The Energon Pub

[Rodimus_Lantern]

I was looking to try and make a definitive list.
I'll update this first post as new molds are brought up.
Also please include a reference. Thanks.

G1
-Mirage (Announced BotCon 2005)
-Wheeljack (Announced BotCon 2005)
-Soundwave (Recently Damaged)

G1 Rumored Missing or Damaged
-Dinobots
-Sunstreaker
-Trailbreaker
-Shockwave
-Omega Supreme

Car Robots/RID rumored missing or damaged
-Sideburn
-Prowl
-X Brawn(Or whatever the hell his name was.)

[FellintoOblivion]

No reference but I believe Takara is no longer in possesion of the original Swoop mold. I could be wrong.

[Swerve]

No reference but I believe Takara is no longer in possesion of the original Swoop mold. I could be wrong.

I've heard mixed stories that Takara lost all the Dinobot molds to stories that they still have them but Tomy wants them to hold off or doesn't want them to do anymore re-issues. Supposedly they were supposed to have a Dinobot release sometime around the same time the Predaking gift set was released but then it never happened. I can never get a consistant story on that. I do know that the KO Swoop is not from the original mold and doesn't hold up as well according to people I have heard that have bought one. I would assume from the G2 release of the, in my opinion, ugly color Dinobots that at the time, at least three of the molds still existed.

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

[God Magnus]

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

Maybe that's why we haven't seen a Wheeljack reissue either? I wish they'd do one sooooooooo badly.

[Emperor Primacron the 1st]

What happened to the Mirage one?

I heard the RID Autobot brothers molds got really messed up from overuse.

[Swerve]

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

Maybe that's why we haven't seen a Wheeljack reissue either? I wish they'd do one sooooooooo badly.

He's actually one of the specifics I was thinking of but I also haven't seen a Mirage, Ratchet, or Ironhide re-issue either (to my knowledge). Given their popularity on the show and with fans I figured they would have been released by now. If anyone happens to know if there is a re-issue of these characters please let me know.

[Saya]

This is pure speculation, but I doubt we'll see a reissue of Ratchet or Ironhide, even if the mold is still intact, because the figures themselves are pretty unpopular, even if the characters are not.

Also, I'm not sure about what the deal is with Shockwave and Omega Supreme. Are there licencing issues with them, seeing as they were not made by Takara or Hasbro, or are the molds actually lost? Or is it both

[Stormrider]

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

Maybe that's why we haven't seen a Wheeljack reissue either? I wish they'd do one sooooooooo badly.

He's actually one of the specifics I was thinking of but I also haven't seen a Mirage, Ratchet, or Ironhide re-issue either (to my knowledge). Given their popularity on the show and with fans I figured they would have been released by now. If anyone happens to know if there is a re-issue of these characters please let me know.

Ironhide and Ratchet's molds still exist. They were both reissued a few years ago as eHobby Exclusives:





They were actually pretty popular in Japan and sell now for $150 MISB. Not too bad for items that came out 4 years ago.

[Gutter Bunny]

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

Maybe that's why we haven't seen a Wheeljack reissue either? I wish they'd do one sooooooooo badly.

He's actually one of the specifics I was thinking of but I also haven't seen a Mirage, Ratchet, or Ironhide re-issue either (to my knowledge). Given their popularity on the show and with fans I figured they would have been released by now. If anyone happens to know if there is a re-issue of these characters please let me know.

Ironhide and Ratchet's molds still exist. They were both reissued a few years ago as eHobby Exclusives:

They were actually pretty popular in Japan and sell now for $150 MISB. Not too bad for items that came out 4 years ago.

boo...you beat me to it

no reference but heard the original soundwave was damaged recently and thats y we have a blue soundblaster.

[Stormrider]

It's a bit difficult to say, which molds are lost. This topic was discussed heavily about 9 months ago. A few people mentioned that Wheeljack and Mirage's molds were damaged (according to a Hasbro Rep at Botcon). Soundwave was also reported damaged, but Takara salvaged the mold using Soundblaster.

Some of the lost or damaged (rumors) included:
Sunstreaker
Trailbreaker (But Hoist was reissued 3 years ago)
Dinobots (which I still believe is only a rumor)

[Stormrider]

I would like to see this thread continue though. There are a lot of Transformers I haven't seen a re-issue for and if the mold has been lost, it would explain why I haven't seen them around.

Maybe that's why we haven't seen a Wheeljack reissue either? I wish they'd do one sooooooooo badly.

He's actually one of the specifics I was thinking of but I also haven't seen a Mirage, Ratchet, or Ironhide re-issue either (to my knowledge). Given their popularity on the show and with fans I figured they would have been released by now. If anyone happens to know if there is a re-issue of these characters please let me know.

