The Energon Pub

As far as Hasbro is likely concerned, it is far more economical to make one toy of a certain size class to represent a particular thing than to make more than one toy of the same size class to represent the same particular thing. Hasbro made the Clash toys to promote the season 1 finale's upgraded forms. Those mere redecos evidently were not good enough for Takara's Adventure line, so they went the extra mile and did something better. For Hasbro to take the superior Takara versions and sell them in the same market as the Clash toys would be an infringement upon the very purpose of Hasbro having made the Clash toys in the first place.

What's more is that Hasbro seems to be taking a route of simplistic engineering with the RID 2015 line, and with Takara upping the parts count with all the new tooling added to the figures after their remolding them, Hasbro isn't likely to sell a mold whose newly-added tooling would make it too expensive to fit within their budgetary constraints for this line. Takara has more financial freedoms to do what they please for this line, while Hasbro evidently is more rigid with what they able and willing to do.

In short, this is like CW Groove vs. UW Groove all over again, so don't be expecting Hasbro to release whatever Takara makes on its own without regards to Hasbro's standards.

RAR wrote:
I was speculating on the possibility as Hasbro will need something to sell in 2016 besides Titan Wars toys I would think.
And Clash of the Transformers may not be widely available internationally so Takara's remould might be a good way to do that for the international market.

As Hasbro has shown in the past, they dont need to have decos that represent the character on the show. Look at most of the beast hunters line. And look at the legions or the black bumblebee on shelves now. I anticipate more of that, with slight retools and colour variations. We will have more decos for Strongarm, Drift, Jazz and Wingblade once she gets her own warrior class figure. And plus, Hasbro said they will be releasing more decepticons. So I am certain Hasbro has toys up their sleeves and dont need to use Takara's retools (to our regret). This year only had 10 warior class figures anyway. Its easy for Hasbro to give us the same number next year without taking Takara's molds. We never did get the takara remolds and new molds from the Go! line, I dont see this being any different.

Also, Takara has had their own clear promotional legions redecos that we are not getting (along with that giraffe prime) and Hasbro has their own decos that Takara isnt getting (like alpine mode sideswipe) so they both seem independent with their lines already. What we are seeing here is just more of the same. And in any case, for those who want that bumblebee, he costs the same as if he was sold at toysrus locally (including shipping costs) : http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=FIGURE-011316&page=top%2Fsearch%2Flist%3Fs_keywords%3Dbumblebee%24pagemax%3D40%24getcnt%3D0%24pagecnt%3D1

Also, the Clash of Transformers is widely available internationally more so than any other TRU exclusive line in history. Usually, Japan has their own TRU exclusives (like the screen accurate evasion mode optimus figure standalone or that Black Knight AOE Optimus figure), or there are US toys available in Japan at large (US editions). But for once, a whole subline (including Mega Megatronus) is available in all toysrus stores all across the world, including Japan where it is distributed by Takara instead of Hasbro. And its all the same toys. There was MP Acid Storm, but he was just one figure, this is a whole line available globally, exclusive to the same store and distributed by the respective parties. That means that Toysrus in Japan will have 2 Clash of the Transformers Bumblebee at the same time distributed by takara but done in different decos (one will be called Clash of Transformers and the other one will be called Supreme mold). I dont think the US would do that too.

Also to clarify: Titans wars has not been confirmed for 2016. and there are still several decepticons that hasbro said we would be getting coming out, plus all the rumble of a 2nd season. Takara does lots of nice stuff but only rarely does hasbro do stuff after them

Oh I'd say the Titan Wars banner at Botcon gave the game away a bit.
I think Hasbro's response to that was kinda "Opps!"

------

I think we are talking across each other a bit here.

People seem to be thinking I am saying that they should make toys like the new Bumblebee because they are a better representation of the "Final Forms".

I'm not I'm simply saying that They are a way to have something to sell in 2016 that is cheaper than starting over would be.

There is little point making a brand new Bumblebee toy with a new Robot and car mode appearance if he does not have that on the show.

Lets assume for the moment that the best they get in 2016 is the mild upgrade that we've already seen.

So In purely toy terms if they don't change the appearance of the Characters very much and they've already repainted the heck out of them to the point that people are complaining about it.

The alternative mid-way action is not to make brand new moulds but to do what Takara just did with Bee and slightly change them (as was the case in Beast Hunters as a toyline).

