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{{disambig3|Victory}}
{{disambig3|Victory}}


{{nav-victory}}
{{nav-victory}}
'''''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory''''' ran from March 14, 1989 to December 19, 1989 in Japan for 38 broadcast episodes, in support of the [[Victory (toyline)|toyline]] of the same name.
'''''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory''''' ran from March 14, 1989 to December 19, 1989 in Japan for 38 broadcast episodes, in support of the [[Victory (toyline)|toyline]] of the same name.
{{-}}


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
[[Image:VictoryPoster1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|By the power of Grayskull, I have...THE POWER!!!!!.]]
[[Image:VictoryPoster1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|By the power of Grayskull, I have...THE POWER!!!!!.]]
After the conclusion of the daring, unusual ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', ''Victory'' took the continuing animated saga of the Transformers back to a much more basic approach, restoring an unmoving status quo of small groups of [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] battling over energy on [[Earth|Earth]]. Like ''Masterforce'' before it, the series takes a fresh-start approach, focusing on a cast of entirely new characters, although the connections between the previous series are a lot more clearly drawn than they were between ''Masterforce'' and ''The Headmasters'', with repeated appearances by members of its cast.
After the conclusion of the daring, unusual ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', ''Victory'' took the continuing animated saga of the Transformers back to a much more basic approach, restoring an unmoving status quo of small groups of [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s battling over energy on [[Earth]]. Like ''Masterforce'' before it, the series takes a fresh-start approach, focusing on a cast of entirely new characters, although the connections between the previous series are a lot more clearly drawn than they were between ''Masterforce'' and ''[[Headmasters (franchise)|The Headmasters]]'', with repeated appearances by members of its cast.


For an unknown reason—be it a rushed schedule, a diminishing budget (perhaps caused by ''Victory'''s uncommonly well-done animation) or something else—''Victory'''s 38-episode run features a full six clip shows, containing no new footage or story at all. As if that wasn't enough, a ''further'' six were released directly to video after the end of the series, bringing the total up to 44.
For an unknown reason—be it a rushed schedule, a diminishing budget (perhaps caused by ''Victory'''s uncommonly well-done animation) or something else—''Victory'''s 38-episode run features a full six clip shows, containing no new footage or story at all. As if that wasn't enough, a ''further'' six were released directly to video after the end of the series, bringing the total up to 44.


''Victory'' was planned out by [[Masumi Kaneda|Masumi Kaneda]], who had also been responsible for ''The Headmasters'' and ''Super-God Masterforce'', but in this instance, his involvement with the actual production of the show appears to have been comparatively less, with [[Hiroyuki Hoshiyama|Hiroyuki Hoshiyama]] credited as the head writer. Kaneda did, however, work on the ''Victory'' [[Victory (manga)|manga]], with the massive storytelling gulf between it and the anime illustrating how few of Kaneda's ideas for the series actually made it into the anime.
''Victory'' was planned out by [[Masumi Kaneda]], who had also been responsible for ''The Headmasters'' and ''Super-God Masterforce'', but in this instance, his involvement with the actual production of the show appears to have been comparatively less, with [[Hiroyuki Hoshiyama]] credited as the head writer. Kaneda did, however, work on the ''Victory'' [[Victory (manga)|manga]], with the massive storytelling gulf between it and the anime illustrating how few of Kaneda's ideas for the series actually made it into the anime.


==Storyline==
==Storyline==
In the year 2025, following the defeat of the Decepticons on Earth in the Masterforce war, the villains have begun aggressively attacking other planets in the universe. To counter this threat, the Autobots join with many other civilizations and lifeforms (including [[Human|Humanity]]) to form the [[Galactic Peace Alliance|Galactic Peace Alliance]], which strikes back against the Decepticons with its military [[Galactic Defense Force|Galactic Defense Force]]. Recently appointed [[Supreme Commander|Supreme Commander]] of the Autobots, [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] heads up the Sector One Defense Force, backed up by the [[Brainmaster|Brainmasters]] and [[Multiforce|Multiforce]], while God Ginrai takes charge of Sector Two.
In the year 2025, following the defeat of the [[Decepticon]]s on [[Earth]] in the Masterforce war, the villains have begun aggressively attacking other planets in the universe. To counter this threat, the [[Autobot]]s join with many other civilizations and lifeforms (including [[Human|Humanity]]) to form the [[Galactic Peace Alliance]], which strikes back against the Decepticons with its military [[Galactic Defense Force]]. Recently appointed [[Supreme Commander]] of the Autobots, [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] heads up the Sector One Defense Force, backed up by the [[Brainmaster]]s and [[Multiforce]], while [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]] takes charge of Sector Two.


