Megatron: this is starscream, my worst seeker Optimus: you fragged up a perfectly good seeker is what you did, look at it, it’s got anxiety

Fun fact when shockwave realized Megatron was Unicron, his eye darkened when he said "Unicron"

Seekers are naturally alert and often times skittish when not in the air - their wings are like their mood moderators and act like a cat's ears would to portray whether their anxious, excited, sad, happy or angry. Basically Starscreams like a big asshole of a cat

Starscreams wing movement just give him more character

I'm a simple woman I see Starscream I click

KZfaq suggestions: half hour long video about Starscream wings. Me: WeLl wHy NoT?

Starscream’s Wings = Ears Miko’s Buns = Ears Smokescreen & Bumblebee’s car doors = Ears Arcee’s Winglets = Ears All help express the character more.

I love the part where you dub over the scene with the predacons and explain his wings in real-time! It feels like I'm watching a nature documentary!

When starscream is really happy he flap's his wings. I seen it before.

At some point, when I was watching the show, I suddenly noticed the movements of kibble and other frame additions on the characters. I first saw it with Bumblebee, and from then on tried to spot similar motions with the others. I always wondered why Smokescreen wasn't as emotive with his 'wings' as Bumblebee or Starscream. Arcee sometimes moves her winglets, but I believe hers is rare because she tries to keep her true emotions in check (which is ineffective because she is VERY impulsive and just generally angry). I noticed it with the gold parts of Dreadwing's eyebrows, which move separately from them. And Shockwave's little antennae that twitch surprisingly often according to his mood or the events around him. It's amazing how many subtle (and non-subtle) motions are part of the characters to show their emotions and reactions. You often can't spot them your first or even second time viewing, but it makes scenes that much enjoyable to see the little movements. EDIT: I just saw another comment that reminded me of Miko's FUCKING PIGTAILS. They also move according to her moods.

i wonder how things would be if skywarp and thundercracker were in the show

But tbh starscream's wings are pretty cute.

I love that Starcream basically has heels

Actually Shockwave moves with his spikes too, and that's I think that's very interesting to analyze, since he usually doesn't show any emotions.

I love how expressive Starscream's wings are throughout this series. I can't say I noticed how emotive they are in other incarnations so it makes me appreciate TFP more for going the extra mile to add in this detail for Starscream's body language.

This is what makes Starscream more interesting to be honest

That's why i love the aligned version of these characters. The characters have so much depth to them that they seem more real, more natural, than their movie counterparts and are probably the best version of the characters in my opinion

finally a video entirely dedicated to Starscream’s wings

My thoughts when I see TFP Starscream: It's adorable! Oh, it's traumatized...

I'm so glad there are still TFP fans in 2020! (人 •͈ᴗ•͈)

Especially for my G1-headcanon to Starscream and the other seekers I have this kind of chart about the wings. When they are high and wide the seeker feels intense emotions, is surprised or wants to be seen as a threat. When they are high and close together it tends to be about shock or sudden interest. When the wings are bit droopy but apart the seeker is relaxed or feels a little unwell, is maybe a little scared, intimidated or unwilling. When they are closer together in the same height he is puzzled, a little angry maybe, feels unwell. When the wings are low they are unhappy, sad, angry, docile, feeling negative emotions that just get worse when they are closer together. So, in general: Wings closer together means more intense emotion or confusion. Seekers try to hide their wings when intimidated because they heavily depend on them and don't want them to be harmed. Sometimes their wings flutter to show interest or positive emotions. And I really like the image that when utterly confused or irritated one of the wings just drops.

Still one of the best Srarscream incarnations

I would never thought I was the only one who find starscreams wings interesting. A lot of emotions was put to this show. I love it when transformers parts in robot mode moves for maybe no reason sometimes

Having only discovered Transformers Prime a year ago, I'm happy that people are still talking about it.

I know you addressed this but I wanna say it STARSCREAM LOOKS CUTE WHEN HIS WINGS ARE DOWN. BUT I'M BIG FAN OF OPTIMUS I'M VERY CONFUSED OF MY LIFE CHOICES

Megatron:"DO NOT TAKE ME AS A FOOL STARSCREAM!!!" *Megatron second later*21:52 Note: *Make sure to be paused before clicking the time to not miss it*

The storyboard artists and animators outdid themselves here! It added such an extra layer of emotion and complexity to the characters actions! Just so so well done!

