The Energon Pub

[El Duque]

Our fellow Transformers fans over on the Allspark have posted a translation of the back story printed on the back of Takara Tomy's United EX Grimmaster Prime packaging. See how this set fits in the United EX story below:

On a rocky mountain ledge, five dinosaur Transformers were raging wildly as if flaunting their raw power. Boulders were smashed into pebbles, sharp gusts of wind punctuated the strikes of a tail, and the earth shuddered with thunderous footsteps. In this place known as “Dinobot Island,” a new Master was making the final adjustments to his drones.

“I’ve got a message from Major Clouder of the Department of Defense!”
Having just touched down on the island, Jetmaster addressed the dinosaur Transformer before him with a cool glare.
“After suffering two attacks from the Decepticons, the Race Drones fortunately escaped unscathed, but our military drones were lost to the enemy… Choppermaster remains unaccounted for. Placing a high priority on this phase of the operation, senior command hereby orders Grimmaster and the Dinobot Drones to prepare for deployment. …That’s what the man said.”
“You guys want… me?”
A contrast to his fearsome appearance, Grimmaster’s somehow gentle eyes darted around nervously.
“Hey, not my decision, but they called you in. Just don’t try anything shady…”
Jetmaster barely avoided referring to the Transformer as an “ex-‘Con.”

“Y’know, I’m real sorry. But look, I’ll fight good and help you guys out!”
As Grimmaster looked at him earnestly, Jetmaster’s expression softened just slightly.
“Well, nobody’s trying to say you’re not tough enough. But, I’ve gotta know. Have you really been training alone here for going on10 years?”
“Oh yeah! Gettin’ in with the Master Class, I wanted to get real strong so I could do somethin’ for ol’ Earth, and all my human pals here, too! Gotta respect the chief after he saved the life of a ‘Con like me, y’know? And hey, I’m not alone... I got my buddies with me!”

As Grimmaster spoke, four Dinobot Drones emerged to gather around him, each calling out to him familiarly as if affirming his will.
“Buddies, eh? Arright, get ready for duty, Grimmaster!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Grimmaster
Function: Berserker

[Prime Mode]
Strength 7
10
Intelligence
4
4
Speed 4
7
Endurance 7
10
Rank 3
3
Courage 5
9
Fireblast 6
10
Skill 6
8
Total 42
61

Grimmaster:
A former Decepticon who grew fond of Earth during the war 10 years ago. As a new member of the Dinobots, he now fights to defend the planet.

Saber-Ryu Drone:
A dinosaur drone that absorbs solar energy through the fin on its back. Converts into an arm.

Illumina III Drone:
A dinosaur drone capable of transporting a human inside. Converts into an arm.

Caesar-Ryu Drone:
A dinosaur drone that strikes with powerful headbutts. Converts into a leg.

Cross-Ryu Drone:
A dinosaur drone evenly balanced with physical and ranged combat abilities. Converts into a leg.

Grimmaster Prime Mode:
By combining with the Dinobot Drones developed by the scientist Wheeljack, Grimmaster covers his own lack of speed with the drones’ swift movement. The Prime Mode’s thick armor can repel most artillery.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Anyone who guessed Kakuryu from Victory, here are your cookies

[Manterax Prime]

Wish this applied to Grimstone. Former 'Con who's extremely noble and has some decent morals. Also is very fond of earth and humans. Wait, I've heard this before....*looks at RID Skybyte*

[MagnusLabel]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

Actually, in Japanese and Chinese dinosaurs are called 恐竜 (kyoryu or kung lung) which literally means "fright dragon". Dinosaur bones were even attributed to dragons in ancient China. As a Samurai, Bludgeon should know that

[SG Roadbuster]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

Actually, in Japanese and Chinese dinosaurs are called 恐竜 (kyoryu or kung lung) which literally means "fright dragon". Dinosaur bones were even attributed to dragons in ancient China. As a Samurai, Bludgeon should know that

also, Kakuryu's name translates into "Horned Dragon"
as cool as it is having a Kakuryu homage after all these years i'm slightly disappointed. I would have rather them redeco Grim master into Kakuryu's colours if they were gonna go for that homage, I would have bought it then. I Have the US Grimstone, and it looks like Grim master is just a shinier version.

