Transformers: Scramble City
Encyclopedia
Scramble City is the name of a Transformers OVA (Original Video Animation) created and released in Japan
in April 1986. It was created as a promotional video for the new line of 'Scramble City' toys released only in Japan. Despite strong belief (such as that voiced on the 20th Anniversary DVD bonus commentary for the episode), it was not meant to introduce Japanese audiences to the new characters from The Transformers: The Movie
(considering Ultra Magnus and Ratbat are the only ones from the film that appear in it). It actually takes place years before TF: TM during the early stages of construction on Autobot City.
, the OVA then gets its original story underway, as the Autobots are shown to be in the midst of constructing the powerful "Scramble City", overseen by their newest arrival, Ultra Magnus
. When the Decepticons learn of this, their combiner robots are deployed to attack, and a battle between them and their Autobot counterparts ensues, focusing on their "Scramble Power" - the interchangeability of the individual limbs - to the extent that at one point, Breakdown of the Stunticons connects to Superion to damage him. At the OVA's conclusion, Scramble City is activated and assumes its robot mode of Metroplex to rout the Decepticons. However, from the ocean depths, the Decepticons' own city, Trypticon, rises.
This cliffhanger was never resolved as no direct sequel was ever produced. An extended commercial, called Scramble City Toys but often mistakenly identified as Scramble City 2, was released, but rather than wrap up the cliffhanger, it retold the OVA through stop-motion animation of the toys themselves, with one addition - the introduction of Galvatron
, erroneously presented as one of Megatron's troops, rather than the recreated Decepticon leader himself.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in April 1986. It was created as a promotional video for the new line of 'Scramble City' toys released only in Japan. Despite strong belief (such as that voiced on the 20th Anniversary DVD bonus commentary for the episode), it was not meant to introduce Japanese audiences to the new characters from The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
(considering Ultra Magnus and Ratbat are the only ones from the film that appear in it). It actually takes place years before TF: TM during the early stages of construction on Autobot City.
Plot
Beginning with a recap of the coming of the Transformers to Earth and the story of DevastatorDevastator (Transformers)
Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
, the OVA then gets its original story underway, as the Autobots are shown to be in the midst of constructing the powerful "Scramble City", overseen by their newest arrival, Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus
Ultra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
. When the Decepticons learn of this, their combiner robots are deployed to attack, and a battle between them and their Autobot counterparts ensues, focusing on their "Scramble Power" - the interchangeability of the individual limbs - to the extent that at one point, Breakdown of the Stunticons connects to Superion to damage him. At the OVA's conclusion, Scramble City is activated and assumes its robot mode of Metroplex to rout the Decepticons. However, from the ocean depths, the Decepticons' own city, Trypticon, rises.
This cliffhanger was never resolved as no direct sequel was ever produced. An extended commercial, called Scramble City Toys but often mistakenly identified as Scramble City 2, was released, but rather than wrap up the cliffhanger, it retold the OVA through stop-motion animation of the toys themselves, with one addition - the introduction of Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
, erroneously presented as one of Megatron's troops, rather than the recreated Decepticon leader himself.
Characters
Most of the characters in Scramble City are from the first and second seasons, although this marks the first appearance of Ultra Magnus, Ratbat, Steeljaw, Ramhorn, Metroplex, and Trypticon.Autobots
- Optimus PrimeOptimus PrimeOptimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
(vaSeiyuVoice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
Tesshō GendaTessho Gendais a Japanese voice actor. He is employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce. When he debuted, he used his real name, . as artist name. Because he had experience with ballet, he was known by the nickname "Pirouette Genda."...
): Supreme Commander of the Autobots. Transforms into a 1970s Freightliner FL86 Cab-over-engine semi trailer truck. His arch-rival is the equally powerful Megatron. - Ultra MagnusUltra MagnusUltra Magnus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers storylines.-Transformers: Generation 1:The greatest Transformer of them all. A commander could want no finer a soldier than Ultra Magnus...
(va Banjō GingaBanjo Ginga, sometimes credited as his real name , is a Japanese voice actor who was born in Kofu, Yamanashi. Ginga is currently affiliated with Aoni Production...
