Robeast: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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[[File: |
[[File:Vs GGG 02 4310.jpg|link=King of Braves GaoGaiGar|frame|Here we see the Robeast in the wild competing with its only natural predator, the Super Robot.]] |
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The standard [[Monster of the Week]] for [[Super Robot |
The standard [[Monster of the Week]] for [[Super Robot]]s and [[Super Sentai]]/[[Power Rangers]]. |
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A Robeast is a [[Kaiju]]-sized monster, more often than not the same size as the Super Robot that battles it, though Robeasts in Sentai and [[Toku]] may also start in human size, so as to be a threat on a personal scale, then [[Make My Monster Grow|grows]] through some form of [[Applied Phlebotinum]]. |
A '''Robeast''' [[Portmanteau|(a robot beast)]] is a [[Kaiju]]-sized monster, more often than not the same size as the Super Robot that battles it, though Robeasts in Sentai and [[Toku]] may also start in human size, so as to be a threat on a personal scale, then [[Make My Monster Grow|grows]] through some form of [[Applied Phlebotinum]]. |
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Robeasts are rarely capable of human-level intelligence or communication, and even when they ''are'', usually prefer to just roar instead. |
Robeasts are rarely capable of human-level intelligence or communication, and even when they ''are'', usually prefer to just roar instead. |
||
Robeasts are usually built with both biological and mechanical construction (though some are also completely mechanical, magical constructs, giant demons, and the like). They come in a dizzying variety of shapes, abilities, and weapons, and very rarely will any two robeasts look alike, even between robeasts deployed by the same villain(s). Many of them avoid humanoid designs and mook status, becoming a [[Mechanical Monster]]. |
Robeasts are usually built with both biological and mechanical construction (though some are also completely mechanical, magical constructs, giant demons, and the like). They come in a dizzying variety of shapes, abilities, and weapons, and very rarely will any two robeasts look alike, even between robeasts deployed by the same villain(s). Many of them avoid humanoid designs and mook status, becoming a [[Mechanical Monster]]. |
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They are almost always [[Made of Explodium]]. Not to be confused with [[Ambiguous Robots]], though their design may sometimes imply they are this. |
They are almost always [[Made of Explodium]]. Not to be confused with [[Ambiguous Robots]], though their design may sometimes imply they are this. |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
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== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] == |
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* [[Go Nagai]]'s ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' is the [[Trope Codifier]]; in fact, the monsters in this series are actually ''called'' "Machine Beasts (Japanese ''Kikaiju''). The sequel ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' had Battle Beasts (''Sentoujuu'') and ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer]]'' had the Saucer Beasts and Vega Monsters. |
* [[Go Nagai]]'s ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' is the [[Trope Codifier]]; in fact, the monsters in this series are actually ''called'' "Machine Beasts (Japanese ''Kikaiju''). The sequel ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' had Battle Beasts (''Sentoujuu'') and ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer]]'' had the Saucer Beasts and Vega Monsters. |
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** And the Battle Beasts from ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' already diferred from the ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' |
** And the Battle Beasts from ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' already diferred from the ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' Robeasts, bordering on a [[Deconstruction]] from the trope. They were capable of speech and independant thought, and they were [[Dangerously Genre Savvy]] thank to it. This resulted in a [[Eucatastrophe]] in the THIRD chapter. |
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** And sometimes ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' averted or subverted the trope. Some Mechanical Beasts were size-shifters, and some of them -Blazas S1 and S2- were human-sized. |
** And sometimes ''[[Mazinger Z]]'' averted or subverted the trope. Some Mechanical Beasts were size-shifters, and some of them -Blazas S1 and S2- were human-sized. |
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* ''[[Voltron]]'' is the [[Trope Namer]], after the monsters in ''[[ |
