Beast Wars: Transformers: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:11, 25 February 2006

Latest revision as of 06:47, 22 August 2025

Line 1:

{{Short description|Animated television series}}

<div class="floatright">

{{about|the animated television series|the Beast Wars franchise|Transformers: Beast Wars}}

[[Image:beastwarslogo.jpg|thumb|none|Beast Wars TV series logo]]<br>

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

</div>

{{Infobox television

| image = Beast Wars title logo.jpg

| caption =

| genre = {{plainlist|

* [[Action fiction|Action]]

* [[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]

* [[Science fiction]]

* [[Superhero fiction|Superhero]]

}}

| runtime = 22–23 minutes

| creator =

| based_on = {{based on|''[[Transformers]]''|[[Hasbro]]}}

| developer = {{Plainlist|

* [[Larry DiTillio]]

* [[Bob Forward]]

}}

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

* Christopher Brough

* Ian Pearson

* Stephane Reichel

* Steven DeNure

* '''For Alliance/Alliance Atlantis'''

* Beth Stevenson

* Peter Sander

* Suzanne French

* '''For YTV'''

* Laurinda Shaver

* Alan Gregg

}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

* Jonathan Goodwill

* Kim Dent Wilder

* Mark Ralston

}}

| ___location =

| voices = {{Plainlist|

* [[Garry Chalk]]

* [[David Kaye (voice actor)|David Kaye]]

* [[Scott McNeil]]

* [[Ian James Corlett]]

* [[Richard Newman (actor)|Richard Newman]]

* Alec Willows

}}

| opentheme = "Beast Wars Theme Song"

| composer = Robert Buckley

| company = {{Plainlist|

* [[Alliance Films|Alliance Communications]] <small>{{nowrap|(seasons 1–2)}}</small>

* [[Alliance Atlantis Communications]] <small>{{nowrap|(season 3)}}</small>

* [[Mainframe Studios|Mainframe Entertainment]]

* BLT Productions Ltd.

* [[Claster Television|Claster Television Incorporated]]

}}

| country = {{Plainlist|

* Canada

* United States

* Japan

}}

| language = English

| num_seasons = 3

| network = {{Plainlist|

* [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]

* [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]]

* [[TX Network|TXN]] ([[TV Tokyo]])

}}

| first_aired = {{Start date|1996|9|16}}

| last_aired = {{End date|1999|5|7}}

| related = {{Plainlist|

* ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]''

* ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers]]''

* ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Life-Form Transformers|Beast Wars II]]''

* ''[[Super Life-Form Transformers: Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]''

}}

| num_episodes = 52

| list_episodes = List of Beast Wars episodes

}}

'''''Beast Wars: Transformers''''' (titled '''''Beasties: Transformers''''' in Canada)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfkGgI0HiTQ|access-date=April 9, 2012 |title=Beasties – Opening – Youtube| date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> is an animated television series that debuted on September 16, 1996 and ended on May 7, 1999, serving as the [[flagship]] of the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]'' franchise. It was one of the earliest fully [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] television shows.<ref>{{cite news |last=Razak |first=Matthew |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Brings Beast Wars to the Big Screen |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-trailer-beast-wars-movie-maximals-predacons/ |access-date=19 December 2022 |work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |quote=Beast Wars has always been a bit of an odd outlier for the Transformers franchise, being both the first CGI series and focused on animals, not vehicles}}</ref> The series is set in the future of the [[Transformers: Generation 1|"original" ''Transformers'' franchise]], 300 years after the events of [[The Transformers (TV series)|''The Transformers'']], and features the Maximals and Predacons, descendants of the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s respectively.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1-4766-6599-3 |pages=870–871}}</ref> While engaged in battle, small teams from each faction crash land on an unknown planet, and must find a way to return home while continuing their war.

The ''Beast Wars'' [[TV series]] was the first Transformers series to feature computer-animated characters, and was produced by [[Mainframe Studios|Mainframe Entertainment]] of [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]]; its story editors were [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]]. The production designer for the show, [[Clyde Klotz]], won a [[Daytime Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 1997 for his work on ''Beast Wars.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/pbs-early-daytime-emmy-leader-1117470640/|access-date=February 21, 2024|title=PBS early Daytime Emmy leader|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 11, 1998}}</ref>

'''''Beast Wars''''' ('''''Beasties''''' in [[Canada]]) was a line of [[toy]]s under the [[Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]] banner, released by [[Hasbro]] between 1995 and 1998. The toys spawned a full-[[CG]] [[animated series]] set in the ''Transformers'' universe, produced by the Mainframe Entertainment of Canada. The series debuted in 1996, as a sequel to the original ''Transformers'' which debuted in 1984 as both a television series and as a comic book series published by Marvel Comics.

A sequel television series, ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers]]'', aired from 1999 to 2000. Additional ''Beast Wars'' [[Limited series (comics)|limited comic book series]] have been released by [[Dreamwave Productions]] and [[IDW Publishing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chrysostomou |first=George |date=2022-12-01 |title=Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts: 10 Things You Need To Know About Beast Wars |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-need-to-know-beast-wars/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

The series follows the adventures of the "[[Maximals]]" and the "[[Predacons]]", rival factions of beings who transform between their natural robot and alternative "beast" modes. The Maximals inherit the protagonist role of the [[Autobots]] from the original series, while the Predacons inherit the antagonist role of the [[Decepticons]]. An interesting element of the series frequently leans the balance of power in the favor of the Predacons, many of whom have spent their lives in the art of warfare. The Maximals, mainly comprised of scientists, have been drawn into an ongoing conflict beyond the scope of their experience. Overall, Beast Wars is one of the most beloved Transformers series made as many fans across the world cherish it for its sophisticated writing and superb character development.

== Premise ==

The story editors for the ''Beast Wars'' TV series were Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio. All three seasons are currently available on DVD.

The two main factions of "Transformers" in Beast Wars are descendants of the two main factions in the original cartoon: the [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximals]] are the descendants of the [[Autobot]]s and the [[List of Beast Wars characters#Predacons|Predacon]]s are the descendants of the [[Decepticon]]s. (In the sequel series ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers|Beast Machines]]'', the process during which Autobots and Decepticons became Maximals and Predacons is referred to as "The Great Upgrade".)

The leader of the Predacon team is [[Megatron (Beast Era)|Megatron]], a namesake of the original Decepticon commander. He and his forces are a splinter group on the hunt for powerful crystals known as energon. They do this with the aid of an artifact known as the [[Voyager Golden Record|Golden Disk]] and Megatron's stolen ship, the ''[[List of Transformers spacecraft#Darksyde|Darksyde]]'', which is equipped with a transwarp drive. A Maximal exploration ship, the ''[[Axalon]]'', led by [[Optimus Primal]], is sent to stop them. Together the ships plunge through a [[spacetime]] phenomenon created by the transwarp device during their battle in space, and [[Ancient astronauts|crash-land on a mysterious planet]].

The Production Designer for the show, Clyde Klotz, won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 1997. This award was for his work on Beast Wars, making the series an Emmy award winning show. [http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/articles/emmy.shtml]

The planet is found to be rich in deposits of raw energon, in such extreme amounts that it proves to be poisonous to both factions' robot forms, forcing them to take on alternate organic forms for protection until their robot forms are needed. Thus the robots take on the beast forms of recognizable animals including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, dinosaurs, and invertebrates.

{{spoilers}}

Before crashing, the ''Axalon'' deploys its cargo of "stasis pods" containing Maximal protoforms — Transformer robots with vulnerable and undeveloped physical forms, which are left to orbit the planet as an alternative to possible destruction in the initial crash landing. This plays a larger part in the IDW series, ''The Gathering''. Throughout the series, stasis pods lose altitude and crash-land on the planet, and the Maximals and Predacons race and fight to acquire them, as protoforms acquired by Megatron's forces can be reprogrammed to become Predacons. The stasis pods are used as a [[plot device]] to introduce new characters.

