The satellite that sends Hakata the message from his parents intentionally looks like Sky Spy from Transformers Generation 1. It’s amazing that I never once had a conversation with my editors about whether or not Hakata should be on the toilet.

Hakata’s friends in the Meta-Team are inspired by the cast of Voltron Lion Force (Voltron of the Far Universe) even though they drive transforming vehicles that are more like Vehicle Voltron (Voltron of the Near Universe). But kids today probably think it’s an homage to Power Rangers.