B-Robo Kabutack

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B-Robo Kabutack
Genre	Tokusatsu Metal Hero Comedy
Created by	Toei
Starring	Futami Kazuki Miyabi Kimura Yuka Koide Kageki Shimoda
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	52
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	TV Asahi
Original run	February 23, 1997 – March 1, 1998

B-Robo Kabutack (ビーロボカブタック, Bī Robo Kabutakku, Beetle Robo Kabutack) is a Japanese television series and is the sixteenth series as part of Toei Company's Metal Hero Series of tokusatsu programs. It aired from February 23, 1997 to March 1, 1998. It is the first of the kiddie shows made by Toei in the Metal Hero Series line. Its opening theme is "Noble Honest Kabutack" (清く正しくカブタック, Kiyoku Tadashiku Kabutakku) sung by Takeshi Kusao who voiced the character Kabutack. The program is a partial sequel to B-Fighter Kabuto, as the B-Fighters show up in the series.

Plot

Dr. Torahiko Koenji is an eccentric genius who dug out the ancient writings from the oldest layer of the earth. He translated the writings and learned the existence of 13 "Star Pieces" that had been hidden across the planet. If one should obtain all the Star Pieces, any wish could be granted. To that end, Dr. Koenji built search robots, known as "B-robots", to find the Star Pieces. However a trio of such robots, led by Cobrander, were activated without their sleep-education program being completed and thus started to commit bad deeds across the town.

Fortunately, a team, composed of three "good" B-robots, had completed the whole course of sleep-learning, and befriended Yuzuru Koenji, Dr. Koenji's grandson. With Yuzuru, and his friends Sayuri Mitaka and Kuranosuke Kichijouji, the three good B-robots and the gang begin their search of the "Star Pieces" while overcoming the misdeeds of the three "bad" B-robots.

Characters

Short for "Bio Elementary Electronic & Transform Locomotive Eexivision Robot," the Beetle-Robots, or B-Robot for short, are able to transform into the fighting Super Mode. However, the time limit the mode longs on depends on the B-Robo as the earlier models have shorter timespans compared to the later ones.

Good B-Robots

No. 1 Kabutack (カブタック, Kabutakku): The first B-robot and the prototype model, built with a rhinoceros beetle-like appearance and a biochip based on the insect. Being the prototype, his Super Mode can only last for 3 minutes. In Super Mode, he wield a weapon called Shock Stick (ビリットスティック, Biritto Sutikku), which is transformed from his helmet in "normal mode". He needs Yuzuru's Friendship Commander, a comm-link-like device, to transform into Super Mode.
- Flying Kabutack (ブットビカブタック, Buttobi Kabutakku): Kabutack's flight form which combined with Tobimasky by Flying Formation (ブットビフォーメーション, Buttobi Fōmēshon).
- Drillut Kabutack (ドリルットカブタック, Dorirutto Kabutakku): Kabutack's digging form formed by combining Kabutack with a set of upgrades known as Drillut Parts (ドリルットパーツ, Dorirutto Pātsu). So in Super Mode, Kabutack is equipped with four sets of wheels and a drill in his hand, and can use Kabuto Final Crush (カブトファイナルクラッシュ, Kabuto Fainaru Kurasshu)
- Zabut Kabutack (ザブットカブタック, Zabutto Kabutakku) :Kabutack's diving form formed by Combining Kabutack with another set of upgrades known as Zabut Parts (ザブットパーツ, Zabutto Pātsu). So in Super Mode, Kabutack is equipped with propellers on his feet, fins on his arms and a torpedo-launcher in his hand, he can also use an attack called Bilit Torpedo (ビリット魚雷, Biritto Gyorai).
No. 2 Kuwajiro (クワジーロ, Kuwajīro): A stag beetle-type robot with a stag beetle biochip. His Super Mode can last for 5 minutes. In Super Mode, he has a weapon weapon is the Hasamic Cutter (ハサミックカッター, Hasamikku Kattā). To transform into Super Mode, he needs Kuranosuke's Friendship Commander.
No. 3 Tobimasky (トビマスカイ, Tobimasukai): The first robot who can do Super Change by himself. He transforms into Jet Mode (ジェットモード, Jetto Mōdo) by uniting with Kabutack, and gives flight capability. The continuation time of Super Mode is 7 minutes. The motif of his biochip is unknown.
No. 6 Dangoron (ダンゴロン, Dangoron): A pill bug-type robot with a pill bug-type biochip. He can transform into a tire form other than Super Mode. The continuation time of Super Mode is 13 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Dango Saucer (ダンゴソーサー, Dango Sōsā).
No. 7 Gerotan (ゲロタン, Gerotan): A frog-type robot with a frog-type biochip. He has a tadpole-type machine for search named the Jakushi (ジャクシー, Jakushī). The continuation time of Super Mode is 13 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Bomber Jakushi (ボンバージャクシー, Bonbā Jakushī).
No. 10 Tentorina (テントリーナ, Tentorīna): A ladybug-type robot with a ladybug-type biochip. She is the newest robot which is Super Mode from the beginning, but she consumes energy highly and does not have combat ability.

