Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[william-james88]

I know this probably sounds like an overly simplistic question...But I wonder if anyone from Hasbro or Takara has ever been asked why their design teams do not work together?

I dont understand how people can think Takara and Hasbro have not worked on Computron together when they have the same bloody toy in both of their sets:



So they both magically came up with the same retool without talking to eachother?
No, it was confirmed by Hasbro in an interview I posted a few times that Hasbro was well aware of the plans for Computron and that it didnt suit what they wanted to do. They picked a few elements (like afterburner) but dealt with the rest a different way.

Hasbro and Takara work together constantly to the point where it is sometimes hard to know who did what. Its a really cool relationship.

But Takara does not profit from purchases made by non-Japanese consumers

Takara makes a profit from every Takara product sold, why would that not be the case? Do you think BBTS got their Unite Warrior toys for free? I am not Japanese but I made an order and gave money to Anime Export, which used it to order Computron from Takara. Its the same thing that happens if you buy a Hasbro product from a BBTS. They pay hasbro, you pay them.

[King Kuuga]

On a side note, this reminds me. Has anyone heard if Takara Blast Off is getting a solo release like Groove did?

Unfortunately I think it's an exclusive to the Bruticus set. Unless a third party decides to send some help our way. Or if Takara decides to be generous, which they have been with Groove so there is a small chance.

Solo Groove was Hasbro's release, not Takara's. And it's much less likely we'll see Blast Off get a solo release, because Combiner Wars is basically over and next year's May Mayhem figure will probably be something Titans Return-related. They wouldn't have anywhere to stick a Blast Off toy without either giving it nonuniform packaging or sticking it in a line where it doesn't really belong.

[Bumblevivisector]

Made up my mind a long time ago that I'll get both, but I keep warming up to the Hasbro individual bot modes more than I thought I would. I think it's that this is the one gestalt team whose toy colors hold a dearer place in my heart than the show colors; Nosecone and Afterburner are especially giving me mixed feelings right now.

Though Hasbro Lightspeed could just as easily stand in for Guardian Gobot Turbo as any TF I can think of. Yeesh.

As for finding new uses for the Hasbro version...I know I'm not the only one toying with the idea of attaching Chromia's cockpit to Afterburner. Has this already been attempted online?

[King Kuuga]

I wish I could put CW Afterbreaker's red and silver paint apps on his chest onto UW Afterburner.

[RAR]

So Takara is suggesting I go buy a flower garland bracelet on eBay so that Grimlock can wear it on father's day as a nceklace then ?

Blast Off or indeed a whole line of Missing Character Deluxes could easily come out as a retailer exclusive mini-line (we don't get them as often as we used to) Walmart or Target is due one i'd say.

So here is a question if There was a line that included the likes of Hoist, Sideswipe & others... is there a potential repaint in one of the torso to complement them ?

There is also the idea of releasing G2 Protectobot limbs on cards or as a store exclusive boxed set perhaps ?

[Kurona]

I know this probably sounds like an overly simplistic question...But I wonder if anyone from Hasbro or Takara has ever been asked why their design teams do not work together?

I dont understand how people can think Takara and Hasbro have not worked on Computron together when they have the same bloody toy in both of their sets:

Which just makes the whole thing more utterly bizarre to me because why didn't they take more of Takara's Computicon? If they straight-up had the choice how could they seriously consciously think using their previous Scattershot was better than using Takara's Scattershot with the new Computron head?
Oy they give me a headache...

[william-james88]

Which just makes the whole thing more utterly bizarre to me because why didn't they take more of Takara's Computicon? If they straight-up had the choice how could they seriously consciously think using their previous Scattershot was better than using Takara's Scattershot with the new Computron head?
Oy they give me a headache...

The ne tooling didn't fit their budget plans. They wanted to instead ensure they had a legends figure.

There is also that bs quote from their q&a about wanting to be different.

[Kurona]

Which just makes the whole thing more utterly bizarre to me because why didn't they take more of Takara's Computicon? If they straight-up had the choice how could they seriously consciously think using their previous Scattershot was better than using Takara's Scattershot with the new Computron head?
Oy they give me a headache...

The ne tooling didn't fit their budget plans. They wanted to instead ensure they had a legends figure.

There is also that bs quote from their q&a about wanting to be different.

