Transformers: Cybertron

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Continuity
Animation
Story
Theory
Known Info
Characters
Other Characters
Toys
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Info:

I'm making this little page for the nice people over at the yahoo mailing lists who expressed interest in seeing some pictures for the new Transformers series. I was going to let this be just pictures but, it's grown since then. I have written up every piece of detail I can remember reading about the new series based on information from Japan. I have also included some rumors that are closer to being proven true.

If for any reason you need to contact me about this page go ahead at [email protected]. I'd be nice to know if you liked the site, have suggestions, questions, and what not. I am thinking about expanding this site as a Transformers: Cybertron fansite. Hey, I've gotten this far might as well expand as new info comes. And I will update to add better pictures as needed.

Credit for promotional pictures, magazine toy scans, and video goes to Japanese site Fantofan and toy picture credit goes to the Japanese Image Board dedicated to Transformers. Also credit goes out to the various Transformers message boards out their for reporting and commenting on Transformers.

About me:

The names Lucia. A wacky Sicilian in NYC. I'm your moderately knowledgeable Transformers fangirl. I remember watching a bit of the original Transformers series when I was little. I got up to watch Beast Wars every morning at 6am thanks to falling in love with Megatron, my Queen! Didn't get to watch Beast Machines thanks to the evil channel it was on. Didn't get to watch the other [different dub team] TF series R.I.D because of the same evil channel. Then started up again with Armada. It's the series I started collecting toys for! I get up at 6am or 6:30am for Energon episodes [whenever they are new] with only 6 toys so far [money problems thanks to rising costs in college] and am eagerly impatient for the new Cybertron series. Then of course there's the live action Transformers movie to look forward to in 2006! Which, might I add, will be a trilogy! Favorite Transformer has and will always be my dear Megs. *hugs*

Helpful:

Hasbro - Company handles Transformers related construction, products, licensing, etc., for all other countries receiving anything Transformers.

Transformers: Armada - Transformers: Micron Legend/ The Legend of Micron

Transformers: Energon - Transformers: Superlink

Transformers: Cybertron - Transformers: Galaxy Force

Autobot - Cybertron

Decepticon - Destron

Minicon - Micron

Planet Cybertron - Planet Seibertron

Optimus Prime [Gary Chalk] - Convoy [Micron]/Grand Convoy [Superlink]/Galaxy Convoy [Galaxy Force]

Jetfire [Scott McNeil] - Jetfire/Skyfire/Dreadrock

Hot Shot [Brent Miller] - Hot Rod/Hot Shot/Excellion

Megatron [David Kaye] - Megatron/Galvatron/Master Megatron

Starscream [Michael Dobson] - Starscream/Nightscream/Starscream

Megs - Pet name used for Megatron by fans, also Meggie and Megsie.

Screamer - Pet names used for Starscream by fans.

Continuity:

Transformers: Cybertron's connection to Armada and Energon is still sketchy. Many cues point it to be a sequel but many other cues point to Cybertron being a new start. Some confusion comes from Cybertron's new animating team in Japan. From some unknown outsourced We've/Aeon company to the very well known company Gonzo. Gonzo does not like the story of Micron and Superlink nor do they like the animation. Rumor states Gonzo has rebuilt the storyline while Hasbro and Takara state a sequel to previous shows. During a toy show in NYC, the Gonzo president was asked if Galaxy Force [Cybertron] would be a sequel to Superlink [Energon]. The president did not offer comment. Gonzo's president was also stated as talking to Cartoon Network's president about the show's content. Gonzo was victorious in letting missiles be allowed on the show. [I don't see why Cartoon Network had a problem as even PowerPuff Girls has missiles and their new "baby" Megas XLR shows massive destruction of New Jersey and other places with missile use. But it is good news that we won't be seeing lasers shooting all the time.]

Animation:

Transformers: Cybertron/Galaxy Force will be a mixture of CG animation for the Transformers and tradional animation for the humans. Takara has Transformers: Galaxy Force ready to start airing in Japan on Saturday, January 8th. Hasbro plans Transformers: Cybertron on DVD starting summer 2005 while the series is slated to be on air around summer/fall 2005.

Story:

A blackhole is about to consume Cybertron and threatens the rest of the Universe. An ancient Transformer, Vector Prime, lets the Transformers know of the only thing that can stop the threat, Planet Force. Planet Force seems to be made from Primus [Transformer "God"] and exists in 4 separate "key" forms. The first stop to getting these keys is on Earth. It's now up to the Autobots to take Earth disguises to not alert the Earth's governments. Somehow Prime and his gang manage to meet 3 kids as in Armada. Megatron is on a mission to become a god, [he's infused with the power of Unicron], and take Primus' Planet Force power for himself. What is not made clear is why Autobots need Earth disguises to fool the Earth Government if the Earth Government in Enegon knows.