Seeking the energy necessary to free his massive [[Planet-Destroying Fortress|Planet-Destroying Fortress]] from imprisonment in the [[Dark Nebula|Dark Nebula]] where Star Saber sealed it years ago, the Decepticons' new [[Emperor of Destruction|Emperor of Destruction]], [[Deathsaurus|Deathsaurus]], attacks Earth with his [[Dinoforce|Dinoforce]], prompting Star Saber and his team to set up residence on the planet. Accompanying them is [[Jean Minakaze|Jean Minakaze]], Star Saber's adopted human son, whose parents died in a Decepticon attack when he was just a baby, and [[Holi|Holi]], head of the [[Micromaster|Micromaster]] [[Rescue Patrol Team|Rescue Team]], who soon arrive on Earth to be with their leader. The Decepticons, meanwhile, are progressively joined by more and more members of the elite [[Breastforce|Breastforce]] squad, including their scheming leader [[Leozack|Leozack]], who seeks to take leadership of the Decepticons from Deathsaurus, and the sneaky [[Hellbat|Hellbat]], who's only looking out for himself.
Seeking the energy necessary to free his massive [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]] from imprisonment in the [[Dark Nebula]] where Star Saber sealed it years ago, the Decepticons' new [[Emperor of Destruction]], [[Deathsaurus]], attacks Earth with his [[Dinoforce]], prompting Star Saber and his team to set up residence on the planet. Accompanying them is [[Jean Minakaze]], Star Saber's adopted human son, whose parents died in a Decepticon attack when he was just a baby, and [[Holi]], head of the [[Micromaster]] [[Rescue Patrol Team|Rescue Team]], who soon arrive on Earth to be with their leader. The Decepticons, meanwhile, are progressively joined by more and more members of the elite [[Breastforce]] squad, including their scheming leader [[Leozack]], who seeks to take leadership of the Decepticons from Deathsaurus, and the sneaky [[Hellbat]], who's only looking out for himself.


After a series of energy-raiding adventures on Earth, the Breastforce target the Micromasters' homeworld of planet [[Micro|Micro]], where they liberate their teammate, [[Gaihawk|Gaihawk]], enabling the team to combine into the mighty [[Liokaiser|Liokaiser]] and finally defeat Star Saber in battle for the first time. Despite the addition of the six-changing samurai [[Greatshot|Greatshot]] to their ranks, the Autobots are weakened by this turn of events, and when God Ginrai arrives on Earth to aid them, he is fatally wounded by Deathsaurus and recreated as [[Victory Leo|Victory Leo]]. When Deathsaurus finally reactivates his fortress and turns it upon the Earth, Star Saber and Victory Leo combine together into [[Victory Saber|Victory Saber]] to end the threat of Deathsaurus once and for all.
After a series of energy-raiding adventures on Earth, the Breastforce target the Micromasters' homeworld of planet [[Micro]], where they liberate their teammate, [[Gaihawk]], enabling the team to combine into the mighty [[Liokaiser]] and finally defeat Star Saber in battle for the first time. Despite the addition of the six-changing samurai [[Greatshot]] to their ranks, the Autobots are weakened by this turn of events, and when God Ginrai arrives on Earth to aid them, he is fatally wounded by Deathsaurus and recreated as [[Victory Leo]]. When Deathsaurus finally reactivates his fortress and turns it upon the Earth, Star Saber and Victory Leo combine together into [[Victory Saber]] to end the threat of Deathsaurus once and for all.


