Trainbots
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Trainbots are a team of six fictional robots who appeared in the Japanese series Transformers: The Headmasters. They transform into different styles of locomotive and rail vehicles. They could link with each other forming a more powerful train or form a single rail vehicle. They combine into a gestalt named Raiden (雷電 in Japanese which means the thunder and the lightning).
| Transformers character | |
 |
|
| Raiden | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Sub-Group | Trainbots |
| Function | Heavy Series-Linked Gestalt Warrior |
| Series | Transformers: Headmasters |
| Japanese voice actor | Keiichi Noda |
Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation One
[edit] Members
The six Trainbots are:
Shouki is the leader of the group, and also probably the fastest of the Trainbots in robot and train modes. He is, however, somewhat reckless. His alternate mode is a Tōkaidō 0 Series Shinkansen. Shouki is Japanese for "Zhong Kui". He was voiced by Keiichi Noda.
Getsuei. Getsui is the team's night-fighting specialist, although he is noticeably less effective during the day, when he goofs off. His Alternate Mode is a EF65 electric locomotive. His name is Japanese for "moonlight". He is voiced by Kazuo Oka.
Yukikaze is the younger brother of Shouki, and a specialist in fighting on snow. He is weak against heat, and for that reason dislikes being linked to Kaen. His alternate mode is a Tōhoku-Jōetsu 200 Series Shinkansen. His name is Japanese for blizzard. He was voiced by Ken Yamaguchi
Suiken is an all-terrain veteran, comfortable fighting everywhere no matter how broken the terrain. His alternate mode is a 153 Express locomotive. His name is Japanese for hydrosphere He was voiced by Kazumi Tanaka.
Seizan is a fighter whose speciality lies in mountain battles, where he is an expert at that kind of warfare. He enjoys viewing the mountains. His alternate mode is a Limited Express Series 485-1000 locomotive.
Kaen is the team's strongman, and takes great pride in his physical condition. His alternate mode is a JNR Class DE10 diesel locomotive. His name is Japanese for "blaze" He was voiced by Masaharu Sato.
[edit] Transformers: The Headmasters
The Trainbots appeared in Headmasters as one of the new Autobot combiner teams. As with most of the combiner teams, the Trainbots would not really have any major roles, usually being called upon to fight other combiners. He defeated Devastator in a head on battle, leading to several more confrontations between the two. They were also used as transports for the rest of the Autobot forces, who could fit inside their train modes.
[edit] Headmasters manga
They also made several appearances in the manga accompanying the show, defeating Predaking in a battle on the planet Beest, and aiding the Autobot Headmasters in an undersea battle where their strength as Raiden tipped the balance.
[edit] Dreamwave Productions
The Trainbots would have an odd cameo in Dreamwave's Generation One ongoing series. In issue 3, they are seen amongst the Autobots in Iacon's Great Hall as Prowl attempted to calm the populace.
[edit] Other train-robots
Although the Trainbots did not appear in subsequent Japanese series, the concept of train-themed combiners would continue, resulting in the Battlestars exclusive Micromaster combiner Sixliner, and the later Transformers: Robots in Disguise Team Bullet Train.
