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Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2009-07-26T12:43:46Z

Ctbertronprime: /* Characters */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}
The '''''Cybertron''''' cartoon series ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006. US continuity has connected this series to the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]''-''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' continuity. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small team of [[Autobot|Autobots]] travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''[[Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' was presented as a continuity reboot... but was then [[Retcon|retconned]] into a continuation of ''Super Link'' by later materials.

:''Preceded by: [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Characters==
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
'''Cybertron Native'''
* [[Optimus Prime Sonic Wing Mode] [Gary Chalk]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk|Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow|Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond|Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson|Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson|Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox|Richard Ian Cox]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley|Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil|Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson|Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Daingerfield|Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder|Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (Michael Daingerfield)

'''Other'''

* [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman|Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])

'''Mini-Cons'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team|Recon Mini-Con Team]]
* [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond|Brian Drummond]])
* [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
* [[Six-Speed|Six-Speed]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye|David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver|Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson|Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo|Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirtboss]] ([[Michael Donovan|Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen|Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse|Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz]] (?)

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson|Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker|Nemesis Breaker]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen|Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen|Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida|Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori|Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson|Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Dr. Lucy Suzuki|Dr. Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain|Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Colonel Franklin|Colonel Mike Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen|Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen|Terry Klassen]])

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |
* [[Primus|Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan|Michael Donovan]])
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole|Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Garry Chalk|Garry Chalk]] & [[Robert O. Smith|Robert O. Smith]])

|}

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

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage (episode)|Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United|United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown (episode)|Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Force Chip Attacks (Cyber Key Powers) & Galaxy Force Names ==
* Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime) - '''Galaxy Cannon, Full Burst'''
* Liger Convoy (Optimus Prime, Savage Claw Mode) - '''Liger Grand Break'''
* Sonic Convoy (Optimus Prime, Sonic Wing Mode) - '''Sonic Double Impact'''
* Galaxy Convoy with Megalo Convoy's axe (Optimus Prime with Sparkdrinker) - '''Galaxy Giga Crush'''

* Master Megatron (Megatron) - '''Death Claw''' & '''Death Machine Gun'''
* Liger Megatron (Megatron, Dark Claw Mode) - '''Liger Death Strike'''
* Master Galvatron (Galvatron) - '''Death Claw''' & '''Death Machine Gun''' & '''Death Cannon'''

* Nitro Convoy (Override) - '''Nitro Boost''' & '''Mach Shot'''
* Flame Convoy (Scourge) - '''Death Flame''' & '''Flame Strike'''
* Live Convoy (Evac) - '''Jet Booster''' & '''Falling Missile''' & '''Homing Missile''' & '''Jet Missile'''
* Megalo Convoy & Horribull (Metroplex & Drill Bit) - '''Megalo Crush''' & '''Axe Crusher''' & '''Megalo Boomerang'''

* Super Starscream - '''Vortex Blade''' & '''Vortex Cannon'''

* Noisemaze (Sideways) - Unnamed
* Soundwave (Soundwave) - '''Blaster Gun'''

* Primus (Primus) - Unnamed

* Rumble (Scrapmetal) - None
* Coby Rumble (Cobybot) - '''Hissatsu Coby Shot'''

* Exillion (Original Hot Shot) - '''Accel Wing'''
* Backpack (Original Scattorshot) - '''Ground Shot Up''' & '''Land Shot'''
* First Aid (Original Red Alert) - '''Photon Beam'''
* Jackshot (Overhaul) - '''Anchor Shot'''
* Dreadrock (Jetfire) - '''Dread Cannon, Full Burst''' & '''Jetstream'''
* Guardshell (Landmine) - '''Tornado Cutter'''
* Vector Prime & Roots (Vector Prime & Safeguard) - '''Repulsion Field''' & ''' Time Relief''' & '''Action Field'''

* Starscream (Starscream) - '''Vortex Blade''' & '''Vortex Storm'''
* Thundercracker (Thundercracker) - '''Thunder Hell''' & '''Super Hell Special Deluxe/Big Spinning Thunder Hell Scattering Fireworks/Sure Kill Ultra Hurricane Slash And Crush Shoot/Drill Spinning Thunder Hell Electric Drop/Hissatu! Super Electric Lightning Shock Electric Thunder Cracker Punch!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Alpha!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Beta Two'''
* Demolishor (Mudflap) - '''Mega Crane Blade'''

