Kamen Rider Black Sun (2022) vs Mask Rider Black (1987) Comparison

 Since Im finally done reviewing Kamen Rider Black Sun I guess Ill go do a comparison of the two of which one is better for me. This kind of comparison has probably done lots of time before but I still wanted to do my own take on it. Don’t get upset when on what you read since this is more of a personal preference comparison if anything. For this comparison I won’t bring up Kamen Rider Black RX since the Black Sun series is more based on Rider Black.

This is my first time doing this so do forgive me if I do it half hazardly. For this one the comparison for the series will be based mostly on STORY, CHARACTERS, SPECIAL EFFECTS, COSTUME, CINEMATOGRAPHY and MUSIC.

STORY

Kamen Rider Black Sun has a more serious political aspect compared to the original tackling on topics like inequality and human rights that feels too real in todays political climate. The story drags longer than necessary and the flashback can get confusing and often times feel unnecessary making you feel you’re not watching a Kamen Rider show.

Still Black Sun plot makes the show believable and you get to see more world building as we get to see how society reacts to kaijin monsters. We get to see the origin of GORGON and not just an episodic monster of the week that was the original Kamen Rider Black. So point goes to Black Sun for this one.

 

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 0

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 1

 

CHARACTERS

With character development arc for not only the main characters but also the villains as well Kamen Rider Black Sun nails this one. You got to give props to Black  Sun for the character development as we did not only get to see more of Shadow Moon this  time around we also get to see villains like Bilgania and some of the side characters get their own side plot.

Compared to Mask Rider Black where we only get to see Black Sun as minor cameos for most of the first season in Black Sun we get to see more of his personality and how his ideals clash with the MC. So points to Black Sun again for this.

 

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 0

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 1

 

SPECIAL EFFECTS

I do like the armored suit of the original Kamen Rider but I understand that they were going for the more organic insect look that Kamen Rider was supposed to be. I don’t hate the new suits it just reminds me of Guyvers design for some reason. Also there is a lack of action for a kamen rider series. Maybe a few minutes here and there of gory fight scenes. The series leans more of more on tv soap drama.

A miss opportunity to show the Kamen Rider action. The action was great too for so little they showed. As much as I’d love to give this one to Black Sun they sort of tie for me on this department.

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 1

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 1

 

COSTUMES

The outfit in the original Kamen Rider Black for the kaijin felt more menacing and done with practical costumes and much less CGI. The costumes on the newer ones wasn’t that bad but it feels lacking. What Kamen Rider Black Sun lack in the creature look department it more than made up for Black Sun and Shadow Moons outfit. It looks organic and creature like while still flexible enough to pull of some excellent CQC fights.

The icing on the cake that I love about Black Sun costume design was incorporating the swords as part of the suit as insect appendages. Its innovative for the series and felt natural for the characters. Another point for Black Sun

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 0

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 1

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Im going to give this one to Kamen Rider Black Sun. They really did improve on what the original was. Where the original feels like it was a action packed Saturday morning superhero show Kamen Rider Black Sun feels like a real life scenario akin to shows like Heroes or the Boys but still leaning into the core kamen Rider plot. Sure the original was hella fun but this new version was more believable and engaging.

Yes some elements in kamen Rider Black Sun needs tweaking but it still better than what the series it was based on was in terms of execution. Point goes to Black Sun again.

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 0

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 1

MUSIC

The opening theme of Black Sun is surprisingly decent. It captures the feel of what the show was about. The new one was a darker if not more edgy and realistic version of kamen Rider. Sadly as music goes that’s about what was memorable in terms of music about it. The original had bgm when something sad happens or when the action picks up adding more atmosphere to the whole scene….something that is lacking in Black Sun.

The point that they used the original opening track in one of the episode is already testament on how good the original series was in terms of bgm. Sure its probably nostalgia but it is still there. So point for the original Mask Rider Black for this.

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 1

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 0

 

So to recap everything we got…..

KAMEN RIDER BLACK: 2

KAMEN RIDER BLACK SUN: 5

 

So my conclusion despite a few minor issues I had with the new kamen Rider Black Sun series it is by sum a great step up from what the original was. I don’t like how they did the ending on Black Sun in terms of story however but that’s minor considering how much they improved.