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Transformers: The Manga #2
Transformers: The Manga, Vol. 2
Originally serialized in Japan’s TV Magazine, these classic stories from the Generation 1 era of Transformers are now available in English for the first time!
For eons, the Autobots and the Decepticons have been locked into a brutal civil war. The Autobots seek peace and coexistence, while the Decepticons seek power and control. Now, humans are caught in the middle as the battle between these two mighty factions comes to Earth!
This volume collects the special one-shot story “The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!” in addition to the bombastic “The Headmasters” and “Super-God Masterforce” story arcs! Originally published in Japan for the burgeoning Transformers fandom in the '80s, these classic tales are presented in English for the first time, alongside an enormous art gallery!
For eons, the Autobots and the Decepticons have been locked into a brutal civil war. The Autobots seek peace and coexistence, while the Decepticons seek power and control. Now, humans are caught in the middle as the battle between these two mighty factions comes to Earth!
This volume collects the special one-shot story “The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!” in addition to the bombastic “The Headmasters” and “Super-God Masterforce” story arcs! Originally published in Japan for the burgeoning Transformers fandom in the '80s, these classic tales are presented in English for the first time, alongside an enormous art gallery!
344 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2020
12 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 30, 2020
A good action pack second volume. This follows the same formula as the first. This volume contains 8 short condensed action packed chapters. These stories are from the Headmasters time period. The one thing I do not understand is yes they are the head masters and should not able to transform into robot mode without their "pilot" or partner transforming into their head, but most of time the the Transformer are already in robot form before the "Head On".
The next 12 chapter are the Pretender storyline. Which is a bit of a cross between Power Rangers and Rescue Bots. Again more action driven, but with a bit of an underlying story. I was a bit underwhelming in the ending, but I am still looking forward to volume 3.
The book finishes wit a illustration/sketch gallery. These cover the original Manga covers, but also key points of the original Thransformer cartoon series. Another good art and action driven volume.
The next 12 chapter are the Pretender storyline. Which is a bit of a cross between Power Rangers and Rescue Bots. Again more action driven, but with a bit of an underlying story. I was a bit underwhelming in the ending, but I am still looking forward to volume 3.
The book finishes wit a illustration/sketch gallery. These cover the original Manga covers, but also key points of the original Thransformer cartoon series. Another good art and action driven volume.
August 25, 2020
I'll summarize this for you guys...
Woah! The Autobots are such cool good guys!
Woah! The Decepticons crashed the party!
Woah! The bad guys have a new, large goon!
Woah! The good guys have a cool new friend with cool new powers!
Woah! The Autobots won the day!
But woah, the Decepticons will get their revenge!
So you're not missing much. Aside from the dumb things that they say when doing their big dumb attacks and, to be honest, some decent art (if not pretty cluttered sometimes).
My biggest complaint is how choppy the story is? I can't tell the majority of characters apart and the ones I can tell kind of just, warp around the battlefield, wherever the artist needed them to be. Not that the battles really make much sense to begin with. Honestly these are kind of like, actual child-friendly Bayformers
Can't wait for Volume 3!
Woah! The Autobots are such cool good guys!
Woah! The Decepticons crashed the party!
Woah! The bad guys have a new, large goon!
Woah! The good guys have a cool new friend with cool new powers!
Woah! The Autobots won the day!
But woah, the Decepticons will get their revenge!
So you're not missing much. Aside from the dumb things that they say when doing their big dumb attacks and, to be honest, some decent art (if not pretty cluttered sometimes).
My biggest complaint is how choppy the story is? I can't tell the majority of characters apart and the ones I can tell kind of just, warp around the battlefield, wherever the artist needed them to be. Not that the battles really make much sense to begin with. Honestly these are kind of like, actual child-friendly Bayformers
Can't wait for Volume 3!
July 23, 2020
Torn here because the art is pretty solid but the stories are awful. I know it’s for kids but it’s really just a lot of shouting “super mega jump kick” or “combine ultra mega god power” or “ oh no they have masterforce power, we need ultra super combo power!” Noise that fills space that occasionally seems borderline google translate quality. Maybe this should have stayed in Japan. For hardcores only
June 26, 2022
The story is very simple (very clearly aimed at a younger audience) and probably a little confusing if you haven't watched the anime series that the manga accompanies, but as long as you bear in mind that that's exactly what this book is - an accompaniment to a Japanese kids cartoon from the 1980s (which was itself designed mostly to sell toys) - it's pretty fun! There are a few elements in the manga that I think added to the overall 'lore' of the anime, and the artwork is really good.
January 7, 2026
The manga acts as an adaptation of both Transformers: The Headmasters and Transformers: Super God Masterforce. Cramming two different full anime series into a single volume of manga results in a more of an overview than a really deep dive into either. There are some great pieces of art in the volume but not a lot of overall plot. Still, a great bit for Transformers fans.
July 31, 2020
The target audience for the original media is about 5 years old. For adult transformers fans, the art gallery in the back is excellent. I never watched Masterforce, but now I feel like I understand it completely lol.
July 22, 2022
It was interesting but the translation could have been better done.
February 25, 2024
Love art style, need more context for plot holes ❤️
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews