(OCT-2013) Animated Era Toys - Reviews and Favourites

Following a short-lived filler toyline called Classics (which ultimately spawned a number of toylines of "classicverse" toys) and the first of several Live Action Movies, the Animated series launched with a cartoon at the end of 2007, but we didn't see any toys until mid 2008. Lasting 3 seasons and barely a year on TV and in stores, the cartoon and toyline came to a rather abrupt end in the second quarter of 2009, due to Hasbro starting up their HUB cable TV channel and wanting new cartoons of their main brands to spearhead its launch later that year.
The axing was so abrupt, that an official DVD release of the 3rd season is still yet to occur, because at the time, all marketing and merchandise was directed at the next series.

Animated started off fairly ordinary as a cartoon and toy series, to the point of being significantly dismissed by the fandom as being too young with its visual style and themes... but by the end of 2008, characters on the cartoon and in the toyline were more often being made as homages to classic characters, which helped draw in many existing fans. The short-lived series generated a significant following by the time it ended, with interest to this day for a fourth season (even if it is just a comic), and for the unreleased toys (including some prototype designs of Megatron and Optimus).
Animated's toy release in Australia was sporadic, which was a significant change from the almost-complete release of the preceding line of Cybertron here. Several figures we didn't end up getting here, while some others (particularly Voyagers) were so limited, they disappeared within a week of being first sighted.
In Japan, the series was released in 2010 (after it had ended in Western markets) under the banner of "Transformers Animated", which is rare for the same name to be used on both American/Western and Japanese versions of a series. The significant difference was TakaraTomy were giving their Animated toys shiny decos, compared to Hasbro's more accurate animated colours... which is a reversal of what we are used to, as TakaraTomy are usually the ones to "fix up" or refine toy decos to make them more cartoon accurate. One bonus of the Japanese series being a delayed release and not affected by the HUB's creation ending the toyline, was that they were able to release a number of figures in Japan that were axed by Hasbro.

Details of the Animated era can be read about here.

The toyline didn't have a series-wide gimmick like the preceding eras did, but it did contain a number of gimmicks for different size-classes.
We saw Bumper Battlers that "transformed" when they hit something in vehicle mode, Activators that had spring-loaded transformations to robot mode, Powerbots that were non-convertible but were electronic, and Supreme class which had a "spin to transform" gimmick.

(toy listing below may not be entirely complete, especially their release status here, as the second half is still a work in progress)
Release dates are American - the Australian dates will be added later.

Animated - larger sizes

Deluxe
- - Wave 1 (June 2008)
Bumblebee - Out here
Prowl - Out here
Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime - Out here
Lockdown - Out here
- - Wave 2 (June-July 2008)
Autobot Ratchet - Out here
Blackarachnia - Out here
- - Wave 3 (July 2008)
Autobot Jazz - Out here (limited release)
Snarl - Out here (limited release)
Soundwave w/ Laserbeak - Out here (limited release)
Oilslick - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 4 (Aug-Sept 2008)
Sentinel Prime - Out here (limited release)
Swoop - Out here (limited release)
Patrol Bumblebee (redeco) - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 5 (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Blurr
Blazing Lockdown (redeco/new accessory)
Swindle
- - Wave 6 (Feb-Mar 2009)
Samurai Prowl (Deluxe remould w/ Sidecar/armour)
Waspinator
- - Wave 7 (April-May 2009)
Freeway Jazz (redco)
Electrostatic Soundwave (redeco) w/ Ratbat (new)
- - Wave 8 & 9 (mid-late 2009)
Toxic Oil Slick (redeco) - CANCELLED
Fugitive Wasp/Waspinator (redeco) - CANCELLED
Vortex Blurr (redeco) - CANCELLED
Mercenary Swindle (redeco) - CANCELLED
Arcee (new) - CANCELLED (later released at US TRU in 2010)
Cybertronian Ratchet (new) - CANCELLED (later released at US TRU in 2010)
Rodimus Minor (new) - CANCELLED (later released at US TRU in 2010)
Ironhide (redeco) - CANCELLED (later released at US TRU in 2010)

