After a couple of slower-paced chapters, the excitement returns in Chapter 18 of "Tojima Tanzaburo Wants to Be a Kamen Rider." The story picks up from the previous events where the "Three Stooges" (the Yakuza henchmen) attended an idol concert, only to discover a terrifying secret: the entire idol group had been turned into Female Shocker Combatants (Gee-Kee) by the Bat Mutant. It seems Shocker has now completely infiltrated and seized control of the entertainment industry.
Having witnessed the Bat Mutant's secret, the trio finds themselves marked for death and flees to their Yakuza boss (a Shocker member himself) for protection. Meanwhile, Uncle Tojima, who was previously disheartened after having to retreat from the Bat Mutant, begins to have an epiphany. He realizes that Kamen Riders don't always fight alone—they join forces with other Riders to overcome evil. With this newfound inspiration, his fighting spirit is reignited.
That’s where we left off. Now, let’s dive into the highlights of Chapter 18 and see what surprises await!
The story continues directly from the previous cliffhanger. The Female Shocker Combatants have tracked down the Yakuza boss, leading to an all-out brawl. Just as things are heating up, Uncle Tojima happens to pass by and wastes no time jumping into the fray.
Given Tojima’s insane strength—let’s not forget he’s powerful enough to send a Spider Mutant flying with a single punch—the female combatants are simply no match for him. His strikes are so devastating they generate shockwaves, and his menacing aura (Sakki) is so overwhelming that it strikes pure terror into the Shocker agents.
In the aftermath, the Yakuza group ends up seeking refuge with Tojima. For anyone following the tropes of the genre, the outcome was predictable: the Shocker Yakuza boss has officially defected to the side of the Riders.
The scene shifts to the Spider Mutant, who is still with the Seal Idol and the bespectacled young man. The Spider Mutant is obsessed with finding a way to make ordinary humans stronger. However, the young man reveals a surprising past: he has been training since childhood. Having mastered the "Eight Extremities Fist" (Bajiquan) to its absolute limit, he found himself without any worthy rivals, leading him into a deep pit of despair.
His life changed when the young idol offered him a simple snack. That moment of kindness gave him a brand-new purpose in life—not as a fighter, but as a chef. Now, his ultimate goal is to craft a bowl of ramen so delicious it sends the idol girl to "heaven."
While it hasn't been officially revealed yet, it's easy to guess where this is going: the Spider Mutant will almost certainly end up defecting to the Rider’s side sooner or later.
The identity of the Female Shocker Combatant hunting the defectors is finally revealed: she is the former professional female wrestler, "Thunder Raiko" (which explains her formidable combat skills). Her goal is ruthless—she aims to eliminate 100 Shocker traitors to earn the right to undergo "Reconstruction Surgery" and become a full-fledged Mutant (Kaijin), the ultimate dream for any lowly Shocker minion.
However, becoming a Mutant comes with a horrific price. The process involves a total body overhaul, including brain modification surgery. Once the brain is altered, the individual’s original identity and memories are wiped clean, leaving only a new, loyal Shocker persona. Essentially, only the physical vessel remains.
This highlights just how lucky Takeshi Hongo (Kamen Rider 1) was. He managed to escape the operating table right before the brain surgery began. Had he not escaped in time, his memories as a human would have been erased forever, and he never would have been the Takeshi Hongo we know today
The chapter reaches its climax with a showdown between Uncle Tojima and Thunder Raiko. Despite her wrestling background, Tojima ends the fight with a single punch, proving his overwhelming power. This display of strength leaves the Yakuza boss in awe—especially since he was completely outmatched by her. Desperate to fight back against Shocker, the Yakuza boss begs Tojima to take him as a disciple and train him to become stronger.
The situation grows more dire, however, as it’s revealed that the "Three Stooges" henchmen didn't escape their fate—they have already been captured and converted into Shocker Combatants by the Bat Mutant.
The next chapter promises even more excitement as the group heads into the mountains for intensive training to power up for the battles ahead. It's going to be an epic training arc!
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