Discuss anything about the Transformers cartoons and comics! You can discuss anything from G1 to Cybertron as well as the comics from Marvel, Dreamwave, IDW and more!
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
Since we've had ones for Animated, Prime, and Rescue Bots, I feel it's only fair that we have one for the newest Transformers cartoon, Sanjou Gattai Transformers Go! (Triple Combination: Transformers Go!).
What this show is is not an ordinary television series, or even a television series at all. Rather, it is instead a series of 10 short episodes (running ~12 minutes long, each) released direct-to-DVD as bonus pack-in material with two Japanese magazines: TV Magazine and TV-Kun Magazine. TakaraTomy's YouTube channel would later rerelease several episodes in HD format, but only up until the last few, which remain SD-only. Each episode is not part of a single linear storyline, but instead are part of two! All episodes released with TV-Kun are part of a "Samurai Volume" of episodes focusing on the Swordbot Samurai Team, while the episodes released with TV Magazine are the "Shinobi Volume" episodes that center around the Swordbot Shinobi Team. Thus, there are two distinct "Episode 1's", two "Episodes 2's", etc.
Shinobi Volume 1. "Sanjou Gattai! Swordbot - Ninja!" 2. "Discover! The Legendiscs!" 3. "Enter! The New Warrior!" 4. "Final Battle! Renketsu Sanjou Gattai DaiGekisou!"
Subsequently, there are two versions of the show's opening theme, each containing its own unique visuals based on which volume the episodes belong to. Here are the two versions (the name of the song is "TRANSFORMERS-Go!"):
As for where this show takes place continuity-wise, it is set after Chou Robot Seimeitai Transformers: Prime (Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Prime), the Japanese dub of the Tranformers: Prime cartoon. However, the Japanese Prime cartoon did not end in the same way that the English version did. Thus far, only the first two seasons of Prime have been dubbed into Japanese and released in Japan, with currently no signs of season 3, "Beast Hunters", being imported to the Land of the Rising Sun.
In addition, even though the Japanese Prime dub ended with season 2's ending, it did not end the same way that the English season 2 finale ended. As many of us know, season 2 ended in English with the Autobot base being attacked, the Autobots having to evacuate and scatter to various locations across the nation, and the Nemesis destroying the base with Optimus still inside it. In the Japanese version, however, the final scene of the episode was heavily edited, with the entire sequence of the base's destruction, and everything after it, being cut out and removed altogether. The last thing we see in the episode is Optimus slashing at the GroundBridge control panel with his sword and the screen fading to white immediately afterward, leaving the fate of the base, the Autobots, the Decepticons, and pretty much everything, completely ambiguous.
Here is the episode's conclusion as it played out in Japan:
Thus, in Go!, Optimus is alive and well, even sporting his Beast Hunters toy body. What we have here is simply another split-off case like with G1's "The Rebirth" and The Headmasters cartoon.
The backstory of Go! plays out as described in the first half of this video (sorry, no subtitles, I'll explain it below):
Basically, after the events of TF: Prime season 2, rather than the events of Beast Hunters occurring, the Autobots and Decepticons instead shifted their battles away from Earth into outer space. Here, Shockwave came along and created a whole new faction, the Predacons, to help fight against the Autobots. However, the Predacons in this new series turned on the Decepticons and broke away from them, scattering across the universe by the hundreds. To hunt them down, the Autobots and Decepticons upgraded into "Hunter Mode" with the power of a new armor created by Ratchet called "Preda-Armor". Eventually, a group of Predacons led by the Demon Emperor Dragotron soon arrived on both Earth and particular locations in the universe with the intent of invading them. But, the Autobots and Decepticons followed this group of Predacons back to Earth and, together, succeeded in defeating the Predacons by sealing away Dragotron deep underground with the power of a mystical object known as a Legendisc (one of five). Optimus Prime and his Autobots then returned to space to deal with the remaining Predacons that had previously scattered throughout the universe, but in case any of the Earth-based Predacons ever returned to threaten the planet, Optimus charged two three-member combiner teams of a new Autobot subgroup, the Swordbots, to deal with them.
