Hi there, this is Michael Dobson the voice actor who voiced the Armada Starscream, I just wanted to drop by to give a very heart felt THANKS for your most humbling and positive review of the Armada Starscream! Starscream remains very dear to my heart all these years later and this brought back many great memories. My thanks also, to all the very kind words in the comments...I just wanted to say you all made my day!!! Wishing you and all your followers all the very BEST of EVERYTHING ALWAYS!!! Your very humbled Pal, Starscream / Michael Dobson. ALL HAIL THE DECEPTICONS!!!...Oh, I am now a proud subscriber...Great Work!!!...Keep e'm coming my Friend!! Cheers!
Wow, this is awesome thank you Michael so much for your kind words, it truly means a lot. You deserve all the praise for delivering such an incredible and heartfelt performance. I feel so honoured you’ve watched and subscribed! Once again, thank you Michael, wishing you the very best! 😎
@@ComodinCam Cheers my Friend!! As a fellow Brit, knowing that I have some love back in the UK, means the world to me! Huge thanks again my Brother, all the very best to you always...Cheers!💫
"I tried to gain favor from you. But nothing was ever good enough. No matter how many battles I fought, you always found fault. Then I saw how Optimus treated his men, and I realized he was a leader of integrity. Unlike you." _-Starscream to Megatron/Galvatron, Transformers Armada_
Right there, Armada Starscream did something his other cartoon selves could never understand: speaking honestly, respectfully _and_ peacefully to the 'bots he once hated more than anything. Absolutely epic.
@@northernalpine4350 I just imagine the thickest bonk coming form that energon cube making contact, like a Lawbringer attack in For Honor meme videos (Which I now recommend you must see for context) I just love the idea that the reason Megatron actually survives any damage is that he just comes out of a giant oven like a conveyor line, too good - But this one just *had* a cube on the ready to yeet at him.
Same here. It was baffling to see that Armada has the only incarnation of Starscream who isn't a complete joke. And the only incarnation of Starscream to get a character arc that was emotionally investing and respectful.
Litterally describing my thought process when I watched other versions as Armada was the first I was introduced too. I was like "wtf that's really Starscream" looked up and really made me sad for days
when starscream said "it's time to finish this once and for all! you're all mine, unicron!", he was absolutely right. he was the one reason galvatron really allied with the autobots. he was the one reason unicron was defeated.
"He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron." -Optimus Primal's eulogy for Dinobot fits this scene pretty damn well
@@CornBreadtm1 The Unicron Trilogy Starscream isn't immortal though, at least as far as I know. The only reason he's around in Energon and Cybertron is because the Alpha Quintesson tried and somewhat failed to revive him with Energon, leaving him incomplete and amnesiac.
Armada Starscream is my no. 1 favorite incarnation mainly because he was taken seriously as a threat and as a character. It felt so unique to see a Starscream that wasn't just there to serve as comic relief but an actual pivotal point of the story.
I also love how his skills as a swordsman also improved. Early in series he was beaten by Hotshot with the starsaber but with his final confrontation with Galvatron, Starscream out skills him with his own blade.
I've always felt that this Megatron and Starscream, and In TF prime, had a lot of "the sith rule of two" relationship. Megatron grooms Starscream, but is never willing to give up command. Thats why unlike other decepticons defectors, he teaches him lessons in brutal ways after many betrayals, instead of scrapping him. Megatron desires for Starscream to become stronger, smarter, and more cunning with his treachery, but everytime he gains confidence/arrogance he must again be beaten into submission. Megatron is definitely toxic, but lets be honest, if it were any other bot that betrayed him, he would kill him/her on the spot.
I wish Starscream in TF Prime took the same route. Imagine seeing the littreal culture shuck. After a millenia of warfare under megatron, joining Optimus and actually operating with him. Imagine Starscream acidently calling him Lord Optimus or something, or flinching, and showing signs of the abuse. The culture shock part would be sick. We also already saw how Starscream worked with Mech. Imagine if Starscream basically said "fuck the war" and became a "defence consultant" like he did with Mech. I honestly see something like that happening. Imagine the dude becomes a pacifist halfway through.
@@honkhonk8009 "Wait, so you're saying I can just not get the shit beat out of me and emotionally abused if I just sell out BOTH sides? Fuck this war shit ima do that."
@@honkhonk8009 He did show signs of possible change, but abuse is hard to break away from. Plus his ego was also getting in the way of actual change on his own. Honestly, if Arcee didn't try and kill him, he'd have probably stuck around with the Autobots and would have probably changed for the better.
Alexis breaking down and crying “why?!” After finding out of his death always stuck with me and was something that showed me how Armada Starscream deep down was a genuinely good person....bot
@@chaoticneutral7976 so true. The Starscream in Energon and Cybertron is not the same one. He was made from the same blueprint, but disassociates himself from the hero who died to save his home.
"I can't help but hate that he destroyed the trees... bad Starscream." Gotta admit however that that moment had one of the coolest laser beam sound effects ever.
I think what makes Armada Starscream hit different is that he as an incarnation of Starscream is such a wild departure from OG Scheming Screamer, and his defection from the Decepticons is played totally straight; in most other Transformers series, defections aren't treated very seriously. At best, they take up a single episode and are never discussed again, or they're soft defections like Prime Dreadwing. When Armada Starscream leaves the Cons, it's a wild and haphazard escape, and he isn't immediately trusted by the Autobots. And even when Optimus takes him in, Hotshot still gives Starscream a hard time. And even after Starscream rejoins the Decepticons, he's on thin ice with Megatron. The best part is this all plays into Starscream's sacrifice, too, because when Starscream sacrifices himself, Megatron finally realizes that not only was Starscream a worthy Decepticon, he might have genuinely been a better Decepticon than Megatron Himself. Edit: I also want to point out a tragic lining on Starscream's sacrifice; Starscream couldn't possibly have known Galvatron would have actually been moved by his death. For all intents and purposes, Starscream made a gamble that he'd never know the outcome of, especially since he had to have known Unicron would kill him.
To be honest I grew up with Beast Wars and Armada so this was how I always knew Starscream. When I started watching others like G1 I kinda was put off from Transformers when I found out this version was the exception, not the rule. Although the Bay films helped cement that for sure...
That error gag at 30:33 was perfect! The long silence really showed how thoroughly confused he was, and the sound of error pop-ups just wrapped it all up in a sudden "W h a t".
21:49 i actually get watery eyes hearing him say “we autobots” not “the autobots”. Really shows how far he’s come with just a little word change like that.
The music from Starscream scene “painful war” is really good, you can hear the heroic brass coupled with the more intense violins as it slowly builds up. And in the scene where starscream gets obliterated the violins absolutely take over the scene with these tragic yet grandeur sounding notes. Its a short little segment in the song but i think that represents how little time it took for star-scream to prove his point, and the song quickly fades away just like his spark. He made his impact in just a couple seconds, and changed to course of the war with his sacrifice. With the violins then sounding quieter in the proceeding track, his spark and dust turned into ash flowing away with his place in the world sealed.
I grew up with this Starscream and remember him fondly as well. I was so confused when I kept seeing the complete sinister traitor Starscream in later series. I get the appeal and love Tom Kenny and Steve Blume's performances in the role, but to this day I hope to see a Starscream as nuanced and interesting as Armada's.
I agree... I wanna see another take on the noble version of Starscream that we got in Armada. Part of me wants to see him still be a usurper. But like Armada, he starts off loyal until his disillusionment and hatred of Megatron grows over time, to the point where he actually manages to overthrow him and become an even more competent leader than Megatron. But like Armada Starscream, he is no coward, and he has his honor to the point of respecting the Autobots' motives and drive. And of course, the dynamic of a human befriending a Decepticon... but I really doubt anything could top the friendship that Alexis had with Starscream. Is it any wonder that for a long time, Starscream has always been my favorite Decepticon?
@@markwilson4686 Hated how that show dropped several interesting subplots with Starscream and in general, only to throw them away within a few episodes.
You know, one thing that people should remember is that when we take a unique approach to a character, we should keep some things that make the character what he is, not just write a new character and slap on him tge name of a pre-existing character. Armada Starscream succeeded on that remark. Yes, he is very different from the usual Starscream, but at the end of the day muktiple ekements of Starscream's character are still in there (the treachery, the hunger for power, the ego), they just have a unique spin on them in order to fit with Armada Starscream's truly unique personality traits...and they fit. It truly feels that those negative traits are the result of Starscream being a victim of abuse who finally finds a chance to stand up to his abuser and give him a taste of his own medicine, making it all the more powerful when he eventually overcomes those negative aspects of his and confronts Galvatron as what he truly is, an honorable warrior.
Honestly, that's a major reason Armada Starscream stands out so much. Lots of writers seem to think that creating a new character that looks like an old one with that character's name is the same as actually re-working/improving on that character. It's a major reason a _LOT_ of people hate the Teen Titans Go! and PowerPuff Girls reboots; the characters are just poor fascimiles of their more iconic iterations and/or are just barely even recognizable. Armada Starscream, of all instances, somehow got this _right._ Virtually every other animated Starscream is a one-dimensional traitorous coward, yet Armada remedied this by actually giving his character more depth and dimensions than pretty much any other incarnation. He's basically just the result of what would happen if the other backstabbing Starscreams were actually competent and had actual good reasons for their treason and ego. Armada Starscream having these traits is exactly what allows him to connect with Alexis and Optimus to gradually grow as a person. Honestly, Armada Starscream would most likely hate and look down on his other cartoon selves if he crossed universes to meet them, since those other Starscreams are basically the embodiments of Armada Starscream's lowest/worst traits. They are the worser versions of the person that Armada Starscream could've become if he didn't meet Alexis and his universe's Autobots, which made all the difference from a cowardly traitor to a selfless soldier. Not even Megatron, who knew Starscream's faults more than anyone, could deny him that much.
And it was clearly well planned from the start too. What few changes were made to Starscream play heavily into his character arc, he's not a whole new Starscream, but he's just different enough to break the mold.
Armada was truly a timeless masterpiece and the best tf japanese stuff after cybertron-energon-the headmasters and has a great comedy-designs-characters,too bad hasbro totally forgor about this legend
The amount of character development that has surrounded Starscream for the past years is way larger than anyone else. Only true fans who have read the comics and such know that it isn’t about being a deception, or autobot for him. It’s not about him truly wanting a throne. He just wants respect, but doesn’t know, to go about life. There is much more, much more to be said…
They remember, it’s just the g1 bandwagon got out of hand after the 2nd movie that they put most of their effort into pleasing them, hell people are still into animated and prime but you rarely get anything aside from Easter eggs here and there
You must be joking. The writing and animation didn't get good until near the end of the series. Most of the series was unwatchable "gotta catch em' all" tripe.