* ''[[Voltron]]'' is the [[Trope Namer]], after the monsters in ''[[GoLion]]'' and ''[[Dairugger XV]]''. |
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** ''[[ |
** ''[[GoLion]]'' calls them Deathblack Beastmen, and then later Mechablack Beastmen, While ''[[Dairugger XV]]'' used Combat Machines. |
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* Zonders and later Primevals from ''[[ |
* Zonders and later Primevals from ''[[GaoGaiGar]]'' (EI-13 pictured above). |
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* Zeravire from ''[[Gravion]]''. |
* Zeravire from ''[[Gravion]]''. |
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* The [[Our Angels Are Different|Angels]] from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are an interesting example. At first, they're made out to be gigantic monsters. {{spoiler|Then we find out that they are humans as humans could have been had they evolved differently.}} |
* The [[Our Angels Are Different|Angels]] from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' are an interesting example. At first, they're made out to be gigantic monsters. {{spoiler|Then we find out that they are humans as humans could have been had they evolved differently.}} |
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** Averted with four Angels, though: Leliel (infinitely thin), Bardiel, Iruel (microscopic; the former is [[The Corruption]], while [[Our Monsters Are Weird|the latter is a colony of sentient nano-viruses]]), and Tabris (human-sized {{spoiler|or just a [[Half-Human Hybrid]], it's not really clear.}}) |
** Averted with four Angels, though: Leliel (infinitely thin), Bardiel, Iruel (microscopic; the former is [[The Corruption]], while [[Our Monsters Are Weird|the latter is a colony of sentient nano-viruses]]), and Tabris (human-sized {{spoiler|or just a [[Half-Human Hybrid]], it's not really clear.}}) |
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* The standard [[Monster of the Week]] in Tadao Nagahama's ''Robot Romance Trilogy'' |
* The standard [[Monster of the Week]] in Tadao Nagahama's ''Robot Romance Trilogy'' |
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** The bio-mechanical Slave Monsters and Magma Beasts from ''[[Combattler V]]'' |
** The bio-mechanical Slave Monsters and Magma Beasts from ''[[Combattler V]]'' |
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** The Beast Fighters and later Super Beast Fighters from ''[[Voltes V]]'' |
** The Beast Fighters and later Super Beast Fighters from ''[[Voltes V]]'' |
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** The Battle Robots and Mecha Warriors from ''[[Daimos]]'' |
** The Battle Robots and Mecha Warriors from ''[[Daimos]]'' |
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* The Mecha Boosts from ''[[Zambot 3]]'' |
* The Mecha Boosts from ''[[Zambot 3]]'' |
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* The Megaborg from ''[[Daitarn 3]]'' |
* The Megaborg from ''[[Daitarn 3]]'' |
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* The Haniwa Phantom Gods from ''[[Kotetsu Jeeg]]'' |
* The Haniwa Phantom Gods from ''[[Kotetsu Jeeg]]'' |
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* The Mimetic Beasts from ''[[ |
* The Mimetic Beasts from ''[[Godannar]]'' |
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* The Beastmen Ganmen / Gunmen and the Anti-Spiral Mugann from ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''. |
* The Beastmen Ganmen / Gunmen and the Anti-Spiral Mugann from ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''. |
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** Gunmen are also an inversion, because the heroes use the exact same kinds of robots they stole from the beastmen. |
** Gunmen are also an inversion, because the heroes use the exact same kinds of robots they stole from the beastmen. |
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** Slightly inverted in that the Mechasauruses, like much of the Reptilians, are a highly intelligent race. |
** Slightly inverted in that the Mechasauruses, like much of the Reptilians, are a highly intelligent race. |
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* S-1 machines of the Aldebaren Army in ''[[Space Warrior Baldios]]''. |
* S-1 machines of the Aldebaren Army in ''[[Space Warrior Baldios]]''. |
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* Renegade Units in ''[[Saber Rider and |
* Renegade Units in ''[[Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs]].'' |
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* Cosmosauruses in ''[[God Sigma]]'' |
* Cosmosauruses in ''[[God Sigma]]'' |
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* Numerous monomakia from ''[[Brigadoon Marin and Melan]]'' fit this trope. |
