Commercial bumper
From Transformers Wiki
| This article is about the bits between the show and the ads. For the television advertisements, see Commercial. |
Commercial bumpers are short segments used to mark the start and end of a commercial segment during a television show. They have been used in many Transformers cartoons.
In Japan, a commercial bumper is referred to as an eyecatch (アイキャッチ aikyatchi).
Contents |
Generation 1
The original Transformers cartoon featured a rotating series of commercial bumpers which changed by season. The music for all seasons remained the same, however, with Victor Caroli narrating "The Transformers will return after these messages" and "We now return to The Transformers", while a character transformed. The animation for the season 1 and 2 bumpers was provided by Toei (with Anime R assisting for Season 2's bumpers) while the animation for the season 3 and 4 bumpers was provided by AKOM. Amusingly, at the end of each episode, it was announced the Transformers would return, only to come back to the end credits.
The commercial bumpers were among the many aspects of the cartoon subjected to aural desecration by Kid Rhino. Whereas the original bumpers featured only music and the narrator's voice, the Rhino DVD releases included lasers, squealing tires, revving engines, swooshing sounds, and transformation sound effects, none of which were present in the original.
The Japanese dub replaced Victor Caroli with Issei Masamune yelling "Exciting Transformer!", and had sound effects added to them. During the Transformers 2010 series (US season 3 episodes), the regular music in the bumpers was replaced with "TRANSFORMER 2010".
- 1984
The Transformers will return:
- Optimus Prime transforms to robot mode.
- Jazz drives out from behind an Autobot symbol, spins out while transforming to robot mode, and backs off-screen while firing.
We now return to The Transformers:
- Starscream flies over Earth, transforms to robot mode and lands.
- Laserbeak flies under cam in cassette mode; a passing Decepticon symbol hides his transformation to condor mode.
- 1985
The Season Two commercial bumpers are distinguished by their bright, solid-color backgrounds.
The Transformers will return:
- Cosmos transforms and lands on an upside-down planetoid, which then rotates so he's upright.
- Omega Supreme transforms from base to robot and fires.
- Shockwave transforms from gun to robot and fires at the camera
- Devastator forms, raises his fists together and is enveloped by an energy glow.
We now return to The Transformers:
- Thrust transforms to robot mode and lands.
- Warpath transforms to tank mode and drives under the camera.
- Astrotrain flies past in shuttle mode, changes to robot mode and fires, then changes to locomotive form and drives into the camera.
- Grimlock changes to dino mode and uses his tail to smash a rock outcrop with the Decepticon emblem.
- Hook, in crane mode, lifts a sign declaring "We now return to the Transformers".
- 1986
The Transformers will return:
- Rodimus Prime, dodging fire from Cyclonus before changing to vehicle mode.
- Blurr flies past camera, transforms and fires.
- Base mode Trypticon fires, then transforms to dinosaur mode while Broadside flies by in Jet Mode .
We now return to The Transformers:
- Ultra Magnus, discharging two passengers before transforming to robot mode.
- Sharkticon, transforming to shark mode and walking into the camera.
- 1987
The Transformers will return:
- Scorponok transforms from base to scorpion, scuttles at the camera, and transforms to robot.
We now return to The Transformers:
- Highbrow transforms from helicopter to robot over a planet.
- 1988
The Transformers will return:
- The Optimus Prime puppet telling audiences not to go away.
- Tommy Kennedy leaning up against the giant Prime puppet's face, telling audiences not to go away.
- Tommy Kennedy lounging in puppet Prime's hand, assuring us they'll be right back.[1]
We now return to The Transformers:
- The Optimus Prime puppet welcoming everyone back.
- Tommy Kennedy announcing, "Now back to the story!"
The Headmasters
Every bumper for The Headmasters featured the same musical sting, followed by a cry of "Head On!" from one of the cast.
Into first commercial:
- Gun mode Sixshot leaps from Galvatron's hand, transforms to robot mode and fires a volley of shots from his blasters.
First return to show:
- Jet mode Brainstorm flies and spins through space, then transforms to robot mode and fires a blast.
- Bat mode Mindwipe dodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and emits his hypnosis beam. (Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears to Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!)
Into second commercial:
- Vehicle mode Chromedome dodges two blasts from offscreen, then transforms to robot mode and fires back.
