Rubina/Grendizer U

Rubina Beryl Vega is a princess from the Vegan Empire, the fiancée of Duke Fleed and the younger twin sister of Teronna.
==Background==
Rubina was a princess of the Vega Empire. Following the establishment of a peace treaty between the Vega Empire and Planet Fleed, she and her sister, Teronna, sought to foster a friendship with the Fleedian royal family. This journey led Rubina to meet Duke Fleed, who was the first to reach out to her at a royal ball, inviting her to dance. Their connection deepened over time, evolving into a romantic relationship.
In her childhood, Rubina had a reputation for being difficult, which contributed to several maids quitting her service. Despite this, she found a strong bond with Duke, and they eventually became engaged. Throughout this period, Rubina was supported by her personal attendant, Naida.
Tragedy struck when Cassado led the Vegan Forces in an assassination attempt against the Fleedian royal family, aiming to seize the powerful robot Grendizer. In the chaos, Duke Fleed managed to escape with Grendizer, but the harrowing events left him emotionally unstable. As Rubina attempted to reach out to him, her personal aircraft was struck down, leading Duke to believe he had inadvertently killed her. This traumatic incident further destabilized him and ultimately contributed to the destruction of Planet Fleed.
==Personality==
Rubina embodies the grace and elegance expected of a princess, with a kind and gentle nature that makes her a beloved figure in her kingdom. She is compassionate and understanding, often placing the needs of others before her own. However, beneath this serene exterior, Rubina possesses an unwavering determination and strong sense of dignity. Her noble spirit shines through in moments of challenge, revealing her strength and resolve.
Rubina values life deeply and is merciful by nature, opposing unnecessary killings or acts of genocide during Vega's invasion of Earth. Her strong moral compass guides her decisions, as she strives to avoid needless suffering in the conflicts around her.
As a child, Rubina struggled with her image, being feared by those around her until Duke Fleed reached out to her, forming a bond that would shape her view of the world. Despite Duke being framed for the tragic loss of many lives due to Grendizer, Rubina remained steadfast in her belief in his innocence, displaying a desire to trust in his innocence even when others doubted.
Her love for her younger sister is another defining aspect of her personality. Despite suspecting that her sister may harbor feelings for Duke as well, Rubina's only desire is for her sister’s happiness, showcasing her selflessness and familial loyalty.
==Relationships==
=== Duke Fleed ===
Rubina's relationship with Duke Fleed is founded on a deep emotional connection that began at a royal ball. Their bond evolved into a romantic relationship, and they became engaged. However, their relationship faces a significant test when Duke is accused of treachery and is involved in a traumatic incident where he nearly harms Rubina while piloting Grendizer. Despite this, Rubina steadfastly believes in his innocence and seeks to maintain their connection, even when faced with doubts from others.
=== Teronna ===
Rubina shares a close and protective bond with her older sister, Teronna. This dynamic motivates Teronna to become a stronger Starker Knight for Rubina's safety. When Duke expresses his desire to marry Rubina, Teronna playfully challenges him, claiming she wouldn't allow just any man to be with her sister and demanding a duel in order for Duke to prove his worth. However, following the incident with Duke, tension arises as Teronna's protective instincts clash with Rubina's willingness to forgive him, complicating their sisterly relationship.
==History==
=== Arrival on Earth ===
Upon learning that Duke Fleed had taken refuge on Earth, Rubina set out for the planet with her sister Teronna, who was initially hesitant to bring Rubina along. Together, they took command of Gandal's ship and launched an organized attack on Earth. Rubina, however, insisted on minimizing harm to the planet’s inhabitants, leading Teronna to land and personally challenge Duke rather than initiating a full-scale assault. This allowed civilians time to evacuate before the confrontation began.
In the ensuing battle, Teronna and Duke engaged in a closely matched fight. Just as Duke was close to convincing Teronna of his innocence, Cassado intervened, attacking Teronna's Aquadizer with the Double Spazer and causing her to believe that Duke had deceived her. The battle abruptly ended when Rubina revealed herself and ordered Teronna to retreat. Her unexpected appearance shocked Duke, who withdrew as well.
=== Secret Meeting with Duke ===
Rubina initially volunteered to remotely control a drone sent to Earth, using the opportunity to discreetly send a message to Duke proposing a meeting. When she later suggested an intelligence-gathering mission on Earth and volunteered to go herself, Teronna, who had already become wary of Rubina's intentions regarding Duke, grew more suspicious. Although she questioned Rubina's motives, Teronna allowed her to proceed but secretly followed her.
During Rubina’s meeting with Duke, they discussed the destruction of Planet Fleed. As Duke shared his account, Rubina began to show signs of understanding. However, the meeting was interrupted when Teronna confronted Duke, accusing him of deceit and branding him a traitor. She challenged him to a duel, disregarding Rubina's attempts to intervene and prevent a fight.
