Transformers Distribution

Introducing this best episode that came out of this abysmal Transformers show.

I posted a mini-rant as a prelude to this article. It basically describes my feelings on this show. You don't have to read if you want.

Last time, the Decepticons have invaded Cybertron, recruited combiner teams, got powered up by a mystical Super Energon, and filled the planet with a toxic gas that's harmful to Autobots. What will this week's episode deal with the conflict? Well nothing actually.

Now here's the problem with the plot of the episode, we suddenly got into some into weird non-canon filler that doesn't fit with the plot that was going on with the gassed-up Cybertron. The thing is that in Japan, this episode aired at a different timeslot that was promoted as a special episode to celebrate the 500th episode milestone of the various Transformers series that got produce. That's cool that this hyped up episode but here in states, it was aired as a regular episode with no promotion what so ever. Can you imagine what went through people's heads?

Anyways, the episode starts with the Decepticons discussing why the lights are off before the scene switches to a completely different area and they never discuss this again.

Okay, that was completely random with the episode starting it like that. It's a reference that's lost to American viewers.

Basically, that scene is meant to be based on pic above that's only available in the Japanese version. Before the episode starts, Optimus tells the viewers to watch the show in a well-lit room. I guess they don't want a repeat of that infamous moment from Pokemon that caused thousands of kids to have seizures.

In Japan, it's a funny skit of the Decepticons and the lights but in English, it's just some weird out of place scene.

Anyways, the next scene shows Hot Shot and Rodimus at a arena.

We got two separate characters that are loosely based on Hot Rod

Hot Shot is the typical impulsive youth who matures later on and became leader for a short time while Optimus was briefly dead.

Rodimus is a man in the same colors as his G1 counterpart and has a high command position.

Their eneimes, Tidal Wave and Mirage

Tidal Wave transforms into an aircraft carrier and later got "Upgraded" into Mirage. Maybe it's like computers, where they used to be the size of your entire wall long before days of being handheld devices. Mirage had a total guy on guy crush on Galvatron but due to poor rushed dubbing, they couldn't 100% censor it. Remember, this is a kids show on CN, not some edgy anime for teens and adults. 

They jump at it and...It's over. They cut straight to the aftermath where the Hot Rod wannabes defeated them.

We got these robo maid catgirls as announcers and referees for this tournament. Yes, I know how ridiculous this is. In the pic above, their comparing their crushes, Hot Shot and Galvatron. Yes, this is totally happening.

2nd Fight starts

With Optimus Prime and Wing Saber.

Wing Saber had a mini-character arc of having a vendetta against one of the Decepticons but when he got upgraded with a new body that combines with Optimus, this character arc was forgotten. Typical Energon.

They fight against old man crain truck Landmine, and dune buggy trash-talker from the streets yo, Cliffjumper.

(In the sub, Landmine is confused by Cliffjumper's pure Engrish of saying, "Check it out, yo!". Honestly the dub completely rewrote this scene to trash talking. It's not a big deal, at least it's not a confusing mess like everything else)

They quickly combine and totally pwned the other two and they said, "Hey, we're not ready yet!"

Then we got this image. It may be some what confusing since this is meant to be based on the eyecatch or commercial bumpers in the Japanese version.

I know when Anime is aired on a American network station, they cutdown down whatever to fit the runtime(Opening, Ending, post credits omake, etc)

I bet those who 1st saw FMAB on Adult Swim are surprised of the loud voice during the commercial bumpers when the rewatch the series.

However I doubt Energon's DVDs/streaming stations included the eyecatchs, so the joke is kinda lost regardless. The English version could of not included these fake eyecatchs.

We got a dozen more fake eyecatchs throughout the episode, I'm not going to show all of them.

3rd fight is the lame idiot truck Ironhide(nothing his G1 version), and the cool awesome 2nd-in-command of the Autobots, Jetfire

They fighting Scorponok and Alpha Q

Scorponok was one of the several well developed people that got brainwashed into Megatron's loyal goons and his character arc didn't go anywhere and stayed brainwashed, just like Starscream and Demolishor. Gosh I hate this show.

Jetfire was telling Ironhide their upcoming fight be easy and somehow, a spring sound effect was heard in the background. The thing is we be hearing this often throughout the episode and the sounds like a joke was made but there was no joke seen. I knew as I was watching the episode, there was a joke that didn't get translated right. The fact I didn't have to watch the subbed version to figure this out on 1st viewing downright shows how flat out terrible the dub is. Gosh I hate Energon.

(In the sub, Jetfire told Ironhide to calm down since their opponents are a simulated program, then he turns to Ironhide and said, "BTW, I'm a program too." Ironhide shoot a confused look as the spring sound effect was heard)

Anyways, they clashed and Alpha Q got pushed out like a ragdoll. The two Autobots ended up defeating Scorponok.

4th fight is the calm sniper firetruck Inferno, and his upgrade form, Roadblock.

