The Centurions Origins - Brilliant Forgotten 80's Mecha-Cartoon About Heroes With Power Suits!

The 80s was when cartoons and their respective toys flourished to their full potential. Top-class animated series, accompanied by their toys? A concept that every fan loved. One of such cartoons is The Centurions. The Centurions or The Centurions: Power Xtreme was released in 1986, featuring a toy line and an animated series. Set in the 21st Century, it explores the adventures of a team consisting of highly skilled individuals and their quest to defeat an evil cyborg Doc Terror and his assistant, Hacker. The series design and concept involved comic book legends Doug Wildey (Johnny Quest), Gil Kane (Spiderman, Iron Fist), and Jack Kirby (our very own comic book god). Legendary authors Michael Reeves, Marc Scott Zicree, Larry DiTillio, and Gerry Conway were onboard. But even the fantastic artists involved with the show could not keep it airing for more than 65 episodes. With a tagline like- 'Man and Machine! Power Xtreme!' The Centurions was considered a revolutionizing series for the 80s. Now, let's find out more about the characters and why this show is an 80s classic-

[@ameliadiaz8040]

MENTAL NOTE: The land Centurion's name was Jake, not Jack.

[@Whatreally123]

I'm from India and this was aired in the mid 90s if I'm not wrong. I was 10 and loved this. Strong men and amazing tech, great music. This, Swat Kats, Johnny Quest were my favourites back in the day.

[@kojo7485]

I'm from Nigeria 🇳🇬 Me and my twin brother watched 👀 Centurions from 1996 to 1998 on Cartoon Network Channel during the Power Zone Hour.

[@OmarBhoo]

I loved this cartoon as a kid.

[@chrismayer3919]

Me too; I even liked the science ‘lessons’ at the end of each episode that tied in with that episode’s given synopsis.

[@Remoniq]

Grew up with this cartoon! I freaking loved it! Now I'm sad that I haven't seen all episodes, didn't know they got two new memebers.

[@teckzilla108]

I just found that out as well 🤦‍♂️

[@teckzilla108]

I just found that out as well 🤦‍♂️

[@stefanoagrimi8074]

Me too of the western cartoon i watched as kid centurion and mask(first season only Later season ruoned everything giving all the masks the same powers) were my favorites

[@dj4monie]

It was shown in full on Boomerang late 2000's

[@monkeyguy80]

Back then I was 6yrs old and I grew up watching Centurions. I was addicted with The Centurions cartoons and toys. The toys Action figure was good but it was slightly too large. back then.

[@ThePerfectionOfLexus]

2:57 I have to disagree. The animation of this show was amazing. I grew up with the show, and was mostly fascinated by the beaming down scenes/exoframes fused with the weapon systems, such as at 7:56. It looked astonishing, and I've never seen any other cartoon or movie, with the same idea. I still enjoy the show from time to time, even at the age of 34. This is one cartoon today's kids won't have the pleasure to enjoy on TV, since our TV stations are full of crap these days.

[@MercenaryX21]

Man, I remember this as a kid. The worst part was that they never showed all the episodes and I know I missed a lot in my area.

[@CAPCOM784]

Really would love to have a live action movie of The Centurions. Would need to stick with the original source and no Hollywood wanting a 360 for a quick buck!

[@ThePsymon35]

I think this regularly

[@stephenlogsdon1994]

Nobody would do it though…. Cuz nobody knows how to STICK TO RHE SOURCE MATERIAL!

[@malcolmar]

Agreed!

[@joseroman5084]

I'd say keep it in animation, with the track record from previous live-action movies even without Hollywood's lack of talent people would still be hesitant about it

[@CAPCOM784]

@@joseroman5084 Animation would be cool 😎

[@TJSaw]

The Centurions was my favourite cartoon growing up. I used to rush home from school to catch the episode in the afternoon. Good times.

