The Energon Pub

Rodimus Prime wrote:Which is the best representation of TF:TM Unicron? 25th anniversary or 2010? Or another figure?

I'd definitely go with either because of the G1 accurate head. Color-wise, the 25th is closer to the movie, but the blue may be closer to the comics.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So 2010 = G1 comics and 25th = TF:TM?

No no, the 25th is closer to the movie, but the shade of blue used is closer to the comics and some scenes of the movie. The 2010 one pretty much has the traditional Unicron colors used on other toys, like the Titanium and busts.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Oh. So the 25th anniversary version is the way to go. I'd be keeping him in planet mode mostly, as well.

I do hope for you that you can find him AND the Throne of Chaos at reasonable prices. It's been a while since both are out of stock everywhere.
Oh dear... On Ebay, Unicron is at least 200$ shipped and the throne is... zero results. Yeah... Good luck!

BTW, I have them both and let me tell you, it's an awesome display.

Yeah, 25th anniversary is the more movie accurate IMO. Good luck.

I own both, and each has their own allure. This site actually has great galleries comparing them. Here's a prime shot:



The problem is that the movie uses a wide ranging palette of colors. I really think it's a matter of personal preference. Compare the above to each of these shots from the movie:





Some shots have more grey, others more blue. Also, the oranges vary. The two versions tease those differences out into two equally serviceable versions.

Once I have the space to do so, I plan on displaying both. 2010 Unicron in planet-mode, since the black wash on the round planet cover-pieces really pop and highlights the mold's details. Amazon Unicron in robot-mode, since I think that version meshes a bit better with my Classics/Generations toys.

In my opinion, the 25th Anniversary deco, which is the Hasbro version, is actually the superior version. The "Welcome to 2010" version, being Takara's release, I think misses the mark with that vivid, saturated orange plastic. Otherwise, the blackwash brings out all of the sculpting detail on the planet mode, which is a plus. Again, overall, Hasbro's version is most screen accurate. I don't know why people are getting hung up on the "blue is from the comics" idea. Watch the movie. Unicron very clearly sports bluish gray tones, which is what Hasbro's version delivers.

Wolfman Jake wrote:In my opinion, the 25th Anniversary deco, which is the Hasbro version, is actually the superior version. The "Welcome to 2010" version, being Takara's release, I think misses the mark with that vivid, saturated orange plastic. Otherwise, the blackwash brings out all of the sculpting detail on the planet mode, which is a plus. Again, overall, Hasbro's version is most screen accurate. I don't know why people are getting hung up on the "blue is from the comics" idea. Watch the movie. Unicron very clearly sports bluish gray tones, which is what Hasbro's version delivers.

Your qualitative statement on Hasbro's Unicron being more screen accurate than Takara's is iffy. Look back to the pics I posted; sometimes he's blue-ish, sometimes he's grey. The color changes scene to scene (much as does his character model, but that's a different topic entirely).

Actually, it's kind of funny: the lighter orange from the first movie picture matches Hasbro's and the greys match Takara's. Yet, the saturated orange in the second movie picture match Takara's and the blue-greys match Hasbro's. Hmm.

The second picture is definitely a more saturated orange than the first picture, or the 25th Anniversary figure, but the 2010 version looks way too saturated to me, and matches nothing all that well. Plus, I can still see the blues in both screen grabs above. Could be a case of different monitors or different personal perception of color as well.

Wolfman Jake wrote:The second picture is definitely a more saturated orange than the first picture, or the 25th Anniversary figure, but the 2010 version looks way too saturated to me, and matches nothing all that well. Plus, I can still see the blues in both screen grabs above. Could be a case of different monitors or different personal perception of color as well.

The question is itself one of opinion & conjecture, so there's plenty of factors at play. Your opinion is just as valid as mine. I just happen to like both and think they homage the movie and character in different ways.

So long as everyone gets their hands on some version of this toy, I'll be happy.

Long story short is either 25th or 2010 are valid options for a hardcore collector. The only deciding factor would be taste, price, and availability.

I own the 25th AND the original Armada one. Armada Unicron is relatively pretty cheap and is a sweet peice to own too. If you like a special Unicron, there's always that green version too.

megatronus wrote:I own both, and each has their own allure. This site actually has great galleries comparing them. Here's a prime shot:



The problem is that the movie uses a wide ranging palette of colors. I really think it's a matter of personal preference. Compare the above to each of these shots from the movie:





Some shots have more grey, others more blue. Also, the oranges vary. The two versions tease those differences out into two equally serviceable versions.

Once I have the space to do so, I plan on displaying both. 2010 Unicron in planet-mode, since the black wash on the round planet cover-pieces really pop and highlights the mold's details. Amazon Unicron in robot-mode, since I think that version meshes a bit better with my Classics/Generations toys.

The one on the right is Tomy? Good for you guys who have one. Unlike K, only got the ML version.........released very cheap back then.

huh... i guess im the minority here. i preffer the 2010 overall and keep him in bot mode, with amazoncron in planet mode. i have the originals too... for what it is, i really like the black one too.

and i would kill for that green one. almost indefinitely.

fenrir72 wrote:

megatronus wrote:I own both, and each has their own allure. This site actually has great galleries comparing them. Here's a prime shot:



The problem is that the movie uses a wide ranging palette of colors. I really think it's a matter of personal preference. Compare the above to each of these shots from the movie:





Some shots have more grey, others more blue. Also, the oranges vary. The two versions tease those differences out into two equally serviceable versions.

Once I have the space to do so, I plan on displaying both. 2010 Unicron in planet-mode, since the black wash on the round planet cover-pieces really pop and highlights the mold's details. Amazon Unicron in robot-mode, since I think that version meshes a bit better with my Classics/Generations toys.

