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Scale

2008-05-20T14:54:47Z

24.237.84.111: /* Variation for characterization */

[[Image:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|thumb|300px|And the truck's ''how'' big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

Virtually no era, franchise, fiction, [[toy|toyline]] or other incarnation of ''Transformers'' has presented scale in a logical or believable fashion. (The only exceptions are the 1:24 toys for ''[[Alternators]]'' and ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'', but they [[Atari Hitotonari|have their own problems]].) Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process fanwank themselves into oblivion.

However, the scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

==Scale within toylines==
===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
The early [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1 toyline]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] lines, were repackaged and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toylines. The crucial point is that the toylines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale to each other as they all have real-world altmodes that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale to each other, but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Bumblebee (G1)|Volkswagen Beetle]] Microman toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)|Porsche 935]] Diaclone toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with [[minibot]]s such as [[Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray]] (a hovercraft) who should be many times their actual size.

[[Image:DiacloneScale.jpg|left|thumb|350px|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker]]s, who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Correctly scaled, this would make their robot modes ''colossal'' compared to most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

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===Toys out of scale within teams===
Even toys specifically designed to interact with each other suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon]]s are wildly out of scale to each other — [[Blast Off]]'s space shuttle mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Among the Constructicons, [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is designed to look like a gigantic [[Wikipedia:Image:Liebherr_t282_1.jpg|"earth-mover" mining truck]].He should be able to carry all his teammates in his bed, with some crowding. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a Concorde jet) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

===Same altmode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) altmodes but whose toys are different sizes. For example [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] transforms into an F-15 Eagle, but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the Lamborghini Countach [[Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City]] combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[Triple Changer|Triple-Changers]] create a whole new set of problems. [[Octane]] transforms from a 20 m (60') tanker truck into a 65 m (200') jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth jet into an entire ''aircraft carrier.''

Even a two-mode toy can have this problem. Twentieth Anniversary Optimus Prime has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions.

===Toys with roleplay altmodes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be human-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with [[Megatron (G1) toys|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing (Not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica"...).

===Fanciful altmodes===
Most post-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] Generation 1 characters (for that matter, most post-Generation 1 lines) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertonian vehicles whose size we don't really know. (Or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all.) The scale of characters such as [[Hot Rod]] or [[Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters in the fiction (although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard, see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for human passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome]] and [[Lightspeed (Technobot)|Lightspeed]] suggests the combiner scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the citybot and planetbot toys (Such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge Hasbro not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

===An exception===
There has only been one notable exception to all of this scale weirdness in the toys: the ''[[Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus they are in perfect scale with each other. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limits the choice of altmodes. A Blast Off (space shuttle) Alternator toy would be 1.6 m (5.1') long, while a Broadside (aircraft carrier) Alternator toy would be over 12 m (40').

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation errors]], such as layering problems,<sup>[[:Image:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:Image:Huge_Ironhide_and_Small_Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:Image:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]]</sup> but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[Image:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]

[[Image:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Actually, [[Kiss Players|disturbing Slash fiction]] is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

''Transformers'' fiction often depicts characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows Prime, Megatron and Soundwave as about the same height, Seekers and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Minibot]]s as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the Marvel Comics portrayed the Pretenders as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having Landmine and Cloudburst encounter gigantic alien organics on other worlds, who regarded 60-foot humans as entirely normal.
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[[Image:Omegagrab.jpg|right|thumb|I know he's meant to be ''big'', but holy crap, dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most [[Minibot]]s, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the toy Galvatron is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realise that a redco of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode.

[[Image:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]

[[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes. Within the animation, this causes problems with their Mini-Con partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Galaxy Force]]'' release of Metroplex, dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to indicate the "correct" scale.

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''Beast Wars'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is Optimus Primal, who has an Ultra toy (almost twice the size of the next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both Dinobot and Rhinox. Further, Cheetor and Tigatron's toys use the same mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys.

The ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the Maximals featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], is the ''shortest'' toy, while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a massive Ultra-class toy. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, Air Attack [[Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the King Kong-like size of this toy became canon [[Prime_Spark|in one specific]] [[micro-continuity]].)

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[Image:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|thumb|left|175px|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll . . .]]

[[Image:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|thumb|200px|right|. . . too late.]]

Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes.

The [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, Rumble and Frenzy vary in height relative to Soundwave. A panel in the [[Time Wars]] shows [[Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his [[Command Performances|original appearance]], shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. Fortress Maximus suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer.
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[[Image:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blasty Zone adds on a few tons to [[Beast Era]] characters.]]

Between the [[Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably [[Maximal Upgrade|downgraded in size]]. When entering the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] -- but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the ''Ark'' and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the Maximals are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet he ''Ark'' also seems to feature some human-sized control panels, such as the computer in [[Master Blaster]]. Without any height booster, Blackarachnia can interface well with these controls.

On the other hand, ''[[Robot Masters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blasty Zone]] may somehow [[Wikipedia:Boom tube#Later Additions to the Concept|account for this discrepancy]].
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===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
Blaster becomes a human-size radio; Megatron shrinks into a Transformer-scaled handgun. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the reader to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the Pretenders are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, Grimlock, Bumblebee, and Jazz in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in Powermaster Optimus Prime's hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized. ''[[Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[More Than Meets The Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size when transforming in a less explicit fashion. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size changing by that portion of the fanbase who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice.

====Transport characters====
[[Image:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]

In the orginal cartoon, Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as Astrotrain, Skyfire, and Cosmos, will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than Blaster in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as Cyclonus, Thrust or Huffer carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even Omega Supreme, who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In [[Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?|one story]], the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored.
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====Combiner characters====
[[Image:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Since when is a sedan nine stories tall?]]

[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[That big green, fire-snortin' lizard|Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd. ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner.)

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be only twice as tall as a one-car Transformer, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for (e.g.) the Seekers to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.
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===Undersized alternate modes===
[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]

Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. They are usually are depicted as smaller than other Transformers in the fiction, even when their alternate modes should have [[Warpath (G1)|them]] [[Seaspray|towering]] [[Powerglide|over]] other characters. This often results in miniscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows.

