The Energon Pub

I know that Hasbro owns all the rights to Transformers products, and the Japanese versions of the toys in Japan are by Takara, but have there ever been any Transformers toys, products, licensed or made by Bandai? Just curious, because, a lot of Transformers characters have Gundam or Super Sentai-Power Rangers designs, like similiarity, style.

It's more than likely possible, several of the G1 transformers released by Hasbro belonged to other japanese toy lines. The deluxe Insecticons jump to mind. Jetfire is the most obvious usage, but Sky Lynx was also made by another company.

adamassc wrote:It's more than likely possible, several of the G1 transformers released by Hasbro belonged to other japanese toy lines. The deluxe Insecticons jump to mind. Jetfire is the most obvious usage, but Sky Lynx was also made by another company.

Yes, in 1985 Hasbro was surprised at the popularity of Transformers, and so they decided to beef up their assortments with molds licensed from other companies, mostly Bandai and ToyCo. Here's the list:

From Bandai:

Tokusou Kihei Dorvack (Special Armored Battalion Dorvack)
Whirl (VH-64 MR Ovelon Gazzette (1/55 Scale))
Roadbuster (VV-54 AR Mugen Calibur (1/55 Scale))

Kikou Chuutai Beetras (Armored Insect Squardon Beetras)
Barrage (Beet Gadol)
Chop Shop (Beet Gugal)
Ransack (Beet Vadam, unreleased in original line)
Venom (Beet Zeguna)

Macross (known as Robotech in the US)
Jetfire (VF-1S Valkyrie (1/55 Scale))

From ToyCo (later bought up by Tomy):

Omega Surpeme (Super Change Robo Mechabot-1)
Sky Lynx
Shockwave (Astro Magnum)

The Mini-Spies also fall under the list, but I forgot who made them. All but Shockwave were never released in Japan as Transformers as Takara and Bandai were fierce competitors.

When designing, they do take notice of some Japanese series that were made famous in the US, or have some connection with earlier series by Takara. Here are some examples:

Energon Mirage: His legs have a distinct Gundam feel to them.

Animated Safeguard: his method of combination as well as the fire and ice/wind theme of Jetfire and Jetstorm were both taken from Takara's Brave series, Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar (1997) to be exact, from the robots Hyoryu and Enryu. The cartoon appearances of all the robots in the series were by a certain Gundam designer, most noticeable in the chin. The combination is not new or unique by the way, it debuted in Yuusha Exkizer (1990) with Blue and Green Raker.

Cybertron Leobreaker: Another GaoGaiGar reference, sorta. In the series the eponymous robot would sometimes finish off his opponent with the Goldion Hammer, an oversized hammer with an equally large hand. YouTube it sometime. Leobreaker is a reference to that.

One last thing: Bandai was also responsible for Machine Robo, the line that spawned the Gobots from Tonka. Tonka is now a part of Hasbro, and so is the Gobot franchise, but not the molds: those are still Bandai's property.

they also made a rather unsuccessful sereis called dinozaurs which had a number of figures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-o8WP6vocY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BnuBFShyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvH-kDtnNew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnxoJDE8vCg

The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

adamassc wrote:It's more than likely possible, several of the G1 transformers released by Hasbro belonged to other japanese toy lines. The deluxe Insecticons jump to mind. Jetfire is the most obvious usage, but Sky Lynx was also made by another company.