): Autobot City Commander, Ultra Magnus is one of Optimus Prime's sub-commanders. He commands the Autobot Combiner teams. Transforms into a Freightliner COE car carrier. - JazzJazz (Transformers)Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
: One of many who serve as Prime's sub-commanders. Transforms into a Martini Racing Porsche 935 Turbo. - IronhideIronhideIronhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: One of Prime's sub-commanders, Ironhide is one of the oldest and toughest of the Autobots. Transforms into a Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette. - TracksTracks (Transformers)Tracks is a character in the Transformers Universes. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo...
: Transforms into a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray that also has a flight mode. - SmokescreenSmokescreen (Transformers)Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Smokescreen is one of the second year Autobot Cars in the Transformers series. His toy was remolded from Prowl and Bluestreak, itself originating from an earlier Japanese line...
: Transforms into a Datsun 280ZX Turbo. - Grapple: Helps in the construction of Metroplex. Transforms into a Mitsubishi Fuso crane.
- BumblebeeBumblebee (Transformers)Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
(va Yoku ShioyaYoku Shioyais a Japanese voice actor debuting in Umi no Triton . Recently he has done some voice directing in such anime as Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls. His real name is Tsubasa Shioya...
): Works with Spike Witwicky in the construction of Metroplex. Transforms into a Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen BeetleThe Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
. - Warpath: Transforms into a General Motors M551A1 Sheridan ARAAV tank.
- BlasterBlaster (Transformers)Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
(va Keiichi NanbaKeiichi Nanbais a Japanese voice actor currently affiliated with Aoni Production. He is married to fellow voice actress Mayumi Shō.-Anime:* Sailor Moon series as Gurio Umino, Zoisite, Alan* Trigun as Hoppered the Gauntlet-Tokusatsu:...
): Rival of Soundwave who transforms into a boombox.- SteeljawSteeljawSteeljaw is the name of several characters from the Transformers toy line and television series.-Transformers: Generation 1:He is an Autobot and part of the mini-cassette team. He takes the form of a lion...
: One of Blaster's Cassettibots. Robot form is a mechanical lion. - RamhornRamhorn-Transformers: Generation 1:He is part of the mini-cassette Autobot team and takes on the form of a rhinoceros.Ramhorn's bio painted him as extremely unruly and bad-tempered, prone to destroying anyone who violates his territory...
: One of Blaster's Cassettibots. Robot form is a mechanical rhinoceros.
- Steeljaw
- Teletraan ITeletraan ITeletraan I is the name of several fictional characters in several Transformers universes. Teletraan I is usually the Autobots' computer on board their spaceship called the Ark.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
(va Masashi EbaraMasashi Ebara, better known as , is a Japanese voice actor, actor, and narrator from Kanagawa Prefecture. He stands at 175 centimeters and is affiliated with 81 Produce....
): Computer aboard the Ark. - Autobot Combiners
- AerialbotsAerialbotsThe Aerialbots are a group of Autobots that transform into aircraft and combine to form the giant robot Superion. They were introduced into the Transformers toyline in 1985 and sold as a Superion gift set, and then sold separately in 1986 in most department stores...
: The first set of Autobot combiners, the Aerialbots merge as one to become SuperionSuperion-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...
. Their rivals are the Stunticons.- Silverbolt: Commander of the Aerialbots. Transforms into a ConcordeConcordeAérospatiale-BAC Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, a supersonic transport . It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation...
SST jetliner. Becomes Superion's torso. - Air RaidAir Raid (Transformers)Air Raid was the name of fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Hasbro has registered the name Air Raid for Trademark in the U.S.-Transformers: Generation 1:Air Raid is the most fearless of the Aerialbots and likes having fun...
: Transforms into an McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Forms Superion's left leg. - FireflightFireflight (Transformers)Fireflight is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. They are all Autobots who turn into jets.-Transformers: Generation 1:Fireflight first appeared as a member of the Aerialbots...
: Transforms into a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Forms Superion's right arm. - SkydiveSkydive (Transformers)-Transformers: Generation 1:Skydive was part of the Aerialbot team able to form a limb of the combined robot Superion.Skydive would rather read about jet fighters than be one, and is fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. He can, within the limits of his design, duplicate the flying motion of...
