EDIT: As I have done to a lesser degree for the previous Transformers cartoons, I will be providing FULL schedule coverage for Transformers: Animated. All future episodes will be announced in this thread, along with "new" or "repeat" indicators, and all schedule updates or changes will be reported here. Check for the latest posts in the thread for the most accurate and recent schedule news.

Since "Transformers: Animated" premieres tonight as a television movie on Cartoon Network, I thought this was as good a time as any to start the official series discussion thread.

Instead of having General Discussion bombarded with tiny topics about every detail of the show, let's try to focus our "Animated" series conversations in here. It will keep the boards tidy, and will help to keep the conversations moving.

Some topics to kick off our discussion with before the movie airs in a few hours:

1) Are you looking forward to the new Transformers series? If so, what draws you most to the newest incarnation?
2) The series is receiving almost universal praise for its voice cast. Which voice actors are you most looking forward to hearing?
3) The series is being written in the United States by "Beast Machines" scribe Marty Isenberg. How does this strike you, and do you think having the series created by Cartoon Network in the U.S. will be a nice change from the past few series?

I'm sure there will be lots of talk and speculation once the series begins later tonight, so here's to a new era of Transformers television!

Thank you for posting this.

I was unsure if the premiere was tonight or not... so I guess I had better get my VCR ready!

I am. I'm generally drawn to any reinvention of the franchise, not because I just hate G1 that much, but I really enjoy seeing the concept challenged, if that makes sense. Everything I've seen from the cartoon and toyline I think shows real promise, although I've always been partial to the "animated" look since B:TAS premiered. Plus, I think the more simple style of the artistic design is the perfect compliment to Bay's uber-complex Transformers, and I look forward to having both side-by-side for the next couple of years.


Weird Al and all the original returning G1 cast (Blurr, Arcee, and I think Shockwave).


I think it's cool. My main issues with Beast Machines came from it's concept (the organic past of Cybertron and it's ultimate techno-organic fate), not the execution of said concept, and I think that the same writers working with a concept I enjoy (which Animated seems to be) can make for an excellent cartoon.

WEIRD AL!!!! 4 LIFE!!!!!

On topic though, I am interested in seeing how this pans out, I haven't watched any of the toons (A/E/C) since Beast Machines; which as Hobbes mentioned had poor conceptualization but very good execution on the storytelling side of things.

I am very excited about the toys on the other hand. I just think it's great that they're trying to get back to the: the transformation being the gimmick. I was initially worried as to how well they would represent both modes (not that cartoon accuracy is really that important, I'm primarily a G1 fan), but from the protos I've seen, it worked out superbly.

1) What draws me to the new incarnations are the TOYS - which should be out before the show. We've all seen pics of the prototypes. I've heard that Hasbro has intentionally delayed the release of the figures for several months after the show. Does anyone else think this totally sucks balls?!?

2) The new Megatron sounds really awesome - in many ways, even better than David Kaye's Beast Wars/Machines Megatron. For one thing, he can sustain a consistent British accent! (as much as I love Kaye's Megatron voice, the inconsistency in the accent was my biggest gripe)

3) I like Beast Machines, so I'm looking forward to see how Marty Isenberg handles this. Having said that, I recognise that Beast Machines had its flaws - but a lot of that was to do with character continuity discrepancies with Beast Wars and the unorthodox direction that Skir, Isenberg et al decided to take with the plot - which while I don't inherently object to, did really box in continuity. The main flaw with rebuilding Cybertron as a technorganic world is that it's hard to continue off that and take the story back to a more orthodox/traditional setting without using some shameless plot device to re-rebuild Cybertron as a machine world but yet somehow justifying that within the pre-established premise of Beast Machines. BM effectively stuck the G1/G2/BW/BM continuity into a dead end. TF Animated is a fresh new series - afaik free of direct ties to any other pre-existing canon that the writer would be bound to as with Beast Machines. And from the looks of it they're not intending on taking it on such an unorthodox path as they did with Beast Machines. And also importantly, it seems to also be primarily marketed at kids - which is important. Another flaw with Beast Machines was that it was too adult-oriented... not the greatest thing for advertising a children's toy line (of course, the toy line had some problems too, but that's not the writer's fault).

