For whatever reason this list has been a popular request for some time now. I mean, the most mileage I get out of Kamen Rider is watching the 90s movies on occasion--maaaaybe revisiting BLACK and BLACK RX. That said, this request did make more sense the more I thought about it. Sentai and Rider designs have kinda evolved in tandem from their grungy 70s routes into their current high-tech mishmash.
The biggest difference between Rider and Sentai Henshin Item designs is that Sentai items are more toyetic while Rider Belts, especially Showa ones, really don't have any boundries. They can be as outlandish and absurd as they want without being limited by the eventual toy (which usually has hilarious results--in a bad way).
The point I'm trying to get to is that this list does not take the toy version into consideration at all. In addition to that, I am only looking primary Riders. There are way too many Heisei Riders with half-assed Belts that I can't be bothered to really look at. Function might be mentioned a few times, but I'm really just focusing on the design that you see on the screen.
Let's take a look at the Top 7 BEST Kamen Rider Henshin Belts!
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Honorable Mention: Hibiki Henshin Onsa Onkaku / W Double Driver
Two honorable mentions?!?! I suppose I can explain...
Hibiki's tuning fork isn't a Henshin Belt at all. It is, however, a gorgeous piece of design. I'm a big fan of the Hibiki suit, but the Onkaku is overall my favorite Hibiki design.
The Double Driver *is* a Henshin Belt and a pretty creative one at that. It might be a bit of a no-brainer that it is shaped like a "W", but it buttons up the suit design and the concept of the show perfectly. I really like this one, but I didn't feel like it quite made it as Top 7 material.
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07. Den-o Den-o Belt
Not a fan of the show at all. I know it's massively popular and probably still has movies coming out, but I really just couldn't get into it. I can get into his belt, though. It's a rather simple, yet slick design. The Set Touch slides over the Terminal Buckle and things happen...sure. It isn't overly complicated, and it manages to incorporate trains in a fairly subtle way.
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06. BLACK RX Sunriser
Basic is the word here...and a little bit confusing. On the surface the Sunriser looks like something smuggled out of Fort Knox with two red checker pieces glued to it. In reality it is easily the most technical belt of the Showa era. When the belt is activated (during transformation or the few other random times it starts moving) we really get to see what's going on.
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05. Agito Alter Ring
It's fair to say that this is the final classic Henshin Belt design. I really prefer the smooth design of Agito's Alter Ring over Kuuga's Arcle because it just fits in better. It complements the Agito suit very nicely. The Arcle is kinda clunky and a little too over-tech with all of it's unnecessary colored buttons/squares. The Alter Ring works well as a decent send off to Rider tradition.
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04. Kiva Kivat Belt
I didn't know what to make of this one at first, but the design really grew on me. I'm definitely not against oddball belts if they're incredibly creative. How many Henshin Belts bite? Or even have teeth come to think of it? I'm not too hot on all of the fuestles, but the belt overall is a really cool one.
I ended up with a case of them after the series ended. Kinda regret not hanging onto one of them...but not really--Henshin Belt toys have never been my thing. Like I said, they really only exist on the screen to me.
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03. X Ridol
Like the Kivat Belt, this one is an oddball that got it right and did it early. I think this is probably the most polarizing choice on the list...but who cares? It's my list. It features the same wind feature as the previous belts, but it also has a whip (!), a miniaturized version of 85% of the helmet oh boy, oh boy, mom, you sure can hydrate a pizza and a full-sized mouth piece. Once transformed, the belt does look a little more average, but it does still also have that awesome whip action with the grip. I really love this crazy thing!
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02. Skyrider Tornado
It's the Typhoon taken to a whole new level...the skies!
While it isn't a whole lot more than an modernization of the Typhoon, it does have a pretty gnarly trick up it's sleeve. The infamous Sailing Jump (OOH-OOH!) can be performed by switching the levers on either side of the belt. The whole thing looks very cool and manages not to go overboard with the gimmicks. Think of it as slapping a turbocharger on the Typhoon.
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01. Kamen Rider Typhoon
What can I say? It was done right the first time. Everything after should have just packed it in and went home...
