I really feel Hasbro and Takara should be commended for this year and for some reason, I feel we don't see this year as being as awesome as it truly was. It was easily their best anniversary year when looking at the content. The Thrilling 30 limited figures line might not have been the great thing it was thought to be but this 30th anniversary was AMAZING. And I would love to make a rundown of just how great a year it truly was.
Firstly, we got great updates on G1 Toys Like Jetfire, who was also the first Leader Class generations figure. I never thought I would own a macross inspired TF for 30$ (walmart).
Transformers Generations Jetfire GalleryAnd it was not just the characters that appeared on the show but we also got updates on toy only characters. And not the ones that appeared just in the comics either (like Whirl). I mean Scoop, who even came with some Target Masters. Did you ever think you would get an update on Scoop? Whenever we think Hasbro is playing it safe, I look back on Scoop and just how amazingly odd and risky this was. And he is a straight up update, being as faithful to the original as possible, simply giving it better articulation.
Transformers Generations Scoop GalleryAnd an even odder but even more awesome choice, is Crosscut, who is a straight up homage to the Diaclone toy which Skids was chosen over for original American release under the Transformers brand. Check out that awesome headsculpt!
Transformers Generations Crosscut GalleryWe even got the first mass released Headmaster in a loooooooooong time. He even homaged the tech spec gimmick.
But moving on, this was the BEST year for Beast Wars fans since 2005. We got Rhinox, Waspinator and Rattrap, all great upgrades which are beautifully show accurate. I am stil not over the included maximal symbols on Rhinox's head. These were like mini masterpieces.
Transformers Generations Rattrap GalleryAnd we even got a straight up Beast Machines toy, which is finally show accurate.
Transformers Generations Tankor GallerySo, G1, Headmasters, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, what next? RID of course. It's an awesome line that I feel gets ignored since it's right between the popular beast wars series and the transformer revival through the Unicron Trilogy. But in this 30th anniversary, it was not ignored. Skybyte finally got his own mold for the first time ever instead of being a redeco. And not only that, but they found a way to make his shark head his actual chest (hence why I preffer the Legends deco over the generations one)
Speaking of Unicron Trlogy, we got Armada toys too, such as brand new minicons and Starscream!
Transformers Generations Armada Starscream GalleryAnd for the 30th anniversary, Hasbro let us choose a new transformer, which we did. Regardless of the result, I am still impressed they went through with this. And it's a pretty killer robot mode.
Transformers Generations Windblade GalleryAnd in my opinion, this year gave us the best movie toyline. I am not fond of movie designs in general due to their more alien look. But this year, they gave us more streamlined designs, with clean panels instead of overly jagged and armoured surfaces. I am mostly referring to Evasion Mode Optimus Prime, which is an amazing feat of engineering, as it's alt mode is a pure homage to G1.
Oh and we also got an update on ALL dinobots!
And for those that think G1 is the best, then hey why not a reissue of the best Grimlock ever!
And if no one is convinced yet at how great this year was to us TF fans, we finally got a G1 Arcee and Hasbro finally got the volkswagon license to finally give us a G1 show accurate Bumblebee.
Looking back, in terms of homage, diversity and love for the brand, this year was amazing! If anyone has a better year in mind regarding the past 10 years, let me know.
