Overview[]
Tentoumushi (Mecha Tentoumushi in Season 2.0 and 3.0) was a lightweight robot that fought in every lightweight competition of BattleBots. The brainchild of teenager Lisa Winter, Tentoumushi featured a very unique weapon, a servo-powered ladybug sandbox lid that dropped onto other robots to "smother" them. The inside was sometimes accoutered with a circular saw or grappling hook to cause damage to its opponents. The chassis itself was quite small, a flat v-shaped body that housed the servo and drive wheels. Tentoumushi had a decent combat record as it won at least one fight per competition, but its recognizable design and creativity made it a crowd favorite and frequent beneficiary of screen time. Its best performance was the Long Beach competition, where it won three battles and reached the semifinals. Lisa's father entered Season 1.0 and 2.0 of BattleBots with middleweight Spin Orbiting Force. The Season 1.0 version made a brief appearance in Series 3 of Robot Wars, beating the middleweight A-Kill in a one-off "War of Independence," and fighting with all the middleweight robots in an exhibition rumble.
Lisa's father Mike Winter had previously won the 1994 Robot Wars middleweight competition and finished Runner-Up in the same competition in 1995 with his robot X1.
Tentoumushi was so-named because it's the term for "ladybug" in Japanese.
It would eventually return for ABC Season 2 as the heavyweight robot Mega Tento.
Robot History[]
BattleBots Long Beach 1999[]
Tentoumushi's first ever match was against Team Raptor's W.L.O.W. Tentoumushi won by crowd vote and advanced to the next round, where it faced Stinger. Tentoumushi won by KO and advanced to the next round, where it faced Sallad. Tentoumushi won by crowd vote and advanced to the next round, where it faced Defiant. Defiant won by KO and Tentoumushi was now in the loser's bracket, where it faced Executioner. Executioner won by KO and Tentoumushi was eliminated from the tournament.
At the end of the tournament, Tentoumushi got an award for being the funniest robot overall.
UK Robot Wars Series 3[]
In the Third Wars Middleweight Melee, Tentoumushi was placed up against reigning middleweight champion Hard Cheese, A-Kill, Grinder and Ripper's Revenge. After a tentative start, Tentoumushi closed in on Hard Cheese and Ripper's Revenge, lowering its shell onto Hard Cheese as it was pushed and dragged around by the defending champions. It rode up Hard Cheese's wedge again and lowered its shell again, with the attack appearing to immobilise Hard Cheese as it spun away and retreated to the middle of the arena. Tentoumushi then attacked the sluggish Ripper's Revenge, grabbing hold of it and steering it into Matilda, who promptly cut off one of its decorative antennae with her chainsaw. It survived, however, as Hard Cheese and Grinder were attacked by the other House Robots, and Ripper's Revenge was flipped over by an arena spike, before attempting to attack Matilda and A-Kill, but without success. Tentoumushi was then launched by an arena spike before being slammed into the wall by Shunt, bending its shell but allowing Tentoumushi to land on top of him. It used its shell and saw to cut off Shunt's aerial, immobilising him, but remained beached on the House Robot as time ran out. Despite this, Tentoumushi was declared the joint winner of the Middleweight Melee along with A-Kill.
Representing the USA and the UK respectively, Tentoumushi and A-Kill also fought each other again in the War of Independence, a one-off battle that took place as part of the International League Championship. Although broadcast after the Middleweight Melee and billed as a grudge match, this battle was actually filmed before the Middleweight Melee. Tentoumushi immediately closed in on A-Kill, and used its smothering shell to trap it in place as A-Kill tried to drag it across the arena, then towards the pit. Both robots separated, however, with A-Kill charging into Tentoumushi and again being caught by the shell, allowing Tentoumushi's circular saw to cause damage to A-Kill's armour. Again, A-Kill escaped, and charged into Tentoumushi, but spun itself towards the pit, getting its bottom castors stuck on the edge. This allowed Tentoumushi to push A-Kill in after a couple of shoves, and it was declared the winner of the War of Independence.
