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Transformers: Animated

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Transformers: Animated
File:Transformersanimated.jpg
The Autobots
GenreAction
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Written byTodd Casey
Rich Fogel
Henry Gilroy
Steve Granat
Marsha F. Griffin
Kevin Hopps
Marty Isenberg
Andrew Robinson
Michael Ryan
Directed byChris Berkeley
Ben Jones
Irineo Maramba
Kintaro Mizuono
Ciro Nieli
Shunji Oga
Keo Thongkham
Matt Youngberg (supervising)
Voices ofSee Cast
Opening theme"Transformers: Main Theme"
Ending theme"Transformers: Main Theme" (instrumental)
ComposerSebastian Evans
Country of originUnited States
Original languagesEnglish, Arabic
No. of seasons3[1]
No. of episodes42 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time23 min
Original release
NetworkUS Cartoon Network
CA YTV
AU Ten
UK NickToons
DE Super RTL
PT TVI, Canal Panda
MS TV3
BUL bTV
BR Cartoon Network
PL Jetix
AE MBC 3
ReleaseDecember 26, 2007 –
May 23, 2009

Transformers Animated is an American animated television series based on the Transformers toy line. The series debuted on The Cartoon Network on December 26, 2007 and has been shown on NickToons in the UK since March 2008. It is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and animated by Japanese animation studios. Thus far, one 90-minute movie and 39 additional episodes have been released over three seasons.[2] The European Jetix began to air the series on October 11, 2008.

The show's continuity is separate from any other previous Transformers series, despite featuring footage from the first series (The Transformers) in its first episode as a historical film.

Storyline

Five Autobots (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Prowl, and Bulkhead) find the fabled Allspark only to become a part of the long-lasting battle between the Autobots and their enemies, the evil Decepticons. A space battle ends up stranding the Autobots in mid-21st century Detroit where they take on roles akin to that of superheroes, fighting both Decepticons and human supervillains.

The story takes place in Detroit, and the Transfomers' battle is renewed in this future city on Earth. Instead of being known as the Motor City, it has now become the Robot City due to Dr. Isaac Sumdac's non-alien robotic creations. Sari Sumdac, his 8-year-old daughter, is the main human character that the Autobots saved when they landed on Earth.

Production

The series is animated by Japanese animation studios MOOK DLE, The Answer Studio (the Japanese studio that animated Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!), and Studio 4°C.

Formerly known by the working title Transformers: Heroes, its new simplified title was designed to specifically distinguish it from the live-action film released in July 2007, months before the first episode aired.[2] The series is distributed internationally by Entertainment Rights. [3]

The show's supervising director is Matt Youngberg (Teen Titans, The Batman) [4], with Cartoon Network vice-president Sam Register as executive producer and Vincent Aniceto as line producer. Additionally, Beast Machines writer Marty Isenberg returned as the head writer for this series. [citation needed] Art director/lead character designer Derrick Wyatt (Teen Titans, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Legion of Super Heroes) created the “brand new look” that this series introduces.

The first episode was due to be screened in full on November 3–4, 2007 at the NTFA Mini-Con, a Transformers convention in Arlöv, Sweden, but US toymaker Hasbro pulled their approval of the screening of the full episode. The episode had to be cut down to the first 11 minutes.[5][6]

After the series's normal run began in January 2008, the first two seasons were aired nearly back-to-back, creating nearly a year-long delay in between the second and third seasons. The long-awaited final season finally premiered in both the United States and Canada on March 14, 2009 with a 90-minute (three episode) special. After a lack of communication and much speculation, it was officially announced at BotCon 2009 that the series was over, at least in a televised format.

Characters

Main article: List of robots in Transformers Animated
Main article: List of organics in Transformers Animated

The main transformers are Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream, Blitzwing, and Lugnut. The Optimus Prime of this series is much younger than previous incarnations. Professor Isaac Sumdac, Sari Sumdac, and Captain Fanzone are the humans or (as the Autobots call them) "organics".[7]