Evil B-Robots

No. 4 Ganirun (ガニラン, Ganiran): A horseshoe crab-type robot with a horseshoe crab-type biochip, but his ability close to that of a crab. Cobrander's henchman. The continuation time of Super Mode is 9 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Gani Boomerang (ガニブーメラン, Gani Būmeran).
No. 5 Spidon (スパイドン, Supaidon): A spider-type robot with a spider-type biochip. Cobrander's henchman. The continuation time of Super Mode is 11 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Claw Anchor (クローアンカー, Kurō Ankā).
No. 8 Cobrander (コブランダー, Koburandā): A cobra-type robot with a cobra-type biochip. The continuation time of Super Mode is 13 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Cobra Whip (コブラビュート, Kobura Byūto).
No. 9 Sharkler (シャークラー, Shākurā): A shark-type robot with a shark-type biochip. The most evil and powerful of the evil B-Robots. The continuation time of Super Mode is 15 minutes. Super Mode's weapons are the FukahiRazor (フカヒレイザー, Fukahireizā) and Kobunzame (コブンザメ, Kobunzame)

Notes: These four robots teamed up with the good B-robots to fight the Keeper of the Star Pieces and his "henchmen" (non-sentient beings previously possessed by Star Pieces) in a match of American football.

A-Robots

Earth Dragon
Sky High
Sea Guyver
A-Robo Army

Support Machines

Denden Roller (デンデンローラー, Denden Rōrā): A snail-type giant wheel vehicle with a snail-type biochip, it is piloted by Kabutack.
DodeKabutack (ドデカブタック, Dodekabutakku): A giant robot created by Kabutack with the Star Piece of Sagittarius as countermeasures to TondemoJaws, it is piloted by Kabutack. It transforms from Normal Mode type to Super Mode.
TondemoJaws (トンデモジョーズ, Tondemojōzu): A giant robot created by Dr. Kouenji with the very first Star Piece of Scorpius he founded, it is piloted by Sharkler. It transforms from Normal Mode type to Super Mode.

Others

Yuzuru Kouenji (高円寺譲, Kōenji Yuzuru): He is Kabutack's partner and is Torahiko's grandson. He transforms Kabutack from Normal Form into Super Mode using the Friendship Commander (友情コマンダー, Yūjō Komandā).
Kuranosuke Kichijouji (吉祥寺蔵之助, Kichijōji Kuranosuke): He is Kuwajiro's partner and is the son of the vice president of Kichijouji construction company. He transforms Kuwajiro from Normal Form into Super Mode using the Friendship Commander.
Sayuri Mitaka (三鷹小百合, Mitaka Sayuri): She is a friend of Yuzuru and Kuranosuke and lives in the same apartment as Tentorina.
Masatora Kouenji (高円寺正寅, Kōenji Masatora): He is Yuzuru's father and is Torahiko's son. He treats Torahiko and B-Robot as a nuisance.
Madoka Kouenji (高円寺円, Kōenji Madoka): She is Yuzuru's mother. She as well as Masatora treats Torahiko and B-Robots as a nuisance.
Reika Ookubo (大久保麗香, Ōkubo Reika): She is Sayuri's rival and is a multimillionaire's daughter. She has two elder sisters named Reiko (麗子) and Reina (麗奈).
Akira Ogikubo (荻窪明, Ogikubo Akira): He has a sense of rivalry to Kuranosuke.
Miki Nakano (中野美樹, Nakano Miki): She is a rookie policewoman who patrols Asahi (朝日町, Asahi-chō).
AP717: It is a robot which patrols Asahi with Miki, and the body is similar to Tentorina.
Taro Koganei (小金井太郎, Koganei Tarō): He is a greedy storekeeper of an antique shop.
Dr. Torahiko Kouenji (高円寺寅彦, Kōenji Torahiko): He is Yuzuru's grandfather who created B-Robots.
Captain Tomborg (キャプテントンボーグ, Kyaputen Tonbōgu): A strange dragonfly-type judgement robot who appears whenever both sides battle for a Star Piece ( or Fake Star Piece ). Because he's powerful, everyone has no choice but to play a game of his choice to win the Star Piece. He becomes red Super Captain Tomborg (スーパーキャプテントンボーグ, Sūpā Kyaputen Tonbōgu) in autumn.
Star Mind (スターマインド, Sutā Maindo): The person who appeared when all Star Pieces were collected.
Junichiro Kunitachi (国立順一郎, Kunitachi Jun'ichirō): He is a music teacher of an elementary school, but he resigned to become a singer. His voice is very similar to Kabutack.
Takuya Kai/Blue Beet: Leader of the original B-Fighter team from Juukou B-Fighter, aides Kabutack and B-Fighter Kabuto during the Kabutack Christmas special.
Kouhei Toba/B-Fighter Kabuto: Hotheaded leader of the second generation of B-Fighters from B-Fighter Kabuto, worked alongside Kabutack and Bluebeet during the Christmas special.

