 This article is about a narrator in Kamen Rider Saber.
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- "Everyone, Bonne Lecture!"
- ―Tassel’s greeting to the audience[src]
Tassel (タッセル, Tasseru) is the narrator of Kamen Rider Saber. Born Victor (ビクトール, Bikutōru)[1], he is one of the first humans that discovered the Wonder World and became its guardian before succeeded by Touma.
History
Background
Two thousand years ago, Victor was part of a group of five travelers alongside Storious, Legeiel, Zooous, and the first Master Logos to search for Wonder World in hopes of give humanity a better lives. After meeting a mysterious priestess, the five became the first humans to set foot in the Wonder World and bore witness to the Almighty Book. However, Storious led Zooous and Legiel to take the power of the Almighty Book for themselves, forcing Victor and Master Logos to fight against their three friends.
Over the last two thousand years, Victor provided the service of the Sword of Logos and became acquainted with Yuri. He was chosen to become guardian of Wonder World, unable to interact with Earth and preventing the two thousand year conflict there. He split what was left of the Almighty Book between him and the first Master Logos, and promised to protect the balance between Earth and Wonder World on their respective ends. Victor created the first Seikens, Kougouken Saikou and Ankokuken Kurayami, imbued with his wish to maintain peace. Victor abandoned his old name and took on the name "Tassel".
Guardian of Wonder World
In present day, he narrates the life of Touma Kamiyama as he uses the power of Kaenken Rekka and the Brave Dragon Wonder Rider Book as Kamen Rider Saber. He would inform his watchers of the novelist's motivation to regain his past childhood memories and search for his friend Luna. Tassel continues to chronicle Touma's story of joining the Sword of Logos, meeting the swordsmen wielding the Seiken, and his endeavors against Kamen Rider Calibur and the Megid.
After Yuri was free from his duties in Avalon, Tassel reunited with his old ally from over a thousand years. In one night in particular, Tassel left his residence and Wonder World and arrived back on Earth where he and Yuri observe Touma holding Kento Fukamiya in his arms as he collapsed from his battle with Calibur.
Master Logos' Conspiracy
Tassel continues narrating Touma Kamiyama's story as the latter was framed for the Sword of Logos and has finally met Yuri. However, he becomes wary of the conspiracy against Touma that is set up behind the current Master Logos. He would later assist Yuri in regaining his swordsman body through Kougouken Saikou's Wonder World Story, although it took a while to find it due to Tassel accidentally misplacing it in his hat.
After Touma obtained the Primitive Dragon Wonder Ride Book, Tassel has become increasingly worried for him as he packed up a briefcase, intending to travel for a small trip. When he returned, Tassel sensed Luna's presence in Touma's dreams, describing her as the "girl that connects both worlds". When Yuri paid yet another visit regarding Primitive Dragon, Tassel couldn't help him due to the young boy's prolonged sadness was exactly the reason why Touma was unable to tame it. While he concludes that there is no way to control the forbidden Wonder Ride Book, he packs his things and leaves his house.
Tassel arrived at the Southern Base to meet the current Master Logos, Isaac (Saber), who referred him by his original name Victor. Tassel reminded Master Logos about his promise with the first Master Logos, Issac rebuffed him and claimed that he never made any promises with him. Isaac revealed his goal to obtain the Almighty Book to destroy the Earth and rule a new one in it's place. He then draws out a book and shoots a beam at Tassel, seemingly causing him to disappear. From here onwards, Tassel doesn't narrate episodes.
Tassel appeared to Touma Kamiyama for the first time after he had saved the Primitive Dragon's spirit. Upon Touma's victory against Legeiel Forbidden, Tassel thanked him for freeing Primitive Dragon's soul when no one else was able to do so, as the book interpreted the dragon as a ruinous monster. He then warns Touma of a forthcoming calamity in the future, urging him to find his friend Luna before the events are set into motion.
Return from Banishment
After a long period of regeneration, Tassel was able to return to back to Wonder World and resume his duties to narrate Touma Kamiyama's chronicles. However, he senses the presence of Luna, who has returned after her disappearance and ventures out to Wonder World to go find her. Tassel locates her and reveals her origins as the manifestation of Wonder World itself.He later brings Luna to his residence for safety and left her there to properly meet with Touma Kamiyama.
