The Energon Pub

How does everyone feel about the look and design of Transformers Animated? I like that its different but I find my self preferring the blocker Transformer cartoons. Same seems to be for the Toys, i've yet to find a Transformers Animated figure that I like.

Any thoughts?

Honestly?
At first, when I saw some preview art, I HATED it. I thought that style was fine for Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, but I didn't think it was appropriate for TFs at the time.
However, upon watching and becoming quickly hooked on TF Animated, I found that the aesthetic became acceptable because the story and dialogue were properly written. The characters, as funny as they looked, quickly grow on you. And because of that, the toys then became something I wanted to have.
Not true of Energon or Cybertron, where the Japanese put all that effort and expense into those razor-sharp CGI robots, yet put them in a story so hokey that I wanted to tear my hair out every time I watched it. I bought the toys to those lines, since they ARE nice looking, but do not accept the TV story as canon for them.

Personally, I liked it. The cartoon: I thought it was a fresh look on the Transformers Universe. The humans were not total pains, or excessively annoying. The story, was ongoing, instead of each episode being in it's own little world with no relation to future or past events.

The toys: I LOVE the toys. They look like their cartoon counterparts. That was a HUGE point for me. My imagination is not what it used to be from my G1 days, so having a figure that was articulated and easy to pose like in the show, was great.

Now, I just hope that what they've learned in design carries over to the next iteration of Transformers.

Cobalt Prime wrote:Honestly?
At first, when I saw some preview art, I HATED it. I thought that style was fine for Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, but I didn't think it was appropriate for TFs at the time.
However, upon watching and becoming quickly hooked on TF Animated, I found that the aesthetic became acceptable because the story and dialogue were properly written. The characters, as funny as they looked, quickly grow on you. And because of that, the toys then became something I wanted to have.
Not true of Energon or Cybertron, where the Japanese put all that effort and expense into those razor-sharp CGI robots, yet put them in a story so hokey that I wanted to tear my hair out every time I watched it. I bought the toys to those lines, since they ARE nice looking, but do not accept the TV story as canon for them.

Honestly? I thought the CGI for Energon and Cybertron was way worse than Beast Wars/Machines. Static shots looked okay, but watching them move, or worse, talk, was horrible. And you really can't blame the Japanese for the crap stories, that was all on the Americanization. You can't imagine how much anime I've seen that makes no sense dubbed, but watch it subbed? Totally different story.

Anyway, I was okay with the aesthetics of TFA, it was the stories (mainly 1st season) that grated. Third season was the best.

I, like many people here, was skeptical of Animated when I first saw it. But it being a Transformer series, I knew I would follow along with it, cause I can find something to enjoy about every TF series. So I watched the first three episodes, and was like, "Hey, this is cool." Second/fourth episode I watched, hmm, pretty neat. I think I was sold with the Dinobot episode, and Lockdown's ep. further cemented my feelings. Once I got used to the style, I didn't really notice it, since the stories were all pretty cool. All in all, Animated is one of my favorite Transformer series.

As for the toys, don't have many of them. Mostly cause a lot of Animated's characters are either new or based on pre-existing characters I already had. Plus, I prefer Classics, and they were out at the same time. But a few have filtered into my collection: Snarl(Slag!!), Swoop, Ratchet, Activators Bee, Shockwave, and Lockdown.

Of those, Slag and Swoop fit nicely with Grimlock. Bout the same size, and come on, their Dinobots! Therefore, I love 'em. Ratchet I got recently, and even though he's a little too tall in robot mode, I prefer his look to Classics Ratchet. I never got Classics Ratchet, but I got Classics Ironhide, and that is one of the few Transformer figures I am truly disapointed with.

Lockdown is pretty cool, though nothing spectacular. Activator's Bee came with Shockwave, and well, nothing too special either. Shockwave(I got the purple version) is cool, but doesn't work as a Classics stand in too well. He is a neat Quadchanger though.

