Man or Beast? The Cool Guy Who Came From the Jungle! (人か？野獣か？密林から来た凄い奴!) – A downright crazy start to the series that’s completely different from any Rider show we’ve seen prior, but still a very solid beginning. Amazon is the first Rider to not have any cybernetic modifications, instead with his power stemming from the mysterious “Gigi Armlet” planet within his body, something the Geddon Empire led by the Ten-Faced Demon Gorgos want. They set the Amazon ablaze in an attempt to retrieve it, which is all the more disturbing to watch in 2020. Amazon himself is in fact a Japanese orphan named Daisuke Yamato who’s parents were scientists killed in a plane crash when he was just a baby, living among the tribe and somehow retaining very white teeth ever since. The elder Bago telepathically sends Amazon back to his home in Japan to reunite with a colleague of his parents’, in an attempt to escape with the Gigi armlet, though its really not clear if Darom didn’t anticipate Geddon following Amazon to Japan or if he purposefully wanted them to take their battle to it. Though all the previous shows have had their fair share of violence, the blood and gore is REALLY upped here. With all of that aforementioned craziness and such a different formula from even X, a promising start. 4/5
Ten-Faced Demon! God or Devil? (十面鬼！神か？悪魔か？) – The second episode that also features a Bat monster succeeding a spider, in what’s become a minor tradition in the franchise. Some more is revealed about Geddon, revealing Gorgos’ reason for wanting the Gigi armlet – when combined with the Gaga armlet in his possession, it apparently unlocks power that he can conquer the world with. Humans are captured in bulk for their blood to be used as food for the beastmen, in a disturbing sequence. Ritsuko displays animosity towards Amazon, and for good reason – had he not arrived in Japan, Geddon would not have followed and her father-like figure would still be alive, not to mention her friend not getting infected by the Bat Beastman’s virus. The virus is cured in a super contrived way – Amazon finds some berries, smashes them up and viola. Now its easy to assume Bat Beastman attacked the amazon before and that Amazon knows the cure to the virus, but to find berries that also do the job is pretty silly. Regardless, a pretty fun episode. 3.5/5
The Strong, Naked, Fast Guy! (強くてハダカで速い奴！) – The return of Tachibana, who’s now motorcross racing by himself, presumably since he has no prodigies (Its not clear if he still runs the coffee shop or not). Tachibana apparently knew Professor Kosaka, even recognizing Masahiko, in a plotpoint that adds absolutely nothing and makes one wonder why it was included (Was Kosaka targeted by Shocker, Destron or G.O.D. in an unseen adventure?). Amazon struggles with attempting to fit in, being frightened by the roars of motorcycles and unable to communicate when hikers accuse him of murdering a man (That was in fact killed by the monster). Though the last episode alluded to the Beastmen being remolded humans, here Mantis Beastman is seen being birthed via Gorgos vomiting white foam. 4/5
Run! The Raging Jungler (走れ！怒りのジャングラー) – The introduction of the Jungler, Amazon’s own motorcycle built by Tachibana himself, based apparently off an Amazonian design. Amazon begins to question (as coherently as he can) why Geddon is after him, resulting in him and Masahiko turning to a colleague of Kosaka’s, who is revealed to have accompanied him on an expedition to the amazon, which they met Bago and learned of Geddon. Of course though, said colleague is already the target of Geddon, resulting in him not saying much. A pretty good episode with a shocking ending. 3.5/5
The Weirdo Who Came From Underground!! (地底から来た変なヤツ！！) – Another very good episode with Amazon again struggling to communicate, this time being arrested after striking at police officers (Even if Amazon caught a killer in the woods), resulting in him proclaiming he hates humans and wants back home. But his claims are tested when Masahiko is captured as bait by Mole Beastman. A strong episode with some great character moments for not only Amazon, but also Tachibana, Masahiko and Ritsuko. And this will not be the end of Mole Beastman… 4/5
The Inca Rope-Pattern Writing Mystery!! (インカ縄文字の謎！!) – Continuing from where the previous episode left off, with Mole Beastman sentenced to death for his failure, only to be rescued by Amazon. Though initially not wanting Amazon’s help, it becomes pretty clear that Mole Beastman has nowhere else to go. The main plot, which doesn’t even start until almost halfway in, concerns the Johoku University archaeology center finding several ancient Incan artifacts in the Amazon, including a strange rope-like transcription device that Geddon seems real keen on preventing Amazon himself from having, as it reveals some info on the Gigi and Gaga armlets. 3.5/5
