#4kids is how I was introduced to the sonic anime so I see his voice fitting for all 3 of these characters

[sfarxuri]

Your OC voice claims are really neat! Do you have any headcanon voices for Spark, Fark, and Sfarx too?

Wahhh thankies! ;w; They were really tricky to find! I like to think of them speaking but also how they would response to my main Spark oc Oscuri! This is what they all sound like in my head! Please don't crucify me for this but its all Jason Griffith lol

[skelekin]

Sonic Prime Season 2/Season 1 part 2 thoughts and critiques

Nobody asked but I'm gonna share em anyway, minor spoilers ahead

Stuff I liked:

Shadow. Good god how refreshing it is to see a portrayal of Shadow that isn't one-note and sucks ass. his voice is closer to his original SA2 depiction, him beating the snot out of Sonic isn't entirely unprompted and random, and honestly his scenes may have carried this entire season. The interactions he has with Sonic are also fantastic and oooogghh gay

Sonic!! I'll be honest I really have a hard time understanding ppl's issues with his characterization here; he's a naive, impulsive, rebellious teenager that wants to see the good in the world. I like that I actually get to see him make mistakes, jump to conclusions, and be scared or sad. This is the kind of thing I feel like ppl have been ASKING for from him so I don't quite get the pushback

Nine is great as ever, definitely a highlight of this entire series and he could possibly end up having one of the best character arcs in the franchise

Chaos Sonic!!!!! Wowie what a fun dude, his segments made me smile the most

Animation is once again super bouncy and fluid with dynamic shots, you can tell action is this team's bread and butter (to a fault at times, but I'll get to that later)

Stuff I didn't like:

Good GOD is the pacing bad. Honestly I think it might be worse than season 1, there were so many times where I thought to myself "nothing is happening", and desperately wished they used the little time they had per episode to flesh characters out or have some more world building.

On that, as great as the action animation is, these scenes easily take up two thirds of each episode and it gets very, very boring after a while. It becomes difficult to appreciate them when they seem to just never end. There were so many times when I would become relieved when they finally took a pause, only for that relief to vanish a minute later when the egg council throws out more of the same exact cannon fodder for yet another battle scene

And speaking of the egg council, oooh boy did they get grating. I get this is a kids show, I'm not even expecting like ATLA levels of villains here, but they feel straight from Disney Junior. The concept of eggman cloning himself and having each one represent a different aspect of his psyche is fantastic, but it's completely squandered on one-dimensional tropes that tell literally the same exact jokes word for word, there is nothing intimidating about them

Like I said I desperately kept begging for SOME level of adequate screentime to flesh out the characters and other worlds, but as is, aside from Nine, the other versions of these guys just have One Bit and their worlds again feel ripped from Disney Junior. I was holding out hope that since season 1 had to introduce all of them that season 2 would get to show more, but no. Pirate world where they all go yar har and that's it. Jungle world where they do battle cries and that's it. Despite being the crux of the entire premise of this show they're painfully uninteresting

Where is Shadow!!!!!! What little we see of him is fantastic, too bad he's barely present! They hyped up his elevated appearance so much and seeing him hardly get to do anything was such a let down.

Chaos Sonic, as fun as he was, was only present for one episode. Why

It's very saddening to see this show fall into the recent trap plaguing media aimed at younger audiences where everything is dialed up to 11 nearly All the Time. The samey stock background action music hardly ever stops, once again these guys can't seem to go one minute without punching swarms of copy paste goons, we must keep jingling the keys because how else will we keep kids' attention. I think back to how 4Kids added unecessary music queues to every single action when adapting Sonic X and how much worse it was for it

Overall Prime has been really frustrating because there's so many glimmers of potential on display that get bogged down by the fact that they're just not willing to fully commit to and take any risk on. Idk how much of that is the team's fault, I don't doubt the possibility that higher up the chain some suits are holding their vision back. It just sucks bc I really, REALLY want to like this show more, but I can't really say it's more than just. Okay

I hope season 3 is able to reel it back in

[firebirdtransam68]

When I Prefer Micron Legend And Superlink Over Generation One

Without Generation One, there will be no Transformers franchise (no Beast Wars, no Robots In Disguise, no Unicron Trilogy, no Bayformers, no Animated, no Aligned continuity, no Bumblebee (2018), no other work relating to Transformers).

