The History of Transforming Robots! (abridged)

[The Lizard]

I know I'm not the #1 most knowledgeable person about Transformers on these boards, but it has been pointed out to me that I do have quite a large repository of useless knowledge when it comes to the general history of Japanese pop culture, toys and robots. Thus, I've taken it upon myself to provide this board with a historical record of the evolution of giant Japanese transforming robots for those who might be interested in such a thing. So here goes...

An Abridged History of Transforming Robots

http://i42.tinypic.com/2qmjc0m.jpg

I. Background and Roots (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16387980&postcount=2)

II. Japanese Pop Culture Origins (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16388123&postcount=3)

III. Giant Robots Appear in Japan! (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16388853&postcount=4)

IV. The First True Transformer and the "Shogun" Invasion (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16391171&postcount=7)

V. Transistion (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16392861&postcount=11)

VI. Transformers Beginnings (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16398717&postcount=19)

VII. Robots in Disguise! (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16409354&postcount=31)

VIII. The Continuing Japanese Invasion and "Robotechnology" (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16414364&postcount=32)

IX. TV, Movie and Video Transformations (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16419603&postcount=33)

X. New Visions and Changing Landscapes (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16431200&postcount=37)

XI. Revitalization (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16438444&postcount=39)

XII. Transformers For Everyone In the 21st Century (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16445970&postcount=43)

XIII. Global Robotic Revolution (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16501145&postcount=60)

[The Lizard]

I. Background and roots

Like many other cultures, the Japanese people have viewed the supernatural power of transformation as part of their heritage for centuries. The Japanese word bakemono (also obakemono, or obake) translates as "something that changes" and is used to descibe a type of mythological spirit, goblin or demon that can change its shape from one thing to another. A particularly interesting type of obake is the tsukumogami ("spirit of past 99"), which is an inanimate object of some kind that, upon reaching 100 years of age, is possessed by a spirit that can transform it into a goblin form. There are tsukumogami that transform from umbrellas, paper lanterns, shoes and even toys. So the concept of an inanimate object or tool transforming into a living creature is an old, old concept in Japan.

http://i43.tinypic.com/359la89.jpg
Statue of a Japanese obake kasa, or umbrella goblin.


Jumping forward to the mid-1880s, there were complicated clockwork toys and mannequins made in Japan that were designed to look like people and emulate simple tasks like serving tea or firing a bow and arrow. Thus, when the term "robot" was first coined in 1921 in Karel Capek's stage play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), the idea of mechanically-created humanoids was already a familiar concept in Japan, as in many other countries where such creations had been around for many years.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2nrpjb4.jpg
First use of the word "robot" on the Czech playbill for R.U.R..


Possibly the first "robot in disguise" ever depicted in popular media was Maria the robot, seen in Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film masterpiece Metropolis. The metallic female robot is diguised to look like the human woman Maria, who is a proponent of the downtrodden workers who slave away under a futuristic city. Thus, when the human Maria is replaced by her evil robot double, the robot Maria becomes the first "pretender" in robot history.

http://i41.tinypic.com/10hshh5.jpg
jLnVkGPjVHk
^ The transformation of the robot double of Maria


As the robot grew in popularity, many different types were introduced in science-fiction novels and magazines of the 1930s. The image of the giant humanoid robot soon become commonplace on sci-fi pulp magazine covers, and carried over quickly into the new medium of superhero comic books and cartoons.

http://i42.tinypic.com/1zp2x6x.jpg
Cover art from the 1935 issue of the Amazing Stories sci-fi pulp magazine. Almost an Autobot, but not quite...

http://i39.tinypic.com/25gqrgl.jpg
Pulp magazine illustration of giant robot, ca 1939

http://i39.tinypic.com/1557adk.jpg
"The Metal Monsters" episode of the 1940 Superman cartoon



Continued...

[The Lizard]

II. Japanese pop culture origins

We now return to Japan. The year 1934 saw the very first Japanese comic strip "robot" that could change shape -- sort of. The simply-drawn, humorous comic strip was called Tanku Tankuro, the name of the main character. Tanku was a funny little robot samurai with a round metal body. From several large holes in his body, Tanku was able to pull various weapons and extend wings and propellers so he could fly. Regardless of whatever tools Tanku might extend from his spherical body, his smiling human head always remained on top.

http://i41.tinypic.com/4j5c9u.jpg http://i41.tinypic.com/bjin8i.jpg
Tanku Tankuro manga comics

The first appearance of what would evolve into the traditional giant Japanese robot was seen in a wartime political magazine cartoon from 1943 entitled "The Science Warrior Appears in New York". World War II was not going well for the Japanese at that point, and the idea of a giant robot warrior that could stomp New York City must have seemed like a wonderful dream.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2i260l3.jpg
"The Science Warrior Appears in New York" from a 1943 issue of Manga monthly comic magazine

Post-war Japan saw a boom in tin toy manufacturing, and of course robots became a popular theme. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, wind-up tin robot toys were commonplace in Japan.
http://i41.tinypic.com/103hi6b.jpg

The famous Japanese comic character Mighty Atom (better known as Astro Boy outside of Japan) made his first appearance in 1952, as drawn by the "god of manga", Osamu Tezuka. Astro Boy went on to become a popular cartoon in 1963, and it set the stage for the particular form of Japanese cartoon animation style known as anime. Although Astro Boy himself wasn't a giant robot or a transformer, a couple of the robot monsters he fought featured powers very much like those of the later "combiner" robots, such as a robot centipede that could separate into smaller robot parts and then recombine.
http://i39.tinypic.com/foeli1.jpg


However, the first giant Japanese robot character was soon to appear...

[The Lizard]

III. Giant robots appear in Japan!

The 1956 manga comic series Tetsujin 28-go ("Iron Man # 28", better known in the US as Gigantor) introduced the first giant Japanese robot character. Created by manga artist Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Tetsujin 28's pointy nose and resemblance to a medieval knight harks back to the "Science Warrior" WWII political cartoon discussed previously. Indeed, in Tetsujin 28's origin story it is revealed that he was developed during WWII as a weapon, but the war ended before T-28 was completed. T-28 is not a sentient robot, but is controlled from a distance by a remote control device. In 1963 Tetsujin 28 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeWRF9PL72k) went on to become a popular anime TV series in Japan and soon after in the US as well (as "Gigantor").

http://i39.tinypic.com/3090nl1.gif http://i39.tinypic.com/2ntz2vb.jpg
Tetsujin 28 (AKA Gigantor), manga, & anime.


Another historically important Japanese robot character appeared in 1965, and this one was an actual transformer! ...Sort of.
The great Osamu Tezuka created the manga Ambassador Magma in 1965, and it was quickly made into a television series in 1966, becoming the first sci-fi hero vs monster TV show in Japan (beating the more famous Ultraman's premiere by one week). The TV series was later dubbed and shown in the US as Space Giants during the 1970s.
The giant living golden robot Magma (called "Goldar" in the US version), had the ability to transform into a golden rocket ship, making him technically the first transformer...but there's a catch. Goldar's transformation is not mechanically logical, and there is no clear shifting of parts to explain how his transformation works. In the TV series, there were close-ups of various robot body parts being covered by the hull of the rocket, but you never see where the rocket parts come from. Watch the video to see for yourself...
flGn7l1ELfg
As we can see, Magma/Goldar's change to rocket is a bit more like magic or morphing than an actual mechanical transformation, so there couldn't be any toys of the character that could transform. Still, Magma technically holds the honor of the first giant robot-to-vehicle transforming character.
http://i42.tinypic.com/f10biw.jpg
Magma (AKA Goldar), manga and live action version.

Another noteworthy early live-action robot appeared in the 1967 TV series Ultra Seven. The enemy alien robot "King Joe" (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15cg1_ultraseven-vs-king-joe-part-01_fun) was the first "combiner" robot made up of 4 different smaller machines. King Joe first battled the heroic Ultra Seven in the 2-part episode "The Ultra Garrison Goes West".
http://i40.tinypic.com/2ez0ehl.jpg
King Joe from Ultra Seven, the first live action combining robot.

1972 brought the first appearance of the manga Mazinger Z by manga artist Go Nagai, introducing the first Japanese "mecha" giant robot character. "Mecha" generally refers to a humanoid robot that is merely a vehicle for a human driver, and has no intelligence of its own. While there were several giant remote-controlled robot heroes on TV the 1960s like Tetsujin 28 or Giant Robo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA5c-_js1UM), these robots had no human pilots inside them. Thus, Mazinger Z introduced the concept and general visual design of the archetypical Japanese mecha robot. The Mazinger Z anime TV series also began in 1972, and set off a huge wave of giant robot cartoons that still continues in Japan to this day.
ux3l3TAZVUI
The first diecast metal toy figure of Mazinger Z was made by Popy toys in 1974, starting yet another proud ongoing Japanese tradition of the "chogokin" diecast robot series.
http://i40.tinypic.com/6s5pub.jpg http://i41.tinypic.com/2ef850w.jpg
Mazinger Z art and original diecast "chogokin" toy.

In 1974, Go Nagai again made Japanese robot history by introducing the first anime robot vehicle combiner, Getter Robo. Getter Robo was formed from three non-transforming vehicles that could assemble in 3 different ways. The combination process seen in the cartoon was again a bit "fudged", so that it's a bit more like morphing in places. Thus, there were no toy versions of the Getter Robo vehicles that could actually combine like in the anime.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2h2pa15.jpg
ueGsPtOhnR8
^ Getter Robo opening credits showing combinations


NEXT....the first real transforming giant robot (finally)!

[CEREBRAL....]

GOOD ish man.....i remember the force five when i was little

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8462/32803908xg6.th.png

one of my fav series..still trying to get all of these eps too!!

[SamuraiSon6]

haha, this is great

[The Lizard]

IV. The first true transformer and the "Shogun" invasion.


In 1975, the anime series Brave Raideen premiered on Japanese TV, and with it came the first "real" transformer in the form of the giant robot Raideen. Raideen was an ancient creation of a long-dead advanced civilization, and he was a living sentient robot. Despite being alive, he bonded with a young human man who was able to pilot Raideen. Raideen was able to transform into a giant birdlike jet called the Godbird, and this transformation was the first true "realistic" mechanical depiction of a robot transforming into a vehicle.
FfDcbXP-Bqo
The diecast metal toy version of Raideen released by Popy in 1975 was the first transforming robot toy ever made. When the 5 inch tall diecast Popy Raideen was brought to the US as part of the "Shogun Warriors" toy line by Mattel in 1978, American kids got their hands on their first transformer (then called a "two-in-one warrior").

http://i44.tinypic.com/2rc9x7k.jpg http://i41.tinypic.com/1z1v3hf.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/jjkwmw.jpg
Raideen anime art and diecast toy -- the first true transforming robot toy!

The Shogun Warriors series of toys also included robots from other popular Japanese anime series such as Grendizer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW8JKCouIA4), Great Mazinger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfGmTzabFM8) and Getter Robo G (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7-7ffgPAko). Five different super-robot anime series (Gaiking, Dangard Ace, Getter Robo G, UFO Robot Grendizer and Starzinger) were translated and brought to the US in 1980 as the Force Five (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGzLfsiNhgs) TV series.

http://i43.tinypic.com/fz9lkz.jpg
1979 Shogun Warriors ad

By the time The late 1970s rolled around, there were combiners, transformers and other super-robots all over Japanese TV. Some of the more famous late '70s anime combiners were Gaiking (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zqleopsA6k8), Combattra V (http://youtube.com/watch?v=qcA1wA8xW6o), and Voltes V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIcMzt2nSyM). Late 1970s transforming anime robots included Daimos (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVHJ0Xs3Fcc) and Daitarn 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-3NPe7L2Ts). The first live-action TV fully transforming robot was Daitetsujin 17 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-w6bEfV0n4) (1977). The 1978 live action Japanese Spider-Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u4kNEvp7xA) TV series featured a high-tech Spidey who piloted a transforming robot named Leopardon that could change into a spaceship. In 1979 the already-popular "Super Sentai" series of TV shows (that would eventually become Power Rangers in the US) would follow suit by introducing a giant robot for its heroes to pilot in the series Battle Fever J (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rOQdl1wnpw).

http://i43.tinypic.com/dvq0pk.jpg
Diecast transforming armored truck robot Daimos, made by Popy, 1978

1979 Also saw the premiere of the historic anime Mobile Suit Gundam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd02MWQMQrU). Gundam introduced the genre of the "real robot" series, as opposed to the "super-robot" series that had existed so far. The "real robot" aspects of Gundam centered on the fact that the main storyline was about the human characters and their lives, with the mass-produced giant robots existing in the background as war machines. The robots in the original Gundam series were not transformers, but this would change in later Gundam series during the mid-1980s.
http://i39.tinypic.com/30u8gp0.gif
1979 Mobile Suit Gundam RX-78 Gundam robot



Next....giant robots get more complicated

[lars573]

Slight correction on that. Hasbro licensed molds (for Jetfire, Roadbuster, Whirl, etc) from Takatoku. However during that process Takatoku was bought out by Bandai.