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
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{{collist|3|
{{collist|3|
# [[The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber|The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber]]
# [[The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber]]
# [[Sneak Attack! Dinoking|Sneak Attack! Dinoking]]
# [[Sneak Attack! Dinoking]]
# [[Attack! Leozack|Attack! Leozack]]
# [[Attack! Leozack]]
# [[Unite!! Multiforce|Unite!! Multiforce]]
# [[Unite!! Multiforce]]
# [[Move Out! Rescue Team|Move Out! Rescue Team]]
# [[Move Out! Rescue Team]]
# [[Infiltration... The Uranium Mine|Infiltration... The Uranium Mine]]
# [[Infiltration... The Uranium Mine]]
# [[Explosion!! The Energy Base|Explosion!! The Energy Base]]
# [[Explosion!! The Energy Base]]
# [[Big City - Underground Terror|Big City - Underground Terror]]
# [[Big City - Underground Terror]]
# [[Clash!! Two Great Heroes|Clash!! Two Great Heroes]]
# [[Clash!! Two Great Heroes]]
# [[The New Warrior - Hellbat|The New Warrior - Hellbat]]
# [[The New Warrior - Hellbat]]
# [[Attack the Shuttle Base!!|Attack the Shuttle Base!!]]
# [[Attack the Shuttle Base!!]]
# [[Tanker Hijack Operation|Tanker Hijack Operation]]
# [[Tanker Hijack Operation]]
# [[Move Out!! Breastforce|Move Out!! Breastforce]]
# [[Move Out!! Breastforce]]
# [[Rescue Jean!!|Rescue Jean!!]]
# [[Rescue Jean!!]]
# [[Mach and Tackle|Mach and Tackle]]
# [[Mach and Tackle]]
# [[A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid|A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid]]
# [[A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid]]
# [[Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior|Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior]]
# [[Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior]]
# [[Rescue! Gaihawk|Rescue! Gaihawk]]
# [[Rescue! Gaihawk]]
# [[Unite! Liokaiser|Unite! Liokaiser]]
# [[Unite! Liokaiser]]
# [[Assemble! The Warrior Combiner|Assemble! The Warrior Combiner]]
# [[Assemble! The Warrior Combiner]]
# [[Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress|Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress]]
# [[Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress]]
# [[Battle Up of Wrath!!|Battle Up of Wrath!!]]
# [[Battle Up of Wrath!!]]
# [[Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle|Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle]]
# [[Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle]]
# [[Crisis! Ambush in the Desert|Crisis! Ambush in the Desert]]
# [[Crisis! Ambush in the Desert]]
# [[A Deadly Battle|A Deadly Battle]]
# [[A Deadly Battle]]
# [[Ginrai Dies!!|Ginrai Dies!!]]
# [[Ginrai Dies!!]]
# [[Fight!! Victory Leo|Fight!! Victory Leo]]
# [[Fight!! Victory Leo]]
# [[Ultimate Crisis!! Autobots|Ultimate Crisis!! Autobots]]
# [[Ultimate Crisis!! Autobots]]
# [[Awaken! Victory Leo|Awaken! Victory Leo]]
# [[Awaken! Victory Leo]]
# [[The Tide is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification|The Tide is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification]]
# [[The Tide is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification]]
# [[Jean - Defend the Campus!!|Jean - Defend the Campus!!]]
# [[Jean - Defend the Campus!!]]
# [[A Mystery?! The Deception of the Base Bombs|A Mystery?! The Deception of the Base Bombs]]
# [[A Mystery?! The Deception of the Base Bombs]]
# [[The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!|The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!]]
# [[The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!]]
# [[The Strongest! Victory Saber|The Strongest! Victory Saber]]
# [[The Strongest! Victory Saber]]
# [[The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves|The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves]]
# [[The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves]]
# [[The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress!|The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress!]]
# [[The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress!]]
# [[Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification|Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification]]
# [[Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification]]
# [[Autobots Forever|Autobots Forever]]
# [[Autobots Forever]]
# [[Radiant! Victorious Planet|Radiant! Victorious Planet]]
# [[Radiant! Victorious Planet]]
# [[The Emperor of Destruction Wins!|The Emperor of Destruction Wins!]]
# [[The Emperor of Destruction Wins!]]
# [[SOS! Global Defense Directive|SOS! Global Defense Directive]]
# [[SOS! Global Defense Directive]]
# [[Micromasters!|Micromasters!]]
# [[Micromasters!]]
# [[Victory Attack of Friendship!|Victory Attack of Friendship!]]
# [[Victory Attack of Friendship!]]
# [[Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!|Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!]]</div>
# [[Echo Across the Galaxy! Bell of Love!!]]}}
}}
 
