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{{faction|autobot}}
{{faction|autobot|decepticon}}
[[Image:Spychangers Rescue Spychangers Hit.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Looks awfully [[Dreamwave Productions|familiar]]...]]
[[Image:Spychangers Rescue Spychangers Hit.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Looks awfully [[Dreamwave Productions|familiar]]...]]
The '''Spychangers''' (also '''Spy Changers''') are a special kind of [[Transformer]] that are slightly smaller in size than the average 'bot, and thus transform into smaller-than-normal cars and trucks. Though most have been members of the [[Autobot]]s, the odd [[Decepticon]] Spychanger has also been known to exist.
The '''Spychangers''' (also '''Spy Changers''') are a special kind of [[Transformer]] that are slightly smaller in size than the average 'bot, and thus transform into smaller-than-normal cars and trucks. Though most have been members of the [[Autobot]]s, the odd [[Decepticon]] Spychanger has also been known to exist.
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===''Car Robots''===
===''Car Robots''===
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Spychanger DX6 Set]]
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Spychanger DX6 Set]]
The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)#Takara Car Robots toyline|''Car Robots'']] toyline featured six small 1:64-scale cars with axles designed in the style of ''{{w|Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox}}'' and ''{{w|Hot Wheels}}'' cars. They had simple transformations with articulation limited to rotator joints at the shoulders, and each came with handgun weapons. These six toys were originally sold as the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] in [[1995]] as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline. For their release in the [[2000]] ''Car Robots'' line, they were [[redeco]]ed and given the new team name of '''Spychangers'''.  
The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)#Takara Car Robots toyline|''Car Robots'']] toyline featured six small 1:64-scale cars with axles designed in the style of ''{{w|Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox}}'' and ''{{w|Hot Wheels}}'' cars. They had simple transformations with articulation limited to rotator joints at the shoulders, and each came with handgun weapons. These six toys were originally sold as the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] in [[1995]] as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline. For their release in the [[2000]] ''Car Robots'' line, they were [[redeco]]ed and given the new team name of '''Spychangers'''. Each one also had heat-sensitive paint apps that revealed their Autobot symbols, similar to [[rubsign]]s.
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
|width="64%" valign="top"|<u>'''Spychangers''' (March 2000)</u>
|width="64%" valign="top"|<u>'''Spychangers''' (March 2000)</u>
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[[File:RID WARSsuper-toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Super Wars and clear Super Wars]]
[[File:RID WARSsuper-toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Super Wars and clear Super Wars]]
Three years after the ''Car Robots'' had run its course, the Spychangers were given one more redecoed release as "[[Super Mode|Super]]" versions in the [[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]], sold mainly at convenience stores. This time, twelve figures were included in this release, with each figure receiving a second clear-colored "[[chase figure]]".
Three years after the ''Car Robots'' had run its course, the Spychangers were given one more redecoed release as "[[Super Mode|Super]]" versions in the [[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]], sold mainly at convenience stores. This time, twelve figures were included in this release, with each figure receiving a second clear-colored "[[chase figure]]". Each also had their heat-sensitive paint apps replaced with tampographed Autobot symbols (similar to their ''Robots in Disguise'' releases below).
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="75%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="75%"
|width="43%" valign="top"|<u>'''Super Spychangers''' (March 2003)</u>
|width="43%" valign="top"|<u>'''Super Spychangers''' (March 2003)</u>
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===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[Image:RIDHotShot-RIDtoy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hot Shot]]
[[Image:RIDHotShot-RIDtoy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hot Shot]]
For the [[2001]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)#Hasbro Robots in Disguise toyline|Robots in Disguise]]'' toyline, the six Spychangers were were slightly redecoed from their original ''Car Robots'' release, and were sold at mass retail in three two-packs in the line's Basic Class assortment. During this time, the Spychanger toys were never actually referred to as such by [[Hasbro]], with only the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|cartoon]] using the Spychanger name.
For the [[2001]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)#Hasbro Robots in Disguise toyline|Robots in Disguise]]'' toyline, the six Spychangers were were slightly redecoed from their original ''Car Robots'' release, replacing the heat-sensitive paint apps with tampographed Autobot symbols, which would become the standard for all later releases of the Spychangers. Each was sold at mass retail in three two-packs in the line's Basic Class assortment. During this time, the Spychanger toys were never actually referred to as such by [[Hasbro]], with only the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|cartoon]] using the Spychanger name.
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
|width="30%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basic Class Wave 1''' (July 2001)</u>
|width="30%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basic Class Wave 1''' (July 2001)</u>
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[[File:RID-toy XBrawn-SpyChanger.jpg|right|200px|thumb|X-Brawn]]
[[File:RID-toy XBrawn-SpyChanger.jpg|right|200px|thumb|X-Brawn]]
After the Basic Class's third wave of Decepticon [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] (redecoed from ''Generation 1'' [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] molds), a fourth wave introduced the third and final group of Spychanger-styled molds, this time created completely from scratch. All four were based on characters from the series who had larger toys, but only two ([[X-Brawn#Spychanger|X-Brawn]] and [[Scourge (RID)#Spychanger|Scourge]]) were fully designed in the Spychanger style and scale, since the other two ([[Optimus Prime (RID)#SC|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Spychanger|Ultra Magnus]]) were considerably larger than the typical Spychanger toys. However, the latter two were still racetrack-compatible, leading many to consider them two Spychangers as well.
After the Basic Class's third wave of Decepticon [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] (redecoed from ''Generation 1'' [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] molds), a fourth wave introduced the third and final group of Spychanger-styled molds, this time created completely from scratch. All four were based on characters from the series who had larger toys, but only two ([[X-Brawn#Spychanger|X-Brawn]] and [[Scourge (RID)#Spychanger|Scourge]]) were fully designed in the Spychanger style and scale, since the other two ([[Optimus Prime (RID)#SC|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Spychanger|Ultra Magnus]]) were considerably larger than the typical Spychanger toys. However, the latter two were still racetrack-compatible, leading many to consider them two Spychangers as well. Of further note is that Scourge is the first and only [[Decepticon]] Spychanger ever made.
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="50%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basic Class Wave 4''' (January 2002)</u>
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Basic Class Wave 4''' (January 2002)</u>

