The Random Transformers Thoughts Thread

[KELPIE]

I much prefer the toy colours, they pop..more? better? What is the correct term here?

Or as Grimlock would put it, "More better!!"

[GoktimusPrime]

As early as 1985, I would have other kids tell me that I was "too old for toys" because the packaging says that it's for anyone age 5 and under. Of course I constantly remind them that it says "Ages 5 and UP," and even as a 7 year old, I understood that this was a minimum age for safety reasons, not a maximum age thing. But naturally this fell on deaf ears and I would be bullied for being an open toy collector.

Imagine if those people applied the same logic to other things, like say alcohol consumption. (－‸ლ)

...on the plus side, I would sometimes get free toys from these people who laughed at me for playing with toys. Like my Powermaster Optimus Prime. The original owners of that toy (my own cousins!) kept on pointing and laughing at me, giving the toy to me telling me to "have this stupid baby toy, you big baby!" They laughed even harder when they saw how happy I was at scoring a free PM OP. 30 years later, they're not laughing anymore, but I'm still stoked to have this toy. :D

[DELTAprime]

I really think this guy is overthinking the music of the 1984 Transformers intro. He says it's really confusing from a musician's perspective. Personally from a Transformers collector perspective, I think he's overlooking the fact it was a cartoon designed to sell toys in the 80s and subsequently didn't have the greatest quality control over its production.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lk1d1PbHYY

[Dkaris]

I've wanted a tigatron figure for a while. Thinking of either picking up the voyaver from Amazon or paying the extra and getting the bw-11 jungle warrior from Ali. Anyone have any advice on which I should get?

[Sinnertwin]

I really think this guy is overthinking the music of the 1984 Transformers intro. He says it's really confusing from a musician's perspective. Personally from a Transformers collector perspective, I think he's overlooking the fact it was a cartoon designed to sell toys in the 80s and subsequently didn't have the greatest quality control over its production.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lk1d1PbHYY

Not really, only because I think we've become so accustomed to 4/4 beats that most anything else sounds alien when you try and break it down.

[Seraphim Prime]

I really think this guy is overthinking the music of the 1984 Transformers intro. He says it's really confusing from a musician's perspective. Personally from a Transformers collector perspective, I think he's overlooking the fact it was a cartoon designed to sell toys in the 80s and subsequently didn't have the greatest quality control over its production.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lk1d1PbHYY


I think it's a fascinating investigation - I've enjoyed a few of his other videos breaking down popular themes.

It's an interesting look into reverse engineering sheet music from an existing song - I think he use a word other than transcribe which I thought is an interesting process.

I think ultimately the odd timings come from two or three sources - it's digital music, so layers are not being transposed specifically on the beats, some of the lines work with an anacrusis to preempt your expectation and thus be more exciting, and "battle to destroy the evil forces of the decepticons" is intentionally syncopated - again to add interest.

But it seems like the three layers were not done as one piece - instead the layering was done in post production, so they don't always work in the same timing, which is why you have the layers come in and out in different sections.

[KELPIE]

I'd also say that the beginning of the closing credits has been looped to lengthen the audio to match the credits.

Nothing to base that on, other than the fact that I always thought that is what had happened.

[GoktimusPrime]

Masterpiece and On-Brand Parallel Substitutes

We all know that MP are far from completing the G1 cast; and this isn't a criticism towards the line. It is more focused on quality over quantity; in terms of volume, we have CHUG. :) But having said that, there are some toys that I use as stand ins to interact with my MPs until MP fills those gaps. And for me, that parallel substitute line is a combination of Binaltech, Alternators and Alternity (I'll just collectively call them all "BT"). The reason for this is that Masterpiece debuted shortly after BT, and was initially scaled for MP (e.g. MP4 Convoy's trailer is 1:24). For this reason, I've always used BT cars in tandem with MP1 (etc.), but then in 2012 MP Cars started becoming a thing. Since then, they have slowly but surely made my BTs redundant for the purposes of being MP substitutes (I still enjoy them as BTs though).

Anyway, here is my current list of First Year Transformers; and which ones I have as MPs and which I only have as BTs... as well as ones that I have neither of (and thus these characters don't exist in my expanded MPverse):

Optimus Prime: As the very first MP, naturally I've always had this toy as an MP. I do own all 3 versions.
Bluestreak: MP18 has now superseded my BT Streak. I own regular, blue and silver versions. Bluestreak was my first Autobot Car, so he's got a special place in my heart. :)
Jazz: My BT Meister (and Zoom-Zoom) continue to act as my de facto MP Jazz, until whenever Porsche decides to relent on the licensing for TFs.
Hound: This is the one exception where the MP has not made BT Hound completely redundant due to the MP's poor QC. I display MP in robot mode and BT in Jeep mode and I never transform the MP. QC issues aside, BT Hound just has a hands-down superior jeep mode.
Ironhide: BT doesn't exist, so yeah, just the MP here. :)
Mirage: As with Jazz, my Alternators Mirage is my de facto Masterpiece until whenever the owners of the Ligier licence allows TFs to use it. I also have the clear BT version.
Prowl: As with Bluestreak, although I only have 1 version of this toy.
Ratchet: MP only, as with Ironhide.
Sideswipe: MP has superseded BT Lambor.
Sunstreaker: MP has superseded BT Sunstreaker.
Trailbreaker: nothing exists yet, but looking forward to getting MP Trailbreaker to finally fill this void!
Wheeljack: MP has superseded BT Wheeljack. Unlike other BT Cars that I still enjoy as BTs, I cannot say that I enjoy Wheeljack as much. Because the truth is that I've never loved this toy as it shares all the issues with BT Grimlock; mostly that annoying counter-intuitive transformation that's more laborious than fun to play with.
Brawn: Nothing exist. :( Unfortunate as Brawn was my very first Transformer.
Bumblebee: MP21 has superseded Alternity Bumblebee, although I still really like Alt'y Bumblebee as a contemporary robot in disguise. I see way more Suzuki Swifts on the road today than VW Beetles.
Cliffjumper: As with Jazz, Alternity Cliffjumper is my de facto MP until Porsche relents. But even if they do, Alt'y Cliffy will still appeal to me for the same reasons as Alt'y Bumblebee (and I see more red Swifts IRL than yellow).
Gears: Nothing exists.
Huffer: Nothing exists.
Windcharger: As I own BT Overdrive, I personally cannot accept Alternators Windcharger as Windcharger. So for me, nothing exists (but technically, yes, we do have ALT Windcharger). I recently made a retrospective comparative review (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26575-Retrospective-Toy-Reviews?p=653025#post653025) between Overdrive and Windcharger.
Megatron: I have both MP Megatrons (main versions, no variants).
Soundwave: MP13 Soundwave, yo.
Buzzsaw: MP... needless to say, because there are no BT Cassettes.
Laserbeak: MP
Frenzy: MP
Ravage: MP; although I do own both BT and Alternators Ravage. BT Ravage is the nicer toy (even if he is just a retool/repaint of Tracks), but I love the concept of Alternators Ravage as a Jaguar X9. :) I also like the fiction behind BT Ravage; very cool.
Rumble: MP. I also love how Frenzy and Rumble's piledrivers are compatible with the G1 toys.
Skywarp: MP3 (Hasbro ver). I never got Alternity Skywarp.
Starscream: MP6. I never got Alternity Starscream.
Thundercracker: MP7. I do own Alternity Thundercracker. Not a great toy, and the Mitsuoka Orochi is considered to be one of the world's ugliest cars. But it was on sale and Thundercracker is my favourite Seeker, so... meh.

[griffin]

I really think this guy is overthinking the music of the 1984 Transformers intro. He says it's really confusing from a musician's perspective. Personally from a Transformers collector perspective, I think he's overlooking the fact it was a cartoon designed to sell toys in the 80s and subsequently didn't have the greatest quality control over its production.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lk1d1PbHYY

I don't think he understands the process that would have taken place here - the words (song) would have been written before the music, so that it includes the primary catch-phrases that the entire Brand was being marketed around - and when the line that first mentions the Autobots waging battle, the word "Autobots" and "Decepticons" had to be condensed (squeeze in an extra beat) so that part of the word doesn't get lost, or it doesn't get dragged out to match the timing of the rest of the tune and then sound out of place.

The "stutter" that he then refers to was just a necessary evil... but also ends up giving the theme-song it's uniqueness, as we can all sing it, complete with the extra beats squeezed in.

[KELPIE]

Masterpiece and On-Brand Parallel Substitutes

While I enjoyed the read, where you refuse 3rd parties some of these gaps may never be filled.

[GoktimusPrime]

While I enjoyed the read, where you refuse 3rd parties some of these gaps may never be filled.
I collect Transformers(TM). :)

I accept that some of these gaps may never be filled. And this is only looking at the First Year of G1! My actual dream is to collect all of G1 in CHUG.

So here's a list of Anglophone G1 Transformers and whether I've managed to fulfill them in CHUG or not.

1984 Optimus Prime ✓ I have lots (Classics, WFC etc.).
1984 Bluestreak ✓ Henkei
1984 Jazz ✓ United and SS86
1984 Hound ✓ Henkei
1984 Ironhide ✓ Henkei
1984 Mirage ✓ Classics & Siege
1984 Prowl ✓ Henkei
1984 Ratchet ✓ Henkei
1984 Sideswipe ✓ Henkei & Siege
1984 Sunstreaker ✓ Henkei
1984 Trailbreaker ✓ ER
1984 Wheeljack ✓ United
1984 Brawn ✓ Universe, TR Titan Master, TR Legends
1984 Bumblebee ✓ I have lots (Classics, Buzzworthy, LG etc.)
1984 Bumper X none exist (Buzzworthy Core Bumblebee resembles the vehicle, but not the robot nor in name)
1984 Cliffjumper ✓ ER
1984 Gears ✓ T30
1984 Huffer ✓ T30 & Kingdom
1984 Windcharger ✓ RTS & CW
1984 Megatron ✓ I have lots (Henkei, WFC, RTS etc.).
1984 Soundwave ✓ WFC, Kingdom etc.
1984 Buzzsaw ✓ TR
1984 Laserbeak ✓ WFC
1984 Frenzy ✓ United
1984 Ravage ✓ Henkei, WFC
1984 Rumble ✓ United
1984 Skywarp ✓ Classics
1984 Starscream ✓ Classics
1984 Thundercracker ✓ Generations
1985 Jetfire ✓ Classics, T30, Siege
1985 Omega Supreme ✓ Siege
1985 Blaster ✓ TR
1985 Grapple ✓ United
1985 Hoist ✓ ER
1985 Inferno ✓ Henkei
1985 Red Alert ✓ Siege
1985 Skids ✓ Legacy
1985 Smokescreen ✓ Siege
1985 Tracks ✓ United
1985 Perceptor ✓ SS86
1985 Beachcomber ✓ Universe, POTP
1985 Cosmos ✓ T30
1985 Powerglide ✓ CW
1985 Seaspray ✓ TR
1985 Warpath ✓ Generations, Kingdom
1985 Roadbuster ✓ T30
1985 Whirl ✓ T30
1985 Grimlock ✓ Classics, SS86
1985 Slag ✓ POTP, SS86
1985 Sludge ✓ POTP, SS86
1985 Snarl ✓ POTP
1985 Swoop ✓ POTP
1985 Topspin ✓ TR
1985 Twin Twist ✓ TR
1985 Camshaft X none exist
1985 Downshift X none exist
1985 Overdrive X none exist
1985 Powerdasher ("Drilldasher") ✓ WFC Cromar
1985 Powerdasher ("F-1 dasher") ✓ WFC Aragon
1985 Powerdasher ("Skydasher") ✓ WFC Zetar
1985 Shockwave ✓ CW, Siege, Galactic Man
1985 Dirge ✓ Generations
1985 Ramjet ✓ Classics
1985 Thrust ✓ Gentei
1985 Astrotrain ✓ Henkei, LG
1985 Blitzwing ✓ TR
1985 Bombshell ✓ CW
1985 Kickback ✓ TR, Legacy
1985 Shrapnel ✓ T30
1985 Barrage X none exist
1985 Chop Shop ✓ CW
1985 Ransack X none exist as of yet
1985 Venom X none exist
1985 Bonecrusher ✓ CW
1985 Long Haul ✓ CW
1985 Hook ✓ CW
1985 Mixmaster ✓ CW
1985 Scavenger ✓ CW
1985 Scrapper ✓ CW
1985 Mini Spy (Buggy) X none exist
1985 Mini Spy (Porsche) X none exist
1985 Mini Spy (Jeep) X none exist
1985 Mini Spy (Toyota) X none exist
1986 Rodimus Prime ✓ Kingdom
1986 Ultra Magnus ✓ CW, LG, Siege, Kingdom etc.
1986 Wreck Gar ✓ RTS, CW Legends, CW Deluxe, SS86
1986 Blurr ✓ Generations, SS86
1986 Hot Rod ✓ Classics, SS86, TL
1986 Kup ✓ Generations, SS86
1986 Broadside ✓ TR
1986 Sandstorm ✓ T30
1986 Springer ✓ T30
1986 Metroplex ✓ T30
1986 Sky Lynx ✓ ER
1986 Hubcap ✓ GS
1986 Outback ✓ POTP
1986 Pipes ✓ KD
1986 Swerve ✓ T30
1986 Tailgate ✓ T30, POTP
1986 Wheelie ✓ TR
1986 Eject ✓ KD
1986 Ramhorn ✓ LG
1986 Rewind ✓ TR
1986 Steeljaw ✓ FOC (technically Aligned Cont., but I've repurposed it as G1)
1986 Air Raid ✓ UW
1986 Fireflight ✓ UW
1986 Silverbolt ✓ UW
1986 Skydive ✓ UW
1986 Slingshot ✓ UW
1986 Blades ✓ UW
1986 First Aid ✓ UW
1986 Groove ✓ TR Legends, TR Deluxe
1986 Hot Spot ✓ TR
1986 Streetwise ✓ TR
1986 Galvatron ✓ Univ, Kingdom, GS
1986 Cyclonus ✓ Kingdom
1986 Scourge ✓ Gen, SS86 (and SS86 Sweep)
1986 Octane ✓ Henkei, TR
1986 Gnaw ✓ TR, LG, Quint Judgement Pit, SS86
1986 Trypticon ✓ TR
1986 Runabout ✓ ER
1986 Runamuck ✓ ER
1986 Breakdown ✓ CW
1986 Dead End ✓ CW
1986 Drag Strip ✓ CW, TL
1986 Motormaster ✓ CW, TL
1986 Wildrider ✓ CW
1986 Blast-Off ✓ CW jet, CW shuttle
1986 Brawl ✓ CW
1986 Onslaught ✓ CW
1986 Swindle ✓ CW
1986 Vortex ✓ CW
1986 Divebomb ✓ POTP
1986 Headstrong ✓ POTP
1986 Rampage ✓ POTP
1986 Razorclaw ✓ POTP
1986 Tantrum ✓ POTP
1986 Ratbat ✓ Siege
1986 Spectro ✓ Siege, Recon Team
1986 Spyglass ✓ Siege, Recon Team
1986 Viewfinder ✓ Siege, Recon Team
1987 Fortress Maximus ✓ TR
1987 Brainstorm ✓ T30, TR
1987 Chromedome ✓ TR, Retro HM
1987 Hardhead ✓ TR
1987 Highbrow ✓ TR
1987 Blurr X I used to own TR Blurr w/ Haywire^Hyperfire, but I've since sold it
1987 Hot Rod ✓ I've sold off TR Hot Rod but I have Siege Firedrive (which my SS86 HR holds)
1987 Kup X I used to own TR Kup w/ Recoil^Flintlock, but I've since sold it
1987 Crosshairs ✓ Siege
1987 Pointblank X does not exist
1987 Sureshot X does not exist
1987 Cloudraker ✓ LG
1987 Fastlane ✓ LG
1987 Punch/Counterpunch ✓ POTP
1987 Doublecross ✓ TR
1987 Grotusque ✓ TR
1987 Repugnus ✓ TR
1987 Afterburner ✓ UW
1987 Lightspeed ✓ UW
1987 Nosecone ✓ UW
1987 Scattershot ✓ UW
1987 Strafe ✓ UW
1987 Chase ✓ TR Roadburn
1987 Freeway X does not exist
1987 Goldbug X does not yet exist; hopefully I can get the next Worlds Collide pack one
1987 Rollbar X does not exist
1987 Searchlight X does not exist
1987 Wideload X does not exist
1987 Scorponok ✓ TR, ER
1987 Apeface ✓ TR, Siege
1987 Mindwipe ✓ TR
1987 Skullcruncher ✓ TR
1987 Snapdragon ✓ ER
1987 Weirdwolf ✓ LG, TR
1987 Cyclonus ✓ Universe, Legacy
1987 Scourge ✓ TR. I also have United Fracas.
1987 Misfire ✓ TR
1987 Slugslinger ✓ TR
1987 Triggerhappy ✓ TR
1987 Sixshot ✓ TR
1987 Overkill X does not exist
1987 Slugfest X does not exist
1987 Pounce ✓ LG
1987 Wingspan ✓ LG
1987 Battletrap ✓ POTP
1987 Flywheels ✓ Siege
1987 Hun-Grrr ✓ POTP
1987 Blot ✓ POTP
1987 Cutthroat ✓ POTP
1987 Rippersnapper ✓ POTP
1987 Sinnertwin ✓ POTP
1988 Optimus Prime ✓ TR
1988 Getaway ✓ TR
1988 Joyride X does not exist
1988 Slapdash X DNE
1988 Hosehead X DNE
1988 Nightbeat ✓ T30
1988 Siren X I never got the stand alone Titan Master
1988 Landfill X DNE
1988 Quickmix X DNE
1988 Scoop ✓ T30
1988 Catilla X DNE
1988 Chainclaw X DNE
1988 Cloudburst ✓ POTP
1988 Groundbreaker X DNE
1988 Gunrunner X DNE
1988 Landmine ✓ POTP
1988 Sky High X DNE
1988 Splashdown X DNE
1988 Waverider X DNE
1988 Quickswitch X didn't get the Sixshot redeco
1988 Backstreet X DNE
1988 Dogfight X DNE
1988 Override ✓ TAV (technically Aligned but repurposed)
1988 Fizzle X DNE
1988 Sizzle X DNE
1988 Guzzle X DNE
1988 Slamdance ✓ Siege
1988 Squawkbox X DNE
1988 Darkwing ✓ POTP
1988 Dreadwind ✓ POTP
1988 Doubledealer ✓ ER
1988 Fangry ✓ TR, Worlds Collide
1988 Horri-Bull X didn't get the stand alone TM
1988 Squeezeplay X didn't get the stand alone TM
1988 Needlenose X does not exist
1988 Quake ✓ TR
1988 Spinister ✓ Siege
1988 Bomb-Burst ✓ POTP
1988 Bugly X DNE
1988 Carnivac X DNE
1988 Finback X DNE
1988 Iguanus ✓ TL
1988 Roadgrabber X DNE
1988 Skullgrin ✓ Gen, POTP
1988 Snarler X DNE
1988 Submarauder ✓ TM
1988 Crankcase X DNE
1988 Ruckus X DNE
1988 Windsweeper X DNE
1988 Cindersaur ✓ POTP
1988 Flamefeather X DNE
1988 Sparkstalker X DNE
1988 Snaptrap ✓ GS Turtler
1988 Tentakil ✓ GS Tentakil
1988 Nautilator ✓ GS Lobclaw
1988 Seawing ✓ GS Kraken
1988 Skalor ✓ GS Gulf
1988 Overbite ✓ GS Overbite
1989 Bumblebee X DNE
1989 Grimlock X DNE
1989 Jazz X DNE
1989 Doubleheader X DNE
1989 Longtooth X DNE
1989 Pincher X DNE
1989 Crossblades X DNE
1989 Vroom X DNE
1989 Skyhammer X DNE
1989 Big Shot ✓ Siege
1989 Flak ✓ Siege
1989 Sidetrack X DNE
1989 Sunrunner X DNE
1989 High Jump X DNE
1989 Mudslinger X DNE
1989 Powertrain ✓ Siege
1989 Tote ✓ Siege
1989 Freewheeler X DNE
1989 Roadhandler ✓ Siege
1989 Swindler ✓ Siege
1989 Tailspin X DNE
1989 Fixit X DNE
1989 Red Hot ✓ Siege
1989 Seawatch X DNE
1989 Stakeout ✓ Siege
1989 Erector X DNE
1989 Overload X DNE
1989 Hot House ✓ GS
1989 Ironworks ✓ GS
1989 Countdown ✓ Siege
1989 Groundshaker ✓ Siege
1989 Thunderwing ✓ Generations
1989 Starscream X DNE
1989 Bludgeon ✓ POTP
1989 Octopunch ✓ POTP
1989 Stranglehold X DNE
1989 Birdbrain X DNE
1989 Bristleback X DNE
1989 Icepick X DNE
1989 Scowl X DNE
1989 Slog X DNE
1989 Wildfly X DNE
1989 Roadblock X DNE
1989 Nightflight ✓ Siege
1989 Storm Cloud ✓ Siege
1989 Tailwind X DNE
1989 Whisper ✓ Siege
1989 Blackjack ✓ CW, Siege
1989 Detour X DNE
1989 Hyperdrive ✓ Siege
1989 Roadhugger X DNE
1989 Flattop X DNE
1989 Roughstuff X DNE
1989 Airwave ✓ GS
1989 Greasepit ✓ GS
1989 Skyhopper ✓ Siege
1989 Skystalker X DNE
1990 Optimus Prime X DNE (unless you count TR)
1990 Blaster X DNE
1990 Bumblebee X DNE
1990 Grimlock X DNE
1990 Inferno X DNE
1990 Jackpot ✓ Golden Disk Collection
1990 Jazz X DNE
1990 Kick-Off X DNE
1990 Mainframe ✓ Kingdom
1990 Over-Run X DNE
1990 Prowl X DNE
1990 Rad X DNE (but I do have WFC Lioniser)
1990 Rollout X DNE
1990 Skyfall X DNE
1990 Snarl X DNE
1990 Sprocket X DNE
1990 Wheeljack X DNE
1990 Gusher X DNE
1990 Pipeline X DNE
1990 Retro X DNE
1990 Surge X DNE
1990 Crumble X DNE
1990 Groundpounder X DNE
1990 Neutro X DNE
1990 Takedown X DNE
1990 Blaze Master X DNE
1990 Eagle Eye X DNE
1990 Sky High X DNE
1990 Tread Bolt X DNE
1990 Big Daddy ✓ ER
1990 Greaser X DNE
1990 Hubs X DNE
1990 Trip-Up ✓ ER
1990 Big Hauler X DNE
1990 Heavy Tread X DNE
1990 Hydraulic X DNE
1990 Slow Poke X DNE
1990 Oiler X DNE
1990 Power Run X DNE
1990 Roadburner ✓ Galactic Odyssey Collection
1990 Slide X DNE
1990 Strikedown X DNE
1990 Wheel Blaze ✓ GOC Fireguard
1990 Barrage X DNE
1990 Blastmaster ✓ ER, GOC
1990 Heave X DNE
1990 Missilemaster ✓ GOC
1990 Moonrock ✓ GOC
1990 Phaser ✓ ER, GOC
1990 Full-Barrel X DNE
1990 Overflow X DNE
1990 Axer X DNE
1990 Banzai-Tron X DNE
1990 Devastator X DNE
1990 Gutcruncher X DNE
1990 Krok ✓ TR
1990 Megatron X DNE (unless you count TR)
1990 Shockwave X DNE
1990 Soundwave X DNE
1990 Starscream X DNE
1990 Treadshot X DNE (ex. BotCon exclusive)
1990 Bombshock ✓ ER
1990 Dropshot X DNE
1990 Growl ✓ ER
1990 Tracer X DNE
1990 Barricade ✓ GOC Decepticon Runner
1990 Ground Hog ✓ ER
1990 Motorhead ✓ GOC
1990 Roller Force ✓ ER
1990 Blackout X DNE
1990 Spaceshot X DNE
1990 Meltdown X DNE
1990 Half-Track X DNE
1990 Direct-Hit ✓ Siege
1990 Powerpunch ✓ Siege
1990 Fireshot X DNE
1990 Vanquish X DNE
1990 Excavator X DNE
1990 Grit X DNE
1990 Hammer X DNE
1990 Knockout X DNE
1990 Sledge X DNE
1990 Stonecruncher X DNE
1990 Cement-Head X DNE
1990 Terror-Tread X DNE
1991 Powerflash X DNE
1991 Sideswipe X DNE
1991 Tracks X DNE
1991 Circuit X DNE
1991 Rumbler X DNE
1991 Omega Spreem X DNE
1991 Windmill X DNE
1991 Gripper X DNE
1991 Flame X DNE
1991 Lightspeed X DNE
1991 Bombshell X DNE
1991 Charger X DNE
1991 Double Punch X DNE
1991 Slicer X DNE yet
1991 Take-Off X DNE
1991 Thundercracker X DNE (ex. BotCon)
1991 Turbo Master X DNE
1991 Overlord ✓ LG
1992 Boss X DNE
1992 Flash X DNE
1992 Hurricane X DNE
1992 Rotorstorm ✓ GS
1992 Scorch X DNE
1992 Thunder Clash X DNE
1992 Rescue Force drill tank X DNE
1992 Rescue Force buggy X DNE
1992 Rescue Force claw tank X DNE
1992 Rescue Force jet X DNE
1992 Falcon X DNE
1992 Skydive X DNE
1992 Skyquake X DNE
1992 Snare X DNE
1992 Stalker X DNE
1992 Talon X DNE
1992 "Bonecrusher" X DNE
1992 "Hook" X DNE
1992 "Long Haul" X DNE
1992 "Mixmaster" X DNE
1992 "Scavenger" X DNE
1992 "Scrapper" X DNE
1993 Pyro/Spark ✓ (BotCon)
1993 Deftwing X DNE
1993 Ironfist X DNE
1993 Aquafend X DNE
1993 Deluge X DNE
1993 Jetstorm X DNE
1993 Speedstream X DNE
1993 Rapido X DNE (ex. BotCon)
1993 Skram X DNE
1993 Turbofire X DNE
1993 Windbreaker X DNE
1993 Colossus/Clench ✓ (BotCon)
1993 Calcar X DNE
1993 Fearswoop X DNE
1993 Hawk/Eagle Eye X DNE
1993 Snipe/Afterburner X DNE
1993 Terradive X DNE
1993 Tornado/Windrazor X DNE
1993 Aquablast X DNE
1993 Drench X DNE
1993 Hydradread X DNE
1993 Rage X DNE

