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Transformers: Armada (cartoon)

2009-06-09T22:18:47Z

75.46.74.158: /* Micron Legend */

{{nav-armada}}
'''''Armada''''' is a ''Transformers'' cartoon series that ran from 2002-2003, in support of the franchise of the same name. The show initiated a total continuity reboot, setting up a brand new ''Transformers'' universe separate from any previous storyline. Together with its two sequels, this continuity family is now known as the [[Unicron Trilogy]].
''Armada'''s universe is most distinguished by the presence and importance of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]], a race of human-sized Transformers that, when "[[Powerlinx|powerlinxed]]" to their larger brethren, would unleash a flood of energy. Because of the great potential for their exploitation, the Mini-Cons attempt to abstain from the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] war and flee [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], crashing on [[Earth]] and its moon. When some Mini-Cons are accidentally reactivated in 2002 by clumsy teenagers, a beacon alerts both the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, who track them to Earth and continue their battle here.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
* [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Brent Miller]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
* [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] ([[Ward Perry]])
* [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
* [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen/Hoist]] ([[Dale Wilson]])

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] ([[Don Brown]])
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] ([[Alvin Sanders]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] ([[Colin Murdoch]])
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] ([[Doug Parker]])
* [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

|c3=
* [[Rad White]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Alexis]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] ([[Andrew Francis]])
* [[Carlos Lopez]] ([[Matt Hill]])
* [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] ([[Tony Sampson]])

|c4=
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
* [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]] (Paul Dobson)
* [[Unicron]] ([[Mark Acheson]])

|h5=[[Mini-Con]]s|c5=
* [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]
* [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]]
** [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] ([[Terry Klassen]])
** [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]]
** [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]]

* [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]]: [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]
** [[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]]
** [[Runway]]
** [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]]

* [[Race Mini-Con Team]]: [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]]
** [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]]
** [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]
** [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]

* [[Space Mini-Con Team]]: [[Requiem Blaster]]
** [[Astroscope]]
** [[Payload (Armada)|Payload]]
** [[Sky Blast]]
}}

Narrator: [[Jim Conrad]]

==Major Locations==
* [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]
*[[Cybertron Base (Armada)|Cybertron Base]] (Autobot HQ)
*[[Cosmoscope Research Center]]

* [[Lunar Base (Armada)|Lunar Base]] (Decepticon HQ)
* [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]

==Production==
''Armada'' was the first Transformers cartoon to be co-developed in the United States and Japan. The show was produced in Japan, aired first in the United States, and then aired later in Japan. Dubbing for the US version was done by ADR studio [[Voicebox Productions|Voicebox]].

==Criticisms==
The US dub of ''Armada'' was plagued with errors. Most explicit is the repeated misnaming of characters, particularly the Mini-Cons. More subtle clues point to scripts that were transliterated and never given a proper re-write to adapt them for a Western audience.

The show also featured wildly varying animation quality. This is due in large part to an extremely rushed production schedule; Voicebox often received unfinished animation to work with, and rarely had time to get more than a first-draft translation of the script together in time for recording.

The cause of this rush job is still under speculation, but there appear to be two primary suspects:

* Initial plans called for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] to supply character models for the series (at least, that was the claim), but that never materialized, possibly throwing off production schedules.
* [[Cartoon Network]], the channel that aired the show, reportedly would not sign off on the series without a certain number of episodes already finished, forcing a rush job to get the cartoon out to coincide with the toy line's release.

Even accounting for the rushed dub, ''Armada'''s scripting tends to be of poor quality. Characters give long, rambling, semi-coherent monologues, react strangely to one another's dialog, have very disjointed "conversations", reiterate obvious plot points to one another, and repeatedly use stock phrases such as "Hey, wait up!" Moments of intended silence are filled with babble, especially the dreaded "Uh?" every time a character reacts to anything.

The show has also taken flack for the repetitive nature of its first half, in which the same small groups of Autobots and Decepticons hunt for Mini-Cons in one episode after another. The threat of Unicron, as well as the gradually expanding cast, eventually led to more wide-ranging stories.

==Reception==
Although fans had a [[Pokeformers|mixed reaction]] towards the product as a whole (which is [[Ruined FOREVER|typical]] of ''any'' new series), it was ''incredibly'' successful with the target audience, children ages 4-9. The toys sold like hotcakes, prompting Hasbro to pad out the tail end of the toyline with a number of ''Beast Wars'' redecos.

The success of ''Armada'' led to the more expensive R&D that went into the next two franchises, ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''. It also prompted the launch of the ''Transformers [[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' subline, as demand for Transformers product continued to outstrip Hasbro's ability to develop new molds.

