Main
Features
 FOTD
 Toy Fair 2023
 SDCC 2023
 Toy Fair 2020
 NYCC 2019
 SDCC 2019
 Toy Fair 2019
 SDCC 2018
 Toy Fair 2018
 HasCon 2017
 SDCC 2017
 Toy Fair 2017
 SDCC 2016
 Toy Fair 2016
 SDCC 2015
 Toy Fair 2015
 SDCC 2014
 C2E2 2014
 Toy Fair 2014
 SDCC 2013
 C2E2 2013
 Toy Fair 2013
 SDCC 2012
 C2E2 2012
 Toy Fair 2012
 NYCC 2011
 SDCC 2011
 Toy Fair 2011
Archives
 Books
 DVD
 Music
 Statues
 Prop Replicas
 Toys
 Video Games
Credits
Contact


This site is part of Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Entertainment Earth affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click one of their links.


Related Links:
16bit Tumblr
16bit Twitter
16bit Instagram
ASWN
EE Podcast
Galactic Hunter
Glyos News
OSM News

Transformers Energon & Super Link Hasbro & Takara, 2003-2005

This incarnation of the Robots in Disguise is a sequel series to the wildly popular Transformers Armada (Micron Legend in Japan) and seems to follow a pattern similar to that of how the original Transformers Movie took place later than the series. Energon takes place 10 years after Armada, and of course involves Unicron, a rebuilt Megatron, and lots of new characters as well as new additions to the storyline.

This time around, the idea of toys combining with other toys is taken to a higher level, and a higher price point with the Spark of Combination concept which has wormed its way into the TV show as well. Now, Autobots can combine with all other Autobots in the Deluxe and Mega sizes, with a few exceptions. As seen in the image on the left, you can even combine toys of different price points to grow your own large and freakish creations. Decepticons have Hyper Power which seems to mean some toys have multiple forms and hidden, flip-out weaponry.

Hasbro and Takara seem to take different directions with each of their incarnations of Transformers, and this one is no different. Both comapnies are incorporating older Armada toys into their respective releases. Also, the Japanese Super Link Destrons (or Decepticons in the USA) all seem to be colored only slightly differently from their American counterparts. As such, fans wanting all significant versions of the toys are going to have a heck of a time affording all of these.

The line itself capped out in the USA at over 80 uniquely packaged sets of figures, and since a lot of those were two-packs, that's a lot of figures! Of course, this is a little less impressive when you realize that over 50% of the range incorporated recolors from previous lines or this one, which is always a very disappointing thing. Regardless, the line included the first-ever Arcee transforming toy along with some excellent homages to a number of late-era G1 characters, so the end result was a good one.

The toys started showing up in America in early December of 2003 and the show began airing on Cartoon Network at the end of January 2004. The show was bumped around quite a bit before finding new episodes airing pretty much exclusively on Cartoon Network's web site, but the comics were cranked out with a minimal amount of delays and a healthy dose of cameos from Armada characters. (Which we really loved to see.)

New toy releases for Energon hit stores through about March 2005. The anime for SuperLink ended in Japan in 2004, but the final episode didn't air on Cartoon Network in the USA until June 2005. The comic was given a swift death when the license was revoked from Dreamwave, leaving a void in the world of these characters in print and a storyline that will most likely never be resolved. Next up in the mythos: Transformers Cybertron.

There are dozens of excellent sources for additional information on these robots in disguise on our link page. To find out the entire range of Energon product, please consult our checklist.

Pages last updated June 6 2005.

Transformers

 Generations
 Drift
 Thrust
 WFC Optimus Prime

 Classics
 Jetfire
 Megatron
 Mirage
 Starscream
 Toy Checklist

 Titanium
 Toy Checklist

 Alternators
 Shockblast

 Armada
 Nemesis Prime
 Toy Checklist

 Cybertron
 Toy Checklist

 Energon
 Battle Ravage
 Demolishor
 Energon Saber
 Energon Starscream
 Galvatron
 Roadblock
 Skyblast
 Snow Cat
 Starscream
 Strongarm
 Unicron
 Valentines
 Toy Checklist

 Generation One
 Goldbug
 Orion Pax & Dion

 Masterpiece Edition
 Convoy

 Robot Masters
 Air Hunter
 Beast Convoy
 Beast Megatron
 Bound Rogue
 Burning Beast Convoy + DVD
 Doubleface
 G1 Convoy
 G1 Convoy + DVD
 Gigant Bomb
 Psycho Orb
 R-Blade
 Rijie
 Road Rocket
 Smoke Sniper
 Starscream
 Wingstun
 Wrecker Hook
 Black Beast Convoy
 Black Starscream
 Toy Checklist

 Spychangers
 Optimus Prime

 Star Wars
 Darth Vader

 Universe
 Toy Checklist

 Also See:
 TransFormers PVCs
 G.I. Joe
 Other Toys

16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal.
We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.