Yes, in 1985 Hasbro was surprised at the popularity of Transformers, and so they decided to beef up their assortments with molds licensed from other companies, mostly Bandai and ToyCo. Here's the list:

From Bandai:

Tokusou Kihei Dorvack (Special Armored Battalion Dorvack)
Whirl (VH-64 MR Ovelon Gazzette (1/55 Scale))
Roadbuster (VV-54 AR Mugen Calibur (1/55 Scale))

Kikou Chuutai Beetras (Armored Insect Squardon Beetras)
Barrage (Beet Gadol)
Chop Shop (Beet Gugal)
Ransack (Beet Vadam, unreleased in original line)
Venom (Beet Zeguna)

Macross (known as Robotech in the US)
Jetfire (VF-1S Valkyrie (1/55 Scale))

From ToyCo (later bought up by Tomy):

Omega Surpeme (Super Change Robo Mechabot-1)
Sky Lynx
Shockwave (Astro Magnum)

The Mini-Spies also fall under the list, but I forgot who made them. All but Shockwave were never released in Japan as Transformers as Takara and Bandai were fierce competitors.

When designing, they do take notice of some Japanese series that were made famous in the US, or have some connection with earlier series by Takara. Here are some examples:

Energon Mirage: His legs have a distinct Gundam feel to them.

Animated Safeguard: his method of combination as well as the fire and ice/wind theme of Jetfire and Jetstorm were both taken from Takara's Brave series, Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar (1997) to be exact, from the robots Hyoryu and Enryu. The cartoon appearances of all the robots in the series were by a certain Gundam designer, most noticeable in the chin. The combination is not new or unique by the way, it debuted in Yuusha Exkizer (1990) with Blue and Green Raker.

Cybertron Leobreaker: Another GaoGaiGar reference, sorta. In the series the eponymous robot would sometimes finish off his opponent with the Goldion Hammer, an oversized hammer with an equally large hand. YouTube it sometime. Leobreaker is a reference to that.

One last thing: Bandai was also responsible for Machine Robo, the line that spawned the Gobots from Tonka. Tonka is now a part of Hasbro, and so is the Gobot franchise, but not the molds: those are still Bandai's property.

Thanks, I knew there were several of them, but I couldn't remember specifics to save my life. It's really kind of a shame we never got the fifth Beetra

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

the original, Dino, Mighty Morphin Megazord right? or should I say, Zyuranger's Daizyujin?

soundwave1994 wrote:they also made a rather unsuccessful sereis called dinozaurs which had a number of figures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-o8WP6vocY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BnuBFShyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvH-kDtnNew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnxoJDE8vCg

Dinozaurs (Dinozone in Japan) was an awesome line. More chrome and translucent plastic than you could shake a stick at. The transformations weren't overly complex, but the styling of the figure and details right down to the cracks in the "bone structure" made them just the coolest things to display on one's shelves. They had just done a combiner set and a form of targetmaster weapon/figures when the line got canned, much to my dismay. New characters had been introduced in the show which never got produced.

soundwave1994 wrote:they also made a rather unsuccessful sereis called dinozaurs which had a number of figures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-o8WP6vocY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BnuBFShyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvH-kDtnNew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnxoJDE8vCg

oh man I remember those I had the dragon and pterodactyl I really liked them even with all the chrome and clear plastic

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

the original, Dino, Mighty Morphin Megazord right? or should I say, Zyuranger's Daizyujin?

NAw a little earlier than that, probably in the Liveman, Jetman, Dynaman era. Predaking came out a few years before Zyuranger. That came out in 1991. I think about God Sigma because the way Predaking transforms.
I think some of the newer designs follow different franchises like Gundam myself when they began to focus more on articulation in TF's.

I'm a big fan of Machine Robo: Revenge of Chronos, and also an even bigger fan of MR Battle Hackers, which had some far out deigns. One of the main figures in that series reminds me of Armada Overload. I wish more people new about Battle Hackers all I got to see was a few episodes my friend had on old vhs tapes he recorded when he lived in Japan.

I always look at Safegaurd in the same way. Blue Raker I never liked as a figure, the Choriyujin formations from GaoGaiGar are much better. Also I agree that Cybertron Optimus Prime when combined with leobreaker looks like GaoGaiGar. There is no dobt they borrowed heavily from the series, but Yuusha series was a two punch for Takara to battle with both Tomy and Bandai. On the one hand Yuuhsa series seemed similar to Raijin-oh, and the wacky combinations in Yuusha series were a lot like Super Sentai. Yuusha did last 8 seasons in Japan. Go Takara!!!

