The Mecha Tengu/Jet


Designation: Anti-Infantry Robot / Anti-Aircraft Jet
Manufacturer: Tenzai Robotics (unconfirmed)
Country of origin: Japan
Mass-produced at: Imperial Weapons Factory

Key Features:

• Two kinetic blast cannons
• Full-integrated interface
• Variable transformation systems
• On-board plasma drive
• Fully articulated stabilisers


Having studied their enemies very closely since fighting them, the Empire of the Rising Sun was able to secretly develop a variety of weapons designed to exploit their specific weaknesses. One of the most famous and iconic examples of these weapons must be the dual-form assisted combat robot known as the Mecha Tengu. Thousands of men have already lost their lives at the hands of these strange, swift and terrifying weapons.


The Mecha Tengu is one of the fastest, most versatile and most dangerous combat vehicles in the Empire of the Rising Sun.

The Mecha Tengu is named after a mythological Japanese creature known for causing mischief and mischievousness, as well as for its distinctive long nose. The vehicle has an anthropomorphic and aggressive design, made from a dark-coloured alloy that is highly resistant to smaller weapons. Its protruding air intake is likely a tribute to the mythical Tengu’s long nose, whilst its ‘arms’ and ‘legs’ serve primarily as stabilisers. Like its namesake, the Tengu can fly: in fact, the vehicle does not need to touch the ground, as its boosters and stabilisers allow it to hover a few metres above the ground. By gliding through this layer of air, the Tengu can bypass various types of terrain obstacles that would normally slow down infantry or simpler vehicles. When engaged in combat, the Tengu attacks using a pair of kinetic-blast autocannons mounted on either side of its air intake. These cannons essentially resemble a larger-calibre version of the weapon used by Imperial infantry divisions and offer even faster firepower and excellent accuracy at medium to short ranges.


Older models of the Mecha Tengu were more ‘humanoid’ in appearance and were somewhat more robust, but slower. Current models emphasise the unit’s aggressive qualities.

In the blink of an eye, the Mecha Tengu can switch to Jet Tengu mode, which takes on the more conventional form of a fighter aircraft. This configuration allows the unit to travel at much higher speeds and at high altitudes, meaning its weapons can be used to attack other airborne units. The implications of this are far-reaching, and the real-world consequences are mounting. In reality, no sector is safe from this unit, and veritable ‘hordes’ of Tengus continue to appear without warning to attack Soviet-controlled production lines, Ore Refineries and oil derricks. Five ordinary Tengu Mechas once succeeded in destroying a Soviet outpost, using a tactic that the Soviets later described as “arrogant, vile, crude, deplorable and utterly unjust.” Hovering above the jet-shaped base, the group of Tengus first forced the Soviets to retreat to the rear of the base. As the column of Soviet Bullfrog transport aircraft rushed forward, aiming to shoot down the enemy fighter planes with their anti-aircraft guns, the Jet Tengu transformed back into a Mecha Tengu and swiftly destroyed them. Shortly afterwards, the Tengu suffered catastrophic damage to a Super-Reactor in the vicinity, the explosion of which took care of the rest of the base. To this day, everyone has seen the famous photograph of the Tengu flying away after the horrific explosion.

Piloting a Mecha Tengu must require great skill and intensive training, as it is essentially two vehicles in one. Excellent physical fitness is required to withstand the gravitational forces involved in transitioning from one form of the vehicle to the other and back again, especially as the Tengu’s single-seater cockpit apparently translates the pilot’s movements directly to enable agile combat manoeuvres. However, it is now well known that the allure of piloting such a state-of-the-art craft has drawn millions of volunteers into the ranks of the Empire’s young nationalists (and daredevils). And even the very small percentage of that number who qualified proved to be enough to change the face of the war.


Reconnaissance on the battlefield has at least revealed the following facts about the Mecha Tengu:

• Variable Transformation– Based on the same model as the Empire’s VX, the Mecha Tengu’s most remarkable feature is its ability to rapidly shift between two completely different modes. One mode is effective in ground combat, whilst the other is an air superiority fighter. Whilst the transition between the two forms takes less than a second, the process places heavy demands on both the Pilot and the transmission.

-All-terrain dominance- No target can escape the Mecha Tengu. On land, the robot’s boosters and stabilisers give it excellent top speed, allowing it to easily catch up with most vehicles, although it must stabilise itself to fire. Furthermore, the Tengu can travel and fight on water with almost the same efficiency. Of course, it can also transform into the Jet Tengu for even greater speed.

-Jet Mode- In its alternate form, the Mecha Tengu is the Empire of the Rising Sun’s flagship air superiority fighter. Not only is the Jet Tengu extremely fast, but its stabilisers and configurable wings allow it to glide, maximising its firepower and accuracy. The same weapons the Tengu uses to eliminate enemy infantry have also proven to be highly effective against aircraft.

-Mass-produced - The Mecha Tengu is believed to be one of the Empire of the Rising Sun’s most successful combat vehicle designs, as the unit has recently entered mass production, even as training programmes for additional pilots have expanded. Consequently, the latest models of the Mecha Tengu are lighter and somewhat less durable – although they should by no means be underestimated.