Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise): Difference between revisions

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[[Image:G2Logo.jpg|center|Electric Boogaloo]]
'''''Transformers: Generation 2''''' was the first of many rebirths for the [[Transformers brand]]. Although the original ''Transformers'' franchise was still producing toys in Europe, the North American line had completely disappeared for nearly two years. The European sales were good enough to convince [[Hasbro]] to give it another go<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php George Dunsay interview at TFArchive]: "At the time it was discontinued in the US, it was not a temporary decision. It is only after the success in Europe that the US people decided to reintroduce it"</ref> and so ''Generation 2'' launched in [[1992]].


{{-}}
The ''Generation 2'' [[franchise]] featured the following primary components:


'''''Generation 2''''' was the first of many rebirths for the [[Transformers brand]].  Although the original ''Transformers'' franchise had never stopped producing toys in Japan or Europe, the North American line had completely disappeared for nearly two years when ''Generation 2'' launched in 1993.
* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|A toyline]]
* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]
* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|A US comic book series]]
* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|A short-lived UK comic]]
* One [[The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual|UK Annual]].
* Some [[Honey Bear Books|coloring books]]


Although the ''Generation 2'' cartoon was merely a set of repackaged [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episodes (featuring the flashy, computer-animated [[Cybernet Space Cube]]), the ''Generation 2'' comic book was a direct continuation of the story from the [[List of Generation 1 comics|G1 comic]] which had ended at issue 80. A [[video game]] based on the line was also planned for release in 1994, but was later cancelled.<ref>"The Making of: Vortex". Retro Gamer (147): p. 39. October 2015.</ref><ref>"At the Deadline". GamePro (60): p. 172. July 1994.</ref>


The G2 [[franchise]] featured the following primary components:
''Generation 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s toy [[commercial]]s are noted for an early use of CGI animation (including depictions of some characters who had very few fictional appearances anywhere else.) A subset of the commercials is also noted for ''hilariously'' bad rap music.
* [[Generation 2 (toyline)|A toyline]]
* [[Generation 2 (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]
* [[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)|A US comic book series]]
* [[Generation 2 (Fleetway comic)|A short-lived UK comic]]


Although the G2 cartoon was merely a set of repackaged [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episodes (featuring the flashy, computer-animated [[Cybernet Space Cube]]), the G2 comic book was a direct continuation of the story from the [[Generation 1 (comic)|G1 comic]] which had ended at issue 80.
''Generation 2'' ended in [[1995]] due to lagging sales. Rather than put the franchise to rest, [[Hasbro]] shuffled its boys-toy lines over to the recently-acquired [[Kenner]] offices, and gave them the task of re-inventing ''Transformers'' with something fresh and new... ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''.


Generation 2's toy [[commercial]]s are noted for an early use of CGI animation (including depictions of some characters who had very few fictional appearances anywhere else.)  A subset of the commercials is also noted for ''hilariously'' bad rap music.
In [[2010]] the Generation 2 line was re-imagined as "[[Generation 2: Redux]]" by [[Fun Publications]] for that year's [[BotCon]].


The Japanese version of Generation 2 followed the animated continuity rather than the comic book continuity.  The Japanese G2 storyline was told through a combination of:
==''Transformers: G-2''==
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* Story pages published in TV Magazine
Having disappeared in Japan in 1993, the ''Transformers'' toy line returned to Japan in 1995 with the Japanese version of ''Generation 2'', formally referred to as '''''Transformers: G-2''''' (トランスフォーマー G-2). Unlike the English ''Generation 2'' version, the Japanese ''G-2'' storyline followed the animated continuity rather than the comic book continuity, being told through a combination of:
* Mini-comics packaged with the toys
* A manga special, "[[The Earth is in Danger!]]", published in Comics Bom Bom


* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#Takara G-2 line|A toyline]]
* [[Transformers: G-2 (story page)|A series of story pages]].
* [[Transformers: G-2 (pack-in manga)|A manga series]] packaged with the instruction manuals.
* A manga special, "[[The New Battle!!]]", published in [[Comic BomBom]].


''Generation 2'' ended in 1995 in all markets, with flagging sales and waning interest in Transformers on the whole. While [[Takara]] moved on to other transforming robot series, [[Hasbro]] shuffled its boys-toy lines over to the recently-acquired [[Kenner]] offices, and gave them the task of re-inventing ''Transformers'' with something fresh and new... ''[[Beast Wars]]''.
Like its Western market counterpart, ''G-2'' also ended in 1995. Afterward, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] continued to release their other main transforming robot toy line, the ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Series]]'', until getting back into ''Transformers'' with the new Japanese ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars]]'' toy line in [[1997]].


==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category: Franchises]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Generation 2 (franchise)}}
[[Category: Generation 2| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generation 1 franchises]]
[[Category:Generation 2| ]]

Latest revision as of 22:30, 20 March 2026
Generation 1 continuity family
« Generation 2 »

Transformers: Generation 2 was the first of many rebirths for the Transformers brand. Although the original Transformers franchise was still producing toys in Europe, the North American line had completely disappeared for nearly two years. The European sales were good enough to convince Hasbro to give it another go[1] and so Generation 2 launched in 1992.

The Generation 2 franchise featured the following primary components:

Although the Generation 2 cartoon was merely a set of repackaged Generation 1 cartoon episodes (featuring the flashy, computer-animated Cybernet Space Cube), the Generation 2 comic book was a direct continuation of the story from the G1 comic which had ended at issue 80. A video game based on the line was also planned for release in 1994, but was later cancelled.[2][3]

Generation 2's toy commercials are noted for an early use of CGI animation (including depictions of some characters who had very few fictional appearances anywhere else.) A subset of the commercials is also noted for hilariously bad rap music.

Generation 2 ended in 1995 due to lagging sales. Rather than put the franchise to rest, Hasbro shuffled its boys-toy lines over to the recently-acquired Kenner offices, and gave them the task of re-inventing Transformers with something fresh and new... Beast Wars.

In 2010 the Generation 2 line was re-imagined as "Generation 2: Redux" by Fun Publications for that year's BotCon.

Transformers: G-2

[edit]
Japanese Generation 1 continuity
« Transformers: G-2 »

Having disappeared in Japan in 1993, the Transformers toy line returned to Japan in 1995 with the Japanese version of Generation 2, formally referred to as Transformers: G-2 (トランスフォーマー G-2). Unlike the English Generation 2 version, the Japanese G-2 storyline followed the animated continuity rather than the comic book continuity, being told through a combination of:

Like its Western market counterpart, G-2 also ended in 1995. Afterward, Takara continued to release their other main transforming robot toy line, the Brave Series, until getting back into Transformers with the new Japanese Beast Wars toy line in 1997.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ George Dunsay interview at TFArchive: "At the time it was discontinued in the US, it was not a temporary decision. It is only after the success in Europe that the US people decided to reintroduce it"
  2. ↑ "The Making of: Vortex". Retro Gamer (147): p. 39. October 2015.
  3. ↑ "At the Deadline". GamePro (60): p. 172. July 1994.
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