Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon): Difference between revisions

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Noted some exceptions.
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==Continuity==
==Continuity==
Unsubstantiated rumors state that [[Hasbro]] wanted the ''Energon'' animated series to end in a specific way; when it turned out this would not be the case, it was decided that ''Cybertron'' would instead follow the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave]], which, for some reason, they must have had more editorial control over. This rumor would probably be completely without merit if not for a few details:
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story.  The American version draws various connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist.


* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]]'s packaging bio references the death he had in the comic book series, not the death he had in the cartoon.
A third possibility is that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave]].  Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:


* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (comic)|''Cybertron'' comic]] published in the fan club magazine, written by Hasbro, is clearly taking place in the same universe as the Cybertron cartoon series.  However, [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] seems to recall events that occurred only in the comic book and not in the cartoon. (For example, he remembers the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database.)
* The bio of ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon.


* It would explain many inconsistencies between the ''Cybertron'' cartoon and the previous animated installments in the Unicron Trilogy (such as Prime's statement that he had never heard of two Autobots linking together, despite the fact that that was the gimmick of Energon).
* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (comic)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline [[Balancing Act]], written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series.  But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database.


This idea is not without problems.  While Dark Scorponok's packaging bio appears to reference events of the ''Energon'' comic book series, [[Wing Saber]]'s references events of the ''Energon'' animated series. Additionally, Hasbro material presents many explanations for contradictions between the previous series and the current cartoon.  Why explain why [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] sounds different if we've never heard the comic book version? Why have [[Vector Prime]] attempt to reconcile inconsistencies by claiming they were caused by temporal disturbances created by the [[Unicron Singularity]]?   
The rumors seem unlikely.  Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the previous series and the current cartoon.  Why bother explaining why [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''?   Why have [[Vector Prime]] attempt to reconcile inconsistencies by claiming they were caused by temporal disturbances created by the [[Unicron Singularity]]?   


On the other hand, it is possible that the ''Cybertron'' cartoon takes place in a universe where it follows the ''Energon'' cartoon, but an ''Energon'' cartoon that includes major events from the ''Energon'' comic book.  (This "amalgamated" approach towards backstory was also used by the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' cartoon.)
Furthermore, the entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive, and the cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.
 
Until further evidence is presented, it's impossible to say.  The ambiguity may be intentional, and, as such, the question may never be resolved.


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==

Revision as of 16:24, 14 March 2008

The name or term "Cybertron" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Cybertron (disambiguation).


Unicron Trilogy continuity family
« Cybertron

The Cybertron cartoon series ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006. US continuity has connected this series to the Armada-Energon continuity. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a giant black hole that threatens to devour Cybertron and other worlds. Only the power of the Omega Lock can stop it; Optimus Prime and a small team of Autobots travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four Planet Keys needed to activate it. Megatron, even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart Galaxy Force was presented as a continuity reboot... but was then retconned into a continuation of Super Link by later materials.


Episodes

  1. Fallen
  2. Haven
  3. Hidden
  4. Landmine
  5. Space
  6. Rush
  7. Speed
  8. Collapse
  9. Time
  10. Search
  11. Deep
  12. Ship
  13. Hero
  14. Race
  15. Detour
  16. Savage
  17. Sand
  18. Champion
  19. Ice
  20. Honor
  21. Primal
  22. Trust
  23. Trap
  24. Invasion
  25. Retreat
  26. Revelations
  27. Critical
  28. Assault
  29. Starscream
  30. United
  31. Cybertron
  32. Balance
  33. Darkness
  34. Memory
  35. Escape
  36. Family
  37. Titans
  38. Warp
  39. Giant
  40. Fury
  41. City
  42. Ambush
  43. Challenge
  44. Scourge
  45. Optimus
  46. Showdown
  47. Guardian
  48. Homecoming
  49. End
  50. Unfinished
  51. Beginning
  52. Inferno ("Lost" episode)

Criticism

Like Energon before it, Cybertron was animated using shaded CGI for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though more advanced than that of Energon, the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor: Few facial expressions beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed"[1], restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, et cetera. The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

While the basic plot of Cybertron is far more focused and coherent than that of Energon, it still drags at times, stretching and milking plot points for all they're worth, and heavily padding episodes with stock transformation sequences.

Praise

On the plus side, the three kids who serve as central human characters aren't quite as annoying as many of their predecessors. (We're looking at you, Kicker.)

The dub is much more polished than that of Energon or Armada, giving characters distinct voices and accents (which totally never happened before, really), and throwing a lot of pop-culture and Transformers references into the mix. It also makes the excessive stock footage — which seems to make up 50% of some episodes — mildly entertaining to listen to by having the characters talk during them. As time went on, the stock-footage banter got a little self-referential and fourth-wall-pokey, showing that the writers were well aware of what they were working with.

Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual work put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances.

Continuity

As noted above, the Japanese version (Galaxy Force) originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws various connections to the Armada and Energon cartoons, but various incongruities still exist.

A third possibility is that the cartoon follows the unfinished Energon comic book series from Dreamwave. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

  • The bio of Cybertron toy Dark Scorponok references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the Energon comic but not the cartoon.
  • The Cybertron comic storyline Balancing Act, written by Hasbro copywriter Forest Lee, is set the same universe as the Cybertron cartoon series. But the story references events from the Energon comic, such as the Mini-Con Over-Run hooking himself into the Planetary Database.

The rumors seem unlikely. Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the previous series and the current cartoon. Why bother explaining why Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in Energon? Why have Vector Prime attempt to reconcile inconsistencies by claiming they were caused by temporal disturbances created by the Unicron Singularity?

Furthermore, the entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive, and the cartoon contains no references to any events of the Energon comic.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Though you do see an occasional smirk or smile, to their credit.
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