User:Sabrblade/sandbox: Difference between revisions

From MediaWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
← Older edit
undoBerylRoll (talk | contribs)
9,127 edits
Sabrblade (talk | contribs)
13,831 edits
No edit summary
BerylRoll (talk | contribs)
9,127 edits
mNo edit summary
 
(288 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
This is a proposal for the different Sideways articles, along with the addition of a new "Sideways (AVP)" article.
=The Stage of Battle is the 2nd War... Beast Wars, Maximize!!=
{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)|Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'' catalog story
|prev=
|next=
|image=BWIICatalogCover01.jpg
|caption=You have NO idea how much strife this one little catalog story has caused.
|title="The Stage of Battle is the 2nd War... Beast Wars, Maximize!!"
|japanese=闘いの舞台は{{ruby|2|セカンド}}戦争... ...ビーストウォーズ、変身!!
|romaji=Tatakai no Butai wa Sekando Sensō...Bīsuto Wōzu, Henshin!!
|date=Spring [[1998]]
|packaged with=Spring 1998 Japanese ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toy releases
|continuity=[[Micro-continuity|Its own]] (see "Continuity" below)
}}


=Sideways (disambiguation)=
'''New leaders are appointed as a new war begins.'''
{{disambig}}
{{TOC}}
The name '''Sideways''' has been applied to several ''Transformers'' characters, some of whom have given the name a great deal of infamy.
==Synopsis==
While [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] are off fighting their own [[Beast Wars (event)|life-or-death struggle]], a new conflict, the "2nd War", is about to unfold on a [[Gaia|planet]] within a [[Solar System|star system]] located in a remote part of the [[Milky Way|galaxy]]. The participants of this conflict are members of the heroic [[Maximal]] Space Guard and the evil [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] Armored Corps, respectively. Their battle is fought over a mysterious weapon hidden in ancient ruins of the planet, a weapon known as the "[[Angolmois Energy|Great King of Angolmois]]". It is said that the victor of this conflict, be it Maximal or Predacon, will be decided in the [[July|seventh month]] of the Cosmic Year [[1999]].


==Major Sidewayses==
The leaders of both sides of this new conflict are introduced by each of their immediate predecessors. Megatron introduces [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] as the [[Emperor of Destruction|New Emperor of Destruction]], and recalls a time when, back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the two once disagreed over how to conquer the universe. This led to a fight between the two, in which Galvatron bested Megatron after catching him off guard. Though he now acknowledges Galvatron's ambition and his care for those under his command, Megatron also begrudgingly admits that Galvatron may hold enough dignity to succeed him as Emperor.
<center><gallery widths="150px" heights="200px">
File:ArmadaSidewaysCardArt.jpg|[[Sideways (Armada)|"Unicron Trilogy" Sideways]]
File:Sidewaysrotf.jpg|[[Sideways (ROTF)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways]]
</gallery></center>


==Full list of Sidewayses==
Meanwhile, Optimus Primal introduces the new Maximal leader, [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]], who was originally an ace in the Maximal Space Guard. Optimus notes that he is strong, valiant, and even kind, but also, admittedly, a bit too frank at times. Nevertheless, Optimus considers him to be an ideal leader, and remains hopeful that he can count on Lio Convoy to do all that he can to help maintain peace throughout the universe.
{{disamb|y=[[2002]]|[[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], the [[Autobot]] ninja from the 2001 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' franchise.}}
{{disamb|y=2002|[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]], the [[Herald of Unicron|agent of Unicron]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2004]]|[[Sideways (RM)|Sideways]], the [[Decepticon]] spy from ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2009]]|[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], the Decepticon courier from ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2010]]|[[Sideways (Animated)|Sideways]], the Decepticon Land General from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2015]]|[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the mischievous dimension-hopper(s) who may or may not be any of the above Sidewayses (or even [[Your mom (disambiguation)|your mom]]) from [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}


==Other things called "Sideways"==
==Featured characters==
{{disamb|y=2015|"[[Sideways (episode)|Sideways]]", the fourteenth episode of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon.}}
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] (4)


==Not to be confused with...==
|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
*[[Sideswipe (disambiguation)|Sideswipe]]
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Side Burn (disambiguation)|Side Burn]]
*[[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] (2)
*[[Sidetrack (G1)|Sidetrack]]
}}


==Quotes==
'''Galvatron''': "Your time is over, Megatron!"


----


'''Lio Convoy''': "Please leave it to me! Optimus, sir!!"


=Sideways (RID)=
==Continuity==
{{disambig3|Sideways}}
This catalog story was originally written for the express purpose of explaining the premise of the then-upcoming Japanese-original series ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars II|Beast Wars II]]'', which had been created to fill the gap left by the delayed Japanese release of the second and third seasons of the American [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]]. Once the first season had finished airing, it would be succeeded by the ''Beast Wars II'' [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]], along with an accompanying [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga series]] published by ''[[Comic BomBom]]''. This little story was released about a month ahead the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon's debut, and attempted to explain just how ''Beast Wars II'' was supposed to fit into the continuity of the American ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
:''Sideways is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''


[[File:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Hello, my mysterious friend.]]
===Timeframe===
'''Sideways''' was recruited into the Autobot army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] around the time that [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] was uncovered on [[Earth]]. He modified his body to resemble a Terran sports motorcycle, facilitating the speed with which he performed many of his duties. Conscientious and ninja-like, Sideways maintained a mysterious silence about himself, expressing only a desire to quickly engage the enemy and then return to Cybertron (presumably from Earth, given his [[Alternate mode|alt-mode]]).
[[File:MegatronGalvatronBW1.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|This didn't happen.]]
As described above in the Synopsis, it is stated that ''Beast Wars II'' is set concurrent to the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] fought between [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] on what was, at the time, not yet revealed to be prehistoric [[Earth]]<ref>At least, in Japan. By March 1998, the English version of the American cartoon had already [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)|revealed]] the planet to be Earth.</ref> (in Japan, the planet was instead known as "[[Energoa]]" prior to its reveal as Earth). But, it was not initially made clear if this meant it took place during the same timeframe as the Beast Wars (since the time travel aspect had not yet been confirmed in the Japanese dub) or if took place in the far future timeframe that Optimus Primal and Megatron's crews had originally come from before traveling back in time to prehistoric Earth. Needless to say, the latter became the most widespread interpretation once it was made clear on both sides of the Pacific that the American ''Beast Wars'' cartoon was set on Earth in prehistoric times. Additional support for this interpretation came from the setting ''Beast Wars II'' itself, [[Gaia]]—a post-apocalyptic planet overrun by plant and wildlife—which bore a strong resemblance to Earth (with the manga making even more explicit hints to the planet's identity by featuring city ruins that heavily resembled [[Tokyo]]). The manga even featured guest appearances by Optimus Primal that depicted him as native to the timeframe of ''Beast Wars II''. This notion even bled back over into some American media, with the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toy bio for ''[[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]]'' [[Cybershark#TM2|Cybershark]] alluding to the ''Beast Wars II'' [[Seacon (BW)|Seacons]] as his contemporaries, while the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' bio for ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[Magmatron (BW)#Beast Machines|Magmatron]] positioned the events of ''Beast Wars Neo'' as having occurred before ''Beast Machines''.  


==Fiction==
By the [[Emissary of the Fourth Planet|thirty-sixth episode]] of ''Beast Wars II'', it was revealed that Gaia's ancient inhabitants hadn't lived on the planet for several tens of thousands of years, which placed ''Beast Wars II'' that far into the future. Conversely, the [[Dark Designs|thirteenth episode]] of the American ''Beast Wars'' cartoon stated that the cast of that show originally hailed from only three centuries into the future.<ref>Though, a later [[Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|episode from the ''Beast Wars'' sequel ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' stated the future era was set "eons" later.</ref> However, the specific "three centuries" line from the English version had actually been omitted from the Japanese dub of the episode, so there was no contradiction there. That said, a few discrepancies did eventually begin to crop up in the immediate sequel series to ''Beast Wars II'', ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]''. Namely, ''Beast Wars Neo'' [[Big Convoy, Move Out|opened]] with explicit confirmation that the Maximals and Predacons were at war with each other, and had been for some time, while in the [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|first episode]] of the American cartoon, Optimus Primal stated that the Maximals and Predacons were instead at peace with each other, and had been for centuries (this line was kept faithfully in the Japanese dub). Likewise, the supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]] was shown to be a known public figure on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], residing in a [[Tower of Light|tower]] as the highest authority on the planet. By contrast, the [[The Reformatting|first episode]] of the American ''Beast Wars'' sequel series ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' showed that Vector Sigma had long ago evolved into a new form called the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], and presented it as a long lost legend hidden deep within the planet (though, to be fair, since ''Beast Wars Neo'' was made first, there was no way the Japanese production staff could have predicted the future developments of ''Beast Machines'').
===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Viron 102.0 Beta]], he served in the [[Elite Guard]]. [[Vector Prime]] warned us that we don't really want to know much more about him than that. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/22}}


==Toys==
===Optimus Primal and Megatron===
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:PrimalLioConvoyCatalog01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|This didn't happen either.]]
* '''Sideways vs. Axer''' (Mega multi-pack, 2002)
Besides the timeframe discrepancies, there were other factors that ended up contradicting this catalog story's depiction of Optimus Primal and Megatron. The two are presented here as Maximal and Predacon authority figures in positions of power that allow them to appoint other individuals with official titles of leadership; Optimus in particular is treated as Lio Convoy's senior officer. This is in stark contrast to how, in the English version of ''Beast Wars'', Optimus was merely the captain of a science vessel, while Megatron was, indeed, originally perceived as the main leader of all Predacons in the cartoon's first season, but [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)#Megatron and the Predacons|changes]] made during the show's second season revealed that he was instead a wannabe tyrant with delusions of grandeur, and was considered a criminal on Cybertron even by his own people (but, like the Vector Sigma contradiction, there was no way the Japanese could have predicted what the second season would change after the first season). Nonetheless, the first-season depiction of Megatron as a true leader likely influenced the depictions of Predacon leaders [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] and [[Magmatron (BW)|Magmatron]] in ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'', respectively. Both were the captains of their own spacefaring vessels, were known by all as fearsome emperors, and answered to no higher authorities within the Predacon ranks. This stood in contrast to how, later in ''Beast Wars'', the [[Tripredacus Council]] was revealed to be the true head of government for the Predacons, with Megatron being labeled a dangerous renegade.


: The ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Sideways toy is a yellow and black [[redeco]] of the ''[[Microman]]: [[Microman#Micro Millennium (1998-2000)|LED Powers]]'' toy [[Microman#MachSpeeder|Mach Speeder]], itself a retool of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Road Rocket (G2)#Toys|Road Rocket]], transforming into a Yamaha GTS1000A racing motorcycle with a light-up rear wheel suspension/buzzsaw weapon. He came packaged with [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Axer]] in a [[Walmart|Wal-Mart]] [[exclusive]] two-pack. Of note is that Sideways is, rather unusually, cast ''entirely'' from black plastic except for the transparent portions, with all other colors being paint.
The early Japanese depiction of Optimus Primal and Megatron as high-ranking Maximal and Predacon leaders seems to have stemmed from an early perception of the two that originally pegged them as being the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. When the original [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toyline]] started up in [[1996]], the earliest toy bios and [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|pack-in comic]] presented the Maximals and Predacons on present-day Earth and as just [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s having been upgraded by "Bio-Genetic Engineering". While this idea was dropped when the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon came along, it seems Takara hadn't quite gotten the memo over in Japan, as the earliest Japanese toy bios for Optimus and Megatron were based on their earliest American toy bios, with both giving them the lofty titles of "Supreme Commander" and "Emperor of Destruction" just like their namesakes. Optimus Primal was even given the same Japanese name as Optimus Prime, "Convoy", and his toy bio treated him as if he was the same Convoy of old. Special Japanese-only redeco toys even mentioned a "trailer truck" and a "Walther P-38" as having been Primal and Megatron's previous [[alternate mode|altmodes]]. Likewise, the Maximal and Predacon factions themselves were given the same Japanese names as those of the Autobot and Decepticon faction, being "Cybertron" and "Destron", respectively, in a seeming attempt to remove as much distinction between the two sets of factions as possible.


: This set was released in Japan as a [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] "[[USA Edition]]" on [[May 30]], 2002.
This perception even appeared to bleed over into other Japanese ''Beast Wars'' media: The [[Free the Captured Matrix!|third chapter]] of the ''Beast Wars II'' manga featured a short bio for Optimus Primal that described him as "A fierce fighter who has fought against the Destron army for thousands of years."<ref>数千年にわたり、デストロン軍と戦いつづけで猛者。コンボイの称号を与える軍の評議会の一員でもある。エネルゴン探索の任務遂行中に消息をたったともいわれていたが...!?</ref> And when he later guest-starred in the [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!|''Beast Wars II'' movie]], he was depicted as a "legendary Supreme Commander" that everyone knew and was in awe of, complete with his own [[Energon Matrix|Matrix]]. That same movie also had [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] refer to a "Megatron" as "the greatest and most vicious legendary Transformer in history." But, it was never clarified if this grandiose description was in reference to Generation 1 or ''Beast Wars'' Megatron... likely because, at the time, the movie treated the two as if they were the same person, just as it seemed to do for Optimus (Although, when Lio Convoy and Optimus Primal first interacted with each other in the movie, Lio Convoy at one point asks "Please forgive me. But, who are you?" when looking directly at Optimus, casting some doubt over whether they actually knew each other beforehand like this catalog story claimed).


: This mold was also used to make ''Microman'' [[Microman#HiperSpeeder|Hiper Speeder]] and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' [[Road Rocket (G2)#Robotmasters|Road Rocket]]. The original mold was going to be used to make [[Laser Cycle]] [[Jazz (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|Jazz]] in ''Generation 2'', but the line was cancelled before the toy hit full production.
'''''BUT''''', within the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon's first season itself, this perception was ''not'' the case. While the dub did insert references to Optimus being a Supreme Commander and Megatron being Emperor of Destruction, the dub was more or less accurate on the matter to the original English version. The two were ''never'' described as being the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes, and even when the Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] made his [[Possession|famous guest appearance]], the episode's Japanese dub made it even ''more'' explicit than the English version that Megatron had ''no'' familiarity with him at all.<ref>In the Japanese dub of "[[Possession]]", when hearing [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] describe Starscream's history, Megatron actually says "I've never heard of him."</ref> Consequently, this show of restraint by the dub turned out to be fortuitous in the long run, as the later two seasons of the series made it [[The Agenda (Part III)|abundantly clear]] that Optimus Primal and Megatron were completely separate individuals from Optimus Prime and the original Megatron.


::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on RiD Sideways at TFU.info]''
===The Great King of Angolmois===
One last contradiction in this catalog story is the fact that it refers to a "weapon" called the "Great King of Angolmois" (アンゴルモアの大王 ''Angorumoa no Daiō'') that lies within ancient ruins of the planet. In both the cartoon and manga, it was instead a lava-like substance called "[[Angolmois Energy]]". Evidently, this was an early concept for the main plot device that was to be fought over by the forces of Lio Convoy and Galvatron, and even made it into the bio for [[Megastorm (BW)#Toys|Megastorm's toy]]; bios for later toys would instead reflect the cartoon and manga by referring to "Angolmois Energy".


==Notes==
Interestingly, the concept of a powerful weapon hidden deep within ancient ruins on Earth would later be recycled wholesale and fully utilized just two years later in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|''Car Robots'' cartoon]], with [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] being said weapon.
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sideways''' (サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
 
 
----
 
 
=Sideways (Armada)=
{{disambig3|Sideways}}
{{factions|unicron|autobot|decepticon|cybEmpireG2}}
:''Sideways is an agent of [[Unicron]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family]].''
 
