From: gavigan@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (Ryan P. Gavigan)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.animation,rec.arts.anime
Subject: Re: Transformers T.V. Series History
Date: 14 Aug 92 17:08:30 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network


In article <1992Aug14.093626.1@hamp.hampshire.edu> chedberg@hamp.hampshire.edu writes:
>	The Transformers began as a Marvel Comics endeavor to ride the wave
>of transforming mecha which was currently the rage in Japan. It was a
>four-issue limited series, but it did so astoundingly well that they made it
>into a full serial. The toys were a success also, and because its sister comic
>G.I. Joe was doing similarly well, and had made a profit off of a limited
>series T.V. release, they tried the same with Transformers, first as a limited
>release, then as a full-run series. The reason that the animation dropped so in
>quality towards the end was that the primary market for the show (8-14) was no
>longer interested in it, and so the budget was decreased. The series was
>animated by Toei, but the scripting was done in the U.S. It became somewhat
>popular in Japan, and enjoyed a brief release there. The toys were out there
>for a while, as well.

Not to pick nits , but there are FIVE Transformer series, of which 
ONLY 2 were done and brought here in the US.  What is known here as "The Trans
formers" was done as two sereis , "Fight, Robots of Life:The Transformers" 
(original time setting), "Fight Robots of Life:Transformers 2010" (post movie)

A full SERIES (30 some episodes) of Headmasters, "Transformers:Supergod 
Masterforce", and "Transformer Victory", totalling some 150-200 episodes
.  The series became a lot better quality wise during Headmasters compared
to anything done for America (Call of the Primitives not withstanding), 
without the stupid way to lip-synch american TV series (really shitty lip
movements without any facial expression whatever.)

The Headmasters and Supergod MAsterforce have been dubbed in English for
the Hong Kong/Malaysia/Singapore markets.  Nothing official has been said, 
but rumors hold they it will(transformers) return to the air in 1993.

Fight:Robots of Life Transformers aired in Japan from 7-6-85 thru 11-07-86

Transformers: 2010 				     11-14-86     6-26-87
Transformers: The Headmasters			    7-03-87 thru 3-28-88
(MArvel made their "own" three episode mini-series instead of using the
Japanese one, partially because Optimus Prime ("Convoy" in the japanese) dies
once again.)

Transformers: Super God Masterforce		     4-12-88 thru 2-28-88
Transformer V (Victory)				     3-14-89 thru (at least
								  March 1990)

There was also a 1-shot OVA (Original Video Animation) entitled
"Transformer Zone" done in the last couple of years.  The story has gotten pretty
wild as the story line has advanced, and if only all the stuff was translated
I'd be able to understand more specifics (What exactly is the "entity" 
supposedly leading the Decepticons in Transformers:SG MF, what is "Zodiac"?
, etc).

Ryan Gavigan
gavigan@gn.ecn.purdue.edu



>"Transformers: Number 60 in a four part limited series"
		       ^^ 80

>		-Cover to the last ish of Transformers

>
>Disclaimer:
>	These opinions belong on Rec.Arts.Anime and Rec.Arts.Comics
>respectively, but give a grieving fan a break, hunh?
Newsgroups: rec.arts.animation