Downshift (G1)

This article is about . For other uses of "Downshift", see Downshift (disambiguation)|The name or term "Downshift" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Downshift (disambiguation).}}
Downshift is an Autobot from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Those punks will rue the day they made trouble on MY watch.

Downshift is an Omnibot who's dedicated to his job, but sometimes his superiors wish he wasn't so much so. As both a security agent<ref name="flyer">"You Have Been Chosen." pack-in flyer</ref><ref name="Dreamwave">Downshift's Dreamwave More Than Meets the Eye comic profile</ref> and a scout,<ref name="Takara">Downshift's Takara bio, in the original Japanese and fan-translated English. Note that "Camshaft" is the relevant one, since their names were switched in Japan.</ref> he tends to think that guarding something means not just securing the object of his duty, but also actively seeking out foes before they strike, whatever entanglements this may produce and however vulnerable this may actually leave his charges.

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

He and the other Omnibots are dimension-hoppers,<ref name="flyer" /><ref name="Binaltech">Overdrive's Binaltech toy pack-in bio in fan-translated English.</ref> so it's unclear whether his appearances in various realities are separate entities or the same individual.

Fiction

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S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers

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"Everybody STAND BACK. This mall looks like it's been improperly securitized."

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

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

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

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

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

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Legends comic

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Downshift was among the Autobots who defended Autobot headquarters when the Decepticons came to steal the Transform Super Cog. Slugslinger's Ambition

Wars comics

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When The Fallen attacked Cybertron in the hopes of merging with Vector Sigma, Overdrive sought additional help using the power of his Quantum Dial. Further empowering the dial with the help of the Oracle, Overdrive reached across space and time to recruit inter-dimensional warriors, as well as his fellow Omnibots, Downshift and Camshaft. Train Wars The Fallen assumed a combination form, however, and managed to impale Downshift and the reinforcements using energy spikes. Metroplex, the Trainbots, the Train Team, and the Liner Team soon arrived to turn the tide, and the Fallen was ultimately defeated. In the aftermath, Downshift and the Omnibots returned the foreign warriors home after the battle. Train Wars 2

The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers

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Downshift is the one pointing at his crotch. With that look on his face.

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

Upshift?

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

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

The assembled Autobots cheered for these three mighty warriors of great justice. The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

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Downshift and his fellow Omnibots acted as guards outside the detention facility on Cybertron. Cold War After Shockwave unleashed Menasor on Iacon, the Omnibots were sent by Ultra Magnus to stop him. They did not succeed and may have been killed by the rampaging giant. Passive Aggression

2005 IDW continuity

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First appearance: Stormbringer #1
Watch your language!

Downshift hung out with fellow Omnibot Overdrive on the Autobot Orbital Command Hub under the command of Optimus Prime. Stormbringer #1 He remained on the Hub under Silverbolt's command, when Blaster was brought to them by Ku'arn. Spotlight: Blaster When Nemesis Prime broke into the Hub, Downshift was part of the defensive line to keep him at bay, but he and his teammates were called off the assault by Optimus Prime. Spotlight: Doubledealer

He later served as the security chief at the Kimia Facility, and was quite proud of the "top-notch" defenses he oversaw. When Cloudburst and Grotusque arrived for a routine inspection of the space station, Downshift took personal offense to their presence, assuming his job performance was under scrutiny. He was in the midst of telling the two to take a hike when Cyclonus and an army of Sweeps began laying siege to the place. Downshift managed to lament the cruel irony of the situation right before Cyclonus caved his face in. Lamentations

Toys

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The Transformers

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The Transformers Downshift (aka Camshaft in Japan) transforms into a white Toyota Celica Supra (or as it was known in Japan at the time, Celica XX) sports car. He also has a third "flight/attack" mode, which flips down his side panels, revealing mounting points for his "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", plus reveals a rooftop double-barreled blaster (which can also serve as a clip for his "Rust Rifle").
Early releases of Downshift have "CELICA" printed on his license plate decal. Later releases blanked this out for obvious reasons.
Both Hasbro and Takara released him only through mail-order promotions rather than at regular retail (though in the US, some grocery store chains ultimately got bins full of them at discount). In the US, Downshift cost $5 and 4 Robot Points; they first appeared in the vey first mail-away offer, "Reinforcements from Cybertron!". In Japan, he cost 980 yen and 2 Robot Points.


Generations (Japan)

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  • Camshaft (2015)
    • Accessories: Presumably 2 wrenches, 1 shoulder launcher
A mock-up of a new Japanese "Camshaft" toy in the form of a Generations Deluxe Class Wheeljack redeco was shown in Transformers Generations 2014 Vol. 1 as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. The mock-up promised that if produced, the final product would make use of some Turbo Tracks tooling. During the fan poll held to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, Downshift placed dead last, having claimed only 1% of the votes. The indignity!<ref>Poll results at Hero-X</ref>
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Merchandise

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Transformers Trading Card Game

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  • Private Downshift, Special Ops•Security Agent (2019)
    • Wave 3C: Convention Pack 2019
    • Rarity: RT
    • Card Number: T02/T03
    • Stars: 8

Notes

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  • The road to having a personality has been a long and rocky one for Downshift.
    • The bio included with his North American toy was buried in his instructions, and all it said was that the Omnibots were in the early stages of their evolution and had not yet been tested.<ref>Downshift's original English-language instruction-sheet bio (such as it is; see third panel)</ref>
    • He was given his "Security Agent" function in the last mail-in flyer that offered him, just in time for him to venture off into "another dimension." That would be the long and short of his official English-language characterization for almost twenty years.
    • In Japan, Takara did release a bio with the toy, though his function of "Scout" did not match up with the American one.<ref name="Takara" />
    • None of this reflected the profile found in the Marvel comic bible, which was written in both Transformers Universe form and in the pared-down style of an on-package bio (with Tech Specs, even!), giving him a very different personality from any other portrayal: His function wasn't "Security Agent" or "Scout," but rather "Air Defense," and he was said to be depressed and war-weary, only grudgingly following orders. His one joy came from Earth and human children, since they were something fresh and new that had nothing to do with the millennia of war he had known.<ref>Downshift's Marvel comic bible profile</ref> This was never officially released to the public, only seeing the light of day on The Allspark Forums in 2007 thanks to Jim Sorenson.
    • The English-speaking public finally got an official profile for Downshift in Dreamwave's 2003 More Than Meets the Eye comic. This naturally presented another personality, which seemed to take Takara's overeagerness and apply it to Hasbro's security-agent function.
  • Downshift was originally a Diaclone "Double Changer Celica XX". There are no notable differences between the Transformers and Diaclone versions, save the obvious addition of faction symbols and the aforementioned sticker variation.

Foreign names

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  • Japanese: Camshaft (カムシャフト Kamushafuto), Downshift (ダウンシフト Daunshifuto)

References

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<references />
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