Best Kamen Rider to start with?

[Wing Saber]

I may get flamed for this but Decade is sort good to start. It uses the theme's found in each series and applies it in their respective worlds that Decade visits in a new story.

You can get a idea on the Heisei Era with this.

I too was reluctant to mention Decade as well, knowing that I could get raked over. But I agree with you about it being a crash course series, since it gives new & younger Rider fans an idea on how each of the older shows were like.

 

[Darkster]

I just wanna ask though, do you have to watch Kuuga before Agito, or is Agito a series that stands alone?

Agito stands alone.

I too was reluctant to mention Decade as well, knowing that I could get raked over. But I agree with you about it being a crash course series, since it gives new & younger Rider fans an idea on how each of the older shows were like.

My left foot gives a better "crash course." It has nothing to do with the older shows. Someone can now go back to watch them and enjoy them for what they are. Decade does nothing.

 

[Black Fang]

Why would people suggest Ryuki to start with? Or even blade? I mean I love Blade, but what is the background for you guys suggesting those? Is it just personal preference or is there some other reason?

Because at least in my estimation Kuuga and Ryuki best exemplify the characteristics of KR in the Heisei era (or at least Heisei starting from 2000). They're both creative takes on the classic Rider story. (Agito I would consider an extension of Kuuga in this respect.)

After Kuuga-Agito-Ryuki, Blade probably best personifies the classic Rider in terms of plot and characters (as well as adding in the Heisei trait of having the enemy organization pose as a commercial or humanitarian group.) It's the last show that does this well until W. (Emphasis on "well", as Hibiki - Decade obviously had Rider traits too.)

 

[Scissors]

Despite the flaws it had, I think RX could be a pretty fun show to start with if you are not ready for the whole mystery/drama theme that Kuuga started.

RX suffered from a personality split. It both wanted to be a KR show and a Metal Hero show, and it ended up getting a little bit from both franchises. You have the evil space-alien group, consisting of various generals who all have their own monster-types. You have a light saber wielding Rider who owns an intelligent super-car, and can transform into a robotic or a bionic form.
At the same time you have all the showa-Rider elements in there too, such as the cool bike-action.
RX also feels much less episodic than Black, since it keeps introducing more and more new things along the way, be it new powers or supporting characters. There are filler-eps, yes, but they are actually quite fun.
RX is also one of only Riders shows, were the Rider fights on other planets from time to time. This gives a little more variation to the fights.

So, if you like a more simple story with good fights, humor and classic villains, RX is the show for you, and a good springboard to the Heisei era.

 

[Oedipus 3000]

Start from the beginning, Kuuga, and work your way to the top. those first five are all different varying good quality series.

 

[Pixelphile]

I too was reluctant to mention Decade as well, knowing that I could get raked over. But I agree with you about it being a crash course series, since it gives new & younger Rider fans an idea on how each of the older shows were like.

It's also very newbie friendly (fast-paced, straightforward till the ending, and very flashy), so it's good to get it out of the way early. Otherwise it seems if you're a longtime fan who's seen all the other seasons, it's nothing but a gigantic troll of a series.

 

[SciFiWayne]

So With all these suggestions, have you decided which show you will begin with?

 

[Darkster]

All I'm saying is that if you want flashy, watch Kabuto instead of Decade. The others are much more solid than Kabuto, but Kabuto is perfect if you want flashy.

 

[DoGu]

Yeah, I started with Decade, and when I went to watch the other ones, it wasn't what I expected. Totally different stories between Decade and the others. I would start with Kabuto or Double. Kabuto was the second series I watched, and I thought it was great. Den-O isn't the best to start off as the first one to watch, personally.

 

[kingchalice8]

for me, its kamen rider decade :thumbs: