Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed

Saturday, April 9th, 2011 10:03AM CDT

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A mere day after we brought you word of when you can expect the Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters DVD set and how much it will cost, we can now show you how the box art will look! Amazon has updated their preorder with images of the boxart and a few additional details.

Product Details

Actors: Hiroko Emori, Ikuya Sawaki, Hideyuki Hori

Directors: Katsuyoshi Sasaki

Format: NTSC

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)

Number of discs: 4

Studio: Shout! Factory

DVD Release Date: July 5, 2011

Run Time: 780 minutes

Average Customer Review: Be the first to review this item

ASIN: B004UFE2XM

Credit(s): Amazon

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Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1206981)
Posted by It Is Him on April 9th, 2011 @ 10:35am CDT

Guys. I'm flipping out about this. It seems like just yesterday I was using a 14000 bps dial-up connection, and reading an FAQ about the in-universe history of Transformers, and how Japan got several exclusive seasons. But it wasn't yesterday, it was the mid-90s. And now I can finally watch them without buying bootlegs, or dropping a zillion dollars on the Australian DVD sets.

Thank you Shout! Factory!

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1206994)
Posted by Sabrblade on April 9th, 2011 @ 11:18am CDT

It Is Him wrote:Guys. I'm flipping out about this. It seems like just yesterday I was using a 14000 bps dial-up connection, and reading an FAQ about the in-universe history of Transformers, and how Japan got several exclusive seasons. But it wasn't yesterday, it was the mid-90s. And now I can finally watch them without buying bootlegs, or dropping a zillion dollars on the Australian DVD sets.

Thank you Shout! Factory!

Well, you could have still watched the TV-Nihon fansubbed versions for all this time, whose subtitles are of a higher quality than those of both the UK and Australian Heasdmasters DVDs. Not to mention that they don't have any missing footage either (like the UK/AU DVDs do). :roll:

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1206997)
Posted by It Is Him on April 9th, 2011 @ 11:26am CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
It Is Him wrote:Guys. I'm flipping out about this. It seems like just yesterday I was using a 14000 bps dial-up connection, and reading an FAQ about the in-universe history of Transformers, and how Japan got several exclusive seasons. But it wasn't yesterday, it was the mid-90s. And now I can finally watch them without buying bootlegs, or dropping a zillion dollars on the Australian DVD sets.

Thank you Shout! Factory!
Well, you could have still watched the TV-Nihon fansubbed versions for all this time, whose subtitles are of a higher quality than those of both the UK and Australian Heasdmasters DVDs. Not to mention that they don't have any missing footage either (like the UK/AU DVDs do).

I didn't know TV-Nihon did a fansub. Whatevs. Now I can own an official American version of a crappy Transformers show. Hooray!

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207011)
Posted by Blackstreak on April 9th, 2011 @ 11:56am CDT

The box art is reminiscent of this one:

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207035)
Posted by Sabrblade on April 9th, 2011 @ 12:59pm CDT

It Is Him wrote:I didn't know TV-Nihon did a fansub.

They also did Masterforce, Victory, Super Link, Galaxy Force, eps. 1-8 of Car Robots, RobotMasters, and misc. stuff from the Japanese Animated dub.

Both the UK and AU DVDs were made by official companies, and yet the fansubbed version of The Headmasters was still the superior version. :roll:

It Is Him wrote:Whatevs. Now I can own an official American version of a crappy Transformers show. Hooray!

Why do people keep saying this? The Headmasters was better than The Rebirth, and actually had something that the G1 cartoon desperately needed: and overarching plot! :BANG_HEAD:

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207069)
Posted by Pr1meSuspect on April 9th, 2011 @ 2:25pm CDT

Something I might be checking out towards its release. It has sparked my interest a little bit.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207153)
Posted by It Is Him on April 9th, 2011 @ 7:02pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
It Is Him wrote:Whatevs. Now I can own an official American version of a crappy Transformers show. Hooray!
Why do people keep saying this? The Headmasters was better than The Rebirth, and actually had something that the G1 cartoon desperately needed: and overarching plot!

Oh, that's a matter of perspective. The Rebirth are some of my favorite episodes from G1.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207157)
Posted by Sabrblade on April 9th, 2011 @ 7:12pm CDT

It Is Him wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
It Is Him wrote:Whatevs. Now I can own an official American version of a crappy Transformers show. Hooray!
Why do people keep saying this? The Headmasters was better than The Rebirth, and actually had something that the G1 cartoon desperately needed: and overarching plot!

Oh, that's a matter of perspective. The Rebirth are some of my favorite episodes from G1.

They made Fortress Maximus (specifically Cerebros) a whining wimp. And what's the point of a bunch of small organics riding inside the heads of the larger robots when they can't do anything but yell? In The Headmasters, each of them were smaller bots bonded with larger Transtector bodies using a tremendous power unlocked via the bonding process. The whole aspect of being a Headmaster in that series was way more complex and interesting than the simplistic portrayal of that in The Rebirth (and by extension, the Marvel G1 comics)

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207210)
Posted by It Is Him on April 9th, 2011 @ 9:10pm CDT

Sabrblade wrote:
It Is Him wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
It Is Him wrote:Whatevs. Now I can own an official American version of a crappy Transformers show. Hooray!
Why do people keep saying this? The Headmasters was better than The Rebirth, and actually had something that the G1 cartoon desperately needed: and overarching plot!

Oh, that's a matter of perspective. The Rebirth are some of my favorite episodes from G1.
They made Fortress Maximus (specifically Cerebros) a whining wimp. And what's the point of a bunch of small organics riding inside the heads of the larger robots when they can't do anything but yell? In The Headmasters, each of them were smaller bots bonded with larger Transtector bodies using a tremendous power unlocked via the bonding process. The whole aspect of being a Headmaster in that series was way more complex and interesting than the simplistic portrayal of that in The Rebirth (and by extension, the Marvel G1 comics)

The Rebirth is a face-paced story with a great plot and fun characters. That's all I need.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207227)
Posted by UltraPrimal on April 9th, 2011 @ 10:22pm CDT

Oh yeah! Sixshot baby! Right on the cover where he belongs. Now if only they'd get rid of that punk Chromedome, he'd have the thing to himself.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1207229)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on April 9th, 2011 @ 10:32pm CDT

Hopefully this does well, so that the more superior story, Masterforce, is released as well.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1238791)
Posted by LOST Cybertronian on June 13th, 2011 @ 2:46pm CDT

Shout Factory! has sent out a press release regarding the Transformers: Japanese Collection - Headmasters. It will be available in stores July 5.

TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION HEADMASTERS
Featuring 35 Episodes and Exciting Bonus Content in a 4-DVD Set
ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA!

IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON JULY 5, 2011 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY
This summer, loyal fans and collectors can finally bring home a new installment of the ongoing animated saga of TRANSFORMERS as FORTRESS MAXIMUS, SCORPONOK and rest of the Headmasters make their U.S. home entertainment debut in TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION Headmasters DVD set from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.

THE TRANSFORMERS Headmasters is the first part of the rare Japanese trilogy that followed the popular Generation 1 animated series. Available for the first time in North America, this collectible 4-DVD set features the complete action-packed episodes from the Headmasters series and contains the original Japanese language tracks along with updated English subtitles, a rare art gallery and more! Poised to attract an audience of pop culture enthusiasts, kids and parents who grew up with the American animated series, TRANSFORMERS: The Japanese Collection Headmasters is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $29.93.
Check out additional details after the jump!

TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION Headmasters 4-DVD Set

Synopsis:
Optimus Prime lives again, the energy of the Matrix has been released and peace reigns on Cybertron . . . but all that is about to change with the startling arrival of the newest breed of Transformers warriors the Headmasters! Bonus Features Include:
Original Japanese Audio
English Subtitles
Art Gallery

Technical Information
Street Date: July 5, 2011
Not Rated: For All Audiences
Suggested Retail Price: $29.93
4-DVD
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Japanese, English, stereo

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world-class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as THE TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multiplatform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is http://www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable best of compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit http://www.shoutfactory.com.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1238799)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 13th, 2011 @ 3:16pm CDT

I completely choose Headmasters over the USA storyline... robots trump little green men any day. They come across very campy... like old Star Trek villains or Ming the Merciless from old school Flash Gordon.

I remember hearing in one of the Botcon panels that they had to introduce some insane amount of characters in Rebirth... like 70 or more. That really comes across to me watching it... it's like reading off a list of new characters from a catalog at times.

By any means, this box set is CHEAP and totally totally totally worth buying... to see what happens to beloved characters after G1 "ends" ... and to see some toys come to life from the late G1 era.

Rejoice that these sets are finally here in a crisp, cheap set. Hats off to SHOUT!

:KREMZEEK:

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1238816)
Posted by Mindmaster on June 13th, 2011 @ 3:47pm CDT

...So will they finally speak English? Or will they still retain the English subtitles? If they talk in English, I might be interested... :-?

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1238848)
Posted by Heavy B on June 13th, 2011 @ 4:56pm CDT

subtitles? let me tell you somthing about myself, im not paying 30 dolors TO READ

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1238881)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on June 13th, 2011 @ 6:05pm CDT

Any good guesstimates on when the complete Japanese series set will be released?

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1239050)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 13th, 2011 @ 11:06pm CDT

Mindmaster wrote:...So will they finally speak English? Or will they still retain the English subtitles? If they talk in English, I might be interested...

Prepare to be disappointed. :lol:

Dr. Heavy B wrote:subtitles? let me tell you somthing about myself, im not paying 30 dolors TO READ

Well, do you want the real story or some cheap mockery of it? No dub can capture the true spiritual essence of this or any of the Japanese G1 series. :-B

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any good guesstimates on when the complete Japanese series set will be released?

