The Energon Pub

[Sabrblade]

I would ask, then, if the colors were purposely skewed on the Hasbro stock photos to show what Takara intends to do with the figure, hence the much darker looking gray plastics. They did alter the photos of Hasbro's Tailgate to remove the blue detailing on his alt mode, after all.

Which Hasbro photos are these ones being compared to?

[Wolfman Jake]

I would ask, then, if the colors were purposely skewed on the Hasbro stock photos to show what Takara intends to do with the figure, hence the much darker looking gray plastics. They did alter the photos of Hasbro's Tailgate to remove the blue detailing on his alt mode, after all.

Which Hasbro photos are these ones being compared to?

I'm comparing them to what many websites are using for the Hasbro preorders, such as this one. I'm not sure if these Takara mock-ups are re-uses of Hasbro's stock photos or if Takara made their own stock photos from the Hasbro versions (and then maybe altered them).

[Sabrblade]

I would ask, then, if the colors were purposely skewed on the Hasbro stock photos to show what Takara intends to do with the figure, hence the much darker looking gray plastics. They did alter the photos of Hasbro's Tailgate to remove the blue detailing on his alt mode, after all.

Which Hasbro photos are these ones being compared to?

I'm comparing them to what many websites are using for the Hasbro preorders, such as this one. I'm not sure if these Takara mock-ups are re-uses of Hasbro's stock photos or if Takara made their own stock photos from the Hasbro versions (and then maybe altered them).

Takara is using different stock photos of the Hasbro versions than the original Hasbro stock photos, which are what many websites (such as the one you linked to) are using.

The early Hasbro stock photos rarely match they final products, as they are usually made from early (pre)production samples, airbrushed prototypes, or digital mock up proposals (like in the cases of redecos), made before the actual deco undergoes finalization.

Judging by its "light glare shininess", I'd have to guess that the Brainstorm seen in the Hasbro stock photos used by TFSource (and other sites) is an airbrushed prototype, while the one seen in these newer stock photos Takara's borrowed from Hasbro is a (pre)production sample.

An example of the picture quality differences between the two kinds of stock photography can be seen in the following comparison of two different Universe Vector Prime stock photos:

One the left is an airbrushed prototype, and on the right is a (pre)production sample (the latter also being closer to the final product's look). Paint app differences aside, notice how the left one has a similar "light glare shininess" to the original Brainstorm stock photos:

Versus the right's more flatter lit non-shininess like in the newer stock photo:

[Wolfman Jake]

With any luck, some real production photos of Takara's versions will be out in short order. Until then, I'll keep Hasbro's Brainstorm in my pre-order stack. I have a feeling that the Takara version won't disappoint, though.

[Va'al]

While we have already seen the allegedly official Takara Tomy Legends images for the upcoming Voyager LG09 Brainstorm and LG08 Legends Swerve (Swarp) and Tailgate, Amazon.jp has some better quality single shots of the three figures, which we've mirrored below and linked to their listings. What do you say, placeholders, or the real deal?

[Sabrblade]

So that's why Hasbro spruced up Tailgate's altmode with blue flames. Takara's is practically naked!

Other than that, I frankly can't see too many differences between these and the Hasbro versions.

[RhA]

So Takara's Tailgate is even whiter.

Tsss.

Bunch of racists.

[fenrir72]

His car mode (Tailgate) was all white in the G1 series so maybe a homage?

[Sabrblade]

His car mode (Tailgate) was all white in the G1 series so maybe a homage?

Yeah, but that version had its black windows to provide color contrast. The silver/gray windows on this figure blend too much into the white body.

[Bounti76]

UGH. Other than the articulated head, nothing about 2014 Arcana is better than 1987 Arcana. The arms on the 2014 version....just big chunks of plastic with his arms molded into them....just..no. And while I obviously haven't seen how the Headmaster connection is made, Arcana's head being on a ball joint really worries me as far as durability if it's similar to how it was in 1987. Still, Brainstorm himself is a great figure.

[xyl360]

His car mode (Tailgate) was all white in the G1 series so maybe a homage?

Yeah, but that version had its black windows to provide color contrast. The silver/gray windows on this figure blend too much into the white body.

Yep. I'll be taking some black glossy paint to the windows/windshields on mine to more closely replicate his G1 look and make him look less bland. I've got the Hasbro version in my POL, but I'll probably be giving him the G1 treatment, eliminating the flames and blacking out the glass. That, or I'll snag the Takara version and black it out.

