What colours are Frenzy and Rumble (FIRRIB?)

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Just wanted to see who Do you call Frenzy and Rumble as there are valid arguments for both.


An acronym sometimes bandied about by fans, FIRRIB means "Frenzy is red, Rumble is blue". The phrase originated on alt.toys.transformers circa 1994, essentially as a (largely joking) rallying cry for those who favored the original cartoon over various other media portrayals of the Transformers. In time, the counterpoint FIBRIR emerged, standing for "Frenzy is blue, Rumble is red". The forms RIBFIR and RIRFIB are also known.

The debate revolves around the colors of the Decepticon Mini-Cassettes, Rumble and Frenzy. It was Hasbro's intent that Rumble be black and red, and Frenzy be two shades of blue. These color schemes are used in the toyline, Marvel Comics and many storybooks and ancillary media from the early years of Generation 1, and naturally, it was intended for the cartoon series to render the characters in this manner as well (as proven by the show's production bible, which identifies Rumble as the "red robot"). However, as a result of some unspecified error somewhere in production, the two robots had their color schemes swapped, leaving the animated incarnation of Rumble blue, and Frenzy red.

Due to the widespread recognition the cartoon received, the concept of Rumble as the blue robot was ingrained into the minds of many viewers. As such, years later, fans would argue vehemently (though often tongue-in-cheek) over which coloration was "correct", based mainly on their personal preference for the cartoon or comic.

The FIRRIB movement was codified by a cartoon fan named Scott Wells in 1994, who coined the acronym FIRRIB. The FIRRIB idea quickly caught on with other cartoon fans on alt.toys.transformers, frequently appearing in signature files; its counterpoint, the comic- and toy-based FIBRIR, soon appeared as well. After endless discussion threads fueled by little more than personal preference, the subject eventually landed in the group's FAQ file as a do-not-ask question.

The Japanese dub of the Generation 1 cartoon rectified the error, making the animation match the toys by simply switching the characters' names around.
As later incarnations of the characters draw on both the cartoon and toys as influences, the waters have become muddier still:

3738

Taken from TFWIKI (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/FIRRIB)

[Hursticon]

Though this will probably fall into the irresolvable category, have you thought about applying a Poll to this thread dude? :cool:

*Edit: You just did. :p:D

[LordCyrusOmega]

I grew up with the cartoon so Rumble will always be blue. However I've learned to reconcile that his toy is red.
What about a Frenzy is Grey option?

[Skullcruncher]

Same - I grew up with the cartoon so rumble will be blue/purple. Only found out when I started to collect the toys(2 1/2 years ago) they were around the other way.

[gamblor916]

Can and worms come to mind for some reason.

[liegeprime]

RIRFIB. I base it from the toy, the toons are full of innaccuracies anyhow. hhehehe

[Vector Prime]

One's red and one's blue... makes no difference which is which IMO :p

[Doubledealer]

Um, obviously the red one was called Rumble after Soundwave partook in the annual San Francisco Rhubarb Crumble eating competition of 1984. He liked this famous dessert so much he coloured his son red and black (he preferred a very well done crumble) and chose to call him 'Rumble, an abbreviation of his favourite treat.

Also:

http://tfwiki.net/w2/images2/5/57/PowerPlay_Rummmble.JPG

[loophole]

One's red and one's blue... makes no difference which is which IMO :p

thats sounds right to me

but to me rumble is the blue cause i grew up watching the cartoons

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

RIRFIB. I base it from the toy, the toons are full of innaccuracies anyhow. hhehehe

+1

[Sky Shadow]

Just wanted to see who Do you call Frenzy and Rumble as there are valid arguments for both.

As I said the past, like, seventeen times this question was asked:

"Almost all the time, Frenzy is the blue one.

In his first appearance anywhere - in the Marvel comics - Frenzy is blue (well - Nel Yomtov blue, anyway). Frenzy's G1 toy is blue and the toys were designed first. In the Dreamwave and IDW comics Frenzy is blue. In Music Label Transformers Frenzy is blue. In the Japanese cartoon Frenzy is blue.

The only time it could be correct to say that Frenzy is the red one is if you're talking about his half-a-dozen cartoon appearances, a couple of Devils Due G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers comics and his Diamond Select statue. If anyone says he's red in any other situation than those handful of instances, it's incorrect - particularly if they say the red toy is Frenzy, which is dead wrong."

Since I wrote that, Rumble has been the blue Generations toy, but the red United toy while Frenzy is the blue United one. And for some reason, IDW has recently started swapping the colours of Rumble and Frenzy (but since they can't even draw their characters using the same character model from issue to issue, this is perhaps to be expected.)

I still cannot believe the excessive number of people in their thirties who still dogmatically say "Rumble is the blue one" based on a colouring/naming error in the US cartoon. Did people really never look at a toy catalogue or the toys on the shelf?

[Golden Phoenix]

RIRFIB. I base it from the toy, the toons are full of innaccuracies anyhow. hhehehe

I agree with this completely.

[KillinSpoon]

I agree with this completely.

Tad bit coincidental that we come home to this? Haha.

