In one of the very first episodes of the original G1 cartoon, Jazz is asked by a human why do Autobots transform into cars. His answer? 'Disguise. And it sure beats walking!' I always loved that explanation and it makes me happy that you mention utility and disguise at the very start of this video.
prime: okay take your disguises Bumblebee: vw bug Prime: okay good bee Ratchet: ambulance Prime: okay... that might work Grapple: crane Prime: that could be useful Mirage: F1 car Optimus: what? War path: tank! Prime: wait! what the hell?! Don't you know the meaning of disguise? Honestly who else can stand out bigger than you warpath? Cosmos: Im... just...gonna...go
@I am Petitgguy oh, thanks, was expecting a story about american bacon and canadian maple juice/stuff poured all over strange pancakes... ... in NZ it's usually cereal/porridge and toast with a hot drink; if you've got the time.
In a future episode can you take a look at “Cybertronian Alt-Modes” and how often it was shown in media or completely ignored. The seeker pyramids probably being the most well known of these.
I always thought they bore a resemblance to the Colonial Vipers from the original Battlestar Galactica series. (Edit: Specifically the pyramid seekers)
Yes, please! I will never forgive Netflix for almost completely ignoring those for any bot who isn't a seeker. I need compensation! I demand compensation!
Never thought such a simple concept like transforming could influence overall society. It is most fascinating, Especially with "Functionism" If I had to choose an alt mode...probably a Lamborghini Murcielago and a fighter jet
Well when you think about it makes sense and is something that it could happend in real life. And example of this would be a more traditional cast system where the position of your bilogical parents define what kind of job you will take when you reach adulthood and your place in society. Functionism is basically that, the only diference is that your most dominat phisycal atribute decide both your life long job and your place in society and basically you worth as a citizen and a person diregarding any other natural atributes or abilities you may poses
@@RexMK- exactly Starscream turns into the cybertronian equivalent of a military jet he has to join the military the constructions turn into construction vehicles they have to go build buildings it's like space racism are stereotypes or something
My headcanon is that Transformation Cogs, specifically the G1/IDW sphere design, had a Gyroscope inside that helped them stay upright when they transform. Also my Headcanon for Bludgeon's name was that it was taken from Metallikato's deadliest technique was to hit your opponent with multiple quick blunt strikes that throws off or dislocates the Transformation Cog and rips them apart when they try and Transform.
@@sparkyandredd4061Bro imagine running from an assassination attempt from bludgeon, Then you try to get groceries transform and you just randomly fall apart
Unfortunately I read that last part in Optimus Prime/Eeyore voice. After watching the TFCon video about how Neil Kaplan became the voice of Optimus and his comment that; "we all know Eeyore is just a depressed Optimus Prime, right?"
I feel like they do it often like if I was making a Transformer show Bumblebee with start off as a beetle then become a classic Camaro and then a modern Camaro cuz they would change as they age it's iffy on what they should change I kind of like how they do it at this movies where bumblebee just go scans do Camaro when he feels like he needs to do look cuz obviously they can't do that everyday probably takes a lot of energy to convert all your outer pieces into something else
@@plantainsame2049 Usually, if your biology allows it with no ill effects (outside of Tarn burning out his own cog out of sheer excess), I can assume they feel no pain whatsoever.
fun fact: there is a variety of transformers known as "shifters" that can change form to anything they scan without limit, these include the protagonists of the Bayformers 1 Ds games (known as the Create-a-bots), Makeshift from TF prime, Mutacons from the aligned continuity, Pseudo from robots in disguise 2015, And Amalgus prime himself. essentially they are frequently known to have no limits in both shape and size (at least, they don't seem to extend past twice the initial size they started) and can change into the robot modes of other cybertronians and mimic their voice. Was kinda hoping they would be brought up, but eh, it's fine.
I feel like there should be “The Basics” drinking game. Take a shot every time he says: "Beast flesh and Transformer metal, fused at the cellular level". "Originally part of the Diaclone toy line" "...was killed by a cosmically powered Starscream"
Transforming is what got me into Transformers in the first place. I just thought the transformations would be fun to watch, and boy, I was not wrong. Look at me now.
@@zerocooler7 The name, but not the molds/ character designs. Which still makes it incomplete. I have no doubt Hasbro would have tested the waters and likely created actual cross over stories, if they owned everything Go-Bots. If you ever watched the Go-Bots cartoons, there was an early episode, where Cy-Kill actually talked about transforming. Obviously the episodes afterwards they talked about converting from robot to vehicle mode or vice versa.
@@ratbat1072 Not sure if it was IDW or Dreamwave (or maybe both), but there were a few comics where Cy-Kill would appear and immediately be killed off.
While the character overviews may be ones requested the most, I love it when the show digs into the nitty gritty for some of the aspects we take for granted, especially this here which is, y’know, the whole gimmick for this franchise. Actually, given how involved TF has become, I’m surprised no one ever attempted to give like some fantasical name or terminology to Transformation itself. Compare that to something like Star Wars giving form names and menucia to Lightsaber combat, or how it wasn’t until later in Doctor Who’s production life that the term “Regneration” became official. So they would eventually use terms like Sparks and Cyber Nucleic Acid, but nothing for transforming?