[[File:ArmadaSidewaysCardArt.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|Goofy ominous nutball hardass.]]
'''Sideways''' is the consummate con-artist. He is misleading and deceitful in everything he does, portraying himself as the ninja-like warrior or the aloof drifter, and he lives for the look of shock and betrayal on his victims' faces when they realize he's played them for fools. Though Sideways appears to be a robot of average size and strength, he is nigh-invincible when he calls upon the powers of Unicron. Using the mysterious [[trans-phase mode]], he can take any form he chooses, and "heal" even the most grievous damage at will. Often, he'll eschew a body entirely, choosing to speak through monitors or as a vision in the sky. When he does choose to manifest in physical form, there is one constant: Sideways prefers to shroud his face behind a mask or visor or [[Mini-Con]] so as to keep himself mysterious and anonymous.
 
==Fiction==
===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Paul Dobson]], [[Mark Acheson]] (as Unicron) (English); [[Takahiro Sakurai]] (Japanese)|[[Ekkehardt Belle]] (German), [[Jhonny Torres]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Francisco Andrés Valdivia]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Raine Heiskanen]] (Finnish), [[Johan Hedenberg]] (Swedish), [[Anders Öjebo]] (Swedish, "[[Credulous]]", "[[Conspiracy]]" and "[[Trust]]"), [[Olivier Destrez]] (French), [[Gerolamo Alchieri]] (Italian)}}
 
[[File:Gale Needalift.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Hey kids, want some candy?]]
Sideways appeared as a beam of light from the sky striking a large [[Earth]] city near the Autobot base. An enigmatic warrior, he appeared to side with the Autobots, helping Hot Shot by watching his back during a confrontation with Scavenger. When asked to reveal himself, he transformed, his rider quickly splitting and becoming a helmet that covered his entire head. He claimed to be a drifter who just wandered into the conflict. While he gave the human kids [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] rides in cycle mode to keep them entertained, [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] were all suspicious of the motorcycle's motives, especially his close attention to the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Gale}}
 
[[File:Credulous Sidewaysknocksswordaway.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Surprise, the mysterious ninja is evil!]]
 
In the following battle, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] faced Sideways and Hot Shot alone, and managed to force the [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con panel]] Sideways had (apparently) found out of his grasp. As the Decepticon leader began to warp away, both Autobots grabbed onto Megatron and all three were teleported to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. To Hot Shot and Megatron's surprise, the Mini-Con panel was a fake, made to convince Megatron to retreat so that Hot Shot, spurred on by Sideways's encouragement, could defeat the Decepticons once and for all. Though both robots fought well alongside each other, with Sideways expressing concern over Hot Shot's well-being, he eventually betrayed the young Autobot, by striking a deal with Megatron. He would pretend to be Megatron's hostage and in exchange, no matter what, Hot Shot would turn over the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. At first, Hot Shot did follow through, but reneged at the last moment by calling the Mini-Cons back to him. Sideways suddenly attacked Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber out of his hands and kicking it to [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. He switched Mini-Con heads, revealing his allegiance to the Decepticons. Hot Shot was savagely beaten by the Decepticons. They stopped short of destroying him on the advice of [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], who teleported the young 'bot back to the Autobot base. {{storylink|Credulous}} Sideways watched with indifference as the Decepticons became divided over Starscream's possession of the Star Saber. Even when Demolishor turned to him specifically for support, Sideways claimed he wasn't one for "taking sides." On their next Mini-Con hunt, Sideways crossed paths with Hot Shot, though he avoided fighting him. Instead, he took to taunting him as the Autobot gave him chase. Hot Shot managed to knock Sideways off his wheels on their second of such races, which allowed the Autobot to regain some confidence in himself. {{storylink|Conspiracy}}
 
[[File:Sidewaysheads.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|My Autobot counterpart is nearby...]]
 
When Starscream voiced his concerns that Scavenger might have went and joined the Autobots after deserting the Decepticons, Sideways stood in agreement with him. He put on a front of being especially spiteful towards Scavenger, stating that no one should get away with betraying the Decepticons. Starscream was right, and thanks to Scavengers' superior tactics, Megatron was gravely injured and tossed down a crevasse on the Decepticons' next mission. Sideways hauled him out, but with the Decepticon leader too damaged to continue fighting, the Decepticons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Trust (Armada)|Trust}}
 
Megatron decided to take his frustration out on his troops, and had them participate in a "training exercise," where he chased them around with the Star Saber. Sideways tried to sit the whole thing out, only for Megatron to find his hiding place and dedicate all of his efforts on chasing Sideways specifically. {{storylink|Vacation}}
 
With Sideways's help, the Decepticon nearly secured the Mini-Con [[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]] (losing him to the Autobots at the last moment due to [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]]'s arrival) and then went after the last member of the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] trio, [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]]. This Mini-Con had somehow activated on his own, and fled from anyone who approached him. As one of the speedier Decepticons, Sideways gave chase to Downshift, only to be blasted by Smokescreen and taken out of the race. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}
 
When Megatron announced that he planned to challenge the Autobots to a decisive battle, Sideways worried that the Decepticons might bring the Cybertronians' war to a premature end. He found himself unable to dissuade Megatron of this course of action, so he opted to sabotage his own team's victory instead. Sideways first feigned defeat after charging Red Alert, then covertly shot down Cyclonus. This allowed Autobot reinforcements to reach Optimus, who in turn wrestled the Skyboom Shield away from Megatron. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}} Despite this setback, Megatron was quick to start planning another confrontation against Optimus Prime. While the Decepticon leader practiced tactics with the Mini-Cons under his command, Sideways shot at him under the pretense that it added legitimacy to his battle exercise. Sideways was later left on standby while Megatron implements his scheme to divide the Autobots around the globe, forcing Optimus to fight him and his Mini-Cons alone. Demolishor barked orders at Sideways and Starscream all the while, though the pair showed little enthusiasm in return. {{storylink|Vow}}
 
Sideways began to double his efforts towards manipulating the Decepticons and playing them against each other to suit his mysterious goals. One of these goals was the replacement of Megatron as Decepticon leader. Sideways sowed the seeds of rebellion within the Decepticon ranks, subtly turning Starscream against Megatron and convincing Megatron of Starscream's imminent treachery. The situation came to a head when the two Decepticons fought outside their base, but Sideways then realized Megatron would never execute Starscream for his insubordination, exposing an ever-constant weakness within the Decepticon command structure. After the battle, Sideways mused that this weakness would come back to haunt Megatron one day, and would be his ruin. Fortunately though, this incident somehow served to solidify the Decepticons as a unit, giving them much greater morale and cohesiveness, and achieving Sideways's aims of giving neither faction in the conflict a clear advantage. {{storylink|Rebellion (Armada)|Rebellion}}
 
[[File:Chase RainbowSideways.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|You don't want to taste Sideways's rainbow.]]
 
Shortly thereafter, Sideways tried to hack the Autobot base computer, only to encounter the children attempting to destroy the equipment to stop Sideways. He transported them to a digital universe, where they saw the coming of two [[Jetfire (Armada)|new]] [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|combatants]]. He tried to threaten them into handing over the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], before the kids realized that as the realm they were in wasn't real, Sideways could not harm them. Sideways then apologized to an unseen master, shortly before the children escaped the digital universe, chased by an unknown [[Unicron|entity]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}}
 
Sideways settled for continuing to aid Megatron's unit in a more conventional manner on the battlefield, despite it only leading to losses for their side. However, the tactician [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] joined their team, providing them with much more effective and coordinated battle plans. Despite his first plan failing due to the arrival of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], {{storylink|Tactician}} the Decepticons retained faith in their new recruit. Thrust organized their flying units into ambushing Jetfire over the ocean, where the other Autobots wouldn't be able to come to his aid. Demolishor, Sideways, and Megatron laid in wait on a nearby island, the only place from which the earthbound Autobots could provide Jetfire with support. Once their enemies warped in, the Decepticons executed a secondary ambush, forcing Blurr, Hot Shot, and Smokescreen to remain on the defensive. But Thrust hadn't taken into account one detail: Optimus and Jetfire could combine! Once they did, they regained control of the battlefield, Sideways scampered away. {{storylink|Linkup}}
 
Sideways grew worried over Thrust joining Megatron's squad, and with good reason: Sideways was speedily caught by Thrust and the others while communicating with his unseen master. Sideways panicked and attempted to escape. He was caught by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who sliced him in half with the Star Saber. Sideways simply reformed, reconnecting his parts and absorbing laser blasts from the other Decepticons. Megatron, in fury and disgust, hacked Sideways to pieces and he was seemingly destroyed... or so the Decepticons thought. Sideways had entered [[trans-phase mode]] and his [[Mirror|rider]] rose in the form of a twisted [[nanite]] creature before the Decepticons' eyes, declaring that the Star Saber and Skyboom shield were merely toys to him, as he was near-invincible. His rider said there were millions of Mini-Cons left to be found, and challenged Megatron to see who would find them first, before flying off to parts unknown. {{storylink|Detection}}
 
[[File:Awakening-Sidewaysonscreen.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Sideways may be dead, but he lives on in reruns.]]
 
While most of the Autobots were on Earth fighting the monstrous new Decepticon recruit, [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], Sideways made an appearance inside the Autobots' base... on a monitor! He told [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and Alexis about the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]], and how the Autobots had to find the three Mini-Cons that formed it before the Decepticons did. Neither of them trusted Sideways, but they knew he was right; if the Decepticons found the Requiem Blaster first, it would spell doom for the Autobots and the galaxy. {{storylink|Awakening (Armada)|Awakening}} Once the Autobots had acquired the Requiem Blaster, Sideways appeared once again on the Autobots' monitors, laughing. He showed them that he'd disabled their defenses. Sure enough, the Decepticons infiltrated the Autobot base, took the Requiem Blaster, and nearly killed [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] in the process. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}
 
Later, Sideways appeared to the Decepticon tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and told him that the Requiem Blaster would be even more powerful if used in conjunction with the other two Mini-Con weapons, the sword and the shield. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Thrust talked with Sideways again in a secret, ominous meeting. They planned to get the Mini-Con weapons away from the Autobots. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} Thanks to Starscream's confusion on where his loyalties lay, he was able to steal the other two weapons from the Autobots, giving the Decepticons all three weapons. Thrust was hard at work on a secret project for Megatron, one that would harness the energy of all three weapons, and Sideways congratulated the tactician on his growing duplicity. When the three weapons were combined to power the starship [[Hydra Cannon]], Megatron used it to blow up a nearby comet while Sideways laughed from afar, on Earth's moon. {{storylink|Threaten}}
 
Both the Autobots and Decepticons were en route to Cybertron when a few of each faction were warped to a strange planet where they fought a dark copy of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] called [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]. When Optimus Prime and Megatron combined their firepower against it, Nemesis Prime was destroyed, and as the copy dissipated, Sideways appeared momentarily. Nemesis Prime had merely been Sideways's puppet. {{storylink|Puppet}}
 
[[File:Uprising-SidewaysSpookyGhost.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|He controls the horizontal, but not the vertical. The vertical is for saps.]]
 
When both sides had arrived on Cybertron, a black hole opened up over the planet. It started becoming apparent to some that Unicron was drawing near. An apparition of Sideways appeared over the Autobots, and the Mini-Cons attacked it. After telling the Mini-Cons to get lost, Sideways again disappeared. Sideways returned to swear vengeance against the Mini-Cons when they tried to stop the black hole's effects. {{storylink|Uprising (Armada)|Uprising}} Eventually, Thrust became suspicious that his partnership with Sideways and Unicron might be found out, so he panicked and stole the Requiem Blaster and Skyboom Shield. Thrust ran deep underground where he met up with Sideways, but he was tailed by Starscream. Starscream declined Sideways's obligatory offer to join Unicron, and the two fought.
 
[[File:Portent-Sideways vs Starscream.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Armada basically lines up the cast one by one so Sideways can call them an idiot.]]
 
Sideways assaulted Starscream with strange tendrils and amoeba-like organisms, and he and Thrust were able to leave with the two weapons. Now inside the moon in Cybertron's orbit, Sideways placed the Mini-Con weapons into its core, revealing that the moon was Unicron lying dormant all along. {{storylink|Portent}} The last of the three Mini-Con weapons was dropped by Starscream when he sacrificed himself to Unicron to prove to Galvatron (a transformed Megatron) that Autobot and Decepticon must join forces to destroy Unicron. Sideways formed over what was left of Starscream and grabbed the sword, making an easy getaway. {{storylink|Cramp}}
 
With all three weapons in place within Unicron's core, Sideways's master was able to shed the rest of his moon disguise and show his real form. Sideways and his patsy Thrust celebrated their inevitable victory over time and space. {{storylink|Alliance}} Thrust was told by Sideways to leave, as his work for now Unicron was now done. Thrust was confused, thinking he would be Unicron's right-hand man, but Sideways got angry, and ordered him to leave immediately. Thrust, dejected, left for the surface, where he later was crushed to death within Unicron's creases during the battle. {{storylink|Union}}
 
[[File:Origin-SidewaysUnicroncore.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"I'm going to start elongating all my 's' sounds, Optimusssss."]]
 
Optimus and Galvatron managed to reach the glowing core deep within Unicron's body. Before their eyes, the core budded, recreating the body of Sideways. Unicron spoke through this Sideways body, announcing that Sideways had always been an extension of Unicron himself, and that Sideways had intentionally stoked the flames of the Autobot/Decepticon war so that Unicron could be fueled by their mutual hatred. He took special delight in mocking Optimus Prime for claiming to fight a war for peace, a seeming contradiction. The truth, according to Unicron/Sideways, was that Optimus Prime loved to battle; Prime refused to admit this. Unicron/Sideways wrapped Prime and Galvatron in tendrils, drained Galvatron of his energy, and offered Prime the opportunity to merge with him.
 
[[File:Sideways dead.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Ouchies.]]
 
Then the children and their Mini-Cons arrived, and they pleaded with him to stop, but Unicron/Sideways was able to claim them as their own; the Mini-Cons were Unicron's creation, after all. But inside a dreamworld created by Unicron, the children were able to call out to the Mini-Cons. They reactivated and told Unicron/Sideways that they believed in peace, and would fight for it if necessary. Their combined might was able to help Prime break free of his tendrils, and he fired a shot right through Sideways using the Requiem Blaster. As what was left of Sideways faded, he claimed he'd have his revenge... {{storylink|Origin}}
 
{{note|Internal to the ''Armada'' series, it is slightly unclear whether Unicron was somehow possessing his body for that period of time, or if Sideways had been an extension of Unicron all along instead of a separate individual. The additional backstory provided for Sideways in ''Cybertron'', however, would seem to establish that it's the former. Additionally, in "[[Credulous]]", before Sideways's Mini-Con head connects with his body after colliding with Megatron, an odd voice spoke, sounding like it came from a being of lesser intelligence emanated from the motorcycle body's own head, before the Mini-Con head took over. The mysterious line not being in the Japanese version of the episode and the shaky nature of the ''Armada'' dub in general only further obscures the issue.}}
 
====Linkage====
After informing the Autobots of the Requiem Blaster, Sideways journeyed to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] to deliver [[Ravenus]] and the [[Doomstone]] to a group of [[Speed Chaser Team|evil Mini-Cons]] who were hunting down [[Super Stunt Team|a group of refugee Mini-Cons]] for their master. {{storylink|Linkage Part 8}} When they failed to eliminate or claim [[Redline]] and his friends, the evil Mini-Cons used [[trans-phase mode]] to connect with Sideways via a dimensional portal, and fled from Earth. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}
 
====''Cybertron'' comic====
Sideways and Soundwave agreed to serve Unicron in exchange for the assured death of Gigantion. {{storylink|Revelations Part 3|Soundwave's bio}} Thanks to this deal, Sideways was preserved by Unicron's dark power after his defeat by the Requiem Blaster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}
 
====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Ted Cole]] (English), [[Susumu Chiba]] (Japanese)|[[Jhonny Torres]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Joonas Suominen]] (Finnish), [[Roman Kretschmer]] (German), [[Diego Reggente]] (Italian), [[Anders Öjebo]] (Swedish), [[Emilio García]] (Castilian Spanish)}}
 
{{note|In the original ''Galaxy Force'' version of the show, "Noisemaze" is unrelated to the Double Face/Sideways who appears in ''Legends of the Microns''/''Armada''. Despite this and the differences in characterization, backstory, and voice actor, ancillary material clarifies that—as far as [[Hasbro]] is concerned—''Armada'' and ''Cybertron'' Sideways are the same character.}}
 
Sideways and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] were the last two survivors of the tyrannical [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] which was destroyed as the result of a battle between it and Gigantion long ago. Even though X started the war and was destroyed by its ''own'' weapon of mass destruction, the survivors were still determined to destroy Gigantion as revenge! {{storylink|Challenge}}
 
Sideways entered the Transformers war during their desperate search for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. After the disappearance of ''[[Atlantis]]'', he observed from the top of a rocky cliff and wondered how he could best manipulate both factions to his own advantage. It wouldn't be long until they were all his puppets! {{storylink|Deep}} He offered his services to the Autobots, but as soon as he'd helped them corner Starscream, Sideways switched to a Decepticon symbol, fired on the Autobots, and promptly left. Starscream and the others were left wondering exactly what that was all about. {{storylink|Ship}}
 
[[File:Sand-Sideways explains.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Honestly, guys, I'm an Autobot! You don't remember me at all!]]
 
