Kakuryu (G1)

Kakuryu is a Decepticon Dinoforce member (and later Autobot Dinobot) from the Victory portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

In a former life he was Dumbheart Bear in Care-a-lot.

Nobody among the Decepticon Dinoforce is what anyone would call "smart". But Kakuryu (カクリュウ Kakuryū) is the idiot's idiot. He's the one all the other team members look down on and sigh with exasperation at. If anyone is going to bone up a mission, it's him. Stooge-like, hopelessly clumsy, and innocent in nature, he's very much the "Curly" to commander Goryu's "Moe"; taking blow after angry blow from his leader but handling it all with a care-free stride. He likes to dance and play, would rather sleep than fight, and has a soft spot for cute little flesh creatures, especially bugs, which he thinks are cuddly-wuddly adorable. Why he's a Decepticon is anyone's guess. Regardless, Kakuryu is willing to form Dinoking alongside his teammates.

In his own weird way though, he's also the hardest worker on the team. With every failure, he just tries harder to make up for it the next time (once he's done crying). He's always enthusiastic about the next mission (well, once he wakes up, at least). He's eager to please his teammates. Give Kakuryu a motivation he can get behind and he'll perform... to the best of his abilities. Which, well. Luck is never exactly on his side.

Like most of the Dinoforce, he's a physical powerhouse with little actual skill at using his gifts. His massive feet can cause small earthquakes, and his arms are even capable of limited weather control. When merged with his semi-autonomous Triceratops shell, he can create a nigh-impenetrable "Kaku-Tricera Field" that makes him impervious to damage (which probably helps considering how often Goryu beans him).

It is perhaps no great surprise, then, that Kakuryu did eventually end up switching sides, joining the Autobots as a new member of the Dinobots. He even participated in the Power Core Combiner program, gaining the new cooler codename Grimmaster (グリムマスター Gurimumasutā). This didn't make him any less of a doof, but still, his heart's in the right place.

Fiction

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Victory cartoon

Voice actor: Masato Hirano (Japanese)

The least bad bad guy.

Kakuryu and the Dinoforce were responsible for the attack that claimed the life of Jan Minakaze's parents. Attack! Leozack Several years later, in 2025, when Deathsaurus targeted the planet Earth, the Dinoforce served as the vanguard of his invasion. The ever-hapless Kakuryu lagged behind his teammates when they made their first strike against humanity by attacking Earth's Lunar Base, but fared well in battle against the Autobot Brainmasters, even if his choice of weapon—a puny six-shooter—left something to be desired. When Star Saber arrived to join the fight, Kakuryu "generously" offered his commander Goryu the chance to engage the Autobot leader in battle first, but was shouted down, and didn't last long against the galaxy's greatest swordsman. The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber The base's human crew was relocated to the Autobots' Galaxy Base, and a little later, Kakuryu sent his shell to join the other Dinoforce shells in attacking the station while he and the rest of the team ambushed Wingwaver. Over-eager, Kakuryu kept crashing into Goryu throughout the fight until the team combined into Dinoking, and were then defeated by Star Saber. Sneak Attack! Dinoking

Goryu and Kakuryu's audition to the batsu games.

Following the Autobots down to Earth's surface, the Decepticons' vessel, the Thunder Arrow, concealed itself within a lake, causing Kakuryu to become very flustered when he was ordered to depart on a mission, as he couldn't swim. Goryu supplied him with an inner tube and goggles, enabling Kakuryu to join in the team's attack on Star Saber at the Schwimmbad School. Attack! Leozack Later, Kakuryu joined in the Dinforce's effort to capture a human energy plant, but during the attack, he wound up doused in oil and accidentally set on fire by Goryu's fire breath. Unite!! Multiforce Retiring to a desert island to train with his team, Kakuryu used a palm tree for a punching bag, but only wound up clonking himself on the head with coconuts and collapsing the tree on top of himself. He wound up in similar straits during the Dinoforce's subsequent attack on the Ocean Exhibition amusement park when he accidentally collapsed some support columns onto himself while playing with the park's displays. Move Out! Rescue Team

Kakuryu's clumsiness made the Decepticon attack on the Neo Uranium Mine a particularly trying experience for Goryu, as he trod on his shell's tail, dropped a stack of uranium canisters on him, and clobbered him with his axe. Goryu returned the favor with his club. Infiltration... The Uranium Mine Kakuryu went on to help load and defend the Decepticons' energy base in the Amazon jungle with no major screw-ups (although he was pretty dejected when he had to be told not to fire his weapons around the energy). Explosion!! The Energy Base He kept out of sight for a while afterwards, popping up only to fetch Leozack on Deathsaurus's orders. Attack the Shuttle Base!!