Voyager
- - Wave 1 (June 2008)
Bulkhead - Out here
Starscream - Out here
Cybertron Mode Megatron - Out here
- - Wave 2 (June-July 2008)
Optimus Prime - Out here
- - Wave 3 (July 2008)
Grimlock - Out here (limited release)
Lugnut - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 4 (Aug-Sept 2008)
Blitzwing - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 5 (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Skywarp (redeco)
Shockwave/Longarm
- - Wave 6 (Feb-Mar 2009)
Atomic Lugnut (redeco)
Wreckgar
- - Wave 7 (April-May 2009)
Thundercracker (redeco) - CANCELLED
Mudbuster Bulkhead (redeco) - CANCELLED
- - Wave 8 (June-July 2009)
Goldfire Grimlock (redeco) - CANCELLED
Hydrodrive Bumblebee (new) - CANCELLED (release in Japan)
Wingblade Optimus Prime (redeco with accessories) - CANCELLED (release in Japan)
Blackout (new) - CANCELLED (release in Japan)


Leader
- - Wave 1 (June 2008)
Bulkhead - Out here
- - Wave 2 (July 2008)
Megatron - Out here
- - Wave 3 (Aug-Sept 2008)
Ultra Magnus (Leader) - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 4 (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Shadow Blade Megatron (redeco)
- - Wave 5 (Feb-Apr 2009)
Roadbuster Ultra Magnus (redeco)


Supreme
- - Wave 1 (June-July 2008)
Optimus Prime - Out here (limited release)


Deluxe 2-pack (entertainment pack)
- - Wave 1 (June-July 2008)
Earth mode Optimus Prime Vs Cybertron mode Megatron (with DVD in American release) - Out here
(different Optimus mould to the single pack Deluxe)
-- Wave 2 (Oct-Nov 2008)
Jetfire & Jetstorm (form Safeguard) (with comic) - Out here (limited release)



Animated - smaller sizes and gimmick lines

Activators
- - Wave 1 (June-July 2008)
Bumblebee (Autobot) - Out here
Bulkhead (Autobot) - Out here
Starscream (Decepticon) - Out here
- - Wave 2 (Aug-Sept 2008)
Optimus Prime (Autobot)
Lockdown (Decepticon)
Ratchet (Autobot)
- - Wave 3 (Oct 2008)
Patrol Bumblebee (redeco)
Thundercracker (redeco)
- - Wave 4 (Nov 2008)
Megatron - Out here (limited release)
Grimlock - Out here (limited release)
Bandit Lockdown (redeco) - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 5 (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Cliffjumper (redeco)
Dirge (redeco)
- - Wave 6 (Feb-March 2009)
Fireblast Grimlock (redeco)
Soundwave
- - Wave 7 (Apr-May 2009)
Armor Up Optimus Prime (redeco)
Battlefield Bumblebee (redeco)
- - Wave 8 (June-July 2009)
Electromagnetic Soundwave (redeco) - CANCELLED


Bumper Battlers
- - Wave 1 (June-July 2008)
Autobot Ratchet (Autobot) - Out here
Bumblebee (Autobot) - Out here
Optimus Prime (Autobot) - Out here
- - Wave 2 (Aug-Sept 2008)
Bulkhead (Autobot) - Out here (limited release)
Autobot Jazz (Autobot) - Out here (limited release)
- - Wave 3 (Oct 2008)
Sting Racer Bumblebee (Autobot - redeco)
Nightwatch Optimus Prime (Autobot - redeco)
- - Wave 4 (Nov 2008)
Lockdown (Decepticon)
Soundwave (Decepticon)
- - Wave 5 (Feb-Apr 2009) (apparently this wave never hit America before the line was axed)
Workzone Bulkhead (Autobot - redeco) - Out here (limited release)
Stealth Ninja Jazz (Autobot - redeco) - Out here (limited release)


