Transformers-themed pub could be Britain’s Best Home Bar

A Transformers-themed pub is in the running to be crowned Britain’s Best Home Bar, in a competition being run by Liberty Games. The winning bar, chosen… [more]

Transformers-themed pub could be Britain’s Best Home Bar Transformers-themed pub could be Britain’s Best Home Bar

TFNation 2019 Transformers Convention Review

This last weekend saw yet another Transformers convention take over the Metropole Hilton, in Birmingham. These weekends have become a staple of my summer… [more]

TFNation 2019 Transformers Convention Review TFNation 2019 Transformers Convention Review

Annual Transformers Forum Meet Tour

Every year, since 2011, the nerds from TheTF.Net forum (now a Facebook group, because running a forum proved too much like hard work) have met for a weekend… [more]

Annual Transformers Forum Meet Tour Annual Transformers Forum Meet Tour

Our 2019 Forum Meet took place this weekend, in Cardiff

This weekend saw our annual forum meet being held in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. Each year we meet in a different town or city in the UK, alternating… [more]

Our 2019 Forum Meet took place this weekend, in Cardiff Our 2019 Forum Meet took place this weekend, in Cardiff

Video Footage from Transforce in 2001

Almost 18 years ago (crikey, has it been that long?) we wrote a review of our visit to Transforce in August 2001. It was a seriously hot day, but a great… [more]

Video Footage from Transforce in 2001 Video Footage from Transforce in 2001
 

Transformers Animated Half Episode Review

Written by Big Bot on November 5, 2007 | Animated,Cartoon,News |

With half the first episode of Transformers Animated being previewed at Nordic Mini-Con Transformers convention, the reviews and feedback have commenced and it’s generally very positive. Here are the comments from Groundsplitter of The Nordic TransFans Association:

It was a very interesting preview though, and I can tell you that even though I were very sceptical when I saw the first posters for the series a while ago, I think the cartoon may turn out to be quite entertaining. What struck me the most is that it seems all the characters will be portrayed with distinct personalities – a very welcome change compared to the three latest series, were most of the characters were blank slates.
There were also quite a few nods to the old fans – I haven’t seen the clips on YouTube so I don’t know what has been shown before, but the show actually starts with Optimus Prime looking at some archive clips from the war that ended a few hundred years ago – clips that are taken straight from the original G1 cartoon! And Ratchet is said to have taken part of that war, which poses the question if this is the original Ratchet, or just someone who shares the name.

Some other notes:

Animated takes place in the 22nd century (or was it 23rd?). Some notes (I don’t know what is already known so bear with me):

Blitzwing has three faces, although the third wasn’t very clear (the entire Decepticon scene is in the dark). First is the strict monocled guy, the second is a very clichéd Arnie “stupid” German accent and the third was just crazy and singing. Not too sure about this guy, but he might make a cool toy.

Allspark looks vaguely Matrix-shaped with handles, but it’s much bigger. So far the only Allspark-carrier has been… Ratchet

Blackarachnia is exactly her BW self (her alt mode is considered organic, btw) and Starscream is exactly his G1 self, personality-wise.

Ratchet has a mix of Ironhide/Kup with the “old-timer” personality thing going on. As mentioned, not clear whether he is actually THE Ratchet.

Sentinel (Prime) is an officer in the Autobot army and Ultra Magnus is the Supreme Commander who bosses Optimus around.

Optimus trained at the Autobot academy and is going about doing heroic stuff from the very beginning, but there must be a reason why he’s stuck on a crappy repair mission…

Optimus’ axe has quite a few features except the energon blade. It has a rocket thruster on it, and the handle can extend Dragonball style for him to do polevaults. Somehow Optimus can also fire nets.

Interview with Hasbro’s Eric Siebenaler

Written by Big Bot on November 4, 2007 | Animated,Hasbro,Interviews,News,Toys |

Fansite TFW2005 have managed to get an interview with Hasbro designer Eric Siebenaler. The interview goes into detail on his work at Hasbro, with the odd mention of Transformers Animated designs, and about how to get involved within the industry.

