The Transformers 

Two opposing factions of transforming alien robots engage in a battle that has the fate of Earth in the balance.

Stars:

Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Corey Burton

Cast

Series cast summary:
Frank Welker	...	Megatron / ... 93 episodes, 1984-1987
Peter Cullen	...	Optimus Prime / ... 69 episodes, 1984-1987
Corey Burton	...	Spike Witwicky / ... 68 episodes, 1984-1987
Christopher Collins	...	Starscream / ... 68 episodes, 1984-1987
John Stephenson	...	Thundercracker / ... 67 episodes, 1984-1987
Jack Angel	...	Ultra Magnus / ... 60 episodes, 1985-1987
Dan Gilvezan	...	Bumblebee / ... 54 episodes, 1984-1987
Michael Bell	...	Prowl / ... 53 episodes, 1984-1987
Casey Kasem	...	Teletraan I / ... 53 episodes, 1984-1986
Don Messick	...	Ratchet / ... 49 episodes, 1984-1986
Neil Ross	...	Springer / ... 39 episodes, 1984-1987

Storyline

During the great Cybertronian War, the Autobots and the Decepticons crash landed on Earth. Millions of years later, geological activity revives the warring factions - the Decepticons want to strip Earth of its vast energy resources, and the Autobots seek to protect the inhabitants of Earth from that fate. And so an endless battle begins in a crucial race to find an energy source for their homeworld Cybertron.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | actor voicing multiple characters | alien planet | alien world | flying robot | 

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Taglines:

More than meets the eye!

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-Y7

Details

Official Sites:

Hasbro home page

Country:

USA Japan South Korea

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Transformers

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sunbow Productions, Marvel Productions, Hasbro

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (98 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Transformers: Fire in the Sky (1984) is set before The Transformers: Fire on the Mountain (1984), which is also set before The Transformers: The Ultimate Doom: Brainwash (1) (1984).

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Goofs

The second title sequence of Season 3 contains a number of notable animation errors. When the Sharkticon swims towards the screen and opens its mouth, it suddenly turns upside-down for a couple of frames. And in the last shot of the sequence, Ultra Magnus' head is colored entirely blue (his face should be gray), and Kup is drawn with Springer's head. These errors are easy to spot, since the appear in almost every episode of the season.

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Quotes

Snake: It's hard to find good help these days... COBRA!
[coughing]

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Alternate Versions

The versions of most episodes on the Region 1 DVD sets from Rhino Home Entertainment feature newly-added sound effects, incomplete/incorrect/missing animation, some incorrect main titles, and episodes in incorrect order. Also, the version of season 3's "Dark Awakening" is the one with the voice-over at the end telling viewers to watch "The Return of Optimus Prime".

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Connections

Referenced in The Goldbergs: Goldbergs Feel Hard (2015)

User Reviews

Cartoon classic

Along with "G.I. Joe", this was my one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. It deals with Optimus Prime and his Autobots in their never-ending battle with the evil Decepticons. Yes, the show was a commercial for the unending line of toys, trading cards, and other merchandise, but it was the best commercial EVER in my mind. The adventures were thrilling and I couldn't wait to watch it every day. The show was greatness personified until after the movie. Everything that came afterwords only tainted the memory more and more. Armada being the pinnacle of ass. However watching anything before the movie still remains pure gold and instantly takes me back to my wonderful childhood in the glorious '80's.

My Grade: A