Universe Legends
- - (Oct-Nov 2008)
Optimus Prime (Anim Autobot)
Bumblebee (Anim Autobot)
Prowl (Anim Autobot)
- - (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Starscream (Decepticon)


Other
- - (June-July 2008)
Optimus Prime Battle Blaster (Autobot Roleplay) - Out here (limited release)
Optimus Prime Handheld Game (Autobot Shiftech) - Out here (limited release)
- - (Aug-Sept 2008)
Cyberspeed Bumblebee (Autobot Power Bot) - Out here (limited release)
- - (Oct-Nov 2008)
Street Patrol Bumblebee (Autobot Power Bot - redeco)
- - (Jun-July 2009)
Megatron Battle Blaster (Decepticon Roleplay) - CANCELLED
Bumblebee Handheld Game (Autobot Shiftech) - CANCELLED


Store Exclusives
- - (Aug-Sept 2008)
The Legacy of Bumblebee (3xDeluxe Autobot) (Classic Bumblebee (repack), Premium Movie Bumblebee (repack), Animated Bumblebee (redeco))
(US Walmart/AUS Kmart Sep/Oct)
Bulkhead (Leader) w/ Bumblebee (Act) (repacks) (US TRU/AUS TRU Oct)
Megatron (Leader) w/ Starscream (Act) (repacks) (US TRU/AUS TRU Oct)
- - (Dec 2008-Jan 2009)
Stealth Lockdown (DLX redeco) w/ Optimus Prime & Bumblebee (Legends minor redecos) (US Target/AUS unknown)
Rescue Ratchet (DLX redeco) w/ Prowl & Starscream (Legends minor redecos) (US Target/AUS unknown)
Bulkhead (Voyager) w/ Autobot Jazz (BBat) (repacks) - CANCELLED?
Optimus Prime (Voyager) w/ Autobot Ratchet (BBat) (repacks) - CANCELLED?
Optimus Prime Vs Blackarachnia (Deluxe repacks) (US Walmart/AUS Kmart?) - (The Revenge of Blackarachnia)
Prowl Vs Megatron (Deluxe repacks) (US Walmart/AUS Kmart?) - (Battle in Space)
- - (Feb-Mar 2009)
Sunstorm (Voyager redeco) Vs Ratchet (Activator repack) (US Target/AUS BigW?)
Shockwave (Voyager redeco) Vs Bumblebee (Activator repack) (US Target/AUS BigW?)
- - (2009/2010?)
Arcee (Deluxe) (US TRU Excl - Not released here)
Cybertronian Ratchet (Deluxe) (US TRU Excl - Not released here)
- - (mid 2010)
Ironhide (Deluxe redeco) (US TRU Excl - Not released here)
Rodimus Major (Deluxe) (US TRU Excl - Not released here)
- - (mid 2011)
Cheetor (DLX redeco of Blurr) (Club exclusive)
Motormaster (redeco VOY Optimus) (BotCon exclusive)
Wildrider (redeco DLX Lockdown) (BotCon exclusive)
Dragstrip (redeco DLX Arcee) (BotCon exclusive)
Dead End (redeco DLX Jazz) (BotCon exclusive)
Breakdown (redeco DLX Rodimus Major) (BotCon exclusive)
Gen2 Sideswipe (redeco DLX Rodimus Major) (BotCon exclusive)
Toxitron (redeco VOY Optimus) (BotCon exclusive)
Auto-Trooper (redeco DLX Cybertronian Ratchet) (BotCon exclusive)
Fisitron (redeco DLX Cybertronian Ratchet) (BotCon attendee exclusive)
Minerva (redeco DLX Arcee) (BotCon Custom Class exclusive)
- - (Aug-Oct 2013)
Jackpot (redeco DLX Jazz) (Subscription figure)
(Slipstream (using DLX TFPrime Starscream mould) (Subscription figure))


