Dinobot (Beast Wars)

Dinobot is a fictional character from '' Beast Wars'' in the ''Transformers'' franchise. His character is one enthralled by the sensation of combat while driven by a code of honor reminiscent of that of samurai bushido. He debuted in the series premiere as a subordinate of Megatron, leader of the villainous Predacons. While he initially joins Megatron, Dinobot eventually joins the ranks of the Maximals. And would ultimately sacrifice himself to prevent Megatron from achieving his mission of conquest. Outside of the television series, the character has appeared in other forms of media of the franchise, and has received various forms of merchandise. Dinobot is a popular character among fans, becoming an inductee, and winning choice of many Transformers oriented listicles and honorary celebrations.

Series Biography

Beast Wars show

In the first season, Dinobot originally arrives on prehistoric Earth with Megatron and the rest of the Predacons. Dinobot takes on the form of a v''elociraptor'', modeled after the depiction of the species in Jurassic Park. After their arrival, Dinobot believes that Megatron has led the predacons to the wrong planet as Megatron had planned to arrive on Earth, he attempts to usurp him in a duel. Only for him to be cast out of the Predacons. Later on, he confronts the Maximals outside their base, and challenges Optimus Primal’s leadership in a duel. The engagement is interrupted by a surprise attack from the Predacons. Optimus saves Dinobot's life during the attack, prompting the two to come to terms and ally.

From then on, Dinobot serves alongside the Maximals during the Beast Wars, and proves to be a valuable ally in both strength and cunning, as well as in his knowledge of his former Predacon comrades. However, Dinobot frequently clashes with the Maximals' morals, but grows to respect the Maximals, and forges strong friendships with them. Later on he realizes Megatron did in fact arrive on Earth, and was all along planning to alter history in order to ensure himself power. So to derail Megatron's tyrannical ambitions he sabotages the Predacons in their onslaught against a group of proto-humans that would lead to the human race. Before ultimately sacrificing himself by using what is left of his strength to destroy one of the golden disks, an alien artifact that aided Megatron’s plans.

Megatron eventually created a clone of Dinobot with the show's transmetal technology, who was loyal to him before rebelling against him once more when the clone gains awareness of his former self. In the series finale the clone sacrifices himself in the same vein as the original Dinobot to aid the Maximals in defeating Megatron.

War for Cybertron Trilogy

In the universe of the Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy animated series, Dinobot never joins the Maximals, and remains with the Predacons. He, however, still has reservations towards Megatron using the Golden Disk to alter history. When the Decepticons travel back in time and meet the Predacons, looking for the Allspark, Dinobot decides that neither Megatron should have it after failing to make an alliance with Starscream and Blackarachnia. This leads him to face both Megatrons and, despite being fatally wounded, he manages to recover the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, giving it back to Optimus Prime. After his death, his spirit guides Optimus Primal to rejoin Optimus Prime, defeat Megatron, and find the Allspark.

In comic books

* Dinobot's earliest depiction in comics was in a two part short story told in Dreamwave's ''Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye'' series.
* The now defunct Fun Publications expanded on Dinobot's story in ''Dawn of Futures Past,'' a part of the grander story of their Transformers Timelines issues.
* Dinobot appears along the rest of the Maximals in the IDW Productions series ''Beast Wars: The Gathering'', which takes place during season 3 of the animated ''Beast Wars'' series.

Reception

Dinobot was named the 3rd best upgrade in Beast Wars history in a 2013 publication by Topless Robot.

The WTF@TFW podcast for February 26, 2009 selected the ''Henkei'' Dinobot toy as one of the New Picture Picks.

At BotCon 2010, Hasbro named Dinobot as one of the first five robot inductees in the Transformers Hall of Fame. He was also the first "fan's choice" inductee, as fans around the world submitted nominees for the spot. After the nominees were narrowed down to the top five, Dinobot beat the other candidates with 31,000 votes.

References

{{Transformers

Transformers characters
Fictional robotic dinosaurs
Fictional samurai
Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities
Fictional characters with superhuman strength
Fictional swordfighters
Fictional swordfighters in television
Fictional clones