[Golden Phoenix]

Tad bit coincidental that we come home to this? Haha.

KaRNiV8L PRiME must be spying on us.

[GoktimusPrime]

The toys came first and are thus the most accurate. And in the vast majority of mediums, Frenzy has been blue and Rumble has been red.

[Skullcruncher]

I still cannot believe the excessive number of people in their thirties who still dogmatically say "Rumble is the blue one" based on a colouring/naming error in the US cartoon. Did people really never look at a toy catalogue or the toys on the shelf?

I still can't belive the excessive number of people who think everyone cares about every single transformer medium/universe! They could be green and orange in the comics or catalogue for all I care.

[Sky Shadow]

I still can't belive the excessive number of people who think everyone cares about every single transformer medium/universe! They could be green and orange in the comics or catalogue for all I care.

One of them was orange in the oh-so-credible cartoon.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/2909/genericdecepticonsmtmte.jpg

[kup]

I still cannot believe the excessive number of people in their thirties who still dogmatically say "Rumble is the blue one" based on a colouring/naming error in the US cartoon. Did people really never look at a toy catalogue or the toys on the shelf?

It's called geewunist yeuk disorder :p

[Skullcruncher]

One of them was orange in the oh-so-credible cartoon.

Sweet! Thats makes some of the KO's look right at home.

Yes there are plently of animation oddities but if people havn't got over them by now then theres not much hope. The cartoons purpose was to promote a toy line and it did that very well. We can all pick up every weird thing now but as kid all I cared about was playing with the toys not freaking out about a so called animation error.

The fact is if someone has watched the cartoon and has no interest in anything else from the world of transformers then they would say rumble is blue.


It's called geewunist yeuk disorder :p

This belongs over on tfw.

[Bartrim]

It's called geewunist yeuk disorder :p

Bit uncalled for don't you think Kup?

[primatives]

before there was the internet and tfwiki the was ONLY the cartoon so to me rumble is blue and frenzy is red. I thought when looking at the catlogue that it was an error. Like others I grew up with the cartoon so I'll go with the cartoon.

[Sky Shadow]

before there was the internet and tfwiki the was ONLY the cartoon

:confused:

Before there was the internet and tfwiki there were comics, picture books, sticker books, read-along cassettes, video games, collector cards, showbags and even toys.

[griffin]

All those you had to find and buy... for the rest of us who had cheap or unsupportive parents, it was just the cartoon. It was easier getting toys as presents, but other stuff wasn't as common as presents, or affordable if no/little pocket-money.

[Oilspill]

It's easy. Rumble is blue in the cartoon and red almost everywhere else.

So really I feel he should be red, but the cartoon was such a large part of the representation of the character that I struggle to think of him as anything other than blue.

But in the end, when he's on your shelf he's which ever guy you want him to be.

[kup]

Bit uncalled for don't you think Kup?

Not if the following post after yours is anything to go by ;)

It was a joke, you know - Haha.

This topic has always been very silly because the answer has always relied on context of the medium just as Sky Shadow has rightfully and repeatedly said.

If you are talking about the cartoon and say that Frenzy is blue then you are wrong.

If you are talking about the G1 toys or most comics (and almost all else) and say that Frenzy is red, then you are wrong.

Cartoon fans will always say that Frenzy is red and that is fine because they are correct - In the cartoon Frenzy is red and that is all they are usually referring to when they mention it. Not a difficult concept and certainly not worth arguing or getting worked up about as it's pretty straightforward - In the end it is most likely that your preference will be right within the appropriate context.

In the event that due to one's appreciation for the cartoon desires to call a red G1 Rumble, Frenzy then that's your choice as you have chosen to override the official name which you have a right to do since it's your toy. This is a personal choice which one should not need to argue about because it was your choice to go against the official name and one shouldn't expect all to follow a personal preference.

[dirge]

Can of worms here - this one has proven to be perhaps the most unresolvable argument about Transforfmers. I'll refrain from adding my 2c in. Please keep it civil lest this topic be locked.

[SkyWarp91]

I don't care what colours they are just as long as their damn RTS toys get RELEASED HERE!!!!!!! :mad::mad:

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I grew up with the cartoon so Rumble's blue in the Odieverse - or at least he will be when the RTS version comes out.

[Bartrim]

All those you had to find and buy... for the rest of us who had cheap or unsupportive parents, it was just the cartoon. It was easier getting toys as presents, but other stuff wasn't as common as presents, or affordable if no/little pocket-money.

QFT. I grew up in a small town in a hard working blue collar family. The cartoon was the only medium that was accessible to me... That's why I think of Rumble as the blue on

[griffin]

I still go by the toy though, so Rumble is always red to me. (I just wanted to explain how it is quite easy for a lot of people to only know the cartoon parameters of TFs characters and concepts)

[jaydisc]

TBH, I can't even remember. I had to hit Google images after opening the United pair so I could decide which to display with piledrivers.

[LordCyrusOmega]

Depends on what medium you're talking about. Rumble is blue in the cartoon and red in the toy. therefore he is both red and blue. Because the most I saw of Rumble growing up was through the cartoon I think of him as blue. Untill I look at his toy, then he is red

[GoktimusPrime]

If you are talking about the cartoon and say that Frenzy is blue then you are wrong.