Tassel arrived at the Northern Base to properly introduce himself Touma and the others. He promptly told everyone present about the truth regarding the two thousand year conflict and the Megid. He reveals Luna has chosen Touma to obtain Wonder World's great power, but will disappear from reality just like Tassel. Although everyone was saddened with this revelation, Touma reassured everyone that he'll overturn that fate. Tassel leaves the Northern Base to retrieve Luna, but she had gone missing while he was away. Suddenly, Storious corners him to demand the Almighty Book fragment in his possession.
Death
- "I'm sure everyone of you will be fine, Touma.."
- ―Victor's final words before his death.[src]
While Tassel had reunited with Storious, he attempted to remind his old friend about the good times they had with Legeiel, Zooous, and the first Master Logos. Unfortunately, his words failed to reach him as Storious stabbed Tassel with his sword. However, he still didn't want to give up by hugging him to apologize for giving him too much power in the first place. This only forced Storious to push him back and take Tassel's book. In his dying breath, Tassel believed Touma is the only hope left to save Earth and Wonder World, before his body disintegrates into fading bubbles. With his death, Wonder World began to destabilize while simultaneously affecting Earth.
Post-Mortem and Legacy
After Touma fulfilled his duty and saved Earth by sacrificing himself, Wonder World had restored and Touma became Tassel's successor as guardian of said world. Tassel's spirit later appeared in the Wonder World alongside the spirits of Luna, the first Master Logos and the Megid generals to greet his now successor Touma after he became the Wonder World's current guardian. He stands reunited with all his friends at long last as their spirits had found peace. Tassel wished Touma good luck as the Wonder World's guardian.
Powers
- Wonder World Guardian Physiology: As a guardian of the Wonder World, Tassel is able to use the following powers:
- Longevity: Tassel was able to live for more than 2,000 years.
- Flight: Tassel is shown to have flown with his umbrella, though he can't fully control his direction. [Chapter 7: The Sword of the King, Lies in Avalon.]
- Size Alteration: Tassel can change his size, however it is unknown whether he can willingly manipulate his size himself or requires an item to change his size.
- Fourth-Wall Interaction: Tassel has been shown to break the 4th-wall to narrate the series.
- Telepathy: Tassel is able to enter other's mind to communicate
Weaknesses
- Incorporeal in Human World: Due to Tassel become the guardian of Wonder World, he has lost his ability to return to Human World, and he can only appear in Human World in an incorporeal state.
- Wonder World Symbiosis: Despite being the guardian of Wonder World, Tassel is served as a "core" vulnerable to assassinations, like in the case of Storious. Ironically, his death would cause the Wonder World to crumble into its destruction.
Equipment
Devices
- Almighty Book Fragment: Tassel was seen with a Almighty Book Fragment. Given that Master Logos' and the Northern Base's books' powers were seen, it is implied Tassel's would have the same powers. It echos with Touma's Wonder Story book and 10 Seiken for the birth of Haouken Xross Saber. It was later stolen by Storious.
Relationships
Allies
- Touma Kamiyama/Kamen Rider Saber (II): Tassel knew a lot about Touma due to him watching over his adventures, though the two never met until Touma acquires the Elemental Dragon Wonder Ride Book. Tassel encourages Touma to find and reunite with Luna before the calamity begins. Tassel greatly believes in Touma, even when his death comes as he know that Touma will be the one who bring peace to both Earth and Wonder World.
- Rintaro Shindo/Kamen Rider Blades (II): Tassel gave Rintaro the Specter Gekikou Senki Wonder Ride Book to help fight against Danton’s followers.
- Yuri/Kamen Rider Saikou: Tassel and Yuri have a long history together that stems back to 2000 years prior to the start of the series. In the present day, Yuri would pay a visit to Tassel whenever he needed help with something. (i.e. regaining his swordsman form, or relearning the story of the Primitive Dragon). After Tassel's death, Yuri silently mourns for his friend death, and exclaimed that he'll follow him soon.
- Master Logos (original): Tassel befriended the first Master Logos during his travels. It is possible that he had also maintained friendships with the succeeding Master Logos over 2000 years, before Isaac tarnished the legacy of the Master Logos title.