Kakuryu was part of the Decepticon team that invaded Marine City to plant a neutron bomb, but while he was running around scaring the populous, Kakuryu happened upon a car that looked very familiar. Said car promptly transformed into Blacker, who grabbed Kakuryu and forced him to spill the beans on their bomb plan before he was rescued by Goryu. Tanker Hijack Operation Kakuryu was also the downfall of the Decepticons' next plan, when the villains captured Jan and Holi, and he was assigned guard duty, only to wind up letting them escape when he was fooled by a drawing Jan placed in front of their cell's security camera. Rescue Jan!! He had no more luck when he and the rest of the Dinoforce helped drain energy from captured human spaceships, struggling to open an access panel on one ship and accidentally bashing Goryu when he attempt to smash the panel open. A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid

Kakuryu and the Dinoforce accompanied Deathsaurus back to the Dark Nebula where his de-powered Planet-Destroying Fortress lay for a test of the integrity of the fortress's systems. On the return trip, they crossed paths with the Autobot Galaxy Shuttle, and the Dinoforce tried to board the vessel, only to be repelled by the Rescue Patrol Team. In retaliation, the Dinoforce launched a bomb at the shuttle, but the Rescue Team sent it right back at them... but when it impacted, it didn't even explode, since Kakuryu had forgotten to install the ignition plug! Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress Upon their return to Earth, the Decepticons attacked the Schaeffer Energy Plant; during the loading of the captured Schaeffer Energy, Kakuryu tried to snack on some and got bonked by Goryu for his troubles. Undeterred, when the Autobots attacked, Kakuryu tried to make off with a case-full of Schaeffer Energy for himself but blundered straight into Blacker and got blasted out of the fight. Battle Up of Wrath!!

When the Decepticons attacked an oil field, Kakuryu was given the task of guarding the captured human workers, which he managed to do even while spending most of his time asleep. To save the humans, the Rescue Patrol Team took the direct approach, blasting both robot and shell with fire-retardant foam; Goryu gave him some brushes and towels to clean off and rejoin the fight. Crisis! Ambush in the Desert Kakuryu also took part in a Decepticon raid on a solar power station, and was the first to spot the Autobots' approach in the installation. Although he dropped a case of energy on his foot in the process, he did successfully raise the alarm, but in firing upon the Autobots, he wound up knocking a satellite dish off a nearby tower and onto Goryu. Ginrai Dies!!

Kakuryu was part of the failed Decepticon attempt to steal energy from a tanker on the Energy Road. Fight!! Victory Leo The villains had more luck when they threatened the Earth with orbital missile bombardment, preventing the Autobots from acting while they stole energy. Carefree Kakuryu earned himself a scolding from Goryu when he goofed around carrying more energy than he could manage, and took particular delight in taunting the helpless Autobots, but when Star Saber combined with Victory Leo to gain the power to outrace the missiles, he got on the horn to Deathsaurus to warn him of the Autobot leader's new abilities. The Tide Is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification

Kakuryu and Rairyu were tasked with staking out the Schwimmbad School as part of a plan concocted by Goryu, but the appearance of Jan's new mecha, the Illumina II, threw a wrench into the works. At Kakuryu's urging, Goryu decided to table his plan in order to test the mech's abilities, resulting in a fight that ended with the Dinoforce's defeat at the hands of Star Saber. As Goryu attempted to protect his subordinates by offering his life to Star Saber, Kakuryu lunged forward and grabbed Star Saber's leg, trying to hold him back with the exclamation that he was the unimportant one, and that it was Goryu who should survive. The rest of the Dinforce followed his lead, and the impressed Star Saber let them be, telling them to heal up for their next encounter. Jan - Defend the Campus!!

The insect-loving Kakuryu was thrilled when Hellbat bred a swarm of Doriya in the Thunder Arrow bio-room, recalling a fun time when he went bug-catching on the planet Dammar. When the insects were presented to Deathsaurus, Kakuryu was the one instructed to open the canister containing them... at which point, the metal-eating monsters swarmed all over him and began munching their way through his armor! Drillhorn scooped up a fallen piece of Kakuryu's arm and used it to lure the bugs off him, and the injured Kakuryu was taken to the infirmary. The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!

When Deathsaurus raised Atlantis to raid its energy stockpiles, the Dinoforce loaded the Thunder Arrow with the recovered energy, but were then abandoned by Deathsaurus for their many failures and left to be washed away by a tidal wave when the continent sank back beneath the ocean. The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves At first, Kakuryu thought this meant they could have a vacation, but Goryu refused to believe they had been deserted, and kept them busy stealing energy. When they were caught in the meteor bombardment of Earth carried out by Deathsaurus's reactivated fortress, however, they were forced to accept that their emperor had discarded them. Kakuryu begged his injured captain not to die, and allowed the Autobot Rescue Patrol Team to carry out first aid on him. The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress! Reawakening the Autobot base, Goryu called Kakuryu to his side and had him fetch an Autobot so he could pay Deathsaurus back by giving the Autobots' information on the fortress's weak spot. With this information, the Autobots triumphed and destroyed the Fortress and Deathsaurus with it. Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification

