The Energon Pub

[Emerje]

The current rumor (and evidence of it) is that Bumblebee Concept Megatron got pushed back. I know my Amazon order was for after Feb 1st, but now the listing says "We'll email you with a date" which is frustrating. I was looking forward to this one. I dropped by Hasbro Pulse and the date for fulfillment is May, which is all sorts of ouch as I was hyped about getting it this month. Does anyone know the reason for the delay or if it's just online retailers? I know Target's listing says "Find in store" which is about as helpful as a Kremzeek.

I'd love to know how Japan does it. They almost always release on specific dates, things don't just show up like they do everywhere else in the world. And when they're late they get a new date that they usually hit. I'm pretty sure both Takara Tomy and Hasbro ship from the same factory, maybe they just give themselves a lot of time to make sure things are in place in time for release, I know some companies are very strict about street dates.

Emerje

[chuckdawg1999]

The warehouses in Japan are all centrally located, everything can leave and be delivered by trucks in the same day. That way when a new character or gizmo is introduced on a show the next day it's in stores.

[Tyrannacon]

The current rumor (and evidence of it) is that Bumblebee Concept Megatron got pushed back. I know my Amazon order was for after Feb 1st, but now the listing says "We'll email you with a date" which is frustrating. I was looking forward to this one. I dropped by Hasbro Pulse and the date for fulfillment is May, which is all sorts of ouch as I was hyped about getting it this month. Does anyone know the reason for the delay or if it's just online retailers? I know Target's listing says "Find in store" which is about as helpful as a Kremzeek.

I'd love to know how Japan does it. They almost always release on specific dates, things don't just show up like they do everywhere else in the world. And when they're late they get a new date that they usually hit. I'm pretty sure both Takara Tomy and Hasbro ship from the same factory, maybe they just give themselves a lot of time to make sure things are in place in time for release, I know some companies are very strict about street dates.

Emerje

For some reason, Mattel is strict about it too with Jurassic World. They'll have street dates for specific toys (some that are for things over 20 years old no less!) that have a specific date. I've had Target tons of times block me from getting something they put on the shelf and it sucks. I wish Hasbro did gibe us dates, because it makes timing hunts a lot easier.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I got Starscream and the cores yesterday. Rumble is rumble. Mohawk is awesome. Starscream is pretty good.

I especially love that they gave Mohawk a removable head, it's hilarious



"Over here you dumb body!"

[Emerje]

The warehouses in Japan are all centrally located, everything can leave and be delivered by trucks in the same day. That way when a new character or gizmo is introduced on a show the next day it's in stores.

I get that (though I don't thing the example actually happens), but that's no different from when Hasbro or Mattel or anyone else puts a specific street date on certain things and they're in stores that day. But that's only half the problem. Takara or Bandai or whoever does this with everything and it'll all be in stores and online in stock that day. Best Hasbro can do is give us a ballpark estimate and if you're lucky it'll show up within A YEAR of it if at all.

Emerje

[chuckdawg1999]

The warehouses in Japan are all centrally located, everything can leave and be delivered by trucks in the same day. That way when a new character or gizmo is introduced on a show the next day it's in stores.

I get that (though I don't thing the example actually happens), but that's no different from when Hasbro or Mattel or anyone else puts a specific street date on certain things and they're in stores that day. But that's only half the problem. Takara or Bandai or whoever does this with everything and it'll all be in stores and online in stock that day. Best Hasbro can do is give us a ballpark estimate and if you're lucky it'll show up within A YEAR of it if at all.
Emerje

This is just me, but it seems like retailers here in the US have WAY too much control and say over product, that might have something to do with it too.

[Emerje]

The warehouses in Japan are all centrally located, everything can leave and be delivered by trucks in the same day. That way when a new character or gizmo is introduced on a show the next day it's in stores.

I get that (though I don't thing the example actually happens), but that's no different from when Hasbro or Mattel or anyone else puts a specific street date on certain things and they're in stores that day. But that's only half the problem. Takara or Bandai or whoever does this with everything and it'll all be in stores and online in stock that day. Best Hasbro can do is give us a ballpark estimate and if you're lucky it'll show up within A YEAR of it if at all.
Emerje

This is just me, but it seems like retailers here in the US have WAY too much control and say over product, that might have something to do with it too.