The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot-mode, but they transform into equally-tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes.

Despite this, the Marvel comic featured Roadhandler carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized cars. The Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to more easily interact with "smaller beings". It does not explain the Micromasters' passenger compartments, which are obviously much too small to accommodate the "[[human|smaller beings]]".

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers. (Notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock]], and [[High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances.) In this continuity, there's no sign of mini-passengers. The Mini-Cons scan normal vehicles and then resize them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing, or that their cockpits are kinda cramped.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the Vehicons in [[Beast Machines]]), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[Image:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|If you were ever ''this'' big in the cartoon, ''then'' we might call you a city.]]

The characters [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Trypticon]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a city-bot that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' transformers, should have a robot-mode that'd make [[Hojoni|Godzilla]] look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. However, the grossly-undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) would be closer to the size of a transformed city; in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These city-bots often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt]], [[Six Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot-mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters.
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====Planets and planetbots====
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|250px|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is only the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge ''France'' into that gash. (Which would probably improve both Cybertron and France.)]]

Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout Generation 1 with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.'' style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150km (100 miles) across. By comparison, the rather [http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/coruscant/index.html Coruscant]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable.

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[[Image:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Either [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvy]] is humungo, or [[Lithone]] is ''tiiinyyy!!!'']]

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. Scenes in the ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]]'' in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm]] on his fingernail ([[On the Edge of Extinction|in the comic]]), or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. If Unicron is the size of a planet, his hands would be the size of continents. This would make Galvatron (in the image to the right) the size of Great Britain.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing [[Sideways|one of them]]. Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[Image:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|thumb|right|I'm tellin' ya, ''all'' da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]

Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other, their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, ''most'' of the characters are subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rattrap]] is a monstrously huge rat, the size of a large dog (indeed, the writers stated<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref> that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall). [[Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real velociraptor, closer in size to a ''[[Wikipedia: Utahraptor|Utahraptor]]''. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros, and [[Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal gorilla. However, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] is a tiny specimen of T. rex (Perhaps a ''[[wikipedia:Nanotyrannus|Nanotyrannus]]''? ).

In their interactions with adult [[protohuman]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[Image:Prime has a huge head.jpg|thumb|left|150px|If you pretend Fortress Maximus is Optimus Prime and Smaalest Transforming
Transformers Ravage is Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]

Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character.

Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states he's 15' tall{{fact}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker]]s should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair. (And also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult.)

In a related vein, [[B.O.T.|sometimes]] Transformers are sometimes able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and able to run up their staircases without crashing through. A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things.

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====Intentionally strange scale====
[[Image:MarvelUS-01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Wikipedia:White Rabbit (song)|One side makes you larger]], [[Wikipedia:Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|one side makes you small]]. (Op's been noshing on the first side too much.)]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size intentionally. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (comic issue)|first issue]] of [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Generation 1]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge, compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars. ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too.) This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/bible/index.html World of the TRANSFORMERS]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere.
[[Image:World_of_the_Transformers_ent.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Meet the Supreme class <strike>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</strike> Optimus Primal.]]
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===The 2007 ''Transformers'' movie===
[[Image:Moviescale1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]

The creators of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues. (Well, greater than previous franchises.) This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. The movie-franchise toys, meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), though many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale.
{{-}}

==Official Scale Guides ==
[[Image: tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|thumb|Official Scale Guides]] Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guide ''[[Transformers:_The_Ark|Transformers: The Ark]].'' Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.
{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

==References==
<references/>

{{-}}
[[Category: Biology]]
[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Planets]]
[[Category: Technology]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Sparkplug Witwicky

2008-05-18T16:32:13Z

24.237.84.111: /* Trivia */

{{Template:disambig3|Sparkplug}}{{picsneeded}}

:''Sparkplug is a [[human]] and friend to the [[Autobot]]s from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SparkplugG1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I fought in [[W.A.R.S.|WARS]], kid.]]

'''William''' (or '''Irving''', possibly William Irving or Irving William) '''"Sparkplug" Witwicky''' led a very, very interesting life for a working-class guy from [[Oregon]] with little formal education.

He has an indeterminate number of sons ([[Spike Witwicky|Spike]], [[Buster Witwicky|Buster]] and "[[Butch Witwicky|Butch]]") which varies depending on the continuity.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Malabar'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''William “Gyertya” Witwicky'''

==Fiction==
{{charstubfiction}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
In his younger days, William "Sparkplug" Witwicky was a Sergeant in the [[United States Military|US Marines]]. Later in life, he was a mechanic who owned [[Witwicky Auto Repairs|his own service station]].

A P.O.W. during the Korean War, Sparkplug was forced to repair the North Koreans' equipment. However, he secretly sabotaged that same equipment, leading to personnel and material losses for the North Koreans. After being kidnapped by the Decepticons, he was instructed by Megatron to develop a process that would convert Earthen gasoline into fuel they could consume. Sparkplug drew on his memories of his time as a mechanic in the Korean War, recalling an instance where he had sabotaged the enemy vehicles' fuel and brake lines, and did the same to the Decepticons, poisoning their fuel and allowing the Autobots to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. However, before this heroic act could come to light, many of the Autobots believed that Sparkplug had betrayed them, and an over-reactive Jazz let loose with his flamethrower. Although Sparkplug wasn't injured by the weapon itself, he did suffer a heart attack. He was much less friendly with the Autobots thereafter. {{Storylink|The_Last_Stand|The Last Stand}}

Much later, his service station was destroyed by [[Ratbat]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s. It is never established whether or not he rebuilt the station.

{{note|Sometimes Sparkplug identified himself as William Witwicky, but other times he identified himself as Irving Witwicky. The most likely answer is that his full name is William Irving Witwicky (or Irving William Witwicky).}}

===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Chris Latta]] (US), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japan), [[Edgar Fruitier]] (French Canadian)

At some unspecified point in the past, Sparkplug Witwicky worked as a [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma|ruby crystal miner in Burma]], of all things.

