There are a lot of different robot stories, characters, and toys out there. What makes us as Transfans love the transforming kind so much better? Is it the story that was made for them? Is it the added value of imagination that you get with an alternate mode? Is it the idea of living machines that live through the same struggles that we do? For me, I think it's all of that and more. Transformers just seems to have the ability to encompass so many different eras and generations. They've lasted 20+ years and I could see them sticking around for a lot longer. Why are they so cool to you?

I got into the toys first. The G1 show was okay but it was always the toys that held the greatest interest for me. I think part of it was just "it'd be cool if I could do that". Plus the mechanics of the whole thing was cool to me. There was a problem-solving aspect to it that I also liked.

 

To throw a bit of Freud into the mix, I think part of the appeal is also the fact that these robots feel much less emotionally vulnerable than "human" toys do. They're large, strong, and armored -- AND they can hide themselves from detection by others. That appeals to kids, particularly the kind who are more emotionally sensitive / less socially secure. I actually think there's a lot to that.

you mean this isn't a star wars site :wtf

 

 

just kidding,

 

TFs just hit me at the right age i guess, i was 5 when the show debuted, can't get much more impressionable than that

a bit of Freud into the mix, I think part of the appeal is also the fact that these robots feel much less emotionally vulnerable than "human" toys do. They're large, strong, and armored -- AND they can hide themselves from detection by others. That appeals to kids, particularly the kind who are more emotionally sensitive / less socially secure. I actually think there's a lot to that.

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I agree, but at the same time, the writers always seem to throw so many "human emotions" in with the shows. I always thought it was cooler to know that such a seemingly invulnerable creation like a giant transforming robot could share some of the same weaknesses and faults that we have. That just seems to add an element that other stories don't have. I think that's why I enjoyed the Iron Giant movie.

a bit of Freud into the mix, I think part of the appeal is also the fact that these robots feel much less emotionally vulnerable than "human" toys do. They're large, strong, and armored -- AND they can hide themselves from detection by others. That appeals to kids, particularly the kind who are more emotionally sensitive / less socially secure. I actually think there's a lot to that.

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I agree, but at the same time, the writers always seem to throw so many "human emotions" in with the shows. I always thought it was cooler to know that such a seemingly invulnerable creation like a giant transforming robot could share some of the same weaknesses and faults that we have. That just seems to add an element that other stories don't have. I think that's why I enjoyed the Iron Giant movie.

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I think they had to do that to make the robots not come across as ...well, robots. Basically they treated the TFs as though they were GI Joe characters. So they were humanized to the extent that any gung-ho military cartoon stereotype is humanized...

And they still do it today. Now, Transformers in Energon even breathe heavy after they've been running.

And they still do it today. Now, Transformers in Energon even breathe heavy after they've been running.

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That's why I like Beast Machines. At least there it makes sense for the robots to be doing stuff like that. :D

And they still do it today. Now, Transformers in Energon even breathe heavy after they've been running.

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That's why I like Beast Machines. At least there it makes sense for the robots to be doing stuff like that. :D

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Beast Machines brought a whole lot of new ideas onto the Transformers scene. The fact that they sort of meditated to achieve transformation opened new doors. The living machine concept became an easier idea than ever before. I cannot wait for a DVD set of that series.

It's pretty simple to me..

 

It's a car (or plane or dinosaur, etc), AND it's a robot!!! Two toys in one! And who doesn't like robots?!!?

 

The cartoon, comics, and all these sites are just a bonus.

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Optimus Prime