I avoid this amazingly piss poor cartoon because it drives me nuts, its just so bad it not even funny any more.  The reason for this is two-fold, the abysmal voice acting and of course the CGI which is bocky, motionless and carries absolutly no weight.  However on the TV today was an episode where Megatron was trying to change Inferno to a decepticon and both he and Megatron were properly animated and animated well, it threw a whole new slant into the equation.

 

Why when they can do this do they use this amazingly annoying GCI which has no redeming features?

Probably b/c it's cheaper.... you'd think that since they're using CGI models that there would be a lot more action - but the TFs don't move around that much more than they would in a traditional anime anyway.

 

I want to believe that there's a good story in Energon somewhere, but there's so much you have to look past in order to enjoy it. And unfortunately when the two biggest things you have to look past are the voice acting and the animation, it kind of kills the rest of it. JMO

Personally, I thought they started using the CG on Energon, after they had such problems keeping the models on key in Armada, using 'proper' animation. (wee bit of trivia, Studio A-Cat did the Energon CG, also does the Robot Masters CG.)

 

Anyways, the Megatron/Inferno animation wasn't the only time it was proper. When Megatron reawakened on Unicron, Demolisher's 'death' (around episode 16, I think..but it was early in the series), and then the awesome cel-style combiner transformations in the Special Ep.There's probally more, but that's all I can think of, though.

 

I can't say anything on how the story was handled domestically, tho. The one episode I did see, after watching Superlink for so long, I would of rather seen the voice direction and acting done by William Shatner..and it would of still been under acted. Hopefully if they're using a new group for Cybertron, Susan Blu can be vocal director again. :D (and well, if they're using Terry Klassen...I'll picket Hasbro's offices by my lonesome. At least till they start throwing Transformers at me to get me to leave. "C'mon! I dare you to throw Alt. Grimlock at me! I dare yo..Ah, crap! not 20th Optimus and Unicron!.....Ow! I'm going, I'm going!")

 

Aoi

the CGI in GF is somewhat better, almost on par with BW. but the models hardly ever get any battle damage or are altered in anyway other than transforming.

 

i can't help but wonder if it's hasbro that wants to use cgi as an attempt at recapturing the greatness of BW.

i can't help but wonder if it's hasbro that wants to use cgi as an attempt at recapturing the greatness of BW.

I doubt Hasbro cares if the cartoon is CGI or traditional animation.

I doubt Hasbro cares if the cartoon is CGI or traditional animation.

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but if the japanese studios always intended to use CGI, then why did it come out so poorly? like i said, even Gonzo's cgi seems to be limited.

It's cel-shaded CGI. And unfortunately, as I know from playing several video games using that style, it's a very mixed bag, often leaning towards the MEGA FUGLY end of the spectrum.

Anyways, the Megatron/Inferno animation wasn't the only time it was proper. When Megatron reawakened on Unicron, Demolisher's 'death' (around episode 16, I think..but it was early in the series), and then the awesome cel-style combiner transformations in the Special Ep.There's probally more, but that's all I can think of, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yeah, there were quite a few:

Scoponok's rentry to earth

Hotshot shouting at rodimus

Prowl Attacking Ironhide

 

thats about it before the inferno ep I think

The only good CGI cel-shading in a cartoon is on the show Futurama.  TF Energon cel-shading is ass ugly.  I think we can also blame details of the toys for this, since the animators feel that they must outline every single detail in black line. 

Atleast, in GF they ditched the cel-shader and the bots actually look like they have weight. Also, there is more G1 style action.

 

Energon was very had for me to watch (Amarda was worse). If you really want to find the plot hidden it you'll have to watch Superlink.