News / Aug 20, 2026

Kamen Rider Heisei Phase 1: Complete Guide & Best Series to Start With

Q: How long is the whole Phase 1 run?

10 series across roughly 9 years (2000-2009) Each series is generally 48-51 episodes, airing weekly for about a year, with Decade running much shorter at 31 episodes Total episode count across the block is in the range of 450-500 episodes, not counting movies and V-Cinema specials

The Heisei Phase 1 era (2000-2009) ran nine Kamen Rider series from Kuuga to Kiva, plus the anniversary series Decade. Here's what each one is about and which one to start with.

Kamen Rider Heisei Phase 1: Complete Guide & Best Series to Start With

Kamen Rider Heisei Phase 1 is the nine-series run from Kamen Rider Kuuga (2000) to Kamen Rider Kiva (2008-2009), capped by the anniversary crossover series Kamen Rider Decade (2009). It's the block of shows that revived Kamen Rider for a new generation after the franchise had been dormant since the Showa era, and it's still the most-recommended entry point for newcomers because Kuuga was built from the ground up to be accessible. Below is the full lineup, what each series is actually about, and where fans point first-timers.

Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Ultimate collectible figure — Kuuga opened the Heisei era in 2000.

What counts as "Heisei Phase 1"?

Phase 1 covers the ten series that aired during the first decade of the Heisei-era Kamen Rider revival, broadcast by TV Asahi:

Kamen Rider Kuuga (2000-2001) — the first Heisei Rider, a grounded, slow-burn story about a hero fighting to protect ordinary people from ancient monsters called Grongi.
Kamen Rider Agito (2001-2002) — three riders, a slower mystery-driven plot, and an amnesiac protagonist investigating his own origins.
Kamen Rider Ryuki (2002-2003) — thirteen riders fight a battle royale where only one can survive; famous for its bleak, morally grey tone.
Kamen Rider 555 (Faiz) (2003-2004) — a loner protagonist, a belt that can kill its own wearer, and a cast that constantly questions who deserves to be a hero.
Kamen Rider Blade (2004-2005) — a playing-card motif with riders who fight monsters called Undead to prevent an apocalyptic ritual.
Kamen Rider Hibiki (2005-2006) — originally a slower, artier show about demon-hunting drummers; retooled midway through production into a more conventional action series after a change in production staff.
Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006-2007) — a stylish, fast-paced show built around "Clock Up" super-speed combat and a large ensemble of native riders.
Kamen Rider Den-O (2007-2008) — a time-travel comedy-adventure where the hero is possessed by four rival spirits (Imagin) who each pilot a different Rider form.
Kamen Rider Kiva (2008-2009) — a dual-timeline story that jumps between 1986 and 2008, following a reluctant vampire-themed Rider and his father's past.
Kamen Rider Decade (2009) — the 10th-anniversary crossover, where protagonist Tsukasa Kadoya travels between the "worlds" of the previous nine series.

Is Kamen Rider Kuuga the best place to start?

Yes, for most newcomers. Kuuga is the series most frequently recommended as a first watch because it was written to stand completely on its own, with a slower, grounded tone, minimal toy-driven gimmicks, and a strong central performance from Joe Odagiri as Yusuke Godai. It doesn't assume any prior Kamen Rider knowledge, which is exactly why Toei used it to relaunch the franchise in 2000.

If Kuuga's slower pace isn't for you, two other common recommendations come up constantly in fan discussion:

Kamen Rider 555 (Faiz) — for viewers who want a darker, character-driven drama about who "deserves" power.
Kamen Rider Den-O — for viewers who want something lighter, funnier, and more episodic, with a lower barrier to entry than Kuuga's slow burn.

What is Kamen Rider Decade, and should I watch it first or last?

Decade is a crossover series built to celebrate the first nine Heisei shows, and it's designed to be watched after you already know at least some of Kuuga through Kiva — it spends its runtime jumping between alternate, remixed versions of those nine worlds, and most of the payoff depends on recognizing what's being referenced. Watching it first tends to spoil character beats and reduce the crossover cameos to noise. For where that show sits in fan opinion, see our companion piece on the Phase 1 debates.

Kamen Rider Kuuga in his Mighty Form — Kuuga's grounded tone set Heisei apart from Showa.

How long is the whole Phase 1 run?

10 series across roughly 9 years (2000-2009)
Each series is generally 48-51 episodes, airing weekly for about a year, with Decade running much shorter at 31 episodes
Total episode count across the block is in the range of 450-500 episodes, not counting movies and V-Cinema specials

Why does this era still matter to collectors?

Phase 1 is where most of the character and belt designs that anchor Kakebo's toku catalog come from — Kuuga's Arc form, Faiz's Complete Form, Den-O's four Imagin-based forms, and Decade's remix designs are all still in active production as figures and gashapon lines more than two decades later. That staying power is a big part of why the era keeps getting recommended to newcomers instead of fading into nostalgia-only territory.