Scene Comparisons From Transformers: Superlink/Energon (Episode 50)
I found two clips of the same scene, but with different languages (and graphics). The scene in Episode 50 where Galvatron becomes enormous as well as Optimus Prime, and how the media went from CGI to hand drawn may be one of the best moments in Transformers: Superlink (Japanese with English subtitles) and Energon (English dub). Although, personally, I have no problems with the CGI (it is not perfect, but I don’t think it is awful like many fans say it is), and I find it really interesting how a work has a mix of both 3D and 2D animation (mixed media).
I will start with the Superlink version, first. Here is the clip:
In this scene, we see the behemoth Galvatron admiring his new super form, and declared himself “the Transcendent Emperor of Destruction, Galvatron-sama.” Optimus Prime (hell, I will call him Grand Convoy in this version), while still big enough, declared he can do the same; so he became enormous like Galvatron, combined with the Grand Force, and declared himself “the [Autobot] Supreme Commander, Grand Convoy” while beginning the fight. Note that both characters became hand drawn (probably because CGI couldn’t be THAT consistent with the animation). Galvatron was actually really gleeful to fight Grand Convoy (he would get infuriated when anyone interferes with the fight, because he wanted to fight his rival one-on-one without anyone else joining the fight; he mentioned earlier that he wanted a fair fight, and he GOT a fair fight... maybe), and clashed with his old enemy. Once their fists were together, they created a blueish lightning impact that crushed some of the rocks below (probably to show how forceful such impact is).
Snowstorm and Irontread were pleased that Galvatron was no longer possessed by Unicron, and he was acting like his old self, again (“although bigger,” said Irontread); by old self, meaning an agressive, impulsive, and stubborn Decepticon (or Destron) leader. Rodimus Convoy was surprised that Grand Convoy and Galvatron were not only fighting each other directly, but also fighting off their possession from Unicron, who corrupted them with an ominous power; Hot Shot was also surprised. Omega Supreme caught a sight on Grand Convoy and Galvatron fighting, also surprised.
Grand Convoy performed a “Grand Force Impact,” which shot off lightning bolts and another forceful phenomenon that caused an explosion; but it did not affect Galvatron, as he charged at the Autobot (or Cybertron) leader without a single scratch, and drew a blade at Grand Convoy, who was trying to block it with his arm.
One of the Autobots (I think it is Overdrive; there is also Wing Saber, and another Autobot in which I cannot decipher who because of the flames) was surprised that Grand Convoy was more aggressive, more powerful, and more determined than ever before; he really didn’t expect that. Nightscream was surprised and nearly lost for words, while Shockfleet was just swooning over Galvatron (he has a crush on the Decepticon leader).
Grand Convoy and Galvatron were still fighting in their gigantic modes. Galvatron diverted Grand Convoy’s attention, transformed, and kicked him, but Grand Convoy caught his balance, and kicked the Decepticon back, but it did not affect Galvatron as much (besides stumbling a little bit); suddenly, Galvatron stabbed Grand Convoy with his blade, and claimed victory, until Grand Convoy electrocuted him, and did the unthinkable: Combining their corrupted sparks (as well as his Combination Spark), sealing them into his body, and disappearing into the atmosphere along with Galvatron.
I was stunned by not only the graphics and soundtrack, but by the fight scenes, the leaders’ determination, seeing Galvatron back to normal without being possessed by Unicron, and Optimus Prime trying to stop the corruption by sealing it into his own body (unless that was Primus, but it sounded like Optimus was declaring the fate). Of course, there are still many awesome scenes and moments in Superlink, as well; not just this scene.
Now, let’s see the Energon version of the scene:
(The first time I saw this clip in sound, it was so horrible, I paused it before I saw the great battle; to me, that was even worse than some 4Kids dubs (individuals are different; sometimes we can tolerate certain works, but other times, it is far too much to bear); I wish I was brave enough to at least watch the clip with sound, but too bad I wasn’t; I am glad I saw the original version, first, though. The good news is, there are subtitles, but I don’t guarantee they will be accurate, but I will try my best to decipher them.)
