Transformers G1
 

hi everyone. I'm getting kinda excited about the upcoming transformers movie, despite all the hate its getting from the fanbase, and was wondering if the g1 cartoon is worth checking out....is it dumbed down for kids, does it hold up after all this time, and whats the maturity level at? thanks!

To me, it's the best Transformers series. I'd say Maturity wise, it's aimed higher than say RiD was. Probably about as mature as a childrens show could get back then. There's a reason G1 holds such a large fan base still after all these days.

indeed. I seen other transformers cartoons. this hold the best of all transformer.

Pretty high. Some of the episodes are a little...ackward (do'nt go NEAR "Carnage In C-Minor"), and the animation is'nt often consistent, but the storylines are pretty concrete at times, especially the arcs

I do warn you that the animation gets worse as the show goes on. Season Three is like having to watch a sophisticated radio play.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was thinking about checking out a couple episodes online but I cant decide if i want too...hmm

It was one of the better shows of the 80's and had some definate thought put into it, establishing a pretty extensive and complicated mythos, origin and, yes, even a religion for the Transformers (though that was covered more in the comic).

The show is very episodic and typically unless it's a multiparter, few episodes lead into one another for the first two seasons.

Season 3 has some of the worst animation yet some of the best and most daring writing.

If you want to pick and choose episodes to watch, here are my recommendations:

Season 1 and 2:

More than Meets the Eye 1-3 (the pilot miniseries, can't watch the show without it)
War Dawn (the origin of Optimus Prime)
Microbots (Very well animated, very funny, good action)
Cosmic Rust (hardcore almost horror movie type episode where the Transformers are stricken with a malidy that causes them to rust to death)
Starscream's Brigade (good combiner action, nice origin for the Combaticons)
Revenge of Bruticus (follow-up episode, very necessary)

Season 3:

The Five Faces of Darknes 1-5 (mediocre animation but a very deep plot that delves into the origins of the Transformers)
Dark Awakening (absolute best episode of the entire series)
Call of the Primitives (gorgeous animation, the origin of Unicron)
Webworld (funniest. episode. ever)
Only Human (the infamous GI Joe crossover!)
The Burden Hardest to Bear (Rodimus Prime deals with being the new leader, Scourge gets the Matrix and goes insane)


Just some handpicked favorites you might want to dig up. The show has a definate continuity, unfortunately, they were aired and produced out of order so watching them can get a little confusing some times.

wow, awesome. Thanks Dr. Spengler, that helps a lot. I'm even more interested in seeing these episodes now.

I'm another huge G1 Transformers fan. Feel free to ask me anything about the show.

Should you watch it? Short answer - yes!

Dumbed down? No. If anything, G1 greatly exceeds one's expectations for a show that was supposed to be nothing more than a toy commercial. G1 has a great sci-fi concept behind it, a phenomenal voice cast, and great avatar characters. While it may not be as sophisticated as some modern day cartoons it really is among the best cartoons the 80s had to offer.

Holds up over time? Yes. Others have already commented on the animation which has it's problems but it's no worse than any of the problems you'll find in the Classic TMNT cartoon. G1 is a show that I can say goes beyond nostalgia in terms of my enjoyment of it today. It has a certain magic in its core concept that stands up to repeated viewing, especially in its best episodes. David Wise, who wrote a bunch of Classic TMNT episodes also wrote several Transformers episodes, including War Dawn.

In addition to Dr. Spengler's list here are a few more episodes I recommend:

Season 1
Fire in the Sky - (nice Starscream backstory, Op vs. Megs battle shows some particularly robotic moves, intro of Skyfire/Jetfire who was originally supposed to be killed off in this ep)

The Ultimate Doom/Countdown to Destruction - (an epic story, Starscream treachery at it's best until Starscream's Brigade, Op & Megs team up to save the universe)

Heavy Metal War - (one of the most classic Op vs. Megs battles of the whole cartoon series, a lot of G1 fans list this ep among their favorites, a very satisfying conclusion to season 1)

Season 2
The Imobilizer - (great Bumblebee and Ironhide episode two characters who will be featured Autobots in the new 2007 movie)

The Golden Lagoon - (very memerable ending that briefly touches on the fact that in war there are no real winners)

The Key to Vector Sigma Pt. 1 & 2 - (great combiner action, and some decent characterization for some of the Aerialbots, nice origins for the Aerialbots and Stunticons, a lot of G1 fans list these eps among their favorites, watch this two parter right before watching War Dawn to give War Dawn it's full impact)

Transformers the Movie (1986) - (an epic story not to be missed in the Transformers mythos, great animation and voice cast, first intro of the Matrix which has now become known as the Allspark in the upcoming 2007 movie, lots of changes happen in this movie, don't watch season 3 until you have seen the movie, Sony has put out a 20th anniversary DVD edition of the movie that is the definative release so far)

Season 3
Starscream's Ghost/Ghost in the Machine - (you-know-who is back and causing trouble, a lot of G1 fans list these two eps among their favorites
for the season)

If you enjoy G1, I also highly recommend Transformers: Beast Wars. But one great show at a time, first.:)

Oh yeah!

Beast Wars is a magnificent compliment to the G1 cartoon and is honestly much darker and more sophisticated. It starts out rather slow and predictable, but the season 1 finale is a jewel and nearly all of season 2 is absolute gold. Season 3 had its ups and downs but ended very, very strongly with another classic G1 tie-in.

...but as Time Mistress said, one cartoon at a time. Gotta pace yourself. ;)


EDIT:

Also, I started writing an episode guide for the G1 toon which you can read here. Still haven't gotten around to finishing it, but it sums up my views on a lot of episodes.

Dr Spengler, are you planning to update the episde list? I really liked your reviews.

I intend to once my spring semester ends and I have a bit of free time. I at least hope to finish up season 2 then get Scramble City and the Movie out of the way.

Not trying to get off topic, but in another thread someone mentioned a Beast wars anime. Anyone know if its any good or if it was ever dubbed?

Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo.

I own every episode of both series.

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.

The Japanese dub of the American Beast Wars cartoon is an atrocity, changing character personalities and adding very awful "humor" all over the place. As such, the Japanese exclusive Beast Wars shows were straight up comedies filled with awful anime cliches, dreadful animation and some truly terrible characters.

The only thing of Beast Wars II worth checking out is the movie, "Lio Convoy in Immediate Danger!" if only for the crossover with the American Beast Wars cartoon (Optimus Primal makes a cameo to help the Beast Warriors on Gaea).

Beast Wars Neo starts out just as badly as BWII, but gradually turns watchable by the final arc when Unicron comes back. Still, its only "watchable".

The Japanese Beast Wars shows range from awful to mediocre and really aren't worth seeking out at all.

HOWEVER

If you're really really curious, head over to TFCog.net. They have some fandubs of Beast Wars II and Neo which are...okay. I mean, as far as Fandubs go.