* Exigeyser (Cybertron Defense Hot Shot) - '''Double X Shot''' & '''Battle Dagger'''
* Backgild (Cybertron Defense Scattorshot) - '''Twin Search MIssile'''
* First Gunner (Cybertron Defense Red Alert) - '''Giga Vanisher'''
* Vanguard Team (Cybertron Defense Team) - '''Triangle Attack'''

* Ligerjack (Leobreaker) - '''Platinum Claw''' & '''Ultra Liger Drop'''
* Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber) - '''Flap Sword''' & '''Galaxy Caliber'''
* Dark Ligerjack (Nemesis Breaker) - Unnnamed

* Autovolt (Crosswise) - '''Force Missile'''
* Chromia (Thunderblast) - '''Phantom Wave'''
* Roadstorm (Lugnutz) - '''Side Machine Gun'''

* Skids (Clocker) - '''Smash Burner'''
* Autolander (Brakedown) - '''Motor Blade'''
* Inch Up (Dirt Boss) - '''Shoulder Vulcan'''
* Landbullet (Crumplezone) - '''Land Bazooka''' & '''Ultra Tune Up Level 2 Ignition'''
* Armbullet (Dark Crumplezone) - '''Arm Bazooka'''
* Gasket (Ransack) - '''Exhaust Shot''' & '''Exhaust Boost''' & '''Reverse Tune Ignition'''

* Saidos (Backstop) - '''Bloody Horn'''
* Fang Wolf (Snarl) - '''Power Fang'''
* Dinoshout (Undermine) - '''Crest Sword'''
* Terashaver (Brimstone) - '''Slash Knife'''

* Blender & Killbull (Quickmix & Stripmine) - '''Mixing Cannon'''
* Moledive & Bullbull (Menasor & Heavy Load) - '''Giant Drill'''

==Criticism==
Like ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though more advanced than that of ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor: Few facial expressions beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed"<ref>Though you do see an occasional smirk or smile, to their credit.</ref>, restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, et cetera. The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes as if they were packing peanuts.

==Praise==
On the plus side, [[Coby Hansen|the]] [[Bud Hansen|three]] [[Lori|kids]] who serve as central [[Human|human]] characters generally aren't considered quite as annoying as many of their predecessors. (We're looking at ''you,'' [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]].)

The dub is much more polished than that of ''Energon'' or ''Armada'', giving characters distinct voices and accents (which [[The Transformers (cartoon)|totally never happened]] [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|before, really]]), and throwing a lot of pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references into the mix. It also makes the excessive stock footage — which seems to make up 50% of some episodes — mildly entertaining to ''listen'' to by having the characters talk during them. As time went on, the stock-footage banter got a little self-referential and fourth-wall-pokey, showing that the writers were well aware of what they were working with.

Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Cybertron cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
* Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
* When he first combines with [[Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. (Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the stated ten-year fictional gap between those shows makes it ''somewhat'' less intrusive.)

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline [[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]], for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity?

==DVD releases==

===Galaxy Force===

The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by [[Victor Entertainment|Victor Entertainment]] in [[Japan|Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[Redeco|redecos]] of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].

<gallery>
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|'''Volume 1 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 02.jpg|'''Volume 2 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 03.jpg|'''Volume 3 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 04.jpg|'''Volume 4 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 05.jpg|'''Volume 5 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 06.jpg|'''Volume 6 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 07.jpg|'''Volume 7 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 08.jpg|'''Volume 8 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 09.jpg|'''Volume 9 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 10.jpg|'''Volume 10 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 11.jpg|'''Volume 11 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 12.jpg|'''Volume 12 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 13.jpg|'''Volume 13 DVD cover'''
</gallery>

===Cybertron===

====Paramount Home Entertainment====

On September 2005, Hasbro and [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount Home Entertainment]] released ''Transformers Cybertron: A New Beginning'', which contained several early episodes of the series. This was to be the only DVD for the ''Cybertron'' series for several years.

Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American released managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.

On July 22, 2008, Hasbro and Paramount Home Entertainment teamed up again, this time to release the entire ''Cybertron'' series on DVD in ''Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection''. Unfortunately, 7 minutes of footage was missing from the third episode ''[[Hidden|Hidden]]'' on the first disc in select batches of the 7-disc set. In response to this issue, on September 5, 2008, Paramount offered to replace defective discs for affected customers.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2009-07-26T12:22:43Z

Ctbertronprime: /* Characters */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}
The '''''Cybertron''''' cartoon series ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006. US continuity has connected this series to the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]''-''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' continuity. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small team of [[Autobot|Autobots]] travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''[[Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' was presented as a continuity reboot... but was then [[Retcon|retconned]] into a continuation of ''Super Link'' by later materials.

