Million Publishing 2014 Exclusive - Shouki with Targetmaster Daniel

[SuspectimusPrime]

Million Publishing has really outdone themselves this year!

http://hero-x.net/tfg2014/s01s.jpg

Product page: http://hero-x.net/tfg2014/shouki.html

[CBratron]

Have they always done these licensed toys? I only remember them publishing the Generations books.

[Paulbot]

Most of their books in their current Generations 20XX series have had a mail away toy with them (one didn't).

I preordered the book as soon as I found out as I really like the books, but getting the toys is a hassle (or expensive) if you don't live in Japan.

Sadly most interest in the books tends to be about the toy, rather than the resource the book is.

[griffin]

It took me a moment to figure it out, but it is from the Japanese Headmasters series... as one of the Autobot Raiden Trains (which actually works for the 1% of current fans familiar with that Gen1 toy, which obviously didn't include me, as it ends up looking very similar to the original Train model... and if you think about it, the jet mode also makes a little sense, as the Raiden trains in the cartoon were the space transport for the Autobot... yeah, flying trains, try and rationalise that one).
Having it released with a "Daniel" (a recoloured PowerCore Combiner weapon) is a bit odd though. He may have been a significant member of the cartoon cast (like he was in the Hasbro post-movie cartoon, but more annoying ), but not paired to Raiden... he was paired to Wheelie. And the colours don't make sense either. There might be a reason for having him included, and in those colours, but it doesn't seem obvious to me yet.

[kurdt_the_goat]

The spaceship is supposed to resemble Thunder Arrow and Daniel is in disguise as the pilot according to the text, just like the Victory toy. Pretty damn obscure! http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Thunder_Arrow_pilot

[griffin]

Well that is obscure.
And a dual homage, as the Jet mode and colours of this Shouki does look a little like the Thunder Arrow.
So I guess that means that Shouki and Daniel are disguised as the Micromaster Thunder Arrow and Pilot... which allows for a toy to homage two different Gen1 toys.

I was trying to find out what the Thunder Arrow Pilot was in relation to Daniel, so it is no surprise I didn't find anything.

[SuspectimusPrime]

I did think the Thunder Arrow reference was a better idea of explaining his 2nd alt mode, but pairing with Daniel was pretty obscure.

I thought using the Groundspike mould for the Targetmaster was also an odd choice (as all other Million Publishing targetmasters were actual guns). I guess you can draw another obscure reference to the fact that Daniel/Groundspike are cowcatchers and Shouki's a train (albeit, not a locomotive...).


Image: http://hero-x.net/tfg2014/s07s.jpg
I guess Shouki, during in his flying train mode, no longer have to worry about flying cows impeding the top back section of his carriage.. Way to proactively solve problems Daniel!

Have they always done these licensed toys? I only remember them publishing the Generations books.

Shouki would be their 4th one (3rd in the line of Classicsverse-orientated popular Japanese side characters, and 3rd Targetmaster).

They also did:
2011 Stepper from Generations Jazz: http://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/2530/
2012 Artfire from Classics Inferno: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...08&mode=retail
2013 FOC Starscream: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...11&mode=retail

[Sky Shadow]

Yum. This is the best non-G1-mould exclusive that they've done. Bought.

Have they always done these licensed toys? I only remember them publishing the Generations books.

That's what they are - they're Generations-book-exclusive mailaways.

[Omega Metro]

Nice character. Shame they are using that horrible mould. Will be a pass.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

See the word targetmaster, excited. See the word Power core combiner. Pass.

Shouki would be their 4th one (3rd in the line of Classicsverse-orientated popular Japanese side characters, and 3rd Targetmaster).

They also did:
2011 Stepper from Generations Jazz: http://tfsource.com/products/view/product_id/2530/
2012 Artfire from Classics Inferno: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...08&mode=retail
2013 FOC Starscream: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...11&mode=retail

They also Released electro Disruptor Mirage and Ghost Starscream, as well as Black and Green Ratchet and Ironhide (G1 figures) and something else as well which I can't recall. I think there was a skids release as well? Although those guys aren't obscure Japanese characters. I do like the way they go for something a little bit different. Now if they had a mailaway overlord!

IIRC, every edition of the book has had a mailaway toy hasn't it?