@I am Petitgguy I still haven't read most of the More Than Meets the Eye comic, but one thing I do like is a principle it introduced called Rossum's Trinity. It states that the brain module, the spark, and the transformation cog are the three most vital organs in a Transformer's body, and that significant damage to one will cause the other two to shut down and kill the owner. However, the T-cog doesn't seem to be as essential to a Transformer as it may seem at first. The Militant Monoform Movement are a group of radical activist Monoformers that symbolically reject the god Adaptus by removing their T-cogs entirely, rejecting alternate modes in the process. Also, Tarn of the Decepticon Justice Division, being addicted to transforming, regularly burns out his own T-cog, requiring him to make a deal with Pharma from the Autobot medical facility Delphi to harvest the T-cogs of patients as replacements in exchange for the safety of the facility. Transformers are just fascinating, man.
What is the transforming sound? Did some styrofoam get caught in a garbage disposal? Or Rubix cube tossed in a clothes dryer? What flash of Foley artist brilliance/madness brought that sound into our lexicon?
Not gonna lie Chris, when you announced this episode I didn't look at the thumbnail long enough to see the title and my mind just thought this was going to be a Basics on Hot Rod lol good episode though!
to that end... I think he was Proper 'thumbnail' as I seem to recall that he transformed Multiple times in the Movie (pre- upgrade) and no two sequences were animated the same way
I'm late to the party but better late then not at all ... I love your channel I'm 43 and it really takes me back to a happy time as a child growing up in Yorkshire England thanks for this
"Convert and roll out." Reminds me of 2015 Robots in Disguise where the first season had a running gag of Bumblebee trying to come up with a rallying cry for his team. It might not have had the staying power of "Transform and roll out" but his finalized cry "Rev up and roll out" still has some good punch to it.
Oof, if this was the topic you mentioned on Twitter as having a hard time with writing, I can see why! I can't even begin to imagine where to start with a topic as abstract and nebulous as this, yet you did a stellar job with it. Well done!
When I saw the community post, I thought you meant how names were assigned to the robots, like from Olktar into Starscream. I think that would make for an interesting video but regardless well done, I always love your videos. I would transform into a weaponized hover car, a cross between Jazz blurr and the weapons in bay verse prime’s trailer
I don't know what I would personally transform into, but I used to have roleplaying OC on the old AOL forums who was a Predacon that transformed into a Night Stalker from the speculative evolution book _After Man: A Zoology of the Future._
At the risk of sounding like a furry, if I were a transformer I'd definitely pick a Wolf alt mode. Ooh, or maybe a Wolf/Off-road Car triple changer, like a dune buggy or Rally Fighter
A headcannon of mine about transformation: the transformation is composed by two main phases. Phase 1: the T-Cog send instructions to the whole body, of how to move and fit, in order to go vehicle to robot and vice-versa Phase 2: the body itself follow the instructions and transformation happens. The iconic sound we know and love is caused by the T-Cog on Phase 1. The phase 2, actually, features metallic-like sounds, like we heard on Bayverse. Thing is, since Transformers are so used on doing this quickly, sometimes they do that so fast that the sounds end mixing up On the first move: you can hear the iconic sound coming from Blackout (T-Cog loading transformation) and only then the transformation happens. On G1, they transform so quickly the iconic sound covers all the transformation sound. On TFP, you can her the two sounds (the iconic and the metallic) mixing up together.
I mean also in the bay verse the classic transformation style plays when Optimus adds an Autobot logo when he converts to his Western Star truck in Age of Extinction
Primus was the best origin story, but the idea that TFs could not adapt their alternate forms innately, the Ark was required was still good. The Autobots also had mannikins for their alternate modes built into their transformations. I thought you would have mentioned when some TFs lost their ability to transform, like Grimlock.
I'll take on the form of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Since Lord Megatron usually sends me out during the night, I have to be sneaky and I don't want to be spotted by humans or the Autobots.
I only had the vague idea that "Autobots, Transform and Roll Out" had been phased out in favour of "Autobots, Roll Out". I was wondering if I had misremembered the original. Glad to know I wasn't going entirely crazy.
Amusingly, "Destroyer" was described as an "enemy robot tank". There was another Gobot called "Tank", which was an "enemy robot destroyer" (some sort of future sci-fi tank).
I would certainly be a triple changer who could transformer into a anti aircraft tank and a submarine. I would definitely be a Decepticon Special Task Force operative.
I really like the concept of Functionism in Transformers canon because it gives Megatron a reason to be the villain besides being a power-hungry criminal, that being if he was born to be a weapon of destruction than the greatest damn weapon of destruction he shall be.
I think the concept of "Functionism" is one of the most interesting concepts to come out of modern Transformers media. It definitely gives the Decepticons a more fleshed out origin other than Megatron just wanting power for power's sake. Great video, as always, Chris!
Damn, I had hoped this would also give us clarity on how they're able to see in vehicle mode. Like, do they see with the head lights, or are the optics somehow in the cockpit?? Has this ever been explained?!
I think the IDW comics introduced a new artificial species of Cybertronians that could also transform into whatever they want, including using it as a way to heal. Actually i wonder if that could be a useful video? Cybertronian healing and health?
