Alt modes

[dirge]

isnt snarl a tasmanian devil?

thats why they called him Tasmanian kid in the jap series?

In theory. He's based on that "Taz" cartoon character. Nevermind the fact that Tassie devils are black, not brown. The bodyshape is wrong, the ears are those of a _bat_...

He does look essentially like a marsupual, but I think that's largely by fluke. He's really just based on that cartoon character.

Thing is, he doesn't really look much like any actual marsupial species - he sort of resembles the dunnarts, but even with a degree in biology, I can't say I'll recognise the look of a dunnart anywhere.

I'm holding out for a wallaby, kangaroo, koala or wombat... or even a thylacine!

We've had a forklift Transformer, although not a terribly realistic forklift mode.

I love how Liftor's forklift mode has jets... ya know, in case he needs to lift something PRONTO!

Liftor's a fork lift? I never knew that. I always just figured he was the result of someone taking all the labels off the bottles in the medicine cabinet

[i_amtrunks]

I'm holding out for a wallaby, kangaroo, koala or wombat... or even a thylacine

You know if we ever get new original Beast mode formers, I'd wager that the thylacine would have the most likely chance of being made, since it is a more ferocious looking animal.

I'm sure non-Australian designers wouldnt have a clue that the wombat is the most dangerous creature on your list. (yes I know you are much more likely to be hurt from a roo, but have you seen what wombats can do when they get peeved?)

[GoktimusPrime]

Well we do have an Australian working in Takara now... of course, as a designer he may not have any authority or say in terms of what alt modes they'll choose - that's probably all above him. :/ But at least if they ever do decide to do another Australian animal hopefully he might ensure that the mode looks more convincing or accurate... unless of course he's instructed from his bosses to make it look cartoony. I get a feeling that Hasbro (Kenner) specifically instructed Takara to design Snarl to look like "Taz" as it might be how a lot of Americans would perceive a Tasmanian Devil. :/

Takara did a better job with Heinlad who can change between looking like a mythological and realistic Tanuki - of course it was Japanese designers working on it so they would've been more conscious of the how the animal should look like (only to have Westerners confuse it for a raccoon )

[Geminii]

Nevermind the fact that Tassie devils are black, not brown. The bodyshape is wrong, the ears are those of a _bat_...

Just different enough for copyright purposes.