Episodes

Please to Meet You, Kabu! (よろしくカブー！, Yoroshiku Kabū!)
It's a Machine Drama, Kabu (メークドラマだカブ, Mēku Dorama da Kabu)
Devoted Cuisine, Kabu (料理はまごころカブ, Ryōri wa Magokoro Kabu)
Umeboshi Ippon Shoulder Throw (ウメ星一本背負い！！, Umeboshi Ippon Zeoi!!)
Tracking!! Drunken Tire (追跡！！酒飲みタイヤ, Tsuiseki!! Sakenomi Taiya)
Fickled Detective Kabutack (浮気探偵カブタック, Uwaki Tantei Kabutakku)
The Cursed Time of Weakness (弱り目にタタリじゃ, Yowarime ni Tatari ja)
Blessed Red Postbox (幸せの赤いポスト, Shiawase no Akai Posuto)
Right this Instant! (飛びますトビマス！！, Tobimasu Tobimasu!!)
The Monster that Disappears with the Sunset (夕陽に消える怪獣, Yūhi ni Kieru Kaijū)
Carp Streamer's May Location!! (鯉のぼり五月場所！！, Koinobori Gogatsu Basho!!)
Osuji Couple Bocchi (お掃除ふたりぼっち, Osōji Futari Bocchi)
Iron Fist Of Indisputable Anger (問答無用怒りの鉄拳, Mondō Muyō Ikari no Tekken)
Deliver To The Stars, My First Love (星に届けボクの初恋, Hoshi ni Todoke Boku no Hatsukoi)
Puzzle Of The Puzzlepuzzle Mummy (なぞなぞミイラの謎, Nazonazo Miira no Nazo)
Tasty Companion's New Appearance (美味しい仲間新登場, Oishii Nakama Shin Tōjō)
Hundred Human Group Hands Of Friendship!! (友情の百人組手！！, Yūjō no Hyakunin Kumite)
The Great Prediction Of The Annoying Doctor (迷惑博士の大予言, Meiwaku Hakase no Dai Yogen)
Disappearance!! Dancer Boy Party (潜入！！踊り子少年隊, Sennyū!! Odoriko Shōnen Tai)
Companion Crack Serious Game!! (仲間割れ真剣勝負！！, Nakama Ware Shinken Shōbu!!)
The Snail You Love (恋するかたつむり, Koisuru Katatsumuri)
Swim Suit Attack Number One (水着でアタックＮＯ．１, Mizugi de Atakku Nanbā Wan)
Aim For The Ace Of Flames (炎のエースをねらえ, Honō no Ēsu o Nerae)
Papa's Foolish Fishing Diary (パパの釣りバカ日誌, Papa no Tsuri Baka Nisshi)
The Power Of The Silent Running Man (男は黙って全力疾走, Otoko wa Damatte Zenryoku Shissō)
The Ghost Watermelon Lover (幽霊はスイカ好き, Yūrei wa Suika Zuki)
Assignment Gang Suppression (宿題はギャング退治, Shukudai wa Gyangu Taiji)
Shark Robot's Tooth Of Life!? (サメロボは歯が命！？, Same Robo wa Ha ga Inochi!?)
Puzzle Of B-Robot's Great Opening (大公開ビーロボの謎, Dai Kōkai Bī Robo no Nazo)
String Out! New Shooting Skill!! (飛び出せ新必殺技！！, Tobidase Shin Hissatsuwaza!!)
Invasion!! Enormous Skill (襲来！！巨大ジョーズ, Shūrai!! Kyodai Jōzu)
It's Enormous!! Dodeka Confrontation (凄いぞ！！ドデカ対決, Sugoi zo!! Dodeka Taiketsu)
All-Inclusive Ripening!! Red Judgment Soul (完熟！！赤い審判魂, Kanjuku!! Akai Shinpan Damashii)
Ogre Baba Pulling Out Of Love (愛情の鬼ババ抜き, Aijō no Oni Baba Nuki)
B-Robot's Great Fall Game (秋のビーロボ大運動会, Aki no Bī Robo Dai Undōkai)
The Song Of Battle!! Everyone Is Gathering (歌合戦だ！！全員集合, Uta Gassen da!! Zenin Shūgō)
Name Inference!! The Puzzle Of KT (名推理！！ＫＴの秘密, Mei Suiri!! Kē Tī no Nazo)
Reckless Driving!! Labour Appreciation Day (暴走！！勤労感謝の日, Bōsō!! Kinrō Kansha no Hi)
Technique Of The Frog's Patient Hibernation Method (カエル忍法冬眠の術, Kaeru Ninpō Tōmin no Jutsu)
Retribution Golf Showdown (抱腹絶倒ゴルフ対決, Hōfuku Zettō Gorufu Taiketsu)
Impersonator Kabutack's Appearance (偽者カブタック出現, Nisemono Kabutakku Shutsugen)
The Peking Man Panic!! (北京原人パニック！！, Pekin Genjin Panikku!!)
Lucky Pulling Technique Of The Girl (お嬢の福引き必勝法, Ojō no Fukubiki Hisshōhō)
Celebration!! The New Year Kite Lifting World Cup (祝！！新春凧あげＷ杯（ワールドカップ）, Shuku!! Shinshun Takoage Wārudo Kappu)
Human Feelings Time Slip (人情タイムスリップ, Ninjō Taimu Surippu)
Fighting Illness Last Demon Revolution (闘病トベマセンカイ, Tōbyō Tobemasenkai)
Difficult Problem Strange Question Cult Quiz (難問奇問カルトクイズ, Nanmon Kimon Karuto Kuizu)
Calling Luck To Suppress The Red Ogre (福を呼ぶ赤鬼退治, Fuku o Yobu Akaoni Taiji)
Tokyo University Straight Over The Line! (譲の東大一直線！, Yuzuru no Tōdai Icchokusen!)
Coco-Guy of the Pure-heart (チョコは男の純情, Choko wa Otoko no Junjō)
The Judge Robot's Unexpected True Identity (審判ロボ意外な正体, Shinpan Robo Igai na Shōtai)
If There's Friendship in Your Heart (心に友情あるかぎり, Kokoro ni Yūjō Aru Kagiri)

