The Energon Pub

Kurona wrote:This is really off-topic and for that I'm sorry but I must be honest... while G1 and IDW are my favourite continuities, it feels a little... bad to be getting only them from a line called Generations.
Like, 2013 Generations was great. We got G1, IDW, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, RiD, WFC/FOC... it was crazy.

Those all came during 2014, not 2013. And all that was done because 2014 was an anniversary year to be celebrated. The same thing happened with the Universe line in 2009. 2008 had Universe with nothing but Classics-style G1 update figures, while 2009 had update figures from G1, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Wars II, Armada, Cybertron, etc. Anniversary years get figures from all over while the surrounding years go back to business as usual.

Sabrblade wrote:

Kurona wrote:This is really off-topic and for that I'm sorry but I must be honest... while G1 and IDW are my favourite continuities, it feels a little... bad to be getting only them from a line called Generations.
Like, 2013 Generations was great. We got G1, IDW, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, RiD, WFC/FOC... it was crazy.

Those all came during 2014, not 2013. And all that was done because 2014 was an anniversary year to be celebrated. The same thing happened with the Universe line in 2009. 2008 had Universe with nothing but Classics-style G1 update figures, while 2009 had update figures from G1, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Wars II, Armada, Cybertron, etc. Anniversary years get figures from all over while the surrounding years go back to business as usual.

I mean, whatever year it was, it was still great and I'd like to see it repeated whether anniversary or not. It's generations, I'd like to see at least something outside of G1/IDW once in a while that's not a remold.

Kurona wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Kurona wrote:This is really off-topic and for that I'm sorry but I must be honest... while G1 and IDW are my favourite continuities, it feels a little... bad to be getting only them from a line called Generations.
Like, 2013 Generations was great. We got G1, IDW, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, RiD, WFC/FOC... it was crazy.

Those all came during 2014, not 2013. And all that was done because 2014 was an anniversary year to be celebrated. The same thing happened with the Universe line in 2009. 2008 had Universe with nothing but Classics-style G1 update figures, while 2009 had update figures from G1, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Wars II, Armada, Cybertron, etc. Anniversary years get figures from all over while the surrounding years go back to business as usual.

I mean, whatever year it was, it was still great and I'd like to see it repeated whether anniversary or not. It's generations, I'd like to see at least something outside of G1/IDW once in a while that's not a remold.

A lot of us would agree in wanting to see more non-G1 stuff in the line, especially with this year being Beast Wars's 20th anniversary. Alas, though, every time Hasbro's been asked about that this year, they kept shooting down the suggestion with "we don't have any Beast Wars plans for this year" and keep telling people to go check out Takara's offerings instead. It strikes me as though Hasbro only cares to actually commemorate the other non-G1 lines only during the big main anniversary years, which is a shame.

Sabrblade wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Kurona wrote:This is really off-topic and for that I'm sorry but I must be honest... while G1 and IDW are my favourite continuities, it feels a little... bad to be getting only them from a line called Generations.
Like, 2013 Generations was great. We got G1, IDW, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, RiD, WFC/FOC... it was crazy.

Those all came during 2014, not 2013. And all that was done because 2014 was an anniversary year to be celebrated. The same thing happened with the Universe line in 2009. 2008 had Universe with nothing but Classics-style G1 update figures, while 2009 had update figures from G1, G2, Beast Wars, Beast Wars II, Armada, Cybertron, etc. Anniversary years get figures from all over while the surrounding years go back to business as usual.

I mean, whatever year it was, it was still great and I'd like to see it repeated whether anniversary or not. It's generations, I'd like to see at least something outside of G1/IDW once in a while that's not a remold.

A lot of us would agree in wanting to see more non-G1 stuff in the line, especially with this year being Beast Wars's 20th anniversary. Alas, though, every time Hasbro's been asked about that this year, they kept shooting down the suggestion with "we don't have any Beast Wars plans for this year" and keep telling people to go check out Takara's offerings instead. It strikes me as though Hasbro only cares to actually commemorate the other non-G1 lines only during the big main anniversary years, which is a shame.

