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Decisive Battle

2019-06-27T20:43:45Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=21
|prev=Reinforcement
|next=Vow
|title="Decisive Battle"
|furigana=きざし
|japanese=前兆
|romaji=Kizashi
|translation=Omen
|image=Megsmeteor.jpg
|caption=You and I are a lot alike, meteor, except I'm a Decepticon, and you're dust!
|production code=TF: A-21
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Isao Shizuya]]
|englishadaptation=[[Terry Klassen]] and [[Heather Ann Puttock]]
|director=[[Mitsuko Ohya]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[January 24]], [[2003]] (English) [[May 30|30 May]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''With the power of the Skyboom Shield at his disposal, Megatron invites the Autobots to what could be the last battle.'''

==Synopsis==
Testing the power of the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] disintegrates an entire comet. Satisfied with his new toy's power, Megatron anticipates the next conflict will allow the [[Decepticon]]s to end the routine of battling for new [[Mini-Con]]s and finish the [[Autobot]]s.

In the Autobots' base, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] is running through an obstacle course of suspended metal pieces, while the Mini-Cons try to slow him down by tossing stuff at him. But before Hot Shot can win, [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] catches up and captures the flag. [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] arrives and asks to join in the training, and Blurr goads Smokescreen to attempt a run by challenging his performance hardware. While taking several hits in the process, Smokescreen eventually manages to grab the flag.

[[File:Screenshot-arm-21-2.jpg|left|thumb|Autobots have the best screensavers.]]
In the Autobot control room, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] receives a direct challenge from Megatron. Optimus knows that despite being hopelessly overpowered, it is his job to accept the challenge. The Autobots all rush out to teleport to the location Megatron specified.

When the Autobots arrive to battle the Decepticons, Megatron summons his [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and Skyboom shield and tells [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] to hold back, as he anticipates that with his new weapons, he can defeat the Autobots on his own. The shield blocks attacks from Hot Shot and Blurr, and then all of the Autobots' firepower. Megatron moves forward and slices apart Optimus's rifle. [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and Demolishor contribute by raining down gunfire on the scattering Autobots, allowing Megatron and Optimus to be separated from the rest of the group. [[File:Whyourshouldershurt.jpg|thumb|Surrender now maggots and you will not be harmed! Psyche!]]

Hot Shot and Blurr notice Optimus Prime fighting Megatron by himself, and the two transform and rush to aid their leader. [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and Cyclonus chase the duo from the air. Hot Shot provides cover fire while Blurr attempts to lose his pursuers. Blurr and Hot Shot trade positions, and eventually Cyclonus and Starscream fly out of range. Powerlinking with [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], Starscream "lays a pounding" on the two cars.

In a move even Demolishor finds unwise, [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] dives directly onto [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], but is soundly blasted away. Smokescreen, tired of the Decepticons holding an advantage, powerlinks with [[Liftor]] and disrupts Starscream. Demolishor rolls a large boulder at Smokescreen, who is pinned to the ground. When Cyclonus observes that the Decepticons are maintaining their advantage, he's blasted out of the sky by Sideways, whom neither side sees.

Near a crevice, Optimus is still surviving against Megatron. Hot Shot and Blurr arrive to distract Megatron, allowing Optimus to grab onto the Skyboom shield while Megatron is still holding it. Trying to slice Optimus away, Megatron accidentally tosses the shield into the crevice. Angry, he attempts to impale Optimus but is halted by [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]].

[[File:Tinyhead.jpg|left|thumb|[[Rob Ruffolo|Ruffolo]]?]]
With Megatron intending to get at Optimus by slicing through Sparkplug, the Skyboom shield activates and levitates from the crevice to protect the Autobot. The two weapons used against each other send out a bright light that [[Rad White|Rad]] notes is similar to the light that reactivated all the Mini-Cons in the [[First Encounter|start]] of their Earth encounters.

The Decepticons, having lost the shield, retreat to their base again. The Autobots congratulate Smokescreen for changing the tide of battle (that is, before he was caught under a rock), and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] hugs [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]].
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (6)
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (19)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (20)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (2)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (4)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (5)

|c3=
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (12)
*[[Rad White]] (13)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (14)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (15)
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (16)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (7)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (8)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (9)
*[[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (10)
*[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] (21)
*[[Race Mini-Con Team]] (22)
*[[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]] (23)
*[[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] (24)
*[[Liftor]] (25)
*[[Mirror]] (26)
*[[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"He kinda reminds me of myself when I was working out more." 
"Somehow I find that a little hard to believe, Fred."
:—'''Fred''' pays '''Blurr''' a dubious compliment.

"We've been expecting you, Optimus." 
"Didn't think we'd show, did ya, ya overgrown motherboard?"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Hot Shot''', who should really have his audio receptors checked

"Lock onto shield."
:—'''Sparkplug''' gives us the first words spoken by a Mini-Con.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Dotscream.jpg|thumb|]]
* The animation in this episode is just largely atrocious in general. It's arguably the worst ''Armada'' episode in terms of how many errors can be found.
* When Smokescreen first appears, he is again missing his antenna/horn... and again when he's swinging his crane arm in circles... and AGAIN when the Autobots show up for the decisive battle.
* In several scenes, Starscream was drawn horribly off-model and was even seen flying backwards at one point.
* Starscream appears in a couple of shots as a solid black dot with wings.
* When the Autobots all shoot at Megatron at the start of the battle, Optimus' mouthplate is blue.
* Many insignias are missing throughout the episode.
* At one point, Hot Shot's Autobot insignia is just a red upside-down pentagon.
* There is another time where Megatron's insignia on his right shoulder is just a jumbled, purple mess of a polygon.
* The same stock footage of Megatron slashing at Optimus with the Star Saber and him dodging is used again a minute later.
* When Blurr and Hot Shot try to save Optimus by transforming into vehicle mode and racing over to Megatron, Hot Shot proceeds to turn around, transform, and then turn around again and drive after Blurr... but why?
* There are various instances of what should be glowing energy appearing black, such as Starscream's exhaust, and the shot that takes down Cyclonus.
* There is an unnecessary freeze-frame when Blurr drives away from Stasrcream's and Cylonus' fire. He is in the middle of driving, floats in the air while the sound of fire continues, and then appears on the ground with dust still in the air.
* At one point when Blurr transforms, he drives away mid-transformation in the front.
* Demolishor's Decepticon insignia is gone in one shot, and instead the whole "box" where it should be is colored purple.
* The boulder chasing Smokescreen jumps back and forth in one shot.
* Cyclonus's rotors are missing shortly before he's shot down by Sideways.
* Before Megatron strikes Optimus with the final blow, he is holding the Skyboom Shield upside-down. In its next visible frame, this is corrected.
* A few seconds later, when Megatron attempts to hurt Hot Shot with the Star Saber, the screen awkwardly turns all black for two seconds.
* When the Skyboom Shield falls into the very large crevice, it appears to be falling smack in the middle. In the next shot, however, it catches on the side, and sticks into solid air.
* After Megatron loses the shield, he raises Star Saber, and the arm which should be holding it is totally missing.
* A couple of shots of Cyclonus seem to take place at night time as opposed to day (including the shot where is hit by Sideways's beam). The reason for this is possibly because these shots were recycled from 'Overmatch'.

===Continuity errors===
*When Megatron goes to summon the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield for the fight against Optimus, he refers to ''both'' weapons by the name "Star Saber" in the English dub.

===Trivia===
*The kanji 前兆 would be pronounced as "''zenchō''", while "''kizashi''" uses 兆しor 萌し.
*This is the first time a Mini-Con speaks English.
*This is one of the three ''Armada'' episodes with more than one word in the title.
*For some reason, when Blurr and Hot Shot are paired together, Scavenger comments on how they are finally working together, which gets Smokescreen mad enough to spin his crane uncontrollably and hurl a rock next to Demolishor. This not only accomplishes nothing, but it also begs the question as to why this would get Smokescreen riled up.
*Sideways's poorly thought out attack on Red Alert could have been to intentionally get himself disabled, helping the sides stay level so the conflict endures. This is consistent with his secret long-term agenda. He has also been shown to try and not make this battle the "final battle" by telling Megatron that he is not ready to use the Skyboom Shield so they should not fight just yet.
*The opening narration has changed for this episode. It did not set up the whole Mini-Con premise but rather the small plot point of the rogue meteor heading for the Decepticon base.

===Foreign localization===
'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Döntő ütközet'''" ("Decisive Clash")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Decydująca bitwa'''" ("Decisive Battle")

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Une bataille décisive'''" ("A Decisive Battle")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''운명의 결투'''" ("Destiny's Duel")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 6 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Collector's Edition ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

;Video Now
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 ''Transformers: Armada'' ([[Tiger Electronics]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Decisive Battle

2019-06-27T20:42:11Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=21
|prev=Reinforcement
|next=Vow
|title="Decisive Battle"
|furigana=きざし
|japanese=前兆
|romaji=Kizashi
|translation=Omen
|image=Megsmeteor.jpg
|caption=You and I are a lot alike, meteor, except I'm a Decepticon, and you're dust!
|production code=TF: A-21
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Isao Shizuya]]
|englishadaptation=[[Terry Klassen]] and [[Heather Ann Puttock]]
|director=[[Mitsuko Ohya]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[January 24]], [[2003]] (English) [[May 30|30 May]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''With the power of the Skyboom Shield at his disposal, Megatron invites the Autobots to what could be the last battle.'''

==Synopsis==
Testing the power of the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] disintegrates an entire comet. Satisfied with his new toy's power, Megatron anticipates the next conflict will allow the [[Decepticon]]s to end the routine of battling for new [[Mini-Con]]s and finish the [[Autobot]]s.

In the Autobots' base, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] is running through an obstacle course of suspended metal pieces, while the Mini-Cons try to slow him down by tossing stuff at him. But before Hot Shot can win, [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] catches up and captures the flag. [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] arrives and asks to join in the training, and Blurr goads Smokescreen to attempt a run by challenging his performance hardware. While taking several hits in the process, Smokescreen eventually manages to grab the flag.

[[File:Screenshot-arm-21-2.jpg|left|thumb|Autobots have the best screensavers.]]
In the Autobot control room, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] receives a direct challenge from Megatron. Optimus knows that despite being hopelessly overpowered, it is his job to accept the challenge. The Autobots all rush out to teleport to the location Megatron specified.

