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| {{Short description|Toy line launched in 1984}} | |||
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| {{Infobox Toy | |||
| |name = ''Transformers'' | |||
| |image = ] | |||
| |caption = | |||
| |creator = Hideaki Yoke <br /> ] | |||
| |type = ] | |||
| |inventor = Kojin Ono <br /> Takashi Matsuda <br /> Hideaki Yoke <br /> Hiroyuki Obara <br /> Satoshi Koizumi | |||
| |country = ] <br /> ] | |||
| |company = ] (Japan only) <br /> ] (U.S and Worldwide) | |||
| |from = 1984 | |||
| |to = present | |||
| |materials = | |||
| |website = https://transformers.com | |||
| |slogan = More Than Meets The Eye<br/>Robots in Disguise}} | |||
| The {{Nihongo|'''''Transformers'''''|トランスフォーマー|Toransufōmā}} is a line of ] toys produced by Japanese company ] (now known as ]) and American toy company ]. Initially a line of transforming mecha toys rebranded from Takara's '']'' and '']'' toy lines,<ref>{{cite news|title= The History of Transformers on TV|work= IGN|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/800/800768p3.html|access-date=2010-08-16}}</ref> it spawned the '']'' ]. | |||
| The premise behind the ''Transformers'' toy line is that an individual toy's parts can be shifted about to change it from a vehicle, a device, or an animal, to a robot ] and back again. The franchise's taglines, "More Than Meets The Eye" and "Robots In Disguise", reflect this ability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/11/9/features/20041108160036&sec=features|title=Document Moved|website=thestar.com.my|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> | |||
| The ''Transformers'' toy-line is typically divided into two main factions: the heroic ] and their opponents, the evil ]. They are known in Japan as the Cybertrons and Destrons, respectively, although more recent releases often use the English terms. | |||
| Many ]s are based on the toys including a ], an ], and the feature-length animated '']''. The original TV series has a number of spin-offs and ]. A ] was launched in 2007 by director ]. | |||
| == Conception == | |||
| The ''Transformers'' toy line was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company ] in the toy lines '']'' and '']''. Other toy molds from other companies such as ] were used as well. In 1984, Hasbro bought the distribution rights to the molds and rebranded them as the ''Transformers'' for distribution in ]. They approached ] to create a ] with names and short descriptions for each character, which were written by ]. | |||
| The designs for the original 28 figures were made by Kojin Ono, Takashi Matsuda, Hideaki Yoke, Hiroyuki Obara, and Satoshi Koizumi. Hasbro would go on to buy the entire toy line from Takara, giving them sole ownership of the Transformers toy-line, branding rights, and copyrights, while in exchange, Takara was given the rights to produce the toys and the rights to distribute them in the Japanese market. | |||
| ==Overview== | |||
| {{See also|Transformers|List of Transformers TV series|Transformers (comics)}} | |||
| The following Transformers toy series were released in the United States and Japan: | |||
| {{colbegin|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| * ] (1984–1990 USA) (1984–1993, UK/Canada) (1985–1992, Japan) - retroactively called "Generation One" or "G1" since then. These are considered the first Transformers. | |||
| **Tatakae! Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformer (Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers) (1985–1986, Japan) | |||
| **Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (1986–1987, Japan) | |||
| ** ] (1987–1988, Japan) | |||
| ** ] (Super-god Masterforce) (1988–1989, Japan) | |||
| ** ] (1989, Japan) | |||
| ** ] (1990, Japan) | |||
| ** Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (1991, Japan) - also known as "Transformers: The Battlestars" or "Battlestars: Return of Convoy" | |||
| ** Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (1992, Japan) | |||
| * ] (1992–1995 USA) (1994–1995 UK/Canada)/Transformers: G-2 (1995, Japan) | |||
| * ] (1996–1999) (1997–1998; 1999–2000, Japan) (released as ''Beasties'' in Canada) | |||
| **Beast Wars Super Lifeform Transformers (1997–1998, Japan) | |||
| **Super Lifeform Transformers Beast Wars Metals (1999–2000, Japan) | |||
| * Machine Wars: Transformers (1997) - a limited release ] exclusive | |||
| * ] (1998, Japan) - A.K.A. "Beast Wars Second" | |||
| * ] (1999) - a line related to the ] book and ] | |||
| * ] (1999, Japan) | |||
| * ] (1999-2000)/Super Lifeform Transformers Beast Wars Returns (2004–2005, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Robots In Disguise (2001–2002)/Transformers: Car Robots (2001 - 2002, Japan) | |||
