Jungle

« Transformers: Armada ep 6 »
Gaze in awe at the majesty of the tropical jungle. *snrk*
"Jungle" 保護 (まもり) (Mamori) "Conservation: Defense"
Production code	TF: A-06
Production company	TV Tokyo, NAS
Airdate	October 4, 2002 (English) 14 February 2003 (Japanese)
Writer	Isao Shizuya
Director	Shin'ichirō Aoki
Animation studio	Actas Inc., Big Bang
Continuity	Unicron Trilogy
Watch this episode on YouTube

Another Mini-Con is located in a forest, where the battle causes a fire which threatens the local flora and fauna.

Synopsis

Starscream, Demolishor, and Cyclonus exchange fire with the Autobots in a rocky area while discussing which tactics they should use. While the other two move around to the sides, Starscream takes flight and attacks, but Optimus Prime promptly shoots him down, and he crashes into Demolishor. Dismissing it as a lucky shot, Starscream looks up to see Optimus towering over him. The Autobot prepares to make the final shot, right to his forehead... when Megatron halts the training simulator, haranguing his men, particularly his "right-hand man." The Decepticons begin blaming each other. Starscream promises Megatron to fight more effectively if the latter gives him a Mini-Con. The conversation is interrupted by the detection of a new Mini-Con; all the Decepticons leave for Earth.

We are ready... Sure, we are ready... We need only an ice-box... and, maybe, a little sewing machine...

Meanwhile, on a suburban street, Alexis and Carlos are waiting patiently for Rad to arrive. He turns up, carrying three backpacks stuffed with camping supplies. The trio continues to the Autobot base, where the Autobots are still trying to activate the Mini-Con panel they found in Antarctica. As Hot Shot notes with amusement the amount of equipment the kids have brought, the alarm goes off to notify them they've detected another Mini-Con. The kids accompany the Autobots to a forest. Hot Shot sends Jolt up to take a look around, and Jolt soon spots a glint of light in the distance. Optimus orders that they move out, and Hot Shot transforms to vehicle mode, but, as Red Alert points out, they're going to have to walk. Optimus leaves his trailer behind with Sparkplug in charge.

"Mind that tree." "What tree?" *thwack*

Soon the Autobots are trudging through the forest with Hot Shot complaining loudly. He breaks out a buzzsaw to cut his way through, which earns a scolding from his friends. Carlos alerts them to a path ahead and, sure enough, there's a wide path clear of trees. As they drive along, Rad tells the others that illegal loggers cut the trail and delivers a lecture on the importance of plants to Earth's biosphere.

Elsewhere, the Decepticons are also heading towards the Mini-Con, and, of course, bickering. Starscream is determined to get the Mini-Con himself, having missed out on the one in Antarctica.

Spoiler Alert: BAMBI'S MOTHER DIES!!

The Autobots abruptly halt as a tree falls across their path, and they find themselves face-to-face with the Decepticons. Although the Decepticons open fire, Optimus is concerned for the trees' welfare and orders his men not to fire back unless they have a clear shot. Starscream and Cyclonus transform for an aerial attack and end up getting in each other's way. Cyclonus's missile then touches down amongst the trees, starting a fire. The alarmed kids begin diverting forest animals from the blaze, and Optimus saves them from a falling tree. At Rad's urging, Optimus orders the Autobots to fall back to contain the fire. The surprised Decepticons resume their search for the Mini-Con.

The Autobots fight the fire, but the kids observe that it's a losing battle, and they need water to put it out. Rad deploys Laserbeak, and the tiny Autobot soon locates a nearby lake. Red Alert says they can use Prime's trailer, so Optimus contacts Sparkplug and has the Mini-Con bring the trailer to them.

Meanwhile, the Decepticons locate the Mini-Con panel in a huge old tree. Although Starscream asks for it, Megatron denies his request and claims it himself. Starscream doesn't dare to argue further, but he has a plan of his own.

An airborne Decepticon attacks! Tr-r-remble ever-r-rybody-y-y!

Having hooked up the pipes, the Mini-Cons begin putting out the fire, and Rad lets Optimus know the Autobots can go on and stop the Decepticons. The three Autobots interrupt their foe, attempting to cut down the tree containing the Mini-Con, and both sides clash. Starscream winds up with no enemy to fight and seizes his chance. While the other Decepticons are busy, Starscream slices the tree with his sword and snatches the Mini-Con panel. Hurrah! He finally has a partner! Megatron only grits his teeth as Starscream gloats over his acquisition, revealing the Mini-Con Swindle.

