The Energon Pub

Ok--I'm 31--and of course when G1 came out I was 8 or 9 years old, so I'm pretty familiar with the whole original Transformers story. Anyway, I've gotten back into collecting--I unfortunately don't have any of my originals, ie I had ALL the Predacons, Soundwave, a couple of Insecticons, whatever--somewhere along the line they all disappeared, ending any Ebay bids I might have had.. However, I haven't kept up with all the recent generations like Cyberton/Beast Wars, etc...but can someone PLEASE define KIBBLE for me? I read it all the time in reviews & stuff... I'm assuming it's all the extra plastic/crap that's left over after you transform a figure.. Can someone confirm this for me?? Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited about getting into the fray again...

That is exactly what kibble is, all the extra stuff hanging off of the figures after transformation.

Bee-otch wrote:That is exactly what kibble is, all the extra stuff hanging off of the figures after transformation.

Well, I would call it the non-essential and aesthetically displeasing extra pieces that hang off a figure in robot mode.

For example, kibble pieces that are well thought out, and turn into 'wing' looking devices in robot mode are not really kibble to me (Example: G1 Snarl's tail-- looks appropriate in robot mode, like it should be there).

However, I see kibble as the extra parts that they could just not do anything with...example: G1 Slag's tail... folds up into the back, but does not look like a natural robot part. In fact, if the piece is loose, it hangs down by his feet, very awkwardly.

I almost define kibble as anything animators would take off the figure to streamline him, without losing the alt mode influences.

Was that long winded enough for you?

As for where it came from...how about the dog food 'Kibble and Bits'...and bits and bits... (It's extra, unnecessary/extravagant...and bits )

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Bee-otch wrote:That is exactly what kibble is, all the extra stuff hanging off of the figures after transformation.

Well, I would call it the non-essential and aesthetically displeasing extra pieces that hang off a figure in robot mode.

For example, kibble pieces that are well thought out, and turn into 'wing' looking devices in robot mode are not really kibble to me (Example: G1 Snarl's tail-- looks appropriate in robot mode, like it should be there).

However, I see kibble as the extra parts that they could just not do anything with...example: G1 Slag's tail... folds up into the back, but does not look like a natural robot part. In fact, if the piece is loose, it hangs down by his feet, very awkwardly.

I almost define kibble as anything animators would take off the figure to streamline him, without losing the alt mode influences.

Was that long winded enough for you?

As for where it came from...how about the dog food 'Kibble and Bits'...and bits and bits... (It's extra, unnecessary/extravagant...and bits )

No my friend--not long winded at all. As you can tell, I love long descriptions... Anyway, now that "kibble" has been suitably defined for me, I can say that movie Bonecrusher has WAYYY too much.. He has these pieces that fold over his arms that I ALWAYS break off when transforming him.... I've been tempted just to take them off permanently when he's in robot mode, but that wouldn't be a true representation... This goes hand-in-hand--no pun intended--with the original G1 Optimus & Starscream--remember how you had to take their fists off?? ...and lose them?? I hated that about them, but than again it was 1984-85... I've seen JUST the fists of these G1 characters go for as much as $500 USD on ebay. Are you F*&%ING serious?? Anyway, the problem I have w/the figures now is the decrease in quality--1985--decent quality, fists you lose, 2007--movie figures that have panels that fall off... See this link of Silverbolt's review of MP Megatron if you want my true opinion--profanity laced but arguably the best reviewer out there--the fact that he's British makes it even better--BTW--I'm a redneck from Dallas, TX--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYGtG5NfwkU

I don't think removable fists or weapons are considered 'kibble'. While they are extra and are a pain, kibble to me is when they just don't know what to do with parts of the alt mode in robot mode to make them a functional, natural looking part of the robot mode. They kind of hang there looking out of place, or give them a very overweighted looking backpack...

For a long time, I've been trying to figure out exactly what "kibble" means. I've searched encarta dictionary and old school dictionaries. But get no results.
So i just contented myself with imagining what it could have meant whenever i encounter that word. And i only encounter that word online, only with transformers topics.
I never thought of asking it here.


Optimus Schtool, you're the man. Thanks bringing it up!

tigertracks 24 wrote:I don't think removable fists or weapons are considered 'kibble'. While they are extra and are a pain, kibble to me is when they just don't know what to do with parts of the alt mode in robot mode to make them a functional, natural looking part of the robot mode. They kind of hang there looking out of place, or give them a very overweighted looking backpack...

Like the side panel hanging on the arm of Optimus Prime Classics?

