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Title: Transformers Takara Collection vol 1: Headmasters
UK Distributor:
Metrodome (DVD Only)
BBFC Certificate: PG
Suggested Retail Price (SRP): £29.99
Episodes: 1-35 (of 35)
Audio Options: Japanese 2.0;
English 2.0
Subtitles: English
Reviewer: Rich (Webmaster)
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Transformers is fondly remembered in the UK as one of
the cartoon staples of the 1980’s, captivating viewers with a its transforming
robots and timeless battle of good against evil. Transforming robots were
popular in Japan too, in fact Transformers creators Hasbro had
used a Japanese toy line as the basis for its own, and it wasn’t too long before
the Japanese made their own Transformers series. Strangely, even
though the Western series began to fade, the Japanese Transformers (often
referred to as Transformers Takara, after the company that made it)
remained confined to Japan. Until now.
The first series of Takara – Headmasters – begins in a manner
familiar to Transformers fans, with the Autobots and Decepticons battling
it out over ownership of Cybertron once again. However, just when things
start to look bleak for the Autobots, unexpected support comes in the form of
the Headmasters, a group of powerful transformers led by the courageous Fortress
Maximus. The Headmasters are small robots who have developed the power to
transform into heads in order to control larger transforming suits, and their
appearance turns the tide in the Autobot’s favour. All is not going to go
their way though, there are Headmasters on the Decepticon side too and their
enigmatic commander Lord Zarek is scheming to create a weapon that none will be
able to stand against. There is one being that has the strength to stop
him, Fortress Maximus has the ability to unlock a power that could match Zarek’s
weapon, but such power is not easy to attain…
Transformers Takara: Headmasters is an odd series indeed. Although
fans will recognise many of the new characters, several of which turned up in
the Western series and toy lines shortly before they ended, there is just
something distinctly, well, Japanese about it all. I know that
sounds a very obvious thing to say about a Japanese series, but most viewers
will know the Western series and to be honest Headmasters is not a lot
like it. Whilst the premise is the same the story itself is darker than
you may expect, and most of the familiar characters fade into the background
within the space of about ten episodes. The Japanese aspects of the series
are odd and quirky – Transformers getting drunk and doing Karaoke is an
undisputed highlight – but the habit of each new character introducing
themselves when they arrive and making grand proclamations about the prowess
does begin to grate quite quickly.
Once you get your head round this though there is a lot to like about this
series. The overall story is pretty good and throws up some real
surprises, whilst there are several big action scenes in every episode. As
mentioned the series is darker than its Western counterparts, with characters
dying and the creepy Lord Zarek manipulating events secretly from the shadows.
In fact Zarek is one of the best aspects of the series, appearing only as a
mist-shrouded shadow until around half way through, he remains a mysterious and
malevolent force throughout. The Japanese aspects make it less predictable
than the Western series and there are some story arcs that stretch across
several episodes, and then there’s the dub. Yes, the series was dubbed
into English many years ago in the most alarmingly amateur fashion possible, the
voice ‘actors’ are atrocious and the dub script is poor, with some inexplicable
name changes (Blaster gets renamed as Billy for example). This makes for
hilarious viewing which is probably why Metrodome included it, but
needless to say they also include the original (and vastly superior) Japanese
dub and an English subtitle track.
Transformers Takara: Headmasters is most certainly a very different
kettle of fish to the Transformers series you remember, but it is also
interesting to watch. The animation hasn't dated well, but the mechanical design
is great as ever and the story is more sophisticated and surprising than you may
expect. The sheer Japanese-ness of it may be off-putting for some (I’m
sure there will be a few viewers that will be annoyed at seeing Arcee
effectively become a secretary for Ultra Magnus), but it does make for an
interesting viewing experience. It’s not ground-breakingly amazing but
despite some annoyances with the animation and pointless posturing of characters
it is entertaining and action-packed viewing. It’s unlikely to turn many
heads with viewers new to the franchise but if you remember the old series then
this is great value for money and well worth picking up.
Extras:
As well as the English dub, which is
effectively an extra as it just seems to have been included for kitsch value,
the discs also carry the episode scripts as DVD ROM content and the first three
episodes have a commentary by Transformers expert Chris McFeeley.
The commentary is definitely interesting from an anime fan point of view as
McFeeley frequently talks about the ties between the series and well known anime
series like Dragonball.
Ratings
Feature:
Extras:
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