This starscream longed for acknowledgement. He wasn't the back stabbing coward from G1. He was actually loyal to Optimus and the Autobots. The man went out of his shield and died a warrior's death. He was my favorite version of the character outside the comics.
Despite it's rough start and early translation goofs Armada became an instant favorite of mine. I remember being impressed at how the show gradually improved with the characters and the animation. And I actually began to care about the human characters.
yea! Armada was the one show which had me clinching my fist and really scared for the characters...you feel like the characters were really at risk and could die at any moment, unlike the other kids' shows...gave me a lot of minor traumas haha
While Dinobot and Starscream have similar arcs they are different from eachother: Dinobot struggled more with his core programming while Starscream seemed to me be someone who was looking for something to fight for.
in the scene of the english version of armada when starscream is abandoned and screaming "why" to the sky, in the japanese version he's not screaming at all, but just stands there and questions his existence, asking himself "what am i doing?"
That boy was unicron's death knell. The scream of a banshee that denotes eminent death. The bell that tolled for the monster. I always found him to be the MC. Not a cringe "I'm the main character!!" But a "I want to be better, even if my leader wants to use me as a tool." He is more human then even the humans in the cast.
Armada Starscream's remarkably 'human' journey of discovery, not just of who he was (or rather, who he wanted to be), but of those around him is definitely the shining highlight of Armada. He went from blind loyalty to Megatron, to a grudge, to actively wanting to kill his leader, to setting it all aside in the face of the enemy of all life. He went from a simple soldier, to an aspiring second in command, to seeking power for himself, to surrendering that power to his former enemies in the Autobots, to sacrificing his own life just to make a point. He went from an underling and a Decepticon to a traiter and an Autobot, from a member of a squad to a loner to a confused friend of humans and Minicons like few others. Of all the Transformers in the series, none of them formed as close a bond with any of the humans as Starscream did with Alexis (excluding the Minicons, but that's a bit of a different story.) His long arc showing him discovering emotions that would sound foreign to any self-respecting Decepticon, his journey from reckless abandon to self-control and selfless service, is a singularly remarkable one in the entire franchise. This Starscream resonated with me as a kid, first watching the show. I was the second and last of two sons in my family, and I grew up trying to gain recognition and favor, applying my skills and my will to learn, to grow, to create, to contribute. Much like Starscream, I felt like the only things anyone ever pointed out to me was my flaws, failures, mistakes, and everything good I tried to do was downplayed or ignored. I knew Starscream was a 'villain', yet there was so much of myself I saw reflected in this character, and nothing was more inspiring than watching him proudly march to certain death. I still remember the chills when he fired the proton cannon with that last shout of defiance against a literal multiverse-eating chaos monster planet. Despite TF: Energon and Cybertron not being regarded anywhere near as fondly in the community as Armada, I still found myself watching over Starscream's return and continued presence, and at the tail end of Cybertron, I also felt a sense of pride watching the Starscream that had so long ago failed to combat Unicron going toe-to-to with a fully powered Primus. Sure, he lost that fight too, and it's hard to see in the Starscream of the end of Cybertron the one we rooted for in Armada, but still; even in Armada, it took both sides working together in a grueling final battle to defeat Unicron, and here we saw Starscream literally taking on the literal creator of the Transformers in a one-on-one confrontation that saw friggin' moons being used as weapons. That's some Guren Lagann level stuff right there. Armada Starscream's lingering contribution to the franchise is that, somewhere in all Transformers fans that know his story, there's always a great pleasure whenever another iteration of Starscream shows honor, tact, compassion, friendship, or other positive developments, times where he breaks away from the simple "bungling power-hungry second in command" stereotype. We love to see the faint hints of Starscream: The Hero bubbling back to the surface, and we hunger for it every time he's on screen. We want to see him with the good guys; we want to see him win; we want to see him finally get his happy ending. Because somewhere out there is a universe where he gets one, and he sure earned it.
Cybertron Starscream is definitely an underated one because he's basically if G1 starscream was actually competent and played the long game properly and I see him now like Cybertron Megatron as ghosts really, corrupted husks of what they used to be that need to be laid to rest all thanks to Unicron and those who would try to use his power ...also that one had the best day any starscream will ever have
@@Xeno-The-Wanderer yeah. cybertron starscream wasn’t just a backstabber (like he is most of the time), he was smart and actually had the skill/power to back it up
I like this take on Starscream: he's still treacherous and self-serving, even toward the heroes who welcome him with open arms, but he wants respect and appreciation, which many of us can relate to.
“Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence." "He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron."
Seriously, out of all the possible breakout characters, I would _NOT_ have expected it to be Starscream. Yet somehow the writers actually took a character known for cowardice and treachery, and _believably_ developed him for a send-off as a selfless and honorable soldier. Armada Starscream's sacrifice is legit something that his other cartoon versions could _never_ pull off, let alone even understand or get behind, and that's honestly just incredible.
I often thought the reason Megatron was so abusive to Starscream was a low key way of him trying to get Scarscream to surpass him and take his rightful place of the Decepticons afterall the strongest and most cunning lead the Decepticons.
@@501ststormtrooper9 Even if their relaitonship was abusive Megatron PUSHED Starscream. He WANTED to be suppased. Even if Megatron was also afraid of being overthrown. Do you think your enemies will coddle you? Do you expect people to care instead of taking advantage of you? So, yes, Megatron taught Starscream that the world can be a cold, uncaring place. That's megatron's perception of it. And as bad as that might seem... he's also correct. What megatron lost sight of is that even if the world can be as cold and heartless as it is there's also the other side of it. Megatron is used to being detached. Distent. He doesn't want to be close to anyone. But Starscream? Starscream got Megatron's full attention. Only someone that sees potential in you would abuse you like that. Otherwise they wouldn't even give you the time of day at all. Which is worse? To be challenged or to not even be worth killing at all? The later can be a fate worse then death. Worse then any physical blow. The two endrued all the hard times. And in the end Megatron himself respected Starscream. He knows he's a bastard. But if you was in his situation where the universe is against you from all sides you probably would be too. Wherever that's a good thing or a bad thing can be pretty complicated. Where there's abuse there is care. Where there's care there is abuse. They call it getting through hard times for a reason. It's more important to keep challenging each other so people can improve. Otherwise the laziness and sloth will result in lack of self improvement. So if you think about it... It's possible Starscream turned out the way he did "because" of the abuse in some ways. He was challenged. Pushed to breaking point. And he endured. He learned strength FROM weakness. That's perhaps one of the most important lessons anyone can ever learn. Wherever Megatron intended to teach that lesson? Hard to say. I think it's part of what he attempts to demonstrate. Be strong if you want to beat him. Be weak and you lose. Yet at the same time the lessons come from such weakness. Learning how to play the game? That's the trick. In the end you can only really employ your own methods, even if it requires following the pattern of awareness and honesty. If one is too soft then you will be soft. If one is too hard then you too will be harder. I actually consider the harsher approch more effective. The results speak for themselves. You saw it in Starscream right here. There's also other factors at play that Megatron doesn't employ. That's where he drops the ball. But hey, he's running a gang here. He's not fully committed to improving just you. At the same time he can if he will. As a result his teaching methods will be flawed. He just can't invest his full undivided attention to Starscream to that extent. Well, he could, but then the decepticons would become weaker for it. Which then threatens Megatron/Starscream themselves. In a sense it's a bit "political". The situation has to be viewed from a decepticon viewpoint in order to understand it.
Out of all of Starscream's incarnations, his interpretation in Armada was one of, if not my favorite versions of him. And his death is right up there with Optimus in Transformers: The Movie & Dinobot in Beast Wars as the trinity of sad deaths in Transformers. Props to Michael Dobson for doing a good job voicing him as well.
As someone who watched the series as a kid this portrayal of starscream stuck with me. I’ve only ever been a casual enjoyer of transformers media but even as a child I could tell that the story had struck something special with the arc of the character. I think it’s clear it resonated with a lot of people strongly and has stuck with them well into adulthood.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Unicron Trilogy, but I genuinely wish that that the later entries kept Starscream like this. He barely seems like the same character from that point onward and it's just saddening to see that, especially after all he's been through.
@@LordTyph Energon was connected, Cybertron wasn't. I personally like to pretend that the former doesn't exist and that the latter is (like in the Japanese version) unconnected.
You have no idea how glad I am to have come across this video. I still go back and watch that scene where StarScream rips the blade out of his chest, and fires everything he has left toward Unicron, knowing it would be his last attack. This show was a glorious part of my childhood. Thank you for making this! Great job!
This starscream was always my favourite. His story of going from a ambitious Decepticon to a tragic hero who was willing to not only put his life on the line he then sacrificed himself to show Megatron how powerful he was so that he would join the Autobots and protect the ones he cared about. One of my favourite Transformers series. It’s a shame that this series was the only series to actually make this version of Starscream while the other Starscreams from other series have never come close to this version.
Star Scream is one of my favorite characters out of all Transformers media with Armada definitely being the gold standard but a close runner up being the Prime version. With him starting out as his usual traitor version only to slowly over the course of the series realize that he isn't a leader and that all his scheming is only harming himself in the long run. Not to mention it was refreshing to see Megatron actually be wise to Star Scream being a snake that is always trying to stab him in the back.
26:37 "He is a dumb boi" Another reason why he is different compared to other Starscreams) But I must say, he did something clever actually. When Megatron was about to finish Hotshot and Red Alert, Starscream offered to take them as hostages instead. He literally tried to save their lives.
he had another idea in hes head he tried to side them to decepticon side ... he was in the persued autobots to join decepticon side ... was one of hes jobs
I remember when I watched Starscream's death on TV when I was 8 or so. It was the first time I'd seen a character die in a show, and I just bawled. My parents came into the room to ask me what was wrong and I couldn't even explain how I felt watching him just... Cease to exist like that. Even now, watching it happen again in this recap, I get a little choked up. He went from a soldier trying desperately to prove himself, to a hero willing to stand up and die for his beliefs. If only we could all be so principled.
@@maxhydekyle2425 That is exactly how I felt tbh. This character that was for all intents and purposes *real* to me just fucking DIED and I was heartbroken.
