Now that others have done all the hard work for me...

Quote Originally Posted by autobreadticon View Post
Is there any difference in WST random pack HOT ROD
and
TRU exclusive Hot Rod
in terms of the toy?
It seems WST random Hot Rod is easier to verify that it is not a KO than the red box TRU pack.
Not aware of a KO, or what it looks like. No idea on differences between the two releases of the real version either. Probably some minor colouring difference, if any.

When will the Robot heroes - Final battle packs be released?
As mentioned in the link posted above, Hasbro can change their release schedule at any time, or cancel it altogether.

I can't seem to find the 'bad ebay seller thead'
It was removed for re-working. It will return in some form later.

Also a question to Griffin, can you give us a progress report on the news from the Hasbro Australia in terms of the exclusives they mentioned ?
I think the Toyfair report had a few updates, but would have to ask again for any revised release schedules.

do the Japanese have an equivalent of BotCon?
Does Takara do anything at BotCon?
Japan had two 'BotCons' around 1998, but as liegeprime mentioned, they have a number of toy related conventions that have Takara and Transformers as a part of them. I don't think they have had a purely Transformers themed convention since their BotCons.

There are no Takara presentations or official Takara guests at BotCon, either because they are not relevant to the American release of Transformers, or the language barrier. A number of high level Transformers designers from Takara are there each year, but mostly because it is 'the annual Transformers convention' and it would interest them to attend the one convention themed on their efforts.