Love the idea of fixed transformations and type of altmode like Is tied to their body mass and color scheme. You can scan an altmode that your body would be able to turn to.
Thank you for another great episode! If i could "convert" i would like to be a Valkyrie Veritech fighter, because that was just another reason why i love transformers! Speaking of crossovers i believe that Vulture Droids also deserve a mention as the Transformers of the Star Wars Universe!
The Transformers has had crossover toys with multiple other franchises, from Star Wars to Ghostbusters to Back to the Future. But aside from the recent comic line, there has never been a proper crossover with My Little Pony. ...heck, I don't even think Beast Wars even HAD a horse in their line. So, be it realistic or pastel marshmallow, that is what I choose as my alt mode.
@@foldabotZ Sentence 2: "But aside from the recent comic line..." I already covered that. The point I was making was a lack of Pony in the *Toy Line* specifically, be it a realistic horse for the Beast Wars line, or one of the Mane Six who transforms into their Equestria Girls counterpart.
@@cyberdraco001 **Google search** Huh. I thought those two horse-bots were made for the comic. Didn't realize that they were remolds of an existing character/figure. Too bad the actual toy never left Japan.
Funnily, enough one of Fun Publications' scrapped idea for a convention exclusive toy was a recolor of Beast Machines' Battle Unicorn figure as "Twilight Sparkle Prime."
I present to you Optimus Time...aka the real reason the Daleks lost the Time War, yes?! (See www.flickfilosopher.com/2013/07/doctor-who-thing-tardis-transformer-toy-you-can-make-yourself.html for more details...)
@@rolmodel12. I'm hoping for a proper Doctor Who/Transformers crossover comic some day at least...I want this scene at www.deviantart.com/mattmoylan/art/Commission-Grimlecks-118366084 to be canonical, yes?!
Solid work, old chap. Good to see an unbiased sweep across the whole of the lore. I remember back in the day there was something in the bible for the Beast Wars show that Transformers were intended to have up to four slots, including robot, for their various modes. Only Primal managed to hit four different form in the same shell by the end of the series. I think Simon Furman was involved, possibly hovering like some sort of predatory bird.
I love the concept of the transformation cogs. So much so, that I incorporated them into a D&D campaign with Warforged, which are constructs not unlike the Transformers themselves
Yey, This is my request in your last video about ratchet, I said made a video about transforming and then boom!! Here it is!!!. Love your vids, Keep up the great work.😊😊
If I was to transform, I would take on a technorganic falcon or tiger form. I would also have a Super-God Masterforce style Pretender body to blend in with humans.
Hi, long time lurker, just had to comment as there was a video I watched way back when video shops were on every corner. I was young at the time, but recall a few bits and pieces, which I've occasionally searched for to no avail. So while catching up on your new episode that I've found it, or more accurately, you've found it! The show I watched was Brave Raideen! Thank you for helping me solve this decades old mystery. Great channel and always look forward to your next episode.
You missed a big one in the history of transforming toys Macross in 1982 and its two meta series counterparts SDC Orguss and Southern Cross which used the idea in their shows. Also you can thank Macross for popularizing the triple changer idea in the first place with the VF-1 Valkyrie ( which Jetfire was based on).
If I picked an alt mode it would probably be a tank or other high armor alt mode. Most likely though I would end up with a simple one like Fort Max where I would basically just lay down.
Ah yes, known function of cogs, scanning things. That's what cogs are for, right? You know all that archaic early technology that constantly scanned things.
My head Cannon is that they contain the information and also stop the robots from killing themselves see you could build a Transformer without a teacog cuz it won't be alive it'll just be a robot but to having a live one you need it because unlike a robot you can't fix a cybertronian when they accidentally shish kabob themselves with themselves
Personally I think it would be cool if (somehow) Soundwave was a multiformer that could convert into his cassette's beast modes, (maybe he got fused with them, I don't know). And I'd be wolf and dragon triple changer
I'd want multiple alt modes to cover as many potential terrains as possible, so I'd pick being a Six Changer like Sixshot, with the modern interpretation of his gun mode as a submarine so I'd have an underwater mode covered.
I’d like to be a triple changer and become part of a combiner, like Scattershot, but I’d wanna have some space faring vehicle mode & a beast mode like a horrorcon
"Stuck between forms" That sounds horrifying, and is probably terrifying for the Transformer experiencing it.
This is why you read the instructions people
@@oliveragag8576 Lol!
I think they got lost during shipping.
"Oh Primus, help me, I don't know where my head is!"
And in the case of skyfire potentially lawsuit causing.
Who else simply CAN NOT SEE this thumbnail without hearing "if you're gonna RIDE, Danno, Ride in STYLE!"
The fire in your heart is growing🎵🎵🎵
DARE!!
His name is "Daniel"
@@ichiko_sakura you are highly unintelligent do you even know what a flail is. i know you’ve seen one
Hell yea
In one of the very first episodes of the original G1 cartoon, Jazz is asked by a human why do Autobots transform into cars. His answer? 'Disguise. And it sure beats walking!' I always loved that explanation and it makes me happy that you mention utility and disguise at the very start of this video.
