Downshift (G1)

2009-07-23T01:48:55Z

76.240.199.111: Fixing a format error

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Downshift}}
:''Downshift is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1DownshiftMTMTE.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''[[Runabout|Those]] [[Runamuck (G1)|punks]] will rue the day they [[Decepticon Graffiti!|made trouble]] on MY watch.'']]

'''Downshift''' is an [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] who's dedicated to his job, but sometimes his superiors wish he wasn't so ''much'' so. As a both a security agent<ref name="flyer">"[[You Have Been Chosen.]]" [[Pack-in material#Mail-order_flyers|pack-in flyer]]</ref><ref name="Dreamwave">Downshift's [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]] profile</ref> and a scout,<ref name="Takara">Downshift's [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] bio, in the [http://megazarak.hp.infoseek.co.jp/japaspe/tf2010/rp05.html original Japanese] and [[User talk:Apcog#Translating_the_Omnibot_bios|fan-translated English]]. Note that "Camshaft" is the relevant one, since their names were switched in Japan.</ref> he tends to think that guarding something means not just securing the object of his duty, but also actively seeking out foes ''before'' they strike, whatever entanglements this may produce and however vulnerable this may actually leave his charges.

He keeps up-to-date on all the latest law enforcement and military security tactics, and his disarmament techniques are at an expert level.<ref name="Dreamwave" /> He takes great pride in being on the cutting edge of anti-Decepticon spy warfare, but his excitability can lead to mistakes.<ref name="Takara" />

He and the other Omnibots are [[:Category:Dimension hoppers|dimension-hoppers]],<ref name="flyer" /><ref name="Binaltech">Overdrive's ''[[Alternators (toyline)|Binaltech]]'' toy pack-in bio in [http://www.fantofan.jp/photo%20gallery/binartech/bt-12/bt-12a.jpg fan-translated English.]</ref> so it's unclear whether his appearances in various [[Continuity|realities]] are separate entities or the same individual.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Camshaft'''

==Fiction==
===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[Image:Lookinsideforaspecialoffer.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Everybody STAND BACK. This mall looks like it's been ''improperly securitized."'']]

Downshift and the other two Omnibots were featured in several [[S.T.A.R.S. continuity|recruitment messages]] directed at [[human]] allies. The first message detailed the Omnibots' arrival on [[Earth]]: The [[Autobot]]s marooned on that planet had sent an S.O.S. to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], despite not knowing if anyone would be there to receive it. Luckily, their plea was answered in the form of the Omnibots, [[Powerdasher]]s, and [[Time Warrior]]s. The Omnibots quickly adapted to Earth's highways, scouting for and attacking [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Reinforcements from Cybertron!}} This message was later repeated almost verbatim, with minor changes made to accomodate a recruitment drive for [[S.T.A.R.S.]] {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}}

The Omnibot [[Overdrive]] personally narrated the next message, describing how he and his comrades had turned the tide in the Autobots' favor and were gearing up to strike at hidden Decepticon bases. However, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was holding back until human allies had been mobilized. Overdrive seemed to be speaking specifically to military personnel, and his message segued into the activities of [[G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]]. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}}

The next pair of messages told the story of [[Johnny]], a young S.T.A.R.S. member whose town came under [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s energy-draining attack. He summoned a squad of [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] as well as the Omnibots, but it is unknown how the presumed battle unfolded. {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}}{{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}

The final message involving the Omnibots was delivered from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to the potential new S.T.A.R.S. Commander. Magnus provided the first glimpse into Downshift's personality (that he was a security agent), then claimed that the Omnibots were "destined to fight a war in another universe on March 31, 1987" if the S.T.A.R.S. Commander did not requisition them. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}} And, indeed, they were absent from all future messages.

{{-}}
===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' manga===
[[Image:Omnibots_group.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Downshift is the one pointing at his crotch. With ''that look'' on his face.]]

During a massive battle on Cybertron, Galvatron introduced his latest combining warrior, [[Predaking]]. Predaking simultaneously took out [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] with a single punch, causing much worry for the Autobots, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was already engaged in battle on Earth.

[[Image:Downshift_vehicle.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Upshift?]]

From out of nowhere came [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]], Downshift and Overdrive. They swiftly shifted into vehicle mode(s) and circled Predaking, tying up his legs with cable. Predaking swatted at them to no avail!

Then the Omnibots transformed into their battle modes and...''drove'' at Predaking, which caused him to topple backwards onto [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], taking them all out.