:''Preceded by: [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Characters==
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
'''Cybertron Native'''
* [[Optimus Prime Sonic Wing Mode]] [Gary Chalk]
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk|Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow|Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond|Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson|Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson|Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox|Richard Ian Cox]])
* [[Optimus Prime Savage Claw Mode] [Gary Chalk]
'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley|Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil|Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson|Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Daingerfield|Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder|Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (Michael Daingerfield)

'''Other'''

* [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman|Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])

'''Mini-Cons'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team|Recon Mini-Con Team]]
* [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond|Brian Drummond]])
* [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
* [[Six-Speed|Six-Speed]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye|David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver|Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson|Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo|Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirtboss]] ([[Michael Donovan|Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall|Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen|Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse|Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz]] (?)

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson|Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker|Nemesis Breaker]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen|Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent|Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen|Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida|Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori|Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson|Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Dr. Lucy Suzuki|Dr. Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain|Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Colonel Franklin|Colonel Mike Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson|Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen|Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen|Terry Klassen]])

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |
* [[Primus|Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan|Michael Donovan]])
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole|Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Garry Chalk|Garry Chalk]] & [[Robert O. Smith|Robert O. Smith]])

|}

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

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage (episode)|Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United|United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown (episode)|Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Force Chip Attacks (Cyber Key Powers) & Galaxy Force Names ==
* Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime) - '''Galaxy Cannon, Full Burst'''
* Liger Convoy (Optimus Prime, Savage Claw Mode) - '''Liger Grand Break'''
* Sonic Convoy (Optimus Prime, Sonic Wing Mode) - '''Sonic Double Impact'''
* Galaxy Convoy with Megalo Convoy's axe (Optimus Prime with Sparkdrinker) - '''Galaxy Giga Crush'''

* Master Megatron (Megatron) - '''Death Claw''' & '''Death Machine Gun'''
* Liger Megatron (Megatron, Dark Claw Mode) - '''Liger Death Strike'''
* Master Galvatron (Galvatron) - '''Death Claw''' & '''Death Machine Gun''' & '''Death Cannon'''

* Nitro Convoy (Override) - '''Nitro Boost''' & '''Mach Shot'''
* Flame Convoy (Scourge) - '''Death Flame''' & '''Flame Strike'''
* Live Convoy (Evac) - '''Jet Booster''' & '''Falling Missile''' & '''Homing Missile''' & '''Jet Missile'''
* Megalo Convoy & Horribull (Metroplex & Drill Bit) - '''Megalo Crush''' & '''Axe Crusher''' & '''Megalo Boomerang'''

* Super Starscream - '''Vortex Blade''' & '''Vortex Cannon'''

* Noisemaze (Sideways) - Unnamed
* Soundwave (Soundwave) - '''Blaster Gun'''

* Primus (Primus) - Unnamed

* Rumble (Scrapmetal) - None
* Coby Rumble (Cobybot) - '''Hissatsu Coby Shot'''

* Exillion (Original Hot Shot) - '''Accel Wing'''
* Backpack (Original Scattorshot) - '''Ground Shot Up''' & '''Land Shot'''
* First Aid (Original Red Alert) - '''Photon Beam'''
* Jackshot (Overhaul) - '''Anchor Shot'''
* Dreadrock (Jetfire) - '''Dread Cannon, Full Burst''' & '''Jetstream'''
* Guardshell (Landmine) - '''Tornado Cutter'''
* Vector Prime & Roots (Vector Prime & Safeguard) - '''Repulsion Field''' & ''' Time Relief''' & '''Action Field'''

* Starscream (Starscream) - '''Vortex Blade''' & '''Vortex Storm'''
* Thundercracker (Thundercracker) - '''Thunder Hell''' & '''Super Hell Special Deluxe/Big Spinning Thunder Hell Scattering Fireworks/Sure Kill Ultra Hurricane Slash And Crush Shoot/Drill Spinning Thunder Hell Electric Drop/Hissatu! Super Electric Lightning Shock Electric Thunder Cracker Punch!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Alpha!/Hyper Ultra Big Missile Full Burst Maximum Beta Two'''
* Demolishor (Mudflap) - '''Mega Crane Blade'''