It was actually Trailbreaker who said that
@@Swivelbot i see you are a man of culture.
prime: okay take your disguises
Bumblebee: vw bug
Prime: okay good bee
Ratchet: ambulance
Prime: okay... that might work
Grapple: crane
Prime: that could be useful
Mirage: F1 car
Optimus: what?
War path: tank!
Prime: wait! what the hell?! Don't you know the meaning of disguise? Honestly who else can stand out bigger than you warpath?
Cosmos: Im... just...gonna...go
Is it bad that I know who cosmos is? I’m a die hard antique transformers fan, and know who ALL of these robots are? Is is? Am I that bad?
@@lsiassociate3348 dude no it is not that bad and cosmos ain't that obscure either now snap dragon that guy holds the tidle of most obscure
That happened in Transformers Cybertron with Scattershot.
Cosmos: “But if humans see a UFO, they automatically assume its a weather balloon or a secret government aircraft. It’s the perfect disguise!”
Double clutch: so I guess you don't know me.
It's just not a Saturday morning without a new episode of Transformers: The Basics.
Fax almost as a Saturday morning cartoon series as an explainer
Ikr?
@I am Petitgguy what's a complete breakfast?
@I am Petitgguy oh, thanks, was expecting a story about american bacon and canadian maple juice/stuff poured all over strange pancakes...
... in NZ it's usually cereal/porridge and toast with a hot drink; if you've got the time.
My favourite part is how everytime he mentions Beast Machines, he has to say "Beast flesh and Transformer metal, fused at the celular level".
I hear that's illegal in the UK 😏
Beast Machines Catchphrase Achieved.
Its one of his Iconice Phrases. Together with "Wher originly part of the Toyline Diaclone" and "Being killed by a comsic powerfull Starscreme"
@@neptuneplaneptune3367 God, im hoping he will celebrate in someway, once he covers every single character that died that way
@@szymonlewandowski9690 He most likley will. Ore he will continue to search for ways to bring it up.
In a future episode can you take a look at “Cybertronian Alt-Modes” and how often it was shown in media or completely ignored. The seeker pyramids probably being the most well known of these.
and aligned having zero consistency with them
Yes please.
Tetrajets.
I always thought they bore a resemblance to the Colonial Vipers from the original Battlestar Galactica series.
(Edit: Specifically the pyramid seekers)
Yes, please! I will never forgive Netflix for almost completely ignoring those for any bot who isn't a seeker.
I need compensation!
I demand compensation!
Transformers: "Robots in Disguise"
Also Transformers: Neon colors and distinct patterns
Often having the word "Transformers" written on them, like Thunderclash does.
Cyberverse was better for this
the autobot's inableity to not get a human pet in the first five secones
"To punish and enslave"
Along with distinct vehicle modes
This was such a transforming experience.
Laaaaame!
@@Mojavekight17 Sorry I was not able to transform my thoughts into a more entertaining comment.
@@TFfangeek BOOOOOOOOO YOU STINK!!!
@@Channelthatprovidesplaylists In my defense I was upwind of that stench. :D
@Drakon590 Realigning experience. :)
"Convert and Roll Out!" doesn't roll off the tongue....
but "convert and conquor!" Eh?
That would work both as a war cry and a recruitment cry for the Decepticons.
Oh man! This sounds really good.
I like it.
I totally read that in Beast Wars Megatron's voice, yesss.
What's a conquor?
"Knowing we could never defeat the Decepticons with firepower, we turned to stealth and invented the art of Transforming."
- Sentinel Prime
*Gets shot in the face*
That's right!
NO OPTIMUSARGHHGAAGH
That was for Ironhide
I can hear Peter’s voice and inflections
Never thought such a simple concept like transforming could influence overall society. It is most fascinating, Especially with "Functionism"
If I had to choose an alt mode...probably a Lamborghini Murcielago and a fighter jet
Well when you think about it makes sense and is something that it could happend in real life.
And example of this would be a more traditional cast system where the position of your bilogical parents define what kind of job you will take when you reach adulthood and your place in society.
Functionism is basically that, the only diference is that your most dominat phisycal atribute decide both your life long job and your place in society and basically you worth as a citizen and a person diregarding any other natural atributes or abilities you may poses
I'm going to transform into a Phantom Corsair... Might as well be one of the coolest and rarest cars ever made!
@@RexMK- exactly Starscream turns into the cybertronian equivalent of a military jet he has to join the military the constructions turn into construction vehicles they have to go build buildings it's like space racism are stereotypes or something
Dragon would be my choice, my alt Mode can fly and breath fire, best package
My headcanon is that Transformation Cogs, specifically the G1/IDW sphere design, had a Gyroscope inside that helped them stay upright when they transform. Also my Headcanon for Bludgeon's name was that it was taken from Metallikato's deadliest technique was to hit your opponent with multiple quick blunt strikes that throws off or dislocates the Transformation Cog and rips them apart when they try and Transform.
Oh god that sounds horrifying
@@Sora_Likes_Memesoh, it is.
That exact thing happened to some cybertronians plenty of times. 😰
@@sparkyandredd4061Bro imagine running from an assassination attempt from bludgeon, Then you try to get groceries transform and you just randomly fall apart
@@Sora_Likes_Memes "Alright, got some Energon, and that cerebro-scanner I needed. Time to head home." tsche-tsche-*lego falling apart sound*
Transformers after one season of a cartoon or a movie:
Oh boy here I go scanning again!
