Random Transformers Thoughts

Discussion in 'Transformers General Discussion' started by Venixion, Aug 8, 2019.

  1. Zentropy

    Zentropy Toys > Fiction

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    To each their own, but from my perspective those images demonstrate an extreme low point in TF history. As much as I love many aspects of the Transformers franchise, I’m always surprised at how much of it I find wholly unappealing. Had I been born 15 years later this toy might have part of my collection, but I’m glad that’s not the case.
     
  2. YellowCorvette

    YellowCorvette Average Core Gundam enjoyer

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    With the recent announcement of how Mirage would have a silver-colored Porsche alt mode with blue stripes in the upcoming Rise of the Beast movie, I've been noticing that quite a number of fans aren't big fans of such a decision; and thought that a Porsche would fit Jazz better than Mirage, calling this new "Mirage" a thoughtless name-slap, saying things like "JAZZ NOT MIRAGE" and wanted the Porsche to be only Jazz, even though the movie was set in an alternate universe that has nothing to do with the old G1 continuity (where jazz is indeed a vintage Porsche but a different model).

    In fact, the same thing when anything about a new AU was announced with different takes and deviations from classic G1, the same thing happens and repeats itself within the Transformers fandom even since the Beast Wars days (Anyone remembers the whole "TRUKK NOT MUNKY!!" nonsense?), the Unicron trilogy, Bayverse, with none of the AUs been safe from this no matter what. I do aware that sometimes some of the alternate takes are well-received (Like Prime Cliffjumper not being a Bumblebee repaint for once, BW Megatron doing his own thing instead of being a copy-paste of G1 Megatron), but more often than not the Transformers fandom seems to always have a problem and went on pointless ranting about how dare a new AU has a different, interesting take on something or anything.

    At the same time, franchises such as Gundam that have gone on for 40 years have a history of having multiple AUs and experimenting on different takes on something, and yet this fanbase never seems to have trouble with it. With AU approaches been used in Gundam that deviates even more than anything Transformers has ever done, I might expect to see the Gundam fanbase been even more upset with alternate takes or AUs that does something completely different than UC than what actually happens, and yet... and yet you don't see die-hard UC Gundam fans went on ranting about how the Strike Gundam from Gundam SEED, Gundam G-Self from Reconguista, or the Gundam Exia from Gundam 00 has their own looks and gimmicks that are nothing like the RX-78-2; or how AU MCs like Domon Kasshu, Heero Yuy, or Flit Asuno has nothing in common with Amuro Ray.

    In fact, the Gundam fanbase's attitude is the exact opposite where they would be more upset if a Gundam AU "copy-paste" too many Universal Century-related elements instead of doing their own thing (Like what an AU is supposed to do).

    I do wonder what could cause these differences of these fanbase's respective attitudes and their reaction to AUs seems to be the exact opposite (Transformers fandom needs everything to be G1 and would be upset when any interesting alternate takes was done, while the Gundam fandom doesn't mind AUs and would be more upset if an AU copies too much from UC)
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2021
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  3. ObakaChanTachi

    ObakaChanTachi woke among sussy soyjak

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    I had a realization Downshift is a great template for a modern Wheeljack. He still has Wheeljack's definite headsculpt look, but turns into a whole new vehicle.
    itemimage_imgsrc.jpg
    Wheeljack is, to me, one of "those guys" who never seem to change as time goes by. With a few exceptions he's always this lame outdated white-red-green car from a company that barely even exists anymore. Is Hasbro too shy to be radical? I think it's time for some change!
     
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  4. CyberstormSM

    CyberstormSM Turbo-Revvin' Young Punk

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    I feel like Cyberverse Wheeljack takes some cues from Energon Downshift, mainly in the color of the windows.

    22116.jpg dec4z1s-fa4825b5-6928-4e3f-9cc1-f177394cc491.jpg
     
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  5. HispasatBot

    HispasatBot Banned

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    I would pay CBR to see this deleted scene
    CBR.PNG
     
  6. Zentropy

    Zentropy Toys > Fiction

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    Regarding Gundam vs. Transformers, I think it’s easier to accept drastic changes in the former because those robots are simply vehicles. Transformers are sentient and people grow attached to the characters themselves. People invest emotionally in characters, but only intellectually in objects.

    When an automaker decides to revise one of its popular models, the automotive world tends to be positively interested. All-new models are usually a good thing. But if a popular Netflix series were to begin its 4th season with characters of the same name played by completely different actors and possibly with different personalities, fans would be pissed. I think there’s a significant difference.
     
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  7. YellowCorvette

    YellowCorvette Average Core Gundam enjoyer

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    You do bring up some points, but simultaneously.... wouldn't it be a better idea if instead of fans been so heavily invested with specific Transformers names that any deviating uses of the names were seen as blasphemy, fans actually go and judges these "name-slaps" without considering that they shared a name with someone else, and see the merits they bring to the table?

