Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider [Season 1 Episode 15]

“Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider” Episode 15: When Ramen and Romance Steal the Spotlight

Let’s cut to the chase: if you tuned into Episode 15 expecting Tanzaburo Tojima suiting up as a Kamen Rider, you’re gonna be confused. Like, “wait, where’s the 40-year-old guy chasing his childhood dream?” confused. But here’s the thing—this wild detour into ramen-fueled romance and monster roommates? It’s exactly why this show works for us Gen Z viewers who crave chaos over cookie-cutter plots.

First off, let’s get the basics straight. This episode drops the main cast entirely (sorry, Tojima stans) to focus on Sena, the over-the-top idol with a love for ramen that’s almost as intense as her obsession with “masked heroes.” She’s living with Kumoda, a Shocker-inspired spider monster who’s supposed to be evil… but instead spends his days learning how to use a rice cooker and blushing when Sena calls him “cool.” Oh, and there’s Hachiro, a guy who spent two years perfecting a “golden ramen” recipe just to win Sena back. If that’s not peak anime absurdity, I don’t know what is.

The fan reactions? Split down the middle, and honestly, that’s part of the fun. Half the MyAnimeList comments are like, “This is filler trash—where’s Tojima?!” (shoutout to the user who called it a “tangent”). The other half? They’re losing it over the chaos: “Me and the fat bitch I pulled by being a Shocker monster 😭” one user joked, referencing Kumoda’s accidental charm. And let’s not forget the Yu Narukami comparisons—Hachiro’s spiky hair and laid-back vibe had Persona fans doing double-takes. Relatable.

What makes this episode work, though, is how it leans into the show’s core theme: growing up doesn’t mean ditching your inner kid. Sena’s not just a silly idol—she’s someone who sees the good in a “monster” because she refuses to outgrow her love for heroes. Kumoda, the big bad spider guy, starts questioning his Shocker mission after eating ramen with her. Even Hachiro’s ramen obsession? It’s a reminder that passion (even for noodles) is worth chasing. As one fan put it, “This show is so unpredictable and how straight it plays everything. Pretty sick of the ‘wink at the camera’ humor so this is truly refreshing.”

Sure, some viewers are frustrated. “We have 9 more episodes—are we gonna waste time on side characters instead of Tojima’s dream?” one worried. But here’s the tea: these “filler” episodes are setting up something bigger. Kumoda’s curiosity about humans? That’s gonna make him turn on Shocker eventually. Hachiro’s ability to “sense inner energy”? That’s probably gonna help Tojima when he finally gets his Rider suit. And Sena? She’s the chaos agent this show needs to keep things from getting too serious.

Let’s talk about the best moments. Sena streaming “Masked Idol Eating Ramen” and getting her fans to root for Kumoda? Iconic. Hachiro serving his golden ramen and Sena crying because it tastes like “memories”? Cheesy, but in the best way. And that final shot of Kumoda and Sena bickering over who gets the last dumpling? It’s the kind of slice-of-life goodness that makes you forget you’re watching a show about Kamen Riders.

Critics might call this episode a waste of time, but for us 20-somethings? It’s relatable. We’ve all had those days where we ditch our “main goals” to obsess over something random—like mastering a TikTok dance or hunting down the perfect boba. This episode celebrates that chaos. As one fan said, “I want to know what’s Sena’s silver medal. Her love for ramen is true and real.” Exactly. Passion doesn’t have to be grand to matter.

Is this episode for everyone? No. If you’re here only for Tojima’s Rider journey, you’ll probably skip it. But if you love shows that throw curveballs and make you laugh until your sides hurt? This is your jam. And let’s be real—any episode that gives us a spider monster learning to fold laundry and an idol declaring ramen “better than fame” deserves a spot in our anime hall of fame.

So, Episode 15: not what we expected, but exactly what we needed. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best stories aren’t about the hero’s journey—they’re about the detours, the ramen, and the monsters who learn to love humans (and their cooking). Bring on the chaos.

Final Verdict: 8/10. Ramen banzai. 🥢✨