My current collecting policy now is that if CHUG releases any new G1 character, then it's a must buy for me. Repeat characters in CHUG are a maybe (case by case basis), but any new G1 TFs to CHUG, then HasTak can shut up and take my money. And while this list only includes Anglophone G1, my rule applies to any G1. Looking forward to getting Legacy Minerva, baby! :) And I would have preferred to see the TR Jumpstarters repainted as Salt Man X and Salt Man Y instead of the Diaclone colours. Or heck, name the Diaclone coloured ones "Salt Man A" and "Salt Man B." :)

[Paulbot]

DeltaPrime's thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27267-G1-Characters-that-have-and-have-not-been-released-in-CHUG-form) is a good resource too, but of course everyone can make their own lists. This reminded me to update mine (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27738-1986-Movie-cast-released-as-toys-during-2020-21)!

[JJJ]

My actual dream is to collect all of G1 in CHUG.

Ah, a man after me own black heart. I'm working on a similar list, but it excludes pretenders and micromasters, and while it doesn't contain any late G1/JG1/G2, I'm certainly taking whatever comes along from those sections :)

I'm 50-something off, and closing fast. Reckon my list might be ticked off by 2024.

[DELTAprime]

DeltaPrime's thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27267-G1-Characters-that-have-and-have-not-been-released-in-CHUG-form) is a good resource too, but of course everyone can make their own lists. This reminded me to update mine (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/27738-1986-Movie-cast-released-as-toys-during-2020-21)!

Thanks for the reminder to update.

[KELPIE]

Great list!

While I applaud the people who steer clear of 3rd Party, I collect for character and there's just certain characters I wouldn't be able to ignore. Beachcomber? Give me all the Beachcombers (Fun fact, Universe Beachcomber is because of me - Yay).

That said, this Chug thing, I'm totally on board with that. However I need proper re-implementations for me to be happy. TitanMasters don't cut it, nor do lazy recolours like Cindersaur. I'd aaalllmost say that Siege onward lifted the bar for Chug. Meaning I would not be upset if we got redo's for say, Dreadwing/Darkwing... or any of the other Combiners. The only thing that holds me back from that is I can't see a world where we get another crack at say Doublecross or the clones. Prime Wars gave us a lot of deep cuts that we'll likely never see again.

All that said, Man-o-Man, do I want to see the Firecons done right. Finish off the Targetmasters and Powermasters, give us the Triggerbots/cons. Omnibots Please and Venom!! It's not like I'm super greedy, but nice faithful releases of these guys with sexy ankle tilts and I'll be happy. Then we can talk about what to do with the Throttlebots, or Pretenders. Heck, I'm still surprised the Battlechargers didn't get remoulded into Chase, Freeway and Searchlight.

[GoktimusPrime]

That said, this Chug thing, I'm totally on board with that. However I need proper re-implementations for me to be happy. TitanMasters don't cut it, nor do lazy recolours like Cindersaur. I'd aaalllmost say that Siege onward lifted the bar for Chug. Meaning I would not be upset if we got redo's for say, Dreadwing/Darkwing... or any of the other Combiners. The only thing that holds me back from that is I can't see a world where we get another crack at say Doublecross or the clones. Prime Wars gave us a lot of deep cuts that we'll likely never see again.
I'm fine with Cindersaur. At least they did give him a retooled head and the velociraptor mode is close to his G1 dinosaurish monster mode. It's a lot better than the silly "G2 Cindersaur" BotCon toy (which I also have :p). I would rather see Hasbro focus on finishing off G1 in CHUG before redoing already done characters. Everything that I've listed in bold is what I would like to see Hasbro prioritise in CHUG. We've already had two CHUG Darkwings but zero CHUG Fearswoops? :( And Fearswoop has been the only Transformer to transform into a YF-22, the prototype test jet for the F-22 Raptor.


Heck, I'm still surprised the Battlechargers didn't get remoulded into Chase, Freeway and Searchlight.
I'm surprised that Titans Return Chase (called "Roadburn"*) didn't get retooled as Freeway, Searchlight and even Rollbar with extensive enough retooling! Goldbug is coming. Wideload would most likely require a new mould.

----------------------------
*Not for trademark reasons, but because Hasbro didn't want kids to confuse G1 Chase with Rescue Bots Chase. Gah. It's also why Earthrise G1 Barricade was called "Decepticon Runner," because they didn't want kids to confuse him with the Bayformers-inspired police car Siege/ER Barricade. :rolleyes: Stupid kids! :p

[KELPIE]

I'm fine with Cindersaur. At least they did give him a retooled head and the velociraptor mode is close to his G1 dinosaurish monster mode. It's a lot better than the silly "G2 Cindersaur" BotCon toy (which I also have :p). I would rather see Hasbro focus on finishing off G1 in CHUG before redoing already done characters. Everything that I've listed in bold is what I would like to see Hasbro prioritise in CHUG. We've already had two CHUG Darkwings but zero CHUG Fearswoops? :( And Fearswoop has been the only Transformer to transform into a YF-22, the prototype test jet for the F-22 Raptor.
But... but... but, if we need to get Sparkstalker and Flamefeather, then we may as well get a new Cindersaur along with them.

Unfortunately for Fearswoop, he falls in that is it G1 or G2 category... millage may vary depending on your location at the time. If we're going through the various figures that fit in that transitional period... whoo boy there's plenty on that want list.

On the point of Darkwing... It's like Doubledealer. You could have that dodgy Blitzwing repaint, ooor, the fantastic Earthrise version. I'd love a proper reimplementation for Darkwing/Dreadwind. That said, I agree, there's plenty of characters on the "to make" list.

[GoktimusPrime]

But... but... but, if we need to get Sparkstalker and Flamefeather, then we may as well get a new Cindersaur along with them.
Sure, I guess. Apparently Hasbro has a policy now where if they do one character in a group, they will do the whole group. So we're supposedly going to get all the SS86 Dinobots and Legacy should do all of the Insecticons; the name of the sub-line may change, but basically they should all get done in Generations in the same style. Cos yeah, having orphaned characters does suck. I really wish that the Micromaster patrols had been released in sets of four instead of two; even if it means sacrificing the tertiary weapon mode that nobody asked for. I don't need my CHUG Roadhandler and Swindler to be able to transform into a pair of guns that can combine into a larger gun; I'd gladly give up that feature to get Tailspin and Freewheeler in the same set. The Siege/Earthrise Micromasters were pretty crummy value for money, which is kinda ironic considering that the entire reason why Micromasters existed in G1 was to make Transformers more affordable (re: 1989/90 global recession).


Unfortunately for Fearswoop, he falls in that is it G1 or G2 category... millage may vary depending on your location at the time. If we're going through the various figures that fit in that transitional period... whoo boy there's plenty on that want list.
Considering that we're getting CHUG toys based on Diaclone variants that were never originally part of G1 (e.g. Lift-Ticket, Cordon, Spinout, Deep Cover, Tiger Track etc.), I think that CHUG could stand to include some G1.5ers in there. Besides, we do also have G2 CHUGs, so why not G1�? ;) Not that I have anything against pre-TF CHUGs; I own heaps of them too! :D Gens Selects Galactic Man is my favourite since, like many Aussie kids growing up in the 80s, I had Astro Magnum from Tandy as the original G1 Shockwave toy was never released here. So Galactic Man has the greatest childhood nostalgia for me among all the pre-TF CHUGs. Second is Spinout because I knew a kid at school who had a red Diaclone Lamborghini Countach Super Tuning model kit (I think he got it from some Asian grocery store).


On the point of Darkwing... It's like Doubledealer. You could have that dodgy Blitzwing repaint, ooor, the fantastic Earthrise version. I'd love a proper reimplementation for Darkwing/Dreadwind. That said, I agree, there's plenty of characters on the "to make" list.
Sure, but I'd still rather see those characters shoved down the CHUG priority list over toys that have never had a post-G1 toy made. If you look at the list of the last 3 years of G1, only one character has appeared in CHUG; Rotorstorm. Technically also Overlord, but that toy was really inspired by the 1988 Takara release rather than the 1991 Hasbro one (although IDW's Overlord was 100% based on the Hasbro toy's bio). Pyro and Clench only exist as BotCon exclusives. Heck, even Rotorstorm was a Gens Selects exclusive; not as hard to get as BotCon exclusives, but still not mass store release either. But that's fine... I'm happy for all of those later G1ers to come out as GS exclusives... just make them happen! CW Liokaiser was never repainted as the Autobot Rescue Force. :( If they're gonna do a better CHUG Liokaiser, then at least repaint them as Rescue Forcers. And yeah, my list only looked at Anglophone G1; I'll take Japanese G1, European G1, Latin American G1... any new G1 character in CHUG is an instant buy for me. :)

[JJJ]

Gens Selects Galactic Man is my favourite since, like many Aussie kids growing up in the 80s, I had Astro Magnum from Tandy as the original G1 Shockwave toy was never released here. So Galactic Man has the greatest childhood nostalgia for me among all the pre-TF CHUGs.

I received my Generations Astro Magnum on Wednesday precisely because that's the Shockwave toy I bought for myself from my newsagent for $20. I always thought it was a knock-off, until I finally read about it being the original toy some time in the past 20 years :)

I would be quite happy for late-G1/G1.5/G2 toys to be given priority for the next few years, and for there not to be any more early-G1 toys in that period if they've received a deluxe and up in the past 7 or so.

[GoktimusPrime]

I received my Generations Astro Magnum on Wednesday precisely because that's the Shockwave toy I bought for myself from my newsagent for $20. I always thought it was a knock-off, until I finally read about it being the original toy some time in the past 20 years :)
Same here! I wish I'd kept my Astro Magnum... although it was pretty broken as one of my favourite childhood toys (and mum stepping on it which snapped the arms off :p). Since I didn't have G1 Megatron as a kid, "Shackwave" was the leader of my Decepticons. :) I wish that Gens Selects had used the name "Shackwave" or given him some other new persona instead of just "Galactic Man Shockwave." Ah well.


I would be quite happy for late-G1/G1.5/G2 toys to be given priority for the next few years, and for there not to be any more early-G1 toys in that period if they've received a deluxe and up in the past 7 or so.
Same! <on screen high five> :)

[KELPIE]

Sure, I guess. Apparently Hasbro has a policy now where if they do one character in a group, they will do the whole group. So we're supposedly going to get all the SS86 Dinobots and Legacy should do all of the Insecticons; the name of the sub-line may change, but basically they should all get done in Generations in the same style. Cos yeah, having orphaned characters does suck.
I herd that as well. I really hope that it's actually a thing. Means we should be getting Venom, and with the rumoured Pointblank, means we should be getting a Sureshot (since it's basically what we're talking about here, I wouldn't begrudge a new faithful Crosshairs).


I really wish that the Micromaster patrols had been released in sets of four instead of two; even if it means sacrificing the tertiary weapon mode that nobody asked for. I don't need my CHUG Roadhandler and Swindler to be able to transform into a pair of guns that can combine into a larger gun; I'd gladly give up that feature to get Tailspin and Freewheeler in the same set.
So much this!!


The Siege/Earthrise Micromasters were pretty crummy value for money, which is kinda ironic considering that the entire reason why Micromasters existed in G1 was to make Transformers more affordable (re: 1989/90 global recession).
Super crummy value. I'm very careful with my figures and those tiny balljoints just couldn't handle transformation. Not arguing with you in terms of reasons, especially since I'm sure finance had some impact there along the way, however I'm pretty sure Micromasters came in to compete with Micromachines?



Considering that we're getting CHUG toys based on Diaclone variants that were never originally part of G1 (e.g. Lift-Ticket, Cordon, Spinout, Deep Cover, Tiger Track etc.), I think that CHUG could stand to include some G1.5ers in there. Besides, we do also have G2 CHUGs, so why not G1�? ;) Not that I have anything against pre-TF CHUGs; I own heaps of them too! :D Gens Selects Galactic Man is my favourite since, like many Aussie kids growing up in the 80s, I had Astro Magnum from Tandy as the original G1 Shockwave toy was never released here. So Galactic Man has the greatest childhood nostalgia for me among all the pre-TF CHUGs. Second is Spinout because I knew a kid at school who had a red Diaclone Lamborghini Countach Super Tuning model kit (I think he got it from some Asian grocery store).
Where did the black Perceptor come from in Australia? I'm thinking it was an Easter Show thing? However that was my Perceptor.



Sure, but I'd still rather see those characters shoved down the CHUG priority list over toys that have never had a post-G1 toy made. If you look at the list of the last 3 years of G1, only one character has appeared in CHUG; Rotorstorm. Technically also Overlord, but that toy was really inspired by the 1988 Takara release rather than the 1991 Hasbro one (although IDW's Overlord was 100% based on the Hasbro toy's bio). Pyro and Clench only exist as BotCon exclusives. Heck, even Rotorstorm was a Gens Selects exclusive; not as hard to get as BotCon exclusives, but still not mass store release either. But that's fine... I'm happy for all of those later G1ers to come out as GS exclusives... just make them happen! CW Liokaiser was never repainted as the Autobot Rescue Force. :( If they're gonna do a better CHUG Liokaiser, then at least repaint them as Rescue Forcers. And yeah, my list only looked at Anglophone G1; I'll take Japanese G1, European G1, Latin American G1... any new G1 character in CHUG is an instant buy for me. :)
Well it sure looks like we're going to get a few now with a couple already shown and the assumption that Thunderclash is gong to come out of that Nemesis mould. That said, I'd still rather complete some of the 88/89/90 guys before the G1.5 guys... Not that there aren't plenty of awesome characters in that group... Stalker come on down!

Main reason being it won't be long before there's more AEC figures than G-anything and I honestly have very little care for that period of transformerdom. For the most part the figures were awful and the media was terrible.

[DELTAprime]

I received my Generations Astro Magnum on Wednesday

Ah damn. I totally forgot that figure exists. I better get him soon for my Diaclone/Pre-G1 Generations collection.

[JJJ]

Ah damn. I totally forgot that figure exists. I better get him soon for my Diaclone/Pre-G1 Generations collection.

So had I, until I read a thread about the oldest TF you have over on TFW2005. I put mine down as Soundwave, then stopped and thought for a moment, and dredged up the remembrance that Astro Magnum pre-dated Shockers. So then I remembered the Selects toy and thought hmmmm, what's that go for on E-bay these days? Turns out it can be had from China for the cost of a current leader (including postage), so that was a very easy choice to make :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Super crummy value. I'm very careful with my figures and those tiny balljoints just couldn't handle transformation. Not arguing with you in terms of reasons, especially since I'm sure finance had some impact there along the way, however I'm pretty sure Micromasters came in to compete with Micromachines?
Yeah, I believe so. Both Hasbro and Galoob were producing smaller and cheaper toys to make them more affordable during a global financial crisis. Micromaster Combiners were made to compete with Matchbox's Con-Nect-Ables.


Where did the black Perceptor come from in Australia? I'm thinking it was an Easter Show thing? However that was my Perceptor.
Yeah, mine came from the Easter Show too. Probably a counterfeit of the Microman toy though; don't think it was an officially licensed release like Astro Magnum. But that toy was also my childhood Perceptor, which is why Magnificus has a special place in my heart. :)

Old pics of my Astro Magnum and Easter Show Microscope Robo toys
https://i.ibb.co/FsK4y5Z/temp.jpg

When I first met Paul Eiding, I had him holding both my G1 Perceptor and eHobby Magnificus toys. Perceptor represents the character that Mr. Eiding voiced in the G1 cartoon, but Magnificus represents the toy that I actually grew up playing with as Perceptor (and imagining Eiding's voice coming through)
https://i.ibb.co/Q6pygfz/ozcomiccon2017-L.jpg


That said, I'd still rather complete some of the 88/89/90 guys before the G1.5 guys... Not that there aren't plenty of awesome characters in that group... Stalker come on down!
Stalker is pure G1, not "G1.5"
It's a very common misconception that 1991, 1992 and 1993 G1 = G1.5, but really it's only 1993 G1 = G1.5
Anything before 1993 is pure Generation 1. Or basically you could just say G1 = 1984-92 and G2 = 1993-95.
G1.5 are the Transformers toys released before the "Generation 2" rebranding came along. Kinda like how Legacy Blaster & Eject were released in Kingdom packaging first at the very tail end of Kingdom. These toys were released in G1 packaging at the very end of G1, but I guess you could just consider them to be G2 Transformers as much as Legacy Blaster is a Legacy TF. <shrugs> Yay, murky transitionary toys are fun to categorise! :D

Siegerise Astrotrain? Earthdom Arcee? Kingdacy Blaster? :p


Main reason being it won't be long before there's more AEC figures than G-anything and I honestly have very little care for that period of transformerdom. For the most part the figures were awful and the media was terrible.
Awww, the Mini-Cons were cool and Cybertron actually gave us some pretty decent toys. Cybertron toys were the least gimmick-compromised of the Unicron Trilogy line. Having said that, it could be argued that because so many UT toys were "WhY My sHoULd3Rs HuR7?" gimmick-compromised that they are in need of updated figures. It really depends on how much money the children of the noughties are willing to spend on CHUGgified versions of their childhood toys (just as we eighties kids are throwing money at G1 CHUG and MP). I hate pointing this out because it makes me feel old, but UT came out nearly 20 years ago... to put things in perspective, when G1 20 years old, we already had some collector-focused toylines like Binaltech, Smallest Transformer TFs, Japanese reissues (including eHobby exclusives), and of course... Masterpiece. So as the children of the noughties are entering the workforce and making disposable income, it will be their generation who may be interested in collecting UT CHUG and MP toys.

