Editing Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)

{{disambig3.5|the 2001 cartoon|the 2015 cartoon|Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise}}
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[[File:Ridcartoon.jpg|right|thumb|Optimus and Koji valiantly protect T-AI from becoming part of Kiss Players. But it's still [[Ai Kuruma|too late]].]]
'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise''''', known as '''''Transformers: Car Robots''''' (トランスフォーマー カーロボット) in Japan, is the first Japanese-original ''Transformers'' cartoon ever officially dubbed and broadcast for a US audience. Debuting about eighteen months after its Japanese incarnation, it aired—not without problems—from [[September 8]], [[2001]] to [[March 30]], [[2002]], in support of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|toyline]] of the same name.
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==Overview==
[[File:CarRobots poster.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The George Lazenby of major ''Transformers'' iterations.]]

When [[Hasbro]] scrapped their plans for the ''[[Transtech]]'' series that was initially intended to follow ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'', material was suddenly needed to fill the void until a new series could be developed. At the eleventh hour, the Japanese series ''Car Robots'', which had screened in Japan the previous year, was selected for this task, and in the process, it became the first ''Transformers'' anime to make the leap across the Pacific in an official capacity. Although "only" filler, the series marked a partial return to the roots of Transformers fiction, reintroducing the Autobot and Decepticon factions and [[insignia]]s and realistic modern Earth vehicles to the brand, after the [[Beast Era]]'s five years of [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s and [[alternate mode]]s based on animals or abstract/futuristic vehicles.

Given Takara's method of operation at the time, ''Car Robots'' was aimed at a younger audience than that targeted by Hasbro, meaning that it featured a more light-hearted, comedic tone overall, with storylines that were typically light or goofy and sometimes relied on bad jokes, absurd imagery and slapstick. This approach divided fans, but regardless, comic foil [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] became the real breakout character of the series and a fan-favourite whose enduring popularity saw him break into the top five nominations for the [[Transformers Hall of Fame/2012|2012 Transformers Hall of Fame]]'s fan vote.

The animation of the series, meanwhile, was cel-based, a significant change from the CGI that had been a hallmark of ''Transformers'' television series in the US since 1996. In-keeping with the show's general tone, the cartoon features many standard anime light-comedy stylings, and is replete with overdone facial expressions, comic effects like sweat drops surrounding a character's head to signify confusion or consternation, and the traditional streaked background behind the character for high-action shots or [[stock footage]] transformation/attack sequences. 

[[File:RiD Cartoon Intro Title.JPG|right|thumb|upright=1.15|There's the signpost up ahead... your next stop: The T-AI-Light Zone.]]

The ''Robots in Disguise'' English dub was produced by [[Saban Entertainment]], who were riding high at the time with the early 21st Century anime boom in full force, and broadcast on the [[Fox Kids]] programming block, which was at the peak of its popularity. The series was subject to some notable editing and re-writing in the traditional Saban style ([[#Difference with Car Robots|see below]]). As a dubbed product, most of the voice actors involved in the series, though veterans of other Saban properties, had never worked on a Transformers series before, save for actor/director [[Michael McConnohie]]. 

Perhaps the best-remembered element of ''Robots in Disguise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s legacy, however, was the fate that befell it following the [[September 11]], 2001, terrorist attacks, which occurred after only two episodes of the series had been broadcast. A scramble resulted to re-edit multiple episodes of the series before they reached air to remove scenes that were considered distasteful after these events, but as the first two-thirds of the series was airing ''six days a week'', this quickly left the series airing in a disjointed, out-of-order fashion, with sheer misfortune causing the majority of episodes effected to be ones that dealt with the show's sporadically-referenced ongoing [[O-Part]]s plot. The first victim was "[[The Secret of the Ruins]]", production on which had already been finished, and had to be pulled from broadcast to be re-written. A trio of episodes—"[[Attack from Outer Space]]", "[[Landfill (episode)|Landfill]]" and "[[Sky-Byte Saves the Day]]"—could not be salvaged and were simply not aired in the US at all; it seems possible that at least two of the three clip shows (see "Differences with Car Robots", below) were specifically re-created to patch over the holes in the plot that resulted from the removal of these episodes, though the episodes did later air in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Canada]] with their questionable plot elements intact. 

