Thanks to
TakaraTomy Mall, we have some new images and information to share with you for the upcoming Transformers Encore Matrix Buster Big Convoy!
Up first, we have an image of the sample packaging for the figure. The packaging is new and is not based on either his original toy packaging or prior Encore packaging. The packaging has an image of Big Convoy wielding his BFG in full wonderful new artwork glory.
And finally, in conjunction with the new packaging images, we have a new interview with the Takara Tomy design team behind the figure. The interview, in Japanese, can be found
HERE, and we will highlight some of the main talking points below. Of note is the interview includes some images of the prototype and the collapsible Matrix.
Check it all out below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
-The Matrix Buster can work with any version of the Big Convoy mold
-The Matrix itself is newly molded to collapse and fit into the Buster, just like the cartoon
-Takara was trying to have this accessory package ready for the original Encore release, but they didn't make it in time
-Takara tried their hardest to align the toys molding with what was in the cartoon
-The Matrix Buster package wasn't given to the Anime release because it would have been possibly too costly to market, so the Anime colors were prioritized
-Big Blue Convoy was released to help offset the cost of updating the molding as well
-The popularity of Big Blue and Anime Convoy helped the team raise the funds to release this new Matrix Buster version
-The Matrix Buster was originally intended to be released in 1999 during the cartoon, during which Big Convoy would have had the Matrix Buster attached to his "prosthetic" left arm (in the cartoon). With the scrapping of the Unicron toy, the cartoon was altered and the Matrix Buster never made it out