Transformers

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Transformers are a world renowned toy line produced by the Japanese toy company Takara. The toys were first launched after the success of the Transformers television series aired in 1984. The toys are still extremely popular today and are at the top of millions of Christmas lists all over the world.

The toys are now sold by the U.S. toy giant Hasbro; the firm also responsible for successful toys such as My Little Pony, Star Wars and B-Daman. Each Transformers toy is inspired by the television series airing at the time, the most recent collection was entitled 'Transformers Cybertron' after the Cybertron series was launched in 2005. Like many popular toy lines, Transformers originated as a comic book.

Comic Books

The best known writers of the transformers comics were Marvel; the first company to produce the books. Marvel is responsible for the storylines and characters from 1984 – 1991 and inspired a number of television episodes. The next popular comics were then produced by Dreamwave Productions between 2002 and 2004 and the third series of comic books were produced by IDW Publishing.

Television Shows

Japanese Series'

• 1984 – 1987 – The Transformers
• 1987 – Transformers: Headmasters
• 1988 – Super God Masterforce
• 1989 – Transformers: Victory
• 1990 – Transformers: Zone
• 1991 – Battlestars: Return of Convoy
• 1992 – Operation Combination
• 1997 – Beast Wars
• 1998 – Beast Wars Second: Super Lifeform Transformers
• 1999 – Beast Wars Neo: Super Lifeform Transformers
• 1999 – Beast Wars Metals: Super Lifeform Transformers
• 2000 – Transformers: Car Robots
• 2002 – 2003 – Transformers: Armada
• 2004 – Transformers: Energon
• 2005 – Transformers: Cybertron

Aired in U.S. and Europe

• 1992 – 1995 – Transformers: Generation 2
• 1996 – 1999 – Beast Wars: Transformers
• 1999 – 2001 – Beast Machines; Transformers
• 2001 – 2002 – Transformers: Robots in Disguise
• 2002 – 2003 – Transformers: Armada
• 2004 – Transformers: Energon
• 2005 – Transformers: Cybertron

Films

The only film release so far was entitles 'Transformers: The Movie'! The film was extremely successful and appealed to all who loved the Transformers comics and Television shows. A new film is planned for the summer of 2007 which will be created by Dreamworks Pictures.

Storyline

Transformers are machines that can transform themselves from a robot to another form, such as a car or animal; hence the tagline 'Robots in Disguise'! Both the heroes and villains have the ability to 'transform'. The good Transformers known as the Autobots are introduced in the very first series and are led by Optimus Prime; an intelligent, brave guardian. Megatron is Optimus Primes enemy and leads the Deceptions. The story begins in the past on the planet Cybertron – home to the Transformers. Cybertrons energy resources are extremely low and both heroes and villains are struggling to secure a supply. The Autobots are attacked by the Deceptions causing both ships to crash onto the Earth's surface. As time passes, all Transformers lie dormant until they are awakened by an erupting volcano in the year 1984. The Deceptions make a quick exit but the Autobots remain on Earth and become the protectors of the people who live there.

Links to toys reviewed by visitors on The Toy Review

• Transformers Energon Bulkhead

External Links

• Transformers at Hasbro