MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Toei Animation

2019-07-21T02:15:28Z

Dcon31: /* Transformers work */

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb|ホワイトピッグゴーホーム!]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''Mazinger Z'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Disk Wars: The [[Avengers]]'' and many, ''many'' more.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''The Real [[Ghostbusters]]'', the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==

*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1990
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted by Toei Company*)

(*Toei Company is Toei Animation's parent company that handles the distribution of their studios' work as well as the occasional project by other studios).

==The trouble with Toei==

Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for their difficulty to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routinely of inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally, but were outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''.

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licencees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko''), but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair

2018-11-01T02:06:08Z

Dcon31:

[[File:ConvoyBigTransPoster1.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]

'''The 1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair''' (年99夏東映アニメフェア, ''Nen 99 Natsu Toei Anime Fair'') was a triple-feature theatrical movie released only in Japan. It was released on [[July 31|31 July]] [[1999]]. The anthology was themed around short films based on toy properties held by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]. Despite being branded prominently in the anthology's title, [[Toei]] only distributed the movie as fart of their anime fair. The other two productions "Super Doll Licca-chan" and "Microman: The Small Giant" were produced by studios Madhouse and Studio Pierrot respectively. The ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' segment was animated in Canada by [[Mainframe Entertainment]] and was merely distributed in Japan by Toei Company. (Not the animation studio itself).

==Synopsis==

The ''1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair'' was composed of three segments.

===''Beast Wars Metals: Convoy's Great Transformation!''===

"Beast Wars Metals: Convoy's Great Transformation!" (ビーストウォーズメタルスコンボイ大変身!, ''Beast Wars Metals: Convoy Dai Henshin!'') was the Japanese dub of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Cutting Edge]]". It was preceded by several clips, prominently from "[[Optimal Situation]]", to establish Optimus Primal's new body. Because it was released theatrically, the episode's placement in the ''Beast Wars Metals'' television series was taken by a newly crafted [[clip show]], "[[Remix: I Lost the Banana!]]". Due to the relatively late theatrical release, the episode was not included on [[Pioneer]]'s Japanese DVD box set of ''Beast Wars Metals''.

===''Tiny Giant Microman: Great Battle! Microman VS the Unstoppable Gorgon''===

"Tiny Giant Microman: Great Battle! Microman VS the Unstoppable Gorgon" (小さな巨人ミクロマン大激戦! ミクロマンVS最強ゴルゴン, ''Chiisana Kyojin Microman: Daigekisen! Microman VS Saikyou Gorgon'') was a short animated film based on the then current incarnation of the [[Microman]] franchise.

===''Super Doll Licca-chan: Licca-chan's Stalemate! Miracle of the Doll Knights''===

"Super Doll Licca-chan: Licca-chan's Stalemate! Miracle of the Doll Knights" (スーパードール★リカちゃんリカちゃん絶体絶命！ドールナイツの奇跡, ''Super Doll Licca-chan: Licca-chan Zettaizetsumei! Doll Knights no Kiseki'') was a short animated film based on the then current incarnation of the [[Licca Kayama|Super Doll Licca-chan]] franchise.

==See also==

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eeLrWUJj-Q "1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair Trailer" on YouTube]

[[Category:Beast Wars media]]
[[Category:Clip shows]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Toei Animation

2018-11-01T02:00:01Z

Dcon31: /* Transformers work */

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb|ホワイトピッグゴーホーム!]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''Mazinger Z'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Disk Wars: The [[Avengers]]'' and many, ''many'' more.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''[[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|The Real Ghostbusters]]'', the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==

*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1990
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

Toei Company, the majority shareholder/owner of Toei Animation had distributed these films to Japanese movie theatres.

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (Hosted only, production was done by [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]])

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted only)

==The trouble with Toei==

Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for their difficulty to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routinely of inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally, but were outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''.

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licencees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko''), but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

Let's not even get into the ''Super Sentai''/''Power Rangers'' stuff. ''Abaranger'', ''Shinkenger'', ''Akibaranger'' and ''Ninninger'' have made Toei's opinion of Americans perfectly clear by employing horrible stereotypes of them.

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Scramble City: Mobilization

2018-11-01T01:52:41Z

Dcon31: /* Trouble with Toei */

{{disambig3|Scramble City}}
{{episode|
|seriess=[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]
|prev=Day of the Machines
|next=The Transformers: The Movie
|title="Scramble City: Mobilization"
|japanese=スクランブルシティ発動編
|romaji=Scramble City Hatsudō Hen
|image=Scramblecity title.jpg
|caption=
|production code=
|production company=
|written by=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|directed by=
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|release date=April [[1986]]
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Megatron is determined to halt the completion of Metroplex, the Autobots' new transforming city. To do the deed, he throws every combiner team the Decepticons have at them. The Autobots counter with their own combiners and things get ugly.'''

==Synopsis==
In a secret subterranean factory, the [[Autobot]]s and their [[human]] allies work diligently on their "Scramble City" project, constructing a giant mobile fortress under the direction of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s detect magnetic fluctuations emanating from the concealed base, however, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]'s [[Mini-Cassette|cassettes]] investigate; despite resistance from Blaster and his tapes, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] manages to penetrate the cavern and discovers the construction work.

[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] dispatches [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to attack the factory, but their way is barred by an Autobot contingent led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. When Ultra Magnus, monitoring the battle from the base, sees the Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], he sends the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to join the fight. Their added firepower fells Devastator and sends the Decepticons retreating, and in retaliation, Megatron deploys the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. The Autobots roll out to confront them, and the battle soon escalates as the two combiner teams form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Using Scramble Power, the two super robots shift their limbs for optimum power, but after a few reconfigurations, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] gets confused and attempts to connect as the wrong limb, crashing into his team-mates and falling off. Menasor seizes the opportunity and disengages [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], who attaches as Superion's leg, with painful results for the air warrior. Optimus Prime takes action, blasting Wildrider off and allowing Fireflight to recombine with his team, at which point the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] arrive to tip the battle in the Decepticons' favor as [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].

Back in the Autobots' factory, Scramble City has finally been completed, and Ultra Magnus has it transform to mobile fortress mode and sends it to join in the battle along with the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. Menasor and Bruticus have already defeated Superion as the team arrives, but as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], they protect the other Autobots as Scramble City transforms into its [[robot mode]]—[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]! A single blast from Metroplex's cannon defeats the two Decepticons, but as the Autobots celebrate their victory, the nearby ocean parts, and from its depths arises [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]!

==Featured characters==
(''For the purposes of this list, the portion of this OVA that is composed of clips from other episodes is not counted.'') 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (9)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (10)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (11)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (12)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (17)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (18)
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (19)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (28)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (29)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (30)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (31)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (32)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (33)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (35)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (36)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (37)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (38)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (39)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (45)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (53)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (54)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (15)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (16)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (17)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (20)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (22)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (23)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (24)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (25)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (26)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (27)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (28)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (34)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (40)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (41)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (42)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (43)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (44)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (46)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (47)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (48)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (49)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (50)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (51)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (52)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (55)
}}
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Carly]] (6)
*[[Chip Chase]] (7)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]](8)
}}

==Other notes==
===Animation and technical glitches===
The concept of the whole combiner-limb-switching thing is practically the whole point of "Scramble City", and is completely wrecked by repeated coloring errors.
*When Menasor reconfigures his limbs for the first time, Wildrider becomes his right arm and Breakdown his left, while Dead End becomes his left leg, and Drag Strip his right. However, as soon as they connect, their colours change back to those of the limbs as if they were in their traditional positions (Breakdown is coloured maroon like Dead End, Drag Strip is off-white like Breakdown, etc.). Though frustrating, it is at least understandable how the error occurred; some of the errors that will follow it are real head-scratchers, however.
*The original colouring error continues into the next shot, as Superion kicks Menasor.
*In the very next shot, as Menasor falls over from the kick, he is both ''drawn'' and coloured with his traditional limb configuration, as if no switching had occurred.
*Next, when he catches the lunging Superion, his right arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown. While not fully visible, so we can't tell who it's ''drawn'' as, we can see his right arm is incorrectly colored as if it were Drag Strip.
*Immediately after ''that'', as Menasor swings Superion around, his arms are correctly drawn as Breakdown and Wildrider, except they're on the wrong sides... ''and'' they're colored like Drag Strip and Dead End (so in this shot, we get a yellow Breakdown). Drag Strip and Dead End are drawn in their correct positions as his legs, but are of course miscoloured as Breakdown and Wildrider.
*''Then,'' as Menasor looms over the fallen Superion, his left arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown, while his right arm is correctly drawn as Wildrider, but colored like Dead End.
*When Menasor launches his arm to replace Superion's leg, the arms are drawn correctly as Breakdown and Wildrider, but are ''both'' colored like Dead End! Wildrider is in the correct colours when he attaches to Superion, however.
*As Menasor fires on Fireflight in the next shot, we return to the original error, as his limbs are drawn in their correct, reconfigured positions, but colored as if in their traditional arrangement.
*This error ''still'' in place as approaches the fallen Superion, but when he lifts his gun, his left arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown. It snaps back to a maroon Lamborghini when he clocks Superion one.
*As Superion strikes back, Breakdown (left arm) and Drag Strip (right leg) are drawn and colored correctly, while Dead End (left leg) and Wildrider (right arm) have their colors swapped.
*When the angle changes and Menasor falls over, his right arm is Breakdown once again colored like Dead End, while his right arm is... well, it's ''colored'' like Drag Strip, but it's hard to tell exactly who it is. It has a visible spoiler, so it's either Drag Strip himself or a miscolored Wildrider, but in another unusual goof, whoever it is, they're attached ''upside down'', because that spoiler is up at Menasor's shoulder instead of his wrist.
*For the rest of the episode, his limbs are drawn as being in their alternate configuration, but are colored like their standard configuration, up until Metroplex dispatches Menasor, at which point it's Breakdown (left arm), Wildrider colored as Dead End (right arm), Dead End colored as Wildrider (left leg) and Drag Strip (right leg).
*Throughout all of this, Superion undergoes several similar errors, but ultimately, they're far less noticeable; the four smaller Aerialbots are virtually identical in limb-form, making it hard to tell if they've changed positions, or if they've been colored wrong. Probably most noticeably, when the Aerialbots undergo their second reconfiguration, the 'bot attaching as Superion's right arm is colored red like Fireflight, but the leg that falls off is ''explicitly'' Fireflight; once he reconnects, he's coloured like... look, I dunno, whichever Aerialbot normally goes there. Nobody knows that!
*My head hurts.

===Transformers references===
*Although Hasbro cartoon continuity would specifically not have Trypticon created until 2005, previous installments of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga]] detail the early stages of the construction of both him and Metroplex.

===Trivia===
[[File:ScrambleCityPoster1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Metroplex poster artwork, or half of it, anyway]]
*The [[title sequence]] for "Scramble City" is newly created for the OVA, and features segments of the second season opening and clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Similarly, the closing sequence combines clips of the season 2 closing, "More than Meets the Eye" and "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]".
*The first seven minutes of the 23-minute-long "Scramble City" consist of a series of clips from "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" and "The Master Builders", retelling the Transformers' struggles on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], their departure for and awakening on [[Earth]], and the creation and importance of Devastator, followed by the title card for the OVA.
*The [[cliffhanger]] that "Scramble City" is left dangling on was never resolved, as no further installments were produced. Although a "Scramble City 2" is often referenced by fans, this is, in actuality, an extended stop-motion toy commercial that's also named "[[Scramble City (diorama)|Scramble City]]", which merely retells the animated episode with the added inclusion of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].
*Chronologically, "Scramble City" features the first animated appearances of Ultra Magnus, Ratbat, Ramhorn, Steeljaw, Metroplex and Trypticon.
*Both Metroplex and Trypticon have different [[character model]]s in "Scramble City" that were later replaced with new designs for the third season of the cartoon. Where Trypticon's "Scramble City" model is not particularly toy-accurate and would be updated to better reflect the appearance of his action figure, Metroplex actually looks ''more'' like his toy in "Scramble City", down to the angling of his limbs and positioning of his accessories in his alternate modes. Trypticon's early model would also be used for his appearances in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]], but "Scramble City" was the only notable appearance of Metroplex's original look.
*This OVA marks the first time Chip and Carly are seen in the same episode. What took them so long?
*Trypticon's roar is that from the kaijū {{w|Baragon}}.

===Trouble with Toei===
*[[Toei]], the Japanese animation studio that co-produced "Scramble City", has been unwilling to license the OVA to third party distributors outside of Japan. In 2006, [[Sony]] was unable to secure the rights to the audio track from Toei and were forced to replace it with a non-optional commentary track. [[Metrodome]] and [[Madman Entertainment]] circumvented dealing with Toei altogether by releasing a low-quality, fansubbed version of the OVA (with burnt-in subtitles, of course). [[Shout! Factory]] attempted to negotiate professionally with Toei, but were outright denied in their requests, forcing them to leave the OVA off their releases of American and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons. They were likewise snubbed in their attempts to release the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA, which Toei also co-produced. Despite Toei's outright refusal to cooperate with foreign distributors (their reluctance runs deeper than just OVAs, as they routinely offer incomplete masters of their other shows to foreign distributors), the OVA has been released multiple times in its complete form in Japan by [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer/Geneon]] of which perhaps rights entanglements with Geneon/Pioneer may be at least partially to blame as well.

==Home video releases==
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2006]] — ''The Transformers: The Movie'' — 20th Anniversary Special Edition ([[Sony]]) — Audio commentary by [[Rik Alvarez]] and [[Alex Weiner]] only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2007]] — ''Transformers: The Movie'' — Ultimate Edition ([[Metrodome]]) — Japanese audio with burnt-in English subs and optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''Transformers: The Movie'' — Special Edition ([[Madman Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio with (optional?) English subs.