David Kaye's portrayal of Megatron in Beast Wars/Beast Machines is, in my opinion, the greatest Transformers performance of all time, followed closely by Peter Cullen's Prime. Transformers: Animated combines the best of both worlds for me- Kaye AS Prime. It should prove to be very interesting.

As for Corey Burton's Megatron, from what we've seen of him, his voice is evil and dramatic. It's something completely new for the character, and I think it's going to work very well. I think, however, that Tom Kenney's Starscream is going to steal the show.

Anyone know if this is going to be on iTunes??
How does one watch this if they dont have a TV??

^cartoonnetwork.com? I don't know if they have anything set up on the site to watch their programming on-line or not, otherwise there's always a pirate* network somewhere that can help you.


*I've said it before, and will again, I do not support or condone piracy.

Once again the Commodore steps up to the mark

there is no such thing as a British accent, Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. Each of these countries has a variety of accents on their own, England especially.

i see what you mean though, this Megatron seems more calm, as if nothing can touch him. It'll be interesting to see how he later deals with Starscream.

Good old Corey Burton, ilook forward to hearing him voice Shockwave again (and Brawn if he ever makes an appearence)

Wow, I had forgotten about that movie tonight! DVR'd! Thanks!

I hope that for cable-less freaks such as myself, Cartoon Network sets up something. I mean, they do this for Adult Swim, why not for this? I am also not a piracy advocate, and constantly rail some co-workers for regularly downloading movies barely released on the big screen.

I was nice that is started with some G1 scenes and catching the spike witwicky family in the background.

I don't know guys. 1st of all, the figs I've seen thus far the only ones who look half way cool is OP & BB. all the rest look wack!
also I'm still at work & haven't seen it yet, so I'm not officaly passing judgement on the show just yet. but I warn you. I do not try to see the world through "rose colored glasses".
there for I give prais & kudos when its good & flame it with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns when its crap! I did how ever just now have a co-worker stop by my post & we talked about the new animated show for a lil while.
he said its the same animators that do shows like "Ben 10". needless to say when he said that my hart sank. BUT, I will wait until I see this...........................show, for myself before passing Royal Judgment.
my God have mercy on it soul.

JUST SAW IT

BEYOND AWESOME

It just ended -- in short, I loved it. Easily the best Transformers cartoon since Beast Wars. The Decepticons were genuinely scary and threatening, the fighting and humor were terrific, and the voice acting (particularly, Megs and Starscream) was fantastic. I've been a fan of the art style since the beginning, so needless to say, I loved the way it looked.

Finally, another great Transformers cartoon!

That was in one word, Awesome.

Undoubtedly better than anything since Beast Wars. I am really excited to see how it progresses though, it could easily take a turn for the worse. Most of all i liked the opening looking at the previous cybertronian war history, it would have been even better if they blended the new and the old.

What I liked about this episode.

1. G1 cartoon intro as history vid for Bots. With Rachet saying "why are you watching that old vid"

2. Blitzwing is automatically my favorite character. Just his Arnold personality won me over. His smart personality is cool too.

3. SS is awesome.

4. Prowl is my favorite Autobot.

What I didn't like.

1. Still not used to the animation style the TF's

2. Lugnuts. He looks to much like a drone.

3. They changed their transformation style. One moment they transform like a magic trick. In another they transform showing parts moving around. Just pick a style and stick to it please.

Just to mention it:

PLEASE USE SPOILER TAGS WHEN DISCUSSING EPISODE CONTENT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE IT YET

You know Beast Machines was kind of a flop in my opinion, but everyone should get a chance to redeem themselves... I didn't hold Pearl Harbor against Michael Bay.

