John Tanaka

This article is about the Main Universe John Tanaka. For the Anime Universe character with the same name, see John Tanaka (Anime).

## John Tanaka

* F-Zero GX
* F-Zero X

### Aliases

The Federation’s Lead Mechanic
The Galactic Space Federation’s Mechanic

### Occupation

Galactic Space Federation Mechanic
F-Zero Pilot (X, GX)

## Biographical information

### Age

30 (X)
31 (GX)

## Physical description

### Hair color

Black (X)
Dark Brown (GX)

## Appearances

### Appears in

F-Zero X
F-Zero GX

### Debut

F-Zero X

John Tanaka is the pilot and designer of the Wonder Wasp, and is also a mechanic in the Galactic Space Federation. He initially joined the F-Zero X Grand Prix out of concern for Jody Summer, a fighter pilot in his unit, but this had been altered to being in love with her by F-Zero GX.

## Appearance

John Tanaka is an adult male whose eyes are often depicted as being closed. He had black hair in F-Zero X, but this was changed to dark brown in F-Zero GX. He also wears a silver headset with the mic on his left side.

His suit is primarily white with the top part being blue, having the name "J. Tanaka" just above a symbol of what might be an blue atom with black rings. He wears blue gloves, blue boots, a dark colored belt with a yellow belt buckle that has the letter "G" on it. This belt had white additions in F-Zero X, but are gone in F-Zero GX. He also used to have some sort of white device on his arm in F-Zero X, but it is no longer present in F-Zero GX.

## History

### **Before F-Zero X**

At some point before F-Zero X, John Tanaka had been part of the Galactic Space Federation as its mechanic, within the same unit as a fighter pilot named Jody Summer.

### **F-Zero X**

When the F-Zero X Grand Prix had opened, Jody Summer entered the Grand Prix to arrest the criminals who were also taking part. Out of concern, John Tanaka also joined, but his own objective was to protect her.

Neither Federation member won the Grand Prix, but John Tanaka had fallen in love with Jody by the time the next F-Zero Grand Prix began.

Tanaka, an engineer, and member of the Milky Way Federation, is supposed to be assisting Jody Summer. His concern for his colleague compelled him to join the Grand Prix. He seems more interested in protecting Jody Summer than winning the Grand Prix.

*Note: The Milky Way Federation is actually supposed to be "Galactic Space Federation."*

 **John Tanaka (English Translation by Sidier):** He's a member of the Galactic Space Federation and he's originally the assistant engineer to Jody Summer but suddenly submitted his participation in the Grand Prix. It'd seem that his true intent is to protect Jody, rather than winning the tournament.

### **F-Zero GX**

Smitten with Jody, Tanaka entered the F-Zero GX Grand Prix and prioritized protecting her over winning the Grand Prix. Though if he did win, he had planned to propose to her.

John, the mechanic of the Galactic Space Federation, is in the same unit as *Jody Summers*. Secretly harboring feelings for her, he entered to protect her from danger. If, by a stroke of luck, he wins the Grand Prix, he’s even considering proposing.

*Note:* The US in-game Pilot Profile incorrectly spelled Jody's last name as "Summers." It should be "Summer."

 **DeepL Translation:** As a mechanic in the Galactic Space Federation, he maintains the fighter machines of the unit Jody Summer belongs to. He is secretly in love with Jody, and when he heard that she was going to enter the Grand Prix, he volunteered to join in order to protect her from the danger of the race. And if he is lucky enough to win the Grand Prix, he plans to propose to Jody.

***The Federation’s Lead Mechanic.***
John, the mechanic of the Galactic Space Federation, is in the same unit as *Jody Summers*. Secretly harboring feelings for Jody, he entered to protect her from danger. If, by a stroke of luck he wins the Grand Prix, he’s even considering proposing.

*Note: US Manual also incorrectly spelled Jody's last name as "Summers." It should be "Summer."*

#### **F-Zero GX Story Mode**

In a short time before the F-Zero GX Grand Prix, the Galactic Space Federation had responded to reports of Black Shadow wreaking havoc in the Lightning Area. Jody Summer and John Tanaka arrived on the scene but became separated from one another. As the Blue Falcon arrived in the Lightning Area, its pilot, Captain Falcon, had jumped out and rushed over to Tanaka, asking if he was alright. However, Tanaka, rather than worrying about his own condition, pointed Falcon to an overloading power plant and exclaimed that Jody was still inside.

Some time after watching Falcon head into the power plant, Tanaka avoided the debris of the exploding power plant and was greeted by the sight of the Blue Falcon. Captain Falcon helped Jody walk over to Tanaka, who was relieved to see Jody safe and sound.

John Tanaka would later appear at the F-Zero GX Grand Prix along with Jody Summer, both of the pilots having made full recoveries.

#### **Cyberdancer John Tanaka**

Upon beating any Grand Prix on Master mode with the Wonder Wasp, it will unlock a special video for John Tanaka, which also features his theme song.

John Tanaka is seen performing a dance in front of a greenscreen with special effects. Upon seeing his crush, Jody Summer, walk by, Tanaka holds out a large rose for her. Jody briefly looks his way, but she quickly turns back to Captain Falcon, holding his arm and walking away with him as Tanaka falls to the floor. Frustrated, Tanaka gets up and throws the rose to the ground as the greenscreen footage messes up.

## Gallery

F-Zero X artwork.F-Zero GX render.F-Zero GX pilot portrait.F-Zero GX icon.John Tanaka's F-Zero GX autograph.
## Trivia

* His original concern for Jody has been turned into full on romantic feelings for her by F-Zero GX.
* His last name implies he may be of Japanese descent.
* Tanaka's little robot has no given name, though F-Zero GX's filename for the robot model refers to it as "MEKA."
	+ **No, J-Love-1 was never canon and stems from a contradictory source.**

## References

1. ↑ F-Zero GX in-game US Pilot Profiles