[@terrellbrooks5528]

I believe his name is Jake Rockwell. I had his action figure and all the vehicles

[@dinomonzon7493]

You’re correct- it was always Jake, never Jack.

[@ray1il]

Yep! I remember that cause I had a friend named Jake and I was jealous that he had the same name as a Centurion.

[@legotimefuntime5438]

Even though I was born in 91, I loved watching the reruns on Saturday morning.

[@AdamSouthward]

Never forgotten. Always brilliant.

[@EndTimeFilmsCoTM]

They should make a movie📽 on these cartoon. My childhood favourites ... ❤😍

[@dinomonzon7493]

Centurions is one of the best 1980s cartoons. It was great science fiction and instead of the hackneyed: “In today’s story...” trope, we had the characters (including Doc Terror!) explain aspects of science that’s relevant to the episode. The first episode I saw was “The Sky is on Fire!” with Doc Terror igniting the Van Allen Belt, a premise straight from the movie version of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Another episode centered on Crystal and was titled “You Only Love Twice”, a play on the James Bond novel and movie You Only Live Twice. My fave Centurion was Max Ray. Its too bad the toyline never had a female Centurion, or one of Crystal Kane. For a live action version, if age weren’t an issue: Robert Downey Jr- Max Ray Tom Cruise/Bradley Cooper- Ace McCloud Tommy Lee Jones- Doc Terror Tom Hardy- Hacker Gwyneth Paltrow/Scarlett Johansson- Crystal Kane Maggie Q- Amber (Doc Terror’s daughter) Vin Diesel/Keanu Reeves- Jake Rockwell

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

Not until all wokeness is gone...

[@tonyjunior-thefirstgentlem410]

Robert Downey Jr already played Ace McCloud, but he was called Iron Man.

[@tnbn55]

Iron-Man would easily destroy all three at the same time. 😁

[@migsmigs2425]

This and Sky Commanders are so chockfull of play features. '80s money well spent.

[@thesupervader400]

Finally finished all sixty five episodes of The Centurions and I must say awesome series, one of the best ever and that season finale, I didn't think they could get away with that in the eighties, awesome review!

[@RickZard1]

This was one of many favorites of mine as a kid

[@terrancechilds3049]

I couldn't wait to get home from school when I was a kid and turn on the TV and watch cartoons all day

[@davistalhone9482]

Wonderfully thorough retrospective on this all but forgotten franchise. It really paved the way for what, I consider anyway, one of the finest pieces of animation to ever come from America: Exosquad.

[@mrf19741]

Great Video & I Absolutely Loved the Centurions and still do! Btw, it's not Jack Rockwell, it's Jake Rockwell. Also, John Thunder's weapon systems were Silent Arrow & Thunder Knight.

[@williammiller4768]

This show would be a cinch as live action. Loved it as a kid. Love it still. And the toys were amazing.

[@bazookahorse]

They tried this with GI Joe, Jem and the Holograms, He-Man, The Transformers, and failed miserably to make anything worth watching. I really liked Centurions as a kid but this nostalgia bait shit is never good in live action. I think a video game based on it would be fantastic, made by the same folks who did Transformers Devastation using the same aesthetic from the original cartoon could be really fun.

[@mastering_markets]

This was my favourite cartoon in primary school. Thank you!!!

[@sammylane21]

I'd love to see a M.A.S.K./THE CENTURIANS shared universe comic or cartoon.

[@drivethruabortion280]

I say M.A.S.K., Centurions, G.I Joe, Transformers and Go-Bots have a shared universe.

[@kkrsnn5632]

Let Disney do it, it will be smashing 😂😂😂

[@shier_it4956]

I loooooove this cartoon. I cant remember how many times I imagined being part of the Centurions team and going on missions with them. This, along with Dino Riders and Sky Commanders and the Visionaries were a huge part of my childhood.