* Numerous monomakia from ''[[Brigadoon Marin and Melan]]'' fit this trope. |
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* Various mechs and creatures from ''[[ |
* Various mechs and creatures from ''[[The Big O]]'' |
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* The minions of the Shadow Angels, usually cherubim, in ''[[Genesis of Aquarion]]''. |
* The minions of the Shadow Angels, usually cherubim, in ''[[Genesis of Aquarion]]''. |
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* Kyoshin in ''[[Neo Ranga]]'', although somewhat subverted as they stay in two episodes at a time and do not start showing up until episode 17. |
* Kyoshin in ''[[Neo Ranga]]'', although somewhat subverted as they stay in two episodes at a time and do not start showing up until episode 17. |
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== [[Film]] == |
== [[Film]] == |
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* The original form of [[Godzilla|Mechagodzilla]]. The second version was a human piloted mecha. The third version was a human piloted mecha built on the bones of the original Godzilla, dubbed Kiryu. Kiryu went berserk in its first confrontaion with (a second) Godzilla, playing with the trope. |
* The original form of [[Godzilla|Mechagodzilla]]. The second version was a human piloted mecha. The third version was a human piloted mecha built on the bones of the original Godzilla, dubbed Kiryu. Kiryu went berserk in its first confrontaion with (a second) Godzilla, playing with the trope. |
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== Live Action TV == |
== Live Action TV == |
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* Every single ''[[Ultraman]]'' series and movie has these, so much so they even made a spin off featuring the monsters called ''[[Ultra Galaxy Monster Battle]]'' |
* Every single ''[[Ultraman]]'' series and movie has these, so much so they even made a spin off featuring the monsters called ''[[Ultra Galaxy Monster Battle]]'' |
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* ''[[Power Rangers]]'' and the rest of the [[Toku]] genre revolve around this, with a different [[People in Rubber Suits|rubber suit]] [[Monster of the Week]] to challenge the heroes (and, in ''[[Power Rangers]]'' and ''[[Super Sentai]],'' their machines) as the driving force behind the villain's scheme. Every [[Big Bad]] has his or her own way of making monsters, and [[Make My Monster Grow|making them bigger]]. They're sometimes the source of [[Nightmare Fuel]], and sometimes [[Narm Charm]]. Sentience and whether or not they're [[ |
* ''[[Power Rangers]]'' and the rest of the [[Toku]] genre revolve around this, with a different [[People in Rubber Suits|rubber suit]] [[Monster of the Week]] to challenge the heroes (and, in ''[[Power Rangers]]'' and ''[[Super Sentai]],'' their machines) as the driving force behind the villain's scheme. Every [[Big Bad]] has his or her own way of making monsters, and [[Make My Monster Grow|making them bigger]]. They're sometimes the source of [[Nightmare Fuel]], and sometimes [[Narm Charm]]. Sentience and whether or not they're [[Exclusively Evil]] varies from series to series. |
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== [[Tabletop Games]] == |
== [[Tabletop Games]] == |
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== Toys == |
== Toys == |
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* Most of the Rahi fought by the Toa in the first year of ''[[Bionicle]]'' qualify, such as [[Giant Enemy Crab|Manas]], [[Mega Neko|Muaka]] and [[Big Creepy |
* Most of the Rahi fought by the Toa in the first year of ''[[Bionicle]]'' qualify, such as [[Giant Enemy Crab|Manas]], [[Mega Neko|Muaka]] and [[Big Creepy-Crawlies|Nui Rama]]. |
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* [[Transformers]]. [[Combining Mecha|Predaking and Abominus]]. |
* [[Transformers]]. [[Combining Mecha|Predaking and Abominus]]. |
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== [[Video Games]] == |
== [[Video Games]] == |
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* Any ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'' game has one or more of the above series included, so it's a given. |
* Any ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'' game has one or more of the above series included, so it's a given. |
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** Except for the [[Super Robot Wars Original Generation|Original Generation]] series, which still manages a less [[Monster of the Week|"of the week"]] variant with the [[Super Robot Wars Compact 2|Einst]]. The [[Super Robot Wars Compact 3|Shura]] attempt a more direct homage with their animal-themed mecha, but they have soldiers as pilots. They also get [[Giant Space Flea From Nowhere|giant space flounder monsters living amidst the asteroid belt]]. |
