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Spark

2009-12-19T16:55:33Z

82.32.67.180: /* IDW's sparks */

{{disambig3|Spark}}
{{featured}}

[[Image:Sparks.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Botanica is a Bellarian.]]
A '''spark''' is the lifeforce, or soul, of a [[Transformer]]. Each spark is part of the essence of [[Primus]] himself.

The spark is a physical entity which is safeguarded inside a Transformer body. If something harms the spark beyond repair, it is "extinguished" and returns to the [[Allspark]] (or sometimes the [[Well of All Sparks]]). The Transformer is then considered dead. A Transformer is able to survive an enormous amount of physical damage. As long as the spark is intact, it is possible to repair or rebuild the body and restore the spark to it.

{{quote|When a Spark goes online, there is great joy. When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.|[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] being all mystical|"[[The Spark]]"}}

==Establishment in fiction==
[[Image:Spark.gif|left|180px|thumb|Animation of a typical spark. Shiny!]]
The concept of the spark as currently understood was introduced to the Transformers mythos in the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[The Spark]]". In this episode, little is explained except that each spark is unique and that every "Cybertron" (here meaning, essentially, "Cybertronian") has one.

The later episode "[[Possession]]" dealt with the idea of sparks, but the spark in question—that of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—is established as being aberrant, and thus the properties it displays are not necessarily characteristic of sparks in general. However, "Possession" was the first time it was claimed that characters from the Generation 1 series also had sparks, rather than sparks existing in ''Beast Wars'' only. Sparks remained prominent throughout ''Beast Wars'', and events in seasons two and three further established the [[retcon]] that Generation 1 Transformers all possessed sparks.

In ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', sparks became central to the story, as [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had abducted the sparks from every Transformer on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Megatron's own spark displayed unusual behaviors in this series, and again, it is probable these behaviors do not apply to all sparks. Still, ''Beast Machines'' contributed more information about sparks to the [[canon]] than any other series.

The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] occasionally referenced a device called a [[laser core]], which seemingly has a similar function to a spark. The tech spec bio for the [[Beast Rider]] [[Mechatron]] says that he is "outfitted with an upgraded spark-capture claw that can tear out the entire laser core of any Transformer defender." This implies, as some fans had speculated prior to Mechatron's release, that the laser core may be some sort of housing for the spark.

Since the introduction of the spark concept in ''Beast Wars'', sparks have become an integral part of many Transformers fictions. They have been featured in new [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]-based series and in later, entirely new [[continuity family|continuity families]] such as the [[Unicron Trilogy]] and [[Transformers Animated]].

Although the word "spark" does appear offhandedly in some [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Generation 1'' comic]] stories (a "spark of life", a "life spark", and the phrases [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|"Let no spark remain flickering in a single Autobot microchip!"]] and [[Pretender to the Throne!|"For as long as a spark exists within a single Mechabot..."]]), these were clearly simply metaphorical statements. They may be retroactively seen as referring to the contemporary concept of a Transformer's spark, but did not establish anything of the sort on their own.

==Properties of sparks==
[[Image:Spark colors.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The sparks of the reformatted Maximals took on unusual colors. Before their final battle with Megatron, the sparks became visible within their bodies. They also lift and separate.]]
As seen in the image at the top of this article, sparks normally appear as semitransparent blue balls of energy with a pulsating center composed of smaller, blue spheres. The center spheres are engulfed in a reddish glow. An ever-changing pattern of "electricity"-like lines travels around the surface and through the interior. However, in ''Beast Machines'', the sparks of the Maximal heroes who had been [[Reformatting|reformatted]] took on different colors (for example, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s was green). This was first visible in "[[Revelations Part I: Discovery]]". At the end of that series, after being infused with extra power from the Matrix (cf. [[Allspark]]), their sparks became visible, as if parts of their torsos were translucent.

[[Beast Era]] Transformers seem to have permanent "spark chambers" within their chassis where the spark can be seen simply by opening the chamber. Older Transformers within the same G1/Beast [[continuity family]], such as those who lived before the [[Great Upgrade]], do not seem to have this feature in most continuities. The G1 ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' guidebook from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] specifically states that a spark is normally "suffused" throughout a Transformer's body rather than residing in any particular place. It may be that this is also true after the Great Upgrade, and that the spark chamber is merely a protected location for the spark to coalesce when needed. Meanwhile, making things more confusing, the cutaway diagrams of G1 Optimus Prime and Megatron in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' include spark chambers.

In the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, there were two cases of Beast-era Transformers temporarily housing the sparks of G1-era Transformers in their own bodies while still housing their own sparks. In both cases, this resulted in the Beastie undergoing a mutation of sorts into a more powerful body: [[Optimus Primal]], upon taking the spark of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], grew into his Optimal Optimus body; and Megatron, upon taking the spark of the [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]] obtained his dragon form. However, based on the information from the series, there is no basis for determining whether this phenomenon is a result of a single body housing two sparks, a Beast-era body housing a G1-era spark, a body being implanted with an especially "powerful" spark (like those of Optimus Prime and Megatron could conceivably be), or some combination of these. When the disembodied spark of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had earlier possessed [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], the only physical change was the body's allegiance emblems shifting from Predacon to Decepticon. (The later ''Beast Wars'' comic miniseries ''[[The Gathering]]'' implies that G1 sparks may be intrinsically more powerful than Beast-era sparks.)

Although Transformer memories and personalities are generally treated as if they are stored within the Transformers' computer brains, repeated canonical instances have established that a spark will (or can) hold all of an individual's memories, along with their "essence" or personality. Further, there is some evidence that sparks may even retain records of the Transformer's previous bodies (such as when Optimal Optimus, whose body originated with a [[blank]] [[protoform]], regressed into a copy of the gorilla body Primal wore at the beginning of the Beast Wars). A Transformer's behavior can be modified through programming of their mechanical body (referred to as a [[shell program]]), but this is always a struggle between the programming and the "true" nature of the spark within. It may be that over long periods of time, a spark may begin to internalize some aspects of a programmed personality.

Many Transformers, such as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|G1 Sky Lynx]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|G1 Omega Supreme]] and the [[Duocon|Duocons]], simultaneously inhabit multiple mechanical bodies or components. The character bio for [[Magmatron]] mentions this ability of his, and categorizes his spark as a "mitotic spark" which is able of splitting and sharing itself between his three beast modes. It is unknown whether other multiple-bodied Transformers also possess mitotic sparks or if they are examples of something more mundane such as simple remote control.

Some Transformers are able to sense and communicate with the sparks of other Transformers through a process that appears analogous to telepathy. According to dialog from "[[Revelations Part III: Apocalypse]]", this ability is related to the sparks' mutual connection to the Allspark. Disembodied sparks are sometimes able to communicate through this same method. (See [[#Disembodied_sparks|below]].)

The radiation emitted by [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] crystals is harmful to sparks, even when protected within a Transformer's body. Certain body types are better able to shield the spark from energon radiation. For example, the flesh-like beast modes adopted by the crews of the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] and ''[[Darksyde]]'' provided essentially 100% protection, allowing activity in environments that were practically forests of energon crystal, so long as those involved remained in beast mode. Direct contact between crystalline energon and a spark is highly dangerous.

In the ''Beast Machines'' episode "[[Spark of Darkness]]", [[Rattrap]] describes Megatron's disembodied spark as a ball of [[Electron|electrons]]. He goes on to say that normal sparks contain a large number of [[Positron|positrons]]. Based on his dialogue, it is possible, but not certain, that sparks are composed ''entirely'' of positrons. Rattrap also indicates, in "Revelations Part I", that when a spark is extinguished, carbon scoring is typically left on or within the Transformer's chassis.

[[Image:Revelations3 Nightscream spark.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Nightscream's hands don't seem to touch the spark itself while pushing on it. Mind you, wouldn't you recoil from the guy too?]]
Regardless of their composition, sparks are not insubstantial energy, but have some sort of physical aspect. This is clearly demonstrated in, again, "Revelations Part III", when [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is seen attempting to push Blackarachnia's spark back into her body. His hands press against some sort of surface (or perhaps merely a force field, in which case the spark could be entirely energy) which is above the visible surface of her spark. Later in the series, in "Spark of Darkness", Megatron's spark is also shown to have physicality. Further back, in ''Beast Wars'', the spark of Rampage/Protoform X would respond to being "crushed" by Megatron by flattening slightly inside its energon-lined carrying case. And even the spark of G1 Megatron was "grabbed" physically by a tentacle-like appendage of BW Megatron's. While some of these examples may be special cases, as they deal with sparks that have unusual properties, those properties are unique to each spark. The weight of evidence, then, is in favor of sparks being at least partially substantial.

In the [[Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]], sparks were shown to have the ability to be somehow augmented by Primus to become a [[Combination Spark]]. This allowed two Autobots to [[powerlinx]] together into a new form, allowing one Autobot to take command of the fused body while the "pants" remained dormant. Without the Combination Spark, a powerlinx between two normal Transformers could not be completed. It is not stated whether the combiner teams [[Constructicon Maximus]] and [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]] also possessed Combination Sparks or if their ability to combine has some other origin.

==Disembodied sparks==
Sparks are able to exist outside of a Transformer body, but the parameters of this phenomenon are largely unclear. In is unknown for how long a spark can survive under such conditions, although they are vulnerable to damage in this state. It is also unknown whether a disembodied spark is "conscious" and aware of its surroundings, or whether it is capable of moving under its own power. (There are unusual cases, as described under [[#Aberrant_sparks|Aberrant sparks]].)

It is hard to imagine how a spark could be aware of its surroundings when stripped of all sensory mechanisms. Indeed, in "Revelations Part III: Apocalypse", while Blackarachnia's spark was outside of her body, her consciousness did not remain in the "real world". Instead, she experienced a conversation with [[Optimus Primal]]—not a hallucination—which took place on an abstract "higher plane of existence," perhaps within the Allspark itself.

Most of the disembodied sparks in ''Beast Machines'' drift slowly and largely directionlessly. In many other cases, sparks seem to move with some sort of intent. However, aside from attempts of sparks to re-enter their "home" bodies, these are conceivably all "special cases" and may not be generalizable. In one example, the sparks of [[Tigatron]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] are seen following [[Tigerhawk]] to Earth in "[[Other Victories]]". While their sparks appear normal when this occurs, they later merge into a single white spark and then inhabit the (then-empty) Tigerhawk body. This is not normal spark behavior and may be related to the time they spent seemingly in stasis with the [[Vok]]. Also, in "Revalations Part III", when Blackarachnia becomes panicked during her telepathic conversation with Primal, her spark begins moving erratically and has to be chased down by Nightscream. However, it is unclear whether the spark was moving ''with intent''—especially since Blackarachnia's consciousness was portrayed as still being on a higher plane—or simply zigzagging randomly. And, again, a reformatted spark may be different from a normal spark anyway.

==IDW Continuity==
[[Image:KupsSpark.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Save the Spark. Save the World.]]
In [[Spotlight: Kup]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s sparkhousing is unstable due to age and radiation poisoning. He finally experiences sparkcore stabilizer failure, which threatens to blow him up. [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] saves him by extending a forcefield around the crashing spark. Later, Kup is shown in a C/R chamber, fitted with a placeholder powercore to maintain his spark.

