BEAST WARS NEWS, RUMOURS AND FAQs
FAQ
Note: All information is listed in reverse chronological order.
That means that the the further down you scroll, the older the news is.
All the latest information is listed up the top. Kapisch? Uno aqua minerale
per favore. Graci.
NOTE: Because the Beast Wars line is drawing to a close, for any current
news/rumours on Transformers (Beast Machines, Car Robot etc.), please read
posts on the message
board. Thank you.
Gold Convoy and Silver Megatron
Japan's Terebi Magazine (aka TV Magazine) is currently
holding a random draw competition. The prizes are Gold Convoy and Silver
Megatron. Gold Convoy is a repaint of Metals Convoy (Japanese Transmetal
Optimus Primal*) and Silver Megatron is a repaint of Metals Megatron (Japanese
Transmetal Megatron**). Gold Convoy has chrome gold, instead of blue or
purple and Megatron has chrome silver, instead of purple. It is not known
how many of these toys were made (I'm assuming there's only one of
each...??).
In order to win this prize, get a post card (size not specified)
and write the following address on the front:
112-8001
Tokyo-to Bunkyou-ku Otohane
Gidansha Terebi Magazine
Tokusei Convoy
Megatron (12) kakari
On the back of the card, write the following (in the same order):
* Name of prize wanted (either Gold Convoy or Silver Megatron. Sorry,
you cannot ask for both... but there's nothing saying you can't enter twice).
* Your name and age.
* Postal address.
* Telephone number.
Competition closes on December 12, 1999. Winner shall be announced
in next February's issue of Terebi Magazine. Good luck, folks!
(Source: Terebi Magazine)
*Metals Convoy is the same as Transmetal Optimus Primal except
that the word Optimus Primal on the gorilla chest is replaced with
the word Cybertron.
**Metals Convoy is the same as Transmetal Megatron, except
that the word Megatron on the shoulder plate is replaced with the
word Destron.
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Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia
I've heard several rumours of Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia being on sale
in Australia. One rumour stated that she was on sale at Castle Hill Kmart.
This is not true.
Another stated that she is on sale at Target; I've checked out a
few Targets, but no luck.
However, the new Regular size Transmetal 2s (Nightglider,
Spittor and Stinkbomb) are definitely
on sale now!
If you've sighted Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia, report it to fellow
fans on the Message
Board. Be sure to state exactly where you saw them.
Confirmed Sighting: Coffs Harbour Target. Inevitably she'll
be in every store, but this is the first confirmed sighting I've had (informant:
Mark Harrison)
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SEASON TWO Episodes Now On Sale!
Season 2 episodes are now on sale!
I picked up volume for which contains all three episodes of The Agenda
today from Kmart.
Price: $19.85 (AUD)
Number of Episodes per tape: 3 (I bought volume four which has all
three episodes of The Agenda)
According to a sales attendant at Kmart, the tapes have only come
in very recently (I knew I wasn't *that* slow)... I reckon just a few days
ago.
I strongly recommend buying these tapes. I previously had The Agenda
on video, taped off The Cartoon Network, but it's nothing compared to watching
it on the original video in Dolby Surround sound! *dribble*
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Beast Wars Neo finished & Beast Wars Metals Premiere
Beast Wars Neo airs her final episode this evening (27/9/99).
However, Beast Wars Metals (Japanese dub of Canadian seasons 2 and
3 amalgamated into one series) commences next Wednesday (6/10/99)!
(Informant: Blacky Chro)
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Beast Wars on TV in New Zealand
Our Kiwi neighbours are also showing Season 2, but they have the advantage
of a far better time slot!!
Saturday mornings, 09:00, TV3.
Unfortunately, the New Zealanders are getting the censored version
(possibly similar to the censorship in "Beasties" in Canada)
(Informant: Scott Hayden)
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Beast Wars on TV in Australia
Beast Wars is currently airing on Australian television once more.
Time: Tuesdays, from 06:00 (6am), although it will more likely start
around 06:30.
Network: Channel Seven
At the moment, they're showing Season Two episodes. For more information,
call Channel Seven on (02)9877-7777 (non NSW residents, please check for
your local numbers).
(Informant: Matthew Griffin, Sam Lau and Channel Seven
[Programming Dept])
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New Video Releases in Japan
Videos released on August 1: "Crush! Beast Warriors" (the first season
of the Mainframe series compressed into an OVA movie) and "Beast Wars Metals"
('Bad Spark'). Although Beast Wars The Movie (the one which was released
theatrically last year) is currently available as a New Release rental,
it's retail sale is scheduled for September 24.
(Informant: Yosuke Ishikawa)
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Vehicons
The latest addition to the Predacon ranks in Beast Machines
Transformers. Click here to see pictures.