Either way, my point is someone's getting blacked out whether they like it or not .

[DMSL]

I will pass on all of these. The Scout Class minibots are out of scale with the rest of the Classics line-up. This in my opinion is unforgiveable.

Classics Headmasters is what i have wanted for many years.....and this figure is just terrible. The sculpt is mediocre at best, details are non-existent and the Headmaster unit is poorly executed and a step down from the G1 versions.

So i will gladly stick with Fansproject to satisfy my Headmaster needs.

[Cyberpath]

I thought about getting Brainstorm -- I never had a headmaster. Plus, he's one of my favourite characters from "Rebirth" -- he's got Wheeljack's innovation combined with Sideswipe's enthusiasm. (which makes Michael Bell the perfect voice actor for him.)

But the Nebulan mode doesn't look that great... size limitations perhaps? On the other hand the head and the Autobot look pretty good though.

Wonder if he can transform without removing the head.. probably not?

[Wolfman Jake]

I will pass on all of these. The Scout Class minibots are out of scale with the rest of the Classics line-up. This in my opinion is unforgiveable.

Do you believe them to be too big, or too small?

[Madeus Prime]

So that's why Hasbro spruced up Tailgate's altmode with blue flames. Takara's is practically naked!

I'd take this version...if the windows were black. It just looks unpainted without any contrast.

Brainstorm looks meh, Hasbro's is more IDW accurate. But we do get to see the headmaster unit in detail. Pretty cute, really worried about the headmaster's head becoming loose and popping the socket.

[Sabrblade]

Brainstorm looks meh, Hasbro's is more IDW accurate.

There appear to be no differences between the Hasbro and Takara Brainstorms.

[Wolfman Jake]

So, wait...aren't these still just mock-ups digitally altered (at least in Tailgate's case), of the Hasbro production units?

[Sabrblade]

So, wait...aren't these still just mock-ups digitally altered (at least in Tailgate's case), of the Hasbro production units?

It's weird. The first pics we got had text at the bottom that said that these were the "foreign versions", yet here we get big sized official pics that look exactly the same.

Either Takara's figures are no different from Hasbro's versions (barring Tailgate's blue flames being removed), or something's up here.

[fenrir72]

I thought about getting Brainstorm -- I never had a headmaster. Plus, he's one of my favourite characters from "Rebirth" -- he's got Wheeljack's innovation combined with Sideswipe's enthusiasm. (which makes Michael Bell the perfect voice actor for him.)

But the Nebulan mode doesn't look that great... size limitations perhaps? On the other hand the head and the Autobot look pretty good though.

Wonder if he can transform without removing the head.. probably not?

It would look awkward with the jet having a kibble on his butt. Arcana in the USA version was the pilot while Brainstorm was kind of like KITT when in vehicle mode. I Japan, the heads weren't merged personalities but one individual and the vehicle was inert until merged with a "master". It was the Powermasters had that feature that you need the figure in engine mode to unlock the 'bot mode or put pressure on the locking tabs. The headmasters of old had the built in tech spec meter as a gimmick.

[megatronus]

So, wait...aren't these still just mock-ups digitally altered (at least in Tailgate's case), of the Hasbro production units?

It's weird. The first pics we got had text at the bottom that said that these were the "foreign versions", yet here we get big sized official pics that look exactly the same.

Either Takara's figures are no different from Hasbro's versions (barring Tailgate's blue flames being removed), or something's up here.

I doubt they're exactly the same... Takara's figures rarely are.

[shajaki]

this is springer all over again. those two were barely different. theyll have to be side by side to find the differences.

[-Kanrabat-]

To buy the Takara version of Leader Jetfire or not... That is the question...

[Sabrblade]

To buy the Takara version of Leader Jetfire or not... That is the question...

Guess it depends on how much you want the extra paint apps.

[-Kanrabat-]

To buy the Takara version of Leader Jetfire or not... That is the question...

Guess it depends on how much you want the extra paint apps.

Also, what will be the pricetag of the Takara one with shipping? The Canadian one is likely to cost around 70$ with the taxes. So...

Also, this is my 2500th post!

[Wolfman Jake]

To buy the Takara version of Leader Jetfire or not... That is the question...

I'm going with the Takara one, because the red chrome on the Hasbro version doesn't look right to me.