Hello again everyone... i'm gonna cut the small talk and get right into it this time around hehehe... Well as promised, i'm gonna continue with my thoughts on the the various Transformers series... The subject matter for this topic would be - Transformers Armada / Micron Densetsu.
Transformers Armada / Micron Densetsu is the very first series of a pre-planned trilogy that stretches into TF Energon and TF Cybertron. It is also the first series to finally depart from TF with realistic beast modes like TF- Beast Wars and Beast Machines. Takbro was basically taking a gamble with this series to bring back TF in it's vehicular form since the success of the revival of the G1 "Transformers" comics in 2002 by "Dreamwave". Dreamwave was owned by "Pat Lee" and it single handedly threw every TF fans in the world into a frenzy.
Takbro had tested the waters with the earlier installment called "Transformers - Robots In Disguise / Car Robots" or better known as "Transformers - R.I.D ) where a mix of TF in vehicular form as well as beasts forms... More on this particular series in my next entry :)
Anyway seeing how well fans have taken to the whole G1 craze... Takbro basically went all out on TF - Armada, and introduces vehicles and planes into a series that is almost completely devoid of any beast form transformers.. with the exception of a quirky looking video cam that transforms into a bird like figure named "Laserbeak".
The series literally splits into two halves, with the later half being known as "Transformers Armada - the Unicron battles " Yup, u heard that right.. Unicron is back.. "The Chaos Bringer".. "The Planet Eater" is finally back since it's untimely demise in the hands of "Rodimus Prime" and the "Matrix" back in the 86' animated TF - Movie.
The excitement of this series is basically built around the impending appearance of "UNICRON" !!! But homages of old G1 favourites have already started popping upin the series and the long avaited return of "Starscream" in a TF series. Other notable mentions are - Jetfire, Blurr, Cyclonus, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Thrust and even a character named "Overload" that looks like a re-vamped version of G1 "Ultra Magnus". A character named "Hotshot" is also being introduced into this series and he is pretty much roughly based on G1 "Hot Rod".
Here's a link to the "TF - Armada" toy lines - http://www.bigbot.com/transformers-armada/
Transformers Armada Toy Commercials
Uniron is really the center of attention in this series and it's been a long time coming seeing this figure being finally being made and mass produced. I am sure millions of kids who had watched the TF - Movie back in 86" spends their time in bed musing with the thought of owning a Unicron toy. So when it was finally announced that Unicron is gonna be made n mass produced, the whole TF fanbase goes into a frenzy!!!
Optimus Prime - Super Mode!!!
Jet Convoy!!!
Optimus Prime is back and this time he is once again a truck that comes with a trailer!!! This also marks the begining of "Optimus Prime" being all promiscuous by merging with various bots to form his armor . So begins the whole "Barbie Doll and Accessories" concept!!!
Optimus Prime & Overload
Optimus Prime & Jetfire & Overload
The "GOOD PART" of this series is that there's atleast some kind of character dynamic instead of just A-Bots fighting D-Cons endlessly. Starscream is portrayed as an individual torn by his emotions and loyalty towards the D-Cons. He even joined the ranks of the A-Bots briefly and died under the mighty fire power of Unicron!!!
Another very refreshing part of the story is.. Megatron / Galvatron actually did not die in the hands of Optimus Prime.. Infact, he sacrificed himself in order to stop Unicron. This alone is enough to put this series story lines among the best in the TF hstory and mythos.
Now comes the "BAD PART", the introduction of a bunch of irritating kids and the beginning of endless gimmicks created solely to increase sales. TF - Armada introduces the existance of a smaller sub species of Transformers called - "Minicons" affectionately known as "Ninicons" by fans.
The Minicons main functions is to act like tools used by the bigger TF's. By hooking themselves up to a Minicon, they discovered new features and powers being made available to them, which was otherwise unknown to them at all until they had one. So begins the planet wide race to find the much sought after Minicons. Among the garden variety Minicons are three groups of special Minicons that can merge into three legendary weapons!!! Both A-Bots and D-Cons scramble all over the planet earth hunting down those pine sized TF like a time deprived mother on a frantic Christmas eve last minute present shopping spree!!! This "Minicons" concept was candidly compared by the TF community to that of the concept of "Pokemon" with it's tag line - "Gotta catch'em all"
Overall... i would say that this series did very well indeed, Story line is much better than TF - Cybertron and the conflicting issues of Screamer and the bringing back of Unicron into the new generation is simply AWESOME!!!
Overall, i would give this series an 8 out of 10 "Sparks", and that's quite a pretty impressive score if i would say so myself... because in my opinion... having a perfect score of 10 "Sparks" is only rightfully reserved for "Transformers - Generation One" or it's direct continuity.. Hint! Hint! hehehe
Cheers!!!
N_M
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