* Exigeyser (Cybertron Defense Hot Shot) - '''Double X Shot''' & '''Battle Dagger'''
* Backgild (Cybertron Defense Scattorshot) - '''Twin Search MIssile'''
* First Gunner (Cybertron Defense Red Alert) - '''Giga Vanisher'''
* Vanguard Team (Cybertron Defense Team) - '''Triangle Attack'''

* Ligerjack (Leobreaker) - '''Platinum Claw''' & '''Ultra Liger Drop'''
* Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber) - '''Flap Sword''' & '''Galaxy Caliber'''
* Dark Ligerjack (Nemesis Breaker) - Unnnamed

* Autovolt (Crosswise) - '''Force Missile'''
* Chromia (Thunderblast) - '''Phantom Wave'''
* Roadstorm (Lugnutz) - '''Side Machine Gun'''

* Skids (Clocker) - '''Smash Burner'''
* Autolander (Brakedown) - '''Motor Blade'''
* Inch Up (Dirt Boss) - '''Shoulder Vulcan'''
* Landbullet (Crumplezone) - '''Land Bazooka''' & '''Ultra Tune Up Level 2 Ignition'''
* Armbullet (Dark Crumplezone) - '''Arm Bazooka'''
* Gasket (Ransack) - '''Exhaust Shot''' & '''Exhaust Boost''' & '''Reverse Tune Ignition'''

* Saidos (Backstop) - '''Bloody Horn'''
* Fang Wolf (Snarl) - '''Power Fang'''
* Dinoshout (Undermine) - '''Crest Sword'''
* Terashaver (Brimstone) - '''Slash Knife'''

* Blender & Killbull (Quickmix & Stripmine) - '''Mixing Cannon'''
* Moledive & Bullbull (Menasor & Heavy Load) - '''Giant Drill'''

==Criticism==
Like ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though more advanced than that of ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor: Few facial expressions beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed"<ref>Though you do see an occasional smirk or smile, to their credit.</ref>, restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, et cetera. The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes as if they were packing peanuts.

==Praise==
On the plus side, [[Coby Hansen|the]] [[Bud Hansen|three]] [[Lori|kids]] who serve as central [[Human|human]] characters generally aren't considered quite as annoying as many of their predecessors. (We're looking at ''you,'' [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]].)

The dub is much more polished than that of ''Energon'' or ''Armada'', giving characters distinct voices and accents (which [[The Transformers (cartoon)|totally never happened]] [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|before, really]]), and throwing a lot of pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references into the mix. It also makes the excessive stock footage — which seems to make up 50% of some episodes — mildly entertaining to ''listen'' to by having the characters talk during them. As time went on, the stock-footage banter got a little self-referential and fourth-wall-pokey, showing that the writers were well aware of what they were working with.

Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Cybertron cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
* Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
* When he first combines with [[Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. (Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the stated ten-year fictional gap between those shows makes it ''somewhat'' less intrusive.)

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline [[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]], for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity?

==DVD releases==

===Galaxy Force===

The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by [[Victor Entertainment|Victor Entertainment]] in [[Japan|Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[Redeco|redecos]] of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].

<gallery>
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|'''Volume 1 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 02.jpg|'''Volume 2 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 03.jpg|'''Volume 3 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 04.jpg|'''Volume 4 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 05.jpg|'''Volume 5 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 06.jpg|'''Volume 6 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 07.jpg|'''Volume 7 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 08.jpg|'''Volume 8 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 09.jpg|'''Volume 9 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 10.jpg|'''Volume 10 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 11.jpg|'''Volume 11 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 12.jpg|'''Volume 12 DVD cover'''
Image:Tf galaxy force vol 13.jpg|'''Volume 13 DVD cover'''
</gallery>

===Cybertron===

====Paramount Home Entertainment====

On September 2005, Hasbro and [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount Home Entertainment]] released ''Transformers Cybertron: A New Beginning'', which contained several early episodes of the series. This was to be the only DVD for the ''Cybertron'' series for several years.

Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American released managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.

On July 22, 2008, Hasbro and Paramount Home Entertainment teamed up again, this time to release the entire ''Cybertron'' series on DVD in ''Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection''. Unfortunately, 7 minutes of footage was missing from the third episode ''[[Hidden|Hidden]]'' on the first disc in select batches of the 7-disc set. In response to this issue, on September 5, 2008, Paramount offered to replace defective discs for affected customers.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]
[[Category:Television series]]