The Energon Pub

[Skritz]

Hm, well, speaking of the toyline: if the Legends EX line is going to keep being a thing and at least sometimes (maybe always, from here on?) feature such intense remolds I wonder what else they could do and what limitations do they have? Are they 'forbidden' from using molds from ongoing 'Merged Lines' like POTP was and Siege? If the ban does exist is it temporary in the sense Hasbro told them to not release better version of a mold currently being used for mass retail releases? If so does that mean that after 1-2 years, once Hasbro has moved to another toyline, that these molds become open for Takara to do whatever crazy exclusives they feel like?

If so then I wonder what else can Takara do? Presumably they still have the ability to use Titans Return molds but what about POTP later on? Again, speculating on the idea that Hasbro maybe told them to not 'compete' with their main lines does this mean LG-EX will consist purely of re-issues/redeco of old toys and retools of CW and TR molds as well as oddballs Takara couldn't release earlier (like Grotusque and Repugnus)? If they are limited to older molds then what else could they have in store? Is Big Powered an anomaly, a fluke or is he the preview of what is to come and if so what COULD they release?

[william-james88]

From all we have seen, Legends is whatever it wants to be. I wouldnt try to put set rules at this point. It has now had molds from practically everything (including beast wars LOL) soI think the one rule is...

Here we go, for all my fellow UK fans, kapow toys have their preorders up for Big Powered for £109.99, need to scrounge the money together for this.

Edit: link-https://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/transformers-legends-big-powered-takara-tomy-mall-exclusive.html

Its maybe just coincidence but following you UK guys it seems prices have become rather decent lately.

[Wolfman Jake]

Hm, well, speaking of the toyline: if the Legends EX line is going to keep being a thing and at least sometimes (maybe always, from here on?) feature such intense remolds I wonder what else they could do and what limitations do they have? Are they 'forbidden' from using molds from ongoing 'Merged Lines' like POTP was and Siege? If the ban does exist is it temporary in the sense Hasbro told them to not release better version of a mold currently being used for mass retail releases? If so does that mean that after 1-2 years, once Hasbro has moved to another toyline, that these molds become open for Takara to do whatever crazy exclusives they feel like?

If so then I wonder what else can Takara do? Presumably they still have the ability to use Titans Return molds but what about POTP later on? Again, speculating on the idea that Hasbro maybe told them to not 'compete' with their main lines does this mean LG-EX will consist purely of re-issues/redeco of old toys and retools of CW and TR molds as well as oddballs Takara couldn't release earlier (like Grotusque and Repugnus)? If they are limited to older molds then what else could they have in store? Is Big Powered an anomaly, a fluke or is he the preview of what is to come and if so what COULD they release?

It's anyone's guess at this point, but what you're proposing with a 1-2 year embargo on using molds currently available at mass retail makes some sense. I'm hoping we do get some more out of Legends via their EX releases. I still want those virtual retools/redecos of the Autobot Targetmasters from the Legends manga to be realized in plastic form. Maybe a few more Combiner Wars/Unite Warriors retools/redecos for funsies too, giving us more combiner fodder. Greenlight and Lancer from the Moonracer/Firestar mold would be very welcome. Takara's got the opportunity to plug a lot of holes and make fans in Japan and elsewhere in the world very happy. (Giggity)

[Skritz]

Can I place some random bet? I'll place some random bet: Guard City and Battle Gaia at some point to squeeze one last use out of the Protectobot and Combaticon molds.

[fenrir72]

Hm, well, speaking of the toyline: if the Legends EX line is going to keep being a thing and at least sometimes (maybe always, from here on?) feature such intense remolds I wonder what else they could do and what limitations do they have? Are they 'forbidden' from using molds from ongoing 'Merged Lines' like POTP was and Siege? If the ban does exist is it temporary in the sense Hasbro told them to not release better version of a mold currently being used for mass retail releases? If so does that mean that after 1-2 years, once Hasbro has moved to another toyline, that these molds become open for Takara to do whatever crazy exclusives they feel like?

If so then I wonder what else can Takara do? Presumably they still have the ability to use Titans Return molds but what about POTP later on? Again, speculating on the idea that Hasbro maybe told them to not 'compete' with their main lines does this mean LG-EX will consist purely of re-issues/redeco of old toys and retools of CW and TR molds as well as oddballs Takara couldn't release earlier (like Grotusque and Repugnus)? If they are limited to older molds then what else could they have in store? Is Big Powered an anomaly, a fluke or is he the preview of what is to come and if so what COULD they release?

There is no embargo.

What we are seeing here is the current thrust of Takara/Tomy's to kill off excess inventories and put the company back in the black by cutting down costs.

https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/ir/financi ... ual_07.pdf

https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/ir/financi ... ual_12.pdf

https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/english/ir ... ement.html

Plain and simple business bottom line survival. Me hopes too that Hb doesn't overextend themselves on the TFline. Their SW line isn't doing that much good unfotunately and that one was the sure fire guaranteed golden goose a few years back (before the dark days of the Empire House of Mouse)

[Skritz]

Plain and simple business bottom line survival. Me hopes too that Hb doesn't overextend themselves on the TFline. Their SW line isn't doing that much good unfotunately and that one was the sure fire guaranteed golden goose a few years back (before the dark days of the Empire House of Mouse)

Careful man, nowadays saying Nu-Star Wars is bad is a risky move. Can't tell the corporate overlords they released a bad product.