** Except for the [[Super Robot Wars Original Generation|Original Generation]] series, which still manages a less [[Monster of the Week|"of the week"]] variant with the [[Super Robot Wars Compact 2|Einst]]. The [[Super Robot Wars Compact 3|Shura]] attempt a more direct homage with their animal-themed mecha, but they have soldiers as pilots. They also get [[Giant Space Flea From Nowhere|giant space flounder monsters living amidst the asteroid belt]]. |
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* Drache, the first boss from ''[[Einhander]]'' seems to fit. [[All in The Manual|The background story notes that its AI emulates beasts' behaviors]]. Hence why the robot roars when you defeat it. |
* Drache, the first boss from ''[[Einhander]]'' seems to fit. [[All in The Manual|The background story notes that its AI emulates beasts' behaviors]]. Hence why the robot roars when you defeat it. |
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** Don't forget Ausf A Gestell, the [[Ax Crazy|mad]] [[Everything's Better |
** Don't forget Ausf A Gestell, the [[Ax Crazy|mad]] [[Everything's Better with Monkeys|ape]] [[Motion Capture Mecha|mecha]] which roars in its intro, every time it's knocked down, and upon death. |
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== [[Western Animation]] == |
== [[Western Animation]] == |
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* ''[[South Park]]'' |
* ''[[South Park]]''—In the [[Sentai]] parody episode, Barbara Streisand turned into a Mechagodzilla. |
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** And returned in "201" with full sentience. |
** And returned in "201" with full sentience. |
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* Parodied in one episode of [[The Grim Adventures of Billy |
* Parodied in one episode of [[The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy]] where Grim takes Billy (who has been transformed into a 50-foot superhero) to Tokyo to meet a spoof of Gidora. An angry Mandy pilotes a giant gorilla robot called Mega-gorillasaur to bring them back. |
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* The mecha-[[Stock Ness Monster]] in the ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' episode "Monster Lake". |
* The mecha-[[Stock Ness Monster]] in the ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' episode "Monster Lake". |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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⚫ | |||
[[Category:Japanese Media Tropes]] |
[[Category:Japanese Media Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]] |
[[Category:Speculative Fiction Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Index of Fictional Creatures]] |
[[Category:Index of Fictional Creatures]] |
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⚫ |
Latest revision as of 18:10, 28 January 2022
The standard Monster of the Week for Super Robots and Super Sentai/Power Rangers.
A Robeast (a robot beast) is a Kaiju-sized monster, more often than not the same size as the Super Robot that battles it, though Robeasts in Sentai and Toku may also start in human size, so as to be a threat on a personal scale, then grows through some form of Applied Phlebotinum.
Robeasts are rarely capable of human-level intelligence or communication, and even when they are, usually prefer to just roar instead.
Robeasts are usually built with both biological and mechanical construction (though some are also completely mechanical, magical constructs, giant demons, and the like). They come in a dizzying variety of shapes, abilities, and weapons, and very rarely will any two robeasts look alike, even between robeasts deployed by the same villain(s). Many of them avoid humanoid designs and mook status, becoming a Mechanical Monster.
They are almost always Made of Explodium. Not to be confused with Ambiguous Robots, though their design may sometimes imply they are this.
Anime and Manga
- Go Nagai's Mazinger Z is the Trope Codifier; in fact, the monsters in this series are actually called "Machine Beasts (Japanese Kikaiju). The sequel Great Mazinger had Battle Beasts (Sentoujuu) and UFO Robo Grendizer had the Saucer Beasts and Vega Monsters.
- And the Battle Beasts from Great Mazinger already diferred from the Mazinger Z Robeasts, bordering on a Deconstruction from the trope. They were capable of speech and independant thought, and they were Dangerously Genre Savvy thank to it. This resulted in a Eucatastrophe in the THIRD chapter.
- And sometimes Mazinger Z averted or subverted the trope. Some Mechanical Beasts were size-shifters, and some of them -Blazas S1 and S2- were human-sized.
- Voltron is the Trope Namer, after the monsters in GoLion and Dairugger XV.
