Amazon Riders (2016)
A bold, adult-oriented reimagining of a tokusatsu classic, pitting two conflicted Amazons against a world of body horror and moral ambiguity.
Amazon Riders - Series Information
- Original Title: 仮面ライダーアマゾンズ
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 1, 2016 (United States - TV-MA)
- Networks: Prime Video
- Alternative Titles: 仮面ライダーアマゾンズ (JP), 假面骑士 Amazons (CN), Kamen Rider Amazons (US)
- Production Companies: Toei Company, TV Asahi
- Production Countries: Japan
Amazon Riders - Plot
Dormant, experimental cells begin to awaken inside their human hosts, turning them into creatures called 'Amazons'. Two Amazons- Jin Takayama and Haruka Mizusawa- transform into Kamen Riders Amazon Alpha and Amazon Omega, aiming to exterminate the growing threat.
Amazon Riders - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Amazon Riders come to life:
Open Your Amazons
Amazon Riders - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ayu Higashi
- Tom Fujita
- Masashi Taniguchi
- Rena Takeda
- Ryota Kobayashi
- Mitsutoshi Shundo
- Katsuya Takagi
- Kanon Miyahara
- Kazuya Tanabe
- Takako Katou
Writers
- Yasuko Kobayashi
Amazon Riders - FAQs
Is Amazon Riders suitable for younger Kamen Rider fans?
Amazon Riders carries a TV-MA rating, making it distinctly adult-oriented compared to the classic Kamen Rider franchise. It features graphic violence, body horror, cannibalism themes, and psychological darkness. Parents should be aware that this is a mature reimagining, not the family-friendly tokusatsu most Kamen Rider fans grew up with.
What makes Amazon Riders different from classic Kamen Rider series?
Unlike traditional Kamen Rider entries aimed at children, Amazon Riders leans fully into horror and moral ambiguity. The Amazons are not clear-cut heroes — they struggle with their own monstrous nature. Themes of human experimentation, cannibalism, and identity blur the line between hero and monster throughout both seasons.
Is Amazon Riders based on an earlier Kamen Rider series?
Amazon Riders is a dark reimagining of the 1974 Toei series Kamen Rider Amazon. Rather than a direct continuation, it rebuilds the concept from the ground up with a grittier tone, modern production values, and a serialized narrative structure designed for streaming audiences on Amazon Prime Video.
Where can you stream Amazon Riders?
Amazon Riders originally premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in Japan in April 2016. Availability outside Japan may vary by region. Check your local Prime Video library or regional streaming services for current access. The series was produced specifically for the streaming platform, which shaped its mature, cinematic approach.
Who wrote the screenplay for Amazon Riders?
The series was written by Yasuko Kobayashi, a highly regarded tokusatsu screenwriter known for her work on Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider OOO, and Seijuu Sentai Gingaman. Her involvement brought strong narrative craft and emotional depth to Amazon Riders, elevating it well beyond a standard franchise reboot.
How was Amazon Riders received by critics and audiences?
Amazon Riders earned strong praise from both tokusatsu enthusiasts and general genre fans. Critics highlighted its willingness to embrace mature themes, its morally complex characters, and its cinematic production quality. It is widely regarded as one of the boldest and most accomplished entries in the broader Kamen Rider franchise's modern era.
Who are the two main Kamen Riders in Amazon Riders?
The two central Riders are Jin Takayama, portrayed by Masashi Taniguchi, who transforms into Kamen Rider Amazon Alpha, and Haruka Mizusawa, played by Tom Fujita, who becomes Kamen Rider Amazon Omega. Their contrasting personalities and conflicting approaches to the Amazon threat drive the series' central tension.
What are some shows similar to Amazon Riders?
Fans of Amazon Riders often enjoy Kamen Rider Black Sun (2022) for its similarly dark tokusatsu tone, Tokyo Ghoul (2014) for its body horror and identity themes, and B: The Beginning (2018) for its action-driven mystery. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) also shares the monster-hunting drama with emotional depth.
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