With that said, the premise of the cartoon itself is as follows: The day of awakening for the Predacons has finally come. An incident at Mount Fuji unearths the face of the defeated Dragotron, awakening his minions known as the Four Oni: Budora, Gaidora, Bakudora, and Judora. They seek to locate the five Legendics and use them to revive their fallen master. But the two Autobot teams of Swordbots are also summoned in response to this threat, thanks to two young boys who interfered with the Predacons' plans. The Swordbot Samurai Team (Kenzan, Jinbu, and Ganoh) come to aid the young Isami Tatewaki, and the Swordbot Shinobi Team (Gekisoumaru, Hishoumaru, and Sensuimaru) come to help Tobio Fūma. The two teams use their combination abilities to battle the Predacons, and recruit both Isami and Tobio to help them in their fight. Optimus contacts both teams and instructs them each to find all of the remaining Legendiscs--which are located in various past time-periods throughout history--so as to keep them safe from the Predacons.
The Go! cartoon was released in Japan in July 2013 and had its episodes released on a monthly basis. For those who don't speak/understand Japanese, fansubbing group TV-Nihon (the same group that has previously subbed The Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, Super Link, Galaxy Force, and RobotMasters) has completed an English subtitled version of the whole series, which can be acquired here - http://tracker.tvnihon.com/index.php?category=106
Another group called METAsubs originally produced their own subbed releases for the series (and which seemed a touch more polished than TV-Nihon's subs), but sadly only released three episodes (in both SD and HD format):
Therefore, TV-Nihon's release remains the only complete version, and should serve sufficiently. If you have any issues acquiring the episodes, let me know and I can help you view them.
Glossary of terms:
General terms:
Swordbot - a type of Autobot martial artist, six of which are divided into two three-member teams
Swordbot Samurai Team - Swordbot trio consisting of Kenzan, Jinbu, and Ganoh
Swordbot Shinobi Team - Swordbot ninja trio consisting of Gekisoumaru, Hishoumaru, and Sensuimaru
Oni - demon monsters of Japanese folklore; four of the Predacons transform from dragons into Oni
Four Oni (Shikishu) - Predacon quartet made up of Budora, Gaidora, Bakudora, and Judora
Jaki - Predacon footsoldiers who serve the Four Oni and Dragotron; the name refers to a very minor class of Japanese evil spirits like "imps" or "goblins"
Dark Jaki Corps (Yami no Jaki Gundan) or just Dark Jaki (Yami no Jaki-domo) - the five Jaki who combine into Goradora; consists of Dorara, Burara, Garara, Barara, and Jurara
Legendisc - one of at least five mysterious objects the Autobots and Predacons are fighting over; resembles a CD with the design markings of the Generations Data Discs
Time Slip - the time-travelling ability a Legendisc can grant to its wielder
Time Slip Point - the specific location at which a Time Slip can be performed at its best
Character names: Autobots:
Hunter Optimus Prime - Autobot Commander; later upgrades into Optimus ExPrime
Kenzan - Samurai Team Number 1 and leader; turns into a police car
Jinbu - Samurai Team Number 2; turns into a fighter jet
Ganoh - Samurai Team Number 3; turns into a fire truck
Gekisoumaru - Shinobi Team Number 1 and leader; Lion Shinobi of the Earth
Hishoumaru - Shinobi Team Number 2; Hawk Shinobi of the Wind
Sensuimaru - Shinobi Team Number 3; Shark Shinobi of the Water
Predacons:
Dragotron - Predacon Demon Emperor; redeco of Predaking; later upgrades into in Guren Dragotron, the Ultimate Demon Emperor
Budora - Fighter Oni (Budōki) and leader of the Four Oni; redeco/remold of Grimwing/Darksteel
Gaidora - Supernatural Strength Oni (Kairikiki) and member of the Four Oni; redeco/remold of Lazerback/Vertebreak
Bakudora - Explosive Speed Oni (Bakusokuki) and member of the Four Oni; redeco/remold of Ripclaw, is a male character
Judora - Curse Oni (Jubakuki) and member of the Four Oni; redeco/remold of Skystalker/Skylynx
Dorara - torso Jaki and controlled by Dragotron; redeco of Hun-Gurrr
Burara - left leg Jaki and likely controlled by Budora; redeco of Blight
Garara - left arm Jaki and likely controlled by Gaidora; redeco of Twinstrike
Barara - right arm Jaki and likely controlled by Bakudora; redeco of Windrazor
Jurara - right leg Jaki and likely controlled by Judora; redeco of Rippersnapper
Main humans:
Isami Tatewaki - human boy ally of the Swordbot Samurai Team; possesses the red Legendisc; descended from a Samurai clan
Tobio Fūma - human boy ally of the Swordbot Shinobi Team; possesses the azure Legendisc; descended from a ninja clan
Sekishūsai Tatewaki -Isami's grandfather and Kendo sensei; previous owner of the red Legendisc
Guest star humans:
Musashi Miyamoto - real world historical Samurai swordsman from the Sengoku Period; appears in Samurai Volume episode 2; one of many owners of the green Legendisc
Kotarō Fūma - real world historical ninja from the Sengoku Period; appears in Shinobi Volume episode 2; one of many owners of the yellow Legendisc
Ryōma Sakamoto - real world historical Samurai swordsman from the Bakumatsu period; appears as a child in Samurai Volume episode 3; one of many owners of the green Legendisc
Benkei Musashibō -rel world historical Samurai swordman from the Kamakura Period; appears in Samurai Volume episode 4; one of many owners of the green Legendisc
Combination terms:
Gattai - Japanese word for "combination", "fusion", "union", "merge", etc.
