JP & HK-excl 2015 Toys - review links, comments & official images

[griffin]

This topic will include official images and links to any separate reviews of TakaraTomy and Hasbro HK toys released in 2015.
You can post quick comments, photos or reviews here if there is no existing review topic (or you couldn't find one), or you didn't want to go to the trouble of starting one. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO START A SEPARATE REVIEW for something you want to feature in a separate review. A link to that separate review will then be added here if one is started.

(this topic is only here to balance having the option/incentive of a full review or comments, without having the reviews section padded out with review topics that no one ends up using)

OFFICIAL IMAGES that members here can use anywhere on this site are also to be added below. (insert the image by its web-address into any post here - but NO hotlinking of these images onto other sites without authorisation first)


Items listed by release date. Approximate yen prices listed.

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JANUARY

Legends
LG-08 - Legends 4-pack (Tailgate & Swerve) - January 24 (3,000 yen) - image
LG-09 - Brainstorm - January 24 (4,000 yen) - image

Q-Transformers
QT-09 - (Alternity) Optimus Prime (Nissan GT-R R35) - January 24 (1,000 yen) - image
QT-10 - (Gen1) Wheeljack (Lancia Stratos Turbo Gr.5) - January 24 (1,000 yen) - image

Lost Age
AD-32 - Stinger - January 31 (2,500 yen) - image

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Hasbro Hong Kong/Asia
APS-03 - Asia Premium Series Human Alliance Barricade & Soundwave (w/ Frenzy Boombox) - January 23 (US$120) - image

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FEBRUARY

Kreo Capsule Kreons (x12) - February 12 - image
Optimus Prime (Custom version), Bumblebee (Custom version), Jazz, Ratchet, Red Alert, Mirage, Megatron (Custom version), Starscream (Custom version), Shockwave, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Soundwave.

Legends
LG-10 - Arcee - February 14 (4,500yen) - image
LG-11 - Chromia - February 14 (4,500yen) - image
LG-12 - Windblade - February 14 (4,500yen) - image

Sega Genesis Megatron (black redeco) (1,000 units) - February 20 (10,000 yen) - image

Q-Transformers
QT-11 - Gen1 Jazz (new - Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86) - February 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-12 - Gen1 Sunstreaker (new - Mazda RX-7 FD3S) - February 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-13 - Gen1 Red Alert (remould Lambor - Lamborghini Countach LP500S) - February 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-14 - Gen1 Smokescreen (redeco Prowl - Nissan FairladyZ 280Z-T) - February 21 (1000yen) - image

Playstation Optimus - February 28 (10,000 yen) - image


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MARCH

Masterpiece
MP-23 - Exhaust - March 21 (was Feb 28) (7,000 yen) - image
MP-24 - Star Saber - March 21 (was March 15) (19,000 yen) - image

Cloud
TFC-A04 - Cloud Ironhide (redeco VOY GEN Roadbuster) (5940 yen - TakaraTomy Mall excl) - March 21 (5,940 yen) - image
TFC-D04 - Cloud Hellwarp (redeco VOY GEN Sky-Byte/Gelshark) (5940 yen - Ehobby excl) - March (5,500 yen) - image

Q-Transformers
QT-15 - (Gen1) Hound (new - Suzuki Hustler) - March 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-16 - (Binaltech) Bluestreak (new - Subaru WRX Sti) - March 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-17 - (Gen1) Tracks (remould Crosshairs - Chevrolet Corvette C7) - March 21 (1000yen) - image
QT-18 - (Movie) Nemesis Prime (redeco Movie Optimus - Western Star 4900SB) - March 21 (1000yen) - image

