>>100988838TV shows in the 80s were merchandise driven
they mostly existed to show kids cool stuff they could be buying
transformers and GI joe had new characters introduced out of nowhere, random accessories and vehicles thay appear for a single episode, and got upgrades and weapons never before seen
all for the purpose of advertising toys
the protectobots and conbaticons appear halfway through S2 and get shilled hard for the remainder of the season in order to sell their new toy line, for example
most of the time it was harmless fun, but then you get manipulative and cyncical moves like the 86 movie killing off many major characters to make room for a new generation of toys
not necessarily a bad thing
mobile suit gundam only survived its low ratings due to toy sales, and it eventually changed the face of mecha
and many TMNT signatures like the turtle van were introduced to sell toys
but there is no denying the loss of creative freedom that came with being forced to adapt your plot to changing market demands
