Transformer romance: Difference between revisions

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Though rather obscure, there is even a term for two Transformers in a relation: "[[spark]]mates". A [[Fan fiction|fan term]] mostly, it has surprisingly been used in two official sources, namely the end-of-game [[bio]] for [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], in reference to her and [[Tigatron]], in the Nintendo 64 version of the [[Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals|Beast Wars Transmetals]] video game<ref>''Beast Wars Transmetals'' end-of-game bios - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/756a36c7076a7195?dmode=source transcription]</ref> and again in [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]].
Though rather obscure, there is even a term for two Transformers in a relation: "[[spark]]mates". A [[Fan fiction|fan term]] mostly, it has surprisingly been used in two official sources, namely the end-of-game [[bio]] for [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], in reference to her and [[Tigatron]], in the Nintendo 64 version of the [[Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals|Beast Wars Transmetals]] video game<ref>''Beast Wars Transmetals'' end-of-game bios - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/756a36c7076a7195?dmode=source transcription]</ref> and again in [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]].


==Sexuality==
==Orientation==
[[Image:Gayforgalvatron.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|<center>[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|It will forever be a shame he wasn't in ''Cybertron'']].</center>]]
[[Image:Gayforgalvatron.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|<center>[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|It will forever be a shame he wasn't in ''Cybertron'']].</center>]]


As can be read below, the largest number of couples that have appeared in ficiton thus far fall under the male Transformer-female Transformer category
The most common observation of Cybertronian romance is betweeen a male and a [[female Transformer]]. Considering the general scarcity of female Transformers, this is rather interesting if odd situation. Second to that are relations between a Transformer  


One of the most controversial aspects of Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and [[Female Transformer|female characters]].
The largest number of couples that have appeared in fiction thus far fall under the "male Transformer-female Transformer"-category. Given the general scarcity of [[Female Transformer|female Transformers]], this is not exactly an expectable situation from a fictional viewpoint. Controversial as it may be, if Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and [[Female Transformer|female characters]].


Despite their likely non-sexual means of [[reproduction]]. Harder to explain (at least, in fiction) is why most of these romantic connections are between males and females, what with the ratio female:male being about 1:10 in its most charitable instances.
The fact that most of these pairings are between nominally-male robots and apparently-female fleshlings can in part be blamed on the scarcity of [[female Transformer]]s.  
 
Regardless of the whys and wherefores many romantic male-female Transformer pairings have appeared over the years, including:
 
The fact that most of these pairings are between nominally-male robots and apparently-female fleshlings can in part be blamed on the scarcity of [[female Transformer]]s. (The default assumption of heterosexuality is also part of it; the day when we have a canonical gay robot-fleshling romance in ''Transformers'' is probably still a long way off, although [[Magnificus]] and [[Ga'mede]] are pretty danged slashy.  We've already got [[Tigatron|robot]]-[[Airazor (BW)|robot]] and [[Cain|human]]-[[Akira Serikawa|human]] pairings, so why not?)
 
The G1 cartoon brought the first official female Transformers into the canon, including [[Elita One]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. The characters are noticeably more feminine in design and some have clearly defined romantic relationships with male Autobots. 


The issue becomes more complicated in ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', where the sexuality line is clearly defined. ([[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] has a particularly well defined female figure, including what appears to be an ample bosom) It is hinted on occasion that the robots may engage in activities resembling human sex acts. Rattrap offers to take [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to what sounds like a Cybertronian version of a strip club, and later slyly makes a double entendre regarding Silverbolt's suspected kinky activities with Predacon Blackarachnia. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} In the Japanese ''[[Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Metals]]'' dub, Rattrap, thinking himself about to be stabbed by Dinobot, asks him to "be gentle, because I've heard the first time can hurt."
The issue becomes more complicated in ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', where the sexuality line is clearly defined. ([[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] has a particularly well defined female figure, including what appears to be an ample bosom) It is hinted on occasion that the robots may engage in activities resembling human sex acts. Rattrap offers to take [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to what sounds like a Cybertronian version of a strip club, and later slyly makes a double entendre regarding Silverbolt's suspected kinky activities with Predacon Blackarachnia. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} In the Japanese ''[[Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Metals]]'' dub, Rattrap, thinking himself about to be stabbed by Dinobot, asks him to "be gentle, because I've heard the first time can hurt."
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In the original Japanese version of ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]] displays romantic interest in [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]], causing his comrades to regard him with minor confusion. The ''Energon'' dub seemed to do its best to skirt around this issue, with Mirage's exclamations either being about different things entirely or simple cheering on of his leader—but they couldn't do anything about the hands-clasped-beside-his-head-while-doe-eyed expressions, or the one time that he pirouettes and strikes a pose while surrounded by a giant, glowing, pink heart. ''Why'', Japan?
In the original Japanese version of ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]] displays romantic interest in [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]], causing his comrades to regard him with minor confusion. The ''Energon'' dub seemed to do its best to skirt around this issue, with Mirage's exclamations either being about different things entirely or simple cheering on of his leader—but they couldn't do anything about the hands-clasped-beside-his-head-while-doe-eyed expressions, or the one time that he pirouettes and strikes a pose while surrounded by a giant, glowing, pink heart. ''Why'', Japan?


