Jump to content

Transformers: Animated

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by HonourablePig (talk | contribs) at 08:57, 18 November 2007 (→Decepticons). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Future television

Transformers: Animated
File:Transformersanimated.jpg
The New Autobots
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes(list of episodes)
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseDecember 26, 2007

Transformers: Animated is an upcoming American animated television series based on the Transformers toyline. The series is being produced at Cartoon Network Studios with animation being done at Japanese animation studios MOOK DLE, The Answer Studio (the Japanese studio who animated Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go!), and Studio 4°C. Formerly known by the working title, Transformers: Heroes, its simplified new title—first revealed in Broadcast magazine[1]—was designed to specifically distinguish it from the live-action film released in July 2007.

The series is currently scheduled to debut on the Cartoon Network in early 2008 and distributed by DVD,HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc by Warner Bros. Television Distribution due to Cartoon Network Studios being part of the Turner Broadcasting System. There have been 26 episodes (to be broadcast in two 13-episode seasons) ordered so far[citation needed], with rumors of two additional seasons (26 more episodes) as a strong possibility. The first episode was due to be screened in full at the NTFA Mini-Con in Arlöv, Sweden, on November 3rd and 4th. Hasbro Inc (US) pulled out their approval of the screening of the full episode, so the episode had to be cut down to the first 11 minutes.[2][3]

Storyline

Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the rest of the noble Autobots battle Megatron and the Decepticons in the near-future Detroit. Megatron has come to Earth to find the Allspark and turn Earth's robots into Decepticons for his army.

Cast and characters

Confirmed Transformers featuring the show include Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Bulkhead, Ratchet and Starscream. It was believed that the Optimus Prime of this series would be younger than the other Autobots but this is not true, although it was stated in an interview with the show's director that he is new to his role as leader.[citation needed] It has announced that David Kaye (best known for voicing the Megatrons of the Beast Era and the Unicron Trilogy) will provide his voice. Meanwhile, statements from Frank Welker suggest that voice actor, Corey Burton (Shockwave, Spike Witwicky and Brawn from the original series) will provide the voice of Megatron in the show.[4] Tom Kenny confirmed during an interview on IESB.net that he will be voicing Starscream,[5] and Tara Strong will be voicing a girl named Sari, one of the supporting human characters.[6] Her website states that the show will start shortly after the release of the live-action film. Most of the Transformers will be seen in their Cybertronian (pre-Earth) modes at the beginning of the series.[citation needed] Kaye said that most of the characters outside the core cast (Prime, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ratchet) will be single-episode cameo appearances. He also strongly hinted that Waspinator might make an appearance.[citation needed] At BotCon 2007, David Kaye revealed the voice actors and also announced that he would play both Optimus Prime and Grimlock.[7]

Confirmed characters are:

Autobots

The Autobots this time can only turn into ground vehicles and not anything flying like jets nor military like tanks.

Decepticons

Humans

  • Isaac Sumdac: Father of Sari, he is a scientist who designs and tests robots at Sumdac Tower.
  • Sari Sumdac: Daughter of Isaac Sumdac; befriends the Autobots.
  • Nanosec: A human who allies himself with the Decepticons, he uses inline skates and a whip as weapons.
  • Captain Fanzone: Head of the police department in Detroit.
  • The Angry Archer : A Robin Hood/Green Arrow-themed human villain who uses a bow and arrows to fight against the Autobots. The Angry Archer's appearance is a caricature based on Hasbro's Aaron Archer.[citation needed]
  • Prometheus[citation needed]

Locations

  • Detroit: The Autobots and Decepticons crash land in this future city on Earth. Instead of the Motor City, it has now become known as the "Robot City".[citation needed]
  • Sumdac Tower: The largest tower in Detroit, this is where Isaac Sumdac designs and tests his robot creations.
  • The Ark: The Autobot ship. The Decepticons cripple the ship and it crash lands on Earth.[citation needed]
  • The Nemesis: Decepticon ship that dwarfs the Ark by comparison; it chases the Ark to Earth, where it also crash lands.[citation needed]

Production

The show's supervising director will be Matt Youngberg (Teen Titans, The Batman)[10], with Cartoon Network vice-president Sam Register as executive producer and Vincent Aniceto as line producer. Additionally, Beast Machines writer Marty Isenberg is returning to Transformers as the head writer for this series.[citation needed] Art director/lead character designer Derrick Wyatt (Teen Titans, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Legion of Super Heroes) is creating a "brand new look" unlike anything seen in Transformers before. The series is being distributed internationally by Entertainment Rights.[11]

Criticism

Released images of the robots has been criticized by fans for the simple two-dimensional designs instead of using the classic anime mecha style used since Generation One. It's also been criticzed for having human characters as the villains for the series which robs the Decepticons of their screen time.

Voice actors

References

  1. ^ "News: 14th April 2007". Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  2. ^ NTFA Forums: TF Animated to premiere at the Mini-Con!
  3. ^ TFW2005 Boards: New Transformers Animated Series details revealed at NTFA Mini-Con
  4. ^ "Frank Welker Homepage: Ask Frank Q&A". Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite web}}: Text "2007-04-16" ignored (help); Text "date" ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Tom Kenny, the voice of [[Spongebob Squarepants]], is Starscream in Transformers Movie??". IESB.net. Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  6. ^ "Tara Strong to play Sari in upcoming Heroes cartoon?". TFormers.com. 2007-01-22. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  7. ^ The Allspark: Transformers: Animated Cast News!
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Botcon: Live from Hasbro's Sunday Panel". 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ http://www.transformersanimated.com
  10. ^ "Transformers Animated Coming To Cartoon Network". 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ "ER picks up new Transformers". 2007-05-08. Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  12. ^ "Transformers Animated Cast News!". 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-30. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ "Botcon David Kaye Panel--Info on New Animated Series!". Retrieved 2007-07-02.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Transformers:_Animated&oldid=172246176"