The Energon Pub

It would be strange if this is true, because the first reissue isn't that hard/expensive to find.

I'd really like to see Metroplex done as Metrotitan for a reissue, Bruticus released in a G2 special edition package, Bruticus released as Battle Gaia as an exclusive somewhere, and I'm holding out hope that Takara continues with their cassette reissues by releasing Slamdance and Squawkbox followed by (cross fingers) the dino cassettes, which would be a dream come true.

I'm also holding out hope for reissues of some of the more popular Japanese characters such as Star Saber, Victory Leo, Overlord, Deszaras, Liokaiser, and Dai Atlas. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't release those when I try to look at this from Takara's perspective (i.e. take off your fan boy shoes and put on your corporate hat). Takara and Hasbro don't care whether or not it pisses off die-hard collector's who've shelled out hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for these guys. They just want to re-release original toys so they can capitalize on this market.

Of course, you could make the argument that I've got my fan boy hat on by even making this post, but I still haven't heard any legitimate reason why Takara wouldn't release their exclusive toys from years past.

kirbenvost wrote:It would be strange if this is true, because the first reissue isn't that hard/expensive to find.

Nor is the original from G1. I've been watching them on eBay for a while. The prices of the original keep dropping like a rock. I can't imagine that that has anything to do with a reissue which is actually superior to the original (thank you again Takara).

First Gen wrote:Man, I am dense. I never knew Animated Prime was based so much off of Star Convoy.

I'd pick one up for 20 bucks.

I wouldn't say that it is. Animated Optimus is based off Cybertron Optimus Prime, right down to the fire truck mode. Maybe you could make the argument that Cybertron Optimus Prime derived design elements from Star Convoy, but I wouldn't really even go that far because the windows are the only thing that really bear a resemblance in my opinion.

Seibertron wrote:Of course, you could make the argument that I've got my fan boy hat on by even making this post, but I still haven't heard any legitimate reason why Takara wouldn't release their exclusive toys from years past.

One reason may be that a few of the molds have been re-tooled for the Brave line.

I'm just speculating on that, but it could be that some of the alterations have made it such that replicating the originals is out of the question.

I think the truth of the matter is that from everything I've heard, the Japanese interest in later G1 merch simply isn't there. Not only that, but it's compounded by the fact that larger figures (as most of these are) are the least popular toys for collectors.

Counterpunch wrote:

Cobalt Prime wrote:That's the trouble with the re-release stuff. Its good, yet at the same time bad.
If they pull this with Lio Kaiser, Deszranus, Road Caesar, or Overlord, I shall be most upset indeed!

Reissues are always good. These weren't toys that were originally created to be 'exclusive'. These were toys that were meant to be widely available and only because of the Pacific Ocean and Saturday morning cartoon slots were they not.

I'm all about exclusives and maintaing the premise they were issued on. As to foreign toys that weren't equally available? Have at it. I have several Master, Victory, Battlestars series toys. I want to see those awesome figures available to everyone.

Victory Leo is too cool for school. Collectors should be able to get one without playing $300. It doesn't dimininsh my collection any.

It's a difference of opinion of course, but holding back on key characters from series when those toys were widely available just to maintain the status of 'Have' vs 'Have Not' is distasteful to me.

(I'm not budging one bit on BotCon exclusives though, you get your asses to the convention like everyone else to get those toys.)

Ah, eloquently said my friend.

Counterpunch wrote:

Seibertron wrote:Of course, you could make the argument that I've got my fan boy hat on by even making this post, but I still haven't heard any legitimate reason why Takara wouldn't release their exclusive toys from years past.

One reason may be that a few of the molds have been re-tooled for the Brave line.

I'm just speculating on that, but it could be that some of the alterations have made it such that replicating the originals is out of the question.

I think the truth of the matter is that from everything I've heard, the Japanese interest in later G1 merch simply isn't there. Not only that, but it's compounded by the fact that larger figures (as most of these are) are the least popular toys for collectors.

I've never really quite understood that. Maybe it's because I've bought every main line Transformers figure under the sun for the past 14/15 years so I don't really get/understand the whole "$10 deluxe class figure sells best" statement, though it's blindingly obvious just by looking at the figures Hasbro produces as well as what is on the shelves and being purchased. I guess I just always figure that everyone is as excited as me about toys of characters like Star Saber and Overlord (even though I own about half of the figures that I stated in one of my posts above) and that these things would just fly off the shelves, which apparently is not the case or else Takara would probably be all over them already because, again, they don't care if it pisses off die-hard collectors that just paid $500 to $1000 for a MIB/MISB Overlord.

I would go that far (saying Galaxy Force Convoy is inspired by Star Convoy), but that's just me.

Seibertron wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:It would be strange if this is true, because the first reissue isn't that hard/expensive to find.

Nor is the original from G1. I've been watching them on eBay for a while. The prices of the original keep dropping like a rock. I can't imagine that that has anything to do with a reissue which is actually superior to the original (thank you again Takara).

It's a good time to be a TF fan, isn't it?

Awesome sig, by the way.

Counterpunch wrote:
1. I purchase toys because when I get up in the morning and roll off the giant pile of money that I sleep on, I need something else to do besides making sweet sweet love to the beautiful woman at my side.

You're a jerk, CP.

