Which Maximal leads the Maximals in the Japanese series Beast Wars II?

Lio Convoy leads the Maximals in the Japanese series Beast Wars II.

Beast Wars II is a Japan-only anime spin-off set on Planet Gaia, a future version of Earth. Lio Convoy commands the Maximal forces in their conflict with Galvatron and the Predacons. His name echoes the “Convoy” title used for heroic Autobot and Maximal leaders in Japanese Transformers fiction.

Lio Convoy transforms into a white lion, giving him a distinctive beast mode unlike Optimus Primal’s gorilla form in the original Beast Wars series. Optimus Primal does appear in Beast Wars II-related material, but he is a visiting character from the earlier series rather than the regular commander of these Maximals. Big Convoy is another Maximal leader from a different Japanese Transformers series, while Galvatron leads the opposing Predacons.