| * 1-2-3 Transformers (2001–2002) | |||
| * Transformers: Micromaster Collection (2002–2004, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers Collection (2002–2006 Japan) | |||
| * ]/Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Micron Densetsu (Micron Legend) (2002–2003) | |||
| * Transformers: Expanded Universe (2002) | |||
| * Transformers Commemorative Series (2002–2005; 2009) | |||
| * ] (2003–2004, Japan) - A.K.A. "World's Smallest Transformers" | |||
| * Transformers: Go-Bots (2003–2005)/Kid's Transformers Rescue Heroes Go-Bots (2003, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Dinobots (2003) | |||
| * Transformers: Universe (2003–2007) | |||
| * ] (2004–2005)/Transformers: Super Link (2003–2004, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Alternators (2003–2007) | |||
| **Transformers: Binaltech (2003–2008 Japan) | |||
| **Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk (2005, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Masterpiece (2003–present) | |||
| * Transformers: RobotMasters (2004–2005, Japan) | |||
| * ] (2005–2006)/Transformers: Galaxy Force (2004–2005, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Hybrid Style (2005–2006, Japan) | |||
| * ] (2005–2016) | |||
| * ] (2006–2008) - later merged with ''Transformers: Crossovers'' | |||
| * Transformers: Kiss Players (2006–2007, Japan) | |||
| * Beast Wars 10th Anniversary (2006) | |||
| * Beast Wars Reborn (2006, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers Classics (2006–2007) | |||
| * Transformers: Titanium Series (2006–2009) | |||
| * Transformers (2007 live-action film) (2007) | |||
| * Beast Wars Telemocha Series (2007, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Encore (2007–2009, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Music Label (2007–2008, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Sports Label (2007, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers Animated (2008–2009; 2010–present, Japan) | |||
| * Transtech - this toy line was to follow Beast Machines, but was canceled. The characters, however, went on to appear in convention comics and stories beginning in 2008. | |||
| * Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (2008–2010, Japan) | |||
| * ] (2008–2016) | |||
| * Transformers Universe (2008–2009) | |||
| * ] (2008–2011) | |||
| * Transformers: Disney Label (2009–2010, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Alternity (2009–2011, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Chrono Label (was scheduled for a 2009 release, but has been delayed and remains yet-to-be released, Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) | |||
| * Transformers: Device Label (2009–2010, Japan) | |||
| * ]/Transformers: Autobot Alliance/Transformers: Reveal the Shield (2010–2011) | |||
| * ] (2010–2011){{anchor|Power Core Combiners}} | |||
| * Transformers: Generations (2010–present)/Transformers: United (2010–2012, Japan) | |||
| **Fall of Cybertron (2012) | |||
| **Thrilling 30 (2014)/Transformers: legends (2014–Present, Japan) | |||
| **Combiner Wars(2015-2016)/Unite Warriors (2015-2016, Japan) | |||
| **Titans Return (2016–2017) | |||
| **Power of the Primes (2017-2018) | |||
| **War for Cybertron: Siege (2018-2020) | |||
| **War for Cybertron: Earthrise (2020–2021) | |||
| **War for Cybertron: Kingdom (2021-present) | |||
| **Transformers: Legacy (2022-tentative) | |||
| **Transformers Generations: Shattered Glass (2021-present) | |||
| **Transformers: Studio Series (2018–present) | |||
| ***Transformers: Studio Series '86 (2021-present) | |||
| **Transformers Generations Selects (2019–present, USA and Japan) | |||
| * Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) | |||
| * ](2011-2014) | |||
| * ] (2011–present) | |||
| * Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) | |||
| * Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015) (2015–2018) | |||
| * ] (2017) | |||
| * ] (2018–present) | |||
| * Transformers: BotBots (2018–present) | |||
| * Nezha: Transformers (2020) | |||
| {{colend}} | |||
| Many Transformers come with tech specs (short for technical specifications) printed on the back of the box that they are sold in. The owner of the new Transformer is encouraged to cut out the tech specs and save it. This card has information on the Transformer, and will usually include the character's name, picture, indication of allegiance (], ] or other), function, a quote, a description of the character, and numerical values of the character's various attributes. Although only the numbers can be truly deemed "technical specifications", the entire card is usually referred to as the Transformer's tech specs. Each specification is rated by a value from 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest, and 10 being the highest. | |||
