As Sixshot's gun mode was, to be generous, gun-shaped rather than a realistic model of a gun, this was less a deliberate attempt to circumvent the toy gun law than a token attempt to avoid controversy. The Titans Return Sixshot figure, for example, had a submarine mode which bore a striking resemblance to Sixshot's G1 gun mode when flipped upside down. The Transformers toy designers have, on occasion, produced sly workarounds. More to the point, a 1988 US law prohibited anyone "to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm" without "a blaze orange plug inserted in the barrel of such toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm." Toy companies are understandably wary of selling realistic-looking toy guns like MC-13/Megatron these days given kids wielding them have been accidentally shot by law-enforcement personnel. It's highly likely MC-13 and the other Gun Robo in the Micro Change line were toys based on Japanese airsoft guns, which is how they fit the "toys of household objects" concept of Micro Change. Intriguingly, however, Yonezawa's 1982 toy catalog showed the Walther P-38 Uncle Type and the toy was copyrighted in 1982.
#TRANSFORMERS INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION SERIES#
The third series of the Japanese show started airing in April 1983, the Walther P-38 apparently appeared in episode 21 which aired in September and Takashi Matsuda applied for the MC-13 patent in June. Colours aside, it's a dead ringer for MC-13.
The Japanese television series, Seibu Keisatsu, a cop show set in a highly-combustible Eighties Japan, had merchandising tie-ins by Yonezawa and among these was an U.N.C.L.E-inspired Walther P-38 airsoft gun. There was another possible candidate for MC-13's inspiration closer to home. Curiously, however, MC-13 lacked the extended magazine clip seen on the television prop and the Japanese replica. It's also worth noting the Japanese company MGC produced a replica of the television prop in 1966. MC-13 was nearly identical to the heavily customised Walther P-38 seen on the Sixties television series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The "Uncle" in "MC-13 Walther P-38 Uncle Type" provides a major clue. This did raise an interesting question that's never been satisfactorily answered: what kind of Japanese household had a World War II-era German handgun complete with silencer, extended barrel, scope and shoulder stock just lying around? (Thus, Megatron was originally on the side of angels.) The Japanese Micro Change line consisted of 1:1 scale toys of household objects and in the Microman storyline, these transformed into robots which aided the Microman in their battles against the dastardly Acroyear. While it's fairly common knowledge G1 Megatron was originally Takara's Microman Micro Change Gun Robo MC-13 Walther P-38 Uncle Type, MC-13's origin may not be as straightforward as it may seem. This album deserves its survivor-standing among soundtracks, and is definitely recommended for science fiction and action music fans.Instruments of destruction, tools of power play Particularly popular in its amiably rapid-fire, goofy way is the closing track, "Dare to Be Stupid," performed by the master of dementia, "Weird Al" Yankovich.
Even those who are not into the '80s animation of The Transformers series may find themselves surprised by how well they like the music, which has an enduring track record for sci-fi convention dances. This is also a genre classic album for science fiction and fantasy fans.
Crank up the volume and take to the interstate. If listeners want an album to keep them awake during long-distance driving, this one will surely do it. The music is definitely loud, lively, and strong.
#TRANSFORMERS INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION MOVIE#
From the edgy, percussive "Instruments of Destruction," to frenetic "Escape," to the intense, driving "Nothing's Gonna Stand in Our Way," The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack has a popularity of its own that has far surpassed the animated series that it was written for.