Melt! Melt! The Terrifying Snake Beastman (とける！とける!恐怖のヘビ獣人) – A pretty simplistic episode (The first in the show to be written by Masaru Igami, for whatever that’s worth), but still enjoyable. Masahiko introduces Amazon to his friend Hiromi, who’s father happens to be a biologist. Geddon decides to use Amazon’s newfound friendship to their advantage, by replicating Hiromi’s father’s assistant and luring Amazon to their house, allowing them to take the Gigi armlet. Her father finds the existence of a man like Amazon hard to believe, despite him making headlines tow episodes back for stopping the killer. Her father being a biologist really accounts to nothing, and them simply impersonating Hiromi (Or Masahiko, Ritsuko or Tachibana, for that matter) would have sufficed just as much, though it wouldn’t have meant a gruesome scene of Snake Beastman eating the assistant. Snake Beastman is easily the wackiest monster up to this point, even having legs despite being a snake. The climax at the amusement park is loads of fun, with Amazon being freaked out by moving rides and exploring a haunted house. Certainly light on story, but still a fun episode. More shows need scenes of a guy wrestling a giant rubber snake on a moving water roller coaster. 3/5
The Crocodile Beastman Who Attacked the School (学校を襲ったワニ獣人) – Another very simplistic episode, even moreso than the previous episode, with Geddon’s plan consisting of having Crocodile Beastman attack Masahiko’s school (Eating the janitor) and luring Amazon, so he can snag his armlet. Though they do make usage of all the kids under attack, planning to turn them into food. Though instead of just draining their blood, they opt to actually cook them. Amazon is briefly accused of being the one to attack the school, again showcasing his struggle with communication. If there’s one thing from Ishinomori’s original vision that really pertains in this show, its the Rider’s status as a “freak” by ordinary people. Mind-numbingly simple, but entertaining. 3/5
Go, Amazon! The Crab Beastman’s Island! (ゆけアマゾン！カニ獣人の島へ!) – An even simpler episode than the previous two, with Gorgos just really craving the blood of young women, as if he’s King Dark in Hanuman and the Five Riders, and assigning Crab Beastman to get some more, while also getting Amazon’s armlet, of course. So a pretty great subject to target is Ritsuko, a young woman close to Amazon, who manages to be real nasty towards him when with her friend. The Geddon soldiers are seen driving a yellow jeep like Tachibana’s, while Tachibana is shown with a completely different car when we see him in what’s a pretty phoned-in appearance. Probably the most notable thing about the episode is the ending, in which Amazon is rewarded with some actual clothes. 3/5
Black Cat Beastman Aiming at the Nursery School! (黒ネコ獣人保育園をねらう!) – A pretty solid episode with Amazon at a low point, infected by Black Cat Beastman’s virus. This is presumably similar the one edited by Bat Beastman in episode 2, since it’s curable with the same plant combination Amazon used, which can be found right in the middle of Tokyo. Masahiko and Tachibana are off to find everything, certainly showcasing their dedication. Exactly what the precise ingredients are are never revealed, but it doesn’t matter much. The scenes of Amazon playing with the children in the nursery are a little schmaltzy, but do show what a good soul he is. 4/5
The Golden Snail’s the Reaper’s Envoy!? (金色のカタツムリは死神の使い！？) – The first real dud of the show sadly, with the plot being about as barebones as they come – Masahiko takes a liking to collecting snails, and Geddon just so happens to have Snail Beastman on them, who can disguise himself as a real snail, and use Masahiko to lure Amazon and yadda yadda. The episode opens with a nightmare from Masahiko where he’s chased by Snail Beastman that’s not only pointless but drags on forever. There are a few good scenes of Amazon feeling remorseful after Masahiko scolds him for interrupting his class during school, but a pretty mediocre episode sadly. 2.5/5
Seen! Geddon’s Beastman Modification Room (見た！ゲドンの獣人改造室！！) – At last, Amazon and Gorgos come face-to-face in a pretty solid episode. Though his struggle with communicating continues to be problematic, Amazon certainly displays his cunning, capturing an Akajusha with the intention of her escaping and leading him to Geddon’s base. It is here that the Beastmen are revealed to be modified humans like the previous organizations’, or at least Ant Beastman, who was a violent criminal apprehended by Amazon, certainly retaining a hatred for him. This plotpoint doesn’t really add a whole lot to the episode, though the opening scene of Amazon combating the criminal is very good. In honor of the new year, Masahiko vows to teach Amazon Japanese properly. 3.5/5
