1990 - Transformers: Zone

Though originally intended as another full-length animated series, Takara drastically scaled back their plans for Transformers: Zone due to then-declining Japanese interest in the Transformers franchise. Only the first episode of Zone was released as an OAV (original animated video), with the rest of the story told as illustrated text in TV Magazine. And some believe that a few nearly-finished episodes are hidden in a vault somewhere in Takara's headquarters...

The antagonist in Zone is Violenjiger, a three-faced being composed of three robotic insects, who seeks a set of crystals containing the powerful Zodiac Energy. To accomplish this, he resurrects the "Nine Great Destron Generals" (Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Abominus, Dinosaurer, Predaking, Overlord, Black Zarak, and King Poseidon), appoints Overlord (from Transformers: Masterforce) as their leader, and sends them on his quest.

The Destrons destroy the planet Feminia to get the first gem; the only survivor is Kain and his pet Emusa, who are rescued by the Cybertrons just before it exploded. Victory Saber is severely wounded in the first strike, so Dai Atlas is appointed to lead the Cybertrons in his place. With the help of his lieutenants Road Fire and Sonic Bomber, Dai Atlas directs his legions of Microtransformers (Micromasters) against Violenjiger.

Big Powered in superjet mode

While Zone's story featured Transformers characters old and new, the bulk of the attention was focused on the new Cybertron leaders (and their associated toys). Dai Atlas, Road Fire, and Sonic Bomber are collectively called the Powered Masters, as they served as Microtransformer bases with battery or spring-powered motors. The three leaders could operate independently, or be merged into a huge super-jet or base called Big Powered.

According to Kaneda Masumi, head writer for Transformers: Zone, subsequent story ideas were to establish the Cybertrons as guardians who watched over the evolution and culture of living beings, and for Violenjiger to resurrect the titanic Destron Metrotitan and threaten Earth. The story was supposed to end with the Cybertrons using the Zodiac energy to defeat the Destrons, simultaneously uniting the minds of all beings and turning the galaxy into a zone of peace, hence the title.

A DVD for the Transformers: Zone OAV was available in Japan. Even with only one episode, the animation in Zone is considered among the best of all of the Japanese Transformers series, though its brevity makes one long for what might have been.