==Cast==
==Cast==
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
{{featuredcharacters
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
|c1=
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
'''[[Brainmaster]]s'''
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] ([[Hideyuki Tanaka]])
|-
*[[Road Caesar]] ([[Kōji Totani]])
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Blacker]] ([[Kōji Totani]])
'''[[Brainmaster|Brainmasters]]'''
*[[Braver]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
 
*[[Laster]] ([[Shingo Hiromori]])
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] ([[Hideyuki Tanaka|Hideyuki Tanaka]])
'''[[Multiforce]]'''
*[[Road Caesar|Road Caesar]] ([[Kōji Totani|Kōji Totani]])
*[[Landcross]] ([[Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Blacker|Blacker]] ([[Kōji Totani|Kōji Totani]])
*[[Wingwaver]] ([[Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Braver|Braver]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa|Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
*[[Dashtacker]] ([[Yoshikazu Hirano]])
*[[Laster|Laster]] ([[Shingo Hiromori|Shingo Hiromori]])
*[[Machtackle]] ([[Hiroyuki Satō]])
 
'''[[Multiforce|Multiforce]]'''
 
*[[Landcross|Landcross]] ([[Masashi Hironaka|Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Wingwaver|Wingwaver]] ([[Masashi Hironaka|Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Dashtacker|Dashtacker]] ([[Yoshikazu Hirano|Yoshikazu Hirano]])
*[[Machtackle|Machtackle]] ([[Hiroyuki Satō|Hiroyuki Satō]])
 
 
'''[[Rescue Patrol Team|Rescue Team]]'''
'''[[Rescue Patrol Team|Rescue Team]]'''
 
*[[Holi]] ([[Kyōko Tongu]])
*[[Holi|Holi]] ([[Kyōko Tongu|Kyōko Tongu]])
*[[Boater]] ([[Aya Hisakawa]])
*[[Boater|Boater]] ([[Aya Hisakawa|Aya Hisakawa]])
*[[Fire]] ([[Tomoko Maruo]])
*[[Fire|Fire]] ([[Tomoko Maruo|Tomoko Maruo]])
*[[Pīpō]] ([[Hinako Kanamaru]])
*[[Pīpō|Pīpō]] ([[Hinako Kanamaru|Hinako Kanamaru]])
 
'''Others'''
'''Others'''
*[[Clipper]] ([[Miyoko Aoba]])
*[[Galaxy Shuttle]] ([[Shingo Hiromori]])
*[[Greatshot]] ([[Michihiro Ikemizu]])
*[[Victory Leo]] ([[Hiroshi Takemura]])
|c2=
'''[[Breastforce]]'''
*[[Deathsaurus]] ([[Takeshi Aono]])
*[[Liokaiser]] ([[Keiichi Nanba]])
*[[Leozack]] ([[Keiichi Nanba]])
*[[Drillhorn]] ([[Masato Hirano]])
*[[Gaihawk]] ([[Hōchū Ōtsuka]])
*[[Hellbat]] ([[Yoku Shioya]])
*[[Jarugar]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
*[[Killbison]] ([[Kazumi Tanaka]])
'''[[Dinoforce]]'''
*[[Dinoking]] ([[Daisuke Gōri]])
*[[Gōryū]] ([[Daisuke Gōri]])
*[[Doryū]] ([[Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Gairyū]] ([[Hiroyuki Satō]])
*[[Kakuryū]] ([[Masato Hirano]])
*[[Rairyū]] ([[Shinobu Satouchi]])
*[[Yokuryū]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
'''[[Crossformer]]s'''
*[[Black Shadow]] ([[Yūji Mikimoto]])
*[[Blue Bacchus]] ([[Ryōichi Tanaka]])
|c3=
*[[Jean Minakaze]] ([[Miyako Endō]])
*[[Clump]] ([[Yumi Tōma]])
*[[Illumina]] ([[Yumi Tōma]])
*[[Joyce]] ([[Aya Hisakawa]])
*[[Rami]] ([[Tomoko Maruo]])
}}