Japanese Exclusives (there might be some limited edition items I may have missed/left out, due to there being so many of them)
Deluxe Elite Guard Prowl (redeco of first version)
Deluxe Dark Rodimus (redeco)
Voyager Jetpack (Hydrodrive) Bumblebee (new)
Voyager Wingblade Optimus Prime (redeco with accessories)
Voyager Blackout (new)
Voyager Elite Guard Optimus (redeco)
Voyager Optimus Prime (black version) (redeco)
Activators Ramjet (redeco)
Activators Skywarp (redeco)
Activators Soundblaster (redeco)
Activators Optimus Prime (translucent "The Cool" version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Elite Guard Prowl (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Prowl (clear smoke version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Bumblebee (completely translucent version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Starscream (completely translucent dark purple version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Thundercracker (completely translucent blue redeco)
EZ (Legends) Skywarp (completely translucent pink-purple redeco)
EZ (Legends) Sunstorm (completely translucent orange redeco)
EZ (Legends) Ramjet (completely translucent white redeco)
EZ (Legends) Black Starscream Clone (completely translucent black & clear redeco)
EZ (Legends) Elite Guard Bumblebee (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Elite Guard Optimus (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Optimus (translucent red version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Optimus (Gold version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Optimus (limited translucent version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Bumblebee (limited translucent version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Prowl (limited translucent version) (redeco)
EZ (Legends) Starscream (limited translucent version) (redeco)
2010 Sons of Cybertron DLX 2-pack (Earth Mode Optimus & Rodimus) (translucent)


McDonalds Animated Happy Meal toys (6 toys in America - 4 in Australia)
Bumblebee, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Autobot Ratchet (released AUS Sep/Oct 2008)
Lugnut, Starscream (not released here)


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

What was your first one, and when?

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

While typing up all that, I was actually surprised at how brief the Animated series was. I had in my mind that since it was a 3-season cartoon, the series (and toys) was out for about 3 years as well... but no. The advance screening of the cartoon in America in December 2007 was misleading, as the toys didn't get released until middle of 2008. (there was an advance release in Cincinnati for the BotCon in April)
And since there were four US ToysRUs exclusive Deluxes released in 2010, plus the Japanese version starting by 2010, it all had me feeling like the series was indeed about 3 years long (2007 to 2010/2011).

But with the global release being June-ish of 2008, it really surprised me to realise that by June-ish 2009, just 12 months later, the Animated toyline was over, and all unreleased items were cancelled. (and some that must have just started production, were stopped, and their limited number appeared in just a couple of countries... or just on ebay)

It was only a few years ago, but I had totally forgotten that it was such a short series... and yet, it is one of the more popular ones in the fandom. Or at least, one of the few series that has inspired fans to want to see more from it (as in, cartoons/comics and/or toys).

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
My Best would have to go to Deluxe Cybertronian Optimus Prime. I think it is one of the most overlooked figures in the line.
It is articulate, good looking, decent transformation, and pretty accurate to the show.

Worst would have to go to the 2 Cybertronian Megatron figures. Robot modes look find. It is just the vehicle modes, they just don't really look like anything. The Deluxe is the worst offender of this.

What was your first one, and when?
I picked up wave 1 and 2 of the deluxes when they came out on BBTS.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
I keep eyeing off TFCC Slipstream. I just don't know how well she would fit in with the other 3 animated seekers.

I wasn't a big fan of Animated toys, mostly due to poor production quality. I believe this was caused by a shift in Hasbro's manufacturing locations and the effects were not just confined to Animated.

I think Animated toys suffered the most though due to poor design choices, particularly around ball joints, plugs/tabs and weight distribution. Aesthetically the toys were brilliant with reasonable cartoon accuracy and neat transformations and possibly the best accessories in terms of playability and relevance.

However none of this means much when your toy has floppy arms, doesn't lock together neatly or can't stand up straight :p

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
- Best: (Leader class) Megatron & Ultra Magnus, (Deluxe Class) Swindle, Rodimus Minor & Lockdown
- Worst: Dirge (bad colouring) and Snarl just for the confusion he caused.

What was your first one, and when?
Got about 8 at once off the shelves when I came across them in 2008. But maybe the first one I picked up of the 8 was Cybertonian-Mode Megatron

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
- Sunstorm, Skywarp, Blackout & Ratbat. Why? Because I WANT them! But have yet to find them cheap enough for my budget :(.

