Yokuryu

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

A winged menace, he is not.

Yokuryū (ヨクリュウ) could be called the flighty member of Dinoforce, though this would be because of his winged alternate mode more than a wandering mind. Like the rest of Dinoforce, Yokuryū barely has a mind to let wander. While barely a threat to an enemy pigeon while in the air, Yokuryū's fire-breath is surprisingly useful against ground opponents. Typically, Yokuryū can be defeated by even the simplest of strategies, as Wing found out in an early battle. Still, Yokuryū's greatest threat in the air would have to be himself. When riding on his winged shell, he is easily spooked, typically resulting in the suffocation of his partner as he dangles like a gaudy necklace.

Fiction

Victory cartoon

Voice actor: Hirohiko Kakegawa (Japanese)

Yokuryū is just as foolish as his compatriots, though on at least one occasion he had the wit to realize a flight of birds was evidence of a sneak attack. Presumably his brain cells had actually bounced into contact that day. Explosion!! The Energy Base

Victory comic

Yokuryū 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!

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

When Emperor Deathsaurus wanted to assemble a team of young boys for...um...anyway, he sent Yokuryū to Earth to kidnap Jean Minakaze. Interrupting the first meeting of the Autobot boy sidekicks, the Victories, Yokuryū scooped Jean up into his mouth and flew him back to the Thunder Arrow. Watch Out, Jean! Hurry, Star Saber!

As the Autobots infiltrated the Decepticon Space Stronghold, their sudden appearance scattered Yokuryū 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

Toys

Victory

• Yokuryū (Dinoforce, 1989)
  • Japanese ID number: D-326
  • Accessories: Pteranodon shell, shell back, "Pteran Gun", right Dinoking fist

A redeco of the Pretender Monster Wildfly, Yokuryū transforms into a gargoyle-like creature. He can also form either arm to the team's combined mode, Dinoking, though his nominal placement is as the giant's right arm. He comes with a soft-plastic armored Pteranodon outer "shell" that he can fit into.

• More information on Yokuryū at TFU.info

• Dinoking (Multi-pack, 1989)
  • ID number: D-328
  • Accessories: Pteranodon shell, shell back, "Pteran Gun", right 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

• Yokuryū corresponds with 翼竜, meaning "Wing Dinosaur". The term is used to refer to the pterosaurs.
• The Dinoforce shells are notable for developing a green patina on the gold-painted 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: Wildfly (Omni Productions dub)