*[[Clipper|Clipper]] ([[Miyoko Aoba|Miyoko Aoba]])
*[[Galaxy Shuttle|Galaxy Shuttle]] ([[Shingo Hiromori|Shingo Hiromori]])
*[[Greatshot|Greatshot]] ([[Michihiro Ikemizu|Michihiro Ikemizu]])
*[[Victory Leo|Victory Leo]] ([[Hiroshi Takemura|Hiroshi Takemura]])
| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
'''[[Breastforce|Breastforce]]'''
*[[Deathsaurus|Deathsaurus]] ([[Takeshi Aono|Takeshi Aono]])
*[[Liokaiser|Liokaiser]] ([[Keiichi Nanba|Keiichi Nanba]])
*[[Leozack|Leozack]] ([[Keiichi Nanba|Keiichi Nanba]])
*[[Drillhorn|Drillhorn]] ([[Masato Hirano|Masato Hirano]])
*[[Gaihawk|Gaihawk]] ([[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Hōchū Ōtsuka]])
*[[Hellbat|Hellbat]] ([[Yoku Shioya|Yoku Shioya]])
*[[Jarugar|Jarugar]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa|Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
*[[Killbison|Killbison]] ([[Kazumi Tanaka|Kazumi Tanaka]])
'''[[Dinoforce|Dinoforce]]'''
*[[Dinoking|Dinoking]] ([[Daisuke Gōri|Daisuke Gōri]])
*[[Gōryū|Gōryū]] ([[Daisuke Gōri|Daisuke Gōri]])
*[[Doryū|Doryū]] ([[Masashi Hironaka|Masashi Hironaka]])
*[[Gairyū|Gairyū]] ([[Hiroyuki Satō|Hiroyuki Satō]])
*[[Kakuryū|Kakuryū]] ([[Masato Hirano|Masato Hirano]])
*[[Rairyū|Rairyū]] ([[Shinobu Satouchi|Shinobu Satouchi]])
*[[Yokuryū|Yokuryū]] ([[Hirohiko Kakegawa|Hirohiko Kakegawa]])
'''[[Crossformer|Crossformers]]'''
*[[Black Shadow|Black Shadow]] ([[Yūji Mikimoto|Yūji Mikimoto]])
*[[Blue Bacchus|Blue Bacchus]] ([[Ryōichi Tanaka|Ryōichi Tanaka]])
| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Jean Minakaze|Jean Minakaze]] ([[Miyako Endō|Miyako Endō]])
*[[Clump|Clump]] ([[Yumi Tōma|Yumi Tōma]])
*[[Illumina|Illumina]] ([[Yumi Tōma|Yumi Tōma]])
*[[Joyce|Joyce]] ([[Aya Hisakawa|Aya Hisakawa]])
*[[Rami|Rami]] ([[Tomoko Maruo|Tomoko Maruo]])
|}
==International releases==
==International releases==
[[Image:MadmanVictory.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Australian DVD release]]
[[Image:MadmanVictory.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Australian DVD release]]
As one of the three series that received the [[RTM 1 dub|RTM 1 dub]] treatment, ''Victory'' fell under the ownership of [[TV-Loonland|TV-Loonland]], and consequently was made available for potential release by ''Transformers'' license-holders. Although as of this writing it has still not been made available in North America, the entire series has been released on DVD in the United Kingdom in December 2006 by [[Metrodome|Metrodome]] (in its original Japanese format plus subtitles) and in Australia in May 2008 by [[Madman Entertainment|Madman Entertainment]] (in a dual-language format). Additionally, the RTM 1 dub was aired on the UK channel Anime Central in late 2007.
As one of the three series that received the [[RTM 1 dub]] treatment, ''Victory'' fell under the ownership of [[TV-Loonland]], and consequently was made available for potential release by ''Transformers'' license-holders. Although as of this writing it has still not been made available in North America, the entire series has been released on DVD in the United Kingdom in December 2006 by [[Metrodome]] (in its original Japanese format plus subtitles) and in Australia in May 2008 by [[Madman Entertainment]] (in a dual-language format). Additionally, the RTM 1 dub was aired on the UK channel Anime Central in late 2007.
{{-}}
{{-}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%88%A6%E3%81%88!%E8%B6%85%E3%83%AD%E3%83%9C%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD%E4%BD%93_%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BCV ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%88%A6%E3%81%88!%E8%B6%85%E3%83%AD%E3%83%9C%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD%E4%BD%93_%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BCV ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]


[[Category:Television series]]
[[Category:Television series]]
[[Category:Victory]]
[[Category:Victory]]

Revision as of 09:19, 25 March 2009

The name or term "Victory" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Victory (disambiguation).


