Transformers Earthspark new series

[griffin]

Just announced by Hasbro is the next Transformers cartoon for TV, called Eathspark, for release in America during our Spring time.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6937789936291141&id=146805978722938&m_entstream_source=timeline&__tn__=H-R&paipv=1
No details yet on when and where it will be here, or its toyline.
Some screenshots can be found here...
https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/02/15/first-look-at-transformers-earth-spark-animated-series-by-nickelodeon-450200

[JJJ]

Hmmm. I think the faces will take a little longer to get used to than Animated's stylised look did, but it'll happen :)

Hmmm again. I'm seeing at least three different and quite distinct visual design styles so far - Optimus is boxy and G1-ish, then there's that blue, grey, and white bot that's very TF Prime in look (rounded, with pointy flanges, and glowing bits), and then there's the bot that Nick Roche showed off as his design, the white motor-cycle, which has a very MTME/LL look to it - angular, with lots of parts.

This is going to be fascinating.

[Golden Phoenix]

I'm just curious about the odd looking badges on Prime and Elita-1. It looks like a Quintesson symbol with the Autobot symbol replacing the mouth.

Maybe it is set while the Quintesson's control the Transformers.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I'm just curious about the odd looking badges on Prime and Elita-1. It looks like a Quintesson symbol with the Autobot symbol replacing the mouth.

Maybe it is set while the Quintesson's control the Transformers.

Since they are "born" on earth, it could be something like that the Quintessons have a shell company on Earth and that's their logo or something.
Very curious to see if/how they jam the Decepticons in there.

Also just noticed that while Prime and Elita have the logos White and Orange shiny bots don't have the logos.

I'll watch it.

[KELPIE]

Looks terrible.

I'll also watch it.

Weren't there 3 cartoons currently in production?

[JJJ]

Weren't there 3 cartoons currently in production?

Hmm. I recall mention of something aimed at small children (Bot Bots? Rescue Academy?), and a sort of sit-com. This (which doesn't look to be based around comedy) would make the third I guess, but this one came out of the blue for me.

[griffin]

More info and images from an animation magazine website (https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/paramount-expands-kids-slate-with-new-transformers-dora-tmnt-spongebob-more-from-nickelodeon/)...


ransformers: Earthspark, from Nickelodeon and Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne), launching globally in Fall 2022. This 26-episode action-comedy series introduces a new generation of Transformers robots — the first Transformers robots to be born on Earth. Together with the human family who welcomes them in and cares for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family. Designed for kids and families alike, Transformers: Earthspark blends the humor and heart of Nickelodeon with the action and high stakes adventure of Transformers. Set on present-day Earth, the series centers on two human kids as they forge a connection with Transformers robots like never before and work alongside fan favorites like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. This animated series is comedic, heartfelt, high energy, and action-packed, featuring new characters, and stars a diverse, multicultural human family, reflecting the current world we live in.
The series is executive produced by Ant Ward (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Ciro Nieli (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Nicole Dubik (Transformers: Rescue Bots) and developed and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio, the series is developed for television by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Series Animation. Production will be overseen for Nickelodeon by Conrad Montgomery, Vice President, Current Series, Animation and for eOne by Kari Rosenberg, VP, Original content, Action Adventure Brands.

[griffin]

In the post above it was mentioned that the new Earthspark cartoon would be on the US Nickelodeon channel in the "Fall" which is our springtime (generally meaning around September), and now Paramount Plus (which we can subscribe to here) is also going to be having it (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/03/25/transformers-earthspark-cartoon-premiere-date-on-paramount-plus-452531), but from November.
I'm sure it will be on one of the Australian TV stations at some point (either 9Go or foxtel), but it looks like Americans will have a choice... they might just have to pay for it if they want to see it legally.

[griffin]

Nickelodeon have posted up on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLERavL27l/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) some renders of four of the characters on the Earthspark cartoon - Bumblebee, Elita-1, Megatron and Optimus Prime... comparing each to their first versions in the Original Series from the 1980s.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/090809.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/090810.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/090811.jpg

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/news/2022/090812.jpg

[KELPIE]

Had absolutely no interest in this.

I felt they were hitting the right note with Cyberverse in leaving out humans all together. This has swung way back the other way and the trailers are really putting me off.


.... Then they announced Skullcruncher... and now I'm in again.

[Convoid]

Transformers: Earthspark will screen on Paramount+ on Wednesday November 30. Starting with 2 episodes.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/10/airdate-transformers-earthspark.html

[griffin]

A 2 minute clip from various official socials, including facebook (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1548975775537357&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing).