[[Category:Generation 1 media]]

Scramble City: Mobilization

2018-11-01T01:52:29Z

Dcon31: /* Trouble with Toei */

{{disambig3|Scramble City}}
{{episode|
|seriess=[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]
|prev=Day of the Machines
|next=The Transformers: The Movie
|title="Scramble City: Mobilization"
|japanese=スクランブルシティ発動編
|romaji=Scramble City Hatsudō Hen
|image=Scramblecity title.jpg
|caption=
|production code=
|production company=
|written by=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|directed by=
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|release date=April [[1986]]
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Megatron is determined to halt the completion of Metroplex, the Autobots' new transforming city. To do the deed, he throws every combiner team the Decepticons have at them. The Autobots counter with their own combiners and things get ugly.'''

==Synopsis==
In a secret subterranean factory, the [[Autobot]]s and their [[human]] allies work diligently on their "Scramble City" project, constructing a giant mobile fortress under the direction of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s detect magnetic fluctuations emanating from the concealed base, however, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]'s [[Mini-Cassette|cassettes]] investigate; despite resistance from Blaster and his tapes, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] manages to penetrate the cavern and discovers the construction work.

[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] dispatches [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to attack the factory, but their way is barred by an Autobot contingent led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. When Ultra Magnus, monitoring the battle from the base, sees the Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], he sends the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to join the fight. Their added firepower fells Devastator and sends the Decepticons retreating, and in retaliation, Megatron deploys the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. The Autobots roll out to confront them, and the battle soon escalates as the two combiner teams form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Using Scramble Power, the two super robots shift their limbs for optimum power, but after a few reconfigurations, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] gets confused and attempts to connect as the wrong limb, crashing into his team-mates and falling off. Menasor seizes the opportunity and disengages [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], who attaches as Superion's leg, with painful results for the air warrior. Optimus Prime takes action, blasting Wildrider off and allowing Fireflight to recombine with his team, at which point the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] arrive to tip the battle in the Decepticons' favor as [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].

Back in the Autobots' factory, Scramble City has finally been completed, and Ultra Magnus has it transform to mobile fortress mode and sends it to join in the battle along with the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. Menasor and Bruticus have already defeated Superion as the team arrives, but as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], they protect the other Autobots as Scramble City transforms into its [[robot mode]]—[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]! A single blast from Metroplex's cannon defeats the two Decepticons, but as the Autobots celebrate their victory, the nearby ocean parts, and from its depths arises [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]!

==Featured characters==
(''For the purposes of this list, the portion of this OVA that is composed of clips from other episodes is not counted.'') 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (9)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (10)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (11)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (12)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (17)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (18)
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (19)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (28)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (29)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (30)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (31)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (32)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (33)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (35)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (36)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (37)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (38)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (39)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (45)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (53)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (54)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (15)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (16)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (17)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (20)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (22)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (23)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (24)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (25)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (26)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (27)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (28)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (34)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (40)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (41)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (42)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (43)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (44)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (46)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (47)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (48)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (49)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (50)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (51)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (52)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (55)
}}
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Carly]] (6)
*[[Chip Chase]] (7)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]](8)
}}

==Other notes==
===Animation and technical glitches===
The concept of the whole combiner-limb-switching thing is practically the whole point of "Scramble City", and is completely wrecked by repeated coloring errors.
*When Menasor reconfigures his limbs for the first time, Wildrider becomes his right arm and Breakdown his left, while Dead End becomes his left leg, and Drag Strip his right. However, as soon as they connect, their colours change back to those of the limbs as if they were in their traditional positions (Breakdown is coloured maroon like Dead End, Drag Strip is off-white like Breakdown, etc.). Though frustrating, it is at least understandable how the error occurred; some of the errors that will follow it are real head-scratchers, however.
*The original colouring error continues into the next shot, as Superion kicks Menasor.
*In the very next shot, as Menasor falls over from the kick, he is both ''drawn'' and coloured with his traditional limb configuration, as if no switching had occurred.
*Next, when he catches the lunging Superion, his right arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown. While not fully visible, so we can't tell who it's ''drawn'' as, we can see his right arm is incorrectly colored as if it were Drag Strip.
*Immediately after ''that'', as Menasor swings Superion around, his arms are correctly drawn as Breakdown and Wildrider, except they're on the wrong sides... ''and'' they're colored like Drag Strip and Dead End (so in this shot, we get a yellow Breakdown). Drag Strip and Dead End are drawn in their correct positions as his legs, but are of course miscoloured as Breakdown and Wildrider.
*''Then,'' as Menasor looms over the fallen Superion, his left arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown, while his right arm is correctly drawn as Wildrider, but colored like Dead End.
*When Menasor launches his arm to replace Superion's leg, the arms are drawn correctly as Breakdown and Wildrider, but are ''both'' colored like Dead End! Wildrider is in the correct colours when he attaches to Superion, however.
*As Menasor fires on Fireflight in the next shot, we return to the original error, as his limbs are drawn in their correct, reconfigured positions, but colored as if in their traditional arrangement.
*This error ''still'' in place as approaches the fallen Superion, but when he lifts his gun, his left arm is correctly drawn and colored as Breakdown. It snaps back to a maroon Lamborghini when he clocks Superion one.
*As Superion strikes back, Breakdown (left arm) and Drag Strip (right leg) are drawn and colored correctly, while Dead End (left leg) and Wildrider (right arm) have their colors swapped.
*When the angle changes and Menasor falls over, his right arm is Breakdown once again colored like Dead End, while his right arm is... well, it's ''colored'' like Drag Strip, but it's hard to tell exactly who it is. It has a visible spoiler, so it's either Drag Strip himself or a miscolored Wildrider, but in another unusual goof, whoever it is, they're attached ''upside down'', because that spoiler is up at Menasor's shoulder instead of his wrist.
*For the rest of the episode, his limbs are drawn as being in their alternate configuration, but are colored like their standard configuration, up until Metroplex dispatches Menasor, at which point it's Breakdown (left arm), Wildrider colored as Dead End (right arm), Dead End colored as Wildrider (left leg) and Drag Strip (right leg).
*Throughout all of this, Superion undergoes several similar errors, but ultimately, they're far less noticeable; the four smaller Aerialbots are virtually identical in limb-form, making it hard to tell if they've changed positions, or if they've been colored wrong. Probably most noticeably, when the Aerialbots undergo their second reconfiguration, the 'bot attaching as Superion's right arm is colored red like Fireflight, but the leg that falls off is ''explicitly'' Fireflight; once he reconnects, he's coloured like... look, I dunno, whichever Aerialbot normally goes there. Nobody knows that!
*My head hurts.

===Transformers references===
*Although Hasbro cartoon continuity would specifically not have Trypticon created until 2005, previous installments of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga]] detail the early stages of the construction of both him and Metroplex.

===Trivia===
[[File:ScrambleCityPoster1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Metroplex poster artwork, or half of it, anyway]]
*The [[title sequence]] for "Scramble City" is newly created for the OVA, and features segments of the second season opening and clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Similarly, the closing sequence combines clips of the season 2 closing, "More than Meets the Eye" and "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]".
*The first seven minutes of the 23-minute-long "Scramble City" consist of a series of clips from "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" and "The Master Builders", retelling the Transformers' struggles on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], their departure for and awakening on [[Earth]], and the creation and importance of Devastator, followed by the title card for the OVA.
*The [[cliffhanger]] that "Scramble City" is left dangling on was never resolved, as no further installments were produced. Although a "Scramble City 2" is often referenced by fans, this is, in actuality, an extended stop-motion toy commercial that's also named "[[Scramble City (diorama)|Scramble City]]", which merely retells the animated episode with the added inclusion of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].
*Chronologically, "Scramble City" features the first animated appearances of Ultra Magnus, Ratbat, Ramhorn, Steeljaw, Metroplex and Trypticon.
*Both Metroplex and Trypticon have different [[character model]]s in "Scramble City" that were later replaced with new designs for the third season of the cartoon. Where Trypticon's "Scramble City" model is not particularly toy-accurate and would be updated to better reflect the appearance of his action figure, Metroplex actually looks ''more'' like his toy in "Scramble City", down to the angling of his limbs and positioning of his accessories in his alternate modes. Trypticon's early model would also be used for his appearances in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]], but "Scramble City" was the only notable appearance of Metroplex's original look.
*This OVA marks the first time Chip and Carly are seen in the same episode. What took them so long?
*Trypticon's roar is that from the kaijū {{w|Baragon}}.

===Trouble with Toei===
*[[Toei]], the Japanese animation studio that co-produced "Scramble City", has been unwilling to license the OVA to third party distributors outside of Japan. In 2006, [[Sony]] was unable to secure the rights to the audio track from Toei and were forced to replace it with a non-optional commentary track. [[Metrodome]] and [[Madman Entertainment]] circumvented dealing with Toei altogether by releasing a low-quality, fansubbed version of the OVA (with burnt-in subtitles, of course). [[Shout! Factory]] attempted to negotiate professionally with Toei, but were outright denied in their requests, forcing them to leave the OVA off their releases of American and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons. They were likewise snubbed in their attempts to release the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA, which Toei also co-produced. Despite Toei's outright refusal to cooperate with foreign distributors (their reluctance runs deeper than just OVAs, as they routinely offer incomplete masters of their other shows to foreign distributors), the OVA has been released multiple times in its complete form in Japan by [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer/Geneon]] of which perhaps rights entanglements with Geneon/pioneer may be at least partially to blame as well.

==Home video releases==
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2006]] — ''The Transformers: The Movie'' — 20th Anniversary Special Edition ([[Sony]]) — Audio commentary by [[Rik Alvarez]] and [[Alex Weiner]] only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2007]] — ''Transformers: The Movie'' — Ultimate Edition ([[Metrodome]]) — Japanese audio with burnt-in English subs and optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''Transformers: The Movie'' — Special Edition ([[Madman Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio with (optional?) English subs.

[[Category:Generation 1 media]]

Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!

2018-11-01T01:51:06Z

Dcon31: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''Transformers: Zone'' ep 1
|prev=Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!
|title="Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!"
|japanese=新総司令官ダイアトラス登場!
|romaji=Shin Sōshireikan Dai Atlas Tōjō!
|translation=
|image=ZonePoster1.jpg
|caption=Zone is the Enders
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Columbia Music Entertainment|Nihon Columbia]]
|writer=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|director=[[Hiromichi Matano]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|airdate=[[July 21|21 July]] 1990
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''When nine of the most powerful Decepticons are gathered together under the rule of Violen Jiger, Autobot Powered Master Dai Atlas must step forward to prevent them from acquiring the power of the mystical Zodiac.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Victorysaber feminia destruction.jpg|left|thumb|200px|If only he's a [[Star Saber (Victory)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|hideous zealot]] in this clip.]]

Seeking to conquer the universe, the mysterious, demonic [[Violen Jiger]] gathers together the [[Decepticon]]s [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], [[King Poseidon]], [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]], and [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] as his [[Nine Great Demon Generals]]. To remove the threat the [[Autobot]]s pose to his goal, he has the generals devastate the planet [[Feminia]], drawing the attention of Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] [[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]] and his troops, who arrive to save the planet's populace. Victory Saber saves the life of a young boy named [[Cain]], but is unable to escape the planet's destruction himself and is left missing in action when Feminia explodes.

[[File:EnergonZ.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Ha ha, I have stolen the prop from {{w|My Science Project}}!"]]

With the Autobots in disarray following the loss of Victory Saber, Violen Jiger charges his generals with obtaining the Autobots' new energy source [[Energon Z]], and the [[Zodiac]], the enigmatic energy force responsible for the creation of the universe, which he intends to fuse together to create the super-energy that will fuel his dreams of conquest.

Meanwhile, Cain and his pet [[Emusa]] are brought to [[Micro|Planet Zone]], the fortified defence base of the Autobot [[Micromaster]]s, where [[Moonradar (Zone)|Moonradar]] and [[Rabbicrater]] give him the lowdown on its history. Zone was created by the [[Powered Master]]s, early Transformer pioneers of space, and the [[Zone Base]] is powered by [[Energon Z]]—which makes the planet the next target for the Demon Generals. Overlord, Menasor, Bruticus, and Abominus attack the planet and steal the Energon Z, escaping into space as Moonradar leads the [[Super Car Patrol Team]] and the [[Battle Patrol Team]] in pursuit. Their way is barred by BlackZarak, who impedes their progress with an energy net. The [[Jet Patrol Team]] free their companions, and [[Sunrunner (Zone)|Sunrunner]] tracks the Generals with his radar, discovering that the capsule of Energon Z has been handed off to the other half of the group, who are on their way to Earth.

[[Image:CainAkiraPetals.jpg|right|200px|thumb|And as the cherry blossoms lowered, so did our expectations.]]

Back on Zone, as the [[Rescue Patrol Team]] cleans up, the Powered Masters [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Sonic Bomber]] return from their search for Victory Saber, bringing the wounded commander back safely. The two Powered Masters briefly watch over Victory Saber in the infirmary, then set out for Earth, where Devastator, King Poseidon, Trypticon, and Predaking are already wreaking havoc. The Micromasters, meanwhile, have already arrived on the planet, just in time to save a young boy named [[Akira Serikawa|Akira]], who... ''befriends''... Cain as the Micromasters do the best they can to hold off the Generals. In the nick of time, Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber arrive, and the battle goes underground as Devastator and Dai Atlas race to find the Zodiac, buried in a cavern beneath the Earth's surface. As Devastator is dispatched by a river of lava, King Poseidon attempts to escape with the Zodiac, but is stopped by Sonic Bomber, and tosses it to his fellow Generals. Dai Atlas is able to snatch it from their grasp, but the enraged Trypticon then unleashes a beam of Energon Z from the capsule directly at him. Sonic Bomber valiantly takes the hit for Dai Atlas and is nearly killed by the beam, but Trypticon simply fires off another shot. In desperation, Dai Atlas holds aloft the Zodiac and petitions it for help, and as the Energon Z washes over it, its power is unleashed. Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber are transformed into "Zone Modes", heavily-armed base forms that dispense with King Poseidon and Trypticon. Attempting to flee, Predaking is cleaved in two by Dai Atlas's Zone Sword Cutter attack, and the Zodiac is retrieved.