Also Bandai has made updated version of most of those 70's anime robots.

[The Lizard]

Slight correction on that. Hasbro licensed molds (for Jetfire, Roadbuster, Whirl, etc) from Takatoku. However during that process Takatoku was bought out by Bandai.

Ah-ha. Thanks for the correction. I had assumed from the fact that Jetfire had the Bandai manufacturer's stamp on it that it was Bandai who sold the mold to Hasbro after the Takatoku buyout.

Anyone who feels I'm missing something important or needing correction, please feel free to tell me!

[Avangarde]

That's a pretty solid effort there Lizard, I actually learned something new :up:

[The Lizard]

V. Transition

As the 1980s began, there was at first still plenty of carryover from the colorful "super-robot" genre of the 1970s. Combiner robots were still plentiful, with some noteworthy examples being GodSigma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdt2utMUAb8&NR=1) (1980), the first combiner formed from smaller humanoid robots instead of vehicles, and of course Golion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XyWN9lWa4o) (1981) and Dairugger XV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hxUvL4Dayo) (1982), which would both end up as the dubbed US series Voltron, Defender of the Universe.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2vw72gi.jpg http://i39.tinypic.com/1zd9gyo.jpg
Godsigma, Golion and Dairugger XV

However, there was also an ongoing attempt to incorporate the dramatic "real-robot" aesthetics established in Moblie Suit Gundam, as seen in various anime shows featuring giant robots such as Ideon, Space Runway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5i3H-mgoTE) (1980), Dougram (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZkoLAh2h04) (1981) and Xabungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bndgraJkfU) (1982).
http://i41.tinypic.com/infn5w.jpghttp://i40.tinypic.com/w9tdgk.jpghttp://i39.tinypic.com/212v5hw.jpg
l-r: Ideon, Xabungle, Dougram

These attempts were met with modest success until the 1982 TV premiere of Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpXllzizT1w). This anime succeeded in combining the human drama, romantic intrigue and realistic mecha that older fans were hungry for. Macross was an immediate success, and its transforming Valkyrie aircraft designs set a new standard for "perfect transforming" robot designs that looked functional and cool in both vehicle and robot modes.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2dgol8k.jpg

Macross, along with the similarly-themed anime Mospeada (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqy55RqyTyo) (1983) and Southern Cross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxpLQoPDSE4) (1984), would all be dubbed and combined into the Robotech TV series, which premiered in the US in 1985. Macross toys in particular were hugely popular in Japan, and jumpstarted the transforming robot toy craze from 1982 onward.
http://i41.tinypic.com/1z1snl5.jpg
Macross transforming VF-1S Valkyrie toy by Takatoku. This toy would later become the Transformer Jetfire.


Next: The origins of the Transformers themselves!

[Raiden]

Very nice write-up on the history of transforming robots, Lizard. Ever since I was young, I had obsessed with Japanese robot toys and animations, with Macross, Voltron, Mazinger-Z as some of my favorites. I think you left out a combiner robot which had 15 vehicles combing to form one gigantic robot (I forgot the name). What's striking about this combiner is that those 15 can form into 3 teams of 5, one for air, another for land, and last one for sea. Each team is also a mini combiner team, because the 5 vehicles can combine to become an unique vehicle, although none of the vehicles can become a robot, only when all 15 combine at once. I own the toy when I was young and I had fond memories of it.

[The Lizard]

I think you left out a combiner robot which had 15 vehicles combing to form one gigantic robot (I forgot the name). What's striking about this combiner is that those 15 can form into 3 teams of 5, one for air, another for land, and last one for sea. Each team is also a mini combiner team, because the 5 vehicles can combine to become an unique vehicle, although none of the vehicles can become a robot, only when all 15 combine at once. I own the toy when I was young and I had fond memories of it.

You're thinking of Dairugger XV, also known as Vehicle Voltron in the US. I do mention him briefly at the beginning of chapter V above, with a link to the YouTube video of the opening titles.

However, you do raise a point -- I'm not attempting to cover EVERY Japanese robot, whether combiner or transformer. There's just too many of them. I'm just trying to point out a few of the more noteworthy ones. Dairugger is kind of noteworthy, since he set the record for most vehicles making up one robot. :cwink:

[Raiden]

Personally, I wish that Michael Bay would pay some homage to Japanese or a nod for them for creating Transformers in the first place. But with GM cars and focus on U.S. military, you don't get a sense where Transformers come from in the first place.

[Overman27pj]

Awesome thread!

[dancing_on_fire]

great job dude

[SamuraiSon6]

keep it up Lizard, this is great!

[lars573]

Personally, I wish that Michael Bay would pay some homage to Japanese or a nod for them for creating Transformers in the first place. But with GM cars and focus on U.S. military, you don't get a sense where Transformers come from in the first place.
They'd have to go through their US branches though. And if Alternators Windcharger is any indication they might insist they neuter them.

[The Lizard]

VI. Transformers Beginnings

Now we come to the point in the history of the actual Transformers toys that many TF fans might be familiar with. Let's start at the beginning and bring things up to speed with a quick timeline:

1964 - US toy company Hasbro introduces the 12 inch tall soldier doll "G.I. Joe"

1970 - G.I. Joe brought to Japan and sold by Takara toy company as "Combat Joe"

1971 - Takara releases Combat Joe dolls with superhero costumes and sci-fi themes and accessories (a concept similar to the Captain Action (http://www.classicactionfigures.com/The%20Captains%20Story.htm) doll from the 1960s)

1972 - Takara introduces the "Henshin Cyborg", a 12 inch Combat Joe spin-off doll with clear robot body parts and a metallic head
http://i43.tinypic.com/2vultw4.jpg
Henshin Cyborgs with G.I. Joe

1974 - Takara produces smaller 3.75 inch tall versions of the Henshin Cyborg and calls this new toy series "Microman"
http://i43.tinypic.com/dn0qqs.jpg

1975 - Microman vehicles and robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmluvXqzMY0) are produced. They don't transform, but they have interchangeable parts

1976 - Microman figures and vehicles brought to the US and sold by Mego as "Micronauts" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_DgGUuKRGs)

1980-81 - Takara introduces the "New Microman" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpYnrtbe7k) toy line featuring the 3.75 inch tall miniature cyborgs with new special battle machines and playsets.
A spin-off toy line from this is also introduced by Takara, called Diaclone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IrW1ccqYkk) (AKA "Diakron") - a series of vehicles and combiner robots that are driven by human-sized cyborg pilots. The scale of these toys is 1/64, so the pilot figures are only one inch tall. The original 1980-81 Diaclone robots (mostly combiners) were designed by Shoji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake, who would later go on to design the mecha for Macross.
http://i41.tinypic.com/98u1s9.jpg
1980 Diaclone catalog

1982 - The first two transforming "Car Robots" are introduced as part of the Diaclone line. These will later go on to be released in the US as the Autobots "Sunstreaker" (after a color change to yellow) and "Ironhide", so these are technically the first of the Transformers.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2k1wtl.jpg
1982 Diaclone catalog

Also in 1982 - Popy releases the first toys in its transforming "Machine Robo" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_sgcprD-0&feature=related) series, that will later be released as Gobots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGb7o0TCiIE) in the US by Tonka in '84 .
http://i41.tinypic.com/25pn2hd.jpg

1983 - Another spinoff from the New Microman toy series debuts from Takara - "MicroChange" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXjtvYwqRzY), a series of minature robots and vehicles disguised as life-size tools and houshold items. This first wave of MicroChange toys includes several robots that will go on to be Transformers, including the Walther P-38 "Gun Robo" (Megatron) and "Cassette Man" (Soundwave). Also included in this first wave of MicroChange are the "Mini Car Robo" robots, intended to be disguised as toy "penny racer" cars. These will later become the Transformers mini Autobots "Cliffjumper", "Bumblebee", "Gears", "Brawn", "Windcharger", "Huffer", and the so-called "Bumblejumper".
http://i39.tinypic.com/333le2o.jpg
Microman/MicroChange 1983 catalog page

Meanwhile, the 1983 Diaclone wave introduces many more future Transformers, including "Battle Convoy" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hYa2bldso) (Optimus Prime), "Jet Robo" (Starscream/Thundercracker), and the "Insecter Robo" (Insectacons).
http://i39.tinypic.com/xpx11k.jpg
1983 Diaclone catalog pages

Finally and perhaps most importantly, 1983 was the year that Hasbro representitives visited the Tokyo Toy Fair, saw the potential in the Diaclone and MicroChange toy lines, and made the historic deal with Takara to market these toys in the US under a new name and storyline.


Next...More than meets the eye!

[spidergrant]

this is pretty cool, i was suprised to hear a lot of transformers were from different toy lines

[LightningFlash]

We better see a Gundam or Voltron movie in the next ten years.

[lars573]

1982 - The first two transforming "Car Robots" are introduced as part of the Diaclone line. These will later go on to be released in the US as the Autobots "Sideswipe" and "Ironhide", so these are technically the first of the Transformers.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2k1wtl.jpg
1982 Diaclone catalog

Sunstreaker you mean. Diaclone Sunstreaker never came in yellow. Sideswipe did. And black and red, and a police version.

[The Lizard]

Sunstreaker you mean. Diaclone Sunstreaker never came in yellow. Sideswipe did. And black and red, and a police version.

Believe it or not, I realized that and was confirming the need to change it right before you posted. :woot:

And actually the police version was the Sunstreaker body type as well, as seen on "No. 3" on the 1983 Diaclone catalog posted above and below.

http://i42.tinypic.com/x2ti0o.jpg

[lars573]

Yeah but the regular Lambo also has a police version in Diaclone.

