The Transformers was one of the many crazes in the 80s. The advertising was a joint venture by Hasbro toys and Marvel Comics. It built upon the success of ” G.I. Joe ” and paved the way for ” Jem ” and other hits. I feel The Transformers animated cartoon was essential for my countdown because:
Several episodes written by David Wise , of ” He-Man” & ” TMNT ” fame
Another animated cartoon in the 80s selling toys by giving them personality
The Transformers (a brief history)
In the 80s , Hasbro toys went into a partnership with Japanese toy maker Takara. After the advertising success with Marvel Comics and “G.I. Joe” , Hasbro did the same for The Transformers. Read how I completed the entire Marvel Comics’ Transformers series . Hasbro also hired Marvel Productions/Sunbow Entertainment, to produce animated advertisements.
Animated Cartoon
“More Than Meets The Eye” was a syndicated hit and paved the way for thirteen more episodes in the first season. Like other animated cartoons, more characters were introduced to sell more toys. The second season was no different as it went to five days a week. While this was going on, Hasbro was planning three animated films on their toys, “My Little Pony,” ” The Transformers ,” and “G.I. Joe.”
Even though it was a financial flop, this is a movie review that deserves attention. A ” Star Wars ” story and a totally 80s soundtrack. Similar to what ” Transformers 4” is planning, this film got rid of old characters in favor of new ones. Prime dies to make a leader out of Hot Rod (Judd Nelson). Unicron, (Orson Welles) eats and recreates Deceptions like Megatron (Leonard Nimoy). Don’t confuse this movie review with ones that I did on Michael Bay’s ” Transformers “, “Revenge of the Fallen ,” or ” Dark of the Moon .”
I couldn’t do this movie review without talking about the animated cartoon in the 80s . The third season picks up where the movies ends, but was produced at much lower standards. The fourth season only produced three episodes, “Rebirth,” and a fifth was edited reruns. Although in Japan, original stories continued with shows like, “Headmasters.”
The Transformers Rebirth
For close to thirty years now, The Transformers animated cartoon still has an impact. The Transformers Universe is still inspired from elements in the 80s. Transformers Animated,” was a stylized series in 2008 with constant homages to the original animated cartoon. “Transformers Prime,” the current series, even brought back original voice actors. Now, if only “Transformers 4” would pay such attention to details.
References
Official Hasbro site – The Transformers
The Best Animated Cartoons In The 80s – Animated Cartoon
Seibertron Fan Site – In The 80s
Transformers The Movie on IMDB – Movie Review