Theory:

[Opinion] My theory with the whole sequel issues is this. The series starts out in the same timeline as Armada and Energon. The blackhole ended up destroying Cybertron [reports say the Autobots escape after Cybertron is consumed] and Vector Prime shows up to tell the Transformers about Planet Force. Somehow the Transformers end up in an alternate Universe where the humans do not know of Transformers. This also adds in to what Optimus Prime/Galaxy Convoy has in his profile below concerning "Convoys".

Known Info:

The new series will also bring a more active role for Minicons. Only one of the 6 shown is known to speak in the "English"/"Japanese" tongue. Another interesting spin on Galaxy Force/Cybertron is the use of 4 planets for alternate modes on the Transformers. There is Cybertron, Earth, Speedia, and Beast Planet - who's name I haven't heard yet. Japan's series will also see multiple Convoys. Convoy's are the equivalent of our Prime's. I don't know how this will carry over to Cybertron. There is Vector Prime for Cybertron but he is also Vector Prime in Galaxy Force. Two Convoys we have seen sketchy stuff on are Nitro Convoy [race car] from the speed planet Speedia, and Flame Convoy [3 headed dragon] from the Beast Planet. Not all Convoys will be good. Rumors point to Nitro Convoy being female for Hasbro not Takara. Female toys don't sell well in Japan's boy toy market.

Characters:

Galaxy Convoy [Optimus Prime]: Galaxy Convoy is the new leader of the Cybertrons [Autobots]. [note: Hasbro wants the Autobot leader to ALWAYS be Optimus Prime] This new Convoy wants to be more of a father figure to the Cybertrons. He want to prove his worth to the Autobots. I got a real sense of a Best Wars Primal with him. Galaxy Convoy is also very surprised to learn there are more Convoys other then himself. Galaxy Convoy's vehicle mode is a Cybertronian [Earth?] fire truck complete with flight mode and cannon mode.

Dreadrock [Jetfire]: Dreadrock is Galaxy Convoy's Second-in-Command. He is still cool and level headed like Superlink. Dreadrock is the one who recommends the Cybertrons to use Earth modes. [I am hoping we see more of that rebellious streak he had in Micron] Dreadrock's vehicle mode is an Earth plane with full cannon mode. [Took me a bit to realize the Japanese said "full canon".]

Excellion [Hot Shot]: Excellion is the Hot Shot we know from Micron/Armada. He's eager, ready for action, and impatient unlike his more mature Energon self. Looks like he lost maturity. From what I understand Excellion is a new character in Galaxy Force who is like the earlier character we know as Hot Shot. An early concept drawing for Excellion had "Hot Shot" written on it. I assume this means Hasbro doesn't want to let go of Hot Shot. Excellion's vehicle mode is a Speedia sports car.

Guardshell [Landmine?]: Guardshell is the Transformer who makes contact with the Earth children. Early concept work found "Landmine" written on it. For now let's assume it's Energon's Landmine. Guardshell's vehicle mode is an Earth construction vehicle.

Master Megatron [Megatron]: Megatron has the power of Unicron in him. You will notice his toy has a Unicron feel to it. Megatron is very egotistical and will not notice [bother with?] anything that does not concern him. He is also on a quest to become a god and rule the Universe. Megatron is a triple changer with 2 vehicle modes. Master Megatron's vehicle modes includes an Earth race car and [Cybertronian?] jet.

[Promotional screencaps of Megatron look feminine to most. That's why I call him robo-bishounen [bishounen = feminine looking guy most anime fangirls drool for]. I'm not complaining. Makes me think Megs is going to have a Treize-like aristocratic vibe to him. *drool*]

Starscream [Starscream]: Starscream is Master Megatron's Second-in-Command and wants more power. It seems ol' Screamer is back to his treacherous, plotting, scheming self! Starscream yearns to take power from Megs. With clips floating around Starscream is the one shown in battle with Galaxy Convoy. Whether it's actual show footage or just promotion footage is still unknown. Starscream's vehicle mode is a Cybertronian jet.

Thundercracker [Thundercracker?]: Thundercracker is the new rookie in the Destron [Decepticon] ranks. He worships Master Megatron and Starscream. He believes together Megs and Screamer can take the Decepticons to soar beyond heights and the 2 can make anything possible. He is also known to rally the Decepticon's together in support for their leaders. Thundercracker's vehicle mode is an Earth jet.

