"Transformers: The Headmasters" (1987) TV series

Director:

Katsuyoshi Sasaki

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

3 July 1987 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Sci-Fi

Plot:

With the aid of the Headmasters the mighty Cybertrons (Autobots) continue to wage war against their evil counterparts the Destrons (Decepticons)...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Toy | Robot | Anime | Giant Robot | Transforming Robot

Cast

Hiroko Emori

...

Alyssa / ... (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Directed by
Masao Itô		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Katsutoshi Sasaki		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jôhei Matsuura		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Akinori Orai		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Takao Yoshizawa		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Fumiji Kitazume		(2 episodes, 1988)
Nobuo Shirahata		(2 episodes, 1988)
Katsuyoshi Sasaki		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Toyohiro Andô		(10 episodes, 1987-1988)
Yoshihisa Araki		(10 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Produced by
Hirohisa Satô	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Atsushi Shimizu	....	producer: Nippon TV (unknown episodes)
Kenji Yokoyama	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Tatsuya Yoshida	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Katsunori Ishida		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Toshiaki Marumori		(unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Ban Magami	....	character designer (unknown episodes)

Distributors

• Shout! Factory (2011) (USA) (DVD)

Runtime:

Japan:30 min (35 episodes)

Country:

Japan

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

UK:PG

Trivia:

Originally, the Transformers series in Japan is a re-dubbed version of the US series. When the series ended in the US, Toei produced a continuing series as Transformers still proved to be very popular in Japan. The final three episodes of the US series was disregarded from the Japanese Transformers continuity.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Beast Machines: Transformers" (1999)

Starts with a bang...and ends with a thud.

This series starts out promisingly. New adventures featuring Jazz, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Galvatron and new transformers like Chromedome, Sixshot, and Fortress Maximus. Transformers live or die, some go away for good. Action packed and filled with funny dubbed dialogue by the infamous Hong Kong people who did the 70's Godzilla films and the early kung fu films of Shaw Brothers. Especially funny is Galvatron's voice, sounding like one of the more infamous kung fu villains in cinema history. Unfortunately, the Japanese show contempt for the old school American Transformers, killing them off or sending them away or keeping them in cameo or supporting roles, thus making space for the Head masters. The one old school transformer they chose to keep is Wheelie along with his human partner Daniel, thus emphasizing the Japanese' love of little boys. Fortress Maximus, who becomes the new Autobot leader is easily the worst Autobot leader ever, almost not even fighting when the Decepticons attack, and his final fight scene with Scorponok in the series is the worst contrived fight ever in a Japanese cartoon. The first 25 episodes are good. After that, it's all a failure from there.