(Informant: Benson Yee)
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The Secret of Angolmois Energy
According to an article published in BonBon Magazine, Angolmois energy
is actually derived from Unicron. During the Great War, Unicron was sealed
and his energy was buried deep within planet Gaea (possibly Earth in the
far future). Galvatron's attempt to possess the Angolmois energy is well
documented in the Beast Wars II series. However, as a result of his battle
with Lio Convoy, Galvatron ultimately failed and the Angolmois energy was
scattered throughout the universe. This scattering of Angolmois engery
awoken the Chaos Bringer's core consciousness. Being Unicron, he sends
out a team of agents, the Blentrons, to retrieve the Angolmois energy and
revive Unicron. Unicron himself reincarnates himself in the shape of a
former Emperor of Destruction, possibly possessing Galvatron's body.
(Informant: Yosuke Ishikawa)
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Beast Wars Nintendo 64 Game
It may be a 3D fighting game (I hope it's mono-e-mono!! Hadouken!!)
and will feature Metals Convoy, Cheetas, Rattol, Air Razar, Megatron, Terazaurah,
Tarans and Waspiitor (Transmetals Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rattrap, Air
Razor, Megatron, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas and Waspinator).
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Beast Wars "Ravage" Toy
Takara has announced that it shall be making/releasing a toy based on
the Ravage (or "Jagar" in Japanese) seen in The Agenda. However,
it will not transform into a cassette, but will have a beast mode and it
may possibly be a slight remould of the Transmetal Cheetor toy. The toy
currently is unnamed, but it is certainly based upon Ravage and some fans
(including myself) hope that Takara will reuse the G1 name Jagar.
Within Takara, the toy is referred to as Kurohyouman ("Black Panther
Man") but let's hope that's not going to become to official name for the
toy.
(Informants: Yosuke Ishikawa and Blacky Chro)
!!Update!!
As most of you probably already know, the "Ravage" toy comes out next
month (December). Much to the delight of fans, the prototype name Kurohyouman
was dropped in favour for Jagar (Ravage). The toy mould itself borrows
heavily from the Transmetal Cheetor toy, yet it's distinctly different.
The alternate mode is not a microcassette tape (as it is in the show),
but a jaguar. But I don't think this comes as a surprise to anyone.
Some interesting features about this toy include:
1. It comes with the two guns seen in the show. These guns can clip
onto the sides of his thighs -- just like the show!
2. There are two stickers on this toy: a Predacon insignia on the
right shoulder and a Decepticon insignia on the left.
DECEPTICONS
FOREVER!!!
Well, being a Japanese toy, it should be "Destrons, Forever!!" --
one thing that bites in Japan is that Decepticons and Predacons are both
called Destrons.
At the time that I'm writing this, "The Agenda" has not aired in Japan,
and I'm wondering how this line would be translated. If it's simply something
like "Destron, Banzai!!", then it could easily mean "Predacons forever!"...
unless he says something like "Shodai Destron, BANZAI!!" - which
means "First-generation Destrons, forever!" -- but it'd sound really lame-arse.
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Beast Wars Metals Toys
Takara has announced that it shall be releasing its line of Beast
Wars Metals toys. I'm presuming that this will be a Japanese release
of Transmetals and possiblyBlentrons too.
(Informants: Yosuke Ishikawa, Blacky Chro)
!!Update!!
The Beast Wars Metals line up is as follows:
| Cybertrons |
Destrons |
Taiketsu (Vs Sets) |
| C-40 Convoy (Y2500) |
D-40 Megatron (Y2500) |
V-40 Shukurei no Taiketsu (Y4980) |
| C-41 Silverbolt (Y1800) |
D-41 Rampage (Y3500) |
V-41 Yuumou no Taiketsu (Y5200) |
| C-42 Cheetas (Y1800) |
D-42 Waspeetah (Y1800) |
V-42 Shippuu no Taiketsu (Y3500) |
| C-43 Rattol (Y1800) |
D-43 Terrazaurah (Y1800) |
V-43 Senkou no Taiketsu (Y3500) |
| C-44 Rhinox (Y1800) |
D-44 Tarans (Y1800) |
V-44 Kouriki no Taiketsu (Y3500) |
| C-45 Air Razar (Y1800) |
D-45 Quickstrike (Y980) |
V-45 Kakerou no Taiketsu (Y2750) |
| C-46 Depth Charge (Y3500) |
D-46 *Inferno (Y2500) |
V-46 Kaitei no Taiketsu (Y5800) |
|
X-9 Jagar (Y1800) |
|
Note: in Japan, all (Trans)Metals do not have character names printed
on the toys. Instead, they have either the word Cybertron or Destron
printed on, depending on allegiance.
*= Scavenger's name is Inferno in Japan and Europe.