I see Armada Starscream as an adaptation of Simon Furman Era Marvel G1 Scorponok, particularly in the Unicron Saga from he goes from a power-hungry Decepticon to a noble one that went against the grain of his fellow Decepticons and recognise the greater threat of Unicron. Like Armada Starscream, he’s siding with Optimus Prime over his badge because he knows his stance is the more correct one than the Decepticons’.
while watching it very recently (days ago), i was just laughing at the absurdity that a young child would be allowed to watch that kind of stuff; with the abuse and the deaths of characters and then just a "see you next week kids!" -leaving the poor tykes with the trauma. granted; it wasn't until after i had watched through armada and it's dark stuff and straight up nightmare-fuel, that i looked up the age-rating and found out it was PG 13+, while i think all transformers seasons before it in both english and japanese were PG for all audiences.
I agree: would be nice to have another version of this starscream and totally agree: this starscream has the same sort of traits as beast wars dinobot and would be cool to have that sort of dinoscream combo in another story
What's interesting to me was they made Starscream like Dinobot, but knew it would be a mistake to lack a Starscream-like character entirely, which I feel like is why Thrust was brought into the fold.
0:20 Only just noticed Hot Shot had the Decepticon emblem instead of the Autobot one, I know picking up on Armada's animation errors is like kicking a dead horse but I never noticed this until now and thought it was interesting. Unless I'm completely wrong and Hot Shot was undercover this episode since I haven't watched Armada in about a decade.
I love this take on Starscream. He pioneered on making a new take on Starscream, and being actually successful if you were to ask me. He was such an integral part of the shows themes and story. His death was not tragic for who he was, but for what he reveals about Armadas themes. Armada focuses a lot on war and the deeper effects of it. Only thanks to Starscreams sacrifice, its that Armadas cast is put in a spot to truely explore and end Armadas Story. The one problem I have with it is that for what I expected when first watching the show, Starscreams arc was kinda short. I wish he had spent more time with the Autobots, and that we actually got to see more of his side struggles.
I thought I was the only one who remembered this. I genuinely still have in the back of my head "that one time Starscream was an Autobot" as a fond memory.
I honestly wish to see another Starscream or another transformers character (excluding Deadlock a.k.a Drift) go on a similar path. One of my favourite lines from this Starscream is when he tells Alexis and Hotshot that he’s not sure of anything anymore because it shows just how much his world of his duty and the world of those he cares about clashing against eachother
I had never watch this show and yet this Starscream made me feel something completely new. I felt deeply inspired, emotional, and proud throughout the whole video. Despite the show's clear mistakes, I'll gladly watch it just to truly experience Starscream's development. God damn I almost cried during the speech he gave before he died.
After being reminded how close Starscream was with the Minicons of the Starsaber, it really makes me sad that they didn't get a chance to react or share their thoughts on the matter. Instead they are just stuck in sword mode, held by Galvatron. Just having the sword separate and then having Runway, Jetstorm and Sonar standing next to Swindle to mourn Starscream togethere would have been even more sad...
I love this vid and all I gotta say is in the chapter 4 part about starscreen. To me at least what makes the scene that much more impactful rewatching it as an adult is that he literally removed one of the most powerful swords from his core with his bare hands. Showing he knows what he needs to do and is resolved to his very core to see it through even if that means death.
Armada remains my all time favorite Transformers content ever!!!!!! Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo GOOD!! Starscream's struggle for acceptance and his duality was so beautifully portrayed, I just couldn't see him as a coward after all that he did in Armada. He was my favorite character from the series.
Can you discuss Armada Hot Shot. He has such an interesting story, being similar to Starscream, trying to prove himself and getting actual development throughout the show. His defining moment is "All forces prepare for Battle." Except for Wheeljack, the rest of the Transformer command say do not attack, wanting to save their leaders. Hot Shot attacks Unicron, making himself out, also, with the color upgrades Armada's done, he goes from Bumblebee to Hot Rod in a sense.
I remember as a kid watching Armada and then the Bayverse films - and being so disappointed Alexis wasn't cast as a character, and that Starscream was relegated to a few lines and no character arc. I loved the human/robot relationship they had and desperately wanted to see it on the big screen, but alas. I kinda reacted like you did with the blue starscream toy at Christmas XD It would be my dream for the movieverse to one day explore a relationship between human and decepticon - but it feels like they're stuck on a more simple black and white characters where only the autobots can be developed and "good"(Bumblebee took a baby step in that direction). It's so unique and interesting! I guess at least there's always fanfics lol. thanks for this video, was so nice to see someone give Armada Starscream the attention he deserves, I hope we see more iterations of him like that someday.
Gosh I just binged watched all of TF: Cybertron. I find it both hilarious and awesome how Starscream lived past Megatron in this series. Starscream totally tricked Megatron into fighting Optimus Prime to the death. In my personal opinion Starscream is definitely the most tragic character in the Unicron Trilogy, because of all the abuse he went through during Armada. Only if the others actually knew they would understand. It's also weird to see Soundwave standing by Starscream's side hahaha. Sideways too since he served Unicron in TF: Armada. Guess they always knew who the true victor would be in the end. I agree with you I was never into TF: Energon. TF: Cybertron was the show I grew up watching. I was unfortunately too young when Armada came out however did eventually watch it.
those 2 were only really with him because all 3 were blown into that dimension, later on it's seen that sideways and soundwave found a planet X and Starscream somehow found a way to make it back to the main universe where Wing Saber Landmine and Mudflap went to hunt him down
I loved the Armada/Energon/Cybertron series, regarding Starscream. They gave us quite a few interesting concept ideas for Starscream's storyline that were recuperated, later on, in games, comics and other series. The most interesting one was the idea that Starscream wasn't an incompetent buffoon and a bad leader, but that those "facts" were just part of a smear campaign by Megatron to prevent Starscream from overthrowing him or for the Seekers to side with Starscream and desert, causing Megatron to loose an important chunk of his army. I also loved that we got to see things from Starscream's perspective and to see in how difficult of a position he's in, both at the top of the Decepticon hierarchy, while also being constantly in danger of being backstabbed, executed or murdered. The series showed us a Starscream forced to work for someone he deeply hated and showed us what kind of toll it took on his sanity. Couple that with Megatron's constant bullying and manipulation to keep Starscream "in his place" and we get to see what an absolute mess Starscream's life actually is. This explains why he grabbed the "lifeline" that Alexis threw him, with her invitation of friendship, relationships with humans being something that were free of negative experiences, unlike Starscream's interactions with the Autobots. What I would've like to see, either in the "Unicron Trilogy" or other media, would've been for someone to dig this idea of Starscream getting back his footing, thanks to his friendship/alliance with humans and begin to build his own "side" successfully with some humans... maybe clean his reputation that Megatron ruined... maybe get the Seekers to side back with him... or maybe Starscream could use his human friends to successfully hide from Decepticons and Autobots to go do his own thing... It's just fun to watch Starscream not being cartoonishly incompetent.
I’m so happy to see the character writing of Transformers Armada being talked about on RUclips and it getting lots of views. I’ve always appreciated this show for being unique in the Transformers franchise and it’s refreshing to hear others feel the same way about the show.
I will likely watch Armada after seeing this, as I was not aware it existed. As for Starscream, his death is interesting in that he effectively embodied both Decepticon and Autobot ideals in his greatest moment. He was a true soldier, giving his life for a cause greater than his own- just as Megatron wanted. However, he sacrificed himself in order to make sure others lived and to do what was right for the future of Earth, Humanity, and the Transformers- an ideal Optimus respects. Starscream was not a good Autobot, and not a good Decepticon, but he was certainly a great Transformer in this series. I want Starscream to get more love like this, though it does not have to be limited to Starscream alone. It could be just as interesting with other characters, if done right.
I realized something recently. This Starscream was basically Prince Zuko before Avatar The Last Airbender. He is a villain trying to earn the approval of an abusive parental figure who we gradually learn isn't as bad as he looks and works with the heroes just to betray them, before redeeming himself at the end of the series where he calls out his abuser.
This was a major surprise for me browsing through RUclips. I remember watching the Unicron trilogy as a kid and Armada was my first ever Transformers show. Watching this video made me remember a lot from Armada, but the one part that stuck with me was Armada's take on Starscream. You did a great job in highlighting this character and his growth throughout Armada. This version of Starscream will always be my favorite. Thanks for allowing me to remember not only the greatness of Armada but the story of the greatest version of Starscream to ever exist.
This Starscream goes to show that it doesn't take a super serious show to have phenomenal characters. My favorite iteration of him. Great Job sir, looking forward to the next one. I grew up with these guys, so it's so nice to see them getting the love they deserve. Would love to see a breakdown of Side-ways as well... hint...hint
Armada was the first Transformers series I remember actively watching. I wish I had taken better care of my Armada Starscream back then but I was quite young. He was honestly my favorite character in all of Armada.
Energon didn't ruin Starscream, Cybertron did. Energin had a running theme in it of Corruption, of what we thought was good and settled being dredged up and changed, and it felt delibrate. Inferno, Scorpanok, Megatron, they all felt Unicrons' presence in some way, and it started to corrupt them, some more than others. Megatron was able to shrug it off, but became a bit more unhinged. Scorpinok was defeated and brought back, a mindless thrall where a noble warrior once stood. Inferno fought a corrupting influence and barely made it back with his spark and mind intact. But the worst was Starscream. He was fully dead, gone, and nothing was left. Unicron brought him back as a Ghost, giving him one command: 'Sow Chaos'. Aimless, he was left to wander and wonder who he used to be. Not fully alive or dead, he was left shifting in and out of tangability. He knew two things; His name was Starscream, and he was a Master Swordsman. Everything else was bluster. In the end, he sided with Megatron not because he was a Decepticon, but because he had nowhere else to go, and he wasn't the same bot he'd died as anymore. That was taken away the moment the latent power of Unicron revived him. Cybertron, being a soft continuity reset that was retroactively chalked up to the Unicron Singularity, was the killing blow to Armada Starscream, reverting the character back to a lying, Kinaiving, backstabbing jackbumper. Even them, you can still see the noble Swordsman buried somewhere within, the Bot who prides himself on his Skills, and this time he had the chance, the drive, the abiluty to overthrow Megatron. He won. He got what he wanted, but it took him becomung a worse person to do so... though we were all proud of him when he took the Omega Lock... "I will return to the Allspark before I allow you to take the Omega Lock!" "THEN PREPARE TO MEET PRIMUS!" Still gives me chills.
