Bad news.
An upcoming issue of Figure King apparently says that Takara's POTP toys are going to be identical to Hasbro's to facilitate "Unifying the World Brands".
https://www.seibertron.com/transform...-brands/40371/
I reckon there'd be a good chance for POTP combiners being under the UW banner since the Dinobots/Terrorcons/Lady Autobots aren't in the lineup for Japanese POTP (or POP? You tell me).
Atleast I hope so because I quite liked UW (and correct me if I'm wrong, but they sold pretty reasonably well?).
Also I imagine this will be a gradual change and not an absolute for TF going forward - it's very unlikely that TT would just jump ship to Hasbro's MP numbering (or vice-versa).
Again plz correct me if I'm wrong.
Trust me the sarcasm is oozing out everywhere! While I知 happy to give my wallet a slight breather I知 also pretty disappointed tt have decided to just sit back and take hasbro痴 handy work and shove it in a premium box (maybe). I知 really looking forward to continuation of the combiners and hopefully they stick with the high end trend.
This is really disappointing. Now we won't have alternative deco/accessory options, if the Hasbro versions are disappointing. (as we already saw with the Movie toyline, with the same toys in the same packaging released in Japan)
There were rumours that Hasbro wanted to acquire TakaraTomy (which would be easy to do at the moment, while TT sales are dropping), so maybe instead, Hasbro are developing a closer partnership first, forcing TT to release the same product, just to prevent Western collectors from buying Japanese versions (because they would then be unlikely to buy the Hasbro versions).
This will surely mean a lot less unique redecos and remoulds from Japan... or we will see a lot more TakaraTomyMall exclusives and Ehobby exclusives.
Fans in HK and Asia will also be upset over this, as Hasbro HK would release the Japanese Transformers to Asia... but now there won't be any point, as there won't be any unique General Release ones anymore.
Just look at the general release 2017 TT toys that wouldn't have happened if this policy had started at the beginning of this year...
- LG-41 - Leo Prime (Lio Convoy redeco of Alpha Trion)
- LG-42 -Godbomber (new)
- LG-45 - Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (remould Hotrod w/ new Targetmaster)
- LG-46 - Targetmaster Char (remould Kup w/ new Targetmaster)
- LG-49 - Targetmaster Triggerhappy (minor redeco w/ new Targetmaster)
- LG-51 - Doublecross (minor redeco Twinferno, w/ Haywire gun for Blurr)
- LG-52 - Targetmaster Misfire (minor redeco w/ new Targetmaster)
- LG-55 - Targetmaster Slugslinger (minor redeco w/ new Targetmaster gun)
- TLK-15 - Calibur Optimus Prime (remould TF4 AD-31 w/ sword, new shield & new axe - Japan exclusive)
Not as many as previous years, as the Adventure line ended a year ago, while Hasbro had still been releasing RID, and before the fifth movie, most of their Movie toys would have had extra colours and/or accessories.
Yeah I really love the Targetmasters. I just wish I got a complete set of Rebirth Targetmasters, but alas we are missing Scourge's partner from the set. (note I'm including Henkei Cyclonus to complete the set)
Now that Hasbro has ruined Takara's CHUG I hope they don't touch MPs.
I知 sure plenty of people would opt out of getting the Hasbro deco altogether if they cared that much about cartoon accuracy.
It is really dissappointing, and a shady move (someone should ask someone from Hasbro at the next given opportunity) on Hasbro痴 part.
Hopefully UW stays the same as it was before, as I am holding out for cartoon accurate dinobots that I知 praying are revealed soon.
Seeking the Following:
- CW Brawl
- Earthrise Runabout
- Earthrise Thrust