Shout Factory Headmasters Review; A Seibertron.com Exclusive
Monday, June 27th, 2011 10:11PM CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, ReviewsPosted by: Diem Views: 83,201
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Street Date: July 5, 2011
Not Rated: For All Audiences
Suggested Retail Price: $29.93
4-DVD
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Japanese, English, stereo
This review will be in two parts. The first part will be reviewing the show itself so that those who've never seen the series before can see if this a wise purchase. The second part will concern the presentation of this DVD set so those who already own the UK release, some elderly VHS tapes or some utterly-legal downloads of the show may want to skip straight there.
Part One: The Show.
Exhausting the power of the Matrix to dispel the Hate Plague had worse consequences than anyone could anticipate. The supercomputer Vector Sigma was destabilised, leaving Cybertron defenceless. Even with the help of the mysterious “Four Warriors from the Sky”, and their battleship the Autobots won't make it out of this alone without making some serious sacrifices. And in the background Galvatron's new ally Zarak has some sinister plans...
In the west the Transformers cartoon ended a little differently to how many fans expected or were hoping for. Season 4 wound up being a 5-parter rather than a full season, and then that 5-parter ended up being reduced to a 3-parter, The Rebirth. Due to its short length and large numbers of characters and gimmicks being introduced the grand finale worked out to be little more than an extended commercial. And then that was the end of the G1 cartoon.
At least that was it for the west. In Japan they weren't going to give up so easily. The Rebirth was scrapped, and Japan produced their own series, The Headmasters, following directly on from The Return Of Optimus Prime. The Headmasters was free to give more screentime to those new characters introduced in 1987 without having to rush.
The Japanese producers were very keen to make Headmasters their own product rather than stick what came before, which may stick in the craw of some fans. Many of the characters and concepts from the US cartoon were drastically changed. Scourge and Cyclonus became a bumbling comedy duo more like Bebop and Rocksteady. Alpha Trion is a ghost who can charge up other Autobots by spinning with his arms outstretched like Superman. Wheelie is...well, Wheelie's still annoying but he's a bratty, arrogant flavour of annoying now.
Similarly the humour and themes of the show don't always translate so well. There's a lot of slapstick such as Hardhead getting “drunk” and dancing, Cerebros pulling funny faces to stop Daniel from crying or Tantrum getting unceremoniously knocked over by a train (that one was actually pretty funny). Similarly several of the episodes and story arcs end in ways that may seem unsatisfying or even silly to American eyes.
However, despite sophomoric moments Headmasters carries a level of dramatic and emotional weight that American viewers wouldn't experience until Beast Wars. Characters die in both heroic and pointless ways and nothing is glossed over. The heroes are often forced to face failure on personal levels and bad choices are shown as having consequences more serious than a simple reprimand. Sometimes the good guys lose. Headmasters starts slow but after a while those who have avoided spoilers will run into twists, turns and excitement.
The characterization in the show is mostly excellent. The role of main character is taken from the avancular, strong Optimus and the self-conscious, zealous Rodimus and is given to Chromedome. The Headmasters version of Chromedome is hot-blooded and confident, but learns and develops as the series goes on. Sixshot is another prominent character who breaks out of the typical villain mold and becomes a compelling and memorable antagonist. Other characters who got glossed over in the west such as Pointblank and Punch get more personality and screen time here too. Even some figures that never showed up in the US cartoon like the Duocons and the Monsterbots put in appearances.
Perhaps the most vital part of this series for those who have never seen it before is the important place it holds in Transformers history. This was the first time that Japanese continuity really set out on its own rather than adapting from the western storyline, and this path would lead into Masterforce and Victory, and would introduce luminary Transformers such as Minerva, Star Saber and Deathsaurus.
Watching a 35-episode series, especially with subtitles is a serious investment of time and if you've never been curious about the Japanese continuity this set isn't about to change your mind. At times it is ponderous and heavy-handed, and the animation and music are not about to wow anyone. And many of the big twists will have been defused by anyone with even the most casual knowledge of the 1987 toyline. On the other hand if you want to see a powerful, involved storyline that features otherwise-ignored characters that have been fleshed-out and many memorable moments it's a worthwhile investment.
Part Two: The Presentation.
