Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon): Difference between revisions
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{{messagebox|message_text=There is a [[Transformers Wiki:WikiProject Beast Wars cartoon|WikiProject]] associated with documenting the Beast Wars cartoon.}} | {{messagebox|message_text=There is a [[Transformers Wiki:WikiProject Beast Wars cartoon|WikiProject]] associated with documenting the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.}} | ||
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Though reviled by many Transfans when it first hit the airwaves in 1996, the wholly-CGI '''''Beast Wars''''' is now considered by many to be the among the finest examples of Transformers storytelling. | Though reviled by many Transfans when it first hit the airwaves in 1996, the wholly-CGI '''''Beast Wars''''' is now considered by many to be the among the finest examples of Transformers storytelling. | ||
The series opens at an unspecified time and place, where two warring factions of robots have crashed on a strange planet populated by animals like those on Earth. The planet abounds in mystery, with vast deposits of raw | ==Overview== | ||
The series opens at an unspecified time and place, where two warring factions of robots have crashed on a strange planet populated by animals like those on [[Earth]]. The planet abounds in mystery, with vast deposits of raw [[Energon]] and evidence of [[Vok|alien]] activity. The Energon forces the newly arrived Transformers to take on protective beast forms to shield themselves from the ambient Energon radiation. And so begin the Beast Wars... | |||
[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Maximal cast of Season One.]] | [[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Maximal cast of Season One.]] | ||
Though at first the show seemed to be in an entirely separate continuity, by the end of the first season's 26 episodes, viewers had been treated to a number of classical Transformers references, such as [[Unicron]] and even the | Though at first the show seemed to be in an entirely separate continuity, by the end of the first season's 26 episodes, viewers had been treated to a number of classical Transformers references, such as [[Unicron]] and even the reappearance of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], last seen as a ghost in the third season of [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]. These ties to the original story increased as the second season progressed and the planet was revealed as prehistoric Earth. The third season was entirely structured around the [[Maximal]]s defending their [[Autobot]] ancestors aboard the ancient crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. | ||
The show won over many viewers through a generally high-quality level of storytelling. Strong characterization, top-notch scripting and voice acting, and complex, overarching plot threads are among the reasons cited for the show's enduring popularity. Some of the show's mysteries and machinations remain topics for fan debate over a decade after it aired. | The show won over many viewers through a generally high-quality level of storytelling. Strong characterization, top-notch scripting and voice acting, and complex, overarching plot threads are among the reasons cited for the show's enduring popularity. Some of the show's mysteries and machinations remain topics for fan debate over a decade after it aired. | ||
The show was immediately followed by a sequel series, ''[[Beast Machines]]''. | The show was immediately followed by a sequel series, ''[[Beast Machines]]''. | ||
{{-}} | |||
==Episodes== | ==Episodes== | ||
{{main|List of Beast Wars episodes}} | {{main|List of Beast Wars episodes}} | ||
Beast Wars has had 52 episodes over 3 seasons. | ''Beast Wars'' has had 52 episodes over 3 seasons. | ||
In Japan it was split into 2 separate 26 episode series, ''Beast Wars'' which aired in 1997 and ''Beast Wars Metals'' which aired in 1999. | In Japan it was split into 2 separate 26 episode series, ''Beast Wars'' which aired in 1997 and ''Beast Wars Metals'' which aired in 1999. | ||
=Characters= | ==Characters== | ||
Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of on-screen characters in ''Beast Wars'' was relatively small compared to most other ''Transformers'' shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (The stasis | Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of on-screen characters in ''Beast Wars'' was relatively small compared to most other ''Transformers'' shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (The [[stasis lock]]ed [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' are not on this list, nor is [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]].) Note that many characters besides these are also full-fledged ''Beast Wars'' characters, having appeared in other media. | ||
==[[Maximals]]== | ===[[Maximals]]=== | ||
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] | *[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] | ||
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] | *[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] | ||
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*[[Tigerhawk]] | *[[Tigerhawk]] | ||