Later, Sideways sent transmissions to both the Autobots and Decepticons, beckoning them to the [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]. He appeared with the other Decepticons as they confronted the Autobots, chuckling evilly as they argued over who sent the messages leading to their meeting. When a fight broke out, he battled [[Vector Prime]] until Megatron was beaten by Optimus' new Savage Claw Mode. {{storylink|Savage}} Sideways stood back and observed as Megatron fumed after his defeat. Noting that the locals were itching for another fight with Prime, Sideways sought out [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] in the woods, pleading for help to save a friend buried under a rockslide. Leobreaker rallied the other Autobots on Jungle Planet and marched them into a canyon to save this imaginary friend, while Sideways sent a fake message from Optimus Prime to [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], luring the Decepticons to the same location. The two factions met in battle as Sideways planned, while he mused from above that no matter who lost, he would win! But he was spotted, and Leobreaker angrily threw him to the ground for lying to him. Sideways desperately explained that he was a "secret agent" for the Autobots, digging for "inside information". Optimus Prime wasn't convinced, but when their interrogation was interrupted by a communication from [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], Sideways transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Sand}}
 
Sideways traveled with Megatron and the other Decepticons to [[Velocitron]] to apprehend the Speed Planet Cyber Planet Key. Here, Leobreaker and Sideways clashed again. When Megatron lost the Cyber Planet Key to [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], he, Sideways, and the other Decepticons fled. {{storylink|Champion}} Meanwhile, as Optimus Prime prepared to battle Scourge for the Jungle Planet Cyber Planet Key, Sideways and Starscream plotted. {{storylink|Honor}} As Scourge trained for the coming battle, Sideways and Starscream bet on the winner. At Sideways's suggestion, Starscream interfered with the Autobots's ability to get to the battle, thus causing Scourge's faith in Prime as an honorable opponent to waver. {{storylink|Primal (Cybertron)|Primal}}
 
When the Autobots finally defeated Scourge and acquired the Cyber Planet Key, Sideways was deployed with the rest of Megatron's troops to track down the Key after the Autobots split up with several decoy boxes. He personally pursued Vector Prime, revealing the ability to warp as he battled the ancient warrior for the box he held. When Vector Prime sent out [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] to attack, Sideways used his faction-swapping shield to trick the Mini-Con into leaving before snatching the box from Vector Prime. When he found nothing but a rock inside, Sideways beat a hasty retreat. He was later seen goofing off as Megatron and Starscream went after the real holders of the Cyber Planet Key, and returned to Megatron's personal dimension when the rest of the Autobots arrived to secure the Key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}
 
[[File:Retreat-SidewaysStarscreamarmy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|That's right, the undercarriage of Sideways's altmode shows you the inside of his split-open ass.]]
 
Starscream was growing tired of Megatron's attitude towards him, and Sideways wondered if Starscream was going to doublecross his leader. When Megatron and his troops headed out from his dimension to find another Cyber Planet Key, Starscream instead chose to head to Earth. Intrigued, Sideways followed Starscream there, where they witnessed a burst of Cyber Key-related energy. He joined Starscream on his trip to the Arctic, where the wayward Decepticon demanded the Autobot [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] give him Earth's Cyber Planet Key. When Sideways realized that Starscream had sent Megatron the wrong direction and intended to take Earth's Key for himself, he decided to stay back and watch Starscream's fight with Crosswise, out of harm's way. ...at least, until Crosswise looked like he was going to lose, when Sideways happily leapt into action to kick him while he was down. Crosswise drove away, and Sideways shadowed him while Starscream investigated the cave he was guarding. {{storylink|Trap}} Sideways followed Crosswise all the way to his hidden hideout, where his leader, [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], was waiting. When Sideways was discovered, he once again fled. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}
 
Starscream, meanwhile, had recruited countless imprisoned Decepticons he had freed in the Arctic, and so Sideways stood at his side while Starscream marched his army across the face of the Earth. They converged on the location of the Autobot base, where they found the Autobots retreating via a [[space bridge]]. Starscream and Sideways engaged them in battle, but Sideways was quickly knocked away by the Autobots' firepower. {{storylink|Retreat}} Starscream succeeded in grabbing the Autobots' collected Cyber Planet Keys and the [[Omega Lock]], and returned to his underground volcanic lair, where Sideways and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] were waiting. {{storylink|Critical}} The Autobots weren't far behind, and a clash between them and Starscream's army was inevitable. Sideways called them forth, ordering them to rise up and destroy their enemies, while he and Starscream watched the battlefield through a portal; Starscream was slowly absorbing the power of his stolen goods, and wasn't quite ready yet. The Autobots and Megatron managed to break into the volcano base, but Sideways had prepared a series of explosive boobytraps. {{storylink|Assault}}
 
[[File:Starscreamepisode-Sidewaysposes.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Hey, Sideways, your shield has huge gaps in it.]]
 
Despite this, the Autobots were able to get through them, where they came face to face with Sideways. Asked as to what side he was on today, Sideways replied that he was on his own, but today he was betting on Starscream. The Autobots fought him, but he was able to warp around them at will, and none were able to land a punch. Ultimately, [[Vector Prime]] placed his Mini-Con, [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] on Sideways's back, and Optimus Prime was able to use that to detect where Sideways would appear next. After several blasts, Sideways was once again able to flee, this time because of the arrival of Scourge. He returned to Starscream's side, where the wayward Decepticon was nearly finished absorbing the Omega Lock's power. When Starscream said he wouldn't run to face Megatron, but wait for Megatron to come and be picked off at his leisure, Sideways realized there was nothing more he could do there and left, teleporting away. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} Once the tremendous battle was over, and Starscream (despite having grown to a large size) had fallen over defeated, Sideways reappeared. Noting that Starscream could still be useful to him, he warped Starscream's humongous body away. {{storylink|United}} Starscream woke up inside the ''Atlantis'', with Sideways standing over him. Sideways explained that during the time Starscream had been out, Megatron had been defeated and Primus had awoken. The two traveled to Cybertron and found it transformed into Primus, but lying dormant; Sideways snarked that some clever guy had stolen all his power. He and Starscream tried to fight their way through the Autobots to the Omega Lock, but failed. Later, Sideways warped behind the Autobots' human friends, nabbed their three [[Mini-Con]] pals, and warped away. Angry, the children jumped into the portal window he left behind. {{storylink|Balance}}
 
[[File:Memory-Sidewaysandchildren.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|WOULD YOU LIKE TO? WOULD YOU LIKE TO?]]
 
Sideways attached Jolt to some equipment in order to search his memories for data pertaining to location of [[Gigantion]], where the last Cyber Planet Key would be found. But all Sideways could extract was useless data that would take forever to examine, so he tried to watch some television to pass the time. No luck—they were jamming their own communications, so he couldn't watch ''[[Galactic Guardians]]'' or anything, so he turned on his [[Soundwave (G1)|stereo]] and began moving to the music. Starscream yelled at him for goofing off. Embarrassed, Sideways ran off to do repairs. Indeed, the memory download was taking too long, so Sideways decided it would be much quicker if they just hacked open Jolt's head, took what they wanted, and deleted the rest. The operation was interrupted by the children, and so Sideways left to deal with them. After a few slapstick adventures, including a faked hologram of Megatron telling Sideways to jump on one foot and call himself a "pretty lady", the children were able to escape with Sideways's key to the cell he was keeping the other two Mini-Cons in. Though those two were rescued, Sideways finally caught up with them, laughing maniacally and with evil intent. {{storylink|Memory (Cybertron)|Memory}} Jolt, whose rotors were now untied, was able to open a warpgate for himself and the others to escape through. Angered, Sideways warped away himself, and appeared again in front of the children and the Mini-Cons, telling him that he had put an energy field around the ship to prevent Jolt from pulling that trick again. The children and the Mini-Cons ran, but he threw one of his wing blades into the path ahead of them, blocking their escape. As Sideways mocked their attempts to distract him so they could make their getaway, [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] was able to communicate with the ship and spray [[fire-retardant foam]] over Sideways's head. They fled.
 
[[File:Escape-Sidewaysmeandrawing.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|"A ''mouth?!'' This is libel!"]]
 
Later, when the children and the Mini-Cons had located the chamber in which Sideways was guarding, the one that was blocking communications from being sent out of ''Atlantis'', they remotely caused a malfunction in one of the engine rooms. Sideways ran out of the chamber and into the engine room, where he found a crude drawing of him on the wall. "Now that's just mean!" Next they dumped him down one of the garbage chutes, which Sideways laughed at. He'd just warp out of there! But he forgot that he'd disabled warping, so he was cast out of the ship into space. A piece of trash that followed him conked him on his head, knocking him out. ''Atlantis'' was soon found by the Autobots and Decepticons, and so Starscream set the ship to warp away. Just in time, the children and the Mini-Cons shot themselves out of the ship in two escape pods, but Sideways's floating body blocked the second pod from leaving the warp perimeter of the ship. Sideways and the second pod disappeared along with ''Atlantis''. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}
 
Sideways returned to the helm of ''Atlantis'' with Starscream, as the distance between them and the planet [[Gigantion]], home to the final [[Cyber Planet Key]], quickly narrowed. But due to the work of [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], and the Decepticons were able to follow a trail to the ship, and so Sideways activated the ship's defenses while he navigated a warp jump away. But after they had jumped, Starscream felt the power of Primus, and so the ''Atlantis'' returned to Cybertron. After a battle between Starscream and Primus, Starscream was brutally defeated, so Sideways warped the ship away again with Starscream's body in tow. {{storylink|Titans}} Starscream was no worse for wear by the time Sideways had begun piloting ''Atlantis'' through a warp gate to another dimension where Gigantion was located, but the Autobots' ship, the ''[[Ogygia (Cybertron)|Ogygia]]'', wasn't far behind. ''Atlantis'' started lagging behind the Autobots when Bud and the Mini-Cons aboard began sabotaging its engines, much to the fury of Sideways and Starscream. {{storylink|Warp}}
 
Sideways managed to get ''Atlantis'' to Gigantion, but only after a crash-landing. Before too long, the ship was under attack from the Autobots. Starscream was still too drained from his fight with Primus, so Sideways was told to fight them himself, an order he grumbled loudly about once he was out of Starscream's range. He confronted Optimus Prime, merged with Wing Saber, and bemoaned their sneaky tactics. He was the one supposed to be pulling the strings! As Sideways was targeted by a volley of missiles, Optimus Prime told Sideways that he'd had enough of his tricks. After a prolonged fight, Sideways could do nothing better than to utter a pathetic "mother!" as Prime's final, most powerful attack was bearing in on him. Thankfully for Sideways, he was saved by Soundwave, who pushed him out of the way at the last second. Once they were safe, Sideways thanked Soundwave for the rescue. Soundwave reminded Sideways that "that's how we roll," and not to forget their ultimate purpose. {{storylink|City}}
 
[[File:Showdown-SoundwaveSidewaysstare.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|Don't go towards the light, Sideways!]]
 
While the both of them were searching for the last Cyber Planet Key, they were discovered by the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]]. Soundwave explained their backstory as survivors of Planet X and their vendetta against Gigantion. When the Autobots noted it was their own fault their planet was destroyed, Soundwave shrouded them in a thick black cloud while Sideways created virtual duplicates of himself. He managed to mess with Red Alert's head, but was tricked into revealing himself by Scattorshot after the clever technician dealt with the smog. In the end, the two Planet X natives were crushed under a falling tower. {{storylink|Challenge}}
 
Sideways and Soundwave didn't resurface until the Autobots were ready to leave Gigantion to their home dimension to repair the black hole. They challenged the Autobots, blocking their path out of the planet, for they wanted to ensure the black hole destroyed the galaxy. After fighting Optimus Prime to a standstill, they were interrupted by Starscream and Megatron, who were fighting several layers above them, glowing and pulsating with energy levels no one present had ever seen. Soundwave and Sideways wanted to escape, fearing their own destruction, but they lamented that if they didn't grab the Omega Lock then, they'd have failed at their mission. Both warped closer to the battle between Megatron and Starscream, and, reaching towards the tremendous energy that had built up during the Decepticons' battle, Sideways begged Soundwave to leave and save himself. Soundwave rejected this, because they were in this together. As Megatron and Starscream punched each other simultaneously, a wave of energy seemed to destroy both Planet X natives.
 
[[File:Beginning-SoundwaveSideways.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|We're not dead! Neither is our planet! Weird.]]
Vector Prime noted that neither were likely destroyed in the conventional sense, but were blasted into another dimension. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron)|Showdown}} His analysis seemed to be correct; a little later, when Megatron witnessed a vision of Starscream—apparently reaching out through the [[fire dimension]] to mock him one final time—Sideways and Soundwave were both standing by the traitor's side. {{storylink|Unfinished}}
 
The next (and last) time Sideways was seen, he, Soundwave, and [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]] were cheering as they stood before an undestroyed Planet X, apparently having found an intact, parallel version of their homeworld in [[Aurex 906.29 Alpha|the dimension]] they had been transported to. {{storylink|Beginning}}
 
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}} {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}}}}
{{-}}
 
====Ask Vector Prime====
[[Vector Prime]] stated that the Planet X which attacked the Gigantion of [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha]] was the headquarters of the remnants of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] from [[Primax 994.0 Gamma]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/05}} The dimension that this Sideways, along with Soundwave and Laserbeak, landed in was [[Aurex 906.29 Alpha]]. Vector Prime hoped that the trio found some measure of peace. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/03}}
 
On the other hand, Vector Prime stated that the Planet X which attacked Gigalonia in [[Aurex 105.08 Alpha]] was half the body of Unicron from [[Primax 886.0 Gamma]] and its denizens were previously consumed Transformers resurrected by the planet. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/08}}
 
===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
[[File:SkywarpSidewaysWheeljack.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|I'm such a secret shill for Unicron that you only ever see me once! Well, twice.]]
 
