The Energon Pub

[Rodimus Prime]

I'm planning on picking up the Japanese versions of some Armada figures, but I'm not 100% I want to spend that much money. To those of you who have them, is there a lot of difference in color scheme or maybe even some gimmicks in the Micron Densetsu versions from the American versions? I know Tidal Wave is purple all over and is called "Shockwave" but other than that I don't know much about them. The galleries here don't have the Japanese versions. (Or, at least, I couldn't find them.) So, for the extra cash, are the figures worth it?

[Overcracker]

Mold wise they are exactly the same, since they were deigned by Takara and brought over afterwards for Armada. The only difference is the paint and the names of their minicons.

For instance Prefer the armada version of Super Base Optimus Prime over the Micron Legend version mostly because the bright yellow highlights are horrible in the Japanese version. Where the Hasbro version has a much nicer and more muted copper tone for those same highlights.

It's up to you which you like better, though there are some figures that command higher prices due to their exclusivity.

[Rodimus Prime]

The only 2 I'm looking at right now are Megatron and Tidal Wave. I do agree, Prime is too bright.

[Blurrz]

The seeker molds are actually different in the fact that the planes are linear. Hasbro versions have bent nose cones for child safety. However, the Micron Legend Powered Starscream version (Thundercracker) does not only benefit from that but from a superior paint scheme.

Sideways features a more show accurate deco, and Rampage (Wheeljack) is just beautiful. Jetfire has superior whites and Overload looks more aesthetically pleasing with his paint applications of silver and blue. Silverbolt (Blurr) has show accurate red windows while Hoist is a completely different color scheme that brings out the toy. List goes on and on. Ultimately every Micron Legend bulk figure is different other than green Thrust.

[Rodimus Prime]

Wow, sounds like a lot of things are different. I already pulled the trigger on MD-01 Megatron, probably gonna get "Shockwave" next. the others might bet a bit harder to find.

[Overcracker]

The seeker molds are actually different in the fact that the planes are linear. Hasbro versions have bent nose cones for child safety. However, the Micron Legend Powered Starscream version (Thundercracker) does not only benefit from that but from a superior paint scheme.

Sideways features a more show accurate deco, and Rampage (Wheeljack) is just beautiful. Jetfire has superior whites and Overload looks more aesthetically pleasing with his paint applications of silver and blue. Silverbolt (Blurr) has show accurate red windows while Hoist is a completely different color scheme that brings out the toy. List goes on and on. Ultimately every Micron Legend bulk figure is different other than green Thrust.

I though the seeker issue was just a slight tooling for how the cockpit pegs into the body of the plane.

Megatron is one of the closer ones in terms of color scheme between the Armada version and the Micro Legend Takara version.

Tidalwave, by the way he is awesome, again is mostly just color, but yeah the color scheme on the Micron Legend version is leagues better than the Armada scheme.. Not sure if the missiles were different for the American version though.

[Blurrz]

It's just superior.

[craggy]

Tidal Wave/Shockwave is a huge difference. I like the US/EU version I have well enough...up until I see pics of the Japanese release and am reminded how poor mine looks. But they're so different they're almost like different characters.

Not Armada but the other very significant difference I'm aware of is Energon Scorponok. Neither really nails the G1 colours, but they are both quite different from each other.