Neon

GEE GADS

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

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

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

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

Prominent examples

• 
  Mmmmm, bleach.
• 
  You might think the red is what's neon here, but it's actually the dull green.
• 
  The aforementioned "rainbow-colored Depth Charge."
• 
  Okay, this one IS kinda hideous, though technically not because of any neon.
• Neon camouflage — where "neon" = "black"
  Neon camouflage — where "neon" = "black"
• 
  This one is neon because it uses primary colors.
• 
  The teal here is especially neon. As is the black.
• 
  Many AllSpark Power figures were considered neon because they used blue.
• This one's actually neon!
  This one's actually neon!
• 
  Energon all the way baby!
• 
  SENTINEL-FLAVORED FIRE GUTS BURNING JUSTICE!
• It's slime time!
  It's slime time!
• 
  (sniff sniff) God, it's so beautiful…
• 
  The neon is the point.
• Do we make a G2 joke or another Burning Justice Joke?
  Do we make a G2 joke or another Burning Justice Joke?
• 
  Welcome to Miami!
• 
  IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! IT'S WATERMELON INSIDE A TRANSFORMER!

Non-examples

Any color schemes that adhere slavishly to a pre-existing Generation 1 character are exempt from all of the above. Toys such as the Terrorcons are therefore not considered neon. "Realistically" colored toys can also be counted as neon, such as Generation 2 Devastator.

See also

• Playskool
• Black repaint
• Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)