Generation One originated in the 1980's, considered to be the best decade in pop culture history.  Transformers gave us giant robots besides Mecha anime shows like Voltron, Gundam, Mazinger, Robotech, and Evanglion; cool music ("The Touch," anyone?), and many different ideas for fan media.  The franchise is also well-known for having so many different characters of many different incarnations, with G1 being the most intriguing.

That said, while I really like Generation One, I came across two (technically three, but I saw two) anime shows that have the most G1 callbacks of all Transformers works; these anime shows are Micron Legend (original version of Armada) and Superlink (original version of Energon).  As I saw both of these anime series, and am currently rewatching the Generation One TV show, there are many factors in Micron Legend and Superlink that are actually better than G1.

Here are some examples where Micron Legend and Superlink are superior to the Generation One TV show:

- Micron Legend and Superlink prove to be darker and more heart-wrenching than G1; for instance, Thrust's death in Micron Legend looks more gruesome than Starscream's death in the 1986 film (getting slowly crushed to death feet first over freezing into crumbling stone the instant a laser hit its target), and the reactions to Optimus' death induced me to tears in Micron Legend (Hot Rod blaming himself for yelling at Optimus without getting a chance to apologize or say goodbye, even Megatron was grieving for his arch-nemesis' death (listen to him shouting Optimus' name after Prime was reduced to space dust in Episode 39), also Starscream's reaction in Episode 40), as well as Unicron

- Unicron's interior (and the Planet Eater, in general) is more unsettling than in G1; mind screwing other Transformers, tentacles trapping characters, paralyzed Transformers, the Micron's (Mini-con) origin, etc., the whole interior is similar to many cocooned scenes in Aliens (1986)

- The anime shows did not overdo it with puns (they hardly have any puns), while G1 had plenty of puns (yet interesting terminology); Armada and Energon, on the other hand, are filled with confusing puns that even 4Kids would have done better with during their career

- The characters in Micron Legend and Superlink were introduced better and more coherent than in G1 (G1 had the characters debut without any explanation as to how they arrived to Earth and allied with the rest of the Autobots or Decepticons (it was never explained how Brawn and Huffer came to be in Episode 9 vs. Silverbolt (Blurr) was called by Devastator (Scavenger) to search for more Microns in Episode 20 of Micron Legend)

- The Transformers in Micron Legend and Superlink are a lot more human than the Transformers in G1; for instance, they make sounds when in pain or distressed (grunting, groaning, screaming, and whining), show exhaustion after running or fighting, have inner thoughts (anime tends to do that, anyways, mostly with humans), and even sob (younger Transformers tend to cry, while older Transformers are silent, or scream in agony (like Optimus Prime in Episode 33 when Grap (Smokescreen) died); of course they have feelings and emotions); they even make grunting or screaming sounds while in their alt-modes (even more so than G1, which did not do as much human-like sounds with alt-modes as with robot modes); to put it plainly, they are more relatable to most audiences

- The soundtrack (score) in Micron Legend has a more variety than G1 did (classical, rock, 1980's style music, and sometimes techno (especially in Superlink))

- Even Superion looks better in Superlink than in G1

- Certain characters subvert their traditional G1 roles in Micron Legend and Superlink (like Starscream whose main motive was not overthrowing Megatron and is more sympathetic than his G1 counterpart, and Ironhide who is a Decepticon instead of an Autobot and is younger instead of older)