Special

B-Robo Kabutack: The Epic Christmas Battle (ビーロボカブタッククリスマス大決戦!!, Bī-Robo Kabutakku: Kurisumasu Dai Kessen!!) is a special that features cameos by Blue Beet from Juukou B-Fighter and the title hero from B-Fighter Kabuto.

Songs

Opening theme

"Kiyoku Tadashuku Kabutack" (清く正しくカブタック, Kiyoku Tadashiku Kabutakku, "Noble Honest Kabutack")
- Lyrics: Saburo Yatsude (八手三郎, Yatsude Saburō)
- Composition & Arrangement: Keiju Ishikawa (石川恵樹, Ishikawa Keiju)
- Artist: Takeshi Kusao (草尾毅, Kusao Takeshi)

Ending theme

"Gyakuten Rock 'n' Roll!!" (逆転ロックンロール!!, Gyakuten Rokkun Rōru!!, "Inversion Rock 'n' Roll!!")
- Lyrics: Tamanosuke Ōga (大賀玉之輔, Ōga Tamanosuke)
- Composition & Arrangement: MASAKI
- Artist: Takeshi Kusao

Cast

Yuzuru Kouenji (高円寺譲, Kōenji Yuzuru): Futami Kazuki (二見一樹, Futami Kazuki)
Kuranosuke Kichijouji (吉祥寺蔵之助, Kichijōji Kuranosuke): Miyabi Kimura (木村雅, Kimura Miyabi)
Sayuri Mitaka (三鷹小百合, Mitaka Sayuri): Yuka Koide (小出由華, Koide Yuka)
Dr. Torahiko Kouenji (高円寺寅彦, Koōenji Torahiko): Kageki Shimoda (志茂田景樹, Shimoda Kageki)
Masatora Kouenji (高円寺正寅, Kōenji Masatora): Yousuke Ishii (石井洋祐, Ishii Yōsuke)
Madoka Kouenji (高円寺円, Kōenji Madoka): Aki Mukai (向井亜紀, Mukai Aki)
Miki Nakano (中野美樹, Nakano Miki): Sachiko Kokubu (国分佐智子, Kokubu Sachiko)
Taro Koganei (小金井太郎, Koganei Tarō): Hiromitsu Suzuki (鈴木ヒロミツ, Suzuki Hiromitsu)
Reika Ookubo (大久保麗香, Ōkubo Reika): Aoi Inoue (井上碧, Inoue Aoi)
Reiko Ookubo (大久保麗子, Ōkubo Reiko): Hiroko Aya (彩ひろこ, Aya Hiroko)
Reina Ookubo (大久保麗奈, Ōkubo Reina): Maiko Kouda (幸田まいこ, Kōda Maiko) (Played as "幸田磨衣子")
Akira Ogikubo (荻窪明, Ogikubo Akira): Yasushi Ishii (石井寧, Ishii Yasushi)
Star Mind (スターマインド, Sutā Maindo): Lucky Ikeda (ラッキィ池田, Rakki Ikeda)

Voice actors

Kabutack (カブタック, Kabutakku): Takeshi Kusao (草尾毅, Kusao Takeshi)