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

Unless you've never played with Megazords!

bvzxa wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

the original, Dino, Mighty Morphin Megazord right? or should I say, Zyuranger's Daizyujin?

NAw a little earlier than that, probably in the Liveman, Jetman, Dynaman era. Predaking came out a few years before Zyuranger. That came out in 1991. I think about God Sigma because the way Predaking transforms.
I think some of the newer designs follow different franchises like Gundam myself when they began to focus more on articulation in TF's.

I'm a big fan of Machine Robo: Revenge of Chronos, and also an even bigger fan of MR Battle Hackers, which had some far out deigns. One of the main figures in that series reminds me of Armada Overload. I wish more people new about Battle Hackers all I got to see was a few episodes my friend had on old vhs tapes he recorded when he lived in Japan.

I always look at Safegaurd in the same way. Blue Raker I never liked as a figure, the Choriyujin formations from GaoGaiGar are much better. Also I agree that Cybertron Optimus Prime when combined with leobreaker looks like GaoGaiGar. There is no dobt they borrowed heavily from the series, but Yuusha series was a two punch for Takara to battle with both Tomy and Bandai. On the one hand Yuuhsa series seemed similar to Raijin-oh, and the wacky combinations in Yuusha series were a lot like Super Sentai. Yuusha did last 8 seasons in Japan. Go Takara!!!

Speaking of Power Rangers, last month I went to Power Morphicon in Pasadena, CA, I got to meet some of the original cast members, the only actors and actresses from the original Mighty Morphin that were there were Jason David Frank(Tommy the original Green Ranger and later White Ranger, then Red Zeo Ranger and half the time of the Red Turbo Ranger), Walter Jones(Zack the original Black Ranger), and then Steve Cardenas(Rocky, the second original Red Ranger, who replaced Jason), Karen Ashley(Aisha, the second original Yellow Ranger who replaced Trini), the other actors and actresses were from the later shows. It was my first ever Convention, had a lot of fun, I know this has nothing to do with Transformers, but I was born in 1988, so I mostly grew up in the 1990's, so I was into Power Rangers before Transformers. Beast Wars is what first got me into Transformers, then when I started doing more Transformers research, I had discovered there was an original, the Generation 1 series between Autobots and Decepticons, and since then I have been one of the biggest Transformers fans. Basically, you could say I am a huge Pop-Culture Nerd, Dork.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Am I the only one who gets a headache trying to read these post with all the different Japanese toy lines in them?

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

the original, Dino, Mighty Morphin Megazord right? or should I say, Zyuranger's Daizyujin?

NAw a little earlier than that, probably in the Liveman, Jetman, Dynaman era. Predaking came out a few years before Zyuranger. That came out in 1991. I think about God Sigma because the way Predaking transforms.
I think some of the newer designs follow different franchises like Gundam myself when they began to focus more on articulation in TF's.

I'm a big fan of Machine Robo: Revenge of Chronos, and also an even bigger fan of MR Battle Hackers, which had some far out deigns. One of the main figures in that series reminds me of Armada Overload. I wish more people new about Battle Hackers all I got to see was a few episodes my friend had on old vhs tapes he recorded when he lived in Japan.

I always look at Safegaurd in the same way. Blue Raker I never liked as a figure, the Choriyujin formations from GaoGaiGar are much better. Also I agree that Cybertron Optimus Prime when combined with leobreaker looks like GaoGaiGar. There is no dobt they borrowed heavily from the series, but Yuusha series was a two punch for Takara to battle with both Tomy and Bandai. On the one hand Yuuhsa series seemed similar to Raijin-oh, and the wacky combinations in Yuusha series were a lot like Super Sentai. Yuusha did last 8 seasons in Japan. Go Takara!!!