Oh, and since I'm talking about Animated Slag: http://transformers-mosaic.deviantart.com/art/First-Words-116486736

Season 3 of Animated did have a funny explanation for the name Snarl which I enjoyed, but what can I say, I'm still a Gee Wunner .

Over all I really don't like the look of Animated but there are a few toys that I do like. Earth Mode Megatron for one doesn't look to bad. He sertainly doesn't stand out as much as the movie figures or animated Optimus Prime in my colection.

I've generally skipped most of the toy line except for Optimus, Megatron, Wreck-Gar, and Blitzwing. Optimus and Megatron I'll buy any figures with thoughs names just because I'm specifically trying to colect them. Wreck-Gar and Blitzwing I got just because I love their characters on the show. But out of the 6 (Optimus and Megatron are counted twice because I have Earth and Cybertron modes) I would of bought Earth Mode Megatron even if I wasn't colecting all his name sakes.

I just personally think that Earth Mode Megatron was the best design out of the entire toy line. His Cybertron Mode looks too much like Movie Megatron who I absolutly hate in every possible way and that one is probly the WORST of the toy line. (funny how I think the best and worst of a toy line are two different versions of the same character.)

Now, I allso like the toy for Earth Mode Optimus Prime. I still hate the design of the character but my likeing the toy has little to do with the cartoony design. My reasoning for likeing it so much was simply the attention to detail on the toy that I'm not use to seeing in ANY Transformers toy. His only flaw besides the cartoony look is the stupid spin to transform gimic. Especially with an Optimus Prime toy I can't belive they made him so that his mouth plate actully moves as he talks. Moveing mouth plates are nothing new but normally you have to manually operate them. This one was completly automated. I allso have alot of fun just playing with his show accurate Ax. (one one flaw being that the handle isn't quite as long but the ones that do have the longer handles don't include his gimics from the show.)

When the first, terrible poster was introduced, I called "burn it with fire!" as the majority of the fandom, but with the introduction of the series it very quickly grow on me, the final realization is much better than what I expected at first.
Of the models: I prefer the animated figures over most of the japanese ones that were in RID-AEC, and the series is the best since BW.

From the figures, my favourites are the dinobots, Megatron, Prowl, and Ultra Magnus. I like that too that the toyline is showing a common style, as opposed to the Cybertron or the Energon figures.

As still art most of the designs like Optimus Prime, look horrible to me, when moving in animation they surpising look some what cool. To me though Animated's first season sucked, too many episodes of the Autobots being a group of wanna be JLA type superheroes with an incredibly lame and annoying group of human super-villians and equally annoying supporting human allies Sari, Fanzone, and Sumdac. That offered nothing to the plots and humor of the series.

Cyberstrike wrote:As still art most of the designs like Optimus Prime, look horrible to me, when moving in animation they surpising look some what cool. To me though Animated's first season sucked, too many episodes of the Autobots being a group of wanna be JLA type superheroes with an incredibly lame and annoying group of human super-villians and equally annoying supporting human allies Sari, Fanzone, and Sumdac. That offered nothing to the plots and humor of the series.

There were episodes of season 2 that were like that as well.

I actully would of liked the Human villains more if they could actully pose more of a threat. Meltdown was by far the greatest human villain of the series. Slo Mo and Headmaster had potential to be big threats but regreatfully Headmaster was an idiot and Slo Mo only appeared for one episode. Professor Princess had more appearances and she was no threat at all. And Nanosec was just fast big woopty do, so was Blurr. Master Disaster was another good one who appeared for one episode but he kinda did the same thing as Headmaster only with a remote control. I kinda wish they combined thoughs characters and gave Master Disaster's personality to the Headmaster.

I loved it from the first picture. Then again, I love anything Transformers related except Kiss Players. So yeah.