Later, [[Spotlight: Arcee]] would explain that the Autobots kept Decepticon prisoners in spark stasis, which apparently entails actually removing the sparks from their casings, separating the spark from the body.

[[Image:SpotlightArcee Garrus-9 inmates.jpg|left|400px|thumb|Reminds me of the reptile cages at the zoo...except less stinky .]]
Not all prisoners underwent this process. For Monstructor, it was noted that the Autobots couldn't break through the destructive programming far enough to rehabilitate/reform the sparks (as per Optimus Prime's orders), and as such, haven't pulled the sparks from the frames.

Arcee found this limbo peaceful, but was later reunited with her body. To control her behavior, a "g-force crush" device was installed on or in her spark casing and could be operated via remote control.

==Absence of spark==

Strangely, it is possible for both Transformers and related mechanical entities to remain online and sentient despite the ''lack'' of a spark.

The first example would be the original [[Diagnostic Drone]] in ''Beast Machines''. While simply being a robotic aid and having no spark, it showed a full range of emotions, the ability to reason, and could be consulted by Megatron. In ''Animated'', first [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and later [[Starscream clone|his clones]] each substituted a natural spark with an [[AllSpark fragment]]. Titan's tie-in comics, meanwhile, would reveal that comic-original character [[Afterburn]] was really a sparkless drone, despite having shown emotion, initiative and thought beforehand.

These instances raise questions about how necessary a spark ''really'' is, and what properties it bestows that are genuinely unique.

Of interest is that when Afterburn was revealed to have had no spark, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] ''immediately'' wrote him off as not having been a "real" bot and viewed it as pointless to mark Afterburn's death. Similarly, nobody seemed bothered by the Starscream clones dying or found it notable that Starscream had created beings whose sole purpose was to be suicide bombers. Cybertronian orthodoxy, it would seem, views the presence of a spark as the true indicator of life, with emotion and sentience being seen as irrelevant.

{{-}}

==Aberrant sparks==
Some sparks have exhibited properties or behaviors that do not seem to be generalizable to other sparks.

===Starscream===
As established in the ''Beast Wars'' episodes "[[Possession]]" and "[[Bad Spark]]", Starscream possesses a "mutant" immortal spark. Even when his body is destroyed, his spark is not extinguished. This explanation retcons the appearance of Starscream's ghost in some season three episodes from the G1 cartoon; the "ghost" was in fact Starscream's disembodied spark.

Starscream's spark was able to move under its own power and seemingly travelled not just across space from Cybertron to [[Earth]], but backwards through time from 2006 to human prehistory. It may be that the time travel was accomplished by "falling" through the [[transwarp]] hole left by the ''Axalon'' and ''Darksyde'' when they arrived on prehistoric Earth—[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]'s ship arrived there by that method later in the series—but this is uncertain.

Additionally, Starscream's spark was able to take possession of other Transformers simply by entering their bodies. While in another body, Starscream's will completely dominates that of his host. When Starscream possessed [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Waspinator's voice even changed to sound like Starscream's, and the [[Insignia|Predacon insignias]] on his body changed to Decepticon insignias. Starscream either did not have, or did not seem to know that he had, this possession ability until he died during the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Rampage/Protoform X===
The creation of Protoform X was an experiment conducted by the [[Maximal Elder]]s to attempt to replicate Starscream's indestructible spark. Although they succeeded in creating such a spark, dubbed [[Rampage (BW)|Protoform X]] (and later taking on the name [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]), it was, unfortunately, psychotic.

Like Starscream's spark, Rampage's could not be extinguished through simple destruction of his body. In fact, Rampage's body—at least, the body he wore during the Beast Wars—had uncannily rapid self-repair functions. In one instance, Depth Charge pierced Rampage's body from front to back with a spear, and the damage disappeared in a matter of seconds once the spear was removed.

Megatron devised a way to split Rampage's spark by carving it with a blade of [[energon crystal]]. Amazingly, this did not destroy the spark, nor did it seem to weaken Rampage appreciably. Megatron kept part of the spark in a case lined with energon crystals. By squeezing the case, the crystals would pinch the spark fragment, and Megatron used this to torture Rampage into obedience.

Megatron later placed this piece of Rampage's spark inside his [[Transmetal 2]] clone of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], who is usually referred to as [[Dinobot II]]. Dinobot II appeared to have a personality wholly independent of Rampage's, although he was similarly brutal. Dinobot II's personality, however, may have been imposed upon him through programming. Dinobot II could torture Rampage by compressing the spark fragment that he held, much as Megatron had previously done. This did not seem to affect Dinobot himself.

Rampage's spark turned out to not be completely indestructible. Seemingly as an extension of Megatron's splitting of the spark with an energon blade, Depth Charge eventually destroyed Rampage by piercing his spark with "pure" crystalline energon. Normally sparks "extinguish" somewhat peacefully, but when Rampage's was pierced, a powerful explosion destroyed the bodies of both Rampage and Depth Charge. It may be that Starscream's spark would be similarly vulnerable to being cut/destroyed by energon, but this is mere extrapolation.

When Rampage's spark was destroyed, the fragment within Dinobot II did not explode. It may have simply disappeared, or it may have remained there. However, through a process which is not clearly established, Dinobot II at that instant "reverted" to the personality of the original Dinobot, and even had a vision of Dinobot's last moments. It may be that this reversion was related to events scripted for an episode which was never produced, titled "[[Dark Glass]]".

Rampage's spark never displayed the ability to move under its own power.

===Megatron===
In season two of ''Beast Machines'', Megatron's spark does a number of unusual things.

As part of the battle between him and [[Optimus Primal]] at the end of season one, during which the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] and the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] were pitted against each other, Megatron somehow was able to "split" his Beast body into two separate bodies, one entirely robotic and the other entirely "biological". (Whether the Beast bodies of the ''Beast Wars'' characters had any true biological components or whether they were faux-flesh composed of nanites is not consistently established in either series.) Contrary to his intentions, Megatron's spark ended up trapped within the biological body, which came to be known as [[Noble|Noble/Savage]].

It is unclear how a biological body was able to sustain a Transformers' spark. Indeed, even the Maximals were surprised when they realized what had happened. It could be argued, based on statements made by [[Vector Sigma|the Oracle]] in the first episode ("[[The Reformatting]]") that all lifeforms in the universe have sparks, not just Transformers. However, this is never alluded to by any other canonical source, so most fans have seemingly dismissed it.

As shown in "[[Prometheus Unbound]]", using the biological Noble/Savage body, Megatron was unable to exercise mental control over devices in his citadel or interface with his [[control harness]]. Upon using a [[spark extractor]] on himself, however, his spark was freed and immediately flew to the harness, which it activated before "flowing" up to the ceiling through the harness's cables. His spark then took over the [[Grand Mal]], an enormous, floating replica of his own head, as its new body and stayed there for part of season two. The Noble/Savage body appeared to be dead, but recovered. After Megatron's spark had left it, it seemed to be a perfectly "normal" animal which had the ability to change between a wolf-like form and a dragon form, possessing little if any sentience.

As soon as his spark had been removed from Noble, it took on an unusual appearance, having turned entirely red or orange in color (perhaps a change similar to that of the reformatted Maximals). Megatron's disembodied spark also seemed to be able to speak even though it had no physical body. It may be that this speech was telepathic, but the spark itself pulsated in perfect rhythm with the words.

While inhabiting the Grand Mal, Megatron's spark was sometimes seen floating freely and under its own power through the construct's interior, particularly in a large space that appeared to serve as his control room. (It was here that he addressed his [[Vehicon general|Vehicon generals]], usually manifesting as a holographic projection of one kind or another.)

[[Image:Spark consumption.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Megatron's spark ensnares and consumes other sparks from his collection.]]
[[Image:Giant megatron spark.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Now enormous, Megatron's spark looms over Cybertron in the vicinity of his Big Floating Head.]]
Eventually, in the three-part "[[Sparkwar]]" story, Megatron's spark began consuming/fusing with the captured sparks of Cybertron's inhabitants. He claimed to have learned how to accomplish this after communicating with the Oracle.

To consume other sparks, Megatron's spark extended tendrils which ensnared victim sparks. These tendrils also had the ability extract sparks from occupied shells, much like a [[spark extractor]]. As each spark was absorbed, Megatron's spark grew larger in size.

Megatron was temporarily beaten when [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] attacked him with a sonic scream. The scream, according to Primal, depolarized Megatron's spark. This caused him to lose control temporarily and allowed the Maximals to escape. In the following episode, "[[Spark of Darkness]]", Megatron's spark exhibited additional strange behaviors which may or may not have been dependent on its depolarized state:

*It travelled very quickly and with great agility.
*It was able to "crash" physically into things to push them around. In particular, it repeatedly knocked the Maximals out of its way.
*It seemed to be able to cause large explosions simply by flying through other objects.
*It could inhabit and leave any sparkless body at will. This ability evidently differs from Starscream's, in that Starscream never animated a vacant body, and Megatron never dominated an occupied one. These re-animated bodies were able to remain functional even after suffering extreme physical damage.
*His spark was not detectable by his Vehicon generals' sensors, and Primal was unable to "sense" his spark through the Oracle.
*The spark did not speak at all while depolarized, neither when in a body nor when floating freely.

Rattrap was able to capture Megatron using a hand-held [[spark extractor]], and using a control panel on the extractor, repolarized and thus stabilized his spark. Afterwards, Megatron's spark remained red and just as fast and agile as before, but became detectable by his generals' scanners again and became "trapped" in the next body it inhabited (that of a [[Diagnostic Drone]]). Upon entering this body, Megatron declared, "I live!" This was the first time he had spoken since being hit by the sonic scream. This implies that something about his prior "destabilized" state may have prevented him from fully utilizing the bodies he had visited. The only other clue we have is that when Optimus tried to contact Megatron's spark inside the Grand Mal, he discovered that it "was not a sentient mind." Whether this is a result of trying to find a spark that was not in the expected location or because of its depolarized state is ambiguous.

===Embers===
One particular [[Shattered Glass|alternate universe]] seems to be much more of a departure from the "regular" realities in the [[multiverse]]. In it, the semi-mystical ball of energy that gives the resident Transformers their lifeforce is an electron-charged "Ember". Aside from the polarity, there's no other difference noted from the [[positron]]-charged Spark that [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] brings into that universe.

==Trivia==
*It is possible there is some quantitative difference between the sparks of Generation 1 Transformers and [[Protoform]] ''Beast Wars''-era Transformers' sparks. G1 Transformers' sparks are generally glossed as small fragments of [[Primus]]'s lifeforce. ''Beast Wars''-era Transformers' sparks are generally considered to be the same, but writer [[Larry DiTillio]] has stated that he envisioned ''Beast Wars'' Transformers' sparks as small fragments split from the [[Vok Nebula]]. When a spark is split from Vok Nebula, a "good" one travels to the [[Matrix (facility)|Matrix]] and an "evil" one to the [[Pit]].<ref>[[Beast Wars Universe]]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Allspark]]
*[[Laser core]]
*[[Personality component]]
*[[Shell program]]
*[[Spark of Combination]]
*[[Mitotic spark]]
*[[Binary spark]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Primus]]

Universal greeting

2009-11-29T20:14:50Z

82.32.67.180: /* Animated Cartoon */

{{disambig3|Universal}}
[[Image:UniversalGreeting2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Eh, close enough.]]
The '''universal greeting''' is used as a means to express good will toward alien beings when a language barrier is present. However, it does not always work that way.