Approaching! Ten-Faced Demon! Danger, Amazon!! (迫る！十面鬼！危うしアマゾン！！)/The Ten-Faced Demon Dies! And a New Enemy? (十面鬼死す！そして新しい敵?) – A pretty loose two-parter marking the end of Geddon and the rise of a new foe in the form of the Garanda Empire. Amazon has apparently learned quite a good deal of Japanese from Masahiko, with him now speaking in full, comprehensive sentences a lot of the time, which does sadly take away a lot of the character’s charm. Gorgos is now floating around cities melting people with his saliva, almost as if he knows he’s run out of ideas. Amazon, Tachibana and Masahiko befriend a young woman who is also fighting against Geddon (Played by Zone Fighter‘s Kazumi Kitahara). Not too surprisingly, not everything is as it seems, though the means in which Amazon figures out the truth are a little questionable (Though even if he now speaks, he still isn’t the brightest crayon). The Garanda Empire notice Gorgos’ incompetence too well, and persuade a remaining Beastman to take his leader’s Gaga armlet for their usage, prompting a brief, but very uneasy alliance between him and Amazon. An OK sendoff for Gorgos, but a pretty solid start for the mysterious Garanda Empire. Unfortunately, it marks a decline in the show’s quality. 4/5
He Came Forth! The Terrible Great Emperor Zero (出たぞ！恐怖のゼロ大帝) – The proper debut of the Garanda Empire as the villains, who still very much want Amazon’s Gigi armlet, but figure to spread terror more in vein to past organizations in the meantime. Their first scheme is to create an army of children, making them difficult to kill to both Amazon and the public, a concept done before (Such as in Ultra Seven and Kamen Rider), but still pretty effective, even if the designs of the bee children are super goofy. The Beastmen with Garanda seem to be of the same type as those with Geddon, though did appear to come with them. Mole Beastman shudders at even the mention of their name, indicating some tie between the two organizations. Masahiko is super willing to be kidnapped so he can infiltrate Bee Beastman’s scheme. 3.5/5
Garanda’s Tokyo Sea of Flames Operation!! (ガランダーの東京火の海作戦！！) – Released theatrically as “Kamen Rider Amazon The Movie”, and a pretty weird choice for release, mostly because the episode isn’t very good. Presumably it was chosen for its very simple plot, which involves Garanda’s Diving Beetle Beastman causing explosions all over Tokyo via his little pet bug. It is pretty effective, and shows Garanda’s penchant for good old fashioned terrorism. But what brings it down is his bug’s need for human blood to survive, with him targeting Ritsuko. Apparently, she was targeted because of her connections with Amazon, but this just winds up bringing Amazon into the picture. Nothing inherently awful about the episode (Apart from Diving Beetle’s stupidity regarding Ritsuko), just kind of bland and uninteresting. The most noteworthy part is the ending, which shows Emperor Zero answering to someone even higher ranking…which will wind up having a very confusing answer. Guest stars Mitsuo Ando. 2.5/5
Mt. Fuji’s Big Explosion? Tokyo’s Frying Pan Operation! (富士山大爆発？東京フライパン作戦!) – Another weak episode sadly with possibly the most ridiculous plan yet – causing Mt. Mihara to erupt and digging a tunnel ALL THE WAY TO MT. FUJI, that will then cause that to erupt, and then digging a tunnel that leads the magma into Tokyo, causing the ground to be super hot, hence the “frying pan” part. As its as crazy as it sounds, and really, just wanting Mt. Fuji to erupt would have sufficed. Its especially odd considering the episode opens on Emperor Zero berating his followers for the past failures, yet apparently this gets the go. Apart from that, not much to say, other than its a pretty dull episode with an even more absurd plot than usual. The monster, Toad Beastman is utterly bizarre, with his giant head revealed as a “hat” that he throws. Despite needing people to dig, Mole Beastman is never targeted despite his abilities. 2/5
Zero’s Terror! The Massive Earthquake Operation!! (ゼロの恐怖！大地震作戦！!) – A definite improvement over the last two, if still a bit simplistic. Garanda’s plot is pretty basic, having created an artificial-Earthquake machine rather egotistically called the Zero Device, which has apparently been in the works for some time. Rather amusingly, they use it to set a volcano off, something they tired so hard to do last episode. Amazon gets trapped 1000 meters underground, and is freed through quite the dues ex machina, but one that actually shows the Gigi armlet using its power. 3.5/5
