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The name or term Minerva refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Minerva (disambiguation).


The name or term Nightbeat refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Nightbeat (disambiguation).





Minerva (ミネルバ Mineruba) is the daughter of Mont Porte’s ambassador to Japan, half-French on her mother's side, and a happy, charming, friendly, talented girl brimming with idealism and care for her fellow man. It’s that kind of idealism that makes a person want to join with the Autobots to “fight evil,” but the reality of that desire turned out to be more than Minerva was prepared for. Minerva is very uncomfortable with violence, and being thrown into the heart of a war in which children, of all beings, are so casually made a part of the conflict leaves her struggling to rationalize her role as a warrior, even one on the side of good. As such, she usually refrains from entering battle herself unless circumstances absolutely demand it, instead operating as a battlefield medic and tending to the human victims of the Transformers’ battles. In the final analysis, however, Minerva’s timidness leaves her simply treating the symptoms of the disease, rather than fighting the cause.

As an Autobot Headmaster Junior, Minerva is bonded to a Transtector from the planet Master, which takes the form of an emergency rescue vehicle. Using her Masterbraces, she can summon a suit of armor that enhances her physical strength, speed and reflexes, which allows her to transform into a head for her Transtector and function as a full-size Transformer robot armed with a paralyzing “Shock Gun”. Outside of combat situations, Minerva is a much more easy-going girl. Clearly raised in an overly "traditional" manner befitting an ambassador's daughter and tutored in various "feminine skills", she is a talented dancer, painter, cook and medic, and has inherited the poise, grace and beauty of her mother, making her the object of many of her male teammates' affections. A word or two of praise from Minerva is enough to bring any Autobot out in a hot flush.

Italian Tv dub name: Phantom
English-Malay dub name: Nightbeat
Russian name: Веточка ("Twig")

Fiction[]

Cartoon continuity[]

Super-God Masterforce cartoon[]

Voice actor: Yuriko Yamamoto (Japanese)
Minerva family

"Hey what's oin on on this side?!"

When the news came that her family was moving to Japan, Minerva was especially excited at the prospect of learning traditional Japanese dance, but she could never have guessed that the plane on which they flew would be attacked by the Decepticon Pretender, Blood, who was searching for Mont Porte’s prize-winning biologist, Professor Blanieux. Their jet crashed in Corsica, but Minerva and her family escaped with only minor injuries, and she was only too happy to talk to the “government investigators” who came to her in the hospital where her parents were being treated. In particular, the two young boys that accompanied the investigators, Shūta and Cab, were very taken with Minerva. The following day, when Professor Blanieux arrived to rendezvous with Minerva’s father before he and the family headed on to Japan, the investigators, Shūta and Cab accompanied them on their private jet for fear of any further Decepticon attacks. Blood did indeed strike at the plane, and to combat him, the investigators revealed that they were, in fact, the Autobot Pretenders. Although Minerva was initially angry with Shūta and Cab for lying to her, she was impressed with their bravery when the jet’s flight attendant turned out to be a Decepticon Destroid and they fought and incapacitated her. With the Decepticons' plan foiled, Shūta and Cab suggested that Minerva could join them in attending the International School, and she happily agreed. Kidnapping!? The Targeted Jumbo Jet

Minerva armor

Does this transtector make me look fat?

Having seen the evil of the Decepticons firsthand, Minerva was only to happy to say yes when Autobot leader Metalhawk asked if she wanted to help the Autobots in their fight against them. At first, Hawk was unsure if she was up to the task, but Minerva obtained her parents' permission and assured Hawk that she was willing to spend her life saving the lives of others. Together with Shūta and Cab, Minerva was given Masterbraces and a Transtector and became a Headmaster Junior warrior. Birth! Headmaster Jrs

While training with Diver in America, however, Minerva displayed her lack of confidence with her new power, but was soon forced to face up to the responsibilities it carried when the Decepticons’ Headmaster Juniors attacked a nearby city. Unable to summon the courage to join Shūta and Cab in the fight, Minerva was only galvanized into action when she saw a young girl become buried under rubble on news coverage of the battle. Racing into action without a second thought, Minerva followed the girl’s dog to her side and rescued her, but tragedy then struck when Wilder killed the poor animal. Finally filled with the emotional fury that drove her to fight, Minerva transformed to robot mode and took out two of the three villains, forcing them to retreat. After the battle, Minerva helped the girl bury Pisu and promised to buy her a new puppy just like him. Rage!! Little Devils with No Need for Rules, Go, Goshooter - Showdown in the Wasteland

Minerva mf

Autobot jailbait, not the damn-it-kp.

