Transformers: Combiner Wars
{{Infobox television
| image = Transformers - Combiner Wars poster.jpeg
| caption =
| genre = Science fiction
Action
| based_on = Combiner Wars by Hasbro
| developer = {{unbulleted list |Eric S. Calderon |George Krstic|F.J. DeSanto}}
| writer = {{unbulleted list |Eric S. Calderon |George Krstic|F.J. DeSanto}}
| director = Kenji Nakamura
| voices = {{Plainlist|
- Jon Bailey
- Jason Marnocha
- Frank Todaro
- Lana McKissack
- Ben Pronsky
- Abby Trott
}}
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Jingle Punks Music
| country = United States
Japan
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 8
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{unbulleted list|Chad Gutstein|Eric Calderon|F.J. DeSanto|George Krstic|Jamie Iracleanos}}
| producer = {{unbulleted list|Yuzo Kuwahara|Toshiyuki Watanabe|Hiroshi Kumada|Micah Brooks}}
| runtime = 6–7 minutes
| company = {{unbulleted list |Hasbro Studios|Machinima, Inc.|Tatsunoko Production}}
| network = go90
| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|8|02}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2016|9|20}}
| related = {{Plainlist|
}}
| image_upright = 0.8
}}
Transformers: Combiner Wars is an animated web series developed by Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto. Part of the Transformers franchise, it is the first installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy, featuring elements taken from the Generation 1 continuity family and the comic books by IDW Publishing.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/comic-con-transformers-animated-series-807464|title=Comic-Con: 'Transformers' Animated Series Coming to Machinima (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=9 July 2015 }}
The series was co-produced by Machinima, Inc. and Hasbro's Allspark Animation for go90, and was animated by Tatsunoko Production. Prior to its launch, a set of four prelude videos was released that detailed some of the events which had transpired in this continuity prior to the start of the series.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/22/transformers-combiner-wars-show-photos|title='Transformers: Combiner Wars': See exclusive first photos from the new series|magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}
Premise
Four decades after the Great War between the Autobots and the Decepticons on Earth, the two factions have disbanded and a three-member ruling council rules in place of the absent leaders Optimus Prime and Megatron. An uneasy peace has been created on Cybertron, but the rise of the Combiners threatens to bring it to an end.{{cite web|url=http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2016/04/first-poster-for-transformers-combiner-wars-animated-series/|title=First poster for Transformers: Combiner Wars animated series|date=5 April 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Prior to the events of the series, Optimus Prime and Megatron have engaged each other in a final duel,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4i9u_HALwQ&index=23&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2p4ljxvajbLfzX47uxTjAPi|title=Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Optimus Prime|last=Machinima|date=28 June 2016|via=YouTube}} while the new combiner Victorion has been born from the Enigma of Combination.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAIbv090O80&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2p4ljxvajbLfzX47uxTjAPi&index=17|title=Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Victorion|last=Machinima|date=5 July 2016|via=YouTube}} The new ruling council consists of Starscream, Rodimus Prime, the Mistress of Flame (a new female Transformer from the planet Caminus);{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLo8mWubeZA&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2p4ljxvajbLfzX47uxTjAPi&index=11|title=Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream|last=Machinima|date=12 July 2016|via=YouTube}} Caminus has been devastated by the Combiner Wars, which has set the formidable Windblade on a quest for vengeance.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnGZ0BIoPOg&list=PLZLTS4u9M_2p4ljxvajbLfzX47uxTjAPi&index=18|title=Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade|last=Machinima|date=19 July 2016|via=YouTube}} Windblade, once an official "City Speaker" to the gigantic "Titans" is tired of the bureaucratic non-action of the council, who seem to sit idly while her people and her cities on Caminus perish. She decides that the only way to end the Combiner Wars is to take matters into her own vengeful hands.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/transformers/videos/1096972413706285/|title=Facebook|website=Facebook }}
Cast and characters
{{Main|List of Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy characters}}
Members of the cast were revealed at a panel at San Diego Comic Con 2016:{{cite web|url=http://tformers.com/sdcc-2016-official-press-release-for-combiner-wars-animated-series-voice-cast-revealed/29700/news.html|title=SDCC 2016 - Official Press Release For Combiner Wars Animated Series - Voice Cast Revealed! Transformers News Reviews Movies Comics and Toys|last=Tformers.com}}
- Anna Akana as Victorion, a female Autobot Combiner who shares her name with a Brave Saga 2 robot.
