Armored Insect Corps Beetras

Armored Insect Corps Beetras (機甲虫隊ビートラス Kikō Chūtai Beetras)<ref>The translation is often given as "Armored Insect Battalion Beetras" in English secondary sources, but the only official English given, found on model kit packaging, is "Incect Armored Corps Beetras" [sic]. This article retains the wording, but rearranges the order to match the Japanese title.</ref> is a short-lived 1984 toyline and franchise produced by Takatoku Toys, with designs from Artmic. The franchise included a regular line of toys, model kits by third party Imai, coloring books, and a serialized comic.

Beetras did not live for long, as Takatoku closed down soon after they began the line, leaving toys beyond the third figure unreleased. The Beetras toyline was acquired by Bandai and its molds were lent to Hasbro for overseas use in The Transformers as the 1985 Insecticons. In 1987, Artmic attempted to continue the franchise in another form, as Beet Seven (ビートセブン), but this produced even more scant media and merchandise.

Origins

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The idea for Armored Insect Corps Beetras seems to have began when creator Shinji Aramaki (yet to work at Artmic) proposed a line of robots transforming into more realistic bugs, after seeing the overly robotic Insect Robo produced by Takara for Diaclone,<ref>{{#if: In an interview for “Artmic Design Works”, Beetras creator Shinji Aramaki described the impetus of the series: “Toy company T_____ released some toys called ‘Insect Robo’, and I thought ‘Wouldn’t it be great if they turned into more realistic bugs?’ |"In an interview for “Artmic Design Works”, Beetras creator Shinji Aramaki described the impetus of the series: “Toy company T_____ released some toys called ‘Insect Robo’, and I thought ‘Wouldn’t it be great if they turned into more realistic bugs?’"—|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248 |Necronomitron|Necronomitron}}{{#if: Twitter |, Twitter|}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: 2022 |, 2022{{#if: 07 |/{{#switch:{{#len:07}}|1=007|07}}{{#if: 12|/{{#switch:{{#len:12}}|1=012|12}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248 ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://twitter.com/_necronomitron_/status/1546995313465909248%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref><ref>{{#if: Takara produced a similar series of toys that were sold as the “Insecticons” in America. Your “Beetras” designs were eventually sold in the U.S. as “Deluxe Insecticons,” upping the ante a little. Was there a sense of friendly rivalry with the Takara designers there? |"Takara produced a similar series of toys that were sold as the “Insecticons” in America. Your “Beetras” designs were eventually sold in the U.S. as “Deluxe Insecticons,” upping the ante a little. Was there a sense of friendly rivalry with the Takara designers there?"—|}}{{#if: |[ Matt Alt|Matt Alt}}{{#if: |, |}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: |, {{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{month}}}|{{{month}}}}}{{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{day}}}|{{{day}}}}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: |]|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}
{{#if: At the time, definitely. The original Insecticons are wonderful toys, but they don’t really look like insects. |"At the time, definitely. The original Insecticons are wonderful toys, but they don’t really look like insects."—|}}{{#if: https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html |Shinji Aramaki|Shinji Aramaki}}{{#if: AltJapan |, AltJapan|}}{{#if: Beet It |, "Beet It"|}}{{#if: 2007 |, 2007{{#if: 10 |/{{#switch:{{#len:10}}|1=010|10}}{{#if: 22|/{{#switch:{{#len:22}}|1=022|22}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref> to Artmic President Toshimichi Suzuki in 1983. From there, they worked in conjunction with Takatoku Toys, who was seeking to develop a toyline and went to Artmic for ideas.<ref>{{#if: Was it based in some sort of television show proposal? |"Was it based in some sort of television show proposal?"—|}}{{#if: |[ Matt Alt|Matt Alt}}{{#if: |, |}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: |, {{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{month}}}|{{{month}}}}}{{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{day}}}|{{{day}}}}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: |]|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}
{{#if: No, nothing like that. A toy company called Takatoku approached Artmic and asked if we had any interesting designs that they could merchandise. We asked them if they were interested in something insect-themed. They liked it and asked us to go with it. I designed them. |"No, nothing like that. A toy company called Takatoku approached Artmic and asked if we had any interesting designs that they could merchandise. We asked them if they were interested in something insect-themed. They liked it and asked us to go with it. I designed them."—|}}{{#if: https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html |Shinji Aramaki|Shinji Aramaki}}{{#if: AltJapan |, AltJapan|}}{{#if: Beet It |, "Beet It"|}}{{#if: 2007 |, 2007{{#if: 10 |/{{#switch:{{#len:10}}|1=010|10}}{{#if: 22|/{{#switch:{{#len:22}}|1=022|22}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref> They developed at least five designs to sell as action figures of robots that could convert into insects (which, despite the name's implication, are not all beetles).

