This article is about a Rider in Kamen Rider Kabuto. |
- For the A.R. World version, or as known as Phylloxera Worm, see Soh Otogiri.
- "I envy you..."
- ―Yaguruma's usual line when he sees something happy, as KickHopper[src]
- "Have you...laughed at me...?"
- ―Yaguruma's usual line when he faces an enemy as KickHopper[src]
- "Laugh... just laugh at me..."
- ―Yaguruma's line when defeated[src]
So Yaguruma (矢車 想, Yaguruma Sō) is a former member of ZECT who was the first known user of Kamen Rider TheBee (仮面ライダーザビー, Kamen Raidā ZaBī, Masked Rider TheBee). However his obsessive desire to defeat Soji Tendo causes him to defect from the organization, later walking a lone "path of darkness" as Kamen Rider KickHopper (仮面ライダーキックホッパー, Kamen Raidā Kikkuhoppā, Masked Rider KickHopper).
History[]
So Yaguruma is the leader of the elite Shadow team of ZECT, who fights as TheBee with a philosophy called "Perfect Harmony". However that harmony became disrupted in the form of Soji Tendo, a vigilante who lead his own campaign against Worm. When Tendo managed to infiltrate his flawless security team and upstage him by revealing how a Worm had done the same, he was so angry that he immediately challenged Kabuto to a fight. While he managed to defeat Tendo and destroy his belt, he was shocked to learn that he had been unsuccessful in his mission to eliminate Kabuto forever when Tendo transformed with a repaired belt.
With ZECT (spearheaded by Masato Mishima) increasing hostility against unbounded riders (namely Kabuto and Drake), Yaguruma soon became tasked to coerce/eliminate those riders as a loyal ZECT agent. This eventually culminated in his crushing defeat in the hands of Soji. Obsessed with revenge, he become a shadow of his former self. His resulting hatred caused him to disregard the safety of his team in favor of getting revenge against Soji, which led to the TheBee Zecter rejecting him in favor of Arata Kagami. After this he was reassigned to another part of the city, but returned when members of his former team were being eliminated from within by a traitor. Despite his renewed vow to protect his team, the TheBee Zecter had chosen Kageyama, making him the new leader of Shadow. Afterwards, he asked Kageyama to let him rejoin Shadow, but Kageyama turned him down.
With the loss of his dignity and rank, Yaguruma went through a drastic change; seeing himself as a loser who can't keep his ideology, and re-emerged as KickHopper.
He manages to force two executive level Worms to retreat during his first appearance due to believing that they were laughing at him. After destroying multiple Pupa Worm, Yaguruma quickly stripped Kageyama of the TheBee Zecter with a Rider Kick after telling him that he had "been to Hell" and attempted to invite Kageyama to come with him. Though Kageyama is reluctant at first, he accepts Yaguruma's offer when he saved his life, proving his partner with a Hopper Zecter of his own. With Kageyama as PunchHopper, Yaguruma ambushed Kabuto and Gatack within an abandoned factory, with the two Hoppers easily defeating Kabuto and Gatack in a matter of minutes after the two were weakened by the activation of the 'Red Shoes' system.