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

DinoRiders were excellent toys. Wish I had more than a couple of the small ones. SkyCommanders were a bit cheaper quality, but the play gimmick was second to none. Me and my brothers had tons of fun crisscrossing our room with cables and ribbons and turning the whole space into a giant suspended battlefield! M.A.S.K was also brilliant.

[@nihar2009]

still listen to the intro theme .Mad fun watching it in the 90's.

[@Flowshow88]

To this day my favorite cartoon of all time. Everything about it was super cool to me as a kid who could care less about he namesof bad guys. Im still heartbroken this never went anywhere 😢

[@paulo23pd]

One of my favourite series of the 80's, watched it when it was on Get Fresh in the UK. Thanks for this video @Marvelous Videos!

[@BBBHuey]

I only got to know about this cartoon in the early days of Cartoon Network. And I loved each and every episode.

[@Loremastrful]

Transformer fan here. I was brushing up on Centurions because of TF recent line War For Cybertron: Siege. The weapon systems and ports reminded me of Centurions.

[@twizzum5]

I was introduced to this show via cartoon network in the 90s...was my favorite cartoon as a kid

[@justinshaw7826]

I freaking love this cartoon growing up as a kid. Jack Rockwell and John Thunder were my favorite centurions. 😃

[@paulnaxius4088]

Can't believe we got this level of animation for a freaking TOY tie-in

[@wilfred8326]

I remember watching this in the 80's and then on bootleg DVD's in the 2000's in Iraq in the Army! Power Extreme!

[@snowman454007]

Watched this on Cartoon Network in the early 90's and loved it! I got this on dvd and watch it frequently!

[@ernestocaro9802]

I remember this one, guardians of the galaxy (or galaxy guardians?), he-man, Thundercats, transformers, GI Joe, 80s Spider'Man cartoons series, super friends, etc....wow!

[@jasonmckay4435]

My childhood re-visited thanks!

[@Thrillr]

I use to stay up all night for thistle

[@timephire]

I didn't forget JACK! I really like this show!

[@drawinaminutewithdr.rajasa8861]

One of the best shows ever

[@flavioribeiro007]

THAT's we need as a live action!

[@akshaykelji3995]

We need a movie of this please ❤

[@Jack-b5o6r]

I loved this show when I was a kid ! Wished they would remake the figures in 1/6th scale for my collection POWER EXTREME !

[@nitronorman1491]

65 Episodes is a pretty decent amount these days. I love these cyborgs.

[@razielgriffin1822]

Growing up didn't have that pleasure of watching it to the fullest but now I will.. cause it's among the greatest cartoons of it's time

[@akshaykelji3995]

My favourite cartoon ❤

[@nathanenfinger9559]

I loved this series

[@tannerdowney2802]

I have these guys and ManTech so twisted up in my nostalgia. Best hand-me-downs 10 out of 10.

[@lifeisoverated81]

Crystal Cane. Exactly what I'm sure the writers/creators of this show were on when coming up with this concept.

[@latviancimmerian]

Bro the centurions and the visionaries were some of the best cartoons ever

[@fabianbeard4364]

Please bring this back. Haven't seen anything like this in a long time

[@miniblasan5717]

I remember that there were reruns of this series on TV (Cartoon Network with Swedish Dubb and another Swedish TV channel) in the 90s, unfortunately I only had time to see a few episodes but I will never forget those episodes.

[@Schregger]

For the longest time, I remember this show, but could never remember what it was called, and thus didnt know what to even look for. I didnt even know they had two additional team members, last episode I remember was when Uniborg was apparently destroyed.

[@tyrant1384]

Man I have great memories of this show. Oh another good show to do C.O.P.S it's basically GI Joe meets law enforcement

[@mercuryvincent6796]

Man and Machine, Power EXTREME!!! Would just love to see this series revamped with modern graphics and art style! Would love to see Crystal with more defined features! 😍 this series would still hold up especially with exosuits being a thing in the military nowadays.

[@model84]

have you seen Exo Squad?