My bad, thought this was the OFFICIAL discussion thread for animated.

AWESOME ON AN AWESOME PLATTER TOPPED WITH AWESOME SAUCE WITH A AWESOME AWESOME-FLAVORED BEVERAGE





























































yeah i like it. a lot.

Just be considerate of your fellow fans is all. I'm sure everyone will have seen it by the end of the week.

Yea I just watched both the 1 hour special and the first episode with Starscream. It was good. The story was good and very nice for children. They try to teach teamwork and mix it up with funny skits and fast paced action. What more can you ask for?

I noticed a few things...

GREAT to see Sentinel Prime and Ultra Magnus. I WISH we couls have figures of those two!
Magnus voice was PERFECTLY Robert Stack-ish...

G1 Spike, Daniel and Carly can be seen in "extreme" cartoon (blue and white spacesuit) form towards the begining of the first Earth scenes... I cracke up after I realized who they were...

The transformation sound is a clear mixture of G1 with some nice metal strikes. Well done.

Our main characters are a modern mix of several different G1 characters. It was wierd at first. But I think it works very well. Ratchet and Ironhide. Bumblebee and Jazz. Megatron and Unicron...

Prime was good. Again a mixture of Optimus and Rodimus... Good to have a young leader again!

Starscream's voice was BALLS ON! Excellent VW!

Ratchet had some good little zingers and his rusty rattle sounds are hillarious! Very good sound effects for an old war torn bot...

Prowl was cool. The little ninja hockey mask was different...

LOVE Megatron's role in the end of the first episode. Very well written!

I would watch more. Its cute and fun to watch.

But I'm not a big fan of the actual style and animation. It looks VERY cheap and rushed...

Okay, I edited the thread title... so now it's more AT YOUR OWN RISK and stuff

Glad you liked it.

I thought the animation looked nice and fluid, there was no choppiness or clunkiness to it. The last two shows were nowhere nearly as well done as this IMO.


Also, I loved the "techno-organic" nod. Nice.

Yeah, I hear ya. Its gonna be hard for some us to keep a tight lip though. And this is why you rule!!!!!(Well in TFans atleast)

I think it was good on it's own and great compared to what's been produced since the year 2000.

just got through watching it, awsome good comedy, great battle scenes, SCREAMER RULED,cant wait til jan 5 itos soo on!!

I think it could have been better with out the little girl myself. A 20 or 30 something young woman/man would have been OK but a little girl just gets in the way.

Yeah, I'm sure boys will love watching a pesky little girl hang out with the Autobots. I think there would have at least been some neutrality if the character were older.


Oh, and who the hell names their kid after a traditional garment worn by Indian women?

My three boys went nuts over the show, FWIW... I think the "boys" you're talking about are adult fans.

i just know the space ship turns into omega supreme.

wow thats all i can say
i think it may be better than the movie
and who saw the preview for the series?
lugnut blasting the ground at pointblank FTW
(i forgot how to do spoiler tags)

Just watched it, I've got to say I was a little concerned with the animation style, but they pulled it off nicely. I think it's a good mix of something new for the next generation and pays a nice homeage to G1. Over all, well balanced. Can't wait to see more!

It's just too bad we have to wait on the toys

Yeah, like me for instance Someone throw a vid link up already!

I loved how the show blended the movie and G1, and the like, it just felt like the definitive origin story. I don't like that the humans found out about the 'bots so quickly, which kinda negates hiding, but it's hard to write that and still blow up Blot.

Starscream was perfect. The sounds of his cannons were beautiful.

even a legal one - I'll pay....

GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!! I loved The Transformers Animated!!! The clash of characters work as well as the animation. Just now hearing that animators from Ben 10 were on it was an excellent choice. Good camera action AND TF Animated just had me glued to my set just for the storyline. Love the G-1 tie in as well!