The DVD set comes inside a plastic case which comes in a cardboard sleeve, a situation which would be less pointless if they didn't both have the exact same artwork and blurb. The inside of the plastic case features the same artwork inside in monochrome form (it is very pretty artwork, but they couldn't have commissioned two pictures?) along with an unnumbered list of episodes showing which disc each episode is on.
The DVDs themselves are unusually attractive and not too gaudy compared to those in the Metrodome set released in Europe. Unfortunately that is where the positive comparison ends. While the Metrodome version came with a helpful booklet explaining some of the translation choices and a brief summary of each episode the Shout Factory version doesn't come with any such extras.
The quality is what you might expect from a lowish-budget release of a cartoon from the eighties with colours and sound not as crisp as one might hope for and small scratches and jumps on the video. It's not enough to be annoying to anyone but the most hardcore A/V purists but it is a point against the set's favour. The subtitles are new and lack the errors of the Metrodome set but they do feature some odd quirks (Daniel uses “Scrap” as a curse? He's been hanging around robots too much.) Bafflingly while the back of the case uses the Japanese names the subtitles use the English names throughout.
The set comes with one bonus feature: a gallery of uncoloured line-art character models of the series' major players that will look very familiar to those who look at the Ark Addendum news posts on Seibertron.com. As bonus features go it's better than nothing but it would have been nice to see some interviews or commentaries or something.
As you may have guessed from my tone I'm not totally impressed by this set. It feels like Shout Factory produced the bare minimum for a box set and nothing else. One piece of artwork. One list of episodes. One audio track (yes, it lacks even the so-bad-it's good infamous English language dub). One subtitle track. One bonus feature. Given that the Transformers franchise has enjoyed some incredible popularity of late this release seems lazy when there was a chance to do something really special. My biggest worry for this set is that everything is being held for the super-collection. It just seems weak that this set is a step down from a set released over 5 years ago.
That all said, this is a competent set of a compelling and interesting series that will be retailing for around the same price as a large Human Alliance figure. That's a price that won't exactly be breaking anyone's banks. If you've wanted to see this series but have never gotten around to it this is a great opportunity. For those who have seen these episodes before I would recommend the Metrodome release or holding out for the super-collection instead.
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Posted by LiKwid on June 27th, 2011 @ 10:29pm CDT
nice review Diem!
Posted by kirbenvost on June 27th, 2011 @ 10:52pm CDT
Thanks for the review though, Diem, very informative!
Posted by Fortress Rodimus on June 27th, 2011 @ 10:54pm CDT
Posted by Noideaforaname on June 27th, 2011 @ 10:55pm CDT
Posted by Lapse Of Reason on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:01pm CDT
Posted by Lord Onixprime on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:05pm CDT
Here's to hoping after they get Beast Wars and the Japanese G1 cartoon sets done, they get out the Japanese Beast Wars, and maybe even RID. I'd really like to pick up more Transformers sets.
Posted by Sabrblade on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:16pm CDT
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!! Someone created a review of this DVD set! THANK YOU, DIEM! Please, oh please, let there be some comparisons between this set and either the Metrodome or Madman set.
(*Starts reading the review*)
After reading Part 1, have you ever been told how much you have a way with words, Diem? Bravo on that show descirption, my friend. Bravo, indeed.
Now onto Part 2...
Aw, no booklet like Metrodome had? Bummer.
No sub errors? YAY!
"Scrap." That's gotta be a typo.
(*Finishes reading review*)
Nothing too fancy, as expected. Though, since you were able to do some comparisons with this and the Metrodome set (thank you, BTW), can I ask you some further questions on this matter?
- Aside from the lack of spelling errors, how do the subtitles of this set compare to those of the Metrodome set? Like, how different is the translation? Do the subs of both say pretty much the same thing, or are there noticeable differences in some places? (I know of at least one difference is that Metrodome titled Episode 1 as "Four Warriors from Outer Space", while Shout! titled it simply "Warriors from Space")
- Is all the missing footage from the Metrodome release still missing from this set? Or, was it put back in?
- Do they sub the Autobot Headmaster leader's name as "Fortress" or "Cerebros"?