Always evasive about where his true loyalties lie, Sideways has been seen on battlefields the galaxy over, but not always on the same side. He has manipulated both factions like a game of cosmic chess, and chooses his words carefully. Neither Autobot nor Decepticon, he has always served just one master: [[Unicron]]. To these purposes, he assigned his Mini-Con companion, [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] to infiltrate the Mini-Cons' Moonbase operations and send things awry. Crosswise was more of a wildcard than a full-on partner, unlike Sideways's other Mini-Con, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]]. Rook was assigned to sow the real seeds of discontent amongst the Mini-Cons on the moon. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|More than Meets the Eye}}
 
Sideways himself was first seen working on a secret desert rocket site, guarded by [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]], which was designed to launch Megatron's [[Solar Scalpel]] laser system in orbit. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} After the rocket was launched, he returned to Cybertron, and was present for the battle against Unicron... though what exact role he played in it is unknown. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}
{{-}}
 
===''Galaxy Force'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.8}}}}


===''Kre-O'' comic===
===Conclusion===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-10-Sideways.jpg|thumb]]
In the mid-2000s, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] began to make some serious efforts to organize the ever-growing [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline]] that included all of the cartoons from the [[Beast Era]]. Due to all of the contradictions laid out above, Takara made the decision to ignore this catalog story entirely, throwing out every claim and character-depiction it made in order to clean up all of the issues between the American and Japanese cartoons. Opting to lean into  "several tens of thousands of years" statement given by ''Beast Wars II'', it was decided to relocate the two American cartoons away from the two Japanese ones, by acknowledging the "three centuries" statement given by the English version of ''Beast Wars'' that the Japanese dub had originally omitted. When fans in the west first learned of this timeline, the placement of ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' being set so long ''after'' the ''Beast Machines'' cartoon came as quite a startling shock, having long since taken both this catalog story and the ''Beast Machines'' Magmatron toy bio as gospel, since all the continuity issues described above were virtually unknown to anyone outside of Japan due to ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' having not yet been fully translated into English at the time.
Sideways witnessed [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s humiliating temper-tantrum over his lack of "[[Skeletron|See-Through Power]]". {{storylink|Wheeljack's Bizarre Invention! Optimus Power Up!?}}


Later, Sideways was part of a massive Decepticon invasion force intended to attack the [[Autobot]] base while the Autobots were at a picnic. However, [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] plowed through them with his truck and left them scattered... and then left. Returning to the scene after... ''ahem'', taking care of some pressing business, Optimus gathered up the still-wiped-out Kreons, bound them up on a flatbed trailer, and took them to the picnic. {{storylink|Emergency! Hurry to the Base, Optimus!}}
There was, however, one ''more'' discrepancy created by this attempt to fix all of the others: With the relocation of ''Beast Machines'' set before ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'', this now placed the [[Great Transformation|technorganic reformatting]] Cybertron underwent at the end of ''Beast Machines'' as happening ''before'' its appearances in ''Beast Wars Neo'' as a metallic planet. This last hole would be filled in [[2019]] by a ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Transformers Legends]]'' [[LG-EX Blue Big Convoy|pack-in comic]], which explained how and why Cybertron was turned back into a metallic world several eons after the end of ''Beast Machines''.


Sideways was around when [[Bludgeon (Kre-O)|Bludgeon]] uncovered the [[Red Bucket]]. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}} He was among the Decepticons who aided Megatron in attacking [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]], excited that he finally had a chance to show up in full. Then Metroplex collapsed on him, burying the poor guy in blocks. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}
Thus, with the discarding of this catalog story from the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], its events have since been relegated to a little [[micro-continuity]] all unto itself. If anything, it still somewhat fits with the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' manga, which stuck to the catalog story's placing all the characters in the same timeframe. Though, the subsequent ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (manga)|Beast Wars Metals]]'' manga still treats Optimus Primal and Megatron as separate individuals from Optimus Prime and G1 Megatron, meaning they'd just be high-ranking Maximals and Predacons all on their own without any inherent ties to their namesakes.
 
====Ask Vector Prime====
[[Vector Prime]] entered [[Fornax 813.0 Gamma]] to keep an eye on the Sideways of this universe. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/17}}
 
==Toys==
===''Armada''===
[[File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|right|upright=1.66|thumb|My hats are the grandest of all... except that they're putting me on the wrong sides! (''First-run Hasbro version pictured'')]]
[[File:LOTM Double Face.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''(Takara version pictured)'']]
*'''Sideways with Crosswise and Rook''' (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''MX-01'''
**''Takara release date'': [[April 24]], 2003
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Aaron Archer]] (Hasbro)}}
 
: First released in the second wave of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' "Super-Con" (aka "Deluxe) class toys, Sideways transforms into a racing motorcycle of made-up model. As with most ''Armada'' toys, virtually all of his [[gimmick]]s are directly tied to Mini-Cons, and Sideways came with two of them: [[Rook (Armada)#Toys|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)#Toys|Crosswise]]. Rook and Crosswise can both ride on Sideways's cycle mode at the same time, held in place on his seat by small tab-slot connections, as can [[Mirror|their combined form]], which was designed to "grip" Sideways's handlebars. His tailpipes become arm-mounted [[Powerlinx]]-activated pressure-launch missile launchers.
 
: In robot mode, Sideways's head can be pushed back into his torso and replaced with Rook or Crosswise in their alternate head configurations. By sliding the Mini-Cons' arms down into Sideways's torso, each one pushes down plates behind Sideways's windshield-chest to reveal either an Autobot or Decepticon symbol. (You don't ''have'' to have the arms push into the torso if you don't want to, as the Mini-Cons attach in head mode just fine by having the arms positioned towards Sideways's back; arguably they fit ''better'' without the chestplates' springs pushing back up against the arms.) The initial run of Sideways toys had Rook reveal the Decepticon symbol and Crosswise reveal the Autobot brand. Later runs corrected this to match the faction-reveal gimmick as portrayed in the cartoon, with Rook forming the "Autobot" head and Crosswise the "Decepticon" head. (Crosswise was also altered to replace his red paint accents with a more Decepticon-y purple, making it easy to tell in-package which version of Sideways it was.)
 
: For his later [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''Legends of the Microns'' release, "Double Face" got a significant paint change, swapping the yellow and purple on his chest. This matches the cartoon model, which was based on the pre-release Hasbro deco (as seen on the Hasbro packaging). This version also -of course- retains the show-like Rook/Autobot-Crosswise/Decepticon symbol-reveal configuration.
 
: This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Rapid Run (Energon)#Toys|Rapid Run]] (likely conceived as a [[Powerlinx]] redeco).
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/ArmSideways/sideways.htm More information on ''Armada'' Sideways at TFU.info]''
 
{{-}}{{anchor|Destruction}}
*'''Sideways with Crosswise and Rook''' (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles
 
: In November of 2003, US [[Toys"R"Us]] stores had special bonus pack Max-Con toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for ''less'' than the price as a normal Max-Con, during Toys"R"Us's post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Sideways could come with one of the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Toys|Destruction Mini-Con Team]] members: [[Buzzsaw (Armada)#Toys|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)#Toys|Drill Bit]], or [[Dualor (Armada)#Toys|Dualor]].
 
{{-}}{{anchor|KmartBonusPack}}
*'''Bonus Pack''' (2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles
 
:[[Kmart]] stores offered "Bonus Packs" later in the line's run, which were basically just a normal-release Super-Con and Mini-Con Team pack clamshelled together for ''slightly'' less than the cost of the two individually. Sideways has been found packed with the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Toys|Destruction Mini-Con Team]] and the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Toys|Street Action Mini-Con Team]].
 
{{-}}
 
===''Cybertron''===
[[File:SidewaysCybertron.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|On second thought, screw the whole motorcycle thing. (''Hasbro version stock image'')]]
[[File:GalaxyForce Noisemaze toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I pulled off the sword/shield/firearm combo before [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|that one Sentinel]] decided to steal it from me! (''Takara version'')]]
* '''Sideways''' (Deluxe-Class, 2005)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''GX-01'''
**''Takara release date'': [[March 31]], 2005
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key
**''Cyber Key Code'': '''dj51'''
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy)}}
 
: One of the ''very'' few "[[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]]" -themed toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'', this version of Sideways transforms into a black and orange alien spacefighter. The center-back of his jet mode can rise up like a gun turret; plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into the back end of the assembly deploys two pairs of spring-loaded blade, plus covers the Autobot symbol in the top with a Decepticon badge. This assembly becomes a non-removable left-arm-mounted "shield" in robot mode. His wings can also detach from his ankles and be used as blades, with both [[5 mm post|pegging]] into his hands, either with one blade in each hand, or with both blades pegging into the top and bottom of a single hand, forming a double-bladed weapon.
 
: This toy was first released in Takara's ''Galaxy Force'' line as "Noisemaze", featuring silver-chromed details on the wings. The Later Hasbro ''Cybertron'' "Sideways" replaced the chrome with silver paint, dropped some of the silver details on his key jack, and dropped some of the bronze paint on his "collar". The Hasbro version has also been slightly [[retool]]ed, rounding off his robot-mode head-horns, presumably [[for safety reasons]]. And of course, Sideways's Cyber Key has a [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] stamped on the back the Takara version lacks.
 
: This mold was also used to make the Japanese DVD-[[exclusive]] [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version#Toys|Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]] and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ratbat]]. It was [[retool]]ed to make [[BotCon 2009]]'s ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scourge (G1)#Timelines|Scourge]] and Sweeps [[Sweep Two#Toys|Two]], [[Sweep Six#Toys|Six]], and [[Sweep Seven#Toys|Seven]] (the Sweeps were later repurposed as ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Scourge (SG)|Scourge]]).
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on ''Cybertron'' Sideways at TFU.info]''
 
{{-}}{{anchor|VsRedAlert}}
[[File:Cyb-toy CriticalPath.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Look, Grandma's is down this path! It's ''critical'' I take it!]]
*'''Critical Path Pack!''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key
 
: This two-pack of the [[Red Alert (Armada)#Cybertron|Deluxe-size ''Cybertron'' Red Alert]] and Sideways toys was made available only at [[Target]] stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{--}}
 
==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[File:SCF Sideways.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|STRIKE POSE!]]
*'''Double Face''' (2003)
**''Act'': '''10'''
**''Accessories'': Decepticon head, stand
 
:Available in "Act 10" of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line, Double Face is a PVC figurine of his animation model. He was available in both full-color and pewter versions, with one of each packed in every case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] boxes. He came with an extra head so that his appearance could be switched between his "normal" head and the "Decepticon" head. His appearance could ''not'' be switched out of its weird-looking ninja(?) pose, however, which makes him the tallest non-build-a-figure in the entire series.
 
: Act 10 is notable for using much softer plastic than the preceding nine Acts, which can lead to balance and peg-tearing issues. There is also a potential peg problem with the pewter versions, as the pegs may have been painted before being pushed into place. And with the softer plastic of Act 10, this makes a stuck peg even easier to tear off. Lightly shaving of the socket walls with a thin hobby knife should solve the issue... though with Double Face's minimal "posability" thanks to his odd stance, it's not very likely you'll be trying to move anything on him.
{{--}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
* Sideways was designed to be a "ninja" Transformer, with a yellow and purple color scheme based on a [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] employee's racing motorcycle.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sideways was a fun Ninja transfomer concept. His feature was unique in the franchise and those are the things I take pride in looking back. His colors are based of a Takara employee racing bike.|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuHRJVH-0j/|name=Aaron Archer|site=Instagram|year=2019|month=03|day=07}}</ref>
===Transformers references===
* A 2001 Armada IP bible includes a bio of Sideways that notes he is comic relief after his Mini-Con is damaged and split in two, now acting as his "angel" and "devil" consciences who also bicker between themselves. Before the accident, Sideways was an aloof and mysterious ninja who turns into a police cycle. Obviously, this characterization didn't exactly pan out.
*The "Maximize" in the title of this story is actually "Henshin" (変身), a Japanese word for "transformation" that was used in the Japanese dub of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] as the Japanese equivalent/replacement for both "Maximize" and "Terrorize" in the original English version. "Maximize", rather than "Transform", is used here to reflect that dubbing decision, and also because ''Beast Wars II'' would distinguish "Henshin" from "Transform" by specifically using the former for those with [[beast mode]]s, while the latter would be used by those with mechanical vehicle modes.
* While the positioning of ''Armada'' Sideways's head-handlebars in toy form is up to the owner, the cartoon consistently portrayed them as angled downwards.
*Also included in this catalog is a brief recap of the final events of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", which had, at the time, recently aired in Japan on [[March 25]], [[1998]]. Said recap is given the title of '''~Convoy's Great Explosion~''' (〜コンボイ大爆発編〜 ''~Konboi Dai Bakuhatsu-hen~''). At the bottom of this recap is also an ad for the then-new ''Beast Wars II'' [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] and [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga series]].
[[File:Detection-SidewaysNoHat.jpg|right|thumb|He's back. From outer space.]]
* In ''Armada'', outside of the stock footage sequences showing Sideways putting his Mini-Con helmets on, his "bare" head was often colored in shades of gray similar to the Crosswise head, rather than the appropriate purple and yellow.
* In "[[Memory (Cybertron)|Memory]]", Sideways seemed to be a fan of the [[Galactic Guardians]], a superhero team who star in their own cartoon show. He also seemed to be a fan of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", as he sang the first few lyrics to himself before being interrupted by Starscream.
*For most of his ''Kre-O'' appearances, Sideways appeared only as a singular leg, making it a bit hard to tell if he was meant to be a Kreon version of the ''Armada'' Sideways. His identity wasn't confirmed until he finally showed up in full in his fifth appearance... only for the gag to continue when he ends up buried with only his leg showing.
*Like most non-toy robot Kreons in the ''Kre-O'' comics, Sideways is made from existing Kre-O parts. He makes use of the [[Hound (Kre-O)|Hound]] helmet, [[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]] clip-on arm weapons, and what appears to be two additional Kreon arms attached to a backpack.


===Foreign names===
===Real-world references===
====''Armada''====
*The "seventh month of the Cosmic Year 1999" and "Great King of Angolmois" are both derived from ''{{w|Les Prophéties|The Prophecies}}'' of [[France|French]] seer {{w|Nostradamus}},<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20170430004120/http://www.maar.us/tenth_century_nostradamus_quatrains.html The text of Nostradamus's ''Prophecies'', Century X, in the original French with an English translation.] See Quatrain 72.</ref> whose prophecies were popular in [[Japan]] at the time. What these two bits actually ''mean'', however, is a ''lot'' to unpack, but most interpretations basically boil down to either a prophecy of doom brought about by either a tyrannical warlord like {{w|Genghis Khan}} or by terrorism, or a prophecy of prosperity brought about by either a rich philanthropist or a king like {{w|Francis I of France}}, occurring at some point in [[July]]–[[September]] of the year [[1999]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PSiN-CVROJYC&q=Angolmois+mongolian&pg=PA67#v=snippet&q=Angolmois%20mongolian&f=false ''Saint Germain's Prophecy for the New Millennium: Includes Dramatic Prophecies from Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce and Mother Mary''] at Google Books</ref> In reality, it is still not entirely certain what, if anything, this prophecy referred to.
*''Japanese:'' '''Double Face''' (ダブルフェイス ''Daburu Feisu'')
*[[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] addresses [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] with the honorific of "{{w|Senpai and kōhai|senpai}}", which is used to refer to a person of senior experience, hierarchy, level, and/or age, who offers guidance, friendship, and general assistance to a newer, younger, and/or inexperienced person (known as the "{{w|Senpai and kōhai|kōhai}}") belonging to the same group, like a personal mentor. It is commonly used in the Japanese education system to refer to older students of higher grades by younger students of lower grades. In this case, it is used to indicate that Optimus Primal is Lio Convoy's personal mentor/superior (and is translated in the Quotes section above as "sir").
*''Armenian:'' '''Koghmnapah''' (Կողմնապահ, "Sideways")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kanyargó''' ("Swerver")
*''Korean:'' '''Double Face''' (더블페이스 ''Deobeul Paiseu'')
*''Polish:'' '''Krętacz''' ("Dodger")
*''Russian:'' '''Otshel'nik''' (Отшельник, "Hermit")


====''Cybertron''====
===Other trivia===
*''Japanese:'' '''Noisemaze''' (ノイズメイズ ''Noizumeizu'')
*Galvatron is depicted here mostly in shadow because, at the time, the color scheme for his toy had not yet been finalized. Indeed, his toy pictured elsewhere in the catalog is represented by an unpainted gray [[prototype|hardcopy]].
*''Hungarian:'' '''Mellékút''' ("Bypass")
*''Korean:'' '''Side Way''' (사이드웨이 ''Saideu Wei'')


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


<nowiki>[[Category:Beast Wars II media]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]</nowiki>


----


<!--=Beast Era=
The '''Beast Era''' is an umbrella term used by fans to refer to


=Sideways (RM)=
==Origin==
{{disambig3|Sideways}}
How the Beast Era came about.
:''Sideways is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:RMComic-SidewaysBWMegs.jpg|right|upright=1.9|thumb|]]


'''Sideways''' is a Decepticon spy who has infiltrated the [[Autobot]]s as an intelligence agent. It's probably not a great idea to trust what he says if you don't want to end up in a Decepticon ambush.
==Franchises of the Beast Era==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' (1996–2001)===
[[File:Optimusprimalvsmegatronsplash.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Before 'toon began, there was... the comic!]]
In the very beginning, when the toyline debuted in 1996, the line presented itself as a complete reinvention of the ''Transformers'' brand, but one that was still set on [[Earth]] in the present day. Numerous references to "Bio-Genetic Engineering" being the source of the Maximals' and Predacons' organic [[beast mode]]s were given in the toys' packaging blurb, in a short [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|comic]] [[pack-in material|included]] with the very first [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Megatron]] toys, and in many of the toys' [[bio]]s. Combined with the bio for that first Optimus Primal toy closely paraphrasing the motto of the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime toy]] from [[1984]] ("Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."), the original implication was that ''Beast Wars'' was simply another continuation of the [[The Transformers (franchise)|first]] [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|two]] iterations of the ''Transformers'' brand, with the Maximals and Predacons merely being genetically-enhanced Autobots and Decepticons, and Optimus Primal and Megatron being the very same individuals as their [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1]] [[Megatron (G1)|namesakes]].


