Anime Attack!
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 Transformers? As an anime? *pfft* It'll never catch on. | ||||||
| "Anime Attack!" | ||||||
| Production company | Allspark Animation | |||||
| Airdate | September 19, 2020 | |||||
| Director | Mickey Lee | |||||
| Animation studio | Counter656 | |||||
 Watch this episode on YouTube
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ディセプティコンは独自のアニメを作成します！
Synopsis
[edit]After giving an embarrassed Barricade an angry glare for accidentally shooting the screen, Megatron notices the millions of views and likes the Autobots' latest video has received. He angrily demands a video idea to destroy them. None of the Decepticons can some up with anything until Mirage pulls off his blindfold, showing large anime eyes! He dashes over to the screen, putting on Devilman Crybaby. Megatron approves of his idea and the Decepticons strike a dramatic team pose, ready to make an anime!
Mirage and Barricade speeds down the street, both entering a parking lot. As Mirage backs into a parking spot, he collides into Barricade, who wants the spot for himself. Both face off, dramatically transforming, and continue to angrily demand the spot. Having had enough, Barricade charges Mirage and gives him a powerful uppercut, sending him flying! Mirage quickly recovers and powers up, fire surrounding him as he charges forward. Barricade does the same, surrounded by an electric aura. Both collide, creating a shockwave that shatters the windows of the cars and buildings around them. They stop and look at the damage they've done. Barricade begins to angrily rage, likely blaming Mirage. Meanwhile Mirage grows upset, crying massive streams of tears.
In the Autobot headquarters, the Autobots watch with confusion. Upon seeing how many views the Decepticons' video received, Optimus slams his fist on the console. Turning, he thrusts his fist in the air, chanting "Autobots", as the others stand and join him.
Featured characters
[edit](Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons |
|---|---|
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Quotes
[edit]"❗🎬💥💣⚡"
- —Megatron demands a video idea.
"🅿️"
"🅿️"
- —Mirage and Barricade both claim the same parking spot.
Notes
[edit]- The short was initially released via the Netflix Japan Anime account on Twitter in September 2020, followed by releases on the English Netflix Anime YouTube channel in December and Counter656's YouTube channel in January 2021. The Neflix YouTube release uses the title "Anime Attacks".
- The various vehicles filling the parking lot as props are all from previous Transformers toylines. The top row contains releases from Transformers Prime: Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Rumble, First Edition Cliffjumper and a Vehicon. The bottom row is a bit more random, with a Revenge of the Fallen Sideways, Beast Hunters Smokescreen, Nezha from Nezha: Transformers, and Camshaft from the 2007 movie line.
- Oddly, the Sideways features a black hood not seen on any released version of the Deluxe mold.
- BotBots appear again in both bases again as props. In the Decepticon base Angry Cheese, Burrito Favorito, Carb O'Nate, Duderoni, two Hawt Diggitys, S'up Dawg, Sippy Slurps, Spud Muffin, The Vengeful Terror-Yaki, and Twerple Burple are on the table as snacks. Arctic Guzzlerush, Dinger, Kidd Klobber, and Kikmee appear on shelving behind the couch. Finally Greeny Rex and Rootwing appear at the back of the room. In the Autobot base, Brotato, Hawt Diggity, Shredder Jack, Sippyberry, The Fizz, and Twerple Burple are on the table as snacks. Bogus Pocus and Professor Wellread are in the bookcase behind Prime and Greeny Rex and Smerg the Sad are under the picture of Cybertron.
Transformers references
[edit]- Decepticon script appears at a few points in the short:
- When Mirage and Barricade collide, the words "anime" and "nani" pop up. (See Real World References below.)
- As Barricade uppercuts Mirage, the word "pow" appears.
- Like with the other videos, a large picture of Cybertron, as seen in the first episode of Transformers: Prime, can be seen on the wall in Autobot headquarters.
Real World References
[edit]- Devilman Crybaby was an anime reboot of Go Nagai's Devilman manga series that aired in January 2018 as a Netflix exclusive.
- Given this episode's focus on anime, many references to it and Japan in general are made:
- After removing his blindfold, Mirage reveals a Kawaii style cute face, with large eyes, blush lines, and two little hearts. He even blinks in an anime style, eyes appearing as an exaggerated >< emoticon.
- Speed lines appear throughout while Mirage and Barricade move quickly, such as while driving or fighting.
- When Mirage and Barricade collide, two words pop up in Decepticon script similar to sound effect pop ups in manga. One translates as nani, meaning "what?" in English. This is often used in anime to express shock or surprise.
- Mirage's transformation sequence seems pattered after a mecha anime style sequence, slowly showing each part convert.
- Barricade's entire transformation sequence is inspired by magical girl transformations, specifically Sailor Moon. Similar to how the Sailor Scouts have their respective planets appear behind them at the end of their transformation, Barricade has Cybertron appearing in the background .
- Mirage and Barricade powering up with energy surrounding them is an staple in shōnen action series such as Dragon Ball Z, even borrowing a few DBZ sound effects.
- As Mirage and Barricade charge towards each other, they run with their arms sticking out straight behind them, likely in reference to Naruto.
- Another anime staple of exaggerated reactions appears a few times, such as smoke coming from their heads while angry, Barricade's angry face, and Mirage shooting streams of water from his eyes while crying.
- The two mini prop bottles of Coca-Cola make another appearance in the Decepticon headquarters.
- Both Megatron and Optimus react with exclamation marks suddenly appearing over their heads, accompanied by a horn-like noise, in reference to the Metal Gear video game series.