- How does Shout! handle the "Scorponok/MegaZarak" name? Is it subbed as "Zarak/Scorponok" instead?
- Is there karaoke subs for the insert songs?
Thanks again fro this review. You da man!
Posted by Diem on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:40pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:[*]Aside from the lack of spelling errors, how do the subtitles of this set compare to those of the Metrodome set? Like, how different is the translation? Do the subs of both say pretty much the same thing, or are there noticeable differences in some places? (I know of at least one difference is that Metrodome titled Episode 1 as "Four Warriors from Outer Space", while Shout! titled it simply "Warriors from Space")
[*]Is all the missing footage from the Metrodome release still missing from this set? Or, was it put back in?
[*]Do they sub the Autobot Headmaster leader's name as "Fortress" or "Cerebros"?
[*]How does Shout! handle the "Scorponok/MegaZarak" name? Is it subbed as "Zarak/Scorponok" instead?
[*]Is there karaoke subs for the insert songs?[/list]
These are my main concerns of this set, since I have not picked it up yet. I'll let ya know if I have any more inquiries.
I haven't had a chance to do a side by side comparison yet. The translation is pretty clean for both versions. By the missing footage do you mean the "next episode" segments? They seemed to be missing again but I'll check that for you tomorrow night. All of the names are played western style so Cerebros flies around in the Battleship Maximus and becomes Fortress Maximus. The karaoke I'll also have to check tomorrow night.
Sabrblade wrote:
"Scrap." That's gotta be a typo.
It's pretty bizarre. It's like:
Daniel: Scrap! He threw my gun away!
Cerbros: Scrap you, Zarak!
Posted by Sabrblade on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:49pm CDT
Cool.Diem wrote:I haven't had a chance to do a side by side comparison yet. The translation is pretty clean for both versions.
The "next episode" segements, the "pre-episode segments/recaps", and the two pre-episode scenes (only episodes 1 and 25 have these).Diem wrote:By the missing footage do you mean the "next episode" segments?
Aw, man. I hope they aren't all gone. It was especially harmful for episodes 1 and 25, which had episode events occur before the title card came up.Diem wrote:They seemed to be missing again but I'll check that for you tomorrow night.
Episode 1 had a monologue recapping the events of seasons 1-3 of G1, and 25 had a scene in which Sixshot rallied the troops to give them their new commands after their latest crucial victory in the previous episode. Both of these contained original animation created for those two parts.
Darn. It was a very smart move of Metrodome/Madman to keep his Fortress name. Now calling him "Cerebros" makes less sense in the context of Fortress Maximus ("Fortress + Maximus" = "Fortress Maximus"; "Cerebros + Maximus" =/= "Fortress Maximus").Diem wrote:All of the names are played western style so Cerebros flies around in the Battleship Maximus and becomes Fortress Maximus. The karaoke I'll also have to check tomorrow night.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the first five episodes of TF: Prime and its use of "Scrap"? Maybe they thought it would be like some sort of a inoffensive G1 equivalent of "Slag" (even though it was used at least once in G1 season 3).Diem wrote:It's pretty bizarre. It's like:
Daniel: Scrap! He threw my gun away!
Cerbros: Scrap you, Zarak!
Posted by Lord Onixprime on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:58pm CDT
Posted by Master Renegade on June 28th, 2011 @ 12:21am CDT
I suspect that also explains the choice of Hasbro's names as opposed to the Japanese names that you mentioned.
Posted by Blackstreak on June 28th, 2011 @ 7:24am CDT
Posted by Diem on June 28th, 2011 @ 8:20am CDT
Master Renegade wrote:Not a bad review on the presentation aspect, but one thing that might answer some questions about their choices is the fact that they apparently had to get Hasbro's approval on a number of things, particularly the translation. It seems Hasbro wouldn't allow them to use a translation they hadn't approved, like the previous so-bad-it's-good English audio version. As such they couldn't use fan-dubs, even if the fan;s involved approved, and they didn't feel they could afford to record a new audio track with Hasbro approved translations.
I suspect that also explains the choice of Hasbro's names as opposed to the Japanese names that you mentioned.
It's true. The most striking part about these DVDs is the over-elaborate CGI Hasbro logo that pops up when you first put them in.