I personally have no problem with it. It's not something I would collect, but it's good for younger fans who grew up in that era, like Handsprime. He bought Combiner Wars Armada Megatron at the same time that I bought Combiner Wars G1 Megatron :) Two generations of TF fans enjoying two CHUG toys from different Transformers series. That's why it's called "Generations," plural. :cool: I see Legacy Bulkhead and Arcee in stores and I have zero interest in collecting these toys as I didn't grow up with Prime, but maybe the children of the Teens who would be in senior high school or uni now (i.e. the same age we G1ers were during Beast Wars and joining fan clubs like OTCA etc. ;)) might be into these toys. Plus just the chlidren of today who would like these toys. They have little to no emotional attachment to previous generations of Transformers and thus can see these toys through unbiased eyes... and it is these children who are the majority of people acquiring many of these toys. While we adult collectors are a significant minority of TF consumers, we are still exactly that; a minority.

My G1 Combiner Wars Megatron (left) and Handsprime's Armada CW Megatron (right)
https://i.ibb.co/9YnSCbf/megatron01.jpg

[JJJ]

Visited my local JB today whilst on other errands, and found all the new stuff there (a day after my Sludge and Blitzwing arrived in the post, and with Elita-1 still en route and apparently somewhere in the vicinity of Bendigo).

Loved it. Looked amazing. Reminds me of how things looked when I was a kid (especially with all the Star Wars and Marvel dollies on the other side of the aisle).

But... am I the only one who finds it somewhat disconcerting to find, in a chain that started with music and has since branched into general electronic entertainment, and is now branching into specialist collector stuff, a much, much better stock of toys than has been found at shops with dedicated toy departments (Kmart, Target, Big W) or even actual specialty toy shops (thinking of the Toyworld in the Adelaide Myer centre here), for the past several years?

[Skyfire]

A wall of new TF toys? Yes, this is what I encounter when I go to Singapore department stores/Toys R Us. I'm heading there again soon and I expect to see all the current waves, plus the previous wave or two, plus exclusives... all on the same shelf, which is usually several metres in length. Asia takes (TF) toys really seriously. Our general retailers don't have that same level of customer interest. As for JB Hi-Fi, it's an interesting move what they are doing with TFs. They got into them not very long ago with a fairly small selection and were quite expensive, then stocked more types plus exclusive types, had occasional sales, and are now selling Legacy at very competitve prices to the general retailers. Given what one sales person said about buying a batch of stock but not restocking, I wonder if they are (still) testing the waters wth TFs. The have certainly positioned themselves as a popular culture brand and I hope they have success with TFs as that means more options for us down the track.

[JJJ]

Yes, that's the phrase that wanted to come out but my brain farted - wall of toys. That's exactly what JB has.

More please!

[GoktimusPrime]

But... am I the only one who finds it somewhat disconcerting to find, in a chain that started with music and has since branched into general electronic entertainment, and is now branching into specialist collector stuff, a much, much better stock of toys than has been found at shops with dedicated toy departments (Kmart, Target, Big W) or even actual specialty toy shops (thinking of the Toyworld in the Adelaide Myer centre here), for the past several years?
This is rather standard in Japan. A lot of my Japanese Transformers come from electronic speciality stores like Bic Camera etc. My I bought both my MP Grapple and MP-37 Megatron from Yodobashi Camera. :) It does seems to be more of a recent thing there, but I see no problem with it. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Officially (https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/products/tf_mpg) the "G" in MPG stands for: GATTAI (Gestalt), GIANT and GREAT.
So naturally it triggers me that it's not MPGGG. :p

[griffin]

Officially (https://tf.takaratomy.co.jp/products/tf_mpg) the "G" in MPG stands for: GATTAI (Gestalt), GIANT and GREAT.
So naturally it triggers me that it's not MPGGG. http://www.otca.com.au/boards/images/smilies/tongue.png

I see it as an option for people to use the one that they prefer... and I use Gattai, because "great" is a matter of opinion (when have fans every agreed on anything being great?), and "giant" is not exactly accurate when applied to each toy (as it technically is, as they are MPG-1 to MPG-6, not MPG-1 to just Raiden)... and I don't think the combined form will be that "giant" anyway, now that we have Skyfire there (or any number of other regular Transformers toys that are much bigger).

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

This is rather standard in Japan. A lot of my Japanese Transformers come from electronic speciality stores like Bic Camera etc. My I bought both my MP Grapple and MP-37 Megatron from Yodobashi Camera. :) It does seems to be more of a recent thing there, but I see no problem with it. :)

Not anymore. Transformers are disappearing from many shop shelves in a disconcerting manner in Japan now. Whenever I've been looking, it's either one or two left overs, empty shelves, ot the Transformers section is being used by something else.

[KELPIE]

Not anymore. Transformers are disappearing from many shop shelves in a disconcerting manner in Japan now. Whenever I've been looking, it's either one or two left overs, empty shelves, ot the Transformers section is being used by something else.

Could that be spun positively in that they're popular and being bought by fans?

Out of curiosity, how are other robot centric properties doing in Japan?

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Could that be spun positively in that they're popular and being bought by fans?

Out of curiosity, how are other robot centric properties doing in Japan?

It could be, but I also think it's due to shops getting a lesser amount of stock as well. Admittedly Takara release whole boxes of characters as opposed to waves, so a shop will buy a box of wheeljacks and a box of Wheelies. Naturally Wheeljack will be fine and snapped up, but there is a high chance the Wheelies will be left behind to stink the place up.

I've been watching other lines and and Gundam still seems popular. Super Sentai lines still do well and have plenty of presence and Takara's Shinkalion (and the new car one they have) seems very very popular. I suspect the aforementioned transforming bullet train line may well be cannibalizing any young kids who would otherwise be into Transformers.
Ever since the "Brand unification" and lack of TV placed cartoon here, TFs have stagnated. But they always seem to do that where there is a lack of media presence. For the last Bay movie, it looked like things were slowing down and the gap between the Bumblebee toy line hitting the shelves and the movie release here (over 6 months IIRC) halted any possible momentum. So I am curious to see how things will go with Rise of the Beasts.

Really though I think the market is pretty tough in Japan. You've got a diminishing amount of kids, very successful long term competitors, and new technology and modern things to deal with as well. More kids are into sgames on their phone than physical toys and whatnot and of course phone games here end up meaning huge amount of various craptacular merchandise that com with it. The palce is very much "Flavour of the month" fad-centric country.

Without constant marketing, they don't really have much sway.

Whoops, that ended up being longer than I intended. My apologies.

[KELPIE]

We have the same issues here in terms of kids, however I always assumed that Japan had a healthier adult collector base. One of the things I could always count on in Japan - If you make it big there, Japan will never let it die!! Maybe that's not so true any more?

Shinkalion and the Tomicar stuff is really cool. I managed to pick up some when I was over in China a few years ago. No doubt that's cannibalising the market for Transformers.

Transformers really needs a good cartoon... by that I don't mean a good kids cartoon or a good adult cartoon, just a good, high quality cartoon that doesn't talk down to kids and can be enjoyed by all. Preferably, a traditionally animated one.

[GoktimusPrime]

I always assumed that Japan had a healthier adult collector base. One of the things I could always count on in Japan - If you make it big there, Japan will never let it die!! Maybe that's not so true any more?
You need a healthy child collector base for a toyline to thrive though. The majority of toy consumers are always going to be children. There are entire schools in Japan that are closing down because of their declining birthrate. People in Japan need to make more babies! :)

[Autocon]

I'm on my way! *zooom*

[GoktimusPrime]

I was listening to some podcast about some dude's wishlist to see the remaining TFTM cast in Studio Series 86 or similar adjacent lines like Legacy or its successor. One wish was to see Megatron in SS86, even if he's still a tank, but just with a more G1 cartoon-like robot mode.

If they're going to do another CHUG tank Megatron, even with a more G1 cartoony robot mode, I'm not sure if I'd get it. My CW & LG Megatrons already have a pretty realistic looking M1A1 Abrams tank mode, and my Siege Megatron already has a more G1 cartoony robot mode. A super cartoony CHUG robot mode might not be enough to sway me cos... I have MPs. :p Seriously, this is why I skipped toys like ER Grapple etc. - CHUGs can be less appealing to me if the MP already exists.

But, I would consider getting a new CHUG Megatron (be it SS86 or otherwise) if it had a Not-Gun mode disguised as something else; similar to what they did with Siege Shockwave. Make it a generic pistol that might be a vague approximation of a Walther P38, but really isn't. Then give him a bunch of accessories that make him a tank. If you remove these extra parts and "mistransform" the toy, it becomes a pistol. Just don't document it and let fans work it out. Make it a Voyager that's sold at a Leader Class price point like Siege Shockwave. Heck, you could even have the barrel of the gun be a detachable accessory that isn't documented to attach to the chamber, but it can anyway.

What do you reckon? Could Hasbro get away with this?

I don't want a straight up scifi/fantasy gun for Megatron though. We already have Classics/Henkei/United Megatron for that.

[Dkaris]

Anyone here work at big W and able to tell me if they'll be ranging a specific product? Action Figure but not transformer related

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Has a little epiphany while listening to the TF 84 movie on the way home the other day; The Autobots rigged up one of their moons with enough explosives to destroy it if required.

And we hassle Rodimus for destroying planets, he's just following Autobot Protocol.

How many planets have the Decepticons blown up?

[Bidoofdude]

But, I would consider getting a new CHUG Megatron (be it SS86 or otherwise) if it had a Not-Gun mode disguised as something else; similar to what they did with Siege Shockwave. Make it a generic pistol that might be a vague approximation of a Walther P38, but really isn't. Then give him a bunch of accessories that make him a tank. If you remove these extra parts and "mistransform" the toy, it becomes a pistol. Just don't document it and let fans work it out. Make it a Voyager that's sold at a Leader Class price point like Siege Shockwave. Heck, you could even have the barrel of the gun be a detachable accessory that isn't documented to attach to the chamber, but it can anyway.

What do you reckon? Could Hasbro get away with this?

I don't want a straight up scifi/fantasy gun for Megatron though. We already have Classics/Henkei/United Megatron for that.

I think it’s a bit of all or nothing with the gun mode. Megatron unlike Sixshot or Shockwave does not have the luxury of imagination on his side- safe to say we’ll receive nothing directly resembling the Walther P-38.

I would have thought half of the problem with such a figure though is that he’d still be grey or silver, which dashes hopes of even a space gun alt mode. Sixshot is teal and purple, Shockwave is deep purple. The two options would then be a grey cartoon-accurate Megatron with a compromised tank alt mode, or a multi-coloured (thus inaccurate) Megatron with a fantasy gun mode that loosely resembles the Walther- pretty much defeats the point of having a Studio Series 86 Megatron in the first place.

To me at least, it’s not about having *a Megatron* with a certain feature or alt mode, it’s about having *the right* Megatron to go alongside the other WFC era CHUG figures. I’m not worried about going over old ground if it does it better, which seems to be the course of figures these days (sometimes replacements coming in less than a year). I can see how the priority would be different for someone with a different collection focus however, I just don’t want to be filling spots and feel validated 100% in the figures I choose to purchase.

Also interesting to note that even in the expensive adult-orientated collector’s like Black Series for Star Wars, we barely see any blaster replicas, just helmets and lightsabers. When we do, they are of course compromised and with bright red details on the end and obvious tells that they are toys. This is probably the closest line for direct comparison, Hasbro could sneak Megatron in under adult collectible stuff, but I wouldn’t bank on it based on that.

[GoktimusPrime]

I would have thought half of the problem with such a figure though is that he’d still be grey or silver, which dashes hopes of even a space gun alt mode. Sixshot is teal and purple, Shockwave is deep purple. The two options would then be a grey cartoon-accurate Megatron with a compromised tank alt mode, or a multi-coloured (thus inaccurate) Megatron with a fantasy gun mode that loosely resembles the Walther- pretty much defeats the point of having a Studio Series 86 Megatron in the first place.
Don't forget that, legally speaking, colour is irrelevant. All that matters is the shape/design of the toy gun. This is why Hasbro's attempt to reissue G1 Megatron in bright orange and chrome blue was knocked back by their legal department. So long as the toy looks like a Walther P38; even if you made it canary yellow - it would classify as an imitation firearm. The orange/red cap that they put on the tips of toy guns is there to stop parents from complaining, as apparently it is parents who whinge if they see toy guns being sold without brightly coloured caps/barrel tips. It is legally meaningless, and also why simply slapping these colours on the gun barrel tip does nothing to change one's ability to import or legally own a G1 or MP Megatron in this country (ex. SA, WA); e.g. with all the legal requirements for us NSW collectors, colour is none of them.

I was wondering how close Hasbro could get to designing a toy pistol that doesn't resemble any actual real life guns, but looks like it could be one. We do know that Hasbro can make Megatron transform into a Nerf pistol, as it's obviously happened with Classics Megatron (which Takara gave more G1-accurate colours for on the Henkei and United repaints). While Classics Megatron was an N-Strike Maverick, perhaps Hasbro could revisit this idea with Megatron as a more realistic looking Nerf gun, like the Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500.
https://i.ibb.co/LYV5Vzs/temp.jpg
Nerf Rival is the Nerf equivalent of Masterpiece; it's their high end adult collector-centric series of Nerf guns. The N-Strike Maverick was drawn from Nerf's regular mainline guns (I bought one from Big W :p). As a non-functioning Transformer Nerf gun, there shouldn't be any legal issue with having Megatron transform into a Rival Kronos XVIII-500. Hasbro would most likely still give this toy an orange tip, but the rest of the toy can have G1 Megatron colours (re: Reveal the Shield Megatron). Heck, give the toy cartoony G1 Megatron grey colours instead of a more realistic gunmetal grey, black or silver. i.e. the same grey as Siege/Earthrise Megatron.

I know that Classics Megatron was a big shellformer, but this was a toy that came out in 2006. Surely by 2022 standards they could give us a better Nerf gun Megatron that doesn't end up being such a massive shellformer.

[Tha_Phantom]

I was listening to some podcast about some dude's wishlist to see the remaining TFTM cast in Studio Series 86 or similar adjacent lines like Legacy or its successor. One wish was to see Megatron in SS86, even if he's still a tank, but just with a more G1 cartoon-like robot mode.

If they're going to do another CHUG tank Megatron, even with a more G1 cartoony robot mode, I'm not sure if I'd get it. My CW & LG Megatrons already have a pretty realistic looking M1A1 Abrams tank mode, and my Siege Megatron already has a more G1 cartoony robot mode. A super cartoony CHUG robot mode might not be enough to sway me cos... I have MPs. :p Seriously, this is why I skipped toys like ER Grapple etc. - CHUGs can be less appealing to me if the MP already exists.

But, I would consider getting a new CHUG Megatron (be it SS86 or otherwise) if it had a Not-Gun mode disguised as something else; similar to what they did with Siege Shockwave. Make it a generic pistol that might be a vague approximation of a Walther P38, but really isn't. Then give him a bunch of accessories that make him a tank. If you remove these extra parts and "mistransform" the toy, it becomes a pistol. Just don't document it and let fans work it out. Make it a Voyager that's sold at a Leader Class price point like Siege Shockwave. Heck, you could even have the barrel of the gun be a detachable accessory that isn't documented to attach to the chamber, but it can anyway.

What do you reckon? Could Hasbro get away with this?

I don't want a straight up scifi/fantasy gun for Megatron though. We already have Classics/Henkei/United Megatron for that.

I agree with your desire for an SS86 Megatron with secret gun mode, but thinking about "could Hasbro get away with this?" I'd say probably not, unfortunately.
Even if the gun mode isn't advertised or documented in any way, all it takes is one, just one nutjob to take said gun mode out in public and cause a major headache for Hasbro's brand reputation as well as our fandom.
There could also be legal implications of Hasbro's staff talking behind the scenes about including a gun mode in a toy. Even if it's never implied in any promotional material, the fact they went to an effort to make it possible could still be a potential legal headache for Hasbro if anyone decides to investigate.

[JJJ]

I'm absolutely certain that Hasbro legal has flatly issued a directive that a gun Megatron will just not happen again. Too much bother and potential trouble (lawsuits, not simply bad PR) for too little return, and that's for within the US with their pro-gun fetishisation, let alone anywhere else.

And it'll be the kind of directive that has you before HR and out the door if you discuss ways of getting around it.

[Tha_Phantom]

Too much bother and potential trouble (lawsuits, not simply bad PR) for too little return

Yeah, this. I don't see Hasbro dying on that hill just to appease a minority of fans (I mean most are fine with Megatron being a tank even if it's not a preference).

[Skyfire]

They should do a core class SS86 Megatron similar to the Reveal the Shield (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/reveal-the-shield/megatron/2317/1/)/EZ Collection (https://myfaverave.blogspot.com/2012/07/takara-transformers-ez-collection.html) mould.

[Golden Phoenix]

They should do a core class SS86 Megatron similar to the Reveal the Shield (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/reveal-the-shield/megatron/2317/1/)/EZ Collection (https://myfaverave.blogspot.com/2012/07/takara-transformers-ez-collection.html) mould.

What about going down the Shockwave route.

"It's not an upside down gun. It's a submarine/spaceship we swear"

[Sinnertwin]

Dude was a gun for 5 seconds 40 years ago, and while I understand Hasbro milking the 35+ year olds market for nostalgia, I wouldn't be fussed it if it didn't happen.

[Bidoofdude]

What does the GTS in Ransack/Override/Brakedown GTS stand for? It’s not on the packaging or bio as far as I know.

[DELTAprime]

What does the GTS in Ransack/Override/Brakedown GTS stand for? It’s not on the packaging or bio as far as I know.

I always assumed it was just taken from the car industry.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

What does the GTS in Ransack/Override/Brakedown GTS stand for? It’s not on the packaging or bio as far as I know.


I always assumed it was just taken from the car industry.

Likewise, a quick bit 'o' googling reveals it stands for "Gran Turismo Sport" :


As you may or may not know, GTS stands for “Gran Turismo Sport" or, in other words, the highest performance (not to be confused with race) focused street version of the car that bears the nomenclature. From there, the GT cars (GT2, GT3, GT4) take it all to another level, but not without some compromise.
source:
https://www.auto123.com/en/news/porsche-gts-a-little-history/60604/#:~:text=As%20you%20may%20or%20may,but%20not%20wit hout%20some%20compromise.

[GoktimusPrime]

I know that "Tacticon" is pronounced "Tack-tee-con," but my mind keeps on reading it as "Tact-eye-con."

[GoktimusPrime]

RE: Hasbro Pulse Con '22 reveals

NEEEEDLENOOOSE!!!

Yass! Now we will be able to collect the last G1 Decepticon Targetmaster in CHUG! The Combiner Wars one was a BotCon/Club exclusive; but so happy to see one being done for mass retail release! Legacy Pointblank is coming soon too, so now all we need to complete the G1 Targetmasters in CHUG are Landfill, Quickmix and Sureshot. Make it happen!

I'll definitely be grabbing Tarn, Breakdown, Scraphook and Lio Convoy (are they calling him Leo Prime?). Somewhat surprised to see that Breakdown isn't a retool of Dead End. Not sure how I feel about the car bonnet pointing upwards on the back instead of down.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

RE: Hasbro Pulse Con '22 reveals

NEEEEDLENOOOSE!!!


Mah Dood.

I was thinking they need to drop Double TM Quake. But Quake got a headmaster recolour.

[DELTAprime]

Give me all the double TMs!

[GoktimusPrime]

I was thinking they need to drop Double TM Quake. But Quake got a headmaster recolour.
Quake (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/24330-Toy-Review-Titans-Return-Quake?p=561187) could do with a better CHUG toy, especially one that's not a Headmaster (preferrably also a double Targetmaster like Scoop and Needlenose). But yeah, he's already done in CHUG. I'd rather Hasbro focus their attention on the remaining G1 characters who haven't received any 21st Century updates before revisiting paths already walked. :)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I've gotta say, for all that he's a Headmaster instead of a Targetmaster, TR Quake is a really nice toy. The mold and the colour scheme work well for him. I gave him Combiner Wars First Aid's axe for a dual-weapon setup and it really fits with his berserker characterisation.

[KELPIE]

Yeah I'm in the camp of Quake getting a better figure. Skipped the Headmaster version... however in a showing of rare agreement with Gok, he's probably a character I can wait for and put behind releases of other forgotten G1 characters.

[GoktimusPrime]

My non-BW/BM CHUG collection count is now on 499. Curious to see who number 500 is gonna be. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

I was wondering just how many G1 Transformers are there. I normally only think about Anglophone G1 for obvious reasons, but I was thinking about how many G1 TFs there would be if I included those released outside the Anglosphere (i.e. Japanese and Latin American). And the answer I came up with was 600.

Notes
+ I did not count variants (red and yellow Cliffjumper are just Cliffjumper)
+ I did not double-count identical toys that represent different characters (e.g. Getaway and Lightfoot)
+ I did count repaints/retools of the same toys that represent the same character. e.g. Hot Rod and Targetmaster Hot Rod are separate counts, as are Soundwave and Soundblaster etc.
Yes, yes, yes, I know that these are entirely subjective parameters, but they're the rules I set for myself for this count.