It is commonly transliterated as ''Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong''.

:'''Japanese greeting:''' ''Berwip crawna-wi pinibon''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity===
====Cartoon Continuity====
The [[Allicon|Allicons]] on [[Quintessa]] initially reacted well to the greeting, but when [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] ran out of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] goodies, the Allicons began chanting it as they attacked the Autobots. However, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] on [[Junkion (planet)|the Planet of Junk]] took it rather well even without treats and threw a party, indicating that the Universal Greeting can be roughly translated into "We come in peace", "Take me to your leader", "Care to dance?", or whatever seems appropriate.

Strangely, humans had never heard of it before. Stranger yet, the rest of the galaxy is populated by robots. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie}}

====Marvel UK comics====
The universal greeting is understood by most creatures in the galaxy. It can be roughly translated to "hello, we mean you no harm," or "we come in peace," or "do you hate Dirtwad Decepticons as much as we do?" <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=643 Marvel UK #102's letters page, defining the Universal Greeting.]</ref>

====Sticker Adventures====
Kup successfully used the 'Universal Autobot Greeting' (and an [[Energon Stick]]) to make peace with the Junkions. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

====''IDW'' comics continuity====
After [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] crash-landed on the planet [[LV-117]], which is populated by a variety of giant monsters, he attempted to use the universal greeting on a [[chaosteros]] and lost an arm for his troubles. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
There exists a '''universal greeting dance''', used to convince even the most implacable enemies of one's sincerity (presumably by convincing them that one is willing to humiliate oneself so thoroughly that one could not possibly harbor ill will). {{storylink|The Fish Test|The Fish Test}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
The Universal Greeting has accompanying hand signals. The variants of these for five-digit species were demonstrated kindly by [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]], who interpreted [[Lugnut]] raising his fist to deliver one of [[Punch of Kill Everything|his famous punches]] as an invitation to perform the Universal Greeting, and reciprocated accordingly.

'''Stage 1:'''
Raise the left hand, palm outward to the person being addressed. Keep the thumb tucked to the side of the palm, pointing upward. Clench the index and pinky fingers as if making a fist and extend the middle and ring fingers vertically. The gesture should be made at the same time as speaking the "graaaaagnah" part of the verbal Universal Greeting.

'''Stage 2:'''
Extend the index, ring and pinky fingers. Curl the middle finger and thumb towards the palm of the hand so that they touch at right-angles, with the side of the thumb's tip pressed against the nail of the middle finger. This should be done in time with the verbalization "wheep".

'''Stage 3:'''
Clench the index, middle and ring fingers. Extend the thumb and pinky fingers so that the gesture resembles a horizontally-flipped 'L'. Shake the hand sideways twice, in time to the syllables of "ni ni"

'''Stage 4:'''
As the final "bong" is spoken, open your hand out so that all digits are extended and slightly splayed, as if to make a hand-print in clay. Pause momentarily and then press the thus-opened hand against that of the person you are addressing, who themselves should have a likewise open palm.

''On '''NO ACCOUNT''' should the final part of the hand signals be performed if you are addressing the [[Decepticon]] Lugnut when his fist has transformed into a pressure-sensitive weapons trigger. Actually, it's probably best if you don't perform the Universal Greeting in any way before Lugnut, as any salutation short of "All hail [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]" would be likely to incur his wrath.''{{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Universal greeting

2009-11-29T20:14:10Z

82.32.67.180: /* Sunbow Cartoon */

{{disambig3|Universal}}
[[Image:UniversalGreeting2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Eh, close enough.]]
The '''universal greeting''' is used as a means to express good will toward alien beings when a language barrier is present. However, it does not always work that way.

It is commonly transliterated as ''Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong''.

:'''Japanese greeting:''' ''Berwip crawna-wi pinibon''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity===
====Animated Cartoon====
The [[Allicon|Allicons]] on [[Quintessa]] initially reacted well to the greeting, but when [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] ran out of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] goodies, the Allicons began chanting it as they attacked the Autobots. However, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] on [[Junkion (planet)|the Planet of Junk]] took it rather well even without treats and threw a party, indicating that the Universal Greeting can be roughly translated into "We come in peace", "Take me to your leader", "Care to dance?", or whatever seems appropriate.

Strangely, humans had never heard of it before. Stranger yet, the rest of the galaxy is populated by robots. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie}}

====Marvel UK comics====
The universal greeting is understood by most creatures in the galaxy. It can be roughly translated to "hello, we mean you no harm," or "we come in peace," or "do you hate Dirtwad Decepticons as much as we do?" <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=643 Marvel UK #102's letters page, defining the Universal Greeting.]</ref>

====Sticker Adventures====
Kup successfully used the 'Universal Autobot Greeting' (and an [[Energon Stick]]) to make peace with the Junkions. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

====''IDW'' comics continuity====
After [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] crash-landed on the planet [[LV-117]], which is populated by a variety of giant monsters, he attempted to use the universal greeting on a [[chaosteros]] and lost an arm for his troubles. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
There exists a '''universal greeting dance''', used to convince even the most implacable enemies of one's sincerity (presumably by convincing them that one is willing to humiliate oneself so thoroughly that one could not possibly harbor ill will). {{storylink|The Fish Test|The Fish Test}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
The Universal Greeting has accompanying hand signals. The variants of these for five-digit species were demonstrated kindly by [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]], who interpreted [[Lugnut]] raising his fist to deliver one of [[Punch of Kill Everything|his famous punches]] as an invitation to perform the Universal Greeting, and reciprocated accordingly.

'''Stage 1:'''
Raise the left hand, palm outward to the person being addressed. Keep the thumb tucked to the side of the palm, pointing upward. Clench the index and pinky fingers as if making a fist and extend the middle and ring fingers vertically. The gesture should be made at the same time as speaking the "graaaaagnah" part of the verbal Universal Greeting.

'''Stage 2:'''
Extend the index, ring and pinky fingers. Curl the middle finger and thumb towards the palm of the hand so that they touch at right-angles, with the side of the thumb's tip pressed against the nail of the middle finger. This should be done in time with the verbalization "wheep".

'''Stage 3:'''
Clench the index, middle and ring fingers. Extend the thumb and pinky fingers so that the gesture resembles a horizontally-flipped 'L'. Shake the hand sideways twice, in time to the syllables of "ni ni"

'''Stage 4:'''
As the final "bong" is spoken, open your hand out so that all digits are extended and slightly splayed, as if to make a hand-print in clay. Pause momentarily and then press the thus-opened hand against that of the person you are addressing, who themselves should have a likewise open palm.

''On '''NO ACCOUNT''' should the final part of the hand signals be performed if you are addressing the [[Decepticon]] Lugnut when his fist has transformed into a pressure-sensitive weapons trigger. Actually, it's probably best if you don't perform the Universal Greeting in any way before Lugnut, as any salutation short of "All hail [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]" would be likely to incur his wrath.''{{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Alliance

2009-11-23T18:14:44Z

82.32.67.180: /* Miscellaneous trivia */

{{disambig3|Alliance}}

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|series2=Micron Legend
|ep=49
|prev=Cramp
|next=Union
|title=Alliance
|japanese=覚醒 (ゆにくろん) - alliance
|romaji=Kakusei [Unicron]
|translation=Awakening
|image=Alliance.JPG
|caption=
|production code=TF: A-49
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Isao Shizuya]]
|director=[[Masayuki Motsumoto]]
|animation studio=[[Actas]]
|airdate=[[September 30]], 2003 (UK) [[December 9]], 2003 (US) [[December 5|5 December]] 2003 (Japan)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Starscream's sacrifice spurs the Autobots and the Decepticons to join forces. However, Unicron awakens.'''

==Detailed Synopsis==
[[Image:Sshot-arm-494-remains.jpg|left|175px|thumb|You failed, your highness. I'm a Jedi, like my father before me...yeah...]]
Demolishor is astonished to hear about the truce between the two armies and asks if Galvatron is functioning. Cyclonus is disgusted that they're doing this simply because the traitorous [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] asked that they do it, but then suggests that they simply use the idea of a truce to ambush the Autobots. At that point, Galvatron makes Cyclonus respect his authority with the usual amount of physical punishment. Galvatron is upset at how poorly things have turned out, but Starscream's sacrifice has convinced him: they're going to ally with the Autobots...for now. Afterwards, all bets are off.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-491-ships.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Not all Autobot spaceships know how to swim.]]
Inside of Unicron, Thrust and Sideways plan their inevitable victory and conquest of the universe. The power of the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] allows Unicron to shed the remains of his moon-disguise shell. The dark god hovers over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], sucking up parts of the terrain. Both armies evacuate the surface, assisted by the [[Mini-Con]] swarm.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-decepts.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Galvatron...Emperor Palpatine...What's the difference?]]
In a ceremonial procedure, Galvatron and his men meet for a handshake to seal the truce. The leaders shake hands, and Perceptor also grabs on as his way of representing the allegiance of the Mini-Cons. The kids observe this, astonished that it's actually happening. Alexis begins to tear up and when Carlos asks her if she's all right, she says she was just remembering Starscream and how he would have loved to see this happening for himself. Forming a single front, the [[Armada (franchise)|armada]] heads towards Unicron. The first volley of fire does no damage against their enemy. Two larger ships perform reconnaissance and are blasted, so a team of Hot Shot, Side Swipe, Demolishor, and Cyclonus (and some others) are sent in, based on a [[Star Wars|vaguely familiar]] theory that smaller ships will elude Unicron's detection. On Unicron's surface, Cyclonus and the generics fly away to break stuff, and Demolishor leaves to avoid Hot Shot, leaving the two Autobots by themselves.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-redshirts.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Balls of DOOOOM!!!!]]
Unicron's geography shifts and folds, disturbing his visitors and causing Demolishor to lose Blackout. From the base, Galvatron suggests another attack, which Optimus makes sure won't harm the recon crew, who have their hands full fighting against swarms of [[Dead End Drone|Dead End Drones]]. Demolishor saves Cyclonus from falling into a fissure, while the Autobots assist their begrudging allies. Demolishor saves Side Swipe from falling into another fissure, and Hot Shot thanks the Decepticon by re-uniting Demolishor with Blackout—a tender moment. Optimus and Galvatron arrive to bring the group home.

From a distance, the armada witnesses Unicron complete his transformation into robot mode, ready to devour the planet.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] (19)
* [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]] (20)
* [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (27)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (28)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (29)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (31)

|c2=
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (2)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (3)
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (6)

|c3=
* [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] (9)
* [[Rad White|Rad]] (13)
* [[Alexis]] (14)
* [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (15)
* [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (16)

|h4=[[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]|c4=
* [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (10)
* [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (11)
* [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (12)
* [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] (21)
* [[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]] (22)
* [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] (23)
* [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (24)
* [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (25)
* [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (26)
* [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] (30)
* [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]] (32)

|h5=Other|c5=
* [[Unicron]] (1)
* [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (7)
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] (8)
* [[Dead End Drone|Dead End Drones]] (33)
}}

==Quotes==
"Right now, all I can think about is the comrade we lost. Sure, he challenged my authority in a failed coup attempt, and even though Starscream was a traitor, he never lost sight of his oath to the Decepticons. He was a true soldier, unlike most of ''you''!"
:—'''Galvatron''' defends Starscream's memory from the jibes of the other Decepticons.