Suppose that also explains why Afterbreaker doesn't have Afterburner's new guns.

On a more positive note, I'm just realising that due to me not being interested in Takara's Groove and Blast Off; if I get Computicon he'll be even more unique among my combiners. Especially since I'm not getting Silverbolt or Cyclonus or even thinking about Sea Clamp.

[RiddlerJ]

So here is a question if There was a line that included the likes of Hoist, Sideswipe & others... is there a potential repaint in one of the torso to complement them ?

Hot Spot mold as Inferno?

[Kurona]

So here is a question if There was a line that included the likes of Hoist, Sideswipe & others... is there a potential repaint in one of the torso to complement them ?

Hot Spot mold as Inferno?

Silverbolt as Jetfire?

[william-james88]

Suppose that also explains why Afterbreaker doesn't have Afterburner's new guns.

Yes, Hasbro has been notorious for that kind of stuff and going the cheap route with acessories. Remember how only Takara had those individual guns for the Constructicons?

I really dislike how they give you the same Silverbolt weapon again for Scattershot.

Anyways, for any questions on why Hasbro didnt just give us the Takara one, the real answer is not wanting to spend more on the development. BUT their official answer is the following, enjoy:

Q: What goes into the decision-making process of things like for the figures’ prime character still having a Superion head versus a few months later Takara comes out with a Generation 1-accurate Computron head?

John: That’s a good question. A complicated question.

Ben: Yeah, I don’t think it’s something we can get into the full details here, it’s something we definitely know and acknowledge for you guys it can be confusing, but it’s a decision we make on, a lot of it is timing-based, what we kinda wanna get on the market certain things and in our stories. And some of it may have to do with what we’re doing outside of toys and video games, you know, stuff that’s influencing and impacting how we approach our characters and our stories, so we often have an eye to the future that the things we introduce here we expect to see that kind of evolution of that character and that look in other spaces. So, a lot of what you see here is an homage to the past, but as John and Eddie have talked about, a lot of what we’re doing too is an eye towards the future of bringing new fans in and kind of giving us a chance to tell a new story versus kinda being chained to only the old stories. Hopefully you guys all see that big part of the new Machinima Combiner Wars story is there’s a lot of story that’s untold, a lot of gray area, a lot of gaps in our continuity, and that’s part of what we see the opportunity to do with the toys. Like, let’s fill in some gaps, let’s do some cool things that kind of open up the freedom whether it’s a comic or animation just to introduce something new.

[joevill]

I want them both!

[RiddlerJ]

How would people feel about Overlord as a combiner? As in, the combined form is Overlord, and he splits into smaller robots with his alt modes (jet, tank, scout car), but they're all just components of him.

[o.supreme]

I know this probably sounds like an overly simplistic question...But I wonder if anyone from Hasbro or Takara has ever been asked why their design teams do not work together?

I dont understand how people can think Takara and Hasbro have not worked on Computron together when they have the same bloody toy in both of their sets:



So they both magically came up with the same retool without talking to eachother?
No, it was confirmed by Hasbro in an interview I posted a few times that Hasbro was well aware of the plans for Computron and that it didnt suit what they wanted to do. They picked a few elements (like afterburner) but dealt with the rest a different way.

Hasbro and Takara work together constantly to the point where it is sometimes hard to know who did what. Its a really cool relationship.

To me that's not working together that's just one company singing the classic song "Anything you can do I can do BETTER" -- True Working together would be...once Hasbro Submitted their designs, Takara would have countered with their improvements, and Hasbro would have went with it, or suggested a counter. a back-and-forth dialogue until a mutual agreement and a uniform toy in all markets would have been produced. Despite the similarities, these are two VERY different toys, Takara went with their idea, and Hasbro stuck with theirs, that is not cooperation.

[Sabrblade]

How would people feel about Overlord as a combiner? As in, the combined form is Overlord, and he splits into smaller robots with his alt modes (jet, tank, scout car), but they're all just components of him.

Well, Hasbro teased a new Overlord toy at BotCon, so he's coming anyway.

[william-james88]

How would people feel about Overlord as a combiner? As in, the combined form is Overlord, and he splits into smaller robots with his alt modes (jet, tank, scout car), but they're all just components of him.

I much preffer what they will do with him instead fo that, which is just have him be a tank and a jet which combine together.

