Kamen Rider ZO

Keita Amemiya's 1993 film is one of the nineties feature adaptations of the Kamen Rider series. Masaru Aso, used as a subject in genetic research, can transform into a grasshopper-like being. After falling into a coma in the mountains he is woken by a telepathic call and comes up against the creature the laboratory has produced. Amemiya is known for his visual design and his signature is clear here. The costumes and creature design are markedly darker than the television versions of the series, with make-up and practical effects doing the work. The running time is short, a little over an hour. The story is kept simple and there is almost no character development; the film rests entirely on its fights and its atmosphere. It is known among tokusatsu followers outside Japan as well. Who it's for: those who love the tokusatsu genre and the practical effects tradition. Who it's not for: viewers looking for narrative depth; the film uses its story as a pretext and does not pretend otherwise.