The Energon Pub

[Hero Alpha]

Some thoughts about LG32 Chromedome...

Cool robot-mode. I like that he can pull off the heroic cartoon pose with the knees slightly arched back.

I really love the Takara Chromedome as well. But prefer the Rebirth face on the Hasbro, so I got both. I usually keep Takara one in robot mode and switch heads sometimes. Then keep Hasbro one in vehicle mode. Also a perk of having both is two guns like you mentioned, they are slightly diff colours though:





I do really like the gold rims and thought about switching them over but they look too good even in robot mode on the Takara one. Like you pointed out; the inside where the TM drives has nice looking silver paint.

[ScottyP]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

[fenrir72]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

Aaaaaaaaaand iirc, of the TF Legends line, only Arcee got a second release. But then again, this is Convoy .Ginrai we are speaking of.

[primalxconvoy]

Video link to Soundwave comparison broken on main news sure page. Please fix.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Video link to Soundwave comparison broken on main news sure page. Please fix.

Are you sure? I just checked it and it is working good

[Ironhidensh]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

Aaaaaaaaaand iirc, of the TF Legends line, only Arcee got a second release. But then again, this is Convoy .Ginrai we are speaking of.

Ultra Magnus did. So did a handful of others. At least at HLJ.

[william-james88]

Video link to Soundwave comparison broken on main news sure page. Please fix.

Are you sure? I just checked it and it is working good

He's in japan, there may be some localized blocking for whatever reason.

[fenrir72]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

Aaaaaaaaaand iirc, of the TF Legends line, only Arcee got a second release. But then again, this is Convoy .Ginrai we are speaking of.

Ultra Magnus did. So did a handful of others. At least at HLJ.

Those at HLJ were delayed batches. Not actual re-releases like MP-IH, TL Legends.There are instance when MP Exhaust got a re-release at Amiami but zilch at HLJ.

[Sabrblade]

Vorath (Wipe) combined with Skullcruncher's Batora. And Grax (Skull) with Mindwipe's Servant.

Wonder why they didn't make Skullcruncher's drone in his colour scheme, like how it is with all the other releases.



And.. Tankette & Moguru as combiner legs..

You sure are having fun with those Partner Drones.

[chuckdawg1999]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

I knew about the matching guns but didn't realize they combined until I looked at the directions, which is funny because I was wondering about that. I'm really glad I waited for this and didn't bite on PM Prime, not that I would've because I have strong feelings about that figure. My gut tells me that in lieu of a Ginrai reissue, we'll get a two pack of Godbomber and Ginrai.

[Overcracker]

My Ginrai has finally arrived in the country and is in customs. It took its sweet time to get here. Should be in my hands very soon. Totally cannot wait.

[Cyberpath]

Cool!

You sure are having fun with those Partner Drones.

Heh, yeah, their easy transformations make them perfect to mess with while watching TV.

[Cyberpath]

Some thoughts about LG33 Highbrow --

Very happy with the face-sculpt. I know it was styled after the Japanese cartoon but somehow it invokes Highbrow's "Rebirth" personality for me; better than the Hasbro version which looks too macho. Takara didn't make his head completely black, which also suits me.

And the weird Headmaster-port gives the neck a little more range of movement.

Finally an Autobot Headmaster with twin guns!!

Articulation is fine, glad that he has Scourge's boots in the back of his legs because they make it easier to pose him, what with the backpack and not having ankle tilts.

The copter blades can really get in the way, I wish LG33 had three blades on each side, that converged in robot-mode, like the cartoon/original-toy. (They retooled Vortex's blades..)

Colour scheme looks great, it was partly what sold me on the Takara version -- the attention to details, like how they actually painted the square area on his chest around the white cube -- or the blue hands, etc.

Can hold his gun with two hands.

Transformation is pretty simple, the arms are mostly unchanged. My favourite part is the cube on his chest, and how his spine pulls down for the legs to fold around (reminds me of G1 Deadend.)

Copter mode looks pretty good!

His drone is not as interesting as Tankette & Moguru.

LG33, I like him.

[Sigma Magnus]

In copter mode, you have the guns pegged in wrong.

[Cyberpath]

In copter mode, you have the guns pegged in wrong.

Yeah, the wheels are supposed to be on the ground. I pegged them right a couple days ago and forgot about it.

[Sigma Magnus]

In copter mode, you have the guns pegged in wrong.

Yeah, the wheels are supposed to be on the ground. I pegged them right a couple days ago and forgot about it.

Just making sure you knew. Good pics, too, as always!

[Stuartmaximus]

Idk if I missed the Ginrai discussion or not, but it's pretty swell. The heel rockers are very finicky, kinda have to pose him and then get them down as far as you can. Hasn't fallen over on me but feels like it could with only minor interference. Outside of that the toy is a complete stunner. The Ginrai TM looks freaking great for such a tiny dude. Plus, I missed the whole "has matching guns thing" at some point so that was a nice surprise. They combine for some reason, might be pointed out in the instructions I didn't read.

I'd grab this one soon if you want it, or wait for the inevitable second run over the summer. I don't spring for many Takara leaders but this was a smart and worthwhile exception

I knew about the matching guns but didn't realize they combined until I looked at the directions, which is funny because I was wondering about that. I'm really glad I waited for this and didn't bite on PM Prime, not that I would've because I have strong feelings about that figure. My gut tells me that in lieu of a Ginrai reissue, we'll get a two pack of Godbomber and Ginrai.

+ there's this

https://www.kapowtoys.co.uk/perfect-eff ... e-kit.html

to give it more of a G1 look

[Cyberpath]

In copter mode, you have the guns pegged in wrong.

Yeah, the wheels are supposed to be on the ground. I pegged them right a couple days ago and forgot about it.

Just making sure you knew. Good pics, too, as always!

Thanks! Glad you mentioned it because while shooting the copter mode I was kind of trying to remember how I did it and now I do! (it's the angular side peg.)

[Jelze Bunnycat]

The drone is not as interesting?! It's a car! You don't see too many of those in the line.

With regards to Highbrow, does the Headmaster have loose joints like TR Xort does?

[Cyberpath]

The drone is not as interesting?! It's a car! You don't see too many of those in the line.

With regards to Highbrow, does the Headmaster have loose joints like TR Xort does?

Not particularly. His thighs are easy to move but not floppy.

[Cyberpath]

From Takara:

[Va'al]

The official Takara Tomy Twitter account for Transformers has just shared a new image from their Legends line, featuring a new triple-changing Headmaster: LG-40 Astrotrain! Check out the robot mode, packaging, and tweaked deco (now with purplier purple) in the image below.

[Emerje]

See, Takara Tomy can do dark purple when they want to, they just don't always want to.

Emerje

[william-james88]

See, Takara Tomy can do dark purple when they want to, they just don't always want to.

Emerje

They only do it when its show accurate

[grimdragon2001]

He does look real good, makes me wish I could afford to go all in for Takara's stuff over Hasbro's.