The highly anticipated anime adaptation of “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” (also known as “Toujima Tanzaburou wa Kamen Rider ni Naritai”) officially premiered in Japan on October 4, 2025, with the English dub following shortly after on October 18, 2025, now streaming globally on Crunchyroll. The series follows Tanzaburo Tojima, a 40-year-old construction worker whose lifelong dream of becoming a Kamen Rider is rekindled when he encounters a crime wave instigated by a group mimicking the iconic villain organization, Shocker.
Tanzaburo Tojima’s Quest to Become a Hero
The anime delves into the passionate, if somewhat melancholic, journey of Tanzaburo Tojima. Since childhood, Tojima has been an ardent fan of the “Kamen Rider” franchise, aspiring not just to emulate but to genuinely become a masked hero. Despite acknowledging the fictional nature of the show, he diligently maintains his physical training in seclusion.
As he reaches 40, Tojima finds himself on the brink of abandoning his long-held fantasy. However, his fate takes an unexpected turn when criminals begin to emulate Shocker, the nefarious organization from the “Kamen Rider” series. This surge in “Fake Shocker” activities reignites Tojima’s dormant heroic spirit, pushing him to confront this new reality where his childhood dream might finally, dangerously, come true. The series explores themes of adult obsession, finding purpose, and the blurred lines between fantasy and reality.
The Manga Origins and Creative Team
“Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” is based on the seinen manga series written and illustrated by Yokusaru Shibata, with cooperation from Toei Company and Ishimori Productions. The manga began serialization in Monthly Hero’s magazine in May 2018 and later transferred to the Comiplex website in November 2020.
The anime adaptation is produced by LIDENFILMS, with Takahiro Ikezoe at the helm as director. Touko Machida is responsible for the series composition, Cindy H. Yamauchi for character designs, and TeddyLoid provides the music. Katsuyuki Konishi, known for his role as Tengen Uzui in “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” lends his voice to the protagonist, Tanzaburo Tojima. Notably, Konishi has a history with the “Kamen Rider” franchise, having voiced a transformation belt in 2023’s “Kamen Rider Gotchard” and appearing as a Shocker fighter in a 2009 film.
Global Accessibility and Reception
The anime broadcasts in Japan on TOKYO MX and other stations. For international viewers, Crunchyroll is streaming the series as part of its Fall 2025 anime simulcast lineup, making it available across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian subcontinent. The English dub premiered on October 18, 2025, with a cast including Patrick Seitz as Tojima.
Early reception for “Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have lauded its “electrifying premiere,” with some calling it potentially the strongest start of the year for an anime. The series has been praised for its stunning animation, emotional storytelling, and its heartfelt homage to the “Kamen Rider” legacy, resonating with both long-time tokusatsu fans and new audiences alike. Its ability to balance gritty realism with heroic flair, coupled with a deep understanding of the spectacle and sorrow inherent in heroism, has garnered a “10/10” rating from many viewers.
