"Challenge of the GoBots" (1984) TV series 1984-1985

Writers:

Reed Robbins (writer)
Peter Salas (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

8 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Gobots are loosely bassed on the Tonka toy line. There are two warring factions: the Gaurdians, lead by the charismatic Leader-1, and the Renegades, lead by Cy-Kill, whom is bent on dominating Gobotron and then the Earth and the galaxy.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Based On Toy | Transforming Robot | Surrealism

Cast

Lou Richards

...

Leader-1 / ... (62 episodes, 1984-1985)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Company:

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Quotes:

General Newcastle: Leader-1 what's going on here?
Leader-1: Everything's under control General Newcastle. Just think of it as an unexpected vacation.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Robot Chicken: Book of Corrine (#2.20)" (2006)

Underrated

What I've seen on YouTube has confirmed my belief in the underrated nature of this show. Some of the show's elements might appear lame at first glance. One such element is character names. Making names that are puns on the character's trans-form was also done quite often in Beast Wars. Another element that has been criticized is the idea of firing lasers out of the fists. It's a good way to compensate for the toys not having guns. Many lead characters also have secondary abilities such as a lightning stomp (Crasher), forcefield (Leader-1), and mind-control powers (CyKill). There are even some things that the GoBots came up with before TFs. The best example is female robots serving as series regulars. This was in place from day one with GoBots, while the Transformers didn't implement it until season 2, and there were no recurring female robots until Arcee was introduced in the Transformers Movie. Racial diversity didn't show up in TF's until Armada introduced Carlos. This is something else GoBots had going from day 1 with the African-American A.J. Foster. You might even say the GoBots invented Powerlinking with their Power Suits. Even the comparatively lighthearted presentation may prove to be a turnoff for some, but if you liked RiD, which had a similar atmosphere, this shouldn't bother you too much. To sum things up, check this show out BEFORE you pass judgment.