The Autobots, Cain and Akira then discuss the nature of the Zodiac amongst themselves, with Akira revealing that he learned about the existence of Zodiac from [[Professor Serikawa|his father]], but he wants to know more about space and the Transformers. Conversely, Cain and Moonradar want to learn about Earth, and they all agree to teach each other about their respective subjects. Emusa then invites Akira to Zone, and Dai Atlas approves; Akira is ecstatic, but stops to pull something from his backpack—he presents Cain and Emusa with some flowers, and wants to bring plenty along for the trip!

Returning to Zone, Victory Saber appoints Dai Atlas as the new Supreme Commander of the Autobots. The flying Emusa throws a bouquet into the air that falls apart, and as the petals rain down on the laughing boys and nearby Autobots, the crowd cheers Dai Atlas's name.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]] (6)
*[[Galaxy Shuttle]] (7)
*[[Holi]] (8)
*[[Pīpō]] (9)
*[[Fire]] (10)
*[[Boater]] (11)
*[[Moonradar (Zone)|Moonradar]] (17)
*[[Rabbicrater]] (18)
*[[Star Cloud]] (20)
*[[Windrim]] (21)
*[[Gunlift]] (22)
*[[Whisper (Zone)|Whisper]] (23)
*[[Nightflight (Zone)|Nightflight]] (24)
*[[Sidetrack (Zone)|Sidetrack]] (25)
*[[Powerbomb]] (26)
*[[Gingham]] (27)
*[[Black Heat]] (28)
*[[Sunrunner (Zone)|Sunrunner]] (29)
*[[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] (31)
*[[Sonic Bomber]] (32)
*[[Tailspin]] (33)
*[[Swindler]] (34)
*[[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] (35)
*[[Deadhour]] (37)
*[[Road Hugger (Zone)|Road Hugger]] (38)
*[[Road Caesar]] (39)
*[[Grand Maximus]] (40)
*[[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]] (41)
*[[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] (42)
*[[Lander]] (43)
*[[Lightfoot (Masterforce)|Lightfoot]] (44)
*[[Ranger]] (45)
*[[Road King]] (46)}}
|c2=
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (3)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (4)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
*[[Violen Jiger]] (12)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (13)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (14)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (15)
*[[King Poseidon]] (16)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (19)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] (30)
|c3=
*[[Akira Serikawa|Akira]] (36)
|c4=
*[[Cain]] (1)
*[[Emusa]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"The Autobots' Supreme Commander, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]], has vanished into space like dust." 
"[The Nine Demon Generals cheer]" 
"I shall take control over the entire universe to create a Decepticon Zone!" 
"[The Nine Demon Generals cheer again]" 
"[Changes face] Find the Super Energy that is needed." 
"[Changes face again] And retrieve it by any means necessary!"
:—'''Violen Jiger's''' only speaking lines.

==Notes==
*Opening song is "[[Transformer Z no Theme]]" and ending song is "[[Ashita no Kimi e]]".
*The episode was produced by [[Kenji Yokoyama]], who also produced ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: Headmasters]]''.

===Animation or technical glitches===
*During Star Saber's repair operation, his battle helmet is blue.
*When Devastator goes underground after trying to attack Dai Atlas from behind, the part of his cape on his shoulders is colored green instead of purple.

===Continuity notes===
*During Dai Atlas's coronation, [[Grand Maximus]], the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]]s, [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]], [[Lander]], [[Road Caesar]], and [[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]] can be seen at Star Saber's side.

===Transformers references===
*The Transformers previously visited Planet Feminia in [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|issue #5]] of the 1986 manga, ''[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers]]''. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] also mentioned it in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]".
*Planet Zone is an overhauled, upgraded version of [[Micro]], seen previously in the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' animated series.
*The core of the Zone Base, referred to as the "Rocket Base" in the toyline and ''[[TV Magazine]]'' spreads, is identical to the Shuttle Base from ''Victory''. While it is unclear if the Shuttle Base and the Rocket Base were originally intended to be the same structure, ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]'' has declared them to be so.
*The [[fire station]], [[gas station]], [[airport]], and [[construction station]] Micromaster Bases belonging to [[Hot House]], [[Glasspit]], [[Overair]], and [[Ironworks]], respectively, all appear as part of the Zone Base, although their Micromaster owners do not.

===Trivia===
[[Image:ZoneOPCreatures.jpg|thumb|right|200px|What the hell?]]
*According to an interview featured in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'', ''Zone'' was to receive a second episode in the form of a TV special. However, production was cancelled due to unspecified circumstances (likely declining interest in the ''Transformers'' brand, a factor that brought about the end of the American toyline the same year ''Zone'' was released), making "Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!" the only episode of ''Zone'' to be animated.
*Although [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] have always circulated that as many as five could have been completed, only this first episode was released, and serves as the final animated installment of the Japanese ''Generation 1'' cartoon.
*The episode is an adaptation of the single chapter of ''Zone'' [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|manga]], or perhaps vice-versa—the manga was released three months before the OVA, although it's not totally clear which media the story was first conceived for. There are some small differences between the anime and the manga: most notably, in the manga, Predaking is blasted by Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber's Zone Modes along with King Poseidon and Trypticon, while the anime sees him make a run for it and wind up getting bisected. [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Story pages]] in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' would later establish that all three generals survived the Zone Mode blast in the manga, whereas they rather definitively died in the anime. As such, the story pages are, in the strictest sense, not in-continuity with the anime, although the official 2007 [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|timeline]] established that their events, in broad strokes, also occurred in animated continuity.
*The ''Zone'' VHS came packaged with the [[exclusive]] figure, [[Rabbicrater]].
*The ''Zone'' [[title sequence]] features Sonic Bomber fighting a strange blue winged creature and Dai Atlas fighting a huge pink bear-esque creature, both of which end up destroyed by the Autobots. Just who or ''what'' these things are is never explained in any extant ''Zone'' fiction.
*Four complete Micromaster teams appear in this episode: the [[Rescue Patrol Team]], the [[Battle Patrol Team]], the [[Jet Patrol Team]], and the [[Super Car Patrol Team]]. The latter two use the molds from the [[Air Strike Patrol]] and the [[Sports Car Patrol]], who were Decepticons in the West.
*Only three members of the [[Race Car Patrol|Race Car Patrol Team]] appear in this episode—in cameos from behind, nonetheless. The missing member is [[Free Wheeler]], who can briefly be spotted in the opening sequence.
[[Image:CainAkiraBlush.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cain really looks like he stepped out of ''{{w|Knights of the Zodiac}}'', doesn't he?]]
*So, Cain and Akira are pretty gay. Aside from both being very effeminate in design, there's a scene in the story where, during Predaking and Trypticon's attack on the base-mode Galaxy Rocket, Akira is shaken up and falls back into Cain's arms, and they linger on the pair in close-up as both of them blush. Then, the whole closing sequence is about them running through a field of [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LoveBubbles shōjo bubbles] and watching the sunrise together. It's a sudden, dramatic moment of inclusivity not seen in Transformers cartoons before or since, even if it's all done through implication.
*Devastator totally knocks down the World Trade Center. That dastardly terrorist.
*As Predaking's freshly sliced halves separate, what appears to be [[:File:PredaBrain1.jpg|an organic brain]] is briefly visible inside. Which is odd.
*Much like the "[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]" OVA, [[Shout! Factory]] was outright denied the distribution license for the ''Zone'' OVA in the United States by co-producers [[Toei]]. Precisely why Toei would not permit the OVA to be released in the United States has never been made public. It could also be due to rights entanglements by Columbia Music Entertainment who holds the home video license for Japan at the time?
*Because of the issue regarding the rights to the OVA, Metrodome released an unofficial fan subbed version on DVD on the final disc for Victory, but only in the "Complete Takara Collection" set only and not the individual Victory set. Chris McFeely recorded a commentary that plays during the OVA. However during the fan subs the word "shit" was mentioned and the disc itself was given a U rating in the UK, the 'safest' to view certificate by the BBFC (The UK equivalent of the G certificate). Amazingly the disc past through inspection, instead of being re-classified and given a PG or 12 rating.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|jsubs}}
[[Image:Columbia Zone DVD.jpg|thumb|100px]]
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1990 — ''Transformers: Zone'' ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Victory'' — DVD Box 02 ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Zone'' (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection ([[Metrodome]]) — Optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2008 — ''The Transformers: Victory'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2014 — ''[[Transformers Theme Song DVD ~Transformers Music Matrix 30th Anniversary Ver.~]]'' (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only. 
{{-}}

==External links==
*{{w|lang=ja|トランスフォーマーZ|''Transformers Zone''}} at Japanese Wikipedia

[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon episodes]]
[[Category:Zone media]]

Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!

2018-11-01T01:49:56Z

Dcon31: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''Transformers: Zone'' ep 1
|prev=Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!
|title="Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!"
|japanese=新総司令官ダイアトラス登場!
|romaji=Shin Sōshireikan Dai Atlas Tōjō!
|translation=
|image=ZonePoster1.jpg
|caption=Zone is the Enders
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Columbia Music Entertainment|Nihon Columbia]]
|writer=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|director=[[Hiromichi Matano]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|airdate=[[July 21|21 July]] 1990
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''When nine of the most powerful Decepticons are gathered together under the rule of Violen Jiger, Autobot Powered Master Dai Atlas must step forward to prevent them from acquiring the power of the mystical Zodiac.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Victorysaber feminia destruction.jpg|left|thumb|200px|If only he's a [[Star Saber (Victory)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|hideous zealot]] in this clip.]]

Seeking to conquer the universe, the mysterious, demonic [[Violen Jiger]] gathers together the [[Decepticon]]s [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], [[King Poseidon]], [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]], and [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] as his [[Nine Great Demon Generals]]. To remove the threat the [[Autobot]]s pose to his goal, he has the generals devastate the planet [[Feminia]], drawing the attention of Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] [[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]] and his troops, who arrive to save the planet's populace. Victory Saber saves the life of a young boy named [[Cain]], but is unable to escape the planet's destruction himself and is left missing in action when Feminia explodes.

[[File:EnergonZ.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Ha ha, I have stolen the prop from {{w|My Science Project}}!"]]

With the Autobots in disarray following the loss of Victory Saber, Violen Jiger charges his generals with obtaining the Autobots' new energy source [[Energon Z]], and the [[Zodiac]], the enigmatic energy force responsible for the creation of the universe, which he intends to fuse together to create the super-energy that will fuel his dreams of conquest.

Meanwhile, Cain and his pet [[Emusa]] are brought to [[Micro|Planet Zone]], the fortified defence base of the Autobot [[Micromaster]]s, where [[Moonradar (Zone)|Moonradar]] and [[Rabbicrater]] give him the lowdown on its history. Zone was created by the [[Powered Master]]s, early Transformer pioneers of space, and the [[Zone Base]] is powered by [[Energon Z]]—which makes the planet the next target for the Demon Generals. Overlord, Menasor, Bruticus, and Abominus attack the planet and steal the Energon Z, escaping into space as Moonradar leads the [[Super Car Patrol Team]] and the [[Battle Patrol Team]] in pursuit. Their way is barred by BlackZarak, who impedes their progress with an energy net. The [[Jet Patrol Team]] free their companions, and [[Sunrunner (Zone)|Sunrunner]] tracks the Generals with his radar, discovering that the capsule of Energon Z has been handed off to the other half of the group, who are on their way to Earth.

[[Image:CainAkiraPetals.jpg|right|200px|thumb|And as the cherry blossoms lowered, so did our expectations.]]

Back on Zone, as the [[Rescue Patrol Team]] cleans up, the Powered Masters [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Sonic Bomber]] return from their search for Victory Saber, bringing the wounded commander back safely. The two Powered Masters briefly watch over Victory Saber in the infirmary, then set out for Earth, where Devastator, King Poseidon, Trypticon, and Predaking are already wreaking havoc. The Micromasters, meanwhile, have already arrived on the planet, just in time to save a young boy named [[Akira Serikawa|Akira]], who... ''befriends''... Cain as the Micromasters do the best they can to hold off the Generals. In the nick of time, Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber arrive, and the battle goes underground as Devastator and Dai Atlas race to find the Zodiac, buried in a cavern beneath the Earth's surface. As Devastator is dispatched by a river of lava, King Poseidon attempts to escape with the Zodiac, but is stopped by Sonic Bomber, and tosses it to his fellow Generals. Dai Atlas is able to snatch it from their grasp, but the enraged Trypticon then unleashes a beam of Energon Z from the capsule directly at him. Sonic Bomber valiantly takes the hit for Dai Atlas and is nearly killed by the beam, but Trypticon simply fires off another shot. In desperation, Dai Atlas holds aloft the Zodiac and petitions it for help, and as the Energon Z washes over it, its power is unleashed. Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber are transformed into "Zone Modes", heavily-armed base forms that dispense with King Poseidon and Trypticon. Attempting to flee, Predaking is cleaved in two by Dai Atlas's Zone Sword Cutter attack, and the Zodiac is retrieved.

The Autobots, Cain and Akira then discuss the nature of the Zodiac amongst themselves, with Akira revealing that he learned about the existence of Zodiac from [[Professor Serikawa|his father]], but he wants to know more about space and the Transformers. Conversely, Cain and Moonradar want to learn about Earth, and they all agree to teach each other about their respective subjects. Emusa then invites Akira to Zone, and Dai Atlas approves; Akira is ecstatic, but stops to pull something from his backpack—he presents Cain and Emusa with some flowers, and wants to bring plenty along for the trip!

