Pokeformers: Difference between revisions
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Some fans began referring to ''Armada'' as "Pokeformers" because of superficial similarities between the two franchise's premises: the collection of small, cute characters with amazing powers and [[Targetmaster#Japanese Targetmasters|limited vocal skills]]. However, this comparison is really only valid with the early episodes of the cartoon. Later in the series, the "Mini-Con of the week" focus disappeared completely, and the comic series was ''never'' like that. (Among other things, the comic Mini-Cons were every bit as verbose as their "[[bulk]]" brethren.) And actually, the ''Pokémon'' cartoon isn't especially like that, either; only a tiny minority of its episodes involve the main characters catching a new Pokémon. | Some fans began referring to ''Armada'' as "Pokeformers" because of superficial similarities between the two franchise's premises: the collection of small, cute characters with amazing powers and [[Targetmaster#Japanese Targetmasters|limited vocal skills]]. However, this comparison is really only valid with the early episodes of the cartoon. Later in the series, the "Mini-Con of the week" focus disappeared completely, and the comic series was ''never'' like that. (Among other things, the comic Mini-Cons were every bit as verbose as their "[[bulk]]" brethren.) And actually, the ''Pokémon'' cartoon isn't especially like that, either; only a tiny minority of its episodes involve the main characters catching a new Pokémon. | ||
Although the "collection" aspect may have started things off, it didn't seem to be at the heart of the issue. Rather, the ''Armada'' show had a lot of anime conventions, was marketed for pre-teens, and wasn't always | Although the "collection" aspect may have started things off, it didn't seem to be at the heart of the issue. Rather, the ''Armada'' show had a lot of stereotypical anime conventions (which had been seen in Transformers [[Robots in Disguise|before]]), was marketed for pre-teens, and wasn't always serious: all traits shared with ''Pokemon''...and hundreds of other shows. Essentially, this is a comparison made primarily by people who disliked ''Armada'' and wanted to make it sound dumb by associating it with something else they disliked (and assumed other people disliked as well). | ||
It could be fairly stated that both ''Pokémon'' and ''Armada'' simply tapped into a tried and true marketing approach [[to sell toys|to sell their product]]. Furthermore, ''Armada'' was far from the first ''Transformers'' [[franchise]] to use the "[[combiner|Collect them all!]]" approach; it has been a common marketing theme of the [[Transformers brand]] (actually, ''every'' toy franchise) since its inception. | It could be fairly stated that both ''Pokémon'' and ''Armada'' simply tapped into a tried and true marketing approach [[to sell toys|to sell their product]]. Furthermore, ''Armada'' was far from the first ''Transformers'' [[franchise]] to use the "[[combiner|Collect them all!]]" approach; it has been a common marketing theme of the [[Transformers brand]] (actually, ''every'' toy franchise) since its inception. | ||
Revision as of 03:58, 2 January 2008
Pokeformers is a derogatory term often used to refer to the Armada franchise by members of the Transformers fandom who weren't particularly fond of the series. The term is a portmanteau of the words "Pokémon" and "Transformers".
Some fans began referring to Armada as "Pokeformers" because of superficial similarities between the two franchise's premises: the collection of small, cute characters with amazing powers and limited vocal skills. However, this comparison is really only valid with the early episodes of the cartoon. Later in the series, the "Mini-Con of the week" focus disappeared completely, and the comic series was never like that. (Among other things, the comic Mini-Cons were every bit as verbose as their "bulk" brethren.) And actually, the Pokémon cartoon isn't especially like that, either; only a tiny minority of its episodes involve the main characters catching a new Pokémon.
Although the "collection" aspect may have started things off, it didn't seem to be at the heart of the issue. Rather, the Armada show had a lot of stereotypical anime conventions (which had been seen in Transformers before), was marketed for pre-teens, and wasn't always serious: all traits shared with Pokemon...and hundreds of other shows. Essentially, this is a comparison made primarily by people who disliked Armada and wanted to make it sound dumb by associating it with something else they disliked (and assumed other people disliked as well).
It could be fairly stated that both Pokémon and Armada simply tapped into a tried and true marketing approach to sell their product. Furthermore, Armada was far from the first Transformers franchise to use the "Collect them all!" approach; it has been a common marketing theme of the Transformers brand (actually, every toy franchise) since its inception.