Alls I can say is WOOT!!

Some one please PM me with something seedy and illicit....

Yeah, I am looking forward to it. I'm already a huge fan of the Teen Titans show, so its kinda neat seein TFs done like this. The humor, characterization, and action are certainly in the same vein as Teen Titans.


Starscream!!! It was awesome hear Ultra Magnus's voice, he sounds like an aged version of the G1 Ultra Magnus. Also I'm glad the didn't over- do Bulkhead's voice. They got it just right. The last thing I wanted to hear was another Crumplezone.


Doesn't bother me at all. I thought the first season of Beast Machines was well written. BM was really good and making Megatron and the Vehicons real threats for the Maximals and seeing how many Autobots it took to nail one Decepticon in Animated, I think he's headed in a good direction. So as long as he doesn't start growing plants on Cybertron, I got no problems.

The show is awesome! I admit it is weird watching a TF show like this because of the style, but it is good. The voices are great, the characters have heart, plus the story and action are enjoyable.

Agreed! Please, please please somebody send me a link. I need to see this!

Naysayers be damned, this was awesome.

And Starscream's no longer inept...hell, he's downright ept. He accomplished more in this premiere than G1 SS pulled off in all of the 80s combined.

I guess I'll spoil all my comments...

ZOMG! Chibi animated movements in vehicle form! Constantly! ^_^

I like what they did with the Allspark- it's Moviecube-looking, BUT it's yellow-orange with handles, Matrix fans.

Blitzwing is FABULOUS

And I ruvs Spongescream Starpants.

The whole story is set up well, and I love it. Ratchet may be my favorite character.

Gotta say, I was really blown away by how solid the whole show was. It truly fely intesne watching those action scenes.

Some Negatives:

The Optimus Grapling hook might get a little over used. He's not Batman

I don't mind the way the bots are drawn, but some of the humans look a little too funky for me, especially the kids with the Orphan Annie eyes


These are both little quibbles though. As I stated earlier, this entire show was outstanding.

I sooo can not wait to see some Dinobots!

If someone PMs me with a link to something... I would appreciate it.

... that is all.

I am not sure at this moment. The storyline and how it is developed is what I would like to see.


Frankly I couldn't care less. All I want is a show that satisfy my demanding needs.


I was not aware of this. I will have to wait and see. I am not a big fan of BM or change in general, but if it is done well, I'm fine with it. As for CN, I'm a bit biased on them because of the way they threat the few robot shows they have. Couldn't care less about mass appeal and marketing. I just want a show I can enjoy.

Old may not be always best, but neither is new. I just hope I didn't sounded too closed minded/purist, though I must admit I'm half that. At least I like the new Starscream and Megatron compared to the ones in the live movie. Those I will NEVER like.

It starts with Generation One footage! How awesome is that?!?!
Plus the appearance of Spike, Daniel, and Carly in the introduction to Detroit!
Also, the current head of Autobot Military is Ultra Magnus. The G1 clip-show showed Dion at the end of it, with the lines "Inspire those who are yet to come online". More Dion/Ultra Magnus proof! ^_^

The story itself was rather good, extremely enjoyable, and well written. It has been ages since I've been so geeked out watching a TF series.

I thought the show was awesome. Starscream was A+. Megatron looks great,Blitzwing seems interesting,all 3 of his personalities that is. My only gripe is that Bumblebee sounds too much like Spongebob

I noticed how it took all of the Autobots to fight Starscream, and even then they weren't able to defeat him. It makes you wonder "well, how the hell is Prime ever going to beat Megatron?" Thats why the final scene was so powerful. You really thought "oh sh*t" at the end of the movie / episode / thingy. Well done, CN -- the Decepticons are actually threatening for the first time ever.

I liked the story a lot more than the 2007 movie FWIW.

oh and lol, Autobot bureaucracy. I guess this Ultra Magnus *can* deal with that right now.