The Walt Disney Company acquired ownership of ''Robots in Disguise'' when it purchased Saban's assets in late 2001. Disney's ownership and apparent lack of desire to do anything with the show has resulted in it being the only American-broadcast Transformers cartoon to not be even partially released on DVD in the United States (though the complete series was released in the UK). Although Saban did reacquire several of their programmes in 2010, there is presently no evidence that ''Robots in Disguise'' was among them.

''Car Robots''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s opening song is "[[Honō no Overdrive: Car Robot Cybertron|Honō no Overdrive ~Car Robot Cybertron~]]" and ending song is "[[Marionette]]".

==Storyline==

When Earth is targeted by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]], [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots prepare for their coming by installing themselves in secret among human society, masquerading as everyday vehicles used by humankind with no knowledge of their true nature. When Megatron strikes and kidnaps famous scientist [[Kenneth Onishi]], the Autobots ally with his son [[Koji Onishi|Koji]] to rescue him before Megatron can pry from his mind the truth of the ancient secret hidden somewhere on Earth.

After successfully re-energizing his ailing craft, the [[Megastar]], Megatron rips the first clue from Doctor Onishi's mind, and tracks the location of an ancient Cybertronian [[O-Part]], only to lose it to the Autobots. Incensed by failure, Megatron recovers six Autobot [[protoform]]s from a crashed spaceship and brainwashes them into the [[Decepticon]]s, led by the dark clone of Optimus Prime, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. These new warriors prove much tougher opponents for the Autobots, who then have to deal with attacks from their own side when Optimus Prime's embittered brother, [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], arrives on Earth to steal the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] from Prime. Realizing the Matrix can be shared between them, the brothers put aside their differences and gain the power to combine into [[Omega Prime]], as well as using the Matrix's power to give the [[Autobot Brothers]] new super-charged bodies.

Fearful of losing his position to Scourge, the bumbling [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] accidentally frees Doctor Onishi when he attempts to use the scientist to locate all the remaining missing O-Parts. Onishi is then able to help the Autobots gather all the O-Parts, which together form a map that points the way to [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], an ancient Cybertronian battle station hidden on Earth for untold ages and controlled by the will of human children. The awakening of Maximus in turn awakens Scourge's ambition, and he leaves Megatron to perish in a collapsing temple so that he can take command for himself. Megatron, however, is transformed into the vampiric Galvatron and puts down Scourge's rebellion before confronting Omega Prime in a final battle at the [[Earth's core]], where he is defeated by the [[Matrix Blade]] created by a fusion of Maximus's energy and Magnus and Prime's Matrix.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot#2001 Robots in Disguise|Autobots]]|c1=
{{collist|2|
;Main Cast
*[[Omega Prime]] ([[Daniel Riordan]])
**[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Neil Kaplan]])
**[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Kim Strauss]])
*[[T-AI]] ([[Sandy Fox]])
*[[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] ([[Wankus]])
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] ([[Wally Wingert]])
*[[X-Brawn]] ([[Bob Joles]])
*[[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] ([[Steve Blum]])
**[[Emissary (RID)|The Emissary]]
**[[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] ([[Steve Kramer]])
;[[Team Bullet Train]]
*[[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] ([[David Lodge]])
**[[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] ([[Mike Reynolds]])
**[[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] ([[Keith Diamond]])
**[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (David Lodge)
;[[Spy Changer]]s
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]] ([[Michael McConnohie]])
*[[R.E.V.]] (Steve Kramer)
*[[Crosswise (RID)|Crosswise]] ([[Dan Woren]])
*[[W.A.R.S.]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] (Michael McConnohie)
*[[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]] (Wally Wingert)
;[[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]
*[[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] ([[Michael Reisz]])
**[[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] (Michael Reisz)
**[[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]] ([[Daran Norris]])
**[[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]] ([[Joe Ochman]])
**[[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]] ([[Tom Wyner]])
;Others
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] ([[Michael Lindsay]])
*[[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] ([[Lex Lang]])
}}