: Transforms into an General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Forms Superion's right leg. - SlingshotSlingshot (Transformers)Slingshot is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Hasbro has not reused the name Slingshot since 1994 due to its seeming inability to trademark the name. The most recent Slingshot homage uses the names Sky Shadow and Airazor....
: Transforms into a Hawker Siddeley Harrier. Forms Superion's left arm.
- Silverbolt: Commander of the Aerialbots. Transforms into a Concorde
- ProtectobotsProtectobotsThe Protectobots are a fictional emergency, search and rescue team of five Autobots in the Transformers toyline. They transform into civilian service and emergency vehicles and combine to form the combiner Defensor...
: The second set of Autobot combiners, the Protectobots merge as one to become DefensorDefensorDefensor, the Latin word from which Defender and its equivalents in various languages stem, may refer to:-Title or function:*Defensor civitatis, a function in the Roman and Byzantine Empire, with later imitations*defensor matrimonii, in canon law....
. Their rivals are the Combaticons. They help in the construction of Metroplex.- Hot Spot: Commander of the Protectobots. Hot Spot becomes Defensor's torso. Transforms into a Mitsubishi Fuso Great fire engine.
- BladesBlades (Transformers)Blades is the name of two fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. They are both Autobot helicopters. Later versions of the figure were named "Autobot Blades" for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Becomes Defensor's right arm. Transforms into a Bell UH-1V Iroquois. - StreetwiseStreetwise (Transformers)Streetwise is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. They are all Protectobots who turn into cars. He is sometimes called Streetstar by Hasbro for legal reasons.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Becomes Defensor's left leg. Transforms into a Nissan 300ZX Turbo police car. - Groove: Becomes Defensor's right leg. Transforms into a Police Honda Gold Wing motorbike.
- First AidFirst Aid (Transformers)First Aid is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:First Aid is a doctor and hates seeing any machine in pain, even an overheated car. Compassionate to the injured, but also a great fighter. Carries double-barreled crystallizer...
: Becomes Defensor's left arm. Transforms into a Toyota Town Ace/Lite Ace ambulance.
- Aerialbots
- MetroplexMetroplex (Transformers)Metroplex is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series.-Transformers: Generation 1:Metroplex is capable of transforming into a battle station or a giant robot...
: Recently completed Autobot City. Transforms into a city, and has a mobile battle station mode aside from his giant robot mode. His rival is the Decepticon City Trypticon.
Decepticons
- Megatron (va Seizō Katō): Leader of the Decepticons and Optimus Prime's arch enemy. Transforms into a modified Walther P38.
- Seekers: Three Decepticons who assume the form of McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle jets.
- StarscreamStarscream (Transformers)Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
(va Hirotaka SuzuokiHirotaka Suzuokiwas a Japanese voice actor and actor from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture who graduated from Tokyo Keizai University.His best known roles include Mobile Suit Gundam , Captain Tsubasa , Saint Seiya , Dragon Ball Z , The Transformers , Ranma ½ , Rurouni Kenshin , Pokémon...
): Air Commander of the Decepticons who seeks to overthrow Megatron. - SkywarpSkywarpSkywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Resident prankster who hangs with Thundercracker. - ThundercrackerThundercrackerThundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Hangs with Skywarp.
- Starscream
- SoundwaveSoundwave (Transformers)Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
(va Issei Masamune): One of Megatron's loyal soldiers. Transforms into a microcassette recorder.- LaserbeakLaserbeakLaserbeak is the name given to several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is almost always a mechanical bird, and is partnered with Soundwave.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: One of Soundwave's Cassetticons. Robot form is a mechanical condor. - RavageRavage (Transformers)Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
: One of Soundwave's Cassetticons. Robot form is a mechanical jaguar. - RatbatRatbatRatbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
(va Ken Shiroyama): One of Soundwave's Cassetticons. Robot form is a mechanical bat.
- Laserbeak
- Decepticon Combiners
- ConstructiconsConstructiconsright|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
: The first set of Decepticon combiners, the Constructicons merge to become DevastatorDevastator (Transformers)Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
.- Scrapper: Commander of the Constructicons. Transforms into a front-end loader. Unlike most of the combiners, Scrapper becomes Devastator's right leg.