After zipping among the trees, Swindle merges with Starscream, unlocking two Null Laser Cannons on his shoulders. Starscream decides to demonstrate his new extraordinary power immediately. The single blast from the cannons sends all the Transformers flying and creates a vast crater. Promising Starscream will pay, a none-too-pleased Megatron orders a retreat. Before following his chief through the warp gate, Starscream warns the 'Bots that they mustn't take their eyes off him from now on; Optimus Prime figures he's right.

While the Autobots stand around shell-shocked, the kids arrive with the news that they've put the fire out. Although Rad suggests they probably should've left the fire and helped the Autobots obtain the Mini-Con, Optimus assured him they did the right thing.

Back on the Moon, the Decepticons try their training simulation again, and Starscream uses his new laser cannons to obliterate the Autobot forces. He begins to wonder if he's mightier than Megatron himself. Megatron has a somewhat different opinion on the matter.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

"Get away, you rusty hell-'e-copped-'er!"

"Megatron, please! I promise to do better if you let me have the next Mini-Con!"
"I think he's gonna start to cry! Hahahaha!"

—Starscream and Cyclonus bickering like schoolchildren.

"You know, I really wish people would understand that the future of the human race depends on what we do to protect the environment today."

—Rad auditions for a new series of Captain Planet.

"Nothing, I was just talking to myself."
"Keep talkin', cause no one else is listening to you anymore."

—Starscream and Demolishor bickering like schoolchildren.

"We came for the Mini-Con."
"Not if you're going to use it for evil purposes!"

—Demolishor and Optimus, raising the question, "What if the Decepticons promised to use it strictly for good purposes?"

"I'll show them how it's done!"
"Outta my way!"
"Cyclonus!"
"You're out of your league! Stand back and let a pro show you how to do some real destruction!"
"You're blocking my target!"

—Starscream and Cyclonus still bickering.

"Well, beware, you mad metal woodpecker!"

"Oh my, it's so easy! I must be the most powerful Decepticon in the universe! Even more powerful than Megatron! Hahahahaha!"
"Oh, we'll just see about that, Starscream."

—Starscream, with delusions of grandeur, and Megatron.

