The Energon Pub

I've been working on filling some gaps in my collection (mainly microns and minicons, but I've started looking at the larger ML figures).

What figures feature notable differences between the Hasbro and Takara releases (let's ignore microns, I've got that list well in hand)?

I've already got:

Shockwave (Tidal Wave)
Jetfire (just got, and the snow white and filled bay door etching are super sexy)
Hot Shot (with light up fist)
Starscream (on the way)
Grapp Super Mode (in POL at BBTS)
Sunbolt (Korean version of Silverbolt/Blurr) (in POL at BBTS)
Rampage (Wheeljack)

I plan on picking up:

Convoy Super Base
Scourge w/ Sweep
Magna Convoy DX

Am I missing anything?

You'll probably kick yourself on this one because the Micron Legend version of the Hasbro figure is practically a variant. Most people don't recognize this one because they aren't as hardcore as me.

The Armada version of the figure has an entirely red Autobot face.


The Takara version of the figure, also called Devastar has the red autobot face with white detailings underneath it. This isn't an assumption made from the pictures only, I have both figures and can confirm it.


It's not that much of a difference for you to have the two different versions, however you won't be as manly as me and Counterpunch and I'll totally call you on it in public at Botcon.

I wish I could help more but my collection is back at home, and I'm still at University for another month. I can't recall anymore than the ones you've listed and Scavenger/Devastar, but I'll let you know if anything comes to mind.

Megatron, Galvatron, Thundercracker, Red Alert all have the Faction symbol issue as well.

Demolisher is different (colors and face), Sideways is very different (several paint accuracy issues), Nemesis Prime is different.

Cyclonus has very minor differences.

Then there's the red version of Thrust.

Oh, and Overload is different, but the US one is more accurate. Go fig.

Hey, at least Energon had more accurate decos than Superlink...

Now from me to Counterpunch, to Punch, and I'm back again.

You'll probably dislike having to get this variant as well. Takara's MC10 Stepper, known to us English folk and Hasbro slaves as Armada Side Swipe.

The Armada version has a blue visor.


The Micron Legend version, screen accurate as always, has a teal visor.


He's on BBTS, so add it your pile of lumps.

Thanks guys! Although, I'm really unsurprised who answered this thread so far.

I think I'm going to avoid *minor* variants for the time being, unless I come across a good deal. The faction symbol changes aren't that big of a deal, in particular, although the light blue visor on Side Swipe is nice.

Can anyone elaborate on the changes to Sideways and Demolisher?

Does anyone have firsthand experience with both versions of Galvatron? I've read conflicting statements that the shades of purple are more pink and make for a radically different looking figure.

Japanese Sideways is accurate to the cartoon.

The US version has the yellow and purple swapped on the chest/bike helm. It's one of the more glaring differences if you know it's there.

Demolisher in the US has well, black face and a more sand brown color scheme. The Japanese version has a brown face and a more yellow-brown color scheme matching the show.

I'd recommend getting the Japanese Thundercracker as well. The faction symbol issue is particularly bad in his instance. I'll post pics when I can.

If memory serves me correctly Hasbro had to make a "running change" on Sideways, due to the minicons revealing different faction symbols than they did in the TV show. It depends on how much show accuracy matters to you.....

in regards to CP's comment on the paint apps to the Motorbike windscreen on the Takara version;

http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/tfm/toys/mx01.html

Best image I could find, sorry.

Pretender Skywarp wrote:If memory serves me correctly Hasbro had to make a "running change" on Sideways, due to the minicons revealing different faction symbols than they did in the TV show. It depends on how much show accuracy matters to you.....

in regards to CP's comment on the paint apps to the Motorbike windscreen on the Takara version;

http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/tfm/toys/mx01.html

Best image I could find, sorry.

Yea, there are two versions of the US Sideways, both of which are not anime accurate. They reverse which head actives which faction symbol with the one having the gray head activating the Autobot symbol being the limited first run, incorrect version. You can tell in package because the gray mini-con has orange leg highlights as opposed to the correct purple ones.

Counterpunch wrote:Yea, there are two versions of the US Sideways, both of which are not anime accurate. They reverse which head actives which faction symbol with the one having the gray head activating the Autobot symbol being the limited first run, incorrect version. You can tell in package because the gray mini-con has orange leg highlights as opposed to the correct purple ones.

Cheers for that mate, I wasn't sure if it was my memory playing tricks or not! I was unaware of the paint apps to the minicon tho', at least there is a way to rell the difference. I wonder if that change was due anyway or if it was in in-house thing to ID the new ones?

Pretender Skywarp wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:Yea, there are two versions of the US Sideways, both of which are not anime accurate. They reverse which head actives which faction symbol with the one having the gray head activating the Autobot symbol being the limited first run, incorrect version. You can tell in package because the gray mini-con has orange leg highlights as opposed to the correct purple ones.

Cheers for that mate, I wasn't sure if it was my memory playing tricks or not! I was unaware of the paint apps to the minicon tho', at least there is a way to rell the difference. I wonder if that change was due anyway or if it was in in-house thing to ID the new ones?

The original Sideways US toy was SUPPOSED to be the correct version.

Then the animators screwed it up and they had to correct it.

Actually, that's the case with most of the US decos. The animation was wrong.

Because the Japanese run of toys got made after animation was completed, they were able to align with the show more accurately.

It also expains why the worst offenders are at the beginning of the line and the two series get towards smaller differences by the end when US production had time to adapt. (Think the Sideways/Thrust wave)