Returning to Zone, Victory Saber appoints Dai Atlas as the new Supreme Commander of the Autobots. The flying Emusa throws a bouquet into the air that falls apart, and as the petals rain down on the laughing boys and nearby Autobots, the crowd cheers Dai Atlas's name.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]] (6)
*[[Galaxy Shuttle]] (7)
*[[Holi]] (8)
*[[Pīpō]] (9)
*[[Fire]] (10)
*[[Boater]] (11)
*[[Moonradar (Zone)|Moonradar]] (17)
*[[Rabbicrater]] (18)
*[[Star Cloud]] (20)
*[[Windrim]] (21)
*[[Gunlift]] (22)
*[[Whisper (Zone)|Whisper]] (23)
*[[Nightflight (Zone)|Nightflight]] (24)
*[[Sidetrack (Zone)|Sidetrack]] (25)
*[[Powerbomb]] (26)
*[[Gingham]] (27)
*[[Black Heat]] (28)
*[[Sunrunner (Zone)|Sunrunner]] (29)
*[[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] (31)
*[[Sonic Bomber]] (32)
*[[Tailspin]] (33)
*[[Swindler]] (34)
*[[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] (35)
*[[Deadhour]] (37)
*[[Road Hugger (Zone)|Road Hugger]] (38)
*[[Road Caesar]] (39)
*[[Grand Maximus]] (40)
*[[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]] (41)
*[[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] (42)
*[[Lander]] (43)
*[[Lightfoot (Masterforce)|Lightfoot]] (44)
*[[Ranger]] (45)
*[[Road King]] (46)}}
|c2=
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (3)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (4)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
*[[Violen Jiger]] (12)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (13)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (14)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (15)
*[[King Poseidon]] (16)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (19)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] (30)
|c3=
*[[Akira Serikawa|Akira]] (36)
|c4=
*[[Cain]] (1)
*[[Emusa]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"The Autobots' Supreme Commander, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]], has vanished into space like dust." 
"[The Nine Demon Generals cheer]" 
"I shall take control over the entire universe to create a Decepticon Zone!" 
"[The Nine Demon Generals cheer again]" 
"[Changes face] Find the Super Energy that is needed." 
"[Changes face again] And retrieve it by any means necessary!"
:—'''Violen Jiger's''' only speaking lines.

==Notes==
*Opening song is "[[Transformer Z no Theme]]" and ending song is "[[Ashita no Kimi e]]".
*The episode was produced by [[Kenji Yokoyama]], who also produced ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: Headmasters]]''.

===Animation or technical glitches===
*During Star Saber's repair operation, his battle helmet is blue.
*When Devastator goes underground after trying to attack Dai Atlas from behind, the part of his cape on his shoulders is colored green instead of purple.

===Continuity notes===
*During Dai Atlas's coronation, [[Grand Maximus]], the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]]s, [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]], [[Lander]], [[Road Caesar]], and [[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]] can be seen at Star Saber's side.

===Transformers references===
*The Transformers previously visited Planet Feminia in [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|issue #5]] of the 1986 manga, ''[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers]]''. [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] also mentioned it in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]".
*Planet Zone is an overhauled, upgraded version of [[Micro]], seen previously in the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' animated series.
*The core of the Zone Base, referred to as the "Rocket Base" in the toyline and ''[[TV Magazine]]'' spreads, is identical to the Shuttle Base from ''Victory''. While it is unclear if the Shuttle Base and the Rocket Base were originally intended to be the same structure, ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]'' has declared them to be so.
*The [[fire station]], [[gas station]], [[airport]], and [[construction station]] Micromaster Bases belonging to [[Hot House]], [[Glasspit]], [[Overair]], and [[Ironworks]], respectively, all appear as part of the Zone Base, although their Micromaster owners do not.

===Trivia===
[[Image:ZoneOPCreatures.jpg|thumb|right|200px|What the hell?]]
*According to an interview featured in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'', ''Zone'' was to receive a second episode in the form of a TV special. However, production was cancelled due to unspecified circumstances (likely declining interest in the ''Transformers'' brand, a factor that brought about the end of the American toyline the same year ''Zone'' was released), making "Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!" the only episode of ''Zone'' to be animated.
*Although [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] have always circulated that as many as five could have been completed, only this first episode was released, and serves as the final animated installment of the Japanese ''Generation 1'' cartoon.
*The episode is an adaptation of the single chapter of ''Zone'' [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|manga]], or perhaps vice-versa—the manga was released three months before the OVA, although it's not totally clear which media the story was first conceived for. There are some small differences between the anime and the manga: most notably, in the manga, Predaking is blasted by Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber's Zone Modes along with King Poseidon and Trypticon, while the anime sees him make a run for it and wind up getting bisected. [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Story pages]] in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' would later establish that all three generals survived the Zone Mode blast in the manga, whereas they rather definitively died in the anime. As such, the story pages are, in the strictest sense, not in-continuity with the anime, although the official 2007 [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|timeline]] established that their events, in broad strokes, also occurred in animated continuity.
*The ''Zone'' VHS came packaged with the [[exclusive]] figure, [[Rabbicrater]].
*The ''Zone'' [[title sequence]] features Sonic Bomber fighting a strange blue winged creature and Dai Atlas fighting a huge pink bear-esque creature, both of which end up destroyed by the Autobots. Just who or ''what'' these things are is never explained in any extant ''Zone'' fiction.
*Four complete Micromaster teams appear in this episode: the [[Rescue Patrol Team]], the [[Battle Patrol Team]], the [[Jet Patrol Team]], and the [[Super Car Patrol Team]]. The latter two use the molds from the [[Air Strike Patrol]] and the [[Sports Car Patrol]], who were Decepticons in the West.
*Only three members of the [[Race Car Patrol|Race Car Patrol Team]] appear in this episode—in cameos from behind, nonetheless. The missing member is [[Free Wheeler]], who can briefly be spotted in the opening sequence.
[[Image:CainAkiraBlush.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cain really looks like he stepped out of ''{{w|Knights of the Zodiac}}'', doesn't he?]]
*So, Cain and Akira are pretty gay. Aside from both being very effeminate in design, there's a scene in the story where, during Predaking and Trypticon's attack on the base-mode Galaxy Rocket, Akira is shaken up and falls back into Cain's arms, and they linger on the pair in close-up as both of them blush. Then, the whole closing sequence is about them running through a field of [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LoveBubbles shōjo bubbles] and watching the sunrise together. It's a sudden, dramatic moment of inclusivity not seen in Transformers cartoons before or since, even if it's all done through implication.
*Devastator totally knocks down the World Trade Center. That dastardly terrorist.
*As Predaking's freshly sliced halves separate, what appears to be [[:File:PredaBrain1.jpg|an organic brain]] is briefly visible inside. Which is odd.
*Much like the "[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]" OVA, [[Shout! Factory]] was outright denied the distribution license for the ''Zone'' OVA in the United States by co-producers [[Toei]]. Precisely why Toei would not permit the OVA to be released in the United States has never been made public. It could also be due to rights entanglements by [[Columbia Music Entertainment]] who holds the home video license for Japan at the time?
*Because of the issue regarding the rights to the OVA, Metrodome released an unofficial fan subbed version on DVD on the final disc for Victory, but only in the "Complete Takara Collection" set only and not the individual Victory set. Chris McFeely recorded a commentary that plays during the OVA. However during the fan subs the word "shit" was mentioned and the disc itself was given a U rating in the UK, the 'safest' to view certificate by the BBFC (The UK equivalent of the G certificate). Amazingly the disc past through inspection, instead of being re-classified and given a PG or 12 rating.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|jsubs}}
[[Image:Columbia Zone DVD.jpg|thumb|100px]]
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1990 — ''Transformers: Zone'' ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Victory'' — DVD Box 02 ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Zone'' (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection ([[Metrodome]]) — Optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2008 — ''The Transformers: Victory'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2014 — ''[[Transformers Theme Song DVD ~Transformers Music Matrix 30th Anniversary Ver.~]]'' (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only. 
{{-}}

==External links==
*{{w|lang=ja|トランスフォーマーZ|''Transformers Zone''}} at Japanese Wikipedia

[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon episodes]]
[[Category:Zone media]]

Ashi Productions

2018-11-01T01:41:19Z

Dcon31: /* Transformers series */

'''Production Reed Co., Ltd.''' (株式会社プロダクションリード, ''Kabushiki-gaisha Purodakushon Rīdo'') is a Japanese anime studio based in Suginami, [[Tokyo]]. It was originally established as '''Ashi Production''' (葦プロダクション, ''Ashi Purodakushon'') in [[1975]] before the name change on [[November 1]], 2007. Their domestic anime work include such as ''Dancougar'', ''[[GoBots (franchise)|Machine Robo]]'', ''Macross 7'', ''Blue Seed'' and ''F-Zero GP Legend''.

They've also worked on Western animated productions as an outsourced studio, including such shows as the Ruby-Spears ''Mega Man'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''Skysurfer Strike Force'' and ''Diabolik''.

[[Masami Ōbari]], [[Shin Matsuo]], and [[Shinya Ohira]] worked for them during the '80s.

==Transformers series==

* ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' (including the movie ''[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]'')
* ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'' - Co-producer for six episodes.

==External links==
* [http://www.pro-reed.com/index-e.html Production Reed's official site]
* {{w|Production Reed}} at Wikipedia

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Toei Animation

2018-10-31T16:37:29Z

Dcon31: /* The trouble with Toei */

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb|ホワイトピッグゴーホーム!]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''Mazinger Z'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Disk Wars: The [[Avengers]]'' and many, ''many'' more.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''[[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|The Real Ghostbusters]]'', the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==

*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1990
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted only, the main production was by [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]])

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted only)

==The trouble with Toei==

Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for their difficulty to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routinely of inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally, but were outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''. The version that was used in the UK edition (on the complete Takara collection set only) was a blatant fan-subbed version and is the only time the word "shit" is mentioned on a U rated DVD, (though that's due to the incompetence of the BBFC) but that seemed to be the only way around Toei's boycott was to do that. Though some of the blame could go toward [[Columbia Music Entertainment]] which actually distributed the OVA on DVD in Japan and some of the rights entanglement could be down to them?

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licencees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko''), but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

Let's not even get into the ''Super Sentai''/''Power Rangers'' stuff. ''Abaranger'', ''Shinkenger'', ''Akibaranger'' and ''Ninninger'' have made Toei's opinion of Americans perfectly clear by employing horrible stereotypes of them.

It doesn't help that like most companies from Japan, Toei suffers from being close to China and it's huge piracy industry that has increased the price of official Japanese products, not to mention lost faith with other Asian companies from other countries who do the same thing. Because of this, Toei likes to keep a close lid on their copyrights and only give them out to trusted companies of whom will share their profits with as they should and not just make money by shelling out merchandise willy nilly, that's why Toei always marks it's products with official stickers, though those have been duplicated, but keen eye collectors can tell the real ones from fakes. But the piracy industry and the fact that stuff like Dragon Ball Z Abridged exist, it's no wonder Toei wants to keep the majority of its copyrights under close control.

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Toei Animation

2018-10-31T16:37:03Z

Dcon31: /* The trouble with Toei */

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb|ホワイトピッグゴーホーム!]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''Mazinger Z'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Disk Wars: The [[Avengers]]'' and many, ''many'' more.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''[[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|The Real Ghostbusters]]'', the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==

*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1990
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted only, the main production was by [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]])

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted only)

==The trouble with Toei==

Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for their difficulty to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routinely of inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally, but were outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''. The version that was used in the UK edition (on the complete Takara collection set only) was a blatant fan-subbed version and is the only time the word "shit" is mentioned on a U rated DVD, (though that's due to the incompetence of the BBFC) but that seemed to be the only way around Toei's boycott was to do that. Though some of the blame could go toward [[Colombia Music Entertainment]] which actually distributed the OVA on DVD in Japan and some of the rights entanglement could be down to them?

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licencees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko''), but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

Let's not even get into the ''Super Sentai''/''Power Rangers'' stuff. ''Abaranger'', ''Shinkenger'', ''Akibaranger'' and ''Ninninger'' have made Toei's opinion of Americans perfectly clear by employing horrible stereotypes of them.

It doesn't help that like most companies from Japan, Toei suffers from being close to China and it's huge piracy industry that has increased the price of official Japanese products, not to mention lost faith with other Asian companies from other countries who do the same thing. Because of this, Toei likes to keep a close lid on their copyrights and only give them out to trusted companies of whom will share their profits with as they should and not just make money by shelling out merchandise willy nilly, that's why Toei always marks it's products with official stickers, though those have been duplicated, but keen eye collectors can tell the real ones from fakes. But the piracy industry and the fact that stuff like Dragon Ball Z Abridged exist, it's no wonder Toei wants to keep the majority of its copyrights under close control.

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Toei Animation

2018-10-31T16:23:58Z

Dcon31: /* Transformers work */

[[File:Toei Animation logo svg.png|right|200px|thumb|ホワイトピッグゴーホーム!]]

'''Toei Animation Co., Ltd''' (東映アニメーション株式会社 ''Tōei Animēshon Kabushiki-gaisha'') is an animation studio based in Japan that was established on [[January 23]], [[1948]], and {{w|Toei Company|Toei Company, Ltd}}. is the largest shareholder. In terms of anime, they are known for animating shows such as ''Devilman'', ''[[Stephanie Sheh|Sailor Moon]]'', ''Golion'' (aka ''Voltron''), ''Mazinger Z'' (aka ''Tranzor Z''), ''Getter Robo'', the ''Dragon Ball'' franchise, ''One Piece'', ''Digimon'', ''Fist of the North Star'', ''Kinnikuman'', ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Disk Wars: The [[Avengers]]'' and many, ''many'' more.

In the 1980s, American animated series were frequently outsourced to Toei (though Toei abruptly discontinued the practice in 1989). Some American cartoons Toei animated include ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''[[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|The Real Ghostbusters]]'', the original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', ''[[Spider-Man]] and his Amazing Friends'', ''Pryde of the [[X-Men]]'', ''[[Inhumanoids]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[Robotix]]'', ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and just about every other show you can think of.

==''Transformers'' work==

*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''
**Season 1 (16 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 2 (39 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**Season 3 (13 episodes)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030106085836/www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html Archived version of Toei's resume for joint productions, confirming their share in seasons 2 and 3]</ref>
**[[Title sequence]]s, seasons 1, 2, 4 (partial, recycled animation), 5 (recycled animation)
**[[Commercial/Generation 1|Toy commercial]]s, 1984 - 1990
**[[Commercial bumper]]s, seasons 1, 2
**[[Public service announcement]]s, 5 total

*''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''

*"[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" (OVA)

*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' (35 episodes, plus [[clip show]]s)

*''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]'' (43 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory]]'' (38 episodes, plus clip shows)

*''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Transformers: Zone]]'' (OVA)

*''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''
**"[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" (hosted only, the main production was by [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]])

*''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''
**"[[Cutting Edge]]" (hosted only)

==The trouble with Toei==

Perhaps unflatteringly, Toei is notorious among Western anime distributors for their difficulty to work with. For distributors releasing their material outside of Japan, Toei often refuses to provide quality video masters. The masters they ''do'' provide are routinely of inferior picture and sound quality, and sometimes are even ''incomplete'' in their material.