To me that's not working together that's just one company singing the classic song "Anything you can do I can do BETTER" -- True Working together would be...once Hasbro Submitted their designs, Takara would have countered with their improvements, and Hasbro would have went with it, or suggested a counter. a back-and-forth dialogue until a mutual agreement and a uniform toy in all markets would have been produced. Despite the similarities, these are two VERY different toys, Takara went with their idea, and Hasbro stuck with theirs, that is not cooperation.

The back and forth did happen but when Hasbro saw how much things would cost they preferred to do things their own way. Hasbro cannot afford to give us a toy like Takara's Computron, thats why theirs is so diferent. Would you rather Takara lowers to Hasbro's level and both release that same "Hasbro" computron without the new heads and such? Because that is the only way both would release the same product. And I much preffer that to not happen. Why would we want them to release the same product if they dont want to? Why limit our options as collectors?
At least now, collectors who arent pleased with hasbro can get the Takara one. Would you rather not have that option? I dont get it. We are blessed as collectors to be able to choose, why would you want to get rid of that?

[o.supreme]

The back and forth did happen but when Hasbro saw how much things would cost they preferred to do things their own way.

Thus the lack of cooperation

Hasbro cannot afford to give us a toy like Takara's Computron, that's why theirs is so different.

I call *shenanigans* on that. I know that's what they might say...but the #2 toy manufacturer in the US would not "go into the red" in producing Takara style toys.

Would you rather Takara lowers to Hasbro's level and both release that same "Hasbro" computron without the new heads and such? Because that is the only way both would release the same product. And I much prefer that to not happen.

I much prefer Takara's Computron, but in all honesty, if theirs was exactly like Hasbro's, we would not be having this discussion and never know the difference, and fans would not be having to debate whether to spend extra money for a nicer toy they *technically* should not have just because of where they happen to live, or purchase the one they are supposed to, based on where they happen live.

All that aside, I just want you to know, I take no personal issue with anything you are saying. I get that you feel thankful to have more choices. I find it frustrating to have to make a choice, and having one uniform toy would eliminate that frustration because either way, if you purchase one, and not the other, (because most people I imagine cannot afford to get both) you are missing out on something.

[King Kuuga]

BUT their official answer is the following, enjoy:

Q: What goes into the decision-making process of things like for the figures’ prime character still having a Superion head versus a few months later Takara comes out with a Generation 1-accurate Computron head?

John: That’s a good question. A complicated question.

Ben: Yeah, I don’t think it’s something we can get into the full details here, it’s something we definitely know and acknowledge for you guys it can be confusing, but it’s a decision we make on, a lot of it is timing-based, what we kinda wanna get on the market certain things and in our stories. And some of it may have to do with what we’re doing outside of toys and video games, you know, stuff that’s influencing and impacting how we approach our characters and our stories, so we often have an eye to the future that the things we introduce here we expect to see that kind of evolution of that character and that look in other spaces. So, a lot of what you see here is an homage to the past, but as John and Eddie have talked about, a lot of what we’re doing too is an eye towards the future of bringing new fans in and kind of giving us a chance to tell a new story versus kinda being chained to only the old stories. Hopefully you guys all see that big part of the new Machinima Combiner Wars story is there’s a lot of story that’s untold, a lot of gray area, a lot of gaps in our continuity, and that’s part of what we see the opportunity to do with the toys. Like, let’s fill in some gaps, let’s do some cool things that kind of open up the freedom whether it’s a comic or animation just to introduce something new.

This mess of an answer still makes me laugh in frustration. So many words and it doesn't say anything.

[Sabrblade]

I much prefer Takara's Computron, but in all honesty, if theirs was exactly like Hasbro's, we would not be having this discussion and never know the difference, and fans would not be having to debate whether to spend extra money for a nicer toy they *technically* should not have just because of where they happen to live, or purchase the one they are supposed to, based on where they happen live.

Instead, fans would be arguing/complaining about why Takara didn't make their Computron any "better" than Hasbro's.

[o.supreme]

Instead, fans would be arguing/complaining about why Takara didn't make their Computron any "better" than Hasbro's.

True...but that's because fans have come to expect Takara's product to be better, if they had been uniform since the Transformers brand began, or even say, for the last decade or so...there would be no question.