- Scorpion mode Scorponok transforms to robot mode, materialises his shield and ends with a mighty pose.
Second return to show:
- Tank mode Hardhead comes under fire from behind, and turns to return fire before transforming to robot mode.
- Ship mode Fortress Maximus transforms to robot mode.
- Wolf mode Weirdwolf dodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and fires his gun, poised with his tail/sword in his hand. (Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears to Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!)
Super-God Masterforce
Every Super-God Masterforce bumper was accompanied by a musical sting featuring a drawn-out cry of "Mastaaaaa-FORCE!"
- First rotation
Into first commercial:
- Jet mode Metalhawk flies over a polar wasteland, then transforms to robot mode and fires two shots.
First return to show:
- The Seacons burst out of the ocean and combine into King Poseidon.
Into second commercial:
- Jet mode Blood flies over a city and shoots at a building, then transforms to robot mode.
Second return to show:
- Goshooter transforms to robot mode.
Before closing credits:
- Truck mode Ginrai drives across a rocky landscape, and transforms to robot mode.
- Second rotation
Into first commercial:
- Jet mode Metalhawk flies over a polar wasteland, then transforms to robot mode and fires two shots.
First return to show:
- The Seacons burst out of the ocean and combine into King Poseidon.
Into second commercial:
Second return to show:
- Goshooter transforms to robot mode.
Before closing credits:
- Super Ginrai bursts out of a volcano in vehicle mode and transforms into robot mode.
- Third rotation
Into first commercial:
- Ship mode Grand Maximus flies through a smokey battlefield, fires off a shot, and transforms to robot mode.
First return to show:
- Super Ginrai tears through a wall of strange organic material, then combines with Godbomber into God Ginrai.
Into second commercial:
- Scorpion mode BlackZarak scuttles through a dark canyon and transforms to robot mode.
Second return to show:
- The Gigatank drives through some water as the Megajet flies overhead, then the pair combine into Overlord.
Before closing credits:
- Super Ginrai tears through a wall of strange organic material, then combines with Godbomber into God Ginrai.
The final episode of the series, "You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform" featured a unique final bumper, starring Cab's pet parrot and armadillo. The parrot rode around on top of the rolled up armadillo, then fell off as the armadillo uncurled.
Victory
Victory's bumpers were distinguished by their use of cutesy "super deformed" characters, who would destroy the opposing faction's insignia to the tune of a short musical sting.
After opening credits:
- Star Saber flies in and transforms, then slashes the Decepticon insignia, which falls apart to reveal the Autobot insignia beneath.
Into commercial:
- Deathsaurus falls into shot in beast mode, transforms and smashes the Autobot insignia with his mace, which crumbles away to expose the Decepticon insignia.
Back to show:
- The Dinoforce combine into Dinoking, who jumps on the Autobot insignia, then cheerfully plucks the Decepticon insignia from the rubble.
Before closing credits:
- Holi destroys the Decepticon insignia by bursting out of it in car mode, then transforms to watch Jan as he pushes the Autobot insignia into shot. Holi leans against it and Jan salutes.
- The Brainmasters combine into Road Caesar and kick the Decepticon logo and the camera follows it as it rolls off to the right, past the Autobot logo, and falls over. Road Caesar jumps on it and dusts his hands off. Curiously, this bumper was only featured in "Attack! Leozack".
Generation 2
Generation 2 incorporated CGI clips from the line's toy commercials, each one featuring a piece of unique narration.
Into commercial:
- The Constructicons transform and start smashing stuff as the narrator appeals to the audience: "Hey, don't trash the place! Transformers: Generation 2 will be right back!"
- Jazz drives off a ramp and transforms to robot mode with a flip. "Hey, don't flip out! Transformers: Generation 2 will be right back!"
- Optimus Prime drives down a road for a while before transforming. "Don't hit the road! Transformers: Generation 2 will be right back!"
Back to show:
- Ramjet swoops down and transforms to robot mode as the narrator requests: "Don't go ballistic! Transformers: Generation 2 is back!"
- Devastator smashes a chasm into the ground, out of which emerge the Dinobots. "And now, back to Transformers: Generation 2!"
Beast Wars
Beast Wars featured a standardized short commercial bumper, with the show's logo from the opening credits accompanied by the "BEAST WARS!" cry, and Garry Chalk proclaiming either "We'll be right back!" or "We're back!" as appropriate.