[The Lizard]

That's true, the type 2 Sideswipe-body police Lambo (AKA "Clampdown") was an early 1984 Diaclone release. Good call. :up:

[Raiden]

VI. Transformers Beginnings

Now we come to the point in the history of the actual Transformers toys that many TF fans might be familiar with. Let's start at the beginning and bring things up to speed with a quick timeline:

1964 - US toy company Hasbro introduces the 12 inch tall soldier doll "G.I. Joe"

1970 - G.I. Joe brought to Japan and sold by Takara toy company as "Combat Joe"

1971 - Takara releases Combat Joe dolls with superhero costumes and sci-fi themes and accessories (a concept similar to the Captain Action (http://www.classicactionfigures.com/The%20Captains%20Story.htm) doll from the 1960s)

1972 - Takara introduces the "Henshin Cyborg", a 12 inch Combat Joe spin-off doll with clear robot body parts and a metallic head
http://i43.tinypic.com/2vultw4.jpg
Henshin Cyborgs with G.I. Joe

1974 - Takara produces smaller 3.75 inch tall versions of the Henshin Cyborg and calls this new toy series "Microman"
http://i43.tinypic.com/dn0qqs.jpg

1975 - Microman vehicles and robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmluvXqzMY0) are produced. They don't transform, but they have interchangeable parts

1976 - Microman figures and vehicles brought to the US and sold by Mego as "Micronauts" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_DgGUuKRGs)

1980-81 - Takara introduces the "New Microman" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLpYnrtbe7k) toy line featuring the 3.75 inch tall miniature cyborgs with new special battle machines and playsets.
A spin-off toy line from this is also introduced by Takara, called Diaclone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IrW1ccqYkk) (AKA "Diakron") - a series of vehicles and combiner robots that are driven by human-sized cyborg pilots. The scale of these toys is 1/64, so the pilot figures are only one inch tall. The original 1980-81 Diaclone robots (mostly combiners) were designed by Shoji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake, who would later go on to design the mecha for Macross.
http://i41.tinypic.com/98u1s9.jpg
1980 Diaclone catalog

1982 - The first two transforming "Car Robots" are introduced as part of the Diaclone line. These will later go on to be released in the US as the Autobots "Sunstreaker" (after a color change to yellow) and "Ironhide", so these are technically the first of the Transformers.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2k1wtl.jpg
1982 Diaclone catalog

Also in 1982 - Popy releases the first toys in its transforming "Machine Robo" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_sgcprD-0&feature=related) series, that will later be released as Gobots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGb7o0TCiIE) in the US by Tonka in '84 .
http://i41.tinypic.com/25pn2hd.jpg

1983 - Another spinoff from the New Microman toy series debuts from Takara - "MicroChange" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXjtvYwqRzY), a series of minature robots and vehicles disguised as life-size tools and houshold items. This first wave of MicroChange toys includes several robots that will go on to be Transformers, including the Walther P-38 "Gun Robo" (Megatron) and "Cassette Man" (Soundwave). Also included in this first wave of MicroChange are the "Mini Car Robo" robots, intended to be disguised as toy "penny racer" cars. These will later become the Transformers mini Autobots "Cliffjumper", "Bumblebee", "Gears", "Brawn", "Windcharger", "Huffer", and the so-called "Bumblejumper".
http://i39.tinypic.com/333le2o.jpg
Microman/MicroChange 1983 catalog page

Meanwhile, the 1983 Diaclone wave introduces many more future Transformers, including "Battle Convoy" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hYa2bldso) (Optimus Prime), "Jet Robo" (Starscream/Thundercracker), and the "Insecter Robo" (Insectacons).
http://i39.tinypic.com/xpx11k.jpg
1983 Diaclone catalog pages

Finally and perhaps most importantly, 1983 was the year that Hasbro representitives visited the Tokyo Toy Fair, saw the potential in the Diaclone and MicroChange toy lines, and made the historic deal with Takara to market these toys in the US under a new name and storyline.


Next...More than meets the eye!

It appears that the Autobot combiner Raider (made up of six Trainbots) were created back in 1983, and not at the end of 80's with the Headmasters line.

[knowsbleed]

Lizard, thanks for compiling this history. It brings back a lot of memories. I wish I had the patience to compile something like this. I wish I still had my die-cast Mazinger Z toy that I had from '79. :csad:

[lars573]

Bandai made a new larger more articulate die cast Mazinger Z a few years ago as part of the Soul of Chogokin line.

http://japanesetoylink.com/Bandai/Sci-Fi/BAN-SOC-GX-01R.htm

[The Lizard]

It appears that the Autobot combiner Raider (made up of six Trainbots) were created back in 1983, and not at the end of 80's with the Headmasters line.

Yep -- the "Train Robo" seen in the 1983 Diaclone catalog above was the first Diaclone gestalt combiner made from transforming robots with regular earth vehicle alt modes.. He beat Diaclone Devastator to Japanese toy stores by at least one year.

[lars573]

A matched pair with "Devastator", the diaclone construction robo's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFQUnL3VucE

The only Diaclone toys that Hasbro never put into Transformers was the trainbots and the 3rd Diaclone triple changer. See it here in the triple changer ad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hipzmR9Gy7A

[The Lizard]

VII. Robots in Disguise!

1984 was a very,VERY good year to be a collector of Japanese transforming robot toys.

http://i39.tinypic.com/29ykwfd.jpg
MicroChange Walther P-38 (Megatron) and Diaclone Battle Convoy (Optimus Prime)

http://i43.tinypic.com/8x7big.jpg
1984 Hasbro Transformers catalog flyer showing the first wave of G1 toys.

Hasbro was busy working with Marvel Comics and Sunbow Productions (http://www.imdb.com/company/co0023518/) animation company to introduce the storylines that would unify the MicroChange and Diaclone toys they had brought to the US under the Transformers name. Some lucky collectors already had access to various Japanese-imported Diaclone and Machine Robo toys sold at specialty shops. Certain Diaclone and Microchange pre-Transformers were distributed under their Japanese brand names by GiG toys in Italy before getting the official Transformers brand name.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2ut6xxx.jpg
Non-Transformers Diaclone triple-changer sold by GiG in Italy

An immediate change that Hasbro made to the toys themselves was to alter any plastic missile-firing weapons to give them very weak firing springs or make them inoperable altogether. This practice was a carry-over from 1979 when some of the missile-firing toys from Mattel's Battlestar Galactica vehicle line were implicated in the choking death of a child (http://theswca.com/textf/toydeath.html). After that, all missile-firing toys sold by mainstream US companies either featured ridiculously enlarged "safety" missiles or deactivated firing springs.
Since the Transformers were supposed to be sentient robots in the new Hasbro storyline, the small Diaclone pilot figures were eliminated from the toys as well. Many a curious kid wondered who was supposed to sit in the empty cockpits of his brand new Transformers toys.
PzP8l3T0zF4
^Original 1984 TF toy commercial

In Japan, other interesting events were also taking place in the transforming robot genre in 1984.
July 1984 saw the release of the anime movie Macross: Do You Remember Love? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckZcVFLU24) in Japan, bringing Macross popularity to new heights. Unfortunately, the toy company Takatoku that produced the high-quality "perfect transformation" Macross toys in 1982 didn't partake in this success. From 1983-1984, Takatoku lost money on several follow-up transforming robot toy lines based on the anime series Orguss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMql0PCYYg8), Dorvack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E3iLD_Imzs) and Sasuraiger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E3iLD_Imzs). A final series of transforming insect robots called Beetras didn't even get an anime series attached to it before it became clear Takatoku was in trouble.
In a final bid to produce revenue, Takatoku sold the molds of several of its transforming robots to other companies. Bandai bought out Takatoku and continued the Valkyrie fighter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_hB2Ff1b2g) toy line in conjunction with the 1984 Macross movie. Hasbro by this time knew that it had a hit on its hands with the Transformers line, and was actively looking for more transforming robots to import from Japan. In addition to the Macross VF-1S Super Valkyrie that became Jetfire, Hasbro also bought the rights to two of the robot toys from Dorvack (which would become the Transformers "Whirl" and "Roadbuster" in 1985), and all four of the Beetras robots (which would be released as the "Deluxe Insecticons"). These Takatoku toy molds were some of the highest-quality G1 Transformers with regard to robot articulation and detail.

http://i44.tinypic.com/262nudc.jpg
Collage of the Takatoku robot toys that became Transformers

The 1984 Takara Diaclone line introduced several future Transformers such as the Constructicons/Devastator, Triple-Changers and Ultra Magnus. Also introduced were the kyoryu robo, or "dinosaur robot" series, which would of course become the Dinobots!
http://i39.tinypic.com/2hdtoco.jpg
Diaclone Tyranosaurus Robo (later to become -- duh -- Grimlock!)

YsBp28daEpE
^Diaclone Dinosaur Robo commercial, 1984

Interestingly enough, the Diaclone Dinobots had a specific enemy created just for them -- the non-transforming, somewhat goofy-looking "Machine Dragon":
http://i41.tinypic.com/bjbadv.jpg
Needless to say, Machine Dragon did NOT make the cut for inclusion into the Transformers.

Speaking of "somewhat goofy", let's not forget the September 1984 debut of Hanna-Barbera's Challenge of the Gobots cartoon, which right from the get-go had no chance against the Transformers cartoon, which premiered about a week later....
qXB4wvqCPBU

xq0ZJgb-VX4
^ Gobots and Transformers cartoon openings. Yeah.....no contest.

http://i52.tinypic.com/19tm6w.jpg
First wave of Bandai's Machine Robo toys, released in the US as "Gobots" by Tonka.

NEXT: Super Gobots, Transformers and Godaikins - oh my!

[The Lizard]

VIII. The Continuing Japanese Invasion and "Robotechnology"

American fans of Japanese robots were in hog heaven during the mid-1980s, and it seemed like every toy store shelf was full of imported transforming goodness. In 1985, Hasbro released the second (and some might say the greatest) wave of generation one Transformers to the public.
http://i42.tinypic.com/svs85t.jpg
In addition to the other new robots that came from sources other than Takara, the 1985 Transformers release included Shockwave, whose Japanese origin was as a toy called "Astro Magnum" released by the lesser-known company ToyCo. Although Shockwave's hand-held laser gun alt form fit in well with the MicroChange theme, the large size of the toy, along with the increased articulation and non-humanoid head made it resemble the Takatoku-based Transformers a little more closely. A non-Transformers version of Astro Magnum made in China was also sold at Radio Shack at the time, indicative of the market saturation of transforming robots that was taking place.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2943o2e.jpg
Original Japanese Astro Magnum (AKA Shockwave)
8OEEncGeu8s
^ 1985 TF commercial featuring Shockwave and the only animated version of Jetfire that resembled the Macross Valkyrie toy it was based on.

Indeed, outside the Transformers brand, there were plenty of other Japanese robot toys to be had. Tonka, perhaps feeling the need to compete with the larger and more detailed Transformers toys, continued to beef up its Super GoBots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emeVJa0MS0k) line to include bigger versions of the Machine Robo/GoBot characters.
Bandai, who by this time had absorbed its subdivision company Popy, continued to license the Machine Robo line to Tonka, but also had distributed some of its other robot toys directly to the US market as Bandai America since 1983. The "Godaikin" toy line from Bandai America was much like the Shogun Warriors brand from the 1970s, in that it was basically a random gathering of Japanese robot toys repackaged in English for the US market. The Godaikin series was mostly made up of larger diecast metal combiner robots from various anime and "Super Sentai" live action series. The toys were very high quality and were unchanged from their Japanese releases (complete with those lethal firing plastic missiles). However, the high prices of the Godaikin toys coupled with the fact that most Amercian consumers were not familiar with the TV programs the robots came from resulted in sluggish sales. Hasbro's Transformers stole away much of the Godaikin target consumers and by the mid-to-late 1980s, Godaikins were being marked down in the bargain bins of stores like Lionel Playworld (a great bargain for robot collectors).

http://i40.tinypic.com/a2g3l.jpg
Godaikin toy robot series catalog

On the subject of combiner robots, Matchbox toys had distributed the Bandai diecast robots from Golion, Dairugger XV, and the unaired-in-America anime Albagas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWWmlp9qWr0) as part of their Voltron series of toys. Unlike the earlier Godaikin release of the Golion combiner, the Matchbox release (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB7uIkSFKPg) removed all the missile launchers and sharp weapons.
http://i40.tinypic.com/b9eh44.jpg
Matchbox "Voltron" toys

Matchbox also went on to release a toy and action figure line based on the American Robotech TV series. Matchbox used some existing Bandai toy molds from the Macross anime series that comprised part of Robotech, including a transforming SDF-1, small Destroid robots and a series of "super-deformed" transforming Valkyries. Matchbox also created its own series of action figure-based, mostly non-transforming plastic Robotech toys that were of a much lower quality.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2pobfrs.jpg
Two Bandai Macross toys recycled by Matchbox for "Robotech"

