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-Why did you choose G1 characters over the ones from the live action movie?
Hayashi: Initially, some suggested that the Movie characters should be included, but considering the lineup was to commemorate the 25th anniversary, I thought it would serve better if it looked back at the history. Also, we expected two generations of customers; if a father and his child were to buy our products, G1 characters might appeal to the fathers more.
Kunimitsu: Hayashi has a very strong attachment to G1, and this project was realised because he pushed it with enthusiasm within the company. TakaraTomy also requested us not to simply copy the original (G1 Kabaya) products, but to remake them with the current viewpoint. Hayashi revised (the originals) and included his own interpretation of proportions and gimmicks.
Hayashi: Even before we released the products, the customers responded positively to the news of the revival of "Transformer Gum", and various online shops began taking preorders. I was encouraged to know that there were very supportive fans.

I understand there were some prototypes (of G1 Unicron toy), but how many were there in fact? Was there a plan of releasing multiple types?
Oono: I recall I made a deluxe size mechanism proto, actual size mechanism proto, a final proto and about 3 copies of it. Also, I was going to include a laser gun play at the early stage - the base turned into a laser gun, and Unicron in robot mode was to activate its light and sound gimmick when shot by a infra-red ray from the gun, but it was omitted from the final proto. The deluxe size proto had satellites with fine rings like the character illustration. There also might have been a styrene foam proto to show the appearance (of the toy).

Bumblevivisector wrote:(...)
Besides actual Laser Tag toys, was Bravestar the only action figure line to use that type or laser gimmick? Correct me if I'm remembering wrong, but think that franchise tanked partly due to the toys being too expensive, so who knows how pricey the original Unicron would've been?

Oh yeah, Captain Power must've used something similar to shoot back at the TV, and between toys. I don't remember how much that line cost, but its collapse was partly due to parents' groups complaining that the gimmick actually forced kids to buy the toys in order to interact with the show. Was Galidor the most recent toy line to try that? I imagine that would succeed or fail partly depending on one's TV reception.