Riderman

The Leader of Destron had informed Marshal Armor (the fourth and
final Destron officer) that he wanted a reason for the constant failures
of their plans at the hands of Kamen Rider V3, and that if no reason
could be found, Marshal Armor would be replaced from the
2nd-in-command slot by Yuuki Jôji, a top Destron scientist admired
by his comrades, and eyed by the Big D as a possible future Destron
Major Officer.

Seeing this as a chance to eliminate Yuuki and ensure the safety of
his job, Marshal Armor framed Yuuki as a traitor against Destron.
Yuuki's fellow scientists defended their friend (who was completely
innocent) but Marshal Armor wouldn't listen. Yuuki, confident he'd
get a chance to appeal before the Leader, let himself be taken away
by Marshal Armor's men. However, Marshal Armor had no intention
of letting Yuuki plead his innocence, and had him hung over a pool of
acid while he informed him that no one would ever replace his
position as long as he was alive and kickin'.

Despite Yuuki's best efforts to smooth talk his way out of a steamy
chemical-induced demise, neither the Marshal nor the Destron
Leader bought it. Marshal Armor then ordered Yuuki to be dropped
into the pool. Just as the acid began to burn away Yuuki's right arm,
his fellow scientists came to his rescue, distracting Destron with a
bomb they had planted earlier. (Way to go, Destron security!)

Name: Riderman
(Raidaaman)

*Occasionally referred
to as "Kamen Rider #4"
in songs and such.

Height: 175 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Human Identity:
Yuuki Jôji

Rider Machine:
Riderman Machine

Henshin Belt: n/a (He
uses his Riderman
Helmet, although his
belt does have four
small Typhoon fans.)

Henshin Phrase:
"Yaaahhh!"

Enemy: Destron

Combat Techniques:

-Originally, Riderman
possessed no special
"Rider Kick" or other
attacks, as he was just
a normal guy with a
cybernetic right arm as
opposed to a full
cyborg. However, he is
very skilled in
hand-to-hand combat,
and cleverly utilizes his
Attachment Arms to
bust all of those evil
Destron heads. In later
appearances, Riderman
is able to do a Rider
Kick (along with V3 &
X-Rider), so I guess he
did some serious
training somewhere
along the line.

See More Details

Special
Equipment/Weapons
& Powers:

-Attachment Arms (also
called "Cassette Arms")
They are:

-Rope Arm (three
variations: Hook,
Sickle, and Mace)
-Power Arm
-Drill Arm
-Swing Arm (also listed
as a variation of the
Rope Arm)
-Net Arm (also listed as
another variation of the
Rope Arm)

-There are also several
more Attachment Arms
that were never seen on
TV, but see use in the
comics such as Kamen
Rider Spirits or are
featured in other places
like the SIC Riderman
figure and kids'
magazines. These
include the

-Catch Arm
-Cutter Arm
-Machine Gun Arm
-Octopus Arm
-Operation Arm
-Smog Arm (aka Spray
Arm)
-Chain Arm

-Unofficially, in later
appearances, Riderman
uses the "Giant Hook
from Rope Arm" Arm.

Now on the run from Destron, Yuuki and his friends hid in the sewers beneath Tokyo. Yuuki informed his fellow Destron
defectors that he had to get even with Marshal Armor, for the good of Destron. You see, Yuuki was only a scientist working in
the Destron infrastructure. He had no knowledge of Destron's true evil plans; he only thought he was helping the world by joining
Destron and making the Leader's dream of a perfect utopia become a reality. Also, from what we later learn, the boss took in
Yuuki when he was down on his luck, and thus our hero feels a moral obligation to serve his mysterious, seemingly benevolent
leader. Seeing Marshal Armor as a threat to the otherwise good Destron cause, he asked that his fellow scientists replace his right
arm with an experimental cybernetic one that would allow him to get revenge. After installing Yuuki's new arm with only an electric
drill and a scalpel (these guys are really smart), one of Yuuki's friends went out to get some medical assistance. Unfortunately,
Marshal Armor learned of this and sent henchmen and the monster Kamakube-Game to eliminate the traitors. Oh snap!