- Jon Bailey as Optimus Prime, former leader of the disbanded Autobots.
- Michael Green as Metroplex, one of the legendary Titans for whom Windblade speaks.
- Charlie Guzman as Menasor, combined form of the Stunticons.
- Ricky Hayberg as Computron combined form of the Technobots.
- Amy Johnston as Maxima, a new character created for the series and ally of Windblade.
- Jason Marnocha as Megatron, former leader of the Decepticons.
- Lana McKissack as the Mistress of Flame, former ruler of the planet Caminus and current member of Cybertron's ruling council.
- Ben Pronsky as Rodimus Prime, Autobot member of Cybertron's ruling council.
- Patrick Seitz as Devastator, combined form of the Constructicons.
- Frank Todaro as Starscream, Megatron's former lieutenant and a member of the ruling council.
- Abby Trott as Windblade, vengeful female Transformer and former Cityspeaker.
Episodes
The series consists of roughly five minute episodes.
{{Episode table
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{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = The Fall
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|02}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Computron and Menasor emerge from a Space Bridge above the planet Caminus, locked in a grueling battle that ends in Computron's defeat and apparent demise. Menasor is then attacked by Windblade and Maxima, who succeed in defeating the Combiner; however, Maxima is killed. Before going offline, Menasor accuses Windblade of being a killer like him and informs her that the Council has the Enigma of Combination and plan to build an army of Combiners. Windblade then departs for Cybertron, leaving behind Computron's body with lights flickering.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = The Council
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|09}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = The Council - Starscream, Rodimus Prime, and the Mistress of Flame - meet to discuss Menasor and Computron's recent clash and apparent demise, and Rodimus and the Mistress consider employing the Enigma of Combination to create their own Combiners in order to destroy the ones currently existing. Despite his own history, Starscream advocates against such action, reminding his colleagues that they lack a full understanding of the Enigma's workings. Unbeknownst to them, they are being observed by Windblade using Maxima's sniper rifle, and her attempt to destroy the Enigma is foiled by a most unexpected figure: Optimus Prime.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = The Duel
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|16}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Enraged by Prime's interference, Windblade attacks him, only to find herself unable to land a single blow on the veteran Autobot, who believes she was attempting to assassinate Starscream. After swiftly defeating her, Optimus advises Windblade to return to Caminus to help her people rebuild, until she informs him that the council has the Enigma of Combination, which she was attempting to destroy. Fearing that such a feat may be impossible, Optimus notes grimly that there may be only one being who can help them.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Unforgotten
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|23}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Optimus Prime and Windblade find Megatron battling several of the Constructicons on an unknown planet, where he taunts the both of them and initially wants nothing to do with them. After learning that Starscream is in possession of the Enigma, however, he agrees to join their mission, and the three set off together. Unbeknownst to Windblade, however, the Constructicons have overheard their conversation.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Homecoming
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|30}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = As the council look upon the recovered bodies of Computron and Menasor, Optimus Prime's team make their way towards the Council chamber where the Enigma is being kept, with Megatron and Windblade expressing willingness to kill all the Council members while Optimus Prime condemns such a violent course. Learning of their approach, the Council members panic, with the Mistress of Flame suggesting that they threaten the intruders with the Enigma. The two groups confront each other, and after a heated exchange in which Megatron blasts Starscream, Optimus' team are forced to engage the Council's automated defenses; Devastator then breaches the Council chamber and grabs Rodimus, ripping off his arm and laughing maniacally.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = A War of Giants