@I am Petitgguy And then this human jumped into my alt mode
So what did you do
I killed it because it was annoying
Unfortunately I read that last part in Optimus Prime/Eeyore voice. After watching the TFCon video about how Neil Kaplan became the voice of Optimus and his comment that; "we all know Eeyore is just a depressed Optimus Prime, right?"
I feel like they do it often like if I was making a Transformer show Bumblebee with start off as a beetle then become a classic Camaro and then a modern Camaro cuz they would change as they age it's iffy on what they should change I kind of like how they do it at this movies where bumblebee just go scans do Camaro when he feels like he needs to do look cuz obviously they can't do that everyday probably takes a lot of energy to convert all your outer pieces into something else
One thing I've always wanted to ask a cybertronian is this, "Is it uncomfortable to transform?" Imagine if you had an itch but you couldn't move!
It's like walking or breathing to them it's just something that they do
@@plantainsame2049
Usually, if your biology allows it with no ill effects (outside of Tarn burning out his own cog out of sheer excess), I can assume they feel no pain whatsoever.
fun fact: there is a variety of transformers known as "shifters" that can change form to anything they scan without limit, these include the protagonists of the Bayformers 1 Ds games (known as the Create-a-bots), Makeshift from TF prime, Mutacons from the aligned continuity, Pseudo from robots in disguise 2015, And Amalgus prime himself.
essentially they are frequently known to have no limits in both shape and size (at least, they don't seem to extend past twice the initial size they started) and can change into the robot modes of other cybertronians and mimic their voice.
Was kinda hoping they would be brought up, but eh, it's fine.
Always wondered what Was so special about the mutacons, now i know, thanks
"Autobots™! Transform™ and roll out!"™
Decepticons! Transform and rise up!
Wait why is your comment 19 hours
But this is just 40 mins ago
@@jamesdarylgalvez7136 I know right it's weird
@@jamesdarylgalvez7136 very confusing
@@Person-mo7yz well at least I'm not alone 😂
It's really not that difficult, you just have to make the noise and OH GOD HE'S CONVULSING SOMEBODY GET A DOCTOR QUICK!
Ok
Nice
I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this comment, nice work man
Where's this from
This was good. Really good. Everybody Gangsta till they start screwballing with their altmode
I feel like there should be “The Basics” drinking game. Take a shot every time he says:
"Beast flesh and Transformer metal, fused at the cellular level".
"Originally part of the Diaclone toy line"
"...was killed by a cosmically powered Starscream"
Oh yeah I remember in Beast Wars Dinobot saying something about changing his activation phase to Maximize when he encounters the Maximals
He did, he stated that he do and I quote: "Anticipating my new role as your leader" he change his transformation code from Terrorize to Maximaze
Transforming is what got me into Transformers in the first place. I just thought the transformations would be fun to watch, and boy, I was not wrong. Look at me now.
Convert?
That is what the Go-Bots said, when they could no longer use the word Transform in the cartoons.
Yes, and now look at who owns the Go-Bots.
That's cool, my fave Transformers are GoBots; the Spatiotemporal Challengers! 👍
@@zerocooler7 The name, but not the molds/ character designs.
Which still makes it incomplete. I have no doubt Hasbro would have tested the waters and likely created actual cross over stories, if they owned everything Go-Bots.
If you ever watched the Go-Bots cartoons, there was an early episode, where Cy-Kill actually talked about transforming. Obviously the episodes afterwards they talked about converting from robot to vehicle mode or vice versa.
@@alanguages
Didnt gobots characters have cameos in idw comics?
@@ratbat1072 Not sure if it was IDW or Dreamwave (or maybe both), but there were a few comics where Cy-Kill would appear and immediately be killed off.
While the character overviews may be ones requested the most, I love it when the show digs into the nitty gritty for some of the aspects we take for granted, especially this here which is, y’know, the whole gimmick for this franchise.
Actually, given how involved TF has become, I’m surprised no one ever attempted to give like some fantasical name or terminology to Transformation itself. Compare that to something like Star Wars giving form names and menucia to Lightsaber combat, or how it wasn’t until later in Doctor Who’s production life that the term “Regneration” became official. So they would eventually use terms like Sparks and Cyber Nucleic Acid, but nothing for transforming?
@I am Petitgguy I still haven't read most of the More Than Meets the Eye comic, but one thing I do like is a principle it introduced called Rossum's Trinity. It states that the brain module, the spark, and the transformation cog are the three most vital organs in a Transformer's body, and that significant damage to one will cause the other two to shut down and kill the owner.
However, the T-cog doesn't seem to be as essential to a Transformer as it may seem at first. The Militant Monoform Movement are a group of radical activist Monoformers that symbolically reject the god Adaptus by removing their T-cogs entirely, rejecting alternate modes in the process. Also, Tarn of the Decepticon Justice Division, being addicted to transforming, regularly burns out his own T-cog, requiring him to make a deal with Pharma from the Autobot medical facility Delphi to harvest the T-cogs of patients as replacements in exchange for the safety of the facility. Transformers are just fascinating, man.
