Pokeformers: Difference between revisions
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'''Pokeformers''' is a derogatory term often used to refer to the [[Armada (franchise)|''Armada'' franchise]] by members of the Transformers fandom who weren't particularly fond of the series. The term is a [[wikipedia:portmanteau|portmanteau]] of the words "[[Wikipedia:Pokémon|Pokémon]]" and "Transformers". | '''Pokeformers''' is a derogatory term often used to refer to the [[Armada (franchise)|''Armada'' franchise]] by members of the Transformers fandom who weren't particularly fond of the series. The term is a [[wikipedia:portmanteau|portmanteau]] of the words "[[Wikipedia:Pokémon|Pokémon]]" and "Transformers". | ||
Some fans began referring to ''Armada'' as "Pokeformers" because of superficial similarities between the two franchise's premises: | Some fans began referring to ''Armada'' as "Pokeformers" because of superficial similarities between the two franchise's premises: each featured a collection of small, cute characters with amazing powers and [[Targetmaster#Japanese Targetmasters|limited vocal skills]] which buyers were urged to collect as many of as they could. The ''Armada'' animated series did little to help refute this comparison, with the first half of the show featuring virtually nothing ''but'' the Transformers searching for new Mini-Cons in an attempt to "collect them all" - ironically taking the theme to an even greater extent than the Pokémon cartoon itself. It tends to be the preferences of the detractors in question, however, to ignore the fact that the "Mini-Con of the Week" focus disappeared ''completely'' as the series moved into its second half, and that the comic series was ''never'' like that (among other things, the comic Mini-Cons were every bit as verbose as their "[[bulk]]" brethren). | ||
Although the "collection" aspect | Although the "collection" aspect was enough of a similarity for people to draw comparisons between the two franchises (in both fair and unfair ways), it didn't seem to be at the true 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 22:20, 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: each featured a collection of small, cute characters with amazing powers and limited vocal skills which buyers were urged to collect as many of as they could. The Armada animated series did little to help refute this comparison, with the first half of the show featuring virtually nothing but the Transformers searching for new Mini-Cons in an attempt to "collect them all" - ironically taking the theme to an even greater extent than the Pokémon cartoon itself. It tends to be the preferences of the detractors in question, however, to ignore the fact that the "Mini-Con of the Week" focus disappeared completely as the series moved into its second half, and that the comic series was never like that (among other things, the comic Mini-Cons were every bit as verbose as their "bulk" brethren).
Although the "collection" aspect was enough of a similarity for people to draw comparisons between the two franchises (in both fair and unfair ways), it didn't seem to be at the true 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.