Japanese Generation 1 continuity
« Victory »

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory ran from March 14, 1989 to December 19, 1989 in Japan for 38 broadcast episodes, in support of the toyline of the same name.

Overview

By the power of Grayskull, I have...THE POWER!!!!!.

After the conclusion of the daring, unusual Super-God Masterforce, Victory took the continuing animated saga of the Transformers back to a much more basic approach, restoring an unmoving status quo of small groups of Autobots and Decepticons battling over energy on Earth. Like Masterforce before it, the series takes a fresh-start approach, focusing on a cast of entirely new characters, although the connections between the previous series are a lot more clearly drawn than they were between Masterforce and The Headmasters, with repeated appearances by members of its cast.

For an unknown reason—be it a rushed schedule, a diminishing budget (perhaps caused by Victorys uncommonly well-done animation) or something else—Victorys 38-episode run features a full six clip shows, containing no new footage or story at all. As if that wasn't enough, a further six were released directly to video after the end of the series, bringing the total up to 44.

Victory was planned out by Masumi Kaneda, who had also been responsible for The Headmasters and Super-God Masterforce, but in this instance, his involvement with the actual production of the show appears to have been comparatively less, with Hiroyuki Hoshiyama credited as the head writer. Kaneda did, however, work on the Victory manga, with the massive storytelling gulf between it and the anime illustrating how few of Kaneda's ideas for the series actually made it into the anime.

Storyline

In the year 2025, following the defeat of the Decepticons on Earth in the Masterforce war, the villains have begun aggressively attacking other planets in the universe. To counter this threat, the Autobots join with many other civilizations and lifeforms (including Humanity) to form the Galactic Peace Alliance, which strikes back against the Decepticons with its military Galactic Defense Force. Recently appointed Supreme Commander of the Autobots, Star Saber heads up the Sector One Defense Force, backed up by the Brainmasters and Multiforce, while God Ginrai takes charge of Sector Two.

Seeking the energy necessary to free his massive Planet-Destroying Fortress from imprisonment in the Dark Nebula where Star Saber sealed it years ago, the Decepticons' new Emperor of Destruction, Deathsaurus, attacks Earth with his Dinoforce, prompting Star Saber and his team to set up residence on the planet. Accompanying them is Jean Minakaze, Star Saber's adopted human son, whose parents died in a Decepticon attack when he was just a baby, and Holi, head of the Micromaster Rescue Team, who soon arrive on Earth to be with their leader. The Decepticons, meanwhile, are progressively joined by more and more members of the elite Breastforce squad, including their scheming leader Leozack, who seeks to take leadership of the Decepticons from Deathsaurus, and the sneaky Hellbat, who's only looking out for himself.

After a series of energy-raiding adventures on Earth, the Breastforce target the Micromasters' homeworld of planet Micro, where they liberate their teammate, Gaihawk, enabling the team to combine into the mighty Liokaiser and finally defeat Star Saber in battle for the first time. Despite the addition of the six-changing samurai Greatshot to their ranks, the Autobots are weakened by this turn of events, and when God Ginrai arrives on Earth to aid them, he is fatally wounded by Deathsaurus and recreated as Victory Leo. When Deathsaurus finally reactivates his fortress and turns it upon the Earth, Star Saber and Victory Leo combine together into Victory Saber to end the threat of Deathsaurus once and for all.

Episodes

Cast

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

International releases

Australian DVD release

As one of the three series that received the RTM 1 dub treatment, Victory fell under the ownership of TV-Loonland, and consequently was made available for potential release by Transformers license-holders. Although as of this writing it has still not been made available in North America, the entire series has been released on DVD in the United Kingdom in December 2006 by Metrodome (in its original Japanese format plus subtitles) and in Australia in May 2008 by Madman Entertainment (in a dual-language format). Additionally, the RTM 1 dub was aired on the UK channel Anime Central in late 2007.