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"user314" (user314) 02/08/2015 at 20:45 • Filed to: transformers, f1, race, anime

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During my trips to and from work the last couple weeks, I've been watching !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , one of the Japan-only sequels to the original Transformers cartoon from the '80s.

There are three main gimmicks being sold in Masterforce. There are the Pretenders, Transformers who crashed to Earth ages ago, and took the forms of humans and monsters to fit in (cough). They can drop these disguises and assume the original robot modes, then transform into vehicles. Then there are the Headmaster Jrs, kids on both sides who've been granted Master Braces that allow them to become the heads of Transtectors, lifeless transforming bodies. Finally there are the Godmasters, who also have Master Braces and Transtectors, but they become the engines of their rides, and wield strange powers (this is an anime, after all). Both sides have been searching for these Godmasters, in order to increase their own power for the final battle, control of the Earth, blah blah blah.

In episode 19 of the series, the three Jrs have been invited by newly minted Godmaster Lightfoot to watch one of his company's F1 cars race at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . There they meet the legendary racer Road King, and discover that he unknowingly posses a Transtector and is the fourth Godmaster they seek, but that's not what I'm posting about. No, I wanted to show some screencaps that show F1 in all it's 1988 goodness (well, in as much as IP laws and licensing would let Toei).

One of the best shots is atracking shot across the pits, which I've stitched together:

There's also the grandstands:

And the flag stand:

And the trailers:

But mostly there's the cars:

And of course, there's a crash!

I'm kinda surprised how faithfully they reproduced the liveries and sponsors of these cars. An American show of the same period would have made up or radically changed both to avoid issues, especially the Marlboro cars.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > user314 02/08/2015 at 20:52

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Cool. I thought you said Gordon Lightfoot, wait what?

user314 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 02/08/2015 at 21:10

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The character is Canadian, so it might be a reference. Then again, his father is named Left Foot, so it's possible his name should be "Right Foot".

In any event, in the US and UK the Transformer was called Getaway and his Nebulan partner/engine was called Rev.

Eggplant > user314 02/08/2015 at 21:11

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What's the KABN one supposed to be? The rest of them are farily identifiable, but that one stumps me.

user314 > Eggplant 02/08/2015 at 21:20

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Me too, hopefully someone will know.

ttyymmnn > user314 02/08/2015 at 21:20

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That's awesome. I'm reminded of this knockoff Fauxrari I bought at the grocery store a few years ago.

user314 > ttyymmnn 02/08/2015 at 21:41

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There's a bit of a kerfuffle going on right now between RJR and Takara over something like this. Back before there were Transformers, Takara sold a slightly remolded version of the toy that became Wheeljack in the livery of the '76 Marlboro Stratos, with the name changed to Marlboor to avoid licensing.

They had plans of doing a similarly retooled and redecoed version of the new Masterpiece Wheeljack, but RJR has told them in no uncertain terms they can't use their name or colors on a toy, even one that won't be sold in America or to children.

ttyymmnn > user314 02/08/2015 at 21:44

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They may not have been to pleased with the "boor" transliteration. Or maybe simple protection of the brand. Cool car, though.

user314 > ttyymmnn 02/08/2015 at 22:32

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Actually, Takara tried to compromise and removed all the lettering. RJR came back and said the green, white and red triangles were also violations. Supposedly this isn't just about trademark, but also the government is involved.

ttyymmnn > user314 02/08/2015 at 22:38

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I'm sure it involves money as well. It's always about money.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > ttyymmnn 02/10/2015 at 20:27

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These all probably exist in China.

Also: