Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider [Season 1 Episode 21]

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider: Episode 21 Hits Different—Here’s Why Fans Are Losing It

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re a Kamen Rider fan, or even just someone who loves stories about underdogs chasing impossible dreams, Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Season 1 Episode 21 is a must-watch. This week’s episode, titled “Becoming the Ultimate Monster” (yeah, that’s the actual name—drama level: 10/10), dives deeper into 40-year-old Tojima Tanzaburo’s lifelong quest to become a Kamen Rider, and let’s just say… it’s not all flashy transformations and epic battles (though there’s plenty of that too).

First, a quick recap for anyone who’s been living under a rock: Tojima’s a middle-aged guy who’s never grown out of his childhood obsession with Kamen Rider. He’s tried everything to make his dream come true—cosplay, fan conventions, even building his own (very janky) Rider suit. But Episode 21 throws him into a situation he never saw coming: a run-in with Shocker-inspired robbers (Shocker, for the uninitiated, is the classic evil organization from the original Kamen Rider series). And let’s just say, this isn’t your average bank heist.

What makes this episode stand out? For starters, the emotional beats hit harder than a Rider Kick to the chest. Tojima’s always been a relatable character—who hasn’t clung to a childhood dream way longer than they should? But here, we see him at his lowest: he’s just about to give up on ever becoming a hero, when the robberies force him to step up. The scene where he pulls out his tattered Kamen Rider mask (the one he’s had since he was 10) and decides to intervene? Chills. Fans on MyAnimeList are calling it “the most human moment in the series so far.” One user wrote, “I cried when he put that mask on—like, this guy isn’t a superhero, he’s just a guy who refuses to let his dream die. That’s way more inspiring than any fictional hero.”

Then there’s the action. The Shocker-inspired villains are creepy as hell—think neon-lit armor, glitchy voice modulators, and a penchant for stealing rare Kamen Rider memorabilia (relatable, but still evil). Tojima’s fight scenes are messy, unpolished, and totally perfect. He doesn’t have a fancy belt or superpowers—he’s just a guy with a lot of heart and a DIY suit. When he takes down one of the robbers with a makeshift Rider Punch (using a broom handle, no less), the crowd in the episode cheers, and honestly? I cheered too. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about trying.

But let’s talk about the twist. Halfway through the episode, we learn that the robbers aren’t just random criminals—they’re former Kamen Rider fans who got disillusioned. They think the franchise has become too commercialized, so they’re “taking back” what they love by stealing memorabilia. Tojima’s response? “Kamen Rider isn’t about the toys or the shows—it’s about the idea that anyone can be a hero.” That line hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s a meta-commentary on fandom itself—how sometimes we get so caught up in the details that we forget why we loved something in the first place.

Fans are eating this up. On forums, people are debating whether the robbers have a point (some say yes, some say no), but everyone agrees that Tojima’s speech is the highlight of the episode. One user said, “I’ve been a Kamen Rider fan for 15 years, and that line made me reevaluate why I love the series. It’s not about the cool transformations—it’s about hope.” Another added, “Tojima is the hero we need right now. He’s not perfect, but he’s real.”

The animation in Episode 21 is also top-notch. The fight scenes are fluid, the colors are vibrant, and the close-ups on Tojima’s face—when he’s scared, when he’s determined—are so expressive you can feel his emotions through the screen. The soundtrack, too, is a bop: a mix of classic Kamen Rider themes and modern beats that get your heart racing.

If there’s one criticism, it’s that the episode ends on a cliffhanger. Tojima’s just about to face the leader of the Shocker robbers, and we have to wait a whole week to see what happens. But honestly? That’s a good thing—it means we’re all invested. Fans are already speculating: Will Tojima finally get a real Rider belt? Will the robbers see the error of their ways? Will we get a cameo from a real Kamen Rider? (Fingers crossed.)

At the end of the day, Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Episode 21 is more than just an anime episode—it’s a love letter to fandom, to never giving up, and to the idea that heroism isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when you’re scared, even when you’re out of your depth. Tojima might be 40, he might not have superpowers, but he’s a hero in every sense of the word.

So if you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite snack, put on your Kamen Rider hoodie (we know you have one), and dive in. And if you have watched it? Let’s argue about the cliffhanger in the comments—because this episode is definitely going to be talked about for weeks.

P.S. Shoutout to the animators for that scene where Tojima’s mask catches the light. Chef’s kiss.