Lets look at the show - each character usually has a Battle mask so that is one change that can easily be made you rejig the moulds for new heads, add some transparent pieces and add new weapons. you save a bunch of money that way and perhaps just perhaps the money that is saved not having to make a brand new Bee can be transferred over where some of use would want it - to the Decepticons.

Now I might be completely wrong here they might give everyone a brand new body in season 2 and completely reset the toyline as a result - but since Prime didn't Reset and neither did most other Transformers shows that got more than a single year (AEC doesn't quite count) I would anticipate I might be on the right track here... I would rather have tweaked Autobots and brand new Decepticons than just get almost no Decepticons next year and the same Autobots all over again with completely new designs.

It makes sense to me to save those new mould slots for Decepticons and any new or returning characters on the Autobot side.

Heck if they are super crafty they can essentially sell you the same Warriors all over again with tweaks and sell the same 3 steps all over again with tweaks. (perhaps simply by swapping over who gets made with a battle mask).

Naturally if they decide to give everyone a new body in the 2016 then my point is likely meaningless, unless Hasbro decides to allow the Toyline to drift apart from the TV show as they did with Beast Hunters.

RAR wrote:Oh I'd say the Banner at Botcon gives the game away a bit.

A bit, but they are claiming it an accident, and considering we have figure reveals through next mayish time, who knows what'll happen. but thats for the other thread.
I'm just happy with the IDW Drift.
If anyone wants to buy that 2-pack, keep Jazz and pass on Drift to me hit me up. I want him so bad, and I don't really want Jazz

Sabrblade is right to point out that the Bumblebee might just be a one off thing and isn't to be taken as indicative of the future trend.

I'm just speculating here about the future of the brand.... or indeed if it even has one past 2nd Quarter 2016.

The alternative is that they don't really bother much with RID in 2016 rush the 2nd series of the TV show out in a hurry to get it done as soon as possible - let it fester for most of 2016 dying out well before Xmas 2016 - then they release it's replacement Show & Toyline at the end of 2016 just in time for the Holiday season.

But we hear so little about the next show I don't know how far along that is or if they even just dropped it completely.

Or they can take ages to release Season 2 and stretch RID-16 out so much of the newer shinier things don't show up till past May so between Now & May they might just be giving us Season One leftovers.

The whole line could indeed reset and debut later in 2016 than we might be expecting ; such a delay might even be indicative of a big change in the show and toyline perhaps.

The only reason I'm going on about it is the way Hasbro gives me the vibes that it barely cares about RID as a sub-franchise they just seem to show corporate indifference to it - at least in terms of how they portray it to the fandom... I don't know how a 7 year old would see it.

Instead of saying to people at Toy & Comic Conventions - this is a really great thing - please stick with it - here is what we've got to come - instead they just seem to almost ignore it completely and hype it almost as lazily as they do Rescue Bots.

It's at times like the entire Hasbro Marketing department goes into hibernation when there isn't a Movie out.

I feel a little disenfranchised that the Transformers Fandom isn't seen as someone who might want to be told about Transformers Products I guess.

RAR wrote:
The only reason I'm going on about it is the way Hasbro gives me the vibes that it barely cares about RID as a sub-franchise they just seem to show corporate indifference to it - at least in terms of how they portray it to the fandom... I don't know how a 7 year old would see it.

Instead of saying to people at Toy & Comic Conventions - this is a really great thing - please stick with it - here is what we've got to come - instead they just seem to almost ignore it completely and hype it almost as lazily as they do Rescue Bots.

It's at times like the entire Hasbro Marketing department goes into hibernation when there isn't a Movie out.

I feel a little disenfranchised that the Transformers Fandom isn't seen as someone who might want to be told about Transformers Products I guess.

I hear you and I now understand the source of your previous thoughts and writings. I totally feel the same way. The only real reveals we got at cons for RID was at Toy Fair. Everything since was revealed through store listings or just showing up at a store (like the Clash line). Come to think of it, the very first images of the Clash line we got for the warrior class ere shots from a hobby magazine for takara products. I mean think about it, this is a subline handed to takara as part of a worldwide TRU campaign by Hasbro and Takara still gave it the treatment of a nice reveal in a hobby magazine while we had to wait until august for Hasbro to give us a statement when the toys had already been in stores for months in Canda and Australia (dont know about elsehwere).

Sorry if I sounded unintentionally Bitchy at all.

