More...Much More Than Meets The Eye!
It is a world transformed...where things are not as they seem...
The Japanese version of the Generation One (G1) Transformers, known as Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers, starts off almost exactly like the American series. (For an episode synopsis of the American G1 series, click here.) In fact, the first three seasons of the American G1 television show were ported over to Japan and re-dubbed to their language. This is not to say that there aren't differences, although most of them are subtle. These changes are listed below.Following Transformers: 2010 the Japanese began animating new TF series that seemed to get better with every new season (as is customary in Japanese animation or anime, each season of a particular television program is a separate series from the previous one). The following links contain information on these series:
- Timeframe. One of the main differences between the two continuities concern the time setting; Season Three (known as Transformers: 2010) began in the year 2010, as opposed to 2006 in America.
- Release of Transformers: The Movie. Another change from the American version is that Transformers: The Movie wasn't released until 1990 in Japan and was subtitled "Matrix Forever"; therefore, that essential transition in the U.S. was notably absent in Nippon.
- Scramble City. An original animation video (known as O.A.V.) was created, named Scramble City, in order to provide some transistion between Fight! Super Lifeform Transformers second season and Transformers: 2010 (American seasons two and three), due to the absence of the movie. Only one episode is known to have been filmed; while there is evidence that a second was made using stop motion photography with the actual toy figures, nothing is really known about this.
- Absence of U.S. Season 4 In the U.S., there was a "season four"; consisting of a three part series entitled "The Rebirth", it introduced the Headmasters and Targetmasters to America, with the *master components being from the planet Nebulos. In Japan, they created a brand new series entitled Transformers: Headmasters. More information on this series will follow this article
- Different *master paradigm In the Japanese shows, the different symbionic Transformers were controlled by their smaller counterparts, and the large, Transformer bodies were known as transtectors. The Headmasters were controlled by their robotic head components, Godmasters (Powermasters in America) were controlled by their human engine blocks, and Brainmasters were controlled by their face forming robots. Writer's note -- In case you're wondering, I have no idea about the Targetmasters, as I've never read of them in any Japanese series description I've seen. If you have any info that could shed light on this for me, please contact me.
- Name Changes. There is also the issue of the name game; most of the Japanese characters had different names than their American counterparts, such as (labeled as, Japanese{American}) Convoy {Optimus Prime}, Seibertron {Cybertron}, Cybertron {Autobot}, and Destron {Decepticon}. These will be elaborated upon as the series of articles progresses. Also, the Japanese names will be used instead of the the American name, which will be listed in parenthesis alongside the Japanese designation upon its first mention.
As an interesting but impressive sidenote, the Japanese continuity has been shown to flow very well along with the Beast Wars shows that followed in the United States and Japan. Perhaps this will continue in any future Transformer shows.Transformers: Headmasters This series picked up right where Transformers: 2010 (American Season 3) ended. In addition to the old cast that American fans are familiar with, it introduced new characters who added new twists in the ever-evolving art of transformation.
Transformers: Super God Masterforce Not ready yet...come back later.
Transformers: Victory Not ready yet...come back later.
Transformers: Zone Not ready yet...come back later.
Transformers: Return of Convoy/Battlestars Not ready yet...come back later.
Transformers: Operation Combination Not ready yet...come back later.