Tobee Tachibana

This article is about a character in the Kamen Rider Series.

Tobee Tachibana

Live-Action
Manga

Kamen Rider (1971)
V3 (1973)
X (1974)
Amazon (1974)
Stronger (1975)
IKRS (1979)

Ishinomori's
KR Spirit

Gender

Male

Ally Type

Mentor

Occupation

Motorcycle racer (formerly)
Kamen Rider Kid Corps chief
Coffee House COL owner (post-series)

Homeworld

Earth

Series

Kamen Rider-Kamen Rider Stronger
Immortal Kamen Rider Special

First Appearance

The Eerie Man Spider

Latest Appearance

Immortal Kamen Rider Special

Number of Episode Appearances

98 (Kamen Rider)
52 (V3)
31 (X)
22 (Amazon)
37 (Stronger)
4 (Movies)
2 (Specials)

Full list of appearances

Actor

Akiji Kobayashi

For the reboot version in the Kamen Rider The First film series, see Tobei Tachibana (The Series).

Tobee Tachibana^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9] (立花藤兵衛, Tachibana Tōbee), alternatively spelt Tobei Tachibana[Citation needed], was a fictional character who appeared in the Shōwa Kamen Rider Series from Kamen Rider to Kamen Rider Stronger and in Kamen Rider SD, acting as a mentor to the various Kamen Riders (later known as the Seven Legendary Riders) who supplies them with their trademark Rider Machines and other equipment.

History[]

Background[]

In his early life, Tachibana was a racer, entering several tournaments. One tragic day, his wife, two sons, and daughter died while attempting to see Tachibana's race, devastating him greatly^[10]. What helped him with his grief was Takeshi Hongo, a young man around the age of his deceased children.

The two seeing each other as a surrogate father and son, Tachibana and Takeshi became very close, forming a strong bond. Eventually, Tachibana became Takeshi's coach for bike racing, leading to the fateful incident which changed their lives forever^[11].

Kamen Rider[]

After Takeshi's reconstruction in Kamen Rider 1, Tachibana was his primary supporter against Shocker, being one of the few individuals to know of his secret identity.

Later, with Takeshi going overseas to battle Shocker's international forces, Tachibana assisted Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2 and Kazuya Taki in stopping Shocker's Japanese branch, forming the Tachibana Racing Club.

Similar to Takeshi, Hayato would be mentored by Tachibana on several occasions, becoming a stronger warrior from his teachings. With Tachibana and the others' help, Hayato successfully protected Japan during Takeshi's absence, allowing his predecessor to return later on.

Once Takeshi switched positions with Hayato, Tachibana finally had the needed members in his racing club to enact his plan to win the Worldwide Grand Prix, his lifelong dream. Proving to be excellent racers, the two exceeded Tachibana's expectations, winning the East Japanese Road Race Championship despite Shocker's ambush^[12] .

Later on as Shocker's forces became stronger, Tachibana, Kazuya, and Takeshi created the Kamen Rider Kid Corps, with Tachibana acting as its chief. These children would assist Tachibana and the others in gaining intel on Shocker's nefarious plots, allowing Kamen Rider 1 to stop them beforehand. Though Shocker was ultimately defeated, the Great Leader ominously warns the Tachibana Racing Club that a new organization would appear in its stead.

Replacing Shocker was Gel-Shocker, an even deadlier threat. Their battle becoming even more fierce, Tachibana and the others continued to assist the Double Riders, contributing to Gel-Shocker's downfall. The world now safe, Kazuya departs for America, with Tachibana and the others overseeing him leave at the airport.

V3[]

It was shown that after the defeat of Gel Shocker, Tachibana went to sell Sporting Goods while along with Takeshi, mentored Shiro in bike racing. This would change when Shiro Kazami's life was threatened by a mysterious organization named Destron. While he along with Takeshi and Hayato decided to protect Shiro's life by keeping a close eye on him, they didn't realize his family was also in danger. After learning what happened to Shiro, his family and the Double Riders, Tachibana helped Shiro fight this new evil. Maintaining his position as head of the Kamen Rider Kids Corp, he used his sports shop as the front for their secret base of operations, relaying information on Destron attacks to Shiro throughout his battle. When the Double Riders would seemingly perished in the battle against Kame Bazooka, Tachibana would continue to assist Shiro as V3.