'''Billy:''' "I don't like this, Fred." 
'''Fred:''' "And I wish I went to the bathroom!" 
'''Rad:''' "You know, guys, I'd never thought I'd see this happen. The two of them shaking hands, just standing here in front of the Decepticons. Watching this is like some kind of weird dream." 
'''Carlos:''' "Hey, are you all right, Alexis?" 
'''Alexis:''' "Yeah, I was just thinking about Starscream. You know, he sure would have loved to see all this happen between them. After all, it was kind of his last request." 
'''Rad:''' "Well, I got a feeling he knows."
:—The kids compare reactions on the Autobot/Decepticon truce.

'''Demolishor:''' "I'm only doing this because I'm following Galvatron's orders." 
'''Cyclonus:''' "Ha! I can't believe I'm fighting for harmony! What a load of bunk! I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine! Hahahaha!" 
'''Side Swipe:''' "I gotta work with this guy? I'm not so sure about this."
:—The truce gets off to a shaky start.

"Tidal Wave..." 
"Uh...nice meetin' ya."
:—'''Tidal Wave''' and '''Jetfire''' shaking hands.

"I can't believe I just saved Prime!"
:—An incredulous '''Galvatron''' after he destroys a cannon targeted at Optimus Prime.

==Notes==
*This is one of the most inconsistently animated episodes of the series. While the majority of the episode is of below-par in animation quality, several "showcase" sequences, such as Hot Shot helping Hoist board the ''Axalon'', and Unicron's very detailed transformation sequence, are very well drawn and animated.

===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* Several Mini-Cons are standing in the hangar bay of Megatron's flagship after the Decepticons run inside to escape from Unicron's gravitational pull, and they are the size of normal Transformers.

* The [[Race Mini-Con Team|Race Team]] Mini-Con Mirage appears among the Mini-Cons there, but he should be with Thrust inside Unicron by now, as the traitorous Decepticon had stolen the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] several episodes earlier.

*Several of the Mini-Cons protecting the ''Axalon'' and the Autobot fleet during the lift-off from Cybertron use ''Generation 1'' character models instead of Mini-Con character models.

*The four generic Decepticons on the mission to Unicron change colour depending on the shot.

*When Jet Optimus attacks the Dead End drones surrounding Hot Shot and Demolishor's recon team, the laser blast comes from in front of the first drone destroyed, rather than behind (the direction from which Prime is coming).

===Continuity errors===
* Cyclonus is in danger of falling into a hole, having apparently forgotten that ''he can fly'', which he was doing ''moments before''. It's possible that he's just that stupid, but not likely.

===Transformers references===
* Several parts of Unicron's transformation sequence are clearly a visual homage to his transformation in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original ''Transformers'' movie]].

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* Various cameos appear in the hand-shaking scene, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and a palette-swapped [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] of the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]].

* The generic Decepticons sent to Unicron to assist the named characters have ''Generation 1'' character models in radically different color schemes (such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]). They totally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29 all died.]

*Assuming the episode was entirely in real-time, Unicron's transformation took close to seven minutes.

* Yes, the combined forces of Autobots, Decepticons, and Mini-Cons is what the "Armada" in the title of the series stands for.

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)

2009-11-22T13:33:33Z

82.32.67.180: /* Franchise elements */

{{disambig2|the real-world franchise|the historical event within the fiction|Beast Wars (event)}}
{{Nav-bw}}

'''''Beast Wars''''' is a [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'']] [[franchise]] that began in 1996, following the end of ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''. It was a massive reinvention of the brand, featuring robots that changed into realistic, organically-styled animals instead of the traditional vehicles or mechanical beasts. The accompanying cartoon was another visual break, being the first fully-[[Wikipedia:Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] ''Transformers'' series. It also did the seemingly unthinkable and replaced the original two factions, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, with the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Though originally [[Ruined FOREVER|decried by fans]], ''Beast Wars'' dramatically reinvigorated the brand, whose sales had been flagging under the ''Generation 2'' franchise.

"Beast Wars" is also frequently used as a catchall term for the [[Beast Era]] in which ''Beast Wars'' and other series occur.

{{bigquote|In the beginning came the beasts, and all that creeps, crawls and flies - but nature lies, they're robots in disguise!|[[Commercial]] narrator [[Victor Caroli]] ushers in the new era}}

==Franchise elements==
The ''Beast Wars'' franchise features the following primary components:

* [[Beast Wars (toyline)|A toyline]] — (1996–2000)
* [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|A cartoon series]] — (1996–1999) called ''Beasties'' in many Canadian markets to appear less violent.
* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|A video game]] for PC and PS based on ''Beast Wars''.
* [[Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals|A video game]] for PS and N64 based on ''Beast Wars''.
* [[Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|A video game]] for Game Boy Color based on ''Beast Wars'', ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo''.
* Several later [[Beast Wars (comic)|comic series]] that [[retcon]] the cartoon and Japanese series.

==Japanese release==
In Japan, the first season of the North American cartoon was aired with a markedly "kiddified" dub, accompanied by releases of the concurrent toys. Then two cel-animated series unique to Japan were aired, with their own toylines and manga. After those finished, the remaining two North American CGI seasons were aired and toys released under the name "Beast Wars Metals".

While the Japanese-produced Beast Wars animated productions used cell animation, the toys' box art was rendered in a similar style to the original Mainframe cartoon, whereas the Western releases of the toys were the complete reverse, featuring hand drawn box art (fueling speculation that the Japanese toys had their packaging done in Soviet Russia).

* ''[[Beast Wars (Japanese franchise)|Beast Wars]]''
* 1998 — ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]''
* 1999 — ''[[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]''
* ''[[Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Beast Wars Metals]]''

==Continuations and addenda==
There are several 'expanded' ''Beast Wars'' storylines featuring events taking place 'just offscreen' of the cartoon series. Though the ''events'' of cartoon series are understood to occur just as had been portrayed, the ''context'' may be different, taking place in different time periods, etc. These contradictory stories all co-exist within the vast Transformers [[Continuity#Multiverse|Multiverse]].

Most of these exist mainly through [[Beast Wars (comic)|''Beast Wars'' comics]].

Highlights include:

* From 1997–2004, [[3H Productions|3H]] featured a series of comics, toy-exclusives and text stories set in the same continuity as the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' cartoon series, continuing into the ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series.
* IDW Publishing has produced 2 series and a profile sourcebook This continuity is notable for including toys and events from several Japanese Beast Wars series. (See [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)]])
* [[Fun Publications]] [[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]] imprint (2005–?) has published several ''Beast Wars'' comics and text stories.

==Prehistoric Earth==
The Beast Wars' time period (like its exact location,<ref>Visual evidence suggests Northern Africa, but that would of course be impossible given some of the distances shown being covered on foot. (The main reason their location was left vague, thus, was a narrative one.)</ref>) was never established during the cartoon's original run. In the years ''after'' the cartoon ended several official dates have been given:

* 3,000,000 years ago — [[Micromaster Collection|Reissue Sixtrain Booklet]]<ref>The Japanese dating of the events of Beast Wars as "3 Million Years Ago" appears to stem from mis-reading Optimus Primal's statement in the episode "[[Optimal Situation]]" that they would have four million years to "scrape Megatron off the walls" as a literal rather than figurative timeframe. Regardless, 3 million years is unquestionably 'correct' ''for'' ''[[Micromaster Collection]]'' continuity... it was the age of wreckage discovered from that era.</ref> — (August, 2003)
* 180,000 [[wikipedia:Anno Domino|BC]] — "[[Primeval Dawn Part 2]]" — (July, 2004)
* 70,000 [[wikipedia:Anno Domino|BC]] — [[The Gathering issue 2|''Beast Wars: The Gathering'' #2]] — (March, 2006)

Each of these dates applies to a different [[continuity]] or "alternate dimension" within the Transformers Multiverse, so they do not ''conflict'' with one another. The Maximals and Predacons in those dimensions simply crashed at different times, but had otherwise identical adventures. (Generally with different events taking place 'offscreen' unique to each [[expanded continuity]].)

Though Earth's geology and biology seen in the cartoon does not fit any single era, the loose "window" of 70,000–180,000 B.C. seems to represent two extremes that are "about right."

=="Other" ''Beast Wars''==
* The initial toys and the [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|mini-comic]] packed with the basic Optimus Primal VS Megatron two-pack toy strongly implied that ''Beast Wars'' was a continuation of the previous [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] conflict on present day Earth, with Primal and Megatron simply new forms of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]]. This setting was abandoned when the 1996 cartoon established its futuristic setting. This remains an intriguing [[micro-continuity]].
* A version of the ''Beast Wars'' occurred in the past of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]]. One text story ("[[Fire in the Dark]]") in the 2004 ''[[Transformers Legends]]'' anthology is set in this version of ''Beast Wars''.

* The [[Movie (franchise)|2007 live-action movie franchise]] has a version of the ''Beast Wars'' in its past.<ref>[[Sector Seven]] had the shattered [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|golden disk]] (and possibly the [[Covenant of Primus]]) in its archives 1898, some 80 years before the disk's creation.</ref><ref>The [[Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game]] indicates Sector Seven is at least partially aware of the events of the ''Beast Wars'' as early as 1983, as they are mentioned in the [[Hungry Dragon|Takara Agreement]].</ref>

==A dramatic change==
The major change in direction for Transformers followed organizational changes within [[Hasbro]]. Hasbro had acquired rival toy manufacturer [[Kenner]] as part of their 1991 [[Tonka]] acquisition<ref>http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_hasbro</ref>, and in 1995 they transferred their boys' toy lines from the Hasbro headquarters in Rhode Island to Kenner's Cincinnati, Ohio offices. Kenner was asked to revitalize the brand with new ideas, and that is exactly what they did.

''Beast Wars'' was the first complete reinvention of the [[Transformers brand]], discarding the previous setting/characters/factions to create a new story, set several hundred years in the future. Transformers in the Beast Era are much smaller (often human-sized) and transform into 'fleshy' non-robotic animals. Initially met with [[Trukk not munky|outrage]] by many fans (for a variety of reasons) ''Beast Wars'' would eventually become highly regarded, largely due to the exceptional quality of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|cartoon series]]. It is now not unusual for even longtime ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' fans to consider ''Beast Wars'' to be their favorite Transformers franchise.

==Notes==
*The ''Beast Wars'' line title was inspired a past line of Kenner's, namely ''Future War'' line of ''Terminator'' toys. It was chosen based on the idea that it portrayed a "visceral conflict".
<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

*The "Beast Masks" on the first few Beast Wars toy designs were conceived of as a way of easing the transition from traditional Transformers into Beast Wars by showing that there was a robot within the beast, not just an animal that transforms into some kind of monster.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

*Then lead designer [[Chris Gross]] inadvertently kicked off the Beast Wars concept when he proposed a stylistic change from hard-edged, blocky robots to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio_Booster_Armor_Guyver Guyver]-inspired "organic" machines.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref> This initial concept would arise again a decade later with the [[Transformers (2007)|Transformers live action]] character designs.

