Well, as you might've guessed from my sigs from the past few days, today marks the sixth anniversary of the series finale of Transformers Animated, Endgame, Part II. This anniversary feels all the more special because it falls on a Saturday for the first time in the past six years, as have the anniversaries of the rest of season three. Animated was a series that wasn't afraid to show the cast chilling. It wasn't afraid to have fun with things. It wasn't afraid to have some great laughs, but also some emotionally powerful, legitimately dark moments. It had strong characterization, unique designs for each character - any average kid could tell the difference between Ironhide and Ratchet, who even shared the same mould. It took from all over the franchise, even the movies which Wyatt has gone on record to say were certainly not his favorite. Even after it's end, Animated has made it's mark. Botcon 2011's set sold like hotcakes. Toys will sell for shitloads of money on eBay, especially Japan-exclusives like Blackout. And the accuracy, sleekness, and poseability of said toys are still to be admired to this day. Animated original Lockdown was made the big bad of the high profile AOE! Even fans who've accepted the untimely end of Animated want it to be back someday in some shape or form. The AllSpark Almanacs are fat, heavy pieces of proof of how much love was put into this series. From the cast, designers, production crew, etc. This was a beautiful, sweet moment of Transformers history that should be cherished and will be cherished for years to come. I know most years I've made an anniversary thread, but each year, I put my heart and soul into these threads. Because that's what Animated put into everything it did, and what it put into us. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be as in love with it as we are every year. Otherwise, we wouldn't be wishing for the days of Animated when discussing series that have debuted since then. So, yeah. Here's to six years since one of - in my opinion, the - best Transformers series of all time.
I really enjoyed Animated. For me it was the perfect blend of nostalgia and a new fresh approach to things.
I loved TFA it was by far the best Transformers series usually I rewatch it every summer. The characters were fun, the art style was fun, I think it needed at least one more season.
I can't believe it's been six years. It was a fantastic show and it's a shame it never got the proper resolution.
Animated, without which, I wouldn't have anything to do with Transformers these days. It was the first I saw, and I think without seeing it, and trying to make sure and see every episode that aired, I definitely wouldn't've been open to my dad showing me the first few episodes of G1, and I wouldn't have cared to see Bayformers either, nor would I wind up eventually finding this site, or even being a fan of TF, so yeah, to Animated.
Yay for Animated! My first TF Cartoon. I really need to get around to finishing this show some day... It may have been cancelled but at least it had a good ending that tied up the series and sent off the characters well, which is more than I can say for TFP.
*places flowers on grave* It may have ended before it's time, but no series, after the first two, have made such an impact on the franchise. IDW, WFC, Prime, Generations, and even AOE all reference it. Lockdown and Bulkhead seem like they'll continue to pop up in different fiction (even if under different names) and a hammer is now part of Magnus' iconic appearance. It's been a while since I've rewatched an episode of Animated. Maybe I should go do that.
All Ramjet had to say about the show was "It was a totally terrible series with no redemptive qualities." And we all know what that means when RJ says something in Animated. Animated had to many great things to list but some definitely noteworthy things are it's originality, it's art style, the way it got you care about characters (R.I.P. Blurr, Prowel, Yoketron), and it's overall storytelling. Also had the fastest Optimus Prime death and Reveal of any series.
The Complete Almanac was a heartwarming and heartbreaking thing to read recently. Just so much love in that book.
In before hipster haters come in and say how they hated the style, hated the cel animation, hated Sari etc etc. Personally I love Animated, but (perhaps) unusually I never watched the show (aside from the pilot that came with the Prime/Megatron Deluxe two pack) back in the day, and just bought the toys, which were pretty much universally awesome. Even Jetfire/Jetstorm is a fun guy. These days I've seen the series via the DVD boxset and I can say it's the best TF series by a country mile.
I wished that series had went on. Was the first series to me that truly rival Beast Wars with characters and story. Had it went on, it would of surpassed Beast Wars as the best transformer series ever.
So the haters would be hating it ironically, and with a gumshoe detective's fedora? Series is one thing, but I'll just say Transformers The Movie (1986) watched 26 times in a row is better than any Transformers season ever produced.
So, where's our Isenberg-penned continuation comic, IDW? Didn't the convention you announced RG1 at make clear the demand?
The Writing and Voice acting was so good that I enjoyed it even though I hated (and I mean HATED) the Designs and especially the Animation.
A unique series which also came off as a love letter to G1 and other series before it post-G1. I loved it. Loved the cartoon and toyline. Without Animated there would be no TF4 AOE. Sure the Bay trilogy was derived from G1 lore(however loose as it was) but AOE? AOE had a heavy Animated influence. The Animated toyline proved just how good Hasbro/Takara's engineering has become. The fact that the highly stylized 2d designs could even be replicated in physical form without needing to swap parts for transformation, raised the bar. It was an incredible feat and I doubt any mainline to come will match it for a long time. RID has a neat style but IMO Animated did it better(yes unfair comparison though given petro costs, inflation, et al).