While I respect your opinion and your long comment, I don’t think energon executed any of it’s themes it was going for at all, an ruined many of the elements that armada brought to the table, with its bad dialogue and lazy plotting that often ignored a lot of what it was going for, a lass when I think of the unicorn trilogy I only think of Armada as a solid stand alone story. That’s why I can’t blame the Japanese dub for wanting a fresh start and not even making Cybertron connected with the previous two with Galaxy force
Yeah, Starscream became very human, but then fell back into the darkness. However, I can't deny that Cybertron Starscream was still incredibly badass. Taking down every single Autobot singlehandedly, and even took on Optimus. Though he lost the battle against Optimus, he won the war by claiming the Omega Lock with 3 Cyber Keys. And we even got Starscream to fight Galvatron once more, and almost best him. And even then, Starscream didn't die. As said, he had merely been blown to another dimension. Now the question remains whether he will try to take over, or if he will eventually relearn the lessons he had once forgotten. We won't know, but I like to believe that when he comes back, with Megatron/Galvatron gone, the Decepticon cause ultimately fallen, and Primus' Spark having been restored, Starscream basically has no cause left to fight for.
I wouldnt say it completely ruined as isnt that the whole point having his character revert back to his old self in Cybertron because he was 'revived' with no other knowledge other than what kind of being he was, hence he learned to be that same douchebag he was through being a decepticon again
Yeah i never got into Cybertron, and I thought Energon had some good moments though like usual the human characters are freaking insufferable great way to take some of the more interesting human characters since the original from Armada and totally replace them with loud mouth edgy brats and annoying hangers on.
Please do more of these kinds of videos. I just found your channel after watching Armada, myself, and this was a fantastic video essay. The depth and exploration of Starscream's character and his development throughout the series was very insightful!
Oh this was so good!! Your video was so well organized and I was smiling the whole time because the jokes were hilarious too! Armada lore master right here! Also you’re right about how that scene when Starscream comes back after being abandoned sticks in your head. That music still gives me chills. Before I rewatched the show last year, those dark Starscream scenes were still burned in my mind from childhood
Not only were there CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (thank you Anime), but Megatron /defended/ Starscream's "honor". This is the equivalent of Skeletor speaking well about Beastman, or frankly ANY other lead villain in 80s and 90s fiction speaking well of ANY subordinate. Brave move, plot wise, and love it.
Starscreams relationship with Alexis instantly makes me think of the Transformers comicbook where Starscream discovers the joy of Christmas with the help of a human.. :) (December 1987)
I grew up on this version of starscream, and I remember becoming attached to him because like obviously he wasn't that bad of a person. It upset me greatly in the show when Megatron hit him and pretty much abused him. I was devastated near the ending of the show, I was upset for months. I felt really bad for him, he's a very interesting version of Starscream, and I will always love him. (anytime i rewatch Armada, I get very hostile towards megatron lmao)
After this video, I don’t care how much Armada fails at, I’m watching this anime, because of Starscream. Heck, I’ll even watch the other Transformer shows with him just being an evil traitor, I genuinely like his character now.
I want to see more versions of Armada Starscream. He was by far one of the most developed characters in any of the animated Transformers series in my opinion. Armada gave us something that isn’t all that often explored, which is a Decepticon having a crisis of conscience, and more relatable reasons for wanting to change allegiances, or in Starscreams case, the need to become leader.
This version of Starscream was actually my absolute favorite . He had a code of honor, the spirit of a true warrior and morale regrets he was trying to make up for. He did seem tragic but he did die like a true hero sacrificing only himself in the end and he refused to allow anyone else too make that sacrifice. He actually cared for others and did not have any goal of self worship or power. This Starscream was by far a huge change for the character. He went from being a sniveling, 2 faced, backstabbing coward to a true selfless warrior. But it took a huge fail to be humbled enough before he becomes a more heroic version of himself.
This will always and forever be my favorite incarnation of Starscream. Everything from his personality, to design, to voice in Armada and the remainder of The Unicron Trilogy, he was so much more different from other incarnations. To this day when I watch Armada Ep 48 Cramp I cry watching him in his final moments. Fighting for peace by giving up his own spark while attempting to challenge Unicron. One the most noble, honorable, selfless and complicated Starscreams if not the only one to exist and one I will forever cherish. Of course while still being that power hungry egotistical traitor. This video reminds me why I adore him so much. Thank you for Comodin Cam. You really know how to show the love to Armada.
I grew up with transformers armada as well, i love armada starscream character so much, glad he was written with such a amazing internal struggle and how he came to overcome it
the Armada Starscream was rather refreshing, it was a good take on a classic character, it could have easily been a new direction for Starscream, for future renditions of Transformers.
Armada is the reason that I loved Starscream, I felt hurt when he made his final stand, and I hope somewhere in the future we might get a version of Starscream as a full on Autobot.
My heart is so happy whenever I see Starscream follow his heart, and we need to keep in mind. This his “Programming” is very blurred when it comes to his spark. He has more than the potential to be honest, it’s just he was also never instructed how to be a kind person. Also, armada 10/10 (quiet Guitar 😭)
While i do consider Prime Starscream to be the definitive version of Starscream. I think however Armada Starscream is the best subversion of any Transformers charachter in my opinion. Also really good job on the video probably your best work so far and i would really love to see other videos like these about other charachters in the Transformers series.
The entire unicron trilogy’s various subversions would be welcome to see again and I’ll be happy with any one of them, a warrior wanting to prove himself, a personal assassin or one of the greatest Machiavellian schemers the franchise has ever seen. People may not be fond of the 2nd but the other 2 would make things more interesting compared to an incompetent cowardly schemer which gets annoying eventually
This is why Armada is my favorite show in Transformers! Starscream is a true warrior and deserves more credit in his role! This brings back so much nostalgia 😖
Hi there, this is Michael Dobson the voice actor who voiced the Armada Starscream, I just wanted to drop by to give a very heart felt THANKS for your most humbling and positive review of the Armada Starscream! Starscream remains very dear to my heart all these years later and this brought back many great memories. My thanks also, to all the very kind words in the comments...I just wanted to say you all made my day!!! Wishing you and all your followers all the very BEST of EVERYTHING ALWAYS!!! Your very humbled Pal, Starscream / Michael Dobson. ALL HAIL THE DECEPTICONS!!!...Oh, I am now a proud subscriber...Great Work!!!...Keep e'm coming my Friend!! Cheers!
Wow, this is awesome thank you Michael so much for your kind words, it truly means a lot. You deserve all the praise for delivering such an incredible and heartfelt performance. I feel so honoured you’ve watched and subscribed! Once again, thank you Michael, wishing you the very best! 😎
@@ComodinCam Cheers my Friend!! As a fellow Brit, knowing that I have some love back in the UK, means the world to me! Huge thanks again my Brother, all the very best to you always...Cheers!💫
So you're the guy who made my childhood happy👏
Thank you for being a big part of my childhood!
I had hoped the Earthspark reincarnation of Starscream, would turn out like your character.
In his final moments, StarScream actually lived up to his namesake. A scream heard amongst the stars. Best soldier, Best warrior.
oh my ~-~
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I am not an english speaker, like it’s not the tong spoken in my country, so when I was a kid, I was very confuse as why he was named Stars Cream…
@@kcrabe243 😭😭💀💀
“Traitor got what he deserved”
"I tried to gain favor from you. But nothing was ever good enough. No matter how many battles I fought, you always found fault. Then I saw how Optimus treated his men, and I realized he was a leader of integrity. Unlike you."
_-Starscream to Megatron/Galvatron, Transformers Armada_
Right there, Armada Starscream did something his other cartoon selves could never understand: speaking honestly, respectfully _and_ peacefully to the 'bots he once hated more than anything. Absolutely epic.
When did starscream say that?
@@josemorales-is6uv Right before he died
@@SoundwaveSC in what series ? I wanna watch it just based on that lil bit of dialogue alone
@@josemorales-is6uv In this one, Transformers Armada
The only thing I can say for Armada Starscream that hasn’t already been said is this:
He 100% had the Touch.
And the power
You've got the touch
He's got the the touch . Like the music 🎶
He's got the touch . I know that 🎵
Sometimes starscream could be kind of harsh , hot-headed, and kind sometimes,
This is the Starscream i will never forget. But G1 Starscream lives rent-free.
Megatron:
Starscream: M E G A T R O N H A S
F A L L E N
Starscream: I, STARSCREAM IS NOW YOUR LEADER
HAIL STARSCREAM!!!
(time alarm goes off)
(Throws energon cube at screamer)
Megatron: _"you disgust me"_
@@northernalpine4350 I just imagine the thickest bonk coming form that energon cube making contact, like a Lawbringer attack in For Honor meme videos (Which I now recommend you must see for context) I just love the idea that the reason Megatron actually survives any damage is that he just comes out of a giant oven like a conveyor line, too good - But this one just *had* a cube on the ready to yeet at him.
Megatron literately just like, tripped over a rock, and Starscream just shouting about taking over.
As a kid seeing this Starscream first, then growing up and finding out about the actual "mainstream" Starscream was a real low blow.
Same he was my favorite character.
Same here. It was baffling to see that Armada has the only incarnation of Starscream who isn't a complete joke. And the only incarnation of Starscream to get a character arc that was emotionally investing and respectful.
My thoughts exactly, but then there's the Bayformers Decepticons DS game version of him that was a pretty good take on that cliché Starscream
Litterally describing my thought process when I watched other versions as Armada was the first I was introduced too. I was like "wtf that's really Starscream" looked up and really made me sad for days
Honestly tho
when starscream said "it's time to finish this once and for all! you're all mine, unicron!", he was absolutely right. he was the one reason galvatron really allied with the autobots. he was the one reason unicron was defeated.
His spark was the one to light their darkest hour.
Here! Here!
👍
Even in G1 is Starscream who foils Unicorns plan for a round 2.
@@kratkartan1486 Starscream is also somehow the only transformer besides Optimus and Megatron that has an ever present spark.
"He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron." -Optimus Primal's eulogy for Dinobot fits this scene pretty damn well
Except Starscream canonically has an immortal spark.
Till All Are One.
@@CornBreadtm1 The Unicron Trilogy Starscream isn't immortal though, at least as far as I know. The only reason he's around in Energon and Cybertron is because the Alpha Quintesson tried and somewhat failed to revive him with Energon, leaving him incomplete and amnesiac.
@@calebporter3735 And we call that shit non-canon, HE DIED A HEROIC DEATH
anybody still remember the time starscream got *DESINTIGRATED*
Armada Starscream is my no. 1 favorite incarnation mainly because he was taken seriously as a threat and as a character. It felt so unique to see a Starscream that wasn't just there to serve as comic relief but an actual pivotal point of the story.
he's one of the few itirations of a decepticon understanding the folly of the decepticon cause and turning on them
And unlike every other Starscream, this one died a hero.
