Shiden

Shiden is an Autobot Combiner from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Shiden (シデン) is the combined form of the Trainbots when it includes one or more of the prototype Trainbots, in contrast to Raiden, who is formed from the six finalized Trainbots. In his original prototype form as "G Liner", his motion has lag, which can easily be exploited by a more swift opponent.

The original G Liner is the combined form of all six prototype Trainbots, while Shiden can incorporate the finalized Trainbots. The prototypes are:

• Yellow/Yamabuki
• Silver/Ginou
• Crystal
• Thunder
• Battle
• Miracle

Fiction

Train Wars

After Nightbird broke free of her captivity (thanks to the rogue AI Shadow), the prototype Trainbots and the three activated units of the finalized Trainbots were sicced on her by their creator. After Nightbird escaped Doctor's clutches, the prototypes combined into G Liner, but the Combiner soon found itself under the control of Shadow's cerebro-shell program and was used to pilfer the three remaining unactivated Trainbots. To save all of their comrades, Mach, Snow, and Night managed to send two of themselves crashing at G Liner at full speed, breaking apart the Combiner and knocking out the brainwashing. The Train Wars: The Origin

Around two decades later, Raiden was attacked by the Nine Great Demon Generals, and Shouki and Yukikaze were severely damaged. Yamabuki and Ginou arrived to assist, allowing the two prototypes and the four remaining Trainbots to form Shiden for the first time. The Train Wars: The Junction

Notes

• G Liner is made up of the alternate set of decoes that were released in Diaclone after the original colorations that were later used to make Raiden.
• G Liner's name comes from Raiden's preliminary name, "Grandliner" (グランドライナー). It is not stated outright, but is found in a speech bubble of binary code that the Combiner mutters as he is being brainwashed.
• Along with sharing the -den ending with raiden (雷電, "thunder and lightning"), shiden is likely a multilayered pun, with many meanings applicable to the character:
  • "Tram" (市電)
  • "Swordflash" (紫電, literally "purple lightning"), also used for the N1K-J Shiden aircraft
  • "Historical material" (史伝)
  • "First train (of the day)" (始電)