Speaking of Power Rangers, last month I went to Power Morphicon in Pasadena, CA, I got to meet some of the original cast members, the only actors and actresses from the original Mighty Morphin that were there were Jason David Frank(Tommy the original Green Ranger and later White Ranger, then Red Zeo Ranger and half the time of the Red Turbo Ranger), Walter Jones(Zack the original Black Ranger), and then Steve Cardenas(Rocky, the second original Red Ranger, who replaced Jason), Karen Ashley(Aisha, the second original Yellow Ranger who replaced Trini), the other actors and actresses were from the later shows. It was my first ever Convention, had a lot of fun, I know this has nothing to do with Transformers, but I was born in 1988, so I mostly grew up in the 1990's, so I was into Power Rangers before Transformers. Beast Wars is what first got me into Transformers, then when I started doing more Transformers research, I had discovered there was an original, the Generation 1 series between Autobots and Decepticons, and since then I have been one of the biggest Transformers fans. Basically, you could say I am a huge Pop-Culture Nerd, Dork.

Don't feel bad, I was born in 1973. I had seen Super Sentai before the Power Rangers came out. If you take it back before Zyurangers was introduced as MMPR, then you can see some influences from those shows. I'm a nerd too though I don't like to admit it, and still am. I don't care just do what u like and everything else will come to you.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:Am I the only one who gets a headache trying to read these post with all the different Japanese toy lines in them?

Be thankful I can't use Kanji and other Japanese characters.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:Am I the only one who gets a headache trying to read these post with all the different Japanese toy lines in them?

Be thankful I can't use Kanji and other Japanese characters.

好む私をにか。

bvzxa wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

bvzxa wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:

zodconvoy wrote:The designer of Predaking also designed the early Megazords. And if you've ever played with a Predaking, you can totally tell.

the original, Dino, Mighty Morphin Megazord right? or should I say, Zyuranger's Daizyujin?

NAw a little earlier than that, probably in the Liveman, Jetman, Dynaman era. Predaking came out a few years before Zyuranger. That came out in 1991. I think about God Sigma because the way Predaking transforms.
I think some of the newer designs follow different franchises like Gundam myself when they began to focus more on articulation in TF's.

I'm a big fan of Machine Robo: Revenge of Chronos, and also an even bigger fan of MR Battle Hackers, which had some far out deigns. One of the main figures in that series reminds me of Armada Overload. I wish more people new about Battle Hackers all I got to see was a few episodes my friend had on old vhs tapes he recorded when he lived in Japan.

I always look at Safegaurd in the same way. Blue Raker I never liked as a figure, the Choriyujin formations from GaoGaiGar are much better. Also I agree that Cybertron Optimus Prime when combined with leobreaker looks like GaoGaiGar. There is no dobt they borrowed heavily from the series, but Yuusha series was a two punch for Takara to battle with both Tomy and Bandai. On the one hand Yuuhsa series seemed similar to Raijin-oh, and the wacky combinations in Yuusha series were a lot like Super Sentai. Yuusha did last 8 seasons in Japan. Go Takara!!!

Speaking of Power Rangers, last month I went to Power Morphicon in Pasadena, CA, I got to meet some of the original cast members, the only actors and actresses from the original Mighty Morphin that were there were Jason David Frank(Tommy the original Green Ranger and later White Ranger, then Red Zeo Ranger and half the time of the Red Turbo Ranger), Walter Jones(Zack the original Black Ranger), and then Steve Cardenas(Rocky, the second original Red Ranger, who replaced Jason), Karen Ashley(Aisha, the second original Yellow Ranger who replaced Trini), the other actors and actresses were from the later shows. It was my first ever Convention, had a lot of fun, I know this has nothing to do with Transformers, but I was born in 1988, so I mostly grew up in the 1990's, so I was into Power Rangers before Transformers. Beast Wars is what first got me into Transformers, then when I started doing more Transformers research, I had discovered there was an original, the Generation 1 series between Autobots and Decepticons, and since then I have been one of the biggest Transformers fans. Basically, you could say I am a huge Pop-Culture Nerd, Dork.