Sanjou Gattai - the process through which the Swordbots combine into three different combined forms; means "Triple Combination", as well as a play on "Sanjou!", which is an old-fashioned way of dramatically announcing one's entrance.
Kabuto - the type of helmet worn by each Sanjou Gattai; refers to the type of helmet worn by ancient Japanese armor-clad warriors
"Kabuto sōchaku!" - means "Equip Kabuto helm!"; spoken when the Kabuto is attached to the Sanjou Gattai's head.
GoKenzan - Samurai Team combination with Kenzan on top, Jinbu centered, and Ganoh as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of Skill" (Waza no Sanjou Gattai)
GoJinbu - Samurai Team combination with Jinbu on top, Ganoh centered, and Kenzan as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of Speed" (Hayasa no Sanjou Gattai)
GoGanoh - Samurai Team combination with Ganoh on top, Kenzan centered, and Jinbu as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of Power (Chikara no Sanjou Gattai)
GoGekisou - Shinobi Team combination with Gekisoumaru on top, Hishoumaru centered, and Sensuimaru as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of the Land" (Riku no Sanjou Gattai)
GoHishou - Shinobi Team combination with Hishoumaru on top, Sensuimaru centered, and Gekisoumaru as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of the Sky" (Sora no Sanjou Gattai)
GoSensui - Shinobi Team combination with Sensuimaru on top, Gekisoumaru centered, and Hishoumaru as the legs; known as the "Sanjou Gattai of the Sea" (Umi no Sanjou Gattai)
Jaki Gattai - The process through which the Dark Jaki Corps combines into Goradora
Goradora - The combination of Dorara (torso), Burara (left leg), Garara (left arm), Barara (right arm), and Jurara (right leg); redeco of Abominus
Black Jaki Gattai - a powered up version of a normal Jaki Gattai that results in a stronger, black-colored Goradora
Renketsu Sanjou Gattai - the process through which Optimus Exprime combines with both Kenzan and Gekisoumaru into two different forms; means "Connected Triple Combination"
DaiKenzan - Combination with Kenzan on top, Optimus Exprime centered, and Gekisoumaru as the legs; known as the "Samurai Renketsu Sanjou Gattai"
DaiGekisou - Combination with Gekisoumaru on top, Optimus Exprime centered, and Kenzan as the legs; known as the "Shinobi Renketsu Sanjou Gattai"
Fighting styles and attack-related terms:
Kinkyuu Nitouryuu - Kenzan's fighting style; means "Emergency Dual-Sword Style"
Choukuu Choutouryuu - Jinbu's fighting style; means "High-flying Longsword Style"
Shoubou Totsugekiryuu - Ganoh's fighting style; means "Firefighting Assault Style"
Zan Jin Gan - The Samurai principle of which Kenzan is a proud follower; means "Cutting swiftly, but being as durable as the rocks."
Sanjou Ougi - the kind of finishing attack used by the Samurai Team's combined forms; means "Sanjou Secret Technique"
Zankou Juuji - GoKenzan's Sanjou Ougi; means "Cutting Light Cross" or "Slashing Light Cross"; announced as "Zan! Zan! Zankou Juuji!"
Jinrai Gaeshi - GoJinbu's Sanjou Ougi; means "Thunderclap Counter-strike" or "Thunder Reversal"; announced as "Jin! Jin! Jinrai Gaeshi!"