New Transformers Animated Video

Written by Big Bot on November 2, 2007 | Animated,Cartoon,News |

A new video from the 2008 series Transformers Animated has been uploaded onto Youtube and features some animated not seen before.

The main part of the video features a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron with other Autobots and Decepticons getting a smaller look-in.

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Full Animated Not At Mini-Con

Written by Big Bot on October 30, 2007 | Animated,Cartoon,Conventions,News |

We have some bad news for fans planning on attending Mini-Con in Arlöv this weekend. The anticipated showing of the first episode of Transformers: Animated will now NOT go ahead. It will now only be shown in partial form, with the full episode being held back until next year.

Now for the reason why. Hasbro Nordic tried their best to get the preview and were given the green light but at the last minute Hasbro USA have changed their mind. As usual, a lot of hard work by the international fandom is blocked by the USA branch.

Source NTFA

Transformers Animated Promotion DVD

Written by Big Bot on October 18, 2007 | Animated,DVD,News,Toys |

Another listing on the BBFC website shows that Hasbro UK are releasing the first episode of Transformers Animated on DVD. Since Hasbro UK is a toy company who don’t specialise in DVD distribution, it most likely means this DVD will be included with a Transformers Animated toy, and the best guess is “TF Animated Battle Pack with DVD”, which we mentioned earlier this month.

The episode included is called, “Transform and Roll Out” and will be the first episode of Transformers Animated. The FBI warning indicates that the disc will also be released in North America.

Hasbro UK 2008 Plans

Written by Big Bot on October 6, 2007 | Animated,Hasbro,News,Toys,Transformers movie (2007) |

With 2007 coming to a close and nearly all the Transformers movie toys having been released in the UK over the last 4 months, it’s slowly time to start looking forward to 2008.

According to online retailer Toyz and Gamez (via TFW2005), Hasbro UK have released initial details on what they plan on selling in 2008. The appears to be the extra Movie line toys plus the 2008 series Transformers Animated. This list is by no means dfinitive as Hasbro UK have a record of adding and removing things at the last minute.

Movie Legends

Movie Deluxe
Movie Leader
Movie Voyager
Helmet Asst
Prime/Starscream Blasters
Legends All Spark Battle Packs
TF Animated Deluxe
TF Animated Voyager
TF Animated Battle Pack W/DVD
TF Movie Snap Shot Roleplay Asst
TF Movie Cinema Scene Asst
TF Movie Robot Replicas.
Unleashed Turnaround
Movie TECH Role Play Asst
Movie Cyber Slammer Asst
Movie Robot Heroes
Titanium 3″ Robot Masters

The final bit of information concerns prices that we as customers may be paying due to new restrictions

next year Hasbro are not offering deluxe Transformers as an FOB line (means bigger dealers and retailers cannot buy from Hasbro China). This also means larger shops won’t offer as many 3 for 2 etc as price is almost twice as much.

Transformers Animated at Mini-Con

Written by Big Bot on October 5, 2007 | Animated,Conventions,News |

With the latest Transformers cartoon series starting in early 2008, it’s about time we had some more news on the series. The Nordic Transfans Association Mini-Con event in Arl’v, Sweden will be showing the first episode of Transformers Animated, making it the first place to show an episode from the series in the world. The event takes place on 3rd-4th November.

The NTFA Mini-Con is being organised with the help of Hasbro Nordic, who have obviously put some effort into helping out. Full details can be found at the NTFA.

If you’re reading this Hasbro UK, if you want us to stop critising you, this is the sort of thing you need to be involved in.

Interviewed: Animated Creative Team

Written by admin on July 4, 2007 | Animated,Cartoon,Interviews,News |

IGN TV have had a sit down with Sam Register, the Executive Producer of the new Transformers: Animated series, starting next year. The interview provides lots of background details on the design of the series and how it has been incorporated into the marketing of the Transformers brand.

IGN TV So what will be the basis for the episodes that don’t have Autobots fighting Decepticons?

