Female Kamen Riders

UPDATED DECEMBER 31, 2008
I am most obsessed with heroines and since Kamen Rider is mostly a 'boys only' club, I decided to cover the quite few female Kamen Riders that have graced the screens.

Kamen Rider Femme (2002)
She is the first official female Kamen Rider. There was debate if the character, Tackle, from Kamen Rider Stronger was a Rider, but it was agreed she was more of a sidekick rather than a legitimate Rider. Femme's true identity is Miho Kirishima, and was portrayed by Natsuki Kato. She was only in the movie Kamen Rider Ryuki Episode: Final and in the costume a cameo in Kamen Rider Ryuki: 13 Riders. Her power was of the Swan. As for action figures, there is a articulated Sôchaku-Henshin figure, a vinyl figure, and a small bust (which I own). She will appear in the upcoming American Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight as Kamen Rider Siren and I am told she will appear for quite a few episodes.

In Kamen Rider 555 (2003), many people who transform into the same armor or 'gear.' Where many men would wear one gear, one female would. One girl (Rina) wore the Delta armor but was kicked out of it a few seconds later. Both Yuri and Megumi become different versions of Kamen Rider Ixa in the Kamen Rider Kiva movie (2008).

Kamen Rider Alpha (2003)
Even though not official (stage show Riders aren't consider canon), the Alpha suit was used by a female in the Kamen Rider 555 stage show. Pictures avaliable here in this Japanese site.

Kamen Rider L-arc (2004)
Her true identity is Miwa Natsumi and she was portrayed by Yoko Mitsuya in the movie Kamen Rider Blade: Missing Ace. She is sometimes called Kamen Rider Lark or Kamen Rider L'arc. Her rider name, "Larc", is French for "Archer." Miwa Natsumi originally applied as an office worker, but was berated by the boss. As a result, she knocked him out after having enough of his words. She was handpicked, along with two others to become the New Generation Riders for BOARD to capture the Undead released by the Albino Joker. As for toys, she has one vinyl figure.

Kamen Rider Shuki (2005)
In the series Kamen Rider Hibiki, she appears in one episode. All the warriors had motifs of instruments, hers was a harp. Although she is in her 80's, Shuki used her power to assume a form that resemble herself in her early 30's. When she was young, her entire family was murdered by the villains. She used this as a reason to become an Oni. She used personal grudge and not the desire to uphold justice and protect the weak as a reason to fight. Unlike the others, the demon face took over her helmet. She ended up killing herself to get her revenge. To me, her outfit was tacky. She is the only Kamen Rider to ever have a skirt. She is the first female to actually be in the TV series, not a movie. She only got a small gasphon figure.

A second (fourth overall) female Rider for Kamen Rider Hibiki by the name of Mishiki went as far as having a DX Otoukenban marketed and a prop suit made for her before she was dropped.--This has been repeated in almost every Wiki-like page or blog, but no picture or backup. Since 2005, there has been no more female Riders, I can't wait to see what comes next.

UPDATED DECEMBER 31, 2008