==[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]== | ===[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]=== | ||
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] | *[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] | ||
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] | *[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] | ||
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*[[Dinobot II]] | *[[Dinobot II]] | ||
==Other== | ===Other=== | ||
*[[Snowstalker]] | *[[Snowstalker]] | ||
*[[Transmutate]] | *[[Transmutate]] | ||
*[[Protohumans]] | *[[Protohumans]] | ||
*Assorted [[Vok]] | *Assorted [[Vok]] | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
* The first season of Beast Wars cost $18 million dollars, according to [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/b334d45514e26ab4/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&lnk=st&q=bob+forward+interview+inferno+megatron&rnum=1#bc8e54e9165e0823 a 1997 interview with Bob Forward.] | * The first season of ''Beast Wars'' cost $18 million dollars, according to [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/b334d45514e26ab4/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&lnk=st&q=bob+forward+interview+inferno+megatron&rnum=1#bc8e54e9165e0823 a 1997 interview with Bob Forward.] | ||
* In France and Belgium, the show was called "Animutants" and had a good quality dubbing, rather close to the original voices. But while the first two seasons of the show were aired, the third one never was; the show always ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", leaving the fans of the area with the worst case of cliffhanger ever. | * In France and Belgium, the show was called "Animutants" and had a good quality dubbing, rather close to the original voices. But while the first two seasons of the show were aired, the third one never was; the show always ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", leaving the fans of the area with the worst case of cliffhanger ever. | ||
Revision as of 19:55, 14 January 2008
Though reviled by many Transfans when it first hit the airwaves in 1996, the wholly-CGI Beast Wars is now considered by many to be the among the finest examples of Transformers storytelling.
Overview
The series opens at an unspecified time and place, where two warring factions of robots have crashed on a strange planet populated by animals like those on Earth. The planet abounds in mystery, with vast deposits of raw Energon and evidence of alien activity. The Energon forces the newly arrived Transformers to take on protective beast forms to shield themselves from the ambient Energon radiation. And so begin the Beast Wars...
Though at first the show seemed to be in an entirely separate continuity, by the end of the first season's 26 episodes, viewers had been treated to a number of classical Transformers references, such as Unicron and even the reappearance of Starscream, last seen as a ghost in the third season of the original cartoon. These ties to the original story increased as the second season progressed and the planet was revealed as prehistoric Earth. The third season was entirely structured around the Maximals defending their Autobot ancestors aboard the ancient crashed Ark.
The show won over many viewers through a generally high-quality level of storytelling. Strong characterization, top-notch scripting and voice acting, and complex, overarching plot threads are among the reasons cited for the show's enduring popularity. Some of the show's mysteries and machinations remain topics for fan debate over a decade after it aired.
The show was immediately followed by a sequel series, Beast Machines.
Episodes
Beast Wars has had 52 episodes over 3 seasons.
In Japan it was split into 2 separate 26 episode series, Beast Wars which aired in 1997 and Beast Wars Metals which aired in 1999.
Characters
Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of on-screen characters in Beast Wars was relatively small compared to most other Transformers shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (The stasis locked Autobots and Decepticons aboard the Ark are not on this list, nor is Starscream.) Note that many characters besides these are also full-fledged Beast Wars characters, having appeared in other media.
- Optimus Primal
- Cheetor
- Rattrap
- Rhinox
- Dinobot (allied with the Maximals, nominally a Predacon)
- Tigatron
- Airazor
- Silverbolt
- Depth Charge
- Tigerhawk
- Megatron
- Scorponok
- Terrorsaur
- Waspinator
- Tarantulas
- Blackarachnia (became a Maximal towards the end of the series)
- Inferno
- Quickstrike
- Rampage
- Tripredacus Council (very briefly)
- Ravage
- Dinobot II
Other
- Snowstalker
- Transmutate
- Protohumans
- Assorted Vok
Trivia
- The first season of Beast Wars cost $18 million dollars, according to a 1997 interview with Bob Forward.
- In France and Belgium, the show was called "Animutants" and had a good quality dubbing, rather close to the original voices. But while the first two seasons of the show were aired, the third one never was; the show always ended with "The Agenda (Part III)", leaving the fans of the area with the worst case of cliffhanger ever.