Looks like the Americans will get the cartoon almost 3 weeks before us, as they are noted as starting November 11th, which is 19 days before us.

[JJJ]

Well, that was fun!

It was a little bit slow in parts - it is after all a kids' show with focus on the human characters (plus they spent some time establishing the setting and the like - no in media res tom-foolery here), but when it got going - well, it was most impressive. They even managed to out-Bay the movies in terms of battle scenes (particularly the close-up scrambles with gigantic background action, but done comprehensibly and without shaky-cam) and honkin' great 'splosions.

And let there be no doubt, this season was largely about establishing things. Absolutely cannot wait for the next season given what was set up in this one. But at the same time it wasn't only about serving the future plot-lines; they managed to do that and tell nicely crafted stories for the now.

Highlights for me:

The voice acting cast - as much as I enjoyed WFC, the voice acting was often quite dire, but this was spectacular, and well cast. I now cannot think of Megatron without that Scottish burr.

The new character interpretations - recognisably G1 classics, modern twists that work and make sense. I appreciate some aspects of Arcee being carried over from Cyberverse, and the Seekers as women just works.

Skywarp actually teleporting, and doing so cleverly. Not just here's Skywarp, she can teleport, we'll show it once; no, teleporting is something you'd use a lot if you had it, so she does.


I can't say there was much I disliked. Just a few matters of preference. It was a bit kiddyfied, but of course it was, and it was full of squishies, but of course it was. Par for the course, and you'd have to be mad to honestly think those things wouldn't be in it. I have my dream Transformers cartoon that'll never happen, and this honestly doesn't fall too far short. Was shockingly satisfying for something aimed at pre-teens, and for all that, the combat was astoundingly brutal at points. And so was the flat-out torture.

I found the animation to be very well done, state of the art I suppose. And I was fascinated by the way they did all the objects and the world as 3D models, but used 2D animation techniques for fire and smoke and explosions and the like. It worked really well.

There were a handful of easter-egg references to G1 stuff that long-time fans will spot and enjoy, but you won't miss anything if you don't spot them - they were well done, not just shoved in for the hell of it (pay attention to the scant details given of the time-line, and in particular when Megs joined the Autobots).

So, they've gone full-bore with this one right from the start, unlike Cyberverse which took a season and a bit to get going properly. I think this will be well regarded.

I'm left with two things - I desperately need to know about the history between Dot and Megs (and so will find the wait for the next season quite annoying), and I expect to see the usual over-the-top nerd-rage backlash from certain quarters about shoving agendas and politics down our throats (mostly non-white characters of significance, and one enbie).

Three things, actually - I'm left wondering (by the G1-alike flashback bits) about the possibility of a new 2D G1 cartoon. Clearly such things can be done (they did it here, and I'll bet they did it with the same tools that are used for things like Rick and Morty), they would look awesome, and there's a big anniversary coming up soon... Probably not, but I can dream.

[griffin]

Still about a week away from being released to our region of the world, the first episode was posted on youtube but region-locked to the UK (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgs9h-1UiS4)... so you will need a VPN add-on to your browser to see it.
I'm not sure if there has been a more global (legal) public upload of episodes yet, but let us know if there is (not unauthorised uploads - there are probably pirated copies of the American release by now, but that's for people to find or trade privately).

[griffin]

Some concept art (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/11/30/transformers-earhspark-concept-art-images-470934), probably from someone who worked on the cartoon (they use an anonymous username here (https://www.artstation.com/artwork/VyEkYg)).

It reminds me of how they did concept images for the first live action movie, by using live examples of objects and colours, as a reference guide for different characters (and it seems the backgrounds as well).
We see examples of Megatron, Elita-1, Thrash, Twitch and Mo.

[griffin]

I'm not sure what has been delaying the Earthspark toys, while the other mainlines are still getting released on time... because the first wave of Earthspark was supposed to have been released at the beginning of November so that they were out in stores as the cartoon was released (in America earlier) so that it helps sell the toys. It is a month later and they have only now just showed up this week in Asia (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/12/04/tfw2005-weekly-international-sightings-round-up-ddecember-week-1-471534) (Taiwan and Singapore).
Missing the release of the cartoon by over a month (in their main market), means that there are less people watching the cartoon while the toys are in stores.
It is why Movie toys are released a couple months before a Movie is released, so that there is full saturation during the peak viewing period.

[JJJ]

Well, maybe this is why only the first 10 episodes of the season have been made available for streaming so far. But it isn't like Hasbro has been doing at all well co-ordinating these things the past few years.

[KELPIE]

Probably worth mentioning, this series is now available on Foxtel through the Nickelodeon channel.

[Paulbot]

Oh yeah 10 eps available OnDemand. Will give it a shot

[Autocon]

So is it available on paramount plus or youtube?

[Paulbot]

Completed the season tonight and it’s a thumbs up from me. Combines a few of the things I liked in previous cartoon series (and some comics), felt familiar but new. All the characters based on G1 were reimagined in strong ways.

Also a successful toy commercial although I’ve not many toys yet quite live up to the animation models, may pick up the deluxe Bumblebee. Also a series where some human figures would be nice to have too.

[griffin]

Two months late the first wave of Earthspark toys are finally showing up at American retail (not sure why, after having Botbots, Studio Series and Legacy being released ahead of schedule at the end of last year).
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/01/06/transformers-earthspark-wave-1-deluxe-warrior-1-step-changers-out-at-us-retail-473377

And with their release in America, the toys are now showing up on Amazon Australia as American import stock... for those here who don't want to wait until next month for them to possibly be released here, for those that are listed as "in stock" on Amazon (unless they are getting delayed here too).
The Warriors are more expensive than they will be here (our RRP is $30), but the Spin-Changers are cheaper (our RRP is $70).

Warrior Megatron - $39 (4-6 weeks) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-Warrior-Megatron-Action/dp/B0B6222C1Q/
Warrior Skywarp - $41 - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-Warrior-Skywarp-Action/dp/B0B6235CMR/
Warrior Elita-1 - 40 - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-Warrior-Elita-1-Action/dp/B0B624SR4Q/
Warrior Optimus Prime - $39 - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-Warrior-Optimus-Action/dp/B0B62124Q7/

Spin-Changer Bumblebee - $66 - https://www.amazon.com.au/TRANSFORMERS-EarthSpark-Changer-Bumblebee-Action/dp/B0B2DXBGPC/
Spin-Changer Optimus - $67 - https://www.amazon.com.au/TRANSFORMERS-EarthSpark-Changer-Optimus-Action/dp/B0B2DV5YS6/

1-step Wheeljack - (currently out of stock) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-1-Step-Changer-Wheeljack/dp/B0B626T9ZL/
1-step Optimus Prime - (currently out of stock) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Transformers-EarthSpark-1-Step-Changer-Optimus/dp/B0B6223S79/
1-step Bumblebee (couldn't find it, so probably out of stock too)

(Deluxe and Tacticon not listed yet)

[griffin]

It doesn't inspire confidence in the toys or the seller when Amazon America looks like they were scouring the internet to find images... as I see that one of the images has the Hong Kong distributor sticker on the back of the packaging, while one of the images had a Brazil distributor sticker on the back of the packaging.

[griffin]

A bit of a delay, the Earthspark toys and cartoon will be in Japan from October.

The cartoon will start October 1st - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhmdf1DXHzw

And the first wave of toys is out October 28th, with the second wave out November 11th -
https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/c/cTFespark/

Wave 1 - October 28th
ESC-01 Spin Changer Optimus Prime & Robbie
ESC-02 Spin Changer Bumblebee & Mo
ESD-01 DLX Optimus Prime
ESD-02 DLX Megatron
ESD-03 DLX Bumblebee
ESD-04 DLX Terran Twitch
ESS-01 Spot Change Optimus Prime
ESS-02 Spot Change Megatron
ESS-03 Spot Change Bumblebee
ESS-04 Spot Change Terran Twitch
ESS-05 Spot Change Swindle

Wave 2 - November 11th
ESD-05 DLX Nightshade
ESD-06 DLX Shockwave
ESD-07 DLX Grimlock
ESD-08 DLX Starscream
ESS-06 Spot Change Wheeljack
ESS-07 Spot Change Soundwave

It is strange to see that TakaraTomy have done some minor deco changes on their Earthspark toys to improve the look of some of the toys (especially Wheeljack, who now has red and green in robot mode), but don't do deco changes for their more collector-focussed toylines anymore.

https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/tf_earth_spark/

[griffin]

It also looks like there will be another freebie orange translucent ROTB Beast Battle Masters toy in Japan soon. It is the Chainclaw (wolf) toy that was originally released with Battle Changer Optimus Prime, and will be given free with the Earthspark Spin Changer Optimus and Bumblebee toys, on October 28th (at selected Japanese outlets).
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/05/takara-tomy-mall-exclusive-transformers-earthspark-burning-chainclaw-images-493946

[griffin]

Scans of the latest Japanese hobby magazine show some of the deco changes for the Earthspark toys...
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/28/figure-king-no-308-transformers-earthspark-studio-series-rise-of-the-beasts-mainline-legacy-masterpiece-movie-and-missing-link-convoy-495370

Some of the first 2024 Earthspark toys have been officially revealed by Hasbro, with a couple of new types of toys for that toyline - a roleplay glove that shoots Nerf darts, and a couple of combiner 2-packs, similar to the Cyberverse 2-packs but only one of the two toys converts into a vehicle.


TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK CYBER-COMBINERS ASSORTMENT
(Ages 6 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 | Available: January 2024)

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK CYBER-COMBINER BUMBLEBEE AND MO MALTO: This Transformers 5-inch action figure set comes with 2 Transformers figures, Bumblebee and Mo Malto, that can be played with separately or connected to make 2 different combiner bots! The 2-in-1 Bumblebee figure converts from robot to sports car mode in 9 steps. Combine the figures in 2 different configurations to
make a super-powered Bumblebee or Mo. Includes two action figures and a detachable Cyber-Sword accessory piece.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK CYBER-COMBINER TERRAN TWITCH AND ROBBY MALTO: This Transformers 5-inch action figure set comes with 2 Transformers figures, Terran Twitch and Robby Malto, that can be played with separately or connected to make 2 different combiner bots. The 2-in-1 Terran Twitch converts from robot to stealth drone mode in 9 steps. Combine the figures in 2 different configurations to make a super-powered Twitch or Robby. Includes two action figures and a detachable blaster accessory piece.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK CYBER-SLEEVE BATTLE BLASTER
(Ages 6 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $14.99 | Available: January 2024)
Get ready for epic adventures with the Transformers: EarthSpark Cyber-Sleeve Battle Blaster! With 2 ways for kids to imagine battling Decepticons, this toy blaster takes pretend play to a whole new level. Kids can easily load and launch NERF darts, or swing their arm to reveal Mo Malto’s CyberSword, inspired by the Transformers: EarthSpark animated series. Includes gauntlet, 3 darts, and 2 adjustable straps for a comfortable fit. Look for more Transformers: EarthSpark toys, including awesome Transformers action figures (sold separately, subject to availability).

https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/29/transformers-earthspark-cyber-combiners-cyber-sleeve-battle-blaster-official-images-495432

And at the same time, these new Earthspark toys were on display at the New York annual Toyfair this weekend, which is 8 months late.
The Hasbro Transformers toy display was very small, which was a bit surprising. Then again, the timing of the Toyfair (which is usually in February), is also strange, and might not be the best time for toy companies, as this is usually their busiest time of year, in the 4-6 months before Christmas.
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/29/toy-fair-2023-hasbro-showroom-pics-495461

[griffin]

Some more 2024 Earthspark toys have been revealed - Deluxe Prowl (looks like it is just a Hotrod redeco), and Deluxe Terran Thrash (motorcycle without side-car).
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/10/19/first-look-at-transformers-earthspark-deluxe-prowl-thrash-496793

[griffin]

With the rest of the world on wave 3 and 4 for Earthspark, and Australia hasn't seen anything after wave 1, it is heartening to learn that wave 2 of the 1-step toys have been found in New Zealand... which comes from Australia, but doesn't guarantee that they will be released in Australia.
Wave 2 is Soundwave and Swindle.
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/11/06/tfw2005-weekly-international-sightings-round-up-november-2023-week-1-498652

[Jaxius._]

With the rest of the world on wave 3 and 4 for Earthspark, and Australia hasn't seen anything after wave 1, it is heartening to learn that wave 2 of the 1-step toys have been found in New Zealand... which comes from Australia, but doesn't guarantee that they will be released in Australia.
Wave 2 is Soundwave and Swindle.
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/11/06/tfw2005-weekly-international-sightings-round-up-november-2023-week-1-498652

Oh i had actually seen Swindle the other day at I believe Big W (Epping VIC)
No idea they were new

[griffin]

That's good to hear, as 1-step Soundwave has been a difficult one to get online for a reasonable price.

[Skyfire]

AIE Games has listed EarthSpark Cyber-Combiners: Bee and Mo (https://www.aiegames.com.au/product/transformers-earthspark-cyber-combiner-bumblebee-and-mo-malto-16631.html), Twitch and Robby (https://www.aiegames.com.au/product/transformers-earthspark-cyber-combiner-terran-twitch-and-robby-malto-16630.html).

[Choos]

While the show hasn’t done much for me in general I do LOVE that Wheeljack and would adore a deluxe of him, thinking the current mould for G1’ish Jackie that is being used would be fine for the figure with that colour deco and a new head sculpt.