Editing The Great Cassette Operation

{{episode
|series=Headmasters
|ep=4
|image=Opcassette.jpg
|caption="Nobody move! This is a raid!"
|title="The Great Cassette Operation"
|japanese=カセット大作戦
|romaji=Cassette Daisakusen
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei]]
|airdate=[[July 24]], [[1987]]
|writer=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|director=[[Jōhei Matsūra]]
|animation studio=Toei
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''When Soundwave is resurrected as Soundblaster and Cybertron is attacked by the Madmachine, the Autobots respond by recreating Blaster as Twincast.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:GreatCassetteOperation revived Soundblaster.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
In the Decepticon base on [[Chaar]], using the advanced technology of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], a new body has been constructed. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]'s head is affixed to it and energy infusion begins as the [[Decepticon]]'s [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette]]s look on. Soundwave is reborn... as Soundblaster! Soundblaster reports to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] who shows off their latest weapon, the [[Madmachine]], which emits electronic-disrupting rays.

On [[Earth]], [[Sixshot]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] attack an oilfield, in order to draw out [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Their activity is detected by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who predictably direct Metroplex to intercept. Metroplex quickly gains the upper hand, only for the Madmachine to rise out of the ground and blast him with energy. While Metroplex is crippled, Trypticon knocks him down, however Galvatron orders the two Decepticons to withdraw as the Madmachine has exhausted its power. While Magnus and Jazz struggle to get Metroplex operational again, on Chaar, Galvatron celebrates the successful test.

[[Image:Hm4 metroplex vs madmachine.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Reports of this deadly new device soon reach [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], who believes the Decepticons' true target is [[Vector Sigma]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The four [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] volunteer to head to Chaar and destroy the device, but Rodimus has a more subtle approach in mind, intending to send out the [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|cassettes]] to do some spying. Unfortunately the loss of Blaster has left them dejected and unable to perform the task. The typically brash Headmasters don't look too kindly upon this dereliction of duty, and an argument ensues, but [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] sticks up for them. Rodimus cheers Daniel and the cassettes up by revealing that [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] is preparing to use Master technology to recreate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]].

[[Image:GreatCassetteOperation cassette walkoff.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Meanwhile, the operation to increase the Madmachine's power is near completion.

The Autobots gather to watch Blaster's rebirth as Twincast. Alive again and reunited with his cassettes, Twincast is immediately charged with investigating the Madmachine. Rodimus also sends the Headmasters and [[Throttlebot]]s to protect Vector Sigma. Twincast heads to Earth, where he sneaks into Trypticon under cover of a firefight between the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]].

[[Image:Twincast emerges.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The Decepticon Headmasters [[space bridge]] to Cybertron with the Madmachine and immediately run into the Autobot Headmasters, who lure them away from the weapon and pin them down while the Throttlebots attack the Madmachine. While a great plan in theory, the Madmachine simply zaps the Throttlebots, leaving them easy pickings for the three Decepticons. 

On Earth, Twincast and his cassettes burst in on Sixshot, who flees when they shoot at him. [[Eject]] accesses a console, and the Autobot discover than the Madmachine is being sonically controlled by Soundblaster from [[Chaar]]. After reporting the news to Rodimus, Twincast blasts his way through the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and uses the Decepticons' space bridge to transport himself to Chaar. As the fight against the Madmachine on Cybertron continues to worsen for the Autobots, Twincast encounters resistance in the form of the Decepticon cassettes. While his cassettes deal with their counterparts, Twincast destroys Soundblaster's sonic control and the Madmachine goes haywire, allowing it to be easily destroyed by the Autobots. The Decepticon Headmasters retreat to cheers from the Autobots. Twincast returns to base, and has to immediately correct Daniel who calls him by his old name.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (11)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (12)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (15)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Brainstorm]] (18)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (19)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (20)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (21)
* [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (22)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (23)
* [[Rewind]] (24)
* [[Eject]] (26)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (27)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] (28)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (29)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (30)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (31)
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (32)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (41)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (42)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (43)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (44
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (45)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (46)
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (51)
* [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (52)
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (53)
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (54)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Goldbug]] (55)
* [[Wide Load]] (56)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] (1)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (2)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (3)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (4)
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (5)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (6)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (7)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (8)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (9)
* [[Sixshot]] (10)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (33)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (34)
* [[Octane]] (35)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (36)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (37)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (38)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (39)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (40)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (47)
* [[Weirdwolf]] (48)
* [[Skullcruncher]] (49)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (50)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (57)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (58)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (59)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (60)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (61)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (63)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (64)

|c3=
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (25)
}}

==Quotes==
{{note|The following quotes were taken from the [[Omni Productions]] dub.}}

"Galvatron has reused some of Soundwave's parts, along with some other new parts, and has reconstructed another Soundwave, and renamed him ''New'' Soundwave."
:—'''The Narrator'''


"My job is done! See ya!"<br />
"Darn it!"
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Galvatron'''

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*For much of this episode, Rodimus has black rings around his eyes. They appeared briefly in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]", too. They seem to have been added by the Japanese animators as a way of further distinguishing Rodimus from Hot Rod.
* When Arcee and the Headmasters are trying to stop the Cassettes from leaving, she is missing her Autobot insignia.  When it comes back in the next shot, it's a Decepticon insignia instead.  
*Following the appearance of Arcee's Decepticon insignia, as the shot moves to Rodimus Prime, his insignia has turned traitor as well.
*When the Aerialbots fly in, Slingshot is colored like Fireflight, and Fireflight is colored like Air Raid.  Air Raid, however, is colored correctly.
*When the Combaticons form Bruticus, Bruticus is colored entirely like Onslaught.
*While attacking Mindwipe, Rollbar and Goldbug's colors are swapped.
*While Hook is trying to stop Twincast from boarding the Space Bridge, his helmet alternates between being completely white and completely green. In both instances, it should be black.
*During the fight with Mindwipe, Goldbug's helmet briefly turns gold before returning to its normal blue color.

===Continuity errors===
*Daniel's sudden concern appears to be random — the previous episode had him happily playing video games with Wheelie and never mentioning Blaster's demise at all, and now he's suddenly so depressed that all he can do is mope. The capriciousness of youth, perhaps?

===Continuity notes===
*Blaster and Soundwave died in "[[The Mystery of Planet Master]]".
*After speaking in tape mode in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]", Ratbat now speaks in robot mode.

===Foreign localization===
'''English'''
:*''Title:'' "'''The Resurrected Billy Against the Decepticons'''" ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
:*''Original airdate:'' ?


:*''Title:'' "'''Operation: Autobot Deployers'''" ([[Shout! Factory]] sub), "'''The Autobot Cassette Operation'''" (Shout! Factory menu)
::*As title indicates, the [[Mini-Cassette]]s are referred to as "[[Deployer]]s" within the episode.
::*Slang names, such as "Deceptocreep" and "Autojerk" are used.


'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Reshayuschaya Bitva Cassetnykh Robotov'''" (Решающая битва кассетных роботов, "The Ultimate Battle of the Cassette Robots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|omni}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1996 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Takara'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) — Omni dub only.<br>
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2002 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' — DVD Box ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)


{{DEFAULTSORT:Great Cassette Operation}}
[[Category:The Headmasters episodes]]