They fight against evil hacker Sixshot, and his brother, the sociopath killer, Shockblast(very loosely based on Shockwave)

Sixshot is happy to be next to his deceased bro, even if he is a simulated program.

The story is Shockblast try to overthrow Megatron and died. Sixshot came in later, believing Optimus killed him. Since this is Energon, Sixshot died not knowing whose his bro's true killer.

At least Dreadwing from Transformers: Prime had the same type of story arc as Sixshot but unlike him, he actually learns the full details of his bro's death and actually did something about it before dying. *Sighs*

Anyways, Sixshot gives a handshake to the two bots while Shockblast totally cheats and blasts them during the moment. They won the round. This is funny and totally in Shockblast's character.

5th fight is dumb monkey truck, Demolishor, and annoying yodeling truck, Snowcat.

Their characters from Armada who reappeared in the sequel. Snowcat was called Cyclonus before he got upgraded that came with annoying yodeling. Demolishor was a conflicted man who did serve with the Autobots during the 10-year peace but went back to the Cons when Megatron return due to his loyalty to his leader. Few episodes later, he got badly damaged, got rebuild and mindwiped, and acted like a dumb comic relief throughout the series. That's Energon for you. You see why I hate this show?

The comic relief Con face their opponents, who are rookie Autobots, Downshift(who looks like G1 Wheeljack) and Prowl. 

I need to explain that the show that's based on the toyline at the time had a gimmick where Autobots did a Powerlink and merge the two bots. One form the head and one form the legs.

Anyways the two Autobots powerlink and...

They both form the heads.

This was a funny scene since this is the only time in the entire show they get the wrong combination. I wish the actual main story had moments like this, instead of watching the Autobots be complete set of bores and follow the story of chasing Unicron, and repeat three times.

Demolishor and Snowcat wonder if they can powerlink and did a transformation combination scene. I was like, "Wait a minute, only Autobots powerlink? I don't think their toys can do this?"

Turns out they can't

Then we get a fake commercial bumper of them coping DBZ's Fusion Dance. I do find their failed attempt to be very funny scene.

The two Decepticons somehow won.

6th Fight is the Construction Team and the Destruction Team, fighting the Air Team.

The last 13 episodes introduce us to Energon's version of Combiner teams. However instead of 5 bots merging into one humongous bot, it's more like a slighter taller bot that splits into 5 components rather than 5 separate beings. Also instead of combining, the turn into beams of light that smash together into a slightly tall bot. Yeah, this was completely disappointing and they just boring 1-dimensional characters that showed up late in the show.

However, this special brought us the coolest most awesome scene in Transformers history.

Here's a link to this epic scene

They combine with the epic background music, the flashy over the top anime transformation sequence with flashy eyes, lightning in the background, cool poses, with wonderful cell-shaded 2D animation instead of the terrible lifeless 3D cheap CGI. They actually combine, not turn into pillars of light. Also this is the only moment where we see them in their robot modes. Another thing is this was never used in the many moments of stock footage you see 234 times throughout the show, so this was epic and special seeing this.

Anyways, the two bad guys won.

The 7th fight is the Hot Rod wannabes and Optimus and Wing Saber.

Optimus and Wing Saber combine into Optimus Wing Mode and the other two say "Optimus, sir!" and Optimus replied, "That's my name." *Insert spring sound effect*

So uh..What's the joke here?

Basically after combing, he said, "Call me Wing Optimus(or Wing Convoy)". Rodimus said like "Prime (or Grand Convoy)" while Hot Shot said something like, "Optimus Prime sir(or Commander Grand Convoy)." Wing Optimus made a sound like he told himself in his head, Um..Ok, Whatever. *Insert spring sound effect*

The Hot Rod wannabes took on Wing Optimus and they were getting pounded by the Autobot leader as he gave a maniacal laughter. Geez Optimus, when you became evil?

The two flame-colored bots manage to overcome their leader and defeat him.

8th match is Ironhide and Jetfire against Shockblast and Sixshot.

Sixshot totally pwned them by flitching his his antenna. He told them he hacked the simulation and it caused the two good guys to be paralyzed. They then blasted them out of the match.

Bulkhead who is a laughing geezer bot made a comment of the Autobot losing the previous round.

(Sub version breaks the 4th wall and saying he's only a cameo and not in the tournament)

Demolishor and Snowcat be in the 9th battle and they are against...

Galvatron and Starscream.

And it turns out he defeated Demolishor and Snowcat(Cyclonus)'s pre-upgrade forms in some unseen fight. Retroactively making the 9th battle actually the 10th.

The two dimwits think this is the perfect time to take their pent-up frustration against their leader. It cut to the aftermath and the two baffoons were defeated. Galvatron is mad that those two are wasting their time playing childish games. Not only that, but they dare to attack him.

11th battle is the two evil Combiner teams against..

Optimus Supreme.

