B-Robo Kabutack


B-Robo Kabutack is a Japanese television series and is the sixteenth series as part of Toei's Metal Hero Series franchise of tokusatsu programs. It aired from February 23, 1997, to March 1, 1998. It is the first of shows made by Toei in the Metal Hero Series that was aimed at children. It aired alongside Denji Sentai Megaranger on TV Asahi. Kabutack bears some similarities with Robocon, as well as other Toei series, particularly in characters and themes.

Plot

Dr. Torahiko Kouenji is a fictional character renowned for his archaeological achievements in uncovering ancient writings from the Earth's deepest layers. These writings revealed the existence of 13 mystical artifacts known as "Star Pieces", believed to possess wish-granting abilities when gathered together.
In his quest to locate the Star Pieces, Dr. Kouenji developed a series of search robots, referred to as "B-Robots". However, an unforeseen complication arose when a trio of these robots, led by Cobrander, were prematurely activated before completing their sleep-education program. Consequently, they embarked on a spree of misdeeds within the town.
Fortunately, another team comprising three fully trained "good" B-Robots had completed their sleep-learning curriculum. These robots, along with Yuzuru Kouenji, Dr. Kouenji's grandson, and his companions Sayuri Mitaka and Kuranosuke Kichijouji, united forces to search for the elusive Star Pieces. Together, they navigated through challenges posed by the rogue B-Robots while striving to achieve their goal.

Characters

B-Robots

Short for "Bio Elementary Electronic & Transform Locomotive Eexivision Robot", the B-Robots 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.
  • No. 1 Kabutack: The first B-Robot and the prototype model, built with a rhinoceros beetle-like appearance and a biochip based on the insect. He usually ends his sentences with "kabu". Being the prototype, his Super Mode can only last for 3 minutes. In Super Mode, he wields a weapon called Bilit Stick, which is transformed from his helmet in "normal mode". To transform into Super Mode, he needs Yuzuru's Friendship Commander, a comm-link-like device.
  • * Buttobi Kabutack: Kabutack's flight form which combined with Tobimasky via Buttobi Formation.
  • * Drillut Kabutack: Kabutack's digging form formed by combining Kabutack with a set of upgrades known as Drillut Parts. In Super Mode, Kabutack is equipped with four sets of wheels and a drill in his hand and can use the Kabutack Final Crush attack.
  • * Zabut Kabutack: Kabutack's diving form formed by combining Kabutack with another set of upgrades known as Zabut Parts. 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 fire a torpedo called Bilit Missile.
  • No. 2 Kuwagiro: A stag beetle-type robot with a stag beetle biochip. His Super Mode can last for 5 minutes. In Super Mode, he wields a weapon called the Hasamic Cutter. To transform into Super Mode, he needs Kuranosuke's Friendship Commander.
  • No. 3 Tobimasky: The first robot who can do Super Change by himself. He transforms into Jet Mode 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. 4 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.
  • No. 5 Spydon: 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.
  • No. 6 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.
  • No. 7 Gerotan: A frog-type robot with a frog-type biochip. He has a tadpole-type machine for search named the Jakushi. The continuation time of Super Mode is 13 minutes. Super Mode's weapon is the Jakushi Bomber.
  • No. 8 Cobrander: 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 Vute whip.
  • No. 9 Sharkler: 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 sword and an attacking machine named Kobunzame.
  • No. 10 Tentoleena: A ladybug-type robot with a ladybug-type biochip. She is the newest robot which is in Super Mode from the beginning, but she consumes energy highly and does not have combat ability. Her weapon is the Leena Stick.

    Other robots

  • Denden Roller: A snail-type giant wheel vehicle with a snail-type biochip, it is piloted by Kabutack.
  • Captain Tomborg: A strange dragonfly-type judgement robot who appears whenever both sides battle for a Star Piece. Because he's powerful, everyone has no choice but to play a game of his choice to win the Star Piece. His body becomes red in autumn. He has the Captain Stick with a dragonfly-shaped microphone. During games, he forms a ring with four dragonfly-type machines named Tosenbo.

    Support giant robots

  • DodeKabutack: 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 into Super Mode. Super Mode's weapons are the Bilit Scop and the Dodeka Shield.
  • Tondemo-Jaws: A giant robot created by Dr. Kouenji with the very first Star Piece of Scorpio he founded; it is piloted by Sharkler. It transforms from Normal Mode into Super Mode. Super Mode's weapons are the Fin Blade sword, Jaws Shield, and Giza Head saw.

