The Transformers is an animated television series depicting a war among giant robots who could transform into vehicles, other objects and animal-like forms. Written and recorded in America, the series was animated in Japan. The entire series was based upon the line of transforming toys originally created by Japanese toy manufacturer Takara, which were developed into the Transformers line by American company Hasbro.
In Japan, the series was called Fight! Super Robot Life Form Transformer (戦え! 超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマー Tatakae! Chō Robotto Seimeitai Toransufōmā?) for Seasons 1 and 2, and Fight! Transformers 2010 (戦え! トランスフォーマー2010 Tatakae! Toransufōmā Ni Zero Ichi Zero?) for Seasons 3 and 4. Following the conclusion of the series in 1987, several Japanese-originated sequel series were created.
In response to the 1993 relaunch of the toyline and its accompanying comic being called Transformers: Generation 2, this series and its comic book parallel are frequently referred to by the retronym, Transformers: Generation 1, aka G1. Initially a fan-coined term, it has since made its way into official use.