Tinpet

A Tinpet (ティンペット) is a metallic frame that functions as the skeleton of a Medarot. It features a hatch on the back that holds the Medal and provides a base upon which to attach different parts. Tinpets come in male and female versions, which are used for different types of Medarots.

Structure

In their basic form without any parts attached, Tinpets are humanoid. The head contains an electronic "brain" that transmits signals from the Medal and various sensors. Their arms and legs are made out of "Muscle Cables", a special type of cable designed by Dr. Medarot that can expand or contract when electrical signals are run through it. In this way, the cables function as bones when standing still and muscles when in motion, allowing the Medarot to move easily without using motors or hydraulics. It also allows for a variety of body types, since the cables can be stretched out and looped inside the parts and still retain their function.

Tinpets have a slot at the back that holds the Medarot's Medal, which is usually accesible from the outer parts as well. Parts are not technically required for a Medarot to work, but they serve as protection for the Tinpet which holds most of the electronics. Tinpets are made to be very durable so that they aren't broken in battles, even when the parts covering it are damaged or destroyed.

Male vs. Female

Parts that work with female Tinpets are generally not compatible with male Tinpets (though there are some "neutral" Medarots that work with both). Female Medarots are often geared more towards support, though pure attacking-based female Medarots do exist. Most female Medarots have feminine features and tend to be more popular with girls in the Medarot universe.

Some attacks and actions are more common with female parts than male ones, especially in the earlier games. In particular Thunder and Freeze attacks, as well as healing parts, could only be found on female Medarots in Medarot 1.

In the games

In most of the games the player can hold up to 9 Tinpets, which they find or are given at various points throughout the game. Usually around 4 of them are female, but sometimes the player is given an option to acquire more or less female Tinpets if they want.

Before a battle, you can choose up to 3 from any of your Tinpets so long as they have a Medal and all 4 parts attached. Tinpets with Medals but no parts are not considered usable.

In Medarot 1 and 2, you name your Tinpets, and your Medarots' names are decided by the Tinpets they use. In the later games, it was changed so that you name the Medals instead.

Gallery

Medarot 3, 4, and 5	Medarot Navi	Medarot 2 Core
Medarot G (front)	Medarot G (side)	Medarot Brave