Ganen Bakuha - GoGanoh's Sanjou Ougi; means "Powerful Blaze Blast" or "Rock Flaming Burst"; announced as "Gan! Gan! Ganen Bakuha!"
Shinobi Ninpou - the kind of techniques used by the Shinobi Team; means "Shinobi Ninja Art"
Oni Taiji - Gekisoumaru's Shinobi Ninpou; means "Oni Extermination"
Hishou Sen - Hishoumaru's Shinobi Ninpou; means "Soaring Fan" or "Flying Fan"
Sensui Giri - Sensuimaru's Shinobi Ninpou; means "Diving Slash"
Oobirei Juuji Shuriken - Sensuimaru's ninja star weapon; means "Large Fin Cross Shuriken"
Sanjou Ninpou - the kind of finishing attack used by the Shinobi Team's combined forms; means "Sanjou Ninja Art"
Gekido Juuga - GoGekisou's Sanjou Ninpou; means "Striking Land Beast Fang" or "Slaying Land Beast Fang"; announced as "Geki! Geki! Gekido Juuga!"
Shoufuu Ranbu - GoHishou's Sanjou Ninpou; means "Soaring Wind Dance"; announced as "Shou! Shou! Shoufuu Ranbu!"
Sensui Resshou - GoSensui's Sanjou Ninpou; means "Diving Burst Palm"; announced as "Sen! Sen! Sensui Resshou!"
Here are my personal thoughts on the first two Samurai episodes and the first Shinobi episode:
Samurai 1:
Huh, no intro theme song. Just a title card with the series logo and episode name.
Interesting how the Four Oni Predacons just happen to be located in such close proximity to Dragotron and each other in Japan.
Well, that was quick. Optimus wastes no time detecting the Predacons awakening. Or detecting six more, newer signals.
And here's our new human pal, Isami Tatewaki, who practices Kendo. Heh, his grandfather looks kinda like Dr. Wily from the Mega Man games. He also seems a bit on the strict energetic side.
Incoming Budora and Gaidora. I knew this episode was short, but it's really more fast-paced than I expected.
They've come to steal the Tatewaki Family's sacred mirror, which is in fact a Legendisc. Isami's grandfather refers to the Preds first as "monsters" ("bakemono") and then as "Oni".
Gaidora transformed his Beast Mode claw into his Robot Mode hand with a flash of light to properly grab the Legendisc. What's more is that this can be replicated with the toy.
Run, Isami! Run! Keep the disc away from them!
Toy-accurate transformations.
I can't help but find the Preds' lack of any and all facial movement when speaking (meaning, their mouths don't move at all) cheesy as all get out.
Whoa! The Legendisc is responding to Isami's outrage at the Predacons threatening to kill some children if he doesn't hang over the disc, and its using him as a vessel to scan new altmodes for the Samurai Team. What's more is that the fire truck he looks at/scans is similar to the one that Fire Convoy/Optimus Prime from Car Robots/RiD turned into.
Oh, so that's what the Japanese Abominus Predacons are. Gaidora used a matter alteration ability to turn five nearby automobiles into "Yami no Jaki" (Dark Jaki), who will combine in a "Jaki Gattai" (Jaki Combination) to form Goradora.
Kenzan has a skill-based fighting style, Jinbu's is based on speed, and Ganoh's is based on power.
Goradora is a BIG dude. This is why I want the new upscaled Predacon toys of Twinstrike, Windrazor, and their buddies to be able to combine into a large Abominus; so that it can be redecoed into a large Goradora. The Cyberverse toy is just too small to fight the Swordbot toys on a proper scale.
Isami's pleas to the Legendisc activate it to grant the Samurai Team the ability to combine.
"Sanjō Gattai! GoKenzan!"
GoKenzan quickly decombines Goradora with his attack, but Gaidora forcefully recombines Goradora, who attacks more swiftly. The Swordbots switch to GoJinbu, who defeats the villain yet again. Agitated, Gaidora reforms Goradora again and has him attack more brutally. To retaliate, the Bots switch to GoGanoh, who, predictably, overpowers Goradora. They then go back to GoKenzan who promptly slays the monster for good, and then goes in for Gaidora and Budora (were they seriously just standing there watching the whole time?).
And suddenly, we're in the past. Feudal Japan, where two armies prepare to face each other. To everyone's surprise, each army possesses a Legendisc! The one Isami still carries glows and brings them back to the present. Was that just a vision, or an actual temporal displacement of our heroes? Even they are unsure.
