Transformers: The Headmasters - 'The Complete Japanese Collection' Returns to DVD...IN STORES! Available from Shout! Factory at 'wide' general retail for the first time ever
Posted by David Lambert	2/28/2017
In 1984 the world was introduced to a unique line of transforming toys designed by Japanese toymaker Takara. Originally created as independent action figures, the characters were repackaged as THE TRANSFORMERS by American toy powerhouse Hasbro, who created a comprehensive backstory of valiant Autobots and treacherous Decepticons. The franchise was an instant success, launching popular comic books and a daily animated series that spanned four stunning seasons and an animated motion picture. Original toy creators Takara teamed up with Toei Animation, took the events of the show's first three seasons and launched their own series, steering the heroic adventures of the Autobots - known as Cybertrons in Japan - in a completely new and surprising direction. Finally, for the very first time in North America, those three Japanese creations - HEADMASTERS, SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE and VICTORY - can be seen in one deluxe DVD box set! Bonus Features: Art Galleries In 1987, 1988, and 1989 (respectively), Japanese TV viewers got to see an extension of the "G1" Transformers which wasn't widely available in the U.S.A.: Transformers: The Headmasters, Transformers: Chôjin Master Force (in English, "Super-God Masterforce"), and Transformers: Victory. In 2011, Shout! Factory put these out on DVD in North America as Transformers - The Complete Japanese Collection, a 13-disc set that was only available online, via the studio's website store, as a part of a program that was called "Shout! Select" at the time. Note that back then, the phrase referred to DVD releases of TV shows and movies which could only be bought via the Shout! online store. The term fell into disuse by the studio for a while, then was recently revived to be used for a new Shout! Factory program: "Shout! Select" currently refers to a lineup of movie releases which the studio feels, in their own words, are "enduring cult favorites and unheralded gems"; they have nothing to do with the old "Shout! Select" program of years past. As the original referral of the "Shout! Select" phrase fell into disuse, so the titles released under that old program also became discontinued. Some items, though, still have fans looking to buy those titles! The result? Shout! has decided to re-release a few of these, and is even putting them out to stores "wide" at traditional general retail. One of them is Transformers - The Complete Japanese Collection. The 13-disc set (with all the same material, in the same packaging) will be available June 13th. Shout!'s online store has a listing for the item, and they show the package art below. The list price is $59.97 SRP. Our thanks to reader Jackson Burnett for informing us about this!