| ===Transformers: Generation One (1984–1990 USA, 1984–1993 UK/Canada)=== | |||
| {{Main|Transformers: Generation 1}}The first Transformers toys were created from two different transforming robot toy lines from Takara, the Car-Robots and Micro Change, from the Diaclone and Microman series, respectively. Hasbro acquired the rights to sell them in the ] but, instead of selling them under their original names, they were rebranded as "The Transformers". The first two years consisted primarily of reusing the Car-Robots/Micro Change molds. The earliest toys had some parts made of ], which were eventually phased out. | |||
| The term ''Generation 1'' is a ]; the series was simply known as "Transformers" until the release of the ''Generation 2'' series. However, the term has become semi-official, as both Hasbro and Takara have referred to this era as "Generation 1". New characters are still occasionally added to the line, primarily by E-hobby. (Examples: ], ], Detritus, and the like.) Large-scale production of new characters in this line ended with the onset of Generation 2. Transformers fans often are very upheld with the G1 community. This has led to controversy among fans who consider G1 to be the only "pure" form of Transformers. | |||
| The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line. | |||
| ===Transformers: Generation Two (1992–1994 USA, 1994–1995 UK/Canada)=== | |||
| {{Main|Transformers: Generation 2}} | |||
| In 1992, ] relaunched the Transformers franchise with the Generation 2 line, with production again largely being done by ]. The subgroups concept was done away with for the first year, but there were no new molds or characters. Generation 2 re-used the molds for many of the characters from the 1984 and 1985 line, but with mostly different color schemes and finishes, as well as different weapons and accessories. Megatron's figure was released later on. | |||
| The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line. | |||
| ===Beast Wars and Beast Machines (1996–2001)=== | |||
| {{Main|Beast Wars|Beast Machines}}With the failure of the Generation 2 series, ] and ] decided the franchise needed an overhaul. They went in a new direction and a new beginning. While there had been Transformers that change into robotic animals, the premise of the new line was that all figures would transform into animals with realistic appearances. The toyline was designed by toy company ] who had recently been acquired by ]. | |||
| ===Robots in Disguise (2001–2002)=== | |||
| While ''Beast Machines'' was still running in Canada, Japan's ] made a bid to return to the familiar vehicle-transforming robots concept. In 2000, '']'' was released. This line was brought by Hasbro to America as the ''Robots In Disguise'' series, and featured the ] facing off against the ] and ]. The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line. | |||
| ===Transformers: Armada (2002–2003)=== | |||
| In 2003, ''Transformers: Armada'' launched a pivotal new era in the toy line. After several lines of toys produced by one company or the other, Hasbro and Takara united to produce what was purported to be a single, identical line of Transformers for release worldwide. In tandem with this new endeavor, ''Armada'' signaled a new continuity in its accompanying animated series and a new focus in both the show and the toys on ]s, a new faction of Transformers. The Mini-Cons were much smaller robots (not much larger than humans) who were neutral in the Autobot/Decepticon fight, but due to their incredible power and abilities, were sought by both factions. | |||
| The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line. | |||
| ===Transformers: Universe (2002–present)=== | |||
| A catch-all line initially filled with mostly ]s and repackages of older toys. This line was revitalized in 2008 with new molds and the introduction of various sub-series from previous popular Transformers lines like ''Classics''. | |||
| ===Transformers: Energon (2003–2005)=== | |||
| After the successful Armada toy line, Hasbro/Takara introduced ''Transformers: Energon''. The accompanying television series program was a direct continuation of the events of ''Transformers: Armada'' and featured many of the same characters in new forms. This was reflected in the toy line, as characters such as Hot Shot, Jetfire, Optimus Prime and Megatron were all released with entirely new molds. | |||
