Ben 10: Alien Force - A Darker and More Mature Sequel to the Original Series
If you are a fan of animated shows, you might have heard of Ben 10, a popular franchise created by Man of Action and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The franchise follows the adventures of Ben Tennyson, a young boy who can transform into various alien forms using a mysterious device called the Omnitrix. The first series, simply titled Ben 10, aired from 2005 to 2008 and introduced us to Ben's world, his family, his friends, and his enemies.
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But did you know that there is a sequel series that takes place five years after the original one? It's called Ben 10: Alien Force, and it's a darker and more mature take on the Ben 10 universe. In this article, we will explore what makes this series different from its predecessor, what are the main plot points, who are the main characters, and how it was received by critics and fans alike.
Introduction
What is Ben 10: Alien Force?
Ben 10: Alien Force is an American animated television series that aired from 2008 to 2010 on Cartoon Network. It is the second iteration of the Ben 10 franchise and the sequel to the original Ben 10 series. It was created by Man of Action, a group consisting of Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle. It consists of three seasons and forty-six episodes, with its final episode being aired on March 26, 2010.
Why is it darker and more mature than the original series?
One of the main differences between Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10 is the tone and style of the series. While the original series was more lighthearted and comedic, with colorful animation and humorous dialogue, the sequel series is more serious and dramatic, with darker animation and more complex themes. The series also features more violence, death, and moral dilemmas than its predecessor.
The reason for this change is that the series is aimed at an older audience than the original one. The creators wanted to reflect the growth and maturity of both the characters and the viewers. As they explained in an interview:
"We wanted to age up our characters because our audience had aged up as well. We wanted to make sure we were delivering a show that they could still relate to. We also wanted to tell stories that we couldn't tell in the first series."
Plot Summary
Season 1
The Return of the Omnitrix
The series begins five years after the events of the original series. Ben Tennyson, now fifteen years old, has removed the Omnitrix and returned to living a normal life. However, he is forced to use it again when he receives a distress signal from his grandfather Max, who has been abducted by a xenophobic alien species called the Highbreeds as part of a plot to rid the Earth of human beings.
Ben reunites with his cousin Gwen Ben reunites with his cousin Gwen, who has developed her magical abilities, and his former enemy Kevin Levin, who has learned to control his power to absorb matter. Together, they form a team to stop the Highbreeds and their allies, the DNAliens, who are disguised as humans and infiltrating various organizations.
The Search for Grandpa Max
As the team travels around the world to fight the Highbreeds and the DNAliens, they also search for clues about Grandpa Max's whereabouts. They encounter various enemies and allies along the way, such as the Forever Knights, a secret society of knights who hunt aliens; the Plumbers, a covert organization of alien law enforcers that Grandpa Max used to work for; and the Omnitrix's creator, Azmuth, a Galvan genius who is reluctant to help Ben.
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The Threat of the Highbreeds
The team eventually learns that the Highbreeds are planning to use a device called the Hyperspace Jump Gate to open a portal to their home world and unleash a fleet of warships to destroy Earth. They also discover that Grandpa Max is alive and has been leading a resistance group of Plumbers' helpers against the Highbreeds. The team joins forces with Grandpa Max and his allies to stop the invasion and save the planet.
Season 2
The Arrival of Vilgax
After defeating the Highbreeds, Ben and his team face a new threat: Vilgax, Ben's archenemy from the original series. Vilgax has returned with enhanced strength and power, and he is determined to obtain the Omnitrix from Ben. He also has a new ally: Albedo, a Galvan who was once Azmuth's assistant and who created a duplicate Omnitrix that malfunctioned and turned him into a clone of Ben.
The War of the Worlds
Vilgax and Albedo launch an attack on Earth, using an army of Bioids, robotic drones that can transform into any alien form. They also target Azmuth's home planet, Galvan Prime, where the Omnitrix's true power is hidden. Ben and his team must stop Vilgax and Albedo from unlocking the Omnitrix's final function: the ability to change the DNA of every living being in the universe.
The Secret of the Omnitrix
Ben learns that the Omnitrix was not created as a weapon, but as a device to promote peace and understanding among different species. It contains the DNA samples of over one million alien races, collected by Azmuth's partner, Myaxx. The Omnitrix's final function is called the "Ultimatrix", which allows Ben to evolve his alien forms into their ultimate versions, with enhanced abilities and appearance. However, this function also comes with a risk: if Ben uses it too much, he might lose his humanity and become corrupted by the Ultimatrix.
