1987 - Transformers: Headmasters

In the United States, Hasbro's Transformers animated series ended with the three-part "Rebirth" story conclusion. In Japan, however, the events of "Rebirth" never happened; instead, Takara started their own branch of the Transformers mythology after Transformers: 2010 with Transformers: Headmasters.

Taking place in the year 2011, Headmasters begins with Galvatron leading a new team of Destron Headmasters against Seibertron. The Cybertrons are saved from defeat by the arrival of a team of Cybertron Headmasters, led by Fortress (Cerebros, the head of Fortress Maximus). After the battle, Fortress explains that he left Seibertron millions of years ago in a search for energy, but found instead a race of small Transformers stranded on the hostile planet Master. The Masters built themselves Transformers-sized bodies to survive, and have now returned to join the Cybertron-Destron war.

Fortress introduces the Headmasters

Many major events happen in Headmasters. Convoy (Optimus Prime) dies again, so Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod) resumes the mantle of leadership as Rodimus Convoy. Soundwave and Blaster kill each other in battle and are resurrected as Soundblaster and Twincast, respectively. When Seibertron is nearly destroyed, Rodimus Convoy leads a team to find a new home world, leaving Fortress and Chromedome in charge. Mars gets destroyed, Ultra Magnus dies, and Galvatron is buried in an arctic avalanche. Scorponok becomes the leader of the Destrons, and eventually acquires a new body, becoming the powerful Megazarak.

Despite all this, Headmasters is considered by most viewers as the weakest of Takara's original animated Transformers shows. The animation is not up of the standards of most Japanese anime, due to an effort to duplicate the style of the American cartoon, and the stories emphasize fighting over characterization, where oftentimes the Cybertrons are merely waiting for the Destrons to do something.

For western Transformers fans, there are a few things of note. In contrast to the uncertain Rodimus Prime in Hasbro's Transformers, Rodimus Convoy is shown in Headmasters as a stern, mature leader. Daniel Witwicky has a fairly pivotal role in the series, befriending the Destron ninja Sixshot and leading him to ally with the Cybertrons. But the most surprising character may be Wheelie, who is shown in Headmasters as a brash young punk, arguing angrily with his elders and superiors over perceived faults.