So here are the lists:

ANGLOPHONE G1 TRANSFORMERS (456)
Bluestreak
Jazz
Hound
Ironhide
Mirage
Prowl
Ratchet
Sideswipe
Sunstreaker
Trailbreaker
Wheeljack
Brawn
Bumblebee
Cliffjumper, Mazda Type ("Bumper")
Cliffjumper, Porsche Type
Gears
Huffer
Windcharger
Megatron
Soundwave
Buzzsaw
Laserbeak
Frenzy
Ravage
Rumble
Skywarp
Starscream
Thundercracker
Jetfire
Omega Supreme
Blaster
Grapple
Hoist
Inferno
Red Alert
Skids
Smokescreen
Tracks
Perceptor
Beachcomber
Cosmos
Powerglide
Seaspray
Warpath
Roadbuster
Whirl
Grimlock
Slag
Sludge
Snarl
Swoop
Topspin
Twin Twist
Camshaft
Downshift
Overdrive
Powerdasher (Aragon)
Powerdasher (Cromar)
Powerdasher (Zetar)
Shockwave
Dirge
Ramjet
Thrust
Astrotrain
Blitzwing
Bombshell
Kickback
Shrapnel
Barrage
Chop Shop
Ransack
Venom
Bonecrusher
Long Haul
Hook
Mixmaster
Scavenger
Scrapper
Mini Spy (Buggy)
Mini Spy (Porsche)
Mini Spy (Jeep)
Mini Spy (Toyota)
Rodimus Prime
Ultra Magnus
Wreck Gar
Blurr
Hot Rod
Kup
Broadside
Sandstorm
Springer
Metroplex
Sky Lynx
Hubcap
Outback
Pipes
Swerve
Tailgate
Wheelie
Eject
Ramhorn
Rewind
Steeljaw
Air Raid
Fireflight
Silverbolt
Skydive
Slingshot
Blades
First Aid
Groove
Hot Spot
Streetwise
Galvatron
Cyclonus
Scourge
Octane
Gnaw
Trypticon
Runabout
Runamuck
Breakdown
Dead End
Drag Strip
Motormaster
Wildrider
Blast-Off
Brawl
Onslaught
Swindle
Vortex
Divebomb
Headstrong
Rampage
Razorclaw
Tantrum
Ratbat
Spectro
Spyglass
Viewfinder
Fortress Maximus
Brainstorm
Chromedome
Hardhead
Highbrow
Blurr (Targetmaster)
Hot Rod (Targetmaster)
Kup (Targetmaster)
Crosshairs
Pointblank
Sureshot
Cloudraker
Fastlane
Punch/Counterpunch
Doublecross
Grotusque
Repugnus
Afterburner
Lightspeed
Nosecone
Scattershot
Strafe
Chase
Freeway
Goldbug
Rollbar
Searchlight
Wideload
Scorponok
Apeface
Mindwipe
Skullcruncher
Snapdragon
Weirdwolf
Cyclonus (Targetmaster)
Scourge (Targetmaster)
Misfire
Slugslinger
Triggerhappy
Sixshot
Overkill
Slugfest
Pounce
Wingspan
Battletrap
Flywheels
Hun-Grrr
Blot
Cutthroat
Rippersnapper
Sinnertwin
Optimus Prime (Powermaster)
Getaway
Joyride
Slapdash
Hosehead
Nightbeat
Siren
Landfill
Quickmix
Scoop
Catilla
Chainclaw
Cloudburst
Groundbreaker
Gunrunner
Landmine
Sky High
Splashdown
Waverider
Quickswitch
Backstreet
Dogfight
Override
Fizzle
Sizzle
Guzzle
Grand Slam
Raindance
Beastbox
Squawktalk
Darkwing
Dreadwind
Doubledealer
Fangry
Horri-Bull
Squeezeplay
Needlenose
Quake
Spinister
Bomb-Burst
Bugly
Carnivac
Finback
Iguanus
Roadgrabber
Skullgrin
Snarler
Submarauder
Crankcase
Ruckus
Windsweeper
Cindersaur
Flamefeather
Sparkstalker
Snaptrap
Tentakil
Nautilator
Seawing
Skalor
Overbite
Bumblebee (Pretender)
Grimlock (Pretender)
Jazz (Pretender)
Doubleheader
Longtooth
Pincher
Crossblades
Vroom
Skyhammer
Big Shot
Flak
Sidetrack
Sunrunner
High Jump
Mudslinger
Powertrain
Tote
Freewheeler
Roadhandler
Swindler
Tailspin
Fixit
Red Hot
Seawatch
Stakeout
Erector
Overload
Hot House
Ironworks
Countdown
Groundshaker
Thunderwing
Starscream (Pretender)
Bludgeon
Octopunch
Stranglehold
Birdbrain
Bristleback
Icepick
Scowl
Slog
Wildfly
Roadblock
Nightflight
Storm Cloud
Tailwind
Whisper
Blackjack
Detour
Hyperdrive
Roadhugger
Flattop
Roughstuff
Airwave
Greasepit
Skyhopper
Skystalker
Optimus Prime (Action Master)
Blaster (Action Master)
Bumblebee (Action Master)
Grimlock (Action Master)
Inferno (Action Master)
Jackpot
Jazz (Action Master)
Kick-Off
Mainframe
Over-Run
Prowl (Action Master)
Rad
Rollout
Skyfall
Snarl (Action Master)
Sprocket
Wheeljack (Action Master)
Gusher
Pipeline
Retro
Surge
Crumble
Groundpounder
Neutro
Takedown
Blaze Master
Eagle Eye
Sky High (Micromaster)
Tread Bolt
Big Daddy
Greaser
Hubs
Trip-Up
Big Hauler
Heavy Tread
Hydraulic
Slow Poke
Oiler
Power Run
Roadburner
Slide
Strikedown
Wheel Blaze
Barrage (Micromaster)
Blastmaster
Heave
Missilemaster
Moonrock
Phaser
Full-Barrel
Overflow
Axer
Banzai-Tron
Devastator (Action Master)
Gutcruncher
Krok
Megatron (Action Master)
Shockwave (Action Master)
Soundwave (Action Master)
Starscream (Action Master)
Treadshot
Bombshock
Dropshot
Growl
Tracer
Barricade
Ground Hog
Motorhead
Roller Force
Blackout
Spaceshot
Meltdown
Half-Track
Direct-Hit
Powerpunch
Fireshot
Vanquish
Excavator
Grit
Hammer
Knockout
Sledge
Stonecruncher
Cement-Head
Terror-Tread
Powerflash
Sideswipe (Action Master)
Tracks (Action Master)
Circuit
Rumbler
Omega Spreem
Windmill
Gripper
Flame
Lightspeed (Motorvator)
Bombshell (Action Master)
Charger
Double Punch
Slicer
Take-Off
Thundercracker (Action Master)
Turbo Master
Overlord
Boss
Flash
Hurricane
Rotorstorm
Scorch
Thunderclash
Rescue Force
Rescue Force 1
Rescue Force 2
Rescue Force 3
Falcon
Skydive (Predator)
Skyquake
Snare
Stalker
Talon
Constructicon (bulldozer)
Constructicon (cement mixer)
Constructicon (crane)
Constructicon (dump truck)
Constructicon (payloader)
Constructicon (steamshovel)
Pyro/Spark
Deftwing
Ironfist
Aquafend
Deluge
Jetstorm
Speedstream
Rapido
Skram
Hot Rider/Turbofire
Zap/Windbreaker
Colossus/Clench
Calcar
Fearswoop
Hawk/Eagle Eye
Snipe/Afterburner
Terradive
Tornado/Windrazor
Aquablast
Drench
Hydradread
Rage

JAPANESE G1 TRANSFORMERS (+127)
Artfire
Stepper
Dile
Graphy
Noise
Saur
Shouki
Getsuei
Yukikaze
Suiken
Seizan
Kaen
Twincast
Kirk
Loafer
Rodney
Leoneh
Toraizer
Shuffler
Soundblaster
Metal Hawk
Go Shooter
Minerva
Ranger
Ginrai
Godbomber
Double Clouder
Grand Maximus
Sixknight
Hardspark
Hotspark
Wildspark
Aquastar
Vollet
Zetca
Guzzle
Javil
Hydra
Buster
Browning
Black Zarak
Wing
Waver
Dash
Tacker
Mach
Tackle
Blacker
Lustre
Braver
Star Sabre
Greatshot
Galaxy Shuttle (also released in Italy)
Victory Leo
Black Shadow
Blue Bacchus
Goryu
Gairyu
Kakuryu
Doryu
Yokuryu
Rairyu
Leozack
Guyhawk
Hellbat
Jallguar
Killbison
Drillhorn
Deathsaurus
Gunlift
Powerbomb
Sidetrack
Sunrunner
Gingham
Black Heat
Dead Hour
Roadhugger
Roadjet
Landshaker
Sky Hyper
Dai Atlas
Sonic Bomber
Roadfire
Speeder
Sonic
Drillbuster
Rabbicrater
Metro Titan
Metrobomb
Sky Garry
D-Go
Alan
Joe
Leaf
Night
Spark
Grandus
Star Convoy
Hot Rod (Micromaster)
Crushbull
Digger
Gran Arm
Iron Lift
Mixing
Treader
Chain Gun
Falcon
Flanker
Missile Run
Raker
Supersonic
Road Police
Circuit
Discharge
Glide
Neo Wheel
Cy-Reign
Fire Chief
Streetstar
Fly Up
Sparkride
Safety
Great Cannon
Leeland
Sandstorm
Shuttle Gunner
Target Hawk

LATIN AMERICAN G1 (+17)
Camaro (Robocar)
Camaro (Malignus)
Carrera (Robocar, Optimus)
Jipe (Robocar)
Jipe (Malignus)
Pick-Up (Robocar)
Pick-Up (Malignus)
Sedan
Volks
Salt-Man X
Salt-Man Z
Esporte
Jipe (Eletrix)
Porsche
Pick-Up (Bat-Robo)
Turbo
Radio AM Robot

456 + 127 + 17 = 600

..................................................
So for me, I have a...

95% complete Anglo G1 collection
42% complete Japanese G1 collection (admittedly most of these are reissues)
0% complete Latin American G1 collection
-------------------
81% complete G1 collection

[DELTAprime]

I was just thinking about repaints of the G1 SS figures. Given how many smaller run repaints and exclusives Hasbro like to churn out these days it seems odd to me we haven't seen any sign of repaints like Action Master Jazz and Starscream or G2 Dinobots that are major departures from their normal G1 animation model and toy colouring.

It might not be a tonne of money, but there is some money being left on the table.

[Tha_Phantom]

I was wondering just how many G1 Transformers are there. I normally only think about Anglophone G1 for obvious reasons, but I was thinking about how many G1 TFs there would be if I included those released outside the Anglosphere (i.e. Japanese and Latin American). And the answer I came up with was 600.

Whilst the term "anglophone" isn't inaccurate, I do find that it's a bit too broad as it combines different markets into one. For instance, America didn't get the later G1 figures like Europe and Australia. To them, a complete G1 collection stops at 1991.
I'd have split it into US G1 and Euro/Aus G1 like you have for Japan and Latin America.
But... as you said, it's subjective anyway. I mean we could be super nitpicky and count all the different stamps, mould/deco variations, packaging variants, etc and the list would easily go over 2000. I don't think it would even be possible for any one person to own every single variation out there, since some are so rare there's only one or two known to have survived like some of the MOSC Latin America figures - and the people who own those won't be letting go of them any time soon!
Anyway, that's my two cents. :)

[DELTAprime]

Whilst the term "anglophone" isn't inaccurate, I do find that it's a bit too broad as it combines different markets into one. For instance, America didn't get the later G1 figures like Europe and Australia. To them, a complete G1 collection stops at 1991.
I'd have split it into US G1 and Euro/Aus G1 like you have for Japan and Latin America.
But... as you said, it's subjective anyway. I mean we could be super nitpicky and count all the different stamps, mould/deco variations, packaging variants, etc and the list would easily go over 2000. I don't think it would even be possible for any one person to own every single variation out there, since some are so rare there's only one or two known to have survived like some of the MOSC Latin America figures - and the people who own those won't be letting go of them any time soon!
Anyway, that's my two cents. :)

For me, I break them up into US, JP and EU G1. But I'm also quick to recognise they are all part of the greater Pantheon of G1. With the greater Pantheon of G1, I can include characters like Windblade and Drift that are important to me, but not in the '84 to '93 run.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Twitch from Earthspark looks eerily like Kaon from the DJD :eek:

[GoktimusPrime]

Whilst the term "anglophone" isn't inaccurate, I do find that it's a bit too broad as it combines different markets into one. For instance, America didn't get the later G1 figures like Europe and Australia. To them, a complete G1 collection stops at 1991.
I'd have split it into US G1 and Euro/Aus G1 like you have for Japan and Latin America.
But... as you said, it's subjective anyway.
Whether or not you want to sub-divide Anglophone G1, the end result (total G1) works out to be the same anyway. :p


I mean we could be super nitpicky and count all the different stamps, mould/deco variations, packaging variants, etc and the list would easily go over 2000. I don't think it would even be possible for any one person to own every single variation out there, since some are so rare there's only one or two known to have survived like some of the MOSC Latin America figures - and the people who own those won't be letting go of them any time soon!
As Stephen Sansweet* once said, it's impossible for anyone to ever have a complete collection due to the existence of not only variants, but foreign variants.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*person with the world's largest Star Wars collection, housed in a 828m^2 building (approx. x2.8 the size of Kirribilli House!) :eek:

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I was just thinking about repaints of the G1 SS figures. Given how many smaller run repaints and exclusives Hasbro like to churn out these days it seems odd to me we haven't seen any sign of repaints like Action Master Jazz and Starscream or G2 Dinobots that are major departures from their normal G1 animation model and toy colouring.

It might not be a tonne of money, but there is some money being left on the table.

Yeah, It's odd all right, I would definitely chow down on a G2 SS Grimlock of the blue persuasion, or even seeing a super bright "UK Comic colour" version like they did with the MP. Feels a bit like a missed opportunity. Unless they feel that if they did G2 Grombo, they'd have to do G2 other Dinos (although I think they only did three in G2 right?)

[Bidoofdude]

Tarantulas’s name is supposed to be a riff of sorts on “tarantula”, much like Rhinox, Rattrap or Scorponok. It took me until today though, 52 episodes (the whole series) into Beast Wars and a Google search to realise that the special name they came up with is just the plural word for tarantula.

It’s a normal ass word.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

It’s a normal ass word.
　(≖_≖ )


;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Tarantulas’s name is supposed to be a riff of sorts on “tarantula”, much like Rhinox, Rattrap or Scorponok. It took me until today though, 52 episodes (the whole series) into Beast Wars and a Google search to realise that the special name they came up with is just the plural word for tarantula.
:D Tarantulas was even pronounced like the regular word (either in singular or plural form) - so either "Ta-ran-chew-ler" or "Ta-ran-chew-lerz" - until the Beast Wars cartoon later came along and changed the pronunciation to "Ta-ran-chew-less." :D

Yes, I know that the "Tarantulas" name always had an S at the end of it, but you can hear the announcer on the toy commercial just say "Tarantula."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1YTqgyq2E
"But treacherous Tarantula mutates and counterattacks."

From beast to bot, the action's hot!

[griffin]

A website run by a Transformers fan has been archiving scans of the vintage 1980s Transformers story books and colouring books, and he has just added another one (https://camphortree.net/tf/books/coloring/invasion/) with scans and info of the colouring book called "The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp" set after the 1986 movie.
From there you can check out a lot of other 1980s Transformers books (http://www.camphortree.net/tf/books/).

[DELTAprime]

A website run by a Transformers fan has been archiving scans of the vintage 1980s Transformers story books and colouring books, and he has just added another one (https://camphortree.net/tf/books/coloring/invasion/) with scans and info of the colouring book called "The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp" set after the 1986 movie.
From there you can check out a lot of other 1980s Transformers books (http://www.camphortree.net/tf/books/).

Despite knowing how it happened, it's really strange seeing all the different interpretations of an animation model used in these books. Some look like the artist were given toys and no other material. Others look like they had actual character models to reference. It's almost like the Transformers equivalent of seeing the Mcquarrie Luke Starkiller, Darth Vader and C3PO.

[Paulbot]

Didn't know he was still updating that. It's a great resource. I still have my copy of most of those books

His copy has some different markings on the cover, and content on the back cover (mine is blank) and different ISBN number. The publishing details (on an American copy?) still say the same, local production with American spellings.

Looking through mine I added some more dialogue to the book.

[JJJ]

Oh, I'd forgotten those books. I had a few. Make that have - I believe I can still put my hands on them...

And looking at them, they shaped my internal images of some characters quite importantly. For example, Earl Norem's rendition of Galvatron in Car Show Blow Up is how I see him, in my head, even more so than the Geoff Senior/Gina Hart version that I love so much. Seems both were working from the same guide - I wonder who their art direction came from? Because that somewhat specific "look" for Galvatron was never seen in the cartoon, and wasn't used in the US comics (well, not until the US comics were taken over by the UK crew, and even then with variation :)), only in these books and the UK comics early on.

[DELTAprime]

I just purchased my first Nerf gun, a Fortnite SCAR Assult Rifle. (yes it is based on the extremely popular in video games SCAR-H which is also used by the real-life US Special Forces).

It got me thinking about the fact Hasbro owns both Transformers and Nerf, yet they haven't done much in the way of Nerf and Transformers crossovers. I'm sure there would be good money in it for both brands to make a G1 Optimus Prime Ion Blaster or Megatron Fusion Cannon. They could very easily use the Nerf grenades from the Fortnite Grenade launcher as bullets in human-scaled Nerf versions of G1 transformers guns.

[Skyfire]

Given that some Fortnite Nerf guns look similar to their real world models, I will kindly ask Nerf Santa to modify the SP-L blaster into a transforming and shooting G1 Megatron Walther P38-esque weapon ;).

[Paulbot]

Voting for the 2022 end of year fan awards will start at the end of this week, I'll probably make the links live on New Years Eve.

[Paulbot]

Found Kingdom Waspinator a pain to transform. Legacy Inferno is much nicer. Made me think a voyager Waspinator might solve the problem, but then gave Inferno a second look and it wouldn’t be impossibly to repaint Inferno into Waspinator, give him a new head and wings, and keep the rocket part closed….

[Skyfire]

After months of shelfwarming wave 1 Legacy Deluxes, Myer are now getting wave 2, 3 and 4 (Evolution wave 1) all at once. Whoever can take a picture of all 5 Stunticons sitting on the same Myer shelf wins the coolness award!

[Lint]

After months of shelfwarming wave 1 Legacy Deluxes, Myer are now getting wave 2, 3 and 4 (Evolution wave 1) all at once. Whoever can take a picture of all 5 Stunticons sitting on the same Myer shelf wins the coolness award!

It would be 1990 again!

[Skyfire]

JB Hifi City
1x Core Sludge
3x Scrapbook
4x Hot Shot
4x Leo Prime
1x Tarn
4x Magnificus


Carindale JB HI FI - they have legacy evolution. They have Sludge, scrapbook, hot shot, Leo prime, and Tarn.


Looked today - no Breakdowns left (although I spied one reserved behind the counter)
About 10 Scrapbooks, 1-2 Needlenose and at least 20 Hot Shots.
Nothing at Myer Miranda as of Sunday.


Picked up Hot Shot and Scrapface from Myer Macquarie - Needlenose and Breakdown had already gone

Poor Scrappy-Doo! Err, Scraphook. Looks like autocorrect is confusing him with the famous Junkion archivist.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I just discovered that POTP Blot has hinges(in/out) and swivelsFront/back) in his monster hip joints. Before I just thought he had swivels for fwd/back. My love for Blot has just increased 10-fold!

[Skyfire]

There's this person who drives a car with the licence plate MEGATRON who shares my work commute. I wonder if they are a member here. Imagine car pooling with Megatron, lol.

[KELPIE]

I just discovered that POTP Blot has hinges(in/out) and swivelsFront/back) in his monster hip joints. Before I just thought he had swivels for fwd/back. My love for Blot has just increased 10-fold!

Truly is a marvellous figure.

[Tha_Phantom]

Found Kingdom Waspinator a pain to transform. Legacy Inferno is much nicer.

That was my first impression of Waspinator too. So I left it and came back to it a few months later and found it much more enjoyable. I think it's one of those moulds that needs to be loosened up before it "works" properly.
That said, I still agree that Inferno is much nicer, but I do hope Waspy grows on you.

[Cat]

"What danger?"

https://i.imgur.com/V1pDmgf.jpeg

[SharkyMcShark]

Does Dr Lockdown post here? I've been watching some of his stuff on YouTube and he referenced and had a pic of GoktimusPrime in one of his videos.

[DrLockdown]

Haha. Don't really. Got sent this post through a friend.

I have an account, but I mostly use Facebook, Twitter and Discord these days (aside from the obvious Youtube).

[SharkyMcShark]

Haha. Don't really. Got sent this post through a friend.

I have an account, but I mostly use Facebook, Twitter and Discord these days (aside from the obvious Youtube).

Oh delightful!

I just wanted to say that I've been enjoying your content recently after only stumbling across it on the weekend.

[GoktimusPrime]

Is it too soon to be doing CHUG Aligned TFs?

Today I saw loads of Legacy Arcees and Bulkheads in a bargain bin, which has lead me to wonder... is it too soon to start targeting the children of the 10s who grew up with TF Aligned? The children who played with Aligned TFs would still be in high school now, such as kids around my daughter's age. To put things in perspective for us G1 kids, we are now about as chronologically distant from the advent of Aligned TFs as Generation 2 was from G1. Many of us G1 kids were tweens or teens during the G2 years (1993-95).

"But we still collected Transformers toys during those years, what's changed?"
Firstly, a lot of us didn't collect Transformers during the G2 years. A lot of TF fans tapped out of the fandom during the later G1 years. Secondly, G2 had a slow start due the the first year of toys being all rehashed G1 moulds (ex. Megatron). G2 picked up more in 1994-95 when it started giving us new characters. While Legacy Arcee and Bulkhead are whole new toys, they aren't new characters. And price-sensitive kids are less likely to purchase toys that are repeats of the same character.

HasTak really didn't do a whole lot for us collectors for the brand's 10th anniversary in 1994. There was G2 Breakdown released in BotCon USA '94, but BotCon was something that was organised by fans (i.e. the Hartmans and Glen Hallit), with G2 Breakdown being a toy that was produced in small numbers but was cancelled for release; it wasn't explicitly made for the convention. Japan did release a 10th anniversary TFTM on VHS (which was the first time that I ever saw the "Superman" style credits; at the time I thought it was custom made for that video release; it would be years later that I would learn that it's the original US theatrical version :p - the Australian theatrical cut had the narrated text crawl, same as the European release). The 20th and 30th anniversaries were bigger deals; with Binaltech/Alternators and Masterpiece being part of the 20th anniv., and the whole "Thrilling 30" launching the current Generations branch of CHUG which continues to this day (now with the Studio Series and Legacy sub-titles); not to mention the acquisition of the Volkswagen licence and another live action movie (Age of Extinction) for that year. So given how low-key the 10th anniversary of G1 was in '94 vs the much larger 20th and 30th anniversaries in '04 and '14 respectively, I do wonder if the 10th(ish) anniversary of Aligned is too soon to be churning out CHUG figures?