Season 3
The Vengeance of Vilgax
Vilgax survives his defeat and returns with a new plan: to challenge Ben to a one-on-one fight for the fate of Earth. He also recruits several of Ben's old enemies, such as Charmcaster, Darkstar, and Ghostfreak, to assist him. Ben accepts Vilgax's challenge, but he soon realizes that he is outmatched by Vilgax's superior strength and skill. He decides to use the Ultimatrix to gain an edge, but he also risks losing control of himself.
The Rise of Albedo
Albedo escapes from prison and seeks revenge on Ben for trapping him in his human form. He manages to steal Albedo escapes from prison and seeks revenge on Ben for trapping him in his human form. He manages to steal the Ultimatrix from Ben and uses it to create his own ultimate aliens. He also plans to destroy Azmuth and Galvan Prime, blaming them for his condition. Ben and his team must stop Albedo and recover the Ultimatrix before it's too late.
The Final Battle
The series concludes with a two-part episode that pits Ben against his greatest foes: Vilgax and Albedo. Vilgax returns with a new weapon: the Diagon, an ancient evil entity that grants him godlike power. He also captures Albedo and forces him to give up the Ultimatrix. Vilgax then uses the Ultimatrix to transform into Ultimate Vilgax, a monstrous fusion of all the ultimate aliens. He declares himself the ruler of the universe and challenges Ben to a final showdown.
Ben, with the help of Gwen, Kevin, and Azmuth, manages to defeat Vilgax and Albedo, and reclaim the Ultimatrix. He then decides to destroy the Ultimatrix, realizing that it is too dangerous to use. Azmuth praises Ben for his courage and wisdom, and gives him a new Omnitrix, which has more features and functions than the previous one. Ben thanks Azmuth and vows to use the new Omnitrix responsibly.
Characters
Ben Tennyson
Ben Tennyson is the main protagonist of the series. He is a fifteen-year-old boy who can transform into various alien forms using the Omnitrix, a device that he found when he was ten years old. He is brave, loyal, and adventurous, but also impulsive, reckless, and cocky. He often acts as the leader of his team, but he also tends to rely on his alien powers too much. He has a strong sense of justice and responsibility, and he always tries to do the right thing.
Gwen Tennyson
Gwen Tennyson is Ben's cousin and one of his best friends. She is a sixteen-year-old girl who has inherited magical abilities from her grandmother Verdona, who is an Anodite, a race of energy beings. She can manipulate mana, a form of life energy, to create various effects, such as shields, blasts, constructs, and telepathy. She is smart, mature, and resourceful, but also stubborn, sarcastic, and bossy. She often acts as the voice of reason for Ben and Kevin, but she also cares deeply for them.
Kevin Levin
Kevin Levin is Ben's former enemy turned ally and friend. He is a seventeen-year-old boy who has the power to absorb any kind of matter or energy and use it to enhance his strength or change his appearance. He was once a criminal and a sociopath who hated Ben for ruining his life, but he later reformed and joined Ben's team. He is tough, cool, and streetwise, but also cynical, rude, and insecure. He has a romantic relationship with Gwen, which he sometimes struggles to express.
Supporting Characters and Allies
The series features several supporting characters and allies who help Ben and his team in their missions. Some of them are:
Max Tennyson: Ben's grandfather and a retired Plumber who acts as a mentor and a father figure for Ben and his team.
Azmuth: The creator of the Omnitrix and one of the most intelligent beings in the universe.
Julie Yamamoto: Ben's girlfriend and a tennis player who supports Ben's heroism.
Ship: A small alien pet that belongs to Julie and can transform into a spaceship.
Cooper Daniels: A young Plumber's helper who has technopathic abilities.
Helen Wheels: A young Plumber's helper who is a Kineceleran (the same species as XLR8).
Manny Armstrong: A young Plumber's helper who is a Tetramand (the same species as Four Arms).
Alan Albright: A young Plumber's helper who is half-human and half-Pyronite (the same species as Heatblast).
Professor Paradox: A mysterious time traveler who helps Ben in various situations.
Rook Blonko: A young Plumber from the planet Revonnah who becomes Ben's new partner in the sequel series Ben 10: Omniverse.
