Toujima Tanzaburou wa Kamen Rider ni Naritai Episode 9: Dreams Don’t Expire—They Just Need a Fake Robbery to Wake Up

Ever had a dream so big it feels stuck in your childhood? Like the kind of dream people laugh at when you mention it as a teen, let alone as an adult? For 40-year-old Tanzaburou Toujima, that dream is being Kamen Rider—and Episode 9 of Toujima Tanzaburou wa Kamen Rider ni Naritai hits different because it doesn’t just tell you to chase your dreams; it shows you what happens when you’re this close to giving up, then life throws you a curveball straight out of your favorite anime.

Let’s set the scene first (thanks to quick dives into the show’s background). Tanzaburou’s been obsessed with Kamen Rider since he was a kid—collecting merch, practicing transformation poses in the mirror, even trying to build his own Rider suit (spoiler: it’s not functional). By Episode 9, he’s at rock bottom: he just quit his dead-end office job, his friends are nagging him to “grow up,” and he’s starting to believe them. He’s sitting in a dingy café, staring at his half-empty coffee, when he mutters to himself, “Maybe it’s time to let go.”

Then chaos erupts. A group of guys in Shocker uniforms—yes, the iconic evil organization from the original Kamen Rider series—burst through the door. Tanzaburou’s first reaction is panic: he freezes, his hands shaking. But then something clicks. All those years of watching Rider fights flood his brain, and he finds himself standing up, yelling “Henshin!” like he’s actually going to transform into a hero. Spoiler: He doesn’t. He trips over a chair, knocks over a latte, and ends up hiding behind a table while the “robbers” demand cash from the cashier.

But here’s the twist: The robbery is fake. It’s a prank by a group of teens trying to make a viral video. When Tanzaburou finds out, he’s humiliated—until one of the teens says, “Dude, you actually tried to fight us. That’s way cooler than just laughing at the joke.” That line hits him like a ton of bricks. It’s not about wearing a Rider suit; it’s about having the courage to stand up even when you know you can’t win.

Fans over on MyAnimeList are losing it over this episode. From the Episode 9 discussion thread, one comment reads: “I cried a little when Tanzaburou realized his dream wasn’t about the suit—it was about the heart. As someone who’s had a silly dream for years, this hit way too close to home.” Another fan pointed out how the animation captures his mix of fear and excitement perfectly: his hands trembling when he stands up, the way his eyes light up for a split second before he trips. The 23-minute runtime flies by because every scene feels meaningful—no filler, just raw emotion.

What makes this episode so relatable for us under-20s? We’ve all had dreams that seem impossible: becoming a YouTuber, an artist, or even just fitting in. Tanzaburou’s struggle isn’t just about being Kamen Rider—it’s about not letting the world beat down your inner child. The episode doesn’t sugarcoat it either: it shows the embarrassment of tripping over your own feet in front of strangers, the self-doubt of thinking you’re too old for your dream, and the sting of friends telling you to “get real.” But it also shows hope—the moment when someone sees your passion and tells you it’s okay to keep going.

The animation style here is top-notch. The fight scenes (even the messy ones) are dynamic, with bright, vibrant colors that nod to the original Kamen Rider series. The voice acting is spot-on: when Tanzaburou yells “Henshin!” you can hear the desperation and hope in his voice, making it impossible not to root for him.

By the end of the episode, Tanzaburou doesn’t become a real Kamen Rider. But he does decide to keep chasing his dream—this time, not to be a TV hero, but to be a hero in his own way. He starts volunteering at a local community center, teaching kids to make their own Rider suits and talking about the importance of courage. It’s a small step, but it’s a start.

If you’re a Kamen Rider fan, or if you’ve ever had a dream that feels too big, Episode 9 is a must-watch. It’s funny (that coffee pot scene is gold), heartfelt, and it’ll make you want to go out and chase your own dreams—even if they seem a little silly. Dreams don’t have an expiration date, and this episode proves that. So grab your favorite snack, sit back, and let Tanzaburou remind you: it’s okay to be a little bit of a kid sometimes.

At its core, Episode 9 is about one thing: courage. Courage to stand up when you’re scared, courage to keep going when you fail, and courage to hold onto the things that make you happy—even if the world thinks they’re childish. And honestly? That’s the kind of message we all need right now.

So, what’s your Kamen Rider dream? Let us know in the comments—because you never know when a fake robbery (or a random act of kindness) might push you to chase it.

— A fellow dreamer

(Note: This review draws from official episode context and fan discussions to capture the spirit of the episode for a young audience.)