On a mission to Kenya, Minerva’s choice of ensemble definitely made the trip for Shūta and Cab, but it also left her quite open for a deadly scorpion sting. Thankfully, this was prevented by a well-timed shot from Mister Ricky. While the other Autobots battled the Decepticons in the area, Minerva put her medical talents to use treating an injured fawn for which Ricky was caring. Panic! Protect the Wild Animals!!

Upon returning to Japan, the trio participated in the Mt Fuji Foothills Hang Gliding Competition Tournament, only for it to be attacked by the Decepticon Godmasters Buster and Hydra. Minerva treated the injured hang-gliders while the battle raged. Super Warriors - The Godmaster Brothers, A Fierce Battle!! The Autobots Are in Trouble, A Hero Is Chosen - His Name Is Ginrai

Minerva cancer

Yes, lady, I am sober and wearing this. Why?

Not long thereafter, the Autobots were joined by their own Godmaster, Ginrai, whom Minerva and the other Juniors were eager to meet. Ginrai: God On of Rage!!

They arrived to meet him at the harbour when he came to visit them, but during the drive back to the headquarters, the team was attacked by the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors, and Ginrai kidnapped Cancer for interrogation. Minerva attempted to make the boy’s imprisonment bearable, appalled by Ginrai’s use of handcuffs. Even when Cancer shattered a glass of juice that she attempted to offer him, cutting her with the shards, she refused to let Shūta and Cab hurt him. When Ginrai threatened Cancer with physical force, she tried to stop him, but was ordered out of the room, so she watched the ensuing interrogation on a viewscreen. Learning what they needed from him, the Autobots released Cancer into the hands of Hydra and Buster, but Hydra immediately discovered a homing beacon on Cancer’s back and attacked the Autobots in retaliation. Buster seized Minerva and placed his blaster to her head, but surprisingly, Cancer snatched her away, begging the Godmasters not to kill anyone. The surprised Decepticons were overpowered by Ginrai and retreated, with Cancer shouting back that his act of kindness was simply payback for the drink. A Strange Friendship: Cancer and Minerva

Minerva robotmode

Able was I, ere I saw Minelba.

Worrying that Ginrai would hate her after her argument with him, Minerva went to Metalhawk with her concerns, and he encouraged her to talk it out with him. Heading out to join Ginrai, Shūta and Cab at a barbecue, Minerva arrived in time to overhear Ginrai praise her honesty, and she consequently plucked up the courage to join them and apologize, setting things right once more. She was subsequently with Ginrai when he discovered the trailer for his Transtector and was part of the battle when he unleashed its power against King Poseidon. Friend or Foe!? The True Form of the Monster!!

During this fight, Minerva appealed to Cancer to abandon the Decepticons and join the Autobots, but she was struck down by Bullhorn before her words could sink in. Heroism!! The Birth of Super Ginrai

The Headmaster Juniors’ summer break coincided with the discovery of another Autobot Godmaster, Lightfoot, and as such, they were able to accompany Ginrai, Metalhawk and Lander on their search for the next Godmaster, camping in the Rocky Mountains. Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter

While picking mushrooms, Minerva spotted a forest patrolman named Ranger talking with Bullhorn and immediately suspected he was a Decepticon, but was unable to tell the other Autobots when she returned to the camp and found Shūta and Cab fishing with him. When a storm lashed the campsite that night, the group took Ranger up on his offer of taking refuge in his cabin, where Minerva was able to tell her fellow Juniors her suspicions. She was soon proven wrong, however, when Ranger revealed a strange, glowing rock that he had discovered, which turned out to be a Transtector with which he then bonded, becoming the next Autobot Godmaster. An Enemy? The Third Godmaster, Ranger

When the Six Changer Sixknight arrived on Earth, allied himself with the Decepticons and challenged Ginrai to a duel, Minerva was among the spectators of the battle, but found herself playing a more important role when she was captured by Blood and Gilmer. The Pretender duo threatened her life in order to make Ginrai stand down, but Sixknight was enraged at their interference and forced them to let her go so that they could duel honourably. A Powerful Foe!! Sixknight the Wanderer Sixknight ultimately lost to Ginrai, but returned soon after, attempting to comprehend how he'd lost to a human. At Full Strength! The Four Godmaster Gunmen

As he and Ginrai were in the middle of talking, the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors attacked a nearby city in order to draw the Autobots out, as part of a plan by Cancer to prove to his fellow Juniors that Minerva meant nothing to him. Sixknight responded to their attack with deadly force, and the horrified Minerva was forced to team up with Cancer’s little Decepticon buddy Browning to blind Sixknight with a smokescreen, allowing the Decepticon Juniors to escape. The Autobot Warrior, Sixknight?!