Unicron Trilogy CHUG
UT CHUGs seem to be quite popular now, with both Legacy Armada Starscream and Hot Shot being strong sellers, and with more UT CHUG toys on the way. But of course, we are now in the 20th anniversary zone of Armadaverse, which seems to be the minimum time to start marketing toys at collectors. The children of Armada would be about the same age that we G1 kids were when we started collecting Masterpiece and Binaltech; importantly, we had jobs and disposable incomes - something that most of us didn't have as teenagers in 1994. I don't recall Universe Hot Shot being released here; I got mine from overseas. But that was in 2008, only half a decade since Armada. Then we had Combiner Wars Armada Megatron in 2015, about 12 years after Armada; and again, at only tennish years later, it seemed to be too soon for most children of the Unicron Trilogy to be buying toys like this. I know some did; I was with Handsprime when he bought his CW Armada Megatron (and I bought the G1 version at the same time :)); but I do remember Armada Megatron taking a jolly long time to sell, so I'd say that UT kids like Handsprime were in the minority. I think that now seems like a much better time to be doing Armadaverse in CHUG. :)
"But Titan Class Cybertron Metroplex is shelfwarming."
Is he, though? Titans are always slow sellers. Thrilling 30 Metroplex was a massive shelfwarmer, to the point that Target had it on clearance for $80. And some retailers had Kingdom Autobot Ark on clearance for $99 not long ago. Titans aren't just expensive, but they take up a lot of space. Heck, I've skipped some Titans due to the sheer lack of space to keep them (not necessarily because I wouldn't mind having them or couldn't afford them).

So where are the Car Robot/RiD CHUGs?
We had Thrilling 30 Sky-Byte in 2014, which shelfwarmed; I grabbed mine for $20 on clearance from ToyMate. Again, we see that trying to cash in on fan nostalgia before that magic 20th anniversary mark just doesn't seem to work. But Legacy Velocitron Scourge has sold really well; released 22 years after CR - so again, it's past that 20 year mark. I reckon new CHUG updates of Car Robot toys would sell quite well. Imagine having Core Class Spychangers! :)

[Paulbot]

Big W has the Retro G1 Starscream rerelease listed now for the frankly absurd price of $69
https://www.bigw.com.au/product/the-transformers-the-movie-starscream-transformers-retro/p/256480

Big W now has online (only) The Transformers: The Movie Retro G1, releasing 5/4/23, each $69:

Thundercracker (https://www.bigw.com.au/product/the-transformers-the-movie-retro-g1-thundercracker/p/256483).
Hound (https://www.bigw.com.au/product/the-transformers-the-movie-retro-g1-autobot-hound/p/256481).

Free shipping at $100.

https://i.imgur.com/ACZZE7hh.png

[Tha_Phantom]

https://i.imgur.com/ACZZE7hh.png

Yeah I'm over the guessing games. I just ordered a few from Robot Kingdom for myself and some friends.

[GoktimusPrime]

Can of Worms: gender representation in the Transformers

mild EarthsPark spoilers ahead
(i.e. if you don't know who Nightshade is)

Transformers EarthsPark spoiler space
Transformers EarthspArk spoiler space
Transformers EarThspark spoiler space

Firstly, let me just say that gender has always been a weird concept for the Transformers, as a species of sexless and genderless alien robots. The fact is that Transformers have genders because:
a/ the human audience that it's intended for has genders
b/ the human performers who voice these characters have genders
c/ the English language cannot function without gendered pronouns (other languages like Japanese can, but not English); it's even more serious in other languages like French etc.

But we suspend disbelief. Transformers having genders is like Transformers having humanoid bodies with faces, noses, mouths etc., speaking English before modern Earth-contact, having Earth-based names that should be impossible to exist on Cybertron (e.g. Bumblebee, Hound etc.) etc. - but these things all exist in the Transformers for the sake of the audience. Simple. Being a gender neutral Transformer is no better or worse than being a male or female Transformer... they're all equally nonsense in the context of alien robots. :p But it's just a thing that's existed since the beginning of the Transformers, and it's not gonna go away.

https://i.ibb.co/QrM1jmN/temp.jpg

But Transformers has kinda always sucked at representing Cybertronian non-male genders.

Part 1: Female Cybertronians

I'm not gonna go into the history of female Transformers; we all know how they came about ... you don't need a history lesson.
But something I'd like to point out is that G1 canon often had to rub the female TFs' genders in our faces. From the oddly effeminate body designs of characters like Arcee, Elita-1, Chromia, Moonracer etc. that are so impractical that it's hard to make G1-accurate toys of these characters without making them backpackformers, even at an MP level; to episodes like "The Search for Alpha Trion" where the male characters have to act surprised that female Autobots exist, and how they're treated as a separate caste from the male Autobots... Cybertron is clearly a gender segregated society! :o The word "female Autobots" gets thrown around a lot, Starscream making jokes about the Autobots' "girlfriends" blah blah blah. The female Transformers aren't allowed to just exist incidentally; the audience needs regular reminders about their gender.

Nowadays it's no longer a big deal if a Cybertronian is male or female. In the Bumblebee movie Shatter is a female Decepticon while Dropkick is male... no biggie, it's just incidental. Both Shatter and Dropkick are equal threats to Bumblebee and Sector Seven; you could change their genders and the story would remain the same. We also saw this happen in Beast Wars and the Unicron Trilogy, where Airazor's gender was changed in Japan, and Nitro Convoy's (Override's) gender was changed outside of Japan. No biggie. The Seekers in Cyberverse are a mix of males and females; doesn't matter, they still work the same either way.

Part 2: Gender Neutral Cybertronian

We have had non-binary TFs before, namely in the IDW comics where we saw characters as being gender fluid. But Nightshade is gender-neutral; Nightshade has no gender and the show constantly reminds us that Nightshade's pronouns are 'they' and 'them.' I don't have an issue with having a gender neutral Transformer per se; as I said before, it's no better or worse than having gendered TFs. Fine. But does the show really need to constantly remind us of this? IMO it's about as cringeworthy as "The Search of Alpha Trion" having to constantly remind us that the female Autobots are female. About as subtle as Michael Bay with an exploding sledgehammer.

IMO if you want to have male, female or genderless TFs, fine... but just make their gender incidental. I think that Challenge of the Machine Men did a better of job of gender inclusiveness; characters like Crasher, Small Foot, Pathfinder etc. were female, but no special attention was ever drawn to their gender. Crasher never declared that the Guardians would be facing the menacing might of a female Renegade... she just attacked them and they would fight back, same as any other Renegade. Characters like Crasher was given lipstick, sure, but others like Pathfinder who had a faceplate never had any typical female cosmetic markers in her design. The only way you could tell that she was female was through the use of female pronouns and hearing her voice actress' female voice... that was it. It was all incidental, never rubbing it in your face.

It's like the "seeds of the future are buried in the past" line from Beast Machines, or the "with great power comes great responsibility" line from Spider-Man. "My pronouns are they and them." Yeah, no crap. We got it after the first ten times that you've said it. No need to keep drilling it into our skulls! :D I would much rather they just play it cool and have Nightshade's gender be revealed more naturally... just by having characters refer to Nightshade with gender-neutral pronouns and let the audience work it out. Nobody ever points out that Twitch, Elita-1, Hashtag and Frenzy are female... we just know that they are. And people would know that Nightshade is gender neutral too without the show having to point it out to our faces. Children aren't idiots. We were able to work out who the male and female Machine Men were as kids in the 80s without that show explicitly telling us who was what. The irony here is that the Machine Men are alien cyborgs who do have actual genders (they have organic brains in robot bodies). Crasher is as female as Kusanagi Motoko is from Ghost in the Shell etc. :)

https://i.ibb.co/strg7Gp/female-machinemen.jpg
Note that the Enemy (Renegade) Spoiler is arguably gender fluid, as Spoiler's gender alternates between female and male in different canonical sources; and this was all in the 1980s!

[Paulbot]

Did you watch the last two episodes? Representation matters both in universe and in our real world (where non-binary people are under full blown attack at the moment).

[Cat]

I think it's good they're introducing the 'concept' to children and explaining it to them, as sadly it does need to be said. I feel like you may have blown this out of proportion, and that any repetition on the subject is needed at this stage. Now, if we were talking in 20 years time things would (hopefully) be very different, but we're not.

Never forget the true target audience of these shows. It's not us.

[JJJ]

Constantly reminds us?

Perhaps you should go back and count. It is far from constant. I go so far as to say a mere handful of times. Sounds like confirmation bias - you notice it because it, for whatever reason, stands out to you, but you aren't noticing all the other pronoun use (because that doesn't stand out to you). "Nobody ever points out that Twitch, Elita-1, Hashtag and Frenzy are female... we just know that they are" - except that it is being pointed out all the time - by the use of she and her. But because that's entirely commonplace for you, you don't even realise that you are being constantly reminded of it.

Why was the 80s cartoon like that? Because it was made for 8-year-old boys, and that's how 8-year-old boys (at least those enculturated in the west, especially the US) behave toward girls. I certainly recall being like that.

[GoktimusPrime]

I think it's good they're introducing the 'concept' to children and explaining it to them, as sadly it does need to be said. I feel like you may have blown this out of proportion, and that any repetition on the subject is needed at this stage. Now, if we were talking in 20 years time things would (hopefully) be very different, but we're not.

Never forget the true target audience of these shows. It's not us.
That's what perplexes me. Kids today know all about gender/orientation diversity. They are growing up in a time where marriage equality exists and LGBTIQ+ inclusiveness is taught in schools.

We don't need to wait 20 years in the future, it's already here. :cool:


Sounds like confirmation bias - you notice it because it, for whatever reason, stands out to you, but you aren't noticing all the other pronoun use (because that doesn't stand out to you). "Nobody ever points out that Twitch, Elita-1, Hashtag and Frenzy are female... we just know that they are" - except that it is being pointed out all the time - by the use of she and her. But because that's entirely commonplace for you, you don't even realise that you are being constantly reminded of it.
I think you've hit the nail on the head there for me. :) Nightshade's gender-neutral pronouns stand out more to me because the show takes the time to explicitly point it out instead of just using it naturally and allowing the audience to notice it organically. I would prefer the latter because that's how it works in real life. Every transgender and gender neutral person that I know doesn't go around telling people what their preferred pronouns are. We just know and recognise it as we would for anyone else. It just happens.


Why was the 80s cartoon like that? Because it was made for 8-year-old boys, and that's how 8-year-old boys (at least those enculturated in the west, especially the US) behave toward girls. I certainly recall being like that.
But Challenge of the Machine Men was not like that, and that was in the 80s too.

I understand that representation matters, which is why female Transformers also exist. It's just that having the show explicitly tell/remind the audience that Nightshade is gender neutral felt a bit too on the nose. There's a saying that we have in teaching, "show, don't tell." Children aren't idiots, and kids these days are very acutely aware of the LGBTIQ+ community.

FWIW I thought the scene where Nightshade connects with that non-binary human was pretty awesome amid an episode that explicitly dealt with bigotry. I also really liked how Robby's friend Stevie was shown changing the graffiti from "Transformers Go Home" to "Transformers Are Home." Having an episode that highlights prejudice is not a new thing, but I think this is the first time that I've seen a kids cartoon where a character who was bigoted changing his views and becoming an ally. :cool: Also, bear in mind that non-cis/binary characters in TFs isn't a new thing. Beast Wars Metals gave us the first same-sex couple in 1999, and IDW started giving us transgender Cybertronian characters 6 years ago.
https://i.ibb.co/Q9p3zrw/temp.jpg
^Shouldn't she be referred to as la capitana?

Allow me to make it Crystal City clear that I have zero issue with greater representation in Transformers canon. I just find that way that the EarthSpark show feels the need to explicitly tell the audience what Nightshade's preferred pronouns are to be a bit too on the nose. I would prefer for it to be just done more naturally is all.

Just my 2c. This is by NO means a criticism of the show or character. :)

P.S.: I do like how the show has also given the Decepticons a more diverse range of eye colours; they're not all red-eyed. Even Starscream sports blue eyes*! We've yet to see a red-eyed Autobot though, but here's hoping. :) I like how Twitch and Nightshade are the two Terrans who don't have blue-eyes.

(*except for his first appearance when he had red eyes... whoops :p).

[JJJ]

That's what perplexes me. Kids today know all about gender/orientation diversity. They are growing up in a time where marriage equality exists and LGBTIQ+ inclusiveness is taught in schools.

Yes, some schools teach this. Not all, and certainly not the majority. And if you haven't noticed, even here in Australia there is serious push-back against it. I'll not even get into the USian situation (and this is made for a USian audience, after all).


I think you've hit the nail on the head there for me. :) Nightshade's gender-neutral pronouns stand out more to me because the show takes the time to explicitly point it out instead of just using it naturally and allowing the audience to notice it organically. I would prefer the latter because that's how it works in real life. Every transgender and gender neutral person that I know doesn't go around telling people what their preferred pronouns are. We just know and recognise it as we would for anyone else. It just happens.

Sorry, but that is not my experience. My experience is that transgender and gender-neutral people have to make quite the effort to be recognised, to be accepted (and also receive quite a lot of ridicule and scorn). For a start, there's nothing that automatically tells me that someone is gender-neutral - from acculturation, I (wrongly, I freely admit - but I am a product of my society) presume them to be male or female based on their presentation. It is only when someone tells me that they are non-binary that I know; and how else would I know?

And from memory, that's exactly when Nightshade mentioned their pronouns - when meeting new people who don't already know them.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yes, some schools teach this. Not all, and certainly not the majority. And if you haven't noticed, even here in Australia there is serious push-back against it. I'll not even get into the USian situation (and this is made for a USian audience, after all).
All public schools in Australia (which are the majority of schools), and many non-government schools teach this. This was initiated by the Safe Schools programme which began in Victoria in 2010, then it became national in 2013 and the programme was dissolved in 2017 because it's not needed anymore. LGBTIQ+ is fully integrated and embedded across schools now, nationwide. It's also part of the law, namely the Anti-Discrimination Act. So yeah, for at least a decade now this has been the norm in schools across the country, meaning that our current Year 12 students have also been fully educated about this since they were in early primary school. homophobia etc.

This isn't to say that homophobia doesn't exist in schools anymore, it does. But it's like racism now. Saying or doing something homophobic these days is equivalent to saying or doing something racist. Schools are also legally required to have a staff member act as the anti-discrimination officer. That staff member is given special training to deal with things like racism, sexism, homophobia etc., and schools have explicit policies in dealing with such behaviour, should it occur.


For a start, there's nothing that automatically tells me that someone is gender-neutral - from acculturation, I (wrongly, I freely admit - but I am a product of my society) presume them to be male or female based on their presentation. It is only when someone tells me that they are non-binary that I know; and how else would I know?
As you said, you are a product of your society/upbringing. Perhaps I'm fortunate that via my workplace, I've been educated about these things, and I practise it too because we have had and continue to have openly gender-neutral and transgender students. :) Safe Schools has, as its name states, made it safe for LGBTIQ+ people to openly be themselves at school. We also have kids who come from households with openly LGBTIQ+ parents; this is nothing new, of course, but now families no longer feel the need to hide it. :)

Given that, as you said, the target audience for this cartoon is children, it just feels excessive to have to point out what is, for their generation, something that is bleedingly obvious. :) When Safe Schools first started, a lot of people criticised it as a conspiracy to "indoctrinate" or "convert" kids to being gay (hahaha), but of course it was a programme to educate children. And it's worked incredibly well. :)

[DELTAprime]

Can we please drop this very polarising societal issue before the moderators have to start deleting comments and banning users?

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Can we please drop this very polarising societal issue before the moderators have to start deleting comments and banning users?

As long as the discussion stays civil (which it appears to have done so), then there is no problem in discussing it. Just ignoring things because the might go awry limits progress.

I've not watched the show, but from reading Gok's comments, it seems that the writers are being a bit lazy/heavy handed with how the character in question is being written. Which could be justified, since the show is probably aimed more at Americans over Australians and they may not have the benefit of a programme like Safe Schools in their educational institutions.

[Tha_Phantom]

Just ignoring things because the might go awry limits progress.

Glad I wasn't the only person thinking this.

[Paulbot]

I've not watched the show, but from reading Gok's comments, it seems that the writers are being a bit lazy/heavy handed with how the character in question is being written.

No, they are not. I’ve watched the show but didn’t write five paragraphs about how delicately they tell the story of Nightshafe Learning and understanding over a series of episodes, it’s a character arc . If you only listen to a person complaining there lies trouble.

[Cat]

I mean, children may well know these days, but they've still got to learn somewhere, and a cartoon sounds like a great place to teach them, and even if they already know doesn't mean I'd want them to chuck them out the NB character/s. Just because it's good in your bubble (no offence intended with that term) doesn't mean things are good everywhere. It's definitely still a fight for rights and recognition, and we need to realise that, especially in the US where things are sadly getting worse, not better. We need to support these kinds of initiatives all we can, and be vocal about it, IMO, not critical. The fact that this is our first openly NB character in a cartoon in 2023 says something, and a representation of 1 for kids isnt much at all. We want them to have a diverse range of characters to choose from, just as the rest of us do (if you associate yourselves with a TF character, I sure don't, but I think I'm an outlier). Plus take into account all the other kids media that doesn't have representation yet and the picture becomes even worse.

[GoktimusPrime]

All good points. My point was never about the message itself, but more to do with what feels to me like an unnatural overuse of exposition. :)

I prefer it when representation is just done more organically. Take Tom Holland Spider-Man for example; those movies just introduce a diverse range of characters but it's never explicitly pointed out. But after I saw No Way Home, I went and re-watched the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield Spider-Man movies, and I was suddenly made aware of just how White everyone is in those films! :eek: Spider-Man is set in New York, which of course is famous for being a massive melting pot of different peoples... it makes more sense for Spider-Man to have a diverse cast. And the MCU in general is a pretty diverse cast. A lot of kids today don't even know that Nick Fury was originally a White dude. :)

[JJJ]

Okay, I'm a bit stumped here. How would you show that someone is NB without actually stating it? How would you make their preferred pronouns known without, well, stating them? Sure, you could have everyone just refer to them as, well, them :), but where would that have come from? Why did they start doing that, in the world of the cartoon? And how would you treat meeting new people?

Gender diversity is much more difficult to show than something like skin colour or language or accent, because there are no simple and obvious cues.

[Paulbot]

A bit of a general appreciation post here rather than on various review threads: Dean085 you take and post such great pics of these figures, really make them look amazing and changing my mind on some I was on the fence about.


Got Pointblank the other week. Will be getting the toyhax stickers for him

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4m8-KPFT35g8Zcq4SszMs_cCcoqjXpfy-IYtH7ZnTM9k4P3x78oOGE0j8_lSQ4NaXZBJvcgIWLDz205W5wy zT1OkWIhQEkuDF2zbhsLD5MpgEnN6VVadvZ0vUSC54R4AoQELP UupiAQKNCXhStN5UVYQm0QocxBKzVjozfRSH7RXRlC-RQa8TBjOD9QTPhQVgH?width=855&height=1024&cropmode=none


Battletrap is an awesome figure. Highly recommended. Gave him a combiner wars shotgun. Also you can angle the black hooks behind his shoulders in bot mode to hide them more.

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4mxjIqEG-fQFlHc3iKdDIDXcebdc-q3fxyyi3ordUicXzQYb9atZ5qz_4pzwi5s7F8L9kGs_LwrShD1 KiZPYcVrIO8iu9LvsawMxgxognVb1c2Gf7F-Z5Rfh4cQEdMf5zmp-wjZE1Iowdf0wAkYhKVABTCe7VbKCQZyhRR8bLzajPmcwYOHLrq OBqQFJSitlRU?width=786&height=1024&cropmode=none


Tarn looking to take down some Autobots

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4mnjDwBEogB62iOi0nrX7rfwo-mhh1GvFJ6Ce6X1s-b9YToMqXKNpc-p8ymVL0g3H3jJXteP1QK6iqppUYYUay8ZskNE8jGssiC94gIY3 xStA5mNAv-k4MeaUawsheoWuPny6u9vZJpsZ_kU9g7SuArc12gKhWML61q20 6RcYUUFHjm0OpifUTLeTqQ24mON2J?width=871&height=1024&cropmode=none


Glad I didn't order Breakdown with Amazon. I'm waiting on Wreck n Rule Springer which is saying March 30-31.

https://dsm01pap009files.storage.live.com/y4msGzobpCXkVUBOILiWk6dTir9pFrw8T9tCmqTnMdnMUvTUPt hbpE318KEhqoWZUeOJQ4WHv_NaKnoHYh5dvubsgqkWBzeFVb6z 08v1EMO1e5D3Mz9KZhu5UpgcZPOgLu2V8aSZdypF1PZXUm9ASX hP5lXMLCH638sGZRs-QKoaNDmUakVWG0uhNx1Q6_MOVBF?width=1024&height=931&cropmode=none

[GoktimusPrime]

I really love how Hasbro has made Nemesis into a female Decepticon Titan, given that Nemesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemesis) is the Greek goddess of retribution.

[JJJ]

Was wondering if anyone else knew the classical allusion :)

And I've just seen the pics - oooooooh yes please!

[Cat]

https://dcist.com/story/23/04/06/transformers-statues-removal-georgetown-dc-neighborhood-fight/

[GoktimusPrime]

So he's put Transformers sculptures on land that doesn't belong to him without permission, and they're going to be removed? Doesn't seem like much news to me. It's not as if he's displaying them on his own front porch or lawn etc. It seems like that this would be the equivalent of putting something on a footpath.

[Cat]

So he's put Transformers sculptures on land that doesn't belong to him without permission, and they're going to be removed? Doesn't seem like much news to me. It's not as if he's displaying them on his own front porch or lawn etc. It seems like that this would be the equivalent of putting something on a footpath.

My understanding was that it is his land, but that there are rules in the neighbourhood prohibiting that kind of thing. Or at least, the neighbours are trying to enforce some kind of ruling. It does seem to be on his property.

[DELTAprime]

My understanding was that it is his land, but that there are rules in the neighbourhood prohibiting that kind of thing. Or at least, the neighbours are trying to enforce some kind of ruling. It does seem to be on his property.

My understanding is it's one of those stupid laws preventing people from making modifications to "historic" house's that they are the owner of.

[Tha_Phantom]

My understanding is it's one of those stupid laws preventing people from making modifications to "historic" house's that they are the owner of.

