Say Hello To 'Starfish Hitler', The Weirdest Japanese TV Supervillain Of The 1970s
I admit that I’ve never seen it, but from every indication the 1974 Japanese TV series Kamen Rider X was bloody amazing. Kamen Rider means “masked rider,” and the show was part of a popular “tokusatsu superhero” series created by one of the most prolific practitioners of the genre, Shotaro Ishinomori. The show revolved around the valiant efforts of the technology-fuelled, motorcycle-riding, insect-themed hero to battle the malign machinations of the villainous organization G.O.D.
In “Underworld’s Dictator, Starfish Hitler!!”—the 26th episode of the series, which lasted a single season—Kamen Rider tangles with a superhero that terrifyingly combines the deadly powers of the starfish (??) with the legendary whup-ass martial arts prowess of the singular Führer of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler.
The random weirdness of Starfish Hitler has generated a bit of a cult online—there’s even a heavy metal tribute to him.
If you're so inclined (and I'd strongly recommend you are) you can watch a full episode of Kamen Rider X, episode 2 is below.
In Japan, Starfish Hitler has remained a peculiar pop culture footnote, inspiring memes, confused laughter, and many questions. How did the writers come up with this cross-species combination? Was anyone else considered? (Jellyfish Stalin? Mussolini Manta Ray?) And yet, as outrageous as Starfish Hitler may seem, he occupies a special place in the hearts of Kamen Rider enthusiasts who appreciate the franchise’s willingness to throw realism overboard in the pursuit of pure, absurd entertainment. In hindsight, Starfish Hitler serves as a testament to the creative freedom of 1970s Japanese television, where the only limit was one’s imagination – and perhaps the budget for rubber starfish costumes.