Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise): Difference between revisions

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'''''Beast Machines''''' was a followup [[franchise]] to the very successful ''[[Beast Wars]]''. It included several returning characters and the associated fiction directly followed the storyline of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|BW cartoon]].
'''''Beast Machines''''' was a followup [[franchise]] to the very successful ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. Running from 1999 to 2000, its marquee characters were mainly ''Beast Wars'' stars, and the associated fiction directly followed the storyline of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].


''Beast Machines'' featured a distinctive visual style in both toy design and the art design of its television series. The television series was both darker and grittier then the more lighthearted [[Beast Wars]], and introduced controversial new plotlines, such as the "organic Cybertron" theory and [[Optimus Primal]]'s death at the end of the series. The toyline was oft-known for it's disregarding for [[scale]] and [[show-accuracy]], and the widespread use of [[Spark Crystals]] for both factionss.  Additionally, the franchise reintroduced Transformers which turn into machinery and vehicles instead of animals with the new faction known as [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s.
''Beast Machines'' featured a distinctive visual style in both its toys and its television series. The cartoon was darker and grittier than its more lighthearted predecessor, and it introduced controversial new elements such as [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[organic core]] and a [[technorganic|more spiritual approach to transformation]]. It also marked the return of fully-mechanical [[Transformer]]s in the form of its antagonist faction, the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s.


The ''Beast Machines'' franchise featured the following primary components:
The ''Beast Machines'' franchise featured the following primary components:
*[[Beast Machines (toyline)|A toyline]]
*[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]


Though officially they are part of the ''Universe'' franchise, 3H's ''[[Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comics also built on the storyline of the ''Beast Machines'' cartoon.
*[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|A toyline]]
*[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]
 
The ''Beast Machines'' continuity would be picked up by the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|2003 ''Universe'' franchise]], which featured a [[Transformers: Universe (comic)|comic series]] that used the world of the ''Beast Machines'' cartoon as its jumping-off point.


==Beast Wars Returns==
==Beast Wars Returns==
''Beast Machines'' was not released in Japan for several years until 2005, when [[Takara]] imported a dubbed version of the television series and some of the toyline as ''Beast Wars Returns''.  
{{nav-bwReturns}}
''Beast Machines'' was not released in Japan until 2004, when [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] imported a dubbed version of the television series and some of the toyline as '''''Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Returns''''' (超生命体トランスフォーマー ビーストウォーズリターンズ ''Chō Seimeitai Transformer Beast Wars Returns'').  


The Beast Wars Returns release was far more low-key than the Beast Wars or Beast Wars Metals releases. The cartoon series was aired only on a satellite station and the toys were released as exclusives to Toys "R" Us.  Additionally, rather than record an all-new theme song, they simply recycled "[[Phat Planet]]" from the Canadian version, a first for the Japanese release of an American Transformers cartoon.
The ''Beast Wars Returns'' release was far more low-key than the also-imported ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Beast Wars Metals]]''. The ''Beast Wars Returns'' toys were limited to [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] releases, and the cartoon was aired only on a satellite station. It was also the first ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' cartoon re-aired in Japan without an all-new [[theme song]].