In 1984, he and and his son Spike were working on an offshore oil rig. The day was like any other day, with Sparkplug asking his son to help him flush out a drill bit. Before they could carry out their task, [[Decepticon|giant robots]] descended from the sky and landed on the oil rig, and with no provocation, were almost immediately attacked by Sparkplug's coworkers. Regardless, their intentions became clear when Sparkplug himself was pinned against a wall by [[Rumble (G1)|a small purple robot]], who then threw Spike overboard when he tried to help his father. Freeing himself from the robot's clutches, Sparkplug dived into the water after his son. While the rig workers hid in the ocean, [[Autobot|another group of giant robots]] arrived and fought with the group of robots who were stealing oil from the rig. The leader of the evil robots destroyed the rig and set fire to the oil tanks as a diversion while he escaped. {{Storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Image:MTMtE Part2 TeaParty.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Another crumpet, Mr. Car?]]

The good robots, calling themselves the Autobots, saved the oil rig workers from a fate exactly the same as death. Grateful, Sparkplug and Spike happily latched on to the friendly alien robots, offering up their expertise and knowledge about planet Earth in exchange for joining the team. After the Autobots failed to stop the evil Decepticons at [[Sherman Dam]], Sparkplug, Spike and [[Trailbreaker]] had a tea party in the woods, ostensibly so they could eavesdrop on the nearby Decepticon base. After finding out that the evil robots intended to attack the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, Sparkplug opined that he preferred being a spy to his old job at the oil rig, which was just as well, given the fact he was now unemployed. Later, Sparkplug's prior experience in the Burma mines came in handy when the Autobots needed to plant an explosive device inside the mine. As he left with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Sparkplug declared that their mission was for both the fortunes of Cybertron and Earth. Moments later, they were caught in the explosion and buried alive. Oops. {{Storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

Fortunately, they were saved. Later, both father and son volunteered for the Autobot attack on the Decepticon space cruiser. After Optimus Prime failed to stop the cruiser, Sparkplug tried to reassure the Autobot leader that he'd done all that anybody could do. Subsequently, the Decepticons were apparently defeated when their ship crashed into the sea, so Sparkplug and Spike were to join the Autobots as they went home to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], with fuel from the grateful nations of Earth. {{Storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

[[Image:G1_Transport_RatchetSparkplug_fixingIronhide.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Now ''where'' is that tumor?]]

For some reason, this did not pan out, and neither the Autobots nor Sparkplug and his son went anywhere. As their livelihoods had been destroyed, the Witwickys seemed to move into the ''Ark'' and were almost constantly hanging out with the Autobots. After the Autobots failed to stop the Decepticons at the local solar power station, Sparkplug helped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] repair the stubborn old [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. Later, Sparkplug stopped the trigger-happy Ironhide from blowing up a shuttle full of Decepticon [[energon cube]]s, as he was the only one who bothered to remember the fact that Spike had been captured to pilot the shuttle through the [[Space Bridge]]. {{Storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

{{quote|I'm a mechanic! I know what I'm doing!|A mind-controlled Sparkplug states his credentials, [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1]]}}

[[Image:UltimateDoom1_SparkplugslapsSpike.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Disrespecting little brat! OBEY YOUR DADDY!]]

Sparkplug was kidnapped by the Decepticons as a test subject for [[Doctor Arkeville]] and turned to their side by the doctor's mind control chips. The Decepticons allowed the Autobots to free Sparkplug so he could sabotage [[Teletraan 1]], which gave them an easy means to attack the Autobot headquarters. Spike confronted his father over the apparent betrayal, and Sparkplug appealed to his son to join the Decepticons. When Spike refused, Sparkplug declared that the next time they met, it would be as enemies. {{Storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} This caused Spike much emotional pain, until the Autobots found a way to use sound waves to counter the chips and bring the true Sparkplug back. {{Storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

In an effort to show his friend Wheeljack that the Autobot wasn't the only inventor in the ''Ark'', Sparkplug once managed to take spare Autobot parts and put them together to make a functioning robot called [[Autobot X]]. Once activated, the mindless robot immediately bashed in everything and everyone in sight. After Spike was injured in a battle with the Decepticons, they formulated a plan to transfer Spike's mind into Autobot X while his human body was worked upon by surgeons. Sparkplug regretted this decision, as it drove Spike insane. Only the love Sparkplug had for his son prevented "Autobot Spike" from joining the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Autobot Spike}}

[[Image:DesertionDinos1_SparkpluginaSuit.jpg|thumb|right|170px|A suit? Who are you, and what have you done with my father?!]]

Sparkplug was pleased as punch when his son went out with [[Carly]], because she was clearly out of Spike's league. {{Storylink|The Immobilizer}} Later, Sparkplug left on a ''mysterious'' trip that required him to wear a suit. Upon his arrival at the airport, he was greeted by Spike, Carly and Bumblebee. The suit was never seen again. His canny spy skills were called into use again when he ego-stroked the arrogant [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] into helping the Autobots secure their much-needed [[Cybertonium]] from the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

As the Autobots expanded their operations, they installed a small urban base in [[New York]] City, concealed behind an auto-repair garage operated by Sparkplug. In the aftermath of the failed Decepticon plan to use stolen cars as robot drones, Sparkplug bemoaned the fact it would take weeks for himself, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Ratchet and Wheeljack to return the cars to normal functionality. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} When Megatron unleashed [[Kremzeek]] onto the Autobots, Sparkplug was the first to realize the electrically based creature scrambled Autobot circuits and would thus be repelled by an insulating compound sprayed on the remaining Autobots. While those few left for [[Japan]] to chase after the creature, the hapless Sparkplug was left with the unenviable task of reactivating the other Autobots left behind. {{Storylink|Kremzeek!}}

{{note|Sparkplug appears throughout Seasons 1 and 2 of the cartoon, but does not appear in the Movie, set 20 years later, nor is he ever seen or mentioned after that. His fate remains unrevealed.}}

{{-}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
Sparkplug discovered a critical weakness in the Decepticons' circuits that would allow the Autobots to destroy them once and for all. However, the Decepticons discovered this and came after Sparkplug, who fled to the hills to hide. This eventually led to an Alamo-like standoff with a small group of Autobots holding off the Decepticon army from the shelter of a cave for two days while they waited for relief to arrive, with Sparkplug performing the makeshift repair work to keep them running.

