Transformers: The Headmasters



Transformers: The Headmasters aired from July 3, 1987 to March 28, 1988 and marks the departure of the Japanese from the US continuity. The Japanese aired this 35 episode series instead of the Season 4 "Rebirth" episodes seen in the US. Madman Entertainment will be releasing it on DVD in Australia during November 2007. A boxset was released in the United Kingdom in 2005, as part of a three-part The Takara Collection by Metrodome Distribution; it was also part of the Takara - The Complete Collection released in 2007.

In Headmasters, Galvatron leads a fresh assault against the Autobots with a group of warriors called Headmasters. The Autobots are overwhelmed by this new threat until the arrival of Fortress Maximus and the Autobot Headmasters. With these new reinforcements, the Autobot-Decepticon civil war begins anew.

Anxious to switch the focus almost completly to their new characters, the writers disposed of Optimus Prime, Rodimus Prime, Kup, and Blurr quicker than they did Galvatron, and treated Zarak/Scorponok as a cladestine mastermind who kept to the shadows until the older characters had vanished. A cult character to emerge from this was the bad*** Sixshot, who has the rather distinct occupation of "Ninja consultant".

Though these episodes never aired in the United States, a version was dubbed into English overseas. Variously referred to as "the Singapore dub" or "the Star TV dub" (though in fact originating from RTM in Malaysia), these translations feature voice acting of questionable quality (some fans suspect a single actor did the bulk of the voices), and almost random re-naming of characters and artifacts: Blaster becomes "Billy", Hot Rod is "Rodimus Prime" (pronounced "Roadimus Prime"), the Matrix becomes "the Power Pack", Spike is "Sparkle", Soundblaster is "New Soundwave", Metroplex is called "Phillip", and Fortress Maximus is known as "Spaceship Bruce".

The dubs have acquired a cult popularity among the fandom, largely for bizarre or poorly-translated dialogue such as:


 * Spike: "Look out!"
 * Metroplex: "Whaaaat?"


 * Optimus Prime, opening a door: "I can feel the heat!"


 * Galvatron, watching the apparent death of Soundwave: "Darn that Soundwave. *yawn*!"


 * Rodimus, to a dying Blaster: "Billy, are you alright?"
 * Blaster: "Not really. Find the power pack!"


 * Zarak: "So, Fortress Maximus has come himself. Okay!  I shall get Fortress Maximus to fight me, heh heh heh!"

The dub is included in the Metrodome DVDs.

Episodes

 * 1) Four Warriors Come out of the Sky
 * 2) The Mystery of Planet Master
 * 3) A Dream is Born, Double Convoy
 * 4) Operation Cassette
 * 5) Rebellion on Planet Beest
 * 6) Approach of the Demon Meteorite
 * 7) The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery
 * 8) Terror! The Six Shadows
 * 9) Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1
 * 10) Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2
 * 11) The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok
 * 12) The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts
 * 13) Head On!! Fortress Maximus
 * 14) Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger
 * 15) Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears
 * 16) Return of the Immortal Emperor
 * 17) SOS from Planet Sandra
 * 18) Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!
 * 19) Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!
 * 20) Battle for Defense of the False Planet
 * 21) Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!
 * 22) Head Formation of Friendship
 * 23) Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship
 * 24) Ultra Magnus Dies!!
 * 25) The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg
 * 26) I Risk My Life for Earth
 * 27) Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)
 * 28) Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)
 * 29) The Master Sword Is in Danger!!
 * 30) The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide
 * 31) Operation: Destroy the Decepticons
 * 32) My Friend Sixshot!
 * 33) Duel on the Asteroid
 * 34) The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)
 * 35) The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)