Posted by Diem on June 28th, 2011 @ 10:14pm CDT
Shout:
Soundwave, the Decepticon Information Officer, and the Autobot Blaster battled, and both of them have died as a result. Soundwave has been revived, thanks to the technology of Scorponok, Commander of the Decepticon Headmasters. Soundwave has been reborn as "Soundblaster."
SB: I am reborn.
Ratbat: Our commander has been reborn!
Metrodome:
Soundwave, the Decepticon Information Officer and the Cybertron Broadcast have fought, and both of them have died as a result. Soundwave has been revived thanks to the technology of Zarak, Commander of the Decepticons.He has been reborn as "Soundblaster."
SB: Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Ratbat: Our officer has been reborn!
As you can see it's a little baffling! The Metrodome usually uses the Japanese names but refers to the little beige guy as Zarak (and incorrectly, at that point, as commander of the Decepticons). The Shout version on the other hand can't decide whether the big guy, the little guy or both are Scorponok and the episodes sometimes disagree with their own titles. That said the subtitles on the Shout version are more legible.
The Karaoke for the inset songs seems to be absent, as do the "previously on/next time on segment". Boo.
Posted by Sabrblade on June 28th, 2011 @ 10:50pm CDT
I thought Metrodome only used "Fortress" while using the English names for everyone else.Diem wrote:As you can see it's a little baffling! The Metrodome usually uses the Japanese names but refers to the little beige guy as Zarak (and incorrectly, at that point, as commander of the Decepticons).
I'd chalk up the "Broadcast" bit as another sub error on their part. At two other times, they once called Optimus Prime and Superion "Optimus Maximus" and "Spellion". They also couldn't decide if White Leo was "White Leo" or "Pirate Lion", or if he were a "Beastformer" or a "Battle Beast".
Oh, that's another thing. What terms do they use for he Beastformers/Battle Beasts?
Could you check and see how episode 15 subs the name transition of Scorponok to MegaZarak?Diem wrote:The Shout version on the other hand can't decide whether the big guy, the little guy or both are Scorponok and the episodes sometimes disagree with their own titles. That said the subtitles on the Shout version are more legible.
Wasn't expecting karaoke, but yeah, BOO to the lack of recaps and next episode previews. Does episode 25 still lack its opening scene with the Decepticons gathered together by Sixshot?Diem wrote:The Karaoke for the inset songs seems to be absent, as do the "previously on/next time on segment". Boo.
Posted by Diem on June 28th, 2011 @ 10:58pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:I thought Metrodome only used "Fortress" while using the English names for everyone else.Diem wrote:As you can see it's a little baffling! The Metrodome usually uses the Japanese names but refers to the little beige guy as Zarak (and incorrectly, at that point, as commander of the Decepticons).
I'd chalk up the "Broadcast" bit as another sub error on their part. At two other times, they once called Optimus Prime and Superion "Optimus Maximus" and "Spellion". They also couldn't decide if White Leo was "White Leo" or "Pirate Lion", or if he were a "Beastformer" or a "Battle Beast".
Oh, that's another thing. What terms do they use for he Beastformers/Battle Beasts?Could you check and see how episode 15 subs the name transition of Scorponok to MegaZarak?Diem wrote:The Shout version on the other hand can't decide whether the big guy, the little guy or both are Scorponok and the episodes sometimes disagree with their own titles. That said the subtitles on the Shout version are more legible.Wasn't expecting karaoke, but yeah, BOO to the lack of recaps and next episode previews. Does episode 25 still lack its opening scene with the Decepticons gathered together by Sixshot?Diem wrote:The Karaoke for the inset songs seems to be absent, as do the "previously on/next time on segment". Boo.
I'll have to check all that tomorrow night. There's only so much subtitled cartoonage my wife can take.
Posted by Sabrblade on June 28th, 2011 @ 11:16pm CDT
Deal. I need some shut eye myself.Diem wrote:I'll have to check all that tomorrow night. There's only so much subtitled cartoonage my wife can take.
Posted by Sabrblade on June 29th, 2011 @ 9:01am CDT
Hey Diem, Just wondering if you've also got access to the TV-Nihon fansubs of The Headmasters as well (they took them down from their site when Shout! announced their licensing of the the show). If you don't, I got mine on hand and I'll help out in this comparison by adding them into this equation as well.