- Takeshi Kusao appeared on screen as Junichiro Kunitachi (国立順一郎, Kunitachi Jun'ichirō)
Kuwajiro (クワジーロ, Kuwajīro): Daiki Nakamura (中村大樹, Nakamura Daiki)
Tentorina (テントリーナ, Tentorīna): Hikari Tachibana (橘ひかり, Tachibana Hikari)
Cobrander (コブランダー, Koburandā): Dai Matsumoto (松本大, Matsumoto Dai)
Ganirun (ガニラン, Ganiran): Hisao Egawa (江川央生, Egawa Hisao)
Spidon (スパイドン, Supaidon): Chafurin (茶風林, Chafūrin)
Denden Roller (デンデンローラー, Denden Rōrā): Kazuki Yao (矢尾一樹, Yao Kazuki)
Sharkler (シャークラー, Shākurā): Shigeru Chiba (千葉繁, Chiba Shigeru)
Dangoron (ダンゴロン, Dangoron): Kōichi Tōchika (遠近孝一, Tōchika Kōichi)
Gerotan (ゲロタン, Gerotan): Motoko Kumai (くまいもとこ, Kumai Motoko)
Tobimasky (トビマスカイ, Tobimasukai): Satoko Kitō (木藤聡子, Kitō Satoko)
AP717: Narumi Tsunoda (津野田なるみ, Tsunoda Narumi)
Capten Tomborg (キャプテントンボーグ, Kyaputen Tonbōgu): Daisuke Gōri (郷里大輔, Gōri Daisuke)
Star Mind S (スターマインドＳ, Sutā Maindo Esu): Takuma Suzuki (鈴木琢磨, Suzuki Takuma)

Suit actors

Kabutack: Chie Tanabe (田邊智恵, Tanabe Chie)
- Kabutack (Super Mode): Hideaki Kusaka (日下秀昭, Kusaka Hideaki)
Kuwajiro: Toshihiro Ogura (小倉敏博, Ogura Toshihiro)
- Kuwajiro (Super Mode): Kouji Matoba (的場耕二, Matoba Kōji)
Tentorina: Keiko Hashimoto (橋本恵子, Hashimoto Keiko)
Cobrander: Masaru Ōbayashi (大林勝, Ōbayashi Masaru)
- Cobrander (Super Mode), Capten Tomborg: Yasuhiko Imai (今井靖彦, Imai Yasuhiko)
Ganirun: Minoru Watanabe (渡辺実, Watanabe Minoru)
- Ganirun (Super Mode): Takeshi Miyazaki (宮崎剛, Miyazaki Takeshi)
Spidon: Kotaro Fujimoto (藤本幸太郎, Fujimoto Kōtarō)
- Spidon (Super Mode): Hirofumi Fukuzawa (福沢博文, Fukuzawa Hirofumi)
Sharkler: Kenjiro Fujita (藤田健次郎, Fujita Kenjirō)
- Sharkler (Super Mode): Kenji Takechi (武智健二, Takechi Kenji)
Dangoron: Masahiko Akimoto (秋本雅彦, Akimoto Masahiko)
- Dangoron (Super Mode): Naoki Ōfuji (大藤直樹, Ōfuji Naoki)
Gerotan: Takeshi Mizutani (水谷健, Mizutani Takeshi)