- The deaths in Micron Legend and Superlink are a lot sadder than in G1 (Starscream in Micron Legend (Episode 48) and Ironhide in Superlink (Episode 16), as well as Optimus Prime in Micron Legend (Episode 39) and a few others in Superlink such as Wing Dagger and Inferno (both of which got better and had new forms))

- Micron Legend and Superlink are more mature than G1 (even though G1 has more mature themes like espionage and betrayal than other cartoon shows)

- The two shows are more thrilling, exciting, suspenseful, action-packed, and have me at the edge of my seat, especially in the last episode of Micron Legend

- Age is more apparent in Micron Legend and Superlink than in Generation One (behavior, wisdom, height (sometimes), even voice); younger Transformers tend to be more emotional than older Transformers, for instance; both Autobots and Decepticons have really young, almost teenage-like, Transformers (Hot Rod (Hot Shot) and Ironhide (Demolishor) are really well-known examples) that make the anime shows a lot lighter despite their really dark themes

- While G1 was set in 1984 when the show debuted (1984), it was implied that Micron Legend was set in a more contemporary future like 2010 when the anime debuted (2002-2003)

- G1 had nearly the whole human population know about the Transformers since the More Than Meets The Eye portion, while in Micron Legend, the whole population (aside from the main human characters and the children) were unaware about the Transformers existing until Superlink (set in a farther away future); and since even Decepticons have children in their rankings, it is slightly concerning how the adult humans would react if they were to come across at least one of them (God forbid if they started to attack Ironhide in front of Megatron, Starscream, or Sandstorm (Cyclonus)), since Deceptions are brutal enemies, and their leader may be more dangerous when a younger Decepticon gets attacked (even in self-defense); in other words, humans are generally safer in Micron Legend than in G1, in which the Decepticons would be more than pleased to attack, kill, or even kidnap humans for their own agenda

- The two anime shows are how I became really interested in seiyuu in the first place (especially before I knew some of them in Sonic X); seiyuu are extremely underrated in Transformers since not very many fans (Trans-fans and seiyuu fans) talk about them as much

- Micron Legend and Superlink are generally really underrated anime shows

Of course, Generation One will always be better than most other works, but if you add the two anime series to the equation, Generation One has many flaws (then again, almost all Transformers works have errors), and some of their plots are slightly off and confusing.  Micron Legend and Superlink does better with the plot and introduction, but the only reason I will put them in a draw with G1 is that G1 has classic 1980's songs that the anime shows do not have, and the anime shows have more callbacks to Generation One.

That is all I will be saying for now.  I am still making a list of specific content that I want to see more on Tumblr, DeviantArt, and many other fandom-friendly sites; I still have more to be filled in before I consider it complete so I can post it.

Stay tuned for future posts.

This is FirebirdTransAm68 signing out.

[firebirdtransam68]

Scene Comparisons From Transformers: Superlink/Energon (Episode 50)

I found two clips of the same scene, but with different languages (and graphics).  The scene in Episode 50 where Galvatron becomes enormous as well as Optimus Prime, and how the media went from CGI to hand drawn may be one of the best moments in Transformers: Superlink (Japanese with English subtitles) and Energon (English dub).  Although, personally, I have no problems with the CGI (it is not perfect, but I don’t think it is awful like many fans say it is), and I find it really interesting how a work has a mix of both 3D and 2D animation (mixed media).

I will start with the Superlink version, first.  Here is the clip:

In this scene, we see the behemoth Galvatron admiring his new super form, and declared himself “the Transcendent Emperor of Destruction, Galvatron-sama.”  Optimus Prime (hell, I will call him Grand Convoy in this version), while still big enough, declared he can do the same; so he became enormous like Galvatron, combined with the Grand Force, and declared himself “the [Autobot] Supreme Commander, Grand Convoy” while beginning the fight.  Note that both characters became hand drawn (probably because CGI couldn’t be THAT consistent with the animation).  Galvatron was actually really gleeful to fight Grand Convoy (he would get infuriated when anyone interferes with the fight, because he wanted to fight his rival one-on-one without anyone else joining the fight; he mentioned earlier that he wanted a fair fight, and he GOT a fair fight... maybe), and clashed with his old enemy.  Once their fists were together, they created a blueish lightning impact that crushed some of the rocks below (probably to show how forceful such impact is).