Distribution of the Robotech brand and mecha designs outside of Japan had always been a bit confusing. The "Robotech" brand name was originally used by Revell models in 1983 as a general title for a variety of Japanese plastic model kits Revell took from different series and put together under one product line. Most of the kits in Revell's "Robotech Defenders" series (http://www.draddog.com/robotech/) were from the anime series Dougram and Macross, although there were a couple from other series like Orguss as well. After a brief DC Comics mini-series based on the Robotech Defenders model kits failed miserably, the brand name "Robotech" was bought by US animation company Harmony Gold for its English-language animated series that would combine Macross, Southern Cross and Mospeada.
WHfNniqT7bo
^ US opening for Robotech (1985), incorporating three different Japanese anime series

Meanwhile, many of the "Robotech" model kit designs taken from Dougram and Macross were incorporated into the popular BattleTech (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BattleTech) mecha table-top wargame published by FASA. So during the mid-1980s, the Robotech brand and its Japanese robots were seen in several different formats and storylines. Eventually, FASA would have to change all of the anime-based robot designs in the BattleTech game for legal reasons.
http://i42.tinypic.com/rc6jvn.jpg
1985 BattleTech game showing a Macross "Destroid Tomahawk" robot in the box cover

To add even more confusion to the Robotech toy situation, the toy company Excite distributed some of the transforming toys made by Japanese company Gakken from the Mospeada anime series (AKA 3rd Generation Robotech) in the US under the Robotech label as well. The Excite releases of the Gakken toys removed the missile firing springs, but other than that the toys were a direct import. In addition to the Gakken transforming "Alpha" fighter jet from Mospeada/Robotech, there was also a deluxe transforming "Ride Armor" motorcycle that converted into battle armor. This amazing item was one of the most complicated transforming toys of the 1980s, and is still a desired collectible to this day.

http://i42.tinypic.com/mtujkp.jpg
Robotech/Mospeada transforming ride armor by Gakken


Next: Gundam and the 1986 Transformers Movie bring changes

[The Lizard]

IX. TV, Movie and Video Transformations

In Japan in 1985, the legendary Mobile Suit Gundam series that changed the format of giant robot storylines finally received a sequel series titled Zeta Gundam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iyinXugttI). Not surprisingly, Zeta Gundam introduced transforming mecha to the Gundam universe in the form of the "wave rider" spaceship mode for the Zeta Gundam robot. Other "mobile suits" in the series could transform as well, although the purpose of the transformations was aerodynamic flying forms, not disguise.
The Gundam toy line history was also a change from the traditional Japanese robot toys. When the original Gundam series aired in 1979-1980, a Japanese toy company called Clover had released a diecast, missile-launching Gundam toy. However, the chunky, simplified forms of Clover's robot toys didn't appeal to fans of the Gundam series, who prefered the increased detail and articulation of the Gundam plastic model kits. As a result of this increased demand for realism in robot toys, Clover soon went out of business in 1983 after unsuccesfully trying to adapt to the "real robot" aesthetic by making toys for the anime mecha series Xabungle and Dunbine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iakHx_vy-Pw). As usual, Bandai was quite willing to step in and take over, and their Gundam model kits remained very popular.
Thus, when the time came to make toys for Zeta Gundam in 1985, Bandai decided to forego the diecast metal and instead make super-detailed, super-poseable toys that were completely made of strong ABS plastic. Although Bandai continued to produce the diecast "chogokin" robot toys based on the anime and live-action combiner robots, the shift towards high-detail all-plastic collectible toys had begun.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2v99nps.jpg
1979 Gundam toy by Clover, 1980 Gundam model by Bandai, and 1985 Zeta Gundam transforming toy by Bandai.

Another change that took place in the world of Japanese robots in 1985 was the introduction of the original animated video (OVA). These direct-to-VHS releases enabled one-shot anime with more adult storylines to be viewed by the anime-hungry public. Certain popular animation design companies like Artmic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artmic) and Gainax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gainax) soon took advantage of this medium to introduce their own privately created anime and mecha designs during the mid to late 1980s. Popular OVA of this time that featured transforming robots were Megazone 23 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcXoSQPwKJ0), Bubblegum Crisis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRlAzya9bG0) and Gunbuster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej9q4izbuck).

Back in the US, 1986 saw the release of Transformers: The Movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaEWLuVJee0), and a rather large change to the Transformers toy line as well. Not only did TF: The Movie kill off many of the original generation one characters, but it also introduced many new toys that were newly created and based on the animation character designs for the movie. By this point, Takara had discontinued the MicroChange and Diaclone toy lines and instead marketed the repacked toys as Transformers in Japan. With some exceptions (like Ultra Magnus, Sky Lynx and the large city-base Transformers) the 1986 wave of new Transformer toys based on the movie were created especially for Hasbro, and the difference between these toys and the earlier pre-existing Transformers were obvious for several reasons. The diecast metal parts were mostly eliminated as a cost-cutting measure. Also, the transformation process on many of the new toys was simplified, resulting in less detail. This was a trend that would mostly continue into the late 1980s, along with a marked increase in futuristic or outlandish alt forms.

http://i40.tinypic.com/29lydl0.jpg
1986 TF catalog, Decepticon side

In Japan, Takara introduced a series of Transformers spin-off toys called Beastformers in 1987. These small, non-transformable cyborg animal figures were sold by Hasbro in the US as Battle Beasts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5O26Dtubh0), with no connection to the Transformers series being made.

Tonka's GoBots toy series ended in 1987 after the addition of the Rock Lords (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KauhJ_kYxE) to the toy line and an unsuccessful feature film cartoon. The Machine Robo series carried on in Japan however as a totally different anime series, Machine Robo Chronos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tANLatIMn4k).

After the third season of the Transformers TV cartoon, set after the futuristic events of TF: The Movie, there was a brief three-episode mini-series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojUr6m-dtmg) that made up season four in late 1987. This wrapped up the animated story of the G1 Transformers. However the Japanese G1 TF anime series continued on in new directions for three more seasons in the series Transformers: Headmasters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG0S2ZrAMcU)(1987), Transformers: Supergod Masterforce (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTjtk9wVOJ0) (1988), and Transformers: Victory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJunIOz4rQ) (1989). Each of these series used more new characters and less of the familiar G1 characters from the US cartoon.

http://i44.tinypic.com/15g2glg.jpg
Characters from the 1989 Japanese anime series Transformers: Victory.

Back in the US, the Transformers toy line that would come to be called "generation one" continued through 1989, with the introduction of the Headmasters, Targetmasters, Powermasters, Micromasters and Pretenders.

http://i44.tinypic.com/e0gxzn.jpg
1989 TF catalog


As the 1980s wore on, Japanese animation became more and more popular in the US and other countries. The only way to see a lot of it was by sometimes viewing grainy, untranslated 4th generation VHS copies, but the anime style was undeniably gaining public attention and a loyal American fan base. In Japan, the Gundam series continued with the often humorous Gundam ZZ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsfhyjlxbBU) ("double zeta") in 1986-87.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2v9vvp4.jpg
1986 Gundam ZZ transformer/combiner toy by Bandai

The Gundam-wannabe trend also continued with anime series such as SPT Layzner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wZr7-En4BU) (1986) and Dragonar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPqTVHAjxs) (1987), which had great mecha designs, but strictly forgettable storylines. The toy lines connected to these short-lived series were small, consisting mostly of model kits or the occasional deluxe action figure.
In 1989, Bandai officially ended the diecast metal "chogokin" toy series, which had mostly consisted of just live-action Sentai Ranger combining robots for several years.

Although there had been many depictions of live-action transforming super-robots on Japanese television in the Sentai/Ranger series, it wasn't until 1989 that an attempt to produce a live-action feature film with a "real robot" transforming mecha feel was made. The Japanese movie was called Gunhed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcFEhiV4mgs), and it featured transforming tank mecha. An American movie called Robot Jox (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUxDmKFCD2o) was filmed around 1988, but wasn't completed and released until 1990. While Robot Jox provided more traditional humanoid giant mecha, it was definitely a low-budget (but entertaining) attempt, and spawned a 1993 sequel, Robot Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBAUacDVwJo).

http://i43.tinypic.com/2j1of83.jpg


Next: 1990s re-imaginings

[lars573]

Another thing is that many Transformers released in 1985 and 1986 were diaclones/Microchangers that Takara never released. As in 1985 they scrapped Diaclone Car Robo's and Microman Micro change in favor of Transformers. Such toys as the 1985 mini-bots, Astrotrain. And the 1986 "scramble city" combiners, and Metroplex. These guys were originally going to be part of another Diaclone subline. And all 21 bots could combine with each other in various ways. Such as the base modes of 4 the combiner team leaders being able to combine with Metroplex's city mode. And the 16 limb bots being able to combine with Metroplex in robot mode, but not all at once.

Gotta track down that pic with all 4 on Metroplex.

[WarBlade]

Meanwhile, many of the "Robotech" model kit designs taken from Dougram and Macross were incorporated into the popular BattleTech (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BattleTech) mecha table-top wargame published by FASA. So during the mid-1980s, the Robotech brand and its Japanese robots were seen in several different formats and storylines. Eventually, FASA would have to change all of the anime-based robot designs in the BattleTech for legal reasons.
http://i42.tinypic.com/rc6jvn.jpg
1985 BattleTech game showing a Macross Destroid robot in the box cover


...Known in the BattleTech universe as the Warhammer (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Warhammer).

The various BattleMechs from BattleTech that had their origins in Japanese anime became known as the "Unseen (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Unseen)" when FASA were prohibited from displaying their image. Use of the designs continued in the rule sets and text publications continued however and the publication of Project Phoenix gave rise to redesigns now dubbed the "Reseen." Some of the Unseen were also playable BattleMechs in the hit Activision PC Game MechWarrior 2, though these were shuffled aside in the MechWarrior sequels when the legal struggle came into play.

Transforming 'Mechs in BattleTech were rare, but three of the Unseen, the Phoenix Hawk, Wasp and Stinger made appearances in BattleTech with "LAM (http://www.sarna.net/wiki/LAM)" versions (Acronym: Land Air 'Mech). These were based on veritech fighters from Macross/Robotech.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

All very nice and informative.

[The Lizard]

X. New visions and changing landscapes

1990 was not the best time for Japanese animation or the transforming robot genre. During the anime boom of the late '80s, many Japanese animation studios overextended themselves by producing expensive feature films that didn't provide enough return at the box office. Although there were a few exceptions (notably the famous Studio Ghibli (http://www.nausicaa.net/wiki/Main_Page) started by Hayao Miazaki), most of the anime studios were hurting and had to scale back their releases. The direct-to-video animated features became a main focus of the giant robot genre, but there weren't any real breakthough hits until well into the '90s. The Gundam franchise continued with moderate success, including the continuation of the comedic SD (Super Deformed) Gundam anime series, the serious Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991-92) and Gundam Victory (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIBiO3AX7jA) (1993). Also continuing into the early '90s was the mecha police series Patlabor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v6Gy6_pm3s), which began as an OVA and spawned a movie and TV series. 1990 also brought an OVA continuation of the transforming animal robot combiner series Dancouga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwueP6WgOqU).

http://i41.tinypic.com/21eb39h.jpg http://i44.tinypic.com/10hsjn5.jpg
SD Gundam video and Dancouga OVA

Certain classic robot series from the '60s and '70s were given a makeover and had updated "re-imaginings" released as OVAs during this time period, with varying degrees of success. These included Getter Robo Go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ycijflkEkY) (1991), Giant Robo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAwUfqSFGJE) (1992) and Ambassador Magma (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Jl6fWmhoo) (1993). An alternate-timeline sequel to Macross was also released as a 1992 OVA series titled Macross II: Lovers Again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2AQtynmPw8). This Macross sequel series bore little resemblence to the original TV series or movie, and was generally not well received either in Japan or in the US, where it saw limited theatrical release as a condensed feature film.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2zq64pk.gif
Macross II VF-2SS Valkyrie II

Also continuing uninterupted into the 1990s was the unstoppable live-action Super Sentai TV franchise, which has introduced a new series every year since 1979. Bandai continued to produce the toys of the color-coded combiner robots from these shows, but no longer as the diecast metal "chogokin" toy line. The 1992 series, Dinosaur Squadron ZyuRanger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pvF0_n9ulE), is noteworthy as the first Sentai series to be edited into the first US season of Power Rangers.

http://i40.tinypic.com/wa3gq8.jpg
Giant robots from ZyuRanger, later to become Power Rangers in the US.

