Time Bokan - Time Bokan Machines

Time Bokan Machines

Created by Dr. Kieda at the beginning of the series, there are a total of three machines. Each one is designed after a particular kind of insect, both appearance-wise and function-wise. Although the term "time" is the only term in their name to state their function, they are also capable of travelling between dimensions, including fictional and hypothetical ones. An example of the former is a dimension based on Grimm's fairytales while an example of the latter is one based on Easter Island.

Time Mechabuton ("タイムメカブトン", aka Time Bokan I): This blue machine, which resembles a Japanese rhinoceros beetle, is the Time Bokan used the most by the heroes. Its features include:

• The machine's primary weapon, a rotary saw/digger fashioned like the beetle's large single horn.
• Durable all-terrain tyres, enabling the machine to travel to a maximum of 200 km/h (approx. 125 MPH).
• Wings which will open just like the actual insect's to allow flight when powered by its jet engines. They can also be used to flap to create sandstorm by flapping.
• A defensive missile launcher mounted in the bow.
• A small red dome on its back; it is a manually pilotable scouting/surveillance airship named the "Ladybug-Drone" (テントウキ, Tentōki?), which can either operate on its own, or to simply serve as a lookout post of the main machine. It includes a series of wacky gadgets and tools including mechanical limbs, shears, fire extinguishers, reflectors, nets, slingshots, and others.
• A small submarine called the "Strider-Marine" (ヤゴマリン, Yagomarin?) hidden in its belly.
• A remote control of the whole system incorporated in the watch of Dr. Kieda.

Time Dotabattan ("タイムドタバッタン", aka Time Bokan II): This green, locust-shaped Time Bokan was actually captured by Dr. Kieda in the 27th episode from a species known as "Insect People", the seemingly futuristic dominant species of Earth. It is modified later in the series to increase its functions and transport capacity. Its features include:

• The machine's primary weapon, a projectile launcher mounted in the bow of the machine.
• Strong mechanical limbs just like the actual insect's, allowing the machine to jump over great distances. Once damaged, their functions can be replaced by a set of retractable caterpillar tracks hidden in the machine's belly.
• A pair of small rudders that allows the machine to fly when powered by its jet engines.
• A worm-shaped scouting/surveillance unit called the "Inchworm-Drone" (シャクトリン, Jakutorin?), which can operate on its own to complete maintenance work such as repairing the machines. The heroes have often used it to sneak behind the villains' mecha and cause havoc on more than one occasion.
• A small helicopter, called the "Firefly-Copter" (ヘリボタル, Heribotaru?) hidden inside.

Time Kuwagattan ("タイムクワガッタン", aka Time Bokan III): This red, stag beetle-shaped Time Bokan was created later by Dr. Kieda after he was found. Its features include:

• The machine's primary weapon, a cutter/digger fashioned like the beetle's horns.
• Limbs that can become wheels.
• The machine's carapace, also fashioned like the actual beetle's, will open up like the rotor of a helicopter, to allow the machine to fly.
• A bee-shaped scouting/surveillance airship called the "Honeybee-Drone" (ビーチクリン, Biichikurin?).
• A small, woodlice-shaped all-terrain vehicle, called the "Armadillo-Rollin'" (ダンゴロリン, Dangororin?) hidden inside.

Note: Although written in katakana, "Bokan" can mean "carrier" (such as an "aircraft carrier") if written in hiragana or kanji, as each the main machines carries a few smaller mechas with them all the time.