Season Analysis

Kamen Rider

Season 14 Analysis

Season Woke Score

out of 10

Season Overview

Ten thousand years ago, fifty-two demons—the Undead—partook in a Battle Royal to decide which species would inherit the Earth. The winner was the Human Undead, and thus dominion of the Earth was given to Humanity. In the present day, archeologists discovered the sealed Undead, and accidentally released them. To counter this threat, the Board Of Archaeological Research Department–BOARD–equips two young men with the Rider System. As a new Battle Royal begins, who will emerge the victor?

Season Review

Season 14, *Kamen Rider Blade*, centers its conflict not on societal grievances but on a literal evolutionary war for Earth's dominion between Humanity and the monstrous Undead. The narrative emphasizes a universal concept of 'Humanity' and the power of camaraderie, with the four male Riders struggling to maintain their physical and mental integrity against monstrous power. The plot does not use race or immutable characteristics as a factor for conflict, focusing instead on internal character arcs and the objective threat to civilization. However, the season demonstrates a clear deconstruction of traditional masculine archetypes, exploring how societal pressure for men to be 'strong, silent, and self-sufficient' leads to the trauma and collapse of the male leads. While the female support characters embody complementary and nurturing roles, the de-emphasis of traditional masculinity elevates the score in the Feminism category. The deep emotional bond between the main male characters is frequently noted as the core of the series' emotional journey, bordering on subtextual alternative sexuality, but the show lacks any political lecturing or deconstruction of the nuclear family. Overall, the show's focus on objective good (saving humanity) and individual struggle results in a low 'woke' score, with the main points of ideological interest being the deconstruction of male gender roles and the intense male-on-male emotional focus.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The core conflict is between the human species and the monstrous Undead, an evolutionary war to determine the planet's dominant life form. Success is determined by winning the Battle Royal, a pure test of meritocracy-of-species. There is no focus on human race, ethnicity, or intersectional hierarchy in the cast or villains. The main hero's struggle is a physical one, battling his gradual transformation into a monster, judging him by the content of his soul rather than immutable characteristics.

Oikophobia1/10

The premise is explicitly about protecting human civilization, which won the last Battle Royal and holds dominion over the Earth. The organization BOARD and the Kamen Riders are dedicated to defending the current order and existence of humanity against the chaotic threat of the re-released Undead. The narrative respects the sacrifices that led to humanity's current standing and frames the national defense institution as a necessary shield against chaos.

Feminism5/10

The primary female characters are supportive figures, notably Shiori, who manages the cafe, cares for the Riders, and provides emotional guidance, anchoring their humanity. She is not a 'Girl Boss' or a Rider. However, the four main male characters have arcs that explicitly deconstruct the pressure of masculinity, showing how the attempt to fit the 'strong, silent, self-sufficient' ideal leads to their psychological and emotional collapse. This de-emphasizing of traditional male vitality raises the score.

LGBTQ+4/10

The intense emotional bond between the lead rider, Kenzaki, and the Undead-human, Hajime (Kamen Rider Chalice), forms the emotional climax of the series, where one sacrifices his humanity to allow the other to live. This bond is widely interpreted by fans as a subtextual alternative sexuality or 'bromance.' The series centers this deep male-on-male emotional connection as the driving force. There is no explicit gender theory, deconstruction of the nuclear family, or lecturing on gender identity.

Anti-Theism2/10

The conflict is built on a pseudo-mythological, evolutionary Battle Royal from ancient history rather than traditional religion. The moral framework is objective, centered on the struggle to preserve 'humanity' against 'monstrosity.' The show does not portray religion as evil, and Christian/faith-based characters are absent. The morality upheld is one of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and friendship, aligning with a higher moral law found in human connection.