New anime adaptation Higashijima Tanzaburou Wa came rider ni naritai (Tanzaburou Higashijima: The dream of becoming a mask hero) announced

Within the framework of AnimeJapan 2025, the production of an animated series based on Shibata Yokushiru's manga was officially confirmed. The story follows the 40-year-old protagonist Tanzaburou Higashijima, voiced by Katsuya Konishi, who, despite his age, unwaveringly clings to his childhood dream of becoming a "Kamen Rider."

- Director: Takahiro Ikezoe (Lupin III: Part 6)

- Animation: Studio Liden Films (Call of the Night)

- Character Design: Cindy H. Yamauchi, known for her work on My Hero Academia

- Music: TeddyLoid (Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir)

- Series Composition: Touko Machida (The Rising of the Shield Hero)

A teaser visual created specifically for the announcement shows Higashijima in a dynamic pose during a "Rider Punch" attack, designed by Yamauchi. The accompanying trailer highlights the contrast between Higashijima's everyday life and his passionate determination. Additionally, a photo was released showing Konishi—mirroring the manga character—wearing a Kamen Rider mask.

The story gains momentum when Higashijima gets involved in an incident with a criminal group known as "False Shocker"—a homage to classic Kamen Rider antagonists. This forces him to take his fate into his own hands.

The manga began in 2018 in Monthly Heroes magazine and has been continued since 2023 on the Comiplex platform. The series combines humorous self-reflection with action elements, deliberately breaking away from the typical hero narrative by centering on an older protagonist.