|h2=Antagonists |c2=
;[[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]]
*[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron/Galvatron]] (Daniel Riordan)
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] ([[Peter Spellos]])
*[[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] ([[Peter Lurie]])
*[[Gas Skunk]] ([[Jerry DeCapua]])
*[[Dark Scream]] (Steve Blum)
;[[Decepticon]]s
*[[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] ([[Barry Stigler]])
*[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] ([[Bob Papenbrook]])
**[[Mega-Octane]] (Bob Papenbrook)
**[[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] (Neil Kaplan)
**[[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] ([[Richard Epcar]])
**[[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]] (Michael Lindsay)
**[[Movor]] ([[Robert Axelrod]])

|c3=
;Main Cast
*[[Koji Onishi]] ([[Jason Spisak]])
*[[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]] ([[Philece Sampler]])

;Others 
*[[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Kenneth Onishi]] ([[Kirk Thornton]])
*[[Dorie Dutton]] ([[Tifanie Christun]])
*[[Carl (RID)|Carl]] ([[Joshua Seth]])
*[[Jenny (RID)|Jenny]] ([[Colleen O'Shaughnessey]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Differences with Car Robots==
[[File:FishTest removed reaction shots.jpg|left|thumb|200px|How did this get removed? Probably for the best.]]

As tended to be the wont of Saban productions, ''Robots in Disguise'' was altered from the original Japanese ''Car Robots'' in multiple ways—some subtle, others less so. Dialogue would, for the most part, stick to the intent of the original, but at times certain conversations could be about entirely different things in English versus Japanese; as a lighthearted show, ''Car Robots'' is particularly fond of Japanese cultural humor and wordplay, and ''Robots in Disguise'' often had to work around such exchanges, replacing them with English-language jokes that could either be comparable or entirely different. Several characters' personalities were entirely reworked for the English dub; Darkscream, for instance, lost the samurai overtones of his Japanese counterpart, Megatron became incredibly theatrical and prone to explosive tantrums, Rapid Run went from being a gruff, older warrior into a young, cool dude, and Midnight Express was changed from the timid, junior member of Team Bullet Train into a British fusspot, to name a few. Curiously, the three [[clip show]]s that were part of ''Car Robots'' were cut entirely, and replaced with brand ''new'' clip shows, created whole cloth from reused footage by the American production team.

The visuals of the show were also edited, with new CGI [[scene transition]]s based on the classic [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] transitions inserted into the proceedings, sometimes in place of the simple wipes used in ''Car Robots''. In the early portion of the series, CGI "POV" overlays were occasionally added as characters targeted their opponents for attack, though this particular practise was not employed much as the series went on. The entire soundtrack of the show was changed for ''Robots in Disguise'', with new tunes being provided by Saban mainstays [[Shuki Levy]] and [[Paul Gordon]] as well as [[Glenn Scott Lacey]].

Perhaps one of the most notable traits of the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub was the insertion of numerous references to other ''Transformers'' series, typically added to scripts by Hasbro employee [[Andrew Frankel]] after they were submitted for approval—though this did create some debate in the fandom ([[#Connections to other fiction|see below]]).

Outside of these major overarcing examples, there are sometimes other changes both major and minor made to the content of individual episodes for numerous reasons. {{SITENAME SHORT}} notes such changes on the individual episode articles.

== Connections to other fiction ==
The ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon was the first total reboot of Transformers fiction. As the first official material not set in any Generation 1 universe it established the first alternate [[continuity family]] in the line's history. However, as this was such a new idea, it took a while for fans to accept the "reboot" idea, and many would try to figure out how to fit the series into existing Generation 1 cartoon continuity. Aiding them in this endeavour were the numerous "[[easter egg]]" references added to the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub that mentioned characters and events from earlier ''Transformers'' series . This mindset died off with time, especially after subsequent series would create more and more reboots, eliminating the uniqueness of ''Robots in Disguise''.

