Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue is this wild, gritty take on the classic Kamen Rider lore that dives deep into the origins of the Rider system. The story follows Dr. Shin, a scientist who gets tangled in a shady government project called 'Project G.' They're trying to create super-soldiers using alien tech, and things go horribly wrong. Dr. Shin ends up becoming the test subject, transforming into this monstrous yet heroic figure—Kamen Rider Shin. The whole vibe is way darker than the usual Rider stuff, with body horror elements and a focus on the psychological toll of becoming something inhuman. It’s like if David Cronenberg directed a Kamen Rider movie.
What really sticks with me is how raw and unpolished it feels. There’s no flashy henshin sequences or cheesy villain monologues; it’s just a man struggling against his own transformation. The fight scenes are brutal, almost animalistic, and the ending leaves you with this haunting sense of ambiguity. It’s not your typical superhero story—more like a tragedy wrapped in a sci-fi horror package. If you’re into older tokusatsu or experimental takes on familiar franchises, this one’s a must-watch.