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[Sabrblade]

Remember how the Power Core Combiners are getting released by TakaraTomy with more uniform color schemes as the Transformers: United EX series? Well, thanks to scans from Figure King magazine, we now have information regarding this toyline's fictional backstory. Hydra of The Allspark has done us the favor of translating the info into English, and much of this story is filled many fun G1 references far and wide.

Story:
"In the 21st century, the war of the Transformers has shifted to space, and seemed for a while that peace had returned to Earth. However, during that time the Autobots had been working together with Earth scientist Professor Chase to develop a new combination system. With it, Autobots would use Power Core Combination to combine themselves with 4 Drones. The Autobot warriors chosen for the process became part of the group known as the Master Class. At the same time, a covert counter-team of Decepticons with the same capability, "Master Chaos," was formed."

The story told on the package backs reflects the atmosphere of the United series, while including characters from earlier Transformers series such as wheelchair-bound genius Chip Chase.

Combatmaster Prime Mode
A Decepticon strategic commander who has been active since the early stages of the war, Combat Master combines with 4 military vehicles. The weapons that line his body provide devastating firepower. In the story, his drones were stolen from the Autobot Chopper Master, who they were originally developed for.

Drones: Morser Drone, Panzer Drone, Kanonier Drone, Spaher Drone

Jetmaster Prime Mode
The Autobot spy Jetmaster combines with 4 jet and helicopter Drones. Jetmaster was the first Autobot to successfully achieve Power Core Combination. The character features details referencing earlier Transformers series, such as that the data for his drones was gathered from the Aerialbots, and that he was born on Planet Z.

Drones: Zone Drone, Feminia Drone, Micro Drone, Tenth Drone

Aerial Warrior Choppermaster
Targetmaster: Firebug

Polar Commander Rollermaster
Targetmaster: Spanner

Hopefully the story will comvince some people to buy PCC when they're out next month.

-Hydra

EDIT: Further elaboration from Hydra:

Now that this preview is out there, it's probably safe for me to explain a few things about this, but...

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1. It's not linked to the one-shot Generations manga. This becomes very clear as the story progresses.

My understanding of the United toyline itself is that it doesn't have its own unique continuity (although there are new story elements introduced in it), and basically just depicts various moments of Transformers history, primarily from the Japanese cartoon continuity. Granted, some of the toy forms differ from their G1 cartoon depictions, but that was true for G1 itself...

Some of the naming, such as Master Class and Master Chaos, and obviously individual guys like Grimmaster and Racemaster, is admittedly a little clunky in English, as it was intended for the Japanese market. The product names were determined already, and the Master... was my effort to explain why a whole slew of Transformers might all be called ****Master.

The basic premise is that during a short period of peace on Earth, when most of the fighting occurred offworld, the Autobots were working together with human military organizations to create a combination technology that could be made useful either in times of peace or war. Because most of the more experienced Autobots are away from Earth, they needed to design the system to provide the wearer with considerable power, since the Decepticons gathering on Earth once again might otherwise be a disaster for the remaining Autobot forces. Thus, Prime Mode: a combination form designed to bestow the core with might rivaling that of the Autobots' great leader.

The codename for this group was "Master Class," a gathering of young Autobot professionals in various fields such as recon, defense, construction, etc. who intended to use their skills for the benefit of Earth. Because of the classified nature of the project, each received their own codename, "Masters" with their actual identity not made public. Some joined the team to gain experience, some to prove themselves, and some to make up for past misdeeds. At the same time, a small group of Decepticons lying dormant on Earth got wind of this and formed a counter-group they called "Master Chaos," seeking to seize the drones and take control of Earth in Megatron's absence.

I'll be very excited to see if Japanese fans enjoy the story when the releases begin next month.

-Hydra

[tigertracks 24]

If the prices were lower I would buy these. I like them, but not for $60 plus.

The story is sounding convincingly cool.

[Pretender Skywarp]

If the prices were lower I would buy these. I like them, but not for $60 plus.

The story is sounding convincingly cool.

Likewise, I didn't buy a single PCC toy, but these uniform colour schemes really, really work for some reason...

[JelZe GoldRabbit]

I really like the names of the Drones, especially the fact the Aerialbots refer to planets in the Japanese G1 continuity. I'll be watching this line for sure.

[Sabrblade]

Added an addendum with further info from Hydra.

[El Duque]

The latest issue of Kigure King magazine sheds some light on the back story associated with Takara Tomy's umpcoming United EX Master Series, repaints of Hasbro's Power Core Comiber line. Translation courtesy of the Allspark's Hydra:

"In the 21st century, the war of the Transformers has shifted to space, and seemed for a while that peace had returned to Earth. However, during that time the Autobots had been working together with Earth scientist Professor Chase to develop a new combination system. With it, Autobots would use Power Core Combination to combine themselves with 4 Drones. The Autobot warriors chosen for the process became part of the group known as the Master Class. At the same time, a covert counter-team of Decepticons with the same capability, "Master Chaos," was formed."

The story told on the package backs reflects the atmosphere of the United series, while including characters from earlier Transformers series such as wheelchair-bound genius Chip Chase.