Snowstorm and Irontread were pleased that Galvatron was no longer possessed by Unicron, and he was acting like his old self, again (“although bigger,” said Irontread); by old self, meaning an agressive, impulsive, and stubborn Decepticon (or Destron) leader.  Rodimus Convoy was surprised that Grand Convoy and Galvatron were not only fighting each other directly, but also fighting off their possession from Unicron, who corrupted them with an ominous power; Hot Shot was also surprised.  Omega Supreme caught a sight on Grand Convoy and Galvatron fighting, also surprised.

Grand Convoy performed a “Grand Force Impact,” which shot off lightning bolts and another forceful phenomenon that caused an explosion; but it did not affect Galvatron, as he charged at the Autobot (or Cybertron) leader without a single scratch, and drew a blade at Grand Convoy, who was trying to block it with his arm.

One of the Autobots (I think it is Overdrive; there is also Wing Saber, and another Autobot in which I cannot decipher who because of the flames) was surprised that Grand Convoy was more aggressive, more powerful, and more determined than ever before; he really didn’t expect that.  Nightscream was surprised and nearly lost for words, while Shockfleet was just swooning over Galvatron (he has a crush on the Decepticon leader).

Grand Convoy and Galvatron were still fighting in their gigantic modes.  Galvatron diverted Grand Convoy’s attention, transformed, and kicked him, but Grand Convoy caught his balance, and kicked the Decepticon back, but it did not affect Galvatron as much (besides stumbling a little bit); suddenly, Galvatron stabbed Grand Convoy with his blade, and claimed victory, until Grand Convoy electrocuted him, and did the unthinkable: Combining their corrupted sparks (as well as his Combination Spark), sealing them into his body, and disappearing into the atmosphere along with Galvatron.  

I was stunned by not only the graphics and soundtrack, but by the fight scenes, the leaders’ determination, seeing Galvatron back to normal without being possessed by Unicron, and Optimus Prime trying to stop the corruption by sealing it into his own body (unless that was Primus, but it sounded like Optimus was declaring the fate).  Of course, there are still many awesome scenes and moments in Superlink, as well; not just this scene.

Now, let’s see the Energon version of the scene:

(The first time I saw this clip in sound, it was so horrible, I paused it before I saw the great battle; to me, that was even worse than some 4Kids dubs (individuals are different; sometimes we can tolerate certain works, but other times, it is far too much to bear); I wish I was brave enough to at least watch the clip with sound, but too bad I wasn’t; I am glad I saw the original version, first, though.  The good news is, there are subtitles, but I don’t guarantee they will be accurate, but I will try my best to decipher them.)

In this scene, Galvatron calls himself “the new-and-improved emperor of the dark side” (Star Wars reference, here), which did not sound as menacing as “the Emperor of Destruction,” rather, it was somewhat amusing.  Optimus Prime seems unconvinced, but then proceeds to battle Galvatron.  First, he combined with the Prime Force, said “let me introduce myself” (as if Galvatron does not know who you are), and called himself “supreme leader of the Autobots,” which sounds a little more boastful than the original version (Superlink sounded more determined, in my opinion).  Galvatron thought that was funny (as did I).  The fight began.  And, seeing how this version seemed choppy and less detailed, Energon, like Armada (originally Micron Legend), is rushed and not very smooth (the visuals are bad enough, already; don’t worsen the moment with the voice acting).