The paper on which Sparkplug had the specifics of the weakness was ruined in the battle. He could re-create the research, but the Decepticons would be able to change the design of their circuits while he did so. Still, at least it would keep them out of trouble for a while! {{Storylink|Battle Drive}}

While tinkering in his lab, Sparkplug invented the [[Sun-Pak]], a powerful solar battery that threatened to change the balance of power between the Autobots and the Decepticons. [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] spies forced them to flee the testing range through a series of caves, and Sparkplug later rescued [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] from [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], using a gun that caused Kickback to short out and return to tiny size.

Sparkplug suffered memory damage and was unable to re-create the Sun-Pak after the prototype was destroyed.
{{Storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Sparkplug was one of the humans chosen to accompany the Autobots back to Cybertron, but was killed in 1999 when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:FFoD01CastSparkplug.jpg|100px|thumb|Conspiracy?]]

* Although the [[Production Bible]] states that he is a widower, no mention ever seems to be made of him ever having had a wife.
That ought to make some very interesting fanfictions.

*Sparkplug is mentioned in the [[Sunbow]] episode cast list for "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]". Whether this was in error or if he originally had a part in the episode is unknown.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witwicky, Sparkplug}}
[[Category: Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Humans]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Megatron (G1)/toys

2008-05-18T16:17:56Z

24.237.84.111: /* Generation 1 */

Many toys have been made of '''[[Generation 1]] [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'''. So many, they have to get their own page!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Megatron''' (Decepticon Leader, 1984, 2001, 2002, 2007)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''16'''
[[Image:G1Megatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|This photo needs an orange cap or someone might shoot the wiki.]]

: Megatron was released in 1984 as part of the first year of the ''Transformers'' line in the United States. It transformed into a Walther P-38 pistol, as seen in the popular 1960s spy television series ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'', with attachments to make the "U.N.C.L.E carbine" (scope, barrel extension / silencer and stock)<ref>https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum/spy-fi-archives/item08.html</ref>. It was originally released in [[Takara]]'s [[Microman]] toyline as "MC13 Gun Robo - P38 U.N.C.L.E." The Japanese release didn't come with the attachments. While the American release was chrome and red, the Japanese release was flat gray and blue (one of the Microman decos for the standard P-38).

The toy is infamous for having a trigger where his...well, in an unfortunate place and generally being an awkward, waddling
stick mutant. He is so highly valued because his character was way more awesome.

: In 1986, Megatron was made available as a mail-away item (since he was theoretically no longer shipping to retail shelves) in the [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed in with boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $21.50 and five [[robot points]].

: The flat gray and blue deco Megatron was also used in the Japanese VS-X giftset with Optimus Prime.

:It was released in gray and red with Starscream in the Good-Bye Megatron set. This time, it came with his [[fusion cannon]]. (The boxart for this set was recolored blue to match the colors Megatron finally was not in Japan. Oops.)

:In 2001, Megatron was reissued in Japan, and came with all of the American and Japanese accessories. A "black" redeco (mainly replacing the silver chrome with a darker gunmetal) was released the same year, initially available at BotCon Japan.

:Megatron was again reissued in 2002 in Takara's Transformer Collection series. This release was identical to the previous reissue, but included the energon mace used in the episode "[[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]", a sheet of Decepticon stickers, and a Decepticon mouse pad.

:The toy was reissued yet again in 2007 as part of the "Transformers Encore" line.

*'''Galvatron''' (Decepticon [[City Commander]], 1986)
:''See [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]''

*'''Megatron (Action Master)''' (1990)
[[Image:AMMegatron_toy.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Megatron, now with purple.]]

:Megatron returned as an ''[[Action Master]]'' in 1990, and as with most ''Action Master'' figures, he could not transform. His sculpt was based heavily upon the Megatron's animation model design. He came packaged with the [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]], a large tank vehicle whose hull could transform into a base/gun emplacement, with the turret forming a flight pod.

===Generation 2===
*'''Megatron''' (1992)
[[Image:G2Megatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|G2 Megatron is always ready for tank combat in one of Earth's many green and purple jungles.]]

: Owing to the inability of Hasbro to re-release the original Megatron because that toy was a pistol, ''Generation 2'' Megatron was released in 1992 as a large green M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. His main gimmick was a 'lock and load' cannon that can load most of his projectile ammunition, and then fire them one at a time. This was accompanied by electronic sounds (including engine, laser and cannon sound effects) and [http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=894768596.wav a voice chip].

: In robot mode, Megatron is by the standards of the time, a very large robot, towering over all ''Generation 2'' incarnations of Optimus Prime. His legs were immobile, but he had upper shoulder rotation and elbow joints. His left arm, when raised, activates a laser sound. Pressing down on his head activates his battlecry '''"Megatron Attack!"'''. His main cannon still functions in this mode.

This mold was slightly redecoed (with new stickers) as [[Megastorm]].

*'''Hero Megatron''' (1995)
:''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-2'''
[[Image:R_heromegatron016.jpg|right|thumb|90px|By this point, the purple had almost completely taken over his body.]]

:Megatron was released again the following year as "Hero" Megatron: a smaller, but similarly styled tank based off the M1 Abrams. This Megatron was purple and came with a bellows that fired an air-propelled missile.

: Hero Megatron was designed with articulation in mind, so he was loaded with multiple swivel and universal joints, giving him far greater movement compared to his original ''Generation 2'' toy.

: This toy was released in Europe, albeit with "MEGATRON RULES"-free blank chest sticker, as [[Archforce]]. It was also [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID)|Bludgeon]] in 2003.

