Transformers: Zone was the last of the Japanese cartoons, a victim of the declining popularity of Transformers in Japan at the time. Only the first episode was ever animated; the rest of the tale was related in TV Magazine, a weekly publication that featured stories about television characters. In Zone, Dai Atlas leads Sonic Bomber, Roadfire, and the Cybertron Micromasters against the alien Volenijger and his league of resurrected Destron Generals. Volenjiger's target are the Zodiac gems, source of the mysterious Zodiac Power. Zone was followed by Transformers: Return of Convoy. a story told exclusively in TV Magazine.

Transformers: Zone

Transformers: Zone was supposed to be the next Transformers series in Japan, but ended up as an Original Video Animation, along the likes of Scramble City. For some reason, there were no other episodes produced after the very first, but the story is told through TV Magazine.

This series featured characters new and old. From the Victory series, it had Victory Saber, the Micromasters and Galaxy Shuttle but then it introduced a whole new set of Transformers called the Powered Masters. These toys actually had battery or spring-powered motors; the new Cybertron commander was Dai-Atlus and his assistants were Sonic Bomber and Roadfire. The three of them had the ability to merge into a super-jet and a huge base, named Big Powered. The bulk of the Destron forces were the gestalts from the original Transformers run, decked out in cape and cowl -- Devastator (who has a drill as weapon), Menasor, Predaking, Abominus, King Poseidon, Trypticon, Bruticus, Black Zarak and Overlord. The Destrons serve under their new leader, a three-faced Quintesson-like monster known as Violenjiger.

The first episode starts out with the Destrons attacking a planet before the arrival of Victory Saber and Galaxy Shuttle. The inhabitants load up into Galaxy Shuttle and they depart just as the planet is destroyed, but Victory Saber does not make it out after saving Kaim and his cute little Zone bunny, Emusa. Violenjiger gathers his nine generals and orders them to capture the Cybertron Zodiac, an energy source pretty much equivalent with the Matrix. At the Cybertron base, things are quiet, until suddenly the Destrons attack with Menasaur, Overlord and Abominus. The Cybertrons try to counter with Countdown and the Air Strike patrol, but they are completely overmatched. They try to follow the Destrons, but Black Zarak shows up and immobilizes the rocket. As the Rescue Squad work on repairs, Dai-Atlus and Roadfire appear, carrying a weakened and heavily-damaged Victory Saber. The two of them are sent by Victory Saber to retrieve the Zodiac. Meanwhile, the Destrons go wild, attacking the Cybertrons on Earth with Predaking, Devastator, King Poseidon and Trypticon. Suddenly, Dai-Atlus and Roadfire appear and do battle with the gestalts. Dai-Atlus heads underground and finds the missing Zodiac, but then Devastator and King Poseidon attack. He manages to unleash a river of lava on top of Devastator, and King Poseidon tries to escape with the Zodiac. The Cybertrons mange to get it back, but now face Trypticon, Predaking and King Poseidon. Dai-Atlus manages to unleash the power of the Zodiac and he and Sonic Bomber transform into a powerful base, which blasts King Poseidon and Trypticon out of the picture, leaving on Predaking, who tries to escape. Dai-Atlus jumps on Sonic Bomber's back and chases after the gestalt, slicing him from head to crotch, destroying him. For their efforts, Victory Saber proclaims them heroes and names Dai Atlus as the new commander in a grand ceremony in front of the other Cybertrons.

Later, in the series, Violenjiger manages to recapture the Zodiac, kidnapping Kaim and his friend Akira in the rocket that they are in. It is soon learned that Violenjiger has the ability to split off into three robot insects. The Cybertrons manage to defeat the trio but then he comes back as a phoenix formed from the spirit of the dead Destrons. However, Dai-Atlus, Sonic Bomber and Roadfire merge into Big Powered and they destroy Violenjiger once and for all.

The Battlestars: Return of Convoy

After receiving reports of a secret Destron plot deep out in space, the Cybertron warrior Sky Garry moves in to investigate in starship mode. All of a sudden he encounters a group of Destron warrior drones and clouds of tentacled space charges. He transforms to robot mode and is confronted by a drone. Confidently, Sky Garry cracks his knuckles and then attacks with his "Mystery Sucker Punch!" The drone is left stumbling with a large hole in his chest. He promptly explodes. Sky Garry then turns to the space charges and unleashes his strongest attack, "Plasma Power!" He easily eradicates the devices and radios his teammate, Grandus. Grandus is busy doing battle on the Destron base, Lucifer. Astonished, Sky Garry realizes that only the original Convoy could save them and end the war. Elsewhere in space the mysterious being called Dark Nova (Who has a more than passing resemblance to the Vok aliens from Beast Wars) describes his plans to rule the universe.

Meanwhile on Earth an arctic oil drilling station is being ransacked by Destron drones for energy. Instantly, Megatron erupts from the ice in a sleek new Super Mode (complete with an "SM" symbol on his helmet). The rig workers run for their lives as Super Megatron laughs hysterically above their heads. Megatron reaches down and plucks up one of the helpless workers. Showing a more vicious side, Super Megatron slowly licks the poor bastard and informs him that he will be eaten as a snack. All of a sudden the Cybertron train warriors arrive on the scene to disturb his meal. They quickly fuse into Sixrunner and attack. Annoyed, Megatron shoves them aside effortlessly with one hand. Sixrunner slams hard against a wall but quickly gets back to his feet and tackles Super Megatron to the ground. Megatron drops the rig worker who quickly escapes to safety. Suddenly Sixrunner is hit by laserfire from a team of Destron drones. Smoking and immobile, he collapses and wonders when Convoy will arrive to stop Super Megatron. Megatron walks over to a glass box the rig workers are now imprisoned in and informs them they will be the refreshments at his victory party.

All of a sudden there is a blinding explosion of light which catches the Destrons off guard. Star Convoy comes down from the sky. Megatron is less than pleased to see is old nemesis functioning again. Relieved, Sixrunner gets to his feet and cheers Convoy on. Star Convoy tells Megatron to stand down and surrender. Super Megatron then replies that the Megatron he knew was no more, he is Super Megatron now. Convoy retorts that he's about as "super" as a super market. Super Megatron raises his Fusion Cannon to strike but before he can fire Star Convoy lands a powerful blow to his face. Immediately Megatron returns with an uppercut and proclaims that the energy has made him stronger than ever before. Super Megatron then shouts "Power Up!" and transforms into his new jetfighter mode. He quickly strafes Convoy with gunfire as the rig workers look on in horror. Convoy transforms into his enhanced truck mode and speeds off away from the rig workers. To draw Megatron away from the innocent people Star Convoy baits him into following. Super Megatron is far from impressed and chases after Convoy. At top speed Star Convoy heads directly for an oil tank surrounded by drones. The drones flee in terror but are crushed beneath his wheels. Defying gravity Convoy drives vertically up the side of the tank and straight into the air. Shocked and unable to stop in time Megatron crashes nose first into the oil tank. In mid air Convoy transforms to robot mode and sends a blast from his gun straight to the tank. Star Convoy lands as the oil tank explodes with Megatron stuck inside. Horribly injured, Megatron flies off swearing vengeance on Convoy. Sixrunner replies that Convoy is no more, he is Star Convoy now. As the sun sets behind the horizon the freed rig workers cheer their thanks to Star Convoy. Star Convoy assures them that as long as he is around the Destrons will never win. Sixrunner shouts his agreement with excitement and Generation One comes to a close.