I also love how his skills as a swordsman also improved. Early in series he was beaten by Hotshot with the starsaber but with his final confrontation with Galvatron, Starscream out skills him with his own blade.
I've always felt that this Megatron and Starscream, and In TF prime, had a lot of "the sith rule of two" relationship. Megatron grooms Starscream, but is never willing to give up command. Thats why unlike other decepticons defectors, he teaches him lessons in brutal ways after many betrayals, instead of scrapping him. Megatron desires for Starscream to become stronger, smarter, and more cunning with his treachery, but everytime he gains confidence/arrogance he must again be beaten into submission. Megatron is definitely toxic, but lets be honest, if it were any other bot that betrayed him, he would kill him/her on the spot.
I wish Starscream in TF Prime took the same route.
Imagine seeing the littreal culture shuck. After a millenia of warfare under megatron, joining Optimus and actually operating with him.
Imagine Starscream acidently calling him Lord Optimus or something, or flinching, and showing signs of the abuse.
The culture shock part would be sick.
We also already saw how Starscream worked with Mech.
Imagine if Starscream basically said "fuck the war" and became a "defence consultant" like he did with Mech.
I honestly see something like that happening.
Imagine the dude becomes a pacifist halfway through.
@@honkhonk8009 "Wait, so you're saying I can just not get the shit beat out of me and emotionally abused if I just sell out BOTH sides? Fuck this war shit ima do that."
@@honkhonk8009 he even almost joined the autobots in the show, he didn't mean it but it still almost happened
@@SuperDababy2 I think he did mean it before Arcee nearly killed him and he realized he had no place on either side.
@@honkhonk8009 He did show signs of possible change, but abuse is hard to break away from. Plus his ego was also getting in the way of actual change on his own. Honestly, if Arcee didn't try and kill him, he'd have probably stuck around with the Autobots and would have probably changed for the better.
Alexis breaking down and crying “why?!” After finding out of his death always stuck with me and was something that showed me how Armada Starscream deep down was a genuinely good person....bot
Just imagine how heartbreaking it would be if she met him again in Energon and Cybertron
@@kidprime6863 “Starscream? Your alive!”
And Screamer over there is just like “who are you organic?”
@@bladezoidz Transformers: the Winter Solider
Alexis: Starscream?!
Starscream: Who the hell is Starscream?
@@chaoticneutral7976 so true. The Starscream in Energon and Cybertron is not the same one. He was made from the same blueprint, but disassociates himself from the hero who died to save his home.
I chose to ignore energon and view Cybertron as a separate series.
"I can't help but hate that he destroyed the trees... bad Starscream."
Gotta admit however that that moment had one of the coolest laser beam sound effects ever.
Very ominous sounding.
I think what makes Armada Starscream hit different is that he as an incarnation of Starscream is such a wild departure from OG Scheming Screamer, and his defection from the Decepticons is played totally straight; in most other Transformers series, defections aren't treated very seriously. At best, they take up a single episode and are never discussed again, or they're soft defections like Prime Dreadwing. When Armada Starscream leaves the Cons, it's a wild and haphazard escape, and he isn't immediately trusted by the Autobots. And even when Optimus takes him in, Hotshot still gives Starscream a hard time. And even after Starscream rejoins the Decepticons, he's on thin ice with Megatron. The best part is this all plays into Starscream's sacrifice, too, because when Starscream sacrifices himself, Megatron finally realizes that not only was Starscream a worthy Decepticon, he might have genuinely been a better Decepticon than Megatron Himself.
Edit: I also want to point out a tragic lining on Starscream's sacrifice; Starscream couldn't possibly have known Galvatron would have actually been moved by his death. For all intents and purposes, Starscream made a gamble that he'd never know the outcome of, especially since he had to have known Unicron would kill him.
So glad someone made a proper video on this version of Starscream. By far his best iteration. I wish more people remembered him this way.
To be honest I grew up with Beast Wars and Armada so this was how I always knew Starscream. When I started watching others like G1 I kinda was put off from Transformers when I found out this version was the exception, not the rule. Although the Bay films helped cement that for sure...
What do you think about his incarnations from Animated and Prime? Those 2 are also widely loved and are more threatening than you think.
Armada Starscream is right up there with Beast Wars Dinobot. First a enemy, then one of the greatest allies. Then they would lay down their lives.
That's what I was thinking
We need more transformers like them in shows
Perfect
@@Gyrokaenzo212 Yup
"Tell my tale to those who ask. The ill deeds along with the good, let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence."
That error gag at 30:33 was perfect! The long silence really showed how thoroughly confused he was, and the sound of error pop-ups just wrapped it all up in a sudden "W h a t".
Top-tier comedy!
"Uh, crap. My processing computer just crashed. Hang on, let me reboot!"
Even the face as the errors came through! It's nothing but just
"H u h ?"
21:49 i actually get watery eyes hearing him say “we autobots” not “the autobots”. Really shows how far he’s come with just a little word change like that.
The music from Starscream scene “painful war” is really good, you can hear the heroic brass coupled with the more intense violins as it slowly builds up. And in the scene where starscream gets obliterated the violins absolutely take over the scene with these tragic yet grandeur sounding notes. Its a short little segment in the song but i think that represents how little time it took for star-scream to prove his point, and the song quickly fades away just like his spark. He made his impact in just a couple seconds, and changed to course of the war with his sacrifice. With the violins then sounding quieter in the proceeding track, his spark and dust turned into ash flowing away with his place in the world sealed.
Fun Fact: Thundercrackers bio was supposed to be Starscreams bio back in G1, but this was changed during the toys production back in G1
Thats a *Sad-fact..*
I grew up with this Starscream and remember him fondly as well. I was so confused when I kept seeing the complete sinister traitor Starscream in later series. I get the appeal and love Tom Kenny and Steve Blume's performances in the role, but to this day I hope to see a Starscream as nuanced and interesting as Armada's.
Same happened for me. When I watched Prime it threw me off.
Same here, armada starscream was my first impression of him and I’m continuously disappointed by later iterations of him.
Same for me! This is my favorite Transformer of all time!
I agree... I wanna see another take on the noble version of Starscream that we got in Armada. Part of me wants to see him still be a usurper. But like Armada, he starts off loyal until his disillusionment and hatred of Megatron grows over time, to the point where he actually manages to overthrow him and become an even more competent leader than Megatron. But like Armada Starscream, he is no coward, and he has his honor to the point of respecting the Autobots' motives and drive. And of course, the dynamic of a human befriending a Decepticon... but I really doubt anything could top the friendship that Alexis had with Starscream.
Is it any wonder that for a long time, Starscream has always been my favorite Decepticon?
@@markwilson4686 Hated how that show dropped several interesting subplots with Starscream and in general, only to throw them away within a few episodes.
You know, one thing that people should remember is that when we take a unique approach to a character, we should keep some things that make the character what he is, not just write a new character and slap on him tge name of a pre-existing character. Armada Starscream succeeded on that remark. Yes, he is very different from the usual Starscream, but at the end of the day muktiple ekements of Starscream's character are still in there (the treachery, the hunger for power, the ego), they just have a unique spin on them in order to fit with Armada Starscream's truly unique personality traits...and they fit. It truly feels that those negative traits are the result of Starscream being a victim of abuse who finally finds a chance to stand up to his abuser and give him a taste of his own medicine, making it all the more powerful when he eventually overcomes those negative aspects of his and confronts Galvatron as what he truly is, an honorable warrior.
Honestly, that's a major reason Armada Starscream stands out so much. Lots of writers seem to think that creating a new character that looks like an old one with that character's name is the same as actually re-working/improving on that character. It's a major reason a _LOT_ of people hate the Teen Titans Go! and PowerPuff Girls reboots; the characters are just poor fascimiles of their more iconic iterations and/or are just barely even recognizable.
Armada Starscream, of all instances, somehow got this _right._ Virtually every other animated Starscream is a one-dimensional traitorous coward, yet Armada remedied this by actually giving his character more depth and dimensions than pretty much any other incarnation. He's basically just the result of what would happen if the other backstabbing Starscreams were actually competent and had actual good reasons for their treason and ego. Armada Starscream having these traits is exactly what allows him to connect with Alexis and Optimus to gradually grow as a person. Honestly, Armada Starscream would most likely hate and look down on his other cartoon selves if he crossed universes to meet them, since those other Starscreams are basically the embodiments of Armada Starscream's lowest/worst traits. They are the worser versions of the person that Armada Starscream could've become if he didn't meet Alexis and his universe's Autobots, which made all the difference from a cowardly traitor to a selfless soldier. Not even Megatron, who knew Starscream's faults more than anyone, could deny him that much.
@@mrreyes5004 one main difference is that unicron trilogy starscream was never a coward even when he had the majority of traditional starscream traits
Exactly, look at literally any other franchise with reboots and they always keep atleast 3 elements of the character itself as well as their design
Makes me wonder if G1 Starscream was like this until Megatron broke him
And it was clearly well planned from the start too. What few changes were made to Starscream play heavily into his character arc, he's not a whole new Starscream, but he's just different enough to break the mold.
Armada was truly a timeless masterpiece and the best tf japanese stuff after cybertron-energon-the headmasters and has a great comedy-designs-characters,too bad hasbro totally forgor about this legend
You're very much accurate
The amount of character development that has surrounded Starscream for the past years is way larger than anyone else. Only true fans who have read the comics and such know that it isn’t about being a deception, or autobot for him. It’s not about him truly wanting a throne. He just wants respect, but doesn’t know, to go about life. There is much more, much more to be said…
They remember, it’s just the g1 bandwagon got out of hand after the 2nd movie that they put most of their effort into pleasing them, hell people are still into animated and prime but you rarely get anything aside from Easter eggs here and there
You must be joking. The writing and animation didn't get good until near the end of the series. Most of the series was unwatchable "gotta catch em' all" tripe.
@@chinafuture6484 everyone has thier opinion.
It's been 20 years and seeing the death of Starscream still makes me feel sad.
Because he reminds me about Dinobot in Beast Wars…
😢
This starscream longed for acknowledgement. He wasn't the back stabbing coward from G1. He was actually loyal to Optimus and the Autobots.
The man went out of his shield and died a warrior's death. He was my favorite version of the character outside the comics.