When the Autobots arrive to battle the Decepticons, Megatron summons his [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and Skyboom shield and tells [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] to hold back, as he anticipates that with his new weapons, he can defeat the Autobots on his own. The shield blocks attacks from Hot Shot and Blurr, and then all of the Autobots' firepower. Megatron moves forward and slices apart Optimus's rifle. [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and Demolishor contribute by raining down gunfire on the scattering Autobots, allowing Megatron and Optimus to be separated from the rest of the group. [[File:Whyourshouldershurt.jpg|thumb|Surrender now maggots and you will not be harmed! Psyche!]]

Hot Shot and Blurr notice Optimus Prime fighting Megatron by himself, and the two transform and rush to aid their leader. [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and Cyclonus chase the duo from the air. Hot Shot provides cover fire while Blurr attempts to lose his pursuers. Blurr and Hot Shot trade positions, and eventually Cyclonus and Starscream fly out of range. Powerlinking with [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], Starscream "lays a pounding" on the two cars.

In a move even Demolishor finds unwise, [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] dives directly onto [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], but is soundly blasted away. Smokescreen, tired of the Decepticons holding an advantage, powerlinks with [[Liftor]] and disrupts Starscream. Demolishor rolls a large boulder at Smokescreen, who is pinned to the ground. When Cyclonus observes that the Decepticons are maintaining their advantage, he's blasted out of the sky by Sideways, whom neither side sees.

Near a crevice, Optimus is still surviving against Megatron. Hot Shot and Blurr arrive to distract Megatron, allowing Optimus to grab onto the Skyboom shield while Megatron is still holding it. Trying to slice Optimus away, Megatron accidentally tosses the shield into the crevice. Angry, he attempts to impale Optimus but is halted by [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]].

[[File:Tinyhead.jpg|left|thumb|[[Rob Ruffolo|Ruffolo]]?]]
With Megatron intending to get at Optimus by slicing through Sparkplug, the Skyboom shield activates and levitates from the crevice to protect the Autobot. The two weapons used against each other send out a bright light that [[Rad White|Rad]] notes is similar to the light that reactivated all the Mini-Cons in the [[First Encounter|start]] of their Earth encounters.

The Decepticons, having lost the shield, retreat to their base again. The Autobots congratulate Smokescreen for changing the tide of battle (that is, before he was caught under a rock), and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] hugs [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]].
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (6)
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (19)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (20)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (2)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (4)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (5)

|c3=
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (12)
*[[Rad White]] (13)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (14)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (15)
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (16)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (7)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (8)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (9)
*[[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (10)
*[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] (21)
*[[Race Mini-Con Team]] (22)
*[[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]] (23)
*[[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] (24)
*[[Liftor]] (25)
*[[Mirror]] (26)
*[[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"He kinda reminds me of myself when I was working out more." 
"Somehow I find that a little hard to believe, Fred."
:—'''Fred''' pays '''Blurr''' a dubious compliment.

"We've been expecting you, Optimus." 
"Didn't think we'd show, did ya, ya overgrown motherboard?"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Hot Shot''', who should really have his audio receptors checked

"Lock onto shield."
:—'''Sparkplug''' gives us the first words spoken by a Mini-Con.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Dotscream.jpg|thumb|]]
* The animation in this episode is just largely atrocious in general. It's arguably the worst Armada episode in terms of how many errors can be found.
* When Smokescreen first appears, he is again missing his antenna/horn... and again when he's swinging his crane arm in circles... and AGAIN when the Autobots show up for the decisive battle.
* In several scenes, Starscream was drawn horribly off-model and was even seen flying backwards at one point.
* Starscream appears in a couple of shots as a solid black dot with wings.
* When the Autobots all shoot at Megatron at the start of the battle, Optimus' mouthplate is blue.
* Many insignias are missing throughout the episode.
* At one point, Hot Shot's Autobot insignia is just a red upside-down pentagon.
* There is another time where Megatron's insignia on his right shoulder is just a jumbled, purple mess of a polygon.
* The same stock footage of Megatron slashing at Optimus with the Star Saber and him dodging is used again a minute later.
* When Blurr and Hot Shot try to save Optimus by transforming into vehicle mode and racing over to Megatron, Hot Shot proceeds to turn around, transform, and then turn around again and drive after Blurr... but why?
* There are various instances of what should be glowing energy appearing black, such as Starscream's exhaust, and the shot that takes down Cyclonus.
* There is an unnecessary freeze-frame when Blurr drives away from Stasrcream's and Cylonus' fire. He is in the middle of driving, floats in the air while the sound of fire continues, and then appears on the ground with dust still in the air.
* At one point when Blurr transforms, he drives away mid-transformation in the front.
* Demolishor's Decepticon insignia is gone in one shot, and instead the whole "box" where it should be is colored purple.
* The boulder chasing Smokescreen jumps back and forth in one shot.
* Cyclonus's rotors are missing shortly before he's shot down by Sideways.
* Before Megatron strikes Optimus with the final blow, he is holding the Skyboom Shield upside-down. In its next visible frame, this is corrected.
* A few seconds later, when Megatron attempts to hurt Hot Shot with the Star Saber, the screen awkwardly turns all black for two seconds.
* When the Skyboom Shield falls into the very large crevice, it appears to be falling smack in the middle. In the next shot, however, it catches on the side, and sticks into solid air.
* After Megatron loses the shield, he raises Star Saber, and the arm which should be holding it is totally missing.
* A couple of shots of Cyclonus seem to take place at night time as opposed to day (including the shot where is hit by Sideways's beam). The reason for this is possibly because these shots were recycled from 'Overmatch'.

===Continuity errors===
*When Megatron goes to summon the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield for the fight against Optimus, he refers to ''both'' weapons by the name "Star Saber" in the English dub.

===Trivia===
*The kanji 前兆 would be pronounced as "''zenchō''", while "''kizashi''" uses 兆しor 萌し.
*This is the first time a Mini-Con speaks English.
*This is one of the three ''Armada'' episodes with more than one word in the title.
*For some reason, when Blurr and Hot Shot are paired together, Scavenger comments on how they are finally working together, which gets Smokescreen mad enough to spin his crane uncontrollably and hurl a rock next to Demolishor. This not only accomplishes nothing, but it also begs the question as to why this would get Smokescreen riled up.
*Sideways's poorly thought out attack on Red Alert could have been to intentionally get himself disabled, helping the sides stay level so the conflict endures. This is consistent with his secret long-term agenda. He has also been shown to try and not make this battle the "final battle" by telling Megatron that he is not ready to use the Skyboom Shield so they should not fight just yet.
*The opening narration has changed for this episode. It did not set up the whole Mini-Con premise but rather the small plot point of the rogue meteor heading for the Decepticon base.

===Foreign localization===
'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Döntő ütközet'''" ("Decisive Clash")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Decydująca bitwa'''" ("Decisive Battle")

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Une bataille décisive'''" ("A Decisive Battle")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''운명의 결투'''" ("Destiny's Duel")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 6 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Collector's Edition ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

;Video Now
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 ''Transformers: Armada'' ([[Tiger Electronics]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Side Swipe (Armada)

2019-01-13T21:50:42Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Armada */ Nightbeat activates "Nightbeat's" gimmick? Sideswipe is meant to be in place of the latter

{{factions|autobot}}
{{picsneeded|All fiction}}
{{disambig3|Sideswipe}}
:''Side Swipe is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[File:Arm-SideSwipe-MTMTE.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Kathleen Barr|Dork]].]]
'''Side Swipe''' is a green Autobot. He's willing and eager, and also kinda dumb. He doesn't think before he leaps, gets really emotionally attached to commanders right away, and basically just messes things up. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] thinks that somewhere in there is the makings of a fine future soldier. ''Where?!''

Despite his childish nature, Side Swipe is apparently a capable codebreaker and does manage to make himself useful on a few occasions by deciphering Decepticon data.

His [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]], who actually ''encourages'' his behavior.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Sam Vincent]] (English), [[Nobuyuki Kobushi]] (Japanese)|[[Andreas Borcherding]] (German), [[Kustaa Kantelinen]] (Finnish)}}

[[Image:Past Part 1 Side Swipe caught.jpg|left|200px|thumb|One of Optimus Prime's elite!]]
[[Image:Sideswipe Nightbeat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My butt is on fire!]]
Having once been saved from a hanging rope trap by [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]]'s marksmanship on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he got himself transferred to [[Earth]] to join him upon finding out where he had gone. Blurr managed to pawn him off on [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], and the two went out for a little training.

Unfortunately, at the same time, Hot Shot's former protege [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] arrived on Earth, intent on doing horrible things to Hot Shot. Side Swipe crossed paths with Wheeljack, immediately leapt to his new awesome commander's defense, and failed. {{storylink|Past}} He later tried this ''again'', only this time Wheeljack captured him and chained him up somewhere in an abandoned oil refinery. The battle between Hot Shot and Wheeljack set the place ablaze, re-setting the scene where Wheeljack thought Hot Shot left him to die back on Cybertron centuries ago. Side Swipe blubbered a lot, thinking he was gonna die, but Hot Shot saved him. Back at the base, Side Swipe tried to give his commander a great big hug for saving his life. From then on, he called Hot Shot "Bro". {{storylink|Past II}}

Side Swipe was among the Autobots deployed to fight Starscream and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] when they attacked a rain forest. However, they learned too late that Megatron had shifted strategies halfway through the battle, and had taken advantage of the Autobots' absence to infiltrate their base. The Autobots warped back, finding the place completely trashed and the children tucked away in an air vent. Side Swipe was tasked with guarding the kids while the rest of the group rushed to Smokescreen, who had been left behind to guard the Mini-Cons. They were too late to come to his aid, and Smokescreen was seemingly killed while Megatron retreated, Requiem Blaster in hand. Side Swipe was amongst those who saluted their fallen friend after he collapsed in Prime's arms. {{storylink|Sacrifice}} But Smokescreen clung on to life, if just barely. Red Alert took him to the Autobots' repair bay, and begun repairs. Hot Shot quickly grew restless, and had Side Swipe come with him to spar instead of standing around, watching Red Alert at his task. When a proximity alarm sounded, Hot Shot had Side Swipe come along with him to deal with the Decepticons, without waiting for the other Autobots. They came across Starscream, who had just defected, being chased down by Tidal Wave. Eager to avenge Smokescreen, Hot Shot took on the bigger of the two Decepticons while Side Swipe was tasked with tackling Starscream. They were in over their heads until Jet Optimus joined in and received the Star Saber, handed over willingly by Starscream. Starscream was taken back to Autobot headquarters, and the Autobots agreed to take him into their ranks. Smokescreen then returned to active duty, having been rebuilt into a new body. The Autobots used data provided by Starscream, and decoded by Side Swipe, to opened a warp gate to the Moon {{storylink|Regeneration (Armada)|Regeneration}} and stormed the Decepticon camp. The attack on the Decepticon moonbase begun with the Autobots besieging Megatron’s throne room. Side Swipe, eager to prove his mettle, rushed Tidal Wave. When his attacks proved completely ineffective against the titan, Scavenger suggested Side Swipe pick on someone more his size. The battle then spread throughout the Decepticons' base, until the Decepticon-held Mini-Cons were located. Side Swipe was tasked with overlooking the Mini-Cons' evacuation back to the Autobots' headquarters, so they would warp there in an orderly fashion. He and the rest of the Autobots followed them shortly afterwards.{{storylink|Rescue}}