*'''Megatron''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
: Megatron was released in a third form, "Go-Bot" Megatron. This was a minor repaint of the previously released [[Blowout (G2)|Blowout]] mold, substituting silver for transparent gray plastic.

: In Japan, his hood was tampographed with a stylized T, with the Transformers logo set within.

*'''Unreleased'''
[[Image:G2CombatHeroMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|90px|I AM POWERED BY UNOBTAINIUM!]]
:There were a few unreleased Megatron toys in the G2 line. The first was the Megatron ATB (with Starscream), a recolor of the [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] mold. The ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' [[BB]] and [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] used a very similar deco. A second toy was a recolor of the Hero mold in a gray deco with black camouflage stripes. The third toy was a [[flipchanger]], later used in 1997 as Machine Wars Megatron and [[Megaplex (MW)|Megaplex]] (see below).

{{-}}

===Machine Wars===
* '''Megatron''' (1997)
[[Image:MWMegatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|And that's why Thundercracker turned green.]]

: This toy was redecoed from an unreleased ''Generation 2'' flipchanger Megatron.
: Oddly, The [[Machine Wars]] stock photos (and even the boxart) portray Megatron as the gray F-22 jet and [[Megaplex]] as the blue one, the opposite of the actual toys. This means that either the package designers made the mistake, or the toys were displayed on the wrong cards. The latter is more likely since gray is more associated with Megatron than blue. Like most other toys in the line, the boxart was recycled from an earlier figure, in this case from the [[Predator]] [[Falcon (G1)|Falcon]].
{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
[[Image:TFC09Megs.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Star''screeeeam!!!'']]
* '''Starscream''' ("anime" version)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''TFC-09'''

: The [[Transformers Collection]] [[reissue]] of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] with a notionally more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] [[redeco]] included an original accessory, a G1-[[scale|scaled]] representation of Megatron in his Walther P-38 altmode. Needless to say, he doesn't transform (well, maybe not quite [[Smallest Transforming Transformers|''needless to say'']]), but he is designed to be capable of being "held" by Starscream... in both modes!
[[Image:TFC09ScreamerHoldingMegs.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Sometimes I just... want to be held.]]
: Megatron's handle splits apart to reveal a peg, which can be inserted into a secondary specialized right hand included with Starscream especially for this purpose. While the gun's peg slots into the hand, the hand itself features an additional peg that slots into the corresponding hole in the other half of the gun. This leads to a rather ugly result, as the halves do not sit flush to Screamer's rounded fist, and since the handgrip is now merely positioned on either side of the fist rather than replacing it (by, y'know, ''gripping''), it gives the appearance of Megs having a double-length handle. Also, given the design, it is only compatible with Starscream; none of the other the Decepticons can hold him ([[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] is ''pissed'')... buuut, [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]] can! Despite the broader shortcomings of the compatibility of this accessory with other figures, the set does rather considerately include a similarly-modified "pegged" hand for the classic G1 Prime toy.

: Slightly more effective is the method of attaching to Starscream's jet mode. The right-hand side of Megs' butt features a square peggy thing which is designed to fit snugly in either of Starscream's "boob exhausts", as in [[S.O.S. Dinobots|that one episode where he does just that]]. Or, alternatively, he could still do it in robot mode if he fancied, wearing his hated leader like a rather macabre and oversized brooch.

: Unfortunately, this peg has, for no fathomable reason, been cast in the same sky blue color as Screamer's hands, unnecessarily making it ''as obtrusive as humanly possible''.
{{-}}

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
*'''Megatron''' (2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF 07'''
[[Image:STFMegatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|'''Not''' 20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] gun.]]

: ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Megatron was released in 2004, including only his fusion cannon. Its other attachments were planed to be released, but were scrapped as the line was eventually canceled. He is a simplified version of his original toy, yet retains most of his articulation.

: A VS-X homage set was also released the same year, packed with a ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' Optimus Prime figure.

{{-}}

===Robot Masters===
* '''Reverse Convoy (Rebirth Megatron)''' (Deluxe, 2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-24'''

[[Image:RMReverseConvoy_toy.jpg|right|thumb|My Convoy counterpart is nearby. Real nearby.]]

: A [[retool]] of the ''Generation 2'' Hero Megatron, [[Robot Masters]]' Reverse Convoy features an all-new cannon, a new Convoy head (where Megatron's head used to be), and a new Megatron head that flips out from behind the cannon. The cannon fires a [[missile]] when the barrel is pulled back. The back of the cannon also detaches and can form a hand-held weapon.
{{-}}

===Titanium===
*'''Megatron''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumGIJoeHeroesMegatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|THE BOX OF DOOM.]]

:The first 6" [[Titanium Series]] Megatron toy was inspired by [[Dreamwave Productions]]' first ''G.I. Joe'' crossover, set in an alternate reality ''World War II''. Since that Megatron's gun form was nonviable as a toy, a tank alternate mode was designed. The backstory of the Megatron from the crossover, including references to Cobra, was retained on the package, make it the first U.S. figure ever produced as part of a ''G.I. Joe / Transformers'' crossover.

:Although the figure looked somewhat impressive, it notably had the tendency to fall apart during transformation and was relatively difficult to pose in robot mode with it falling over.

{{-}}

*'''War Within Megatron''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
[[Image:Megatrontitaniumtww.jpg|right|thumb|THE...NAP OF DOOM?]]

:A new Titanium Megatron based on his [[The War Within|''War Within'']] design was initially shown at [[Botcon 2006]], and was released in spring of 2007. Like the original comic book design, his robot mode has a removable arm cannon and shield, but unlike the original comic book design, his robot mode transforms into his alternate mode at a different angle.

:As opposed to the earlier toy, this one has a more posable robot mode, but somewhat unimpressive alternate mode, being little more than lying the toy on its back and attaching the gun/shield. There is a small clip on the back of the toy which designer [[Don Figueroa]] said was to hold his sword, seen in the comic book, but ultimately not produced.

:The figure was later available packaged with ''War Within'' Optimus Prime as a Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]].