[fenrir72]

Plain and simple business bottom line survival. Me hopes too that Hb doesn't overextend themselves on the TFline. Their SW line isn't doing that much good unfotunately and that one was the sure fire guaranteed golden goose a few years back (before the dark days of the Empire House of Mouse)

Careful man, nowadays saying Nu-Star Wars is bad is a risky move. Can't tell the corporate overlords they released a bad product.

You don't have to take my word for it, even Hb themselves have admitted their SW line has "under performed"

Back to these "special molds", thanks to the above issues I mentioned, unless it's in their EX line like Big Powered, any chance we get the premium paint treatment will be the exception and not the norm

[Skritz]

Legend-EX (specially the Takara Tomy Mall guys) seems to still, generally, focus on Japanese characters who can be retool of existing characters, with the two monsterbots being an exception, presumably as a way to have these characters who appeared in Headmaster show up in the Japanese market. The Big Powered special set and Greatshot seems like they have the same 'niche'. Same for Grand Maximus.

So my guess would be they want to do Japanese G1 characters who can be made from existing molds as well as some oddball redecos. There's still quite a few things from Victory and Zone which could appear in this line. Assuming they, at some point, get access to the POTP molds I could easily see Dinoking and Liokaiser show up if this keeps up. Should we hold our breath for it? Certainly not now but....well, it could happen down the line. The tooling is there.

[Relic0037]

Plain and simple business bottom line survival. Me hopes too that Hb doesn't overextend themselves on the TFline. Their SW line isn't doing that much good unfotunately and that one was the sure fire guaranteed golden goose a few years back (before the dark days of the Empire House of Mouse)

Careful man, nowadays saying Nu-Star Wars is bad is a risky move. Can't tell the corporate overlords they released a bad product.

You don't have to take my word for it, even Hb themselves have admitted their SW line has "under performed"

Back to these "special molds", thanks to the above issues I mentioned, unless it's in their EX line like Big Powered, any chance we get the premium paint treatment will be the exception and not the norm

Looks like the premium paint is not happening for the time being. I'm still holding out hope for a Buster & Hydra set, which would not require much alteration other than using different colored plastics from the Dreadwind & Darkwing (or whatever their names are now) molds. It seems like such a no brainier that The only reason not to release them is because they are trying to sell the figures of the "Powermasters" first.

[Burn]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

[Skritz]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

They were never released in Japan. So don't expect Takara to do late G1/Euro G1 guys.

Edit: NO WAIT! They were released under a different name, with Skyquake possibly being intended to be released as 'Scrash' who never got a toy.

[william-james88]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

Please no. I have had enough of those molds. I do understand Skyquake in a way since there is a combining aspect and a theme with the other jets. But for Stalker I would want a different mold. Stalker from the newly revealed Brunt would make more sense to me. Though I would rather he gets his own mold of course. I am not quick to settle on repaints just to get a character, Combiner Wars was really too excessive for me.

[Burn]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

Please no. I have had enough of those molds. I do understand Skyquake in a way since there is a combining aspect and a theme with the other jets. But for Stalker I would want a different mold. Stalker from the newly revealed Brunt would make more sense to me. Though I would rather he gets his own mold of course. I am not quick to settle on repaints just to get a character, Combiner Wars was really too excessive for me.

I've always wanted Stalker from Onslaught for the mobile missile possibility.

Plus as a team they can have two different combined modes.

The same could easily be done for the Turbomasters, though Rotorstorm would take a fair bit of ingenuity.

[Sabrblade]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

Please no. I have had enough of those molds. I do understand Skyquake in a way since there is a combining aspect and a theme with the other jets. But for Stalker I would want a different mold. Stalker from the newly revealed Brunt would make more sense to me. Though I would rather he gets his own mold of course. I am not quick to settle on repaints just to get a character, Combiner Wars was really too excessive for me.

I've always wanted Stalker from Onslaught for the mobile missile possibility.

Plus as a team they can have two different combined modes.

The same could easily be done for the Turbomasters, though Rotorstorm would take a fair bit of ingenuity.

If Takara's willing to dig out the nearly 20-year-old Big Convoy mold for both the Encore release and the Legends LG-EX Blue Big Convoy, then the most ideal move for them would be to dig out the 13-year-old Cybertron Defense Red Alert mold to do Stalker right.

[william-james88]

Come on Stalker from a heavy re-tool of Onslaught, Skyquake from Silverbolt, and the rest of the Predator jets from the Aerialbots.
(Even though they're probably even more obscure in Japan)

Please no. I have had enough of those molds. I do understand Skyquake in a way since there is a combining aspect and a theme with the other jets. But for Stalker I would want a different mold. Stalker from the newly revealed Brunt would make more sense to me. Though I would rather he gets his own mold of course. I am not quick to settle on repaints just to get a character, Combiner Wars was really too excessive for me.

