That's saying a fair bit as Headmasters from personal perspective didn't hold up(despite saying that I remembered it being good) and I didn't care at all for Victory. Masterforce was really well done though, the concept initially did seem a little shaky and as with a lot of shows the first couple of episodes had a yet-to-find-its-feet feel to it. The execution however was truly impressive. Of the three 1980s anime-Transformers shows Masterforce is the most Japanese-anime-like and also has the most detailed animation and the most consistent characterisations. And it also doesn't try to cram in too much in the story lines or the terrible dubbing like Headmasters and has more energy and characters that are relatable unlike Victory. The animation is rich in detail and quite exciting in the action, definitely the best animated of this show, Victory and Headmasters combined. The music is dynamic and un-repetitive and the theme tune is catchy and not cheesy. The writing is thought-provoking and has a freshness to it, ill-placed humour and slapstick being nowhere in sight. The stories are well-paced, exciting, with emotion and are gripping, without trying to do too much. The series also has a well-rounded end, not anti-climatic like Headmasters. The characterisation is remarkably consistent with Devil Z being a very sinister villain and not a Megatron clone, and we even see some familiar faces. The voice is decent. In conclusion, excellent and the best of the 1980s anime-Transformers shows by some distance. Also one of the high points of the franchise along with the original 1984 show and Beast Wars. 9/10 Bethany Cox
6 Reviews
an interesting take
velcrohead18 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I came into this series with uncertain expectations. I had undertaken the task of watching the various Transformers series, starting with the original series and hopefully going on through the current Cybertron series. In order to get there, I had to get through Masterforce.
So after the events of the Headmasters series, I was unsure if this installment would just be a permutation of that, or if it would just venture out on its own.
As it turns out, it did both. There's a hint left of the old series, but it doesn't come off as just the "next chapter," like Headmasters did. There's a glimpse of old characters (Rodimus Prime) and a cameo or two of some Headmasters characters like Fortress Maximus, but for the most part, these are new Transformers. And this time, instead of having the Transformers rely on humans for help, the humans themselves are actually the Transformers. Some are robots hiding in the disguise of human shells, and others are real humans who adopt robot transtectors to defend the Universe.
Best among them all is Ginrai, who adopts a truck that looks an awful lot like the classic Optimus Prime. I think this is where most original Transformers fans will latch onto the story.
The thing this story has going for it is story, pure and simple. It takes it to the next level. And while this may have unfamiliar elements, it's definitely a must-see for all Transformers fans. (Look at TV-Nihon for fansubbed episodes not available in the US!)
So after the events of the Headmasters series, I was unsure if this installment would just be a permutation of that, or if it would just venture out on its own.
As it turns out, it did both. There's a hint left of the old series, but it doesn't come off as just the "next chapter," like Headmasters did. There's a glimpse of old characters (Rodimus Prime) and a cameo or two of some Headmasters characters like Fortress Maximus, but for the most part, these are new Transformers. And this time, instead of having the Transformers rely on humans for help, the humans themselves are actually the Transformers. Some are robots hiding in the disguise of human shells, and others are real humans who adopt robot transtectors to defend the Universe.
Best among them all is Ginrai, who adopts a truck that looks an awful lot like the classic Optimus Prime. I think this is where most original Transformers fans will latch onto the story.
The thing this story has going for it is story, pure and simple. It takes it to the next level. And while this may have unfamiliar elements, it's definitely a must-see for all Transformers fans. (Look at TV-Nihon for fansubbed episodes not available in the US!)
A great show
twu-1314918 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, this show is VERY different from the previous shows, but that doesn't make it bad, it makes this interesting. The cast is full of amazing characters and there is actually character development (SPOILERS) like Ginrai starts out as a guy who is unsure about his position and was slowly swayed to lead the Autobots after the Decepticons killed his friends.
The show's soundtrack is just amazing. I don't think that this show is as good as Transformers Victory, but it is a very close contender. This show has a plot from the very beginning and the way it connects the to first series is amazing.