Ironhide and Ratchet's molds still exist. They were both reissued a few years ago as eHobby Exclusives:

They were actually pretty popular in Japan and sell now for $150 MISB. Not too bad for items that came out 4 years ago.

boo...you beat me to it.

Sorry Gutter Bunny. You're still special to me, if that counts.

[Redimus]

Wheeljack is a deffinut no no, his mold is long gone, as is Mirage.

Id heard that the only usable dinobot was Swoop, but that may be wrong.

I have a couple of late Universe Autobot Bros (Sideburn and Prowl). Apart from a slightly dodgey tire, Prowl's ok, but Sideburn has some excess plastic allright.

[Leonardo]

Ironhide and Ratchet's molds still exist. They were both reissued a few years ago as eHobby Exclusives:





They were actually pretty popular in Japan and sell now for $150 MISB. Not too bad for items that came out 4 years ago.

In light of this, how does e-Hobby get hold of Takara's original molds? I thought e-Hobby was entirely independent.

Also, does anyone have a pic of any TF mold?

[Stormrider]

Ironhide and Ratchet's molds still exist. They were both reissued a few years ago as eHobby Exclusives:





They were actually pretty popular in Japan and sell now for $150 MISB. Not too bad for items that came out 4 years ago.

In lught of this, how does e-Hobby get hold of Takara's original molds? I thought e-Hobby was entirely independent.

Also, does anyone have a pic of any TF mold?

These are just e-Hobby Exclusives, which means that Takara produced and they were distributed through e-Hobby. It's sort of like Toys R Us Exclusives.

[Leonardo]

These are just e-Hobby Exclusives, which means that Takara produced and they were distributed through e-Hobby. It's sort of like Toys R Us Exclusives.

Ah, I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Calenatarion]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

[Bluebullet]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

Reverse molding would make for a terrible figure. It's what knockoff artists do to make their dimestore junk. Hasbro/Takara could use computers and, correct me if I'm wrong, lasers to make a new mold by entering the shape and dimensions of each piece into the computer and use that diagram to make a new mold, but it would cost too much money which they couldn't make back in sales.

In short, Hasbro/Takara will never make re-issues of figures with ruined molds, and we're screwed.

[Kaijubot]

Well, a certain British producer of plastic miniatures produces new moulds at a cost of around £10,000 per mould, and get the money back from the sheer volume of miniatures the produce with it. So, it's not so much how difficult it would be but how much it costs compared to how many times it would be used and how much they'd have to charge for the finished products to recover the money spent on making the mould.

(Admittedly, I could be wrong on the cost, it's been a while since I looked into it, but basically they probably wouldn't make enough money back from remaking an old mould compared to making a new one, as re-issues sell less.)

[Calenatarion]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

Reverse molding would make for a terrible figure. It's what knockoff artists do to make their dimestore junk. Hasbro/Takara could use computers and, correct me if I'm wrong, lasers to make a new mold by entering the shape and dimensions of each piece into the computer and use that diagram to make a new mold, but it would cost too much money which they couldn't make back in sales.

In short, Hasbro/Takara will never make re-issues of figures with ruined molds, and we're screwed.

I wonder if it would be that expensive... Let's take the Dinobots as an example. I believe a LOT of people want to see those figure re-issued. If they would use competers/lasers and it would cost a lot of money, they would still make a lot of profit. I think quite a lot of people are willing to pay a 'nice' price for a re-issue Grimlock or Swoop...

[Bluebullet]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

Reverse molding would make for a terrible figure. It's what knockoff artists do to make their dimestore junk. Hasbro/Takara could use computers and, correct me if I'm wrong, lasers to make a new mold by entering the shape and dimensions of each piece into the computer and use that diagram to make a new mold, but it would cost too much money which they couldn't make back in sales.

In short, Hasbro/Takara will never make re-issues of figures with ruined molds, and we're screwed.

I wonder if it would be that expensive... Let's take the Dinobots as an example. I believe a LOT of people want to see those figure re-issued. If they would use competers/lasers and it would cost a lot of money, they would still make a lot of profit. I think quite a lot of people are willing to pay a 'nice' price for a re-issue Grimlock or Swoop...

Yes, but it would have to be a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive, because it wouldn't sell well in general retail. Why would a little kid want to spend their hard-earned allowance on a dinasaur toy that transforms into a robot, when they can buy a cheaper Transformer or a Power Ranger for well under half the price. I don't think any parent would pay $50-$70 dollars for a small toy either.(Pardon me if he isn't small. I don't have one. )

Don't get me started on child safetyfying them either...