Rial Vestro wrote:I actully would of liked the Human villains more if they could actully pose more of a threat. Meltdown was by far the greatest human villain of the series. Slo Mo and Headmaster had potential to be big threats but regreatfully Headmaster was an idiot and Slo Mo only appeared for one episode. Professor Princess had more appearances and she was no threat at all. And Nanosec was just fast big woopty do, so was Blurr. Master Disaster was another good one who appeared for one episode but he kinda did the same thing as Headmaster only with a remote control. I kinda wish they combined thoughs characters and gave Master Disaster's personality to the Headmaster.

Agreed.

Meltdown was a good villain. The Headmaster was threatening, but his personality just ruined his character. Slo-Mo and Master Disaster had so much potential, yet they were both one-time villains. Nanosec and the Angry Archer could have been done much better. And Profesor Princess was just huge flop, one big mistake that should have never been made.

I like the "Animated" style and I've watched all the episodes. I still prefer the other styles such as good ol' G1.

Animated turned out to be a surprisingly good series once Megatron was given a body.

While it was one of the best written TF series, I just couldn't warm up to the look of the cartoon, though I really enjoyed the toy line, which brought back the fun of transforming after that aspect was sucked out by the movie line. There was some really clever engineering in the Animated toys, IMO.

In fact, I would say they were better designed and realized than most of the Classics/Universe figures released around the same time....*dodges rotten fruit*.

No Death for Prowl wrote:Animated turned out to be a surprisingly good series once Megatron was given a body.

While it was one of the best written TF series, I just couldn't warm up to the look of the cartoon, though I really enjoyed the toy line, which brought back the fun of transforming after that aspect was sucked out by the movie line. There was some really clever engineering in the Animated toys, IMO.

In fact, I would say they were better designed and realized than most of the Classics/Universe figures released around the same time....*dodges rotten fruit*.

No one used rotten fruit anymore. Ever sence Bush we've desided it's more fun to throw shoes.

*throws my shoes at No Death for Prowl*

Rial Vestro wrote:

No Death for Prowl wrote:Animated turned out to be a surprisingly good series once Megatron was given a body.

While it was one of the best written TF series, I just couldn't warm up to the look of the cartoon, though I really enjoyed the toy line, which brought back the fun of transforming after that aspect was sucked out by the movie line. There was some really clever engineering in the Animated toys, IMO.

In fact, I would say they were better designed and realized than most of the Classics/Universe figures released around the same time....*dodges rotten fruit*.

No one used rotten fruit anymore. Ever sence Bush we've desided it's more fun to throw shoes.

*throws my shoes at No Death for Prowl*

Ah, but the joke is on you now, my dear Vestro!

I now have your shoes and the pavement outside is very, very hot.

And you still have all those cartons of decaying fruit you do not know what to do with!

But seriously, you have nice socks.

At the beginning, I thought it looked so freakin' stupid!!
It fact I was almost not going to watch it.

But as the show went on, I got used to it and in fact started liking it.
I thought they were pretty darned cute.

Now I love the show. Too bad I didn't get to watch the final season.

I would have liked to see Devastator in the animated style. It's too bad that the series ended without getting all the Constructicons.

No Death for Prowl wrote:

Rial Vestro wrote:

No Death for Prowl wrote:Animated turned out to be a surprisingly good series once Megatron was given a body.

While it was one of the best written TF series, I just couldn't warm up to the look of the cartoon, though I really enjoyed the toy line, which brought back the fun of transforming after that aspect was sucked out by the movie line. There was some really clever engineering in the Animated toys, IMO.

In fact, I would say they were better designed and realized than most of the Classics/Universe figures released around the same time....*dodges rotten fruit*.

No one used rotten fruit anymore. Ever sence Bush we've desided it's more fun to throw shoes.

*throws my shoes at No Death for Prowl*

Ah, but the joke is on you now, my dear Vestro!

I now have your shoes and the pavement outside is very, very hot.

And you still have all those cartons of decaying fruit you do not know what to do with!

