Rhinox

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Rhinox is the name of two fictional characters from various Transformers universes.

1 Beast Wars
2 Fiction
3 Transformers: Armada
4 External links

[edit] Beast Wars

Rhinox
Transformers character
Rhinox Box Art
Affiliation	Maximal
Sub-Group	Deluxe Beast Transmetals
Function	Defense Strategic Defense
Motto	"Power in defense of freedom will always triumph over power used for evil."
Alternate Modes	Bulldozer Rhinoceros Transmetal Rhinoceros
Series	Beast Wars
Voiced by	Richard Newman (English) Daiki Nakamura (Japanese)

[edit] Fiction

Rhinox's character in the Beast Wars television series is very different from how the toy was depicted. As one of the first year toys, the toy of Rhinox was created before the television series came along, and his character was written by Hasbro. These characterizations were largely thrown out the window by the television series producers.

Rhinox's original tech spec portrayed him as an immensely tough and territorial Maximal dedicated to battling the Predacons. His Transmetal tech spec showed that he appreciated his increased mobility, pulling high speed attacks on the Predacons and showing off with wheelies. His 10th anniversary tech spec was more in-line with the show portrayal.

Rhinox

Rhinox was a Maximal and Optimus Primal's oldest friend, although it seems Rhinox has known Rattrap for even longer, stating he was his best friend in the episode A Better Mousetrap. His beast mode is in the form of a large brown rhinoceros (it rarely appeared in the second season, and wasn't seen in the third). He has two machine guns as weapons, which fans have named the Chainguns of Doom. He usually stays in the base and acts as an engineer. Rhinox created the Maximal base's automated defense system, dubbed Sentinel.

Rhinox seems generally as capable of leadership as Optimus Primal, and Optimus Primal has told him as much. However, Rhinox abhors the babysitting and loss of independence that come with being a full-time leader. He is indisputably loyal to Optimus Primal; their mutual respect is so strong that Rhinox is the only Maximal that Optimus Primal seeks advice from (causing mild, intermittent jealousy among a few other Maximals). Though never confirmed, it is implied that Rhinox might be older than Optimus Primal, and a once-great (but burned-out) ex-leader. Rhinox's true abilities come out when, in the episode "Dark Designs", he is reprogrammed into a Predacon - only to outwit and damage every other Predacon, to the dismay of Megatron. Rhinox is the only Maximal whose form does not change or evolve for the duration of the series, though in the toyline he did become a Transmetal. He spent much of the second and third season minding the Maximal bases rather than going out on missions.

Rhinox is probably one of the most under-appreciated characters in the entire Beast Wars series. He has a brilliant mind, a thirst for peace, and an astounding vigor and resolve to do whatever it takes to maintain that peace. He does whatever it is that is asked of him, even though the requests often made of him are impossible. For example, in the episode "Chain of Command", Optimus Primal becomes trapped in an alien device. Rhinox is then left with the task of, using only the available technology from their ship, constructing an instrument to extract their trapped Commander from a device of alien design. Being the ever resourceful engineer, Rhinox finds a way. Rhinox also contributes in countless other ways. Even though Rattrap is considered to be Second-in-Command to Optimus Primal, Rhinox often becomes the enforcer, keeping the troops in rank. His great size and strength is another one of his advantages, in addition to his incredibly quick thinking. These attributes have saved the Maximals countless times throughout the series.

In 2005 the original Rhinox toy was one of the toys selected for the Beast Wars 10th Anniversary toyline. He was repainted in more show-accurate colors. He came packaged with one of the six pieces used to make the Transmutate toy.

[edit] Season 1

Rhinox was defense officer of the Maximal ship called the Axalon, commanded by Optimus Primal. Their mission was one of exploration and to get rid of the abomination called Protoform X, but things didn't go as planned. With crewmates Cheetor and Rattrap, the Axalon chased the Predacon criminal Megatron through transwarp space after the theft of the Golden Disk. The Maximals and Predacons crashed on prehistoric Earth, where high energon levels threatened to destroy the crew unless they adopted organic alternate modes. Rhinox was given the form of a rhino (Beast Wars Part 1). Rhinox would be a loyal (unofficial) second-in-command to Primal throughout the whole conflict.

Rhinox's talents would be displayed at multiple points in the Beast Wars. He would be the one principally responsibe for saving the life of the protoform that would become Airazor, developing a paternalistic bond with her. He saved Optimus Primal from an alien structure after he had been absorbed into it, creating a device that would save him, although the structure recreated Primal on its own after Rhinox blasted Waspinator into it.

Rhinox also created Sentinel, a security computer that could defend their base from the Predacons. Unfortunately it went berserk and Rattrap was forced to infiltrate the Maximals own base in order to shut it down. When Rattrap appeared to have been killed, a mournful Rhinox described him as his best friend - until Rattrap spoiled the mood by showing up alive. Rhinox later repaired Sentinel.

