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.

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.

Almost all game protagonists can potentially start with a Kwagata medarot, with Kaido Megumi being the only one who obligatory starts with one. In secondary media like anime and manga KWG-model Medarots are frequently owned by the protagonist's rival or standalone characters (Rokusho in the first anime).

The KWG line follows a linear numbering system from 0 to 15. However, most models released between Medarot 5 and Shingata Medarot receive letters instead of numbers due to the limited space between KWG07 (Kuwagata Baizan) and KWG10 (Sanjuro). Consequently, only Sonic Stag and Luminous Stag were assigned numbers among the seven KWG models created during this period.

Medarotters known for using KWG-series as their primary Medarots are Hikaru Agata, Dr. Gengoro Fushihara, Ryou Kaiba, Ikki Tenryou, Yuuzuru Oozora, Kasumi Asano, Koishimaru Tensan, Hikoo Tamayasu, Gamma, Azuma Amakura, Kohaku Himuro, Salt, Tenma Wakakoma, Megumi Kaido and Kazuma Gotoku.

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. This model also belonged to Dr. Gengoro Fushihara in the manga.

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.

It is commonly used by Ikki Tenryou. This model also appears in the anime series as a prominent character, also belonged to Dr. Gengoro Fushihara.

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.

Commonly used by villains like Dr. Hebereke, Fake Retort and Lady Fake Retort.

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.

It is commonly used by Hikaru Agata as an upgrade to his Rokusho.

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.

KWG08 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.

KWG09 Luminous Stag

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

KWG0A 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.

KWG0B Pupa Stag

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

KWG0C 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.

KWG0D Adolphin

Though it is the upgraded verion of Shinzan, Adolphin instead appears in the spin-off action game Medarot G.

KWG0E Cervo

Mascot of Shingata Medarot's Kuwagata version. Mainly used by Gamma.

KWG00-M Rokusho

A second refined version of Head Scissors, and the mascot of the Kuwagata versions in Medarot 7, although he was introduced in Medarot DS as a starter Medarot before being replaced to Sanjuro.

He is mainly used by Azuma Amakura, Kohaku Himuro, Salt and Kaido Megumi.

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.

It belongs to Azuma Amakura in the Kwagata version and Kohaku in Kabuto version and manga.

KWG50 P-Rokusho

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

KWG11-M Hirschkäfer

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

KWG12-M Monjiro

KWG mascot from Medarot 9. His head part have the powerful Cyber Core support action, which combines Radar Sight and Stealth and eliminates those statuses from the opponents and have gravity-type Break Hammer in his hammer.

He is used by Tenma Wakakoma.

KWG01-M Rokusho

A third refined version of Head Scissors, and specifically refers to the purple-accented variant of Rokusho introduced in Medarot 9 and Medarot S.

Image gallery

• 

  Unreleased concept art 1

• 

  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.