Taiga Hanaya

1="Mission start!"

- Taiga's pre-battle catchphrase

2="Secondary Tactic!"

- Taiga's pre-Level 2 transformation catchphrase

3="Mission complete!"

- Taiga's proclamation after game clear

Taiga Hanaya (花家 大我) is Kamen Rider Snipe (仮面ライダースナイプ). He is an unlicensed doctor, who was once a member of the radiology department at the Seito University Hospital, before his medical license was revoked because of an incident 5 years ago. Currently he collects Rider Gashats to became the rumored "Super Doctor". He is also known as the "Doctor of Darkness" (闇のドクター).

Past
Taiga was originally a radiologist for the Seito University Hospital. At the time of Zero Day, he was chosen to be a Kamen Rider for CR. Over time, Taiga became obsessed with the power of the Gashats. For causing a fatal medical error and killing a patient (presumably someone with a connection to Hiiro Kagami), Taiga left, and his medical license was revoked. There is evidence that Graphite was involved, as he holds a grudge against the Bugster.

Second Bugster Outbreak
Taiga observed Ex-Aid's first fight against the Bugster from afar, using a rifle scope as a telescope (true to his Rider name, "Snipe"). He then mimicked shooting Ex-Aid.

He purchased his own Gamer Driver and BangBang Shooting Gashat from the Genm Corp. with large piles of cash. When complimented by Kuroto Dan, he simply said that Dan need a large amount of money to making new games.

Sometime later, Taiga was confronted by Graphite. Before Taiga could transform to fight, Parad appeared, warning Graphite against doing something rash and making a bet with Taiga.

By chance, Taiga overheard Emu trying to confront one of his patients, a boy named Yuki who was infected with Bugster. Taiga's presence aggravated Yuki due to the latter's iatrophobia, activating the giant Bugster. Taiga transformed into Snipe Level 1 and quickly extracted the Bugster, Revolve, from Yuki before proceeding to fight the virus. However, Yuki's fear of doctors was only heightened, and Revolve's strength multiplied. Despite Ex-Aid's protest, Snipe continued fighting. After finishing off more of Revolve's troops, Taiga confronted Emu, noticing his personality change as Ex-Aid and saying that they'll play again.

Emu found Taiga in an abandoned hospital, the latter expecting the former. Taiga refused to stay out of Yuki's case, saying he would do what he wanted to do, and his only concern was collecting all 10 Gashats to gain the power to destroy Bugster permanently. Taiga proposed a game: the two would fight to see who could defeat Revolve first, the prize being the other Rider's Gashat.

As Taiga expected, the Bugsters breached the hospital trying to get him and Emu. Taiga handled several Busgters bare-handed before transforming into Snipe Level 2, beginning the challenge between him and Ex-Aid. However, Brave intervened by attacking Snipe. Their fight stopped momentarily when Ex-Aid and Brave reminds them of Revolve, the priority target.

Snipe is able to avoid getting damaged, but Brave and Ex-Aid are brought to almost Game Over by Revolve clones generated by the stronger Revolve. Nevertheless, Taiga remains calm, finishing the Real Revolve using BangBang Critical Finish after Ex-Aid defeats the clones.

After the battle, Taiga claims the Mighty Action X Gashat, telling Emu mockingly that he's open for a rematch if he want it back, if he can transform that is.

Personality
Taiga is a bitter man with an arrogant personality due of the incident on Zero Day. He holds no concern for victims of the Bugsters or protecting them: he cares only for collecting Gashats. He'll use anything to win, as shown as when he personally bought his Gamer Driver & BangBang Shooting Gashat back from Kuroto Dan & took Emu's Mighty Action X Gashat after the battle with the Revolve Bugster.

He cares even less than Hiiro when it comes to the patient's safety, while Hiiro at least will complete the operation and cure the disease, Taiga only cares about destroying the Bugsters with little regard for the patient's life. For him, the battles are a competitions with his fellow Riders. (Ex. Escalating a child's fear of doctors by continuing to battle despite Emu's pleas not to scare him.)

He seems to be well-informed, as shown when he approached Kuroto Dan to buy a Driver and Gashat because he knows Kuroto needs funding for his new games. He knows Graphite and appears to have a grudge against him. Kuroto Dan admit that his skills as a Rider are undeniable but also said that he is a dangerous man.

Abilites

 * Hand-to-Hand Combat: Taiga has shown himself to be a skilled fighter, being able to easily take on Bugster viruses as a civilian.
 * Marksmanship: Taiga had a huge proficiency while using his Gashacon Magnum, able to shoot the well-hidden Revolve.

Devices

 * Gamer Driver - Transformation device
 * Rider Gashat - Transformation trinkets
 * Kimewaza Slot Holder - Carrier strap for the Rider Gashats
 * Combat Gamer - Snipe's Support Robot

Weapons

 * Gashacon Magnum - Standard sidearm weapon.

Portrayal
Taiga Hanaya is portrayed by Ukyo Matsumoto (松本 享恭). As Kamen Rider Snipe, his suit actor is Satoshi Fujita (藤田 慧) in Level 1 and Eitoku (永徳) in Level 2.

Appearances

 * Icon-exaid.png Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
 * Episode 1: I'm a Kamen Rider!
 * Episode 2: Another Prodigy with No Thank You?
 * Episode 3: BANG, That Jerk is Coming!
 * Episode 4: An Operation Called Dash!
 * Episode 5: Everyone Gathers for a Clashing Crash!
 * Kamen Rider Ex-Aid "Tricks": Virtual Operations
 * Episode 2: Snipe Chapter