Commercial bumper

This article is about the bits between the show and the ads. For the television advertisements, seeCommercial.

Let's see what you can see... This article is in need of images. Specifics:RID

Commercial bumpersare 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 aneyecatch(アイキャッチaikyatchi).

Contents 1Generation 1 2The Headmasters 3Super-God Masterforce 4Victory 5Generation 2 6Beast Wars 7Beast Wars II 8Beast Wars Neo 9Beast Machines 102001Robots in Disguisecartoon 11Armada 12Super Link 13Galaxy Force 14Animated 15Prime 16Notes 16.1Foreign names 17External links

Generation 1

The originalTransformerscartoon featured a rotating series of commercial bumpers which changed by season. The music for all seasons remained the same, however, withVictor Carolinarrating "The Transformerswill return after these messages"and"We now return toThe Transformers",while a character transformed. The animation for the season 1 and 2 bumpers was provided byToei(withAnime Rassisting for Season 2's bumpers) while the animation for the season 3 and 4 bumpers was provided byAKOM.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 byKid 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, andtransformationsound effects, none of which were present in the original.

The Japanese dub replacedVictor CaroliwithIssei Masamuneyelling "Exciting Transformer!", and had sound effects added to them. During theTransformers 2010series (US season 3 episodes), the regular music in the bumpers was replaced with "TRANSFORMER 2010".

1984

The Transformerswill return:

• Optimus Prime transforms torobot 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 toThe 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 Transformerswill 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 toThe 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 Transformerswill return:

• Rodimus Prime, dodging fire from Cyclonus before changing to vehicle mode.
• Blurr flies past camera, transforms and fires.
• Base modeTrypticon fires, then transforms todinosaur modewhile Broadside flies by in Jet Mode.

We now return toThe Transformers:

• Ultra Magnus, discharging two passengers before transforming to robot mode.
• Sharkticon, transforming to shark mode and walking into the camera.

1987

The Transformerswill return:

• Scorponok transforms from base to scorpion, scuttles at the camera, and transforms to robot.

We now return toThe Transformers:

• Highbrow transforms from helicopter to robot over a planet.

1988

The Transformerswill return:

• The Optimus Prime puppet telling audiences not to go away.
• Tommy Kennedyleaning 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 toThe Transformers:

• The Optimus Prime puppet welcoming everyone back.
• Tommy Kennedy announcing, "Now back to the story!"

The Headmasters

Every bumper forThe Headmastersfeatured the samemusical sting,followed by a cry of "Head On!" from one of the cast.

Into first commercial:

• Gun modeSixshotleaps fromGalvatron's hand, transforms to robot mode and fires a volley of shots from his blasters.

First return to show:

• Jet modeBrainstormflies and spins through space, then transforms to robot mode and fires a blast.
• Bat modeMindwipedodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and emits his hypnosis beam. (Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak AppearstoFight to the Death on Planet Hive!!)

Into second commercial:

• Vehicle modeChromedomedodges two blasts from offscreen, then transforms to robot mode and fires back.
• Scorpion modeScorponoktransforms to robot mode, materialises his shield and ends with a mighty pose.

Second return to show:

• Tank modeHardheadcomes under fire from behind, and turns to return fire before transforming to robot mode.
• Ship modeFortress Maximustransforms to robot mode.
• Wolf modeWeirdwolfdodges gun fire, transforms to robot mode and fires his gun, poised with his tail/sword in his hand. (Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak AppearstoFight to the Death on Planet Hive!!)

Super-God Masterforce

EverySuper-God Masterforcebumper was accompanied bya musical stingfeaturing a drawn-out cry of "Mastaaaaa-FORCE!"

First rotation

Into first commercial:

• Jet modeMetalhawkflies over a polar wasteland, then transforms torobot modeand fires two shots.

First return to show:

• TheSeaconsburst out of the ocean and combine intoKing Poseidon.

Into second commercial:

• Jet modeBloodflies over a city and shoots at a building, then transforms to robot mode.

Second return to show:

• Goshootertransforms to robot mode.

Before closing credits:

• Truck modeGinraidrives across a rocky landscape, and transforms to robot mode.

Second rotation

Into first commercial:

• Jet modeMetalhawkflies over a polar wasteland, then transforms to robot mode and fires two shots.