*The show would not have been made unless a drastically new concept from the original Transformers was created, as G1 was considered a stale property at the time. Hence, Beast Wars.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Wars| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)

2009-11-22T13:32:15Z

82.32.67.180: /* "Other" Beast Wars */

{{disambig2|the real-world franchise|the historical event within the fiction|Beast Wars (event)}}
{{Nav-bw}}

'''''Beast Wars''''' is a [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'']] [[franchise]] that began in 1996, following the end of ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''. It was a massive reinvention of the brand, featuring robots that changed into realistic, organically-styled animals instead of the traditional vehicles or mechanical beasts. The accompanying cartoon was another visual break, being the first fully-[[Wikipedia:Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] ''Transformers'' series. It also did the seemingly unthinkable and replaced the original two factions, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, with the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Though originally [[Ruined FOREVER|decried by fans]], ''Beast Wars'' dramatically reinvigorated the brand, whose sales had been flagging under the ''Generation 2'' franchise.

"Beast Wars" is also frequently used as a catchall term for the [[Beast Era]] in which ''Beast Wars'' and other series occur.

{{bigquote|In the beginning came the beasts, and all that creeps, crawls and flies - but nature lies, they're robots in disguise!|[[Commercial]] narrator [[Victor Caroli]] ushers in the new era}}

==Franchise elements==
The ''Beast Wars'' franchise features the following primary components:

* [[Beast Wars (toyline)|A toyline]] — (1996–2000)
* [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|A cartoon series]] — (1996–1999) called ''Beasties'' in many overseas markets to appear less violent.
* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|A video game]] for PC and PS based on ''Beast Wars''.
* [[Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals|A video game]] for PS and N64 based on ''Beast Wars''.
* [[Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|A video game]] for Game Boy Color based on ''Beast Wars'', ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo''.
* Several later [[Beast Wars (comic)|comic series]] that [[retcon]] the cartoon and Japanese series.

==Japanese release==
In Japan, the first season of the North American cartoon was aired with a markedly "kiddified" dub, accompanied by releases of the concurrent toys. Then two cel-animated series unique to Japan were aired, with their own toylines and manga. After those finished, the remaining two North American CGI seasons were aired and toys released under the name "Beast Wars Metals".

While the Japanese-produced Beast Wars animated productions used cell animation, the toys' box art was rendered in a similar style to the original Mainframe cartoon, whereas the Western releases of the toys were the complete reverse, featuring hand drawn box art (fueling speculation that the Japanese toys had their packaging done in Soviet Russia).

* ''[[Beast Wars (Japanese franchise)|Beast Wars]]''
* 1998 — ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]''
* 1999 — ''[[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]''
* ''[[Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Beast Wars Metals]]''

==Continuations and addenda==
There are several 'expanded' ''Beast Wars'' storylines featuring events taking place 'just offscreen' of the cartoon series. Though the ''events'' of cartoon series are understood to occur just as had been portrayed, the ''context'' may be different, taking place in different time periods, etc. These contradictory stories all co-exist within the vast Transformers [[Continuity#Multiverse|Multiverse]].

Most of these exist mainly through [[Beast Wars (comic)|''Beast Wars'' comics]].

Highlights include:

* From 1997–2004, [[3H Productions|3H]] featured a series of comics, toy-exclusives and text stories set in the same continuity as the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' cartoon series, continuing into the ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series.
* IDW Publishing has produced 2 series and a profile sourcebook This continuity is notable for including toys and events from several Japanese Beast Wars series. (See [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)]])
* [[Fun Publications]] [[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]] imprint (2005–?) has published several ''Beast Wars'' comics and text stories.

==Prehistoric Earth==
The Beast Wars' time period (like its exact location,<ref>Visual evidence suggests Northern Africa, but that would of course be impossible given some of the distances shown being covered on foot. (The main reason their location was left vague, thus, was a narrative one.)</ref>) was never established during the cartoon's original run. In the years ''after'' the cartoon ended several official dates have been given:

* 3,000,000 years ago — [[Micromaster Collection|Reissue Sixtrain Booklet]]<ref>The Japanese dating of the events of Beast Wars as "3 Million Years Ago" appears to stem from mis-reading Optimus Primal's statement in the episode "[[Optimal Situation]]" that they would have four million years to "scrape Megatron off the walls" as a literal rather than figurative timeframe. Regardless, 3 million years is unquestionably 'correct' ''for'' ''[[Micromaster Collection]]'' continuity... it was the age of wreckage discovered from that era.</ref> — (August, 2003)
* 180,000 [[wikipedia:Anno Domino|BC]] — "[[Primeval Dawn Part 2]]" — (July, 2004)
* 70,000 [[wikipedia:Anno Domino|BC]] — [[The Gathering issue 2|''Beast Wars: The Gathering'' #2]] — (March, 2006)

Each of these dates applies to a different [[continuity]] or "alternate dimension" within the Transformers Multiverse, so they do not ''conflict'' with one another. The Maximals and Predacons in those dimensions simply crashed at different times, but had otherwise identical adventures. (Generally with different events taking place 'offscreen' unique to each [[expanded continuity]].)

Though Earth's geology and biology seen in the cartoon does not fit any single era, the loose "window" of 70,000–180,000 B.C. seems to represent two extremes that are "about right."

=="Other" ''Beast Wars''==
* The initial toys and the [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|mini-comic]] packed with the basic Optimus Primal VS Megatron two-pack toy strongly implied that ''Beast Wars'' was a continuation of the previous [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] conflict on present day Earth, with Primal and Megatron simply new forms of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]]. This setting was abandoned when the 1996 cartoon established its futuristic setting. This remains an intriguing [[micro-continuity]].
* A version of the ''Beast Wars'' occurred in the past of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]]. One text story ("[[Fire in the Dark]]") in the 2004 ''[[Transformers Legends]]'' anthology is set in this version of ''Beast Wars''.

* The [[Movie (franchise)|2007 live-action movie franchise]] has a version of the ''Beast Wars'' in its past.<ref>[[Sector Seven]] had the shattered [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|golden disk]] (and possibly the [[Covenant of Primus]]) in its archives 1898, some 80 years before the disk's creation.</ref><ref>The [[Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game]] indicates Sector Seven is at least partially aware of the events of the ''Beast Wars'' as early as 1983, as they are mentioned in the [[Hungry Dragon|Takara Agreement]].</ref>

==A dramatic change==
The major change in direction for Transformers followed organizational changes within [[Hasbro]]. Hasbro had acquired rival toy manufacturer [[Kenner]] as part of their 1991 [[Tonka]] acquisition<ref>http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_hasbro</ref>, and in 1995 they transferred their boys' toy lines from the Hasbro headquarters in Rhode Island to Kenner's Cincinnati, Ohio offices. Kenner was asked to revitalize the brand with new ideas, and that is exactly what they did.

''Beast Wars'' was the first complete reinvention of the [[Transformers brand]], discarding the previous setting/characters/factions to create a new story, set several hundred years in the future. Transformers in the Beast Era are much smaller (often human-sized) and transform into 'fleshy' non-robotic animals. Initially met with [[Trukk not munky|outrage]] by many fans (for a variety of reasons) ''Beast Wars'' would eventually become highly regarded, largely due to the exceptional quality of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|cartoon series]]. It is now not unusual for even longtime ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' fans to consider ''Beast Wars'' to be their favorite Transformers franchise.

==Notes==
*The ''Beast Wars'' line title was inspired a past line of Kenner's, namely ''Future War'' line of ''Terminator'' toys. It was chosen based on the idea that it portrayed a "visceral conflict".
<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

*The "Beast Masks" on the first few Beast Wars toy designs were conceived of as a way of easing the transition from traditional Transformers into Beast Wars by showing that there was a robot within the beast, not just an animal that transforms into some kind of monster.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

*Then lead designer [[Chris Gross]] inadvertently kicked off the Beast Wars concept when he proposed a stylistic change from hard-edged, blocky robots to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio_Booster_Armor_Guyver Guyver]-inspired "organic" machines.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref> This initial concept would arise again a decade later with the [[Transformers (2007)|Transformers live action]] character designs.

*The show would not have been made unless a drastically new concept from the original Transformers was created, as G1 was considered a stale property at the time. Hence, Beast Wars.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Wars| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Transformers timeline

2009-11-17T19:33:48Z

82.32.67.180: /* 2000 */

{{disambig2|real world events|the 'Timelines' franchise|Timelines (franchise)}}
[[Image:Dool logo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Like sands through the breem glass...]]
''This is a timeline of Transformers-related events that occurred in the "real" world, including release dates and other major occurrences.''

==The dawn of time==
===13500000000 BCE===
* The Big Bang creates the universe as we know it. The protons, neutrons, and electrons that will eventually compose Transformers are formed, thereby [[Ruined FOREVER|ruining]] the Transformers franchise forever. A [[wikipedia:Last_Thursdayism|Thursday]].

{{note|The above point contradicts the later account of God's creation of the universe. The later account is the one used in early recorded [[human]] history, but was later apparently [[Retcon|retconned]], replaced with the version of the story noted here. This version appeared in scientific literature and may be assumed to take precedence in [[canon]].}}
===4004 BCE===
*God creates the universe in six literal days starting [[October 23]].<ref>''Genesis'' 1:1; the time is determined by adding up the ages of Adam and his descendants.</ref> On the seventh day, he takes a break and does whatever omnipotent beings do for leisure. As a side note, on October 22 of the same year, the Transformers franchise was [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

==1920s==
===1923===
* Henry and Helal Hassenfeld form the Hassenfeld Brothers company, selling textile remnants. The textile remnant industry is [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

==1940s==
* The Hassenfeld brothers produce their first toys: pretend doctor and nurse sets.

==1950s==
===1955===
* The Japanese toy company [[Takara]] is founded.

==1960s==
===1964===
* Hassenfeld Brothers introduces [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], the first "action figure." The action figure industry is simultaneously born and [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

===1967===
* [[July 4]] - Takara introduces the [[Licca Kayama|Licca-chan]] fashion doll.

===1968===
* The big wheels at Hassenfeld Brothers decide to make it easier for fans of their future toylines to curse their name by rebranding the company Hasbro Industries.

==1970s==
===1970===
* Takara acquires the license to introduce G.I. Joe to Japan. Eventually, Takara takes advantage of the 12" Joe figures' interchangeable parts to create a spinoff toyline called Henshin Cyborg (Transforming Cyborg).

===1974===
* Takara launches the [[Microman]] toyline, which represents a scaled-down version of the Henshin Cyborg [[gimmick]], and which will later be exported to the West as Micronauts.

===1975===
* Robotman, the first ever transforming robot/vehicle toy, is added to the Microman line. This toy will later become known in the West as the Micronaut Biotron.<ref>[http://www.microforever.com/Robotman-Biotron.htm Robotman Series / Victory Series]</ref>

==1980s==
===1980===
* Takara launches the [[Diaclone]] toyline.

===1982===
* March - The first two toys from Takara's ''Diaclone Car Robo'' line, No.1 Countach LP-500S Super Tuning (red version) and No.2 Onebox Cherry Vanette (black version), are released to stores in Japan. These toys' molds would later be used in Transformers as [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], respectively.

* April - The first four toys from the [[Popy]] company's [[Machine Robo]] line are released to stores in Japan. They will go on to be better known in the West as [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]], Tank, Fitor, and Cop-Tur of the evil Renegades in the [[Tonka]] [[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] line, the closest competitor to Transformers.