Yeah... we at least agree there. I'm not saying they will do it, just that they probably really should - it honestly starts feeling like they're not acknowledging there's fans outside of G1, IDW, Movie and whatever cartoon's current.

Barricade with Frenzy Headmaster!
Tankor with Rhinox Headmaster!
Sideways with... whatever the Rider's called Headmaster!
Roadbuster with Tarantulas Headmaster!

Well the biggest thing is the majority want more G1 characters modernized. I agree id like
More diversity, that's why I got Legends Black Arachnia, Nightbird and Slipstream but in the same right Armada, Energon and Cybertron and Beast Wars as a whole don't need new figures. They're all pretty solid in their own right. armada is a little iffy due to them back peddling on articulation and engineering but that was to aim at new kids than old but that worked. Beast Wars toys still mostly work and when they try is sometimes just doesn't work. Dinobot is fine but CHUG Cheetor, Armada Hotshot and skybyte are still inferior to their original toys. Yeah hotshot has more articulation but he's a floppy mess and they removed his axel-zooka and gave he has zero gimmick for his minicon. That's whole whole point of that line.


Like I said I'd like some diversity but I did just require Transmetal Tarantulas and he fits just fine as IDW tarantulas.

Kurona wrote:it honestly starts feeling like they're not acknowledging there's fans outside of G1, IDW, Movie and whatever cartoon's current.

True, but to be fair, from Hasbro's business perspective, those do seem to be the most relevant and profitable things for them to currently focus the brand on, and which has pretty much been the case for their business model since the early 2000s (just swap out "IDW" for "Dreamwave" and scratch out "Movie" and there you go). So from their point of view, why fix what isn't broken?

Not saying I agree with Hasbro's view (I'd gladly welcome more Beast Era, RiD 2001, and Unicron Trilogy updates), but their view is understandable.

Sideways would be great. They could even justify it for a 1987-orientated line by retooling him into Wreck-Gar

Sabrblade wrote:A lot of us would agree in wanting to see more non-G1 stuff in the line, especially with this year being Beast Wars's 20th anniversary.

Am I right that the only Beast Wars stuff that has happened this year are the figures at BotCon, MP Optimus Primal being released, and MP Cheetor being announced? The BotCon sets are basically out of reach for most people, and TF:TM has 5 Platinum Editions coming out of repaints. Kinda crazy, but maybe for the 30th anniversary ow BW then..?

AND! Wasn't Beast Wars a Hasbro concept in the first place?

Noideaforaname wrote:Barricade with Frenzy Headmaster!
Tankor with Rhinox Headmaster!
Sideways with... whatever the Rider's called Headmaster!
Roadbuster with Tarantulas Headmaster!

itscramtastic wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:A lot of us would agree in wanting to see more non-G1 stuff in the line, especially with this year being Beast Wars's 20th anniversary.

Am I right that the only Beast Wars stuff that has happened this year are the figures at BotCon, MP Optimus Primal being released, and MP Cheetor being announced? The BotCon sets are basically out of reach for most people, and TF:TM has 5 Platinum Editions coming out of repaints. Kinda crazy, but maybe for the 30th anniversary ow BW then..?

There was also the Platinum Edition "Year of the Monkey" Optimus Primal... which was a Beast Machines mold... originally released in the RiD 2001 line... with a G1 Optimus-based deco...

But, it did have a "Beast Wars 20" logo on it!


...Yeah, not very exciting.

itscramtastic wrote:AND! Wasn't Beast Wars a Hasbro concept in the first place?

Kenner, actually.

william-james88 wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:AND! Wasn't Beast Wars a Hasbro concept in the first place?

Yes it was, but then again so is the Transformers brand itself.

HOW DARE YOU GIVE HASBRO CREDIT FOR ANYTHING!!

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:Thing is though, they don't really have any reason to do that. Headmaster Arcee wasn't part of their version of the cartoon, and even if they did get Rebirth (I know they got it years later, but c'mon), it's not exactly that significant.