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Armada episodes}}

{{collist|4|
#[[First Encounter]]
#[[Metamorphosis]]
#[[Base]]
#[[Comrade]]
#[[Soldier]]
#[[Jungle]]
#[[Carnival]]
#[[Palace]]
#[[Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation]]
#[[Underground]]
#[[Ruin]]
#[[Prehistory]]
#[[Swoop (episode)|Swoop]]
#[[Overmatch]]
#[[Gale]]
#[[Credulous]]
#[[Conspiracy]]
#[[Trust (Armada)|Trust]]
#[[Vacation]]
#[[Reinforcement]]
#[[Decisive Battle]]
#[[Vow]]
#[[Rebellion]]
#[[Chase (episode)|Chase]]
#[[Tactician]]
#[[Linkup|Link Up]]
#[[Detection]]
#[[Awakening]]
#[[Desperate]]
#[[Runaway]]
#[[Past, Part 1]]
#[[Past, Part 2]]
#[[Sacrifice]]
#[[Regeneration]]
#[[Rescue]]
#[[Mars (episode)|Mars]]
#[[Crack]]
#[[Threaten]]
#[[Crisis]]
#[[Remorse]]
#[[Depart]]
#[[Miracle]]
#[[Puppet]]
#[[Uprising]]
#[[Dash (episode)|Dash]]
#[[Drift (episode)|Drift]]
#[[Portent]]
#[[Cramp]]
#[[Alliance (episode)|Alliance]]
#[[Union]]
#[[Origin]]
#[[Mortal Combat]]
}}

==DVD releases==
{{stub|More information if known}}

===''Micron Legend''===
The ''Micron Legend'' version of ''Armada'' was released on DVD by Columbia Music Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air for a total of 13 volumes. Initial released of each volume included extra materials - the first one contained three Mini-Con figures, with each subsequent volume containing one additional Mini-Con, while all thirteen included an original comic sidestory which helped to fill in some of the series' gaps.

===''Armada''===
{{anchor|DVD}}
<gallery>
Image:KidRhinoTransformersArmadaPart1.jpg|'''Part 1 DVD box'''
Image:ArmadaDVDPart2.jpg|'''Part 2 DVD box'''
</gallery>
* '''Transformers Armada - Season One Part One'''
:* ''Release Date'': [[November 9]], 2004
:* ''Episodes'': 4 discs containing episodes 1 through 26
* '''Transformers Armada - Season One Part Two'''
:* ''Release Date'': [[September 26]], 2006
:* ''Contents'': 4 discs containing episodes 27 through 52
* Both sets were labeled as "season one," despite Armada only running for a single season.
* DVD navigation showcased a Mini-Con from the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Team]] appearing and transforming.
* The discs of part 2 did not include chapter searches for the individual episodes.
{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Knight/6670/my_micron/armada-legend.html Site comparing animation differences between Armada and Micron Legend]

*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B6%85%E3%83%AD%E3%83%9C%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD%E4%BD%93%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3%E4%BC%9D%E8%AA%AC Japanese Wiki '''Transformers Micron Legend''' article]

[[Category:Armada| Armada (cartoon)]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Street Action Mini-Con Team

2009-06-08T19:40:52Z

75.46.74.158: /* Fiction */

{{factions|minicon}}
{{charstub}}

[[Image:Bios_card_streetaction.jpg|thumb|250px|EXTREEEEEEEEME!]]
The '''Street Action Mini-Con Team''' are a trio of adventurous [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] and friends to the [[human]] kids [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis]]. The humans and Mini-Cons work together with the [[Autobot|Autobots]] to find and save more Mini-Cons from the ambitions of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. These three can form the incredibly powerful robot [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]], possibly the most powerful warrior of their race.

In another universe, the Decepticon [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]] has control of an evil incarnation of the Street Action Mini-Con Team.

The Street Action Mini-Con Team is composed of...
* [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] the skateboard / hovercraft.
* [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] the bicycle / dirt bike.
* [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] the moped / four-wheel ATV.

