Transformers: Zone

Transformers: Zone (トランスフォーマーＺ) is a one-shot OVA exclusive to Japan in the fictional Transformers universe.

Development
Originally intended to be a full TV series, Transformers: Zone was forced to become direct-length direct-to-video (OVA) due to less than expected toy sales. The series was canceled after just one episode at 25 minutes. It is considered the last TF Generation 1 animated project.

Story
Following on from Victory, the mysterious three-faced insectoid being, Violenjiger dispatches the nine "Great Decepticon Generals" - Devastator, Menasor, Bruticus, Trypticon, Predaking, Abominus, King Poseidon, Overlord and BlackZarak - to acquire "Zone Energy," destroying the planet Feminia to obtain the world's store. Caught in the destruction of the planet, Star Saber is rescued by Dai Atlas, who then repels an attack by the Decepticons, and is appointed the new Autobot commander at the conclusion of the episode.

Characters
The cast of Zone is composed heavily of Micromasters, who also made up much of the toyline. Dai Atlas is a "Powered Master," so named for his motorized gimmick, as is his combining partner Sonic Bomber - the toyline also featured another partner for them, Roadfire, who was not in the episode. The solitary Decepticons in the toyline were the Race Track Patrol, and Metrotitan, a redeco of the Autobot city Metroplex, neither of whom appeared in animated form.

Powered Masters

 * Dai Atlas (va Yusaku Yara)
 * Paired with Speeder.


 * Sonic Bomber (va Kaneto Shiozawa)
 * Paired with Sonic.


 * Roadfire
 * Paired with Drillbuster.

Micromasters

 * Moon Radar (va Ryō Horikawa)
 * Known as Countdown in the U.S. Transforms into a Lunar rover.  Commander of the Micromaster Rocket Base.


 * Rabbit Crater (va Tsutomu Kashiwakura)
 * Transforms into a Porsche. Galaxy Shuttle pilot.


 * Rescue Patrol
 * Battle Patrol
 * Air Strike Patrol
 * Race Car Patrol
 * Off Road Patrol
 * Sports Car Patrol
 * Air Patrol
 * Transports
 * Overload
 * Erector
 * Roughstuff
 * Flattop


 * Battle Stations
 * Ironworks
 * Hot House
 * Greasepit
 * Airwave


 * Bases
 * Rocket Base
 * Groundshaker
 * Skyhopper

Others

 * Victory Saber (va Hideyuki Tanaka)
 * Galaxy Shuttle
 * Cain (va Eiko Yamada)
 * Last survivor of the planet Feminia.


 * Emusa (va Yumi Tōma)
 * Cain's pet rabbit from Feminia.


 * Akira (va Naoko Watanabe)
 * A human boy.

Decepticons

 * Violenjiger (va Daisuke Gōri)
 * Demonic three-faced leader of the Decepticons.

Nine Great Generals (九大魔将軍)

 * Overlord (va Keiichi Noda)
 * Super God General; leader of the Nine.


 * Devastator (va Hirohiko Kakegawa)
 * Engineering General


 * Menasor (va Masato Hirano)
 * Intelligence General


 * Bruticus (va Yukimasa Kishino)
 * Fire General


 * Trypticon (va Daisuke Gōri)
 * Dinosaur General


 * Predaking (va Yukimasa Kishino)
 * Beast General


 * Abominus (va Yukimasa Kishino)
 * Monster General


 * King Poseidon (va Masato Hirano)
 * Aquatic General


 * Black Zarak (va Hirohiko Kakegawa)
 * Dark spirit General

Metro Force

 * Metrotitan
 * Metroshot
 * Metrodash
 * Metrotank
 * Metrobomb

Micromaster Race Track Patrol

 * Barricade
 * F-1 Racer


 * Roller Force
 * Racing Buggy


 * Ground Hog
 * Dragster


 * Motorhead
 * Stock Car

Adaptations
The missing characters did go on to appear in the pages of the Japanese publication, TV Magazine otherwise known as "Telemaga". This monthly magazine had always included Transformers manga story pages and splash illustrations with explanatory text. No direct manga was ever released for Zone.

These story pages were used to provide supporting fiction for the remaining two years worth of toylines - 1991's Battlestars: Return of Convoy and 1992's Operation: Combination.