Henkei! Henkei! Transformers Convoy Clear Gallery

Transformers supercollector Remy posted a spiffy gallery of the clear Optimus Prime (aka Convoy) coming to Japan like right now. It seems to be pretty solid, and there are loads of comparison shots. Check it out.

Transformers Animated Deluxe Wave 3 Out

I spotted a lone Oil Slick at a Los Angeles-area Target on Friday morning. This should mean that Soundwave, Jazz, and Snarl are also in circulation. Happy hunting!

Transformers Marvel Crossovers Wave 1 Out

Because Star Wars went so well with Transformers, we now have Marvel. You can find Venom, Spider-Man, and other characters at select Toys "R" Us stores, if you're lucky. We did not catch the retail price when we saw them yesterday.

Transformers Universe Robot Heroes Wave 1 Out

Transformers Universe: Robot Heroes wave 1 are now out. I spotted all four packs at two different Toys "R" Us stores in Los Angeles, CA. They were $6.39 each, showing that price increases are starting to take a hit. The figures included Generation One and Beast Wars characters. Happy hunting!

Universe Legends Wave 1 Out

Transformers Universe: Legends wave 1 are now out. I spotted Starscream, Onslaught, and Red Alert at three different Toys "R" Us stores in Los Angeles, CA. They were $4.99 each. Happy hunting!

Movie, Animated Deluxes $8 at Target

Target stores are running a deal for $8 deluxe Transformers from the movie or new animated series. Given most Target stores were sold out of them when I visited yesterday, and that the movie line is on clearance at many locations, it seems like an odd sale-- but happy hunting! Prices good through July 5.

Masterpiece Thundercracker Images at HobbyLink Japan

Once again aiming for realism, Takara Tomy has revealed its Thundercracker to be a dark blue that doesn't look quite as outlandish as the original toy or cartoon. What's more, there's also a shot of Metroplex in the gallery, so be sure to check those out.

Transformers Animated Voyager-Class Optimus Hitting

Because I'm a bad blogger, I keep forgetting to tell you that I saw tons of Voyager-class Optimus Prime last week and over the weekend at various Target stores here in Los Angeles. The roughly $20 release uses the character's Earth mode, and features a nifty face gimmick which lets you switch from the "masked" mouth to the lips, so you can pick whichever one you like. I haven't heard if it's good or not yet, but I can say the early pictures make it seem that his is not the best giant axe to come with the character.

"Alternity" Revealed by Tokyo Toy Show

Transformers super-site Fan2Fan went to the Tokyo Toy Show and shot loads of new exciting robots in disguise, but also revealed some new toy which may interest Alternators and BinalTech fans! Take a look at the new Alternity line-- combining elements of the movie line and Alternators, these deluxe-ish sized toys are apparently coming to Japan in a short period of time. No word on a US release, but you can see if they're worth importing when you click through.

Transformers Animated DVD Hits Today

Don't forget, the Transformers Animated DVD hits today. Target has an exclusive bonus disc which I'm not entirely clear about what comes on it just yet, but I'll update later as details come in/as I go to Target. The main disc features the first few episodes of the show which make up a "movie" explaining how a crew of space engineers end up as superheroes in Detroit. If you haven't seen it, you really ought to check it out. And if you're too cheap to buy the DVD, they rerun the series on Cartoon Network every morning these days.

UPDATE: The bonus Target disc comes with the episode "Home Is Where The Spark Is," a nice extra to be sure.

Images & First Impressions: Transformers Animated Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime

No matter which generation you're looking at, the influence of Optimus Prime can't be escaped. He was a bigshot Autobot leader, he's been the namesake of space explorers, and he's even been a movie star. Generally, he's the big hero who always knows what's right, but in Transformers Animated, he's younger, less sure of himself, and sports a huge chin.

"As a team, we can accomplish anything." (Quote from back of packaging.)

By virtue of his popularity, Mr. Prime has had numerous toys made of himself over the years. In Transformers Animated alone, plans call for no less than 4 versions of the character before November ends, most of which are very similar in appearance. This one stands out because it's based on his Cybertronian "space truck" mode, which really isn't all that different from his Earth mode. There are a number of differences in how this toy transforms, plus he has his face shield permanently down and a smaller, transformable axe.

