1971–1973, The Ultimate Collection of Photographs from the Kodansha Archives” (published September 3, 2026). © Ishimori Productions / Toei Company</figcaption></figure>
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<p>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.”</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<h3>What Were Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji’s Occupations?</h3>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_481378" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1601px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481378"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="0b40096f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/3abcb8fee3d38a86e6310f30bed92284.jpg" alt=""></a>The front and sides of Cyclone, Kamen Rider No. 1’s motorcycle, feature the emblem of the Tachibana Racing Club! © Ishimori Productions / Toei Company PHOTO/Kodansha<figcaption id="caption-attachment-481378" class="wp-caption-text">
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Active Around the World! The Battle Trajectory of the Double Riders"></div>
<figure id="attachment_481379" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1400px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481379"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="2e44f1b5"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/4c4fb5d707285892ce349bb50d9166db.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-481379" class="wp-caption-text">Even the Double Riders are struggling to hold their ground against the fierce onslaught of their formidable foe, the sea anemone. © Ishimori Productions, Toei. PHOTO/Kodansha</figcaption></figure>
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<h3>Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji Fought Battles Around the World!</h3>
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<p>In Episode 14, Hongo left for Europe to pursue Shocker, while Ichimonji took his place fighting the organization in Japan.</p>
<p>Later, in Episode 40, Hongo returned to Japan from Europe to pursue Doctor Death and Snowman, who had traveled from Switzerland to Japan. He then moved on to Africa before returning to Japan in Episode 49 to pursue Sea Anemone Man, who belonged to Shocker’s African branch. Thus, Hongo returned to Japan twice, teaming up with Ichimonji as the Double Riders to defeat formidable enemies.</p>
<p>In Episode 50, Hongo once again took over the defense of Japan as Ichimonji departed for South America. Ichimonji, too, returned to Japan in Episode 72 to pursue Mosquilas, who had traveled from Shocker’s South American branch.</p>
<p>Furthermore, in Episode 93, Ichimonji returned to Japan to deliver a computer tape containing a record of the Gel-Shocker leader’s true identity to the Anti-Shocker Alliance. In the final Episode 98, he fought alongside Hongo as the Double Riders to bring about Gel-Shocker’s destruction.</p>
<p>Even after Kamen Rider ended, Hongo continued his battles in places such as Australia and New York in the United States, while Ichimonji carried on fighting new evil organizations in Australia, India, and elsewhere. For these warriors, there is no day of rest.</p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Why the “Rider Double Kick” Was Invincible"></div>
<figure id="attachment_481381" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1601px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481381"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="3007bfa1"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/ad834e1ca915698696ee7395fb637cd2.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-481381" class="wp-caption-text">The Rider Double Kick roars to life! © Ishimori Pro / Toei PHOTO/Kodansha</figcaption></figure>
<h3>This is the Double Rider’s finishing move!</h3>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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!”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<h3>“The Ultimate Collection,” Capturing the Battles of Kamen Rider No. 1 and No. 2</h3>
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<p>Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji fought their way across the world and never gave up. Their turbulent adventures and the magnificent Double Riders, leaping and battling across the screen, remain unforgettable.</p>
<p>Kodansha, which has accompanied the Kamen Rider series throughout its history, has reexamined its entire photographic archive and compiled every variation into a full-color volume of more than 400 pages: Television Magazine Special Edition: Kamen Rider — 1971–1973, The Ultimate Collection of Photographs from the Kodansha Archives. One detail worth noting is that the pages are arranged in production order rather than broadcast order, making it much more than an ordinary photo book.</p>
<p>Its structure offers glimpses into the atmosphere on set and the process of trial and error, making it something of a documentary that unravels the history of Showa-era tokusatsu. As the series celebrates its 55th anniversary, this exceptional photographic archive is a must-see for tokusatsu fans who have grown up with the franchise. Why not immerse yourself in this “ultimate” collection while reflecting on the production process behind the legendary series?</p>
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<figure id="attachment_481377" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1378px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-481377"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="51d360b3"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/399c6fcf117ca03265587ef457309e3a.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-481377" class="wp-caption-text">
<div>Television Magazine Special Edition: Kamen Rider — 1971–1973, The Ultimate Collection of Photographs from the Kodansha Archives (on sale now; list price: ¥19,800, tax included; published by Kodansha). © Ishimori Productions / Toei Company</div>
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<div data-friday-book-link-url="https://link.amazon/B05R3JgVB" data-friday-book-link-title="テレビマガジン特別編集 仮面ライダー 昭和46年～48年 講談社所蔵写真集 究極" data-friday-book-link-author="テレビマガジン編集部" data-friday-book-link-publisher="講談社" data-friday-book-link-description="大人の特撮ファンに向けて、『仮面ライダー』（1971-1973）の講談社所有写真のすべてをつぎ込んだ、Ａ４ワイド判・400ページのまさに究極の写真集が登場。 制作話数順に写真を収録し、もちろんキャラクターやストーリーについても掲載した、決定版です。 『仮面ライダー』とともに生まれたテレビマガジンが編集部所蔵の関連資料を公開！　 特撮スチルカメラマン・大島康嗣が撮影した現存スチル写真を洗い直し、全バリエーションを公開することを目標としました。 もちろん全ショッカー・ゲルショッカー怪人を掲載し、その任務や能力以外にも、身長・体重・出身地・アジトのありか・鳴き声・演者・声優も掲載しています。" data-friday-book-link-thumbnail="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_book_cover/wpmedia/2026/09/399c6fcf117ca03265587ef457309e3a.jpg"></div>
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 TV Magazine Editorial Department

 © Ishimori Pro・Toei

 “Kamen Rider” celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2026. We provide a thorough breakdown of the professions of Kamen Rider No. 1 (Takeshi Hongo) and No. 2 (Hayato Ichimonji), their history of fierce battles across the globe, and the mysteries behind their invincible finishing move, the “Rider Double Kick”!

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

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