[Calenatarion]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

Reverse molding would make for a terrible figure. It's what knockoff artists do to make their dimestore junk. Hasbro/Takara could use computers and, correct me if I'm wrong, lasers to make a new mold by entering the shape and dimensions of each piece into the computer and use that diagram to make a new mold, but it would cost too much money which they couldn't make back in sales.

In short, Hasbro/Takara will never make re-issues of figures with ruined molds, and we're screwed.

I wonder if it would be that expensive... Let's take the Dinobots as an example. I believe a LOT of people want to see those figure re-issued. If they would use competers/lasers and it would cost a lot of money, they would still make a lot of profit. I think quite a lot of people are willing to pay a 'nice' price for a re-issue Grimlock or Swoop...

Yes, but it would have to be a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive, because it wouldn't sell well in general retail. Why would a little kid want to spend their hard-earned allowance on a dinasaur toy that transforms into a robot, when they can buy a cheaper Transformer or a Power Ranger for well under half the price. I don't think any parent would pay $50-$70 dollars for a small toy either.(Pardon me if he isn't small. I don't have one. )

Don't get me started on child safetyfying them either...

Hmmmm.. Good point. I only thought about us, the collectors. But we alone are not interesting enough for Hasbro. And how about the Predaking box? How many of those were made and sold for that pretty high price? Maybe they should do something like that. (if that is possible ofcourse)

[nivek99]

I for one dun think the G1 Mirage n Wheeljack's molds are lost or damaged... I was thinking more towards the stickers that they had on are preventing them from being reissued... Mirage had the Citron or Liger stickers and Wheeljack had those Lancer Stratos stickers on... These are copyrighted trademarks by the companies, so HasTak prob cant reissue them without risking a lawsuit from these companies...

Regards
Kevin

[Rodimus_Lantern]

Updated the first post.

I for one dun think the G1 Mirage n Wheeljack's molds are lost or damaged... I was thinking more towards the stickers that they had on are preventing them from being reissued... Mirage had the Citron or Liger stickers and Wheeljack had those Lancer Stratos stickers on... These are copyrighted trademarks by the companies, so HasTak prob cant reissue them without risking a lawsuit from these companies...

Regards
Kevin

First these to were announced at Botcon as being damaged or lost molds.
Second Citanes is actually a paradoy of the Cigarette Gitanes. As far as Lancia Stratos is concerned it could easily be changed to Lancio Stratas or something.

[Swerve]

This question has been asked before and the answer is probably pretty logic, but...

Is it reall that hard for Has/Tak to make a new mold? Has/Tak make nice TF figures which are better than the old ones. So why don't they take a Mirage or Wheeljack or Grimlock (or whatever figure you can think of) and just copy it for a new mold? Or am I totally missing a point here?

Reverse molding would make for a terrible figure. It's what knockoff artists do to make their dimestore junk. Hasbro/Takara could use computers and, correct me if I'm wrong, lasers to make a new mold by entering the shape and dimensions of each piece into the computer and use that diagram to make a new mold, but it would cost too much money which they couldn't make back in sales.

In short, Hasbro/Takara will never make re-issues of figures with ruined molds, and we're screwed.

I wonder if it would be that expensive... Let's take the Dinobots as an example. I believe a LOT of people want to see those figure re-issued. If they would use competers/lasers and it would cost a lot of money, they would still make a lot of profit. I think quite a lot of people are willing to pay a 'nice' price for a re-issue Grimlock or Swoop...

Yes, but it would have to be a Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive, because it wouldn't sell well in general retail. Why would a little kid want to spend their hard-earned allowance on a dinasaur toy that transforms into a robot, when they can buy a cheaper Transformer or a Power Ranger for well under half the price. I don't think any parent would pay $50-$70 dollars for a small toy either.(Pardon me if he isn't small. I don't have one. )

Don't get me started on child safetyfying them either...

Hmmmm.. Good point. I only thought about us, the collectors. But we alone are not interesting enough for Hasbro. And how about the Predaking box? How many of those were made and sold for that pretty high price? Maybe they should do something like that. (if that is possible ofcourse)

What if Hasbro/Takara announced that they would redo the molds if they could get so many pre-sells before doing it to make sure they would make their money back/cover cost. They could then give all the pre-sells something extra and then sell the rest as they would a regular re-issue. They would then have the new molds for New Years re-issues and all the other stuff Takara likes to do later on down the road.

[shortround]

I also beleave that most of the headmaster,targetmaster and powermaster molds were lost or damaged. With exception of powermaster prime and tragetmaster rodimus and stepper or whatever his name was that was a targetmaster as well which was released at the end of toyrus commeritive series.