Unless you're watching the Japanese dub, in which case you'd be right! (FIBRIR) :D


This is a personal choice which one should not need to argue about because it was your choice to go against the official name and one shouldn't expect all to follow a personal preference.
It's not even a personal choice...

G1 cartoon (Anglophone) = Rumble is blue: fact
G1 cartoon (Japanese) = Rumble is red: fact
G1 toys = Rumble is red: fact
G1 comics = Rumble is red: fact
G1 Ladybird books = Rumble is red: fact
In the majority of mediums = Rumble is red: fact
...etc.

So is it FIRRIB or FIBRIR? Depends on what you're looking at. That should effectively be the end of the argument, really.

Then there's Stargate Battles, printed in black and white and Frenzy has piledrivers like Rumble -- I can't tell them apart! :eek:

[Tober]

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/AUST_Tober/2007-03-20.jpg

[FatalityPitt]

I don't know what you guys were talking about 8 or 9 years ago, because to me Frenzy is and will always be a maroon-coloured Porsche (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:G2toy_gobot_frenzy.jpg) :D

I'm kidding of course, though that was the Frenzy toy I had as a kid. I never had the original, didn't even know what it looked like until I googled it in my early-20s.

I've started to struggle with this a bit lately tbh. I like the Frenzy character a little more than Rumble (not to take anything from Rumble, who's also pretty cool), and I recently got a new toy of Frenzy that's blue and says 'Frenzy' on the box. But whenever I look at it, I keep thinking of it as Rumble even though my formula has been "if it says 'Rumble' on the package, it's Rumble". It's like I've watched the G1 cartoon so many times that I can't un-see the blue Rumble and red Frenzy.

[GoktimusPrime]

https://i.ibb.co/BzhX097/FIRRIB.jpg

[Sinnertwin]

*schnip*


https://i.imgur.com/o2UHll1.gif

[Bidoofdude]

Well it depends on the media. Though the G1 Frenzy toy is blue, there is no denying that he is red in the English cartoon. It honestly doesn't matter, and most media that draw inspiration from either the cartoon or comic or toyline should reflect the one they draw on the most.

For example, if a new animated movie was based mostly off the aesthetics and everything of the G1 cartoon, then Rumble should be blue and Frenzy red. If the relation is relatively loose and the designs/concepts of the new media have little to do with a particular incarnation of old, then you'd probably make Rumble red for sake of consistency.

[Dan]

https://i.ibb.co/BzhX097/FIRRIB.jpg

Frenzy is blue in the 1986 movie? What! :confused:

I just assume they were identical to who they are in the cartoon. Who first cracks the shell, then cracks the nuts inside? ;)

[FatalityPitt]

... It honestly doesn't matter...

Actually, this phrase here is the most correct, and it's helped me reach an epiphany - It doesn't matter.

Even though the package might say 'Frenzy' or 'Rumble', the toy's name should be at the discretion of that toy's owner. If a person buys a blue transformer that turns into a cassette, he/she doesn't have to call it 'Frenzy' or 'Rumble' if they don't want to. He/she can call it 'George' or 'Adam'. Why? Because it's just a toy. It's made to entertain the person who bought it, and if that person likes to call it 'George', then... cool!

[Autocon]

Blue is Alfie
Red os Nash :D

[GoktimusPrime]

Frenzy is blue in the 1986 movie? What! :confused:
You need to read the text not just look at the pics. ;) Rumble is blue (well, purple) in the Sunbow cartoon, but in the Toei anime (i.e. the Japanese dub of the G1 cartoon plus original Japanese series) never had that error. The purple/blue cassette robot was always called Frenzy in Japan, and the black/red robot was Rumble. :)

In the 20th Century the US G1 cartoon was the only Transformers medium that got Frenzy and Rumble's colours wrong. Every other media had it the right way around. So as far as the original G1 continuity is concerned, FIRRIB is only true for the Anglophone cartoon and nothing else. In the 21st Century we've had a small number of media emulate the Anglophone cartoon with FIRRIB, but as you can see the majority still stick with the original RIRFIB (which is technically more G1 accurate since the toys came first).

[BigTransformerTrev]

https://i.ibb.co/BzhX097/FIRRIB.jpg

Hang on. The Hasbro MP I have has Rumble as blue (purple/mauve/whatever) and Frenzy as red. Or do you only count the TT MPs?

[GoktimusPrime]

Hang on. The Hasbro MP I have has Rumble as blue (purple/mauve/whatever) and Frenzy as red. Or do you only count the TT MPs?
Hasbro MP Rumble = red
Hasbro MP Frenzy = blue
https://i.ibb.co/Z2pDgzb/temp.jpg

[BigTransformerTrev]

Hasbro MP Rumble = red
Hasbro MP Frenzy = blue
https://i.ibb.co/Z2pDgzb/temp.jpg

Huh. Well I have no idea where my MP Box is so I’m gonna assume that’s correct and for some reason I’m remembering it completely wrong.

I’m actually kinda glad I’m wrong on this one as that had always irritated me