First and foremost, the TV-Nihon fansubs use all Japanese temrs, and have no footage cut out. All pre-episode footage and next-episode previews are intact and fully subbed. Since it was removed from both the Metrodome/Madman and Shout! Facotry releases, here's what the opening monologue from episode one reads as:
In the infinitely vast great universe...There exists a planet called Seibertron, on which dwell super living robots known as Transformers. However, they, for hundreds of years... Split into the righteous Cybertrons and the evil Destrons, they fought and exhausted the planet's energy. Searching for a new energy in space, both armies left planet Seibertron and came to Earth. And then... after being dormant four million years on Earth, the battle has begun anew. The Cybertron's leader, Convoy, died in battle. The young hero, Rodimus, became the new Commander. On the other side, the damaged Megatron was powered up in Galvatron. Once again, the great battle spreads. At the end of the fierce battle, they controlled Seibertron. Their home planet, Seibertron, was returned to peace. However, in the year 2010... Banished to the ends of space... The Destrons destructive Emperor, Galvatron, was resurrected.And he began an attack on plant Seibertron.However, Convoy was revived, and protected the peace of Seibertron and space. anaother Seibertron was created on the peaceful planet Athenia. There was also a defense base established there. Meanwhile, the Destrons remodeled their fortress of the dark planet called Jarr...making it into a true base.
The first minute and 52 seconds of this clip:
Having rewatched this opening now, I'd forgotten how much was put into it. It's really helpful in explaining some of the things not mentioned in the series itself, like the Athenia base or the renovated Decepticon base on Chaar.
As for some subtitle comparisons, here's that same scene with Soundwave being reborn as Soundblaster.
Seems pretty original in its own translation, but still the same basic meaning as the two DVD subs.The terrible battle between the Destron's Information Officer Soundwave and the Cybertron's Broadcast ends in both being struck down. Soundwave is powered up by the high technology of Scorponok, commander of the Destron Headmasters. Now he is revived as Soundblaster!
SB: Sorry to keep you waiting...
Ratbat: Our officer has revived!
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on June 29th, 2011 @ 6:44pm CDT
Posted by Optimus Prime2265 on July 7th, 2011 @ 12:54pm CDT
I did enjoy the headmasters but I would have enjoyed it more if they included the English Audio as well!!!!!! I do like Japanisse cartoons But I do wish they would include the English Audio in them for the American/Canadian Releasel's!!!!!
Auto Bots Transform and Roll Out!!!!
Posted by Sabrblade on July 7th, 2011 @ 1:11pm CDT
Japanese Superior, English Inferior!Optimus Prime2265 wrote:While Thats just Prime....
I did enjoy the headmasters but I would have enjoyed it more if they included the English Audio as well!!!!!! I do like Japanisse cartoons But I do wish they would include the English Audio in them for the American/Canadian Releasel's!!!!!
Auto Bots Transform and Roll Out!!!!
(In the case of these three Japanese G1 series, that is)
Posted by Bleak5170 on July 7th, 2011 @ 1:32pm CDT
I grabbed this set mainly because I am able to see some of my old favourites again, (even though it completely destroys continuity when you see a once-dead Prowl running around, lol).
Posted by leviebaby on July 7th, 2011 @ 1:36pm CDT
Posted by Sabrblade on July 7th, 2011 @ 1:41pm CDT
When I talked to Aaron Archer at BotCon this year, he said that the reason that some footage (like the pre-episode scenes, eyecathces, and next-episode previews) were missing was because Hasbro wasn't able to acquire those bits from Toei when they got the three series for their archives. Which explains why neither the Metrodome nor the Madman DVDs of The Headmasters have them either.leviebaby wrote:i know people talking about i woundering why the eyecatches was edited out like we return to headon and also episode previews but i was great dvd gut yesterday and also some wounder for dead autobots because the movie was released later but cant wait for masterforce and victory
The reason that the TV-Nihon fansubs have them, though, is because those were made from using footage from the Japanese DVDs, unlike what the official DVD subs did using footage directly from the Toei video masters.
Posted by stevenkof on July 8th, 2011 @ 2:52pm CDT