The Bots thank "Isami-dono" for their new lease on life, and explain that they are to fight against the Predacons, for they are the Super Robot Lifeforms known as "Transformers".
That night, at his home, Isami gets a call from, apparently, his friend, Tobio, who says that he too is involved in the fight, and shows us a quick look at his own Autobot allies, the Swordbot Shinobi Team. Naturally, Isami is overwhelmed by all that has transpired.
The ending theme has a nice ring to it. No lyrics, though.
Overall, a quick, fun, fast-paced, almost no-nonsense story that, while nothing special, was largely harmless and intriguing enough. Though the battle felt pretty predictable and a little awkward. Namely in that Gaidora pretty much emulates a Pokemon Trainer in commanding the Jaki and forming them into Goradora, rather than actually partaking in the fight himself. And Budora did even less, just standing there in the background the whole time and being all forgotten until Goradora's final defeat. The switching between combinations was an obvious attempt at toy advertisement, but such is to expected from as toyetic a franchise as Transformers. And while many may be put off by the complete and utter lack of any kind of facial expressions from the robots, I wasn't bothered by it too much. All in all, I'll look forward to more.
Shinobi 1:
Same opening footage as Samurai Volume episode 1
Judora and Bakudora do almost the same roars when they arrive at Nagoya Castle as they did when they awakened.
Boy, these two Preds are lot more lively, violent, and talkative than Judora and Gaidora are. Tobio's also more energetic than Isami, as well.
Why is is always human body moisture that activates the Sanjou Gattai?
And why does hitting the Oni Preds always trigger a vision of the past? What happens if the Preds hit each other? Do they get flashbacks too?
Okay, so Isami pretty much says here what he said in the other episode, but Tobio says different lines.
Samurai 2:
Gotta say, I think I much prefer the BGM score of the Samurai eps than that of the Shinobi eps. It just sounds so much more regal and victorious, with an air of sheer magnificence and power to it.
Well, that sure was quick. They modified the Tatewaki Dojo basement into a base in almost no time at all (if this is still the same first night from episode 1).
So, Optimus is like a "Dear, Princess Celestia"-type character like in Rescue Bots in this show too, eh?
So, there are five Legnediscs. Dragotron already has one, the two boys each have another, and the other two are in the past, as seen in the flashback from the two first episodes. Well, looks like they gotta go find the Preds and hit them again so they can go back in time again.
Wait, why did the two boys faint when Kenzan answered their question with a "Yes"?
Optimus tells Isami that he wants Isami to find the remaining Legendiscs and protect the Earth. Uh, Optimus? Why are you leaving Tobio out of this? He can hear you from where he is too, you know.
I wonder if that's a streak of Dark Energon the Predacons are using to light up their base. Also, that doesn't look too comfortable for their boss to be bound up like that.
What are those giant skeletal fish-like things we see right before we see the Predacon Mark?
What's so special about Akihabara Station that the power of the Legendisc from the past can be sensed there the strongest?
This is the first mention of the word "Autobot" in the whole show.
Hey, it's Bakudora with Budora! Guess they won't be sticking to assigned Predacons for each volume after all.
Aha! No sweat for combining this time!
There's some definite recycling of stock footage use in this one beyond simple attack and transformation sequences.
Uh oh, Musashi's going to strike Budora. Think he'll have a flashback to an even earlier point in time?
Huh, this time when GoJinbu struck Budora, it sent them all back to the present. Either way, it seems like "hitting a Pred = temporal slip" is gonna become a sort of running gag in this series.
Ha! Even the Swordbots comment on the sudden change in timeperiods with each time they attack a Predacon.
WHAT! They didn't get the Legendisc?! But they HAD it! You mean they seriously never picked it back up when it slipped away from Isami?! But Budora was still in the past last we saw. If he stayed behind, the disc is free for him to grab since the Autobots got sent back to the present prematurely. Lesson of the day, kids: Don't strike your opponent with your finisher until you make sure your objective is completed, for doing so too soon could send you to a different time before you get it done.
Yep, definitely love this music more than the Shinobi theme.
Also, this was a very Jinbu-centric episode. I'm guessing Ganoh will be the star of the next one, since Kenzan seemed to get enough lead time in the first one. And Shinobi episode 2 is probably gonna focus on Hishoumaru.
