A franchise from the 1980s and onwards that started as a popular line of transforming robotaction figures produced by Tomy and Hasbro. It has since been adapted into many animated TV shows, an animated movie, and six live-action movies.
In 1984, American toy company Hasbro licensed the Japanese Diaclone Car Robots toyline (1982) along with the Japanese MicromanMicro Changetoyline (1982) from Takara and merged both series of toys to create many of the original Transformers. Takara eventually discontinued the Diaclone and Microman toylines in 1985 in favor of the Transformers rebranding in Japan.
The Marvel comics company also contributed to the original franchise by developing the whole Generation 1 universe of the series and its robot characters info and backgrounds, all created by Marvel comics writer Bob Budiansky. It also published a comic book adaptation of the series during the 80s and 90s.