Notes

Differences with Legends of the Microns

• Starscream describes the Decepticons' strategy during their training exercise as "Megatron's orders" in Armada. In Legends of the Microns, it's a pre-existing tactic from the Decepticon playbook; thus, when the exercise fails, Starscream protests Megatron's criticisms of the strategy by explaining this. In Armada, he instead blames Demolishor and Cyclonus for not covering him (since he'd be pretty unwise to call Megatron out on a bad strategy to his face).
• In Legends of the Microns, Starscream doesn't say anything after being shot down during the training exercise.
• After Megatron cuts off Starscream's attempt to argue over the training exercise's outcome, Cyclonus's quip about Starscream's lack of a Mini-Con subtly differs between versions. In Legends of the Microns, he observes that Starscream's poor performance is why he hasn't yet obtained a Mini-Con. On the other hand, in Armada, Cyclonus points out that Starscream's lack of a Mini-Con results in his failures.
• Armada has Starscream implore Megatron to let him have the next Mini-Con they capture. Instead of begging, Legends of the Microns has Starscream asks Megatron why the Decepticon leader hasn't given him a Mini-Con yet. Then Cyclonus says it's because Starscream is "a whimpering weakling," and Starscream says he could say the same about him.
• After seeing the supplies that Rad brought, Alexis asks if he's moving. Rad explains that it will make things easier for them at the Autobots base since the Autobots are expanding it for more Mini-Cons. Armada simplifies the dialogue and lightens the tone as Alexis wonders if Rad raided a garage sale, and he says they need to "be prepared" and have some "human things" if they're going to hang out with the Autobots and Mini-Cons.
• In Armada, Carlos is excited about possibly going on a camping trip while Alexis hopes that Rad packed bug spray. Legends of the Microns changes their lines to Carlos calling Rad's "outdoor-survival" supplies "nifty," and Alexis reminding the boys they're not playing around.
• Rad's introductory narration in Legends of the Microns is about how the kids are still gradually coming to understand the Autobots; the only thing they've begun to grasp is that the Autobots are robots. Armada makes it more lighthearted as Rad says the kids are about to go on an unforgettable adventure, and the camping gear he's gathered is "about to come in handy," foreshadowing the episode's "outdoorsy" nature.
• In Legend of the Microns, Red Alert says Jetstorm's Mini-Con panel is still dormant because a protective program locks it. In Armada, he says the data is protected instead.
• Armada adds Red Alert's line about locking into the panel's coordinates.
• The Transformers theme plays as the team leaves the base and arrives in the forest in Armada, but "Let's Roll, Cybertrons!" plays instead in Legends of the Microns. The Japanese dub removes the transformation noise wherever Armada adds it.
• Carlos says the forest sets the mood for an outdoor adventure in the Japanese dub but says the terrain is suitable for the kids to ride their BMXs in Armada.
• In Armada, Alexis tells Carlos that one can't find tigers or panthers in a forest; Carlos says he knows that and was testing her and Rad, and Optimus tells them to calm down before transforming into robot mode. The dialogue is slightly different in Legends of the Microns. Carlos says he doesn't imagine any leopards or tigers being there, and Alexis tells Carlos to pull himself together. Then Carlos says, "That why I said I didn't imagine there would be!" and instead, Optimus laughs before transforming.
• Instead of asking Optimus which way they should go and complaining about the forest not being a freeway, Hot Shot says to wait a sec and that he wants to go but can't race in the woods.
• Legends of the Microns changes the children's dialogue about Sparkplug tasked to watch Optimus's trailer. Rad relays how Sparkplug says it's OK to leave the trailer with him; Carlos says Sparkplug seems ready for the job, and Alexis says they should get going.
• In Armada, after Rad stops Hot Shot from cutting down any trees, Hot Shot says the trees keep getting in his way; Red Alert tells him to be respectful since they're guests on Earth, and Alexis tells Hot Shot that walking will be worth it. Legends of the Microns changes it slightly, so the environmental message isn't the focus. Hot Shot doesn't sound insensitive, but Red Alert now teases him for not handling the forest, and Alexis says to Hot Shot that the kids understand how he feels.
• When the "path" Carlos finds turns out to be an area of forest cut down by loggers, Legends of the Microns has him realize he was wrong and that it's not a path. Armada treats it like he's right.
• Armada has Red Alert say the so-called "path" leads towards the Mini-Con panel. He states how there seem to be no problems in its direction in Legends of the Microns. After Hot Shot speeds ahead, Armada Red Alert says the former should return to the open road, with which Optimus agrees. In Legends of the Microns, Red Alert says Hot Shot gets carried away, and Optimus says it's alright anyway.
• The shot closing in on Rad after this is silent in Legends of the Microns while Armada adds a bit of music from the short version of the first episode bumper.
• Once the kids are in Optimus's cab, and Rad explains to the others the path is the product of illegal logging, Armada speeds up the pan from Alexis and Carlos to Rad. The scene remains the same length, though, because Armada holds on a still frame of Rad after the pan, where Legends of the Microns doesn't and immediately cuts to the next scene.
• As the Decepticons search for the panel, Legends of the Microns has Demolishor assure Megatron that his Mini-Con, Blackout, has the best tracking ability of any of their partners and will easily find it. This claim leads to Starscream making a wisecrack about Blackout being more competent than his master and Demolishor calling Starscream a nitpicking coward. Armada warps this into Demolishor boastfully claiming to have "programmed the tracker" himself, removing all mention of Blackout and turning Starscream's remark into a dig about Demolishor's overconfidence in his abilities. Then Demolishor tells Starscream to keep talking since no one is listening to him anymore.
• When Starscream and Demolishor snarl at one another after the above exchange, the angle switches to focus on Blackout as the Decepticons' voices quarrel off-screen. In Legends of the Microns, Cyclonus eggs the two on to fight before Megatron silences them. Meanwhile, Megatron is silent while they argue in Armada. Continuing from this, Armada has Blackout detect the Mini-Con panel, but he identifies the Autobots' presence in Legends of the Microns. The Decepticons' reactionary dialogue differs appropriately between versions. In Armada, Starscream's internal monologue about getting the Mini-Con first. The Japanese dub changes it to Megatron, speaking off-screen about not letting the Autobots get the Mini-Con, determined to get it for himself and further boost his power.
• Before giving the order to open fire on the Autobots, Armada Megatron tells Optimus that what the Decepticons do with the Mini-Cons is none of his business. Legends of the Microns changes this to Megatron threatening to shut Prime's mouth for good, which is strange since Optimus doesn't have a mouth.
• While Cyclonus offers to show Starscream how to do real damage in Armada, he offers to show what his Storm Missile can do in the Japanese dub.
• Armada has Cyclonus telling Starscream to check if his warranty is expired, while Starscream threatens to give Cyclonus "an overhaul he'll never forget." Legends of the Microns changes their lines to Cyclonus telling Starscream not to drag his feet, and Starscream demands Cyclonus to stay out of his way.
• Rather than saying the forest wildlife's safety takes priority in Legends of the Microns, Optimus says maintaining peace is about more than just fighting enemies; dealing with the fire is simply another battle in itself.
• The lake is called a river in Legends of the Microns for some reason.
• During the scene of the trailer opening, Armada plays the Transformers theme while Legends of the Microns plays "Cybertrons, Transform!".
• Megatron doesn't say his line about seeing the Mini-Con panel until the close-up shot of it in the tree in Legends of the Microns.
• Armada has Megatron declare he should have the new Mini-Con to further boost his power "for the benefit of the Decepticons," and Starscream reminds him that Megatron promised him the next Mini-Con. In Legends of the Microns, Megatron says he can use the Mini-Con to enhance his abilities better than Starscream can, and Starscream reminds Megatron that he said he could have the Mini-Con if he used his strength to get it.
• When the Autobots return, Megatron calls Optimus an eyesore. A moment later, Megatron tells Optimus he will do whatever he wants with the Mini-Cons, with Prime unable to stop him in Armada. Legends of the Microns makes Megatron's answer more egotistical as he says, "All of the Mini-Cons exist only for me!"
• Armada removes Megatron cursing Starscream after the latter claims the Mini-Con.
• In Armada, after Starscream unleashes the Null Laser Cannon for the first time and revels in his increased power, Optimus says the Decepticon is "out of control." In Legends of the Microns, Prime instead remarks how Starscream is now powerful.
• Armada removes Cyclonus, saying "Damn!" as the Decepticons retreat.
• Rather than talking about Starscream, Red Alert and Hot Shot discuss how the damage his Null Laser Cannon left behind requires attention as it will cause them trouble.
• The beginning of the ending dialogue between Rad and Optimus has some differences, but the overall point remains. In Armada, Rad believes the Autobots would've gotten the Mini-Con if the kids left the fire and helped them instead, but Optimus says the kids made the right choice in taking over for the Autobots when it came to the fire. In Legends of the Microns, Rad attributes the Autobots' failure to what the children said earlier about the environment; however, Prime assures Rad the fire wasn't the boy's responsibility since the Autobots chose to put it out willingly.
• In his ending narration, Rad explains how this adventure helped the kids realize the Autobots aren't just machines but beings like humans, capable of compassion for other living creatures. In Armada, Rad's narration is similar, but he only refers to himself. It also primarily connects to the episode's overall environmental message, so it doesn't correlate with the first narration.
• In the closing Decepticon training exercise, Armada plays the Transformers theme, and the Japanese dub plays "Theme of Megatron - Attack by Villains." Legends of the Microns replaces Starscream saying the Armada stock phrase "Transform and combine!" with him calling for Swindle.
• Starscream calls himself unstoppable and the team's greatest member without name-dropping Megatron, and Megatron curses Starscream while watching him laugh maniacally on the monitor.

