Was the Transformers story revolutionary for its time?

[Sam]

I was thinking about this today, and since I haven't watched all the mecha anime titles there are (some Macross, some Gundam, Rokushin Gattai, Voltron, Gordian, Golden Lightan, Tetsujin 28), I can't say for certain whether the Transformers story (specifically the US cartoon) revolutionary for its time.

Most of the mecha cartoons have the robots as non-sentient power suits of some sort (e.g. Gordian), or whilst sentient, they don't really transform (e.g. Rokushin Gattai). I suppose the lions of Voltron sort of "transform" when they merge, but not really ... it's not as if the transformation allow the lions to function as something else apart from the purpose of the merge.

Astro Boy seems to be an interesting oddity in that he is sentient (but can't transform). Closer to the Transformers would be the robots of Golden Lightan, they essentially transform from cigarette lighters and into giant robots. But if my memory is correct, they are not really aliens in the sense that the Transformers are (a race of sentient robots from a metallic planet).

In my opinion, not only was the Transformers cartoon story creative for its time, it was even revolutionary because the origins of these robots were so different and more complicated than the robots of other cartoons.

But since I haven't seen all the mecha cartoons there are (I think there may be many more), I want to see what you guys think?

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Hmm, hard to say really.

The possible scope of the show was large, especially when it branched out into space with the later seasons, but probably no larger than a possible he-man or other 80's cartoon really. They all sort of followed the same style with mostly single eps and the occasional double/triple ep I guess.

Yamato/Starblazers was the only one that follwed on with every episode that I can recall.

The toys were revolutionary!

[GoktimusPrime]

Overall I would say that the concept/story of Transformers is quite unique.

I cannot think of any other story that has sentient living alien transforming robots at war.

The majority of other transforming robot/mecha genres do not even feature sentient/living mecha - only non-living piloted mecha. Mighty Atom (Astroboy) featured sentient robots, and some of them could transform, but they were not:
1/ Mecha
2/ Living. Yes, they were sentient/self-aware which many people would argue as life, but Transformers actually qualified themselves as being spiritually living beings with the concept of the primal essence/laser core/spark. Transformers have gods, afterlife, religion etc. So Transformers is unique in terms of being living in a spiritual sense.

The concept of living transforming mechanoids was conceived before Transformers by Tonka's Gobots/Machine Men, but Gobots are not true robots, they are cyborgs. Transformers are entirely robotic whereas Gobots have organic brains.

[liegeprime]

The concept of living transforming mechanoids was conceived before Transformers by Tonka's Gobots/Machine Men, but Gobots are not true robots, they are cyborgs. Transformers are entirely robotic whereas Gobots have organic brains.

Then Takara had to adapt that in their TF Zone storyline hehehe. when Dai Atlas Sliced off one of the Decepticon generals revealing an organic brain....

Id say most of the Cartoon series started in the eighties were pioneering in their respective concepts although some were quite similar in a few ways - TFs similar with Gobots, TMNT similar with , Toxic Crusaders & Biker mice (which is a later later series), He-man/She-ra like that of Blackstarr, Thundercats- IMO similar concept - Silverhawks. Then there's the INhumanoids. But all these toons, they started a new era in cartoons. Whereas before it was dominated by simple one shot storylines and feelgood toons from HannaBarbera like Mightymutt, Huk Hound, Josie and the pussycats, Casper et al. Even the superhero type (e.g. Superfriends, Blue avenger, Birdman) had a very simple concept which is still used as a format for these toons but a bit more elaborate.

The same formula/format applies anyways - bad guy/s thinks of a scheme, employs the scheme, good guy stumbles on, finds out, reacts to evil/bad scheme, they fight, hero wins, badguy runs to fight/scheme another day.
Granted that this was the formula for all the toons even up til now.

Although as was mentioned that the piloted mecha ( which has also the same concept basically) dominated the robot concept shows those days, it has a continous storyline which is serious in tone and as far as I noticed had a more sad stories inserted to most of em. Not to mention a great level of destruction - e.g. Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Mechanda. Even Astroboy has its sad stories - including death, maiming and all that, something not heard off or highly played down, minimally focused on in "americanized toons".