He and Kageyama attempts to destroy a confused and weakened Rena Mamiya during episode 40, in hopes of eliminating her early. However, he hesitates at the last moment, as if showing affection for Rena when he sees in her eyes that she has gone through the same darkness as he and Kageyama had. Drake and Rena are then saved by Gon who used a fire extinguisher to distract the Hoppers. Their attempt almost works, but Rena is saved by Kamen Rider Drake. Their plan did have a side-effect, resulting in a recovery of Rena's Worm memories. When he was later asked by Kageyama, he said that he had indeed taken a liking to Rena, and therefore did not kill her. Even more so, he protects Rena from the Subst Worm when she is endangered. This led to an infuriated Kageyama, as it went against their beliefs of abandoning the light. Later, in his encounter with Rena and Daisuke, when Yaguruma says to Daisuke that he will protect Rena, he gets surprised when Rena, who temporarily reverted back to Uca Worm, hits him hard which sent him flying away. After that, he shows up with an injured face to a laughing Kageyama and their bond is restored.[The Saddest Battle]
During episode 41, Kageyama and Yaguruma fight with a depressed Tsurugi as Punch and KickHopper. After defeating Tsurugi, Yaguruma offers him a place as his little brother, which Tsurugi happily accepts. Yaguruma meets Tendo once more, and challenges him to a tofu cook-off, but since the seller is sold out, they would have to reschedule. The trio then encounters Reiji Nogi who makes short work of them using "Freeze" to move out of the way and cause all their Rider Finishers to collide. Continuing from the comical arc of the tofu cook-off, near the end of the episode, Tendo accidentally stood them up, and Yaguruma and Kageyama are left in the street wondering if Tendo will come and if the challenge will still commence. During episode 43, the TheBee Zecter is once again offered to him by Tadokoro, but he declares that he is enjoying his stay in the pitch black hell, as he kicks the case containing the Zecter.[The Strongest Defeated][Another Me Aiming At Me]
As Kageyama and Yaguruma watch Reiji Nogi advance into Area Z during episode 44, Kageyama wants to help fight against the worms. Yaguruma laughs at him for trying to be a hero. However, after meeting with Tendo and Kagami as they prepare to face Cassis Worm, he decides to help them as Cassis Worm Gradius defeated Kageyama (who went and fought earlier as TheBee for the last time) and Gatack. Thinking that Cassis Worm laughed at Kageyama, Yaguruma tells him to laugh at him as well. They perform a Triple Rider Kick and effectively neutralize his "absorbing" ability. Yaguruma later laughs at Kageyama for straying from the path of darkness and becoming TheBee, and so Kageyama returns to him, as PunchHopper once again.[What is to Live]
Later, Yaguruma displays his desire for the darkness during episode 45, with he and Kageyama binding themselves with chains and weights so that they would not be able to fight for justice. Ignoring Tendo 's request for assistance, he along with Kageyama sit and meditate, attempting to regain their darkness.[Christmas Earthquake]
Along with Kamen Rider PunchHopper, KickHopper defeats one of the two Cassis Worm Clipeus in episode 46. The two Hoppers utilize the Rider Jump function to send the Cassis Worm flying into the air, destroying him with a Rider Kick and Punch as he falls to the earth. After seeing a picture of the Northern Lights, Yaguruma begins to ponder about returning to the light again. Upon seeing Kageyama with a Worm identification necklace, Yaguruma scolds him for using such a device (apparently aware of its effect on human).[Farewell, Tsurugi!!]
In episode 48, Yaguruma realizes that Kageyama has become a Native Worm and can no longer control his form. As a sign of pity, he uses a Rider Kick to end Kageyama's suffering. Holding his fallen partner, Yaguruma looks up to the stars in the night sky and says that he and Kageyama will always be partners and that they have to regain the light once again.[Tendo Dies!!]
Other Events[]
Kamen Rider Decade[]
The World of Kuuga[]
He later appears in Kamen Rider Decade episode 2 with his partner PunchHopper in the World of Kuuga during a dimensional distortion caused by Narutaki to fight Decade. However, they start focusing their rage on Kuuga instead of Decade. [The World of Kuuga]
Transcendence[]
- "Another hell awaits"
- ―The Hoppers before go to another universe.[src]
Yaguruma later appears in Kamen Rider Decade episode 3 with his partner PunchHopper. Narutaki caused another dimensional distortion that sent the two to another world where Kamen Riders Delta and Tiger appeared to be waiting.[Transcendence]
Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker[]
Yaguruma later appears in the World of Decade to prevent Dai-Shocker from taking over. However, due to wanting to experience the hell that is Dai-Shocker, he sides with them. Diend summons PunchHopper, Gai, and Raia to fight him and Ouja. He fights PunchHopper and appears to have the upper hand. The results are not shown. [Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker]
OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper was part of a group of reinforcement riders led by Akira Date/Kamen Rider Birth to aid the primary riders in defeating the Rock Great Leader. All the Kamen Riders got on their bikes and performed the All Rider Break attack which destroyed the Great Leader. [OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders]
Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears as a toy, when Sento Kiryu and Sougo Tokiwa they find Ataru Hisanaga he brings them to his room which is filled with Kamen Rider memorabilia, with Sougo and Sento stunned to see toys of themselves. Ataru reveals that Kamen Riders are fictional.[Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever]
Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders Super Spin-off[]
Petition! Diend Super Machine Legend!![]
Both So Yaguruma and Shun Kageyama are mentioned by Natsumi Hikari while Yusuke and Tsukasa were talking about Riders' personal vehicles, saying that if Daiki Kaito continues to sulk, he will end up joining the Hell Brothers.[Petition! Diend Super Machine Legend!!]