Animation and technical errors

• The episode's animation is noticeably low-quality overall, with the only real standout scenes being Optimus' base and Starscream Powerlinxed stock footages.
• The episode's Armada version has the Autobots awkwardly refer to Prime's trailer as a "container." This error is a product of some careless transliteration; in Japan, the English word "container" (コンテナ kontena) refers to truck trailers, and the Armada dub carried this word over from Legends of the Microns without thinking to change it for better cultural context.
• In the shot of Optimus in truck mode just before Rad tells the others about the dangers of deforestation, Prime's forearms are colored red instead of blue.
• The whites of Carlos's eyes are visible in some scenes.
• The raised spots on Starscream's arms have the Decepticon symbol in a few shots.
• In the shot of Hot Shot driving into the tree, the area around his headlights is miscolored yellow instead of light gray.

Continuity notes

• This adventure kind of serves as the series's PSA episode on environmentalism. Save the environment, kids!
• The Japanese dub reveals the Autobots are still working on their base to make it big enough to accommodate more Mini-Cons, a detail that the next episode will display.
• Starscream finally gets a Mini-Con of his own! He also appears a little too happy about it.
• According to Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003, the episode's final scene signals the start of the feud between Megatron and Starscream.
• Gadgets and powers:
  • Demolishor uses his cannons in vehicle mode configuration for the first time as a robot mode weapon, a toy gimmick according to Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003.
  • Starscream fires lasers from the sides of his cockpit in vehicle mode.
  • Hot Shot almost uses his foot chainsaws to cut down the trees.
  • Hot Shot shows off the rare ability to use his axle cannon without Powerlinxing with Jolt.
  • Blackout shows off his radar sensor abilities, something we'll see more of in future episodes.
  • Red Alert uses his laser scalpel hand to shoot for the first time. He also uses the scalpel to fire a beam to dig a channel through the dirt.
  • Red Alert's laser scalpel has a ratchet attachment for tightening bolts.
  • Sparkplug can Powerlinx with Optimus's container, allowing him to take control of it and drive it.
  • The Autobots use the container turrets as water cannons.
  • Optimus Prime shows off his weird ki blast hand blast attack for the first time. According to Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003, the show's American staff created Optimus's "Big Punch" attack, which became his main technique for the rest of the show.
• Powerlinx forms:
  • Starscream Powerlinx with Swindle for the first time, activating his "Null Laser Cannon" attack; this is possibly the most potent use of his cannons ever... well, except for that one other time.