The masters for ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon Toei provided to [[Metrodome]], [[Madman Entertainment]] and [[Shout! Factory]] for Western release contained none of the before credits recaps and next episode segments. This was unfortunate, as some of those segments contained new content and not just clips. The ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' masters provided by Toei did not include the [[clip show]] episodes; while this would not normally be a serious issue, in the case of ''Masterforce'' the clip shows were vital for making the rather convoluted plot of that series coherent.

For their US release of ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'', [[Sony]] was provided the video but refused the audio track, forcing them to replace it with a non-optional audio commentary. Metrodome and Madman Entertainment circumvented Toei entirely, releasing a low-quality fansubbed version of the OVA with burnt-in subtitles. Shout! Factory attempted to negotiate with them professionally, but were outright denied in their request for ''Scramble City'', leaving them no choice but to omit it from their releases of US and Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons.

Toei later denied Shout! Factory a distribution license for the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA. How Metrodome and Madman Entertainment got around them is unknown, though they likely used an unlicensed copy of ''Zone'' as they did with ''Scramble City''.

Toei's stubbornness to cooperate with Western distributors is infamous outside of ''Transformers''. Western distribution of ''Sailor Moon'' material was forbidden for many years after both DiC & Cloverway's licenses lapsed in 2005, and even before that they never granted permission for the final season of that series (''Sailor Stars'') to be distributed in North America by either entity. Toei continued refusing new potential ''Sailor Moon'' licencees until Viz Media (a Japanese-owned company) finally worked something out in 2014. Toei rigorously oversees the localization of ''Digimon'' material in Western markets, often forbidding necessary edits or forcing inexplicable changes. Just about the only Western distributor they ''do'' get along with is Funimation (the licensee for almost everything ''Dragon Ball'', ''One Piece'', and ''Toriko''), but that most likely has to do with the company's founder, Gen Fukunaga, whose uncle had been a Toei producer in the past.<ref>https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/InfoFor/AlumniAndFriends/OECE/2003/fukunaga.whtml</ref>

Let's not even get into the ''Super Sentai''/''Power Rangers'' stuff. ''Abaranger'', ''Shinkenger'', ''Akibaranger'' and ''Ninninger'' have made Toei's opinion of Americans perfectly clear by employing horrible stereotypes of them.

==External links==
* [http://corp.toei-anim.co.jp/english/ Toei Animation's Official English-language Website]
* {{w|Toei Animation|Toei Animation on Wikipedia}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animation companies]]

Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!

2018-10-31T16:21:48Z

Dcon31:

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]'' part 2
|prev=Clash! Beast Warriors
|next=Bad Spark
|image=LioConvoyImminentDangertitlecard01.jpg
|caption=
|title="Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!"
|japanese=ライオコンボイ危機一髪!
|romaji=Lio Convoy Kikiippatsu!
|production company= "Beast Wars" Production Committee ([[Toei]], [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[we've|AEON]], [[TV Tokyo]])
|airdate=[[December 19]], 1998
|written by=[[Toshiyasu Nagata]]
|directed by=[[Akira Nishimori]]
|animation studio=[[Production Reed|Ashi Production]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}

'''Galvatron kicks the Beast Wars on Gaia into overdrive when he summons forth one of the greatest monstrosities of the past, Majin Zarak, to lay waste to the Maximals.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:BWII-Mysterious Ship Vs Combiners.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

Above the Planet [[Gaia]], where [[Lio Convoy]] and his [[Maximal]]s are fighting the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] against [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] and his [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], a strange ship appears. It disrupts a musical battle between the [[Jointron]]s and the [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacons]], plowing through them and breaking apart their combined forms. As the ship draws nearer, the radar on the ''[[Yukikaze (BWII)|Yukikaze]]'' warns the Maximals of its approach. They turn to Lio Convoy for directions. Lio Convoy rises with a twinkle in his eye.

Over on the ''[[Galvaburg II]]'', Galvatron and [[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] have discovered the approaching ship, too. Gigastorm recommends destroying it, but Galvatron has a "feeling" that it will bring the Predacons great fortune.

The ship crashes into the frozen tundra of Gaia's North Pole. [[Apache]] picks it up on his scanners and Lio Convoy orders a unit to investigate. [[Lio Junior]] begs to go, but the other Maximals shoot him down, telling him to go to his room and take a nap or whatever it is whippersnappers do these days. Lio Convoy orders Lio Junior to stay behind in case they need back-up, much to his dismay. [[Tasmania Kid]] interjects, asking Convoy to let Lio Junior go and that he'll take responsibility for him. Lio Convoy concedes and allows Lio Junior to participate.

Taking [[Santon]] and [[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] along, Lio Junior and Tasmania Kid arrive in the frozen north. They then change to [[beast mode]] and begin searching. They eventually find the ship, seemingly abandoned, and Lio Junior wastes no time rushing inside to explore. Against Skywarp's advisement, Lio Junior begins pressing random buttons on a computer console and activates a teleport gate. No one knows what a "[[teleport gate]]" is except Tasmania Kid (oddly). He explains that it is a device that can control space-time and pluck living creatures from any point in history, including Transformers! The computer, however, requires a "control unit" in order to function.

Lio Junior finds the control unit (a rock-like spear) inside a floating ball, but before he can grab it, [[BB|Max-B]] drops in and swipes it. He then leaves and meets back up with [[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]], [[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] and [[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]]. Being a brash young stereotype, Lio Junior chases after Max-B by himself and demands the Predacons fork over the control unit. Hellscream casually brushes his threat aside, telling Lio Junior to "go home and suck on [his] mother's breast". Lio Junior attacks, but is tossed aside by Hellscream without much effort. The other Maximals finally catch up and Lio Junior tells Skywarp and Santon its time to combine. Skywarp refuses, telling Lio Convoy that they aren't spiritually in sync enough to combine.

[[File:Liojunior.jpg|upright=1.4|right|thumb]]

Lio Junior gets frustrated and recklessly attacks Hellscream, snatching back the control unit. Hellscream responds by firing a powerful "Terrorstorm" blast at him. Tasmania Kid, however, leaps in front of him and takes the whole of the blast. Before he passes out, he tells Lio Junior that apparently there's nothing that can stop his selfish behavior. The Predacons then combine their power and attack the injured Maximals with a volley of firepower. Like a helpless little baby, Lio Junior cries and begs for them to please stop. Luckily, Lio Convoy and the other Maximals arrive just in time to stop them and scare them off.

The battle over and Kid not responding to treatment, Lio Convoy asks for a ''private'' meeting with Lio Junior. Lio Convoy scolds him, telling him that he ordered him to ''investigate'', not engage in battle. Lio Junior snaps back, saying that if it weren't for ''him'', the Predacons would have the control unit. Now, the Maximals have the power of the teleport gate in their hands. Lio Convoy tells him none of that matters, since it may be at the cost of Kid's life. He asks Lio Junior if the control unit was worth his friend's life. Lio Junior responds by saying he doesn't ''have'' any friends because everyone's always making fun of him and he just wanted to prove himself. Lio Convoy asks him if he's forgotten the ''reason'' the Maximals are fighting. Lio Junior apparently has, so Convoy reminds him that it's to protect the peace in the universe. He then says that anyone who has forgotten the Maximal reason for fighting is no comrade of his. Lio Junior throws a tantrum, saying he no longer wants to be a Maximal and that with the power of the control unit, he'll defeat the Predacons ''himself''. He then transforms and runs off.

As the Maximals fly off in the ''Yukikaze'', tending to a mortally wounded Tasmania Kid, Dirgegun reports to Galvatron on the ''Galvaburg II'' that the control unit is required to operate the teleport gate. Galvatron is apparently aware of Lio Junior's tantrum and mocks Lio Convoy's inability to take command of a single brat. He then finds Lio Junior alone in a forest and, with the rest of the Predacons, approaches him. Galvatron says that he came to help; the forest is full of dangerous animals and pitfalls. The Predacons will happily take the wayward cub in and protect him so long as he hands over the control unit. Lio Junior refuses. Galvatron then sits down and decides to tell him "the truth". The teleport gate is actually a doomsday weapon capable of destroying a whole planet. The Predacons activated it by mistake and now they need the control unit to shut it down, otherwise the planet will be destroyed in under an hour.

Lio Junior is about to buy it, when the still injured and bandaged Kid comes crawling out of the woods, warning Junior not to listen. Junior isn't sure who to believe, but decides that preventing the destruction of Gaia is a sure way to earn the respect of Lio Convoy and the others.

As Kid collapses, Junior returns with Galvatron to the ''Galvaburg II'' and hands over the control unit. Immediately, Galvatron orders Gigastorm to release the teleport gate and summon the most powerful and vicious Transformer in history: [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Hellscream then throws Lio Junior in a cell and taunts him with the imminent destruction of the Maximals.

On the ''Yukikaze'', Kid returns and tells everyone that Lio Junior has defected to the Predacons. Lio Convoy swears to give him a lot more than a stearn talking to when they get him back, but Tasmania Kid urges them not to judge Junior so harshly. He says he knows how Lio Junior feels, as he was also a young runt trying to prove himself not long ago.

[[File:GalvatronBW1.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|"Yarr, it's drivin' me nuts!"]]

At the teleport gate, Gigastorm locks onto Megatron's wavelength and activates the machine. Three units pop out of the side of the ship, float into the sky and open up a triangular interdimensional doorway. Through it, something big, horrible and most certainly ''not'' Megatron falls through, nearly crushing the [[Autoroller]]s in the process. Galvatron smacks his brother for screwing up the coordinates and demands Hellscream find out what that thing is. Galvatron's mood changes when he learns that it is the great [[Majin Zarak]]. Majin Zarak transforms into a gigantic ''holy crap gonna kill you'' monster and Galvatron takes command of his control unit (an old fashioned nautical stearing wheel, oddly). After thanking Lio Junior via video phone for providing him with a weapon superior to Megatron, he uses Majin Zarak to destroy a gigantic iceberg and then transforms him to aircraft carrier mode.

At the ''Yukikaze'', their sensors discover the legendary Majin Zarak, much to everyone's horror. Lio Convoy orders them to attack, anyway. They arrive, only to find that Majin Zarak's aircraft carrier mode can ''also'' move over land. The Maximals attack in a small craft, but are quickly swatted away by Zarak's superior firepower. They decide to land and attack from the ground.

On the ''Galvaburg II'', Lio Junior breaks out of his cell and escapes. Thrustor and Diregun give chase, but luckily for Junior, Skywarp and Santon arrive to even the odds and fight them off. Skywarp invites Junior to help in the battle against Zarak, but Junior says there's a place they must go, first. Skywarp suggests they all go as one and the three of them fuse into [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]]. He gets blasted in the chest by the retreating Thrustor, though, and is forced to march to the alien ship with a bad injury. With his last ounce of strength, Magnaboss uses his own power source to charge the teleport gate and summons a mysterious figure.

[[File:BWII-Majin Zarak blast.jpg|upright=1.4|right|thumb|Ahhh! Hairball!]]

Back at the canyon, the Maximals fight their way past the Autorollers, Hellscream and Max-B, but are still overwhelmed by Majin Zarak's power. Lio Convoy makes it onto the carrier and sends Gigastorm flying away with his Lio Typhoon. Galvatron's decided he's had enough and transforms Majin Zarak into his frickin' Godzilla mode. Zarak then uses the three cannons on his back to destroy a whole mountain range and scatter the Maximals. Galvatron thinks he's won, but he suddenly receives a Maximal text message: "You think you've won, but we won't be defeated. Let us settle this. Come to point B-2. -Convoy"

Buried beneath tons of rock, Lio Convoy hears a familiar voice urging him to fight on. He explains that he was summoned by Magnaboss, a selfless warrior who used his own power to bring him here. Lio Convoy is sorry he underestimated Magnaboss (and by extension, Lio Junior) and asks who the mysterious warrior is. They shake hands and in a blast of light, the tons of rock are cleared. Magnaboss greets Lio Convoy and tells him he's rescued the other Maximals. He then introduces them to...wait for it...''wait for it''...
{{-}}
[[File:OptimusPrimalAnimeOMG01.jpg|center|upright=1.4|thumb]]

<center>[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]!</center>

The "legendary Supreme Commander" swears to help the injured Maximals win at all costs. Lio Convoy decides that while he, Primal and Bighorn attack Majin Zarak, [[Scuba]], [[Apache]] and the rest will try and find his weak point. Magnaboss wants to fight, but Lio Convoy says he's too injured. Once again, Tasmania Kid convinces him to let the brat fight. The [[Insectron]]s then report that Majin Zarak is headed for point B-2, a narrow canyon where his bulky body will be useless. The Maximals then rally for their final battle.

[[File:DoubleConvoyTogetherAtLast01.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

At point B-2, Primal and Convoy confront Galvatron, much to his surprise to see the two warriors standing together. Galvatron attempts to rush the leaders, but with Tasmania Kid's power source channeling into him, Magnaboss is strong enough to pick the aircraft carrier up and hurl it onto its side. The blow knocks Galvatron out of the ship, but he's rescued by Gigastorm, who carries him off in his hovercraft mode.

Suddenly, Majin Zarak transforms on his own. Turns out, he's alive! Majin Zarak appears invincible until Diver chimes in, having just discovered his weak spot. The third eye on his forehead is where all his nerve centers are clustered. A direct hit will destroy him, just like in a video game!

[[File:FlashBurningConvoy01.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|It's called style, people. Look it up.]]

Hearing this, Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy synchronize their [[Energon Matrix|Energon Matrices]] and upgrade into Flash Lio Convoy and Burning Convoy. Burning Convoy transforms to monkey mode and rides atop Flash Lio Convoy's lion mode. They then leap into Zarak's face and Burning Convoy lands a mighty punch into his third eye. Flying away, they then combine the power of the Energon Matrices into the "Double Matrix Blaster", destroy his eye and blow him to smithereens.