He would later be relived when he along with Shiro learned of the Double Riders survival as they helped their predecessor fight Destron. He then thought to himself that the Kamen Riders only stay in Japan when evil wasn't threatening the world. Later on in the series Tachibana helped Riderman when he decided to help Shiro fight their enemies. He later saw Shiro ride off in his Hurricane.

X[]

When he rides a bike on the road, he notices someone whose driving skills are pretty good. Later he notices something strange with a kindergarten bus which moves to the mountains. At his coffee house, COL, a passerby slaps his shoulder lightly but he gets hurt. At first he thinks the passerby is a cyborg from Destron. However, he forgot Destron was destroyed and orders his passerby to leave his shop. He rides to the same area where he saw the mysterious bus which carry the children before. When the bus passed the tunnel, a mysterious girl coming out from the tunnel screaming for help, stating there was an accident in the tunnel. However his previous passerby stops them, telling this is a trap and the mysterious girl shoots them and then escapes to the tunnel. A G.O.D. kaijin named Cyclops attacks them on the tunnel. When he hiding on the grass he witnesses the previous passerby transformed into Kamen Rider X and he thinks he is dreaming but he suddenly knocked out by G.O.D. Warfare Agents. After he regains consciousness, he mistakes another woman who looks similar to the one who tried to kill him as an enemy, but his passerby says she is different person. After Kiriko leaves the shop he asks the passerby Are you Kamen Rider? and he introduces himself to the passerby. Telling he is used to be the President of the Rider Team, Kamen Rider 1, 2, V3, and Riderman but he says to the passerby he is not any one of them. The passerby introduces himself as Keisuke Jin, telling he was killed with his father by an organization called G.O.D. and revived as a cyborg, his name being Kamen Rider X. Both of them shake hands and supports him in fighting G.O.D. Later he disguises himself as a truck driver and is captured by G.O.D. soldiers so they can find G.O.D.'s base. Cyclops ordered his soldiers to freeze him until Keisuke interferes and breaks the glass. He saves the rest of the kidnapped children and thanks the Rider.

Tachibana would remain Keisuke's closest comrade in the fight against G.O.D., having him undertake harsh training to learn new techniques, going undercover to investigate strange occurrences tied to the organization, and later recounting the tales of #1, #2, V3 and Riderman to Keisuke and he others. He would later meet Hayato and Shiro again when they returned to assist Keisuke against his enemies, introducing X to his predecessors.

Amazon[]

In this series he introduced himself to Daisuke Yamamoto and Masahiko after Daisuke helped him out of trouble. He told Masahiko that he was a friend of his father and knew Masahiko when he was even younger. After calling Daisuke as Amazon Rider, Tachibana helped him overcome his culture shock and his fear of bikes as he built the Jungler for him. He then helped Amazon fight his enemies until they were defeated. As everyone parted with Amazon when he went back to the Amazon rainforest, Tachibana was assured he will come back when his help was truly needed.

Stronger[]

Tachibana becomes a fellow member of bikers after Kikkaijin Gorongame possessed him with Satan Bugs and interferes with the ambulance carrying the child while he was riding Yuriko Misaki's Tentolaw to chase the bikers who were actually Black Satan Soldiers. He helped Shigeru Jo through hardships including Yuriko`s death and saw him mature as a man. He would later be overjoyed when he re-encountered Stronger`s predecessors as they defeated the Great Leader and saved the world.

Immortal Kamen Rider Special[]

Tobee Tachibana visited a Kamen Rider museum where he talked to children about the Kamen Riders. Scenes from Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider X, Kamen Rider Amazon and Kamen Rider Stronger are shown. He's about to introduce a new Kamen Rider when some of the kids remind him that he forgot Kamen Rider V3. The movie Kamen Rider V3 vs. Destron Mutants is shown. After the movie Tobee Tachibana introduces Skyrider with previews of the New Kamen Rider.

Other Events[]

Kyoichirotheracer — The Tachibana Racing Club was one of Kyoichiro Kuroi's sponsors.