-------

I'll try and see if I can get some common sense out of TRU-UK about 'Clash of the Transformers' in the UK - I would expect Megatronus to show up in the UK if nothing else does.

But I can't say I've heard anyone say they have seen them - but there is always the same issue Hasbro has that fans also sometimes have which is they might see something and not mention it as some seem to think people are not interested unless it's a Generations or Masterpiece toy.

I only found out the RescueBots Danni figure was out months after it shipped as I was lamenting not having one and someone said - 'hey dude that's been out for ages' !.

I wish that wasn't the case even if they wanted to go with the assumption of disinterest on the general fandom's part many fans have children of their own they'd want these for if nothing else.

There is afun Mother and Child paring on Youtube hwo review RescueBots they don't have anything to do with the Transformers Fandom they just really enjoy the line and the show enough to want to shout about it.

There is something slightly tragic that it's a whole other crowd who is promoting these things online - the same thing happened when I was looking up reviews of Power Attackers and One-Step Changers.

I guess the people making vids don't think they'd get the views but someone who got an early review in for Stomp & Change Grimlock got over 1.6 million hits on it. And someone showing off their Rescuebots collection has over 2.5 Million hits.

So Perhaps just perhaps someone out there is interested in this "Other stuff".

I suppose Hasbro did promote that Grimlock a bit more though and it was their main Xmas toy.

I was able to get the set with that Drift retool off of BBTS. I have a gut feeling that the Jazz in that set will have the visored head since it'll be released after Stepper.

Fellow Seibertronian Fenrir72 has sent us some in hand images of the two main TAV releases for August: Runabout and Override. These mini galleries come from Alfes and should give you an idea of what you are in for if you decide to order them now that they are out. Those who preordered them should be getting them soon enough if not already

Those painted eyes on Runabout look great.

Cobotron wrote:Those painted eyes on Runabout look great.

They give a nice impression of his optics glowing brightly under a semi-transparent visor.

Though I haven't opened my HB "Groove", the mold's hands scares me of future breakage.

they are so beautiful

william-james88 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:
That Vehicon is made of ice. It like evaporated under a desert sun in like 0.0001 seconds

Do you think it confirms what we thought? That they have a japan language site that takes priority while we are getting leftovers?

I am terrified that this is the case with that Grimlock. Though the higher price point usually keeps a figure longer in availability.

Actually, I can "confirm", Amiami had that (local and gaijin website) a few years back. Some rock bottom sale items were applicable only for the Japanese market. I thought they got rid of that practice. Seems like they haven't or the ISPs of Japan takes precedence.

Also same issue with the Bandai 1/100 Hi-Metal versions of the Macross Valkyries. Same with hobbysearch and hlj, sold out like 0.0000001 sec.

The cr@ppy thing is, okay this is not a dig on hlj, I watched and searched using their search engine, always drew a blank. By the time I found it, it took like 5 seconds for me to connect then POOF! Sold out. Same thing with hobbysearch, an even better search engine..POOF! Sold out!

In hobbysearch's case, they weren't able to make orders for Vehicon General directly.....which might mean the big kahuna companies are scrimping or the the demand is so strong.

With Amiami, the website had him available but I continued getting an erroneous pop up stating you can order only up to 3 items for Vehicon. When I emailed them the issue......oopsie.......all SOLD OUT

Thanks Fenrir, this interests me greatly.

I am not beating a dead horse ( peace Burn ) but even I manage to miss out juicy releases so I use alternative sources. Hence I don't post links unless I'm sure it is still available ( and to spread the joy/pain of having a holed wallet ) . Same with the Japan exclusive Tav-21 Optimus everyone is enjoying now. I was thankful that bruiser didn't sell out too fast like as Vehicon.

Keep your eyes peeled on Vehicon post street date release ( crossing my fingers)

From the sound of it, I'm really glad I ordered my Grand General Vehicons and Battle Grimlock when I did (on BigBadToyStore). I preordered them when they were announced and got in my second Vehicon preorder right before they vanished.

I took out my FOC Grimlock mold to compare things and see what changes this one had and how it would look and I am a tad bit dissapointed with something: the robot feet.



I dont mind him having robot feet, I just dont like how they look like when they are transformed. In the original mold, my biggest grief was that his tail really looked like his legs stuck together with a triangle underneath his feet. His feet stick out like a sore thumb.


