Kamen Rider is a popular Japanese media franchise created by Shotaro Ishinomori that began in 1971. It features a series of superhero television shows, movies, and merchandise centered around masked heroes who transform to fight against evil organizations and monsters. Each hero, known as a Kamen Rider, typically has a unique design, powers, and a backstory that often involves themes of justice and sacrifice. The franchise is known for its innovative use of transformation devices, called Henshin devices, which allow characters to change into their Rider forms. Over the years, Kamen Rider has evolved through various series, each introducing new characters and storylines while maintaining core elements, making it a beloved part of Japanese pop culture.