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[[Image:Bw2 credits.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Beast Wars II: Electric Boogalecond]] | |||
'''''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 27]], 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. | '''''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 27]], 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. | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
''Beast Wars II'' follows the [[Maximal]] crew led by [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] who have pursued [[Galvatron (BW)|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 Energy]] which rests beneath the planet's surface. As they war below, the androids [[Artemis]] and [[Moon (BW)|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]]". | |||
''Beast Wars II'' follows the [[Maximal]] crew led by [[Lio Convoy]] who have pursued [[Galvatron ( | |||
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 hot-spots of Angolmois Energy. Short character arcs are focused on instead, as new groups of Maximals and Predacons are introduced in waves. The [[Insectron]]s, [[Autoroller ( | 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 hot-spots of Angolmois Energy. Short character arcs are focused on instead, as new groups of Maximals and Predacons are introduced in waves. The [[Insectron]]s, [[Autoroller (BW)|Autoroller]]s, [[Jointron]]s, [[Seacon (BW)|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 ( | Once all the characters are established, a less episodic, ongoing conflict is introduced in the form of the [[Nemesis (BW)|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 Energy 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 Energy 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 | ''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 | Though much more light-hearted and overtly comedic 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 (BW)|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. | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
The animation was handled by [[Ashi Productions]], 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> | The animation was handled by [[Ashi Productions]], 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 | ;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 | :Park Young (博英), [[Echo]], Hanil (韓一), [[Hee Won Entertainment]] (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 | ;China | ||
:Shanghai Hongqiao Animation (上海虹橋動画), FAI | :Shanghai Hongqiao Animation (上海虹橋動画), FAI | ||
| Line 46: | Line 27: | ||
:MARSA | :MARSA | ||
;Japan | ;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) | :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== | ==Cast== | ||
{{featuredcharacters | {{featuredcharacters | ||
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1= | |h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1= | ||
;[[Lio Convoy Unit]] | |||
*[[Lio Convoy]] ([[Hozumi Gōda]]) | *[[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] ([[Hozumi Gōda]]) | ||
*[[Apache]] ([[Sanryō Odaka]]) | *[[Apache (BW)|Apache]] ([[Sanryō Odaka]]) | ||
*[[Bighorn]] ([[Masami Iwasaki]]) | *[[Bighorn (BW)|Bighorn]] ([[Masami Iwasaki]]) | ||
*[[Tasmania Kid]] ([[Katashi Ishizuka]]) | *[[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]] ([[Katashi Ishizuka]]) | ||
*[[Diver ( | *[[Diver (BW)|Diver]] ([[Kenji Nakano]]) | ||
*[[Scuba]] ([[Yūji Kishi]]) | *[[Scuba (BW)|Scuba]] ([[Yūji Kishi]]) | ||
*[[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] ([[Yumiko Kobayashi]]) | *[[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] ([[Yumiko Kobayashi]]) | ||
**[[Lio Junior]] ( | **[[Lio Junior (BW)|Lio Junior]] (Yumiko Kobayashi) | ||
**[[Skywarp ( | **[[Skywarp (BW)|Skywarp]] ([[Mantarō Iwao]]) | ||
**[[Santon]] ([[Hiroaki Harakawa]]) | **[[Santon]] ([[Hiroaki Harakawa]]) | ||
;[[Insectron]]s | |||
*[[Bigmos]] ([[Takeshi Watanabe]]) | *[[Bigmos]] ([[Takeshi Watanabe]]) | ||
*[[Powerhug ( | *[[Powerhug (BW)|Powerhug]] ([[Takashi Matsuyama]]) | ||
*[[Tonbot]] ([[Kenichirō Tanabe]]) | *[[Tonbot]] ([[Kenichirō Tanabe]]) | ||
*[[Mantis]] ([[Hiroki Takahashi]]) | *[[Mantis (BW)|Mantis]] ([[Hiroki Takahashi]]) | ||
*[[Drill Nuts]] ( | *[[Drill Nuts (BW)|Drill Nuts]] (Yūji Kishi) | ||
*[[Scissor Boy]] ([[Norihisa Mori]]) | *[[Scissor Boy]] ([[Norihisa Mori]]) | ||
;[[Jointron]]s | |||
*[[Tripledacus]] ([[Ryō Naitō]]) | *[[Tripledacus]] ([[Ryō Naitō]]) | ||
**[[DJ ( | **[[DJ (BW)|DJ]] (Ryō Naitō) | ||
**[[Motorarm ( | **[[Motorarm (BW)|Motorarm]] ([[Daisuke Ishikawa]]) | ||
**[[Gimlet]] ([[Takeshi Maeda]]) | **[[Gimlet]] ([[Takeshi Maeda]]) | ||
;Others | |||
*[[Ikard]] ( | *[[Ikard (BW)|Ikard]] (Ryō Naitō) | ||
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Takehito Koyasu]]) | *[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Takehito Koyasu]]) | ||