    People in Asahi

  • Yuzuru Kouenji: Kabutack's partner and Torahiko's grandson. He transforms Kabutack from Normal Form into Super Mode using the Friendship Commander.
  • Kuranosuke Kichijouji: Kuwagiro's partner and the son of the vice president of construction company Kichijouji Koumuten named Ryunosuke whose wife is its president. He transforms Kuwagiro from Normal Form into Super Mode using the Friendship Commander.
  • Sayuri Mitaka: A friend of Yuzuru and Kuranosuke who lives in the same apartment as Tentoleena. She has a younger brother named Mitsuo.
  • Dr. Torahiko Kouenji: Yuzuru's grandfather who created B-Robots.
  • Masatora Kouenji: Yuzuru's father and Torahiko's son. He treats Torahiko and B-Robots as a nuisance.
  • Madoka Kouenji: Yuzuru's mother. She as well as Masatora treats Torahiko and B-Robots as a nuisance.
  • Taro Koganei: A greedy storekeeper of an antique shop.
  • Akira Ogikubo: Kuranosuke's rival.
  • Reika Ookubo: Sayuri's rival and a multimillionaire's daughter. She has two elder sisters named Reiko and Reina. She also has many servants, including butler Toyoda.
  • Miki Nakano: A policewoman who patrols Asahi. She later resigned and returned to her hometown because she wanted to work in the fields.
  • AP717: A robot which patrols Asahi with Miki. Its body is similar to Tentoleena.

    Guest characters

  • Junichiro Kunitachi: A music teacher of Yuzuru's elementary school whose voice is very similar to Kabutack. He resigned to become a singer. Portrayed by Takeshi Kusao, who also voices Kabutack.
  • Star Mind: The god of Earth who appeared when all Star Pieces were collected. He later becomes his true form named Star Mind S. Portrayed by Lucky Ikeda while Star Mind S is voiced by Takuma Suzuki.

    Episodes

  1. Pleased to Meet You, Kabu!: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  2. Let a Miracle Happen, Kabu: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  3. Devoted Cuisine, Kabu: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  4. Umeboshi One-Armed Shoulder Throw!!: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  5. Tracking!! Drunken Tire: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  6. Fickled Detective Kabutack: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  7. The Cursed Time of Weakness: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  8. Blessed Red Postbox: written by Nobuo Ogizawa, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  9. Right This Instant!!: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  10. The Monster That Disappears With the Sunset: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  11. The May Koinobori Tournament!!: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  12. A Cleaning Pair: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  13. Iron Fist of Indisputable Anger: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  14. Deliver to the Stars, My First Love: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  15. Mystery of the Riddle Mummy: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  16. Tasty Companion's New Appearance: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  17. 100 Rounds of Sparring of Friendship!!: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  18. The Great Prediction of the Annoying Doctor: written by Nobuo Ogizawa, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  19. Infiltration!! Dancer Boy Party: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  20. Companion Crack Serious Game!!: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  21. The Snail That Falls in Love: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  22. Swimsuit Attack Number One: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  23. Aim For the Ace of Flames: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  24. Papa's Foolish Fishing Diary: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  25. The Power of the Silent Running Man: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  26. The Ghost Likes Watermelons: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  27. The Assignment Is Gang Suppression: written by Nobuo Ogizawa, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  28. Shark Robot's Tooth of Life!?: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  29. The Release of the Mystery of the B-Robots: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  30. String Out! A New Finisher!!: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  31. Invasion!! Big Jaws: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  32. Amazing! Giant Confrontation: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  33. All-Inclusive Ripening!! Red Judgment Soul: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  34. Ogre Baba Pulling Out of Love: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  35. B-Robot's Great Fall Game: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  36. The Song of Battle!! Everyone Is Gathering: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  37. Brilliant Inference!! The Secret Of K.T.: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  38. Reckless Driving!! Labour Appreciation Day: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  39. Technique of the Frog's Patient Hibernation Method: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  40. Retribution Golf Showdown: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  41. Impersonator Kabutack's Appearance: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  42. The Peking Man Panic!!: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  43. Lucky Pulling Technique of the Girl: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  44. Celebration!! The New Year Kite Lifting World Cup: written by Nobuo Ogizawa, directed by Katsuya Watanabe
  45. Human Feelings Time Slip: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  46. Fighting Illness Last Demon Revolution: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Naoki Iwahara
  47. Difficult Problem Strange Question Cult Quiz: written by Takashi Yamada, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  48. Calling Luck to Suppress the Red Ogre: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Hidenori Ishida
  49. Tokyo University Straight Over the Line!: written by Yoshio Urasawa, directed by Satoshi Morota
  50. Chocolate-Guy of the Pure-heart: written by Junichi Miyashita, directed by Satoshi Morota
  51. The Judge Robot's Unexpected True Identity: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto
  52. If There's Friendship in Your Heart: written by Satoru Nishizono, directed by Taro Sakamoto