Hasbro be like: *um ACTUALLY it's CONVERTING not Transforming*
Also Hasbro be like: wink wink nudge nudge please help us keep our Trademark.
I feel like I missed something
@@That_Guy- the official term is convertion now, for the toys at least
I know exactly what you are referencing and I both hate and love you for that.
*Double kiss*
Ah~
@@That_Guy- If Hasbro uses "transform" as a verb in their product material, competitors can challenge the validity of the Transformers trademark.
What is the transforming sound? Did some styrofoam get caught in a garbage disposal? Or Rubix cube tossed in a clothes dryer? What flash of Foley artist brilliance/madness brought that sound into our lexicon?
They just got some random guy off the street and asked him to say "CHEO-CHEO-CHEO-CHEO!"
The transforming sound is when Transformers transform.
You gotta give the sound designers credit for that. Probably just randomly pressing his keyboard.
Nah, man, it's just Frank Welker clearing his throat.
Banging pots and pans together, played in reverse. That might be the Bayformers version though...
Not gonna lie Chris, when you announced this episode I didn't look at the thumbnail long enough to see the title and my mind just thought this was going to be a Basics on Hot Rod lol
good episode though!
And thus I was momentarily disappointed... :p
to that end... I think he was Proper 'thumbnail' as I seem to recall that he transformed Multiple times in the Movie (pre- upgrade) and no two sequences were animated the same way
I love how you don't waste time at the start of your videos. No ads, no asking for subscribers, no nothing. You just get straight to the good stuff.
That transformation sound was so iconic, even a My Little Pony special included the sound
3:16 This will be in my nightmares for years to come.
Thank you for your work ^^
I'm late to the party but better late then not at all ... I love your channel I'm 43 and it really takes me back to a happy time as a child growing up in Yorkshire England thanks for this
"Convert and roll out."
Reminds me of 2015 Robots in Disguise where the first season had a running gag of Bumblebee trying to come up with a rallying cry for his team.
It might not have had the staying power of "Transform and roll out" but his finalized cry "Rev up and roll out" still has some good punch to it.
I'm in my 30's and I still enjoy Transformers.
Dude, I'm in my 60's and still enjoy Transformers!
TSCHE-CHU-CHU-CHE-TSCHE is up there with a TARDIS' VWORP VWORP sound.
And Darth Vader's breathing.
And the Stargate kawoosh.
And the Transporting beam sound on Star Trek.
Thank you for making quality and good content. Everything you say is accurate and just so detailed but also so basic.
Thank you
Oof, if this was the topic you mentioned on Twitter as having a hard time with writing, I can see why! I can't even begin to imagine where to start with a topic as abstract and nebulous as this, yet you did a stellar job with it. Well done!
3:28 I really love that sound when they transformed 💙
When I saw the community post, I thought you meant how names were assigned to the robots, like from Olktar into Starscream. I think that would make for an interesting video but regardless well done, I always love your videos. I would transform into a weaponized hover car, a cross between Jazz blurr and the weapons in bay verse prime’s trailer
I don't know what I would personally transform into, but I used to have roleplaying OC on the old AOL forums who was a Predacon that transformed into a Night Stalker from the speculative evolution book _After Man: A Zoology of the Future._
At the risk of sounding like a furry, if I were a transformer I'd definitely pick a Wolf alt mode.
Ooh, or maybe a Wolf/Off-road Car triple changer, like a dune buggy or Rally Fighter
I also don't want to see like a furry, but wolf alt mode would be cool
Getting some RID Steeljaw vibes there, I like it
Personally, mine would be either a Grasshopper or some kind of Jet
Implying there's something inherently wrong with being a furry, which I can tell you--as a proud furry myself--is total bullshit.
@@tyrxian6452 I would have been a triple changer that transforms into a jet and a muscle car
Like six shot!
next do the basics on CHEEE-CHHHEWW-CHEEWW-CHEWWWCH
The best idea ever.
YASSS PLZ
I'm guessing that is your onomatopoeia take on the transformation sound effect!?!
CHI CHU CHUNG CHIK
I'd known you'd be here sooner or later
A headcannon of mine about transformation: the transformation is composed by two main phases.
Phase 1: the T-Cog send instructions to the whole body, of how to move and fit, in order to go vehicle to robot and vice-versa
Phase 2: the body itself follow the instructions and transformation happens.
The iconic sound we know and love is caused by the T-Cog on Phase 1. The phase 2, actually, features metallic-like sounds, like we heard on Bayverse. Thing is, since Transformers are so used on doing this quickly, sometimes they do that so fast that the sounds end mixing up
On the first move: you can hear the iconic sound coming from Blackout (T-Cog loading transformation) and only then the transformation happens. On G1, they transform so quickly the iconic sound covers all the transformation sound. On TFP, you can her the two sounds (the iconic and the metallic) mixing up together.
I like and second this headcanon
I mean also in the bay verse the classic transformation style plays when Optimus adds an Autobot logo when he converts to his Western Star truck in Age of Extinction
The Quintesson became a Transformer in the Earthrise Toyline
Primus was the best origin story, but the idea that TFs could not adapt their alternate forms innately, the Ark was required was still good. The Autobots also had mannikins for their alternate modes built into their transformations. I thought you would have mentioned when some TFs lost their ability to transform, like Grimlock.