That One! Eitoku: Beware of Eito-Kun?[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears with Saga, Rey, Diend, and Den-O Rod Form, cited as examples of the costumes used by Eitoku. Later in the beginning of the questionnaire, when Kenichi asks which Rider Eitoku is referring from the five Riders, it is finally discovered that it is Saga.[That One! Eitoku: Beware of Eito-kun?]
OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders: ~Let's Look! Only Your 48 Riders~[]
Type11. - Anyway, We Do Like Hell![]
Kamen Rider KickHopper who was behind his partner PunchHopper tells him that he envies him and that he is someone worthless immersed in the depths of hell.
[Type11. - Anyway, We Do Like Hell!]
Type37. - Get it! The Chain of Destiny!![]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears with Ryuki Survive, Dragon Form, and OOO Rakiriba combo. According to Kivat-Bat the 3rd, KickHopper is considered a perfect boyfriend for women.[Type37. - Get it! The Chain of Destiny!!]
Video Game Appearances[]
Kamen Rider Kabuto video game[]
Yaguruma as Kamen Riders TheBee and KickHopper appears with the other Kamen Riders in the Kamen Rider Kabuto video game.
All Kamen Rider Series[]
All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution[]
KickHopper appears in All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution among other Riders. He performs his Rider Jump/Kick in the Game in All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution.
All Kamen Rider: Generation 2[]
Yaguruma as KickHopper, appears as the boss and is able to be unlocked after the game is cleared in All Kamen Rider: Rider Generation 2.
Climax Heroes Series[]
Kamen Rider Climax Heroes OOO[]
Yaguruma appears in Kamen Rider Climax Heroes as KickHopper. He later also appears as TheBee in the last running game. As KickHopper, Rider Jump -> Rider Kick is his finisher.
Kamen Rider Climax Heroes Fourze[]
Yaguruma reappears in this game as KickHopper, receiving an update to his Rider Jump -> Rider Kick as his finisher .
Kamen Rider Super Climax Heroes[]
Yaguruma reappears as KickHopper in this game, while his persona as TheBee making his debut as well. His finisher as TheBee is also Rider Sting, though it differs from Kageyama's version, with his variation starting by having his Shadow subordinates fire on the opponent before utilizing his finisher.
Kamen Rider Battle Ganbaride[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper as a playable character in this video game Kamen Rider Battle Ganbaride.
Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper is a playable character in Kamen Rider Battle Ganbarizing. Later, a card featuring three users of TheBee was released, including Yaguruma's version in Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing.
Kamen Rider Riderbout[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears as a playable character with the other Heisei and Showa Kamen Riders in Kamen Rider Riderbout.
Kamen Rider Battle Rush[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears as a playable and support character in the video game Kamen Rider Battle Rush using Rider Kick.
Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper appears as a playable character with others Kamen Riders in the video game, performing his Rider Jump -> Rider Kick against his enemies Kamen Rider Transcend Heroes.
Kamen Rider Buttobasoul[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper is a playable character in Kamen Rider Buttobasoul.
Kamen Rider City Wars[]
Kamen Rider KickHopper is a playable character alongside the other Kamen Riders in Kamen Rider City Wars.
Personality[]
Yaguruma is a perfectionist who believes in the concept of "Kanzen Chōwa" (完全調和 lit. Perfect Harmony") in terms of leadership and pride, which made him a role model to fellow members Arata Kagami and Shun Kageyama. Most of the Shadow ZECTroopers answer to him without question. When he's calm, he's a caring person who possesses a strict code of teamwork and demands perfection. He is a kind leader who cares greatly about his subordinates, and in battle he is a brilliant tactician.