==Fiction==
Granted, the line wasn't ''explicit'' about this connection at the time, but there was no reason ''not'' to think so. Plus, the [[1997]] release of the Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Grimlock]] toy featured a bio that made it abundantly clear that he was, indeed, the very same Autobot [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] of old, which further reinforced these implications. But after the cartoon took off and cemented itself as the dominant ''Beast Wars'' fiction, the toyline gradually shifted away from its original continuity to one more closely resembling that of the cartoon. A number of 1997 toy bios mentioned "[[energon crystal]]s" (a prominent part of the cartoon's first season), while [[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]]'s bio referred to the ''Beast Wars'' setting not as "Earth" but instead "the mysterious planet" (as it was known in the cartoon's first season). By [[1998]], the original toy continuity was practically dropped entirely, with the packaging blurbs for the [[Transmetal]]s, [[Fuzor]]s, and [[1999]]'s [[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]] directly mentioning events specific to the cartoon's second and third seasons.
===''Robotmasters'' comic===
Sideways participated in the confusing war over [[solitarium]], where he employed a special communications system called "[[Crosswise (Armada)|Shadow]] and [[Rook (Armada)|Bright]]".  


Sideways acted as a source of intelligence for the Autobots, alerting them to a large supply of solitarium on [[Chaar]]. When [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] led [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] to a crevasse filled with solitarium crystals, they were ambushed from above by [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Beast Megatron]] and Sideways, who was revealed to be in collusion with the Decepticons. They detonated the crystals around the Autobots.
====Toyline====
====Cartoon====
====Comics====


Fortunately, Primal managed to shield the three from the explosion with a huge slab of rock, but they were unable to prevent the Decepticons from making off with a huge load of solitarium. {{storylink|Defend the Solitarium!}}
===''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' (1997–1999)===
{{-}}
====Toyline====
====Cartoons====
====Movies====
====Comics====


===''Robotmasters'' 3D Diorama comic===
===''Animorphs'' (1999)===
[[File:Roadrocketsidewaysphotocomic.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Okay, thumb war!]]
====Toyline====


Road Rocket and Sideways found a piece of solitarium at the same time, though each claimed they saw it first. The solitarium was located across a gorge, so the two revved up their engines to see who could cross it in their motorcycle modes. Unfortunately, Sideways miscalculated, falling down the gorge, while Road Rocket was victorious. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 4}}
===''Beast Machines: Transformers'' (1999–2001)===
====Toyline====
====Cartoon====
====Comics====


Sideways joined the other Decepticons in gloating over the success of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Reverse Convoy]]'s trap for the Autobot leaders. Their joy was short-lived, as [[Lio Convoy]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|another Optimus Prime]] arrived to save their comrades. United, the Autobot leaders blasted away the Decepticons with their combined energies. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 11}}
===''Transformers: Car Robots'' (2000)===
{{-}}
====Toyline====
====Cartoon====


===''TransTech''===
==Related post-Beast Era franchises==
During the conflict between the [[Screaming Eagles]] and [[S.K.A.R.]] in [[Primax 806.30 Gamma]], Sideways was a S.K.A.R.-allied Decepticon who defected along with his [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] human partner [[Quick Stryke]] to the Autobots/[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] was never quite certain whose side they were really on; he also noted that Sideways converted into the experimental Road Bullet assault cycle developed by [[Tank (G.I. Joe)|Tank]] and [[Grill (G.I. Joe)|Grill]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/03}}
*'''''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''''' ([[2001]]–[[2003]])
:x


===2019 IDW continuity===
*'''''[[Transformers: Expanded Universe]]''''' ([[2002]])
A racer on [[Velocitron]], Sideways was one of the more noteworthy competitors for the [[Speedia 500]]. When the [[Wreckers]] were investigating to see if any of the racers had ties to [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]], [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] couldn't rule him out as a suspect, saying only that Sideways kept to himself and was hard to read. He was present when the race began. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 2}} Sideways was part of the early leaders in the race, but the Speedia was thrown into chaos by Mayhem. Sideways was one of several racers disabled by Mayhem, leading to a victory of the Ascenticons' [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]]. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 3}}
:x
{{--}}


==Toys==
*'''''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery]]''''' (2003)
===''Robotmasters''===
:x
[[File:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|We've come full circle or something.]]
* '''Double Face''' ([[2004]]-[[December 28|12-28]])
**''ID number:'' '''RM-19'''


: ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' Double Face is a purple, gray, and yellow [[redeco]] of the ''[[Microman]]: [[Microman#Micro Millennium (1998-2000)|LED Powers]]'' toy [[Microman#RoadBison|Road Bison]], itself a [[retool]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Cycle]] [[Road Pig (G2)#Toys|Road Pig]] with new handlebars.  Released in Japan in 2005, Double Face transforms into a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide touring motorcycle with electronic light-up tailpipe/"blaster" weapon.
*'''''[[Transformers: Dinobots]]''''' (2003)
:x


: There is a minor variation to this toy; though both versions feature an "electronics warning" on the robot mode's butt, some versions use a clear-plastic sticker, while others have the text tampographed there.
*'''''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]''''' (2003–[[2008]])
:x


: This mold was also used to make ''Microman'' [[Microman#HiperSpeeder|Tornado Bison]] and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Axer]]. It was planned for use in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' as [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|Soundwave]], but that toy never saw release.
*'''''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]''''' ([[2004]]–[[2006]])
:x


::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/DoubleFace/doubleface.htm More information on ''Robotmasters'' Double Face at TFU.info]''
*'''''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)|Transformers: Timelines]]''''' ([[2005]]–[[2016]]) / '''''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Transformers: Combiner Wars]]''''' ([[2015]]–[[2018]])
:x


===''Armada''===
*'''''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''''' ([[2014]]–2016)
[[File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|(''First-run Hasbro version pictured'')]]
:x
*'''Sideways with Crosswise and Rook''' (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''MX-01'''
**''Takara release date'': [[April 24]], 2003
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles
{{note|The ''Armada'' figure of [[Sideways (Armada)#Toys|Sideways]] doubles as the 2019 IDW incarnation of Sideways.}}


: First released in the second wave of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' "Super-Con" (aka "Deluxe) class toys, Sideways transforms into a racing motorcycle of made-up model. As with most ''Armada'' toys, virtually all of his [[gimmick]]s are directly tied to Mini-Cons, and Sideways came with two of them: [[Rook (Armada)#Toys|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)#Toys|Crosswise]]. Rook and Crosswise can both ride on Sideways's cycle mode at the same time, held in place on his seat by small tab-slot connections, as can [[Mirror|their combined form]], which was designed to "grip" Sideways's handlebars. His tailpipes become arm-mounted [[Powerlinx]]-activated pressure-launch missile launchers.
*''''''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers: Legends]]''''' (2014–[[2019]])
:x


: In robot mode, Sideways's head can be pushed back into his torso and replaced with Rook or Crosswise in their alternate head configurations. By sliding the Mini-Cons' arms down into Sideways's torso, each one pushes down plates behind Sideways's windshield-chest to reveal either an Autobot or Decepticon symbol. (You don't ''have'' to have the arms push into the torso if you don't want to, as the Mini-Cons attach in head mode just fine by having the arms positioned towards Sideways's back; arguably they fit ''better'' without the chestplates' springs pushing back up against the arms.) The initial run of Sideways toys had Rook reveal the Decepticon symbol and Crosswise reveal the Autobot brand. Later runs corrected this to match the faction-reveal gimmick as portrayed in the cartoon, with Rook forming the "Autobot" head and Crosswise the "Decepticon" head. (Crosswise was also altered to replace his red paint accents with a more Decepticon-y purple, making it easy to tell in-package which version of Sideways it was.)
*'''''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''''' ([[2023]])
:x


==Notes==
==Commemoration franchises==
*This iteration of Sideways on our wiki did not technically have an English name for over a decade, until the Andromeda Facebook page established an English-original incarnation of him in 2016.
*'''''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''''' (2006)
 
:x
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Double Face''' (ダブルフェイス ''Daburu Feisu'')
 
 
----
 
 
=Sideways (ROTF)=
{{disambig3.5|the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Decepticon|the nameless Decepticon in ''Dark of the Moon'' that looks like him|Audi R8 Decepticon|Sideways}}
:''Sideways is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''
 
[[File:Sidewaysrotf.jpg|thumb|300px|Guess what? I'm not [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]! Had you all fooled, didn't I?]]
 
Before the war, '''Sideways''' was a simple courier, so he's not a physical powerhouse like the other Decepticons. As he's pretty smart, Sideways prefers to team up with larger Decepticons in the battle against the [[Autobot]]s. This way, his target-friendly companion takes all the heat! When he absolutely must face the enemy, he eagerly deploys the spinning saw blades on his arms.<ref>''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class Sideways packaging bio</ref>
 
Many would call him a coward, but [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and her sisters know differently. A world-class spy doesn't do anyone any good if he's compromised. He surrounds himself with dangerous traps, yet always leaves an escape route, and has thus far never been captured.<ref>Sideways Sneak Attack packaging bio</ref>
 
Since he's arrived on [[Earth]], Sideways has started hanging out with the mountainous [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]. There are few larger Decepticons to lurk in the shadow of!


{{bigquote|Just 'cause I'd always ''rather'' flee than fight, don't mean I ''can't''!|Sideways|"[[Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune]]"}}
*'''''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]''''' (2006)
:x


==Fiction==
*'''''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]''''' ([[2007]])
:x


===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]''''' ([[2021]])
[[File:ROTF Sideways Chromia.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sideways desperately tries to flee from a rabid fangirl.]]
:x


Sideways was hiding out in [[Shanghai]] with [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] when [[NEST]] came to investigate a possible Decepticon insurgence. At first, the two Decepticons remained concealed, but Demolishor soon transformed and attacked. While the soldiers and their Autobot allies were busy fighting off Demolishor, Sideways took advantage of the chaos and attempted to make his getaway. He was not entirely undetected, however, as [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]] sent out [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|the]] [[Skids (ROTF)|twins]] in pursuit.
*'''''[[Vintage|Vintage Beast Wars]]''''' (2021–2023)
:x


[[File:ROTF Sideways death.jpg|thumb|200px|"No! Please! I was only in the movie for 42 seconds!"]]
*'''''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again]]''''' (2023–[[2024]])
With Arcee and the Twins on his tail, Sideways turned a corner to an apartment complex in his way. Rather than turn and lose momentum, Sideways chucked caution to the wind and transformed, knocking Chromia aside in the process, jumping through the apartment building and out the other side. The Twins were unable to keep up with the chase, and Sideways was soon able to fight off Arcee. Sideways didn't get far, and eventually met his end when [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] engaged in pursuit, transformed, and bisected Sideways as he attempted to flee. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
:x
 
{{note|Sideways's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', and ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel]]'', the comic mini-series ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation]]'', and the storybooks "[[I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)|I Am Optimus Prime]]", "[[Operation Autobot]]", "[[The Last Prime]]", "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Electronic Voice Changer]]", and "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Mix & Match]]".}}
 
===Titan movie comics===
[[File:Titan5_Sidewayssideswipes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Sideways HATES [[Sideways (Armada)|purple motorbikes]]!]]
 
Sideways made an early landing in [[Australia]], with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] pursuing him through its northern territories. With his souped-up sports car alt mode, Sideways had them outclassed on the roads and was able to both outpace the Autobots and batter them about. Eventually, Optimus decided to change the terrain by blasting the Decepticon off the road. While willing to fight, the Decepticon gave up when human reinforcements arrived.
 
However, it became clear (to us, anyway) that he was ''meant'' to get captured as part of a plan to frame [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]: as soon as he was taken to [[Diego Garcia]], [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] arrived to free him. Knocking Arcee aside and using debris as a weapon against humans, Sideways made good his escape. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.5|Reversal of Fortune}}
 
[[File:Titan_deceptitwins.jpg|thumb|250px|''There is nowhere to run THIS time...'']]
 
Unfortunately for Sideways, the other part of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]'s plan was to get Skids and Mudflap into the Decepticons, and there was no escape from the twins talking ''all the time'' and dissing him as an "average, creativity-stifled grunt". When the twins were sent to bring in [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]], he protested that they were halfwits, and was relieved to find out they were just bait and he'd get to kill 'em afterwards.
 
Trailing the twins with [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], he discovered to his disgust that the twins had talked to Ransack instead of fighting. That was "the sort of example that ''so'' needs nipping in the bud", so he and Grindor attacked! Unfortunately for Sideways, the twins were only pretending to defect so they could capture a Decepticon; Mudflap engaged Sideways in a game of chicken, forcing the 'con off the road and straight into a tree. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}}
 
===Toy bios===
Sideways and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] burst from their cover when they found [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] and [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] hunting them. While Rampage confronted Breakaway, Sideways battled Longarm through the streets. {{storylink|#StrikeMission|Autobot Strike Mission}}
 
Long reliant on his high speed to make his getaways, Sideways found himself in shock when the body-modifying [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]] was easily able to keep up with him. {{storylink|#SuperTunerThrowdown|Super Tuner Throwdown}}
 
Besides his speed, Sideways enjoyed using deception to get himself out of trouble. This didn't work very well on [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]], who planned to make the lying Sideways an acquaintance of his fists. Why Sideways decided to change his paintjob for this meeting was anyone's guess. {{storylink|#RollbarVsSideways|Rollbar VS Sideways}}
 
After his defeat (read: bisection) by [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], Sideways "was rebuilt and sent deep undercover to infiltrate the Autobots". During Sideways's sojourn into the Autobot camp, however, [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] and [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] became suspicious of him, and reverted to their old ice cream truck form to keep track of him. Having discovered Sideways's treachery, they planned to prove their worth by defeating him on their own! {{storylink|#SpyBattle|High-Speed Spy Battle}}
 
[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and her sisters [[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-1]] had hunted Sideways in the past, but he always got away. After begging [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the three of them got another shot at bringing him down. Ultimately, they tracked him down in a munitions factory in the middle of a war zone. Could they slip through his dangerous traps, or would he escape again? {{storylink|#SneakAttack|Sideways Sneak Attack}}
 
===IDW movie comics===
Sideways was a crew member aboard the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' during its mission to scour the galaxy for a [[Star Harvester]]. He was apparently wounded when the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]] warped into their ship and damaged it, as he was heard calling out for the [[Scalpel (ROTF)|ship medic]] in the aftermath. Alongside the rest of the crew, Sideways then boarded the ''[[Longshot (DOTM)|Longshot]]'' and pursued the Ark to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Convergence chapter 1}}
 
===''Unite for the Universe''===
Following Sideways's death, his body was kept at the [[N.E.S.T. N.B.E. Resource Redistribution Plant]] in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] waiting to be melted down by [[NEST]]. Before they got a chance to do so, [[Skystalker (ROTF)|Skystalker]] attacked the plant and stole the bodies of Sideways and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], intending to graft parts of them onto [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] as part of [[Project Unite]]. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}}
 
===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] clarified the relationship between Sideways and another [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. There were as many [[Sideways (AVP)|Sidewayses]] as there were variations of [[Tyran 609.23-XP Kappa]], and one of them made their way to the [[Iocus]] [[Universal stream|universal cluster]] via [[Nexus Zero]], while another came from [[Uniend]] and visited a [[Rovio (universal cluster)|Rovio]] [[universal stream]]. The Sideways of [[Tyran 207.28 Gamma]], who was rebuilt following his bisection, originated from [[Fornax 813.0 Gamma]].
 