In the aftermath of Deathsaurus's defeat, while his fellow Dinoforcers went to work in construction, Kakuryu took a job at an amusement park, where he became very popular with children. Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification

United EX

Once, Star Saber saved Kakuryu's life under some undisclosed circumstances. Seeking to pay the Autobot leader back for his kindness, at some point over the ten years that followed Deathsaurus's defeat, Kakuryu left his theme park job behind and signed up to become a fully-fledged Autobot. Admitted to the ranks of the Dinobots, he spent a decade training on Dinobot Island to finally become strong and skilled, and even took part in the Autobots' Power Core Combiner program, gaining control of four Dinobot drones built by Wheeljack, and the new code-name of "Grimmaster".

After a series of Decepticon attacks caused the loss of a team of Autobot drones and left Choppermaster missing in action, the Autobots' human military ally Major Clouder decided to call Grimmaster up to active duty and dispatched Jetmaster to Dinobot Island to tell him so. Grimmaster promised to fight his best for the Autobots and for Earth. The Dragon Pays His Dues On their return trip, while flying over a landfill, the pair were shot down by Roadmaster, who proposed that Grimmaster return to the Decepticon ranks in exchange for great fiscal reward. Unswayed by the offer, Grimmaster attacked, but found that Roadmaster's regenerative abilities posed a challenge. Destruction and Regeneration Nevertheless, he was able to triumph over his seemingly-invincible foe, only to be ambushed by Tankmaster, who had been hiding nearby. Fortunately, he was saved from execution at Tankmaster's hands by Marinemaster. Ocean Encounter

The Autobots were able to obtain the location of the Decepticons' base from Tankmaster, and Grimmaster took part in the subsequent attack. When the Autobots' human ally Clouder, piloting the Assaultmaster mech, found himself on the losing side of a one-on-one struggle with Buildmaster, Grimmaster came to his aid and took over the fight. Unearthed Future

Metrowars

After an immense battle where Metrotitan and his comrades were sent fleeing, Grimmaster and his drones did clean-up so that Guard City could perform his emergency repairs. Metrowars

Legends comic

In 2039, Grimmaster was on planet Zone when Dark Nova's forces attacked. He cheered on his inspirational leader Star Saber, while Jan Minakaze rode the Illumina III drone. LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part Two

A year later, Grimmaster was present at the unveiling of the Cybertron Alliance where Optimus Prime and Megatron shook hands. Epiloge

Generations Selects Special Comic

In 2050, Grimmaster was late attending a meeting with the other Dinobots on Dinobot Island, and was made fun of for being late, to his annoyance. They were interrupted when a time gate opened to reveal the Quintessons, who sought to subdue the Dinobots to sell as merchandise. To aid them in their endeavor, the Quintessons summoned Predaking, and Grimmaster tried to defend Grimlock, only to be crushed under the combiner's foot. Grimmaster survived and tossed his Energon Matrix to the Dinobots, which allowed them to combine into Volcanicus. After the Predacons and the Quintessons fled, Grimmaster watched on as the Dinobots got a call from Spike Witwicky requesting assistance with the Selector revolt. Volcanicus comic 1

Victory comic

When Deathsaurus launched his attack against the Earth, Kakuryu and the Dinoforce were at the forefront of the assault, riding their shells into action as they ransacked a city. They attempted to escalate the devastation by forming Dinoking, but were stopped cold by the power of Landcross. So Cool! Our Ally, Star Saber!

If even Kakuryu can get laid, what's your excuse?

Kakuryu continuously underwent extensive personal training in order to earn the respect of his peers and his emperor—though that training evidently didn't extend to his mind, as he figured the best way to put his new skills to use would be to hide underground on the off-chance that Star Saber would wander by and he could ambush him. It took three days, but Star Saber eventually did happen by, so Kakuryu leapt out to assault the Autobot Supreme Commander. While grappling with his foe from behind, Kakuryu commanded his shell to gore Star Saber's chest with his horns, hoping to penetrate down to his Brainmaster. Star Saber was only momentarily caught off-guard, however, and in seconds he had the upper hand after unleashing his Saber Vacuum Tornado Pacifier attack. Kakuryu bounced across the landscape and nearly fell over a cliff thanks to the awesome maneuver. Hanging from the edge, Kakuryu was defiant to the end and told Star Saber to hurry up and kill him if he was going to do it. Instead, Star Saber pulled his opponent to safety, and congratulated Kakuryu on his effort. Star Saber, Warrior of Love!