==Pilot episode==

The two-part pilot episode, entitled "Beast Wars", chronicles the arrival of both the Maximals and Predacons on a mysterious, uncharted planet. The Predacons have stolen a golden disc which was the most valued relic of the planet [[Cybertron]] (the home of the Transformers) and supposedly held the ___location of a rich [[Energon (Power Source)|Energon]] source, which could make the Predacons invincible. The Predacons flee into outer space with it in their spacecraft, seeking [[Earth]]. (Their exact reasons for seeking Earth are explained later.) They are pursued by a Maximal exploration ship, which was the only ship able to lock on to the Predacon ship. The opening scene shows the Predacon ship emerging from an apparent [[wormhole]], closely pursued by the Maximal ship. In a brief battle above the unknown planet, both ships are critically damaged and plummet to the surface.

The teams are divided between the "good" Maximals and the "evil" Predacons, equivalent to the traditional Autobots and Decepticons. Most of the Maximals are based on mammals, birds or fish, while the Predacons are based on arthropods and dinosaurs. [[Dinobot (Beast Wars)|Dinobot]] changes sides, starting as a Predacon and becoming a Maximal, and was later recreated as an artificial Predacon clone by Megatron in season 3. Additionally certain "Predacons" like Inferno and [[Blackarachnia]] were created from Maximal protoforms, but were fitted with Predacon shell programs, fighting instead for the Predacons. For the Maximals, the emphasis is on team spirit and good-natured arguing, especially from [[Rattrap]], but the Predacons argue and battle for leadership, which impairs their effectiveness against the Maximals.

Both the Maximals and Predacons are stranded on the planet (which we learn is prehistoric Earth, although there is conflicting evidence for exactly when and where it would have taken place in real life), which they soon learn is rich in Energon. Although Energon is vital to the survival of the Transformers, an environment as Energon-rich as that which they now find themselves in is harmful——causing them, when in robot-form, to short-out within anywhere from a few minutes to mere seconds, depending on the Energon concentration levels in the vicinity. Thus both the Maximals and Predacons scan the surrounding terrain for lifeforms, which they can then use as a template for their new beast-forms that protect them from the radiation.

== Characters ==

The four Maximals take on the forms of a [[gorilla]] ([[Optimus Primal]], their leader); a [[cheetah]] ([[Cheetor]]); a [[rhinoceros]] ([[Rhinox]]); and, a giant [[rat]] ([[Rattrap]]). Meanwhile, the leader of the Predacons (named [[Megatron (Beast Wars)|Megatron]], like his Generation 1 counterpart) takes on the form of a purple [[tyrannosaurus rex]]. His minions take on the form of a [[velociraptor]] ([[Dinobot]]); a giant [[wasp]] ([[Waspinator]]); a giant [[tarantula]] ([[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]]); a [[pterosaur]] ([[Terrorsaur]]); and a giant [[scorpion]] ([[Scorponok]]). Dinobot quickly defects to the side of the Maximals, due to his dissatisfaction with Megatron's failure to bring them to the correct planet (specifically, he calls Megatron an "idiot" and is blasted away from their company as a result).

{{Main|List of Beast Wars characters}}

==Voice cast==

Thus began the Beast Wars, as the Maximals and Predacons battle on the mysterious planet for control of the Energon source.

*[[Garry Chalk]] as [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Transformers: Generation 1|G1]] [[Megatron]]

*[[David Kaye (voice actor)|David Kaye]] as [[Megatron (Beast Era)|Megatron]]

*[[Scott McNeil]] as [[Rattrap]], Dinobot, Waspinator, [[Silverbolt]] and Dinobot II

*[[Ian James Corlett]] as [[Cheetor]] and [[Sentinel (Beast Wars)|Sentinel]]

*[[Richard Newman (actor)|Richard Newman]] as [[Rhinox]] and the Vok

*Alec Willows as [[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]]

*[[Doug Parker (voice actor)|Doug Parker]] as [[Terrorsaur]] and [[Starscream]]

*[[Don Brown (voice actor)|Don Brown]] as Scorponok

*[[Venus Terzo]] as [[Blackarachnia]]

*Blu Mankuma as [[Tigatron]], [[Tigerhawk]], the Vok and [[Unicron]]

*[[Pauline Newstone]] as [[Airazor]]

*[[Jim Byrnes (actor)|Jim Byrnes]] as Inferno

*Colin Murdock as [[Quickstrike]]

*[[David Sobolov]] as [[Depth Charge (Transformers)|Depth Charge]]

*[[Campbell Lane]] as [[Rampage (Transformers)|Rampage]]

*Elizabeth Carol Savenkoff as the Darksyde (Predacon) computer system

*[[Lee Tockar]] as Ravage

*[[Susan Blu]] as Transmutate

==Further adventuresEpisodes ==

{{Main|List of Beast Wars episodes}}

Before the Maximal ship crashed on the planet's surface, it ejected dozens of stasis pods, containing dormant Transformers, into a safe orbit. When the stasis pods come down to the planet's surface, the pod's computer scans the immediate area for animals (searching for a suitable beast form). Eventually, a new Transformer emerges; upon detecting the pods' electronic signals, the Maximals and Predacons each race to rescue (or reprogram) him or her first. Thus, as the first season progresses, the cast of characters is built up in this way.

{{:List of Beast Wars episodes}}

== Video games ==

The subsequent seasons of the ''Beast Wars'' saga see dramatic changes to the characters, including the introduction of the Transmetals, characters based on the Hasbro Transformer toys which feature three modes of transformation, not just two, clearly meant to recall the three and six-changer transformers, and the Fuzors, in which the Beast Mode of the Transformer consists of a combination of two different animals (for example, a wolf and a eagle).

There have been two ''Beast Wars'' video games. The first game, ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers]]'', was released for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[IBM PC compatible|PC]]. It is a [[third-person shooter]], based on the first season of the show, in which players control either the Maximals or the Predacons in a series of missions to undermine the other faction's attempts at gaining enough resources to win the war between them and escape the planet. The PC conversion added a multiplayer feature that allowed up to 8 players to play over [[local area network|LAN]], with its own playrooms in the MS Gaming Zone. The playrooms were shut down in 2006.

The second game, ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals|Beast Wars Transmetals]]'', is a [[fighting game]] based on the second season released for the PlayStation and [[Nintendo 64]] by [[BAM! Entertainment]]. Most of the cast-members from the show reprised their voice-roles.

Beast Wars introduced the concept of [[spark (Transformers)|spark]], a [[secular]]/[[mechanical]] term for "[[soul]]". Each Transformer carries his own spark within it and when critically injured, the Transformer dies and its spark leaves its body. Both Maximal and Predacon sparks return to "the Matrix". Sparks and mortality would play a major role in ''Beast Wars''.

A third game was in the works for the [[PlayStation 2]], but was scrapped in [[pre-production]], without any official word as to why, or how far the project was before the plug was pulled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/aftermath/episode/45417/trivia.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913045735/http://www.tv.com/aftermath/episode/45417/trivia.html |url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2012|title=Beast Wars – Season 2, Episode 1: Aftermath – TV.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com}}</ref>

Eventually it was revealed that Maximals and Predacons were the descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons, and that the Autobots were the eventual winners of the wars in the original Transformers saga. The Decepticons were, for the most part, dismantled or made second-class citizens, or as Megatron referred to them, "slaves."

==Home media==

Further developments come with the revelation that the Transformers have been stranded on [[prehistory|prehistoric]] [[Earth]] with the Autobot Ark, containing the [[stasis]]-locked (i.e., in suspended animation) Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime]], his officers, and the Decepticons who boarded the Ark before it crashed. Also, one of the "Golden Discs" was in fact the [[Voyager Golden Record]], and the ___location of Energon was Earth itself. The [[Megatron|original Megatron]] had inscribed additional information onto the disc.