Takara did not make a point of defining the relationship between ''Car Robots'' and their version of cartoon continuity either, with the only statement on its place in time and space coming from the first toy catalogue that identified Optimus Prime/Fire Convoy's crew as a "Dimensional Patrol" that followed the Predacons/Destrongers from another dimension to 21st-century Earth. This concept did not factor into either the Japanese or English versions of the show. However, the idea returned in force in 2006, when a [[retcon]] performed by [[TakaraTomy]] through assorted [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|timelines and flowcharts]] explicitly established ''Car Robots'' as part of the Japanese Generation 1 animated continuity, occurring in the year 2000. Broadly speaking, this was accomplished by exploiting the somewhat-unresolved ending of the manga, ''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|The Battle of the Star Gate]]'', which had ended with the majority of the Generation 1 Transformers on Earth disappearing for some time, thereby allowing ''Car Robots'' to slip in with minimal opposition. Most connections between ''Car Robots'' and other aspects of the fiction center on [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], who was tied into important events from ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'', and ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|The Headmasters]]''. 

However, despite ''Car Robots'' being retconned into the Japanese Generation 1 timeline, ''Robots in Disguise'' remains unconnected to the Western Generation 1 universe, and still exists as a separate continuity family there. And that's despite the fact that out of the two versions of the cartoon, the added easter eggs mean that ''Robots in Disguise'' has more Generation 1 references in it!

[[Ask Vector Prime]] eventually ran with the idea, explaining that the destruction of Primus/Cybertron during the Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' cartoon had widespread reality-warping effects. One consequence was the separate Viron Cluster events (''Robots in Disguise'') overlapping the Primax Cluster's "[[OG World]]", causing the same basic events (''Car Robots'') to play out in a different timeline, albeit with the participants having different names and origins from their Viron stream template.

==Reception==
''Robots In Disguise'' has been fairly well received by the fandom. Being the first continuity reboot, there was some controversy over the characters and setting, namely the anime aesthetic. After the disappointment that was the Unicron Trilogy, the fandom began to remember RID more fondly. With a professional dubbing crew and voice acting, RID may be the best English ''Transformers'' “anime”. The character [[Sky-Byte]] made his way into several other ''Transformers'' media. As a silly, comedic show, ''Robots in Disguise'' offered a view on the series not seen before in western media. However, the comedic take could also slow down the show’s action at times. Overall, ''Robots in Disguise'' is a funny, if forgettable Transformers show.

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Robots in Disguise (2001) episodes}}

The three clip shows of ''Robots in Disguise'' differ between the English and Japanese versions. Both are listed at the appropriate numbers.

