The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Might be better with two Takaras and the SDCC, since the Takara version's extra detail will make nicer looking alt (vehicle) modes, too. The generic Hasbro one is just so plain, almost looks unfinished.

It's not too bad. I have seen worse comparisons between Hasbro and Takara to the point where Hasbro literally looks unfinished:





SO to all those getting the Hasbro version, just remember that it could have been worse.

[fenrir72]

from https://www.facebook.com/Planetiacon.stfu?fref=nf

Just to wet our appetite........again!

[Cyberpath]

From Yuki.

[jay5]

from https://www.facebook.com/Planetiacon.stfu?fref=nf

Just to wet our appetite........again!

ETA?

If they arrive in the States in June, we'll get them in the mail in early July is my guess. Maybe just in time for the weekend of the 4th?

[Powered Convoy]

The latest Figure King shows in gray prototype coloring the new parts TakaraTomy added to Devastator. Pointing out these parts were newly added by them.

So the parts weren't reduced but added.

Randy

[Spanbauer]

The latest Figure King shows in gray prototype coloring the new parts TakaraTomy added to Devastator. Pointing out these parts were newly added by them.

So the parts weren't reduced but added.

Randy

Thanks for that info, hope we get to see scans of those images in Figure King soon! I always thought this was a weird debate to have; considering the Takara Tomy version wasn't unveiled until five months after the Hasbro version, and that the Hasbro version is on store shelves now (in Australia) while the Takara Tomy version probably won't be available until December/January at the earliest - it seemed pretty obvious that the Takara Tomy version and its improvements came second.

[Mindmaster]

Do we have any idea when Devastator will be released? Just wanted to get an idea of when so I know how long I have to build up the funds to snag him.

[shajaki]

Seibertronian Cyberpath has informed his fellow Energon Pub'ers of a new TFyuki Tweet, featuring TakaraTomy Transformers Unite Warriors Defensor, Superion, and Groove taking Blades for a joy ride! These guys greatly differ in paint apps compared to their Hasbro Combiner Wars brethren, as well as in team members. See the Tweeted pics below, and stay tuned to Seibertron.com: home for the best Galleries and Conversation around!

[Shuttershock]

"Ger-ronny-do-ron-ronny-mMOOOOOoooo!"

[Sabrblade]

Is it me or does the face of Takara's Blades look much friendlier than Hasbro's grimacing Marvel G2-esque Blades face?

[Gearslide]

So Takara started off with giving us repaints with new heads (Slingshot and Wildrider) for the first two combiners (Superion and Menasor), to make them more accurate to their original incarnations.

Now Defensor is getting a brand new figure to increase his accuracy, most likely because there are no bikes to give a new head to for Groove.

At this point, I'd be amazed if Takara DOESN'T make a Space Shuttle Blast Off (versus Hasbro's Purple and Brown Slingshot) figure for Bruticus.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I think, with the exception of those who need Groove as a limb and not a chest minion, Hasbro Defensor winds out. That one just doesn't look as good with that paint work. And I do not like the white Superion hands. They blend into the arms.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

So Takara started off with giving us repaints with new heads (Slingshot and Wildrider) for the first two combiners (Superion and Menasor), to make them more accurate to their original incarnations.

Now Defensor is getting a brand new figure to increase his accuracy, most likely because there are no bikes to give a new head to for Groove.

At this point, I'd be amazed if Takara DOESN'T make a Space Shuttle Blast Off (versus Hasbro's Purple and Brown Slingshot) figure for Bruticus.

I feel like they will, but I will be happy with a recon jet as Blastoff. Not accurate to most incarnations of the character, but fits the military vehicle profile much better

[Optimizzy]

I kinda don't care that blast off isn't a space shuttle. never liked him as a space shuttle. Not really...combative. I'd actually applaud Takara if they just leave this one alone.

[jay5]

I'd love to see a side-by-side comparo of the Hasbro Aerialbots vs the Takara ones in their alt modes, to figure out which paint apps on the models that are shared across both look better.

[Rated X]

This looks very nice. Much better then rook and a stupid chestplate bike. I really hope takara does a proper blast off as a shuttle with a faceplate. Slings**t just doesnt cut it for me.

[Optimum Supreme]

This looks very nice. Much better then rook and a stupid chestplate bike. I really hope takara does a proper blast off as a shuttle with a faceplate. Slings**t just doesnt cut it for me.

The faceplate issue could easily be improved by using the mold's Firefly head. It's a hastily mocked up hand painted preproduction figure. Who knows what they might do for the actual figure.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

This looks very nice. Much better then rook and a stupid chestplate bike. I really hope takara does a proper blast off as a shuttle with a faceplate. Slings**t just doesnt cut it for me.

The faceplate issue could easily be improved by using the mold's Firefly head. It's a hastily mocked up hand painted preproduction figure. Who knows what they might do for the actual figure.

Keep the head, as the official stock photo still has Slingshot's head. Doesn't matter, he can be Blast Off's little brother called Take-Off.

[griftimus prime]

so glad we get 50 repaints of everything but not groove

[Shuttershock]

so glad we get 50 repaints of everything but not groove

Makes me wonder if even Takara are going to do anything else with it. Surely they see how well Slinger and Brake are selling? Are they really making so much on a limited release boxed set that they can afford to use a unique mold for no other markets?

[munkimus prime]

So first aid gets his rear windows painted here which is nice but Streetwise looks grey for some reason. In all I'm not that bothered by this release.

[Sabrblade]

So first aid gets his rear windows painted here which is nice but Streetwise looks grey for some reason. In all I'm not that bothered by this release.

Streewise was light gray in the cartoon.

[Shuttershock]

So first aid gets his rear windows painted here which is nice but Streetwise looks grey for some reason. In all I'm not that bothered by this release.

Streewise was light gray in the cartoon.

I do look forward to when Bruticus is released by Takara, sporting a sometimes grayish torso with a brown and purple chest piece but is somehow still supposed to look like Onslaught in robot mode.

[Sowndwave76]

I would appreciate a new mold for Blast Off, just because I feel that a lot of the more common G1 Decepticon characters haven't been given proper updated versions.
And no, Blast Off is not some unique character that deserves special treatment.
But with all of the molds being re-used in this line, my personal bias makes me want a new mold.

Do I think the current offering is bad? Absolutely not. I think it works very very well.
Will I buy the UW version if it offers a shuttle alt mode for him? Maybe, and most likely.
Knowing that all of the other paint jobs would be more cartoon accurate, and that Bruticus's head will probably be gray and not black/dark gray would probably be enough to pull that trigger.

I will say, if we find out that Hasbro's version in fact uses a different, more accurate head sculpt, who knows, I could stick with their's.

The more I think about it, the more I know it's possible that I will be changing Menasor and Bruticus into their separate team members regularly,
making the bot modes as if not more important than how each limb/torso looks combined.

The exception to this will be Devastator. Although, if I could get an extra Hook and Scrapper to keep in bot mode, I would. Love those guys.

[Cyberpath]

It wouldn't surprise me if Takara will do better than Hasbro with Blast Off.


I like how in the cartoon Bruticus' chest piece was formed from Blast-Off's wings. It was a nice touch.





Predaking's back had a similar thing with Divebomb.