In an alternate timeline created by the History Modification Machine's destruction, the Tachibana Racing Club acted as a sponsor for the racer Kyoichiro Kuroi in 2015. ^{[Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3]}

Tobee passed away sometime before 2016. Obligated to the late Tobee, Takeshi Hongo watched over his granddaughter, Mayu, whose parents were also dead, until she would mature. Circa 2013, however, Hongo left Japan to fight what remained of Shocker across the world. Around the same time, the ghost of Jigoku Taishi, recognizing the strength of the Tachibana bloodline, secretly hosted the Alexander Eyecon that had been given to him by the Dark Mind within the girl, instructing Beaded Lizard Man to eventually bring forth the Eyecon from her to coincide with the revival of his body in three years' time.

Tobei Hongo Photo — The older Takeshi Hongo recovers a photo of himself with Tobee Tachibana.

While preparing to face the newly created Nova Shocker, Takeshi revealed the Neo Cyclone, hidden away in an old facility containing items belonging to Tachibana. Finding an old photo of him and Tobee, Takeshi asked his mentor to fight alongside him, just like old times.^{[Kamen Rider 1 (film)]}

Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3[]

Tobei Tachibana Taisen GP — "Tobee Tachibana".

In the alternate timeline created when Shocker used the History Modifying Machine to send back Kamen Rider 3 to assassinate the Double Riders on February 10th 1973, General Black used his chameleonic power to adopt the guise of a "Tobee Tachibana", butler of the Hongo house, in Shocker's bid to wipe out the rebel Kamen Riders in 2015. As "Tobee Tachibana", General Black welcomed Yuto Sakurai to the Hongo house which he came to having been lured to the "Rider Town", where the surviving brains of the Double Riders supposedly resided, by Kyoichiro Kuroi. Soon enough, General Black dropped the "Tobee Tachibana" persona with Yuto discovering he had been lured into a trap as the Great Leader of Shocker's spirit was waiting for him. ^{[Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3]}

Creations[]

Appearances in video games[]

Kamen Rider (Super Famicom)[]

Tobee Tachibana appears as an NPC support character in the Super Famicom Kamen Rider game.

Kamen Rider V3 video game[]

Tobee Tachibana appears as a support character in the Kamen Rider V3 video game.

Incarnations in other media[]

Kamen Rider SD[]

Main article: Tobee Tachibana (SD)

Tobee Tachibana: The mentor and racing coach of the Kamen Riders, he is apparently living with them at the same time. He spends his time trying to instruct the Riders throughout the movie, although they do not seem to be listening. He is the only human in the whole movie who actually matches the Riders in height, while everyone else is normal-sized.

Kamen Rider The First[]

Tobei Tachibana (The First) — Tobee Tachibana (*The First*).

Main article: Tobee Tachibana (The Series)

Tachibana also cameos in the reboot movie Kamen Rider The First, where he gives Takeshi Hongo the Cyclone.

Personality[]

A friendly man, Tachibana acted as a father figure for the Seven Legendary Riders, assisting them in their times of need. Although stern at times, Tachibana truly wishes the best for each Kamen Rider, seeing great potential in each one of them. He is best known for his kindness, strong leadership, and sharp intuitions, granting Takeshi and the others victory on several occasions.

Abilities[]

Mentorship: The Kamen Riders often consult with Tachibana for advice, having entrusted him with their secret identities. Likewise, Tachibana serves as their coach for combat, giving the Kamen Rider several new moves to use in battle. His overall abilities as a trainer were evidently enough to be recognized by Dr. Shinigami/Ika Devil, one of Shocker's oldest and most powerful members.
Financial Resources: Through some means, Tachibana is able to fund the Kamen Riders and also obtain advanced equipment.
Expert Engineer: Having been a bike racer in his early life, Tachibana is shown to retain his interest in the sport, coaching Takeshi and the others on their racing techniques. His mechanic skills are similarly immense in depth, being the co-creator of the New Cyclone, as well as the sole creator of the Jungler, both machines that far exceed modern science.

