Kamen Rider Garren is the first rider to appear in the Kamen Rider Blade series. Sakuya Tachibana was the second wearer chosen by the BOARD organization to use the very first Rider System they created, transforming him into Kamen Rider Garren. The first was his senior, Kiryu. Sakuya is played by Hironari Amano . The name "Garren" is the Japanese pronunciation of "Galleon", a type of coin, which is the Minor Arcana version of the Suit of Diamonds: the Suit of Coins.
Fictional character biography
Tachibana was originally a researcher of the Humanity Foundation who graduated from the Sazahaibu University and was selected to be the user of Rider System 01 after Go Kiryu was found to be incompatible with the system. By the start of the series, Tachibana begins to suffer a form of cellular breakdown with only sealing the Undead slowing down the process. That, combined with his feelings towards Kenzaki being his backup when he can't manage it, Tachibana blames Karasuma for his condition. When he attempted in vain to seal the Locust Undead, Tachibana is forced to abduct Karasuma just prior to the Undead attacking BOARD. Though he intended to get the answers he needs, Karasuma was in coma and put on life support with Tachibana safeguarding him until Hirose finds him. Though he leaves Karasuma in her care, it only revealed that the "Karasuma" he safeguarded was only a decoy. After his doctor and dear friend Sayoko Fukasawa relays Karasuma's message, that his subconscious fear is causing the breakdown, Tachibana encounters Isaka, the Peacock Undead, who personally attempts to retrieve him for his Leangle project. After escaping Isaka, Kotaro manages to talk Tachibana not to let his fear control him though Tachibana denies that. He arrives to save Blade from, however Garren's fusion rate goes down during his fight with the Trilobite Undead. After being saved, Tachibana begs Karasuma for a means to be free of his fear, but Karasuma say he can't.
Though Tachibana attempts to resume a normal life by dating Sayoko, the Zebra Undead forces him to reveal himself as a Rider in front to Sayoko before vainly fighting the Undead before Blade arrives to aid him. In spite of Sayoko asking him to go off with her, Tachibana turns her down. While at BOARD's original, Tachibana vainly battles the Peacock Undead, who defeats Garren and takes him with intend to have Tachibana work for him by removing of his fears with exposure to Schuld Kestner seaweed, an extinct plant that intensifies the aggressive nature of the subject. Though he became more agreessive and worked under Isaka for more of the seaweed, Tachibana was unaware of the eventual damage it would do to his nervious system. Though Sayoko warned him in vain, Tachibana shrugged it off until he learned that Isaka murdered Sayoko for meddling in his affairs, defeating the Peacock Undead and sealed him. Later, as his way of repenting for being maniplated by an Undead, Tachibana takes Mutsuki under his wing.
During the final few episodes, Kamen Rider Garren came face to face with the Category King of Diamonds and battled it out with him. The Undead told him that if he was sealed, Joker would be declared winner and that all of humanity would suffer because of his choice. Garren discarded this and answered, "I will believe in my friends." The battle ended with Garren nowhere to be found and the King Undead sealed leaving the Joker as the winner. He is found upon the arrival of the Chief telling Kenzaki that he was saved because of him.
Transformations
For Sakuya to change into Garren, he inserts the sealed Ace of Diamonds (Category Ace: Change Stag) card and position the buckle in front of his waist. The belt expands automatically around his waist, like a deck of cards wrapping around. Sakuya makes an arm motion, clinches his fist and yells out "Henshin!" and flips a portion of his buckle. The buckle announces "Turn Up!" at this point. This causes a blue projection with a stag beetle image to come out before him, knocking Undead away. he then runs into the projection, which will complete the transformation into Garren.
Ace Form
The Ace Form is the default transformation of all Rider Systems. Rider System-01 harnesses the DNA of the Stag Undead sealed within the A: "Change Stag" Rouse Card and fuses that DNA with Sakuya Tachibana via the Garren Buckle Rider System, transforming him into Kamen Rider Garren. This Rider form has no distinguishing capabilities or attributes apart from any other Rider except its gunslinger-oriented design; its ability to modify its capabilities with Rouse Cards is the only note worth mentioning.
Jack Form
The Jack Form is a combat extension of the Rider System which harnesses the power of Category Jack Rouse Cards (in the case of Garren, the Jack: "Fusion Peacock") via the Rouse Absorber. Initiating the Jack Form extension transmogrifies the Garren's Rider Armor with the attributes and characteristics of the Peacock Undead's DNA, as well as enhancing Garren's combat perimeters. The Jack Form imparts a number of enhancements; the first being the enhancement of the Garrenrouzer with a bayonet attachment. This imparts a limited, but much-needed, melee capacity to the otherwise projectile-oriented weapon. On the outset, the J-Garrenrouzer functions essentially the same. The second advancement is the addition of reinforced, golden-armor plating (embroidered with a diamond-peacock crest) which increases resilience to direct-impact damage. But the most drastic modification is the inclusion of wings, which enables flight for the Rider.
Gear & Accessories
- Designated "Rider System 01", this transformation device was the first Rider System developed by B.O.A.R.D. intended as a mean to combat the Undead via the fusion of Undead DNA and human DNA. The Garren Buckle was designed for specific compatibility with the A: "Change Stag" Rouse Card and harnesses the DNA of the Stag Undead. This model utilizes the "Turn-Up" mechanism to produce a stationary transformation screen, which initiates the fusion of Undead DNA with a human to produce the Kamen Rider transformation. Coincidentally, the transformation screen itself can act as a deflective wall against assaults.
