“The Moon Mask Rider / Gekko Kamen” / 「月光仮面」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1981, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA974
Sale price$110.00
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Gekko Kamen / 「月光仮面」, prominently subtitled in English as The Moon Mask Rider, the 1981 big-screen revival of one of Japan’s most iconic early superheroes.
A landmark figure in Japanese popular culture, Gekko Kamen is widely regarded as the country’s first major televised superhero. This 1981 film reintroduces the character in a more contemporary action format, blending tokusatsu spectacle, motorcycle stunt work, vigilante heroism, and urban crime-action atmosphere. The poster is especially striking, with a bold nighttime composition and a dramatic, highly cinematic presentation.
Film background Released in 1981, Gekko Kamen follows the mysterious white-clad vigilante Moon Mask Rider, who races into action on his motorcycle to confront criminal organizations and protect the innocent. A steadfast champion of justice, he appears wherever evil takes hold, acting as a symbolic defender of peace.
The film was directed by Yukihiro Sawada, with the character created by Yasunori Kawauchi, who is also credited with the screenplay. The cast includes Daisuke Kuwahara, Itsuko Shihomi, Takeo Chii, Daijiro Harada, and Ryoko Sakaguchi.
Produced as a modernized tribute to the legendary franchise, the film brought a more gritty 1980s action sensibility to the classic hero, while preserving the essential imagery and moral clarity that made Moon Mask Rider such a foundational figure in the history of Japanese superheroes.
Poster design The Japanese poster uses a striking, high-contrast night composition centred on the heroic image of Moon Mask Rider performing a dramatic motorcycle wheelie high above the city. Dressed in his signature white costume, with helmet, goggles, gloves, and flowing red cape, he is shown charging forward through a dark, cloud-filled sky.
Below him stretches a glowing Tokyo skyline at night, rendered with sparkling city lights that reinforce the film’s urban action atmosphere. The motorcycle’s bright headlight forms the visual focal point of the composition, intensifying the sense of speed and theatrical heroism.
The principal diagonal tagline at lower right reads:
「悪の暗闇のある所 必ず月の光射す。『愛』と『正義』の使者 月光仮面。」 “Wherever the darkness of evil exists, the light of the moon will surely shine. The messenger of ‘Love’ and ‘Justice’, Moon Mask Rider.”
At the top, the title 「月光仮面」 is rendered in a bold, metallic gold-embossed style, giving the poster a grand and authoritative visual presence. Directly below, the English subtitle THE MOON MASK RIDER appears in white capital letters inside a red banner. Supporting cast and production credits are printed neatly in white at the upper left and upper right margins.
The overall design is powerful, atmospheric, and unmistakably evocative of early-1980s Japanese superhero and tokusatsu poster art.
Release note This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release campaign.
It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.
Condition Excellent condition. A very attractive example, with strong colour, clean imagery, sharp typography, and excellent overall display impact.
Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.
This is an original 1981 Japanese theatrical poster. It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