Coby: He is human and wants to be a race car driver. Coby adores his father and wants to be more like him. I think his father is a racer. The kid is 14.

Bud: I think that's what it translates to. Bud is Coby's younger brother at 11 years old. He seems to be the only one who can communicate with the Minicons.

Lori: It's either Lorry, Laurie, or something to that effect. Sounds like they are going for the British term for truck. She's a city girl stuck living in the country and is 13 years old. From screencaps, she seems to be the regular stereotypical angry anime girl who screams at the boys for no reason.

Other Characters:

With the Cybertron's [Autobot's] there is also Jackshot & Backpack who seem to be new characters not in Transformers before. There is no one to compare them to. Jackshot looks like a little green SUV while Backpack looks like a blue artillery vehicle. I only remember reading Backpack being depressed and something about him owning a store? There was early concept art [no color] found for a Fast Aid. You cannot look at it and not say Red Alert [Armada - Brian Dobson]. He's a medical vehicle and his missing left hand, the one with the red wand thing, is now a claw. I knew Red Alert had a things for claws ever since he looked so giddy picking out a claw for Smokescreen's new body in Armada.

On the Destron's [Decepticon's] side new characters include Land Pallet a green Speedia race car along with Gasket a red Earth[?] motorbike. There is also an Earth monster truck named Inch-up.

Toys:

The gimmicks to these toys are similar to the function of Minicons in Armada. Each figure will come with a key [seems to be linked with the Planet Force ignition keys] that will unlock hidden functions on the Transformers. Some shoot missiles, and other reveal more weaponry. These characters above [minus humans] are all the toys in wave one. I am not sure how many toy waves are in Transformers [includes repaints]. With the current line [Energon] we are on wave 7[?] and I only know it going up to 9 in around March. Toys for Cybertron should come out in [late] summer 2005 so there are still many toy waves from Energon to be seen. Keep in mind good guys sell better in Japan then bad guys. That's why there seems to be fewer Decepticons. I can only hope Hasbro has some exclusive mold of their own like with Energon. We get 2 more Decepticons Slugslinger & Sharkticon in Energon toys thanks to them.

Pictures:

I have some promotional material screen captures as well as toy pictures from Japan. Let's get the kids out of the way first.

Coby

Bud

 

Lori

 

 

Autobot's:
Galaxy Convoy/Optimus Prime

Optimus without faceplate	Supermode Optimus	Supermode with faceplate	Optimus Prime Supermode	Supermode
Supermode toy with Megs	Supermode	Vehiclemode	Prime with Megatron

 

Dreadrock/Jetfire

Jetfire front & back	Closeup	vehiclemde	Jetfire toy	Jetfire vehiclemode

 

Excellion/Hot Shot

Hot Shot toy	vehiclemode	Hot Shot & Screamer

 

Guardshell/Landime?

Guardshell

 

Vector Prime/Vector Prime

Vector Prime toy	vehiclemode

Jackshot/??? Backpack/???

none yet

Nitro Convoy/???

Nitro Conoy vehiclemode

 

Minicon team one [human friends]

none yet

Minicon team two [speed team]

none yet

 

Decepticon's:
Master Megatron/Megatron

Master Megatron	Megatron full	Closeup	Megs points	Megs CG render
Master Megatron toy	Megs toy	vehiclemode	flightmode	Megatron toy
vehiclemode	flightmode	Megatron with bigger Hasbro E.Megatron

 

Starscream/Starscream

Starscream Closeup	Screamer shoot	Starscream	Starscream toy	vehiclemode
vehiclemode	Screamer front	Screamer back [silver thing is ignition key]	Screamer pose	Starscream from Armada to Cybertron

 

Thundercracker/Thundercracker?

Thundercracker	Thundercracker on Starscream

 

Land Pallet/???

Land Pallet toy

 

Gasket/???

none yet

Inch-up/???

none yet

Flame Convoy/???

none yet

Takara Wallpapers

Cybertron [Autobot] 1024x768	Destron [Decepticon] 1024x768

 

 

Download:

Right click save as for PC and command click[?] on Macs.

Galaxy Force trailer - Narrated by Galaxy Convoy with Galaxy Force opening theme music.

Promotional footage - AWESOME!! Promotional footage of the characters set to the music from the 1986 Transformers animated G1 movie, sung by 80's group White Lion. Main focus of the clip? STARSCREAM!!!