The show's soundtrack is just amazing. I don't think that this show is as good as Transformers Victory, but it is a very close contender. This show has a plot from the very beginning and the way it connects the to first series is amazing.
Transtectors: No Force
Oneirosophos7 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Masterforce is a spin-off-ish sequel to the horrid Headmasters, where awful Japanese scripters continue the awful tradition of taking interesting Transformers and putting no effort at all, delivering us another horrid sample of Japformers.
Masterforce takes the concept of Powermasters and changes aliens into humans, transformers to lifeless mechas called transtectors and (of course) adds to the equation of nonsense a supernatural Decepticon emperor, named "Devil Z". So, we have Godmasters instead of Powermasters, battling to protect Earth from the evil forces of Devil Z, where for some reason other humans decided to drive Decepticons transtectors.
Although the second JG1 series has 5 or 6 interesting episodes and some moments, especially the ending, which makes it far better from the horrible Headmasters, it's still awful. Better read the Marvel & IDW comics if you want to know these characters.
Masterforce takes the concept of Powermasters and changes aliens into humans, transformers to lifeless mechas called transtectors and (of course) adds to the equation of nonsense a supernatural Decepticon emperor, named "Devil Z". So, we have Godmasters instead of Powermasters, battling to protect Earth from the evil forces of Devil Z, where for some reason other humans decided to drive Decepticons transtectors.
Although the second JG1 series has 5 or 6 interesting episodes and some moments, especially the ending, which makes it far better from the horrible Headmasters, it's still awful. Better read the Marvel & IDW comics if you want to know these characters.
In the words of Optimus Prime: Pure drivel.
Agarak21 June 2016
The series starts out cool and has some intriguing concepts, but I quit after watching only six full episodes. The human characters are annoying as usual, and I for one don't need a "sexy" villain as I assume Giga is supposed to be in a Transformers series-particularly one that's supposedly intended for kids. Even the episodes I did watch seemed like they could be pretty disturbing for little kids, what with the violence and dark magic zombies. It's a shame really-I was looking forward to Ginrai, Overlord, Grand Maximus, and Black Zarak, but they're not cool enough to warrant that kinda crap. Here's hoping Victory was more tastefully done.
Excellent, great show, the second greatest Transformers ever
Emphinix7 August 2003
This show is the second best Transformers anime after Transformers: Victory. I love this show and I also used to watch it a lot with my cousin and these Transformers are really cool. Humans using bracelets to become the Transformers.
It is known that God Jinrai is actually Convoy (Optimus Prime) and then he becomes the Super God Jinrai by combining with the best Transformer of the show, God Bomber, and also the Destrons Masterforce (Decepticons)are a lot strong and more powerful. And the main villain Devil Z is a lot stronger than Galvatron and Unicron.
In the Dominican Republic in this show Devil Z name is Scorponok, that was our favorite Destron. But no human controlled him,only Devil Z got inside him making him more powerful, he is the leader of the Destrons.
But the other two Destrons Giga and Mega made things a lot more difficult when they interfered and they most of the time have severely injured God Jinrai (Optimus Prime), I hated them so much that I'd wish they would die. By the way, that husband and wife team in the show are just like the new version of Cyclonus and Scourge(Galvatron's most loyal soldiers)
This show is great I give it a 10/10
It is known that God Jinrai is actually Convoy (Optimus Prime) and then he becomes the Super God Jinrai by combining with the best Transformer of the show, God Bomber, and also the Destrons Masterforce (Decepticons)are a lot strong and more powerful. And the main villain Devil Z is a lot stronger than Galvatron and Unicron.
In the Dominican Republic in this show Devil Z name is Scorponok, that was our favorite Destron. But no human controlled him,only Devil Z got inside him making him more powerful, he is the leader of the Destrons.
But the other two Destrons Giga and Mega made things a lot more difficult when they interfered and they most of the time have severely injured God Jinrai (Optimus Prime), I hated them so much that I'd wish they would die. By the way, that husband and wife team in the show are just like the new version of Cyclonus and Scourge(Galvatron's most loyal soldiers)
This show is great I give it a 10/10
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