KWG-series Medarots

KWG-series Medarots make up one-half of the game series mascot pair (KBT-series being the other). It is one of the most populous model series with a new entry appearing in almost every new game. In secondary media (especially manga and the TV series) KWG-model Medarots are frequently owned by the protagonist's rival (Shinzan and Sanjuro in particular) or standalone characters (Rokusho in the animation)

KWG is an abbreviation of kuwagatamushi, Japanese for Stag Beetle, whose two large mandibles (which resemble the antlers on a stag) are a major design trait on almost all KWG-series Medarots. The Kuwagata Medal thus makes a natural fit.

Series Basics

Aesthetics

The vast majority of KWG-series Medarots are easily picked out by their heads, which feature two "antennae" that resemble stag beetles' mandibles. Their armor is somewhat rounded and their bodies thin rather than bulky, reducing their weight when covering the distances needed to use grapple attacks. The majority of KWG-series have white or light grey armor with dark blue highlights, though there are exceptions such as the green accents of Sonic Stag and the full-body blue of Tyrrellbeetle.

Abilities

The basic set-up for KWG-series makes full use of the Kuwagata Medal and its alignment towards standard Grapple attacks. The head features a Scan ability to increase its team's Rate of Success, increasing hit rate and Critical Hit frequency. The right arm utilizes weak but quick Sword strikes while the left arm delivers slow but brutal Hammer blows. Two Legs give maximum agility on Forest and Grass fields.

Those models capable of Medachange transform into missile vehicles, often four-legged or flying. The antennae lower down into proper mandibles for heavy Sword hits; the arms instead deploy into launchers capable of sinking both flying and submerged enemies in little time.

Examples

KWG-0 Head Scissors

The mascot of Medarot 1's Kuwagata version, Head Scissors is the archetype upon which most other KWG-series Medarots are based. It features the standard Scan-Sword-Hammer-Two Legs setup. It is most easily distinguished from later versions by its antennae, which are swept back instead of fanned out. It is frequently seen being used by Hikaru, protagonist of Medarot 1 and supporting character of later games.

KWG-1 Rokusho

The refined version of Head Scissors, and the mascot of the ported Kuwagata versions, primarily Medarot 2, Medarot 2 Core, and Medabots AX, Rokusho also appears in the anime series as a prominent character.

KWG-2 Solin

An alternate version of Rokusho that exchanges attack power for additional defense. Easily recognizable by its mono eye, three-claw sword and blue ball-joints.

KWG-3 Mach Massive

Another version of Rokusho that is used primarily by Rintarou's rival Ryou Kaiba. Rintarou himself is sometimes seen with Mach Massive in place of Kantaros. Distinguished from earlier KWG-types by its highly angular armor.

KWGXX-M Maquette

A testbed Medarot used to prototype both Dorcus and Tyrrellbeetle. Easily distinguishable by its massive right arm. Maquette appears in the Medarot 3 manga and is available as DLC in Medarot 8.

KWG-4 Titanbeetle

Introduced in Medarot 8, Titanbeetle fulfills the long-empty role of a direct partner to Arcbeetle.

KWG-5 Dorcus

A direct upgrade to Ikki's Rokusho, Dorcus is the first KWG-series Medarot to feature Medachange, lowering onto all fours. Signature features include its single-edged sword, distinct mallet-like hammer and enlarged arms to store said weapons when not in use.

KWG-55 Blackstag

Like Solin does for Rokusho, Blackstag offers different stats from Dorcus. The female Medarot offers greater power and accuracy at a small speed cost. Her Medachange also renders her into a Flying-type rather than a Multi Leg.

KWG-6 Tyrrellbeetle

Tyrrellbeetle has a few differences from most other KWG-types, owing to its place as Arc-Dash's counterpart. Its color is primarily blue instead of white, its stag beetle mandibles are actually near its mouth and its shoulders each mount much larger "mandibles" that come together during Medachange.

KWG-7 Kuwagata Baizan

A product of Comic BomBom's X-Project competition, Baizan is rather different from most KWG-models. It is styled after a Kendo sportsman and carries swords in his hands, each of which can emit Beams for use as Grapple weapons. In Medarot Navi it appears under the alias "Masked Kuwagata", ironically without its traditional Kendo mask.

KWG-9BX Cameo Stag

Another X-Project entry, Cameo Stag is a small, cyan Medarot built on a female Tinpet. It uses Thunder and Freeze attacks instead of standard Grapple weapons.

KWG-0NF Sonic Stag

Mascot of Medarot Navi's Kuwagata version, Sonic Stag is a light-footed Medarot used by protagonist Kasumi Asano. It trades the standard Scan head ability for Conceal and its Medachange is a starfighter, but it otherwise continues KWG traditons.

KWG-1NF Luminous Stag

The upgraded version of Sonic Stag, Luminous Stag has higher attack than its predecessor in exchange for lower lasting power.

KWG-0NF Pupa Stag

A strange energy-based Medarot that, with enough Medaforce, can Medachange and grow into a powerful KWG-type.

KWG-0CH Shinzan

The mascot of Medarot 5's Kuwagata version, Shinzan can be seen as the Medarot of either Koishimaru or (in the manga and Kabuto version) his rival Hikoo.

KWG-1CH Adolphin

Though it is the upgraded verion of Shinzan, Adolphin instead appears in the spinoff fighter Medarot G.

KWG10-M Sanjuro

Medarot DS's entry into the KWG line, Sanjuro exchanges his Hammer attack for an enemy-stopping Thunder weapon. His head also features the Commander action instead of Scan. Like Shinzan, Sanjuro officially belongs to protagonist Azuma's rival Kohaku, though the roles are reversed in the Kuwagata version of DS (where Kohaku uses Gun-Nose instead).

KWG50 Rokusho P

A variant of Rokusho with a platinum shine that appears in Medarot 7; its number is distinct from that of Dorcus (KWG05).

Hirschkäfer

Debuting in Medarot 8, Hirschkäfer (German for "stag beetle") is unique in its use of guns instead of melee weapons.

Cervo

Mascot of Shingata Medarot's Kuwagata version.

Image gallery

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  Unreleased concept art 1

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  Unreleased concept art 2

See Also

• KBT series - Kabuto, the shooting-oriented counterparts to KWG.
• STG series - Sabertooth Tiger, a grapple-oriented series that frequently opposes KBT.