The axe is unique in that it, too, transforms. It can be stored in truck mode, or be a single bladed weapon in robot mode. It can also be fanned out and have a sharp point on two ends. Or you can attach the "shield" to it to create some big, bizarre weapon which looks more like a snow shovel than a mighty tool of the Gods. In any form, it holds together fairly well but the joints which allow it to be stored may flip and flail with time. I can see sagging too as gravity weighs down on the axe's joints. Did I mention how weird it is to have a jointed axe? There are like five points of articulation on this thing.

Full Photo Set on Flickr

The figure transforms fairly easily, and his wheels roll fairly well-- not as well as other toys in the line, but well enough I suppose. He has no problems holding his weapon, and is a big, colorful hero. His face looks great, his vehicle mode looks great, I'd say my only big complaint is that the shield seems unnecessary and it's a royal pain to get him to hang on to his axe in vehicle mode. I'd rather just toss it aside and worry about it later, but I really don't feel that weapon storage should ever be an afterthought.

The deco on the figure varies from toy to toy. If even paint jobs matter to you, examine it before purchase.

PROS: Wonderful head, colorful appearance, fun "space truck" mode, excellent robot articulation. I had no problems with parts popping off or anything like that.

CONS: Paint sloppy in places (under eyes), eyes don't light up particularly well, poor storage of weapons in vehicle mode. Transformation can be sticky.

VALUE: As $10 Optimus Prime toys go, this one is well worth your money. It's big and has more articulation than should be expected at the price point.

OVERALL RATING: *****
This figure is pretty remarkable. Each elbow has two joints. The legs have a wonderful range of motion. The coloring is nothing short of gorgeous. Obviously, Hasbro is trying hard to make the $10 toys even better with each new line, incorporating even better sculptors and designers than before. The new stylized look largely works, and the figure's face has more personality than you'll likely be used to from the robots in disguise. If you have to buy an Optimus Prime toy for your collection or a gift, this is a really good one.

I got this at a Toys "R" Us in Los Angeles for $10.99, less $10 in store credit I was sitting on.

Henkei Skywarp, Thundercracker Images

If you haven't seen them yet, Ameblo has shots of Thundercracker out of the package and it looks pretty gosh darn good.

The toy is a direct-to-consumer item which, according to most sources, is being made in an edition size based on pre-orders. As such, it could be very large (due to speculators) or very small (due to people NOT speculating.) We hope to get one. Click the image for more, in Japanese.

Transformers Universe in Canada, at TFCon

While the new line of classics/Universe toys has yet to hit mass retail anywhere, TFCon posted news that they're going to be available at the show next week, which is good news indeed for fans of the likes of Sunstreaker, Octane (Tankor), and Prowl.

Transformers Animated at Toys "R" Us, Kay-Bee Toys

Hasbro's Transformers Animated line has now been spotted (by me) at Kay-Bee Toy Stores (just some Voyagers [Megatron & Bulkhead]) and at Toys "R" Us (Wave 1 Deluxe, Wave 1 Voyager [no Starscream], and the DVD set.) These stores are charging more than Target and Wal-Mart, but it goes to show that they are indeed making the rounds at all the major toy emporiums. Happy hunting!

Deep Space Starscream, Transformers Endcap at Target

On the way home today I noticed my Target had a new endcap filled with $19.99 toys. These include:
Transformers Animated
The Battle Begins Set (Optimus Prime, Megatron, DVD)
Grimlock (Voyager)
Lugnut (Voyager)
Transformers Movie
Deep Space Starscream (Target Exclusive)

As such, it looks like a great time to go hunting for new robots in disguise!

Images & First Impressions: Transformers Animated Bumblebee

Since the very first Transformers toys hit over 20 years ago, Bumblebee was a popular featured player in the war on educational toys. He hangs out with the humans, was small and cheap, and transformed into a very friendly yellow car. How can you go wrong with a guy like this? Since the the entire Transformers brand got the Beast reboot, Bumblebee has been all but completely ignored-- save for a few collectible figures, there was nothing between 1995 and 2006, as Hot Shot took the place of the kid-identified character. After the movie, it's all about Bumblebee yet again.

"Enough talk, it's time for action!" (Quote from back of packaging.)