I'm not the biggest fan of heritage sites being a thing, but at the same time if you agree to something upon purchase then that's on you to adhere to it. He's welcome to purchase property somewhere else and put up his statues.

[GoktimusPrime]

My understanding was that it is his land, but that there are rules in the neighbourhood prohibiting that kind of thing. Or at least, the neighbours are trying to enforce some kind of ruling. It does seem to be on his property.
If it's in a law or by-law then that makes it pretty clear cut. We have similar laws here too, depending on what kind of property you live on. Either way, it's the responsibility of residents to comply with these rules.
e.g. if you live in a strata title, you cannot hang your clothes out on your porch or balcony; your mailbox must be the same colour and shape as your neighbours etc.

[Cat]

If it's in a law or by-law then that makes it pretty clear cut. We have similar laws here too, depending on what kind of property you live on. Either way, it's the responsibility of residents to comply with these rules.
e.g. if you live in a strata title, you cannot hang your clothes out on your porch or balcony; your mailbox must be the same colour and shape as your neighbours etc.

I didn't even think of strata titles, you're absolutely right. I'd say they've got it worse though with Home Owners Associations. I'd never live in one of those. They sound awful.

[DELTAprime]

I was just thinking that it's been quite a few years since Titans Return came out. Might be time for Hasbro to heavily revisit the Head/Target/Powermaster era and give us more of those characters. Plus I wouldn't mind a new take on Powermaster Optimus.

[Paulbot]

Think the 87 Headmasters and Targetmasters are well done, just give us Sureshot!

But new toys of Nightbeat, GoShooter, Siren, Hosehead, Squeezeplay, and Horribull would be welcome

And all of the Powermasters, including Prime/Ginrai (Would like to see Commander size)and Dreadwind and Darkwing (would like to see as voyagers)

[Tha_Phantom]

And all of the Powermasters, including Prime/Ginrai (Would like to see Commander size)

Oh yes, I'd love a Powermaster Prime done on a commander budget!

[KELPIE]

Think the 87 Headmasters and Targetmasters are well done, just give us Sureshot!

But new toys of Nightbeat, GoShooter, Siren, Hosehead, Squeezeplay, and Horribull would be welcome

And all of the Powermasters, including Prime/Ginrai (Would like to see Commander size)and Dreadwind and Darkwing (would like to see as voyagers)
Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Slapdash!! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot! Sureshot!

[GoktimusPrime]

When Fiction Becomes Fact
Back in 1984, issue 1 of the Transformers Marvel comics described Cybertron as a rogue planet. i.e. a planet that was ejected from its mother star and wanders through the galaxy; specifically the Alpha Centauri galaxy. Issue 1 also states that it was the Cybertronian wars that caused Cybertron to be ejected. Cybertron was on collision course with an asteroid belt, and so the Autobots launched the Ark to clear a path for Cybertron. Now of course, while some science fiction like Transformers and Star Wars like to portray asteroid fields as being tightly bunched, in reality asteroids are gigametres apart from each other. There is a certain possibility of being on collision course with one deadly asteroid that could cause a mass-extinction event, but not heaps.

But in 1984 having tightly bunched asteroids wasn't the only scifi fantasy element, so was the idea of a rogue planet. Because back then, we didn't know that rogue planets existed. The first potential rogue planet was sighted in 1998, although astronomers aren't certain if it's a planet or a brown dwarf. Continual improvements in gravitational microlensing has allowed astronomers to confirm the existence of exoplanets in the 21st century, with the first confirmed sighting of a rogue planet in 2012. And in December 2021, up to 170 rogue planets are discovered. Astronomers have now discovered more rogue planets than fixed-orbital planets. This means that wandering worlds like Cybertron are actually in the majority, while planets that orbit a star like Earth are in the minority! :eek:

Cybertron in other media
Most other Transformers media don't seem to have definitively stated if Cybertron is a rogue or fixed-orbital planet. Sure, we can see day and night on Cybertron, but that could simply be Cybertron passing by a star much like a comet does; not necessarily fixed in an orbit around it. In the Sunbow cartoon, Galvatron once constructed a planetary engine (The Rebirth[i]) so that he could control Cybertron's movement. This means that Galvatron was either willing to use this engine to eject Cybertron from its mother star, or Cybertron was already a wandering planet and that Galvatron simply wanted to be able to [i]pilot the planet. Beast Machines, the one Transformers series that's entirely set on Cybertron, does show cycles of day and night, which does heavily imply that Cybertron is in a fixed-orbit around a star; so I would say that at least in the Beast Wars/Machines cartoon continuity, Cybertron is a fixed-orbital world. Mind you, in the Beast Era cartoon...
1 deca-cycle = 30 days
1 mega-cycle = 1 hour = 100,000 deca-cycles
1 day = 20 hours = 20 mega-cycles = 2,000,000 deca-cycles
...I don't get it either. :p
Or maybe Cybertron doesn't have a fixed stellar orbit in Beast Wars/Machines and time is measured by some other means beyond relative positions of stars and moons (and perhaps every day and night we see is just Cybertron hurtling past different stars and some ridiculous speed, because even at the speed of light it takes years to pass from one star to the next).

Yes, I'm overthinking this. :p

[KELPIE]

Thanks to Ultimate Doom, aren't we saying it's floating around our star?

[GoktimusPrime]

Thanks to Ultimate Doom, aren't we saying it's floating around our star?
Considering that they continued to use the Space Bridge to get to Cybertron and back, not to mention the massive long haul flight that nearly killed Omega Supreme etc., I'd say that Cybertron was hurtled out of the Solar System.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Presumably if we're going by the Western G1 cartoon, then it'd be where it ended up after The Rebirth 3-parter that'd determine its 'current' location.

The movie occurred in the far-flung future of 2005, and the series didn't seem to take 18-odd years after that for the Rebirth arc to happen, not unless the Witwicky family age really slowly. Like, Daniel would be ~30 years old, Spike would be 53, and Carly would presumably be somewhere around 60 at mimimum given she was an MIT graduate when she first met Spike who was ~14-16 years old at the time.

[GoktimusPrime]

IIRC according to the production bible, the "Witwicky boy" (Buster, Butch or Spike, depending on initial* continuity) was meant to be 17 years old in 1984. This means that he was 38 in 2005, and I think Daniel was supposed to be 10. The Rebirth takes place in 2007, so Spike would be 40 and Daniel would be 12.

"A Plague of Insecticons" was set in 1984, but "Dinobot Island" was set in 1985. Carly's debut episode was set in between these two episodes, so I'm not sure if it was meant to take place in 1984 or 1985; so, don't know when her exact birthday is, so Carly may be the same age as Spike or maybe a year older. Although it's not unusual for someone to still be 17 in their first semester at uni, or she may have even been accelerated with early admission or something, I dunno... either way, she's roughly the same age as Spike.

----------------------------------------------
*I know that Spike was later retconned as the Buster's older brother in 1987, but before then they were both pretty much the same character just with different names. IIRC the production bible said "the Witwicky boy," and while most G1 media went with "Buster," the Sunbow cartoon changed it to Spike and one of the colouring-in books changed it to Butch. Spike and Buster were retconned as brothers in '87 because Fortress Maximus. ;)

[DELTAprime]

We have gotten Alpha Trion, Orion Pax, Ariel and Dion over the last 12 months or so.

I'm thinking we might get some of these guys next year. Possible as Junkion remoulds.

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dropkick_(G1)

[Paulbot]

By now you'd think we'd have moved past the default "repaint Bumblebee in red and call it Cliffjumper" action

WFC Cliffjumper, Deluxe
https://www.amazon.com.au/Transforme...dp/B0BDHHDMM6/

(I guess it's "Game accruate"...)

[Tha_Phantom]

(I guess it's "Game accruate"...)

Yeah, if they did anything else people would complain about inaccuracy - and accuracy is what Studio Series is all about.
So they get a pass this time due to past laziness setting the precedent, but normally I'd agree.

[GoktimusPrime]

RE: Rise of the Beasts trailers and TV spots

I love the way that Optimus Prime transforms. It looks so much like the toy! :) It also just feels so much like a Transformer. A big relief after the bollocks non-toyetic transformation from Age of Extinction/Last Knight Optimus Prime. I won't post images here yet for those who are avoiding visual spoilers (the fact that Transformers transform shouldn't be a surprise :p).

[griffin]

I had been wondering why the War Dawn pack has Erial instead of Ariel... and then today I saw a big promo thing on TV for Disney's Little Mermaid movie that's out this year, and figured it out.
There is no way Hasbro could have used a name that Disney is currently using, in a big way, especially for a Transformers character name that hasn't been officially used as a toy by Hasbro yet (to claim some ownership of the name, beyond a cartoon or comic use).
It is one thing for Hasbro to intentionally push the buttons of Harmony Gold with Jetfire toys that resemble the original toy instead of the cartoon/comic character that the fans actually wanted, but the execs at Hasbro know better than to test out Disney's lawyers over the usage of a name. And unlike Harmony Gold, Hasbro actually has quite a few valuable licenses with Disney, so there was no way they would risk millions of dollars over a few thousand toys of a very obscure Transformers character (to the point of not even risking the name with a prefix, like "Autobot" or such, that they have used on names that can't be trademarked).

[KELPIE]

Yeah they made a couple funny jokes about it on the live stream where announced...

Had everything to do with the synergy of Erial and Elita-1, both beginning with "E" and nothing to do with a certain popular property.... hahah :)

[GoktimusPrime]

At least they didn't call her Decepticon Runner. Or Tankor. Or Scattor. ;)

Saw a clip where Steve Caple Jr. said that he grew up as a fan of Transformers when he was a kid. Given that he was born in the late 80s, the 90s would've been his childhood years. He didn't specifically state that he was a fan of Beast Wars per se, but he would've been in the prime age bracket for BW. And Peter Cullen said that he's had the most fun working on Rise of the Beasts.

IMO I think what a movie needs is a director who cares; which helps if they have a childhood attachment to the property that's being adapted. We saw this with Travis Knight who was a fan of Transformers as an 80s kid - Bumblebee wasn't a flawless movie but it was a good movie with heart. And if Rise of the Beasts can at least match this, then I'd be one happy camper. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic on this one because I've never seen any of Caple's films before (whereas I was familiar with Kubo and the Two Strings before I saw Bumblebee, so I was aware of Knight's talents as a filmmaker). :)

[GoktimusPrime]

Today marks the 30th anniversary of when the Transformers Generation 2 cartoon first aired on Australian television. :)

[GoktimusPrime]

A nihilist by any other name...
The G2 repaint of Legacy Drag Strip is called "Shadow Stripe," which I think is cool because it makes him/her into a new character. But then the G2 repaint of Legacy Dead End is called "Dead End." Nothing wrong with this, per se... it's just gonna bug my OCD if four of the five G2 coloured Legacy Stunticons are going to retain their G1 names except for Shadow Stripe. :p I've already pre-ordered TL G2 Dead End, so obviously it's not going to stop me from buying them. ;)

Terrorcon logo
There's an image of a concept art for Rise of the Beasts Scourge showing him with a faceplate resembling a Decepticon logo, making him arguably look more like Tarn. I'm personally glad that they didn't go with this and opted for the new Terrorcon logo instead. To me, the Terrorcon logo looks like a corrupted Autobot logo, which implies that Scourge is some kind of corrupted Prime. Possibly from a Prime who pre-dated Sentinel, or a Prime from another universe, or a fallen clone of a Prime. And it also implies that the other Terrorcons may be some kind of corrupted Autobots too.
https://i.ibb.co/k2TQg7Z/insignia-autobot-terrorcon.jpg
It could also be that, just as the Autobot logo is the face of Primus, the Terrorcon logo is the face of Unicron. Horns on the head and a pair of long fangs with a gaping maw. The similarity between the two representing how Unicron is the Yin to Primus' Yang. The Terrorcon logo also looks similar to the Unicron masks worn by the Acolytes of Unicron (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Acolyte_of_Unicron) in the G1 comics.

[GoktimusPrime]

Last month was the fortieth anniversary of Tokyo Toy Show 1983, which ran from the 16th to 19th of June. It was at this convention that Takara showcased their new Diaclone Car Robot and Microman Micro Change line. A Hasbro employee, whose identity has yet to be uncovered (it's theorised that he was from Hasbro's European branch), was in attendance at the show. This Hasbro rep then contacted Hasbro USA employee, Henryk Orenstein, who then persuaded Hasbro CEO Stephen Hassenfeld and R&D Vice President George Dunsay, to obtain licences for these toys from Takara to adapt for Hasbro markets.

https://i.ibb.co/HV6CwhW/tokyotoyshow1983.jpg

I hope that some day the identity of this Hasbro rep will be uncovered some day. But to whomever he or she may be, we salute you!

[GoktimusPrime]

This piece of trivia came to me via Paul Agnew, but yesterday was the 26th anniversary of when episode 1 of Beast Wars first aired on Australian television, Channel 7's CheezTV.

I was living in Japan at the time, so I have no first hand lived-in memory of this. Over there, BW didn't begin airing until the 1th of October (18:00). My first exposure to the Beast Wars cartoon was the Japanese dub. Watching the original English-language format of the show later on sounded weird to me, only because I had become accustomed to the dub, but I weened myself off the dub and acclimated to the original English language version. :) I watched Seasons 2 and 3 exclusively in English; I've never bothered to watch "Beast Wars Metals" (JP dub of BW S2-3 combined into one series). Having said that, I can't help but have a bit of a soft spot for the Japanese dub... I do have a few episodes on DVD that came packed with the Telemocha BW toys, but I'm not going to hunt down the entire series. :p Interestingly enough, the Japanese dub cast are reprising their roles for the Japanese dub of Rise of the Beasts, with the notable exception of Airazor; because Airazor was a bloke in the JP dub, and evidently Paramount wants to keep Airazor as female in RotB so they've replaced Iwanaga Tetsuya with voice actress Honda Takako (who previously dubbed Slo-Mo in TF Animated). Iwanaga was more commonly known in the 90s as the voice of Ken Masters in the Street Fighter video game series. "Airazor, SHOURYUUKEN!"

[GoktimusPrime]

Happy birthday to Peter Cullen. :)

[kovert]

...yesterday was the 26th anniversary of when episode 1 of Beast Wars first aired on Australian television, Channel 7's CheezTV.

Cheez TV aired on Channel Ten on weekday mornings! :)

[JJJ]

And that explains why I never even heard of Beast Wars until well over a decade later - we never had either channel here in 1997. You kinda forget how isolated and splintered things were compared to now, back in the 90s...

[kovert]

Indeed. Everything is so easy to access online these days.

[Paulbot]

Cheez TV aired on Channel Ten on weekday mornings! :)

Yeah it wasn’t on Cheez TV. Two eps a week on Channel 7 in the afternoons.

[DELTAprime]

I could be wrong, but I thought I saw Beast Wars on weekday mornings on Agro's Cartoon Connection.

[kovert]

In Brisbane, Beast Wars was definitely shown in the afternoon on Channel 7.

Agro's Cartoon Connection ended in 1997, but Beast Wars may have featured.

[DELTAprime]

In Brisbane, Beast Wars was definitely shown in the afternoon on Channel 7.

Agro's Cartoon Connection ended in 1997, but Beast Wars may have featured.

That's strange. I remember Beast Wars being on in the mornings up here in Gladstone. We had things like Power Rangers and Amazing in the afternoons.

[KELPIE]

Yeah it wasn’t on Cheez TV. Two eps a week on Channel 7 in the afternoons.

Yeah I was about to say, it didn't originally air on Cheez TV, it was an afternoon programming.

This story is all sorts of wrong. Maybe the date is right?

[griffin]

First of all, CheezTV was on channel 10... which later became Toasted TV... but I'm not sure that CheezTV started as early as that (the mid-90s). I think that "show" started later in the noughties, bookending several cartoons over about 3 hours... and was (in)famous for cutting out parts of cartoon episodes to make time for their own random segments.

Digging through my computer archives (not currently online), I found this noted in issue 10 of our Ozformers Newsletter, which was out July 1997...


If you got last month's issue when it first came out, you may have had an inserted notice to alert you to the fact that the Beast Wars cartoon show is going to start on channel 7 this month. It is set to show every Thursday and Friday at 3.30 pm from the 24th and 25th of July. Check you local TV guides to make sure your area hasn't changed it, but it is already listed in this week's TV guide here in Brisbane.

[Paulbot]

I could be wrong, but I thought I saw Beast Wars on weekday mornings on Agro's Cartoon Connection.

In Victoria, Season Three definitely first aired on weekday mornings. I remember getting up to watch and record them. But I raced home from Uni to see season one in the Afternoons. I'm pretty sure season two was also in the afternoon but reduced to one episode a week.

Probably have all the airing details in my old print copies of the Ozformers newsletter.

One extra fact: Season One was repeated from late May 1998 at 7am(ish) on Cartoon Connection

[DELTAprime]

One extra fact: Season One was repeated from late May 1998 at 7am(ish) on Cartoon Connection

Ah, that might be why I saw it in the mornings on channel 7. But season 1 was never aired in the afternoon here.

[GoktimusPrime]

Cheez TV aired on Channel Ten on weekday mornings! :)
I sit corrected! :)

[Tha_Phantom]

First of all, CheezTV was on channel 10... which later became Toasted TV... but I'm not sure that CheezTV started as early as that (the mid-90s). I think that "show" started later in the noughties, bookending several cartoons over about 3 hours... and was (in)famous for cutting out parts of cartoon episodes to make time for their own random segments.

I know this isn't important to the overall discussion, but I can't help but point out Cheez TV started airing in July 1995. I'm NOT saying they aired Beast Wars though as I didn't start really watching Cheez TV until the late '90s when Pokemon was brought over here.

[Paulbot]

It's interesting looking into this stuff - it's getting lost to history of the early Internet age, even though a lot of us were already adults at the time.

Beast Wars season two started airing at 330pm on Thursday 22 October 1998 on Seven/Prime, source: Austrans (Internet Text Version) Issue 25

Beast Wars season three "aired in Australia in November [1999]. All thirteen episodes were aired daily at 6:40am", source: Ozformer (Internet Version) Issue 37

[GoktimusPrime]

As mentioned before, I was living in Japan when BW came out, so I can only rely on what other people tell me in terms of what happened here at the time.
But thanks for all the corrections; helping me to learn about what I missed out on! :)

[Tha_Phantom]

I know that it doesn't really count as "G1", but I notice that the Missing Link Convoy has articulated fingers. Which means that after 40 years Prime can finally hold that gun normally instead of from the middle post. :p

[JJJ]

Well, that and they fixed the gun as well...

[GoktimusPrime]

I cannot wait to get Missing Link Convoy! <3
I feel like this is the next big thing in Neo-G1 after MP and CHUG, as it scratches an entirely different itch for me. :) The thought of more G1-accurate toys with 21st Century engineering has me excited. Just imagine... fully articulated Ironhide and Ratchet with flat faces behind windscreens riding atop their battle platforms. Yes please! :cool:

[Paulbot]

If you ever wanted to watch the original Japanese dub of Transformers, the first three episodes are on YouTube via the Takara Tomy Official Hobby Channel


Transformers 40th anniversary "Missing Link" announcement commemoration!
Anime "Fight! Super Robot Life Form Transformers" will be released for a limited time until September 7th!
Check out Cybertron Commander Convoy in action!

Episode 1 "Road to the Earth" (https://youtu.be/WDXq2nLBZtE) (More Than Meets The Eye Part 1)
Episode 2 "Ruby Crystal's Secret" (https://youtu.be/ptZqdG7-ps0) (More Than Meets The Eye Part 2)
Episode 3 "Escape from Earth!" (https://youtu.be/f1RcrNd9Iec) (More Than Meets The Eye Part 3)

[Skyfire]

I was wondering to myself if they might produce a Transformers: The Movie retro G1 Optimus Prime. We know the mould is still around (G1 cab-only reissue from a few years ago). Then I thought about how the Missing Link C-02 anime Convoy might just end up filling this spot. He'd have to be posed rigidly like the other TFTM G1s when standing next to them, but break out into his action pose when being the featured bot.

[Paulbot]

I was wondering to myself if they might produce a Transformers: The Movie retro G1 Optimus Prime. We know the mould is still around (G1 cab-only reissue from a few years ago). Then I thought about how the Missing Link C-02 anime Convoy might just end up filling this spot. He'd have to be posed rigidly like the other TFTM G1s when standing next to them, but break out into his action pose when being the featured bot.

I wondered the same when the Missing Link figure image first appeared. I wouldn't be totally surprised if Hasbro combined C-02 Anime Convoy and C-01 Convoy's trailer to make a TFM Retro G1 Prime release.

[KELPIE]

Still hoping for an English packaged missing link.

[JJJ]

Still hoping for an English packaged missing link.

Is not happening, as I understand it. Hasbro is selling Convoy via Pulse, but all they're doing is moving the Takara product unchanged - the wording from the Pulse site:

"The figure is showcased in premium deco and detail and comes in its original packaging with Japanese-language instructions."

Makes me think that this is definitely a Takara-only project, and that quite likely Hasbro will only be offering Convoy this way (because Optimus Prime sells), regardless of what the rest of the line is like. Not really surprising, given that ML could never fit the US retail structure in which Hasbro lives.

[GoktimusPrime]

I miss the days when Hasbro would have imported Japanese toys with instructions and bios translated to English.

...mostly because I scored free toys as a result. :p But hey, it also benefited non-Japanese speaking collectors. :)

P.S.: I was on playground duty today and I saw a group of high school students playing with Transformers toys! Specifically they were: ROTB Deluxe Wheeljack, ROTB mainline Deluxe Bumblebee, Buzzworthy Bonecrusher and Buzzworthy Ratchet! It was so awesome seeing these kids playing with Transformers action figures in the playground, and also with other kids around them not minding. A far cry from when I was bullied in high school when other kids saw me playing with Transformers toys. I had one kid swipe my Skalor and deliberately scratched the paint off his nose (my G1 Skalor toy still bears this scar today). Or another time when a kid took my G1 Slog's tech specs card and ripped it into pieces. :(

[KELPIE]

Is not happening, as I understand it. Hasbro is selling Convoy via Pulse, but all they're doing is moving the Takara product unchanged - the wording from the Pulse site:

"The figure is showcased in premium deco and detail and comes in its original packaging with Japanese-language instructions."

