Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie Review

Kamen Rider X is the third Kamen Rider television series. The Japanese action classic is one of the most popular franchises in Japanese television history. From Ishimori Production, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Toei Company, Ltd., and Toei Productions, Kamen Rider X was originally broadcast in Japan on TV Asahi. Created by Shōtarō Ishinomori, Kamen Rider X is available in North America by distributor Discotek Media with a box-set containing all of the 35 episodes.

Featuring planning by Seiji Abe and Tohru Hirayama, Kamen Rider X is another successful entry in the long-running franchise. Kamen Rider X features theme song composition by Shunsuke Kikuchi and a theme song performance by Ichirō Mizuki. Starring Ryu Hayama in the leading role.

Keisuke Jin (Ryu Hayama) has a lot of challenges ahead of him and after stepping off of a local ferry ride he has become intertwined with diabolical G.O.D. – an organization determined to do evil and control the entire world with world domination. Keisuke Jin wants to stop G.O.D. and their goals. With new advancements in technology, he transforms into a cyborg: Kamen Rider X. Now Kamen Rider X is determined to get revenge against G.O.D. and save the world.

The lead performance by Ryu Hayama is one of the highlights of the production. Hayama is a talented actor and performer. The role required a lot of skill for the actor in regards to showcasing the vibrant action-packed elements of the series. The dedication to the role by Hayama is something that helps everything build and feel more robust as a production. The actor delved into the hero role easily. A wonderful showcase for the lead actor’s enthusiasm and devotion to the role.

The production is well done and there are a lot of compelling elements to the series. One such element is the elaborate costume designs. The designs are perfect for the Kamen Rider and the supporting cast of characters, too. The designs are futuristic looking and create a science- fiction/fantasy style that is perfectly in tune with the franchise. The efforts certainly bring out the best in the action scenes.

The score composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi (Kamen Rider, Dragon Ball Z) is one of the great highlights of the series. The music plays a significant role in the production. Kikuchi is a talented composer and the music is essential to the storytelling. The score certainly feels robust and perfectly suited for the high-octane action world. The adventure of the saga is all the more thrilling as a result. There is a lot worth celebrating in the score and how it builds alongside the action scenes to make the series all the more impressive.

The writing is better than expected and remembers to balance story and character elements. The team of scriptwriters did a good job with the series production. The writing manages to showcases a fun and essential leading cast while exploring the darker elements of the saga, too.

Directed by Issaku Uchida (Kamen Rider Amazon, Kamen Rider Stronger) and Itaru Orita (Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Stronger), Kamen Rider X is well done. The directing is solid and one of the essential ingredients of the production. The chief directors did well with the series and managed to bring together something extra special for the production. Fans of old-school action-adventure television will find the series a perfect compliment to the genre and a good follow up to previous installments in the beloved Kamen Rider franchise.

Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Kamen Rider X is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The series has pleasing high-definition video. The transfer showcases the aesthetic of the series well. Colors are certainly well reproduced and faithful to the intended aesthetic of the production. The scan looks pleasing with good detail and clarity overall.

The image can be a bit soft at times but this seems to be source inherent and the transfer capably showcases the series cinematography. The action scenes are well highlighted by the presentation. The encoding capably handles the action choreography. The scenes flow well and are well reproduced with the encoding by Discotek Media.

One of the strengths of physical media is the superior video encoding compared to streaming services. Physical Blu-ray discs have superior video encoding compared to streaming and often have higher bit-rates compared to streaming counterparts. For home theater enthusiasts seeking the best possible presentation, this remains an important point.

Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). The audio quality on the release is pleasing overall. The Japanese language audio sounds clear and easy to understand. Dialogue is well reproduced. The soundstage might sound somewhat soft and limited and has age related source wear but the sound quality is still pleasing throughout. The English subtitles are well done and are free from egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

One of the best qualities of physical media is the lossless audio encoding. Streaming video services only offer lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding by comparison. For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, the lossless audio encoding can make a notable difference in the sound quality and presentation. Enthusiasts appreciate these differences and what the physical media format brings to the table.

Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release includes a nicely designed o-card slipcover featuring unique key artwork. The artwork underneath the slipcover features additional key artwork – showcasing a additional piece of artwork for fans. The result is the sense of “dual artwork” – two pieces of impressive artwork for the packaging presentation. The inner art sleeve also showcases additional inner print art – although it is not a reversible sleeve cover art.

On disc supplements:

Series Promo (HD, 00:20)

(Kamen) Riding the Waves – The Story of Kamen Rider X includes 19 click-through slides of the essay.

Photo/Art Gallery includes 50 click-through slides.

Interview with Ryo Hayami (Kamen Rider X/Keisuke Jin) (HD, 15:30) features actor Ryo Hayami discussing his involvement with the production of Kamen Rider X.

Interview with Kazuo Niibori (Stunt Rider) (HD, 13:46) includes the performer discussing his involvement with Kamen Rider X.

Cast Reunion: Ryo Hayami x Kazuo Niibori (HD, 24:02) highlights a cast reunion between the two performers – Hayami and Niibori. Fans of either performer will find the extra insightful and well worthwhile.

Discotek Media has done a good job with the bonus features overall. The set has a lot more value for the fans who might be trying to decide between a purchase or a one-time digital stream. This aspect of the release has become increasingly important in an era of streaming being easily accessible.

The bonus features are expansive in including both interviews and cast reunions. The release also benefits by offering some information about the story of Kamen Rider X. The material adds to the overall quality of the physical media release. The set could have used even more extras, perhaps, but the set is well-rounded and contains enough material to entertain fans of the series.

Kamen Rider X Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kamen Rider X is an entertaining and ambitious entry in the long-running Japanese television franchise. The third installment in the saga, Kamen Rider X is well worth discovery and fans of the franchise will certainly want to continue the journey with more exciting action-packed episodes. Star Ryu Hayama does an excellent job in the leading role. Discotek Media has assembled a good quality box-set containing all of the 35 episodes.

The Blu-ray has impressive video and audio alongside a nice selection of bonus features. The bonus features include both interviews and cast reunions. The first print run also provides a nice o-card slipcover with additional key artwork for the packaging design. Fans of the Kamen Rider franchise who have picked up the previous releases from Discotek Media will certainly want to consider adding this set to their growing collection. The release is well worthwhile and with 35 episodes there is plenty to keep fans of the franchise entertained. Recommended.