One of Rhinox's most notable misadventures came when Megatron, impressed with Rhinox's power after he single-handedly thwarted a Predacon ambush, had Tarantulas infect him with a Predacon shell program that turned him into a Predacon. Unfortunately, he got more than he bargained for - Rhinox would attempt to take over the Predacons himself, crippling all save Megatron, who, in desperation, turned him back into a Maximal. Rhinox then escaped to rejoin his comrades.

Later, after being blinded by one of Scorponok and Tarantulas' inventions, Rhinox guided Rattrap, Dinobot and Cheetor back to base, showing them how to let their other senses help them and drive off the opportunistic Predacons. After that, an energon discharge virus allowed Rhinox to hand Megatron his most humiliating defeat, when Rhinox loosed a blast from his hind quarters in Megatron's face.

Rhinox was damaged by Tarantulas and Blackarachnia during a Predacon attack in the first series finale, and was subsequently offline for Primal's destruction.

[edit] Convention Comics

Rhinox was one of the stars of the 1997 Botcon Convention Comics, a story set near the end of season one of the Beast Wars television series.

In the Convention Comics plot, Inferno and Blackarachnia watched as the Predacon scientist Fractyl attempted to invent energon armor capable of protecting them from energon build up. Although seemingly successful, the armor was stolen by the Maximal thief Packrat. Blackarachnia and Fractyl realized the energon armor was flawed and could destroy the planet if it came in contact with large amounts of energon. Inferno pursued Packrat, but since Packrat didn't need to assume beast mode with the armor on, he got the upper hand in the fight with Inferno. Hearing the battle, Airazor, Cheetor and Rhinox joined Packrat. Fractyl convinced Rhinox that the armor was a threat to them all. Rhinox was able to talk Packrat into giving up the armor, which Fractyl aided them in doing. When Blackarachnia arrived with Megatron, Packrat suggested that Fractyl pretend to be attacking the Maximals, who fled. Megatron was impressed with Fractyl's new found battle prowess.

[edit] Season 2

Rhinox and Waspinator in transmetal form, as they appeared in the Japanese Beast Wars video game.

Rhinox was among those unaffected by the quantum wave which turned many Cybertronians into transmetals. It's theorized by fans that he didn't change because he was in a cryo-regeneration chamber at the time (after being damaged by Tarantulas and Blackarachnia), and was protected from it. (Note: In the toy line he was released as a transmetal and his tech spec stated he was changed in the quantum surge, but due to limitation in the show production, they kept Rhinox in his original form.)

Rhinox ventured into the "Other side of the Matrix" ("where all are one") after Optimus Primal died, using the hole in time left by the Vok Planet Killer's destruction, retrieving Optimus Primal's spark and placing it in a Transmetal new body

Rhinox continued to battle the Predacons and use his medical skills. When Transmutate's stasis pod fell to Earth it was Rhinox who determined that she could be a potential threat (much to Silverbolt's disgust) and also realized that Dinobot's wounds were fatal after his climactic battle with the Predacons. When Megatron attempted to alter history, Primal and the other Maximals pursued him to the Ark. Relying on Rhinox's great strength to lever the doors of the Ark open. However, they were too late. Megatron shot Optimus Prime in the head and all of time began to destabilize.

[edit] Season 3

Rhinox in action.

Megatron's plan was thwarted when Blackarachnia unexpectedly switched sides, allowing Rhinox and the former Predacon to repair Prime's body while Optimus Primal safeguarded his Spark. He later defended the Ark alongside Rattrap, only being saved by Depth Charge's arrival, and managed to help Blackarachnia in her switch to a Transmetal 2 body. In the series conclusion, as Megatron used the Decepticon ship Nemesis to destroy the Ark and humanity, Rhinox was able to realize that Dinobot 2's transmission meant that history was still being written. Taking the Omega Delta, an Autobot shuttle, Rhinox managed to crash it through the bridge of the Nemesis effectively ending Megatron's threat, and with it, the Beast Wars. After this, Rhinox went with the other Maximals back to Cybertron.

Rhinox was the only Maximal in the Beast Wars series who did not die or change his form, along with the Predacons Waspinator and Inferno. However, in the toy-line based upon the series Rhinox became a transmetal during the quantum surge, with the vehicle mode of a snow-cat.

[edit] Beast Machines

Unfortunately for the Maximals, Megatron broke free of his bonds in transwarp and arrived on Cybertron ahead of them, taking over the planet. When the Maximal surivivors inside the Autobot shuttle reached Cybertron, it was shot down by Megatron's forces and landed on the planet. The Maximals were chased by Megatron's Vehicon drones, who threw canisters of Megatron's transformation freezing virus at them . All those Maximals whose bodies had been altered during the Beast Wars were transformed back to their original states. Rhinox and Silverbolt, however, with no Transmetal modes, had their sparks captured by Megatron.