BattleBots Comedy Central Season 1.0[]
After receiving a bye, Tentoumushi went up against Sallad again. In the match, Sallad was being smothered by Tentoumushi multiple times and was sent flying on the killsaws at one point. In the end, the time ran out and Tentoumushi won on a 7-2 judge's decision. This win put Tentoumushi to the quarterfinals, where it had a grudge match with Team Raptor, facing Alpha Raptor.
Both robots went straight at each other and Alpha Raptor drives itself into the hellraisers. Tentoumushi attempts to smother Alpha Raptor, but it escapes and Tentoumushi immediately tries to smother Alpha Raptor again. Alpha Raptor gets underneath the front of Tentoumushi and pushes it against the spike strip, ripping the antennas off from the impact. Both robots were moving around the BattleBox and Tentoumushi smothers Alpha Raptor once again. Tentoumushi takes Alpha Raptor towards the killsaws, but Tentoumushi got its shell caught on the killsaws and takes damage. Alpha Raptor escapes and pushes Tentoumushi onto the killsaws. Tentoumushi smothers Alpha Raptor again and Alpha Raptor pushes Tentoumushi against the spike strip. Alpha Raptor gets on the rear of Tentoumushi and lifts it against the arena wall. Alpha Raptor does this again as the time ran out. Alpha Raptor won on a 7-2 judge's decision and Tentoumushi was eliminated from the tournament.
Tentoumushi wasn't finished, however, as it participated in one of two lightweight consolation rumbles at the end of the tournament. Tentoumushi drives straight at No Tolerance II and lost both of its antenna's. After going after Shrike at one point, Tentoumushi attempts to smother Shaft, but escapes. Tentoumushi wanders around the arena and starts smothering The Missing Link, which lost a wheel after getting hit by Backlash, against the spike strip. However, Tentoumushi stopped moving and was lifting its shell over The Missing Link. The time ran out and Backlash and Thorn won overall.
BattleBots Comedy Central Season 2.0[]
After receiving a bye, Mecha Tentoumushi went up against Shish-ka-bot. Both robots went straight at each other and both robots started pushing. Mecha Tentoumushi suddenly stops moving and after a few pops from the hellraisers, Mecha Tentoumushi started moving again. Both robots were pushing each other again and Mecha Tentoumushi tries to push Shish-ka-bot onto the killsaws, but it couldn't and decides to take Shish-ka-bot on the hellraisers. Mecha Tentoumushi pushes Shish-ka-bot onto the killsaws and Shish-ka-bot stops moving. After Mecha Tentoumushi does a victory spin, it came back to push Shish-ka-bot again and takes it to the killsaws again, sending it flying halfway across the arena. Shish-ka-bot was being counted out, but the time ran out and Mecha Tentoumushi won on a 40-5 judge's decision.
In Mecha Tentoumushi's second fight, it fought Evil Fish Tank. Mecha Tentoumushi was immediately pushed on to the killsaws, ripping the antennas off. Mecha Tentoumushi failed to catch Evil Fish Tank until at one moment, Mecha Tentoumushi was able to smother Evil Fish Tank, but was pushed under the pulverizer, which flatten the top of Mecha Tentoumushi. In the remainder of the match, Mecha Tentoumushi was pushed by Evil Fish Tank into the killsaws and against the arena wall until the time ran out. Evil Fish Tank won on a 30-15 judge's decision, eliminating Mecha Tentoumushi.
Mecha Tentoumushi wasn't finished, however, as it participated the lightweight royal rumble at the end of the tournament. Mecha Tentoumushi was one of few robots still moving in the end, but lost overall to Hammerhead.
BattleBots Comedy Central Season 3.0[]
Mecha Tentoumushi's first fight in Season 3.0 was against The Archduke. In the beginning of the match, Mecha Tentoumushi's smothering shell caught The Archduke after it shot straight at Mecha Tentoumushi. Mecha Tentoumushi dragged The Archduke around but The Archduke reversed and started pulling Mecha Tentoumushi. Mecha Tentoumushi was taken to the pulverizer by The Archduke and Mecha Tentoumushi drove itself under the pulverizer, with The Archduke still inside its shell. The two robots started pushing each other again until the time ran out. Mecha Tentoumushi won on a 31-14 judge's decision meaning Mecha Tentoumushi was through the next round where it would fight Wedge of Doom, who happens to be the upgraded Evil Fish Tank.
