Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy

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Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy
Original work	Transformers: Generation 1 by Hasbro and Takara
Owner	Hasbro
Films and television
Animated series	Transformers: War for Cybertron - Siege (Netflix, 2020) Transformers: War for Cybertron - Earthrise (Netflix, 2020) Transformers: War for Cybertron - Kingdom (Netflix, 2021)
Miscellaneous
Toy(s)	Transformers: Generations

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy is a toyline and transmedia franchise that is part of the Transformers brand by Hasbro announced in February 2018.^[1]

It is not related to the video game of the same name.

Synopsis[]

Chapter 1: "Siege"[]

Cybertron is ravaged by civil war between Autobots and Decepticons. In an attempt to end the conflict, Megatron considers using the AllSpark to reformat the Autobots, but Optimus Prime wants to prevent that from happening, even if that means destroying Cybertron, itself, in order to save it. Early on, Bumblebee and Wheeljack discover a space bridge while searching for Energon. They were apprehended by Decepticons Starscream, Thundercracker, and Jetfire. When the Autobots attempt to escape, they encounter Megatron, but are saved by Optimus Prime who engages Megatron and introduces Bumblebee to the rest of the Autobots on the Ark. Bumblebee leaves, claiming that "he doesn't want to fight their war." In the second episode, Ultra Magnus surrenders to the Decepticons, as he repeatedly says that he is "tired of endless war." Megatron tortures Magnus for the location of the Autobot base, after using Magnus' comlink to lure the Autobots into a trap. This ambush results in the supposed death of the Decepticon Impactor, who is later revealed to be alive and switches sides after being repaired by the Autobot Ratchet. Wheeljack leads the rest of the Autobots to Ratchet, and, after a brief argument from Mirage, the Autobots convince Ratchet to repair the space bridge found by Wheeljack and Bumblebee. Jetfire and Skywarp eventually find the Autobot base, but Jetfire defects and defeats Skywarp. At the end of the series, Optimus Prime throws the Allspark through the repaired space bridge to an unknown location. ^[2][3]

Chapter 2: "Earthrise"[]

The Transformers leave Cybertron in search for the AllSpark, leading the Autobots and Decepticons to land on Earth. Mercenary Transformers board the Arc and battle the Autobots, and in the end the Autobots and Decepticons work together to defeat Scorponok.^{[4][failed verification]}

Chapter 3: "Kingdom"[]

Worlds collide when the Maximals and Predacons join the fight, coming together with the Autobots and Decepticons in an epic battle that will alter their destiny forever. This series takes characters from the Beast Wars continuity.

Toyline[]

Most of the action figures and accessories in the War for Cybertron Trilogy feature 5 millimeter ports situated over multiple places as the main play pattern of this line: modular weaponry and accommodation. The line is split into three subline imprints titled “Siege”, “Earthrise”, and “Kingdom” respectively. All of the designs of the Transformers are based on the Transformers: Generation 1 series and Beast Wars series. Mass retail figures are sold in prices ranging from $5USD to $160USD.^[5] Geared towards older fans, toys from this line emphasize on maximum possibility and quality while featuring more complex conversions between modes.

Transformers: Siege subline[]

The Siege imprint debuted in late 2018, continuing until 2019. Depicting a storyline towards the end of the war on Cybertron, Siege toys featured cybertronian alternate modes combined with robot modes based heavily on the designs from 1984 animated series. The toyline features 3 different figures at the Deluxe class pricepoint that have the ability to disassemble into weapons, while smaller micro master toys (in sets of two) transformed from robot to vehicle and combine into a larger weapon. Another pricepoint features battle master figures that transform from robot to weapon, coming with soft plastic blast effect parts that attach to multiple hardpoints on the toys to simulate blaster fire and weapon impacts. The larger Titan and Commander Class toys feature their own effect parts.

Transformers: Earthrise subline[]

The Earthrise imprint debuted in late 2019, continuing until early 2021. Many of the featured characters now have more realistic earth vehicle modes, while those with previously un-earthlike alternate forms are instead based more heavily on their animated series designs. The battle masters now primarily become shields, and 3 new Deluxe class toys were released with the ability to split apart like from the last line, though the specialized Earthrise Deluxe toys combined into alternate building structures. Along with numerous examples throughout the line, many of the Earthrise toys focus on a modular base-building play pattern, though it and Siege are backwards-compatible. In addition to the Autobots and Decepticons, Earthrise also featured the Quintesson and Mercenary factions.

Transformers: Kingdom subline[]

The Kingdom imprint debuted in late 2020, continuing until 2022. Continuing the design standards from Earthrise, the Quintessons and Mercenaries were replaced with the Beast Wars Maximal and Predacon factions, which transform from realistic animals (Jurasic Park-style dinoaurs in the case of Dinobot and Beast Megatron) into robots based on the animation models of the 1996 animated series. The micromasters and battle masters were replaced with the new core class pricepoint, which are functionally similar to the legends class toys from the past decade. 4 new Deluxe toys were released in this line with the ability to disassemble into weapons, though while one transforms into a Cybertronian vehicle, the other three take the form of fossilized dinosaur skeletons.