However, he's also impulsive, brash, and quick to anger. After his encounter with Tendo, Yaguruma becomes bitter and envious towards him, and his pride becomes his fatal flaw, to the point the TheBee Zecter rejects him and chooses Kagami, and later Kageyama. After becoming KickHopper, Yaguruma has seemingly lost all traces of his former pride and has isolated himself from society. He, at this point, has turned into an antisocial nihilist who thinks that he is not loved and cared about by anyone or anything but "darkness", and that he prefers to stay in the darkness of Hell. He shows no hesitation in attacking his former colleagues at ZECT. When he transforms in this period, he has a habit to drop his head down, showing his downfall. When Shuichi offered him the TheBee Zecter and a position in ZECT again, he does not even care, and kicks the Zecter out of his sight coldly, as he no longer wants to go out into the "light" and fight for justice anymore. However, at the end of the series, he and Kageyama have decided to try looking for the "light" again, the "light" of their own that nobody can touch, while his transformation habit has also changed to where he will rise his head up when he transform, showing his new resolve.
He can be easily angered if he sees anyone "laughing" at him or his partner Kageyama, as shown with his confrontation against the Cassis Worm.
Abilities[]
- Peak Human Condition: As the former leader of the elite troop Shadow, he is in top physical condition (although nowhere near Tendo's level). Yaguruma effectively defeated numerous highly trained ZECT troopers with one kick while they were wearing heavy armors and helmets with ease. He even pressured and knocked down Salis Worms (they are bulletproof even using specialize bullet against them and strong enough to causally walk through concrete walls) using little effort without being transformed. He was able to survive getting backhanded through the woods by Uca Worm.
- Expert Combatant: As the former leader of the elite troop Shadow, Yaguruma has considerable fighting prowess and leadership skills. During his time post-ZECT, he is shown to be perfectly able of fighting and pressuring Salis Worms without transformed. In fact, he was able to easliy knock out highly trained ZECTroopers with only his kicks, proving his sheer skill and strength. As KickHopper, he is also strong enough to force two high-level Worms (one of them an Executive) to retreat rather than take their chances with him in his debut. As TheBee he focused on boxing with both punching and kicking in terms of kickboxing. As KickHopper, his fighting style becomes solely kick-based.
- Expert Chef: To be added
Forms[]
- "Henshin!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
- Rider Senses
- Ability Parameters
- Punching Power: 8 t.[1]
- Lifting Power: 25 t.[1]
- Kicking Power: 9 t.[1]
- Maximum Jump Height: 21 m.[1]
- Maximum Running Speed: 100 m. per 8.6 sec.[1]
Masked Form (マスクドフォーム, Masukudo Fōmu) is TheBee's strong, heavily armored, but less offensive form resembling a beehive. This is the default form until the rider rotates TheBee Zecter around the wrist to initiate the Cast Off command.
Appearances: Kabuto Episodes 7-9
- "Cast Off! Change Wasp!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
- Rider Senses
- Eyesight: 2 km.[2]
- Ability Parameters
- Punching Power: 3 t.[1]
- Kicking Power: 6 t.[1]
- Maximum Jump Height: 39 m.[1]
- Maximum Running Speed: 100 m. per 5.6 sec.[1]
- Special Attacks
- Rider Sting: 17 t.[1]
Rider Form (ライダーフォーム, Raidā Fōmu) is TheBee's sleeker, faster, and more offensive form which merely resembles the wasp motif. In this form TheBee can initiate the Clock Up command to travel at near light speeds to match the speed of Worms. By pressing a button on TheBee Zecter, the Rider Sting (ライダースティング, Raidā Sutingu) tachyon-powered punch is activated, allowing the user to pierce through a Worm with the stinger on the TheBee Zecter.
Appearances: Kabuto Episodes 6-9
- "Henshin! Change KickHopper!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
- Rider Senses
- Hearing: 5 km.[3]
- Ability Parameters
- Punching Power: 3 t.[3]
- Kicking Power: 6.5 t.[3]
- Maximum Jump Height: 39 m.[3]
- Maximum Running Speed: 100 m. per 5.6 sec.[3]
- Special Attacks
- Rider Kick: 20 t.[3]
Unlike all of the other Riders in Kamen Rider Kabuto, the Hopper Riders only have one form that they transform into. Kamen Rider KickHopper (仮面ライダーキックホッパー, Kamen Raidā Kikkuhoppā) has a green Acrida cinerea motif and by raising the legs on the Hopper Zecter (ホッパーゼクター, Hoppā Zekutā), KickHopper can jump high into the sky. By lowering the legs on the Hopper Zecter, the energy is concentrated into a tachyon-powered Rider Kick (ライダーキック, Raidā Kikku). The impact upon landing on the ground again powers up another kick.