{{collist|4|
#[[Battle Protocol!]]
#[[An Explosive Situation]]
#[[Bullet Train to the Rescue]]
#[[Spychangers to the Rescue]]
#[[The Hunt for Black Pyramid]]
#[[The Secret of the Ruins]]
#[[Sideburn's Obsession]]
#[[Secret Weapon: D-5]]
#[[Mirage's Betrayal]]
#[[Skid Z's Choice]]
#[[Tow-Line Goes Haywire]]
#[[The Ultimate Robot Warrior]]
#[[Hope for the Future]]{{dag|red}}<br>[[Gigatron's Ambitions Revealed!]]{{dag|red}}
#[[The Decepticons]]
#[[Commandos]]
#[[Volcano (episode)|Volcano]]
#[[Attack from Outer Space]]
#[[The Test (episode)|The Test]]
#[[The Fish Test]]
#[[Wedge's Short Fuse]]
#[[Landfill (episode)|Landfill]]
#[[Sky-Byte Saves the Day]]
#[[A Test of Metal]]
#[[Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus]] 
#[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]] 
#[[Lessons of the Past]]{{dag|red}}<br>[[Assemble! New Troops]]{{dag|red}}
#[[The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus]]
#[[Power to Burn!]]
#[[Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus]] 
#[[Koji Gets His Wish]] 
#[[A Friendly Contest]]
#[[Peril from the Past]]
#[[Maximus Emerges]]
#[[The Human Element]]
#[[Mystery of the Ultra Magnus]]{{dag|red}}<br>[[Gelshark's Blues]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Mistaken Identity]]
#[[Surprise Attack!]]
#[[Galvatron's Revenge]] 
#[[The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle]] 
}}
{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==Home video releases==
===''Car Robots''===
[[File:Tf car robots vol 01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
{{main|Pony Canyon}}
The ''Car Robots'' version of ''Robots in Disguise'' was released on VHS and DVD by Pony Canyon in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air.
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 1 (2000)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 2 (2000)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 3 (2000)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 4 (2000)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 5 (2000)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 6 (2001)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 7 (2001)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 8 (2001)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 9 (2001)
*''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 10 (2001)
{{-}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[File:RiD Box Set 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
{{main|Maximum Entertainment}}
Maximum Entertainment, in association with [[Fox Kids|Jetix]], released the entire ''RiD'' series in the UK... several times.
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Volume One (2004)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Three-Disc Box Set: Part 1 of 2 (2004)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Three-Disc Box Set: Part 2 of 2 ([[April 15]] 2005)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Battle Protocol (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Evil Intent (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Battling the Predacons (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — 3 DVD Mega Pack (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise / RoboCop: The Animated Series / M.A.S.K.'' (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise / Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation / Action Man'' (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Special Edition 2-Disc Set (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Season One (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Season Two (2007)
*''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Ultimate Collection (2008)

===Italy===
{{main|Stormovie}}
Stormovie released ''RiD'' in Italy, but... not entirely. At first the first 16 episodes were released in 4 DVDs, then the series was interrupted and later they released two "movies" made of various episodes. While the first one is just five episodes back to back, the second one is slightly messier, being made of five episodes back to back with two 1-minute clips from other episodes to stitch them (the scene in "[[Koji Gets His Wish]]" where Scourge lets Sky-Byte go to search for Cerebros and the part of "[[Maximus Emerges]]" when the Autobots find Cerebros), but still kinda confusing since the beginning part of "[[Surprise Attack!]]" has the characters talking about things that were left out from the "movie".
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Volume 1''' (2005)
:Contains episodes 1-4.
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Volume 2''' (2005)
:Contains episodes 5-8.
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Volume 3''' (2005)
:Contains episodes 9-12.
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Volume 4''' (2005)
:Contains episodes 13-16.
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Il Film''' (2007)
:Collage movie made from episodes [[Battle Protocol!|1]], [[An Explosive Situation|2]], [[The Decepticons|14]], [[Volcano (episode)|16]] and [[The Fish Test|19]].
*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Il Film: Battaglia Finale''' (2007)
:Collage movie made from episodes [[Fortress Maximus (episode)|29]], [[Koji Gets His Wish|30]], [[Peril from the Past|32]], [[Maximus Emerges|33]], [[Surprise Attack!|37]], [[Galvatron's Revenge|38]] and [[The Final Battle (RID)|39]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
===Foreign titles===
*''Japanese:'' '''''トランスフォーマー カーロボット''''' ("Transformers: Car Robots")
*''Brazilian:'' '''''Transformers: A Nova Geração''''' ("Transformers: The New Generation")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: Nueva Generación''''' (America, "Transformers: New Generation")
*''Korean:'' '''''Jeonguiui Yongsa: Car Bot''''' (정의의 용사 카봇, "Brave Heroes of Justice: Car-Bots")

==External links==
*[http://www.ridforever.info RiD Forever]
*{{w|lang=ja|トランスフォーマー カーロボット|Japanese Wiki '''Transformers Car Robots''' article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots in Disguise (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]