Transformers: Armada (cartoon): Difference between revisions
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''Armada'' is set in a [[Unicron Trilogy]] universe, and is the first series in its continuity. Thus, the ''Armada'' cartoon was responsible for establishing the animated UT universe. (There are also [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|comic books]] based on ''Armada'' that are set in slightly different UT continuities.) | ''Armada'' is set in a [[Unicron Trilogy]] universe, and is the first series in its continuity. Thus, the ''Armada'' cartoon was responsible for establishing the animated UT universe. (There are also [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|comic books]] based on ''Armada'' that are set in slightly different UT continuities.) | ||
''Armada'' added to Transformers mythology the notion of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]], a tiny (human-sized) race of Transformers that, when "[[ | ''Armada'' added to Transformers mythology the notion of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]], a tiny (human-sized) race of Transformers that, when "[[powerlinx|powerlinxed]]" to their larger brethren, would unleash a floodgate of energy. Because of the great potential for their exploitation, the Mini-Cons attempted to abstain from the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] war and fled [[Cybertron]], crashing several of their ships on or near [[Earth]]. When some Mini-Cons are accidentally reactivated in 2002 by clumsy teenagers, a beacon alerts both the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, who track them to Earth and continue their battle here. | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
Revision as of 00:41, 19 August 2007
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Armada was the first Transformers cartoon to be co-developed in the United States and Japan. The show was produced in Japan, aired first in the United States, and then aired later in Japan. The cartoon served as a media tie-in for the overall Transformers Armada franchise.
Story setup
Armada is set in a Unicron Trilogy universe, and is the first series in its continuity. Thus, the Armada cartoon was responsible for establishing the animated UT universe. (There are also comic books based on Armada that are set in slightly different UT continuities.)
Armada added to Transformers mythology the notion of Mini-Cons, a tiny (human-sized) race of Transformers that, when "powerlinxed" to their larger brethren, would unleash a floodgate of energy. Because of the great potential for their exploitation, the Mini-Cons attempted to abstain from the Autobot/Decepticon war and fled Cybertron, crashing several of their ships on or near Earth. When some Mini-Cons are accidentally reactivated in 2002 by clumsy teenagers, a beacon alerts both the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, who track them to Earth and continue their battle here.
Production
Armada was plagued with translation errors, particularly the repeated misnaming of characters in dialog, and also wildly varying animation quality. This is due in large part to an extremely rushed production schedule; the ADR studio Viocebox often recieved unfinished animation to work with, and rarely had time to get more than a first-draft translation of the script together in time for recording.
The nature of this rushed-job is still under speculation, but there appear to be two primary suspects. Initial plans called for Dreamwave to supply character models for the series (at least, that was the claim), but that never materialized, possibly throwing production schedules off. Also, it has been mentioned that Cartoon Network, the channel that aired the show, would not sign off on the series without a certain number of episodes already finished, forcing a rush-job to get the cartoon out in a timely manner to coincide with the toyline's release.
Although fans had a mixed reaction towards the product as a whole (which is in reality typical of any new series), it was incredibly successful with the target audience, children ages 4-9. The success of Armada lent to the more expensive R&D that went into the next two toylines, Energon and Cybertron, as well as help launch the Transformers Universe subline. Armada remains a toyline of controversy still to this day.
Episodes
1. First Encounter
2. Metamorphosis
3. Base
4. Comrade
5. Soldier
6. Jungle
7. Carnival
8. Palace
9. Confrontation
10. Underground
11. Ruin
12. Prehistory
13. Swoop
14. Overmatch
15. Gale
16. Credulous
17. Conspiracy
18. Trust
19. Vacation
20. Reinforcement
21. Decisive Battle
22. Vow
23. Rebellion
24. Chase
25. Tactician
26. Link Up
27. Detection
28. Awakening
29. Desperate
30. Runaway
31. Past, Part 1
32. Past, Part 2
33. Sacrifice
34. Regeneration
35. Rescue
36. Mars
37. Crack
38. Threaten
39. Crisis
40. Remorse
41. Depart
42. Miracle
43. Puppet
44. Uprising
45. Dash
46. Drift
47. Portent
48. Cramp
49. Alliance
50. Union
51. Origin
52. Mortal Combat