Revision as of 17:56, 10 April 2023

Looks awfully familiar...

The Spychangers (also Spy Changers) are a special kind of Transformer that are slightly smaller in size than the average 'bot, and thus transform into smaller-than-normal cars and trucks. Though most have been members of the Autobots, the odd Decepticon Spychanger has also been known to exist.

Spychangers specialize in stealth missions of covert espionage and special operations. Some have even been known to display a number of extraordinary abilities, which enable them to turn invisible, phase through solid objects, and even drive along almost any surface at any angle. Those that possess these abilities have at times even been considered ninjas.

In certain cases, normal-sized Autobots and Decepticons can become Spychangers through a downsizing process that physically reconstructs their superstructures to the smaller Spychanger scale.

Fiction

Robots in Disguise cartoon continuity

2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon

Air Team, form Strato Fighter!

The Spychangers were a team of six special ops experts. They aided Optimus Prime on Earth in his battle against Megatron. Although they were highly intelligent, unfortunately, they weren't very strong in a head-on fight. (The comic relief trio of Gas Skunk, Slapper, and Dark Scream gave them trouble.)

When the Predacons stole a plutonium energy generator, T-AI called in the Spychangers. Hot Shot, Crosswise, and R.E.V. responded first, pursuing the Predacons onto the beach, where they were joined by the other three Spychangers, Mirage, Ironhide, and W.A.R.S.. The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. Spychangers to the Rescue

After Optimus was captured and tortured by Megatron, the Spychangers joined the Autobot Brothers in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. Sideburn's Obsession

Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, and Mirage's failure to take a shot resulted in the Predacons escaping. When Mirage pretended to defect and led the Spychangers to Megatron's Mega-Laser Cannon, the team destroyed the weapon using the Global Space Bridge. Mirage's Betrayal

The Spychangers also took part in the International Grand Prix in an attempt to find Skid-Z and were blinded by Megatron a short time into the race. Skid Z's Choice On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. Hope for the Future

Land Team, form Turbo Terrain Fighter!