==Games==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
{{voiceactor|[[John DiMaggio]] (English)|[[Paweł Szczesny]] (Polish), [[Christian Pelissier]] (French)}}
 
====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
[[File:ROTFTheGame_Sideways.jpg|300px|thumb|Bite my colossal, metal ass!]]
 
Sideways operated as a high-speed reconnaissance operative with the ability to snipe at Autobot opponents from afar with his [[plasma sniper rifle]], engage them up-close with his rapid-firing slag repeater, and slow enemies to a crawl with his [[graviton mine]] when he needed to get away. He uses a pair of saws in melee combat.
 
Sideways was deployed to Shanghai after the Autobots and their NEST allies were detected interfering with an important operation in the area. Upon arrival, various [[Protectobot Scout|Protectobot drones]] were sent to stop him, but failed. Later, Sideways was sent to the Shanghai waterfront to retrieve [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]], who had been damaged and captured by the Autobots. The nimble Decepticon sports car used a combination of speed and guile to fight his way through the numerically superior Autobot forces, freed Grindor and escorted his bigger buddy back to the extraction point. He was sent back to the waterfront again find a cloaked Autobot probe that threatened the Decepticon operations in China. Following the probe's wake, Sideways raced through the waterfront past startled human dockworkers and the [[Protectobot Warrior|Protectobot units]] assigned to the area, destroying the probe as it revealed itself. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{--}}
 
=====Autobot campaign=====
The Autobots were deployed to China when NEST forces detected the presence of Decepticons in Shanghai. Sideways secreted himself within the urban jungle and sent waves of [[Stunticon Scout 2|Stunticon drones]] against [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. After the last batch of Stunticons had been defeated, Sideways revealed himself, taking pot shots at the powerful Autobot with his [[slag repeater]], after which he would <s>cheese it</s> flee through the narrow alleyways where Ironhide had difficulty following. While the Autobot struggled to pass the cramped causeways, Sideways set himself up on the roof of the tallest residential block and fired his plasma sniper rifle. Ironhide shrugged off the blasts, clambered up the building, and with a mighty punch, sent Sideways plummeting to the ground, reducing him to scrap. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
 
====PSP====
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PSP)}}
 
====Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons====
=====Decepticons Campaign=====
Sideways was in São Paulo, Brazil when Starscream sent a new recruit to meet up with him and Grindor, but they left the newbie to take care of some Autobot reinforcements. He later defended a piazza from the Autobots in Europe, and was humiliated by Barricade in a race. He later helped to tell the story of [[The Fallen]] to the rookie before heading out on a mission to Shanghai.
 
He later collected some loose Energon around an airport in East Asia and a nuclear silo in the Sahara desert, and also assisted in reviving Megatron.{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons|Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons}}
 
For some reason or another, he did not show up in the final battle. We blame [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]].
 
=====Autobots Campaign=====
Sideways assigned a Decepticon protoform to prevent the Autobots from freeing the hostages at their base in Siberia while he was away on another mission. Later, he attempted to bomb Shanghai's harbor, but was foiled by the Autobot's new recruit. The recruit tracked Sideways down to a supplies ship, and after a long fight, threw a bomb at the Decepticon, blowing him to smitherines, but not before learning about the [[Matrix of Leadership]].{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons|Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons}}
 
====''Revenge of the Fallen Game'' (Wii/PS2)====
In Shanghai, Sideways and Demolishor ransacked a NEST truck, holding an ancient Cybertronian artifact. Sideways took the artifact and escaped. He was chased by Bumblebee through the city and eventually up on the skyline. Bumblebee cornered Sideways on a building, but the Decepticon lept off the building, thus continuing the chase. Trying to retreat, Sideways still had numerous Autobots to deal with on the Shanghai highway. Bumblebee eventually tackled Sideways, but the Decepticon jumped in the air, where he was rescued by Starscream, and mocked the small Autobot as he made his escape.
 
Later, Sideways and Starscream were ordered by The Fallen to raid the US Navy in order to retrieve Megatron's corpse. After Starscream crippled the Navy, Sideways was deployed to go aboard the base. After tearing through the defenses, he activated the crane to pull Megatron out of the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. Megatron was then delivered to the Fallen's lair where he was rebuilt and resurrected. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Wii/PS2)|Revenge of the Fallen (Wii/PS2)}}
 
===''Transformers: The Ride – 3D''===
[[File:TransformersTheRide-BumblebeeSideways.jpg|right|thumb|Find out what I look like when I don't spend all of my 3-second appearance jumping  through a building.]]
Sideways, along with [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]], simultaneously infiltrated [[NEST | NEST HQ]] in an attempt to retrieve the [[AllSpark|AllSpark shard]] from the humans. While Ravage retrieved the shard, Sideways came to intercept him in the main hangar, with the Autobot warrior, [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], in hot pursuit. Bumblebee sideswiped Sideways as they swerved into the hangar, causing him to lose control and lose a tire. Sideways, temporarily incapacitated by the blow, failed to stop Bumblebee from dispatching Ravage and passing the shard to [[Evac (Ride)|Evac]], the newly recruited NEST soldier transport, who had pursued Ravage to the site. After gaining his wits, he quietly approached from behind and kicked Bumblebee, knocking him down. While the Autobot was briefly stunned, Sideways quickly tried to retrieve the shard from Evac's hand. Recovering faster than Sideways had counted on, Bumblebee got up, and swiftly knocked Sideways's left arm right out of the socket. He was finally killed when Bumblebee came upon him, snapped his neck, and threw his body across the room, granting Evac time to escape with the humans and shard. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ride – 3D}}
{{--}}
 
==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Legends Class====
[[File:ROTF-toy_Legends_Sideways.jpg|thumb|300px|Bite my tiny metal ass!]]
*'''Sideways''' (Legends Class, [[2009]])
**''EZ Collection number'': '''EZ-12'''
 
:Part of the 4th wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Legends Class figures, Sideways transforms into an unlicensed approximation of an Audi R8. He features ball jointed hips and arms for articulation. Like the Deluxe version, the car lacks the wide black stripe from the movie.
 
:This mold was [[redeco]]ed to make [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] [[Override (TF 2010)|Override]]. It was also [[retool]]ed to make [[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]] Series 2 [[Dino|Mirage]] (hands altered to hold 3mm pegs, peg holes added to doors), then that version [[redeco]]ed into [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'']] [[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]]. The mold was also re-released as part of the 2nd Volume of the [[EZ Collection]] lineup. And despite the stock photos showing silver painted rims, the final product lacks them.
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/LegSideways/sideways.htm More information on Legends Sideways at TFU.info]''
{{--}}
 
====Deluxe Class====
[[File:ROTF Deluxe Sideways.jpg|300px|thumb|"Seriously, how could you mistake me for [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]?"]]
[[File:ROTFtoy-Dark Sideways.jpg|300px|thumb|"I mean, he's ''black'', and I'm ''dark silver''. Those are two ''completely'' different colors."]]
*'''Sideways''' (Deluxe Class, 2009)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-05'''
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)}}
 
:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Deluxes, Sideways features [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]] action during the conversion from car to robot mode. When the front bumper is pressed, his front pair of wheels automatically flip underneath the hood, and his robot abs flip down. His [[Mech Alive]] gimmickry are the internal gears moving in his fore-arms when moving his arms, as well as a turning disk on each of his elbows. On his right arm is a spinning "saw" blade.
 
:Unlike the other on-screen characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' who turn into consumer vehicles, Sideways's vehicle mode is merely an unlicensed approximation of an {{w|Audi R8}} and is not an accurate replica. Sideways is missing the black hood, roof and trunk lid seen on the real car, as well as the unique silver stripes on top of the black areas seen on the [http://www.goapr.com/media/photos/72157608711603341/3007741893/ APR-tuned Audi R8], which was the car used in the movie.
 
:Yet another victim of late mold changes rampant among the 2008-2009 financial crisis, Sideways appears to have had a hinged thumb on his left hand in Hasbro stock photos whereas this is a solid section molded on to the arm on the final toy. Although not indicated on any early photos nor instructions, Sideways's windshield underside has two notches that connect to Sideways's hood on small square pegs immediately behind the front wheels. This requires folding up the two small triangular pieces on top of the hood. Also it seems as if the spinning saw blade was originally powered by gears, the gearbox and shaft for the lever can still be seen on his right forearm but are molded just like his thumb onto the arm.
 
:Along with [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], Sideways was initially released in two color schemes, a light silver version and a less common very dark silver version. If you move the headlights, doors and legs of the lighter Sideways to the darker one, allowing for a dark hood and roof, and silver everywhere else, it helps to make for a slightly more movie-accurate Sideways. However, the stripes will still be missing.
 
:This mold was retooled into the Deluxe Class version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]] and ''Movie Advanced Series'' [[Dino]].
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Sideways at TFU.info]''
 
{{-}}{{anchor|Deluxe2Pack}}
[[File:ROTF Wheelie Sideways 2-pack.jpg|300px|thumb|"Well, at least it ain't the crazy guy with the stabby hands..."]]
*'''Autobot Wheelie vs. Decepticon Sideways''' (Two-pack, 2009)
 
:An unchanged version of the dark silver variant of Sideways (now called "Decepticon Sideways" for symmetry with "Autobot Wheelie") was released in a two-pack, alongside an unchanged version of [[Wheelie (ROTF)#Deluxe2Pack|Wheelie]]. This two-pack has been confirmed to have been released as a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive in the United Kingdom and Germany, and as a Target exclusive in Australia.
 
{{-}}{{anchor|StrikeMission}}
[[File:ROTFAutobotStrikeMission.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Autobot Strike Mission''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
 
:Available as a [[Sam's Club]]-[[exclusive]], this "battle damaged" version of Sideways was packed with the 2007 movie [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]].
 
{{-}}{{anchor|SuperTunerThrowdown}}
[[File:ROTFtoy-BlowpipeSideways.jpg|thumb|300px|"Just face the facts. You're not leaving this toyline without at least one of me."]]
*'''Super Tuner Throwdown''' (two-pack, 2009)
 
:Another release of Sideways was available with [[Blowpipe (ROTF)|Blowpipe]] as a [[Walmart]] exclusive. It is identical to the single-packed darker version of Sideways.
{{--}}
 
====''Fast Action Battlers''====
[[File:Sideways ROTF FAB toy.jpg|300px|thumb|''"Do your arms hang low...?"'']]
*'''Magna Missile Sideways''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile
 
:''[[Fast Action Battlers]]'' Magna Missile Sideways is a simplified toy that transforms into a somewhat cutesified car mode. Its right arm features a firing missile sculpted to resemble Sideways's buzzsaw weapon. The toy's robot mode has the entire sides of the car becoming his arms, making this toy even more similar to Barricade than Sideways's movie CG and Deluxe class toy robot design. Like most of the Sideways toys and merchandise (bar the Deluxe & Legends class figures), he features screen-accurate black paint on his vehicle hood, roof and trunk.
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/FABSideways/sideways.htm More information on Magna Missile Sideways at TFU.info]''
{{--}}
 
===''Transformers'' (2010)===
{{anchor|SpyBattle}}
[[File:TargetHighSpeedSpyBattle.jpg|thumb|300px|Now you can recreate your favorite 10 second scene from the film.]]
*'''High-Speed Spy Battle''' (Multi-pack, [[2010]])
 
:This [[Target]]-exclusive multi-pack contains a redeco of Sideways that features a reversal of the red plastic parts with some of the black ones and uses clear red on the front headlights instead of the original's plain transluscent ones packaged with a ridiculously mud-caked version of the deluxe [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]/[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ice cream truck.
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/TargetSideways/sideways.htm More information on High-Speed Spy Battle Sideways at TFU.info]''
 
{{-}}{{anchor|SneakAttack}}
[[File:TF2010toy sideways sneak attack.jpg|300px|thumb|Hopefully when you open this it won't split into two pieces.]]
*'''Sideways Sneak Attack''' (Multi-pack)
 
:This [[Target]]-exclusive multi-pack is based on Sideways's scene in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and contains a redeco of his Deluxe-class toy in movie-accurate colors. He's even adorned with a "cut" [[paint operation]] straight across his vehicle mode, replicating the lethal wound given to him by Sideswipe. The set contains Legends-class toys of [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]], and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-1]].
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}
 
===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Deluxe-ROTF-Sideways.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Does not come with circular saw accessory to help you split him in two.]]
*'''Sideways''' (Deluxe Class, [[2022]])
**''Movie'': '''''Revenge of the Fallen'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''88'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-91'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[October]], 2022'''
**''Accessories'': Gun, "Shanghai Pursuit" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Sam Smith]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>Sam Smith's [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd9OUJIOVZa/ Instagram post] about Studio Series Sideways</ref>
 
:Released in ''[[Studio Series]]''' 17th wave, Sideways is a movie-accurate version of the character that transforms into an unlicensed approximation of his Audi R8 vehicle mode. Sideways, in a first for the line, comes with a gun that, while not movie-accurate (seeing as he had less than a minute of screentime), is ''game''-accurate, being from the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' game (specifically, the PS2/Wii version). The gun itself can clip into either of his hands or to the rear of his vehicle mode (and therefore his back in robot mode). Like the other ''Studio Series'' toys, the interior of the package forms a display backdrop, depicting Sideways's escape through the streets of Shanghai before being bisected by Sideswipe.
 
:Oddly, his head is completely coated in silver paint, omitting the black parts seen in his official CGI model and previous toys of the character. This change is even reflected in the new CGI render on the front of his box.
 
:Unfortunately, some copies of Sideways have very loose ankle joints, meaning he can be quite difficult to stand up. This is due to his very thin leg design, as well as most of the figure's mass being included in and around the upper half of Sideways. However, one can use Sideways's gun to help with his stability by having him holding it down to the point where it touches the surface Sideways is standing on.
 
:Sideways and his wavemates were revealed on [[May 10]], 2022, with preorders coming up the same day. Unusually for a modern ''Generations'' release, Sideways was revealed by [[TakaraTomy]] before [[Hasbro]], which usually unveils upcoming toys before or simultaneously with TakaraTomy.
{{--}}
 
==Merchandise==
===RPMs - ''Robot Powered Machines''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-SidewaysRPM.jpg|300px|thumb|Sideways? More like UNDERside! OH!]]
*'''Sideways''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle, 2009)
**''Series'': '''Speed Series'''
**''Number'': '''01 of 04'''
{{toydesigner|[[Alex Androski]] (deco artist)}}
 
:Number one in a series of four [[Robot Powered Machines]] Mini-Vehicle single packs, Sideways is an non-transformable Hot Wheels-like car, unless you count his robot mode being sculpted and painted onto his underside. The toy features through-axle construction that allows it to zip along at fast speeds on flat surfaces.
 
:This mold was retooled to make ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Wreckloose (ROTF)|Wreckloose]], and later straight-up redecoed to make the ''[[Speed Stars]]'' version of Wreckloose.
 
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/RPMSideways/sideways.htm More information on Speed Series Sideways at TFU.info]''
 
{{-}}{{anchor|RollbarVsSideways}}
[[File:ROTF_RPM_Rollbar vs Sideways.jpg|thumb|300px|Hey, do I preach to you while you're lying stoned in the gutter? No, so beat it!]]
*'''Rollbar vs Sideways''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle, 2009)
**''Series'': '''Battle Series'''
**''Number'': '''08'''
 
:The second release of Sideways comes packaged with [[Rollbar (RPM)|Rollbar]]. Sideways's new colours resemble the Deluxe class version of [[Dead End (ROTF)|Dead End]].
{{--}}
 
===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroessideswipesideways.jpg|thumb|300px|My shiny metal saw will bite ''you!'']]
*'''Sideswipe & Sideways''' (Two-pack, 2009)
:Sideways is part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#Robot Heroes|Sideswipe]]. He has rotational articulation at both shoulders and extremely limited neck articulation. Curiously, he holds a chainsaw-like blade in his hand, rather than it being integrated into wheel-kibble on his wrist. However, this is pretty close to how his weapon actually works in the official video game; when Sideways fights in melee, his wheel-blades spread out to form razor-edged ovals, presumably for added reach.
 