The assembled Autobots cheered for these three mighty warriors of great justice, who were subsequently never seen or heard of again. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
After [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] unleashed Menasor on [[Iacon]], Downshift and his fellow Omnibots were sent by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to stop him. They did not succeed and may have been killed by the rampaging giant. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
Downshift hung out with fellow Omnibot Overdrive on the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]] under the command of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1}}

==Toys==
{{picsneeded|Toy photos}}

===Generation 1===
* '''Downshift''' ([[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]], 1985)
:* ''Accessories'': 2 "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", "[[Rust-ray rifle|Rust Rifle]]"

: Downshift transforms into a white Toyota Supra (or as it was known in Japan at the time, Celica XX) sports car. He also has a third "flight/attack" mode, which flips down his side panels, revealing mounting points for his "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", plus reveals a rooftop double-barreled blaster (which can also serve as a clip for his "Rust Rifle").

: Early releases of Downshift have "CELICA" printed on his license plate decal. Later releases blanked this out for obvious reasons.

: Both [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] released him only through mail-order promotions rather than at regular retail (though in the US, some grocery store chains ultimately got bins full of them at discount). In the US, Downshift cost $5 and 4 [[Robot points]]. In Japan, he cost 980 yen and 2 robot points.

::* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Downshift/downshift.htm Downshift information at TFU.info]

==Notes==
* The road to having a personality has been a long and rocky one for Downshift.
** The bio included with his North American toy was buried in his instructions, and all it said was that the Omnibots were in the early stages of their evolution and had not yet been tested.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/decoder.asp?CharName=Downshift&ImgURL=/archive/instructions/autobot/1985/instr_downshift.jpg Downshift's original English-language instruction-sheet bio] (such as it is; see third panel)</ref>
** He was given his "Security Agent" function in the [[You Have Been Chosen.|last mail-in flyer that offered him]], just in time for him to venture off into "another dimension." That would be the long and short of his official English-language characterization for almost twenty years.
** In Japan, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''did'' release a bio with the toy, though his function of "Scout" did not match up with the American one.<ref name="Takara">
** None of this reflected the profile found in the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel comic]] [[Production bible|bible]], which was written in both [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] form and in the pared-down style of an on-package bio (with [[Tech Spec|Tech Specs]], even!), giving him a very different personality from any other portrayal: His function wasn't "Security Agent" or "Scout," but rather "Air Defense," and he was said to be depressed and war-weary, only grudgingly following orders. His one joy came from Earth and human children, since they were something fresh and new that had nothing to do with the millennia of war he had known.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40992 Downshift's Marvel comic bible profile]</ref> This was never officially released to the public.
** The English-speaking public finally got an official profile for Downshift in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s 2003 [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]]. This naturally presented ''another'' personality, which seemed to take Takara's overeagerness and apply it to Hasbro's security-agent function.
* Downshift was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Double Changer Celica XX". There are no notable differences between the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' versions, save the obvious addition of [[faction symbols]] and the aforementioned sticker variation.

==References==
<references />

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]

Talk:Downshift (G1)

2009-07-23T01:47:28Z

76.240.199.111:

Dreamwave MTMTE. US bio. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:41, 16 June 2006 (UTC)
: What? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 21:04, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

::"Note: Downshift never received a tech spec or biography in the U.S. The above is based on his Japanese information, as presented in Neale Davidson's tech spec manual."<br>
::That. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 21:23, 16 June 2006 (UTC)
::Ah. I don't own this manual. How well does the entry agree with DW? --[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 21:26, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

:::According to a STARS flier, Downshift (white car) was a Security Agent, Camshaft (silver car) was a Scout, and Overdrive was a Strategist. In the Japanese bios, Camshaft (white car) was a Reconnaissance Agent, Downshift (silver car) was a Pursuit Agent, and Overdrive was a Commander. Japan switched Camshaft and Downshift's names, presumably on the basis that the silver Autobot's altmode (a Savanna RX7) did not '''have''' a camshaft. (This should probably go in a Trivia section for Camshaft, Downshift, or the both of them.)

:::The Japanese bio for Downshift (silver car) reads as follows:

:::''Although he follows instructions faithfully and securely, he is a remarkably nervous person who is convinced that he himself is being spied upon while performing espionage. He has confidence in the armoring of his super-tough body.''

:::Also - not to put too fine a point on it - never use Neale's anything for anything. Ask, and alternate sources shall be provided. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 23:43, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

:::Also also, there should probably be something about the Omnibots "going to fight a battle in another dimension" from the same STARS catalog as their Functions. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 23:56, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

How much weight should the Budiansky Omnibot bios get? My thinking is "a whole lot", but since they were never published... I'm just not sure. I don't really like thme being relegated to trivia, though. [[User:Chip|Chip]] 07:09, 6 April 2008 (UTC)
:The "never published" thing kind of makes them trivia, though, doesn't it? --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 07:12, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

For the record, his DW art's head is basically Optimus Prime's. I dunno if that should recieve note or not, though.[[Special:Contributions/76.240.199.111|76.240.199.111]] 21:47, 22 July 2009 (EDT)

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Downshift (G1)

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