Makes me think that this is definitely a Takara-only project, and that quite likely Hasbro will only be offering Convoy this way (because Optimus Prime sells), regardless of what the rest of the line is like. Not really surprising, given that ML could never fit the US retail structure in which Hasbro lives.
Well that's pretty sad/annoying.

I noticed that JB has it up for Pre-Order (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/transformers-masterpiece-missing-link-c-01-optimus-prime-with-trailer-figure-action-figure?), listed as a Hasbro product... I was hoping, but given the timeline likely not. :(

Watch all us buy this then in a couple years they release it in G1 retro packaging exclusive to wallmart or something.

[griffin]

Well that's pretty sad/annoying.

Watch all us buy this then in a couple years they release it in G1 retro packaging exclusive to wallmart or something.

The thing is, with Optimus Prime being the primary iconic character of the Brand, even if Hasbro did that in a couple years time, it would still sell... and I'd be one buying it to go on display next to the Japanese edition. :p

[griffin]

Some Transformers related info...

Peter Spellos, the voice of RID Sky-Byte (the cartoon from 23 years ago), is apparently battling pancreatic cancer.... which has one of the lowest survival rates of various cancers, so it isn't good to hear that he has it.
https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/04/peter-spellos-voice-of-rid-sky-byte-is-battling-cancer-493921
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer

Meanwhile on Instagram, former Hasbro designer Aaron Archer has been posting up his artwork, done on the toy instructions of that character.
https://www.instagram.com/archermonster_creative/

A collection of the postings can be seen here - https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/09/03/aaron-archers-transformers-instruction-art-images-493865

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm glad to see TakaraTOMY differentiating their products more from Hasbro again, although it's just EarthSpark atm, hopefully it might spread to more.
One downside with the brand globalisation thing between Hasbro and TakaraTOMY is that we collectors suddenly lost the option to choose between the Hasbro or TakaraTOMY deco. Some might prefer Hasbro's decos, others might prefer Takara's... that's fine, but having differences between the two meant that we consumers had a choice (and shipping to Australia is relatively cheaper compared to other Western countries, thanks to our location in the Asia-Pacific region).

[Paulbot]

Would people count the new Japanese Beast Wars 2 packs as more of this?

Those, more so than Earthspark, give me Henkei flashbacks, seeing toys coming out in shinier, more cartoon-accurate colours in Japan.

[griffin]

I see the Beast Wars 2-packs as their own special toyline, that uses moulds that were already released in Japan (and Hasbro)... as it is only a redeco of a small selection of the Kingdom/Legacy toys, instead of the entire line, like how TakaraTomy used to do it with their Generations toys before Seige (and what they are doing once again for Earthspark).

Mind you, I have all 7 of these JP Beast Wars 2-packs on order, so I can't wait until March next year when they are all out, as they should look nice all together on the one display shelf, as the full season one cast of the cartoon, in premium colours. (it will compare with the 10th anniversary BW toys, but this time it is more of the cast)

[DELTAprime]

I just got my SS86 Ultra Magnus. Hasbro really seems to be taking the mini-Masterpiece meme to heart.

[Skyfire]

Just realised after seeing the Transformers: The Movie retro G1 figures of Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp next to each other on a JB Hi-Fi shelf (apart from SS and SW having the same robot box artwork - lazy) that these toys have not sat together in an Australian retail store for ~40 years?!?

[Tha_Phantom]

Just realised after seeing the Transformers: The Movie retro G1 figures of Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp next to each other on a JB Hi-Fi shelf (apart from SS and SW having the same robot box artwork - lazy) that these toys have not sat together in an Australian retail store for ~40 years?!?

What about the commemorative reissue era?

[Skyfire]

What about the commemorative reissue era?

Oh yeah, had forgotten about that. I wonder if anyone saw all three together.

[Tha_Phantom]

Oh yeah, had forgotten about that. I wonder if anyone saw all three together.

If it does turn out to be the case then we can say they get together once every 20 years. :p

[GoktimusPrime]

Oh yeah, had forgotten about that. I wonder if anyone saw all three together.
I saw all four at Toys R Us. Skywarp, Starscream, Thundercracker and Dirge. Dirge was the only one I got, because there's no oversized missiles on that toy for Hasbro to screw up. :)

The Commemorative Series reissues shelfwarmed something chronic. I remember them still struggling to sell even after TRU put them on clearance for $25 each. They initially sold at roughly the same price as what you would pay to import a Takara TFC reissue; so naturally most collectors just imported TFC or bought them from specialist import stores. Because even at jacked up import prices, they TRU's prices weren't much cheaper. And by the time TRU reduced prices, most collectors would've already gotten the TFC reissues.

Comm. Series Astrotrain was the one toy that was always cheap. Came out at Kmart for $25 (don't recall if it ever went on clearance) - but even then it struggled to move. It did come out well after the TFC reissue and aside from packaging, there was no difference.

[Paulbot]

Its that time of year again, I have started gathering info for the 2023 Oz Fan Vote

[DELTAprime]

Its that time of year again, I have started gathering info for the 2023 Oz Fan Vote

I must be honest, I'm not sure I can think of any outstanding releases this year. Largely because almost every figure in recent years that I've picked up is extremely great and raised the bar. Not sure how I'm going to vote this year.

[Dangermot]

Its that time of year again, I have started gathering info for the 2023 Oz Fan Vote

I vote for ThreeZero's DLX Revenge of the Fallen Megatron. Highly articulated, superbly detailed and he just looks menacing as a Megatron figure should.

[Skyfire]

Shinjuku Tokyo has major hospitals, so I'm seeing Ratchets all over the place,

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53460733224_9c011aaabd_h.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53460833600_59e5e9b3c3_h.jpg


Including this little guy...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53460833575_ca015dda7b_h.jpg

[DELTAprime]

Shinjuku Tokyo has major hospitals, so I'm seeing Ratchets all over the place,


Wow. I would have thought by now Japan would be either using the American-style Paramedic ambulances or the German-style Mercedes ambulances. (the Queensland Ambulance Service uses both types). But I guess they still have their own unique ambulances.

[GoktimusPrime]

Shinjuku Tokyo has major hospitals, so I'm seeing Ratchets all over the place,
I've been inside a Japanese ambulance! :) They have loudspeakers where the driver announces that there is an ambulance approaching an intersection and for other traffic to please yield. Of course they also use the siren, but they politely ask drivers to give way as well. And I've never seen a Japanese driver obstruct an emergency vehicle; but admittedly I haven't driven much in Japan.

My brother who's a RFS volunteer has told me that he's had drivers obstruct his fire engine when he's had the siren on. :(

[Skyfire]

The use of loudspeakers by emergency vehicles is true. I saw that while in a taxi.

I also saw Prowl but wasn't fast enough to get a picture. Shame, as Prowl's livery is iconic and enduring for Japanese police cars.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I've been inside a Japanese ambulance! :) They have loudspeakers where the driver announces that there is an ambulance approaching an intersection and for other traffic to please yield. Of course they also use the siren, but they politely ask drivers to give way as well. And I've never seen a Japanese driver obstruct an emergency vehicle; but admittedly I haven't driven much in Japan.

My brother who's a RFS volunteer has told me that he's had drivers obstruct his fire engine when he's had the siren on. :(

Ambulances in Japan seem to be less well equipped than ones I've seen in AU. Not that I've been inside many....
As for Japanese drivers never obstructing an emergency vehicle.... Yeesh, I see it every day. Had one instance where I was a pedestrian waiting for the pedestrian light to change and an Ambulance comes up sirens going and loudspeaker dude telling everyone he wants to turn. Pedestrian light comes on and all the people walk across, and the ambulance waited for them to cross. I was the only one who waited for the ambulance.

I was a tad shocked at that episode.
Japanese always follow the rules (except when they don't)

[Paulbot]

Have been thinking recently about Optimus Prime...

If you only collected Optimus figures (including Primals) your TF collection would be very red and blue, but it'd also be extremely representative of the diversity of 40 years of Transformers toy designs.

Three G1 figures with a Diaclone, a *master gimmick and an Action master. A new figure in each era of the Beast Wars toy line. Toys that represent the designs and gimmicks of RID2001, each part of the Unicron Trilogy and every Movie line. All the various Generations size classes from Legion to Commander (no titan yet but Command and Roll Out Animated Prime is a big boy). Versions from the toylines from Animated, Prime, RID2015, Cyberverse and the video games. Three different MP versions reflecting three different MP eras and some Binaltech and Alternity in the mix too. So many movie gimmick toys. And that's not to count the random items like pens, shoes, hats, playstations, cameras, etc.

Pretty remarkable that one character can capture so much history.

[JJJ]

The triumph of marketing. And now Hasbro are locked into perpetually churning out that same damned character over and over and over again.

[Jaxius._]

Have been thinking recently about Optimus Prime...

If you only collected Optimus figures (including Primals) your TF collection would be very red and blue, but it'd also be extremely representative of the diversity of 40 years of Transformers toy designs.

Three G1 figures with a Diaclone, a *master gimmick and an Action master. A new figure in each era of the Beast Wars toy line. Toys that represent the designs and gimmicks of RID2001, each part of the Unicron Trilogy and every Movie line. All the various Generations size classes from Legion to Commander (no titan yet but Command and Roll Out Animated Prime is a big boy). Versions from the toylines from Animated, Prime, RID2015, Cyberverse and the video games. Three different MP versions reflecting three different MP eras and some Binaltech and Alternity in the mix too. So many movie gimmick toys. And that's not to count the random items like pens, shoes, hats, playstations, cameras, etc.

Pretty remarkable that one character can capture so much history.

It is funny, all these optimus's and we have almost all of them with 'modern' toys. If Hasbro continues their 'Prime a year' thing with legacy (or whatever future lines are called) we only have 3 or 4* to go, Energon, alternators, PMOP and Fall of Cybertron. You could argue they can do Prime, RID15 etc but at that point you are up to modern day and then what? Perhaps it's time for some more 'new' Prime designs.

But it is a fun idea we have these all done in the same design philosiphy.


*I'm not including Bat Primal, Action Master or real niche ones like G2 Go Bots here because some of them are real pipe dreams (that i would still buy)

[GoktimusPrime]

The triumph of marketing. And now Hasbro are locked into perpetually churning out that same damned character over and over and over again.
It's also dependent on what people are willing to buy. Hasbro keeps on using the same tired-old characters ad nauseum because they know it sells, especially Optimus Prime.

e.g.
+ Canon camera Optimus Prime - okay, they also did Reflector, but why also Optimus Prime? The answer to my own question comes from the fact that I have noticed that the Optimus Prime toy sold faster than Reflector. It sold out on The Gamesmen's website long before Reflector. I bought Reflector but skipped Prime.
+ Volvo VNR Optimus Prime - why is this not Huffer? Oh, because Optimus Prime sells. Granted I bought this toy too. :p
etc.

Also, how well are new character toys selling vs known characters? I personally love buying new characters, like Axlegrease, Crashbar etc. Although there are some that I skipped simply because I just didn't like the toys or concept; e.g. half of the Fossilisers and the current Legacy Infernac Armourisers (or as I call them, "Flintstoneformers"). I do appreciate that Hasbro are giving us new characters, and I do hope that these toys sell well, but they're not for me.

I did buy Legacy Skar, who was the only Core Class Legacy Dinobot that I bought, because I really don't care about having combining Dinobots - I already have the Dinobots as Deluxe CHUGs and I'm one Swoop away from having them as Studio Series Leaders... I don't need the set again as Core Class figures. But as Skar is a new character, I happily gave Hasbro my money for one. Not only that, but only the third Ankylosaurus Transformer after Beast Wars' Bazooka and Robots in Disguise Slapper (repaint of Bazooka, not the Predacon... so not confusing). Also happily bought Cloudcover and G2 Sandstorm etc. and other new characters based on abandoned concepts or prototypes etc. I skipped most of the other Toxitron range like Sideswipe & Dorito Jazz because they're just new versions of existing characters. I did get Laser Cycle, who's based on an abandoned toy for Jazz, because her name's not Jazz. tfwiki's listed her as a Jazz toy (and I understand why), but to me, she's a new character. And yes, I've head-canonised her as female, since she's using the Legacy Prime Arcee's body (Legacy Road Rocket's is also female, despite the original G2 toy being male). I have no issue with Transformers changing genders, it's an entirely social construct for their species anyway. I just prefer Laser Cycle being a unique character. I have more than enough CHUG Jazz toys. :)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

It's also dependent on what people are willing to buy. Hasbro keeps on using the same tired-old characters ad nauseum because they know it sells, especially Optimus Prime.

I think it is also because the same old characters require the least amount of effort in advertising. Optimus and G1 has heaps of history and advertising behind it. A new Transformers series and new characters requires effort (=money) to get to a likeable level.

Optimus has that in spades for free!

[GoktimusPrime]

I think it is also because the same old characters require the least amount of effort in advertising. Optimus and G1 has heaps of history and advertising behind it. A new Transformers series and new characters requires effort (=money) to get to a likeable level.

Optimus has that in spades for free!
Yep. Nostalgia baiting requires bugger all effort in marketing. You could release Optimus Prime as a shoe and he'd sell. Oh wait, they did (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Sports_Label). :p

[DELTAprime]

Yep. Nostalgia baiting requires bugger all effort in marketing. You could release Optimus Prime as a shoe and he'd sell. Oh wait, they did (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Sports_Label). :p

I have that Optimus. I also have the Optimus that turns into a New Era baseball cap.

[DELTAprime]

Ah yes. I just remembered that United is yet another reused trademark by Hasbro.

I guess I need to specify Legacy United when I'm searching for Transformers United on Google.

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/United_(toyline)

[JJJ]

And the same will happen next year, with the line apparently being called Prime something-or-other.

[Jaxius._]

Ah yes. I just remembered that United is yet another reused trademark by Hasbro.

I guess I need to specify Legacy United when I'm searching for Transformers United on Google.

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/United_(toyline)

United was actually a takara line so this is the first hasbro use.

But i will admit Legacy had been lacking in the naming department.
Combiner Wars
Titan Return
Power of The Primes

Even the wfc names, these were all interesting names. Legacy, Legacy Evolution and Legacy United just don’t have the same ring to it, i would have preferred something like;

Legacy banner and then each part has a name:
Golden days of Cybertron

Evolution of Cybertron

Cybertron United

Assuming the lines as they are currently were originally tying into the show the names i suggested also tie into the branching out of the Legacy line (each year has had more characters from different continuities)

[DELTAprime]

United was actually a takara line so this is the first hasbro use.


I know, but given there's no major difference between Japan and the Rest of the World, I stopped caring about what is Takara Tomy's and what is Hasbro's long ago.

And if the rumours are true, I'm sure you'll love how little effort Hasbro seems to be putting into naming next year's line. Legacy Prime doesn't sound like a line, it sounds like another pre-Optimus Prime.

[GoktimusPrime]

RE: Skyfire's post (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/13057-Transformers-Venting-thread!?p=662062#post662062)

There are heaps things in G1 that makes no sense - even when watching/reading it as a kid in the 80s, but some of which made less sense as I grew older. I would go nuts if I consciously thought about it all the time, so obviously I just suspend disbelief. But just for lolz, here's a list of some things which, when you think about, makes no sense. :)
How does Cybertron have a breathable atmosphere and mild climate? In the absence of plants and oceans, where does its oxygen come from? Being a metal planet, the atmosphere should be a blazing inferno (the entire surface of the planet is like a giant frying pan). Transformers Prime is the first TF cartoon that showed Cybertron having a hostile atmosphere for humans, requiring them to wear spacesuits or be in sealed containers on Cybertron. Also, if oxygen and moisture exists on Cybertron, then rust would be a massive issue. Megatron did say that they were rustproof, but you have individual Transformers who are rust-prone, like Steeljaw.
Why do most Cybertronians have humanoid robot modes with humanlike faces? Of course, the answer is because Diaclone and Microman etc., but in-universe it makes no sense. Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson has pointed out that most lifeforms on Earth aren't humanoid; thus it makes no sense to assume that alien lifeforms should be humanoid. The real world reason is because it's cheaper to put costumes/makeup on human actors/actresses - but movies like Arrival portray an arguably more realistic vision of what alien life might be like (i.e. very unlike us).
Why do the Transformers speak English, Japanese or whatever Earth language you're watching it in? The 2007 Transformers movie answered this by explaining that the Cybertronians downloaded Earth's languages from the world wide web, and even had Optimus Prime occasionally speaking in "netspeak" to demonstrate his lack of understanding that some expressions aren't used in real life. The real world reason is "so that the story can happen." :p
Why do the Transformers have Earth-mode kibble on their robot bodies prior to arriving on Earth? While Transformers did a better job than Machine Men in showing us alien Cybertronian alt modes, they still kept their Earth-mode kibble. e.g. Bumblebee transforms into a Cybertronian hovercar, but still has VW Beetle parts on his body... plus he even loses a wheel when shot by Decepticons, despite his alt mode having no wheels.
Some Transformers had Earth-modes on Cybertron! Yeah, they weren't exactly consistent with giving everyone Cybertronian modes. Starscream never transformed into a Tetrajet but an F15 Eagle in Cybertron's distant past; as seen in the flashback scene in "Fire in the Sky." The Triggerbots all also have their Earth modes when they were serving under a young junior officer Optimus Prime in the Underbase Saga flashback. Beast Wars was the first to deliberately show the Transformers not having Earth-mode kibble in robot mode. This was often done by just stripping down the animation models' beast mode parts and then shrouding the 'bots in darkness to hide their lack of detailing; but still, it meant that Optimus Prime did not have gorilla kibble prior to acquiring his beast mode etc.
Transformers don't breathe... unless they do? In most situations we see the Transformers operating in space or underwater without needing to breathe, which makes sense. They're robots. But then Hound had a face visor when he went underwater and he and Rumble were trying to choke each other? And sometimes we see Transformers coughing.
How does cloth exist on Cybertron? There are some scenes in the Marvel comics which shows cloth existing on Cybertron, like flags. How is this possible when there is no plant life?
How do the Transformers measure time? As Cybertron is a rogue planet, it doesn't have a fixed orbit around a star to have consistent periods of day, night and years to use as chronological measures. It may be possible to instead use Cybertron's moons and constellations as reference points, but it does make one wonder what exactly a "stellar cycle" is. I prefer more vague concepts like "Vorns." One neat thing is that in 1984, rogue planets like Cybertron were pure science fiction, but in the past 20 years scientists have confirmed that rogue planets do exist. Some have even suggested that rogue planets may even outnumber fixed orbital planets.
Why would the Transformers ingest fuel with their mouths? This is an extension of why the Transformers resemble humans. The Marvel comics interestingly portrayed the Transformers as taking in fuel through hatches on their chests, allowing themselves to refuel and talk/socialise at the same time; as seen in Maccadam's Old Oil House.
Why would the Transformers have physical prisons? As robot lifeforms, it makes as much sense to just remove or download a copy of a Transformers' consciousness for imprisonment; and this has been shown to be a thing sometimes - such as with the Combaticons. Sometimes a Transformers' mind can be voluntarily downloaded because it's easier to transport minds across space than it is to transport physical bodies. An example of this are the 2nd Year Autobot Cars who had their minds stored aboard the Ark, to be later uploaded into new bodies on Earth. Optimus Prime infamously had his mind downloaded onto a floppy disk, which was later uploaded into his new Powermaster body. But in many other times, the Transformers had physical prisons. The Dinobots were imprisoned in a cave, the Stunticons were placed in cells, and Guyhawk was in an off-world Autobot penal colony.
Why are the Transformers' weapons so ineffective against their own kind? The Sunbow cartoon is the biggest culprit of having non-lethal weapons (ex. TFTM). But this makes no sense; if you're making weapons to wage war against members of your own species, you would logically make weapons that are, ya know, lethal to your own kind. I gotta give credit to Michael Bay in that in the Transformers movies, the Cybertronians actually use weapons that can kill other Cybertronians.
Why do Cybertronian vehicle modes have windows and human-sized pilot compartments? The Dreamwave comics were on the verge of answering this question before it was axed. :( The Aligned Continuity was the first to portray Cybertronian modes without windows and pilot compartments.
Why does no-one care when certain vehicles that don't belong on public roads just drive on by. Mirage, Jazz, Wheeljack and Smokescreen immediately come to mind, transforming into unique cars. But race cars like Mirage, Drag Strip, Barricade etc. aren't even street legal. Then you have military vehicles like Warpath rolling down the road and nobody bats an eyelid? Also, how did the Insecticons remain hidden for so long in the Sunbow cartoon as gigantic robotic insects? In the Marbvel comics the Insecticons mass shifted in bug mode to the size of actual insects; so while still mechanical, at such a small size, most people didn't notice them (similar to the Insecticons in Revenge of the Fallen).
Scale. We all know the meme. ;)

What have I missed? What things in TFs makes no sense when you stop to think about it?

[Skyfire]

One of the biggest confusing things when I was a kid watching the original series was how the Autobots could fly in the first few episodes then suddenly couldn't.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

One of the biggest confusing things when I was a kid watching the original series was how the Autobots could fly in the first few episodes then suddenly couldn't.

And then randomly occasionally the Dinobots could!

[JJJ]

Well, I watched the preview (I refuse to use the USianism "trailer" - these things haven't been tacked onto the end of a film or VHS tape for most of my lifetime now...) for Transformers One.

I really rather liked what I saw. Energetic, humourous, no bizarrely bitty / insectoid faces...

As this point my only negative response (beyond disliking the American-ness of everything, but what are you going to do when it is made by and for Americans?) is that it seems a shame its only a film, not a series. And, well, TMNT Mutant Mayhem started as only a film, but then got approved for a series.



Anyway, my thoughts here are less about how I liked what I saw, and more about how droves and droves of self-declared fans seem determined to hate almost everything about it. I just don't get it, to be honest.

I mean, sure, I greatly dislike Bay films now, but in 2007 I loved what I saw on screen (subject to a few dislikes that have since grown to overshadow all enjoyment I might otherwise have derived from it). I was open to whatever was coming, because I'd not experienced new TF stuff for something over 15 years at that point (the cartoon never got repeated out here, the comics ended in the early 90s, and we never got BW or RID or Armada out here either). Plus it was a whole movie of TFs, and CG, not cartoon. Let's give it a shot, I figured.

