Medal
A Medal (メダル) is a small, hexagonal, coin-like object that contains an artificial intelligence. The Medal works as the "brain" of a Medarot, becoming active when placed inside a Tinpet or Medarotch.
There are many different types of Medals, and the type is usually represented by a stylized image on its front face. This image can change as the Medal matures, for example the picture on a Kabuto Medal starts as a larva, but transforms into a full-grown beetle as the Medal becomes more experienced.
Different types of Medals work better with different kinds of parts. The Kabuto Medal is geared towards shooting and ranged attacks, while others such as the Mermaid Medal, are more suited to support. (In the games, this is referred to as the Medal's attribute.) For maximum effectiveness, a Medarotter should know what kind of Medal their Medarot is using, and choose parts that will compliment that Medal's particular specialty.
Along with their names and images, different Medal types can be codified by the letter or symbol printed at the top of their front face. The Kuwagata Medal has the letter "A", the Kabuto Medal is "B", the Mermaid Medal is "N", and so on. (Which letter refers to which Medal depends on the media in question, as some of the games featured different Medal lists.)
History
The original Medals were not man-made, and instead were found as fossils deep within earth. They are thought to be extraterrestrial in origin, left behind by an ancient race of sentient robots.
After it was discovered that the Medals contained a form of artificial intelligence, work began on developing robots that could make use of them (leading to the invention of Medarots). When the supply of original Medals became scarce, production began for man-made Medals that could be mass-produced. By the time the series takes place, the vast majority of Medals used are man-made replicas, however some intact original Medals still exist and are referred to as "Rare Medals" (レアメダル).
Medaforce
- Main article: Medaforce
Some Medals can use a special ability known as Medaforce (メダフォース). The type of Medaforce may depend on the Medal, for example the Kabuto and Kuwagata Medals release powerful attacks, while other Medals might use their Medaforce to increase the abilities of themselves or their allies.
In the anime and manga series, use of Medaforce abilities is mostly limited to Rare Medals, due to them containing hidden information that the man-made Medals did not replicate (although in the anime series, some man-made Medals can unlock their Medaforce when placed in intense situations). In the game series, any Medal can use Medaforce so long as it is being used with a Medarotch that supports the feature.
In the games
(To be added)