A new Mini-Con was detected on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], and since Starscream and Jetfire were the only two flight-capable Autobots, Side Swipe and the rest of the team stayed behind while the pair traveled off-world. Jetfire and Starscream did not get along, however, and before they could find the object of their quest, Jetfire decided to cuff Starscream and bring him back to base for insubordination. Though Side Swipe disagreed with Jetfire's decision, thinking finding the Mini-Con was more important, Optimus backed up his second-in-command. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}}

Side Swipe helped the Autobots in the construction of a spaceship. The ship was in the final stages of construction when Billy and Fred reported that they had seen Starscream "chase off" Thrust after the Decepticon had asked him to steal the Skyboom Shield. As it turns out, [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]], [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]], and [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] were nowhere to be found just then. Accusations that Starscream had complied with Thrust's request were thrown around, but the conversation was cut short when the Decepticons attacked. Side Swipe drove out to meet them, but while he fought, Starscream snatched away the Skyboom Shield (having been found during the battle) and the Star Saber, and returned to the Decepticons' side. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}}

The Autobots were thrown in emotional turmoil over Starscream's betrayal. Eager to go back on the offensive, both Jetfire and Hot Shot enlisted Side Swipe's help. Jetfire had Side Swipe try and hack the Decepticons' warp gate, but the Decepticons had secured their teleportation system since the Autobots' last attack. Hot Shot had Side Swipe work tirelessly alongside him towards completing the Autobots' ship. But before it was space-worthy, the Decepticons displayed the awesome might of their newly completed [[Hydra Cannon]]. Side Swipe and the others could do little more than stare as the super-weapon destroyed a nearby comet... and then turned its sights towards the Earth! {{storylink|Threaten}} As the Autobots scrambled to come up with a plan to deal with the situation at hand, Side Swipe professed that despite his short time on the planet, he had already grown to love the Earth dearly. Afterwards, Side Swipe was only able to watch from afar as Optimus gave up his life to block the Hydra Cannon's destructive power from reaching the Earth. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}} Hot Shot took this particularly hard, and his outbursts threatened to tear apart the already strained Autobot team. Scavenger took it upon himself to knock some sense into him through some aggressive therapy while the others watched from afar. Hot Shot fled, but was intercepted by Side Swipe, who gave him a long pep talk. Though it took the Mini-Cons stepping in, Hot Shot was eventually made to come to terms with the reality of the Autobots' situation, and took on command of the team. With their morale renewed, the Autobots redoubled their efforts to finish the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]''. {{storylink|Remorse}} Side Swipe watched confusedly as the Mini-Cons protested Hot Shot's decision to leave the children behind while the Autobots pursued the Decepticons. Hot Shot eventually relented, and the Autobots, Mini-Cons, and children all boarded the newly-completed ''Axalon'' and begun their journey to Cybertron. {{storylink|Depart}}

Side Swipe manned the radar on the Autobots' ship, and noticed several bogies headed towards the ''Axalon''. Turns out it was more Mini-Cons, come to join the fight against the Decepticons. As the Autobots and their new companions passed through an asteroid field, the Decepticons, having turned their own ship around, attacked them. In the battle that followed, Side Swipe rescued Scavenger from Megatron, only to be blown away by a shot of the Requiem Blaster. Megatron was in turn repelled by Optimus, recently revived out of the Matrix by the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Miracle}} No sooner had the Autobots welcomed their leader back than their ship was caught by the pull of a worm hole. Side Swipe tried to intervene when Hot Shot and Red Alert were sucked into it, though Optimus stopped him, for fear that Side Swipe might be lost into the space anomaly as well. The Autobots followed Red Alert's signal to a dead planet, where they were menaced by a twisted clone of Optimus named [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]. While Side Swipe stayed on the ''Axalon'' with most of the Autobots, Prime ended his dark doppelgänger's threat. {{storylink|Puppet}}

Both factions returned to Cybertron, and during the first battle back on their homeworld, Red Alert and Side Swipe remained aboard the ''Axalon'' to protect the kids and Mini-Cons. Side Swipe launched the [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] weapons system to Optimus at his leader's request to aid him in battling Galvatron (formerly Megatron). {{storylink|Uprising (Armada)|Uprising}}

Side Swipe and the rest of Optimus's crew were forced to remain in orbit on the ''Axalon'' while Jetfire scouted Cybertron's surface for a safe landing zone. Side Swipe complained about the lull before battle, feeling restless without something physical to do. The ''Axalon'' then received a transmission from Jetfire, pointing them towards a region where they could set themselves down. Thanks to the Mini-Cons providing them cover with illusory copies of their ship, the Autobots managed to bypass the Decepticons' defenses and make planetfall. Optimus then ordered Jetfire and Side Swipe to head an Autobot evacuation of Cybertron in preparation for Unicron's assault. {{storylink|Dash (episode)|Dash}} The evacuation was slow-going, unfortunately. Though Side Swipe reported on the difficulties he was having at convincing long-entrenched troops to forfeit their positions, Optimus told him to keep at it. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}}

The Autobots put in action a plan to force Galvatron into a situation where Optimus would have the opportunity to reason with him. Side Swipe and the other Autobots forestalled the Decepticons while Optimus drew their leader away from the battleground. The Autobots' and Decepticons' firefight was interrupted by an energy discharge from Unicron, and soon thereafter Galvatron was swayed by Starscream's death to unite his forces with Optimus's. {{storylink|Cramp}} After a formal alliance between Autobots and Decepticons was formed, Side Swipe was part of a unified team sent to Unicron's surface. However, once the team arrived, the Decepticons abandoned Side Swipe and the other Autobots. Later, Demolishor made up for this by begrudgingly catching Side Swipe before could fall to his doom. Their mission was nonetheless botched, and the scouting party had to be rescued by Jet Prime and Galvatron. {{storylink|Alliance}} Determining their best plan of attack laid in attacking Unicron from within, Galvatron had Side Swipe contact the Decepticon armada, and ordered them to follow Hot Shot's command while the two factions' leaders infiltrated Unicron's body. Under Hot Shot's command, Side Swipe also moved the ''Axalon'' between Unicon and Cybertron, and used its force-field to block one of the dark god's plasma beams before bailing out. He and the rest of the troops then kept Unicron occupied with their ships, in the hopes of further forestalling Cybertron's annihilation. {{storylink|Union}} Side Swipe was part of a squad that managed to blast through Unicron's throat, bombing the titan as they made their way back out through his mouth. Unfortunately, their effort proved fruitless, as Unicron was able to regenerate his wounds near-instantly. {{storylink|Origin}}

Thankfully, the team inside of Unicron succeeded in retrieving the Mini-Con weapons, de-powering the Chaos Bringer. The Transformers then scrambled to eliminate Unicron before he recovered, but this proved unnecessary; once Galvatron sacrificed himself, there was no longer enough hatred in the universe to sustain Unicron, and he vanished from existence. The Transformers' war now at an end, Side Swipe and his fellow Cybetronians stood united as a race, and begun rebuilding their war-torn planet. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

====''Cloud''====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Return}}}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
As the Decepticons unleashed the might of the [[Hydra Cannon]] towards the Earth, Side Swipe and Jetfire left their posts to watch on in horror as the blast approached via the Autobot base's view screen. Thankfully, Optimus had already left to thwart the energies of the weapon with those of his Matrix. {{storylink|Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
Sideswipe was part of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire's]] Autobot unit, stationed at the [[Autobase]] on Cybertron. While Optimus's team dealt with Megatron on Earth, Side Swipe and the others still on Cybertron continued to fight back against the Decepticon presence there, though even at the best of times they didn't fare too well. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10|Armada #10}}

Side Swipe was present when Hot Shot contacted Jetfire to ask for assistance in locating the missing Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Seeking to discover the cause of the multiple [[Space bridge|space bridge]] events opening at the Decepticon Command HQ, Jetfire led a team that included Side Swipe, Blurr, [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]], [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], and [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] into the heart of the enemy stronghold, only to find dead bodies and a ruined base. They soon discovered the perpetrator when [[Bludgeon (G1)|a mysterious, sword-wielding creature]] attacked them. Sideswipe was almost cut down when he sought cover amongst the dead Decepticon bodies, but survived to participate in Jetfire's plan to blind the creature and destroy its [[Pretender|outer shell]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} As more enemies arrived, Jetfire ordered his troops to retreat while he stayed behind to activate the base's self-destruct sequence. Side Swipe refused at first, but eventually followed orders and made himself scarce. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

Side Swipe was present when [[Unicron]] attacked Cybertron, and despite being in pain only from hearing the Chaos Bringer speak, he followed Optimus Prime's order to launch the planetary defenses. He survived the battle, and was seen among the crowds that cheered after Unicron's defeat. {{storylink|The End}}

==Games==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
Sideswipe was one of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s many allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s own army, in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}
===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Side-Swipe-Armada.jpg|thumb|400px|My pistol and dagger is now a blaster and sword!]]
Side Swipe Armada participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who was available as a reward to 50 leagues in the "Armada Episode V: Requiem" event {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada Side Swipe toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I come back every year with a different name and a different shade of blue. The fandom hates me and I hate 'em right back!]]
* '''Side Swipe''' (also spelled '''Sideswipe''') (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MC-10'''
**''Accessories:'' Pistol, bayonet

: ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Side Swipe transforms into a mix between a Nissan Skyline R32 Sedan and a Nissan Silvia S13. He is packaged with [[Mini-Con]] motorcycle [[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]], who can store in a flip-out section of the back end of Side Swipe's vehicle mode. This flip-out portion is part of Sideswipe's "third" mode, a kind of dragster or "pursuit" mode; Nightbeat acts as a rocket booster, while pressing the Autobot symbol on Side Swipe's hood causes the whole front of his car form to split in two and spring forward, extending the length of his vehicle mode. His [[instructions]] aren't very clear on how to activate this; they suggest you remove Nightbeat, and... just press ''him'' down on the symbol, though there's no Mini-Con port there and one isn't necessary to trigger the gimmick.