- Garren’s primary armament; a hi-tech gun which serves as a weapon for combat and storage unit for Rouse Cards, including Proper Blanks. It has a built-in 'rousing' technology, which enables Garren to "rouse" the sealed Undead's power to utilize personally. After activating Jack Form, the Garren Rouser gains an enhancement in the form of a blade forming on the barrel to be let the weapon be used for close-range attacks.
- A special accessory developed by Kei Karasuma to bolster the Rider’s capabilities. The Rouse Absorber was designed to be a supplementary Rouse device to Rider System and specialized container for the top category Rouse Cards. Its system was designed to harness the J: "Fusion Peacock" and Q: "Absorb Serpent" Rouse Cards and is only compatible with those cards. Initiating either Jack Form, modifies the Rouser Absorber with a signature diamond-peacock plaque. Though the Rouse Absorber is dubbed Garren Absorber henceforth, the modification, in either case, proves more cosmetic if anything.
- The Red Rhombus is a motorbike developed by B.O.A.R.D. specifically designed to the aspects of Garren's Rider System. For some reason, Rambass is spelled Lampass in some merchandising.
Performance Modes
Fire Rhombus
- Cards Required: Fire Fly (6)
- This performance mode is activated with the use of the 6: "Fire Fly" card. Once 'roused', the Red Rhombus generates a fiery aura which fends against obstacles. (Never used in the series.)
Rouse Cards: Diamond Suit
| Category | Card Avatar | Undead Avatar | Card Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Change Stag | Stag Undead | "CHANGE": Initiates the Kamen Rider transformation when inserted into the Garren Buckle. |
| 2 | Bullet Armadillo | Armadillo Undead | "BULLET": Enhances the efficiency of long range-weapons. |
| 3 | Upper Frog | Frog Undead | "UPPER": Enhances the striking power of an uppercut |
| 4 | Rapid Pecker | Pecker Undead | "RAPID": Enhances the rate of fire of the Garren Rouser. |
| 5 | Drop Whale | Whale Undead | "DROP": Enhances leg strength and power behind heel drop kicks. |
| 6 | Fire Fly | Fly Undead | "FIRE": Supplements the next attack with a fire-attribute. |
| 7 | Rock Tortoise | Tortoise Undead | "ROCK": Enhances resilience to physical harm by transmutation into organic stone. Never used in the series. |
| 8 | Scope Bat | Bat Undead | "SCOPE": Enables heighten senses for accurate shooting attacks. Never used in series. |
| 9 | Gemini Zebra | Zebra Undead | "GEMINI": Creates an optical doppelgänger of the user for a double attack. |
| 10 | Thief Chameleon | Chameleon Undead/Titan | "THIEF": Enables supernatural ability of copying an opponent's form or attack. Never used in the series |
| J | Fusion Peacock | Peacock Undead | "FUSION JACK": This card initiates the Jack Form transformation when roused in conjunction with Q: "Absorb Serpent" that has been set into the Rouse Absorber. |
| Q | Absorb Serpent | Serpent Undead | "ABSORB QUEEN": Set into the Rouse Absorber, this card can initiate the additional transformations when roused in conjunction with J: "Fusion Peacock"Rouse Card. |
| K | Evolution Giriffa | Giriffa Undead | "EVOLUTION KING": This card initiates the King Form transformation when used in conjunction with Q: "Absorb Serpent" that has been set into the Rouse Absorber. This card was never used in the series or movie. |
Rouse Combos
(Jack) Burning Smash
- Cards Required: Drop Whale (5) + Fire Fly (6)
Garren's signature card combo; The combo enables Garren's signature drop kick attack, coupling 5's "DROP" effect imbued with the fire-attribute of the 6's "FIRE" effect. In Jack Form, the compound effect is further increased with J-Garren's flight capabilities. Burning Divide
- Cards Required: Drop Whale (5) + Fire Fly (6) + Gemini (9)
This card combo enhances the "Burning Smash" combo with the addition of 9's "GEMINI" effect. With this added effect, the "Burning Smash" gains an optical doppelgänger, which adds a deceptive element to the actual strike or doubles the strength of the attack. (Jack) Burning Shot
- Cards Required: Bullet Armadillo (2) + Rapid Pecker (4) + Fire Fly (6)
This card combo enhances the "Bullet/Fire" combo with the addition of 4's "RAPID" effect. In Jack Form, Garren uses his flight capabilities to his advantage by showering shots from a higher altitude. "Fire-Upper Combo"
- Cards Required: Fire Fly (6) + Upper Frog (3)
Garren's signature card combo; The combo enables Garren's to execute a flaming uppercut, coupling 3's "UPPERCUT" effect imbued with the fire-attribute of the 6's "FIRE" effect. "Bullet-Fire Combo"
- Cards Required: Bullet Armadillo (2) + Fire Fly (6)
The combo enables Garren to use his Garren Rouser to fire single fireballs at a target, coupling 2's "BULLET" imbued with the fire-attribute of the 6's "FIRE".