* October 3 - ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' debuts on Japanese television, featuring the transforming Valkyrie fighter jet. This vehicle will go on to be '''less''' known in the West as the Transformer [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]].

===1983===
* January - The first three toys from Takara's New Microman: MicroChange line, MC-01 Micross (available as blue and red variations), MC-02 Jaguar (available as blue and black variations) and MC-03 Condor (available as blue and black variations), are released to stores. These would later make up the first wave of [[Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]].
* Unknown date - A Hasbro delegation discovers Takara's Diaclone and Microman toys at the Tokyo Toy Show.
* Late 1983 - Takara releases three of their Diaclone toys (red Sunstreaker, black Ironhide and blue [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]) in the USA under the name "[[Diakron]]". Due to the new licensing agreement with Hasbro, the Diakron line is discontinued following these three toys.

===[[1984]]===
''The Transformers'' launches in the US, in toy, comic and cartoon formats, [[Ruined FOREVER|forever ruining]] ''Transformers''.

* February - [[Hasbro Bradley]] unveils their new ''Transformers'' toyline at Toy Fair.
* March - [http://www.electric-escape.net/node/590 ''Marvel Age'' #17] announces the April debut of the ''Transformers'' comic book.
* Spring - The first animated [[commercial]] advertising the Marvel comics airs on US TV.
* [[May 8]] - [[The Transformers (issue)|Issue one of the Marvel comic]] is released.
* [[May 22]] - The [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en first Usenet post about Transformers] is posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics. In a prediction of things to come, it is mostly complaints.
* Spring - ''Transformers'' toys start filtering into stores across the United States.
* [[September 17]] - [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]] premieres on U.S. television Saturday morning.
* Unknown date - the UK is the only European country to get Transformers toys this year. Toys are being distributed by Hasbro. Megatron is not available until 1985.
* [[October 6]] - The [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/fce7a2ddb7e35a81?dmode=source&hl=en first Usenet post about the Transformers cartoon] is posted to net.comics by Bill Flanagan.
* [[September 20]] - The Marvel UK comic begins publication.
* December - Transformers mania is in full swing, as the figures fly off store shelves, becoming the year's best seller for Hasbro.
* December - The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Mexico.
* Unknown date - Takara conduct test market sales of the Hasbro toys in Japan, under the working name "Henshin Sentai Transformers" ("Transformation Taskforce Transformers").

===1985===
* From its Limited Series origins, the Marvel comic becomes an ongoing monthly.
* [[July 6]] - Seasons 1 and 2 of the US cartoon begin airing in Japan as ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer''.
* The Transformers toyline starts getting released to most European markets, with Hasbro using Milton Bradley's facilities for the continental European market, due to an initial lack of resources on their own. The MB toys would be available in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Spain and include lots of oddities unique to Europe, such as a red version of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]. Concurrently, [[GiG]] launches [[Trasformer]] in Italy (Diaclone toys with no Transformers license), while [[El Greco]] launches their short-lived version of the line in Greece.
* [[IGA]] begins producing Transformers toys for the Mexican and Central American market.
* [[Estrela]] begins producing Transformers toys in Brazil, creating a distinctive local version of the G1 toyline that was eventually brought to Argentina by the second-hand licensee [[Antex]].
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Peru... despite the fact that the toyline it was [[To sell toys|created to promote]] is unavailable in the Peruvian market.

===1986===
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in the Netherlands.
* April - [[Scramble City]], the first Japanese originated Transformers animation, is released on video tape in Japan.
* [[August 8]] - ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is released in theatres in the United States. International releases follow, except for Japan and Germany.
* The Transformers toyline is introduced to Peru in response to the cartoon's popularity in that country (rather than the other way around) with a combination of [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] toys imported by [[HUDE]] and [[BASA]], and cheaper [[Redeco|redecoed]] [[Mini Vehicle|Mini Vehicles]] made by [[Lynsa]].
* [[December 12]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in the UK.
* [[December 26]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in Australia.

===1987===
* February- ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in Brazil.
* The American version of the G1 cartoon ends its run, to be replaced in Japan by the [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters cartoon]].

===1988===
* The [[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Masterforce]] [[franchise]] is launched, ushering in a period of significant deviation between the Western and Japanese Transformers franchises.
* July - The translated version of the Marvel comic book hits Danish stores, lasting only 18 monthly issues (2 US comics per issue + random assortment of Universe profiles) with an editorial approach that wreaked havoc on any sort of continuity (skipping many key stories, resulting in sudden jumps in storylines, a condescending and ignorant letters page etc.)
* A [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|fifth season]] of the US Transformers cartoon begins airing, comprised of re-edited episodes introduced by a stop-motion Powermaster Optimus Prime.

===1989===
* Unofficially imported Mexican IGA Transformers become a common sight on European store shelves.
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Germany.
* August - Hasbro begins manufacturing and selling Transformers toys in mainland China. <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/1743/37/ The Little Sticker in the Corner: The Truth about Early-1990's Chinese G1 Transformers Toys]</ref>
* [[August 9]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' finally is released in Japan, where it is not actually called "Matrix Forever".

==1990s==
===1990===
*The last year of Generation 1 toys are released in North America, while the franchise continues in Japan and Europe.
*July - [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers Zone]] is released in Japan.

===1991===
* (Cover date of July) - The Marvel Comic ends in the United States with [[End of the Road! (US)|issue 80]].

===1992===
*[[January 4]] (cover date [[January 18]]) - The Marvel Comic ends in the United Kingdom with [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #332]].
*[[Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]] comes to an end, signalling the end of the original ''Transformers'' series in Japan.

===1993===
*''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' attempts to revive the ''Transformers'' franchise in North America.
* The last year of Generation 1 toys are released in Europe.
* On [[September 11|September 11th]], the Usenet newsgroup [[alt.toys.transformers]] is established. Fans now have a dedicated online public forum on which to discuss whatever is ruining Transformers.

===1994===
* [[July 16]] - The first [[BotCon]] is held, in [[Fort Wayne]], Indiana.
* ''Generation 2'' is released in Europe.
* Antex briefly introduces ''Generation 2'' to Argentina with [[Robot-Man X]] and [[Robot-Man Z]].

===1995===
* ''Generation 2'' begins in Japan, the first ''Transformers'' series there in years.
* ''Generation 2'' craps out in every market, including Japan.
* The [[Generation 1 China (toyline)|Chinese G1 toyline]] comes to a close with the reissuing of several [[Victory (toyline)|Victory]] toys for the Chinese market.
* The South Korean toy company [[Sonokong]] enters into a licensing agreement with [[Hasbro International]], paving the way for the introduction of officially licensed Transformers toys in a country where Transformers [[Knockoff|knockoffs]] were once popular enough to inspire their own animated movies.
* [[August 5]][[August 6|-6]] - [[BotCon 1995]] is held in Dayton, Ohio.

===1996===
* ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' is launched. The fandom declares it will forever destroy ''Transformers'' and nobody will ever like it ever, certainly not ten years into the future.
* ''Beast Wars'' revives the franchise.
* ''Beast Wars'' is one of the best ''Transformers'' anythings ever.
* [[July 12]][[July 14|-14]] - [[BotCon 1996]] is held in Rosemont, Illinois.

===1997===
* Hasbro releases the twelve [[Machine Wars]] toys, to little acclaim.
* [[July 18]][[July 20|-20]] - [[BotCon 1997]] is held in Rochester, New York, by the newly-formed [[3H Enterprises]].
* The target audience of the original cartoon reaches college age.

===1998===
* [[April 10]] - The ''Beast Wars'' TV show premieres in the UK.
* [[June 19]][[June 20|-20]] - [[BotCon 1998]] is held in Anaheim, California.
* Summer - Hasbro's Nordic subsidiary (located in Denmark) releases UK Beast Wars stock to Scandinavian stores. The CGI show is not picked up in any of the Scandinavian countries, as it is deemed "too graphic" for children.

===1999===
* [[July 16]][[July 18|-18]] - At [[BotCon 1999]] in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the first episode of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', "[[The Reformatting]]" is previewed, to overwhelming fan enjoyment.

==2000s==
===2000===
* Everyone [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|hates]] ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''.
* [[July 28]][[July 30|-30]] - [[BotCon 2000]] is held in [[Fort Wayne]], Indiana.

===2001===
* Everyone loves "[[Transformers 2000]]," but they hate ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
* [[February 19]] - ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' begins airing in the UK on Fox Kids.
* [[July 13]][[July 15|-15]] - [[BotCon 2001]] is held in Durham, North Carolina.
* Hasbro introduces Transformers to Turkey through its recent acquired subsidiary [[Intertoy]].

===2002===
* Hasbro ''Transformers'' lead designer [[Aaron Archer]] begins to post on the Transfandom.com boards as ORSON, at first primarily to refute various false claims about [[Armada (franchise)|''Transformers: Armada'']]. Skeptical fans remark that if he is a Hasbro designer, then they are various members of the British Monarchy.
* [[April 3]] - [[Dreamwave Productions]] begins publishing Transformers comics with [[Prime Directive issue 1|Transformers Generation 1 #1]]. There is much rejoicing, even though everyone started noticing how bad [[Pat Lee|Pat "Dull-Surprise" Lee's]] art really was.
* [[Aaron Archer]] does his best to kill ''Transformers'' through incredible sales; ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' kicks off the [[Unicron Trilogy]], the toys appear on store shelves in mid-July, the cartoon premieres in August.
* [[June 1]] - The [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]] cartoon premieres in the UK in a run which includes several episodes originally withheld from US broadcast.
* [[July 6]] - ''Armada'' toys begin arriving in small toy stores and Kay-Bee. <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/b22311a4862b3c07?dmode=source Armada has been spotted!] on alt.toys.transformers</ref>
* [[July 26]][[July 28|-28]] - [[BotCon 2002]] is held in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

===2003===
* [[June 11]] - [[Don Murphy]] and [[Tom DeSanto]] team up to produce a feature-length, [[Transformers (2007)|live-action ''Transformers'']] movie. They claim it will be exactly the same as ''Generation 1''. Really.
* [[July 25]][[July 27|-27]] - [[OTFCC 2003]] is held in Chicago, Illinois.
* Everybody loves ''[[Masterpiece]]/20th Anniversary'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].
* Everyone loves [[Binaltech]]/[[Alternators]].

===[[2004]]===
* [[June 19]][[June 20|-20]] - Although no longer the official convention, [[BotCon 2004]] is held in Pasadena, California.
* [[July 22]] - [[Dreamworks]], [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Hasbro]] sign an agreement to produce a [[Transformers (2007)|live-action ''Transformers'']] movie.
* [[July 30]]-[[August 1]] - [[OTFCC 2004]] is held in Chicago, Illinois.

===2005===
* [[January 4]] - [[Dreamwave Productions]] goes bankrupt. Many artists complain about being unpaid for their work and/or being stuck with FedEx fees. [[Pat Lee|Pat "serfdom" Lee]] gives them the finger and drives off in his Porsche.
* [[April 18]] - Don Murphy reports that he wants to please the fans, Dreamworks want to change everything, and Hasbro don't care either way as long as the movie gets done in time.
* [[Michael Bay]] announced as the director for ''Transformers''. It will still totally be ''Generation 1'', honest.
* [[May 19]] - [[IDW Publishing]] acquires the ''Transformers'' comic book license. There is much rejoicing, and, as usual, much complaining.
* [[September 22]][[September 25|-25]] - [[BotCon 2005]] is held in Frisco, Texas, for the first time by [[Fun Publications]]. It's the official convention again.
* [[October 19]] - [[Infiltration]] #0, [[IDW Publishing]]'s first ''Transformers'' comic, is released in comic book stores.