Kazami Shirô/Kamen Rider V3 showed up in time to catch up on what's been going
on so far in this episode, but Kamakube-Game escaped and located the defector's
hideout. Killing Yuuki's friends with his killer "Destron Gas" turtle bombs, Kamakube-
Game cornered the sister of one of the refugee scientists (the aforementioned medical
assistance) and whom he thought was Yuuki Jôji. But, much to everyone's surprise,
Yuuki was now the "avenging demon"– Riderman!

The operation Yuuki's friends perform gives him a cybernetic arm and the ability to
become Riderman. However, unlike Kamen Riders 1, 2, or V3, Riderman is not a
complete cyborg, only his right arm is artificial. Thus, he initially isn't nearly as strong
as V3, and is still susceptible to the weaknesses our man Shirô eats for breakfast.
However, he makes up for his disadvantages with his skillful use of his unique,
interchangeable "Attachment Arms"; his scientific knowledge of Destron's facilities;
and his determination to never give up his one-man crusade against Marshal Armor.
Riderman uses a regular Suzuki motorcycle for getting around (and for keeping the
"Rider" part of his name in there.) Unlike the other Riders' bikes, it does not transform
when Riderman does, it just stays the same. Yuuki stores his Riderman Helmet (which
he uses to transform as opposed to a Henshin Belt) in a compartment under the seat.

Okay, I mentioned earlier that Yuuki Jôji still thought the rest of Destron was good, and only a bad apple like Marshal Armor and
those loyal to him needed to be sorted out from the rest. Thus, Riderman made it his goal and obsession to do away with Marshal
Armor and regain his honor and the confidence of the Leader of Destron. But as V3 (and the audience) knows, all of Destron is
in actuality a bunch of really, really bad guys. This makes for an intriguing love/hate triangle that paved the way for the shifty
behind-the-back-dealings and triple-crosses in the more contemporary Rider series, like Kamen Rider Ryuki, Faiz or Kabuto.

On one hand, we have Kamen Rider V3, who is fighting Destron because a) they killed his family, b) they are trying to kill him and
c) he's a Kamen Rider! He should be fighting evil bad guys like them. V3 seeks to take it all the way to the big cheese himself, the
Leader of Destron, and kick it in his face. On the other hand, we have Riderman, who is still loyal to the Leader and Destron's
cause, but who also is hated and hounded by his own bosses because he betrayed them and now hinders their goals. Add on that
unlike the other Destron members, Yuuki really is a genuine good guy underneath it all. So what's a guy like Riderman to do?

Well, first he fights against V3 (episode #43), then kinda with (episode #44),
then against (episode #45), then with (episode #46), then with again (episode
#47), and then finally in episode #48 they agree to fight Marshal Armor, but
still not quite all Destron, together. It was a lonely and confusing time for
Yuuki Jôji, where he would fight at times together with V3, and at times
against him. Fortunately, after about episode #46 most of the differences are
put aside and they form a powerful team. Yuuki starts hanging out at Shônen
Rider HQ, and even gets a New Year's card from Destron (of course it's a
death threat.) In episode #49 he saves Kazami Shirô's life with his knowledge
of Destron scientific equipment. In fact, by the end Riderman seems prime
material for his own show.

But it finally comes to the day when Destron says "No more Mr. Nice Evil
Organization!" and plans their most extravagant operation yet– the complete
annihilation of Tokyo (again) but with a big nuclear missile, the Pluton Rocket.

Kazami and Yuuki press the attack on Destron's base, but in the process Kazami is caught in an explosion and knocked
unconscious. It's up to Yuuki (who by the end of episode #51 looks like he hasn't slept in years) to bring the fight to Destron HQ.
Yuuki enters the base and overhears the malicious plans of Marshal Armor and the Leader of Destron. Oh, and the Leader
reveals Yuuki's there too. Uh-oh. Yuuki confronts his former boss, and pleads that the citizens of Tokyo are innocent. But the
Leader dismisses his former underling's words and orders Marshal Armor to launch the missile and get this over with for good.
You can bet Yuuki isn't happy. In fact, this revelation drives him over the edge. "I have been worshipping the Devil!" he yells, and
he decides to cut the "avenging demon" stuff– he's going to join V3 and destroy all of Destron for good! Unfortunately, Marshal
Armor has other plans. He shows his true form– the Kaijin Zariganna. By this point, Kazami has regained consciousness and
turned into V3. But he is too late. Riderman cannot stop Zariganna from starting the countdown, so he makes a last-minute
decision to board the Pluton Rocket himself and try and stop it manually. Riderman bids farewell via TV screen, even though V3
pleads for him to not sacrifice himself.