Last edited by Sabrblade on Thu Dec 25, 2014 8:19 pm, edited 29 times in total.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
BeastProwl wrote:Thats all well and good, and from what little I watched, I enjoyed. However, not everyone speaks japanese. Completely killed it for me.
Hence the subtitle links.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
I will try to post all episode release announcements in this thread from now on, so if you're interested in keeping up on the new episodes keep an eye on this thread!
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
BraveMax wrote:I will try to post all episode release announcements in this thread from now on, so if you're interested in keeping up on the new episodes keep an eye on this thread!
I know I will!
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Its cool. Its not the greatest thing ever though. No moving mouths. I mean, im not sure thats a complaint, in galaxy force it was like what, 2 frames of animation when they spoke? Im not sure wich I prefer though. Both are kinda iffy IMO, but passable.
The animation itself? Its fantastic compared to the energon/cybertron animation. However, did that punch look familiar to you? What about that whole scene? While the animation is good (I love that power punch the combined demon imps do) Its looped to cut costs quite a bit. Its not obnoxious like watching all the autobots transform for like a minute in energon then another minute for dveryone to powerlink, but its still there, in spades.
Its also formulaic. The first two episodes are practically the same, but with enough differences to not be identical, Im assuming its marketing. Hey kids! Pick your favorites!
The third episode was awesome. Following the pattern, im assuming ninja 2 will be similar, but with ninjas.
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
BeastProwl wrote:Its cool. Its not the greatest thing ever though. No moving mouths. I mean, im not sure thats a complaint, in galaxy force it was like what, 2 frames of animation when they spoke? Im not sure wich I prefer though. Both are kinda iffy IMO, but passable.
I find the lack of facial movement kinda funny. I mean, it reminds me an awful lot like how some costumed Tokusatsu characters are, whose faces remain static due to the nature of the masks worn by the actors. So, to me, this is like an animated Tokusatsu.
But, to be fair, this is a low budget mini-cartoon whose episodes are only 12 minutes long and are released once a month. If it were supposed to be a high end television cartoon, then I'd find the lack of facial movement to be cheap and lazy. But here, in this low end mini-series, it's okay.
As for Energon and Cybertron, the facial movement in this shows was mostly limited to "mouth open, mouth close".
BeastProwl wrote:The animation itself? Its fantastic compared to the energon/cybertron animation. However, did that punch look familiar to you? What about that whole scene? While the animation is good (I love that power punch the combined demon imps do) Its looped to cut costs quite a bit. Its not obnoxious like watching all the autobots transform for like a minute in energon then another minute for dveryone to powerlink, but its still there, in spades.
Yeah, but, again, it's not supposed to be top-notch. It's a short feature that's at least trying to work with what it has.
BeastProwl wrote:Its also formulaic. The first two episodes are practically the same, but with enough differences to not be identical, Im assuming its marketing. Hey kids! Pick your favorites!
Well, techically, they're both two separate "episode 1's" since there are two linear storylines running concurrent of one another. When something happens in the Samurai Volume, another similar thing happens in the Shinobi Volume at the same time, so there's bound to be some overlap and similarities.
I think it's safe to assume that the second Shinobi Team episode will have a similar plot to the second Samurai Team episode, with the Shinobi Team getting their orders from Optimus at their base (while the Samurai Team and Isami communicate with via a computer monitor), going back in time to get the next Legendisc, meeting a famous historical figure, fighting Gaidora and Judora (since the Samurai Team fought Budora and Bakudora), as well as fighting another Goradora, and then being sent back home without having gotten the disc.
It does make me kinda wish both first episodes came out at the same time instead of a month apart, since the Shinobi Volume is now a month behind the Samurai Volume, and the gap between the two would make the Shinobi Volume too easy to predict.
BeastProwl wrote:The third episode was awesome. Following the pattern, im assuming ninja 2 will be similar, but with ninjas.
Yep. More than likely.
BTW, which subs did you view? METAsubs or TV-Nihon?
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Metasubs. it lets me download straight to my PS3. it seemed legit, the only error I found was the "Equipping Kabuto" then being changed to "Equipping Helm" thing, wich im assuming was a correction.
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
BeastProwl wrote:Metasubs. it lets me download straight to my PS3. it seemed legit, the only error I found was the "Equipping Kabuto" then being changed to "Equipping Helm" thing, wich im assuming was a correction.