Story

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The fictional setting of the franchise takes place in in 2007, where inhabitants of Komun (コムン), an advanced city hidden within Earth in a "[[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Hollow Earth|{{#if:hollow world|hollow world|Hollow Earth}}]]", are split into two tribes—the Ekim (エキム),<ref>Based on an odd reading of "beneficial insect" (益虫 ekichū) as ekimushi.</ref> a peaceful offshoot of the Mayans who migrated underground and developed mental, spiritual, and physical strength beyond that of surface humans, and the Gaim (ガイム),<ref>Based on an odd reading of "pest" (益虫 gaichū) as gaimushi.</ref> who were once like the Ekim, but their selfish natures corrupted them into monsters. The two tribes are initially at peace (or the Gaim are under the control of the Ekim), but ecological destruction on the surface world causes turmoil in the world within. The Gaim, led by Great Gaim, take the opportunity to invade the world above with their monstrous Mecha Insects (メカ昆虫 Meka Konchū), while five elite soldiers of Ekim (granted the noble title of "Beet") led by Karimu arrive to save humanity as the Armored Insect Corps Beetras—Battle Expert Emergency Task Ranger Anthromobile System. Accompanying the Ekim is human Mamoru Daichi, who later replaces Karimu after his death.

Versions of the backstory are given in pamphlets included with the toys and model kits. Beetras had a six-chapter comic published in TV-kun created by Gaku Miyao (宮尾岳氏), who made the finalized designs for the non-mecha characters. Initial character design was by Shin'ichi Kuruma (来留間慎一 Kuruma Shin'ichi).

Mecha

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Beet-Papil. Or Beet-Leide. We pick the name that makes sense.

All media under the Beetras title uses five Insecter (インセクター) mecha, with corresponding pilots, listed below. They feature two different modes: Beet-Attacker (robot mode), Beet-Mobile (insect mode). Beet-Gadol and Beet-Zeguna also possess the ability for Beet-Hover (an in-between mode).

  • Beet-Gadol (ビート・ガドル),<ref>From kabutomushi (カブトムシ, "rhinoceros beetle").</ref> rhinoceros beetle piloted by Beet-Karimu (ビート・カリム) and later Beet-Aron (ビート・アロン)
    • Improved model is Heracles-Gadol (ヘラクレス・ガドル), Hercules beetle piloted by Mamoru Daichi (大地 守 Daichi Mamoru)
    • Was used for Barrage.
  • Beet-Gugal (ビート・グガル),<ref>From kuwagatamushi (クワガタムシ, "stag beetle").</ref> stag beetle piloted by Beet-Karuma (ビート・カルマ)
    • Improved model is Hyper-Gugal (ハイパー・グガル), alternatively named Great-Gugal (グレート・グガル)
    • Was used for Chop Shop
  • Beet-Zeguna (ビート・ゼグナ),<ref>From semi (セミ, "cicada").</ref> cicada piloted by Beet-Torumo (ビート・トルモ)
  • Beet-Vadam (ビート・バダム),<ref>From batta (バッタ, "grasshopper").</ref> grasshopper piloted by Beet-Kirumo (ビート・キルロ)
    • Toy was unreleased in Japan. Color scheme is unfinalized between mecha art and toy photography.
    • Was used for Ransack
  • Beet-Papil (ビート・パピル),<ref name="papillon">From papillon (パピヨン), French for "butterfly".</ref> ladybug piloted by Beet-Ramiru (ビート・ラミル)
    • No toy release, unlikely to have one planned.
    • Named Beet-Leide (ビート・レイデ)<ref>From "ladybug" (レディバグ).</ref> in Beet Seven

Beet Seven incorporates two more mecha, but their provenance is unclear. The name confusion regarding Beet-Papil seems to imply that those two were designs not finalized for at least the initial push of the franchise, or that the butterfly was further developed into the ladybug and then reused for Beet Seven.