I would transform into a aircraft or spaceship. Silverbolt or Scattershot, Cosmos , Blast-off, Jet Vehicons, etc.
I’d rather be a car like rotf sideswipe
Personally... I'd go for the Galvatron-style nuclear powered antimatter plasma cannon. (Or whatever the hell sci-fi tech that thing uses.)
I'll take on the form of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Since Lord Megatron usually sends me out during the night, I have to be sneaky and I don't want to be spotted by humans or the Autobots.
I would rather be a RaceCar (for vehicle) or Big Cat, Bird, or any type of animal (for beast).
If I were a Prime, I would be a dragon.
Just one word to describe how good this episode was: Phenomenal
When you think you have learn everything about the Transformers already, Chris post a video and show you who is the master of knowledge
Really awesome video!!! Keep it up! And remember to always Convert and Roll Out!!
I really want to know what it feels like to actually *transform* because it looks really cool.
Thanks for adding subtitles
I only had the vague idea that "Autobots, Transform and Roll Out" had been phased out in favour of "Autobots, Roll Out". I was wondering if I had misremembered the original. Glad to know I wasn't going entirely crazy.
As a kid, I had the goofy tank gobot "destroyer". Never new his name.
I don't think I caught it when I ripped him free from his packaging lol.
Amusingly, "Destroyer" was described as an "enemy robot tank". There was another Gobot called "Tank", which was an "enemy robot destroyer" (some sort of future sci-fi tank).
@@KasumiKenshirou the one I had just looked like a regular military tank, no sci-fi'ness to it, other than transforming
Cant wait for the next episode of Converters: The basics
I would certainly be a triple changer who could transformer into a anti aircraft tank and a submarine. I would definitely be a Decepticon Special Task Force operative.
I hearted for triple changers it requires alot of focus and the right joints to configure from robot mode to the 2 alt modes you have
I love this channel so much. I’m so glad it exists
When i see hot rod i was thinking that you were making the basics of Rodimus prime
Amazing to realise we’ve never had a video on this crucial part of this aspect of Transformers biology/technology.
I'm running a transformers D&D game with my friends. My character is a triple changer whose alt-modes are a HALO helicopter and a Russian submarine.
Always enjoy your videos and the work you put in.
Thanks for this episode of the Transformers basics! I love the art of transformation! Still waiting for the Transformers basics episode on Megatron!!!
Chris might only pop out a few videos every month..but it's totally worth the wait and sub for the content..amazing attention to detail..
I really like the concept of Functionism in Transformers canon because it gives Megatron a reason to be the villain besides being a power-hungry criminal, that being if he was born to be a weapon of destruction than the greatest damn weapon of destruction he shall be.
"Deceptions! Convert and crush!" Could work as the Deception version though.
I think the concept of "Functionism" is one of the most interesting concepts to come out of modern Transformers media. It definitely gives the Decepticons a more fleshed out origin other than Megatron just wanting power for power's sake. Great video, as always, Chris!
sounds more like communist propaganda trash to me
@@g0nkdroid 😒
@@g0nkdroid It's supposed to be an allegory for real-world classism.
Now we need the basics of the basics
I saw hot rod in the thumbnail and I was like “Omg! He finally did a hot rod basics!!” But I was wrong
Damn, I had hoped this would also give us clarity on how they're able to see in vehicle mode.
Like, do they see with the head lights, or are the optics somehow in the cockpit?? Has this ever been explained?!
I think a couple of shows have delved into it- G1 Optimus apparently needs a clean windscreen to see.
I think the IDW comics introduced a new artificial species of Cybertronians that could also transform into whatever they want, including using it as a way to heal.
Actually i wonder if that could be a useful video? Cybertronian healing and health?
I seriously respect your video editing abilities to be able to price together something like this each week
Love the idea of fixed transformations and type of altmode like Is tied to their body mass and color scheme. You can scan an altmode that your body would be able to turn to.
Thank you for another great episode!
If i could "convert" i would like to be a Valkyrie Veritech fighter, because that was just another reason why i love transformers!
Speaking of crossovers i believe that Vulture Droids also deserve a mention as the Transformers of the Star Wars Universe!
The Transformers has had crossover toys with multiple other franchises, from Star Wars to Ghostbusters to Back to the Future. But aside from the recent comic line, there has never been a proper crossover with My Little Pony. ...heck, I don't even think Beast Wars even HAD a horse in their line. So, be it realistic or pastel marshmallow, that is what I choose as my alt mode.
I see you are unaware of the MLP / Transformers crossover comic being published right now.
@@foldabotZ Sentence 2: "But aside from the recent comic line..."
I already covered that. The point I was making was a lack of Pony in the *Toy Line* specifically, be it a realistic horse for the Beast Wars line, or one of the Mane Six who transforms into their Equestria Girls counterpart.
There was a Beast Wars Neo Maximal with a Horse Beast Mode named Mach Kick.
@@cyberdraco001 **Google search** Huh. I thought those two horse-bots were made for the comic. Didn't realize that they were remolds of an existing character/figure. Too bad the actual toy never left Japan.
Funnily, enough one of Fun Publications' scrapped idea for a convention exclusive toy was a recolor of Beast Machines' Battle Unicorn figure as "Twilight Sparkle Prime."