==Fiction==
===Armada cartoon===
[[Image:Street_action_team.JPG|thumb|left|Good morning, Angels.]]
A million years ago, the Street Action Team were members of the skeleton crew put aboard [[Exodus|the Mini-Con ship]] sent away from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

The Street Action Team followed [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] to the carnival. Shenanigans ensued. {{storylink|Carnival}}

After [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was attacked by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], the team fought back against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], eventually causing [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] to lose control and drop a Mini-Con panel. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

The Street Action Team picked up a signal sent from the Destruction Team, who were following [[Megatron (Armada)]]'s orders to lead the [[Autobot]]s into a trap. {{storylink|Vow}} When the Autobot computer is hacked into by [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] the team assists the kids in helping turn it off. High Wire and Grindor attempt to attack Sideways and they are all sucked into the computer, leaving their physical bodies behind. On the run from Sideways in cyberspace they pass directly through [[Cybertron (planet)]] before returning to physical form. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}}

The Street Action Team detected a [[Jetfire (Armada)|suspicious robot]] flying overhead the Autobot base. {{storylink|Linkup}} and later alerted the kids and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] about a Mini-Con panel. {{storylink|Awakening}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===Energon cartoon===
The Street action team continues to follow the Autobots, but this time do nothing really.

{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
* '''Street Action Team''' (Basic, 2002/2003)
** ''Japanese ID number'': '''MM-01'''

{{-}}
{{charstubtoys}}

* '''Magna Convoy DX Set''' (2003)
:The X-Dimension release was part of the ''Magna Convoy DX'' set, which also included the Japanese release of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]] and a clear [[redeco]] of [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]. This set was only available at Japanese Toys "R" Us stores.

===Energon===
* '''Perceptor''' (Basic, 2004)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''SC-09'''

{{-}}
{{charstubtoys}}

===Universe===
* '''Perceptor''' (Basic, 2005)

:The ''Universe'' Street Action Team is a repack of ''Energon'' Perceptor, with no changes to the contents within. ''

===Cybertron===
* '''Blastcharge vs High Wire''' (Mini-Con 2-pack, 2006)
* '''Backblast vs Sureshock''' (Mini-Con 2-pack, 2006)
* '''Scrap Iron vs Grindor''' (Mini-Con 2-pack, 2006)

{{-}}
{{charstubtoys}}

[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Mini-Con teams]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Drift (G1)

2009-06-04T23:10:47Z

75.46.74.158: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 character|the ''Armada'' episode|Drift (episode)}}
:''Drift is an [[Autobot]] in the [[IDW continuity|IDW]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AHM 06 CoverA.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Oh Drift-chan, you smell awesome, and not at all like feet!"]]

'''Drift''' (ドリフト ''Dorifuto'') was not always an Autobot. In fact, he slaughtered quite a few when he was known as the Decepticon '''Deadlock'''. But Deadlock's eyes were opened to what the Transformers' war had become when he stumbled across a lost faction of neutral Transformers long since forgotten. He discarded his ruthless ways, abandoned his guns for swords, and changed his name and appearance. When Drift returned to the Transformer war to make right what he put wrong, he was a bot of few words and disciplined action.

These days, Drift is a member of a ragtag team of rebels under the command of [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], working alongside many members of the disbanded [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]. Because of his brutal past, Drift isn't well-liked by [[Bumblebee (G1)|a few]] of the Autobots. He's seen as a late-comer to their side of the conflict, especially since in his past life he had killed quite a few of them! The rest don't seem to care, or are [[Cliffjumper (G1)|genuinely impressed]] by his incredible skills, so long as they're used against the other side!

{{quote|We're going about this the wrong way, '''all''' of us! After countless centuries of fighting ... the Autobots are a '''step''' away from what we were when all this '''started.''' And us—the Decepticons have become something '''worse''' than any of us could have '''imagined'''.|Drift explains his new perception of the war to his [[Turmoil|former commander]]|"[[Spotlight: Drift]]"}}

==Fiction==
===IDW comics===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightDrift Deadlockisdead.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's your horrible fancharacter.]]
While he was known as Deadlock, Drift used to be the second-in-command of the [[Decepticon]] [[Turmoil]]. During this time, he earned a reputation by slaughtering his Autobot opponents. At some point, Deadlock disappeared and was thought to be dead. Turmoil's only wish was that he had killed the traitor himself.

Some time later, after receiving a new body, fighting style and ''totally sugoi'' super-long sword that he can only use in the totally direst of times (and to pose for comic covers) from his mysterious benefactors, Drift set off to make a difference. His chance came in an attempt to free a group of Autobots held captive on the ship he previously served aboard. Upon entering Turmoil's ship, his attempt at stealth was successful until the [[Wrecker]]s arrived and blasted their way aboard. Jumping into the battle to assist them, he piqued the interest of a few Autobots. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was injured as Turmoil entered the battle and, recognizing Drift's voice as his former lieutenant, attempted to destroy him. However, his attack only resulted in knocking Drift and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] to another room. The two quickly worked together to program the ship to overload. In his final confrontation with Turmoil, Drift stated his intention was to help, not kill, and left to rescue Perceptor before the ship blew up.

