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===Transformers references===
===Transformers references===
*The "Maximize" in the title of this story is actually "Henshin" (変身), a Japanese word for "transformation" that was used in the Japanese dub of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] as the Japanese equivalent/replacement for both "Maximize" and "Terrorize" in the  original English version. "Maximize", rather than "Transform" is used here to both reflect that dubbing decision and because ''Beast Wars II'' would distinguish "Henshin" from "Transform" by specifically using the former for those with [[beast mode]]s, while the latter would be used by those with mechanical vehicle modes.
*The "Maximize" in the title of this story is actually "Henshin" (変身), a Japanese word for "transformation" that was used in the Japanese dub of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] as the Japanese equivalent/replacement for both "Maximize" and "Terrorize" in the  original English version. "Maximize", rather than "Transform" is used here to both reflect that dubbing decision and because ''Beast Wars II'' would distinguish "Henshin" from "Transform" by specifically using the former for those with [[beast mode]]s, while the latter would be used by those with mechanical vehicle modes.
*Also included in this catalog is a brief recap of the final events of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", which had, at the time, recently aired in Japan on [[March 25]], [[1998]]. Said recap is given the title of '''~Convoy's Great Explosion~''' (〜コンボイ大爆発編〜 ''Konboi Dai Bakuhatsu-hen''). At the bottom of this recap is also an ad for the then-new ''Beast Wars II'' [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] and [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga series]].


===Real-world references===
===Real-world references===
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===Other trivia===
===Other trivia===
*Also included in this catalog is a brief recap of the final events of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", which had, at the time, recently aired in Japan on [[March 25]], [[1998]]. Said recap is given the title of '''~Convoy's Great Explosion~''' (〜コンボイ大爆発編〜 ''Konboi Dai Bakuhatsu-hen''). At the bottom of this recap is also an ad for the then-new ''Beast Wars II'' [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] and [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga series]].
*Galvatron is depicted here mostly in shadow because, at the time, the color scheme for his toy had not yet been finalied. Indeed, his toy pictured elsewhere in the catalog is represented by an unpainted gray [[prototype|hardcopy]].


==References==
==References==
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==Origin==
==Origin==
How the Beast Era came about.
How the Beast Era came about.
==Franchises of the Beast Era==
==Franchises of the Beast Era==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' (1996–2001)===
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' (1996–2001)===
[[File:Optimusprimalvsmegatronsplash.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Before 'toon began, there was... the comic!]]
In the very beginning, when the toyline debuted in 1996, the line presented itself as a complete reinvention of the ''Transformers'' brand, but one that was still set on [[Earth]] in the present day. Numerous references to "Bio-Genetic Engineering" being the source of the Maximals' and Predacons' organic [[beast mode]]s were given in the toys' packaging blurb, in a short [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|comic]] [[pack-in material|included]] with the very first [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Megatron]] toys, and in many of the toys' [[bio]]s. Combined with the bio for that first Optimus Primal toy closely paraphrasing the motto of the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime toy]] from [[1984]] ("Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."), the original implication was that ''Beast Wars'' was simply another continuation of the [[The Transformers (franchise)|first]] [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|two]] iterations of the ''Transformers'' brand, with the Maximals and Predacons merely being genetically-enhanced Autobots and Decepticons, and Optimus Primal and Megatron being the very same individuals as their [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1]] [[Megatron (G1)|namesakes]].
Granted, the line wasn't ''explicit'' about this connection at the time, but there was no reason ''not'' to think so. Plus, the [[1997]] release of the Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Grimlock]] toy featured a bio that made it abundantly clear that he was, indeed, the very same Autobot [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] of old, which further reinforced these implications. But after the cartoon took off and cemented itself as the dominant ''Beast Wars'' fiction, the toyline gradually shifted away from its original continuity to one more closely resembling that of the cartoon. A number of 1997 toy bios mentioned "[[energon crystal]]s" (a prominent part of the cartoon's first season), while [[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]]'s bio referred to the ''Beast Wars'' setting not as "Earth" but instead "the mysterious planet" (as it was known in the cartoon's first season). By [[1998]], the original toy continuity was practically dropped entirely, with the packaging blurbs for the [[Transmetal]]s, [[Fuzor]]s, and [[1999]]'s [[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]] directly mentioning events specific to the cartoon's second and third seasons.
====Toyline====
====Toyline====
====Cartoon====
====Cartoon====

Revision as of 22:18, 12 November 2023

The Stage of Battle is the Second War...Beast Wars, Maximize!!

Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers catalog story

You have NO idea how much strife this one little catalog has caused.
"The Stage of Battle is the Second War...Beast Wars, Maximize!!"
闘いの舞台は2戦争...ビーストウォーズ、変身!!
(Tatakai no Butai wa 2 Sensō...Bīsuto Wōzu, Henshin!!)
First published Spring 1998
Continuity Its own (see "Continuity" below)
Packaged with Spring 1998 Japanese Beast Wars toy releases

New leaders are appointed as a new war begins.

Synopsis

While Optimus Primal and Megatron are off fighting their own life-or-death struggle, a new conflict, the "Second War", is about to unfold on a planet within a star system located in a remote part of the galaxy. The participants of this conflict are each members of the heroic Maximal Space Guard and the evil Predacon Armored Corps, respectively. Their battle is fought over a mysterious weapon hidden in ancient ruins of the planet, a weapon known as the "Great King of Angolmois". It is said that the victor of this conflict, be it Maximal or Predacon, will be decided in the seventh month of the Cosmic Year 1999.

The leaders of both sides of this new conflict are each introduced by their immediate predecessors. Megatron introduces Galvatron as the New Emperor of Destruction, and recalls a time when, back on Cybertron, the two once disagreed over how to conquer the universe. This led to a fight between the two, in which Galvatron bested Megatron after catching him off guard. Though he acknowledges Galvatron's ambition and concern for those under his command, Megatron must also begrudgingly admit that Galvatron may hold enough dignity to succeed him as Emperor.

Meanwhile, Optimus introduces Lio Convoy as the new Maximal leader, and reflects on how he was once an ace in the Maximal Space Guard. Optimus notes that he is strong, valiant, and even kind, but also a bit too frank at times, admittedly. Nevertheless, Optimus considers Lio Convoy to be an ideal leader, and remains hopeful that he can count on Lio Convoy to do all that he can to help keep the peace throughout the universe.

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

Galvatron: "Your time is over, Megatron!"


Lio Convoy: "Please leave it to me! Optimus, sir!!"

Continuity

Notes

Transformers references

  • The "Maximize" in the title of this story is actually "Henshin" (変身), a Japanese word for "transformation" that was used in the Japanese dub of the Beast Wars cartoon as the Japanese equivalent/replacement for both "Maximize" and "Terrorize" in the original English version. "Maximize", rather than "Transform" is used here to both reflect that dubbing decision and because Beast Wars II would distinguish "Henshin" from "Transform" by specifically using the former for those with beast modes, while the latter would be used by those with mechanical vehicle modes.
  • Also included in this catalog is a brief recap of the final events of "Other Voices, Part 2", which had, at the time, recently aired in Japan on March 25, 1998. Said recap is given the title of ~Convoy's Great Explosion~ (〜コンボイ大爆発編〜 Konboi Dai Bakuhatsu-hen). At the bottom of this recap is also an ad for the then-new Beast Wars II animated series and manga series.

Real-world references

  • The "seventh month of the Cosmic Year 1999" and "Great King of Angolmois" are both derived from The Prophecies of French seer Nostradamus,[1] whose prophecies were popular in Japan at the time. What these two bits actually mean, however, is a lot to unpack, but most interpretations basically boil down to either a prophecy of doom brought about by a tyrannical warlord like Genghis Khan or by terrorism, or a prophecy of prosperity brought about by a rich philanthropist or a king like Francis I of France, occurring at some point in JulySeptember of the year 1999.[2] In reality, it is still not entirely certain what, if anything, this prophecy referred to.
  • Lio Convoy addresses Optimus Primal with the honorific of "senpai", which is used to refer to a person who is a senior member of a group, like a mentor. It is most commonly used in the Japanese education system by younger students to refer to elder students of a higher grade. In this case, it is used to indicate that Optimus is Lio Convoy's mentor/superior (and is translated in the Quotes section above as "sir").

Other trivia

  • Galvatron is depicted here mostly in shadow because, at the time, the color scheme for his toy had not yet been finalied. Indeed, his toy pictured elsewhere in the catalog is represented by an unpainted gray hardcopy.

References

[[Category:Beast Wars II media]] [[Category:Pack-in material]]