While Blackarachnia seems to be a robot first, the emphasis on Bumblebee was clearly the vehicle mode. The car looks exactly like the cartoon, right down to the black stripe and the little red siren. In order to keep the vehicle in line with the cartoon, some shortcuts were taken, including a fake "roof" chest on the robot mode since the actual vehicle roof doesn't form the torso on this particular release. It's weird, but it basically works. Our yellow hero has a lot of articulation in each arm and leg, but the various panels and pieces prevent him from moving around in any way that might impress, say, a Marvel Legends fan. The robot is cute, clunky, and mostly solid-- I didn't experience any pieces falling off, and much like Armada Hot Shot, kids should dig this one.

His weapons include a pair of snap-on rocket thrusters which peg on his back or the rear area of his vehicle mode, plus he has flip-out "stingers" in his forearms. These clear blue weapons fit together to form one of the frequently seen weapons on the show, although it does look a little wonky on the toy.




As a very kid-friendly toy, the standard "great gift" tag applies. If you want to buy a youngster his or her first Transformers toy, this is a good one. Unfortunately, older collectors will likely be put off by the big panels on the outside of his arms, as well as the fairly awkward feet. If you take into consideration that the show was designed to be streamlined and sleek, it's pretty unfortunate that the toys only sort of manage to replicate this new look and feel.

If you buy the figure, take note that the figure on the packaging does not match the figure in the packaging. The yellow is much more uniform on the box, and there are a few additional paint applications that simply do not appear on the toy.

PROS: Good robot head, bright colors, basically looks like the cartoon. Stinger accessories fit together nicely. Transformation is both simple and complicated, which should make it fun for kids.

CONS: Yellow paint and yellow plastic do not match. Lots of panel kibble hangs off the figure.

VALUE: As a roughly $10 toy, it's hard to find too much fault here. He doesn't do too much, but he looks neat and the character alone will likely drive sales. You won't feel like you got a steal, but for $10, it seems like a reasonable toy.

OVERALL RATING: *****
If Hasbro wants to make this one better, there will some day be a "premium" animated Bumblebee with a better paint job. The toy is pretty shoddy when it comes to its overall appearance, which is unfortunate as we got some pretty great Bumblebee toys in Classics (2006) and for the Movie line (2007, 2008). What went wrong, Hasbro?

Oh, and I got this at a Wal-Mart in Los Angeles too. As that is the way of things.

Images & First Impressions: Transformers Animated Blackarachnia

I have yet to shoot unpackaged shots, so all I have to share right now is the in-box pics. (This will, of course, change.) After appearing in Beast Wars, the character Blackarachnia has seen a number of toys. Three toys were made for the USA from her Beast Machines mold, and her Transmetals 2 toy was legendary for a short period of time. There's even a Robot Heroes version coming-- but they're all from a different continuity. This Blackarachnia is an entirely new character.

"My sting will be the last thing you feel." (Quote from back of packaging.)

The bulk of the deluxe ($9.99) figures in Animated seem pretty tall in robot mode, giving them a slightly nicer feeling than other recent toys. Blackarachnia feels designed as a robot first, with her spider mode coming second. This isn't a complaint-- if anything, most fans display their toys in robot mode, so this is a great sign of Hasbro and Tomy putting their priorities in the right place. (Did I mention that the toys now say Hasbro and Tomy on them, and not Takara? Well, I just did. It's the end of an era, folks.)

This evil arachnid includes but one accessory, a claw grappling hook. You can pull out the translucent red claws, and the string will extend as you hear a "click" sound. Press a button on the base, and the string retracts instantly. It works well, and the only complaint I really have about this one is that the string is very short-- just a few inches.




Also, it's worth noting the string weapon attaches to either forearm, her back, or her beast mode's... uh... large butt. If you have her hanging from this rear portion, the hinge will bend and it will look somewhat like a skunk raising its tail to attack. It's weird, and a bit of a design flaw. I think.

Blackarachnia's robot mode is pretty stunning. She has quasi-ankle joints, two joints at each hip, jointed knees, ball elbows and shoulders, an articulated waist, and an articulated neck. She's very quickly approaching perfection, but her "fangs" tend to pop off quite easily and are capable of flight. As such, be careful when you play with this one-- they will escape.