| ===Transformers: Cybertron (2005–2007)=== | |||
| ''Transformers: Cybertron'', named ''Galaxy Force'' in Japan, was a follow-up to the successful ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' lines. The companion anime series program was not originally conceived or produced as a continuation of the Armada/Energon storyline, and it was only later that it was retconned to be a continuation. Thus, several inconsistencies exist. Once again, a new feature was introduced for the line—Cyber Keys, which activated special functions on the figures in a manner similar to the Mini-Cons in Armada. Each figure came with a Cyber Key regardless of size, but there were several Cyber Keys crucial to the plot of the anime series which only came with certain figures. Again, many of the same characters were included but with entirely new figures from new molds. | |||
| The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line. | |||
| ===Transformers: Kiss Players (2006)=== | |||
| The Transformers: Kiss Players was a Japan-only line of Transformers toys, manga, and audio dramas released in 2006. Kiss Players is set in an alternate Transformers universe where the Transformers are powered by kisses. The toys themselves come packaged with small, scale figurines of the girls who power them. The toy line was aimed at a specific part of the market — adults, rather than children. | |||
| Kiss Players continued the theme of the metaphysical power potential of human beings empowering Transformers. Previous examples were the Japanese series programs Masterforce and Car Robots.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418023712/http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/kiss/ |date=April 18, 2007}}</ref> | |||
| ===Transformers: Classics (2006)=== | |||
| ''Transfomers: Classics'' was a filler line for Hasbro, to fill the gap between the end of ''Cybertron'' and the 2007 Movie line. It mostly consisted of "Classic" ''Generation One'' characters, with contemporary re-designs and updated alternate modes. | |||
| The line was later commemorated as a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line, where it had the nickname of "Classics 2.0". | |||
| ===Transformers Animated (2008)=== | |||
| The ''Transformers Animated'' series was broadcast internationally in 2008 except in Japan, where it aired in 2010. This new series uses a very different art-style from the previous series. The Autobots and Decepticons, while fighting in space for possession of the Allspark, crash-landed onto a futuristic Earth and resume their battle after laying dormant for years. In addition to the Decepticons, the Autobots have to face the human villains as well. Classic characters such as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Starscream, Megatron, Jazz and Ultra Magnus appear in this series. | |||
| Originally, Transformers: Animated was to be called "Transformers: Heroes", but its name was changed to avoid confusion with the Transformers live-action film. | |||
| The line was released alongside a sub-series of the ''Transformers: Universe'' line for its Legends size figures. | |||
| ===Star Wars Transformers (2006)=== | |||
| This line featured robot versions of various '']'' characters. Confirmed figures are ], ], ], ] and ]. Darth Vader turns into his custom ] while Luke Skywalker turns into an ]. Jango Fett and Boba Fett become ], and Commander Cody turns into a ]. There is combiner of ] of two characters, ] and ] and Primus/]-like ] that transforms into a giant Darth Vader. There are more ''Star Wars'' characters into Transformers like ] and ]. This line was later revived and merged into the Transformers: Crossovers toy line, many more Transformers included characters from ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' like ] who transforms into her Jedi starfighter, and ] who transforms into an AT-TE.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413160645/http://tfwiki.net/Star_Wars |date=April 13, 2016}} Transformers Wiki</ref> | |||
| ===Transformers: Crossovers (2008)=== | |||
| This line featured robot versions of various ] superheroes (and later more of the Star Wars Transformers figures once it merged with this line). Confirmed figures are ], ], ], ] and ]. Hulk turns into a tank while Iron Man turns into a jet. Spider-Man becomes a helicopter, Wolverine turns into a ], Venom turns into a ] ]. They are not to be confused with the ] toy line, which also featured transformable ] piloted by the superheroes. Eventually, the Star Wars Transformers figure joined the line with reissues of previous figures, as well as all new molds. | |||