Of interest to Transformers fans is the 1990 Japanese direct-to-video anime Transformers: Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS5KQj87tNk). This was intended to be a new TV show to continue the Japanese-created TF anime series, but the series was canceled before airing and it was merely released as a 30 minute OVA. This is considered the final Japanese contribution to their "generation one" Transformers anime series. In spite of this, there two more small waves of Transformers toys released in Japan from 1991-1992 that had no anime series to support them.
The Japanese were quick to replace the G1 Transformers anime series with the new and unrelated Brave Exkaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHIN-ekUuJo), which used some similar TF-type plots and robot designs, including slight variations on the Dinobots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J9gDe9e_BY). The show and its related Takara toy line was popular enough to spawn several similar but unconnected sequel series referred to as the Yusha ("Brave") series (http://www.yusha.net/) that ran from 1990-1998. A few other Transformers designs were used in the following "Brave" series as well, including the six-changing Decepticon "Sixshot".

http://i39.tinypic.com/2wcfrco.jpg
Transforming "God Max" combiner robot toys from the Brave Exkaiser series (1990)

http://i44.tinypic.com/2dgkz7s.jpg
The 1987 Decepticon "Six Shot" remolded as "Shadow Maru" in the 1994 series Brave Police J-Decker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8YNg-VBGI0)

Back in the United States, the Transformers toy line known as G1 came to an end in 1990 with the release of the Action Masters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BlyvgWCprs) line of figures. The figures were smaller, more faithful depictions of the G1 cartoon robot forms, but without the abilty to transform. Transforming weapons and vehicles were included to make up for this, but the concept of non-transforming Transformers didn't catch on and the toy series was short-lived.

Hasbro was not content to let the Transformers toy series lie down for long however, and 1993 saw the release of the "Transformers: Generation 2" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H79nBsSM8_A) toy line in the US. At first, the G2 toys were mostly just brightly colored repaints of selected G1 toys with additional weapons and electronic sound accessories. However, completely new robot designs were soon commisioned from Takara and some popular redesigns of G1 characters were introduced from 1993-'95. Possibly the most notable redesign was that of Megatron, who was given the new form of a tank. Other new toy molds of various sizes and types followed, including a group of small vehicle Transformers called "Go-Bots", courtesy of Hasbro acquiring Tonka and the "GoBots" brand name in 1991. Unfortunately, this new wave of Transformers didn't really take off. The so-called Transformers: Generation 2 cartoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ZRRqxNDbc) was merely the old G1 episodes framed with new computer generated opening credits and introductions. The G2 toy line was canceled in 1995, but Hasbro's recent purchase of Kenner toys would bring in a new design team and a new vision for the next Transformers concept.

http://i40.tinypic.com/33f7o69.jpg
Generation 2 Grimlock and Megatron

Next: Beast Wars and a new "Genesis" in Japan

[Raiden]

I own a few of the G2 toys, like Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, and Inferno. Back then, they were pretty affordable and they were MISB, unlike the G1 toys that were usually out-of-box and either have missing accessories or loose joints.

[The Lizard]

XI. Revitalization

While the giant robot genre had recovered reasonably well in Japan, the most successful series had been aimed squarely at younger kids during the early 1990s. The "Brave" anime series and the ongoing Sentai Ranger series, while popular, didn't have much to offer the older fans of the dramatic "real robot" anime franchises from the 1980s. There was an ongoing continuation of the Gundam series, as seen in Mobile Fighter G Gundam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwnsn9bLJ0) (1994), but this contained more kid-friendly elements than previous entries in the Gundam franchise. There was also another attempt to relaunch the Macross franchise with the Macross Plus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Yr4fyDlwM) OVA movie and the Macross 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga_aTC1MCY0) TV series, both starting in 1994.

http://i43.tinypic.com/317dr1w.jpg
VF-19 Fire Valkyrie toy from Macross 7, made by Bandai in 1995.
During the mid-1990s, many Japanese toy companies began to manufacture their products in China. Thus, "made in Japan" became a more rare thing to see stamped on toys from 1995 onward.

The giant robot genre was suddenly shaken up again with the 1995 premiere of Neon Genesis Evangelion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgATlhZFAfs). Evangelion introduced a radical new design for giant Japanese robots thanks to its creator, artist Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, a founder of Gainax studio and artist on the Gunbuster series. The giant mecha in Evangelion have a sleek, almost skeletal body shape instead of the blocky profile and Popeye-type forearms of previous robot designs. The "Evas" are actually cyborg mecha that have organic body parts. The mystical and religious overtones of the storyline were novel, and the 1995-96 manga and anime were an immediate success. Soon there were many similarly-themed anime, including Neo Ranga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yFJXsywOII) and Gasaraki (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xi7zytjCT8) (1998).

http://i43.tinypic.com/6igpok.jpg
Neon Genesis Evangelion anime and toys.

As home video game systems offered graphics that were more advanced during this time, there were several giant-robot themed video games that featured original robot designs that were more detailed than any seen before. An example is the Front Mission series, which premiered in Japan in 1995 for the Super Nintendo, and came to the US in 1999 in the form of Front Mission 3 for the Sony Playstation.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2wdmxpf.jpg
Giant robot "Zenislev" model from the Front Mission video game series

In the US in 1996, Hasbro relaunched the Transformers line again, but this time with a larger change than had ever been seen in the franchise before. Transformers: Beast Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0syId07dIE) built on the popularity of the "animal robot" Transformers like the G1 Dinobots and Predicons, but introduced the concept of the robots transforming into organic-looking creatures instead of robotic ones. The Beast Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7NBsHxBZE) animated tv series was completely computer generated, which added to the popularity of the toy line, and it worked to incorporate itself into the existing Transformers timeline from the Generation 1 toys, cartoons and comic books. The Beast Wars toys had a range of articulation not seen in previous Transformers toys thanks to the use of ball-and-socket joints, and they set a new standard for increased poseability in the Transformers robot modes.

http://i41.tinypic.com/14mykvp.jpg
1996 Transformers: Beast Wars catalog
gdCtKquPPqI
^ Beast Wars toy commercial featuring Optimus Primal and Megatron in their most memorable alt modes

The Beast Wars toy line and CGI cartoon would continue on through the end of the 1990s, eventually including the more robotic Transmetals (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BosuSpZzcE) toy series. It should be noted here that although female Transformers had appeared in previous cartoons and comic adaptations, the Beast Wars toy line was the first to introduce toys of female Transformers in the form of "Blackarachnia" and "Air Razor". The animated series would spawn two brief Japanese anime spinoffs Beast Wars II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4PkkDz5iRk) (1998) and Beast Wars Neo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPYLT9qzVFs) (1999), as well as the Beast Machines (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU_4t8nIzi4) CGI series in the US in 2000

http://i39.tinypic.com/x4oq6a.jpg
Beast Wars Transmetals Megatron, 1998

As more of the classic Japanese anime and toy series of the 1970s celebrated 20th anniversaries during the late 1990s, there was a resurgence in nostalgic toy re-releases, as well as "upgraded" versions of classic super-robots made strictly for the adult collector market. In 1997 Bandai brought back the diecast metal robot "chogokin" toy series, now labeled "Soul of Chokogin", and featuring highly detailed and articulated versions of the older diecast super-robots. This was just the beginning of a large marketing push for revamped versions of classic robots of the '70s and '80s that would truly take off and spread to the US in the following decade.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2uei3cl.jpg
Nostalgia launches a powerful offensive in the form of the deluxe "Soul of Chogokin" series of the late 1990s


Next: Everything old is new again!

[November Rain]

wow, i didn't think you were really goign to make this thread.

I promised i would read it though.

ps, are you just linking this from another site?

you should make a wikipedia entry of all of this once you've put it all together

[The Lizard]

dupe lag post

[The Lizard]

Anyway -- yes I'm putting together all this original text myself, but also using info from various robot/anime/toy sources to confirm dates and such. I'll post a list of sources at the end.

[The Lizard]

XII. Transformers for everyone in the 21st century

As the Beast Machines Transformers TV series and toy line continued during 1999-2000, the storyline made some controversial changes to TF history, but it also brought back mechanical vehicle alt-forms for the robots. The heroic Maximals fought evil "Vehicons" that transformed from robots to Cybertronian war machines, the first return to vehicle Transformers in four years.

http://i40.tinypic.com/24zmb0z.jpg
Beast Machines Vehicon "Tankor"

This change not only created a demand for a return to the traditional vehicle Transformers, but also carried over the increased ball-joint articulation from the Beast Wars toys. In Japan, the 2000 anime series Transformers: Car Robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxrN9QZMEJo) embraced this change, moving the storyline back to earth and mixing the Transmetals Predacons with updated vehicle-transforming Autobots. Hasbro abandoned a Beast Machines follow-up series called "Transtech", and instead decided to bring Transformers: Car Robots to the US in 2001 dubbed and relabeled as Transformers: Robots In Disguise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_9dlinM0AE). Many American TF fans who had never been exposed to the more kid-oriented Japanese series of TV shows found the middle-school-aged protagonists and typical Japanese slapstick comedy elements of TF: RID a bit jarring. However the RID toy series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tDkiXoBBPs) was popular enough for Hasbro and Takara to partner together for a continuation of the Transformers franchise in both the US and Japan.

The next three Transformers animated series, Armada (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ0CUK-q48w) (2002), Energon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Ph0fcndgU) (2004), and Cybertron (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7vANG3VOeM) (2005), were all Hasbro/Takara co-productions that had little or no connections to previous Transformer storylines beyond character names and basic appearances. In addition to the toys relating to these anime series, Hasbro released a general Transformers Universe toy line in 2003 that featured various repaints and reissues from Robots In Disguise as well as the three newer series.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2j5cbx4.jpg
The first commercially-released toy of the giant evil Transformer Unicron, sold as part of the Armada series in 2003

While these early 2000s TV shows continued using kid-oriented anime styles and character types, older Transformers fans were able to read some more mature G1-based storylines in the Transformers comic book series started by Dreamwave Productions in 2002 and continued by IDW Publishing in 2005. Some of these comic series involved crossovers with the G.I. Joe characters, similar to those published by Marvel Comics in the 1980s.

http://i39.tinypic.com/9ao9rk.jpg
Art from the Dreamwave Productions Transformers comic

The current Transformers toy lines were not limited to what was featured in the cartoons or comic books however, and some fantastically creative toy series were created for the collector market alone. The 2003 Transformers toy series called Binaltech in Japan and Alternators in the US introduced realistic 1/24 scale licensed reproductions of actual cars and trucks with highly complicated transforming processes. The US versions of these toys lacked some elements present in the Japanese releases, like diecast parts and weapons. Despite poor sales in the US leading to the discontinuation of the Alternators line in early 2006, the toy series remains a favorite with older collectors and Transformers toy customizers.

http://i44.tinypic.com/nns1at.jpg
Siverstreak, Hound and Optimus Prime from the Alternators / Binaltech toy series

2004 marked the 20th anniversary of the Transformers franchise. While there had already been re-releases of selected classic commemorative G1 Transformers toys in both Japan and the US since 2002, Takara introduced a special treat for collectors in the form of the Masterpiece Series Convoy, released in the US as the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime. This foot-tall, ultra-detailed toy with diecast parts represents the ultimate fusion of complex transformation elements with the original G1 cartoon aesthetic. The "Masterpiece" series has continued yearly ever since with the introduction of new releases and repaints based on Optimus Prime, Starscream, Megatron and most recently Grimlock.

http://i44.tinypic.com/243i0pw.jpg
Masterpiece Edition Optimus Prime, generally considered to be the greatest Transformers toy of all time.

