So those Madman DVDs were post Rebirth? And to think I only discovered these when searching for M.A.S.K. - Trailer . So why were these Trans-eppies culled from the U.S.? The only rumor I heard was that parents complained the show was too violent and that's why the plug was pulled from the U.S. television. Wasn't "Nightbird" the last show to be aired that last Friday?
I assume you're talking about the Headmasters series?? If so, then those are Japanese episodes. They don't include the Rebirth three parter, and in fact their continuity diverges quite radically from it. From what I understand, the American writers were aware that the American cartoon was about to sing its swan song, and they were told that it would end in a five part series (so as to pack as many new toy products as possible in before the plug was pulled.) This was eventually cut back to three. The Japanese animators and storytellers chose to go a different story route, since they were not cancelling the cartoon there, and wouldn't for at least three more seasons. It's sort of the same reason why the US and UK comics are different. Different needs = different continuities. By the way, I don't think "Nightbird" would have been the last show to air. At least in my area, we got all the way through "Rebirth." I remember my best friend taping them for me.
Not for Oregon. That fateful last week of TV: Rebirth was Monday - Wednesday. Thursday was that Krimzeek show. Friday was Nightbird. The following Monday, the show no longer aired (can't remember if Galaxy Rangers took TF's place or not.) Speaking of which, the second half releases the 19th: Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers - The Collection Vol. 2 DVD Movie . ETA: Solo, She-Ra rules!!!!!!
I forgot - it was syndicated which means every network could have showed eps in whatever order they wanted really. In Illinois rebirth parts 1-3 were the last ones shown though
The real simple answer is....because none of the Japanese G1 shows were ever brought to U.S. tv. The original Transformers cartoon was not a Japanese show that was brought here and dubbed into English. It was an American produced cartoon that was written in the U.S., the animation was contracted to studio's in Japan, shipped back to the U.S., edited together as an episode and then shipped back to Japan and other countries for Dubbing into their language. Headmasters and the 2 follow up shows were made in Japan. When Takara didnt agree with Hasbro/Marvel on its idea for The Headmasters "The Rebirth" they decided to created their own show based on their concept of what a Headmaster should be. Takara didnt like the idea of Robots with human partners for its TF market.Japan tv has long been "flooded" with tv shows that featured Transforming Robots that were piloted by humans and Takara felt that "The rebirth" wouldnt sit well with Japan's TF fanbase. Ironically they fell back on the idea of human pilots for TF's in Tf Masterforce.