All in all, they also paved the ways to oodles of classic great, fun toys!

[GoktimusPrime]

Just a quick reminder that the G1 comics was a continuous series of story arcs and not restricted into formulaic episode plots like the cartoon. Beast Wars was the first cartoon that broke that mould for Transformers though... I remember watching "The Probe" for the first time and at the end of the episode sitting there with my jaw open thinking, "Holy crap, the bad guys WON!"

[Paulbot]

One thing I always thought was revolutionary were the bios on the toy boxes. In 1984 what other toys came with bios? And of those which detailed the character's motto, personality, abilities and weaknesses giving them well-rounded identities? I still get a kick out of reading the bios on new toys in the store (despite the drop in quality) as that's what made the TFs "real to me".

[Pulse]

When you look at its direct competitor at that period in time (ie. Gobots), IMO the TF cartoon was just_that_much_better than what Gobots offered . I don't know if it was the cool TF characters (Dinobots, Gestalts, Scheming Starscream etc.) compared to the unbearably-cheesy Gobots characters, or the gripping storylines of TFs in comparison to the at-times awful plotlines of Gobots... At the end of the day, TFs are still going strong while their 1980's competitor has long since died... 'Nuff said

[TheDirtyDigger]

When you look at its direct competitor at that period in time (ie. Gobots), IMO the TF cartoon was just_that_much_better than what Gobots offered . I don't know if it was the cool TF characters (Dinobots, Gestalts, Scheming Starscream etc.) compared to the unbearably-cheesy Gobots characters, or the gripping storylines of TFs in comparison to the at-times awful plotlines of Gobots... At the end of the day, TFs are still going strong while their 1980's competitor has long since died... 'Nuff said

I think it was that exactly. And the awesome intro and background music providing atmosphere. Hasbro looked at Machine Men and said lets do this but better.

[GoktimusPrime]

In 1984 what other toys came with bios? And of those which detailed the character's motto, personality, abilities and weaknesses giving them well-rounded identities?

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. They had file cards since the ARAH line started in 1982, most of which were written by Marvel Comic writer Larry Hama for the first eight years. You can read them here. But I'd say that Hasbro followed suit from what they did with G.I.Joe and also decided to enlist the assistance of Marvel Comics in helping them to create the original Transformers background mythos, character names, bio & tech specs etc.

I really miss the days when character names & bios were written by comic book writers... it's just not the same anymore when Hasbro tries to write them.
Compare say the tech specs between G1 and Animated Swoop...

G1 Swoop Bio
Function: Dinobot Bombardier
"Fear can hit targets unreachable to bullets."
Enjoys watching enemies scatter before him as he dives down from the sky... considers spreading fear his greatest weapon. This Dinobot's kind, good-natured side disguised by his horrifing form... even his comrades shy away. Flies at 400km/h... air-to-air missile launcher under each wing fires missiles equivalent of 2270kg TNT, 13 kilometre range. As robot, uses launchers and 4000 degrees Celcius thermal sword. Fragile wings vulnerable to enemy firepower.

Animated Swoop bio
Function: Dinobot Bombardier
"Bombs away!"
Like the other DINOBOTS, SWOOP prefers to be left alone on DINOBOT Island, where he can soar and dive without worrying about the DECEPTICONS taking pot shots at his wings. When he does have to return to the mainland to battle the DECEPTICONS, however, he enjoys the way people scatter when they see his shadow. That, and smashing trees with his ball and chain doesn't compare to the satisfying crunch it makes when it bashes into DECEPTICON armour.
* Sonic scream causes shorts out audio sensors.
* Ball & chain emits heat capable of melting other robots.
* Wings collect solar energy to power weapons.

...kinda strange how none of those powers involve the use of bombs or missiles, so I'm not entirely sure how he serves as a bombardier... :/

[Paulbot]

Ah yeah G.I.Joe of course, but a close cousin and inspiration to TFs.