Strong Hippo

Strong Hippo is a Beastformer from the Generation 1 continuity family.

With monstrous strength rivalling that of Elephan, incredible skill in underwater combat, and a weapon that can fire beams that encase enemies in ice, Strong Hippo (ストロングヒッポ Sutorongu Hippo) could be a terrifying force on the battlefield. But frankly, he'd rather just get things done as quietly as possible without drawing attention to himself in any way. Though he never backs down from a job and does his best to complete whatever is set before him, he is incredibly shy, often turning beet red in public, which can hamper his performance as he tries to avoid making a scene.

He is ultimately a gentle giant with a fascination for fairy tales, having written several books on them. As King of Gamborudia, he has begun to overcome this shyness thanks to his close friendship with his subordinate Emperor Scout Mouse. The extroverted Mouse has helped bolster Hippo's confidence, while Hippo's kind and gentle nature has earned the Mouse's loyalty.

Fiction

Legends comic

Strong Hippo was enslaved by Scorponok to build the second BlackZarak transtector. Bonus Edition Vol. EX

Toys

Transformers: Beastformers

• Strong Hippo (Beastformer, 1987)
  • Beast ID number: 32
  • Accessories: Axe

Part of the second series of Takara's Beastformers toys, Strong Hippo is an anthopomorphic hippopotamus in blue robotic armor. The rubsign on his chest reveals one of three symbols; Fire, Water or Wood.

He came in a green-grid generic "Cybertron Beastformer" box, with a bio card with a painted character image on a jungle backdrop. Re-released in Series 3, the box was unchanged, but the bio card replaced the painted image with a simpler line-art image, first used in Hasbro's Battle Beasts cast poster. In both Series, depending on the "Pack" he came in, there was a chance of his bio card being replaced with a rare "Secret Photo", "Bewitching Serpent Seal", or "VS Holography Mirror" card.

Beastformers

• Strong Hippo (Beastformer, 1988)
  • Beast ID number: 32
  • Accessories: "Aqua Hippo" MVP Weapon

Re-released in the Transformers-less Beastformers sequel series, Strong Hippo was given a straight re-release with new packaging and a new, more filled-out bio card with corrected coloring. This new card also gave his weapon, now branded an "MVP Weapon", the name "Aqua Hippo" (アクアヒッポ Akua Hippo).

The initial early releases of this series had the chance for any Beastformer to have the rare Burstsun symbol; we'll probably never know if Strong Hippo was ever actually one of them. Later in the run, the "mood ring" styled rubsigns were replaced with new rubsigns that revealed full-color Fire/Wood/Water images on black backdrops. (These rubsign variants also happened at the same time in the Hasbro Battle Beast version of the line.)

• Shocking Shark (Battle Base, 1988)
  • Accessories: "Aqua Hippo" MVP Weapon

Strong Hippo was also packed in with the Shocking Shark Battle Base. He is unchanged from his original release.

Notes

• The Hasbro release of this toy was similarly (eventually) available with both styles of rubsign.

Foreign names

• English: Humongous Hippo