Transformers

The Transformers (G1) 1984-1987, U.S. (98 episodes)

Note: Also known as Fight! Super Robot Life (Seasons 1-2) and Transformers: 2010 (Season 3) in Japan. Although the cartoon series concluded in 1987, the toyline itself lived on until 1990 in the U.S., and 1992 in Japan and Europe.

This series began with a three-episode story, later titled either More than Meets the Eye or Arrival from Cybertron. In this incarnation the planet Cybertron is running low on energy. The Heroic Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, set out in space to search for more energy but are attacked by the Evil Decepticons led by Megatron. Both races crash on Earth and lie in suspended animation for the next four million years. Awakened by a volcanic eruption, the computer on board, Teletraan I, begins repairing Decepticons and Autobots. The Decepticons set out to plunder Earth's energy resources in order to have the energy to conquer Cybertron. The Autobots seek to prevent this and so the battle is renewed on Earth, Cybertron and across space.

After sixty-five episodes across two seasons, the status quo of the series received a major shift with Transformers: The Movie, which then led into seasons three and four (although season four comprised only a three-part miniseries). However, as the movie was not shown in Japan until 1990, a special episode was written and animated to bridge the gap between the 2nd and 3rd seasons, titled Scramble City, detailing the creation of Metroplex. A second Scramble City episode exists which retells the first, but in stop-motion animation, rather than cel.

Leaders come and go as the years pass. In the fourth and final series, comprising a three-part story titled "The Rebirth", Cybertron is revitalized using energy from the Earth's sun. The Autobots and Decepticons have discovered the world of Nebulos and united with rival groups of Nebulans to become Headmasters and Targetmasters. However, this three-parter was not aired in Japan, where it was opted to continue the Transformer series with further full-length seasons (see below).

When the line was relaunched in the 1993 as Generation 2, the 1984-92 era was retroactively branded "Generation One" by fans, a term that was later adopted for official use. It formed the basis for all Transformers series to come.

The comics produced by Marvel between 1984 and 1991, and again from 1993 to 1994, tell a substantially different version of the story. Both versions were equally authorized by Hasbro. (Wikipedia)


Armada / Micron Legend

Transformers: Armada, referred to as Transformers: Micron Legend in the Japanese version, is the title of the Transformers animated series and toyline which ran from 2002-2003. As the first series co-produced between the American toy company, Hasbro, and their Japanese counterpart, Takara, Armada begins a new continuity/universe for Transformers, with no ties to any of the previous series. The show was criticized by some for having a simplistic plot and one-dimensional characters, but also has a devoted cult following, particularly for its later storylines incorporating Unicron and its more developed role for Starscream. Ultimately, it is one of the most highly debated Transformers series in terms of quality. It would go on to birth a sequel in the form of Transformers: Energon. (Wikipedia)


Beast Machines

Beast Machines was an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment that was a direct sequel to Beast Wars and is the final television series to take place in the original Generation 1 continuity. The show ran for two seasons, airing on Fox and YTV from 1999 to 2000. Of the Transformers animated series produced in North America, Beast Machines was the only one to have been completely conceptualized and outlined in advance, lending it a more serialized and linear storyline than the others although the quality of the storylines themselves have been heavily debated amongst fans. The Beast Machines intro theme was "Phat Planet", by Leftfield.

It started to air in Japan in 2004 under the title of Beast Wars Returns on a special Takara subscription service, with fairly good response. Toys were only available at Toys R Us stores in Japan & the UK. (Wikipedia)


Beast Wars

Beast Wars (Beasties in Canada) was a line of toys under the Transformers banner, released by Hasbro between 1995 and 1999. The toys spawned a full-CG animated series set in the Transformers universe, produced by Mainframe Entertainment of Canada. The series debuted in 1996, as a sequel to the original Transformers which debuted in 1984 as both a television series and as a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The television series was followed by various limited comic book stories from several companies including Dreamwave comics and IDW.