- GoLion calls them Deathblack Beastmen, and then later Mechablack Beastmen, While Dairugger XV used Combat Machines.
- Zonders and later Primevals from GaoGaiGar (EI-13 pictured above).
- Zeravire from Gravion.
- The Angels from Neon Genesis Evangelion are an interesting example. At first, they're made out to be gigantic monsters. Then we find out that they are humans as humans could have been had they evolved differently.
- Averted with four Angels, though: Leliel (infinitely thin), Bardiel, Iruel (microscopic; the former is The Corruption, while the latter is a colony of sentient nano-viruses), and Tabris (human-sized or just a Half-Human Hybrid, it's not really clear.)
- The standard Monster of the Week in Tadao Nagahama's Robot Romance Trilogy
- The bio-mechanical Slave Monsters and Magma Beasts from Combattler V
- The Beast Fighters and later Super Beast Fighters from Voltes V
- The Battle Robots and Mecha Warriors from Daimos
- The Mecha Boosts from Zambot 3
- The Megaborg from Daitarn 3
- The Haniwa Phantom Gods from Kotetsu Jeeg
- The Mimetic Beasts from Godannar
- The Beastmen Ganmen / Gunmen and the Anti-Spiral Mugann from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
- Gunmen are also an inversion, because the heroes use the exact same kinds of robots they stole from the beastmen.
- Mechasauruses and Mecha Oni from the Getter Robo series
- Slightly inverted in that the Mechasauruses, like much of the Reptilians, are a highly intelligent race.
- S-1 machines of the Aldebaren Army in Space Warrior Baldios.
- Renegade Units in Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs.
- Cosmosauruses in God Sigma
- Numerous monomakia from Brigadoon Marin and Melan fit this trope.
- Various mechs and creatures from The Big O
- The minions of the Shadow Angels, usually cherubim, in Genesis of Aquarion.
- Kyoshin in Neo Ranga, although somewhat subverted as they stay in two episodes at a time and do not start showing up until episode 17.
Film
- The original form of Mechagodzilla. The second version was a human piloted mecha. The third version was a human piloted mecha built on the bones of the original Godzilla, dubbed Kiryu. Kiryu went berserk in its first confrontaion with (a second) Godzilla, playing with the trope.
Live Action TV
- Every single Ultraman series and movie has these, so much so they even made a spin off featuring the monsters called Ultra Galaxy Monster Battle
- Power Rangers and the rest of the Toku genre revolve around this, with a different rubber suit Monster of the Week to challenge the heroes (and, in Power Rangers and Super Sentai, their machines) as the driving force behind the villain's scheme. Every Big Bad has his or her own way of making monsters, and making them bigger. They're sometimes the source of Nightmare Fuel, and sometimes Narm Charm. Sentience and whether or not they're Exclusively Evil varies from series to series.
Tabletop Games
- Pretty much everything in Monsterpocalypse. For extra fun, the same company has released completely-compatible Voltron units, so the game has actual Robeasts.
Toys
- Most of the Rahi fought by the Toa in the first year of Bionicle qualify, such as Manas, Muaka and Nui Rama.
- Transformers. Predaking and Abominus.
Video Games
- Any Super Robot Wars game has one or more of the above series included, so it's a given.
- Except for the Original Generation series, which still manages a less "of the week" variant with the Einst. The Shura attempt a more direct homage with their animal-themed mecha, but they have soldiers as pilots. They also get giant space flounder monsters living amidst the asteroid belt.
- Drache, the first boss from Einhander seems to fit. The background story notes that its AI emulates beasts' behaviors. Hence why the robot roars when you defeat it.
Western Animation
- South Park—In the Sentai parody episode, Barbara Streisand turned into a Mechagodzilla.
- And returned in "201" with full sentience.
- Parodied in one episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy where Grim takes Billy (who has been transformed into a 50-foot superhero) to Tokyo to meet a spoof of Gidora. An angry Mandy pilotes a giant gorilla robot called Mega-gorillasaur to bring them back.
- The mecha-Stock Ness Monster in the Inspector Gadget episode "Monster Lake".