Neon

GEE GADS

“	Why can't we get some more realistic colors fitting a real life vechicle/Animals for a TF? Example: A purple wolf Silverbot for the TF line. A rainbow colored Depth charge for TFU. The badly colored Armada Tidalwave. No ones saying paint everything black+grey. just stop using those neon colors & so forth.	”
—Deathy, alt.toys.transformers (2004)

Unlike the real world, where the word means "fluorescent," neon is a term used by many in the Transformers online fandom to describe any color on a Transformers product that an individual merely finds ugly. This broad usage means practically any color imaginable can be marginalized as a hated "neon" color. Colors that have been categorized as neon include the following:

• White
• Yellow (unless it is on a Bug)
• Red (unless it is on a truck)
• Blue (see above)
• Green (unless it is on a construction vehicle)
• Purple (see above. Or a dinosaur.)
• Orange (unless it is on a predatory animal)
• Black

Often a neon color will be a complementary accent color, even if that color is extremely unsaturated.

Prominent examples

• 
  He'd be right at home in New Orleans.
• 
  Mmmmm, bleach.
• 
  How he's supposed to 'stalk' his enemies while looking like a fairground is beyond our guess.
• 
  Your eyes must burn.
• 
  You might think the red is what's neon here, but it's actually the dull green.
• 
  The aforementioned "rainbow-colored Depth Charge."
• 
  Okay, this one IS kinda hideous, though technically not because of any neon.
• 
  Neon camouflage — where "neon" = "black"
• 
  That shade of green... yuck.
• 
  Combaticons for gay rights!
• 
  This one is neon because it uses primary colors.
• 
  The teal here is especially neon. As is the black.
• 
  Many AllSpark Power figures were considered neon because they used blue.
• 
  This one's actually neon!
• 
  Energon all the way baby!
• 
  SENTINEL-FLAVORED FIRE GUTS BURNING SPIRIT!
• 
  It's slime time!
• 
  (sniff sniff) God, it's so beautiful…
• 
  The neon is the point.
• 
  It's beautiful. I've looked at this for five hours now.
• 
  Do we make a G2 joke or another fighting spirit joke?
• 
  Welcome to Miami!
• 
  IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! IT'S WATERMELON INSIDE A TRANSFORMER!
• 
  It's somehow even brighter in person.
• 
  Ahem.
• 
  NEON IS BACK BABY

Non-examples and other nuances

Any color schemes that adhere slavishly to a pre-existing Generation 1 character are exempt from all of the above. For example, the Terrorcons are generally not considered neon. However, "realistically" colored toys (i.e. those made for characters with already harsh colors) can still be counted as neon, such as Generation 2 Devastator.

With the influence of the largely successful Legacy toyline making redecoed/niche figures aimed at collectors more commonplace, the 2020s has seen a resurgence in garishly-colored Transformers figures.

See also

• Playskool
• Black redeco
• Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)
• Toxitron Collection