Television series[]

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy
Genre	Science fiction Action
Based on	Transformers by Hasbro and Takara Tomy
Screenplay by	F. J. DeSanto George Krstic Brandon Easton Gavin Hignight Tim Sheridan Mae Catt
Story by	F. J. DeSanto George Krstic
Directed by	Takashi Kamei[a]
Composer	Alexander Bornstein
Country of origin	United States Japan
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	18
Production
Executive producers	F. J. DeSanto Ted Biaselli Joerg Bachmaier Burnie Burns Matt Hullum Kohei Obara Co-executive producer(s): Gary King George Krstic Vincent Talenti
Animator	Polygon Pictures
Running time	23–25 minutes
Production companies	Rooster Teeth Studios Polygon Pictures Allspark Animation (Siege) Entertainment One (Earthrise and Kingdom)
Distributor	Entertainment One (worldwide) Takara Tomy (Japan) Netflix
Release
Original network	Netflix
Picture format	HDTV 1080p
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	July 30, 2020 (2020-07-30) – July 29, 2021 (2021-07-29)
External links
Website

Following the conclusion of the Prime Wars Trilogy animated series in July 2018, and the official closing of Machinima in February 2019,^[6] Hasbro's production studio Allspark and Netflix announced a War for Cybertron Trilogy animated series produced by Rooster Teeth, alongside Allspark Animation and Polygon Pictures for a release schedule in 2020.^[7] F. J. DeSanto would return as showrunner while George Krstic, Gavin Hignight and Brandon M. Easton joined as writers.^[7] The first season was originally set to be released in June 2020, but was rescheduled to July 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8] The second season was released on December 30, 2020.^[9] The third and final season was released on July 29, 2021.^[10]

Polygon Pictures President and CEO Shuzo John Shiota said "We're thrilled to be working with Rooster Teeth, Netflix and Hasbro to bring this fan-oriented More than Meets the Eye story to life. The Transformers universe has so many rich characters and engaging stories. Getting the opportunity to be part of the team bringing the robots in disguise to life in this new trilogy is unbelievable."^[2]

Tom Warner, Senior Vice President for the Transformers franchise for Hasbro, said "The Transformers brand is a global phenomenon with toys, consumer products, films, television shows, and literature, resonating with millions of passionate fans around the world. This brand new Netflix series will add to the incredible slate of Transformers offerings with a truly unique story that will delight both existing fans and those being introduced to the wonder of robots in disguise."^[2]

Rooster Teeth co-founder and Chief Content Officer Matt Hullum said "Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy marks the inaugural production for our Rooster Teeth Studios division and we’re proud to be partnering with and entrusted by Hasbro and Netflix. As fans of these characters, it's been a joy bringing our storytelling and animation expertise to this project. This teaser trailer is just a taste of what’s to come in this series, and we can’t wait to see what the fans think, especially our Rooster Teeth community!"^[2]

Voice cast[]

Chapter 1: Siege[]

• Edward Bosco as Ultra Magnus, Soundwave (6 episodes)
• Jake Foushee as Optimus Prime (6 episodes)
• Todd Haberkorn as Red Alert, Shockwave (6 episodes)
• Jason Marnocha as Megatron (6 episodes)
• Georgia Reed as Chromia (6 episodes)
• Bill Rogers as Wheeljack (6 episodes)
• Linsay Rousseau as Elita-1 (6 episodes)
• Keith Silverstein as Jetfire, Omega Supreme (6 episodes)
• Frank Todaro as Starscream, Refraktor, Ravage (6 episodes)
• Mark Whitten as Sideswipe, Skywarp (6 episodes)
• Brook Chalmers as Impactor (5 episodes)
• Shawn Hawkins as Mirage (5 episodes)
• Jimmie Stafford as Hound (5 episodes)
• Rafael Goldstein as Ratchet, Soundblaster (4 episodes)
• Kaiser Johnson as Ironhide (4 episodes)
• Aaron Veach as Prowl (4 episodes)
• Joe Zieja as Bumblebee (4 episodes)
• Brian Robert Burns as Cog (3 episodes)
• Alexander DiLallo as Barricade (3 episodes)
• Philip Bache as Skytread (2 episodes)
• Gray G. Haddock as Spinister (2 episodes)
• Danny Hansen as Thundercracker (2 episodes)
• Sophia Isabella as Arcee (2 episodes)
• Miles Luna as Cliffjumper, Teletraan-1 (2 episodes)
• Ellie Main as Moonracer (2 episodes)
• Ben Jurand as Alpha Trion (1 episode)

Chapter 2: Earthrise[]

