Shellformer
| This article is about toys that have lots of kibble. For toys from a long time ago that still haven't been sold, see Shelfwarmer. |
Shellformer is a fandom term for a Transformer that transforms by "unpeeling" pieces of one form to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the alternate mode is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate mode parts.
Shellforming is often the result of a design failing to include appropriate parts integration to support an aesthetically pleasing alt mode, and is often the result of attempts to produce a "realistic" beast mode. Sometimes, however, it may be an intended part of the design. For example, Age of Extinction Deluxe Class Crosshairs uses the panels that form the majority of his vehicle mode to create the appearance of a trenchcoat.
In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over.
This term is most often used derisively. Also see kibble.
Shellformers should not be confused with the Pretenders.
Notable shellformers
- Generation 1 Scourge
- Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy
- Beast Wars Neo Break
- 2001 Robots in Disguise Side Burn
- Cybertron Thunderblast
- Classics Voyager Class Megatron
- Movie Trans-Scanning Bumblebee
- Movie Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime
- Animated Wreck-Gar
- Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance Sideswipe
- Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Class Brawn
- Dark of the Moon Voyager Class Sentinel Prime
- Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin
- Age of Extinction First Edition Optimus Prime
- Age of Extinction Galvatron
- Age of Extinction Deluxe class Crosshairs