Today... Well, I like to think that my approach to things hasn't changed (I was quite open to the Skybound comic, reservations about the overall plan for a shared universe thing and a writer/artist obsessed with wrestling notwithstanding, and despite those things I'm enjoying it), but I'm staggered by the number of people who claim to love TF as a general thing and yet shit all over every new individual thing we get.

I spent some time yesterday reading the now 120-something page thread on TFW about TF One (possibly a mistake, I know...), and came away with this...

-someone who seems to think that all TF storytelling must forever be beholden to the barely-thought-through concepts literally tossed together as needed back in the 80s, and that if a new story does not toe the line then it must perforce be rubbish. And then there was the other person who similarly could not wrap their head around an Optimus Prime who isn't some sort of father-figure to Bumblebee.

-people who have entirely fixed ideas of what Megatron sounds like, as if Megatron was a real person ("ooh, that doesn't sound enough like Christopher Walken, your impression sucks"), and also as if Megatron, by dint of being the evil leader, ought to sound a very specific way (because, y'know, all villains are immediately marked out by their voices); and as the actor playing the part doesn't sound like whatever's in their head, the whole thing sucks (and so does the actor; but there I think it has a lot to do with the actor's skin tone...).

-piles of people who genuniely seem to have expected (not merely desired, but really expected) some adult-oriented grim-dark war-porn, and are therefore crushed that Hasbro has made another kid-oriented adventure story with liberal dashes of the kind of humour current children are accustomed to. It seems a mystery to them why Hasbro might have made this choice in order to sell ... children's toys.


And those are just the things that stuck in my mind the day after reading (not going back to look for more :) ). Sure, there were plenty of people who liked it, or were willing to see just how it turned out, but overall I am left shaking my head.

[Dangermot]

So you're shaking your head because you can't understand why people don't like the same trailer that you did? And why people want Megatron to sound a certain way? I see that sort of attitude all the time on TFW2005 and it causes lots of arguments.
Me personally I would have preferred a darker, more serious tone that was aimed at older audiences. I'm not a fan of Prime's voice or Megatron's voice either (and it has absolutely nothing to do with skin colour. What a silly argument. Some people always got to play the race card....) As it is I thought the trailer was too jokey and too juvenile. It looks like I am not in target audience so I'll be giving it a miss.

[DELTAprime]

I found the Pixar/Illumination style of the lines and actions in the trailer a little strange to see in Transformers. I can certainly scratch my head at it, as it's not what I expected. However, unless something is objectively bad, I see nothing productive in tearing it down.

Not everything is for everyone. If we found a bunch of hardcore Marvel or DC fans, they would say there are various comics, TV shows and movies they hate. TFOne is probably just not for them, but there's no reason for them to get out pitchforks. At the same time, no reason to be surprised that some people are not going to like it.

[GoktimusPrime]

As this point my only negative response (beyond disliking the American-ness of everything, but what are you going to do when it is made by and for Americans?) is that it seems a shame its only a film, not a series.
I just found out that a friend of mine from uni worked on some of the animation in this film. So it would seem that at least part of the animation was outsourced to Australians. :)


Anyway, my thoughts here are less about how I liked what I saw, and more about how droves and droves of self-declared fans seem determined to hate almost everything about it. I just don't get it, to be honest.
Firstly, let me just say that people can like or dislike whatever they want. That's fine. But I don't know why some people need to always publicly declare their dislike for things. Fans constantly whinging about stuff is why Star Wars Rise of Skywalker was the way it was; the movie that tried to avoid being hated by everyone and ended up being loved by noone. At the end of the day, you can't make something that's going to make everyone happy; so just make something good and most people will enjoy it. :)


I mean, sure, I greatly dislike Bay films now, but in 2007 I loved what I saw on screen (subject to a few dislikes that have since grown to overshadow all enjoyment I might otherwise have derived from it). I was open to whatever was coming, because I'd not experienced new TF stuff for something over 15 years at that point (the cartoon never got repeated out here, the comics ended in the early 90s, and we never got BW or RID or Armada out here either). Plus it was a whole movie of TFs, and CG, not cartoon. Let's give it a shot, I figured.
I still like the 2007 movie. No, it was never a literary masterpiece, but it's an enjoyable enough popcorn action movie. And yeah, you could say the same about all the other Bayformers movies too - the issue is that they're all copy-and-paste of the 2007 plot; which was made glaringly obvious by Doug Walker's (Nostalgia Critic) Non-Review of Transformers Age of Extinction; a video that he made before that movie came out, and was able to predict the basic plot with 80% accuracy. That's just how ridiculously formulaic and predictable the Bayformers movies were. The Bumblebee movie has the best story in any TF movie, but you don't see Travis Knight making four more sequels to it that just recycle the plot over and over again. No matter how good a story is, simply repeating it gets tiresome. Heck, Star Wars A New Hope has an enjoyable story, but The Force Awakens pretty much recycles the plot (yeah, I know ANH recycles the plot of Kurosawa Akira's The Hidden Fortress, but at least it was a remake as a space opera - it's not the same as reusing the same plot in the same universe!).

What I find somewhat funny about people who outright hate on Bayformers altogether is how many of them only became interested in Transformers since or after 2007! :D Michael Bay has ruined Transformers for them but also elicited them to become TF fans... right.


-someone who seems to think that all TF storytelling must forever be beholden to the barely-thought-through concepts literally tossed together as needed back in the 80s, and that if a new story does not toe the line then it must perforce be rubbish. And then there was the other person who similarly could not wrap their head around an Optimus Prime who isn't some sort of father-figure to Bumblebee.
I find it remarkable how so many people who insist on everything being beholden to Generation 1, are often incredibly ignorant about Generation 1. That TF One trailer has more G1 Easter Eggs than I can poke an Energon rod at. Chris McFeely recently made a video breaking down the trailer (there's also loads of references to the Aligned Continuity, which young fans today would be more familiar with).


-people who have entirely fixed ideas of what Megatron sounds like, as if Megatron was a real person ("ooh, that doesn't sound enough like Christopher Walken, your impression sucks"), and also as if Megatron, by dint of being the evil leader, ought to sound a very specific way (because, y'know, all villains are immediately marked out by their voices); and as the actor playing the part doesn't sound like whatever's in their head, the whole thing sucks
Here's the thing... we've never heard a young pre-Megatron voice before. There's no precedent. In all other screen media, Megatron was always just Megatron. But this also means that he's had no growth as a character, because as an antagonist, writers don't want audiences to empathise with the villain. This was absolutely the case in Generation 1. In the Sunbow cartoon, Megatron was created by the Constructicons as part of the new breed of fighting transforming and flying robots; he was always a warrior. In the Marvel Comics, both Optimus Prime and Megatron were gladiators, but went on separate paths when the war broke out.

The idea of Optimus Prime and Megatron being friends before the war is something that's become the standard background story for their pair in the 21st Century. This is something that emerged from the 2007 movie, when Optimus Prime looked upon Megatron's body and said, "We were brothers once," and it's been in stories like Transformers Prime and the IDW comics that have expanded on the idea of Optimus Prime and Megatron being old buddies.

In G1 (Marvel), Optimus Prime and Megatron were rivals and temporary allies in their youth, but they were never friends. So I get that the idea of them being buddies is unfamiliar to those of us who grew up with Generation 1. But this isn't the case for anyone under the age of forty who didn't grow up with Generation 1. For a lot of fans now who've only know Transformers in the 21st Century, they would be more familiar with the idea of Optimus Prime and Megatron being old friends. And the Transformers brand is now in its 23rd year of existence in the 21st Century, whereas it only existed for 16 years in the 20th Century -- Transformers has existed longer in the 21st Century than it did in the 20th Century, and obviously this disparity is only going to grow, as the number of people who have become TF fans after 2001 will come to outnumber those of us who became TF fans before 2000 (if they don't already outnumber us now).

On another note; I've noticed people saying that Chris Hemsworth doesn't sound like Peter Cullen (duh). But he sounds more like Optimus Prime than G1 Orion Pax ever did! :D G1 Orion Pax was voiced by the younger-sounding Laurie Faso? <Google check> Yes, Laurie Faso. Whose youthful sounding voice also landed him roles like Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze etc. In "War Dawn," Orion Pax not only sounded young, but importantly, he sounded nothing like Optimus Prime. And this was deliberate, because the Aerialbots (and audience) needed to not yet realise that he was the robot who would be Optimus Prime. Having Orion Pax being voiced by Peter Cullen doing his Optimus Prime voice would've given that revelation away! :D The whole reveal was towards the end of the episode where, after being rebuilt by Alpha Trion, you see his silhouette in shadow and smoke, and when Megatron says, "Who are you?" we finally hear Optimus Prime's voice say, "You're worst nightmare!" I remember the first time I saw this episode as a kid, my jaw dropped and I was really pumped!
So the funny thing about some of these people saying that Orion Pax doesn't sound like Optimus Prime and D-16 not sounding like Megatron? That's the point! :D
It's the reason why Hayden Christensen wasn't dubbed by James Earl Jones as Anakin Skywalker. :p

Imagine you're a kid and this is your first Transformers experience. The moment D-16 is revealed as Megatron should come as a surprise. It's not going to be much of a surprise if D-16 already sounds and behaves like Megatron. And before someone says that he already looks too much like Megatron to be a surprise, I will remind you that as a kid, it was not until late December 1986 when, when TFTM came out, that I discovered that Galvatron was Megatron and Rodimus Prime was Hot Rod. Yep. Despite playing with these toys for nearly a year, reading books about them etc., it never dawned on me at the time that these characters were the same! :D Okay, maybe some of you were clever enough to work it out, and I'm sure that there would be some kids who'd work out D-16's identity too... but there would be lots of kids who'd be as stu---, oblivious as I was, who would not make the connection. :p


(and so does the actor; but there I think it has a lot to do with the actor's skin tone...).
Oh, I saw someone post a comment on social media saying, "Getting a black guy to voice Megatron is a very dumb (donkey) move."
If people just don't like his D-16 voice, okay, fine. But making comments like that is just vile. >:(


-piles of people who genuniely seem to have expected (not merely desired, but really expected) some adult-oriented grim-dark war-porn, and are therefore crushed that Hasbro has made another kid-oriented adventure story with liberal dashes of the kind of humour current children are accustomed to. It seems a mystery to them why Hasbro might have made this choice in order to sell ... children's toys.
I'm going to bet that many of these same people did not watch Beast Machines Transformers and actively collected Beast Machines toys when they were in stores. Because if you want a Transformers screen story and toy line that is dark and gritty with deep and meaningful philosophical undertones, then Beast Machines should be your jam. And yet the toys horribly shelfwarmed to the point where we missed out on the entire Battle of the Spark line (which had some of the best BM toys) because Australian retail buyers didn't want to order more stock when they were still sitting on dead stock from Wave 1. We also missed out on RiD Air Attack Optimus Primal and Megatron Megabolt... these were all toys I had to either import (which was super unfun given the super weak AUD in 2000; remember when it was trading at 45US cents?) or get second hand from other collectors. You know how weird it was having to hunt down a crappy toy like Beast Machines Silverbolt? Guh. And Beast Machines effectively dead-ended the G1 continuity family, with Transformers being strings of reboots ever since.

I feel like whenever Transformers does anything new; people just want to hate it on. To be fair, sometimes the hate is justified, but there are some who just hate new things simply because it's different.
* 1986: Rodimus Prime sucks. Transformers is ruined forever.
* 1987: Headmasters and Targetmasters are stupid. I'm out of this fandom.
* 1988: Pretenders are lame. I quit and so should you.
* 1989: Micromasters are for babies. I'm over Transformers.
* 1990: Action Masters go against what being a Transformer is. Go away. (TBH, I agree :p)
* 1991: Motorvators? Are these Ring Wraiths? Transformers is dead to me.
* 1992: Why are these colours hurting my eyes, and why can't the Constructicons combine? Lame.
* 1993: "Did you notice how Transformers Generation 2 is the same as Generation 1?" (this is literally what a classmate said to me at school)
* 1994: Are the Transformers trying to be Jedi now? Ruined forever.
* 1995: Go-Bots? More like No-Bots. These will never be popular.
* 1996: "They made a monkey out of Optimus Prime!"
* 1997: TRUKK NOT MUNKEE!
* 1998: Beast Wars has ruined Transformers forever.
* 1999: I gave up on Transformers after they became animals.
* 2000: Too dark and gritty, Transformers is meant to be fun! Ruined forever.
* 2001: Licensed vehicles? Somehow lame to me.
* 2002: Where are the new toys?
* 2003: Gimmicks are for kids. Transformers is trash.
* 2004: This Masterpiece Transformer is way too complex. This is never gonna take off.
* 2005: Minimimally intrusive gimmicks are still for kids. Not like the G1 Transformers that we liked as kids. Rubbish.
* 2006: G1 Transformers with current day engineering? This is never going to be popular.
* 2007: Michael Bay killed my childhood.
* 2008: The Transformers are all fun and goofy. Nobody will ever like this.
* 2009: Michael Bay destroyed my childhood.
* 2010: Transformers entirely on Cybertron before the war? This is stupid and I want no part of it.
* 2011: Michael Bay ruined my childhood.
* 2012: This new Transformers continuity is aligning... I hate it.
* 2013: Titan Class? That's too expensive and nobody will ever want it. Even discounted at $80 at Target.
* 2014: Michael Bay has ruined Transformers and Shakespeare. I quit.
* 2015: Why are there so many Combiners? Ruined.
* 2016: Headmasters are stupid. I'm out of this fandom faster than you can say d�j� vu.
* 2017: Michael Bay has ruined Transformers and Camelot. I am no longer a fan of this franchise.
* 2018: Travis Knight has ruined Bayformers. Bring back the Bayhem.
* 2019: Seige is as laem as it is hrad to sepll. I haet it.
* 2020: These Prime Masters are just Headmasters, which are stupid! I. Am. Out.
* 2021: TRUKK NOT MUNKEE! Ruined foreva!
* 2022: I told you, classic characters with current day engineer is never going to work. I am leaving this brand.
* 2023: TRUKK NOT MUNKEE, now on the big screen! Theatrically ruined forever.
* 2024: An animated movie based on a children's toy brand being fun for kids? THE AUDACITY! I quit this fandom.
:D Then why are you still here?!? :D

I've quit fandoms before. Transformers is now the only franchise that I'm a fanatic of. There are other things that I have sporadic and superficial interest in, but I'm not fanatic about those things. I used to be a fan of Dragon Ball (hence the "Gok" in "Goktimus Prime"), but I quit in 1996, and I've never gotten back into it. But I don't go and join Dragon Ball fan groups and hate on all the new content. Heck, I never even made any public comments about Dragonball Evolution - because quite frankly, as I was no longer a fan of Dragon Ball, I no longer had a dog in the race.

Now of course, Transformers is a multi-series franchise now (something that has only happened in the 21th Century). I get that some people might be still into the fandom for Generations or Masterpiece etc. - most fans aren't into everything in Transformers (unless you're griffin :p). But I don't see why these people don't just focus on what they do like instead of ragging on things that they don't. I'm honestly not a huge fan of the EarthsPark cartoon series, and so I just don't comment about it much. Even my EarthSpark collection is quite small, with many of the toys I have having been given to me by Hasbro, or I bought because I wanted to build the Mandroid Build-A-Figure. Yeah, sure, I've made individual toy review posts about some of these figures - but even then, I review them as I would any other toy. You'll notice that in my Nightshade review I make zero mention of this toy's character from the show or the whole gender neutral thing. It's a toy review, so I only focus on the figure (not saying that I like or dislike the character; I just have little interest in the show period).

I don't want to say that people shouldn't criticise things; but there's a difference between being critical and just outright hating things because they're contrary to your tastes or because it's different from what you're familiar with. If Transformers never did anything different, then we'd still be stuck in 1985. And quite frankly, Transformers would've died off along with the Machine Men, if not sooner. The reason why the Transformers is in its fortieth consecutive year and didn't die off like so many other 80s toy brands is because it has constantly reinvented itself. Yeah, some inventions were better than others, but the point is that Transformers has always adapted. And in the 21rd Century where Transformers is a multi-line brand, we can choose which lines to focus on. The G2 years were lowest point of the brand, and if you didn't like G2 then there was really nothing else that you could collect. Heck, as awesome as Beast Wars was, during the BW years if you didn't like BW, except for the limited Machine Wars, there was nothing else that you could collect. Don't like Transformers One? Then don't watch or collect it. You still have Generations Legacy, Generations Studio Series, Masterpiece and now Missing Link etc. etc. We are so spoiled for choice now as collectors, and yet people still want to complain. Think back to 1995! :D

Thank you for attending my TEDtalk. :p

[DELTAprime]

I just got my Legacy United Gears from Amazon. He's probably the most intuitive transformation I've seen come from a new mould in a while. I know some people consider it sacrilege, but as long as it doesn't result in a bad looking Bot or Alt mode I do like a simple intuitive transformation over the complex transformations that seemed to become a thing after the success of the 2007 Bayverse line.

[Skyfire]

Calling it now... that Buzzsaw from Legacy United Leader Soundwave is SO getting ripped from packaging. From in-box photos, Buzzsaw is sitting at the top left of the box - immediately accessible to a hand passing through the open window.

[JJJ]

Calling it now... that Buzzsaw from Legacy United Leader Soundwave is SO getting ripped from packaging. From in-box photos, Buzzsaw is sitting at the top left of the box - immediately accessible to a hand passing through the open window.

Don't tempt me. That's the only thing I want from the whole product, and I doubt I'm the only one.

[DELTAprime]

Don't tempt me. That's the only thing I want from the whole product, and I doubt I'm the only one.

Yep. So freaking disappointing to see Buzzsaw is in this pack instead of something like a SS86 release in a vs pack with Rewind.

[JJJ]

And it has occurred to me that Buzzsaw might not get any sort of SS86 release the way Frenzy & Rumble have, because he didn't make an appearance of any sort in the movie.

Sure, Studio Series has moved the goalposts a couple of times, but given how Buzzsaw, whom we all expected to get a new toy of back in Siege (5 years ago now) is only now getting that toy, I suspect that if that happened (SS widened further to include the cartoon in general) then it would still be 5 years on from now...

[Paulbot]

I'm hoping that Ravage and Laserbeak get new SS86 toys, like Rumble and Frenzy have to replace the Siege toys after this use.

If they do maybe a Buzzsaw repaint in the Generations Line might pop up sooner.

[Jaxius._]

With the news core class is being cancelled it got me thinking about what we got from it, it definitely gave us some great little toys, probably not a single bad one but i can probably list the one's i physically saw in stores on one hand and it just makes me think retail killed this size class, and with no 'smaller' sizes classes and deluxes now being $40+ i really feel bad for the kids who want to save up for a toy, i remember being so excited when i saved up to buy my first toy (Cybertron Metroplex, lots of chores and birthday money, i was probably 5 maybe 6?) and it is a memory i still remember and when i worked retail i remember kids being so excited counting their coins to buy a toy, $40 is a lot of money as a kid (hell for a toy now as an adult it's getting a bit much which is why i've slowed down buying at retail)

Anyway all this to say i hope hasbro introduces some form of smaller size class for kids, not just cheap authentics and gimmicky crap that ends up in land fill. Wheres the toys for 6-10 year olds that are an afforable puzzle. I guess i now sound like one of those fans who goes 'back in my day' but in this case maybe it's justfied, bring back scout class, the entry point to most lines shouldn't be $40.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Totally agree with you Jaxius, I bagged a few Core figures and generally they were pretty nifty, and decent enough for the price, but with them going..... Unless you look at the trashy gimmick one step toys, there is nothing decent that is under deluxe pricing.

[DELTAprime]

I feel like this is something we really need to be mindful of when it comes to ordering HasLab products from EB Games. Physical games are selling so poorly that UK's biggest games retailer, Game is no longer going to stock games. They will only sell them on a preorder basis. Unless EB Games can pivot into something else, I can't see regional EB Games stores like mine which is pretty much a sad ghost town of a store staying open much longer.

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/uk-retailer-game-will-reportedly-stop-selling-physical-games-in-store/

[Jaxius._]

Really hoping we wither get pulse or someone else picks up haslabs, i got omega prime from Sugo Toys and saved $100 or so but still costed more than it should have

[DELTAprime]

I just had my first poor quality control experience on a Transformers product in a very long time. I got Legacy G1 Windsweeper and Prime Breakdown. Breakdown was missing one of his wheels. Fortunately I didn't buy the set for Breakdown, so I'm not worried about it other than the decreased resale value. But yeah, first QC issue in at least a couple of years for me.

[Skyfire]

I wish they completed the red paint stripe on Studio Series 86 Leader Swoop's legs, instead of giving another sword. Makes me think they want people to buy the comic edition Grimlock so that all the dinobots get a red sword.

[Paulbot]

Today is 17 September 2024 - which means it's 40 years since the G1 Cartoon first aired in the US.

The Gamesmen is celebrating this as Transformers Day (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/30037-Gamesmen-has-10-off-in-stock-TFs-Ends-17-9-24)

The comic book was on sale earlier though, and it's likely the toys were on sale before this date too? Tracking down the date the toys first went on sale might be something hard to track down to an authoritative source.

There was debate about the launch of the toys in Australia (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26476-When-did-Transformers-toys-first-get-released-in-Australia) a few years ago.

.

[Paulbot]

Hey everyone, I'll be doing an end of year poll again this year. Look out for the voting to start before the end of the year.

[DELTAprime]

Hey everyone, I'll be doing an end of year poll again this year. Look out for the voting to start before the end of the year.

As usual you can expect me to only give my thoughts on Generations and SS86. That's about all I've paid attention to in the last year. I meant to watch TF One over Xmas, but other stuff came up.

[Paulbot]

Voting has begun (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/30092-2024-Australian-Transformers-Fans-Awards?p=663337#post663337)


As usual you can expect me to only give my thoughts on Generations and SS86. That's about all I've paid attention to in the last year. I meant to watch TF One over Xmas, but other stuff came up.

All good, there's something on the form for everyone!