TFA rant!

[Gav]

On reading this back, it smacks of being a bit pretentious and sentimental - but I'll post it anyways - it's just you guys eh?! Apologies to Martin (if he reads this) for the it's problems that no doubt plague this wee rant
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If there's one thing that annoys me about Transformers fansites (or indeed, fansites of long-running franchises in general) it's the inevitable fanboy outrage that accompanies the tiniest fragment of speculation on the line's future. The smallest news story can inspire thousands of backwards thinking curmudgeons to post their inane ramblings on how Hasbro are killing the franchise in a tidal wave of hatred usually reserved for murderers/rapists etc. Whether it be the introduction of Action Masters or the Transformers live action film designs, someone somewhere will have to get their tuppence-worth in and exlcaim how Hasbro are once again bat shit insane.

I absolutely abhor these close-minded views that are pushed and pimped by so many in this supposed fandom. It seems that a lot of Transformers fans spend most of their time actively hating their chosen hobby. Strange non? So with a heavy heart, I unwilling imitate those absolute cumshots, by screaming like a scalded cat about the latest rumour I have just read:

Transformers Animated's toy line is due to be cancelled.

Now I understand that this particular part of the franchise isn't amazingly popular with a fair percentage of the fandom (Although I have seen a huge shift in opinions since the original, much lambasted image of Optimus Prime was first released on an unsuspecting internet). That's fine. I understand that the toys aren't selling terrifically well in some regions. Fair enough, I can accept that. I know that Hasbro are focussing on selling movie-related toys. That's understandable.

But why in the cunting FUCK are they cancelling the one line which I happen to have fallen in love with? Transformers Animated has risen through the ranks to become not only my favourite Transformers cartoon, but my favourite Toy Line. I love this line - and while I can't afford to buy all the toys I'd like, I've bought more Animated toys in the last 12 months than i ever have - at least since RiD swept me off my feet.

The designs, the toys, the show with it's crazy humour and fantatic fanwank - I love it. I keep thinking to myself "How can I save the line?" - what can I do?

Fuck all, obviously. It's as inevitable a Ralph getting a Longtooth.

It's just going to happen.

Now there's been no official word from Hasbro, I'm ranting on pure speculation here - but it's speculation which I can believe is true. Not the usual "Arcee is in the new film and she is made of sex jelly" rubbish which usually punches a hole through cyberspace

- I think it's a crime that these characters I've come to love will be gone - locked away and forgotten in time for the next reboot. No more Bulkhead painting, no more Prowl's unique take on Earth and it's eco-system, no more seeing Prime develop into the leader we know he can be, no more cranky old Ratchet. Worst of all, no more Sentinel Prime! Travesty! All the characters will be missed terribly. Does anyone feel the same way? Is it just me who'd like to see this line blossom into something further? Or do you think TFA has had it's run?

Is this how it felt seeing G1 become Beast Wars? That's a crappy thought.

I'm babbling! Babblebabblebabble.

[blueshift]

I think its more that Animated is going very strong, on the absolute top of its game and BANG no more

[dyrl]

Well - from a sales perspective - I don't know how it's been in the UK or USA, but over here Animated is not selling well while everybody loved the Movie.

I also find it ironic that it seems that the people who love the "kiddie" Animated the most are older collectors (like me and many Hubbers who are adults) while the kids for whom it was made don't seem to like it as much as the "realistic" movie toys which - ironically - older collectors like less and kids like more.

Just be happy we got Animated, says I.

it also proves that sometimes future projects can be super and we have stuff to look forward too. Not all our best days are behind us.

Pete

[grahamthomson]

You could write to Hasbro in your neatest handwriting asking them to have the line return in 2010? They'll need to fill the toy shelves with something after the second film.

Animated is the sort of thing that could run and run, much like Beast Wars could have done. But it's all about the bucks these days, and Hasbro, corporate cashsluts that they are, want to keep the kids' interest.

You'll just have to do what any self-respecting fan does: continue the magic through the media of fan comics/fanzines/fanfic and mime.

[Gav]

I know Hasbro are a company like any other -and they don't owe me/animated fans anything as such - they have to do what makes money - but it's annoying.

Sorry for the rant folks, It was written after receiving some other non-transformers related bad news.

[grahamthomson]

Nowt to be sorry for!

Makes a refreshing change to see someone passionately _liking_ something Hasbro are doing with Transformers for once!

[Gav]

Haha, yeah. I often make the mistake of reading reply posts to news stories on Seibertron.com - and always close the browser in an angry huff. People are determined to hate their own hobby for some reason.