===Classics===
*'''Megatron''' (Voyager, 2006)
:''Japanese ID Number:'' '''D-01'''

[[Image:Megatronclassicstoy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Paint me black and give me to a kid, ASAP.]]
[[Image:N-strike maverick.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Synergy]]
:''Classics'' Megatron is a "fusion blaster" based loosely on the original Megatron toy and appears to transform into a Nerf N-Strike Maverick blaster (seen at right) to comply with modern US toy gun regulations (an orange cap on a Walther P-38 won't cover it). Its scope/arm cannon houses a working crosshairs and its trigger includes clicking action. In order to pass modern safety regulations (both the government's and Hasbro's), its blaster mode includes lots of purple and green, plus bright orange on both the tip of the "barrel" and the scope.

:Although some official Hasbro photographs, including those appearing on the toy's packaging, show the gun mode's trigger and other small parts as being orange, those parts were gray in later stock photography and the final release.

:In these above-mentioned early promotional photographs, Megatron also had noticeably different "eyebrow" paint applications that matched those of the original Megatron toy. These were two small black triangles on a gray plastic forehead. The final release has the placement of the black reversed, with two small gray triangles and a black forehead, sometimes referred to as Megatron's "unibrow" by fans.

:It has been recently discovered that the orange parts on Megatron, particularly the more exposed ones, seem to have their colors fade out over time. The exact cause of this change has not yet been discovered but care should be taken to avoid this from happening.

:''Classics'' Megatron was released in Japan as part of the ''[[Classics (2006)#Henkei! Henkei! Transformers|Henkei! Henkei! Transformers]]'' line by [[TakaraTomy]]. It features different paint applications that remove all of the toy's [[neon]] colors and to give it a closer resemblance to Megatron's ''Generation 1'' cartoon model.

{{-}}

*'''Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle''' (Deluxe versus set, 2006)
[[Image:MegatronUltimateBattle.jpg|right|thumb|His arm can be either a cannon or a... ski? A ''spinning'' ski!]]

: The Megatron included in this two-pack is a tank inspired by the first Megatron toy from ''Generation 2''. Instead of a right hand, its arm ends in a blade with "spinning dervish action." He is packaged with Optimus Prime and a "[[The Ultimate Battle]]" DVD. Later releases of this toy in some European countries had him individually packed but otherwise unchanged from the original release.

:Many (all?) units of this figure have Megatron's splayed feet assembled backwards, a fact which is not immediately apparent as the "heel" half of his feet are actually larger than the "toe" half (this is the opposite of most splay-footed transformers), and the situation is not helped by the promotional (exhibit A, to your right) and box-art photography displaying an identically misassembled figure. However, examination of the instructions and any attempt to transform Megatron into tank mode immediately demonstrate the mistake, which is easily corrected by unscrewing the halves of his lower legs and reversing the foot pieces.

{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
* '''20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy''' (2003/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1'''

[[Image:GunmodeMegsMasterpieceConvoy.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Bang bang! ''He shot me down!'' Bang bang! ''I hit the ground...'']]
: The Masterpiece Prime/Convoy included an accessory of Megatron in his classic Walther P-38 altmode. Although non-transforming, it is quite detailed and includes a removable silencer / barrel extension, scope, and (hinged) stock.
: Although notionally [[scale|scaled]] to be wielded by Masterpiece Prime, the handle is marginally too short and thus has a sliding joint diagonally across the butt of the gun, thus slightly lengthening and narrowing the grip so that Prime can actually hold it. The reason for this odd design concept is unknown.
: Needless to say, the later-released Masterpiece [[Starscream]] can also hold this version of Megatron, and far more appropriately too!

*'''Megatron''' (2007)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-5'''

[[Image:MasterpieceMegsBox.jpg|thumb|right|You will pay dearly for this. Literally ''and'' metaphorically...]]

: Scaled to the same height as 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy, Masterpiece Megatron is designed to make a figure closely resembling Megatron's fairly non-[[Show-accuracy|toy-accurate]] original animation model actually able to transform into a realistic (if oversized) Walther P-38 altmode. Something which, on paper, should be impossible. This results in an ''incredibly'' complex transformation, likely making it one of the most elaborate ''Transformers'' toys to date, even including the unusually complicated automorphing Movie toys.

[[Image:MasterpieceMegsBigAssCannon.jpg|thumb|left|Dude, I don't even need to ''fire'' this thing. I could, like, totally just bash you to death with it...]]

: Similar to Masterpiece Starscream, Megatron contains virtually zero die-cast, the only metal components being his feet and some structural rods (and not even as many as you'd expect). Combined with the fact that most of his parts are very thin in order to accommodate the intricacy of the transformation, this results in a comparatively light toy for its size.

: Megatron has the least articulation of the Masterpiece line, lacking the ability to pivot out at the shoulder by more than a small angle, and his head cannot look upwards. The figure is completely incapable of rotating its arms sideways at the elbows. Also, due to the fact that the fusion cannon is very large (being [[scale|scaled]] for a realistic gun mode sight), it butts into the gun mode barrel behind his right shoulder whenever his arm is raised at any angle other than straight ahead.

: Accessories include Megatron's purple energy flail from ''[[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]'', the light saber (referred to by Takara as an "energy dagger" for obvious legal reasons) used in his duel against Prime in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|Transformers: The Movie]]'', as well as the discarded laser pistol with which he subsequently kills him. Also included is a tiny translucent [[Kremzeek]] figure. His fusion cannon also contains a powerful red LED which casts a short-range spotlight when a button is pressed.

[[image:HLJplug.jpg|right|thumb|If you transformed into a gun, wouldn't plugging your barrel be the equivalent of castration?]]

: Due to updated realistic toy gun laws, a debate arose surrounding the Masterpiece Megatron toy. Many fans thought the toy would prove difficult to import into the United States. These fears lead to some online importers to modified the toys to comply with customs laws. Although initially believed that this would involve permanently painting both the sight and barrel tips blaze orange or gluing on a large plug, final versions have been comparatively discreet. Manufactured by the individual importers, some retailers have elected to attach a rounded red plug into the barrel with "adhesive" (permanent?), while others have used a flat-tipped yellow plug that was apparently only temporarily secured with double-sided tape. Still other retailers chose not to modify the toys at all.