[gavinfuzzy]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

Actually, in Japanese and Chinese dinosaurs are called 恐竜 (kyoryu or kung lung) which literally means "fright dragon". Dinosaur bones were even attributed to dragons in ancient China. As a Samurai, Bludgeon should know that

I think you mean "Kong Long".

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

Actually, in Japanese and Chinese dinosaurs are called 恐竜 (kyoryu or kung lung) which literally means "fright dragon". Dinosaur bones were even attributed to dragons in ancient China. As a Samurai, Bludgeon should know that

I think you mean "Kong Long".

Whatever, tell Ni Hao Kai-lan to include spelling as well.

[Sabrblade]

A careful look at this story will reveal that it is set ten years after the Victory cartoon, thus putting Operation Combination and United EX in the year 2035.

as cool as it is having a Kakuryu homage after all these years i'm slightly disappointed. I would have rather them redeco Grim master into Kakuryu's colours if they were gonna go for that homage, I would have bought it then. I Have the US Grimstone, and it looks like Grim master is just a shinier version.

Thing is, the Takara toy designers came up with the color scheme first. It was Hydra who later came in with the idea of him being Kakuryu.

Besides, this color scheme works as Kakuryu hs since become an official member of the Dinobots (but ONLY him).

[Flux Convoy]

Oh Takara. Why couldn't they just be new characters? Was it really necessary to shoehorn obscure characters into the 5 packs? Of course, I guess homages and a sense of history would help sell the line.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Oh Takara. Why couldn't they just be new characters? Was it really necessary to shoehorn obscure characters into the 5 packs? Of course, I guess homages and a sense of history would help sell the line.

EXACTLY. How many people have turned PCC Huffer into G1 Huffer?

[RhA]

Bludgeon : "Fools! Dinosaurs and dragons are two different things!"

Actually, in Japanese and Chinese dinosaurs are called 恐竜 (kyoryu or kung lung) which literally means "fright dragon". Dinosaur bones were even attributed to dragons in ancient China. As a Samurai, Bludgeon should know that

I think you mean "Kong Long".

Whatever, tell Ni Hao Kai-lan to include spelling as well.

Cookies are awarded to one of the most elaborate burns I've read in a long time.

[Sabrblade]

Oh Takara. Why couldn't they just be new characters? Was it really necessary to shoehorn obscure characters into the 5 packs? Of course, I guess homages and a sense of history would help sell the line.

Why create new nobodies when we've already got plenty of existing nobodies to use and be turned into somebodies?

Plus, it was all Hydra who thought up these character identities.

[Flux Convoy]

EXACTLY. How many people have turned PCC Huffer into G1 Huffer?

Since when is Huffer obscure though? Also, I don't know who those people are but they're doing it wrong.

[Flux Convoy]

Why create new nobodies when we've already got plenty of existing nobodies to use and be turned into somebodies?

Plus, it was all Hydra who thought up these character identities.

Congrats to Hydra for being able to actually work on the brand. He's a super nice guy. Still, somebodies? They're still obscure nobody characters. Especially more so without their allies or teammates.

[Sabrblade]

Still, somebodies? They're still obscure nobody characters. Especially more so without their allies or teammates.

The more they are used, the more popular they can become. If these Master Class and Master Chaos guys were anyone other than existing guys using codenames, chances are they wouldn't see much use outside of these particular stories. But using existing characters who already have a need for more story use lets them get that needed story use.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

EXACTLY. How many people have turned PCC Huffer into G1 Huffer?

Since when is Huffer obscure though? Also, I don't know who those people are but they're doing it wrong.

Repurposing isn't your thing then. Fine with me

[lonrac]

It's amazing how a little bit of fiction can make all the difference. if Hasbro only did something of that sort, the PCC may have been viewed as a lot cooler.

I'm only thankful that nobody decided to repaint the huffer/crankcase red and blue, remold the 'prime' head, and stick it with five drones as Optimus Powercore.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

It's amazing how a little bit of fiction can make all the difference. if Hasbro only did something of that sort, the PCC may have been viewed as a lot cooler.

I'm only thankful that nobody decided to repaint the huffer/crankcase red and blue, remold the 'prime' head, and stick it with five drones as Optimus Powercore.

Nope, instead we may get his evil counterpart: RiD Scourge Or rather, his Japanese counterpart Car Robots Black Convoy, as CR is part of the G1 universe there.