Don't feel bad, I was born in 1973. I had seen Super Sentai before the Power Rangers came out. If you take it back before Zyurangers was introduced as MMPR, then you can see some influences from those shows. I'm a nerd too though I don't like to admit it, and still am. I don't care just do what u like and everything else will come to you.

I'm a big fan of other franchises as well, such as Dragon Ball Z, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Robocop, Predator, Aliens, Terminator, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, i'm starting to get into Voltron, and most of all, Transformers!!

the hottest female ranger I met at Power Morphicon was Tracy Lynn Cruz, the former Yellow Ranger from the second half of Turbo and throughout Power Rangers in Space, I had the biggest crush on her back then, and she is still beautiful and gorgeous after all these years. Other hotties at the Convention were Erin Cahill the Pink Time Force Ranger, and Cerina Vincent the Yellow Galaxy Ranger.

by the way, wasn't Voltron originally from Bandai?

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:by the way, wasn't Voltron originally from Bandai?

GoLion is Toei Animation. Voltron is a joint venture between World Events Productions and Toei Animation.

Midnight_Fox wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:by the way, wasn't Voltron originally from Bandai?

GoLion is Toei Animation. Voltron is a joint venture between World Events Productions and Toei Animation.

And the toys were originally by Popy, a part of Bandai and the main force behind the "Chogokin" (Super Alloy) line, which features toys with a good percentage of die cast metal. All three Voltrons (Lion, Vehicle and Gladiator) were part of that line, and were called this in Japan: GoLion, Dairugger XV and Albegas. Note that series are not connected in any way in Japan.

Some of you may remember the Godaikin line by Bandai US and EU, and Shogun Warriors by Mattel. All those were straight repackages of some Chogokin toys, with adaptations to comply with local Toy Safety Laws. Of note is that the Chogokin line featured Super Sentai / Power Rangers mecha as well (not all though).

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
And the toys were originally by Popy, a part of Bandai and the main force behind the "Chogokin" (Super Alloy) line, which features toys with a good percentage of die cast metal. All three Voltrons (Lion, Vehicle and Gladiator) were part of that line, and were called this in Japan: GoLion, Dairugger XV and Albegas. Note that series are not connected in any way in Japan.

That explains the origins of Matchbox's Voltron toys, but what about the other line? I think Playmates released them. Were they made just for the US or did they originate in Japan, too? This is the line with the action figures and the less impressive lion Voltron toy, which was completely plastic if I recall. The action figures (about the size of Star Wars or GI Joe figures) weren't to proper scale with the lions, but they could fit inside them.

Midnight_Fox wrote:

giantrobotlover8806 wrote:by the way, wasn't Voltron originally from Bandai?

GoLion is Toei Animation. Voltron is a joint venture between World Events Productions and Toei Animation.

it was also Armored Fleet Dairugger XV too

Optimum Supreme wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
And the toys were originally by Popy, a part of Bandai and the main force behind the "Chogokin" (Super Alloy) line, which features toys with a good percentage of die cast metal. All three Voltrons (Lion, Vehicle and Gladiator) were part of that line, and were called this in Japan: GoLion, Dairugger XV and Albegas. Note that series are not connected in any way in Japan.

That explains the origins of Matchbox's Voltron toys, but what about the other line? I think Playmates released them. Were they made just for the US or did they originate in Japan, too? This is the line with the action figures and the less impressive lion Voltron toy, which was completely plastic if I recall. The action figures (about the size of Star Wars or GI Joe figures) weren't to proper scale with the lions, but they could fit inside them.

Since the Chogokin lines one had two toys, really (ST and DX), it's safe to say the main toys were the only imported toys, the rest were original designs as far as I know. This includes the Masterpiece.