Set off’s Transformers Anniversary Video is Cool as Hell

Just a few weeks in the past, animation studio Set off (of Cyberpunk Edgerunners and Scrumptious in Dungeon fame) teased it was engaged on one thing for the Transformers franchise. With the model’s fortieth birthday looming forward, there was no query what it was for, the actual query was if it was going to only be a celebration video or one thing more ongoing. It’s certainly the previous, and it’s additionally a reasonably rattling good celebration when all’s mentioned and executed.

Technically, Set off’s video remains to be region-locked to Japan, however that thankfully didn’t cease followers from importing region-free variations themselves. Set to Bump of Rooster’s 2007 single “Mayday,” it’s a grand showcase of Transformers as a TV and film model. Almost every thing is featured in a roundabout way right here, from the unique G1 incarnation to now-classic cartoons like Beast Wars and Transformers Animated. Even the 2 live-action film eras get to make an appearances, although it doesn’t seem like any variations from the upcoming Transformers One present up. (Should you’re curious, the franchise wiki listed each character who seems, and in numerical order!)

Set off’s by no means been shy about its love of Transformers: its workers is reportedly stuffed with massive followers, and the wiki notes key animators Masaru Sakamoto and Hiroki Mutaguchi, plus director Akira Amemiya have all executed official illustrations or helped design the Flame Toys Furai Mannequin kits. That love for the sequence comes by means of, and it’s fascinating to see the studio’s interpretations of Optimus Prime and Megatron’s clashes and the previous’s loss of life within the 1986 film. Usually, extra loss of life and conflict featured right here than you assume, a few of that are gonna hit you within the coronary heart.

So right here’s to Transformers: blissful fortieth birthday, and right here’s to a different 40. Carry on Transformin’ on.

Need extra io9 information? Try when to count on the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and every thing you might want to find out about the way forward for Doctor Who.