Ah yes. It's not really an error, but something that was changed on purpose since, even though the helmets worn by the Bots are called "Kabuto" helmets, they decided to change it to something simpler.
TV-Nihon, however, keeps it as "Equip Kabuto helm!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
There's no Shinobi Volume episode this month, but next month will have one. Weird.
Conversely, though there is a Samurai Volume episode this month, there isn't one coming next month. Could they be trying to stretch out the longevity of the series?
Predictably, this month's episode focuses on Ganoh. It also features Budora, Bakudora, and... a Goradora black recolor!
This month's episode will also have the Samurai Team meeting another historical figure: Sakamoto Ryouma ("Sakamoto" is his surname).
And, there's an opening theme song and an ending theme song (FINALLY!). The opening is titled "TRANSFORMERS-Go!" and the ending is "Sanjou Gattai! Hero!"
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"So many hobbies. So little time. So let's get started!"
I've been enjoying the series, and the toyline brings back memories of the last time Takara(Tomy) would take the Transformers series off in their own direction.
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
LOST Cybertronian wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:Predictably, this month's episode focuses on Ganoh. It also features Budora, Bakudora, and... a Goradora black recolor!
Kinda like this one we saw a while back
I forgot all about that!
EDIT: Aw, wait. Looking back on that pic's old thread, it might have just been a blacked out photoshop of the toy to hide his final deco (since the actual toy colors hadn't yet been officially revealed back then).
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
I'll update the first post to include these links.
Here are my comments on Samurai episode 3 -
Man, I LOVE this new opening.
Cool! A unigue title card for this one.
Isami speaks the term "Legendisc" to his grandfather. I wonder if Gramps is in on the Autobots' mission with Isami.
Optimus states that Dragotron is in the process of being revived. That was quick.
The Ginza Cybertron Satellite gets a shout out here.
"Time Slip Point" is the term used to refer to the location where the Time Slip is to occur.
Man, Ryouma's a jerk. Also, the sound affect of his sword striking his opponent's head sounds more like that of when his sword struck the opponent's sword. What, is the guy's head made of wood or something?
Ryouma possesses the green Legendisc.
It's time to duel.
Huh, it's the exact same Pred duo from last episode. I expected Budora, but he's still with Bakudora. Did they ever even return to the present at all?
Why is Isami surprised to see the Preds here? He should know that they can Time Slip too, since he saw them in the past last episode.
Why are the Swordbots repeating their episode 1 introductions when they did not do that last time?
Black Jaki Gattai!
It looks like Bakudora uses his beast mode hands in robot mode.
Booyah! GoGanoh done did in the black Goradora!
Oh come on! Not again! They had the disc, it slipped through their fingers, and then the Predacon-bashing-induced Time Slip stopped them. This is getting ridiculous.
Well, at least the Preds didn't get the disc, since they apparently got sent away in the confusion as well. The disc itself has also vanished.
Like the opening, the new ending is pretty good too.
Another fun one, but the constant near-missing of the Legendisc at the last minute is starting to wear thin.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Great Idea, yet pretty much everything else in this series is a disaster. Episodes are short and are pretty much more a slide show. We have one recap after another. CGI considering time period between this and Energon is as bad, also. They turn Predacons into so kind of a Team Rocket. I watched so far 2 episodes, and the second was in 50% the same like the first one and 40% was a using already used animation sequences.
Energon at least have some kind of interesting story and nice looking characters (At least if they don't move) For me, this series have everything what is needed to be consider the worst series in franchise's history.
What is love? Baby don't hurt me, Don't hurt me, no more.
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
TurboMMaster wrote:Great Idea,
What is?
TurboMMaster wrote:yet pretty much everything else in this series is a disaster.
Are you saying this because you expect it to be of the same caliber as a Transformers television series? If so, your expectations are too high.
TurboMMaster wrote:Episodes are short
So?
TurboMMaster wrote:and are pretty much more a slide show. We have one recap after another.
TurboMMaster wrote:I watched so far 2 episodes, and the second was in 50% the same like the first one and 40% was a using already used animation sequences.
In other words, you only watched episode 1A and episode 1B, which are supposed to share footage since they take place at the exact same time.
TurboMMaster wrote:CGI considering time period between this and Energon is as bad, also.
This CGI is far better than what Energon had to offer. At least the movements of the bots look fluid and flexible, unlike the stiffness of Energon's animation.
TurboMMaster wrote:They turn Predacons into so kind of a Team Rocket.