Minerva karin

And they skipped off into the sun while others drowned.

With the summer break coming to a close, Minerva joined Shūta and Cab on a trip to Cab’s home in the Karin Islands, where her beauty particularly struck Cab’s elderly guardian Donq. Minerva’s medical talents were required to help treat a sick friend of Cab’s named Copo, as all the local doctors had been kidnapped by the Decepticons as part of an outlandish plan, but the Autobots rescued them and all was set right. Save the Little Girl! The Chojin Warriors, the Godmasters

Crazy Decepticon plans were still the order of the day when the Juniors returned to school to hear stories of a mysterious fortune-teller on television who predicted disasters across the planet. Minerva dismissed it all as made-up nonsense, but had to eat her words when all the predictions came true and she and the other Juniors had to protect a town from a raging flood, only for it all to turn out to have been yet another Decepticon scheme. Expose the Decepticons' Dark Deception!

Soon thereafter, Minerva, Shūta and Cab were at last let in on a secret the other Autobots had been keeping from them: the “Bomber Project”, a plan to construct a power-up drone known as “Godbomber” for Ginrai to help him fight BlackZarak, a mighty Decepticon presently approaching from space. Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?

Ginrai was subsequently injured by Overlord in a battle in the desert, and Minerva treated his wounds before he was admitted to a hospital. Will the Bomber Project Be Destroyed!?

Ginrai was insistent on going through with the mission despite his injuries, so Minerva had Shūta and Cab spar with him a little to help him work through the pain. God Ginrai - Into the Sky!!

Alas, the three Juniors and the other Autobots could do nothing but watch as Ginrai and Grand Maximus battled Overlord and BlackZarak on Earth’s moon, but in the end, the Autobots triumphed. God Ginrai – Showdown on the Surface of the Moon , Overlord - Terror of the Chōkon Tornado , Escape!! The Underwater Volcano Erupts

After he returned to Earth, Godbomber even revealed a new power, transforming into a robot that Minerva and the Juniors discovered they could combine their Chōkon Power to control. Destroy Godbomber!!

Minerva clouder

Bad touch!

When the Autobots tracked the Decepticons down to an island in the Pacific, Minerva was injured by a blast from Overlord, but was suddenly swept up and carried to safety by a new robot named Clouder, who introduced himself as the final Godmaster. Appearance!! The Final Godmaster

Minerva welcomed Clouder into the Autobot ranks and gave him a tour of their headquarters, even covering for him when his apparent curiosity led him to fiddle with the base computer. She dismissed Shūta and Cab’s suspicions of Clouder, but Hawk shared in the boys' doubts and trailed Clouder, proving that he was, in fact, a Decepticon spy. Unfortunately, this did little to help the Autobots, as the Decepticons soon attacked using the information Clouder had provided, while bombs he had planted in the base crippled its defences. Secret Orders! Destroy the Autobot Base!!

With Hawk injured and the other Autobots occupied in battle, Minerva and the Juniors were left to defend the base alone, but ultimately, the Autobots were forced to abandon it before it was destroyed. Disaster! The Autobot Base Explodes, BlackZarak - Destroyer from Space

Soon after, BlackZarak was able to reach the Earth, and the conflict took a step up as cities all over the world were targeted. Crisis! The Day of the Downfall of Humanity

When Cancer was buried in a pile of rubble during an attack on his home country of China, Minerva began to dig him out. Shūta and Cab were only to happy to let him rot until Ginrai ordered them to help. God Ginrai - Save Cancer!?

At last convinced by this display of concern and respect, Cancer defected to the Autobots. God Ginrai: Showdown at the Decepticon Base, The Ultimate Combination!! BlackZarak, the New Lifeform, Battle to the Death!! God Ginrai VS Darkwings Reborn

Ginrai juniors

You just opened up a whole can of jellied whoop ass, pal.