27:37 Wasn't actually thinking of commenting on this, but you didn't really touch on it, and I feel like putting my many countless hours spent in psychology classes to some form of use. I believe his wings are still perked up and held close, as if nervous, because, considering how it's gone *literally every other time in any canon that I can remember off the top of my head* for him when he tries to take the throne of the Decepticons, he'd be nervous that Megatron would suddenly appear out of the blue to abuse him for it, as a sort of PTSD reaction; Maybe not prominently shown in his general body language, but subconsciously registering, and affecting the wings' position. Just a thought.

Why do I feel like the only dude watching this

During the first assessment at like 17:38 or something idk Starscream's baby wings actually go up a bit when Shock waa ave brings to speak, as he cought his attention. They still do stay about medium level, but it shows that hes paying attention and still nervous, as they are in and higher then his larger wings. Hey this is fun lol-

When starscream wings stands up he is trying to look bigger and powerful towards other's.

22:02 I know this discussion is about his wings, but imagine the damage he could do if he kneed someone in the gut during a fight.

Girls talking about transformers is something I never knew i needed in a wife

I agree with you a lot. He is a very smart bot hiding his emotions from people who might threaten him but Think he knows that Megatron will never kill him because Megatron kind of enjoys having him around. I wonder if the there’s made him kind of act like a butterfly and their emotions in things.

you would be a good therapist for starscream

My favorite character is Shockwave❤ I like his expressions trough the little antenas and trough his rough voice. You don't really see him scared,paniced,or sad,not even happy, because he works hand in hand with the logic,and he is a very powerfull bot. The only time I have seen him paniced,is when he was in front of those predacon-zombies. He wasn't paniced not even when the rubble from the Dark Mount almost crushed him,and calmly told Soundwave that he needs a groundbridge,and walks in that groundbridge like a boss😂😂 I also like a lot the fact that Shockwave takes kindness very seriously. When he worked with Ratchet at the sinthetyc energeon formula,he spoke to him very calmly and nicely,just like to a friend,from doctor to doctor,unlike Knockout. When he needs to leave,he tells Knockout "take care of our guest" not prisoneer or something. And when Ratchet tries to stop Shockwave to cyberform the Earth,he doesen't charge at him, UNTIL Ratchet charges first.

Aside from being physically uncomfortable, the clamp also holds Starscream’s wings in the fear position. That may also motivate him to want it off.

