"Transformers" (1984)TV series 1984-1987

Directors:

Jay Bacal
John Gibbs

Writer:

Roger Slifer (live-action sequences)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

17 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

Tagline:

More than meets the eye!

Plot:

Two opposing camps of alien transforming robots fight in a war that has the fate of Earth in the balance.

Plot Keywords:

1980s | Space Bridge | Alien Invasion | Robot Vs. Robot | Bad Guy Turns Good

Cast

Chris Latta	...	Starscream / ... (27 episodes, 1984-1987)
Frank Welker	...	Megatron / ... (27 episodes, 1984-1987)
Peter Cullen	...	Ironhide / ... (25 episodes, 1984-1987)
Corey Burton	...	Spike Witwicky / ... (23 episodes, 1984-1985)
Casey Kasem	...	Cliffjumper / ... (23 episodes, 1984-1985)
Dan Gilvezan	...	Bumblebee / ... (22 episodes, 1984-1985)
John Stephenson	...	Thundercracker / ... (20 episodes, 1984-1986)
Scatman Crothers	...	Jazz (19 episodes, 1984-1987)
Michael Bell	...	Prowl / ... (18 episodes, 1984-1985)
Don Messick	...	Ratchet / ... (18 episodes, 1984-1985)
Ken Sansom	...	Hound / ... (17 episodes, 1984-1985)
Gregg Berger	...	Grimlock / ... (14 episodes, 1984-1985)
Neil Ross	...	Slag / ... (11 episodes, 1984-1985)

Also Known As:

Super God Robot Force
Tatakae! Chô robot seimeitai Transformer (Japan)
The Transformers (USA) (new title)
Transformer 2010 (Japan) (third season title)
Transformers: Generation 1 (USA) (informal title)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | USA:30 min (98 episodes)

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U (video rating) | Singapore:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | USA:TV-Y7 | Australia:G (some episodes)

Company:

Sunbow Productions

Trivia:

In season 1, there were 24 autobots [Optimus Prime, Skyfire, Bluestreak, Hound, Ironhide, Jazz, Mirage, Prowl, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack, Cliffjumper, Gears, Huffer, Windcharger, Brawn, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Slag, Snarl, Sludge, Swoop] and 22 decepticons [Megatron, Soundwave - with 4 casseticons, Reflector x 3, Skywarp, Starscream, Thundercracker, Shockwave, Bonecrusher, Hook, Mixmaster, Long Haul, Scavenger, Scrapper, Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel]. In season 2, there were 15 new Autobots [Perceptor, Omega Supreme, Beachcomber, Cosmos, Powerglide, Seaspray, Warpath, Blaster, Grapple, Hoist, Inferno, Red Alert, Skids, Smokescreen, Tracks] and 5 new Decepticons [Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, Blitzwing, Astrotrain]. In the end of Season 2, 10 new Autobots (The Aerialbots and the Protectobots) and 10 new Decepticons were introduced (The Stunticons and the Combaticons).

Quotes:

[first lines of the series]
Narrator: Many millions of years ago, on the planet Cybertron, life existed. But, not life as we know it today. Intelligent robots, that could think and feel inhabited the cities. They were called Autobots and Decepticons. But, the brutal Decepticons were driven by a single goal...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Happenstance (#7.8)" (2006)

Probably the best cartoon

I actually said in another review that Voltron was probably the best cartoon, but when I think about it I probably did like Tranformers better. It has some mad characters, it was playing in the mornings not long ago, I watched it occaisonally but as a child I wouldn't miss an episode. I remember playing around with the toys like Optimus and Megatron (i still have them somewhere). I didn't like watching many other cartoons though it was mainly Transformers, Voltron, and Inspector Gadget, I was never a fan of the cartoon G.I Joe (although I had a heap of toys). I can't remember when they used to play the cartoon of G.I Joe?

Anyway Transformers gets 10/10 because it made my child it just that wee bit brighter.