Hasbro announced it has inducted its first class of members into the new Transformers Hall of Fame during the annual Transformers fan convention known as “BotCon,” which is being held in Orlando, Florida.
The Transformers Hall of Fame honors both those persons influential in creating and building the entertainment brand as well as Transformers characters. Hasbro inducted four individuals into the Transformers Hall of Fame who helped shape the global entertainment brand that has spawned action figures, comic book series, multiple animated series, video games and two blockbuster live action movies.
The inductees, who were in attendance at the ceremony, included:
Bob Budiansky: While working as an editor for Marvel Comics in 1983, Budiansky named and wrote the personality profiles for most of the first Transformers characters. He then became the editor of the very first Transformers mini-series, which led to his scripting most of the next 50 issues of the monthly Transformers comic book.
Peter Cullen: Cullen is a voice actor best known for providing the English voice for Optimus Prime in the 1980s cartoon series “The Transformers” and in the 1986 animated film “The Transformers: The Movie”. He reprised the role again in 2007 and 2009 in the live action Transformers movies, and will return for the third installment slated for 2011. Additionally, he has provided the voice of five other Transformers robots during his career.
Kohjin Ohno: Ohno started his career at Takara Tomy working on the design of the Microman and Diaclone toy lines, which would later become one of the inspirations for the Transformers toy line. Ohno created Sunstreaker, which is considered the first “car to robot transforming toy”. He was also instrumental in the introduction of Beast Wars Transformers for the Japanese market.
Hideaki Yoke: Yoke invented the Micro-Robot segment within the Micronauts toy line, which featured the engineering development of transformation in action figures that were no more than 3 to 4 inches tall. Transformers characters Megatron, Soundwave and Ravage can trace their origins to Yoke’s efforts.
Hasbro is a developer of children’s and family leisure time products and services with a portfolio of brands and entertainment properties.
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