First return to show:

• TheSeaconsburst out of the ocean and combine intoKing Poseidon.

Into second commercial:

• HydraandBustercombine intoDarkwings.

Second return to show:

• Goshootertransforms 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 modeGrand Maximusflies 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 withGodbomberinto God Ginrai.

Into second commercial:

• Scorpion modeBlackZarakscuttles through a dark canyon and transforms to robot mode.

Second return to show:

• TheGigatankdrives through some water as theMegajetflies overhead, then the pair combine intoOverlord.

Before closing credits:

• Super Ginrai tears through a wall of strange organic material, then combines withGodbomberinto God Ginrai.

The final episode of the series, "You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform"featured a unique final bumper, starringCab's petparrot 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'sinsigniato the tune ofa short musical sting.

After opening credits:

• Star Saberflies in and transforms, then slashes the Decepticon insignia, which falls apart to reveal the Autobot insignia beneath.

Into commercial:

• Deathsaurusfalls into shot inbeast mode,transforms and smashes the Autobot insignia with his mace, which crumbles away to expose the Decepticon insignia.

Back to show:

• TheDinoforcecombine intoDinoking,who jumps on the Autobot insignia, then cheerfully plucks the Decepticon insignia from the rubble.

Before closing credits:

• Holidestroys the Decepticon insignia by bursting out of it in car mode, then transforms to watchJanas he pushes the Autobot insignia into shot. Holi leans against it and Jan salutes.
• TheBrainmasterscombine intoRoad Caesarand 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 2incorporatedCGIclips from the line's toycommercials,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 2will be right back! "
• Jazz drives off a ramp and transforms torobot modewith a flip. "Hey, don't flip out!Transformers: Generation 2will be right back! "
• Optimus Prime drives down a road for a while before transforming. "Don't hit the road!Transformers: Generation 2will be right back! "

Back to show:

• Ramjet swoops down and transforms to robot mode as the narrator requests: "Don't go ballistic!Transformers: Generation 2is back! "
• Devastator smashes a chasm into the ground, out of which emerge the Dinobots. "And now, back toTransformers: Generation 2!"

Beast Wars

Beast Warsfeatured a standardized short commercial bumper, with the show's logo from the opening credits accompanied by the "BEAST WARS!" cry, andGarry Chalkproclaiming 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 ofBeast Wars!With 3-D action! "

None of these have been included on anyhome 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 thetheme song:"WAR WAR! STOP IT"byBanana Ice.

Beast Wars II

The JapaneseBeast Wars IIseries used two different types of bumpers.

The first featured an over-the-shoulder, close-up shot ofLio Convoyon 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 ofa strange "whoosing" synth sting.

The second type of bumper used inBWIIfeatured 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 torobot mode,but those without ended up in vehicle mode. The exceptions to this rule wereMoon,Scuba,andIkard,who were each shown to transform both to robot mode in a pre-break bumper and then back tobeast modeafter the break.Starscreamalso transformed to robot mode when he was featured. Instead of the "whoosing" synth, this style of bumper was accompanied byits 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 aLio Juniortransformation bumper.

Beast Wars Neo

Beast Wars Neoalso used bumpers that each featured the series' characters' transformation footage asBWIIhad. This was accompanied by one of two musical stings, depending on whether the bumper was positionedbeforeorafterthe 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 frombeast modeto 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 Convoyis special in that he was shown in three separate clips; one transforming tobeast mode,and two transforming to robot mode.

The familiarLio Convoyover-the-shoulder bumper fromBWIIalso made a cameo appearance in this series. It was used as both the pre- and post-break bumpers inepisode twenty-nine.The only difference was that it now featured theNeologo 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 ofBWII.

Beast Machines

Beast Machinesfeatured a standardized short commercial bumper that played after every ad break. The bumper reuses the logo animation from the show'stitle 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 theShout! FactoryDVD 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 Kidscreated 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 ofthe cartoon's home video releases.

2001Robots in Disguisecartoon

Car Robots

The JapaneseCar Robotsseries featured bumpers that each re-used one of theCGIcharacter transformations seen in the show'sopening 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 wereleading into,orreturning fromthe ad break.

Robots in Disguise

LikeBeast Machines,Fox Kidscreated bumpers for the EnglishRobots in Disguisedub that matched the template used for their other programming. As such, they are not included on anyhome video releases.

