Transformers: Zone (toyline)
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Transformers Zone was the Transformers series released in Japan in 1990. Its line-up was very different to the one released in the US in 1990. Zone was intended to be the final animated series for Japanese television. However, only the first episode was ever animated, and it was released straight to video rather than being broadcast on television. The story was continued in comic strip format in a one shot-manga and then subsequently in TV Magazine form.
Transformers Zone introduced a new concept for Transformers toys: Powered Masters (not to be confused with Powermasters). Powered Masters had small battery-powered motors that moved ramps up and down to facilitate for the launching of Microtransformers (Japanese Micromasters). The three individual Powered Masters had two alternate modes, a normal vehicular mode, and a "Zone" mode (in reality a mini-base playset). The three normal vehicle modes could combine into Big Powered, a gigantic jet-tank mode. Each of the Powered Masters came with their own Micro Transformer.
Micro Transformers were now being introduced to Japan as part of the Zone toyline. These included US releases from both 1989 and 1990. However, with one exception, these were all released as Cybertrons, including several that were released as Decepticons in the US. In addition, some of the US releases were repainted since their western release.
Zone also introduced the Destron Metrotitan, a repaint of Metroplex. Although released in a smaller box than the intial Metroplex release, the toy came with an extra ramp that would connect the toy to other Micro Transformer playsets. He also came with his own Micro Transformer, an orange and black repaint of the Micromaster Skystalker.
The Micromaster playsets also made their Japanese debuts, all of which were either identical to or repaints of the US releases. The Rocket Base (released as Countdown in the west) was able to interact with Galaxy Shuttle, from the previous year's Victory toyline, and the figure continued to be available during the Zone line.
- Dai Atlas (w/ Speeder)
- Sonic Bomber (w/ Sonic)
- Road Fire (w/ Drillbuster)
- Big Powered giftset (a rare item containing all three Powered Masters)
- Rescue Patrol Team (Boater, Fire, Holi, & Pīpō)
- Off Road Patrol Team (Nutshell, Footdemo, Freed, & Flak)
- Race Car Patrol Team (Wheelrun, Roadhandler, Glorean, & Spinchange)
- Jet Patrol Team (Nightflight, Starcloud, Whisper, & Windrim)
- Sky Patrol Team (Breeze Master, Eagle Eye, Sky High, & Tread Bolt)
- Build Patrol Team (Crumble, Groundpounder, Neutro, & Takedown)
- Super Car Patrol Team (Black Heat, Deadhour, Gingham, & Road Hugger)
- Battle Patrol Team (Gunlift, Powerbomb, Sidetrack, & Sunrunner)
- Rocket base (w/ Rescue Patrol Team and Moon Radar)
- Landshaker (redeco of ATV) w/ Gunrunner (redeco of Roadhandler)
- Sky Hyper (redeco of Helicopter) w/ Deadwheeler (redeco of Free Wheeler)
- Cra-Gun
- Roadjet
- Skywave (identical to Flattop, a Decepticon in the US)
- Missile Bull (identical to Roughstuff, a Decepticon in the US)
- Build Base (w/ Ironworks)
- Fire Base (w/ Hot House)
- Airport Base (w/ Overair; identical to Airwave and his airport, a Decepticon in the US)
- Gasoline Base (w/ Glasspit; identical to Greasepit and his gas station, a Decepticon in the US)
Metrosquad Leader
- Metrotitan (came with Metrobomb, an orange and black repaint of Skystalker)
- Race Track Patrol (a 1990 US release, and amazingly kept as Destron/Decepticons)
Trivia
- Yes, the Destron list above is complete. Only two Destrons were released in Zone. Presumably Japanese kids were too nice in 1990 to want to play with baddies.
- There was one more Zone figure released; Rabbicrater. He was a blue redeco of Skystalker that was packed in with the Zone OVA videocassette.
- Transformers Zone was followed with Return of Convoy and then Operation Combination before the franchise went over into Generation 2 and later Beast Wars.