:In robot mode, the two halves of Side Swipe's hood become his arms. [[Stock photography]] (see right) and the figure's instructions show the spring-loaded hood-halves deployed in robot mode, when they should be folded up; you can sort of use them as a spring-loaded "power punch" action, but the tabs that activate them are tiny, not designed to be gripped, and the gimmick doesn't appear intended to be used in that manner. Attaching Nightbeat (or any other [[Mini-Con]] mold) to the [[Powerlinx]] plug on his back and pulling down activates an ''actual'' "punching" action gimmick in Sideswipe's right arm, swinging it up at the shoulder. Sideswipe is armed with a small gun and bayonet, each of which he can hold separately via their 5mm post handles or which can be combined together via 4mm pegs and posts on the side of the weapons. These two weapons store inside his doors in vehicle mode using the 4mm posts.

:Early releases of Side Swipe spelled his name as "Sideswipe" on the packaging and instructions; this was changed to "Side Swipe" for the ''[[The Unicron Battles|Unicron Battles]]'' [[subline imprint]] packaging [[variant]].

: A slightly [[retool]]ed version of this mold was used to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Oil Slick (Universe)|Oil Slick]] and [[Treadshot (Universe 2003)|Treadshot]], and a more heavily retooled version was used for ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Runamuck (Cybertron)|Runamuck]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Sideswipe/sideswipe.htm More information on Side Swipe at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard_SideSwipe.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
*'''Side Swipe''' (2007)

: A 24-point "common" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Side Swipe "transforms" into a blue sports car of indeterminate make. He uses the same parts layout as [[Bumblebee (G1)|"Classic" Bumblebee]] and [[Blackjack]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
* [[Aaron Archer]], posting as "Orson", once gave signs that "Nightbeat" was actually meant to be Side Swipe's name and somehow had gotten swapped to his Mini-Con. He mentioned trying to get this corrected, but it never surfaced.
[[Image:Armada Side Swipe pre-production.jpg|right|200px|thumb|As if anyone wants ''another'' one of these.]]
* Even though the toy's name was originally spelled "Sideswipe" on the packaging and in the instructions, Hasbro had been using the name "[[Side Swipe (RID)|Side Swipe]]" on toys from previous lines after they had successfully reclaimed it from another company that had been holding the [[trademark]] in the "toys" field during the 1990s. Curiously, while the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toy's name was initially rendered "Sideswipe" on the packaging name insert, the [[tech spec]] card, the back of the packaging and the [[instructions]]<ref name="armadasideswipe1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/toys/Armada/Autobots/Side+Swipe/side1.jpg.html ''Armada'' Side Swipe in original packaging], named "Sideswipe".</ref>, the [[subline imprint|redesigned]] "[[Unicron Battles]]"-style packaging had it spelled "Side Swipe" both on the back of the packaging and on the name insert (but still as "Sideswipe" on the tech spec card).<ref name="armadasideswipe2">[http://www.shmax.com/product_details/835/sideswipe_with_nightbeat ''Armada'' Side Swipe in "Unicron Battles" packaging], named "Side Swipe".</ref>
* [[Prototype|Pre-release samples]] of Side Swipe had a lightning deco on the sides of the vehicle mode which was not included on the final version sold in stores.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Stepper''' (ステッパー ''Suteppā'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Sűrű''' ("Dense")
*''Russian:'' '''Uppercut''' (STS dub, Апперкот ''Apperkot'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]

Metamorphosis (Armada)

2018-12-01T20:11:59Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Differences with Micron Legend */ corrected the formatting

{{disambig2|the episode of ''Armada''|the ''Cloud'' story|Metamorphosis (Cloud)}}

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=2
|prev=First Encounter
|next=Base
|title="Metamorphosis"
|furigana=へんしん
|japanese=擬態
|romaji=Henshin
|translation=Mimicry: Metamorphosis
|image=Metamorphcontact.JPG
|caption=Grindor phone home
|production code=TF: A-02
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Ryō Motohira]]
|director=[[Takashi Sano]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[August 23]], [[2002]] (English) [[January 17|17 January]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Pursued by the Decepticons, Rad, Carlos, and Alexis find they have allies in the form of Optimus Prime and his Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Metamorphdeceps.JPG|left|155px|thumb|"Hello, you brats! Welcome to first contact!" "Aw, but I liked "Generations" more..."]]

[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] find that a cave-in has trapped them both underground. Above ground, the fight between [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] continues. [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] attempt to flee with their new [[Mini-Con]] friend, only to be cut off by two new robots teleporting in: [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]. As Demolishor reaches for Rad and Carlos, two more robots appear and the youngsters find themselves surrounded. Alexis begins to lead her friends away, but Starscream spots [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and moves to grab the Mini-Con. He's blocked by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], however, and the pair grapple.

Alexis has enough time to spy the Autobot sigil on Hot Shot's shoulder before Rad announces they're heading for the caves. Before Demolishor can make a move to stop them, he's tackled by [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and pummeled repeatedly, so that his optical sensor is damaged. Megatron scornfully calls him "a weakling", but a moment later he is knocked down to the ground by Optimus Prime. Optimus demands that they surrender, but Megatron suddenly disappears, promising that he will return again. The other two Decepticons quickly retreat via teleport, leaving three surprised Autobots. Optimus tells his troops they have to stop Megatron getting hold of the Mini-Cons. Hot Shot points out the Decepticons are using short-[[warp drive|warp]] equipment and must have a base nearby, which leads Red Alert to suspect they're based on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]].

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|155px|thumb|"I wasn't sleeping! I was just, errr... resting my eyes! Yeah, that's it."]]

The Decepticons are indeed using the crashed Mini-Con spaceship as a base. The three Decepticons arrive there, waking [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] who is taking a nap in a hallway. The latter immediately begins fawning over Megatron and is ignored. His inquiry over whether they found the Mini-Cons is met with glares, and Starscream suggests he could be put in charge of finding them. Megatron agrees but makes clear the price of failure.

Back in the caves, Rad thinks they're safe, but Alexis is sure the giant robots will come after them, or, more specifically, High Wire. None of the kids can understand High Wire's speech but they follow the Mini-Con into another chamber and a door slowly slides closed behind them. Rad and Carlos assure Alexis this is a good thing. The lights come up and the trio realise they're standing on the threshold of a spaceship. Rad is able to access the ship's computer, letting the kids learn about Megatron and Optimus Prime. Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol from earlier.

Up on the Moon, Megatron stands outside the ship musing over how he will find the Mini-Cons and spies a glint of light on the Moon's surface.

High Wire goes nuts, much to the confusion of the three children. He opens a wall panel, revealing two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s which Alexis and Carlos activate. The panels reveal an [[Sureshock (Armada)|orange she-Mini-Con]] and a [[Grindor (Armada)|blue Mini-Con]], who pair up with Alexis and Carlos respectively.

[[File:Metamorphleader1.JPG|left|155px|thumb|Twinkle, twinkle, little star!]]
On the Moon, Megatron has found another storage panel, which he activates to reveal his old Mini-Con [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]. Megatron is filled with evil glee.

Fred and Billy finally manage to pull themselves out of the cave, only to panic at the sight of a giant footprint. Underground, Carlos and Alexis let the Mini-Cons scan their skateboard and scooter for alternate modes.

Back on the Moon, Megatron demands to know why Cyclonus was unable to detect a Mini-Con right under his nose. Cyclonus can offer no excuse, and Starscream's chuckle only enrages the Decepticon leader further. Megatron tells them to witness the power of his Mini-Con, prompting Leader-1 to show his fire power. The two Decepticons are frightened and astonished. Demolishor arrives to report with the news that two more Mini-Cons have been activated on Earth. Megatron puts Cyclonus in charge of the recovery team and gives his troops new [[Alternate mode|alt-modes]] based on Earth vehicles. Starscream transforms into a supersonic jet-fighter, Demolishor can become a self-propelled gun, Cyclonus looks like a military helicopter, and Megatron himself transforms into a tank. They leave for Earth again.

Meanwhile the three kids have a good time with their Mini-friends. They race on the Mini-Cons through a forest, across water and up a cliff. But there they run unexpectedly right into Megatron and his troops. They try to run away but the Decepticons surround them, as does Megatron's triumphant laughter. It seems to Rad that it's all over for them... until Megatron is rammed into a rock wall by a large red-and-blue truck. Cyclonus and Starscream are so astonished that they simply remain poised in mid-air instead of doing anything. The truck pulls up by the three kids and asks them to get in; Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol on its side and jumps right in. Rad and Carlos are more hesitant, until Demolishor looms up behind them. The Decepticon attempts to stop the truck leaving and gets shot repeatedly in the face, then run over. Attempting to pursue, he's promptly rammed by a yellow sports car.

[[File:Metamorphsuperop.JPG|155px|thumb|"Do you feel your knees trembling? No? You '''will'''."]]
Safely out of danger, the truck lets them out and transforms into robot mode — it's Optimus Prime, naturally. Likewise Hot Shot and Red Alert appear in car mode and transform into robots. The kids observe the oncoming Decepticon forces, and Optimus combines with his trailer into super mode. Rad reflects that the Autobots might need his help while they're on Earth. The Autobots and Decepticons prepare to do battle.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
({{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (10)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (1)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (2)
*[[Rad White]] (5)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (6)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (7)
*Truck driver (17)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (8)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (14)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (15)
*[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"What a weakling."

:—'''Megatron''' is not impressed at Demolishor being taken down by Red Alert.

'''Hot Shot:''' They're using short-warp equipment, so they must have a base set up somewhere near here. 
'''Red Alert:''' ''(looking at the moon)'' They're up there.

:—200,000 miles is "near"?

"You had better not. If you do, I'll have you dismantled for scrap, then I'll launch what's left of you straight into the sun, understand?"

:—'''Megatron''' on what will happen if Cyclonus fails.

"So he really is from outer space! I bet he came from some distant galaxy a long time ago, to escape those big robots. Maybe they use small robots like him to increase their power or something. His ship must have crash landed on Earth and now they've tracked him down." 
"Wow, you think so?" 
"That's the only reason I can think of why those big robots would come after him."

:—'''Rad''' comes up with the most far-fetched, unbelievable explanation ever. '''Alexis''' is impressed.