• Jason Marnocha as Megatron, Galvatron (6 episodes)
• Frank Todaro as Starscream, Refraktor, Shamble, Ravage (6 episodes)
• Jake Foushee as Optimus Prime (5 episodes)
• Sophia Isabella as Arcee (5 episodes)
• Kaiser Johnson as Ironhide (5 episodes)
• Bill Rogers as Wheeljack (5 episodes)
• Joe Zieja as Bumblebee (5 episodes)
• Edward Bosco as Soundwave, Ultra Magnus (4 episodes)
• Todd Haberkorn as Red Alert, Shockwave (4 episodes)
• Georgia Reed as Chromia (4 episodes)
• Linsay Rousseau as Elita-1, Deseesus' face 2 (4 episodes)
• Adin Rudd as Scrapface (4 episodes)
• Keith Silverstein as Jetfire, Omega Supreme, Deseesus (Death) (4 episodes)
• Mark Whitten as Sideswipe (4 episodes)
• Alexander DiLallo as Barricade (3 episodes)
• Rafael Goldstein as Ratchet (3 episodes)
• Shawn Hawkins as Mirage (3 episodes)
• Michael Schwalbe as Doubledealer (3 episodes)
• Jolene Andersen as Deseesus (Wrath) (2 episodes)
• Philip Bache as Skytread (2 episodes)
• Michael Dunn as Skorponok (2 episodes)
• Danny Hansen as Thundercracker (2 episodes)
• Miles Luna as Teletraan-1 (2 episodes)
• Jimmie Stafford as Hound (2 episodes)
• Alex Taber as Bug Bite (2 episodes)
• Aaron Veach as Prowl (2 episodes)
• Brian Robert Burns as Cog (1 episode)
• Gray G. Haddock as Spinister (1 episode)
• Michael Jones as Thrust (1 episodes)
• Ben Jurand as Alpha Trion (1 episode)
• Jonathan Lipow as Unicron (1 episode)
• Joseph Noughton as Deseesus (Wisdom) (1 episode)
• Ken Rogers as Exhaust (1 episodes)
• Jay Sanford as Dirge, Deseesus (Wit) (1 episode)
• Sean Wright as Sky Lynx (1 episode)

Chapter 3: Kingdom[]

• Marqus Bobesich as Predacon Megatron (6 episodes)
• Jeanne Carr as Blackarachnia (6 episodes)
• Erin Ebers as Airazor (6 episodes)
• Jake Foushee as Optimus Prime, Nemesis Prime (6 episodes)
• Joe Hernandez as Cheetor (6 episodes)
• Jason Marnocha as Megatron, Galvatron (6 episodes)
• Justin Luther as Optimus Primal (6 episodes)
• Frank Todaro as Starscream, Rattrap, Ravage, Laserbeak (6 episodes)
• Andy Bernett as Rhinox (5 episodes)
• Sophia Isabelle as Arcee (5 episodes)
• Bill Rogers as Wheeljack (5 episodes)
• Joe Zieja as Bumblebee (5 episodes)
• Edward Bosco as Soundwave, Ultra Magnus (4 episodes)
• Rafael Goldstein as Ratchet (4 episodes)
• Krizz Kaliko as Dinobot (4 episodes)
• Aaron Veach as Prowl (4 episodes)
• Kaiser Johnson as Ironhide (3 episodes)
• Jonathan Lipow as Unicron (3 episodes)
• Miles Luna as Teletraan-1 / Arkbot (3 episode)
• Beau Marie as Tigatron (3 episodes)
• Mark Whitten as Sideswipe (3 episodes)
• Marcus Clark-Oliver as Astrotrain, Hotlink (2 episodes)
• Shawn Hawkins as Mirage (2 episodes)
• Linsay Rousseau as Elita-1 (2 episode)
• Jimmie Stafford as Hound (2 episodes)
• Alexander Dilallo as Barricade (1 episode)
• Danny Hansen as Predacon Scorponok (1 episode)

Episodes[]

Chapter 1: Siege (2020)[]

Chapter 2: Earthrise (2020)[]

Chapter 3: Kingdom (2021)[]

Reception[]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season, Siege, has an approval rating of 95% based on reviews from 20 critics. The site's consensus is: "Visually stunning, surprisingly deep, and still a lot of fun, War for Cybertron: Siege breathes new life into the Transformers franchise."^[12] The second season, Earthrise, has an approval rating of 86% based on reviews from 7 critics.^[13] The third season, Kingdom, has an approval rating of 83% based on reviews from 6 critics.^[14]

Fans criticized Rooster Teeth for not having the likes of Peter Cullen, Frank Welker or voice actors that were involved with the franchise previously and instead hired "non-union voice talent".^[15] Garry Chalk (who previously voiced Optimus Primal) was critical of the voice acting, which he described as "low energy".^[16]

References[]

Notes[]

External links[]

• Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy on Transformers Wiki
• Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy at IMDb