Introduction: A Controversial Kamen Rider Anniversary

Kamen Rider Decade is one of the most divisive series in Kamen Rider history. As the 10th anniversary of the Heisei Rider era, it had a unique premise—a Rider who could travel between dimensions, adapting the powers of previous Riders. But with only 31 episodes and a cliffhanger ending that required a movie to resolve, fans were left split on whether Decade was a brilliant experiment or a rushed, incomplete mess.

Now, let’s break it down and see whether Kamen Rider Decade lived up to its ambitious premise.

The Story Setup & Concept: Kamen Rider’s Multiverse Adventure

The series follows Tsukasa Kadoya, a young man with no memory of his past, who discovers he can transform into Kamen Rider Decade. He’s told that to save his world, he must travel through the worlds of the past nine Heisei Riders—but the only way to stop their worlds from colliding is to defeat each Rider.

Along the way, Tsukasa is joined by Natsumi, her grandfather, Yusuke Onodera (an alternate Kuuga), and later, Daiki Kaitoh (Kamen Rider DiEnd). He also faces the mysterious Narutaki, who warns that Decade is “The Destroyer of Worlds.”

The show starts strong, with each world having its version of the past Riders, allowing new interpretations of classic characters. However, some creative choices—like recasting many Riders and altering established lore—divided longtime fans.

Decade’s Powers & The Final Form Ride Controversy

One of Decade’s key abilities is using Rider Cards to transform into past Kamen Riders. However, another unique feature was the Final Form Ride Cards, which allowed him to transform other Riders into weapons.

• Examples of Final Form Ride:
  • Kamen Rider Blade → Blade Blade (A literal sword)
  • Kamen Rider Kiva → A giant bat monster
  • Kamen Rider Kuuga → A giant beetle

While this gimmick was designed to sell toys, some fans found it gimmicky and disrespectful to the original Riders. Others saw it as a fun, creative way to modernize older characters. The execution was hit-or-miss, but Decade undeniably introduced a fresh take on Rider transformations.

Story Execution Issues: The Plot That Fell Apart

The first 18 episodes follow a structured journey, with Decade visiting different worlds and learning about his powers. However, once Decade acquires all the Rider Cards, the show loses direction.

• Incomplete Character Arcs: Daiki (Kamen Rider DiEnd) never properly explains how he can travel between worlds without using the same methods as Tsukasa.
• Plot Holes: Decade’s cards mysteriously go blank after fighting Dark Kiva, only to be restored later—without much explanation.
• Rushed Final Episodes: Instead of building up to the climax, the show jumps straight into a cliffhanger, teasing the movie as the “true” finale.

These inconsistencies made it frustrating for fans who wanted a more structured, satisfying story.

The Ending Controversy: A Cliffhanger With No Payoff

The final episode leaves viewers with more questions than answers. Tsukasa learns that the real Kamen Riders (not the AR world versions he met) were behind his journey all along. But instead of giving him clear instructions, they cryptically tell him to “travel through the worlds to save them.”

• The Rider War: The series ends with Tsukasa facing off against the nine past Riders in a battle royale, but the fight is abruptly cut off.
• DiEnd’s Betrayal? The last shot shows DiEnd aiming his gun at Tsukasa and firing, but the screen fades to black before revealing if he shot him.
• The Movie Connection: The ending sets up Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs Dai-Shocker, implying that the full story won’t be resolved unless you watch the film.

Many fans believe Decade should have had 50 episodes like past series, rather than cutting it short and relying on a movie for closure.

The Movie Dilemma: Two Tsukasas?

The follow-up movie, All Riders vs Dai-Shocker, adds another confusing twist—there are two versions of Tsukasa.

• One Tsukasa is revealed to have been the leader of Dai-Shocker, the villainous organization.
• The other Tsukasa may be the “good” one we followed in the series, but it’s never fully explained how or why they were split.
• A shot from the movie even shows Decade Complete Form (on Amazon) attacking Tsukasa, adding to the mystery.

Instead of clearing up questions, the film raises even more, making it frustrating for fans who expected a proper resolution.

Final Verdict: Did Decade Succeed or Fail?

Pros: ✅ Unique multiverse concept bringing past Riders together. ✅ Great action & transformations, with Decade having one of the coolest Kamen Rider suits. ✅ Entertaining fan service for longtime viewers.

Cons: ❌ Inconsistent storytelling, especially in the second half. ❌ Unexplained plot points and characters lacking proper development. ❌ Cliffhanger ending that forced fans to watch a movie for closure.

While Decade introduced bold ideas, its execution felt rushed and incomplete. It’s a fun ride if you enjoy multiverse crossovers and action, but if you want a well-structured Kamen Rider story, this one might leave you frustrated.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – A bold but flawed anniversary season.

What Are Your Thoughts on Kamen Rider Decade?

Did you love or hate Decade’s story? How do you feel about its ending? Let me know what you think!

Until next time.