Transformers Animated (cartoon)
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Transformers Animated is a cartoon series which debuted in early 2008, in support of the franchise of the same name.
The cartoon is produced by Cartoon Network, scripted in the United States, with character and background designs by the crews behind shows like Teen Titans and Ben 10, while animation is being provided by Japanese studios Mook, The Answer Studio, and Studio 4°C.
Animated sees several G1 voice actors reprise their old roles (Susan Blu, Corey Burton, John Moschitta, etc.), and is the first Transformers show featuring David Kaye in which he won't be voicing Megatron.
Series details
The series eschews the ever-continuing space opera storylines of the past few anime to return to the episodic approach of Beast Wars; each episode will be a standalone story, but with an overall story arc that stretches through the whole season. The focus is being put firmly on characterization, dynamic action, and humor.
The episodes center not only on the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, but also on the Autobots' interactions with many of Detroit's human supervillain denizens, including a maladjusted marksman, a speedy racer, and a guy who looks good in a pimp suit. The idea is to present the Decepticons as more of an ongoing background threat instead of having them be repeatedly defeated each episode and look like bumbling fools. Rather, the arrival of a Decepticon in battle is supposed to be a big deal, requiring multiple Autobots working together to stop even a single one. The human villains will give the Autobots "everyday" threats--and no doubt their schemes will turn out to be the result of Decepticon treachery. Note that human adversaries are not new in Transformers continuity. However, humans as major threats is very uncommon.
Season 3 is already in the works, and season 4 is quite possible.
While the series is not a sequel to the live-action movie, they have many thematic elements in common, most notably the central role of the AllSpark and the revelation that all modern technology has been reverse-engineered from the dormant body of Megatron. Hasbro also carried over some design elements from the live-action movie into Animated designs, including not just the aforementioned cube but also Ratchet's medical readout striped deco, Bumblebee's black racing stripe, and Megatron's helmet. These are meant to be "connection points," helping kids who had seen the theatrical film but had no prior Transformers experience ease into understanding the new series.
Cast
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
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Episodes
- For further information, see: List of Transformers Animated episodes
Reception
Transformers Animated debuted January 5, 2008, at 10:30am EST as the number one television show among boys 6-11 in both cable and network television. In addition, the strength of the showing helped lift the ratings of all its neighboring shows in Cartoon Network's "Dynamite Action" scheduling block. [1]
Trivia
- Transformers: Animated reunites Jeff Bennett, Bill Fagerbakke and Cree Summer as regular cast members. Respectively, they have previously voiced Brooklyn, Broadway and Hyena from the Gargoyles series, three characters not unlike their Transformers counterparts. Another voice actor for Gargoyles, Kath Soucie, has made a guest appearance.
- The series is the first in over a decade to re-establish the classic G1 convention of blue eyes for Autobots and red eyes for Decepticons.
- As well as the aforementioned G1 voice actors, Townsend Coleman returns to a Transformers series. He voiced Rewind in the original G1 cartoon.
- It seems like the Autobots like faceplates in this series. (i.e. Optimus, Prowl, Bumblebee, Sentinel Prime.)
- Yes, they have large chins. Shut up about it.
- Fans often point out references to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and other japanese mecha animation references in the series, though in fact, Derrick Wyatt, the chief designer, had not seen Gurren Lagann at the time of designing some of the characters, so unless they were added in post production, it's unlikely. However, this only holds true for the first series. On his blog, Derek cites some of his influences as being Diebuster and Gainax animation in general. Interestingly, 2000AD and the Mighty Orbots were also cited as influences. So while the Gurren Lagann references are unlikely, the general mecha and Gainax influence are not. Transformers Animated as a whole is highly influenced by japanese mecha shows.
