Kamen Rider Black Sun
Production. Plans for an adult-aimed "Kamen Rider" series were in place by 2019, planned for the franchise's 50th anniversary. Kazuya Shiraishi expressed interest in the project after learning of it from Toei producer Taisuke Furuya; A few months later, producer Shinichiro Shirakura offered Shiraishi the role of director, revealing the project to be a reboot of "Kamen Rider Black". Due to Shiraishi's inexperience in tokusatsu, Shirakura sought an experienced concept artist to help flesh out the visual style; Shiraishi requested veteran tokusatsu director Shinji Higuchi. Higuchi, having not been approached to work on  Shin Kamen Rider (directed by his "Shin Godzilla" co-director Hideaki Anno), believed he "probably wouldn't become involved in Kamen Rider." However, after learning of Shiraishi's involvement and the "Kamen Rider Black" basis, Higuchi accepted. Higuchi then invited Kiyotaka Taguchi to serve as special effects director, which the latter "accepted without a second thought." Shiraishi watched the original "Kamen Rider Black" in preparation for work on "Black Sun". He began developing the story, focusing on the "sadness" of the original and emphasizing the relationship between Kohtaro Minami and Nobuhiko Akizuchi. Similar to his previous works, Shiraishi also sought  to tackle contemporary social issues within the story. Despite Toei aiming to appeal to adult viewers, Shiraishi hoped the series could be enjoyed by children as well. Principal photography wrapped in March 2022. Announcement and marketing. The project was announced at a press conference on April 3, 2021, the 50th anniversary of "Kamen Rider"'s first broadcast. Shiraishi was confirmed as director during the conference, stating "the thought of being in charge of this amazing reboot of "Kamen Rider Black" gives me the shivers." The logo, designed by calligrapher Souun Takeda, was also unveiled. The series was given a release  date of Spring 2022, with Toei "considering" a simultaneous worldwide release. Higuchi and Taguchi's involvement was confirmed on October 4, 2021, with the pair and Shiraishi appearing in a special interview on the program's website. A crowdfunding campaign was also announced, with rewards including a limited re-issue of the original Kamen Rider Black transformation belt toy and the chance to appear on the show as an extra. A press conference was announced on October 4 and held on November 20, posted on Toei's YouTube channel. The casting of leads Hidetoshi Nishijima as Kohtaro Minami / Kamen Rider  Black Sun and Tomoya Nakamura as Nobuhiko Akizuki / Kamen Rider Shadow Moon was revealed. At a Tamashii Nations event on November 21, Toei released the first concept images of the titular character as well as teasing upcoming toys for the series. A redesigned version of Kamen Rider Black's bike, the Battle Hopper, was also unveiled, later being put on display at the 2021 Yokohama Hot Rod Show on December 5th to further promote the series. On March 19, 2022, it was announced that filming had wrapped and a new release date of Fall 2022 was given. The official website  also revealed the first photographs of Kamen Rider Black Sun and Kamen Rider Shadow Moon, as well as their respective motorcycles, Battle Hopper and Road Sector.