The battle won, they return to the teleport gate. Lio Junior begs Primal to stay, but he reminds them that he still has to win the Beast Wars on planet [[Earth|Energoa]]. Besides, he says, their army is fine just the way it is. Apache interjects and says that, after some research, he's concluded that because the device plays havoc with time and space, it could conceivable destroy the universe, hence why whoever built it sent it to Gaia to be destroyed. Optimus Primal then returns to his proper place and time and the Maximals destroy the gate behind him.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=

*[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] (1)
*[[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] (2)
*[[Gimlet]] (3)
*[[Tripledacus]] (10)
*[[Apache]] (11)
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] (12)
*[[Scuba]] (13)
*[[Lio Convoy]] (14)
*[[Bighorn]] (15)
*[[Tasmania Kid]] (22)
*[[Lio Junior]] (23)
*[[Santon]] (24)
*[[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] (25)
*[[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] (31)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (32)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] (16)
*[[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] (17)
*[[BB|Max-B]] (18)
*[[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]] (19)
*[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] (20)
*[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]] (21)
*[[Autostinger]] (26)
*[[Autocrusher]] (27)
*[[Autojetter]] (28)
*[[Autolauncher]] (29)
*[[Majin Zarak]] (30)

|h3=[[Insectron]]s|c3=
*[[Bigmos]] (33)
*[[Drill Nuts]] (34)
*[[Mantis]] (35)
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] (36)
*[[Scissor Boy]] (37)
*[[Tonbot]] (38)

|h4=[[Seacon (BWII)|Seacons]]|c4=
*[[Halfshell]] (4)
*[[Scylla]] (5)
*[[Coelagon]] (6)
*[[Sea Phantom]] (7)
*[[Terrormander]] (8)
*[[God Neptune (BWII)|God Neptune]] (9)
}}

==Production staff==

*Director: Akira Nishimori
*Executive Producer: Tan Takaiwa, Hirohisa Sato, Tetsuya Suzuki, Yoshio Yamasaki, Araichi Miyagawa
*Producer: Kozo Itagaki, Yukihiro Akutsu, Reiko Sawa
*Unit Director: Tetsuya Watanabe, Tomoharu Katsumata
*General Animation Director: Takashi Yamamoto
*Screenplay: Nagata Toshiyasu
*Drafting: Hiroto Ishikawa
*Director of Photography: Hitoshi Torigoe
*Music: Masae Sagara
*Music producer: Hajime Tachihara, Hirokuni Maeyama
*[[theme song|Theme tunes]]:
**Opening song: "[[Space Dreamer: Haruka naru Beast Wars]]"
**Ending song: "[[My Shooting Star]]"
*Art director: Geki Katsumata
*Sound Director: [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]
*Voice Director: Satake Tetsuya
*Editing: Hajime Taniguchi
*Character Design: Takashi Yamamoto
*Animation Cooperation: [[Tsuburaya Productions]]
*Production Team: "Beast Wars" Production Committee ([[Toei]], [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]], [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[WE'VE|AEON]], [[TV Tokyo]])
*Distribution: Toei

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
[[File:PrimalLeadershipMatrix1.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

*Both [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] are referred to as "legendary" or held in high regard as powerful, ancient Transformers. "[[Emissary of the Fourth Planet]]" established ''Beast Wars II'' as taking place tens of thousands of years after humans left Gaia, a far larger number than the three hundred years after the Great War given by ''Beast Wars''. In hindsight, this legendary status of the two presented here fits rather well with how Optimus Primal and Megatron would come to be depicted in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', with Megatron having singlehandedly conquered all of Cybertron, and Optimus Primal being the final lone hero who saved the whole planet from Megatron at the cost of his own life. As Japan would not receive the series until [[2004]], six years after this movie's release, this all proved rather fortuitous in the end.
*The episode "[[Enter Lio Junior]]" established the [[Energon Matrix]] as a powerful device issued only to [[Supreme Commander]]s of the Maximal army. As this piece of tech only appeared in the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' media and not the American cartoons, the orb at the center of Optimus Primal's chest plate is [[retcon]]ned into being his Energon Matrix.
*As he departs, Optimus Primal refers to the world he's returning to as "[[Earth|Energoa]]". For those unfamiliar with the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Energoa is what the characters called the "alien world" they were stranded on until they learned it was actually prehistoric Earth. Related to this is a longstanding fan belief that Optimus Primal was brought to Gaia from his death at the end of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", with his presence in this movie explaining why [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had such difficulty locating Primal's [[spark]] inside the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]] (as in, it ''wasn't'' there) in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]", and his returning to Energoa at the end of this movie leading to his return to life in that same episode. Supporting this theory is how Primal first appears in this movie in a glowing spectral form, which wasn't the case for Majin Zarak's own first appearance, and how this story is bookended by recapping sequences of Primal's death and rebirth in the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. However, despite the longevity of this theory, the opening narration of the [[Bad Spark|very next part of this movie]] debunks it by essentially reflecting what was true of Primal's fate in the English version of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon: Optimus Primal in the Japanese continuity did indeed die in the transwarp explosion, and had his spark brought back from the dead by Rhinox.
*Originally, Majin Zarak was going to be [[Scorponok (G1)#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scorponok]], last seen in ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]''. For whatever reason, he was changed to a new character, although Majin Zarak's weakness being in his head points to being leftover from Scorponok's status as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]].<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/116666-3-new-botcon-facebook-character-pages-rook-andromeda-and-axiom-nexus-news-editor/?p=2967922 AllSpark Forum:] "Back when the Beast Wars II movie was being developed, the actual Scorponok from Headmasters was set to appear, but that was scrapped for some reason.

[[Jim Sorenson|Jim]] wanted me to use that idea, and so I wrote that up.

This was very much a coordinated project we did."</ref>

===Continuity notes===
*Due to the presence of the [[Angolmois]] upgraded [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] but the overall lack of the [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]] as an immediate threat, this movie likely takes place between episode 32, "[[The Lio Convoy Assassination Plot]]" (when the last of the [[Cyborg Beast]]s were created), and episode 33, "[[The Great Angolmois Freezing Tactic]]" (when the Angolmois on Gaia begins to erupt and the Maximals initiate their countermeasures against the Nemesis). Additionally, the ''Yukikaze'' is seen intact in the film, and the Maximals begin disassembling it for parts in episode 34, "[[Knock Out Nemesis]]", so it pretty much has to take place between those episodes.
*When the two first meet in this movie, Lio Convoy indicates that he wasn't personally acquainted with Optimus Primal prior to that moment. This is in direct conflict with a small story featured in [[Catalog#Beast Wars II|early ''Beast Wars II'' toy catalogs]] that depicted Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy as familiars. However, said catalog story was already ignored by the cartoon--over two weeks ahead of this movie's release--via the far-future timeframe established in the aforementioned 36th episode, "Emissary of the Fourth Planet", writing off that catalog story as a separate [[micro-continuity]].

===Continuity errors===
*The Seacons are seen in space, battling the Jointrons. While at first glance, this seems consistent, as the Seacons left Gaia in "[[The Final Battle (BWII)|The Final Battle]]", it was later revealed that they were captured and brainwashed into Galvatron's servitude in "[[The Artificial Planet Nemesis]]". While they certainly ''could'' be working for Galvatron in the opening sequence, they show no signs of the "mindless drone" effect the brainwashing had on them, as seen in "[[Revenge of the Space Pirates]]".
*The Jointrons appearing in space is more troublesome. The Jointrons became interested in hunting down and capturing the Seacons for glory in "[[Face the Setting Sun]]", which explains why they followed them into space, but the question of ''how'' the Jointrons got into space is more pressing. The ship they used to get to Gaia was shown to be destroyed in "[[The Combined Giant, Tripledacus]]" and the Maximals being unable to get into space without an operational craft would be a major conflict in the episodes that take place after this special.
*The ''Yukikaze'' is shown to be operational throughout the film, however, it was shown marooned and unable to fly in the premier episode "[[The New Forces Arrive!]]" As previously mentioned, the Maximals being unable to reach space would be an important plot point in the last arc of the series, making the operational ''Yukikaze'' seen in this movie all the more distracting.

===Trivia===
*As the end credits roll, the audience is treated to a gallery of crayon drawings of various ''Beast Wars'' characters as submitted by children. It's random but adorable.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|japanese}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Special'' — Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}} / DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers Special'' (Pioneer LDC)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars II episodes]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)

2018-10-31T16:20:45Z

Dcon31: /* Production */

{{Nav-bwii}}
'''''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers''''' (ビーストウォーズII 超生命体トランスフォーマー ''Beast Wars II: Chō Seimeitai Transformer'') is a Japanese-exclusive spin-off series to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' broadcast from [[April 1]], 1998, to [[January 20]], 1999, between ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)#Beast Wars: Super Robot Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars]]'' (American season 1) and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)#Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals|Beast Wars Metals]]'' (American seasons 2 and 3). Conventional 2D animation was used for ''Beast Wars II'', as opposed to the 3D CGI of ''Beast Wars''. While based on the ''Beast Wars'' series, the show had a more humorous tone which was aimed towards a younger audience.

"[[Get My Future|GET MY FUTURE]]" plays as the first opening song with "[[Super Voyager|SUPER VOYAGER]]" as its second, and the ending song being "[[Yume no Iru Basho]]".

==Overview==
[[Image:Bw2 credits.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Beast Wars II: Electric Boogalecond]]

''Beast Wars II'' follows the [[Maximal]] crew led by [[Lio Convoy]] who have pursued [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] and his [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s to the planet [[Gaia]]. There, Galvatron seeks to mine and exploit the powerful but highly unstable energy source called [[Angolmois]] which rests beneath the planet's surface. As they war below, the androids [[Artemis]] and [[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] watch from the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] orbiting Gaia, gathering data on all the characters and delivering factoids to the audience via an out-of-continuity segment called the "[[Artemis & Moon II Report]]".

For the first half of the series, no overarching plot is particularly evident, instead focusing on episodic adventures as the Maximals stop the Predacons from building new bases on Angolmois hot-spots. Short character arcs are focused on instead, as new groups of Maximals and Predacons are introduced in waves. The [[Insectron]]s, [[Autoroller]]s, [[Jointron]]s, [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacon]]s and [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] team all receive multi-episode spotlights throughout the first half of ''Beast Wars II''.

Once all the characters are established, a less episodic, ongoing conflict is introduced in the form of the [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]], an artificial planet built by Galvatron and slowly making its way toward Gaia. The objective of the Nemesis is to drain all the Angolmois from the planet and become an invincible dreadnought under Galvatron's command. With the help of their comrades, the Maximals invade the Nemesis, kill Galvatron, seal the Angolmois in capsules and destroy the artificial planet. The Maximals are left trapped in a wormhole at the show's conclusion, setting up the sequel series: ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]''.

''Beast Wars II'' is noticeably sub-par in much of its production values, no doubt due to the haste in which it had to be produced in order to fill the gap between ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Wars Metals''. A number of animation studios (listed below) were utilized to produce the series and the quality very noticeably shifts from episode-to-episode, depending on the ability of each studio.

Though much more light-hearted and childish than the American ''Beast Wars'' series, ''Beast Wars II'' managed to dabble in some heavier material, especially in the back half of episodes when the actual plot began to kick in. One of the more ongoing dilemmas sees [[Lio Junior]], the estranged "son" of Lio Convoy dealing with being rejected by his career-military father. Galvatron, who at first seems to be nothing more than a generic villain, shows a greater interest in molding Lio Junior into his successor than Lio Convoy, and expresses an honest yearning to bring peace to the universe (albeit by force via the Nemesis). In the conclusion, Lio Convoy and Lio Junior work together as comrades and family to stop Galvatron.

==Continuity==
[[File:PrimalLioConvoyCatalog01.jpg|thumb|left|250px|This counts in the manga, but not the ''other'' manga, and it doesn't count in the cartoon, but it ''might'' count in the American comics. Who the ''hell'' knows...]]

Where ''Beast Wars II'' is situated relative to previous ''Transformers'' continuity, the first ''Beast Wars'' series, and any contemporary Earth calendar has been a source of confusion over the years. Part of the confusion stemmed merely from western audiences attempting to understand a series that was never officially translated into English, with years spent on the internet hearing reports from other people who spoke Japanese, observing visual media without the context of translated text, and so on.

Initial understanding was that ''Beast Wars II'' starred characters who were contemporaries to the Maximals and Predacons of the original Beast Era series. In other words, that they hailed from the same future [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] were from before entering transwarp space and traveling back in time to start the Beast Wars. This was mostly a "default" assumption (as in, there was no reason NOT to think it), and it appeared to be confirmed at first by [[catalog#Beast Wars II|different ''Beast Wars II'' catalog images]] that showed Lio Convoy and Optimus Primal (and Megatron and Galvatron) interacting.

By the end of ''Beast Wars II'', however, information surfaced that refuted this assumption. Like ancient [[Vok]]-occupied Earth of ''Beast Wars'', the planet Gaia of ''Beast Wars II'' was only later identified as a '''''future''''' version of Earth. A long abandoned civilization was present on Gaia since the early episodes, but in [[Emissary of the Fourth Planet|episode 36]], it was revealed that humanity left the planet behind tens of thousands of years ago. Compared to dialogue from [[Dark Designs|episode 13]] and [[Possession|episode 21]] of ''Beast Wars'', which indicated that THOSE Maximals and Predacons were from only a mere three centuries in the future of modern Earth. ''Beast Wars II'' therefore seemed to be taking place ''far'' in the future from the perspective of both the viewers of the show AND the crews belonging to Optimus Primal and Megatron. This was even further reinforced during [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!|the ''Beast Wars II'' movie special]], where Optimus Primal was pulled out of space and time, and Lio Convoy's crew treated him as a legendary figure from the past.

The [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Beast Wars II'' manga series]] stuck to the back story as established in that early catalog, treating Lio Convoy and Optimus Primal as contemporaries [[Free the Captured Matrix!|in the third issue of the series]]. A [[The Maximal Brainwashing Operation|one-off manga special]], however, does not follow the serialized manga continuity and instead takes place in the timeline of the cartoon series. And where [[Beast Wars II Sausage|the sausage]] fits into all this, we don't rightly know.