But seriously, you have nice socks.

... I'm not use to people here calling me Vestro... through me off guard for a moment... (points to sig)

I have an extra pair of shoes. I just threw my dress shoes at you sence I never wear them anyway... they were kinda exspencive though can I get thoughs back?

And I used all my rotten fruit on Fozzy when I was 10. The bear from the Muppets.

Rial Vestro wrote:

No Death for Prowl wrote:

Rial Vestro wrote:

No Death for Prowl wrote:Animated turned out to be a surprisingly good series once Megatron was given a body.

While it was one of the best written TF series, I just couldn't warm up to the look of the cartoon, though I really enjoyed the toy line, which brought back the fun of transforming after that aspect was sucked out by the movie line. There was some really clever engineering in the Animated toys, IMO.

In fact, I would say they were better designed and realized than most of the Classics/Universe figures released around the same time....*dodges rotten fruit*.

No one used rotten fruit anymore. Ever sence Bush we've desided it's more fun to throw shoes.

*throws my shoes at No Death for Prowl*

Ah, but the joke is on you now, my dear Vestro!

I now have your shoes and the pavement outside is very, very hot.

And you still have all those cartons of decaying fruit you do not know what to do with!

But seriously, you have nice socks.

... I'm not use to people here calling me Vestro... through me off guard for a moment... (points to sig)

I have an extra pair of shoes. I just threw my dress shoes at you sence I never wear them anyway... they were kinda exspencive though can I get thoughs back?

And I used all my rotten fruit on Fozzy when I was 10. The bear from the Muppets.

I'd say you're more better known as "The Artist Formerly Known As 'Saber Prime'".

Rial Vestro wrote:

Cyberstrike wrote:As still art most of the designs like Optimus Prime, look horrible to me, when moving in animation they surpising look some what cool. To me though Animated's first season sucked, too many episodes of the Autobots being a group of wanna be JLA type superheroes with an incredibly lame and annoying group of human super-villians and equally annoying supporting human allies Sari, Fanzone, and Sumdac. That offered nothing to the plots and humor of the series.

There were episodes of season 2 that were like that as well.

I actully would of liked the Human villains more if they could actully pose more of a threat. Meltdown was by far the greatest human villain of the series. Slo Mo and Headmaster had potential to be big threats but regreatfully Headmaster was an idiot and Slo Mo only appeared for one episode. Professor Princess had more appearances and she was no threat at all. And Nanosec was just fast big woopty do, so was Blurr. Master Disaster was another good one who appeared for one episode but he kinda did the same thing as Headmaster only with a remote control. I kinda wish they combined thoughs characters and gave Master Disaster's personality to the Headmaster.

True, but they were only 3 major episodes that featured the villians as major characters where Headmaster took Sentinal Prime's body, the one with Master Diaster, and the S.U.V. episode, the rest of the time they popped up for a few minutes and actually helped the plot (like the Angry Archer did in Garbage In, Garbage Out) or just to make a camero.

I agree 100% with you about Meltdown. He was a legimate threat to all the Transformers (I wished they had episode where he fought the Decepticons other than Black Archnia) so he was the best human villain by far. The Headmaster could've been a major threat if the character wasn't so annoying and just plain stupid. Nanosec could have been a threat if he was written better given a chance.

The Angry Archer, Slo-Mo, Master Diaster, and Power Princess were never threats because they powers were based weapons that would never hurt a Transformers or they lost gimzoes at the end of their episode (like Slo-Mo and Master Diaster) so whatever threat they were gone.

Cyberstrike wrote:they lost gimzoes at the end of their episode (like Slo-Mo and Master Diaster) so whatever threat they were gone.

Their gizmos were powered by AllSpark fragments and who's to say they couldn't of found replacement fragments later on. We know they lost their AllSpark fragments at the end of their episodes but we don't know if they still had the devices or not. And even if they didn't they could just get another one. It was just an AllSpark powered watch and an AllSpark powered remote for an RC toy. (which oddly enough is what ROTF Wheelie transforms into and the remote lets you control transformers interesting... anyone care for a contunity mix so we can make Master Disaster control Wheelie?)