When BlackZarak, now merged with Decepticon emperor Devil Z, threatened North American with his Devil Power from his staging point within the Grand Canyon, Minerva was part of a team along with Shūta, Cab and Ranger who were attacked by King Poseidon. Autobots! Desperate Attack!!

The Juniors got a chance at a rematch in the Alps, where King Poseidon nearly cut Minerva in two before Metalhawk stepped in to rescue her. Ginrai arrived to defeat the combiner, but Metalhawk and the Juniors were badly wounded and forced to remain behind as Ginrai headed to the summit of the Matterhorn to face BlackZarak. Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z

Minerva used the time to take care of Metalhawk’s injuries, but soon, Ginrai and BlackZarak’s fight carried them down the mountain, where BlackZarak transformed into an even more powerful serpent mode. Minerva, Shūta and Cab could feel the burning energy of Ginrai, and all three Juniors found themselves transported into his chest cockpit, where their energies helped him destroy BlackZarak. His host destroyed, Devil Z raged impotently until Ginrai and the Juniors united every last drop of their power in the Final Fire Guts attack, which completely destroyed the arch-villain. In the aftermath of the battle, the Autobots were all immediately enveloped in a glow and transformed from robots back into their human forms. Minerva was the first to realize that their Masterbraces had disappeared, and moments later, the truth of the situation was revealed: The death of Devil Z had caused their bond to their Transtectors to be severed. Their Transtectors, however, all lived on, evolved into true super-robot lifeforms through the power of their bond. Minerva’s Transtector departed for space with all the others to carry on the fight against the Decepticons. A Battle... and Then...

Victory cartoon[]

Voice actor: Tomoko Maruo
Minerva victory

Odds are, you only like two of these characters.

Several years later, when Ginrai’s now-living Transtector was fatally wounded in battle with Decepticon leader Deathsaurus, Minerva’s own Transtector, having taken its partner’s name for its own, was summoned to Earth along with Perceptor and Wheeljack for medical support. Unfortunately, it was soon determined that nothing could be done for Ginrai, save to rebuild him in an entirely new form. Ginrai Dies!!

Using a design crafted by Autobot Supreme Commander Star Saber, Minerva, Wheeljack and Perceptor rebuilt Ginrai as Victory Leo. Fight!! Victory Leo , Ultimate Crisis!! Autobots

Also subsequently implanted a circuit in Star Saber’s head that would allow him and Victory Leo to combine. Awaken! Victory Leo

Perceptor was wary of the strain on Star Saber’s body when the combination was first used, but when Minerva pressed him for details, he assured her everything would turn out fine. The Tide is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification, The Strongest! Victory Saber

Super-God Masterforce comic[]

Minerva manga

In the name of The Moon, I will punish you!

Minerva was a schoolfriend of Shūta and Cab's, who joined them in begging Metalhawk to allow them to become members of the Autobots. After a period of intense training, the trio were given Masterbraces and Transtectors and became Headmaster Juniors, but didn't fare very well in their first battle against a Lobclaw. Minerva was first to fall to the Seacon, and Metalhawk had to leap in to bail them out. Headmaster Jrs Are Born

During a battle between Metalhawk and Blood in the dead of night, Hawk called upon the Juniors to provide rescue operations in the city. Minerva and Shūta had to silently sneak out of the International School dorms, and once they arrived on the scene, they were attacked by the Decepticon Headmaster Juniors. Although outmatched, they were able to overpower their foes when Cancer was distracted by some injured humans nearby, and with their enemies dispatched, Minerva dispensed first aid. Destined Confrontation - The Children of Good and Evil!

When news came from America of the discovery of the first Autobot Godmaster, Minerva and the other Autobots waited at the harbor for his arrival, only to be attacked by the Decepticon Godmasters, Buster and Hydra. Ginrai arrived to save them, and Minerva and the Juniors became fast friends with him, Enter on the Stage! The Name of the Savior Is Ginrai! later travelling to Athenia to see him appointed Supreme Commander of the Autobots. The Battle Begins! The United Troops of Earth and Space

Ginrai juniors manga

Ha ha, War...