7/12/2011

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1239247)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 14th, 2011 @ 9:54am CDT

Two points:

1 - if they dubbed it in english, it wouldn't be the original actors... which would come across like a bad fan-dub. This is like a fantasy. Many actors have passed away, and others like Cullen and Welker would be so expensive, it would be prohibitive. Price would jump sharply paying actors.

2 - the series is originally in Japanese. Watching it in the original Japanese puts you directly in touch with another culture, its language, humor, style, writing... without it being diluted or dumbed down by being translated and voiced — by someone with NO knowledge of Transformers or Japanese culture. (The dreadful Omni dubs that are likely left off this set are a prime example... Characters like Blaster, Blurr, Spike get renamed as Billy, Wally, Sparkle, "Road-imus Prime", Spaceship Bruce... and The Matrix as "The Power Pack."

Seriously, I don't want to watch someone botch the dub and then charge be double for the set. #-o

(And the set is Sooo cheap!!)

Getting used to subtitles opens up a whole world of available anime and movies. :grin:

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1239389)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 14th, 2011 @ 12:39pm CDT

gothsaurus wrote:Two points:

1 - if they dubbed it in english, it wouldn't be the original actors... which would come across like a bad fan-dub. This is like a fantasy. Many actors have passed away, and others like Cullen and Welker would be so expensive, it would be prohibitive. Price would jump sharply paying actors.

2 - the series is originally in Japanese. Watching it in the original Japanese puts you directly in touch with another culture, its language, humor, style, writing... without it being diluted or dumbed down by being translated and voiced — by someone with NO knowledge of Transformers or Japanese culture. (The dreadful Omni dubs that are likely left off this set are a prime example... Characters like Blaster, Blurr, Spike get renamed as Billy, Wally, Sparkle, "Road-imus Prime", Spaceship Bruce... and The Matrix as "The Power Pack."

Seriously, I don't want to watch someone botch the dub and then charge be double for the set. (And the set is Sooo cheap!!)

Getting used to subtitles opens up a whole world of available anime and movies.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1239881)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on June 14th, 2011 @ 11:21pm CDT

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Any good guesstimates on when the complete Japanese series set will be released?

7/12/2011[/quote]

Is it true that the complete set is an online only release?

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240049)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 15th, 2011 @ 9:43am CDT

Even if it's online only now, I'm guessing it may eventually come out following the release of the three individual boxes. (Like the G1 set.) Given, it might not have all the bonus extras.

Anyone hear if the big set includes Scramble City, Zone, etc.? That would make me jump to buy it.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240056)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 15th, 2011 @ 9:56am CDT

gothsaurus wrote:Anyone hear if the big set includes Scramble City, Zone, etc.? That would make me jump to buy it.

From what I last heard, it's wasn't looking good for Scramble City, but they were trying to get Zone (yet gave no promises about it).

The way Metrodome and Madman had gotten Zone was that they had used the subtitled Zone bootleg that had been circulating the black market since the 90s. Metrodome did the same thing with their release of Scramble City (using its subbed bootleg) on their Ultimate Edition of the 1986 G1 movie.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240067)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 15th, 2011 @ 10:07am CDT

NooooooOOOooo.

Ya gotta know... I'd pay for a full-price DVD just to get a crisp, direct transfer copy of those one-off episodes.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240072)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 15th, 2011 @ 10:18am CDT

gothsaurus wrote:NooooooOOOooo.

Ya gotta know... I'd pay for a full-price DVD just to get a crisp, direct transfer copy of those one-off episodes.

The quality of each wasn't that bad, though. Sure, it was dated and how a few issues, but they were both still watchable.

At last year's BotCon, 2010, I actually saw the bootlegged DVD that contained both the subbed Scramble City and the subbed Zone bootlegs. I was tempted to get it, but passed since there were other items I was looking for that were of a higher priority.

The subbed version of Scramble City is on YouTube. I got links if you wanna see it to get a taste of its quality.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240084)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 15th, 2011 @ 10:33am CDT

Too bad that DVD was the bootleg subs. I'd totally get that... to hold be over till an official release, of course.

Yeah, link away!

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240106)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 15th, 2011 @ 10:57am CDT

gothsaurus wrote:Too bad that DVD was the bootleg subs. I'd totally get that... to hold be over till an official release, of course.

Yeah, link away!

There seems to be multiple versions of the subbed bootleg on YouTube. The one I'm about to post is in a very good video quality, but it has a bit of a green tint to it. There's a nother version on YouTube that has less of a green tinti to it, but it looks and sounds kinda fuzzy. I guess there really is no perfect subbed version of it YouTube, as the only other better looking ones are fandubs or raws.

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240123)
Posted by gothsaurus on June 15th, 2011 @ 11:11am CDT

*puts on rose-colored-glasses to compensate for the green tint*

Re: Shout! Factory's Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters Box Art Revealed (1240132)
Posted by Sabrblade on June 15th, 2011 @ 11:23am CDT