And then there's the IDW Beast Wars comics, which framed a ''different'' take on the events of ''Beast Wars II'' (and its successor, ''Beast Wars Neo''), establishing them as taking place almost three centuries ''before'' the original Beast Wars series. ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' established Lio Convoy and [[Big Convoy]] and their crews as seasoned veterans by the time of the theft of the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], who fought the last Predacon hold-outs at the time of the Pax Cybertronia's signing which ended the Great War.

And so, the question of where ''Beast Wars II'' takes place in Transformers continuity has the same answer as most such questions in the franchise:

Well, it depends.

==Production==

The animation was handled by [[Production Reed|Ashi Production]], although most of the in-betweening and some of the key animation/episode production was outsourced to studios throughout Asia. Some of the studios credited:<ref>[http://www.reocities.com/Tokyo/Bridge/2508/tva/tfbw2.htm テレビアニメ放映リスト]</ref><ref>[http://digilander.libero.it/dottor_vaffa/asia.htm MEGNA'S CO-PRODUCTIONS DATABASE]</ref><ref>{{w|lang=ja|日本国外のアニメ制作会社}}</ref><ref>[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1213 Beast Wars II credits - Anime News Network]</ref>
;South Korea
:Park Young (博英), Echo, Hanil (韓一), Hee Won (喜元), JiWoo (知遇), [http://www.k-production.com/ K-Production], Kyoe Sung (桂成), [[Sei Young Animation Co. Ltd.|Sei Young]] (世映), Sung San (星山), YABES (裕振), San-Ho Studios
;China
:Shanghai Hongqiao Animation (上海虹橋動画), FAI
;Taiwan
:Far Eastern Animation (遠東動画)
;Indonesia
:MARSA
;Japan
:Studio Zain (スタジオ・ザイン), [[Trans Arts Co.]] (トランスアーツ), J.C.F (ジェイ・シー・エフ), E&G Film (イージー・フィルム)

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
'''[[Lio Convoy Unit]] (Main Cast)
*[[Lio Convoy]] ([[Hozumi Gōda]])
*[[Apache]] ([[Sanryō Odaka]])
*[[Bighorn]] ([[Masami Iwasaki]])
*[[Tasmania Kid]] ([[Katashi Ishizuka]])
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] ([[Kenji Nakano]])
*[[Scuba]] ([[Yūji Kishi]])
*[[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] ([[Yumiko Kobayashi]])
**[[Lio Junior]] ([[Yumiko Kobayashi]])
**[[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] ([[Mantarō Iwao]])
**[[Santon]] ([[Hiroaki Harakawa]])

'''[[Insectron]]s'''
*[[Bigmos]] ([[Takeshi Watanabe]])
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] ([[Takashi Matsuyama]])
*[[Tonbot]] ([[Kenichirō Tanabe]])
*[[Mantis]] ([[Hiroki Takahashi]])
*[[Drill Nuts]] ([[Yūji Kishi]])
*[[Scissor Boy]] ([[Norihisa Mori]])

'''[[Jointron]]s'''
*[[Tripledacus]] ([[Ryō Naitō]])
**[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] ([[Ryō Naitō]])
**[[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] ([[Daisuke Ishikawa]])
**[[Gimlet]] ([[Takeshi Maeda]])

'''Others'''
*[[Ikard]] ([[Ryō Naitō]])
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Takehito Koyasu]])

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
'''Main Cast'''
*[[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] ([[Tetsuo Komura]])
*[[Megastorm|Megastorm/Gigastorm]] ([[Takashi Matsuyama]])
*'''[[Combatron (BWII)|Combatron]]s'''/'''[[Cyborg Beast]]s'''
**[[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream/Hellscream]] ([[Hiroki Takahashi]])
**[[BB|BB/Max-B]] ([[Takeshi Watanabe]])
**[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirge/Dirgegun]] ([[Eiji Takemoto]])
**[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrust/Thrustor]] ([[Junji Sanechika]])

'''[[Autoroller]]s'''
*[[Autostinger]] ([[Tadashi Miyazawa]])
*[[Autocrusher]] ([[Hitoshi Bifu]])
*[[Autojetter]] ([[Kōhei Kowada]])
*[[Autolauncher]] ([[Hiroki Takahashi]]/[[Masami Iwasaki]])

'''[[Seacon (BWII)|Space Pirate Seacons]]'''
*[[God Neptune (BWII)|God Neptune]] ([[Kazuhiko Nishimatsu]])
**[[Halfshell]] ([[Kazuhiko Nishimatsu]])
**[[Sea Phantom]] ([[Hiroaki Ichinowatari]])
**[[Terrormander]] ([[Hitoshi Bifu]])
**[[Coelagon]] ([[Tadashi Miyazawa]])
**[[Scylla]] ([[Miwa Matsumoto]])

'''Others'''
*[[Majin Zarak]]

|c4=
'''[[Gaia]]n Androids'''
*[[Artemis]] ([[Chieko Higuchi]])
*[[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] ([[Junko Takeuchi]])

'''Maximal Computer'''

*[[NAVI (Yukikaze)|NAVI]] ([[Haruhi Nanao|Haruhi Terada]])

'''Evil Copies'''
*[[Black Lio Convoy|Copy Convoy]] ([[Hozumi Gōda]])
*[[Copy BB]] ([[Takeshi Watanabe]])
*"[[Copy Tasmania Kid]]" ([[Katashi Ishizuka]])
*"[[Copy Scuba]]" ([[Yūji Kishi]])
*"[[Copy Bighorn]]" ([[Masami Iwasaki]])
*"[[Copy Apache]]" ([[Sanryō Odaka]])

|nonumbering=true
}}

==Episodes==
{{see|List of Beast Wars II episodes}}

{{collist|2|
#[[The New Forces Arrive!]]
#[[White Lion, Run!]]
#[[Bighorn's Rage]]
#[[The Lake Trap]]
#[[Galvatron Revived]]
#[[Mystery of the Ancient Ruins]]
#[[The Insect Corps Arrive]]
#[[Friend or Foe? The Insect Robos]]
#[[The Strongest Tag Team?]]
#[[Autorollers Roll Out!]]
#[[Danger! Scissor Boy]]
#[[Galvatron Rampages]]
#[[Predacon General Offensive!]]{{dag|red}}
#[[The Combined Giant, Tripledacus]]
#[[The Festive Jointrons]]
#[[A Fearsome Combination Plan?]]
#[[Who Is the Leader!?]]
#[[The Black Lio Convoy]]
#[[The Space Pirate Seacons!]]
#[[Who Is the Strongest Warrior!?]]{{dag|red}}
#[[The Tentacular Scuba]]
#[[Megastorm's Reckoning]]
#[[Showdown in the Sea]]
#[[Face the Setting Sun]]
#[[The Final Battle (BWII)|The Final Battle]]
#[[Enter Lio Junior]]
#[[Megastorm Reborn]]
#[[The New Weapon, Tako Tank]]
#[[The Artificial Planet Nemesis]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Gigastorm's Treachery]]
#[[The End of Starscream]]
#[[The Lio Convoy Assassination Plot]]
#[[The Great Angolmois Freezing Tactic]]
#[[Knock Out Nemesis]]
#[[Lio Junior's Revolt!?]]
#[[Emissary of the Fourth Planet]]
#[[The Crisis of Planet Gaia]]
#[[Fly Out! Planet Gaia]]
#[[Assemble, Thirty-Nine Warriors]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Revenge of the Space Pirates]]
#[[Breaking into Nemesis]]
#[[Legend! The Green Warrior]]
#[[Farewell! Lio Convoy]]
}}
{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==''Beast Wars Special''==
An additional animated short, "[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]", was produced for the ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]'' theatrical movie. Its events take place between episodes 32 and 33.

==Home video releases==
===VHS===
{{main|Geneon Universal Entertainment}}
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 1 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 2 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 3 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 4 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 5 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 6 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 7 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 8 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 9 (1998)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 10 (1999)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 11 (1999)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 12 (1999)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 13 (1999)
*''Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — ACT. 14 (1999)

===DVD===
{{main|Video Maker}}
*''Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars II (Second)'' — DVD BOX (2011)

==External links==
*{{w|lang=ja|ビーストウォーズII 超生命体トランスフォーマー|''Beast Wars II'' on the Japanese Wikipedia}}
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1213 ''Beast Wars II'' on the Anime News Network]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars II media]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!

2018-10-31T16:18:47Z

Dcon31: Changed existing animation studio to correct one.

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]'' part 2
|prev=Clash! Beast Warriors
|next=Bad Spark
|image=LioConvoyImminentDangertitlecard01.jpg
|caption=
|title="Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!"
|japanese=ライオコンボイ危機一髪!
|romaji=Lio Convoy Kikiippatsu!
|production company= "Beast Wars" Production Committee ([[Toei]], [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[we've|AEON]], [[TV Tokyo]])
|airdate=[[December 19]], 1998
|written by=[[Toshiyasu Nagata]]
|directed by=[[Akira Nishimori]]
|animation studio=[[Production Reed]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}

'''Galvatron kicks the Beast Wars on Gaia into overdrive when he summons forth one of the greatest monstrosities of the past, Majin Zarak, to lay waste to the Maximals.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:BWII-Mysterious Ship Vs Combiners.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

Above the Planet [[Gaia]], where [[Lio Convoy]] and his [[Maximal]]s are fighting the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] against [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] and his [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], a strange ship appears. It disrupts a musical battle between the [[Jointron]]s and the [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacons]], plowing through them and breaking apart their combined forms. As the ship draws nearer, the radar on the ''[[Yukikaze (BWII)|Yukikaze]]'' warns the Maximals of its approach. They turn to Lio Convoy for directions. Lio Convoy rises with a twinkle in his eye.

Over on the ''[[Galvaburg II]]'', Galvatron and [[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] have discovered the approaching ship, too. Gigastorm recommends destroying it, but Galvatron has a "feeling" that it will bring the Predacons great fortune.

The ship crashes into the frozen tundra of Gaia's North Pole. [[Apache]] picks it up on his scanners and Lio Convoy orders a unit to investigate. [[Lio Junior]] begs to go, but the other Maximals shoot him down, telling him to go to his room and take a nap or whatever it is whippersnappers do these days. Lio Convoy orders Lio Junior to stay behind in case they need back-up, much to his dismay. [[Tasmania Kid]] interjects, asking Convoy to let Lio Junior go and that he'll take responsibility for him. Lio Convoy concedes and allows Lio Junior to participate.

Taking [[Santon]] and [[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] along, Lio Junior and Tasmania Kid arrive in the frozen north. They then change to [[beast mode]] and begin searching. They eventually find the ship, seemingly abandoned, and Lio Junior wastes no time rushing inside to explore. Against Skywarp's advisement, Lio Junior begins pressing random buttons on a computer console and activates a teleport gate. No one knows what a "[[teleport gate]]" is except Tasmania Kid (oddly). He explains that it is a device that can control space-time and pluck living creatures from any point in history, including Transformers! The computer, however, requires a "control unit" in order to function.

Lio Junior finds the control unit (a rock-like spear) inside a floating ball, but before he can grab it, [[BB|Max-B]] drops in and swipes it. He then leaves and meets back up with [[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]], [[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] and [[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]]. Being a brash young stereotype, Lio Junior chases after Max-B by himself and demands the Predacons fork over the control unit. Hellscream casually brushes his threat aside, telling Lio Junior to "go home and suck on [his] mother's breast". Lio Junior attacks, but is tossed aside by Hellscream without much effort. The other Maximals finally catch up and Lio Junior tells Skywarp and Santon its time to combine. Skywarp refuses, telling Lio Convoy that they aren't spiritually in sync enough to combine.

[[File:Liojunior.jpg|upright=1.4|right|thumb]]

Lio Junior gets frustrated and recklessly attacks Hellscream, snatching back the control unit. Hellscream responds by firing a powerful "Terrorstorm" blast at him. Tasmania Kid, however, leaps in front of him and takes the whole of the blast. Before he passes out, he tells Lio Junior that apparently there's nothing that can stop his selfish behavior. The Predacons then combine their power and attack the injured Maximals with a volley of firepower. Like a helpless little baby, Lio Junior cries and begs for them to please stop. Luckily, Lio Convoy and the other Maximals arrive just in time to stop them and scare them off.

The battle over and Kid not responding to treatment, Lio Convoy asks for a ''private'' meeting with Lio Junior. Lio Convoy scolds him, telling him that he ordered him to ''investigate'', not engage in battle. Lio Junior snaps back, saying that if it weren't for ''him'', the Predacons would have the control unit. Now, the Maximals have the power of the teleport gate in their hands. Lio Convoy tells him none of that matters, since it may be at the cost of Kid's life. He asks Lio Junior if the control unit was worth his friend's life. Lio Junior responds by saying he doesn't ''have'' any friends because everyone's always making fun of him and he just wanted to prove himself. Lio Convoy asks him if he's forgotten the ''reason'' the Maximals are fighting. Lio Junior apparently has, so Convoy reminds him that it's to protect the peace in the universe. He then says that anyone who has forgotten the Maximal reason for fighting is no comrade of his. Lio Junior throws a tantrum, saying he no longer wants to be a Maximal and that with the power of the control unit, he'll defeat the Predacons ''himself''. He then transforms and runs off.

As the Maximals fly off in the ''Yukikaze'', tending to a mortally wounded Tasmania Kid, Dirgegun reports to Galvatron on the ''Galvaburg II'' that the control unit is required to operate the teleport gate. Galvatron is apparently aware of Lio Junior's tantrum and mocks Lio Convoy's inability to take command of a single brat. He then finds Lio Junior alone in a forest and, with the rest of the Predacons, approaches him. Galvatron says that he came to help; the forest is full of dangerous animals and pitfalls. The Predacons will happily take the wayward cub in and protect him so long as he hands over the control unit. Lio Junior refuses. Galvatron then sits down and decides to tell him "the truth". The teleport gate is actually a doomsday weapon capable of destroying a whole planet. The Predacons activated it by mistake and now they need the control unit to shut it down, otherwise the planet will be destroyed in under an hour.