The series was originally released on DVD in Region 1 by [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino Entertainment]] (under its ''Rhinomation'' classic animation entertainment brand) in 2003/2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=541028|title=Beast Wars Transformers: Complete First Season Boxed Set|work=DVDEmpire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=589524|title=Beast Wars Transformers: Complete Second Season Boxed Set|work=DVDEmpire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=618442|title=Beast Wars Transformers: Complete Third Season Boxed Set|work=DVDEmpire}}</ref>

On February 8, 2011, [[Shout! Factory]] announced that they had acquired the rights to the series and planned to rerelease it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-DVDs-Planned/15006|title=Beast Wars: Transformers DVD news: DVD Plans for Beast Wars: Transformers – TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825071506/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-DVDs-Planned/15006|archive-date=August 25, 2011}}</ref> They rereleased season 1 on DVD on June 7, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-Season-1-Press-Release/15397|title=Beast Wars: Transformers DVD news: Press Release for Beast Wars: Transformers – Season 1 – TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519094442/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-Season-1-Press-Release/15397|archive-date=May 19, 2011}}</ref> as well as a complete series set on the same day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257412|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625180238/http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257412|url-status=dead|title=Transformers Beast Wars: Complete Series &#124; Shout!Factory<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 25, 2011|access-date=December 19, 2022}}</ref> Both releases contain extensive bonus features including interviews, featurettes and special 24 page comic book, "Transformers Timelines: Dawn of Future's Past." Season 2 & 3 were rereleased on October 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-Seasons-2-and-3/15642|title=Beast Wars: Transformers DVD news: Announcement for Beast Wars: Transformers – Seasons 2 & 3 – TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715150609/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Beast-Wars-Transformers-Seasons-2-and-3/15642|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref>

It is also revealed that the first Megatron's mission was a futuristic [[rebellion]]. He plans to destroy the first human or blast Optimus Prime as he lies in stasis, and free the Decepticons and thus reverse the Predacons' defeat by the Autobots and Maximals.

In Region 4, [[Madman Entertainment]] released all three seasons on DVD, in its original PAL format in Australia in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=5766&method=view |title=Beast Wars: Transformers Season 1 Collection |work=madman.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904170504/https://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=5766&method=view |archive-date=September 4, 2006 }}</ref> On June 24, 2009, they released ''Transformers: Beast Wars – Complete Collection''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/805825 |title=Buy Transformers: Beast Wars – Complete Collection (10 Disc Box Set) on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au |work=ezydvd.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411133422/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/805825 |archive-date=April 11, 2011 }}</ref> The 10-disc box-set features all 52 episodes of the series as well as many bonus features.

==Characters==

===Maximals===

They were based in the spaceship ''[[Axalon]]'', and later they moved to the [[Ark]].

{| class="wikitable"

; '''[[Optimus Primal]]''': Supreme Commander of the Maximals whose beast-form is a silver-back [[gorilla]], without a silver back. Also, the face is more cartoonish, and less oblong. Optimus is a sensitive leader with much concern for his friends and comrades. In addition, he is also imperfect (sometimes making flawed judgements, a trait that sets him apart from other Autobot leaders) and prone to losing his temper under pressure. He uses the word "Prime" a lot, usually in a sarcastic fashion as a descriptive or an expletive. He was killed saving everyone from the Vok Planet Killer, but resurrected as a Transmetal, able to fly using a hoverboard. Then, when he absorbed the spark of [[Optimus Prime]] while his predecessor's body was being fixed, he evolved into '''Optimal Optimus'''. Rattrap often referred to him as "the Boss Monkey," while Cheetor was prone to calling him "Big Bot."

! rowspan="2"|DVD Name

; '''[[Rattrap]]''': Second-in-command to Optimus and a somewhat pessimistic smart-aleck whose beast form is a [[rat]]. Rattrap fills the comic relief portion of the show; he also seems to be the Maximals' [[covert ops]]/[[spy]] and once defected to the Predacons to find out secret information. As a Transmetal, his vehicle mode is a high-powered [[automobile|car]]. Second to Rhinox, Rattrap has some knowledge about mechanics, especially [[sabotage]] and demolition/explosives. Rattrap often criticized Cheetor's immaturity and would at times defy Optimus Primal when he felt Optimus's ideas were unreasonable, too risky or stupid. Rattrap also was very suspicious of Dinobot's loyalty throughout his time as a Maximal. The two often bickered, but for the most part were friendly rivals right up until the time of Dinobot's death in Code of Hero (although Rattrap never quite completely trusted Dinobot entirely after the events of Maximal No More, in which Dinobot briefly returned to his original Predacon allegiance). Dinobot often made jokes about Rattrap's odor. As Dinobot lay dying, Rattrap was shown to be affected by Dinobot's bravery and passing. Rattrap was the most eager of the group to go home to Cybertron. Rattrap was constantly giving his comrades nicknames, both derogatory and buddingly friendly, often calling Optimus "the Boss Monkey", Tigatron "Tigatron the Barbarian", Dinobot "Chopperface", Black Arachnia as "Legs" or "Webs" and Silverbolt as "bird dog" (at one point he called Silverbolt "Sir Drools a Lot"). Dinobot often referred to Rattrap as "Vermin". Despite his tendency to give his comrades nicknames, Rattrap was in fact a capable leader, and in Primal's absence would take the mantle of leadership.

! rowspan="2"|Episodes

! colspan="2"|Release dates

|-

! Region 1

! Region 4

|-

| Season 1

| align="center"|26

| August 12, 2003<br />June 7, 2011 ''(Rerelease)''

| March 17, 2006

|-

| Season 2

| align="center"|13

| March 23, 2004

| July 25, 2006

|-

| Season 3

| align="center"|13

| March 23, 2004

| November 10, 2006

|-

| Seasons 2 & 3

| align="center"|26

| October 4, 2011 ''(Rerelease)''

| N/A

|-

| Complete Series

| align="center"|52

| June 7, 2011

| June 24, 2009

|}

== Reception ==

; '''[[Rhinox]]''': Proficient in technological creation and repair; beast form is a [[rhinoceros]]. Rhinox's personality is a two-sided coin. On one side, he is a gentle giant who loves peace and quiet and smelling flowers; on the other, when agitated Rhinox is prone to making threats or using his imposing body to gain compliance. Rhinox seems generally as capable of leadership as Optimus Primal, and Optimus Primal has told him as much. However, Rhinox abhors the babysitting and loss of independence that come with being a full-time leader. He is indisputably loyal to Optimus Primal; their mutual respect is so strong that Rhinox is the only Maximal that Optimus Primal seeks advice from (causing mild, intermittent jealousy among a few other Maximals). Though never confirmed, it is implied that Rhinox might be older than Optimus Primal, and a once-great (but burned-out) ex-leader. Rhinox is the only Maximal whose form does not change or evolve for the duration of the series, though in the toyline he did become a Transmetal. The nickname of his two hand held mini-machine guns, though never said on screen, were "The Chain Guns of Doom". He spent much of the second and third season minding the Maximal bases rather than going out on missions.

