Diego Perez

Kamen Rider Tanoki (Masked Rider Musical Demon) is the main protagonist of Kamen Rider Tanoki. As an Oni, he is solely known as Tanoki, but he still uses his original name of Diego Perez.

## General Information

Series: Kamen Rider Tanoki

Motifs:

* Oni
* Acoustic Guitar
* Skeleton

Rider Type: Hero

## History

Diego is a descendant of the original Oni that migrated to Mexico and escaped the War between the Makamou and mankind. When the Makamou followed him to his new home, he took up his mantle against and trained his kin how to fight them as Oni.

As a child, Diego heard the rumors of a strange thing called an Oni. He grew up believing that the Oni were hideous monsters who were anything but a good thing. Despite that, he was a good kid.

Diego's parents forced him to learn how to play an instrument, claiming that it was to continue their families legacy as a mariachi band. In truth, this was to find out what kind of Oni Diego would grow up into. Diego earned he had a remarkable gift for playing the guitar and using his music to make people happy.

On his eighteenth birthday, Diego learns that everyone in his family is secretly an Oni. As such, he is also an Oni whose duty is to protect the human race from a race of giant monsters called the Makamou. While hesitant at first, he eventually accepts his destiny and fights against the vile Makamou as Kamen Rider Tanoki.

## Personality

Diego starts his journey as a reckless young youth. He treats fighting the Makamou as a fun little activity that gives him an excuse to use his guitar for good. Over time, he witnesses some rather messed up things that the Makamou and their masters are responsible for. This breaks his spirit and trains him to take his role as defender of humanity more seriously.

## Oni Forms

#### **Tanoki**

In this form, Tanoki is a red demon, This is his basic form and the easiest form for him to reach. To become this form, Tanoki (string). Tanoki also gains a second "oni face" which is a crest that forms on his forehead. Unlike most Kamen Riders, Tanoki does not wear a suit; rather his demon form is his true form.

#### **Tanoki Mucho**

Tanoki's second form, also known as Tanoki Mucho, was reached thanks to his secret training with the drum of his ancestor. It is exactly the same in appearance as his original form except it is black instead of red, and the normally yellow details become gold.

#### **Tanoki Grande**

The third and final form Tanoki was able to reach is known as Tanoki Grande. Unlike Mucho Form that simply changes colors, the armor pieces of equipment here are much greater. To reach this form, Tanoki must use the Blazing Bow, also serving as a weapon in this form. After shouting into the Blazing Bow, various Disk Animals fuse with him to form the additional armor.

## Attacks

Tanoki has a variety of attacking styles with some requiring his enhanced forms to use.

As a String-type Fire Oni, Tanoki's most used Ongeki (Sound Attack) techniques are those of the Ongeki So (Demon Attack Play) style.

* Kihojutsu: Onibi (Demon Art Technique: Demon Fire): Tanoki's mask forms a mouth to shoot a torrent of flames at his foe.
* Kitojutsu: Onizume (Demon Fighting Technique: Demon Claw): Forms claws from his hands to stab and slash at foes.

**Ongeki Finishers**

Oni Form

* Ongeki So: Yakeru Kyoku (Sound Attack Play: Kindle Tune)
* Ongeki So: Nobi Kyoku (Sound Attack Play: Wildfire Tune)

Tanoki Mucho

Tanoki Grande

## Equipment

**Devices:**

* Henshin Kigen
* Ongekishin: Chowadokan (Sound Attack Quake: Harmony Conduit)
* Disk Animals

**Weapons:**

* Ongekishi: Moeru Jonetsu (Sound Attack Warrior: Burning Passion)
* Blazing Bow: Tanoki Grande's primary weapon, based on a megaphone

## Etymology

Diego is a Spanish name that means "teaching". *(behindthename.com)*

Perez is a Spanish surname that means "son of Pedro". *(behindthename.com)*