Customer Reviews

Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Transformers: Headmasters is the first of a loose "trilogy" of Japanese-exclusive Transformers cartoons produced after the demise of the American "G1" cartoon. I was introduced to this show (and its successors, Transformers: Masterforce and Transformers: Victory) by way of badly-converted (PAL-to-NTSC) VHS bootlegs and an English dub by way of Singapore. I was able to get into Masterforce and Victory, since the characters were mostly "all-new" and had few, if any, connections to the original series, but I could never get more than five or six episodes into Headmasters because of the glaringly horrible way they dealt with the names (Blurr is called "Wally," Blaster is called "Billy," Spike is "Sparkle," the Matrix of Leadership is called "The Power Pack," etc.). It was laughingly bad and still a subject of much derision today (there's a line in Masterforce about "going to headQUARters to have some keBABS" that still makes me chuckle years later).

Shout! Factory's official U.S. release of these cartoons is a blessing by comparison. Not only do the subtitles reflect the "correct" names for the characters, but they opt to use the American names of the characters (Optimus Prime, Kup, Cerebros, Autobots, Decepticons) vs. the Japanese (Convoy, Char, Fortress, Cybertrons, Destrons). It is easier to get into the story when you're not thinking "Did they really just call him 'SPARKLE'?!?" The "Japanese with English Subtitles" may turn off the casual viewer, but it's really the only way to watch the show, as the only "legitimate" English dub track is absolutely abominable in it's badness. The story is much broader and more engaging than the three-episode "Season 4" although the toy collectors among us may grumble about the cool Japanese-exclusive characters that we never got back in the '80s (the Trainbots, Twincast, Soundblaster, and so forth). Also be on the look-out for one episode appearance by Hasbro's Battle Beast characters, who were released in Japan as a Transformers tie-in called "Beastformers".

While some of the storylines are a bit darker than the American version (i.e., major robot character deaths as early as episode 3), it won't traumatize any child who survived watching the wholesale robo-slaughter in the original "Transformers: The Movie" (or the spine-tearing, face-ripping goodness of the live action movies, for that matter). In fact, those hoping for a "hardcore and mature Transformers story" in the vein of "TFTM" or the Michael Bay films may walk away a little disappointed. "Headmasters" is completely and unabashedly a kid's show, and a Japanese kid's show at that. As such, there's much focus on the human POV character, Daniel, and the occasional bits of shtick and slapstick that might turn off the hardcore G1 "purist," but it is overall a good show.

Besides, Blurr's Japanese voice actor is absolutely awesome and certainly evokes the legendary John (FedEx, Micromachines) Moschitta, Jr. in his portrayal. That and Grimlock's subtitles being in "Me-Grimlockspeak" make me a very happy Transfan.

The set is beautifully packaged and affordably priced. While the extras are a little sparse (an art gallery and nothing else), getting 35 episodes of an anime for $20-$25 is worth the price of admission in and of itself.

The only major complaint I have is that occasionally the timing of the subtitle track will get a little "off" and doesn't quite keep up with the dialogue at times. It happens rarely, but often enough to be noticeable.

At long last, after nearly two decades of having to suffer through overpriced bootlegs and imports, the U.S. 'Transformers' fan base finally gets a proper release of the Japanese series!

As any online summary will tell you, the Japanese 'Headmasters' ignores the 'Rebirth' mini-series and follows its own take following the events of 'The Return of Optimus Prime' (or Convoy, as he is called in the Japanese series). Parents of younger 'Transformers' fans may want to be aware that the tone of the series is a tad darker than the U.S. episodes mainly due to character deaths throughout the series (a certain character sacrifices himself AGAIN), and by U.S. standards, there is a substantial amount of profanity.

My major gripe with 'Headmasters' is that in general, the writing is very weak and often seems as if it is trying too hard to mimic the previous U.S. 'Generation One' (G1) series. Even the 'lip syncing' of the characters in early episodes seems as if it is trying to reproduce that of the original English language shows. Keep in mind that anime of the late 80s was not being marketed as heavily to the western world as it is today. In that respect, 'Headmasters' curiously comes off as if it were in some ways a half-serious parody of the U.S. shows (such as 'G.I. JOE' and 'Transformers') for which Japanese animation studios had been contracted. (The subsequent series, 'Super God Masterforce' and 'Victory', are stronger for taking their own direction.)