Thanks for keeping the tfp community alive

It's good to see someone still liking this show

This gives me serotonin for some reason, and I keep coming back

Actually, now that I've looked closer at his wings in RID, they do seem capable of movement, perhaps slightly up and down, but nothing too noteworthy, perhaps. He might still be capable of flicking and fluttering the wings, as well as pressing them inward, since they do seem able to move, having such a small, narrow base on his back. Starscream might actually be capable of moving and emoting with his wings in RID, but simply doesn't because he's got his confidence back with his new/old body. Had he had more episodes to appear in, perhaps if he stayed in season 3/final season, we might have seen some wing emoting, transforming, and perhaps even bot mode flight. I believe RID Starscream is capable of flying in bot mode, even without the help of the Mini-Cons. Since Starscream doesn't ever transform (of what we've seen anyway) in the three episodes he appeared in, he might not have felt compelled to fly at any point in his showtime. He does mention in "Mighty Big Trouble", right after he confiscates the Dark Star Saber, that he's "not powered up enough", just before the Saber resists him. Perhaps the reason he didn't transform or even fly until he possessed the Mini-Cons is because he was saving his energy and strength for when he was to confront Megatron, or even simply to take full control of the Weaponizers? I have a headcanon (that may also be actual canon, maybe) that flight in bot mode spends more energy and Energon than flight in alternate mode, so perhaps by not flying in bot mode he was saving energy, which would make sense. The reason why I believe he has the ability to fly in bot mode is because of the final seconds of his appearance in the show, right after the Mini-Cons split from him. Everyone falls to the ship, both Mini-Cons and Autobots, but Starscream stays in the air for several more seconds, at least ten more seconds, long after the magic light from the Mini-Cons has disappeared. There's nothing holding him up, so why doesn't he just fall down at the same time as the others? The Dark Star Saber falls from his hand and still Starscream stays in the air for several more seconds before he loses consciousness. It's first after he falls unconscious that he physically begins to fall down as well. Even though there are no flames from thrusters coming from his heels, like there does from Optimus' jetpack, it could still be that Starscream was staying in the air out of his own ability to fly rather than because of the Mini-Cons. In that case, maybe the Mini-Cons themselves don't grant him the ability to fly in bot mode, but simply give him so much energy and power (beyond that of a Prime) that he can freely fly without spending any (or much) energy, and it also gives him more speed so he can fly even faster. There's also the matter of when Starscream defeats all the bots using the Dark Star Saber and everyone falls unconscious. He jumps down from the ship, in which the opening to the lab is pretty far up, too high to jump unto. He grabs Tricerashot and walks back to the ship. Now, if he wasn't able to fly in bot mode, he would have to go through the bottom entrance to the ship, then walk all the long and slow way up to the lab at the top. It probably takes several minutes to go the long way, and considering everything that happens afterwards, it doesn't seem like it's taken him several minutes to get there, but rather a few seconds. With a character as impatient as Starscream, I would imagine him being a bit more on edge when he reaches the lab if he had to walk the long way rather than simply activating his thrusters and leap up the short way, saving valuable time. This would of course happen off-screen so we're not sure how he got up there or how much time it took. But considering his final moments in the air, without Mini-Cons, I think he flew up there with his (possible) thrusters. Considering how much larger Starscream has become, especially his legs and feet, and how much thicker his heels are, it seems likely that his legs, feet and/or heels could house thrusters, like he has them in Animated, Cyberverse and even G1, where he also has heels and feet of about the same proportions. There are also lights under his feet in RID, which could indicate heat from thrusters. Also, his original body had the ability to fly in bot mode (mostly thinking about the WFC/FOC game version, but I think it's the same in the books?), so if this RID body is supposed to be the same body (or at least same body *style* like Bee said), it is likely he can fly in bot mode in it as well. The reason why he doesn't fly in bot mode to prove it is for the same reason as why he never transforms in the show. Possibly to save strength and energy for when it's needed, instead using his ship's GroundBridge to get around and using holograms to communicate with Bumblebee instead of showing up himself. In fact, Starscream never fights until he absorbs the Weaponizers, he doesn't even use the cannons mounted on his arms! He only uses the Dark Star Saber to make effortless attacks and using its power, rather than his own. Once he absorbs the Mini-Cons, he has more energy and power "than he could ever imagine - AnimatedSS", so he spends lots of energy on flying, darting around and attacking. The sheer power of the complete power surge is probably also the reason why he can now fully control the Dark Star Saber. Before the power surge, he is only able to control a small amount of its power, because he's not evil. The Dark Star Saber obeys Megatron because he has the Blood of Unicron inside of him, in his very Spark. Starscream did put Dark Energon in him, but took it out again, and while there might remain a small amount of it in his Spark, it's clearly not enough to make him "evil" like Megatron. And because of this, he's not evil enough to control the Saber either. But with power greater than that of a Prime, it seems the Dark Star Saber submits itself to its wielder, regardless of being good or evil. Once all that energy was robbed of him though, by removing the Mini-Cons from him, all that energy he spent darting around in hyperactivity, just vanished and he's completely drained of energy. He has just enough energy left to stay in the air for a few more seconds before dropping the Dark Star Saber and then falling unconscious himself, after which he cannot keep himself in the air anymore. We can see that he is still conscious while holding the Saber, as he is twitching and grunting, but once after he drops the Saber, he becomes limp and quiet, and then he falls, because he's lost consciousness. Wow, this turned out to be quite an analysis comment than I intended XD But yeah, so I believe Starscream CAN move/emote with his wings in RID but chooses not to, just as he chooses not to transform or fly in bot mode, which I also believe he CAN do. His teeth also became slightly sharper (or at least he got fangs) in RID, perhaps to look more imposing than when he was a small, skinny wimp. Also love Fixit's quote: "Have you been... working out?" XD Instantly imagining Starscream in a fitness center, pumping iron. XD

So glad they chose to give Starscream more expressive animation. He's so much fun to watch and listen to.

