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Throughout the Transformers multiverse are many transformers who consider themselves family and refer to each other as such. The most common of these is when two transformers regard each other as siblings: "brothers" (e.g. G1 [[Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker]], or ''Robots In Disguise'''s [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]) or "sisters" ([[Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker]]). | |||
Given that Transformers are not organc life and do not [[reproduction|reproduce sexually]] the origin, distinction, and exact meaning of many of these terms is frequently unclear. | |||
== Possible Explanations == | |||
[[Image:Bros.gif|thumb|right|150px|The Doublemint Twins they're not.]] | |||
The [[Dreamwave]] [[More than Meets the Eye]] Guide provides a partial possible answer. According to the guide when a spark naturally splits as it's being introduced to a protoform, it creates two robots who are "Brothers" such as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. When such a spark division is artificially induced, the less balanced and self-reliant pair created are referred to as "Clones." (This definition of "Brother" may or may not apply to RID Prime and Magnus, whose brotherhood was said to result from the special circumstance of having been created simultaneously by Alpha Trion). | |||
However, the "[[Beast Era]]" widened the issue of reproduction with Rattrap referring to his "great-aunt" [[Arcee]] and in general the practice of Maximals and Predacons referring to the Autobots and Decepticons as their respective "ancestors", as well as themselves as being their "descendants", implying a direct genetic (for want of a better term) lineage. Various sources of debatable canonicity suggest that [[Optimus Primal]] is specifically descended from [[Optimus Prime]], usually through the phrase "his ancestor Optimus Prime" (though the events of [[Optimal Situation]] seem to prove that all Maximals could reasonably consider Optimus Prime their ancestor). | |||
In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. One possible explanation might be a situation such as when [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is brought to life in Beast Wars. Her [[spark]] and [[protoform]] is heavily damaged, and Cheetor allows some of his parts to be used as repalcements while [[Rhinox]] guides the procedure. To compare to humans, this is something like assisting with childbirth and donating blood or organs. It is unlikely that this happened enough to cause 'descendants' as they are described, however. | |||
Other family designations exist as well. [[Wheelie]] has "parents" that were lost in his crash on [[Quintessa]] in some background material. The aforementioned Mini-Con Twirl very specifically calls Falcia her "mother" (which Falcia ''hates'') and seems to treat Redline like a father, since the two's spark frame energy went into constructing her physical form. In the Armada cartoon, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] refers to [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] as his brother after Hot Shot saves his life, indicating at least an understanding of the concept. The [[Unicron Trilogy]] universe has also used the term "cousin" for certain Transformers on occasion. The Japanese Generation 1 Victory manga features Decepticon wives and children. Even the live action movie features an Optimus and Megatron who are brothers, and it is mentioned in the related Nintendo DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of their father. | |||
Revision as of 12:47, 4 October 2007
Throughout the Transformers multiverse are many transformers who consider themselves family and refer to each other as such. The most common of these is when two transformers regard each other as siblings: "brothers" (e.g. G1 Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, or Robots In Disguise's Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus) or "sisters" (Roulette and Shadow Striker).
Given that Transformers are not organc life and do not reproduce sexually the origin, distinction, and exact meaning of many of these terms is frequently unclear.
Possible Explanations
The Dreamwave More than Meets the Eye Guide provides a partial possible answer. According to the guide when a spark naturally splits as it's being introduced to a protoform, it creates two robots who are "Brothers" such as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. When such a spark division is artificially induced, the less balanced and self-reliant pair created are referred to as "Clones." (This definition of "Brother" may or may not apply to RID Prime and Magnus, whose brotherhood was said to result from the special circumstance of having been created simultaneously by Alpha Trion).
However, the "Beast Era" widened the issue of reproduction with Rattrap referring to his "great-aunt" Arcee and in general the practice of Maximals and Predacons referring to the Autobots and Decepticons as their respective "ancestors", as well as themselves as being their "descendants", implying a direct genetic (for want of a better term) lineage. Various sources of debatable canonicity suggest that Optimus Primal is specifically descended from Optimus Prime, usually through the phrase "his ancestor Optimus Prime" (though the events of Optimal Situation seem to prove that all Maximals could reasonably consider Optimus Prime their ancestor). In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. One possible explanation might be a situation such as when Airazor is brought to life in Beast Wars. Her spark and protoform is heavily damaged, and Cheetor allows some of his parts to be used as repalcements while Rhinox guides the procedure. To compare to humans, this is something like assisting with childbirth and donating blood or organs. It is unlikely that this happened enough to cause 'descendants' as they are described, however.
Other family designations exist as well. Wheelie has "parents" that were lost in his crash on Quintessa in some background material. The aforementioned Mini-Con Twirl very specifically calls Falcia her "mother" (which Falcia hates) and seems to treat Redline like a father, since the two's spark frame energy went into constructing her physical form. In the Armada cartoon, Side Swipe refers to Hot Shot as his brother after Hot Shot saves his life, indicating at least an understanding of the concept. The Unicron Trilogy universe has also used the term "cousin" for certain Transformers on occasion. The Japanese Generation 1 Victory manga features Decepticon wives and children. Even the live action movie features an Optimus and Megatron who are brothers, and it is mentioned in the related Nintendo DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of their father.
Notable siblings
G1/Beast Era
- Sideswipe and Sunstreaker
- Frenzy and Rumble
- Topspin and Twin Twist
- Blaster, Karmen and Toaster
- Decibel and Legout
- Fortress Maximus and Grand Maximus in Japanese G1 continuity.
- Leozack and Lyzack
- Sixliner and Sixtrain
- Roulette and Shadow Striker
- Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus in Dreamwave G1 continuity.
- Clamp Down and Deep Cover
- BW 2 Galvatron and Megastorm
- DJ, Motor Arm and Gimlet
Car Robot/Robots in Disguise
- Fire Convoy and God Magnus
- Wildride, Mach Alert and Speedbreaker
- Gas Skunk, Guildo and Guushar (Only in the toy catalogs)
Unicron Trilogy
- Jetfire and Overcast
- Landmine and Landquake
- Shockblast and Six Shot
- Superion Maximus and his brother
- Signal Flare and Offshoot
- Hardtop and Swindle
- Undermine and Repugnus
Other relatives
- Rattrap calls Arcee "Great Aunt".[1]
- Lio Junior is the “son” of Lio Convoy, created by the influence of pure energy upon Lio Convoy’s Energon Matrix.
- Artfire and Fire Convoy are relatives.
- Bulkhead and Quickstrike are cousins.
See Also
Footnote
- ↑ Rattrap said "What in the name of my great aunt Arcee is going on!?".This is an in-joke to Susan Blu, who was not only voice director on Beast Wars, but the voice of Arcee in the Generation 1 cartoon series and Transmutate in Beast Wars cartoon. Transmutate