''Beast Wars'' won a [[Daytime Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 1997.<ref name=IGNHist>{{Cite web|title= The History of Transformers on TV|work= IGN|date=June 27, 2011|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/800/800768p2.html |access-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref>

In a 2011 retrospective of the ''Transformers'' franchise, ''[[IGN]]'' commented that while ''Beast Wars'' used the same basic story template as previous series in the franchise, it "featured some of the best writing and story development in a ''Transformers'' series".<ref name=IGNHist /> Reviewing the season 2 DVD release, ''[[DVD Talk]]'' similarly remarked that ''Beast Wars'' used the same basic story as the 1984 ''Transformers'' series, but stood out from other series of its time by delivering messages to children without becoming preachy and utilizing considerable continuity, both from episode-to-episode and eventually with the 1984 ''Transformers'' series. The reviewer said the animation was dated by modern standards but the interesting and fun story content outweighed it.<ref>{{Cite news |first=John |last=Sinnott |title= Beast Wars Transformers: Complete Second Season|work= DVD Talk|date=March 25, 2004|url= https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/10037/beast-wars-transformers-complete-second-season/|access-date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> In a review of the season 3 DVD, the same critic praised the season's more rapid pace and darker tone, and said it was arguably the best season of the series. He concluded, "''Beast Wars'' may have been a marketing tool for Hasbro, but it also told some good stories without pandering to the lowest common denominator."<ref>{{Cite news |first=John |last=Sinnott |title= Beast Wars Transformers: Complete Third Season|work= DVD Talk|date=September 12, 2004|url= https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/12259/beast-wars-transformers-the-complete-third-season/|access-date=August 16, 2010}}</ref>

; '''[[Cheetor]]''': Jungle patrol, acts immaturely; beast form is a [[cheetah]]. Cheetor underwent two Transmetal upgrades during the series. The first one added two jet engines on stub wings, which allowed him to fly in Vehicle Mode. The second changed the two flight jets into one big jet on his back, which deprived him of flight but allowed him to run at Mach 5. Also, it brought his feral side much closer to the surface, making his personality occasionally (almost uncontrollably) aggressive. For the first half of the series, Cheetor idolizes Optimus Primal, tries (unsuccessfully) to model himself after Optimus, and seek Optimus's approval, but later starts to reject Optimus as a role model. Cheetor's character can best be likened to that of a teenager: he is short-sighted; mistake-prone; impetuous; naively idealistic; and, often defies Optimus' orders (unwittingly jeopardizing missions and or other Maximals in the process). Early in the series, Cheetor periodocally loses control of his beast-form abilities at inopportune times, accidentally sabotaging his teammates' efforts; he also has bouts of low self-esteem. By the [[Beast Machines]] series, it is clear that Cheetor is far more powerful than anyone imagined, and he matures into arguably the most competent and dependable Maximal outside of Optimus.

== Legacy ==

; '''[[Dinobot (Beast Wars)|Dinobot]]''': seemingly merciless, Klingon-esque Combat Specialist. He was a former Predacon whose beast form is (incorrectly called) a [[Velociraptor]], and shares the name of a sub group of near-indestructible Generation 1 Autobots. The size of the form hearkens more to the large species of raptor discovered in Utah, the [[Utahraptor]], but this was unintentional and merely a creative change. Like a [[samurai]], Dinobot has a high sense of honor and duty -- one that often blinds him to concepts like compromise or forethought. Dinobot is impatient and naturally suspicious; the Maximal's lingering distrust of him, particularly Rattrap, who often called Dinobot "Chopper Face" while Dinobot called Rattrap "Vermin", for being a turncoat only heightens this. Dinobot was short-tempered and ever-ready to sharply criticize those he disagreed with -- even Optimus Primal, whom he secretly harbored deep respect for. Despite a seemingly insufferable persona, Dinobot was fiercely loyal to the Maximal cause (or perhaps merely channeling his hatred of Megatron), displayed surprising integrity, and was even (rarely) empathetic. He sacrificed his life to stop Megatron from killing the primitive humans in the episode "Code of Hero" (considered by many fans the best episode of any of the Transformers series).

{{Main|Transformers: Beast Wars}}

The show was succeeded by ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers]]'', with a new creative team in charge of production. The traditionally animated Japanese series ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars Neo]]'' were created to fill the gap while the second and third seasons of ''Beast Wars'' were being translated into Japanese (called ''Beast Wars: Metals'').<ref name=IGNHist /> Several [[Transformers: Beast Wars#Comic books|comic books]] and [[Transformers: Beast Wars#Video games|video games]] were also produced. The show's production companies, [[Mainframe Entertainment]] and [[Alliance Atlantis]], are also the same creators of the world's [[History of computer animation|first ever computer-animated TV series]], ''[[ReBoot]]'', which ran from 1994 to 2001.

In June 2017, producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] stated that a film adaptation of ''Beast Wars'' was not in plans, as he explained: "I'm probably not the one to be asking that question to because I don't get ''Beast Wars'', but you know, thankfully I'm not the only vote on it. I've never quite understood, they kind of feel like incompatible to me, you have animals, robots, we're used to cars."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-producer-not-too-sure-about-beast-wars-potential/ |title=Transformers Producer Not Too Sure About Beast Wars Potential |website=Screen Rant |first=Dan |last=Zinski |date=June 21, 2017 |access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref> Both a follow-up to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', and an adaptation of ''Beast Wars'' were reported to be in development, written separately by [[Joby Harold]] and [[James Vanderbilt]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/paramount-dates-new-transformers-movie-for-2022-1202924176/|title = Paramount Dates New 'Transformers' Movie for 2022|date=May 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= 'Transformers' Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works |date= January 27, 2020 |author=Justin Kroll |url= https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496 |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> It was later reworked as a hybrid adaptation named ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]],'' which is a sequel to ''Bumblebee'' and featured the Maximals and a new incarnation of the Terrorcons.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1407422768602181632|user=transformers|title=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Tr…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> The film was released on June 9, 2023.

; '''[[Tigatron]]''': The first Maximal protoform to be awakened from an Earth-fallen stasis pod, Tigatron served as the team's recon. His beast form was a White [[Siberian Tiger]] that lived in the Arctic. Of all the Maximals, Tigatron was the one most 'in harmony' with his beast form and shares a love for the beauty of nature with Airazor. During his long travels through primeval earth, he managed to merge his animal instincts with his Maximal brain, uniting his beast and robotic forms. His personality is that of a [[buddhist]] monk; he is slow to anger, lives in harmony with the world around him, is a pacifist, and is wise and well-spoken. Tigatron's unwavering adherence to his moral convictions (including a belief that fighting should always be the final resort) often put him at odds with the Maximals. His early relationship with Optimus Primal was uneasy, but Tigatron ultimately became one of his most loyal followers. As a result he was viewed as aloof, despite possessing some of the most powerful weaponry of all the Transformers. Tigatron was less willing to participate in pre-emptive military actions, but always willing to run to the Maximal's rescue whenever they were on the brink of disaster or ultimate Predacon victory. He and Airazor were abducted by the mysterious alien race known as the [[Vok]], who fused them into '''Tigerhawk''' ''(TigerFalcon)''. In the BotCon fictions, he was later revived by the Vok to assist [[Primal Prime]].

The third and final chapter of ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' titled "Kingdom" features the Autobots and the Maximals teaming up against the Decepticons and the Predacons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=2021-07-23 |title=REVIEW: Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom Rolls Out a Fitting End to the Netflix Trilogy |url=https://www.cbr.com/transformers-war-for-cybertron-kingdom-review/ |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

; '''[[Airazor]]''': The second Maximal protoform, her beast mode was a large [[Peregrine Falcon]]. Brash and self-confident, Airazor is the Maximal's aerial scout during the better part of the series' first season. When her stasis pod crashed, the locking chip of Airazor's protoform was damaged. Rhinox transplanted Cheetor's locking chip into Airazor's protoform and giving her a chance of survival. Together with the locking chip, Airazor inherrited some of Cheetor's personality-quirks. She had a romantic relationship with Tigatron before being abducted by the Vok and fused into Tigerhawk. She was later revived by the Vok to aid [[Primal Prime]]. Airazor was male in the [[Japan]]ese version of the series, but was female in the manga.