Dead Metal wrote:Ugh that looks horrid. But I've seen the base-mode and that's not too bad so once this goes on clearance I'll get one and keep him in base-mode forever and ever!

I actually prefer truck mode the most. I love the epic space-rig thing it's got going on. I currently having him facing off against Reissue Purple Galvatron, even if that doesn't make sense fiction-wise.

NuclearConvoy wrote:I got my Star Convoy when he was first reissued and paid fullprice for him and still don't mind that he went on clearance because, to me,he was worth 100$ and he was always on my list as a pinnacle of what I wanted in my collection. I'm just bummed we haven't seen Grandus and Sky Garry get re-released as well.

I also think mine was worth the $80 I paid for it, and if I'd waited this long I wouldn't have been able to enjoy him this long or have the certainty that I'd ever be able to add him to my collection. I suppose even if I complain about prices from time to time, I'm happy to preorder a hard to get item and KNOW I'm going to have it, versus watching and waiting for auctions or sales and whatnot, because you'll never know what's going to happen. That's why I'm still happy I got my City Commander too, even if it's getting re-released with improvements.

Counterpunch wrote:I'm all about exclusives and maintaing the premise they were issued on. As to foreign toys that weren't equally available? Have at it. I have several Master, Victory, Battlestars series toys. I want to see those awesome figures available to everyone.

Victory Leo is too cool for school. Collectors should be able to get one without playing $300. It doesn't dimininsh my collection any.

Man, what I wouldn't do to have Victory Leo & Star Saber! Actually, there's a lot I wouldn't do, but I want them really bad. Just not $300 a pop bad, so I'm hoping as much as most that they'd get reissues somehow.

"1. I purchase toys because when I get up in the morning and roll off the giant pile of money that I sleep on, I need something else to do besides making sweet sweet love to the beautiful woman at my side."

My sentiments exactly...apart from having some awesome "poseable sculptures"

So, this went on clearance for $20? Boy did I overpay! Oh, well ... it wasn't the first time and certainly won't be the last. Atill glad I got it, even though you could probably build a house with enough of them.

I'd love it if they released Victory Leo and DeathSaurus. Even for toys from "the day", they look awsome. I already have a beat-up Star Saber, so he's somewhat low on my list of TF figures to get.

By the by, the news item mentioned Encore Devastator. Wasn't that rumor debunked some time ago?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:By the by, the news item mentioned Encore Devastator. Wasn't that rumor debunked some time ago?

I don't believe so. I think we're still waiting for an official debunking of some sort.

Seibertron wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:By the by, the news item mentioned Encore Devastator. Wasn't that rumor debunked some time ago?

I don't believe so. I think we're still waiting for an official debunking of some sort.

Actually looking through all the Encore stuff on the forums, If I understand this correctly, the Encore Devastator rumour was a hoax, and what follows Encore #19 Cassettes Big Mission 3 is still up in arms.

1999/hobby search has an english site.

to check an english listing simply add:

http://www.1999.co.jp/10095881

-> http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10095881

the english title of the listing reads:

Transformers Encore 372 Optimus Prime revived with `Zodiac` energy (Completed)


what does it mean? a recolor of some sort?

Brick formers don't interest me.. they should do him as a classics figure along with Super Megatron since Super Megatron isn't a gun rather a space ship..

I realize that figure may have some nostalgic value for some, but that is one UGLY toy. If you gave it to me for free, I wouldn't even want to display it with my collection.

It looks nice behind some TFs. To sort of hide it's legs.

Nice. Will pick this up for MISB purposes.

Real Devastator wrote:Blurrz, Delicon going to kill you for posting this.

No death this time, perhaps I'll just have Mkall kick him in the groin.

Actually I was the one who asked Blurrz to post this story so a groinshot would be pure evil.

Back on topic, I've long been interested in this piece. I might have to pick one up, depending on the price.

As for whether or not it SHOULD be reissued, that's up to Takara. If they make it and I like it, I'll buy it, simple as that.

I don't care if he's a big ugly brick. He's a big ugly brick that turns into a micromaster base/transport! Good enough for me.

Blurrz wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:By the by, the news item mentioned Encore Devastator. Wasn't that rumor debunked some time ago?

I don't believe so. I think we're still waiting for an official debunking of some sort.

Actually looking through all the Encore stuff on the forums, If I understand this correctly, the Encore Devastator rumour was a hoax, and what follows Encore #19 Cassettes Big Mission 3 is still up in arms.

Yup it was a hox by the forum that posted it as they wanted to be the source for TF news for once as people avoid them as they steel other peoples photo galleries.

GuyIncognito wrote:I realize that figure may have some nostalgic value for some, but that is one UGLY toy. If you gave it to me for free, I wouldn't even want to display it with my collection.

Ugly?!?! It is one of the best looking pieces displayed...plus it has probably one of the best box artwork ever.

GetterDragun wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:I realize that figure may have some nostalgic value for some, but that is one UGLY toy. If you gave it to me for free, I wouldn't even want to display it with my collection.

Ugly?!?! It is one of the best looking pieces displayed...plus it has probably one of the best box artwork ever.

Damn Straight, Getter!

I may pass on this release b/c it will come down in price hand over foot!

2 reasons I want this.

He's the inspiration for Armada Prime, and 2 he comes with a mini Hot Rod.

Oh and he looks awesome.

But if this is overstock form the last release then, it should be quite cheap.