Continuity errors

• It would've made sense for this episode to be named "Forest" instead.
• According to Carlos in the Japanese dub, "outdoor life" is Rad's hobby. Armada, however, barely mentions or explores Rad's love of the outdoors at all. However, this episode marks the second time Legends of the Microns brings up Rad's "nature lover" trait after "First Encounter."
• In his opening narration, Rad says the camping gear would become relevant during the mission, but it serves no purpose in the episode whatsoever. Plus, he says the kids are going on an adventure they'd never forget; however, anyone can easily apply this sentiment to the previous two episodes. Maybe he's generally speaking, but if not, what makes this one so unique in comparison?
• In this episode's original broadcast version, when Optimus orders Sparkplug to remain with his trailer, the error from "Comrade" gets repeated as he refers to his Mini-Con as "Leader-1." This error was fixed by the time the episode was released on DVD, but its second instance, delivered by Red Alert when Sparkplug brings Optimus's trailer, goes unfixed. Characters refer to Sparkplug with the correct name throughout the rest of the episode. Legends of the Microns doesn't have characters mixing up names. It also removes the reference to Sparkplug in the second instance, and instead, Red Alert says the open space is ready for the trailer's arrival.
• The scene of Blackout trying to locate the Mini-Con while Starscream and Demolishor argue is heinously misinterpreted. The scriptwriter seemingly failed to understand the exchange was happening off-screen and wrote it like Blackout was Cyclonus, his dialogue emanating from the Mini-Con and relating to his movements. Legends of the Microns presents the scene and its dialogue correctly.
• Unlike its future appearances, where Optimus Prime's hand blast attack is multicolored, it's solid red in this episode.
• In a general sense, the Armada dub of this episode comes off as somewhat at odds with the previous ones. Megatron berated Starscream for still not getting himself a Mini-Con, only to spend this episode attempting to take the Mini-Con that Starscream wants and being angry when Starscream acquires it. This plot point isn't so conflicting in Legends of the Microns, since rather than merely criticizing him, previous episodes have shown Megatron encouraging Starscream to acquire a Mini-Con using his own strength, rather than settling for having one given to him; apparently, part of that encouragement is that Megatron isn't going to stand aside for Starscream.

Trivia

• The kanji 保護 could be pronounced as either "hogo" or "hougo," while "mamori" is used for the kanji 守り or 護り (the former kanji is seen more often).
• According to the Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003, the Autobots' unity being based around protecting peace is a sharp contrast to the Decepticons' unity.

Foreign localization

French

• Title: "La Forêt en feu" ("The Forest on Fire")

German

• Title: "Feuer im Dschungel" ("Fire in the Jungle")
• Original airdate: 8 December 2003

Hungarian

• Title: "Erdőtűz" ("Forest Fire")

• In the scene in which Prime calls for his trailer, Prime once refers to Sparkplug by Grindor's name (Daráló).

Italian

• Title: "Un pianeta da difendere" ("A Planet to Defend")

• Demolishor's line: "We came for the Mini-Con!" starts being heard after he already started moving his mouth.
• Sparkplug is always called by his correct name, unlike in English.

Korean

• Title: "수호자 옵티머스" ("Guardian Optimus")

Polish

• Title: "Dżungla" ("Jungle")

Portuguese

• Title: "Selva" ("Jungle")

Home video releases

DVD

2003 — Transformers: Legends of the Microns — Volume 2 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2003 — Transformers: Armada — Vol:02 (Universal)
2003 — Transformers: Armada — Vol:02 (Warner Music Video)
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Power of the Mini-Cons (Rhino Entertainment)
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment)
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Volume 2 (TFou Vidéo) — French audio only.
2005 — Transformers: Armada — Triple Collection (Universal)
2008 — Transformers: Armada — Bumper Double DVD Collection (Universal)
2008 — Transformers: Armada — Volume One (New KSM) — English and German audio.
2014 — Transformers: Armada — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
2014 — Transformers: Armada — Volume One (Shout! Factory)