Some characterizations are extremely inconsistent to the original series. For example, Soundwave is extremely 'chatty', and Galvatron is nowhere near as insane as in Season 3. Also, if you couldn't stand Wheelie and Daniel Witwicky, be warned that they are fairly prominent in this show. The perk, however, is getting to see familiar characters as well as plenty of new (at the time) ones, as the world of the Transformers was ever-satisfying in creating inventive new robots and their alternative forms. Also, look for the appearance of the Beastformers (known in the U.S. as 'Battle Beasts').

'Headmasters' is by far considered the weakest of the Japanese 'G1' series. However, the appeal for U.S. fans is "the continuing adventures" of the original G1 cast of characters. For hardcore fans, this is a must-have.

I have to rate this release as a 5-Star for several reasons:

1. The great price and for the fact that it's not a bootleg.
2. If this is the 'weakest' series of the Japanese "trilogy", then I hope Shout Factory releases the other two sets (Headmasters; Super God Masterforce; Victory), the storytelling and action is excellent.
3. Even for an 80's 'toon, and not remastered from its original film, it has held up brilliantly; much moreso than the U.S. counterparts in my opinion.
4. It doesn't belittle: adult wars - check; actual robot destruction/dismemberment and 'game over' - check; extremely mild language (I wouldn't even consider it profanity) - check.

It's basically what you wanted to see as a kid. I was hesitant to watch the release at first. It sat on my player for over a month. Not because it's a Japanese release and has no English Dubs -- I watch all of my anime with Subs, but because it's from the 80's. Don't get me wrong; I'm crazy about TF G1, mainly the 1st and 2nd seasons. After re-watching the 3rd and 4th seasons; good grief those did not age well -- the U.S. storytelling for the later seasons is mediocre; some plots and animation made my eyes roll. It was actually painful to watch; especially the distant planets and the attention focused moreso on the annoying characters (aliens and humans) rather than the robots.

The later U.S. releases remind me of the new live-action films. Love everything about the robots; highly dislike the annoying human characters (although the 1st movie still remains the most watchable). However, I don't mind a re-telling. I don't mind liberties. I enjoy a little shake-up.

The detail and animation of the Japanese "Rebirth" story, to me, is hands above the 4th season of the U.S. Whereas, in the U.S. cartoon... you might count 10-15 different 'bots; I basically lost count at 40 in the first episode of "Headmasters". I understand cartoons are the main push to sell the latest series of the toyline; but it's nice to see so many older 'bots in the Japanese cartoon. Also, the tape cassette wars and the amount of combiner 'bots in just the first 5 episodes is outstanding; I was shocked; it made me drivel. I could not stop watching the series, and the episodes fly by.

The cartoon action usually takes place in several locations and on several planets; there is a great voice-over/subtitles narrater to keep you up to track on the story and the whereabouts of the 'bots -- much more in depth than the U.S. cartoons (which did not take advantage of such tools and storytelling; and watered down adult themes); you'll know what I mean once viewing a few shows. It is action paced and I'll state it again, the animation and battles are noncomparable. I instantly wanted to watch the release again, which means an instant 'keeper' and 'winner' in my book. And I'm very picky. I wasn't born in the 80's, so I'm not a fan of CG 'toons such as Beast Wars/Machines, Energon, etc. So I heavily rely on these cel-shaded 'toon releases.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It won't hurt to add to your collection.

On the plus side, at long last, the "real" conclusion of the Transformers G1 saga is out on DVD. I remember being sorely disappointed with the three-part season four of the american series. And then, a few years later, I saw what looked like an episode of a G1 series with G1 characters, but was otherwise unfamiliar to me, on a spanish channel.

Ever since then, I had been dying to see what "the real" fate of the transformers was. Now it's finally out, and I am, again, very disappointed.............