After the final act of the episode and before the final commercial, there would be an additional bumper, with a narrator urging viewers to continue watching the series as a montage of action clips and quotes played quickly in the background.
- Garry Chalk: "BEAST WAAAARS!"
- Narrator: "More exciting action--"
- Chalk: "MAXIMIZE!"
- Narrator: "--from your favorite 3-D Transformers!"
- Chalk: "Prime jets, ON!"
- Ian Corlett: "Whoaaaaah, cool!"
- Narrator: "On the next exciting adventure of Beast Wars! With 3-D action!"
None of these have been included on any home video release.
Meanwhile, for the Japanese version of the series, the commercial bumpers were slightly more elaborate. Each bumper featured a framed image of a chosen character, showing off their transformation while screaming the name of the show. Laid over their narration was a clip of the theme song: "WAR WAR! STOP IT" by Banana Ice.
Beast Wars II
The Japanese Beast Wars II series used two different types of bumpers.
The first featured an over-the-shoulder, close-up shot of Lio Convoy on a plain black background. This would reveal itself slowly with an adjustment of the screen's lighting, followed by the series' logo materialising in the bottom right corner, all to the tune of a strange "whoosing" synth sting.
The second type of bumper used in BWII featured a character's stock transformation footage on a plain black background, again ending with the show's logo slowly appearing in the corner. When the featured character had a beast mode, they were shown transforming to robot mode, but those without ended up in vehicle mode. The exceptions to this rule were Moon, Scuba, and Ikard, who were each shown to transform both to robot mode in a pre-break bumper and then back to beast mode after the break. Starscream also transformed to robot mode when he was featured. Instead of the "whoosing" synth, this style of bumper was accompanied by its own short musical sting.
The first Lio Convoy-style bumper was used almost exclusively for the first fifteen episodes, with the sole exception of episode twelve. Between the episodes sixteen and forty-two it only turned up in four episodes, and then shared the final episode with a Lio Junior transformation bumper.
Beast Wars Neo
Beast Wars Neo also used bumpers that each featured the series' characters' transformation footage as BWII had. This was accompanied by one of two musical stings, depending on whether the bumper was positioned before or after the ad break.
Approximately half of the episodes featured a different character either side of the ad break, whereas the other half kept the same character for both bumps. Occasionally they also mixed things up a bit by showing a single character transforming from beast mode to robot mode before the break and back again afterwards.
Of the twenty-two characters featured in the series' bumpers, only six were given more than one piece of transformation footage. Of those, Big Convoy is special in that he was shown in three separate clips; one transforming to beast mode, and two transforming to robot mode.
The familiar Lio Convoy over-the-shoulder bumper from BWII also made a cameo appearance in this series. It was used as both the pre- and post-break bumpers in episode twenty-nine. The only difference was that it now featured the Neo logo and stings, naturally.
With this series, Lio Convoy also finally got his own transformation-style bumper, something that managed to elude him throughout the whole of BWII.
Beast Machines
Beast Machines featured a standardized short commercial bumper that played after every ad break. The bumper reuses the logo animation from the show's title sequence, albeit without the deep voice exclaiming "Beast Machines!" It is unknown which if any networks actually used this bumper, but it does appear on the Shout! Factory DVD box set, as well as certain streaming platforms such as Tubi. Notably, like the title sequence seen in these releases, the bumper features 16:9 footage squished down to a 4:3 resolution, suggesting that widescreen versions of the first-season episodes existed at one point but were never released.
For the U.S. broadcast, Fox Kids created its own unique set of commercial bumpers done in the style of the kinds of bumpers the network would create for its other contemporary programming. As these bumpers were produced by Fox Kids rather than the show itself, they are not included on any of the cartoon's home video releases.
2001 Robots in Disguise cartoon
- Car Robots
The Japanese Car Robots series featured bumpers that each re-used one of the CGI character transformations seen in the show's opening titles, except taking place on a plain black background and with the series logo overlaid onto the bottom right corner. These were accompanied by one of two different musical stings, depending on whether they were leading into, or returning from the ad break.
- Robots in Disguise
Like Beast Machines, Fox Kids created bumpers for the English Robots in Disguise dub that matched the template used for their other programming. As such, they are not included on any home video releases.
