Machine Robo Mugenbine (マシンロボムゲンバイン), also called Multiple General Node Combine System or Mu.Gen.Bine is a Japanese transforming robot toyline first released on 27 December 2003 by Bandai. Designed by PLEX, Mugenbine is the successor of the Machine Robo line of transforming toy robots.
About Mugenbine
Mugenbine is a term derived from the words mugen, which is Japanese for 'infinite', and the English word 'combine', which is the theme for the series. Mugenbine uses numerous interlocking pegs and sockets to attach and remove components and relocate them in order to form different modes. While all figures have at least two official alternate modes and most have official combinations with one to three other figures, the concept of the line is to allow you to assemble your own animal and machine creations.
Core figures
The majority of the series consists of robot figures called Mugenroids, basic block-proportioned figures that can contort and fold into various shapes, most notably a cube, to form the core of its various modes. While they generally look identical aside from color scheme, each Mugenroid has a different head sculpt. Most sets come with six to ten components called 'bine parts' that attach via the many pegs and holes on the Mugenroid, as well as on each other, to create other forms. At first, each figure featured an animal and vehicle mode only, but later sets expanded to include larger robot modes as well, and some even later sets did away with the vehicle mode. As the toyline expanded, new cores were created. Most notable is the Turboroid, which can't bend as many ways as its predecessor, but already has wheels attached to help form vehicle modes and included completely unique heads that could rotate. Others used no core figure at all, instead coming with a Mugen Engine that allows spinning gimmicks. Later figures use new core bots called Buildroids that are formed from parts themselves and feature small pilot figures called Roiders.
Toy List
Mugen Alphabet Robot Gattai series (ムゲン合体シリーズ)
The basic series of toys are referred to as "Mugen Gattai" (fusion) figures. The initial release of these figures came alphabetically, as well as having most Mugenroids (ムゲンロイド) feature a matching letter on the side of their head. This initial series is often called the "Letter" or "Alphabet" series for these reasons. The toyline is known for running themes for its figures. The toys Teiouryu, Uzumakidori, Wanrikiguma, and Yuutenma were called Ridebines (ライドバイン), as their vehicle modes don't require the Mugenroid to form its core, rather the parts formed a vehicle for the Mugenroid to ride on. The figures Quest Knight, Save Gunman, and Razor Ninja were referred to in commercials as the Three Musketeers and are designed after historical warrior types, a knight, a cowboy, and a ninja respectively. The various dinosaur figures, likewise, were considered their own subgroup. The series also introduced larger, deluxe figures. These included Victory Leon, an upgrade of Air Leon, and Zord Elephant.
1 Fang Tiger and Kaiser Condor were reengineered from Air Leon and Carry Eagle respectively.
2 Galaxy Rex and Heat Tricera also combine in animal mode as Mugen Brachio Double (ムゲンブラキオダブル).
3 These figures are Turboroids and thus do not feature their assigned letter on their head sculpts.
4 Yuutenma combines into extra parts for all three of Teiouryu's modes
5 Mugen General 7's figures can also combine into a super animal mode.
Storyline
Little backstory is given for the Mugenbine toyline aside besides commercials and the back of toy packaging.
According to fiction from the commercials, the story takes place in Mugenpolis (ムゲンポリス), where the first Mugenbine, Air Leon, was developed, soon followed by Build Giraffe and Carry Eagle, designed to counter emergencies in the city. The only villain seen is Xenonbine, an evil Mugenbine capable of more combinations than any of the others at the time. The commercials also explained the characters Great Rex, Heat Tricera, and Zord Elephant were created by Mugenbine's North American branch. After Victory Leon is created to serve as a gateway to the city, the commercials begin referring to it as Mugen City (ムゲンシティ), and introduced the Mugen Bases. Arch Tiger's commercial also implies an unseen, ominous enemy as its appearance causes the sky to turn purple. There is also a side story featuring the Ridebine characters who are searching for legendary weapons, a theme supported by the manga included with these figures where they battle a machine monster powered by these weapons, as well as their inclusion with numerous Teiouryu figures as "prize parts", the weapon parts from Assault Leon, Energy Rhinoce, and Great Rex molded in gold plastic.
At some point, the storyline on the packages tell that the Mugenroids are taken over and turn against the city. As a result, the Buildroids are created, with human pilots that could not be controlled. They're left as the only protectors of Mugen City in the face of the new threat. The storyline is presumed to be ongoing as the most recent toy releases also includes a pilot figure.[4]
See also
External links
References
- ムゲンバイン www.mr-club.jp, retrieved 12 January 2022^
- "Mugenbine" Collectible Toy Line Re-Issues Egyptian Mythology Series^
- Text Translation for Kinoujin and Ginoujin at TFW2005.com^