While I dont think Takara is all powerful, I wouldnt put aything past them either. The MTMTE comics arent even translated and yet they released Skids in his comic colours.

That was a simple repaint, and it's not exactly like they could do much else. While it was a surprise... otherwise, Skids is an extremely obscure character; at least for the 1984/1985 guys. He only pulled in, like, two cameos in the cartoon, the marvel comics weren't released in Japan; there was basically no fiction for him. Not to mention that the Skids toy is EXTREMELY IDW; like, you can't really turn him into the cartoon version - that no-one cared about - even with the stuff they pulled off in UW. So for a mold that's very specific to one particular version of a character, said version proving to have growing popularity in Japan, with the original version of the character having less appearances in the cartoon than friggin' Slugfest... it kinda makes sense. And it was a unique mold, they probably wanted to release it sometime rather than waste it.
Meanwhile, Arcee had a LOT of fictional appearances in Japanese G1, none of which she was a headmaster, and it'd require a major retool for something that really would only appeal to American fans. Maybe they'll do it, but they don't have as much of a reason to. Skids isn't that comparable.
Though, I suppose to sum up...

Skids:-
-practically no Japanese fictional appearances
-unique mold that hasn't been released before
-very specific to one version of the character
-there hasn't been a toy of skids before
-IDW has growing popularity in Japan, which is relevant to today
-Only requires a repaint

Arcee:-
-many Japanese fictional appearances
-both Generations Arcee and TR Chromedome have - or will be very soon - released in Japan
-Generations Arcee works very fine for all fictional appearances of Arcee in Japanese G1
-The Rebirth is not nostalgic for Japanese fans and I doubt it has a particularly large fanbase there
-Arcee was never a headmaster in Japan until The Rebirth was released in 1996 as a home video
-Would require a major retool

So... again, while on the surface it's the same "Well they're fine doing America-specific stuff", it's a very different situation. They might, but I honestly doubt it. The only major new tooling they've done so far - Blackarachnia, Slipstream, Nightbird, Groove, Blast Off, Computron, Ginrai, Ghost Starscream, Thrust, Headmasters (did I miss anything recent?) - have been to adhere to fiction that was nostalgic and/or significant in fiction for them. And it's not exactly like Headmaster Arcee is an obscure overseas-exclusive concept that's as popular for them as Liokaiser is for us.
Is it possible? Yeah, anything's possible. Unless you're suggesting a Titan Class Unicron this year then it doesn't make sense to shut you down. But I'd say that at the least it's VERY unlikely and they have little to no reason to do it.

william-james88 wrote:I mean they even gave us a Slipstream toy that had her own tooling and she is not associated to Japan in any way.

Outside of, well, the Japanese dub of Animated and its "The Cool" manga.

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:So... again, while on the surface it's the same "Well they're fine doing America-specific stuff", it's a very different situation.

Far points all arund, now here is another one:

Liokaiser is nowhere in US' G1 fiction. Yet they released CW Liokaiser and gave him 6 new heads. If a company like Hasbro would do that, then I wouldnt put it past Takara to give something lik that. I mean they even gave us a Slipstream toy that had her own tooling and she is not associated to Japan in any way.

But Japan got Animated

And as I said, Liokaiser's a very popular overseas concept. If there's anything in Japanese-exclusive fiction that American fans love... it's Star Saber. And then it's Liokaiser. Besides, it's still very different. Liokaiser was built up as one of the biggest threats and greatest enemies of the Autobots; a fearsome opponent on the battlefield. And he was a unique character whose toy is legendary for having no combiner kibble save for the head.
Headmaster Arcee? I wouldn't really put that on the same level. I mean, I don't speak for Japanese fans, but I doubt that when they got The Rebirth - in 1996, again, as a home video - they really cared that much for the concept and it got really popular? And it's not exactly as if it's a unique character nor had an amazing toy with an impressive quality like no kibble to it; it's still Arcee, and she still had no toy.
When American and British fans found out years later about Japan's exclusive series, it was kind of like a treasure trove, wasn't it? A continuation of G1 that we never got with large stories, epic fights and so much else that garnered a lot of popularity. No wonder Star Saber and Liokaiser got popular, they were new Transformers characters in an anime continuation of G1!
And what did Japan get? ... well, they found out that instead of Headmasters, America got a really poopy, badly paced, incomprehensible mess of a toy advert. I kind of doubt Rebirth got popularity when Headmasters was around; the only thing that makes it a popular choice in America is nostalgia. Meanwhile Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory are enjoyable on other levels. I mean, I think they're kinda crap, but they're still popular and enjoyable enough for some people.