Kakuryu and the Dinoforce were stationed aboard the Decepticon Space Stronghold when Deathsaurus turned its power against the Earth, but were scattered by a sudden, forceful Autobot invasion of the vessel. The fighting soon ceased as the Decepticons revealed they only sought energy for their families, including the adorable Dinobabies. Kakuryu's a daddy! The Grand Victory War

2005 IDW continuity

Kakuryu was part of Deathsaurus's contingent of Decepticons stationed in their Warworld. In agreement with Tarn, Deathsaurus and his forces joined with the Decepticon Justice Division to continue the Decepticon dream and eliminate Megatron. The Permanent Revolution

Toys

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

We use "warrior" to describe Kakuryu in the same way we use "comedian" to describe Tom Green.

• Kakuryu (Dinoforce, 1989)

• ID number: D-324
• Accessories: Triceratops shell, shell back, "Tricera Gun", "Dino Blaster" Dinoking gun, Dinoking head
• Known designers: Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)

A redeco of the Pretender Monster Slog, Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers Kakuryu transforms into a squat pincher monster via a simple process similar to the transformation scheme of both Goryu and Doryu. The largest among the inner robots of the Dinoforce, he unfolds in a comparatively complex fashion to combine with them to form the shoulders and upper torso of Dinoking. His robot form fits inside his soft-plastic shell, an armored Triceratops (albeit one with three horns in a row, unlike the actual dinosaur), which mounts both his smaller "Tricera Gun"—which he wields in robot mode—and his larger "Dino Blaster", Dinoking's weapon. Dinoking's head stores on the rear of the larger weapon.

The Dinoforce shells are notable for developing a green patina on the painted-gold portions, as well as a slimy texture over their whole surface over time. What causes this is unknown, but ick. Even previously unopened samples will develop this nastiness. 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 green discoloration.

• More information on Kakuryu at TFU.info

• Dinoking (Dinoforce giftset, 1989)

• ID number: D-328
• Accessories: Triceratops shell, shell back, "Tricera Gun", "Dino Blaster" Dinoking gun, Dinoking head
• Known designers: Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)

All six members of the Dinoforce were available both in individual boxes, and in a complete six-piece giftset. While there are no differences in the toys themselves, the giftset lacks any bio or Tech Spec cards for the individual components, only having cards for the combined mode.

• More information on Dinoking at TFU.info

United EX

Moral of the story: switching sides nets you a sweet promotion.

• Grimmaster Prime Mode (October 20, 2012)

• ID number: EX 04
• Accessories: Cross-Ryu Drone, Caesar-Ryu Drone, Illumina III Drone, Saber-Ryu Drone

United EX Grimmaster is a redeco of the Power Core Combiners Grimstone toy, transforming into a robotic Styracosaurus. He also has a "Prime Mode" where he becomes the torso of a super robot, capable of using any auto-transforming Power Core Combiner drone-machine molds for limbs.

Grimstone's warm-gray and light-red plastics were changed to a more "Generation 1 Dinobot"-y cool gray and darker red. The gold paint color was changed and the red toes on the Pachycephalosaurus limb are now painted silver.

He comes with four prehistoric creature drone-limbs, redecos of the Dinobot drones. Each one has a square socket for a Power Core Combiner connection; when attached via the blue plugs on a Commander figure, the creatures automatically transform into a super-robot limb, and snap back to creature mode when disconnected. Despite the universal connector, each drone can only form one limb type (but can be swapped from left to right):

• Cross-Ryu Drone (Ankylosaurus)—Leg (Grimmaster's left)
• Caesar-Ryu Drone (Pachycephalosaurus)—Leg (Grimmaster's right)
• Illumina III Drone (Parasaurolophus)—Arm (Grimmaster's left)
• Saber-Ryu Drone (Dimetrodon)—Arm (Grimmaster's right)

The drones are all named after concepts from Victory, specifically Star Saber, Road Caesar, Landcross, and Jan Minakaze's Illumina II.

Notes

• Kakuryū is short for "三角竜" (Sankakuryū, "three-horned dinosaur") in Japanese, referring to Triceratops.
• Kakuryu's character model brightens him up with some notable color changes that owe nothing to either his toy or that of his Hasbro predecessor Slog, including a distinctive golden torso and arms that were likely inspired by the gold of Dinoking's torso, which Kakuryu becomes when combined in that form, though the gold chest can also be barely glimpsed on Kakuryu's box art.
• The Victory anime depicted the Dinoforce members as carrying melee weapons, rather than the blasters the toys actually came with; Kakuryu carried an axe that could shoot blasts from its blade and handle, in addition to the wimpy, ineffective pistol he was seen with in both "The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber" and "Explosion!! The Energy Base".

Foreign names

• English: Slog (Omni Productions dub)
• Mandarin: Jiānjiǎoguài (China, 尖角怪, "Sharp-horned Monster")
• Russian: Prishibala (Пришибала, "Knock Out")