Villains and Enemies
The series also features several villains and enemies who oppose Ben and his team in their missions. Some of them are:The series also features several villains and enemies who oppose Ben and his team in their missions. Some of them are:
Vilgax: Ben's archenemy and the most feared warlord in the galaxy, who seeks to obtain the Omnitrix and conquer the universe.
Albedo: A Galvan who was once Azmuth's assistant and who created a duplicate Omnitrix that turned him into a clone of Ben.
Highbreeds: A xenophobic alien race that believes they are the purest and superior species in the universe, and that all other races should be exterminated.
DNAliens: Humanoid aliens that are created by fusing humans with alien DNA, using devices called Xenocytes. They serve as the Highbreeds' minions and infiltrators.
Forever Knights: A secret society of knights who hunt down and collect alien technology, believing that it will help them fight against an ancient enemy called the Dragon.
Charmcaster: A young sorceress who is Gwen's rival and Hex's niece. She uses magic to achieve her goals, which often involve power and revenge.
Darkstar: A former Plumber's helper who betrayed his friends and became a vampire-like creature who feeds on life energy.
Ghostfreak: One of Ben's original alien forms, who gained a mind of his own and escaped from the Omnitrix. He is a Ectonurite, a ghost-like alien who can possess and manipulate others.
The Diagon: An ancient evil entity that exists in another dimension, and that grants Vilgax godlike power in exchange for his servitude.
Reception and Legacy
Critical Response
Ben 10: Alien Force received generally positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It was praised for its darker and more mature tone, its character development, its animation quality, its story arcs, and its action scenes. It was also commended for its diversity and representation of different races, genders, and sexualities. Some of the criticisms it received were its inconsistent pacing, its occasional humor, its lack of originality, and its deviation from the original series.
The series has a score of 7.1 out of 10 on IMDb, a score of 8.1 out of 10 on TV.com, and a score of 4.5 out of 5 on Common Sense Media. It also won several awards and nominations, such as the Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production for Children in 2009, the Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 2010, and the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Cartoon in 2010.
Awards and Nominations
The following table summarizes some of the awards and nominations that Ben 10: Alien Force received:
Award
Category
Recipient(s)
Result
Annie Award
Best Animated Television Production for Children
Ben 10: Alien Force
Won
Emmy Award
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation
Derrick J. Wyatt (Art Director)
Won
Kids' Choice Award
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Won
Kids' Choice Award Mexico
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award Argentina
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award Brazil Kids' Choice Award Brazil
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award Colombia
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award Venezuela
Favorite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award Australia
Fave Toon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Kids' Choice Award UK
Favourite Cartoon
Ben 10: Alien Force
Nominated
Spin-offs and Sequels
Ben 10: Alien Force is followed by two more sequel series: Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, which aired from 2010 to 2012, and Ben 10: Omniverse, which aired from 2012 to 2014. Both series continue the story of Ben and his team, with new aliens, enemies, and challenges. The franchise also has several spin-off movies, video games, comics, and merchandise.
Conclusion
Ben 10: Alien Force is a successful and influential animated series that appeals to both children and adults. It is a darker and more mature sequel to the original Ben 10 series, with a deeper and more complex storyline, character development, and animation. It also features a diverse and representative cast of characters, with different races, genders, and sexualities. It has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, and has won several awards and nominations. It has also spawned several spin-offs and sequels, expanding the Ben 10 universe.
If you are looking for a thrilling and engaging animated show that combines action, adventure, comedy, drama, sci-fi, and fantasy, you should definitely check out Ben 10: Alien Force. You will not regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about Ben 10: Alien Force:
How many aliens can Ben transform into in Ben 10: Alien Force?
In Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben can transform into ten aliens initially, but he later gains access to more aliens as the series progresses. By the end of the series, he can transform into twenty-one aliens in total. Here is the list of his aliens in Ben 10: Alien Force:
Swampfire: A plant-like alien who can manipulate fire and plants.
Echo Echo: A small sonic alien who can duplicate himself and create powerful sound waves.
Humungousaur: A dinosaur-like alien who can grow in size and strength.
Jetray: A manta ray-like alien who can fly at high speeds and shoot neuroshock blasts.
Big Chill: A moth-like alien who can manipulate ice and become intangible.
