Gairyu

Gairyu is a Decepticon from the Victory portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

He has a bigger brain in his club than in his head.

Gairyu (ガイリュウ Gairyū) is a member of the Decepticon Dinoforce who becomes a stampeding Ankylosaurus when bonded with his dinosaur Pretender shell. Like most of the Dinoforce, Gairyu is both innocent and stupid.

He can combine with his teammates to form Dinoking.

Fiction

Victory cartoon

Voice actor: Yūki Satō (Japanese)

Victory manga

Gairyu and the Dinoforce rode their Pretender shells into battle, ransacking the planet Earth. They attempted to escalate the devastation by forming Dinoking, but were stopped cold by the power of Landcross. Magnificent! Our Friend, Star Saber!

Gairyu stood watch as Kakuryu went through his daily fitness routine. Warrior of Love, Star Saber!

As the Autobots infiltrated the Decepticon Space Stronghold, their sudden appearance scattered Gairyu and the Dinoforce. The fighting soon ceased as the Decepticons revealed they only sought energy for their families, including the adorable Dinobabies. Heroic! The Victory War

IDW Generation 1 continuity

Gairyu 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

Victory

• Gairyu (Dinoforce, 1989)
  • Japanese ID number: D-323
  • Accessories: Ankylosaurus shell, shell back, "Ankylo Gun", left Dinoking fist

A redeco of the Pretender Monster Bristleback, Gairyu transforms into a spiked quadrupedal monster. He can also form either arm to the team's combined mode Dinoking. He comes with an armored Ankylosaurus shell that he can fit into.

• More information on Gairyu at TFU.info

• Dinoking (Multi-pack, 1989)
  • ID number: D-328
  • Accessories: Ankylosaurus shell, shell back, "Ankylo Gun", left Dinoking fist

All six members of Dinoforce were available both in individual boxes, and in a complete six-piece gift set. While there are no differences in the toys themselves, the gift set 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

Notes

• Gairyū corresponds with 鎧竜 in Japanese, meaning "Ankylosaurus".
• 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.
• The Victory anime depicted the Dinoforce members as carrying melee weapons, rather than the blasters the toys actually came with.

Foreign names

• English: Bristleback (Omni Productions dub)