After Mecha Tentoumushi was smothering Wedge of Doom multiple times, it drove Wedge of Doom to the screws by the pulverizer. Then with Wedge of Doom caught by the screws while still being smothered inside its shell, Mecha Tentoumushi reversed itself under the pulverizer as it smashed the top of Mecha Tentoumushi's smothering shell very easily. The time ran out and possibly because of the damage sustained by Mecha Tentoumushi from the pulverizer, Wedge of Doom won on a close 23-22 judge's decision. This meant that Mecha Tentoumushi was eliminated from the tournament once again.
Mecha Tentoumushi wasn't finished, however, as it participated the lightweight royal rumble at the end of the tournament. Mecha Tentoumushi started smothering Herr Gepoünden twice and was pushed against the spike strip by Sallad. Mecha Tentoumushi runs away and gets its shell under Dr. Inferno Jr., which almost flips it at one point. Dr. Inferno Jr. escapes and Mecha Tentoumushi starts moving slowly around the arena. Mecha Tentoumushi then smothers Dr. Inferno Jr. again and almost flips it again. Dr. Inferno Jr. escapes again and Mecha Tentoumushi starts fighting Reaper. After this, Mecha Tentoumushi was moving slowly around the arena for the rest of the rumble and the time ran out soon after. Mecha Tentoumushi was barely moving in the end, but it lost overall to Ziggo.
BattleBots Comedy Central Season 4.0[]
Due to its seeding, Tentoumushi 7.0 was allowed to skip the preliminary rounds of Season 4.0, where it faced General Gau. Tentoumushi won by KO and advanced to the round of 16, where it faced Wedge of Doom again.
In the beginning of the match, Wedge of Doom rams into Tentoumushi 7.0 multiple times and Tentoumushi 7.0 has its shell all the way up in the air. Wedge of Doom drives straight underneath Tentoumushi 7.0 and delivers another hit. Wedge of Doom starts pushing Tentoumushi 7.0 and Tentoumushi 7.0 tries to smother Wedge of Doom, but Wedge of Doom escapes. Tentoumushi 7.0 gets hit by the killsaws and Wedge of Doom hits Tentoumushi 7.0, then drives itself under the floor spinner. Every time it looks like Tentoumushi 7.0 might smother Wedge of Doom, Wedge of Doom escapes. Even when Tentoumushi 7.0 does get Wedge of Doom completely under the shell, Wedge of Doom was able to break free. Tentoumushi 7.0's shell gets hit by the killsaws and Wedge of Doom gets caught on the killsaws as well. Tentoumushi 7.0 smothers Wedge of Doom and tries to take it to the killsaws. The killsaw pushes the shell upward, the shell lifts, and Wedge of Doom escapes again. Tentoumushi 7.0 drives itself against the arena wall and Wedge of Doom hits Tentoumushi 7.0 again. Wedge of Doom gets under an off-balance Tentoumushi 7.0 and pushes it towards the pulverizer. The pulverizer hits the corner of Tentoumushi 7.0 in the middle of the push and helps Wedge of Doom flip Tentoumushi 7.0 over onto its back. Tentoumushi 7.0 is propped up against the spike strip next to the entrance ramp and Tentoumushi 7.0 tries to self-right. Wedge of Doom decides to "help" by aiming to push Tentoumushi 7.0 under the pulverizer. It takes a few tries, but Wedge of Doom pushes Tentoumushi 7.0 off the spikes and takes it under the pulverizer. As the pulverizer goes to work, Wedge of Doom does a victory spin and Tentoumushi 7.0 was being counted out. Wedge of Doom won by KO and Tentoumushi 7.0 was eliminated from the tournament.
