Gairyu
From Transformers Wiki
- Gairyu is aDecepticonfrom theVictoryportion of theGeneration 1continuity family.
TheDinoforceare not exactly known for brilliant strategy, butGairyu(ガイリュウGairyū) at least tries. He knows that simply charging into battle with berzerker rage isn't enough to win battles; you need defensive moves as well. Thus, he has taken almost solely to the strategy ofcounterattack:his back-wings can absorb free-flying energy, using it to charge up and dramatically boost his own already-impressive strength when he eventually strikes back. His specialty is the "Gai-Ankylo Dash" he can perform when merged with his semi-autonomousAnkylosaurusshell, exploding into a heavily armored, spike-sided bullet on legs.
Thing is, he's so dedicated to the "defense" part of this plan that he holds off on powerful attacks untiljuuuuuuuuuustthe right moment, and he is prepared to wait for that moment under all his nigh-impenetrable dino-armor. And wait. And wait.
And wait.
To the point where he'll pass up multiple perfectly good opportunities to strike, often resulting in attacks that are toomuchtoo late, much to his teammates' chagrin.
A more cynical observer might consider these the (in)actions of a reluctant coward rather than an overly-careful strategist.
Just saying. Gairyu can form the powerful (but unintelligent)Dinokingwith the other Dinoforcers.
Contents |
Fiction
Victorycartoon
- Voice actor:Yūki Satō(Japanese)
Victorycomic
Gairyu and the Dinoforce rode their shells into battle, ransacking the planet Earth. They attempted to escalate the devastation by formingDinoking,but were stopped cold by the power ofLandcross.So Cool! Our Ally, Star Saber!
Gairyu stood watch asKakuryuwent through his daily fitness routine.Star Saber, Warrior of Love!
As the Autobots infiltrated the Decepticon Space Stronghold, their sudden appearance scattered Gairyu and the Dinoforce. The fighting soon ceased as the Decepticons revealed they only sought energy for their families, including the adorableDinobabies.The Grand Victory War
2005 IDW continuity
Gairyu was part ofDeathsaurus's contingent of Decepticons stationed in theirWarworld.In agreement withTarn,Deathsaurus and his forces joined with theDecepticon Justice Divisionto continue the Decepticon dream and eliminateMegatron.The Permanent Revolution
Toys
Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers
- Gairyu(Dinoforce,1989)
- ID number:D-323
- Accessories:Ankylosaurusshell, shell back, "Ankylo Gun", left Dinoking fist
- Known designers:Kōjin Ōno(TakaraTomy),Masakatsu Saito(concept artist)
- Aredecoof thePretender MonsterBristleback,Fight! Super Robot Lifeform TransformersGairyu transforms into a spiked quadrupedal monster. He can also form either arm to the team's combined modeDinoking,though his nominal placement is as the combiner's left arm.
- He comes with a rubbery, cyborgAnkylosaurusshell he hides inside. The back of the shell can also store his rifle and the Dinoking fist. This shell, like all the Dinoforce shells, has a pair of QC flaws that appear nearly universal: the shell has a nasty tendency to "sweat" an oily residue, plus the metallic paints age poorly, with the silver paint turning uneven and grody-looking. (The rubbery part of the shell lacks the gold paint that famously turns a nasty patina-green most of the other Dinoforce shells have.) While some water and a little bit of hand-soap should take care of the slime, there's not much to be done about the paint.
- Dinoking(Dinoforcegiftset, 1989)
- ID number:D-328
- Accessories:Ankylosaurusshell, shell back, "Ankylo Gun", left Dinoking fist
- Known designers:Kōjin Ōno(TakaraTomy)
- All six members of theDinoforcewere available both in individual boxes, and in a complete six-piece giftset. While there are no differences in the toys themselves, the giftset lacks anybioorTech Speccards for the individual components, only having cards for the combined mode.
Legacy
- Dinoking(Gift set, 2024)
- TakaraTomy name:Decepticon Dinoking(ディセプティコンダイノキング)
- TakaraTomy ID number:TL-89
- TakaraTomy release date:March 29,2025
- Accessories:Tail-blaster
- Known designers:Evan Brooks(Hasbro),Shuhei UmezuandShogo Hasui(TakaraTomy),Amy Bence(packaging)[1][2]
- Finally achieving the form this mold was clearly meant to be from the beginning,Legacy: UnitedGairyu is aredecoand new-headretoolingofLegacy: EvolutionCore ClassScarr,transforming into a roboticAnkylosaurus,with his colors based on his anime portrayal rather than the original toy. He has a newly-molded, longer beast mode tail that detaches to become a big cannon. Because of his transformation scheme, his robot arms can swing frontward, allowing him to double-wield some weapons with longer posts.
- Gairyu also forms the left arm toDinoking.While hetechnicallycan form the right arm as well, his tail-gun forms his fist, and it's a left-handed fist, so.
- He was only available in aHasbro Pulse Con 2024box set of six Dinoforce members, along withDoryu,Goryu,Kakuryu,Rairyu,andYokuryu.
Notes
- Gairyūcorresponds with khải long, meaning "Armored Dinosaur". It is used to refer to theAnkylosauriasuborder of dinosaurs in Japanese.
- TheVictoryanime depicted the Dinoforce members as carrying melee weapons, rather than the blasters the toys actually came with. Gairyu carries a scimitar, though he can shoot energy beams from it like a gun.
- Gairyu's animation model has his beast and robot limbs in black, rather than the actual toy's white; he's got white thighs, which are green on the toy.
Foreign names
- English:Bristleback(Omni Productionsdub)
- Mandarin:Chángwěiguài(China, đuôi dài quái, "Long-tailed Monster" )
