Transformers: The Headmasters

トランスフォーマー ザ☆ヘッドマスターズ

Aired: 1987

A Japanese-original robot anime based on the 'Transformers' toy franchise. The third series in the lineup, following 'Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010,' it continues the war between the Cybertrons (Autobots) and Destrons (Decepticons). The Headmaster warriors, whose heads independently transform and combine, take center stage as new protagonists in a cosmic-scale conflict set on the planet Master. Breaking away from the dubbed format of the overseas version, the series was notable for its Japanese-original animation and direction emphasizing dramatic storytelling. Its serious tone, depicting the deaths of comrades and inner conflicts, laid the foundation for subsequent domestically-produced Transformers series and is recognized as a pivotal work in the franchise.