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Post by Stu on Dec 30, 2009 19:20:39 GMT -5
Here's a random question. After being around for about 30 years (moreso in Japan), are Optimus Prime and Megatron household names? Can the average person at least make the connection between their names and the Transformers brand?
No one really needs to know that Prime is leader of the Autobots and turns into a truck, while Megatron leads the Decepticons and turns into a gun/tank/jet/etc. All they really need to know is that they're characters from Transformers. Preferably the original Generation 1 version.
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Post by Mr. Emoticon Man, TF Fan on Dec 30, 2009 19:22:50 GMT -5
Yes, they're household names.
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Dr. T is an alien
Patti Mayonnaise
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Dec 30, 2009 19:26:46 GMT -5
They are in my household.
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Post by The Tank on Dec 30, 2009 19:31:09 GMT -5
I'd certainly think so. Although, I'll admit that I didn't know Megatron turned into a gun originally until a few years ago.
It's not my fault, my generation got stuck with Beast Wars! (Which admittedly was awesome, but still.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2009 19:33:03 GMT -5
Yes, though I'd assume they were better known in the 80s.
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Post by Munkie91087 on Dec 30, 2009 19:50:30 GMT -5
Wasn't Transformers created in America? I figured they're more known here than anywhere else.
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Post by Mr. Emoticon Man, TF Fan on Dec 30, 2009 19:57:11 GMT -5
Wasn't Transformers created in America? I figured they're more known here than anywhere else. Nope. It all started in Japan, with a couple of toylines that were merged and turned into the Transformers line. Also, as far as being more well known in the 80s... perhaps. Given the success of the new movies and their resulting toylines, though, I wouldn't be surprised if that previous popularity is now rivaled by the current popularity.
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Post by Young Game on Dec 30, 2009 20:20:09 GMT -5
If I ever have a household, every morning will start as such:
Me: "Who provided us with this healthy, nutritious, breakfast?"
My Children: "Optimus Prime!"
Me: "Who wants to take it away?"
My Children: "Megatron!"
Me: "Roll out."
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Post by Mr. Emoticon Man, TF Fan on Dec 30, 2009 20:24:44 GMT -5
That is awesome. Assuming I get married to a woman with a sense of humor, I might just have to do that at least once or twice.
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Post by G✇JI☈A on Dec 30, 2009 20:24:51 GMT -5
If I ever have a household, every morning will start as such: Me: "Who provided us with this healthy, nutritious, breakfast?" My Children: "Optimus Prime!" Me: "Who wants to take it away?" My Children: "Megatron!" Me: "Roll out." I just have one thing to say to that: YOU GOT THE TOUCH!....... YOU GOT THE POWER!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dr. T is an alien
Patti Mayonnaise
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Posts: 31,304
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Dec 30, 2009 20:30:20 GMT -5
Wasn't Transformers created in America? I figured they're more known here than anywhere else. Nope. It all started in Japan, with a couple of toylines that were merged and turned into the Transformers line. Also, as far as being more well known in the 80s... perhaps. Given the success of the new movies and their resulting toylines, though, I wouldn't be surprised if that previous popularity is now rivaled by the current popularity. To be fair, the original toy lines were not about robots, but transforming vehicle/war machines (kind of like MASK, but nowhere near as lame). The alien robot theme was a semi-copycat twist as the Go-Bots line that started slightly earlier was about transforming cyborgs (which meant mechanical bodies with squishy organic components such as brains on the inside).
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Post by Red Impact on Dec 30, 2009 20:33:10 GMT -5
To me, a household name is one that won't elicit blank stares if you mention it to someone. So I think if they had a kid/were kids in the 80's and had a tv, they'd at least have heard the names before and they would be.
That doesn't mean I think they'd know what Transformers was, just that they'd heard the names.
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Post by Alucard on Dec 30, 2009 22:22:08 GMT -5
After two million dollar (well, more) movies, I'd say...um, yeah dude.
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Post by casualobserver on Dec 31, 2009 0:45:08 GMT -5
They're household names, but so is garbage and it too stinks when it gets old.
KIDDING! Just couldn't resist using Cornette's classic line.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Dec 31, 2009 11:06:26 GMT -5
With the success of the movies, it's safe to say they're household names now. Ten years ago, though, I think they were seen as not much more than characters from an 80's fad.
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The F'N Captain
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Post by The F'N Captain on Dec 31, 2009 11:18:33 GMT -5
I'd say more popular than the 80's because the kids of the 80's grew up, had kids and introduced THEM to Transformers.
Optimus Prime, most definitely, Megatron, a little less so. They did some poll somewhere and some kids ranked Optimus Prime as recognizable as Abraham Lincoln.
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Post by Mr. Emoticon Man, TF Fan on Dec 31, 2009 12:31:28 GMT -5
I'd say more popular than the 80's because the kids of the 80's grew up, had kids and introduced THEM to Transformers. That's a good point.
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Professor Chaos
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Post by Professor Chaos on Dec 31, 2009 15:09:16 GMT -5
I don't think so if I were to walk around and take a random poll quite honestly. I'd guess at least 20 percent of people would ay what when I asked if they knew who Optimus Prime was.
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The Line
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Post by The Line on Dec 31, 2009 15:15:45 GMT -5
what constitutes a household name? Is just hearing and remembering the names count? Because if that's all, then yes, most definitely. But If you were to ask details, household name might be pushing it.
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Post by frankincleveland on Dec 31, 2009 16:12:07 GMT -5
One of Cavaliers TV color analyst Austin Carr's nicknames for Shaq is "Optimus Prime," so if a 60-something basketball player knows the name, its gotta be pretty mainstream.
Waspinator, sadly, seems to be a bit more unrecognized by society at large.
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