The continuing nostalgic desire for the G1 Transformers lead to the 2006 Classics toy line, featuring updated versions of G1 characters with more detailed transforming designs and increased articulation. The Classics line has since become incorporated with the ongoing Transformers Universe toy line. Also in 2006, Hasbro introduced the Star Wars Transformers toy line, where famous vehicles from the Star Wars saga are given a transforming robot re-imagining. The "Crossover" Transformers series continued in 2008 with Marvel superhero robots featured in the Transformers Crossovers: Marvel toy line.

http://i44.tinypic.com/zocr5y.jpg
Transformers Classics 2006 toys

An oddball 2006 spinoff from the Binaltech Transformers toy line in Japan resulted in one of the most disturbing Transformers series to date: Transformers: Kiss Players. The idea behind this collectors toy series was that the Transformers receive their powers and transformation abilities from being kissed by cute anime girls. This already strange concept was made even more creepy by the fact that the girls depicted on the packaging for the toys had a distinctly underage sexual "lolicon" look about them.

http://i42.tinypic.com/359cv41.jpg
2006 Transformers: Kiss Players -- "Why don't you have a seat right over there?"

2007 of course brought the release of the Micheal Bay-directed live action blockbuster film Transformers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnwmUZuF5OY), featuring radically changed designs for the robots and cutting-edge CGI special effects. Despite mediocre reviews from critics and some fan controversy surrounding the "re-imagined" Transformers, the movie was a smash success ($319 million US, $708 million worldwide total), and the 2009 sequel releases in June. The movie-Transformer toy designs have taken their place on toy store shelves next to the more traditional Transformers toys, as well as highly stylized toys from the 2008 Transformers Animated toy line. The Transformers toy series has definitely regained its past popularity as its 25th anniversary takes place in 2009.

Next: The present and future of transforming robots in Japan and the US

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Loven this thread.

I got a question for you.

Do you recognize these robots???

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634503_6c69bab0b8_o.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634349_b0b39b91d3_o.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634203_94b20b8f09_o.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634103_ddb3388035_o.jpg

[The Lizard]

Loven this thread.

I got a question for you.

Do you recognize these robots???

Hmmmm....Those seem to be slightly altered versions of several different 1970s and 1980s anime robots.

For example this one:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634203_94b20b8f09_o.jpg

Looks a lot like Daimos. Here's a pic of a recent Daimos prototype toy without paint. Compare the overall body/head shape and alt mode...

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2153/daimosprototypepic1vz3.jpg

Let me do a little more searching, but I think I recognize the others too...

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Hmmmm....Those seem to be slightly altered versions of several different 1970s and 1980s anime robots.

For example this one:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634203_94b20b8f09_o.jpg

Looks a lot like Daimos. Here's a pic of a recent Daimos prototype toy without paint. Compare the overall body/head shape and alt mode...

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2153/daimosprototypepic1vz3.jpg

Let me do a little more searching, but I think I recognize the others too...

Thanks.........I look forward to the answer.

All I know is that the paintings say they come from Takara.

[The Lizard]

All I know is that the paintings say they come from Takara.

I suppose that's possible, but based on the fact that the paintings seem to be mash-ups of different pre-existing robot designs, I'm more inclined to think that they are fan-made. Although the Japanese have no problems with "recycling" ideas from other sources, it would be unusual for a company like Takara to try and pass off such classic robot design elements as their own.


Lets look at this one next:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634103_ddb3388035_o.jpg

The robot arms, upper body and the jet alt mode look like they were taken from Dangard Ace...
http://i44.tinypic.com/wtsnyp.jpg

While the legs look like they were based on Dragonar (or some similar robot featured in the Dragonar series) or possible something from the Vifam series...
http://i41.tinypic.com/208jjsw.jpg http://i42.tinypic.com/j6pwu0.jpg

The head is generic enough that it could be original or merely any existing robot with a face-plate added, for example Jet Robo from the Machine Robo series...
http://i42.tinypic.com/ka4382.jpg


So IMO, those paintings were done by a giant robot fan who knew enough to mix-and-match different robot parts from existing designs to create the appearance of an original design, but none of those are truly "original" robots.

I used to do the same thing when I was in school by picking and choosing elements from different Japanese anime art books and drawing "new" robots. It's a fun exercise, but not the kind of thing you'd expect to see put out as a licensed Takara concept.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

I suppose that's possible, but based on the fact that the paintings seem to be mash-ups of different pre-existing robot designs, I'm more inclined to think that they are fan-made. Although the Japanese have no problems with "recycling" ideas from other sources, it would be unusual for a company like Takara to try and pass off such classic robot design elements as their own.


Lets look at this one next:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634103_ddb3388035_o.jpg

The robot arms, upper body and the jet alt mode look like they were taken from Dangard Ace...
http://i44.tinypic.com/wtsnyp.jpg

While the legs look like they were based on Dragonar (or some similar robot featured in the Dragonar series)...
http://i41.tinypic.com/208jjsw.jpg

The head is generic enough that it could be original or merely any existing robot with a face-plate added, for example Jet Robo from the Machine Robo series...
http://i42.tinypic.com/ka4382.jpg


So IMO, those paintings were done by a giant robot fan who knew enough to mix-and-match different robot parts from existing designs to create the appearance of an original design, but none of those are truly "original" robots.

I used to do the same thing when I was in school by picking and choosing elements from different Japanese anime art books and drawing "new" robots. It's a fun exercise, but not the kind of thing you'd expect to see put out as a licensed Takara concept.

I guess thats possible too but this is stamped on the back of each....

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3294458412_78ddb136c1_o.jpg

So I'm more inclined to believe they were done by Takara as part of a test phase for new concepts.

[The Lizard]

I guess thats possible too but this is stamped on the back of each....

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3294458412_78ddb136c1_o.jpg

So I'm more inclined to believe they were done by Takara as part of a test phase for new concepts.

If those were actual Takara designs, they could possibly have been intended for distribution outside of Japan, since in 1985 most Americans wouldn't have known any better. Of course, anyone can have a stamp made up too, so who knows?

But I'm also suspicious of the fact that some of the alt modes don't look like they actually work with the robot modes.

For example:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634503_6c69bab0b8_o.jpg

The alt mode on this one is obviously taken from the classic Raideen Godbird mode:
http://i44.tinypic.com/27ywpbk.jpg

But the body design sort of looks like a cross between something from Gundam and something from Orguss, but I'll have to look a bit further. The remaining two are tricky.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

If those were actual Takara designs, they could possibly have been intended for distribution outside of Japan, since in 1985 most Americans wouldn't have known any better. Of course, anyone can have a stamp made up too, so who knows?

But I'm also suspicious of the fact that some of the alt modes don't look like they actually work with the robot modes.

For example:

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634503_6c69bab0b8_o.jpg

The alt mode on this one is obviously taken from the classic Raideen Godbird mode:
http://i44.tinypic.com/27ywpbk.jpg

But the body design sort of looks like a cross between something from Gundam and something from Orguss, but I'll have to look a bit further. The remaining two are tricky.

It could be that none of those were ment to be "Transforming" robots.

It could be that the ships are either "armor" for the robots or vehicles for them to ride or use.

Either way I was hopeing I could finally find some concrete answers.

[The Lizard]

It could be that none of those were ment to be "Transforming" robots.

It could be that the ships are either "armor" for the robots or vehicles for them to ride or use.

Either way I was hopeing I could finally find some concrete answers.

Are these art prints yours? If so, where did you get them?

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Are these art prints yours? If so, where did you get them?

No they dont.I found them on an other messege boards and the guy who posted them said he got them in a trade.

He was trying to find some info on them.

[The Lizard]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634349_b0b39b91d3_o.jpg

^This one is the toughest painting of the bunch for me to pin down. There's just too much going on from possible different sources. The jet-shaped head in the robot and alt mode is like a late-'70s super-robot or even an early '80s live-action Super Sentai robot. The huge shoulders are definitely late-'80s anime style, while the legs sort of look like something out of Mospeada (3rd Gen Robotech), as seen below...
http://i43.tinypic.com/j5zalg.jpg

But there's not really any "smoking gun" I can find with that painting that's a single obvious design source.

So when all is said and done, I'm afraid I can't state for sure the origin and purpose of those robot paintings.

However, I will offer a couple final opinions about what those paintings are NOT...

They are NOT unused Takara designs for the Transformers line. Reasons:

1. Assuming the Takara dates stamped on the back are legit, Takara would not have been custom-designing robots for Hasbro's TF line in March of 1985. There were still plenty of pre-existing Diaclone and MicroChange designs being used that year.
2. The alt modes in the paintings are all futuristic, non-realistic looking vehicles. In early 1985, the Transformers vehicle modes were still mostly based on normal earth machines (not counting the Dinobots and Insecticons of course). TF: The movie was still far enough away that there would have been no demand for Cybertronian or futuristic alt modes at that point.
3. The alt vehicle modes in the paintings also have a definite 1970s aesthetic to them that doesn't fit in with the 1980s-style Takara Transformers designs. The heads of the robots shaped like entire jet planes is the type of thing seen on gigantic 150 foot-tall super-robots, not 30 foot-tall Transformers. Plus, a couple of the alt-modes look too simplistic to be Transformer designs, particularly the "Daimos" truck (more on that one later).
4. Finally, the particular elements of a couple of those paintings that seem swiped from 1970s robots would have already been seen in the US in 1985, in the form of Bandai's Godaikin line, which had been on US toy shelves since 1983.

They are NOT designs for Takara robot toys that were going to be released in Japan in 1985. Reasons:

1. My main argument centers on this particular painting:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634203_94b20b8f09_o.jpg

That basic robot form and particularly the vehicle form are totally recognizable as Daimos...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1848/ap20070925040531181jpgtiz4.jpg http://i43.tinypic.com/2nk8mj7.jpg
Daimos truck design and anime scene

There's simply no way that Takara could get away with a licensed design that looked so much like a well-known and unique vehicle from a pre-existing series. Not only in Japan is that true, but also in the US, where Daimos had been imported by Bandai/Popy as both a Shogun Warrior in 1979 and a Godaikin in 1983. Americans would have been fooled by the minor design changes of course, but not the Japanese. I don't think Bandai would have let Takara use such a similar design in either country.

2. The "mixing and matching" in those paintings that would fool Americans would not fool the Japanese. I could see a smaller, unknown company borrowing designs like that, or certainly a Chinese company, but not Takara. Aside from the likelyhood of being busted for it, there were plenty of original robot concepts around in 1985 Japan so that swiping designs wasn't even necessary.


So, taking all that into account, I have to say that I'm inclined to stick with my original position on those paintings. I think they are clever, fan-made (or unauthorized bootleg) designs stamped with a bogus Takara copyright just to excite discussion among American Transformers fans. They weren't produced in 1985, based on the designs used, so I'd say someone whipped them up during the 1990s or later.

That's my Japanese robot-geek's opinion, anyway. :cwink:

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

But there's not really any "smoking gun" I can find with that painting that's a single obvious design source.

So when all is said and done, I'm afraid I can't state for sure the origin and purpose of those robot paintings.

Thanks for the try bud.

However, I will offer a couple final opinions about what those paintings are NOT...

They are NOT unused Takara designs for the Transformers line.

I knew that....with out trying to sound like a prick...theres very little I dont know about Transformers.

Reasons:2. The alt modes in the paintings are all futuristic, non-realistic looking vehicles. In early 1985, the Transformers vehicle modes were still mostly based on normal earth machines (not counting the Dinobots and Insecticons of course)

Your forgetting about the "Jumpstarters".

They are NOT designs for Takara robot toys that were going to be released in Japan in 1985. Reasons:

1. My main argument centers on this particular painting:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634203_94b20b8f09_o.jpg

That basic robot form and particularly the vehicle form are totally recognizable as Daimos...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1848/ap20070925040531181jpgtiz4.jpg http://i43.tinypic.com/2nk8mj7.jpg
Daimos truck design and anime scene

There's simply no way that Takara could get away with a licensed design that looked so much like a well-known and unique vehicle from a pre-existing series. Not only in Japan is that true, but also in the US, where Daimos had been imported by Bandai/Popy as both a Shogun Warrior in 1979 and a Godaikin in 1983. Americans would have been fooled by the minor design changes of course, but not the Japanese. I don't think Bandai would have let Takara use such a similar design in either country.