== References ==

; '''[[Silverbolt]]''': Maximal flyer and Fuzor; his Beast mode is a fusion of an [[eagle]] and a [[gray wolf]]. Among them, he was the most righteous and stood up for both the Transmutate and the formidable Predacon BlackArachnia. He was sort of a contrast to Dinobot (who embodied Predacon [[honor]], similar to the Samurai code of [[bushido]]); Silverbolt embodied the Maximal version of honor which was like the [[chivalry]] of the [[medieval]] [[knight]]s, which sometimes left his team mates feeling befuddled at just how seriously he took his ideals. Like Tigatron, Silverbolt was slow to anger but wouldn't back down from a fight. Rattrap often called him "Bird Dog" and, at one point, called him "Sir Drools a Lot". Silverbolt himself didn't seem to mind and generally let whatever criticisms people made of him roll off his back. Silverbolt fell in love with BlackArachnia, and had charmed her (via his unshakeable integrity and commitment to protect her no matter how or where) into grudgingly falling in love with him, at the end of Season 2; when Rattrap made a derogative remark about BlackArachnia's well being, Silverbolt threatened to harm him brutally. Already growing increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's leadership, and believing that her powers were superior to all other Transformers, BlackArachnia was already contemplating leaving the Predacons and going solo. Waspinator often referred to Silverbolt as "Doggy-Bot".

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

; '''[[Depth Charge]]''': Marine Commander and former Maximal Security Officer; beast form was a metallic [[manta ray]]. He had a vendetta against Rampage who was contained at the planet he served at and when Rampage broke loose he killed Depth Charge's squad. Depth Charge was a quiet, brooding warrior, traumatized and obsessed with killing Rampage. His voice, personality and back-story were reminiscent of a spaghetti western sheriff. He 'joined' the Maximals but prefered to work by himself and did not get along well with the rest of the team, particularly Optimus, who he often refused to listen to or obey his orders. In the end, he died when he impaled Rampage's spark with a piece of raw Energon, thus causing an immense explosion.

{{Portal|United States|Canada|Television|Cartoon|1990s}}

* {{Wikiquote-inline}}

* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20110625180238/http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257412 Transformers Beast Wars: Complete Series]'' at [[Shout! Factory]]

* {{IMDb title|0115108|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

* {{anime News Network|anime|3928}}

* [https://archive.today/20121206043106/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/M/Mainframe_Entertainment/Beast_Wars__Transformers/index.html ''Beast Wars: Transformers''] at the [[Big Cartoon DataBase]]

* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080117085050/http://www.a3upodcast.com/node/128 A3U Podcast Audio Interview With Voice Actor Scott McNeil]}}

* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080404173440/http://www.a3upodcast.com/node/159 A3U Podcast Audio Interview With Voice Actor Garry Chalk]}}

{{Former YTV original series}}

; '''[[Tigerhawk]]''': Merged form of Tigatron and Airazor, sent to Earth by the Vok to destroy Megatron. Originally possessed by a pair of Vok, who were later removed and infused within Tarantulas. The Sparks of Tigatron and Airazor, pursuing their fused body, merged together to inhabit the new Maximal. Tigerhawk was destroyed shortly afterward by the ''Nemesis''.

{{Transformers animated series}}

{{Fox Kids}}

[[Category:1990s American animated television series]]

===Predacons===

[[Category:1990s American children's television series]]

''Note:'' The Predacon spaceship in the U.S./Canada has never been [[canon (fiction)|canonically]] named, but the de facto name for it is the ''Darkside.'' Originating in fan circles, the name was derived from the Terrorsaur's quote, "Welcome to the dark side!" from the episode "Equal Measures," and was later used in an official capacity in the episode descriptions in the DVD box sets and in the [[PS1]] "Beast Wars Metal" video game. In Japan, external media such as trading cards and magazine articles, but not the dub of the show itself, refer to the the ship as the ''Terror Crasher.''

[[Category:1990s American science fiction television series]]

[[Category:1996 American animated television series debuts]]

; '''[[Megatron (Beast Wars)|Megatron]]''': secretive Leader of the Predacons,and part-time inventor, whose beast mode was a [[Tyrannosaurus rex]], but later tranforms into a dragon. He is considered a megalomaniac among his followers, and unqualified to be their leader. That has lead many Predacon subordinates to periodically plot against him or defect. The Tripredacus Council also considers him to be untrustworthy which is why Tarantulas was sent undercover to keep an eye on him. Megatron shares the name with the Decepticon leader Megatron. His trademark is saying the word "ye-e-e-sss" in an exaggeratedly self-impressed way after certain statements, or as a stand-alone emphatic phrase, although he claims that no one is intelligent enough to agree with him. Megatron always has a secret agenda which is usually convoluted and involves calculated risks, gambles, and manipulating other Transformers. His ultimate goal is the conquest of Cybertron, where he is currently branded a criminal. His favourite toy is a yellow rubber duck.

[[Category:1999 American television series endings]]

[[Category:1990s Canadian animated television series]]

; '''[[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]]''': Scientist, and covert Predacon police lieutenant in the service of the [[Tripredacus Council]]. Always trying to save himself first (and last), his beast form was a giant [[tarantula]]. Megatron often relied on Tarantulas because of his technological and strategic brilliance, but was always suspicious of his intentions and aspirations. Well known for his frequent maniacal laughter. Shortly before his demise, Tarantulas made a remark implying that he, as well as the Tripredacus Council, were not descended from the [[Autobots]] or [[Decepticons]] that crashed landed on Earth, "I, like the Tripedacus Council, have Different origins" (Megatron later refers to Tarantulas as "[[Unicron]]'s spawn". Although this is never built upon in this series and may have originally been intended as a generic insult, it has been embraced by the later fictions -- Megatron's knowledge of this was never explained, and it may have simply been an insult that ironically turned out to be true). He later died from an accidental shot from his own ray gun while fighting the Vok influence which he had extracted from Tigerhawk. In the BotCon comics, it is revealed that his death was merely a ruse to deter the alien Vok. His spark corrupted the extracted Vok, and he was now capable of utilizing their power to his own ends. Tarantulas soon built Tripredacus Agent (speculated to contain the spark of Ravage) and engineered various leftover protoforms with Transmetal 2 technology. In [[Transformers: Universe]], Tarantulas returned to his true master and creator, Unicron.

[[Category:1990s Canadian science fiction television series]]

[[Category:1996 Canadian television series debuts]]

; '''[[Waspinator]]''': Stupid, yet loyal flyer; beast form was a giant [[wasp]]. Waspinator often refers to himself in the third person. His body is broken apart or dissembled numerous times throughout the series. At the end of the War Waspinator tired of being destroyed so often (or as he called it 'slagged') defects from the Predicons and attacks Megatron, only to be destroyed yet again. Among the original crew, he was the only one, ironically, that survived to the end of the series finale, when he was last seen being worshipped, even more ironically, by the planet's inhabitants. Waspinator is the only Predacon whose form does not change or evolve for the duration of the series. Outside of Optimus Primal and Megatron, he had a tendency to address his comrades and enemies by nicknames that vaguely described their personas or transformation modes. Examples: Silverbolt = Doggy-Bot, Tarantulus = Spider-Bot.

[[Category:1999 Canadian television series endings]]

[[Category:American children's animated action television series]]

; '''[[Terrorsaur]]''': Technical advisor and Aerial Combatant; beast form was a [[pteranodon]]. Terrorsaur was the most openly disloyal member of the Predacons. Much like the Decepticon Starscream, Terrorsaur attempted numerous times to overthrow Megatron so that he could become leader. Megatron kept him in service despite knowledge of Terrorsaur's treachery. He seemingly died in the season 2 premiere after colliding with Scorponok and falling into [[lava]]. A transmetal toy of Terrorsaur was made, but never utilized in the show, since he seemingly died just before the quantum wave turned some of the cast into transmetals. He returned in the pages of Transformers: Universe. Since Unicron was pulling victims from different times and dimensions, it's possible he pulled Terrorsaur from just before he died in the lava.

[[Category:American children's animated space adventure television series]]

[[Category:American children's animated science fantasy television series]]

; '''[[Scorponok]]''': Loyal second-in-command to Megatron; beast form was a giant [[scorpion]]. He possesses some technical knowledge, though behind Tarantulus and Blackarachnia in skill, and is notoriously incompetent. He died along with Terrorsaur in the Season 2 premiere. A transmetal toy of Scorponok was made, but never utilized in the show, since he died just before the quantum wave turned some of the cast into transmetals.