Transformers Adventure
TAV01 - Bumblebee (RID Warrior) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV02 - Grimlock (RID Warrior) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV03 - Strongarm (RID Warrior) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV04 - Steeljaw (RID Warrior) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV05 - Fixit (RID One-Step) - March 21 (1600yen) - image
TAV06 - Underbite (RID One-Step) - March 21 (1600yen) - image
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TAV07 - Roadblock (light green/purple redeco GEN DLX Scoop) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV08 - Gurijiba/Greenjeeper (mid green/orange redeco RID Warrior Strongarm) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV09 - Swoop (black/red/grey redeco Animated DLX Swoop) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV10 - Slug/Slag (purple/red redeco Animated DLX Snarl) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
TAV11 - Bloody Knockout (grey/black/red redeco Beast Hunters DLX Knockout) - March 21 (2700yen)
TAV12 - Dreadwing (dark blue/gold redeco Beast Hunters Dreadwing) - March 21 (2700yen) - image
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TAVVS01 - Bumblebee Vs Steeljaw (same decos?) - March 21 (4800yen) - image
TAVVS02 - Grimlock Vs Greenjeeper (same decos?) - March 21 (4800yen) - image

Transformers Adventure (Gimmick)
TED01 - Bumblebee (RID Hyper-Change - same deco?) - March 21 (3800yen) - image
TED02 - Grimlock (RID Hyper-Change - same deco?) - March 21 (3800yen) - image
TED03 - Sideswipe (RID One-Step - minor redeco) - March 21 (1600yen) - image
TED04 - Prowl (AOE One-Step - minor redeco) - March 21 (1600yen) - image
TED05 - Junkion (AOE Power Battler - blue/grey redeco) - March 21 (1900yen) - image

DMK-02 - Dual Model Kit TF3 Bumblebee (reissue) - March (3,700 yen) - image

Million Publishing Go-Shooter - Feb/Mar?? - image

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APRIL

Transformers Adventure
TAV13 - Nemesis Prime (black/aqua redeco RID Warrior Optimus) - April (2,500yen) - image
TAV14 - Ultra Magnus (Beast Hunters VOY - minor redeco) - April (4,300yen) - image

Transformers Adventure (Gimmick)
TED06 - Big Optimus Prime - April (3,600yen) - image

Q-Transformers
QT-19 Gen1 Convoy - April 25 (1000yen) - image
QT-20 (??) Megatron (grey Lamborghini Neno) - April 25 (1000yen) - image

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MAY

Transformers Adventure
TAV15 - Lockdown (Animated DLX redeco?) - May (3,500yen) - image
TAV16 - Bombshell (GEN Legends redeco?) - May (1,300yen) - image
TAV17 - Shrapnel (GEN Legends redeco?) - May (1,300yen) - image

Transformers Adventure (Gimmick)
TED07 - Bumblebee (RID One-Step?) - May (1,500yen) - image

Legends
LG-13 - Gen1 Megatron (Leader) - May 30 (7,000yen) - image

Masterpiece
MP-10 Convoy reissue - May 31 (20,000 yen) - image


Hasbro Hong Kong/Asia
APS-01U - Asia Premium Series Ultimate Optimus Prime (Jetwing Optimus w/ accessories) - APR-MAY (US$???) - image

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JUNE

Unite Warriors
UW-01 - Superion boxset (Silverbolt, Firefly, Slingshot, Airraid, Skydive) - June (14,000yen) - image

Transformers Adventure
TAV18 - Drift (RID Warrior - redeco?) - June (2,500yen) - image
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TAV19 - Powerglide (GEN Legends redeco?) - June (1,300yen) - image
TAV20 - Adams (Cosmos) (GEN Legends redeco?) - June (1,300yen) - image
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TAVVS03 - Strongarm Vs Snarl (same decos?) - June (4,500yen) - image

Transformers Adventure (Gimmick)
TED08 - Steeljaw (RID One-Step?) - June (1,500yen) - image
TED09 - Grimlock (RID One-Step?) - June (1,500yen) - image

Q-Transformers
QT-21 (??) Skids (redeco Hound - blue Suzuki Hustler) - June 27 (1000yen) - image
QT-21 (??) Drift (remould Sunstreaker - white Mazda RX-7 FD3S) - June 27 (1000yen) - image

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JULY

Masterpiece
MP-21G - Gen2 Gold Bumble - July 25 (5,000yen) - image

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AUGUST


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SEPTEMBER


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OCTOBER


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NOVEMBER


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DECEMBER


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UNKNOWN (at the time of last update)


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.
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[griffin]

Love the little Q-Transformers... don't love the price though (about AU$10-12 each before postage), or the difficulty finding them, which means makes it more expensive.

