by The second half of the TV anime “Higashijima Tanzaburou Wants to Become Kamen Rider” officially kicks off with Episode 15, titled “Masked Idol ‘Heavy Chop’.” The episode airs on Saturday, January 17, on TOKYO MX and other networks, and its newly released preview images and synopsis have already sparked lively discussion among fans.
As the story moves into a new phase in Season 2, Episode 15 introduces an unexpected yet intriguing character: a mysterious masked idol named Heavy Chop, bringing a fresh twist to this adult hero drama.
Episode 15 Synopsis: “Masked Idol ‘Heavy Chop’”
After Kumota rescues the idol Sena, the two find themselves beginning an unusual life together under the same roof. Sena has lost her bandmates, a devastating blow to her career and dreams. However, rather than giving up, she continues performing as the masked idol “Heavy Chop,” hiding her true identity from the world.
Meanwhile, Kumota gradually adapts to everyday human life and ends up living alongside Sena, forming an odd but heartfelt partnership. Just as the two begin to settle into this strange new routine, an unexpected visitor suddenly appears at Sena’s apartment, hinting that trouble and new developments are on the way.
Episode 15 Staff
- Screenplay: Doko Machida
- Storyboard: Masao Suzuki
- Directors: Myong Ga-young, Sim Sang-il
- Chief Animation Director: Yoshihiro Ujiie
This episode blends idol culture, masked identities, and quiet emotional drama perfectly fitting the series’ unique tone.
What Is “Higashijima Tanzaburou Wants to Become Kamen Rider”?
The anime is based on the manga by Yokusaru Shibata, created in cooperation with Ishimori Productions and Toei, the legendary names behind the Kamen Rider franchise.
The story follows Higashijima Tanzaburou, a man in his 40s who has never let go of his childhood dream of becoming a Kamen Rider. Just as reality forces him to consider giving up, he becomes involved in a shocking incident centered around a “fake Shocker” group, pulling him into a real-life battle that mirrors the heroes he once admired.
What sets this series apart is its emotional core:
- The gap between adult responsibilities and childhood dreams
- The sincerity of people who still believe in heroes
- A serious yet sometimes absurd take on what it means to fight for justice as an adult
This combination has resonated strongly with readers and viewers of all ages
From Manga to Long-Awaited TV Anime
The original manga, serialized in Heroes’ “Comicple”, gained a devoted following thanks to Shibata’s intense storytelling and heartfelt passion. Its popularity eventually led to the long-awaited TV anime adaptation, which began airing in October 2025.
Produced by LIDEN FILMS, the anime captures both the raw emotional struggles and the explosive action that fans expect from a Kamen Rider inspired story, while also offering a more grounded, adult perspective.
Star-Studded Voice Cast
The series features a powerful and experienced cast that adds depth to each character:
- Tanzaburou Higashijima: Katsuyuki Konishi
- Yuriko Okada: Ai Kayano
- Kazuha Shimamura: Kenichi Suzumura
- Mitsuha Shimamura: Soma Saito
- Yukaris: Fairouz Ai
- Hachiro Nakao: Kenjiro Tsuda
- Satoshi Ito: Satoshi Tsuruoka
- Fukushi Ishige: Fukushi Ochiai
- Daisuke Sato: Daisuke Sakaguchi
The performances bring both humor and emotional weight, especially as the series explores adulthood, regret, and heroism.
Production Staff and Music
- Original Story: Yokusaru Shibata
- Director: Takahiro Ikezoe
- Series Composition: Doko Machida
- Character Design: Cindy H. Yamauchi
- Key Animation: Shintaro Shimizu
- Music: TeddyLoid
- Animation Production: LIDEN FILMS
Notably, TeddyLoid’s soundtrack enhances the series with a modern, high-energy sound that complements both action scenes and emotional moments
Why Episode 15 Matters
Episode 15 marks a turning point in the series:
- It officially begins the second half of Season 2
- Introduces Heavy Chop, a character who reflects the show’s themes of hidden identities and perseverance
- Expands the story beyond pure hero action into music, personal loss, and emotional survival
For newcomers, this episode is a great example of what makes the series special. For long-time fans, it signals that the story is heading toward deeper conflicts and character growth.
Beginner-Friendly Summary
Even if you’re not deeply familiar with Kamen Rider, this anime is easy to enjoy:
- It explains its concepts clearly
- Focuses on human emotion rather than complicated lore
- Balances action, drama, and humor
At its heart, it’s a story about never letting go of your dreams, no matter your age
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With the arrival of Episode 15, Higashijima Tanzaburou Wants to Become Kamen Rider proves once again that heroes aren’t just born they’re chosen, even in adulthood.
