The original Transformers animated series was one of the most successful in history. 98 episodes, two full-length feature films and Hasbro sold shiploads of Transformers toys.. But like all good things, everything eventually comes to an end and as the popularity of the toys waned the show ended in 1987…or did it?
The Japanese produced three all-new and original Transformers series which were produced by the renowned Toei Animation Studio and in all, 121 episodes were made over the three series, surpassing the run of the original Transformers show. These series expanded the Transformers mythology, introducing scores of new characters.
Quick Note: In the Japanese series, Autobots are known as Cybertrons and Decepticons are known as Destrons. Also many of the characters names were changed such as Optimus Prime being known as Convoy. For purposes of this article we will use their more familiar names to American audiences where applicable.
1.Transformers: Headmasters
Air Dates: July 1987 to March 1988
# of Episodes: 35
Notable Characters: Six-Shot is one of the major stars in this series and a total badass. Able to change into six different forms, Six-Shot was one of the coolest Transformers ever. The series also introduced Repugnus, Grotusque, Doublecross, and several others. Also introduced was the new Autobot combiner known as the Trainbots, six different locomotive and rail cars that joined to form Raiden.
Synopsis: The Headmasters series ignored the three-part “Rebirth” storyline, which concluded the American Transformers series so the Headmasters were being seen for the first time in Japan. Galvatron launches an attack on Cybetron aided by the Headmasters Weirdwolf, Mindwipe, and Skullcruncher. The Aubotbot Headmasters, Brainstorm, Highbrow Chromedone, Hardhead and their leader Fortress Maximus arrive to defeat their Decepticon counterparts. Optimus Prime sacrifices his life force to recharge Vector Sigma but his sacrifice is for naught as Scorponok blows up Cyberton leaving the Aubotbots and Rodimus Prime to search for a new home.
What’s Cool? Headmasters featured a mostly direct continuity of the original Transformers show and so fans are familiar with most of the characters. Also, some of the toys that were seen little if at all in the original show, now get major roles such as Six-Shot, the Headmasters, Clones Pounce & Wingspan, and Scorponok.
What’s Not Cool? The animation is on the weak side. Done in a similar style to the American TV show, the animation is muddy and somewhat lifeless. The story seems to be little more than a series of pitched battles held together by the slimmest of plots. Few of the characters outside of Six-Shot, Rodimus Prime, and Scorponok get any real character development.
Six-Shot destroying Ultra Magnus
Soundwave and Blaster duel to the death
2.Transformers: Super-God Masterforce
Air Dates: April 1988 to March 1989
# of Episodes: 42
Notable Characters: The Decepticons have definitely got it over the Autobots with characters who are much more interesting. They have the twin Powermaster jets Darkwing and Dreadwind, Overlord, the Powermaster Jet and Tank Combiner, Powermaster Doubleclouder, known in the U.S. as Doubledealer, and of course, the Seacons who made up one of the very best combiners, Piranacon.
Synopsis: Masterforce focuses primarily on the Transformers Pretenders, Junior Headmasters and Powermasters (Known in Japan as Godmasters). It is revealed that the Pretenders came to Earth during the distant past and used their powers of disguise live among humans. A mysterious energy being of immense power known as Devil Z leads the Decepticon Pretenders in an attack on Earth and in a search the Powermasters, humans who can merge with robot bodies to make immensely powerful Transformers. Devil Z also summons back Skorponok to help him. To meet this threat the heroes create a drone robot known as Godbomber who merges with the human Ginrai to form God Ginrai (Known in the U.S. as Powermaster Optimus Prime), the most powerful Transformer in the series. God Ginrai also battles Piranacon, the Seacon combiner and defeats Sixknight (Quickswitch in the U.S.), and forces him to join the Autobots. Eventually it all leads to a climactic battle between God Ginrai and Devil Z who has merged with the body of Skorponok.
What’s Cool? Masterforce moves in an entirely new direction with more of a traditional Anime look than Headmasters. The animation is cleaner, brighter, and more fluid. The show makes a near clean break from the previous shows by allowing the next generation of Transformers, namely the Pretenders and Powermasters to take center stage. Humans also play a much greater role and there is more of en effort to make the show plot driven rather than just one battle after another. The Autobots did have one of the very rare female Transformers called Minerva.