The reactions from Snow Cat and Demolishor are nearly the same (just with different wording), although Demolishor said Galvatron gained a few tons (as if to say Galvatron is overweight), which is lame, because Galvatron grew many yards or miles tall, NOT gained more mass or weight by a thousand pounds times 100 heavy; not even 4Kids would have made the pun slide if Energon were to be redubbed.  Rodimus Prime said, “since Galvatron was holding back on the power he stole from Unicron,” and Hot Shot responded with “yeah, and that’s what worries me;” which would have made sense had not the show been rushed (what do you mean by “holding back on the power he stole from Unicron?”  I don’t recall Galvatron “stealing” Unicron’s power, although he did use too much power, so that would be understandable; but the wording threw me off).

We see more choppiness when Optimus Prime was preparing the final blow, and the explosion was just a black puffball (how weak of an explosion!); and then Galvatron charged at Optimus in stills (one picture, then another, without any real motion).  There was no real force when Optimus blocked the blade (besides the expressions from Optimus and Galvatron).

One of the Autobots (presumably Cliffjumper) commented how pumped-up the Autobot leader is; he doesn’t seem too surprised like Overdrive was in Superlink.  Starscream didn’t say anything (but his mouth was moving; really bad lip synching, there); Mirage was cheering for Galvatron to win (in this version, Mirage doesn’t have an obvious crush on Galvatron, but there have been really subtle hints).

While Superlink went to black and then cut to the next scene with Galvatron and Optimus still fighting (probably indicating that time had passed), Energon cut immediately to the fight scene.  When Galvatron kicked Optimus Prime, you can see the blurr effects in stationary, and the motion was choppy, YET again.  When a flash appeared, the cut freeze-framed before we get to see Galvatron’s reaction to being kicked back.  Galvatron stabbed Optimus, claimed victory, and got electrocuted with Optimus saying the following line:

“It seems we’re both filled with the power of Unicron.  Well, it’s time I take it and put it in the maze” (didn’t make any sense, whatsoever; I don’t think even the subtitles thought it made sense, either).

We see Galvatron’s mouth move, but he didn’t say anything (more lip synching failure).  While Optimus and Galvatron were disappearing (or shrinking), we just see them dissipating into the atmosphere with no other surrounding light other than the yellow beam.

Yeah, the Energon version was (I will say this) awful.  No wonder this Transformers work was hated by many fans (especially those who saw the English dub first/only).  Since I saw Superlink first (which I thought could be better, even though it was still an awesome Transformers anime; I liken it to The Transformers: The Movie (1986), since they killed off my favorite characters, and there wasn’t enough character development for some of the newer characters (like Springer, Wreck-Gar, and Kranix), even though I wanted to see/know more about them; the film and the anime are very similar to each other), I wasn’t affected by the monstrosity in Energon.  Although, when I tried to watch Energon, it was too much to bear (some of the animation was bad enough, but the voice acting was worse); I starting watching other works (mostly movies and TV shows, as well as listened to music, and compared Sonic X sub vs. dub for humor (as well as hypothesizing what if 4Kids got the Unicron Trilogy and made it better, but not great)) to get the rushed dub out of my head, and I started to rewatch some clips from Micron Legend as well as Superlink (to me, the originals are more tolerable, and are usually the best). 

I have a recommendation: if you want to see a certain work, don’t look for the dubbed version, first; try out the original version, and maybe see the dub next.  You may like one better than the other, and some parts may be better than others, as well.  You may like the original, or you may like the dub; individuals are different, after all.

Looks like that is all I will be saying for now.  I plan to rewatch the two Transformers anime shows as well as watch Bumblebee (2018) again, and also Sonic X (original version with subtitles) during my spare time.  My next classes are coming up soon, so I may not post as much; but that doesn’t mean I won’t be back.  I have mentioned earlier that I am an on-and-off Tumblr user; having other things to do is one of the reasons.

Everyone else, have fun exploring more content you like, and please be cordial and respectful to one another.

Stay tuned for future posts.

This is FirebirdTransAm68 signing out.