In this scene, Galvatron calls himself “the new-and-improved emperor of the dark side” (Star Wars reference, here), which did not sound as menacing as “the Emperor of Destruction,” rather, it was somewhat amusing. Optimus Prime seems unconvinced, but then proceeds to battle Galvatron. First, he combined with the Prime Force, said “let me introduce myself” (as if Galvatron does not know who you are), and called himself “supreme leader of the Autobots,” which sounds a little more boastful than the original version (Superlink sounded more determined, in my opinion). Galvatron thought that was funny (as did I). The fight began. And, seeing how this version seemed choppy and less detailed, Energon, like Armada (originally Micron Legend), is rushed and not very smooth (the visuals are bad enough, already; don’t worsen the moment with the voice acting).
The reactions from Snow Cat and Demolishor are nearly the same (just with different wording), although Demolishor said Galvatron gained a few tons (as if to say Galvatron is overweight), which is lame, because Galvatron grew many yards or miles tall, NOT gained more mass or weight by a thousand pounds times 100 heavy; not even 4Kids would have made the pun slide if Energon were to be redubbed. Rodimus Prime said, “since Galvatron was holding back on the power he stole from Unicron,” and Hot Shot responded with “yeah, and that’s what worries me;” which would have made sense had not the show been rushed (what do you mean by “holding back on the power he stole from Unicron?” I don’t recall Galvatron “stealing” Unicron’s power, although he did use too much power, so that would be understandable; but the wording threw me off).
We see more choppiness when Optimus Prime was preparing the final blow, and the explosion was just a black puffball (how weak of an explosion!); and then Galvatron charged at Optimus in stills (one picture, then another, without any real motion). There was no real force when Optimus blocked the blade (besides the expressions from Optimus and Galvatron).
One of the Autobots (presumably Cliffjumper) commented how pumped-up the Autobot leader is; he doesn’t seem too surprised like Overdrive was in Superlink. Starscream didn’t say anything (but his mouth was moving; really bad lip synching, there); Mirage was cheering for Galvatron to win (in this version, Mirage doesn’t have an obvious crush on Galvatron, but there have been really subtle hints).
While Superlink went to black and then cut to the next scene with Galvatron and Optimus still fighting (probably indicating that time had passed), Energon cut immediately to the fight scene. When Galvatron kicked Optimus Prime, you can see the blurr effects in stationary, and the motion was choppy, YET again. When a flash appeared, the cut freeze-framed before we get to see Galvatron’s reaction to being kicked back. Galvatron stabbed Optimus, claimed victory, and got electrocuted with Optimus saying the following line:
“It seems we’re both filled with the power of Unicron. Well, it’s time I take it and put it in the maze” (didn’t make any sense, whatsoever; I don’t think even the subtitles thought it made sense, either).
We see Galvatron’s mouth move, but he didn’t say anything (more lip synching failure). While Optimus and Galvatron were disappearing (or shrinking), we just see them dissipating into the atmosphere with no other surrounding light other than the yellow beam.
Yeah, the Energon version was (I will say this) awful. No wonder this Transformers work was hated by many fans (especially those who saw the English dub first/only). Since I saw Superlink first (which I thought could be better, even though it was still an awesome Transformers anime; I liken it to The Transformers: The Movie (1986), since they killed off my favorite characters, and there wasn’t enough character development for some of the newer characters (like Springer, Wreck-Gar, and Kranix), even though I wanted to see/know more about them; the film and the anime are very similar to each other), I wasn’t affected by the monstrosity in Energon. Although, when I tried to watch Energon, it was too much to bear (some of the animation was bad enough, but the voice acting was worse); I starting watching other works (mostly movies and TV shows, as well as listened to music, and compared Sonic X sub vs. dub for humor (as well as hypothesizing what if 4Kids got the Unicron Trilogy and made it better, but not great)) to get the rushed dub out of my head, and I started to rewatch some clips from Micron Legend as well as Superlink (to me, the originals are more tolerable, and are usually the best).
I have a recommendation: if you want to see a certain work, don’t look for the dubbed version, first; try out the original version, and maybe see the dub next. You may like one better than the other, and some parts may be better than others, as well. You may like the original, or you may like the dub; individuals are different, after all.
Looks like that is all I will be saying for now. I plan to rewatch the two Transformers anime shows as well as watch Bumblebee (2018) again, and also Sonic X (original version with subtitles) during my spare time. My next classes are coming up soon, so I may not post as much; but that doesn’t mean I won’t be back. I have mentioned earlier that I am an on-and-off Tumblr user; having other things to do is one of the reasons.
Everyone else, have fun exploring more content you like, and please be cordial and respectful to one another.
Stay tuned for future posts.
This is FirebirdTransAm68 signing out.