"Hey, guess what? He understands me! He does, he really does!" 
"Are you sure? This one's not reacting to anything I say. Aw, his batteries must be low. Maybe he needs to be recharged or something."

:—'''Alexis''' and '''Carlos''' on meeting their Mini-Cons.

"Shut your mouth, you worthless piece of junk!"

:—'''Megatron''' on Cyclonus' failure.

"Megatron! Uh... sir? What happened in here?"

:—'''Demolishor''' is surprised at Leader-1's redecorating.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
* ''Armada'' has Red Alert express concern for Optimus Prime after the fight, but as is so often the case with Autobots in Japanese fiction, they're all business in ''Micron Legend'', where Prime goes straight to talking about short-range warp equipment. The brief extension made to the conversation in ''Armada'' means that Hot Shot is given this line in the English version.
* In ''Armada'', Red Alert immediately twigs that the Decepticons have their base on the moon, whereas our heroes have no idea where they've gone in ''Micron Legend''. This is, of course, a huge continuity error going forward, since their lack of knowledge about the location of the villains' base factors into the plot on a few occasions.
* The discussion the Decepticons have in the Mini-Con ship is entirely different across the two versions of the show. In ''Armada'', Megatron wants to know if Starscream has had any luck finding Mini-Cons by scanning the planet, and Starscream suggests Cyclonus would do a better job, prompting the crazy 'copter to reluctantly take up the task. In ''Micron Legend'', on the other hand, the exchange is about how Cyclonus went to sleep instead of searching the ship for any Mini-Cons, this task having been the reason he didn't accompany the others to Earth. Megatron tells him to get back to work, but is ''far'' less threatening about it than in ''Armada'', since the Autobots don't know about the ship yet and they can afford to take their time.
* Once they have taken cover in the caves, the kids worry about the Transformers coming after them in ''Armada'', but are hoping their parents will come find them in ''Micron Legend''. Moments later, rather than ask High Wire if the Transformers are after him as she does in ''Armada'', Alexis inquires if "Mini-Con" is his real name.
*As we saw in the previous episode, Rad is consistently able to translate all of High Wire's beeping and booping in ''Micron Legend'', while in ''Armada'', as will be anything ''but'' consistent, he cannot. As such, a lot of the dialogue that was originally him speaking for High Wire—like the Mini-Cons' history and who and what the Autobots and Decepticons are—is replaced with him guessing, deducing things on his own (and making massive leaps of logic in the process), reading from another source, or just outright filler babble.
*This extends to the other kids, too. In ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses her amazement at being able to understand Sureshock, but in ''Armada'', she's amazed at ''Sureshock's'' ability to understand ''her''. Carlos, meanwhile, complains that Grindor is ''not'' reacting to him in ''Armada'', while in ''Micron Legend'', he repeats for the others what Grindor has just told him: that the Mini-Cons have been waiting four million years for the kids to arrive. This enigmatic comment will be properly explained near the end of the series.
*In ''Armada'', Megatron explicitly recognizes Leader-1 when he emerges from his panel, saying that he used to be his partner in the past. It's less clear in ''Micron Legend''; he seems to recognize the Mini-Con, but later episodes will imply the Decepticons also just make up names for the Mini-Cons when they free them, too. The later episode "[[Prehistory]]," however, would confirm that Leader-1 was indeed partners with Megatron in the past, and that that wasn't an ''Armada'' dub-ism.
*And while we're talking about Megatron, as he looks up at the Earth, he's not cursing Optimus Prime in ''Micron Legend'', he's just vowing to find the Mini-Cons. ''Micron Legend'' Megatron is really quite calm and collected.
*While the kids merely whoop about how awesome their Mini-Cons are in ''Armada'', in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses distress over Sureshock's alternate mode (presumably referencing the fact she has transformed into a moped, rather than the razor scooter she scanned). Rad and Carlos blame both her age and her being asleep for so long.
*''Armada'' omits a part of Megatron's tirade against Cyclonus: the fact that Cyclonus must refer to Leader-1 with the Japanese suffix "sama", to show respect for his leader's Mini-Con. As well as groveling, Cyclonus also asks what did Leader-1 say, and Megatron quietly replies that he doesn't actually ''know'' yet.
*''Armada'' adds a couple of lines to the otherwise silent scene in ''Micron Legend'' where Optimus scans the semi truck that will become his vehicle form.

===Animation and technical errors===
* The giant "footprint" Fred and Billy panic over looks like a full-body imprint of Megatron. No wonder they panicked.
* When Megatron threatens Cyclonus with what will happen should he fail his task, Megatron's mouth stays shut the entire time he is speaking.
*After being threatened by Megatron, Cyclonus' hand changes color from its normal dark gray to the same yellow as his forearms and hips.

===Real-world references===
* Leader-1 is named for [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]], leader of the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] from the [[GoBots (franchise)|''GoBots'' cartoon and toyline]].

===Trivia===
*The kanji 擬態 would normally be pronounced as "''gitai''", while "''henshin''" is the kanji 変身.
*Pre-Earth mode Optimus is standing on a ledge above as a truck passes below. When he's finished scanning, the truck passes by, and we see Optimus again, already in his truck altmode. [[Transformers (film)|You will see this again.]]
*Alexis refers to the female Sureshock as male. Then again, she gives no indication of understanding anything Sureshock says either, so it's not surprising she has no indication...

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transformation!'''" ("Transformation!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2|2 December]] [[2003]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Átalakulás'''" ("Transformation")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Przemiana'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Metamorfose'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''변신하는 초로봇 생명체'''" ("Transforming First Robots Living Beings")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 1 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:01 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Triple Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Bumper Double DVD Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Metamorphosis (Armada)

2018-12-01T20:11:08Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Differences with Micron Legend */ Refined a translation and added a new difference

{{disambig2|the episode of ''Armada''|the ''Cloud'' story|Metamorphosis (Cloud)}}

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=2
|prev=First Encounter
|next=Base
|title="Metamorphosis"
|furigana=へんしん
|japanese=擬態
|romaji=Henshin
|translation=Mimicry: Metamorphosis
|image=Metamorphcontact.JPG
|caption=Grindor phone home
|production code=TF: A-02
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Ryō Motohira]]
|director=[[Takashi Sano]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[August 23]], [[2002]] (English) [[January 17|17 January]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Pursued by the Decepticons, Rad, Carlos, and Alexis find they have allies in the form of Optimus Prime and his Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Metamorphdeceps.JPG|left|155px|thumb|"Hello, you brats! Welcome to first contact!" "Aw, but I liked "Generations" more..."]]

[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] find that a cave-in has trapped them both underground. Above ground, the fight between [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] continues. [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] attempt to flee with their new [[Mini-Con]] friend, only to be cut off by two new robots teleporting in: [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]. As Demolishor reaches for Rad and Carlos, two more robots appear and the youngsters find themselves surrounded. Alexis begins to lead her friends away, but Starscream spots [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and moves to grab the Mini-Con. He's blocked by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], however, and the pair grapple.

Alexis has enough time to spy the Autobot sigil on Hot Shot's shoulder before Rad announces they're heading for the caves. Before Demolishor can make a move to stop them, he's tackled by [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and pummeled repeatedly, so that his optical sensor is damaged. Megatron scornfully calls him "a weakling", but a moment later he is knocked down to the ground by Optimus Prime. Optimus demands that they surrender, but Megatron suddenly disappears, promising that he will return again. The other two Decepticons quickly retreat via teleport, leaving three surprised Autobots. Optimus tells his troops they have to stop Megatron getting hold of the Mini-Cons. Hot Shot points out the Decepticons are using short-[[warp drive|warp]] equipment and must have a base nearby, which leads Red Alert to suspect they're based on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]].

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|155px|thumb|"I wasn't sleeping! I was just, errr... resting my eyes! Yeah, that's it."]]

The Decepticons are indeed using the crashed Mini-Con spaceship as a base. The three Decepticons arrive there, waking [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] who is taking a nap in a hallway. The latter immediately begins fawning over Megatron and is ignored. His inquiry over whether they found the Mini-Cons is met with glares, and Starscream suggests he could be put in charge of finding them. Megatron agrees but makes clear the price of failure.

Back in the caves, Rad thinks they're safe, but Alexis is sure the giant robots will come after them, or, more specifically, High Wire. None of the kids can understand High Wire's speech but they follow the Mini-Con into another chamber and a door slowly slides closed behind them. Rad and Carlos assure Alexis this is a good thing. The lights come up and the trio realise they're standing on the threshold of a spaceship. Rad is able to access the ship's computer, letting the kids learn about Megatron and Optimus Prime. Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol from earlier.

Up on the Moon, Megatron stands outside the ship musing over how he will find the Mini-Cons and spies a glint of light on the Moon's surface.

High Wire goes nuts, much to the confusion of the three children. He opens a wall panel, revealing two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s which Alexis and Carlos activate. The panels reveal an [[Sureshock (Armada)|orange she-Mini-Con]] and a [[Grindor (Armada)|blue Mini-Con]], who pair up with Alexis and Carlos respectively.

[[File:Metamorphleader1.JPG|left|155px|thumb|Twinkle, twinkle, little star!]]
On the Moon, Megatron has found another storage panel, which he activates to reveal his old Mini-Con [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]. Megatron is filled with evil glee.

Fred and Billy finally manage to pull themselves out of the cave, only to panic at the sight of a giant footprint. Underground, Carlos and Alexis let the Mini-Cons scan their skateboard and scooter for alternate modes.

Back on the Moon, Megatron demands to know why Cyclonus was unable to detect a Mini-Con right under his nose. Cyclonus can offer no excuse, and Starscream's chuckle only enrages the Decepticon leader further. Megatron tells them to witness the power of his Mini-Con, prompting Leader-1 to show his fire power. The two Decepticons are frightened and astonished. Demolishor arrives to report with the news that two more Mini-Cons have been activated on Earth. Megatron puts Cyclonus in charge of the recovery team and gives his troops new [[Alternate mode|alt-modes]] based on Earth vehicles. Starscream transforms into a supersonic jet-fighter, Demolishor can become a self-propelled gun, Cyclonus looks like a military helicopter, and Megatron himself transforms into a tank. They leave for Earth again.