I've always wanted Stalker from Onslaught for the mobile missile possibility.

Plus as a team they can have two different combined modes.

The same could easily be done for the Turbomasters, though Rotorstorm would take a fair bit of ingenuity.

If Takara's willing to dig out the nearly 20-year-old Big Convoy mold for both the Encore release and the Legends LG-EX Blue Big Convoy, then the most ideal move for them would be to dig out the 13-year-old Cybertron Defense Red Alert mold to do Stalker right.

That definitely came to mind when formulating my reply. But I really hate that mold. I remember wanting it so bad and then just being so dissapointed by how limited it is. I dont think it is that much of an upgrade articulation wise over the original. And as for Onslought, he doesnt have a missile launcher/rack so I dont really see it. I always felt Stalker was moreofa stocky guy. Very broad. But hey I do wish everyone gets what they hope for and I know you, Burn, want a Stalker way more than I do. All I want is a decent Terrorsaur toy (with pteranodon mode), dont know if that will ever happen.

[Burn]

If Takara's willing to dig out the nearly 20-year-old Big Convoy mold for both the Encore release and the Legends LG-EX Blue Big Convoy, then the most ideal move for them would be to dig out the 13-year-old Cybertron Defense Red Alert mold to do Stalker right.

When that mold first came out I wanted nothing more than it to be redone as Stalker.

But we have Combiners now. Much more fun!

At this stage though I think TT's direction will see them developing more Japan original characters, it might be the trade off for brand unification, this is their way of still having "exclusives" but not at the cost of Hasbro (because how many of us have given up on finding them at retail and just order from TT?)

[Sabrblade]

You know, it just hit me. I completely forgot that Stalker was the only Predator (besides Skyquake) who wasn't released by Takara in Japan back in the day. Guess that further decreases his likelihood for a Legends toy. Feh.

[Wolfman Jake]

Plain and simple business bottom line survival. Me hopes too that Hb doesn't overextend themselves on the TFline. Their SW line isn't doing that much good unfotunately and that one was the sure fire guaranteed golden goose a few years back (before the dark days of the Empire House of Mouse)

Careful man, nowadays saying Nu-Star Wars is bad is a risky move. Can't tell the corporate overlords they released a bad product.

You don't have to take my word for it, even Hb themselves have admitted their SW line has "under performed"

Back to these "special molds", thanks to the above issues I mentioned, unless it's in their EX line like Big Powered, any chance we get the premium paint treatment will be the exception and not the norm

Looks like the premium paint is not happening for the time being. I'm still holding out hope for a Buster & Hydra set, which would not require much alteration other than using different colored plastics from the Dreadwind & Darkwing (or whatever their names are now) molds. It seems like such a no brainier that The only reason not to release them is because they are trying to sell the figures of the "Powermasters" first.

If they do a Buster and Hydra repaint, I hope we get their Powermasters this time. Seems like it would be a no brainer with the "Prime Armor" pieces Dreadwind and Darkwing already come with. Just make new square pieces to fit in the armor, resembling their respective power Masters, instead of the little plastic "guns" that hide the Prime Master holes.

[william-james88]

You know, it just hit me. I completely forgot that Stalker was the only Predator (besides Skyquake) who wasn't released by Takara in Japan back in the day. Guess that further decreases his likelihood for a Legends toy. Feh.

That is one of the new really nerdy factoids I actually knew. I was having a really togh time with this Top 5 molds never released in japan (which isnt much due to all the US editions) and thats when I learnt that about Stalker. Now its up to me todecide if there are 5 better molds that also fit the bill that would witholdhim from the list

[Burn]

All your lists suck because you never include Stalker. You'd get way more hits and comments if you included him.

[william-james88]

All your lists suck because you never include Stalker. You'd get way more hits and comments if you included him.

Well then lets find out

[fenrir72]

If they do a Buster and Hydra repaint, I hope we get their Powermasters this time. Seems like it would be a no brainer with the "Prime Armor" pieces Dreadwind and Darkwing already come with. Just make new square pieces to fit in the armor, resembling their respective power Masters, instead of the little plastic "guns" that hide the Prime Master holes.

But in the anime, Devil Z turned them into full Robot Lifeforms. Hence removing the need for the Masterforce braces/armor. Remember? No more Chokon power.........

[Sabrblade]

But in the anime, Devil Z turned them into full Robot Lifeforms. Hence removing the need for the Masterforce braces/armor. Remember? No more Chokon power.........

Oh, they still have Chokon Power, just not Jinchokon. Chichokon and Tenchokon they could still use, but they lost their Jinchokon after having been stripped of their humanity, and which Devil Z replaced with his Devil Power (which Ask Vector Prime later revealed to be also named "Machokon").

[o.supreme]

Can I place some random bet? I'll place some random bet: Guard City and Battle Gaia at some point to squeeze one last use out of the Protectobot and Combaticon molds.

I actually had hoped for that initially with the Unite Warriors line, any chance to return to that would be amazing. Because these are all established characters I wouldn't be too upset.

[xMXUx]

Interestingly Anime Export has Big Powered up for preorder as well. Wondering if I should cancel my preorder with BBTS and go with AE instead