The highly anticipated anime adaptation, “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” (Tōjima Tanzaburō wa Kamen Raidā ni Naritai), which premiered in October 2025, is officially set to continue its run through the Winter 2026 anime season, with its second cour scheduled to begin on January 10, 2026. The series, based on Yokusaru Shibata’s popular manga, is confirmed for a total of 24 episodes, delighting fans of the beloved tokusatsu franchise.
Anime Adaptation Details and Premiere
The “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” anime, produced by LIDENFILMS and directed by Takahiro Ikezoe, made its debut on October 5, 2025, airing on Tokyo MX and other networks in Japan. Crunchyroll has licensed the series for streaming outside of Asia, offering both subbed and English-dubbed versions, with English dubs typically available two weeks after the Japanese broadcast. Medialink holds the licensing rights for Southeast Asia. The anime’s initial run for its first cour concluded with episode 13 on December 27, 2025, before a brief holiday break.
Plot Overview: A 40-Year-Old’s Heroic Dream
The story centers on Tanzaburo Tojima, a 40-year-old construction worker with an enduring childhood dream of becoming a Kamen Rider. Despite realizing the fictional nature of Kamen Rider and the villainous organization Shocker, Tojima continues his physical training in seclusion. His life takes a significant turn when a wave of crimes perpetrated by individuals emulating Shocker combatants begins, rekindling his aspiration to fight for justice. Tojima, armed with a cheap plastic Kamen Rider mask, confronts these “Fake Shocker” criminals, transforming his long-held fantasy into a dangerous reality.
The anime explores themes of holding onto childhood dreams and finding heroism in unexpected places, resonating particularly with older fans of the Kamen Rider franchise.
Production and Key Personnel
The anime series sees Touko Machida handling the series composition, with Cindy H. Yamauchi responsible for character designs. The music for the series is composed by TeddyLoid. The opening theme song, “Wanna be,” is performed by TeddyLoid featuring Shigeru Matsuzaki and TOPHAMHAT-KYO of FAKE TYPE, while the ending theme, “One More Time!”, is performed by TeddyLoid featuring Ryoji Tokito. Notably, Hiroshi Fujioka, the original actor for Takashi Hongo (Kamen Rider 1), reprises his role in the anime.
The main cast includes:
- Katsuyuki Konishi as Tanzaburō Tōjima
- Ai Kayano as Yuriko Okada
- Kenichi Suzumura as Ichiyo Shimamura
- Sōma Saitō as Mitsuha Shimamura
- Fairouz Ai as Yukarisu
Manga’s Enduring Popularity and English Release
The original “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” manga, written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata with cooperation from Toei Company and Ishimori Productions, began serialization in May 2018. It moved to the Comiplex website in November 2020 after its original magazine, Monthly Hero’s, ceased publication. The manga currently has 17 collected tankōbon volumes as of December 2025 and is ongoing.
Fans outside Japan will soon have official access to the manga, as Titan Manga announced plans to publish the English version, with the first volume expected to be released on July 14, 2026. This release will allow viewers to delve into the source material behind the hit anime currently streaming.
The continuation of “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” through the Winter 2026 season ensures that the compelling and often humorous journey of Tanzaburo Tojima will unfold over its full 24-episode run.
