Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider [Season 1 Episode 19]

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider: Episode 19 – When Dreams Collide with Reality

Let’s be real—most of us have that one childhood dream we’ve quietly buried under “adulting” stuff. For 40-year-old Tojima Tanzaburo, that dream is becoming Kamen Rider. Yeah, the spandex-clad, monster-fighting hero we all pretended to be with toy belts as kids. And in Episode 19 of Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider, that dream isn’t just a silly fantasy anymore—it’s crashing headfirst into a world of Shocker-inspired robberies, and honestly? It’s way more relatable than you’d think.

First off, let’s set the scene. Tojima’s been chasing this Kamen Rider thing his whole life. At 40, he’s probably got a boring desk job, a tiny apartment, and a shelf full of dusty Rider memorabilia that his friends tease him about. But just when he’s about to hang up his imaginary transformation belt for good, bam—Shocker (you know, the classic Kamen Rider villain organization) starts pulling heists in his city. And Tojima? He’s right in the middle of it.

What makes this episode hit different is how it balances humor with heart. Tojima isn’t some buff, chosen hero—he’s a regular guy who still geeks out over Rider action figures. When he stumbles into the Shocker robberies, his first instinct isn’t to run—it’s to pull out his phone and take a video of the bad guys’ “authentic” Shocker costumes. Fans on MyAnimeList are loving this: one user joked, “Tojima’s inner fanboy is stronger than his survival instinct, and I respect that.” Another added, “Finally, an anime where the protagonist isn’t a teenager with a ‘destiny’—just a middle-aged dude living his best (and most chaotic) Rider fan life.”

But it’s not all laughs. The episode digs into what it means to hold onto a dream when the world tells you you’re too old. Tojima’s coworkers think he’s crazy; his family probably thinks he needs to “grow up.” But when he’s face-to-face with Shocker goons, something shifts. He doesn’t have a fancy Rider suit or a transformation device—just a baseball bat and a lifetime of watching Rider fight scenes. And somehow, that’s enough.

The animation here is solid, too. The Shocker robots have that retro, campy vibe from the original Kamen Rider shows, which is a total nostalgia trip. Tojima’s reactions—wide-eyed, fumbling, but weirdly determined—are animated with such detail you can almost feel his mix of panic and excitement. One fan pointed out, “The way Tojima’s hands shake when he picks up the bat? That’s exactly how I’d react if I met a real-life Shocker grunt.”

What’s really cool is how the episode ties Tojima’s dream to the bigger Rider legacy. Kamen Rider has always been about ordinary people standing up to evil, right? Tojima isn’t a superhuman—he’s just a guy who never stopped believing in heroes. When he finally gets to throw a punch (or a bat swing) at a Shocker goon, it’s not just a win for him—it’s a win for anyone who’s ever felt like their dreams were too “silly” or “impossible.”

Sure, the episode has its cheesy moments. The Shocker robberies are over-the-top, and Tojima’s one-liners (“Henshin… sort of!”) are cringey in the best way. But that’s part of the charm. As one fan put it, “This show doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s why it works. It’s not about being a perfect hero—it’s about being your hero, even if you’re 40 and still sleep with a Rider plushie.”

By the end of Episode 19, Tojima hasn’t become a full-fledged Kamen Rider (yet). But he’s done something even more important: he’s proven that dreams don’t have an expiration date. Whether you’re 10 or 40, if you’re passionate about something, it’s never too late to chase it—even if it means fighting fake Shocker robots with a baseball bat.

So, if you’re looking for an anime that’s equal parts funny, heartfelt, and nostalgic, Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Episode 19 is a must-watch. It’s a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean letting go of the things that make you happy. And hey, who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll all get to yell “Henshin!” and feel like heroes—even if it’s just for a day.

Final Verdict: 8/10. A fun, relatable ride that’ll make you want to dig out your old Rider toys and believe in dreams again.

P.S. If you’re a Kamen Rider fan, keep an eye out for the subtle references to classic series—they’re everywhere.