Appearances: Kabuto Episodes 33-42, 46-48, Kamen Rider Kabuto: Final Stage, Decade Episodes 2-3, Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders.Equipment[]
Devices[]
- Rider Brace: TheBee's transformation brace
- TheBee Zecter: TheBee's transformation device
- ZECT Buckle: TheBee's Clock Up belt, and KickHopper's transformation-Clock Up hybrid belt
- Hopper Zecter: KickHopper's transformation device
Weapons[]
- Zecter Needle: TheBee's prick-stinger used to perform Rider Sting attack
- Anchor Jack: The gold-joints installed onto the left leg of KickHopper
- ZECT Gun: Former civilian weapon
Vehicles[]
- Machine Zectron: TheBee's Rider Machine
- As KickHopper, he uses this in the Playstation 2 game
Legend Rider Devices[]
KamenRide: Kick Hopper (カメンライドキックホッパー, Kamenraido Kikku Hoppā): A Rider Card containing the power of Kamen Rider KickHopper.
This KickHopper Wizard Ring (キックホッパーウィザードリング, Kikkuhoppā Wizādo Ringu) which bears the likeness of Kamen Rider KickHopper is exclusive to Kamen Rider Wizard's Wizard Ring toyline. When used by a Wizardriver wearer, it would be able to summon Kamen Rider KickHopper. Have Normal and green variant versions.
Behind the Scenes[]
Portrayal[]
So Yaguruma is portrayed by Hidenori Tokuyama (徳山 秀典, Tokuyama Hidenori), who later portrayed Hiroto Suto/Go-On Gold in Engine Sentai Go-Onger. As Kamen Rider KickHopper, his suit actor was Eitoku (永徳 ).
Conception[]
Notes[]
- Originally the eyes of both Hell Brothers were going to be purple as seen in the early design but were later changed to their current colors.
- Throughout the show, neither Yaguruma or Kageyama demonstrated a Clock Up ability using the Hopper Zecters, although they have the ability to in the Kamen Rider Kabuto Playstation 2 video game, and later each of them performed it in Kamen Rider Zi-O.
- In Let's Go Kamen Riders net movie views another Kamen Rider KickHopper in Type17. - You're Great, Hell Bride!.
Appearances[]
- Kamen Rider Kabuto
- Episode 6: My Flower
- Episode 7: No. 2's New Arrival
- Episode 8: Angry Tofu
- Episode 9: The Bee's Insanity!!
- Episode 10: I'm Not Your Friend
- Episode 13: The Team Dissolves
- Episode 33: The Infatuating Adjutant
- Episode 34: Breaking Super Evolution
- Episode 35: The Hellish Brothers
- Kamen Rider Kabuto: Birth! Gatack Hyper Form!! (Archive footage)
- Episode 36: Red Shoes' Recklessness
- Episode 37: School's Ghost Story
- Episode 38: The Dangerous Younger Sister
- Episode 39: The Powerful Enemy Black Kabuto
- Episode 40: The Saddest Battle
- Episode 41: The Strongest Defeated
- Episode 42: Worst Terror VS Worst Fear
- Episode 43: Another Me Aiming At Me
- Episode 44: What is to Live
- Episode 45: Christmas Earthquake
- Episode 46: Farewell, Tsurugi!!
- Episode 47: Rushing into the Last Chapter
- Episode 48: Tendo Dies!!
- Episode 49/Finale: Path of Heaven
- Kamen Rider Kabuto (comic)
- Kamen Rider Kabuto: Special Show
- Kamen Rider Kabuto: Final Stage
- Kamen Rider Decade
- Kamen Rider OOO
- Kamen Rider Super Live 2013
- Fierce Battle! Ganbarider!!
- Kamen Rider Heisei Generations Forever (as a toy)