[[Category:Canadian children's animated action television series]]

[[Category:Canadian children's animated space adventure television series]]

; '''[[Blackarachnia]]''': Saboteur, spy, and master of electromagnetic energy. Maximal protoform that was converted into a Predacon by Tarantulas; beast form is a giant [[black widow spider]]. Blackarachnia has some skills in mechanics and science, 2nd to Tarantulas. In season 1 and 2, she largely assisted Tarantulas in his machinations and was briefly possessed by him. Later she joined up with the Maximals after falling in love with Silverbolt and was able to gain a new Transmetal 2 form. Her Transmetal 2 form came after a failsafe, installed by Tarantulus, killed her. Ressurrected as full Maximal by the Transmetal II Driver, the way she was supposed to be, but she still considered herself a "bad-girl". Blackarachnia possessed multiple weapons, and the ability to spin webs that could electromagnetically drain energy from Transformers caught in it. She also displayed some form of telekinesis. Although a transmetal toy of Blackarachnia was made, it was never utilized for the character in the show, and she went straight from her organic form to transmetal 2.

[[Category:Canadian children's animated science fantasy television series]]

[[Category:American computer-animated television series]]

; '''[[Inferno (Transformers)|Inferno]]''': Maximal protoform converted by Tarantulas; beast form is a giant [[fire ant]]. A glitch in this process resulted in Inferno believing he really was an ant, although his impenetrable personal loyalty made his boss (whom he often referred to as his "[[Queen (insect)|Queen]]," to Megatron's chagrin) forgive his quirks. Inferno was extremely tough and powerful, while at the same time being amazingly simple-minded. Inferno was unintentionally killed by his "Queen" in the ''Beast Wars'' finale (during an attack on the early humans).

[[Category:Canadian computer-animated television series]]

[[Category:American sequel television series]]

; '''[[Quickstrike]]''': Originally a Maximal Fuzor, he defected to the Predacons due to his more violent nature. His Fuzor form is a giant scorpion with a [[cobra (snake)|cobra]] acting as his tail. Quickstrike attempted to seize power with Tarantulas, by slagging Megatron during the Predacon infiltration of The Ark. His attempt (Tarantulas was mainly in charge) failed and his 'trial for treachery' did not conclude. He was saved from being destroyed by Rampage and Dinobot (2) acting on Megatron's orders. Quickstrike was unintentionally killed (along with Inferno) by Megatron in the ''Beast Wars'' finale. He often came off as a cartoonish "Old West" gunslinger caricature.

[[Category:YTV (Canadian TV channel) original programming]]

[[Category:Transformers: Beast Wars]]

; '''[[Rampage (Beast Wars)|Rampage]]''': Warlord. A Maximal experiment gone wrong; Maximal scientists were attempting to recreate Starscream's mutant immortal Spark, creating Protoform X (Rampage's original name). X destroyed countless Maximals, razing entire colonies including Starbase Rugby and Omicron. Rampage (whose beast form is a giant metal [[King crab]]) is a sadist who loves nothing more than death and destruction. He was recruited by Megatron when he removed half of Rampage's spark, which Megatron uses to keep him in line. He was killed by Depth Charge at the end of the series by using raw energon to pierce Rampage's spark. Although Rampage's love for pain, suffering, and fear is well known, many consider Rampage not to be evil (at the level of the Predacons) but to be a simply dark, disturbed, and lost transformer who was shaped by the Maximals themselves.

[[Category:First-run syndicated animated television series]]

[[Category:First-run syndicated television shows in Canada]]

; '''[[Dinobot (Beast Wars)|Dinobot 2]]''': Blank protoform equipped with half of Rampage's Spark and Transmetal 2 technology, Dinobot 2 was created as a clone of the original Dinobot. Without any of Dinobot's honor, this Dinobot was a formidable foe. After Rampage died, Dinobot 2 regained the personality of the original, and thus refused to attack his former comrades. He died when the Autobot shuttle tore through ''Nemesis''.

[[Category:Fox Kids]]

[[Category:Television shows filmed in Vancouver]]

===Non-Aligned Characters===

[[Category:American time travel television series]]

; '''Jak and Una''': Two [[hominid]] children who befriend the Maximals.

[[Category:Canadian time travel television series]]

[[Category:American English-language television shows]]

; '''The [[Vok]]''': A race of semi-divine aliens. They travelled through time and space conducting several experiments. Prehistoric Earth became one of their testing grounds, seeding it with vast amounts of raw Energon deposits and other anomalies such as flying islands, a Stonehenge-like formation, a golden disk, etc. They even constructed a second moon, which was in reality, a giant cannon capable of wiping all life off the face of the Earth should they need to "sterilise" the Earth. This was seen as a necessary step when the Maximals and Predacons arrived from the future and started the Beast Wars. The Beast Wars posed a threat to galactic peace and the Vok took it upon themselves to cleanse the Earth of all life, rather than risk interplanetary war. After losing direct contact with the Beast Wars Transformers, the Vok abducted Tigatron and Airazor, and reactivated them fused together as their emissary, Tigerhawk. The Vok element was removed from Tigerhawk by Tarantulas, who wanted to gain its power. Both were apparently destroyed by a weapon fired at Tarantulas. However, as BotCon Beast Wars: Primeval Dawn reveals, Tarantulas and the Vok survive, and battle once more. It is also revealed that the Vok evolved from the [[Swarm (Transformers)|Swarm]] (as seen in the ''Transformers: Generation 2'' comic book), the Vok sought to correct the 'sins' they had committed as the Swarm and went on a mission to maintain creation. The [[Quintessons]] consider the Vok's existence to be an aberration. It is unknown how many Vok exist.

[[Category:Transformers animated television series|Beast Wars]]

[[Category:Works by Len Wein]]

; '''[[Transmutate]]''': A Maximal created from a stasis pod that was so extensively damaged that it created her with permanent neurological and physical impairments. Transmutate was inarticulate in speech or thought, and unable to transform, but deeply emotional and powerful; she was capable of flight and energy projection. Transmutate befriended both the Maximal [[Silverbolt]], who sought to protect her, and the Predacon [[Rampage]], who knew the pain of being labelled a "freak," and sought to form a sympathetic friendship with her. [[Megatron]] saw Transmutate as having no value as a combatant and initially wanted to destroy her. With Transmutate's immense physical powers but limited mental capacity, [[Optimus Primal]] viewed her as a threat and thought it best if she were shut down. This caused a moral divide between Optimus Primal and Silverbolt. Silverbolt and Rampage battled over custody of Transmutate. Unable to tolerate watching her friends fight, she sacrificed herself to protect Silverbolt and Rampage from each other, leaving Maximal and Predacon to mourn for her passing. Her episode served as an extremely powerful metaphor for [[euthanasia]] and is arguably one of the most morally provocative stories ever written for Transformers.

[[Category:Animated television series set in the United States]]

[[Category:Animated television series about animals]]

===Generation 1 characters included===

[[Category:Animated television series about dinosaurs]]

; '''[[Starscream]]''': (From the original Transformers series) guest starred in one episode. His spark is immortal (the result of a random aberration that so far cannot be completely duplicated, though Rampage is apparently the closest that has ever come to it.), and one day it was able to possess Waspinator, resulting in an all-too brief return of the Air Commander of the Decepticon battle fleet. Waspinator, predictably, enjoyed dramatically enhanced combat abilities during this unlikely fusion.

