You’ll know by now that Kamen Rider Zi-O marks the end of the Heisei Era and the celebrations are in full force, especially in Japan!
As Emperor Heisei prepares to abdicate in April next year, Toei Company and Bandai Japan make preparations of their own to close out an era of Kamen Rider that has spanned nearly 20 years. Starting with Kamen Rider Kuuga at the turn of the millennium, the Kamen Riders we have enjoyed have been umbrellaed under the title Heisei Riders, succeeding the Showa Riders before them.
One of the many celebrations and tributes paid to this historic era of tokusatsu is now on display in Shinjuku, Japan. Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) is a major railway station in the Shinjuku and Shibuya wards in Tokyo, Japan and, in addition to the Toei Subway (都営地下鉄), is the home of a Complete Selection Modification display, where the main henshin devices – belts, drivers… and drumsticks – are all on show in display cases.
Facebook user, Jose Ramon Alanis, was kind enough to let us use the images he took at Shinjuku Station. All the images in this article are his and shouldn’t be reproduced without his express permission.
Banners adorn the room of the station, as well as the pillars holding up the roof.
A wall display exhibits all of the Complete Selection Modification releases to date, including the upcoming Kuuga Arcle and Ryuki V-Buckle.
Rider Kicks is another hallmark of the anniversary celebration; each Kamen Rider has their own boot design.
A display dedicated to each Kamen Rider of the period, showcasing a DX toy for each, was also on display.
If you’re travelling to Japan in the next few weeks, be sure to get down and visit the station yourself; it’s truly a sight to behold!
How do you feel about the end of the Heisei Era? Are Toei/Bandai doing enough to celebrate the legacy of these Kamen Riders? Share your thoughts with us on our social media pages!
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