==Notes==
[[File:Beasthunters.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Someone spent like five whole minutes on that logo.]]
*The working name for the line was "'''Beast Hunters'''" before it became "Beast Machines." Marv Wolfman created the original treatment. A [[Fox Kids]] press release said the following about it:
{{quote|BEAST HUNTERS, the next evolution of the popular Beast Wars franchise, continue their fight against the evil dragon [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and his hordes of Predacons in 13 all-new episodes with cutting edge computer animation, action, adventure and humor, produced by Mainframe Entertainment.|[https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/Fab9M6RCGLg/m/4SBS8AxA1WwJ "Fox Kids Fall Press Release" from alt.toys.transformers on February 10, 1999]}}
: Ultimately, Mainframe dropped the Predacons. The Vehicons in place of Predacons was the idea of Mainframe's writers, the spiritual and mystical parts of the plot were a request from Hasbro, and the basic arc was [[Bob Skir]]'s idea following suggestions from Hasbro, Mainframe, and Fox Kids.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614012630/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Bob Skir FAQ from 12 October 1999]</ref>
* Since the first episode was aired five months after the press release, in an advance screening at [[BotCon 1999]], the name change to ''Beast Machines'' seems to have been a late decision. Ironically, at that very same con, the story "[[Paradox]]" seems to place its dystopian future after this presumed ''Beast Hunters'' story, with [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]] recognising Megatron's dragon form and [[Shokaract]] having been one of his 'hunters' back in the day; this would've been a nice thrill for fans if ''Beast Machines'' hadn't changed radically since the press release!
* In 2012, Hasbro re-trademarked the name "[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)#Season 3: Beast Hunters|Beast Hunters]]" for the third season of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'' cartoon]] and the [[subline imprint]] of the [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|accompanying toy line]].


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


[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Machines| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>
[[Category:Beast Machines| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 4 September 2024
Generation 1 continuity family
« Beast Machines »

Beast Machines was a followup franchise to the very successful Beast Wars. Running from 1999 to 2000, its marquee characters were mainly Beast Wars stars, and the associated fiction directly followed the storyline of the Beast Wars cartoon.

Beast Machines featured a distinctive visual style in both its toys and its television series. The cartoon was darker and grittier than its more lighthearted predecessor, and it introduced controversial new elements such as Cybertron's organic core and a more spiritual approach to transformation. It also marked the return of fully-mechanical Transformers in the form of its antagonist faction, the Vehicons.

The Beast Machines franchise featured the following primary components:

The Beast Machines continuity would be picked up by the 2003 Universe franchise, which featured a comic series that used the world of the Beast Machines cartoon as its jumping-off point.

Beast Wars Returns

[edit]
Japanese G1 continuity
« Beast Wars Returns »

Beast Machines was not released in Japan until 2004, when Takara imported a dubbed version of the television series and some of the toyline as Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Returns (超生命体トランスフォーマー ビーストウォーズリターンズ Chō Seimeitai Transformer Beast Wars Returns).

The Beast Wars Returns release was far more low-key than the also-imported Beast Wars and Beast Wars Metals. The Beast Wars Returns toys were limited to Toys"R"Us exclusive releases, and the cartoon was aired only on a satellite station. It was also the first Transformers cartoon re-aired in Japan without an all-new theme song.

Notes

[edit]
Someone spent like five whole minutes on that logo.
  • The working name for the line was "Beast Hunters" before it became "Beast Machines." Marv Wolfman created the original treatment. A Fox Kids press release said the following about it:
BEAST HUNTERS, the next evolution of the popular Beast Wars franchise, continue their fight against the evil dragon Megatron and his hordes of Predacons in 13 all-new episodes with cutting edge computer animation, action, adventure and humor, produced by Mainframe Entertainment."Fox Kids Fall Press Release" from alt.toys.transformers on February 10, 1999
Ultimately, Mainframe dropped the Predacons. The Vehicons in place of Predacons was the idea of Mainframe's writers, the spiritual and mystical parts of the plot were a request from Hasbro, and the basic arc was Bob Skir's idea following suggestions from Hasbro, Mainframe, and Fox Kids.[1]
  • Since the first episode was aired five months after the press release, in an advance screening at BotCon 1999, the name change to Beast Machines seems to have been a late decision. Ironically, at that very same con, the story "Paradox" seems to place its dystopian future after this presumed Beast Hunters story, with Windrazor recognising Megatron's dragon form and Shokaract having been one of his 'hunters' back in the day; this would've been a nice thrill for fans if Beast Machines hadn't changed radically since the press release!
  • In 2012, Hasbro re-trademarked the name "Beast Hunters" for the third season of the Transformers: Prime cartoon and the subline imprint of the accompanying toy line.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Bob Skir FAQ from 12 October 1999
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