Star scream from beast wars was a savage. I loved that shows depiction of the character. Went out like a G.
Didn't G1 Starscream actually backstab the Decepticons a whopping total of *_6 TIMES?_*
I had hoped for the Earthspark reincarnation to turn out like this guy.
This honestly feels like the shattered glass starscream.
Despite it's rough start and early translation goofs Armada became an instant favorite of mine. I remember being impressed at how the show gradually improved with the characters and the animation. And I actually began to care about the human characters.
I keep forgetting there are humans in Transformers
I got annoyed by them constantly getting the Mini-Con's names mixed up
@@kidprime6863 yeah they butchered Leader 1's and Spark Plug's introductions.
@@RandomBlackGamer Big time
yea! Armada was the one show which had me clinching my fist and really scared for the characters...you feel like the characters were really at risk and could die at any moment, unlike the other kids' shows...gave me a lot of minor traumas haha
Armada was my first introduction to transformers. It will always hold a special place in my heart. And this has always been my favorite starscream.
Me too! I was shocked when I finally watched G1. I couldn't mesh these two completely different characters as the starscream in my head.
@@berilsevvalbekret772 I know right? They are definitely different.
@@berilsevvalbekret772 Same here
Same here !
Mine was cybertron i remember watching this code lyoco and power rangers every morning before school.
While Dinobot and Starscream have similar arcs they are different from eachother:
Dinobot struggled more with his core programming while Starscream seemed to me be someone who was looking for something to fight for.
in the scene of the english version of armada when starscream is abandoned and screaming "why" to the sky,
in the japanese version he's not screaming at all, but just stands there and questions his existence, asking himself "what am i doing?"
That boy was unicron's death knell. The scream of a banshee that denotes eminent death. The bell that tolled for the monster. I always found him to be the MC. Not a cringe "I'm the main character!!" But a "I want to be better, even if my leader wants to use me as a tool." He is more human then even the humans in the cast.
9:28 I can’t stop laughing at that scene, “Come back here you coward!”
Sometimes you forget Armada is an anime then something like that happens
Armada Starscream's remarkably 'human' journey of discovery, not just of who he was (or rather, who he wanted to be), but of those around him is definitely the shining highlight of Armada. He went from blind loyalty to Megatron, to a grudge, to actively wanting to kill his leader, to setting it all aside in the face of the enemy of all life. He went from a simple soldier, to an aspiring second in command, to seeking power for himself, to surrendering that power to his former enemies in the Autobots, to sacrificing his own life just to make a point. He went from an underling and a Decepticon to a traiter and an Autobot, from a member of a squad to a loner to a confused friend of humans and Minicons like few others. Of all the Transformers in the series, none of them formed as close a bond with any of the humans as Starscream did with Alexis (excluding the Minicons, but that's a bit of a different story.) His long arc showing him discovering emotions that would sound foreign to any self-respecting Decepticon, his journey from reckless abandon to self-control and selfless service, is a singularly remarkable one in the entire franchise.
This Starscream resonated with me as a kid, first watching the show. I was the second and last of two sons in my family, and I grew up trying to gain recognition and favor, applying my skills and my will to learn, to grow, to create, to contribute. Much like Starscream, I felt like the only things anyone ever pointed out to me was my flaws, failures, mistakes, and everything good I tried to do was downplayed or ignored. I knew Starscream was a 'villain', yet there was so much of myself I saw reflected in this character, and nothing was more inspiring than watching him proudly march to certain death. I still remember the chills when he fired the proton cannon with that last shout of defiance against a literal multiverse-eating chaos monster planet.
Despite TF: Energon and Cybertron not being regarded anywhere near as fondly in the community as Armada, I still found myself watching over Starscream's return and continued presence, and at the tail end of Cybertron, I also felt a sense of pride watching the Starscream that had so long ago failed to combat Unicron going toe-to-to with a fully powered Primus. Sure, he lost that fight too, and it's hard to see in the Starscream of the end of Cybertron the one we rooted for in Armada, but still; even in Armada, it took both sides working together in a grueling final battle to defeat Unicron, and here we saw Starscream literally taking on the literal creator of the Transformers in a one-on-one confrontation that saw friggin' moons being used as weapons. That's some Guren Lagann level stuff right there.
Armada Starscream's lingering contribution to the franchise is that, somewhere in all Transformers fans that know his story, there's always a great pleasure whenever another iteration of Starscream shows honor, tact, compassion, friendship, or other positive developments, times where he breaks away from the simple "bungling power-hungry second in command" stereotype. We love to see the faint hints of Starscream: The Hero bubbling back to the surface, and we hunger for it every time he's on screen. We want to see him with the good guys; we want to see him win; we want to see him finally get his happy ending. Because somewhere out there is a universe where he gets one, and he sure earned it.
Cybertron Starscream is definitely an underated one because he's basically if G1 starscream was actually competent and played the long game properly and I see him now like Cybertron Megatron as ghosts really, corrupted husks of what they used to be that need to be laid to rest all thanks to Unicron and those who would try to use his power
...also that one had the best day any starscream will ever have
All this poetic waxing makes me want to watch the show now.
He gets his happy ending or sort of in Transformers Prime Season 2 finale. It's the only one unfortunately.
Primus actually wasn’t at full power, he was only at 75% power
@@Xeno-The-Wanderer yeah. cybertron starscream wasn’t just a backstabber (like he is most of the time), he was smart and actually had the skill/power to back it up
I like this take on Starscream: he's still treacherous and self-serving, even toward the heroes who welcome him with open arms, but he wants respect and appreciation, which many of us can relate to.
“Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
"He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron."
I've heard that first quote somewhere before. Can't remember where do
@@black97_0 transformers beast wars. When dinobot died
@@black97_0 Code of Hero
@@black97_0 Shakespeare, Hamlet
The track that plays during Starscreams final moments are literally called “A painful War” which I think is PERFECT
Starscream: I don't need you! Leave me alone!
Starscream: Why am I alone?
Bro is literally me
Honestly starscream was the reason people thought fondly of armada. Mostly because he was totally different in just being.
Seriously, out of all the possible breakout characters, I would _NOT_ have expected it to be Starscream. Yet somehow the writers actually took a character known for cowardice and treachery, and _believably_ developed him for a send-off as a selfless and honorable soldier. Armada Starscream's sacrifice is legit something that his other cartoon versions could _never_ pull off, let alone even understand or get behind, and that's honestly just incredible.
@@mrreyes5004 exactly
I just like the high tech stucc the unicron trilogy did
Armada Starscream is very much like Simon Furman Era Marvel G1 Scorponok in how he goes from a power-hungry Decepticon to a noble one in the end.
@@rayvenkman2087 neat, didn't know that
I often thought the reason Megatron was so abusive to Starscream was a low key way of him trying to get Scarscream to surpass him and take his rightful place of the Decepticons afterall the strongest and most cunning lead the Decepticons.
That, or Megatron is a bastard.
The fact that i honestly feel the same cause of what i saw in IDW is so bizarre
@@501ststormtrooper9 Even if their relaitonship was abusive Megatron PUSHED Starscream. He WANTED to be suppased. Even if Megatron was also afraid of being overthrown. Do you think your enemies will coddle you? Do you expect people to care instead of taking advantage of you? So, yes, Megatron taught Starscream that the world can be a cold, uncaring place. That's megatron's perception of it. And as bad as that might seem... he's also correct.
What megatron lost sight of is that even if the world can be as cold and heartless as it is there's also the other side of it. Megatron is used to being detached. Distent. He doesn't want to be close to anyone. But Starscream? Starscream got Megatron's full attention. Only someone that sees potential in you would abuse you like that. Otherwise they wouldn't even give you the time of day at all.
Which is worse? To be challenged or to not even be worth killing at all? The later can be a fate worse then death. Worse then any physical blow. The two endrued all the hard times. And in the end Megatron himself respected Starscream. He knows he's a bastard. But if you was in his situation where the universe is against you from all sides you probably would be too.
Wherever that's a good thing or a bad thing can be pretty complicated. Where there's abuse there is care. Where there's care there is abuse. They call it getting through hard times for a reason. It's more important to keep challenging each other so people can improve. Otherwise the laziness and sloth will result in lack of self improvement.
So if you think about it... It's possible Starscream turned out the way he did "because" of the abuse in some ways. He was challenged. Pushed to breaking point. And he endured. He learned strength FROM weakness. That's perhaps one of the most important lessons anyone can ever learn.
Wherever Megatron intended to teach that lesson? Hard to say. I think it's part of what he attempts to demonstrate. Be strong if you want to beat him. Be weak and you lose. Yet at the same time the lessons come from such weakness. Learning how to play the game? That's the trick. In the end you can only really employ your own methods, even if it requires following the pattern of awareness and honesty. If one is too soft then you will be soft. If one is too hard then you too will be harder. I actually consider the harsher approch more effective. The results speak for themselves. You saw it in Starscream right here.
There's also other factors at play that Megatron doesn't employ. That's where he drops the ball. But hey, he's running a gang here. He's not fully committed to improving just you. At the same time he can if he will. As a result his teaching methods will be flawed. He just can't invest his full undivided attention to Starscream to that extent. Well, he could, but then the decepticons would become weaker for it. Which then threatens Megatron/Starscream themselves. In a sense it's a bit "political". The situation has to be viewed from a decepticon viewpoint in order to understand it.
@@taramaforhaikido7272 I wouldn’t say that he was pushed to the breaking point, starscream was pushed beyond that
@@taramaforhaikido7272 one time he get backstab by starscream, megatron sold his core to robo-planet and get revenge to starscream
I was actually starting to cry after you explained his attack on Unicron was a glorified suicide to convince Megatron.
Out of all of Starscream's incarnations, his interpretation in Armada was one of, if not my favorite versions of him. And his death is right up there with Optimus in Transformers: The Movie & Dinobot in Beast Wars as the trinity of sad deaths in Transformers. Props to Michael Dobson for doing a good job voicing him as well.
As someone who watched the series as a kid this portrayal of starscream stuck with me. I’ve only ever been a casual enjoyer of transformers media but even as a child I could tell that the story had struck something special with the arc of the character. I think it’s clear it resonated with a lot of people strongly and has stuck with them well into adulthood.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Unicron Trilogy, but I genuinely wish that that the later entries kept Starscream like this. He barely seems like the same character from that point onward and it's just saddening to see that, especially after all he's been through.
A consequence of the original Japanese versions not being connected.
@@LordTyph Energon was connected, Cybertron wasn't. I personally like to pretend that the former doesn't exist and that the latter is (like in the Japanese version) unconnected.
