I just started reading Lost Light (skipped the ladder half of Revolution since it clotheslined me for MONTHS with how bad it is, had to re-read last stand just to get the motivation back) so to me, this is a topical list. Just reached the point where the trans allegory is used.
I only skimmed the list itself, dont want spoilers.
But I can come at this from both sides of the argument.
Anthropomorphising things is something humans do to better relate to them. Transformers are no different. We humanize them to be more like us. As someone mentioned: Mouth, eyes, nose, teeth. Hands, fingers. Two arms, two legs. Humanoid, is the term. HUMANoid.
There are exceptions of course, but those exceptions are meant to look weird and outlandish.
Skylynx as an example. And even then, we see a dragon, or a gryphon. Something WE know exists in OUR OWN mythology. Something fashioned after something WE are familiar with.
Im not gonna pretend I understand the inner workings of someone who's trans. I dont. But if you want to make identification with gender an allegory for trans individuals, using giant, traditionally genderless robots? I dont really see a problem? Like. We humanize them, and trans people exist. Theyre HUMAN. Much as its human to have a relationship. Same sex, or no.
Cybertronians are relatable because theyre struggling. Theyre at war. They've known nothing but loss, violence and isolation.
If you lived like that for millennia im sure youd cherish the thought of a deeper connection more than you'd realize, and a lot of your perspectives would change with the experiences you've gained. Its not exactly unrealistic.
On the flip side, however, the allegory is just rammed in there. It could have been handled with a bit more tact. Explored as part of it's own subplot rather than a casual mention. This itself is it's own writing trap though, since it could make the plot further deviate from itself, so said subplot would aslo need to have meaning in the overall plot as well. As it is, it comes in, is said, and then moved past without much more meaning behind it than that. So it can feel like tonal whiplash.
Like a lot of these relationships are. They come out of nowhere, it feels. Tailgate and Cyclonus, and Rewind and Chromedome are the big exceptions for me. I was thoroughly invested in them.
Cant say the same for Arcee and Aeleron. I havnt reached a point where that developes. But if it happens in the crossover stuff? I likely wont. Because thats HARD to read.
Knockout and Breakdown simply exist. They werent a couple in Prime, unless some extended media I havmt read states otherwise. Its strictly the idw comics. Theyre simply there for representation, and while I dont MIND it, it is what it is. From what I've read so far, it isn't something thats exactly explored, is it? It adds nothing to the plot itself, unlike the others. It's simply a fact. The relationship is there as merely texture.
Also Drift and Ratchet? Really? That just feels....weird to me. Dunno why. Maybe its cuz I always expected there was something going on between him and Rodimus? I might just be blind
Lastly, I recognize the frustration. Not in the relationships themselves, but the fact that people come to read a war story. An adventure story. Scifi.
Not to get wrapped up in relationship drama, reading panel after panel of angst between cyclonus and whirl about will theys and wont theys, and what Tailgate means to him. On that level? Your mileage will simply vary. But I do get it. I admit to rolling my eyes when the plot takes a detour just to get into relationship shenanigans. It happens. But imo it never gets THAT bad. I'm still readin aint I