And even with Liokaiser's popularity... Hasbro still saw fit to make him a Platinum set exclusive to one retailer. ie a set that only hardcore fans can really get due to the pricing, was made in limited quantities, and has a large price to offset the cost of making it. It's a very specific set.

Plus, this was Liokaiser's first toy since 1989. Arcee's already had a toy. And on top of all that, Hasbro's and Takara's business decisions are very different. Just because Hasbro decides to make a Platinum set of a Japan-exclusive character doesn't make Takara's going to care enough to make a Headmasters Arcee.


At the end of the day though, this kind of boils down to one thing - you have to prove that Headmaster Arcee, in Japan, is ANYWHERE near as popular as Liokaiser is here. And while I don't live there and haven't partaken in their fanbase, I don't really think you'll find a lot of Japanese fans all over that concept.

Kurona wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:So... again, while on the surface it's the same "Well they're fine doing America-specific stuff", it's a very different situation.

Far points all arund, now here is another one:

Liokaiser is nowhere in US' G1 fiction. Yet they released CW Liokaiser and gave him 6 new heads. If a company like Hasbro would do that, then I wouldnt put it past Takara to give something lik that. I mean they even gave us a Slipstream toy that had her own tooling and she is not associated to Japan in any way.

But Japan got Animated

And as I said, Liokaiser's a very popular overseas concept. If there's anything in Japanese-exclusive fiction that American fans love... it's Star Saber. And then it's Liokaiser. Besides, it's still very different. Liokaiser was built up as one of the biggest threats and greatest enemies of the Autobots; a fearsome opponent on the battlefield. And he was a unique character whose toy is legendary for having no combiner kibble save for the head.
Headmaster Arcee? I wouldn't really put that on the same level. I mean, I don't speak for Japanese fans, but I doubt that when they got The Rebirth - in 1996, again, as a home video - they really cared that much for the concept and it got really popular? And it's not exactly as if it's a unique character nor had an amazing toy with an impressive quality like no kibble to it; it's still Arcee, and she still had no toy.
When American and British fans found out years later about Japan's exclusive series, it was kind of like a treasure trove, wasn't it? A continuation of G1 that we never got with large stories, epic fights and so much else that garnered a lot of popularity. No wonder Star Saber and Liokaiser got popular, they were new Transformers characters in an anime continuation of G1!
And what did Japan get? ... well, they found out that instead of Headmasters, America got a really poopy, badly paced, incomprehensible mess of a toy advert. I kind of doubt Rebirth got popularity when Headmasters was around; the only thing that makes it a popular choice in America is nostalgia. Meanwhile Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory are enjoyable on other levels. I mean, I think they're kinda crap, but they're still popular and enjoyable enough for some people.

And even with Liokaiser's popularity... Hasbro still saw fit to make him a Platinum set exclusive to one retailer. ie a set that only hardcore fans can really get due to the pricing, was made in limited quantities, and has a large price to offset the cost of making it. It's a very specific set.

Plus, this was Liokaiser's first toy since 1989. Arcee's already had a toy. And on top of all that, Hasbro's and Takara's business decisions are very different. Just because Hasbro decides to make a Platinum set of a Japan-exclusive character doesn't make Takara's going to care enough to make a Headmasters Arcee.


At the end of the day though, this kind of boils down to one thing - you have to prove that Headmaster Arcee, in Japan, is ANYWHERE near as popular as Liokaiser is here. And while I don't live there and haven't partaken in their fanbase, I don't really think you'll find a lot of Japanese fans all over that concept.

