While it’s true that the Autobots are as pacifist as they come, there’s still a lot of elements in Transformers that may be deemed inappropriate for young viewers, particularly preschoolers. This March, The Hub will debut a new Transformers spin off that is targeted towards children aged five to seven: Transfomers Rescue Bots.
In Transformers Rescue Bots, a group of Autobots join forces with a human family made up of first responders. Set in a special island off the Eastern Seaboard, Transformers Rescue Bots will offer stories that mix action-adventure with humor, all the while teaching kids valuable lessons about heroism and teamwork. As expected, Transformers Rescue Bots will have a much lighter tone than all the other Transfomers toons and movies from the past, both in terms of story and visuals, with the show featuring a more colorful and varied look compared to the greys and browns more prominent with cartoons these days.
“We wanted to introduce younger viewers—children aged five to seven—to the rich world of the Transformers, because our other show Transformers Prime is aimed at older kids—from six to 11,” says Kline, whose long list of animation credits include Men In Black: The Series, Dragon Tales, My Friends Tigger & Pooh and G.I. Joe: Renegades. “Their older brothers have the toys, and they are familiar with these characters. I was very impressed with the concept of the show, and I know that kids love playing with the toys. So we looked at the show as a way of offering a show that parents would feel comfortable allowing their kids to enjoy—substituting the family of First Responders with the darker battles that older viewers enjoy.”
Transformers Rescue Bots airs at 9:30am at The Hub.