It's Optimus combined with this version's Omega Supreme. An ancient giant guardian who came assisted the good guys.

The two evil combiners said, "Bring it Optimus!" "Anytime Prime." While the defeated Superior from the earlier battle told him, "Waste them Optimus!" Optimus told them, "Watch me!" *Insert spring sound effect*

Wait, there was a joke? Like where is it?

In the sub version, Optimus Supreme told them to prepare to die. A little extreme, your becoming a little too close to your face grabbing movie counterpart there.

The two said in awe of their opponent, "It's Prime(or Grand Convoy). The Autobot leader tried to correct them but then, Supereon said, "It's Optimus Prime, sir (or Commander Grand Convoy). Optimus Supreme(or Omega Convoy) made a sound and properly thought to himself, Nobody bother to get it right.

Back to the dub version, Optimus go against them and said, "I need to teach you guys respect!" He jumps in the air and shouted, "I AM YOUR LEADER!" and told them his name is Optimus Prime.

This is just random and doesn't make sense. Those are Decepticons, not a member of his Autobots. Why he shouting he's their leader and stuff. According to the sub version, he fed up their not going by the name of his combined form.

He then grabs them and ends the match by performing a suplex on them.

So the entire match is nothing but  missing jokes and weird yelling.

12th battle is the two flame color Autobots against

The two One-Eye bots

Shockblast goes into his satellite mode and fire but the two heroes knock them off course and got them to crash into the ground.

The two bros were bickering at each other and Shockblast in a fit of rage try to blast his own family member. 

However Sixshot wiggle his head antenna to hack the program to paralyzed his own family and the two Hot Rod knockoffs.

He then hack the program to remove the hologram of Shockblast and plan to attack our heroes.

They resisted it by powerlinking and turning into one bot. Sixshot asked how are they resisting and they answered, "You don't realized the true power of Powerlinking." Um..Ok, that line doesn't make sense. The battle ended with the good guys winning.

Well in the sub version of the fight, it's this.

Basically, the power of anime friendship bullcrap. How cheesy.

The two robo cat maids told Galvatron and Starscream their next match is against Optimus but Galvatron told them he isn't here to play these childish games. So the battle is skipped.

Now for the final round of the tournament. Hot Shot and Rodimus vs Optimus and Omega Supreme. 

Optimus jumps in the air and jumps on Omega Supreme' vehicle mode. A transformation scene is shown as Optimus and Omega combine.

And landed on top of the edge of the arena.

The victory bell rang and Hot Shot and Rodimus are the leaders because Optimus and Omega broke the rules and step out of the field.

"Pff, nobody told me about any ridiculous rules." said in a pouty voice. LOL

The two flame-colored bots are awarded trophies for there victory and they were told to fight in a bonus round. Their opponent is..

A very small Unicron who is not planet-sized.

He transformers and said, "Unicron, Transform!"

The only time Unicron ever talk for the show. He did grunts here and there. They brought back the same voice actor from Armada and just told him to say this one line. Well technically Unicron did speck through Galvatron when he possess him at the very end of the show but it wasn't his voice.

They battle the planet-eater and..

It shows the Hot Shot and Rodimus waking up in the real world and celebrating their victory from the game.

Their human ally Kicker(Yes, that's his stupid nickname) rolled his eyes on the whole thing. *Insert spring sound effect* Funny thing is that it's the only time this spring effect actually work in the English version.

 He said to himself, "You Autobots and your dumb games."

Me who saw this when it 1st premiered, "Shut up Kicker, I hate you and your stupid voice."

Me rewatching this recently, "LOL, it's wonderful to hear Light Yagami's awesome voice again. It terrible that you were stuck with an annoying sucky human character."

I totally loved this episode despite being part of the worse Transformers series. It's full of humorous moments and nearly everyone has actual personalities in this. I wished Energon was a comical series rather than a serious show where everyone is a bore and they blindly follow the plot. I also felt like this is the only time the writers bother to put actual effort in their writing.

Unfortunately, the best episode was ruined by the dub and messed good number of things. That sound effect kept being heard but there is no joke when it happen, the commercial bumpers, the joke about the lights. Also, it aired as a regular episode with no promotion. They could of rewrote some of the dialogue or edit out certain things that didn't made sense, but this is a horribly rushed dub, so what you expect.

I mean good gosh, the dub versions of Bleach and My Hero Academia did special fillers and they flat out announced and broke the 4th wall that they are special tie-ins to their animated movies and it wasn't confusing to their viewers.

I know we're in the age of simuldubs where a popular show gets dubbed in a few weeks but Energon is not that type of dubbing in the same exact detail. Dub companies are far more prepared for this while Energon just got 1st draft of the script, didn't even go through it properly, told the actors to hurry and say their lines and didn't proofread any errors. Also the animation is incomplete.

I admit I make a ton of typos on this blog but I'm just a regular guy. TV shows like Energon are meant to be done professionally.