I guess I'm confused. Why does Headmaster Arcee being popular in Japan control whether or not Hasbro makes a figure? It's not like they haven't made figures that come out here and not there and vice versa.

I can't wait for Takara to make a headmaster Arcee. I hope she comes with little papers, filing cabinet and a desk to sit at because that's literally all Japan did with her in Headmasters

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

Kurona wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:So... again, while on the surface it's the same "Well they're fine doing America-specific stuff", it's a very different situation.

Far points all arund, now here is another one:

Liokaiser is nowhere in US' G1 fiction. Yet they released CW Liokaiser and gave him 6 new heads. If a company like Hasbro would do that, then I wouldnt put it past Takara to give something lik that. I mean they even gave us a Slipstream toy that had her own tooling and she is not associated to Japan in any way.

But Japan got Animated

And as I said, Liokaiser's a very popular overseas concept. If there's anything in Japanese-exclusive fiction that American fans love... it's Star Saber. And then it's Liokaiser. Besides, it's still very different. Liokaiser was built up as one of the biggest threats and greatest enemies of the Autobots; a fearsome opponent on the battlefield. And he was a unique character whose toy is legendary for having no combiner kibble save for the head.
Headmaster Arcee? I wouldn't really put that on the same level. I mean, I don't speak for Japanese fans, but I doubt that when they got The Rebirth - in 1996, again, as a home video - they really cared that much for the concept and it got really popular? And it's not exactly as if it's a unique character nor had an amazing toy with an impressive quality like no kibble to it; it's still Arcee, and she still had no toy.
When American and British fans found out years later about Japan's exclusive series, it was kind of like a treasure trove, wasn't it? A continuation of G1 that we never got with large stories, epic fights and so much else that garnered a lot of popularity. No wonder Star Saber and Liokaiser got popular, they were new Transformers characters in an anime continuation of G1!
And what did Japan get? ... well, they found out that instead of Headmasters, America got a really poopy, badly paced, incomprehensible mess of a toy advert. I kind of doubt Rebirth got popularity when Headmasters was around; the only thing that makes it a popular choice in America is nostalgia. Meanwhile Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory are enjoyable on other levels. I mean, I think they're kinda crap, but they're still popular and enjoyable enough for some people.

And even with Liokaiser's popularity... Hasbro still saw fit to make him a Platinum set exclusive to one retailer. ie a set that only hardcore fans can really get due to the pricing, was made in limited quantities, and has a large price to offset the cost of making it. It's a very specific set.

Plus, this was Liokaiser's first toy since 1989. Arcee's already had a toy. And on top of all that, Hasbro's and Takara's business decisions are very different. Just because Hasbro decides to make a Platinum set of a Japan-exclusive character doesn't make Takara's going to care enough to make a Headmasters Arcee.


At the end of the day though, this kind of boils down to one thing - you have to prove that Headmaster Arcee, in Japan, is ANYWHERE near as popular as Liokaiser is here. And while I don't live there and haven't partaken in their fanbase, I don't really think you'll find a lot of Japanese fans all over that concept.

I guess I'm confused. Why does Headmaster Arcee being popular in Japan control whether or not Hasbro makes a figure? It's not like they haven't made figures that come out here and not there and vice versa.

The argument is over whether or not Takara will make Headmaster Arcee under the assumption Hasbro won't.

Kurona wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

Kurona wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:So... again, while on the surface it's the same "Well they're fine doing America-specific stuff", it's a very different situation.

Far points all arund, now here is another one:

Liokaiser is nowhere in US' G1 fiction. Yet they released CW Liokaiser and gave him 6 new heads. If a company like Hasbro would do that, then I wouldnt put it past Takara to give something lik that. I mean they even gave us a Slipstream toy that had her own tooling and she is not associated to Japan in any way.