Auto Bot wrote:

tigertracks 24 wrote:I don't think removable fists or weapons are considered 'kibble'. While they are extra and are a pain, kibble to me is when they just don't know what to do with parts of the alt mode in robot mode to make them a functional, natural looking part of the robot mode. They kind of hang there looking out of place, or give them a very overweighted looking backpack...

Like the side panel hanging on the arm of Optimus Prime Classics?

That is probably the clearest and most current example of kibble.

I just don't understand how

the non-essential and aesthetically displeasing extra pieces that hang off a figure in robot mode.

got silced and diced into the the word kibble

Bee-otch wrote:That is exactly what kibble is, all the extra stuff hanging off of the figures after transformation.

Simple short and sweet explanation.

Cyber Bishop wrote:

Bee-otch wrote:That is exactly what kibble is, all the extra stuff hanging off of the figures after transformation.

Simple short and sweet explanation.

I second that!
Another perfect example is MP Starscream hip kibble. Now he looks like a samurai.

*Damn, I still wish they would stick with the old prototype by putting on the leg. Yeah, yeah, I know you can attach on the leg but he doesn't stand properly.*

Yeah. Which makes Classics Starscream looks better than MP Starscream overall.



Glad i bought Classics.

While everyone who's commented so far has mentioned alt mode kibble showing on bot modes it's worth noting that it works the other way too with obviously robotic pieces showing in the alt mode. Some of the worst offenders for this would be Ironhide and Inferno from Energon with their robot heads just sat on top of the vehicle mode, but there are lots of examples of robot hands not being very well hidden and most jet TFs only look good from the top with robot kibble showing on the underside.

Classics Starscream has a gaping tunnel on the under belly of the jet. Does this count as kibble?

Brakethrough wrote:

Auto Bot wrote:

tigertracks 24 wrote:I don't think removable fists or weapons are considered 'kibble'. While they are extra and are a pain, kibble to me is when they just don't know what to do with parts of the alt mode in robot mode to make them a functional, natural looking part of the robot mode. They kind of hang there looking out of place, or give them a very overweighted looking backpack...

Like the side panel hanging on the arm of Optimus Prime Classics?

That is probably the clearest and most current example of kibble.

Id like you to meet Movie Blackout....

What about Movie Blackout?

Over half his mass in robot mode is kibble. Sure he can hold the blades like a weapon but nothing was done with his back half.

He is the haunchback of Notredame.

My Blackout not arrived yet. I'll make my comment on him when i got the toy. Hehe

I got Blackout a few days ago.. I'm not a big fan of the ass-end hanging down in the back, but at least it helps him stand up...

Some ass is for sitting. Some ass is for standing.

Auto Bot wrote:Classics Starscream has a gaping tunnel on the under belly of the jet. Does this count as kibble?

That would technically not be kibble, unless the parts that make the hole do not look like they should be part of the jet.

I actually prefer kibble to be a more positive term, considering that I actually like kibble because it makes the bot look more realistic as apposed to a sleek robot, that looks more like a cartoon character. I actually have come to like the hip kibble on Masterpiece Starscream, its a more realistic way to have that wing setting then to show it on his leg, plus his being more Samurai-ish is kinda cool since he's a commander of the skies. It's almost as if he has 2 swords at his side in their sheaths waiting for the moment to strike.

It also depends on the bot and your imagination...

tigertracks 24 wrote:

Auto Bot wrote:Classics Starscream has a gaping tunnel on the under belly of the jet. Does this count as kibble?

That would technically not be kibble, unless the parts that make the hole do not look like they should be part of the jet.

The hole should not be part of the jet.

skywarp-2 wrote:I actually prefer kibble to be a more positive term, considering that I actually like kibble because it makes the bot look more realistic as apposed to a sleek robot, that looks more like a cartoon character. I actually have come to like the hip kibble on Masterpiece Starscream, its a more realistic way to have that wing setting then to show it on his leg, plus his being more Samurai-ish is kinda cool since he's a commander of the skies. It's almost as if he has 2 swords at his side in their sheaths waiting for the moment to strike.

It also depends on the bot and your imagination...

I'm cool with that idea. But some kibble, though adding a "transformer feel" to the bot, gets in the way of arm and leg movements. Making the articulation limited, both in toys and in real life (or real cartoon life).
Imagine MP Masterpiece making a picture-perfect samurai kick to an Autobot, but the leg extensions gets caught in the chest plate of the Autobot, dragging Starscream along as the Autobot falls.