The Spychangers accompanied Optimus Prime to Montrose Island, where Predacon activity was causing the volcano there to become violent. They attempted to keep Scourge and Sky-Byte busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spychangers used their Inferno Blast formation to divert its path. Volcano

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding Fortress Maximus, the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by Armorhide and Rollbar. Fortress Maximus

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. Surprise Attack! After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with Skid-Z. The Final Battle

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Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The events of the Robots in Disguise cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as noted above, except that they take place in the world of the original Generation 1 cartoon where the Transformer cast are time travelers from the Beast Era to Tokyo in the year 2000{{#if:|, and is}}{{#if:| a character separate from }}{{#if:| named ""}}.
e-HOBBY toy bios

The trans-dimensional GoBots used their unique transporter and bio-mechanical technologies to help produce the newest generation of Transformers. The Spychangers were among them.

Super Spychangers catalog

With Ultra Magnus having departed Earth aboard Brave Maximus, the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace suddenly arose to challenge them in 2002. A plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with Spark Engines, granting them Super Modes.<ref>Super Spychangers story and bios in Japanese</ref><ref>English translation of story and bios</ref>

Ask Vector Prime

The Spy Changers were the only Autobots left on Earth when Chainsaw led the Mutants there. Utterly outclassed, the Spark Engines were created thanks to Professor Haruma Gō's new substance, go-brillium. They notched up many solo victories but had to relearn the importance of teamwork to finally win: under Super Artfire's newly improved leadership, they mastered the partial invisibility upgrade Super X-Car had been tinkering with and used it to defeat the Mutants.

With the go-brillium used up, they were regular Spy Changers again. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01

Legends

When Scourge's forces attacked Neo Brave Maximus, the Super Spychangers counterattacked, but the damage they inflicted upon the Commando's ship caused it to crash into Maximus. LGEX Scourge Prologue

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Spychanger continuity

In Viron 1103.12 Gamma, Optimus Prime and her troops had to downsize with Spychanger technology after Sky-Byte poisoned Earth's energon supply. Scourge was the only Predacon/Decepticon who also downsized, but she alone was no match for the 13 Spychangers active on Earth. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18

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Decepticon Spychanger:


Ask Vector Prime

In Primax 085.0 Eta, Optimus Prime and five of his Autobots Jazz, Wheeljack, Silverstreak, Prowl, and Hoist became Spy Changers, hoping to achieve their mission with stealth and diplomacy when they needed to travel to Gargent 087.0 Kappa due to a planet in that universe threatening to overwrite the existence of their Cybertron. They were able to achieve their mission with the help of the Guardians. In a later encounter with the Guardians, Trailbreaker became a Spy Changer as well. Ask Vector Prime, 30/9/2015 As did Red Alert. {storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric (2), 2016/05/02}}

In Quadwal 1215.15 Epsilon, these escapades were told in a Fun Publications convention comic called "Brain Problem Solution". Ask Vector Prime, 21/12/2015

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Toys

Car Robots

Spychanger DX6 Set

The Car Robots toyline featured six small 1:64-scale cars with axles designed in the style of [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Matchbox (brand)|{{#if:Matchbox|Matchbox|Matchbox (brand)}}]] and [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Hot Wheels|{{#if:||Hot Wheels}}]] cars. They had simple transformations with articulation limited to rotator joints at the shoulders, and each came with handgun weapons. These six toys were originally sold as the Go-Bots in 1995 as part of the Generation 2 toyline. For their release in the 2000 Car Robots line, they were redecoed and given the new team name of Spychangers. Each one also had heat-sensitive paint apps that revealed their Autobot symbols, similar to rubsigns.

Spychangers (March 2000)
Counter Arrow "Original Spychanger"

Late in the Car Robots toyline's life at mass retail, Japanese retailer JUSCO offered exclusive "Original Spychanger" redecos of the six toys as campaign items given away as blind-packed direct-mail premiums to members of JUSCO's "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国 Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. These redecos were given wild color schemes in translucent plastic.

JUSCO-exclusive "Original Spychangers" (August 2000)
  • Ox
  • Wars
  • X-Car
    • Super Wars and clear Super Wars

    Three years after the Car Robots had run its course, the Spychangers were given one more redecoed release as "Super" versions in the Super Spychanger Lottery, sold mainly at convenience stores. This time, twelve figures were included in this release, with each figure receiving a second clear-colored "chase figure". Each also had their heat-sensitive paint apps replaced with tampographed Autobot symbols (similar to their Robots in Disguise releases below).

    Super Spychangers (March 2003)
  • Super Eagle Killer
  • Super Eagle Killer (clear)
  • Super Ox
  • Super Ox (clear)
    		•
  • Super Wars
  • Super Wars (clear)
  • Super X-Car
  • Super X-Car (clear)


    • Robots in Disguise (2001)

    Hot Shot

    For the 2001 Robots in Disguise toyline, the six Spychangers were were slightly redecoed from their original Car Robots release, replacing the heat-sensitive paint apps with tampographed Autobot symbols, which would become the standard for all later releases of the Spychangers. Each was sold at mass retail in three two-packs in the line's Basic Class assortment. During this time, the Spychanger toys were never actually referred to as such by Hasbro, with only the cartoon using the Spychanger name.

    Basic Class Wave 1 (July 2001)
    Daytonus

    As the Robots in Disguise line continued, the Spychanger roster was greatly expanded. A second wave of Basic Class two-packs featured four new molds that were originally created for Generation 2 but never saw release until this point. This group is notable for being able to store their hand weapons while in vehicle mode, and for two of them being colored to represent Spychanger versions of larger figures.

    Basic Class Wave 2 (September 2001)
    X-Brawn

    After the Basic Class's third wave of Decepticon Commandos (redecoed from Generation 1 Combaticon molds), a fourth wave introduced the third and final group of Spychanger-styled molds, this time created completely from scratch. All four were based on characters from the series who had larger toys, but only two (X-Brawn and Scourge) were fully designed in the Spychanger style and scale, since the other two (Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus) were considerably larger than the typical Spychanger toys. However, the latter two were still racetrack-compatible, leading many to consider them two Spychangers as well. Of further note is that Scourge is the first and only Decepticon Spychanger ever made.

    Basic Class Wave 4 (January 2002)
    2002 Spy Changer R.E.V.

    Following the end of the Robots in Disguise line's run at mass retail, the line continued with store exclusives that coexisted with its successor line Transformers: Armada. Among these exclusives were a 2002 assortment of Spychangers released at KB Toys and Target stores. For the first time, the original six Spychangers were released by Hasbro individually instead of in two-packs, and were finally referred to by the group's name on the packaging, albeit spelled as two words: "Spy Changers". These six kept their original Robots in Disguise paint applications but replaced the figures' opaque plastic with translucent plastic.

    KB Toys/Target-exclusive Spy Changers (August 2002)
  • Mirage
  • R.E.V.
  • W.A.R.S.
    • 2003 Spy Changer Crosswise

    In 2003, a second assortment of individually-packaged "Spy Changers" were released at KB Toys. This time, the original six were redecoed again in another round of wacky translucent color schemes, like how the JUSCO "Original Spychangers" were. The were also sold on Armada-styled cardback but retained the Robots in Disguise branding logo.

    KB Toys-exclusive Spy Changers (June 2003)
  • Mirage
  • R.E.V.
  • W.A.R.S.
    • Tiny Tins Prowl 2

    Also in 2003, an assortment of eight Spychangers were released as Tiny Tins collectibles. These eight were unchanged from their original Robots in Disguise mass retail releases, and for the first time offered more than just the original six, adding Prowl 2 and Side Swipe to the mix. Also like the original releases, the packaging lacked any use of the names "Spychanger" or "Spy Changer".

    Robots in Disguise Tiny Tins (July 2003)


    Universe (2003)

    Universe Walmart Spychanger Ironhide

    The 2003 Universe toyline saw further releases of the existing Spychanger molds. In 2004, Walmart released two two-packs containing redecos of the Robots in Disguise Basic class Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus toys, each packaged with a Spychanger given a Generation 1-inspired color scheme. Of note is that these two-packs each used the single-word "Spychanger" name for the first time ever, but only for the two smaller figures, implying that the Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus toys aren't Spychangers after all.