Adept Combatant: When forced to battle against a foe, Tachibana is more than capable of facing low-level grunts single-handedly, often employing wrestling tactics and countermoves to fight. When wielding a knife, Tachibana sliced off Ino Kabuton's horn without issue, allowing Takeshi to finish him off.

Expert Spy: Similar to Kazuya, Tachibana is very skilled at espionage, being a master of disguise. Like Kazuya, Tachibana frequently went undercover or acted as a decoy for targeted civilians, helping the Riders track down enemies or thwart their evil schemes.

Expert Coffee Maker: Tachibana is revealed as an excellent coffee maker, having previously worked at a cafe during Takeshi's early days as a Kamen Rider. Even after years had passed since then, Tachibana's skills remain top notch, with Apollogeist genuinely admitting it to be good.

Behind the scenes[]

Portrayal[]

From the original Kamen Rider to Kamen Rider Stronger, as well as the Immortal Kamen Rider Special, Tōbei Tachibana was played by Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二, Kobayashi Akiji), who was the only actor to reprise his role vocally in the animated short Kamen Rider SD: Strange!? Man Spider, his final appearance in the role before his death in 1996.

The version of Tachibana seen in the reboot movie Kamen Rider The First was played by Hiroshi Miyauchi (宮内洋, Miyauchi Hiroshi), who originally played Shiro Kazami/V3 in Kamen Rider V3.

The "Tobee Tachibana" guise adopted by Hilchameleon in Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3 was portrayed by Rakkyo Ide (井手らっきょ, Ide Rakkyo).

Replacement[]

In New Kamen Rider, Skyrider's mentor was initially Keitarō Shido, a scientist targeted by Neo Shocker who was responsible for Tsukuba becoming Skyrider. He was last seen in episode 13. He was to be replaced by Tachibana, but Kobayashi refused to return, so a new character called Genjiro Tani was created to take a role similar to Tachibana's. Genjiro Tani was also the mentor to the next rider, Kazuya Oki, in Kamen Rider Super-1.

Legacy[]

A famous character from the Kamen Rider franchise, Tōbei Tachibana has many characters and locations in the Heisei Era Series named after him. Almost all are portrayed as mentor-like figures.

Tachibana Elementary School - Attended by Yusuke Godai, the eponymous hero of Kamen Rider Kuuga.
Sakuya Tachibana - Also known as Kamen Rider Garren, he is a senior of Kazuma Kenzaki/Kamen Rider Blade. In an alternate timeline, he took over as head of BOARD, acting as the boss for Ace Riders, Glaive, Larc and Lance.
Tachibana Family - Ichiro Tachibana is the head official of TAKESHI's Higashitsukuba branch in Kamen Rider Hibiki, serving as Hibiki's boss and mentor. As another homage to Tobee Tachibana, almost all Oni Riders refer to him as "pops" (おやっさん, oyassan).
Kuniteru Emoto - Whom used the alias of Tachibana to guide Ryusei Sakuta as Kamen Rider Meteor to put an end to Mitsuaki Gamou and his Zodiarts in Kamen Rider Fourze.
Shingo Tachibana - Genpachiro Otta's senior and mentor before his retirement in Kamen Rider Drive episode 18.
Mayu Tachibana- Tobee Tachibana's granddaughter in Kamen Rider 1.

Furthermore, other mentors in the Heisei Era are often referred to as "pops" (おやっさん, oyassan) by the main Riders, such as Tamasaburo Kazari and Sokichi Narumi/Kamen Rider Skull.

Notes[]

Having appeared in around 240 episodes as well as several movies and specials across the original Seven Legendary Riders' five series, Tobee Tachibana is by a wide margin the most prolific character in the Kamen Rider Series.
Tachibana's most recurring trademark is his pipe, which he can be seen smoking throughout his various appearances.
In the original manga, Tachibana is Takeshi Hongo's butler, having served the wealthy Hongo family for several decades.
- Many fans point out that Takeshi and Tachibana's financial status is the complete opposite in the TV series, with Tachibana being portrayed as a wealthy entrepreneur who funds the Kamen Riders.
  - Furthermore, given Tachibana's status as chairman for the Tachibana Racing Club, he is technically Takeshi's employer.