| ===Transformers: Disney Label (2009)=== | |||
| A Japanese exclusive, this line featured Transformers toys shaped from ] characters that were first introduced in 2009. Originally revealed in the November 2008 issue of Figure Oh! Magazine in Japan, it was a collaboration project between Takara Tomy and the Walt Disney Company. The first line of the toy series is the ] Transformer which was modeled after ] with the same colors as its Transformer counterpart and can transform into a cartoonish trailer truck like the original version. The toy was released on February 26, 2009 following with the Black and White Version a month later on March 26, 2009. A figure of ] based on both ] and ], and a second repaint of the Mickey Mouse trailer in ] colors, are also planned for release. | |||
| In 2010, a Transformer version of ] was released to celebrate the release of '']''. This figure transforms into his spaceship (similar to the box packaging of the original Buzz Lightyear toy), with his head transforming into a miniature Buzz Lightyear pilot figure. | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| In 1986, film critic Richard Martin called the original toy series a more fun counterpart to ] in " children develop their hand-eye coordination and their spatial reasoning skills, but Hasbro kept quiet about this, believing no self-respecting 10-year-old boy would bug his parents half to death to buy him an educational toy". He said " its difficulties in no time grown-ups feel like klutzes". He said the resulting TV show "has topped the ratings every week since its debut in 1985, thus setting the stage for '']'' (1986) designed to sell more toys to more kids. Transformers don't really die, they just become new products."<ref name="carries">{{cite news | newspaper=] | date=August 9, 1986 | title=Film about Transformers carries on successful creation | first=Richard | last=Martin | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/455633722/ | url-access=registration | via=] | access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| ==Legacy== | |||
| ] produced ]s based on 1980s cartoons, including ''Transformers Chocolate Flavored Cereal'', similar to ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132742/http://www.cerealbits.com/cereal/forum/showthread.php?t=734 |date=July 8, 2011}} CerealBits</ref> | |||
| The official international Transformers convention is ], but other fan events include ] and TransForce in the UK and past Transformers only events have included BotCon Japan, BotCon Europe and "OTFCC". The first larger Transformers convention in the ] is called "The NTFA Mini-Con", with official support from Hasbro Nordic, and was held by members of the NTFA - The Nordic TransFans Association, for the first time on November 3–4, 2007. The second NTFA convention with official support from Hasbro Nordic, now renamed "NordCon" (to avoid copyright problems with the name "Mini-Con") was held in ], ] from 19 June to 20 June 2010. It featured Simon Furman as a guest of honour. In 2011, NordCon and Auto Assembly joined forces to create a new convention called Auto Assembly Europe, which first took place in ], ], in November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nordcon.net/2010/index.php|title=nordcon.net|website=Nordcon.net|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928074255/http://www.nordcon.net/2010/index.php|archive-date=28 September 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/nord-star/#comment-4517|title=NORD STAR|website=Simonfurman.wordpress.com|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> | |||
| A ] was created in 2010. The Botcon 2010 inauguration included ], ], ], ], and the characters ], ], ], ], and Dinobots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6892/20|title=The Allspark: Transformers News Movie Comics Animated - HASBRO "ROLLS OUT" TRANSFORMERS HALL OF FAME|date=27 September 2011|access-date=10 September 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927223347/http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6892/20|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-Poll.cfm|title=TRANSFORMERS FAN BUILT BOT POLL 2012|date=19 June 2013|access-date=10 September 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619063837/http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-Poll.cfm|archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
| ===Video games=== | |||
| {{Main|List of Transformers video games}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Portal bar|United States|Japan|United Kingdom|Canada|Toys|1980s|1990s|2000s|2010s}} | |||
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