The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4877 · Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:12 pm

Wow, this is unexpected. We have 2 preview images from Takara showing what appears to be two different releases of an update to the G1 Optimus Prime toy. One is the toy version, with the trailer, while another is a toon version with a different head, different deco and different accessories. The toy looks like a revamp of the original toy. The extent of the improvements in engineering is not entirely obvious, with just these few images with watermarks. So let us know what you think.

News Credits: 20 · Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:44 pm

Wow, I was actually thinking the other day that some 3rd party company should do this because I didn't think hasbro or takara ever would. Colour me surprised and happy! I worry about the price but I'd still love to get one!

News Credits: 4877 · Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:48 pm

Interesting, when I suggested if they should do this, in a pat article, most people said they wouldn't want it.

News Credits: 1 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:17 am

william-james88 wrote:Interesting, when I suggested if they should do this, in a pat article, most people said they wouldn't want it.

Well, I wouldn't want it for the same reason I don't want that WalMart G1 Starscream: I already have New Year's Convoy and the 'toon-accurate book-reissue Screamer.

Which begs the question: will Hasbro release this Op as part of that WalMart reissue line?

News Credits: 8 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 2:20 am

"G1 WITH knees" was an insult, not a gauntlet. But fine, whatever. If this is what it takes to get Generations to pivot back to neo-G1 designs like Classics (the Volvo Prime is a good start) and radically different toylines like Car Robots then fine.

It IS a cool idea though.

News Credits: 6 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 3:17 am

This was something I really wondered if they would try it one day and I like what I see here. Wonder if we could get other characters in this style.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Mon Jul 31, 2023 4:35 am

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!! :-(

I've always wanted figures done just like this! He even has hand articulation and ankle tilts! The fists don't pop off, if they did they'd be on the parts lists, I'm guessing they open and then swivel around to tuck into the forearm. That trailer is straight up the G1 figure trailer which is perfectly fine. This is a heck of a way to celebrate the 40th anniversary, I'm super excited! Full reveal seems to be over a week away.

(Edit) Oh, and this does appear to be a line called "Missing Link" as the logo indicates. The text underneath that reads "Virtual reprint series 'Missing Link" starts!", in this case virtual means similar not simulated. So this isn't just one figure, could we be getting Megatron!? :shock:

(Edit 2) Just noticed there are some differences between the two Primes. The single figure is cartoon style with yellow paint on the bumper, blue windows, gray "toes", silver and gold Matrix and I think a cartoon style head like the Music Label figure. The one with the trailer is toy style with an all silver bumper, amber windows, detailed "toes", a gold Matrix and a toy style head. The shades of blue might be different, too.

Guess I'm buying both... :HEADHURTS:

Emerje

News Credits: 4 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 5:31 am

"If G1 with knees is what they buy then G1 with knees is what they shall get."

News Credits: 19 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:29 am

Cool to see, hope some of the cars get the treatment too. If ya cant do the new toys as good as the old, just make the old better.

News Credits: 656 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:50 am

This is super cool. No other notes

News Credits: 1646 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:32 am

neat

News Credits: 14 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 9:09 am

How very strange.

G1 Prime already had knees. But giving him outward hip joints and ankle ties its kind ion interesting.

I may be convinces to pick him up depending on price. If he's somehow over $100 bucks, I probably won't.

The Japanese text suggests this is a first in a series. So... will we see an articulated G1 seeker?

An articulated Megatron?

Bumblebee?

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:46 am

Overcracker wrote:How very strange.

G1 Prime already had knees. But giving him outward hip joints and ankle ties its kind ion interesting.

I may be convinces to pick him up depending on price. If he's somehow over $100 bucks, I probably won't.

The Japanese text suggests this is a first in a series. So... will we see an articulated G1 seeker?

An articulated Megatron?

Bumblebee?

The single Optimus should be (Japanese) Voyager priced since it's less complex than Siege Optimus, the trailer set would probably cost more than a (Japanese) Leader since it does use the original trailer. The only thing I could see upending that is if they use diecast in the same spots as the original, which to me feels pretty likely if they're doing a true remake.

Emerje

News Credits: 30 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:24 am

A G1 Optimus, re-engineered with modern articulation, is of interest....

News Credits: 14 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:50 am

Emerje wrote:
Overcracker wrote:How very strange.

G1 Prime already had knees. But giving him outward hip joints and ankle ties its kind ion interesting.

I may be convinces to pick him up depending on price. If he's somehow over $100 bucks, I probably won't.

The Japanese text suggests this is a first in a series. So... will we see an articulated G1 seeker?

An articulated Megatron?

Bumblebee?

The single Optimus should be (Japanese) Voyager priced since it's less complex than Siege Optimus, the trailer set would probably cost more than a (Japanese) Leader since it does use the original trailer. The only thing I could see upending that is if they use diecast in the same spots as the original, which to me feels pretty likely if they're doing a true remake.