After his arrival on the Autobot ship, Kup invited Drift to join his new unit as an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}}

[[Image:Allhailmegatron6-omgdriftomg.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seriously, you made this guy up when you were eight.]]

Drift was among the crew of the spacecraft ''[[Trion]]'' when it was baited into a Decepticon ambush over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Its command codes were hacked due to their being sold to the Decepticons by an Autobot traitor, and, left defenseless, it was forced to crash-land on the desolate landscape of the planet. Eventually, the crew were found by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s unit, who unfortunately proved to be ''also'' stranded. When [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] was revealed by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] to have been standing invisibly among them, Drift was the only one who didn't appear surprised. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

When an advance scout of the [[Insecticon Swarm]] discovered the Autobots' base camp, Drift was dispatched to take care of it. Drift stood stock-still as the creature walked up to him, greeting it with a simple "hello" and smirking as the monstrous beast snarled in his face. Finally, he beheaded the beast with a single wave of his sword. A second creature tried to attack Drift from behind, but the smirking Autobot merely tilted his head slightly, allowing [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to kill the beast with some precision sniping. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] thought the incident was the coolest thing ever. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

After [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] revealed to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] that he was the traitor, an army of the Swarm came after them. Drift saved Ironhide while Sunstreaker blew up a bridge, killing himself and the Swarm army. Later, Drift visited Ironhide and claimed that the Decepticons had access to the Autobots' systems in a way that Sunstreaker couldn't possibly have. Ironhide asked if this meant there was a second traitor, but Drift replied that there was simply more to the situation than they knew. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

When Mirage was showing some doubt in the Autobot cause, it was Drift who said that, now more than ever, the Autobots should continue being who they are. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] insinuated that Drift had no right to say something like that, which started an argument that was only stopped by the return of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}

==Notes==
* Commenting on what inspired him to create Drift, writer/creator [[Shane McCarthy]] said that "I wanted a character in AHM that had a particular element to him that I didn’t see readily available elsewhere and secondly because, frankly, I thought it would be a great idea for Hasbro to have an [[Lightfoot|Autobot Drift racer]]."<ref>http://www.smactalk.com.au/?p=101 Shane McCarthy blogs about Spotlight: Drift.</ref>

* According McCarthy, Drift's Japanese overtones are meant to be a tip of the hat "to the country that gave birth to [Transformers]."<ref>[http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18585 Comic Book Resources October 27th, 2008 interview with Shane McCarthy]</ref> It is possible he meant ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]'', as the ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' franchise was developed between [[Hasbro]] and [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Entertainment]], two American companies.

* [[IDW Publishing]] claimed that Drift had been solicited by [[Hasbro]] to receive a toy in the ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line. After months of no word whatsoever on the subject from Hasbro or a single hint that such a thing would happen from the usual sources (read: leaks and stolen toys), Hasbro's Australian branch eventually answered the claim with a rather unequivocal "No, there is no character named Autobot Drift or any toy designed after the comic character coming out in our 25th Anniversary or any other Transformers line." in an online Q&A session.<ref>[http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=3438 Ozformers Q&A with Hasbro Australia]</ref> However, IDW editor [[Chris Ryall]] maintained at New York Comic-Con 2009 that Drift was still on track to receive a toy, but no release date had been set. In a March 2009 online Q&A session, Hasbro confirmed that no Drift toy was currently planned at all, although they "would love to make a toy after IDW's Drift and will do our best to fit him into the line at the right time." <ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/hasbro-answers-seibertrons-questions/15360 Hasbro March 2009 Q&A on Seibertron.com]</ref> At BotCon 2009, early design sketches were unveiled for Drift's toy, suggesting that he is at least on his way towards getting one.

* Drift's name is derived from the Japanese driving technique of "[[wikipedia:Drifting_(motorsport)|drifting]]", rendered in Japanese as ドリフト走行 (''dorifuto sōkō''). This is also the source of the Japanese Katakana writing on his car mode doors and in Chris Ryall's announcement;<ref>[http://ryalltime.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post.html "ドリフト走行*" entry in Chris Ryall's blog]</ref> it is a transliteration of his English name and is not from Japanese fiction.

*Drift's vehicle mode design is similar to the [http://www.zapfcreation.pl/megabloks/mega-bloks-magnaformers-magscinder-28451-p-318.html Mega-Bloks Magna Former] [http://www.collectiondx.com/node/1789 Magscinder], from the drifting body kit, to the rising sun deco right down to having "DRIFT" written in katakana on its car doors.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]