Episodes

Main article: List of Transformers Animated episodes

Locations

  • Detroit: The Autobots and Decepticons end up here, and the battle of good against evil is renewed in this future city on Earth.
    • Sumdac Tower: The largest tower in Detroit where Isaac Sumdac designs and tests his robot creations, which was also the resting place of Megatron's severed head before he was revived. Its appearance is that of a giant spark plug.
    • Abandoned Automobile Plant: The current headquarters of the Autobots as it was unused property of Sumdac's.
    • Fossil Fuels: The city's oil refinery, its logo is homeage to Sludge.
  • Dinobot Island: Small isolated island in middle of Lake Erie where the Dinobots are living. It is also the location of Meltdown's laboratory.
  • Carbon Mines: The site far from Detroit where Megatron's body ended up. During Season 2, Megatron uses it as his base of operation because the carbon protects him and his forces from detection. The Mines are later destroyed during the "A Bridge Too Close" 2-parter.
  • The Autobot Ship: The Autobots' ship, crippled by the Decepticon's attack and crash-landed in Lake Erie. Its main computer system has a female-voiced persona known as Teletraan I, which is the same name of the Autobot computer system in Generation 1 (G1). When Blitzwing and Lugnut arrived on Earth to search for Megatron and the Allspark, Ratchet and Sari used its (previously deactivated) weapon systems to battle the Decepticons. In part two of "Megatron Rising", the ship flew again, only to be shot down and crash into the crater mountainside of Dinobot Island (similar to the crash of the Autobot ship in G1). The emergency shuttle stored inside the ship was destroyed by Starscream in the episode "A Fistful of Energon". In "A Bridge Too Close" Pt. 2, it was revealed to be the vehicle form of Omega Supreme.
  • The Decepticons' Warship: Megatron's flagship, which dwarfs The Autobot Ship in size and carried the stolen protoforms. On the verge of destruction, it was abandoned by all of the Decepticons except Starscream. He managed to survive and pilot its remains for fifty years until he eventually homed in on the Allspark on Earth. The ship later crash-landed on the moon. It still remained there, acting as Starscream's base of operations and holding his decoy army, until Megatron had parts of it torn down to build his Omega Supreme clones.
  • Lockdown's Ship: A ship that is outfitted with hologram projectors to disguise it, and very powerful scanners. Lockdown travels the galaxy in this ship, and he stores many of his hunting trophies on board.
  • The Cybertron Elite Guard's Ship: Similar to the ship of Optimus Prime's crew, only larger and light blue in color, Ultra Magnus and his team landed with this ship in Detroit. As of "Mission Accomplished", the ship and its crew has returned to space again to aid the other Autobots across the galaxy.
  • Cybertron: home planet of the Transformers. It is usually seen in flashbacks. The planet made its first ever live appearance in the episode "Transwarped".
    • The Metroplex: The Autobots' central headquarters on Cybertron, and the chambers to The Autobot High Council.
    • Fortress Maximus: The Elite Guard's base on Cybertron.

Cast

David Kaye, who voiced Megatron during Beast Wars, Beast Machines and the Unicron Trilogy, now voices Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Lugnut, Highbrow, Cliffjumper, Warpath, the human Sparkplug, and the News and Security Bots.[8] Kaye said that most of the characters outside the core cast (Prime, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ratchet) will be single-episode cameo appearances.

Corey Burton, who voiced Shockwave and Spike Witwicky from the original series, reprises them along with providing the voice of Ratchet, Megatron, Ironhide and Cyrus "The Colossus" Rhodes in this show.[9]

Tom Kenny voices Starscream, Scrapper, Waspinator, Jetfire, Skywarp, Sunstorm, Thundercracker, the Liar Starscream, Rattletrap, Professor Isaac Sumdac, Tutor Bot, the Burger Bot robot, and an unnamed commercial announcer and cop.[10]

Tara Strong voices a girl named Sari Sumdac, one of the supporting human characters, as well as Red Alert, Strika, Slipstream, Teletraan I, Mayor Edsel's Aide, Daniel, Carly, Slo-Mo, and the Receptionist Bot.[11]

Jeff Glen Bennett as Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, Mixmaster, Grandus, Captain Fanzone, Angry Archer, and the Condiment Bot[12]

Other cast members and guest stars include:

Susan Blu and John Moschitta, Jr. played previous incarnations of their characters in The Transformers: The Movie and Seasons 3-4 of the original TV series. Judd Nelson played the incarnation of his character in The Transformers: The Movie. "Weird Al" Yankovic supplied the song "Dare to Be Stupid" for the soundtrack of The The Transformers: The Movie, which played during the scene where the original Wreck-Gar was introduced.

