My friend told me that he feels that most fans don't consider Beast Wars to be canon even though the creators clearly did with how the characters from it reacted to characters and events that took place in G1. So is it something to be tossed aside and forgotten? Or is it as valid as any episode of the G1 series? I was around from the beginning but didn't really become a fan until he introduced me to Beast Wars. He fells that G1 is better and I respect his opinion, but I don't feel that Beast Wars is apocryphal. What do you the fans think? Is it to be ignored like some Star Trek fans ignore Enterprise?

 

it's really up to you. some people think the G1 comic is the true canon instead of the tv series. some people make up different ways to tie in all the series after beast machines. a lot of people would like to think beast machines didn't exist.   then you have the japanese shows. headmasters cancels out the rebirth episodes we had here. again, it's all about what you want out of it. this is far from the likes of star wars and star trek.

 

I don't know if anyone can say what "most fans" feel. I believe it to be canon (as we were told that it was) with respect to the G1 series in the US, and I think a lot of fans do here as well. Then there are some that do not, and worse, others who choose to just not accept it.

There seems to be 3 basic universes to Transformers canon. That would be G1 through to Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise, and finally, the Unicron Trilogy (Armada, Energon, and Cybertron). Hasbro has told us that all of these universes are "real" and simply exist in alternate realities, tied together by constants like Primus and Unicron (who, regardless of what "universe" they are in, are the exact same character).

Never try and figure out the Japanese stuff or the comics. Your head will explode.

As far as being a better series to G1? I think it was certainly better written, and ignoring it would be a real mistake. I was pretty taken back when I first saw the toys, but once the series started I really enjoyed how smart it was.

 

Beast Wars defintely belongs in the G1 continuity family, though it is up to you to choose which of the G1 continuities it follows (since it incorporates elements from both the TV series and the comics). Most modern incarnation of G1 (see the Dreamwave series) always seem to incorporate Beast Wars elements into them to make them fit (except for IDW's current take) After all Beast Wars introduced alot of concepts that are right now staples of Transformers lore (sparks, protoforms etc.), and have been retconned into continuity, being used retroactively to explain certain aspects of the old comics/TV series .

 

Yeah, I think with all the later series it's up to each fan to tie together their own continuities.

Mine happens to be that G1 (minus "The Rebirth"), Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, Beast Wars, and Beast Machines are all canon. Not exactly sure how, but that's how my brain tells me it is.

 

Here is my belief:

G1 cartoon: Beginning of canon series
Beast Wars: Continuation of canon series
Beast Machines: I will not consider this series to be canon, PERIOD.

 

I consider it to be canon.

And as much as I hate Beast Machines and like to pretend it never happened, I also consider it to be canon.

 

One thing to consider is that when Beast Wars started, the writers knew little to nothing about the Transformers universe aside from certain names and appearances. Beast Wars was originally intended to be its own continuity, but the writers later learned more about G1 and began incorporating elements from it; placing both series in the same universe. That's how Wikipedia tells it, anyway.

My personal feelings are the same as SilverBlade's. I hated Beast Machines.

 

you're the man!

 

What the hell? Yes I most definitely think it's canon. Same goes for Beast Machines. Both shows were wonderfully written, entertaining to watch, had captivating characters, and had splendid animation (for the time, and post Season 1 Beast Wars still holds up pretty well, IMO).

 

I never really got into Beast Wars until it was on video.

Beast Machines helped get me back into Transformers and Robots in Disguise completed it.

 

Good for you, sir. Good for you.  

 

Thanks, I try.

I may not like the show, but it is the direct successor of BW and as such should be considered canonical, regardless of your opinion on the show.

 

I would consider it to be more of the G1 mythos and even going as for as G2 (comics).

With regards to the G1 links...I thinks its a mixture of the Marvel comics and cartoon. For example, concept of Primus was never raised in the G1 cartoon but in the comics.

 

official = canon.

if you choose to ignore, its your choice.

since all this canon biz arose from SW:EU discussions, pls take note the distinction between movie SW and EU SW is lucas official: lucas approved. the latter is not necessarily canon as lucas may veto it.

that said, with TF its a bit difficult because official fiction comes from even varied source.

 

Transformers and Canon are 2 words that are really hard to get together.

Some fans only consider US G1 show as canon.

Some of those also add Beast Wars but not Beast Machines.

Some fans only consider the TFUK Comics as canon.

Some only consider the Japanese G1 canon.

There are just way too many ways to do it. That is part of the reason the movie took some ideas but really its a whole new relaunch of the original mythos of the Transformers.

To each his own I say.

I love the comics(all of em and they have their own screwy canons too lol)

I love the G1 show. I love Beast Wars. I loved the 2007 movie. I havent seen enough of Beast Machines to form an opinion.

 

And here is where things can get hairy. Also that the "Swarm" from G2 were suppose to be the anicient race that the Vok is from.

Beast Wars brought Primus into the G1 cartoon continuity! That was crazy!!

 

There is no one canon, the whole franchise is too contradictory. Not only did the G1 cartoon and comic offer different origins as whole, but they don't even agree with themselves...

...in the G1 cartoon The Constructicons built Megatron AND Megatron built the Constructicons...

...in the G1 comic, the Transformers were created by Primus AND the result of the natural evolution of simpler machines like gears and pulleys...

...to try and make even one piece of the franchise agree with itself is often an impossible task, which seems to be the only constant in the Franchise. Best thing to do is enjoy what you like best about Transformers, whatever it may be, and ignore the rest.

I will say that I feel that, with the exception of G1, Beast Wars is the single most important piece of the franchise since, as was stated before, so many of the concepts that it introduced have been carried over and become staples of later series (sparks, protoforms, etc.).

 

Beast Wars is def canon to me. To me it is tied with G1 in importance. I was an awesome show no doubt about it, and can not really just be tossed aside. It introduced so many ideas that are still being used and even retconed back into G1 as others have mentioned. No, it can not just be ingnored. It was a three season show, the 2nd longest running single themed show next to G1. All shows since, excluding beast machines, have been on season done and start over shows. I like when the show last more then one season and is still the same show. THAT is important to me.

 

D'oh, double post.