I mean, it was great to see a lot of familiar characters at it again in the tranformers universe, but as the series went on, I was increasingly disappointed. I could overlook the lack of extras (they couldn't include profiles all of the characters?) and generally poor video/animation quality. But there were three things in particular, I didn't like about Transformers: Headmasters.............

1. The series had an overall depressing tone to it, a lot of tragic events occured during the series. What's more, these tragedies failed to make for more compelling story-telling (IMHO). I was more annoyed and let down then moved by said events. Dark, or darker, is one thing, this was something else.

2. The series felt more like a japanese anime series than the old Transformers G1 series. Understandable, considering it was a japanese production company but it didn't really fit with the tranformers vibe (IMHO). I often forgot I was watching Transformers: Headmasters and would think I was watching starblazers or some other such anime feature. The series moved from the episodic format of the american series to a saga-driven format much like the Marcross, Yamato and other series. I didn't feel it really worked. Again, I'm basically saying that it didn't "feel" like the old G1 series in america.

3. My biggest problem with the series was overt manner in which the Headmasters became the center of the entire transformers universe. Most other characters were ultimately marginalized and seldom heard from (especially after the first three episodes). Most of the combiners always showed up in their combiner form almost as if there were no members of the combiner group and only their combined forms (such as Superion, Menasor, Computron, etc) even merited attention (and recognition as warriros) at all.

The Headmasters just show up out of nowhere and in short order end up taking over everything while other characters are written out of the series or outright killed off. It's as if the writers were saying these are you new favorite transformers whether you like it or not. The only other group characters that came close to the same level of exposure were sixshot (another "new" character) and the trainbots (also new, a combiner group, lamest combiner group ever, IMHO). I mean Raiden (a train combiner) replaced Sky Lynx as the natural adversary to Predaking? Sky Lynx could have just as well served the function the trainbots did as a means of mass transit and a suitable foe for predaking..................anyway...............

FYI, be aware, a number of other season three characters (besides Sky Lynx) were omiited as well. Most notably, Wreck-Gar, the Quintessons, the sweeps, the revived Starscream. Others, made but a single appearance (autobot triple changers, dinobots, many original G1 characters). Another curious aspect of this series is the the decepticon triple-changers octane and blitzkrieg seemed to have shifted allianced back to the decpticons. This might bother some american G1 fans.

I, of course, expected the titular characters would be central to a major plot/sub-plot in the series, but not that they would take over center stage and dominate the entire transformers universe. Clearly, the producers were pushing sales of the newest members of the toyline, but to a ridiculous degree (IMHO). I much preferred the episodic nature of the american series (particulary season 1 & 2) and the exposure to a wider range of characters (narrowing down to a central cast didn't work out to well for season 3 either, I never understood that logic).

Obviously, these complaints are based on predujices for the format and style of the original season 1 & 2 of the original G1 series, but I think they are important to point out. Anyone expecting an extension of the american G1 series will be sorely disappointed. However, any die-hard transformers fan (especially G1 fans, like me) will want to see it for themselves still.

I only caution that Transformers: Headmasters is a wide departure form the story-telling style of the original american G1 series.

After all the rumors and promises throughout the years, Shout! Factory is giving the US Transformers fans what the others have never come through on. Glad to see this series is finally getting its long over do region 1 release. I have seen some of the episodes on Youtube and it seems to be a very cool continuation of where the series in the US ended (for whatever reason, rather it was just the declining poularity at the time or the rumors that these episodes were shipped from Japan to be aired in the US but would end up being destroyed in some type of fire. Either way it was ended with the Rebirth (Season 4) series).

Without spoiling too much I thought the concept was just as cool as having the Humannoids as the head and as guns in Rebirth. The only difference is that the these robots are ones who left Cybertron during the Great War to live in peace. While on the planet they picked for their home they designed bigger robot bodies and then they became the heads of those bigger bodies. You will see a lot of new characters as well as some of the older characters from the first three seasons of The Transformers. Like Transformers: The Movie, this series is another transition from earlier characters to the focussing on the newest characters which were the newest toyline at the time.