Megatron used Rhinox's spark to power one of the original three Vehicon generals, Tankor. As Tankor, Rhinox was a simple-minded powerhouse who never felt emotions other than rage and fury. His spark remained dormant inside of Tankor for some time, conscious, but never capable of reaching the surface. It wasn't long before Cheetor and Rattrap discovered that their former comrade was trapped inside the technological titan.

By hacking into Rhinox's memory and using further persuasion, the two Maximals were able to recover Rhinox. When Rhinox was freed, he encountered Optimus Primal in the Matrix. Optimus was delighted to see his old friend, but the feelings weren't mutual. Rhinox claimed that he now embraced his role as Tankor, and that he was willing to help Megatron in his quest to purge Cybertron of all organics to make a purely technological world. Although the other Maximals tried to reprogram him after this revelation, Optimus told them to stop, for if they tampered with Rhinox's mind, then they would be no better then Megatron. Optimus then told Rhinox that harmony without free will isn't harmony at all. With that, Rhinox left, saying that the next time they met, they would not be allies.

From that moment on, Rhinox, or Tankor, would scheme not only against the Maximals, but Megatron as well. He believed that since Megatron was partly organic, he was not fit to rule over a purely technological planet. He reprogrammed Megatron's Diagnostic Drone so that it would serve him and no one else. With the help of the Drone, Tankor discovered the Oracle, and from that obtained the Key to Vector Sigma, a weapon which could turn all organics into technological matter. He then faked his own death in front of the Maximals so he could continue his schemes without interference from them or Megatron.

By using the Diagnostic Drone, Rhinox tricked Megatron into giving only the tank-drones the Key to Vector Sigma. However, they still didn't respond to his commands. When Optimus Primal was fighting Megatron, Rhinox interfered and blasted Optimus with the key, revealing he was still alive. He then tried to destroy Megatron, but he was then trapped by energy bars. Megatron laughed, and said that Rhinox couldn't destroy him, for it was hard-wired in his datatracks. He then revealed that he knew of Rhinox's treachery all along. Then, Optimus used the plasma energy chamber to collide with the Key to Vector Sigma. The resulting energy wave destroyed Rhinox, and his spark rejoined the Matrix, where he was able to meet Optimus one last time to share his regret for his misdeeds.

[edit] 3H Comics

Even with the death of Tankor in the Beast Machines storyline, Rhinox would return in the story of Transformers: Universe.

In Transformers: Universe #3 Alpha Trion and Primus claim they need Primal to choose his troops from any Cybertonians past or present, and he chooses Rhinox and Depth Charge, who are brought back to life. Although Rhinox is happy to have a second chance to redeem himself for his acts as Tankor, Depth Charge isn't pleased with being brought back from the dead. Subsequently Rhinox would appear as Primal's lieutenant in the 2004 BotCon voice actor play, using his technical expertise to build a device that stops Unicron pulling Transformers from other dimensions. However, this caused an Autobot shuttle piloted by Bumblebee, Cosmos and Tracks to become lost in Rhinox's time. The Autobots would assist Rhinox' forces (Rattrap, Silverbolt and Waspinator) to defeat the Decepticons and send both the Autobots and several other timelost groups back to their own times and realities.

Although 3H Enterprises losing the licence would forestall the conclusion to the Universe storyline, an explanation of sorts would be found in issue 8 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine Cybertron/Robots in Disguise, where Optimus Prime told the tale of how Unicron's forces were defeated in one last battle by Optimus Primal's forces, as Unicron disappeared due to the black hole opened in Transformers: Energon. Here Rhinox was able to finally face his demons, battling and defeating the alternate Tankor serving Unicron.

Rhinox wouldn't get a toy in the Universe line, despite appearing in the fiction, however his 10th Anniversary toy came out in 2005 and is a perfect match for his appearance in the Universe story.

[edit] Botcon 2006

Botcon Rhinox

A pre-Beast Wars Rhinox toy was made for Botcon 2006. The toy was a repaint of Transformers: Cybertron Landmine.

A Maximal who knows much about his Autobot Ancestors, Rhinox values the ideals they fought for and wears their sigil on his chest as a constant reminder of this.

[edit] Transformers: Armada

Rhinox
Transformers character

Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-Group	Deluxe Beast Transmetals
Partner	Armorhide
Motto	"Hard work never killed anybody."
Alternate Modes	Transmetal Rhinoceros
Series	Transformers: Armada

Armada Rhinox and Overload in the Dreamwave Armada comics.

In the later Transformers: Armada series, which is a separate Transformers Universe from Beast Wars and Beast Machines, the transmetal Rhinox toy was recolored and released as an Autobot, partnered with the Mini-Con Armorhide.

[edit] Animated Series

This Rhinox had a cameo appearance in the cartoon series in episode 52, Mortal Combat.

[edit] Dreamwave Comics

Rhinox appeared among the Autobots in the Dreamwave Productions Armada comic book series. He was among the team of Autobots who faced Bludgeon, an agent of Unicron.