  • Beet-Papil (ビート・パピル),<ref name="papillon"/> butterfly
  • Beet-Bigal (ビート・ビガル),<ref>From hikari (ヒカリ, "light").</ref> firefly

A second series of Beetras was planned, which would have included a hornet, a spider, a dragonfly, and another one, all designed by Aramaki. They reached the prototype stage.<ref>{{#if: Actually, on that note, we planned out a second series, and there was an actual hornet in that. |"Actually, on that note, we planned out a second series, and there was an actual hornet in that."—|}}{{#if: |[ Shinji Aramaki|Shinji Aramaki}}{{#if: |, |}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: |, {{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{month}}}|{{{month}}}}}{{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{day}}}|{{{day}}}}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: |]|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}
{{#if: A second series of Beetras toys!? |"A second series of Beetras toys!?"—|}}{{#if: |[ Matt Alt|Matt Alt}}{{#if: |, |}}{{#if: |, ""|}}{{#if: |, {{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{month}}}|{{{month}}}}}{{#if: |/{{#switch:{{#len:}}|1=0{{{day}}}|{{{day}}}}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: |]|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|11}}|web.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|7|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:|8|10}}|archive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}
{{#if: They were never actually produced as toys, but there were prototypes. One of them was a hornet. There was also a spider, and a dragonfly, and another one. I designed those, too. Since it was a second series, it was decided to give them a new gimmick in addition to transforming, and so they incorporated little wind-up motors that would carry them across a taut piece of string. |"They were never actually produced as toys, but there were prototypes. One of them was a hornet. There was also a spider, and a dragonfly, and another one. I designed those, too. Since it was a second series, it was decided to give them a new gimmick in addition to transforming, and so they incorporated little wind-up motors that would carry them across a taut piece of string."—|}}{{#if: https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html |Shinji Aramaki|Shinji Aramaki}}{{#if: AltJapan |, AltJapan|}}{{#if: Beet It |, "Beet It"|}}{{#if: 2007 |, 2007{{#if: 10 |/{{#switch:{{#len:10}}|1=010|10}}{{#if: 22|/{{#switch:{{#len:22}}|1=022|22}}|}}}}|}}{{#if: https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html ||}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C11}}%7Cweb.archive= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C7%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#switch:{{#sub:https://web.archive.org/web/20250620230130/https://altjapan.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/beet-it.html%7C8%7C10}}%7Carchive.is= (archive link)|}}{{#if: | (dead link)}}</ref>

Beetras in Transformers

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They bully the regular Insecticons.

After managing to release at least three figures, Takatoku collapsed as a company, halting any further plans for Beetras (although the comic was completed). Their assets would soon be bought out by Bandai, who then subsequently loaned the four Beetras molds to Hasbro, who was desperately needing molds to fill out the 1985 product line of the unexpectedly popular Transformers. All four were given new color schemes as the "Deluxe Insecticons", although early art and photography uses the Beetras decos for most of the Deluxe Insecticons. As Bandai at the time was only concerned about business in Japan, Hasbro was free to sell the molds as Transformers figures in non-Japan markets, but couldn't use the Deluxe Insecticons in the accompanying cartoon, as to not step on the toes of Bandai or Artmic with the cartoon also airing in Japan. (Artmic's mark is still visible on the Deluxe Insecticons, as the studio's logo is found on the toys' packaging.) They were also not included in the contemporary comic in the United States and only made inconsistent appearances as individuals, not as a group, in more minor media.

In later times, the Deluxe Insections have made more appearances, eventually even getting modern toys in the Generations toyline. References to Beetras itself in Transformers are scant, beyond name references like Beet-Chit and Beet-Chop.

Notes

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References

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<references />
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  • Lineup for Beet Seven. Note different color schemes and the addition of two mecha
    Lineup for Beet Seven. Note different color schemes and the addition of two mecha
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