Episode lead-in:

• A CG animated disk reconfigures into a monitor that reveals a superimposed image ofRuination,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 watchingTransformerson Fox Kids! "

Into commercial:

• CGI animation of a superdeformedOptimus Primetransforming into theFox Kidslogo.Neil Kaplannarrates "We'll be back, on Fox Kids!"
• CGI clip of Optimus Prime's transformation from the originalCar Robotsopening credits. Kaplan: "Transformerswill be right back, on Fox Kids. "
• TheSpychangersrun towards the screen and transform, asWally Wingertimplores "Don't speed up--we'll be transforming back to the show!"
• Sky-Bytetransforms as a narrator taunts him with "Here, sharky, sharky, sharky... Don't bite.Transformerswill 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 toTransformerson Fox Kids! "
• Transformation stock footage of theAutobot Brothers(specificallyProwl) ending with the Fox Kids logo. Wingert: "What would a hero be without his sidekicks?! Let's get back to the show!"
• Megatrontransforms intorobot modeas the narrator retorts, "Megatron, Optimus sees you. Back toTransformerson Fox Kids. "
• Stock footage of Optimus transforming on his vehicle mode viewscreen. Kaplan: "Shift--lock--and ready to roll--back toTransformerson Fox Kids! "

Armada

Armada

TheArmadaseries featured bumpers that were very similar in part to the show'sscene transitions.

The first bumper of the episode would start by showingOptimus Prime's vehicle mode driving down a dirt road for a couple of seconds before transitioning via a screen full of customisedAutobotinsignia-shapediris wipesto a shot of him inrobot modein 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 eithera short musical sting taken from the show's theme song,ora second sting that, like, totally rocks out loud.

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 theDecepticonsymbol, a glowing whiteMegatron,anda slightly shorter version of the first sting.

Legends of the Microns

The Japanese versionLegends of the Micronsused 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 rifffrom the first opening song "TRANSFORMER -Dream Again-".Like the scene transitions, these were handled byRaretrick.

The previously mentioned bumper of Prime driving, and transforming, at the start of each episode, which was used as bumper for the start ofArmadaepisodes, instead served as the title cards for each episode inLegends of the Microns.

The first set is more or less identical toArmada's mid-episode commercial break, although they're accompanied with theLegends of the Micronslogo and instrumentals that play slightly extended versions of thescene transitions'stings:the "heroic" guitarsfor Optimus, andthe more ominous hornsfor Megatron.

The second eye catch variation leading into commercial shows Jet Optimus firing a shot while flying back, followed withOverloaddriving 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 showsGalvatronstanding on Cybertron withTidal Wavepopping up behind him and a starry backdrop. Cut to them combined and the green background with theLegends of the Micronslogo, 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 theLegends of the Micronslogo.

Super Link

The Japanese version of theEnergoncartoon featured still shots of various characters over the top of one of two musical stings, one foreithersideof 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 intoEnergon(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 withdull bemusementby theEnergonaudience, since viewers who had not seenSuper 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 JapaneseGalaxy Forceseries featured a harmonised cry of "To-ran-su-for-MAAAAA!"taken from the end ofthe 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 mightyclunk.

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-strikingclunkas 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 isepisode fifty-one,which is the only episode to feature no commercial bumpers; instead, theGalaxy Forcelogo scrolls on and off the screen to signal the beginning and the end of the commercial break, as pictured right.

Animated

In America, theAnimatedcartoon series did not have any unique bumpers, simply going with whatever generic bumpersCartoon Networkwas 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 isan Autobotora Decepticon,with said character shouting their name followed by the "Transform!" command. The Autobot sting is based onthe 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 ascene transitionto 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: Primeinitially had no separate bumpers, simply usingThe Hub's generic bumpers. However,Prime-themed bumpers were eventually created later on.

Into commercial:

• We seeBumblebeeexplode out of the Hub logo. We then see a picture ofMegatron,which then goes into the background as Bumblebee punches the screen.

Back to the show:

• We seeOptimus Primetransform 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 inalternate modeaccompanied 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 inrobot mode.Starting withepisode 21,the bumpers began including the Transformer'sArms Micronpartner 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)

External links

• Commercial bumper at Wikipedia
• Eyecatch at Wikipedia