Black redeco

Because I'm black and I'm back!.

Across the Transformers franchise, a common concept for redecos is to put a toy in a black, generally overall darker, color scheme. These "black redecos" (often inaccurately called black repaints) were primarily a product of Japan until Robots in Disguise popularized the concept on American shores. They are a comparatively common type of redeco; in particular, a great many Optimus Prime toys have been produced in a black color scheme at least once. As with most aspects of Transformers, fandom opinion on black redecos is split: some like them, some denounce them as bland and uncreative, and some don't think of them as being any different from other redecoes. A "black redeco" does not necessarily have to literally be mostly black. Armada Nemesis Prime, for instance, is technically dark blue.

The in-fiction rationale behind black redecos varies from toy bio to toy bio. One particularly common reason is to represent an "evil counterpart" of a preexisting character. For example, most Nemesis Primes across the fiction are black repaints of a corresponding Optimus Prime toy. Another common reason for producing a black variant of an already used mold is as a "stealth version" of this same character. Some represent exposure to plot devices, while others offer no explanation whatsoever.

Prominent examples

• Soundblaster is the rebuilt form of Soundwave. He has an unusual backstory for a black redeco; he is an upgrade of an existing Decepticon. This reflects his status as one of the earliest black redecos, before the modern conception had taken root in the fandom or the toy manufacturers. BlackZarak would have a similar origin.
• BotCon 1996 exclusive Onyx Primal, a redeco of the Optimus Primal bat toy, and the first black redeco to be given to an Optimus figure.
• Black Lio Convoy is the first black redeco to be an evil clone of an heroic leader, in this case of Lio Convoy.
• The JAFCON-exclusive "Convoy Black Version" is notable both for being one of the first of a billion zillion oddly-colored redecos of the Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, and for being one of the first black redecos with absolutely no fictional explanation for the color scheme.
• Robots in Disguise Scourge is one of the few black redecos that represent main show characters. His popularity helped ensure that Hasbro, not just Takara, would be producing many black redecos in the future. Takara still produces the majority of the black redecos.
• The black chase variants of the Multiforce in the 2002 Japan-exclusive Micromaster toyline were some of the earliest black redecos to represent a "stealth mode."
• Alternators Nemesis Prime is infamous for starting out as a nearly unobtainable exclusive surrounded by various problems with Hasbro Toy Shop, then seeing a wide release in Australia.
• Universe Nemesis Prime is one of the earliest examples of the now-common trope of a black redeco characterized as "corrupted by Unicron."
• Animated Shadow Blade Megatron is cast entirely in black plastic with the exception of his translucent parts. Rare for a Transformers figure, especially one produced by Hasbro.
• The live-action film series version of Bumblebee has been subject to over a dozen black redecos , virtually all some variation on "stealth" or "night strike" concepts.
• Particularly notable is 2011's Dark of the Moon Cyberfire Bumblebee, aka "Murderbee", which picked up a small cult following in the fandom for its surprisingly sinister appearance.

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