Why aren't you watching Transformers Cybertron? Still mad at how Armada and Energon turned out? Well, forget everything you've seen from those shows, because Cybertron is definitely the best Transformers show since Beast Wars.
Transformers Cybertron is the dubbed version of the recent anime series "Galaxy Force" currently airing in Japan. Quite honestly, Cybertron is my least favorite visually of the Transformers (The TF's stand out a bit too much visually compared to the hand-drawn animation), but the animation is miles better than anything seen in Armada and Energon. Like Energon, the Transformers are also computer animated, although this time done by the more professional anime studio Gonzo. Unlike the stiff and cheap movements on Energon, the characters have much more fluidly quick movement and expression. Not to mention the action scenes are very fast-paced, well-animated, choreographed and exciting to watch. Unlike the "Zoids" stylings of Energon, the TF's look a lot closer to Mainframe's work on "Beast Wars." Cybertron certainly has the best writing out of the three recent TF shows. The Dub uses a lot more self-referential humor and there are also a lot of sly references to earlier Transformers shows that really made me smile. Not to mention the Transformers have a lot more personality and depth compared to the stale clichés of Armada and Energon. Hot Shot's character really works the best as a youthful and learning hero, and he, like a lot of characters on this show grow and change throughout it's progression. I never really felt for any of the characters like this ever since Beast Wars. A lot of people may find the idea of using different accents for the characters strange, but I think it makes the characters stand out much more. (And I'm sure people will remember the G1 characters also having accents) Thundercracker's "hillbilly" accent made him a humorous character and the comic relief of Decepticon cronies Ransack and Crumplezone have a lot of shades of "Laurel and Hardy." Optimus Prime is much more likable a character in this show, and actually proves himself as a reliable leader, and Starscream, well without spoiling anything, kicks MUCH more butt than even his G1 counterpart could hope to do. Megatron tends to get his butt kicked too many times, but that changes later on in the show. Even the humans, which have been a main complaint that many Transformers fans had with the recent shows are handled much better here. Unlike the irritating Armada children and the angsty Kicker, they feel more like real people and have a lot of character development as well, and actually do a lot to help the Autobots. And at least these Autobots have enough sense to keep them out of trouble. They have much more of a purpose on this show. Overall, the character interaction is great, while not quite up to the brilliance of Beast Wars, but it still comes very close.
The show actually has a lot of original elements too. A lot of the Transformers on this show are factionless, and there's some genuine intrigue on which side the new characters will join. Also, the show has a much more realistic touch compared to past shows. In Cybertron, the Autobots do their best to keep themselves disguised from humans, and unlike the past shows, the humans don't conveniently disappear during a major battle. Sometimes humans actually notice what's going on, changing the plans of the Autobots. This shows much more actual direction.
Also, the show's pace is very different from the past two shows. But there's a LOT more going on in a single episode of Cybertron. A lot of the episodes tackle multiple subplots at a time during an story arc. While some might not like this sporadic pacing, I think it keeps the show exciting and full of activity. Its a definite improvement over the dragged out single-minded plot arcs of the last two aforementioned shows. As the story progress people change, new alliances are forged and stuff actually happens. Safe to say, I think Cybertron is the best Trasformers show that no one is watching. Forget Armada and Energon, this show is the real deal. And it makes me happy to be a Transformers fan again. I actually look forward to the next episode.
* A Side note: Don't try connecting Cybertron to Armada and Energon storywise, this is a completely different universe.