Episode lead-in:
- A CG animated disk reconfigures into a monitor that reveals a superimposed image of Ruination, spins around to show the series logo on its back, and then spins back to face frontward with the Fox Kids logo now on its screen. Narrator: "You're watching Transformers on Fox Kids!"
Into commercial:
- CGI animation of a superdeformed Optimus Prime transforming into the Fox Kids logo. Neil Kaplan narrates "We'll be back, on Fox Kids!"
- CGI clip of Optimus Prime's transformation from the original Car Robots opening credits. Kaplan: "Transformers will be right back, on Fox Kids."
- The Spychangers run towards the screen and transform, as Wally Wingert implores "Don't speed up--we'll be transforming back to the show!"
- Sky-Byte transforms as a narrator taunts him with "Here, sharky, sharky, sharky... Don't bite. Transformers will be back on Fox Kids!"
Back to show:
- Side Burn's face appears on his own car mode viewscreen. Wingert: "Dude! We're cruising the fast track, back to Transformers on Fox Kids!"
- Transformation stock footage of the Autobot Brothers (specifically Prowl) ending with the Fox Kids logo. Wingert: "What would a hero be without his sidekicks?! Let's get back to the show!"
- Megatron transforms into robot mode as the narrator retorts, "Megatron, Optimus sees you. Back to Transformers on Fox Kids."
- Stock footage of Optimus transforming on his vehicle mode viewscreen. Kaplan: "Shift--lock--and ready to roll--back to Transformers on Fox Kids!"
Armada
- Armada
The Armada series featured bumpers that were very similar in part to the show's scene transitions.
The first bumper of the episode would start by showing Optimus Prime's vehicle mode driving down a dirt road for a couple of seconds before transitioning via a screen full of customised Autobot insignia-shaped iris wipes to a shot of him in robot mode in front of a vaguely mechanical looking background. Optimus would then twirl around, flailing wildly, before settling on a pose on the right side of the screen. This was accompanied by either a short musical sting taken from the show's theme song, or a second sting that, like, totally rocks out loud.
Transfans don't need them.
The bumper leading into the mid-episode commercial break would start by fading up on the familiar swirling green background as pieces of the Autobot insignia quickly tumbled from behind the camera towards the middle of the screen. Once the pieces had met in the middle-ground and joined to form the Autobot symbol, they would perform a quick flip while a glowing yellow monochrome Optimus suddenly appeared out of the flare effect. All of this was accompanied by the same first musical sting taken from the theme song.
The bumper that led the return to the show was basically the same, except with the Decepticon symbol, a glowing white Megatron, and a slightly shorter version of the first sting.
The franchise itself is addicting enough as it is.
- Legends of the Microns
The Japanese version Legends of the Microns used multiple bumper sets, changing to new ones in the later half of the series. Almost all feature the accompanying music sting that is the initial cries of "Transform! Transform!" and guitar riff from the first opening song "TRANSFORMER -Dream Again-". Like the scene transitions, these were handled by Raretrick.
The previously mentioned bumper of Prime driving, and transforming, at the start of each episode, which was used as bumper for the start of Armada episodes, instead served as the title cards for each episode in Legends of the Microns.
The first set is more or less identical to Armada's mid-episode commercial break, although they're accompanied with the Legends of the Microns logo and instrumentals that play slightly extended versions of the scene transitions' stings: the "heroic" guitars for Optimus, and the more ominous horns for Megatron.
The second eye catch variation leading into commercial shows Jet Optimus firing a shot while flying back, followed with Overload driving by in vehicle form before cutting to a yellow monochrome of them all combined against the similarly styled green background.
Returning from commercial has more than one variation. One shows Galvatron standing on Cybertron with Tidal Wave popping up behind him and a starry backdrop. Cut to them combined and the green background with the Legends of the Microns logo, but not in silver monochrome
Another version of returning from commercial features Unicron in planet mode zooming close to the screen before his planet-mode's "jaws" transitions the screen over to him in robot mode hovering over Cybertron with the Legends of the Microns logo.
Super Link
The Japanese version of the Energon cartoon featured still shots of various characters over the top of one of two musical stings, one for either side of the break. In addition, the featured character would announce the show's title, often taking the opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience or give their characteristic rallying cry ("Galvatron—hyper mode!" for example).