The car modes are awesomely sculpted and well coloured, but the robot modes are terrible. The one redeeming factor is the "Gen1" Bumblebee having Volkswagon
sculpting on the feet.
I want to keep getting these, but 2 or 4 at a time means postage just makes them really expensive for their size and simplicity (they aren't very playable in robot mode,
but great in car mode).

The ten I have so far from the first two waves, on my display shelf...

http://toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/c36s3.jpg

[griffin]

Just noting that if you are getting any of the massive first wave of Adventure toys, you can start a new review topic if you want, or just post your pics and comments in this topic.

I managed to get all the redecos of non-RID toys except Swoop from HLJ, so am looking forward to getting them some time in the next few weeks to do up some group pics and comparisons.

[prjkt]

Swoop is the ONLY one I managed to get from HLJ, Roadblock was pre-sold out when I tried

[griffin]

All but Swoop were in stock at the time of their release, as I only ordered them when Exhaust and Star Sabre came into stock... so they must have got in more of Roadblock, but not Swoop.

[prjkt]

Hmmm Roadblock is showing as discontinued now. I guess I'll wait for them to end up at BBTS, pay a little more, but bundle it with my POL...

[griffin]

Yes it's gone now... and so are most of the non-RID toys that are JP-exclusives.

Swoop will be one I'll track down later eventually, but not a priority.

[griffin]

TakaraTomy have posted up transformation videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/takaratomychannel/videos) for all 17 of their First Wave Adventure toys, both regular and gimmick toys.

[prjkt]

so I finally got TAV Roadblock and Swoop, pretty nice figures.

Roadblock is no surprise to me after Gen. Scoop, just a little more Construction-y but Swoop was a new one to me as I never had the original version. His wingspan's a little lacking compared to the recent AOE Strafe, but I like the cape-like profile in bot mode, along with the facial expression he looks quite regal.

Some pics here:

http://www.prjkt.net/gallery3/var/albums/Resources/megatron/IMG_0535.jpg

http://www.prjkt.net/gallery3/var/albums/Resources/megatron/IMG_0534.jpg

http://www.prjkt.net/gallery3/var/albums/Resources/megatron/IMG_0530.jpg

[UltimateGalvatron]

Does Hong Kong have Adventure or RiD?

[griffin]

Does Hong Kong have Adventure or RiD?

Hong Kong (and the Asian countries they supply) gets the best of both worlds, with the Hasbro America toys we get here, plus most of the Japanese toys.

[UltimateGalvatron]

Hong Kong (and the Asian countries they supply) gets the best of both worlds, with the Hasbro America toys we get here, plus most of the Japanese toys.

Excellent.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Got my PlayStation Optimus Prime recently. Nice to have what is quite a unique piece... but boy was it not worth the price. Crossing my fingers no more of this 'line' come out now :)

I know when these were announced as TakaraTomy Arts releases, there was a lot of concern along the lines of the old Titanium line - ie that they weren't designed by the regular designers. Megadrive Megatron seemed to skirt around that issue (apart from the feet)... but Prime just reeks of inexperienced designer!

His pauldrons flop about when there's really no reason for them not to be secure... but the chest is by far the worst offender. It doesn't have any kind of locking mechanism - on the main piece and also the flip over autobot logo piece. I know it's a collector item/not to be played with... but picking up the toy shouldn't result in half of it flowing in the wind! The side of the chest that angles back, seems like it wasn't even considered in the overall design. Push them back to where they should be and the frame around his head pushes his head into a tilting position.

In PlayStation mode, it's possible to line up everything nicely (though his legs are more trouble than they should be considering the folding design)... but even then the seams are just way too obvious (something Megatron avoided being black i guess)

Standing still, he does look pretty nice. Together with Megatron, yeah it really stands out now that it would make a lot more sense being a Super Nintendo! But i won't hold that against them, since i imagine Nintendo wouldn't come to the party.

The most redeeming feature imo is the head sculpt which is really great, and strangely enough that's my least liked feature of the Megatron toy!

[griffin]

I was just about to post up a bulk review topic for the six recent JP Fembots thinking that people were buying them but there just wasn't
enough interest for individual reviews, but now that there is one for Blackarachnia, I'll just post these photos and comments here instead.
(I don't want to steal the attention from that new topic by having another one that also covers that toy, and it wouldn't make as much sense just having a topic for five of the six.)

People are still welcome to post up proper review topics for these... I'm just being lazy with some quick comments. :o

- - (FEB 14)
LG10 - Arcee (DLX GEN)
LG11 - Chromia (DLX GEN)
LG12 - Windblade (DLX GEN)
- - (OCT 24)
LG-15 - Nightbird Shadow (remoulded Arcee)
LG-16 - Slipstream (remoulded Windblade)
LG-17 - Blackwidow (remoulded Animated Blackarachnia) Proper review here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=21881).

I ended up getting four of the six last week from HLJ, so did up some comparison photos. I have no interest in getting the other two, as they
aren't different enough from the Hasbro versions for me.
(I wanted the Japanese Arcee because it is more cartoon accurate to the character I've known since 1986... almost 30 years now.)

SDCC Arcee - Hasbro GEN Arcee - JP Legends Arcee - Nightbird.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d010.jpg

Hasbro GEN Windblad - SDCC Windblade - Slipstream.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d011.jpg

Hasbro Animated Blackarachnia - JP Legends Blackarachnia.
Both have one of their chest bits/spider pincers wrong... which I didn't notice until processing the photos. The Animated has its right purple pincer
pointing up, while the Legends one has its left yellow breastplate not plugged in.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/d012.jpg

The toys in their boxes.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/1511a.jpg

In their alt-mods.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/collections/griffinofoz/1511b.jpg

Each of the second trio have new parts to the toy, while Nightbird and Slipstream have new accessories. I was a bit disappointed that
Blackarachnia didn't come with something new.

Slipstream.
I'm not a fan of the Windblade mould, so that was a negative factor with Slipstream, but the new robot chest and colours makes it above average
(compared to below average for the Windblades to me).
The arm guns aren't very secure to slip onto the arms, and don't sit far enough forward on the jet mode.

Nightbird.
A very nice representation of the cartoon Nighbird character, with the backpack being done in black to end up being totally ignored as being part
of the robot mode... so all you really see is the grey (robot) part as if it doesn't have kibble, which is almost an optical illusion to make it look like
the slim slender cartoon bot.
The new weapons are a nice touch, but unfortunately my robot photo above had them side on, so you can't see them properly.
Despite having six weapons now, surprisingly, all six can plug onto the car mode (with the two guns under the car).

Blackarachnia.
Probably the most disappointing of the three newest ones, because it uses an Animated toy as its base, but it is probably the least "Animated" looking
Animated toy, so doesn't stand out that much from the other Fembots.
The robot chestplate that is new to this release is a nice idea, but doesn't work for ruining the spider mode (see the last photo above), for replacing
the small purple pincers of the Animated toy with big yellow cups sticking out the front of the spider mode.
Probably the best feature is the new robot head, because the original Blackarachnia toy was the "beast" robot head that Tarantulas and
Blackarachnia shared... so didn't end up being very cartoon accurate (or having the cartoon be accurate to the toy).

Arcee.
From the first trio of Fembots at the start of the year, but I got one of the reissues that I think HLJ still has in stock.
As noted above already, this toy isn't too different to the Hasbro 2014 Generations toy, but for me this is like the perfect edition Arcee toy, and
didn't mind having both Hasbro and Japanese versions.
It's just so beautiful for being all pink and white, like it just came off the cartoon or comic.