Clip show

Clip shows are episodes of television programs composed of, yes, clips from previous episodes cobbled together to fill twenty-odd minutes. The execution of these clip shows can be varied. In some instances, the clips are introduced via a framing device, usually featuring characters observing the clips for whatever reason. These framing devices are sometimes created through original animation and sometimes slapped together (which occasionally has awkward results) using redubbed animation from various episodes. And sometimes, clip shows even drive the plot of a series.

Why clip shows?

One reason for clip shows is to recap past events without the need of reshowing every single previous episode. One show can cover a story arc that can stretch out through several episodes (if not an entire season or series).

Another attribute is that they typically feature characters from the series observing their own past adventures and providing commentary and insight on the events (this can range from amusing and profound to dull).

Finally, it saves money. Using pre-existing footage to create a new episode tends to be cheaper than creating new ones.

Cultural differences

Clips shows are immensely popular in Japan. Over half a dozen can be created for a single season, while others are released direct to video and even theatrically (although usually with some improved animation). Usually a clip show is done because the animation studio is behind schedule and a new episode is not ready for broadcast. Something has to be aired (and Japan doesn't do reruns), so a clip show is born. America has its share of them, sometimes created as DVD pack-ins released with selected toys, sometimes created for broadcast as part of the process of importing Japanese-originated animation, and sometimes for the traditional reasons as part of an originally-produced animated series.

Transformers clip shows

The Transformers

• "Secret Files of Teletraan II"

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

• "Birth of the Transformers!"
• "War Without End"
• "Desperate Battle on Dinobot Island"
• "Devastator, the Giant Warrior"
• "Neverending Struggle"
• "Earth's Greatest Crisis"
• "Seek the Cybertonium"
• "Stunticons vs Aerialbots"
• "Mutiny of the Combaticons"

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010

• "Daniel's Adventure"
• "The Desperate Struggle of Justice"

Transformers: The Headmasters

• "Heroic Legend: Optimus Prime vs Megatron!!"
• "Heroic Legend: 2010 Wars"
• "Heroic Legend: Head On, Master Warriors!"

Transformers: Super-God Masterforce

• "Fight! Super Ginrai!!"
• "Begin the Bomber Project! The Creation of God Ginrai"
• "The Secret of Godbomber!"
• "Great Turn-Around! Autobot Warriors!"
• "You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform"
• "Shūta and Grand's Masterforce Super-Secrets!"

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory

• "Clash!! Two Great Heroes"
• "Move Out!! Breastforce"
• "Assemble! Combiner Warriors"
• "Ultimate Crisis!! Autobots"
• "The Strongest! Victory Saber"
• "Autobots Forever"
• "Radiant! Victorious Planet"
• "The Emperor of Destruction Wins!"
• "SOS! Global Defense Directive"
• "Micromasters!"
• "Victory Attack of Friendship!"
• "Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!"

Beast Wars II: Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

• "Predacon General Offensive!"
• "Who Is the Strongest Warrior!?"
• "The Artificial Planet Nemesis"
• "Assemble, Thirty-Nine Warriors"

Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers

• "Clash! Beast Warriors"

Beast Wars Neo: Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

• "Ship's Log"
• "Assemble! New Warriors"
• "Graduation Ceremony!!"

1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair

• "Beast Wars Metals: Convoy's Great Transformation!" (opening segment only)

Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals

• "Where Is the Banana?"
• "Remix: I Forgot the Banana!"

Transformers: Car Robots

• "Gigatron's Ambitions Revealed!"
• "Assemble! New Troops"
• "Gelshark's Blues"

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

• "Hope for the Future"
• "Lessons of the Past"
• "Mystery of the Ultra Magnus"

Transformers: Armada

• "Prehistory"
• "Detection"

Transformers: Energon

• "Team Optimus Prime"

Beast Wars Returns: Super Lifeform Transformers

• "Where Is the Banana? R"

Transformers: Classics

• "Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle"

Transformers: Prime

• "Grill"
• "Patch"

Transformers: Rescue Bots

• "Rescue Bots Academy"

Notes

Foreign names

• Japanese: Sōshūhen (総集編 "Summary episode")

See also

• Stock footage

External link

• Clip show on Wikipedia
• Compilation movie on Wikipedia