Meanwhile the three kids have a good time with their Mini-friends. They race on the Mini-Cons through a forest, across water and up a cliff. But there they run unexpectedly right into Megatron and his troops. They try to run away but the Decepticons surround them, as does Megatron's triumphant laughter. It seems to Rad that it's all over for them... until Megatron is rammed into a rock wall by a large red-and-blue truck. Cyclonus and Starscream are so astonished that they simply remain poised in mid-air instead of doing anything. The truck pulls up by the three kids and asks them to get in; Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol on its side and jumps right in. Rad and Carlos are more hesitant, until Demolishor looms up behind them. The Decepticon attempts to stop the truck leaving and gets shot repeatedly in the face, then run over. Attempting to pursue, he's promptly rammed by a yellow sports car.

[[File:Metamorphsuperop.JPG|155px|thumb|"Do you feel your knees trembling? No? You '''will'''."]]
Safely out of danger, the truck lets them out and transforms into robot mode — it's Optimus Prime, naturally. Likewise Hot Shot and Red Alert appear in car mode and transform into robots. The kids observe the oncoming Decepticon forces, and Optimus combines with his trailer into super mode. Rad reflects that the Autobots might need his help while they're on Earth. The Autobots and Decepticons prepare to do battle.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
({{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (10)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (1)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (2)
*[[Rad White]] (5)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (6)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (7)
*Truck driver (17)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (8)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (14)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (15)
*[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"What a weakling."

:—'''Megatron''' is not impressed at Demolishor being taken down by Red Alert.

'''Hot Shot:''' They're using short-warp equipment, so they must have a base set up somewhere near here. 
'''Red Alert:''' ''(looking at the moon)'' They're up there.

:—200,000 miles is "near"?

"You had better not. If you do, I'll have you dismantled for scrap, then I'll launch what's left of you straight into the sun, understand?"

:—'''Megatron''' on what will happen if Cyclonus fails.

"So he really is from outer space! I bet he came from some distant galaxy a long time ago, to escape those big robots. Maybe they use small robots like him to increase their power or something. His ship must have crash landed on Earth and now they've tracked him down." 
"Wow, you think so?" 
"That's the only reason I can think of why those big robots would come after him."

:—'''Rad''' comes up with the most far-fetched, unbelievable explanation ever. '''Alexis''' is impressed.

"Hey, guess what? He understands me! He does, he really does!" 
"Are you sure? This one's not reacting to anything I say. Aw, his batteries must be low. Maybe he needs to be recharged or something."

:—'''Alexis''' and '''Carlos''' on meeting their Mini-Cons.

"Shut your mouth, you worthless piece of junk!"

:—'''Megatron''' on Cyclonus' failure.

"Megatron! Uh... sir? What happened in here?"

:—'''Demolishor''' is surprised at Leader-1's redecorating.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
* ''Armada'' has Red Alert express concern for Optimus Prime after the fight, but as is so often the case with Autobots in Japanese fiction, they're all business in ''Micron Legend'', where Prime goes straight to talking about short-range warp equipment. The brief extension made to the conversation in ''Armada'' means that Hot Shot is given this line in the English version.
* In ''Armada'', Red Alert immediately twigs that the Decepticons have their base on the moon, whereas our heroes have no idea where they've gone in ''Micron Legend''. This is, of course, a huge continuity error going forward, since their lack of knowledge about the location of the villains' base factors into the plot on a few occasions.
* The discussion the Decepticons have in the Mini-Con ship is entirely different across the two versions of the show. In ''Armada'', Megatron wants to know if Starscream has had any luck finding Mini-Cons by scanning the planet, and Starscream suggests Cyclonus would do a better job, prompting the crazy 'copter to reluctantly take up the task. In ''Micron Legend'', on the other hand, the exchange is about how Cyclonus went to sleep instead of searching the ship for any Mini-Cons, this task having been the reason he didn't accompany the others to Earth. Megatron tells him to get back to work, but is ''far'' less threatening about it than in ''Armada'', since the Autobots don't know about the ship yet and they can afford to take their time.
* Once they have taken cover in the caves, the kids worry about the Transformers coming after them in ''Armada'', but are hoping their parents will come find them in ''Micron Legend''. Moments later, rather than ask High Wire if the Transformers are after him as she does in ''Armada'', Alexis inquires if "Mini-Con" is his real name.
*As we saw in the previous episode, Rad is consistently able to translate all of High Wire's beeping and booping in ''Micron Legend'', while in ''Armada'', as will be anything ''but'' consistent, he cannot. As such, a lot of the dialogue that was originally him speaking for High Wire—like the Mini-Cons' history and who and what the Autobots and Decepticons are—is replaced with him guessing, deducing things on his own (and making massive leaps of logic in the process), reading from another source, or just outright filler babble.
*This extends to the other kids, too. In ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses her amazement at being able to understand Sureshock, but in ''Armada'', she's amazed at ''Sureshock's'' ability to understand ''her''. Carlos, meanwhile, complains that Grindor is ''not'' reacting to him in ''Armada'', while in ''Micron Legend'', he repeats for the others what Grindor has just told him: that the Mini-Cons have been waiting four million years for the kids to arrive. This enigmatic comment will be properly explained near the end of the series.
*In ''Armada'', Megatron explicitly recognizes Leader-1 when he emerges from his panel, saying that he used to be his partner in the past. It's less clear in ''Micron Legend''; he seems to recognize the Mini-Con, but later episodes will imply the Decepticons also just make up names for the Mini-Cons when they free them, too. The later episode "[[Prehistory]]," however, would confirm that Leader-1 was indeed partners with Megatron in the past, and that that wasn't an ''Armada'' dub-ism.
*And while we're talking about Megatron, as he looks up at the Earth, he's not cursing Optimus Prime in ''Micron Legend'', he's just vowing to find the Mini-Cons. ''Micron Legend'' Megatron is really quite calm and collected.
*While the kids merely whoop about how awesome their Mini-Cons are in ''Armada'', in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses distress over Sureshock's alternate mode (presumably referencing the fact she has transformed into a moped, rather than the razor scooter she scanned). Rad and Carlos blame both her age and her being asleep for so long.
*''Armada'' omits a part of Megatron's tirade against Cyclonus: the fact that Cyclonus must refer to Leader-1 with the Japanese suffix "sama", to show respect for his leader's Mini-Con. As well as groveling, Cyclonus also asks what did Leader-1 say, and Megatron quietly replies that he doesn't actually ''know'' yet.
*"Armada" adds a couple of lines to the otherwise silent scene in "Micron Legend" where Optimus scans the semi truck that will become his vehicle form.

===Animation and technical errors===
* The giant "footprint" Fred and Billy panic over looks like a full-body imprint of Megatron. No wonder they panicked.
* When Megatron threatens Cyclonus with what will happen should he fail his task, Megatron's mouth stays shut the entire time he is speaking.
*After being threatened by Megatron, Cyclonus' hand changes color from its normal dark gray to the same yellow as his forearms and hips.

===Real-world references===
* Leader-1 is named for [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]], leader of the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] from the [[GoBots (franchise)|''GoBots'' cartoon and toyline]].

===Trivia===
*The kanji 擬態 would normally be pronounced as "''gitai''", while "''henshin''" is the kanji 変身.
*Pre-Earth mode Optimus is standing on a ledge above as a truck passes below. When he's finished scanning, the truck passes by, and we see Optimus again, already in his truck altmode. [[Transformers (film)|You will see this again.]]
*Alexis refers to the female Sureshock as male. Then again, she gives no indication of understanding anything Sureshock says either, so it's not surprising she has no indication...

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transformation!'''" ("Transformation!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2|2 December]] [[2003]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Átalakulás'''" ("Transformation")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Przemiana'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Metamorfose'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''변신하는 초로봇 생명체'''" ("Transforming First Robots Living Beings")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 1 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:01 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Triple Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Bumper Double DVD Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Metamorphosis (Armada)

2018-01-03T03:07:27Z

KarakuriCentral: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{disambig2|the episode of ''Armada''|the ''Cloud'' story|Metamorphosis (Cloud)}}

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=2
|prev=First Encounter
|next=Base
|title="Metamorphosis"
|furigana=へんしん
|japanese=擬態
|romaji=Henshin
|translation=Mimicry: Metamorphosis
|image=Metamorphcontact.JPG
|caption=Grindor phone home
|production code=TF: A-02
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Ryō Motohira]]
|director=[[Takashi Sano]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[August 23]], [[2002]] (English) [[January 17|17 January]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Pursued by the Decepticons, Rad, Carlos, and Alexis find they have allies in the form of Optimus Prime and his Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Metamorphdeceps.JPG|left|155px|thumb|"Hello, you brats! Welcome to first contact!" "Aw, but I liked "Generations" more..."]]

[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] find that a cave-in has trapped them both underground. Above ground, the fight between [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] continues. [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] attempt to flee with their new [[Mini-Con]] friend, only to be cut off by two new robots teleporting in: [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]. As Demolishor reaches for Rad and Carlos, two more robots appear and the youngsters find themselves surrounded. Alexis begins to lead her friends away, but Starscream spots [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and moves to grab the Mini-Con. He's blocked by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], however, and the pair grapple.

Alexis has enough time to spy the Autobot sigil on Hot Shot's shoulder before Rad announces they're heading for the caves. Before Demolishor can make a move to stop them, he's tackled by [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and pummeled repeatedly, so that his optical sensor is damaged. Megatron scornfully calls him "a weakling", but a moment later he is knocked down to the ground by Optimus Prime. Optimus demands that they surrender, but Megatron suddenly disappears, promising that he will return again. The other two Decepticons quickly retreat via teleport, leaving three surprised Autobots. Optimus tells his troops they have to stop Megatron getting hold of the Mini-Cons. Hot Shot points out the Decepticons are using short-[[warp drive|warp]] equipment and must have a base nearby, which leads Red Alert to suspect they're based on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]].

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|155px|thumb|"I wasn't sleeping! I was just, errr... resting my eyes! Yeah, that's it."]]

The Decepticons are indeed using the crashed Mini-Con spaceship as a base. The three Decepticons arrive there, waking [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] who is taking a nap in a hallway. The latter immediately begins fawning over Megatron and is ignored. His inquiry over whether they found the Mini-Cons is met with glares, and Starscream suggests he could be put in charge of finding them. Megatron agrees but makes clear the price of failure.

Back in the caves, Rad thinks they're safe, but Alexis is sure the giant robots will come after them, or, more specifically, High Wire. None of the kids can understand High Wire's speech but they follow the Mini-Con into another chamber and a door slowly slides closed behind them. Rad and Carlos assure Alexis this is a good thing. The lights come up and the trio realise they're standing on the threshold of a spaceship. Rad is able to access the ship's computer, letting the kids learn about Megatron and Optimus Prime. Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol from earlier.