The one on the right is Tomy? Good for you guys who have one. Unlike K, only got the ML version.........released very cheap back then.

No, the one on the right is the Hasbro version. It was an Amazon.com exclusive for the 25th Anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie. The left is the Takara-Tomy version, also an exclusive, sold as part of their "Welcome to 2010" celebration.

Not to rub it in too much... but I love my 25th Anniversary Unicron! (Was definitely worth the upgrade from my Armada version, which until then had been a decent stand-in.)

Rodimus Prime wrote:Looks like I'll be coughing up the big bucks for the 25th anniversary edition, then, unless I find a 2010 edition cheaper. I plan on displaying it in planet mode, as that's how I have my Primus as well. It makes less of a difference in color scheme in planet mode, right? And I realize I could just look at pictures, but I'd rather have opinions of other fans who have seen them with their own eyes or held them in their own hands.

I've never had the 2010 version in hand, so I can't offer you the comparison you might seek. But I will say this: If you're planning on mainly displaying it in planet mode, do yourself a favor. It may be near impossible to track it down these days, but at least try to find yourself a Throne of Chaos stand! (As seen in the photo I displayed in my previous post to this thread.)

Rodimus Prime wrote:Looks like I'll be coughing up the big bucks for the 25th anniversary edition, then, unless I find a 2010 edition cheaper. I plan on displaying it in planet mode, as that's how I have my Primus as well. It makes less of a difference in color scheme in planet mode, right? And I realize I could just look at pictures, but I'd rather have opinions of other fans who have seen them with their own eyes or held them in their own hands.

I feel this may be directed at me - if so, I apologize if you felt I was snubbing you by pointing to the galleries. I just find them useful in parsing out my own personal preferences. Of course, you should solicit the opinions of fellow fans, but ultimately it comes down to what you like.

I did a quick search on ebay; there's an MISB 25th Anniversary Unicron for $175:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transformers-25th-Anniversary-Amazon-Exclusive-Unicron-w-Kranix-MISB-/261443895288?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3cdf453ff8

There's also a few used 2010 Unicron's available around $180-$210; brand new ones are more expensive.

I would recommend waiting until you see a live auction vs. a Buy It Now. I saw a 25th Anniversary Unicron end last week for about $150 shipped, so you could probably do better than current prices with a bit of patience.

megatronus wrote:And I realize I could just look at pictures, but I'd rather have opinions of other fans who have seen them with their own eyes or held them in their own hands.

totally get that. ive seen dozens of pictures, and even have every unicron in hand, but i wouldnt have known the following if not for this thread....




i never understood the blue/grey in amacron. and actually the only reason i bought him is cause he was shelf warming at my TRU's and on sale. that and a combination of of looking up pics and being really taken with the look of his planet mode (hence why i keep him in planet mode), and wanting the minocon cause he was officially named kranix. after now seeing the movie stills, i get it and actually have a deeper appreciation for him.

however, i feel the blue/grey we see in the movie is merely shading effects and he should be the white/grey we see in the 2010 version. but hey, thats just one mans opinion, what what i personally prefer. theyyre both really nice and have their own merits.

One thing worth noting regarding comparisons (although, again, for the 2010 version I am only going off pictures) is the right hand. Would it have killed them to make both hands a solid plastic? I always thought the tranclearent plastic (can you tell I'm an Emgo fan?) on his right hand was stupid. Yes, it would have killed the light-up gimmick in that hand... But really, how many of us use that?

But at least, with the 25th anniversary version (Hasbro) it is a smoky grey transclearent plastic. On the 2010 (Takara) one, it looks completely clear. (Someone who's had it in hand can correct me if I am wrong.) Personally, if it has to be a transclearent plastic, I'll take the smoky grey over completely clear.

(Mind you, this is all somewhat less important to someone who will rarely take him out of planet mode.)

Yotsuyasan wrote:One thing worth noting regarding comparisons (although, again, for the 2010 version I am only going off pictures) is the right hand. Would it have killed them to make both hands a solid plastic? I always thought the tranclearent plastic (can you tell I'm an Emgo fan?) on his right hand was stupid. Yes, it would have killed the light-up gimmick in that hand... But really, how many of us use that?

Apparently enough who use the light up eyes as well. I suspect all clear plastic parts (planet shell, chest panels, eyes and hand) are on the same sprue and come from the same mold. If you'd cast the hand in solid plastic, you'd loose the eyes as well. Remove the electronics, and you'd probably nix the chest cannon as well (someone correct on that).

Here's another pic with food for thought:


25th Anniversary Unicron vs. United Ark Unicron

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Apparently enough who use the light up eyes as well. I suspect all clear plastic parts (planet shell, chest panels, eyes and hand) are on the same sprue and come from the same mold. If you'd cast the hand in solid plastic, you'd loose the eyes as well. Remove the electronics, and you'd probably nix the chest cannon as well (someone correct on that).

Ah, yes. I hadn't been thinking about the molds and what might share a spruce. I suppose that does mean leaving the hand clear if we want light-up eyes...

Of course (and this may be getting slightly off topic) it would mean a lot more if the lights in the eyes were at all useful! I'd never say remove all of the electronics, but it sure would have been nice if they had reworked them a bit. Seeing as they were remolding the head anyway, it would have been great if they just added an on/off switch rather then the stupid useless blinking. (And swapped out the red LEDs for green ones!)

I know some modders have done this to their own figures, but I'm not that skilled!

Oh, Armada Unicron...

I had 2 of them - I bought them on clearance from my local Target for $13 each. Selling them helped fund the purchase of my 2010 and Amazon versions.