Lio Junior is about to buy it, when the still injured and bandaged Kid comes crawling out of the woods, warning Junior not to listen. Junior isn't sure who to believe, but decides that preventing the destruction of Gaia is a sure way to earn the respect of Lio Convoy and the others.

As Kid collapses, Junior returns with Galvatron to the ''Galvaburg II'' and hands over the control unit. Immediately, Galvatron orders Gigastorm to release the teleport gate and summon the most powerful and vicious Transformer in history: [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Hellscream then throws Lio Junior in a cell and taunts him with the imminent destruction of the Maximals.

On the ''Yukikaze'', Kid returns and tells everyone that Lio Junior has defected to the Predacons. Lio Convoy swears to give him a lot more than a stearn talking to when they get him back, but Tasmania Kid urges them not to judge Junior so harshly. He says he knows how Lio Junior feels, as he was also a young runt trying to prove himself not long ago.

[[File:GalvatronBW1.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|"Yarr, it's drivin' me nuts!"]]

At the teleport gate, Gigastorm locks onto Megatron's wavelength and activates the machine. Three units pop out of the side of the ship, float into the sky and open up a triangular interdimensional doorway. Through it, something big, horrible and most certainly ''not'' Megatron falls through, nearly crushing the [[Autoroller]]s in the process. Galvatron smacks his brother for screwing up the coordinates and demands Hellscream find out what that thing is. Galvatron's mood changes when he learns that it is the great [[Majin Zarak]]. Majin Zarak transforms into a gigantic ''holy crap gonna kill you'' monster and Galvatron takes command of his control unit (an old fashioned nautical stearing wheel, oddly). After thanking Lio Junior via video phone for providing him with a weapon superior to Megatron, he uses Majin Zarak to destroy a gigantic iceberg and then transforms him to aircraft carrier mode.

At the ''Yukikaze'', their sensors discover the legendary Majin Zarak, much to everyone's horror. Lio Convoy orders them to attack, anyway. They arrive, only to find that Majin Zarak's aircraft carrier mode can ''also'' move over land. The Maximals attack in a small craft, but are quickly swatted away by Zarak's superior firepower. They decide to land and attack from the ground.

On the ''Galvaburg II'', Lio Junior breaks out of his cell and escapes. Thrustor and Diregun give chase, but luckily for Junior, Skywarp and Santon arrive to even the odds and fight them off. Skywarp invites Junior to help in the battle against Zarak, but Junior says there's a place they must go, first. Skywarp suggests they all go as one and the three of them fuse into [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]]. He gets blasted in the chest by the retreating Thrustor, though, and is forced to march to the alien ship with a bad injury. With his last ounce of strength, Magnaboss uses his own power source to charge the teleport gate and summons a mysterious figure.

[[File:BWII-Majin Zarak blast.jpg|upright=1.4|right|thumb|Ahhh! Hairball!]]

Back at the canyon, the Maximals fight their way past the Autorollers, Hellscream and Max-B, but are still overwhelmed by Majin Zarak's power. Lio Convoy makes it onto the carrier and sends Gigastorm flying away with his Lio Typhoon. Galvatron's decided he's had enough and transforms Majin Zarak into his frickin' Godzilla mode. Zarak then uses the three cannons on his back to destroy a whole mountain range and scatter the Maximals. Galvatron thinks he's won, but he suddenly receives a Maximal text message: "You think you've won, but we won't be defeated. Let us settle this. Come to point B-2. -Convoy"

Buried beneath tons of rock, Lio Convoy hears a familiar voice urging him to fight on. He explains that he was summoned by Magnaboss, a selfless warrior who used his own power to bring him here. Lio Convoy is sorry he underestimated Magnaboss (and by extension, Lio Junior) and asks who the mysterious warrior is. They shake hands and in a blast of light, the tons of rock are cleared. Magnaboss greets Lio Convoy and tells him he's rescued the other Maximals. He then introduces them to...wait for it...''wait for it''...
{{-}}
[[File:OptimusPrimalAnimeOMG01.jpg|center|upright=1.4|thumb]]

<center>[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]!</center>

The "legendary Supreme Commander" swears to help the injured Maximals win at all costs. Lio Convoy decides that while he, Primal and Bighorn attack Majin Zarak, [[Scuba]], [[Apache]] and the rest will try and find his weak point. Magnaboss wants to fight, but Lio Convoy says he's too injured. Once again, Tasmania Kid convinces him to let the brat fight. The [[Insectron]]s then report that Majin Zarak is headed for point B-2, a narrow canyon where his bulky body will be useless. The Maximals then rally for their final battle.

[[File:DoubleConvoyTogetherAtLast01.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb]]

At point B-2, Primal and Convoy confront Galvatron, much to his surprise to see the two warriors standing together. Galvatron attempts to rush the leaders, but with Tasmania Kid's power source channeling into him, Magnaboss is strong enough to pick the aircraft carrier up and hurl it onto its side. The blow knocks Galvatron out of the ship, but he's rescued by Gigastorm, who carries him off in his hovercraft mode.

Suddenly, Majin Zarak transforms on his own. Turns out, he's alive! Majin Zarak appears invincible until Diver chimes in, having just discovered his weak spot. The third eye on his forehead is where all his nerve centers are clustered. A direct hit will destroy him, just like in a video game!

[[File:FlashBurningConvoy01.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|It's called style, people. Look it up.]]

Hearing this, Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy synchronize their [[Energon Matrix|Energon Matrices]] and upgrade into Flash Lio Convoy and Burning Convoy. Burning Convoy transforms to monkey mode and rides atop Flash Lio Convoy's lion mode. They then leap into Zarak's face and Burning Convoy lands a mighty punch into his third eye. Flying away, they then combine the power of the Energon Matrices into the "Double Matrix Blaster", destroy his eye and blow him to smithereens.

The battle won, they return to the teleport gate. Lio Junior begs Primal to stay, but he reminds them that he still has to win the Beast Wars on planet [[Earth|Energoa]]. Besides, he says, their army is fine just the way it is. Apache interjects and says that, after some research, he's concluded that because the device plays havoc with time and space, it could conceivable destroy the universe, hence why whoever built it sent it to Gaia to be destroyed. Optimus Primal then returns to his proper place and time and the Maximals destroy the gate behind him.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=

*[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] (1)
*[[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] (2)
*[[Gimlet]] (3)
*[[Tripledacus]] (10)
*[[Apache]] (11)
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] (12)
*[[Scuba]] (13)
*[[Lio Convoy]] (14)
*[[Bighorn]] (15)
*[[Tasmania Kid]] (22)
*[[Lio Junior]] (23)
*[[Santon]] (24)
*[[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] (25)
*[[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] (31)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (32)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] (16)
*[[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] (17)
*[[BB|Max-B]] (18)
*[[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]] (19)
*[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] (20)
*[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]] (21)
*[[Autostinger]] (26)
*[[Autocrusher]] (27)
*[[Autojetter]] (28)
*[[Autolauncher]] (29)
*[[Majin Zarak]] (30)

|h3=[[Insectron]]s|c3=
*[[Bigmos]] (33)
*[[Drill Nuts]] (34)
*[[Mantis]] (35)
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] (36)
*[[Scissor Boy]] (37)
*[[Tonbot]] (38)

|h4=[[Seacon (BWII)|Seacons]]|c4=
*[[Halfshell]] (4)
*[[Scylla]] (5)
*[[Coelagon]] (6)
*[[Sea Phantom]] (7)
*[[Terrormander]] (8)
*[[God Neptune (BWII)|God Neptune]] (9)
}}

==Production staff==

*Director: Akira Nishimori
*Executive Producer: Tan Takaiwa, Hirohisa Sato, Tetsuya Suzuki, Yoshio Yamasaki, Araichi Miyagawa
*Producer: Kozo Itagaki, Yukihiro Akutsu, Reiko Sawa
*Unit Director: Tetsuya Watanabe, Tomoharu Katsumata
*General Animation Director: Takashi Yamamoto
*Screenplay: Nagata Toshiyasu
*Drafting: Hiroto Ishikawa
*Director of Photography: Hitoshi Torigoe
*Music: Masae Sagara
*Music producer: Hajime Tachihara, Hirokuni Maeyama
*[[theme song|Theme tunes]]:
**Opening song: "[[Space Dreamer: Haruka naru Beast Wars]]"
**Ending song: "[[My Shooting Star]]"
*Art director: Geki Katsumata
*Sound Director: [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]
*Voice Director: Satake Tetsuya
*Editing: Hajime Taniguchi
*Character Design: Takashi Yamamoto
*Animation Cooperation: [[Tsuburaya Productions]]
*Production Team: "Beast Wars" Production Committee ([[Toei]], [[Production Reed]], [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[WE'VE|AEON]], [[TV Tokyo]])
*Distribution: Toei

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
[[File:PrimalLeadershipMatrix1.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

*Both [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] are referred to as "legendary" or held in high regard as powerful, ancient Transformers. "[[Emissary of the Fourth Planet]]" established ''Beast Wars II'' as taking place tens of thousands of years after humans left Gaia, a far larger number than the three hundred years after the Great War given by ''Beast Wars''. In hindsight, this legendary status of the two presented here fits rather well with how Optimus Primal and Megatron would come to be depicted in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', with Megatron having singlehandedly conquered all of Cybertron, and Optimus Primal being the final lone hero who saved the whole planet from Megatron at the cost of his own life. As Japan would not receive the series until [[2004]], six years after this movie's release, this all proved rather fortuitous in the end.
*The episode "[[Enter Lio Junior]]" established the [[Energon Matrix]] as a powerful device issued only to [[Supreme Commander]]s of the Maximal army. As this piece of tech only appeared in the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' media and not the American cartoons, the orb at the center of Optimus Primal's chest plate is [[retcon]]ned into being his Energon Matrix.
*As he departs, Optimus Primal refers to the world he's returning to as "[[Earth|Energoa]]". For those unfamiliar with the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Energoa is what the characters called the "alien world" they were stranded on until they learned it was actually prehistoric Earth. Related to this is a longstanding fan belief that Optimus Primal was brought to Gaia from his death at the end of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", with his presence in this movie explaining why [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had such difficulty locating Primal's [[spark]] inside the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]] (as in, it ''wasn't'' there) in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]", and his returning to Energoa at the end of this movie leading to his return to life in that same episode. Supporting this theory is how Primal first appears in this movie in a glowing spectral form, which wasn't the case for Majin Zarak's own first appearance, and how this story is bookended by recapping sequences of Primal's death and rebirth in the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. However, despite the longevity of this theory, the opening narration of the [[Bad Spark|very next part of this movie]] debunks it by essentially reflecting what was true of Primal's fate in the English version of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon: Optimus Primal in the Japanese continuity did indeed die in the transwarp explosion, and had his spark brought back from the dead by Rhinox.
*Originally, Majin Zarak was going to be [[Scorponok (G1)#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scorponok]], last seen in ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]''. For whatever reason, he was changed to a new character, although Majin Zarak's weakness being in his head points to being leftover from Scorponok's status as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]].<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/116666-3-new-botcon-facebook-character-pages-rook-andromeda-and-axiom-nexus-news-editor/?p=2967922 AllSpark Forum:] "Back when the Beast Wars II movie was being developed, the actual Scorponok from Headmasters was set to appear, but that was scrapped for some reason.

[[Jim Sorenson|Jim]] wanted me to use that idea, and so I wrote that up.

This was very much a coordinated project we did."</ref>

===Continuity notes===
*Due to the presence of the [[Angolmois]] upgraded [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] but the overall lack of the [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]] as an immediate threat, this movie likely takes place between episode 32, "[[The Lio Convoy Assassination Plot]]" (when the last of the [[Cyborg Beast]]s were created), and episode 33, "[[The Great Angolmois Freezing Tactic]]" (when the Angolmois on Gaia begins to erupt and the Maximals initiate their countermeasures against the Nemesis). Additionally, the ''Yukikaze'' is seen intact in the film, and the Maximals begin disassembling it for parts in episode 34, "[[Knock Out Nemesis]]", so it pretty much has to take place between those episodes.
*When the two first meet in this movie, Lio Convoy indicates that he wasn't personally acquainted with Optimus Primal prior to that moment. This is in direct conflict with a small story featured in [[Catalog#Beast Wars II|early ''Beast Wars II'' toy catalogs]] that depicted Optimus Primal and Lio Convoy as familiars. However, said catalog story was already ignored by the cartoon--over two weeks ahead of this movie's release--via the far-future timeframe established in the aforementioned 36th episode, "Emissary of the Fourth Planet", writing off that catalog story as a separate [[micro-continuity]].

===Continuity errors===
*The Seacons are seen in space, battling the Jointrons. While at first glance, this seems consistent, as the Seacons left Gaia in "[[The Final Battle (BWII)|The Final Battle]]", it was later revealed that they were captured and brainwashed into Galvatron's servitude in "[[The Artificial Planet Nemesis]]". While they certainly ''could'' be working for Galvatron in the opening sequence, they show no signs of the "mindless drone" effect the brainwashing had on them, as seen in "[[Revenge of the Space Pirates]]".
*The Jointrons appearing in space is more troublesome. The Jointrons became interested in hunting down and capturing the Seacons for glory in "[[Face the Setting Sun]]", which explains why they followed them into space, but the question of ''how'' the Jointrons got into space is more pressing. The ship they used to get to Gaia was shown to be destroyed in "[[The Combined Giant, Tripledacus]]" and the Maximals being unable to get into space without an operational craft would be a major conflict in the episodes that take place after this special.
*The ''Yukikaze'' is shown to be operational throughout the film, however, it was shown marooned and unable to fly in the premier episode "[[The New Forces Arrive!]]" As previously mentioned, the Maximals being unable to reach space would be an important plot point in the last arc of the series, making the operational ''Yukikaze'' seen in this movie all the more distracting.

===Trivia===
*As the end credits roll, the audience is treated to a gallery of crayon drawings of various ''Beast Wars'' characters as submitted by children. It's random but adorable.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|japanese}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Special'' — Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}} / DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers Special'' (Pioneer LDC)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars II episodes]]
[[Category:Real world films]]