I'd transform into a Tardis and have the ability to time travel.
I present to you Optimus Time...aka the real reason the Daleks lost the Time War, yes?! (See www.flickfilosopher.com/2013/07/doctor-who-thing-tardis-transformer-toy-you-can-make-yourself.html for more details...)
@@evandavid2816 We got a Lego TARDIS and a Transformer DeLorean, so why not? Now I wish I had access to a 3D printer!
Nicely done!
Really good idea, someone should make this happen - lookin' at you 3rd Parties
@@rolmodel12. I'm hoping for a proper Doctor Who/Transformers crossover comic some day at least...I want this scene at www.deviantart.com/mattmoylan/art/Commission-Grimlecks-118366084 to be canonical, yes?!
There is an Enterprise transformers in a spin-off comic so why not a TARDIS as well
I remember ROFL’ing in Fall of Cybertron when Ratchet really told Bumblebee “change form and roll out”. It had gotten that bad
Solid work, old chap. Good to see an unbiased sweep across the whole of the lore. I remember back in the day there was something in the bible for the Beast Wars show that Transformers were intended to have up to four slots, including robot, for their various modes. Only Primal managed to hit four different form in the same shell by the end of the series.
I think Simon Furman was involved, possibly hovering like some sort of predatory bird.
I am still of the belief that Unicron was NOT a Transformer until he reconfigured Megatron and took the secret of transforming from him.
Unicorn is a giant f****** murder machine and also the god of entropy and death and destruction and chaos he's whatever the f*** he wants to be
I love the concept of the transformation cogs. So much so, that I incorporated them into a D&D campaign with Warforged, which are constructs not unlike the Transformers themselves
Since Soundwave is one of my favourite transformers of all time, I'd probably want his cassette player alt mode.
Great job as usual! I'm really looking forward to those triplechangers/multichangers and functionism videos.
Core>head>mini-titian that transforms into a starship
Yey, This is my request in your last video about ratchet, I said made a video about transforming and then boom!! Here it is!!!. Love your vids, Keep up the great work.😊😊
If I was to transform, I would take on a technorganic falcon or tiger form. I would also have a Super-God Masterforce style Pretender body to blend in with humans.
Hi, long time lurker, just had to comment as there was a video I watched way back when video shops were on every corner. I was young at the time, but recall a few bits and pieces, which I've occasionally searched for to no avail. So while catching up on your new episode that I've found it, or more accurately, you've found it! The show I watched was Brave Raideen! Thank you for helping me solve this decades old mystery. Great channel and always look forward to your next episode.
Chris: tell me what your alt mode would be in the comment section below
Me: where do I even begin
Nvm I got one. A train with two cars that transforms/combines like Overlord
First time watcher...that accent...I love it!!
You missed a big one in the history of transforming toys Macross in 1982 and its two meta series counterparts SDC Orguss and Southern Cross which used the idea in their shows. Also you can thank Macross for popularizing the triple changer idea in the first place with the VF-1 Valkyrie ( which Jetfire was based on).
And just why is no one going to address the rest of the transforming robots Takara made? Such as, oh, I don't, THE YUUSHA SERIES?!
Triple changing. That’s a good idea for an episode.
If I picked an alt mode it would probably be a tank or other high armor alt mode. Most likely though I would end up with a simple one like Fort Max where I would basically just lay down.
Great video as per usual thanks
I was thinking about making a basics pun or joke but he beat me to it immediately
Autobots: Transform and Roll out!
Decepticons: Covert and Conquer!
Ah yes, known function of cogs, scanning things. That's what cogs are for, right? You know all that archaic early technology that constantly scanned things.
My head Cannon is that they contain the information and also stop the robots from killing themselves see you could build a Transformer without a teacog cuz it won't be alive it'll just be a robot but to having a live one you need it because unlike a robot you can't fix a cybertronian when they accidentally shish kabob themselves with themselves
I would be a big tank if I could transform. No more traffic worries then! Ha, wonderful video as always!
Personally I think it would be cool if (somehow) Soundwave was a multiformer that could convert into his cassette's beast modes, (maybe he got fused with them, I don't know). And I'd be wolf and dragon triple changer
I'd want multiple alt modes to cover as many potential terrains as possible, so I'd pick being a Six Changer like Sixshot, with the modern interpretation of his gun mode as a submarine so I'd have an underwater mode covered.
If I had the ability to transform, I'd choose a splitter-type. With a tank, a jet, and a submarine as the components.
Very intresting
In other words... You're a Combiner.
Though you split yourself into components, but still need to combine to become you.
I LOVE that HOT ROD is the thumbnail.
I’d like to be a triple changer and become part of a combiner, like Scattershot, but I’d wanna have some space faring vehicle mode & a beast mode like a horrorcon
woundlt thet be a quad changer
@@KilosFoxo The combiner part form doesn’t count as an actual form.
How about like Scorpionok?
Though bigger than a Combiner, it's a triple changer (humanoid, spaceship, and scorpion beast mode)
Great video. Very informative
3:15 "Bots got stuck between modes as they tried to transform"
That's... that's legit horror there, right? Or is it just me?...
I can listen to that transformation noise, over, and over, and over again.