It’s believable to think the guys behind the show fell in love with Starscream, because they give him such great stuff to work with, he seems so lovingly crafted, and all of that is why I love him—I also really think he has the best design, animation, writing, and voice acting.
And ohman, can I try to introduce you to the wonder that is Steve Blum, Starscream’s VA in TFP, who is indeed flawless? Because he is amazing. And he’s a prolific VA, or just a VA who has voiced in a lot of shows. I believe his most iconic role is still voicing the English dub of Cowboy Bebop’s Spike Spiegel. He was the Green Goblin in The Spectacular Spider-Man (that was how I knew he was Starscream, his GG voice sounds similar, but not quite the same, since the characters are different—they have similar growls and stuff, but GG is completely off his rocker and arguably more confident than Starscream). And from Spike to the Green Goblin and Starscream—those two roles are just a really good example of his range IMO, because Spike’s is smoother and sounds more normal. And then there’s his Guilmon voice in the English dub of Digimon Tamers (and he does a pretty fine job of voicing what is essentially supposed to be a young, childish reptile monster), and it’s amazing to think that one man voices all those different characters with equally different voices.
For srs. He is such a great villain in this show, and to be honest, kind of a much better one than Megatron? I think because he seems to have some concept of HOW TO FIGHT A WAR. Megatron, you have limited troops, no replacements coming in, and you’re going to let them get killed because ‘they were too weak’? Nooo. Nonono. You cannot afford that. I KNOW HE’S A WANKER BUT LISTEN TO STARSCREAM FOR ONCE, GOD. He’s conniving and ridiculous and monologue-y and fun and just greeeat.
HE WAS GUILMON?! Omg. That is some impressive, impressive range. And I’m going to be starting Bebop next year, probably the dub, so I shall remember this!
Dang, I just, I have so much appreciation for voice acting. And TF:P does have some genuinely great stuff, and Starscream sticks out as the best of the best.
I love Starscream’s competence, and yet how he’s still flawed—as you say, still amusingly ridiculous and so much fun.
I only learned that he did Guilmon recently. I knew he was Blackwargreymon in the previous Digimon season, and that cool MIB guy in Tamers, but I had no idea he was Guilmon too and just HOLY SHIT MAN (and he was also Kenta).
The Cowboy Bebop is so good. I have to rewatch it.
Voice acting is so cool I kinda want to try it. Just the power of the voice is awesome.