Transformers Fall of Cybertron Grimlock Gallery

And sadly, this looks like it will be the case here too.

Thats a problem most Grimlock molds have when they try to make the leg and the feet the same. The G1 toy ends up having odd legs while the Animated one has this teeny tiny tail behind a large back section.

To my knowledge, only the MP ever got it right, with the tail looking like a tail and the feet and legs looking good too.

william-james88 wrote:I took out my FOC Grimlock mold to compare things and see what changes this one had and how it would look and I am a tad bit dissapointed with something: the robot feet.



I dont mind him having robot feet, I just dont like how they look like when they are transformed. In the original mold, my biggest grief was that his tail really looked like his legs stuck together with a triangle underneath his feet. His feet stick out like a sore thumb.


Transformers Fall of Cybertron Grimlock Gallery

And sadly, this looks like it will be the case here too.

Thats a problem most Grimlock molds have when they try to make the leg and the feet the same. The G1 toy ends up having odd legs while the Animated one has this teeny tiny tail behind a large back section.

To my knowledge, only the MP ever got it right, with the tail looking like a tail and the feet and legs looking good too.

I thought the rid'15 did it really well, as well as the MP version. Since they are doing the same thing, with the legs becoming the tail section; so it's fair game to me

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I took out my FOC Grimlock mold to compare things and see what changes this one had and how it would look and I am a tad bit dissapointed with something: the robot feet.



I dont mind him having robot feet, I just dont like how they look like when they are transformed. In the original mold, my biggest grief was that his tail really looked like his legs stuck together with a triangle underneath his feet. His feet stick out like a sore thumb.


Transformers Fall of Cybertron Grimlock Gallery

And sadly, this looks like it will be the case here too.
the Warrior RiD Grim did an amazing job of hiding the legs. one of the better efforts
Thats a problem most Grimlock molds have when they try to make the leg and the feet the same. The G1 toy ends up having odd legs while the Animated one has this teeny tiny tail behind a large back section.

To my knowledge, only the MP ever got it right, with the tail looking like a tail and the feet and legs looking good too.

I thought the rid'15 did it really well, as well as the MP version. Since they are doing the same thing, with the legs becoming the tail section; so it's fair game to me

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I took out my FOC Grimlock mold to compare things and see what changes this one had and how it would look and I am a tad bit dissapointed with something: the robot feet.



I dont mind him having robot feet, I just dont like how they look like when they are transformed. In the original mold, my biggest grief was that his tail really looked like his legs stuck together with a triangle underneath his feet. His feet stick out like a sore thumb.


Transformers Fall of Cybertron Grimlock Gallery

And sadly, this looks like it will be the case here too.
the Warrior RiD Grim did an amazing job of hiding the legs. one of the better efforts
Thats a problem most Grimlock molds have when they try to make the leg and the feet the same. The G1 toy ends up having odd legs while the Animated one has this teeny tiny tail behind a large back section.

To my knowledge, only the MP ever got it right, with the tail looking like a tail and the feet and legs looking good too.

I thought the rid'15 did it really well, as well as the MP version. Since they are doing the same thing, with the legs becoming the tail section; so it's fair game to me

um, yes?

Runabout was here!

Hellscream9999 wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:I took out my FOC Grimlock mold to compare things and see what changes this one had and how it would look and I am a tad bit dissapointed with something: the robot feet.



I dont mind him having robot feet, I just dont like how they look like when they are transformed. In the original mold, my biggest grief was that his tail really looked like his legs stuck together with a triangle underneath his feet. His feet stick out like a sore thumb.


Transformers Fall of Cybertron Grimlock Gallery

And sadly, this looks like it will be the case here too.
the Warrior RiD Grim did an amazing job of hiding the legs. one of the better efforts
Thats a problem most Grimlock molds have when they try to make the leg and the feet the same. The G1 toy ends up having odd legs while the Animated one has this teeny tiny tail behind a large back section.

To my knowledge, only the MP ever got it right, with the tail looking like a tail and the feet and legs looking good too.

I thought the rid'15 did it really well, as well as the MP version. Since they are doing the same thing, with the legs becoming the tail section; so it's fair game to me

um, yes?

wow, how did that happen? must've deleted my text right before I posted haha.
I was agreeing: RiD guy is pretty awesome with the legs and I wish other Grimlocks would be able to do as well as he

No Grimlock has better legs than the original RiD Grimlock.





Break it down, baby!