===2006===
* [[January 18]] - ''[[Infiltration|Transformers: Infiltration]]'' #1 is released in comic book stores.
* [[April 19]] - Filming begins on the live-action [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] motion picture.
* [[July 24]] - [[Peter Cullen]] is announced at San Diego Comic-Con as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in the ''Transformers'' film. There is much rejoicing (yay).
* [[September 15]] - The first ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' toys arrive at a small store in Canada.
* [[November 28]] - ''[[Escalation (IDW)|Transformers: Escalation]]'' #1 is released in comic book stores.
* Takara settles the ''[[Michael Bay]] is raping my childhood'' debate by ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|actually raping your childhood]]''. Realizing that Michael Bay only touched your childhood in the swimsuit area, you apologize.

===[[2007]]===
* June - The first promotional images for ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' are released. Take a guess as to the reaction. G'wan.

* [[June 27]]-[[July 1]] - [[BotCon 2007]] is held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island, Hasbro's hometown. It was expected to be the best Transformers convention ''ever''. It was also expected to be the worst Transformers convention ''ever''.

* [[July 2]] - US theatres start showing the live-action [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] motion picture at 8:00 PM. By midnight, it's made $8.8 million USD.

* [[July 3]] - The ''Transformers'' release date. It makes $27.85 million, more money on a Tuesday than any film in history. Transformers ruined forever.

* [[July 4]] - Americans celebrate their Independence Day by giving $29 million to that Hollywood movie about an [[Bumblebee (Movie)|alien robot]] summoning his friends to [[Earth]] where they disguise themselves as [[General Motors]] vehicles and team up with the [[United States military]] to smash the evil robots. Unsurprisingly, this is more money than a movie's ever earned on the Fourth of July. Apparently, what's good for General Motors really ''is'' good for the country.

* [[July 25]] - As of this writing, the ''Transformers'' movie has grossed $270 million in the United States, with worldwide gross earnings of nearly '''one half billion dollars US'''.

* [[July 28]] - A ''Transformers Animated'' preview is shown to the public. The fandom rejoiced (and complained).

* [[October 16]] - ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'' is released on DVD.

* November 3 - a specially edited 11-minute preview of ''Transformers Animated'' episode 1 is shown at the NTFA Mini-Con in Arlöv, Sweden, to the disdain of many a US fan. <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/156331-new-transformers-animated-series-details-revealed-ntfa-mini-con.html</ref>

* [[December 26]] - ''Transformers Animated'' ruins Transformers forever slightly ahead of schedule when the premiere episodes are shown as a "movie" on the [[Cartoon Network]].<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/2125/20/ Date And Time For Transformers: Animated Debut!]</ref>

===[[2008]]===
* [[January 5]] - ''Transformers Animated'' begins airing regularly Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
* [[April 24]][[April 27|-27]] - [[BotCon 2008]] is held at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
* June - ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' toys are scheduled to be released.

===2009===
* [[May 8]] - Transformers turns 25 (25th Anniversary of the release of [[The Transformers (issue)|''The Transformers'' #1]], the first publically-released TF merchandise.)
* [[May 28]]-[[May 31|31]] - [[BotCon 2009]] is held in Pasadena, California.
* [[June 24]] - ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' is released, ruining Transformers forever by raking in '''enormous''' profits.
* [[October 1]] - Michael Bay officially announces that preproduction has begun on ''[[Transformers 3]]''.<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref>

==2010s==
===2011===
* [[July 1]] - ''Transformers 3'' is currently scheduled to ruin Transformers forever by opening on this date.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chronologies]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Transformers timeline

2009-11-17T19:33:28Z

82.32.67.180: /* 2000 */

{{disambig2|real world events|the 'Timelines' franchise|Timelines (franchise)}}
[[Image:Dool logo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Like sands through the breem glass...]]
''This is a timeline of Transformers-related events that occurred in the "real" world, including release dates and other major occurrences.''

==The dawn of time==
===13500000000 BCE===
* The Big Bang creates the universe as we know it. The protons, neutrons, and electrons that will eventually compose Transformers are formed, thereby [[Ruined FOREVER|ruining]] the Transformers franchise forever. A [[wikipedia:Last_Thursdayism|Thursday]].

{{note|The above point contradicts the later account of God's creation of the universe. The later account is the one used in early recorded [[human]] history, but was later apparently [[Retcon|retconned]], replaced with the version of the story noted here. This version appeared in scientific literature and may be assumed to take precedence in [[canon]].}}
===4004 BCE===
*God creates the universe in six literal days starting [[October 23]].<ref>''Genesis'' 1:1; the time is determined by adding up the ages of Adam and his descendants.</ref> On the seventh day, he takes a break and does whatever omnipotent beings do for leisure. As a side note, on October 22 of the same year, the Transformers franchise was [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

==1920s==
===1923===
* Henry and Helal Hassenfeld form the Hassenfeld Brothers company, selling textile remnants. The textile remnant industry is [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

==1940s==
* The Hassenfeld brothers produce their first toys: pretend doctor and nurse sets.

==1950s==
===1955===
* The Japanese toy company [[Takara]] is founded.

==1960s==
===1964===
* Hassenfeld Brothers introduces [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], the first "action figure." The action figure industry is simultaneously born and [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined forever]].

===1967===
* [[July 4]] - Takara introduces the [[Licca Kayama|Licca-chan]] fashion doll.

===1968===
* The big wheels at Hassenfeld Brothers decide to make it easier for fans of their future toylines to curse their name by rebranding the company Hasbro Industries.

==1970s==
===1970===
* Takara acquires the license to introduce G.I. Joe to Japan. Eventually, Takara takes advantage of the 12" Joe figures' interchangeable parts to create a spinoff toyline called Henshin Cyborg (Transforming Cyborg).

===1974===
* Takara launches the [[Microman]] toyline, which represents a scaled-down version of the Henshin Cyborg [[gimmick]], and which will later be exported to the West as Micronauts.

===1975===
* Robotman, the first ever transforming robot/vehicle toy, is added to the Microman line. This toy will later become known in the West as the Micronaut Biotron.<ref>[http://www.microforever.com/Robotman-Biotron.htm Robotman Series / Victory Series]</ref>

==1980s==
===1980===
* Takara launches the [[Diaclone]] toyline.

===1982===
* March - The first two toys from Takara's ''Diaclone Car Robo'' line, No.1 Countach LP-500S Super Tuning (red version) and No.2 Onebox Cherry Vanette (black version), are released to stores in Japan. These toys' molds would later be used in Transformers as [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], respectively.

* April - The first four toys from the [[Popy]] company's [[Machine Robo]] line are released to stores in Japan. They will go on to be better known in the West as [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]], Tank, Fitor, and Cop-Tur of the evil Renegades in the [[Tonka]] [[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] line, the closest competitor to Transformers.

* October 3 - ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' debuts on Japanese television, featuring the transforming Valkyrie fighter jet. This vehicle will go on to be '''less''' known in the West as the Transformer [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]].

===1983===
* January - The first three toys from Takara's New Microman: MicroChange line, MC-01 Micross (available as blue and red variations), MC-02 Jaguar (available as blue and black variations) and MC-03 Condor (available as blue and black variations), are released to stores. These would later make up the first wave of [[Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassettes]].
* Unknown date - A Hasbro delegation discovers Takara's Diaclone and Microman toys at the Tokyo Toy Show.
* Late 1983 - Takara releases three of their Diaclone toys (red Sunstreaker, black Ironhide and blue [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]) in the USA under the name "[[Diakron]]". Due to the new licensing agreement with Hasbro, the Diakron line is discontinued following these three toys.

===[[1984]]===
''The Transformers'' launches in the US, in toy, comic and cartoon formats, [[Ruined FOREVER|forever ruining]] ''Transformers''.

* February - [[Hasbro Bradley]] unveils their new ''Transformers'' toyline at Toy Fair.
* March - [http://www.electric-escape.net/node/590 ''Marvel Age'' #17] announces the April debut of the ''Transformers'' comic book.
* Spring - The first animated [[commercial]] advertising the Marvel comics airs on US TV.
* [[May 8]] - [[The Transformers (issue)|Issue one of the Marvel comic]] is released.
* [[May 22]] - The [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en first Usenet post about Transformers] is posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics. In a prediction of things to come, it is mostly complaints.
* Spring - ''Transformers'' toys start filtering into stores across the United States.
* [[September 17]] - [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]] premieres on U.S. television Saturday morning.
* Unknown date - the UK is the only European country to get Transformers toys this year. Toys are being distributed by Hasbro. Megatron is not available until 1985.
* [[October 6]] - The [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/fce7a2ddb7e35a81?dmode=source&hl=en first Usenet post about the Transformers cartoon] is posted to net.comics by Bill Flanagan.
* [[September 20]] - The Marvel UK comic begins publication.
* December - Transformers mania is in full swing, as the figures fly off store shelves, becoming the year's best seller for Hasbro.
* December - The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Mexico.
* Unknown date - Takara conduct test market sales of the Hasbro toys in Japan, under the working name "Henshin Sentai Transformers" ("Transformation Taskforce Transformers").

===1985===
* From its Limited Series origins, the Marvel comic becomes an ongoing monthly.
* [[July 6]] - Seasons 1 and 2 of the US cartoon begin airing in Japan as ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer''.
* The Transformers toyline starts getting released to most European markets, with Hasbro using Milton Bradley's facilities for the continental European market, due to an initial lack of resources on their own. The MB toys would be available in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Spain and include lots of oddities unique to Europe, such as a red version of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]. Concurrently, [[GiG]] launches [[Trasformer]] in Italy (Diaclone toys with no Transformers license), while [[El Greco]] launches their short-lived version of the line in Greece.
* [[IGA]] begins producing Transformers toys for the Mexican and Central American market.
* [[Estrela]] begins producing Transformers toys in Brazil, creating a distinctive local version of the G1 toyline that was eventually brought to Argentina by the second-hand licensee [[Antex]].
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Peru... despite the fact that the toyline it was [[To sell toys|created to promote]] is unavailable in the Peruvian market.

===1986===
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in the Netherlands.
* April - [[Scramble City]], the first Japanese originated Transformers animation, is released on video tape in Japan.
* [[August 8]] - ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is released in theatres in the United States. International releases follow, except for Japan and Germany.
* The Transformers toyline is introduced to Peru in response to the cartoon's popularity in that country (rather than the other way around) with a combination of [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] toys imported by [[HUDE]] and [[BASA]], and cheaper [[Redeco|redecoed]] [[Mini Vehicle|Mini Vehicles]] made by [[Lynsa]].
* [[December 12]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in the UK.
* [[December 26]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in Australia.

===1987===
* February- ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is released in Brazil.
* The American version of the G1 cartoon ends its run, to be replaced in Japan by the [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters cartoon]].