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|6}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Optimus' team confronts Devastator, who is after the Enigma of Combination, and Megatron attempts to order his former minion to stand down; Devastator refuses, eager to claim the Enigma for himself. Victorion then arrives unannounced in search of the Enigma herself, and clashes with Devastator to prevent him from laying claim to it. The Council unlock the Enigma in desperation, and it falls to Starscream to activate it; unfortunately, this enables him to enact a scheme that he has had in the works all along. Fused with the Enigma's power, he takes control of the fallen Menasor and Computron and then enslaves Victorion and Devastator when they confront him, and uses the Enigma's power to merge all four with himself in order to form the Ultimate Combiner.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Darkest Hour
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|13}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Starscream revels in the newfound power he has been granted by the Enigma of Combination, only to be overwhelmed by it, causing him to change form from a towering giant into a shapeless mass with the individual components of the Combiners he has enslaved floating in the midst of it. Driven mad, he begins unleashing attacks that level the Council's city, with the Mistress and Rodimus being blasted away while Megatron vainly tries to flee. In a desperate effort, Windblade attacks the maddened Decepticon only to be overwhelmed by his attack, leaving her unconscious at the feet of her allies as Starscream moves in for the kill.
| LineColor = 004767
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Destruction's Dawn
| WrittenBy = Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|20}}
| ProdCode =
| Viewers =
| ShortSummary = Windblade finds herself in a white void speaking to Metroplex, who reminds her of her true role as City Speaker; linked with the ancient Titan, she calls upon him to grasp the monstrous form of Starscream in his massive arm, which emerges from beneath the Council City. With Starscream immobilized, Optimus and Megatron work together to finish him, with Megatron transforming into a giant cannon which Optimus then wields. Optimus is then stunned to find Windblade alive, and both of them are surprised when Megatron gives Windblade the recovered Enigma of Combination before departing, expressing only the desire that they not disturb him again. Windblade then presents the Enigma to Victorion, saying it belongs to the Combiners, and Victorion thanks her before departing with Devastator and the revived Menasor and Computron. The Mistress of Flame praises her actions, but Windblade then reveals that an even greater threat now looms with the end of the Combiner Wars: the return of the Titans.
| LineColor = 004767
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}}
Sequel
On November 11, 2016, Machinima announced a sequel series titled Transformers: Titans Return. The series premiered in 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/11/29/machinima-announces-titans-return-power-primes-series-329380|title=Machinima announces Titans Return and Power of the Primes series|website=news.tfw2005.com|date=2016-11-29|access-date=2016-11-29}}
The cast introduced Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, Judd Nelson as Rodimus Prime, Michael Dorn as Fortress Maximus, Wil Wheaton as Perceptor, Nolan North as Metroplex, Jason David Frank as Emissary, MatPat as Computron and Kari Wahlgren as Victorion. Meanwhile, Abby Trott, Jason Marnocha, Frank Todaro, Lana McKissack, and Charlie Guzman reprised their previous roles as Windblade, Megatron, Starscream, the Mistress of Flame, and Menasor from Combiner Wars.{{Cite web|url=http://collider.com/transformers-titans-return-peter-cullen-optimus-prime/|title='Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy' Adds Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime in "Titans Return"|website=Collider|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=August 1, 2017}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNXV9Mb7egjGj0W8Me3FogqTLmt5XtK6u Full series on YouTube]
- [https://roosterteeth.com/series/transformers?season=1 Full series on Rooster Teeth]
{{Transformers animated series}}
{{Tatsunoko Production films}}
{{Allspark and Entertainment One}}
{{Portal bar|United States|Japan|Television|Cartoon|Science Fiction}}
Category:2016 American animated television series debuts
Category:2016 American television series endings
Category:2010s American adult animated television series
Category:2016 web series debuts
Category:2016 web series endings
Category:American adult animated action television series
Category:American adult animated adventure television series
Category:American adult animated science fiction television series
Category:American adult animated web series
Category:American anime-influenced animated television series