The Random Transformers Thoughts Thread

[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,






Including this little guy...

[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.