Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kamen Rider, Bandai has partnered with Casio for a commemorative G-Shock timepiece, the Shin Kamen Rider x G-Shock DW-5600 Shocker Wristwatch. As the product name suggests, the Shin Kamen Rider x G-Shock DW-5600 Shocker Wristwatch is based on the popular rugged square DW-5600 model.
The collaboration couldn’t have come at a more appropriate year since 2023 also marks the 40th anniversary of G-Shock when the first model, the DW-5000C, was released in 1983. Since the DW-5000C is no longer in production. It is only right that its worthy successor the DW5600 takes its place.
Unlike Apple which isn’t fond of letting movie villains use Apple products on screen, let alone collaborate with them, Casio has no qualms in associating its iconic timepiece with the infamous fictional secret society SHOCKER from Shin Kamen Rider.
Presented in an all-black design with a super cool black LCD, the SHOCKER-themed rugged watch loudly proclaims its affiliation with the do good but does it the wrong way organization by the way of a large SHOCKER emblem and its name on the dial.
Further marking the association with the SHOCKER is the evil organization’s slogan “IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, BE” printed on the urethane band. For readers who are not in the know, SHOCKER stands for Sustainable Happiness Organization with Computational Knowledge Embedded Remodeling.
I know right. It sounds like a wholesome organization except that it is not. It has good intentions but went about achieving them in extreme ways.
Anyhoo, the final bit of co-branding is the Shin Kamen Rider text logo engraved on the case back. The watch comes in the usual DW5600 tin but with the SHOCKER name and logo on it.
Beyond the cobranding, the Shin Kamen Rider x G-Shock DW-5600 Shocker Wristwatch is pretty much the DW5600 we have known. This means it has features like a stopwatch, timer, multi-alarm, sound alert flash function, EL backlight with afterglow function, full auto calendar, and 12/24 hour display.
The Shin Kamen Rider x G-Shock DW-5600 Shocker Wristwatch is available to order in Japan from Premium Bandai from now until May 14, 2023 (Japan time) for 19,800 yen (about US$148). The watch is expected to be released in August 2023.
Images: Casio [JP].