[blueshift]

I get annoyed at all the G1 purists. I mean its fine to like stuff but if you're going to criticise other stuff, at least be objective.

Like, I was reading a dumb exchange by Matt Moylan of 'Lilformers' fame who was arguing that the animation in G1 was far superior to Animated, which according to him 'looked like it was animated by monkeys'. Like, sure you dont have to /like/ it, but christ, are we talking about the same G1 here?

[Gav]

Exactly. Having recently aquired the G1 Boxset, it's hardly the greatest representation of the animated medium. Nostalgia counts for a lot. The reality isn't so hot.

That's why I liked Animated - cool designs, actual character development AND it pandered to my nostalgic needs.

I'm just pissed off 'cause I wanted Goldfire Grimlock

[The Doctor]

Well the good news is that there are still 13 new episodes to look forward to (imagine how annoyed you would be if the axe had fallen after they had aired). And history has shown that cancelled toys often turn up in other lines, and the likes of Universe has brought back older characters so I doubt this is the final end of Animated. The Hydrofoil Bumblebee will almost certainly turn up in some other line at some point. The mould will have been paid for so it'll get used to reclaim the money. Goldfire Grimlock may also turn up: the aint apps have already been worked out.

-Ralph

[Bogatan]

I imagine with a long sabatical while the movie line is out Hasbro see it being easier to launch something new rather than pick up Animated. Even classics had an overhaul when relaunched as Universe (not successfully in my opinion) Who knows maybe what we'll get is the equivilant to BM after BW.

Im going to be sad if it goes away completely. 39 episodes of well written material isnt so bad a fourth season would have been great. Part of me is happy that the toyline is so small. Its not massively difficult to collect the full line and its low on repaints and with no repaints from older lines looks a whole lots more coherant than anything since early BW.

And its is still possible for more cartoons on another network and more waves of toys as theres nothing definite it seems. It looks as though its more of a case of not wanting to release them now while there is still a quite a bit of older waves on the shelve and not wanting to release anything in direct competition to the movie line which makes sense. I want Omega Supreme.

Andy

[Grand Moff Muffin]

I second what Graham said, Gav. You'll just have to start the 'Continued Transformers Animated' comic strip, and call the first instalment episode #40. Everyone on the Hub will read it. Even me, who couldn't stick Animated to the end of its first season.

Hmmm... 39 episodes isn't a lot for three years. Masterforce had 42-and-a-half episodes in one year.

Martin

[Bogatan]

Feb 27, 2009 18:45:44 GMT Grand Moff Muffin said:

Hmmm... 39 episodes isn't a lot for three years. Masterforce had 42-and-a-half episodes in one year.

Martin

It wouldnt be, but the first episode aired just over a year ago and season three is meant to be starting in the next few months in the US.

And the toyline is still only 10 months old.

Andy

[blueshift]

Feb 27, 2009 18:45:44 GMT Grand Moff Muffin said:

Hmmm... 39 episodes isn't a lot for three years. Masterforce had 42-and-a-half episodes in one year.

Martin

Tell that to Beast Wars

[legios]

Feb 27, 2009 18:45:44 GMT Grand Moff Muffin said:

Hmmm... 39 episodes isn't a lot for three years. Masterforce had 42-and-a-half episodes in one year.
Martin

True, but Masterforce is unusual in that regard - a lot of its contemporaries didn't run to that length in a single year. Clearly it's Chi was very strong indeed. (As if there was any doubt about that :-) )

Gav, never apologise for getting a real sense of enjoyment out of an incarnation of The Transformers. One of the things I like about The Hub is that we tend to be upbeat and devoted to the things we like - something I find is far too lacking in a lot of on-line Transformers fandom.

Regretably for Animated it has met its natural predator in the form of the forthcoming movie line. Given the high sales of the line for the first movie, and the probability that all involved would want to be going for "all-movie all-the-time" saturation marketing it was almost inevitable that Animated would be sacrificed to the gods of marketing. It is rather a shame - Animated has had the aesthetic I've found most distinctive and interesting since.... I guess Beast Machines. I haven't liked all of the toys that have come out of it, but in terms of creating a distinctive sense of style it has been second to none.

But indeed, an incarnation of a franchise never dies as long as it is remembered. I'd second Martin's observation - if there was a "Transformers:Animated" fanzine to emerge I would certainly get in line to read it.

Karl

[Deleted]

Cinema releases tend to make more money than TV series and when a company like Hasbro has a choice between its TF: Animated series and the live-action movies its going to choose the biggest cashcow of the two.