Going into Action, The Garanda Youth Squad (出動、ガランダー少年部隊) – If you can believe it, ANOTHER “turn kids evil” plot, which was done just four episodes ago, this time using them as labor to dig holes (Often in areas too small for adults to enter, hence the child labor) in the Tokyo subways, allowing the Sumida river to flood it. The kid’s are rather disturbingly blinded and given creepy patches at night that allow them to see, but in turn make them slaves to Owl Beastman. Masahiko is among the kids captured, raising the stakes a bit. Mole Beastman really gets a chance to shine, with his burrowing coming in handy in the underground transit, though its kind of lame Amazon still made him leave in the end in order to not scare the children. If you can look past the reusing of a plotpoint, an alright episode. 3.5/5
Mole Beastman’s Last Activity!! (モグラ獣人最後の活躍！！) – As suggested by its title, the end of Mole Beastman. At the episode’s surface, its a fairly run-of-the-mill “virus” plot (Something Masaru Igami is a viking in), in the form of killer mold, with a rush to create an antidote. Garanda are certainly at their lowest here, wanting to kill a baby that somehow survived a mold attack, which cold potentially lead to a cure being created. The perpetrator Mushroom Beastman is meant to look as grotesque as possible, though comes across as the lovechild between the Creature from the Haunted Sea and Toad from Mario‘s lovechild. Despite some flaws in the episode, Mole Beastman’s demise is borderline tearjerking, with him solidifying himself as a hero. 3.5/5
Cannibal Beastman to Eat the Frozen Rider (冷凍ライダーを食べる人食い獣人!) – A very simple episode with almost no plot to speak of. What little there is has Anemone Beastman turning people into cannibalistic freaks with mouth-like stomachs similar to Bemstar from Return of Ultraman and Astromons from Ultraman Taro. This is accomplished via some blood being sucked out and replaced with green substance similar to the monster from all the way back in Bloodsucking Marshes of Hiruguerilla. One of the victims, presumably chosen because of his connection, is the father of Masahiko’s friend, who attempts to lure Amazon into a trap, where he is to be frozen. Apparently, extreme cold has been determined as his weakness, as if he’s Ultra Seven. To make things weirder, Anenome Beastman intends on devouring the frozen Amazon, even having a bib and gigantic silverware ready for the occasion. It’s as weird as it sounds. A confused plot that’s all over the place (The whole master plan of freezing Amazon doesn’t even come into play until the last act), but at least sort of entertaining in its absurdity. 2.5/5
Inca Doll’s Day to Annihilate Greater Tokyo (インカ人形大東京全滅の日！？) – A fairly enjoyable episode with a good old mixup plot. Garanda apparently has some Japanese willingly working for them, including a scientist visiting the Amazon that’s bringing back an Incan poison gas housed in a doll. Said doll gets mixed up with an identical one (What are the odds?) brought home by another explorer who’s daughter is friends with Masahiko BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE IS. So it’s a race for them to retrieve the doll containing the gas, and it’s enjoyable for the most part, if a bit basic. Amazon’s pretty much become fully civilized at this point, even outsmarting Tachibana at one point when a mysterious package is delivered. Though evolution/growth in characters is a great thing, not only did Amazon’s assimilation happen at an unrealistically fast speed, but it also took away what made him so unique, essentially making him just another generic a Toku protagonist. 3/5
Imitation Riders vs. Amazon Rider! (にせライダー対アマゾンライダー！)/You Did It, Amazon!! The End of Great Emperor Zero!! (やったぞアマゾン！ゼロ大帝の最後！！) – Certainly has the workings of a solid finale, but falls short on a few too many levels to truly be considered one. Garanda has apparently created a Helium Bomb and intend to detonate Tokyo with it, but would like Amazon out of the way beforehand. But capturing Amazon would also mean the Gigi armlet being in their hands, which given the apparent power it emits when merged with the Gaga armlet, would render the helium bomb moot, right? Well, we at last see the armlets combined, and it is disappointing on every level. So much so, it makes you wonder if the supposed power from the two even exists, or if it was a simple legend this whole time. There’s certainly a lot to like, such as Salamander Beastman impersonating Amazon (Did the fight between two Amazons inspire Kamen Rider Amazons 40 years later?), Tachibana’s role in saving Amazon and attempting to defuse the bomb and confrontation between Amazon and Emperor Zero, but the revelation of Garanda’s true leader is almost as disappointing as the armlets and makes next to no sense. In a completely pointless bit, Salamander Beastman injects poison into Masahiko and Ritsuko that slowly turns them scaly, only for it to of course be undone when he’s defeated. Not a terrible ending, especially considering what a dive in quality the show has taken, but has some flaws that can’t be overlooked. 3/5
Beta Capsule Reviews 