Transformers: The Headmasters facts for kids
| Transformers: The Headmasters | |
North American DVD cover
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Quick facts for kids トランスフォーマー ザ★ヘッドマスターズ(Toransufōmā: Za Heddomasutāzu) |
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| Genre | Mecha |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Katsutoshi Sasaki |
| Produced by | Hirohisa Satō (Takara) Kenji Yokoyama (Toei Dōga) Tatsuya Yoshida (Toei Dōga) |
| Written by | Keisuke Fujikawa |
| Music by | Katsunori Ishida |
| Studio | Toei Dōga |
| Licensed by | |
| Network | Nippon TV (1987–1988) |
| English network | |
| Original run | July 3, 1987 – March 25, 1988 |
| Episodes | 35 |
| Light novel | |
| Transformers: The Headmasters - Dream War | |
| Written by | Keisuke Fujikawa |
| Illustrated by | Shoko Yoshinaka |
| Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
| Imprint | Kadokawa Bunko |
| Published | August 25, 1987 |
| Game | |
| Developer | Takara |
| Publisher | Takara |
| Genre | Scrolling shooter |
| Platform | Family Computer Disk System |
| Released | August 28, 1987 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Masumi Kaneda |
| Illustrated by | Ban Magami |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| Demographic | Children |
| Magazine | TV Magazine |
| Original run | August 1987 – March 1988 |
Transformers: The Headmasters (called Toransufōmā: Za Heddomasutāzu in Japan) is a Japanese anime TV show. It is part of the popular Transformers robot superhero story. The show aired in Japan from July 1987 to March 1988. It tells a new story after the original Transformers series.
Contents
The Story of the Headmasters
The story begins six years after a big battle against Unicron. A group of robots called Headmasters, led by Weirdwolf, join the evil Decepticons. They attack the Autobots' home planet, Cybertron. The good guy Headmasters, led by Cerebros, return to help defend their planet.
Things get worse when Vector Sigma, a super-computer at Cybertron's core, becomes unstable. Optimus Prime sacrifices himself again to save Cybertron. But this only delays the problem. A bomb attack by Scorponok turns Cybertron into a burnt, empty planet.
Rodimus Prime leaves to find a new home for the Transformers. He leaves Cerebros in charge, who works from the planet Athenia. Meanwhile, Scorponok takes over as Decepticon leader. He builds a huge body for himself, becoming MegaZarak. He wants to fight Cerebros's giant form, Fortress Maximus.
The show introduces many new characters. But it also brings back old favorites. For example, Soundwave and Blaster are rebuilt as Soundblaster and Twincast after a big fight. Human boy Daniel Witwicky and his Autobot friend Wheelie are also important. They help younger viewers connect with the story.
Later, Galvatron returns as the Decepticon leader. The Decepticons travel through space, attacking planets. This introduces new characters like the Horrorcons and robot clones. The Decepticon ninja Sixshot kills Ultra Magnus. The Autobot Headmasters then manage to destroy Galvatron. This makes Scorponok the Decepticon leader again.
The Decepticons return to Planet Master. Some refugees from the planet get caught in an accident. They fuse with the arms of several Autobots and Decepticons. This creates new warriors called Targetmasters. In the end, Scorponok tries to destroy Earth. But he is stopped, partly because Sixshot turns against him.
Characters
Other Versions of the Story
English Dubs and Releases
The Headmasters was not officially released in the United States until 2011. However, it was dubbed into English in Hong Kong by a company called Omni Productions. This dub aired in Malaysia and later on Singapore's StarTV. It became quite famous there.
This English dub is known for its low quality. It has many mistranslations and wrong names. For example, Blaster is called "Billy," and Blurr is "Wally." The Matrix is called the "Power Pack." Also, Wheelie does not speak in rhymes, and the Dinobots speak normally. Despite this, the series was released on DVD in Region 2 (Europe) in 2005. It had both the original Japanese audio with subtitles and the English dub. Shout! Factory released the full series on DVD in North America in 2011, but without the English dub.
Books and Comics
A novel based on the anime was written by Keisuke Fujikawa. It is called Transformers: The Headmasters - Dream War. It was released in August 1987.
An eight-chapter manga (Japanese comic book) version was also made. Masami Kaneda wrote it, and Ban Magami drew the pictures. It was part of their Fight! Super Robot Life Form Transformers: The Comics series.
Theme Songs
The show had some cool theme songs!
- Opening Song: "The Headmasters" by Hironobu Kageyama (used for all episodes).
- Ending Song: "You are a Transformer" also by Hironobu Kageyama (used for most episodes).
There were also other songs played during the show, like "Stand Up! Headmaster Anger" and "Destron Hymn."
Episodes
The series has 35 episodes. Here are some of the key ones:
- Episode 1: Four Warriors Come Out of the Sky - The Headmasters arrive, and the fight for Cybertron begins.
- Episode 2: The Mystery of Planet Master - We learn about the Headmasters' past. Optimus Prime searches for the Matrix.
- Episode 3: Birth of the Dream Double Prime - Hot Rod becomes Rodimus Prime again. Optimus Prime sacrifices himself for Vector Sigma.
- Episode 4: The Great Cassette Operation - Soundwave and Blaster are rebuilt as Soundblaster and Twincast.
- Episode 9 & 10: Planet Cybertron Is in Grave Danger - Cybertron is destroyed by bombs planted by Zarak. Rodimus Prime leaves, and Cerebros takes command.
- Episode 13: Head On!! Fortress Maximus - Cerebros combines with his battleship to become the giant warrior Fortress Maximus.
- Episode 14 & 15: Explosion on Mars!! - The Decepticons try to destroy Mars. Scorponok reveals his huge robot body.
- Episode 16: Return of the Immortal Emperor - Galvatron returns, surprising everyone.
- Episode 24: Ultra Magnus Dies!! - Sixshot defeats and kills Ultra Magnus in a fierce battle.
- Episode 25: The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg - The Autobots defeat Galvatron, trapping him in an iceberg.
- Episode 27 & 28: Miracle Warriors Targetmasters - New warriors called Targetmasters are created when refugees fuse with Autobots and Decepticons.
- Episode 32: My Friend Sixshot! - Daniel and Sixshot are stranded together and form an unlikely friendship.
- Episode 34 & 35: The Final Showdown on Earth - The Autobots and Decepticons have their final battle on Earth. Fortress Maximus defeats Scorponok.
Video Game
A video game based on the show was released by Takara in 1987. It was for the Family Computer Disk System (FDS). You could play it alone or with a friend.
In the game, you control an Autobot Headmaster. You fight Decepticons across four planets: Earth, Cybertron, Master, and Jail. Unlike some other Transformers games, you can't switch between robot and vehicle modes whenever you want. The game also lets you save your progress, which was a cool feature for games back then!
Images for kids
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North American DVD cover
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Cover art for the Headmasters video game
| Preceded by Fight! Super Robot Life-Form Transformers 2010 (11/14/1986 - 6/26/1987) |
Nippon TV Friday 17:00-17:30 Timeframe Transformers: The Headmasters (July 3, 1987 - March 28, 1988) |
Succeeded by Mashin Eiyuden Wataru (4/15/1988 - 3/31/1989) |
See also
In Spanish: Transformers: The Headmasters para niños