Combatmaster Prime Mode
A Decepticon strategic commander who has been active since the early stages of the war, Combat Master combines with 4 military vehicles. The weapons that line his body provide devastating firepower. In the story, his drones were stolen from the Autobot Chopper Master, who they were originally developed for.

Drones: Morser Drone, Panzer Drone, Kanonier Drone, Spaher Drone

Jetmaster Prime Mode
The Autobot spy Jetmaster combines with 4 jet and helicopter Drones. Jetmaster was the first Autobot to successfully achieve Power Core Combination. The character features details referencing earlier Transformers series, such as that the data for his drones was gathered from the Aerialbots, and that he was born on Planet Z.

Drones: Zone Drone, Feminia Drone, Micro Drone, Tenth Drone

Aerial Warrior Choppermaster
Targetmaster: Firebug

Polar Commander Rollermaster
Targetmaster: Spanner

Here's a little further insight from Hydra:

Now that this preview is out there, it's probably safe for me to explain a few things about this, but...

United EX was written to be part of the Japanese G1 cartoon continuity, as it explicitly takes place near the end of G1. It's not linked to the one-shot Generations manga. This becomes very clear as the story progresses.

My understanding of the United toyline itself is that it doesn't have its own unique continuity (although there are new story elements introduced in it), and basically just depicts various moments of Transformers history, primarily from the Japanese cartoon continuity. Granted, some of the toy forms differ from their G1 cartoon depictions, but that was true for G1 itself...

Some of the naming, such as Master Class and Master Chaos, and obviously individual guys like Grimmaster and Racemaster, is admittedly a little clunky in English, as it was intended for the Japanese market. The product names were determined already, and the Master... was my effort to explain why a whole slew of Transformers might all be called ****Master.

The basic premise is that during a short period of peace on Earth, when most of the fighting occurred offworld, the Autobots were working together with human military organizations to create a combination technology that could be made useful either in times of peace or war. Because most of the more experienced Autobots are away from Earth, they needed to design the system to provide the wearer with considerable power, since the Decepticons gathering on Earth once again might otherwise be a disaster for the remaining Autobot forces. Thus, Prime Mode: a combination form designed to bestow the core with might rivaling that of the Autobots' great leader.

The codename for this group was "Master Class," a gathering of young Autobot professionals in various fields such as recon, defense, construction, etc. who intended to use their skills for the benefit of Earth. Because of the classified nature of the project, each received their own codename, "Masters" with their actual identity not made public. Some joined the team to gain experience, some to prove themselves, and some to make up for past misdeeds. At the same time, a small group of Decepticons lying dormant on Earth got wind of this and formed a counter-group they called "Master Chaos," seeking to seize the drones and take control of Earth in Megatron's absence.

I'll be very excited to see if Japanese fans enjoy the story when the releases begin next month.

-Hydra

[Novaprimal93]

While not a big fan of the PCC figures, I do like the story elements behind these "Masters". Original story elements that "fit" in G1 continuity are always nice.

[KUMA-NIN Maximus]

All I can honestly say is that this could not reside within the main Japanese G1 continuity. It uses Hasbro-based names, has no way of fitting in any portion of the main Japanese continuity because of that and the events* that Takara Tomy added in the finalized timeline. But it is said to have only one story connected to it (Macrocosmic Seekers). The UNITED EX series does connect to the Generations 2011 story, as that was also a UNITED-based storyline. It also adds continuity issues due to Artfire being redone as a Double Targetmaster. And this comes off as nothing more than Takara Tomy trying to create a UNITED continuity, while Hasbro is creating their own Aligned continuity.

(*: Car Robots, Robot Masters, the movie, and Kiss Players do fill up the events from 2000-2010.)

So with that said, what we are witnessing here is the expansion of a brand new G1 continuity. One initially created by Takara Tomy as a means to combine Hasbro's Generation toylines with other molds that were not made within that series. And while, for me, this is not as exciting as the Henkei! Henkei! toyline, it is something that new G1 fans may want to look into... Even though older pieces may be hard to come by.

[Sabrblade]

All I can honestly say is that this could not reside within the Japanese G1 continuity. It uses Hasbro-based names,

How are the names "Combat Master", "Jet Master", "Roller Master", "Chopper Master" etc. Hasbro names?

has no way of fitting in any portion of the main Japanese continuity*,

Hydra has said that the first volume of the story will tell us exactly where it fits in relation to the other parts of the JG1 cartoon continuity.

and is said to have only one story connected to it (Macrocosmic Seekers).

I see no connection to Macrocosmic Seekers in this aside from both being released under the United label. Don't forget that Pretender Gaiden is also a United story, yet it too is set in the JG1 cartoon continuity.

Also, The UNITED EX series does connect to the Generations 2011 story, as that was also a UNITED-based storyline. And this is nothing more than Takara Tomy trying to create a UNITED continuity, while Hasbro is creating their own Aligned continuity.

The first two United manga stories have nothing to do with this.

[Sodan-1]

Nope. Still not buying them.