[@TransformersFan1991]

Yeah she was pretty gorgeous 😍😻🥰😘

[@pursuithemi5.7awd81]

Back in 86 in headstart I had one of the centurions large sized action figure. Always had it with me in school.(Jack Rockwell)

[@tonyjunior-thefirstgentlem410]

Bringing back the Centurions would be great, but we already have Iron Man for the air, Aquaman for the sea, and some dudes with guns for the land.

[@idontwannaidontwanna7307]

This still ranks in my top 5 of the era

[@landismithCOJ]

Long Live Ace McCloud

[@ameliadiaz8040]

Hail the Fearless Flyer!

[@TheKeithvidz]

swooning here - could not get enough on cartoon notwork. Would kill for a season 2.

[@JasonWickham-k2z]

I had several of the action figures. Loved them (and the cartoon). I think they (possibly) made the cartoon in order to help sell the toys? Well, young me was sold!

[@QuanPham-uq7ml]

Fukin' yeah!!!! Nostalgia!!!!!

[@DanielSchmidt2099]

Awesome job. Thank you guys for the content. Would it be great to see something about "Visionaries knights of the magical light"

[@CAPCOM784]

A great one as well!😄

[@drumnbassdan]

Forgotten?? Not in my house! Amazing cartoon!

[@split88]

Remember watching this on cartoon network,one of my favorites...the good ol days

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

This cartoon looks so amazing and the premise is amazing!!!

[@rosssuperking0008]

I'm glad I watch this series on each different day, the episode I watched today was called Double Agent, and I'm sure there's more Awesomeness where that came from. 🙂🙂🙂👍👍👍

[@nausheerpagarkar490]

Childhood memories 💜

[@EpicTales-y6v]

This cartoon was my favourite

[@redjones8010]

I do remember this cartoon clearly, even after all these years. Now, as then, I maintain that Doc Terror might just be the best character design I've seen. Asymmetrical, bizarre, unique and basically fun. That look doesn't age.

[@mecca6801]

mask was terribly underrated and so was wheeled warriors

[@RoyaleWitCheese04]

This was my favorite fucking cartoon ever EVEEEEEER!!!! My favorite was the dude who was the space shuttle but they never showed him much

[@auntrayjones39]

Was good show wouldn’t mind seeing an updated version

[@itsmedggalo2013]

I love this cartoons. I watch it on cartoon network.

[@CommanderBohn]

Man I remember well this show. Actually part of my childhood.

[@malcolmar]

I loved this show! Definitely in need of a Blu-ray or at least a complete DVD series release. I will have to check out those toys. A new Ultimates line from Super 7 or NECA would be amazing.

[@skybite]

Warner Archive has the complete series DVDs and mini series.

[@CAPCOM784]

I have the dvds but hoping for a complete series on Bluray. Gotta vote with your wallets to show you want it.👍

[@malcolmar]

@@skybite Thanks. I will have to pick them up. Hopefully, there is enough interest for a Blu-ray release. Still don't know why Warner has not given the Thundercats the Blu-ray treatment. It is like they just don;t want to make money,

[@skybite]

@@malcolmar Because they only care about Batman and Teen Titans and they still have not fixed the audio issue of one of the episode DVD release of Thundercats.

[@malcolmar]

@@skybite Sad but true :(

[@matthewbennett1972]

Jake was my fave his gear was awesome

[@rola529]

Man I loved this show growing up, didn't realize it wasn't popular when it ran back in the 80s. Max ray was my fave character.

[@dinomonzon7493]

“Yo, Joe!” is far, far more cheesy than “Power Xtreme!”

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

My brothers and I each got a Centurion figure and Weapon System for Christmas 1986. (Mine was Ace with Orbital Interceptor). Really great toys with interesting spring-loaded mechanisms. Sadly, this franchise suffered the same fate as many toylines in the 80's - they lasted just one year despite us wanting more. I didn't catch much of the TV show at the time, but it has a fantastic theme tune. I'd really like to get the "80's Commanders" set, but $269 is an awful lot for three six-inch figures. I'd pay $180, but not more.