- ScavengerScavenger (Transformers)Scavenger is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Scavenger is usually depicted as a villain who turns into a construction vehicle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Transforms into a power shovel. Becomes Devastator's right arm. - Mixmaster: Transforms into a cement mixer. Becomes Devastator's left leg.
- Long Haul: Transforms into an off-road dump truck. Becomes Devastator's torso.
- BonecrusherBonecrusher (Transformers)Bonecrusher is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Bonecrusher is a member of the Constructicons. He is a brawler by nature and specialises in demolitions work...
: Transforms into a bulldozer. Becomes Devastator's left arm. - Hook: Scrapper's second-in-command. Transforms into a crane. Becomes Devastator's shoulders and head.
- Stunticons: The second set of Decepticon combiners, the Stunticons merge to become MenasorMenasorMenasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. Their rivals are the Aerialbots.- MotormasterMotormasterMotormaster is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universe. Motormaster made his first appearance in the Marvel Transformers comic before appearing in the animated series. Other than in Transformers: War for Cybertron, Motormaster is the leader of the Stunticons, an...
: Commander of the Stunticons, Motormaster likes to think of himself as Optimus Prime's rival for the title "King of the road". Transforms into a Kenworth K100 Aerodyne semi trailer truck. Becomes Menasor's torso. - Dead End: Transforms into a Porsche 928. Forms Menasor's left arm/left leg.
- BreakdownBreakdown (Transformers)Breakdown is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He should not be confused with the Autobot Brakedown.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Transforms into a Lambourghini Countach. Becomes Menasor's right leg/left arm. - Drag Strip: Transforms into a Tyrell P-34 6-wheeler race car. Forms Menasor's right arm/right leg.
- Wildrider: Transforms into a Ferrari 308 GTB sports car. Becomes Menasor's left leg/right arm.
- Motormaster
- CombaticonsCombaticonsThe Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
: The third set of Decepticon combiners, the Combaticons merge to become Bruticus. Their rivals are the Protectobots. They were originally under Starscream's command in an attempt to overthrow Megatron.- OnslaughtOnslaught (Transformers)Onslaught is the name of two fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Both are leaders of the Combaticons who turn into missile launching vehicles.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Commander of the Combaticons. Transforms into a mobile anti-aircraft truck. Becomes Bruticus' torso. - BrawlBrawl (Transformers)Brawl is the name given to several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called "Decepticon Brawl" in the toy line for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
: Transforms into a Leopard 1 main battle tank. Becomes Bruticus' left leg. - SwindleSwindle (Transformers)Swindle is the name given to several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Swindle originally appeared as a member of a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as Bruticus...
: Transforms into a FMC XR311 combat support vehicle. Becomes Bruticus' right leg. - Blast OffBlast Off (Transformers)-Transformers: Generation 1:Although Blast Off appears to be a cruel and ruthless opponent to the Autobots and a snob to his fellow Combaticons, he is in reality somewhat lonely, as his missions in space shuttle mode leave him feeling isolated. Combines with fellow Combaticons to form...
: Transforms into a Space ShuttleSpace ShuttleThe Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
Becomes Bruticus' right arm. - VortexVortex (Transformers)-Transformers: Generation 1:Vortex is the most out-and-out sadistic of the Combaticons, and functions as their interrogator. A favorite tactic of his is to trap Autobots in the huge wind funnels he creates in helicopter mode until they tell him what he wants to know. He combines with fellow...
: Transforms into a Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter. Becomes Bruticus' left arm.
- Onslaught
- Constructicons
- TrypticonTrypticonTrypticon is a fictional character in the Transformers toyline.-Transformers: Generation 1:Trypticon is the Decepticons' principal command base. He has three modes: a city, a mobile battle station, and a Tyrannosaurus rex. In each mode, he has a variety of weapons...
: Metroplex's own arch-enemy. Transforms into a city, and a battle station, and finally a TyrannosaurusTyrannosaurusTyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
.
Humans
- Spike Witwicky: Works alongside Bumblebee on completing Metroplex.
- Sparkplug Witwicky: Spike's father who helps in finishing Metroplex.
- Chip Chase: Genius who uses a wheelchair to manuvuer about. Helps in finishing Metroplex.
- Carly: Spike's girlfriend. Helps in finishing Metroplex.