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.
Don't have any shots of the whole gang, but here are pics of the first ones and last ones of the era I got :)


FIRST LOT
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ed0abd5.jpg


LAST LOT
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8f95515.jpg

And I wasn't going to collect the Animated figures... :confused:

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2717c371.jpg

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54b04b09.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MayzaPrime

And I wasn't going to collect the Animated figures... :confused:

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Same. Yet my collection is growing slowly :rolleyes:

They are fantastic figures. I haven't had any problems with mine like Lint has so it's nothing but love from this corner ;)

The line gave us arguably the best leader class toy ever (Megatron) and some awesome deluxes. Of note are Jazz, Lockdown, Lugnut (too small though), Hot Rod, the list goes on! How they crammed such aesthetics into a transforming robot is forever a source of admiration :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MayzaPrime

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54b04b09.jpg

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I saw the blue and green versions of Arcee on the shelf and wondered if they were some Japanese redecos I had missed... but eventually found that they were just KOs. Which was a pity, as that mould could do with a couple redecos for the various "token females" in TFs.
I woulda snapped them up instantly if Hasbro or TT had done them.

Quote:

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McDonalds Animated Happy Meal toys (6 toys in America - 4 in Australia)
Bumblebee, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Autobot Ratchet (released AUS Sep/Oct 2008)
Lugnut, Starscream (not released here)

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Hey Bossbot, you forgot French McDonald's Blitzwing! ;)


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

Best
Deluxe Rodimus: Just a stand out mold that came in a lot of great colours. Hyper Hobby Black Rodimus and Botcon Sideswipe being my favourites.
Blurr: Clever design, love dem legs.
Arcee: So cute! In both modes, tidy and fun.

Worst
Activators Optimus: it just will not stay together.
Activators Lockdown: mini murder moke has the same problem. Great details though.
McRatchet Deluxe: You all know the one I'm talking about.


What was your first one, and when?

Deluxe Bumblebee and Prowl, from Myers of all places, at full price. They were the first store to get the TFA toys in and I was so excited to see them, well I just had to buy them right there. I used money that I'd received in a high school art prize to buy them.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Time was, I was a TFA completionist, right down to the most bizarre merchandise. I have the boogie board. Also, two skateboards (one with sick flashing wheels!) all still in plastic wrap.
I gave up finding the Japanese clear Thundercracker and "Starscream Clone Black Version" legends exclusives though. ugh.



But now.
I am literally only looking for a piece of cardboard.

One I had, but was trashed in the 2011 flood. And then given false hope when I found the regular version with our dry salvage a few months ago, but nothing more.

I'll stop being so melodramatic, it's the backing card/tray/box for Stealth Ninja Bumper Battler Jazz. Australian Exclusive (and possibly NZ/Europe also)

Sell me a piece of cardboard, I will make you a good deal.



and, peut-être
...french McDonald's Blitzwing. :D:D

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.

These are the only decent photos I have on hand right now.

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps7935afcb.jpg

Microbots!

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/w...psdfbebe88.jpg

Yep. :o;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by griffin

I saw the blue and green versions of Arcee on the shelf and wondered if they were some Japanese redecos I had missed... but eventually found that they were just KOs. Which was a pity, as that mould could do with a couple redecos for the various "token females" in TFs.
I woulda snapped them up instantly if Hasbro or TT had done them.

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I would have loved an official release of the female bots, I managed to pick these 2 up from a KO website (can't remember which one). The blue bot actually has a purple Autobot symbol on her chest, but I just put a repolabel sticker over the top.

Surprisingly for a KO the quality of the figure is pretty good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trent

Same. Yet my collection is growing slowly :rolleyes:

They are fantastic figures. I haven't had any problems with mine like Lint has so it's nothing but love from this corner ;)

The line gave us arguably the best leader class toy ever (Megatron) and some awesome deluxes. Of note are Jazz, Lockdown, Lugnut (too small though), Hot Rod, the list goes on! How they crammed such aesthetics into a transforming robot is forever a source of admiration :)

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I agree mate, the Megatron figure is awesome (and a xmas pressie from my brother) I also really like the Ultra Magnus figure as well (bday pressie from some mates).