That one I'm not so sure about.

Its one of my guesses that the painting may have been part of a presentation for selling the design and likeness to Takara.

That's my Japanese robot-geek's opinion, anyway. :cwink:

Again thanks.

[The Lizard]

I knew that....with out trying to sound like a prick...theres very little I dont know about Transformers.

I knew there was something I liked about you. :woot:


Your forgetting about the "Jumpstarters".

True, and I also neglected to mention Shockwave, who had a futuristic design as well. But the Jumpstarters (being 1983 Diaclone toys) and Shockwave were already-existing toys before they were Transformers. I was just making the point that there was no reason for Takara to be pitching new futuristic alt-form designs to Hasbro in early '85, but you already know that.



That one I'm not so sure about.
Its one of my guesses that the painting may have been part of a presentation for selling the design and likeness to Takara.

Well, remember that Bandai aggressively scooped up the toy rights to various anime robot designs from companies that went under in the early '80s like Takatoku and Clover. Also taking into account the fact that Bandai's chogokin series was still competing directly with Takara on several fronts (including the US), in 1985, I can't see them collaborating with Takara to give up a piece of the giant robot pie.


The guy who has that artwork should contact Takara/Tomy, show them the artwork and ask them directly. That's probably the only way we can find out for sure.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

I knew there was something I liked about you. :woot:

Why thank you.:grin:


Well, remember that Bandai aggressively scooped up the toy rights to various anime robot designs from companies that went under in the early '80s like Takatoku and Clover. Also taking into account the fact that Bandai's chogokin series was still competing directly with Takara on several fronts (including the US), in 1985, I can't see them collaborating with Takara to give up a piece of the giant robot pie.

This is true....but it didnt stop some of those toy companies [that went under] from trying to sell its product to Takara and Hasbro.

Look at Jetfire.First owned by a company that went under and bought up by Bandi.

But before Bandi picked them up Hasbro bought the rights to produce and market its likeness in the U.S. and some markets abroad.

Now some of the "Jetfires" released by Hasbro were re-paints/repacks of existing back stock bought from Takatoku but many were newly produced figures made useing the mold.

Do you know who produced those figures for Hasbro?????

Takara did.

Not only that but Hasbro had Takara partisipate in the redesining of "Skyfire".

So it wouldnt shock me if one of those companies [who may have still owned some of the rights] tried to sell its product to Hasbro and Hasbro had Takara designers make those painting as a selling tool.


The guy who has that artwork should contact Takara/Tomy, show them the artwork and ask them directly. That's probably the only way we can find out for sure.

I think I suggested that once.

[The Lizard]

Now some of the "Jetfires" released by Hasbro were re-paints/repacks of existing back stock bought from Takatoku but many were newly produced figures made useing the mold.

Do you know who produced those figures for Hasbro?????

Takara did.

Really? I thought that only Bandai produced the G1 "Macross" Jetfire after the Takatoku/Matsushiro stock ran out. If Takara made any Jetfires in thier factory for Hasbro, did they put their manufacturers' stamp on it? I've seen a LOT of G1 Jetfires, and I've never seen one that says "Takara" on it, just the usual variations with Bandai and Matsushiro :huh:

http://i42.tinypic.com/2j47ng6.jpg

Not only that but Hasbro had Takara partisipate in the redesining of "Skyfire".

Yup, since the very existence of the "Skyfire" cartoon character was the result of a compromise with Takara to keep a competitor's (Takatoku/Bandai) toy design out of the cartoon. :woot:

So it wouldnt shock me if one of those companies [who may have still owned some of the rights] tried to sell its product to Hasbro and Hasbro had Takara designers make those painting as a selling tool.

The thing is, Bandai still had the total rights to Daimos (and Dangard Ace, etc), and Bandai wasn't in trouble like Takatoku and needing to sell off designs. Even if we overlook the fact that those robot and alt-mode designs are weird mix-ups and deviations from the Transformers concepts of 1985, why would Takara be tasked with creating concept designs for Hasbro based on robot designs they didn't own? Remember that Skyfire looked nothing like the Jetfire toy, but those robot paintings still resemble their design sources.

I think this is one of those cases where Occam's Razor applies (ie: the simplest solution is the most likely). If the guy who owns that artwork hasn't attempted to get an answer from Takara to clear up the issue, there's probably a reason, and that reason might be that it's fan-art or bootleg art.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Really? I thought that only Bandai produced the G1 "Macross" Jetfire after the Takatoku/Matsushiro stock ran out. If Takara made any Jetfires in thier factory for Hasbro, did they put their manufacturers' stamp on it? I've seen a LOT of G1 Jetfires, and I've never seen one that says "Takara" on it, just the usual variations with Bandai and Matsushiro :huh:.

Yes it did.

I've seen a rare few over the years.

A friend owned one and I saw at leat 2 at different TF conventions I've attended.

I'm not sure how many were made or for what market they were made for, U.S. or international, but I have seen them.

I had a pic of one on my pc once....I'll see if I can dig it up.

The thing is, Bandai still had the total rights to Daimos (and Dangard Ace, etc), and Bandai wasn't in trouble like Takatoku and needing to sell off designs.

Did Bandi "OWN" the product at the time or was it under licensing?

Because if it was under licensing I could see how the concepts were being shopped around for a new buyer.

Even if we overlook the fact that those robot and alt-mode designs are weird mix-ups and deviations from the Transformers concepts of 1985, why would Takara be tasked with creating concept designs for Hasbro based on robot designs they didn't own?

A Hasbro exc that may have been considering buying the rights to those robots may have commissioned someone at Takara to have them made as a tool to show his bosses.

Remember that Skyfire looked nothing like the Jetfire toy, but those robot paintings still resemble their design sources.

But that was done by intent.It was so the character could be seen on Japan tv.

I think this is one of those cases where Occam's Razor applies (ie: the simplest solution is the most likely).

That may be.

If the guy who owns that artwork hasn't attempted to get an answer from Takara to clear up the issue, there's probably a reason, and that reason might be that it's fan-art or bootleg art.

Or that he's unawer of how to contact Takara.

Truth be told I dont.

[The Lizard]

Yes it did.

I've seen a rare few over the years.
Cool. A Valkyrie with a Takara manufacturer's stamp would be quite a collectible to own. Please post pics if you find them.


Because if it was under licensing I could see how the concepts were being shopped around for a new buyer.
...
A Hasbro exc that may have been considering buying the rights to those robots may have commissioned someone at Takara to have them made as a tool to show his bosses.

If the art turns out to be legit, that last suggestion would seem the most likely. It's still really weird the way that pre-existing design elements of certain late '70s, early '80s and mid/late '80s robots are mixed in three of those art pieces though. I could see Hasbro artists doing that, but it seems like an odd way for a Japanese company like Takara to present product. - Particularly product so similar to stuff Bandai was already selling in the US.

Or that he's unawer of how to contact Takara.

Truth be told I dont.

Takara/Tomy actually has a Transformers comment blog on their site (in Japanese of course), where one can post pics. If it hasn't already been tried, someone should post the artwork on the Takara blog and ask if anyone knows about it. I know enough Japanese to ask a few basic questions, so I'd be happy to do it with permission. Link to blog:
http://www.c-player.com/ac39907/message

[The Lizard]

OK, time to wrap this up!

XIII. Global Robotic Revolution

The nostalgia for classic giant robots that firmly took hold in Japan in the late 1990s continued unabated into the 21st century with anime series and OVAs updating '70s classics like Mazinkaiser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jio_oQw-IQ) (2001), New Getter Robo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiDewv2tv40) (2004) and the CGI-enhanced Reideen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS3dHVajHlA) (2007). 1980s toy favorites like Zoids (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJOL4C40o_E) (1999-2005) and Armored Trooper VOTOMS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BWuIkgktdg) (2007) also made a comeback. The light-hearted King of Braves, GaoGaiGar Final (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEAJ2uG2c3Q) OVA series (2000-2003) brought back the final entry in the "Brave" series of transforming robot TV anime from the '90s.

http://i42.tinypic.com/11vrv4z.jpg
New Getter Robo (2004) and Reideen (2007)

While there were still anime and toy lines following the mystical Evangelion formula, classic super-robot elements were added, as seen in the series RahXephon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfIJr1RYwc) (2002) and Demonbane (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx9TmZzWVJA) (2006). The popularity of the super-robot genre would increase even more with the release of Gurren Lagann (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q__2zJJZt-g) (2007), an often-comedic anime series featuring extreme robot designs and satirical over-the-top action.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2r5px8y.jpg
Gurran Lagan diecast toy by Bandai, 2007

The Macross series also continued to be updated, with the prequel OVA Macross Zero (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpXr917JAfk) (2002-2004) and the sequel TV series Macross Frontier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRQ3xUdCPD0) (2008). Unfortunately, the distrubution of the Macross series and toys in the US has had problems due to US company Harmony Gold (producers of Robotech) holding international rights to the Macross robots and storylines. Highly detailed Macross toys made by Japanese collector toy company Yamato could not be imported to the US, so American company Toynami bought the rights and have sold the "masterpiece series" of Robotech mecha from Macross and Mospeada, much to the delight of collectors. Both Toynami and Yamato have gone on to produce many detailed upgrades of classic '80s transforming robots as well.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2rfu05y.jpg
Toynami Robotech Alpha and Beta (2008) and Yamato Megazone 23 Garland (2007)

The collectors' market is the target of several other robot toy lines that have popped up in Japan within recent years. Japanese model company Kaiyodo introduced the "Revoltech" series of toys in 2006, featuring non-transforming but highly poseable action figures of such beloved robots as Tetsujin 28, Dougram, and even Optimus Prime and Megatron. On a related note, Takara merged with Tomy, another well-known Japanese toy company (and creators of other classic robot toy lines like Zoids), in 2005 to become "TakaraTomy". Since Tomy is the recognizable brand name outside of Japan, TakaraTomy just goes by "Tomy" in the US.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2n0o6fc.jpg
A selection of Kaiyodo's "Revoltech" super-poseable figures

After the success of the 2007 Transformers film, the new Transformers Animated (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrD6ZFeK8NA) cartoon series premiered on Cartoon Network in December of that year. An updated storyline unrelated to any previous cartoon or film, and heavily stylized artwork were introduced for the new animated series. The characters were designed by Hasbro and Cartoon Network, and the 2008 toy adaptations created by TakaraTomy have increased the articulation of the robot modes yet again.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2pqnjnl.jpg
Transformers Animated cartoon and toys (2008)

Now directly-imported Japanese TV shows and OVAs are quickly and easily accesable in many countries. The internet brings instant news updates of new transforming robot toys, online import stores to order from and streaming video of the latest anime. It's now easier than ever to enjoy cutting edge robot designs. The simultaneous popularity of "old school" versions, stylized animation versions, and updated live-action versions of Japanese transforming robots guarantees a large variety of fun TV shows, movies, games and toy products for years to come.

http://i39.tinypic.com/z8xw6.jpg




The end! Woo-hoo!
http://i39.tinypic.com/1z69vgp.gif

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Cool. A Valkyrie with a Takara manufacturer's stamp would be quite a collectible to own. Please post pics if you find them.

I will if I find them.

If I remember correctly they said Takara/hasbro or the other way around.

Bear in mind I dont discount the possibility that they were faked...I have only seen about 3 or 4 in my life time.

If the art turns out to be legit, that last suggestion would seem the most likely. It's still really weird the way that pre-existing design elements of certain late '70s, early '80s and mid/late '80s robots are mixed in three of those art pieces though. I could see Hasbro artists doing that, but it seems like an odd way for a Japanese company like Takara to present product. - Particularly product so similar to stuff Bandai was already selling in the US.

Well I'm thinking Takara made them under contract for Hasbro....so it wouldnt have been Takara presenting presenting the product.