Variants:
1. White and gold Rattol.
2. Kamikaze Terrazaurah; the robot face is silver.
3. Gold Convoy and Silver Megatron; TV Magazine exclusive prizes...
scroll up for more info.
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Blentrons
Rumour has it that Fuzors will be released in Japan under the sub group
name Blentron. Here are some of the names I've heard:
| US Name |
Japanese Name |
| Injector |
Raato Raata |
| Torca |
Elpha Orpha |
| Skyshadow |
Drankron |
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Beast Wars Metals
On September 8, Tokyo TV will begin airing Beast Wars Metals. This series
will effectively be a Japanese overdub of the second and third seasons
of Mainframe Entertainment's Beast Wars Transformers programme.
(Informant: Yosuke Ishikawa)
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Optimal Optimus' Japanese Name
There are several rumours circulating among Japanese TransFans at the
moment over the Japanese name of Optimal Optimus. So far, these rumours
include: Super
Convoy, Great Convoy, *Battle Convoy and the most probable rumoured
name is Hyper Convoy.
(* Battle Convoy is the Japanese name for the Transformer
known as Combat Hero Optimus Prime in the States and Laser Rod
Optimus Prime in Europe and Australia. Takara may recycle this name
to maintain it's copyright on it [which is why many G1 names are reused
in Beast Wars])
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Beast Wars dead in the Netherlands?
I have received rather distressing news that the Beast Wars has failed
in the Netherlands. Despite it's popularity in many countries (USA, Canada,
Australia and Japan to name a few) the Dutch don't seem to have warmed
up very well to it. The television show has been cancelled and no new toy
shipments have been ordered. (and most remaining stocks are selling out)
My condolences extend to the Dutch Transformer community.
(informant: Fortress X)
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Silverbolt's Japanese debut...
Japan will be selling her first Fuzor - Silverbolt. However it will
be exclusively sold at Itoyokado department stores. Rumour has it that
it will comence sales next
October.
(informants: hN^[OÍ and Niimi Youki)
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The Fate of Beast Wars
Message from Bob Forward (21/10/98)
As you may have heard, Season Three will be the last season of Beast
Wars story-edited by Larry and myself. I sincerely hope this wont detract
from the
enjoyment of the series. Weve had three great seasons and worked
with a lot of really terrific people at Mainframe and Hasbro. Weve met
hundreds of TF fans
and appreciated their input and support. All in all, we can hardly
complain.
I can assure you that the change is nothing personal, and we are
not taking it that way. Hasbro has new plans for the series and it was
felt that taking an entirely fresh
approach with a new creative team would be the best way to
handle it. This is very common in the animation industry -- I myself have
been hired to replace excellent story editors for precisely the same reason.
Larry and I are actually looking forward to some time off. The characters
had become so real to us that I, for one, often found myself dreaming about
them. In the cartoon industry, this is known as time to get off the show.E
Never fear, you will not be left with an unresolved cliffhangerEending.
Though the news comes too late to tie up all the threads, Simon and I are
revising our season finale to be an actual closure of the current Beast
Wars series. This will give the new show -- whatever it may be entitled
-- a clean slateEto start from.
Please give the new series a chance. Although I am not privy to the
storyline, it should certainly look spectacular, and will most likely be
excellent in its own right.
After all, it will be animated by the fine artists at Mainframe,
and will no doubt continue to draw upon the rich history and traditions
of the Transformers.
Larry and I feel privileged to have been at least one small part
of that history, and hope that you will enjoy watching Season Three as
much as we enjoyed working on it. You were all truly part of our inspiration.
Till all are one --
Bob Forward
Note: In other words - Beast Wars as we have known it is OVER. The
Beast Wars show will continue under a different creative team. There will
be a Season Four scripted by different writers, making Beast Wars
the second longest running Transformers series (the longest running was
the Japanese G1 series).
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Australia airing Beast Wars Season Two!
After watching the last episode of Season One, I rang up the Seven Network
and asked them when they would be showing Season Two. They told me that
they
would not be showing Season Two. Hence I was one of the first to
be told by the Seven Network that they would not show Season Two. Soon
afterwards, the news spread around the Australian Transformers community
as other people like me contacted the station and then Hasbro Australia
was also knocked back after several unsuccessful attempts to convince the
Seven Network to air Season Two.
The Seven Network released a statement saying that it did not want
to air Season Two, due to the disappointing ratings that they got with
Season One (which came
to noone's surprise, considering the lousy timeslots they aired
it on - the first run was at 3:30pm, the second being on at 7:00am, so
everyone was either not home or
still asleep) despite the success of the show overseas.
Much to the surprise of the public, the Seven Network finally did
air Season Two starting on Thursday October 22. Since then it has been
airing every Thursday at
the oh-so-convenient (yes, I'm being sarcastic) timeslot of 3:30
in the afternoon.
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