The Hot Rod mold is one of my favourites of the line and the repaints/retools are just awesome.

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best, so Many. As many have said Leader Megs and Magnus are great! Voyager Bulkhead and deluxe Prowl and Rodimus are joys to behold. I love both versions of Ratchet. Lockdown is very cleverly designed!

Worst. Activator Lockdown is ugly. Voyager and Delux Megatron are horrid. What the hell are they supposed to Transform into? At least the delux one has a good robot mode. But loose hips... I wasn't really fond of the Voyager seeker mode. The fingers always drop off and by the time I got Sunstorm I think degradation had got to the mold and its a bit naff.

What was your first one, and when?
Cybertron Mode Optimus. In an effort to get all Cybertronian versions of characters and I think I just nabbed him from Kmart when they came out here. Back in the days when toys actually got on the shelves.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
OMEGA SUPREME!!!
Shame he doesn't exist...
I don't think I am really looking for any anymore. Animated is the most complete line I have and there are are only a couple of the Hasbro ones that I am missing. Mainly pointless recolours (roadbuster Magnus for example).

I must admit that I do hate that the TFCC is making Jackpot, as I kind of thought of Animated as being finished, with the Botcon set, but since he might only end up showing up in their horrid fanfic comic, I can live with that easily.

I'd really like ot see them release the Hot Shot toy they made up and the Marauder Megatron as well. They had prototypes, so fingers, toes and anywhere else crossed for a Thrilling Thirty release when it comes to Animated's turn!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tetsuwan Convoy

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best, so Many. As many have said Leader Megs and Magnus are great! Voyager Bulkhead and deluxe Prowl and Rodimus are joys to behold. I love both versions of Ratchet. Lockdown is very cleverly designed!

Worst. Activator Lockdown is ugly. Voyager and Delux Megatron are horrid. What the hell are they supposed to Transform into? At least the delux one has a good robot mode. But loose hips... I wasn't really fond of the Voyager seeker mode. The fingers always drop off and by the time I got Sunstorm I think degradation had got to the mold and its a bit naff.

What was your first one, and when?
Cybertron Mode Optimus. In an effort to get all Cybertronian versions of characters and I think I just nabbed him from Kmart when they came out here. Back in the days when toys actually got on the shelves.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
OMEGA SUPREME!!!
Shame he doesn't exist...
I don't think I am really looking for any anymore. Animated is the most complete line I have and there are are only a couple of the Hasbro ones that I am missing. Mainly pointless recolours (roadbuster Magnus for example).

I must admit that I do hate that the TFCC is making Jackpot, as I kind of thought of Animated as being finished, with the Botcon set, but since he might only end up showing up in their horrid fanfic comic, I can live with that easily.

I'd really like ot see them release the Hot Shot toy they made up and the Marauder Megatron as well. They had prototypes, so fingers, toes and anywhere else crossed for a Thrilling Thirty release when it comes to Animated's turn!

---

I would also like them to release the Constructicons, Yogitron, Grandus.

Sadly Hasbro seem to not want to release all of the figures in their cartoons, it frustrates me. I would love a Voyager/Leader Insecticon from TF Prime, I would but atleast 3 :D

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best: Leader Class Megatron. I'm not normally a fan of toys w/ electronic gimmicks, and Leader Class toys usually aren't worth their price point, but Leader Class Megatron is a happy exception. :) And yet this toy still shelf warmed and was later heavily discounted (which was great news for more patient collectors ;)).

Worst: Blitzwing (Hasbro)... *sigh* :rolleyes:

What was your first one, and when?
Deluxe Bumblebee and Lockdown; June 2008

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
Omega Supreme and the Constructicons! They've all had repeated and prominent appearances on the show... where are their toys?!

