Ginrai (robot)
- Ginrai is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Ginrai (ジンライ Jinrai) is a former Transtector who gained life from and independently of his former owner, Ginrai, via the power of Masterforce. As such, Ginrai takes after the human's personality.
Sometimes he is known as Magnus Prime or by the nickname Fire Guts.
Fiction
Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity
Super-God Masterforce cartoon
The super-energy alien being and self-styled "Decepticon god" Devil Z stole several transtectors, including one intended to be used by the legendary Autobot leader Optimus Prime, from an area of space known as the G Nebula. Already filled with the Tenchōkon of the nebula, the transtectors were then scattered across the Earth by Devil Z, that they might absorb the planet's Chichōkon. Devil Z planned to have human beings bond to the transtectors, adding their inherent Jinchōkon to the equation, thereby creating a new super-robotic lifeform: Godmasters. Shūta and Grand's Masterforce Super-Secrets! The transtector meant for Optimus Prime would eventually fall into the hands of a human named Ginrai, who used the transtector in conjunction with the Master-Braces found within to join the battle against the Decepticons. A Hero Is Chosen - His Name Is Ginrai
In the wake of Devil Z's destruction, the bond between the Autobot humans and their Transtectors was broken, and Ginrai became a normal human again as his now-living Transtector and those of all the other Autobots headed into space to continue the fight against the Decepticons. A Battle... and Then...
Transformers Legends comic
The Ginrai transtector—now having taken its human partner's name as its own, becoming known as Ginrai itself—joined with the Autobot forces in space, setting up base at G Nebula 89. In 2021, he watched as Grand Maximus unveiled his "Super Convoy Project", which would produce a transtector similar to Ginrai to resurrect Optimus Prime in. LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue
Victory cartoon
- Voice actor: Hiroshi Takemura (Japanese)
Ginrai became good friends with Star Saber and his adopted human son, Jan. Before long, Star Saber was appointed Supreme Commander of the Autobots, while Ginrai became commander of the Defense Force for Space Sector Two. The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber Operating out of the base in the G Nebula, Ginrai's time was occupied battling the Decepticon forces under Overlord's control, so much so that Star Saber occasionally had to respond to emergencies in Sector Two, such as a Breastforce attack on planet Micro. Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior
Feeling guilty over taking up Star Saber's time in such a manner, Ginrai was quick to come to his aid when the newly reunited Breastforce combiner Liokaiser proved too much for Star Saber to handle, Unite! Liokaiser and also later when Star Saber was lured into a trap on Earth by Decepticon Emperor of Destruction Deathsaurus. Confronting Deathsaurus in battle, Ginrai was struck by a blast from the villain's Living-Metal-Destroying Cannon and fatally damaged. A Deadly Battle Despite the best medical efforts of Perceptor, Wheeljack, and Minerva, Ginrai's body was left useless and immobile. Due to a slip by Perceptor, however, he learned of the existence of a reconstruction process conceived by Star Saber that would allow him to become a power-up for the Autobot leader. Star Saber refused to allow him to submit to the process, revolted at the notion of using his close friend's body in such a way, but Ginrai insisted. Ginrai Dies!! Perceptor and Wheeljack brought his life functions to an end, then restored him to Star Saber's specifications as Victory Leo. Fight!! Victory Leo
Super-God Masterforce manga
Ginrai joined the battle against Devil Z's Decepticons using his Godmaster transtector. Enter on the Stage! The Name of the Savior Is Ginrai!
Later, the death of Devil Z caused the bond between the humans and their Transtectors to be broken, and Ginrai became a normal man again as his now-living Transtector and those of all the other Autobots headed into space to continue the fight against the Decepticons. The Birth of the Super Lifeforms
Wings Universe
Ginrai (nicknamed "Fire Guts") was a veteran of the Great Wars, and not without baggage. He saw new potential conflicts everywhere, and so he cultivated a reputation for being paranoid. Ginrai saw his demeanor as preparedness. Nevertheless, deep in Cybertron's post-Great Reformatting peacetime, Alpha Trizer placed Ginrai as Commander of the new Cybertronian Knights. The two personalities routinely clashed, as Trizer's more zen-like approach drove Ginrai up the wall. Knight Ginrai profile card
Ginrai clashed with Primal Prime when he recruited Devcon to the Knights. Ginrai and the Prime were of equal rank, but their methods differed dramatically. Primal Prime had recently expelled Devcon from the Wreckers for his abusive tactics, and he was nonplussed to find Ginrai recruiting Devcon and encouraging the use of those same tactics.
