Celebrating 40 Years of Transformers: A Special Collaboration with Studio Trigger
Posted on September 12, 2024, by Crystalyn Hodgkins
In a recent announcement, animation powerhouse Studio Trigger and toy manufacturer Takara Tomy unveiled an exciting project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beloved Transformers franchise. This collaboration has sparked considerable anticipation among fans who were hoping for a more extensive anime adaptation from Studio Trigger.
The Exclusive Anniversary Video
Takara Tomy has officially introduced the “Transformers 40th Anniversary Special Movie,” which fans had eagerly awaited. However, there is a significant limitation: this video is currently only accessible within Japan.
Directed by Akira Amemiya—known for his work on popular series like SSSS.Gridman and SSSS.Dynazenon—the short film runs for approximately three minutes and forty-nine seconds. It features the song “Mayday” by BUMP OF CHICKEN, a well-known Japanese rock band that has been captivating audiences since its formation in 1994.
Limited Availability Raises Concerns
Unfortunately for international fans, there is no region-free version of this special video available on any official social media platforms such as X/Twitter. Both Studio Trigger and BUMP OF CHICKEN have shared stills from the video online but have not provided access to the full content outside Japan.
In their promotional posts, both companies expressed excitement about this unique collaboration:
“BUMP OF CHICKEN × TRIGGER × Transformers – A special collaboration celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers! The animation studio TRIGGER produced this exclusive footage featuring ‘Mayday’ as its theme song!” — BUMP OF CHICKEN
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with BUMP OF CHICKEN and Transformers! Directed by Tetsuro Araki from Gridman Universe.” — TRIGGER Inc.
Despite these announcements reaching English-speaking audiences through official channels like Twitter, they still direct viewers to region-locked content that many cannot access.
Fan Reactions and Future Hopes
The excitement surrounding this partnership between Studio Trigger and Transformers was palpable among fans leading up to its release. However, disappointment looms due to its limited availability in Japan alone. Many enthusiasts are hopeful that an official global release will be announced soon so that everyone can enjoy this milestone celebration together.
As we look forward to potential updates regarding wider accessibility for this commemorative project, it’s clear that collaborations like these continue to enrich fan experiences across different cultures while honoring iconic franchises like Transformers.
Sources: Takara Tomy’s YouTube channel; Studio Trigger’s X/Twitter account via Hachima Kiko.
Intern at SMK University