You aren't wrong there. I wonder if retailers in Japan have better self control? The biggest reason we can't find new stuff on time (if at all) is because there's so much old stock lingering on pegs. I can't picture that being the same in Japan. It would really be nice if physical stores would cycle their inventory. When new stuff comes in take down the old stuff and when that sells put the old stuff back. It's a lot of work so it won't happen, but at least make use of the overhead shelves.

Emerje

[First-Aid]

The warehouses in Japan are all centrally located, everything can leave and be delivered by trucks in the same day. That way when a new character or gizmo is introduced on a show the next day it's in stores.

I get that (though I don't thing the example actually happens), but that's no different from when Hasbro or Mattel or anyone else puts a specific street date on certain things and they're in stores that day. But that's only half the problem. Takara or Bandai or whoever does this with everything and it'll all be in stores and online in stock that day. Best Hasbro can do is give us a ballpark estimate and if you're lucky it'll show up within A YEAR of it if at all.
Emerje

This is just me, but it seems like retailers here in the US have WAY too much control and say over product, that might have something to do with it too.

You aren't wrong there. I wonder if retailers in Japan have better self control? The biggest reason we can't find new stuff on time (if at all) is because there's so much old stock lingering on pegs. I can't picture that being the same in Japan. It would really be nice if physical stores would cycle their inventory. When new stuff comes in take down the old stuff and when that sells put the old stuff back. It's a lot of work so it won't happen, but at least make use of the overhead shelves.

Emerje

The obvious answer is that Japan is considerably smaller than the US. Japan is just a bit bigger than California. I think that size makes a HUGE difference in distribution, especially when you consider how densely populated Japan is compared to the wide open spaces in the US. "Flyover Country" dramatically impacts distribution because of the cost for transport.

[EvasionModeBumblebee]

Just finished up my custom Studio Series Jetfire! This is one of my favorites I've worked on, the Studio Series figure captures the CGI detail extremely well and made working on it a blast!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Just finished up my custom Studio Series Jetfire! This is one of my favorites I've worked on, the Studio Series figure captures the CGI detail extremely well and made working on it a blast!

Jetfire bot main.jpg

Jetfire bot cane 2.jpg

Jetfire bot back.jpg

Jetfire alt main.jpg

Jetfire alt back L.jpg

Very nice! Well done!

I have been debating de-combining my SS Prime and Jetfire. All of my Jetfire's are combined with a Prime (old leader, new leader, ThreeZero), and I think one should stand alone

[Emerje]

The obvious answer is that Japan is considerably smaller than the US. Japan is just a bit bigger than California. I think that size makes a HUGE difference in distribution, especially when you consider how densely populated Japan is compared to the wide open spaces in the US. "Flyover Country" dramatically impacts distribution because of the cost for transport.

As they say, size doesn't matter. California's population is around 39M, Japan's population is 125M, more than a third of the entire US population. That density should mean more of a bottleneck since stores can only sell so much at a time but have more people to sell to and therefore take longer to get everything sold, yet they make it work.

Emerje

[william-james88]

The first wave of 2024 Studio Series core class figures has been popping up in the US starting at the very end of January and we wanted to give you a heads up. This wave includes Mohawk (the only 2024 figure of a character from the Michael Bay movies), Concept Art Rumble (based on concept art for the Bumblebee film's G1 styled sequence), and a repack of 86 Frenzy (Red) which is great news since that figure has been very hard to find for some. The wave has been found at Target.
While Canada is one wave behind, these two latest core class figures can be purchased on Amazon.ca:

Rumble: https://www.amazon.ca/Transformers-Toys ... 124&sr=8-6

Mohawk: https://www.amazon.ca/Transformers-Toys ... 124&sr=8-1

Here are reviews of these figures:

[-Kanrabat-]

I got Blue Rumble and it's much simpler than I expected. But no matter what I try, I can't insert him completely inside Soundwave's chest in "block" mode.

[Tyrannacon]

Still no sighting of Leader Megatron? My order is still pending on Amazon. Also saw on EE and BBTS the expected date is still Feb so maybe? Hopefully?

Then again, I have sort of resigned myself to the idea it will be released in May like it says on Pulse or hopefully sooner.

[-Kanrabat-]

Still no sighting of Leader Megatron? My order is still pending on Amazon. Also saw on EE and BBTS the expected date is still Feb so maybe? Hopefully?