- Hayato Fukamiya/Kamen Rider Calibur: The person that he saved.
- Luna: Tassel is the one who informed Luna about her origin, as the manifestation of Wonder World itself.
Enemies
- Isaac/Current Master Logos: Tassel didn't expect that Isaac chose to destroy everything that his organization had kept to protect. As Tassel has no power to fight back, he can only give a warning for his wrong deed.
- Storious: One of Tassel's former friends. Right before Tassel's death at the hands of Storious, he had expressed his remorse and guilt towards Storious, as he felt that his actions had indirectly led to his friends being corrupted with power in the first place.
- Legeiel: One of Tassel's former friends.
- Zooous: One of Tassel's former friends.
Behind the Scenes
Portrayal
Tassel is portrayed by Les Romanesques TOBI (レ・ロマネスクTOBI, Re Romanesuku Tobī).
Etymology
- Tassel's name comes from the decorative ornament of the same name that is commonly used as a bookmark.
- Tassel’s original name “Victor” comes from a latin word that means "champion".
Notes
- To fill in narrative gaps, Tassel was introduced as a guide character to provide context and world building for the audience.[2]
- Tassel's true identity was originally planned to be Touma Kamiyama from 40 years later, but the concept was dropped due to consistency issues and COVID-19 prevention measures.[3]
- The phrase "Bonne Lecture" spoken by Tassel at the beginning of each episode is French for "Happy reading".
Appearances
Kamen Rider Saber
- Kamen Rider Saber Spin-Off: Sword of Logos Saga
- Chapter 1: In The Beginning, There Was a Flame Swordsman.
- Chapter 2: The Water Swordsman, Along With a Blue Lion.
- Chapter 3: A Father, and a Swordsman.
- Chapter 4: I Opened the Book, Therefore.
- Chapter 5: My Friend, the Thunder Swordsman.
- Chapter 6: Like the Wind, He Arrives.
- Chapter 7: The Sword of the King, Lies in Avalon.
- Chapter 8: The One That Is Sealed Is, Arthur.
- Chapter 9: Overlap, the Swordsman's Timbre.
- Chapter 10: Crossing Swords, and Crossing Feelings.
- Kamen Rider Saber: The Phoenix Swordsman and the Book of Ruin
- Chapter 11: Disturbed Thunder, Spreading Dark Clouds.
- Chapter 12: The Promise, in that Place.
- Chapter 13: I, Will Stay True, To My Convictions.
- Chapter 14: These Feelings, Dwell in this Blade.
- Chapter 15: Beyond The Resolution, and Beyond.
- Chapter 16: Saving the World, A Ray of Light.
- Chapter 17: The Ancient Messenger, of Either Light or Shadow.
- Chapter 18: The Flame's Obsession, Defeating the Megid.
- Chapter 19: Flame and Light, Sword and Sword.
- Chapter 20: To Destroy the Stronghold, the Will of the Sword.
- Chapter 21: Shine the Best, Full Color.
- Chapter 22: Nevertheless, I Want to Save People.
- Chapter 23: Raging, Hand of Ruin.
- Chapter 24: On My Father's Back, the Future He Carried.
- Chapter 25: Clad in Smoke, the Crimson Assassin.
- Chapter 26: Deep Darkness, With a Sword.
- Chapter 27: Sorrow, Turn It Into a Smile.
Kamen Rider Saber × Ghost- Kamen Rider Specter × Blades
- Chapter 39: Hey Swordsmen, Follow the Path You Believe in.
- Chapter 40: Shining Friendship, the Three Swordsmen.
- Chapter 41: For 2,000 Years, a Wish Spelled Out.
- Chapter 42: The Beginning, of a Beautiful End. (death)
- Chapter 45: Ten Swordsmen, Betting the World. (mentioned)
- Final Chapter: The End of the World, the Story that is Born. (spirit)
- Special Issue: A New Page, Opens (mentioned)
References
- ↑ According to the Grimiore Wonder Ride Book in Wonder World letters[1]
- ↑ 『東映ヒーローMAX』VOLUME 62（2020 AUTUMN）、2020年11月10日、ISBN 978-4-7778-2630-8。
- ↑ 『フィギュア王』No.284、2021年10月30日、ISBN 978-4-8465-3255-0。