What’s not Cool? The Pretenders were perhaps the worst Generation One Transformers toys and so it’s hard to imagine a show with them as central figures but the writers do a nice job of making it work. Devil Z (Pronounced as “Devil Zed) starts out as a mysterious figure and remains that way. We’re never given any info about his origins or why he has any connection to the Transformers. This appears to have been a creation to solely move away from Megatron/Skorponok as the main Decepticon leaders.
God Ginrai Battling Overlord
God Ginrai battling the Awesome Piranacon
3.Transformers: Victory
Air Dates: March 1989 to December 1989
# of Episodes: 44
Notable Characters: In addition to the Dinoforce and Breastforce, Victory also introduced the Brainmasters. Similar to Headmastersm, the tiny Brainmaster partner formed just the face of the Transformer as opposed to the entire head. Victory also features the debut of the tiniest Transformers, The Micromasters. Old-timers Perceptor and Wheeljack also make an appearance as the Transformers who rebuild God Ginrai into Victory Leo.
Synopsis: This series takes place in the year 2025. The new Autobot Commander is Star Saber while the Decepticons are led by Deszaras, i.e., Deathsaurus. Deathsaurus seeks energy to reactivate his immense battle fortress which has been sealed in the Dark Nebula by Star Saber He finds Earth as the perfect source of the energy he needs and sends his Dinoforce and Breastforces to attack. Breastforcers are Transformers that have a special chestplate which can transform into a beast mode or a weapon. The Dinoforce are six Decepticon Pretenders which can merge to form Dinoking! God Ginrai returns from Masterforce and sacrifices himself to save Star Saber and is later rebuilt by Perceptor as Victory Leo. Eventually, Victory Leo and Star Saber are able to join to become Victory Saber, the most powerful Transformer yet and defeat the forces of Deathsaurus.
What’s Cool? Victory is a more simple and straightforward story than Masterfoce, taking the series back to its Autobot Vs. Decepticon roots without all the extraneous sub-plots. The animation is superb. Transformers like Star Saber, Victory Leo, and Deathsarus were fresh new characters that helped to expand the Transformers universe.
What’s not Cool? While all of these characters were made into toys, none of them, with the exceptions of the Micromasters and some of the pretenders were available in the U.S.
God Ginrai being reborn as Victory Leo
Star Saber Battling Deathsaurus
So there you have it Transformers fans…Headmasters bridged the series from the U.S. to Japan while Super-God Masterforce and Victory expanded the Transformers mythology with new and original plots and characters. While these shows have never been released here, there are numerous websites which sell VHS and DVD versions of the shows that feature English subtitles. The series are all reasonably priced and well worth checking out.
Victory leo is awesome!! They always had trouble with transferring minds from one body to another. Remember when Spike Witwicky had his mind transferred into the body of Robot X in season2? or when they created the dinobots in season 1?
Either you have the typo of all typos or those Japanese are really wacky. "Breastformers"?
Me thinks Beastformers but I am not a big TF guy so maybe I am wrong. Since it is wrong in every mention in this article I am thinking the Find/Replace or Spellchecker did a replace all.
Boombatty...No...it really is BREASTFORMERS. As mentioned, this group of Transformers had a Breast plate which transformed into another robot or into a weapon they used in battle...thus they were called breastformers just like headmasters were called because the smaller robot became the larger robot's head and Targetmasters as they became the robot's gun.
LOL, Sharpe, and I think you're dead right with the comparison. Though, these cartoons look to be a little better constructed than either of the two Bay films especially this new one.
I always wondered where the hell that sweetass Powermaster Optimus Prime toy came from. Now I know, and I guess knowing is still considered half the battle. Anyway, I always did that PM Optimus as kid, just didn't know where it fit in the whole mythos. Thanks, Tim.
OK, I WIkipedia'd it. Holy Schniekies, it really is Breast Force. Wowza! Don't know why you changed it to Beast Force in the article though.
Now all we need is Breast Force Pretenders....Hot chicks in sopping wet white wife beaters who coincidentally turn into a robot that will kill you...um...kind of like Sarah Conner Chronicles... ;0)
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Good article! They take a little getting used to at first, but I love these Japanese Transformers series.