You haven't been Pokemon in recent years, have you?
TurboMMaster wrote:Energon at least have some kind of interesting story
Does not compute. Does not compute.
TurboMMaster wrote:and nice looking characters (At least if they don't move) For me, this series have everything what is needed to be consider the worst series in franchise's history.
Two words: Cyber Missions.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
Revised the OP's description of the show to include backstory info from the series' prologue, while trimming down the cartoon info.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
triKlops wrote:Very informative thread Sabr!
Thanks. Trying to both get more attention for it so it can stay up with the Prime and Rescue Bots official threads, as well as to help keep people up to speed on the subtitled releases.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
Edited the glossary to be a be a bit more grammatically consistent. Still have more revisions to be made to it, though.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Motto:"Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
Going to make some significant changes to the first post's glossary later today.
In the meantime, however, TV-Nihon has finally subbed episode 2 of the Shinobi Volume, which I've posted links to. Going to watch that now.
Shinobi 2 -
Man, I love this opening theme! Never gets old!
Heh, the Shinobi Team built a base under Tobio's house like the Samurai Team at Isami's. and the conversation between Tobio and Gekisoumaru about it is nothing short of hilarious:
Tobio: "What's this?!" Gekisoumaru: "The entrance to the underground base." Tobio: "Underground base?" Gekisoumaru: "Well, we need a base." Tobio: "But... when did you do this?!" Gekisoumaru: "Something like this is a piece of cake for us."
Never question a matter-of-fact Autobot lion ninja master builder, kids.
Hey, in Samurai pisode 2, only Isami said "The past" while Tobio said "You mean back in time?", while here they both say "The past?" and the second line isn't spoken at all.
Okay, this time the kids fall over after Hishoumaru says that they cannot perform a Time Slip, but Samurai 2 had Kenzan say that they could.
Hmm, Judora seems to be acting particularly suspicious regarding his inquiries of the Legendiscs' power and the status of Dragotron's recovery.
Whoa, Sensuimaru can phase through solid matter as though it were a liquid.
Neat! This time it's the Predacons who activate the Time Slip into the past as they attempt to take the present day one instead of using Dragotron's embedded disc to go into the past themselves.
The guest of the day here is Tobio's ancestor, Kotarō Fūma. He possesses the yellow Legendisc.
As expected, Tobio (an amateur ninja) gets his butt handed to him by his ancestor (a ninja master).
He also gets told off on his use of trickery and deception. Heh.
The Jaki are back to being referred as "Yami no Jaki-domo".
Gekisoumaru calls out the name of his whip: The "Bibbitobyūto" or "Vivit Bute", translated here as "Intimidation Whip".
And Sensuimaru uses a new attack: "Oobirei Jūji Shuriken", meaning "Giant Fin Cross Shuriken".
Chronologically-speaking, this the first instance of a Black Jaki Gattai.
Cool. Goradora can fire energy blasts from his Garara hand.
Wait, is Tobio actually gonna keep the new Legendisc this time? Isami's gonna have to step us his game, if he does.
Hey, it's GoSensui who's formed this time, despite Gekisoumaru being the one to speak his name first in the process.
GoSensui's Sanjou Ninpou is "Sensui Resshou", translated here as "Diving Burst Palm". It's essentially a water-based Kamehameha.
Again, Gekisoumaru speaks first, but it's GoHishou who's formed here.
GoHishou's Sanjou Ninpou is "Shoufuu Ranbu", translated here is "Soaring Wind Dance". It is a drill made out of a tornado. Nice!
Oh sweet! The Time Slip was undone by GoHishou striking the Predacons, but with Tobio NOT losing the Legendisc. Score one for the good guys!
WHAT WHAAAAAT!!!! You HAD it Tobio! You didn't lose it! Yet you say that it's now GONE! ARGH!!! How and why did it stay behind on its own when it was safe and sound in Tobio's possession! AAHHH!
Boo. The Time Slip itself shook the disc into another time period. Bah!
Whoa. Next episode preview shows that episode 3 of the Shinobi Volume takes place even after episode 4 of Samurai Volume, with Dragotron already revived and a new warrior showing up.
Well, aside from that bothersome business with the Legendisc disappearing on its own at the end, this was another fun one. A bit more action packed than most, which is always a plus. More new attacks are also welcome, and we got a fair lesson about justice and honor. Plus some small bits of characterization for Judora.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
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