[[Category:Animated television series about robots]]

[[Category:Television series by Mainframe Studios]]

; '''[[Ravage (Transformers)|Ravage]]''': Intelligence/Saboteur. Another returning Decepticon from the original series that appeared in the 3 part episode, "The Agenda". After the Great War, several of the Decepticons that had been captured or that surrendered were granted amnesty. In time, one was reprogrammed and rebuilt as a Predacon, Ravage. In his upgraded form, Ravage was more humanoid and possessed [[active camouflage]], although he could still transform into a tape [[compact audio cassette|cassette]]. When the Maximals on prehistoric Earth were finally able to send a "signal" back to Cybertron, it was intercepted by the Predacon council, who ordered Ravage on a clandestine mission to the planet aboard an advanced stealth warship, with orders to kill Megatron and all witnesses including the Maximals. Initially, Ravage aided the Maximals in capturing Megatron. However, the imprisoned Megatron then informed Ravage of his true agenda in coming to Earth; the ''original'' Megatron had encoded a message on the [[Voyager Golden Record]]. The message would only have been found if Megatron was defeated in the Great War (which he was), and it ordered any remaining loyal followers to go to Earth (whose coordinates the record provided) in the past and attempt to attack the Autobot Ark ship while Optimus Prime was still frozen in stasis-lock. On hearing these orders from his former commander, Ravage switches sides and joined the Predacons in a massive but ultimately thwarted attack on the Maximals. Destroyed in the explosion of his ship, his last words were "Decepticons ''forever''!". Ravage was later revived by the corrupted Vok as a Transmetal 2 and aided Tarantulas in battling [[Primal Prime]].

[[Category:Transformers: Generation 1]]

[[Category:Television series by Allspark]]

; '''[[Optimus Prime]]''': Leader of the Autobots. When the Maximals discovered the Ark, Megatron attacked Optimus Prime to wipe them from history. To save Prime, Optimus Primal took his Spark into his own body for a time, resulting in his mutation into Optimal Optimus. After Prime's body was repaired, his Spark was returned. The [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] was later used by the Vok to bring life to [[Primal Prime]].

[[Category:Television series by Alliance Atlantis]]

[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]

; '''[[Megatron]]''': Leader of the Decepticons. Found aboard the Ark along with Optimus Prime and his crew. Megatron later infiltrated the Ark and absorbed his ancestor's Spark, resulting in the birth of Megatron in his Red Dragon form. Despite this, Megatron was defeated, and the original Megatron's Spark was returned.

[[Category:Television shows adapted into video games]]

[[Category:Television series by Claster Television]]

==Sequel==

[[Category:1990s American time travel television series]]

Beast Wars was followed up by a new series with a new creative team in charge of the cartoon. This was called [[Beast Machines]]. As a sequel, it was not well received amongst fans mostly due to the surviving Maximals and Predacons being out-of-character to a certain degree. Others did not find its techno-organic Cybertron concept to be agreeable.

[[Category:1990s Canadian time travel television series]]

==DVD Release==

In [[2003]], Beast Wars: The Complete First Season, was released on DVD by [[Rhino Entertainment]]. It's official release date was [[August 12]], [[2003]]. Over the next two years, Beast Wars: The Complete Second Season and Beast Wars: The Complete Third Season were released.

The Complete First Season is due for release in Australia by [[Madman Entertainment]] on March 15, 2006. Each Season will be released over the course of the year and coincides with the 10th Anniversary of Beast Wars toy to be released in Australia from April.

These sets will include the same special features as their US counterparts, plus audio commentary by Beast Wars writers Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio and Transformers consultant Benson Yee among many other new additions.

==Botcon Comic==

In the [[BotCon]] comics, two particular Beast Wars storylines are tapped.

In the Point Omega storyline, several events lead up to a tremendous battle against [[Shokaract]], a Predacon fueled by the Dark Essence of [[Unicron]] himself. This also serves as an introduction for [[Apelinq]], and the only appearances of [[Windrazor]], Sandstorm, Antagony, and Cataclysm.

In the Primeval Dawn story, Tarantulas comes back from the dead alongside Ravage, Spittor and Razorclaw to complete the mission he set out to do, while the Vok create [[Primal Prime]] to stand in his way; Primal Prime teams up with Airazor and Tigatron, who have come back from the dead as well.

==Japanese treatment==

The Japanese series ''Beast Wars II'' (ビーストウォーズセカンド ''Biisuto Uoozu Sekando''） and ''Beast Wars Neo'' （ビーストウォーズネオ ''Biisuto Uoozu Nuo''） were created to fill the gap while the second and third seasons of ''Beast Wars'' were being translated into Japanese (called ''Beast Wars: Metals''). The characters originate from the future that the ''Beast Wars'' teams left, but the events of the series take place in the far future. The series are noted primarily for the return of [[Unicron]], but more negatively, for their childish, comedic nature. ''Beast Wars II'' spawned a theatrical movie (「ライオコンボイの危機」: "Lio Convoy's Crisis"). See [[Transformers Series]] for more details. The Beast Wars Neo toyline was created to cater to the Japanese market. Whereas the cybernetic Transmetal Beast Wars Transformers sold well in Western markets, Japanese fans preferred more realistic looking beast modes. Beast Wars Metals was not as successful with Japanese fans. The Beast Wars Metal show and toy line only lasted a few months before being quickly replaced by ''Transformers Car Robots'' (later released in English-speaking countries as ''[[Transformers: Robots In Disguise]]'') in the following new year.

==Comic books==

[[image:Magmatron-grimlock.jpg|right|thumb|Beast Wars [[Magmatron]] vs. [[Grimlock]] from IDW.]]

Dreamwave comics released a Summer Special which contained a Beast Wars story. It introduced three new characters, Optimus Minor, Bonecrusher and Wolfang. The comic had a survey as to whether Dreamwave's new comic would be Robots In Disguise or Beast Wars. Beast Wars won.

Dreamwave Productions had plans to release a Beast Wars comic in early [[2005]]. While Dreamwave Productions filed for bankruptcy in January 2005, the license for all Transformers comics, including Beast Wars was picked up be IDW Publishing, and is scheduled to be released in early 2006. The series will been written by [[Simon Furman|Simon Furman]] and drawn by Don Allen Figueroa. James "Brad Mick" McDonough and Adam Patyk were originally planned to write the series until they left Dreamwave after not being paid for several projects. The Beast Wars comic takes place parallel to the third season of Beast Wars and will introduce new characters like Magmatron, Razorbeast, and Injector. Generation 1 characters are expected to join the cast too, such as Grimlock in his Beast Wars (recolored Dinobot toy) body and Ravage in his Transmetal 2 "Tripredacus Agent" incarnation.

<BR CLEAR="ALL">

==Video Games==

Two video games based on the show were released for the [[Sony]][[Playstation]], [[Nintendo 64]], and [[PC]]. The first released was a 3rd person shooter based on the show's first season, while the other was a [[Fighting Vipers]]-type fighting game based on the [[Transmetals]] toy line. Neither game was held in high regard by reviewers. There was also a Beast Wars game in the works for the [[Playstation 2]], but it got canned in pre-production.