Although [[Magnificus]] and [[Ga'mede]] are pretty danged slashy.  We've already got the Japanese take on [[Tigatron|Tigatron]]/[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Cain]]/[[Akira Serikawa|Akira]].
The real world-explanation for the general lack of anything specific between two of the same gender is that ''Transformers'' above all exists [[to sell toys]] to children and so has to play in on the wishes of the general audience. Even if attitude is improving, [[Wikipedia:Heteronormativity|heterosexuality is still the default assumption and favoured option]]. A few same-gender relations may have appeared in fiction over time, but for the moment, writers still prefer to make up a new female (Transformer) to fill the romance niche than play up that sort of interactio


==Transformer - Transformer==
==Transformer - Transformer==
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*[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] - [[Megatron (Armada)|Just about anybody]] [[Starscream (Armada)|who's big and powerful]].
*[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] - [[Megatron (Armada)|Just about anybody]] [[Starscream (Armada)|who's big and powerful]].


*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] has a secret crush on [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]]. Naturally, she does not reciprocate.
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] has a secret crush on [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]].  


*[[Falcia]] - [[Redline]]{{fact}}
*[[Falcia]] - [[Redline]]{{fact}}
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*[[Crystal Widow]] had an unnamed lover before becoming stuck in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}
*[[Crystal Widow]] had an unnamed lover before becoming stuck in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}


===Movie Continuity===
====Movie Continuity====
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] claims to have a mother and a father. Primus knows what [[Relatives|that]] means, but we might as well try to be complete about this list. {{fact}}  
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] claims to have a mother and a father. Primus knows what [[Relatives|that]] means, but we might as well try to be complete about this list. {{fact}}  


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*[[Skullgrin]] and [[Carissa Carr]] {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}
*[[Skullgrin]] and [[Carissa Carr]] {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}


*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Joy Meadows]]
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] took a deep liking to [[Joy Meadows]] {{storylink|The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK Marvel comics}}


*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Cindy Newell]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Cindy Newell]]
Line 143: Line 140:


*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] drives faster if he smells [[Junko Shiragami]]'s marigold-scented hair. Make of that what you will. {{storylink|Binaltech Asterisk (online comic)|Sunstreaker Meets Junko}}
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] drives faster if he smells [[Junko Shiragami]]'s marigold-scented hair. Make of that what you will. {{storylink|Binaltech Asterisk (online comic)|Sunstreaker Meets Junko}}
*[[Paddles (character)|Paddles]] took a deep liking to [[Randall]] and [[Ed]]. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}


[[Image:ROTF-Wheeliedryhumpsaleg.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
[[Image:ROTF-Wheeliedryhumpsaleg.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
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*[[QuickFire]] - [[Jake Williams#Starheart|Starheart]] {{storylink|Lonesome Diesel}}
*[[QuickFire]] - [[Jake Williams#Starheart|Starheart]] {{storylink|Lonesome Diesel}}


===Movie continuity===
====Movie continuity====
* Dialog from their [[trans-scan]] of new alternate modes may suggest [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] had sexual thoughts towards their new alternate modes. {{fact}}
* Dialog from their [[trans-scan]] of new alternate modes may suggest [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] had sexual thoughts towards their new alternate modes. {{fact}}


Revision as of 20:48, 28 January 2010

Some will vehemently insist it does not exist. Others really don't care about the brand beyond it. Regardless of opinions, Transformers engaging in or pursuing interaction of a romantic nature is a well-established element in pretty much every continuity. For the most part, Transformers are observed searching for partners amongst their own kind, but attraction to either organic lifeforms or non-living objects is documented as well.