Ginrai's knack for paranoia and overreaction led him to call in a CODE RED ALERT on Nebulos in order to deal with what turned out to be a fender bender in space. Apelinq's personal logs
When a communications failure cut off the Knights from a space bridge outpost near Delta Prysmos, Ginrai ordered an immediate investigation. Devcon was hunting Flamewar in that area, and sent a garbled transmission that seemed to authenticate Ginrai's concern. Alpha Trizer convinced Ginrai to wait for a second transmission from Devcon, which led the Knights to bridge directly into Unicron's head to interrupt the mission of the Star Seekers. Ginrai brought Alpha Trizer, Apelinq, and Flareup to assist Devcon. They successfully captured Captain Cannonball and his team of pirates and mercenaries. Hoist the Flag
Toys
Super-God Masterforce
- Super Ginrai (1988)
- Japanese ID number: C-307
- Accessories: Godmaster transtector, 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head
- A remolded version of the American Powermaster Optimus Prime figure, Ginrai is a red, blue and grey tractor trailer, only able to transform into robot mode when the small Ginrai human figure is put into engine mode and snapped into place in the truck's grill, unlocking the clasp that holds the legs in place. When the cab is in robot mode, the trailer can become a battle station. Either robot or station can be armed with any of the toy's weapons, including two black "Superconductor Rifles", and two grey double-barrelled "Particle Beam Cannons", (referred to as "Cannon Craft" in "The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops"), which can be piloted by any small Godmaster figures. The cab and trailer can be merged into "Super Ginrai", whose head is a separate piece, and can go on to combine with the separately sold Godbomber to become God Ginrai.
- Differences between Ginrai and Powermaster Optimus Prime include retractable super-robot fists, a die-cast metal cab with translucent blue plastic windows, shortened smokestacks, a more metallic grey plastic, chrome on the Godmaster Ginrai engine, and silver paint rather than stickers for the small robot's upper legs.
- God Ginrai (1988)
- Japanese ID number: C-310
- Accessories: Godmaster transtector, 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head, God Cannon, Tachyon Missile
- Super Ginrai was also sold in a gift set with Godbomber, who can interact with Ginrai in several ways. Trailer mode Godbomber can hook up either directly to Ginrai's cab or to the back of Ginrai's own trailer and be towed along behind him, while any of Ginrai's weapons can plug into the holes in Godbomber's wings and chassis. Most prominently, of course, Godbomber diseassembles into various component parts that combine with Super Ginrai to form God Ginrai. Godbomber's legs become boots known as "God Legs", to which Ginrai's Particle Beam Cannons attach; his chest and wings form the "God Wing" backpack; his arms clip over the top of Ginrai's own as the "God Punch"; and his back becomes a chromed chestplate called the "God Breast", into the top of which the spring-loaded, missile-firing "God Cannon" plugs. The toy also features a secondary, lesser combination referred to as the "God Breaster", which involves attaching the God Breast to Super Ginrai, and plugging Godbomber's wings into his arms.
- God Ginrai (reissue, 2002)
- Japanese ID number: C-310
- Accessories: Godmaster transtector, 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head, God Cannon, Tachyon Missile
- The God Ginrai gift set was reissued in Japan in 2002 with the notable modification of blue eyes for the small Ginrai robot and a slightly different shade of red paint on the cab. However, it was notoriously over-produced, and online retailers were still selling it even years later, at greatly reduced prices.
- The reissue was redecoed into the exclusive "Fire Guts God Ginrai" figure (see below).
- Fire Guts God Ginrai (e-Hobby exclusive, 2002)
- Japanese ID number: C-310E
- Accessories: Godmaster transtector, 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head, God Cannon, Tachyon Missile
- Released to coincide with the 2002 reissue of the God Ginrai giftset, this redeco casts the Autobot leader in reds and oranges, representing Ginrai using his "God Fire Guts" attack from the animated series. Fire Guts God Ginrai featured his own unique packaging, with recolored package art, and was limited to 1600 pieces.
Transform Jr
- Ginrai (1988)
- Japanese ID number: TF Super Ginrai 1
- Accessories: Blue gun, robot head, die-cast Super Ginrai figurine
- Like the other figures in the Transform Jr line, this version of the basic Ginrai cab robot is a simplified version of its larger counterpart. And when we say simplified, we mean simplified—the figure features no Godmaster engine gimmick, and its head is simply pulled off and set aside for transformation. The figure comes packaged with a small die-cast metal figurine of Super Ginrai.
- Shirei Kichi (司令基地 "Command Base") (1988)
- Japanese ID number: TF Super Ginrai 2
- Accessories: 2 red guns, Trailer post, 2 wheel pieces, ramp, Super Ginrai head
- This Transform Jr figure is a simplified version of Ginrai's trailer, which can transform to base mode, hitch up to the separately sold cab robot and combine with it to form Super Ginrai. The toy includes a cardboard mock-up of Ginrai in torso mode to complete the super robot's look in-package.
- God Ginrai (giftset, 1988)
- Accessories: Blue gun, small robot head, die-cast Super Ginrai figurine, 2 red guns, trailer post, 2 wheel pieces, ramp, Super Ginrai head, "God Breast" chestpiece, 2 "God Punch" arms
- This giftset includes both the Jr "Ginrai" and "Shirei Kichi" figures and all the accessories which came with them plus the attachments necessary to transform Super Ginrai into God Ginrai. Due to the nature of his construction, though, God Ginrai's fist-holes are blocked off, leaving him unable to hold the weapons which came with his components. Furthermore, as his attachments consist only of two arms and a chestpiece (no boots, no backpack), they cannot combine into Godbomber. The set also includes some sort of plastic "shield" with a cardboard insert depicting the Autobot insignia, which appears to be a pocket or belt clip, or something. We really don't know.
