Warrior Beasts

Infobox Mazinger Mecha
name = Battle Beasts
katakana =


creator = Go Nagai
weapons = Varied (beams, missiles, bombs, swords, spears, axes, nets, acids, drills, etc.)
construction = Unkwown metal or alloy and organic parts
energy_source = Unkwown

The Battle Beasts ("sentoujuu"), were the monsters and evil mecha from the anime and manga series Great Mazinger by Go Nagai. Great Mazinger was the sequel to the wildly popular Mazinger Z.

In the story, the Battle Beasts were the secret super-weapons of the Mikene Empire, an ancient empire driven underground centuries in the past.

Characteristics

Like their predecessors the Mechanical Beasts ("kikaiju"), they were armed with a variety of weapons, such as ray beams, missiles, bombs, swords, spears, axes, nets, acids and drills. They differed from the Mechanical Beasts in a number of ways. For one, they tended to be partly organic. Some were capable of speech and were overall far more powerful. In addition, the Battle Beasts could be grouped into one of 7 categories, as the entire Mikene Empire's forces could be divided into 7 armies.

The seven armies

* Superhuman Battle Beasts: Led by General Julius Caesar, it is the largest of the seven armies. As the name suggests, most of this army's Battle Beasts are humanoid in shape. They often carry weapons such as swords, shields and spears.Clr
* Spectral Battle Beasts: Led by General Ardias, this army specialises in inspiring fear in the enemies of the Mikene Empire. This army's forces tend to take the form of demons or ghosts.Clr
* Aerial Battle Beasts: The main air force of the Mikene Empire's forces, this army is led by General Birdler. Virtually every member of this army is winged, though some fly using thrusters or jets.Clr
* Mammalian Battle Beasts: One of the Mikene Empire's ground forces, this army is led by the vile General Rigarn. The Battle Beasts of this army are based on mammals, many of them being four-legged. Ramming targets seems to be a favourite tactic.Clr
* Reptilian Battle Beasts: Commanded by the dragon-like General Draydou, this army has a mix of air and ground troops. Being based on reptiles, the Battle Beasts of this unit tend to be more vicious than most.Clr
* Aquatic Battle Beasts: The navy of the Mikene Empire is led by General Angoras. This army is strongest in the water, though many Battle Beasts that are part of this army are amphibious.Clr
* Insect Battle Beasts: Tough and adaptable, this army follows their leader General Scarabeth into battle. Like the Reptilian Battle Beast army, this force has a combination of air and ground troops (though leaning more towards air power).

All seven armies were beneath the supreme command of the Great General of Darkness. After his defeat and death at the hands of Great Mazinger, the Great Marshall of Hell took over supreme command.

List of Battle Beasts

These are the battle beasts featured on the Great Mazinger TV series. Some of the names may vary according to the translation.

The battle beasts from the Mazinger Z OVA Mazinger Z vs. the Great Dark General ("Majingâ Zetto tai Ankoku Daishôgun") became as iconic as the ones from the TV series.

* Dante
* Birdian
* Raigon
* Saraga
* Suruba
* Mommothos
* Wardam
* Orbee
* Arsoth
* Baruman
* Burrunga
* Rosten
* Arimoth

Fight to the Death! Mazinkaiser VS the Great General of Darkness!

In the OVA special Mazinkaiser VS the Great General of Darkness, much of the movie revolves around Kouji Kabuto trying to get back to the Photonic Research Institute and Mazinkaiser while trying to avoid being killed by the Battle Beasts.

Meanwhile, the other Battle Beasts battle the so-called Mazinger Army (made up of Great Mazinger, Venus A and three significantly weaker versions of Mazinger Z). They defeat and destroy all but Great Mazinger, who is nonetheless no longer capable of combat. However, they pay a heavy price as Birdler, Scarabeth and Angoras are killed in combat. As Kouji continues his journey, a missile attack kills Rigarn and his entire army.

Eventually, Kouji reaches the Photonic Research Institute despite the efforts of Archduke Gorgon. In their desperation to destroy Mazinkaiser, the Mikene armies of Caeser, Ardias and Draydou ripped the very ground apart, seeking its underground hangar. Unluckily for them, Mazinkaiser was being stored in space, out of their reach. With Boss' help, Kouji is able to activate Mazinkaiser. Living up to its title of Ultimate Mazinger, Mazinkaiser then wipes out every last one of the surviving Battle Beasts and kills the three generals with almost embarrassing ease.