    [​IMG]

    Another ridiculous example I would like to bring up is the show Mobile Fighter G Gundam. Known as the first AU Gundam show ever, the show tone-wise was a huge departure from the Gundam Universal Century timeline with its "War is Hell" narrative in favor of a more Shounen Super Robot-ish narrative where the hot-blooded MC fights to win the Gundam Fight but also searches for his missing brother and the Devil Gundam. As the series progresses, the MC fights his way through several powerful opponents, gains new allies, and discovers the truth about his brother, the Devil Gundam, and himself.

    G Gundam to this day is the biggest departure from the usual Gundam fare (barring SD Gundam works), and at the time of its release was very divisive for those reasons to the point of where detractors say that this series was a "name-slap" (greater than any "Name-slaps" in Transformers) and a total disgrace to the name "Gundam".

    But over time, even some of the more die-hard Universal Century fans began to see the good aspects that this show on its own brings to the table, and can see that this show is actually pretty good (As both a Gundam or Mecha anime).

    Rather than "OMG TRUKK NOT MUNKY!!!", I think that it's also valid to see what these so-called 'name-slap" do well and brings to the table on their own merit. If even a "name=slap" like G Gundam can still be judged as a competent anime from both Gundam and general anime fans alike, I simply can't see why some in this fanbase can't do the same.

    (A bit unrelated, but I do strongly recommend the show Mobile Fighter G Gundam. The show is like the biggest example of a "name-slap" in the Gundam franchise, but the show on its own is still very good, with some good character developments, fun and likable main cast, some great and touching moments that you won't expect from such a show, and it's just a pretty good anime overall)
     
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  8. Zentropy

    Zentropy Toys > Fiction

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    I don’t think a positive hindsight evaluation of a production is sufficient to forgive the “misuse” of legacy characters. If a new show/movie is good on its own merits, then it would also be so without the name-slaps or altered personas. They could (and should) simply create new characters altogether. Say what you want about preserving trademarks— I think this is more akin to bait-and-switch. If the next movie is legitimately successful with this deviant Mirage with a 911 alt mode, then it could have done so with the character named Martin. Or, why not as Ricochet? He fits the proposed personality and the car.

    And before it’s brought up: yes, I think the UT was guilty of many unforgivable name-slaps.
     
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  9. YellowCorvette

    YellowCorvette Average Core Gundam enjoyer

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    And? I would argue that even "name-slaps" can be good characters on their own merits, and has enough interesting things on their own to warrant "existing" in this franchise.

    Say whatever you want about "name-slaps" like Micron Legend Rampage, but he does has his purpose in the story and wasn't just something to throw in the background for "fan service" that only a few would notice. A character like Cyberverse Prowl looks like G1 Prowl and has every trait associated with Prowl, but character-wise he doesn't really do anything noteworthy, with all I can remember about Cyberverse Prowl was him getting shot by Shadow-Striker and dies. To me (and probably a lot of people), that's more important than ticking a list of traits that aren't necessarily indicative of quality.
     
  10. Zentropy

    Zentropy Toys > Fiction

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    I feel like you’re stuck criticizing an argument that I never made. I didn’t say the name-slapped characters or their stories were inherently bad because they adopted the name. I’m suggesting that the practice of name-slapping should be avoided by instead choosing a new one. Even if the name-slapped character is a great one, I think it detracts from rather than adds to the original.
     
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  11. Bee427

    Bee427 Still here and queer

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    Screenshot_20200308-130452.png
    Windcharger goes on dates? ...Good for him.
     
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  12. Gee Won 1984

    Gee Won 1984 Mandatory Stunning and Brave Fiction in Fiction

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    I hate the Allspark plot that dominates Transformers now.
     
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  13. Gee Won 1984

    Gee Won 1984 Mandatory Stunning and Brave Fiction in Fiction

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    I think they just plug into a power source like an electric car.
     
  14. Gee Won 1984

    Gee Won 1984 Mandatory Stunning and Brave Fiction in Fiction

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    Johnny 5 from Short Circuit should be in a live action Transformers movie and discuss coming alive with Transformers.
     
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  15. YellowCorvette

    YellowCorvette Average Core Gundam enjoyer

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    Alright, fair enough.
     
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  16. breaux man

    breaux man I'm Me

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    stop making humans important in Transformers movies/tv/comics/lore. If I wanted humans with my sci-fi, I would just go outside.
    That is all.
     
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  17. Nova Maximus

    Nova Maximus Well-Known Member

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    They're called Robots in Disguise.
    And they have been doing no humans since Combiner Was.
    And it's been pretty meh to pretty shit.
     
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  18. breaux man

    breaux man I'm Me

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    opinions are like noses...everybody has one. Keep it moving
     
  19. Bee427

    Bee427 Still here and queer

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    ???
     
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  20. breaux man

    breaux man I'm Me

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    ???