{{-}}{{anchor|RHShanghai}}
[[File:Robotheroestwinswidewaysprimedemolishorsideswipe.jpg|thumb|300px|The Twins aren't the only vehicle that splits in two in this scene.]]
*'''Shanghai Shootout''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
:"Shanghai Shootout" replicates the opening action scene from ''Revenge of the Fallen'', featuring figurines of [[Skids (ROTF)#RHShanghai|Skids]] & [[Mudflap (ROTF)#RHShanghai|Mudflap]] in ice cream truck mode, Sideways in vehicle mode, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#RHShanghai|Optimus Prime]], [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Robot Heroes|Demolishor]], and [[Sideswipe (Movie)/toys#RHShanghai|Sideswipe]] in vehicle mode.
{{--}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
*Due to licensing issues with Audi and the writers' strike, Sideways's role was dramatically altered and he was nearly taken out of the script entirely. Originally, Sideways was going to escape the first wave of his Autobot pursuers by using Demolishor as a distraction. After Demolishor's death, Sideways would have been cornered and engaged by Sideswipe in robot mode. At this point, it would have been Sideways, not Demolishor, who would have dropped the Fallen's name when he threatened Sideswipe during the fight. Ultimately, the scene was never finished. Audi backed out of the licensing agreement and the scene was rewritten to focus on Demolishor. Audi later decided that they did want their product featured, so a pre-visualization animation of Sideswipe bisecting a Lamborghini (included in the movie DVD's and Blu-ray Disc's bonus material) was reworked to feature an Audi R8 being sliced in half instead. Some toys reference the deleted fight; most of Sideways's toys feature a chainsaw weapon that he did not have in the film, and Human Alliance Sideswipe's box art depicts a diorama scene of Sideways attacking him in robot mode.
*Machine Wars note
*According to designer [[Hisashi Yuki]], the wheels on the hands were a rushed late addition due to a design change in the movie character model.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/interviews-27/takaratomy-staff-interview-translation-hisashi-yuki-rotf-rid-prime-bt-skids-and-bwn-unicron-168426/ Hisashi Yuki interview from Takaratomy]</ref> This is why the hand tires are not integrated more properly into the toy.
*Sideways's license plate in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' reads "269 FPJT". It can be briefly seen twice; however, the only time it's seen in its entirety, just before [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] splices Sideways in half, the letters and numbers are mirrored, implying that the shot was mirrored in editing.
*[[Chris Mowry]] had planned for Barricade to appear and be turned into Sideways in ''[[Transformers: Alliance]]'', but Hasbro rejected the idea.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/mowry-73165-page3.html#vmessage170099 Comment on Mowry's TFW2005 profile]</ref>
*His 2011 Hasbro bio gave him a new quote (one based on what he'd said in the Titan issue quoted up top!) along with a revamped bio that factored in his sniping ability from the console version of the Revenge of the Fallen video game.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm#/unique/sideways Vector Sigma: Sideways]</ref>
 
===Audi licensing===
*When {{w|Audi}} was looking to win screen time for one of its cars in the summer films during 2009, Ruben Igielko-Herrlich, a marketing consultant from Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing, helped the company to find an opportunity in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. Ruben talked the movie's staff into finding a role for the {{w|Audi R8}}. Ultimately, an Audi R8 appears in the film as Sideways. Thus, Sideways became the only car Transformer in the movie whose alternate mode is not manufactured by [[General Motors]].<ref name="audi">[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139068367113.htm Hollywood's Blockbuster Role for Product Placement - BusinessWeek]</ref>
*The design of Sideways's vehicle mode appears to be based off an [https://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/01/sema-2007-apr-audi-r8/ Audi R8 tuned by APR], that was on display at the Michelin booth at {{w|SEMA}} 2007.
*Sideways's toys and merchandise are not licensed by Audi, and are thus merely approximations of the R8. However, Sideways's appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' video games]] is fully licensed, so he is accurate to the car used in the film and has Audi's logos and signage.
 
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sideways''' (サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Mellékút''' ("Detour")


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


 
<nowiki>[[Category:Beast Era| ]]
----
[[Category:Fan terminology]]</nowiki>-->
 
 
=Sideways (Animated)=
{{disambig3|Sideways}}
:''Sideways is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Animated continuity family]].''
[[File:Sidewaysanimated.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He might change his mind about Shanghai [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|once he gets there]].]]
 
There's [[Circular reporting#Sideways|something up]] with that '''Sideways'''...
 
==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
Shortly before the [[AllSpark]] was hidden in space by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], Sideways arrived from another dimension and joined the Decepticons. Land General Sideways was responsible for overseeing the [[Silvart War]], where he was captured by [[Primal Major]] and prepared for transportation back to Cybertron on board the ''[[Alpha Supreme|Axalon]]''. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] speculated that  thanks to the General's [[Trans-phase mode|Trans-Phase Generator]], Sideways broke free of his restraints and sabotaged the engine, causing the ''Axalon'' and its crew to succumb to a black hole.
 
Since Sideways was never seen again, Longarm Prime suspects Sideways was trying to get to some place called "[[Shanghai]]", which he frequently mentioned. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}
 
===Ask Sideways===
Known liar [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] claimed that he was also ''this'' Sideways, and that he had deliberately used the black hole to slingshot himself to the [[Tyran]] universal cluster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways, 8/7/2015}}
{{-}}
==Notes==
[[File:Gens 2011 v1 Sideways.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|Rejected for not confusing the wiki enough.]]
*Sideways was designed by [[Javier O. Reyes]].<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/javierreyes/art/Allspark-Almanac-II-172418598 Allspark Almanac II] at Javier Reyes' DeviantArt</ref>
*An unused design for Sideways seen in ''[[Transformers Generations 2011 Volume 1]]'' was based directly on [[Sideways (Armada)|''Armada'' Sideways]], unlike the final version which incorporated elements of [[Sideways (ROTF)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways]] at [[Jim Sorenson]]'s request.<ref>Comment by Jimsorenson on the [https://discord.gg/N99Bygq Transformers Wiki Discord server], [https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1030935101149827174 15 October 2022] — "Yeah that's what it was. Adding ROTF elements was a specific note from me to Javier IIRC"</ref>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sideways''' (サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
 
 
----
 
 
=Sideways (AVP)=
{{disambig3|Sideways}}
[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.8|"He's Sideways! ''He's'' Sideways! ''You're'' Sideways! '''''I'm''''' Sideways! Are there any other Sidewayses I should know about?"]]
If you encounter a 'bot going by the name '''Sideways''', do not trust him! Throughout the [[multiverse]], the name is associated with cheats and liars. Most oftentimes, a Sideways's allegiances are to be questioned. Many of them claim to be helpful allies, but more often than not, they work for a [[Unicron|greater evil]]. Some would assume Sideways to be cowardly, but their true strength oftentimes lies in their speed and their cunning. A quick getaway today can assure that greater machinations come to fruition tomorrow. These particular Sidewayses are known to possess dimension-hopping capabilities, and tracking which Sideways is responsible for what in whatever universe can be a tad confusing. Some of them have claimed to travel to other universes to slaughter and impersonate their native counterpart, or that Sidewayses are cloned from one another to fulfill their roles in multiple parallel events. Sidewayses are true sowers of confusion, and even if one were able to see past all the lies, one would still be hard-pressed to make sense of the chaos that they leave in their wake.
 
{{bigquote|Oh, I confuse you, do I? Shocking, because normally I'm SOOOOO straight-forward. Lemmie break this down for you real simple. Everything you think you know about me was a lie told by me to confuse someone, or conjecture from someone who'd be in no position to know. So yeah, maybe I'm a fragment of Unicron, because maybe Planet X used to BE Unicron. And maybe I'm his avatar made manifest and untethered once he collapsed into a giant singularity. And maybe I'm from the Cybertronian Empire. And maybe I'm just an ordinary Autobot who went crazy from Powerlinxing to the wrong Mini-Cons. Maybe I'm all of those things, or none.
 
And you know what the best part is? You'll. Never. Know.|Sideways on his identity situation, [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways]]}}
 
==Fiction==
===Ask Vector Prime===
According to [[Vector Prime]], the dimension-hopping Sidewayses of the multiverse included:
* The [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] of [[Tyran 509.12 Zeta]], who traveled to [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|Aurex 402.0 Gamma]].
* A [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] from the [[Viron]] cluster, who traveled to [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha]], and made his way to "at least two or three other clusters" after that.
* Multiple separate [[Sideways (ROTF)#Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC|Sidewayses]] from [[Tyran 609.23-XP Kappa]], at least one of which traveled to the [[Iocus]] cluster via [[Nexus Zero]].
* A Sideways from the [[Uniend]] cluster who briefly visited a [[Rovio (universal cluster)|Rovio]] stream.
* A [[Sideways (Armada)#Kre-O comic|Sideways]] from [[Fornax 813.0 Gamma]], who traveled to [[Tyran 207.28 Gamma]], survived being bisected, and was sent undercover to infiltrate [[Primax]] Autobots.
Vector Prime hoped this would clarify things, which was nice of him, if perhaps a little naive. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|Ask Vector Prime, The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}
 
===''TransTech''===
[[File:Ask Sideways.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"Waa waa that's a different Sideways? Wait until I post a Tarantulas pic as my profile, losers."]]
Sideways took part in ''[[Cybertron's Got Talent]]'', where his double-[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] [[Combi-Micromaster]] companions gave him an edge. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/14}}
 
Sideways kidnapped Vector Prime and seized control of his [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|ANN Q&A column]] and, after cheerily saying he's probably lying about everything, went on to claim:
 
* He killed [[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]], [[Ursa Magnus]], the [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]], the [[Micronaut]]s and [[Rom|Rom the Space Knight]], and [[John F. Kennedy|President Kennedy]].
* He stranded the ''[[Daniel Boone (ship)|Daniel Boone]]'' in the ''[[Robotix]]'' cartoon.
* He destroyed the [[Gargent 984.08 Alpha]] universe by messing with [[Gobotron]]'s [[Omega Lock]]s and tuning into [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]] because he hates [[GoBot]]s.
* He accidentally let the [[Dark Spark]] escape.
* He met his Mini-Cons on {{w|Tinder (application)|Tinder}}.
* He says he is that Skateboarding Pretender from the Pretenders commercial.
* He totally wrapped up "[[Primeval Dawn]]", honest, (pbbt!) would he lie to you?
* He loves the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] and thinks they totally rock (this one's probably true).
* He goes by the name "Road Hog" in the [[Rovio (universal cluster)|Rovio]] universal cluster.
* He drunk with [[Discord (MLP)|Discord]] under the table at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]].
* He was rebuilt by [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] following [[Sideways (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen film|his bisection in Shanghai]].
 
He also thought [[you]]r nerdy demands to classify minor trivia were lame and told you so on numerous occasions. And he insulted [[Your mom (disambiguation)|your mom]]. Yeah, [[you]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Ask Sideways|Ask Sideways}}
 
[[File:Asksidewaysheadasplode.gif|thumb|left|BOOM, headshot!]]
Eventually, the TransTech tracked him down by detecting the questions ''you'' sent Sideways from [[Quadwal|your world]]. Their efforts to breach his fortress were stymied by an [[Absolute Terror Field]], but then he fielded a question from [[David Willis|Walky]] so painful his head literally exploded. That's for our mums, Sideways! However, his Mini-Con associate [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] then executed a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] sequence with Sideways, and the combined body taunted the TransTechs before fleeing the universal stream via [[Dimensional Interfacer]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/07/08}}
{{-}}
 
===Echoes and Fragments===
While at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] on a [[Primax]] reality's Cybertron, a Sideways encountered the dimension-hopping [[Renegade]] [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]]. Taking advantage of Gong's love for mischief, Sideways convinced Gong to have a contest to see who could cause the best changes in spacetime by tampering with the [[Omega Lock]]s of both Cybertron and [[Gargent 186.0 Gamma|a Gargent reality]]'s [[Gobotron]]. The alterations to the Primax reality caused chaotic changes as the historically crucial [[Unicron War]] was in progress, prompting [[Maccadam|the bartender]] to contact his brother [[Vector Prime|Vec-Tor]] to stop the dimensional changes. Ultimately, Vec-Tor succeeded, leaving Sideways at the mercy of Gong, who was angry at having been manipulated. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}
 
==Toys==
{{main|Sideways (RID)#Toys}}
{{main|Sideways (Armada)#Toys}}
{{main|Sideways (ROTF)#Toys}}
 
==Conceptual history==
{{main|Circular reporting#Sideways}}
The idea of Sideways being a dimensional traveler who's the same across his cross-continuity appearances has been built up over time, with fans and writers extrapolating wildly from loose connections between his earliest incarnations.
 
The original [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], a 2002 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' toy, was packaged with [[Axer (G1)|Axer]], whose on-package [[bio]] was adapted near verbatim from his original [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[Tech Spec]], with new material implying he'd crossed dimensions via a black hole.<ref>[https://toys.tfw2005.com/axer-662 ''Robots in Disguise'' Axer's package bio]</ref> The online bio for ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] toy, released a few months later, similarly matched that of the ''Robots in Disguise'' character,<ref>[https://toys.tfw2005.com/sideways-2-643 ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways's package bio]</ref> with new material suggesting that his duplicity was the result of being pulled in two mental directions by his [[Mini-Con]]s<ref>[https://toys.tfw2005.com/sideways-with-rook-and-crosswise-814 ''Armada'' Sideways's online bio]</ref>—an aspect ignored by both cartoons and comics, which simply portrayed him as a pure agent of [[Unicron]]. Fans reasoned that if Axer was a dimension-hopper, then Sideways must be too.
 
It was misinformation surrounding the 2004 Japan-only ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' franchise that kicked this idea into overdrive. In Japan, the Sideways/Axer two-pack had been imported unchanged as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, while the Sideways from ''Armada'' (known in Japan as ''Legends of the Microns'') was called "Doubleface"—the [[Sideways (RM)|''Robotmasters'' Double Face]] toy was named, colored, and described in bio in homage to this character. This alone would not imply them to be the exact same individual, but at the time fans understood the ''Robotmasters'' story to be about Transformers converging from various time periods ''and dimensions'', not unlike the contemporaneous ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' series—when in truth, it's only time travel taking place within the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|main Japanese continuity]]. Cementing this idea was a claim that the ''Robotmasters'' website had included a note declaring Double Face's first toy to be the earlier imported ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways figure—a claim that, years later, would be found to be totally spurious, with no evidence of such a note ever having existed.
 
Sideways subsequently appeared in the 2005 ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' franchise, intended by Hasbro to be the same faction-swapping character from ''Armada'' (a fact cemented by supplemental material like ''[[Ask Vector Prime]]''). This idea was dropped in Japan, where he was again given an entirely different new name, "Noisemaze", with the cartoon—which was created to be separate from ''Armada'' and ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)| Energon]]''—treating him as a new character.
 
In the 2009 movie ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)| Revenge of the Fallen]]'', a character called [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] appeared, with absolutely nothing else connecting him to any prior Sidewayses. However, riffing on the by-then-common fandom perception of the character, 2011's ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The Allspark Almanac II]]'' cheekily presented an ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' "[[Sideways (Animated)|Land General Sideways]]" whose design combined aspects of the ''Armada'', ''Cybertron'' and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' characters, explicitly described as hailing from another dimension and implied to go on to become ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways. Hidden ''Ask Vector Prime'' text in the Almanac's 2015 compilation successor ''[[Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete Allspark Almanac]]'' would go on to explicitly state that, while not all incarnations of Sideways are the same exact character, ''all'' prior incarnations of Sideways were dimensional travelers who had crossed between multiple [[Universal stream|universal clusters]].
 