|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2= | |h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2= | ||
;Main Cast | |||
*[[Galvatron ( | *[[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] ([[Tetsuo Komura]]) | ||
*[[Megastorm|Megastorm/Gigastorm]] ( | *[[Megastorm (BW)|Megastorm/Gigastorm]] (Takashi Matsuyama) | ||
*'''[[Combatron ( | *'''[[Combatron (BW)|Combatrons]]/[[Cyborg Beast]]s''' | ||
**[[Starscream ( | **[[Starscream (BW)|Starscream/Hellscream]] (Hiroki Takahashi) | ||
**[[BB|BB/Max-B]] ( | **[[BB (BW)|BB/Max-B]] (Takeshi Watanabe) | ||
**[[Dirge ( | **[[Dirge (BW)|Dirge/Dirgegun]] ([[Eiji Takemoto]]) | ||
**[[Thrust ( | **[[Thrust (BW)|Thrust/Thrustor]] ([[Junji Sanechika]]) | ||
;[[Autoroller (BW)|Autoroller]]s | |||
*[[Autostinger]] ([[Tadashi Miyazawa]]) | *[[Autostinger]] ([[Tadashi Miyazawa]]) | ||
*[[Autocrusher]] ([[Hitoshi Bifu]]) | *[[Autocrusher]] ([[Hitoshi Bifu]]) | ||
*[[Autojetter]] ([[Kōhei Kowada]]) | *[[Autojetter]] ([[Kōhei Kowada]]) | ||
*[[Autolauncher]] ( | *[[Autolauncher]] (Hiroki Takahashi/Masami Iwasaki) | ||
;[[Seacon (BW)|Space Pirate Seacons]] | |||
*[[God Neptune]] ([[Kazuhiko Nishimatsu]]) | *[[God Neptune]] ([[Kazuhiko Nishimatsu]]) | ||
**[[Halfshell]] ( | **[[Halfshell]] (Kazuhiko Nishimatsu) | ||
**[[Sea Phantom]] ([[Hiroaki Ichinowatari]]) | **[[Sea Phantom]] ([[Hiroaki Ichinowatari]]) | ||
**[[Terrormander]] ( | **[[Terrormander]] (Hitoshi Bifu) | ||
**[[Coelagon]] ( | **[[Coelagon]] (Tadashi Miyazawa) | ||
**[[Scylla]] ([[Miwa Matsumoto]]) | **[[Scylla (BW)|Scylla]] ([[Miwa Matsumoto]]) | ||
;Others | |||
*[[Majin Zarak]] | *[[Majin Zarak]] | ||
|c4= | |c4= | ||
;[[Gaia]]n Androids | |||
*[[Artemis]] ([[Chieko Higuchi]]) | *[[Artemis]] ([[Chieko Higuchi]]) | ||
*[[Moon ( | *[[Moon (BW)|Moon]] ([[Junko Takeuchi]]) | ||
;Maximal computer | |||
*[[NAVI (Yukikaze)|NAVI]] ([[Haruhi Nanao|Haruhi Terada]]) | *[[NAVI (Yukikaze)|NAVI]] ([[Haruhi Nanao|Haruhi Terada]]) | ||
;Evil copies | |||
*[[Black Lio Convoy|Copy Convoy]] ( | *[[Black Lio Convoy|Copy Convoy]] (Hozumi Gōda) | ||
*[[Copy BB]] ( | *[[Copy BB]] (Takeshi Watanabe) | ||
* | *[[Copy Tasmania Kid]] (Katashi Ishizuka) | ||
* | *[[Copy Scuba]] (Yūji Kishi) | ||
* | *[[Copy Bighorn]] (Masami Iwasaki) | ||
* | *[[Copy Apache]] (Sanryō Odaka) | ||
|nonumbering=true | |nonumbering=true | ||
Latest revision as of 16:18, 12 May 2026
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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 broadcast from April 1, 1998, to January 27, 1999, between Beast Wars (American season 1) and 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" plays as the first opening song with "SUPER VOYAGER" as its second, and the ending song being "Yume no Iru Basho".
Overview
[edit]Beast Wars II follows the Maximal crew led by Lio Convoy who have pursued Galvatron and his Predacons to the planet Gaia. There, Galvatron seeks to mine and exploit the powerful but highly unstable energy source called Angolmois Energy which rests beneath the planet's surface. As they war below, the androids Artemis and Moon watch from the 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 hot-spots of Angolmois Energy. Short character arcs are focused on instead, as new groups of Maximals and Predacons are introduced in waves. The Insectrons, Autorollers, Jointrons, Seacons and 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, an artificial planet built by Galvatron and slowly making its way toward Gaia. The objective of the Nemesis is to drain all the Angolmois Energy 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 Energy 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: 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 overtly comedic 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.
Production
[edit]The animation was handled by Ashi Productions, 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:[1][2][3][4]
- South Korea
- Park Young (博英), Echo, Hanil (韓一), Hee Won Entertainment (喜元), JiWoo (知遇), K-Production, Kyoe Sung (桂成), 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
[edit]Episodes
[edit]- For further information, see: List of Beast Wars II episodes
- 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!†
- 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!?†
- The Tentacular Scuba
- Megastorm's Reckoning
- Showdown in the Sea
- Face the Setting Sun
- The Final Battle
- Enter Lio Junior
- Megastorm Reborn
- The New Weapon, Tako Tank
- The Artificial Planet Nemesis†
- 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†
- Revenge of the Space Pirates
- Breaking into Nemesis
- Legend! The Green Warrior
- Farewell! Lio Convoy
Beast Wars Special
[edit]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
[edit]VHS
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars II (Second) — DVD BOX (2011)