: Additionally, Australians have also had to deal with strict gun and gun replica laws. While some collectors have managed to receive their Megatrons without incident, Australian Customs and the Federal Police have seized mass shipments and individual packages of the toy sent by certain online retailers, as they now classify ''Masterpiece'' Megatron as a gun replica. It is possible to collect a seized Megatron from customs if you live in New South Wales, but it requires a special permit issued by the government. To get this permit, you must go through a lengthy process to prove that you are elligible to own the figure and that you won't misuse it. The only exception is South Australia, where it is perfectly legal to own MP-5, but you must get it from within the country...which seems stupid when you think how hard it is to get him into the country in the first place.

: Some owners of this figure have reported rust problems for this figure. Seibertron.com is hosting a guide<ref>[http://seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?t=16106 MP-05 Megatron's Cosmic Rust, aka Tarnish problem (with pics) solutions inside]</ref> to combat the [[Cosmic Rust]] problem.

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===Revoltech===
* Series No. 025 '''Megatron''' (2007)
[[Image:Revoltech_Megatron.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Action Masters? Eat your Spark out!]]

A non-transforming but ''highly'' articulated Megatron action figure(ine), [[Revoltech]] Megatron uses the Revoltech "revolver joints" (appropriate, if you think about it...) for maximum poseability. Megs includes a non-removable fusion cannon and a few alternate hands, as well as an alternate head with its mouth open in either a smirk, growl or sneer, depending on how you read it. His sculpting is explicitly in the style of [[Pat Lee|Pat "serfdom" Lee]]'s interpretation of Megatron.

This figure uses specialized gray revolver joints in order to better blend with the surrounding sculpted parts.

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===Attacktix===
*'''Megatron''' (Booster, 2007)
: ''Attacktix ID number'' '''TF2-20'''

[[Image:Attacktix_Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|150px|How am I supposed to aim with this thing in the way?]]

:Faction: Decepticon
:Class: Leader
:Special: Recover - 16/26 (61%) success ratio
:Point Cost: 40
:Base Speed: 6
:Attack Type: Shooter (Force Blast)
:Based on his G1 cartoon appearance, this Megatron toy is a killer. He was available only in the Series 2 Starter Set along with ''[[Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Landquake (Energon)|Landquake]] and ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]].

:Megatron has an incredibly powerful translucent missile (don't fire it at at children or small dogs if you value their lives) and a ''Recover'' special power that allows the figure to stand back up if there's another Decepticon in play. Two Megatrons are a dangerous combination, feeding each other's recover powers and making them very hard to kill off. Plus you can pretend one of them is [[Straxus]].

:As an added bonus, because of the way it is worded, you can use the ''Cybertron'' [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] vehicle mode figure's ''Transform'' power to bring Megatron into play from your back-ups.

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robot_Hero_Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Cuteness through tyranny!]]
*'''Megatron'''
Available in a two pack with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

*'''Megatron (Supermetal Finish)'''
Available in the "Decepticon Sneak Attack" 5-pack with "Hologram" [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], "Supermetal Finish" Optimus Prime and, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]].

{{-}}

===Takara Sport Label===
*'''Megatron Nike Free 7.0'''
:Seeking to exploit the tremendous energy potential of sweatshops, Megatron has taken on this new altmode to cement his alliance with Nike inc., since [[Cobra]] evidently wasn't enough of an Evil Empire for him...
[[Image:Nikeatron.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Some idiots thought I was going to be life-sized! Fools! Foooools!!!]]
:This rather unusual product line, thus far comprising only three entries, entirely utilizes the same body mold with different heads, making this the first time Optimus and Megatron have had identical bodies.

:Something of a [[shellformer]], Nikeatron is colored primarily black and gray in his altmode of a realistic-looking, scaled-down Nike sneaker, complete with (gratuitously long) real fabric shoelaces. In robot mode, he incorporates a little additional red in predictable areas and has a somewhat uniquely-shaped yet instantly recognizable G1-inspired head, with rather snooty (or camp, take your pick) pursed lips. An undocumented aspect of his transformation is that his gun, which splits in two halves and stores inside his [[kibble]] when transforming (much like [[Rattrap]]'s) has two handle pegs on opposite sides, so that the gun can be held either at its far end or halfway along its length. Additionally, the Megatron figure has an extra peg hole in his right forearm (well, technically so does Prime), allowing you to insert the mid-length plug of his black-colored weapon at this point, positioning the weapon in such a way as to resemble (''vaguely'') his traditional [[fusion cannon]], rather than simply holding it in his hand.

:Somewhat perversely, Sneakertron's feet are sculpted in the likeness of his own sneaker altmode, so in effect, ''he is wearing himself!'' Kinky...

{{-}}

===Universe===
*'''Megatron''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2008)

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Megatron_statue.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Wonder if they used his legs to make another [[Alligatorcon|Alligatorcon]]?]]
* '''Megatron''' (Diamond Select, 2008)
Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Megatron was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,500 pieces. The sculpt features Megatron perched above a raised Decepticon symbol while the front of the bust showcases the [[Heart of Cybertron|Heart of Cybertron]] as seen in the G1 episode [[Microbots|"Microbots"]].

{{-}}

[[Image:Reformatted_statue.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Sure, he's NTFS now but he dreams of one day being [[Grand_Galvatron|FAT32]].]]
* '''Reformatted Megatron''' (Diamond Select, 2008)
Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Reformatted Megatron was an exclusive to on-line retailer Action Figure Xpress. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 600 pieces. Set above [[Unicron|Unicron]], the sculpt features Megatron in the beginning stages of his reformation into [[Galvatron_%28G1%29|Galvatron]] as featured in [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie|Transformers: The Movie.]]

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Skywarpatron.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] really DID need close supervision.]]

