Hanuman and the Five Riders
A selection cards showing characters from the 1975 Thai-Japanese film.
Above: poster for Hanuman and the Five Riders, a 1975 Thai-Japanese superhero film by Chaiyo Productions, featuring a crossover between Hanuman from the Ramakien and the Japanese Kamen Riders.
Hanuman and the Five Riders, a 1975 Thai-Japanese superhero film, showcased a crossover between Hanuman from the Thai epic Ramakien and the Japanese tokusatsu (live-action) heroes, Kamen Riders.
Above: promotional still from Hanuman and the Five Riders, featuring Hanuman from the Thai epic Ramakien alongside the Japanese Kamen Riders.
Chaiyo Productions, under producer-director Sompote Sangduenchai, used footage from the Japanese film Five Riders vs. King Dark without permission, leading to its ban in Japan. Sompote’s films, known for their “Thai-style kaiju” and characteristic 1970s special effects, often reused footage from other movies, creating a unique but disjointed viewing experience. Despite being an unauthorized production, merchandise such as these playing cards were produced.
Found at the House of Museums in Bangkok, these cards were distributed as toys in candy wrappers and feature characters from the film. To avoid associations with gambling, which was strictly regulated in Thailand during the 1970s, the cards were designed to look like children’s toys by numbering them from 1 to 10 and using A, B, C instead of J, Q, K.
Above, from left to right: 1 of Clubs (Kamen Rider), 3 of Clubs (Kamen Rider), 4 of Clubs (Hanuman from the Thai epic Ramakien) and 7 of Clubs (another Kamen Rider).
Above: playing cards featuring characters from the 1975 film Hanuman and the Five Riders, found at the House of Museums in Bangkok, distributed as toys in candy wrappers. The “B” of Clubs replaces the traditional “Q” to make the deck more suitable for children.
References
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
Related Articles
Il Tarocco Mitologico
Fully pictorial Tarot designed by Amerigo Folchi with figures mainly from Greek mythology.
Iroha Karuta for Hino City
Special version of Iroha Karuta, a traditional Japanese matching game, made for Hino City, Tokyo.
Iroha Karuta
Traditional Japanese matching game played mainly by children.
Heathen Divinities
Handmade playing cards from the British Museum depicting classical Greek and Roman gods and goddesse...
Star Trek® – The Original Series
Promotional pack for CIC Video with characters and starships from the original series of Star Trek. ...
Playing cards with prints by Sumio Kawakami
Woodblock print designs created by Sumio Kawakami in 1938-9, each card having a different illustrati...
Hanuman and the Five Riders
A selection cards showing characters from the 1975 Thai-Japanese film.
Warner Bros 100th Anniversary
An array of famous characters from Warner Bros films in celebration of the company’s centenary.
Euskal Herriko Mitologia
Important figures from Basque mythology, named in four languages.
Quên Tarot
A mystical voyage of love and self-discovery created by Duy Khánh Võ.
Cartes enfantines
Miniature 18th century Paris pattern cards for children, with decorated aces and 2s.
Tarot for Baby
This board book simplifies tarot archetypes into accessible affirmations for young children.
Eves Playing Cards
A pack of cards with colour photos of Indian film stars from the era
Valhalla spillekort
Characters from the Valhalla comics, designed by Peter Madsen, as commemorated on a Danish stamp.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
American teen film depicting students staging their last spring musical.
Guanlangaoshou / Slam Dunk playing cards
Basketball-themed manga animated playing cards from Japan.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