The series follows the adventures of the "Maximals" and the "Predacons", rival factions of beings who transform between their natural robot and alternative "beast" modes. The Maximals are descendants of the Autobots from the original series, while the Predacons's ancestors were the Decepticons. An interesting element of the series frequently leans the balance of power in the favor of the Predacons, many of whom have spent their lives in the art of warfare. The Maximals, mainly comprised of scientists, have been drawn into an ongoing conflict beyond the scope of their experience. Overall, Beast Wars is one of the most beloved Transformers series made as many fans across the world cherish it for its sophisticated writing and in-depth character development. (Wikipedia)


Cybertron / Galaxy Force

Transformers: Cybertron (Transformers: Galaxy Force in Japan) was the 2005-2006 Transformers toyline and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara. Hasbro clearly conceived the series to follow on from its predecessors, Transformers: Armada and Transformers: Energon, and all their toy materials repeatedly push this idea. However, the resulting production by GONZO was a show that re-booted the continuity. The dub of the show has made an effort to link it with the previous series, but the results are ambiguous. (Wikipedia)


Energon / Superlink

Transformers: Energon (Transformers: Superlink in Japan) was the 2004-2005 Transformers toyline and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara and a direct sequel to Transformers: Armada. In this series the Transformer's big gimmicks are the Autobots' ability to combine with partners of the same size, the Decepticons' ability to use powered up forms, and the addition of Energon weapons and stars that can be placed on any Transformer. Minicons, from the previous line, are still present, but all Minicon pegs are "dead," and do not activate a function on the toy. (Wikipedia)


Robots in Disguise / Car Robots

Robots in Disguise is the title of the 2001 American Transformers line of toys and cartoon series, a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers Universes. It is an imported and dubbed version of the Japanese series from the previous year, Transformers: Car Robots, brought to the West as a "filler" line while production on the next series, Transformers: Armada began. (Wikipedia)

Review: Revoltech Starscream

Starscream makes a great Revoltech, but Kaiyodo could have included more accessories.


Review: Revoltech Hot Rodimus

Hot Rodimus was the MAN once Prime kicked the bucket. Now Rodimus goes John-Woo with the dual gun action in this Revoltech release


Review: Screen Battles Final Stand

With the Decepticons massing, and Bumblebee unable to move on his own, Mikaela Banes quickly found an abandoned tow truck, and she cleverly chained the disabled Autobot to the back of it to him get out of harm’s way.


Review: Screen Battles Desert Attack

Scorponok stalked several soldiers who had escaped the destruction of the SOCCENT-FWD base into the desert until he knew what they were up to. But when they attempted to contact the outside world, he attacked...


Review: Screen Battles Capture of Bumblebee

Helpless and unwilling to harm humans, Bumblebee was unprepared to deal with S7’s primitive but effective measures as they proceeded to disable and then capture him...

[Updated with a YouTube clip from the movie!]


Review: Transformers (2007 Movie) Autobot Landmine (Deluxe-class)

Like the Deluxe-class Decepticon Dropkick before him, this is another excellent example of a toy being well modeled after the complex CGI character styles from the 2007 film… even though he doesn’t appear in it.


Review: Transformers (2007 Movie) Autobot Armorhide (Scout-class)

This figure is a Target-exclusive release for the 2007 live-action film. It is a repaint of the original Autobot Armorhide from the “Transformers: Cybertron” line.


Review: Transformers (2007 Movie) Autobot Signal Flare (Scout-class)

This figure is a Target-exclusive release for the 2007 live-action film. It is a repaint of the original Autobot Signal Flare from the “Transformers: Energon” line.


Review: Transformers (2007 Movie) Autobot Strongarm (Scout-class)

This figure is a Target-exclusive release for the 2007 live-action film. It is a repaint of the original Autobot Strongarm from the “Transformers: Energon” line.


Review: Classic Bumblebee

Bumblebee’s vehicle mode may not be a Volkswagen Beetle anymore, but he retains the same aura of small, and round… and yellow.


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