The story and preview images for Episode 8 of the fall 2024 TV anime Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider have been released. The episode aired on Saturday, November 23 on TOKYO MX and other networks. In a scene where protagonist Tanzaburo Tojima, who dreams of becoming a real Kamen Rider, encounters a bear during training in the mountains, an unusual on-screen warning was shown for the second time: “If you encounter a bear, do not attempt to fight it. Protect your safety first.” The warning appears to reflect the recent surge in real bear attacks in Japan’s northern regions such as Akita Prefecture.

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider follows Tanzaburo Tojima, a 40-year-old man who still earnestly aspires to become a Kamen Rider. Just as he begins to waver on his lifelong dream, he becomes entangled in a series of robberies committed by a “Fake Shocker” group. The series depicts adults who love Kamen Rider so deeply that they throw themselves into serious Kamen Rider role-play.

In Episode 1, which aired in October, Tojima was training his body in the mountains when a massive bear appeared. While an ordinary person would run away in fear, Tojima muttered, “Oh, it is just a bear. For a moment I got excited thinking it was a Shocker monster.” He then flipped the attacking bear with a shoulder throw and defeated it by targeting its eyes.

At the time, Japan was experiencing continuous news reports of bear attacks on humans. After the scene aired, a warning appeared on screen stating, “This story is a work of fiction. If you encounter a bear, do not attempt to fight it. Protect your safety first.” While anime with intense scenes often show safety disclaimers, a warning specifically about not fighting bears following a bear battle scene was highly unusual.

Online viewers reacted quickly, posting comments such as: “The ‘Run away if you encounter a bear’ warning must be because of the recent bear news. Normally, you would run.” “I burst out laughing at the ‘Do not fight bears’ message.” “I was smiling watching Tojima, but the warning after the bear fight made me laugh. I get why it is there though.” “Of course they need a warning telling people not to fight bears.” “That warning about what to do when you meet a bear, wow.” and “There were bear attacks yesterday and today, so I guess the warning makes sense.” The unusual disclaimer became a viral topic.

In Episode 8, Tojima once again trains in the mountains when the same bear he previously defeated attacks him. Tojima counters it with Rider Punch and Rider Kick, defeating it once more. Afterward, the episode again displayed the warning: “This story is a work of fiction. If you encounter a bear, do not attempt to fight it. Protect your safety first.”

Since Episode 1 aired in October, Japanese news outlets have continued to report frequent bear-related injuries. As a result, Episode 8’s broadcast once again included the bear warning. Viewers reacted with comments such as: “Nice attention to safety adding the warning to the bear fight scene.” “Bear attacks have been common lately.” “The disclaimer is probably because of all the bear incidents nationwide.” “We have reached a point where the bear warning is not even funny anymore.” “There it is again… everyone, stay safe around bears.” and “A bear caution warning… well, yeah, makes sense.” While the first warning drew laughter, this second instance brought more understanding given the ongoing situation with real bear attacks.

Source : ORICON NEWS