But Japan got Animated

And as I said, Liokaiser's a very popular overseas concept. If there's anything in Japanese-exclusive fiction that American fans love... it's Star Saber. And then it's Liokaiser. Besides, it's still very different. Liokaiser was built up as one of the biggest threats and greatest enemies of the Autobots; a fearsome opponent on the battlefield. And he was a unique character whose toy is legendary for having no combiner kibble save for the head.
Headmaster Arcee? I wouldn't really put that on the same level. I mean, I don't speak for Japanese fans, but I doubt that when they got The Rebirth - in 1996, again, as a home video - they really cared that much for the concept and it got really popular? And it's not exactly as if it's a unique character nor had an amazing toy with an impressive quality like no kibble to it; it's still Arcee, and she still had no toy.
When American and British fans found out years later about Japan's exclusive series, it was kind of like a treasure trove, wasn't it? A continuation of G1 that we never got with large stories, epic fights and so much else that garnered a lot of popularity. No wonder Star Saber and Liokaiser got popular, they were new Transformers characters in an anime continuation of G1!
And what did Japan get? ... well, they found out that instead of Headmasters, America got a really poopy, badly paced, incomprehensible mess of a toy advert. I kind of doubt Rebirth got popularity when Headmasters was around; the only thing that makes it a popular choice in America is nostalgia. Meanwhile Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory are enjoyable on other levels. I mean, I think they're kinda crap, but they're still popular and enjoyable enough for some people.

And even with Liokaiser's popularity... Hasbro still saw fit to make him a Platinum set exclusive to one retailer. ie a set that only hardcore fans can really get due to the pricing, was made in limited quantities, and has a large price to offset the cost of making it. It's a very specific set.

Plus, this was Liokaiser's first toy since 1989. Arcee's already had a toy. And on top of all that, Hasbro's and Takara's business decisions are very different. Just because Hasbro decides to make a Platinum set of a Japan-exclusive character doesn't make Takara's going to care enough to make a Headmasters Arcee.


At the end of the day though, this kind of boils down to one thing - you have to prove that Headmaster Arcee, in Japan, is ANYWHERE near as popular as Liokaiser is here. And while I don't live there and haven't partaken in their fanbase, I don't really think you'll find a lot of Japanese fans all over that concept.

I guess I'm confused. Why does Headmaster Arcee being popular in Japan control whether or not Hasbro makes a figure? It's not like they haven't made figures that come out here and not there and vice versa.

The argument is over whether or not Takara will make Headmaster Arcee under the assumption Hasbro won't.

Ah, that makes more sense,

I'm almost positive we'll get an Arcee retool of Blurr. Take a look at this cover for Transformers #55. She looks like someone has already been thinking about it.

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:The argument is over whether or not Takara will make Headmaster Arcee under the assumption Hasbro won't.

I'm not arguing, I dont care really since I never watched rebirth. I just dont think this is as unprobable as Takara making a whole new combining system to have a Unite Warriors Liokaiser with 6 deluxes (Last one Steal Your Goats, I swear).

Arguing is probably the wrong word, yeah. More negative connotations. Debate's better.


@RodimusConvoy
That's just her Earth design she's had for a while now

... and... actually, I don't think I see the resemblance to TR Blurr in at all.

Kurona wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Kurona wrote:The argument is over whether or not Takara will make Headmaster Arcee under the assumption Hasbro won't.

I'm not arguing, I dont care really since I never watched rebirth. I just dont think this is as unprobable as Takara making a whole new combining system to have a Unite Warriors Liokaiser with 6 deluxes (Last one Steal Your Goats, I swear).

Arguing is probably the wrong word, yeah. More negative connotations. Debate's better.


@RodimusConvoy
That's just her Earth design she's had for a while now

... and... actually, I don't think I see the resemblance to TR Blurr in at all.

There's the parts that stick out on her calves/ankles. The extra parts on her forearms. Both correspond with TR Blurr. I can also see them cutting down the shoulders and then the "shield of Blurr could be a completely new piece that makes the front of her car. We already saw a new piece for Brainstorm.

I'm just guessing, but it doesn't seem like that's much of a stretch.

I could see an Arcee redeco out of the Blurr mold. I think it would be a pretty good fit if the front car piece was appropriately re-worked.