TV-Series
Description
Ryū Tachibana served as right-hand man to Kentaro Yamamoto within the Inugane yakuza gang. After a mission targeting a rival boss failed, the gang captured Ryū and his comrades. Boss Kimanjiro Inugane presented them with a choice: ritual suicide or gender reassignment surgery in Thailand to become female idols. Choosing survival, Ryū transitioned into Mari Tachibana.
As Mari, Ryū formed one-third of the idol group Gokudols, characterized as the "cool" member. Despite the physical change, Ryū retained core yakuza traits: a brash demeanor, loyalty to former comrades, and disdain for traditionally feminine interests. Mari received substantial fan mail, sometimes sparking jealousy from fellow member Chika (formerly Kazuhiko Sugihara). Ryū also possessed a strong aversion to sweets, which had ended a past romantic relationship.
Ryū faced ongoing challenges from the transition, including chronic hemorrhoids and other anal complications causing public embarrassment and private pain. These issues disrupted duties, like triggering a violent, bloody outburst during a lecture due to a severe hemorrhoid episode. Struggling to reconcile his yakuza past with his idol present manifested as an internal "idol vs. yakuza" battle, sometimes leading to unintentionally forced displays of cuteness.
His background featured familial complexity: during a visit, Ryū (as Mari) confronted his transgender father, contributing to Ryū's gradual, grudging acceptance. In the live-action version, Ryū developed a romantic relationship with a lesbian nurse treating his hemorrhoids. A pivotal meeting with the gang's imprisoned former boss, who encouraged embracing the Mari identity, catalyzed a shift towards professional idol conduct, though conflicts persisted during activities like protesting yakuza or visiting cake shops.
Experiences included disillusionment, notably a "Broken Pedestal" incident where admiration for actor Hitoshi Takamura soured upon discovering Takamura was an otaku obsessed with Chika. Media appearances, such as a live radio show with rival group Buongirls, saw Ryū's blunt remarks (e.g., discussing pubic hair) inadvertently boost popularity. His development arrived at a nuanced acceptance of this dual identity, balancing residual yakuza instincts with idol responsibilities.
As Mari, Ryū formed one-third of the idol group Gokudols, characterized as the "cool" member. Despite the physical change, Ryū retained core yakuza traits: a brash demeanor, loyalty to former comrades, and disdain for traditionally feminine interests. Mari received substantial fan mail, sometimes sparking jealousy from fellow member Chika (formerly Kazuhiko Sugihara). Ryū also possessed a strong aversion to sweets, which had ended a past romantic relationship.
Ryū faced ongoing challenges from the transition, including chronic hemorrhoids and other anal complications causing public embarrassment and private pain. These issues disrupted duties, like triggering a violent, bloody outburst during a lecture due to a severe hemorrhoid episode. Struggling to reconcile his yakuza past with his idol present manifested as an internal "idol vs. yakuza" battle, sometimes leading to unintentionally forced displays of cuteness.
His background featured familial complexity: during a visit, Ryū (as Mari) confronted his transgender father, contributing to Ryū's gradual, grudging acceptance. In the live-action version, Ryū developed a romantic relationship with a lesbian nurse treating his hemorrhoids. A pivotal meeting with the gang's imprisoned former boss, who encouraged embracing the Mari identity, catalyzed a shift towards professional idol conduct, though conflicts persisted during activities like protesting yakuza or visiting cake shops.
Experiences included disillusionment, notably a "Broken Pedestal" incident where admiration for actor Hitoshi Takamura soured upon discovering Takamura was an otaku obsessed with Chika. Media appearances, such as a live radio show with rival group Buongirls, saw Ryū's blunt remarks (e.g., discussing pubic hair) inadvertently boost popularity. His development arrived at a nuanced acceptance of this dual identity, balancing residual yakuza instincts with idol responsibilities.