Of course, if all that seems confusing, it's nothing compared to the subsequent [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Facebook-based ''Ask Vector Prime'' feature]]. Helmed by ''Almanac'' author [[Jim Sorenson]], the online column was for a time taken over by Sideways himself, sporting the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' character's design and a goofy, snarky personality similar to that of ''Cybertron'' Sideways. This Sideways claimed to have been the one behind pretty much every instance of the character seen in the past, as well as many, many other events and disasters across the multiverse—however, in a depiction that seems even more fitting in retrospect, he was a self-admitted liar who seemingly took delight in confusing and frustrating everyone.
 
Given the ambiguity that results from a mixture of retcons and unreliable narrators, and the potentially enormous user-unfriendliness of [[#The Complete AllSpark Almanac|sticking strictly to the "canon" versions]] of the character, we have decided to present each [[continuity family]]'s version(s) of Sideways on their own page, with the confusing web of dimension-hopping, mischief-making Sidewayses who may or may not be the same or different Sidewayses as those from each continuity family grouped together on this page.
 
==References==
{{reflist}}

Latest revision as of 19:45, 7 May 2026

The Stage of Battle is the 2nd War... Beast Wars, Maximize!!

[edit]
Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers catalog story

You have NO idea how much strife this one little catalog story has caused.
"The Stage of Battle is the 2nd War... Beast Wars, Maximize!!"
闘いの舞台は2 (セカンド)戦争... ...ビーストウォーズ、変身!!
(Tatakai no Butai wa Sekando Sensō...Bīsuto Wōzu, Henshin!!)
First published Spring 1998
Continuity Its own (see "Continuity" below)
Packaged with Spring 1998 Japanese Beast Wars toy releases

New leaders are appointed as a new war begins.

Synopsis

[edit]

While Optimus Primal and Megatron are off fighting their own life-or-death struggle, a new conflict, the "2nd War", is about to unfold on a planet within a star system located in a remote part of the galaxy. The participants of this conflict are members of the heroic Maximal Space Guard and the evil Predacon Armored Corps, respectively. Their battle is fought over a mysterious weapon hidden in ancient ruins of the planet, a weapon known as the "Great King of Angolmois". It is said that the victor of this conflict, be it Maximal or Predacon, will be decided in the seventh month of the Cosmic Year 1999.

The leaders of both sides of this new conflict are introduced by each of their immediate predecessors. Megatron introduces Galvatron as the New Emperor of Destruction, and recalls a time when, back on Cybertron, the two once disagreed over how to conquer the universe. This led to a fight between the two, in which Galvatron bested Megatron after catching him off guard. Though he now acknowledges Galvatron's ambition and his care for those under his command, Megatron also begrudgingly admits that Galvatron may hold enough dignity to succeed him as Emperor.

Meanwhile, Optimus Primal introduces the new Maximal leader, Lio Convoy, who was originally an ace in the Maximal Space Guard. Optimus notes that he is strong, valiant, and even kind, but also, admittedly, a bit too frank at times. Nevertheless, Optimus considers him to be an ideal leader, and remains hopeful that he can count on Lio Convoy to do all that he can to help maintain peace throughout the universe.

[edit]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Maximals Predacons

Quotes

[edit]

Galvatron: "Your time is over, Megatron!"


Lio Convoy: "Please leave it to me! Optimus, sir!!"

Continuity

[edit]

This catalog story was originally written for the express purpose of explaining the premise of the then-upcoming Japanese-original series Beast Wars II, which had been created to fill the gap left by the delayed Japanese release of the second and third seasons of the American Beast Wars cartoon. Once the first season had finished airing, it would be succeeded by the Beast Wars II animated series, along with an accompanying manga series published by Comic BomBom. This little story was released about a month ahead the Beast Wars II cartoon's debut, and attempted to explain just how Beast Wars II was supposed to fit into the continuity of the American Beast Wars cartoon.

Timeframe

[edit]
This didn't happen.

As described above in the Synopsis, it is stated that Beast Wars II is set concurrent to the Beast Wars fought between Optimus Primal and Megatron on what was, at the time, not yet revealed to be prehistoric Earth[1] (in Japan, the planet was instead known as "Energoa" prior to its reveal as Earth). But, it was not initially made clear if this meant it took place during the same timeframe as the Beast Wars (since the time travel aspect had not yet been confirmed in the Japanese dub) or if took place in the far future timeframe that Optimus Primal and Megatron's crews had originally come from before traveling back in time to prehistoric Earth. Needless to say, the latter became the most widespread interpretation once it was made clear on both sides of the Pacific that the American Beast Wars cartoon was set on Earth in prehistoric times. Additional support for this interpretation came from the setting Beast Wars II itself, Gaia—a post-apocalyptic planet overrun by plant and wildlife—which bore a strong resemblance to Earth (with the manga making even more explicit hints to the planet's identity by featuring city ruins that heavily resembled Tokyo). The manga even featured guest appearances by Optimus Primal that depicted him as native to the timeframe of Beast Wars II. This notion even bled back over into some American media, with the Beast Wars toy bio for Transmetals 2 Cybershark alluding to the Beast Wars II Seacons as his contemporaries, while the Beast Machines bio for Dinobots Magmatron positioned the events of Beast Wars Neo as having occurred before Beast Machines.

By the thirty-sixth episode of Beast Wars II, it was revealed that Gaia's ancient inhabitants hadn't lived on the planet for several tens of thousands of years, which placed Beast Wars II that far into the future. Conversely, the thirteenth episode of the American Beast Wars cartoon stated that the cast of that show originally hailed from only three centuries into the future.[2] However, the specific "three centuries" line from the English version had actually been omitted from the Japanese dub of the episode, so there was no contradiction there. That said, a few discrepancies did eventually begin to crop up in the immediate sequel series to Beast Wars II, Beast Wars Neo. Namely, Beast Wars Neo opened with explicit confirmation that the Maximals and Predacons were at war with each other, and had been for some time, while in the first episode of the American cartoon, Optimus Primal stated that the Maximals and Predacons were instead at peace with each other, and had been for centuries (this line was kept faithfully in the Japanese dub). Likewise, the supercomputer Vector Sigma was shown to be a known public figure on Cybertron, residing in a tower as the highest authority on the planet. By contrast, the first episode of the American Beast Wars sequel series Beast Machines showed that Vector Sigma had long ago evolved into a new form called the Oracle, and presented it as a long lost legend hidden deep within the planet (though, to be fair, since Beast Wars Neo was made first, there was no way the Japanese production staff could have predicted the future developments of Beast Machines).

Optimus Primal and Megatron

[edit]
This didn't happen either.

Besides the timeframe discrepancies, there were other factors that ended up contradicting this catalog story's depiction of Optimus Primal and Megatron. The two are presented here as Maximal and Predacon authority figures in positions of power that allow them to appoint other individuals with official titles of leadership; Optimus in particular is treated as Lio Convoy's senior officer. This is in stark contrast to how, in the English version of Beast Wars, Optimus was merely the captain of a science vessel, while Megatron was, indeed, originally perceived as the main leader of all Predacons in the cartoon's first season, but changes made during the show's second season revealed that he was instead a wannabe tyrant with delusions of grandeur, and was considered a criminal on Cybertron even by his own people (but, like the Vector Sigma contradiction, there was no way the Japanese could have predicted what the second season would change after the first season). Nonetheless, the first-season depiction of Megatron as a true leader likely influenced the depictions of Predacon leaders Galvatron and Magmatron in Beast Wars II and Neo, respectively. Both were the captains of their own spacefaring vessels, were known by all as fearsome emperors, and answered to no higher authorities within the Predacon ranks. This stood in contrast to how, later in Beast Wars, the Tripredacus Council was revealed to be the true head of government for the Predacons, with Megatron being labeled a dangerous renegade.

The early Japanese depiction of Optimus Primal and Megatron as high-ranking Maximal and Predacon leaders seems to have stemmed from an early perception of the two that originally pegged them as being the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes, Optimus Prime and Megatron. When the original Beast Wars toyline started up in 1996, the earliest toy bios and pack-in comic presented the Maximals and Predacons on present-day Earth and as just Autobots and Decepticons having been upgraded by "Bio-Genetic Engineering". While this idea was dropped when the Beast Wars cartoon came along, it seems Takara hadn't quite gotten the memo over in Japan, as the earliest Japanese toy bios for Optimus and Megatron were based on their earliest American toy bios, with both giving them the lofty titles of "Supreme Commander" and "Emperor of Destruction" just like their namesakes. Optimus Primal was even given the same Japanese name as Optimus Prime, "Convoy", and his toy bio treated him as if he was the same Convoy of old. Special Japanese-only redeco toys even mentioned a "trailer truck" and a "Walther P-38" as having been Primal and Megatron's previous altmodes. Likewise, the Maximal and Predacon factions themselves were given the same Japanese names as those of the Autobot and Decepticon faction, being "Cybertron" and "Destron", respectively, in a seeming attempt to remove as much distinction between the two sets of factions as possible.

This perception even appeared to bleed over into other Japanese Beast Wars media: The third chapter of the Beast Wars II manga featured a short bio for Optimus Primal that described him as "A fierce fighter who has fought against the Destron army for thousands of years."[3] And when he later guest-starred in the Beast Wars II movie, he was depicted as a "legendary Supreme Commander" that everyone knew and was in awe of, complete with his own Matrix. That same movie also had Galvatron refer to a "Megatron" as "the greatest and most vicious legendary Transformer in history." But, it was never clarified if this grandiose description was in reference to Generation 1 or Beast Wars Megatron... likely because, at the time, the movie treated the two as if they were the same person, just as it seemed to do for Optimus (Although, when Lio Convoy and Optimus Primal first interacted with each other in the movie, Lio Convoy at one point asks "Please forgive me. But, who are you?" when looking directly at Optimus, casting some doubt over whether they actually knew each other beforehand like this catalog story claimed).

BUT, within the Japanese dub of the Beast Wars cartoon's first season itself, this perception was not the case. While the dub did insert references to Optimus being a Supreme Commander and Megatron being Emperor of Destruction, the dub was more or less accurate on the matter to the original English version. The two were never described as being the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes, and even when the Decepticon Starscream made his famous guest appearance, the episode's Japanese dub made it even more explicit than the English version that Megatron had no familiarity with him at all.[4] Consequently, this show of restraint by the dub turned out to be fortuitous in the long run, as the later two seasons of the series made it abundantly clear that Optimus Primal and Megatron were completely separate individuals from Optimus Prime and the original Megatron.

The Great King of Angolmois

[edit]

One last contradiction in this catalog story is the fact that it refers to a "weapon" called the "Great King of Angolmois" (アンゴルモアの大王 Angorumoa no Daiō) that lies within ancient ruins of the planet. In both the cartoon and manga, it was instead a lava-like substance called "Angolmois Energy". Evidently, this was an early concept for the main plot device that was to be fought over by the forces of Lio Convoy and Galvatron, and even made it into the bio for Megastorm's toy; bios for later toys would instead reflect the cartoon and manga by referring to "Angolmois Energy".

Interestingly, the concept of a powerful weapon hidden deep within ancient ruins on Earth would later be recycled wholesale and fully utilized just two years later in the Car Robots cartoon, with Brave Maximus being said weapon.

Conclusion

[edit]

In the mid-2000s, Takara began to make some serious efforts to organize the ever-growing Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline that included all of the cartoons from the Beast Era. Due to all of the contradictions laid out above, Takara made the decision to ignore this catalog story entirely, throwing out every claim and character-depiction it made in order to clean up all of the issues between the American and Japanese cartoons. Opting to lean into "several tens of thousands of years" statement given by Beast Wars II, it was decided to relocate the two American cartoons away from the two Japanese ones, by acknowledging the "three centuries" statement given by the English version of Beast Wars that the Japanese dub had originally omitted. When fans in the west first learned of this timeline, the placement of Beast Wars II and Neo being set so long after the Beast Machines cartoon came as quite a startling shock, having long since taken both this catalog story and the Beast Machines Magmatron toy bio as gospel, since all the continuity issues described above were virtually unknown to anyone outside of Japan due to Beast Wars II and Neo having not yet been fully translated into English at the time.

There was, however, one more discrepancy created by this attempt to fix all of the others: With the relocation of Beast Machines set before Beast Wars II and Neo, this now placed the technorganic reformatting Cybertron underwent at the end of Beast Machines as happening before its appearances in Beast Wars Neo as a metallic planet. This last hole would be filled in 2019 by a Transformers Legends pack-in comic, which explained how and why Cybertron was turned back into a metallic world several eons after the end of Beast Machines.

Thus, with the discarding of this catalog story from the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity, its events have since been relegated to a little micro-continuity all unto itself. If anything, it still somewhat fits with the Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo manga, which stuck to the catalog story's placing all the characters in the same timeframe. Though, the subsequent Beast Wars Metals manga still treats Optimus Primal and Megatron as separate individuals from Optimus Prime and G1 Megatron, meaning they'd just be high-ranking Maximals and Predacons all on their own without any inherent ties to their namesakes.

Notes

[edit]

Transformers references

[edit]
  • The "Maximize" in the title of this story is actually "Henshin" (変身), a Japanese word for "transformation" that was used in the Japanese dub of the Beast Wars cartoon as the Japanese equivalent/replacement for both "Maximize" and "Terrorize" in the original English version. "Maximize", rather than "Transform", is used here to reflect that dubbing decision, and also because Beast Wars II would distinguish "Henshin" from "Transform" by specifically using the former for those with beast modes, while the latter would be used by those with mechanical vehicle modes.
  • Also included in this catalog is a brief recap of the final events of "Other Voices, Part 2", which had, at the time, recently aired in Japan on March 25, 1998. Said recap is given the title of ~Convoy's Great Explosion~ (〜コンボイ大爆発編〜 ~Konboi Dai Bakuhatsu-hen~). At the bottom of this recap is also an ad for the then-new Beast Wars II animated series and manga series.

Real-world references

[edit]
  • The "seventh month of the Cosmic Year 1999" and "Great King of Angolmois" are both derived from The Prophecies of French seer Nostradamus,[5] whose prophecies were popular in Japan at the time. What these two bits actually mean, however, is a lot to unpack, but most interpretations basically boil down to either a prophecy of doom brought about by either a tyrannical warlord like Genghis Khan or by terrorism, or a prophecy of prosperity brought about by either a rich philanthropist or a king like Francis I of France, occurring at some point in July–September of the year 1999.[6] In reality, it is still not entirely certain what, if anything, this prophecy referred to.
  • Lio Convoy addresses Optimus Primal with the honorific of "senpai", which is used to refer to a person of senior experience, hierarchy, level, and/or age, who offers guidance, friendship, and general assistance to a newer, younger, and/or inexperienced person (known as the "kōhai") belonging to the same group, like a personal mentor. It is commonly used in the Japanese education system to refer to older students of higher grades by younger students of lower grades. In this case, it is used to indicate that Optimus Primal is Lio Convoy's personal mentor/superior (and is translated in the Quotes section above as "sir").

Other trivia

[edit]
  • Galvatron is depicted here mostly in shadow because, at the time, the color scheme for his toy had not yet been finalized. Indeed, his toy pictured elsewhere in the catalog is represented by an unpainted gray hardcopy.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ At least, in Japan. By March 1998, the English version of the American cartoon had already revealed the planet to be Earth.
  2. ↑ Though, a later [[Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|episode from the Beast Wars sequel Beast Machines stated the future era was set "eons" later.
  3. ↑ 数千年にわたり、デストロン軍と戦いつづけで猛者。コンボイの称号を与える軍の評議会の一員でもある。エネルゴン探索の任務遂行中に消息をたったともいわれていたが...!?
  4. ↑ In the Japanese dub of "Possession", when hearing Blackarachnia describe Starscream's history, Megatron actually says "I've never heard of him."
  5. ↑ The text of Nostradamus's Prophecies, Century X, in the original French with an English translation. See Quatrain 72.
  6. ↑ Saint Germain's Prophecy for the New Millennium: Includes Dramatic Prophecies from Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce and Mother Mary at Google Books

[[Category:Beast Wars II media]] [[Category:Pack-in material]]


Retrieved from "https://tfwiki.duckdns.org/index.php?title=User:Sabrblade/sandbox&oldid=1913189"