My guess is that the transtector is a scorpion derived from his former name Scorponok. And he changed his name to Zarak upon assumed victory over Fortress.
Again, merchandise writes the story. I understand the explanation from the Headmasters anime. What I don't understand is if the name change for marketing or something else.
I honestly have to say the extra dialogue is pointless. But that tends to happen whether is a Japanese or English dub. Transfomers Cybertron is a great example of extra dialogue.
When I read your example what crossed my mind is that neither option is better or worse, they're just different. You can argue that the Headmaster, because its the sentient part, would be more appropriately called Scorponok. At least, that's how I see it. I don't think it's a matter of what's more logical or makes more sense versus what doesn't. You also have to take into account that in US fiction the body and head function differently versus Japanese fiction. That's how I see it. I'm not speaking as some authority on the matter (obviously). Although I'm a big fan of the Japanese influence I definitely ignore parts of it (Kiss Players, uh huh). I also think it's funny when some of Japan's cultural views on women show up in the fiction (i.e. Kiss Players and Megatronia). I definitely like IDW fiction too. If there was one thing I would want Hasbro to do differently is to absorb some more of the mystical and epic trappings that Takara uses in their fiction and naming. It's almost like Takara believes that Transformers actually exist and they're here just conveying information of their existence through toy form on modern day earth. Versus Hasbro which is like "let's sell this plastic as quickly as possible!" The TF fanbase will not go away, it will grow and shrink in natural waves, so Hasbro should just give in and really embrace the fiction and the fanbase. Dump the marketspeak, its not what fans want.
True, but I've seen some subs of the Japanese dubs, and it's extensive to the point where the characters have arguments over stuff during the openings and endings of shows like TFA. I have not seen a single English dub like that. The part that confused me with Scorponok/MegaZarak is that he's the only one in Japan whose head is named after the animal when it's usually the transtectors that are named after the animal, with the exceptions being Skull and Wipe, but their heads aren't named after animals either.. In other words, MegaZarak is the odd one out. I'm not really sure with what you mean about the differences of naming for Hasbro and Takara. Isn't it to appeal more to the different cultures?
Thank you for your input Kirby0189. I'll say this. The fact that Takara didn't create any series (except Transformers Go which was made from Prime) after Galaxy Force is regrettable. The least it can do is continue some of its existing story line. I mean, Gundam did something like that with Unicorn.
I am really bothered when I hear subs of Masterforce where they call the villains names like Skullgrin or Skalor. That's not their names! Victory is worse, when they call the Dinoforce members by Monstructor names! To me those guys are all separate individuals from the American Pretenders and Seacons.
I think the most annoying part is that the name changes set up for some confusing elements if you're not already in the know on what's going on.
Then what about the Prime in the 2015 series. The can't be 2 RID Primes. And the names above are they official names?
Rid15 prime, and they are not necessarily official names perse, but it is the series they are in followed by the character name
Thats the thing. There is a need for official names so they can be distinguished easily like Grand Convoy - Superlink.
As a biased Westerner with no affinity with Japanese customs and culture, the Japanese element of the Transformers franchise will forever remain, to me, as simply an odd curio. My ignorance means that I don't really get a lot of that stuff, and I end up just sitting there watching a lot of it in mild bewilderment/amusement - the Megatronia comic being just the latest example. That said, I do realise that the Japanese aspect of the franchise is extremely important, and even if I don't really like or understand it, I certainly respect it. I'd definitely be sad to see any kind of erosion or westernisation of these unique elements. It still pleases me greatly that there exists a Transformer named Rodney.
Yeah, but this is a point I agree with him on. What he's pointing out is that a lot of these characters aren't meant to be Optimus Prime/Original Convoy at all. Some of them are completely separate characters. Like Fire Convoy is not Convoy/OP at all. And I do like that variety.
That's fair, but some of them were also supposed to be Optimus prime and Takara went their own way with it. Hasbro developed the overall story for the unicron trilogy, and Optimus was supposed to be Optimus throughout, Takara said we can do it better and when making the anime made Optimus into three seperate characters.
I'm not that bothered by the Star TV dubs. But I do object to seibertron.com doing it. Seibertron should know better. Buster and Hydra aren't the Japanese releases of Darkwing and Dreadwind, they are completely separate characters who happen to share a mold but in different colors.