* It seems that no-one could get Megatron's box art right in Japan. His standard release used edited box art from the standard Microchange P-38 toy's black deco, recolored to Megatron's US toy color scheme with shiny 'chrome' and red on his legs and arms instead of the Japanese toy's flat gray and blue. The VS-X art replaced the red with blue, but kept the 'chrome'. The art on the 'Goodbye Megatron' set used edited US box art (which in turn was the Microchange P-38 UNCLE art with an added sigil) that replaced the red with blue, yet this toy used red plastic.

* In a possible fit of madness, a triple changer was proposed that would switch between [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (possibly mistaken for Starscream), Megatron, and Skywarp's jet mode.

[[Image:Megalvatron.jpg|right|thumb|150px|This toy IS a time paradox.]]
* In a slightly more sane attempt, another triple changer was proposed which would switch between Megatron, a very awkward [[Galvatron]], and a Walther P-38 handgun with a futuristic silencer and laser sight.

* According to [[Don Figueroa]], the mysterious clip on the back of 6" Titanium ''War Within'' Megatron was meant to carry the sword Megatron was depicted as using in ''The War Within''. As in the comics, it would presumably have resembled the sword packaged with various versions of G1 Megatron. It may have been omitted due to cost concerns.

{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Megatron Megatron's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1783/Generation+2/Megatron+ATB.html Gallery of ATB Megatron with comparison to BB at Transformers At the Moon]
* [http://www.theunclegun.com/ Unclegun.com - The Walther P-38 as seen in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]

[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Go-Bots]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]
[[Category: Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category: MyClone]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)

2008-05-17T01:55:37Z

24.237.84.111:

{{Template:Disambig2|the ''Kiss Players'' franchise|the pop idol group that appears in this franchise|Kiss Players (singing group)}}

[[Image:Kissplayers.gif|center|I'm Chris Hansen, from "Dateline NBC". Why don't you have a seat?]]

{{nav-kissplayers}}

Somebody at Takara went, "I've got an idea! [[Fans|They]] want '''adult''' collectibles? How about '''TRANSFORMER PORN'''?! Waaaahahahaha!!!"

'''''Kiss Players''''' (キスぷれ, ''Kisu Pure'') is a Japanese Transformers [[franchise]] which began in 2006. By virtue of being the ''only'' Transformers toyline and fiction released in Japan by Takara between the conclusion of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' and the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], it was also effectively the ''main'' Transformers line in the country for that time. It takes place in the [[Generation 1]] [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|cartoon continuity]], specifically in the five-year milieu between ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and ''[[Transformers 2010]]''.

The series derives its name from its (controversial) gimmick, which involves Transformers getting "power-ups" when they are kissed by [[human]] girls - the eponymous "Kiss Players" - who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. Although this plotline may seem like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at a much older (and creepier) adult male audience. Indeed, the toys bear an "ages 15 and up" warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly.
{{-}}
The ''Kiss Players'' franchise comprises:

* [[Kiss Players (toyline)|A toyline]]
* [[Kiss Players (fiction)|A weekly radio drama series and a manga]], which together tell the story of the line

Following the conclusion of its first storyline in late 2006, Kiss Players moved into its second (and apparently final) phase, '''Kiss Players Position''', which shifted focus to a ''distinctly'' more PG-rated theme, though it was still kind of heavy on the "cute girls" theme.

{{-}}
==Controversy==

[[Image: LegionRape1.jpg|thumb|left|Rape? Where?]]

When the basic concept of ''Kiss Players''—"toys with figures of cute girls"—first surfaced, the reaction from the Western fan community was generally unremarkable, amounting to little more than a bit of good-natured eye-rolling and mutterings of "Those wacky Japanese...but if that's what it takes to sell the toys...", understanding that there ''is'' a certain subset of collector who enjoys such things. Besides, such a premise had been explored before in the short-lived ''Binaltech Asterisk'' line (in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)_toys#Kiss_Players|the first toy in the ''KP'' series]] was originally meant to be released).

This reaction took a sharp turn, however, with the unveiling of the ''[[Dengeki Daioh]]'' manga. Although not featuring any ''explicit'' nudity or sexual content, the comic consists of a virtually unhalting stream of ''imagery'' that evokes various violent sexual situations, from the endless streams of viscous, white liquid that frequently splatter over the scantily-clad-to-nude cast members, to cowering, flush-faced, teary-eyed girls pressed against walls with their hips raised into the air, to the most (in)famous of all, the distinctive image of the [[Legion]]'s blatant penis-tongue, leaking goo from a ''goddamn urethra''. Putting the cherry on this sundae of depravity, the manga employs an art style that uses proportions specifically and deliberately designed to make the vast majority of its female characters appear as though they are underage (despite the fiction identifying them as being at least old enough to drive).

Reactions ran the gamut from outright disgust to comedic derision, with most fans agreeing that the transformation of a children's toyline into [[wikipedia: Lolicon|borderline-pedophilia]] was a "[[Ruined FOREVER|bad thing]]." There was not a small number of people, however, who claimed that there was absolutely nothing wrong with such a thing, and that everyone else simply wasn't understanding it was a "cultural thing,"—"it" being...the enjoyment of rape imagery, apparently. This, of course, is in defiance of the fact that several ''Japanese'' fans were themselves openly decrying ''Kiss Players,'' fearing that American fans would think that this was somehow accepted as "normal" in Japan. The line's writer/designer, [[Yūki Ōshima]], even admitted that he crafted the series in this manner because he wanted to "make people's jaws drop." Mission accomplished, it would seem.

Possibly as a result of the majority of fans trying to distance themselves from a fiction that is generally regarded as distasteful, combined with the general inaccessibility of the radio show to an English audience (no pictures!), there is an astonishingly minimal awareness of the specific details of the (actually quite interesting) ''Kiss Players'' storyline in the fandom.

==Notes==

* The official logo for the series says "Kiss Play" in Japanese text and "Kiss Players" beneath it in English. To avoid confusion, the English title is used here.

==External links==
* [http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/index.html Official Kiss Players site]

* [http://www.toyvey.com/kisskiss/ Kiss Players story summaries on Toy Vey]

[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category: Franchises]]
[[Category: Kiss Players | Kiss Players ]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>