PROS: Amazing color scheme, top-notch robot mode, surprisingly awesome articulation. This is probably Hasbro's best Blackarachnia toy to date.

CONS: Decepticon logo doesn't match animation model. Easily lost fangs. Half of robot head is clear red plastic which should allow the eyes to light up in the right conditions, but this really doesn't work. As such, it just looks bad. Robot mode has a hole below her neck due to how the transformation works.

VALUE: The toy's size and accessories are par for the course when it comes to $9.99 Hasbro Transformers. You won't feel like you got taken here.

OVERALL: Fans of the character and show need to get this. Fans of female Transformers need to get this, just because it shows they can engineer one and have it look great.

Oh, and I got this at a Wal-Mart in Los Angeles, by the way.

McDonalds McAnimated McTransformers McComing

Quick Service Restaurant premium (or Happy Meal toy) collectors rejoice! Word on the street around the various forums has it that Transformers: Animated (and My Little Pony) will be the next Happy Meal after Kung Fu Panda. (Which I'm told is good, by the way.) Stay tuned for more on this new plastic promo!

Transformers 2 has a name...

I was told today that it's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." I assume this is related to the character "The Fallen" from the Dreamwave-era of Transformers comics. This guy was basically a big, black, evil, and always on fire villain who was one of Unicron's followers and one of the very first (in their universe) Transformers to come into being. It's got potential.

Images & First Impressions: Transformers Animated Grimlock

Since I have a flight really freaking early, it made sense to stay up, photograph, and open new toys. It's either that, or try to sleep for a couple of hours. First up: Grimlock! (Boxed images below. More images may be added as time permits, this will be obvious as you will look at the widget and you will see images.)

"Where are DECEPTICONS? Me GRIMLOCK getting hungry!" (Quote from back of packaging.)

The figure is a decent size, sporting a massive lower jaw in both modes. By enhancing this feature, the character has a meaner, more active appearance where it almost looks like he should open up his mouth and talk to you. Sadly, he's only going to talk if you provide his voice, and his robot mode jaw does not move. (It's worth noting that it's so big, you'll probably think it should.)

Our hero's lone accessory is a big flaming sword. If you put it in his wrist and twist his appendage, additional flames will pop out. It's a decent feature, certainly not stunning, but neat enough. In robot mode, the instructions don't really say where the sword should go, but the box implies that it can act as "flame breath." I guess you can cram anything into the dinobot commander's mouth, but it doesn't mean it's going to look good there.




Packaging has been a hallmark of Hasbro's marketing, and they seem to be going out of their way to do a more stunning job in each subsequent generation of toys. Animated is no exception. The box is absolutely gorgeous, with halftone patterns, bright colors, and character-specific illustrations from the series. I don't collect packaged toys as a rule, but I love these boxes so much I may get one or two pieces to leave sealed, just because it's so nice.

The toy costs $19.99 (or so), ships in a case with Lugnut, and is pretty good. Grimlock's transformation is similar to his Generation 1 toy, with a few differences. The tail still splits, the back still forms the leg, and the head and neck still essentially act as a backpack.

PROS: Nicely sized toy, looks a lot like the cartoon. Fun dinosaur "chomping" mouth, awesome flaming sword of death, articulation above and beyond what is expected from a toy of this nature. Solid construction, stiff joints. Good ability to balance in many poses in either mode. Shoulder articulation is well-engineered. Transformation is mostly solid, with many of the folding panels and pieces sculpted with tabs and slots to fit together to ensure the robot doesn't have loose, flailing bits of kibble.

CONS: Autobot logos are silver-- the animation model (and box illustrations) show red symbols with white outlines, which are cooler. Arm transformation is a little awkward, and the figure looks best with his elbows bent.

VALUE: It's not a lot of toy for $20, but odds are if you found my blog you're either a close personal friend or a big toy fiend who already is inclined to buy such things. As such, you should totally buy one of these IF you like Transformers as a whole or the new cartoon.

OVERALL: Grimlock is largely inspired by the toy of old, given new life with design elements of the 21st century. I squealed with glee when I saw this in the store (in a case, partially sealed on a palette, which I cracked open) and am presently having much fun with it. Kids should adore this toy, and older fans will get a lot out of it too.