Timelines
- Pirates Vs Knights (BotCon 2014 box set)
- Accessories: Smokestacks/double-barreled superconductor rifle, wind vane/shield/particle beam cannon
- Timelines "Cybertronian Knight Ginrai" is an orange redeco of Classics Voyager Optimus Prime, done so to specifically resemble Fire Guts God Ginrai. He transforms into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large wind vane on his roof. In robot mode, his wind vane transforms into a large blaster, and his smokestacks transform into a smaller cannon. Additionally, both weapons can combine together to form a double-barrelled over-shoulder weapon. If a fist is folded down, Ginrai can wield the wind vane like a shield. Ginrai comes in a box set with fellow knight Devcon and the pirates Cannonball, Ferak, Tornado, Scorponok, and Olin Zarak.
| Classics mold: Optimus Prime | ||
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Generations
- Siege On Cybertron (2017)
- Released as part of the BigBadToyStore exclusive 5-pack, "Magnus Prime" is a redeco of Legends Super Ginrai, and he transforms from robot to truck to giant base. As a redeco of the said retool, Magnus Prime can combine with Godbomber.
Merchandise
Transformers Caramel
- Super Ginrai (1988)
- A pair of small non-transforming Decoy-style rubber figurines of Ginrai were released as part of Kabaya's Transformers Caramel line of candy toys, depicting Ginrai in both super robot and truck mode. Around half the size of the more familiar Decoys, the two figures were bundled together, attached to a rubber sprue, and came in either blue, red, or yellow.
Transformers Gum
- Super Ginrai (1988)
- Accessories: 2 Superconductor Rifles, 2 Particle Beam Cannons, Super Ginrai head
- Part of the ninth wave of Kabaya's Transformers Gum candy toy series, this Ginrai figure is a snap-together model kit cast in blue, red and grey plastic. Although lacking in any paint applications, the figure feature stickers for detail, and retains most of the accessories and features of the actual Ginrai toy. Due to its small size, however, while the Ginrai engine is removable, it cannot transform to human form, nor can the kit combine with Transformers Gum Godbomber to form a Gum version of God Ginrai.
- Super Ginrai (2010)
- Released in the third wave of the revived Transformers Gum series in 2010, this transforming model kit of Super Ginrai is made from red, blue and silver plastic, and decorated with quite a few stickers to add his familiar details. Based on the original Ginrai toy, this figure actually features MORE articulation than the original, as the arms are made of two pieces each, adding elbow movement. This kit can combine with the Transformers Gum Godbomber, released in the same wave, to make God Ginrai.
- God Ginrai (2010)
- The combined form of the Godbomber and Super Ginrai kits released in the third wave of the revived Transformers Gum series in 2010.
Parody Deformed
- Super Ginrai (1990)
- A small two-tone, non-transforming super deformed model kit of Super Ginrai was available as part of Kabaya's "Parody Deformed" line of candy toys. The seventh figure in the series, he was available in red, blue or yellow, and came with a "Transformers PD Type" comic about himself, "Fight! Super Ginrai!", and something that could charitably be described as "chocolate".
- God Ginrai (1990)
- A similar model kit of God Ginrai followed in the next wave of the "Parody Deformed" series, this time packaged with something accused of being "gum". As the thirteenth figure of the line, God Ginrai came with the "Transformer PD Type" comic, "Now! Deliver the Finishing Blow! God Ginrai!!".
Super Collection Figure
- God Ginrai (2000)
- This PVC figure was available in the first act of Takara's "Super Collection Figure" series, in both full-color and clear plastic versions. In 2002, it was released as "Powermaster Optimus Prime in Apex Armor" in the first wave of Hasbro's Heroes of Cybertron line.
- Super Ginrai (2000)
- The second "Super Collection Figure" of Ginrai was available in the second act of the series series, in both full-color and clear plastic versions.
- Fire Guts God Ginrai (2001)
- The original God Ginrai PVC was re-released in solid metallic golden four the fourth act of the "Super Collection Figure" series, available only as a rare chase figure. The "Fire Guts" concept was apparently the inspiration for the "Powermaster Optimus Prime Spark Attack" figure that was released in the second wave of the Heroes of Cybertron line, although that figure was cast entirely in translucent yellow-orange plastic, rather than solid golden.
- Ginrai (2001)
- The fourth and final Ginrai PVC rendered the character in his basic robot form. The PVC, which was released in the fifth, Masterforce-centric act of the series, was available in both full-color and metallic silver "petwer" versions. In eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of Ginrai came packaged with the head and torso of the wave's BlackZarak "Build-A-Figure".
EX Gōkin
- God Ginrai (2016?)
- Accessories:
- Produced by Art Storm as part of their EX Gōkin Transformers Series line, this posable non-transforming God Ginrai figure features a sleek, stylized take on the character's design.
Notes
Foreign names
- English: Optimus Prime (Omni Productions dub)
- Italian: Commander
- Russian: Optimus Prime (Оптимус Прайм Optimus Prajm)