Chromastone: A crystal-like alien who can absorb and redirect energy.
Brainstorm: A crab-like alien who has super intelligence and can generate electricity.
Spidermonkey: A monkey-like alien who has enhanced agility and can shoot webs.
Goop: A blob-like alien who can change his shape and density.
Alien X: A mysterious alien who has omnipotent powers but requires the agreement of two personalities inside him.
Lodestar: A magnetic alien who can manipulate metal and magnetism.
Rath: A tiger-like alien who has enhanced strength and agility but lacks intelligence.
Cannonbolt: A ball-like alien who can roll into a sphere and ram into enemies.
Diamondhead: A crystal-like alien who can manipulate his body into sharp weapons.Diamondhead: A crystal-like alien who can manipulate his body into sharp weapons.
Wildmutt: A dog-like alien who has enhanced senses and claws.
Way Big: A giant alien who can shoot cosmic rays and create shockwaves.
Upchuck: A frog-like alien who can eat and spit out anything.
Nanomech: A tiny alien who can manipulate technology and fly.
Water Hazard: A crab-like alien who can manipulate water and shoot pressurized blasts.
Amphibian: A salamander-like alien who can generate electricity and swim underwater.
Armodrillo: An armadillo-like alien who can drill underground and create earthquakes.
NRG: A radioactive alien who can emit heat and radiation.
Terraspin: A turtle-like alien who can spin his body and create wind gusts.
What are the ultimate aliens in Ben 10: Alien Force?
The ultimate aliens are the evolved versions of Ben's aliens, which he can access using the Ultimatrix, a modified version of the Omnitrix that Albedo created. The ultimate aliens have enhanced abilities and appearance, but they also have drawbacks, such as being more aggressive and less rational. Here is the list of the ultimate aliens that Ben can transform into in Ben 10: Alien Force:
Ultimate Swampfire: A plant-like alien who can manipulate blue fire and explosive seeds.
Ultimate Echo Echo: A sonic alien who can create sonic disks that can fly and explode.
Ultimate Humungousaur: A dinosaur-like alien who can grow spikes and shoot missiles from his hands.
Ultimate Spidermonkey: A monkey-like alien who has four arms, two legs, and a spider-like abdomen that can shoot webs.
Ultimate Big Chill: A moth-like alien who can manipulate ice flames that can freeze anything.
Ultimate Cannonbolt: A ball-like alien who has metal armor and spikes that can pierce through anything.
Ultimate Wildmutt: A dog-like alien who has enhanced senses, claws, teeth, and a horn on his nose.
Ultimate Way Big: A giant alien who can shoot cosmic rays from his hands and chest.
Who are the Anodites in Ben 10: Alien Force?
The Anodites are a race of energy beings who live in the dimension of Ledgerdomain. They are the source of magic in the universe, and they can manipulate mana, a form of life energy, to create various effects. They are also very powerful and immortal, but they are also very aloof and detached from other species. Gwen's grandmother Verdona is an Anodite, and Gwen inherited some of her abilities. In the series, Gwen learns more about her Anodite heritage and meets other Anodites, such as her cousin Sunny and her aunt Verdona's old friend Hex.
What is the Diagon in Ben 10: Alien Force?
The Diagon is an ancient evil entity that exists in another dimension called the Realm of the Diagon. It is a powerful being that can grant anyone who worships it immense power, but it also demands their loyalty and obedience. It is the enemy of the Forever Knights, who believe that it is the Dragon that they have been fighting against for centuries. In the series, Vilgax makes a deal with the Diagon to obtain its power, but he also becomes its servant. The Diagon tries to invade Earth and destroy all life, but Ben and his team manage to stop it with the help of Professor Paradox and Azmuth.
What is the Omnitrix in Ben 10: Alien Force?
The Omnitrix is a device that Ben found when he was ten years old. It is a creation of Azmuth, a Galvan genius who intended it to be a tool for peace and understanding among different species. It contains the DNA samples of over one million alien races, which Ben can use to transform into various alien forms. It also has several functions and features, such as voice command, DNA scanning, self-repair, translation, biometric lock, etc. In Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben uses a new Omnitrix that has a different design and interface than the original one. He also gains access to new aliens and functions as the series progresses. At the end of the series, he destroys the Omnitrix and receives a new one from Azmuth, which has more features and functions than the previous one.
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