Up on the Moon, Megatron stands outside the ship musing over how he will find the Mini-Cons and spies a glint of light on the Moon's surface.

High Wire goes nuts, much to the confusion of the three children. He opens a wall panel, revealing two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s which Alexis and Carlos activate. The panels reveal an [[Sureshock (Armada)|orange she-Mini-Con]] and a [[Grindor (Armada)|blue Mini-Con]], who pair up with Alexis and Carlos respectively.

[[File:Metamorphleader1.JPG|left|155px|thumb|Twinkle, twinkle, little star!]]
On the Moon, Megatron has found another storage panel, which he activates to reveal his old Mini-Con [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]. Megatron is filled with evil glee.

Fred and Billy finally manage to pull themselves out of the cave, only to panic at the sight of a giant footprint. Underground, Carlos and Alexis let the Mini-Cons scan their skateboard and scooter for alternate modes.

Back on the Moon, Megatron demands to know why Cyclonus was unable to detect a Mini-Con right under his nose. Cyclonus can offer no excuse, and Starscream's chuckle only enrages the Decepticon leader further. Megatron tells them to witness the power of his Mini-Con, prompting Leader-1 to show his fire power. The two Decepticons are frightened and astonished. Demolishor arrives to report with the news that two more Mini-Cons have been activated on Earth. Megatron puts Cyclonus in charge of the recovery team and gives his troops new [[Alternate mode|alt-modes]] based on Earth vehicles. Starscream transforms into a supersonic jet-fighter, Demolishor can become a self-propelled gun, Cyclonus looks like a military helicopter, and Megatron himself transforms into a tank. They leave for Earth again.

Meanwhile the three kids have a good time with their Mini-friends. They race on the Mini-Cons through a forest, across water and up a cliff. But there they run unexpectedly right into Megatron and his troops. They try to run away but the Decepticons surround them, as does Megatron's triumphant laughter. It seems to Rad that it's all over for them... until Megatron is rammed into a rock wall by a large red-and-blue truck. Cyclonus and Starscream are so astonished that they simply remain poised in mid-air instead of doing anything. The truck pulls up by the three kids and asks them to get in; Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol on its side and jumps right in. Rad and Carlos are more hesitant, until Demolishor looms up behind them. The Decepticon attempts to stop the truck leaving and gets shot repeatedly in the face, then run over. Attempting to pursue, he's promptly rammed by a yellow sports car.

[[File:Metamorphsuperop.JPG|155px|thumb|"Do you feel your knees trembling? No? You '''will'''."]]
Safely out of danger, the truck lets them out and transforms into robot mode — it's Optimus Prime, naturally. Likewise Hot Shot and Red Alert appear in car mode and transform into robots. The kids observe the oncoming Decepticon forces, and Optimus combines with his trailer into super mode. Rad reflects that the Autobots might need his help while they're on Earth. The Autobots and Decepticons prepare to do battle.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
({{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (10)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (1)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (2)
*[[Rad White]] (5)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (6)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (7)
*Truck driver (17)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (8)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (14)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (15)
*[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"What a weakling."

:—'''Megatron''' is not impressed at Demolishor being taken down by Red Alert.

'''Hot Shot:''' They're using short-warp equipment, so they must have a base set up somewhere near here. 
'''Red Alert:''' ''(looking at the moon)'' They're up there.

:—200,000 miles is "near"?

"You had better not. If you do, I'll have you dismantled for scrap, then I'll launch what's left of you straight into the sun, understand?"

:—'''Megatron''' on what will happen if Cyclonus fails.

"So he really is from outer space! I bet he came from some distant galaxy a long time ago, to escape those big robots. Maybe they use small robots like him to increase their power or something. His ship must have crash landed on Earth and now they've tracked him down." 
"Wow, you think so?" 
"That's the only reason I can think of why those big robots would come after him."

:—'''Rad''' comes up with the most far-fetched, unbelievable explanation ever. '''Alexis''' is impressed.

"Hey, guess what? He understands me! He does, he really does!" 
"Are you sure? This one's not reacting to anything I say. Aw, his batteries must be low. Maybe he needs to be recharged or something."

:—'''Alexis''' and '''Carlos''' on meeting their Mini-Cons.

"Shut your mouth, you worthless piece of junk!"

:—'''Megatron''' on Cyclonus' failure.

"Megatron! Uh... sir? What happened in here?"

:—'''Demolishor''' is surprised at Leader-1's redecorating.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
* ''Armada'' has Red Alert express concern for Optimus Prime after the fight, but as is so often the case with Autobots in Japanese fiction, they're all business in ''Micron Legend'', where Prime goes straight to talking about short-range warp equipment. The brief extension made to the conversation in ''Armada'' means that Hot Shot is given this line in the English version.
* In ''Armada'', Red Alert immediately twigs that the Decepticons have their base on the moon, whereas our heroes have no idea where they've gone in ''Micron Legend''. This is, of course, a huge continuity error going forward, since their lack of knowledge about the location of the villains' base factors into the plot on a few occasions.
* The discussion the Decepticons have in the Mini-Con ship is entirely different across the two versions of the show. In ''Armada'', Megatron wants to know if Starscream has had any luck finding Mini-Cons by scanning the planet, and Starscream suggests Cyclonus would do a better job, prompting the crazy 'copter to reluctantly take up the task. In ''Micron Legend'', on the other hand, the exchange is about how Cyclonus went to sleep instead of searching the ship for any Mini-Cons, this task having been the reason he didn't accompany the others to Earth. Megatron tells him to get back to work, but is ''far'' less threatening about it than in ''Armada'', since the Autobots don't know about the ship yet and they can afford to take their time.
* Once they have taken cover in the caves, the kids worry about the Transformers coming after them in ''Armada'', but are hoping their parents will come find them in ''Micron Legend''. Moments later, rather than ask High Wire if the Transformers are after him as she does in ''Armada'', Alexis inquires if "Mini-Con" is his real name.
*As we saw in the previous episode, Rad is consistently able to translate all of High Wire's beeping and booping in ''Micron Legend'', while in ''Armada'', as will be anything ''but'' consistent, he cannot. As such, a lot of the dialogue that was originally him speaking for High Wire—like the Mini-Cons' history and who and what the Autobots and Decepticons are—is replaced with him guessing, deducing things on his own (and making massive leaps of logic in the process), reading from another source, or just outright filler babble.
*This extends to the other kids, too; in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis is expressing her amazement at being able to understand Sureshock, not Sureshock's ability to understand ''her'', as in ''Armada'', while the claims Carlos makes in ''Armada'' about Grindor not reacting are a pure dub invention.
*It even extends to Megatron! In ''Armada'', he knows Leader-1's name because he used to be his partner in the past. In ''Micron Legend'', he speaks his name haltingly, learning it for the first time as the mental link between them is forged. Later episodes would show that Leader-1 was indeed partner with Megatron in the past.
*And while we're talking about Megatron, as he looks up at the Earth, he's not cursing Optimus Prime in ''Micron Legend'', he's just vowing to find the Mini-Cons. ''Micron Legend'' Megatron is really quite calm and collected.
*While the kids merely whoop about how awesome their Mini-Cons are in ''Armada'', in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses distress over Sureshock's alternate mode (presumably referencing the fact she has transformed into a moped, rather than the razor scooter she scanned). Rad and Carlos blame both her age and her being asleep for so long.
*''Armada'' omits a part of Megatron's tirade against Cyclonus: the fact that Cyclonus must refer to Leader-1 with the Japanese suffix "sama", to show respect for his leader's Mini-Con. Instead of merely grovelling, Cyclonus also asks what they will be ''doing'' with Leader-1, and Megatron quietly replies that he doesn't actually ''know'' yet.

===Animation and technical errors===
* The giant "footprint" Fred and Billy panic over looks like a full-body imprint of Megatron. No wonder they panicked.
* When Megatron threatens Cyclonus with what will happen should he fail his task, Megatron's mouth stays shut the entire time he is speaking.
*After being threatened by Megatron, Cyclonus' hand changes color from its normal dark gray to the same yellow as his forearms and hips.

===Real-world references===
* Leader-1 is named for [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]], leader of the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] from the [[GoBots (franchise)|''GoBots'' cartoon and toyline]].

===Trivia===
*The kanji 擬態 would normally be pronounced as "''gitai''", while "''henshin''" is the kanji 変身.
*Pre-Earth mode Optimus is standing on a ledge above as a truck passes below. When he's finished scanning, the truck passes by, and we see Optimus again, already in his truck altmode. [[Transformers (film)|You will see this again.]]
*Alexis refers to the female Sureshock as male. Then again, she gives no indication of understanding anything Sureshock says either, so it's not surprising she has no indication...

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transformation!'''" ("Transformation!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2|2 December]] [[2003]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Átalakulás'''" ("Transformation")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Przemiana'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Metamorfose'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''변신하는 초로봇 생명체'''" ("Transforming First Robots Living Beings")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 1 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:01 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Triple Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Bumper Double DVD Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]

Metamorphosis (Armada)

2018-01-03T02:57:15Z

KarakuriCentral: Added an unseen animation error

{{disambig2|the episode of ''Armada''|the ''Cloud'' story|Metamorphosis (Cloud)}}

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=2
|prev=First Encounter
|next=Base
|title="Metamorphosis"
|furigana=へんしん
|japanese=擬態
|romaji=Henshin
|translation=Mimicry: Metamorphosis
|image=Metamorphcontact.JPG
|caption=Grindor phone home
|production code=TF: A-02
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Ryō Motohira]]
|director=[[Takashi Sano]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[August 23]], [[2002]] (English) [[January 17|17 January]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Pursued by the Decepticons, Rad, Carlos, and Alexis find they have allies in the form of Optimus Prime and his Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Metamorphdeceps.JPG|left|155px|thumb|"Hello, you brats! Welcome to first contact!" "Aw, but I liked "Generations" more..."]]

[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] find that a cave-in has trapped them both underground. Above ground, the fight between [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] continues. [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] attempt to flee with their new [[Mini-Con]] friend, only to be cut off by two new robots teleporting in: [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]. As Demolishor reaches for Rad and Carlos, two more robots appear and the youngsters find themselves surrounded. Alexis begins to lead her friends away, but Starscream spots [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and moves to grab the Mini-Con. He's blocked by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], however, and the pair grapple.