I've recently rewatched the series and I have to admit that I'm liking the style of the show much more now than upon my initial viewing. Now my initial viewing was spaced over months, watching episodes out of order whenever I could catch a showing. After rewatching, I appreciate the designs much more.

The Autobots for the most part don't appeal to me.

Optimus Prime and Sentinel Prime have the Bruce Timm inverted triangle overall look of super broad shoulders that I like better on Superman or Batman.

I'm not a fan of SP's robot mode because the design is full of squishing/squashing/morphing between robot and alt. He basically looks like a Transformers cosplayer considering the only things we have as visual cues of a vehicle in robot mode are a chest and shoulders that somewhat imply the front and scoop of a plow truck. Everything else is too rounded. I know he's a nod to the Tick but the chin was all that was necessary. However, the one thing I really like about the design is his battle face plate/armour.

Optimus Prime looks good, a nice revamp of his G1 self. I like the decision to have his face revealed for the majority of his appearance. It adds to the youthful nature of the character. If he had a faceplate on all the time, it would be too much of a reminder of past Optimus Primes, especially Peter Cullen's.

I'm indifferent to the look of Bumblebee and Bulkhead, though I love the look of the Leader class Bulkhead figure. BB is fine, a good homage and update of the G1 character, horn head and all.

I love Ratchet's design. The paunch on him really sets him apart and reinforces the old grizzled war vet image of the character.

I also like Prowl's design. Cyber ninja indeed.

Dinobots were great. Not a real big update but their designs don't need an overhaul.

Jetfire and Jetstorm have a great look, though I prefer them separate. Safeguard is visually so-so for me.

Jazz is cool. Blurr, Rodimus(Minor? Prime?), and Arcee look great as well, updates of their G1 looks.

Ultra Magnus is just great. He has the towering physical presence to remind you that he's the Autobot Supreme Commander. Great alt mode too.

As far as the Decepticons, here's where the designs really appeal for me.

Megatron is a great balance of a homage to his G1 aesthetics while working them into a design that is believable as a fusion cannon equipped dual rotor helicopter of doom.

Lugnut is wonderflly ogrish.

Blitzwing, Blitzwing, Blitzwing...I love the design. I'm a fan of the G1 version and TFA gives him a great update while keeping key design elements.

I'm indifferent to Starscream and his clones. He has a bulkiness that reminds me of the "Bruce Timm" effect, which I don't love for the character.

Black Arachnia and Soundwave are not great but not terrible either.

The Constructicons were cool, I only wish the full team was introduced.

The brief cameos by Blackout and Cyclonus were very cool.

Shockwave, Lockdown, Oil Slick, Waspinator, and Swindle are my absolute favourte TFA designs.

Shockwave reminds me of a towering insectile predator.

Lockdown and Oil Slick just exude a gritty and nasty attitude with their deadly looking alt modes. Their robot modes are also suitably menacing.

Waspinator is just cool and it helps that I'm a fan of the character in all his incarnations.

Finally Swindle is just a chunky little guy with a huge arm cannon. I love the the way his square little head with those big eyes, along with Fred Willard's performance, make him seem like a nice guy but if you listen to his words, he's nothing but a weasley black market dealer.

wasnt a fan of the toys at first but since have found a few i liked enough to buy- grimlock, magnus, starscream, sunstorm (and id like to buy the other starscream clones if they ever get released deluxe/voyager versions-besides skywarp and next years thundercracker?).

have been tempted to buy others.. i wanted to buy blitzwing when i heard and saw him, but then recently saw some still pics of him in the show and was -his treads are too prominent; well jet mode shouldnt even have them...

however i dont get to watch the show other than a few eps..