Tentoumushi 7.0 wasn't finished, however, as it participated the lightweight royal rumble at the end of the tournament. Tentoumushi 7.0 immediately went after Rambite and starts smothering it, but both robots were separated by Afterthought and Tentoumushi 7.0 starts smothering a spike-less Pursuer. As The Crusher was pushing Dr. Inferno Jr. against Pursuer, Tentoumushi 7.0 lets Pursuer go and starts wandering around the arena. After Tentoumushi 7.0 was smothering a flipped Backlash, Tentoumushi 7.0 backs into Hexy Jr. and was flipped onto its back. Tentoumushi 7.0 tried to self-right, but it wasn't able to and it was later pushed by Rambite. The Crusher charges into the flipped Tentoumushi 7.0 and Tentoumushi 7.0 wasn't touched during the rest of the rumble. The time ran out soon after and Dr. Inferno Jr. was declared the winner of the lightweight royal rumble.
BattleBots Comedy Central Season 5.0[]
Due to its seeding, Tentoumushi 8.0 was allowed to skip the preliminary rounds of Season 5.0, where it faced Mouser Ultra Mecha-Catbot. Tentoumushi 8.0 won on a 29-16 judge's decision and advanced to the round of 16, where it faced Dr. Inferno Jr.
Both robots head towards the center of the BattleBox. Dr. Inferno Jr. gets to the side of Tentoumushi 8.0 and pushes it against the arena wall. Dr. Inferno Jr. releases it and Tentoumushi 8.0 ran away near the killsaws. Tentoumushi 8.0 turns around and starts to smother Dr. Inferno Jr.'s body. Dr. Inferno Jr. uses that to its advantage, though, pushing itself up against Tentoumushi 8.0 and shoving it towards the arena wall. Tentoumushi 8.0 raises its shell and Dr. Inferno Jr. escapes. Dr. Inferno Jr. gets under Tentoumushi 8.0's shell again and pushes it onto the killsaws, with sparks flying in the process. Tentoumushi 8.0 drives backwards and its shell catches Dr. Inferno Jr. Tentoumushi 8.0 pulls back and Dr. Inferno Jr. starts to tip over, but the shell slips off and Dr. Inferno Jr. lands back on its wheels. Dr. Inferno Jr. drives toward Tentoumushi 8.0, but Tentoumushi 8.0 misses its chance to smother and gets pushed onto the killsaws again. Dr. Inferno Jr. gets on the side of Tentoumushi 8.0 and pushes it against the spike strip. Tentoumushi 8.0 tries to smother Dr. Inferno Jr., but Dr. Inferno Jr. just pushes it around some more. Dr. Inferno Jr. tried pushing Tentoumushi 8.0 towards the pulverizer and Tentoumushi 8.0 nearly tips Dr. Inferno Jr. over again. Tentoumushi 8.0 drives itself under the pulverizer and its shell gets pounded. Dr. Inferno Jr. gets underneath the shell of Tentoumushi 8.0 and pushes it against the spike strip a couple times. Tentoumushi 8.0 runs away and Dr. Inferno Jr. gets under its shell again. Dr. Inferno Jr. pushes Tentoumushi 8.0 onto the killsaws and kept its wheels off the ground. The killsaws repeatedly popped up and made marks on the body of Tentoumushi 8.0. Tentoumushi 8.0 moves its shell around in a struggle to get free. Tentoumushi 8.0 gives up and tries to smother Dr. Inferno Jr. again. Dr. Inferno Jr. backs up and Tentoumushi 8.0 is back on its feet. Tentoumushi 8.0 tries to topple Dr. Inferno Jr. again with its shell, but couldn't. Dr. Inferno Jr. drives into the front of Tentoumushi 8.0's lowered shell. Tentoumushi 8.0 also drives forward and this caused both robots to tilt backwards. Both robots were off the ground for the last 20 seconds and the time ran out. Dr. Inferno Jr. won on a 26-19 judge's decision and Tentoumushi 8.0 was eliminated again.
Tentoumushi 8.0 couldn't compete in the lightweight royal rumble cause of an accident with Nightmare in the heavyweight consolation rumble.
Results[]
- Wins: 10
- Losses: 11
- Draws: 1
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