You have no idea how glad I am to have come across this video. I still go back and watch that scene where StarScream rips the blade out of his chest, and fires everything he has left toward Unicron, knowing it would be his last attack. This show was a glorious part of my childhood. Thank you for making this! Great job!
This starscream was always my favourite. His story of going from a ambitious Decepticon to a tragic hero who was willing to not only put his life on the line he then sacrificed himself to show Megatron how powerful he was so that he would join the Autobots and protect the ones he cared about. One of my favourite Transformers series.
It’s a shame that this series was the only series to actually make this version of Starscream while the other Starscreams from other series have never come close to this version.
Star Scream is one of my favorite characters out of all Transformers media with Armada definitely being the gold standard but a close runner up being the Prime version. With him starting out as his usual traitor version only to slowly over the course of the series realize that he isn't a leader and that all his scheming is only harming himself in the long run. Not to mention it was refreshing to see Megatron actually be wise to Star Scream being a snake that is always trying to stab him in the back.
I watched an almost 40minute video on Starscream...
I don't regret it at all, that's just an awesome character arc.
26:37 "He is a dumb boi"
Another reason why he is different compared to other Starscreams)
But I must say, he did something clever actually. When Megatron was about to finish Hotshot and Red Alert, Starscream offered to take them as hostages instead. He literally tried to save their lives.
he had another idea in hes head he tried to side them to decepticon side ...
he was in the persued autobots to join decepticon side ... was one of hes jobs
I remember when I watched Starscream's death on TV when I was 8 or so. It was the first time I'd seen a character die in a show, and I just bawled. My parents came into the room to ask me what was wrong and I couldn't even explain how I felt watching him just... Cease to exist like that.
Even now, watching it happen again in this recap, I get a little choked up. He went from a soldier trying desperately to prove himself, to a hero willing to stand up and die for his beliefs. If only we could all be so principled.
At that age, it's so hard to decipher between fiction and non-fiction. The feelings are real, so the characters are too, right? So confusing.
@@maxhydekyle2425 That is exactly how I felt tbh. This character that was for all intents and purposes *real* to me just fucking DIED and I was heartbroken.
Same Starscreams been my favorite cause of this show. This is my Starscream
I see Armada Starscream as an adaptation of Simon Furman Era Marvel G1 Scorponok, particularly in the Unicron Saga from he goes from a power-hungry Decepticon to a noble one that went against the grain of his fellow Decepticons and recognise the greater threat of Unicron. Like Armada Starscream, he’s siding with Optimus Prime over his badge because he knows his stance is the more correct one than the Decepticons’.
while watching it very recently (days ago), i was just laughing at the absurdity that a young child would be allowed to watch that kind of stuff; with the abuse and the deaths of characters and then just a "see you next week kids!" -leaving the poor tykes with the trauma.
granted; it wasn't until after i had watched through armada and it's dark stuff and straight up nightmare-fuel, that i looked up the age-rating and found out it was PG 13+, while i think all transformers seasons before it in both english and japanese were PG for all audiences.
I agree: would be nice to have another version of this starscream and totally agree: this starscream has the same sort of traits as beast wars dinobot and would be cool to have that sort of dinoscream combo in another story
I agree.
What's interesting to me was they made Starscream like Dinobot, but knew it would be a mistake to lack a Starscream-like character entirely, which I feel like is why Thrust was brought into the fold.
0:20 Only just noticed Hot Shot had the Decepticon emblem instead of the Autobot one, I know picking up on Armada's animation errors is like kicking a dead horse but I never noticed this until now and thought it was interesting. Unless I'm completely wrong and Hot Shot was undercover this episode since I haven't watched Armada in about a decade.
I know Starscream’s story practically from memory but I love how in depth this video goes. I’ve watched it many times
I love this take on Starscream.
He pioneered on making a new take on Starscream, and being actually successful if you were to ask me.
He was such an integral part of the shows themes and story.
His death was not tragic for who he was, but for what he reveals about Armadas themes.
Armada focuses a lot on war and the deeper effects of it.
Only thanks to Starscreams sacrifice, its that Armadas cast is put in a spot to truely explore and end Armadas Story.
The one problem I have with it is that for what I expected when first watching the show, Starscreams arc was kinda short.
I wish he had spent more time with the Autobots, and that we actually got to see more of his side struggles.
I thought I was the only one who remembered this. I genuinely still have in the back of my head "that one time Starscream was an Autobot" as a fond memory.
I honestly wish to see another Starscream or another transformers character (excluding Deadlock a.k.a Drift) go on a similar path. One of my favourite lines from this Starscream is when he tells Alexis and Hotshot that he’s not sure of anything anymore because it shows just how much his world of his duty and the world of those he cares about clashing against eachother
This version of Starscream is the best version. A true anti-hero turned hero. This version is my absolute favorite.
I had never watch this show and yet this Starscream made me feel something completely new. I felt deeply inspired, emotional, and proud throughout the whole video. Despite the show's clear mistakes, I'll gladly watch it just to truly experience Starscream's development. God damn I almost cried during the speech he gave before he died.
After being reminded how close Starscream was with the Minicons of the Starsaber, it really makes me sad that they didn't get a chance to react or share their thoughts on the matter. Instead they are just stuck in sword mode, held by Galvatron.
Just having the sword separate and then having Runway, Jetstorm and Sonar standing next to Swindle to mourn Starscream togethere would have been even more sad...
Not to mention being used to stab him
I love this vid and all I gotta say is in the chapter 4 part about starscreen. To me at least what makes the scene that much more impactful rewatching it as an adult is that he literally removed one of the most powerful swords from his core with his bare hands. Showing he knows what he needs to do and is resolved to his very core to see it through even if that means death.
Armada remains my all time favorite Transformers content ever!!!!!! Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo GOOD!! Starscream's struggle for acceptance and his duality was so beautifully portrayed, I just couldn't see him as a coward after all that he did in Armada. He was my favorite character from the series.
Can you discuss Armada Hot Shot. He has such an interesting story, being similar to Starscream, trying to prove himself and getting actual development throughout the show. His defining moment is "All forces prepare for Battle." Except for Wheeljack, the rest of the Transformer command say do not attack, wanting to save their leaders. Hot Shot attacks Unicron, making himself out, also, with the color upgrades Armada's done, he goes from Bumblebee to Hot Rod in a sense.
In a lot of ways Armada Starscream could be considered the LEAST Starscream incarnation, but maybe that's why he's the BEST Starscream
This is my favorite version of Starscream. I really wish they made a remaster of Armada, I want this starscream design to return
Agreed. Heck... I want to see a "noble demon" Starscream like this in a future Transformers continuity.
If a dude named Demolisher has to step in and say “aye bro take it easy” you’re goin a lil too tuff😂👊🏽
I remember as a kid watching Armada and then the Bayverse films - and being so disappointed Alexis wasn't cast as a character, and that Starscream was relegated to a few lines and no character arc. I loved the human/robot relationship they had and desperately wanted to see it on the big screen, but alas. I kinda reacted like you did with the blue starscream toy at Christmas XD
It would be my dream for the movieverse to one day explore a relationship between human and decepticon - but it feels like they're stuck on a more simple black and white characters where only the autobots can be developed and "good"(Bumblebee took a baby step in that direction). It's so unique and interesting! I guess at least there's always fanfics lol.
thanks for this video, was so nice to see someone give Armada Starscream the attention he deserves, I hope we see more iterations of him like that someday.
Considering Michael Bay's modus operandi with female casting, I think not bringing Alexis back should be considered a blessing in disguise.
@@morgant.dulaman8733 What a painful truth lmao
@@baronvonjo1929 Thank God Alexis wasn't Tessa'd.
Gosh I just binged watched all of TF: Cybertron. I find it both hilarious and awesome how Starscream lived past Megatron in this series. Starscream totally tricked Megatron into fighting Optimus Prime to the death. In my personal opinion Starscream is definitely the most tragic character in the Unicron Trilogy, because of all the abuse he went through during Armada. Only if the others actually knew they would understand. It's also weird to see Soundwave standing by Starscream's side hahaha. Sideways too since he served Unicron in TF: Armada. Guess they always knew who the true victor would be in the end. I agree with you I was never into TF: Energon. TF: Cybertron was the show I grew up watching. I was unfortunately too young when Armada came out however did eventually watch it.
Although the Sideways there wasn't the same guy as Sideways here
those 2 were only really with him because all 3 were blown into that dimension, later on it's seen that sideways and soundwave found a planet X and Starscream somehow found a way to make it back to the main universe where Wing Saber Landmine and Mudflap went to hunt him down
@@kidprime6863 it is canonically the same one
@@Xeno-The-Wanderer How exactly?
@@kidprime6863 The producers said so.
I loved the Armada/Energon/Cybertron series, regarding Starscream. They gave us quite a few interesting concept ideas for Starscream's storyline that were recuperated, later on, in games, comics and other series.
The most interesting one was the idea that Starscream wasn't an incompetent buffoon and a bad leader, but that those "facts" were just part of a smear campaign by Megatron to prevent Starscream from overthrowing him or for the Seekers to side with Starscream and desert, causing Megatron to loose an important chunk of his army.
I also loved that we got to see things from Starscream's perspective and to see in how difficult of a position he's in, both at the top of the Decepticon hierarchy, while also being constantly in danger of being backstabbed, executed or murdered. The series showed us a Starscream forced to work for someone he deeply hated and showed us what kind of toll it took on his sanity. Couple that with Megatron's constant bullying and manipulation to keep Starscream "in his place" and we get to see what an absolute mess Starscream's life actually is. This explains why he grabbed the "lifeline" that Alexis threw him, with her invitation of friendship, relationships with humans being something that were free of negative experiences, unlike Starscream's interactions with the Autobots.
What I would've like to see, either in the "Unicron Trilogy" or other media, would've been for someone to dig this idea of Starscream getting back his footing, thanks to his friendship/alliance with humans and begin to build his own "side" successfully with some humans... maybe clean his reputation that Megatron ruined... maybe get the Seekers to side back with him... or maybe Starscream could use his human friends to successfully hide from Decepticons and Autobots to go do his own thing... It's just fun to watch Starscream not being cartoonishly incompetent.
Now with the 20th anniversary of Armada coming up I hope people can really appreciate it more.
Saying that made me feel old since am trying 29 so I was 9 when I watched that show.
I’m so happy to see the character writing of Transformers Armada being talked about on RUclips and it getting lots of views. I’ve always appreciated this show for being unique in the Transformers franchise and it’s refreshing to hear others feel the same way about the show.