Rather than follow a fixed pattern across the series or be chosen randomly, the bumpers would often relate to the events of the episode during which they appeared, and characters would sometimes make references to what was happening in the show at the time. The special episode "Distribution" featured an abundance of original commercial bumpers which didn't actually lead into commercials, but were just included for "fun" in the middle of the show.
Super Link's commercial bumpers didn't make it into Energon (because it took commercial breaks more frequently and at different times), but the fake bumpers from "Distribution" did, since they were actually part of the episode. Naturally, the joke (weak as it was in the first place) was met with dull bemusement by the Energon audience, since viewers who had not seen Super Link (i.e. most of the viewing audience) had no idea what they were or where they came from.
Galaxy Force
The bumpers for the Japanese Galaxy Force series featured a harmonised cry of "To-ran-su-for-MAAAAA!" taken from the end of the main theme tune. When the theme changed at episode twenty-eight the show's bumpers switched to using two different versions of the cry, neither from the main theme, each with slightly different timing for the pre- and post-break bumpers; "To-ran-su... fo-or-MAAAAA!" and "To-ran-su-FORRR-maaaaa!" respectively.
For the first half of the series, each bumper would start by showing the series' logo on a light blue star field, from which the planets would break away and fly around a bit as the title glowed white and phased-out. This would then quickly cross-fade into a close-up still of a character, on top of which said character would then phase-in with the same white glow seen earlier (together with their name and faction's insignia) and strike a pose with a mighty clunk.
From episode twenty-seven (the series' half-way point), the bumpers would start with a close-up silhouette of a character on a star field background, overlaid with the series' logo in the bottom corner. The logo would then phase-out as the silhouette moved away from the camera, usually turning around, as the lighting adjusted to reveal the character and the background cross-faded into said character's close-up still. Each bump would still end with the same pose-striking clunk as before, together with the character's name and insignia phasing into view.
For the first thirteen episodes, the bumper leading into the ad break was also used to return to the show, whereas from episodes fourteen to twenty-five, most (but not all) episodes featured different characters either side of the break. From episode twenty-six onwards they were always different, and occasionally displayed two or three characters on the same screen.
A notable exception is episode fifty-one, which is the only episode to feature no commercial bumpers; instead, the Galaxy Force logo scrolls on and off the screen to signal the beginning and the end of the commercial break, as pictured right.
Animated
In America, the Animated cartoon series did not have any unique bumpers, simply going with whatever generic bumpers Cartoon Network was using at the time.
In Japan, however, new commercial bumpers were crafted for the series. These bumpers use one of two musical stings, depending on whether the character featured is an Autobot or a Decepticon, with said character shouting their name followed by the "Transform!" command. The Autobot sting is based on the show's opening theme song.
Visually, each bumper starts with a blank screen showing a colour gradient, in front of which the featured character quickly moves in from off-screen in their vehicle mode. They then flip in a manner similar to a scene transition to reveal the same character in robot mode, flanked by a mirrored pair of monochrome versions of themselves in an action pose, set at a jaunty angle and overlaid with their name in a unique font. This art then moves towards the camera slightly before straightening up and shrinking back to the middle-ground as the series' logo positions itself in front of them.
Prime
In the US, Transformers: Prime initially had no separate bumpers, simply using The Hub's generic bumpers. However, Prime-themed bumpers were eventually created later on.
Into commercial:
- We see Bumblebee explode out of the Hub logo. We then see a picture of Megatron, which then goes into the background as Bumblebee punches the screen.
Back to the show:
- We see Optimus Prime transform into truck mode, then Bumblebee is aiming his gun at something, then we see Optimus Prime's face, and finally we see the Hub logo.
In Japan, there is a circling 3D image of a Transformer in alternate mode accompanied by their name, rank (e.g. Optimus is Autobot Commander, Megatron is Decepticon Emperor of Destruction) and the various tech specs (e.g. Strength, Intelligence, etc.) set to the familiar 'Robots in Disguise!' refrain used since G1. The image speeds up as the character calls out, "(name), Transform!" at which point there is a flash of light and the image is replaced with the character in robot mode. Starting with episode 21, the bumpers began including the Transformer's Arms Micron partner and the "Transform!" callout was replaced by the Micron saying "Arms Micron (name), Arms Up!"
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Eyecatch (アイキャッチ Ai Kyacchi)
