For decades in various adaptations, viewers have witnessed the good (Autobots) and evil (Decepticons) forces of planet Cybertron fight each other. Most of the shows and movies set in the universe of shape-shifting robots called Transformers deal with their battles on Earth (as Cybertron is ravaged). However, some like Netflix's planned trilogy of animated series Transformers: War For Cybertron deal with their origin story. The trilogy deals with how the Decepticons were exploited in Cybertron and how they plan to fight back for their superiority.
As of now, the acclaimed first season has dropped which has generated hype because of its focus on Cybertron as well as the cutting-edge animation. However, with the hype, there's some uncertainty too. On the other side, the Autobots under the leadership of Optimus Prime try their best to counter these plans.
Excited: No Human Characters
While the Transformers' interaction with humans is integral to the series and especially the live-action movies, it would be interesting to see the spotlight on just the alien robots as they're the characters that form the heart and soul of the franchise.
Otherwise, often the human characters tend to add an unnecessary dramatic tone to the sci-fi heavy story arcs.
Nervous: Oversaturation Of Content And Similar Characters
The Transformers characters have become the lore of pop culture, thanks to hundred of reinterpretations in video games, merchandise, movies, and cartoon shows. War For Cybertron tends to give the lead roles to the usual robots that we're used to seeing like Bumblebee and Starscream (even if classic lesser-known ones are also introduced).
This might lead to an oversaturated narrative that we're often used to seeing as such storylines have also be covered in recent Transformers shows like Cyberverse and Robots In Disguise.
Excited: The Animation Style
Rather than cartoonish or simplistic interpretations as in the aforementioned shows like Cyberverse, War For Cybertron exhibits a more detailed, anime-style of animation that seems to mirror the style of the original series.
This suits the slightly deeper and darker tones too that this new trilogy is trying to achieve. The color palette of most of the episodes sports a dark shade while the robots' physique looks more stiff and mechanical making the show look less goofy, unlike recent versions.
Nervous: Raising Too Many Questions
While fans are appreciating the philosophical and mythical histories of Cybertron with the release of Siege (the first season), the show has been taking itself quite seriously at times. It asks several questions but leaves them unanswered. It's more than a simple good vs evil story as it also tells viewers about a time when the three titans of Cybertron were allies.
However, the fallout between Ultra Magnus, Optimus, and Megatron has still been shown in a vague manner. Significant characters like Alpha Trion or Guardians are referenced but their stories aren't explained that much-leaving room for ambiguity which will hopefully be cleared with the sophomore season.
Excited: Generation 1 Nostalgia
For all the fans of the original Michael Bay movies represented.
This anime's screenplay instead provides a space for warcraft, strategy, and internal politics too, something which the G1 installments also tried showing.
Nervous: Too Many Characters, Less Time To Transform
This might seem like a petty drawback most of the characters in Siege hardly got any screentime to transform and show off their detailed, vehicular forms. Many Transformers like Wheeljack, Elita-1, Arcee, and Soundwave hardly convert to their alt-modes.
Even Bumblebee never gets to transform! This doesn't happen even if there are plot points where their transformation would be convenient and make sense. This was maybe done to save money as the show does have a comparatively low budget.
Excited: Fan Service
As mentioned earlier, War For Cybertron is bringing a wave of nostalgia and fan service for viewers. This can be seen from the animation style and other small details here and there.
For instance, the character models very closely resemble the figures of Hasbro's acclaimed Siege toyline. Even the opening sequence mimics that of the original Transformers series as the two characters that are introduced first are Bumblebee and Wheeljack.
Nervous: Slight Design Flaws
For all its glorious animation, it's clear that there were budget limitations to the show. That's the reason why viewers get to see several character designs being reused or slightly recolored. This is the case with ing characters on both the factions. While it faithfully recreates the designs of the Siege toys, it also tends to incorporate some of the toys' design flaws too.
Fans pointed out how the Decepticon Seekers' chest piece (that looks like the cockpit canopies for human-made jets) ends up uselessly on their rears by their engine boosters when the robots are in their usual form. This gives an overall goofy appearance. But in the original series, the alt-mode pieces would fold over the canopy, rather than folding it over to the back ends.
Excited: A Fresh Take On Class Struggle
On the surface, the new show is a story of a struggle between two sides. But War For Cybertron crafts a wildly original story that explains the cause of this struggle. In great detail, the plot explains how Decepticons were often treated as laborers and second-class citizens at the hands of the Autobot 'bourgeoise'.
While Megatron ends up being a leader with extremist methods of revolution, the show would easily make the viewer shift philosophical sides on who is right and who is wrong. Adding such moral conflicts in the usual storyline is a welcome change.
Nervous: Optimus Prime Isn't Quite The Leader (Yet)
Optimus Prime is the charismatic, motivational leader of the Autobots and his character might get better with further episodes but in Siege, he seems to give off an aura of an immature stubbornness. While characters like Ultra Magnus shine in their scenes, Optimus acts surprisingly dumb in most of his screentime.
Megatron is quite tactical in laying traps for his Autobot enemies and Optimus always tends to fall in these traps. Instead of leading the Autobots to battle, he seems to depend more on their aid rather than his own morale. While Jake Foushee's voice acting is pretty good, the character has still not found his footing yet.