Home Video Releases

North America

The North American releases feature full-screen video and stereo sound in both English and Spanish.

  • Transform and Roll Out (DVD, June 22, 2008)
A single DVD containing the feature-length premiere "Transform and Roll Out".
Also includes the first two unaired shorts, "Career Day" and "Evel Knievel Jump".
  • A Target exclusive version came with a second disc containing the follow-up episode "Home Is Where the Spark Is".
  • Season One (DVD, August 19 2008)
A Two-disc set containing the complete first season, from "Home Is Where the Spark Is" to "Megatron Rising Part II".
Also includes a season 2 "sneak peek" photo gallery.
  • Season Two (DVD, Jan 6 2009)
A Two-disc set containing the entirety of season 2, from "The Elite Guard" to "A Bridge to Close Part II", with audio commentary on selected episodes.
Also includes the shorts "Starscream Heckles Megatron" and "Explosive Punch" and a photo gallery.

United Kingdom

Whereas in America the series was released in complete seasons, the UK instead got several single-disc "volumes" containing four episodes each, also featuring full-screen video, but with audio and subtitles in English and German.

  • Transform and Roll Out (DVD, August 4, 2008)
Contains the feature-length premiere "Transform and Roll Out" and the shorts "Career Day" and "Evel Knievel Jump".
  • Volume One: Blast from the Past (DVD, October 20, 2008)
Contains the episodes "Home Is Where the Spark Is" through to "The Thrill of the Hunt".
  • Volume Two: Lost and Found (DVD, June 15, 2009)
Details yet to be announced.
  • Volume Three: Megatron Rising (DVD, June 15, 2009)
Details yet to be announced.
  • Volume Four: Mission Accomplished (DVD, June 15, 2009)
Details yet to be announced.

Video game

Main article: Transformers Animated (video game)

This is the first Transformers Animated game. Released for the Nintendo DS platform in October 2008.

Channels

Country Channel
United States United States of America Cartoon Network
Canada Canada YTV
United Kingdom United Kingdom NickToons
Germany Germany Jetix, Super RTL
Mexico México Cartoon Network
Netherlands Netherlands Jetix
Portugal Portugal TVI, Canal Panda
Serbia Serbia Happy TV
Malaysia Malaysia TV3, Cartoon Network (Southeast Asia)
Bulgaria Bulgaria bTV, Jetix
Brazil Brazil Cartoon Network, Rede Globo
Poland Poland Jetix
Philippines Philippines Cartoon Network/ GMA 7
Australia Australia Cartoon Network& Network Ten (On Toasted TV)
Arab League Arab World Countries MBC 3
France France Gulli
India India Cartoon Network
Russia Russia Jetix, STS
Finland Finland MTV3
Turkey Turkey Jetix(Turkey)

References

  1. ^ "Entertainment Rights picks up more Transformers". 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-26. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  2. ^ a b "News: April 14, 2007". Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  3. ^ "ER picks up new Transformers". 2007-05-08. Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  4. ^ "Transformers Animated Coming to Cartoon Network". 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  5. ^ NTFA Forums: TF Animated to premiere at the Mini-Con!
  6. ^ TFW2005 Boards: New Transformers Animated Series details revealed at NTFA Mini-Con
  7. ^ "Transform and Roll Out!". Transformers Animated. Season 1. Episode 1, 2, 3. 2007-12-16. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "David Kaye (I) - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ "Corey Burton (I) - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  10. ^ "Tom Kenny (I) - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ "Tara Strong - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  12. ^ "Jeff Bennett (I) - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ "Susan Blu - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  14. ^ "Townsend Coleman - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  15. ^ "Bill Fagerbakke - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  16. ^ "Lance Henriksen - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  17. ^ "Phil LaMarr - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  18. ^ "John Mariano - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  19. ^ "John Moschitta Jr. - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  20. ^ "Judd Nelson - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  21. ^ "Kevin Michael Richardson - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  22. ^ "Bumper Robinson - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  23. ^ "Cree Summer - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  24. ^ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001786 /filmoseries#tt1055335 "George Takei - Filmography by TV series"]. 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); line feed character in |url= at position 35 (help)
  25. ^ "Fred Willard - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  26. ^ "'Weird Al' Yankovic - Filmography by TV series". 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2008-12-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

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