JP TFPrime Wave 1 & Microns - Packaged pics

[griffin]

As these have just arrived at Robotkingdom online store, they've posted up photos (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/takara-transformers-prime-arms-micron-am01-to-am06-and-mp11-starscream-20-inpackage-images/24381/) of each of the first wave (Optimus, Bbee, Cliff, Ratchet, Megatron, Skywarp) and should be shipping them out to those who pre-ordered them.

We get to see the final colours and packaging of the JP versions (only Optimus is in a window box), and see the Microns on their trees, plus the sticker sheets.

The Masterpiece Starscream has also been received and its box and HK coin have been photographed as well.

[Doubledealer]

I don't think I've ever been as excited about upcoming Transformers as I am with the AM's. :eek: The only thing that has me worried is how the stickers lie on curved areas (Ratchet's chest area for example), I really hope they don't bunch up as I'd definitely have to get the airbrush out if that's the case. Will probably end up painting bits and pieces anyway, Ratchet's minicon would look a lot nicer in silver. :D Could do show accurate black chest windows too!

[Sky Shadow]

I'm excited too. I love the way that a new generation of Transformers fans will learn the joys and frustrations of stickers and sprues. :)

[sideswipes brother]

I just cancelled my pre orders.
Not impressed at all! The days of stickers have passed. I loved them, and still do, on G1 figures, but on modern figures they just do not feel right to me. :(

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

So, am I the only person who look at Cliffjumper's micron and thinks how much cooler it'd be with a Warpath-esque head, and maybe some tank-tread-esque detailing on the arms?

[Paulbot]

Not impressed at all! The days of stickers have passed. I loved them, and still do, on G1 figures, but on modern figures they just do not feel right to me. :(

I agree. People usually go on (and on, and on) about how the Japanese toys are more geared towards the adult collectors when Hasbro's are geared towards kids. Next time someone says this, I point here to gimmicks aimed at kids.

I'll stick to Hasbro for the few TF:Prime toys I want.

It feels like they are overcompensating. We know these new toys are smaller than usual deluxes, so um, here's a minicon, and you can build it, and some stickers for you to apply, and lets hide them in boxes so you can't see the actual toy. :rolleyes::p

[Doubledealer]

Apparently model kits are popular items in Japan (moreso than regular Transformers). I get the impression that the Japanese Transformers Prime toy line is Takara's attempt at cracking into that model kit market. The packaging, sprues, stickers and lack of paint are all signs of this. Takara hasn't lost the plot, they're simply adapting to current trends and staying relevant, and if that works in Japan, job done right?

[KalEl]

really a let down that the figures have micron ports grafted all over them, I don't know if that was the only possible way, but I personally dislike this aesthetic as it takes away from the lines of the figure itself.

Maybe they could have added a few more holes ie; the front of ratchet or wheeljack.

What I do like is the microns (minicons) themselves, nice little guys they are. With any luck we will be able to purchase them in the same way as armada.

[sideswipes brother]

It feels like they are overcompensating. We know these new toys are smaller than usual deluxes, so um, here's a minicon, and you can build it, and some stickers for you to apply, and lets hide them in boxes so you can't see the actual toy. :rolleyes::p

Do you think they have placed them in windowless boxes so peoples don't know just how small they are until they have bought them and got them home and yelled out 'RIP JOB' at the top of their lungs??

[KalEl]

I'm excited too. I love the way that a new generation of Transformers fans will learn the joys and frustrations of stickers and sprues. :)

lol :P

[Doubledealer]

More updates and comparisons to Hasbro releases (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/japanese-transformers-40/transformers-prime-japanese-release-toys-roundup-174705/)

After seeing pics of Takara Ratchet next to Hasbro Ratchet, I decided to cancel my pre-order from HLJ. :( The lack of paint on the legs (how did the Takara toy end up with less red than the Hasbro one when it's using stickers??) and bunching up of the stickers in multiple areas is the deal breaker for me. Hasbro Ratchet + eventual Reprolabels seems to be the best way to go for Ratchet. What a shame!

[griffin]

Well doesn't that just suck.
Here I was thinking the stickers were for the Microns, NOT the main Prime toys as well. :(

Maybe this is just a cost-cutting measure, to offset the added cost of the Micron, because Deluxe TFPrime toys seem to be cheaper than DotM toys (on HLJ at least).
DotM - Dlx Y2600... Voy Y4000
Prime - Dlx Y2000... Voy Y4000

Between the stickers and the ugly ports added to the Prime toys, now I really hope that these are the same Minicons they are selling individually soon (http://www.hlj.com/product/TTA99608).

[Quickstrike]

Are... are the Minicon ports on Ratchet just glued on? Eeeee. This is cool though. (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/4/0/5/9/7/20120331040608876_1333140599.jpg) I hope they (Takara. Hasbro. Anyone.) release all of the Minicons separately.

[Zippo]

Wow .. those Ratchet pictures are awesome
Still want to get Skywarp, but an easy pass on the rest of the Japanese releases.

[Paulbot]

If you wanted to do a custom repaint, that Japanese Ratchet would be a great toy to use.

[iceburn]

Anyone know what AM-14 Bicon/Beacon is???

[liegeprime]

Are... are the Minicon ports on Ratchet just glued on? Eeeee. This is cool though. (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/attach/4/0/5/9/7/20120331040608876_1333140599.jpg) I hope they (Takara. Hasbro. Anyone.) release all of the Minicons separately.

+1. Yeah just like those 12 packs they did before of recolours of existing minicon molds.. which came out with a taxicab one that was cool. keeping my fingers crossed

[Sky Shadow]

Anyone know what AM-14 Bicon/Beacon is???

Try saying it with a Japanese accent and stretching it out into three syllables: Be-a-con. (I'm thinking it's a Vehicon.)

[griffin]

Vehicon V2 - It's in our checklist (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=13011)... people should bookmark it ;)

[iceburn]

thanks bossbot and sky shadow.. was looking at that link today and well, didn't warrant a deletion so i just left it i guess :)

[Decepticon]

Stickers are sooo 80s! Wouldn't waste my money

[GoktimusPrime]

Anyone know what AM-14 Bicon/Beacon is???
Sky Shadow is correct. "Vehicon" has been transcribed as "biikon" (ビーコン) in Japanese. A possibly better transcription would be ヴィーヒコン ("viihikon"), however this never caught on. To make things more ambiguous/confusing, Takara also used the name "Biikon" for the name of a Mini-Con (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Snowblind) whose name is accepted as being intended to be "Beacon."