Before the duel could commence, Blaki and a group of Vegan soldiers arrived and opened fire on Duke and the sisters. Duke used his telekinesis to shield them, and Koji and Sayaka arrived to assist in fending off the attackers. Despite the aid, Teronna remained convinced of Duke's betrayal and accused Koji and Sayaka of being his allies, interpreting their involvement as part of an elaborate trap.
Rubina and Teronna managed to escape in a mini-UFO, taking Blaki with them.
(Although Zuril, Gandal, and Blaki declared them traitors and sought to eliminate them while claiming credit for Grendizer’s capture, the narrative never adresses these events again. By the following episode, Rubina and Teronna were back to overseeing the Earth invasion, with no mention of the assassination attempt or its consequences.)
=== Battle on Okami Island ===
Rubina is absent when the Vegans launch a significant attack on the Photon Power Laboratory. During the battle, Duke and Teronna break away from their respective forces and engage in a duel over Okami Island, which results in both being ejected from their robots. Cassado seizes the opportunity to intervene and take control of Grendizer.
Rubina arrives to retrieve Teronna just after Hikaru uses her powers to eject and kill Cassado. Rubina reaffirms her feelings for Duke as he mourns Cassado's death, before she and Teronna return to the Vega Star.
=== The Marriage ===
The previous meeting strengthened Rubina's resolve to proceed with the marriage. Despite Teronna’s objections, Rubina remains determined, insisting that she will prove Duke’s innocence. The discussion becomes heated, and Teronna nearly strikes her sister before regaining control of her temper.
Later, Rubina instructs her maid, Ainsu, to secretly leave the ship and deliver a letter to Duke, communicating her plan to move forward with the marriage ceremony. However, Teronna intercepts Ainsu and reads the letter before returning it, allowing her to continue on the condition that she does not inform Rubina of the encounter.
As the time for the ceremony approaches, Teronna confronts Rubina again just as she is about to leave. Another argument ensues, and when Rubina reaffirms her commitment to her plan, even if it means defying the Vegan Empire, Teronna attacks her. Rubina is left unconscious as Teronna departs, disguised as her sister, intending to sabotage the marriage and end any chance of Rubina and Duke being together.
=== The Final Battle ===
Rubina regains consciousness a short while later, only to find Teronna watching over her. Suspicious of her sister’s strange behavior, Rubina quickly notices a symbol on the back of Teronna's hand, marking her marriage to Duke. Furious, Rubina slaps her and storms off to her room.
The final battle between Grendizer Earth and the Vegan forces begins. As Mazinger X and the Spazers engage in combat with the Vegan ships, Duke enters the Vega Star in search of Rubina. He finds her and attempts to explain what happened, but Teronna intervenes, trying to keep them apart one last time. Despite the tension, Duke and Rubina manage to communicate and start reaching out to each other when Blacki suddenly appears to ambush them again.
In a desperate attempt to kill Duke, Blacki shoots Rubina, who throws herself in the way, taking the bullet and sustaining a critical wound. In retaliation, Teronna fires back, killing several Vegan soldiers loyal to Blacki, but is forced to retreat with Duke to tend to Rubina’s injuries. As they make their way to the medical facilities, explosions from the ongoing battle outside shake the ship, one of which sends them tumbling into the garden.
In her final moments, Rubina reaffirms her love for Duke, bids farewell to her sister, and passes away.
=== Legacy ===
After Rubina’s death, Duke Fleed loses control. Clinging to her body, he uses his psychic powers to travel from Vega Star back to Grendizer and launches a relentless assault on the Vegan fleet. He kills Blacki and countless Vegan soldiers as the berserk Grendizer carves a path back to Earth.
Duke’s allies, including Teronna, unite to reach out to him and halt Grendizer’s rampage. Once Duke regains control, he and his allies head into space to destroy Vega Star and end the invasion force, leaving Rubina’s body in Teronna’s care. After the battle ends, Rubina’s body is absorbed by Grendizer.
==Gallery==
File:GU EP 12 - Rubina slaps.png
==Trivia==
*Rubina's character is based on her namesake from the anime adaptation of UFO Robot Grendizer. In that version, she is a princess of the Vegan Empire and Duke Fleed's fiancée.
*Both the anime Rubina and this version draw inspiration from Teronna, a character from The Great Battle of the Flying Saucers. These characters share several key traits: 
**They are princesses of the Vegan Empire.
**They are engaged or romantically linked to their respective versions of Duke Fleed.
** Their stories end tragically amidst conflict.
*An interesting visual difference exists between the original depictions and Grendizer U: 
**In their original appearances, Teronna is blonde while Rubina has red hair.
**Grendizer U, which features both characters, swaps these hair colors.
* Haruka Tomatsu provides the voices for both Rubina and her sister, Teronna.
*The name "Rubina" evokes the gemstone ruby, fitting for a character of royal status.
==References==
Category:Grendizer Characters
Category:Grendizer U Characters
Category:Female characters
Category:Vegan Empire