Takara/Tomy actually has a Transformers comment blog on their site (in Japanese of course), where one can post pics. If it hasn't already been tried, someone should post the artwork on the Takara blog and ask if anyone knows about it. I know enough Japanese to ask a few basic questions, so I'd be happy to do it with permission. Link to blog:
http://www.c-player.com/ac39907/message

Please do if you get the chance.

And your continued work on this thread is great.

[The Lizard]

2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, so those wacky Japanese will be building a 60 foot tall fiberglass Gundam statue at Tokyo's Odaiba island in July.

http://i41.tinypic.com/dxbead.jpg

CGI simulation of completed Gundam statue

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, so those wacky Japanese will be building a 60 foot tall fiberglass Gundam statue at Tokyo's Odaiba island in July.

http://i41.tinypic.com/dxbead.jpg

CGI simulation of completed Gundam statue


Kool:grin:

[gkokujin]

DYNAMO


BATTLE


TURN!!!!!

:D

this is the BEST thread EVER!!! :D

[Avangarde]

Yes it is pretty good, I'd almost recommend it for some sort of SSH award for when the time comes for the hype awards.

[The Lizard]

Since today is the first day of spring, and the general timeframe for the first shipments of Transformers toys to US toy stores was spring 1984, I'll just take this opportunity to say...

Happy 25th Anniversary to "The Transformers"!!!

http://i41.tinypic.com/10wkxs7.jpg

[Avangarde]

Happy Birthday Transformers

[gkokujin]

Hey Lizard,


can you give any backstory as to how Robotech characters got licensed to be sold as GoBots?

I remember building Cy-kill from a model of Lancer.

[The Lizard]

Hey Lizard,


can you give any backstory as to how Robotech characters got licensed to be sold as GoBots?

I remember building Cy-kill from a model of Lancer.

I'm sorry - I just saw this post today -- i wasn't ignoring you.

The few GoBots model kits released by Monogram in 1985 were mostly kit versions of a few of Bandai's existing Machine Robo robots. These were smaller-sized model kits of GoBots such as "Spay-C".
http://i42.tinypic.com/200fdrm.gif

However, Monogram wanted to release some larger-sized models as part of their GoBots series as well, presumably to present something similar to the "Super GoBots" toys. However, there were no large-size Machine Robo models available, so Monogram bought the rights to a couple of transforming model kits made in Japan by Imai and based on the mecha from the anime series Mospeada (later known as 3rd generation Robotech in the US). Since these kits transformed into a jet and a motorcycle, it must have seemed an easy idea to claim them as the GoBots "Leader 1" and "Cy-Kill".

Of course, these models looked nothing like the actual GoBots characters, and they were MUCH more complicated to build than the other simplistic GoBots kits. Finding these kits was a treat for Robotech fans however, as there were no other model kits from Mospeada licensed to sell in the US at that time.

http://i40.tinypic.com/15yzwc7.jpg
Monogram "Leader-1" GoBots model
Originally the Mospeada Legioss AFC-01I variable fighter
Robotech name: Rook Bartley's Alpha Veritech (red)

http://i40.tinypic.com/2d1qnti.gif
Monogram "Cy-Kill" GoBots model
Originally the Mospeada VR41H Ride Armor Blowsuperior (Yellow Belmont type)
Robotech name: Veritech Cyclone VR41H (Lancer, AKA: Yellow Dancer)

[The Lizard]

Bumped for awesome completed Gundam statue in Japan, and for upcoming TF movie :woot:

http://i41.tinypic.com/34rhbmb.jpg

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Nice

[The Lizard]

gotta love that SHH lag

[The Lizard]

Well, 2009 is almost at an end, so the 25th anniversary of the Transformers comes to a close. Here's a few noteworthy items we saw this year...

http://i50.tinypic.com/1zgg9hk.jpg
Leader Class Optimus Prime and Human Alliance Bumblebee, two of the most complex, highly-detailed toys from the "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" series.


http://i49.tinypic.com/33ekby9.jpg
Japanese Masterpiece edition Grimlock. Coming to US stores in 2010.


http://i46.tinypic.com/affyac.jpg
Macross SDF-1 large scale transforming toy by Yamato


http://i48.tinypic.com/a4ltuw.jpg
2009 Japanese TV anime series Rideback

[Dave McFly]

http://i50.tinypic.com/1zgg9hk.jpg
Leader Class Optimus Prime and Human Alliance Bumblebee, two of the most complex, highly-detailed toys from the "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" series.
Have em both, one of the BEST Prime figures ever, next to the 20th anniversary one that I also have. ;)

http://i49.tinypic.com/33ekby9.jpg
Japanese Masterpiece edition Grimlock. Coming to US stores in 2010.
WANT!



it just amazes me how much Transformers has evolved. I put my 1984 G1 Prime next to my 20th anniversary (the 2004 one in G1 colors, not the 2006 in cartoon colors with no chrome) and my leader class prime from TF:ROTF and it just blows my mind :awesome:

[The Lizard]

^ I must admit that the leader-class ROTF Prime toy really changed my attitude towards the movie TF toy designs. I still don't like how a lot of them were handled (notably Devastator, Starscream, Arcee and Jetfire), but the movie Autobot deluxe toys are truly a big step forward in TF detail and transformation mechanics.

[Dave McFly]

True, i have i think Deluxe Bumblebee from the last movie, regular and the Premium one (the ones that had painted car bodies, and a redone head with the 'battle mask' deployed). I have Premium BB in bot mode and regular in car mode. I thought it was funny that the 8 dollar BB was more movie accurate in both robot mode and transformation than the 100 dollar 'Ultimate' one that i am glad i passed on ;). As for the Leader Prime from ROTF, whoever designed him is freaking brilliant, if you look at him in robot mode you cannot even TELL he transforms into a truck and vice-versa, plus the switch blade 'energy blades' that store in his arm are a VERY nice touch :awesome:!

[The Lizard]

I still say the Human Alliance Bumblebee is the best version of that character. Unfortunately the other Human Alliance TFs aren't as good. Skids and Mudflap are pretty movie-accurate, but of course I hate their movie designs to begin with.

The recently-released pics of the upcoming Human Alliance Barricade were quite disappointing...

http://i50.tinypic.com/5lz3i0.jpg

Bumblebee is still the best HA toy by far.

[The Lizard]

More custom collectors companies are getting into the act and designing their own transforming robots, as seen here with the 2009 "RoboBus"...

5NBl3HmW8Oo

[vm-01]

Excellent thread! I just joined beacuse of it.

I remember a series from my childhood where a ship or jet actually broke into several pieces, then a computer generated blueprint appeared and the pieces would arrange themselves around it forming a giant robot. I do not think it was included and I think it should. And I would like to know what it was called.

[Damien Rage]

Loven this thread.

I got a question for you.

Do you recognize these robots???

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/sto_vo_kor_2000/Transformers/3293634503_6c69bab0b8_o.jpg




This (the ship) kinda reminds me of The Pheonix from Gatchaman. The villain (Zoltar?) was some evil intergalactic drag queen? Ok no, but he wore pink lip gloss. lol. Correct me if I'm wrong on names. But I think was called G-Force in the US. The 70's were a long time ago.

[vm-01]

Excellent thread! I just joined beacuse of it.

I remember a series from my childhood where a ship or jet actually broke into several pieces, then a computer generated blueprint appeared and the pieces would arrange themselves around it forming a giant robot. I do not think it was included and I think it should. And I would like to know what it was called.

I finally found out what series it was. It is called "Laserion". But I knew it as "el super laser".

[Bebop Cowboy]

Today's date is 9 June 2011. I just found this thread. Lizard this is an absolutely amazing thread and you should be commended for putting this together. How..I'm not sure, but I knew the Transformers were put together from different lines but I didn't know where from. Thanks for all the information and reminding me of all my favourite toys I had when I was a kid... man I wish I knew what happened to them.

As a child I had several of the small die-cast metal Collector's Shogun toys Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger and Getter Robo from memory. I had no idea of their origins unlike my Masters of the Universe toys that provided a comic. As a kid I had them an was unaware of what their significance was at the time. Man I wish I still had them.

Then I got a large die-cast toy which I had no ida what it was from my grandparents for Christmas one year. It was my favourite but I lost it soon after and was devatsated. I now know it was Daltanious but it was just a joy to have it. The detail on these toys far out weighed anything else I had in my toybox.

This thread not only gave me so much info but brought back child hood memories and makes me wish I had a time machine to go back and buy all of the awesomeness.

Thanks again Lizard!

[The Lizard]

Today's date is 9 June 2011. I just found this thread. Lizard this is an absolutely amazing thread and you should be commended for putting this together. How..I'm not sure, but I knew the Transformers were put together from different lines but I didn't know where from. Thanks for all the information and reminding me of all my favourite toys I had when I was a kid... man I wish I knew what happened to them.

As a child I had several of the small die-cast metal Collector's Shogun toys Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger and Getter Robo from memory. I had no idea of their origins unlike my Masters of the Universe toys that provided a comic. As a kid I had them an was unaware of what their significance was at the time. Man I wish I still had them.

Then I got a large die-cast toy which I had no ida what it was from my grandparents for Christmas one year. It was my favourite but I lost it soon after and was devatsated. I now know it was Daltanious but it was just a joy to have it. The detail on these toys far out weighed anything else I had in my toybox.

This thread not only gave me so much info but brought back child hood memories and makes me wish I had a time machine to go back and buy all of the awesomeness.

Thanks again Lizard!

Thanks for the kind words! I honestly wasn't sure if this thread was still around or not. It probably belongs in a general TF toy thread or something. Glad there are people out there still enjoying it.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

This (the ship) kinda reminds me of The Pheonix from Gatchaman. The villain (Zoltar?) was some evil intergalactic drag queen? Ok no, but he wore pink lip gloss. lol. Correct me if I'm wrong on names. But I think was called G-Force in the US. The 70's were a long time ago.

The original english dub was called "Battle of the Planets" [1978].the team was called G-Force.

A number of years later [1986] they did a 2nd english dub, trying to stay closer to the original scripts, they called that show G-Force: Guardians of Space.

[Rodimus_2316]

Does anyone have, or know where I could find, all the Transformers Generation 2 toy catalogs? I think they were released by each "wave" of each year, when I saw them online last years ago, but lost the link, and can't find them in a google-search. In my google-search for it, however, I ran into this thread, and saw other posted Transformers catalogs. Also, all the G1 mail-order catalogs of each year would be nice, as well as info on when they all (G2 also) were released, precisely.

Thanks in advance. :)

[johnn34]

Thank for sharing I learned something from this. I watched Tetsujin 28 when I was kid…I like robots which are based on Japanese cartoons.


__________________________________________

Japanese Cartoons (http://www.japanesecartoons.org/)

[The Lizard]

Been a while since I've been here, but I feel the need to update this thread with the last couple years releases in the awesome Transformers Masterpiece series:

Early 2011 (Japan release, US release late 2011) - MP-9 Hot Rod/ Rodimus Prime:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2qvckfk.jpg

2011 (Japan release, US release 2012)- MP-10 Optimus Prime, rescaled and resculpted:

http://i46.tinypic.com/29uvvhh.jpg

Late 2011 (Japan release, Released in US in 2012 as Thundercracker color scheme) - MP-11 Starscream, resculpted with improved leg transformation:

http://i47.tinypic.com/kco6tu.jpg


2012 (Japan release) - MP-12 Sideswipe (AKA: Lambor)

http://i48.tinypic.com/10x66mb.jpg

Coming soon, scheduled end of 2012 (Japan release) - MP-13 Soundwave w/ Laserbeak, other cassette minions released in early 2013:

http://i45.tinypic.com/27xl7us.jpg

Great stuff, eh? Good to see the TF toy line continuing on with quality in Japan, regardless of what we see happening with the movie toys in the US.

[KyleStark]

Lizard this is a good history lesson..... I am going to research even more cause I am a transformer fan.... might try to find these and get off ebay