Show us some pics of your collection of the ones you have.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...ps1d6c3f3f.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MayzaPrime

I would also like them to release the Constructicons, Yogitron, Grandus.

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I think you meant Yoketron - named after Hasbro designer Yoke Hideaki. Though they always mispronounce it as "Yoh-Kee", where it should be "Yoh-Keh." He may or may not be smarter than an average bear. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MayzaPrime

Sadly Hasbro seem to not want to release all of the figures in their cartoons, it frustrates me. I would love a Voyager/Leader Insecticon from TF Prime, I would but atleast 3 :D

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This is why I wish they'd go back to designing Transformers as toys first, then screen models second. <whimper> :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime

I think you meant Yoketron - named after Hasbro designer Yoke Hideaki. Though they always mispronounce it as "Yoh-Kee", where it should be "Yoh-Keh." He may or may not be smarter than an average bear. ;)

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Sorry its a little running joke I have with my kids... It slipped in without me even noticing ;)

Loved this line, managed to get as many of the show/comic figures as was reasonably able to.

What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?
Best: Prowl (both versions), Leader Megatron, Hot Rod, Arcee, Voyager Bulkhead, Cybertron Ratchet, Oil Slick, LUGNUTZ
Worst: Blitzwing, Black Arachnia, Deluxe Bumblebee

What was your first one, and when?
Lugnutz is one of my favourites, but that is more due to the media appearances. Activator Bumblebee, Cybertron Ratchet and Leader Megatron are probably my top 3.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
After getting Hot Rod, Arcee and Blackout, I am all but done with the series. I'd love to get the Botcon figures but they are too pricey. Omega Supreme, the Consructicons, and Spittor would be nice if they were made. Wasp and Ironhide are the two I am most after that I could actually afford!

The Animated line was a pleasant surprise and I rank it very high in terms of engineering. The designers had more leeway with the alt modes as being not realistic/chibified, but they came up with some ingenious overall transformation scheme (Blurr and Rodimus switch position of their arms and legs, for example) and little neat transform steps and gimmicks(Shockwave's head, all of Ultra Magnus's 8 wheels end up in his legs, and Grimlock's sword). Also very clever use of surfaces of vehicle mode to represent the stylized robot physique in robot mode.

And Animated provided engineering synergy for RotF, arguably the most screen accurate movie line. If it weren't for the experience they had with Animated, we wouldn't get so many RotF toys with intricate engineering.


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

Best- Blurr: probably the best futuristic car we've ever had.:D
Samurai Prowl: the original Prowl is already one of the best bike-formers (alongside RtS Wreck-gar). Very clever engineering without being fiddly. It's an asymmetrical transformation with symmetrical parts. And with the armor you can choose to keep your Prowl as a ninja or a samurai.
Jet twins: Not many people like them but I just love the unique way they combine. Individual bots are full of personality. Individual jet modes are half decent and at least show accurate. Safeguard is surprisingly articulated.

Honorable mention: Ultra Magnus, Shockwave, Cybertronian Optimus.

Worst- Personally I think Animated toys are generally well-designed. There's nothing like Prime Arachnid which you absolutely want to avoid. But the line had some really big design overlook.
So Lockdown, Bumblebee, and perhaps Swindle (no heels. When the wheels are swung under the feet it's very tricky to stand him up). They are still good figures, just should be better.


What was your first one, and when?

Cybertronian Optimus Prime. February 2008 (when stolen Chinese toys were everywhere and I was studying in China. By May I already had half of the cast including Blitzwing :D)

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?
None. But I'm really looking forward to certain 3rd party toys that pay homage to Animated.

Animated was an amazing toyline, I am still surprised at how well the character designs and proportions translated into functional, transforming figures. Transforming them were fun and I like how there were no cumbersome line-wide gimmick.

My favourite would be Prowl, one of the best, and still the best, motorcycle Transformer. The way they handled the wheels is ingenious. The Samurai retool was good, too bad they scrapped the splitting wheel idea, :(.