===1988===
* The [[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Masterforce]] [[franchise]] is launched, ushering in a period of significant deviation between the Western and Japanese Transformers franchises.
* July - The translated version of the Marvel comic book hits Danish stores, lasting only 18 monthly issues (2 US comics per issue + random assortment of Universe profiles) with an editorial approach that wreaked havoc on any sort of continuity (skipping many key stories, resulting in sudden jumps in storylines, a condescending and ignorant letters page etc.)
* A [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|fifth season]] of the US Transformers cartoon begins airing, comprised of re-edited episodes introduced by a stop-motion Powermaster Optimus Prime.

===1989===
* Unofficially imported Mexican IGA Transformers become a common sight on European store shelves.
* The Transformers cartoon begins airing in Germany.
* August - Hasbro begins manufacturing and selling Transformers toys in mainland China. <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/1743/37/ The Little Sticker in the Corner: The Truth about Early-1990's Chinese G1 Transformers Toys]</ref>
* [[August 9]] - ''The Transformers: The Movie'' finally is released in Japan, where it is not actually called "Matrix Forever".

==1990s==
===1990===
*The last year of Generation 1 toys are released in North America, while the franchise continues in Japan and Europe.
*July - [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers Zone]] is released in Japan.

===1991===
* (Cover date of July) - The Marvel Comic ends in the United States with [[End of the Road! (US)|issue 80]].

===1992===
*[[January 4]] (cover date [[January 18]]) - The Marvel Comic ends in the United Kingdom with [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #332]].
*[[Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]] comes to an end, signalling the end of the original ''Transformers'' series in Japan.

===1993===
*''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' attempts to revive the ''Transformers'' franchise in North America.
* The last year of Generation 1 toys are released in Europe.
* On [[September 11|September 11th]], the Usenet newsgroup [[alt.toys.transformers]] is established. Fans now have a dedicated online public forum on which to discuss whatever is ruining Transformers.

===1994===
* [[July 16]] - The first [[BotCon]] is held, in [[Fort Wayne]], Indiana.
* ''Generation 2'' is released in Europe.
* Antex briefly introduces ''Generation 2'' to Argentina with [[Robot-Man X]] and [[Robot-Man Z]].

===1995===
* ''Generation 2'' begins in Japan, the first ''Transformers'' series there in years.
* ''Generation 2'' craps out in every market, including Japan.
* The [[Generation 1 China (toyline)|Chinese G1 toyline]] comes to a close with the reissuing of several [[Victory (toyline)|Victory]] toys for the Chinese market.
* The South Korean toy company [[Sonokong]] enters into a licensing agreement with [[Hasbro International]], paving the way for the introduction of officially licensed Transformers toys in a country where Transformers [[Knockoff|knockoffs]] were once popular enough to inspire their own animated movies.
* [[August 5]][[August 6|-6]] - [[BotCon 1995]] is held in Dayton, Ohio.

===1996===
* ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' is launched. The fandom declares it will forever destroy ''Transformers'' and nobody will ever like it ever, certainly not ten years into the future.
* ''Beast Wars'' revives the franchise.
* ''Beast Wars'' is one of the best ''Transformers'' anythings ever.
* [[July 12]][[July 14|-14]] - [[BotCon 1996]] is held in Rosemont, Illinois.

===1997===
* Hasbro releases the twelve [[Machine Wars]] toys, to little acclaim.
* [[July 18]][[July 20|-20]] - [[BotCon 1997]] is held in Rochester, New York, by the newly-formed [[3H Enterprises]].
* The target audience of the original cartoon reaches college age.

===1998===
* [[April 10]] - The ''Beast Wars'' TV show premieres in the UK.
* [[June 19]][[June 20|-20]] - [[BotCon 1998]] is held in Anaheim, California.
* Summer - Hasbro's Nordic subsidiary (located in Denmark) releases UK Beast Wars stock to Scandinavian stores. The CGI show is not picked up in any of the Scandinavian countries, as it is deemed "too graphic" for children.

===1999===
* [[July 16]][[July 18|-18]] - At [[BotCon 1999]] in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the first episode of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', "[[The Reformatting]]" is previewed, to overwhelming fan enjoyment.

==2000s==
===2000===
* [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|hates]] ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''.
* [[July 28]][[July 30|-30]] - [[BotCon 2000]] is held in [[Fort Wayne]], Indiana.

===2001===
* Everyone loves "[[Transformers 2000]]," but they hate ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
* [[February 19]] - ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' begins airing in the UK on Fox Kids.
* [[July 13]][[July 15|-15]] - [[BotCon 2001]] is held in Durham, North Carolina.
* Hasbro introduces Transformers to Turkey through its recent acquired subsidiary [[Intertoy]].

===2002===
* Hasbro ''Transformers'' lead designer [[Aaron Archer]] begins to post on the Transfandom.com boards as ORSON, at first primarily to refute various false claims about [[Armada (franchise)|''Transformers: Armada'']]. Skeptical fans remark that if he is a Hasbro designer, then they are various members of the British Monarchy.
* [[April 3]] - [[Dreamwave Productions]] begins publishing Transformers comics with [[Prime Directive issue 1|Transformers Generation 1 #1]]. There is much rejoicing, even though everyone started noticing how bad [[Pat Lee|Pat "Dull-Surprise" Lee's]] art really was.
* [[Aaron Archer]] does his best to kill ''Transformers'' through incredible sales; ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' kicks off the [[Unicron Trilogy]], the toys appear on store shelves in mid-July, the cartoon premieres in August.
* [[June 1]] - The [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]] cartoon premieres in the UK in a run which includes several episodes originally withheld from US broadcast.
* [[July 6]] - ''Armada'' toys begin arriving in small toy stores and Kay-Bee. <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/b22311a4862b3c07?dmode=source Armada has been spotted!] on alt.toys.transformers</ref>
* [[July 26]][[July 28|-28]] - [[BotCon 2002]] is held in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

===2003===
* [[June 11]] - [[Don Murphy]] and [[Tom DeSanto]] team up to produce a feature-length, [[Transformers (2007)|live-action ''Transformers'']] movie. They claim it will be exactly the same as ''Generation 1''. Really.
* [[July 25]][[July 27|-27]] - [[OTFCC 2003]] is held in Chicago, Illinois.
* Everybody loves ''[[Masterpiece]]/20th Anniversary'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].
* Everyone loves [[Binaltech]]/[[Alternators]].

===[[2004]]===
* [[June 19]][[June 20|-20]] - Although no longer the official convention, [[BotCon 2004]] is held in Pasadena, California.
* [[July 22]] - [[Dreamworks]], [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[Hasbro]] sign an agreement to produce a [[Transformers (2007)|live-action ''Transformers'']] movie.
* [[July 30]]-[[August 1]] - [[OTFCC 2004]] is held in Chicago, Illinois.

===2005===
* [[January 4]] - [[Dreamwave Productions]] goes bankrupt. Many artists complain about being unpaid for their work and/or being stuck with FedEx fees. [[Pat Lee|Pat "serfdom" Lee]] gives them the finger and drives off in his Porsche.
* [[April 18]] - Don Murphy reports that he wants to please the fans, Dreamworks want to change everything, and Hasbro don't care either way as long as the movie gets done in time.
* [[Michael Bay]] announced as the director for ''Transformers''. It will still totally be ''Generation 1'', honest.
* [[May 19]] - [[IDW Publishing]] acquires the ''Transformers'' comic book license. There is much rejoicing, and, as usual, much complaining.
* [[September 22]][[September 25|-25]] - [[BotCon 2005]] is held in Frisco, Texas, for the first time by [[Fun Publications]]. It's the official convention again.
* [[October 19]] - [[Infiltration]] #0, [[IDW Publishing]]'s first ''Transformers'' comic, is released in comic book stores.

===2006===
* [[January 18]] - ''[[Infiltration|Transformers: Infiltration]]'' #1 is released in comic book stores.
* [[April 19]] - Filming begins on the live-action [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] motion picture.
* [[July 24]] - [[Peter Cullen]] is announced at San Diego Comic-Con as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in the ''Transformers'' film. There is much rejoicing (yay).
* [[September 15]] - The first ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' toys arrive at a small store in Canada.
* [[November 28]] - ''[[Escalation (IDW)|Transformers: Escalation]]'' #1 is released in comic book stores.
* Takara settles the ''[[Michael Bay]] is raping my childhood'' debate by ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|actually raping your childhood]]''. Realizing that Michael Bay only touched your childhood in the swimsuit area, you apologize.

===[[2007]]===
* June - The first promotional images for ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' are released. Take a guess as to the reaction. G'wan.

* [[June 27]]-[[July 1]] - [[BotCon 2007]] is held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island, Hasbro's hometown. It was expected to be the best Transformers convention ''ever''. It was also expected to be the worst Transformers convention ''ever''.

* [[July 2]] - US theatres start showing the live-action [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']] motion picture at 8:00 PM. By midnight, it's made $8.8 million USD.

* [[July 3]] - The ''Transformers'' release date. It makes $27.85 million, more money on a Tuesday than any film in history. Transformers ruined forever.

* [[July 4]] - Americans celebrate their Independence Day by giving $29 million to that Hollywood movie about an [[Bumblebee (Movie)|alien robot]] summoning his friends to [[Earth]] where they disguise themselves as [[General Motors]] vehicles and team up with the [[United States military]] to smash the evil robots. Unsurprisingly, this is more money than a movie's ever earned on the Fourth of July. Apparently, what's good for General Motors really ''is'' good for the country.

* [[July 25]] - As of this writing, the ''Transformers'' movie has grossed $270 million in the United States, with worldwide gross earnings of nearly '''one half billion dollars US'''.

* [[July 28]] - A ''Transformers Animated'' preview is shown to the public. The fandom rejoiced (and complained).

* [[October 16]] - ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'' is released on DVD.

* November 3 - a specially edited 11-minute preview of ''Transformers Animated'' episode 1 is shown at the NTFA Mini-Con in Arlöv, Sweden, to the disdain of many a US fan. <ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/156331-new-transformers-animated-series-details-revealed-ntfa-mini-con.html</ref>

* [[December 26]] - ''Transformers Animated'' ruins Transformers forever slightly ahead of schedule when the premiere episodes are shown as a "movie" on the [[Cartoon Network]].<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/2125/20/ Date And Time For Transformers: Animated Debut!]</ref>

===[[2008]]===
* [[January 5]] - ''Transformers Animated'' begins airing regularly Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
* [[April 24]][[April 27|-27]] - [[BotCon 2008]] is held at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
* June - ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' toys are scheduled to be released.

===2009===
* [[May 8]] - Transformers turns 25 (25th Anniversary of the release of [[The Transformers (issue)|''The Transformers'' #1]], the first publically-released TF merchandise.)
* [[May 28]]-[[May 31|31]] - [[BotCon 2009]] is held in Pasadena, California.
* [[June 24]] - ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' is released, ruining Transformers forever by raking in '''enormous''' profits.
* [[October 1]] - Michael Bay officially announces that preproduction has begun on ''[[Transformers 3]]''.<ref name="open">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5976 "Official 2011," Shootfortheedit.com]</ref>

==2010s==
===2011===
* [[July 1]] - ''Transformers 3'' is currently scheduled to ruin Transformers forever by opening on this date.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Chronologies]]
[[Category:Franchises]]