And then the countdown hits 0, the Pluton Rocket blasts off, and V3 can only watch helplessly as the rocket explodes harmlessly
in midair. The threat had ended, but the world had lost one of its greatest heroes. And V3, in memory of his one-time enemy-
turned great friend, utters the immortal words: "You are Kamen Rider # 4!!!"

Kamen Rider #4, Riderman, was dead.

Or so we thought. Surprise! Riderman returns in 5 Riders vs. King Dark and later in in Kamen Rider X episode #27. There is
absolutely no logical explanation for how he survived, but since the real Yuuki Jôji shows up in Kamen Rider Stronger, it's
definitely the same guy, so there is no "Riderman II" or anything (Apparently, in the aforementioned episode #27, Tachibana lets it
be known that Riderman survived the explosion and ended up on Tahiti, where he comes from in the X-Rider movie. See more
about that below). But anyway, Riderman is back, and he continues to return again & again in later team-ups (again, see below).
Oh yeah, and despite his shortcomings, Riderman from this point on is like a bona fide Rider, and thus can do most of the things
they can (like leap amazing heights or fall great distances and not splatter all over the place.) Not surprisingly, he usually pops up
alongside V3, and together they make a powerful team in the league of the "Double Riders", Kamen Rider 1 & 2.

As for the "Riderman in Tahiti" thing, it was just a passing reference made occasionally until the Kamen Rider Spirits comic came
about. In Riderman's story, it is explained that he somehow miraculously survived the Pluton Rocket blast and ended up on Tahiti,
in the process losing his memory. But with a little help from some new friends, and a chance encounter with a big mutant crab thing
that bears a striking resemblance to Marshal Armor, he eventually regains his memory & makes his way back to Japan. I myself
would have liked to see a "Riderman Returns" special, just to see Kazami's reaction.

Sadly,Yamaguchi Akira passed away after Number Ten's Birth! Kamen Riders Back Together Again!!, making it his last
appearance as Yuuki Jôji. Yamaguchi was famous not only for his role as Riderman but also Daimon Yutaka, one of the main
heroes of the series Denjin Zaboga, and Chief Kid, a regular villain on Daitestujin 17, as well as a number of other Tokusatsu
roles and cameos. For folks who have picked up the Kamen Rider Spirits Riderman story, it was in fact originally devised by
Ishinomori Shôtarô as a tribute to the actor following his passing, and finally saw print thanks to the efforts of Spirits writer/artist
Muraeda Kenichi and Yamaguchi Keiko, the eldest daughter of Yamaguchi Akira! It's good read, and a nice tribute to the late
Akira Yamaguchi (and Ishinomori, for that matter.)

Yuuki Jôji/Riderman lives on in the minds of fans today, and many remember his dramatic story that began as personal revenge
against Marshal Armor and became a quest for justice at the side of the other Kamen Riders. Rest in peace, Riderman.

Movies/Specials & Guest Appearances/Cameos

~TV Series~ (Not counting appearances in Kamen Rider V3)

Kamen Rider X (1974)

Episode 27: The TV comeback of Riderman, as Tachibana announces that our boy Yuuki survived, and rejoins the other four
Riders for what appears to be a fantasy/dream sequence battle. Whatever, he's officially alive! *Yamaguchi Akira appears via
stock footage!