    Walmart-exclusive Basic class two-packs (September 2001)
    Spy Changer Autobot Jazz

    Also in 2004, KB Toys released another assortment of "Spy Changers" (using the two-word spelling again, but see "Notes" below), this time using six molds from the Robots in Disguise Basic class's second and fourth waves, instead of reusing the original six Wave 1 molds for the umpteenth time. These six were all colored as classic Generation 1 Autobot characters and released on Armada: The Unicron Battles-styled cardbacks with a unique "Transformers" logo that lacked any kind of subtitle. A year later, all six were later rereleased at Dollar General and Family Dollar stores, albeit repackaged in Universe-styled cardbacks with the proper Universe logo.

    KB Toys/dollar store-exclusive Spy Changers Wave 1 (February 2004, February 2005)
  • Prowl
  • Silverstreak
  • Wheeljack
    • Spy Changer Mirage

    In 2006, Universe released a second wave of the dollar store-exclusive Spy Changers. This wave consisted of rereleases of Optimus Prime, Prowl, and Autobot Jazz from the previous wave, plus repackaged and rebranded rereleases of the 2003 KB Toys-exclusive Robots in Disguise Spy Changers W.A.R.S., Ironhide, and Mirage, now representing Generation 1 characters like the others.

    Dollar store-exclusive Spy Changers Wave 2 (August 2006)
  • Optimus Prime
  • Mirage
  • Prowl


    • Transformers (2007)

    File:SpychangerMovieOptimusPrime.jpg
    Optimus Prime Figure

    A redeco of Robots in Disguise Spychanger Scourge as Movie Optimus Prime was released in Japan as a preorder exclusive for the Transformers DVD or HD-DVD. Page 52 of Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2 gives this toy the name of "Optimus Prime Figure" (オプティマスプライム・フィギア)

    Optimus Prime Figure (2007)


    Notes

    Come on, they're spies. Obviously they would change their name on a frequent basis.
    When Optimus Prime and Autobot Jazz were no longer Autobots.
    • The spelling for the name of this subgroup varies:
      • Though the name originates with the Japanese Car Robots version or the series, an official English spelling was not provided, as the name was only rendered as スパイチェンジャー ("Spychanger") in katakana on the toys' packaging and in the title of the cartoon episode "Ninja Robo! Enter the Spychangers".
      • When Hasbro ported the Series to the United States as Robots in Disguise, the toys were sold as two-packs under the "Basic" price point, with no reference to their subgroup on packaging.
      • "Spychanger" was used during the cartoon's run, such as in the production bible<ref name="bible">Robots in Disguise Series Bible, at TFRaw</ref> and the title of the dubbed version of the aforementioned cartoon episode, "Spychangers to the Rescue".
      • Several months after the cartoon's final episode had aired on US television, Hasbro released redecos of the original six figures (originally available as KB Toys exclusives), with the name "Spy Changers" printed on the toys' packaging, spelled as two words. The same spelling was subsequently also used for the KB Toys exclusive "G1" redecos of six of the Robots in Disguise figures, as well as the rebranded re-releases of those "G1" Spychangers in Universe packaging.
      • Conversely, the two Walmart exclusive redeco two-packs from the Universe line spelled the subgroup's name as one word again. Additionally, the wording ("Optimus Prime with Prowl Spychanger", "Ultra Magnus with Ironhide Spychanger") seemed to imply that only the smaller figures were actually considered "Spychangers".
      • A KB Toys catalog for the Armada toyline featured several KB Toys exclusive Robots in Disguise figures, as well as the "G1" Spychangers, with the latter being given their own header, as if they were a separate faction alongside "Autobots", "Decepticons", "Mini-Con Teams" and "Unicron". Once again, "Spychangers" was spelled as a single word.
      • And finally, 2004's Transformers: The Ultimate Guide not only made consistent use of the single-word "Spychanger" spelling, but also separated the Basic class Ultra Magnus toy in its own section away from the Spychanger section, further suggesting that the Ultra Magnus (and Optimus Prime) Basic class toys weren't actually Spychangers.
    Overall, it would appear that the spelling "Spy Changer" as two words was more of an afterthought on behalf of Hasbro.

    Foreign names

    • Japanese: Spychanger (スパイチェンジャー Supaichenjā)
    • Korean: Spychanger (스파이체인져 Seupaicheinjyeo)

    References

    <references />

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