The other great Animated toys that comes to mind are the Activators, they are really fun! Spring loaded transformations, they were good representations of the characters in a small size. Some were very cleverly designed. It is always a tease to see the unreleased Animated toys and prototypes. It's great that Takara ended up releasing all the molds that Hasbro couldn't.

Back when Animated was released, I was still young in my collecting habits so I only managed to procure three: Wingblade Optimus Prime, Samurai Prowl and Oil Slick.

Mucking around with all my Grimlocks for this thread, I gotta say that Animated Grimlock is by the worst when it comes to a solid and stable alt mode. He was a nightmare to pose with Voyager Optimus Prime riding on his back. Even little Pretender Grimlock fared better with the massive Powermaster Optimus Prime on him, and Masterpiece Grimlock was able to hold the weight of the much heavier MP01! But yeah... Animated Grimmie was a hassle to get into a position where he could support Voyager Prime's weight and stay in position long enough to be photographed! :rolleyes:

Griffin, ...the Stealth Lockdown (deluxe) with Optimus and Bumblebee (legends) actually did make it to Australia. I was lucky enough to find it at Target Chadstone but because the Animated line was coming close to it's end at the time:(, I expect few to know of this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shockNwave

Griffin, ...the Stealth Lockdown (deluxe) with Optimus and Bumblebee (legends) actually did make it to Australia. I was lucky enough to find it at Target Chadstone but because the Animated line was coming close to it's end at the time:(, I expect few to know of this.

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I can confirm that both Stealth Lockdown and Rescue Ratchet were both released at Target stores in Australia - I was working in the Target toys department at the time, and remember putting them on the shelf! :)

Blitzwing was the 1st toy in this line I acquired & really set the tone of the show for me. "Ooooh! I wanna see him turn into a fire truck! Can I? Can I, ha-ha, can I? Ahahahahahahahaha!" So much sarcasm & a great nod to G1 with easter eggs galore.:)

Have to say G1, Japan G1, Beast Wars & Animated get more replay than the other series for me.

Still haven't snagged animated Blackout but I plan on getting him before 2016 ends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shockNwave

Griffin, ...the Stealth Lockdown (deluxe) with Optimus and Bumblebee (legends) actually did make it to Australia. I was lucky enough to find it at Target Chadstone but because the Animated line was coming close to it's end at the time:(, I expect few to know of this.

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That was an era (2009-2010) that I didn't keep as much track of the releases here, so I couldn't remember if that one was released here when I did up that posting.

If I ever get around to doing up toy lists for those two years, I'll make a note that they were indeed released here.

Watching Animated was what got me back into the fandom if not collecting. The bulk of the toys had already passed and it was a little late to catch up without paying eBay prices.

My favorite was Arcee. Mostly because she was the closest to a G1 representation we had at the time. Runner ups were Wreck-Gar for his portrayal in the cartoon and Bumblebee for being fun.

It got me back into collecting as well.

Shockwave/Longarm Prime was an awesome toy and cartoon character. 2 robot modes and 2 alt modes is exactly what an espionage-bot should be; taking the concept to the next level from where G1 Punch/Counterpunch and Armada Sideways tried to achieve.

Lockdown still amazes me in the way that such a small compact alt mode can produce such an imposing robot mode. He'd be perfect as a toy if it weren't for the odd position they chose to finish the wrists.

That Shockwave/Longarm is truly special and can only be equalled (if not surpassed) by the Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker quad changer.

I actually managed to nab one of each mold of the main sizes (deluxe, voyager, leader) in this series, aside from Shockwave/Longarm, Soundwave and Snarl.


What are your Best and Worst toys of this Era?

Best:
I loved Hot Rod a lot.

Worst:
Without a doubt Lockdown. I owned two samples and the plastic was shocking on both. The engineering was garbage and needlessly limited the figure in several ways, and the gimmicks were uninspired.
Waspinator was a mess as well.

What was your first one, and when?
Voyager Starscream and Deluxe Lockdown, and in the middle of 2008.

What ones are you currently most looking for and why?

Would consider rebuying Hot Rod (I've since sold mine), though I'm not actively looking.