[william-james88]

Instead, fans would be arguing/complaining about why Takara didn't make their Computron any "better" than Hasbro's.

True...but that's because fans have come to expect Takara's product to be better, if they had been uniform since the Transformers brand began, or even say, for the last decade or so...there would be no question.

But we cant travel back in time, this is the situation now. However, doesnt mean we cant change it. Hasbro is a company like any other, they want to sell their products. Most parents will not be buying a 100$ boxset, this computron is for "collectors". So if you preffer the takara one and would rather they make things more like Takara then dont buy the Hasbro version. If all fans who preffer the Takara one buys that one instead, and keeps doing so, then these collector oriented products would not sell and Hasbro would be forced to rethink their stragtegy. But as long as people buy them, and Hasbro makes money, there is no need to change the status quo. Consumers dictate the market, not the other way around. Example: there are no poopoo flavoured lollipops because consumers would not buy them.

Better example: nomatter how cool Heinz thought it was, people didnt like ketchup coloured differentlythan red and the extra colours went bust. Same thing with New Coke being an abandonned concept and Marvel retconning Spider-man revealing his secret identity.



Thats why whenever I see Takara doig something right that I wish Hasbro did, I buy it out of principle and dont buy the Hasbro version.

[grimdragon2001]

right now, the only thing i dont like about Takara's Computron is waiting for my preorder to go through.

[o.supreme]

But we cant travel back in time, this is the situation now. But we can change it. Hasbro is a company like any other, they want to sell their products. Most parents will not be buying a 100$ boxset, this computron is for "colelctors". So if you preffer the takara one and would rather they make things more like Takara then dont buy the Hasbro version. If all fans who preffer the Takara one buys that one instead, and keeps doing so, then these collector oriented products would not sell and Hasbro would be forced to rethink their stragtegy. But as long as people buy them, and Hasbro makes money, there is no need to change the status quo. Consumers dictate the market, not the other way around. Example: there are no poopoo flavoured lollipops because consumers would not buy them.

Oh I totally agree with this...just don't know how much truth there is to it. I haven't purchased any Hasbro "collector" oriented TF products in well over a decade. Its an experiment that I guess will take time. I'll check in with you in August of 2026 and see where the brand is and if Takara is still making better toys than Hasbro, or if they are more uniform.

Also on a side note. Most comic fans I talk to hate the new direction Marvel is going in their comics, yet that hasn't stopped them from going ahead full steam.

[william-james88]

But we cant travel back in time, this is the situation now. But we can change it. Hasbro is a company like any other, they want to sell their products. Most parents will not be buying a 100$ boxset, this computron is for "colelctors". So if you preffer the takara one and would rather they make things more like Takara then dont buy the Hasbro version. If all fans who preffer the Takara one buys that one instead, and keeps doing so, then these collector oriented products would not sell and Hasbro would be forced to rethink their stragtegy. But as long as people buy them, and Hasbro makes money, there is no need to change the status quo. Consumers dictate the market, not the other way around. Example: there are no poopoo flavoured lollipops because consumers would not buy them.

Oh I totally agree with this...just don't know how much truth there is to it. I haven't purchased any Hasbro "collector" oriented TF products in well over a decade. Its an experiment that I guess will take time. I'll check in with you in August of 2026 and see where the brand is and if Takara is still making better toys than Hasbro, or if they are more uniform.

Also on a side note. Most comic fans I talk to hate the new direction Marvel is going in their comics, yet that hasn't stopped them from going ahead full steam.

Thats cause they are selling. I was referring to this graph which shows what happened books sales for Spider-man in 2010 when it was an all time low.



It never went back to that after Marvel made the changes (more like undid the changes).

And I dont expect things to change with Hasbro and Takara with just my purchase. But if more of us act this way and we dont buy what we find subpar (or just buy it when heavily discounted, which also sends a message), then change can gradually happen.

For instance, I expect to see the platinum line do more G1 reissues in the future since those sold better than the reissues of more recent toys. That would be a more short term experiment that we can both see unfold together

There is another reason, by the way, as to why Hasbro and Takara are different in their products sometimes, cultural differences. We see that in the TR and Legends line right now, here is Hasbro explaining it, go to the 4:56 mark

[nycPrime]

Preorders available for a 3rd? time on UW Computron. I took the plunge this time.