Kamen Rider Stronger (1975~1976)

Episode 37: V3 & Riderman show up to help Stronger fight the Delzer Army. Yuuki Jôji and Jô Shigeru have a little
misunderstanding at first, thinking each other to be Delzer agents, but V3 clears it all up. Amazingly, in his Stronger appearances,
Riderman never uses any of his Attachment Arms, but just fights bare (well, glove)-handed.
Episode 39: Along with the other 6 Riders, Riderman fights the remaining Delzer Army forces & the Great Leader of the Delzer
Army. The scene with Tachibana Tôbei & the Riders is especially touching with Yuuki being there.

*Yamaguchi Akira appears in all above episodes.

New Kamen Rider (1979~1980)

Episode 26: Shows up along with Kamen Rider X out of nowhere to help Skyrider defeat Dokuganba! Rock on, Riderman!
Episode 27: The 7 previous Riders drop by to help Skyrider out in his darkest hour. Well, craziest hour, anyway.
Episode 28: In addition to fightin' revived Kaijin, Riderman joins in on the beatdown of Skyrider which leads to his power-up!
Episode 33: Riderman drops in to help fight Dobunezugon. A must-see for Riderman fans, because for once he appears as a
guest star without any other accompanying Riders, and gets to do a lot of solo fighting. *Yamaguchi Akira appears!
Episode 54: Joins in the final battle with the Leader of Neoshocker.

Kamen Rider BLACK RX (1988~1989)

Episode 41: Rider 1 calls Riderman and the boys to Arizona for some training.
Episode 42: The Riders are still chillin' in Arizona, and training for the big battles to come.
Episode 43: Yet more training in the desert. I guess this is how Riderman gets so stronger in later appearances!
Episode 44: The gang heads back to Japan to save RX from getting hammered into the ground by Granzairus.
Episode 45: Our Rider #4 helps RX fight Crisis.
Episode 46: Riderman & V3 go up against Jaaku-Midora, one of the baddest guys around!
Episode 47: Riderman & his 9 fellow Riders leave the last battle for RX, but they're around for the ending.

~Movies/Specials/Other~

5 Riders vs. King Dark (1974): Riderman makes his triumphant (if nonsensical) return to the Rider franchise on the big screen!
And kicks revived Government Of Darkness mutant butt! There's an amusing goof where Riderman has his Attachment Arm
switched around, which has actually led to crazy theories about this being a different Riderman...yeah, I don't get those either.
*Yamaguchi Akira appears both in voice and via stock footage!

Back Together Again! 7 Kamen Riders!! (1976): Riderman & the other 6 Riders talk about the good old days with
Tachibana, and then fight a new enemy. Yeah, Yuuki might have gone through hell back then, but now the Destron Leader's
traitorous revelations in episode #51 are "good old days" material! *Yamaguchi Akira appears!

8 Riders vs. Milky Way King (1980): Riderman & the other 6 Riders help out Skyrider, and defeat the evil Ginga-Ô. Sure
enough, the Rope Arm sees use, although as in the New Kamen Rider series, I'm, pretty sure it's actually the Swing Arm.

Kamen Rider Super-1 (1981): Riderman joins the others in fightin' evil! And he does a Rider Kick!

Number Ten's Birth! Kamen Riders Back Together Again!! (1984): Riderman plays a big role in this TV movie, and is
saved by V3 from becoming shuriken fodder. Possibly the best place to see the "Giant Hook from Rope Arm" Arm used.
*Yamaguchi Akira appears, sadly for the last time.

Kamen Rider SD (1993): SD Riderman pulls out the moves and steals Hachi-Onna away from a love-starved RX. Who says
the ladies don't dig that yellow scarf?

Kamen Rider: Genealogy Of Justice (Sony Playstation 2, 2003): Yeah, so it's just a game, but it may as well be cannon, it's
THAT good. Riderman figures prominently into the game's plot, and despite being in the background for most of it (when you
begin the game as Agito, you can check out a cool doctored photo of Yamaguchi and another of the game's significant characters)
he does get to put in a few brief appearances. And since he's appearing during what would have been the last few V3 episodes,
he's in full angsty "Is-Destron-good-or-bad" Yuuki mode. Also of special note, the guy who does Riderman's voice (and also did
it in the PS1 Kamen Rider V3 game) is really good, and should probably voice Riderman if he ever appears on again.