[@dragoonseye76]

My tag was Firefly for a long time because of this show

[@ixiahj]

I remwmber their transporter tech had a stasis field. When it transports them, they can power extreme in mid transport so when they materialize, they're already wearing their gear. This show had one episode with a cyber punk noir theme involving a clone of Crystal and she had no memories of who she was. That blew my mind as a kid.

[@johnashton4776]

Definitely a movie franchise for cinema.

[@michaelmorris8812]

The centurion's we're the iron man of the 80's

[@trippsdad2008]

I loved this show

[@MrSadilsky]

remember watching it around 1994 on cartoon network. loved it. also he-man, wacky races, captain planet, space ghost coast to coast was one my favorites

[@chlero_eyes]

I'd love if a streaming service would pick this up and continue the series, Netflix I'm look at you 👀

[@chrisreager2614]

I loved this show as a kid. Had the toys and for some reason, was the only kid I knew that loved it as much as I did. Didn’t matter, I had fun and miss those days immensely. Great video!

[@xenoserum]

Love to see one on the cartoon Spiral Zone

[@davidbranch1077]

This is one of my favorite cartoons, and toys .👍

[@seanmcmillan472]

One of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid. A live action movie would be great

[@Parocha]

2:41 Doctor Evil must be jealous SOMEONE did get shark with lasers 😂

[@o82774]

The animation was AMAZING. FAR superior to 2k animation. Not even close. Also the Udi Harpaz music was INSANE.

[@YusofPillay-qt7xd]

One of my favourite cartoon ever created

[@georgeshelton6281]

I still remember when Dr. Terror had hired on solid human beings to do the dirty work/do his bidding. I remember when Jenny Rivers did such a terrible job masquerading as a spy. She didn't have a book of baby's first names. She did carry around a phone book for a different last name. Also, she didn't go byba different middle name. She did take a swing at one of these guys who were Dr. Terror's human cronies. She's not Terminator 2 Judgment Day's Blaster T1000, who masqueraded as L.A.P.D. Officer Austin.

[@zarach9459]

40 years ago we had Thundercats, Centurions and the Bionic Six, today what we have is Steven Universe... what the hell happened? Why don't we have action series at least of similar quality to the series of 40 years ago?

[@michaelwall3393]

Don’t forget GI Joe, He-Man, Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, BraveStar, Thundarr The Barbarian, Dungeons and Dragons, Voltron (both versions), Transformers, Go-Bots, Saber Rider & The Star Sheriffs, Silverhawks, MASK, Dino Riders, Wheel Warriors, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Justice League Super Friends, 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, The Real Ghostbusters, She-Ra, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Show, and many more awesome shows.

[@ThePerfectionOfLexus]

Probably due to the old animators being deceased, unfortunately. Funny thing though, none of the younger animator generations have learned a single thing of the old legends. We need shows like this back, to teach children about life, just like we did.

[@zarach9459]

@@ThePerfectionOfLexus Unfortunately that is true, the old animators are a treasure of experience that are not recognized for their hard work and talent, before the cartoons were made by hand drawing each image on acetate sheets, today everything is done digitally, which makes 40 years it took days today it is done in a couple of hours, but what is done today does not have the same quality as what was done 40 years ago, that is what bothers me the most.

[@lacko623]

The name was JAKE Rockwell, not Jack, if I recall.

[@Flipnred78]

Marvelous Videos……THANK YOU! For this!

[@SA80TAGE]

loved this show as a kid, had tonnes of toys too... ah the nostalgia!

[@JohnathanLimCheng]

wishing there will be a updated Remake of the Centurions

[@daemonvelaryon5617]

I remember this show. Who all remembers Saturday morning cartoons.

[@user-yo9sm4zz1l]

I was just telling my wife the other day about how awesome this show was!!