Emerje

Yeah, die cast iOS probably a given.

I could probably just pick up the cab only set, and give him one of my G1 trailers just for giggles, the post on the back of the legs seems to be joriginal thick G1 post.

I can see paying around $50 for him at most.

News Credits: 241 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 2:53 pm

Wow, that's taking "G1 but with today's articulation" a bit too literally there :lol:

I'm gonna join the "not for me" camp on this one. The lack of articulation at the time is still part of the charm, and that'll never change. I will however keep an eye on them and see how far TakaraTomy is willing to go with trying new approaches.

News Credits: 101 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:50 pm

One more wish from my thread The TF you want but you know HasTak will NEVER make that I can cross off the list.

I was wishing for some "MOTU ORIGINS" style updates of vintage G1 toys. There. It WILL happen. Of course, Optimus is the 1st to be done, but I expect there will be more to come. I really wonder how they would do Megatron?

Regardless, if that Optimus is not like 300$+, I'll be sure to get it. :BOWDOWN:

News Credits: 332 · Mon Jul 31, 2023 9:20 pm

Add me to the chorus of people who would want this. I've wondered for years if this could be done. Of course there's a tinge of disappointment that there's two releases and only one has the trailer. Personally, the TV style version should've come with the trailer.

Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:18 pm

While I can TOTALLY understand this not being everyone's cup of tea, being confusing, and maybe even being questioning its existence - I'm honestly really glad they're doing something like this. Granted I'm also glad this is just some side thing rather than being the G1 Optimus for this year - I feel like that'd make people flabbergasted even more methinks!

But I definitely want to pick up a "G1 with knees" Prime for the novelty of it (and also being a toy accurate sucker), because there's something endearing and wacky about the idea of HasTak actually taking the OG toy designs and trying to give them modern articulation and play value. Would be quite the different angle from being as toon accurate as possible, and definitely a different angle from being a modern interpretation of the old designs.
Count me in - but again if this ends up doing poorly I cannot blame anyone at all.

News Credits: 1646 · Tue Aug 01, 2023 6:45 am

One thing I do appreciate about this is now I feel like inclined to get the MP-44 toy color version, since this is much more what I wanted. Hopefully the toy color one has the yellow eyes, that is the main draw on a figure that is a lot like the G1 toy

News Credits: 462 · Tue Aug 01, 2023 11:32 am

It wouldn't surprise me if only a small handful of figures get made for this Missing Link line, as it could just be especially made for the 40th anniversary.

Or even, Optimus could just be the only figure made, as a one-and-done standalone release for the anniversary, like how the original MP figure was before they decided to expand Masterpiece into an actual line (but without said line expansion this time since the basic idea of this kind of competes directly against the Generations toys).

MyFigureCollection.net collection · Tue Aug 01, 2023 5:26 pm

Sabrblade wrote:It wouldn't surprise me if only a small handful of figures get made for this Missing Link line, as it could just be especially made for the 40th anniversary.

Or even, Optimus could just be the only figure made, as a one-and-done standalone release for the anniversary, like how the original MP figure was before they decided to expand Masterpiece into an actual line (but without said line expansion this time since the basic idea of this kind of competes directly against the Generations toys).

The text on the image calls it out as the start of a series. I'm guessing they'll be spreading these out through the year.

Emerje

News Credits: 241 · Tue Aug 01, 2023 5:27 pm

Emerje wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:It wouldn't surprise me if only a small handful of figures get made for this Missing Link line, as it could just be especially made for the 40th anniversary.

Or even, Optimus could just be the only figure made, as a one-and-done standalone release for the anniversary, like how the original MP figure was before they decided to expand Masterpiece into an actual line (but without said line expansion this time since the basic idea of this kind of competes directly against the Generations toys).

The text on the image calls it out as the start of a series. I'm guessing they'll be spreading these out through the year.

Emerje

If that's the case... Ironhide and Ratchet :twisted:

Tue Aug 01, 2023 5:33 pm

Oh, if they're planning a series I'm even more excited!

News Credits: 462 · Tue Aug 01, 2023 5:41 pm

Emerje wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:It wouldn't surprise me if only a small handful of figures get made for this Missing Link line, as it could just be especially made for the 40th anniversary.

Or even, Optimus could just be the only figure made, as a one-and-done standalone release for the anniversary, like how the original MP figure was before they decided to expand Masterpiece into an actual line (but without said line expansion this time since the basic idea of this kind of competes directly against the Generations toys).

The text on the image calls it out as the start of a series. I'm guessing they'll be spreading these out through the year.

Emerje

True, but take, for instance, Transformers Chronicle. That was a series, too, and it only had two main releases (and a subline of Legends class redecos).