Kamen Rider vs. Shocker

Kamen Rider vs. Shocker (仮面ライダー対ショッカー, Kamen Raidā Tai Shokkā) is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero short film based on the original Kamen Rider TV series. It's the second Kamen Rider movie ever after Go Go Kamen Rider and the first one that isn't a theatrical version of an episode. It was followed by Kamen Rider vs. Ambassador Hell.

The movie is notable for being the first time Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1 uses his iconic transformation pose.

Plot
Famous professor Daidoji completed his innovative GX device, which would allow its owner to control gravity. Suddenly, Daidoji, together with his assistant, is attacked by Doctor Death from an evil secret organization called Shocker. He threatens the professor, and after killing his assistant, he demands the device. However, Professor Daidoji manages to escape.

While driving in his car, the professor is once again pursued by Shocker monsters. Using a visual trick, a monster learns that a formula needed to activate the device is with Daidoji's daughter. After that, Kamen Rider 2 arrives at the scene and protects the professor from the terrible monsters.

During her birthday celebration, Shocker attacks Daidoji's daughter, Tamami. Kamen Rider 1, arriving from his foreign travels, appears and fights back. However, Shocker manages to kidnap Tamami. When considering potential future actions, Doctor Death calls the Tachibana Racing Club and offers to exchange Daidoji for his daughter.

After the exchange in the Hell Valley, Doctor Death reveals that all this time it was his trick and he has no intention of letting Kamen Rider 2, who accompanied the professor, leave alive. However, it turns out Professor Daidoji isn't him, but Takeshi Hongo. After the long fight, Kamen Riders 1 and 2 finally destroy the only remaining Shocker cyborg.

Cast

 * Takeshi Sasaki as Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2
 * Hiroshi Fujioka as Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1
 * Jiro Yabuki as Kazuya Taki
 * Hideyo Amamoto as Doctor Death
 * Wakako Oki as Yuri
 * Emily Takami as Emi
 * Yuko Sugibayashi as Mika
 * Yasuharu Miura as Goro
 * Hajime Izu as Odori Daido
 * Hiroyuki Miya as Ano's assistant
 * Hiroko Saito as Tamami Daidoji
 * Mitsuomi Ishihara as Goro's classmate

Production
The film was shot in 1972, when the 46th episode of the TV series was shooting. The movie's shooting lasted only three days.

Release
Kamen Rider vs. Shocker was released theatrically on March 18, 1972, the same day the 51st episode of the TV series it is based on aired on TV.

Physical
Kamen Rider vs. Shocker was originally released on VHS on April 21, 2000. In later releases, it was packed together with other Kamen Rider movies of the Showa era. The movie was released on DVD with two others Kamen Rider Ichigo films, while for its Blu-ray release, it was packed with other Showa films prior to Kamen Rider Amazon: The Movie, with exception of Go Go Kamen Rider and Kamen Rider V3: The Movie. In 2021, commemorating franchise's 50th anniversary, it was remastered in 4K and released in the Kamen Rider: The Movie 1972-1988 4K Remaster Box.

Digital
The movie is available on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club streaming service for the Japanese audience. It was also shows on the official Japanese YouTube channel on November 11, 2021. For the worldwide audience, Kamen Rider vs. Shocker was available with English subtitles for limited time on the official English YouTube channel starting with January 22, 2022, where it was titled MASKED RIDER vs. Shocker.