After being let down by the last few animated shows, and seeing the ridiculous character designs for TF:Animated (c'mon, do they all need Jay Leno chins?), I didn't even give the show a first glance. I don't have cable (or really watch TV), so it was easy to pass up, and I didn't bother looking at any of the toys. I just stuck to collecting my Classics/Universe toys and the occasional movie toy.

But I kept seeing all these stray quotes about how good the show was, how neat the toys were, and how true it was to the spirit of G1 while keeping a modern sensibility, and all that... I didn't really believe it, but it stuck at the back of my mind. So when I was standing in Blockbuster with a free movie pass, and I saw the TF:A DVD, I figured I'd be horribly closed-minded if I didn't at least give it a watch.

And... wow. I mean, really, wow. The opening had me hooked, obviously (I actually yelled to my wife, "THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE CARTOON!", then when she was confused, "NO, I MEAN THE G1 CARTOON!") and the characters and plot were actually pretty darn good. Honestly, it was on par with some of the best G1 plots (which, let's be honest, weren't amazing).

So I finally sat down in my local Target and finally LOOKED at the toys. Picked 'em up and studied the robot modes, the alt modes, the features, the weapons, all that. And... man, I couldn't deny that they were (for the most part) pretty well made. They looked... fun.

So I just picked up Animated Leader Bulkhead. And frankly, if I had time, I'd submit a full review for him. He's more fun than even Universe Onslaught, and that's saying something. I've never had a TF with this much PERSONALITY. From the way he cocks his head when he talks to the arrangement of the lights to the thought put into making sure that everything folds away so he looks just like his animated self... five out of five stars, easily.

So now it looks like I have yet another line to start collecting. And I was so close to not being broke again... sigh...

(Quick question: Is Activators BB as good (or at least close) as Deluxe BB? I only buy one of each character, and if Activators BB isn't much worse than Deluxe BB, I'd prefer that one, I think.)

 

good job...that u gave it a chance, i mean...its a truly awesome line

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Transformers Animated!!

As for the Bumblebee question: Unless you are real picky when it comes to scale, Deluxe is the way to go.

 

TFA FTW! I have all of the Autobots + Blackarachnia exept for Sentinel and Ultra Magnus. I never can find them in the stores near my house.

 

I personally think Activators is better then Deluxe. The deluxe is too big compared to the others. Plus the Activator is awesome to transform.

 

Seriously, who doesn't like the animated bulkhead?(A quote from my wife)
one of the best toys ever made(Both V and L class)

 

Activators BB is a cracking little toy. Pretty much as posable as his big brother, and in better scale to boot. Or, you can buy both. Like me.  

 

oh sorry, didnt see ur question about BB..i have deluxe coz i thought it was the best at the time, but activators BB is much better...better size accuracy, and a better figure overall.deluxe BB just looks awkward, IMO...i have all the current figures except blackarachnia (i dont like beast figs)

 

LOL... that's how I felt about it in the beginning. I'm just glad I gave it chance early ... get a good jump for the all the toys.  

I have both... I pretty much like all the activators because it's just so fun transforming them.

 

Let me also vote for Activators BB. I have 2 Deluxe, and the Stealth Bumblebee, but if it's scale, I like the Activators best by far. But maybe that's because I only have Voyager Bulkhead, and even though his look is more show accurate, he's too short.

 

Animated Swoop is awsome! The fact that it isn't as fragile as his G1 counterpart is nice...

 

Get Deluxe BB and Activators CJ. That way you get both the Deluxe and Activators Bumblebee molds.

 

Read this thread, and then read another one.. *giggles*

 

Hey guys, I have Leader Megatron and Blitzwing so far, I wasn't going to get any more but I've recently been tempted.

I'm thinking about getting Voyager Starscream, Voyager Prime, Prowl and Lockdown. Are these good choices? What order should I buy them in, ie which is best? Thanks.

 

Prowl and Lockdown are the best of that bunch.

 

simple answer to the bumblebee question.

get the deluxe bumblebee, and then the activator cliffjumper  

 

I'd go with Prime, Starscream, Prowl, and Lockdown in that order. Or you can just buy the entire lineup to make things easier.

 

Thanks dude, thats pretty much what I was thinking too.

 

Hooray, good for you, Animated is great, etc, etc...

Also: yes, they do need big chins, it's part of the design. GET. OVER. IT.