It might be a rather basic bit of kit that received a handful of updates over the years. It is iconic, though. The words "Henshin Belt" or even just "Henshin" immediately bring the Typhoon to mind. Outside of Kamen Rider 1's actual helmet, I would say that the Typhoon is the number one thing that represents the genre to the masses. Anyone can draw it on their note book when they're bored. Anyone can fashion one out of basic materials. It's just perfect...and so cool at the same time. It's probably the reason we even have Kamen Rider 45 years after the fact.
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Surprised? I never really thought about what my Top 7 would look like until I actually started writing this. You asked for my list, and here it is!
Do you agree? Disagree? Leave me a comment below or hit me up on Twitter.
Since this is the positive half of the list, I imagine I won't get too much in the way of feedback. I imagine that will all change next month when I post my list of the Top 7 WORST Kamen Rider Henshin Belts...
-CC
Be sure to check out my other Top 7 Lists!
At long last, a Top 7 list of Kamen Rider belt!
ReplyDeleteI’ve been waiting this one for long time.
I know sentai henshin item is your specialty, so it’s really nice for you to finally discuss this topic.
That’s an interesting choice for Honorable Mentions.
Hibiki’s Onkaku is probably one of the more interesting looking belt in past decade, where it matches suit very well. It’s such an underrated belt for underrated Rider.
Double Belt is also interesting as well, where it requires TWO people to transform into Rider, which I find it interesting. I guess “W” could stand for “Wonder” (Wonder Twins Power s ACTIVATE!).
While I’m not a fan of toy gimmick for henshin toy, I like the concept of USB drive-like Gaia Memory; which is a huge improvement from lame Rider Cards of Decade (of DICKade).
Bit surprised that Den-O Belt got on this list.
Granted, while I’m not a biggest fan of the show (it’s definitely one of the overrated series), I do like the simplicity of design. The sound is alright as well. It is bit annoying that every time you slide the pass, you can’t put it on belt, you essentially throw away, which is awkward.
I had a feeling that BLACK/BLACK RX would be on the list, but bit surprised you picked RX.
While BLACK’s belt had interesting design and looks, RX has coolest activation and henshin sequence.
Nice timing to mention Agito, where’s it getting Blu-ray release!
Alter Ring really does mark the end of classic Rider Belt design, where later series gets massive departure of simplistic design to more complicated and gimmick heavy design, which has become the standard. Such a shame that franchise hasn’t looked back ever since.
Didn’t expect Kivat to be on the list at this ranking.
While I didn’t care about the show, the concept of animal (bat) as belt is quite interesting and cute. Henshin item that “bite” is pretty original, so I commend for that effort. Had the series ever came out in Western audience, it could’ve been a nice Halloween toy. lol
I like that Top 3 is all Showa, which is very nice choice.
Not surprised that Kamen Rider 1 (OG!) is #1.
“Typhoon” is such an awesome name for belt.
Hard to believe Fujioka is still kicking at 70!
Let’s hope Bandai Premium would re-release it celebrate 45th anniversary!
Overall, I like the choice you have for Top 7 Favorites, where it has nice balance of Showa and Heisei.
Looking forward to see your Top 7 WORST; I will share my personal Top 7 BEST/WORST.
I think it's considered good because the actor had to play more than 3 different personalities,but i digress personally i like OOO's driver because it's voiced by Akira Kushida,Faiz's Driver,Sengoku driver because it's attached to Gaim riders early on,Den-o belts are also very nice, Mach driver because he uses bikes instead of cars (looking at you Chase),Ixa's because of simplicity like in Den-o and gives you a awesome suit like the others my number 1 is Kotaro's belt in RX.
DeleteI think the preference to the Sunriser over the King Stone really boils down to the suits. The Kamen Rider BLACK suit was an unfinished cyborg...but he has this completed, high-tech belt. It suits Shadow Moon better since he was fully formed. I kinda wish the King Stone was more inline with the unfinished nature of the BLACK suit rather than what Black Sun would have had. The Sunriser just fits in with RX perfectly and has all of those hidden design features.
DeleteAre you saving your list in case any of your favorites end up on my worst list? :p Hahaa. I wrote it up already. It was a tough one to make.