Register We’re also doing one-offs. The great thing about the huge Transformers universe is that there are thousands of characters and great ideas. So we might bring in the Dinobots, but we won’t necessarily connect it to Megatron. So you can bring in other characters and ideas. We’re also coming up with some one-off villains who will come in for one episode and leave. We also have some humanoid villains, so you don’t have robots fighting robots in every single episode. The humanoid characters will always have something cool about them. One is named “Nanosec” and he’s much like The Flash, except he’s on rollerblades. So you get this great idea of vehicles chasing a guy on rollerblades who is super fast. So you get that cool idea that also serves as a break from “yet another robot.”

The full interview can be found here.

TF Animated Press Release & Poster

Written by admin on June 25, 2007 | Animated,Cartoon,Hasbro,News,Press Release |

Hasbro and Cartoon Network have sent out a press release for the new cartoon series, Transformers Animated. They have also sent out the first poster, featuring the Autobots.

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The TRANSFORMERS saga has captivated kids for more than 20 years. Coming on the heels of the highly anticipated live-action theatrical film being released July 3rd, by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, Cartoon Network and Hasbro, Inc. are announcing today that the next generation of the epic animated series is being jointly developed by the two entities for a 2008 debut on the network in the U.S. The eye-popping 2-D animated series is a new twist on the original high-octane, animated action-adventure series with new characters alongside legends such as OPTIMUS PRIME and MEGATRON. Each episode will present a standalone storyline featuring everyday heroes who do good deeds that triumph over evil. TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED series will be co-produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

Twenty-six, half-hour episodes will be produced as well as a 90-minute special of TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED which is scheduled for release in early 2008 on Cartoon Network in the U.S. Matt Youngberg (Teen Titans, The Batman) is the supervising director, Derrick Wyatt (Teen Titans) will provide the character designs and Sam Register (Ben 10, Teen Titans) will serve as executive producer of the series. Marty Isenberg (Danny Phantom., X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) acts as head writer.

We are thrilled to be working with the highly creative team at Cartoon Network on bringing the next chapter in the TRANSFORMERS saga to kids and fans around the world, said Brian Goldner, Hasbros Chief Operating Officer. The animation style that Cartoon Network has developed really brings the lore and characters of the TRANSFORMERS franchise alive in a way that has never been seen through animation.

TRANSFORMERS is a tried and true draw for our core audience, said Bob Higgins, senior vice president programming and development, Cartoon Network. Kids love the surprise of ‘More Than Meets the Eye,’ combined with dynamic, clearly defined characters and epic storylines. We are thrilled to be working with Hasbro to help re-imagine this amazing franchise for a new generation of fans.

Set on Earth in the near future in Detroit, the alien TRANSFORMERS are thrust into a world populated by humans and automatons. As visitors to Earth, the TRANSFORMERS–OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, PROWL, BULKHEAD and RATCHET–work in the human world, interacting with the natives in exciting and humorous ways. TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED has been created to showcase the heroic AUTOBOTS working together to battle the evil DECEPTICONS and save Earth with kid-relatable plot lines filled with humor, distinctive character personalities, and dynamic action.

Hasbro and HPG, its licensing division, will expand the action-packed TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED series through toys, games, licensed merchandise and promotions around the world.

Hasbro (NYSE HAS) is a worldwide leader in childrens and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

More Transformers: Animated Info

Written by admin on | Animated,Cartoon,News |

The next Transformers animated series, strangely enough called Transformers Animated, is set is start in early 2008 and will be completely unrelated to the Transformers movie.

“There have been three other Transformers series on Cartoon Network and eight series altogether since 1984. But this is the first one Hasbro is co-producing with Cartoon rather than its Japanese toy and production partner, Takara. Cartoon and Hasbro executives told the trade paper that the new series, Transformers Animated, will be significantly different from the others, adding humor, never-before-seen characters and a new premise in which the Autobots fight evil humans in superhero fashion much more frequently than they battle the Decepticons, the traditional Transformers enemy since the franchise launched as a toy line in 1984.”

The full article from Sci Fi Wire can be found here.

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