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The brainchild of then 14-year-old 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 semi-finals.
Tentoumushi was so-named because it's the term for "ladybug" in Japanese. In a 2022 interview, Lisa Winter stated that the inspiration for Tentoumushi came when she was searching in a local Toys 'R Us store for ideas for a toy which could form the basis of a robot. After seeing the ladybug sandbox, she and her father bought it and converted the sandbox into the shell of Tentoumushi.[1]
The Tentoumushi legacy would eventually be continued as BattleBots returned on ABC, upscaled to 250lbs as the heavyweight robot Mega Tento.
Mike Winter previously entered the first two Comedy Central seasons with middleweight Spin Orbiting Force, and the team competed with numerous other robots in BattleBots competitions. He had also won the 1994 Robot Wars middleweight competition and finished second in the same competition in 1995 with his robot X1. Lisa Winter would eventually become a permanent judge for BattleBots, a role which she retains to this day.
The Season 1.0 version made a brief appearance in Series 3 of the British show 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 Winter and Tentoumushi also featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, where the robot was demonstrated on stage in front of host and Chinkilla inspiration Jay Leno.
The sandbox on which Tentoumushi's smothering shell was built.
Tentoumushi's Season 1.0 stats according to the TV show.
Mecha Tentoumushi's Season 2.0 stats according to the TV show.
Tentoumushi peeks back from under the table during Season 5.0.
The various shells Tentoumushi used over the years.
1/5
Robot History[]
Long Beach 1999[]
Tentoumushi vs. W.L.O.W.
Tentoumushi's first ever match was against Team Raptor's W.L.O.W.. Tentoumushi won the fight by crowd vote and advanced to the next round, where it faced Stinger.
Tentoumushi vs. Stinger
Tentoumushi won the fight by KO and advanced to the next round, where it faced Sallad.
Tentoumushi vs. Sallad
Tentoumushi won the figth by crowd vote and advanced to the next round, where it faced Defiant.
Tentoumushi vs. Defiant
Defiant won the fight by KO and Tentoumushi was now in the loser's bracket, where it faced Executioner.
Tentoumushi vs. Executioner
Executioner won the fight 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.
Season 1.0[]
Tentoumushi vs. Sallad
Tentoumushi smothers Sallad.
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 the fight on a 7-2 judges' decision. This win put Tentoumushi to the quarter-finals, where it had a grudge match with Team Raptor, facing Alpha Raptor.
Tentoumushi vs. Alpha Raptor
Alpha Raptor lifts Tentoumushi against the spike strip.
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 the fight on a 7-2 judges' decision and Tentoumushi was eliminated from the tournament.
Lightweight Consolation Rumble #1
An immobile Tentoumushi next to the immobilized The Missing Link.
Tentoumushi also 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 antennas. 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.
Season 2.0[]
Mecha Tentoumushi vs. Shish-ka-bot
Mecha Tentoumushi takes on Shish-ka-bot.
Mecha Tentoumushi tries to swallow its opponent.
After receiving a bye, Mecha Tentoumushi went up against Shish-ka-bot. Both robots drove straight at each other and both robots began pushing. Mecha Tentoumushi suddenly stopped moving and after a few pops from the hellraisers, Mecha Tentoumushi started moving again. Both robots were pushing each other again and Mecha Tentoumushi tried to edge Shish-ka-bot onto the killsaws, but failed and decided to take Shish-ka-bot on the hellraisers instead. Mecha Tentoumushi pushed Shish-ka-bot onto the killsaws and Shish-ka-bot stopped moving. After Mecha Tentoumushi performed a victory spin, it came back to push Shish-ka-bot again and took it to the killsaws again, sending it flying across the arena. Shish-ka-bot was being counted out, but the time ran out before the count could conclude. Regardless, Mecha Tentoumushi won the fight on a 40-5 judges' decision and moved on.
Mecha Tentoumushi vs. Evil Fish Tank
Tentoumushi fighting Evil Fish Tank.
Evil Fish Tank pushes Mecha Tentoumushi to the pulverizer.
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 flattens 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 the fight on a 30-15 judges' decision, eliminating Mecha Tentoumushi.
Tentoumushi gets thrown by the killsaws
Lightweight Royal Rumble
Mecha Tentoumushi also 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.
Season 3.0[]
Mecha Tentoumushi vs. The Archduke
The Archduke gets smothered by Mecha Tentoumushi.
Mecha Tentoumushi is hit by the pulverizer with The Archduke inside its shell.
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 the fight on a 31-14 judges' 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.
Mecha Tentoumushi vs. Wedge of Doom
Mecha Tentoumushi smothers Wedge of Doom.
Mecha Tentoumushi gets pounded by the pulverizer.
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 the fight on a close 23-22 judges' decision. This meant that Mecha Tentoumushi was eliminated from the tournament once again.
Lightweight Royal Rumble
Mecha Tentoumushi almost flips Dr. Inferno Jr.
Mecha Tentoumushi also 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.
Season 4.0[]
Tentoumushi 7.0 vs. General Gau
Due to its seeding, Tentoumushi 7.0 was allowed to skip the preliminary rounds of Season 4.0, where it faced General Gau. Tentoumushi 7.0 won the fight by KO and advanced to the Round of 16, where it faced Wedge of Doom again.
Tentoumushi 7.0 vs. Wedge of Doom
Wedge of Doom watches Tentoumushi 7.0 getting hit by the pulverizer.
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 the fight by KO and Tentoumushi 7.0 was eliminated from the tournament.
Lightweight Royal Rumble
Tentoumushi 7.0 during the Lightweight Royal Rumble.
An overturned Tentoumushi 7.0 during the Lightweight Royal Rumble.
Tentoumushi 7.0 also 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.
Season 5.0[]
Tentoumushi 8.0 vs. Mouser Ultra Mecha-Catbot
Tentoumushi 8.0 smothers Mouser.
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 the fight on a 29-16 judges' decision and advanced to the Round of 16, where it faced Dr. Inferno Jr.
Tentoumushi 8.0 vs. Dr. Inferno Jr.
Dr. Inferno Jr. and Tentoumushi 8.0 collide.
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 shoved 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. got 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 the fight on a 26-19 judges' decision and Tentoumushi 8.0 was eliminated.
"Making a debut in the tournament, weighing in at 58 pounds and under the creative genius of Lisa Winter, assisted by Becky Winter. From Madison, Wisconsin, here is TENTOUMUSHI!"
"She looks cute and cuddly, but she'll leave you bruised and bloody. It's the 49 pound, TENTOUMUSHI!"
"If you were a fish, she'd turn you into sushi. Please give it up for MECHA TENTOUMUSHI!"
"Start thinking outside of the box cause that's where your head's going. Here is TENTOUMUSHI 7.0!"
"Did you ever get that empty feeling? That's because she's ripped out all of your innards. Presenting, TENTOUMUSHI 8.0!"
Tentoumushi was beaten three times in a row by Team Delta: once with Evil Fish Tank in Season 2.0, and the other two times in Seasons 3.0 and 4.0 against Wedge of Doom.
Tentoumushi made a cameo appearance in the first episode of World Championship I in 2015, appearing in Plan X's VT segment during a montage of Lisa Winter's previous appearances in the Comedy Central run. It would again appear in World Championship II, with a cut-down version of the montage being shown before highlights of Mega Tento's qualifier against Poison Arrow.
