Katsuyuki Konishi Reveals Audition Story "Actually with a Tape"! Kamen Rider Love Explodes Throughout with Gathering of 'Tojima Rider' Freaks

In the following corner, "Let Me Introduce the Work Too!!" was conducted to review the story of the TV anime "Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider" and convey its appeal anew by introducing the characters in the work.

When asked about his first impression upon encountering the work, Konishi said, "At first I was watching thinking it's about someone who admires Kamen Rider~. Then Shocker really appears, and he delivers a serious Rider Punch. And makes the monster fall on its bottom! I was completely drawn in at once, thinking there's such an amazing story!" with everyone nodding continuously. When Konishi said "That's why I want to talk about what comes next," comebacks like "Stop!" and "I understand the feeling...!" came one after another, inducing laughter.

Tsukaji continued, saying with a smile, "At first I thought it might be a story about Tojima's daily life, but he gradually becomes a Kamen Rider. Fighting monsters as a flesh-and-blood human is a development I've never seen before." JP recalled being surprised while imitating Tojima's gesture of pulling and releasing the rubber of the mask, saying "There's a Rider who transforms with a mask!" Tsukaji stated, "Because there's an element like 'if you have something passionate, your dreams will come true!', I think even those who aren't Kamen Rider freaks will definitely find something relatable!" and developed a talk that fully expressed his desire for many people to experience the work.

Also, Ishii mentioned Hachirō Nakao as his favorite character, revealing his feelings about Nakao, who admires Shocker rather than Rider: "I didn't think I'd cry so much over his story. I thought, that way of living exists too." Arai also recalled the scene where Nakao confronts his father and reflected on the way of life of a character belonging to an enemy organization.

In the latter half of the program, "Explode Your Love! What I Really Love About Tojima Rider!" was also conducted, a presentation competition of favorite scenes by the performers.

The first batter, Ishii, chose the scene in Episode 5 where the brothers Ichiyo and Mitsuba compete for V3. He said, "It's a clash of the brothers' Rider love. Love is just overflowing." While starting with "Honestly, V3 is from a slightly older generation, but there was that competition for Riders, wasn't there," when he talked about elder brother Ichiyo's action of breaking Mitsuba's arm, likening it to Riderman who wears a special prosthetic hand, saying "Why couldn't I do the same thing? My love was totally insufficient," comebacks like "No, no, that's wrong!" immediately came from those around him. As Ishii continued, "You can watch it while comparing it with your own emotions at the time, and I laughed so much at this craziness. But breaking the non-dominant arm is the love of those brothers...," Konishi also nodded, saying "That kind of competition is good because it's 'precisely because they love it,' isn't it."

Also, Tsukaji mentioned Tojima's first transformation scene, and everyone was enthusiastic about the appearance of Tojima's years of feelings blooming all at once and the magnificent battle scene. Overlapping it with his own feelings on his first stage as a comedian, he said deeply moved, "My heart was completely taken away." Furthermore, a behind-the-scenes story was revealed by Konishi that he recorded and sent a tape of himself introducing himself while becoming Tojima during the audition.

And finally, Konishi and Takatsu announced the number one presentation. Tsukaji's presentation won number one, and when he was handed Tojima's soft vinyl figure by Konishi, he was greatly moved, saying "This is my Oscar statue!" Tsukaji, who received the pre-release item, screamed "Yes~!" while hugging the figure he was given. When told that only one exists yet, comebacks of "Why!" came in as JP and Ishii stood up saying "Then shall we fight for this one figure," and the program concluded amid laughter erupting in the studio.

The program is currently available for free streaming until 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 1.

(C)柴田ヨクサル／ヒーローズ・Tojima Rider Project
(C)石森プロ・東映