You know it's these details that most would think as unnecessary to animate to begin with, but it's such small details that only enhance the viewers subconscious understanding on what characters (in this case Starscream) are actually feeling.

TFP content in 2020? YELL YEAHHH

My favorite wing movement was when he was in the room with Megatron, Knockout, and Shockwave, as they leave the room his wings go way far down, I thought it was just so cute and concerning!

25:56 I like how slow his running is there, like there's low gravity in that forest lol 28:38 I saw a TFP AMV with "Holding Out For A Hero" from Shrek 2, and this scene's music covered the scene where Starscream is trapped in web and looking at Optimus with puppy eyes XD So perfect! When I watched the show, I first noticed his wing emoting in, I think, "Armada", because I think that's the first time we see him droop his wings when he's scared? I never noticed in season 1 or other times in seasons 2 and 3 or the movie when he made other movements or positioned them in different ways, perhaps only because the drooping is so dramatic and different from his default position compared to the other positions, like when they're folded back when he's threatened by Megatron in the Energon mine. Next time I'm watching the full show, I'm definitely gonna pay attention to his wings, as well as the Autobots' winglets and how they move in certain situations. I definitely did notice that in "Partners", when Arcee is downed by Scream, her winglets point downward instead of the usual upward, and I thought "What's going on?", but I did think it was reflecting her fear/other negative emotion at that point. And the first time I noticed it with Bumblebee was in "Operation Bumblebee", which I think is the first time where we see Bumblebee's winglets droop? Man, I really love wing emoting! So cute

This is exactly the kind of deep dive in depth hyper payoff character analysis that I feed on like ( for an in show reference)a zombiecon! Starscream is so expressive, and Prime’s animators clearly went the extra mile and his wings “talk “ too! As you mentioned, the skill in battle is there, but he's so conditioned by Megatron, then any large form that he never expresses that skill unless it is to flee impossible to escape situations. Pity they never discuss the wing speak in universe. Still, this made my week, possibly whole month!! Thank you! Thankyou !THANKYOU!

God his wing movement gives me life

30 minute video about Starscreams wings. I like it.

So I'm noticing really early that his wings change his profile, and also his general appearance. This helps the viewer, and those around him, notice a change in him, along with noticing if he's alert, or even elicit feelings of him being larger-like to ward off predators-or smaller-to elicit pity from those around him, to withdraw and make his overall silloette smaller and more dimunitive.

in fact it is canon that the wings (Starscream, Flycons, other flyers), set (Bee, Smokescreen), antennas (Shockwave, Optimus, Ratchet), tires,doors (knock out, Optimus, Bulckhead), among other things are a sensitive point in her/his body and show mood as well.

I really like Starscream’s wing movements because it subtly tells the person who is watching the show what Starscream is feeling, even without seeing his facial expression.

I still love that shockwave just picks up starscream and books it .

Wow this video taught me a lot about starscream's emotions and the way his wings move in different areas on his back

Those little wings are his Elevators; they control pitch when flying.

The more of these episodes I watch the more I realize Megatron is an abusive husband.

I think that the wing animations had registered on a subconscious level before, but looking at it consciously, it was a fantastic bit of animation on the part of the creators. Prime was FULL of these kind of subtle things which is what made it so fantastic, and helped bring the characters to life! It's so much better than most of the live-verse transformers with so many moving parts, yet SO LITTLE expression. I think they finally took a page from the Prime verse when they made Bumblebee, because the expressiveness of the characters were so much better!

sometimes i feel like i have wings on my back when my emotions change. if only they could help me fly away...

Starscream: flutters wings Me: BUTTERFLY-

Honestly I never noticed it before but once you mentioned it I was like "you right". Knowing jet anatomy, it's kinda trippy that he uses his horizontal stabilizers (the little wings) to emote as well.

9:21 My FAVORITE Starscream scene! The animation, voice acting, and dialogue are just mwah *chef's kiss

Best youtuber hands down thank you for making videos!

What if Megatron had his wings on his shoulder blades like Starscream?

I don't even fangirl over Starscream, but I love the details of this video.