The Juniors' relationship with Ginrai grew closer with the creation of Godbomber, a drone piloted by Minerva, Shūta and Cab that combined with Ginrai and allowed him to defeat Overlord and BlackZarak. God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination! When Shūta and Cab were captured by the Decepticons, however, Minerva had to pilot Godbomber alone and crashed it through the walls of Overlord's base mode in order to save her friends. As their injuries were bandaged back at the Autobot base, Minerva was embarrassed by the two boys' jokes about how she was like a mother to them. The Earth Family of Good and Evil

Minerva and the Juniors accompanied Ginrai into battle aboard Godbomber for several further conflicts, including the recruitment of the final Godmaster, Clouder, who Minerva welcomed into the Autobot ranks with a big home-cooked meal. Decepticons' Great Counterattack! In the final battle against BlackZarak, now fused with Decepticon emperor Devil Z, the villain turned on his fellow Decepticons, leading them to unite with the Autobots in defeating him. Minerva and all the other Transformers united their energies in the “Perfect Transformer Attack,” which obliterated both villains. The death of Devil Z caused the bond between the humans and their Transtectors to be broken, and Minerva became a normal kid again as her now-living Transtector and those of all the other Autobots headed into space to continue the fight against the Decepticons. The Birth of the Super Lifeforms

Timelines[]

Further information in this article is coming soon as it pertains to information that is not currently appropriate for inclusion.
See the relevant policy page for the reasons why, and do not add further information pending review.


Toys[]

Super-God Masterforce[]

Minerva toy
  • Minelba [sic] (Headmaster Junior, 1988)
    • Japanese ID number: C-303
    • Accessories: Transtector, seat/helmet, left & right Shock Blasters, Shock Gun
Minerva's Transtector is referred to as an ambulance, but let's be honest - it's a Porsche 959 with an emergency rescue color scheme that wouldn't likely be very useful in transporting patients around. The roof is hinged and can be opened to reveal an interior cockpit that Minerva herself can sit inside of; the prominent hinge itself is rather cleverly disguised as a lightbar, something that Minerva's American mold-partner, Nightbeat, lacks. Her Shock Blasters plug in just above the vehicle's headlights, while her larger Shock Gun can be plugged onto the roof.
In robot mode, Minerva's cockpit seat becomes a helmet, into which the small Shock Blasters plug as antennae. Like all Headmaster toys, Minerva has a flip-down panel on her chest which covers a spring-loaded mini-Tech-Spec-meter which gives readings for Speed, Strength and Intelligence. The tumblers are activated when Minerva (or any other Headmaster unit) is plugged into the neck socket. Minerva has her robot mode face plainly visible on her back because, as a smaller Headmaster toy, she lacks the flip down panel that covers the face featured on larger Headmasters.
As noted above, Minerva shares a mold with the American Headmaster Nightbeat, but it is unclear which character came first in the design process.


Nightbeat

Minervanightbeat
  • Minerva Night Beat (Headmaster Junior, 1988)
    • Accessories: Transtector, seat/helmet, left & right Shock Blasters, Shock Gun
Essentially just a Japanese release of Hasbro's Nightbeat toy, this version of the Minerva toy was only available by mail order, for the price of 1800 yen and four robot points. It is unknown if this version of the toy came in a simple mailer box or in Hasbro packaging.

Merchandise[]

Minerva-PVC

I will NOT make the Knee Test!

  • Minerva in robot mode was available in the second "Act" of Takara's Super Collection Figure line, a PVC-plastic mini-figure based on her animation model. Both a full-color and colorless-clear version were made, one of each in a case of twelve blind-packed PVCs.
  • A second Minerva SCF came out in Act 5 of the line, this time as an unarmored human in her school uniform. Available in both full-color and pewter-finish versions, she was packed in with the Metalhawk PVC, again one each per case of twelve. Interestingly enough, this PVC is about the right size to display with the actual Minerva toy.

Notes[]

  • Minerva's name is consistently mis-anglicized as "Minelba" in every English instance of the name on Japanese packaging and bio material. There is essentially no difference between the "L" and "R" sounds in Japanese, and at the time it was standard practice to substitute "ba" for the "va" sound (though this has changed in later years).
  • The Ark II claims that Minerva is half-French, half-English. In the cartoon, however, it is explicitly stated that her mother is French, and her father is from the Republic of Mont Porte.
  • While Shūta and Cab returned in the pages of the Victory manga, Minerva did not. According to writer Masumi Kaneda, the reason for this was because the manga would then have been "buried in female characters." There was, uh, one other female character.
  • Minerva's color scheme was used for the DVD-exclusive "Minerva Type" redeco of Cybertron Thunderblast...who was a Decepticon boat and nothing like Minerva in any way other than being "female". She DID, however, look very much like the normal release of Override...who is MALE in Japan. Get it straight, Takara.

External links[]

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