Then again, I have sort of resigned myself to the idea it will be released in May like it says on Pulse or hopefully sooner.

My Amazon order is delayed from 1 to 2 months.

[Tyrannacon]

Still no sighting of Leader Megatron? My order is still pending on Amazon. Also saw on EE and BBTS the expected date is still Feb so maybe? Hopefully?

Then again, I have sort of resigned myself to the idea it will be released in May like it says on Pulse or hopefully sooner.

My Amazon order is delayed from 1 to 2 months.

Ooof. I know mine still doesn't have a date, but if your order is any indication it'll probably be the same for me. Bah! I was looking forward to this one!

[chuckdawg1999]

Scorponok came yesterday, delayed from last Thursday but earlier than this Thursday. I gave up on Amazon for Megatron and ordered it from CMDStore.

[Tyrannacon]

Good news. I got an update from Amazon saying they expect to send me the new Megatron on the 25th or sooner. Here's hoping they stick to it!

[chuckdawg1999]

[EdgeXL]

Hey everyone,

I see Walmart has a listing for a leader class "AST".

Would this be Astrotrain?

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Hey everyone,

I see Walmart has a listing for a leader class "AST".

Would this be Astrotrain?

No, it just means "assortment"

[william-james88]

The hotly anticipated leader class Concept Art Megatron from the Studio Series line has been found in Canada. The sightings started in Quebec Walmarts but have spread across the country since. The release date for the US is still March, at the moment. Below you will find comparison shots for scale along with a review that compares this toy with past examples of leader class Transformers to see how the leader class budget is spent on this toy, and for you to see if it is worthwhile or not.

[cloudballoon]

Thanks for the review! It's beaten into us to death by Hasbro & fans alike that class is a price point now. It's something's I've come to accept after a few false start by Hasbro (Shockwave, Astrotrain, ER Prime) that hurts their case but there are also a few that made it (Hot Rod, Megatron here).

Some people argue this is a bad Megatron for its poor alt-modes. I can see their point but in-hand I don't quite agree. It still IS kind of the worse tank mode since CW, I don't like that triangular hollowness in the tank turret and its obvious "folded bot arms" look, but the tabbing is solid and that made it a fun tank to play with. I also like the jet's odd look that feels like it belong to the modern Diaclone universe, and it's a fan-mode dream. People have come up with the requisite Gun mode, alt-tank modes that's closer to the sleeker concept art look. It can also do a Gerwalk and I've come up with a Robocop's ED-209-like attack drone mode out of it. It's a legit Six-changer.

And this Megatron's hands... OMG I think that's the most articulated pair of hand for a mass retail figure. I always hated how Hasbro ignored the engineering of their figures' hands. They always looks bad & lazy unless a figure comes with 2 weapons accessories. An open 5mm hole for a hand is just ugly (one of the worse is SS86 Blurr/Kup mold due to the thinness of the fingers). I just wish Hasbro will do this for all Leader & higher class figures.

The price of a Titan/Commander/Leader here in Canada is such that I rarely do pre-orders anymore for these classes (unless they're Dinobots and this Megatron). It's such a big jump in price difference from a Voyager to Leader, and Leader to Commander. I feel in general Hasbro would put more effort into a Voyager than a Leader. Tarn & Jhiaxus got fingers and superb articulation while most Leader don't. Every Dinobots got a missing weapon. Why? How!?

Commanders are so much more expensive (without deep discounts like we saw from Skyfire, Skylinx to Rodimus, prices I haven't seen drop below $100CAD since) now but at least in-hand, I feel Hasbro designers have put near maximum effort into making the best version of the characters as possible (the lack of hand engineering is still a constant issue) and I'm happy I got every single one of them.

SS Leader Fallen is a joke. Next to no improvement on articulation and transformation from the old Voyager. Only good for its size. Not worth it at all.

[-Kanrabat-]

I transformed CBBM Megatron into his tank mode and I had to look up the instructions for a single step. Otherwise, the thing is tighter than a nervous newlywed on her first married night. You can also feel the density of everything, without any hollows anywhere. He also look better in tank mode in person than in videos.

I'll do the jet soon and after that, I'll improvise some fan modes.

Yeah, he's small, but he's meaty and I like it.
Worth the full price? I guess it is.

[chuckdawg1999]