It is at times wondered why a species that does not reproduce sexually would participate in behavior that in other creatures exists as a means to promote sex and thereby new life. While a definitive answer to this has yet to be given, the question as to why Transformers become romantically involved with one another can be approached from a different angle. Transformers are a highly social species. This is shown through their ability to form a society, many examples of interaction and even the common practice of co-dependent body-types. If it is not frowned upon that such relations exist among them, then why should the romantic kind be regarded much differently, if at all? As much as there is no reason for them to engage in romance, there is equally no reason for them not to.

Though rather obscure, there is even a term for two Transformers in a relation: "sparkmates". A fan term mostly, it has surprisingly been used in two official sources, namely the end-of-game bio for Airazor, in reference to her and Tigatron, in the Nintendo 64 version of the Beast Wars Transmetals video game[1] and again in Venus.

Orientation

It will forever be a shame he wasn't in Cybertron.

The most common observation of Cybertronian romance is betweeen a male and a female Transformer. Considering the general scarcity of female Transformers, this is rather interesting if odd situation. Second to that are relations between a Transformer

The largest number of couples that have appeared in fiction thus far fall under the "male Transformer-female Transformer"-category. Given the general scarcity of female Transformers, this is not exactly an expectable situation from a fictional viewpoint. Controversial as it may be, if Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and female characters.

The fact that most of these pairings are between nominally-male robots and apparently-female fleshlings can in part be blamed on the scarcity of female Transformers.

The issue becomes more complicated in Beast Wars, where the sexuality line is clearly defined. (Blackarachnia has a particularly well defined female figure, including what appears to be an ample bosom) It is hinted on occasion that the robots may engage in activities resembling human sex acts. Rattrap offers to take Silverbolt to what sounds like a Cybertronian version of a strip club, and later slyly makes a double entendre regarding Silverbolt's suspected kinky activities with Predacon Blackarachnia. The Agenda (Part 1) In the Japanese Metals dub, Rattrap, thinking himself about to be stabbed by Dinobot, asks him to "be gentle, because I've heard the first time can hurt."

In the original Japanese version of Energon, Mirage displays romantic interest in Galvatron, causing his comrades to regard him with minor confusion. The Energon dub seemed to do its best to skirt around this issue, with Mirage's exclamations either being about different things entirely or simple cheering on of his leader—but they couldn't do anything about the hands-clasped-beside-his-head-while-doe-eyed expressions, or the one time that he pirouettes and strikes a pose while surrounded by a giant, glowing, pink heart. Why, Japan?

Although Magnificus and Ga'mede are pretty danged slashy. We've already got the Japanese take on Tigatron/Airazor and Cain/Akira.

The real world-explanation for the general lack of anything specific between two of the same gender is that Transformers above all exists to sell toys to children and so has to play in on the wishes of the general audience. Even if attitude is improving, heterosexuality is still the default assumption and favoured option. A few same-gender relations may have appeared in fiction over time, but for the moment, writers still prefer to make up a new female (Transformer) to fill the romance niche than play up that sort of interactio

Transformer - Transformer

Most commonly, Transformers stick to their own kind when engaging in

Cases

Generation 1

Beast Era

Unicron Trilogy

Unknown continuity

Movie Continuity

  • Jetfire claims to have a mother and a father. Primus knows what that means, but we might as well try to be complete about this list. [citation needed]

Transformers Animated

Shattered Glass

Transformer - organic

“ We don't have to be the same outside to share the same feeling inside. ”

—Alana speaks words every Autobot Commander dreads, "Sea Change"

PGA PDA

Though reproduction does not seem to be a motivation for Transformers to become romantically involved,

Cases

Generation 1

<--Rejudge these cases-->

Beast Era

Unicron Trilogy

Movie continuity

Transformer - not-living object

“ And when we get back home, I want Bumblebee to meet my brother's convertible. We call her Juanita, and I think the two of them will get along just fine. ”

—Luisa, quite likely one of the very few humans who does not find this an awkward subject, "Fire on the Mountain"

Cases

Generation 1

Robots in Disguise

  • Side Burn has a thing for pretty red sportcars.

Unicron Trilogy

Movie continuity

Transformers Animated

References

  1. ↑ Beast Wars Transmetals end-of-game bios - transcription
  2. ↑ When Obsidian refers to Strika as his consort in Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike he appears to have been using the less-common "associate" or "partner" definition. There are no displays of affection between them during Beast Machines, and secondary information sources describe them only as "cohorts".
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