All in all I have liked what I have seen of the series so far on sites like Youtube and can't wait to get this and see the entire series. With this release and the re-release of Beast Wars I hope Shout! Factory sticks with it and we get a region 1 release of the remaining Japanese series (Masterforce and Vitory for G1, Beast Wars Second and Beast Wars Neo for Beast Wars) as well as the one shot episode for Transfomers: Zone.

I recieved the DVD this week. Shipping was prompt, the only knock I give it is that it was not packaged too great. It was loosely put in an oversized envelope and look like it had been moving around in shipment. It seems Amazon is a little hit or miss anymore with their packing of the items for shipment. Other than that the set was fine, none of the plastic inside or out was broken, no loose DVDs inside and no scratches or anything on the DVDs.

As for the episodes, this is a lot better than finding and watching these on Youtube. The episodes were good to watch and the dialogue seems like it has a little more humor in some spots espcially when watching the antics of Daniel and Wheelie. I know some consider this the weakest link in the Japanese continuation of the series. To me this is just a very fun start to the Japanese contiuation and a must for any Transformers fan.

A perfect extension of the regular G1/G2 Series. It's too bad some of these were only regional. I was happy to pay the price since finally someone has seen the value in distributing classic content. The images are that solid old animation style with common coloring mistakes. Consistent plots and positive reinforcements make it a typical cartoon from a great decade.

This dvd set picks up where the Generation One Transformers storyline ended in the United States. For any Transformers fan who was clamoring for more episodes from their childhood, this is the set for you. Unfortunately, this is the last set of generation one storyline.

I grew up with Transformers and just love everything Transformers. When I was a kid, I would get a few bootleg episodes on VHS with VERY VERY poor dubbing. It was so goofy sounding that it made the show stupid. But as a kid, I didn't care, I just wanted to see Scorponok and Sixshot and etc in cartoon form. Now everyone who hasn't seen the series yet will get the same opportunity. Whats even better is that these are the original Japanese voices with English subtitles.

I do enjoy the DVD and think they did a good job. However, the subtitling is hard to read at times because it is in a white font, and I think yellow would have probably worked better.

The series continues after season 3 of the US series, and skips Rebirth. It's not the best TF series made, but it's good. Most would agree that Masterforce is the best. There will be a box set released soon with Masterforce, and Victory along with Headmasters.

The quality of the DVD is fantastic and looks as good as it did when it was broadcasted. If you are a fan, or just curious about the foreign TF universe, you owe yourself a favor and must pick this up.

I give the series 4 stars out of 5, but Shout! Factory deserves 5 stars for bring these to the states.

I just wanted to let people know what I think of the Transformers The Japanese Headmasters DVD collection. I do, like the idea, that this Transformers anime series is being released in North America for the first time! This is the anime series that continued right after the American Transformers Generation One cartoon storyline which was two-part episode of Return of Optimus Prime Parts 1 & 2. This is the Japanese introduction of the Transformers: Headmasters and Targetmasters.
I feel the Shout Factory should released all of the animated footage the Transformers : Headmasters had before it was edited for release. Anyone who has seen The Transformers Headmasters knows the recap at the beginning of "Four warriors from the outer space" or "Four warriors from the sky" is missing! The other TFs: Headmasters episodes are missing the Japanese recaps and the Japanese previews for the next episode. The Transformers: Headmasters is not called the complete collection because the Shout Factory deliberately deleted animated footage form the original Transformers Headmasters animation masters. If you look at the Youtube TFs: HM episodes and UK release of Transformers Headmasters DVD , you will know what I am saying. The Transformers Japanese Headmasters collection DVD release is okay but not great. I wish this DVD could have been better. This is like a bare bones DVD. D

This is pretty decent, all things considered. The show is a little silly, and I still want someone to stomp all over Wheelie and Daniel. Die, "relate-able" characters, die.

I should note, however, that the subtitles kind of suck. They're rife with typos, and take massive liberties with certain terms and phrases ("Hai" does not translate to "Yes, sir, of course!" You're taking it too far, subtitlers).

Worth buying, especially at this price, but don't expect to take it too seriously.