Alexis has enough time to spy the Autobot sigil on Hot Shot's shoulder before Rad announces they're heading for the caves. Before Demolishor can make a move to stop them, he's tackled by [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and pummeled repeatedly, so that his optical sensor is damaged. Megatron scornfully calls him "a weakling", but a moment later he is knocked down to the ground by Optimus Prime. Optimus demands that they surrender, but Megatron suddenly disappears, promising that he will return again. The other two Decepticons quickly retreat via teleport, leaving three surprised Autobots. Optimus tells his troops they have to stop Megatron getting hold of the Mini-Cons. Hot Shot points out the Decepticons are using short-[[warp drive|warp]] equipment and must have a base nearby, which leads Red Alert to suspect they're based on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]].

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|155px|thumb|"I wasn't sleeping! I was just, errr... resting my eyes! Yeah, that's it."]]

The Decepticons are indeed using the crashed Mini-Con spaceship as a base. The three Decepticons arrive there, waking [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] who is taking a nap in a hallway. The latter immediately begins fawning over Megatron and is ignored. His inquiry over whether they found the Mini-Cons is met with glares, and Starscream suggests he could be put in charge of finding them. Megatron agrees but makes clear the price of failure.

Back in the caves, Rad thinks they're safe, but Alexis is sure the giant robots will come after them, or, more specifically, High Wire. None of the kids can understand High Wire's speech but they follow the Mini-Con into another chamber and a door slowly slides closed behind them. Rad and Carlos assure Alexis this is a good thing. The lights come up and the trio realise they're standing on the threshold of a spaceship. Rad is able to access the ship's computer, letting the kids learn about Megatron and Optimus Prime. Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol from earlier.

Up on the Moon, Megatron stands outside the ship musing over how he will find the Mini-Cons and spies a glint of light on the Moon's surface.

High Wire goes nuts, much to the confusion of the three children. He opens a wall panel, revealing two [[Mini-Con storage panel]]s which Alexis and Carlos activate. The panels reveal an [[Sureshock (Armada)|orange she-Mini-Con]] and a [[Grindor (Armada)|blue Mini-Con]], who pair up with Alexis and Carlos respectively.

[[File:Metamorphleader1.JPG|left|155px|thumb|Twinkle, twinkle, little star!]]
On the Moon, Megatron has found another storage panel, which he activates to reveal his old Mini-Con [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]. Megatron is filled with evil glee.

Fred and Billy finally manage to pull themselves out of the cave, only to panic at the sight of a giant footprint. Underground, Carlos and Alexis let the Mini-Cons scan their skateboard and scooter for alternate modes.

Back on the Moon, Megatron demands to know why Cyclonus was unable to detect a Mini-Con right under his nose. Cyclonus can offer no excuse, and Starscream's chuckle only enrages the Decepticon leader further. Megatron tells them to witness the power of his Mini-Con, prompting Leader-1 to show his fire power. The two Decepticons are frightened and astonished. Demolishor arrives to report with the news that two more Mini-Cons have been activated on Earth. Megatron puts Cyclonus in charge of the recovery team and gives his troops new [[Alternate mode|alt-modes]] based on Earth vehicles. Starscream transforms into a supersonic jet-fighter, Demolishor can become a self-propelled gun, Cyclonus looks like a military helicopter, and Megatron himself transforms into a tank. They leave for Earth again.

Meanwhile the three kids have a good time with their Mini-friends. They race on the Mini-Cons through a forest, across water and up a cliff. But there they run unexpectedly right into Megatron and his troops. They try to run away but the Decepticons surround them, as does Megatron's triumphant laughter. It seems to Rad that it's all over for them... until Megatron is rammed into a rock wall by a large red-and-blue truck. Cyclonus and Starscream are so astonished that they simply remain poised in mid-air instead of doing anything. The truck pulls up by the three kids and asks them to get in; Alexis recognises the Autobot symbol on its side and jumps right in. Rad and Carlos are more hesitant, until Demolishor looms up behind them. The Decepticon attempts to stop the truck leaving and gets shot repeatedly in the face, then run over. Attempting to pursue, he's promptly rammed by a yellow sports car.

[[File:Metamorphsuperop.JPG|155px|thumb|"Do you feel your knees trembling? No? You '''will'''."]]
Safely out of danger, the truck lets them out and transforms into robot mode — it's Optimus Prime, naturally. Likewise Hot Shot and Red Alert appear in car mode and transform into robots. The kids observe the oncoming Decepticon forces, and Optimus combines with his trailer into super mode. Rad reflects that the Autobots might need his help while they're on Earth. The Autobots and Decepticons prepare to do battle.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
({{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (10)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (1)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (2)
*[[Rad White]] (5)
*[[Carlos Lopez]] (6)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (7)
*Truck driver (17)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (8)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (14)
*[[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (15)
*[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"What a weakling."

:—'''Megatron''' is not impressed at Demolishor being taken down by Red Alert.

'''Hot Shot:''' They're using short-warp equipment, so they must have a base set up somewhere near here. 
'''Red Alert:''' ''(looking at the moon)'' They're up there.

:—200,000 miles is "near"?

"You had better not. If you do, I'll have you dismantled for scrap, then I'll launch what's left of you straight into the sun, understand?"

:—'''Megatron''' on what will happen if Cyclonus fails.

"So he really is from outer space! I bet he came from some distant galaxy a long time ago, to escape those big robots. Maybe they use small robots like him to increase their power or something. His ship must have crash landed on Earth and now they've tracked him down." 
"Wow, you think so?" 
"That's the only reason I can think of why those big robots would come after him."

:—'''Rad''' comes up with the most far-fetched, unbelievable explanation ever. '''Alexis''' is impressed.

"Hey, guess what? He understands me! He does, he really does!" 
"Are you sure? This one's not reacting to anything I say. Aw, his batteries must be low. Maybe he needs to be recharged or something."

:—'''Alexis''' and '''Carlos''' on meeting their Mini-Cons.

"Shut your mouth, you worthless piece of junk!"

:—'''Megatron''' on Cyclonus' failure.

"Megatron! Uh... sir? What happened in here?"

:—'''Demolishor''' is surprised at Leader-1's redecorating.

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Micron Legend''===
* ''Armada'' has Red Alert express concern for Optimus Prime after the fight, but as is so often the case with Autobots in Japanese fiction, they're all business in ''Micron Legend'', where Prime goes straight to talking about short-range warp equipment. The brief extension made to the conversation in ''Armada'' means that Hot Shot is given this line in the English version.
* In ''Armada'', Red Alert immediately twigs that the Decepticons have their base on the moon, whereas our heroes have no idea where they've gone in ''Micron Legend''. This is, of course, a huge continuity error going forward, since their lack of knowledge about the location of the villains' base factors into the plot on a few occasions.
* The discussion the Decepticons have in the Mini-Con ship is entirely different across the two versions of the show. In ''Armada'', Megatron wants to know if Starscream has had any luck finding Mini-Cons by scanning the planet, and Starscream suggests Cyclonus would do a better job, prompting the crazy 'copter to reluctantly take up the task. In ''Micron Legend'', on the other hand, the exchange is about how Cyclonus went to sleep instead of searching the ship for any Mini-Cons, this task having been the reason he didn't accompany the others to Earth. Megatron tells him to get back to work, but is ''far'' less threatening about it than in ''Armada'', since the Autobots don't know about the ship yet and they can afford to take their time.
* Once they have taken cover in the caves, the kids worry about the Transformers coming after them in ''Armada'', but are hoping their parents will come find them in ''Micron Legend''. Moments later, rather than ask High Wire if the Transformers are after him as she does in ''Armada'', Alexis inquires if "Mini-Con" is his real name.
*As we saw in the previous episode, Rad is consistently able to translate all of High Wire's beeping and booping in ''Micron Legend'', while in ''Armada'', as will be anything ''but'' consistent, he cannot. As such, a lot of the dialogue that was originally him speaking for High Wire—like the Mini-Cons' history and who and what the Autobots and Decepticons are—is replaced with him guessing, deducing things on his own (and making massive leaps of logic in the process), reading from another source, or just outright filler babble.
*This extends to the other kids, too; in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis is expressing her amazement at being able to understand Sureshock, not Sureshock's ability to understand ''her'', as in ''Armada'', while the claims Carlos makes in ''Armada'' about Grindor not reacting are a pure dub invention.
*It even extends to Megatron! In ''Armada'', he knows Leader-1's name because he used to be his partner in the past. In ''Micron Legend'', he speaks his name haltingly, learning it for the first time as the mental link between them is forged. Later episodes would show that Leader-1 was indeed partner with Megatron in the past.
*And while we're talking about Megatron, as he looks up at the Earth, he's not cursing Optimus Prime in ''Micron Legend'', he's just vowing to find the Mini-Cons. ''Micron Legend'' Megatron is really quite calm and collected.
*While the kids merely whoop about how awesome their Mini-Cons are in ''Armada'', in ''Micron Legend'', Alexis expresses distress over Sureshock's alternate mode (presumably referencing the fact she has transformed into a moped, rather than the razor scooter she scanned). Rad and Carlos blame both her age and her being asleep for so long.
*''Armada'' omits a part of Megatron's tirade against Cyclonus: the fact that Cyclonus must refer to Leader-1 with the Japanese suffix "sama", to show respect for his leader's Mini-Con. Instead of merely grovelling, Cyclonus also asks what they will be ''doing'' with Leader-1, and Megatron quietly replies that he doesn't actually ''know'' yet.

===Animation and technical errors===
* The giant "footprint" Fred and Billy panic over looks like a full-body imprint of Megatron. No wonder they panicked.
* When Megatron threatens Cyclonus with what will happen should he fail his task, Megatron's mouth stays shut the entire time he is speaking.

===Real-world references===
* Leader-1 is named for [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]], leader of the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] from the [[GoBots (franchise)|''GoBots'' cartoon and toyline]].

===Trivia===
*The kanji 擬態 would normally be pronounced as "''gitai''", while "''henshin''" is the kanji 変身.
*Pre-Earth mode Optimus is standing on a ledge above as a truck passes below. When he's finished scanning, the truck passes by, and we see Optimus again, already in his truck altmode. [[Transformers (film)|You will see this again.]]
*Alexis refers to the female Sureshock as male. Then again, she gives no indication of understanding anything Sureshock says either, so it's not surprising she has no indication...

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transformation!'''" ("Transformation!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2|2 December]] [[2003]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Átalakulás'''" ("Transformation")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Przemiana'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Metamorfose'''" ("Metamorphosis")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''변신하는 초로봇 생명체'''" ("Transforming First Robots Living Beings")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Micron Legend'' — Volume 1 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:01 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles ([[Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Triple Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Bumper Double DVD Collection (Universal) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]