I'm SO late to this, but I interpret 12:05's wing movements to be a way of saying that Starscream doesn't need to put on a front anymore, or use his wings to intimidate or gain respect, because he already has it.

Starscream - *puts wings down* you cant hurt me I’m baby!

His wings are like animal ears.

Yes! Yes! Thank you so much! Your content is so interesting and... well, awesome! I mean, a video about Starscreams wings?? Can it get better?

Great video. Starscream is one of my all time favorite Transformers with Knock Out being the other one.

Next video about Soundwave's/Shockwave's emotions

Tf prime is great specially Soundwave, and Shockwave their personality somewhat unique from other series, Soundwave is silent, imposing, intimidating, while Shockwave is strong, intelligent, and calculating, the only mistake is Starscream he is the wimp of the series, how I wish he is like the Starscream from Transformers Cybertron the most badass version of Starscream

We all saw his little wing flutter when he was trapped with Knock Out. :3 We also see this in Bumblebee's doors and Steeljaws ears.

Loved this video! It’s crazy when you actually notice all of the intentional details of quick scenes, it helps to understand Starscream better and his emotions being on display.

Emotions being shown through wing movement and angulation is what I usually see in Seekers in most Transformers series' (except the Unicron Trilogy, where the characters' wings are fixed in place), but I also think that this study could be used to decipher Praxian behavior as well. And on an extra note, for those of you who don't know, Praxians are characters such as G1 Prowl, Smokescreen and Bluestreak, and perhaps/maybe not Prime/RID Bumblebee, who have "doorwings".

It's a very informative video. I love how you pay attention to details and talk about it. I like your analysis. Besides that this video only proves that the show with its animations and details is superior to any other series

Therapist: starscream without wings isn't real he cant hurt you Starscream without wings: 5:54

A 29 minute video about starscreams wings perfection 👌

"I AM THE SUPERIOR MEGATRON! I Have Wings Of Swift Movement..." Seriously This Is Just One Of Those Details That Happens But You Never Notice Until Someone Tells You About It And Then You Just Notice It All The Time And Start Loving That Detail So Much

Starscream during the Zombiecon outbreak: "We *did* try to warn you." *Flaps wings*

Thanks. Now every time I will watch this show and Starscream will pop up, I will involuntary stare at his wing...

Rewatching this video, I just noticed that Megatron's fingers are way less articulated than Starscream's and I think Knockout's, too. With Knockout, I can understand that cause he's a medic so it'd make sense for his fingers to have more joints and more movement but for Starscream to also have those heavily jointed digits seems a little weird (maybe it's helpful for combat). Idk, it's just something I noticed while imitating Megatron punching through the mine wall and finding the hidden energon. I noticed he didn't look like he was holding the energon super tightly and then I saw he had fewer joints than Star.

yall talking about starscream's wings when im sitting here wondering how the hell he reloads his rockets

We love megatrons derpy eyes 👁👄👁👌🏻

oh and btw those small wings are actualy his elevators (something to do with jet)

*ending* The fandom: DONT EXPOSE US

Never thought I'd be watching an analysis of screamers wings 6 years after watching this show

Would you do an analysis on Breakdown ? His character was really up to something and then they just killed him off.

The way the transformers moved in TFP was always fantastic. And the expressions of course :D

I used to catch some EPs of these but never truly commit to watching thoroughly. However I always felt the series seemed a cut above the rest, being polished and interesting. This imo clearly shows that I was right, really cool stuff

Wings are one of the sensitive spots on a cybertronian

Wings of a scrawny (but intelligent) decepticon

Also I realized that when starscream is angry, his wings go down as if sad or frightened, but they also come down slowly and tremble a lot.

TFP gave us Starscream wings and Shockwave head fins.

I love watching these I never thought starscream had so much depth

This is definitely my favorite starscream from transformers as a whole which makes sense because this is my favorite transformers show and probably my favorite show period.

Starscreams wings are perfected in movement

lets be honest starscream is our favourite waifu

He moves very differently in 3 season because animation in general becomes .ore alive with each season. Everybody moves more charismatic in 2 season and then even more in 3

This is really random- But your voice is calming to listen to ^^ Loved the vid:)

Oh boy, it’s my favourite stiletto wearing screechy creature