I will likely watch Armada after seeing this, as I was not aware it existed.
As for Starscream, his death is interesting in that he effectively embodied both Decepticon and Autobot ideals in his greatest moment. He was a true soldier, giving his life for a cause greater than his own- just as Megatron wanted. However, he sacrificed himself in order to make sure others lived and to do what was right for the future of Earth, Humanity, and the Transformers- an ideal Optimus respects. Starscream was not a good Autobot, and not a good Decepticon, but he was certainly a great Transformer in this series. I want Starscream to get more love like this, though it does not have to be limited to Starscream alone. It could be just as interesting with other characters, if done right.
This is epic the editing, emotion, and the story of character make it a perfect video
I realized something recently. This Starscream was basically Prince Zuko before Avatar The Last Airbender. He is a villain trying to earn the approval of an abusive parental figure who we gradually learn isn't as bad as he looks and works with the heroes just to betray them, before redeeming himself at the end of the series where he calls out his abuser.
This was a major surprise for me browsing through RUclips. I remember watching the Unicron trilogy as a kid and Armada was my first ever Transformers show. Watching this video made me remember a lot from Armada, but the one part that stuck with me was Armada's take on Starscream. You did a great job in highlighting this character and his growth throughout Armada. This version of Starscream will always be my favorite. Thanks for allowing me to remember not only the greatness of Armada but the story of the greatest version of Starscream to ever exist.
This legit makes me want to binge the series... Excellent video.
This Starscream goes to show that it doesn't take a super serious show to have phenomenal characters. My favorite iteration of him.
Great Job sir, looking forward to the next one.
I grew up with these guys, so it's so nice to see them getting the love they deserve.
Would love to see a breakdown of Side-ways as well... hint...hint
I grew up around R.I.D, but armada was definitely one of my favorite series and that version of the series still makes me tear up today
Bro Armada Starscream was, literally and figuratively, built different
Starscream: "Lave me alone Minicons! I dont need your sympathy!"
*minicons leave*
Starscream: *surprised pikachu face*
Armada was the first Transformers series I remember actively watching. I wish I had taken better care of my Armada Starscream back then but I was quite young. He was honestly my favorite character in all of Armada.
Energon didn't ruin Starscream, Cybertron did. Energin had a running theme in it of Corruption, of what we thought was good and settled being dredged up and changed, and it felt delibrate. Inferno, Scorpanok, Megatron, they all felt Unicrons' presence in some way, and it started to corrupt them, some more than others. Megatron was able to shrug it off, but became a bit more unhinged. Scorpinok was defeated and brought back, a mindless thrall where a noble warrior once stood. Inferno fought a corrupting influence and barely made it back with his spark and mind intact. But the worst was Starscream. He was fully dead, gone, and nothing was left. Unicron brought him back as a Ghost, giving him one command: 'Sow Chaos'. Aimless, he was left to wander and wonder who he used to be. Not fully alive or dead, he was left shifting in and out of tangability. He knew two things; His name was Starscream, and he was a Master Swordsman. Everything else was bluster. In the end, he sided with Megatron not because he was a Decepticon, but because he had nowhere else to go, and he wasn't the same bot he'd died as anymore. That was taken away the moment the latent power of Unicron revived him.
Cybertron, being a soft continuity reset that was retroactively chalked up to the Unicron Singularity, was the killing blow to Armada Starscream, reverting the character back to a lying, Kinaiving, backstabbing jackbumper. Even them, you can still see the noble Swordsman buried somewhere within, the Bot who prides himself on his Skills, and this time he had the chance, the drive, the abiluty to overthrow Megatron. He won. He got what he wanted, but it took him becomung a worse person to do so... though we were all proud of him when he took the Omega Lock...
"I will return to the Allspark before I allow you to take the Omega Lock!"
"THEN PREPARE TO MEET PRIMUS!"
Still gives me chills.
While I respect your opinion and your long comment, I don’t think energon executed any of it’s themes it was going for at all, an ruined many of the elements that armada brought to the table, with its bad dialogue and lazy plotting that often ignored a lot of what it was going for, a lass when I think of the unicorn trilogy I only think of Armada as a solid stand alone story. That’s why I can’t blame the Japanese dub for wanting a fresh start and not even making Cybertron connected with the previous two with Galaxy force
Yeah, Starscream became very human, but then fell back into the darkness. However, I can't deny that Cybertron Starscream was still incredibly badass. Taking down every single Autobot singlehandedly, and even took on Optimus. Though he lost the battle against Optimus, he won the war by claiming the Omega Lock with 3 Cyber Keys.
And we even got Starscream to fight Galvatron once more, and almost best him. And even then, Starscream didn't die. As said, he had merely been blown to another dimension. Now the question remains whether he will try to take over, or if he will eventually relearn the lessons he had once forgotten. We won't know, but I like to believe that when he comes back, with Megatron/Galvatron gone, the Decepticon cause ultimately fallen, and Primus' Spark having been restored, Starscream basically has no cause left to fight for.
I wouldnt say it completely ruined as isnt that the whole point having his character revert back to his old self in Cybertron because he was 'revived' with no other knowledge other than what kind of being he was, hence he learned to be that same douchebag he was through being a decepticon again
Jackbumper?
Yeah i never got into Cybertron, and I thought Energon had some good moments though like usual the human characters are freaking insufferable
great way to take some of the more interesting human characters since the original from Armada and totally replace them with loud mouth edgy brats and annoying hangers on.
Starscream's sacrifice in Armada is one of the most selfless Transformers moments ever.
Please do more of these kinds of videos. I just found your channel after watching Armada, myself, and this was a fantastic video essay. The depth and exploration of Starscream's character and his development throughout the series was very insightful!
Oh this was so good!! Your video was so well organized and I was smiling the whole time because the jokes were hilarious too! Armada lore master right here! Also you’re right about how that scene when Starscream comes back after being abandoned sticks in your head. That music still gives me chills. Before I rewatched the show last year, those dark Starscream scenes were still burned in my mind from childhood
Ayyyyyy woohoo! this made me smile! Why thank you my fellow lore master!
30:32 It was at this moment, Screamer had experienced the biggest bluescreen of his life
Not only were there CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (thank you Anime), but Megatron /defended/ Starscream's "honor". This is the equivalent of Skeletor speaking well about Beastman, or frankly ANY other lead villain in 80s and 90s fiction speaking well of ANY subordinate.
Brave move, plot wise, and love it.
Starscreams relationship with Alexis instantly makes me think of the Transformers comicbook where Starscream discovers the joy of Christmas with the help of a human.. :) (December 1987)
I grew up on this version of starscream, and I remember becoming attached to him because like obviously he wasn't that bad of a person. It upset me greatly in the show when Megatron hit him and pretty much abused him. I was devastated near the ending of the show, I was upset for months. I felt really bad for him, he's a very interesting version of Starscream, and I will always love him. (anytime i rewatch Armada, I get very hostile towards megatron lmao)
Armada held a special place in my heart. Starscream was my favorite character downright, and his sacrifice made me cry as a kid.
30:33
Oh my god, I had such a good laugh. Well played.
Honestly, I remember starscream being my favorite as a kid too. Now I know why.
After this video, I don’t care how much Armada fails at, I’m watching this anime, because of Starscream. Heck, I’ll even watch the other Transformer shows with him just being an evil traitor, I genuinely like his character now.
you might be a bit let down if you compare this one to the others
I want to see more versions of Armada Starscream. He was by far one of the most developed characters in any of the animated Transformers series in my opinion. Armada gave us something that isn’t all that often explored, which is a Decepticon having a crisis of conscience, and more relatable reasons for wanting to change allegiances, or in Starscreams case, the need to become leader.
Swindle and saber minicons: *Crying while holding Starscream's wing blade*
This version of Starscream was actually my absolute favorite . He had a code of honor, the spirit of a true warrior and morale regrets he was trying to make up for. He did seem tragic but he did die like a true hero sacrificing only himself in the end and he refused to allow anyone else too make that sacrifice. He actually cared for others and did not have any goal of self worship or power. This Starscream was by far a huge change for the character. He went from being a sniveling, 2 faced, backstabbing coward to a true selfless warrior. But it took a huge fail to be humbled enough before he becomes a more heroic version of himself.
This will always and forever be my favorite incarnation of Starscream. Everything from his personality, to design, to voice in Armada and the remainder of The Unicron Trilogy, he was so much more different from other incarnations. To this day when I watch Armada Ep 48 Cramp I cry watching him in his final moments. Fighting for peace by giving up his own spark while attempting to challenge Unicron. One the most noble, honorable, selfless and complicated Starscreams if not the only one to exist and one I will forever cherish. Of course while still being that power hungry egotistical traitor. This video reminds me why I adore him so much. Thank you for Comodin Cam. You really know how to show the love to Armada.
I grew up with transformers armada as well, i love armada starscream character so much, glad he was written with such a amazing internal struggle and how he came to overcome it
the Armada Starscream was rather refreshing, it was a good take on a classic character, it could have easily been a new direction for Starscream, for future renditions of Transformers.
To be fair, "Cramp" is a pretty fitting title for Starscream's final episode, since our hearts likely cramped from watching him die.
A better title would have been "Heartbreak". 'Cause that's what happened to my heart when he died.
Armada is the reason that I loved Starscream, I felt hurt when he made his final stand, and I hope somewhere in the future we might get a version of Starscream as a full on Autobot.
My heart is so happy whenever I see Starscream follow his heart, and we need to keep in mind. This his “Programming” is very blurred when it comes to his spark. He has more than the potential to be honest, it’s just he was also never instructed how to be a kind person. Also, armada 10/10 (quiet Guitar 😭)
While i do consider Prime Starscream to be the definitive version of Starscream. I think however Armada Starscream is the best subversion of any Transformers charachter in my opinion.
Also really good job on the video probably your best work so far and i would really love to see other videos like these about other charachters in the Transformers series.
The entire unicron trilogy’s various subversions would be welcome to see again and I’ll be happy with any one of them, a warrior wanting to prove himself, a personal assassin or one of the greatest Machiavellian schemers the franchise has ever seen. People may not be fond of the 2nd but the other 2 would make things more interesting compared to an incompetent cowardly schemer which gets annoying eventually
That anime killed the shit out of me, especially when Starscream died at the end. My fucking god, I was crying. I love this version of Starscream
This is why Armada is my favorite show in Transformers! Starscream is a true warrior and deserves more credit in his role! This brings back so much nostalgia 😖