==Cast (Canada and US)==

* [[Gary Chalk]] - Optimus Primal

* [[Richard Newman]] - Rhinox

* [[Ian James Corlett]] - Cheetor, Sentinel, Seaclamp

* [[Scott McNeil]] - Rattrap, Dinobot, Waspinator, Silverbolt, Ramhorn

* [[Blu Mankuma]] - Tigatron/Tigerhawk

* [[Pauline Newstone]] - Airazor

* [[David Sobolov]] - Depthcharge

* [[David Kaye]] - Megatron

* [[Don Brown]] - Scorponok

* [[Alec Willows]] - Tarantulas

* [[Doug Parker]] - Terrorsaur, Starscream

* [[Venus Terzo]] - Blackarachnia

* [[Jim Byrnes]] - Inferno

* [[Colin Murdock]] - Quickstrike

* [[Campbell Lane]] - Rampage

* [[Elizabeth Carol Savenkoff]] - Predacon Ship Computer

* [[Lee Tockar]] - Ravage

* [[Susan Blu]] - Transmutate, Una

==Cast (Japan)==

* [[Takehito Koyasu]] - Convoy

* [[Daiki Nakamura]] - Rhinox

* [[Wataru Takagi]] - Cheetas

* [[Kappei Yamaguchi]] - Rattor

* [[Keiji Fujiwara]] - Dinobot

* [[Koichi Tochika]] - Tigatron/TigerFalcon

* [[Tetsuya Iwanaga]] - Airazor

* [[Mitsuo Iwata]] - Silverbolt

* [[Kiyoyuki Yanada]] - Depth Charge

* [[Shigeru Chiba]] - Megatron

* [[Masashi Endo]] - Scorpos

* [[Nobuo Tobita]] - Terrorsaur, Quickstrike, Sentinel

* [[Yuichi Nagashima]] - Tarans

* [[Kenso Kato]] - Waspittor

* [[Ryoka Yuzuki]] - Black Widow, Destron Computer(Naviko)

* [[Shinichiro Miki]] - Inferno

* [[Nobuyuki Hiyama]] - Rampage

* [[Kazuki Yao]] - Starscream

* [[Hidetoshi Nakamura]] - Vok Unicron

* [[Haruna Ikezawa]] - Transmutate

* [[Furin Cha]] - Cicadacon

* [[Yukimasa Kishino]] - Ramhorn

* [[Joji Yanami]] - Seaclamp

* [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] - Jaguar

==Trivia==

*Originally, the series was going to be set in the present, with certain Generation 1 characters reborn in new bodies. This was very much evident in the Tech Specs of the first line of toys. The writers of the series, however, knew next to nothing about the original series at first, and since they were given free reign to do what they wanted with a series whose purpose was to promote what was, at the time, a dying franchise, they rewrote the premise so that it apparently had no connection to Generation 1 outside of a few recycled names. When Bob Forward and Larry Ditillio discovered an online Transformers chat forum and learned more about the original series however, they began to work in elements from G1, placing the series in the same universe.

*While the toy line was lauded for its innovative joint construction and the show mostly liked by fans, some Transformer purists still decry the entire series as a mistake, having gone as far as to devise slogans like "Truk not munky" to show their disgust over the use of animals instead of vehicles for the line's alternate forms.

*The third season of the TV show was originally supposed to include an episode called "Dark Glass", written by Christy Marx. The script of the episode depicted an encounter between Rattrap and Dinobot II, where Rattrap finds that the datatracks of the original Dinobot in the ship's computer, and goes on a suicide mission to install it into the Transmetal 2 clone in a desperate bid to bring his old friend/foil back. However, the script was seen as "too dark" for little children to watch, and so the episode was never produced. A considerably lighter and more jocular episode called "Go with the Flow" was shown in its place. Transcripts of the episode survived, however, and it is now considered part of the Beast Wars continuity among fans, mainly for its explination on how Dinobot II regained the original's personality after Rampage was destroyed at the end of Season 3.

*Actor [[Scott McNeil]] voiced five characters in the series; Rattrap, Silverbolt, Waspinator, and the two incarnations of Dinobot.

*While the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' series officially exist as the future of ''a'' G1, it is not a specific G1, incorporating bits and pieces of continuity from both the original television series and the [[Marvel comics]], while introducing new elements into the Transformer mythos, such as sparks and protoforms (however, it should be noted that beyond use of the comic-only term, "[[The Ark (Transformers)|The Ark]]", and the comic book deity, [[Primus (Transformers)|Primus]], all of the show's references are based on the G1 cartoon). This would be carried on into the [[Dreamwave]] comics, which seemed to integrate elements from both lines while working towards maintaining continuity with ''Beast Wars''.

*Despite living all the way to the series finale, Waspinator is either shot, framed, or somehow blown-up in almost every episode. (similar to the character [[Kenny McCormick|Kenny]] in the cartoon [[South Park]]).

*Among others, Transformers fan and proprieter of www.bwtf.com Ben Yee had been called on many times to provide insight into the Transformers mythos to Mainframe so they could properly incorporate them into the show. As thanks for his help, Ben Yee is given a commendation within an episode of the show as an in-joke. When Rhinox was reprogrammed as a Predacon, he sabotaged various aspects of the base, and even Waspinator's personality. When Black Arachnia referred to him as "wacko," Waspinator replied "Wacko? No, Wonko! Wonko the Sane!" This is a reference to a character from Douglas Adams' So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish, and was the [[screen name]] of Ben Yee at the time.

*In addition to Ben Yee, other fan references were spread throughout the series. Notable fan references include:

*Episode 24 Before The Storm - "Code A.T.T.," spoken by Megatron, in reference to fan forum alt.toys.transformers, and "...it is beyond imagination!", again spoken by Megatron, in reference to Hooks' website "Beyond Imagination," which at the time included interviews with the writers and spoilers for upcoming episodes.

*Episode 35 Code of Hero - "Got a blue plate sighting in Tengu Sector," spoken by Cheetor, in reference to fan Tengu.

*Episode 37 The Agenda Part One - "Rampage, position yourself in Subsector Hooks", spoken by Megatron, another reference to Hooks.

*Episode 44 Feral Scream Part One - "Grid Tallories", spoken by Optimus Primal, in reference to fan Tallories.

*Episode 51 Nemesis Part One - "This is Optimus, encoding transmission M Sipher" in reference to M "Quote" Sipher.

*The series also made several tips of the hat to the original Transformers toys. For example, in the third segment of the story arc "The Agenda", the Maximals are under fire from the automated defenses of The Ark, the vessel of the original G1 Autobots. When Cheetor exclaims that the Maximals weapons are failing to damage the ship's hull, Primal responds with "Die cast construcion....It's a lost art." This is a reference to the the fact that the original Transformers toys were almost entirely made from die cast metal, a practice which had largely fallen out of use at the time of Beast Wars.

*The toyline of the Beast Wars included "Mutant Heads". They were going to include the heads in the televison series, but the graphic designers weren't that up to date on graphics to put them in.

*The show was originally going to feature a much larger cast of characters, but limitations on CGI at the time meant that the animators had to shorten the cast to five members on both sides, adding new characters sparingly. Bob Forward has credited this as being part of the reason why the show was so successful, because a smaller cast meant he could focus on character development and personality for every character, as opposed to the ungainly task of writing for an entire army's worth of characters.

* Initially, Waspinator, not Terrorsaur, was to die at the beginning of Season 2. Because people enjoyed Waspinator as comic relief for the series, the creators decided to kill off Terrorsaur instead. Waspinator went on to be the only Predacon to survive both Beast Wars and Beast Machines (not counting Black Arachnia, who defected in season 3 of Beast Wars). [http://www.tv.com/aftermath/episode/45417/trivia.html#Notes 1]

==External links==

*[http://www.cybertronian-alliance.com/ Cybertronian Alliance] - Beast Wars RPG and huge database of TF related images.

*[http://www.tfu.info/ TFU.info] - growing online archive of nearly every Beast Wars and Transformers toy.

*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115108/ ''Beast Wars'' at IMDB]

*[http://www.tv.com/beast-wars/show/2361/summary.html?q=beast%20wars ''Beast Wars'' at TV.com]

*''[http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/M/Mainframe_Entertainment/Beast_Wars__Transformers/index.html Beast Wars: Transformers]'' at the [[Big Cartoon DataBase]]

*[http://www.transformersnetwork.com/beastwars/ Transformers Network]

*[http://www.bwtf.com/ Ben's World of Transformers]

*[http://www.beastwars.com.au/ Madman's Official Beast Wars site]

*[http://www.tfu.info/ Transformers Toys Database]

*[http://www.bwint.net BW International]

*[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk Transformers @ The Moon]

*[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.info Lucky Draw Transformers]

[[Category:Animated television series]]

[[Category:Transformers series]]

[[Category:Programs broadcast by YTV]]

[[ja:ビーストウォーズ 超生命体トランスフォーマー]]